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• Upper Bucks Free Press • March 2019
What’s Going On in Upper Bucks? March 1
Christian Coffee House 6:30pm-8pm at Christ Lutheran, 3230 Rte 212, Springtown. Waterfront Blue, Brenda K Lee, Jubilee Choir. Free adm. & refreshmts. All welcome! (r/d March 8)
March 1, 2, 3
Girl Scout Cookie Sale (Fri. night & all day Sat & Sun) at Quakertown Farmers Mkt, 201 Station Rd, Quakertown.
March 2
Richter Mobile Free Shredding Event 11am1pm at North Lot (across from Garden Ctr) at QMart, 201 Station Rd, Quakertown. Personal documents shredded free. Have everything boxed or bagged. ‘Unplugged Coding: Art-based Coding’ 2pm-3pm at Perkasie Library, 491 Arthur Ave. (grades 1-5) Register online: calendar.buckslib.org St. Isidore School Auction 2019 (Hollywood) 6:30pm at St. Isidore School, 603 W Broad St, Quakertown. Tkts: $30/adv, $35/door (if available). Auction2019@stisidoreschool.com or 215-536-6052. Spring 2019 Artisan/Crafter Fair 9am-3pm at Pennridge Community Ctr, 146 E Main St, Perkasie. Unique designs & handcrafted items. Light lunch fare available.
March 3
Breakfast 8am-12:30pm at Springtown Firehouse, 3010 Rte 212. $7.50/adults, $4.50/ages 5-8, free/0-4.
March 5
‘Dining w/Diabetes’ (information session) Program held at Penn State Extension BC, Neshaminy Manor Ctr, 1282 Almshouse Rd, Doylestown. Tuesdays 10am-12noon. Questions/register at 877-345-0691.
March 6
‘So You Think You Can Cook’ 6pm-8pm at Franconia Heritage Banquet & Conference Ctr, 508 Harleysville Pike, Telford. Info: stmainst.org Crafters’ Club 4pm for grades K-5 invited to make seasonal crafts at Indian Valley Library, 100 E Church Ave, Telford. No registration required. FMI 215-723-9109, ivpl.org
March 7
‘Unplugged Coding: Follow the Rules’ 6:30pm-7:30pm at Perkasie Library, 491 Arthur Ave. (grades 1-5) Register online: calendar.buckslib.org
March 8
Basket of Cheer Bingo (opens 6pm, games 7pm) BYOB must be 21. Quakertown Fire Co, 505 W Broad St. $25/adv, $30/door. Bring non-perishable food item, be entered in a raffle. Info/tkts at 215-536-3743 or 267-424-3549. QYBA 12U Coopersburg Team Designer Purse Bingo 6pm-10pm Benner Hall, 1260 Cherry Rd, Quakertown. Tkts:$25/adv, $30/ door. Some refreshmts avail., welcome to bring your own. Tkts/info: Steph 215-518-4301
March 8, 9, 10
Girl Scout Cookie Sale (Fri. night & all day Sat & Sun) at Quakertown Farmers Mkt, 201 Station Rd, Quakertown. Flower Frenzy in the Valley (Fri noon-8pm) (Sat 10am-8pm) (Sun 11am-4pm) Flower/ Garden Show at Allentown Fairgrounds, 302 N 17th St. Demos, seminars, etc. Details: LehighValleyFlowerGardenShow.com
March 9
Pride of Quakertown’s 9th Annual Bowling Extravaganza (ck-in 9:15am) 9:30am-11:30am at Earl Bowl Lanes, 251 N West End Blvd, Quakertown. Snacks/beverages sold. $125/ team. Details: prideofquakertown.org Beekeeping Seminar 10am at Dublin Volunteer Fire Co, 194 N Main St, Dublin. Bucks County Bee Keepers Association will be on hand to do a presentation & answer questions. GI GI Entertainment 7pm-9pm (Country music w/the Kings & Queens of GiGi) Sing along! Tkts: $10/adv on Eventbrite, $15/door. Quakertown Farmers Mkt, 201 Station Rd, Quakertown. Maple Sugar Day 11am-1pm at Nature Ctr, 170 N Chapman Rd, Doylestown. No fee, donations welcome. Details: 215-345-7860 or peacevalleynaturecenter.org “NAMI Ending the Silence” program 1pm. Free! Learn about mental illness through an informative PowerPoint. Speakers share their lived experience & recovery. Riegelsville Library, 615 Easton Rd. 610-749-2357 or riegelsvillelibrary.info
March 10
Daylight Saving Time
begins
Free Concert w/Skip & Chickie 11am1pm at QMart (Dept #215), 201 Station Rd, Quakertown. Acoustic rock, blues, & country on guitar & keyboard. Info: 215-536-4115. Designer Bag Bingo (open 11:30am) 1pm, food available. $25/adv, $30/door. West End Fire Co, 1319 Park Ave, Quakertown. Tkts: mrupert55@hotmail.com or 215-536-6649. Cash Bingo (open noon, games 1pm) at Eastern UB Senior Ctr, 8040 Easton Rd, Ottsville. $15/20 games. Door prizes, 50/50, light lunch avail. for purchase. 610-847-8178. ‘American Girl Tea Time’ at Schwenkfelder Library, Pennsburg (Samantha Parkinson 1904), 1:30pm-2:30pm, $3/child w/adult. Each tea features a different character. Call Alyssa to register 215-679-3103 or alyssa@schwenkfelder.com “My American Girls:” film & discussion 3pm-5pm at Pearl S Buck Intl, 520 Dublin Rd, Perkasie. Registration required. Pearlsbuck.org/becomingamerican
March 11
AARP meeting 1:30pm at UB Activity Ctr, 2183 Milford Sq Pike, Quakertown. Speaker: Kim Hogan, founder & President of Hope Against Heroin. Help with addictions, services offered, future plans, etc.
March 12
Junior Engineers for grades K-5 at Indian Valley Library, 100 E Church Ave, Telford. Hands-on activities. FMI: 215-723-9109, ivpl.org
March 14
Septa Key Pass Event 10am-4pm for residents 65+ at Craig Staats Office, 10 S Third St, Quakertown. Call for appt: 215-536-1434. 3rd Annual Student Art Gallery Benefit for Pennridge HS Arts, 6pm-8pm at 7th Street Studios, 21B North 7th St, Perkasie. $5/pp. Various businesses will be donating a percentage of their proceeds today. Info: High School 215-453-6944 ‘Unplugged Coding: Working Robots’ 6:30pm-7:30pm at Perkasie Library, 491 Arthur Ave. (grades 1-5) Register online: calendar.buckslib.org
March 15
Ott’s Live Auction 5pm at QMart (Dept #201), 201 Station Rd, Quakertown. Details/ register for auction at 484-769-2074. Cash Only event! 16th Annual Choco-lotta 6:30pm10pm at DeSales University. $90/pp. ubymca.org or 215-536-9622. St. Patrick’s Day Concert 7:30pm by The Jameson Sisters. Celtic music w/harp, mandolin, & guitar, harps, & singing. Free will offering & reception follows. Church of Holy Spirit, 2871 Barndt Rd, Harleysville. 215-234-8020.
March 16
Breakfast 7am-1pm at Souderton Firehouse, 266 N 2nd St. All-U-Can-Eat. $9/adults, $6/kids, free age 3 & under. Spring Animal Vaccine Clinic 10am-3pm at LCR, 9 Beck Rd, Quakertown. Low cost vaccinations, heartworm testing, & preventatives. FMI: 215-538-2510 or lastchanceranch.org Mommy Mkt & Bake Sale 9am-12noon, $1 adm. Franconia Elementary, 366 Harleysville Pike, Souderton. $15/tbl space, $25/dbl space. Set up night before 7:30pm-9pm or 8am sale day. NO refunds after 3/15. webersL_99@yahoo.com 5th Annual St. Patrick’s Parade/Celtic Fest, parade 11am, Celtic Fest 12noon-4pm at Poppa Joe’s Grove (behind fire dept), 2 North Main St, Sellersville. Vendors, games, Irish dancing, kids corner, more. FMI: pennridgecc@pennridge.com Pete the Cat Storytime 11am at Perkasie Library, 491 Arthur Ave. Join us for groovy Pete stories & a cat-tastic craft. All ages welcome. ‘Unplugged Coding: Working Robots’ 2pm-3pm at Perkasie Library, 491 Arthur Ave. (grades 1-5) Register online: calendar.buckslib.org Pork & Sauerkraut Dinner (all-u-can-eat) 4pm-7pm or sold out at Trinity Great Swamp UCC, 9150 Spinnerstown Rd, Spinnerstown. $12/adults, $5/ages 4-12, free age 0-3. FMI: 215-679-7710 or 267-374-0590. Perkasie Patchwork Coffeehouse presents Seamus Kelleher (multi-talented entertainer) 7:30pm. Doors open 7pm at 320 W Chestnut St, Perkasie. Refreshmts avail. Details: PerkMenno.net or 215-257-3117 ‘2nd Annual Miss New Hope Celebrates Pageant’ at Event Ctr by Cornerstone in New Hope. Showcases area’s top female impersonators. Tkts: $55/gen. adm., $75/VIP seating. Info: newhopecelebrates.com
March 17
St. Patrick’s Day
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day w/Round Guys Brewing Co 1pm-3pm at QMart (Dept #201), 201 Station Rd, Quakertown. Sample local beers, food samples, Irish theme items, music & more.
March 20
First Day
of
Spring
“Seed Starting Demystified” ($5 workshop) 6:30pm-8:30pm at UB Chamber of Commerce, 21 N Main St, Quakertown. Each student takes home a tray of planted cells of seedlings. Preregis: 215-345-3283 or BucksExt@psu.edu Blood Drive 10am-6pm at New Vitae, 16 S Main St, Quakertown. Contact: Kathrine 215-538-3403 or https://donor.giveapint.org. FMI: newvitaewellness.com Designer Bag Bingo 7pm at Trumbauersville Fire Co, 142 Allentown Rd. 215-538-1880, snow/date March 29.
“Elizabeth the First, Queen of England” portrayed by Alisa Dupuy, 7pm at Quakertown Library. Free program sponsored by Woman’s Club of Quakertown. No pre-registration needed.
March 21
“Fawns…Babes in the Woods”1pm2:15pm (Nature program for ages 3-6) at Perkiomen Watershed Brownstone Barn, Rte 29 & Haldeman Rd, Schwenksville. Pre-regis. w/payment required. Info: loltman@perkiomenwatershed.org Baseball for Special People will be having an event 5pm-9pm at Raymour & Flanigan, Rte 309, Quakertown. Badge Squad: Mad Chef, 6:30pm-7:30pm at Perkasie Library, 491 Arthur Ave. Earn your Badge, no cooking involved! Best for grades K-6.
March 22
Designer Bag Bingo (open 6pm, games 7pm) Trumbauersville Fire Co, 142 N Main St. Kitchen open 6pm, no outside food/drinks. $20/adv, $25/door. Info/tkts: Call Carolann 267-374-7762 or bucks58fire.com Free Parenting Seminar 7pm at Deep Run East Mennonite, Perkasie. Must register: 215-766-8380. Info: deepruneast.org
March 23
Spring Auction 9am-2pm at Grace Christian School, 320 N Third St, Telford. (9am breakfast items & silent auction begins) (10am live auction begins) (11am Magic Show) then lunch available. Bake Sale, games, etc. FMI Rebecca 267-638-8527. Make a Bluebird Nest Box Workshop 1pm-2:30pm at Peace Valley Nature Ctr in Doylestown. $25, $20/mbrs. Limited to 20 participants, pre-regis. at 215-345-7860, peacevalleynaturecenter.org American Legion Centennial Celebration 2pm, Edward H. Ackerman American Legion Post 397 at 935 Main St, Hellertown. Ceremony/historical displays/band/balloon drop/party/food/raffle. Free to public. Must purchase alcohol. Spaghetti Dinner 4pm-9pm at Forrest Lodge, 2118 Old Bethlehem Pike, Sellersville. All-U-Can-Eat, $20/adv, $25/door. Cash bar, basket auction, door prizes, etc. Must be 21. Details: lastchanceranch.org or 215-538-2510. WWWrestling Alliance Event (seating starts 6pm) at QMart, 201 Station Rd, Quakertown. Tkts: $15/ringside, $12/gen. adm. Kids 6 & under free w/adult admission. To purchase advance tkts: WWWA Office 215-362-7184. Bag & Basket Bingo 6pm at Benner Hall, 1260 E Cherry Rd, Quakertown. Games, raffles, 50/50, BYOB. Space is limited! Tkts: $25/adv, $30/door. Tickets at valchor.com. Info: ValleyChoralSociety.com
March 24
‘Teen Peace & Social Justice Summit’ 4pm-7:30pm at Council Rock HS North, 62 Swamp Rd, Newtown. Open to 7thto 12th graders. Pizza dinner provided. Free event, all welcome! Info/regis: thepeacecenter.org or 215-750-7220 QMPO Annual Spaghetti Dinner/Show 4pm-8pm at Quakertown HS, 600 Park Ave. Music by HS students, raffles. $10/general, $7/seniors, $5/ages 3-10. Tkts at door or adv. tkts at spaghetti@qmpo.org
March 2019 • Upper Bucks Free Press •
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
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• Upper Bucks Free Press • March 2019
What’s Going On in Upper Bucks? March 26
‘History of Bloomin Glen, Historic Farming Village’ 7pm at Hilltown Twp Bldg, 13 W Creamery Rd & Rte 152, Silverdale. Free, donations welcome. FMI: 267-614-9174. Hilltown Historical Society
.Bus Tour to Washington DC Cherry Blossom & Blossom Kite Festivals. $50/ pp, register at: Quakertownrec.com. Depart Qtown 7:30am, depart Wash. DC 5:30pm. Questions: 215-536-5001 x136. Game Afternoon4pm-6pm at First Church of the Brethren, 455 Trumbauersville Rd, Quakertown. Bring a favorite game or just show up & join in. Invite friends/family. Dinner will be served. RSVP by March 25 at 215-536-7510. Springfield Twp Histor. Soc. Open House 9:30am-12noon. Church School at 2165 Rte 212, Pleasant Valley (Coopersburg) across from Trinity Lutheran. Historic artifacts, photos, etc. Free adm., public invited! FMI: Tom 484-308-1510.
Pysanky Workshop-Ukrainian Easter Eggs (also April 13) 10am-12noon at Nature Ctr in Doylestown. $25/create 3 beautiful eggs w/ teacher. Adults only, must pre-register! FMI: 215-345-7860 or peacevalleynaturecenter.org Tea Party! 11am, join Souderton Fire Co Ladies’ Auxiliary. Guest Speakers: Anne Benner (herbalist), and Marian Avery of Living Hope Farm. Details: 215-723-9209 or 215-406-5054. Price $5, please bring a teacup. Designer Purse Bingo 7pm-10pm (open 6:30pm) at Church of the Messiah, 1001 Dekalb Pike, Lower Gwynedd. Tkts: $25/adv. on Harmony Facebook, $30/door. BYOB, food permitted, under 12 w/adult. FMI: Gail5427@comcast.net
March 30
March 31
April 7
April 6
April 8
Yoga Storytime w/Jess 10:15am-11am at Perkasie Library, 491 Arthur Ave. Bring water & comfy clothes. Yoga mat or towel is recommended, not necessary. Best for ages 4-6, all ages welcome. Teacher Naturalist Training (Six sessions: 3/26, 3/27, 2/28, 4/2, 4/3, 4/4) No fee, but pre-regis. required. Register/info: Gail Hill 215-345-7860 or ghill@buckscounty.org
March 27
Easter Bunny Pictures 9am-3pm (Bunny break 12noon-1pm) at Milford Twp Fire Co, 2185 Milford Sq Pike, Quakertown. $7/print. Family-style Roast Beef Dinner 4pm-7pm at St. Paul’s UCC, 104 Green St, Sellersville. $12/adults, $6/kids 6-12 yrs, Free under age 6. Takeouts available. FMI 215-257-7268 Designer Bag Bingo 7pm (open 6:15pm) at St. Maria Goretti Church-Drexel Hall, 1601 Derstine Rd, Hatfield. $30/adv, $35/door. BYOB, door prizes, raffles, snacks. Tkts/info: Sandy 215-518-6867 or webersL_99@yahoo.com Flapjack Fundraiser 8am-10am at Applebee’s, 145 N West End Blvd, Quakertown. Unlimited pancakes & sausage! $7/adults, $4/child. Basket Auction! Info: Jackie@lastchanceranch.org or 215-538-2510
Breakfast 8am-12noon at Haycock Fire Co, 850 Old Bethlehem Rd, Quakertown. $7/adults, $5/kids 4-7, free under 4. FMI: 215-536-2224 or haycockfire.org Designer Purse Bingo (open 11:30am) at Dublin Fire Co, 194 N Main St. Games begin 1pm. Tkts/$25. Call 215-249-9242. Light lunch available. Werner Family Band performs 6:30pm (bluegrass gospel music) at First Church of the Brethren, 455 Trumbauersville Rd, Quakertown. 215-536-7510. Spotted Lantern Fly Seminar 10am-11am at Quakertown Borough Hall, 35 N Third St. See what you can do to stop the spread of this invasive insect. Free seminar, but register at Quakertownrec.com
Pennridge Chamber, Sellersville Borough Present 5th Annual St. Patrick’s Parade and Celtic Festival
The Pennridge Chamber of Commerce and the Sellersville Borough presents the 5th Annual St. Patrick’s Parade and Celtic Festival on Saturday, March 16, 2019 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 Poppa Joe’s 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, or to register for a Food or Craft Vendor booth, please email: pennridgecc@pennridge.com or call the Chamber at 215-257-5390. At the Poppa Joe’s Grove (behind the Sellersville Fire Company), 2 North Main Street, Sellersville, PA 18960 there will be a music tent with Irish music all afternoon featuring, Celtic Rebels Band. There will be several activities at 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.
Think Local. Buy Local. Be Local.
‘Bowl for Kids’ Sake’ at Earl Bowl Lanes in Quakertown (10am, 11:45am, 1:30pm) $50/bowler. Raffles, 80’s costume contest. Info/regis: stocker@bbbsbc. org or 215-343-8260 x121. Donate online: classy.org/fundraiser/1833132 Do Good w/Burritos Fundraiser, 4pm-8pm at Chipotle, 569 N Main St, Doylestown. Tell cashier you’re supporting the Bucks County SPCA & 33% of purchase will be donated to them. Dublin Lions Game Dinner & Raffle (doors open 6pm) at Dublin Fire Co Banquet Hall, Rte 313, Dublin. Great food, door prizes, raffles. Tkts $30, order at 215-257-2245 or donald.richardson@verizon.net
April 11 “Garden Animals” 1pm-2:15pm (Nature program for ages 3-6) at Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy Brownstone Barn, Rte 29 & Haldeman Rd, Schwenksville. Pre-regis. w/payment required. Info: loltman@perkiomenwatershed.org
April 13 Easter Egg Hunt 11am at First Church of the Brethren, 455 Trumbauersville Rd, Quakertown. All age groups! Prizes & candy for all. Easter Egg Hunt 10am-12noon at Memorial Park, 624 W Mill St, Quakertown. Age Groups: (0-3 at 10:20am) (4-6 at 10:30am) (7+ at 10:40am). Hosted by Quakertown Borough. Pysanky Workshop-Ukrainian Easter Eggs 10am-12noon at Nature Ctr in Doylestown. $25/create 3 beautiful eggs w/teacher. Adults only, must pre-register! FMI: 215-345-7860 or peacevalleynaturecenter.org 6th Annual Tails & Ties Rescue Gala at Homewood Suites, Center Valley. Night of great food, drinks, music & auction items. Tkt info: Jackie@lastchanceranch.org
April 14 “The Search for General Tso” film & discussion 3pm-5pm at Pearl S Buck Intl, 520 Dublin Rd, Perkasie. Registration required. Pearlsbuck.org/becomingamerican
Innovation is Imperative “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower” is an often-repeated quote attributed to Steve Jobs. But how is this playing out and helping to create the grid of the future? Innovation requires all of us to make honest and, at times, difficult assessments of disruptive trends in our industry. Looking at the horizon and adapting to a changing landscape is essential. So, what do we think the future has in store as we prepare for 2019 and beyond? Key highlights from the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s Annual Energy Outlook 2018 with projections to 2050 are helping to bring this picture into focus. The report notes that although there were decades of slow—even negative (in 2017) growth— in electricity demand, use is projected to increase albeit at a lower rate than in the past because some of the growth continues to offset by energy efficiency gains. Projections show that through 2050 wind and solar generation will take 64% of the total electric growth in renewables generation. Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Energy announced the availability of millions to support new technologies for long-duration energy storage on the grid. At PPL Electric Utilities, we recently announced a partnership with GE to develop and test software to manage electricity from renewable and stored energy sources. This initiative will enable both companies to learn more about the impact of this type of power—called Distributed Energy Resources (DER)—on grid management and accelerate the advancement of technology to support it. This project illustrates how PPL is responding to a changing energy sector. We are constantly modernizing our grid to
better serve our customers safely and reliably through: Installing smart grid technology throughout our system. Using drones to inspect lines thereby protecting our employees and checking in on the grid before it fails. Exploring the use of augmented and virtual reality, simulating substations for example, to train employees before they set foot in these locations. Deploying 3D technologies in standards and design. Installing energy storage (batteries) to improve reliability. Deploying technologies to sense downed wires to improve safety. All these new technologies and practices here at PPL are part of a cultural shift to formulate new and innovative ideas and test them out. It is what led to our PPL Innovation Lab, which opened in 2017. Nicole Lacouve, an R&D engineer at PPL Electric Utilities, has firsthand knowledge of all the ways in which our corporate culture embraces innovation. She said: “In the past, innovative thinking may have been encouraged; but now, it’s required. The grid itself along with customer expectations and services are changing. As the technical curators and long-term asset planners of the grid, our teams must have the vision to support this new energy future. Our success depends on it, and we know it.” All of this is certainly energizing us. If I had one wish for 2019 at PPL, it would be to continue pushing the boundaries on what is possible. Because, just like Steve Jobs also said, “Innovation is the ability to see change as an opportunity—not a threat.” Carol is the Regional Affairs Director for PPL Electric Utilities in Allentown, PA. Reach her at CObando-Derstine@pplweb.com
“Indoors or out, no one relaxes in March, that month of wind and taxes, the wind will presently disappear, the taxes last us all the year” - Ogden Nash
March 2019 • Upper Bucks Free Press •
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Is This Your Situation: Ready to Purchase Your Next Home?
If you’ve decided it’s time to move up to a bigger home or a home in a more coveted area, your next challenge will be getting there financially. It’s likely you’ll need more cash, a larger income and, perhaps, better credit than you had when you purchased your current home. Putting all the pieces in place for the move up could take some time and detailed planning. 1. Credit Clean-Up Although your credit rating may have been sterling as a first-time home buyer, years of credit card and utility accounts, car payments and consumer loans may have scuffed up that financial image a bit. Late or missed payments have a negative effect on your credit profile, as do large, long-term balances on your accounts. Your credit score, a rating system many lenders use to evaluate your financial situation, may prevent you from borrowing as much as you’d like for your next home or getting the lowest interest rate currently available. The wise buyer will take stock of his or her credit standing and debt status well before attempting the next home purchase. You may need some time to reduce your debt, catch up on any delinquent accounts, remove inaccuracies and blemishes from credit reports and make other adjustments to increase your credit score. 2. Loan Shopping A quick way to sift through these issues is to contact a lender who can pull a credit report to see if there are any glaring spots on your record. If nothing needs immediate attention, you can continue with a complete application, providing the financial information needed for loan pre-approval. The loan officer will determine the maximum loan amount you qualify for based on your income and debt profile. You may want to shop around at this point, comparing loan programs and interest rates. Consider how well your current loan has worked for you and remember that rates aren’t everything. The lowest rate may be accompanied by high points. If so, you’ll have to keep the mortgage long enough to justify paying the steep up-front cost of the loan. Consider whether a non-traditional mort-
gage program could meet your needs. An adjustable-rate mortgage may be a good choice if it looks as though interest rates will be falling. A 40-year mortgage might reduce the monthly payment enough so you qualify for a larger loan. 3. Collecting Cash An important factor in the equation that determines your buying power will be how much cash you have for a down payment and closing costs. The best mortgage interest rates are available to buyers with down payments of 20 percent or more. There are mortgage programs available that allow a smaller down payment but you may have to take a higher interest rate or pay for private mortgage insurance, both of which will reduce your buying power. Unless you’re a prodigious saver, chances are the equity you have in your current home will provide the largest source of cash for your next home purchase. Equity, of course, is the difference between the market value of the home and the balance on any mortgages secured by the home. I would be happy to conduct a comparative analysis of your home to determine the right sales price. By determining the value of your home and subtracting out selling costs (paying off the old mortgage, marketing fees and settlement expenses), you’ll have the basis for a down payment on your move-up property. 4. Fine Tuning After taking stock of your financial situation, you may find it necessary to delay your move in order to get the type of home you’ve targeted. Perhaps you need to save more cash for down payment and settlement costs. You may need to pay down outstanding debts to improve your credit score and qualify for a larger mortgage or a lower interest rate. Remember, it’s likely your home’s value and your equity in it will continue to grow as you get yourself in a position to move up successfully. Give me a call and I will help get all of your finances in order before you start shopping for your next home. Sue Deily has been a Realtor® for 34 years, resides in the Upper Bucks Area and enjoys serving her clients in Bucks, Lehigh and Montgomery Counties.Contact her at suesellshouses@gmail.com or 215-872-9865.
VFW Post 11322 March Update
BY PAUL GERHART
The month of March will be busy for John Rivers Memorial VFW Post 11322. On Saturday March 16, Frank and Lanettee Peiffer will be giving a presentation on Pearl Harbor. This event is from 2-5 and will be open to the public. If interested please call 215-529-0500 or 267-992-4973 and leave a message. One must remember this post is named after a WWII Hero named John Rivers who was killed August 21, 1942 at Guadalcanal. His portrait is displayed in the main foyer. There is also other military memorabilia to be seen. On March 30 from 2-5 the post will be holding an open house for “The Hometown Hero Banners. For those that live in the Quakertown Borough there was advertisement in the borough quarterly. If this peaks your interest come on out and see a sample of the banner. Applications can be found on the borough
website. One can call the post at 215-529-0500 and leave a message to have any questions answered. We encourage the public to come out to this event to see how our Veterans in the community can be honored. John Rivers Memorial VFW Post 11322 has $10 gift certificates for Alcamo’s in Richlandtown. The post gets to keep a percentage as a fundraiser. Please contact us if interested in supporting your local Veterans Of Foreign Wars. The post made several donations in the month of February. Some of the donations were to Victory House in Bethlehem, Coatesville VA and Baseball For Special People Inc. If you have a loved one that you would like to have a care package sent to we loved to help. For those interested in making a donation please send it to : John Rivers Memorial VFW Post 11322 41 Belmont Ave Quakertown, Pa. 18951.Any Questions call 215-529-0500 and leave a message. ~ God Bless America ! Commander Paul Gerhart, Jr.
Celebrity Collections
Local Resident’s Quick Action Critical in Saving Child’s Life Around 6:30 PM on Wednesday, January 30, Brant Miller of Perkasie was driving through town on his way home from a business call. What he encountered during that drive was nothing short of horrific. A mother and her 13 month old daughter were in the midst of a vicious attack by their own family dog. “When I was first getting close, it looked like a couple of kids maybe playing with a dog, but then I saw blood everywhere and realized it was someone being attacked. The dog was trying to tear a baby out of her mother’s arms”, recounts Miller, “I immediately jumped out of my vehicle and tried to get the dog to stop attacking.” Miller was successful at stopping the attack from continuing and was able to help to get the girl and her mother inside the house to safety. He unfortunately suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon while doing so, but apparently refused medical treatment until the girl was taken care of. Miller is quick to note that he played a very minor part in the whole scenario, rather pointing to the heroic efforts of a responding Perkasie police officer, a neighbor who also quickly sprang into action, and “a pretty amazing ambulance crew.” He also praises the incredible work of the doctors at the Grand
View Hospital Emergency Room where they spent over two hours stabilizing the young girl before she was eventually able to be airlifted to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The girl is reportedly responding well to treatment which has included several lifesaving surgeries with more likely. Happily, she is finally out of the hospital ICU. Miller says, “I’m just glad that God had a plan and I was able to respond.” He adds, “It is something that I would hope that anyone would do in that situation.” A Go Fund Me page has been established to help the girl and her mother during what continues to be a terribly trying time for the family. At the time of this writing, about $2000 has been collected, but we are told that more donations are extremely needed for what appears to be a ‘long road ahead.’ The donation page can be accessed at https://goo.gl/t57emR. Brant Miller initially did not want to be identified for his role in saving this young girl and her mother, but members of Miller’s church family at St. Isidore’s in Quakertown took to social media to extol his efforts and his example with some saying, “That’s just who he is.” and “I’m not surprised.” We share this story because we want to thank you, too.
In my line of work, I have had the opportunity to appraise some very interesting high-profile objects belonging to some very famous individuals. Some of these objects are more memorable than others and some are downright unforgettable. Celebrity collections are not unlike other collections. Most are amassed over time and some show a lifetime of interest in a particular field of collecting. When it comes to celebrity collectors, you might be surprised to learn what some famous folks have sitting on their curio cabinet shelves. It is common knowledge that actresses Elizabeth Taylor and Jennifer Aniston both collected antique and vintage jewelry, but did you know that all types of objects are collected by the famous few. Here are some fascinating collections of the rich and famous. Princess Diana The late Princess Diana (nee Spencer) was an avid collector and one that adorned her private spaces with her collections. Known adoringly as “The People’s Princess” following her untimely death, Princess Diana was an international advocate for the less fortunate in addition to being a devoted mother and member of the British royal family. According to a top member of Princess Diana’s professional staff, Patrick Jephson, whom I interviewed about the Princess’ lifelong collecting interests when we were both keynote speakers together recently, the Princess collected hand-painted Herend porcelain figurines from Hungary. According to Jephson, Princess Diana’s private sitting room and personal office at Kensington Palace were adorned with the collectible figurines in the form of bunny rabbits and other animals. It is fitting that in 2013, Hungary presented a Herend porcelain set as the official gift to the newborn British Crown Prince George, grandson of Princess Diana.
President John F. Kennedy According to documents of the late First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, President John F. Kennedy collected antique scrimshaw and other objects of New England’s shipping and seafaring history. The young president from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts love of sailing near his family home on Cape Cod. The late President had collected fine examples of carved walrus tooth scrimshaw and other objects that referenced New England’s grand seafaring and whaling tradition. In the Kennedy’s private residence, President Kennedy’s antique scrimshaw and his engravings of ship and battle scenes were on display along with Mrs. Kennedy’s fine art collection of paintings and sculpture. Jay-Z Musician and producer, Jay-Z is certainly a horologist or someone with an interest in horology or time keeping. Jay-Z has an impressive collection of wrist watches including an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Skeleton in 18 karat yellow gold. This is one of many fine wrist watches that would certainly make other horology collectors jealous. This particular watch from Jay-Z’s collection features automatic movement, perpetual calendar, moon phase, 18 karat gold with a fixed bexel, etc. The price tag is as big as the impact of Jay-Z, born Shawn Corey Carter who is an award-winning American rapper, songwriter and record producer. Some famous figures are major collectors and collect only for collecting’s sake. Of course, some celebrity collectors amass unique objects for sport and fully enjoy the thrill of a quite expensive hunt. Dr. Lori Verderame is the author and award-winning TV personality who appears on HISTORY channel’s #1 show, The Curse of Oak Island as the artifacts expert for the popular treasure hunting program. With a Ph.D. from Penn State University and experience appraising 20,000 antiques every year, Dr. Lori presents antique appraisal events to worldwide audiences.
DrLoriV.com (888) 431-1010
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• Upper Bucks Free Press • March 2019
Upper Bucks Area Places of Worship Bible Baptist Church
First United Methodist Church
Meets in Strayer Middle School Cafeteria 1200 Ronald Reagan Drive, Quakertown 267-772-0288 www.biblebaptistcares.org Pastor: Tom Harris Bible Study Hour 9:30 am, Morning Worship 10:30 am, Services interpreted for the deaf
501 Market Street, Perkasie 215-257-4626 fumcperkasie@verizon.net www.fumcperkasie.com Pastor: Scott Dorn Sunday Worship Schedule: 9am Contemporary service; 10:30am Traditional Worship
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!
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.
Christ Church United Church of Christ
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.
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 Where God’s Love Changes Lives
First United Church of Christ 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
Good News Church
Grace Bible Fellowship Church
1811 Old Bethlehem Pike N., Quakertown 215-536-6096 grace@quakertownbfc.org www.quakertownbfc.org Sr. Pastor: Ron Kohl Sunday School for all ages, 10:10am Morning Worship, Evening 1st & 3rd Sundays 6:30pm; Small group meetings 2nd & 4th Sundays 6:30pm; Tues: Ladies Bible Study 9:30am; Wed: AWANA (2 yrs – 6th grade) & Teens for Christ 6:30pm, Adult Bible Study 7pm.
Juniper Street Bible Church
317 Juniper Street, Quakertown 267-373-9115 Lead Pastor: Martin McPherson Associate Pastor: Bob Stevenson www.juniperstreetbiblechurch.org Contemporary Worship Service: Sunday 10 am, Prayer meeting for Quakertown Service Wednesday 7pm, Other services as announced. Watch us live on Facebook Sunday mornings at “Juniper Street Bible Church”
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 Tuesday 7pm. Check website for more info.
Quakertown United Methodist Church
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 10:00amCommunion on first Sunday of the month at all services.
Richland Friends Meeting (Quaker)
Trinity Great Swamp UCC
Ridge Valley UCC
Trinity Lutheran Church
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.” 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. John’s Lutheran Church of Spinnerstown
1565 Sleepy Hollow Rd, Spinnerstown 215-536-0734 stjohnsspinnerstown@gmail.com www.stjohnsofspinnerstown.org Pastor: The Rev. Axel Kaegler Worship service 9:45am, Sunday School 9 – 9:45am – 3 years through 6th grade, Nursery: 6 mo through age 8.
St. John’s Lutheran Ridge Valley
910 Allentown Road, West Rockhill Twp 215-257-9643 stjohnsridgevalley910@gmail.com www.stjohnsridgevalley.com Pastor: Amy Hotter 8:30am Traditional - 10:15am w/praise band. Grape juice & gluten-free wafers available. Adult Forum 9:40, Handicapped accessible. All invited and welcome to Share the Joy!
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Applebachsville
837 Old Bethlehem Road, Quakertown 215-536-5789 stpauls@netcarrier.com www.stpaulsqtown.org 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 Pastor: Rev. John Steitz 8am Rejoice & Praise Worship in Parlor, 9am Sunday School for all ages, 10:15 Worship in Sanctuary, Prayer Shawl Ministry 1st & 3rd Tuesdays 1 to 3pm.
9150 Spinnerstown Road Spinnerstown 215-679-7710 office@tgsucc.org www.tgsucc.org Pastor: TBD Sunday worship: 9:00am; Sunday School classes (K-Adult) 10:15am; Family activities throughout the year. 102 N. Hellertown Avenue, Quakertown 215-536-4345 www.trinityquakertown.org Pastor: Lynette R. Chapman 9am Traditional Service, 11am; Contemporary Service, 10:30am FaithQuest, 10:15am; Handicapped accessible, Family friendly Church, Dynamic Music Ministry, Living God’s Love for All.
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.
To have your place of worship included in this directory, please contact Terri Roger at 215-529-8915 ext 11 or email at terri@ubfp.org
March 2019 • Upper Bucks Free Press •
BY PASTOR DAVE HECKLER How many of you know what a catalyst is? A catalyst is a compound that, once introduced into a chemical reaction, gets the reaction going without being consumed itself. In many cases, the catalyst remains all but invisible to the observer, even while it’s making all kinds of things happen; but recognized or not, the catalyst serves the reaction and enables it to come to fruition. One of our community’s greatest catalysts for ministry over the last fifty years has been the Quakertown Ministerium. The Quakertown Ministerium is a group of pastors and/or congregational leaders of many denominations who get together monthly for mutual support, challenge, and shared service to the community. That may not sound like much— but over the past fifty years, pastors and congregations working together through the Quakertown Ministerium have catalyzed the development of the network of Grundy Houses throughout the county, the Quakertown Food Pantry (and derivatively, several other food pantries in our area), a host of community meals (in Quakertown alone, these include Loaves and Fishes, Food for Friends, and meals at First UCC and Morningstar), Outreach Care, the Upper Bucks Code Blue emergency winter sheltering ministry for the homeless (these latter two together under the umbrella of Advocates for the Homeless of Upper Bucks), the Quakertown Community Center (and its afterschool ministry, “The Drop”), the Youth Ministry Network, Safe Families for Children, the Quakertown Skate Park and the Free Fall ministry, Communities for Peace, community-wide Thanksgiving, Good Friday, and Longest Night services, and worship leadership at area nursing and retirement facilities, among others. All of these ministries have risen up from Quakertown Ministerium initiatives to become strong and self-sustaining ministries that many in our community depend on for daily support and many others in our community support as volunteers. The Quakertown Ministerium also networks with chaplaincies at St Luke’s Hospital, Penn Foundation, and Phoebe Richland Health Care Center
and community groups such as the Salvation Army and HUBBUB (“Helping Upper Bucks Become Universally Better”, a consortium of social-service providers in Upper Bucks) to support and strengthen their ministries. And even as Quakertown Ministerium pastors and congregational leaders continue to gather monthly for mutual support, they keep on looking for new ways to serve the wider Upper Bucks community and involve their congregations and neighbors in that service. (By the way, the Pennridge, Palisades, and Indian Valley areas also have community ministerial that’ve been marvelous catalysts for ministry. While I can’t speak in as much detail about them, I can point to Keystone Opportunity Center, Generations, Pennridge FISH, the Lord’s Pantry, and several other well-recognized ministries as the fruits of ministerium-catalyzed initiatives in those areas.) I’m not telling you these things in order to boast, but rather to invite your more active networking and participation with your local ministerium. Your local pastors may be the most obvious “front” people of the ministerium; but ultimately, it’s our congregations and our neighbors— the “laypeople”—who make the ministries happen and enable them to “take off” and be self-sustaining over the long haul. We pastors may be able to discern and address some of the needs of our community, but we can only pick up on so much. It’s the whole body of Christ together, and the whole community together, that can best discern and meet the needs of our community. At best (and at heart), the Quakertown Ministerium is a catalyst for making that ministry happen— but the reaction is yours. So if you see a need or have an idea for meeting that need, don’t be afraid to raise that with your pastor. Help us continue to serve as a vital catalyst for ministry in our community. And as we say in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, let’s be about “God’s Work, Our Hands” together! Dave Heckler is the pastor at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran church in Applebachsville and Christ Church UCC in Trumbauersville. He can be reached at prdaveheckler@gmail.com
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Welcome, Spring! One of my favorite times of the year is spring, and so I thought it would be appropriate for me to welcome this long-awaited season in advance. I will refrain from mentioning “the fact that” it is quite possible for a blizzard to exhibit its furor during the month of March. It is always ‘my desire’ for March to enter like a lion, so that the departure will be quiet and gentle like a lamb. Being a country girl, I learned to love nature, especially as it changed during the four seasons. Spring was always a time of renewal. It was a reminder of what green grass really looked like, and how full and beautiful trees were when they were clothed in leaves, and buds, and flowers. As a child, it was the time I loved walking through our woods with my mother and picking the spring flowers – Hepaticas, Buttercups, and Violets. I would look for the Daffodils as they peeked through a bed of dead leaves, or even a thin layer of leftover snow. Spring was when the birds chirped endlessly throughout the day; it was when the bumble bees and the hummingbirds buried themselves deeply into the Hollyhock flowers as they collected nectar. Spring was the time when the grasshoppers, and the ants, and the frogs reappeared. It was the time when the wasps constructed their dwellings of mud in the eave of the roof, and Mrs. Robin Red Breast crafted her home in the corner at the far end of our porch roof. Spring was the time when I could expect my first sting of the season by a yellow jacket. It was the time I would relentlessly chase a monarch butterfly all over the yard trying to catch it Those country memories of spring are very vivid in my mind and deeply embedded in my heart. I learned that spring is comparable to my life. I know that periodically, I need to
renew my mind, body, and soul, and I have found that the first day of spring, March 20th, is a perfect revival time for me. Not only do I get to welcome spring and renew my being, but I also get to celebrate the day I was born, and this year I will celebrate the fifth year of my Septuagenarian decade. I have finally adopted the mindset that age is a matter of the mind, and if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter. I don’t mind because I am “thankful, grateful, and truly blessed.” When I moved from the country to “Uptown,” I found that spring was a bit different. Oh, the grass still turned a brilliant color of green, and the leaves on the trees, along with the buds and flowers, were a striking and welcomed sight to behold. Each morning the birds would serenade me with their cheerful tweeting outside my bedroom window. There were armies of bumble bees, but no Hollyhocks from which they could extract nectar; and, I found that there were no monarch butterflies, nor hummingbirds “Uptown.” What I missed most was being able to take a walk through the woods to enjoy the wildflowers. So, even after my mother passed away, I would return to the homestead each spring and reflect on my childhood as I walked through the woods admiring the Buttercups, Hepaticas, Violets, and looking for Daffodils. When I had children, I spent a lot of time there acquainting them with the fun childhood I had living in the country. Over the decades, I have adjusted to life “Uptown”, but springtime in the country will always be a part of me. Spring stimulates the innermost parts of my soul. Happy St. Patrick’s Day, and Happy Spring. Jacque Holliday is a long time freelance contributor to UBFP. She always welcomes your comments via email at jacque@ubfp.org
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• Upper Bucks Free Press • March 2019
Bernard J. Skillens, 72, of Sellersville, died Sunday, Jan. 27 in Grand View Hospital. He was the husband of Sheila (Swanner) Skillens and the late Sara (Agliata) Skillens. Born in Plains, Luzerne Co., he was a son of the late Bernard and Johanna (Wachilla) Skillens. Bernie served with the US Air Force during the Vietnam War. He worked for the federal government for over 35 years in Human Resources at the former Naval Research Center, Warminster. Surviving with his wife are his sons Bernard, Jeffrey, wife Lisa; step-daughter Nicole Jerrom, husband Kyle; ten grandchildren; brother Joseph, wife Jackie; and sister Maryann Gavin, husband Gene. Interment was in Washington Crossing National Cemetery, Newtown. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, PO Box 1000 , Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908 or www.stjude.org/donate/ donate-to-st-jude.html www.nauglefcs.com Roland P. Amey, 77, of Richlandtown, died Monday, January 28 in his home. Born in Richlandtown, he was the son of the late Roland H. and Mary A. (Perkowski) Amey. He was a graduate of Quakertown High School, Class of 1959 and received a bachelors degree in business administration from the University of Miami in 1966. He was employed for over 25 years by the former Pan Am Airways in various capacities. He is survived by cousins and his beloved dog, Pablo. Interment was in Union Cemetery of Hellertown. Memorials contributions may be made to the Upper Bucks SPCA, 60 Reservoir Rd., Quakertown, 18951. www.nauglefcs.com Beryl “Maxine” Helsel, 83, from Portage passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 29th, 2019 at Phoebe Richland Rehab Center. Maxine was the daughter of Harry and Mary (McAttackney) Chambers and stepfather Ernest Silk . She is predeceased by her parents, her brother Patick Chambers, ex-husband Leo Helsel, sons Patrick and John, and granddaughter Jules. Her brother, Patrick, was a pilot for
~Obituaries~
the British Navy. She was born February 23, 1935 and raised in England, and was studying nursing when she met and married Leo Helsel of Portage, who was stationed in London in the US Air Force. Though they divorced after 15 years of marriage they remained friends and neither remarried. After living on bases in the states, Canada and the Netherlands, they settled in Portage in 1965, where she lived until recently when she moved to Bucks County PA to be near her daughter and son. Maxine was a devoted mother to her four children, and later a fun Nana to her grandchildren. She worked as a waitress at the Keystone Truck Stop for many years. She was also a caregiver for Lenape Foundation and Home Instead. Though Maxine maintained the status of registered alien and never became a US citizen, she was very patriotic and was involved in the Amvets Lady Auxiliary and was a member of several other veteran’s organizations. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, and playing in a woman’s softball league in her younger years and was an avid Steelers fan. She also enjoyed traveling to visit family, once going alone to San Diego for her son Michael’s Navy graduation, and to Virginia, Florida, South Carolina and New Jersey when her son John was stationed there in the Navy, She especially enjoyed a trip to Disney world for her 70th birthday with her daughter Donna and family. She was a member of the former St. Joseph’s Church and spent many years volunteering there when her children were in school. She had a great sense of humor and many remember how she used to go “all out” at Halloween, making her porch a scary fun trick-or-treat stop. Maxine is survived by her daughter Donna Devlin, son-in-law Adam, of Quakertown PA, son Michael, daughter-in-law Trisha (Smith) Helsel of Warminster, PA, daughter-in-law Marsha (Roberts) Helsel, of Portage PA, grandchildren Jason Helsel (Julie Waite), Jon Helsel (Amanda Bridge ), Kaitlyn Helsel, Taylor Jenks (Trevor), Destiny Devlin, Rilee Helsel, Nicholas Helsel, and Jade Devlin, and great-grandchildren Hannah Waite, Melody Jansen, Ady Helsel, John Helsel, Emme Helsel, Isabelle Bosler, and Mason Helsel. She will also be missed by wonderful caretakers Debbi, Kelly, and Julia and her cat “Buddy.”
William “Bill” H. Reidnauer, 81, of Pennsburg, formerly of Quakertown died February 10, 2019 at Quakertown Center. He was the husband of Elaine (Weaver) Reidnauer. They were married 60 years last June. Born in Sellersville he was the son of the late H. Wilbert & Mary (Baritsky) Reidnauer. Bill worked for the former American Olean Tile in Lansdale for 30 years, and St. Luke’s Quakertown Hospital until retirement. He was a U.S. Army Veteran. In addition to his wife he is survived by a daughter Brandy Miller (Timothy) of Perkasie and a son Rod in Nanty Glo, PA. A sister Caren Harrison in Harleysville. Two grandchildren Shawn & Caitlyn. Predeceased by a son Chad. Services will be private at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are in the care of the C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (www.crstrunk.com) Quakertown.
Mark W. Radcliffe, Jr., 76, of Quakertown died February 10, 2019 in St. Luke’s University Hospital, Bethlehem. He was the husband of Janet H. (Porter) Radcliffe. Born in Baltimore, Maryland he was the son of the late Mark W., Sr. & Virginia (Stauffer) Radcliffe. He was a manager for Hull Corporation before his retirement. Mark was an avid fisherman, and was known as the “Happy Fisherman.” After his retirement he loved his cigars and sipping on his scotch. He also enjoyed camping in Maine and loved to eat lobster. In addition to his wife he is survived by a son Matthew and his wife Dottie of Gettysburg, PA, a brother Michael, a sister Wendy Rosenberger, granddaughter Hannah and a great grandson Jaxson Mathew. (www.crstrunk.com) Nancy A. Gross, 85, of Quakertown,
passed away Sun., Feb. 11 at St. Luke’s Hospital – Quakertown. Born July 11, 1933, she was the daughter of the late Lloyd & Dorothy (Ahlum) Ackerman. She was the wife of the late Clair Gross who passed in 1999. Nancy had attended Zionhill Evangelical Lutheran Church. Prior to retiring in 1994, she was an inspector for U.S. Gauge for 21 years and before that, she was a waitress for the fmr. Trainer’s Restaurant for 9 years. Surviving are sons: Barry & wife Joyce of Jamison and Eric of Allentown; daughters Terry wife of Harry Evans of Savannah, GA and Pamela Roeder of Milford Twp.; sisters Barbara Queen and Kathleen Houch both of Perkasie; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a grandson Brian and sister Linda Rank. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Bucks County Housing Authority for Seniors, 350 S. Main St., Ste. 205; Doylestown, PA 18901. www.nauglefcs.com
Julius A. Schulberger, 91, of Richland Twp., passed away Tues., Feb. 12 at St. Luke’s Hospital – Quakertown. Born Oct. 12, 1927, he was the son of the late Adam & Rose (Schmidt) Schulberger. He was the husband of Madelin (Stump) Schulberger for the past 71 years. In addition to his wife, he is survived by sons: Robert & wife Mary, Sally wife of the late Ronald, Kevin & wife Sheila, Lee & wife Susan; daughters: Michele wife of Kevin Wolf, and Linda & companion Donald Boileau; brothers John and Jerry Nostadt; sisters Fran Schillinger, Eve Bowen, and Jeanie McCarthy; 11 grandchildren; 2 step-grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; 10 step-great-grandchildren; and 2 step-great-great-grandchildren. Julius was a member of St. Isidore’s Roman Catholic Church, Quakertown. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, Milford Twp. Fire Co., Moose Lodge, Quakertown School Board. In 1957, Julius started the family-owned appliance store in Milford Square. It is now in Quakertown run by his sons & grandsons. Julius enjoyed playing darts, dice, camping, riding bicycle, polka & country music, hunting, and stock car/NASCAR racing. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Heart Assn., 5455 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43214. www.nauglefcs.com
Mary E. Holsinger, 94, of Quakertown, died Tues. Feb 12 in Phoebe Richland Health Care Center. She was the wife of the late Sewell J. Holsinger. Born in Bethlehem, she as a daughter of the late Herman & Emma (Miller) Long. Mary worked a number of years as a seamstress in area clothing factories before retiring. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Quakertown. Surviving are her children, Lorraine Konyk, husband Roger of Hatfield; Barry, wife Gwen of Quakertown; grandchildren Victor, Brian, & Dawn; 8 great-grandchildren; nieces & nephews. Interment was in Quakertown Union Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Organ Fund, Trinity Lutheran Church, 102 N. Hellertown Ave., Quakertown. www.nauglefcs.com Richard C. “Dick” Henry, 86, of Quakertown, died Wednesday, February, 13 at Quakertown Center. He was the loving husband of Arlene I. (Harwick) Henry for 66 years. Born in Milford Square, he was the son of the late Russell & Esther (Haney) Henry. Dick enjoyed to fish, country line dance and mow the grass. He was a lifetime member of Fish & Game, in Great Swamp and the SPCA. Surviving with his wife are children: Robin Keyser, husband John of Coopersburg, Renee Georgiadis, husband Connie of Trumbauersville & Todd, wife Mickey of Quakertown; seven grandchildren & 4 with one on the way great-grandchildren. Predeceased are siblings: Clair & Arlene. Memorial contributions can be made in his name to the church, please address to the Stained Glass Window Fund, PO Box 120, Spinnerstown, PA 18968. Josephine Ciarrocchi, 82, of Quakertown formerly of South Philadelphia died February 13, 2019 in her home. She was the wife of Ralph J. Ciarrocchi. Born in South Philadelphia she was the daughter of the late Joseph & Stella (Wisnieski) Corvino. She was a graduate of Hallahan High School in Philadelphia. She was a member of the Philadelphia Women’s Bridge League, and held multiple positions at the Roman High School, and LaSalle High School Mother’s Club. Josephine was the only female Golf Coach at the Roman Catholic High School for 15 years, golf was her passion. She was awarded the Thomas Cahill Award for service and dedication to Roman Catholic High School and its golf team. Josephine was a former member of St. Helena’s of Blue Bell, PA. In addition to her husband she is survived by three sons Stephen Ciarrocchi and his wife Tina of Overland Pak, KS, Christopher Ciarricchi and his wife Krista of Downingtown, PA, Anthony Ciarrocchi of Miami, FL. A daughter Mary Jo Gaumer and her husband Dan of Quakertown. A sister Marie (Corvino) Zane and her husband the late Phil Zane. 7 Grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Roman Catholic High School 301 N. Broad St. Philadelphia, Pa 19107 or to John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls High School 311 N. 19th St. Philadelphia, PA 19103. Edward S. Novak, 89, of Quakertown passed away February 16, 2019 at Lifequest Nursing Center in Quakertown. He was the husband of the late Yvonne Novak for 48 years. Born September 4, 1929 in Springfield Township PA to the late Stephen and Mary (Krall) Novak, he was a graduate of Springfield Township High School in Pleasant Valley PA Class of 1947. Ed served in the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force. He retired in 1985 from Met-Pro Corporation in Harleysville PA where he worked on constructing waste water treatment systems. He was a charter member of the Optimist Club of Quakertown, where he held various offices, including president, and enjoyed the activities they sponsored for the community youth, including his favorites- the Bike Rodeo and Haunted House at Halloween. For years he could be found at the counter at YumYum Donuts, enjoying time with his wife & friends. Ed was a lover of animals, especially his dogs. He enjoyed entertaining the people in his life with his silly songs, imitation “grumpiness”, stories and jokes. Favorite past times included his monthly poker club, entertaining children with his bird calls, cooking for the holidays, and driving his truck through the countryside and reminiscing. Survivors: Three daughters Cynthia Novak
March 2019 • Upper Bucks Free Press • (Douglas Lick), Jeanne Dierolf (Kevin), Wendy Novak (Sandra Saras); two brothers John and William Novak, two sisters Anne Surman and Gloria Grant, four grandchildren Lauren Hallman (Ezekiel), Megan Serfass (Dave), Zachary and Michael Dierolf, and three great-grandchildren Aubrey, Ezekiel, and Kennedy. He was predeceased by five siblings, Ethel Wukich and Ludwig, Theresa, Frank, and Stephen Novak. Contributions: In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the ‘Quakertown Community School District’ with note indication they are for the Yvonne J. Novak Memorial Scholarship Fund and sent c/o C.R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. 821 W. Broad St., Quakertown PA 18951
Jennifer R. Ramsay, 48, of Quakertown, died Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019 at St. Luke’s University Hospital – Bethlehem. Born in Allentown on Dec. 24, 1970, she was the daughter of the late J. Roger and Mary Ann (Felty) Ramsay. Jennifer was a graduate of Ohio University. She spent most of her working life as a cashier for various places, including Walmart for 5 years. She was an animal lover who adored her pet cat, Lady Slipper. Jennifer also enjoyed creative hobbies such as writing and photography, and was always willing to try new things. Surviving is her brother, J. Russell Ramsay and wife Amy of Sellersville; nieces Abigail and Brynn. Services will be private at the convenience of the family. Memorials may be sent in Jennifer’s memory to Last Chance Ranch, 9 Beck Road, Quakertown, PA 18951. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Naugle Funeral & Cremation Service, Ltd., Quakertown. Mary F. Jarzyk, formerly of Levittown died on Thursday, February 21, 2019 at Neshaminy Manor in Doylestown. She was 96. Born in Riverside, NJ, Mrs. Jarzyk was a long time resident of Lower Bucks County. Mary will be remembered as a wonderful cook. Her love for her family was most important to her and she truly enjoyed the times she spent with them. Beloved wife of the late Stanley P., Mrs. Jarzyk was the loving mother of Stanley J. Jarzyk and his wife, Mary Ellen, and the late Mary Williams and her surviving husband, Fred. She was the devoted grandmother of Fredrick Williams and Peter Williams, Esq.; great grandmother of Andy, Peter Jr., Faith and Kylie and will also be missed by several nieces and nephews including Sandy Snyder, Stephanie Jones and Patty Behoing. Mary was preceded in death by her sister, Stephanie Lojeski. Family and friends are invited to call from 10 until 11 a.m. on Monday, February 25th at the James J. Dougherty Funeral Home, Inc., 2200 Trenton Rd., Levittown where her funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are appreciated to a charity of the donor’s choice. Richard B. Walter, 88 of Kintnersville
formerly of Easton died Friday February 22, 2019 in his home. He was the husband of the late Violet (Raub) Walter. Born in Easton he was the son of the late Harvey and Clara (Weller) Walter. Before his retirement he was an accountant for Pfizer Inc. Richard enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and watching all sports. He was a member of St. John the Baptist Church in Ottsville and a member of the Fr. Stommel Council 4545 K of C. He is survived by his sons Kevin, David
and his wife Maryanne and Richard all of Kintnersville. Predeceased by two brothers George and John. Memorial contributions can be made to St. John the Baptist Church, 4040 Durham Rd. Ottsville PA 18942. Arrangements in the care of the C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (www.crstrunk.com) Quakertown.
Richard John Erb, Sr., 81, of Trumbauersville died February 24, 2019 in his home. He was the husband of Shirley J. (Martin) Erb. They were married 59 years last August. Born in Sellersville, PA he was the son of the late John & Ida (Martin) Erb. He retired form Hatfield Packing in 1998 after 32 years of service. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and watching the Phillies. Richard was a member of Paletown Rod & Gun Club and the Keelersville Club. He was a big Elvis fan. He was a U.S. Army Veteran. Richard attended Christ Lutheran Church in Trumbauersville.In addition to his wife he is survived by a daughter Sharon Erb of Trumbauersville, a son Michael J. Erb and his wife Darlene of Trumbauersville. Six grandchildren Cherry, Laurie, Richard, Brittany, Amanda, & Alura. Three great grandchildren. He was predeceased by a son Richard, Jr. Services will be private and at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are in the care of the C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (www.crstrunk.com) Quakertown. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to American Cancer Society Lehigh Valley Office 617A Main St. Hellertown, PA 18055 or to the American Heart Association 5455 N. High St. Columbus, Ohio 43214. Linford F. Labs, 93, of Riegelsville died February 24, 2019 in his home, He was the husband of the late Eleanor H. E. (Heffner) Labs. Born in Stoney Point, Bucks County he was the son of the late Edward H. & Edith V. (Fretz) Labs. He was a Federal Meat Inspector working until the age of 71. After his retirement he volunteered for many years at St. Luke’s Quakertown Hospital. He enjoyed dancing, camping, playing cards with his friends and working his land. Linford was a member of the Bach Choir of Bethlehem for 22 years. He was a member of St. Matthews Evangelical Lutheran Church (Kellers Church) in Perkasie. He is survived by his three children Priscilla A. Sarko nee Labs (Wayne T.) of Allentown, PA, Jonathan F. Labs of Montreal, Canada, and Eric J. Labs of Vienna, Virginia. Predeceased by his companion Ruth Corrado and a brother Edward H., Jr. Family will greet relatives and friends on Wednesday, evening March 6, 2019 from 5:00-7:00 P.M. in the C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (www.crstrunk.com) 821 W. Broad St. Quakertown, PA 18951. There will be no formal service. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to St. Luke’s Quakertown Hospital 1021 Park Ave. Quakertown, PA 18951. Monica J. Alexander, 90, of Quakertown formerly of Souderton died February 21, 2019 in LifeQuest Nursing Center, Quakertown. She was the wife of the late Richard C. Alexander. Born in Philadelphia she was the daughter of the late John & Hannah (Crossin) Friel. She loved crafting, crocheting, her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is survived by a son Richard P. (Loan) of Schwenksville, PA and a daughter Paula Rorer (Donald) of Quakertown. Six grandchildren Gregory, Charlie, Joshua, Joe, Adam, and Hope. Three great grandchildren Ryan,
Shape the Moment: THON 2019
BY JOHN WALDENBERGER
February 15th - 17th was the 46th annual Penn State IFC Interfraternity Council/ Panhellenic Dance Marathon, better known today as THON. It is typically held over Presidents Day weekend, as an annual celebration in the second happiest place on earth. Happy Valley, aka Penn State University. The weekend was spent with over 46 hours of dancing, singing, talent and fashion shows, pep rallies, live performers, and water gun fights. Lots, and lots, of water gun fights. Thousands of people filled the Bryce Jordan Center, never once laying down, sleeping, or even sitting, for the entire time. At least, not until the end, when the grand fundraising total for 2018-19 of $10,621,683.76 was revealed! THON is the world’s largest student run philanthropic organization. THON has grown in many ways since the first event was held in 1973. In that first year, about 78 students stayed dancing for 30 hours, raising $2000 dollars for pediatric cancer - an unheard of cause in its
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day. Four years later, the official beneficiary of this event became the Four Diamonds Fund, and as they say the rest is history! Since then, THON has raised well over $150,000,000! Some milestones include: *1983- The first year fundraising efforts surpassed 6-figures with a total of $131,182 *1987- The IFC Dance Marathon officially adopted the name THON *1992- Fundraising efforts for the year officially broke the 1 Million dollar mark, with a total of $1,141,145.38! *1998- The first year THON was live streamed to the world. Also, Canning Trips, were officially planned for the first time, for the biggest component to THON fundraising efforts. *2007- THON moved locations, again, to its much bigger and current home in the Bryce Jordan Center, for their 35th anniversary! *2012- Fundraising efforts broke 10 Million dollars with a total raised of $10,686,924.83! *2017-19- Canning, the time when hundreds
Parker, & Caroline. Predeceased by two brothers Jack, Bill and two sisters Joan & Patricia. Graveside Services will be held at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are in the care of the C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (www.crstrunk.com) Quakertown is in charge of the arrangements.
Anthony J. Corral, 89, of Quakertown died February 14, 2019 in Quakertown Center. Born in Philadelphia he was the son of Antonio & Maude Corral. Anthony was a 1948 graduate of Quakertown High School. He was a Union Steward for ACME Markets working out of the former Souderton Store retiring in 1991 after 37 years of service. He was a member of Quakertown American Legion Post #242, the VFW Forrest Lodge Post 245 in Sellersville, and the Sellersville Moose. Anthony enjoyed hunting, bowling , shuffleboard, and dancing. He loved and cared very much for his children, grandchildren, and great grandson He is survived by a son Thomas of Sellersville, two daughters Lori Corral and her fiancé Scott Barndt of Pennsburg, and Diane L. Stahl and her husband John H. of Kingsley, PA. Five grandchildren Dan Westcott, Kelly Westcott, Nick Nogradi, Brandon Barndt, and Breanna Barndt, one great grandchild Dayton Westcott. Memorial contributions can be made to Indian Creek Foundation, 420 Cowpath Rd. Souderton, PA 18964. (www.crstrunk.com) Dennis L. Gerhart, 71, of Quakertown, previously of Lansdale, passed away on Sunday, February 24 at his home. He was the loving husband of Maria A. (Falsetta) Gerhart for 35 years. Born in Lansdale, he was a son of the late Donald R. & Lydia E. (Kratz) Gerhart. Dennis graduated with a B.S. from the Philadelphia College of Art in Industrial Design. He served in the United States Marine Corps as a Lance Corporal and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal for service during the Vietnam War. Dennis was active with the Boy Scouts of America as an Eagle Scout and as a proud father of Eagle Scouts Jesse and Dylan Gerhart. He was a very creative and talented individual. He was an industrial designer by profession and was self-employed. As an of Penn State students would swarm street corners and parking lots across the state and country to collect money for THON, was phased out. This was a major decision, out of concerns for the safety of the students participating, due to issues over the past 2 years. Despite this, critical change, almost $10 million dollars were still raised, each of the following years to support the Four Diamonds Fund. The Four Diamonds was established by Charles and Irma Millard after their son, Christopher, passed away after battling cancer for three years. Christopher’s story of a knight’s quest for courage, wisdom, honesty and strength was the inspiration for the name Four Diamonds. Through Four Diamonds, Chris Millard and his legendary story of Sir Millard live on and serve as a beacon of hope for children and their families fighting cancer. (Source: www.thon.org) Today, the Four Diamonds Fund continues to grow and helps families of children diagnosed with pediatric cancer at Penn-State Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, PA. The fund takes many of the financial and stressful burdens brought on by four words no parent
industrial designer, Dennis designed visitor centers, museums and Trade show exhibits. In his later years, Dennis turned to another passion, combining his love of history with his illustration skills, to illustrate children’s books. He did a lot of work for local non-profit organizations including: Friends of the Delaware Canal and the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor. He illustrated the children’s book, “Tales of the Towpath: Adventures Along the Lehigh & Delaware Canal,” used in Lehigh Valley schools to introduce children to the industrial growth along the Lehigh & Delaware canals in the 1850’s. He also illustrated “Skirmish at Van Nest’s Mill” and “Anabella, Teddy and the Rainbow Trail” for author Shirley Carvatt. Dennis was working on a series of drawing books for children combining history and drawing. Surviving with his wife are children: Jesse Vincenzo and Dylan Thomas Angelo Gerhart, both of Quakertown and siblings: Donald R., Jr., wife Sherry of Lansdale and Barry R., wife Becky of Tunkhannock, PA. Dennis will be laid to rest at a later date in Washington Crossing National Cemetery, Newtown. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in his name to the Friends of the Delaware Canal, 145 S. Main Street, New Hope, PA 18938 or the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, 2750 Hugh Moore Park Road, Easton, PA 18042 or an organization of your choice.
Joseph F. Ruhf, Jr., 68, of Quakertown, passed away Wednesday, February 27, at home. Born January 31, 1951, he was the son of the late Joseph F. Ruhf, Sr. and the late Margaret Alisio. He was the husband of Diane (Pucillo) Ruhf for the past 42 years. He was an Army veteran, retiring in 2011. He served in Iraqi Freedom. Joseph was a heavy-duty equipment mechanic at the Willow Grove Naval Base. He was a member of the Manzanedo Rod & Gun Club, the American Legion, and a lifetime member of the East Stroudsburg VFW – Post 2540. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Christina Hays of Quakertown; a son, Dan Ruhf of Coopersburg; a brother Stanley; and a grandson Aidan O’Connell. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to your favorite animal shelter in Joseph’s name. www.nauglefcs.com ever wants to hear, “Your child has cancer”. The Four Diamonds covers many expenses not otherwise covered by patient’s insurance plans. It provides many fun activities through the year for the patients and families, so that families can focus on their child just being a normal kid and getting better. They provide funding for music therapists, new clinical trials and research opportunities so that we may, one day, dance in celebration that NO CHILD WILL EVER DIE OF CANCER. Our Family was affected by those words in December 2010, when our son Jordan was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). If it was not for the Four Diamonds, THON, and Penn State Hershey, we don’t know what would have happened. First and foremost, and on behalf of the thousands of families like ours who have been helped by the Four Diamonds Fund, we want to say a huge “THANK YOU!” to Charles and Irma Millard. Without you, and your family’s efforts, hard work, dedication, and the courage, wisdom, honesty and strength of your son Christopher, none of this would have ever been possible!
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• Upper Bucks Free Press • March 2019
QCHS Wrestling Head Coach Kurt Handel was named Suburban One League Continental Conference Wrestling Coach of the Year, as the Panthers won the SOL Continental Tournament Championship. Quakertown finished third in districts behind Council Rock South and Neshaminy. Council Rock North was fourth and North Penn fifth.
Over 100 members of Quakertown’s business community packed the Borough’s train station recently to mee greet the first three signed tenants of Quakertown’s much-anticipated Trolley Barn Public Market project. Th business venture on East Broad Street will eventually house a wide variety of small businesses. Two Rivers Br Hewn Spirits, and Black River Farms were featured at the gathering. Project developers Ian Jeffery and LaBonge gave some remarks regarding the history of the project and their plans for the historical trolley building property. The February 26th mixer was hosted by the Upper Bucks Chamber of Commerce. Pictured: (l-r) Troy Reynard, Two Rivers Brewing; project owners Chris LaBonge and Ian Jeffery; Danielle B Executive Director of the Upper Bucks Chamber of Commerce; Andy Warner, Black River Farms; and Ashlee B Hewn Spirits. photo by michele buono
Students in 4th and 8th grade at St. Isidore School in Quakertown were fascinated by the local historical information shared with them by Jack Schick, VP Quakertown Historical Society, Clerk of Meeting, Richland Friends Monthly Meeting.
Molasses Creek Dog Training held its 3rd annual Puppy B February 3. Over a dozen puppies competed for the co Vince Lombarky trophy. Nova, four months old, won the pups division. She is pictured here with her family, Cody Ko Becca Ditmar. photo by michele buono
March 2019 • Upper Bucks Free Press •
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The Horsin’ Around 4-H club met at their usual meeting location for their February meeting. They started their meeting by practicing for Horse Bowl, an equine knowledge competition in March. The members also discussed volunteering at the Grange fair and brainstormed about their Grange fair display. As community service, Horsin’ Around collected dry goods for the Pennridge food pantry, and made valentines for a youth center. Pictured: (l-r) Horsin’ Around Club members Jackie, Zoe, Haley, Grace, Marlee and Brianna practicing for Horse Bowl.
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For the first time in school history, St. Isidore School’s girls basketball team has won the CYO Region 20 Competitive Division championship. The hard-working team, which includes five talented Strayer Middle School student-athletes, finished with an awesome 18-2 record.
The Quakertown Republican Caucus held its screening and endorsement meeting on February 26 at 7:00 in Community Room of Quakertown Fire Company #1 Quakertown. Incumbent Borough Councilmen (l-r) Jonathan Sell, Douglas Propst, Michael Johnson, and James Roberts were endorsed for 4 yr terms. Also endorsed for Area 3 of the Quakertown Community School Board as School Director were Ronald Jackson and Charles Shermer. Area 3 includes the Borough of Quakertown and Richland 4 Election districts.
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• Upper Bucks Free Press • March 2019
The answers to the puzzles on this page are found elsewhere in this issue.
Think Local. Play Local. Be Local.
Ant, Aunt Bear, Bare Boar, Bore Burro, Burrow Cygnet, Signet
Deer, Dear Doe, Dough Ewe, You Fawn, Faun Flea, Flee Fowl, Foul Gnu, Knew
Hare, Hair Rays, Raise Hart, Heart Roe, Row Horse, Tapir, Taper Tern, Turn Hoarse Lynx, Links Toad, Towed Mite, Might Whale, Wail
March 2019 • Upper Bucks Free Press •
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Why My Mom Went Nuts (The Rh Factor)
March is Women’s History Month. It’s an ‘officially’ designated month in the U.S., the U.K. and Australia. It highlights the contributions of women to historical events and in today’s society. It corresponds with International Women’s Day, March 8th, which was first celebrated in 1911. In 1980, President Carter proclaimed the week beginning March 7th, National Women’s History Week, and in 1981 a Joint Resolution supporting it passed Congress. In 1987 legislation was passed that made March National Women’s History Month and in 1988 additional legislation made it an annual celebration. The most historic woman in my life, as is probably true for a lot of guy’s, is my mother. My wife of 47 years is a close second, but you know how that goes. And, a wife can never replace a mother. Those first nine months are special. Plus, we seldom appreciate Mom’s bad side, or at least pretend we don’t until after we’ve grow up. I guess there are still some people around Quakertown who remember my mother, though it’s been more than twenty-five years since she made the Great Change we all must make—at far too young an age. She was born March 31, 1924, as Ellen Virginia Hinkel but everybody called her Ginny. She worked most of her life in her father’s shoe store, Hinkel and Biehn, then at Field’s Shoes, both on West Broad St. in Quakertown. My mom was smart. She was interested in astronomy and in flying. She actually trained to get her pilot’s license at the Quakertown Airport. She was the only girl in her class. I guess being a girl was lucky for her. She told me that every one of her flight school classmates died over Germany when their bombers were shot down. My mom did her solo flight from Quakertown up to Montoursville where she had relatives. My father grew up there, too. It was on visits there that she met him and they became ‘friends’ before he went off to the war. She got there okay, but before she flew back, she and a girlfriend took a ride with two of guys on their motorcycles. They’d zoomed over to Williamsport, crossed the Susquehanna and were headed up the windy Bald Eagle Mountain road when a total blackout was imposed. The chance of long-range bombers making it from Europe to Lycoming County was slim, but it did save energy during wartime. It meant no headlights, too. The police and civil defense wardens could issue heavy fines. My mom was prudish. She and her driver hung out at a gas station while the other two headed off up the mountain to—who can guess what? After a while my mom got worried so they headed off to find their friends. In the dark, moonless night they followed the center line of the highway with no headlights. They were going about 40mph up the hill. Unfortunately, the other bike was following the center line down the hill at about 60. They swerved at
the last second, but it was too late. The men’s heads cracked together killing them both. Her girlfriend’s lower leg was badly smashed. My mom’s jaw was broken. She had a severe concussion and, unnoticed in the emergency room turmoil, a spoke had penetrated her knee joint. In the pre-antibiotic era it soon was seriously infected. Sometime during the treatment and recovery, while her jaw was wired shut and draining tubes hung out of her knee, they gave her a blood transfusion of Rh Positive O, the ‘universal donor’ blood type. Unfortunately she was Negative O. When my dad came home from the war and they got married there were problems. He was Positive A blood type. They didn’t know a lot about the Rh Factor back then. Because my mom had already formed the anti-bodies against Rh from the transfusion, her first baby died at birth; as did her second; and her third. She also had an abortion when the fetus was found to have a positive blood type. She had it pretty rough, emotionally, over period. She kept trying, though, and luckily I have Negative A blood and survived. However, it was too late. Her mental health was shattered from burying her first three babies. My mom was under the care of a psychiatrist and on ‘nerve medicine’ for most of her life. A lot of people, including my adopted brother and me, thought she was just plain nuts. I can’t count the number of screaming-mee-mee attacks she had. Once I was playing a record by Donovan that started with a minute of a baby crying. She burst into my room shrieking for me to turn it off, and then ran to her room sobbing. Later she told why: “I would be lying in the maternity ward and hear the other babies crying, but my babies always died. I can’t stand the sound of a baby crying.” In the late 1940’s and early ’50, a research lab in NJ, paid my mom $125 for pints of her poisoned blood to study it. With her help, and the help of other sad mothers, they finally found an answer the desperate plea: “Why did my baby die?” Today, no mother has to worry about the Rh Factor, just be aware of it. There is a simple preventative remedy. In fact, my daughter, who has Negative A while her husband has Rh Positive blood, received an injection of a serum that her grandmother helped them develop. All of my grandchildren are fine. It’s too bad my mother didn’t get to see them. My mom was still nuts when she died a few days before her birthday at the unfair age of 66. She’s buried in Montoursville Cemetery. On her left is my father; to her right are my baby brother and two sisters. Had they lived, I doubt I’d even be here. So, in this Women’s History Month, as winter is yielding to the warm, green season of rebirth and resurrection, with those three babies who never had the chance to know and love their mother, in mind, I’ll remember Mama. Jack Schick is a long time Quakertown area resident and regular contributor here at
UBFP. Reach him at sjckschc@aol.com
Nakashima Looks: Studio Furniture at Michener Art Museum The Michener Art Museum proudly opens its doors on March 2, 2019 for Nakashima Looks: Studio Furniture at the Michener, an unprecedented collection of modern and contemporary craft furniture curated by renowned artist Mira Nakashima-Yarnall. Rooted in its deep commitment to George Nakashima’s legacy, the Museum collaborates with his daughter Mira, to pay homage to Bucks County’s rich history of the studio craft movement and the many artisans from the region. Encompassing more than 20 objects, the show includes works from the Michener’s permanent collection by such renowned artists as Paul Evans (1931–1987), Jack Larimore (b.1950), Mark Sfirri (b. 1952) and Robert Whitley (b.1924), along with loans by Harry Bertoia (1915–1978), Wharton Esherick (1887–1970), Sam Maloof (1916– 2009) and both generations of the Nakashima family. Astutely aware that the woodworking field has been comprised mostly of men, Mira also felt it important to include work by Noémi Raymond in the exhibition. Nakashima Looks includes three works by Wharton Esherick, founder of the American Studio Furniture movement, representing his idea of wooden furniture as sculpture. Developing independently, George Nakashima focused on architecture-based furniture and used the natural shape of the wood to dictate form, especially highlighted in the Music Stand (1985), one of his four works on display. While both influences spread, many of these woodworking craftsmen now being showcased
together, were reacting against factory-made furniture being produced at the time, often blurring the line between functional furniture and sculpture. However, a few of them eventually worked with Hans and Florence Knoll, selling design rights and helping to shape the future of furniture design in the twentieth century. “Founding Michener Executive Director Bruce Katsiff had the foresight to partner with Mira Nakashima-Yarnall to create the Nakashima Reading Room,” says Dr. Kathleen V. Jameson, the museum’s current Executive Director. “And now, it is my great privilege to work with Mira on this special exhibition. I was delighted she agreed to help us review our studio craft holdings, establish a roadmap for growth, and renew our commitment to this critically important art. It has been wonderful to work closely with Mira on this project, and I think audiences will love this intimate, insider’s view into the world of great American craft and design.” After the start of World War II, when Mira Nakashima was just 6 weeks old, the family was uprooted from their home in Seattle, Washington, and relocated to an internment camp with other American citizens of Japanese ancestry. Antonin Raymond (husband of Noémi Raymond), an architect who had employed George years before while living in Japan and then also back in the United States, petitioned for the release of the Nakashima family, ensuring employment on his chicken
Keystone Elk Country Alliance 7th Annual Banquet March 30, 2019
BY DICK HELM
In the past few years, I have written an article about Pennsylvania’s unknown resource located just 4½ Hours (225 miles) from Upper Bucks County. Fourteen years ago a friend of ours from church invited my wife and I to his place in the “Real” mountains of Pennsylvania. Little did I know that trip would change our free time lifestyle. All during the evening hours and into the “entire” night I either jumped up from the chair and went to the sliding glass doors or jumped out of bed to gaze at these majestic animals (Elk, Deer & Bear) that set off Wayne’s light motion system. The next morning I arose tired from lack of sleep and mentioned anxiously to my wife that we had to find a place up here. A few months later we owned a home just about a mile and a quarter on the same parcel of land from where I spent that sleepless night. Now I am busy with the other “Lenape/ Wapiti Chapter members preparing our Seventh Annual Banquet at Bear Creek Mountain Resort (Formerly Doe Mountain Ski area). Our chapter is one of 16 Chapters across the state that support Keystone Elk Country Alliance (KECA). I am not going to bore you with all kinds of statistics on the thousands of visitors and the many states and countries that come to our Center yearly. I will tell you that they have wonderful facilities built 9 years ago to educate the public about our Elk Herd that was re-introduced to Pa. over 100 years ago. I also will mention the fact that we are proud of the many hundreds of acres on DCNR and private lands in this truly natural mountainous area that we plant forage for not only the Elk herd to keep them this area that can support them safely. When I mention this, I want to stress that this is not a small fenced land area, as you would imagine not knowing of our Elk Herd. This area covers at least 5 counties of completely wild terrain (Elk, Cameron, Clearfield, Lower part of Potter, and lower part of Mckean County.) The area that they are in is larger than “Yellowstone Park!” Finally I want to mention the wonderful Education Programs that KECA is known for. We have a beautiful education building at our facilities. The one education program that we really are known for is our Long Distance Learning Program. We have a credited educator and program that is presented live over “Skype” to schools requesting the class. We send out a trunk of
“hands on” conservation items that the instructor has the students handle (Antlers and other pertinent science oriented items.). Most of all the program and shipping of supplies is FREE. As I mentioned before; when my wife and I go up to “The Camp” in Cameron County and we go “Elking” in the evening taking a 25 mile loop we have established to “Check Out;” we have seen as high as 175 Elk before darkness sets in. Our Chapter receives a trailer with a full Elk mount and information about KECA for a few venues in the area, including the outdoor show at Steel Stacks in Bethlehem and The Oley Fair. In so doing we have introduced the idea for area residences about making the trek upstate not only to see the Elk but also to see this area of natural beauty unmatched anywhere in our state. To give you an idea; Cameron County, where we are a Part Year Homeowner, has a total of around 5500 to 5800 full time county residents. That is about half the population of Quakertown! They have one school campus for the whole county and now have two traffic lights in the county seat of Emporium. KECA’s draw of visitors to the area has prompted many other state park and tourist type facilities to be built and you can make a wonderful 3-day trip to this area. I guarantee that if you love nature you will go back year after year as is communicated to us by the any of the folks we talk to at the different shows who have visited the area their first time. Now I would like to give you information about our Banquet. We have, in the past few years raised a net of over $30,000.00 to $35,000.00 that is used only for the KECA programs to better OUR PA ELK HERD. Our banquet offers a great menu that includes farm raised ELK as a choice. The games we have and the prizes we award are items the committee is busy purchasing throughout the year. Kayaks, Outdoor Recreation and Hunting & Fishing items, Firearms, Women’s table items, Rustic Furnishings, Overnight lodging at the KECA center, Hunting & Fishing Trips, and many unique other items you could take home as a winner. Keep the date, March 30th, 2019 open. Contact Martin or Sharon Snyder @ (215) 538-2946 or e-mail friarmert@verizon. net for tickets. We have over 300 attendees at the banquet and tickets sell fast. Applications must be received by 3/9/2019. Hope to see you at our fun filled banquet!
farm in New Hope, Pennsylvania. Although he had many accolades, including degrees from the University of Washington and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and practiced as an architect for several years, George began mastering the art of woodworking while working on the farm. He believed trees had souls and saw importance in highlighting the natural forms of the tree in his custom designed functional furniture. Following completion of architecture degrees from Harvard University and Waseda University in Tokyo, Mira Nakashima re-
turned to work in her father’s studio in 1970. She has remained at the helm of Nakashima Woodworkers since her father’s passing in 1990. While faithful to continue making her father’s “classic” designs, she, as an artist herself, has developed and experimented with new methods in response to client requests. Nakashima Looks: Studio Furniture at the Michener show remains on view at theMichener Art Museum through July 9, 2019. Exhibition and programming-related information can be found at MichenerArtMuseum.org.
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• Upper Bucks Free Press • March 2019
Mud with a Forecase for More Mud
It seems that it has been ridiculously wet and muddy in my backyard for over a year now. The only thing letting me keep my sanity is now it’s mostly frozen. At this point I will take the freezing cold temperature over the soggy mud. But we all know it’s going to melt and turn into mud again. Now add two dogs. We’re talking a muddy mess of prints all over the floors. I was at Grady’s, a client, home. His owners had to put umpteen bales of straw down to stop the slop. I’m thankful because I have pretty welltrained dogs. They know that when they come inside that they are pretty sure they are going to get cued to sit and stay right on the throw rug on the other side of the door. I don’t let them dash into the house and run around. After they get cued to sit and stay, they offer up one paw to be wiped with the mud towel then the next paw. The next thing they have to do is stand. This is also a great cue to use at the vet and the groomers. I can get in a good wipe of the belly
and back legs. I put in lots of work and many repetitions with my dogs to get where I’m at now. My Kai has tender tootsies and wasn’t a fan of me always touching her feet now she gives me kisses. I really dish out the love and affection and of course lots of treats. Teaching your dog manners makes your life easier and keeps your home definitely cleaner. Hopefully your dog already knows sit, stay and is comfortable with a leash and a collar. I like to teach the stand from both positions. To teach the stand have your dog in a sit or down position first. Stand in front of your dog. Place a treat in your open palm. Put your hand close to the dog so he sees the treat, pull your hand toward you but away from the dog. You may have to encourage him to get it. Once the dog is lured in the stand position use a marker word like “yes”, “good boy”, or click then give him the treat. It’s that easy. No more wrestling with your dog at the door. Submitted by Marion C. O’Neil CPDT-KA, CTDI owner and trainer of Molasses Creek Dog Training of Quakertown, and trainer for Runaway Farm Pet Hospital, Pennsburg
Spring Time is Slim Time
I want to let you all know that we have our hearing with Milford Township on March 5th at 7 PM. If you want to come and support us or to find out what happens before next month’s column, you can come to the meeting. It will be held at the Milford Township Municipal Building, 2100 Krammes Road, Quakertown. Enter through the rear of the building. There is a big parking lot
behind the building. On a happier note there is a designer bag bingo night benefiting Valley Choral Society. It is March 23rd at Benner Hall in Richlandtown. If you need more info check out the web site at www.valchor.com. Let’s keep our paws crossed for a good turnout for both events! ~ Love M.J.
Home at Last Dog Rescue
Meet Kylo!
Meet Cleo!
Hi! Nice to meet you, my name is Kylo! I am Hi I am Cleo a 3-year-old Pomeranian. I was about 2.5-3 yrs old. I’m a lab mix boy looking a daddy used by a breeder that no longer wantfor my forever home where I can get lots of butt scratches. I am house trained and know ed me. People say I am beautiful but I hope a commands. I’m good with dogs and doing family will apply for me that loves me for who well with my foster moms cats. I prefer a home without kids under 10 since I get a little I am on the inside too. I need to learn about nervous when little kids pull on me. Apply to adopt this sensitive black beauty with one living as a family pet but I think I am catching white tipped paw today! on quickly so don’t wait to apply for me. Ever think about fostering a dog in need? Home At Last Dog Rescue needs fosters! We need volunteers to foster dogs in their homes until permanent homes are found. HAL provides vet care, food, toys. crates, etc. for the dog you are caring for. You provide love, and compassion. Just email fosteraforever@gmail.com for more information on how you can make a difference in a homeless pet’s life!
Need a fuzzy companion? Visit Home at Last at homeatlastdogrescue.com
In a study done in 2017 on dogs and cats in the US, it was found that an astounding 56% of dogs and 60% of cats were considered overweight or obese by their veterinarian. Over half of both species of pets are overweight! This translates to over 100 MILLION dogs and cats who are overweight in the US alone! (information cited from the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention website) What is happening America?? How much food our pets eat daily is something that we can 100% control – they don’t have the ability to go into the fridge when they are feeling a bit peckish….so why the fatties? A small weight increase in them translates to big numbers in humans – a 14 pound cat is equivalent to an average sized man weighing 237 pounds! Those few little pounds for us, make a big difference for our furry friends! Being overweight has been linked to so many health concerns, including endocrine disorders, such as diabetes, and early onset of arthritis.
So what can we do? The very first thing – is get your pet evaluated by your veterinarian! Your vet is going to be invaluable in assisting with serious weight loss. They can help calculate what your pet should be eating, and can help you formulate a diet as a crucial part of weight loss! They can also examine your pet and potentially run bloodwork to ensure there isn’t a medical cause that could be the root of the weight issue. Once you have a diet plan, then get exercising! Frequent fast paced walks – no strolls in the park…you need to get moving! Using a laser pointer works for cats, and moving food bowls around so they have to work for their food is a good idea too. For dogs who still seem hungry, fresh veggies work as a nice low calorie treat! Carrots, broccoli, or zucchini are favorites! Remember – you control their diet, so use that to get in control of their weight! Happy March everyone!! 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.
Harley’s Haven
Meet Bronco!
Bronco has been with our rescue for quite some time, and has been waiting patiently for the right family! You see, Bronco is a doll... he loves his people, and is super friendly! But he has some anxiety and fear issues, especially with loud noises, that make him a little special needs. We promise though, a little extra time and love is worth it for this handsome mug! Bronco is about 2-3 years old, and is neutered and totally vaccinated...he’s ready to go! Contact us today for more info! Behold Scooter the wonder dog!! This adorable little beagle mix will completely steal your heart! He is a ball of love in a pint sized package...he is a wonderful mixture of active, but also mellow, and would thrive in ANY
Meet Scooter!
home! He loves other dogs, and is wonderful with people! His one negative, is he has a mild hind limb issue, that we believe is related to an old injury from before he came to us. This makes him wobbly in his hind legs, and he does struggle with some incontinence issues... so he needs a super understanding family who is willing to work with him and manage his issue! He is currently working with a neurologist to see if there is anything we can do to help keep him the happiest, more normal boy we can, but any interested family should be ready to take him on with this concern! Don’t let his issue dissuade you, he is an awesome puppy who deserves an awesome home - contact us for more info!
Looking for a furever friend? Give Harley’s Haven a call at (267) 354-5204.
March 2019 • Upper Bucks Free Press •
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‘Abbie’ stream running through the property when all
As I mentioned in my previous article, sharing our home with a German Shepherd over the past 40 years has been very special to my wife and me. Each Shepherd had unique qualities as I also outlined. All had a special kind of love and devotion that is hard to put in words. Words can not express enough the experience of a pet sharing your home with you. Notice I say “Sharing” as we feel that we never owned a pet except in legal terms. Then, almost twelve years ago, Abby came into our lives. After losing our buddy named Cody to cancer, we found a need to have at least one more Shepherd in our life, as my wife was still working and I was semi-retired from Real Estate Sales. There was one big criterion for an adoption and that was the ability for the dog to travel a good distance to our recently purchased vacation home in Cameron County. We were going to view a Shepherd for adoption one Saturday at an area SPCA. I had recently called Beverly at Mill Pond Kennels on a final bill for Cody and she mentioned about a recent arrival they had of a dog that was small in size but had many Shepherd traits. We decided to stop by on our way up to the SPCA to see this adoption possibility. That visit stopped there as we fell in love with the dog we renamed “Abby.” After seeing this cute, shy teenage dog I questioned the travel criteria. Dr. Thayer put the dog in the back of her car and she and my wife went for a fairly lengthy ride. She did not get carsick and could care less about being in the car. She passed! Abby’s former life seemed to include fending for herself. After working with her at home and my wife working with her at Mill Pond’s Beginner Classes. She stood out as a very good learner. (Adopted dogs seem to appreciate having a good home and aim to please.) Although that early “Fending for herself” seemed to bring out some Alpha traits in her, we saw that this teenager was “Something Special.” For the next 11 years my wife and Abby were part of what I called “The Mill Pond Gang.” But I knew better, they were a close knit group of friends and the best buddies. They met for what they called classes. These classes involved walks in many local and Lehigh County parks, walks up at ‘The Promenade,” walks in large retail stores where pets were allowed, and walks in many Parades. (Shortly before Abby left us, she was in an animal Christmas Parade that included doing agility demos at a stop along the way. Abby was special in many ways. She knew exactly when it was 6:30 in the morning or 5:00 (her suppertime) at night within the minute! She would bow, rollover, and lay on her side (playing dead) all with hand signals. She had a basket full of stuffed animal squeaky toys and never chewed one up in 12 years. She was able to go up and pick out an animal that you would name and bring it to you. Her favorites were a goose and an ugly red necked vulture we purchased at an end of Christmas sale. Many times she would take them to bed with her. She never got into food; not even the snack box we had for travelling that was in the folded up backseat area of the truck with her when we went into a restaurant or rest stop. She was able to hear the rattle of the cookie jar 40 feet away if you tried to sneak an evening snack. She shared her evenings between my wife and myself as my wife was in the Living Room and I were 2 rooms away doing paperwork in the Kitchen. Abby loved going to “The Camp” and experienced a lot of adventure upstate. On one of our first spring trips to Wykoff Run, we were taking a walk through high grass by the
of a sudden there was 8 legs going all different ways. Abby stepped on a “Fawn” hiding as they do. The fawn ran off and Abby looked after it in amazement then left out a bewildered “woof.” Over the years she and us saw bear, many deer, Elk, and even a Fischer on our walks. On our last mile and half walk together she looked up in the trees ahead and we experienced a “Fly Down” of about 18 turkeys in the Oak trees ahead. Abby loved her walks upstate and at least 2 times a day at home. One time as she was rooting in the leaves at the side of the road a vole nipped her in the nose and she always had that war wound from that day on. She loved driving with us as we went “Elk Viewing” in the evening. Near a state park dam nearby, there is a dead end road that goes to the base of the dam and we usually see many deer on this short drive in and out. She loved to bark at the deer as she stood on the truck console from her area in the back from the folded up seats. We called that perch “The Forward Look” (Like an old car commercial) and we called that road—Abby Lane. I could go on and on about this shepherd that I had many names for such as: My little girl, Abby-kadabby, The Little One (she was always mistaken for a puppy), and from watching dog shows, Bad Puppy Number “9”, but my column limits all the fun things we did together. Abby had that special dog quality of “Unconditional Love!” Two examples of this love she showed to me personally were the uncanny “Staying by my side” during a period of my life about 10 years ago when I suffered a stroke. There was a period of about 2 weeks when my doctor had me just hanging around home to get back in shape. The second time was when my wife and I were to travel south with a group using our truck and I decided to stay home to take care of any damage from Hurricane Sandy. The winds howled overhead, trees around our home snapped, electric was off for over 5 days. Abby stayed close by my side and curled up comfortably as to say, “it’s OK dad!” She was also protective of us if anyone approached our vehicles when she was with us. On the other hand, she would allow any child to pet her when we would bring her into town to walk amongst the people on the 4th of July or Quakertown Alive street programs. Dogs do not want anything in return except a good home for this Unconditional Love. They would give their life for you. Perhaps your present or past best friend’s name is Sammy, Cole, Cousal, Misha, or Bear and holds the same special place in your heart as Abby did ours and rightfully so. Our friends called dogs enjoy the life given to them by those who really care. When it comes time to “Let Go” it tugs at your heart to release them and their companionship. In Abby’s case she was not only loved by my wife and I, she was special to Dr. Thayer (who occasionally used her as her dog mate when holding classes while we were on vacation) and by the Mill Pond Gang who shared so much of her life with her. They too enjoyed her contagious love and affection as well as her sometimes-naughty antics. Even though I am up in years, I can see a future ahead when we adopt another “friend.” I pray that he or she will be a traveler, somewhat well behaved, loving and caring like Abby was. I also am a realist and know the new dog will be different but still possess what is special in dogs – “Unconditional Love” when treated as a member of the family. We miss our “Abby” dearly but as shown above have many pleasant memories of her and the people we met through sharing our life with her. Abby, you truly were “Special!” Dick Helm is a regular contributor. He can be reached at dickhelm@ubfp.org
Think Local. Buy Local. Be Local.
Put Together a Professional Team to Help You Reach Your Goals
As you work toward achieving your goals in life, you will need to make moves that contain financial, tax and legal elements, so you may want to get some help – from more than one source. Specifically, you might want to put together a team comprised of your financial advisor, your CPA or other tax professional, and your attorney. Together, this team can help you with many types of financial/tax/legal connections. For starters, you may decide, possibly upon the recommendation of your financial advisor, to sell some investments and use the proceeds to buy others that may now be more appropriate for your needs. If you sell some investments you’ve held for a year or less and realize a capital gain on the sale, the gain generally will be considered short-term and be taxed at your ordinary income tax rate. But if you’ve held the investments for more than a year before selling, your gain will likely be considered long-term and taxed at the lower, long-term capital gains rate, which can be 0%, 15% or 20%, or a combination of those rates. On the other hand, if you sell an investment and realize a capital loss, you may be able to apply the loss to offset gains realized by selling other, more profitable investments and also potentially offset some of your ordinary income. So, as you can see, the questions potentially raised by investment sales – “Should I sell?” “If so, when?” “If I take some losses, how much will they benefit me at tax time?” – may also be of importance to your tax advisor, who will need to account for sales in your overall tax picture. As such, it’s a good idea for your tax and financial advisors to communicate
about any investment sales you make. Your tax and financial advisors also may want to be in touch on other issues, such as your contributions to a retirement plan. For example, if you are self-employed or own a small business, and you contribute to a SEPIRA – which is funded with pre-tax dollars, so the more you contribute, the lower your taxable income – your financial advisor can report to your tax advisor (with your permission) how much you’ve contributed at given points in a year, and your tax advisor can then let you know how much more you might need to add to move into a lower tax bracket, or at least avoid being bumped up to a higher one. Your financial advisor will be the one to recommend the investments you use to fund your SEP-IRA. Your financial advisor can also help you choose the investment or insurance vehicles that can fund an estate-planning arrangement, such as an irrevocable living trust. But to establish that trust in the first place, and to make sure it conforms to all applicable laws, you will want to work with an attorney experienced in planning estates. Your tax professional may also need to be brought in. Again, communication between your various advisors is essential. These are but a few of the instances in which your financial, tax and legal professionals should talk to each other. So, do what you can to open these lines of communication – because you’ll be one who ultimately benefits from this teamwork. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor, 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
“It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.”- Charles Dickens
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• Upper Bucks Free Press • March 2019
2019 GMC Terrain GMC’s Terrain compact AWD is one of the the best looking crossover’s on the market, especially the Black Edition SLT that has glossy black wheels, roof rails, darkened front grille, black center caps, outside mirrors and the one we were privi-
leged to test. Terrain has suave, yet macho looks. And the Black edition with its glossy metalflake-look paint, blacked-out wheels and trim, turn it into a “today” crossover in which owners of similar crossover/SUVs are spending big bucks on aftermarket products to give their vehicles the same appearance. A one-up for GMC. Offered in SL, SLE, SLT and Denali, our SLT tester was an eye-grabber. The SLT’s perforated leather interior sported gold stitching for a classy, upscale contrast and a look more commonly found in pricey Euro sedans. The front seats are heated/cooled and are nicely supportive with ample lateral support. But the first thing you’ll likely notice is the absence of a shifter for the automatic transmission. Fix your eyes on the simple and easy to use HVAC controls then let them drift downward. There, a horizontal line of push and pull buttons are for operating the gearshift. While push buttons on vehicles with auto transmissions have been around for years, Terrains’
Drive and Reverse gears require the driver to pull them. Very different and opposite of the Park, Neutral and Low gear selections that require a push. Evidently GMC wanted to make room on the console for the AWD system that offers AWD, Off-Road, Tow/Haul and 2WD modes. So the shifter buttons were the choice, but the directional operation is different. Terrains’ interior sports an 8-inch touchscreen with voice control, offers a variety of apps including Nav, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 4G Wi-Fi hotspot capability. The 2019 model has been upgraded over the 2018 model with a HD 360-degree “birds eye” view camera system, and extra sound proofing to name a few. A bin on the lower part of the vertical stack is nice to stow small items, or, an optional wireless phone charger can occupy the space. There’s also a 4.2-inch driver information display tucked between the gauges that, among a host of operational messages, notifies the driver if a child or package is left in the back seat upon shutting off the engine. It does this by recognizing even the slightest weight on the seat bottoms. Safety wise, and upon approaching a vehicle in front and at speed, the drivers’ seat-bottom buzzes to notify of an imminent crash. After a low 18-inch step-in into the comfy back seats that can accommodate three in a pinch, leg and headroom are relatively spacious. Back in the cargo area, that has a handsfree liftgate and a low 29-inch liftover, there’s 29.6 cubic feet of storage space with the rear
seatbacks upright. That translates into an area measuring 35 inches deep, 43.75 wide and 30.5 high. Flip the seatbacks and cargo capacity increases to 63.3 cubic feet for a load depth of 64 inches. But that’s not all. Flip the front passenger seat and there’s 81 cubic feet of space to carry extra long items that won’t fit with the rear seats folded. That in itself is a commendable feature that more crossover/ SUVs should adopt. And to stow small items out of sight, there’s a 6.5-inch deep bin beneath the cargo floor and atop the spare tire. Terrain is offered with a choice of three engines. The base engine is a 1.5-liter, turbocharged inline-4 cylinder with 170-hp and 203 lb/ft of torque with EPA mileage estimates of 24/28 mpg; optional 2.0-liter turbocharged inline 4 with 252-hp and 260 lb/ft of torque and EPA’s of 21/26 mpg; and a 1.6-liter tur-
bocharged inline 4-cylinder diesel with 137-hp and 240 lb/ft of torque carrying EPA’s of 28/38 mpg. These are all with the AWD option as FWD is also offered on all trim levels. The 1.5L and 2.0L are paired with a 9-speed automatic trans whereas the diesel comes with a 6-speed automatic. We tested the 2.0L turbo four and it moved the 3,756-pound vehicle with no haste, especially when the turbo kicked in. And it has an impressive 3,500-pound tow rating, or 2,000 pounds more than the diesel powertrain. Shod with Hankook 19-inch tires, Terrain rides smoothly and quietly. With an undercarriage clearance of 7.9 inches, it should be able to maneuver through some relatively deep snow, mild back roads, mud and sand. Handling wise, the suspension admirably soaks up road imperfections with ease. Road pocks marks and tar strips are mere ripples inside the cabin. And Terrain parks easily thanks to a tight 41.6 foot turning radius. Now all this luxury, comfort and utility doesn’t come without a price. Endowed with a very long list of standard features and safety enhancements, the options list is also lengthy. For example, the base price of $32,600 escalates when adding; Driver Alert Package ($445); 2.0L engine ($1,495); Preferred Package ($1,250); Infotainment Package II ($1,180); Black option ($796); Trailering Equipment ($450); Ebony Twilight Metallic paint ($395); GMC Interior Protection ($200); and delivery ($995), will set you back $40,550. To its credit, Terrain received some seriously good government safety ratings. The feds gave it a full five stars as an overall score; five each for driver/passenger frontal crash; front/ rear seat side crash and four for rollover. While Terrain is the sister car to Chevy’s Equinox, this GMC version is by far more attractive and more comfortable to drive and ride in. It’s definitely a top pick among crossover/ SUVs. Nick Hromiak is an automotive enthusiast and freelance writer. We look forward to bringing you his new column each month. He can be reached at nhromiak@verizon.net.
Did you know?
Despite his Irish notoriety, Saint Patrick was British. He was born to Roman parents in Scotland or Wales in the late fourth century. According to Irish legend, Saint Patrick used the shamrock as a metaphor for the Holy Trinity when he was first introducing Christianity to Ireland.
Business Succession Planning is Critical for Small Business Owners BY ROBERT E. FRAVEL, ESQ. I cannot overstate the importance of business succession planning enough, especially for small business owners or business owners who are nearing retirement. Having a succession plan in place early provides a smooth transition and also helps mitigate any negative effects that go along with the owner’s exit from the business (whether voluntary or due to death). Here are three points to keep in mind when considering a business succession plan. Will the Business Continue? The most basic choice in any business succession plan is deciding whether or not the business will continue after the owner leaves. Some owners simply wish to liquidate all the business assets and shut down, while other wish to see the business that they have built continue on after they are gone. If the owner decides to continue the business, then the next step is choosing a successor. Choosing the Successor. The successor chosen by the owner is typically a family member or current employee who has a working knowledge of the business. Choosing a successor well in advance makes the transition much smoother as there is never a lapse in leadership atop the company. Furthermore, if the business has any employees, having someone immediately stepping in reduces stress and panic among employees.
Manage the Debt of the Business. Lots of small businesses have lines of credit or bank loans which aid in the operation of the business, and while the business owner who received the loan is still living, this practice usually works fine. However, if the owner dies, the bank or lending institute will almost always call the debt and demand repayment of the loan. This can be devastating on a business’s cash flow and effectively bankrupt a business if not managed properly. A good business succession plan provides a method and information on how to manage the company’s debt repayment without jeopardizing cash flow. The selection of particular assets to manage debt repayment should be established within the business succession plan. It is extremely important to document and conclude any and all business succession plans you wish to put in place. The best way to do this is to sit down with an experienced attorney in your area and create a custom business succession plan that is tailored to the needs and wishes of you and your company. Robert E. Fravel, Esq. is a Bucks County attorney located at 123 N. Main Street, Suite 208, in Dublin, Pennsylvania. He specializes in estate planning & administration, family law, business law and real estate law. To set up a consultation, call his office at (267) 227-9138. To learn more, visit his website at www.fravel-law.com
American Legion Post 242 March Update BY DICK HELM March is another one of those in between months for Post Activities. I do have some important information to pass on to you on two projects going on in our area. It was just approved for our Post to purchase “Hometown Heroes Banner” honoring Wallace Willard Keller, a World War I hero who gave his all and is interred in a beautiful cemetery in France. His banner will be displayed appropriately in the area along Mill Street in Quakertown near the World War I Memorial Statue where we hold the Memorial Day Services in May. The 2nd important information item was given to me today as we participated in a graveside service for a veteran, Edward Novak, who recently passed away and is buried at Blue Church in Coopersburg. Ron Murray informed me about a group “Team River Runners-Lehigh Valley” that will be working with the Special Needs (Disabled) to get them into Kayaks and go with them out on Lakes in our area. Lake Nockamixon, in our area recently (2018) installed a special dock that enables those persons with Special Needs to be able to go to their kayaks and load into the same. Our Post donated towards the building of this facility. All persons of Special
Needs are encouraged to take advantage of this program. Veterans to encourage fellow Veterans to get this wonderful form of exercise and being with nature, as I understand, formed this group. What better way to have those with Special Needs to enjoy the beauty of our local scenic State Park? For information contact Ron Murray, Vice-Commander of Post 242, at 267-221-0022. In closing keep in mind the Memorial Day Parade and Services in May. Also if you are a local veteran (a person having a connection with Quakertown Borough such as attending the local school), please consider being honored or having such a veteran you know to be honored. Forms to order such a memorial can be picked at Quakertown Borough office near the Reception area in the main entrance hall or by contacting John Rivers VFW Post 11322 at (215) 529-0500. Try to do this ASAP so the banner can be up by Memorial Day. The cost of the banner $130.00 and that includes the persons name, military photo, branch of service, and war or conflict that was on at their time of service. Once again, I encourage you to “Thank a Veteran” when you see them around town proudly wearing an article of clothing identifying them as such.
March 2019 • Upper Bucks Free Press •
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Bucks County Women’s History Month Award Honors Jane Grim
In 1987, Congress passed legislation designating the month of March as Women’s History Month. Additional resolutions were passed to authorize the President to declare March of each year as Women’s History Month. In Bucks County, sponsoring organizations including the Bucks County Commissioners Advisory Council for Women, have been celebrating accomplishments of women and awarding the Annual Bucks County Women’s History Month Award since 1981 to a woman who has shown herself to be an ideal role model and has demonstrated exemplary character and integrity with outstanding leadership. The 38th Annual Bucks County Women’s History Month Award will be presented to honoree Jane Grim of East Rockhill Township. Jane was nominated by the League of Women Voters of Bucks County (LWVBC), an organization she joined in 1970 with a desire to promote voting and good citizenship in her community. As past-president, executive committee member, board member and volunteer in numerous capacities for the LWVBC, Jane not only succeeded in her initial motivations, but has provided invaluable leadership and role-modeling during these forty-eight years. Jane will receive the award on Thursday, March 21. The public is invited to participate. Invitations and RSVP forms for this evening of celebration of women can be down-
loaded from the “Programs and Meetings” web page of LWVBC’s webpage, www.lwvbucks. org. Women representing thirteen organizations based in Bucks County served on the 2019 award committee for the 38th Annual Award. The award committee considered Jane’s impressive resume of service, not only through the League, but also as the first female trustee of Grand View Hospital and hospital auxiliary volunteer for decades; member and chair of the juvenile diversion program Pennridge Youth Aid Panel; volunteer and leader in educational support groups in the community; and docent for seventeen years at James A. Michener Art Museum, among her service to the community. Selected as the Bucks County woman who best exemplifies the social, intellectual, and creative contributions women have made to the future and quality of life for Bucks County residents, Jane will be feted at the historic James-Lorah Memorial Home in Doylestown. The Home is significant as the birthplace of Henry Chapman Mercer and listed on the National Register of Historic Homes. Attendees of the award program will have the opportunity to tour the home, beginning at 5:00 PM. Refreshments proceed the 6:30 program. Proceeds from the evening will be designated to an organization or charity of Jane’s choosing.
BuckyGrams: spring begins, daffodils, tulips, forsythia, st.patrick, crocus, green grass, budding trees, butterflies, robins, insects, longer days Hidden Message: Don’t forget to change your clocks. Bucky Block: Spring is in the air
Ongoing Events & Resources Bucks County Book Festival is seeking sponsors & volunteers for their Festival on Oct 12 & 13. Bucksbookfest.org Free Dog Adoptions for Veterans & Active Military Members! Harley’s Haven Dog Rescue waives adoption fees. Ck website for more on Pups for Vets program. HarleysHavenDogRescue.com Morning storytime activities for infants thru age 6 at Samuel Pierce Library in Perkasie. Call 215-257-9718 for specific days, times & age group for your child. Allentown Art Museum is Free every Sunday, 12noon-4pm. Located at 31 N Fifth St, Allentown Job Seekers No Cost Workshops 1st & 3rd Monday every month, 7pm-9pm at Thompson Memorial Presbyterian, 1680 Aquetong Rd, New Hope PA. Contact Len Deane Jr. at DeaneL70@ Verizon.net. All are welcome! Hoagie Sales 2nd Mon of month (except July/ August) Trumbauersville Fire Co, 142 North Main St. Advance Orders Only due Wed. before. $5.75-$6.00, Order: Kim 215-536-1998 or bucks58fire.com Petco Adoption Day, 1st Sat of month, 1pm4pm. Petco, 242 N West End Blvd, Quakertown, 215-892-9007, lastchanceranch.org PetSmart Adoption Day, 2nd Sat of month, 11am-2pm. PetSmart, 620 N.West End Blvd, Quakertown, 215-538-2843, lastchanceranch. org Last Chance Ranch Volunteer Orientation/ Tour, 1st Sat of month, 10am-11am in front of Horse Barn, 9 Beck Rd, Quakertown, 215-5382510, lastchanceranch.org “Words Come Easy” Drop-in Writing Workshops at Haycock Community Ctr, 1014 Old Bethlehem Rd, Quakertown. (Tues 7-9pm) (Thurs 1-3pm) Cost/$10. More info at lyndagene@goblinfarm.net
Veteran Organizations & Activities
Forrest Lodge VFW, 2118 Old Bethlehem Pike, Sellersville. All veterans invited to join. Call Frank 215-679-7770 John Rivers Memorial VFW Post 11322 meets 1:30pm, 2nd Sun of month, 41 Belmont Ave, Quakertown, All Vets welcome, 215-529-0500 (bring DD 214 for proof eligibility) American Legion Post 210 meets 7:30pm, 1st Mon of month at Albert R Atkinson, Jr. American Legion Post 210, 315 North St, Doylestown. All Vets welcome, doylestownpost210.org Meghan’s Foundation Yoga Class for Veterans meets 6pm every Wed at Albert R Atkinson, Jr. American Legion Post 210, 315 North St, Doylestown. All Vets welcome, meghansfoundation.org VFW Post 175 meets 7pm, 2nd Mon of month at Albert R Atkinson, Jr. American Legion Post 210, 315 North St, Doylestown. doylestownpost175vfw.org Central Bucks Detachment Marine Corps League (MCL) meets 7:30pm, 2nd Wed of month at Albert R Atkinson, Jr. American Legion Post 210, 315 North St, Doylestown. All Marines welcome. American Legion Post 210 Auxillary meets 1pm, 3rd Sun of month at Albert R Atkinson, Jr. American Legion Post 210, 315 North St, Doylestown Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) meets 7:30pm, 3rd Mon of month at Albert R Atkinson, Jr. American Legion Post 210, 315 North St, Doylestown Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 17 meets 6pm, 4th Mon of month at Albert R Atkinson, Jr. American Legion Post 210, 315 North St, Doylestown. davmembersportal.org/ chapters/pa/17/default.aspx
Support & Service Groups
Singles Connection for Adults meets 7pm Thursdays for social evening at Silverdale Brethren in Christ Church, 165 W. Main St, Silverdale. 215-593-9995. Sisters U Monthly Meetings 3rd Thurs of month, 7pm-9pm in Perkasie. 267-429-3196, stef@sistersu.com
AARP meets 1:30pm, 2nd Mon of month at Upper Bucks Activity Ctr, 2183 Milford Sq Pike, Quakertown. 215-536-3066, upperbucksac.org Family Education Program on Addiction meets 1st three Mondays monthly, 7pm at Presbyterian Church Deep Run, 16 Irish Meetinghouse Rd, Perkasie. Facilitators provide guidebook on understanding addiction, impact on family, next steps, support networks. Regis: 1-800-221-6333 SOS Survivors of Suicide Family Support Group at St. Luke’s Quakertown Hospital first Wednesday of month in Taylor Conference Room A, 7:30 - 9pm. 610-657-0811 Compassionate Friends Support Group (loss of children, siblings) meets 7:30pm-9pm the 2nd Tue of month. St. Luke’s Hosp, 1021 Park Ave, Quakertown. (Taylor Conf. Rms A & B) tcfquakertownpa.org or 267-380-0130 Brain Injury Family/Spousal/Partner Support Group 6pm-8pm the 3rd Monday of month. First UCC, 4th & Park Ave, Quakertown, 215-538-3488 Caregiver Support Group meets last Thurs. of month. Independence Court of Quakertown, 1660 Park Ave. RSVP: 215-541-9030 to attend a meeting. Ann Silverman Community Health Clinic (for uninsured eligible residents), 595 W State St, Doylestown. Call to schedule an eligibility appt. 215-345-2260. aschealthclinic.org Alzheimer’s Support Group at Phoebe Richland Health Care Ctr, 108 S. Main St, Richlandtown. Free, details: Social Services 267-371-4517, nkoval@phoebe.org NOVA (Network Of Victim Assistance) Support Groups, NOVA hotline 1-800-6756900, NOVABucks.org Bedminster Nar-Anon meets Tues 7pm, Deep Run West Mennonite, 1008 Deep Run Rd, Perkasie, (family/friends of those struggling w/ addiction) Bedminster.naranon@yahoo.com A Woman’s Place (support for domestic abuse/violence) 24-hour Hotline 1-800-2208116, www.awomansplace.org
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 of 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 Thurs 7am-8:30am at John’s Plain & Fancy in Quakertown. Membership info: James Dodson – jamescovie@yahoo.com
Community Meals
Free Community Meal 2nd, 4th, & 5th Wed of month, 6pm. Richland Friends Quaker Meeting, Mill Rd & Main St (off Rte 309) Quakertown, 215-538-7555 Free Community Meal 3rd Thurs of month, 5:30pm-6:30pm. First UCC, 4th & Park, Quakertown, 215-536-4447 Free Community Meal 1st Thurs. of month (Oct-June) 5:45pm. Yerger Bldg across from Trinity Lutheran, 102 N Hellertown Ave, Quakertown Free Community Meal 3rd Mon of month, 5:30pm-6:30pm. Presbyterian Church of Deep Run, 16 Irish Meetinghouse Rd, Perkasie. Call 215-249-3689 for possible ride.
Bingo
Bingo - Milford Twp Fire Hall every Thur, 12:15pm (1st Thur. of month $50 Jackpot), 2183 Milford Square Pike, Quakertown, 215-536-3066 Bingo - Richland Twp Fire/Rescue every Tues, open 5:30pm, 64 Shelly Rd, Quakertown. 215-536-7226 Bingo - Great Swamp Fish/Game every Sat, open 4pm, (kitchen open) 2650 Schukraft Rd, Quakertown, 215-536-8820 Bingo - Sellersville Fire Co. every Thurs (except July) open 5pm, 2 N. Main St, 215-257-4028 Bingo - Tylersport Fire Co. every Tues, open 5:30pm, 125 Ridge Rd, 215-257-5900 Bingo - American Legion Post 397, 1st & 3rd Fri of month, open 6pm, 935 Main St, Hellertown, 484-851-3624
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• Upper Bucks Free Press • March 2019
Will March come in like a lion? March is the traditional start of the vegetable gardening season in the Northeast. Weather and soil condition permitting, St. Patrick’s Day is the day to plant peas and cool season greens such as lettuce, spinach and chard. In the last few years, I have found the ground to be too wet, and I planted peas and lettuce in my raised garden beds more toward the end of March. If you have a traditional garden, you may need to wait longer. As avid gardeners we can’t wait to get out in the garden after the long winter season. Beware. The occasional warm March day can lure you into your garden prematurely. Soil should be loose and moist, but not wet. If you squeeze a portion of soil in your hand and it forms a tight ball, or water escapes, it is too wet to plant. March can be a good time to clean up your flower beds by removing sticks and debris as long as you can complete this task without stepping on the soil. If you need to reach the back of a flower bed you can lay a long board on the soil to walk on. The board will distribute your weight and help to prevent soil compaction. Have you ever wanted to start plants from seeds for your summer flower or vegetable
garden? The Penn State Cooperative Extension of Bucks County will present the home gardening workshop “Seed Starting Demystified”. This informative and hands-on workshop is scheduled for March 20, 2019, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at the Upper Bucks Chamber of Commerce Building, 21 North Main Street, Quakertown, PA. Participants will learn seed starting procedures including interpreting information on a seed packet, best seeds to choose, care of seedlings, and how to successfully transplant seedlings in an outdoor garden or container. Each student will take home a tray of at least 12 planted cells of seeds, two additional seed packets and three instructional publications. Class size is limited. Pre-registration is required. Call 215-345-3283, or email BucksExt@psu.edu. There is a workshop fee of $5.00. Don’t have an outdoor garden? No problem. Now is a great time to propagate some of your houseplants. The easiest and most successful way for the home garden-
er is to propagate your plants by vegetative (asexual) means, from a leaf or stem cutting. Several types of propagation media can be used: water, sand, vermiculite, perlite and bark. All of these media allow for roots to develop in a light, moist environment. When the roots are fully formed the new plant can be repotted in a good quality potting soil. Environment requirements include bright indirect light, sufficient water, humidity and temperature, depending on the type of plant you are propagating. For stem cuttings, choose a healthy stem tip with at least two leaf nodes. Remove all leaves that will be in your chosen propagation media. For leaf cuttings, choose a healthy leaf and remove all but ½” of the petiole (the slender stalk that supports the leaf). You can speed the rooting process by dipping the end of the cutting or leaf in a rooting compound. Succulent plant stems or leaves should be allowed to “harden off” for a few days before planting. This hardening off process helps to prevent bacteria from entering the cutting. If you are placing your stem cutting in water, choose any container that will hold
water and support the stems. For stem cuttings in propagating media, choose a container with drainage to prevent overwatering and rot of the stem or new roots. Some leaf cuttings such as African Violet (Saintpaulia spp.)and Rex Begonias (Begonia rex-cultorum) need higher humidity. A plastic bag is a good way to create the humidity needed. For more detailed information, here is a Penn State Publication “Propagating Houseplants” https://extension.psu.edu/ propagating-houseplants. Our home gardening hotline and social media center opens on March 26th! Until then, you can still call, email, or write us with your home gardening questions. We will be monitoring the communications weekly. 215-345-3283 “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 in the Upper Bucks Free Press!
Why Me?
You may be wondering “Why Me?” All too often some of us can feel victimized by what is happening in our lives and don’t understand why certain things are happening. It is important to look at why me? It doesn’t always have to be negative. Sometimes the bad things that happen are opportunities for us. What I mean by this is that maybe we have been avoiding looking at things in our lives and something happens that rocks our world. Our feelings of devastation, overwhelming, despair and bewilderment make it feel like we can’t move forward. But we can. It is about a concept of Trust. As painful as any news can be life is a process. As much as we want to understand why are these things happening to me, we need to find a way to accept that hopefully we will experience more joy than sorrow in our lives. However, if we don’t maybe there is a plan that we don’t know about yet. This is where the concept of believing in God, or a higher power or the universe will help you. A fair amount of people have a very difficult time believing in God or any type of spirituality. So, when a significant loss or tragedy happens in their lives, they are almost paralyzed by this event. And for some they can become overwhelmed with feelings of depression and helplessness. They lack coping
skills to deal with these immense and often unexpected feelings. So, the best thing one can do is find support with others whether that is family, friends, co-workers or a professional counselor or support group. Whatever you do do your best to not isolate and commiserate in your sad feelings. It can be so traumatizing that you will find it very difficult to get out of these awful feelings and when good and joy shows up in your life you cannot even see it!! All of us face hardships in our lives and some of us cope better than others. But it doesn’t mean that when we are feeling victimized by these life circumstances that we can’t rise above it it just may take a little longer than we would like. Just don’t give up on yourself and your life. You are worthwhile, your life is worthwhile, you deserve to have happiness and joy in your life. Everyone has a story better or worse. Find hope and gratitude for the things that you do have in your life. Surround yourself with people who want you to be better. All of our decisions impact ourselves and others. Make choices that speak to who you truly are!! 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.
Employment Opportunities
March 2019 • Upper Bucks Free Press •
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The Proper Brewing Company - Hiring various positions. Email kris@theproperbrewing. com or stop in at 117 W. Broad St., Quakertown
serving meals to residents in a courteous and professional manner. Apply in person at 1660 Park Ave. Quakertown, PA 18951 215-538-7050 E.O.E.
Children’s Developmental Program FT Assistant Preschool Teacher. 2 years experience with children, and a CDA. Send resume to CDP_office@cdp children.org
Kulp Roofing & Construction Seeking a window, gutter, and siding installer. Carpentry skills a plus, reliability a must! Willing to train right individual. Compensation depends upon experience. Also hiring for our sales team. Applications accepted at our office at 216 D Apple Street, Quakertown. Questions? Call (215) 538-0618.
Edible Arrangements - PT Associate: Preparing, designing, and dipping fruit in chocolate, customer service. Must be flexible with hours based on the needs of the store. For more information, please contact Mike Post at: pa1550@dofruit.com Geoff’s Towing & Garage - Professional tow truck operators. Neat appearance, courtesy and professionalism is a must! Rollback operators, Medium and Heavy-Duty Wrecker drivers with Class A. Must have medical card. FT/ PT. geoffstowspeed@aol.com or call 267-733-2690 Independence Court - Senior Personal Care Community is seeking part-time evening and every other weekend wait staff to join our team. Responsibilities include setting and clearing tables and Hiring? Let us help you find the right people to join your team! hiring@ubfp.org
Spor’s General Store - Hiring cook and waitstaff PT. Evenings and weekends likely. Respond to bspor@sporsgeneralstore.com or stop in the store at 22 W. Broad Street,Trumbauersville Classic Hair Designs Established salon seeking experienced stylists, nail technician, and massage therapist. If you are a motivated & creative artist looking for a new place to express your talents we would like to meet you! Send your resume to classichairdesigns1@gmail. com. We use top quality products and offer education, paid vacation, flexibility and a relaxing atmosphere to work.
Have something to share with your community? Send us the details! info@ubfp.org 582 S. West End Blvd. Quakertown PA 18951
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