May 2016 • Upper Bucks Free Press •
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• Upper Bucks Free Press • May 2016
What’s Going On in Upper Bucks? April 29
Family Bingo Night, open 5:30pm at St. Andrew’s Lutheran, 20 Dill Ave, Perkasie. Tkts: $10/adult, $5/ages 5-12, free under 5. Tkts online: pennridgefish.org (sold at door if still available) Designer Purse Bingo, open 5pm, games 7pm at Richland Twp Fire & Rescue, 64 Shelly Rd, Quakertown. BYOB, Adm: $25/adv, $30/ door. 215-778-1641 or rtfr.org for regis. form
April 30
Springfield Twp Hist. Soc. “Open House” 9:30am-12noon at Church School, 2165 Rte 212, Pleasant Valley (GPS Coopersburg). All welcome, questions? Tom 484-308-1510 Healthy Kids Day 10am-12noon at UBYMCA, 401 Fairview Ave, Quakertown. Free Family Fun activities, refreshments for sale. 215-536-YMCA Harmenaires Quartet (southern gospel music) Concert 7pm at Solomon’s UCC, 2990 Bedminster Rd (Rte 113), Perkasie. Free-will offering taken. Refreshmts during intermission. Directions: solomonsucc.org Spring Beer Festival (2 sessions) 12noon4pm & 5pm-9pm at McCooles’s, Broad & Main Sts, Quakertown. Tkts online at McCoolesbeerfest.com Flea Market 9am-2pm, Dublin Fire Co, Rte 313 & Rickert Rd. Food avail., $15/space, bring own table. Must reserve at 215-2493089. Rain date May 7 5th Annual Flea Mkt/Bake Sale 8am-2pm at St. Michael’s, 25 E Church St, Sellersville. Info: Linda 215-257-6040 or nascenzi@verizon.net MAY 1 to 7 – Be Kind To Animals Week
May 1
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for beautiful new “Park at 4th & Amphitheater” at 2pm. Recognition of Park Supporters, music by Qtown Band. 4th & Mill Sts adjacent to
ing at ubtech.org or 215-795-2911 x269
May 3
“90+ Birthday Party” 11:30am (lunch, cake, special guest may sing to you, $10) Encore Experiences, 312 Alumni Ave, Harleysville. Call 215-256-6900 for more details
May 3, 4, 5
Salem Spring Rummage Sale (Tues/Wed 9am-4pm) (Thu 9am-12noon), 186 East Court St, Doylestown. Details: 215-348-9860, admin@SalemDoylestownUCC.org
May 4
Turkey Hoagies at Chalfont Fire Co Auxiliary, 9am-12noon or sold out. 301 N Main St, Chalfont. $5.50 ea. Adv. orders accepted at 215-822-2251 Hot Roast Beef Sandwich Dinner (all-u-caneat) 4pm-7pm or sold out. Zion Lutheran, 2966 N Old Bethlehem Pike, Zion Hill. $9/adults, $5/ages 5-12, take-out avail. FMI 215-5387911 day of dinner Spaghetti Supper/Salad Bar 4pm-7pm at Lower Saucon UCC, 1375 Third Ave, Hellertown. $9.50/adults, $4.50/ages 6-12,
May 2
UBCTS Mother’s Day Plant Sale 9am10:30am & 12noon-2pm. Upper Bucks Tech School, 3115 Ridge Rd, Perkasie. Details/pric-
May 13
Bag Bingo, open 5:30pm, Tkts/$20, kitchen open. Springtown Fire Co, 3010 Rte 212. Contacts: 215-262-4555 or 267-688-6729
May 14
Wags at the Winery, 12noon-4pm at Country Creek Winery, Telford. Fun & relaxing, music, workshops, dog friendly vendors. $10/ pp to enter. Benefits Logan’s Heroes. Details: facebook.com/wagsatthewinery
Cinco De Mayo 5K (walk/run thru Quakertown), 6:30pm walkers, 7pm runners. UBYMCA, 401 Fairview Ave, Qtown. $15/ pre-reg. by 4/15, $20 later. Call Megan 214536-9622 x120 College Night 7pm-9pm featuring Lutheran colleges/univ. Host: St. John’s Lutheran of Spinnerstown, 1565 Sleepy Hollow Rd. Free event, lt refreshmts. Info 215-536-0734, stjohnsofspinnerstown.org
May 5, 6, 7
Rummage/Bake Sale (Thu/Fri 10am-8pm) (Sat 9am-4pm & all-day $5/bag sale), held by St. Luke’s UCC, Rtes 611 & 412 in Ottsville. Hot food & soup avail., 484-357-5274 or 215-479-2724 Mother’s Day Flower Sale (Thu/Fri 5:30pm8:30pm) (Sat 9am-3pm) Silverdale Fire Co, 111 W Main St, Silverdale
May 6 & 7
Book Sale at Quakertown Library (Fri 10am5:30pm) (Sat 10am-4:30pm, $3 Bag sale begins 2pm), Paperbacks/$.25, Hardcover/$.50, Collectables/as priced. 401 W Mill St, Qtown 57th Spring Spectacular & Auction at Quakertown Christian School (Fri 4pm chicken bbq, plants, bake sale, games. 7:30pm jugglers perform) (Sat begins 8am w/breakfast & more) Tkts/info: 215-536-6970
take-outs .50 extra. 610-838-8821 Roast Beef Dinner 4pm-7pm or sold out, $11/adults, $5.50/ages 6-12, $11.50/takeout. Community Fire Co, 333 Delaware Rd, Riegelsville, 610-749-2737 Rummage Sale 8am-1pm at Presbyterian Church of Deep Run, 16 Irish Meetinghouse Rd, Perkasie, refreshments avail., 215-249-3689 Plant/Bake/Soup Sale 8am-2pm (rain/ shine) at Passer Community Ctr, (1877 built 2-rm schoolhouse) 2580 Richlandtown Pike, Coopersburg
May 8 –
Mother’s Day Breakfast 8am-1pm at American Legion Post, 610 E Broad St, Quakertown. $6/adults, $3/ages 6-12, free under age 6 All-U-Can-Eat Breakfast Buffet 8am-1pm at Richland Twp Fire & Rescue, 64 Shelly Rd, Quakertown. Also pies & hanging baskets for Mother’s Day, 215-536-7226 Hartzel-Strassburger Homestead Open House 1:30pm-4pm, speaker Jean Stahl (2pm) will discuss a unique style of home gardening. Free! 407 Keystone Dr & Bethlehem Pike, Sellersville, 267-614-9174
May 9
Quakertown Library. Breakfast 8am-1pm at Springtown Firehouse, 3010 Rte 212. Adults/$7, Ages 5-8/$4, age 4 & under/free. Family & Friends Walk, Bike, Run-A-Thon, registration 12:30pm, $25. Peace Valley Park at Sailors Point Pavilion. Registration form at deeprunwest.org (hosted by Deep Run West Mennonite) Free Community Pot Pie Lunch & Congregation Showcase, 12noon-2pm at Trinity Great Swamp UCC, 9150 Spinnerstown Rd, Spinnerstown. 215-679-7710 Swing Dance 8pm-10pm at Zwingli UCC, 350 Wile Ave, Souderton. (The Royalaires 16pc band performs swing music from 1930s to 1950s) Donation: $10 pp, info: 215-723-1186 or zwingli.org Family Fun Bingo, open 12noon at Haycock Fire Co, 850 Old Bethlehem Rd, Quakertown. All kinds of fun prizes, food. Info/tkts – Gretchen 484-851-3519. Concert featuring Requiem by John Rutter (50-voice chorus w/full orchestra & soloists), 3pm at Peace-Tohickon Lutheran, 100 Old Bethlehem Rd, Perkasie. Reception follows, info 215-257-3294
Bethlehem Pike, Zion Hill, 215-651-6025
May 7
Community Pancake Breakfast 8am-11am at St. Andrews UCC, 615 E Walnut St, Perkasie. Pay at door: $10/adults, $5/ages 4 & up. 215-258-0776 16th Annual Penn State Master Gardener Plant Sale, 8:30am-1pm at Neshaminy Manor Ctr, 1282 Almshouse Rd, Doylestown. 50+ gardeners on hand to answer questions. Details: 215-345-3283 “Rain Barrel Building Workshop” 10am at Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy in Schwenksville. $55/mem, $65/non-mem. Details: perkiomenwatershed.org or 610-2879383. Regis. ASAP Reading Goes To The Dogs, 2pm-3:30pm at Quakertown Free Library, 401 W Mill St, Qtwn. Children of all ages are invited to come read to certified therapy dogs. 215-536-3306 Adopt-A-Highway Spring Clean-up 8am10am. Wear long sleeves & sturdy shoes. Meet at CDP parking lot at Rte 313 & Thatcher Rd, Quakertown. Sign up at YMCA or stephanie. weachter@ubymca.org Indoor Flea Market 9am-2pm at Tylersport Fire Co, 125 Ridge Rd, Tylersport. Info: 215257-5900 x7 or email: aux@tylersportfireco. com Filled Basket Bingo for MS Society, open 12noon at Perkasie Fire Hall, 100 N 5th St. Info: 215-290-5790 or devildog276@verizon. net
Hoagie Sale at Trumbauersville Fire Co. Info/order: Kim 215-536-1998 or bucks58fire. com “History of the Sawmill” 7pm, presented at West Rockhill His. Soc. monthly meeting, Twp Bldg, 1028 Ridge Rd, Sellersville.
May 10
Free Jazz & Joe Event 7pm-9pm, lite refreshmts, donations accepted to defray costs. All are welcome, First United Methodist, 501 Market St, Perkasie, fumcperkasie.com
May 11
“Equestrian Therapy” 10:30am (physical, social, cognitive benefits for people age 50+), info: Encore Experiences in Harleysville, 215256-6900, encoreexperiences.org “What is Macular Degeneration?” 12:30pm at PEAK Ctr in Lansdale, 1292 Allentown Rd, Suite A. More info: 215-362-7432, peakcenter.org “Frankly my dear, Hollywood & the Civil War” w/Herb Kauffman, Free event by Qtown Women’s Club. 7pm-8pm at Quakertown Library, 401 W Mill St, Quakertown, info: 215-536-3306, cwrteasternpa.org
May 12
Annual AARP Meeting at John’s Plain & Fancy, 12noon lunch & swearing in of new officers. Questions at 215-536-7712
May 12, 13, 14
Rummage Sale (Thu 9am-6:30pm) (Fri 9am-6pm) (Sat 9am-12noon) Sat/$4 anything that fits in a bag. Zion Hill Lutheran, 2966 Old
Mothers’s Market 9am-1pm at Trumbauersville Fire Co, 142 N Main St. FREE yard sale style featuring unneeded kids’ clothes & toys. Lt refreshmts avail. Info/space: kellydhinkle@yahoo.com, 215-527-7011 “Good News” Spring Concert 7:30pm at St. John’s Lutheran, Sumneytown (Valley Choral Soc., Patricia Conrad) 215-723-5841 Upper Perkiomen Relay for Life, Camelot Park, 1124 Church Rd, East Greenville Car Show & Ford Drive 4UR School Event 10am-4pm. Benefits Qtown HS Choir. Quakertown Freshman Ctr, 349 S 9th St. Info: qchschoir@gmail.com Quakertown HS Golf Fundraiser, 8am at Locust Valley Golf Club in Coopersburg. Details: 215-529-2103 or qtowngolfteam@ gmail.com Young Birders Club Meeting 10am-12noon for Jr High & HS students. No fee, Peace Valley Nature Ctr, 170 N Chapman Rd, Doylestown. Contact: jmconway-inacone@ BucksCounty.org for more info
May 14 & 15
18th Annual Tile Festival (Sat 10am-5pm) (Sun 10am-4pm) Moravian Pottery &Tile Works, 130 E Swamp Rd, Doylestown. Adm/$6, Rain/shine, 215-348-6090
May 15
Breakfast Buffet @ Sellersville Fire Dept, 2 North Main St. All-U-Can-Eat 8am-1pm Penny Party at Eastern Upper Bucks Senior Ctr, 8040 Easton Rd, Ottsville. Doors open 12noon, $2/100 numbers, light lunch for sale. Info 610-847-8178 “Good News” Spring Concert 4pm at Emmanuel Lutheran, Pottstown (Valley Choral Soc., Patricia Conrad, artistic director) 215-723-5841 Cruise with the Motorvator’s 4pm-8pm at Quakertown Dairy Queen, Rte 309. $1/per car donation goes to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHoP)
May 20
Thirty-one/Vera Bradley Bingo (doors open 6pm), Trumbauersville Fire Co on Main St. $20/adv, $25/door. Food avail. for purchase. Tkts: 215-536-4043 or 215-536-3193. No outside food! May Flowers Dinner Dance w/Gary Dee. $22/dinner & dance, $10/dance only. Pennridge Community Ctr, 146 E Main St, Perkasie, 215-453-7027. Buffet 6pm-7pm, Dance 7pm-10pm
May 21
The Brunner’s Four-Part Harmonies, 7:30pm at Perkasie Patchwork Coffeehouse, 320 W Chestnut St, Perkasie. $12/adults, $6/ age 13+, free und. 13. Food avail. Details: 215-723-2010 or perkmenno.net
What’s Going On in Upper Bucks? Flea Mkt & Apple Dumpling Fest, food, quilt raffle, kids’ crafts, more. 9am-2pm (r/d June 4), $15/space, reserve at 215-2576104. St. John’s Lutheran-Ridge Valley, 910 Allentown Rd, West Rockhill Twp Flea Market & Model Train Display, 8am2pm at Quakertown Fire Co, 505 W Broad St. Many vendors. Keystone N-Trak N-Scale Modular Train layout on display. Free adm. & parking. Food available. Chicken BBQ Dinner, drive-thru pickup 3pm-6pm at Quakertown Fire Co, 5th & Broad Sts. $10/half BBQ Chicken Meal. Info/tkts: Dawn 267-249-8834 16th Annual Arts Alive (juried arts/ crafts event, wine tasting area) 10am-4pm in Downtown Quakertown. Free parking & entertainment. 215-536-2273 or quakertownalive. com (r/d May 22) Annual “Spring Flea Market” 9am-2pm at Independence Court in Quakertown. One free space per person, bring your own table. Register: 215-538-7050 (no r/d) 8th Annual Show & Shine 9am-3pm (regis. 8am-noon), Trinity UCC, 1990 Rte 212, Quakertown. All makes & models, Entertainment. 75% profits donated to charity. 610-349-6985, trinityuccpa.com Amy’s Ride/Run/Walk in Quakertown (fight pancreatic cancer), Cost/Details: amysriderunwalk.com Books/Brews/BBQ Fundraiser for Hellertown Library, 6pm-9pm at HellerWagner Gristmaill, 150 W Walnut St, Hellertown. Info/tkts at 610-838-8381 Tricky Tray for Christ Lutheran held at Southeastern Fire Co, 2687 Wassergass Rd, Hellertown. Tkts: $10/adv, $15/door. Must be age 18 to enter, refreshmts avail, call 610-8387230 or 610-838-6007 Family Fun Fest 12noon-4pm at Locust Valley Chapel, 5936 Locust Valley Rd, Coopersburg. Pony rides, petting zoo, inflatables, food & more. 610-282-3881 or locustvalleychapel.org
May 22
Bingo @ Sellersville Fire Dept, 2 N Main St. Open 11am, games 1pm. $25/pp (lite lunch included), advance tkts at 215-257-4028 Ext 61 UB Sertoma Basket & Bag Bingo, doors open 12noon. Tkts $20/adv, $25/door, refreshmts avail. Info/tkts: 215-822-9781, ubsertoma@ gmail.com. UBYMCA, 401 Fairview Ave, Quakertown Painting Party 2pm at Ottsville Fire Co, 249 Durham Rd. All ages welcome, raffles, BYOB, Tkts/$35, call Sue 610-476-6731
May 25
“History of Environment Friendly Toys” 7:30pm. One focus will be on the Slinky & PA. Free! Hilltown Twp Municipal Bldg,
13 W Creamery Rd & Rte 152, Silverdale. Hilltown Histor. Soc., 267-614-9174
May 27
“State of the Nation Address” w/ Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick, 8am-9:30am at McCoole’s, 4 S Main St, Quakertown. Info: 215-536-3211 or tkline@ubcc.org
May 30 – May 31
Memorial Day
“Annual Spelling Bee” 12:30pm at Encore Experiences in Harleysville. All seniors from Montgomery County are welcome to join us. Register by May 27. Info: 215-256-6900, encoreexperiences.org
June 1
“Senior Crime Prevention” 12:30pm at PEAK Ctr in Lansdale, (educating seniors to help themselves), 1292 Allentown Rd, Suite A. Info: 215-362-7432 or peakcenter.org
June 3
Food Truck Event (take a night off from cooking) 5pm-9:30pm (rain or shine) Bring a chair, family, & friends. Music, magic, moonbounce, etc. Info: 215-536-YMCA
June 4
Flea Market 8am-2pm at Upper Bucks Senior Ctr, 2183 Milford Sq. Pike, Quakertown. $10/table, food available for purchase. 215-536-3066 Upper Saucon Lions Flea Mkt/Craft Show, 8am-3pm, Living Memorial Park in Coopersburg. 1-800-405-2773 or uslionsclub. com, new vendors welcome 3rd Annual Ice Cream Festival and Yard Sale, 11am-4pm. Call Saucon Valley Community Ctr 610-838-0722 or elissa@ svcommctr.org for info 23rd Annual New Hope Historical Society Garden Tour, 10am-4pm. Tkts/$35. Tour historic Parry Mansion, then six other beautiful private gardens. Learn more at newhopehs. org, 215-539-3219 Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community at DeSales Univ. Ck-in 7:45am, 5K Walk at 9am. Also a 1-mile fun walk 9:15am. Info/regis. at http://hct.convio.net/ CancerSupportCommunityGLV June 4 & 5 Upper Bucks Relay for Life, at Memorial Park, 4th & Mill St, Quakertown June 5 Cruise Night! 4pm – 7 pm, Country Square Shopping Center, Route 309, Quakertown. All makes, models, and years. Bring food donation for St. Isidore Food Pantry, get 20% off your bill of $10 or more at Sal’s Pizza Randa that night. No rain date. Event info: 215-5387256, guillrandolph@aol.com
May 2016 • Upper Bucks Free Press •
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• Upper Bucks Free Press • May 2016
Ongoing Events & Resources “Creative Problem Solving Workshops” Weds, May 11, 18, 25, June 1 at 12:30pm. Participants will work in groups. Regis. by May 9. Encore Experiences in Harleysville. 215-256-6900, encoreexperiences.org Harley Motorcyle Raffle, $30/tkt, drawing will be at Sellersville Fire Dept Carnival, July 12 to 16. Info: sellersvillefd.com or on Facebook “Sports for Special Kids” baseball program for people w/special needs. Play on Sunday afternoon at QYBA baseball fields. Interested? Call Paul at 267-992-4973 and leave a clear message Tkts on sale now for Upper Bucks Brewfest (Aug. 20) Info: quakertownalive.com Now. to May – “Wed. Night Happenings” at Quakertown Church of the Brethren, 6:45pm8pm for Kindergarten thru 12th grade, info at quakertowncob.org or 215-536-7510 Summer Science Academy classes at Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy’s Brownstone Barn, Schwenksville. Pre-regis. w/ payment required. 610-287-9383, perkiomenwatershed.org for specific classes, ages, prices, & dates. “Summer Explorers (K-3rd gr)” “Summer Afield (4th-6th gr)” “Exploring the East Branch (K-4th gr)” Hoagie Sales 2nd Monday of month (except July/August) at Trumbauersville Fire Co, 142 North Main St, advance orders due Wed. before. $5.25-$5.75, info/order: Kim 215-536-1998 or bucks58fire.com 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, peacevalleynaturecenter.org AARP Chapter #3377 meets 2nd Thurs each month, 1pm in fellowship hall (Sept through May) at First United Church of Christ, 151 S 4th St, Quakertown, 215-536-7712 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 eligibility) PetSmart Adoption Day is 2nd Saturday each month, 11am-3pm, PetSmart, 620 N.West
End Blvd, Quakertown, 215-538-2843 or lastchanceranch.org Last Chance Ranch Volunteer Orientation/ Tour, 1st Saturday each month, 10am-11am in front of Horse Barn, 9 Beck Rd, Quakertown, 215-538-2510 lastchanceranch.org Meet the Dogs at LCR, 12noon-3pm, every Sat. each month (weather permitting), 9 Beck Rd, Quakertown, 215-538-2510 or lastchance ranch.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 or email 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 Family Education Program on Addiction meets 7pm the first three Mondays of the month in the Red School House at Presbyterian Church of Deep Run, 16 Irish Meetinghouse Rd, Perkasie. Regis. at 800-221-6333 Bullying Prevention Support Group 6:30pm-7:30pm every Wed at UBYMCA in Quakertown. Free. advance registration required: 215-750-7220 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. Caregiver Support Group 4pm-5pm, meets 4th Thur. of month, Hidden Meadows, 340 Farmers Ln, Sellersville, (tour & complimentary lunch), 267-429-3931 hiddenmeadows ontheridge.com 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: 215-5384774, 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, 3:30pm5:00pm, 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, 215-538-3195 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, smokefree), 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 2016 • Upper Bucks Free Press •
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Selecting the Correct Service Provider For You
Is it a Walgreens or Rite-Aid?
The answer is actually NO. The new building at the corner of Route 309 and Broad Street in Quakertown will actually be neither a Walgreens nor a Rite-Aid Pharmacy. In fact, it may not become a pharmacy at all. According to Ed Scholl, the borough’s economic development consultant, this building is one of a dozen in the tri-state area and three in Southeastern PA that hangs in limbo. The contractor charged with building this and the other non-starters was hired by
Walgreens to build a Walgreens Pharmacy. In the meantime, the Walgreens Corporation bought out competitor Rite-Aid. Apparently, Walgreens believes it now has a sufficient number of existing Rite-Aid stores in the area, so they don’t need this one. Now what? Well Quakertown Borough is working with the property owner’s real estate broker to find a new tenant. We’re told there are several possible suitors, but mum’s the word for now. Stay tuned!
Once an individual has admitted to themselves they are have communication difficulties due to their own suspected hearing loss, the next step is to choose the correct service provider. The best and most solid choice is a board certified and licensed private practice audiologist. Nothing compares to having a single professional that will dedicate their time and expertise to you on a one-on-one basis. Over the past couple of decades, I have spoken with patients and people outside my practice who felt they made the right decision in securing a service provider but had not. Some take the inexpensive way out and have had to seek the correct provider to remedy the errors of an inexperienced sales person. Others ask a friend or relative for advice and end up wasting time and becoming discouraged and disappointed in the long run. Still others are sucked in a shtick of a smoke and mirrors presentation based upon simple promises broken thus becoming a disservice to many. Let me make this relative to you. Let’s suppose Dumb & Dumber bloviate in a campaign for public office they will address a local rampant drug problem to get you to vote for them and only disappoint you with inaction thereafter. Watching The Russian Bear peddling his Schwinn all over town promising results on a witch hunt for an imagined and unprovable financial impropriety, fighting with his two pals and many more, only to alienate all in his path. He could suffer a hernia carrying that burden. Then we see Professor Chipmunk and Mr. Peepers tap dancing a sales pitch to you for their new science text at your expense. This all sounds funny but it is real life smoke & mirrors, broken promises, and money down a rat hole to you. Yes, during an election, people may be disappointed because they made the incorrect choices. No matter your need, whether it be an elected official to handle your municipal concerns or health care professional to address your health issue, the bottom line is you deserve the best. In the realm of hearing health care, the average person is bombarded by low pricing, promises of professional service, and piein-the-sky success. The big box stores or shopping center storefronts are an entity to navigate. We can take a closer look at a few issues and problems:
A constant rotation of sales staff due to being transferred to other retail departments. Potential of not having the same person twice providing care affecting continuity. No formal university doctoral or master’s degree is present to indicate an impeccable education. You are not afforded proper counseling and aural rehabilitation as required because the sales person is neither degree-holding nor capable of providing follow up. The sales person possesses no knowledge of auditory or otologic anomalies to properly address your medical concerns or to provide a proper referral to another medical specialist. Inferior product is overpriced to take a huge sum of money from you. Sometimes the opposite occurs where the price point is too low to believe and again you are stuck with an inferior product requiring a replacement purchase from the proper professional is you choose to venture again. Once you purchase from one of the aforementioned sales outlets and the thirty day evaluation period expires, you are stuck with a non-medical person, inferior product, no aural rehabilitation, and inadequate service in correct adjustments for better hearing. The device(s) you have purchased from one of the company-owned or franchisee establishments locks you into them. Your devices and future service needs will only be remedied by them. You cannot acquire service from a professional audiologist because the computer software and hardware are not available commercially to anyone else. If you make the wrong decision in the voting booth, you are stuck with the consequences for four to six years to ten years or longer with no recourse. If you make the wrong decision for a hearing health care provider, the stipulation in the sales agreement for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania allows you to cancel within thirty days with a refund. Mr. Murphy has had a bilateral mild-to-moderate 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.
He
can be reached at hearingdoc@aol.com and by phone at
215-230-9000.
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• Upper Bucks Free Press • May 2016
Have something to share with your community? Send us the details! info@ubfp.org • fax: 215-839-3421 The Free Press, 582 S. West End Blvd. Quakertown, PA 18951
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Upper Bucks Area Places of Worship 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 Church United Church of Christ 101 N. Main Street Trumbauersville, PA 18970 215-538-0142 christchurch10@verizon.net www.christchurchisalive.org A friendly, welcoming church. Change fear into hope, doubt into faith. God is calling. Join us at 11am Sunday. Halleleujah! Christ’s Lutheran Church 1 Luther Lane, Trumbauersville 215-536-3193 Pastor: Carolann Hopcke 9:00am Worship, 10:15 Sunday School Free Drive-in Movies Friday evenings June through August, Handicapped accessible, Family Friendly Church Church of the Incarnation (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, Holy Days as announced. Deep Run West Mennonite Church 1008 Deep Run Road, Perkasie 215-257-9643 deeprunwest@verizon.net Pastor: Rodger Schmell Service 10:30, nursery available, Sunday School 9:15, Men & Women’s Bible studies, Young Adult Bible Study & Programs, Preschool through High School age programs & events. All welcome to join us! 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! Evangel Assembly of God 401 Arch Street, Perkasie 215-453-1565 • www.perkasieag.org Pastor: Rev. Gary Saul Where God’s Love Changes Lives
First United Methodist Church 501 Market Street, Perkasie 215-257-4626 fumcperkasie@verizon.net www.fumcperkasie.com Pastor: Scott Dorn Mission: Share God’s love, Make and nurture disciples of Jesus Christ, positively impact our community and world. Good News Church 424 Juniper Street, Quakertown 215-536-4393 Pastor: David Markey, Jr. An alternative to the ultra-contemporary Sunday Worship and Children’s Church 10:30 am, Wednesday Bible Study 7:30pm, World Evangelism Fellowship affiliate. Good Shepherd Church (Episcopal) 1634 Hilltown Pike, Hilltown 215-822-3930 Pastor: The Rev. Catherine Kerr 10:00am Sunday Eucharist Grace Bible Fellowship Church 1811 Old Bethlehem Pike N., Quakertown 215-536-6096 grace@quakertownbfc.org www.quakertownbfc.org Pastor: Ron Kohl, Sr. Pastor Sunday School for all ages, 10:10am Morning Worship, Evening 1st & 3rd Sundays 6:30pm, Small Group meetings 2nd & 4th Sundays 6:30pm, Wednesday: AWANA (2yrs-6th grade) & Teens for Christ 6:30pm, adult bible study 7pm Morning Star Fellowship 429 S. 9th Street, Quakertown 215-529-6422 Pastor: John Decker www.mstarqtown.org Services at 9am & 11am, Children’s Ministry provided, EastWest Cafe open with free coffee. Celebrate recovery Wednesday 7pm. Check website for more info. MorningStar Moravian Church 610-282-1908234 S. Main Street, Coopersburg coopmoravian@aol.com Pastor: Jay Petrella Sunday services 10:00am. Small, friendly Protestant church. Community mission: Serving free dinners once per month. All are welcome. Call for information. 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 & (Sep-Apr) boys and girls clubs. All are welcome.
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 Richland Friends Meeting (Quaker) Main St at Mill Rd & Park Ave, Quakertown 215-538-7555 Friends@RichlandQuakers.org www.RichlandQuakers.org Clerk: Jack H. Schick Non-Denominational guided meditations Wed, 7pm Sunday worship 10:30am “Absolute freedom of thought and worship is our faith and practice.” Ridge Valley United Church of Christ 905 Allentown Road, Sellersville 215-257-7244 rvucc.pastor@verizon.net www.ridgevalleyucc.org Pastor: Rev. Steve Myren We are a vibrant, welcoming Family of Faith. Worship: Sundays 9:30am. Ridge Valley: Growing Together in God’s Love. St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church 3668 Ridge Road, Perkasie 215-795-2965 office@kellerschurch.org www.kellerschurch.org Worship 7:45 & 10:15am, Sunday School 9am, Koinonia Cafe 8:30pm, Holy Communion 1st & 3rd Sunday, Children’s Church 2nd, 4th Sunday. 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 St. John’s Lutheran Church of Spinnerstown 1565 Sleepy Hollow Rd, Spinnerstown 215-536-0734 stjohnsspinnerstown@gmail.com Pastor: The Rev. Axel Kaegler www.stjohnsofspinnerstown.org Worship Service 9:45am, Sunday School 9 9:45am, children age 4 through 6th Grade.
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 8:30am Traditional - 10:30am w/priase band. Grape juice & gluten-free wafers available.Handicapped accessible. All invited and welcome anytime to Share the Joy! St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Applebachsville 837 Old Bethlehem Road, Quakertown 215-536-5789 stpauls@netcarrier.com www.quakertown.net/stpauls Pastor: Rev. David Heckler We believe in sharing God’s love in joyful service. Come and see. All are welcome. St. Paul’s United Church of Christ 104 Green Street, Sellersville 215-257-7268 stacey@stpaulsucc.net www.stpaulsucc.net 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.. 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 School classes for all ages (PreK-Adult) 9:15am. Family activities throughout the year Trinity Lutheran Church 102 N. Hellertown Avenue, Quakertown 215-536-4345 www.trinityquakertown.org Pastor: Lynette R. Chapman 9 am traditional services, 10:15 Sunday School, 11am Contemporary service, Handicapped Accessible, Family Friendly Church, Dynamic Music Ministry, Community Service Oriented Victory Fellowship Church 120 Ridge Road, Telford 215-453-9988 victoryfellowshippa@gmail.com www.victoryfellowshippa.org Pastor: Dr. Virgil A. Mobley Full Gospel.A friendly, loving, and joyful church where the presence of God is in His house. Check out our website.
May 2016 • Upper Bucks Free Press •
Pennridge Students & NOVA Address Bullying in Elementary School Student leaders from the Pennridge School District have collaborated with Network of Victim Assistance (NOVA) to create positive change at Bedminster Elementary School. Under the guidance of NOVA staff, ten Pennridge High School students were coached and trained to deliver NOVA’s Encourage peer-education program to students in grades 1, 3 and 4 at the Perkasie elementary school. Encourage is an interactive bullying prevention program, developed by NOVA, that promotes and supports inclusion, empathy and teamwork. “This program reduces bullying by encouraging younger students to change their thinking and behavior,” says Mary Worthington, NOVA’s Elementary Education Coordinator. “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. It also gives the teens an opportunity to train in leadership roles and practice public speaking. All participants benefit.” This year’s high school peer educators at Bedminster Elementary are: Grade 1: Liberty Devenuto, Lauren Saylor Grade 3: Chase Bifolco, Kira Andersen, Olivia Fernandez, Natalie Pyne Grade 4: Kurt Wiest, Connor McDonald, Vanessa Lizana, Olivia Gemmell For more information on NOVA’s Encourage program, please contact Mary Worthington, 215.343.6543.
Citizens Police Academy Class of 2016 Grads
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Help Your Mother Prepare for Retirement
Mother’s Day is almost here, so start shopping for the flowers or candy for Mom. But this year, why not also go beyond the traditional? Specifically, if your mother is still working but getting close to retirement, consider providing her with a gift that can help make her days as a retiree more pleasant. Here are a few suggestions: • Contribute to her IRA. As long as your mother is employed, she can contribute to an IRA, and she may already have one. If so, help her fund it for 2016. You can’t contribute directly to her IRA, but you can certainly write her a check for that purpose, and by doing so, you can make it easier for Mom to “max out” on her account this year. Assuming your mother is over 50, she can contribute up to $6,500 per year to her IRA. As you may know, an IRA can be a great way to save for retirement because it offers significant tax benefits. Contributions to a traditional IRA are typically tax-deductible, while any earnings can grow tax deferred. Roth IRA contributions are not deductible, but any earnings can grow tax free, provided the account owner meets certain conditions. • Give Mom some stocks. You know your mother well, so you are probably familiar with the products she likes. By giving her shares of stock of the companies that produce these goods, you will provide Mom with a feeling of ownership that she may enjoy – along with the benefit of possessing investments that could potentially increase in value. • Discuss retirement income strategy. Even if your mother has made some smart financial moves, such as investing in an IRA and her
401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plan, she may still need some advice on how best to initiate and manage her retirement income. To cite just one action she needs to take, she must start making withdrawals from her 401(k) and traditional IRA once she turns 70½. But if she withdraws too much each year from these accounts, she could deplete them sooner in her retirement years than is desirable. To develop a solid retirement income strategy – one that can help her avoid outliving her income – she will need to coordinate withdrawals from her retirement accounts with her Social Security payments and any other sources of income she may have available. Because it’s so important to put together an appropriate income strategy, it’s a very good idea to consult with a financial professional. If your mother does not currently work with one, encourage her to meet with someone you know and trust. Of course, your mother may be married and have her finances commingled with those of her spouse. Nonetheless, every one of the suggestions mentioned above is applicable and relevant to your mother, whether she is singled, married, divorced or widowed. Women must be prepared to take full charge of their financial situations, no matter their marital status. Anything you give Mom on Mother’s Day will be appreciated. But if you can add a gift – whether in the form of investments or knowledge – that can help her make progress toward an enjoyable retirement lifestyle, you will be providing her with an enormous “thank you” for all she’s done for you over the years. submitted by Bob Podraza in the Edward Jones office on West Broad Street, Quakertown. He can be reached at 215-536-3635 or bob.podraza@edwardjones.com
BuckyGrams: bravery, remembrance, army, navy, air force, marines, wreaths, flowers, parade, U.S. flag, holiday, red poppy Hidden Message: Honor and support our Veterans! Box Puzzle: Too little too late
Quakertown Grad to Study in Bangladesh
Alicia Loch of Quakertown is participating in a Bluffton University cross-cultural experience in Bangladesh during the month of May. Loch along with other Bluffton students will have the opportunity to engage with organizations and businesses who are working to make a difference and bring hope to many oppressed people groups in Bangladesh. Students participating in this program will learn about the culture of the various locations in Bangladesh, as well as help travel and see the sights in the major cities of the country. Loch, daughter of Dale Loch and Pov Loch, is a sophomore majoring in biology. She was a 2014 graduate of Quakertown Community Senior High School. This experience will fulfill Bluffton’s undergraduate cross-cultural requirement that must be completed before graduation. Students can either complete a cross-cultural experience or take six credit hours in one foreign language. Bluffton University is a liberal arts, residential campus with more than 80 undergraduate majors, minors and programs; a bachelor’s
degree evening program in social work for working adults; and an adult degree-completion program in organizational management. Bluffton also offers master’s degree programs in organizational management and business administration, as well as MBA programs with concentrations in leadership, health care management, accounting and financial management, leading nonprofits, conflict transformation, sustainability, production and operations management, sport management and intercultural leadership, plus a self-designed concentration. Founded in 1899 and affiliated with Mennonite Church USA, the university is located in Northwest Ohio. It has an enrollment of more than 1,100 students and 14 NCAA Division III athletic teams. Bluffton’s 100-year legacy is expressed today in its enduring values of discovery, community, respect and service that are woven into the academic program and campus life. Bluffton students go into the world prepared for life as well as for their chosen vocations.
“For every marriage then is best in tune, When that the wife is May, the husband June.” - Rowland Watkyns
Community Outreach Group Serves Easter Feast to Bush House Residents
BY JENNIFER REHRIG
Volunteers from the Quakertown Community Outreach prepared a feast for the residents of the Bush House on Easter Sunday. It was the first time an event of this magnitude was accomplished by the QCO group and it was very well received. The residents were well fed, but more importantly they have witnessed that this community has not forgotten them. The message was loud and clear. Easter baskets were also distributed to the children and contained candy, small toys, and other items donated by the community. The food supplied through donations was so abundant that the group was able to fill every requested platter. One gentleman was
kind enough to take “to-go’s” to the residents who are shut-ins, many due to depression or physical condition. One comment overheard was “This is the best Easter I’ve had in years.” Platters were also delivered to individuals at the Patio Court and two more for a Father and daughter team who were not home on Sunday! The group received a beautiful thank you card from some of the residents leaving many of the volunteers in joyful tears. The group is tossing around the idea of having a community picnic this summer so we can all get together to serve, dine, and meet one another! If you are interested in volunteering or would like more information please visit us on Facebook and join our public group page or visit us at www.quakertowncommunityoutreach.org.
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• Upper Bucks Free Press • May 2016
Quakertown Celebrates Tourism Awards
Think Local. Buy Local. Be Local. Searching for the ‘Redskins’ I have a couple of gun dogs; an American Brittany from a noted kennel and an French Brittany Spaniel (who I think is a mongrel, since his bird-dog skills are not up to my standards. He’s lovable and fun to hunt with, anyway). They’re house dogs but extremely energetic with an insatiable need to run. Leash walks won’t cut it. They’ve got to be loose to range and investigate every brush pile, groundhog hole and thicket they see. We take them out to ‘the country’ daily or must put up with unreasonable rambunctiousness. Spring is ‘Indian’ artifact hunting time. Farm fields are cultivated and rain exposes the stone tools that are plowed up. I take the dogs to my ‘arrowhead’ fields in Richland Township (I can’t tell you exactly where). It’s getting hard to find anything, since those same fields have been hunted for well over 100 years--I’m the 3rd generation of my family to hunt there. And, with modern agricultural techniques, fields are often plowed and planted the same day. Once the crops are in, farmers discourage trespassing. Crops are rotated. ‘My’ fields usually go from corn to soybeans, back to corn. This year, rather than being left fallow, they’re in hay. Consequently, even in March, most of the area is covered with stubbly grass. Maybe 20% of the ground is still bare, and that’s diminishing quickly. When we got there the first time I didn’t have much hope of finding artifacts under those conditions. Regardless, when I’m there I can’t take my eyes off the ground. I look for color, types of stone and suspicious shapes. Most of the artifacts found in Upper Bucks are fashioned from yellow and red jasper (from Jasper Park near Emmaus), black flint (from Flint Hill), quartz (common in the Saucon Valley), and quartzite and granite which can be found locally. Occasionally, tools made from bluestone (more common in Perkiomen Valley) are found, but it is a softer stone and deteriorates quicker. There’s a misconception about the aborigines who inhabited the Great Swamp, as Upper Bucks was called. The Lenni Lenape, who most people know of, didn’t arrive here until late in the fourteenth century A.D. There is evidence of a Clovis culture as early as 12,000 years ago, but most of the artifacts I find were produced by succeeding cultures that occupied the region for about 8,000 years. The Lenape, like we ‘Europeans’, were late-comer conquerors. Another misconception is that most of the projectile points found are arrowheads and often were used in warfare. The bow and arrow was a relatively recent innovation in the Woodland Culture. During most of the Stone Age period the atlatal spear thrower was the prime weapon system. Because the population was larger after agriculture arrived, and because they are more recent, many arrowheads are found. Older, larger points are usually spearheads. Also, Indians were, for the most part, spiritual and peaceful. Bows and spears were used for hunting. A plethora of other hand tools that are often not recognized as such
can be found, too. Most of the artifacts remaining in ‘my’ wellpicked-over fields are flakes and chips. Most of the ‘good’ tools, projectile points and tomahawk heads are already in thousands of private collections. The fact that I still find flakes indicates that the Indians were living in the area, sitting around the campfire making tools, for a very long time. I have a great ‘eye’ and often still find tools, though most are chipped or broken from centuries of plowing. Most serious ‘arrowhead’ hunters search fields in an organized manner, walking back and forth covering the entire grid. I tend to meander, relying on intuition and my familiarity with the fields. An archeological excavation has been done at the corner of one field. From the shards of pottery and ‘common’ tool’s, we learned there was a village there. From finding artifacts in those fields for over 50 years, I know where I’m most likely to find things. Indians establish their villages near the confluence of streams and it’s logical where they would set up dwellings. Climate change is not a new phenomenon. During some of aboriginal period it was wet. Artifacts from that period are found on slight elevations. Artifacts from dryer periods are found in lower lying areas. A preference or availability of raw material also dictates what’s found. Some areas have an abundance of black flint, in others, jasper. From experience, I know what to expect in certain areas of the fields. Knowing that I’m looking at ten thousand years of ‘civilization’; I keep my eyes open for everything. So, while the dogs run the perimeter, snooping and looking for game, I meander in the hay-planted fields looking at every patch of bare ground. When ‘the boys’ occasionally disappear into the woods or brush, I call them in; but, I quickly get back to my persistent search for evidence that I am not the first man to walk there. I pick up every chip and flake I know an Indian had in his hands while knapping it off of a larger stone in fashioning one of his crude implements. Most of the artifacts are gone; my uncle, my grandfather and many others--including me-have gradually removed the evidence of these people who lived here for thousands of years. It is on display or hidden in a drawers across the region. The majority of the detritus that remains scattered across the landscape was left by us: pieces of glass, plastic, ceramics, shotgun shells, rusted lumps of metal--all which I find in the same fields. Perhaps in ten thousand years a strange type of man--like I would seem to the North American aborigines will hunt those fields and find the nickel that fell out of my pocket, or my soda can, and wonder about me--like I wonder about the man who lost the spearhead I found yesterday. The dogs have had a great time on their runs, and considering the diminishing inventory and adverse conditions, I’ve done well this season. I’ve found a perfect yellow jasper spearhead, a broken granite one, three perfect arrowheads, two broken ones and several hand tools--as well as a handful of flakes and chips. They’re hidden in a drawer at my house. More articles by Jack H. Schick can be found at Searchwarp.com or Soulofwit.com
In conjunction with National Travel and Tourism Week, (May 1-May 7) Visit Bucks County Pennsylvania recognizes the tourism and hospitality professionals who show visitors and residents why Bucks County is such a special destination. This year’s winners have been announced for the 2016 Visit Bucks County’s Travel & Tourism Annual Awards. Two of the industry employees honored for their outstanding accomplishments, service, and leadership live and work in the Quakertown area. Naomi Naylor, Executive Director of Quakertown Alive!, is this year’s Hospitality Leadership Award winner. According to Visit Bucks County the winner of this award will exemplify all the qualities of a good leader while directing and motivating her staff and ultimately driving tourism and increasing visitation to Bucks County area. “It is an honor to accept this award on behalf of the many dedicated volunteers who are committed to QA!’s mission of revitalizing downtown Quakertown. They work tirelessly to bring awareness of Quakertown’s
current businesses and historic assets as well as achieving our goals of beautifying our town and making Quakertown a destination,” remarked Naomi. Natalie Blumberg, the Director of Sales & Marketing/Social Media Ambassador for the Quakertown Holiday Inn Express won the Guest Excellence Award. This is the second year that Natalie has been accoladed for her efforts to bring visitors to the Upper Bucks and Quakertown area. “With tourism as the second largest industry in Bucks County, generating $895 million in economic impact and supporting 11,670 jobs, it is important to recognize those in frontline and mid-management positions who interact directly with visitors,” said Visit Bucks County Vice President Paul Bencivengo. The award presentations will be on Tuesday, May 3, at the Washington’s Crossing Visitor Center, 1112 River Road, Washington Crossing, at 4pm. The award ceremony is followed by a free public event including tethered hot air balloon rides, mini-golf, face-painting, colonial re-enactors, barbecue, and water ice.
Smokestack Lounge Opens Downtown
Friends and family gathered to congratulate Caine Lihn and Josh Heidecker at the grand opening of the Smokestack Lounge. Customers can enjoy a full selection of vapor/ ecigs, e-juices, and hookah/ shisha products as well as teas, juices, and munchies. photo by michele buono
American Legion Post 242 Update
BY DICK HELM
Memorial Day 2016
Memorial Day 2016 is fast approaching. Where will you be on May 30, 2016? Many parents, wives family members, or friends will be paying a special visit to their loved ones grave that gave their all, if in close proximity. We too can honor these Servicemen and women by attending our local Memorial Day Parade and Service. Once again I wish to give the details about the days events. Our parade forms at Park Avenue near 9th Street and we ask all participants invited to ride in the parade to be at this area prior to 8:30 in the AM. The parade starts promptly at 9:00 AM. The parade will march out 9th Street to Broad Street then turn RIGHT onto Broad Street and go east to 4TH STREET. It will turn left onto 4TH ST. and go north to MILL ST. At MILL ST, it will turn left and commence to the World War 1 Monument. After the groups form in their prospective areas we will strive to start the Memorial Day Service close to or at 10:00 AM. Our guest speaker this year is Tom Applebach, the Director of Veteran’s Affairs for Lehigh County. Many of us remember Tom for his work in nearby Milford Township. Again we have awards for Quakertown students and special speeches by our youth along with selected school band music. We always remember those of the area who gave their all in the conflicts since WW One. Make sure you mark this on your Holiday
calendar. After all it is not First Cookout Day or Start the Summer Vacation Period Day it is MEMORIAL DAY. Come out and honor those who truly guaranteed that you have the freedoms you have. Except for those who served and now are politicians in Washington; it is not the Washington politicians who gave you the freedom, it is the GIs who faced peril who did! It is now our 3rd year of the new parade route and we always feel bad for those who line the old route and miss the parade—please check the above route before coming— we don’t want you to miss the parade. Also if you watch the parade on Broad Street around 7th Street, remember you can walk across the paved path by the Catholic School then directly up to Mill Street to the WW One Monument for the service as the parade arrives. We will have future notes on our very popular Motorcycle Rally in next month’s issue. So if you ride Motorcycle check out our article and our billboard for information for this funfilled fund raising event we have for veterans. We are lucky to have dedicated former soldiers, sailors, and Air personnel and their spouses and children, who care enough to put long hours in to handle the parade and service so we can honor the fallen, those who served and were honored by rifle salute and the sound of Taps, and those who served and still are active Americans. We especially appreciate Navy Chief Tony Michaels who leads us in this complex project.
May 2016 • Upper Bucks Free Press •
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Innovative Technology Training Serving Individuals and businesses in: Quakertown Perkasie, Sellersville, Silverdale Souderton, Telford Dublin, Plumsteadville
SMART. Contact Owen at 215-968-8132 or visit: www.bucks.edu/itacademy
Earth Day Was April 22 Earth Day was on April 22nd. And while we as a society have done a lot to improve the environment since the first Earth Day in 1970, there’s still much that we all can do to reduce our impact on the planet we call home. From an energy standpoint, here are a few tips and ideas you can use to make a difference: Switch lighting, where possible, to LED bulbs. Not only do they use less energy than conventional bulbs, they last longer, which means less waste. If you have spent CFL bulbs, please dispose of them appropriately, since the bulbs contain a trace amount of mercury. Information on CFL bulb recycling can be found at apps.ecosconsulting.com/ppl/locator/Home/Recycling. Reduce the amount of paper you use by signing up for online billing -- not only from PPL Electric Utilities, but also from other companies you do business with. Have leaky faucets fixed – those drips add up to wasted water. And if it’s hot water, it may be wasting electricity as well. Replace showerheads with low-flow models. That can save a family of four up to 15,000 gallons of water a year – which, again, adds up to less energy used to heat water. Heating and cooling are major parts of your energy bill. Don’t overlook ways to manage temperature that require no energy use at all – such as installing awnings, using curtains,
and even planting trees or bushes to control sunlight. When landscaping your home or business, choose plants native to your area or climate that will require less watering or attention to thrive. We at PPL Electric Utilities are looking for ways to limit our environmental impact as well. For example, we’re proud to say that we’ve found a new use for old or broken power poles that will keep 1,600 tons of wooden waste out of landfills every year. We’re working with a new vendor who, in a responsible manner, uses the poles as fuel for producing energy. In addition to lightening our load on landfills, this agreement also reduces our cost to dispose of the poles – supporting our ongoing efforts to operate efficiently and provide service that is safe, reliable and a good value. You may also have heard that we’ve added 15 electric Chevrolet Volts to our vehicle fleet, and are installing battery-operated lifts on 12 of our bucket trucks. (For more information on electric vehicles, visit pplelectric.com/ev.) We continue to look for ways to reduce the environmental impact of our operations. And we hope you will do the same at your own home, or at your business if you own one. Because, working together, we can all make a difference. Carol is the Regional Affairs Director for PPL Electric Utilities in Allentown, PA. Reach her at CObando-Derstine@pplweb.com
Think Local. Buy Local. Be Local.
Will my shrubs and trees recover from cold weather damage? Unfortunately, our moderate temperatures over winter brought early budding and flowering on many of our shrubs and trees. The temptation to think spring had sprung in March was exciting for us and for our plants. But reality hit with cold temps and threats of frost. The early buds and leaves may have succumbed to the cold blast, but your shrubs and trees will likely recover! Oddly, it is the warming process on sunny spring days, following cold spring nights that causes the damage. When frozen plant cells thaw too quickly on warm spring mornings, damage to tender new growth occurs. The trees and shrubs that lost their early buds to frost will have to expend additional energy to re-sprout new leaves. Although it is a setback, the woody plants will survive. Be patient! It may take time, but you should see a new crop of leaves when the first dry up and drop this spring. Unfortunately, if the sprout was a flowering bud, you may have lost out on a beautiful display of flowers this year, or sadly for fruit trees, the summer fruit crop may be significantly affected. Pamper your shrubs and tender trees this year with proper pruning, defense against insect damage, and adequate water, and just take heart, next spring is only 11 months away. With the extra TLC, (and cooperation from spring 2017 weather), your woody shrubs and trees will be back on track next year! How can I be sure my lawn will be lush this summer? First things first: SOIL TEST! Healthy turf needs a good source of proper nutrients for its roots to transport to the plant to thrive. Fertilizing is the single most important step to improving your lawn and keeping it healthy. Grass plants generally need nitrogen, phosphorus (phosphate), and potassium (potash) in larger quantities than are naturally supplied in Bucks County soil. But there is no way to ensure that you’re giving your lawn the right diet without first testing your soil. Soil testing services are available from The Pennsylvania State University Agricultural and Analytical Services Laboratory. Soil test mailing kits for university testing may be obtained from the Bucks County Extension office at Neshaminy Manor Center, 1282 Almshouse Road, Doylestown, PA 18901. More information about that process is here: http:// goo.gl/udoDX1 New this year: when your test results are complete, the helpful Master Gardener volunteers at the Extension office will can access your soil test results and discuss amendments with you. You’ll get their expert opinions on what steps to take to remediate your soil for optimum results. The Master Gardener Hotline is staffed now
through October to discuss your soil test results (or any other gardening questions you may have!) Give them a call at 215-345-328 and take this important first step. And, as weather warms and your turf breaks dormancy, you’ll be back to mowing, and mowing, and mowing! Proper mowing techniques are also critical to a healthy lawn in several ways. Robust healthy turf helps to choke out weeds naturally, reduce the need for watering, and keeps the soil temperatures cool in hot summer weather. Be sure your mower blade is sharp! A dull blade will damage the grass by actually tearing rather than cutting it as you pass. You may need to sharpen your blade more than once a season if it is damaged or has excessive use. Keep it sharp to protect your grass from shredding. You’ll be able to notice the difference from close inspection of your newly cut grass. Never scalp your lawn! Most grasses should not be cut lower than about 3 inches in sunny areas and higher in shaded ones. The one-third rule applies: no more than 1/3 of the grass’s length should be cut at any one time. To maintain a 3” cut, mowing should be done when the blades are about 4 ½ inches long. Don’t assume you can set a weekly schedule; in spring or fall if it is growing faster, it could need two cuts a week; in summer, it may not need to be cut weekly. Let your grass show you when it is time by monitoring its rate of growth and observing the one-third rule. Some folks have the misconceptions that removing the clippings help to keep a lawn healthy. This is generally not true if you are mowing at proper intervals. The clippings easily breakdown and actually return nutrients to the soil if left to decompose. Avoid establishing a routine path for mowing—by varying your directions, you will be less likely to compact the soil under mower wheels. Also, grass will also tend to lean in the direction of mowing if perpetually cut in the same direction. Good soil and proper mowing will help to minimize the need for weed control and watering by giving your lawn natural defenses to undesirables. Give it the best, and you’ll be rewarded for your efforts! Our 2016 Home Gardening Hotline is back through October 28, 2016. Call or write us with your home gardening questions at 215-345-3283 Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 12:00 noon and additional hours on Wednesdays from 1:00pm – 4:00pm “Ask a Master Gardener” Penn State Extension Bucks County Neshaminy Manor Center 1282 Almshouse Rd Doylestown, PA 18901 Email: BucksHotline@ag.psu.edu Please mention that you heard about us through the Upper Bucks Free Press!
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• Upper Bucks Free Press • May 2016
My Pet is Missing!
Counter Surfing One afternoon I made the perfect turkey sandwich. I was enjoying the first half of my sandwich when I heard a knock at the front door. I answered the door but when I returned, the plate was empty, not even a crumb was left. I wish I could make my bills disappear that fast. I looked at my dog’s blank face hoping to see some evidence of the thievery. Nope nothing, he was cool as a cucumber. Dang! My dog just learned how to counter surf and he wasn’t even feeling the tiniest bit guilty. You really can’t yell at the dog after the fact. You have to catch the dog during or before the nabbing. A simple cue of “leave it” would have helped, but I wasn’t in the room. The most common problem that happens when trying to punish the dog for counter surfing is that the dog only learns not to steal food when the owner is around. As soon has you leave the room, snagged! The best way to teach your dog not to counter surf is to never leave out tempting food. Face it, that perfect turkey sandwich was just too tempting for my pooch. Opportunity creates the thief. Management is always key
when training your dog. I had one dog who thought a loaf of fresh bread was yummy, bag included. I learned to not put the bread on the counter but put it higher and away. I always clean the counter tops of spills and even the tiniest crumb. The unwanted behavior of counter surfing always becomes stronger each time the dog gets reinforced by finding tidbits on the counter. As a puppy grows the countertops can become a whole new exciting and yummy world to him. You have to teach the puppy the floor is much more interesting than the countertops. Leave frozen stuffed rubber toys, different chews tossed about the floor and change the toy assortment regularly. If you can’t watch your puppy while there is food out or dirty dishes on the counter use management. If I had better managed the situation by using a baby gate, a crate, or put the dog in another room and shut the door, used a tether or leash, taught the dog “go to place (matt or dog bed) and stay”, or “don’t cross the line” might have saved my perfect turkey sandwich. Submitted by Marion C. O’Neil CPDT-KA, CTDI owner and lead trainer of Molasses Creek Dog Training, LLC, Quakertown, PA
Imagine that horror – letting your dog out only to realize the gate was open, and he is gone! Or your indoor/outdoor kitty not coming back after a day outside. What do you do? Who do you call? This is unfortunately a very common occurrence, and often people don’t know what to do! Since this month is microchip awareness month, I thought it would be a good time to review what to do! The first thing to do, is go look for them. Often missing pets will stay around your area, so getting out there with help, and letting your pet hear your voice can be enough! The second is make some calls – the biggest calls would be to the local police, the local animal shelters, and all of the local vets. The last thing, especially if your pet is not found right away – is advertise. Getting out fliers and signs, and also using social media can make a huge difference! The power of social media to spread the news is amazing, so use that to your advantage!
Harley’s Haven
Meet Harvey! Wow, if Mr. Chris wouldn’t have reminded me I would have missed sending in my words of wisdom for May’s issue. I hope to see all of you at the ARTS ALIVE Event on May 21st from 10 AM to 4 PM. I will be there in my throne, ugh, I mean carriage with an appropriate costume of some sort. I am not sure I will do the Author Booth until the Fall. ( My 3rd book in my series is being illustrated as we speak). I will be there cheering my human on as she sings with the Valley Choral Society as the take the stage once again to entertain us with wonderful songs. Remember the weather is nicer and you should take your four legged partner out for lunch. Here is a picture of me out with some of my friends.
New Event Added to Amy’s Ride/Run/Walk
The second annual Amy’s Ride/Run/Walk to benefit pancreatic cancer awareness and treatment is scheduled for May 21, 2016. This year’s event has a timed 5K run, in addition to the 3 mile family walk and cycling events. The cycling rides this year will be a different route, with a 24 and 42 mile option. The 24 mile ride takes you through scenic Haycock Township (Bucks County) and around Lake Towhee, and over an enchanting covered bridge. The 42 mile route follows the same path as the 24 mile group, but takes an additional 18 mile look through Springfield Township, and includes an additional covered bridge. For cyclists looking for a challenge,
take the optional 41 mile course that takes a mile of the ride, adding the “hike” up “Ghost Mountain,” a category 5 hill. The event costs for the 3 mile family walk start at $25/Adult, $5/9-16 yrs. old, under 9 free. 5K timed run is $30, and the cycling events are $45. These prices are in effect until event day, when they increase by $5.00. First 200 registrants receive a free t-shirt. Peer-to-peer fundraising opportunities are also available with additional prizes for level of funds raised. Learn more and register by going to www. amysriderunwalk.com.
Meet Reggie!
This cutie is such a good boy - Harvey was ad- Hambone alert! My goodness, this guy is such opted and unfortunately returned when he was a cutie! Reggie is a big puppy - a boxer mix of struggling to adjust in the home. He also had some kind, who we think is about 1 year old. He a severe tail injury that required a tail amputa- is awesome with other dogs, and loves people! He is neutered, vaccinated, house trained and tion. But shhh - don’t tell him, he has no idea it crate trained, and is a very good boy! We are is missing, and still wags his adorable little nub!! working on manners, but he is learning and doHe is about 8 months old, and is a terrier/mix ing great! Reggie is definitely high energy, and who LOVES other dogs and loves to play! He he will need a home to match! He would do best is neutered, vaccinated, and housetrained and with an active family or person, but will make a crate trained - he is ready to go!! wonderful companion!! Learn more about Harvey, Reggie, and all of their friends awaiting their furever homes by calling 215-527-7432 or by visiting us at HarleysHavenRescue.com
QA! Bringing Revitalization to the Forefront
BY MICHELE BUONO
Think Local. Buy Local. Be Local.
The statistics out there regarding having your pet returned home safely if they are microchipped versus not chipped are impressive. The average number of pets lost in the US is a staggering 1 in 3!! (per a study done by AVMA). And of all those lost pets, only about 22% of dogs, and less than 2% of cats are reunited with their owners – these are HUGE numbers!! Now, if you add a microchip – the return to owner rate jumps to over 50% in dogs, and close to 40% in cats. What a difference! Every shelter, vet hospital, and even most police stations, have now started scanning for microchips! So everyone knows to look, and then can help to get them home safely! If you haven’t yet, please consider microchipping; it is inexpensive, safe, and can help to get your pet home should he/she ever be lost. Contact your regular vet for more info, and get the chip to save a live! Happy May! 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 Harley’s Haven Dog Rescue.
For a community to thrive there needs to be determination of purpose; strong partnerships among local government, businesses, residents; and the funding to carry through plans. As Quakertown’s nationally-accredited Main Street® program, Quakertown Alive! works with the Borough, Visit Bucks County, and under the supervision of the Pennsylvania Downtown Center to develop a successful downtown center and make Quakertown a place where people want to live and visit. QA!’s efforts are most visible in the downtown business district. A one million dollar grant obtained by QA! provided for new benches, tables, a garden area, and a fountain for “triangle park” and new vintage-style streetlights along Broad Street. And last year QA! purchased a beautiful three-tiered fountain for the park area. The organization also worked with the Borough to bring over 140 planters filled with seasonal flowers and donors sponsor hanging baskets on the streetlight poles that add a splash of color and beautify the downtown. The mural program is well under way, in the design process, with the first mural planned for the side of Robert Wynn’s building facing East Broad Street. Naomi Naylor has been at the helm of Quakertown Alive! for nine years as Executive Director and Main Street Manager. Naomi points out, “There have been many positive improvements in our downtown over the past eight years.” Besides the $1 million grant mentioned above, QA! secured a $50,000 façade matching grant through the state to help local small business owners improve their properties, bringing $100,000 of improvements to the downtown. These are in addition to two previous façade matching grants of $30,000 each.
Nicholas Bianchini, president of Quakertown Alive!, explains the non-profit organization’s continuing progress this way, “The Quakertown Alive! staff, Board of Directors and volunteers are united to serve this organization’s mission statement of developing a thriving downtown center. You can see this through the efforts of our events, our Love Local campaign, and our commitment to shop, eat, and drink local. It is the passion of Quakertown Alive! that brings success to serving our mission in enhancing our downtown.” The non-profit has just two paid employees, Naomi and her assistant, but dozens of dedicated volunteers who drive the organizations’ efforts. Last year, over 8,000 volunteer hours were logged for events. Quakertown Alive! presents six to eight events each year. Annual happenings include: Arts Alive! the Upper Bucks Brewfest, Autumn Alive! and the Christmas Tree Lighting. Other events, such as the Pumpkin Ball, Garden Marketplace and Tour, Properties of Merit awards, and the Christmas House Tours are every other year. These events bring thousands of people to Quakertown annually, raising awareness of not just the Borough’s unique local businesses, but the small-town charm; historical assets and architecture; and recreational amenities, including a new amphitheater with lawn seating for a thousand people. Besides bringing visitors to downtown Quakertown, the events also work as a giveback to the community. Money from proceeds benefit different community projects, such as the lighting of the new trees in the downtown, the Citizen’s Police Academy, local food pantries, planting new flowers at the Union Cemetery, seasonal cultivation of the Borough’s planters, and raising funds for new K9 officers.
May 2016 • Upper Bucks Free Press •
Quakertown Alive! Does More than Plan the Party
BY MICHELE BUONO
Many people recognize Quakertown Alive! for their community events. Thousands of people visit downtown Quakertown annually for their Arts Alive! , Autumn Alive! and Christmas Tree Lighting each year. But the non-profit organization also works to bring much-needed revitalization to Quakertown and to market local small businesses. Quakertown Alive!‘s marketing program, Love Local, works to market the Borough to bring in more visitors and business. Love Local is the advertising co-op that allows local small businesses a wide audience for a low annual fee. When consumers choose a locally-owned business, this generates almost four times as much economic benefit for the surrounding area than shopping at a national retailer. Because of Quakertown Alive!’s designation as a Main Street® program, the Borough was eligible to be a part of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission’s Classic Towns marketing initiative. The Upper Bucks Chamber of Commerce also works with Quakertown Alive! and the Borough on this program to promote Quakertown as a destination and to attract new business and residents. “While revitalization continues on West Broad Street, we are excited to see more projects focusing on East Broad Street including plans for the old Moose building, the Trolley
Barn, and the freight yard,” said Naomi. “Quakertown continues to become a more walkable community with so much to offer to residents and visitors, especially with the new amphitheater and walking paths at the new Park at 4th.” Quakertown Alive! has partnered with the Borough to enhance the new park with hanging baskets and banners. Quakertown Alive!’s Design Committee is currently working with a Philadelphia artist who has been a part of that city’s mural project to create a mural for Quakertown. The mural will be on the wall 209 West Broad Street, facing the East Broad Street. The mural, which will be funded in part through grants obtained by Quakertown Alive!, will include aspects of Quakertown’s rich history in the design. Work on the mural is currently scheduled to begin later this year. Besides beautifying the downtown district, the new trees and sidewalks that will be installed in the coming weeks will increase Quakertown’s walkability and attract more pedestrian shoppers, developers, and new businesses to the area. The Accolade Flowering Cherry trees will have stunning double-blooms in the spring and grow to a height of just 20 feet. Most importantly, the tree roots should not affect the sidewalks unlike the previous trees, which caused sidewalks to buckle and become hazardous.
Edward Child Receives Governor’s Award
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Ed Child, president of Trumbauersville Borough Council, was recognized by Gov. Tom Wolf as part of the 20th Annual Governor’s Awards for Local Government Excellence in April. The PA Department of Community and Economic Development’s Center for Local Government Services sponsors Local Government Day annually to honor local governments and officials who serve their communities and improve their quality of life. Ed was recognized for his dedication to public service and his community.
Baseball Complex Named in Memory of Clayton Molnar
Think Local. Buy Local. Be Local.
Choosing Up I believe today’s generation might not understand what the above title means. For all those not from the generations living in the 1950’s and 1960’s, Choosing Up is what was known as two people chosen the “Pick” teams for sports. The most popular “Choosing Up” method for two baseball teams at lunch or the two recess periods at grade school is as described below. Two persons were designated to choose the teams. The wooden bat was tossed to one of them and that person was supposed to catch it above the cloth wrappings on the bat and hold it there. The other person would then place their hand against the other hand down the bat until the last person able to hold the bat without it dropping it was known. That person would now have the FIRST choice of those who would be playing ball. In today’s society, I am sure this method of forming teams in a school playtime setting would fall to objection as discriminatory and mentally damaging by some parents. Yup, some of us were chosen last because we were the worst players. I know this fact as I was usually dead last. I was not a good hitter and also bobbled the ball. Matter of fact, I never really liked the game; but put myself through this mental trauma because I enjoyed being with my friends at play. That was all that mattered! In other sports the way of choosing players was by two people “Throwing Fingers” and then the winner being able to choose the first person. In this way of choosing, two people put one hand behind their back and one of them would be asked to say Odd or Even. Then on the count of three they would bring their hand out front showing their chosen number of fingers not covered. The count of the fingers on each of the two hands was taken and for example maybe “5” (two on one persons hand and three on the other persons hand). If the person asked to choose Odd or Even said Odd they would be the person to choose first. In many of the other sports (touch football or basketball) I was chosen as average. Yes, kids “Chose” kids. Yes, there were kids you would choose before others because they were better. Yes, someone was chosen last. If you really liked that sport and were chosen last and really wanted to improve you would practice quite a bit to improve yourself. (I did in basketball), If you just wanted to play and really didn’t care such as I did with baseball you just would hope that you were given a position that you didn’t have to field the ball
too much and were given last batting. Again I wish to emphasize that it was “playing” and there were winners and losers. We accepted that and didn’t go home and complain to our parents that Sammy Kile chose me last and we lost! Then have our parents call the school and request that an adult be in charge of “Fairly” forming a team for recess baseball and that there be no winners or losers. Things have changed. Matter of fact in today’s world of play everyone should be glad that his or her child are getting exercise and not be on their cellphones. This article came to mind as I watched two men’s college volleyball game series on computer and on TV last night. Both were regional playoffs (Eastern Teams and Western Teams). Volleyball was always my best sport and was not played in schoolyards or as a school sport. back in the day. Anyhow, Ironically my nephew Clarke Rupert’s twin children are connected with each team. Candice Rupert is with St. Francis College of Pa. as a team manager and her twin brother is a red-shirt freshman on 1st place BYU of Provo, Utah. Both teams won their series Saint Francis defeating Penn State and BYU (Bringham Young University) defeating UC Santa Barbara. Both advanced to their finals that will be played after this article is submitted. BYU could possibly come to Penn State University where the National Playoff is to be held. Wouldn’t that be something if the two teams would play each other? Who would our family rout for? Another of my favorite sports, obviously back in the day, was Running. Again one of my Grand nephews (Daniel Rupert) will be competing for P-Burg against their pet rival Easton, again after this article was sent to the editor. On April 6th my wife and I attended the special memorial presentation given for our hunting partner, neighbor, and friend Clayton Molnar by the Youth Little League Group in Quakertown. Hundreds of baseball players and parents stood there, in snow squalls, to honor this person who cared for the good of the sport and having the youth participate in an outdoor sport. Some teams will win and some will lose. Some kids will continue in baseball, some will not. All of those participating will have that something extra that this article is supposed to emphasize and that Clayton so wanted to instill in these youth—“The fun and camaraderie of playing the game and the friends you meet and in some cases will be friends for life. “Choose ‘em Up and Play Ball!” Dick Helm is a regular contributor. He can be reached at dickhelm@ubfp.org
Quakertown Youth Baseball Association (QYBA) held opening day ceremonies Saturday, April 9 despite the cold temperatures and snow to honor the memory of our long-time volunteer and friend Clayton Molnar who passed away earlier in the year. He received a citation from State Representative Craig Staats posthumously and the QYBA fields were renamed The Clayton Molnar Memorial Youth Baseball Complex. Clayton’s family traveled from all
over to attend the ceremony and his brother Dennis Molnar accepted the award on his behalf, and threw out the first pitch to open the season. QYBA President Matt Lawhead gave a beautiful speech outlining all Clayton has done over the years for Quakertown youth baseball. Kids came back that Clayton impacted over the years to honor his memory, including the Quakertown High School Baseball team.
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www.newvitaewellness.com
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• Upper Bucks Free Press • May 2016
#shopsmallquakertown
May 2016 • Upper Bucks Free Press •
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The Changing Face of Broad Street Revitalization Efforts Shift into High Gear in Downtown Quakertown
BY CHRISTOPHER BETZ Downtown Quakertown, most notably the Broad Street Business District between 5th Street and Hellertown Avenue, is undergoing a very visible rejuvenation. New stores, new sidewalks, new trees, and new eateries. It would appear that this borough of 9000 residents has finally caught some momentum in its quest to restore the vitality of its business community. It takes tenacity, effort, cooperation, investment, and grants. Getting the revitalization effort to take flight and bear fruit has been a steady pursuit over the past two decades. The fear and reality of big box and chain stores siphoning the lifeblood from independent neighborhood business has certainly been felt in Quakertown and across Upper Bucks. Why go downtown when everything you need is on ‘the main drag,’ often at prices with which mom and pops cannot compete? The ‘Main Street’ organization Quakertown Alive! was founded in 1998 with a mission to ‘create strong broad-based partnerships that provide the leadership and resources necessary for a successful revitalization effort in downtown Quakertown.’ With collaboration with the Upper Bucks Chamber of Commerce and the Borough of Quakertown, and with the participation of local business owners and concerned residents, Downtown Quakertown has begun a renaissance. From streetscape
projects to economic development to bringing neighbors together as a community, we are truly on our way. Doug Wilhelm, Quakertown’s Code Enforcement Officer and Fire Marshal, also cites increased enforcement of the borough’s property maintenance code bringing properties in the borough up to current standards of the building code as an important factor to effect change. Encouraging property and business owners to show pride and take care of maintenance issues is important. “From peeling paint to total tear downs… taking care of your property encourages others to take care of their properties. As a result, it’s a win-win when property values go up,” says Wilhelm. He continues, “Most property owners are cooperative, especially when they see others fixing up their properties.” The sentiment must be catching on. Wilhelm says there are more active building permits right now than at any time in the borough’s history. Ed Scholl, lifelong borough resident and Quakertown’s Economic Development Consultant, is also very enthusiastic about all of the positive energy in the downtown. “It really looks like the pieces are finally coming together and there is a genuine excitement in the air from our neighbors, visitors, and people working downtown.” There are many projects underway and more to come. Check out some of these notable examples of development efforts downtown:
which is actually bowing inward. Plans also include making the building extremely energy efficient with modern utilities and amenities, and dividing the space into three separate sections for tenancy. Says Gorski, “Our vision is to create a place for a few different ‘craft-oriented’ food businesses. We’re envisioning maybe a custom butcher, a baker, and a wine-shop for a local vineyard.” (Apparently candlestick makers are harder to come by.) “Nothing is solid yet,” remarks Gorski, “We’re still in the drawing stage.” Work on the property could begin later this year and be ready for occupancy early next year.
The Moose Building 115 E. Broad Street
When the Quakertown chapter of the Loyal Order of Moose disbanded in 2011 and left the facility they occupied since 1935, East Broad Street was left with a huge vacant building and parking lot. In 2013, Quakertown Borough purchased the property to ‘control its destiny’ in the midst of extensive efforts by the borough, Quakertown Alive!, and Upper Bucks Chamber of Commerce, to rejuvenate the downtown business district. This past January, Bucks County Preservationists, which has done a number of other revitalizing building projects in town, purchased the property. While exact plans have not been released, it is anticipated that the building will house more than one business which would include retail.
Quakertown Trust Building 245 W. Broad Street
Quakertown native and attorney Gavin Laboski recently purchased the former Quakertown Trust Company building at Third and Broad Streets from now-retired attorney John Heley. Laboski leased space for his own legal practice in the building for several months before Heley offered the property for sale. The building was built in 1920 in the iconic Classical Revival style and housed Quakertown Trust Company from then until the firm was purchased by CoreStates in 1994. Heley then bought the building and ran his law firm until retiring several months ago. The landmark building is likely the most visible structure in downtown Quakertown and has been routinely referred to as “The Heley Building” due to the enormous backlit sign on the roof facing West proclaiming the name of his firm. Laboski elected to remove the giant sign
The Palace Theater was built in 1922 and was home to silent movies, Vaudeville acts, and later ‘talkies.’ The theater closed in the 1950’s and became the home of Dimmig Electric, an electronics and appliance dealer in the 1970’s until it too closed in 2010. Local resident and building renovator John Schlupp purchased the property from Dimmig in 2013 with the vision of restoring the theater building to its former glory, but with a new use with a prominent place in the revitalizing downtown – perhaps a restaurant, microbrewery, or a bakery. Schlupp spent several hundred thousand dollars in renovating and restoring the building. A number of potential suitors came and went for nearly two years, none of them confident enough to start or move their business to the building. None until local residents Brian and Kris Wilson saw the potential John saw in the building. The Wilsons opened the Proper Brewing Company in late 2015, a true ‘brewpub’ with as many as 10 craft beers brewed right on the premises and an equally extensive offering of great pub fare, as well as local wines and ciders. The Proper occupies the front third of the
Demolition of the inside of the building, which had sustained severe weather and mold damage during its vacancy, has begun, as has the removal of some of the siding covering the building’s exterior and windows. The developers are expected to return the large windows that originally allowed plenty of light into the facility.
Palace building while the back section is wide open complete with its own bar, plenty of floor space, and the original Vaudeville-era stage. A number of concerts, fundraisers, and other events have taken place in what is dubbed “The Palace Room.” The brew pub and performance venue are extremely popular and becoming more so each day. It appears like those visions and initiative are paying off for these investors, and so the Proper Brewing Company at the Palace is an important early brick in rebuilding a thriving downtown business community. New signage made possible via a matching grant from Quakertown Alive! will soon proclaim what lies within.
Your Mom’s Burger & Shakes 107 W. Broad Street
Right next door to the Proper Brewing Company, another unique culinary experience is taking form. The space, occupied by a music studio for many years, is the new home of Your Mom’s Burger & Shake Joint. The edgy, yet family-friendly, restaurant is the vision of Philadelphia resident and serial foodie entrepreneur, Andy Wells. Decorated like a garage workshop for hot rods, Wells will offer what he unabashedly proclaims to be the best hamburgers and handmade milkshakes to
The Trolley Barn & Station 108 E. Broad Street
Gorski Engineering of Collegeville, which recently completed the renovation of the 65,000 square foot Best Made Silk Hosiery Company building on 5th Street in 2014, has now set its sights on the iconic Trolley Barn & Station. The towering granite-faced medieval style building was built in 1897 for the Quakertown Traction Company which operated passenger trolley service in Quakertown and surrounding boroughs until 1929. Little has changed at the site since then with the most recent use of the building being an antique store. Company principal Jerry Gorski remarks, “This building is definitely one of a kind and has not changed much over the years. There are no modern utilities and the inside has pretty much been left wide-open. I think this project may be easier in many ways than the Best Made Center. We don’t have to undo years of additions and changes to the building to restore and make it commercially viable. It’s almost a blank slate in comparison.” Plans include repairing and restoring the 16,000 square foot building’s structure, such as the roof and the massive granite façade
The Proper Brewing Company at the Palace 117 W. Broad Street
be had. Your Mom’s is also BYOB. How convenient being right next to the Proper. Expect to see this joint open in early May.
The ‘Snake Pit’ 101 W. Broad Street
Sometimes it’s not what is being built that helps change the face of downtown for the better. Sometimes it’s what is taken down. Nothing demonstrates this better than the recent demolition of the blighted building on West Broad Street at the railroad tracks. The building was a former bar known by long-time locals as the ‘Snake Pit’, and later became a shabby apartment building characterized by lots of trash on the property, a poorly-maintained exterior, as well as a site for loitering and questionable activities.
Longtime resident John Schlupp, who renovated the Palace Theater just a few doors down, recently purchased the property with the sole intent of erasing it from the streetscape. The property will be turned into additional parking for the Proper Brewing Company and possibly a nicely landscaped sitting area.
The Karlton Building 310 W. Broad Street
Quakertown native and entrepreneur Vincent Randazzo and his firm Stone Tower Equities bought the former Karlton Theatre building next to the iconic Free Press Building in 2014. Built in the early 20th century, the theater closed in 1967. The front of the building has housed a number of retail business over the years, most recently and currently the Karlton Café and an Army Navy store. The rear of the building where the actual theater seating and screen once existed was used by the neighboring Free Press to assemble and distribute its newspapers since the early 1970’s and an independent newspaper printing company since the 1990’s. The printing company, which briefly printed the Upper Bucks Free Press for us, went out of business in 2011. Randazzo has renovated the building into
Historical Mural Project 211 W. Broad Street
modern office space on the ground level and several well-appointed apartments upstairs. A very visible part of the renovation included the return of the canopy on the front of the building modeled after the one that graced the theater in its heyday. The renovated façade was made possible with a matching grant through Quakertown Alive!
A huge wall mural featuring a rendition of historical elements of Quakertown will soon adorn the East side wall of the C. Robert Wynn Associates property which is the first building visible to Westbound drivers as they approach the 200 block of West Broad Street after crossing the railroad tracks. According to Quakertown Alive! director, Naomi Naylor, an artist has been chosen and secured and several thousand dollars have upwards of $10,000. been pledged by local businesses and residents which had fallen into significant disrepair. to help bring the art to fruition and fundraisThe property owners have also taken advanWhen the cranes took down the sign, Laboski ing continues. The final cost of the mural tage of a façade grant to spruce up the front of quickly realized the building’s inherent beau- has not yet been disclosed but will likely be their building. ty and decided that a replacement sign would continued on page 18 deter from the building’s aesthetics. Instead, more subdued and attractive signage that enDid you know? hances the downtown’s look and feel will be Quakertown is reported to be in Guinness World Records as of placed lower on the building. A matching 2006 for having the most fast-food restaurants in a façade grant through Quakertown Alive! is being used for that signage and other exterior square mile. Yeah, that didn’t happen Downtown. enhancements.
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• Upper Bucks Free Press • May 2016
Estefania Gnyp, 89, widow of Michael
Gnyp, died Thursday, February 25 in her home. She was the daughter of the late Theodore & Xenia (Horeczyj) Halamaj.Estefania worked as a tailor for Genesco, Inc. for over 25 years before retiring. Surviving with her son Stephan are her nieces Monika Jose and Graciella Halamaj. The Jeffrey A. Naugle Funeral & Cremation Service, 135 W. Pumping Station Rd., Quakertown assisted the family. Dalton L. Benner, Jr., 50, of Richland Twp., died Sun., April 10th at the Hospital
~Obituaries~
of University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. He was the husband of the late Kathleen (Hensel) Benner. Born in Quakertown, he was a son of Dalton Benner, Sr. and Dorothy (Reiss) Bishop. Dalton graduated from Quakertown High School in 1984 and from Upper Bucks Technical School for Graphic Design. He was an EMT with Medic 108, a volunteer firefighter with Quakertown Fire Department, and a driver with Tops Ambulance Service. He loved fishing and NASCAR and, to his family’s chagrin, cheering on the Dallas Cowboys. Surviving with his parents are sons Dalton
III and Dylan Benner; daughters Judith Storey, Maggie Engdahl, Patty (Louis) Steinbrecher, Sara (John) Schlacter, and Emily (Kody McKeever) Engdahl; brother Doug Benner; sister Denise (Steven) Price; stepfather Joseph Bishop; nine grandchildren; and three nephews. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the family to help with funeral expenses. Jeffrey A. Naugle Funeral and Cremation assisted the family with arrangements.
Wayne D. Johnson Sr., 90, formerly of Emmaus, passed peacefully April 18th at his home in Country Meadows of Allentown. Born in Chicago, IL to the late Trygve and Alice, he was the husband of Delores (Jones) for 65+ years. Surviving with his wife are daughters Robin Golightly, husband David, and Lisa Johnson, both of Windsor, CT; son, Scott Johnson Sr., wife Pamela, of Allentown; grandchildren, Lacey (William), Robert (Diane), Jennifer (Bradley), Scott Jr. (Emily), Casey, Chase, and Meagan; great-grandchildren, Logan, Bailey, Braedyn, Carter, Brooklyn, Reagyn, and Jerad. He was predeceased by his son, Wayne Jr., and his brother, Glenn (Lil). Jeffrey A. Naugle Funeral & Cremation Service, Quakertown, is assisting the family with arrangements. For online condolences and memorial service details, refer to www. janauglefcs.com. Constance Ann Helverson, 69, of Richland Twp., died Thurs., April 21st at Grand View Hospital. Born in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of the late William F. and Josephine P. (Iwaszkiewicz) Miller. Connie was a member of Bread of Life Church, Quakertown, and had affiliations with Morning Star Fellowship, also in Quakertown. She was a born again Christian who remained faithful to the end. Connie was also an avid walker who especially liked walking around Peace Valley Park and swan watching at Lake Nockamixon. Above all, she was a devoted friend who thought the best of everyone and enjoyed meeting new people at the many festivals she attended, including at Celtic Fest and Musikfest. Surviving with her husband are daughter Deborah Helverson of Quakertown; son Daniel Helverson of Quakertown; and brothers William F. (Kathleen) Miller, Jr. of Lansdale and Timothy (Denise) Miller of Bechtelsville. www.janauglefcs.com Gladys L. Lowman, 86, of Quakertown died April 26, 2016 in her home. She was the wife of J. Willard Lowman for 67 years. Born in Quakertown she was the daughter of the late John & Barbara (Gunder) Rotenberger. She was a skilled seamstress and sewing machine operator for 60 years retiring from Perfecta Awnings in Coopersburg where she was last employed. Gladys was a member of Christ Church of the U.C.C. in Trumbauersville. In addition to her husband she is survived by a son Joseph Lowman, Jr. and wife Linda
of Florida, and a daughter Mindy Rasmussen and her husband Henning of California. Four prized grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Services will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at 2:00 P.M. at Christ Church of the U.C.C. 101 N. Main St. Trumbauersville, PA 18970. Call 1:00-2:00 P.M. in the church.
Eleanor D. Marcella, 90 of Montague, NJ, died Wednesday, April 27th at Quakertown Center – Genesis Health Care, Quakertown. She was the wife of the late Robert Marcella.She worked as a licensed practical nurse for many years with Pennswood Village, Langhorne as well as at several hospitals in Philadelphia. Surviving are her sons, William Houwen, wife Bea of Oreland, Lawrence Houwen, wife Paula of Glenside, David Houwen, wife Pat of Trevose, and John Marcella, wife Staci of Levittown; daughters, Mary Ellen Bendas, husband Thomas of Montague, NJ, and Karen Wallace, husband Doug of Quakertown; nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her son, Paul Houwen. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123. Jeffrey A. Naugle Funeral & Cremation Service, Quakertown, is assisting the family with arrangements. For online condolences and memorial service details, refer to www. janauglefcs.com. Arrangements are being handled by C.R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (crstrunk.com) Quakertown. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society Lehigh Valley Unit 3893 Adler Place Bethlehem, PA 18017 or to St. Luke’s Hospice Development Office 801 Ostrum St. Bethlehem, PA 18015. Joyce L. Cramp of Quakertown died Wed., April 27th surrounded by her loving family. She passed just shy of her much anticipated 80th birthday. She was the beloved wife of William Cramp for 61 years. Born in Quakertown on May 15, 1936, she was the daughter of the late Howard and Mabel (Fluck) Lewis. Family was Joyce’s world: she was a most loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Surviving with her husband are daughter Cathy (Paul) Weibel of Quakertown; sons Jim Cramp of Dayton, WA and Tom (Susan) Cramp of Quakertown; grandchildren Jason, Jennifer, Paul (Caroline), Andrea (Andy), Jonathan, Jeff (Jackie), Janna, Justin, and Jessica; great-grandchildren Caleb, Lydia, Miriam, Naomi, Evelyn, Alexis, Bradly, Carleigh, Addison; and brother John Lewis of FL. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Joyce’s memory to Last Chance Ranch, 9 Beck Rd., Quakertown, PA 18951. www.janauglefcs.com
When all the world appears to be in a tumult, and nature itself is feeling the assault of climate change, the seasons retain their essential rhythm. Yes, fall gives us a premonition of winter, but then, winter, will be forced to relent, once again, to the new beginnings of soft greens, longer light, and the sweet air of spring. - Madeleine M. Kunin
May 2016 • Upper Bucks Free Press •
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A Tribute to my Mother As I was driving through the country a few weeks ago, I drove past our old homestead, and a flood of memories filled my soul. My life was impacted greatly by the way I was raised in the 1950’s, and I credit my existence today with the twenty-seven years that I spent in the country during the ‘50s and’60s. One of the things I learned was how to survive. We did not have all of the modern conveniences, but my mother knew how to make life comfortable with what we had. Our single story, six room home in the country was our mansion on the hill. It was clean, well furnished, and filled with love. With six acres, there was ample space to explore and appreciate the beauty of nature. Life in the country molded my being. The most important part of my life during that time was the woman who raised me. She was the epitome of love, kindness, and understanding. She was a forty-two year old woman who had raised two adult children of her own; she was free to pursue other areas of her life. Instead, she opted to provide care for a nineteen day old baby for a few weeks. Those few weeks extended to twenty-seven years when that baby grew up to be an adult woman who moved “Uptown.” The first thing I learned from my Mother was love. Before I was able to understand exactly what the hugs, and kisses, and cuddles meant, I am sure that I felt, and attached myself to that comfort and safety. As I grew to a comprehensible age, I was assured that this woman loved me because of her words and actions. She was a mother who left an indelible impression of what human life meant to her, and the importance of the loved ones in her life. I cherished the love that she showered upon me. When I left the nest, I entered into a world that was so different than the first six years of my life; but, she taught me that no matter what other people said or thought about me, she would always love me. Mama taught
me to be proud of my roots and my culture. She taught me to never forget where I came from because my past would lead me to a better future. She wanted more for me than she was able to achieve for herself. She was a self-sacrificing woman who focused on the well-being of others. My Mother taught me to have aspirations in life, and to never give up, even when faced with obstacles. I learned from her that every circumstance in my life, whether good or bad, was a learning experience. As I grew older, I watched her face adversities and disappointments, but not once did she surrender to an adverse situation. She did not envision a glass as being half full, or half empty because in either circumstance, you were the one accountable for filling it, so it really didn’t matter. I learned a solid work ethic from my Mother. There was an idiom among the elders in the family that I never understood as a young child. Mama would always say that you had to “root little, pig or lose your potato.” Later I learned that it meant you had to work for what you got. There were no handouts and no entitlements. I carried that work ethic with me throughout my entire life, and I am still grateful for the lesson. My foster Mother was truly a blessing from God. As I remember her on May 1, her birthdate, and on Mother’s Day, I pay tribute to a woman with a kind heart, an abundance of love, and total faith in God. She molded me into the woman I am today. Although she has been gone for many years, I will always miss and love the woman who held me in her arms, and close to her heart. Happy Mother’s Day to all of the mothers who stopped by to read “The World as I See It.” Jacque Holliday, a lifelong resident of Quakertown, spends her retired time writing and volunteering. She enjoys taking photographs of nature. Reach her at Jacque@ubfp.org
6 Essential Things to Look for in a New Home
Investing in real estate is one of the most financially sound things you can do, but buying a new home might feel intimidating when it is your first time. It is understandable that you’d want to make the best decision possible. Here are six things to look for that can help with your decision. Efficient HVAC System Heating and cooling count for a large percentage of a home’s monthly operating costs. An outdated heating and air conditioning system will drive up your bills and decrease your comfort. Make sure the HVAC system is one of the newer efficient models and has been well maintained. Good Layout Decorating a home is easy and inexpensive, but big renovations like knocking out walls or adding rooms can drive up your costs later on. It is better to start with architectural details that you already enjoy. Pay attention to how one space flows to another, ceiling height, number of rooms and the amount of natural light. A Sturdy Roof in Good Repair Many homebuyers forget to check out this important home feature. A damaged roof can indicate water damage and mold problems elsewhere in the home. Your real estate agent can supply you with information about any recent upgrades to the structure and a professional home inspection can supply you with any other data you need to know before making your decision. These agents can also help you find solid listings of homes that have recently repaired.
Upgraded Plumbing Old homes can possess a lot of charm, but if you are considering buying a piece of vintage real estate, make sure you have the plumbing checked. Old metal pipes can leak or might be corroding and adding visible sediment to the water supply. Upgraded plumbing helps you avoid problems such as burst pipes and high water bills from inefficient plumbing features. A Great Kitchen The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the home. Even if you don’t plan to spend a lot of time there, you will want to make sure the kitchen adds a lot of value to the home in case you put it back on the market in the future. Renovating a kitchen can be costly, and so it is better to start out with a kitchen you know you can live with and enjoy. The Right Number of Bathrooms Adding a bathroom is not a simple task. Don’t settle for a home that lacks the right number of bathrooms to match your family’s needs. Two bathrooms at minimum are ideal. Remember that details such as cabinet color, carpeting and other decorative features can be changed when you tire of them, but the architectural bones of the home is another story. Put more worth on a sound structure that you can do a lot with, and features such as a stone mantel, rather than easily replaced incidentals. Sue Deily has been a Realtor® for 31 years, resides in the Upper Bucks Area and enjoys serving her clients in Bucks, Lehigh and Montgomery Counties. Sue is happy to answer your real estate questions and can be reached at suesellshouses@gmail.com and at
215-872-9865.
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• Upper Bucks Free Press • May 2016
Dr. Lori’s Kid Collectors
At my public antiques appraisal events held at venues nationwide, many of my audience members are kids. Some of these kids remind me of my childhood. I was a kid who spent many a weekend touring local flea markets and yard sales with my Dad. My Dad liked to look for old tools and military objects and he taught me about them. But, the kids that come to my events collect all types of objects from fine art to movie memorabilia and more. Young people are very keen collectors. They know what’s hot, what’s not. They learn to become good negotiators and they know how to spot a bargain and how to use their technology skills to sell and trade online. I often feature kids and their collections on my antiques appraisal tour. They share their knowledge of a collectible category and talk about diverse collections ranging from Star Wars toys to vintage pottery. Here are a few of the kids that follow me and are at the core of my Kid Collectors programs. During the early years of my tour, I met Carly age 5, who came to my event in Lancaster, PA. She brought a medal that she found in her grandpa’s button jar to one of my events accompanied by her mother and older sister. What Carly had found was a Native American peace medal that Louis and Clark gave to the Indians during their expedition under the auspices of the Jefferson administration. My evaluation of her valuable piece of western history was the impetus for a childhood filled with the joy of collecting. Carly returned to my program years later to show me a Frederic Remington sculpture of a busting bronco that she bought at an auction which she added to her growing western art collection. Asaya from Virginia Beach, VA bought an autographed poster of Pete Rose from a thrift
store. He loves baseball and although the 6 year old was unfamiliar with the Cincinnati Reds slugger, Asaya liked the piece so much that it started him on his way as an autograph collector. He even asked for my autograph to add to his collection. I met Ethan, age 11, at my show in Baltimore, MD. He told me that he and his older brother collect “unusual objects” from flea markets and thrift stores. He explained, “If there is something that I have never seen before, I buy it and then search online to see if I can find something similar. It’s like solving a mystery.” I thought that was great for creative learning and as a fine collecting method. Ethan brought me a Medieval revival base metal relief sculpture of an equestrian from the 1870s worth $500. The architectural object was interesting and unusual. Emily, age 12, brought a painting by a well-known regional artist to my appraisal event in Tulsa, OK and we became fast friends. I asked Emily why she collected paintings and she commented quite intelligently and enthusiastically about the composition, brushwork, execution, and formalist properties of the painting like a true art historian. I was so impressed with her command of the field’s vocabulary and knowledge that I asked how long she was collecting and she said that she studies art in school and has been collecting for a few years. When she is not helping out around the farm, Emily adds to her growing art collection with some pretty valuable. Dr. Lori Verderame is an antiques appraiser, nationally syndicated columnist and author, and award-winning TV personality on Discovery’s Auction Kings internationally. With a Ph.D. from Penn State University and experience appraising 20,000 antiques every year, Dr. Lori
Quakertown Welcomes Grocery Outlet
BY JACQUE HOLLIDAY
Quakertown Grocery Outlet had their ribbon cutting April 21 and grand opening celebrations April 23-24. Mike and Vikki Anderson, independent owner/operators, are delighted to bring a new Grocery Outlet to the Upper Bucks County area. The store is at 70 N. West End Boulevard in the Trainer’s Corner Shopping Center, where the former Sears Hardware was located. The new store will employ 33 people. Grocery Outlet began in 1946 when Jim Read of San Francisco, California, began selling military surplus for deep discounts. Over the next 70 years, the store concept grew and in 2009, the third generation of the Read family introduced Grocery Outlet Bargain Market. As the nation’s largest, extreme-value grocery retailer, Grocery Outlet offers up to 60% off brand-name product compared to conventional retail pricing on fresh produce, meat, dairy, frozen food and other quality goods. When manufacturers have overruns or packaging changes, Grocery Outlet buys the excess inventory at deep discounts that are passed on to customers. Each of their more than 240 locations are independently owned and operated. Mike Anderson brings 25 years of expertise in the retail business to Grocery Outlet. During that time, he successfully managed hardware, dollar and grocery stores. His dream 10 years ago to own his own store was not feasible because of the exorbitant expense. When he saw an advertisement for Grocery Outlet, he knew his long-time dream was about to come to fruition for he and his wife, Vikki. The company offers investment opportunities that enable family members to work together in the business, which often leads to second and third generations operating a Grocery Outlet location.
Grocery Outlet has put particular focus in the last two years on sourcing natural and organic products, even hiring a seasoned organic industry executive to lead the initiative. N.O.S.H. stands for Natural Organic Specialty Healthy and is Grocery Outlet’s way of describing products that you would typically find in a specialty organic food store for a much higher price. When you find something you like, stock up because many of the bargains are onetime deals. Be sure to sign up for their WOW Alert emails at www.groceryoutlet.com and follow them on Facebook at www.facebook. com/QuakertownGroceryOutlet. When they have special deals or in-store events, they will notify their email and social networking customers first. You will find this business to be very community oriented. Some of the activities each month will include Kid Craft Day, Bargain Bingo, Wheel of Bargains, and Taste of the Bargains. The store will also donate to the local food pantry, support the Boy Scouts, high school sports teams and hold blood drives. They offer an Honorary Savings Discount Card for active and retired military veterans. Children who shop with their parents will receive a prize at checkout and will enjoy walking down the Hall of Superheroes. Mike and Vikki Anderson have two children. Their daughter is a teacher and their son is junior in high school that plays football and volunteers as a junior firefighter. They are the grandparents of twin boys. If you are looking for name-brand, high-quality products at very low prices, Mike and Vikki Anderson welcome you to the new Grocery Outlet Bargain Market in Quakertown, open seven days a week from 8 am to 9 pm.
presents antique appraisal events to worldwide audiences.
Visit (888) 431-1010.
www.DrLoriV.com
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photo by michele buono
Moving Through Discomfort What exactly does that mean? It means that we push ourselves to do and grow even when we may be uncomfortable with the process of getting there. This can be a difficult task as I have written about this topic in some form or another. However if you are on a personal journey to feel better, do better and want more out of your life than you will find that moving through discomfort is in your best interest. I speak from my own personal and professional experience. I understand the importance of finding a way to get out of my own way so that I can be happy with the relationships in my life. Once we face our fears they no longer have power over us. Fear and not wanting conflict are normally the reasons that we do not make the changes we need to make in our life. No one likes conflict in any area of their life but especially when it comes to those we love and care about in our life. Conflict requires us to face our fears about what will happen if we confront someone or we decide to change what we are doing in our life. So change in most cases can be very good, enlightening, healing, empowering and of course terrifying!!! Yet it will feel so worth it because you will no longer feel or be controlled by the “discomfort” in your life. You will be free and feel content regardless of the outcome. You will more than likely feel grateful that you took the risk and thus grew as a person. It can be overwhelming to have to think outside the box per say and to look at your situation in a more global sense. Sometimes things are simple; however when we feel stuck it is not
always that simple because our self-defeating/ negative thoughts have a tendency to get in the way. So we need to change our thoughts. Thus the whole concept of getting uncomfortable in order to move forward and feel better about ourselves and our life and to hopefully have more meaningful relationships with others is necessary. We all can have a need to feel safe and want to stay just where we are in our comfortable little world. However we sometimes do not realize that we are not really that happy in our comfortable world we have just told ourselves that so that we don’t have to change our world. I hope that made sense. There is a saying by Neale Donald Walsch that says “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone”. This is such a powerful and truthful statement. The theory is you will start living more of your authentic life because you have trusted enough in facing your fears and your discomforts. Every time you face your fears you will feel lighter and essentially be living a more honest life. Everything I write about in these articles is interrelated and you can build on each concept to make adaptations and changes in your life to create freedom and fulfillment. It takes time and patience to move through discomfort and come out on the other side. When the time is right everything will be right with your world. Believe that all things are possible and that you are worth it!!! So Get Uncomfortable and Live Better. My belief is that “all persons are truly greater than they think they are.” Susan V. Brewer is a Certified Life Coach and Psychotherapist in the Upper Bucks County Area. She can be reached at 215-872-4219. Visit her website at www.balancelife4u.com.
May 2016 • Upper Bucks Free Press •
17
Authors at Arts Alive! On May 21st, there will be the Arts Alive! festival, as held in Quakertown, PA. The Arts Alive! festival was created to spread the knowledge of the local artists in the area. Recently, they’ve introduced a new feature, the Authors Corner, at the festival. “This is our second year for Authors Corner at Arts Alive!. “We added this new feature to expand our reach of included arts and books are so important to our lives. It’s proved to be a popular new attraction and we are so glad that it’s been so well-received,” stated Lynda Ulrich, Events Chairperson for the Arts Alive! festival. Below is a list of local authors that you will find at the author’s corner, including me, Erik Weibel! Lisa Schinski is the author of the newly published picture book, “That’th what I Thaid!” The story is about about a young bunny with a speech impediment. Schinski has two children’s books published. He other book is titled “The Sore Prickly Bear.” Both books are meant to help children when they are faced with certain problems. Laura Dothe Hellwig writes historical fiction novels for young adults. They are about a sort of ‘What if’ mindset, exploring
what may have happened if history did not happen as it did. Having read one of her books, I can say her writing is compelling. Wynne Marshall is the creator of “Tree Monkeys”, a book about how some actions can’t be undone. It is a picture book in which a little boy gets enraged by the fact that there are monkeys in HIS tree – and even though they offer to share and be nice to him, he still won’t accept that they are in HIS tree. So, he chops the tree down. The book teaches that there are some actions to which you can’t just say ‘sorry’ for. It is a good book for classrooms and parents to read to their kids. Erik Weibel (AKA me) will be at the festival with there, selling my book, “The Adventures o Tomato and Pea” and several anthologies for which I wrote a short stories in. I will have free coloring activities for kids to do, including making your own paper-puppets. I will also be selling stuffies made to look like the main characters in my book “The Adventures of Tomato and Pea.” Stop by and say hi! The Arts Alive! festival is a good time to get out and get together for a nice time walking through Quakertown, getting to know your local artists. If you’d like to know more, visit the Arts Alive! website at QuakertownAlive.com. For more on books and reading, visit my website at ThisKidReviewsBooks.com.
Think Local. Buy Local. Be Local.
The answers to the puzzles on this page are found elsewhere in this issue.
Think Local. Buy Local. Be Local.
Anemone Aster Astilbe Azalea Bluestar Coneflower Coralbell
Coreopsis Crocus Daffodil Daisy Daylily Forsythia Hibiscus
Hosta Hyacinth Hydrangea Iris Lavender Lilac Pansy Peony
Phlox Portulaca Redbud Rose Trillium Tulip Yarrow Zinnia
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• Upper Bucks Free Press • May 2016
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The Changing Face of Broad Street (continued from page 13)
‘The Triangle Project’ 301 W. Broad Street
Here’s the most widely recognized and talked about project coming to Downtown Quakertown. In the works now for a couple of years, the $6 million 301 Broad project is finally set to break ground in a matter of months. The 3-story building with an approximate 10,000 sf footprint will be built on what is now known as “The Triangle,” a 28 space parking lot dividing East and West-bound traffic in the 300 Block of Broad Street in the borough. The homes and businesses that occupied that space previously were razed in 1968 when the Quaker Village Shopping Center was being built. The park and fountain at the tip of the triangle will not be affected by the project. The building will house a restaurant on the ground floor run by Vincent Randazzo who owns the Karlton Building across the Eastbound side of Broad Street and also Dominick’s Pizza in the shopping center across the Westbound side of the road. The building will also be host to at least one retail shop on the ground floor and woffice space on the upper floors. David Halliday of Village Centre Properties in Blooming Glen and Randazzo are partnering
on this development project which is expected to be completed by mid to late 2017. The project has caused a stir among some local residents and business owners, mostly regarding the loss of parking spaces. The borough and PennDOT are working on changes to the on-street parking patterns and the borough is working on adding a large amount of public parking at the train station property at Broad and Front Streets. Some are also concerned that the project will cause additional traffic congestion due to an influx of customers coming to the downtown. Some think that those customers might be good for downtown businesses.
Quakertown Freight Station 15 Front Street
The Borough of Quakertown has just reached a lease agreement with SEPTA for the freight station property which adjoins the Quakertown Train Station at the corner of Broad and Front Streets. Both were built in 1902 and are on the National Register of Historic Places. As the freight building has fallen into severe disrepair over the years, work is beginning to restore the integrity of the building with the intent of then developing the property commercially with the likely prospect of a restaurant operating there. It is possible that when a developer
and tenant are chosen for the site, development could begin by year end with the new business operating in early 2017. In the meantime, the borough plans to construct a large public parking lot on the property to help alleviate any current or future parking issues for downtown patrons and workers.
Dunkin Donuts 224 W. Broad Street
A former bank building that has seen many different financial institutions come and go is the new home of a Dunkin Donuts which is expected to open in May. The building was renovated for its new use with careful attention to making its façade ‘fit’ the Downtown’s intended look and feel. Mission accomplished. The business is a welcome addition as it conveniently serves those that live and work in Downtown Quakertown, but it may also help nab some of the heavy commuter traffic that passes through town giving them a chance to
pause and see what else our growing downtown has to offer while they fill their need for caffeine and pastries.
May 2016 • Upper Bucks Free Press •
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• Upper Bucks Free Press • May 2016