Quakertown parents, ya done good!

A Wawa associate was so impressed with a group of well-behaved QCHS students who showed up after each Friday night football game they are throwing them a party.

A business thought so much of your children’s polite and respectful behavior they’re throwing them a party. The honor is being given to approximately two dozen students who attend Quakertown Community High School and were part of the Student Section for Friday night football games. Following each game, whether it be home or away, the students traveled to the Wawa on West Pumping Station Road and Route 309 for a sit-down meal.

“They were so very polite and so very patient,” said Michelle Yerkes, a Wawa associate who developed a friendship with the group and suggested a party to the store manager to repay the students’ excellent behavior. “There were 20 to 30 of them every Friday night, and it was crowded. But they waited nicely and always cleaned up after themselves. They’re just all-around good kids.”

Ty Wilkin, a Student Section leader, said the students were looking for a place to unwind following the game, and other restaurants were crowded. So they checked out the Wawa, which was remodeled in April, and added tables.

“We’d yell and have fun at games after a long week and then went to Wawa to kind of decompress,” Ty said. “We did not leave until everything was cleaned up. We developed a nice bond (with Ms. Yerkes) and wanted to make her feel welcome and not obliged to clean up after us. She always asked us how the game went. There were lots of please and thank yous.”

QCHS Principal Mattias van 't Hoenderdaal commended the students’ behavior and the community partnership. “This showing of student leadership is the perfect example for all students to follow,” he said. “Our young people are making a positive impression in the community and they are being rewarded for doing the right thing. We appreciate Wawa reaching out to make this happen.”

Ms. Yerkes said the party will include a catering tray with hoagies and mac and cheese, which is what the students typically ordered. “We just want to show our appreciation,” she said. “We’re so proud of these kids.”

QCHS senior Emma Hilton, part of the Student Section, said the students were discussing Wawa’s generosity and “felt grateful. It feels nice that an everyday act of being respectful goes a long way.”

Each Friday, the students came in wearing whatever the theme of the game was, for example: Hawaiian Night, Camo, USA, Pink, Gold. They took group photos and included Ms. Yerkes. “She was always so excited to see us and we were excited to see her, too,” Emma said.

“I wish them well in the future,” Ms. Yerkes said. “Their parents have taught them to be polite and kind and it shows.”

Storage Solutions for your Stuff

Collectors like to rotate collections with frequency and display their stuff in various parts of one’s home. Some collectible items only make an appearance at certain times of the year. Just like there are certain rules for exhibiting objects in museums, there are also suggestions as to the correct way to prepare objects for long term storage. First and foremost, only store clean objects. When it comes to any collectible, clean it first, then store it. Location, Location, Location

The location for the storage of collections is vital to their long life and their condition impacts value. Storage areas should have controlled temperature and humidity levels. Since most of us are not in the market for a sophisticated HVAC system like the one the Smithsonian Institute or your local museum uses to maintain storage areas at 70 degrees F and 55% humidity, we can afford to make sensible choices when it comes to art and antiques storage. For instance, an attic that is freezing cold in the winter and burning hot in the summer is not an appropriate place to store your art, antiques, or collectibles. The basement, which is commonly damp or even wet during certain times of the year, is not a good solution for storing your stuff either. Any drastic change in temperature or humidity within a storage area can damage your collections to the point of no return. Once mold grows or heat attacks an object, the game is over. Art and antiques do not fare well in sheds, garages, or outbuildings where there is little or no regulated heating or cooling. Simply put, the temperature and humidity in which you feel comfortable is the same climate that is best for your art, antiques, and collectibles. Consider storing your collections in a guest room closet or other low traffic area on the main floor of your home. Temperature and humidity need to be constant and remember, art and antiques like to live where you like to live. Sometimes it is best to display your objects and let them enjoy the consistent temperature of your home.

What to Avoid

There are certain things to avoid when it comes to storing art and antiques. Some objects need more care than others. Some objects cannot be near other objects. And there are specific objects that need more care than others. For example, cardboard should be avoided in your storage spaces. It attracts bugs. It is acidic. It can leave stains on fragile art or antiques. Bubble wrap is great for transport but a no-no when it comes to long term storage. Bubble wrap traps heat and will speed up the deterioration process of your prized possessions. So, don’t used bubble wrap to store your pieces. You don’t want to wrap and store your valuable Lladro figurines in bubble wrap and then store them away for months. Why? The heat trapped within the bubble wrap over time may damage the hand painted and glazed porcelain figurine.