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• Upper Bucks Free Press • November 2015
What’s Going On in Upper Bucks? October 31
Open House at Springfield Twp Historical Society’s one-room schoolhouse “Church School” at 2165 Rte 212, Pleasant Valley (GPS Coopersburg), Tom 484-308-1510 2nd Annual Howl-O-Ween Party 10am-2pm at Last Chance Ranch, 9 Beck Rd, Quakertown, games, costumes, pony rides, & more, ck website for details: lastchanceranch.org Sellersville Halloween Parade, entries sign in 9am at Museum,120 E Church St. Parade begins 10am. If rain/snow, parade will be at Fire Hall, 2 N Main St, Sellersville Free Dinner 5pm at MorningStar Moravian, 234 S Main St, Coopersb610-282-1908 and let us know how many will attend Trunk or Treat Even t Night 4pm-6pm at Plumsteadville Firehouse, 5064 Stump Rd, Doylestown. Free admission, candy, games, prize raffle & decorated vehicles. LCR Thrift Store’s “Trick or Treat Sale.” You could pick a treat worth 10%-50% off entire purchase. Open 10am-6pm, 201 S 3rd St (Rte 309) Coopersburg, lastchanceranch.org Family Fun Day 11am-3pm at Museum of Indian Culture, 2825 Fish Hatchery Rd, Allentown, 610-393-7738 for more details Free Fall Family Festival 1pm-4pm at Living Hope Community Church, 22H West Rte 313, Dublin. More at 215-249-1133, livinghopepa.org
November 7
Quarter Auction at Richlandtown Fire Co, 125 Main St, doors open 12noon, $5 admission gets one paddle, bring a non-perishable & get another paddle free, more info: Sue 215-538-2159 “Reading Goes to the Dogs” 2pm-3:30pm at Quakertown Library, 401 W Mill St, Qtown. Children of all ages are invited to come and read to certified therapy dogs. 215-536-3306 Holiday Vendor/Craft Fair at Perkasie Firehouse, $30/booth, call 484-719-7101 or email: info@LHARinc.org for info. Benefits Logan’s Heroes Animal Rescue Craft Flea Market 9am-2pm at Green Lane Fire Co, 214 Main St, info: 215-679-7617, $10/space “World War II pt.2” at Tavern Rm in the Grist Mill, 150 W Walnut St, Hellertown. Free, light refreshments, hellertownhistoricalsociety.org or 610-8381770. Doors open 12:30pm Christmas Bazaar 8am-2pm at Sanctuary United Methodist, 1346 East Prospect Ave, North Wales. Brunch, silent auction, handicrafts, books, baked goods, and much more Roast Beef & Ham Dinner Family Style
November 8
Firehouse Breakfast 7:30am-12noon at Upper Black Eddy Fire Co, 1716 Firehouse Lane. $7/adults, $3/ages 5-10, $2/re-orders, $8/to-go. 610-982-5710 Veteran’s Day Pancake Breakfast 8am12noon or sold out. Chalfont Fire Station, 301 N Main St, Chalfont. FREE for Veterans w/ID and ages 3 & under, $6/adults, $5/ages 4-10, 215-822-3434 Designer Bag Bingo Fundraiser 1pm-5pm at Bridgeton AA, 1340 Bridgeton Hill Rd, Upper Black Eddy. Tkts $25/adv, $30/door. Call 215-962-2694 or 267-374-9672, doors open 11:30am Naturalist Foray 2pm at Nature Ctr, 170 N Chapman Rd, Doylestown. Free, details at 215-345-7860 or peacevalleynaturecenter.org Sportsmen’s Flea Mkt/Turkey Shoot 10am4pm Bridgton Twp Sportsmen’s Assoc., 1243 Lonely Cottage Rd, Upper Black Eddy, 707-797-7084
November 9
“Highland Park History” 7pm, West Rockhill Histor. Soc meeting at Twp Bldg, 1028 Ridge Rd, Sellersville
ADOPT A SENIOR PET MONTH
November 1
Daylight Saving Time Ends
Breakfast 8am-12noon at Sellersville American Legion, 75 N Main St. $5/age 6 & up, $2/age 3-5, free under age 3. call 215-257-9801 Breakfast 8am-1pm at Springtown Fire Co, 3010 Rte 212, Springtown. $7/adults, $4/ages 5-8, free 4 & under Penny Party 1:30pm at St. Luke’s Church, 20 Church Rd, Hellertown, $2/number, kitchen open, fun for all
November 2
UB Senior Activity Ctr’s Breakfast Club 8am at Powderbourne Gun Club Restaurant, 2071 Baus Rd, East Greenville Martinis & Manicures 6pm-9pm, Pennridge Comm. Ctr, 146 E Main St, Perkasie. $35 Spa/Shopping Pkg, $25 Shop to Drop Pkg, tkts/info: 267-664-2533 or 215-257-6464
November 3
Election Day
Annual Election Day Bazaar 10am-2pm at MorningStar Moravian, 234 S Main St, Coopersburg. Lunch served 11am-1pm, lots of goodies to buy and eat
November 4
Thanksgiving Party w/Dale Sine, ($12/ Buffet & Party at 11:30am) ($6/Party only at 12:30pm) RSVP by Nov. 2 – UB Senior Ctr, Milford Twp Fire Hall, 2183 Milford Sq Pike, Quakertown, 215-536-3066 Pastoral Wkshop w/Dr. Benjamin Mast 9am-11am at Jordan UCC, 1837 Church Rd, Allentown (regis. & brkfast at 8am) Free, but regis. required by Oct 26, call 610-794-5119 for details & registration
November 6
Coach Bag Bingo, doors open 6pm at St. Agnes R.C. Church, Sellersville. BYOB, tkts/$35 at mjgarges@verizon.net
November 6 & 7
Ten Thousand Villages Intl Crafts Festival (Fri 12noon-8pm) (Sat 8am-4pm) at Upper Milford Mennonite, Kings Hwy & Geissinger Rd, Zionsville, 610-966-2733 ummchurch.org
4pm-7pm at Trinity UCC, 1990 Rte 212, Pleasant Valley (Qtown), $12/adults, $5.50/ ages 6-12, Take-out $1 extra. 610-346-7114 Pork & Sauerkraut Dinner Family Style 4pm-7pm or sold out, Community Fire Co, 333 Delaware Rd, Riegelsville, 610-749-2737 or 484-614-0897 Comedy Night Fundraiser at West End Fire Co, 1319 Park Ave, Quakertown. Featuring Last Comic Standing, Mike Burton. Doors open 7pm, Show 8pm, $20. Call Chris 267-374-0732 Indoor Flea Mkt 9am-2pm at Tylersport Fire Co, 125 Ridge Rd, Tylersport, reserve table at 215-257-5900 x7 or aux@tylersportfireco.com Hoagie Sale by Lions Club at two Quakertown QNB locations (3rd & W Broad) (Rte 309 & Mill Rd) 9am-12noon or sold out, still $5 each. Vargo Dragway Car Show 8am-3pm (r/d Nov 14) at 1333 Elephant Rd, Perkasie. Info/ directions: email info@vargodragway.com or visit vargodragway.com Porcupine Quillworking 10am-4pm at Museum of Indian Culture, 2825 Fish Hatchery Rd, Allentown, 610-393-7738 or museumofindianculture.org Coach/Kate Space Purse Bingo at St. Isidore Gym, 603 W Broad St, Quakertown. Open 6pm, snacks, BYOB, $30/adv, $35/door, 267-733-2347
November 10
“Workforce Development” (annual UBCC lunch meeting) at McCoole’s, 4 S Main St, Quakertown. $35/members, $45/others. Doors open 11:30am, register at ubcc.org/meeting, 215-536-3211
November 11
Veterans Day
Veterans Day Program 10am at Palisades Middle School, 4710 Durham Rd, Kintnersville. Public is invited to attend this patriotic event to honor all Veterans of the Armed Forces Quakertown Woman’s Club presents “A Century of Sinatra” with singer/songwriter Dave DeLuca. Free, no registration, Quakertown Free Library, 401 W Mill St, 215-536-3306 Veterans Day Bus Trip to D.C. leaves 7am, return 10pm, $40/pp, info at Vietnam Veterans Chapter 468, 215-679-7770
November 12
AARP Meeting 1pm at First Church of Christ, 151 S 4th St, Quakertown. Speaker: Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick will be here, 215-536-7712
“Budget: Federal/State Money” 7pm meeting of Citizens for Constitutional Govt. DVD w/discussion to follow. Quakertown Free Library, 401 W Mill St. http://ccg-pa.org
November 13
Harvest Dinner Dance w/The Blue Notes at Pennridge Commun. Ctr, 146 East Main St, Perkasie, info at 215-453-7027 or pennridgecenter.org (dinner reservations required, call for price) (dance only is $10) A Night of Comedy, 9pm, by parents of Boy Scout Troop 87. Bucks Co Comedy Cabaret, Doylestown. Tickets/$25 in advance, also thru email: Troop87committee@gmail.com
November 14
Pork & Sauerkraut Dinner 4pm-7pm at St. John’s Lutheran of Spinnerstown, 1565 Sleepy Hollow Rd (GPS Quakertown). $10/adults, $5/ ages 6-11, free under 6, take-out avail. Info 215-536-0734 Penny Auction, 6pm-?? at Souderton Fire Co, Second St, Souderton. Door opens 5pm, door prizes, refreshments Annual Ham Dinner w/Raisin Sauce, 4pm-7pm at Quakertown United Methodist, 1875 Freier Rd, Qtown. $9/adults, $4/ages 4-10, eat-in or take-out, 215-536-4992 CDP Craft Vendor Show 9am-2pm at Children’s Developmental Program, 995 Doylestown Pike, Quakertown. (crafters $15/ spot, $20/spot with electric), call 215-536-7800 “Musical Dinner Theatre” featuring popular hits from Broadway, etc. at Generations, 259 N 2nd St, Souderton, (Valley Choral Soc., Patricia Conrad, artistic director) 215-723-5841 Fall Craft Fair 10am-3pm at Pennridge Community Ctr, Rtes 113 & 152, Silverdale, (kitchen open, 30 vendors), contact Vivian: snugglebaby@comcast.net or 484-602-5795 Jerry Blavat will be at Tylersport Fire Co, 125 Ridge Rd, Tylersport. Opens 6pm, $30/ pp includes snacks. BYOB, kitchen open. Call 215-257-5900 Auxillary@tylersportfireco.com Annual Holiday Craft Show 9am-3pm at Dublin Fire Co, 194 N Main St. Handcrafted items only, $30/space, breakfast & lunch available, info: 215-249-3099 “Eat Drink Read” at Indian Valley Public Library Wine Tasting Event in Telford,7pm10pm, info: ivpl.org or 215-723-9109 x3 Harvest/Christmas Bazaar 10am-4pm, Ottsville Fire Hall, 249 Durham Rd, Ottsville. Crafts, refreshmts, 50/50 raffle, etc. $10/table, call Patty 610-247-6903 Community Recycling Day 9am-1pm at Indian Valley Middle School, 130 Maple Ave, Harleysville. Visit savesahs.webstarts.com The Harmenaires Quartet 7pm at Solomon’s UCC, 2990 Bedminster Rd (Rte 113) Perkasie. Free-will offering, refreshments served after concert, solomonsucc.org Artifact Roadshow 10am-4pm at Museum of Indian Culture, 2825 Fish Hatchery Rd, Allentown. Details at 610-393-7738 or museumofindianculture.org 2015 Fall Dance (Oldies to Now!) open 6pm, music 7pm-11pm, Southeastern Fire Co, 2687 Wassergass Rd, Hellertown. Must be 21+, $20/adv, $25/door, BYOB, hoagie buffet, more at 610-838-6007
UBFP Monthly is made possible by the businesses and organizations you see on these pages. Remember to thank them for supporting your community’s voice.
What’s Going On in Upper Bucks?
November 14 & 15
November 30
November 15
December 1
“Model Trains & Trolleys” Annual Exhibit 12noon-4pm, free admission at Sellersville Museum, 120 E Church St, Sellersville, more info at 215-453-8286 Firemen’s Breakfast 8am-12noon, order by menu at Community Fire Co, 333 Delaware Rd, Riegelsville, more info at 610-749-2737 Buffet Breakfast 8am-12:30pm at Benner Hall, Cherry St, Richlandtown. $7.50/adults, $4/ages 6-12, under 6 is free. Sponsored by Richlandtown Fire Co “Pathways to Power”(road & bridge network) Springfield Twp Histor. Soc. program 2pm at Trinity Lutheran across from Church School, 2165 Rte 212, Pleasant Valley (GPS Coopersburg)
November 18
Free Community Dinner, doors open 5pm, dinner 5:30pm-6:30pm at Christ Community Bible, 1830 N Ridge Rd, Perkasie, 215-257-7318
November 21
LCR Vaccine Clinic 11am-3pm at Richlandtown Firehouse, 125 S Main St. Low cost vaccines for dogs & cats, heartworm testing & micro-chipping. 215-538-2510 or lastchanceranch.org Quakertown VFW accepting donations 3pm-5pm of food hygiene products and new under & outer garments to support Veteran familes in need. Details 215-529-0500 or 267-992-4983, leave message. Christmas Bazaar 9am-8pm at St. Agnes School, 445 N Main St, Sellersville, 215-804-5234 Celtic & Folk Music 7:30pm Perkasie Patchwork Coffeehouse, 320 W Chestnut St, Perkasie. $12/adults, $10/seniors, $6/age 13+, free 0-12. Open 7pm, food available, info: 215-723-2010 or perkmenno.net
November 22
UB Sertoma Basket & Bag Bingo, doors open 12noon at UBYMCA, 401 Fairview Ave, Quakertown. Food available, Tkts/Info at 215-822-9781 or ubsertoma@gmail.com
November 24
UB Senior Activity Ctr Covered Dish/ Mbrship Meeting 11:30am. Special Meal, don’t bring a dish, just pay $2/pp. Thanksgiving Meal provided by Linton’s. RSVP 215-536-3066
November 26 November 28
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Tree Sale Nov. 28 until sold out, (Mon to Fri 4pm-8pm) (Sat/Sun 9am-8pm), sponsored by Trumbauersville Fire Co, info at 215-536-2518 or 215-536-1998
“Telling Her Story in Fabric” by Christine Webb at Keystone Quilters Guild meeting, 7pm at Quakertown Christian School, 50 E Paletown Rd, Quakertown. Guest fee $5 Winterfest 6:30pm-9pm, festivities start at Sellersville Fire Hall w/Santa & Tree Lighting. Various activities borough-wide w/ trolley service available
December 2
32nd Annual Festival of Lights 7pm at Grand View Hospital Main Lobby in Sellersville. Music, Refreshments, Tree Lighting. Info at 215-453-4381
December 4
Miller-Keystone Blood Drive 7am-5pm at Grand View Community Education Ctr. In Sellersville. Register at giveapint.org (sponsor code:6404)
December 4 & 5
12th Annual “Nutcracker” Ballet (Fri 7:30pm) (Sat 1:30pm) at Calvary Church Theater, Rte 113, Souderton. $25/adults, $21/ students & seniors. Tkts: 215-822-4640 or delawarevalleydance.com 6th Annual Woman’s Club of Quakertown Craft Show held at Qtown Train Station, (Fri 4pm-8pm before Tree Lighting) (Sat 9am-4pm)
December 4, 5, 6
Kringle Christmas Shoppe (Fri 1pm-8pm) (Sat 10am-4:30pm) (Sun 12:30pm-4:30pm) at Latvian Baptist, 1142 Apple Rd, Applebachsville. FREE! Music, raffles, 30+ artisans, info: haycockhistoricalsociety.org
December 5
5K Reindeer Run at Generations of Indian Valley, 259 N Second St, Souderton. Regis/ ck-in 7:15am, 8am run/walk, 9am breakfast & prize ceremony, online regis. by Dec 2 at pretzelcitysports.com Vendor/Craft/Flea Market 8am-2pm at Benner Hall, Cherry Rd, Richlandtown (by Fire Co.) $15/space or $25/for two spaces. Call Jamie at 610-762-1472 Pancake Breakfast w/Santa (8, 9, or 10am seatings), Grand View Hosp. Cafeteria in Sellersville. $5.50/adults, $3.50/ages 2 to 12, under 2 is free. Register at Grand View Auxiliary 215-453-4381 Christmas at the Y, 10am-1pm, photos w/ Santa, Little Shopper’s Shop, Balloon Animals & more. 401 Fairview Ave, Quakertown, ubymca.org “Run, Run, Rudolph” for ages 4 to 6 and 7 to 12, Kids Fun Run begins 9:30am (arrive 15 mins early) at Strayer Middle School Track, Quakertown, 215-536-YMCA or ubymca.org Holiday Open House 12noon-4pm at Animals in Distress Sanctuary in Coopersburg, 610-966-9383, animalsindistress-pa.org Souderton Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting, info: stmainst.org
Model Trains & Trolleys at Sellersville Museum
The Sellersville Historical and Achievement Authority announces that the Sellersville Museum will be open Saturday and Sunday, November 14 and 15, 2015, hosting its annual exhibit: “Model Trains and Trollys.” The Museum will be filled with operating model trains and trolleys, along with model railroad memorabilia and books. James Maurer, of Hatfield, will be operating his model trolleys depicting the Lehigh Valley Transit and Philadelphia cars. The Lehigh Valley Trolleys ran through Sellersville for many years. Mark Frederick, of Sellersville, will be displaying his collection of model trolleys. Dave Strouse, of Perkasie, will be operating his collection of N Gauge Model Trains, and Chuck Perrucci, also of
Perkasie, will display his HO Model Trains. Lex Nugent, of Blue Bell, will be displaying his collection of Pittman Trolley models that were manufactured in Sellersville. Additionally, Kevin Cadwallader and his son, Brendon, both of Sellersville, will display their vintage model trains. The Museum will be open from 12:00 Noon until 4:00 PM each day. As always, admission is free. A fun and educational family afternoon is guaranteed. The Sellersville Museum is wheelchair accessible and has a chairlift to assist visitors to the second floor. The Museum is located next to the Sellersville Borough Office at 120 East Church Street, Sellersville. Call (215) 257-5253 for more information.
November 2015 • Upper Bucks Free Press •
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• Upper Bucks Free Press • November 2015
What is Family? Since Thanksgiving is approaching us rather quickly… when we think of this holiday we think of family… Who will be having it? Who will be there? What am I going to bring? Initially I believe we think about the all of the food that we will be eating… the anticipation of the turkey, mashed potatoes, yams, pumpkin pie…Than we think about who will actually be there. For some of us our family is wonderful and we can’t wait to be there with them. For others it may be awkward and uncomfortable because we may not get along with certain family members let alone like them. I have talked about this before and it can be a daunting task to be polite and respectful when we don’t want to be there but feel that we have to out of obligation because they are our family. So the most important thing is to honor ourselves while being respectful. Sometimes we have to do the right thing and do things out of obligation. I believe there is always a fine balance when it comes to family or any relationship we are in when we feel obligated to be in it. The exception to obligation is if you are in an emotionally or physically abusive relationship or gathering than you do not need to attend. I think that gratitude is essential to creating the balance that you are seeking when you are in an uncomfortable situation. We all have a story and unfortunately someone else’s situation is a lot worse than ours. So the trick is to be present and be who you are with limits and love. All of us could get our needs met from any
family. We could volunteer at the soup kitchen or local church and serve food and share love and kindness to those who are less fortunate than us. Even though our family may not be able to give us what we need or want maybe we can get that elsewhere and feel fulfilled and at the same time fulfilling a greater need for another family. Friends for most of us are like family. Some people do not have any immediate family because either they are deceased or live in another state and they may be alone for Thanksgiving. So for them having a dinner with their friends’ family is like family to them. Family is whatever we make it to be and being grateful that we are not alone. There are so many people who are alone for Thanksgiving with no family or friends and are sharing a meal with complete strangers, but for that day they are not alone they have family within the strangers. For them that is a gift, a true day of Thanksgiving. Family is whatever you define it to be that will create the joy and love that you are seeking this Thanksgiving. So be grateful for “family” and all of the gifts they can provide for you. 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. 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.
T hanks for time to be together, turkey, talk, and tangy weather. H for harvest stored away, home, and hearth, and holiday. A for autumn’s frosty art, and abundance in the heart. N for neighbors, and November, nice things, new things to remember. K for kitchen, kettles’ croon, kith and kin expected soon. S for sizzles, sights, and sounds, and something special that about. That spells THANKS for joy in living and a jolly good Thanksgiving.
- Aileen Fisher, All in a Word
Ongoing Events & Resources November 28-December 7-Holiday Craft Show 10am-4pm daily at Pearl S Buck Intl, 520 Dublin Rd, Perkasie. Adm/$2, more than 50 juried artisans, unique handmade holiday crafts Nov 11 to Dec 30- “36th Annual Festival of Trees” at Pearl S Buck House, 520 Dublin Rd, Perkasie Tuesdays in November: COB Fundraiser (10% of all Tues. sales to be donated) at Brick Tavern Inn, 2460 N Old Bethlehem Pike, Quakertown, 215-529-6488 Sept. 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 Oct 26 to Nov 20, Thanksgiving Food Drive at UBYMCA, 401 Fairview Ave, Quakertown. Donations of non-perishable food items to be donated to Quakertown Food Pantry for families in need, ubymca.org 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, 267-3719636 Bring DD 214 for proof eligibility. PetSmart Adoption Day on 2nd Saturdays, 11am-3pm, PetSmart, 620 N.West End Blvd, Qkrtwn, 215-538-2843 lastchanceranch.org
Neighbors Adoption Day, 2nd Saturday each month, 10am-1pm, Neighbors Home & Garden, 38 Main St, Hellertown, 610-838-7000 Last Chance Ranch Volunteer Orientation/ Tour, 1st Saturday each month, 10am-11am in front of Horse Barn, 9 Beck Rd, Quakertown, 215-538-2510 lastchanceranch.org Meet the Dogs at LCR, 12noon-3pm, Saturdays (weather permitting), 9 Beck Rd, Qkrtwn, 215-538-2510 lastchanceranch.org. Singles Connection for adults meets Thursdays for social evening, 7pm at Silverdale Brethren in Christ Church, 165 W. Main St, Silverdale. 215-593-9995 carolonline1@ verizon.net Doylestown Singles Soc. Intermediate Bridge Club meets every Tues. 7pm at a private residence in Doylestown. Info at 215-340-7604 or shalstrick@comcast.net
Support & Service Groups
Sisters U Monthly Meetings 7pm-9pm the third Thurs every month, stef@sistersu.com Bullying Prevention Support Group 6:30pm-7:30pm every Wed at UBYMCA in Quakertown. Free. advance registration required: 215-750-7220 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: 215-538-4774, 267-404-7100
Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group meets 4pm, 4th Thurs of month, Hidden Meadows on the Ridge, 340 Farmers Ln, Sellersville. RSVP 267-429-3931 Alzheimer’s Assoc. Support Group, 3:30pm5:00pm, 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
November 2015 • Upper Bucks Free Press •
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Things Were Slower Back Then
This morning on the news, I heard of a national coffee company offering a pre-purchase of your cup of java on your special hand held unit so that you could just go up to the window and receive you coffee without waiting and it is all paid for. The news also started covering the Pope’s visit to America with a whirlwind schedule and preparations for the millions that want to see him. How the cities of Washington D.C., New York, and Philadelphia have had to literally change residents routines in daily life to accommodate such a visit. Let’s go back to the 50’s and 60’s. Most people drank the coffee at home. Some stopped by Mr. D’s, the Quakertown Diner or Trainer’s as well as any of the smaller restaurants around town before going to work if time permitted. There were not any 16 or 20 oz. refill cups to get a quick fill-up at a 7-Eleven or Wawa station. Believe it or not, there were no cup holders in our cars. As a side note, when the State started talking about the importance of Safety Belts for front seat passengers, I bought a set of Lap Belts that I installed in my “56 Plymouth Hardtop. The biggest events held in cities back then were Baseball All Star Games, Baseball World Series Games, Billy Graham Rallies, and Political Conventions every four years. I remember one big event that took place back before the ’60 Elections – John F. Kennedy came to Allentown! The only hub-bub for that event was on the day of the event. Millions weren’t spent on modifying public utilities, having cameras everywhere, jumbo screens, barricades, keeping people from parking in front of their homes for days before, or shutting down the city for 2 or 3 days. Matter of fact I remember seeing a picture of Mr. Kennedy in amongst the crowd, yes engulfed by that crowd. A few years later his assassination helped start the security procedures we have today. Things were slower then! I wonder if the millions that will be going to see the Pope and standing way out of sight of him watching him on the Jumbo-Tron Screen will be in church the next weekend. Back then most people were attending church every weekend. From time to time the big event of the town was when tents were set up and a “Famous Named” Evangelist” held services every night of the week. Believe it or not the evangelist preached from the Bible and did not have opinions on current events. Oh yes, some of the people who were inspired by the “Preacher” attended church for a few weeks and then went on with their previous lives.
As I stated before we had “Blue Laws” back then. I just recently bought an old scrapbook and it included many police type newspaper clippings on auto accidents and police arrest. One of the articles stated of a number of arrests by the Pa. State Police for places being open on Sunday. I recently read a brief blurp of years past in a local weekly paper where a municipality had put up a referendum for movies to be open on Sunday during this period and it was defeated. Now if we go to pick up something needed from the Grocery Store after church we have to parkway way out in the lot—Sunday is shopping day! Things were slower then! Preachers preached “The Word” and how we as charitable worshipers could help those in need of sustenance for body or soul, and not a message on current events that could have controversial or political meanings from the pulpit. Evangelist tried to get those churchgoers inspired and non-church goers to start attending church, churches had full pews, and most important the FAMILIES attended church and participated in community events. It wasn’t until the 60’s that my parents even thought of locking their house doors when we went away. As the pace of life sped up, computers went from room size monsters to small hand held items, people were an integral part of the community, and families sat down to eat with one another, we seemed to have lost something. I’ve seen family’s texting all during the dinner at restaurants and not speaking much to each other. Could they have been texting each other? Things were slower then! Many of us old timers look back at this moment of our lives and wish that it would return. I am sure that our grandparents looked at the changes that took place as their children and grand children grew in age. They too probably said, “Things were slower then.” The only difference is that our era changed so rapidly that it is hard to imagine why a person needs a cup of coffee “Immediately” or one religious leader draws millions and his visit can disrupt so many peoples lives while still doing so much good. I hope that this visit is showing a need for something missing in our lives today and the disruptions will bring about a change in “The Family” which I think is the Theme of the Pope’s visit here to United States. I find it hard to imagine the youth of today saying, “Things were slower back then” when they are my age. If they do I hope it is that they left the pace “slow down” so they could enjoy life, as we knew it back in the day and maybe enjoy that cup of coffee at home with THE FAMILY! Dick Helm is a regular contributor. He can be reached at dickhelm@ubfp.org
2015 Upper Bucks Chamber ‘Foodie’ Event
Decisions, Decisions, Decisions In 2006, USA Today estimated the average American made some 35,000 decisions each and every day. Big decisions, small decisions, and medium size decisions. Some of the more obvious daily decisions are what to wear, what to eat, whom to contact, what time to leave work or school, what time to go home, what to watch on television, and the list goes on forever. Some of the bigger decisions in life may include what home to purchase, what automobile to acquire, whom to marry, what job to apply for, etc. Then there are some decisions that people take for granted. Let me make this relative to you. One decision that many discount or place no emphasis upon is voting. There is an election held every six months in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Let’s say, hypothetically speaking, Dumb & Dumber are running for local office. They aspire to office for having done nothing except raise taxes, requiring the residents pay for their health insurance, and accomplished taking up space on our planet. However, this inconsequential decision not to vote in local elections will have the most impact upon your life. At least the CPA specializing in municipal finance has entertained you with his bicycling skills while training for the next circus to come to town! There are some people who avoid important decisions, especially those having to do with health care. Now this is really getting down to brass tacks and making it personal. Most will agree they have known of a situation involving another person whom ignored their health and had it come back to bite them big time. Life-threatening situations such as cancer and cardio-vascular concerns may be part of the adverse effects of risk-taking and not making the decision of monitoring your health on an annual basis. Undiagnosed and untreated hearing loss can have a sizable impact upon the social, emotional, and psychological well-being and quality of life for an individual. Hearing loss can affect the person’s receptive communication ability. It makes it tougher for them to understand what is said to them. As a result, the hearing impaired
person responds to the question or comment and mistakes what is said for other similar words. The speaker states, ‘I wasn’t talk about that, I was talking about this.’ As a result the hearing impaired person becomes more withdrawn and slowly ceases to participate in social activities because they do not want to embarrass themselves do to their inability to hear. That decision initiates the downward spiral. Thus, the individual becomes more introverted and unwilling to socialize. From an emotional standpoint, the person becomes unsure of themselves, develops a lower self-esteem, and the loss of self-confidence can cause a change in their personality. Some of the traits include anger, irritability, becoming withdrawn from family and friends, and irrational behavior. Psychologically, the decision to do nothing to find out what is wrong with their hearing and do something about it leads to a state of depression. However, a positive decision can be made to rectify the problem. Yes, there is light at the end of this tunnel. Where one journey ends, another begins. Simply scheduling an appointment to get their hearing evaluated by a board certified & licensed private practice audiologist is needed. Once the comprehensive evaluation is completed, the audiologist will review the results and provide recommendations for the path to better hearing. Everyday life is packed with decisions. Make yourself a priority. One decision YOU need to make today is to see a private practice audiologist and find out what is up with your hearing. If you are someone you know has trouble hearing, see a professional audiologist. You’ll be glad you did! 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.
“Dull November brings the blast, then the leaves are whirling fast” - Emily Bronte
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• Upper Bucks Free Press • November 2015
John Rivers VFW Post 11322 Update
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The post was quite busy in October. On Saturday October 17th the John Rivers Memorial VFW Post 11322 held a Pig Roast for the Vietnam War Veterans. This event was attended by 62 Veterans and their guests. Some of the attendees were family members of our deceased bothers in arms. At various times of the night honored guests were present to recognize these Veterans that served their country HONORABLY.A thank you goes to Thrivent Financial, Wal-Mart, Davis Meats, Fredericks Meats, Wawa, Giant, Herr’s Snacks, TGIF, Eco Domani , McDonalds and the Upper Bucks Free Press for supporting this event that helps show we care for these Veterans. The post would also like to recognize Gordon Allem and his daughter for doing the pig and Girl Scout Troop 2807 for their help in serving and cleaning after the event. The Vietnam Commemoration Committee, the Auxiliary and the support team did a fantastic job working together as a team. On Sunday October 18th the post was in the Quakertown Halloween Parade. Thank you to Robert Ross and David Fricke for their time and talent in driving in the parade. David and his company graciously donated the candy that the VFW handed out. Riding
in one of the vehicles was one of our Junior Poppy Queens Alexandra Kelly. Remember to thank a Veteran on Veterans Day. These men and women served so we can have our Freedom. On November 21 from 3 -5 the Quakertown VFW will be accepting donations of food, hygiene products and new under garments and outer Winter garments for men and women. These items will help support Veterans and their families in need. Some of these items will help also support homeless veterans. For more info please call 215529-0500 or 267-992-4983 and leave a message. Last year the John Rivers Veterans Center made Christmas Ornaments for a fundraiser. These ornaments are in Memory or Honor of Veteran. The cost for individuals is $25 each. Each ornament is personalized with the info we are provided. Those business’s that want to support this will have their name on the front with a special saying on back. The suggested donation for business’s is $50. For a copy of the pamphlet call the one of the numbers above. God Bless America! Commander Paul Gerhart, Jr.
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, Wednesday 10:00am 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: Steward Warner 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: Lance Fox 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 Clerks: Kathy Redding, Jack H. Schick Non-Denominational guided meditations Wed, 7pm Sunday worship 10:30am “Absolute freedom of thought and worship is our faith and practice.” 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 Pastor: Robert E. Mitman Worship 7:45 & 10:15am, Sunday School 9am, Koinonia Cafe 8:30pm, Holy Communion 1st & 3rd Sunday, Children’s Church 2nd, 4th Sunday. 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 RockhillTwp 215-257-9643 stjohnsridgevalley@verizon.net www.stjohns-ridgevalley.com Pastor: Amy Hotter
Worship: 8:30 am – Traditional, 10:15 am Contemporary w/ Praise Band, Sunday School 9:30 am, Visitors always welcome “You are invited to share our joy!” 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 Worship Services 8am (communion 1st Sunday of month) and 10:30am. Sunday School classes for all ages (preK-Adult) and family activities 9:15am. Trinity Lutheran Church 102 N. Hellertown Avenue, Quakertown 215-536-4345 www.trinityquakertown.org Pastor: Lynette R. Chapman 9 am traditional services, 10:15 Sunday School, 11am Contemporary service, Handicapped Accessible, Family Friendly Church, Dynamic Music Ministry, Community Service Oriented Victory Fellowship Church 120 Ridge Road, Telford 215-257-7906 vam7@truevine.net www.victoryfellowshippa.org Pastor: Dr. Virgil A. Mobley Full Gospel.A friendly, loving, and joyful church where the presence of God is in His house. Check out our website.
November 2015 • Upper Bucks Free Press •
An Autumn Afternoon in Richland Township to the old stone farm house and red painted sheds and barn. The scene was framed on either side by tree lines. The far horizon was blocked by a low, forested hill. With the high sky, the vast open space and the far off, pastoral farm distance was distorted and indeterminate. It seemed like I could reach out and touch it. The scene was mesmerizing. It felt like I was looking at a painting; one that I could get up and walk off into. A strange, peaceful dreaminess over came me. It felt as though my consciousness had swirled out of me and encompassed all I saw. I shook my head and blinked my eyes in an effort to shed the weird perceptual confusion. A car driving along distant Thatcher Road appeared miniature and toy like, but its reality finally forced a paradigm shift. I shrunk back into myself and again began to appreciate the acute, ‘real world’ that teemed with machines and people in constant flux and motion. A hickory nut fell to the ground with a dull thump, startling me from my reverie. Scanning the sky I espied two buzzards circling. They gently spiraled down, alit in the middle of the cornfield and began ‘picking’ at something. A lone crow streaked over the patch of woods across from me, let out a single caw and, on an unerring course, rapidly crossed the fields and disappeared over a distant tree line. Far off, a hawk soared and glided on the autumn breeze, looking for inattentive prey. Behind me, I heard the honks of geese and, through the trees, I caught a glimpse of a ‘vee’ of them heading off east toward the lake in Haycock. Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye I spotted a pair of doves streaking in from the north. I hopped to my feet. They crossed in front of me on a veering course at a blistering speed. I fired. The wad from the shotgun shell arced out over the cornfield and fluttered to the ground. The doves swerved sharply, but kept on going. The Boys bolted, expecting to vie for a retrieval but, as is so many times the case when we hunt the swift, diminutive birds, they were disappointed. I slipped another cartridge into the magazine, picked up the spent one then folded my camp stool and slung it over my shoulder. The Boys had given up on doves and were enthusiastically investigating a ground hog or rabbit hole they’d found under a brush pile. “Here!” I insisted. “Come on. Let’s go home and see your mom. It’s almost supper time.” A distance, once compressed, was elongated again as I walked off into the painting. The dirt lane that led across the fields to the farm seemed tediously long. The Boys, whose energy seldom waned, looped back and forth, ranging far in front and to the sides, investigating every tuft of grass, clump of leaves and hole in the ground as I plodded along through a real world. “Boys!” I shouted, as they snooped around the barn and corn crib. “Get in the car! I have to clean these doves, get a shower and eat supper before my TV shows come on.” More articles by Jack H. Schick can be found at Searchwarp.com or Soulofwit.com
If you would like a complimentary review of your 401k, IRA, Mutual Funds, Stocks, Bonds, Annuities or any of your other investents to see if they are appropriate for your long term goals, please call or stop by today.
Start Your Own Investment “Traditions”
Thanksgiving is just around the corner. And like all holidays, this one has plenty of traditions, such as Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (started in 1924) and football (the first broadcast Thanksgiving Day game was played between the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears in 1934). Traditions are important, and you may want to establish some in one of the key activities of your own life: investing. So, what sort of investment traditions could you start? Here are a few ideas: • Invest regularly. By definition, engaging in a tradition means performing the same acts over and over. This type of behavior can impose discipline and consistency to your investing. For example, consider contributing the same amount of money each month to the same investments. When the price of these investments is down, your contribution will pay for more shares – in other words, you’ll be “buying low,” one of the key principals of investing. And when the price of your investments is up, you’ll be a savvy enough investor to buy fewer shares. Over a long period, this technique can help lower the per-share price of your investments, but it does not guarantee a profit or protect against loss. To make it easier to follow through, you could set up monthly, automatic purchases of these investments from your checking or savings account.
• Increase 401(k) contributions when you get a raise. Why not make it a tradition to boost your contributions to your 401(k) or other employer-sponsored plan every time your salary increases? Your 401(k) is a great way to
save for retirement, as your contributions are typically made with pretax dollars, resulting in lower taxable income, and your earnings can grow on a tax-deferred basis. Even if you don’t reach the contribution limit (which, in 2015, is $18,000, or $24,000 if you’re 50 or older), you can help yourself make progress toward your retirement goals if you give your 401(k) a “raise” every time you get one. • Review your progress at least once a year. Pick one day a year – perhaps a “milestone” day, such as your birthday or wedding anniversary – to review your overall investment picture. Are your investments performing the way you had hoped? Is your portfolio properly diversified, or are there gaps you need to address? Are you investing too aggressively or too conservatively? A yearly review of your investments and long-term financial strategy, possibly with the help of a financial advisor, can help keep you on track toward your objectives. Of course, you don’t need to wait 12 months before looking over your situation; you may need to adjust your holdings during the course of any given year, in response to changes in the financial markets or your individual needs. But by committing yourself to at least one full-scale review a year, you can greatly reduce unpleasant “surprises” while staying abreast of exactly where you are and where you’re headed. On Thanksgiving, you can enjoy the holiday’s traditions, along with those that may be unique to your family. And someday, you may well be thankful that you followed some productive investment “traditions.” 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
PUZZLE ANSWERS: BuckyGrams: sugar maple, pin oak, sassafras, witch hazel, crabapple, sweetgum, red maple, Bradford pear, gingko, smoketree, redbud, dogwood Hidden message: Beautiful Fall colors! Box Puzzle: Believe in Yourself
I was sitting on my folding camp stool with a shotgun across my lap at the tip of a peninsula of sparse woods that jutted out between a pasture and a harvested cornfield at Johnny A--’s farm in Richland Township. I was a few yards from some big hickory trees. Hundreds of nuts were scattered across the ground. Most were still in their green, segmented husks but some had turned dark and flaked open, exposing the brown nuts inside. Both the Boys (my dogs) were lying nearby rhythmically panting. From the set of their ears and looks on their faces, I deduced they were wondering how long I’d be making them “stay” there. I’d just bagged a couple of mourning doves. I ‘d been walking through the woods along an over grown jeep trail with the stubble cornfield visible a couple dozen yards up ahead. The Boys were off to my right, getting a drink from the muddy bog hole that’s the only water source around. They apparently interrupted a red fox that was doing the same, never seeing it. The fox trotted my direction along the edge of the woods. Instinctively, I snapped my gun to my shoulder and aimed. Fox season wasn’t open, so I just watched. When it passed a patch of grass some doves flushed. I had no shot, but an instant later one flew through the woods toward me. I shot. Another one quickly followed. I shot again. Both birds went down. As I trotted toward where I’d seen the birds fall, I tangled my feet in a branch and sprawled. I tossed my gun and did the tuck and roll I’ve learned reduces bodily damage. Clambering to my feet I saw my gun sticking up, the muzzle embedded in the dirt. I brushed myself off, pulled my Remington out of the ground, like a spear out of a bison, and joined the Boys. Each of them had retrieved a dove and was (less than) eager to hand it over to me. My barrel was solidly plugged. I found a straight stick, carved the twig branches off of it and set up my camp stool. Instructing the Boys to “stay,” I unloaded, sat down and disassembled my gun. I stuck the stick up the barrel from the breach and, using substantial force, pushed a three inch plug of mud out the muzzle. I looked through it to be sure it was clear, assembled the gun and reloaded. It was a gorgeous afternoon. The sky was blue and scattered with puffy white clouds. There was a slight breeze that made the over-warm October afternoon tolerable. I pulled my canteen from the pouch in my stool, took a swig, then invited the Boys to ‘wet their whistles’ out of my cupped hand. I told them to find a place to lie down again and relaxed. The calm, euphoric feeling I often get when intimately interacting with nature began to rise in me. That spot on A---’s farm is one of my favorites. To the south I looked across over half a mile of open pasture and stubble corn
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• Upper Bucks Free Press • November 2015
BY ED SCHOLL
A Vision Takes Shape at 301 Broad Street
“This is a new chapter for the borough of Quakertown,” spoken in truth by Senator Patrick Toomey regarding the Upper Bucks County community and it’s Gateway project slated for 301 W. Broad Street. Friday, September 25, within the walls of the Proper Brewing Company, 117 W. Broad Street, Sen. Toomey and Quakertown Borough council members were elated to be a part of a long-awaited announcement. The six-year journey towards economic development in Quakertown began when officials commissioned the Delta Development Group of Mechanicsburg to conduct an independent report on the commercial zone of downtown Quakertown. The ultimate goal in mind--to create more job opportunities for members of the community. One key component of the report noted the common mistake made by downtown areas over the past several decades as being the removal of buildings to create parking lots. These parking lots not only disrupt the flow of retail by creating voids, they also create a conflict between pedestrians and vehicular traffic. This particular finding perfectly describes the property at 301 W. Broad Str., where at one time businesses stood providing the consumer a place to shop and dine, but also provided jobs and livelihood to borough residents. The report also revealed that disposable income in this area was being spent in other communities due to the lack of desired variety in dining and retail. Ultimately, this project sends the message to the region that Quakertown is on the move and responding to the needs of residents and consumers.
The downtown location was the previous home of small family owned businesses such as Muelhausers Corner, The Crest Diner, Boorse Music Store and the turn of the century Quakertown Stove Works factory. These former establishments were torn down in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s to make way for the existing parking lot and road changes. “The site has the potential to transform the central downtown area into a pedestrian’s paradise,” said Dave Halliday, developer at Village Centre Properties and partner in the project. Village Centre Properties was initially contacted by Quakertown officials because of the firm’s sensitivity and interest in preserving and enhancing other local downtown areas such as Souderton and Emmaus. The firm has also proven their ability to work with Main Street revitalization organizations. Village Centre Properties is connected to the community and experienced with old buildings as they operate out of a renovated factory building in Hilltown listed on the National Historic Register. “We look at old buildings with fresh eyes, with the intent of repurposing them into up to date functional commercial buildings, while preserving their history and charm,” said Christopher Sipes of Keystone Architects, a long time collaborator with Halliday. Sipes, designer of Quakertown’s Gateway project, added, “While the actual design work has just begun, the objective is to integrate new construction into the existing area in a way that will blend with and enhance existing architecture while improving the pedestrian experience, creating a space that functions better and is more attractive to locals and outsiders alike.” A three-story building is in the prelimi-
nary planning stages for the lot at the center of town. It will feature wide sidewalk space and an open feel inviting for pedestrian foot traffic. The building concept will include a restaurant on the main level as well as office space on the remaining two floors. The new building at 301 W. Broad Str. would certainly bring a new and active street life that will only add to the appeal of downtown Quakertown. The proposed restaurant tenant is someone very familiar to Quakertown residents. A lifelong resident and restauranteur in Quakertown, Vince Randazzo, announced his partnership with Halliday on the anticipated project during Sen. Toomey’s visit. Randazzo explained his desire to be a part of this project stems from a first-hand perspective of the business climate in downtown Quakertown. From his restaurant, Dominick’s Pizzeria, he witnesses the downtown typically going dark after 5 p.m. due to the lack of consumer options and foot traffic. Randazzo also pulls his visions from two other successful eateries in Bethlehem under his ownership. The Wooden Match and The Artisan Wine and Cheese Cellar sit in a historic section of Bethlehem amongst a dozen other dining options providing a gathering place for all ages. The location creates a vibrant atmosphere, drawing customers in for repeat visits. Randazzo expressed his confidence in the exciting potential of downtown Quakertown by wrapping up renovations of his current project at the Karlton building. He renovated the former theater into six luxury apartments and a beautiful new office/retail space on the first floor.
In regards to the lot to be developed, Halliday said, “We were very happy to see that the borough council is looking at the long term success of the downtown, and had commissioned the Delta Group report, which proved the need for the project. And, it’s important to remember that this project is just one of many that will benefit the entire downtown region. In our case we wish we had the original factory building to work with, but it is long gone. So, we are looking at the downtown area in general, and neighboring architecture for our inspiration. We expect to create a building in harmony with the surrounding architecture, and to help create a center for the town that is new but sympathetic to the history and character of the area, including space around it that will attract people to come and stay for a while.” “Rather than looking at a single building in need of restoration or rehabilitation,” Halliday added, “it’s the downtown area in general that needs to be addressed. We’re committed to the concept of encouraging foot traffic which will benefit every downtown business.” Halliday envisions the redevelopment as good for the business community as well as residents. “We see this as an effort to build Quakertown’s pride of place, and improve the entire commercial downtown district. As we attract investors and jobs, we will all do better. And we want to do it with a sense of history and community,” Halliday said.
(above) A proposed rendering of what the facade may look like on the new building going up at
301 Broad Street. The developers and designers are paying careful attention to compatibility with the existing architecture in downtown Quakertown, such as (below) the buildings on Broad Street immediately across from the project where groundbreaking is expected in early 2016.
November 2015 • Upper Bucks Free Press •
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Quakertown Alive! Presents Year’s Successes to Borough Council Last month, Quakertown Alive! president Nicholas Bianchini presented the organization’s annual report to Quakertown Borough Council. Bianchini emphasized the accomplishments of the past year’s events, new partnerships, and successful grant applications. Approximately 20,000 people visited downtown Quakertown in the past year to attend various Quakertown Alive! events including: Arts Alive!, Autumn Alive!, the Upper Bucks Brewfest, Properties of Merit, the Garden Affaires garden tour, the Christmas House Tour, and the Christmas Tree Lighting. Bianchini pointed out that many of these people may be experiencing Quakertown for the first time and are now aware of the Borough’s downtown businesses, unique historical assets, and extensive park system. Eventgoers have the potential to become regular visitors to the Borough, coming to shop, work, and come to know Quakertown as a great place to live. “Every event we run for Quakertown Alive! is considered profitable,” asserted Bianchini. “We have upheld our mission statement by enhancing life in our community through continuing development of a thriving downtown center.” Quakertown Alive! has also brought substantial grant money to the Borough in 2015. The Department of Community and Economic Development awarded a $50,000 matching façade grant to Quakertown for disbursement to local merchants who applied in 2014 through Quakertown Alive!. Because this is a matching grant, it actually brings $100,000 of revitalization dollars to the Borough. The first of the grant money has been presented to Gorski Engineering for the award-winning Best Made Center building on South 5th Street. Other grantees will receive façade grant money through December 2015. Quakertown Alive!’s goal is to resubmit for another $50,000 façade grant by July 1, 2016. A streetscapes grant of $249,000 from DCED was approved and funds moved into the new fiscal year of 2016. This grant is for streetscapes improvement from Belmont to Hellertown Avenues. These funds will provide the match for our grant from TAP to cover the construction costs of the streetscapes project. Quakertown Alive! is committed to reinvesting in the community.
Quakertown’s cachet for future grant consideration will be boosted in the future as Quakertown Alive! received its designation as a Keystone Community, national Main Streets® program through the Pennsylvania Downtown Center. Quakertown Alive!’s executive director, Naomi Naylor, was elected to the PDC Board and now sits as vice-chair. The Pennsylvania Downtown Center is the only statewide non-profit dedicated to the revitalization of Pennsylvania’s core communities. A portion of the proceeds from each Quakertown Alive! event benefits key designated projects to enhance the quality of life in downtown Quakertown. Funds from the Garden Affaires garden tour were used for plantings at the Burgess Foulke House and the Union Cemetery. The new trees along Broad Street will be lit with help from monies from the recent Pumpkin Ball. Arts Alive! funds went to help the Citizen’s Police Academy and Autumn Alive! benefits not only the Quakertown Police Department’s K9 Unit, but also the Bucks County SPCA. For the past few years, Quakertown Alive! has partnered with Ciocca Dealerships to raise money through a matching donation for local food pantries. Arts Alive! earnings were also used to purchase new street banners for Broad Street in conjunction with QNB Bank. Through a partnership with local company Campania International, Quakertown Alive! purchased a new three-tier fountain for the downtown “triangle park.” QA! also worked with the Borough to purchase over 140 cast-stone planters and urns to line the downtown streets. Quakertown Alive! has celebrated multiple local businesses with ribbon cuttings for grand openings and re-openings, including All Things Bridal, the renovated Karlton Building, Art Z studio, and Synergis in the new Best Made Center. The Borough, Quakertown Alive!, Upper Bucks Chamber of Commerce, and the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission are working together on the Classic Towns marketing project for the Borough. Love Local, QA!’s co-operative marketing campaign, continues to gain momentum. In the upcoming year, Quakertown Alive! plans to expand events to showcase our community and merchants.
BY CHRISTOPHER BETZ
joists once held together with pegs. Jay’s business is to take old materials and reuse or ‘upcycle’ them into new things like furniture or to remodel, refurbish buildings, or recreate buildings and other structures. He also supplies these materials to people from all over that have their own projects to do. Well, Jay and Ricki and the crew are back on TV. This time with a show called “Restoration Wild” which premieres Friday, November 7 at 9 PM on Animal Planet. What does the show have to do with animals? It turns out nothing, sort of like the shows on MTV have nothing to do with music. The new show has Jay and the gang traipsing around the country as they did before, but this time they’re not taking the materials home. The team of expert builders and designers find and repurpose cool old structures and their various elements into totally new one-of-a-kind living and leisure spaces. Not to toss out too many spoilers, but Jay reforms a vintage bus into a mobile guest house and takes a few-centuries-old cabin into a “Hunting Lodge meets Mancave” on steroids. Oh, there’s more… but you’ll want to see those for yourself! I got to know Jay and Ricki very well over the past few days. Their business is certainly the only one like it for many miles. It’d have to be – they have all the stuff! And while that is cool on its own, Jay and Ricki are a pair of the most genuine people I’ve ever met. They work hard but love what they do. The glint Jay got in his eyes when he was showing me his vast collection of ‘stuff’ as if he was discovering it again for the first time says it all. But while Jay is certainly passionate about the work and the stuff he finds and upcycles, that is not the most important part of his life. When asked what was the best thing he ever found in the many buildings and places he’s been. His simple reply: “The people.” There is so much more to this story, but that’ll have to wait for another edition. Check them out at oldreclaimedwood.com
Local Couple Tackles Second Reality Show, This Time It’s Wild!
I’ve always been a fan of “Reality TV.” Real life situations. Cars and boats being repossessed under hails of gunfire. Watching the day to day lives of Ozzie Osbourne and Gene Simmons interacting with their families. Parking enforcement officers jumping out of their vehicles to slap a boot on some deadbeat’s car for unpaid parking tickets. Enemy tow truck drivers racing to the scene of a freshly waffled vehicle. Modern day pioneers in the Klondike seeking their fortunes in gold. Junk pickers working over a hoarder’s barn like pigs digging for truffles. (For the record, there were never any Kardashians, Snookies, or real housewives of Sellersville.) You get the idea. I’m sure it was just good luck that we got to see all kinds of crazy action. They wouldn’t fake reality. There was a ‘reality’ series that I particularly enjoyed which aired in 2012 on the Nat Geo channel called ‘Abandoned.’ There was an overall-clad guy with spikey hair and a hefty woodsman’s beard that traveled all around the country with two of his trusty associates going to abandoned and dilapidated buildings to rescue items and materials that would otherwise have been victim to the bulldozer or would rust away as nature retook this stuff back into the earth. There were giant stained glass windows, doors, barn siding, columns, sinks, potties, statues, signs, industrial cogs and sprockets, and gizmos of all kinds. It turns out that guy is Jay Chaikin. He and his wife Ricki own and operate JC Woodworking aka Reclaimed Relics aka Reclaimed America on Route 313 in Perkasie. Oh, and Jay is for real. I saw the evidence myself – piles of metal fixtures, rows of bathtubs, wheels from any vehicle you can imagine, signs, lights, farm implements. Oh, and wood. Lots of it. Thousands of board feet filling a warehouse with wood, some well over a hundred years old, some of it species of wood that hasn’t borne leaves for decades. There were floor boards, siding, and huge wooden columns. There were hand hewn
(above) Jay Chaiken and wife Ricki stand among the thousands of reclaimed wooden boards at their business JC Woodworking in Perkasie. (below) Jay speaks passionately about a man he met in his
travels to reclaim materials from old structures. He has hundreds of such stories.
photos by christopher betz
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• Upper Bucks Free Press • October 2015
Howard M. Landis, III, 67 of Coopersburg died October 1, 2015 in Lehigh Valley Hospital – Cedar Crest. He was the husband of Sara L. (Sigmans) Landis. They celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary last November. Born in Milford Square he was the son of the late Howard M., Jr. and Blanche S. (Guenst) Landis. He was employed in truck part sales for Hunter Peterbilt in Breinigsville before his retirement in 2010. Prior to that he was employed by Mack Trucks in Allentown. Howard was currently restoring a Mack Truck for the Mack Museum, He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church of Spinnerstown where he also sang in the choir and served as a church lector. He was a member and Assistant Engineer of the Haycock Fire Co. Howard was a veteran of the Vietnam War serving with the Navy Seabees. He was also a member of the Quakertown American Legion. In addition to his wife he is survived by a daughter Monica I. Nace (Robert) of Coopersburg and a son Matthew A. of Coopersburg. A granddaughter Morgan Nace. A brother James and sisters Linda and Kathleen. Arrangements in the care of the C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. www.crstrunk. com) Quakertown In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1565 Sleepy Hollow Rd. Spinnerstown, PA 18968. or to the Haycock Fire Co., 850 Old Bethlehem Rd. Quakertown PA 18951. Doug Martin, 65, longtime resident of Quakertown, passed away on October 2, 2015. He was a devoted husband to wife, Sandy (Donahue) Martin; beloved son to mother Francis (Brenner) Martin; loving father to Steve and Bob Martin and two stepsons, Curt and Eric Wilkins; cherished brother to Steve Martin, wife Kim and Tom Martin, wife Pat; and treasured Pop Pop to three grandchildren, Logan, Annabel and Alivia. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Martin. Doug was a 1968 graduate of Upper Moreland High School and 1972 graduate of Juniata College with a B.S. in Sociology. He
~Obituaries~
lettered in basketball, baseball and track. Doug was a loyal partner to Bruce Hornberger at M&H Sales for 20 years. Please direct memorial contributions to the American Diabetes Association, 1617 JFK Boulevard, Suite 709, Philadelphia, PA 19103. Evelyn Alice Sine Trumbauer Lewis, 100, died Sat., Oct. 3, 2015, in LifeQuest Nursing Center in Quakertown. Wife of the late Robert O. Lewis, she was born in Quakertown, daughter of the late Alivn C. and Carrie (Ehrline) Sine. She is survived by daughters Elaine (husband Ted Rentzheimer) of Hellertown, Virginia (husband Sid Arana) of Quakertown, Janet (husband Kenneth Frey) of Milford Square, and Barbara Aird (partner Tony Michael) of Quakertown; grandchildren Barbara Thompson, Deborah Barber, Daniel Yaich, Stephanie Kline, Abigail Bankert, and Susan Ward; great grandchildren Kiersten, Breanna, Shannon, Shawn, Allison, and Allisin; and three great great grandchildren. She is predeceased by a grandson, Robert Christman; sisters Ethel Andres, Jacqueline Levy, Catherine Guentensperger, and Louise Bartholomew; brothers Earl, Lester, Lawrence, Ralston, and William. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in Evelyn’s name to the Music Program at First United Church of Christ, 151 S. 4th St., Quakertown, PA 18951 www.janauglefcs.com Charles L. Hafler, 85, of Quakertown, died Sun. Oct 4th. He was the husband of Marie (Palladino) Hafler for 65 years. He worked as a carpenter for many years and was a longtime member of the West End Fire Co., Quakertown. Surviving with his wife are his son, Charles Jr., wife Ann of Richlandtown; daughter, Lori Balogh, husband Rudy of Kintnersville; six grandchildren, ten great grandchildren; brother, Donald Hafler, wife Mary of Sellersville. He was predeceased by a brother Earl Hafler Jr and a sister, Jane Gladney.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 560 S. Main St., Quakertown, PA 18951 www.janauglefcs.com Harry B. Vasey, 93, of Quakertown, formerly of Pennsburg, died Wed., Oct 6 at Belle Haven Nursing Home. He was the husband of the late Ruth G. Vasey. Born in Philadelphia, he was a son of the late Harry & Emma (Kavanaugh) Vasey. He worked for 40 years for the former Synthane-Taylor Co., Oaks before retiring. During WW II Harry did 1 W service working making bandages and in a hospital. He was a member of Rocky Ridge Mennonite Church, Quakertown. He is survived by children, Joan Esposito (Nick), John (Fern), Daniel Kathleen), Patricia LandesDunbar, Sharon Phillips (Rodney) & Tim (Diane); 18 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren; and 4 great-great grandchildren; sister, Gloria Clapper. Predeceased by 5 siblings, four grandchildren & a great-grandchild. Memorial contributions should be made to Crossroads Pregnancy Care, 256 Trumbauersville Rd., Quakertown, PA 18951. www.janauglefcs.com Patia A. (Steinker) Schaefer, 69, of Haycock Twp., passed away Fri., Oct. 9th, in Quakertown Center. She was the loving wife of John Schaefer for 49 years. Born in Chicago, Patia was a daughter of the late Harry and Velma (Blaisdell) Steinker. She was a police secretary for the Perkasie Police Department for over 30 years until her retirement in 2008. She loved horseback riding and going on trail rides with John. She adored her Irish Setters and enjoyed teaching dog obedience classes. Surviving with her husband are half brother Mike Steinker; bother-in-law Harvey Drury; and niece Sarah Drury; and extended family. She is preceded in death by her sister, Cheryll Drury. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Patia’s memory to Irish Setter Rescue at ISCA Foundation, 34553 Deerwood Dr., Eugene, OR 97405. www.janauglefcs.com Grace A. (Swartley) Detweiler, 86, of Blooming Glen, died Sun., Oct. 11th at Grand View Hospital. She was the loving wife of Raymond W. Detweiler for 63 years. Born in Buckingham Twp., she was a daughter of the late Elias and Mary Ann (Alderfer) Swartley. Grace was a member of Deep Run Mennonite Church East. She was a skilled seamstress and a homemaker. Above all else, she was dedicated to her family. Surviving with her husband are her sons, Laverne Lee and Dean Arlin, both of Blooming Glen; brother Lawrence Swartley of Hatfield; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her sisters, Naomi Yoder and Thelma Yoder. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Grace’s name to Deep Run Mennonite Church East, 350 Kellers Church Rd., Perkasie, PA 18944 www.janauglefcs.com Mary E. (Rush) Mease, 79, of Milford Twp., passed away Wed., Oct. 14th, in her home. She was the loving wife of Donald L. Mease for 57 years. Born in Brodheadsville, Mary was a daughter of the late William Lloyd and Elda (Hillegass) Rush. Mary was a bus driver for Levy School Bus Company as well as a dedicated homemaker. She was a skilled seamstress who made clothes for her children, and she loved camping and playing card games. Surviving with her husband are son Bruce (Sharon) Mease of East Greenville; daughters Susan (Kevin) Hitchcock of Pennsburg and Jamie (Greg Masters) Diemand of Whitehall; grandchildren Brandan Diemand, Brittany Mease, and Tyler Hitchcock; and a sister, Marion (Kermit) Schnable of Telford. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Mary’s memory to the Bucks Blind Association, 400 Freedom Dr., Newtown, PA 18940, or to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 15120, Chicago, IL 60693 www.janauglefcs.com Joyce Ann Schoch, 85, of Quakertown, died Sat. Oct 17th at Phoebe Richland Health Care Center, Richlandtown. She was the wife of Stanley Schoch for 61 years.
Born in Zion Hill, she was a daughter of the late Charles and Alice (Felker) Brader. She enjoyed spending time on the seashore at Stone Harbor, NJ. She also enjoyed playing in several card clubs. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Quakertown, where she taught Sunday School for many years. Surviving with her husband are her son, John, wife Debbie of Quakertown; daughters, Lynda Schoch, fiancé Robert Mann of Upper Saucon Twp. and Brenda Landis, husband Mark of Quakertown; grandchildren, Sean, Zach and Madison; brothers, Charles, Walter, and Raymond; sisters, Peggy Heinbach, Jessie Fluck and Jean Nace. She was predeceased by a brother, Kenneth Brader and a sister, Dorothy Spencer. Memorial contributions can be made to St. Luke’s Hospice, 801 Ostrum St., Bethlehem, PA 18015. www.janauglefcs.com Kenneth F. Bachman, Sr. (Mr. “B”), of Bristol Borough, passed away on Tuesday, October 20, 2015, at Lower Bucks Hospital. He was 89 years old. Ken was born on December 6, 1925, in Northampton, Pennsylvania. He was raised by the late Eva and Frank Bartholomew of Quakertown. Ken was the beloved husband and best friend of Ruth Bachman, with whom he shared 68 years of marriage. Ken was preceded in death by his son, Kenneth F. Bachman, Jr. He is survived by his daughters, Karen McIlvaine and husband, Ed; Barbara Knight and husband, Paul; grandchildren, Michael McIlvaine and wife, Melanie; Patricia Everhart and husband, Jake; Julie Knight; and Kenneth Knight and wife, Andrea. Kenneth had four great-grandchildren, Kasey McIlvaine, Heath Everhart, Madelynn Knight and Carson Knight. Ken was a graduate of Quakertown High School. He received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees from New York University School of Music. He continued taking college courses at Trenton State College, ending his teaching career with a Masters plus 30. Ken was a WWII veteran of the Navy in the Pacific, serving as the radar man on the USS Salem. Upon graduating from NYU, he became the instrumental teacher for three high schools and three elementary schools in Allegany County, Maryland. Ken and Ruth then moved to Bristol, Pennsylvania, where he was the instrumental music teacher with the Bristol Borough School District for 32 years. His students lovingly call him Mr.”B”. He was a member of the bucks County Music Educators Association, serving as treasurer and president. He was also the treasurer of the Pennsylvania State Music Educators Association. Ken was the choir director at Harriman United Methodist Church in Bristol for 45 years and a member of the Masonic Lodge in Quakertown. Ken enjoyed keeping in touch with his students. He was especially proud of the Alumni band that marched many years in the Bristol Christmas Parade. Memorial donations may be sent to the Wounded Warrior Project. Services were held on October 24, 2014 at the Harriman United Methodist Church in Bristol, PA. Interment was in the Union Cemetery, Quakertown, PA. To sign the online guestbook or send a fond memory of Kenneth, please visit www.moldenfuneralchapel.com Arlene H. Ahlum, 90, of Haycock Twp. died Wed. Oct. 21 in Phoebe Richland Health Care Center. She was the widow of Paul E. Ahlum, Sr. Born in Springfield Twp., Bucks Co. she was a daughter of the late Frank and Vera (Timmer) Feikel. Arlene worked over 25 years for the Quakertown School District before retiring, first as a cook at Haycock Elementary School and later in the Quakertown High School cafeteria. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church- Springfield, Pleasant Valley. She is survived by her sons Paul E. Jr., wife and Lamar R., wife both of Quakertown; grandchildren James & Kristin; sister Emily Surman. She was predeceased by a grandson, Lamar R., Jr. and sisters, Helen & Mary. Interment was in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Pleasant Valley. Memorial contributions in her memory may be made to the church. The Jeffrey A. Naugle Funeral & Cremation Service, 135 W. Pumping Station Rd., Quakertown, assisted the family. www.janauglefcs.com
~Obituaries~
Marie H. Deily, 90, of Quakertown, died Wed. Oct. 21st at St. Luke’s Quakertown Hospital. She was the wife of the late Richard Deily. Born in Bethlehem, she was a daughter of the late Wilmer and Florence (Reichard) Kresge. She worked as a proofreader at the Quakertown Free Press for many years. She also worked as a cashier at Sine 5 & 10 Cent Store and retired from Bonton Department Store. She volunteered with the West End Fire Co. Ladies Auxiliary and at Trinity Great Swamp United Church of Christ, Spinnerstown. She was a member of St. Andrew’s United Church of Christ, Perkasie. Surviving are her daughters, Beverly Pope, husband Robert and Bonnie Hunsicker, husband Michael both of Quakertown; sons, Don Deily, wife Deborah of Coopersburg and Thomas Deily, wife Helen of Claysburg; seven grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren; brothers Richard Kresge, wife Alice and Truman Kresge, wife Ruth. Memorial contributions can be made to the church. www.janauglefcs.com
Janis A. Gedrovics, 104, of Quakertown died October 22, 2015 in his home. He was the husband of the late Zinaida (Tarasovs) Gedrovics. Born in Panemune, Latvia he was the son of the late Karlis & Lavize (Peterson) Gedrovics. Before retiring he owned the Latvian Bakery and was employed by the former J.G. Furniture in Quakertown. He was a very talented painter, sculptor, and enjoyed writing. Janis was a member of the Bucks County Latvian Baptist Church in Quakertown.
October 2015 • Upper Bucks Free Press •
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He is survived by a son John (Janice) of Riga, Latvia, a daughter Inese Tucceri (Robert Barndt) of Quakertown. A step daughter Larisa Erwin (Larry) of Quakertown. Many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Family will hold a memorial service on Saturday, October 31, 2015 at 11:00 A.M. in the Bucks County Latvian Baptist Church 1142 Apple Road Quakertown. Call 10:00-11:00 A.M. The C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (www.crstrunk.com) Quakertown is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the church at the above address. David J. Watkins, 81, of Quakertown, died Mon. Oct. 26th in his home. He was the loving husband of Yvonne (Amey) Watkins for 57 years. Born in Philadelphia, he was a son of the late Alfred E. and Ina (Sutherland) Watkins. David was a pastor at Grace Bible Fellowship Church in Quakertown. Surviving with his wife are daughter Lorin (Ted Lichtenheld) Fulton of Cambridge, WI; son Stephen (Melinda) Watkins of Center Valley; grandchildren Cameron, Matthew, and Elijah; sister Mary Watkins of Lansdale; and brother Phil (Teresa) Watkins of Raleigh, NC. He is preceded in death by a brother, Alfred. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in David’s memory to Grace Bible Fellowship College & Seminary Fund, 1811 Old Bethlehem Pike North, Quakertown, PA 18951. Please see more about David at www.janauglefcs.com
Past Q’town Boro Manager Nick Luca Passes at 95 Nicholas (Nick) Luca, age 95, passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 20th, at Hospice of the Valley in Surprise, Arizona. Until recently, he had been living “the good life” at Brookdale Assisted Living Facility in Sun City West, Arizona where he was loved by many – both staff and residents alike. He was born on February 9, 1920 in Messina, Sicily to Sebastian and Maria (Ruggeri) Luca and lived a happy, pasta-filled childhood there until he was 9 years old, when he made the long ocean voyage with his family to Ellis Island, New York. He spent the rest of his youth in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where his father had already secured a home and a business as a barber. At the age of 19 he met the love of his life, Josephine Dager, through the Youth Group at her church, and they were married several years later in Bath, Maine while he was on a military leave. Until her very early and unexpected passing in 1994, they spent 51 wonderful years together. During World War II, Nick served in the Naval Armed Forces, proudly defending his country in both the North Atlantic campaign prior to Pearl Harbor and in the South Pacific with the Seventh Fleet. He was honorably discharged at the rank of Chief Petty Officer in November, 1945. Following his time in the armed forces, and while working and raising a young family, he attended Drexel University, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Business. His most memorable and proudest years were those spent working for the people of Quakertown, Pennsylvania as their Borough Manager from 1970 to 1986. His financial prowess and business acumen served the community well – so well, in fact, that upon his retirement, a street was named in his honor. Considering his professional life, those who know him may be surprised to learn that during his working years, Nick and one of his brothers-in-law built a new home for
his growing family on a lovely country road in Bucks County, Pennsylvania with almost no outside assistance. Following retirement in 1986, Nick and Josephine made the decision to head west -- to the sun and fun of Sun City West, Arizona. In his early years of retirement, he was an avid golfer and tennis player, poker and pinochle player, and Pennsylvania Club member. He also served as a dedicated member of the SCW posse. In later years, the activities slowed down, but he never stopped loving all that Sun City West had to offer. Nick was a loving husband, brother, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was preceded in death by his devoted wife, Josephine. He is survived by his sister, Angie (Al) Beatty, and his three children, Nancy Maria Fries, Margaret (George) Alcorn, and Nick, Jr. (Kristen); his eight grandchildren, Harvey “Rusty” (Kristen) Fries, Ryan (Jessica) Fries, Nicole Notarianni, Rick (Regina) Fries, Bradley (Elizabeth) Alcorn, Nick III (Desiree), Jessica (Dave) Thomas, and Meghan Zibby; and his eight great-grandchildren, Cole and Connor Fries, Peyton and Parker Fries, Luca Notarianni, Nick IV and Alexander Luca, and Emmaline Thomas. A memorial service, with Naval Honor Guard and Taps, is being planned for Spring, 2016. It will be held at the Camino Del Sol Pavilion of Honor. Following the ceremony, he will be interred beside his wife at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona on Cave Creek Road. For those wishing to make a memorial donation, the family suggests the Sun City West American Legion Post 94 and Hospice of the Valley, Surprise, Arizona. Please visit www.caminodelsol.com if you would like to share any thoughts about Nick. Yet the world and its enticement are passing away. But whoever does the will of God remains forever. (1 John 2:17)
American Legion Post 241 Update Once again our Post is participating with other Upper Bucks Legion Posts in the annual Veterans’ Day Memorial Service held by the joint school districts of Upper Bucks and the various private schools in the area. Our Former State Representative Paul Clymer (now the Commander of the Perkasie Legion Post) has continued with chairing the committee to put together this all-important service involving the youth of our area. Our Service is at Palisades Middle School. 4710 Durham Rd, Kintnersville, Pa. 18930. It is always impressive to witness the patriotism of this new generation. Darcy McConahy, the choir director at St. John’s Lutheran, Spinnerstown also invites the very upper part of Upper Bucks and Montgomery County as well as Lehigh County veterans to a service at the school where her daughter Kelly teaches music. (East Penn School District, Lower Macungie Middle School). I am glad to see that these areas still hold fast to honoring those who served! Most children today would not even know the meaning of the phrases: 11/11/11, VE Day, VJ Day, or D-Day. Many of the late evening entertainment shows that are on after the news that have a reporter go out on the streets for interviews would probably get responses that “Would Knock Your Socks Off”! The children in these school districts would know the meanings and I hope remember the services they attended! Most of all, it is important that we have Veterans, their families, and the general public
attend these services. It is important that when the various branches of service are honored and the folks who served in these branches stand up, so the young people can honor them. I still remember the past Veterans’ Day Services when the students lined the halls and thanked us as we walked to the eating area where the cold cut luncheon was held. What a difference from the reception we received when we returned home back in 1967! The services at Palisades begin promptly at 10:00 AM with public arrival suggested between 9:30 and 9:45 AM. The 2 services at Lower Macungie Middle School are at 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM. If interested in attending these services and if you need directions please call Les Walters at 215-536-9242 (Palisades) or Darcy McConahy at 215-679-8230 (Lower Macungie). For the many Veterans who belong to Post 242, I wish to remind you to fill out and mail in (with your check) the 3 tickets for the Youth Activities Drawing sent to you. Better yet, include the Post as the name of the winner so the funds return to our youth programs. At the last drawing we held, the Post had several winners that returned money into the special drawing account. Let us surprise our Adjutant (Charley Wismer) by making this our BEST Drawing yet. Also don’t forget to check into the various “Free” meals offered by area restaurants on our special day. To show your appreciation, take your spouse or special friend with you that day. Thanking you for your service, Dick Helm
Did you know?
The American Legion has nearly 14,000 posts in every community in the United States. In addition to posts in every state, the Legion has posts in the District of Columbia, France, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the Philippines.
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• Upper Bucks Free Press • November 2015
November 2015 • Upper Bucks Free Press •
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• Upper Bucks Free Press • November 2015
2015 Quakertown Halloween Parade Results Individuals 1st Prize: “Pet Therapy” – Denise Myers 2nd Prize: “Mummers Pirate” – Lee Ford
Small Groups 1st Prize: “Ghostbusters” – Gerhardt & Truman 2nd Prize: “ Ghoulish Tea Party” – Hunsberger 3rd Prize: “Flowers” – Daisy Troop 2778 Large Groups 1st Prize: “Frontier Girls” Girl Scout Troop 144 2nd Prize: Power & Grace Super Tumblers 3rd Prize: What a Trip” mini-tugboat & pirates 4th Prize: QCHS Homecoming Court Best Appearing Group 1st Prize: “Adventures Through Time” - Erin Hardy 2nd Prize: Groomin’ Tails 3rd Prize: “Owls” – GSEP Brownie Troop 2803 4th Prize: Blue & White 1959 Chevy
Most Comical Group 1st Prize: “Marching Minions” – Brownie Troop 21468 2nd Prize: “Buggie Brownies” – Brownie Troop 2804 Commercial Floats 1st Prize: Coopersburg Kenworth 2nd Prize: Tractors & Banners – JD Equipment 3rd Prize: Cress Gas Company Non-Profit Floats 1st Prize: Fidat with Pedal Tractors – Norman & His Toys 2nd Prize: “Dr. Seuss” – UB Relay for Life 3rd Prize: “Operation Christmas Child” 4th Prize: “Zombie Beach Sing-a-long” Fire Departments 1st Prize: Quakertown 2nd Prize: Milford Township 3rd Prize: Trumbauersville 4th Prize: Sellersville
photos by michele buono, carolynn betz
Medicare Updates In regards to an increase in the Medicare Part B premium, as of this writing (October 21) there has been no official announcement from CMS (the government agency that manages Medicare). We do know that there will be no Social Security benefit increase (COLA) in 2016, and based on the “Hold Harmless” law, there can be no increase in the Medicare Part ‘B’ premium if is there is no Social Security COLA. So, for all those that are already on Medicare (70% of Medicare beneficiaries) and paying $104.90 per month, there will be no increase in 2016. The present Medicare beneficiaries not protected by this “Hold Harmless” law are: 1. Individuals that have incomes higher than $85,000 and couples that have incomes higher than $170,000. (These folks pay an “income adjusted” higher premium to begin with) 2. All folks that pay their Part B premium via quarterly billing rather than monthly Social Security check deductions. (These folks are not collecting Social Security benefits) There has been no announcement for what new folks (enrolling in 2016) will be paying. There has been a number of $159/ month published in various publications (this would be the largest increase in Medicare’s history). When CMS floated this number, there was immediate effort initiated to pressure Congress to not allow this large increase to happen. Recently 70 large and politically influential organizations (including Easter Seals, International Association of Fire Fighters, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, National Postal Mail Handlers Union, Paralyzed Veterans of America,
United Steelworkers, etc. etc.) sent a letter to the members of Congress that are heads of the sub-committees such as Finance, Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, etc. to let them know that $159/month for Medicare is simply way too high. The delay in announcing the 2016 Premium is an indication that Congress may be looking at this very closely. For the trivia buffs…Looking back over the last 40 years (1976 – 2016), there has only been three (3) years without a Social Security increase …2010, 2011, 2016. And here is what Medicare Part B premiums looked like over the years. 1966: $3.00/month 1981: $11.00/month 1988: $24.80/month 2004: $66.60/month 2007: $93.50/month Part D Drug Plans Caveat Emptor! (Buyer Beware!). Many of the Drug Plans are raising their monthly premiums. Keep your eye on your plan. You should have received the Annual Notice of Change announcing any premium increases. You can shop around during this Annual Election Period which ends December 7th. Medigap Plan ‘F’ After 2020, Plan ‘F’ will no longer be offered to new enrollees. (Folks that have Plan ‘F’ can keep their plan forever). To compensate for the fact that “younger” and healthy folks will no longer be coming into the Plan ‘F’ pool after 2020, the companies will be increasing rates before 2020 and definitely after 2020. This is the time to drop Plan ‘F’ and shop around. Please call me if you need any assistance with your Medicare matters. Howard Peck is the owner of ‘Senior Insurance Solutions’ based in Green Lane PA. He’s a Pennsylvania Licensed Insurance Broker who specializes in all things Medicare. He can be reached at 610-633-1630 and hnpeck@comcast.net
VFW Post 11322 Vietnam Veteran’s Appreciation Dinner
photos by lisa betz
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Learn how you can sponsor Paw Prints, Quakertown Community High School’s student newspaper, as well as the school’s journalism program. Net proceeds will be used to publish our paper monthly in the Upper Bucks Free Press, as well as used to build on the resources and equipment available to the journalism students. E-mail us at PawPrints@ubfp.org for more info!
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• Upper Bucks Free Press • November 2015
Think Local. Buy Local. Be Local.
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Dogs Need Manners! Will your dog have manners when your holiday guest come a-calling? Excited barking, jumping, peeing, and running around the house at warp speed dogs are a real nuisance and can be dangerous. Owners have good intentions and expect their dogs to behave, but rarely take the time to train them. We humans make it very difficult and confusing for our dogs to understand us. Yelling at your dog for barking only temporarily interrupts the behavior and adds to the excitement that you are trying to curtail. Where is the training? When you are yelling at your dog to “shut up” she thinks you are barking right along with her and participating in a fantastically fun barking festival. Tell me that’s not reinforcing barking to the dog. If you are lucky enough you may scream loud enough to make her stop barking but now she runs away because she fears your obnoxious behavior. She does not understand that the barking is what made you freak out in the first place. The only training that is occurring here is that you are teaching your dog to be fearful of you. A relationship built on fear and distrust is not the way to train your dog to stop barking.
Small dogs can get away with jumping versus an 80 pound Labrador Retriever. Bigger untrained dogs can inflict a lot of pain and damage just being happy to see you. You and your guests may unknowingly reinforcing the jumping you’re actually trying to extinguish. The untrained dog is only seeking your attention. Dogs do not understand that pushing her away while you scream “get off of me you big lug” equates remove your body off of my body. The dog understands jumping is working because the human is looking, talking, and touching her. ESL - English is a Second Language to all dogs. You have to train your dog to have manners. Thank the dog for letting you know someone is at the door by barking, but that you got it from there. Leash your dog to keep her contained. Do not allow her to escalate out of control. Teach your dog to settle on cue. It is so much easier to teach a dog what to do than what not to do. Why not ask your dog to sit before she jumps? Zip the lip and turn the hip if she does! Now’s the time to train your dog before your holiday guests arrive. Submitted by Marion C. O’Neil CPDT-KA, CTDI, Owner and Trainer for Molasses Creek Dog Training, LLC Quakertown, PA
WOW what a cold day THAT was for Autumn Alive! Thank you to all who showed up and made it a great day. Here are some pictures of me from that day. I was in the author booth AND I helped judge the pet parade. Right after the pet parade I finally got to hear the Valley Choral Society sing. They were great! What a bunch of troopers to sing in THAT cold wind and for Mr. Drew to be able to play a piano with cold fingers, he was amazing! They will have some concerts coming up soon in this area. ST Marks church in Pennsburg on Dec. 12th and Trinity Church in Perkasie on Dec. 13th. Check out their web site for more events, www.valchor.com
Meet Mya!
an example of how senior screening works! This month we are going to tell a story about a dog named Mya. Mya is a 14 year old lab/pitty mix who has bladder cancer. Mya’s story starts about 18 months ago when she had her senior exam and some annual screening bloodwork. At this exam, she was normal and doing great, aside from some well-managed arthritis. When her bloodwork results came back they were completely normal, but her urinalysis showed some blood and abnormal cells. Even though she was not currently having any abnormal urinary signs (IE accidents, straining, discomfort, obvious blood), there was clearly something going on! Mya’s mom elected to get more information, so she had xrays and a bladder ultrasound. On ultrasound, it was discovered that Mya unfortunately had a tumor growing in her bladder that was causing the inflammation and abnormal cells found in the urine sample. Because we were able to catch this so early, well before she was having any
signs, Mya was started on a treatment plan of pain management, anti-inflammatories, and antibiotics. She went about 6 months before she started having any clinical signs, and with some minor medications adjustments, she is still doing well today. Mya is a great example of how screening can work. Typically, dogs with bladder tumors present at the time that they start having symptoms, and despite treatment, they usually succumb to their disease within 6-12 months. Mya being diagnosed early, has allowed her some much appreciated extra pain and symptom free time to spend with her family. This year – consider doing that senior screen on your pet! You never know what you may find, and you may be able to treat BEFORE it is causing a problem for your family member. Dr. Mehaffey and partner Dr. Jen Heller own and operate the new Pennridge Animal Hospital on Ridge Road in Perkasie and can be reached at 267-272-9996. They also founded and curate Harley’s Haven Dog Rescue.
Adoptable Pets Harley’s Haven
Where Can I Get my UBFP?
QUAKERTOWN Aamco American Heritage FCU A-Plus Mini Market Borough Hall Beer City Classic Staffing Chick Fil-A Dairy Queen Dominick’s Pizza Earl Bowl Lanes First Savings Bank First United Church of Christ The Free Press Bldg. Giant (Qtwn Plaza) The Grundy House Hampton Inn Holiday Inn Express Independence Court James Michener Library JoAnne’s Frame Shop John’s Plain & Fancy Let’s Steep (Q-Mart) Liberty Thrift Store McCoole’s Red Lion Inn McDonalds Moyer’s Shoes Pep Boys Philly Soft Pretzel Factory Quaker Cleaners Q’town Family Restaurant
QNB Bank Quaker Cleaners Redner’s Market Roma Pizza Sal’s Pizza Randa Seven-Eleven Sine’s 5 & 10 St. Luke’s Bone & Joint Inst. St. Luke’s Quakertown Hosp. Swann’s Pantry The Souper Bowl (Q-Mart) Tom’s Help Desk Top Star Express (Exxon)\ Upper Bucks Sr. Ctr Upper Bucks SPCA Upper Bucks YMCA Upper Bucks Chamber Wells Fargo Bank Yum Yum Donuts TRUMBAUERSVILLE Borough Hall Fino’s La Cantina Spor’s General Store RICHLANDTOWN Seven-Eleven First Savings Bank SPINNERSTOWN Spinnerstown Hotel E J’s Barber Shop PLEASANT VALLEY Country Kitchen
SELLERSVILLE A & N Diner Grandview Hospital Hidden Meadows Roy Ann Diner PERKASIE Dam Good Cafe Giant Food Markets Landis Food Markets Olde Towne Convenience Pennridge Chamber Pierce Library QNB Bank TELFORD Indian Valley Library Landis Supermarket SOUDERTON Care & Share Shoppes SILVERDALE Green Street Barber Shop OTTSVILLE NAPA of Ottsville COOPERSBURG Coopersburg Diner Giant Food Markets The Inside Scoop QNB Bank Turkey Hill Market Last Chance Ranch Store SPRINGTOWN Reflections Hair Studio Village Center Automotive
Have a place in mind where you’d like to pick up your UBFP? Let us know! We’re always adding new locations throughout Upper Bucks. Call 215-529-8915 ext. 11 or email terri@ubfp.org.
Meet Mandy!
Mandy you adorable goofball! This little lady is a sweetie - she is a 2-3 year old pitty/mix of some kind, who is only about 45lbs. She LOVES people - she would make a wonderful family pet! She does have a high prey drive, so would do best in a home without cats or other small critters....but people, kids, any one who can pet her - she loves! She has a great activity level - always up for a hike, but also totally content with hanging out inside just chewing a bone!
Meet Libby!
Libby is a catch!! This beautiful little chunky lady is waiting for you! She is a 3 year old terrier mix who LOVES people and other dogs... she would make a wonderful family pet, and is lazy....her idea of a happy day? Relaxing with her family, just getting love! Libby deserves an awesome home to match her well-rounded personality! Learn more about Mandy and Libby by calling 215-527-7432 or by visiting us at HarleysHavenRescue.com
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Chelsea Clinton Appears at Children’s Book World
I was excited to attend a book signing by former first daughter, Chelsea Clinton. Ms. Clinton recently wrote a children’s book titled “It’s Your World: Get Informed, Get Inspired, & Get Going!” The book is a well-written guide on many of the issues facing our world today as well as providing motivation to get kids to do something about it. The event took place at Children’s Book World, in Haverford PA. When asked about a having a figure like Ms. Clinton at the book store, owner Heather Hebert said that an event
like this brings the store onto people’s radars. Hebert is appreciative of publishers like Penguin Books (publisher of Clinton’s new book) for continuing to send amazing authors to Children’s Book World. Since some people were coming just because Ms. Clinton was there, Hebert hoped that once in the doors of this gem of a bookstore, the people will become regular patrons. Hebert said, it is “exciting to get people from new places.” There definitely were a lot of people at the event! By the time it started, the line to get into the store was down the block and around the corner. The estimated attendance was between 450-500 people. As I waited my turn in line, I got a chance to ask a few people how they came to hear about the event. Some were store patrons that received notification from the store’s email list. Heather Bickley, and her children Lily and Noah, were new to the store, and had heard about the event via social media. Some in line were already familiar with Ms. Clinton’s book, liked the message and wanted
to show support for it. One woman said that her children were always interested in charity works, and another said that he liked the overall message and ideas in the book. Piper Martz had heard about the event from her political science teacher via email, and had told her friend Anne Clare. They admitted that they were skipping class, but thought that meeting Chelsea Clinton made up for it. Piper pointed out that the “academic value of meeting Chelsea Clinton is incomparable to studying in school”, (I feel I should point out that, if their teachers read this article, they were working on their studies while waiting in line). Ms. Clinton draws on her experiences as first daughter in the book. As first daughter, she was in a position to see the world in a way not many have the opportunity to and it shaped the story for the book. The book is about inspiring children by teaching them with an overview of the world’s challenges, like poverty, poaching, homelessness, and environmental issues. She gives examples of what other kids were doing to help combat some of these problems. When I got my chance to meet Ms. Clinton, she agreed to talk with me a little about the book. I ask her about the enormity of the problems outlined in the book and said that, as just one kid, it all seemed way too big to even start to do anything. Ms. Clinton told me to “look at big problems as lots of little problems” and work on the little ones. As I was talking to her, she told me about the story of a boy named Alex, who wanted to tackle the problem of homelessness and poverty. Instead of starting with the almost impossible task of completely stopping these problems, he chose to work on one part of it. Alex realized he always had extra pieces in his LEGO sets after he was done building them. He thought of the kids who don’t have any LEGOs at all because of their life situation. He took action and started collecting LEGO sets for these kids. Alex ended up donating thousands of LEGO sets to kids who couldn’t afford them. Clinton says this is just one example of how kids can make a difference. At the end of each chapter, Ms. Clinton has a page of suggestions that you can do to help with whatever the chapter’s topic is. The suggestions are simple things that you can do to slowly change your life to take action help others. I really liked the entire layout of the book, and recommend it to any kid interested in making the world a better place. The message in the book and the theme at the book signing is something kids can all get behind, “We all can do something” Ms. Clinton said. To learn more about Children’s Book World, please visit ChildrensBookWorld.net If you would like to read more about books and reading, please go to Thiskidreviewsbooks.com
The answers to the puzzles on this page are found elsewhere in this issue.
Think Local. Buy Local. Be Local.
BLESSINGS CASSEROLE CELEBRATION CORN CORNUCOPIA CRANBERRIES FAMILY FEAST
FRIENDS GOBBLE GOURDS GRAVY HARVEST HOLIDAY MAIZE PARADE
PILGRIMS PLYMOUTH POTATOES PUMPKIN PIE PURITANS SETTLERS SQUASH
STUFFING THURSDAY TRADITION TURKEY WAMPANOAG WISHBONE YAMS
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The Upper Bucks Free Press is made possible by the businesses you see on these pages. Remember to thank them for supporting your community’s voice.
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• Upper Bucks Free Press • November 2015
‘Uptown’
the Shoe Mecca
Autumn Alive 2015
Serving communities by promoting hope, health and wellness.
New Vitae Wellness and Recovery provides a comprehensive continuum of residential and outpatient behavioral health services to adults over 18. Our integrated model provides continuity of care to those we serve including families and allies. Recovery supports and services include: • Comprehensive residential treatment • Outpatient services • Brain injury services • Veterans services • Young adult services • Residential housing including personal care homes, 24/7 staffed apartments and supported independent living apartments • Specialized treatment programs
For more information or to schedule an on-site tour, please call 610-965-9021 or email info@newvitaewellness.com.
www.newvitaewellness.com
I confess. I have a course of action to which I have an excessive and irrational commitment which originated “Uptown.” I don’t have a memory of the first pair of shoes my mother bought for me. They were the hard-soled shoes that parents put on their babies when they start to walk. I still have mine, packed away somewhere. My intention was to have them bronzed, but that never happened. What I do remember about that purchase is that years later my mother told me they were bought at a shoe store “Uptown” on Broad Street; one of the many stores that I was mesmerized by when I was a pre-school child – Hinkle & Biehn Shoe Store. By the time I started second grade, Moyer’s was the shoe store that my mother visited every August for school shoes. Those were the days that children had three pairs of shoes. One pair for school, one pair for every day, and a dress-up pair for Sunday. If there were a number of children in the family, shoes would get a lot of wear because there were passed down to siblings. Back in the day (before self-serve shoe sales), clerks assisted you with your shoe purchase. Shoes were on display on the main floor, but the sales clerk would go back to the stock room to get your size and color. From the time I was a young child, I was fascinated by that gadget that measured your feet to determine your shoe size. And then, there was the x-ray machine that was really weird to me because I could actually see the bones in my feet. Once I started working, the three pairs of shoes limit did not apply. I became addicted to shoes. So much so that I had to buy more than one pair at a time. Because of that, Moyer’s shoe store was not affordable for my week-
ly pay check of forty some dollars. I started patronizing Field’s Shoe Store, Endicott and Johnson, and as years passed, the shoe store on Apple Alley – which was my delight. Yes, I admit that I had an obsession with shoes. I know there were many sales clerks who dreaded seeing me walk into the store because they knew they would have to bring out no less than ten pairs of shoes from the stock room before I made a decision, which many times was the first pair they had shown me. My favorite purchase of shoes was when Quakertown would have Sidewalk Sales where all of the downtown stores put discounted merchandise out on the sidewalk in front of their stores. I would go shopping on my lunch break, and buy, at least, four pairs of shoes for under ten dollars. Those were the days. Equally important to my love of buying shoes was Joe’s Shoe Repair shop on East Broad Street. I cannot begin to count the pairs of shoes that Joe soled, stitched, cleated, and polished for me. He had an amazing gift of identifying each person’s shoes without even looking at the receipt ticket. I was a bit sad when the store closed. My shoe obsession diminished when I became a parent, but the memories of that “Uptown” pleasure are still etched in my mind. Jacque Holliday, a lifelong resident of Quakertown, spends her retired time writing and volunteering. She enjoys taking photographs of nature. Jacque Holliday, a lifelong resident of Quakertown, spends her retired time writing and volunteering. She enjoys taking photographs of nature. Additionally, she writes a blog, Jacque’s Patchwork Journal, at: jacquespatchworkjournal.weebly.com
Q. What should I be doing for my yard and gardens before the soil freezes this fall? A. Fall is a great time to get major results from your landscape efforts in a few ways: 1. Soil Test! Find out now how to treat your soil for the best flowers and lawn next year. Penn State Extension office sells soil test kits for $9. Follow easy directions and send your sample off to Penn State. You will receive an analysis and suggestions to augment your soil for optimum growing conditions. Carry out the recommendations this fall and all winter long they can be working into the soil for optimum benefit from your efforts. If you only fertilize or lime your lawn once a year—this is the time to do it! 2. Sadly, frost has killed off most of our beautiful annuals, perennials, and vegetables, so clean up is needed. You may be tempted to pull out everything and clean up—but be selective! The annuals can be pulled up and composted. But, some of your perennials should stay to provide seeds for birds, and shelter for desirable insects to hunker down for the winter. Consider tall grasses, stalks, or attractive rigid perennials for having potential to provide “winter interest” and help prevent possible erosion. For the perennials you are removing, cut them back just above the crown of the plant root ball. Again, carry all your perennial debris to the compost pile. If you detect disease like powdery mildew on your perennials, dispose of them in the trash. 3. Pull out and discard the weeds! Don’t allow them time to spread more seeds or disease in your winter garden. 4. Newly planted flowers and shrubs may benefit from a layer of protections from winter temperatures. You can cover delicate plants with leaves, an evergreen branch or mulch— but remove this cover in early spring. 5. Dig up tender bulbs such as cannas, callas and dahlias. Store them in sawdust or peat moss (non-organic) where they are cool but will not freeze. 6. Empty and clean containers. Sterilizing them with diluted bleach (9/1) before storing them ensures that you are not transferring any diseases to your new plantings in spring. 7. Clean your garden tools by removing dirt with a wire brush and coating them with vegetable oil to keep them from rusting. 8. Drain hoses and store them away to prevent freezing water from causing stress and leaks.
9. Start to plan for another beautiful garden starting next spring! Before you know it, those seed and bulb catalogs will be in your mailbox! Q. My wife and I disagree on how to prune our large old, overgrown forsythia. My wife loves the ‘natural’ look, but I would prefer a more manageable size and shape. A. Some gardeners consider forsythia to be undesirable because it will quickly become unsightly if not properly and routinely pruned. Forsythia will also self-root and usurp more space than desired. For those of us who love them, they are one of the first harbingers of Spring and a welcome sight! The best time to prune forsythia is as soon as it is finished blooming in the Spring. It sounds like your forsythia could benefit from a rejuvenation pruning. Rejuvenation pruning is the most severe of the pruning techniques and is most often used to reinvigorate older, out of control shrubs with a large amount of unproductive (non-blooming) wood. The shrub is pruned by removing all of the oldest branches at or near the soil line. An alternative to this severe method is renewal pruning. Renewal pruning (probably preferred by your wife!) is usually a three year process by which no more than 1/3 of the oldest branches are removed each season for three consecutive seasons at or near the soil line. Keep in mind that both of these pruning methods will produce new growth from the roots. Some of these sprouts may need to be thinned to retain the natural shape of the forsythia. For detailed pruning information here is the Penn State Publication ‘Pruning Ornamental Plants’ http://extension. psu.edu/publications/agrs-095/view As always, copies of any Penn State Extension publication can be mailed to you – simply contact us! Even though gardening season is winding down, you can still send us your questions by email or regular mail: “Ask a Master Gardener” Penn State Extension Bucks County Neshaminy Manor Center 1282 Almshouse Rd Doylestown, PA 18901 Email: BucksHotline@ag.psu.edu Please mention that you heard about us in the Upper Bucks Free Press!
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The Upper Bucks Free Press is made possible by the businesses you see on these pages. Remember to thank them for supporting your community’s voice.