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Upper Bucks Free Press December 2013

November 28 Happy Thanksgiving! November 29

Whats Going On in Upper Bucks?

December 4 30th Annual Festival of Lights Dedication Ceremony w/Holiday Entertainment & Tree Lighting, 7pm at Grand View Hospital main lobby, more info at 215-453-4381 Pennridge Chamber Annual Breakfast Mtg & Election for 2014, JT Bankers Saloon & Eatery, 309 S Main St, Sellersville, reg. by Nov 29 at pennridgecc@pennridge.com, $25/pp, networking 7:45am, buffet 8am December 6 Holiday Dinner Dance at Pennridge Community Ctr, 146 East Main St, Perkasie, 215-453-7027 Christmas in Quakertown, Downtown Triangle, 6pm. Tree lighting, ice sculpting, alpacas, Santa by fire truck, Food, Carolers, Crafters, etc. quakertownalive.com December 6, 7, & 8 4th Annual Holiday Craft Show (Fri 4-8pm) (Sat 9am-4pm) (Sun 4-8pm) at Quakertown Train Station, also bake sale, nut sale, raffle, etc. Proceeds benefit local charities Kringle Christmas Shoppe (Fri 1-8pm) (Sat 10am-4:30pm) (Sun 12:30pm4:30pm) at Latvian Baptist, 1142 Apple Rd, Applebachsville. 30+ artisans, free adm, music, cookies, raffle baskets, 610-346-8581 December 7 Annual Cookie Walk & Craft Sale 9am-2pm at Eastern Upper Bucks Senior Ctr, 8040 Easton Rd, Ottsville. Cookies, homemade soup, and lottery winners announced, 610-847-8178 Pictures w/Santa, 10am-2pm at Milford Twp Fire Co, 2185 Milford Sq. Pike, Milford Square. Details:267-718-1742 Generations 2013 5K Reindeer Run - start time 8am, 259 N Second St, Souderton. Registration info at generationsofiv.org Souderton Tree Lighting 6pm in hollow on Main St after the parade, music, food, crafts, Santa & Mrs Claus, info@stmainst.org Perkasie Tree Lighting 5pm-8pm at 7th & Market, live music, heated tent, Mike Greer, Pennridge Faculty Brass, Ring the Rafters barbershop quartet, 215-257-4989 or perkasieoldetowne.org Perkasie Carousel (last chance this season to ride), www.perkasiehistory.org Christmas at the Y, 10am-1pm, photos w/ Santa, Little Shoppers, Balloon animals, etc. 215-536-YMCA Pancake Breakfast w/Santa at Grand View Hospitals Cafeteria in Sellersville, seatings at 8, 9, & 10am. $5.50/adult, $3.50/kids 2+, free under 2. Reserve at 215-453-4084 Soup Day 11am-2pm (or sold out) at Dublin Fire Co, Rte 313, Dublin. Eat in or take out, sandwiches & hot dogs also available 2nd Annual UBACE Craft Show at Perkasie Owls Club, (vendors needed), call Amy 215-767-6646 or Board@UBACE.org Holiday Bazaar 9am-3pm at Marlborough Elem. PTFS, Rte 29, Green Lane. 50+ craft tables, Santa, raffle table, bake sale, etc. Food available at cafe, (r/d Dec 14) Info: 215-541-7299 Christmas Cookie/Candy Sale 9am-12noon, Salem United Methodist, 3365 Main St (Rte 412), Springtown, 610-346-6112 December 8 Christmas House Tour (starts at McCooles Arts & Events 3pm), tour homes 4pm8pm, $15/pp, $12/seniors, 215-536-2273 or quakertownalive.com 11th Annual Worldwide Childrens Memorial Candle Lighting, 6:30pm at First UCC, 151 S 4th St, Quakertown, info: 215-536-0173 (leave message) or email: tcfquakertownchapter@verizon.net December 9 Family Fun Night by Girl Scouts, 5pm-8pm at Friendlys, 1465 W Broad St, Suite 29, Qtwn. Troop gets 10% of proceeds, kids can make an ornament & get a fun patch for $5 donation. Girls & boys welcome. December 11 Pennridge C of C Holiday Mixer 5pm-7pm, hosted by Pearl S Buck Intl, 520 Dublin Rd, Perkasie. 1835 PA farmhouse, festively decorated, come see all the trees, 215-257-5390 December 12 Upper Bucks SPCA Open House, 5pm7pm, 60 Reservoir Rd, Quakertown, Info: 267-347-4674 December 13 Telford Tree Lighting 7pm in Marketplace at Telford Station, refreshments, caroling, & Santa arrives in a firetruck. Pictures w/Santa can be taken & emailed in time for the holidays, info@stmainst.org December 13, 14, & 15 Pictures w/Santa at Trumbauersville Fire Co, 142 N Main St, (Fri 5pm-9pm) (Sat 10am6pm) (Sun 12noon-4pm), bring your child or pet, $10, info: 267-374-5890 or visit: bucks58fire.com December 14 Annual Quakertown Cares fundraiser breakfast, 7:30am-11am in Qtwn High School cafeteria, 600 Park Ave, Qtwn. Food, music, entertainment, presentation of colors by area veterans, $5/pp Breakfast & Photos w/Santa for kids up to 8 yrs old, 9:30am-11am at Quakertown Center, 1020 S Main St, Qtwn. Must RSVP 215-536-9300, seating is limited! Dublin Holiday Gathering 5:30pm-9pm at Dublin Firehouse, details at 215-257-5390 or pennridge.com 3rd Annual Christmas Bazaar 9am-5pm at Zion Evangelical Lutheran, 2966 Old Bethlehem Pike, Zionsville. (vendors call Lisa 610-739-5309) Relay for Life Holiday Homemade Cookie Sale 9am to sellout at Pennsburg UCC, 775 Main St, Pennsburg, $7.50/lb December 15 Holiday House Tour, 12noon-5pm (8 unique properties) begins at Spinnerstown Schoolhouse, 1580 Sleepy Hollow Rd. $20/tkt, also baked goods, coffee, cider, crafts, model train layout. 215-541-9070 December 21 First Day of Winter December 25 Merry Christmas! December 31 New Years Eve Party at Benner Hall, 1260 Cherry St, Richlandtown, tickets $80/couple, reserve by Dec 21, 215-536-6716 New Years Eve Party at Pennridge Community Ctr, 146 East Main St, Perkasie, 215-453-7027 January 1 Happy New Year!

Christmas Tree Sale begins at Trumbauersville Fire Co, 142 N Main St, (Mon to Fri 4pm8pm) (Sat/Sun 9am-8pm), 267-372-2976 or bucks58fire.com Sign up now to participate in the Souderton Holiday Parade on Dec. 7, email for details at: info@stmainst.org November 29 to December 8 Pearl S Buck Treasures & Traditions Holiday Craft Show, details at 215-257-5390 November 30 & December 1 Kraussdale Alpacas 11th Annual Open Farm, 10am-4pm, free admission, 5169 Kraussdale Rd, East Greenville, info: 215-541-1778 Now to December 6 Annual Toy Drive for Pennridge FISH, details/drop-off sites at 215-257-5390 December 1 Live Nativity at Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran 3pm-5pm, all are welcome, live animals, free refreshments, near Rte 563 & Lawn Ave, Sellersville, 215-257-9423 Breakfast w/Santa, 8am-1pm at Springtown Fire Co, 3010 Rte 212, Springtown. $7/adult, $4/ages 6-10, free 5 and under Make A Joyful Noise-Two Concert, 3:30pm at Christ UCC, 101 N Main, Trumbauersville, info at 215-538-0142 Youth Winter Track & Field, 1:30pm-3pm at Upper Perkiomen Middle School, Pennsburg, ages 4 to 18, info: ijump@hotmail.com December 1 & 8 Cantata Choir of St. Johns UCC performs Make His Praise Glorious Advent music, begins 7pm, Rte 212 & Main St, Richlandtown. All are invited, free-will offering taken December 3 Sellersville Winterfest / Tree Lighting, 6:30pm-9pm, details at 215-257-5390 or pennridge.com

December 2013 Upper Bucks Free Press

Where Can I Get my Free Press?

PERKASIE Rep. Paul Clymers Office Dam Good Cafe Emils Diner Giant Food Markets Landis Food Markets Mirage Hair Salon Olde Towne Convenience Pennridge Chamber Pierce Library QNB Bank Revivals Restaurant TELFORD Grundy Manor Indian Valley Library Landis Supermarket Lisas Pizza SOUDERTON Care & Share Shoppes Generations Main Street Java Mr. Bs at Calvary Church QNB Bank Vincents Pizza COOPERSBURG Coopersburg Diner Giant Food Markets The Inside Scoop QNB Bank Turkey Hill Minit Market Weis Markets SILVERDALE Green Street Barber Shop HARLEYSVILLE Landis Supermarket Also available at some local post offices and lots of other high traffic locations. Have a suggestion for a place youd like to see the Free Press? E-mail terri@ubfp.org.

QUAKERTOWN Aamco A-Plus Mini Market Borough Hall Bottom Dollar Foods Beer City Bricks Sales Classic Staffing Chick Fil-A Dominicks Pizza Downtown Dogs Earl Bowl Lanes Embers Cafe First Niagara Bank First Savings Bank Flashpoint Acupuncture Franks Pizza The Free Press Bldg. Giant (Qtwn Plaza) The Grundy House Hampton Inn Holiday Inn Independence Court James Michener Library Johns Plain & Fancy Liberty Thrift Store McCooles Restaurant McDonalds Melody Lakes Moyers Shoes Pep Boys Philly Soft Pretzel Factory

Quaker Cleaners Quakertown Family Restaurant QNB Bank Quaker Cleaners Redners Market Roma Pizza Sals Pizza Randa Seven-Eleven Sines 5 & 10 Spinnerstown Hotel St. Lukes Hospital Swanns Pantry Toms Help Desk Upper Bucks Sr. Center Upper Bucks SPCA Upper Bucks YMCA Upper Bucks Chamber Wells Fargo Bank Yum Yum Donuts TRUMBAUERSVILLE Borough Hall Finos La Cantina Spors General Store SELLERSVILLE A & N Diner Grandview Hospital Hidden Meadows Roy Ann Diner Suelkes Roadstand Village Market

Have something youd like to share with your community? Send us the details!
info@ubfp.org fax: 215-839-3421 312 W. Broad St. Quakertown

Upper Bucks Free Press December 2013

BY THOMAS VAN MOORE

Part II: The Music Continues

Newman-Murray

How good was the older (Pete, Elmer-Julie, Sophie) Newman-Murray country sound from the 1930s into the early 60s? Much better than you hear on the recordings of all the songs they did those many decades ago, said Charley Newman, now 73 years old. The recording equipment back then did not give them their due instrumentally or with the quality of their voices. Sophie played the guitar and Julie the mandolin and each had beautiful voices. Pancake Pete played the guitar, banjo and stand-up bass (fiddle) and was well-known as a yodeler. He was also an expert with his movie camera. Elmer played fiddle and clarinet and was the emcee. Elmer passed away May 3, 1969 at 62 years of age, Pete March 8, 2000 at 83 years, Sophie on May 18th 2010 and Julie September 23, 2012 each at 97 years of age. Maybe the two best voices of the younger crew were the harmonious sounds coming out of Danny Newman and cousin Maryeva Newman Stevensons vocals. To hear Danny sing Desperado with just his acoustic guitar and no mic was an occasion that invited misting. Unfortunately, eight years ago he suffered a paralyzed vocal chord. The clarity and timbre from his earlier days is now past tense. But back in the day Danny and Maryeva usually sang lead in the foursomes vocals. Maryeva also had outside groups wanting to match that voice to their microphones. Said Charley, She had the most (marketable/musical) offers of any of us. And she could handle big band and pop stuff besides country. What a voice. Her brother Kenny talks of her with reverence. Her first breath, well she was singing, he said of her 1940 birth moment, thats what the doctor said. A tomboy, shed ride her horse King all morning and afternoon, interrupted only by the noon meal. She was sweeter than a truffle and tougher than a truck stop breakfast steak. A country and western gal? Her son was named Zane Grey Stevenson and was born on her grandfather Petes birthday (November 10). When she relocated to Eldon, MO in the mid60s, she worked for the Miller County judicial system division court, retired and was then called back to help straighten things out. She became an avid, high-scoring bowler and Midwestern sports fan. Her husband Bill lost his life due to a broncriding rodeo accident in 1972 in Vernon, Texas. Kenny, of course, also played guitar. Fact is, he went maybe a little further than the other Newman males in one regard, tackling challenging jazz instrumental licks. Most people would not know that this country & western-raised family was introduced to other musical forms

(Last month, I highlighted the Newman-Murray music from the early part of the 20th century up to the birth and early careers of the second generation of family musicians. This final piece picks up there)

in the 50s. As cousin Charley said, Our Aunt Sophie took us to New York City to The Cafe Metropole (a jazz club on 48th, near Times Square) in the 50s to hear great jazz performers. We heard Dizzy Gillespie and Cozy Cole there. We listened to opera, Vaughn Monroe and other non-country musicians through the records she had. Cousin Charley called Ken, a guitar players guitarist. He made all his inroads playing country jazz-not rock n roll. After leaving the local area in the mid-60s, Kenny sold commercial bulldozing/construction equipment in the Midwest before moving to Florida 15 years back. His mom and dad had moved back to Eldon, Missouri at that time also and were buried there. On one occasion, back more than 30 years ago, a very well-known country-rock n roller who had 11 straight Top 20 singles in the mid-fifties called Kenny to bail him out of a Midwestern jail. The jailers key did not fit. Ken has always loved horses and to this date, still educates people to understand the impressive animals better. Like Maryeva and Danny he had lots of interest in the equines. He still travels nationwide to work/pacify them. Danny played six string guitar and mandolin and, like Charley, could switch over to other stringed instruments. Each played lead or rhythm axes and both were songwriters. But brother Charley kept menioning how good his brothers

(LEFT-RIGHT) Charley and Danny Newman as they are today. PHOTO BY THOMAS VAN MOORE voice was. Id compare his voice to any singer out there. He did not have that twang (country nuance) in his singing. On one occasion, in the mid-60s when the band Danny played in was in a Philly recording studio, 919 Sound, they did a couple takes of a song that he wrote called My Heart The Clock. The recording engineer, hearing Dannys background harmonizing, replaced the groups long-time lead singer with the

sweetness of Dannys signature voice as lead and thats what was put on tape. The producer of the recordings was Kit Stewart, the late leader of the Jamie recording group The Kit Kats. Opined Danny, At an earlier time in my life I wanted to go into music as a five-nights-a-week job. When I played full-time (WednesdaySaturday) I tried to keep my (Ametek) US Gauge responsibilities less physically demanding. Later, his frequent Friday and Saturday night gigs made his lifestyle more restful. Danny had played with the local Bill Clinton & The Troubadours Band (country) from 2008-2012 and Charley played three of those years. Danny was also musical director for a Saturday night two hour country radio show out of Seargentsville, NJ Heartlands Hayride on WDVR (89.7) from 2000-2005. Still, Danny, the understater says, I think about it (Sleepy Hollow) almost every day. The performers at Sleepy Hollow were entertainers you didnt get to see except in the movies and on The Grand Ole Opry. Those guys would play Saturday night on The Opry (Nashville, TE) and be at Sleepy Hollow the next day. That was before interstate roads. They drove all night (to play here). About the whole experience, Danny confessed, I thought that my (Sleepy Hollow) life was to be that way the rest of my life. Brother Charley said The recording stars that we featured were the same type people as anyone you would meet, no pretense at all. They were just normal people to us. But through time, the onslaught of television started to affect Sleepy Hollows attendance as the calendar pages turned through the 50s and early 60s. Charley, unlike Dannys Sellersville job of over 40 years with one company, volunteered, I never really had a job that interfered with my music. What he had was a great ear and almost perfect pitch. Brother Danny called Charley one of the best rock n roll guitarists in this area. In the Sleepy Hollow days, Charley primarily played steel guitar. And, like Danny, he spent many years on those four-five night gigs or weekend stages, out front, covering the rock and roll hits of the day. But Charley, always ready to smile and crack a joke, says I was a show-off. What he was, was a natural front-man, a guy who the microphone always moved towards. When he went to Nashville in the early 60s he was a prime talent to perform like/maybe in a way replace the older, nationally admired Little Jimmy Dickens. They had similar talents. Dickens was very comedic, a good musician and singer, one who voiced all types of country tunes including novelty bits. Born 20 years before him, Charley had one up on Jimmy. Dickens was smaller, just four feeteleven inches tall. Charley eventually packed that red axe and left the area in the early 60s and did not return for good until the mid-70s. Rumors were that he didnt do a good job of staying in touch with his parents. When he did call home on one occasion, his father Elmer picked up the phone and gave it to wife Julie. Its your son Charley he said without conversing with his younger offspring.

Prior to leaving eastern PA, he played with The Rooftoppers after briefly coming back from Nashville when his father Elmer suffered a 1964 heart attack. He then quickly ventured west to Des Moines, Iowa and was a partner in the Red Scobee Music Store while playing with The Cavaliers, a strong local band that added horns to the groups guitar strings. The entire group is in the Iowa Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. After Charleys business partner became too ill to work in the company, he dissolved the business and moved back east to play with brother Danny in a rock n roll group. The name? Elmers Kids, natch. Danny had also played a few years earlier with the local and well-respected John L. Soulivan band. One Charley Newman-written song-record did receive lots of local exposure, Rubber Spiders In My Coffee recorded by Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Tommy Hutton in the mid-70s. The engineer in the studio was Howard Eskin, present local sports talk show host and television personality. With buddy Danny on guitar, the piano player was the very talented, the late keyboardist Paul Mann of Quakertown. Ironically, Charley did spend a period of time without showing any love to his six-stringer. For a long spell in the late 70s, into the 80s, I just got angry at my guitar, I didnt pick it up, he says. Other than that time (the temporary parting of the strings), he always had a hand in acoustic and more frequently amplified axes and microphones. As much as I pretended to be a country musician, he reviewed, I played and was a rock n roller. And thats what I teach at Fretz (Music Center in Souderton). So here we are, 50 years after the early morning fiery, invasive interloper that dissipated the magic. Five of the eight musical notes in the family ballad have been erased, silenced, blackened in a sense. But unanswered or at least unwritten is the recall of one whose feet were said to not be a part of this rural property, the firm soil that supported so many shoes and cowboy boots worn by those national music legends in another timewarp period. Was Elvis there? The story goes like this. After Newman close friend, Netherlands born, Presley agent Colonel Tom Parker bought out Presleys contract from Sam Phillips and Sun records in 1955 he stopped representing Eddy Arnold and Hank Snow and concentrated on the 20 year-old kid with the rockabilly sound and blue suede shoes. So Parker brought Elvis to Sleepy Hollow once, but not to perform-- to check out the scene there in the summer-fall of 55. At that time, Elvis was transitioning from the more southern, regionalized rockabilly sound at Memphiss Sun Records over to this new rock and roll vibe and into the grooves of the RCA label--where Parker had stroke and Mr. Presley brought post-Johnnie Ray white soul. In a conversation with Pancake Pete the week before Parker showed up with Elvis, the Colonel told Pete that he was bringing the biggest act of a lifetime to the ranch the following weekend. Said Parker, Remember the name, Elvis Presley! Petes reply, Whos she? TOM MOORE CAN BE REACHED At tOM@UBFP.ORG

World War II Vets Honored at Luncheon

Veterans of military service got together November 23rd at Rockhill Mennonite Community for a Veterans Appreciation Lunch. Special recognition was bestowed upon the 6 WWII vets in attendance. (center photo) Willard Fluck accepts his certificate of recognition from VFW Post 11322 Commander Paul Gerhart. Numerous WWII vets that have since passed were also recognized with the chiming of a bell. (left photo) Penny Templeton (Air Force, Desert Storm), Jim Templeton (Army, Vietnam; Air Force), and 5 year old granddaughter Christine Ingram, all of Quakertown, look at some of the relics of past wars with WWI & II reenactor Rob Ross of Springfield Twp. PHOTOS BY CHRISTOPHER BETZ

December 2013 Upper Bucks Free Press

Craig Farmer, proprietor of Downtown Dogs American Restaurant on West Broad Street in Quakertown will be hosting a free Christmas brunch on December 25th from 9:00 am til 1:00 pm. He encourages anyone who doesnt have family available on Christmas, as well as those in need of a good

Downtown Dogs to Host Free Christmas Brunch

hot meal, to visit his restaurant that morning. Craig is a long-time resident of our area who feels it is important to pay it forward to those in need in our community. Farmer says,I hope that this brunch can help, even in some small way. Nobody should be alone or hungry on Christmas. Kudos to you, Craig!

Christmas Tree Sale by Boy Scouts at Living Memorial Park, Landis St & Rte 309, Coopersburg. Dec 7/8, Dec 14/15, & Dec 21/22 (10am-4pm), Fraser Firs $30 & $35

Ongoing Community Activities

Overeaters Anonymous meets every Thursday 10am-11am, West Swamp Mennonite Church, 2501 Allentown Rd, Quakertown, No dues, free babysitting. www.oa.org or Bob 610-762-3779 Alcoholics Anonymous meets every Sunday at 7pm, Grand View Hosp. info at 215-923-7900 Bedminster Nar-Anon meets Tuesdays 7:30pm-8:30pm, Deep Run West Mennonite, 1008 Deep Run Rd, Perkasie, for family/ friends of those struggling w/addiction, bedminster.naranon@yahoo.com Doylestown Nar-Anon meets Wednesdays 6pm at Summit Behavioral Health, 702 Hyde Park, Doylestown. Call 215-589-7111 for directions and info. A Womans Place (support for domestic abuse/ violence) 24-hour Hotline 1-800-220-8116, www.awomansplace.org Kiwanis meetings 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of each month, 12:30pm at Dominicks Pizza, Quakertown

Lottery Calendar Sale, $20/donation benefits Tville Fire Co, daily drawings of PA Lottery from 1/1 to 6/30 can win $20 to $200/ day. Info: jason.gerhart@comcast.net or bucks58fire.com Now to December 30 Pearl S. Bucks Intl Annual Festival of Trees, details at 215-257-5390 or pennridge.com Community Outreach Fundraiser Gingerbread House Contest at Good Earth, 23 Main St, Coopersburg. Buy a kit/$6.99 and bring your masterpiece back week of Dec.1-7 for two wks of voting ($1/vote) Prizes for 1st, 2nd, & 3rd places. 610-349-1340 All Veterans invited to join Forrest Lodge VFW, 2118 Old Bethlehem Pike, Sellersville. Call Frank 215-679-7770 PetSmart Adoption Day is 2nd Saturday each month, 11am-3pm, PetSmart, 620 N.West Blvd, Quakertown, 215-538-2843 or lastchanceranch.org Last Chance Ranch Volunteer Orientation, 1st Saturday each month, 10am-11am in front of Horse Barn, 9 Beck Rd, Quakertown, 215-538-2510 lastchanceranch.org Singles Connection for adults meets Thursdays for social evening, 7pm at Silverdale Brethren in Christ Church, 165 W. Main St, Silverdale. 215-593-9995 or email carolonline1@ verizon.net Doylestown Singles Soc. Intermediate Bridge Club meets every Tues. 7pm at a private residence in Doylestown. Info at 215-340-7604 or shalstrick@comcast.net

Quakertown Rotary Club meets (1st & 3rd Tues 7:30am at Johns Plain & Fancy Restaurant) (2nd, 4th, & 5th Tues 6pm at Spinnerstown Hotel)

Networking & Civic Groups

Kiwanis meetings 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of each month, 12:30pm at Dominicks Pizza, Quakertown Quakertown Rotary Club meets (1st & 3rd Tues 7:30am at Johns Plain & Fancy Restaurant) (2nd, 4th, & 5th Tues 6pm at Spinnerstown Hotel) Business Networking International (BNI) meets every Thursday 7am-8:30am at Johns Plain & Fancy Restaurant in Quakertown, membership info: James Dodson jamescovie@yahoo.com

Community Meals
Free Community Dinner third Wed. of month. 5:30pm-6:30pm, Christ Community Bible Church, 1830 N. Ridge Rd, Perkasie, 215-257-7318 Free Community Meals 6pm at Richland Friends Quaker Meeting on second, fourth & fifth Weds. every month. Mill Rd & Main St off Route 309, Qtwn, 215-536-0395 Community Meal-every third Thursday of the month, 5:30pm-6:30pm, First UCC, 4th & Park, Qtwn, 215-536-4447 Free Community Dinner third Mon. of month, 5:30pm-6:30pm, Presbyterian Church of Deep Run, 16 Irish Meetinghouse Rd, Perkasie, 215-249-3689. Call before 3pm w/questions of transportation needs

Support Groups & Medical Resources

Sisters U Monthly Meetings 7pm-9pm the third Thurs every month at Stellas, 200 N Main St, Sellersville, info: stef@sistersu.com SOS Bereavement After Suicide Family Support Group meets @ St. Lukes 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 Bikers Against Child Abuse of Bucks County meets 11am the second Sunday every month at Hilltown German Sportsmens Club, 1622 Hilltown Pike, Hilltown. For info, email: Teaseofbaca@aol.com Caregiver Support Group meetings last Thurs. of every month, Independence Court of Quakertown, 1660 Park Ave, (meal provided), RSVP: 215-541-9030 to attend a meeting. Upper Bucks Clinic, free medical care Mon & Wed 5:30pm-8:30pm to uninsured low-income residents of Upper Bucks Co w/no medical insurance & meet income eligibility guidelines. Info: 215-538-4774 Alzheimers Assoc. Support Group, 3:30pm5:00pm, meets 2nd Thursday every month, Phoebe Richland Health Care Ctr, 108 S. Main St, Richlandtown. Free, more info: Social Services 267-371-4517 NOVA (Network Of Victim Assistance) Support Groups, Information, Guidance, Hotline 800-675-6900 www.NOVABucks.org

Bingo
Bingo at Richland Twp Fire & Rescue every Tues. doors open 5:30pm, 64 Shelly Rd, Qtwn. 215-536-7226 Bingo at Great Swamp Fish & Game every Sat. night, open 4pm, games 6:30pm, kitchen open. Free coffee, 2650 Schukraft & Camp Rock Hill Rd, Qtwn, 215-536-8820 Bingo at Plumsteadville Fire Co. every Monday, opens 5:30pm, games 6:30pm (refreshments avail.) 5064 Stump Rd, 215-766-8250 Bingo at Sellersville Fire Co. every Thurs. (except July) opens 5:30pm, 2 N. Main St, 215-257-4028 Bingo at Tylersport Fire Co. every Tues. opens 5pm, games 6:40pm, 125 Ridge Rd, 215-257-5900 Bingo at UB Senior Ctr first Thurs. every month, $50 Jackpot! 12:15pm-3pm, 2183 Milford Sq. Pike, 215-536-3066 Bingo at Red Hill Fire Co Social Hall 3rd Sunday every month, opens 12noon, games 1pm-4pm, 82 E 5th St, Red Hill Cash Bingo at Green Lane Fire Co every Wed., Main St, Green Lane, opens 5:30pm, games 6:40pm, 215-234-8567

Upper Bucks Free Press December 2013

Soon, itll be getting to look a lot like Christmas around Quakertown. The Downtown Christmas Tree lighting is on December 6, the Christmas House Tour is on the 8th. (Theyre great festivals. Everybodytry to get there). The borough will be dragging all the streetlight decorations out of the attic over at the old power plant and be hanging them up and down Broad Street. Stores will be putting holiday displays in their windows and stocking up on popular junk. Familiar Christmas music will soon be playing in the background everywhere. Its been pretty much the same thing in my hometown since the Fifties, which is as far back as I can remember. Im more cynical now, though; and, my buddy Jon Roberts is gone, so the stuff looks a lot cheaper and faker. Most of the decorations are plastic these days. Weve got fire ordinances and a green aversion to hacking branches off of pine trees then throwing them in the dump after New Year, so they have to use plastic. Also, people are a lot richer and more extravagant than they were back when I was a kid. I still have the cheap hangover. Thats probably the reason half my colored roof lights burn out before the seasons over. But, have you seen the price tag on that Santa in his sleigh with eight tiny reindeer that lights up, rocks back and forth, and blares Ho, ho, ho! and Christmas carols? Extravagant! Sometimes, Im the absolute Grinch and present a vehement argument that its just a waste of time, money and electricity to decorate and light everything up (especially when the wife makes me untangle the big ball of lights and climb up on the roof). Whats this got to do with Christmas? Our string of lights will look silly next to that place up the street with the rocking, singing Santa Claus and the strobe lights. We got the lights at the Q-Mart for a buck a string. Theyll just burn out in a week, anyway. I always argue, but it never works. Im also a pragmatist, though. My family ran a fair-sized business in Quakertown for several generations (Hinkel and Biehn Shoes). The decorations and festivities of the season help businesses. People are running around with pockets full of money to spend (or credit cards, more likely, to spend money they dont have yet). Businesses have to lure them in and trick them into spending their money there. My grandfather, Toby Hinkel, thought shoes made great Christmas gifts. Maybe they did during the depression, but not so much in the age of Barbie, G.I Joe and Mister Machine, so sometimes I was a little disappointed when we went up to their place on Christmas afternoon. At least the government has outlawed the religious aspects of Christmas. Some of those nativity scenes were really expensive, and it always made me feel a little guilty when I walked by the one in front of the Trinity Lutheran Church. Especially when I was on my way home from Sines 5 & 10 with a fighter plane model kit

Christmas in My Hometown

Id bought with the money my other grandfather always sent me (now, he was a practical man). I hated thinking about peace on Earth and good will toward men while I was building the Red Barons tri-plane, or some other war machine, or when I was playing with the toy hand grenade and cap pistol Id gotten for Christmas (I think theyve outlawed them now, too). I know most people, especially the borough road crew, hate the thought, but I hope we have a white Christmas; that we get a foot or two of snow on Christmas Eve. Theres nothing like a blizzard with the parks and yards covered with an unbroken field of fresh, powdery snow sparkling and glistening in the street lights and holiday decorations. It makes me think of the Feast of Stephen (whatever that is). You know: while the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even. Of course, as a Quaker, I dont do anything special on Christmas Eve so I dont have to try to get to a midnight mass in the stuff. There is an ulterior motive, too. I have a season ski pass to Bear Creek (thats Doe Mountain to you older folks). A couple of feet by Christmas would be great. Global warming usually has them closed down by April. [Hey, I wonder if the spotlights on that rocking Santa display contribute to that]. Ive got one granddaughter and a grandson on the way, but theyre out in Southern California (if you think it never rains there, youre wrong, but good luck with a white Christmas). Christmas is for the kids a lot of people used to say, except my Granpop Hinkel (They all wear shoes! was his motto). Since the only kids left in my family are so far away, I have trouble getting into the holiday spirit some years. So, even with my Grinch-like cynicism, Im looking forward to strolling down Broad Street this year when its starting to look a lot like Christmas. I need something to get me out of this depressing rut. Im going to hang out at the street fest before the Christmas Tree lighting. Im going to look in every store window and see what Id buy if my credit card wasnt maxed out. Im going to stop in some places and see what tricks they use to persuade me to buy something. Im actually going to look for people I know, or even just recognize, and say Hi. There really does seem to be a lot of smiles this time of year, even though the sun is setting early, the minimum payments are going to take a jump, its cold out and a snow could screw up the works. The whole idea of the December holiday comes from ancient times. People watched the sun get lower and lower. They figured it was doomsday. A few days after they noticed it was getting higher again, they threw a party. Theres going to be future life, baby! You can see how Christianity and other religions latched onto that idea. I dont have as much of a future as that little boy my daughter will be carrying around till May, but I guess I should celebrate anyway. READ MORE WRItINGS BY JACK SCHICK At SEARCHWARP.COM AND SOULOFWIt.COM

My experiences with Public Sales or Auctions started when my dad took us boys along to a public sale outside of Richlandtown being held on the farm of Preston (Press) Sloyer, a fellow worker of my dads at the Milford Square Pants Company back in the late 1940s. Press Sloyer had convinced another fellow worker who had the gift of gab to be the auctioneer. Back then you didnt need an auctioneers license. That worker was Jimmy Mohr of Milford Square. As it happened this was the first of many auctions that Jim would hold. Last January (2013) Jim still auctioned off a pie at our annual Grundsow Lodge meeting. Jim Mohr, Henne Hottle, Carl Schaffer, Clarence Schwenk, and Joe Matso were the local auctioneers at this period of the mid 1950s and 1960s. Later on in life I attended auctions in Fogelsville held by Ralph Zettlemoyer. Down at the Farmers Market we had Herbies auction which in the early days was held on the back of a truck in back of the long market building. Later on he moved into the building on the south side of the market. Joe Matso and Jim Mohr would auction everything from fruits, vegetables, and eggs to chickens, ducks, geese, and cattle every Wednesday. When I sold cars for Ray Hager, I would take a different used car down to the auction with me and then buy eggs for the whole staff at Hager Pontiac/Cadillac. Each auctioneer had his own personal style of auctioneering and approach of striking down the final bid. Jim Mohr would know how to hang on to the bid until that last bid was coaxed out of the buyers that showed interest. Carl Schaffer would start getting angry because of all the side chatter, In many cases I found that I could get a good buy if he showed that anger. You see, the angrier he would get he would do the opposite of Jim Mohr; he would strike down the bid quickly, and sometimes if you hesitated you lost the item. A sharp buyer would pay close attention and therefore pickup some good bargains in these moments of frustration. Henne Hottle was from the real old school and sometimes he would start speaking the Pennsylvania Dutch dialect during the Fendue. Ralph Zettlemoyer had a rhythm of crying the auction and being able to coax the best price before striking it down without drawing out the bidding. From time to time Ralph would sing The Auctioneer Song at horse riding functions. He was really good! Back at the turn of the century (early 1900s) my wife Ninas grandfather, Milton Seas, would cry auctions in the area. This was in the day when many auctioneers took on the

Auctioneers

honorary title of Colonel. I am known for my talks of a local rebel of 1799 known as John Fries (pronounced freeze) who rebelled against a direct tax to help expand our naval fleet. He also was a local auctioneer; thus starting my interest in the auctioneering field. Auctioneers were always an integral part of the Pennsylvania Dutch society. It was important to dissolve estates after the husband passed on. Later it was important to sell off the household items after the surviving spouse passed away. We still have these estate sales, but I regret to say they are not as numerous as they were Back in the Day. Many young couples would buy their used furniture at these sales when they would first get married. Now most young couples buy new on the easy term plans we have today. Most people seem to move a lot more than back in the day and when they break up housekeeping they usually dont have enough for a giant sale as they had back in the 50s and 60s. Many of those sales were held after a couple lived in the same house or farm for 40 to 60 years and as good Dutchmen, saved many things that could be used for something- someday. When you went to the auctions back then, a clerk wrote your name and then would give the auction sheet to the receipts clerk, who in turn would write it on a slip to be added up at the end of the sale. Today you get a number and everything is tabulated and billed by computer. Many auctioneers would not know all the names of the people as they did back in the day. Yes, I bought many historic and collectible items after standing at auctions with my buddy Sam Kile as well as my dad and later on my wife. Some have increased in value and of course some have lost their value because of modern life styles in furnishings. The experiences of attending these auctions, the education in learning what things were used for, and the sometime amazing prices for items sold will always be special to me. It wasnt just going to buy stuffit was a community meeting and cultural experience that dated back to the early Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. Today I still attend auctions for special historical items I want, but it just isnt the same as it was in the period of my younger days. If you get a chance, attend a local auction and experience this type of buying. We still have local auctioneers who are very knowledgeable of what they are selling and you will experience historic items exchanging hands for future preservations. Remember, as Jim Mohr used to say, It worked the last time they used it!

BY MICHELE BUONO

Christmas Crche Grows with the Years

One can never have enough socks. Another Christmas has come and gone and I didnt get a single pair. People will insist on giving me books. - DUMBLEdORE

Setting up the Christmas crche, also called a putz, is a tradition in many families this time of year. For the Barndt family of Quakertown, the tradition began when Eli was born sixteen years ago on Christmas Day. Now at over 500 pieces, the crche contains not just the expected Nativity scene, but also a farm, village marketplace, wedding chapel, the Magis camp, and other vignettes of life in Bethlehem. All of the figures and accessories are Fontanini and Elis mother, Ruth, says that pieces are getting more difficult come by these days. But dont tell Ruth to find the pieces online, its more personal and serendipitous to find them at small gift shops in the area and while on family trips. The first pieces of the now voluminous collection were of the traditional Nativity stable scene and a musician character named Eli given to Eli when he was just a baby by his grandmother and uncle. Eli is still Elis favorite piece in his collection. Eli, who will be 16 years old this December 25, still looks forward to setting up Christmas crche, which dominates a room in the Barndt family home. The entire family helps with unwrapping each individual piece, but its Elis job to arrange the elaborate crche as he sees fit. This year it took almost ten hours to complete this years layout. Ruth remembers the

one year that they didnt set the putz up until Christmas Eve. Well never do that again, she says with a small laugh.

December 2013 Upper Bucks Free Press

A Novel (but Good) Idea for a Holiday Gift

Do you have family members or friends on your gift list this holiday season? And, are you once again wondering what to give them? Well, you might think about giving them something that will help them for years to come: help in creating their own my Social Security account. Its imaginative, practical, and potentially very valuable. Heres why. For many people, there is no gift as precious as time. And, when they weigh the value of time spent waiting in line in a government office, or time spent with friends and family after quickly conducting Social Security business online, they will be grateful indeed. And the gift of helping them apply for a my Social Security account has all the variety of a holiday candy sampler. After creating a my Social Security account at www.socialsecurity.gov, a person can: get an instant, personalized estimate of future Social Security benefits; apply for retirement, disability, spouses, and Medicare benefits; check the status of a benefit application; change address and phone number, if receiving monthly Social Security benefits; sign-up for direct deposit of Social Security benefits; use our benefit planners to help better understand Social Security options when planning for a financial future; request a replacement Medicare card; and apply for Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs. Wow! Thats a pretty impressive package for the holiday gift-giving list. So be creative. Visit www.socialsecurity.gov and share the gift of potential time-saved with a relative or friend. TOM REILEY IS tHE SOCIAL SECURItY DIStRICt MANAGER IN ALLENtOWN. DO YOU HAVE QUEStIONS ABOUt SOCIAL SECURItY MAttERS? EMAIL TOM At tHOMAS.REILEY@SSA.GOV.

Amphitheatre,12 Acre Park Under Way in Quakertown

Residents of the Quakertown Regional Area have something exciting to look forward to in the new year. A new 12-acre passive recreation community park that connects the Quakertown Memorial Park and the Sports Complex, the James A. Michener Branch of the Bucks County Library, and the Quakertown Community Pool is now under construction. It will feature walking and biking trails; an amphitheatre; concession stand; gazebo; open areas for picnicking, playing and relaxing; flower meadows; a water feature or pond with fountain; and restrooms, among other amenities. To date, the volunteer Park Development Steering Committee has raised nearly half of the $2 million needed to build the park through donations and grants. This community asset to the more than 36,500 residents of Richland, Haycock, and Milford Townships, and Quakertown, Trumbauersville, and Richlandtown Boroughs will regularly hold public events, live music, entertainment, arts events and more each season. A variety of naming opportunities and donations are available at all levels. Each opportunity comes with its own list of benefits. Visit www.QuakertownParkProject. org for a complete list of sponsorship and donation opportunities. Park supporters can also join the projects Facebook fan page for regular updates: www.facebook.com/QuakertownParkProject.

Perkasie Hosts Americas Oldest Community Christmas Tree Lighting

Rocking holiday music, food and fun will be the order of the day when Santa Claus arrives to light the Perkasie Borough Christmas tree on Saturday, December 7. Sponsored by the Perkasie Olde Towne Association, the traditional ceremony is the oldest of its kind in the United States, beating Philadelphia, New York City and Washington, D.C. by at least a year. Since 1909, Perkasie residents have gathered in the town square to celebrate the holiday season with an outdoor tree lighting ceremony that typically draws thousands of people. Its an amazing event, said Cathy Weierbach, president of Perkasie Olde Towne Association, which organizes the tree lighting with support from area businesses. Everyone enjoys being part of such a wonderful tradition. Its just another thing that makes Perkasie special. This years ceremony will feature several activities for the whole family, including a live performance by Mike Greer and Co. Most activities will take place under a huge heated tent next to the tree at 7th and Market streets. Starting at 5pm, visitors will find a wide variety of attractions leading up to the arrival of Santa Claus to light the tree at 7pm. The belief that Perkasie began the tradition of a community Christmas Tree stems for a book published in 1954 to celebrate the boroughs 75th anniversary. Under the headline Perkasie Firsts, the book says: From reliable information, one finds that the idea of a Community Christmas Tree, which is a feature of many towns and cities all over the United States, appears to have originated in Perkasie. The idea was formed in the minds of members of the Order of Owls and put into effect in Perkasie and Sellersville in 1909. In 1914, this feature was taken over by the Chamber of Commerce and is to this date a fixed event improved upon each year. Colonial Williamsburg had its first community Christmas tree in 1915, according to history.org, the official site of Colonial Williamsburg. This was just three years after the first community Christmas tree was lit in Madison Square Park in New York City in 1912, according to ,adisonsquarepark.org.. An article in the Community Christmas section, published Dec. 5, 2001, in the Perkasie News-Herald, explains the history of the first tree lighting through the words of Samuel R. Kramer, an early owner of the Perkasie Central News the News-Heralds predecessor in the borough. In the article, correspondence previously published in the paper from Kramer explains that he got the idea after visiting a neighbor to see their tree, which started him wondering why the beautifully decorated trees were hidden inside homes. The tradition started the following year in 1909, and was improved with the erection of a large tree in 1910, in front of the J.G. Moyer Building, which once sat at Seventh and Market streets. The building was burned in the 1988 fire, but was on the same site as Shellys sits today, where the current community Christmas tree is planted. 2013 Perkasie Tree Lighting Schedule: 5 pm Streets closed, stores and restaurants open, vendors in place. 5:30 Perkasie Mayor John Hollenbach recites Twas the Night Before Christmas 5:45 Performance by Pennridge School District Faculty & Staff Brass Ensemble 6:30 Live music by Mike Greer & Co. 7 pm Santa Arrives by Fire Truck to Light the Tree 7:15 Live music by Mike Greer & Co. Special Holiday Events All-Day Food and Shopping Specials FREE Perkasie Carousel Rides, 12 - 5 p.m. FREE Old-Fashioned Horse and Carriage Rides, 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. Ring the Rafters strolling barbershop quartet from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Doug Kramers Nostalgic Holiday Train Display at Perkasie Electric Bldg, 101 N. 7th St, Fri 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. & Sat 12 to 8 pm. Photos with Santa after the tree lighting at Re/Max440 (7th and Market) Children who bring a non-perishable food item for Pennridge FISH will be entered in a drawing to help Santa flip the switch to light the tree! The 2013 Perkasie Star tree ornament will be on sale for $10. The custom-madepewter star comes in a beautiful gift box. A limited supply will be available at the tree lighting. Information: 215-257-4989 or visit perkasieoldetowne.org.

Upper Bucks Free Press December 2013

$1259 Donation to Cancer Society Just Right

BY DICK HELM

Notes from American Legion Post 242

The Ladies of Just Right Fitness recently donated a check of $1259.05 to American Cancer Society, having raised funds through bake sales, a yard sale, business donations, and raffles. Joel Akers, on behalf of the American Cancer Society, commented that local efforts like this one are so important. Just Right co-manager Rita Rothrock was enthusiastic about the donation and the circle of friends at the facility. We support each other and the community. Tom and Karen Cochrane, owners of Just Right Fitness present the donation to Joel Akers surrounded by the Ladies of Just Right Fitness.
PHOTO BY MICHELE BUONO

The 25th annual Veterans Day program is now history. We were very fortunate to have an organizer such as Representative Clymer and his volunteer staff to get the programs together year after year to honor those who served. The three school districts, other local private schools, and each of the veterans groups from the Upper Bucks School Districts worked hand in hand with our chairperson to give the very best salute to veterans. We thank all participants, the school groups, and all who were attendees in the audience for sharing your honoring our local veterans! By the time you read this, our Post 242 Youth Drawing will be history. We did see a slight improvement in ticket sales, but the percentage of ticket sales to tickets sent to the members still was a little disappointing. During the winter months, oratory contests and other special youth programs are being offered to our community youth. We hope that our local school districts present these opportunities

to the different possible participants. Many offer scholarships or seminars (some in overnight or weekly stays). The money we raise goes towards such events. Our youth are very important to your Post and the subjects of such oratory contests or seminars are based on the spirit of Americanism that we so treasure. We also present all correspondence requesting assistance for our community youth in their pursuits to further their education. Those requests are discussed and voted upon for their merit. We have granted monies for such requests in the past and we appreciate any presentations by the student in our meeting after their return. Youth are our future! Post 242 is busy throughout the year with these youth programs. We are planning a few changes in our Memorial Day Parade and Services and hope to improve both so more folks will attend this most important function. Look for updates in future articles between January 2014 and the event in May.

Quakertown Considers Downtown Traffic Changes

Some time back in the early 1970s downtown Quakertown experienced a radical change in how traffic traveled through Quakertown Borough. Commuters had to navigate around the new triangular parking lot on Broad Street between Fourth and Third Streets and the new one-way traffic flow on Broad and the new Branch Streets. At the time, this new plan made sense to adjust how traffic traveled through the downtown area. The present Borough council believes it might be time to change the traffic flow again. Quakertown may soon that is, within a couple of years see a major change in how traffic flows through downtown Broad Street. Council is moving forward to study how overhauling the downtown traffic flow will affect the area and if it is financially feasible. Borough Manager Scott McAlree remarks that Its the responsible thing for council to do, to pursue and explore potential traffic controls in the downtown area. He asserts that considering the traffic pattern change shows the commitment of the council to the ongoing economic revitalization of Quakertown. This is just one part of the continuing effort to revitalize the borough, he says. One important concern is visibility for downtown business, that many of the merchants along Broad Street are not being noticed by the drivers of the approximately 17,000 vehicles passing through downtown Quakertown via Broad Street daily. Increased signage for the business district is a part of the idea to redesign how traffic moves through downtown and boost business visibility. Traffic Planning and Design, Inc., the firm consulted by the Borough, to study the traffic flow along Broad Street. Last month, they presented council with a concept for a revamped Broad Street traffic flow from Front Street to Fourth Street, including Branch Street. Currently, Broad and Branch streets are both one-way only, with Broad Street traffic heading east and Branch Street traffic running west with a parking lot separating the streets. The most radical change would be reconfiguring one-way eastbound Broad Street to a two-way flow. Branch Street would remain one-way, but with added angled parking. Also, the Broad Street intersections at Third Street and Front Street would be reconstructed to calm and control traffic. Increased signage would help direct drivers to Quakertowns off-Broad Street attractions and events, such as Relay for Life, the Sarah Parvin Soccerfest, and the new park currently under construction near the library. Because the downtown Broad Street area is the only passing zone on the larger Route 313, aggressive drivers are a big concern to council when considering traffic-calming options. They will be looking at simplifying traffic patterns and reworking intersections to help make downtown Quakertown a safer, more vibrant place to be. Scholl also mentions that reconfiguring the traffic flow will make the downtown more attractive for future development and business, adding that because of the present configuration some developers are currently reluctant to commit to Quakertown. Councilman Ed Scholl is excited about the idea. He emphasized that the idea to redo downtown traffic flow is a part of the whole idea to revitalize Quakertown. We are actively looking to improve what we can. We want to help to improve property values and to avoid missed opportunities. We want to improve the downtown experience for the people who live, work, and shop downtown, said Scholl. Both Scholl and McAlree believe the proposed plan would raise visibility for the downtown merchants resulting in more business. We heard the merchants, says Scholl, and the added parking and traffic-calming measures will give the downtown more of a village feel. This is also about increasing foot traffic and that means we need to increase pedestrian safety. We dont want people simply driving through Quakertown to get to somewhere else; we want to be that somewhere else where people are going to.

I have advised many people that when it comes to selling your unwanted vintage collectibles, you have to think outside the box. Why? Many people have the same unwanted objects that you do and they want to cash in on them with ease, too. Did you know that party planners and prop shops are two outlets looking for various objects from the world of antiques and collectibles?

Where to Sell Your Unwanted Stuff

White milk glass serving pieces like this covered dish with a rabbit on the lid may be just the favor for guests at a baby shower.

ANTIQUE PaRTY ACCESSORIES To cut costs at wedding receptions, baby showers, and parties many brides to be, florists, and caterers are on the lookout for some relatively common vintage items and they are looking for them in big numbers. For example, vintage white milk glass pieces, decorative teacups used as small floral centerpiece groupings, and old silver plated

trays for food service are coveted by caterers and party planners. Many grooms will seek out sports collectibles, vintage flasks, beer collectibles, and liquor bottles to serve as gifts for ushers and groomsmen in a wedding party. Brides prefer to provide her attendants with vintage fashion accessories like hair accessories (ribbons, barrettes, hair bands, etc.), scarves, and beaded or metal mesh purses. TV ANTIQUE TRENDS When TV execs need an object from bygone days, where do they look? Prop shopsthe ones that provide the major movie and TV production crews with those obscure objects that you see on filmare always looking for items like vintage jewelry, period appliances like avocado green can openers from the 1970s, and vintage clothing and accessories. Prop shops are often used for period TV shows like Mad Men, The Big Bang Theory, and the new sitcom set in the 1980s, The Goldbergs. You dont think that Christina Hendricks spends her free time searching flea markets for Jackie Kennedy-esque brooches? and where does Dr. Sheldon Cooper get his ever growing collection of vintage Star Wars collectibles? When it comes to considering the resale of your vintage collectibles and accessory pieces, consider party goers and production house set professionals. CELEBRItY PH.D. ANtIQUES APPRAISER, AUtHOR, AND AWARD-WINNING TV PERSONALItY, DR. LORI HOStS ANtIQUES APPRAISAL EVENtS WORLDWIDE. SHE IS tHE StAR APPRAISER ON DISCOVERY CHANNELS AUCTION KINGS. TO LEARN ABOUt YOUR ANtIQUES, VISIt DRLORIV.COM OR CALL (888) 431-1010.

December 2013 Upper Bucks Free Press

Turning Kids Stories into Books

I Learn to Self-Publish
Turning your kids stories into a book is a great holiday gift idea for them. Over the two and a half years I have been writing my blog, Thi sKidReviewsBooks. com, I met a lot of kids who write stories and even whole books. I think it is great that these kids really enjoy writing and a lot of them tell me they want to get their books and stories published. I just self-published my first book. Its called The Adventures of Tomato and Pea: A Bad Idea. It is the first book in a series that I am planning on writing. Here is the description: For years the evil villain Wintergreen had tried to destroy super crime-stopper, Tomato and his sidekick, Pea, and take over planet Oarg. In a plan gone wrong, Wintergreen traps himself along with his arch-nemesis in a runaway rocket ship that crashes on a strange planet called EAR-TH. Now these perennial enemies must learn to work together to survive the dangers on this strange world. Hungry birds, enormous snakes and the giant inhabitants of EARTH stand between this brawling bunch of aliens and finding a way home. I self-published my book on CreateSpace.com and I was amazed at how easy it was and that it really wasnt that expensive. There is no cost to set the book up and you can buy the books on demand (meaning you can buy 1 to 1000 copies at any time). I was thrilled when I got an actual paperback copy of my own book in my hands! It is a story I started when I was nine years old. Two years later (after a lot of re-writes and editing), I finally turned it into a 72 -age chapter book, meant for kids ages 5-11) that I now have for sale on Amazon. I did all the rewriting and editing because I wanted to sell my book so I wanted it to be done professionally. I got a lot of advice from other authors on my book and had a lot of people read it to help me make it better. My experience in self-publishing made me think that a lot of kids would love to have a copy of their book in their hands, not necessarily to sell, but to have something to be proud of. I think turning your kids work into an actual book is a great idea for a holiday gift for them or for kids to give out to others like teachers and grandparents. For example, my parents just made a picture book my little sister wrote and illustrated called Do Not Lick A Starfish into a 24-page paperback full color picture book. The cost of the book they had made for her is less than $6.00. They are planning to give it to her as a present and I know she is going to love it. Like I said, I published my book through CreateSpace, but there are a lot of different options out there. LuLu. com, Smashwords.com, and even a local printer are just some places you can check out to turn your kids ideas into a real book. For kids who like to illustrate or take photos, you can turn them into books too at sites like Shutterfly.com, Snapfish. com and Apple.com. The sites have templates that make it easy to cut and paste text or pictures into the book in the right format. For my sisters book, my parents scanned the illustrated pages and inserted them into the template. You can also choose the size of the book, paper- or hard-back, color or black and white and the type of binding. It is cool that you can customize the book any way you want to make it really special. The whole process of formatting my book in the template, designing the cover (there are stock cover options that are really great to use), and having it printed, took about two weeks. There is still plenty of time to get one done for the holidays! FOR MORE ON BOOKS VISIt THISKIDREVIEWSBOOKS.COM.

Cyber Program Work an Outstanding Contribution

BY ERICA STEIN

YMCA Swim-a-Thon a Splashing Success

BY KIMBERLY KRATZ

With a goal to raise the final $8,000 to fund the installation of a new timing system and scoreboard, the Upper Bucks YMCA Swim Team hosted its First Annual Swim-A-Thon to celebrate its 40th year. Measuring the events success not only in dollars, but also in participation, Head Coach Scott Woods said, We had 72 of 117 swimmers take part in the Swim-A-Thon. In addition to the 72 that swam, we received flat donations from an additional 15 members of the team. We now have pledges totaling $8,826.80, of which weve collected $6,232.50 [as of November 20, 2013]. The YMCA Board of Directors approved the purchase of the new components totaling $25,000 with the stipulation that the remaining monies were gathered by November 22, 2013.

Further support of donated time and materials for the installation of the system will come from Silas Bolef Company of Norristown, PA, a commercial and industrial electrical construction and maintenance company. We expect that offer to save us around $1,500 in installation costs, said Woods. The new timing system will modernize the facility making the Upper Bucks YMCA pool a more modern, competitive facility with the ability to host higher-level meets where guests will see instant feedback on a swimmers performance. It will allow the Swim Team to begin hosting high school meets for Quakertown and Southern Lehigh, as well as invitationals and championship meets. For more information about the Upper Bucks YMCA Swim Team, call 215-536-9622, or check the website at www.ubyswimming.com.

Nicole Hazelwood received the Blended Schools Outstanding Contribution Award for her work with the QCSD Cyber Program. The Cyber Academic Mentor and Course Design Professional Development Coach was surprised by the award at the recent PASCD conference. The Outstanding Contribution Award recognizes a proactive, passionate person who significantly impacts the development, promotion or advancement of online, blended, or mobile learning within the Blended Schools Community. Todd Silvius nominated her for the award. He highlighted Mrs. Hazelwoods work ethic and student-centered, passionate approach to helping other succeed. Nicole has been a valued member of the QCSD Cyber team since it began in 2009 and has helped develop multiple policies and facets of the program. Nicole is called on for input, expertise and help by district and building administration, cyber course developers, cyber course teachers, guidance counselors and, of course, students and families for matters relating directly to and surrounding the self-blend online learning opportunities in our district. Over the summer, Mrs. Hazelwood developed a student orientation course for BlendedSchools.net. After seeing the need for increased special education supports in the QCSD Cyber program, she went back to school to earn her PA Special Education Teaching Certification. Now more than ever she is able to provide RtI differentiated supports for an even wider spectrum of students who enroll in the QCSD Cyber program. Nicole regularly presents at conferences and is a co-presenter for a monthly webinar series hosted on the first Tuesday of every month during the school year at noon and 7 p.m. for parents of cyber enrollments. The webinar shows families how to use their 55 parent accounts to support their children working in our online program. Its such an honor to be among the educators that were recognized this year for their contributions in the Blended Schools community, Nicole said. Its nice to be recognized for the support I provide to our students, parents, teachers, and administration. This award is really about having a vision, and in Quakertown its helpful that my vision for cyber learning is

supported by teachers and administration who work together to find the best learning options for our students. Senator Mensch is also hopeful that the legislature will pass a bill to reform funding for community colleges, Community colleges play a fundamental role in providing the education and training that is needed in order to help fill the job gaps in small businesses and manufacturing, The original standard on splitting the cost of community college tuition is into thirds, with student, state, and county equally sharing the cost. However, the cost burden has shifted over the course of the past years with the state covering about 30%, the county approximately 15 17%, and the student bearing over 50% of the cost of tuition. Students are shouldering a bigger chunk of the cost than they should be and this puts an extra burden on the students and their families, said Mensch. The Pennsylvania Senate recently passed a series of bills that provide sweeping improvements to Pennsylvanias child protection laws, including two bills sponsored by Senator Mensch. Pennsylvanias child protection laws are long overdue for review and update. The recommendations made by the Task Force on Child Protection helped us understand what needs to be done in order to prevent and deter child abuse and neglect. The passage of this bipartisan child protection package is an important step in this critical process. The next step, says the senator, who chairs the Senate Committee on Aging and Youth, is to look at senior abuse, especially financial abuse of the elderly. We also discussed property tax relief, which is always a hot topic in Pennsylvania. Property tax opponents argue that the tax is unfair as most owners do not earn income on their property and ever-increasing taxes cause increasing hardship. Mensch sees this issue as strongly tied to pension reform in Pennsylvania. He also feels that simply eliminating the property tax would cause the sales tax to skyrocket, encouraging people to buy less in-state and more online to avoid paying a higher sales tax. It would also put more pressure on the earned income tax and other taxes that would have to be re-evaluated to make up for the loss of property tax revenue. Its an unfair tax, but it cant be looked at by itself, said Mensch.

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Upper Bucks Free Press December 2013

ALFRED W. BUD BLOUGH, 96, of Quakertown died October 27 in Phoebe Richland Health Care Center. He was the husband of Mildred Helen (Clymer) Blough. They were married 73 years in March. Bud as he was affectionately known to his friends and family served more than 40 years as Treasurer of the Borough of Quakertown and 12 years as a councilman. He was also a long-time member of the Quakertown Lions Club. In addition to his wife he is survived by a daughter Judith Johnson and husband Dale, two sons Ronald and wife Lorraine, and John and fiance Carol. Nine grandchildren Susan Jarrett (Kevin), Steve Johnson (Denise), Andrew Johnson, Christopher Blough (Faith) Amy DiNunzio ( Andrew), Ryan and Madelynn Blough, Kelly and Billy Harrison. Six great grandchildren Keely Doyle (Daniel), Kellen Jarrett, Jordan and Tyson Johnson, Angela, Makayla Ann, and Rowan Blough. Two great great granddaughters Ruby and Kayden Johnson. Many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by a brother Jacob Merle Blough and grandson Darryl Johnson. GREGORY GREG DEAN WHITE, 54, of Quakertown, died October 27 at his home. He was a lifelong resident of Bucks County. He graduated from Central Bucks High School East (1977); worked for GM in Linden N.J; became a highly skilled carpenter; was member of The Heavy Highway Steel Workers Union Local 15253; and a drummer who played both at church and in local bands. He is survived by his beloved wife of 20 years, Ana Cookie (Velazquez); his son Gregory Luis; his brothers Jeremiah, Allen Larry, Zachary; his sisters Annette (Miller) and Gail (Manz); his father-in-law Angel Luis Velazquez and mother-in-law Ana Maria Velazquez; sisters-inlaw, Margie Stevens, Candi Velazquez; Barbara Bryan and Pam White; brother-in-law Irvin Miller and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends, and his loyal canine, Dingo. PAUL C. KERSHNER, 60 of Coopersburg died Thursday October 31 in his home. Born in Limeport he was the son of the late Charles and Mildred (Lindaberry) Kershner. He was last employed as a truck driver for Chernay Printing in Coopersburg. Paul is survived by two brothers Larry R. of Macungie and James O. of Bethlehem. Two nephews Lee (Dana) of Quakertown and Luke (Arielle) of Macungie. JAMES H. BLAKE, 70, of Quakertown died November 1 in St. Lukes University Hospital, Bethlehem. Born in Philadelphia he was the son of the late Warner & Tacy M.

(Gaston) Blake. He retired in 2008 as supervisor analyst in equity research for Credit Suisse. James was a train enthusiast and an active member of the Reading Co. Technical & Historical Society. He was also the founder of the Munchkin Railway. He is survived by four daughters Tacy Howell (Dylan), Bevyn Avery (Matt) both of California, Christina Blake of Oregon, and Catherine Blake of Quakertown. A sister Barbara Joan Blake of New Jersey. Four grandchildren Jordyn, Makena, Kalia, and Jacob. WILLIAM I. HUHN JR., 79 of Quakertown died Friday November 1 in the Seasons Hospice at Phoenixville Hospital. He was husband of the late Shirley L. (Fields) Huhn. He was an electrician for Schulmerich Carillons in Sellersville before his retirement. William was a former member of the former Shelly Fire Co. He also enjoyed hunting and was a member of the Paletown Rod & Gun Club. He is survived by a son William I. III Bud (Leslie) of Richlandtown, three daughters Sylvia Huhn and companion Ron Gilbert of Kentucky, Sandee Weierbach (Barry) and Shari Moore (Jerry). Nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren. ROSE ANN DUSCHL, 95, of Quakertown died November 2 in St. Lukes University Hospital. She was the wife of the late John B. Duschl. During World War II she was employed at Westinghouse. She was of the Catholic faith. Survived by a son John A., of Quakertown. CAMERON DONLEY, infant son of Christopher Donley & Theresa Weisbach of Zion Hill, died at birth on November 5, 2013 in Grand View Hospital, Sellersville. In addition to his parents he is survived by a brother Austin Donley. Paternal grandparents Matt and Deanna Donley, maternal grandparents Frederick Weisbach and Esther Madara, and several great grandparents. HILDA (SANDERCOCK) EVANS, 98, Quakertown formerly of Souderton, died Thurs. Nov. 7. Wife of the late Elmer Evans. Mother of, Robert Evans, Harrisburg. DAN W. WEAVER, 71, of Quakertown, died November 7 in his home. He was the loving husband of Patricia (Cole) Weaver for 53 years. An auto mechanic, Dan began his career with the former Johnson & Biehn dealership and continued with successors Howie Williams,

~Obituaries~

Phillips, & Scheitauer, all of Quakertown. He worked for Asplundh, in the former Chalfont manufacturing facility before opening his own business, Dans Garage, Quakertown. He was a longtime member of the Upper Bucks Street Rod Assoc. currently serving as Vice President / Secretary and had previously served as President. He was an inspector for the National Street Rod Assoc. Surviving with his wife, son, Danny, wife Jennifer, Quakertown; daughter, Susan Thomas, husband Douglas, Mertztown; sister Janet Drago, husband Tom, Quakertown, grandchildren Noah, Anja and Sydney. He was preceded in death by infant son, Timothy. JAMES H. MEASE, 87, of Sellersville, formerly of Quakertown, died Thurs., Nov. 7 in Quakertown Center. He was the loving husband of the late Jeanette (Hagan) Mease. He was a member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Quakertown where he served as an usher. Prior to retiring in 1990 he was a courier for the Quakertown School District for 20 years; previously a butcher for the former Cassels Food Market, Quakertown for over 20 years. Jim was a life member of Quakertown Fire Co. #1 and served on the companys ambulance service. Surviving son, Donald, wife Marilyn, Quakertown; and grandson Jason. He was predeceased by a brothers, David and Ernest, and half-brother John Diehl. MARY L. GROSS, 86, of North Wales, previously of Quakertown died Thur. Nov. 7th at home. She was the wife of the late George E. Gross, Jr. She was a member of St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church, Coopersburg. Mary was a trustee on the Upper Bucks Senior Center. She worked for N. Allegheny County School District for many years as a school bus driver. Surviving, sons, George R., wife Daren, North Wales, Fred, Vineland, NJ; granddaughters, Emily and Allison; sisters Alice, Betty and Alberta. She was preceded in death by a brother and seven sisters. HAROLD SMAKULA, 83, of Perkasie died November 9 in St. Lukes Hospital Quakertown Campus. Harold was a member of the Paletown Rod & Gun Club, and enjoyed working outside. He was a member of St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church in Bethlehem. Survived by a brother Wasley (Margaret). Two sisters Theresa Nalepa, and Julia Detweiler (William L.) Several nieces and nephews. Predeceased by brother John and three sisters Florence, Laura, and Mary Walter. HOWARD BUDDY SMITH, 69, of Acworth, Georgia, formerly of Lansdale, Pennsylvania, died peacefully November 19, 2013. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 44 years, the late Patricia Lynn Wambold Smith. Howard is survived by his 4 children, The Honorable Melissa I. Baine, wife of Richard J. Baine, Jr. of Trumbauersville, Pennsylvania; David R. Smith and his wife Diane D. Smith of Union, Kentucky; Robin J. Fennelly, wife of Jeremiah Fennelly of Marietta, Georgia; and Robert H. Smith and his wife Danielle Smith also of Kennesaw, Georgia. Howard was born

Howard Buddy Smith

in Abington, Pennsylvania on November 9, 1944 and was the son of the late Beatrice Smith Gordon. He lived in Lansdale, Pennsylvania for the majority of his adult life until relocating to Georgia in 1992. Howard was employed by Safeguard Business Systems as a Press Operator for over 40 years from 1967 until his retirement in 2008. He worked at both the North Wales, Pennsylvania and Tucker, Georgia facilities. Pop Pop will be lovingly missed by his 10 grandchildren, Richie and Sydney Baine, Dara and Danielle Smith, Courtney and Christopher Fennelly, and Gracie, Logan, Sophia and Colin Smith. Per Howards wishes, a Memorial Celebration of his life and Internment will be held at a later date at the discretion of the family. CLAIRE M. FLOOD, 79, of Quakertown formerly of Sellersville died November 16, 2013 in LifeQuest Nursing Center. She was the wife of Edward A. Flood, Jr. They were married 40 years in June. She was last employed by Delbar in Telford. In addition to her husband she is survived by a daughter Jane Roseboro (Robert), two step-daughters D. Sue Fernandez (Mike Loughrey), and Karen Jett (Thad). Daughter in law Linda Flaherty. Five grandchildren Shawn & Heather Flaherty, Robert, Ashley, and Brett Roseboro. A great granddaughter Ava Yannarella. She was predeceased by two sons John Michael Flaherty and Gregory Joseph Flaherty, and a brother George A. MacNutt, Jr. M. PATRICIA BOOTH, 98, of Quakertown died November 17, 2013. She was the wife of the late Arthur G. Booth. She was a U.S. Navy Veteran of WW II and a member of the Womens Memorial Foundation and the Quakertown American Legion Post 242. She was also a member of the Shipmates Unit 120. She attended Ursuline Academy and graduated from Franklin Academy and Staley College in Boston. She was a member of St. Isidores Catholic Church in Quakertown where she served as the first women lector. Survived by her children James, Harry, Arthur Jr., Patricia Keller and Mary Dietz. Five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

December 2013 Upper Bucks Free Press

11

All seems stable and well in Medicare as we move into 2014. Even though there was a slight cost-of-living increase for Social Security beneficiaries (1.7%), the Medicare Part B premium will stay the same throughout 2014 at $104.90 per month. I have received many, many calls from clients asking how ObamaCare (the Affordable Care Act) fits into Medicare. Its very important to understand that ObamaCare is for folks under 65. If you are on Medicare, ObamaCare does not pertain to you and Medicare Supplemental Insurance plans, or Medigap, will not be sold in the Health Insurance Exchanges. Speaking of ObamaCare, the American Medical Association has finally weighed in and heres a report from a recent AMA conference: The Allergists were in favor of scratching it, but the Dermatologists advised not to make any rash moves. The Gastroenterologists had sort of a gut feeling about it, but the Neurologists thought the Administration had a lot of nerve.

ObamaCare and Medicare

Meanwhile, Obstetricians felt certain everyone was labouring under a misconception, while the Ophthalmologists considered the idea short-sighted. Pathologists yelled, Over my dead body! while the Paediatricians said, Oh, grow up! The Psychiatrists thought the whole idea was madness while the Radiologists could see right through it. Surgeons decided to wash their hands of the whole thing and the Internists claimed it would indeed be a bitter pill to swallow. The Plastic Surgeons opined that this proposal would put a whole new face on the matter. The Podiatrists thought it was a step forward, but the Urologists were pissed off at the whole idea. Anaesthesiologists thought the whole idea was a gas, and those lofty Cardiologists didnt have the heart to say no. If you need assistance with Medicare, whether it be enrolling in Parts A & B or choosing Supplemental Coverage, please call me anytime. HOWaRD PECk OWNS aND OpERaTES SENIOR INSURaNCE SOLUTIONS aND CaN BE REaChED aT 267-923-5281 aND SRINSURaNCESOLUTIONS.COM

Some Things Are Never As They Seem

Over the past twentyfive years, there have been five standard styles of hearing aids throughout the industry. Those styles include completely-in-thecanal, in-the-canal, half shell, full shell in-the-ear, and

behind-the ear. These devices were originally manufactured in analog or conventional technology. The hearing aids were a standard from the early 1970s through the late 1990s. The components connected a microphone to a miniaturize capacitor, trim potentiometers, a circuit that closely matched the patients hearing loss, and a receiver. They were popular and inexpensive compared to todays models. Next up was programmable technology. The outside shell and faceplate of the styles were almost identical to the analog. There were the same components as before, but a special circuit was included that began digital processing in a rudimentary form. The sound was still analog, but processing the sound among the assembled components was encompassing computerized persuasion. Now with the advent of true digital computerized hearing aids, the old analog and programmable devices have disappeared. Todays digital hearing aids are constructed of a microphone, miniaturized computer chip, and receiver. A computer with special software from the manufacturer enables the private practice audiologist to program (tell) the computer chip of the patients hearing loss and thresholds across the frequency spectrum, the precise level of technology (entry, mid, or premium), and coordinate a built-in operating system commanding a variety of calculations based on sound input to provide the correct output to the ear. On the outside of all the hearing aids, regardless of technology, they all look the same. However, are very different. The average person sees the same thing on the outside, but is unable to distinguish what is on the inside or how it operates. The inverse is true in real life. A group of people can be shown an object and everyone

sees something different, when it is actually the same thing. Let me make this relative to you. I grew up on a 130-acre farm tending to Angus cattle and baling hay. Believe me; I know what a hay field looks like. Walked on it, played on it, mended the fence, broadcast fertilizer, lime, seed, and baled that hay twice each year. I could take a dozen local officials from a town and school board out to a hay field and their opinions would be diverse. One official could look at that hay field and agree with me (the expert) that is what it is a hay field. The other eleven may see a piece of property that is a prime example of urban decay full of cancerous blight and completely deteriorated like a section of Detroit after the 1967 riots. Furthermore, they would want to give a corporate welfare check in the form of a ten-year tax abatement to get a company to take it. All twelve would agree that it is a piece of land, but differ as to what kind of land it is. With amplification, we are fortunate to be well into the 18th generation of development. The big six manufacturers are Starkey, Widex, Phonak, Oticon, Resound (Interton), and Siemens. They are in a horse race to have the best device on the market and the handicapped patient is better for it. Many people have stated to me more than once that they are looking forward to the future in hearing aids. The future was here, but has left us a long time ago. We are experiencing new hearing aid technology no one ever dreamed of. Ear trumpets first appeared in 1624 and were a fantastic invention because it helped people hear better. At the close of 2013, digital hearing aids are considered a fantastic invention because it helps people hear better. Funny how things are never as they seem, but somehow stay the same.
SENSOR-INEURAL HEARING LOSS ALL HIS LIFE AND IS A BINAURAL IN-THE-CANAL HEARING AID USER. PRACTICE IN

CHIMNEY CHRISTMAS DEcORATE ELF FIREPLAcE FROSTY GARLANd GIFTS

HOLLY LIgHTS MAgI MERRY MUMMERS NATIVITY NEW YEAR PARAdE

REINdEER SANTA SNOWMAN STAR STOcKINg TINSEL TREE YULE LOg

MR. MURPHY

HAS

HAD

BILATERAL

MILD-TO-MODERATE

MR. MURPHY HAS BEEN IN PENNSYLVANIA SINCE RECEIVING HIS MASTER OF EDUCATION IN AUDIOLOGY FROM UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA IN THE SPRING OF 1987. MR. MURPHY IS AFFILIATED WITH A NUMBER OF HEARING RELATED NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS. HE CAN BE REACHED AT HEARINGDOC@AOL.COM AND BY PHONE AT 215-804-1111.

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Upper Bucks Free Press December 2013

Lehigh Grad Takes Detour at Wall Street, Finds Calling in Yogurt

BY CHRISTOPHER BETZ

Happy Healthy Holidays!

So you made it through Thanksgiving!! Good Job. Now you only have two more holiday weeks to get through. These holidays are always full of sweets and food. This makes for a very difficult time to be good. With all the homemade cookies and pies, it is not aneasy time for a struggling appetite. But who cares, right? This kind of attitude is not acceptable. Lets change that right now. You are probably thinking Hows he going to change my thinking? Im not, but you are. First of all you have to take responsibility for yourself. Next, tell yourself that you are worth it. I know its only December and we havent had New Years yet but why wait! Start now! You dont have to wait for a holiday where you make new promises to yourself that only last a month or so. You can start now by telling yourself I am worth it and I am going to do something about it and I am going to do it now. It only gets harder to change the longer you sit and think about what you should be doing to get yourself into the best shape of your life. Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought to yourself I wish ... only to walk away from it feeling let down and depressed? Well why do you want that feeling? There is only one way to overcome this, and thats to take charge of your own body. You know where you want to be, so be the driver and go there!! Here are a few ways to be successful. #1 DISCIpLINE: Without discipline you have nothing. This is the hardest thing to develop. It is the life style change that is crucial to your overall success. Our daily choices make who we are. When you are craving that snack you know you should not eat, wait five minutes and make a healthier choice. Instead of going home and propping your feet up at the computer or on the couch for hours, go to the park for a jog or walk or go for a bike ride, but just get out and get active. Remember it is all about mind control. You are in control of your actions; now help your body by choosing the right ones to direct you towards your goal and not away from it. Discipline, discipline, discipline, I cant stress this enough. #2 CONSISTENCY: Set up your workout schedule like you would a work meeting. Be on time and show up every time. This will increase your chances of reaching your goal. #3 MOTIVaTION: You need to focus on what your goal is. Why do you want to succeed? Use that to drive you. Its not what you do but how you do it. Go into your session ready to give your best effort and then a little more. Get into your mind and see yourself completing the task at hand. #4 OFF DaYS: Working out with a trainer may leave you with days you are on your own. When people work with me they generally are with me at least two days a week or more. This leaves you four days for you to stay motivated and active on your own. Remember the first key to success? Discipline! Thats where this comes into play. Get up, Get out, Get active. Dont quit until you have given your best effort for each day. Itll only get you that much closer to your goal and that is where you want to be headed. #5 NUTRITION: Nutrition accounts for about 50% of your training program. You cant out train a bad diet. You are what you eat is a saying that is so true. If you eat a lot of bad food you will feel and look bad. Your body is a machine and needs the proper fuel to operate. Give it the right quality and quantity and you will begin to feel amazing. Keep a journal! This keeps you honest with yourself and helps you track good and bad days. Make good choices every day. #6 SLEEp: Here is something to think about. Why is sleep so important? Without it, your body wont rebuild and heal your muscles and bone strength. During your workout, the goal is to break down your muscles. That is what the burn feeling is. After the workout, have a small bite to eat, something such as an apple, orange or slice of watermelon. Then get plenty of sleep (7+ solid hours). Remember, discipline and consistency. No excuses! Go to bed earlier. Remember, start now. Dont wait, it only gets harder the longer you put it off. Keep focused or find someone to help you keep on track. It is in your court now and it is up to you. If you really want to make a change in yourself then dont wait. A quote that sums it up, If you are tired of starting over, then stop giving up! From your coach at GetReal Training, Have a Happy Healthy Holiday!

Tyler Walton seemed to have all of his ducks in a row. He graduated at the top of his class at Palisades High School. He went to college to study Finance. He interned at Deutsche Bank. He was near the top of his class at Lehigh University and was now armed with a fresh degree in Finance. Everything he had prepared for was going as planned. Next stop Wall Street. But when the Wall Street opportunity came knocking, Tyler quickly shut the door. Serial entrepreneur, Tyler Walton, in his Yogurtree frozen yogurt I realized sort of early on shop in Quakertown, his second location. PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER BETZ after graduating that Id really Everything is totally custom. Concrete hate working on Wall Street. It just wasnt counters, real wood paneling, a subdued color me, recalls Tyler Walton, now age 23, The palette. We also wanted to be eco-friendly, so stress wouldve been crazy. we used energy-efficient LED lighting, biodeSo then where does a sharp, educated, gradable spoons, and we recycle everything we would-be Wall Street finance guy turn if not can, Tyler explains. And the yogurt is very the Big Apple. Two words: Frozen Yogurt. high quality, very consistent. The ingredients Well not right away, mind you. There was a and the process are both so important. lot of soul searching to do on just what would Tyler Walton is very pleased with his dehe make of his future. cision to go into the yogurt business. Its The spark came in the summer of 2011 actually relaxing and exciting at the same while vacationing in Florida with his parents. time. Its been a lot of fun and Ive learned a The idea came from my mom, actually. lot. Apparently he likes the business enough She wondered if frozen yogurt is so popular to have opened a second location just about a down there and out West, could it be popular year later in Quakertown on September 14th of in Doylestown? remarks Walton, At first I this year. This store is much bigger and has a didnt really think too much of it, but I was a wider audience. We improved the Quakertown little intrigued. After some heavy duty re- store with things we wished wed have done in search over a period of weeks, Tyler decided Doylestown, like layout and materials. He that it could indeed be a great idea. After all, and Ken mustve done something right, as this wasnt the icy stuff that TCBY was sell- their first month in Quakertown, September, ing in the 80s. Frozen yogurt has come a long beat the July sales figures of their Doylestown way since then! So he and his father (and location. now business partner) Ken Walton, a wellWhats next for Tyler Walton? Apparently regarded local contractor, set out to build a no new Yogurtree locations. I thought Id store, settling on a site in the Barn Plaza in want to franchise but I realized it would just Doylestown Township. be a lot of stress and headaches, remarks Yogurtree debuted in June 2012.We Walton, Id like to be a serial entrepreneur, couldnt have done it without each other, trying new ventures in different industries. Right now, hes got his eye on an innovation says Tyler. Yogurtree was truly a one of kind, build in the craft beer business. Im sure well hear from the ground up, frozen yogurt shop. about it soon.

CORBIN WILLIaMS, NPTI-CPT, OWNER OF GETREaL TRaINING, LLC IN SELLERSVILLE, GRaDUaTED FROM ThE NaTIONaL PERSONaL TRaINING INSTITUTE (NPTI). HE aLSO GRaDUaTED FROM WEXFORD UNIVERSITY WITh a BaChELORS DEGREE IN EXERCISE aND NUTRITION. HE IS a CERTIFIED STRENGTh aND CONDITIONING COaCh aND a CERTIFIED NUTRITION COaCh. YOU CaN CONTaCT hIM aT 215-416-5757 OR VISIT WWW.GETREaLTRaINING.NET

Veterans Honor Clymer at his 25th Annual Program to Honor Vets

Girl Scouts Properly Retire American Flags

Girl Scouts Senior Troop 2811 celebrated Veterans Day with a Flag Retirement Ceremony along with their Rededication with assistance of Veterans from American Legion Post 242 at the St. Isidore Youth Center on November 13. Over 35 flags were collected. A program with poems, singing, and the ceremonial burning of the flags. With the Girls Scouts are (L-R) Bob Helm, Roy Schulenberg and Leslie Walters from the Wallace Willard Keller American Legion Post 242. SUBMITTED PHOTO

The military Veterans for whom Rep. Paul Clymer puts on an annual program of recognition and remembrance each Veterans Day, turned the tables on the State Representative on November 11th when they in turn honored Clymer and his assistant Pat Wolf for their 25 years of organizing the public ceremony. Craig Wilhelm, Commander of the Nase-Kraft American Legion Post 255 in Sellersville, presented the awards. PHOTOS BY CHRISTOPHER BETZ

December 2013 Upper Bucks Free Press

13

Oh, my goodness! She found the place I hid the Santa hat with the beard! My human bought this last year after Christmas when things are cheaper. I hid it between the boxes in the barn attic and wouldnt you know she found it. It makes her laugh so I guess I can put up with it since it makes her happy. We should all enjoy doing things to make others happy. That is really what the feeling of Christmas spirit is about. Sometimes the person you love wants to see a movie, play, or game that you really dont care about. Real love is enjoying making them happy by doing things they enjoy. If it works both ways then they will do the same for you. That is what wearing this hat is like for me. My human does extra things for me and this is my way of doing for her. Please remember

to keep your pets warm during the winter. It helps to leave music or TV on for them when you are not home. That way we will feel like someone is home with us. Merry Christmas to All of my wonderful fans, Love, M.J.

Gifts that Really Matter this Holiday Season

BY ALISON LEVINE

The National No Roof Left Behind initiative has found sponsorship in Bucks County. Eiseman Construction is now accepting nominations on their website, eiseman.biz/program, for a deserving family to receive a freereplacement roof. Two caveats are: Nominees must own the home they are living in and be a resident of Bucks County. Also, the roof recipient must be current on his mortgage payments. Nominees will be accepted until December 1st. A team of local volunteers will review the nominees and four will be selected as finalists. The finalists stories and photos will be shown on Eisemans web site. From December 3rd to the 17th, the public can vote on the finalist they feel is most deserving. The roof winner will be revealed online on December 19 with an installation celebration will be held shortly thereafter.

Phil and Melissa Eiseman are celebrating 45 years in the roofing industry. We dont just work in Bucks County. We live here, shop here and raise our families here. We wanted to let the community know how important they are to us, says Phil Eiseman. Giving away a free roof seemed like a logical way to do that. One of the most important things for the Eiseman family is community outreach. When a fellow contractor from Detroit, MI told them about the program as a way to thank communities for their support, Phil and Melissa knew it would be a great project for the team at Eiseman Construction. We are just so excited about implementing a philanthropic program like this at home, says Melissa. Other local businesses can show their community appreciation as well. We think its a great way to rally the community together, says Phil Eiseman. To learn more about Eiseman Construction and the No Roof Left Behind program, call 215-345-9159 or visit www.eiseman.biz.

It has been many years, but on April 27, 1968, the Quakertown High School Alumni Association presented a dramatic comedy titled En Alt Frenkische Mutter (An Old fashioned Mother). The play was in Pennsylvania Dutch. It presented quite a challenge for the actors. The cast and staff included Elsie Mohr, Helen Eisenhart, Marian Mohr, Evelyn Worthington, Ada Weiss, Joan Mohr, Clarence Hottle, Arthur Landis, Roland Nice, Glenn Haring, Ray Eisenhart, Arthur Mohr; choir members BonnieMohr, Ruth Cressman, Jan Worthington, Ethel Haring, Arthur Mohr, Nancy Hottle, Christian Myers, Debbie Mohr, Leroy Weiss, and Clifford Worthington; stage crew Richard Cressman, Edward Refsnider,

Haben Sie Gesehen En Alt Frenkische Mutter?

Michael Mandell, Thomas Ondra, Cindi Henry, Sue Knauss, and Donna Wolfinger. The production was filmed. We have had inquiries about the film, but have no knowledge of its whereabouts. It has been many years and many of the cast and crew are no longer with us. WE are seeking any information from surviving family members regarding the films whereabouts. Contact the upper Bucks Chamber of Commerce at 215-536-3211, or the Quakertown Archive Committee at 215-896-1459, if there is information of its whereabouts. Frank Licopoli Archive Committee Quakertown Historical Society

Keep Your Dog Safe this Howliday

I havent been able to put up a Christmas tree for a couple of years. The reason being dangerous Happy Lab Tail Syndrome. My Labrador Retreiver Shadow always wiped out ornaments, lights and garland with her very happy, but deadly, otter tail. I even tried keeping the good ornaments up on the higher branches while saving the less likely to break for the bottom. One year she knocked the entire tree down three times within two days. The first time I put the tree back up I carefully replaced all the ornaments, lights and garland. By the third time I was so annoyed I just threw everything back on the tree and called it done. Needless to say my Christmas guests never commented on my tree that year. Since my Shadow is just a sweet memory Im going to try putting up a tree this year. My recent rescue, Mizz Ziva, doesnt have that otter tail. I think I will still take precautions just to be on the safe side. Here are 10 safety tips from the Association of Professional Dog Trainers: 1. The natural smell of a Christmas tree attracts dogs. Pine needles (even artificial) are indigestible. Try keeping your dog away from the tree by using a baby gate in the doorway. You can use low lattice fencing or an Xpen around the tree but be sure to secure it so it cant be knocked over. 2. Dont use preservatives in the stand water. They can be toxic if consumed by your thirsty dog. Carefully cover the top of the stand with a tree skirt so your dog cant get to it. 3. Dont use edible ornaments or fragile, easily breakable glass decorations to trim the tree. Your dog may knock over the tree trying to get to them and your dog may decide theyre toys and cut herself trying to play with them. 4. Dont use angel hair. Its made of spun glass and can cause irritation on contact. 5. Make sure electrical cords are out of reach. Chewing on wires may cause burns or pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs), which can be fatal. 6. Dont use wire ornament hooks that can easily snag an ear or a tail, or, if swallowed, can lodge in the throat or intestines. Instead, fashion loops of yarn, ribbons or light weight twine. 7. Tinsel and gift wrappings can be dangerous to your dogs health and can cause obstruction of the small bowel if swallowed. 8. Dont leave your dog alone in a room with a burning candle. A careless swish of a tail can be disastrous. 9. Alcohol and chocolate are toxic to dogs. Dark and unsweetened baking chocolate are the most dangerous. 10. Turkey bones are irresistible but can lodge in your dogs throat or block the intestinal tract. Carefully place the string and foil in a secured trash receptacle. I hope you and your furry chimney watchers have a safe holiday season.
OWNER OF

Adopt these Pets

There are so many animals waiting to come home for the holidays at the Bucks County SPCAs Upper Bucks shelter. Can you give the gift of a forever home to a homeless pet? Junior Mint is a two-year old male that came to the shelter as a stray way back in April. This gorgeous boy has been neutered here and is waiting for a new home. He is active, curious and likes to explore. He is good with other cats and may not be good in a home with dogs. Junior Mint should do well with older children who wont chase after him. He is litter box trained and tested negative for feline leukemia. Trinket is a 4 year old Terrier Mix who is such a sweetie pie! She likes to explore new places and get extra attention! She especially likes scratches on her hind legs and being petted under the chin. She is a moderately active girl, who may become more active once she settles in to a new home and gets comfy! She likes toys and will retrieve them. Tennis balls are her favorite and she likes to carry them around! She is friendly when meeting new people and needs practice walking on a loose leash. She would be best suited in a home with children around 8 years or older that can take their time with her and help with training. She enjoys being with other dogs, but should meet them before going home and should do well with cats with supervision. If you are interested in Junior Mint, Trinket, or any of the other pets waiting at the Bucks County SPCA please give them a call at 267-347-4674. You can also visit them online at bcspca.org or at the shelter just off of California Road at 60 Reservoir Road.

MaRION C. ONEIL CPDT-KA TRaINER aND MOLaSSES CREEk DOG TRaINING, LLC

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Upper Bucks Free Press December 2013

Enjoy the Holidays

This is the time of year, right after Thanksgiving, when our stress levels can rise and we can start to feel overwhelmed by the prospect of Christmas and what that means to us, to our friends, family and coworkers. Sometimes it feels as though we are being pulled into so many different directions that we just dont know what to do and may actually create a crisis for ourselves. The key is to plan, delegate and prioritize what is important to you and with your relationships with others. What is the meaning of Christmas to you? Is it all about the presents? Is it searching for those special gifts? Is it the gift wrapping and writing out cards? Is it the time you spend with your family and friends that you may not have seen all year? Is it preparing and sharing that special meal? Is it remembering those who are less fortunate than us that may need our help? Is it about being one up on everyone else and having to have the perfect gifts? Are we looking for recognition and acceptance from others? Whatever Christmas means to you is going to determine how well you will be able to enjoy the holidays. We all have lists that we make about whom we are getting gifts for and what we think they may want. Some of us have an idea of how much money we want to spend on each person on our list. So if you start out by asking yourself what does Christmas mean to me and depending upon who is on your list what it means to them. You will be able to systematically prioritize the time and energy it will take for your Christmas to be successful. The problem some of us run in to is that we are so focused on making sure that we please others that we may overspend and may even become resentful about the whole gift-giving. That is why it is so important to be clear about the meaning for you and give love and gifts unconditionally because it is what is important to you. This is not always easy because those of us who worry will wonder if what we have given is enough. It can be difficult but also empowering to stand in your own light and share your truth with others because what do you have to lose. Those who love you and do not care about the gifts are going to be so grateful to be celebrating the holidays with you!! The holidays are supposed to be about enjoying and sharing with one another and if gifts are involved great! It is beneficial for us to evaluate what we truly value in our relationships with others at this time of year. I am not saying to not buy Christmas gifts but be mindful of how you spend your money and ask yourself why you are giving what you are and that you can afford to be as generous as you want to be because you can; not because you feel you have to and are worried about what others are going to think of you. May you be enriched by all those you love so dear and by all means, Enjoy the holidays! 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.

Did you know? An acre of Christmas trees provides the daily oxygen requirements of 18 people.

Sharing Your Bounty Can Be Rewarding

Thanksgiving is almost here. If you have the financial resources to provide a comfortable life for your family, you have reason to be thankful. And if you can afford to share some of your bounty with charitable organizations, you may want to be as generous as possible because your gifts may allow you to both give and receive. By donating cash or other financial assets, such as stocks, to a qualified charity (either a religious group or a group that has received 501(c)(3) status from the IRS), you help benefit an organization whose work you believe in and, at the same time, you can receive valuable tax benefits. To illustrate: If you give $100 to a qualified charity, and youre in the 25% tax bracket, you can deduct $100, with a tax benefit of $25, when you file your 2013 taxes. Therefore, the real cost of your donation is just $75 ($100 minus the $25 tax savings). Furthermore, if you donate certain types of non-cash assets, you may be able to receive additional tax benefits. Suppose you give $1,000 worth of stock to a charitable group. If youre in the 25% bracket, youll be able to deduct $250 when you file your taxes. And by donating the stock, you can avoid paying the capital gains taxes that would be due if you had eventually sold the stock yourself. To claim a charitable deduction, you have to be able to itemize deductions on your taxes. Charitable gifting can get more complex if you choose to integrate your charitable giving with your estate plans to help you reduce your taxable estate. The estate tax is consistently debated in Congress, and the exemption level has fluctuated in recent years, so its not easy to predict if you could eventually subject your heirs to these taxes. Nonetheless, you can still work with your tax and legal advisors now to take steps to reduce any possible estate tax burden in the years ahead. One such step might involve establishing a charitable remainder trust. Under this arrangement, youd place some assets, such as appreciated stocks or real estate, in a trust, which could then use these assets to pay you a lifetime income stream. When you establish the trust, you may be able to receive a tax deduction based on the charitable groups remainder interest the amount the charity is likely to ultimately receive. (This figure is determined by an IRS formula.) Upon your death, the trust would relinquish the remaining assets to the charitable organization youve named. Keep in mind, though, that this type of trust can be complex. To establish one, youll need to work with your tax and legal advisors. Of course, you can also choose to provide your loved ones with monetary gifts while youre still alive. You can give up to $14,000 per year, per individual, to as many people as you choose without incurring the gift tax. For example, if you have three children, you could give them a cumulative $42,000 in a single year and so could your spouse. Thanksgiving is a fine time to show your generosity. And, as weve seen, being generous can be rewarding for your recipients and yourself. Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors are not estate planners and cannot provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your estate-planning attorney or qualified tax advisor regarding your situation. ARtICLE SUBMIttED BY BOB PODRAZA OF EDWARD JONES IN QUAKERtOWN, 215-536-3635

Thomas Edisons assistant, Edward Johnson, came up with the idea of using electric lights for Christmas trees in 1882. Christmas tree lights were first mass-produced in 1890.

December 2013 Upper Bucks Free Press

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Upper Bucks Area Places of Worship

Christ Lutheran Church 1 Luther Lane, Trumbauersville 215-536-3193 Pastor: Carolann Hopke 9:00am Worship, 10:15 Sunday School Free Drive-in Movies Friday evenings June through August, Handicapped accessible, Family Friendly Church Grace Bible Fellowship Church 1811 Old Bethlehem Pike N., Quakertown 215-536-6096 grace@quakertownbfc.org www.quakertownbfc.org Pastor: Ron Kohl, Sr. Pastor September - May: 9am Sunday School for all ages, 10:10am Morning Worship Service, 6:30pm 2nd & 4th Sundays are small group meetings, 6:30pm 1st, 3rd, 5th Sundays Evening Worship Good News Church 424 Juniper Street, Quakertown 215-536-4393 www.gnciv.org Pastor: David Mackey, Jr. Sunday service & childrens church 10:30am Wed. Bible Study 7:30pm. Friendly, Biblebased, Christ-centered, Spirit-led Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church 2966 Old Bethlehem Pike, Zionhill 215-536-7288 pastor@zion-zionhill.org Pastor: James Saboe Sunday School all ages 9:00am, Worship services 10:15am, We at Zion invite all to worship and fellowship with us. Evangel Assembly of God 401 Arch Street, Perkasie 215-453-1565 www.perkasieag.org Pastor: Rev. Gary Saul Where Gods Love Changes Lives MorningStar Moravian Church 234 S. Main Street, Coopersburg 610-282-1908 coopmoravian@aol.com Pastor: Lance Fox Sunday services 10:00am. Small, friendly Protestant church. Community mission: Serving free dinners once per month. All are welcome. Call for information. Good Shepherd Church (Episcopal) 1634 Hilltown Pike, Hilltown 215-822-3930 Pastor: Harper Turney 10:00am Sunday Eucharist St. Johns Lutheran Church 4 South Main Street, Richlandtown 215-536-5027 secretary@sjrpa.org www. sjrpa.org Pastor: Susan Sosnin Sunday morning worship at 9:30am with holy communion first and third Sundays of the month. Sunday school 8:30am 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 Gods Love. The Gathering (at the Barn) 24 Greentop Road, Sellersville 215-529-6824 tomdaugherty@live.com www.thegatheringchristianfellowship.com Pastor: Tom Daugherty St. Pauls Lutheran Church of Applebachsville 837 Old Bethlehem Road, Quakertown 215-536-5789 stpauls@netcarrier.com www.quakertown.net/stpauls Pastor: Rev. David Heckler We believe in sharing Gods love in joyful service. Come and see. All are welcome. St. Matthews Lutheran Church 3668 Ridge Road, Perkasie 215-795-2965 office@kellerschurch.org www.kellerschurch.org Pastor: Robert E. Mitman Worship 7:45 & 10:15am, Sunday School 9am, Koinonia Cafe 8:30pm, Holy Communion 1st & 3rd Sunday, Childrens Church 2nd & 4th Sunday Emmanuel Episcopal Church 560 S. Main Street Quakertown, PA 18951 215-536-3040 emmanuelchurch11@yahoo.com www.emmanuelquakertown.org Sunday services at 8am and 11am, Visitors and new members always welcome! Church of the Incarnation (Anglican-Episcopal) 44 S. 8th Street, Quakertown 215-538-3787 Andores@verizon.net www.IncarnationQuakertown.org Pastor: Most Rev. Thomas J. Kleppinger Traditional worship, Biblical faith Sunday 10:30am, Wednesday 10:00am First United Methodist Church 501 Market Street, Perkasie 215-257-4626 fumcperkasie@verizon.net www.fumcperkasie@verizon.net Pastor: Steward Warner Mission: Share Gods love, Make and nurture disciples of Jesus Christ, Have a positive impact on our community and world. St. Johns Lutheran Church 19 South 10th Street, Quakertown 215-536-3593 stjohnsquak@verizon.net www.stjohnsquak.org Pastor: Ray Miller Sunday Worship 8 and 10:30am, Sunday School 9:15am. Welcoming, Reaching Out, Serving. Elevator available Trinity Great Swamp UCC 9150 Spinnerstown Road, Spinnerstown 215-679-7710 tgsucc@verizon.net www.tgsucc.org Pastor: David R. Ellis / Matt Gorkos Sunday worship services 8am (Communion 1st Sunday of month) and 10:30am, 9:15 Sunday School classes for all ages (PreKAdult) & family activities Trinity Lutheran Church 102 N. Hellertown Avenue, Quakertown 215-536-4345 www.trinityquakertown.org Pastor: Lynette R. Chapman 9 am traditional services, 10:15am Sunday School, 11am contemporary service, Handicapped Accessible, Family Friendly Church, Dynamic Music Ministry, Kidspiration Services. Holy Spirit Anglican Church 1133 W. Orvilla Road, Hatfield 215-453-7452 rtutton@verizon.net www.holyspiritanglicanhatfield.org Pastor: Rev. Robert Tutton We are a traditional conservative Evangelical Christian church. Pennridge Christian Fellowship 720 Blooming Glen Road, Blooming Glen 215-257-7309 kallebach@pennridgecf.org www.pennridgecf.org Pastor: Thomas Vargis Sunday worship 10:30am, Sunday School after song service for infants to age 12. Wed evenings 7pm with prayer, crossroads youth and (Sept-April) boys and girls clubs. Everyone is welcome. Richland Friends Meeting (Quaker) Main St at Mill Rd & Park Ave, Quakertown 215-538-7555 Clerks: Kathy Redding, Jack Schick Absolute freedom of thought and worship is our faith and practice over 300 years in Quakertown. Join us 10:30am Sundays Morning Star Fellowship 429 S. 9th Street, Quakertown 215-529-5422 Pastor: John Decker www.mstarqtown.org Services at 9am & 11am, Childrens Ministry during all services, Student ministry 6pm, Celebrate Recovery Weds 7pm, Divorce Care Thurs 7pm, EastWest Cafe open before & after services. Free coffee. St. Pauls United Church of Christ 104 Green Street, Sellersville 215-257-7268 stacey@stpaulsucc.net www.stpaulsucc.net Pastor: Rev. Patti Thomas 8am Rejoice & Praise Worship in Parlor, 9am Sunday School (all ages), 10:15am Worship in Sanctuary, Crossroads 1st Sunday of month 9am in Fellowship Hall

BCCC Offers New Major

BY KIMBERLY KRATZ

Make a Difference. Work for Justice. Change the World. These are the hallmarks of the career of a social worker, and the focus of a recent event on the Perkasie campus of Bucks County Community College. To help Upper Bucks area students explore the option of social work as a future career, a distinguished panel of local social workers shared their experiences and fielded questions from 25 current students. Moderated by Professor Jennifer Hime, MSW/LSW (who is also a Clinical Case Manager at AETNA Healthcare), the panel included Kathy Bennett, MSW/LSW, the Assistant Director of Bucks Countys Network of Victim Assistance (NOVA), Commissioner Diane EllisMarseglia, LCSW, and DeVaron Palmer, a student who is currently pursuing her Masters degree in social work case management. Each panelist shared her background and experiences making several notable points for students who are considering social work. Among them, Palmer, who has spent time working with at-risk youth who are either on probation or have been remanded to Children, Youth and Family Services, suggested that it took time for her to realize that some clients are hesitant of having social workers come into their home, and you dont always get the results you want. However, Palmer said, I was planting a seed and I was able to give these kids hope. She explained that sometimes being a social worker requires a person to point out to such a child that it might be difficult to see beyond his or her current circumstance, but that right now theres a lot more out there for you. Bennett recalled that when she began pursuing her education in social work, she was asked, Why do you want to do that? You are never going to make money. But, she implied that one can make a good living because the field of social work allows so much job flexibility in the corporate and non-profit sectors. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the median 2010 annual salary for Social Workers at $42,480 where an entry level position typically requires a Bachelors degree.

And Ellis-Marseglia cited her public annual salary as $88,000. She holds a Masters degree which is required for many teachers and clinicians, and often requires an additional two years of education. Ellis-Marseglia, the first social worker ever to be elected to the Commissioner position in Bucks County, suggested that an important quality for a potential social worker to possess is an innate compassion and empathy for others. Palmer echoed the point adding, Be able to meet people where they are. Have patience, and work with others well. When you are looking for resources, it helps to know people to help clients make connections. Be willing to extend an olive branch. With proper planning, area students who are interested in a career in social work can begin their college program by enrolling in the newly revised Social Work major in the fall 2014 semester. Max Probst, Coordinator of Social Work and an Assistant Professor at Bucks explained that the change will allow students to smoothly transfer into a social work major at 4-year colleges and universities. At the right transfer school, it is possible for full-time students to receive their Bachelors of Social Work (BSW) and Masters of Social Work (MSW) in about five years. Right now we are working on meeting the needs of our day, evening, and online students and we are contemplating offering an accelerated program in the near future, said Probst. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, careers in social work, which it categorizes as both direct-care and clinical, are expected to grow 25% between 2010 and 2020. For this reason, Bucks County Community College has developed a Social Work program that focuses on getting students the education they need to enter into a growing industry, said Probst. The faculty comes from various backgrounds and provides a range of expertise in different social work fields. For more information about the Social Work major at Bucks, contact Max Probst, Coordinator of Social Work at max.probst@ bucks.edu or call 215-968-8274.

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Upper Bucks Free Press December 2013

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Celebrating the Warmth of the Season in Quakertown

BY MICHELE BUONO

Quakertown Alive! invites you welcome the holiday season at our annual Tree Lighting celebration in downtown Quakertown on Friday, December 6. The fun begins at 6pm with the ice sculpting presentation and vendors First Savings will have a warming station for chilly fingers and toes. Our downtown business district will be adorned with luminaries to light the night. Please visit our local merchants for treats and specials. Victorian carolers will provide seasonal music to lift your spirits as they sing their way through the downtown. Santa Claus will be arriving by firetruck at 7pm to take his ice throne and welcome childrens Christmas wishes. After Santa appears and takes

his ice throne, the countdown begins for the lighting of the Christmas Tree. Once again, donations of imperishable food items will be accepted for the Quakertown Food Pantry during the Tree Lighting celebration. Please bring your canned goods donation to the East Swamp Church booth located in the triangle parking lot. Over 600 pounds of food was delivered last year to the food pantry by Quakertown Alive! and the Quakertown Fire Department. This season we want to exceed that amount to bless our greater Quakertown area families in need. An annual holiday tradition continues with the Christmas House Tour on December 8. The tour opens at 3:00pm with a reception of appetizers and hot drinks at McCooles

Shirley Errickson and Nancy Cygan have been busy readying the Cygan home for the Christmas House Tour on December 8. PHOTO BY MICHELE BUONO

Arts and Events Place. Ticketholders will then proceed to visit the five houses on the tour as well as the Burgess Foulke House, the Upper Bucks Visitors Center, the Richland Friends Meetinghouse. Local artist Jim Lukens will be hosting several of his fellow-artists at his studio on California Road as part of the tour. The Womans Club of Quakertown is also hosting their annual holiday craft show at Quakertowns historic train station on Front Street; all are welcome, no ticket required. One home that people will be visiting on this years tour belongs to Mike and Nancy Cygan. Nancy and her friend, Shirley Errickson, have been busily decorating the Cygan home in anticipation of not just the tour, but also an upcoming family gathering. Garlands and bows festoon the banister, windowsills, and tables. Carolers adorn the fireplace mantel and the table is set as for a true holiday feast. Shirley has created the mood of a traditional Christmas throughout the house for her friends. Everywhere one turns, there is something new to see. But the Cygan home is just one stop on a tour full of Christmas wonder. Be a part of a beautiful Quakertown Alive! holiday tradition and get your tickets for the Christmas House Tour at various locations throughout the borough. Tickets are $15 each and $12 for seniors. For more information about the Tree Lighting and the Christmas House Tour, please visit us at quakertownalive.com or call 215-536-2273.

The 7th Annual Properties of Merit awards were presented on November 13 at a reception held at McCooles Arts and Events Place. The Properties of Merit program was created for owners to show pride in their houses and downtown businesses. Where other cities and towns have had to cancel similar programs when state money was withdrawn, Quakertown has continued to thrive after local revitalization group Quakertown Alive! took up the reins to continue moving the program forward. The program also benefits A Brush with Kindness, a program of Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County. A Brush with Kindness helps reinvigorate the appearance of neighborhoods and preserve affordable housing. Business Award Pippi & Peanuts, Jan Reese Founders Award Upper Bucks Chamber of Commerce, Tara King Community Award Lynn Kraft Preservation Award Bucks County Preservationists for the Lofts at Stationview, Mike Cygan, Dan Soliday, Kenton Bauder

BY MICHELE BUONO

Properties of Merit Winners Announced

Committee Choice Award Lynn Kraft

Finalist Awards
BURGESS DISTRICT

Honoree Diane Montoney 1102 Mill Street Honoree Brad and Laura Ratushny 321 North Penrose Street Honoree Charles and Patricia Quay 1040 Brookfield Circle Peoples Choice Winner Betty Worthington 923 West Broad Street Honoree Kent and Linda Groff 222 South 10th Street Honoree Sara Bailey & Jonathan Golden 706 West Broad Street Honoree Guy and Ruth Barndt 35 South Main Street Peoples Choice Winner Douglas and Becki Wilhelm 350 South 9th Street Grand Prize Winner of this years Properties of Merit program Douglas and Becki Wilhelm 350 South 9th Street
MEETINGhOUSE DISTRICT

Missy Rose and Jann Paulovitz congratulate Lynn Kraft on his Committees Choice Award. PHOTO BY MICHELE BUONO