~Obituaries~

His entire life, he not only mentored at TriCounty Respite but he and his wife, Doris, opened their home for anyone in need.

Chuck and his late wife, Doris, were active Catholics and very involved with St. Isidore's Catholic Church and St. John's Church. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Later in his life, Chuck pursued a new career in the automobile industry. Over his career, he worked for Chevy and Ford dealerships. Chuck was the best salesman ever. He could sell ice to an Eskimo. Chuck retired from Faulkner Ford and began pursuing his passion for buying and selling antiques.

Chuck is predeceased by his wife, Doris Vorhauer. Together they shared over years sixty years of marriage.

Chuck will be dearly missed by his children, Timothy Vorhauer, Maria Vorhauer, Carl Vorhauer III and his wife, Pam, and Ann Marie Vorhauer; his grandchildren, Carl Vorhauer IV, Alyssa Vorhauer, Elysa Vorhauer, Timothy Vorhauer, Chase Vorhauer, and Tyler Vorhauer; along with many great-grandchildren and extended family.

All arrangements are made by Naugle Funeral & Cremation Service, Ltd. 135 W. Pumping Station Road, Quakertown, PA, 18951. (215-536-3343)

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Last Chance Ranch in Chuck's name.

Joanne p. Welch, 58, passed away peacefully in her home in Sellersville, PA on January 8, 2023.

Born in Sellersville, she was pre-deceased by her parents, Leonard W. and Peggy T. Welch.

Joanne was a 1982 graduate of Lansdale Catholic High School.

She loved her cats, gardening, cooking and eating good food.

She will be dearly missed by her family and loving companion of 11 years, Charles “Guy” Smith, siblings, Peggy Ann Fitzgerald (Terry), Donna Brey (Greg), Leonard Welch (Sherri), Theresa Wagner (Anthony), Linda Welch, and many nieces and nephews. mary ann WindmassinGer, 72, of Quakertown died January 24. 2023 in her home.

Services will be private; All arrangements are made by Naugle Funeral & Cremation Service, Ltd., 135 W. Pumping Station Road, Quakertown, PA 18951. (215-536-3343).

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Joanne’s name to “Last Chance Ranch” shelter for animals, in Quakertown.

She was the wife of Mark Windmassinger, Sr. They were married 39 years on September 13, 2022.

Born in Uniontown, PA, she was the daughter of the late Wallace E. & Anna C. (Maher) Bierer.

She retired as a Scale Master for Plumstead Quarry.

She was a member of the Quakertown American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, and a Legion Rider for Riegelsville American Legion. She was a former manager at the Keelersville Club, and a member of the Perkasie Owls.

In addition to her husband she is survived by three children Annemarie WindmassingerMarino (Brian Minnes), Retired Marine Gunnery Sergeant Mark Windmassinger, Jr. (Melissa), and Mitchell Brown (Bryann); six grandchildren Tegen, Casey, Chase, Evelyn, Piper, and Mark III (Tripp).

She was predeceased by her brother James.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2023 at 2:00 P.M. in the C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (crstrunk.com) 821 W. Broad St. Quakertown, PA 18951.

Call from 1:00-2:00 P.M. in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Semper Fi & Americas Fund www.thefund.org Following the Memorial Service a gathering will take place at the Owls Club 602 Elm Ave. Perkasie, PA 18944. Broad St. Quakertown, PA 18951.

Corn Shocks and Wash Lines

Between Christmas and New Year we went out to our usual shopping areas in Lancaster County.

After having a wonderful breakfast at Shady Maple Smorgasbord we went to the Shady Maple Market to buy all the fixings for New Years Eve and our annual first dinner of Pork and Sauerkraut (A Pennsylvania Dutch tradition). While at the market we purchased a raisin pie. We Pennsylvania Dutch knew this pie as “The Funeral Pie.” I must explain why this is known as the funeral pie. You see, back in what we call the horse and buggy days when someone died the family would announce the funeral. (Post cards that were usually black with gold print and hand delivered to those close to the family.) The folks attending the funeral would prepare a meal afterwards for the family and friends. Those who would volunteer to bake made two special pies. Because funerals were held without a great deal of notice, many housewives could not run “Out to the store as we do today.” Not having much fresh fruit to make a pie with, they would always keep a supply of raisins handy so they could make a pie. Thus a raisin pie became known as the Number One funeral pie. Second on the list was an apple pie. In the fall apples were dried in special pans and kept for use during the winter in the form called schnitz. Some people stored some of their best ‘hard’ apples in the “Cold Cellar” along with the potatoes. Thus an apple pie could be made, although most old time cooks stopped making pies once the softer yellow or Lodi apples were out of harvest. Across the street from the market is a small farm that seems to have a wagon ride business on the side as they have a few fancy wagons and many horses. They have the usual few cattle for milk and butchering for the family. Earlier this fall, I noticed they still cut their corn stalks and have huge “Shocks of corn in the field.” About 1/3 of their shocks were used up on this warm sunny shopping day a few days after winter set in. I vaguely remember a few farms in our area as a youth that practiced this way of harvesting and drying and storing their corn.

After going to “Goods” hardware to replenish our supply of sunflower seeds for the birds (and deer who eat out of the feeders), we went into our favorite Amish dry goods market at Centerville for our cheese, oat meal, baking supplies, and homemade horseradish and sweet pepper sauce. Of course we purchased much more than the items we went out there for. To get there, we go into New Holland and drive about 6 miles through all Amish and Mennonite farms. Because the weather temperature was near 50 degrees, many of the farms had the “Wash out on the wash lines.” We past the Zeltenreich Reformed church, as we usually do, and the farm across the street had multi lines out with the most private items way back. We were out there on Thursday and it surprised me as I remember Monday was usually “Wash Day” when I was a boy. My wife, Nina, reminded me that the warm weather shortly after Christmas probably prompted “Mom” to tell “Pop” to clean off the lines tomorrow because I can wash and the wash will not freeze on the lines but dry as it should.

It was so nice that I took our dog for a walk along the fields as my wife went back in the store for an item she still wanted. A lady came in with a pony cart to go shopping and another lady backed up her typical Amish wagon and went passed us. Our dog just sat there and enjoyed seeing the action without a single bark!

The farms are dormant this time of the year except for the milking and grazing of the miscellaneous livestock. These farms don’t seem to be worried about the shortage of fertilizer as many large farms throughout our state and nation fret over. Their fields have a brownish tint as they recycle the manure for that purpose as farmers used to do here back in the day.

Going to Lancaster is always a joyous occasion. Not only for the great food, the wonderful array of homegrown vegetables and reasonably priced meats and cheeses; but most of all, it takes me back to how it once was here in Upper Bucks County. Gosh, I am almost 80 years old and when I am out there I feel like I am “At home” when we were truly RURAL!

8 Mistakes That Can Upend Your Retirement

Pursuing your retirement dreams is challenging enough without making some common, and very avoidable, mistakes. Here are eight big mistakes to steer clear of, if possible.

1. No Strategy: Yes, the biggest mistake is having no strategy at all. Without a strategy, you may have no goals, leaving you no way of knowing how you’ll get there—and if you’ve even arrived. Creating a strategy may increase your potential for success, both before and after retirement.

2. Frequent Trading: Chasing “hot” investments often leads to despair. Create an asset allocation strategy that is properly diversified to reflect your objectives, risk tolerance, and time horizon; then make adjustments based on changes in your personal situation, not due to market ups and downs.1

3. Not Maximizing Tax-Deferred Savings: Workers have tax-advantaged ways to save for retirement. Not participating in your employer’s 401(k) may be a mistake, especially when you’re passing up free money in the form of employer-matching contributions.2

4. Prioritizing College Funding over Retirement: Your kids’ college education is important, but you may not want to sacrifice your retirement for it. Remember, you can get loans and grants for college, but you can’t for your retirement.

5. Overlooking Healthcare Costs: Extended care may be an expense that can undermine your financial strategy for retirement if you don’t prepare for it.

6. Not Adjusting Your Investment Approach Well Before Retirement: The last thing your retirement portfolio can afford is a sharp fall in stock prices and a sustained bear market at the moment you’re ready to stop working. Consider adjusting your asset allocation in advance of tapping your savings so you’re not selling stocks when prices are depressed.3

7. Retiring with Too Much Debt: If too much debt is bad when you’re making money, it can be deadly when you’re living in retirement. Consider managing or reducing your debt level before you retire.

8. It’s Not Only About Money: Above all, a rewarding retirement requires good health, so maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly, stay socially involved, and remain intellectually active.

1. The reTurn and principal value of sTock prices will flucTuaTe as markeT condiTions change and shares when sold may be worTh more or less Than Their original cosT asseT allocaTion and diversificaTion are approaches To help manage invesTmenT risk asseT allocaTion and diversificaTion do noT guaranTee againsT invesTmenT loss pasT performance does noT guaranTee fuTure resulTs

2. under The secure acT, in mosT circumsTances, you musT begin Taking required minimum disTribuTions from your 401(k) or oTher defined conTribuTion plan in The year you Turn 73. wiThdrawals from your 401(k) or oTher defined conTribuTion plans are Taxed as ordinary income and if Taken before age 59½, may be subjecT To a 10% federal income Tax penalTy."

3. The reTurn and principal value of sTock prices will flucTuaTe as markeT condiTions change and shares when sold may be worTh more or less Than Their original cosT asseT allocaTion is an approach To help manage invesTmenT risk asseT allocaTion does noT guaranTee againsT invesTmenT loss pasT performance does noT guaranTee fuTure resulTs tHiS artiCle waS Submitted by bob Podraza of robert JameS inveStmentS at 1313 weSt broad Street, QuaKertown He Can be reaCHed at 215-583-5013 or at robertJameSinveStmentS Com

The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG, LLC, is not affiliated with the named broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Copyright 2022 FMG Suite.

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