King of Prussia News Spring 2023

Spring 2023 Spring 2023

KING OF PRUSSIA NEWS KING OF PRUSSIA NEWS

Information for the Community Information for the Community

This publication is an effort to keep the community informed with what is actually happening in your area. For future editions, I welcome your thoughts on topics that affect the community. I'd be happy to publish your opinions on any relevant topics.

Do you have an event that you'd like to publicize? Let me know, and I'll do my best to incorporate your event into the newsletter.

This is your community. This is your home. Use this publication to share your thoughts and ideas with your neighbors. Are you ready to get involved in your community?

David

Amsterdam

TOWNSHIP DIRECTORY

Township Administration Building

175 W. Valley Forge Road

King of Prussia, PA 19406

Phone: 610-265-2600

Fax: 610-265-0482

www.umtownship.org

Mon - Fri 8:15 am to 5 pm

Township Police

175 W. Valley Forge Road

King of Prussia, PA 19406

Emergency and Call for Service: 9-1-1

Phone: 610-265-3232

Anonymous Tip Line: 484-636-3888

Animal Control ...610-265-3232

Courthouse .........610-278-3000

Library................610-265-4805

Parks & Rec.........610-265-1071

Public Works.......610-265-2606

Safety & Codes....610-265-2608

Fire and Ambulance

Emergency Phone: 9-1-1

King of Prussia Volunteer Fire Company

170 Allendale Road

King of Prussia, PA 19406

Non-Emergency Ph: 610-265-1063

www.kpvfc.com

Swedeland Fire Co.

609 A Street

King of Prussia, PA 19406

Non-Emergency Ph: 610-275-0177

www.swedelandfire.org

Swedesburg Volunteer Fire Company

310 Jefferson St. Bridgeport, PA 19405

Non-Emergency Ph: 610-272-9853

www.swedesburgfire.com

Upper Merion Area School District

435 Crossfield Road

King of Prussia, PA 19406

Phone: 610-205-6400

Fax: 610-205-6433

www.umasd.org

Upper Merion Community Cetner

431 West Valley Forge Road King of Prussia, PA 19406

Phone: 610-265-1071

www.umtownship.org/departme

nts/parks-recreation/ community-center

Upper Merion Senior Service Center

431 W. VALLEY FORGE ROAD (in the Community Center Bldg.) Phone: 610-265-4715

www.umssc.o

Echoes of Upper Merion High School's Past

The now demolished high school building first opened in 1960. It was expanded in a hurry during the 1966-67 school year when Bridgeport schools and Upper Merion schools were forced to join into one school district by the state. It was extensively renovated again in 1995, when a wrestling gym and an expanded library and cafeteria were added. It closed its doors to students for the final time in June 2022.

As the old building was being demolished, there has been an uptick in the rumors and speculation about bodies related to the 1979 “Main Line Murders” being buried in the basement or under the pool, although the timeline of the various construction projects does not lend credence to this theory. For those not familiar: Upper Merion Senior High Principal Jay C. Smith and English teacher William Sydney Bradfield were implicated in a number of crimes, including the murder of English teacher Susan Reinert (whose body was discovered in the open hatchback of her car near Harrisburg), the disappearance of Reinert's two children, Karen and Michael, as well as the disappearance of Smith's daughter and son-in-law, Stephanie and Edward Hunsberger. Although their bodies have never been found, they are all presumed dead. These events made national news, and spawned numerous books and a TV miniseries, "Echoes in the Darkness.”

With the “Main Line Murders” now more than four decades in the past, the King of

Prussia Historical Society has undertaken a three-part series of presentations of the facts relating to the case which we are calling, “Echoes of the Truth.” Part 1 focuses on Smith, part 2 focuses on Bradfield and part 3 focuses on the trials and aftermath. The final product will be a detailed timeline of documented events leading up to the murders. This timeline is the framework upon which any credible theory of the crimes would have to hang.

We welcome the input and recollections of anyone who was a student, teacher or

resident during that time period. Email info@kophistory.org to share your stories.

Please consider joining The King of Prussia Historical Society. We are wholly dependent on memberships and donations to continue our mission of keeping our local history alive. Visit our website at KoPHistory.org or find us on Facebook.

Photo by Chuck Tucker

Demolition of Old High School

2022 Drone Shot of High School Proior to Demolition

1960 Configuration of High School

AUTO MAINTENANCE & DRIVING

Countdown to Spring — Is your vehicle ready?

Winter can do a number on your car. Slush, salt and cold temperatures take a toll on everything from the tires to the wiper blades. So, as Spring approaches, it's a good idea to give your car a thorough once-over to undo winter's damage.

Modern vehicles are engineered to take some serious abuse, so unless your car was buried under a snowbank all Winter, it shouldn't require too much. Any one of our 17 convenient locations, including 180 W. Church Road, King of Prussia will be able to take care of all your Spring needs. We will check your tires and rotate, if necessary, change your oil and fluids and inspect your vehicle for Winter damage.

Below are a few tips to get your vehicle as ready for Spring as you are:

Wash Your Car

Wintertime driving will coat the bottom of your car with salt, grit and other grime that can cause corrosion. Corrosion can lead to rust problems, which can make your car much harder to resell and more difficult to maintain. If you haven't been faithful enough in adhering to a regular car wash in the chilly months, now is the perfect time to give your car that much-needed bath that it truly needs.

Replace Your Car's Wiper Blades

Winter kills wiper blades and you'll need them to perform when Spring rain arrives. During the Winter, your wiper blades need to work double time to remove the snow and ice that is accumulating on your windshield. Wipers are not designed to do this — they are designed to remove rain. By Spring, your wiper blades may already be squeaking and streaking. This is a sign that replacement is required. Don't wait. Do yourself a favor and replace them now.

Top-Off Your Washer Fluid

We use much more washer fluid in the Winter months than we do in Spring and Summer. This could leave us with an empty reservoir when needed for bug splattering or road debris.

Check Your Tires

Winter may be very harsh on your wiper blades, but it's even more so on your tires. If you have Winter tires, before you have them swapped out, you'll want to check your all-seasons or Summer tires for proper tread depths. Consider replacement if the tread is below 4/32nds. We recommend talking to one of our tire experts about the Falken Ziex 960 A/S. These tires deliver exceptional performance and responsive handling in any condition.

Badly worn tires can be very dangerous on the road and adversely affect your fuel economy. Temperature can play havoc with your psi leaving them under inflated

GATEWAY CAFE IS MOVING

Ron Mahoney worked at a luncheonette in the pharmacy of the Gateway Shopping Center since 1979. He met the love of his life in 1981. They got married in 1985 and had their first baby boy. Their second son was born the following year. The Mahoney's purchased their first home in Swedeland on April 1st, 1987 and had three more sons for a total of Five. October 1st, 1997, Ron went Corporate and took over the luncheonette which he fully renovated and successfully ran as The Gateway Cafe until 2012.

On March 3, 2003, he opened a second location — a few blocks from his home — serving breakfast and lunch, 7 days a week. In 2020 the restaurant was vandalized the 1st week into the pandemic, and we had to close. This led the way for renovations and a much-needed larger kitchen. With the renovations came a covered patio, more parking and the KOP Chicken joined us on Flint Hill Road. That brought us even mor business & exposure helping us host family celebrations, birthdays, and graduations — making the location very successful.

Unfortunately, the real estate market got a hold of the property, and it was sold, so the search was on for a new location!

Through the years other locations were opened, one in Royersford and also one in Collegeville but none of these locations got the love like our Swedeland location. Now the time has come, and Gateway Cafe is closing and moving to a new location in the tight community of Bridgeport, PA.

We are changing the restaurant name to 4th Street Cafe. A new name & location — including a new phone number — is certainly starting all over! We are very honored to be part of the Bridgeport community and look forward to serving everyone that has supported our small business through the years.

or over inflated. Don't forget to check the spare tire, too.

Change Your Cabin Air Filter

This is very easily overlooked, but it's so important! Most people do not know that their vehicle also has a filter that needs to be changed our periodically, just the like HVAC filter at home.

Cabin air filters clean the air you breathe inside your car. The air inside your car can be up to 6x dirtier than the air outside yuck! It should be changed annually, or every 12,000 miles. You can easily protect your family, especially if anyone has allergies, by having this changed at your next service.

With Spring creeping up on us, now is the time rid your vehicle of the slush, salt and Winter blues. Schedule your appointment at CJTIRE.com, the countdown to Spring is ON!

It's what we do, we get up each day and serve the public. Being there for them, serving a tasty array of quality breakfast and lunch platters. We will be open 7 Days a Week with extended hours til 8 PM on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at our Bridgeport location for home style dinner fare.

4th

26 W. 4th Street Bridgeport, PA 19405

610-489-4640

Breakfast Served All Day!

Tues 6:30 am -

pm

WOODLAND CONSERVATION & BIRDS

The Importance of Woodland Conservation to our Birds

by Dr. Jonathan Wilson, Haverford College Department of Environmental Studies, Philip Witmer, Vice President Bird Town PA

Township trees, both at individual scale and in larger woodlands, enhance our environment in many ways, from landscape shade in the summer to absorbing carbon dioxide through photosynthesis. Many articles have focused on the importance of preserving our woodlands and tree canopy

because of their vital role in reducing flooding and stormwater runoff and in sequestering greenhouse gases and moderating climate extremes. 70% of the woodlands in Pennsylvania and the overwhelming majority of woodlands in your Township are on private property, and their conservation is crucial for these, and other, environmental reasons. One of the less-appreciated roles that our trees play is habitat; they are home to a diverse range of animals, including birds. Many bird species have experienced a steep population decline in recent decades, up to 60%, or greater, in the last 50 years. Therefore, in addition to the many other roles they play in your Township as part of our natural landscape and stormwater management “green infrastructure”, preserving Township woodlands is important to stemming the further loss of birds.

Local habitat conservation can play a vital role in supporting diverse and abundant bird populations. Although deforestation of tropical forests in overwintering sites is a factor largely beyond our control, research has shown that forest-dwelling tropical migrant birds (vireos, warblers, tanagers, thrushes, and flycatchers) that visit our area in the summer, have declined much more sharply in areas of forest fragmentation than in areas of continuous forest. This decline is because forest fragments and smaller, less connected woodland areas have more “edge” per unit area, which allows for increased predation and parasitism. For example, more

frequent cowbird parasitism of bird nests and increased predation of eggs occur because nests and eggs are not protected by a larger woodland buffer Although some birds have evolved responses to these challenges (robins and cardinals recognize and remove cowbird eggs from their nests), many birds have not. Therefore, the more fragmentation and reduction of our local woodlands takes place, the greater the loss of birds, and we have already observed populations in decline in our area. For example, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology has recorded a 34% decline in wood thrush, frequently heard in the woodlands of the Trout Creek watershed, 34% from 2007-2021 in the western Pennsylvania suburbs, with other songbirds such as orioles, chickadees, and tanagers recording similar losses. This ongoing loss of birds has cascading effects on our local ecosystems and gardens. For example, each individual songbird consumes up to a thousand caterpillars a day (Leslie Jones Sauer, Once and Future Forest). With fewer birds, our environment loses an important form of insect predation control.

Reducing the number and density of trees in our wooded areas also has negative effects on the environment and bird populations in other ways. First, the close proximity of woodland trees to each other acts as a stabilizing influence on soils and trees, allowing trees to intertwine their roots to support each other during storms. According to Doug Tallamy (The Nature of Oaks), thinning out trees in a woodland does not protect them, but rather decreases their resiliency from winds during storms, increasing tree fall and further loss of habitat. Second, clearing of trees and disturbance of the forest floor leaf litter increases the spreading of invasive plant and animal species, which thrive on sunlight and disturbed soil. Many of these woodland invaders are now supplanting natural regeneration of forests

and hindering regrowth of native shrubs and wildflowers, which play an essential role in supporting our birds and other wildlife.

There is much that we can do to preserve these interconnected populations of birds and trees in our area. Property owners who are fortunate enough to have woodlands or woodland borders on their land can help preserve our bird population through action and vigilance, including the following:

...reducing the amount of any woodland disturbance on their properties; keeping woodland patches intact and connected, wherever possible.

...directing arborists to leave the dead snags of trees to provide habitat for woodpeckers and other birds.

...avoiding compaction of tree roots from heavy equipment and mowing.

...promptly pruning any broken branches on trees.

...leaving woodland floor leaf litter wherever possible; and,

...where tree removal is necessary, replanting canopy trees with shade tree species native to our woodlands and protecting volunteer seedlings from deer browse.

Any or all of these actions will contribute to greater forest health and stronger bird populations in our area.

Pugh Road Wooded Property;

Photo By Jennifer Cox

Wood Thursh; Photo By Bonnie Witmer

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Everything you always wanted to know about home colorectal cancer tests but were afraid to ask!

Colorectal cancer is almost entirely preventable with a colorectal cancer screening. The American Cancer Society recommends that adults begin colorectal cancer screening at age 45. Your doctor may recommend beginning screening earlier if you're at increased risk for colorectal cancer based on factors such as your personal and family history of colorectal cancer or colon polyps that can become cancer

Several screening tests can be used to find polyps or colorectal cancer

While the gold standard is colonoscopy, home-based screenings are also an option for some people at average risk. If you're hesitant about having a colonoscopy, a home-based test is better than no test at all. It's important to talk to your doctor about which test is right for you and how often you should be screened. A positive result on a home colorectal cancer test will be followed up with colonoscopy. So, what do you need to know about at-home tests? Read on for answers to the most frequently asked questions.

What home colorectal cancer test options are available?

Home stool-based tests look for signs of cancer in a person's stool. There are three types of tests:

A guaiac fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) checks for hidden blood in the stool with a chemical called guaiac.

A fecal immunochemical test (FIT) uses antibodies to check for hidden blood in the stool.

A FIT-DNA stool test (e.g., Cologuard®) combines the FIT with a test that checks DNA in stool cells for genetic changes that may be a sign of colorectal cancer.

How accurate are these home colorectal cancer tests?

FIT tests are generally more accurate than gFOBT tests, and FIT-DNA tests are the most accurate, at around 92%. Still, all can produce false-negative results, meaning they do not detect cancer when it's there, or false-positive results, meaning they detect cancer when none is there. Any positive result will be followed up with a colonoscopy.

How do you collect a sample?

With a gFOBT test, you receive a test kit from your health care provider. At home, you use a stick or brush to obtain a small amount of stool, which you place on a special card and return to a doctor or

laboratory for testing. You'll have some dietary restrictions and will collect stool samples for three consecutive days.

With a FIT test, you receive a test kit from your health care provider. At home, you use a stick or brush to obtain a small amount of stool, which is placed in a special collection tube or on special cards and returned to a doctor or laboratory for testing. There are no dietary restrictions, and you'll need only one sample.

With a FIT-DNA test, you receive a test kit from your health care provider. At home, you collect an entire bowel movement and send it to a lab, where it's checked for altered DNA and for the presence of blood. There are no dietary restrictions, and you'll need only one sample.

How often should you do a home test? FIT and gFOBT tests should be repeated every year. FIT-DNA tests should be repeated every three years.

Comparatively, a colonoscopy screening can be every 10 years or more frequently depending on what is found and the patient's risk factors.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of home tests?

Stool-based screenings require people to collect samples directly from their feces, which may be unpleasant for some, but the test is quick and noninvasive and can be done at home, and no bowel preparation is needed. Stool-based testing is most beneficial when done over time.

Stool-based tests are not as accurate as colonoscopy, and any positive results on stool-based screening tests require follow-

up with colonoscopy. While there are many types of colorectal cancer screening tests, colonoscopy is the only test that can find precancerous polyps and remove them before they become cancerous.

Do I need a prescription from my doctor? Yes, you will need a prescription from your primary care provider or gastroenterologist for any at-home test. Colonoscopies are performed by a gastroenterologist or colorectal surgeon.

Is colorectal cancer screening covered by insurance?

All colorectal cancer screening is generally covered by insurance at regular intervals, but it's best to check with your insurance provider to be sure.

Main Line Health Cancer Care provides compassionate care through all stages of cancer treatment, from diagnosis through survivorship, for patients throughout the Philadelphia region and beyond. To discuss colorectal cancer screening options or to schedule an appointment with a Main Line Health colorectal or gastroenterology specialist, call 1.866.CALL.MLH (225.5654)

PET HEALTH & WELL-BEING

Could my pet possibly have allergies?

Karen Farver, DVM, DACVD

Does your pet look like this?

chance of a drug eruption. It is important that you do not let your pet ingest the topicals.

Food allergy is not as common as environmental allergy as a cause of foot licking but can be present if the symptoms have always been non seasonal. This is especially true in younger or older patients or patients that also are showing GI signs. In these cases, talk to your veterinarian about a strict food trial with a novel protein diet or hydrolyzed diet trial or considering a novel protein home cook diet balanced for complete nutrition to assess if this causes resolution of symptoms.

What happens if these treatments do not work?

It is a similar test to the skin test a human allergist performs for human allergies. This will test the local allergic reaction in the skin to the pollen. This is the preferred test typically due to the benefits of testing the physiologic reaction of the skin. However, this is a sedated test.

Paw licking is a frequent symptom of allergies in both dogs and cats!

What could it mean if my pet licks their paws?

Paw licking can be a symptom of many things including:

Airborne allergies

Food allergies

Bacterial infection

Yeast infection

Mites (sarcoptes or demodex)

Autoimmune disease

Nailbed problems, etc.

What can I use at home to treat paw licking?

It may be helpful to wipe your pet's paws once to twice daily with baby wipes or an over-the-counter chlorhexidine product or chlorhexidine/azole product. — or a bacterial infection, you may try applying over the counter Neosporin* to the paws twice daily with no licking after application.

For a yeast infection, you may try applying over the counter miconazole cream* or spray to the paws.

These can be combined with an overthe-counter hydrocortisone cream once daily for 7 days. *For all topicalsespecially steroids — it is important to stop if the skin worsens and contact your veterinarian. With all topicals there is a

If these treatments do not work, it may be that your pet is suffering from allergies or has a more severe infection. In either of these cases, a trip to the dermatologist may indicated to diagnose and treat the problem.

How would a veterinary dermatologist treat allergies in my pet?

For environmental allergies, first, we would need to test your pet to identify which allergens he or she is reacting to. There are two different tests that are commonly used to identify these allergens: intradermal skin testing (IDAT) and IgE blood testing. There are advantages and disadvantages to both tests and sometimes your dermatologist will recommend both tests to maximize results. Factors veterinary dermatologists consider in selecting the test include the condition of the skin, the overall health of the pet, the ability to withdraw certain medications, the age of the pet, how long the pet has had allergies, the species of the pet and the overall accuracy of the test.

Intradermal skin testing (IDAT) is typically only offered by a veterinary dermatologist or allergist. This test is typically considered the “gold standard” of allergy testing.

Serum allergy testing is a blood test that measures the levels of IgE antibodies in the pet's blood. These antibodies are produced by the immune system in response to allergens in some pets. The main disadvantages of this allergy test are many companies offer this assay, these companies will all perform the test differently which can result in varying accuracy between labs. There is also concern that some pets have not developed circulating IgE in the blood to allergens that are causing their itch and inflammation. This test can be helpful when there are respiratory signs of allergy or if a pet's health is a concern for sedation.

Dermatologist never recommend in-home allergy test kits. There is no evidence to support the claims that hair and saliva tests for dog allergies are accurate. The results of studies evaluating at home testing showed that it was no better than guessing and that the results were not consistent.

What happens after allergy testing?

Based on the results of the testing, a vaccine will be formulated that is specifically tailored to your pet! The goal of the vaccine is to gradually lessen their reactions to the allergens. This allows many pets to discontinue oral and topical medications that they have needed to control their allergies.

What is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition that causes pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand and arm. The condition occurs when one of the major nerves to the handthe median nerve is squeezed or compressed as it travels through the wrist.

In addition to numbness and tingling, carpal tunnel syndrome can cause swelling, weakness, and night time pain. Patients sometimes describe dropping things unexpectedly and may have difficulty with buttoning shirts, tying shoelaces, or handling loose change.

What causes carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is frequently seen in individuals who develop swelling or inflammation in their hands. People who smoke, as well as those with connective tissue diseases, diabetes mellitus, and hypothyroidism, may be at greater risk. Repetitive work activities can also cause carpal tunnel syndrome.

The median nerve acts as an electrical wire between the spinal cord and the hand. The nerve passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist along with nine tendons that bend the fingers. When the tendons in the

wrist become swollen and inflamed, the median nerve can become compressed by the transverse carpal ligament (see figure), leading to carpal tunnel symptoms.

Early on, symptoms commonly occur during sleeping hours. In more advanced cases, the symptoms can become problematic during waking hours. Many sufferers describe symptoms with benign activities, like reading the newspaper or driving a car.

What can a hand surgeon do to help?

A hand surgeon can order special nerve tests to verify the extent of the problem. Custom wrist splints are helpful for early stages of carpal tunnel syndrome. These splints are worn at nighttime to relieve pressure on the median nerve and to prevent the wrists from bending during sleep.

Cortisone injections often provide excellent relief from symptoms. Unfortunately, symptomatic relief is only temporary, and most people experience a recurrence of symptoms after 3-4 months.

For chronic or more advanced cases, carpal tunnel surgery is often recommended as the best course of treatment.

What can I expect from surgery? Surgery provides more space for the median nerve and relieves pressure on the median nerve and tendons. This procedure is typically done under light sedation and local anesthesia and usually takes only minutes to complete.

While there are several different approaches to performing carpal tunnel surgery, usually a 1/2 inch incision is made near the wrist and use of a camera to release the tunnel under direct visualization. This minimally invasive approach minimizes discomfort following surgery and allows patients to return to activities more quickly. Over 95 percent of patients improve dramatically following surgical intervention, with most returning to daily activities within days. Many patients can resume heavier job-related activities after 2-4 weeks. Contact

14 Offices in Pennsylvania & New Jersey including:

King of Prussia · Havertown

Paoli · Langhorne · Limerick

Center City Philadelphia

South Philadelphia

Willow Grove · Lansdale

Rockledge · Glen Mills

Cape May Court House

Cherry Hill

Hammonton

NATIVE PLANT LANDSCAPING

Why Do My Native Plants Keep Dying?

by Alex Morrison

Why Do My Native Plants Keep Dying?

Alex Morrison

Those of us who make concerted efforts to use native plants in our landscapes inevitably experience trials and errors. Some of our selections spread gloriously all over the place, some die within weeks, and some just sit there — sort of in stasis.

Unfortunately, the Burning Bushes and Knock Out Roses of the horticultural world have trained many of us to believe you can put any plant in any old place and it will thrive. But the fact is, those horticultural varieties are the product of years of research and genetic modification. Native plants evolve in the wild to perform specific ecological functions, and can behave unpredictably in home gardens. There are 2 major reasons why:

1. Not every site is suitable for every plant.

2. Not all native plants are native to you

One of the biggest factors in a native species' life-or-death is what ecologists call “site conditions.” This classification includes multiple components (from soil pH to mycorrhizal activity). But the paramount variable is soil moisture.

For example, Monarda fistulosa (Wild bergamot) will grow in sandy soil and full sun, but will never survive in a floodplain. Conversely, you'll never find Lobelia cardinalis (Cardinal flower) from a streamside growing in a sandy plain. This is because native plants need specific soil moisture regimes that will neither rot their

roots, nor desiccate them. Remember, these species weren't grown in labs; they evolved under specialized conditions in the wild!

Our job as good land stewards is to understand what kind of environment is appropriate for each plant, and then place it in an area with equivalent conditions in our yards. In other words, if your lawn gets baked with sun and dries to a crisp every summer, try looking for native plants that would be found naturally in sandy meadows or rocky outcrops. And if your lawn floods or stays wet over the winter, look for plants that would be native to wetlands or riparian areas.

Even if you get your site conditions just right, you'll still need to find a native plant that is native to you.

Many “native” plants you can buy in the store are sourced from states or even time zones away. It's not uncommon to purchase a packet of native wildflower seeds, only to find out that those seeds are

indigenous to Texas, not Pennsylvania. It's certainly not a crime to plant Tetraneuris scaposa (Four-nerve daisy) in your PA yard, but you'll lose the benefits of having a native plant there like feeding local pollinators and supporting important birds. It's best to check your plant's native range before you buy! (You can find a map of county-specific native ranges for your species in the USDA's PLANTS database, USDA Plants Database.)

Truly, gardening with native plants is a commitment we make out of love. Love for our waterways, love for our local insects and wildlife, and love for our futures. However, building native landscapes comes with a learning curve. Start by making sure your site conditions can support the plants you want, and that they're actually indigenous to your area. Then the rest should come easily. For everything else, you can consult local experts like WildLawn.

WildLawn is an ecological restoration company that specializes in converting traditional turf grass lawns into authentic native habitats. If you have questions about how to get started, or want to learn more about native ecology, you can reach us at www.wildlawn.com, or follow us

A

RT

& CREATIVITY

Where Imagination Rules!

Greater Norristown Art Camp starts the week of June 19. This winter weather started us thinking about summer camp and GNAL is busy preparing for the warmer months with our SUMMER ART CAMP. We are looking forward to sharing the beautiful summer and making special memories with you! Our hands-on classes are held in our cozy schoolhouse located right in the heart of Montgomery County. It's warm, inviting, and safe atmosphere is the most lovely place to learn, for both kids and adults.

Our art camp opens-up a whole world of possibilities for your children. It allows kids ages 7 to 14 years to explore and grow their imaginative spirit. We must admit that what truly makes the camp special is our fantastic instructor, Diane DiRogatis. Diane is a certified art educator, having taught both elementary and high school art. She has a unique talent for bringingout the children's innate talent in a fun and comfortable environment. Having run the program for several years, she knows exactly what works. Diane has a fun packed summer planned with loads of artwork to be created! In fact, we have a new week theme titled Hidden Treasures with lots of X marks the spot ideas. Camp activities include hands-on art projects such painting, sculpting with clay, drawing and 3-D projects. Art supplies are included and the building is even air conditioned! Just bring your own lunch, drink and beach towel.

The program will run for 8 weeks from June 19 to August 18. Each week Diane will focus on a particular theme keeping project ideas fresh, new, and exciting. Each Friday concludes your week of fun with a spectacular Art Show and reception for family and friends. For those of you who are familiar with our program, you will be happy to learn that this year's camp is extended by an hour, so instead of 10 to 2 pm our new hours will be 10 am to 3 pm.

To join in on the fun, sign your children up for one or more weeks throughout the summer. You can register your child at www.gnal800west.org/summer-camp. If you have any questions about registration, email gnartleague@gmail.com with a subject line of Summer Camp.

Please go to www.gnal800west.org right now and become a family member. Imagination will open-up a whole world of possibilities for both you and your children. Summer is the perfect time to embrace your creative side. This summer, we are offering a variety of new, innovative virtual and live programming that will fit just about anyone's creative needs. We offer plenty of adult courses for beginners, both online and in person. Why not go ahead and use your imagination this summer; you may be pleasantly surprised to discover your very own creative side within our adult evening classes!

GNAL was founded in 1941 and offers art instruction for both adults and children in our one-room converted schoolhouse. Although we have a small footprint, we know that we have a big impact on our community. At GNAL we believe art is therapeutic to mind, body, and spirit, beneficial to all regardless of artistic abilities. We are conveniently located at 800 Germantown Pike in East Norriton. Remember at GNAL, ART HAPPENS HERE!

Greater Norristown Art League is a local non-profit art education organization, located at 800 West Germantown Pike, East Norriton, PA 19403

Please check out our website at or our FB page @GNAL800West.org

Katherine Bampfield

gnal800west.org Kdesign.gallery

Doug Tweddale

Spring Fling The 70s Benefiting Expressive Path

PLYMOUTH MEETING – Friday April 28th, Expressive Path will host our annual Spring Fling, at the LuLu Shriners, 5140 Butler Pike, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19426.

Expressive Path’s Annual Spring Fling will feature live music and art to benefit disadvantaged adolescents in our community. The theme this year is The 70s so come dressed in your best 70s look and enter the costume contest!

Spring Fling The 70s will be a fun family event, running from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Tickets purchased during the presale are $50 and will be $60 after March 10th. Tables for 10 people can be reserved. All proceeds will directly support Expressive Path students.

Expect LIVE MUSIC from the Amazing Band Hindsight and the Super Talented Norristown Area High School Drumline, Dancing, Student Performances, Hula Hoop Dancer, Auctions, Caricatures, Painting, Games, Live Art, and Raffles! They will serve a DELISH dinner, yummy desserts, and food for vegetarians too! Beer, soda, food, water, and all activities are included in your ticket price.

Expressive Path is a non-profit mobile organization that provides creative art and music workshops, to disadvantaged teens ages 1219. They give students the opportunity to shine through workshops, performances, exhibitions, and community service. Expressive Path teaches in schools, nonprofit centers, churches, recreation centers, and the Montgomery County Youth Center comprised of adolescents residing in shelter or detention. Through support such as yours, Expressive Path boosts positive self-esteem by creating opportunities for teens to showcase their art in the community and providing the necessary tools. Expressive Path is proud to assist teens with funding to further their education in the arts. With your donations and attendance, Expressive Path can help keep underserved teens on the right track!

Learn more about Expressive Path on our website, expressivepath.org, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

Expressive Path welcomes donations to their Venmo @expressivepath, PayPal https://bit.ly/Donate4ExpressivePath

Gift cards are appreciated for raffle baskets.

GOLF ETIQUETTE Golf and the Environment

Few sports rely more heavily on nature than golf. However, environmentally friendly golf can sound like an oxymoron.

Environmentalists argue that golf courses disregard how their water requirements wreak havoc with watersheds, their synthetic chemicals decimate pollinators, their landscapes incorporate non-native species, and their golf carts and greenkeeping tools belch gas and pollutants.

But golf not only benefits our physical and mental health — it is in a unique position to be an ecological and economic asset for many communities.

Modern greenkeeping practices and technologies have made courses far more sustainable. Innovations include sophisticated irrigation systems that use recycled non-potable water, improved turf breeds with enhanced drought tolerance and disease-resistance, and the potential to rehabilitate degraded landscapes (mines, quarries, landfills) that are not suitable for other land uses.

When Matt Schiffer, golf course architect, civil engineer, and independent accredited sustainability verifier for the GEO Foundation thinks of the perfect golf course, he visualizes the Royal Dornoch Golf Club in Scotland.

(https://royaldornoch.com) Why?

“Dornoch is a gorgeous, ancient course (dating back to 1616) in a natural seaside environment. And it's a perfect example of how the most ecologically advanced approach to golf course design is grounded in the past. Links land originally existed between towns and the ocean. The soil was poor for farming, on

land which was often used for sheep pastures and so was naturally wellfertilized and cropped short. Further, since this land is “commonly held” it is accessible and seamlessly integrated into the community. It's a vital asset for the townspeople.”

Even today the best soil for golf is sandy, never wet, and ideal for the kind of turf (fescues) that don't need a lot of fertilizer or pesticides. If you build a course on land with freely draining soil that's well-suited for dry conditions, you save massive amounts on modifications with earthworks, subsurface pipe, sand capping, etc.

Many newer courses are trying to become “greener.” Along with using recycle wastewater, they build irrigation ponds and protect natural wetlands on their properties. Some encourage native bir pollinators, and wildlife to reside ther restoring plants that are indigenous to the area on as much of the property as possible — particularly around water features. Several courses have even built small, floating islands with native plants for nesting birds.

More advanced options to lessen a course's carbon footprint include investing in electric carts, battery-powered greenkeeping tools, solar power, car charging ports in parking lots, and nonplastic products like bamboo tees and ball markers.

Clearly, there are many options to stimulate healthy eco-systems on golf courses. From the “Old Course” at St. Andrews, to the newest facilities in the Middle and Far East, careful planning can make golf courses better environmental stewards and strong community assets.

Like to join a great group of golfers? The Golf Tour of Greater Philadelphia is welcoming new players! Find information about our tours and tournaments at www.golftourphilly.org or contact TonyMcCarthy@golftourphilly.org.

*The Golf Tour of Greater Philadelphia (GTGP) is a locally-operated golf league for amateur golfers. We play competitive golf in a collegial atmosphere at a great price! GTGP is also an associate club of the Golf

www.golftourphilly.org

TonyMcCarthy@golftourphilly.org 484.753.4914

photo aquired from https://royaldornoch.com

Matt Schiffer, GEO Foundation

7 lane 15-Yard with real life distances for your Handgun, Rifle, and Shotgun shooting practice.

& CLASSES

New Shooter Lessons, Cleaning Classes, Utah Concealed Carry Permit, Tactical First Aid, Defensive Pistol, Home Defense Handgun, Reloading, RLEIA Handgun Qualification, Act 235, Shot Tec Simulator, Tactial Sporting Rifle, Women on Target, USCCA, Law Seminars

Guns, Ammunition, Cleaning Supplies, Holsters, Cases, Magazines, Reloading Supplies including PC Bullets & Better Bullets manufactured on-site, Silencers, NFA Items - Silencer Shop Kiosk!