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• Upper Bucks Free Press • May 2015
What’s Going On in Upper Bucks? May 2
Mother’s Market 9am-1pm, sponsored by Trumbauersville Fire Co, 142 N Main St, light refreshments for sale, info at 215-527-7011 or bucks58fire.com Indoor Craft/Flea Mkt, 9am-2pm at Tylersport Fire Co, 125 Ridge Rd. $15/table, 215-257-5900, aux@tylersportfireco.com “How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying” musical (open 1pm), $25/tkt, Labuda Center, DeSales Univ. 267-371-4521 Supports Phoebe Richland HCC Auxillary SERRV Sale 4pm-7pm at Lower Saucon UCC, 1375 Third Ave, Hellertown. Fair trade items from around the world, 610-838-8821 FREE clothes & shoes for infants to adults 9am-1pm at East Swamp Church, 2405 E Swamp Rd, Quakertown, 215-536-4532, eastswamp.org Plant/Bake/Soup Sale 8am-2pm at Passer Community Ctr, 2580 Richlandtown Pike, Coopersburg, Kristine: 610-248-2843, annuals, perennials, veggies, hanging baskets Roast Beef Dinner 4pm-7pm at St. John’s Lutheran, 10th & Broad Sts, Quakertown. $12/adults, $6/kids 6-12, take-out available, 215-536-3593 Roast Beef Dinner 4pm-7pm or sold out at Community Fire Co, 333 Delaware Rd, Riegelsville, $11/adults, $5.50/ages 6-12, $11.50/take-out Roast Beef Dinner 4pm-7pm or sold out at Zion Lutheran, 2966 N Old Bethlehem Pike, Zion Hill, $9/adults, $5/ages 5-12, take-out available, 215-538-7911 day of dinner UBCTS Mother’s Day Plant Sale begins today 9am-3pm, daily hours begin May 4 at 9am-10:30am & 12noon-2pm. UB Tech. School, 3115 Ridge Rd, Perkasie, details: ubtech.org or 215-795-2911 x233 Reading Goes to the Dogs, 2pm-3:30pm at Quakertown Library, 401 W Mill St, Quakertown. Children come read to certified therapy dogs, 215-536-3306 Family Movie Night at Trinity UCC, 1990 Rte 212, Pleasant Valley (next to school), “Monsters University” 6pm. Free, but RSVP to 610-216-7185 so we can order enough pizza
Harmenaires perform gospel music 7pm at West Swamp Mennonite, 2501 Allentown Rd, Quakertown, refreshments follow, free will offering, 215-536-7468 Lenape Village Public Tour 1pm, $8/ person, reserv. requested. Churchville Nature Ctr, 215-357-4005, churchvillenature center.org Bingo at Sellersville Fire Hall, 2 North Main St. doors open 11am, lunch included w/tkt purchase. $25/adv., $30/at door, 215-257-4028 x57 Blessing of the Bikes, 11am at Upper Tinicum Lutheran, 188 Upper Tinicum Church Rd, Upper Black Eddy. All bike riders welcome, ride through Upper Bucks & Hunterdon Counties afterward Bingo Fundraiser for ELCA Natl Youth Gathering, doors open 1pm at St. Luke’s Old Williams Church, 20 Church Rd, Hellertown, raffles, food available Upper Bucks Sertoma Basket/Bag Bingo, open 12noon at UBYMCA, 401 Fairview Ave, Quakertown, 215-822-9781
May 3 to 9 May 4
Be Kind
to
Animals Week
Turning 65: Medicare Matters 7pm at Encore Experiences, 312 Alumni Dr, Harleysville. Learn about Medicare basics, coverage, eligibility, etc. 215-256-6900
May 5
Cinco
de
Mayo
Moonlight Walk 8pm, free, no pre-regis. Enjoy the fascinating sounds & sights of nature at night. Peace Valley Nature Ctr, 170 N Chapman Rd, Doylestown, 215-345-7860
May 5, 6, & 7
Internet Basics Computer Workshop, Pennridge Community Ctr, 1-2pm, $10/3-day session. 215-453-7027 pennridgecenter.org
Naturalist Walk 2pm-3:30pm, free, Nature Ctr, 170 N Chapman Rd, Doylestown, 215-345-7860, peacevalleynaturecenter.org
May 7 to 9
Annual Mother’s Day Flower Sale 10am5pm (r/s) on lawn of Upper Saucon Ambulance station, 5560 Camp Meeting Rd
May 8
Senator Bob Mensch 12:30pm at Encore Experiences, 312 Alumni Ave, Harleysville. Opportunity to ask Senator Mensch questions and address state issues, 215-256-6900
May 8 & 9
Book Sale 10am-4:30pm at Quakertown Library, 401 W Mill St. Paperbacks .25, Hardbacks .50, ($3 bag sale Sat. 2pm-4:30pm)
May 8, 9, & 10
6th Annual Traditional Artists Show to benefit BCSPCA (Fri 5pm-9pm) (Sat/Sun 11am-5pm) at Rolling Green Farm, Rte 202 & Aquetong Rd, Solebury
May 9
Quakertown Bicycle Safety Rodeo for kids 6-12, 9am in parking lot of Qtown Pool, 700 W Mill St. (r/d May 16), 7 bikes given away, free helmets for needy, medals for 3 age groups, refreshments and fun, 215-536-5002, sstoneback@quakertown.org Ruff, Ruff, & Read 11:30am-12:30pm at Indian Valley Library, 100 Church Ave, Telford. Beginning readers come read to therapy dogs. No registration needed, questions? 215-723-9109 x112 Mother’s Day Flower/Plant Sale 9am-3pm at St. John’s Lutheran, 1565 Sleepy Hollow Rd, Spinnerstown. Also grapevine flower wreaths/craft items, info: 215-536-0734 or stjohnsofspinnerstown.org Wes Combs & the Pine Valley Rhythm Jumpers will be performing sets between
May 9 & 10
“Cast Iron Collectibles” exhibit courtesy of a local collector, 12noon-4pm at Sellersville Museum, 120 East Church St, Sellersville. Free adm., info at 215-257-5253 or sellersvillemuseum.org Plant Sale 10am-4pm at Peace Valley Nature Ctr, 170 N Chapman Rd, Doylestown, 215-345-7860 for details
May 10
Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day Breakfast (all-u-can-eat) 8am1pm, Richland Twp Fire/Rescue, 64 Shelly Rd, Quakertown, $7/adult, $6/senior, $3/age 5-10, ALSO: Hanging Basket Sale on May 9 & 10, info 215-536-7226 Mother’s Day Open House 1:30pm-4pm w/ Quilts presentation at 2pm, free adm. HartzelStrassburger Homestead, 407 Keystone Dr & Bethlehem Pike, Sellersville, Hilltown Twp His. Soc., 267-614-9174 Firehouse Breakfast 7:30am-12noon at Upper Black Eddy Fire Co, 1716 Firehouse Ln, $7/adults,$3/ages 5-10, $2/re-orders, 610-982-5710
May 11
Hoagie Sale at Trumbauersville Fire Co, $5.25-$5.75, call Kim to order at 215-536-1998, advance orders by May 6, bucks58fire.com “Medical Missionary Trips” 7pm Historical Soc. meeting at West Rockhill Twp Bldg, 1028 Ridge Rd, Sellersville
May 12
92.5 XTU at Rita’s Water Ice, 3pm-4pm in Perkasie Square Ctr, 505 Constitution Ave, Perkasie. Free event, giving away tickets to their Anniversary Concert, 215-258-1140
May 13
May Day Party w/DJ, $12/buffet & party at 11:30am, $6/party only at 12:30pm. Sign up by May 8 for buffet. UB Activity Ctr, Milford Fire Hall, 2183 Milford Square Pike, Quakertown, 215-536-3066
May 13 to 16
Family Festival 6pm-9pm at Christ Lutheran, 69 Main St, Hellertown, details at 610-838-0400
May 2 & 3
Wildflower Fundraiser 9am-5pm for Churchville Nature Ctr, 501 Churchville Lane, 215-357-4005, churchvillenaturecenter.org
May 14
May 3
Firehouse Breakfast 8am-1pm at Springtown Fire Co, 3010 Rte 212. $7/adults, $4/ages 5-8, free 4 & under Breakfast 8am-12noon at American Legion Post 255, 75 N Main St, Sellersville, $5/ donation, rear parking lot, 215-257-9801 Covered Bridge Road Rally begins 11am at AGA Farms, 1333 Elephant Rd, Perkasie, navigate scenic Bucks Co, advance tkts $25 per car, details: bedminsterlandconservancy.org Free Jazz Concert w/Pete Smyser & Friends, 2pm at Zwingli UCC, 350 Wile Ave, Souderton, 215-723-1186, Zwingli.org Family Fun Bingo (open 12noon) at Haycock Fire Co, 850 Old Bethlehem Rd, Quakertown, great prizes, food avail., $20/tkt, call Gretchen 484-851-3519
5:30pm. Tkts/$10 adv, $15 at door, must be age 18+, refreshmts avail., Southeastern Vol. Fire Co, 2687 Wassergass Rd, Hellertown, 610-838-6007 for tkts
May 6
Cinco De Mayo 5K at UBYMCA, 401 Fairview Ave, Quakertown, one loop through town, 6:30pm/walkers, 7pm/runners. Details at 215-536-9622 x120 or megan.gelsebach@ ubymca.org
May 7
Senior Expo w/Rep. Craig Staats 9am-2pm at First UCC, 151 South 4th St, Quakertown, info: 215-536-1434 Citizens for Constitutional Govt meeting 7pm at Liberty Training Ctr, CFC Logistics Bldg, 4000 AM Dr, Quakertown. Speaker: John Anthony (Sustainable Freedom Lab), info: http://ccg-pa.org
8pm & 12 midnight at Trumbauersville Betterment Club, Oak Dr, Quakertown, 215-538-1314, Free! Flapjack Fundraiser Breakfast (West Swamp Mennonite Relay for Life) 8am-10am at Applebee’s, 145 N West End Blvd in Quakertown. $7.50/adults, $4.50/age 10 & under, info 215-536-7263 Chalfont Fire Co Turkey Hoagie Sale, 9am-12:30pm or sold out, $5.50/ea. Station 34, 301 N Main St, Chalfont, adv. orders: 215-822-2251 Plant Sale/Flea Mkt/Car Wash 9am1pm at Silver Creek Social Club, 2943 Rtes 412/212, Springtown, refreshments available, 610-346-8364 Tricky Tray, doors open 4pm, drawing
Health Fair/Open House 4pm-7pm at Hidden Meadows, 340 Farmers Ln, Sellersville. Door prizes, raffles, music, food, health presenters, 215-257-6701 Pork & Sauerkraut Dinner 4:30pm-7pm or sold out, $9/adult, $5/age 6-12, $9.50/ take-out, Lower Milford Twp Fire Co, 1601 Limeport Pike, Coopersburg
May 14 to 16
“Anything Goes” musical by Cole Porter at Quakertown HS, 600 Park Ave, Qtown (Thu/ Fri 7:30pm) (Sat 1:30pm & 7:30pm), $12/ tkts on sale at Office or at door, 215-529-2060
May 15
Thirty-One/Vera Bradley Bag Bingo,6pm, Trumbauersville Fire Co, Main St. Chances, auction, etc. $20/adv tkts, $25/door, refreshments available, tkts at 215-536-4043 or 215-536-3193
UBFP Monthly is made possible by the businesses and organizations you see on these pages. Remember to thank them for supporting your community’s voice.
May 2015 • Upper Bucks Free Press •
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More of What’s Going On 11th Annual Gala: Taste of the World 2015 (main event 7pm-10pm) at Pearl S. Buck Intl Garden Tent, 520 Dublin Rd, Perkasie. Details/tickets at 215-249-0100 or pearlsbuck. org/taste, RSVP by May 1 Pork Dinner 4pm-7pm at St. Luke’s Old Williams Church, 20 Church Rd, Hellertown, $10/adults, $5/ages 3-8, also 50/50 raffle to benefit ELCA Natl Youth Gathering trip
May 16
Armed Forces Day
Amy’s Ride/Walk 6:45am-11am (pancreatic cancer) through Quakertown. 3 mile walk, 18 mile cycling loop, or 35 mile cycling loop. Raffles, prizes, details/prices at AmysRideWalk.com Rummage Sale 8am-2pm at St. John’s 1565 Sleepy Hollow Rd, Spinnerstown. At 1pm shoppers given paper bag to fill for $1. Also selling hoagies & handcrafts, 215-536-0734, stjohnsofspinnerstown.org 7th Annual Show & Shine 9am-3pm, Trinity UCC, 1990 Rte 212, Quakertown. All years, makes, models of vehicles. Spectators free, Elvis Tribute Show, call Dennis/Marge 610-349-6985, trinityuccpa.com Annual Spring Flea Market 9am-2pm at Independence Court of Quakertown. Free space, bring table, register at 215-538-7050 Upper Perkiomen Relay for Life (Amer. Cancer Soc.) 9am-12midnight at Upper Perk High School football field, 2 Walt Rd, Pennsburg. Kati 404-329-5136 Arts Alive! Arts & Crafts Show 10am-4pm (r/d May 17) Broad St, downtown Quakertown. Artists, crafters, music, food, activities & more. Quakertownalive.com or 215-536-2273 Boy Scout Day: Citizenship in the World, 12noon-2pm, hands-on cultural activities. $8/per scout, Pearl S Buck House, 520 Dublin Rd, Perkasie. Reservations req. 215-249-0100 x172, all are welcome! Doofus Concert (old time band) open 7pm at Perkasie Patchwork Coffeehouse, 320 W Chestnut St, Perkasie. $12/adult, $10/senior, $6/age 13+, refreshmts avail. 215-723-2010 or perkmenno.net Rockin’ for a Cure Fundraiser Dinner 6pm11pm at Bucks Co Senior Ctr in Doylestown. Hot/cold buffet, open bar, music, raffles and more. Info/reserve: 215-997-8441, cost is $40. 17th Annual Spring Art Show 11am-5pm at Cedar Maze, 252 Cafferty Rd, Pipersville, 610-294-9106 Riegelsville Library Fair 10am-4pm, book sale, food, games, entertainment, bake sale, 615 Easton Rd, 610-749-0633 6th Annual Fair Day & Pie Festival 9am3pm at Church of the Holy Spirit, 2871 Barndt Rd, Harleysville Starwatch 8pm w/Bucks-Mont Astronomical Assoc. amateur astronomers. Free program for all ages. (cloud/rain date May 17), Nockamixon State Park, 215-529-7307 for directions Family Fishing Festival 9am-1pm at Nockamixon State Park open to all ages 5+. Pre-regis. required at: GoneFishingPa.com Space is limited! Work Day 10am-12noon at Peace Valley Nature Ctr, 170 Chapman Rd, Doylestown. Help us to spruce up the Ctr. Details at 215-345-7860, peacevalleynaturecenter.org Designer Bag Bingo at Souderton Firehouse, 266 N 2nd St, doors open 4pm, Tkt info: jillb13@yahoo.com 2nd Annual Outdoor Flea Mkt & Indoor Craft Fair 8am-1pm at Springtown Fire Co, 3010 Rte 212, Springtown, breakfast/lunch avail. 610-392-1544 or 215-262-4555 for space
May 16 & 17
Military Uniform Display 12noon-4pm at Perkasie Historical Soc. Museum, 513 West Walnut St, Perkasie, perkasiehistory.org
May 17
“Holocaust: One Survivor Remembers” (film) 2pm, free to public, Church School, Springfield Twp Hist. Soc., 2165 Rte 212, Coopersburg. Tom Cline 484-308-1510 or tolerance.org/kit/one-survivor-remembers Goodtime Motorvators at Dairy Queen, Rte 309, Quakertown from 4pm-7pm. $1/donation per car donated to Children’s Hosp. of Phila. Info: George 610-395-1558 Penny Party (doors open 12noon), 100 numbers/$2, lite refreshments for sale, prizes, raffle, Eastern Upper Bucks Seniors, 8040 Easton Rd, Ottsville. Info at 610-847-8178 Plant Swap 1pm-2pm (r/s) at Menlo Park Pavilion, 4th & Park Ave, Perkasie. Must be potted, presentable, & labeled. Bring one, take one, or buy one. Hosted by Perkasie Garden Club
May 18
“Presentation by Sulky Thread”- sulky. com/index_us.php, Keystone Quilters meeting 7pm at Quakertown Christian School, 50 East Paletown Rd, Quakertown, $5 visitor fee, keystonequilters.org/index.html
May 23
Memorial Day Parade forms 9am, begins 10am, downtown Main St, Sellersville. Ceremony at the War Memorial in Lenape Park immediately following the parade, 215-257-5075
May 24
Memorial Day Picnic 12noon-8pm at Rising Sun Inn, 898 Allentown Rd, Telford. Quoits Tournament at 2pm, free entry, prizes, 215-721-6350 4th Annual Bucks Youth in Harmony Festival 7pm-8:45pm at Lenape Middle School, 313 W State St, Doylestown, (Barbershop Quartets), contact school for info Car Show 9am-3pm at 22nd Annual Lake Lenape Jamboree, Rte 152, Perkasie, register form at: motorvators90@outlook.com
May 25
Memorial Day
observed
May 26 Covered Dish Mbrship Meeting 11:30am. Bring a dish or pay $5 & enjoy fellowship w/ other members. UB Activity Ctr, Milford Twp Fire Hall, 2183 Milford Sq. Pike, Quakertown, 215-536-3066
May 28
Business Card Exchange 5pm-7pm at Quality Inn, 1905 John Fries Hwy, Quakertown, free/mbrs, $25/non-mbrs, info@ubcc.org, 215-536-7767 Alzheimer Caregiver Support Group meeting 4pm-5pm (Effective communication w/impaired loved one), public welcome, Laurels of Hidden Meadows, 340 Farmers Ln, Sellersville, 267-429-3931 Naturalist Walk 2pm-3:30pm, free, Nature Ctr, 170 N Chapman Rd, Doylestown, 215-345-7860, peacevalleynaturecenter.org
May 29
“Old Fashioned Prom” Dinner Dance w/Kevin Kelton Orchestra at Pennridge Commun. Ctr, 146 East Main St, Perkasie, info at 215-453-7027 or pennridgecenter.org (dinner reservations required, call for price) (dance only is $10) Annual Spelling Bee 1pm at Encore Experiences, 312 Alumni Dr, Harleysville, win a first place medal, 215-256-6900 2nd Annual Trivia Night, open 6:30pm, Encore, 312 Alumni Dr, Harleysville, $15/ person, refreshmts, BYOB, outside food ok. Prizes, raffles, regis. in office, 215-256-6900
May 30
Chicken BBQ Dinners (drive-thru pickup) 3pm-6pm or sold out. $9/meal, Quakertown Fire Co, 505 W Broad St, Quakertown, tkts/questions: Dawn 215-536-1577 or Lee 215-536-5609 Saucon Valley Community Ctr’s Ice Cream Festival in field next to 323 Northampton St, Hellertown, 610-838-0722 Basket Bingo at Perkasie Fire Hall, 100 N 5th St, Perkasie, doors open 12noon, $25/door or $20/adv. tkts at 215-290-5790 Comedy Night (open 6pm) at Bridgeton AA, 1340 Bridgeton Hill Rd, Upper Black Eddy. $20/tkt, Info at: 610-982-5710 or firehouse@ubefire.com Open House 9:30am-12noon at “Church School” Springfield Twp Hist. Soc., 2165 Rte 212, Coopersburg, details: Tom Cline 484-308-1510 Ice Cream Festival 11am-4pm at Saucon Valley Community Ctr, 323 Northampton St, Hellertown, also crafts, games, & activities, vendors, 610-838-0722
May 30/31
Upper Bucks Relay for Life (Amer. Cancer Soc.) 9am Sat. to 9am Sun. at Memorial Park, 600 Mill St, Quakertown. Kati: 404-329-5136
June 2 to 6
St. John the Baptist Parish Carnival, 4050 Durham Rd, Ottsville. Vendors ($25/day or $100/all 5 days) call 215-534-1970
June 5
Designer Bag Bingo (open 6pm) at St. John the Baptist, 4050 Durham Rd, Ottsville. Beer, wine, food avail., takes place during our Parish Carnival, info/tkts/reserve: 215-534-1970
Have something to share with your community? Send us the details!
June 6 Upper Saucon Lions Flea Mkt 8am-3pm at Southern Lehigh Living Memorial Park, Rte 309 & Fairmount St, Coopersburg, uslionsclub.com or 800-405-2773 2015 Garden Tour du Jour, 10am-4pm, rain/shine, self-guided walking tour. New Hope Histor. Soc., Mary 610-847-2456 Trumbauersville Community Day sponsored by Trumbauersville Fire Co, info at 215-5362518 or 215-536-1998 Smoke Detector Saturday 9am-12noon. Perkasie Fire Co will install free smoke detec-
tors to residents of Perkasie Borough. Details at 215-257-6950 or pio2676@gmail.com
June 6 & 7 Public House of the 1820s (Sat 9-5) (Sun 10-4), experience early 19th Century life, Hartzel-Strassburger Homestead, 407 Keystone Dr & Bethlehem Pk, Sellersville,$3/ pp, under 12 free, info: 267-614-9174
June 7 Annual Average Joe/Joan Sprint Triathlon (ages 13 & over), begins & ends at UBYMCA, 401 Fairview Ave, Quakertown. Details/regis. Megan 215-536-9622 x120
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• Upper Bucks Free Press • May 2015
Ongoing Events & Resources May 6, 13, & 20 Evening Bird Walks 6pm7:30pm on trails of Peace Valley Nature Ctr, 170 N Chapman Rd, Doylestown, info: 215345-7860, peacevalleynaturecenter.org Now thru Sept 6 Let’s Powwow! exhibit 10am-4pm, Native American dance, etc. $5/ adult, $4/senior, age 12-17, free under 12. Museum of Indian Culture, Allentown, 610797-2121, museumofindianculture.org Through September 7 “To Save Our Fellow Citizens” Volunteer Firefighting 1800-1875, Exhibit is at Mercer Museum, Pine & Ashland Sts, Doylestown, 215-345-0210 or mercermuseum.org May 20 to Sept 2, Bucks Fever Brown Bagit with the Arts, every Wed. 12noon-1pm, free performing art series on lawn of Bucks Co Courthouse in Doylestown. Contact brad@ centralbuckschamber.com for performance schedule Through June 16, Tues. 12:30pm, free nutrition classes at Encore Experiences, 312 Alumni Ave, Harleysville. Learn to shop & cook better, easier, & healthier. Details: 215-256-6900 Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy Summer Programs: (6/9-6/12 “Green Growing Things” 9:30-11:30am, ages 3-6 w/adult, $40/$45) (7/13-7/17 or 8/3-8/7 “Summer Explorers” 9:30am-12:30pm, completed K/1st gr, 8/108/14 completed 2nd/3rd gr, $120/$150) (6/22-6/26 or 7/27-7/31 “Summer Afield” 9:30am-12:30pm completed 4th-6th gr, $120/$150) (6/29 or 6/30 “Exploring the East Branch” 9:30am-2:30pm completed K-4th gr, $30/$40) ALL must pre-register w/payment, Linda 610-287-9383, register now! Saturday Bird Walks 8am on trails at Peace Valley Nature Ctr.in Doylestown. Bring binoculars, suitable for adults & over age 12 w/ adult. $2 donation, 215-345-7860 All Veterans invited to join Forrest Lodge VFW, 2118 Old Bethlehem Pike, Sellersville. Call Frank 215-679-7770 Veterans invited 7:30pm, fourth Monday each month at VFW Post 3405, at 211 E Fairmount St, Coopersburg. Call for details at 610-282-1840 Veterans invited 1:30pm, second Sunday each month at John Rivers Memorial VFW Post 11322, 41 Belmont Ave, Quakertown, 267-
371-9636 Bring DD 214 for proof eligibility. PetSmart Adoption Day on 2nd Saturdays, 11am-3pm, PetSmart, 620 N.West End Blvd, Qkrtwn, 215-538-2843 lastchanceranch.org Neighbors Adoption Day, 2nd Saturday each month, 10am-1pm, Neighbors Home & Garden, 38 Main St, Hellertown, 610-838-7000 Last Chance Ranch Volunteer Orientation/ Tour, 1st Saturday each month, 10am-11am in front of Horse Barn, 9 Beck Rd, Quakertown, 215-538-2510 lastchanceranch.org Meet the Dogs at LCR, 12noon-3pm, Saturdays (weather permitting), 9 Beck Rd, Qkrtwn, 215-538-2510 lastchanceranch.org. Singles Connection for adults meets Thursdays for social evening, 7pm at Silverdale Brethren in Christ Church, 165 W. Main St, Silverdale. 215-593-9995 carolonline1@ verizon.net Doylestown Singles Soc. Intermediate Bridge Club meets every Tues. 7pm at a private residence in Doylestown. Info at 215-340-7604 or shalstrick@comcast.net
Support & Service Groups
Sisters U Monthly Meetings 7pm-9pm the third Thurs every month, stef@sistersu.com Bullying Prevention Support Group 6:30pm-7:30pm every Wed at UBYMCA in Quakertown. Free. advance registration required: 215-750-7220 Decoding Dyslexia Upper Bucks Info Group 7pm-8:30pm, (3rd Wed. of month) Quakertown Hospital, 1021 Park Ave, Taylor Conf. Room B, ground floor, decodingdyslexiapa.upperbucks@gmail.com SOS Bereavement After Suicide – Family Support Group meets at St. Luke’s Quakertown Hospital twice monthly, info/details call 215-536-5143 Brain Injury Family/Spousal/Partner Support Group 6pm-8pm the third Monday every month at First UCC, Church Parlor, 4th & Park Ave, Quakertown, 215-538-3488 Caregiver Support Group meetings last Thurs. of every month, Independence Court of Quakertown, 1660 Park Ave, (meal provided), RSVP: 215-541-9030 to attend a meeting. Upper Bucks Clinic, free medical care Mon & Wed 5:30pm-8:30pm to uninsured low-income residents of Upper Bucks Co w/
no medical insurance & meet guidelines. Info: 215-538-4774, 267-404-7100 Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group meets 4pm, 4th Thurs of month, Hidden Meadows on the Ridge, 340 Farmers Ln, Sellersville. RSVP 267-429-3931 Alzheimer’s Assoc. Support Group, 3:30pm-5:00pm, meets 2nd Thursday every month, Phoebe Richland Health Care Ctr, 108 S. Main St, Richlandtown. Free, more info: Social Services 267-371-4517 NOVA (Network Of Victim Assistance) Support Groups, Information, Guidance, NOVA hotline 1-800-675-6900. www. NOVABucks.org Overeaters Anonymous meets every Thursday 10am-11am, West Swamp Mennonite Church, 2501 Allentown Rd, Quakertown, No dues, free babysitting, 267-784-2152 Alcoholics Anonymous meets every Sunday at 7pm, Grand View Hosp. info at 215-923-7900 Bedminster Nar-Anon meets Tuesdays 7:30pm-8:30pm, Deep Run West Mennonite, 1008 Deep Run Rd, Perkasie, for family/friends of those struggling w/addiction, Bedminster.naranon@yahoo.com Doylestown Nar-Anon meets Wednesdays 6pm at Summit Behavioral Health, 702 Hyde Park, Doylestown. Call 215-589-7111 for directions and info. A Woman’s Place (support for domestic abuse/violence) 24-hour Hotline 1-800-220w8116, www.awomansplace.org Kiwanis meetings 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of each month, 12:30pm at Dominick’s Pizza, Quakertown Quakertown Lions Club meets 2nd & 4th Wednesdays each month, 7pm at John’s Plain & Fancy Restaurant, Quakertown Quakertown Rotary Club meets (1st & 3rd Tues 7:30am at John’s Plain & Fancy Restaurant) (2nd, 4th, & 5th Tues 6pm at Spinnerstown Hotel) Business Networking International (BNI) meets every Thursday 7am-8:30am at John’s Plain & Fancy Restaurant in Quakertown, membership info: James Dodson – jamescovie@yahoo.com Believers in Business (Qtwn Chapter) meets 2nd & 4th Friday each month, 7:30am-
9am at John’s Plain & Fancy Restaurant in Quakertown, info at 610-762-8054
Community Meals
“Fourth Sunday” Breakfast every month, 8am-1pm, all-you-can-eat buffet, $8/adults, $4/ kids, (Easter Egg hunt in April), Lwr Milford Fire Co, 1601 Limeport Pk, Coopersburg Free Community Dinner third Wed. of month. 5:30pm-6:30pm, Christ Community Bible Church, 1830 N. Ridge Rd, Perkasie, 215-257-7318 Free Community Meals 6pm at Richland Friends Quaker Meeting on second, fourth & fifth Weds. every month. Mill Rd & Main St off Route 309, Qtwn, 215-538-7555 Community Meal-every third Thursday of the month, 5:30pm-6:30pm, First UCC, 4th & Park, Quakertown, 215-536-4447 Free Community Dinner first Thurs. of month, 5:45pm at the Yerger Bldg across the street from Trinity Lutheran, 102 N Hellertown Ave, Quakertown
Bingo
Bingo at Encore Experiences, 2nd Saturday of month, 1pm-4pm, lunch available to buy, (lots of $$ specials), 312 Alumni Ave, Harleysville, details: 215-256-6900 Bingo at Milford Twp Fire Hall every Thur, 12:15pm (first Thur. of month has $50 Jackpot), 2183 Milford Square Pike, Quakertown, 215-536-3066 Bingo at West End Fire Co every Wed, doors open 5:30pm, (refreshments avail, smoke-free), cash prizes, 1319 Park Ave, Quakertown, 215-536-6130 Bingo at Richland Twp Fire & Rescue every Tues. doors open 5:30pm, 64 Shelly Rd, Qtwn. 215-536-7226 Bingo at Great Swamp Fish & Game every Sat. night, open 4pm, games 6:30pm, kitchen open. Free coffee, 2650 Schukraft & Camp Rock Hill Rd, Qtwn, 215-536-8820 Bingo at Sellersville Fire Co. every Thurs. opens 5:30pm, 2 N. Main St, 215-257-4028 Bingo at Tylersport Fire Co. every Tues. opens 5:30pm, 125 Ridge Rd, 215-257-5900 Jackpot Bingo at Red Hill Fire Co Social Hall 3rd Friday every month, opens 6pm, games 7pm, 82 E 5th St, Red Hill Bingo at American Legion Post 397 every 1st & 3rd Friday of the month, opens 6pm, snacks available, 935 Main St, Hellertown, 484-851-3624
May 2015 • Upper Bucks Free Press •
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QA! Receives 2015 National Main Street Accreditation & 5 Yr Keystone Designation Quakertown Alive! has been designated as an accredited National Main Street Program for meeting the commercial district revitalization performance standards set by the National Main Street Center®, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Each year, the National Main Street Center and its partners announce the list of accredited Main Street® programs in recognition of their exemplary commitment to historic preservation and community revitalization through the Main Street Four Point Approach®. “We congratulate this year’s nationally accredited Main Street programs for their outstanding accomplishment in meeting the National Main Street Center’s 10 Standards of Performance,” says Patrice Frey, President and CEO of the National Main Street Center. “As the National Main Street Center celebrates its 35th Anniversary, it is also important to celebrate the achievements of the local Main Street programs across the country, some of whom have been around since the beginning. These local programs work hard every day to make their communities great places to work, live, play and visit while still preserving their historic character.” The organization’s performance is annually evaluated by the Pennsylvania Downtown Center, which works in partnership with the National Main Street Center to identify the local programs that meet ten performance standards. These standards set the benchmarks for measuring an individual Main Street program’s application of the Main Street Four Point Approach® to commercial district revitalization. Evaluation criteria determines the communities that are building comprehensive and sustainable revitalization efforts and
include standards such as fostering strong public-private partnerships, securing an operating budget, tracking programmatic progress and actively preserving historic buildings. Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development has awarded Quakertown Alive! its five-year Keystone Designation. Businesses within the designated area are now eligible for Neighborhood Assistance Program Enterprise Zone tax credits. Quakertown will also receive priority status for Keystone Communities funding. Receiving the Main Street Accreditation and the Keystone Designation are integral parts of Quakertown Alive!’s mission to enhance life in our community through the continuing development of a thriving downtown center. Executive Director and Main Street manager Naomi Naylor remarks, “As executive director of Quakertown Alive!, I am honored to receive this accreditation on behalf of our Board, our dedicated committee chairs and members who pursue with a passion our mission and revitalization efforts for our downtown community.” Established by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1980, the National Main Street Center helps communities of all sizes revitalize their older and historic commercial districts. Working in more than 2,000 downtowns and urban neighborhoods over the last 35 years, the Main Street program has leveraged more than $61.7 billion in new public and private investment. Participating communities have created 528,557 net new jobs and 120,510 net new businesses, and rehabilitated more than 251,838 buildings, leveraging an average of $26.52 in new investment for every dollar spent on their Main Street district revitalization efforts.
Keep it Simple What I like about “Keep it simple” is that we often complicate things in life because of our fears, worries and indecisions. So by recognizing that we are ultimately responsible for the outcome of things in our life our life becomes simple. If we would stop thinking about what others think of us or are going to say about us we would be so much happier. If we could stop long enough to think about what is in our best interest rather than pleasing others our life would be calmer. If we took the time to read a book, say a prayer or state an affirmation we would probably breathe a little better. If we did the work we love and shared it with others our life would be more fulfilling. If we found the energy to get up in the morning and go for a walk or a run we would feel more focused on the day ahead. Often I say that we are the ones that get in our own way when it comes how we live our lives. Sometimes we can get in a head space that blames others for where we are at in our lives or even how we are feeling about the things happening in our lives. But the reality is if we just kept things simple… life would be simple. I am not saying this concept works all the time but it will sure get you out of a jam when you are feeling overwhelmed about the circumstances that are happening in your life. This concept actually is one of the principles of the AA/NA fellowship. It has served many recovering persons very, very well in their sobriety. When they think about wanting to get high or drunk all they have to do just for today is to not drink or to not use, it is that
simple. Recovering persons get into trouble when they over think their urge and start to believe that they control it, thus things can get complicated for them. Anyone who is recovering from drugs or alcohol understands this slogan and its importance in their recovery. Trying to teach this concept or slogan is not always easy because we are human and we want to analyze a situation or problem and can not believe that what we are struggling with could be resolved with Keep it Simple. However it does absolutely work when we know ourselves and we are committed to wanting to be better and wanting to feel better about ourselves and our life. I believe that we complicate things more than they need to be because of our insecurities and our lack of trust with others and of course the outcome. Even for myself when writing this article, I was perplexed about what topic I was going to write about because I was over thinking what I should write about…Than I just started to write I stopped worrying about it and I kept writing. I did not allow my fears to interfere about the task that I needed to accomplish. I kept it simple and wrote about what I knew and believed to be true. I have witnessed many of my clients and close friends live their life this way even if there are only moments. Life happens so it may not always allow for simplicity; however we can eventually create it once we have gone through the motions and realize that keeping it simple will provide peace and balance. Susan V. Brewer is a Certified Life Coach and Psychotherapist in the Upper Bucks County Area. She can be reached at 215-8724219. Visit her website at balancelife4u.com.
Final Exams
Recently I heard on the news about a volcano in Costa Rica that was causing problems for college students on “Spring Break”. How things have changed! I was driving along to an appointment and was deep in thought about how it was at “Final Exam” time when we were in Junior and Senior High School. We kids first experienced final exams in Seventh Grade when all the Jr. and Sr. High grades were in the complex of the now Seventh Street Elementary School and the Lincoln and Central Buildings located to that school’s rear. If you maintained an average above 90% for all the report card periods—you were EXEMPT from taking the finals. I was lucky for my 7th and 8th grade Junior High School years as I had to only take ONE exam each of those two years because of that exemption clause. Of course each of those two years it was Math. I had about an 87% average both years. I thought back then that my old nemesis Mr. Gushen just enjoyed seeing me have to come in for his finals. Going back to today’s news stories that we hear. Again recently parents of two children were criticized for letting the children walk home from the library. Back in the day we were allowed to either come in on the school bus for our “Finals” or (Pre-Driving Time) we were allowed to either walk to school, come in with parents who drove you in, or in most cases ride in on our “Bicycles”. The courts couldn’t handle all the cases of abuse for our trusting parents! Shortly before the Finals, the teachers would release a list of those who had to take the finals and those exempt. They would then have a schedule of either a large classroom, the library, the gym, or the auditorium for the multi-hour exam. You were responsible to be at the exam on time and ready to go. If you missed the exam you were in big trouble as the exam counted heavy on your final grade to move on to the next grade in the Fall. As you walked into the exam area, there was a certain pungent odor of the mimeograph ink that came from the turned over exam sheets. Back then we didn’t have copy machines and the teachers wanting their exams printed kept Mrs. Becker’s mimeograph room quite busy. Later on (1958) Mr. Fluck would have his Print Shop students print up the confidential exams in
his print shop in the new High School Building. After roll call and turning in your books, the teacher would give pertinent instructions about the exam and the exam would begin. I believe most exams were for two hours limited time. Whatever it was, there was plenty of time to complete the exam and go over your answers if you wished. Most of us just completed the exam and high-tailed it out of there. We would get on our bicycles (that weren’t locked up as they are today) and either go to the Merrill Rush’s at 7th and Juniper, Sines 5 & 10, Shelly’s Confectionery, or the little restaurant at 5th and Apple Alley for something to eat. If you had to go to a morning exam and then stick around for an afternoon exam, most kids would go out to the “Park” and shoot basketball or study for that exam in a nearby pavilion. I was fortunate in that after I took my one exam, I was finished for the year! My buddy Sam Kile was less fortunate and he would have to stick around town after we went somewhere to eat. I bicycled home to either work around on chores, work for Mr. Scully, or just watch TV. After the new school was opened in the fall of 1957 and we were ninth graders in the old school, unfortunately EVERYBODY had to take finals; now I had to join my buddy Sam in the “Between Exam” activities. When we passed our driver’s exam we changed our bicycles for cars. Some of my classmates had cars of their own. Most of us had to take our parents into work early in the morning if we wanted a car. I chose not to do this. I would either hitch a ride with a buddy or continue to bicycle into town so I could sleep in! I was never a Cram Test Study person. I was always fortunate to have enough retention to successfully get through the exam. Getting back to the volcano’s in Costa Rica for Spring Break—Back in the day we were happy to be able to have the freedom to act responsibly to bicycle to town and have those freedoms between exams to be with friends in downtown Quakertown. It is a real shame that the conditions of our NOW urban area can no longer warrant the kids walking to a bus stop or riding their bikes into town for school. It not only shows the fear of criminal acts, but the heavy traffic with the people on their cell phones not paying attention to driving that would be a safety issue to bicycle riders. Now the students have to wait for their college days so they can fly somewhere for Spring Break to enjoy those simple freedoms we had at Final Exams Time back in the day!
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• Upper Bucks Free Press • May 2015
First UCC Stages Musical Movie Revue! Talented members of First United Church of Christ at 4th & Park Avenue, Quakertown, recently treated the community to a trip down memory lane with songs from movies both old and new. As you can see, quite a variety of characters got into the act, both young and, um, experienced.
photos by christopher betz
Upper Bucks Area Places of Worship Quakertown United Methodist Church 1875 Freier Road, Quakertown 215-536-4992 barb@qumc.com www.qumc.com Pastor: Russell J. Atkinson Sunday morning worship - 8:00am 9:00am 11:00am, Sunday School for all ages 10:00am, Communion offered first Sunday of the month Bible Baptist Church meets at Strayer Middle School Auditorium
1200 Ronald Reagan Drive, Quakertown 267-772-0288 www.biblebaptistcares.org Pastor: Thomas Harris Bible Study Hour 9:30 am, Morning Worship 10:30 am, Services interpreted for the deaf Christ’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 Grace Bible Fellowship Church 1811 Old Bethlehem Pike N., Quakertown 215-536-6096 grace@quakertownbfc.org www.quakertownbfc.org Pastor: Ron Kohl, Sr. Pastor September - May: 9am Sunday School for all ages, 10:10am Morning Worship, Evening Worship 1st & 3rd Sundays 6:30pm, Small group meetings 2nd & 4th Sundays 6:30pm Good News Church 424 Juniper Street, Quakertown 215-536-4393 Pastor: David Markey, Jr. An alternative to the ultra-contemporary Sunday Worship and Children’s Church 10:30 am, Wednesday Bible Study 7:30pm, World Evangelism Fellowship affiliate. Evangel Assembly of God 401 Arch Street, Perkasie 215-453-1565 • www.perkasieag.org Pastor: Rev. Gary Saul Where God’s Love Changes Lives MorningStar Moravian Church 234 S. Main Street, Coopersburg 610-282-1908 coopmoravian@aol.com Pastor: Lance Fox Sunday services 10:00am. Small, friendly Protestant church. Community mission: Serving free dinners once per month. All are welcome. Call for information.
Good Shepherd Church (Episcopal) 1634 Hilltown Pike, Hilltown 215-822-3930 Pastor: The Rev. Catherine Kerr 10:00am Sunday Eucharist Ridge Valley United Church of Christ 905 Allentown Road, Sellersville 215-257-7244 rvucc.pastor@verizon.net www.ridgevalleyucc.org Pastor: Rev. Steve Myren We are a vibrant, welcoming Family of Faith. Worship: Sundays 9:30am. Ridge Valley: Growing Together in God’s Love. St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Applebachsville 837 Old Bethlehem Road, Quakertown 215-536-5789 stpauls@netcarrier.com www.quakertown.net/stpauls Pastor: Rev. David Heckler We believe in sharing God’s love in joyful service. Come and see. All are welcome. St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church 3668 Ridge Road, Perkasie 215-795-2965 office@kellerschurch.org www.kellerschurch.org Pastor: Robert E. Mitman Worship 7:45 &10:15am, Sunday School 9am, Koinonia Cafe 8:30pm, Holy Communion 1st & 3rd Sunday, Children’s Church 2nd & 4th Sunday. Emmanuel Episcopal Church 560 S. Main Street Quakertown, PA 18951 215-536-3040 emmanuelchurch11@yahoo.com www.emmanuelquakertown.org Sunday services at 8am and 10am, Visitors and new members always welcome! Christ Church United Church of Christ 101 N. Main Street Trumbauersville, PA 18970 215-538-0142 christchurch10@verizon.net www.christchurchisalive.org Pastor: Barbara Moran A friendly, welcoming church. Change fear into hope, doubt into faith. God is calling. Join us at 10:30am Sunday. Halleleujah!
Church of the Incarnation (Anglican-Episcopal) 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, Wednesday 10:00am
Pennridge Christian Fellowship 720 Blooming Glen Road, Blooming Glen 215-257-7309 kallebach@pennridgecf.org www.pennridgecf.org Pastor: Thomas Vargis Sunday worship 10:30am, Sunday School after song service (infants to age 12), Wed evenings 7pm w/ prayer, Crossroads youth & (SepApr) boys and girls clubs. All are welcome.
First United Methodist Church 501 Market Street, Perkasie 215-257-4626 fumcperkasie@verizon.net www.fumcperkasie.com Pastor: Steward Warner Mission: Share God’s love, Make and nurture disciples of Jesus Christ, positively impact our community and world.
Richland Friends Meeting (Quaker) Main St at Mill Rd & Park Ave, Quakertown 215-538-7555 Friends@RichlandQuakers.org www.RichlandQuakers.org Clerks: Kathy Redding, Jack H. Schick Non-Denominational guided meditations Wed, 7pm Sunday worship 10:30am “Absolute freedom of thought and worship is our faith and practice.”
St. John’s Lutheran Church 19 South 10th Street, Quakertown 215-536-3593 stjohnsquak@verizon.net www.stjohnsquak.org Pastor: Ray Miller Sunday Worship 8 and 10:30am, Sunday School 9:15am. Welcoming, Reaching Out, Serving. Elevator available Trinity Great Swamp UCC Spinnerstown Rd & County Line Rd Spinnerstown 215-679-7710 tgsucc@verizon.net www.tgsucc.org Pastor: David R. Ellis / Matt Gorkos Sunday Worship Services 8am (Communion 1st Sunday of month) and 10:30am. Sunday School classes for all ages (preK-Adult) & family activities 9:15am. Trinity Lutheran Church 102 N. Hellertown Avenue, Quakertown 215-536-4345 www.trinityquakertown.org Pastor: Lynette R. Chapman 9 am traditional services, 10:15am Sunday School, 11am contemporary service, Handicapped Accessible, Family Friendly Church, Dynamic Music Ministry, Community Service Oriented Holy Spirit Anglican Church 1133 W. Orvilla Road, Hatfield 215-453-7452 rtufton@verizon.net www.holyspiritanglicanhatfield.org Pastor: Rev. Robert Tufton We are a traditional conservative Evangelical Christian church.
Morning Star Fellowship 429 S. 9th Street, Quakertown 215-529-5422 Pastor: John Decker www.mstarqtown.org Services at 9am & 11am, Children’s Ministry provided, EastWest Cafe open with free coffee. Celebrate recovery Wednesday 7pm. Check website for more info. St. Paul’s United Church of Christ 104 Green Street, Sellersville 215-257-7268 stacey@stpaulsucc.net www.stpaulsucc.net Pastor: Rev. Patti Thomas 8am Rejoice & Praise Worship in Parlor, 9am Sunday School - all ages, 10:15 Worship in Sanctuary, Crossroads 1st Sunday each month 9am in Fellowship Hall. St. John’s Lutheran Church of Spinnerstown 1565 Sleepy Hollow Rd, Spinnerstown 215-536-0734 stjohnsspinnerstown@gmail.com Pastor: Axel Kaegler www.stjohnsofspinnerstown.org Founded in 1734, St. John’s Lutheran Church of Spinnerstown is the oldest Lutheran church in Bucks County. St. John’s Lutheran Ridge Valley 910 Allentown Road, West Rockhill Twp 215-257-9643 stjohnsridgevalley@verizon.net www.stjohns-ridgevalley.com Pastor: Amy Hotter Worship: 8:30 am – Traditional, 10:15 am Contemporary w/ Praise Band, Sunday School 9:30 am, Visitors always welcome “You are invited to share our joy!” Victory Fellowship Church 120 Ridge Road, Telford 215-257-7906 vam7@truevine.net 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.
May 2015 • Upper Bucks Free Press •
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How to Catch a Frog I drove up to the Incinerator Complex the other day to check out a malfunction that was written on the propane system--it was “making a funny noise.” As I drove by on my utility cart Tony, an operator up there, flagged me down. He was over at #2 Primary Clarifier telescopic valves drawing sludge. He trotted over to my cart with a concerned look on his face and, in absolute seriousness, asked, “Can you catch a frog?” My mouth dropped open. He’s not usually a jokester. He doesn’t drink a lot or do drugs, as far as I know, and by look on his face I could see he wasn’t kidding. “What!!?” I asked. “Can you catch a frog?” he repeated. “You and Joe are the only guys I know who can do that sort of thing and he’s off today.” I just sat there for a minute trying to process what I’d heard. Tony has integrity for his job, is a hard worker and is a very bright and thoughtful fellow. But, he’s an African American man who has lived in the city all his life. I guessed he hadn’t had the opportunity to do much frog catching. I finally said, perhaps in a braggadocios tone, “Sure, I can catch a frog.” Tony got a distinct look of relief on his face, pointed toward the clarifiers and said, “I need you to catch one. It’s over here.” “Okay,” my befuddlement hadn’t cleared up much. “Let me go check on the propane system, and then I’ll come back and catch your frog.” There was nothing really wrong at the propane tank. It was warmer than usual and pressure had built up a little in the discharge pipe. I cracked open a spring loaded valve for a few seconds, bleeding it off, and the ‘funny noise’ stopped. Then, I rushed back to the Primaries to see what this ‘catch me a frog’ thing was about. I was surprised at how excited I was about getting to the bottom of it… While I was gone Tony had gotten an eight foot ladder out of the Holding Tank building and was anxiously waiting for me. “Okay,” I said. “Where’s this frog?” “Over here, in the old sludge channel,” Tony brought the ladder then signaled me to help him take up the grating. It’s not unusual for fish or turtles to show up in certain areas of the wastewater process--alive and dead. “I saw it last year,” Tony said. “But, I forgot about it till I went to clean the channel and saw it again. It got big.” “It’s been in there since last year; all winter?” I asked as we laid the grating to the side and put the ladder down into the six foot deep, three foot wide cement channel. “Isn’t this usually dry?” “Yeah,” Tony said. “But, rain water and snow gets in it, and there’s usually a little sludge in the bottom.”
“What’s a frog have to eat?” I asked, but the walls had a thin layer of algae growing on them and a swarm of sewer gnats flushed up as I went down the ladder. It was what I’d call an average sized green, bull frog; four inches long, maybe. It was just sitting there on the bottom of the channel. It was pretty chilly out so the cool-blooded amphibian wasn’t very energetic. Being an experienced ‘frog-catcher’, I put one hand a few feet in front of its face to distract it and came in from behind with the other. I was expecting it to instinctively hop, like they do, but it was either too cold or it had banged it’s head on the cement walls too many times in its futile efforts to get out and had given up hope. I made a quick snatch and had it--and a half a handful of scum off the bottom of the channel in my grip. “Here’s your frog,” I said when I got back up the ladder. “Boy, he got big,” he said. “Are you sure it’s the same frog?” I asked. “Gotta be. We changed grating since then and the holes in this stuff are too small for a frog to get through,” he said. I had to admit he was right, “I can’t believe he survived the winter down there.” “What are you going to do with him?” Tony asked with the concerned look on his face again. I have sort of a ‘survivalist, outdoorsman’ reputation and he probably thought I was going to eat it. “I’m going to take it down to the little creek and put it where we see all those water snakes. They’re real hungry this time of year,” I joked. Tony just glared at me. Actually, I drove down to the sewer plant outfall at the big creek. I swished my hand around in the water, with the frog still in it, to clean the mud off, then set him down on a little patch of gravel close to the water. I tapped him on the rear and he hopped into the creek. He swam underwater with long, powerful ‘frog kicks’, nosed into a thick patch of algae growing on a submerged rock then poked his head out of the greenery to look around. A half hour later, I drove back up to the Incinerator to see Tony. “What did you do with the frog,” he asked. “I put him in the creek at the outfall,” I said. “Now he’s got to worry about herons, snapping turtles and snakes.” “Let me see,” Tony said. “Solitary confinement in a dark, cement hole, or freedom, swimming around, going wherever you feel like, but a chance something’s going to kill and eat you. I’d take my chances. Wouldn’t you?” “It’s just a frog, Tony,” I said, even though I really appreciated his point of view... and his heart. “That’s not the point,” he said. “What would you pick?” “Throw me in the creek, please. More articles by Jack H. Schick can be found at Searchwarp.com or Soulofwit.com
Think Local. Buy Local. Be Local.
Regional BPW Clubs Install Officers, Hold World Affairs Luncheon
The five local clubs (Central Montgomery, Conshohocken, Quakertown, SoudertonTelford, and Upper Perkiomen) comprising District XI of the Business and Professional Women of Pennsylvania (BPW/PA) held their Spring District Meeting on Saturday, April 18, 2015, from 8:30 to 11:30 AM, at Franconia Heritage Restaurant, 508 Harleysville Pike, Telford. A business meeting and the installation of officers for the 2015-2016 year took place. Ali Schaeffer-Lybacki and Sue Dunn of the Upper Perkiomen club participated in the Individual Development Program (IDP) Speak Off. Sue Dunn was judged the winner and will go on to the State competition at the State Convention in June in Johnstown, PA. Jennifer Van Ingen and Loretta Pigeon, both also of the Upper Perkiomen club, participated in the Young Careerist Speak-Offs. Loretta Pigeon was judged the winner and will move on the State Convention. Following the Spring District Meeting, at 12 noon, the BPW clubs held their World Affairs Luncheon. Special guests who shared their journeys and cultures through “Weaving
the Stories of Women’s Lives,” included Lileth Baugh of Jamaica; Ellen Hamilton of Ireland; Teresa Parris of St. Kitts & Nevis; and Sepideh Noorani of Iran. Sasha Zamani of Germany, an exchange student at Boyertown High School, was unable to attend due to a school commitment. Following these presentation, Bonnie Moyer of Ten Thousand Villages in Souderton, spoke on how they provide fair trade income for women artisans around the world. Founded in 1919, BPW/PA is a leading advocate for working women in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. BPW/ PA promotes full participation, equity, and economic self-sufficiency for all working women. The organization works on all issues that touch women’s lives and sponsors programs and scholarships to improve women’s lives and careers. To find out how you can become a member of District XI of BPW/ PA, contact Membership Chair Mary Weeks at 215-855-7680 or durellfish@comcast.net and she will put you in touch with the club in your area.
Help Mom with her Retirement Income Strategy Mother’s Day is almost here. This occasion may have special significance for you if you’ve been fortunate enough to have your mother around for your adult life. So naturally, you’ll want to bring Mom some flowers or another gift. But if she’s planning to retire soon, you may want to think about a longer-term way to improve her life — namely, by initiating a conversation about her retirement income strategy. Of course, she may already have matters well in hand. But a great many people on the verge of retirement have not planned for those years, so you may be able to provide some valuable suggestions. Here are a few ideas: • Boost contributions to retirement plans. If Mom is still working, urge her to contribute as much as she can afford to her IRA and her employer-sponsored retirement plan, such as a 401(k). The chances are pretty good that she will be spending many years in retirement — in fact, the average life expectancy for a 65-yearold woman is 20.5 more years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. So she’ll want to accumulate as much as possible before she bids “adieu” to the working world. • Discuss appropriate withdrawal rates. Encourage your mother to meet with a financial professional to determine an appropriate rate of withdrawal from her investments. To help ensure that she doesn’t outlive her resources, she needs to avoid taking out too much during her early years of retirement. • Take care of legal arrangements. If you haven’t already done so, ask your mother if she has drawn up the important legal documents related to her estate plans. Does she have a will? Has
she created a durable power of attorney, which allows her to name someone to make financial and health care decisions on her behalf if she becomes incapacitated? As you know, this is a sensitive topic, so you’ll want to approach it with care. • Evaluate Social Security options. Your mother is probably well aware that she can start taking Social Security as early as age 62, but will get much bigger monthly payments if she waits until her full retirement age, which will likely be 66 or 67. But she may not know that she might be able to benefit from a Social Security “spousal strategy” that could result in her receiving more income than she could get by just taking her own benefits. For example, if her spouse is the higher wage earner and can afford to delay taking benefits, your mother could eventually receive higher survivor benefits. Or, your mother and her spouse could employ a “file and suspend” strategy. Under this strategy, her spouse, upon reaching full retirement age, files for retirement benefits and then immediately requests to have those benefits suspended. As a result, your mother can file for spousal benefits, which would be larger than what she would receive at her full retirement age. To make sure they are making any Social Security-related moves correctly, though, your mother and her spouse will want to consult with a tax advisor who is thoroughly familiar with Social Security rules. You want your mother to enjoy a long, happy and active retirement. So, talk to her about the moves she can make to help turn that aspiration into reality.
submitted by Bob Podraza in the Edward Jones
West Broad Street, Quakertown. reached at 215-536-3635 or bob.podraza@edwardjones.com office on
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• Upper Bucks Free Press • May 2015
Regional Students Top Podium at Pennsylvania SkillsUSA Championships Thirty-six local students won medals in 31 different competitions at the SkillsUSA State Championships in Hershey, PA last month. Eight won gold, ten won silver, and eighteen won bronze medals. Gold medal winners will represent Pennsylvania at the National Leadership & Skills Conference in Louisville, Kentucky from June 22 – 27, 2015. Gold Medal Winners:
Disney Creates a Unique Book/Movie Hybrid The Disney Channel is set to show an interesting original movie this summer, Descendants. The movie follows the offspring of some of the most popular (and sometimes most wicked) Disney characters of all time. What does that have to do with books and reading? I just got done reading a fabulous prequel to the Descendants movie that Disney Publishing will release on May 5th. The book is called THE ISLE OF THE LOST. Publisher’s description of the book – “Twenty years ago, all the evil villains were banished from the kingdom of Auradon to the Isle of the Lost--a dark and dreary place protected by a force field that makes it impossible for them to leave. Stripped of their magical powers, the villains now live in total isolation, forgotten by the world. Mal learns from her mother, Maleficent, that the key to true darkness, the Dragon’s Eye, is located inside her scepter in the forbidden fortress on the far side of the island. The eye is cursed, and whoever retrieves it will be knocked into a deep sleep for a thousand years. But Mal has a plan to capture it. She’ll just need a little help from her “friends.” In their quest for the Dragon’s Eye, these four kids begin to realize that just because you come from
an evil family tree, being good ain’t so bad.” The book is written by best-selling author Melissa de la Cruz (Blue Bloods series). I found Ms. de la Cruz’s writing style engaging. The plot line is funny, mysterious, and captivating! The characters’ personalities are spot-on. They have just enough of their Disney qualities to make them believable, but de la Cruz also mixes in some wackiness and surprises. The Disney character’s offspring are cool, younger, versions of their parents, but also have unique attributes. I like how the book describes how much the villains have changed over the years now that their magic has gone. The book has the right mixture of adventure, action, and a touch of evil to really keep it interesting. The story is perfect for middle grade, young adults, or any Disney fan. Both content, reading level and subject matter is appropriate for all ages. As I read the book, I found myself thinking – wishing, there would be more in the series, but alas, the next version of this story will be a movie. Can a movie live up to the wonderful story set up by de la Cruz in this book? With Disney’s touch of magic, I am hopeful it will. You can read an excerpt from the book at movies.disney.com/ descendants/the-isle-of-the-lost. Visit Melissa de la Cruz’s
online at:melissa-delacruz.com and check out the
Descendants:
movies.disney.com/descendants.
For more on books and reading, visit ThisKidReviewsBooks.com!
Students Promote Positive Messages to End Bullying Student leaders from Central Bucks East High School’s Interact Club have collaborated with Network of Victim Assistance (NOVA) to create positive change in Central Bucks School District’s after-school program. Under the guidance of NOVA educators, Central Bucks East High School students are coached and trained to deliver NOVA’s Encourage program to elementary students. Research suggests that peer education draws on the credibility that young people have with their peers, leverages the power of role modeling, and supports the needs of today’s youth. This is the third year Central Bucks High School students are presenting Encourage, an interactive bully prevention program that promotes and supports inclusion, empathy, and teamwork. All participants benefit. This program reduces bullying by generating change in at-
Central Bucks East High School students Josh Clifford, Tara Masterson, Nicole Lefkowitz, Cara Loscalzo and Sophia Pogorzelski. submitted photo
titudes and behaviors and also provides peer educators an opportunity for leadership training and public speaking. This year, Encourage was presented in the after school programs at Buckingham Elementary, Gayman Elementary, Linden Elementary, Pine Run Elementary and Warwick Elementary.
• Automotive Service Technology: Brian Romig— LCTI / Parkland High School • Collision Repair Technology: Quinn Strohl— BAVTS / Northampton High School • Job Interview: John Leigh—UBCTS / Quakertown • Photography: Joshua Soto—LCTI / Dieruff • Web Design: Alex Heffelfinger—LCTI / S.Lehigh Julian Kingsley—LCTI / Catasauqua HS • Welding: Mason Rumble—LCTI / Parkland HS • Welding Sculpture: Ryan Ruck—MCTI / Pleasant Valley HS Silver Medal Winners: • Architectural Drafting: Austin Conklin—MCTI / East Stroudsburg HS North • Carpentry: Brandon Tocket—CIT / Bangor HS • CNC Technician: Gavin Mengel—LCTI / Northwestern Lehigh HS • CNC Turning Specialist: Alejandro Ramon—LCTI / S. Lehigh HS • Electrical Construction Wiring: Andrew Dauphin—BAVTS / Bethlehem Catholic HS • Nurse Assisting: Kimberly Ramraj—LCTI / William Allen HS • Prepared Speech: Brock Kline—LCTI / William Allen HS • Promotional Bulletin Board: Cordell Irvine— MCTI / Pleasant Valley HS Kacper Kosciuczyk—MCTI / Pleasant Valley HS • Technical Computer Applications: Cierra Manes— MCTI / Stroudsburg HS Bronze Medal Winners: • Advertising Design: Joshua Lounsberry—LCTI / Southern Lehigh HS • Basic Health Care: Kayla Waidner—CIT / Bangor HS • Building Maintenance Custodial: Matthew Madura—LCTI / Whitehall HS
• Cosmetology: Emily Viola—BAVTS / Northampton HS • Customer Service: Rachel Miller—UBCTS / Quakertown HS • Dental Technology: Maria Yapul—LCTI / William Allen HS • Diesel Equipment Technology: Joe Bauer— UBCTS / Pennridge HS • Early Childhood Education: Liddys Sevilla—CIT / Easton HS • Heavy Equipment Operations: Howard Moyer— LCTI / Emmaus HS • Information Technology Services: Richard Frinzi—CIT / Bangor HS • Internetworking: Nick Traina—MCTI / Notre Dame HS • Marine Equipment Technology: Zach Bachert— UBCTS / Palisades HS • Medical Math: Cindy Ruiz—CIT / Easton HS Related Technical Math: Ryan Kulp—CIT / Nazareth HS • Teamworks: Jesse Chappel—UBCTS / Pennridge HS Zach Gawronski—UBCTS / Pennridge HS Chris Heller—UBCTS / Pennridge HS Chase Wasser—UBCTS / Pennridge HS
Contestants were from local area career and technical schools including: Bethlehem Area Vo-Tech School (BAVTS) Career Institute of Technology (CIT) Lehigh Career & Technical Institute (LCTI) Monroe Career & Technical Institute (MCTI) Upper Bucks Co. Technical School (UBCTS) SkillsUSA Council is a nonprofit, 501 (c) 3, organization whose mission is to create a world-class workforce, through professional development of local career and technical education students and partnerships with the local business community, to support local economic and community growth in the Greater Lehigh Valley.
May 2015 • Upper Bucks Free Press •
9
Notes from American Legion Post 242 BY DICK HELM The two busiest months for our Post 242 are May and November. Both of these months deal with honoring our brave Service Men and Women who dedicated their lives fully for a period of time to fulfill their obligation to their country. Without this fulfillment of their service, America would have not retained the quality of life we have experienced and hopefully will pass on the future generations. Freedom is NOT free! This leads into my request of ALL citizens to participate with our different civic organizations, school bands, fire companies, and most important Honored Service Guests, in one of the few remaining parades that take place here in Quakertown. Most important, to take time out from preparing for a picnic to walk to the War Memorial in Memorial Park to honor those who gave their all. After all, these young men and women gave up all their family picnics so you can enjoy your family gatherings you will share on this Memorial Day. A reminder that the Parade starts at 9:00 AM and proceeds from 9th and Park Avenue north on 9th Street to Broad Street, then down Broad St. to 4th Street and North on 4th St. to Mill St., then West on Mill to the War Memorial.
Remember that there is a walkway from Broad St. to Memorial Park located near 7th Street near St. Isidores Catholic Church. So you can watch the parade then stroll to the park, and go directly to the memorial near the swimming pool. We appreciate your attendance and I am sure you will appreciate the parade and presentation at the park. Mark down May 25th on your calendar today! Members, we urge you send in you check for the 3 tickets recently send to you. As Charley Wismer states, it is the best drawing in town with more than 40 chances to win. If you desire, you can send in the tickets with “Post 242” as the name of the winner. It takes close to $5000.00 to pay out the prizes and mailing expenses. Your check for those three tickets is important to us. Remember a journey starts with the first step taken. Each tickets send in is a step towards meeting our fund raising goal.Hope to see you at the Parade and Ceremony! If you can’t attend, please take a few moments out of your day to Silently remember those who gave their all. I will be in attendance as I have been since the 1960’s to remember Steve Clark with whom I served and later on when Iraq was to be entered in 2003 – Captain Christopher Seifert. Who will you remember?
News from John Rivers VFW Post 11322
by CMDR. Paul Gerhart, Jr. The month of May has a special meaning for those of us that served our country. At the end of the month is Memorial Day. This is a day were we should remember our fallen comrades that paid the ultimate sacrifice. Some people look at this as a three day weekend. But let’s stop and think about this. Without those Veterans that gave their lives we would not have the freedom we have today. Quakertown’s Memorial Day parade will be the 25th. I hope that day before people get their grills fired up they take the time to pay tribute to those veterans that gave their lives. On May 15th the John Rivers Memorial VFW Post 11322 and the Christ Evangelical Lutheran church is having a Vera Bradley / Thirty-one bingo. This will be held at the Trumbauersville Firehouse. The doors will
open at 6p.m. and the games will start at 7p.m. If interested in tickets call 215-536-3193 or 267-992-4973 and please leave a message. The John Rivers Memorial VFW Post 11322 would like to thank those businesses and people that sponsored a prize or donated a tie/ door prize. Your support is greatly appreciated. Over Memorial Day weekend this VFW will be collecting donations with Poppies. The donations collected will help us support Veterans and their families. The donations are also used according to VFW Bi-Laws. For those people interested in becoming part of our support team call the Commander at 267-992-4973. These people would be helping us out with the fundraisers and other functions we hold. If interested in making a donation to the post the address is 41 Belmont Ave. Quakertown, PA 18951. “Home of the free because of the brave”
Perkasie Coffeehouse Presents Doofus
The Perkasie Patchwork Coffeehouse presents ‘ Doofus’ Saturday, May 16. The folk band is comprised of Neal & Coleen Walters and John & Heidi Cerrigione. Doofus is indeed a strange name for a band! It usually refers to somebody whose elevator doesn’t go all the way to the top, though it stops short of being an insult when used in a regular and conscientious program of good natured badinage between and among good friends. So while it might mean “village idiot” to some, it’s really a token of our affection for each other and the music we make together! We are a lively old time band consisting of two couples: Neal & Coleen Walters and John & Heidi Cerrigione. Together we sing and play guitar, autoharp, mountain and hammered dulcimer, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, and acoustic bass. The Coffeehouse is located at 320 West
Chestnut St. in Perkasie. Doors open at 7 pm with performances at 7:30. Adults $12, Adults over 65 $10, Students 13 and up $6, 12 & under are free. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County. Tasty refreshments are available. Visit www.perkmenno.net for more information. The venue is wheelchair accessible.
Think Local. Buy Local. Be Local.
Where Can I Get my UBFP? QUAKERTOWN QNB Bank Hidden Meadows Aamco Quaker Cleaners Roy Ann Diner American Heritage FCU Redner’s Market Stella’s A-Plus Mini Market Roma Pizza PERKASIE Borough Hall Sal’s Pizza Randa Dam Good Cafe Beer City Seven-Eleven Giant Food Markets Classic Staffing Sine’s 5 & 10 Landis Food Markets Chick Fil-A St. Luke’s Bone & Joint Olde Towne Convenience Dominick’s Pizza Swann’s Pantry Pennridge Chamber Earl Bowl Lanes Tom’s Help Desk Pierce Library Embers Cafe Upper Bucks Sr. Ctr QNB Bank First Savings Bank Upper Bucks SPCA TELFORD First United Church of Christ Upper Bucks YMCA Indian Valley Library The Free Press Bldg. Upper Bucks Chamber Landis Supermarket Giant (Qtwn Plaza) Wells Fargo Bank SOUDERTON The Grundy House Yum Yum Donuts Care & Share Shoppes Hampton Inn TRUMBAUERSVILLE SILVERDALE Holiday Inn Express Borough Hall Green Street Barber Shop Independence Court Fino’s La Cantina OTTSVILLE James Michener Library Spor’s General Store NAPA of Ottsville JoAnne’s Frame Shop RICHLANDTOWN COOPERSBURG John’s Plain & Fancy Seven-Eleven Coopersburg Diner Liberty Thrift Store First Savings Bank Giant Food Markets McCoole’s Red Lion Inn SPINNERSTOWN The Inside Scoop McDonalds Spinnerstown Hotel QNB Bank Melody Lakes E J’s Barber Shop Turkey Hill Market Moyer’s Shoes PLEASANT VALLEY Last Chance Ranch Store Pep Boys Country Kitchen SPRINGTOWN Philly Soft Pretzel Factory SELLERSVILLE Reflections Hair Studio Quaker Cleaners A & N Diner Q’town Family Restaurant Grandview Hospital Village Center Automotive Have a place in mind where you’d like to pick up your UBFP? Let us know! We’re always adding new distribution points throughout Upper Bucks. Call Terri at 215-529-8915 ext. 11 or send an email to terri@ubfp.org.
“The world’s favorite season is the spring. All things seem possible in May.” - Edwin Way Teale
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• Upper Bucks Free Press • May 2015
Bucks County Foundation gives $10K to NOVA for Student Support Programs NOVA’s innovative support programs for students with development disabilities were funded recently through a $10,000 grant from the Bucks County Foundation. Safety Matters provides a multi-lesson, practice-informed and interactive personal safety education program for children ages 7-12 with developmental disabilities. It focuses on personal boundaries, safe and unsafe touches and requests, public and private places, appropriate non-compliance and how to seek help when needed. Pathways to Healthy Relationships, an interactive, multi-session, life-skills program, is designed to enhance social skills and interpersonal safety and to support students ages 13-17 with developmental disabilities as they transition into young adulthood. Topics include friendship, dealing with bullying, dating, online and offline communication, dealing with conflict and resources for support. “With limited funding for education, NOVA has been unable to meet the demand for this
Tory Baram, NOVA educator, works with students with developmental disabilities using NOVA’s innovative specialized programming. submitted photo specialized programming,” said Barbara Clark, NOVA’s executive director, “since delivering Safety Matters and Pathways to Healthy Relationships to young people with disabilities requires more intensive involvement by staff, as well as multiple sessions and smaller classes. “We’re very grateful to the Bucks County Foundation for its generous support of these important programs.”
The Upper Bucks Free Press is made possible by the businesses you see on these pages. Remember to thank them for supporting your community’s voice.
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May 2015 • Upper Bucks Free Press •
11
Making a Change …for the Better
People are creatures of habit. Once you get accustomed to something and a change comes about, it is difficult to get used to it. Some of the things we encounter are the way we perform a particular task, use a certain product, receive a service provided, or a change in people that we deal with on a daily basis. We are comfortable with the way things are and it is tough for us to change with the event. Some change is not good. Included in this realm would be passing of a loved one, a new job that you thought would be good but turns out to be worse than the one you left, ending of a personal relationship, moving to a new area away from the friends you always had, etc. Still, other change will be good. Among those are the birth of a new grandbaby, moving into a new home, getting a new car, wearing a new set of clothes, or starting a new personal relationship. Some people would consider a good change to finally getting rid of that elected town clown who touts himself as an expert in municipal finance and raises your taxes several hundred percent because they love wasting money and don’t know what they are doing. However, one change that would be good is getting your hearing fixed. People get used to the way things have always been and don’t like change. When hearing changes, it changes subtly over a period of many years. The afflicted person doesn’t realize their hearing isn’t what it used to be. But to the people around them, this adverse change is as bright as the noonday sun. Among the changes loved ones note about the person with hearing difficulty are: The television volume control setting is higher than normal. The person asks you to repeat more often. You must speak louder to him or her in order to be heard and understood. Your loved one mistakes some words for others.
The suspect person gives inappropriate responses to questions and comments. This person withdraws from conversations and activities because they cannot hear. Arguments occur because what you said is not what they heard. The hearing impaired person attempts to control the conversational topic because they are unable to keep up when the subject matter is led by someone else. Your loved one complains that everyone mumbles and does not speak plain. They don’t answer you when spoken to. The person says they are ignoring you when you speak. Comically, the person with the suspected hearing loss asks, “What? What? What?” so many times they could be classified as a light bulb. There is one change that can be made for the better. Either you or the person with obvious communication difficulty hampering their hearing, must schedule an appointment with a board certified and licensed private practice audiologist for a complete audiological evaluation. The case history and testing take approximately thirty minutes. Upon completion, the audiologist will review the case history provided, explain the test results, and give appropriate recommendations. You owe it to yourself to ask for and receive the professional assistance you need. Pick up the telephone and schedule your appointment today. The first step in making a positive change for the better starts with YOU! Mr. Murphy has had a bilateral mild-tomoderate sensor-ineural hearing loss all his life and is a binaural in-the-canal hearing aid user. Mr. Murphy has been in practice in Pennsylvania since receiving his Master of Education in Audiology from University of Virginia in the Spring of 1987. Mr. Murphy is affiliated with a number of hearing related national and international organizations.
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BuckyGrams: pansy,lilac,iris,hyacinth,crocus,daffodil,tulip,peony,azalea,rose,forsythia,primrose Hidden Message Happy Mother’s Day! Box Puzzle Thinking outside the box
Sellersville Museum Welcomes the King of Cast Iron
The Sellersville Museum will feature Tim Davis for its May 9 and 10, 2015 exhibit (12 Noon - 4 PM, both days). Current owner of the “Davis Lots of Time Shop” in Rosemont, NJ, Tim was born and raised in Bucks County in a family of collectors. He began collecting American cast iron after living with his grandmother in the 1980’s. She had many cast iron cooking implements, including large pieces in the large open kitchen fireplace. Interestingly, the cast iron of yesterday is functional for use today. One can find Tim at local flea markets looking for unusual pieces. Locally, he is known as the “King of Cast Iron.” Tim prefers collecting Piqua ware, believing it a superior product. He also likes Griswold cast iron with its large number of product types, including burglar alarms, heart-shaped waffle pans, coffee grinders, and spittoons. Davis feels old cast iron is lighter, smoother, and better quality than that made by current cast iron manufacturers. Old cast iron pans are enjoying a revival with today’s TV chefs using cast iron pans. Many older pans can be purchased relatively inexpensively and, with a little care, can be back in use. Tim has a method of working with
Alas, the beauty of the bulbs is waning and the brilliant colors of the harbingers of Spring have faded. Now what do you do? The leaves are the manufacturers of food for next year’s Spring display of color. It is beneficial to cut the spent flower to prevent the bulb from wasting energy on seed production. However, resist the temptation to cut the foliage to the ground to tidy up your flower bed. Gardeners have devised many solutions to this age old challenge. Some fold the leaves over and rubberband into a low sculpture, or cover with mulch, and others plant annuals or perennials in front of them to hide the dying foliage. The foliage can be removed when it becomes yellowed and dry. If you don’t mind re-planting the bulbs in the Fall you can dig them up and store them until planting time. Whatever your preference, step away from the green foliage with your pruner! We are all anxious to plant flowers to replace the color palette of the fading bulbs. One early option is to plant in containers and window or deck boxes. These containers can be easily covered if a frost is predicted. Be creative. If you like a rustic look use vintage tin watering cans, tubs, or wire egg baskets lined with moss. A new trend is brightly colored pots available in colors such as purple, teal, and fuchsia. Some catalogs are even featuring solar illuminated planters. Multiple planters with varied heights and shapes can make a bold statement. Choose plants according to the tried and true formula of thrill, fill and spill. The thriller is a tall plant, placed in the middle or back of the planter. The filler is a plant of medium height that will fill the container’s width. The spiller drapes over the sides of the container. The number of each type of plant to use depends upon the size of the container. Refer to ‘Container Gardening – Pops of Motivational Color in your Surroundings’. http://goo.gl/zZw81b
MASTER GARDENER Q & A
the pans to rehab them for use today. A self -cleaning oven makes the process go faster. Davis will explain this process and much more at the exhibit. Admission is always free at the Sellersville Museum. www.sellersvillemuseum.org
Q: What are the ugly knobby, knarly growths on my forsythia? A: The growth is most likely a gall. There are several possible causes for this condition: Crown gall, the fungus Phomopsis, and a genetic abnormality. None of these pathogens have been proven to be the definitive cause. Prune the infected branches and discard – do not compost. Make sure to disinfect the pruners. Pruning can keep these growths in check, but it is possible that you may have to remove the infected shrub if you find the growths unsightly and too difficult to control.
Q: I have been reading a lot about Native Plants. What is considered Native? Why should I plant them? A: By definition, a native Pennsylvania plant is one that grew in Pennsylvania before the European settlers arrived. Native plants are well adapted to our climate and soil conditions. Perhaps, more importantly, native plants support the insects that our native birds depend upon to feed their young. For a list of suggested native plants refer to ‘PA Native Plants for the Perennial Garden’. http://goo.gl/F0CxIF Q: When do I prune my clematis? A: In order to decide how to prune your clematis it is important to know what type you have. There are three basic types of clematis. Refer to the plant tag to help determine which Group your clematis fits Group I: Early flowering species that produce masses of flowers. Flowers grow on the previous season’s growth. To prune this type cut back to a healthy pair of buds or to the main stem after flowering. Group 2: Mid-summer flowering with solitary flowers on stems that come from the previous season’s growth. Prune this group in early Spring before it begins to grow. Cut back to a healthy pair of buds. These buds will produce this year’s flowers. Group 3: These Clematis flower later in the season and bloom on the current season’s growth. Prune early in the Spring before growth begins. Prune down to a pair of leaf buds just above the previous season’s growth. If you have inherited a clematis in your garden and aren’t sure of its Group, call our hotline for help: 215-345-3283! Q: How do I decide whether my backyard is part-shade or full shade and what plants to choose? A: In choosing plants for shade it is important to know the level of shade that exists. Light shade would be partially filtered light such as would be found under an open canopy tree. Moderate shade would receive mostly reflected light found on the floor of a hardwood forest. Heavy shade could be like that found at the base of a north facing wall, or at the base of a dense evergreen. For a list of shade tolerant plants refer to ‘Shade Tolerant Trees, Shrubs, and Groundcovers http://goo.gl/EFTC5X. Got questions? Call us! 215-345-3283 or email: BucksHotline@ag.psu.edu. Read our blog at http://goo.gl/I5PIrD
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• Upper Bucks Free Press • May 2015
Adopt-A-Pantry 2015 to Stock Up Food Pantries in Bucks County Bucks County Opportunity Council (BCOC) will be conducting its third annual Adopt-APantry project, a collaborative, county-wide food drive to benefit the BCOC’s Food and Nutrition Network (FaNN) of more than 30 food pantries. BCOC is asking local businesses, churches, organizations, families and individuals in Bucks and Montgomery counties to collect non-perishable food and hearty produce during the month of May. Through a partnership with Delaware Valley University, Adopt-A-Pantry has set a goal of 15,000 meals, or the equivalent of 10 tons of food. Adopt-a-Pantry 2015 will make sure that pantries are well stocked for the summer, when shelves often go bare. This is the time of year when children are home from school and not able to eat a free or reduced–price school lunch or breakfast, on which many Bucks County families depend. As the county’s lead agency in emergency food distribution, the Opportunity Council’s Food and Nutrition Network distributed over 966,415 pounds of food to pantries during the most recently completed program year. Furthermore, there were over 65,000 visits to food pantries by families and individuals within the county last year. With an increased focus on providing healthy, nutritious food for pantry visitors, this year’s project hopes to collect hearty pro-
duce that will keep for a few days and is easy to transport, such as apples, corn, potatoes, onions, garlic, and other herbs and spices, in addition to the usual nonperishable goods. Some of the groups or businesses who have already pledged this year are Johnson, Kendall & Johnson, the office of State Senator Chuck McIlhinney, AB-8 Waste Solutions, John Kennedy Ford – Feasterville, The Learning Experience - Doylestown and NY Life Insurance. Bucks County Opportunity Council invites anyone who wants to participate to visit their website, www.bcoc.org, for the Adopt-APantry pledge form, toolkit, a food drive guide and other materials. Participants are asked to drop-off food donations on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, June 1 through 3 at the Delaware Valley University Student Center in Doylestown. Donors can choose their drop off date and time on the pledge form. Financial donations and volunteers to help sort and pack the food are also welcome. For more information, contact Joe Cuozzo at 215-345-8175 ext. 204 or at jcuozzo@bcoc.org. Bucks County Opportunity Council, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping low-income people in Bucks County achieve and sustain economic self-sufficiency. For more information, visit www.bcoc.org.
Area Institutions to Host Talk on Preventing Substance Abuse
paid for by the candidates
Penn Foundation, Quakertown Christian School and Quakertown Community School District will present ‘Protecting Our Children: Joining Together to Prevent Substance Abuse in Our Community’ to offer education, awareness and prevention strategies. The talk will be held on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 at 7:00 pm at Quakertown Christian School, 50 E. Paletown Road, Quakertown, PA. This FREE event will feature a discussion led by presenters Matthew D. Weintraub, Chief of Prosecution for the County of Bucks Office of the District Attorney, and Gordon Hornig, MSW, LSW, Coordinator of Penn Foundation’s Mobile Engagement Services. Matthew Weintraub is a graduate of Temple Law School. Mr. Weintraub serves as Chief of Prosecution, and as a Trial Team Coordinator. He is a member of the Bucks County Heroin Taskforce, demonstrating his commitment to the fight against substance abuse by providing prevention education in the community and speaking with youth in schools. A graduate of Allentown College of St. Francis DeSales (now DeSales University), Gordon Horning has devoted his 20+ year career to providing intervention, support, and education to individuals and their families struggling with the devastating effects of addiction. This project is made possible by funding through the Bucks County Drug and Alcohol Commission, Inc. For more information,
contact Deb Ryan, Penn Foundation Director of Community Outreach, at 215.453.5165 or dryan@pennfoundation.org. Since its founding in 1955, Penn Foundation’s mission has been to instill hope, inspire change, and build community. The notfor-profit organization provides a wide-range of compassionate, responsive, and innovative services that address the mental health, substance use, and intellectual disability needs of the community. With a strong belief in the healing power of hope and the resiliency of the human spirit , Penn Foundation partners with more than 10,000 individuals and families each year, helping them to realize their fullest emotional, physical, and spiritual health. For more information, visit the website at www. PennFoundation.org. Under the leadership of District Attorney David Heckler, the Office of the District Attorney seeks to protect law-abiding citizens by aggressively and successfully prosecuting criminal activity in Bucks County while engaging in community- based crime prevention programs. The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office works closely with local, state and federal law enforcement to ensure the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are upheld and that our citizens are protected. For more information, visit the website at www. buckscounty.org/government/rowofficers/ DistrictAttorney
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~Obituaries~ ANNE (STEGOS) MILLS, MSW, died peacefully in her sleep on Apr. 1st at the age of 91. Anne was born in Trieste, Italy on Nov. 26th, 1923 to Clementine (Fabbro) and Joseph Stegovec. At age 6 “Anna” came to the United States through Ellis Island and her name was changed to Anne Stegos to be more Americanized. The family lived in NY, and Anne became the first member of her family to obtain a college degree, graduating from Hunter College in 1945 with a degree in English. Anne held many interesting jobs, including organizing the Macy Day Parade, teaching at Immaculata College, working for Catholic Charities and the Coatesville VA. She was also a founding member of the Grey Panthers. Anne found her calling in the field of social work, and was the oldest student at that time to graduate with her Masters in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania in 1981. Anne was a pioneer in the development of residential housing for persons with mental illnesses. When state hospitals were closing in the early 1980’s she was involved with writing the original regulations for licensing personal care homes, and opened homes in lower and central Bucks County. Tri-County Respite had grown to include 2 larger personal care homes, an apartment program, and an outpatient clinic when she retired in the mid 90’s. She continued as a consultant for several years and was honored by the National Alliance of the Mentally Ill for her tireless efforts in 1995. She made a difference in many people’s lives and brought peace of mind to families. Her legacy continues on today as New Vitae Wellness and Recovery, now run by her son Adam. Anne is preceded in death by her parents, husbands Joseph Devlin and Doug Mills, and beloved dog Chewy. She is survived by her 4 sons and their families: Joseph “Peppi” Devlin, (Emily Berk), daughters Miriam and Trieste “Fizzy” of Montara, CA, Thomas Devlin, MD, PHD, (Carol Gruver, MD), son Christian of Chattanooga, TN, Mark Devlin (Patricia Candido), sons Noah and Rio of Marina del Rey, CA, and Adam Devlin (Donna Helsel), daughters Destiny and Jade of Quakertown, PA. She is also survived by her sister Jean Stegos, who is 99 and lives in Riviera Beach, Florida. Anne loved travelling, and had fantastic trips to Russia, Japan and Italy. She loved to visit her family in California and Tennessee, and especially enjoyed Cape May where she had a home, and West Palm Beach, Florida where she spent many winters. Her ashes will be buried with her parents at the St. Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale, NY. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in her memory to the NAMI Lehigh Valley at 802 West Broad Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018. JARRET C. WHITEBREAD, 38 of Quakertown, died Wed. Apr. 1st at Quakertown Center Genesis Health Care. He was the husband of Alyssa (Frable) Whitebread. Born on May 2, 1976, in Sellersville, he was a son of David E. and Marilyn Whitebread and Donna and Barry Crouch. He was a member of St. Isidore’s Catholic Church, Quakertown. Jarret was a fantastic father. He had a great passion for family and friends and enjoyed fishing and four wheeling. He loved to cook and was a chef at heart. He had a great gift for mentoring trouble teens. Jarret will be greatly missed by all. Surviving with his wife and parents are daughter, Adlia; paternal grandmother, Shirley Whitebread; brothers, David W. Whitebread, wife Yovita of Harleysville, Joel Whitebread, wife Chrissy of Quakertown, Michael Poust, wife Julie of Schwenksville; sister, Nicole Crouch of Telford; many nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions may be made to the Family c/o Alyssa Whitebread, to help defray remaining medical expenses for Jarret. JAMES I. MCILVAINE, 71, of Coopersburg, a born again Christian, entered his eternal home Wed., April 1. Born in Bristol, he was a son of the late Truman and Lillian (Lewis) McIlvaine. He worked as a deliveryman for the Wonder Baking Co., Phila., over 45 years before retiring. Jim, an active fire policeman with Richland Twp. Fire & Rescue, was currently serving as the Fire Police Lieutenant. He had been recognized twice for responding to the most calls in a year. He was also a member of the Indian Valley Hogs. Surviving are sons, James E., wife Regina of Red Hill & Kenneth, wife Linda, of Coopersburg, grandchildren; Kenny, Maleanna, Katie, Kiery,
Alex, Darian, and DJ; two brothers and a sister. The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name be made to the Richland Twp. Fire and Rescue, 64 Shelly Road, Quakertown PA 18951. www.janauglefcs.com EDITH M. KRIGOR, 88, of Richlandtown, died Wed., Apr. 7 at home. She was the widow of Kenneth D. Krigor. She worked a number of years as a waitress at the former Trainer’s Restaurant, Quakertown. Born in Buckingham Twp., she was a daughter of the late Gilbert & Charlotte (Daniels) Wasser. She was an active member of St. John’s United Church of Christ, Richlandtown. Surviving is her daughter, Deborah Deily, husband Donald, of Coopersburg; son Kenneth P., Jr. of Richlandtown; granddaughter Danielle; great-grandsons, Wesley & Harrison and sister, Grace Ewer. Memorial contributions may be made in her name to St. John’s UCC, PO Box 346, Richlandtown, PA 18955. janauglefcs.com DALE A. REICHLEY, 66, of Quakertown, died Sat., Apr. 11 in his home. He was the husband of Kathy (Fluck) Reichley for 47 years. Born on February 21, 1949, he was a son of the late Dale Ray and Jane (Simpson) Reichley. Dale graduated from Quakertown High School and went on to earn his undergraduate degree from East Stroudsberg University, where he served as President of the Student Government and President of the PA State Association of Student Government. Dale then graduated from Temple Law School and served as a prosecutor for the County of Bucks for 26 years. He also served as the First Assistant District Attorney. The past 15 years were spent in a private practice law firm with his daughter, Tami. Dale was a member of Morningstar Church in Quakertown and was active in a number of organizations, including the Upper Bucks Chamber of Commerce, Jaycees, Sertoma, and the Quakertown Educational Committee. He was an active participant in Relay for Life, and he was a coach and sponsor for many local athletic teams. Dale also served on the Board of Directors Sunset Cove, Cayman Islands. He loved sports and nature, and he was a devoted family man. Surviving with his wife are son Scott, wife Barb, of Coopersburg; daughter Tami of Coopersburg; grandchildren Olivia, Mariah, Matthew, Logan, and Lauren; brother Chris Reichley of Richlandtown; and sister Debra Schaffer of South Dakota The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Dale’s name be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123 www.janauglefcs.com JOSEPH THOMAS WINGERT, husband of Bridget Watson Wingert, died April 22 at his home in Stockton, N.J. He was born in Penndel, Bucks County, April 8, 1934, and raised there by his mother, Lenore Carney Wingert, in the home of his grandparents, John and Catherine Challenger Carney. He lived in Langhorne Borough from 1958 to 1997. His father was Jacob Francis Wingert of Des Moines, Iowa. Joe Wingert was the founding publisher of the Bucks County Herald. He attended Our Lady of Grace School in Penndel and Northeast Catholic High School for Boys in Philadelphia. He earned an associate degree in engineering at Trenton Junior College and School of Industrial Arts and a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY. He returned to Trenton Junior College as a professor of engineering and developed the school’s first computer center, the second computer center in the country for a two-year college. At the change from TJC to Mercer County Community College, he left teaching for positions in marketing and systems development at IBM, with the State of New Jersey as his primary client. He was IBM’s project manager for the evolution of the original New Jersey Lottery. Later, he worked with an IBM technology transfer group, in longrange planning and systems development for welfare departments in state governments around the United States. At different times in his life, Joe was a carpenter and cabinet maker. In 1993 his family business, WP Associates, won the Bucks County Award for Excellence in Architecture for Mountain Cabin in Erwinna. The award was sponsored by the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce. In addition to his wife, Joe Wingert is survived by two sons and two daughters and their spouses: Joseph George Wingert of Wyncote; Mary Katherine Wingert-Playdon and Dennis Playdon of Wyncote; Eugene Patrick and Angelica Wingert of Plumsteadville; Bridget Ann and Dr. J.Ward FitzPatrick of Clarks Summit; and Lynn Campbell Wingert of Wyncote; 13 grandchil-
May 2015 • Upper Bucks Free Press • dren, Thomas Rudy, Sarah Margaret and Keira Campbell Wingert; W. Patrick and Aine Mary Playdon; Liam Antonio, Isabel Ann, Gabriel Eugene and Anton Joseph Wingert; and Joseph Ward, Matthew George, James Thomas and Ellen Teresa FitzPatrick. He is also survived by a stepgranddaughter, Frances Playdon Wong and her husband, Allen, and their two children, Daphne and Dylan of Mercer Island, Wash. He was predeceased by a sister, Lenore Wingert Dougherty of Penndel. KAREN M. GRAF of Fountainville, PA peacefully passed away on Saturday, April 25, 2015 comfortably at home. She was 63. Karen was born in Nagoya, Japan. At the age of 2, she and her family came back to the United States and settled in Gardena, CA. Karen was a resident of Woodinville, WA, before moving with her husband 15 years ago to Fountainville, PA. Karen received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Art Education from the University of Washington in Seattle, WA. While at the University of Washington, she met her husband Karl and many other wonderful friends. This group, called the Whizzies, has continued to be life-long friends and supporters. Karen was employed as an Education Consultant with Edvotek Inc. of Washington, DC for the past 27 years. She was one of the first employees and helped build the company from a start-up. She was a volunteer with Pearl S. Buck International of Perkasie and was active with Girl Scouts at a younger age. Karen also enjoyed gardening, travelling, cooking and art. Karen will be dearly missed by her family. She is the beloved wife of 38 years to Karl G. Graf, III, cherished daughter of Shigeru Miyaki and the late Kazuko Miyaki, loving daughter-inlaw of Karl G. Graf, Jr. and the late Leona Graf, dear sister-in-law of Dale (Nancy) Graf, Gayle (Steve) Downey, Richard (Kim) Graf, Robin (Mike) Meiners, and Ben (Julia) Graf. She is also survived by Phyllis Sera, a close cousin who was like a sister, her Aunt Yoshi Hildenbrand, her Uncle Hank Yokoi, and by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Karen made friends wherever she went. She will be deeply missed by her University of Washington Whizzy friends and many other close friends made along the way. A special thank you goes to all of the family
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and friends who have loved and supported Karen throughout her life and to the caregivers and Hospice personnel who have assisted to make her life as comfortable as possible during the past several months. A memorial service will be held at the VarcoeThomas Funeral Home, 344 North Main Street, Doylestown, PA 18901 on Thursday, May 7th at 11 am. The family will receive friends from 1011 am prior to service. Cremation services were private. Memorial gifts may be made in Karen’s memory to Pearl S. Buck International, 520 Dublin Road, Perkasie, PA 18944 or www. psbi.org/memorialgift Send condolences to www.varcoethomasfuneralhome.com ANN MARIE POULTON, 80, of Allentown, died Sun. Apr. 26 in Luther Crest. She was loving wife of Donald Poulton; they would have celebrated 55 years of marriage on May 7. Born in Ringtown, PA she was a daughter the late Claude and Erma (Bitting) Horne. Ann was a graduate of Coal Township High School and of the McCann Business School in Mahanoy City, PA. She worked at Quakertown Rubber Factory, Western Electric, and as secretary at Quakertown Brick Yard and Quakertown Elementary School. Ann was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where she served on Church Council, the Altar Guild, the Ladies Workshop, and the Trinity Butterflies. At Luther Crest, she was the secretary of the Luther Crest Resident Association and was active in the Red Hatters, the Activities Committee, and helping in the gift shop. Surviving with her husband are sons John of Tampa, FL, Brian of Moorpark, CA, and Jeff of Temecula, CA; daughter Karen Brenner of Palm Bay, FL; grandchildren Rachel, Emily, Justine, Alexa, Cheyenne, and Dejá; sister Barbara Hillegrass of Quakertown. She is predeceased by daughter Lynn. A memorial service will be held Fri. May 8 at 2:30 pm in Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 102 N. Hellertown Ave., Quakertown. Family & friends are invited to call at the church Fri. May 8 from 2 pm until time of service. A second memorial service will be held Sat. May 9 at 10:00 am in Luther Crest Senior Living, 800 Hausmann Rd., Allentown. The family requests memorial contributions in her name to Trinity Lutheran Church, 102 N. Hellertown Ave., Quakertown, PA 18951, or Luther Crest Benevolent Care Endowment Fund, 800 Hausman Rd., Allentown, PA 18104. www.janauglefcs.com
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• Upper Bucks Free Press • May 2015
Spring Break for Museum Lovers
If you are planning a trendy and accessible meatpacking district at trip this spring, consider Washington Street and Gansevoort Street. The spending some of your well- 200,000 square foot building was designed by deserved break time at one award winning architect Renzo Piano and will of the world’s most interest- provide the institution with greater exhibition ing museums and special and event space. The new building will take advantage of its close proximity to the High exhibitions. St. Petersburg, Russia: Line, a new outdoor park space in the area. The new Faberge Museum features a 1,500 www.whitney.org Other interesting museums that are slated piece collection of the famous ornamental eggs. Originally presented by the Czars as Easter to debut in the second half of 2015 include: Kunsthaus Dahlem gifts to his loved ones, in Berlin, Germany the Faberge Museum dedicated to post reunites these ultrawar European art special art objects with and culture (www. the Imperial city. Dating kunsthaus-dahlem. from 1885 to 1917, many de), the long awaited of these works of art National Museum of have only just returned African American to St. Petersburg since the Russian Revolution. Ringling Museum of Art & Sculpture Garden, Sarasota, FL History and Culture on Approximately 200 of the famous Faberge the National Mall in Washington, DC (www. eggs were acquired by Russian billionaire nmaahc.si.edu) and the IKEA museum at the Viktor Vekselberg from the estate of Malcolm site of its first retail store in Almhult, Sweden Forbes for $100 million dollars and brought (www.IKEA.com). The Ringling Museum is back to Russia for this specialty museum lo- a site with multiple museum displays on the cated in the Shuvalov Palace. This is a private vast estate in Sarasota, FL. It unites fine art museum and admission is by appointment. and circus history in one of the finest museums in America. www.FabergeMuseum.ru And, if you are going to a hotel or resort, Washington, DC: National Gallery of Art is hosting a large exhibition dedicated to the you will find fine art in the lobby, rooms, and great masters and their interest in drawing conference areas. And, if you want to set sail and printmaking. This show, dedicated to the over Spring break, you may be surprised to history of metalpoint—the art of drawing with learn that a number of cruise ships also feature a metal stylus—features nearly 100 original art onboard—ranging from antique to contemdrawings by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, porary-- including Celebrity, Regent, Oceania, Rogier van der Weyden, Raphael, Albrecht Holland America among others. Enjoy Dürer, and Rembrandt van Rijn, among oth- your break! ers. If you miss this show in Washington, Ph.D. antiques appraiser, author, and awardyou can visit these fine works of art as it winning TV personality, Dr. Lori presents travels to The British Museum in London, antique appraisal events nationwide. Dr. Lori is England, September thru December 2015. the expert appraiser on the international hit TV www.nga.gov show, Auction Kings on the Discovery channel. New York, NY: The new Whitney Museum Visit www.DrLoriV.com , www.Facebook.com/ of American Art will open in May in the DoctorLori, or call (888) 431-1010.
Quakertown Teacher Named Conservatory Manager for Cyber School Commonwealth Connections Academy (CCA), a statewide non-profit public cyber charter school, recently announced that science teacher Kurt Amen of Quakertown has been appointed the new STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Conservatory Manager. “We are excited to have someone with Kurt’s background and enthusiasm leading our STEM Conservatory Program,” said CEO Maurice (Reese) Flurie. “Kurt will bring science and technology to life for our students and will help them find real-world applications for their knowledge.” As part of his mission, Amen will align efforts with the school’s Arts and Humanities Conservatory Program in launching and expanding CCA’s new student internship program. The goal of the program is to enhance career readiness for students and to introduce them to potential careers in their communities. The internship process begins with students explaining their career interests in an online registration platform where letters of recommendation from teachers, community and business leaders are submitted. The conservatory program then assists the students in identifying local businesses in those fields and works to align them with internships. Newly launched, more than 30 students immediately submitted materials for the state-wide internship program. Businesses supporting the students include a TV station, a hospital, a veterinary clinic, a recording studio, a sustainable farm, an art museum and a catering business. Amen hopes to exponentially match more students with additional businesses. “We want our students to focus on careers, not just graduation,” Flurie said. “To do that, they need to meet professionals in their fields of interest and learn about career options. We constantly hear from employers about a skills gap where applicants lack soft skills and specific training. We are looking to close that gap by connecting students with professionals in the field and guide them to the right post-secondary pathways following graduation.” In addition to internships, the conservatory program organizes statewide school events featuring local business professionals who explain career opportunities in their field. For example, Amen said students will soon be learning
about electronic circuitry. Amen is scheduling engineers to meet with students for a hands-on workshop about the practical applications of the experiment and related jobs in the field. That is followed by post-secondary options available to meet those career opportunities. Each event has a career expert and post-secondary component. “We are statewide school. So we bring in experts from a student’s geographical area to give them a sense of community. This is someone who works and cares about education in their community that can share advice on available and applicable career opportunities,” Amen said. The CCA Conservatory Program also partners with trade and technical schools, colleges and universities to expose students to post-secondary options. CCA students recently attended a culinary arts event where they learned about the arts and business aspects of running a restaurant, led by a chef and the restaurant’s owner. Following the event, students met with officials from Harrisburg Area Community College, where they toured the campus, sampled food prepared by culinary arts students and learned about admissions and financial aid opportunities. “It’s quite the dynamic we have, tying STEM to Arts and Humanities. In today’s society, we not only have to produce, but we must produce with design. There is always a business side to art, and this was a way to show students that. Hopefully our events and opportunities continue to inspire students across the Commonwealth,” Amen said. Amen is seeking to increase the number and types of businesses and higher education programs that participate in the program. He said business leaders need to understand that helping students learn about careers today will result in better employees tomorrow. Parents and guardians need no convincing. They liken the programs to CCA shining a light on career paths for students and getting them to walk down them. Their support is reflected in the increase of students rapidly submitting materials to participate in the new program. For more information on CCA’s conservatory program, visit: connectionsacademy.com
May 2015 • Upper Bucks Free Press •
Quakertown Second Grader 65 Pound State Wrestling Champ Quakertown 8-year-old Collin Gaj won the 7 and 8 year-old 65-pound state champ title at the Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling Championship in Erie. This is a competition that hosts all wrestlers from Pennsylvania. Collin is a second grader at Pfaff Elementary. He is coached by Scott Frinzi through the QYC program based out of Quakertown High School. He is the one in the center. submitted photo
Did you know? The 1912 Greco-Roman wrestling match in Stockholm between Finn Alfred Asikainen and Russian Martin Klein lasted more than 11 hours. Klein eventually won but was too exhausted to participate in the championship so he settled for the silver.
Shhh... Don’t Tell your Pet that He’s a Senior!
Did you know that dogs and cats are considered seniors at the age of seven? I know it’s hard to believe, and they do have so much life left to live at that age… but statistically, more and more illness issues and medical concerns begin to rear their ugly heads from this age forward. Knowing this – there are three main things you can do to help keep your pet around for years to come!!! 1. Watch for changes – a dog who loves to eat suddenly picking at their food, an active cat who is now hiding and not interested in playing, vomiting, weight loss, and so much more! Any change in your pet can be a warning sign, and is definitely worth a call to your veterinarian! 2. Yearly examinations with your doctor – having your vet take a look at your pet is even MORE important than those vaccines! Listening to their heart for changes, and feeling their abdomen for possible changes or discomfort can both pick up things that may be going on before they have outward symptoms. Catching these changes early, can often allow us to intervene and make changes BEFORE they are sick! Senior pets, especially those with ongoing medical problems, should even be examined twice a year!
3. Wellness bloodwork – this is the biggest one! Every year from the age of three on, we will discuss bloodwork with our clients. This is totally optional, but worth considering! If your pet has bloodwork every year, and then there is a mild change – having that bloodwork to compare back to will allow us to act upon more subtle changes, since we have history of know what is ‘normal for them’. This bloodwork can screen for abnormalities and changes – so it is helpful in so many ways! Some people like to check every year, or once around the age of 7 and then not again unless they are sick, and everything in between. There is no right or wrong answer, but it is worth a discussion with your veterinarian! Being alert to changes, and having your pet evaluated regularly are important to help us keep them happy, healthy, and around for as long as possible! Definitely talk to your vet about a plan that works for you and your pets! At Pennridge Animal Hospital – May is senior month, so we offer 10% off our senior/wellness panels all month long…together, let’s keep these guys healthy! Enjoy the nice weather! Dr. Mehaffey and partner Dr. Jen Heller own and operate the new Pennridge Animal Hospital on Ridge Road in Perkasie and can be reached at 267-272-9996. They also founded and curate Harley’s Haven Dog Rescue.
Bucks Co. SPCA
Meet Ester!
Queen of the castle, that’s me! My name is Ester and I’m about 4 years old. I’ve been spayed and would love to find a new home to call my own. I prefer to be the queen with no other pets to take away from the attention I deserve. I love to be pet and lounge by the window in the sunlight. I should do well with responsible children. I’m litter box trained and tested negative for feline leukemia.
Meet McKinley!
Hi My Name Is McKinley. I’m a 2 year old Husky Shepherd Mix. I weigh about 50 pounds. I am a confident and friendly pup. Please only give me attention when I am quiet and have all four paws on the ground. There is nothing I like more then to run outside and stretch my legs. A daily exercise routine will help take the edge off. I really enjoy play with all types of toys and rawhides. I need to be in a home with “dog experience” if you know what I mean. I would love to live with adults and children 8-10+. I’d prefer to live as only dog in the house but I have a great time playing with other dogs with the same energy level as me. I will need training and supervision around cats. Meet us at the Bucks County SPCA’s Upper Bucks Shelter, 60 Reservoir Road, Quakertown. Call 267.347.4674 or visit www.bcspca.org.
Ester
McKinley
Harley’s Haven
Meet Onyx!
This little butterfly is Onyx! Poor Onyx was surrendered to the shelter in South Carolina when her family was moving and couldn’t take her. She is such a sweetie - she adores other others, and gets a lot of comfort from having buddies. She is a shy girl, but really comes out of her shell and is incredibly sweet once she warms up! She doesn’t have a mean bone in her body, and just wants love and attention. She is about 1-2 years old, and is a lab/pitty mix of some kind. She is spayed and up to date on vaccines. Won’t you take her home today?
Onyx
Meet Gypsy!
Check out this perky, sweet girl with white bobbie socks and a soft wagging tail! Gypsy loves people of all ages and other dogs once she realizes they are her friend. Slightly bouncy and buoyant, she’s not a total couch potato but she also has no problem curling up with you for some snuggle time. She would love to find her forever home. She’s around 1-2 years old and crate & house trained. She is spayed, up-to-date on her shots, and has been started on heartworm and flea preventative. These adorable pups are available for adoption through Harley’s Haven. Call 215-527-7432 to arrange to meet them.
If you have a family member in a nursing home and they tell you they saw a dog in a baby carriage with bunny ears don’t be afraid that they are having memory problems. They did see that and it was ME! I now know how a movie start feels. I had my picture taken Soooo many times. I went by my church at Morningstar Fellowship first as they were letting out so the kids could see me. The adults loved me too. I don’t mean to distract from the seriousness of the real meaning of Easter but it’s my way of welcoming spring. That’s the time of year that everything is reborn, flowers, baby chicks, bunnies, eggs everything that I have used to dec-
orate my carriage. Hope this brings a smile to your face. Don’t forget to check out the concerts of songs that are poems. The UCC church in Quakertown on May 16th at 7:30PM and the Trinity Lutheran Church in Perkasie on May 17th at 4PM. Come join the fun! Love, M.J.
Gypsy
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• Upper Bucks Free Press • May 2015
Borough Officials Honored at State Conference (left) Edward Child, council president of Trumbauersville Borough, is honored for his year of service as President of the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs by incoming President, Jack Lawler of Brownsville Borough, at the organization’s annual conference held this year in Lancaster, PA. There are 958 boroughs in Pennsylvania which the PSAB serves to connect borough officials to each other as well as to elected officials in the State House of Representatives and Senate. (right) Scott McElree, Quakertown Borough’s Manager and Police Chief, is honored for the accomplishment of becoming a Certified Borough Official for participating in and completing a regimen of PSAB trainings and events. photos by christopher betz
1st Annual Color Run a Powder Keg of Success! On Friday evening, April 24th the St. Isidore ‘Parents as Partners Association’ sponsored a first time Color Run. Over 200 people participated beginning with nice white shirts and returning with bright coloring from head to toe. The event, which included both a one mile fun run and a 5K, and a whole lot of colored powder, served as a great fundraiser for the St. Isidore School in Downtown Quakertown. Habitat for Humanity was on hand, as well, to collect reusable household items and materials to be sold in their ReStore Shop in Chalfont. photos by christopher betz
May 2015 • Upper Bucks Free Press •
Quakertown Community High School
Driving 55 at QCHS
Half a hundred recruiters flood gym for first of its kind By RYAN CHINNI Paw Prints Senior Writer Hundreds of students waltz around the gymnasium a emp�ng to find the perfect college for them, looking at the giant color logos over each booth. They ponder which ins�tu�on will be their dream school. QCHS held its first college fair on Apr. 1 during school. Schools mostly within a 120-mile radius, according to guidance counselor Mr. Eric Gozzard, made it to the fair in hopes of recrui�ng students for enrollment. Among the various schools a ending were a few eye-openers: South Alabama, Pi , SUNY and various military schools. “This has been a great turnout, especially because all the kids are ac�vely par�cipa�ng,” said QCHS’ Mr. Gozzard. In total, 55 schools a ended; however that only seems to be scratching the surface. “We want something even bigger next year; 55 schools is great, but we intend to improve upon that number for next year!” The atmosphere in the lower gymnasium was loud and flamboyant, with constant discussion between prospec�ve college students and university recruiters. Eager students sought to determine their future des�na�ons and recruiters a empted to coax them into applying. The junior class seemed to gravitate toward Penn State, whose booth remained occupied. Many students inquired about various engineering programs. “There’s not a specific field I want to be in, but I’ve always been interested [in Engineering],” said junior Taylor Bolger. “My mom has always said I have my dad’s brain and Engineering requires a lot of movement and I don’t like to sit s�ll.” All teachers in a endance were ecsta�c about the roaming students, hoping one of their pupils would find the perfect des�na�on and campus. Junior English teacher Rachel Trosino frequented the fair and summed up recruiters to-student conversa�ons well. “It’s an awesome opportunity for the kids,” said the PSU graduate. “While I was walking around I heard great conversa�on; students were asking about SAT scores, grade point averages and studying abroad, which is great to hear, in my opinion.” Due to inclement weather, the fair had to be postponed to Apr. 1 from Mar. 5. Ideally, this would seem hur�ul to the fair because schools would not want to make the trip again, however, more schools were able to a end the fair because of the rescheduled date.
MAY 2015
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• Upper Bucks Free Press • May 2015
2
Paw Prints
May 2015
COLLEGE FAIR 2015—Year 1
Photo by Ryan Chinni
Hundreds of Quakertown students, mostly juniors, roam the first college fair in the lower gymnasium. Next year organizers hope to double the number to over 100 colleges.
g up …
risin
…
IN THE LOWER GYM!
QCHS grad West wins national triathlon title
Photo courtesy of Jason West
Senior Jason West won the Dra� �egal race to take the individual triathlon na�onal �tles for Penn State Univ.
May 2015 • Upper Bucks Free Press •
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Think Local. Buy Local. Be Local. Did you know? You burn more calories sleeping than you do watching television. The answers to the puzzles on this page are hidden elsewhere in this issue.
Cardio is not the Answer
Board Game Calendar Calm Water Cards Cheese Slices Coasters Coins Compact Disc
Dollar Bill Envelopes Fettuccine Floor Mirror Napkin Pancakes
Paper Photograph Plates Poster Records Ribbon Spatula Stamps
Street Tabletop Towel Tray TV Screen Wall Window Pane
Did you know? Anna Jarvis of Philadelphia who started Mother’s Day celebrations also filed a lawsuit in an effort to stop the over- commercialisation of Mother’s Day. She lost her fight. Anna had hoped for a day of reflection and quiet prayer by families, thanking God for all that mothers had done.
You have been told over and over by “professionals” that thirty minutes a day of cardio exercise (mainly walking or running) is what is needed to combat obesity and fat. With all the fun aerobic classes available and the increase in 5K runs available every weekend why would they want you to stop? It has been ingrained in your mind. Everywhere you look you see cardio based weight loss programs. It is so deeply ingrained that it makes it almost imposable to believe, Cardio is NOT the answer. Unless you are training for a long distance event, don’t use cardio as a primary weight loss program. For the majority, running is a joint killer and doesn’t help for long term weight loss results. How often do you get on a treadmill or bike or arc trainer at the gym and you spend thirty minutes every time you go and yet still can’t figure out why you aren’t seeing the results you were expecting. You’re feet, ankles, knees; back and hip begin to hurt over time making it hard to keep up with it. Eventually you stop all together because of the pain. So why after all the hard work you’ve put in, have you not seen results? It’s really simple actually. When doing a lot of cardio, your body does not produce lean muscle mass. Simple as that. Here is an example of how cardio based programs tend to work in a roundabout way. Take a mortgage or credit card you are trying to pay off for instance. When paying for one of these you HAVE to pay principal AND interest. If you only paid the minimum every month you’d only be paying on the interest. Right? You would never pay off the debt if you don’t pay into the principal? It’s a similar idea with cardio. It isn’t enough. The scale might tell you that you have lost weight. But it doesn’t tell you that your body fat % is still high. Your BMI (body mass index) can be
in the normal range and you can still be fat. You can still have a very high body fat % to lean muscle mass. You want to look at body fat % NOT BMI. You must increase lean muscle mass to decrease body fat %. Now, you might think, why do I care? I’m close my goal weight and my BMI is where it “should” be. Well, your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and other illnesses are still increased due to a high body fat %. Having a higher percentage of lean muscle utilizes calories long after the work out is over. When you are at rest, lean muscle still uses calories. Whereas when you end a cardio workout you stop using as much calories. Lifting heavy weight is the key to developing lean muscle that is necessary to continue to burn calories longer after the workout is ended. Keep your sets heavy. Adjust weight so you can only get 8-12 reps. This puts more demand on the muscles and requires them to do more work. The adaptations you can expect to see from resistance training are increased cardiovascular efficiency, metabolism, bone density, strength, cross sectional muscle fibers, and neuromuscular control. As well as DECREASED body fat!! You don’t have to look like a body builder to be strong. If you can’t do a basic pull up, push up, squat, or dead lift correctly, then you NEED to do them more. You need to develop those muscles to be strong. If you can’t do them it shows you don’t have enough muscle strength to support the action. So next time you go to the gym, forget about getting on that treadmill and grab some weights. Or invest in yourself and hire someone who can design your program and provide instruction so you can get the most out of your resistance training program. Corbin Williams, NPTI-CPT is a Certified Strength, Conditioning, and Nutrition Coach Corbin owns of GetReal Training, LLC and can be reached at www.GetRealTraining.net
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• Upper Bucks Free Press • May 2015