Upper Bucks Free Press • February 2017

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• Upper Bucks Free Press • February 2017

What’s Going On in Upper Bucks?

February 3

Charlie Zahm Concert 7pm at Encore, 312 Alumni Ave, Harleysville. Tkts $15/adult, free/12 & under. (Scotish/Irish program), more info at 215-256-6900

February 4

Reading Goes to the Dogs 2pm-3:30pm at Quakertown Library, 401 W Mill St. Children come read to certified therapy dogs.

215-536-3306 Pot Pie Dinner 4pm-7pm at St. John’s Lutheran of Spinnerstown, 1565 Sleepy Hollow Rd, Spinnerstown. $7/adult, $4/age 5-12.

Snow date 2/11. Info/directions: 215-536-0734 Family Movie Night 5:30pm-8:30pm at St. John’s Lutheran, 4 South Main St, Richlandtown. Music, pizza, popcorn & family friendly movie. 215-536-5027, stjohnsrpa.org Basket Bingo at West Street Commun. Ctr, 105 W Chestnut St, Souderton. Open 1:15am, info: 610-299-6239 Spaghetti Dinner 5pm-7:30pm at St. Isidore School, 603 W Broad St, Quakertown. Tkts: $5/person, $20/family. Scholastic Book Fair also. 215-536-6052

February 4 & 5

Keystone N Trak Model RR Club Open House 11am-4pm at Dublin TEC Ctr, Suite 216, 123 N Main St, Dublin. Free adm. & parking.

February 5

S.V. Lions Breakfast 8am-12:30pm. Full menu offered. $6-$8, Se-Wy-Co Fire Co Social Hall, Rte 378, Lower Saucon Twp. Sauconvalleylions.org Breakfast 8am-1pm at Springtown Fire Co, 3010 Rte 212, Springtown. $7/adult, $4/ages 5-8, free 4 & under.

February 7

Deep Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Open House, 6pm-7pm at 16 S Main St, Quakertown. Register:newvitaewellness.com “The Four Assassinations: Lincoln, Garfield, McKinley & Kennedy” 7pm, free, at Doylestown Boro Hall, 57 W Court St. civilwarmuseumdoylestown@gmail.com

February 8

Reader’s Theater Valentine’s Luncheon 11:30am at Encore, 312 Alumni Ave, Harleysville. Cost: $10 Encore mbrs perform “Farewell Florence.” 215-256-6900

Valentines Party w/Gary Dee at UB Activity Ctr. ($12/tkt lunch/party) ($6 party only), rsvp by 2/3 please. 2183 Milford Sq Pike, Quakertown. upperbucksac.com

February 10

“Night to Shine” 6pm-9pm, hosted

by Morning Star Fellowship, 429 S 9th St, Quakertown. Info: 215-529-6422 or mstarqtown.org. (invitation only, for people w/special needs, ages 14+) Valentine Dinner Dance at Pennridge Com. Ctr, 146 E Main St, Perkasie. 6pm-7pm Buffet, 7pm-10pm Dance to Good Times Orchestra. (dinner/dance $22, reserve by 2/6 at 215-453-7027) (dance only $12)

February 10 & 11

“Wizard of Oz” at Penn Central Middle School, 144 N Walnut, Perkasie. (Fri 7pm) (Sat 3pm & 7pm), Tkts $5 at door.

February 11

Winter Craft Show 9am-3pm at Benner Hall, 1260 Cherry Rd, Richlandtown

February 12

All-U-Can-Eat -Breakfast Buffet 8am12:30pm at Richland Twp Fire & Rescue, 64 Shelly Rd, Quakertown. $7/adult, $6/senior, $3/ages 6-10. Info: 215-536-7226 Breakfast 8am-1pm at American Legion, 610 E Broad St, Quakertown. $6/adult, $4/ ages 6-12. No smoking, bar open for cocktails.

One-Of-A-Kind Vendor Show (for St. Jude’s Hosp.) 11am-3pm at St. Johns Activity Ctr, 1st & Union Sts, Richlandtown. Details: 484300-9551 or email pjscatering.eventplanner@ yahoo.com Lenape Storytelling & Games 2pm at Churchville Nature Ctr. $5/person.

215-357-4005 Winter Search Party Naturalist Program 2pm-3pm at Churchville Nature Ctr. $3, reservations requested, 215-357-4005 19th Annual Daddy/Daughter Valentine’s Dance (girls 4-10 yrs) at UBYMCA, Fairview Ave, Quakertown. Info: 215-536-YMCA Cross Country Ski Clinic 9am-11am (even w/o snow) Bring own skis, pre-registration required, no fee. Peace Valley Nature Ctr in Doylestown. Info: 215-345-7860, peacevalleynaturecenter.org

February 14

Valentine’s Day

February 15

Quakertown Republican Caucus holds screening/endorsement meeting 7pm at Quakertown Fire Co on Broad St. Details: Judy Guise 215-536-5196 ESL (English as Second Language) Class Registration 5pm-7pm at Quakertown Freshman Ctr, 349 S 9th St, Quakertown.

Diane Blodgett, deblodgett@verizon.net

February 18

Jack Murray & Blue Tarp Ramblers (eclectic music) at Perkasie Patchwork Coffeehouse, 320 W Chestnut St. Open 7pm, $12/adult, $10/ senior, $6/age 13+, free under 13. Food avail. coffeehouse@perkmenno.net Ham Dinner 4pm at St. Stephen’s UCC, 110 N 6th St, Perkasie. 215-257-6460 Valentine’s Dinner/Comedy Evening at Brick Tavern, Richlandtown Inn, Spinnerstown Hotel. Six comedians & 3-hour show in Quakertown. Details: 610-346-9663, alyouth. org

February 19

Ott’s Live Auction 12noon at Quakertown Farmers Market (Dept #201) Evening Vespers (quiet, prayerful experience w/music by Craig & Pat Kastelnik) 5pm-6pm at St. John’s UCC, 538 E Thomas St, Coopersburg. 610-282-3310 or 267-221-8915

February 20

Presidents Day February 23 “Animal Surprises” (for ages 3-6), 1pm2:15pm at Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy in Schwenksville. Info: Linda 610-287-9383, perkiomenwatershed.org

February 23

Richland Township Republican Caucus screening and endorsement meeting, 7:00pm.

Richland Township Municipal Bldg, 1328 California Road. Jim Sulger 267-374-8146.

February 25

Veterans Home Buyers Seminar, 9:30am at Trinity Annex Bldg-VFW John Rivers Post Bldg, 41 Belmont Ave, Quakertown. Use your VA benefit to buy a home. Call Sue 215-8729865 to reserve a seat.

WWWA Wrestling 6:30pm at Quakertown Farmers Market (Dept #201) POQ Bowling Extravaganza 9:30pm11:30pm (check-in starts 9:15pm) at Earl Bowl Lanes, Quakertown. Prizes awarded. $125/team of five. Snacks sold. Register at prideofquakertown.org

February 26

All-U-Can-Eat Breakfast 8am-12noon at Haycock Fire Co, 850 Old Bethlehem Rd, Quakertown. $7/adult, $5/age 4-7. Info: 215536-2224 or haycockfire.org

February 27

Keystone Quilters Mtg, Quakertown Christian Sch, 50 E Paletown Rd, Qtown. $5/ guests, open 6:30pm, keystonequilters.org (InHouse Trunk Show – Linda Curry)

March 3

First Friday! “Free to Express” 6pm10pm Art Z Art Center, 241 W. Broad St, Quakertown. Info: artZonline.org, 215-262-4443

March 4

Reading Goes to the Dogs 2pm-3:30pm at Quakertown Library, 401 W Mill St. Children come read to certified therapy dogs.

215-536-3306 John Denver Tribute by Ted Vigil w/live band, doors open 7pm at Tylersport Firehouse, 125 Ridge Rd. $40/adv, $45/door. BYOB, food avail. to buy. Tkts: Mark 610-287-4467 Casino Night Benefit 6:30pm-10pm at Benner Hall, Quakertown. $40/person, catered, raffle prizes. Info/tkts: 215-801-9369 St. Patrick’s Day Party for Preemies (for Lily’s Hope) at McCoole’s Red Lion Inn, Quakertown. $75/adult, $35/child, Semi Formal Attire. 5pm Cocktails, 6pm Program, Dinner & Dancing. 267-776-HOPE

March 8

St. Patty’s Day Party w Joe Vitale 11:30am at UB Activity Ctr, 2183 Milford Sq Pike, Quakertown, ($12 lunch/party) ($6 party only), rsvp by 3/3. Upperbucksac.com or 215-536-3066

March 11

Flapjack Fundraiser 8am-10am at Applebee’s in Quakertown. All-U-Can-Eat pancakes & sausage. Tkts: $7/adult, $4/child.

Basket Auction! Supports lastchanceranch.org Outdoorsman Expo 8am-3pm at Quakertown Fire Co, 5th & W Broad Sts. Details: Jim 215-538-3755

March 15

UB Small Business EXPO & Conference 12noon-4pm at Bucks Co Community College, Perkasie Campus. Info/regis: ubcc.org/events, 215-536-3211

Have something to share with your community? Send us the details! info@ubfp.org • fax: 215-839-3421 • 582 S. West End Blvd• Quakertown, PA 18951

February 2017 • Upper Bucks Free Press •

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• Upper Bucks Free Press • February 2017

4 Basic Estate Planning Documents Everyone Needs

BY ROBERT E. FRAVEL, ESQ.

Pay off Debts or Invest?

If you’re just starting out in your career, you will need to be prepared to face some financial challenges along the way – but here’s one that’s not unpleasant: choosing what to do with some extra disposable income. When this happens, what should you do with the money? Your decisions could make a real difference in your ability to achieve your important financial goals.

Under what circumstances might you receive some “found” money? You could get a year-end bonus from your employer, or a sizable tax refund, or even an inheritance.

However the money comes to you, don’t let it “slip through your fingers.” Instead, consider these two moves: investing the money or using it to pay off debts.

Which of these choices should you pick?

There’s no one “right” answer, as everyone’s situation is different. But here are a few general considerations: • Distinguish between “good” and “bad” debt. Not all types of debt are created equal.

Your mortgage, for example, is probably a “good” form of debt. You’re using the loan for a valid purpose – i.e., living in your house – and you likely get a hefty tax deduction for the interest you pay. On the other hand, nondeductible consumer debt that carries a high interest rate might be considered “bad” debt – and this is the debt you might want to reduce or eliminate when you receive some extra money. By doing so, you can free up money to save and invest for retirement or other goals.

• Compare making extra mortgage payments vs. investing. Many of us get some psychological benefits by making extra house payments. Yet, when you do have some extra

money, putting it toward your house may not be the best move. For one thing, as mentioned above, your mortgage can be considered a “good” type of debt, so you may not need to rush to pay it off. And from an investment standpoint, your home is somewhat “illiquid” – it’s not always easy to get money out of it.

If you put your extra money into traditional investments, such as stocks and bonds, you may increase your growth potential, and you may gain an income stream through interest payments and dividends.

• Consider tax advantages of investing.

Apart from your mortgage, your other debts likely won’t provide you with any tax benefits.

But you can get tax advantages by putting money into certain types of investment vehicles, such as a traditional or Roth IRA. When you invest in a traditional IRA, your contributions may be deductible, depending on your income, and your money grows on a tax-deferred basis. (Keep in mind that taxes will be due upon withdrawals, and any withdrawals you make before you reach 59½ may be subject to a 10% IRS penalty.) Roth IRA contributions are not deductible, but your earnings are distributed tax-free, provided you don’t take withdrawals until you reach 59½ and you’ve had your account at least five years.

Clearly, you’ve got some things to ponder when choosing whether to use “extra” money to pay off debts or invest. Of course, it’s not always an “either-or” situation; you may be able to tackle some debts and still invest for the future. In any case, use this money wisely – you weren’t necessarily counting on it, but you can make it count for you. submitted by Bob Podraza in the Edward Jones office on West Broad Street, Quakertown.

He can be reached at 215-536-3635 or at bob.podraza@edwardjones.com

People often assume estate plans are only for the wealthy. That could not be further from the truth. Even if you only own one item of substantial value, such as a bank account, vehicle, or real estate, you could greatly benefit from an estate plan. Setting up an estate plan will allow you to make informed decisions about how your assets will be handled (while you are still alive!) and it also enables you to maximize the value you pass along to your beneficiaries. Here are some common estate planning mistakes to avoid: 1. Failing to have an estate plan in place Unfortunately death is unavoidable. It is always a very emotional time whenever a friend or family member passes away, and when these emotions are combined with money stress, tension and animosity are almost certain by-products. Having an estate plan (the basic estate plan consists of a will, power of attorney and a healthcare directive/living will) in place will not help ease the pain of those who lost a loved one, but it can go a long way to alleviate some of that stress, tension and animosity. We all work hard to acquire our assets over the course of our life, and we all deserve the right to pass on those assets to whomever we see fit. Having an estate plan in place allows you to determine how your affairs will be handled once you pass on.

2. Ignoring the possibility of becoming disabled or incapacitated Estate planning can also be used to manage situations in which a person becomes disabled or incapacitated (even temporarily). If you become disabled or incapacitated for any extended period of time, who will take care of your children, handle your finances and make healthcare decisions on your behalf? Having a durable power of attorney, healthcare directive and/or living trust in place will help solve these problems.

3. Not updating your Will periodically Families and businesses frequently undergo changes ranging from births, deaths, divorces, marriages and/or subsequent property purchases. If you want to ensure that your assets are being left to those you intend, update your Will periodically.

4. Not meeting with an experienced professional Not meeting with an experienced estate planning attorney or other related professional is a huge mistake, especially if you have diverse and/or complex assets. An experienced attorney can help to spot and remedy potential issues before they become a problem and they can also provide you with a tax planning/savings estate plan.

Robert E. Fravel, Esq. is a solo practitioner in Dublin, Pennsylvania who specializes in estate planning & administration, family law and business law.

You can contact him at (267) 227-9138 or ref@fravel-law.com.

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February 2017 • Upper Bucks Free Press •

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Have something to share with your community? Send us the details! info@ubfp.org • fax: 215-839-3421 • 582 S. West End Blvd• Quakertown, PA 18951

Ongoing Events & Resources Free Singing Lessons for men, all ages. All materials provided. Tuesdays 6:45pm-8:15pm from Feb 21-March 28 at Lenape Middle School, 313 W State Rd, Doylestown. Details/regis.

215-300-0202 Summer Science Academy Classes at Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy in Schwenksville. Info/pre-regis. with paymt required, 610-287-9383. (June 12-15 for ages 3-6) (July 10-14 & Aug 14-18 for K-3rd gr) (June 1923 or July 24-28 for 4th-6th gr) June 29 or July 6 for K-4th gr) perkiomenwatershed.org Quakertown Farmers Market Auctions 1st & 3rd Fri/month w/Les Beyer, 2nd & 4th Sat/month w/Tom Lorah, call 215-536-4115 for info Hoagie Sales 2nd Monday of month (except July/August) at Trumbauersville Fire Co, 142 North Main St, advance orders due Wed. before. $5.25-$5.75, info/order: Kim 215-536-1998 or bucks58fire.com All Veterans invited to join Forrest Lodge VFW, 2118 Old Bethlehem Pike, Sellersville. Call Frank 215-679-7770 Veterans invited 7:30pm, fourth Monday each month at VFW Post 3405, at 211 E Fairmount St, Coopersburg. Call for details at 610-282-1840 Veterans invited 1:30pm, second Sunday each month at John Rivers Memorial VFW Post 11322, 41 Belmont Ave, Quakertown, 267-3719636 (bring DD 214 for proof eligibility) PetSmart Adoption Day is 2nd Saturday each month, 11am-2pm, PetSmart, 620 N.West End Blvd, Quakertown, 215-538-2843 or lastchanceranch.org Last Chance Ranch Volunteer Orientation/ Tour, 1st Saturday each month, 10am-11am in front of Horse Barn, 9 Beck Rd, Quakertown, 215-538-2510 lastchanceranch.org

Support & Service Groups

Singles Connection for adults meets Thursdays for social evening, 7pm at Silverdale Brethren in Christ Church, 165 W. Main St, Silverdale. 215593-9995 or email carolonline1@verizon.net Sisters U Monthly Meetings 7pm-9pm the third Thurs every month in Perkasie, info: 267429-3196, stef@sistersu.com, Parent Support Group on Addiction meets 7pm, first & third Wed every month in Red Schoolhouse, Presbyterian Church Deep Run, 16 Irish Meetinghouse Rd, Bedminster. Info: batchof5@yahoo.com Family Education on Addiction meets 7pm, first three Mondays every month in the Red School House, Presbyterian Church Deep Run, 16 Irish Meetinghouse Rd, Perkasie. Free, register 800-221-6333 SOS Bereavement After Suicide, Family Support Group at St. Luke’s Quakertown Hospital twice monthly, info/details call 215-536-5143 Brain Injury Family/Spousal/Partner Support Group 6pm-8pm the third Monday every month at First UCC, Church Parlor, 4th & Park Ave, Quakertown, 215-538-3488 or 610-558-1326 Caregiver Support Group meets last Thurs. every month, Independence Court of Quakertown, 1660 Park Ave, (meal provided), RSVP: 215-5419030 to attend a meeting.

Caregiver Support Group 4pm-5pm, meets last Thur. of month, Hidden Meadows, 340 Farmers Ln, Sellersville, (tour & complimentary lunch), 267-429-3931, hiddenmeadowsontheridge.com Upper Bucks Clinic, free medical care for uninsured low-income residents of Upper Bucks County, 215-538-4774 Alzheimer’s Support Group, Phoebe Richland Health Care Ctr, 108 S. Main St, Richlandtown.

Free, more info: Social Services 267-371-4512,

nkoval@phoebe.org Alzheimer’s Support Group, Hidden Meadows on the Ridge, 340 Farmers Ln, Sellersville. RSVP 267-429-3931 NOVA (Network Of Victim Assistance) Support Groups, NOVA hotline 1-800-675-6900. www.NOVABucks.org Bedminster Nar-Anon meets Tues 7pm, Deep Run West Mennonite, 1008 Deep Run Rd, Perkasie, for family/friends of those struggling w/addiction, Bedminster.naranon@yahoo.com A Woman’s Place (support for domestic abuse/ violence) 24-hour Hotline 1-800-220-8116, www.awomansplace.org AARP meets 2nd Mon each month, at Upper Bucks Activity Ctr, 2183 Milford Sq Pike, Quakertown, 215-536-3066 UB Kiwanis meets 1st Wed of month 7:30am at Panera Bread, 4th Wed of month 12:30pm at Dominick’s Pizza, Quakertown Quakertown Lions Club meets 2nd & 4th Wed each month, 7pm at John’s Plain & Fancy Restaurant, Quakertown Quakertown Rotary Club meets (1st & 3rd Tues 7:30am at John’s Plain & Fancy Restaurant) (2nd, 4th, & 5th Tues 6pm at Spinnerstown Hotel) Business Networking International (BNI) meets every Thurs 7am-8:30am at John’s Plain & Fancy in Quakertown, membership info: James Dodson – jamescovie@yahoo.com Believers in Business (Qtwn Chapter) meets 2nd & 4th Friday each month, 7:30am-9am at John’s Plain & Fancy Restaurant in Quakertown, info at 610-762-8054

Community Meals

Free Community Meal third Wed of month, 5:30pm-6:30pm, Christ Community Bible Church, 1830 N. Ridge Rd, Perkasie, 215-257-7318

Free Community Meal second, fourth & fifth Weds.of month, 6pm, Richland Friends Quaker Meeting. Mill Rd & Main St off Route 309, Qtwn, 215-538-7555 Free Community Meal third Thurs of month, 5:30pm-6:30pm, First UCC, 4th & Park, Qtwn, 215-536-4447 Free Community Meal first Thurs. of month, 5:45pm, Yerger Bldg across from Trinity Lutheran, 102 N Hellertown Ave Quakertown

Bingo

Bingo at Encore Experiences, 2nd Sat of month, 312 Alumni Ave, Harleysville, details: 215-256-6900 Bingo at Milford Twp Fire Hall every Thur, 12:15pm (first Thur. of month has $50 Jackpot), 2183 Milford Square Pike, Quakertown, 215-536-3066 Bingo at West End Fire Co every Wed, open 5:30pm, (refreshments avail, smoke-free), cash prizes, 1319 Park Ave, Quakertown, 215-536-6130 Bingo at Richland Twp Fire & Rescue every Tues, open 5:30pm, 64 Shelly Rd, Qtwn.

215-536-7226 Bingo at Great Swamp Fish & Game every Sat, open 4pm, games 6:30pm, kitchen open. Free coffee, 2650 Schukraft & Camp Rock Hill Rd, Qtwn, 215-536-8820 Bingo at Sellersville Fire Co. every Thurs. (except July) open 5:30pm, 2 N. Main St, 215-257-4028 Bingo at Tylersport Fire Co. every Tues. open 5:30pm, 125 Ridge Rd, 215-257-5900 Bingo at American Legion Post 397, 1st & 3rd Friday of the month, open 6pm, 935 Main St, Hellertown, 484-851-3624

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• Upper Bucks Free Press • February 2017

BY REV. DAVID ELLIS There’s an old hymn which was a favorite of my grandparents. It’s called “Let The Lower Lights Be Burning”. Not long ago, I found out the story behind it.

In the 19th Century, a steamer crossing Lake Erie was heading to the port of Cleveland, Ohio. It was night. To find the port, the ships pilot had to see not only the beams of the light house near the port but also the lights of the homes along the edge of the shore. These “lower lights” were critical to guiding the safe arrival of the vessel. That night a storm rose on the lake. For some reason the ship’s pilot could not find the “lower lights”. As a result the ship sank with tragic loss of life.

The hymn was written not long after that.

The message of the hymn is clear : Brightly beams our Father’s mercy From His lighthouse evermore But to us He gives the keeping Of the lights along the shore.

Let the lower lights be burning! Send a gleam across the wave!

Some poor lost and struggling sea-man You may rescue, You may save.

Bible Baptist Church

In the first chapter of John’s gospel, Jesus is called “the true light”. But in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:14) Jesus says to his listeners “You are the light of the world”.

So which is it? Is Jesus the light or are we?

The answer to the question is “Yes”. We are the “lower lights”. We must never forget that our lives, our words and deeds may serve to carry God’s guiding light to someone who is struggling through their own personal dark, stormy night. We may never know that what we have done or said has made a difference for that person, but we must never think that our witness as Christians doesn’t matter. God has placed us here for that purpose. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we carry the light of Christ.; we carry the grace of God. In that, we do the Lord’s work! “Let you light so shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. (Matt. 5: 16)” David Ellis is the pastor at Trinity (Great Swamp) UCC in Spinnerstown. He can be reached at pastor.david1@verizon.net.

Upper Bucks Area Places of Worship

meets at Strayer Middle School Auditorium 1200 Ronald Reagan Drive, Quakertown 267-772-0288 www.biblebaptistcares.org Pastor: Thomas Harris Bible Study Hour 9:30 am, Morning Worship 10:30 am, Services interpreted for the deaf

Christ Church United Church of Christ

101 N. Main Street Trumbauersville, PA 18970 215-538-0142 christchurch10@verizon.net www.christchurchisalive.org Pastor: David Heckler A friendly, welcoming church. Change fear into hope, doubt into faith. God is calling.

Join us at 11am Sunday. Halleleujah!

Christ’s Lutheran Church

1 Luther Lane, Trumbauersville 215-536-3193 Pastor: Carolann Hopcke 9:00am Worship, 10:15 Sunday School Free Drive-in Movies Friday evenings June through August, Handicapped accessible, Family Friendly Church

Church of the Incarnation

44 S. 8th Street, Quakertown 215-538-3787 Ardores@verizon.net www.IncarnationQuakertown.org Pastor: Most Rev. Thomas J. Kleppinger Traditional worship, Biblical faith Sunday 10:30am, Holy Days as announced.

First United Methodist Church

501 Market Street, Perkasie 215-257-4626 fumcperkasie@verizon.net www.fumcperkasie.com Pastor: Scott Dorn Mission: Share God’s love, Make and nurture disciples of Jesus Christ, positively impact our community and world.

Good News Church

424 Juniper Street, Quakertown 215-536-4393 Pastor: David Markey, Jr. An alternative to the ultra-contemporary Sunday Worship and Children’s Church 10:30 am, Wednesday Bible Study 7:30pm, World Evangelism Fellowship affiliate.

Good Shepherd Church (Episcopal) 1634 Hilltown Pike, Hilltown 215-822-3930 Pastor: The Rev. Catherine Kerr 10:00am Sunday Eucharist

Grace Bible Fellowship Church

1811 Old Bethlehem Pike N., Quakertown 215-536-6096 grace@quakertownbfc.org www.quakertownbfc.org Pastor: Ron Kohl, Sr. Pastor Sunday School for all ages, 10:10am Morning Worship, Evening 1st & 3rd Sundays 6:30 pm, Small group meetings 2nd & 4th Sundays 6:30 pm, Tues: Ladies Bible study 9:30am; Wed: AWANA (2 yrs - 6th grade) & Teens for Christ 6:30 pm, Adult Bible study 7 pm.

Quakertown United Methodist Church

St. John’s Lutheran Ridge Valley

1875 Freier Road, Quakertown 215-536-4992 barb@qumc.com www.qumc.com Pastor: Rev. Dr. Thomas S. Robinson III Sunday morning worship: 8:00am, 9:00am 11:00am Sunday School for all ages 10:00am.

910 Allentown Road, West Rockhill Twp 215-257-9643 stjohnsridgevalley@verizon.net www.stjohns-ridgevalley.com Pastor: Amy Hotter 8:30am Traditional - 10:30am w/priase band.

Grape juice & gluten-free wafers available.

Handicapped accessible. All invited and welcome anytime to Share the Joy!

Richland Friends Meeting (Quaker)

Main St at Mill Rd & Park Ave, Quakertown 215-538-7555 Friends@RichlandQuakers.org www.RichlandQuakers.org Clerk: Jack H. Schick Non-Denominational guided meditations Wed, 7pm Sunday worship 10:30am “Absolute freedom of thought and worship is our faith and practice.”

Ridge Valley United Church of Christ

905 Allentown Road, Sellersville 215-257-7244 rvucc.pastor@verizon.net www.ridgevalleyucc.org Pastor: Rev. Steve Myren We are a vibrant, welcoming Family of Faith.

Worship: Sundays 9:30am. Ridge Valley: Growing Together in God’s Love.

St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Applebachsville

837 Old Bethlehem Road, Quakertown 215-536-5789 stpauls@netcarrier.com www.quakertown.net/stpauls Pastor: Rev. David Heckler We believe in sharing God’s love in joyful service. Come and see. All are welcome.

St. Paul’s United Church of Christ

104 Green Street, Sellersville 215-257-7268 stacey@stpaulsucc.net www.stpaulsucc.net 8:00 am Rejoice & Praise Worship in Parlor, 9 am Sunday School - all ages, 10:15 Worship in Sanctuary

Trinity Great Swamp UCC

3668 Ridge Road, Perkasie 215-795-2965 office@kellerschurch.org www.kellerschurch.org Worship 7:45 & 10:15 am, Sunday School 9 am, Koinonia Cafe 8:#0 pm, Holy Commnion 1st & 3rd Sunday, Children’s Church 2nd & 4th Sunday

Spinnerstown Rd & County Line Rd Spinnerstown 215-679-7710 tgsucc@verizon.net www.tgsucc.org Pastor: David R. Ellis / Matt Gorkos Sunday School classes for all ages (preK adult) 9:15 am. Family activities throughout the year

First United Church of Christ

610-282-1908 234 S. Main Street, Coopersburg coopmoravian@aol.com Pastor: Jay Petrella Sunday services 10:00am. Small, friendly Protestant church. Community mission: Serving free dinners once per month. All are welcome. Call for information.

19 South 10th Street, Quakertown 215-536-3593 stjohnsquak@verizon.net www.stjohnsquak.org Pastor: Ray Miller Sunday Worship 8 and 10:30am, Sunday School 9:15am. Welcoming, Reaching Out, Serving.

Elevator available

102 N. Hellertown Avenue, Quakertown 215-536-4345 www.trinityquakertown.org Pastor: Lynette R. Chapman 9 am traditional services, 10:15 Sunday School, 11am Contemporary service, Handicapped Accessible, Family Friendly Church, Dynamic Music Ministry, Community Service Oriented

Fourth Street & Park Avenue, Quakertown 215-536-4447 info@firstUCC.net www.firstUCC.net facebook.com/FirstUCCQuakertown Co-Pastors: Douglas & Joyce Donigian Traditional worship Sunday 9:15am, Alternative worship Sunday 5:15pm, Community dinners every 3rd Thursday 5:30pm

720 Blooming Glen Road, Blooming Glen 215-257-7309 kallebach@pennridgecf.org www.pennridgecf.org Pastor: Thomas Vargis Sunday worship 10:30am, Sunday School after song service (infants to age 12), Wed evenings 7pm w/ prayer, Crossroads youth & (Sep-Apr) boys and girls clubs. All are welcome.

1565 Sleepy Hollow Rd, Spinnerstown 215-536-0734 stjohnsspinnerstown@gmail.com www.stjohnsofspinnerstown.org Pastor: The Rev. Axel Kaegler Worship service 9:45 am, Sunday School 9 9:45 am - children 3 years through 6th grade

Emmanuel Episcopal Church

560 S. Main Street Quakertown, PA 18951 215-536-3040 emmanuelchurch11@yahoo.com www.emmanuelquakertown.org Sunday service at 10am, Visitors and new members always welcome!

Evangel Assembly of God

401 Arch Street, Perkasie 215-453-1565 • www.perkasieag.org Pastor: Rev. Gary Saul Where God’s Love Changes Lives

Morning Star Fellowship

429 S. 9th Street, Quakertown 215-529-6422 Pastor: John Decker www.mstarqtown.org Services at 9am & 11am, Children’s Ministry provided, EastWest Cafe open with free coffee. Celebrate recovery Wednesday 7pm.

Check website for more info.

MorningStar Moravian Church

Pennridge Christian Fellowship

St. John’s Lutheran Church

St. John’s Lutheran Church of Spinnerstown

Trinity Lutheran Church

Victory Fellowship Church

120 Ridge Road, Telford 215-453-9988 victoryfellowshippa@gmail.com www.victoryfellowshippa.org Pastor: Dr. Virgil A. Mobley Full Gospel.A friendly, loving, and joyful church where the presence of God is in His house. Check out our website.

February 2017 • Upper Bucks Free Press •

“To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow” – Audrey Hepburn Last summer I saw this quote on a local garden center sign. I was impressed by its simple yet profound meaning. How many of us have planted seeds and waited for those first leaves to emerge? This is an affirmation that there will be a tomorrow and we will be around to see it.

A sense of well-being is one of the benefits of gardening. Senior citizen centers and community living facilities utilize garden clubs and gardening to improve the lives of their residents, including those who suffer from dementia and depression. A recent experiment published in the Journal of Health Psychology compared the stress-relieving benefits of gardening to those of reading: however a more significant decrease in stress was experienced by those who gardened. So how about reading in our gardens for maximum benefit? Sounds like a bonus activity. For me, gardening produces a sense of accomplishment. Feeling accomplished and connected is especially important for retired Seniors who no longer have their Professional lives to instill self-worth.

Gardening can also help people reach fitness goals. Gardening is considered a moderate-to-heavy intensity physical activity and has been linked to beneficial changes in total cholesterol and reducing blood pressure (Armstrong, 2000). The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports only 2 ½ hours of moderate-intensity level activity per week can reduce the risk for obesity, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, heart disease, stroke, depression, colon cancer and premature death. Even a few plants in containers or a small raised garden bed can demand enough attention to fulfill 2 ½ hours of physical activity per week. I am not proposing that gardening is a total substitute for exercise, but an afternoon in the garden can produce plenty of sore muscles!

Anyone who has planted a vegetable garden knows the joy of picking fresh vegetables and eating them raw, or cooking them same day.

The taste is incredible and nutrition is at its peak. Growing your own food also gives us an opportunity to know where your food comes from and if pesticides or insecticides were used to produce them. Plus, if we go to

the trouble to plant, care for and harvest our own fresh fruit and vegetables we tend to eat more of them. Don’t be afraid to mix herbs and flowers with your vegetables in containers and gardens. Flowers add color and possibly some insect or animal deterrent properties to your garden; herbs can be a healthy way to add flavor and color to your meal.

Gardening can also be a way to get our kids away from their electronics and become engaged in helping to grow their own food.

Studies have shown that kids involved in growing and preparing food are more likely to try new foods. My love of gardening began working beside my Father in our vegetable garden and helping my Mother in her flower beds, some of my fondest childhood memories.

Don’t have the space to garden outside?

Taking care of a few houseplants is still beneficial. Many plants, such as Snake Plant (Sanseveria), Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) and Golden Pothos (Scindapsus aures) have been shown to improve air quality in our homes.

Community gardening is even being used in many urban areas to combat crime. Replacing abandoned lots with communal gardening plots gets residents outside to interact with neighbors. Scientific studies show that crime decreases as the amount of green space increases.

If gardening is of significant benefit to our health and welfare; a better question might be: Why not garden?

Harriet Cooper, The Dirt on Gardening, MSU Extension, What are the physical and mental benefits of gardening?, www. gardeningmatters.com, Multiple Benefits of Community Gardening, Our Home Gardening Hotline is closed for the winter season. Look for us to be back online next March.

Have questions? Contact us!

“Ask a Master Gardener” Penn State Extension Bucks County Neshaminy Manor Center 1282 Almshouse Rd Doylestown, PA 18901 Email: BucksHotline@ag.psu.edu Please mention that you heard about us through the Upper Bucks Free Press!

7

This is the Year!

So here we are in February of 2017 and the big question is, “Is this the year?” I realize that it has only just begun; however, it is important to have at least a thought about what changes you would like to make this year. It does not really matter too much if you haven’t written down your goals per say or for that matter the steps you were going to take to achieve these goals/changes in your life. First and foremost is that you have “thoughts” about things that you want to be different in your life.

Eventually you will write them down and begin to take action.

My new year did not start off very well with a sudden death of a close friend. I have been grieving and was in and still am in a state of shock. I am someone who looks for meaning in the things that happen in my life and around my life. I know intellectually that accidents happen and people close to me will die.

However emotionally it feels so much deeper than that to me. He was so young and so close to my age that looking at my own mortality is not very comforting. Yet in a strange way it becomes an opportunity for me to look at how I am living my life.

I look at my relationships with my husband, my family and my friends and I say to myself, “Am I happy?” “Is there anything else I could be doing to have more happiness in these relationships?” “Are these friendships still good for me?” “Do I want to be closer to anyone else in my life?” I value the love that I have for my husband, my family and my friends. I don’t want to ever lose them. Yet it can happen. So, my goal is to continue to foster these relationships and spend as much time with those that I love and enjoy spending

time with so that I don’t have any regrets and I can experience more joy and peace in my life.

That is what I want for me in this area of my life.

I look at my career and my private practice and say, “Is there anything else I can be doing to feel as though I am making a difference in the lives of my clients?” “Is there another purpose to what I am doing with my work?” The answer for me is to take more risks and get out of my comfort zone. I have had a lot of great ideas of how I want to expand my practice; however, have not pursued it for one reason or another. So I have already made plans. I am excited about this new opportunity for me in my work.

I without a doubt want to experience more of life. I want to go on the trips that I don’t make time for because something else gets in the way. The problem for most of us is that life gets in the way. We have other responsibilities that interfere with the trips, lunches, dinners or weekend getaways. My hope is that I will cherish even more than I already do the people in my life and that I will truly be more present in these relationships. I believe that everything in our life happens for a reason and it is our responsibility to find out what that is so we can have the things we want in our lives.

Despite the loss, I am feeling in my life right now, I am excited about what opportunity I have to enhance my life and my relationships with others. I am truly blessed. May all of you say, “Is this the year?” and make it “Your Year!”

My belief is that “all persons are truly greater than they think they are.” Susan V. Brewer is a Certified Life Coach and Psychotherapist in the Upper Bucks County Area. She can be reached at 215-872-4219. Visit her website at www.balancelife4u.com.

3rd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Celtic Festival Slated

The Pennridge Chamber of Commerce and the Sellersville Borough presents the 3rd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Celtic Festival on Saturday, March 18, 2017 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The day will begin at 11:00am with a parade from Pennridge South Middle School on 5th Street Perkasie. The route will be 5th Street to Church Street in Sellersville going left on Main Street in Sellersville to the Sellersville Fire Company Picnic Grove in the rear of the property. Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick will lead off the parade as the Grand Marshal.

Many community groups, businesses, a wide variety of vendors and organizations will participate in this fun-filled event.

To register to be in the Parade, please

email: pennridgecc@pennridge.com or call the Chamber at 215-257-5390.

To register for a Food or Craft Vendor booth, visit www.perkasierec.com or call the Chamber at 215-257-5390.

At the Sellersville Picnic Grove there will be a music tent with Irish music all afternoon featuring, Mcgirr & Alberts. There will be several new activities added to the festival this year. A Celtic Kids Corner with Celtic themed crafts and games, an amateur Soda Bread Bake Off, Kilt contest, Irish Dancing to name a few.

The Celtic Festival will be a good time for the whole family. It will include food, vendors, and a beer tent sponsored by RE/MAX 440 and hosted by Sellersville Firemen.

8

• Upper Bucks Free Press • February 2017

Lawsuit: Pennridge High School Failed to Address Harassment, Bullying Suit claims Pennridge High School violated the law by not responding to race- and sex-based harassment that drove only Black 9th grader out of school.

The National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) joined a lawsuit filed by a Black student against Pennridge High School in Perkasie, PA that alleges violations of Title IX and Title VI—federal laws that prohibit sex and race discrimination in education—for failing to address harassment of her when she was the only Black 9th grade student.

The opposition to the school’s motion to dismiss—filed last Friday by NWLC and Philadelphia attorney Olugbenga O. Abiona in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania—documents the discrimination experienced in 2012 by Modupe Williams, then a 14-year-old freshman at Pennridge High School. Ms. Williams’s classmates called her epithets like “bitch” and “n****r,” sexually propositioned her, and hurled vile, sexually explicit insults rooted in racist stereotypes.

Ms. Williams and her mother repeatedly turned to Pennridge principals for help stemming the abuse, but the school did nothing.

Rather than take steps to stop the harassment, a principal told her she should leave Pennridge if she could not handle it. Eventually, after months of harassment, Ms. Williams was

forced to transfer to a new school.

“This school completely ignored its legal and moral responsibility to help one of its students when she faced harassment because of her race and sex,” said NWLC Director of Education Neena Chaudhry. “Instead of protecting her, they drove her out. The school’s failure sends a chilling message to students that even if they speak up about their harassment they may not be protected. And it tells wouldbe harassers that they can freely harass without paying a price.”

“The harassment and bullying that I faced made me dread going to school,” said Ms. Williams, now 19. “I know I’m not alone. I hope by going to court and telling my story that schools will actually create safe and comfortable learning environments, instead of failing to protect their students.”

The lawsuit also details the retaliation Williams experienced after reporting her harassment, including her school’s refusal to provide her new school with a transcript, which further disrupted and delayed Williams’s education.

February 2017 • Upper Bucks Free Press •

9

The Wedding Day

Have something to share with your community? Send it to us!

info@ubfp.org • 582 S. West End Blvd • Quakertown, PA 18951

A Country Winter Winter in the country – oh what a wonderful time for a child. Reflecting on the very mild winter that we have had so far reminded me of what may happen in February, and most definitely in March. When I looked back at my article for February 2016, I realized that I still remember the same things about growing up as a snow child in the country. So, I share those thoughts with you again this February, 2017.

The best part of living in the country for us children was “Snow Time” when we would make snowmen, snow forts, snow angels, and have snowball fights. Well, since I was the only child in my household, I had snowball fights with the trees, and I always won.

The vastness of property in the country gave us many choices. We could build snow forts in the woods, or by the side of the house. We could make an entire family of snow people – mother, father, and children, each standing on their own tenth of an acre. And there is nothing like hiding behind a huge oak tree trunk as you hurl those snowballs toward your opponent during a snowball fight. The entire neighborhood of ten youngsters could have walked up the road to our house, and there would have been room for each child to make half a dozen snow angels in our front yard.

One of the things that I liked best about snow was that my mother would make snow ice cream, which I absolutely loved. And, when it got really cold, there would be huge, foot long icicles hanging all along the edge of our roof. Not only did they display beautiful colors when the sun shined on them, but they were great snacks. That was back in the day when the air was pure, the snow was pure, and the water was pure. Well, I’m not real sure about the purity of the shingles on our roof, but all of us icicle-chomping children survived to adulthood.

We had a rather long driveway (or so it seemed to me), and my mother would shovel one side from the house to the road, and back up the other side. I can remember walking

down the driveway and not being able to see over the snow pile because it was so high. But then, I was just a pint-sized six year old, so I guess it wasn’t really that high.

My mother was a strong advocate of chores for children, so as I got older, I had to help with the snow removal. I did not like it because that part of winter in the country was not programmed into my DNA. It was a long process, and my hands and feet got too cold. When we were finished, and went inside, all I wanted to do was to take off my socks, shoes, and boots, and put my feet inside the oven of our wood burning stove. But, Mama said, “Oh, no! You must let your feet warm gradually.” I knew that gradually meant slowly, but my hands and feet needed instant warmth. Life is a learning experience, and I learned the hard way to listen to the advice of my mother about warming super cold hands and feet too quickly.

The one thing that was almost a given to complete “A Country Winter” was a blizzard in March, sometimes on the first day of spring.

In the mid-1950s, there was a mammoth blizzard in East Rockhill Township. Our country road was not plowed open for five days. There were about ten families on the half mile stretch of our road, and even the family with a tractor could not get through. But alas, a helicopter flew over and dropped off a sack of food for each of the families. That was an exciting first for the children and a welcomed sight for the parents. I don’t recall, but it must have been well into May before that snow melted!

I cherished growing up in the country, and experiencing all the beauty, fun, excitement, and memories that winter offered. But, as I entered adulthood and eventually moved “Uptown”, I was very thankful that there were no long driveways to shovel, and my travel to work and to stores was less than five miles.

In time I had children, and I could once again recreate “A Country Winter” – Uptown.

You can contact Jacque at: jacque@ubfp.org

One recent morning, I was browsing through a local advertising paper and noticed ads for spring and Summer Wedding preparations. Also earlier my wife and I were talking about her going to town to purchase a wedding shower gift for a member of our extended families future wife. As I was reading the paper, I received a call from my sister Shirley Rupert and in our general conversation of recent happenings, she mentioned that she recently was in contact with a couple that had her sing at their wedding.

My sister was much in demand in the 1950’s and 60’s for such services. She mentioned that the wife of the couple was not doing well and she was concerned. These three events all within about an hours time, prompted me to right about what I have seen as changes in the Marriage Ceremony of the span of my parent’s and my life.

My parents were married in September 1933, one of the worst years of the depression of 1929 era. As I wrote in previous articles, one week after their marriage both lost their jobs as factories were closing in the area. The custom of most couples in that era was to exchange their marriage vows in the Parsonage by the congregation pastor, with just a few people in attendance as witnesses. Then the “Shindig” (reception) was held at the brides parent’s home with covered dishes brought by guests. Usually after the service the couple would stop by for their appointment with the local photographer in his studio for the wedding photograph. A popular studio was that of “Greisamer’s” in Quakertown. Only the “well to do” had big church weddings during that period.

I would like to interject at this time that an old tradition of a “Kettle Band” took place

within a few weeks after marriage. The people would gather in the evening and beat on kettles with spoons until the couple would invite them in for light refreshment. (In most cases the group would bring that refreshment along to help the couple.)

The War (WW II) came along shortly thereafter and many young couples had similar weddings (Hurry up because of time limits) with the hope of having the “Shindig” later on after (hopefully) the spouse returned home. After the War more and more couples decided to have church weddings. Cars were decorated with strings of Crepe Paper with Crepe Paper Flowers stuck on randomly with masken tape. After photos were taken the bridal party loaded up in this fleet of cars and the drivers drove through “town” hunking their horns as the drove around. The couple then arrived at the wedding hall for the reception. Most guests drove to the reception hall during photos. After the war many local communities purchased surplus military vehicles for fire service. They then constructed halls to house the vehicles and hold community functions for fundraisers. Many granges still were functioning and rented their halls as well as Veterans Groups expanded their facilities to have reception halls. All the above were staffed with many rotating serving staff and a cadre of wonderful Pa. Dutch Kitchen Staff.

This type of arrangement continued for many years and was so popular that in order to get some of the most popular halls such as the VFW outside of Perkasie, West End Fire Hall, or Milford Twp. Firehall, reservations would have to be made well over a year in advance.

There usually was either a fund raising dinner or wedding reception every weekend. Now as in many cases the halls are empty and it is hard to get such volunteers.

Dick Helm is a regular contributor.

He can be reached at dickhelm@ubfp.org

Think Local. Buy Local. Be Local.

10

• Upper Bucks Free Press • February 2017

~Obituaries~

Ryan England Barr, 23, of Quakertown, passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of Mon., Dec. 26.

He attended and graduated from Quakertown High School in 2012, and made and cared for many friends. He put everyone before himself, no matter who it was. That was the type of person he was. He would literally give you the shirt off his back.

He was a very hard worker. He worked as a landscaper at Total Turf Landscaping in Chalfont. He was artistic and loved creating things, from graphic design to music to tiling.

A very neat and organized person, he would not even let you into his car without lint brushing you. He also knew where he placed everything and how much he had left, so he would notice if you touched anything of his.

But beyond his neatness pet peeve, his heart was fully in every conversation he had and every smile he gave. His smile brought light into every room and his eyes made the ladies melt.

He was a gentleman in every aspect.

He is survived by his loving parents Londonne and David Barr, Jr.; his sister Brittany (Brian) Linsenbigler; his best friend and brother Corey Barr; grandparents Gerri (and “main man” Roger) England and Marjorie and David Barr, Sr.; and his aunts, Kristie England, Lori (Bob) Helm, and Jackie (Tom) Kulus.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial contributions be made to the National MS Society at www.nationalmssociety.org or the ASPCA at www.aspca.org.

We are all loving you so much Ryan, please help guide us to where we need to be. www. nauglefcs.com

Dennis, Zionsville; grandchildren: Kristina, Daniel, Leah and James; great-grandchildren: Benjamin, Elijah and John; and a brother, Kent Fretz, wife Margie, Green Lane.

Services will be private at the convenience of the family.

Memorial contributions may be made to First UCC, 151 S. 4th St., Quakertown, PA 18951.

Naugle Funeral & Cremation Service, Ltd., Quakertown, in charge of arrangements. www.nauglefcs.com

Renee J. Horne, 85, of Quakertown, passed away on Dec. 31, 2016. She was the loving wife of the late Richard H. Horne.

Born in Quakertown, she was the daughter of the late J. Norman and Kathryn (Reider) Fretz.

Renee was a graduate of Quakertown High School.

She was a member of First United Church of Christ in Quakertown.

Surviving are her daughters: Beth Shaffer, Quakertown and Kay Hallowell, husband

Harland Glenn Ganong, 72, of Quakertown, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 6, 2017 in the comfort of his home after an extended illness surrounded by his loving family. Born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin to the late Glenn and Florence (Betz) Ganong, he has been a resident of Quakertown for many years.

A man of honor, Harland served in

Paul D. McGraw, 74, of Sellersville, died Sat., Dec. 31 at Quakertown Center. He was the loving husband of the late Mary C. McGraw.

Born in Marlinton, WV, he was a son of the late James W. and Beatrice C. (Barb) McGraw.

He was a graduate of Marlinton High School.

Paul was an active member of the Quakertown American Legion Post 242.

He loved baseball, and spent much of his time as a coach and umpire for community leagues, including the Quakertown American Legion team.

Surviving are sons: Michael McGraw of Philadelphia; Bruce McGraw of Allentown and Mark McGraw of Harleysville; grandchildren, Gary James McGraw and Keiley Young; great-grandchildren, Mikayla McGraw and Matthew McGraw; and a brother, James McGraw of Buckhannon, WV. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Legion Post 242, 610 E. Broad St., Quakertown, PA 18951 or the Alzheimer’s Association, 399 Market St., Suite 102, Philadelphia, PA 19106. www.nauglefcs.com

the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. Harland enjoyed a long career as a metal fabricator. After his retirement he worked for Manheim Auto Auction in Hatfield. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, hunting and camping year round. Harland is dearly missed by his loving family which includes his wife of 43 years, Gladys (Fennel); daughter, Robin (Rob) Lundholm of Cape May, NJ; stepchildren, Jeanne Mitchell of Bethlehem, Geraldine Snedeker of Quakertown and Mark Nielsen of Quakertown; brother, Carlton; sister, Charlotte; seven grandchildren; five great grandchildren; extended family and many close, dear friends. Relatives and friends will be received Thursday evening, (Jan. 12) from 6pm - 8pm in the C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc., 821 W. Broad St., Quakertown.

Graveside services will be held privately at Washington Crossing National Cemetery, Newtown. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to: Hawk Mountain, 1700 Hawk Mountain Road Kempton, PA 19529, or online at www.hawkmountain.org (C.R. Strunk, Quakertown) Info and condolences: crstrunk.com

Frederick W. Vandegrift, 76, of Quakertown, died Tues. Jan. 17th at St. Luke’s Hospice House, Bethlehem. He was the husband of Lynn (Underkoffler) Vandegrift for 50 years.

Born in Philadelphia, he was a son of the late Frederick and Jane (Plucinski) Vandegrift.

He was a sheet metal worker for over 30 years with Sheet Metal Workers, Local 19.

He loved antique cars and in 1984, he started the Annual Quakertown Community Day Car Show. He ran the show himself for many years, then ran it with help from local organizations and family.

He was a member of the First United Church of Christ, Quakertown.

Surviving with his wife are his daughter, Jennifer Gorman, husband Patrick of East Greenville; son, Frederick Vandegrift of Quakertown; grandchildren, Violet and Joseph; brother, Jesse Vandegrift, wife Dannette; sisters, Phyllis Chami, Mary Jane Fitzgerald, husband Marvin, and Jean Vandegrift, companion Todd Beck; sister-in-law, Jacqueline Mohr. He was predeceased by an infant son.

Naugle Funeral & Cremation Service, Ltd. is in charge of arrangements. www.nauglefcs.com Thaddeus R. Koljeski, 88, of Quakertown died January 17, 2017 in Quakertown Center.

Born in Bucks County he was the son of the late Ludwig A. & Irene (Struzewski) Koljeski.

Before his retirement he worked in the maintenance department of the Bucks County Court House prior to that he worked on the family farm and the family owned Feasterville Luncheonette.

He was a member of St. Isidore’s Catholic Church in Quakertown and also attended Our Lady of Czestochowa where he was an usher and active in many groups.

Thaddeus played the accordion and was an avid fan of the Philadelphia Sports Teams.

He is survived by his cousins Richard Drobnicki (Barbara) of Allentown, Michael Drobnicki of Allentown, Rebecca Owen (Ed) of Fredericksburg, VA and Nicholas Drobnicki (Christie) of Scottsdale, AZ. Services will be held on Friday, January 20, 2017 at 10:30 A.M. in the C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (www.crstrunk.com) 821 W. Broad St. Quakertown, PA 18951. Call 9:30-10:30 A.M. in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Our Lady of Czestochowa P.O. Box 2049, 654 Ferry Rd. Doylestown, PA 18901.

Rodger T. Brown, 76, of Milford Square, died on Tue., Jan. 17 at St. Luke’s Hospice House, Bethlehem. He was the loving husband of Nancy (Popowitcz) Brown for 54 years.

Born in Allentown, he was a son of the late Joseph and Clara (Hummel) Brown.

Shortly after high school, Rodger enlisted in the US Army and served as a Paratrooper.

Rodger worked on the coating line for Fasson, an Avery International Co. in Quakertown for 30 years.

Surviving with his wife are sons, Michael Brown of Coopersbug, Rod J. Brown of Milford Square; and his granddaughters Autumn and Nikki, who were very special to him.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke’s Hospice House, 2455 Black River Rd., Bethlehem, PA 18015 or Morning Star Fellowship, 429 S. 9th St., Quakertown, PA 18951. www.nauglefcs.com

LaMar J. Link, 86 of Quakertown, died Tues. Jan. 17th at St. Luke’s Quakertown Hospital.

He was the husband of Jean (Turner) Link.

Born in Allentown, he was the son of the late Lloyd and Ruth Link.

He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He worked as an electrician for Mack Trucks from 1955 to his retirement in 1986.

He was a member of Trinity Great Swamp United Church of Christ, Spinnerstown.

Surviving with his wife are children, Cynthia Kreider of Winter Springs, FL, Matthew Link of Quakertown, and Kathleen Mease, wife of Donald of Green Lane; son, grandchildren, James, Amanda, and Ryan; Great Grandchildren, Michael and Christina.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. www.nauglefcs.com Robert L. Wieand, 70, of Quakertown & Millsboro, DE died Wed. Jan. 18 in his home.

He was the loving husband of Linda (Lokay) Wieand.

Born in Vincennes, IN he was the son of Henry K. and Betty (Adams) Wieand of Quakertown.

Bob retired recently from QNB as a Sr. Vice-President of Commercial Lending after joining the bank in 1994. His career in banking began as a teller with the former Bucks County Bank in Quakertown.

He was active in civic organizations formerly serving as president of the Quakertown Rotary, Upper Bucks YMCA and Upper Bucks Chamber of Commerce.

Surviving with his parents & wife are a son Kevin, wife Sherry; grandsons Justin, Patrick, & Brandon of Gilbertsville and a sister Jean Weaver, husband Stanley of Frost Proof, FL. Memorial contributions in Bob’s name should be directed to the Upper Bucks YMCA, 401 Fairview Ave., Quakertown, PA 18951. nauglefcs.com Mary C. Grida, 81, of Richlandtown, passed away with her family nearby on Fri., Jan. 20th. She was the widow of John Grida.

Born in Quakertown, she was the daughter of the late Christian and Lovenia (Kernechel) Aron.

Mary and her late husband owned and operated Grida’s Soft Ice Cream for many years.

Mary was Richlandtown’s first and only female mayor and she was active in the Richlandtown Fire Company. She enjoyed traveling, the casinos, and dining out.

She was a member of St. Isidore’s Catholic Church.

She is survived by her children John (Lenore) of Richlandtown, Steven., Sr. (Michele) of Hellertown, Michele (Daniel) Walsh of Riegelsville, and David (Michele) of Richlandtown; 18 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, with one on the way.

Mary was preceded in death by a daughter, Cathleen and a grandson, Joseph.

Memorial contributions can be made to St. Isidore’s Roman Catholic Church, 603 W. Broad St., Quakertown, PA 18951 www. nauglefcs.com David Bohrer, of Perkasie, passed away on January 21st.

David was born on June 9, 1958 to Ella and George Bohrer. He grew up alongside his four siblings: Michael, Sharon, Sue and Mark. Full of life and a love for adventure, it wasn’t long before Ella bought him his first motorcycle and inspired a lifelong love for the sport of dirt bike racing. He married his wife, Jill Bohrer in Ellsworth, Maine on September 9, 1980, and soon after welcomed their first child, Joshua Roy Bohrer on April 24, 1981.

Unfortunately, Joshua passed away, but David loved him and all his children to follow dearly.

Jill and David welcomed four more children in the years to follow: Isaac, Alison, Benjamin and Olivia. He was extremely hard working, spending more than 30 years of his career at Fred Beans Chevrolet. However, somewhere in between work and being an amazing father, he found time to enjoy his love of dirt bikes with the Valley Forge Trail Riders. He loved being a member of the club and beamed with happiness after doing well in an enduro. David was a quiet person, until the subject of dirt bikes was brought up. He was always happy to share his stories and knowledge of racing. He loved animals, even if he didn’t always want to admit it. He greatly enjoyed his time playing with his many dogs and cats. He was a very kind, compassionate, intelligent, and strong man. He will be missed greatly by his many friends and family.

David is survived by his mother Ella; his wife Jill; his children Isaac, Alison, Ben and

February 2017 • Upper Bucks Free Press •

~Obituaries~

Olivia; his granddaughter Quinn; and his siblings Michael (Debbie), Sharon (John), Sue (Peter) and Mark (Terri).

Memorial contributions may be made to the Valley Forge Trail Riders : www.vftr.org.

Josephine Helen Ahlum, 94, of Quakertown, passed away on Jan. 22 at The Community at Rockhill in Sellersville where she had lived for the past several years.

She was born at her family home on Winton Street in Philadelphia on February 26, 1922, to Caroline Uzdavinus and Andrew Peckiconis.

She was married to the late Aaron W. Ahlum in 1947; he predeceased her on November 26, 1958. Her siblings also preceded her in death: Mary, Edna, Sister Benedict (Helen), Caroline, Rosa, Peter, and Stephen; and her daughter in law, Vicky Vogt Ahlum passed in 2004.

Josephine graduated from Doylestown High School in 1938 and graduated in 1947 as a registered nurse from Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania (now Drexel University School of Medicine). Josephine served 39 years as a nurse, including being the operating room supervisor until 1986 at Quakertown Hospital (now St. Luke’s Hospital). Josephine was president of AARP and was active in volunteering in her community to get out the vote for many years. She enjoyed listening to the Sundays with Sinatra radio program and taking care of the Ahlum Farm.

She is survived by her children, Carol Ahlum (Robert L. Hanson) of Jefferson, MD, Michael Ahlum of West Chester, David Ahlum (Lana Ahlum,) of Hilliard, OH; Sandra Ahlum (Lent C. Johnson III) of Hannibal, MO; and Mary Beth Ahlum of Lincoln, NE; nine grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Benevolent Fund c/o Juanita Nyce at The Community at Rockhill, Sellersville, PA or to St. Isidore’s Catholic Church of Quakertown. www.nauglefcs.com

Margaret N. Landis, 86, formerly of Hilltown, died Tues. Jan 24 in Neshaminy Manor, Warrington. She was the widow of Alvin Y. Landis, Jr. Born in Quakertown, she was a daughter of the late Charles and Nellie (Laros) Styer. She was a member of the Grace United Methodist Church, Telford. Surviving are her daughter, Barbara Neff, husband Richard of Hilltown; grandchildren Brenda, Brent, Rick, and Krista; great-grandchildren Hailey, Ryder, Alexa, Brendan, Blake, Corey, Kyle, & Carol Ann and 4 great-great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her daughter Sandra Zumstein, grandson Scotty, and great-grandson Brent, Jr. Memorial contributions may be made to the Caring Hospice, 400 Commerce Dr., Suite C, Fort Washington, PA 19034 or the Alzheimer’s Assoc., 399 Market St., Suite 102, Philadelphia, PA 19106.

James W. Gray, 66 of Ottsville, died Sun. Jan. 29th at his home. He was the husband of the late Elaine (Ashman) Gray.

He worked as a mechanical electronic engineering technician for many years.

Born in Abington Twp., he was the son of the late Charles and Dora (Heine) Gray.

He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. Surviving are his daughter, Sarah Boyle, husband Kevin of Ottsville; sons, Timothy Gray of Ottsville and Christopher Gray, wife Jennifer of Brentwood, TN; grandchildren, James, Sierra, Emmaline, Charlotte and Thearon; sisters, Elsie Healy, husband Bud and Charlotte Wilkes, husband John, both of Ottsville.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Ottsville Vol. Fire Company, PO Box 26, Ottsville PA 18942 or Upper Bucks Regional EMS, PO Box 105, Revere, Pa 18953.

Naugle Funeral and Cremation Service, Quakertown, is in charge of arrangements. www.nauglefcs.com

American Legion Post 242 February 2017 Update

BY DICK HELM As I mentioned before, the American Legion Honor Guard serves at the graveside services of those who served in our past conflicts. I as others on our Honor Guard am moved at the duty we perform. This past Saturday we performed our service at the funeral of Lamar Link, a Navy Veteran of the Korean Conflict.

I would like to share this particular event with you from our point of view.

We arrived with a full compliment of 7 Rifleman, a Bugler, and a Presenter of Rounds. It was foggy and dreary but somewhat comfortable in temperature for a January service. The funeral vehicles arrived. As the flag draped coffin exited the vehicle and was carried to Lamar’s final resting-place, all were called to attention and Present Arms.

The active Navy Personnel and the Pastor dressed in his Army Chaplain Uniform saluted with us. After the appropriate final words of commendation by the Pastor, the Navy Personnel, present to fold the colors, called for the Rifle Salute.

Then the Rifle Team was called to order and after proper protocol moves were complete the first volley was fired. Seven rifles reported

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their salute! Because of the fog and the distant rise of a tree lined hill a memorable echo was heard. Again our leader Les Walters called the order to “Fire” – again the echo. Our leader called for the 3’d volley and in the fog we again heard the echo. Twenty-one rounds were fired and 3 solemn echoes responded.

Walt sounded the Taps in this quiet moment of no traffic on the road below. The active Navy representatives properly folded the flag and presented it to the family.

I gave the three rounds with the card explaining the significance of the 3 rounds to the family. We quietly formed up and returned to our vehicles. Mission complete.

As I left the cemetery, I had that memory in my heart and mind of honoring one who served. I also will remember the service in the fog on that Saturday afternoon. Thanks to our Legion members and your support we at Post 242 can and will be able to honor all that their families choose to have these services. This is what it is all about. We served and we will continue to serve. Remember those who took the oath when they entered should always hold on to those hallowed words of Duty, Honor, Country!

Making The Jump from Tenant To Homeowner

Becoming a homeowner for the first time is an exciting and stressful process.

However, once the papers are signed and the keys are in your pocket, your work really begins. Homeownership can be fraught with financial and emotional perils, especially if you’ve been renting from a landlord up until now. Landlords are on the hook for not only minor repairs, but also major upgrades, yard work, taxes and fees associated with building ownership as well as normal upkeep such as painting and cleaning carpets.

Before You Buy The best way to make a smooth transition to your new home starts before you buy. A proper inspection can alert you to problems that already exist with the property. New homes shouldn’t have many issues, but it’s always wise to get an inspection anyway to ensure that everything has been installed properly. After inspection, you want to work on your budget.

You should build home maintenance and upkeep into your monthly budget.

A basic rule of thumb for your maintenance budget is to put aside one percent of your home’s purchase price per year. This means if your home cost $300,000 then you should put aside about $250 a month for home major home repairs. Of course, new homes shouldn’t need immediate major repairs, but by saving this money from the get go you’ll never have nasty surprises when an appliance breaks down, or when you need a new roof in 10 years.

Tips to Maintain Your Home Once you’re in your home you’ll want to stay on top of maintenance. This doesn’t just mean yard work, gardening, snow removal and window cleaning, although all those things are important. You’ll want to do an annual survey of your major appliances. This should include things you don’t usually see or think of, such as your water heater, furnace or boiler, and air conditioner.

You should know what these things look like when they’re performing properly, and

you should have the name of a trusted HVAC professional, plumber and electrician just in case you should ever need them. You should also keep a close eye on your roof and any plumbing pipes that are visible, as these can often be some of the most expensive repairs.

Catching a problem early is always ideal.

Financial Changes Another difference between renting and owning is your financial state. The first year you own a home your taxes will be much different, so even if you do file your taxes yourself, this year might be the year to turn to a tax professional.

You’ll also have to have money to spend to fill up your new home! Chances are you have a lot more square footage to work with now, and you may need additional furniture or even appliances if your new home didn’t come with them. Start reading reviews and comparison shopping early on for things like washers, dryers and lawn mowers if you can. Buying a lawn mower in May is far more expensive than buying one in January. While it might seem silly, the “last year” models are usually very similar when it comes to appliances, so figure out when the new versions are released. Floor models (appliances that have been out for people to look at) are also a great choice, as they haven’t actually been used.

The best part of owning your own home is that it is all yours. You can paint, arrange and decorate to your heart’s content. However, the worst part of owning your own home is that it’s all yours, and if there’s three feet of snow to be shoveled, water pouring out of the toilet or a dryer that just won’t dry, these are all problems you’ll have to figure out how to fix.

With a little help from the pros, of course.

Sue Deily has been a Realtor® for 31 years, resides in the Upper Bucks Area and enjoys serving her clients in Bucks, Lehigh and Montgomery Counties. Sue has been featured in Bucks County Real Estate Trendsetters. Sue is happy to answer your real estate questions and can be reached at suesellshouses@gmail.com and at

215-872-9865.

Heitz Announces Candidacy for District Justice With the Judge Robert Roth retirement in January, Bob Heitz has announced his intention to pursue District Judge for Magisterial District 07-2-05.

“Today I would like to officially announce my candidacy for the position of District Judge for 2017 election cycle. I am certified, experienced, and ready to serve the community immediately.”

Bob is certified and recertified by the PA Supreme Court to serve as a Magisterial District Judge, certifying at the top of his class.

He says he is ready to serve from day one.

Bob has been a Certified State Constable for eighteen years, with twenty-five years total Law Enforcement experience. He has worked side by side with numerous District Judges from six counties learning all of District Court operations and the administration of both civil and criminal laws.

Bob has lived in the Quakertown area for

over thirty years and is married with two grown children. He has protected and served his community for twenty- eight years, counting serving as a life member and Deputy Fire Chief of Richland Twp. Fire & Rescue.

He spent several years volunteering for Quakertown Little League Baseball, serving on the Board of Directors.

Heitz says, “Twenty-five years of Law Enforcement working side by side with District Judges learning the administration of law together with PA Supreme Court Certification uniquely qualifies me as the best candidate to serve as the next District Judge.”

Heitz faces Lisa J. Gaier of Quakertown for the District Magistrate position in May’s primary election. Ms. Gaier announced her bid for the seat in December.

For More information on the candidates, visit www.bobheitz.org and www.lisagaier.com.

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• Upper Bucks Free Press • February 2017

Employment Opportunities

You’ve Got Maids - Hiring commercial nighttime cleaners & daytime residential cleaners. (215) 529-7837 Spor’s General Store – Help Wanted: Waitress/Deli/ Cashier/Lottery. Nights and Weekends. Must be 18 or older. Apply in person. 22 W Broad St, Trumbauersville.

Valentine Hair

Valentine’s day falls on February 14th and along with the Roman Goddess of Marriage, Juno, the holiday honors the Christian martyr, St. Valentine. Persecuted by the Roman Emperor in 273 AD, St. Valentine enjoys a legacy that has been carried on by lovers, young and old, for centuries. St. Valentine’s day is celebrated by gifting flowers, sharing love symbols, and sending romantic cards. While St. Valentine presented the flowers from his garden to young lovers in an effort to promote the Catholic sacrament of matrimony during his lifetime, the February holiday that bears his name has sparked the exchange of various artisan works.

During the Victorian era of the late 19th Century, Valentine traditions existed that prompted loved ones to share homemade baked goods and handcrafted keepsakes.

Since the way to someone’s heart is really via the stomach, Victorians on Valentine’s Day showed loved by giving items that were useful in the kitchen. The Victorians said “I love you” with gifts of decorative ceramic rolling pins, pie plates, and hand painted, decorated china.

From Heart to Hair Although the Valentine card remains the most recognizable of the lover’s offerings, Victorian gifts from the heart --and the head— were the most desirable.

One such gift was an item that would assist in making handicrafts: the hair receiver.

Today, antique hair receivers range in value from $15 to $500 for specialty examples, in the Victorian era a hair receiver was a common dresser accessory. Victorian women saved their hair in a small ceramic bowl with a hole in its top called a hair receiver. After accumulating a good amount of locks, the hair would be used to make a hair object. These receivers would be used to save brushed hair for use weaving hair pictures, hair bracelets, hair lockets, hair chains, hair watch fobs, etc.

Today, the popular hair crafts made from all of this saved hair are hard to find. These hair crafts were the result of years of saving actual

human hair.

Intricately woven hair crafts became love gifts from circa 1850 to 1910. Hair jewelry was most commonly used for sentimental remembrances and as gifts. On Valentine’s Day, women believed that giving their beloved a hair bracelet or hair watch fob would serve as a love charm and ensure a long and happy relationship. Many Civil War soldiers had such items and many are found by relatives alongside of military memorabilia.

Blonde or Brunette?

One of the most beloved Valentine antiques is the coveted hair picture. Hair pictures were devotional objects coveted by families for generations.

Accompanied by a hand written inscription, hair pictures are fascinating mementos. Some of the most common Victorian Valentines featured the symbolic lover’s rose or a bouquet of forgetme-not flowers to remember the dead made from the hair locks of one’s beloved.

With values in the $1,000 to $5,000 range, framed Victorian hair pictures grew from loving pictures to fine memorials. Images made of hair related to the lover’s lifestyle, his or her occupation, military service, or hobbies.

Hair pictures made of woven hair depicted intricate landscapes, family homesteads, military symbols like rifles or sea anchors, bicycles, and still lifes of favorite fruits or flowers documenting the bounty of a couple’s love or a life well lived.

If you are looking to collect a hair receiver, hair picture, or piece of woven hair jewelry in the form of a watch fob or locket, look for pieces that are in period frames and in very good condition.

Happy Valentine’s Day! Ph.D. antiques appraiser, author, and award-winning TV personality, Dr. Lori presents antique appraisal events nationwide. Dr. Lori is the expert appraiser on the hit TV show, Auction Kings on the Discovery channel and has shared her expertise with the History channel, CNN’s Anderson Cooper, and Today show.

Visit www.DrLoriV.com, www.Facebook.com/ DoctorLori, or call (888) 431-1010.

The Proper Brewing Company – Hiring Line Cooks. E-mail: Kris@theproperbrewing.com or stop by the brewery, 117 W. Broad Street, Quakertown, PA during business hours.

Edible Arrangements - Hiring Seasonal personal skills, attention to detail, must. Call (215) 536-1298 or stop by mation and to apply. 582 S. West End

Help. Good interand reliability a store for inforBlvd, Quakertown

Pool Pro - Local pool store seeks service technicians and helpers for upcoming pool season. 1619 West End Blvd, Quakertown, PA 18951 215-536-0456 Woods’ Pools - Local pool builder seeks construction trainees. Experience a plus. technicians and helpers for upcoming pool season. 1619 West End Blvd, Quakertown, PA 18951 215-538-2323 Upper Bucks YMCA - Childcare Assistant Group Supervisor for Pre-K. Full Time Hourly (37.5-40 hours may vary) Rate is commensurate with experience. Benefits include Full Privilege Y Membership, PTO, and Health Care Hiring part time babysitters, art teachers, childcare aides. Call 215-536-YMCA (9622) or stop in to apply.

401 Fairview Avenue, Quakertown.

Trinity Great Swamp UCC - PT Organist and Music Ministry Coordinator who possesses a vision to coordinate the musical gifts we have to achieve a creative blended worship experience. Salary is negotiable. Please send resume to P.O. Box 494, 9150 Spinnerstown Road, Spinnerstown, PA 18968, Attention: Sue Roeder or by e-mail to tgsucc@verizon.net.

For questions please contact Donald Ruth at 267-251-0292.

Upper Bucks Free Press - Marketing & Sales Opportunities.

Experience not necessary. Communication skills, reliability, and ability to work independently a must.

Great fit for students, homemakers, and retirees. Email: cjbetz@ubfp.org to inquire.

February 2017 • Upper Bucks Free Press •

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Stinky Breath? Yuck!

Meet Ringo - He is a 10 year old cat who has been dealing with chronic nasal congestion for YEARS! His owner had tried multiple courses of antibiotics, nasal flushing, and it has improved and has always come back!

Since Ringo started coming to see me, we started talking about his teeth. Cats are masters of hiding illness - they will pretend they are ok, with only subtle signs of a problem, until they are very sick. And Ringo was no different.

He has continued to eat and drink and overall appeared to do well, but has been slowly losing weight.

We took some xrays to screen for any lung changes, which were normal, and did full bloodwork to ensure there was nothing else going on, which was also normal. So, mom then bit the bullet and let me clean his teeth!

Once we got him under anesthesia, we found some pretty severe dental disease hiding under his tartar! With full dental xrays we found multiple teeth with diseased roots and inflammation. Cats are prone to developing lesions in their teeth called resorptive lesions, where their

body is actually breaking down their teeth.

Ringo had SIX teeth that had these lesions and were tender and needed to be extracted. We were able to extract them and he did great - two of the affected teeth were his large molars on his upper jaw, so we were hopeful it was the cause of his ongoing congestion!

Fastforward a month later - Ringo was doing awesome!! His congestion had completely resolved and he was gaining weight! 3 months later - still doing awesome, back up to a normal weight and NO congestion!

Dental disease - the great hiding disease that is so overlooked. Please don’t neglect your pet’s teeth - they are often ignored, and they can really dramatically affect their quality of life when they are diseased. Now is a great time to act - February is national dental month!

At Pennridge we offer 10% off all dentals, and most other vets do the same - so talk to your vet today and clean up those teeth!

Dr. Mehaffey and partner Dr. Jen Heller own and operate the Pennridge Animal Hospital on Ridge Road in Perkasie and can be reached at 267-272-9996. They also founded Harley’s Haven Dog Rescue.

Think Local. Buy Local. Be Local.

How to Punish your Dog

All punishment is not the same. There are two forms of punishment: positive and negative. To most people positive punishment sounds much nicer than the negative option. In dog training, adverse methods like spray bottles, shake cans, alpha roll, scruff shakes, pinning, leash corrections, ear pinching, yelling, choke chains, prong collars, shock collars, and anything else that hurts or intimidates a dog is positive punishment. This is also called compulsion training. Think of it as a mathematical equation; you’re adding something to the situation.

Whatever the label, fear and pain have no place in dog training or in any kind of animal training. If you are hurting your dog or causing it to fear learning from you, you are doing it wrong. Here’s why: It’s totally outdated! Humans don’t like to learn while in a state of fear and neither do dogs. It’s counterproductive and ruins the trusting relationship with the most trusting animal. Using positive punishment methods for training is like using a cassette player in the age of the iPod. Positive reinforcement with negative punishment is the cutting-edge, progressive, and fastest way to train a dog. Period.

So what is negative punishment? If two puppies are playing, and one puppy hurts the other puppy, the hurt puppy goes away. If a puppy

nips us while playing, the human should go away for 5 seconds then return. If the puppy nips us again, we go away again. You are what the puppy wants. Basically what you’re saying to the puppy is, “I’m taking my toys and going home if you can’t play right.” This is negative punishment. Think of it mathematically: You are taking something away that your pet wants.

You are the reward or what the puppy wants to play with. Taking T.V. privileges away from your child for unacceptable behavior is an example of negative punishment. If you’re trying to change an unwanted attention-seeking behavior like jumping, you have to figure out what is reinforcing that behavior. So, when the dog jumps on you, if you look at the dog and tell him to get off while pushing him off, you’re looking at, speaking to, and touching your dog. Isn’t that reinforcing the attention-seeking behavior 3 ways? In order to change a behavior, you have to change what is reinforcing that behavior. If the dog jumps on us, we should ignore the dog and turn away.

Please seek a Certified Professional Dog Trainer for proper techniques. You can find a local trainer at www.apdt.com and www. ccpdt.org. By forging Negative Punishment with Positive Reinforcement we now have a modern, scientific way to train.

Submitted by Marion C. O’Neil CPDT-KA, CTDI owner and lead trainer of Molasses Creek Dog Training, LLC, Quakertown, PA

With Valentine’s Day being in February, it is only appropriate that I mention Love. My human shared some love last month by going on a mission trip to Haiti for a week. I helped by keeping everything running smooth while she was gone. Now it is my turn. I am going to help out at Morningstar church with the “Light to Shine” celebration on Feb 10th. This kind of thing is being done all over the country as part of the Tim Tebow Foundation. We are going to give special needs people a kind of “prom night” for them . I will be there to help anyone who feels overwhelmed by the event to feel more relaxed. That is something we dogs are good at doing. Helping others in your family and community is a real show of love. Also there is a great comedy night going on that benefits the Adventure Light Youth on Feb 18th at Strayer school. Check out their website at www.alyouth.org or for those not

too happy with computers call 610-346-9663 for the Comedy Show Tickets.

Love to ALL of you. M.J.

Quakertown Alive!

Donates $700 to K9 Unit

BuckyGrams: porky pig, daffy duck, elmer fudd, bugs bunny, wile e.coyote, tweety, road runner, pepe le pew,sylvester,yosemite sam,foghorn leghorn,marvin martian Hidden Message: Bugs Bunny won an Oscar!

Box Puzzle: Accentuate the Positive!

Quakertown Alive! recently presented a $700 check to the Quakertown Borough Police Department to help fund the department’s K9 Unit program. Pictured are (left-right) Borough Council member Mike Johnson, QA! Executive Director Naomi Naylor, QA! volunteer Lynda Ulrich, Councilwoman Jann Paulovitz, Police K9 handler Paul Houseknecht, Borough Manager & Police Chief Scott McElree.

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• Upper Bucks Free Press • February 2017

Services Auto Repair Wolfe’s Garage2 Bank QNB Bank3 Banquet Facility Palace Room @ The Proper Barber Shop Plaza Barber Shop Beauty Salon Classic Hair Designs3 Car Wash 309 Hand Car Wash2 & Detail Shop Children’s Daycare Upper Bucks YMCA2 Dry Cleaner Quaker Cleaners Framing Joanne’s Frame Shop2 Fuel Oil Bucks Run OIl Funeral Home C.R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. 3 Garden Center Brick’s Garden Center3 Lodging Holiday Inn Express3 Gas Station Wawa3 Insurance Brunner Insurance Inc3 Landscaping Emerald Garden Pre-school Upper Bucks YMCA Photography Michele Buono Plumber Alex Buono Plumbing Realtor Shelby Miller Retirement Community Independence Court3 Senior Citizen Center Upper Bucks Senior Ctr. 3 Travel Agency BarMar Travel3 Workout / Exercise Upper Bucks YMCA3

Food & Drink American Fare The West End Bakery Fleck’s Bakery Beverage/Beer The Proper Brewing Co. Asian Fare Eastern Dragon3 Diner John’s Plain & Fancy Fast Food Chick Fil A - Quakertown2 Fine Dining Brick Tavern Inn Hoagies/Steaks Frank’s Pizza2 Ice Cream Quakertown Dairy Queen2 Italian Fare Dominick’s2 Japanese Fare Yellow Tail Mexican Fare Fiesta Habanero2 Pizza Sal’s Pizza Randa3 Seafood Captain Bob’s3 Soft Pretzels Philly Pretzel Factory3 Medical Chiropractor Ridge Chiropractic2 Dentist Quakertown Family Dental2 Eye Care C Meyer (Pearle) Family Doctor Thomas Wilson, MD2 Hospital Grand View Hospital Pediatrician Eduardo Cevallos, MD Pharmacy CVS3

Recreation Art Gallery Chimayo Gallery Bar/Tavern The Proper Brewing Co.2 Golf Melody Lakes Library James Michener Library3 Live Theater Sellersville Theater3 Movie Theater Regal Cinemas3 Museum Sellersville Museum3 Nature Center Nockamixon State Park2 Outdoor Park Quakertown Memorial Park2 Pets Animal Hospital Quakertown Veterinary Clinic3 Dog Park Perkasie Dog Park3 Dog Training Molasses Creek3 Doggy Daycare Camp Jean’s2 Pet Groomer Penny’s Pooch Parlor Pet Supplies Pets Plus Rescue/Shelter Bucks County SPCA3 Veterinarian Milford Veterinary Clinic Shopping Antique Dealer The Emporium Arts and Crafts Jo-Ann Fabrics Bridal All Things Bridal3 Automobile Dealer Sands Chrysler Dodge Jeep Carpet/Flooring Lowes3 Computers

Tom’s Help Desk3 Consignment Rethread Consignments2 Department Store Kohl’s3 Thrift Shop Salvation Army* Electronics Best Buy3 Eyewear Pearle Vision Formal Wear Fischer’s Tuxedo3 Furniture Raymour & Flanigan Gifts Kohl’s Health Food/Organic To Your Health3 Home Improvement Kulp Roofing Jeweler Kohl’s Motorcycles Scott’s Power Sports3 Pools & Spas Pool Pro3 Shoes Moyer’s Shoes3 Sporting Goods Schuylkill Valley Sports3 Supermarket Giant3 Tires K & S Tire2 Miscellaneous Best UBFP Columnist Marion O’Neill Most Spirited Organization Quakertown Alive Most Spirited Person Lynda Ulrich Musician Craig Thatcher Artist Janet Stever Place to Hide from Zombie Apocalypse The Proper Brewing Co.

* numbers represent number of years

Congratulations to Donald Werner of Sellersville for winning the $50 prize to spend at any UBFP advertiser by submitting the lucky ballot chosen at random.

Don has chosen Sal’s Pizza Randa and says he’s taking his wife out for dinner... maybe twice!

ART Z Celebrates 10th Anniversary by Giving Everything for Free To celebrate 10 years and over 16,000 hours of services provided, ART Z has decided to give everything for free. Well, not everything, but the studio will be open to make art for free every First Friday evening for the rest of the year. “First Friday ‘Free to Express’ is our way of high-fiving everyone who has helped our organization to thrive,” explains founder Renee Bures. On March 3rd, from 6-10pm, and every first Friday thereafter, participants of all ages are invited to make art, write, play music, or move. “And the best part is that you don’t need to have any art experience to create something extraordinary,” claims Bures.

ART Z Art Center, 241 West Broad Street in Quakertown, provides expressive arts classes, workshops, Saturday Open Studio and Art Therapy sessions for groups and individuals, as well as a weekday workshop for artists with disabilities. The community of artists is intergenerational and multicultural, crossing gender, ability and socio-economic lines. “We remove stigmas and discrimination by encouraging only one label… artist,” claims Bures. In support of the mission to provide community exposure and professional development, ART Z exhibits and sells artwork with 100% of the profit benefiting the artist.

“When I founded this organization in Doylestown,” notes Bures, “we served only a

handful of artists in one room with one table of art supplies. Ten years later, the studio has exploded like 1000 paint balloons splattering a crisp white canvas. Tons of art supplies in a colorful great room with a riveting mezzanine exhibit, a clay and mosaic area and a separate room reserved for spin art and splatter painting make a visit to ART Z a magical experience.”

Bures coined the original name, Alchemy Open Studio, on the premise that therapeutic art-making was a process much like turning metal to gold. Ordinary materials were transformed into masterpieces and individuals who were marginalized became thriving members of a creative community. A move to Quakertown, and now doing business as ART Z, has proved to boost community involvement. Case in point, their showcase graffiti window begs for passerby to doodle a response to the question of the month. “This community has rallied to support our work with people in need through in-kind, monetary and service donations. Plus, every penny of revenue from parties, classes and open studio sessions funds our Art Abilities day program for artists with disabilities,” emphasizes Bures. “ART Z truly is a safe haven for self-expression, creating change in our community one masterpiece at a time.”

Learn more at www.artZonline.org.

February 2017 • Upper Bucks Free Press •

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The answers to the puzzles on this page are found elsewhere in this issue.

Think Local.

Buy Local.

Be Local.

Where Can I Get my UBFP?

Apple Blood Candy Cane Cardinal Cherry Chili Pepper

Cranberry Fire Truck Garnet Hearts Holly Berry Ketchup

Ladybug Poinsettia Radish Ruby Rudolph’s Nose Santa Suit

Snoopy's Doghouse Stoplight Stop Sign Strawberry Tomato Watermelon

QUAKERTOWN A-Plus Mini Market Borough Hall Beer City Caitlyn & Cody’s Diner Classic Staffing Chick Fil-A Dairy Queen Dominick’s Pizza Edible Arrangements First UCC Church Friendly Book Store Giant Markets (309/313) Grocery Outlet The Grundy House Hampton Inn Holiday Inn Express Independence Court James Michener Library JoAnne’s Frame Shop John’s Plain & Fancy Let’s Steep (Q-Mart) Liberty Thrift Store McCoole’s Red Lion Inn Moyer’s Shoes Penn Community Bank Pep Boys Service Center Quality Inn & Suites Q’town Family Restaurant QNB Bank Quaker Cleaners Quakertown Alive!

Quakertown Farmers Mkt Redner’s Market

Rep. Craig Staats’ office Sal’s Pizza Randa Sellersville Auction Sine’s 5 & 10 St. Luke’s Bone & Joint St. Luke’s Hospital Spring Hill Suites Swann’s Pantry The Souper Bowl (Q-Mart) Top Star Express Upper Bucks Senior Center Upper Bucks YMCA Upper Bucks Chamber Yum Yum Donuts TRUMBAUERSVILLE Borough Hall Christ Lutheran Church Fino’s La Cantina Spor’s General Store RICHLANDTOWN Seven-Eleven Penn Community Bank Phoebe Meadow Glen SPINNERSTOWN Spinnerstown Hotel E J’s Barber Shop PLEASANT VALLEY Country Kitchen SELLERSVILLE A & N Diner Grandview Hospital Hidden Meadows Roy Ann Diner

PERKASIE Dam Good Cafe Giant Food Markets Landis Food Markets Olde Towne Convenience Pennridge Chamber Pierce Library QNB Bank TELFORD Indian Valley Library Landis Food Markets SOUDERTON Care & Share Shoppes SILVERDALE Green Street Barber Shop DOYLESTOWN Main Street Book Store DUBLIN QNB Bank Shop ‘N Bag OTTSVILLE NAPA of Ottsville Wehrung’s COOPERSBURG Coopersburg Diner Giant Food Markets The Inside Scoop QNB Bank Turkey Hill Market Last Chance Ranch Store SPRINGTOWN Reflections Hair Studio Village Center Automotive

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• Upper Bucks Free Press • February 2017