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• Upper Bucks Free Press • October 2017
What’s Going On in Upper Bucks? September 29
Bag Bingo at Benner Hall, Richlandtown. Open 5:45pm, BYOB & snacks, soda, water, pretzels for sale. $25/adv. tkts, $30/door (email day of for tkt availability), jenniferkbarndt@ gmail.com or info@qtownpantherfootball.com Autumn Daze Dinner Dance (Buffet 6pm7pm) (Dancing 7pm-10pm) $22/dinner & dance w/reservation, $12/dance only. Pennridge Senior Ctr, Rtes 113 & 152, Silverdale (next to Dunkin Donuts) 215-453-7027
September 29 & 30
Indoor Flea Mkt 9am-3pm both days. Food available, bake sale on Saturday. St. Luke’s UCC, Rte 313, Dublin DeSales University Reunion & Alumni Weekend. (golf tournament, food trucks, tastings, music, games, kids zone & petting zoo) Info: desales.edu/homecoming Allentown ArtsFest at Cedar Beach Park, 2600 Parkway Blvd. Free adm., music, food, activities for all. Allentownartsfest.com
September 30
“Kaos” live on the patio, 7pm-10pm at McCoole’s Red Lion Inn, 4 S Main St, Quakertown. Strong male & female vocals covering popular songs from the 80’s to today’s top 40 hits. Info: 215-538-1776 5K-9, 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run/Doggie Walk. Regis. 7am. Info: pretzelcitysports.com, Benner Memorial Park, 1260 E Cherry St, Richlandtown. Info: 215-538-9290 Grand Opening 9:30am of Benner Hall Dog Park, Benner Memorial Park, 1260 E Cherry St, Richlandtown. Bring your 4-legged friends to help us celebrate. Church School Open House 9:30am-12noon, 2165 Rte 212, Pleasant Valley (Coopersburg) Historical artifacts, photos, etc. in beautifully restored building. Free adm. Tom Cline 484-308-1510, Springfield Twp Historical Soc. Souderton Art Jam at Wile Ave & Reliance Rd. 50+ artisans, food trucks, (2pm-5pm family friendly beer garden, $35), live music. Free adm., 100Thousand Poets for Change all day, children’s chalk art contest 10am-2pm.
45th Reunion of 1972 Class of Pennridge HS at The Historic Stonebrook, 475 Deep Run Rd, Perkasie. $50/per person. Contact Maryann at 215-249-9361 Community Flea Mkt 8am-2pm at Christ Lutheran, One Luther Ln, Trumbauersville. $10/spot, bring own table. Info: 215-536-3193 All-U-Can-Eat Turkey Supper, 4pm-7pm at Solomon’s UCC, 2990 Bedminster Rd, Perkasie (Rte 113 Bedminster) $12/adults, $6/ ages 6-12, under 6 is free, $13/takeouts. Info: solomonsucc.org or 215-795-2668 Adopt-A-Highway Fall Cleanup 8am-10am at CDP parking lot, Rte 313 & Thatcher Rd, Qtown. christina.harmonosky@ubymca.org Can Jam Music Festival 12noon-6pm at Sly Fox Beer, 331 Circle of Progress Dr, Pottstown Flea Mkt/Craft Show 9am-2pm at Dublin Fire Co, 194 N Main St. $20/space, bring own tables. No food/drink concessions. Breakfast/ lunch by Ladies Aux. Info: 215-249-3089, rain date Oct 7. Community Picnic 11am-3pm at Molasses Creek Park, 2175 Krammes Rd, Quakertown. “Mountain Heritage Blue Grass Band:” & “Ferrous the Pig” & balloons, games, face painting. Food 25 cents & 50 cents. All welcome! Mom’s Market 9am-12noon. Free admission. Franconia Mennonite, 613 Harleysville Pike, Telford. 215-723-3220 Pork & Apple Bake & Car/Truck Cruisein, 3pm-7pm at Church of Holy Spirit, 2871 Barndt Rd, Harleysville. Bluegrass music, food. 215-234-8020, churchoftheholyspirit.us Family Movie Night “Sing” at 6pm. Pizza at 5:30pm. Free event, but please RSVP 610-216-7185 so we can have enough pizza. Trinity UCC, 1990 Rte 212, Pleasant Valley. trinityuccpa.com
September 30 & October 1
18th annual Art of the Barn Tour, 10am4pm by BC Audubon Soc. at Honey Hollow. (barns in Solebury/Upper Makefield area), Seven barns & 19 local artists. Volunteer/Tkt info: 215-297-5880
October 1
“Blessing of the Animals” 1pm-3:30pm at Animals in Distress, 5075 Limeport Pk, Coopersburg. Food, live music, craft/gift bazaar. 2:30pm Blessing of the Animals, free St. Francis medal to each pet blessed. 610-966-9383 x8 Pancakes/Sausage Sunday 8:30am-11:30am, $8/adults, $4/age 4 & under at Saucon Valley HS cafeteria, 2100 Polk Valley Rd, Hellertown. Please donate a canned item for food bank. Info: thatcherhome@hotmail.com (reserv. preferred) Penny Party 1pm at Eastern Upper Bucks Senior Ctr, 8040 Easton Rd, Ottsville. (open noon) $2/100 numbers, more, light lunch for sale. Info: 610-847-8178 Perkasie Fall Fest 12noon-5pm (2 locations) Harry Potter Hoopla (town ctr) & Menlo Park. All kinds of fun activities planned. Free trolley shuttle connects them both. Info: Perkasieborough.org Rally Day to Kickoff Sunday Sch. year, 11am-12:30pm at St. John’s Lutheran, 4 S Main St, Richlandtown. 215-536-5027 or stjohnsrpa.org Breakfast 8am - 1pm at Springtown Firehouse, 3010 Rte 212. $7/adults, $4/ages 5-8, free under 5. “Pumpkin Smash w/Princess” 1pm-3pm at County Line Nursery, 811 Harleysville Pike, Harleysville. 215-723-8956 Super Street Rod Sunday 9am-3pm (r/s), Upper Bucks St. Rod Assoc., Silver Creek AA, Rtes 412 & 212, Springtown. Info/costs: 267-372-2214 or ubsra.com Penny Party 1:30pm at St. Luke’s Church, 20 Church Rd, Hellertown, 610-838-0897
October 2
Addiction Education Program for Families (drugs, alcohol) FREE series begins 7pm today, first 3 Mondays monthly. Red Schoolhouse at Presbyterian Church of Deep Run, Dublin. 800-221-6333 (also in “ongoing events”)
October 3 and 5
Youth Mental Health First Aid Certification, 4:30pm-8:30pm (ages 18+) Fee is free! Must attend both days to be certified. Lt refreshmts, free babysitting. Info: ubymca.org, 215-536-YMCA
October 4
2nd Annual Pennridge C of C “Old Time Pig Roast” for our mbrs & mbrs of fire depts, service clubs, & organizations in Pennridge area. 5pm-8pm at Perkasie Owls Club. $35/pp. Reserve: 215-257-5390 or pennridgecc@pennridge.com Fermenting Drinks Workshop (probiotic-rich drinks) 7pm-9pm at Plumsteadville Grange, 5901 Old Easton Rd, Plumsteadville. Free, donations accepted. Bring a 2-qt jar (or more) to begin. Info: 215-621-8967 or BucksFoodshed.org “Reflecting on School Art Collections…..” discussion 7pm at Michener Art Museum, 138 S Pine St, Doylestown. Advance regis. required. Cost & other info: MichenerArtMuseum.org
October 4 to 8
22nd Annual Coat Drive at Quakertown QMart, 201 Station Rd. Donate clean, gently used winter coats for young & old. Bring to the Office, exit #4 Wed thru Sun. 215-536-4115
October 6
“Derelict Franchise” live on the patio 7pm10pm at McCoole’s Red Lion Inn, 4 S Main St, Quakertown. Rock band melds sounds of American Folk & Bluegrass w/attitude & mentality of punk. Info: 215-538-1776 Cheesesteak & French Fry Dinner 4pm-7pm at Richland Twp Fire/Rescue, 64 Shelly Rd, Quakertown. Eat-in or take-out. $9/adult, $8/ senior, 215-536-7226 Bunny Barnes (guitarist) will perform 7pm9:30pm at Chimayo Gallery, 21 N 7th St, Perkasie. $5 cover, BYOB. Ages 12 & under are free. 267-733-5012, chimayoperkasie.com
3RD AnnuAl
LivE
touch a tRuck
Music ~ FacE Painting ~ tEaM Mascots
October 18, 2017 • 4:00pm - 7:00pm 420 Cowpath Road, Souderton
~ FooD
FREE!
~ Photo Booth ~ EDucationaL ExhiBits
October 2017 • Upper Bucks Free Press •
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What’s Going On in Upper Bucks?
October 6
(continued)
Paul Grand Home & Studio Tour (Bucks Co photographer) 1pm, must provide own transportation, directions provided. Advance regis. required. Costs & other info: MichenerArtMuseum.org
October 6 & 7
Sherry & Kaya Tinsman Trunk Show (handmade nature inspired jewelry) 10am at Michener Art Museum, 138 S Pine St, Doylestown. Free. MichenerArtMuseum.org
October 6, 7, 8
Fall Fun Days (Fri/Sat 9am-6pm) (Sun 10am-4pm) BC Nursery & Florist, Rte 412 & Gessner Rd, Kintnersville. Vendors, fun, music, food & some free stuff. Buckscountynurseryandflorist.com
October 7
“Storytime on the Road” 10am, librarian tells stories about fire trucks & firefighters at Perkasie Firehouse, 100 N 5th St. Reading Goes To The Dogs, 2pm-3:30pm at Quakertown Library, 401 W Mill St. Children all ages invited to come read to certified therapy dogs. 215-536-3306 Fall Vaccine Clinic 11am-3pm at Richlandtown Firehouse, 125 S Main St. Info: Last Chance Ranch, 215-538-2510 Wheels of Fall for Quakertown Fire Co, 505 W Broad St. 8am-11am regis., $10/adv, $15/day of. Register: carshow@qfc1.org or 215-536-3743 “Bark N Bacon” 12noon-5pm for Logan’s Heroes Animal Rescue, 9411 Kings Hwy, East Greenville. Info: email info@lharinc.org or 484-719-7101. Vendor space is $25. Great food, drink & fun! R/D Oct 8 Pumpkin Ball 6pm-11pm in the Atrium at Raymour & Flanigan, 110 S West End Blvd, quakertownalive.com or 215-536-2273 Annual Yard/Bake Sale/Electronics Recycling. 8am-2pm at Lower Milford Firehouse, Limeport. Info: 610-967-1975 or chestnuthillchurch.org All-U-Can-Eat Turkey Dinner 3:30pm-7pm or sold out. $9/adults, $5/kids 5-12, Takeout available. Zion Lutheran, 2966 N Old Bethlehem Pike, Zion Hill. 215-538-7911 day of dinner. Cruise Night 4pm-7pm, all makes, models, years welcome. Music, door prizes, ponies, food. Country Sq Shopping Ctr, 240-3 S West End Blvd, Qtown. guillrandolph@aol.com or 215-538-7256 Family Style Ham Dinner 4:30pm-6:30pm at St. Andrew’s UCC, 615 E Walnut St, Perkasie Fire Dept Open House 12noon-3pm at Upper Saucon Fire Co, 4445 W Hopewell Rd, Center Valley. Activities, games, food & bake sale. Fall Fest 10am-3pm at United Friends School, 1018 W Broad St, Qtown. Food, music, games, petting zoo, more. All are welcome!
October 8
Knights of Columbus Pancake Breakfast 8:30am-11am at St. Agnes Church in Sellersville. $7/adults, $3/ages 7-12, $20/family. Proceeds go to Law Enforcement United “The Road to Hope” Breakfast 7:30am-12noon at Upper Black Eddy Fire Co, 1716 Firehouse Ln. $8/adults, $4/kids 5-10, free under 5. Re-orders/$3, To-go/$9. Info: 610-982-5710 or ubefire.com “Scales ‘N Tales” 4H Reptile Club Car Wash 11am-3pm at Wehrung’s Lumber & Home Ctr, 7711 Easton Rd, Ottsville. 34th Pennridge CROP Walk for the Hungry (r/s) Regis. 5-mile walk is 12:30pm at St. Andrew’s Lutheran, 20 Dill Ave, Perkasie. Regis. “Golden Mile” is 12:30pm near Sellersville Scout cabin, Lenape Park. Donate canned goods. crophungerwalk.org/perkasiepa or maryflong@hotmail.com My OMEI: Observe, Meditate, Experience, Internalize, 1pm at Michener Art Museum, 138 S Pine St, Doylestown. Cost & other info: MichenerArtMuseum.org Purses For Purpose-Bag Bingo 12noon-4pm at Benner Hall, 1260 E Cherry Rd. Richlandtown, quakertowncommunityoutreach.org “Story of Bucks Co” by Ray O’Brien. Open House 1:30pm-4pm at Strassburger Farmstead, 407 Keystone Dr & Bethlehem Pk, Sellersville. Hilltown Twp Histor. Soc. 267-614-9174. Free, donations welcome Cruise w/the Motorvators at Quakertown Dairy Queen, Rte 309, Qtown. $1/car donation for CHoP. 3pm-8pm, George 610-395-1558
October 9 October 11
Columbus Day
“Come Blow Your Horn” comedy at Hunterdon Hill Playhouse. (includes Show, meal, dessert buffet & more) Call Pennridge Community Ctr for trip info: 215-453-7027/7028. FREE Anti-Bullying Event Seminars at 5pm, 6pm, 7pm. (recommended for ages 6-16 & their parents) at Action Karate Quakertown, 561 S West End Blvd. Call to register at 267-245-1896. DoneWithBullying.com Penny Party (open 5pm), $5, ages 16+. Regina Acad. at St. John the Baptist Gym, 4040 Durham Rd, Ottsville. Info: Sandy 717-860-8462 Fire Prevention Open House 6pm-8pm at Dublin Fire Co, 194 N Main St. Info: 215-259-3740
October 12
Upper Bucks Foodie 5:30pm-8pm at Sands Chrysler Jeep Showroom, Rte 309, Quakertown. Tkts: $40/adv, $45/door. Order at: ubcc.org/foodie or 215-536-3211 “Storytime on the Road” 10:30am (r/d Oct 19) Fun stories about fall & pumpkins at AGA Farms, 1333 Elephant Rd, Perkasie Art Lab: Autumn Artists 4pm-5pm at Samuel Pierce Library, 491 Arthur Ave, Perkasie. Art inspired by autumn leaves & changing seasons. May get messy, all ages welcome. “Fire Prevention Night” 7pm-9pm at Chalfont Fire Co, 301 N Main St. Fun, educational,& FREE. Meet first responders, firefighter trading cards, explore fire engine, try on some gear, meet our mascot Blaze.
October 12, 13, 14
Rummage/Bake Sale (Thu & Fri 9am-8pm) (Sat 9am-4pm all day bag sale) St. Luke’s UCC, Rtes 611 & 412, Ottsville. Hot lunch/ dinner, soup avail. Info: 484-357-5274
October 13
Monster Dash 5pm ($3, $5, or free mbrs), run in costume, (1/4 mi. age 4-6) (1/2 mi. age 7-10) at Strayer Middle Sch. outdoor track, Quakertown, Regis: 215-536-YMCA x114 or david.evans@ubymca.org Halloween Bash 5:30pm-7:30pm- DJ Dance Party, games, obstacle course, crafts, more. Free game cd for 5 games & Spooky Studio Y visit. More tkts, raffles, food for purchase. (prizes not for under age 3), ubymca.org, 215-536-YMCA Spook & Splash 7pm-9pm at the YMCA pool (Halloween swim party for all ages) Free, but registration required: 215-536-YMCA, 401 Fairview Ave, Quakertown Native Dream (4 gents abducted at birth……?) will perform 7pm-9:30pm at Chimayo Gallery, 21 N 7th St, Perkasie. $5, BYOB. 267-733-5012, chimayoperkasie.com
October 13 & 14
Quakertown Keystone Quilters Quilt Show (Fri 10am-6pm) (Sat 10am-5pm) at Finland Mennonite, 1750 Ziegler Rd, Pennsburg. $7/adult, free age 12 & under.Show2017@ keystonequilters.org, 610-282-0651 Church Basket Bonanza (Fri 6pm-8pm) (Sat 12noon-4pm), Emmanuel Church, 560 S Main St, Quakertown. 80+ Raffle prizes. Lt lunch/ snacks available. Tkts sold at church. Winners need not be present to win. Info: 215-536-3040
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.
October 14
Lily’s Loop 5K Run/Walk/Stroll, regis. begins 8am at Valley Preferred Cycling Ctr, 1151 Mosser Rd, Breinigsville. Register: lilyshopefoundation.org/lilys-loop Walk For Life begins 10:15am, registra. 9am at Memorial Park, 600 W Mill St, Quakertown. Can pre-register at crossroadspregnancy.care, 215-538-7003 x207 (Kim) Hot Dog/Sloppy Joe Luncheon/Bake Sale for Operation Christmas Child, 1pm-4pm at First Church of the Brethren, 455 Trumbauersville Rd, Quakertown. $5 donation suggested/ platter & beverage. Takeouts avail. Details: 215-536-7510 East Penn Modifiers Club Car Show (9am1pm?) Quakertown Farmers Mkt, 201 Station Rd. Free for shoppers, $15 regis. fee for entering cars day of show. DJ music, 100 cars/ trucks, for Operation Enduring Warrior. Ck time at 215-536-4115 Saturday Bird Walks (also 10/28) at 8am. Many birds are migrating now. Meet at Nature Ctr, 170 N Chapman Rd, Doylestown. 215345-7860 or peacevalleynaturecenter.or
Have something to share with your community? Send us the details! info@ubfp.org • fax: 215-839-3421 • 582 S. West End Blvd• Quakertown, PA 18951
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• Upper Bucks Free Press • October 2017
What’s Going On in Upper Bucks? October 14
Think Local. Buy Local. Be Local.
(continued)
Art Lab: Autumn Artists 1pm-3pm at Samuel Pierce Library, 491 Arthur Ave, Perkasie. Art inspired by autumn leaves & changing seasons. May get messy, all ages welcome. Bon Fire-Adult Event 6:30pm (Band, campfire goodies, bring flashlight & chair. Will be inside if rainy) at St. John’s Lutheran-Ridge Valley, 910 Allentown Rd, West Rockhill Twp. All welcome! 215-257-9641 Jazz Night w/Jerry Weldon (tenor sax) 8pm at Michener Art Museum, 138 S Pine St, Doylestown. Advance regis. required. Cost & other info: MichenerArtMuseum.org Durham Twp Community Day 1pm-4pm at On the Village Green, 215 Old Furnace Rd, Durham. Food, fun, music. Rummage Sale 8am-1pm at St. Agnes Social Hall, 445 Main St, Sellersville. Food avail., enter at back of church. Harvest Fest 10am-2pm at St. Luke’s Upper Perk Outpatient Ctr, 2793 Geryville Pike, Pennsburg. Free screenings, petting zoo, crafts, music, pumpkins, giveaways, much more. Info: sluhn.org/harvestfest
October 15
International Investing: Still a Journey to Consider Columbus Day is observed on October 9. And while it may be true that Leif Erikson and the Vikings beat Columbus to the New World, Columbus Day nonetheless remains important in the public eye, signifying themes such as exploration and discovery. As an investor, you don’t have to “cross the ocean blue,” as Columbus did, to find opportunities – but it may be a good idea to put some of your money to work outside the United States. So, why should you consider investing internationally? The chief reason is diversification. If you only invest in U.S. companies, you might do well when the U.S. markets are soaring, as has happened in recent years. But when the inevitable downturn happens, and you’re totally concentrated in U.S. stocks, your portfolio will probably take a hit. At the same time, however, other regions of the world might be doing considerably better than the U.S. markets – and if you had put some of your investment holdings in these regions, you might at least blunt some of the effects of the down market here. Of course, it’s also a good idea to diversify among different asset classes, so, in addition to investing in U.S. and international stocks, you’ll want to own bonds, government securities and other investment vehicles. (Keep in mind, though, that while diversification can help reduce the effects of volatility, it can’t guarantee a profit or protect against loss.) International investments, like all investments, will fluctuate in value. But they also have other characteristics and risks to consider, such as these: • Currency fluctuations – The U.S. dollar rises and falls in relation to the currencies of other countries. Sometimes, these movements
can work in your favor, but sometimes not. A strengthening dollar typically lowers returns from international investments because companies based overseas do business in a foreign currency, and the higher value of the U.S. dollar reduces the prices, measured in dollars, of individual shares of these companies’ stocks. The opposite has happened in 2017, when the weaker dollar has helped increase returns from international investments. • Political risks – When you invest internationally, you’re not just investing in foreign companies – you’re also essentially investing in the legal and economic systems of countries in which those companies do business. Political instability or changes in laws and regulations can create additional risks – but may also provide potentially positive returns for investors. • Social and economic risks – It is not always easy for investors to understand all the economic and social factors that influence markets in the U.S. – and it’s even more challenging with foreign markets. U.S. markets are now worth less than half of the total world markets, and growth in the rest of the world is likely to keep expanding the number of global opportunities. You can take advantage of that global growth by putting part of your portfolio into international investments, including developed and emerging markets. In any case, given the more complex nature of international investing, you’ll want to consult with a financial professional before taking action. If it turns out that international investments are appropriate for your needs, you should certainly consider going global. submitted by Bob Podraza in the Edward Jones office on West Broad Street, Quakertown. He can be reached at 215-536-3635 or at bob.podraza@edwardjones.com
Family Bingo 2pm-4pm at St. Isidore School, 603 W Broad, Quakertown. (open 1:30pm) $10/pp, $35/family. Bring snacks/beverages or buy ours. Tkts/info: jconvey@stisidoreschool.com or 215-536-6052 Organ Recital with Dr. Gordon Turk at New Goshenhoppen UCC, 1070 Church Road, East Greenville, 3pm Free will offering and reception follows. 215-679-2041, newgoshucc.org
October 16
AARP Meeting 1pm at Upper Bucks Senior Ctr, 2183 Milford Sq Pike, Quakertown. Speakers: Katrina Boyer from PA Dept of Banking & David Buano from PA Insurance are doing a joint presentation.
October 17
Doylestown Nature Club Luncheon 12noon. Explore places/plants from the 1860s. Speaker: Marta McDowell (Little House Series), $35/ program & lunch at Doylestown Country Club. RSVP by Oct 6 at doylestownnatureclub.com Pennridge C of C Business After Hours Event 5pm-7pm at Domino’s, 1145 N 5th St, Perkasie. RSVP: 215-257-5390 or email pennridgecc@pennridge.com George Sotter: Painter, Glassman, Storyteller (stained glass window discussion) 1pm at Michener Art Museum, 138 S Pine St, Doylestown. Advance regis. required. Cost & other info: MichenerArtMuseum.org
October 18
“Julia Says, ‘Bon Appetit!’” w/Linda Kenyon. Free program, no registration, Quakertown Library, 401 W Mill St. 215-536-3306
October 19
Wood & Metal Artisan Day, 9am-3pm at Pennridge Community Senior Ctr, Rtes 113 & 152, Silverdale (next to Dunkin’ Donuts). 215453-7027, FREE- All Welcome! Educators Open House, 4pm at Michener Art Museum, 138 S Pine St, Doylestown. Free for educators, advance regis. required: MichenerArtMuseum.org
October 20
Fall Ball Dinner Dance, 7pm-10pm. Pennridge Commun. Senior Ctr. Music by Dance Time Trio. $22/dinner & dance, Reservations required. Rtes 113 & 152, Silverdale. 215-453-7027.
Lecture & Walking Tour:275 Yrs of Historic Doylestown, 10am at Michener Art Museum, 138 S Pine St, Doylestown. Advance regis. required. Cost & other info: MichenerArtMuseum.org
October 20 & 21
“Ghost Tour” 7pm-9:30pm at McCoole’s Historic Red Lion Inn, 10 S Main St, Quakertown. Dine, imbibe & celebrate with us. 215-538-1776 McCoolesRedLionInn.com
October 21
ASPCA Adoption Event 10am-3pm at A&T Subaru, 801 N Main St, Sellersville. Last Chance Ranch will waive adoption fee for about 30 animals (dogs, cats, etc.) today. More details & suggestions: 215-538-2510, lastchanceranch.org Autumn Alive 10am-4pm (r/d Oct 28) downtown Quakertown. Pet Parade, entertainment, crafters/vendors, beer/wine tasting, more. quakertownalive.com or 215-536-2273 St. Isidore Open House, 603 W Broad St, Quakertown. 10am-12noon. Meet the teachers & students. Info on Pre-School (age 3) thru Middle School (grade 8) programs, go to stisidoreschool.com or 215-536-6052. 85th Anniv. Quakertown Farmers Mkt, Fall Festival 10am-4pm. Free event full of Halloween & Fall Fun. Activities all day, games, prizes, DJ, hay maze, magician, much more. Costume contest & Best dressed pet contest. 215-536-4115 Musical Instrument Petting Zoo 11am-1pm at Samuel Pierce Library, 491 Arthur Ave, Perkasie. Play music w/library’s collection of instruments. All ages welcome! “Low Lily” Amer. Folk music, open 7pm, Perkasie Patchwork Coffeehouse, 320 W Chestnut St. Perkasie. Sales at door: $12/adult, $10/senior, $6/student 13+, free 12 & under. Desserts/drinks avail. Info: PerkMenno.net or 215-723-2010 Turkey Buffet Dinner 3pm-7pm (or sold out), BYOB. $13/adults, $6/kids 6-12, $13/ take-out. Upper Black Eddy Fire Co, 1716 Firehouse Lane. 610-982-5710 or ubefire.com Clam Bake & Pig Roast 4pm-8pm at Knights of Columbus, 1011 Anna Ln, Sellersville. Beverages avail. or BYOB. $15/dinner (age 6 & under free), add’l clams/$5 bag, takeout available. Info: Vince 267-733-2348
October 22
Low Cost Vaccine, Microchip & Heartworm Preventative Clinic (supports Logan’s Heroes Animal Rescue) 11:30am-1:30pm at Hometown Pet Ctr, 201 N Main St, Coopersburg. Info: 484-719-7101 Open House 12noon-3pm at Sellersville Fire Dept, 2 N Main St. Fire trucks, moon bounce, demos, more. TV Raffle: donate canned goods for tkts. 1 can=2 tkts, 2=5 tkts, 3+= 10 tkts. 50th Annual Quakertown Lions Halloween Parade begins 2pm on Sunday in Downtown Quakertown. R/D Oct 29 My OMEI (see Oct. 8 listing) The Science of Sound (Caryn Lin, electric violinist) 1pm at Michener Art Museum, 138 S Pine St, Doylestown. Advance regis. required. Free, more info: MichenerArtMuseum.org Turkey Buffet Dinner 3pm-7pm or sold out. $13/adults, $6/kids 6-12, $13/takeout. Upper Black Eddy Fire Co, 1716 Firehouse Ln. 610-982-5710 or ubefire.com Classic Car/Motorcycle Show 4pm-7pm at Lowe’s of Quakertown, 1001 S West End Blvd. Family Fun Event, food trucks, free regis., trophies for 1st, 2nd, & 3rd places
October 2017 • Upper Bucks Free Press •
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What’s Going On in Upper Bucks? October 22
(continued)
Penny Party (open 11:30am, games 12:45pm), $5/pp includes numbers, water & dessert. Lt lunch for sale. Bring your change for bidding. No adv. sign-up. Pennridge Senior Ctr, Rtes 113 & 152, Silverdale. 215-453-7027
October 23
BINGO! For Books 7pm-8pm at Samuel Pierce Library, 491 Arthur Ave, Perkasie. For whole family, all ages welcome. Play bingo, win books, make friends. “Dakota’s Pride” (Down Syndrome) Free movie, Q&A following. 6:30pm at Zlock Performing Arts Ctr, BC Community College, 275 Swamp Rd, Newtown. Audio-loop tech. for hearing impaired. Info: bucks.edu/live, 215-968-8087
October 24
Stewards of Children (training to deal w/ child abuse) 9:30am-12:30noon, (age 18+) Materials $10/person. Contact: Allyson.fox@ ubymca.org or 215-536-9622 x106 to schedule a training for your group. (free child care) Yoga & Storytime Class w/Jess 10:15am. Bring water & comfy clothes. A mat or towel recommended but not necessary. Best for ages 4-6, all ages welcome. Samuel Pierce Library, 491 Arthur Ave, Perkasie
October 25
“Changes in Shaker Women’s Clothing, Thus their Beliefs” by Kimberly Boice, 7pm at Hilltown Munic. Bldg, Rte 152 & 13 W Creamery Rd, Silverdale. 267-614-9174. Free,
donations welcome
October 26 Musical Instrument Petting Zoo 4pm-5pm at Samuel Pierce Library, 491 Arthur Ave, Perkasie. Play music w/library’s collection of instruments. All ages welcome! Dine & Donate at The Proper, 117 W Broad St, Quakertown, 4pm to 10pm. 20% of proceeds goes to Last Chance Ranch Animal Rescue. 215-538-2510, lastchanceranch.org FREE Pet Insurance 101 Seminar, 6:30pm8:30pm at Quakertown Veterinary, 2250 N Old Bethlehem Pike, Qtown. Informative, sign up by Oct 23 by calling Janet 215-536-6245. Light refreshmts, door prizes, free quotes.
October 27 & 28
Fall Craft Fair 9:30am-1:30pm at Calvary Church, 820 Rte 113, Souderton. 50+ crafters & vendors, raffles, food, bake sale. Info: Beth 215-292-1468 or BFOFundraising@gmail. com. Use entrance 13 or 15, not affiliated w/ the Church Craft Show/Bake Sale 9:30am-3pm at Chalfont Fire Co Auxiliary, 301 N Main St. Refreshments & homemade soup available. Info: 267-454-3214 LutherFest 500, 11am-4pm at St. Andrew’s Lutheran, 20 Dill Ave, Perkasie. Pig Roast (noon-2pm), beer tasting, cake walk, etc. Live music w/fun & games. Free, but asking for donations of NEW Children’s Books. Family Style Chicken Pot Pie Dinner w/all the fixings, 4pm-7pm at St. Paul’s UCC, 104
Fall Rummage Sale (Fri 9am-4pm) (Sat 9am-12noon) at Quakertown United Methodist, 1875 Freier Rd, Quakertown. Lunch available. $3 bag sale on Sat. Info: 215-896-7055
October 29
October 27 to 29
October 31
“Ghost Tour” 7pm-9:30pm at McCoole’s Historic Red Lion Inn, 10 S Main St, Quakertown. Dine, imbibe & celebrate with us. 215-538-1776 McCoolesRedLionInn.com
October 28 Fall Dog Walk (regis: 8:30am for 5K & 1 mile fun walk) at The Park on 4th, 4th St & E Mill St, Quakertown. Music, doggie costume contest, vendors, food. Free to participate, Info/$ donors: Lastchanceranch.org or 215-538-2510
“1st Annual Truck or Treat” 2pm-4pm at Action Karate Quakertown, 561 S West End Blvd, Quakertown. Halloween
2nd annual “Trunk or Treat” 6pm-8:30pm at Haycock Twp Community Ctr, 1014 Old Bethlehem Rd, Quakertown. Bring your candy to share or just trick or treat at our safe location. BBQ & refreshmts available starting 5pm.
November 1 “The Great American Performers Tribute” at Doolans Shore Club. (includes lunch, dancing, singing, more) Call Pennridge Community Ctr at 215-453-7027/7028 for trip info.
November 2 Gallery Talk: Region’s School Art Collections, 3pm at Michener Art Museum, 138 S Pine St, Doylestown. Advance regis. required. Cost & other info: MichenerArtMuseum.org
November 3 Designer Bag Bingo 7pm at Trumbauersville Fire Co. Info: 215-536-1998
November 4 Annual Ham Dinner 4pm-7pm, $10/ adults, $4/kids 4-10. Eat in or take out. Quakertown United Methodist, 1875 Freier Rd, Quakertown. 215-536-4992 Craft/Vendor Show 9am-2pm at Children’s Developmental Program, 995 Doylestown Pike, Quakertown Five Alarm 5K (9am) & Fun Run (8am), open to runners of all levels. Bucks County Community College, Upper Bucks Campus; 5th St, Perkasie
November 5
Daylight Saving
ends
Holiday Vendor/Craft Fair 9am-2pm at Haycock Twp Community Ctr, 1014 Old Bethlehem Rd, Quakertown. Tables/$20 ea. Info: Cathy 215-262-4555 An Afternoon of Opera & More (hear Phila. Academy of Vocal Arts award winners) 2:30pm at Michener Art Museum, 138 S Pine St, Doylestown. Advance regis. required. Cost & other info: MichenerArtMuseum.org
Autumn Apologies Marcus Aurelius, a philosopher and Roman Emperor once stated that: “Time is a sort of river of passing events, and strong is its current; no sooner is a thing brought to sight than it is swept by and another takes its place, and this too will be swept away.” This is the closest I can come to explaining the swiftness of time. At the beginning of each month, I find myself wondering how that month became another page torn from the calendar on my wall. But, alas! It is October, the tenth month of the year, which means that in exactly two months – – I cannot speak it nor write it, but you know my thoughts. Autumn is one of my favorite seasons. After the newness of spring matures into those “lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer,” the time for transition approaches. It is the time that I marvel as the trees turn brilliant hues of fire red, burnt orange, and sunshine yellow. It is the time that I remember my country life as a child. Looking down through the woods from our house was magical during the fall months. As my mother and I would take walks in the woods to gather leaves, I envisioned coming upon Goldilocks and the Three Bears in their house; or, even Little Red Riding Hood on her way to her Grandma’s house. Oh, the imagination those woods implanted in my pint-sized mind. And so, with those long-ago memories, I will welcome the season with two names. This month I would like to refer to my col-
umn from the July edition, titled “Then and Now.” In that column, I compared situations that occurred in 1957 to identical, current day situations in 2017 – a sixty-year span. I did not create any of the situations. They have been circulated via the Internet (author unknown) for several years. One of the five comparisons in that column, “Class Distraction,” referred to an unknown lad named Jordan, who would not sit still, therefore disrupting the rest of the class. The comparison that I made for 2017 was offensive to professionals who work with special needs children every day because I inflated the present-day process used to treat children with ADHD. I sincerely apologize that I offended parents, professionals, or anyone who may be involved in the lives of special needs children. The students whose lives you impact are very fortunate to have such caring people in their presence. I do not write in a professional capacity for this column in the Upper Bucks Free Press, I just share my memories of past occurrences; sometimes I use humor, sometimes I may state something that is not entirely accurate, or I may embellish upon something. I think the lesson learned is to be more sensitive to certain situations. The World as I See It is not written in a professional capacity. I always welcome your comments via email at jacque@ubfp.org
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• Upper Bucks Free Press • October 2017
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 Pastor: David Heckler 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
44 S. 8th Street, Quakertown 215-538-3787 Ardores@verizon.net www.IncarnationQuakertown.org Pastor: Most Rev. Thomas J. Kleppinger Traditional worship, Biblical faith Sunday 10:30am, Holy Days as announced.
Emmanuel Episcopal Church
560 S. Main Street Quakertown, PA 18951 215-536-3040 emmanuelchurch11@yahoo.com www.emmanuelquakertown.org Sunday service at 10am, Visitors and new members always welcome!
Evangel Assembly of God
401 Arch Street, Perkasie 215-453-1565 • www.perkasieag.org Pastor: Rev. Gary Saul Where God’s Love Changes Lives
First United Church of Christ
Fourth Street & Park Avenue, Quakertown 215-536-4447 info@firstUCC.net www.firstUCC.net facebook.com/FirstUCCQuakertown Co-Pastors: Douglas & Joyce Donigian Traditional worship Sunday 9:15am, Alternative worship Sunday 5:15pm, Community dinners every 3rd Thursday 5:30pm
First United Methodist Church
Quakertown United Methodist Church
501 Market Street, Perkasie 215-257-4626 fumcperkasie@verizon.net www.fumcperkasie.com Pastor: Scott Dorn Mission: Share God’s love, Make and nurture disciples of Jesus Christ, positively impact our community and world.
1875 Freier Road, Quakertown 215-536-4992 barb@qumc.com www.qumc.com Pastor: Rev. Dr. Thomas S. Robinson III Sunday morning worship: 8:00am, 9:00am 11:00am Sunday School for all ages 10:00amCommunion on first Sunday of the month at all services.
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 Sr. Pastor: Ron Kohl Sunday School for all ages, 10:10am Morning Worship, Evening 1st & 3rd Sundays 6:30pm, Small group meetings 2nd & 4th Sundays 6:30pm, Tues: Ladies Bible Study 9:30am; Wed: AWANA (2 yrs - 6th grade) & Teens for Christ 6:30pm, Adult Bible Study 7pm.
Morning Star Fellowship 429 S. 9th Street, Quakertown 215-529-6422 Pastor: John Decker www.mstarqtown.org Services at 9am & 11am, Children’s Ministry provided, EastWest Cafe open with free coffee. Celebrate recovery Tuesday 7pm. Check website for more info.
MorningStar Moravian Church 610-282-1908 234 S. Main Street, Coopersburg coopmoravian@aol.com Pastor: Jay Petrella Sunday services 10:00am. Small, friendly Protestant church. Community mission: Serving free dinners once per month. All are welcome. Call for information.
CROP Walk Scheduled
The 34th annual Pennridge CROP Walk for the Hungry will be held Sunday, October 8, rain or shine. Registration for the five-mile route begins at 12:30 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 20 Dill Ave., Perkasie. The Walk begins at 1:15 p.m. Registration for the shorter “Golden Mile” route begins at 12:30 p.m. near the Sellersville scout cabin in Lenape Park. The shorter route is ideal for families with young children and senior
citizens. Walkers are asked to bring along canned goods for the Pennridge FISH food pantry. Twenty-five per cent of all proceeds go to Pennridge FISH organization for local hunger use. The remaining funds will be used by Church World Service and its partner agencies for hunger, hurricane and disaster relief in the US and globally. For more information, visit www.crophungerwalk.org/perkasiepa or contact maryflong@hotmail.com.
“Autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower.” - Albert Camus
Richland Friends Meeting (Quaker) Main St at Mill Rd & Park Ave, Quakertown 215-538-7555 Friends@RichlandQuakers.org www.RichlandQuakers.org Clerk: Jack H. Schick Non-Denominational guided meditations Wed, 7pm Sunday worship 10:30am “Absolute freedom of thought and worship is our faith and practice.”
Ridge Valley United Church of Christ 905 Allentown Road, Sellersville 215-257-7244 rvucc.pastor@verizon.net www.ridgevalleyucc.org Pastor: Rev. Steve Myren We are a vibrant, welcoming Family of Faith. Worship: Sundays 9:30am. Ridge Valley: Growing Together in God’s Love.
St. John’s Lutheran Church of Spinnerstown 1565 Sleepy Hollow Rd, Spinnerstown 215-536-0734 stjohnsspinnerstown@gmail.com www.stjohnsofspinnerstown.org Pastor: The Rev. Axel Kaegler Worship service 9:45am, Sunday School 9 9:45am - children 3 years through 6th grade. Nursery: 6 months through age 8.
St. John’s Lutheran Ridge Valley 910 Allentown Road, West Rockhill Twp 215-257-9643 stjohnsridgevalley@verizon.net www.stjohnsridgevalley.com Pastor: Amy Hotter 8:30am Traditional - 10:15am w/praise band. Grape juice & gluten-free wafers available. Adult Forum 9:40, Handicapped accessible. All invited and welcome to Share the Joy!
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Applebachsville 837 Old Bethlehem Road, Quakertown 215-536-5789 stpauls@netcarrier.com www.stpaulsqtown.org Pastor: Rev. David Heckler We believe in sharing God’s love in joyful service. Come and see. All are welcome.
St. Paul’s United Church of Christ
104 Green Street, Sellersville 215-257-7268 stacey@stpaulsucc.net www.stpaulsucc.net Pastor: Rev. John Steitz 8 am Rejoice & Praise Worship in Parlor, 9 am Sunday School all ages, 10:15 Worship in Sanctuary, Prayer Shawl Ministry 1st & 3rd Tuesdays from 1 to 3 pm.
Trinity Great Swamp UCC
Spinnerstown Rd & County Line Rd Spinnerstown 215-679-7710 tgsucc@verizon.net www.tgsucc.org Pastor: David R. Ellis Sunday School classes for all ages (preK - adult) 9:15 am. Family activities throughout the year
Trinity Lutheran Church
102 N. Hellertown Avenue, Quakertown 215-536-4345 www.trinityquakertown.org Pastor: Lynette R. Chapman 9am Traditional Service, 11am Contemporary Service. 10:15am FaithQuest, Handicapped Accessible, Family Friendly Church, Dynamic Music Ministry. Living God’s Love for All.
Victory Fellowship Church
120 Ridge Road, Telford 215-453-9988 victoryfellowshippa@gmail.com www.victoryfellowshippa.org Pastor: Dr. Virgil A. Mobley Full Gospel.A friendly, loving, and joyful church where the presence of God is in His house. Check out our website.
To have your place of worship included in this directory, please contact Terri Roger at 215-529-8915 ext 11 or by email at terri@ubfp.org
Visit Bucks County Welcomes Dan Lopez
Visit Bucks County’s (VBC) welcomes Dan Lopez, Communications Coordinator, to the team. Dan graduated from Temple University with his Bachelor’s degree in Journalism. He is a Philadelphia native who previously interned for En Route Marketing and Philadelphia Magazine. Dan will be handling the social media channels of SnapChat, Instagram, and Facebook Live, as well as local public relations efforts. Visit Bucks County (VBC) is the official tourism promotion agency for Bucks County.
The tourism office promotes all there is to see and do for potential visitors and residents. In addition to consumer travel, Visit Bucks County targets sports tournaments, motorcoach groups, meetings, special events, and weddings. For more information on VBC activities call 1-800-836-BUCKS, visit VisitBucksCounty.com or stop by the Bucks County Visitor Center located at 3207 Street Road in Bensalem (adjacent to the entrance to PARX Casino).
October 2017 • Upper Bucks Free Press •
BY REV. LYNETTE CHAPMAN There are 41 Lutheran churches in Bucks County: 25 of those in Upper Bucks. Given that number, it’s likely that you drive by one or more every day. Those 25 churches have a combined membership of about 10,000 people, so it’s also likely that some of your neighbors are Lutherans. Lutherans were among the first European settlers of Bucks County, and a couple of these churches date from the 1730’s. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, (does the “Muhlenberg” sound familiar?) was a pastor from Germany who became the driving force in establishing these earliest Lutheran congregations here in Eastern Pennsylvania. Lutherans have long been involved in social services, working with adoption, senior care, hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, education, disaster response, and more. Thus, it’s likely that, even if you’ve never been in a Lutheran church, someone in your family has been helped by a Lutheran organization. This may make you wonder, what’s a Lutheran? Well, first, Lutherans are Christians. We are connected to the faith of the Church through the ages and around the world. Lutherans believe in the Triune God. We are part of God’s unfolding plan. We believe that Jesus is God’s Son and died to save us. We believe that the Holy Spirit is active and working in our lives today. We value worship together. We read and preach the Bible. We connect with God in prayer. When we study the Bible and pray, we are drawn more deeply into God’s own saving story. We believe in serving others and making a difference in the
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world. When we serve others and address social issues that affect the common good, we live out our Christian faith. We are part of a reforming movement. We are diverse, with congregations all over the world, and with an ethos of welcoming all people regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status. We Lutherans follow the teachings of Martin Luther, who was a major part of the Reformation in 16th C. Europe; primarily that we are saved by GRACE alone—as a free gift of God—not by anything we do or say. And that salvation is through FAITH — a confident trust in God, who in Christ promises us forgiveness, life, and salvation. This year, 2017, marks the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s first call for the church to reform. While Lutherans have made mistakes along the way, and have had to reform ourselves and ask for forgiveness, there is still much to celebrate in those 500 years of being church together. Please join us on Saturday, October 28th to learn more about Luther, Lutherans, and to celebrate both the Reformation of the 1500’s and God’s continuing reformation today. LutherFest 500 will be held at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 20 Dill Avenue, Perkasie, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. LutherFest 500 will feature live music, a beer tasting, reenactors, games for young and old, a pig roast, a cake walk, and more! Come and celebrate with your Lutheran neighbors the heritage we all share. All are welcome! Lynette Chapman is the pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Quakertown. She can be reached at lynettechapman@comcast.net
Church of the Brethren to Host Workshop, Trunk & Treat Event For the past 17 years, members of First Church of the Brethren in Quakertown have partnered with Operation Christmas Child by assembling gift-filled shoeboxes to bring hope and joy to hurting children throughout the world. Over the past year, church members and community participants have been meeting at the church for our Missions Workshop. The workshop is held at 7 pm on the first Thursday of each month. During this time we gather to prepare the boxes by opening packages, sorting items, and creating gifts to be included. Sunshine Stitchers is a smaller group that meets at 7 pm on the third Thursday of each month. Attendees enjoy socializing while knitting, crocheting or crafting items for their personal use or to be sent with the boxes. Our highlight this year is the Hot Dog/ Sloppy Joe Luncheon and Bake Sale sponsored by Heavens Bounty Food Pantry. This fundraiser will be held on Saturday October 14th from 1-4 pm at our church which is located at 455 Trumbauersville Road in Quakertown.
A $5 donation is suggested which includes a platter and beverage. Baked goods will be available for purchase. Take outs are also available. All proceeds will go directly to Operation Christmas Child. We hope you will be able to join us for any or all of these events. For more details, please call the church at (215) 536-7510. First Church of the Brethren is also hosting a “Trunk & Treat” event in their parking lot on October 28 from 6 to 8 PM (rain date 10/29) as a safer alternative to traditional ‘trick or treating.’ Adults can participate by bringing 2-3 dozen treats and joining others from the community in the trunk line to add to this fun evening. Due to food allergies, homemade treats should not brought. Store-bought prepackaged treat only. Stickers, pencils, and other items can also be given out. Decorate your trunk for a chance to win a prize for the best decorated trunk. Non-scary costumes are also encouraged. This is a family event. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Bucks Opportunity Council Awarded $25,000 Grant
Bucks County Opportunity Council has been awarded a grant of $25,000 from Santander Bank. The grant will be used for Housing Link Resource Centers, which are comprehensive crisis centers designed to help people with low incomes find and maintain safe, affordable housing. The funds will assist eligible, low-income families in Bucks County experiencing a housing or utility crisis. Housing assistance will be used to prevent eviction and secure permanent housing for those residents who are homeless. Utility assistance will prevent a utility shutoff. Emergency services will be provided at each BCOC site location: Bristol, Doylestown and Quakertown. The goal of BCOC’s emergency services is to maximize economic stability through a combination of assessment, short-term case management and one-time financial assistance.
BCOC is thrilled to be recognized for our work in the community. “This grant will be a tremendous help to our work,” explained Nicole Yerkes, Emergency Services Manager. “We anticipate being able to serve over 250 more families in crisis over the next few months because of this grant from Santander.” “At Santander, we believe in supporting organizations that build strong communities and improve the quality of life for residents,” said Gwen Robinson, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at Santander Bank. “In addition to emergency housing services, Bucks County Opportunity Council helps to break the cycle of poverty by providing clients with the education, skills and resources they need to move from economic dependency to self-sufficiency. Like Santander, BCOC is focused on helping people build positive financial futures.”
Music Fest Raises $14,000+ for Area Food Pantries On Saturday, June 24, 2017, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Applebachsville near Quakertown, Bucks County, held its 7th biennial Joyful Noise Music Festival to raise funds for all Quakertown-area food pantries. The festival raised $14,175, which was split evenly between four area food pantries: St Isidore’s, Heaven’s Bounty, Quakertown, and Bucks County Housing Group at Milford Square. Rich Baringer, a member of St. Paul’s, organized 50 volunteers from St. Paul’s and St. Isidore’s to hold the event. The festival featured diverse, traditional to contemporary, spirit-lifting music including nationally-known folk artist, Dave Fry, a mainstay on WXPN and at the Philly Folk Festival.
He is known for his family-oriented shows. Also appearing: St. Paul’s Joyful Noise Band, Two of a Kind, Once Called Saul, Jeff Miller (founder of Simon Apple Band), Bob Halligan of Ceili Rain, Caribbean Steel Rhythmsand a great cover band out of the Souderton area, Five Mile Fall. The festival also included a craft show, antique and classic car show, activities for children, tours of the historic 1855-era Lutheran church, and basket raffles. The food pantries in and near Quakertown feed more than 5000 families last year. The 2017 event raised almost $3000 more than than the 2015 event which raised $11,500.
Think Local. Buy Local. Be Local.
A Look at the Child Support System BY ROBERT E. FRAVEL, ESQ. The child support system in Pennsylvania is 100% objective. The system does not care about how much the obligated parent thinks he/she can afford. The system does not care if the obligated parent wants to pay child support. The law is very clear. If you have a minor child, you must support that child. This obligation is absolute. However, the amount of a child support obligation depends on the circumstances of each individual. Each spouse has an obligation to support their children based upon their respective incomes, earning capacities…and abilities. Akers v. Akers, 540 A.2d 269 (Pa.Super. 1988). What does that mean? Well the first thing that will be considered is how much each parent earns. This is usually determined by pay stubs and/or tax returns. However, evidence of how much you earn from an employer is not the end of the conversation. The court will also account for any money you receive from investments (i.e. dividends, or rental property revenue). The court also evaluates what each parent is capable of earning. If one parent has a law degree from Harvard but works as a cook at a fast food restaurant, the court probably won’t use their pay stubs to calculate the support obligation. Why? Because
they will assume that someone with that level of education should be able to find a higher paying job. There are various reasons why a child support obligation will deviate from the standard guidelines, but income and earning capacity are typically the reasoning behind the calculation of a support award. What if you had a high paying job at the time your support award was entered, but have since lost that job and have been forced to accept a lower paying job; are you still required to pay the same amount in child support? No. You can always attempt to have your support obligation lowered, as long as you can prove your decrease in income. Conversely, if your ex has accepted a higher paying job since the entry of the child support award, you may be able to adjust the support award to account for this increase in income. If you have a question regarding child support, or need to have a support award adjusted, contact an experienced family law attorney. Robert E. Fravel, Esq. is a solo practitioner located at 123 N. Main Street, Suite 208, in Dublin, Pennsylvania who specializes in estate planning & administration, family law and business law. You can reach him at (267) 227-9138. To receive monthly newsletters, law updates and special offers, subscribe to his email list here: http://www.fravel-law.com/contact/
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• Upper Bucks Free Press • October 2017
Virginia “Ginny” C. Schulberger, 80, of Quakertown, passed away Wed., Aug. 30, 2017 at Grand View Hospital, Sellersville. She was the widow of Peter R. Schulberger, Jr. Born in Quakertown, she was a daughter of the late Oscar and Anna (Striba) Bauer. Ginny was an avid Pittsburgh fan who loved all animals and butterflies, and enjoyed listening to Elvis. Her greatest joy was her family, especially her grandchildren. Surviving are her sons: Scott Schulberger, wife Sally of Pennsburg; Todd Schulberger of Ottsville and Derek Schulberger, wife Kerry of Quakertown; 4 grandchildren; 2 step-grandchildren; a great-grandson; 3 brothers and a sister. She was preceded in death by 4 brothers and a sister. Memorial Contributions can be made to the Upper Bucks SPCA, 60 Reservoir Rd., Quakertown, PA 18951 or Last Chance Ranch, 9 Beck Rd., Quakertown. www.nauglefcs.com Clarence D. Leatherman, 90, of Sellersville, passed away on Mon., Sep. 4, 2017 at Lehigh Valley Hospital – Cedar Crest. He was the loving husband of Irene R. (Rice) Leatherman. Born in Plumstead Twp., Bucks County, he was a son of the late Jacob G. and Bessie (Detweiler) Leatherman. Early in life Clarence worked on the family dairy farm. In 1975 he began working as custodian for the Central Bucks School District, retiring in 1992. He was a member of Deep Run Mennonite Church East in Perkasie, where he was a former member of the cemetery committee and Board of Trustees. He was also a former member of the Farm Bureau. Surviving with Irene are his children: Carolyn Leatherman of Goshen, IN; Bernice Delp, husband Michael of Ottsville; Clyde Leatherman, wife Tammy of Perkasie; Elaine Hooley, husband James of Wayland, IA; Rachel Schertz, husband Kahlil and Evelyn zum Felde, husband Roger, all of Goshen, IN; 12 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a grandson, Jason Delp; sisters, Kathryn Moyer
~Obituaries~
and Alverda Rice; and a brother, Abram Leatherman. Naugle Funeral & Cremation Service, Ltd., Quakertown handled arrangements. www.nauglefcs.com
Betty May Bernd, 89, of Quakertown died September 5, 2017 in Quakertown Center. She was the wife of the late Clarence P. Bernd. Born in Upper Hanover Township she was the daughter of the late Christian & Mamie May (Fiey) Zehner. Before retiring she was a secretary for the former U.S. Gauge, Sellersville. Betty was a loving and giving individual, who enjoyed life and was very social with many friends. Most of all she loved and enjoyed being with her family. She also enjoyed cooking and baking. She was a very active member of Ridge Valley U.C.C. in Sellersville. She is survived by a daughter Tammy Crouthamel of Telford, four sisters Anna Long (Bob) of Souderton, Catharine Truesdell of Lansdale, Jeanette Lukens of Sellersville, and Mary Long of Quakertown. A grandson Eric Crouthamel and his wife Nichole of Telford, and two great grandchildren Avery and Aris. Predeceased by a brother Edward Zehner and a sister Shirley Heacock. Arrangements are in the care of the C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (www.crstrunk. com) Quakertown. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Ridge Valley U.C.C. 905 Allentown Rd. Sellersville, PA 18960. Della A. Moll, 93, of Telford and Warren, OH died September 8, 2017 in Northside Medical Center. She was the wife of the late Godfrey Lapping and the late Oswin Moll. Born in Perkasie, PA she was the daughter of the late Rueben & Mary C. (Mood) Strouse. She was a homemaker. She was a member of Bethel Baptist Church in Sellersville. Della is survived by a son Dr. Arthur Lapping of Warren, OH, two daughters Dr. Doris Branson (Carl) of the Villages, FL, and
Florence Janney (Roy) of Pennsburg, PA. Three grandchildren Lorri Cooper (Paul), Tammy Weaver (Rodney), and Debra Walker. Six great grandchildren Ian, Jarrett, Andrew, Jack, Dylan, and Sarah. Arrangements are being handled by the C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (www.crstrunk. com) Quakertown. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Bethel Baptist Church 754 E. Rockhill Rd. Sellersville, Pa 18960.
Lynette H. Snyder, 93, of Quakertown died September 9, 2017 in St. Luke’s Hospital, Quakertown Campus. She was the wife of the late A. Willard “Skip” Snyder. Born in Richlandtown she was the daughter of the late Aiden & Lilly (Horn) Heavener. Before retiring she worked for the former Allegheny Ribbon Mill in Quakertown. Prior to that she worked at various garment factories in the Upper Bucks Area. She enjoyed crafting. Lynette was a member of First United Church of Christ, Quakertown. She is survived by a daughter Linda Freeby and her husband Doug of Walden, NY. A sister Arlene Refsnider of Quakertown. One grandchild Megan Dambroso (Nick) of Monroe, NY. Two great grandchildren Andrew and Jonathan. Arrangements are in the care of the C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (www.cstrunk.com) Quakertown. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to First United Church of Christ 151 S. 4th St. Quakertown, PA 18951. Joanne Heffendrager, 92, of Green Lane died September 12, 2017 in Phoebe Richland Health Care Center, Richlandtown. She was the wife of Ralph Heffendrager. Born in Allentown she was the daughter of the late Earl & Dora (Young) Cressman. She graduated from Sell Perk High School in 1943, and continued her education graduating in 1947 from Grand View Hospital School of Nursing where she was the first Grand View Hospital Recovery Room Nurse. She attended and finished Grand View Hospital Anesthesia School and worked in the operating room until 1973, when she retired from Nursing. She was also a member of the Grand View Nursing Alumni. She was a member of the Lenape Chapter of the Eastern Star #339, and a girl scout leader from 1961-1964. Joanne enjoyed snowmobiling, sledding, knitting, crafting, and reading. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church Ridge Valley serving on several committees. In addition to her husband she is survived by a daughter Sarajayne and her husband Douglas Fraley, Sr. of Quakertown. A grandson Douglas Fraley, Jr. and his wife Patricia and two great grandchildren Aidan and Charlotte. She was predeceased by two brothers Earl and William and a sister Ellen Jane Nase. Arrangements are in the care of the C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (www.cstrunk.com) Quakertown. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Cemetery Board of St. John’s Lutheran Church Ridge Valley 910 Allentown Rd. Sellersville, PA 18960. Charles S. Marx, 86, of Quakertown died September 13, 2017 in Greenleaf Nursing Home. He was the husband of Ruth (Benner) Marx. They were married 60 years on September 8, 2017. Born in Allentown he was the son of the late James & Mary Ann (Fry) Marx. He was a dock worker for various trucking companies before retiring. Charles loved putting up train display’s at Christmas and also enjoyed watching NASCAR races. He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church Ridge Valley. In addition to his wife he is survived by a son Douglas of Quakertown, two daughters Judy Edelman and Dawn Miller (Glenn) all of Boyertown, a sister Shirley James of Catasauqua, and one granddaughter Jennifer Macasieb. Predeceased by two brothers James, Jr., Cornelius W., and two sisters Catherine Brittenburg, Dorothy Miller. C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (www.crstrunk.com) handled the arrangements. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church Ridge Valley 910 Allentown Rd. Sellersville, PA 18960.
Ann Joy Schrader, 64 of Quakertown died September 15, 2017 in her home. She was the wife of Edward C. Schrader. They celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary last June. Born in Philadelphia she was the daughter of the late Percy A., Jr. and Carrie H. (Hunsberger) Gross. She was last employed as a bank manager for the former First Savings Bank of Perkasie, Milford Township location. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Quakertown. Most important to Ann was her family. In addition to her husband she is survived by two sons Troy and his wife Julie of Devon, PA and Eric S. of Quakertown. Two grandchildren Warren and Claire. Arrangements are in the care of the C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (www.cstrunk.com) Quakertown. Joan A. Froehlich, 78, of Quakertown, Pa., wife of the late Arthur Froehlich, passed away Friday, September 22, 2017. Joan was a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and participated in the prayer group while devoting her time to cleaning the church. Through the church, she also was a Girl Scout leader, teaching young girls to be empowered, respectful and to embrace differences. Joan found enjoyment in embroidery, traveling, fashion and even laundry. Her favorite season was the fall and she looked forward to seeing the tree leaves change colors every year. She was a master “thumbsman” at crimping pie dough. To those that loved her, she will always remember your shining light and how each of you filled her heart. She would ask you to enjoy each moment and keep your sorrow to a minimum, for in Heaven, she is safe and happy. Joan is survived by her daughter, Sharon Musebeck, grandchildren Wesley Musebeck, Kelly Smith, Justin Smith, Dalton Smith and Logan Smith. Great-grandchildren include Lilly Musebeck and Nash Smith. She is preceded in death by her three children, Mari, Gary and Alison. Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family starting at 11 a.m. on Friday, September 29, 2017 with the funeral mass immediately starting at noon. Services will be held at St. John the Baptist Church, 4040 Durham Rd, Ottsville, Pa., 18942. Arrangements are being handled by the C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (www.crstrunk.com) Quakertown. Joseph A. Rittenhouse, 59, of Quakertown, was called home on Monday, September 18th. Joe was the beloved husband of Marlene (Nunn) Rittenhouse. He was a son of Kathleen E. (McGillivray) and the late Joseph A. Rittenhouse, Sr. Joe most dearly loved and was extremely proud of his children, Joseph A., III of Richlandtown, Matthew S., companion Michele DeSantis of Quakertown, Alicia G., husband Frank Woodruff of Richlandtown, and Aaron J. Rittenhouse of Quakertown and his grandchildren; Willow, Iris, and Audrey. He is also survived by his brothers; Jeffrey, wife Cindy of Quakertown, John, wife Erica of Allentown and Michael of Center Valley; sisters Anne-Marie Miller, husband Ed of Coopersburg and Mary-Beth Rittenhouse, companion Ed Erdman of Bethlehem; and many nieces and nephews. Joe was a graduate of Quakertown Community High School, Class of ’75 and attended Williamsport Community College for welding. Joe’s career spanned a variety of jobs including welding, prison guard and what he loved most, truck driving across the country. He loved sailing, fishing and playing golf with family and friends. He enjoyed telling stories about our adventures in Canada, taking family trips snowmobiling and skiing in the mountains, and hanging out with family and friends. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Quakertown Food Pantry, 101 North Third St., Quakertown PA 18951. The Pantry accepts cash, checks, gift cards, and food donations at any time during the pantry hours of operation. For more information please visit www.quakertownfoodpantry.org or call them at 215-536-0240. www.nauglefcs.com Marion M. Bernd, 85, of Quakertown, died Sun., Sep. 24, 2017 in Phoebe Richland Health Care Center, Richlandtown. She was the loving wife of Ray H. Bernd for 67 years. Born in Quakertown, she was a daughter of the late Raymond, Sr. and Edith (Appel) Hillegass. For over 30 years Marion worked as a seamstress at several local clothing mills,
October 2017 • Upper Bucks Free Press •
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~Obituaries~
most notably the former Star Systems in Quakertown. She was a lover of all dogs, and always had one by her side. Surviving with Ray is their daughter: Barbara Merkle, husband William of Allentown; and siblings: Norman Hillegass, wife Nancy; Margaret Allison, husband George “Hank” and Judy Morgan, all of Quakertown. She was preceded in death by six siblings: Dorothy Schmell; Esther A., James E., Harold, Raymond and Harry Hillegass. The family was assisted by Naugle Funeral and Cremation Service. www.nauglefcs.com
Pastor Elmer S. Frederick, 88, of Souderton, was called home to his Savior early Sun., Sep. 24, 2017 at Souderton Mennonite Homes. He was the loving husband of Marie L. (Landis) Frederick for 67 years. Born in Souderton, he was the son of the late Norman and Hannah (Stauffer) Frederick.
Elmer served his life’s calling as a pastor for over 40 years. His associated churches include the former Fredericksville Mennonite Church/ Living Word Mennonite Church for 29 years, Salem Mennonite Church in Quakertown, and Covenant Community Fellowship in Lansdale. He was an overseer for many churches within the Franconia Mennonite Conference. He was a current member of Finland Mennonite Church in Pennsburg. Surviving with Marie are his children: Samuel Frederick, wife Kate of Lancaster; Ruth Keeler, husband Glenn of Kutztown; Mary Longacre, husband Paul of Quakertown and Rachel Kolb, husband Stacey of Pennsburg; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; a brother, Norman Frederick, wife Joan; a sister, Esther Landis, husband Robert; and sisters-in-law: Elizabeth and Nora Frederick. He was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Ralph and Abram Frederick. Naugle Funeral & Cremation Service, Ltd., Quakertown in charge of arrangements. www.nauglefcs.com
American Legion Post 242 October Update
BY DICK HELM Thank you! I was very pleased by the Public attendance at Post 242’s Patriot’s Day attendance. (September 11th service honoring the 18 fallen from Bucks County and the “First Responders” from our area.) We had over 50 people in attendance and it meant a lot to the Firefighters and Police who attended this solemn service. Once again our “Ladies of the Post” supplied a nice lunch of hoagies, various salads, and wonderful desserts. We were especially grateful to our neighboring business (The Gas Station next door) for bringing various cold refreshment for all in attendance. This was indeed a “Community Event”! We had officials from Richland Twp., Milford Twp., and Quakertown Borough. We also had First Responders from Quakertown (Fire Company and Police) who attended the service and helped in the wreath laying ceremony part of the service. It is important that the community participate as a whole, not only in participation of the service, but most important honoring those who serve. May this be a sign that we will have more attending as this special honor service continues beyond the 16 years of the anniversary of this terrible event in our history. Let us NEVER forget!
Our next event we have scheduled is the annual Veteran’s Day service that rotates between the 3 Upper Bucks School Districts. Because Veteran’s Day (11/11) falls on a Saturday, this year’s service will be held FRIDAY, NOV. 10th at Perkasie Central Middle School. For those using a GPS the address is 144 N. Walnut St., Perkasie, Pa. 18944. This service is quite patriotic in both the musical portions and the various speeches given by Veterans and guest speakers as well as the school staff. Representative Craig Staat’s has carried the ball of this traditional service first started by Representative Paul Clymer over 25 years ago. The schoolchildren’s patriotic spirit and expression of gratitude to those Veterans in attendance always impresses me. Speaking of Veteran’s, once again I urge ALL Veteran’s and their better halves who live in Upper Bucks and the surrounding area to attend. You will be impressed. The host school invites the Veterans and their better halves to a luncheon after the service. Please make every effort to attend this service. In today’s world of turmoil and street troubles for our youth, it is important that they attend a service such as this and be able to show their appreciation afterwards to those who offered to “Give Their All.”
OP-ED:
Pennsylvania’s Financial State As I write this, in September, the State is without a final budget. In the past decade, we’ve had on-time budgets in only four years. The question is why? For a very long time I’ve been arguing that our deficits, along with our budget stalemates, are predictable given the lack of growth in the PA economy. If PA is ever to solve our state budget woes, it is essential that we focus on our state’s economic growth. Over the years, I’ve suggested to my legislative colleagues that governments do not create a strong economy, we enable (or hamper) economy. Governments enable economies to prosper only if there are sound, reasonable, and effective tax and regulatory policies. PA suffers in these two, but most especially in the area of tax policies. PA has the most oppressive business tax structure in the nation. Some will argue that businesses should pay more, but the larger question is how are jobs created? They are created primarily through businesses. Where do most of our citizens earn a living? They work for a business. Therefore, it stands to reason that we all benefit if businesses can perform more effectively and provide new and better paying jobs. So often we seek to punish businesses because it seems to be the political thing to do. But at the end of the day, by punishing businesses, we also punish residents – the taxpayers. That doesn’t seem right to me. In the 1950’s, PA had the fifth largest economy in the world. Of course, a great deal of that came from what were known as “smoke stack” industries … steel, coal, railroads, textiles, etc. These were family sustaining jobs and incomes. Over time, we witnessed the
demise of each of these industries. Tax rates were increased on the remaining businesses so that our state budget could compensate for the loss of this tax revenue. No one immediately noticed that too few new businesses were coming to PA to fill the voids left by the departing/declining companies. Meanwhile economically stronger states were offering tax incentives to new businesses and PA was left with legacy costs and increasing business taxes. Fewer employers were coming to PA and our state government was left with increasing costs due to inflation, federal unfunded mandates, and state government expansion – with stagnant tax growth. Don’t get me wrong, we have new industry growing in PA … especially the Life Sciences industry. Yet, we need to attract more. PA is growing the Life Sciences industry, but at the same time, a neighboring state has issued a bond for $500 million to spend on attracting life science companies. The field isn’t level, nor will it be any time soon. But PA needs to think about our long term growth, our future, and we must plan positively without again damaging more industry and thus create more of a revenue problem for ourselves each year in the future. It’s time for PA to plan for the future and stop planning for only today. We must concentrate on expanding our state’s economy to benefit all of us; and, the best place to start is with business tax policies. We’ve gone from the fifth largest economy in the world to the most business oppressive tax structure in the US. Due to this, we have, and will continue to have, recurring budget woes. ~ State Senator Bob Mensch (R-24)
The Upper Bucks Free Press welcomes Letters to the Editor and Op-Ed submissions. Materials submitted for publishing consideration must include the author’s full name and phone number for verification purposes. Publisher reserves the right to deny submissions for any reason. Submissions do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher or any other editorial contributor.
Bucks Opportunity Council Celebrates Graduates of Self-Sufficiency Program 14 new families in Bucks County have moved from poverty to self-sufficiency through a comprehensive, individualized program offered by the Bucks County Opportunity Council, the county’s lead anti-poverty, non-profit agency. BCOC is part of a national network of community action agencies dedicated to ending poverty by connecting people with the resources to thrive. The graduates’ success was celebrated during a dinner on Wednesday, September 13, at the Warrington Country Club, 1360 Almshouse Road in Warrington. To graduate, clients must be free of all welfare subsidies and have secured employment that pays a family a sustaining wage; live in safe and affordable housing; have access to safe and reliable transportation; maintain a balanced budget; and have a health care plan for the entire family. When they enter the program, clients commit to working with a coach on an individualized plan of action. Many return to school
or training programs to gain additional skills for new jobs. On average, it takes three years to graduate. Last year’s graduates more than tripled their salaries. For every $1 invested in an economic self-sufficiency graduate, $4.60 is saved in cash welfare subsidies alone. Graduates become tax-paying members of the community and their wages earned are mostly spent locally. The Economic Self-Sufficiency program is one of several signature programs of the Opportunity Council that help Bucks County residents move from crisis to stability. BCOC also manages a food program with over 60 distribution sites in the county; helps with emergency assistance for families in crisis; a weatherization program; and VITA, a free volunteer income tax assistance program for low to moderate income families. Last year the agency served over 9,600 people. To learn more about BCOC programs, visit the website at www.bcoc.org.
Quakertown Lions Prepare for 50th Halloween Parade
Organization of Quakertown’s 50th Annual Halloween Parade is well under way. The Parade will be held on Sunday, October 22, 2017 (Rain-date: Sunday, October 29, 2017), starting at 2:00pm. Formation will begin at 12:30 on 5th, 6th, and 7th streets. For this year’s parade, The Lion’s Club of Quakertown will continue to Partner with the Quakertown Food Pantry to raise awareness about the valuable service the Food Pantry provides to our Community. We are asking that spectators of the parade, in addition to considering a donation of at least $1 a piece to help defray the costs of the parade, also consider bringing at least one (1) non-perishable food item to be picked up by one of the entries in the parade for the benefit of the Quakertown Food Pantry. This year represents the nineteenth (19th)
year the Lions Club of Quakertown has organized the parade after taking over the responsibility from the former Quakertown Jaycees. We hope the 2017 parade will be one of the biggest and best in its 50 year history, and welcome any suggestions or volunteers from those who have interest. We continue to look for participants in all categories, especially commercial and non-commercial floats. All who are interested in participating can pick up entry blank forms at various retail locations in Quakertown, including all QNB Bank locations in Quakertown, Moyer’s Shoes, and others, as well as, Quakertown Borough Hall. If anyone has any questions or wishes to volunteer, please contact Tom Klee at (215) 538-5600 ext 5641. Entry deadline is October 18, 2017.
Halloween was brought to America by immigrants from Europe who would celebrate the harvest around a bonfire, share ghost stories, sing, dance and tell fortunes.
Sculptor Ron Bevilaqua to Retire, Hold Final Show
Ron began his fascinating journey through the arts in 1974 creating abstract welded metal sculptures from scrap metal cutoffs the iron workers and steamfitters left lying around construction sites. After moving to Bucks County he studied carving wood and stone at the Baum School of Art in Allentown, joined many art groups, and became known for his unique oneof-a-kind sculptures created from driftwood and decomposing logs. He has exhibited in many shows and galleries and won awards at a wide range of venues. After over 4 decades of creating art, Ron will be retiring from his art career. Ron’s final show will be at his friends’, Harry and Heather Boardman, “Exhibit B Gallery”, 105 North Main Street, Souderton, PA, (215) 7990266, with the opening reception 5 until 9 on Friday, October 20 and continuing through November 12. Lite refreshments served. Meet the artist and see his final exhibition. Visit exhibitBgallery.com to learn more.
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• Upper Bucks Free Press • October 2017
Dale Sine:
The One Man Band
BY THOMAS MOORE
What Can Be Done to Avoid Stolen Elections
Two distinguished experts in matters relating to voting integrity will be guests of the Computer Science Area of Bucks County Community College and the League of Women Voters of Bucks County at a public forum on Monday, October 23 at 12:30 p.m. at the College’s Newtown campus at 275 Swamp Road. Marian K. Schneider, former Deputy Secretary for Elections and Administration and Special Advisor to the Governor on Election Policy, will be speaking about the recent Russian attacks in the 2016 election and steps necessary to protect America’s elections. Prior to joining the Commonwealth, Ms. Schneider was a Senior Attorney at Advancement Project, a national, non-partisan, non-profit civil rights and racial justice organization based in Washington, DC. She served as the lead attorney in Advancement Project’s Voter Protection Program in Pennsylvania and Virginia working to remove barriers to voting for voters of color. Ms. Schneider has been working on election and voting rights issues since 2005. Dr. Andrew W. Appel will address the technological and organizational answers to the question of whether voters can count on
their votes being recorded and counted accurately when they go to the polls as he did when he testified in New Hampshire on September 12 at the second meeting of the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity. Dr. Appel is the Eugene Higgins Professor of Computer Science at Princeton University. He has been on the faculty at Princeton since 1986 and served as Department Chair from 20092015. His research is in software verification, computer security, programming languages and compilers, and technology policy. This presentation will take place in the Gallagher Room of the Charles E. Rollins Center . There is no charge for admission. Registration is required and can be accessed at tickets.bucks.edu/voting-in-the-digital-age . Since the founding of the League of Women Voters in 1920 in the movement to win the right for women to vote, the League has worked to encourage and facilitate civic engagement and enhance access to the vote for all eligible citizens. Towards these ends, the League of Women Voters of Bucks County as other chapters, welcome men and women over the age of 16 as members. Visit the League’s website www.buckslwv.org for more information and find the League on Facebook.
In 1984 Dale Sine, founder and leader of the The Mel-O-De-Aces, a dance band that played the area for 54 years, started helping out a mandolin-playing musician friend as a musical duo at Retirement Villages, Nursing Homes and Church Senior groups in the Lehigh Valley. In a short period of time he started doing it as a single act and is still going strong at age 78, now 33 years in. For the first 25 years or so he played for Senior groups up to five days a week but has cut back recently to average about three a week. “Wherever there are senior centers, nursing homes, low income-high rises for the senior set, in the area, I will play them,” Sine said after a 90-minute performance this past August at The Cedarbrook Nursing Home in the Fountain Hill section of Bethlehem. Sine started out playing an accordion at age nine and was the founder and lifetime member of the Mel-O-De-Aces. Each original musical member of the band was from Quakertown. For 25 of the years he was playing up to three-to-four nights a week with the threepiece band and also three or four afternoons per week as a solo act at many Lehigh Valley Senior facilities. Originally he just used his accordion but then switched to keyboards that eventually had him coaxing multiple instrument sounds through his $1500 piano-based keyboard. In his recent performance in August he played 14 individual songs and three medleys adding nine other numbers, interacting frequently with the 90 or so attendees, over 90% in wheelchairs, a few with canes. In the MultiPurpose Room, where his performance was, it looked to basically be SRO. For the seniors not in the room at the facility it was piped in via a digital camera with sound and also on a large screen behind Sine’s stage. All live-ins had access to his healing message-of old standard songs, patriotic and gospel music, and some rock and roll offerings along the way. Feet shuffled, heads swayed, hands met one another, and shoulders moved right and left as Sine had the room’s attention. One senior, 88 year-old Dorothy Muhr Pearson sang along with most of Sine’s offerings from her front row wheelchair while her son and daughterin-law were there to visit and were lucky to catch Sine’s act for the first time. They were duly impressed. “Oh, I used to dance to the Mel-O-De-Aces in my younger days,” the elder Pearson said afterwards. “I followed them
around the Lehigh Valley.” Early on this Thursday he started off with a polka and then some Broadway hit songs, accompanied by four of his grandchildren, who were overnight at Dale and wife Mary Ann’s Nazareth home the night before. Grandaughters Anneliese, twins Bridget and Katie and five year-old Jack, the ham of the foursome, happily sang along and even did some dance routines with their grandad’s first five songs of the afternoon. “See if you remember this one,” Sine would announce while playing songs that appealed to anyone who was familiar with popular music, from the ‘30s on through maybe the late 70s (he played “YMCA”-a number two hit recorded by The Village People in ’79). Later he did a medley that included Presley’s “Are You Lonesome Tonight,” a request from a senior up front-to the right. His voice was strong, totally on-key and he held notes for five seconds or more when required. Impressive. When asked for more Elvis songs, he ran off “Heartbreak Hotel”, “Blue Suede Shoes” and “Jailhouse Rock”, much to the satisfaction of the attendees, guitar sounds and even hand-clapping coming from his keyboard sound system. He then added another period selection, playing a Roy Orbison ’65 hit, “Pretty Woman.” Assistant Director of Public Relations and Activities Director of the Cedarbrook Nursing Home Alice Christman books the entertainment there. “The residents just love him, his music and his great energy,” she said. Entertainment at the facility is at least once a week. “He draws bigger crowds than most others,” Christman said. “Usually it’s about 60-70 people in attendance.” He ended his afternoon performance with a medley that included gospel tunes “In The Garden” and “Amazing Grace” and then on to “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” “Grand Old Flag” and “God Bless America.” Sine became a born-again Christian in 2002. After his hour and a half continuous performance Sine did all of the teardown of his equipment, including slinging a 50-pound-plus keyboard and metal case into the back of his SUV. Still dressed in his fancy black pants, red ban-lon shirt and suspenders, he closed the trunk door, shook hands--another day of raising the spirits of the many that came before. Learn a lot more about the Mel-O-De-Aces in a very in depth article in next month’s issue of the Upper Bucks Free Press.
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info@ubfp.org • 582 S. West End Blvd • Quakertown, PA 18951
The Mel-O-De Aces in the late 1950s. (left-right) Chet Mientus, Bob Landgreen, Dale Sine, Ted Bozarth
3rd Annual Bucks County Foodshed 5K a Success
Bucks County Foodshed Alliance held its third annual Foodshed 5K Saturday, September 2. All proceeds from the race benefitted BCFA, a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to building a resilient local food system in our community through education and collaboration. The event attracted enthusiastic participants and supporters who enjoyed the prizes, refreshments, race t-shirt, and scenic course. The 2017 Foodshed 5K was a success! Delaware Valley University graciously hosted the event. The course took runners through the agricultural campus and provided beautiful sights, such as horses and cows in the fields. The indoor space of the Life Sciences Building at DelVal allowed a comfortable place to fuel up before the race, cool down after, and enjoy the winners’ ceremony. Awards were given for overall Male & Female and the top three Males & Females in eight age brackets. The prizes were foodie and farm related, including gift certificates and local restaurants and baskets of vegetables and fruits from local farms. There was a selection of running-related prizes and kid’s prizes as well. BCFA President, Shari Rossmann said, “All of us at BCFA are so pleased that we were
able to share our mission and strengthen our relationship with partners and the community at the Foodshed 5K. The event was fun-filled and enjoyable for all.” Thank you to our sponsors who make our initiatives and programs like this possible.
October 2017 • Upper Bucks Free Press •
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(left) A storm trooper patrolled the streets during Pennridge Gallery of the Arts in Sellersville on Sunday, September 17, 2017 photo by debby high (center) Several local students try their hand at belly dancing at this year’s Gallery of the Arts. photo by christopher betz (right) Marvin Smith's Blue Heron placed 1st in the Sculpture contest at the Gallery of the Arts photo by debby high
The Upper Bucks Chamber of Commerce recently held their annual PFEW breakfast at the Spinnerstown Hotel. The Foundation for Free Enterprise Education has been running Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week, a weeklong ‘business’ summer camp for high school juniors and seniors across the state for almost 40 years. The camp is held at Lycoming and Penn Colleges in Williamsport, PA. Through the Upper Bucks Chamber of Commerce Foundation, over 200 local students have received scholarships to attend PFEW. Much of the money raised to send students to PFEW comes from the Chamber’s annual Foodie event every October. Learn more about PFEW at pfew.org and about the annual Foodie event at ubcc.org. Pictured are: (left) the Chamber staff, members of the Foodie committee, four students who spoke about their experiences at PFEW, John Trombetta, CEO and Karen Musante, CEO designee at FFEE. (right) Quakertown High School senior and 2017 PFEW attendee Corey Cope discusses careers in the financial field with Penn Community Bank branch manager Collin Cunningham. photos by christopher betz BuckyGrams: falling leaves, changing colors, pumpkins, scarecrow, hay ride, potted mums, cooler temps, oktober fest, gourds, harvest, corn maze, shorter days Hidden Message: Happy Halloween!Bucky Block: Mixed vegetables.
Think Local. Buy Local. Be Local.
The Pennridge High School Class of 1962 celebrated their 55th Class Reunion on September 16, 2017, at the Indian Valley Country Club in Telford. The luncheon was attended by 85, of which 54 were classmates. photo by bruce kinsey photography
St. Isidore School early childhood students were all eyes and ears for the members of the Quakertown Lions Club as they conducted hearing and ear exams at St. Isidore School in Quakertown recently.
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• Upper Bucks Free Press • October 2017
Fall Flea Market Tips
Autumn marks the time for the true collectors to shop for their collections. You can get great items and good deals at this season’s flea markets. At every flea market (originally named for the insects that were attracted to old objects that were pulled from musty attics and damp basements in 19th Century France) there are some bargains and some bologna. When shopping at a big outdoor flea market event, for a couple of hours or an entire weekend, remember to be prepared. Even if you aren’t shopping for Boy Scout memorabilia, this is a good motto. Be prepared with comfortable shoes, a good sun hat or umbrella, canvas shopping bags, bottled water to ward off dehydration, some snack food and cash in small bills. Get the lay of the land first before you buy. I coined the phrase “walk with your wallet” when it comes to flea market shopping. Before you buy anything, take a lap around the entire outdoor flea market. I do not just start shopping right out of the shoot. I always look before I leap. I know it sounds like a big job, but your personal trainer will commend you for the extra exercise, and your financial advisor will be thrilled at all the money you save. This walk with your wallet method will help you see what’s available for sale and stick to your budget, too. Look at each table or booth carefully. Talk to the sellers to see what you might like to negotiate for and how willing they are to deal. Look at how the booth is organized, consider the condition of the sellers’ offerings and see just how much inventory they expect to sell off at the seasonal flea market. Collect information and get the lay of the land as you look at the antiques offered for sale. Don’t get too invested in any of the objects just yet. Don’t buy too quickly, and
hone in on quality stuff and good bargains. If you aren’t sure about the authenticity of a piece, take a pass and reconsider it later. You can use your smartphone to send a photo to me, so I can tell you what a particular object is and what you should pay for that flea market find. It’s easy at www.DrLoriV.com on your smartphone. During your shopping, if you think something should be priced lower than its asking price considering its condition or other factors, just don’t buy it. Wait to see if there is something more attractive to your collector’s eye and to your wallet. Converse with the seller; he or she may be willing to offer a reduced price or more information. Then, once you know your path, ask for a discount. Odds are you will get what you ask for if you are paying with cash and if you are reasonable and polite. Don’t worry about missing out on an item when you are walking the market. Many people don’t think a specific antique will still be available if you don’t act fast, but I find that as a shopper you are better served if you know what is available before you buy. This gives you greater negotiating power too. Getting information about the inventory at a flea market will help you spot the good stuff at a good price. Slow and steady wins the autumn flea market race. Happy hunting! Celebrity appraiser, Dr. Lori Verderame is an internationally syndicated columnist, author, and award-winning TV personality who stars on History channel’s The Curse of Oak Island and Discovery’s Auction Kings. With a Ph.D. from Penn State Univ., Dr. Lori presents antique appraisal events to worldwide audiences. Visit www.DrLoriV.com/events or 888-431-1010.
Employment Opportunities
CoWorx - Now Hiring Call Center Associates Customer Service and Sales. Full-time with benefits. During each call you will perform basic data entry and account maintenance. Please call for details 484-821-4221! Spor’s General Store - Hiring for Cook and Waitstaff. Inquire within at 22 W. Broad Street, Trumbauersville. Spring Hill Suites - Hiring Front Desk Associates, Room Attendants, House Person/Bell Person. Apply at 1930 John Fries Highway (Route 663), Quakertown, PA. You’ve Got Maids - Hiring commercial nighttime cleaners & daytime residential cleaners. (215) 529-7837 Spor’s General Store - Hiring part-time help, various positions. Stop in to inquire. 22 W. Broad Street, Trumbauersville. Indian Creek Foundation - Currently hiring for the following positions: Direct Support Professionals, Therapeutic Aides (PT) , Therapeutic Support Specialists (PT) & Maintenance Supervisor (FT). Apply online at www.indcreek.org/employment or call 267-203-1500 Edible Arrangements - Hiring Seasonal Help. Good interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and reliability a must. Stop by store for info and to apply. 582 S. West End Blvd, Quakertown Pool Pro - Local pool store seeks service technicians and helpers. 1619 West End Blvd, Quakertown 215-536-0456 Woods’ Pools - Local pool builder seeks construction trainees. Experience a plus. technicians and helpers for upcoming pool season. 1619 West End Blvd, Quakertown, PA 18951 215-538-2323 Upper Bucks YMCA - Art Teacher, Wellness Center Attendant, Sports Attendant, Member Service Associate. All include full Y membership. Call 215-536-YMCA (9622) or stop in to apply. 401 Fairview Avenue, Quakertown. Kulp Roofing & Construction, Inc. - Laborer and skilled Carpentry Personnel with knowledge of window, siding and flooring installation. Applicants apply at Kulp Roofing and Construction Inc., 216 Apple Street Quakertown PA. Any interested person can call my cell at 610-740-4421 to schedule an interview. Resumes can be emailed to Cindy@kulpservices.com or faxed to 215-536-3425
Think Local. Buy Local. Be Local.
Puzzle Answers: BuckyGrams: falling leaves, changing colors, pumpkins, scarecrow, hay ride, potted mums, cooler temps, oktober fest, gourds, harvest, corn maze, shorter days Hidden Message: Happy Halloween! Box Puzzle: Mixed Vegetables
October 2017 • Upper Bucks Free Press •
This month, I want to shine a spot light on a picture book series featuring a grouchy, introverted bear named Bruce, who enjoys cooking and spending time alone. The Mother Bruce series, written by Ryan T. Higgins is quickly becoming the sought after book in Children’s Literature. For the first book, Mother Bruce, author/Illustrator Higgins won the Ezra Jack Keats Book Award for New Illustrator and the E.B. White ReadAloud Award for Picture Books in 2016. The book recently climbed to the sixth bestselling children’s book on the New York Times bestseller list. In the first book, Mother Goose Bruce, we are introduced to the character of Bruce. And oh, what a character! Bruce is a grump, who is annoyed by everything around him. The only thing he actually likes is eggs. He loves to cook them in creative ways from recipes found on the internet. But one day, he is collecting eggs and ends up with hatched goslings. Hatched goslings that think Bruce is their mother. Bruce just knows that he wants them gone south. The goslings won’t leave though. This is one honking big problem for a bear who wants to be left alone. I absolutely LOVED this book. The opening is great; it clearly shows how Bruce is a grump. I also really like how everything about Higgins’ artwork lets you know how grumpy Bruce is, from the way that Bruce walks and carries himself to his ever-present furrowed unibrow. Speaking of the artwork, it is phenomenal! It tells so much more of the story and really conveys the feeling of the whole book. I love how the look of Bruce stays
grumpy throughout the whole book, even as his character softens in the story. For example, there is a picture of Bruce with a baby carrier harnessed strapped to his chest – still with his grumpy face on. I also like how the goslings don’t seem to care about their “mommy’s” bad disposition. The story isn’t really about a grumpy bear but more so about family. Being an adopted kid myself, I think it is a nice kind of adoption story too. It is a sweet story that says it doesn’t matter how you came together or what you look like, you are still a family. Even if a grumpy bear still denies it. The second book, Hotel Bruce, has Bruce and the geese coming home from vacation to find that their den has been transformed into a hotel run by mice. Animals are running rampant in the house, and Bruce wants them gone! The mice are charmingly naïve and don’t get any hints whatsoever. The last straw is when the geese join the hotel workforce – and Bruce resigns himself to the fact the house guests are there to stay. Chaos ensues but we see Bruce’s big heart again. The latest book is Bruce’s Big Move. Bruce has had enough of the cramped quarters and the noisy mice in his home so he packs up and moves! He takes his geese babies and they find a new house, but the geese are sad and miss the rodents. Bruce tries to make the geese happy, but nothing seems to work. In the end, the touching message is the same, family is what you make of it. These books are absolutely excellent! They all have a sense of fun that you can’t put down. Higgins is a master of intertwining humor and touching topics in a seamless collaboration. I highly recommend the series. For more on books and reading visit my site: ThisKidReviewsBooks.com.
Think Local. Buy Local. Be Local.
Bobbing for apples is thought to have originated from the roman harvest festival that honors Pamona, the goddess of fruit trees.
Ongoing Events & Resources Volunteers Needed: AHUB (Advocates for Homeless of Upper Bucks) for 2017/18 winter season. Details: ahubpa@gmail.com (preferred) or 215-527-4296. Volunteers Needed: Nockamixon Twp Emergency Management Agency for help in times of disaster/emergency in surrounding communities. Details: Ed Mocarsi: 610-847-5058. October 13-29 (Wed thru Sun) Annual Food Drive for Food Pantry at Quakertown QMart, 201 Station Rd. (Office exit #4), 215-536-4115. Donate canned & dry goods. Weekends thru Oct 29-Fall Farm Festival at Hausman Farm, 2824 Limeport Pike, Coopersburg. Hayrides, activities, corn maze, face painting, much more. Hausmanfruitfarm. com Oct 23-Nov 17- Thanksgiving Food Drive (non-perishable food items) at UBYMCA, 215-536-ubymca.org Nov 6 – Dec 1: Toy Drive for Pennridge F.I.S.H. Info at 215-257-5390 or pennridgecc@ pennridge.com Dec 1-17- “Annie the Musical” (shows on Fri, Sat 7pm, Sun 2pm) Tkts: $18/adults, $15/ seniors, $12/students. More detailed info: staroftheday.org/2017-season.html Nov 26 until sold out: Trumbauersville Christmas Tree Sale (Mon to Fri 4pm-8pm) (Sat/Sun 9am-8pm) Michener Art Museum Exhibits, “Dedicated, Displayed, Discovered” until Jan 7, “George Sotter:Light & Shadow” until Dec. 31, “A Time to Break Silence” until Feb 4, Located at 138 S Pine St, Doylestown. More info: MichenerArtMuseum.org or 215-340-9800 Quakertown Farmers Market Auctions 1st & 3rd Fri/month w/Les Beyer, 2nd & 4th Sat/ month w/Tom Lorah, call 215-536-4115 for info Hoagie Sales 2nd Monday of month (except July/August) at Trumbauersville Fire Co, 142 North Main St, advance orders due Wed. before. $5.50-$6.00, info/order: Kim 215-536-1998 or bucks58fire.com
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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 is 2nd Saturday each month, 11am-2pm, PetSmart, 620 N.West End Blvd, Quakertown, 215-538-2843 or lastchanceranch.org Last Chance Ranch Volunteer Orientation/ Tour, 1st Saturday each month, 10am-11am in front of Horse Barn, 9 Beck Rd, Quakertown, 215-538-2510 lastchanceranch.org Support & Service Groups Singles Connection for adults meets Thursdays for social evening, 7pm at Silverdale Brethren in Christ Church, 165 W. Main St, Silverdale. 215-593-9995 or email carolonline1@verizon.netSisters U Monthly Meetings 7pm-9pm the third Thurs every month in Perkasie, info: 267-429-3196, stef@sistersu.com, AARP meets 1:30pm the second Monday of the month at Upper Bucks Senior Activity Ctr, 2183 Milford Sq Pike, Quakertown. 215-5363066, upperbucksac.com Parent Support Group on Addiction meets 7pm, first & third Wed every month in Red Schoolhouse, Presbyterian Church Deep Run, 16 Irish Meetinghouse Rd, Bedminster. Info: batchof5@yahoo.com Family Education on Addiction meets 7pm, first three Mondays every month in the Red School House, Presbyterian Church Deep Run, 16 Irish Meetinghouse Rd, Perkasie. Free, register 800-221-6333 SOS Bereavement After Suicide, Family Support Group 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 or 610-558-1326 Caregiver Support Group meets last Thurs. 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 last Thur. of month, Hidden Meadows, 340 Farmers Ln, Sellersville, 267-429-3931 Ann Silverman Community Health Clinic (for uninsured eligible residents), 595 W State St, Doylestown. Call to schedule an eligibility appt. at 215-345-2260. aschealthclinic.org Alzheimer’s Support Group, Phoebe Richland Health Care Ctr, 108 S. Main St, Richlandtown. Free, more info: Social Services 267-371-4512, nkoval@phoebe.org Alzheimer’s Support Group, Hidden Meadows on the Ridge, 340 Farmers Ln, Sellersville. RSVP 267-429-3931 NOVA (Network Of Victim Assistance) Support Groups, NOVA hotline 1-800-6756900. www.NOVABucks.org Bedminster Nar-Anon meets Tues 7pm, Deep Run West Mennonite, 1008 Deep Run Rd, Perkasie, for family/friends of those struggling w/addiction, Bedminster.naranon@yahoo.com A Woman’s Place (support for domestic abuse/violence) 24-hour Hotline 1-800-2208116, www.awomansplace.org UB Kiwanis meets 1st Wed of month 7:30am at Panera Bread, 4th Wed of month 12:30pm at Dominick’s Pizza, Quakertown Quakertown Lions Club meets 2nd & 4th Wed 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 Thurs 7am-8:30am at John’s Plain & Fancy 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 Free Community Meal third Wed of month, 5:30pm-6:30pm, Christ Community Bible Church, 1830 N. Ridge Rd, Perkasie, 215-257-7318 Free Community Meal second, fourth & fifth Weds.of month, 6pm, Richland Friends Quaker Meeting. Mill Rd & Main St off Route 309, Qtwn, 215-538-7555 Free Community Meal third Thurs of month, 5:30pm-6:30pm, First UCC, 4th & Park, Qtwn, 215-536-4447 Free Community Meal first Thurs. of month, 5:45pm, Yerger Bldg across from Trinity Lutheran, 102 N Hellertown Ave Quakertown Bingo Bingo at Encore Experiences, 2nd Sat of month, 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, open 5:30pm, (refreshments avail, smoke-free), cash prizes, 1319 Park Ave, Quakertown, 215-536-6130 Bingo at Richland Twp Fire & Rescue every Tues, open 5:30pm, 64 Shelly Rd, Qtwn. 215-536-7226 Bingo at Great Swamp Fish & Game every Sat, 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. (except July) open 5:30pm, 2 N. Main St, 215-257-4028 Bingo at Tylersport Fire Co. every Tues. open 5:30pm, 125 Ridge Rd, 215-257-5900 Bingo at American Legion Post 397, 1st & 3rd Friday of the month, open 6pm, 935 Main St, Hellertown, 484-851-3624
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• Upper Bucks Free Press • October 2017
2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk If there is one 4WD SUV that has endured over the years and remains a top seller, it’s Jeep’s Grand Cherokee. This mid-size capable SUV was and is still, the benchmark for all sport utes. And in fact, Four Wheeler Magazine named it their 2017 SUV of
the Year. The Grand Cherokee is offered in Laredo, Limited, Trailhawk, Overland, Summit, hot SRT and ultra hot Trackhawk that puts out 707-hp from its 6.2L supercharged V8. Jeep says it can do the 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds. Of all the fine traits the Grand Cherokee (GC) has, its major one is its proven 4WD system. If anyone has 4X4 down pat, it’s Jeep. And the Trailhawk comes with Jeep’s QuadraDrive II/QuadraTrac II systems that offer five modes of Auto, Snow, Sand, Mud and Rock. all selectable by a rotary dial on the console. The system also includes rear Electronic Limited-Slip differential with Jeep’s special Quadra-Lift air suspension that improves suspension articulation and travel. This off-road prowess is assisted by an 8.7inch undercarriage clearance and the Quadra Lift of Off-Road1 raises the vehicle approximately 1.1 inches, or select Off-Road2, and it lifts it 2.2 inches for better rock crawling clearance. All total, the air suspension provides 10.6 inches of ground clearance. Then there’s Aero Mode that lowers the vehicle approximately 0.5 of an inch and Entry/ Exit mode that lowers it 1.6 inches through Jeep’s UConnect touchscreen system. All driver selectable. Lest we forget, the Cherokee has an acute approach angle of 25.7 degrees, a breakover angle of 27.1 degrees and a departure angle of 27.1 degrees and there’s also a skid plate. Plus, Trailhawk puts down a wide 8-inch footprint with its Goodyear Wrangler 265/60R18-inch deep treaded tires. All contribute to sure-footedness both on and off-road. Of course the Trailhawk, like all GC’s, is Trail Rated and carries that noted badge on its fenders. Grand Cherokee is available with a choice of four engines: a 3.6L V6 with 295-hp and 260 lb/ft of torque (18/25 mpg); 5.7L with 360-
Where Can I Get my UBFP?
QUAKERTOWN A-Plus Mini Market Borough Hall Beer City Caitlyn & Cody’s Diner Classic Staffing Chick Fil-A Dairy Queen Dominick’s Pizza Edible Arrangements First UCC Church Friendly Book Store Giant Markets Grocery Outlet The Grundy House Hampton Inn Holiday Inn Express Independence Court James Michener Library John’s Plain & Fancy Let’s Steep w/ M.E. (Q-Mart) Liberty Thrift Store McCoole’s Red Lion Inn Moyer’s Shoes Penn Community Bank Pep Boys Service Center Quality Inn & Suites Q’town Family Restaurant QNB Bank Quaker Cleaners Quakertown Alive! Quakertown Farmers Mkt Redner’s Market
Rep. Craig Staats’ office Sal’s Pizza Randa Sine’s 5 & 10 St. Luke’s Bone & Joint St. Luke’s Hospital Spring Hill Suites Swann’s Pantry The Souper Bowl (Q-Mart) Top Star Express Upper Bucks Senior Center Upper Bucks YMCA Upper Bucks Chamber Yum Yum Donuts TRUMBAUERSVILLE Borough Hall Christ Lutheran Church Fino’s La Cantina Spor’s General Store RICHLANDTOWN Seven-Eleven Penn Community Bank Phoebe Meadow Glen SPINNERSTOWN Spinnerstown Hotel E J’s Barber Shop PLEASANT VALLEY Country Kitchen SELLERSVILLE A & N Diner Grand View Hospital Hidden Meadows Roy Ann Diner Stella’s
PERKASIE Giant Food Markets Landis Food Markets Olde Towne Convenience Pennridge Chamber Pierce Library QNB Bank TELFORD Indian Valley Library Landis Food Markets SOUDERTON Care & Share Shoppes SILVERDALE Green Street Barber Shop DOYLESTOWN Main Street Book Store DUBLIN Dam Good Cafe QNB Bank Dublin IGA OTTSVILLE NAPA of Ottsville Wehrung’s 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
Think Local. Buy Local. Be Local.
hp and 390 lb/ft of torque 914/22 mpg); 3.0L diesel V6 with 240-hp and 420 lb/ft of torque (21/28 mpg) and a 6.4L V8 with 475-hp and 470 lb/ft of torque (13/19 mpg). We tested the 3.6L V6 with Start/Stop system and it proved to be a decent performer despite its hefty 4,869-pound curb weight. It transfers power to the wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission (with paddle shifters) for its 18 city, 25-highway mpg rating is about on par with others in this SUV class. The combination is capable of towing up to 6,200 pounds and it carries a GVWR of 6,500
pounds. After a 21-inch step-in and over an 8-inch threshold, you’re treated to exceptionally supportive leather and sueded heated/ventilated Recaro-type front seats embossed with the Trailhawk logo. Your eyes will quickly go to the massive 8.4-inch touchscreen with Chrysler’s UConnect system that offers 3G Wi-Fi hotspot capability, rearview camera and a host of standard apps. There’s also an Auto Park mode for those who have trouble parallel parking. The heated back seat is comfy for three adults, but the center most portion is only for short statured folks as the console leaches into the area somewhat. But there’s ample leg and head room. Back in the cargo area that is rated at 36.3 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 68.3 with them folded. Perhaps more meaningful, the area measures 38.5 inches deep, 45 wide and 30.5 high. Flip the 60/40 seat backs by simply pulling a handle and the headrests flip down and seats flip forward automatically. With them folded depth extends to 72 inches or a
full six feet. Built into the cargo wall is a convenient LED flashlight and under the floor is some small item storage around the full-size spare tire. Although the Trailhawk is equipped for off-road adventuring, it rides as smoothly as a luxury sedan on-road. It’s tight, holds the road like super glue and emits a safe, secure driving/riding feel. And because of that, the GC Trailhawk garnered a full five-star overall vehicle score from government safety testing, five each for driver/passenger frontal crash, five for front/rear side crash and four for rollover. Price wise, the Trailhawk carried a base of $43,095 with a very long list of standard features. To this was added a Customer Preferred package ($2,695) that included many niceties including a panoramic sunroof; Active Safety Group ($1,495) that added advanced brake assist, full speed forward collision warning, lane departure warning, Park Assist and much more; Rock Rails ($895); UConnect with GPS nav, satellite radio ($450); Blind Spot/Cross Path Detection ($595) and delivery ($995) brought the bottom line to $50,220. About the same price maybe somewhat less than many comparable SUVs on the market. For the money, you’re getting a proven, capable, safe SUV that can go where many others fear to tread. Nick Hromiak is an automotive enthusiast and freelance writer. We look forward to bringing you his new column each month. He can be reached at nhromiak@verizon.net.
October 2017 • Upper Bucks Free Press •
The answers to the puzzles on this page are found elsewhere in this issue.
Think Local. Buy Local. Be Local.
Ant, Aunt
Brake, Break
Ate, Eight
Cereal, Serial
Ball, Bawl
Chute, Shoot
Bare, Bear
Colonel, Kernel
Blew, Blue
Cymbal, Symbol
Doe, Dough Ewe, You Flour, Flower Gnu, Knew Hear, Here Hour, Our Knead, Need
Pause, Paws Raise, Rays Right, Write Tea, Tee Weather, Whether Which, Witch
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• Upper Bucks Free Press • October 2017
Seems Brandy and Grady complained to our human that when we go on our Therapy visits to nursing homes that they don’t get enough attention because they have to ride in the back and I have the front seat. (Sound like your human kids?). Here is a picture of both carriages. Well, our human mom decided to settle the complaint by getting a side by side carriage for us. Now I will have to share the attention. She also said this will be easier to steer which is a blessing because she was always running into hospital beds with the long carriage. (Sometimes I feel like I am in a bumper car). I call it a carriage because I am a princess and we ride in carriages not strollers. I would also like to mention to all
you humans to be sure to look for ALL your loved ones BEFORE closing a closet door or a GARAGE DOOR. This is the second time I was exploring inside the storage side of our garage and had the door shut on ME! At first I enjoyed a quiet nap but then I learned after that last time I was left behind that I better make some noise or I’ll miss my dinner. Thank goodness my friend Sue heard me and rescued me and took me to the house where my human was waiting for me. It doesn’t make a dog feel real special when you don’t notice that they are missing. That is all I’m going to say on the matter. (I feel a bit taken for granted) Love M.J.
Shopping Nets Dollars for QCSD
The Quakertown Grocery Outlet brought QCSD Services Center employees breakfast last week, along with a check for $370, representing the proceeds of the fundraiser from May to September 2017. Owners gave QCSD 3% of the total groceries purchased in that time period. Shoppers simply need to tell the cashier which school they would like to support.
“The leaves fall, the wind blows, and the farm country slowly changes from the summer cottons into its winter wools.” - Henry Beston
October 2017 • Upper Bucks Free Press •
Imagine 282,000 homes – ranches, split-levels, Colonials, even mansions. Houses as far as the eye can see. Now imagine all those homes going completely off the grid for a year -- as in, not using any electricity. Not running the dishwasher once. Not baking a single cake or loaf of bread. Not turning on the TV to watch a single Phillies or Eagles game. That would be a pretty remarkable energy savings, wouldn’t you think? Many people don’t know it, but that level of savings is actually happening every year in central and eastern Pennsylvania. A quarter-million homes aren’t literally unplugging from the grid. But the homes and businesses in PPL Electric Utilities’ service area have reduced their energy use by more than 2.7 billion kilowatt-hours per year over the past seven-and-a-half years. That’s the same savings you’d get if about 282,000 houses didn’t use any power at all. In case you’re wondering, that reduction in energy use translates to a financial savings of almost $300 million per year, based on 10 cents per kilowatt-hour. That’s a pretty remarkable number as well. Another noteworthy thing: At PPL Electric Utilities, we support the fact that people are using less electricity. In fact, we applaud it. That comes as a surprise to some people too. After all, we’re in the business of delivering electricity. But, we recognize that using less energy is good for your wallet, and good for
the environment. In fact, those 2.7 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity that people aren’t using each year are being saved through energy efficiency programs offered by PPL. This includes rebates for heating and air conditioning equipment, insulation, smart thermostats, appliances, business lighting, business refrigeration equipment, food service equipment, compressed air systems, discounted LED bulbs we make available through retailers, and more. Another example you might have heard of: We’ll haul away your old refrigerator for free and pay you $35, to make it easier for you to upgrade to a more energy-efficient appliance. (Some conditions apply: For instance, the fridge has to still work. Specific info on fridge recycling is available at pplelectricsavings. com/appliance/recycling.) Full info on our residential efficiency programs can be found at pplelectric.com/savings, while programs for businesses are detailed at pplelectric.com/businessrebates. If you’re among the people helping to make a big difference in energy use, we congratulate you. It makes sense to save. If you haven’t really thought about energy efficiency, now’s a great time to start. It doesn’t take a major investment to make your savings start to add up. That 2.7 billion kilowatt-hours of saved energy per year is a pretty impressive number. But it’s really just a start. Carol is the Regional Affairs Director for PPL Electric Utilities in Allentown, PA. Reach her at CObando-Derstine@pplweb.com
Quakertown Receives $10k Tony Hawk Foundation Grant for Skate Park
Quakertown Borough was awarded a $10,000 grant from iconic skateboarder Tony Hawk’s foundation to expand and build a new skate park at the existing Main Street Park. Along with the $10,000 grant, the Tony Hawk Foundation gave input and their approval on the design of the park. The existing Main Street Skate Park was installed in 2003, and by 2008, the borough was struggling to manage the property as there were countless incidents of vandalism and criminal mischief. At that point local churches and community members stepped in to provide regular competitions and programming for the park. By 2011, the park atmosphere started to experience some real change, and Borough Council appointed the Quakertown Main Street Park Committee to explore ways to expand the Park and build on all of the positive momentum. The committee worked with local participants to develop a design that will feature new basketball courts, walking trails, a recreation center, and of course the skate park itself. The approved skate park design is suitable for skateboarders, BMX bikers and various other action sports participants of all skill levels.
Along with the Tony Hawk Foundation, the Main Street Park Committee has received support and funding from local businesses and organizations. Committee members have been excited to kickoff Phase 1 of the multi-phase project in 2017. “We always said it would take a miracle to actually pull this off, and the miracle is all the different people coming around the table to make it happen. We are so pumped to add the Tony Hawk Foundation to our growing list of supporters! The community is truly coming together to help build not only a state-of-art Action Sports recreation and training facility, but impact the lives of our next generation for years to come.” Dave Kratz, Main Street Park Committee Chairman, stated. Until the Action Park is finished, skate park goers will use the current ramps in place. On Sept.23, 2017, the Quakertown skate park hosted the ninth annual Free Fall action sports event. Free Fall is an absolutely free youth event that includes a skateboard and BMX competition, and Basketball tournament. To get involved with the action park visit QuakertownActionPark.com.
A Time for Renewal
So last month I talked about not being afraid and facing your fears. I shared that I had I was going on a trip to see a friend of mine in California. Well I did it. The confidence that I felt once I arrived in CA was amazing. I could stay focused and enjoyed the beautiful scenery all around me as I was driving to her house. I had minimal anxiety if anything I was a little nervous but it was completely manageable. I can’t even explain the confidence I felt the whole weekend. I stayed clear on what my mission was and that was to see my friend. I came back from the trip feeling renewed and excited and so grateful that I went on this trip. So it is perfect timing with Fall being upon us now and that this season is considered time for change. It is my favorite time of year and I think most people love this time of year. It is so beautiful with the leaves changing color and the cool crisp air. And who can’t resist the mums and pumpkins and let’s not forget all of the pumpkin flavored goodies!! Tastykake came out with these pumpkin cinnamon donuts yum!! Fall gives all of us an opportunity to move forward with the things that have been keeping us stuck. It is time to stop making excuses for our unhappiness or challenges in our lives. Why wait until the new year when this is the perfect time of year to embrace how you truly want to feel and to live. I really do understand the concept of being stuck and that it can seem
impossible to believe that you will feel differently but you will. It is all a process. It is about deciding to live your life in a way that creates happiness, peace and balance. I like the idea of it being a time of renewal. A time to recommit to the things in our lives that we have either neglected or ignored for too long. With renewal comes hope. Hope that things can be better with a renewed faith in ourselves and our lives. What trips most of us up is our need to make others happy first in our lives. We worry too much about how others will respond or if we will have the support we need instead of just saying “This is about ME”. I often talk about the importance of creating the balance we so much seek in our lives. Renewal can be about restoring our friendships and family relationships, reestablishing ourselves in the community or at work, recovering from addictions that we may have to drugs, alcohol, gambling etc., and becoming “new” again. It is a rebirth in ourselves and saying, “I matter”. We may have lost our way but we can find our way back if only we believed enough in ourselves and our abilities. Take the time to enjoy all that is around you and to renew all those things that are important to you and make you who you are. My belief is “that all persons are truly greater than they think they are.” Susan V. Brewer is a Certified Life Coach and Psychotherapist in the Upper Bucks County Area. She can be reached at 215-872-4219. Visit her website at www.balancelife4u.com.
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Five Reasons to Sell this Fall
Here are five reasons listing your home for sale this fall makes sense. 1. Demand Is Strong The latest Buyer Traffic Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows that buyer demand remains very strong throughout the vast majority of the country. These buyers are ready, willing, and able to purchase… and are in the market right now! More often than not, multiple buyers are competing with each other to buy a home. Take advantage of the buyer activity currently in the market. 2. There Is Less Competition Now Housing inventory is still under the 6-month supply that is needed for a normal housing market. This means that, in the majority of the country, there are not enough homes for sale to satisfy the number of buyers in the market. This is good news for homeowners who have gained equity as their home values have increased. However, additional inventory could be coming to the market soon. Historically, the average number of years a homeowner stayed in their home was six, but that number has jumped to an average of almost nine years since 2008. There is a pentup desire for many homeowners to move, as they were unable to sell over the last few years because of a negative equity situation. As home values continue to appreciate, more and more homeowners will be given the freedom to move. The choices buyers have will continue to increase. Don’t wait until this other inventory comes to market before you decide to sell. 3. The Process Will Be Quicker Today’s competitive environment has forced buyers to do all they can to stand out from the crowd, including getting pre-approved
for their mortgage financing. This makes the entire selling process much faster and much simpler as buyers know exactly what they can afford before home shopping. According to Ellie Mae’s latest Origination Insights Report, the time to close a loan has dropped to 43 days, after seeing a 12-month high of 48 days in January. 4. There Will Never Be a Better Time to Move Up If your next move will be into a premium or luxury home, now is the time to move-up! The inventory of homes for sale at these higher price ranges has forced these markets into a buyer’s market. This means that if you are planning on selling a starter or trade-up home, your home will sell quickly AND you’ll be able to find a premium home to call your own! Prices are projected to appreciate by 5.0% over the next year according to CoreLogic. If you are moving to a higher-priced home, it will wind up costing you more in raw dollars (both in down payment and mortgage payment) if you wait. 5. It’s Time to Move on With Your Life Look at the reason you decided to sell in the first place and determine whether it is worth waiting. Is money more important than being with family? Is money more important than your health? Is money more important than having the freedom to go on with your life the way you think you should? Only you know the answers to the questions above. You have the power to take control of the situation by putting your home on the market. Perhaps the time has come for you and your family to move on and start living the life you desire. That is what is truly important. Sue Deily has been a Realtor® for 31 years, resides in the Upper Bucks Area and enjoys serving her clients in Bucks, Lehigh and Montgomery Counties. Contact her at suesellshouses@gmail.com and at 215-872-9865.
“Bittersweet October. The mellow, messy, leaf-kicking, perfect pause between the opposing miseries of summer and winter.”- Carol Bishop Hipps
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• Upper Bucks Free Press • October 2017
More than great ghost stories await. D I NE , I M B I B E A ND CE L E B R AT E FA L L W I T H US .
McCoole’s to Host Walking Ghost Tours in Quakertown This October, McCoole’s At The Historic Red Lion Inn, in partnership with the Quakertown Historical Society, will host Walking Ghost Tours, visiting sites in Historic Uptown Quakertown. The Ghost Tours will be held Oct 20, 21, 27, 28 and 29 from 7:00 – 9:30 pm, beginning at the Bucks County Visitor Center, 21 N. Main Street, Quakertown (home to the Historical Society and Upper Bucks Chamber of Commerce), half a block north of McCoole’s. Parking is free at the Visitor Center. The walking tours will run on 30-minute
increments, with the last tour departing at 9:30 pm, offering history and fun to all. The walking tour is $10 with all proceeds benefitting the Quakertown Historical Society. Local tour guides will lead guests to one historical structure after another along Broad and Main Streets, providing stories of historical relevance and mystery at each stop. Tour attendance will be limited to 15 – 10 per tour. Tickets are available online by visiting www.quakertownhistoricalsociety.org, at the Visitor Center or at the door.
Perkasie Bridge to Be Closed Perkasie Borough officials announced that the Walnut Street Bridge will be closed for 18 months, beginning Monday, October 2, while Bucks County works on replacing it. The county owns the bridge and is handling the complete replacement of the structure, which includeing the approaches and traffic signal improvements Walnut Street and Constitution Avenue. The county plans to keep that intersection open during the construction, with the possibility of intermittent closures for paving at the end of the project.
Walking Ghost Tours
Oct 20, 21, 27, 28 and 29 from 7–9:30pm Visit www.quakertownhistoricalsociety.org for tickets.
MICROBREWS FROM OUR OWN RED LION BREWERY | DAILY HAPPY HOURS | ONLINE RESERVATIONS
BROAD & MAIN, QUAKERTOWN | 215.538.1776 | www.McCoolesRedLionInn.com
Halloween Hauntings My dad, Harold Helm Sr. was a great storyteller and to this day I really don’t know fact from fiction. Let us go back to the days when my dad was “courting” my mother. He lived in Trumbauersville and she lived on Axe Handle Rd. just east of Richland Centre. (Present day Quakertown east of the railroad tracks. My dad would walk from Trumbauersville into Quakertown then down to Axe Handle Rd. off of Thatcher Road when his dad’s car was up on blocks. (This was during the early years of the “Great Depression.”) He would tell us of some of the experiences he had back in the early part of the 1930’s on these dark hikes for his home. Two stories took place as he walked past the Cressman farm and opposite “The First Church of the Brethren” located between Cohen’s Corner outside of what is known as Bungalow Park just outside Quakertown on the Trumbauersville Road. That stretch from Cohen’s Corner to where Hillcrest Road veers off on the other sharp corner to the west was very dark as only about four farms were the only residences along that stretch. Below are his tales of the T’ville Rd. Before the advent of all the houses in our area, despite wet or dry seasons, most farms had swampy areas that the farmers would have as part of their pastureland. One very dark night he was coming home and this barely visible eerie white form would follow him as he walked. Not a sound could be heard. When he would walk it would follow. When he stopped it too would stop. A slight breeze was stirring but there was no wavering of the off white apparition. This continued for nearly a quarter of a mile. One time he walked at double quick. It to followed then stopped. Finally a “machine” approached from Trumbauersville and in the dimness of the early automobiles headlights my dad discovered what the apparition was – it was a “Holstein Calf” that was just being noisy as to this “thing” walking along the road. Back also in that day many of the swamps not only had small-elevated mounds of grass; they also had stumps of trees in the rotting soil. This caused a condition, along with a humid evening, of what was known as Swamp Gas. Many today talk of this curious condition as “Orbs” connected with the Native American Fork Lore of the area. (I witnessed such gases in the swamps on the flatlands located up at Hickory Run State Park when I went hiking in the dark back in my teenage days.) My
dad would tell us about one such night. This too took place at the Cressman farm along the Trumbauersville Rd. My dad witnessed swamp gas many times on his walk home, especially in the area between Thatcher Road and Knauss’s Meats in what is now the East End of Quakertown. Swamp gas will rise and sometimes hover and move a bit before disappearing in the atmosphere. But this one night this Orb of Swamp Gas hovered about 4 feet off the ground and moved back and forth in uneven motions of about 10 to 15 foot lines. It would return to this old Oak Stump then dance around some more! It certainly wasn’t normal swamp gas that disappeared into the atmosphere. Was it an “Orb” as the old timers talked about? My dad didn’t stay around to find out! He hurriedly picked up his pace and when glancing back saw the Orb next to the old Oak stump – Just hovering there! He also related how his parents were to a country-dance soon after they were married in the early 1900’s at the “Oxen-Kopf “ hotel. (Now a private residence at the 4 way stop is located at Upper Ridge Road and Geryville Pike.) As they were riding in my grandfather’s Phaeton wagon along Old Plains Road, they heard a sleigh approaching. (Bells Ringing as was customary for night horse and carriage riding.) They slowed the horse down so they could safely pass. The bells sounded louder and louder and my grandfather literally stopped. They heard the bells pass but they did not hear the sound of horse or wagon. Until my grandfather passed away in the 1940’s he still held fast to his story. Was it an apparition or a figment of the imagination? We will never know. Today I still witness the depth of darkness that my grandfather and father experienced when up at our Summer Home in Cameron County. I was recently up there on a moonless night and walked the road with our dog after coming back from “Elking.” I thought of these stories I heard many times and could truly relate to the eerie possibilities of these stories in such darkness. We will never see Swamp Gas, as the water table is low because of all the area housing. We will never have that type of darkness around here because of all the light pollution of “Night lights.” All we have are the stories we heard from those that lived in the early 1900’s when it was darker and superstition and imagination were still among those folks known as the “Pennsylvania Dutch.” Happy Halloween! .Dick Helm is a regular contributor. He can be reached at dickhelm@ubfp.org
Monster Seen in Quakertown Swamp I might go fishing in the Quakertown Swamp. There’s a ‘pond’ in the middle, where I run my gun dogs, Dobie and Peyton, in summer because they have a place to swim and cool off. I’ve thought about hunting ducks there in the fall but, until the other day, I hadn’t seriously considered fishing. The pond’s on Bog Run, which ultimately joins the Tohickon Creek on Axe Handle Road. The pond has no real inlet or outlet. It’s deeper and bigger than usual waterholes and surrounded by thickets, woods and swamp. It could be manmade, I guess. Dig a hole around there and it’ll quickly fill with water because of the impermeable rock that underlies the Great Swamp area of Upper Bucks. The water’s stagnant and stained brown. It’s a small pond--maybe fifteen yards wide, seventy-five long. Lilies cover half the surface. Thick beds extend from the brushy, opposite shoreline. Beyond that, there’s a level, ten acre marshy thicket with great blue heron nests in the distant treetops. That afternoon, we followed a trail through the woods. The dogs were distracted by a squirrel, but I got us headed down to the pond. I told them: “Go for a swim.” Peyton plunged in, did a quick loop, got out, and shook himself off. Dobie went for a leisurely swim along the edge of the lilies. Suddenly, I was startled by a motion I caught out of the corner of my eye. Thirty yards down the pond, the lilies were vigorously shaking and waving. The breeze wasn’t strong enough to do that. There were no geese or ducks. The swaying stopped then, in an adjacent patch, the lilies moved even more violently. A wide swath lurched as something moved rapidly and powerfully through them, underwater. I tried to process what I’d seen. Whatever it was, was huge. A big snapping turtle, I guessed. No, it moved too fast. A fish? It would be larger than any fish I’d seen in Pennsylvania. A giant musky or pike? A catfish as large as the ones I saw on TV? What else? A beaver? No signs of them. I got the creepy feeling one gets when confronted by the seemingly impossible. I shuddered when I saw Dobie swimming toward where I’d seen the movement. I called him in and headed to the truck. I was questioning my eyes and imagination the whole drive. The next day I approached a friend at work who knows the Quakertown Swamp, too. “I was running the dogs at that pond and saw something that scared me.” “A big snapper? Or a big fish?” he asked. “You saw it, too!?” “There was thin ice on the pond during deer season.” He furtively glanced around. “Did it move real fast; roil up the mud?” “I just saw the lilies moving,” I said. “Did it have a big fantail?” He held his hands about 18 inches apart. “It looked like it had a shell. Too cold for turtles, though. It was this wide.” He held his hands three feet apart. “I don’t go there anymore.” Someone else had seen it! It wasn’t a hallucination. Something big really does live in the Quakertown Swamp. A huge catfish, I decided.
A fantail, a broad head can look like a shell. I supposed there was enough food: ducks, frogs, fish, turtles, muskrats, probably. When I saw my friend later he confided, “I was just messing with you. I didn’t see anything. I made it up. I didn’t see anything, really. I just don’t go there anymore.” There’s a dozen species of catfish in Pennsylvania: flathead, channel cat, brown, yellow and black bullheads, white catfish, stone cat, and the margined, mountain, brindled and tadpole madtom catfish. Two can grow to a size capable of making the disturbance I saw at the pond: flathead or channel cat. The flathead is native to the Great Lakes and the Ohio River drainage of Pennsylvania but was introduced to the Susquehanna and Delaware relatively recently. It’s possible the ‘monster’ we think we saw is a flathead; more likely a channel cat, though. The channel cat (Ictalurus punctatus) is North America’s most numerous and commonly fished for catfish species. It’s well distributed from southern Canada to northern Mexico. It thrives in rivers, streams, lakes and ponds. It’s the official fish of Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska and Tennessee. It’s commonly raised species by the aquaculture industry. Channel catfish have keen senses of smell and taste. They have a high concentration of sensitive olfactory receptors in their nostrils which can detect several different amino acids at a concentration as low as one part per 100 million. The channel cat has taste buds distributed over its entire body with a high concentration (about 25 per square millimeter), on their eight whiskers. Also, the channel cat has a Weberian apparatus which amplifies sound waves in the water. The channel catfish grow to 40-50 pounds. The world record (caught in the Santee-Cooper Reservoir in South Carolina in 1964), weighed 58 pounds. I didn’t actually see the Swamp Monster, just indication of its movement. The way my buddy described it, though (unless he just made it up), it could be bigger. The Quakertown Swamp is the last evidence of what Upper Bucks County, PA (Richland and Milford Townships), were like 300 years ago. Until after the Revolution the region was called the Great Swamp. Two miles south and east of Quakertown, the Swamp follows Bog Run, a tributary of the Tohickon. It’s is the largest inland wet land in Bucks County, extending about four miles from Rte. 309 to north of Rte. 313 where it joins the Tohickon. About 400 acres is preserved or protected land. Upper Bucks is underlain by impermeable igneous diabase rock that forms the boulder-strewn landscape common in surrounding townships. A magma uplift during the Jurassic period penetrated older, Triassic Basin sandstone and created a surface level water table in much of the region. The Quakertown Swamp has diverse habitats that include open water, cattail marsh, wet meadows, brush thickets and forested swamps. It is designated by the Audubon Society as an important bird area. It is home to the largest blue heron nesting area in eastern Pennsylvania and is home to another 91 species of birds. More articles by Jack H. Schick can be found at Searchwarp.com or Soulofwit.com
October 2017 • Upper Bucks Free Press •
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How are your tomatoes growing? It’s tomato harvest time! Those luscious red juicy fruits we’ve been waiting for all summer should be at their prime! But are yours? With plentiful rainfall this growing season, you might expect this to be the optimal conditions for picking perfectly plump tomatoes. Unfortunately, the results in our area have been hit-or-miss. Anything you can do about it? Perhaps! With the rains and storms in the mid-Atlantic this year, many tomato growers are noticing more cracked fruits. As tomatoes mature, their skins become thick and tough; the tough skin may not accommodate rapid growth which could occur following heavy rain or temperature changes. Likewise, excess nitrogen in the soil can cause cracking. Hard rain can pummel the fruit if good surrounding leaf growth does not provide an umbrella of protection. While it is difficult to supersede Mother Nature’s watering habits, you can do your part by keeping the soil as uniformly moist as possible—watering the base of the plants and utilizing the moderating effect of mulch may be helpful to prevent cracking tomatoes. Bugs like tomatoes as much as we do! Stink bugs, cutworms, and hornworms are inclined to take a bite and leave the otherwise perfect tomato with annoying damage. Luckily, most bugs are not inclined to do significant damage—University of Maryland Department of Agriculture advises that with a sharp knife, you can usually salvage most of the tomato nipped by a fickle bug! Fungus diseases this year are more abundant than usual because of our cooler nights and wet spring. Fungus is apparent on many plants this fall, and tomatoes have not escaped this problem. Anthracnose is the specific fungus most often attacking tomatoes. Ripe (or over-ripe) tomatoes are most susceptible to this fungus which will present as a sunken spot on the fruit which could turn tan or black, then yield salmon-colored spores. Do your best to prevent this by promptly picking ripe (or nearripe) fruits. Late blight is not unique to this growing season! Year-after-year this attacks our tomatoes, but it was especially nurtured by the moist and cooler conditions of our spring and summer. Initially, the blight shows up on leaves that turn yellow or brown; eventually, the lesions attack the fruit and enlarge to cover the entire fruit with brown lesions. Preventing late blight next year begins now—be sure that all infected plant material is removed from the area. Do not compost these diseased plants to nurture the pathogen for next year. Freezing temperatures in our area should be sufficient to kill the blight over winter unless we do something (composting or burying diseased materials) to coddle the blight. Be especially careful if
growing tomatoes in the same are as potatoes, as the buried potato tubers can easily harbor blight ready to attack next year’s tomato (and potato) crop. If your crop is slow to mature this year, you’re not alone! University of Maryland reported that their tomato growers had harvested only 44% of their crop as of August 29—typically 70% is harvested in Maryland by that date. Few hot sunny summer days, and plenty of clouds/rain/cool evenings have delayed ripening in our area. Hopefully, the coming weeks will begin to yield more ripening fruits. One recommendation for more satisfying tomato harvests from your garden: pick the fruit early when it first begins to turn. You may beat the critters who love the bright red target for a bite! Also, picking the fruit before heavy rain or storms can prevent the fruit from growing to the cracking stage. Partially ripe (or even green) tomatoes can ripen successfully on your kitchen counter (not refrigerator!) to a tasty treat. Especially as frost is around the corner in the coming weeks, be ready to harvest all your tomatoes—those that are showing early signs of ripening (a white star on the bottom) will ripen in the kitchen. The totally green ones are candidates for many awesome green tomato recipes! Enjoy now, it’s a long wait for next year’s locally grown tomatoes—and, as we all know, nothing compares! Are you ready for some great fall foliage? Penn State plant pathology experts who study foliage displays over the years are predicting a spectacle this year! It all starts now as cooler temperatures have signaled trees to discontinue production of chlorophyll, the pigment that is responsible for photosynthesis. Once the ‘green’ breaks down, other pigments will show up! Because of plentiful rainfall this summer, leaves are not changing early, this bodes well! Now, if we are lucky enough to continue with bright sunny days, low (but not early freezing) temperatures and dryer conditions in the ensuing weeks, we could be in for a spectacular fall display! Plan your Pocono weekend now! Bucks County Master Gardener Horticulture Hotline Monday through Friday, 9 am to 12 pm You can call, email, write or visit us with your home gardening questions and concerns! 215-345-3283 “Ask a Master Gardener” Penn State Extension Bucks County Neshaminy Manor Center 1282 Almshouse Rd Doylestown, PA 18901 Email: BucksHotline@ag.psu.edu Please mention that you heard about us through the Upper Bucks Free Press!
“The crickets still sing in October. And lilly, she’s trying to bloom. Tho she’s resting her head on the shoulder of death, she still shines by the light of the moon..” - Kevin Dalton
Think Local. Buy Local. Be Local. Local Students Receive Everence Scholarships
Students from the Souderton area are among the 41 recipients of Everence® college scholarships for the 2017-2018 academic year. The scholastic program encourages young people to explore the integration of faith and finances while helping them on their educational journeys. The local recipients are: Justin Burkholder of Dublin, who received a $750 scholarship to pursue a degree at Palm Beach Atlantic University and; Morgan Swartley of Souderton, who received a $750 scholarship to pursue a degree at Liberty University. More than 220 students from across the country applied for scholarships for the coming academic year. Recipients were chosen based on leadership, community involvement and responses to an essay question about someone who models the concept of stewardship. “Helping students continue their education is
important to Everence,” said Kenda Mishler, Member Benefits Manager. “We recognize the effort it takes to invest their time and talents in their communities while balancing school and family obligations.” One student received a $2,000 scholarship, two received $1,000 scholarships and 38 others received $750 scholarships for the upcoming school year. For a complete list of scholarship recipients and their photos, visit Everence.com. Everence helps individuals, organizations and congregations integrate finances with faith through a national team of advisors and representatives. Everence offers banking, insurance and financial services with community benefits and stewardship education. Everence is a ministry of Mennonite Church USA and other churches. To learn more, visit everence.com/souderton or call 215-703-0111.
What’s in a Wag?
The biggest myth is, a wagging tail means “happy dog.” Yes, dogs wag their tails when they are happy, but they also use them to communicate feelings. While barking can be used to broadcast feelings, dogs mostly rely on their body language to communicate. They use many parts of their body: eyes, ears, lips, stance, and tails to convey information. If you observe dogs closely for a period of time, you will quickly notice that there is no such thing as a uniform tail wag. Instead, dogs use different wagging speeds and different tail positions to communicate. Generally speaking, the position (or height) of the tail can be used as an emotional thermometer while the speed of the wag indicates how excited or aroused the dog is. Tucked tail- when the tail is tightly tucked under the dog’s body this is a sign of intense fear or can also be a submissive display. Low Tail- usually associated with worry or being submissive. Middle or Neutral- how a dog carries his tail most of the time and is a sign of a relaxation. Some dogs naturally carry their tails high (basenjis) and others carry it low
(greyhounds). Horizontal and Tense (straight out at the back) - means that the dog is alert and attentive. High Tail- usually used to show assertiveness or to challenge others. Vertical tail- is a clear challenge and is used by dogs to say they are confident and in control. In general, the faster the wag, the more excited the dog. Intensity- slight barely noticeable wag of small breadth (often seen during greetings) means the dog is hesitant. Broad wag- a sign of friendliness or contentment. This is the “happy dog wag.” If the dog is very excited, you may also see his hips wiggling from side to side. Tiny, high speed wags- if the tail is wagging in such a way that it looks like the tail is vibrating it means the dog is ready for action, usually to run or fight. When looking at your dog for clues about how he is feeling, remember to look at his entire body. Does the body look relaxed or are all the muscles tense? Is the dog staring hard at you (another person or dog) or is he giving you soft eyes? Observe your dog regularly and take note of his postures to better understand him. Submitted by Marion C. O’Neil CPDT-KA, CTDI owner and lead trainer of Molasses Creek Dog Training, LLC, Quakertown, PA