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?
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
Fire and Ambulance
Emergency Phone: 9-1-1
King of Prussia Volunteer Fire Company 170 Allendale Road
431 W. VALLEY FORGE ROAD (in the Community Center Bldg.) Phone: 610-265-4715 www.umssc.org
& Rec.........610-265-1071
Works.......610-265-2606
& Codes....610-265-2608
Christ Church Old Swedes: A (very) brief history!
The King of Prussia Historical Society gets a number of inquiries about township historical sites. One of the questions that comes up frequently is “What is the story of that old church and cemetery on River Road?” Many people pass by and wonder. This beautiful site, with the church with beautiful stained glass windows, graveyard, parish house and lytch gate has a long and storied history dating to the very first permanent settlement of what is now Upper Merion.
By the late 1600s, many Swedes began moving up the Schuylkill River with a man named Gunnar Rambo leading a group of settlers to the area near the
Swedish pioneers who settled here had a lasting impact on the surrounding area. Swedesburg, Swedeland, and Swede Street harken back to the origin; three area streets: Rambo St., Holstein St., and Holstein Rd., are all named after original Swedish families.
Local Swedes originally met for religious services in the home of the son of Gunnar Rambo, also named Gunnar, with the first recorded service in 1733. Clergy would ride in on horseback from Lutheran parishes in Philadelphia to serve the people here. In 1735, a simple log cabin was built on what is now the parking lot. In 1760, the first part of the present church was constructed with those same walls forming the nave of the present day
church. Subsequent additions in the 1800s added the transept and the alter area, giving the interior the shape of the cross. A bell tower and organ were also added later.
Burials date back to the late 1600's, but the earliest known unmarked grave dates to 1733. The oldest marked grave is that of Diana Rambo from 1744. The lytch gate along River Road is a roofed gateway to a churchyard formerly used during burials for sheltering a coffin and the immediate family members until the clergyman's arrival either by canoe on the river, on horseback, and later by trolley.
The interior of the present church building is also significant for the stained glass windows depicting both the history of early Swedes in America, as well as images of Biblical scenes from the Old and New Testaments. These stunning windows were designed by renowned stained glass artist Paula Himmelsbach Belano between 1938 and 1948. Balano graduated from Drexel University and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. She studied and worked in France perfecting her skills. After moving to Philadelphia and finding that, as a woman, she was limited in what she could do while employed by another studio, she opened her own stained glass studio.
Christ Church Old Swedes holds services on Sundays at 10am, and also celebrates the Feast of St. Lucia every year on December 13 at 7pm.
All are welcome.
Photo courtesy of Michael Morrison
Photo courtesy of Russell Rubert
Photo courtesy of Russell Rubert
Photo courtesy of Russell Rubert
SNOW REMOVAL & PLOWING
SNOW EMERGENCY ROUTES
NO PARKING IS PERMITTED ON PRIMARY "SNOW EMERGENCY ROUTES" OR IN CUL-DE-SACS
The following list includes all streets designated as primary streets and emergency routes. All other streets are either considered secondary (collector and through) streets or tertiary streets (if they are dead-ends or cul-de-sacs). Remember that (listed below) during declared snow emergencies.
Abrams Road*
Allendale Road
Anderson Road
Arden Road
Balligomingo Road**
Beidler Road*
Brookwood Road
Brower Road
Brownlie Road
Caley Road
Chelsea Drive
Croton Road*
Deep Hollow Road
Dekalb Pike (Rt.202)**
First Avenue
Fletcher Road
Flint Hill Road*
Jones Road/Shoemaker La. Keebler Road
King of Prussia Road*
Kirk Avenue
Mall Boulevard
Matsonford Road**
Shoemaker Road
South County Line Road
South Gulph Road*
Springhouse Road
Stewart Street
Swedeland Road*
Brooks Road* West*
Geerdes Boulevard
General Knox Road
Goddard Boulevard
Guthrie Road
Gypsy Road
Hansen Access Road
Church Road: & East
Conrad Drive
Country Lane
Covered Bridge Road
Crooked Lane*
Crossfield Road
Hansen Road
Henderson Road*
Holstein Road (Rt.320)*
Horizon Drive
Hughes Road
Jefferson Street*
Moore Road
New Gulph Road* North Gulph Road*
Prince Frederick Street
Old Gulph Road*
Pugh Road
Pulaski Drive
Radnor Road*
Renaissance Boulevard
River Road*
Ross Road Saulin Road
Town Center Road
Trinity Lane*
Upper Gulph Road*
Valley Brooke Road
Valley Forge Road*
Warner Road
Weadley Road
Wills Boulevard
Yerkes Road
*State roadways plowed by the Township. **Plowed by PennDOT, NOT Upper
Snow Management Plan: Upper Merion Township recognizes the importance of snow removal, not only to residents, but to everyone who needs to travel to or through our community. The township utilizes a snow management plan to safely clear all public roads within the township quickly and efficiently. Based on traffic flow, roads are divided into primary (main), secondary (collector and through), and tertiary (dead-end and cul-de-sac) roads. During snow storms, the Public Works Department plows 376 streets, consisting of 83 miles of township roads, and 37 miles of state roads.
Plowing: Plowing will begin when it is determined that at least two inches of snow can be measured on the road. During a declared snow emergency, parking is prohibited on all roads designated as Snow Emergency Routes. The first priority is to clear all primary roads, including bus routes. This work generallytakes six to eight hours after snow stops falling. Crews begin plowing secondary roads after clearing and opening all primary roads. These collector and through roads are usually cleared within 12-16 hours after snow stops falling. Crews then move on to side roads, dead-ends, and cul-de-sacs. Please be patient with snow removal.
Shoveling Guidelines: A 2-foot wide path of sidewalk must be cleared by the abutting property owner within 24 hours after the end of the snow emergency. (See Ordinance Code: Chapter 137.2 and Chapter 137.5) If more than 12 inches of snow falls, the time limit is extended to 48 hours. Do not clear sidewalks until plowing equipment has passed, or your hard work may be for nothing. Remember to shovel to the right of your driveway facing the road, as plows clear from the left. This helps to reduce the amount of snow pushed back into your driveway during plowing.
Throwing, shoveling or plowing snow from sidewalks or driveways into the street is strictly prohibited by the Township's Ordinance Code: Chapter 137.1.
Adopt
a Hydrant - Save a Life: The Fire & Rescue Services
Division reminds all residents to clear snow from around fire hydrants. Doing so can save precious time when firefighters need additional water fight a fire. Citizens should clear a 3-foot wide path from the street to the fire hydrant, and a 3-foot circle around the fire hydrant to provide easy access by firefighters.
Snow Emergencies
When a snow emergency has been declared, the township activates its Snow Operations Center at the Public Works yard. The center is staffed by employees who are in contact with all snow removal crews.
The township now provides snow removal progress information in the form of an interactive map. The updates of the plowing progress will only begin after the snow stops falling and the crews are in final clean-up mode. The status will be updated every 15 minutes and will continue until the cleanup is completed.
Merion Township. (this includes: I76, Route 422, and the PA Turnpike) Criminals
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Reasons To Go To Rehab
Your body does a lot for you each day, but injuries, illness and aging can take a toll on its abilities. Without treatment, you may be left unable to complete daily tasks and do what you enjoy most.
Enter Bryn Mawr Rehab, part of Main Line Health. Physical and cognitive rehab is a way to regain your body's strength, mobility and capabilities. Through the many kinds of rehab, including physical, speech and occupational, you can reclaim your independence.
The benefits of rehabilitation go far beyond what you may think. While you might envision strength exercises to address an injured knee, stretches to relieve pain or language exercises to improve speech, there are a range of conditions that can improve from rehabilitation.
A Weak Bladder
Your pelvic floor is a group of muscles in your pelvic region that help with bowel movements, urination and sex. Due to injury, childbirth, hormones related to menopause or simply getting older, these muscles can weaken and lead to problems. One of these issues is urinary incontinence.
Urinary incontinence is when you are unable to control the muscles that facilitate urination. Symptoms can range from leaking urine when you sneeze or cough to not making it to the bathroom in time due to a sudden urge to urinate. Pelvic floor rehabilitation can improve your symptoms by strengthening your muscles through exercises.
Vertigo And Balance Issues
Balancing requires a lot from your body. Your balance is affected by information coming from your joints, your vision and your inner ear. Interestingly, there are tiny organs in your inner ear that send signals to your brain about how your head is moving in relation to your own body and in relation to the outside world. All of that information is processed in your brain and used to maintain your balance and allow you to move around normally.
Inner ear disorders, neurological problems, stroke and head injuries can all throw this system — and you — out of balance. They can also leave you feeling dizzy and nauseous as well as lead to vertigo (feeling like you're spinning when you aren't).
Vestibular rehab can help manage vertigo and balance issues through:
Visual exercises to improve your ability to maintain gaze while moving
Neuromuscular retraining to improve proprioceptive awareness and minimize balance deficits
Virtual Reality training scenarios to help with adaptation to challenging environments like work, community and school
Home exercises to promote independence
Education to help you identify dizziness triggers and use strategies to minimize their effects
Cognitive Function Issues
Memory, thinking and organization skills are connected to your speech and language. There are several reasons you might face issues with these cognitive abilities, such as traumatic brain injury, stroke, Alzheimer's disease and brain tumors.
These problems can lead to difficulty carrying out daily tasks, impaired social skills, trouble at work and concerns of further injury. Speech and language therapy can improve your cognitive function through vocabulary, memory, attention, reading and writing exercises. Your therapist can work with you to develop a plan that supports your individual speech and language development.
Jaw Pain
Jaw pain is a common symptom of a TMJ disorder, which affects the temporomandibular joint that connects your skull to your jawbone. TMJ disorders can also lead to aching around your ear, pain while chewing, facial pain and locking of the joint.
If you're experiencing jaw pain or difficulty related to jaw pain, it might be time to get treatment, which can include physical therapy. Your therapist can guide you in exercises that strengthen and stretch your jaw muscles as well as advise you on athome treatments, like heat and ice.
Preparation For Surgery
Surgery takes a toll on your body. To recover more quickly, you can make sure your body is in its best shape possible before entering the operating room.
Presurgical physical therapy helps your body prepare for surgery by strengthening muscles and improving range of motion. Prehab can prepare your body for surgeries like joint replacement (e.g. knee and hip replacements) and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.
Rehabilitation For Overall Wellness
Your body is an intricate machine, and sometimes it needs some extra care. Whether through physical, occupational, speech and language, vestibular or another type of rehabilitation, you can ease symptoms and get back to doing what you love.
Learn more at mainlinehealth.org/rehab or call 484.596.5000.
431 West Valley Forge Road
King of Prussia, PA 19046
Tele: 610-265-4715
Website: www.umssc.org
PET HEALTH & WELL-BEING
How cold is too cold for your dog?
As winter approaches, temperature safety for dogs is important whether they are going for a short walk or playing in the snow. Dogs get cold at 45°F and below, and by 20°F, dogs can develop frostbite and hypothermia.
Dogs can get frostbite, which initially effects extremities such as ear tips, feet, tail tip, nose, and the scrotum. If left untreated they will develop hypothermia.
Size and Weight
Small dogs lose body heat faster than large dogs. Also, small dogs like chihuahuas have less fat padding around extremities making them more susceptible to ice and snow damage.
Body condition is important. A thin dog will get cold fast because they have less insulating body fat. However, obese dogs may move slower, increasing their exposure time to the cold.
Breed
and Coat Type
Thick hair insulates the body. Dogs with thicker fur such as Huskies can withstand cold temperatures for longer periods of time. Short haired dogs have less fur insulation and will get cold quickly. Hair can also be shortened from grooming or medical procedures.
Snow and ice can stick to long hair around toes. This can be painful, and cause prolonged ice contact on skin and toe pads. Snow pellets stick to longer fur, decreasing a dog's body temperature.
Age and Health Condition
Older dogs generally have more health issues that decrease their tolerance to cold
Acclimation
Dogs that live in colder areas regularly can tolerate more cold. Sled dogs get so used to the cold, they will sleep in the snow. However, if an owner moves from a warm to a cold climate and there is not sufficient time to acclimate to the cold, a dog gets cold fast.
What Can Owners Do?
Measures can be taken to keep dogs safe in the cold weather. Shoveling a small area for a dog to eliminate quickly in the cold without having to step through snow is helpful. Dogs can wear sweaters or jackets that extend along a dog's back and along the chest that is thick enough to block out wind while keeping out moisture. Booties that are warm and water resistant are great if the dog will tolerate them. Getting a dog used to these items can take a while, but persistence is key
As outdoor temperature drops, it's important to monitor dogs for signs of being uncomfortably cold. Hypothermia can set in rapidly and is life threatening. Symptoms which should prompt an owner to take a dog to a warmer location include shivering, reluctance to walk, turning to return home, whining, trouble walking, lifting paws frequently, and even falling over. Once an owner has a dog inside, it's important to keep monitoring them to make sure they are okay. If an owner is unsure, it's always best to call the veterinarian.
Dr. Jennifer McGough Emergency Services Metropolitan Veterinary Associates
VOTING INFORMATION
Drawing the Line Between Political and Partisan
Does the League of Women Voters (LWV) support one political party or candidate over another? During its over one-hundredyear history, the LWV has frequently been accused of being partisan. However, the League is a non-partisan, political organization. So, what's the difference between political and partisan.
You've heard that all decisions are political. Politics has to do with governing — be it our country, our state, our county, or municipality. It also has to do with how rules and laws are made to manage groups — be it in nations, companies, clubs, schools, or churches. Politics is a way in which individuals, or groups of individuals, obtain power and, in turn, use it to exert influence. The League supports openness and accountability in governance.
Partisanship, on the other hand, has to do with a strong attachment to a political party, its principles and/or agenda. Although many minor parties exist and support candidates, the major political parties are the Democratic and Republican. These groups are often associated with a negative view toward other parties that have a different viewpoint. Extreme partisanship can result in divisiveness and an unwillingness of leaders and officials to cooperate and compromise on important matters. Under
such circumstances, governing becomes difficult and perhaps impossible.
The League of Women Voters values its strong, non-partisan policy. It does not support or oppose any political party, candidate for elective office, office holder or any group that supports candidates. While some members may be active in party politics, the LWV leaders adopt its nonpartisan policy annually to maintain the organization's reputation as a trusted convener and source of information. The League encourages members to register voters, serve as poll workers, monitor election processes, and provide other resources to promote informed decisionmaking. However, members do not advocate for parties or people in these League-sponsored capacities.
How can the League be non-partisan and still advocate for issues like reproductive choice, gun safety, or immigration? Members do lobby and act on government matters and policies in the public interest that conform with positions at the national, state, and local levels. However, these positions are not knee-jerk reactions to a hot topic. These positions, on which the League stands, are developed through an extensive study, debate, consensus, and
adoption process by members. They are reviewed annually prior to each state or national convention and revised as needed. For example, positions on natural resources have evolved from concerns about conservation in the 1920s through the examination of flood control in the 1950s. In the 1970s, LWV built a strong, national basis for protecting and managing the interrelated aspects of air, water, land use, energy, and waste management. Since that time, the League has been involved in shaping legislation and advocating for the preservation of life-supporting ecosystems and public health at all levels of government. This advocacy has grown during the 2000s with an emphasis on climate action. LWV advocacy is issuesbased, NOT party - or candidate-based. The program and priorities of the League have shifted over time. However, the positions developed through the past century guide actions and provide a foundation to address issues without being swayed by partisan politics. The LWV is committed to helping to make democracy work. Membership is open to all.
THE ARTS & COMMUNITY
Expressive Path's Open Mic Nights: Building Community Through Art and Expression
In a vibrant effort to foster creativity and bring the Norristown community closer, Expressive Path's open mic nights have become a cornerstone of artistic expression for local teens and residents alike. These community events held regularly as part of the nonprofit's commitment to arts accessibility, provide a welcoming space for individuals to showcase their talents, connect with like-minded peers, and celebrate the transformative power of art.
A Platform for Young Voices
Expressive Path, dedicated to supporting underserved and vulnerable populations, has crafted its open mic nights as a unique platform for youth to amplify their voices. Teens aged 12-19 can take the stage to perform music, poetry, spoken word, comedy, and other forms of artistic expression. These events help build confidence and provide a safe environment where students can embrace their creativity and share their stories.
"Open mic nights are about more than just performances," says Pamela Martin, Executive Director, and Founder. "They're about creating a sense of belonging, inspiring collaboration, and creating intergenerational bonds.”
Bridging Generations and Cultures
Norristown's diverse community is reflected in the wide array of performances that light up Expressive Path's stage. With diverse students and families from the Norristown Area School Districtthese events become a celebration of cultural identity and shared experiences.
Expressive Path open mics are intergenerational. While teens are the primary performers, the audience often includes family members, friends, and community leaders, fostering a deeper connection among participants and attendees.
Boosting Community Engagement
The open mic events are not only a creative outlet but also an invitation for the community to engage with Expressive Path's broader mission. Attendees learn about other opportunities, such as after-school programming, summer camp, social art groups, STEAM projects,and large-scale community projects like their annual summer series.
Moreover, these gatherings have become a rallying point for partnerships. Local artists, educators, and organizations are encouraged to collaborate with Expressive Path to expand resources and programming.
Creating a Ripple Effect
The benefits of these community nights extend beyond the immediate participants. By nurturing young artists and giving them a public platform, Expressive Path contributes to Norristown's cultural vibrancy. These events inspire attendees to take part in other community projects, volunteer efforts, and artistic ventures, creating a ripple effect of engagement and support.
As the nonprofit continues to innovate, it's clear that the power of open mic nights lies not just in the performances but in the connections forged and the possibilities unlocked.
Join the Next Community Night
Karaoke Night is January 10, 2024, from 6-8:30 pm.
All ages and abilities are welcome!
For more information on upcoming open mic opportunities and how to get involved, visit expressivepath.org, email info@expressivepath.org, or call or text
Jay Goldsleger, DDS
Scott Goldsleger, DDS
Natalie De Barros, DMD
David Kim, DMD
Marcela Herrera, DMD
Schlarb, DMD
Hoerz, DMD
Soleye, DMD
Rush, DMD
Rushby, DMD
7 lane 15-Yard with real life distances for your Handgun, Rifle, and Shotgun shooting practice.
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
