Upper Bucks Free Press • January 2021

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• Upper Bucks Free Press • January 2021

Social Groups at Church Twenty/Twenty (20/20) in the past was always a welcome statement when it came to vision checks.

Twenty Twenty (2020) will always be remembered by our current society as the year that wasn’t. We that attend church will remember it as the year that we could not be with our “Other Family” during the Holy days of Easter and now Christmas. My wife and I were always fortunate to be able to attend the afternoon Christmas Eve Love Feast with our friends the Cressman’s and the Seifert’s. We witnessed the excitement in the eyes of Christopher Seifert this day before Christmas. (Christopher was taken away from us in 2003 the night before the 101st Airborne was to enter Iraq.) His infant son who is now in his teens and his mother have been at this service since. Not this year!

Services are cancelled along with all other social gatherings that are so dear to us.

I hold dear in my thoughts the fulfillment of my needs for social gatherings in my church.

My church was St. John’s Lutheran in Richlandtown as a youth and until I got married, East Swamp Mennonite Church and Zion Lutheran Church where I would attend Bible School in my youth, St. John’s Lutheran in Spinnerstown where I have been active since 1974 and visits with St John’s. Ridge Valley and Butter Valley Community Church where we know the pastor. Notice the balance of Lutheran and Mennonite in my life. This was common with the Pa. Dutch in this area’s past history.

What do I mean by social gatherings? In the past churches would have Sunday School Picnics with music, cake-walks, games, and of course, home cooked food and the community would start early and stay until the late hour of 9:00 PM finishing off with a cone of Woodson hand-dipped ice cream. When the band packed up the conversation amongst friends and neighbors continued for quite a while.

The women of the church would meet much more than the men of the church. I remember hearing about the waiting time to have the “Family Quilt” finished by the quilting group in Richlandtown and later in Spinnerstown.

Women would hand cut different brightly colored pieces of cloth for either a crazy quilt or a specific detailed pictorial quilt (Such as an Eagle and Stars with a patriotic theme). The quilting team would attach a back sheet and stuffing, place it in a frame and stitch a quilted pattern on the entire cover as well as close

up the ends neatly. All this was completed one stitch at a time by hand. Most important, these retirees and housewives met to “Chew the Fat.” (That was a Pa. Dutch saying for talk about what was happening at home and in the neighborhood.) This type of socialization was important to these women who labored for hours every day taking care of the family and household. The quilting group is no more!

St. John’s ladies saw a need to fulfill their social need as well as raise money for those different needs of our church. They formed a group named “The Willing Workers.” They not only make candy at Easter and Christmas; they also make Khris-Kingle Lollipops out of antique candy molds. They meet and do other projects like making prayer shawls, baby blankets, and newborn baby bonnets. Sometimes they go as a group to Lancaster or for a special evening out. Most important they fulfill their need “TO BE WITH PEOPLE!” This year I have seen my wife more that I have before these holidays in the past few years. I feel bad for her that she can’t be with her friends because of government mandates due to a health crisis. I feel really bad for her ability to fulfill that special social need that is a crucial part of “Church Society.” Worship is so important in our life, but a big part of “Belonging” to a church is the social life we have with this second family. In talking to the Pastor at Butter Valley, he feels the same.

Yes 2020 is the year that wasn’t in our life.

We have all the electronics that help us “virtually” in fulfilling our spiritual needs, but many feel as I do, we NEED the individual “Being a part of a Social Group” that is not present under this pandemic. Many efforts were made to expedite the means to end this separation that is so needed by society. Now it is our duty to take advantage of the cures to get us back on track again. I miss hearing about the latest news after “The Willing Workers” meeting. I also miss the “Buckeye” peanut butter filled candies at Christmas! Hurry back ladies and stay well!

In closing may I ask God to forgive our current society of our wrong doings and to once again-“ Bless America,” the society that was formed on the principals of His basic human rights. We never appreciate basic freedoms until they are taken away. Christmas Eve will not be the same without spending time with my wife and friends at a Love feast in the town of Bethlehem!

Dick Helm is a long time Quakertown area resident

and

regular

contributor

here

UBFP. Reach him at rbh9@verizon.net.

at

What’s Going On in Upper Bucks?

As we’re not out of the woods yet with COVID-19, public events that usually fill this entire page are few and far between. Please check out fb.com/ubfreepress for possible late additions to this list and please send events that your organization is having so that we can help to share the good word!

January 1, 2021 New Year’s Day January 2 & 16 Saturday Virtual Storytime w/Miss Allison (Live Zoom at 10:30am) for 15-20 mins for kids & caregivers. Please have your camera on. Register at: calendar.buckslib.org/

January 4 to 10 “Dance Break!” (Virtual Library Event) Best for ages 6-13, parent participation encouraged.

FMI: calendar.buckslib.org/event/7371075

January 4, 11, 18, 25 Monday Online Storytimes (Live Zoom at 10:30am) “Let’s Play School” focusing on the ABCs. Best for ages 3-5. Register at: calendar.buckslib.org/

January 5, 12, 19, 26 Tuesday Virtual Storytime w/Miss Emily (Live Zoom at 11:30am) Please have your camera on. 15-20 mins interactive fun for kids & caregivers. Register at: calendar.buckslib.org/

January 6, 13, 20, 27

Wednesday Zoom Storytime w/Miss Shannon at 10:30am (15-20 mins) for kids & caregivers. Please have your camera on.

Register at: calendar.buckslib.org/

January 7, 14, 21, 28

Thursday Virtual Storytime w/Miss Michelle (Live Zoom at 7pm) 15-20 mins for kids & caregivers. Please have your camera on. Register at: calendar.buckslib.org/

January 8 & 22

Friday Virtual Storytime w/Miss Allison (Live Zoom at 10:30am) for 15-20 mins for kids & caregivers. Please have your camera on. Register at: calendar.buckslib.org/

January 17 to 23

Indoor “Laser” Grid. Quick & fun activity for indoors. Set up your own grid to sneak thru to the other side of the room without touching any “lasers.” Best for ages 6-13 w/parent participation. calendar.buckslib.org/event/7336311

January 18 January 20 January 30

Martin Luther King, Jr Day

Inauguration Day

Springfield Twp Historical Society Open House 9:30am-12noon at Church School (oneroom schoolhouse), 2165 Rte 212, Pleasant Valley (GPS Coopersburg) across from Trinity Lutheran Church. View historical documents, photo albums & books. Talk to our Staff! Free, all welcome! FMI: Tom Cline 484-308-1510.

Quakertown Pool to be Replaced for $3 Million, Reopens in 2022 For 63 years, families in the Quakertown area have grown up playing and building memories at the Boroughs beloved Quakertown Community Pool. Unfortunately, the Pool has officially closed on its useful lifespan and is no longer fit for operation. As of December 18th 2020, the Borough decided to officially close the Pool through 2021. During that time, the existing pool will be demolished, and a new pool will be designed and installed. The Quakertown Community Pool will reopen on Memorial Day 2022 to celebrate its 65 Years in the Community.

The Quakertown Community Pool was built in 1957. In 2004 the facility was updated using the existing pool walls and floors. During the summer of 2020 the Pool Maintenance staff found a large rip in the pool liner which was causing the pool to lose 2 inches of water a day. Unfortunately the pool is unrepairable.

The Parks and Recreation Department is finalizing the details of a new $3 million Pool Facility, which is scheduled to be completed

by May 2022. The new pool may include a program pool for swim lessons, a diving well,

rock wall, lazy river, slide, and splash pad.

The facility may also include updated locker rooms, guard rooms, concession stand, and an expanded second floor for Parks and Recreation Programing and space for the K.I.D.S. Camp Program.

While it is sad to see the Community Pool closed for the 2021 summer, the Borough looks forward to introducing the community to a new community pool that will have a longer lifespan so community members can make lasting memories.

The Quakertown Pool renovation project is part of the Boroughs revitalization plan to invest in the borough and its parks to provide long term recreation opportunities for its residents. Other projects include the Park at 4th, known as the Univest performance Center which was completed in 2015, the new Free Fall Action Park and Skate Rink, which will open in Spring 2021, and the new Memorial Park Playground which will open in Summer 2021. The completion of these projects will offer new and exciting recreational opportunities for the Quakertown area.

January 2021 • Upper Bucks Free Press •

QCHS Alumni Assn Honors Former Teacher, Coach with 35 Year Tenure

BY GARY WECKSELBLATT

If between the years of 1956 and 1991 you attended the former Quakertown Community Junior High School and Bob Coleman was your social studies teacher, baseball or basketball coach, there’s a good chance he hasn’t forgotten you.

That was evident when a small group of family, friends and members of the Quakertown Community High School Alumni Association were on hand as the association awarded the 2020 QCHS Honorary Diploma to the retired educator.

“I am overwhelmed,” said Mr. Coleman, who received a diploma, graduation cap and 2020 tassel at the December 1st event at the entrance of Quakertown Community High School. “I’m going on 89. Hopefully, I’ll be able to see a lot more sunrises and sunsets.

You get to this point in life, you don’t look too far down the road. This is something I’ll remember.”

The district has changed since Mr. Coleman’s days. The Junior High School was renamed Richard E Strayer Junior High School to honor a former Superintendent, and then became Strayer Middle School. When Mr. Coleman retired, Strayer was located at the current Sixth Grade Center.

While buildings and their names may change, Mr. Coleman’s legacy has taken root.

That was evident as he entertained those at his ceremony with several amusing stories about his teaching career and his life in Quakertown.

When someone showed him a photo, he pointed at the faces and excitedly recalled their names.

“You just had amazing ways to motivate,” said the association’s vice president, Ray Fox, who gave Mr. Coleman his diploma and helped place the cap on his head. Mr. Fox estimated that the guest of honor taught 6,000 students and athletes. “We appreciate what you did for so many,” he said. “We appreciate what you did for the kids in this town.”

Mr. Coleman, from Hegins, Pa, in Schuylkill County, graduated from Hegins High School, now known as Tri-Valley Junior/Senior High School. But he has made Quakertown his home and is considered one of the area’s most wellknown residents.

“He is just so well known and beloved,” said Melea Rupert, president of the Alumni Association and a seventh-grade student in Mr. Coleman’s geography class. “He’s unlike any other teacher I ever had. He’s a real character. When you run into him he knows you,

he knows your name and can tell your story if you were a player or a student for him. His memory is so amazing.”

photo by christopher betz

As an example, while vacationing in Las Vegas, Mr. Coleman saw a woman wearing a Bloomsburg University shirt. As she walked closer, he recognized her. “It’s Betty Bartholomew from Richlandtown,” he recalled saying.

Peter Jarrett, who taught with Mr. Coleman, posted on Facebook: “It was great, once again, to hear Mr. Coleman share his wisdom. I am honored to have shared time with him as a student, coach, teaching colleague and friend.

He taught us to be better citizens, athletes, teachers and friends.”

High school Principal Mattias van’t Hoenderdaal attended the event and smiled throughout Mr. Coleman’s remembrances. “It was a great honor to watch the celebration of his accomplishments and see him honored this way,” he said.

The Alumni Association’s first Honorary Diploma was awarded in 1937 to The Rev. Frank Ruth. At one point these events ceased, but educator and author Robert Leight, the association’s former president, restarted them about 12 years ago, Mrs. Rupert said.

Gary Weckselblatt, QCSD Director of Communications, writes about the people and the programs that impact the Quakertown Community School District. He can be reached at gweckselblatt@qcsd.org.

Buckygrams: toothpick, hat pin, pencil, triangle, ice pick, pine needles, washington monument, pitchfork, snake tongue, arrow, dart, sea urchin, star, dunce cap, porcupine quill, shark teeth.

Hidden Message: Keep sharp and alert! Bucky Block: safety in numbers

Ethan Clark Named UBCTS Student of the Month

Ethan Clark, a senior from the Small Engine Technology Program, has been named the Student of the Month for December at the Upper Bucks County Technical School (UBCTS). Ethan is the son of Juli and Christina Clark of Quakertown. He attends Quakertown Community High School.

Ethan is a Cooperative Education student trainee employed by Trumbauer’s Motor Sports in Quakertown, PA. He is a set up and service technician and has received all excellent evaluations from his employer. He has also excelled in the Small Engine Program and was named Most Outstanding Level I and Level II student. He has earned the OSHA 10-hour safety certification and several other safety and training certifications.

Ethan was also named a member of the National Technical Honor Society and has competed and won the gold medal at the SkillsUSA District Power Equipment Technology competition.

Ethan contributes to the community by serving as a junior fire fighter for the Richlandtown Fire Company and is currently preparing to earn his Eagle Scout rank.

Ethan completed course work in the

UBCTS/ Bucks County Community College Technical Entrepreneurship Program. After graduation, he plans to attend Bucks County Community College and earn a degree in Fire Science. He will pursue a career in professional firefighting.

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• Upper Bucks Free Press • January 2021

American Legion Post 242 Updates

BY DICK HELM Publisher’s note: Due to an error on my part, Dick Helm’s American Legion Update for December did not appear, rather the previous month’s article ran again. Sorry for any confusion or inconvenience. Here it is, along with the January 2021 Update.

December 2020

Covid-19 still governs the activities of organizations such as your Post. We appreciate the efforts of the Home Association staff and board in keeping us safe as well as involved with Post activities and refreshment. Their adherence to the governing rules plus the new restrictions on smoking have made your canteen a pleasant place to dine as well as still being involved in community activities and National observances.

The Special steak dinner celebrating the birthday of the Marine Corps as well as observing Veterans Day was a huge success.

Everyone I spoke to the evening of our Veteran’s drawing (November 21st, 2020) praised the talents of the kitchen staff on the meal. As we make progress as a nation in beating this enemy, your post will continue offering new and exciting happenings including many more special meals open to all. Keep a sharp eye out on our front lawn sign and website as we improve it.

November was a busy month starting with the Witting Tree nightly events when the 20 symbolized blank dog tags were hung nightly to tell us all of the average Veterans lives needlessly lost to suicide daily because of their involvement in warfare and its environment. Because of Covid-19 we were not able to share with the school children of the area (Quakertown, Pennridge, Palisades, and the area private and parochial schools). The Veteran’s were not forgotten! The Pennridge area Legion Posts sponsored an inspiring service at the Sellersville War Memorial in the local public park. Although it was a bit misty and slightly raining, the Color Presentations of all the participating post, the vocal presentation of our National Anthem, the words of honor given by Craig Wilhelm, Representative Staats of our Post 242, and former Representative Clymer were inspiring. The live presentation of Taps was stirring as it always is, especially to we Veteran’s who lost buddies while we served.

Our Adjutant Charles (Charley) Wismer is still going strong. Despite a heavy workload in his regular job, Charley takes charge in our two annual drawings, handles membership, and this year he and his wife our helping with our Veterans Christmas gift purchases.

Our Post dedicates $500.00 for gifts to the Veteran’s Home nearby to sponsor gift for four veterans in the “Friends of a Veteran” program and gifts for others living there. He once again is asking me to remind you to get your membership dues payments in so we can proudly reach that 100% goal. Most important is the fund raising in the spring for Youth Activities and the fundraising we just had for assistance to fellow veterans. He called me earlier this day to inform me first that my tickets purchase were a donation (I didn’t win) and that we once again raised a fantastic amount by this program to help our veterans, especially in these trying times. He mentioned that after printing, mailing and postage expenses we had a balance (with possible food expenses to be paid) of around $3600.00! Great job Charley—but most important Great Job Members of our Post. You responded and Charley and your Post officers say “Thank You.” When I came to the Post for the wonderful Lasagna or Sausage or Salads that the Home Association served during the drawing, I was followed through the door by two Police Officers. No we weren’t in trouble; they were there to be presented checks for the “Shop with a Cop” program. Your post donated $500.00 to this program and the fund raising of one of the Post’s organizations (Sons of the Legion) kindly donated $300.00. When you attend their special events remember they are doing all this voluntarily to help Veterans and the community.

All in all, we survived another unusual month as most were in 2020. Most important we are striving to keep everyone healthy as well as the activities of the Post. Stay well, observe health procedures, and enjoy the camaraderie of family and friends at Thanksgiving with health cautions. Once again remember that through this pandemic there are men and women who are on alert (Some in hazardous areas) around the world. Remember them in your words of thanks at this holiday time.

Most of all we close with the inspiring words, “God Bless America.”

January 2021

If last month’s article seemed confusing—it was. Christopher Betz was very upset about the glitch; but such things can happen and you will find double articles this month. Mr. Betz really cares about the posting of news for our veterans and we so appreciate what he does for us. The photo below the article last month pictured and in this issue, as well, shows the presentation of the checks to the local police for “Shop with a Cop” as mentioned in the December article.

“January 2021”, we hope, will be the year of change for the better. Operation “Warp Speed” produced a vaccine to combat Covid 19 that literally stole the year 2020 away from the people of the world. We urge all to get the vaccination so we once again can be a part of Community Events that honor those who served and those who gave their all for America’s unique personal freedoms.

Once again the government has shut down certain facilities open to the public.

Our Post Canteen was one of them. As the situations improve and we are once again open we will post notices on the sign in the front yard. Not only is the Post Canteen a way of covering our expenses through sales; it is an important way of satisfying the human need for “Being with others.” Our hope is that everyone takes advantage of the medical miracles that are happening, but that everyone still adheres to proper sanitary rules when with others. I am looking forward to walking through the canteen to the meetings and hearing the chatter and laughter as it used to be.

January is a quiet month and not much is happening—especially with the current health crisis. Let us make this time a time of reflection. My moments of reflection took place shortly after November 11th on a cold blustery day in Spinnerstown. When you look over the cemeteries in the area during the winter months you will not see many flags flying. Some of us go to the cemeteries and remove the flags that are faded, tattered by the wind, or bent over also because of the wind. The only flags that can be seen are of private new flags put out or flags of veterans buried since Veteran’s Day. As I walked around the cemetery gathering

these flags now showing their age and loss of strength against the elements, I paused at many graves of people I knew or knew of. I paused at the grave of Dave Doerr who I knew not only from church but also from going to Lion’s Club meeting with. Dave was from Wyoming, served in World War II, was wounded in Europe and suffered with a lower leg and foot injury throughout his whole life. His wife Erna, who met him when he returned home and kept him here in the East.

Dave was a hero to me. Doug Thorsen a Marine Veteran from Minnesota, who told me of all the major battles he was in over in Korea. How he witnessed waves of the enemy advancing in the cold battlefields. He too met a girl from here in Milford (Loretta) and he too stayed here to become an asset to our area. Then I walked over to Mr. Erdman’s grave nearby. I don’t remember his first name for this article but know the grave as something special. He lived on Kumry Road and was purportedly chosen by the sculpture of the Korean War Memorial to be modeled as one of the men advancing at that memorial in Washington D.C. Further down the cemetery towards the back I plucked the flag from the only standard in our cemetery of someone who was in the Spanish American war. Did he advance on the hills surrounding Santiago in one of the divisions with the Rough Riders or was he over in the Philippines with Admiral Dewey. Did he suffer from malaria? I notice the names Milliken and Miller who were killed in action over in Vietnam. I could go on and on first thing were the World War I soldiers in the trenches and also fighting the Spanish Flu of 1918? Were the Civil War soldiers involved at Gettysburg or Antietam? Last but not least, were the Revolutionary War veterans in the presence of George Washington or the Marquis de Lafayette at Valley Forge?

Remember when you go to a cemetery to visit a relative’s grave or the help place flags, the persons buried there with these markers WERE THERE! They did it for you and your freedoms. Freedom is NOT free!

May God continue to Bless America!

VFW Post 11322 Commander’s Call

BY COMMANDER PAUL GERHART, JR.

(above) Quakertown Borough Police Officers accept a donation of $800 from American Legion

Post 242 and their affiliate Sons of the Legion to support the annual Shop with a Cop event.

(below) Members of VFW Post 11322 present awards to the winners of their annual Patriot’s Pen

Essay content. The students attend St. Isidore’s School in Quakertown.

submitted photos

This has been quite a year. We started the year meeting in person. For the first three months we were hearing about the Covid 19 virus. Who would have thought it would have changed our lives so much? Come April we started using Zoom to keep each one of us safe. Modern technology is a wonderful thing if one can navigate through the process. The members figured out Zoom and then come May we went back to meeting in person following CDC Guidelines. The virus has changed our lives and challenged us in many ways.

One of the changes we made to the virus was how we raise funds.

The Post generated a letter and sent it out to business and individuals. Thanks to the community and our members the letter was a success. For those who may want to donate, please send to the address below.

The post also started a Go Fund Me Page.

This also generated donations. Thank you to those businesses that allowed us to collect donations at their locations. Some of these places were new for us. As I said before, the Community helped support us in many aspects.

With the new Covid restrictions, the Post had to cancel our Christmas Gathering. So once again we had to think outside of the box.

For those students that entered the VFW Patriots Pen and VOD Essay contests, some of the Post members went to St. Isidore’s School and presented the Patriots Pen Essay awards.

These students would normally have come to our Christmas Gathering. The winning students were 1st place Annie T. Malack, 2nd Ashlyn M. Soltysiak, and 3rd Addison Kucera.

The Voice of Democracy Essay winners were 1st Matthew Bernabei, 2nd Jessica Kelso, and 3rd Kiele A. Magalengo. The Commander will be doing house calls to present those awards. The students’ Voice of Democracy Essays were read on Facebook for the public to listen to.

The Christmas Ornament fundraiser was a big success again this year. Due to Covid, some business were not able to do it this year.

The Post did get a few new sponsors and mad over 88 ornaments. Watch for those names that sponsored ornaments in the next Upper Bucks Free Press. In the months of November and December, members of the post sat and collected donations - for the first time ever in December.

For Thanksgiving and Christmas, the Post supported 11 Veterans and their families with food. For each holiday, the Post was able to hand out $50 Giant gift cards. Perkasie Lions Club supported the residences in the Sellersville, Perkasie with gift cards. Thank you to Boy Scout Troop 55, Giant, Home Depot, Quakertown Cares, and Weiss Market for their support. Quite a few people supported our food bank with donations.

The post was able to make some donations to the Marine Corp Toys for Tots, VFW National Home, Quakertown WWI Memorial Park renovation project, and the Christmas Stocking project for the Troops. Members of the post put together 130 Christmas Bags for Veterans in nursing homes.

For up-and-coming events or want to see pictures of what we are doing check us out on Facebook!

Be safe and healthy till we meet again.

John Rivers Memorial VFW Post 11322 41 Belmont Ave. Quakertown, PA. 18951 267-992-4973 • Facebook.com/JRVFW

January 2021 • Upper Bucks Free Press •

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Think Local. Buy Local. Be Local.

January, a Time of Rebirth

Ouch! Painful Nipping!

Nipping is one of the most frustrating issues to manage with a puppy. The rule of thumb is always try to redirect your puppy to a toy, then praise the puppy for making a better decision.

You may want to quietly get up and go away from your puppy for punishment. Your puppy has nipped, and now he has lost his playmate. So what happens if you tried everything you know and it’s still not working? Your puppy is extremely excited, racing around biting everything and everyone in sight. Looking away, trying to ignoring it, or initiating play with a toy is useless, even screaming “stop or no” isn’t working (which won’t work anyway). You might think about this as an equivalent to an overly tired twoyear-old child who will scream, cry, hit, or throw a full-blown temper tantrum when what he really needs is to sleep - the exact opposite of what he’s showing you. Puppies can also become overly tired and turn into crazy biting machines without any sense of bite inhibition.

It’s as though your puppy has turned into a crazed alligator.

Yup, might be time for nap! If you’re using a crate with your puppy, perhaps a small room

blocked off with the baby gate or exercise pen, put your puppy in this space with a very high value treat, preferably something edible that he can lick or chew for an extended period of time. Good options are a bully stick or delicious stuffed rubber toy (preferably one that’s been frozen to make it last even longer).

Most puppies will be sound asleep in about five minutes. Be sure you don’t use your crate as punishment. Always be sure to give your puppy that really good treat in his crate or alone zone.

Can puppy training help? Absolutely!

Training can be very helpful with nipping. If your puppy learns to target your hand, you can use “touch” to redirect your puppy to put his nose to your hand, not his teeth. “Leave it” can stop the behavior before your puppy is getting ready to nip. Teaching a “drop it” you will tell your puppy to let go of your hands, clothing or anything else he has sunk his teeth into. There are all sorts of ways of redirecting your puppy’s energy. So taking a class with your puppy will definitely help you better manage his nipping.

Submitted by Marion C. O’Neil CPDT-KA, CTDI, owner and instructor for Molasses Creek Dog Training, LLC, Quakertown. She www.molassescreekdogtraining.com

The beginnings of winter. The start of a new year. Resolutions made.

Thoughts of the year past lingering in our minds.

An unbelievable and unforgettable year...one of sickness, pain, and worry...of businesses closed and hardships endured...families and friends split apart by politics. Were we to put pen to paper, or dictate to a recording device, each of us would have our own individual story to tell. We all have a story...every one of us.

While we may not inherently recognize it, each of us is fascinating...I learned that many years ago when I interviewed my parents for a college course I was taking. Fascinating is an understatement of their lives and the life they built together.

But as we enter this new year, how do we begin to rebuild our families, friendships, and lives, should we need to, and chart our path to the future?

My story is minuscule in comparison to most perhaps, but the past year has been full of change...or transition.

I retired. There, I said it. Out loud.

I’ve worked my entire life, growing up in a family owned grocery store. I don’t recall a day not working...from that first customer I waited on at four years old selling penny candy, I knew nothing else...that was my life.

As a young man, after selling our neighborhood store, I had to begin my own career, and was able to spend 38 years with the same firm...unheard of today, but for those my age, and of similar sensibilities, not as uncommon as one might imagine.

March 13, 2017, I left that company...what felt like my company...that I, in my own way, helped to grow...after almost four decades... my home away from home...with friends, coworkers, and business acquaintances... some traveling with me in sprit, and some left behind. People had told me that friends eventually go away and business friendships dissolve when one leaves a job...some did...but my real friends did not. My real friends still.

Knowing nothing but daily work, I forged ahead and formed a small company...a company of one...me...hoping to put my many years of knowledge to good use helping others.

Others who could use advice from what I was once lovingly called, “a gray hair”.

In March of 2020, just as the pandemic was picking up, and businesses shutting down, and after reviewing finances, we came to the realization that I did not need to continue working,

but could survive on our savings, 401K, social security when needed, and luckily, my wife’s income. (She loves her career and hopes to never stop working) So now what?

I have spent the past ten months writing... one of my passions...my memoirs...a blog... this column...and playing guitar...formerly passion #1 but seemingly displaced by my iPad Notes app. However, I feel something missing...but what?

I could continue my daily regimen of watching the Rifleman and Judge Judy. But after all of this time, it appears that I am getting shopworn from sitting on the couch, and yearning for something...something to make waking up every morning worthwhile and exciting. A new passion.

We rescued a dog...a blind dog...and while he is a great reason for getting up now, it’s more because I love him and he wants me to be up with him, not a burning desire to be a dog petter...besides, I don’t think that’s a career move for me...at least not now.

I have thought about painting, something I have often wished I could do. I took an acting course...proud to say I was the oldest one there, and although I was the gray hair in that group, I was in no position to offer any type of advice, but eager to absorb other’s. But painting is simply another hobby...not a reason to live...for me anyway.

I have scoured the internet looking at multitudes of volunteer opportunities. I made a list of ideas that I could try...things to take on.... to explore...searching for that thing...with the same tight embrace and seductiveness that my former career held over me...

But, regardless of the idea...from helping at food banks or homeless shelters, to mentoring young people...nothing has taken hold of my heart, or my head, and screamed out to me...”Yes! This is it!”

So I continue in my quest...this human desire that we have to be constructive and useful...to be needed...not just by family and friends but the world at large...this innate craving to help others and move forward...to be valuable.

I am sometimes foolishly full of faith...I hope to wake up tomorrow...and I hope to wake up tomorrow with renewed purpose.

After all, it’s January. A time of rebirth. .

John Schaninger is a lifelong resident of Pennsylvania and has lived in Upper Black Eddy for 12 years. Reach him at m12string@aol.com

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• Upper Bucks Free Press • January 2021

Jack T. Birli, age 69 of Quakertown, Pa

passed away at home November 14, 2020.

Born in Morgantown, WV, he was the son of the late Adam S. Birli and Helen (Taylor) Birli.

Jack was a 1969 graduate of Quakertown Community High School and proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War in the 82nd Airborne Division.

He retired from M F Ronca & Sons where he worked as a millwright and supervisor for over 20 years. Previously he worked at American Olean Tile.

Jack will be sadly missed by so many who knew him. He is truly gone too soon.

Surviving are his sons, Patrick Birli, Mechanicsburg, Pa, Adam J. Birli, Quakertown, PA former spouse Beth Birli, The Villages, Fl, brothers, James T Birli, Quakertown, Pa Kenneth Birli, Eustis, FL, John Birli (Jane) Lebanon, Pa, sisters, Janice Airey, Birdsboro, Pa, Mitzi Foulke (Dean), Quakertown, Pa and Judy Birli, Hummelstown, Pa, nephew, Jason T. Birli, Quakertown, PA. He was preceded in death by brothers, Jeffrey L. Birli, Joseph T. Birli and Willis (Bill) Wheeler. He is also survived by many nephews and nieces. www.nauglefcs.com.

Debra Lee Hamm, who loved to be called “Mom Mom” by her grandchildren, departed her loving family on November 25th, 2020 at St. Luke’s Hospital-Upper Bucks Campus in Quakertown, PA. Debra, age 55, was born in Bryn Mawr, PA on May 17th, 1965 to Sandra Hamm.

She treasured her only daughter, Amanda, and especially loved her role as Mom Mom. She embraced every moment with her grandchildren. They were a huge light in her life.

She had a kind & gentle personality.

Debra graduated from North Penn High School in 1983 and later went on to graduate from The Lansdale School of Business.

As a sufferer of MS herself, she was a huge supporter of The National Multiple Sclerosis Society and participated in the MS Walk event every year. She was an artist at heart and loved painting, drawing & crafts. She was the strongest person I ever knew. But more than anything, she brightened any room she was in

~Obituaries~

with her positivity and huge heart.

She is survived by her daughter: Amanda Ranelli, Husband Charles, Grandchildren: Jaylin, Alyssa and Xavier, sisters: Linda Luscombe and Kimberly Geisel and mother: Sandra Hamm. www.nauglefcs.com.

Patricia Meyrick (nee Sullivan), 95, was born in Cardiff, Wales November 23, 1925 and went on to lead a truly interesting life.

She entertained friends, family, and strangers alike with her English accent and vignettes of her life story. As a child when the war started, she vividly remembered the blitz, the sound of German bombers overhead, and her little sister Colleen saying “those naughty Germans” as the family fled to the air raid shelter in the park across the street. Her brothers George and Henry were both in the RAF. Near the end of the war, she married Walton Meyrick, who was in the US Army. After the war they lived in Belgium, Paris, and Frankfurt Germany before emigrating to Philadelphia with their two beautiful little daughters Laura and Glynis.

She enjoyed sharing stories of her life in Paris and Frankfurt after the war.

Besides her husband, Pat was predeceased by a daughter Janet who died in infancy.

She is survived by her two daughters, Laura Hughes (Jerry) and Glynis Meyrick. Her 3 grandchildren, Jennifer Antinoro (John), Alexis Evangelista and Lauren McCoy (Jamie) and 8 great grandchildren, Megan, Colin, Rheanna, Ashlyn, Patrick, Carley, Zachery and Matthew. www.nauglefcs.com Sandra L. Wilhelm, 77, of Quakertown died November 27, 2020 in St. Luke’s Hospital Upper Bucks Campus.

Born in Sellersville, PA she was the daughter of the late David & Elvena (Stover) Wolownik.

She was a supply technician for the former St. Luke’s Quakertown Hospital before retiring. Prior to that she worked for Capital Controls, Colmar and Emico in Dublin.

Sandra was a member of the Sellersville Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. She was a member of St. Paul’s U.C.C. in Sellersville.

She is survived by a son Douglas C. Wilhelm, a sister Sheila Connors and two

grandchildren Megan E. & Victoria L. A Memorial Service was held Sunday, December 6, 2020 in the Sellersville Fire Department 2 N. Main St. Sellersville, PA 18960.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Sellersville Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary 2 N. Main St. P.O. Box 315 Sellersville, PA 18960.

Marie T. Yadsko-Kramer, age 86, of Quakertown, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on December 1, 2020 at home in Quakertown, PA. She was the loving wife to the late John P. Kramer and the late John T. Yadsko.

Born in Eckley, PA she was a daughter of the late Frank and Anna Evancho-Faytko Sabo.

Marie graduated from Freeland High School in 1952.

Her hobbies included Bingo and playing with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She had a passion for life and her spirit guided her through any obstacles life gave her.

She is survived by children: Donna Ghanz, husband Van, Maryann Yadsko, husband William, Doreen Yadsko Besack, husband Michael and John Yadsko, wife Tina, grandchildren: Gregory, Brandon, Michael, David, Christopher, Margaret Elizabeth, and Alice Marie, and great-grandchildren: Avery Marie, Katelyn, Sarah, Julia and Kinley Claire. She was predeceased by daughter, Joyce Yadsko.

To view her online obituary, please visit www.nauglefcs.com.

Emily Grace Creedon, 82, of Quakertown formerly of Lake Ariel, PA and Jersey City, NJ died December 3, 2020 in LifeQuest Nursing Center, Quakertown.

She was the wife of the late Wayne George Creedon.

Born in Jersey City, NJ she was the daughter of the late Walter J. & Geneva (Leas) Bolte.

She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Quakertown where she sang with the choir.

Emily is survived by a daughter Emily Grace Siepiela (Mary Gabrys), two grandchildren Theodore Nicholas Richards, Jr., and Ethan George Richards, two great grandchildren Maliyah Grace Richards, and Elliott George Richards.

She was predeceased by a brother Walter Bolte and two sisters Eleanor Sullivan and Jean Rich.

Graveside services will be held at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are in the care of the C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (www.crstrunk.com) Quakertown.

John A. Scholl, 87, of Perkasie passed away December 5, 2020 surrounded by his family.

He was the husband of Minnie V. (Johnson) Scholl with whom he shared 65 years of marriage in June.

Born in Hilltown, PA he was the son of the late Earl A. & Mildred (Souder) Scholl.

He had a livestock hauling business for over 50 years and drove bus for the Central Bucks School District and the Lake House. He was a member of Sellersville Moose Lodge#1539, the Doylestown Masonic Lodge #245 and the Grundsow Lodge Number 9 in Dublin. John was a member of St. Matthews Lutheran Church (Keller’s Church) in Perkasie.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. In addition to his wife he is survived by his 6 children, J. Thomas, Patti Goepfert, James (Yvonne), Gina Kidd (Mark), Barbara Thomas (Glenn) and Diane Thomas (Kevin). A sister Doris Lindmeier (Mike). 8 grandchildren Andrew (Jenn), Amanda, Jeremy, Krista (Dan), Justin (Kalin), Shane, Kyle, and Brittany (Jared). 13 great grandchildren Trent, Kasey, Arrianna, Logan, Heaven, Haley, Aliza, Alex, Aidan, Lucinda, Avery, Everett, and Addison.

Predeceased by a brother Richard, a sister Thelma Johnson and a son in law Joe Goepfert.

Services were held on Friday, December 11, 2020 in Morning Star Fellowship 429 S. 9th St. Quakertown, PA 18951. Arrangements are in the care of the C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (www.crstrunk.com) Quakertown.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Upper Bucks Lions Kidney Foundation P.O. Box 576 Trumbauersville, Pa 18970 or to St. Matthews Lutheran Church 3668 Ridge Rd. Perkasie PA 18944.

Madelene M. Davis, age 92, of Quakertown, Pennsylvania, passed away on December 6, 2020 at St. Luke’s Hospice House in Bethlehem, PA. She was the loving wife to the late Richard G. Davis with whom she shared 40 years of marriage.

Born in Jamaica, NY she was a daughter to the late Raymond and Julia (Ruff) Webb.

She graduated from August Martin High School, NY in 1946.

Madelene retired from K-Mart in Quakertown. She enjoyed puzzles, crocheting, baking, reading, camping and being with family.

Surviving are children: Patricia Rago, and Janet Wrigley, husband Thomas, grandchildren: Wendy Carroll, husband Brian, Bryan Gaj, wife Jennifer, Matthew Wrigley, wife Denise and Erinn Wrigley, boyfriend Steven and great-grandchildren: Riley, Aiden, Collin, Gavin, Harper, Kallan, Nolan and Daegan.

She was predeceased by brothers: Raymond and Wilbur.

Contributions in her memory may be made to Bucks County SPCA, 60 Reservoir Rd, Quakertown, PA 18951.

To view her online obituary, please visit www.nauglefcs.com.

Jerry L. Schwartz, 70 of Quakertown died Monday December 7, 2020 in St. Luke’s Hospital Upper Bucks Campus.

He was the husband of the late Elaine L. (Shaffer) Schwartz.

Born in Quakertown he was the son of the late Harry and Blanche (Landis) Schwartz.

Jerry was a truck driver before his retirement.

He enjoyed working on cars and building car models. He also enjoyed hunting.

He is survived by his siblings Randy, Brian (Angela) Linda Gerstenberg, Rick, Larry, Barry all of Quakertown, Penny of VA and Dennis of Pennsburg.

He was predeceased by a daughter Shana and a sister Susan Kramer and brother Harry, Jr. Services will be held at the convenience of the family. Arrangements in the care of the C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (www.crstrunk.com) Quakertown.

Edward Michael Drozdowski, 90 of Quakertown died Monday December 7, 2020 in his home.

He was the longtime companion of the late Mary Bearns.

Born in Bethlehem he was the son of the late Michael and Anna (Kuklinski) Drozdowski.

Edward was an Army veteran of the Korean War. He also was a avid New York Yankees fan.

He is survived by a son Russell of Slatington, four grandchildren: Jamie Walker (Billy) of Allentown, Traci Kaintz (Tony) of Macungie, Dustin of Bethlehem, and Scott (Renata) of Havertown. Seven great grandchildren Morgan, Kya, Trenton, Ceeden, Trevor, Lucas, and Eva. He was predeceased by a son Edward Michael, II and twin great granddaughters Jaycee and Jayden.

Services will be at the convenience of the family. Arrangements in the care of the C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (www.crstrunk.com) Joseph R. O’Donnell, Sr., 81 of Perkasie, died December 8, 2020 in Grandview Hospital, Sellersville.

He was the husband of the late Elizabeth “Betty” J. (Fritz) O’Donnell.

Born in Philadelphia, PA he was the son of the late Patrick M. & Anna H. (Melaugh) O’Donnell.

Joe lived an adventurous life; joining the Navy at 16 years old, he became a corpsman, sailed around the world a couple times, and served three tours in Vietnam, after 22 years of service he retired as a Senior Chief Petty Officer in 1977.

After, earning a bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration with a minor in Accounting, Joe went on to a successful career in hospital and nursing home administration.

After retiring at the age of 60 he took on the role he loved the most, spending everyday with his beloved Betty and serving as “manny” to his grandboys.

Joe never sat still, over the years wherever they landed in their many moves – he immediately became active in the local parish, and found some fraternal organization to join: Elks, Kiwanis and Knights of Columbus were favorites, and he belonged to many chapters and councils across the country – usual finding his way into a board or leadership position rather quickly. Joe had just finally, last month, handed over the mantle of financial secretary of St. Isidore Knights of Columbus Council #4649. Joe was an avid fisherman, sometime hunter and the seanchaí (storyteller) of the family.

The final survivor of a family of 10 kids (and being an Irish Catholic clan – there were

January 2021 • Upper Bucks Free Press •

7

~Obituaries~

always a few extra relatives in the house) he has been the patriarch for the last couple of decades, his passing marks the end of an era for the family.

He is survived by a son Joseph R., Jr. of Pensacola, Florida, a daughter Beth O’DonnellMiller and husband J. Brant of Perkasie and two grandsons J. Michael and Brendan P. as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his grandson Chase M. as well and his brothers and sisters: Patrick “Buddy”, John, James, Marie (Jim & Marvin), James “Jimmy” (Margie), Eugene (Mary), Charles “Cholly”, Nancy (Gordon) and Regina “Dee” (Francis).

A Mass was held on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 in St. Isidore Catholic Church, 2545 W. Pumping Station Rd., Quakertown, PA 18951.

Graveside services with military honors were held on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at Washington Crossing National Cemetery.

Arrangements are in the care of the C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (www.crstrunk.com) Quakertown.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to St. Isidore Parish, 603 W. Broad St. Quakertown, PA 18951.

The family would request that if you have any doubt that Covid 19 is serious – please think again. It is a killer. One of the last conversations we had – he stated that this was worse than when he had malaria in the military. Joe was hail and hardy on Friday, 11/20 – he was put on a ventilator on Saturday, 11/28. We had to remove life support on Tuesday, 12/8. We take solace in the fact that he is at peace and with the love of his life.

Frederick Daniel Kratzer, 68 of Quakertown died December 8, 2020 in St. Luke’s Hospital in Quakertown.

He was the husband of Leane Christine (Brandt) Kratzer. They would have celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on Christmas Eve. Born in Quakertown he was the son of the late James and Irene (Erney) Kratzer.

He was employed by Fresco Systems USA in Telford.

He attended Juniper Street Bible Church in Quakertown.

In addition to his wife he is survived by Children Amanda Pike (James) of West Chester, PA, Tracy Jones (Steve) of Big Island, VA, and Tara Madej (Chris) of Orlando, FL. A brother Dave Kratzer (Linda) of Quakertown and a sister Jean Kutt of Troy, PA. Twelve grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

Memorial services will be announced at a later date. Arrangements are in the care of the C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (www.crsttrunk.com) Quakertown, PA. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Juniper Street Bible Church, 317 Juniper St. Quakertown PA 18951.

Paul E. Greenwaldt Jr., age 64, of Quakertown, Pennsylvania, passed away on December 9, 2020 at St. Luke’s Hospital Upper Bucks Campus in Quakertown, PA. Born in Abington, PA he was a son of the late Paul E. & Jean Greenwaldt.

Paul worked as a maintenance manager for Merck for six years. He loved to hunt, fish, go four-wheeling, go to NASCAR races and watch the Dallas Cowboys on TV. He is survived by only son Timothy, wife Julia Greenwaldt and sister Debbie Baker.

Memorial contributions can be made to Bucks County SPCA in Quakertown, Pennsylvania.

To view his online obituary, please visit www.nauglefcs.com.

William F. Reihman, 64 of Quakertown died December 9, 2020 in St. Luke’s Hospice House, Bethlehem.

Born in Quakertown he was the son of the late Richard and Thelma (Frey) Reihman.

He was last employed as a clerk at the Quakertown Walmart. Prior to that he was an orderly for various nursing homes in the Upper Bucks area.

He enjoyed Art, music, the outdoors and taking road trips.

William was a member of St. George’s Episcopal Church in Hellertown.

He is survived by two sisters Rosalyn of Quakertown and Dianne of Bethlehem. A nephew Joel (Jamie) of West Chester.

He was predeceased by a brother Daniel.

Services will be private at the convenience of the family.

Arrangements are in the care of the C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (www.crstrunk.com) Quakertown, PA. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to St George’s Episcopal Church, 735 Delaware Ave. Hellertown PA 18055.

Richard B. Schenkel, 89, formerly of Quakertown, died December 10th at Twining Village in Holland, Pa. He was the husband of the late Audrey Schenkel. Born in Milford Township, Bucks County, he was the son of the late Lawrence Schenkel and Pearl Bleam.

He earned a Bronze Star while serving in the Korean War as an US Army Engineer. He loved telling the story of how he helped take care of orphaned Korean children and how his mom would send care packages to him for the children.

After the war he worked as a brick layer for Philadelphia’s Kelly Construction (Princess Grace’s family).

In his spare time, he loved to fish, hunt, play cards, and yell at the TV while watching the Phillies and Eagles. He and Audrey also loved to get away to their vacation homes.

First, spending summer weekends near Lake Wallenpaupack then, after retirement, spending winters in Arizona.

He was a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ, Richlandtown. Surviving are son Tim and wife Joan of Richboro, grandchildren, Jaclyn and TJ. Interment: Woodland Cemetery, Coopersburg, PA. Memorial contributions may be made to the Special Olympics of PA. Betty Jane Klotz, 66, of Quakertown died Thursday December 10, 2020 in Quakertown Center.

She was the wife of the late Albert Klotz.

Born in Quakertown she was the daughter of the late Russell and Katherine (Ring) Daniel.

She was last employed by the former Allegheny Ribbon Mill.

She is survived by cousins.

She was predeceased by a sister Arlene Hawkins.

Private graveside services will be held. Arrangements are in the care of the C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (www.crstrunk.com) Quakertown, PA. Karen A. Rooney, 65, of Quakertown died December 10, 2020 in St. Luke’s University Hospital, Bethlehem.

She was the wife of the late Edward Rooney.

She was also predeceased by her ex-husband and friend Dennis Maugle.

Born in Abington, PA she was the daughter of the late Albert W. & June M. (Couch) Hilker.

She was self-employed in online sales.

Karen is survived by a daughter Randi Maugle (Corey Moyer) of Quakertown. A sister Greta L. Krause (Kevin) of Quakertown, a brother Stephen A. Hilker of Macungie. Two grandchildren Raeann Moyer & Gage Moyer.

A niece Tammy Hilker and three nephews Bradley Hilker, Kyle Krause, & Cody Krause.

A Memorial Celebration will be held at a later date. Arrangements are in the care of the C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (www. crstrunk.com) Quakertown. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the American Heart Association 5455 N. High St. Columbus, OH 43214.

William F. O’Toole, 91 of Quakertown formerly of Steel City and Pennsburg died December 11, 2020 in Pennsburg Manor.

He was the husband of Ruth (Gregory) O’Toole. They celebrated their 19th wedding anniversary last February. He was also the husband of the late Joan (Schaller) O’Toole, they were married 51 years.

Born in Saylorsburg, PA he was the son of the late William F. and Esther (Smith) O’Toole.

He was last employed by Walmart in Quakertown. Prior to that he worked at Georgia Pacific in Quakertown and the Pillsbury Co. in Pennsburg.

He was a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zion Hill. William was also a member and active at the Upper Bucks Sr. Activity Center.

He is survived by a daughter Sharon Trauger of Hatfield. Stepchildren Kathryn Rosenberger (William) of Coopersburg, Mary LaMoy (Peter) of Greenville, TN, Kenneth Erney (Karen) Walker, IA. A sister Ruth Snyder of Effort, PA, two grandchildren Cindy Glikas (Adam) and Cory Trauger (Corinna), eight step grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren.

He was predeceased by a son in law David Trauger, stepson Richard Erney and brothers Robert and James O’Toole.

Services will be held at the convenience of the family at a later date. Arrangements are in the care of the C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (www.crstrunk.com) Quakertown, PA. In Lieu of flowers memorial contribution can be made to Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 81 Zion Hill PA 18981.

Walter “Wally” M. Clymer, 78 of Quakertown died Friday December 11, 2020 in the Lehigh Valley Hospice Inpatient Unit, Allentown.

He was the husband of Gloria (Frantz) Clymer. They celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary on September 25, 2020.

Born in Quakertown he was the son of the late Ira and Florence (Texter) Clymer.

Before his retirement he was the manager at Landis Supermarket in Perkasie. Prior to that he was the manager at Weis Supermarket in Pennsburg. In addition to being a grocery manager he also was a bus driver for Levy’s Bus Co. in Trumbauersville.

He was a former member of the Haycock and Milford Township Fire Companies. Wally enjoyed fishing and boating in the Thousand Islands and Nockamixon State Park. He also enjoyed gardening and loved his John Deere tractor. He was a veteran of the PA Army National Guard and member of Trinity Great Swamp U. C. C. in Spinnerstown.

In addition to all his hobbies his real joy was spending time with his grandchildren and following all their activities. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters Sherri Schmell (Jeff) of Sellersville and Amy Bless (Robert) of Richlandtown. Five grandchildren Tyler Schmell, Nolan Schmell, Eliza Schmell, Bryce Schmell and Ashley Bless.

Graveside services will be held at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are in the care of the C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (www.crstrunk.com) Quakertown PA. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Trinity Greate Swamp UCC., PO Box 494 Spinnerstown, PA 18968.

Sara Jane Bryan, 94, of Trumbauersville, PA died December 13, 2020 in Mosser Nursing Home.

She was the wife of the late Robert G. Bryan who passed in 2014.

Born in Furlong, PA, she was the daughter of the late Titus & Mary (Balling) Franklin.

She worked at Trumbauersville Elementary School Cafeteria for many years.

She enjoyed oil and watercolor painting, crewel work and reading. She was an active member of East Swamp Church in Quakertown. Sara enjoyed many trips with her beloved husband Robert of 65 years to Maine and numerous shore points

throughout the states.

She is survived by her three sons Richard (Roxann), Robert, and Donald. She had seven siblings, Four grandchildren Melinda Kramer (Brian), Derek (Nikki Lee), Matt (Andee), and Shanna and six great grandchildren.

Graveside services will be private and at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are in the care of the C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (www.crstrunk.com) Quakertown.

Arlene E. Briamonte, age 68, of Center Valley, PA passed away on December 13, 2020 at LVHN – Cedar Crest, Allentown. She was the loving wife to Robert Briamonte with whom she shared 43 years of marriage.

Born in Philadelphia, PA she was a daughter to the late Harry F. and Elizabeth “Mary” (Fanning) Steitz.

She graduated High School in 1970 and attended Grandview and Montgomery schools of Nursing and graduated in 1973.

She had a love for Greyhounds and coloring.

Surviving along with her husband is brother: Harry Steitz.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Arlene’s memory to National Alliance on Mental Illness Lehigh Valley, 802 W. Broad Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018.

Arrangements are entrusted to Naugle Funeral & Cremation Service of Quakertown.

Rick Joseph Solomon, 62, of Quakertown died December 15, 2020 in University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

He was the husband of Jani Scheetz. They were married 37 years. Born in Allentown, Pa he was the son of Patricia (Morris) Solomon and the late Bruce Solomon.

He was an IT Tech for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Rick became a black belt in taekwondo in 2013. He was a Sergeant in the U.S. Airforce from January 18, 1977 - January 17, 1981.

In addition to his wife and mother he is survived by two brothers Mark A. & David M. Services will be private and at the convenience of the family.

Arrangement are in the care of the C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (www.crstrunk.com) Quakertown.

8

• Upper Bucks Free Press • January 2021

Charles M. Meredith III, former own-

er and publisher of the Quakertown Free Press and lifelong civic leader in Bucks County, PA, died Friday, December 11 in the beloved Quakertown home where he grew up. He was 85.

Meredith followed both his father and grandfather into the publishing business, his grandfather having bought the newspaper in 1910. In its heyday, The Free Press was the main source of news in Quakertown, and Meredith believed that a small town paper shouldn’t simply convey the news, but should also serve as the community’s archivist, historian and cheerleader. It should promote the area and rally its citizens during difficult times, praise the community when things went well, and criticize it when they did not.

In addition to publishing The Free Press, Meredith founded the Emmaus Free Press and the Indian Valley Echo. He served as president of the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association, and was a director in the American Newspaper Publishers Association, relishing his position as a small fish in a very big pond, swimming alongside the likes of publishers Kay Graham of The Washington Post and Arthur “Punch” Sulzberger of The New York Times.

Before he turned 30, he had been elected to the Bucks County Board of Commissioners, and was also Captain of the First Troop Philadelphia City Calvary, America’s oldest military unit.

Founded in 1774, its men have served in every war since the American Revolution. Meredith was Master of Quakertown’s Masonic Fraternity and president of the Quakertown Rotary Club. He served as Chairman of the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, chairperson of the East Penn AAA, and was also on the board at Quakertown National Bank (now QNB Bank).

A bon-vivant and renaissance man with an insatiable hunger for knowledge, Meredith never stopped reading or writing. He had a wicked sense of humor and delighted in stirring the pot, yet he was also a dedicated philanthropist who fought for Bucks County’s open spaces and Land Trust.

As Bucks County Commissioner, he spearheaded the project that would become Lake Nockamixon. Meredith’s customary salutation was an exuberant “Huzzah!” and when asked how he was feeling - even after the stroke that would eventually kill him - he invariably answered, “I’m in the pink!”

In his final years, he was a columnist for The Morning Call and the Bucks County Herald.

When asked why he still wanted to write columns well into his 80s, he replied, “Because I am curious.” That curiosity was the driving force behind everything Meredith did.

~Obituaries~

Charles Montgomery Meredith III was born August 17 in Reading, PA. His twin loves politics and music - came to him naturally. His father Charles was a raconteur who taught his son how to command a room and tell a good story; his mother Ella was a gifted singer who passed her love of music and perfect pitch to her only child. After attending The Hill School, Meredith went to University of Pennsylvania, where he was a song and dance man in Mask and Wig, making television performances on Jack Paar, Steve Allen and Ed Sullivan. He graduated with distinction from The Wharton School in 1957.

Meredith met his future wife, Betsy, when a St. Anthony Hall fraternity brother suggested visiting the young woman who lay in traction at University of Pennsylvania Hospital after a car accident. Betsy was physically unable to chase Meredith from her room, as he proceeded to cartwheel, sing and dance for six hours trying to impress her. Evidently he wore her down. When Meredith introduced Betsy to his parents, his father pulled him aside and said, “Marry that girl as soon as possible!” Six months later, he did. Three children and 60 years of a vibrant partnership followed. Together with his wife, Meredith sang with the Berkshire Choral Institute, The Philadelphia Singers, the Philadelphia Orchestra’s chorus, and the Lehigh Choral Union with Steven Sametz.

They were members of the Richland Friends Meeting, and Meredith robustly played trombone with the Quakertown Band.

Following quadruple bypass surgery in his mid 40s, Meredith took up rowing with the University Barge Club in Philadelphia. He became a great ambassador for the sport, teaching many young people how to row. He famously put more than 15,000 miles on his car in order to row 1,000 miles on the Schuylkill River.

Meredith was predeceased by his wife in September. He is survived by daughters Anne and Catherine, a son Charles “Ty” IV, and grandchildren Grace and Charles “Quint” V. Shortly before he died, he wrote, quoting Isaiah 41:10: “Fear not, for I am with you.”

He continued, “Hopefully my life will have been spent helping others. Let us all help one another, and all of us leave the world in a better place than we found it. Do not follow. Lead.”

Douglas Keller Friedman, 77, of East Greenville, formerly of Bucks County died December 16, 2020 in St. Luke’s Hospice House, Bethlehem.

He was the husband of Ana May “Dolly” (Chalupa) Friedman. They were married 40 years. Born in Brooklyn, NY he was the son of the late Emanuel & Sarah (Keller) Friedman.

He was the owner operator of Duralite Sales.

He was a U.S. Army Veteran serving during the Vietnam War. He was the best husband, father, and Pop Pop. In addition to his wife he is survived by four daughters Dana M. Rivera (Alex), Lora A. Friedman, Deserie L. Thigpen (Earl), and Diana L. Wojie (Joe). A sister Elana Hewitt (Bert). Eight grandchildren Ryan, Annabel, Jacob, Noah, Remy, Kyle, Jacquelyn, and Lily, three great grandchildren Paige, Tatum, and Jack.

Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. Once COVID restrictions are lifted a Memorial Celebration will be announced.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Research P.O. Box 5014 Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014.

Mary L. Breiner, age 82, of Quakertown, passed away on December 17, 2020 at St. Luke’s Upper Bucks Hospital in Quakertown.

Born in Norristown, Pa, she was a daughter to the late Ernest Jones and Isabella.

She worked for Thomas and Betts tool factory, Total Molding, and JEVS home healthcare.

She had many dogs through the years. She collected cardinal figurines. She also loved to go to carnivals for the country music bands.

Surviving are children: Herbert E. Brown, Jr; Jeffery Breiner, and Dawn N. (Nic) Steuer.

Grandchildren: Paul, Shane, Justin, Joey, Jennifer, Amber, Ashley, Hunter, Brittany, Jesse, and Danielle and many great grandchildren. She was predeceased by daughter Linda and son Dennis Brown.

In lieu of flowers and food the family asks that you consider a donation that will help with Mary’s memorial fund at the following address: t.ly/bi9T. The family humbly thanks you in advance for your generosity.

Arrangements are entrusted to Naugle Funeral & Cremation Service in Quakertown.

Samantha Ann Sherman, 32, of Lansdale died December 20, 2020 in her home.

Born in Philadelphia, PA she was the daughter of Lisa Ann (DeLaney) Sherman and the late Michael Mark Sherman.

She attended The Bethlehem Performing Arts High School until the 11th grade when she received a full scholarship and enrolled in The University of Fine Arts in Philadelphia.

She was last employed as an administrative assistant for TASA Group, Inc. in Blue Bell.

In addition to her mother she is survived by a daughter Evoli Rose Sharp, a sister Chelsea Ray Sherman (Josh), her maternal grandmother Elizabeth Ann Delaney, her godmother

Joy Kathleen Delaney (Dominic Capponi), godfather Patrick C. Delaney (Jane). Eight aunts and uncles, sixteen cousins.

Predeceased by her maternal grandfather Patrick C. Delaney, her paternal grandparents Edwin & Alberta Sherman.

A Memorial Mass was held on December 30, 2020 at 10:00 A. M. in St. Isidore’s Catholic Church 2545 W. Pumping Station Rd. Quakertown, PA 18951. Arrangements are in the care of the C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (www.crstrunk.com) Quakertown.

In lieu of flowers Mass Intentions can be made in Samantha’s name in the form of Mass cards.

Grace Kramer, 83, of Sellersville, died December 20, 2020 in Grand View Hospital, Sellersville, PA. She was the wife of the late Willard R. Kramer. Born in Norristown she was the daughter of the late Andrew F. & Grace Anna (Mumbauer) Hicks. She came from a family of 8, with four brothers and three sisters.

She was last employed at Moyer Packing Co. Prior to that she worked at Lansdale Tube where she met her late husband. In her earlier years she worked at the Frosty Cup. She attended St. Agnes Catholic Church in Sellersville.

Grace had a special place in her heart for her dogs. She was also a kind hearted woman who made friends easily wherever she went.

Her greatest joy in life was her family. She is survived by her three children Donna Duna, Willard, Jr., & Andrew. Five grandchildren Stephen, Andrea, Jenny, Christopher, Sharrah.

Nine great grandchildren. Predeceased by a grandson Eric.

Graveside Services were held on Saturday, December 26, 2020 at 11:30 A.M. at St. Stephens U.C.C. Cemetery 1017 W. Market St. Perkasie, PA 18944.

Arrangements are in the care of the C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (www.crstrunk.com) Quakertown.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, American Heart Association, Alzheimer’s Association, & American Cancer Society.

Nash Daniel Stoneback, stillborn infant son of Nathan & Tasha M (Gitto) Stoneback died on December 23, 2020. In addition to his parents he is survived by his four brothers Brayden D., Noah D., Hunter D., & Remington D. His maternal grandparents Carey & Tracey Sell and his paternal grandparents Barry & Denise Stoneback. Arrangements are in the care of the C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (www.crstrunk.com) Quakertown.

January 2021 • Upper Bucks Free Press •

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The Old Swimming Hole It may not yet be the season to start worrying about it, but they’re closing the Quakertown community swimming pool until the 2022 season. The Pool has a serious leak problem.

They’re losing and inch a day. [There’s 7.48 gallons in a cubic foot, so get the surface area and do the algebra]. That’s a lot of water—heavily chlorinated water—seeping into the ground. The pool liner’s ripped and it’s more cost effective (though costly, indeed, at $3,000,000), to demolish the whole thing and rebuild it. There are some options for public swimming near by, but a lot of people will be missing the familiar swimming hole on Mill Street; come the steamy Dog Days of twenty-twenty-one.

The Pool was built in 1957 (when I was five), on property acquired in the original purchase of the Memorial Park property in 1945. The facilities have been updated and improved several times, most recently in 2004.

The Pool’s been a popular hang-out for kids and adults for over 60 years. Somewhere else for water sports and aquatic therapy must be found.

My wife usually gets a season pass to The Pool, but, to be honest, I haven’t set flip-flop or flipper in the place in decades. As a youngster, I spent many, many hours there, flexing my muscles and puffing out my chest for the girls—and swimming. These days, though, I’ve developed a UV and cosmic rays phobia and keep myself covered up. In addition, I can’t deny my age and physical condition. I don’t want to traumatize children or sensitive adults by parading around in a bathing suit.

Lately, my long-time buddy, Ed Zapp, and I have been doing morning walks around Quakertown. It’s good exercise for two guys who now have more arthritic mass and scar tissue than cartilage. Our nostalgic conversations quite often begin with: “Remember when…?”, “That used to be…”, or “Whatever happened to…?” Many things we believed were permanent when we were young, like the Lincoln and Central Buildings, the Stove Works, the Erie Road Bridge (and the swimming pool), are now gone or drastically altered. We plod past The Pool several times each day.

Soon after we heard about The Pool closing, Ed and I were approaching Penrose St. a block from the Tohickon Creek Bridge crossing.

We’d been reminiscing about Mr. Spangler and our swimming lessons, a lifetime ago, when Ed asked, “Remember when there was an iron girder bridge there? Wasn’t there a swimming hole or something just downstream from it?”

I said. “Yes, before our time. It was called Tohickon Park and was the ‘official’ Quakertown swimming hole back when my mom was a kid. They also rented rowboats and canoes. There were picnic groves, horse shoe and quoits courts, and, in winter, ice skating on the creek.”

It wasn’t the first time someone asked me about Tohickon Park. There are probably only a few people alive who remember it. Even when we were kids (born 1952 & 3), Tohickon Park was just a memory and had fallen into ruins. Photographs of it are available on line and there are several Quakertown postcards sold at the Chamber of Commerce and elsewhere

in town that depict it. Otherwise, it’s lost to history.

By our time, all that was left of Tohickon Park was a cement slab along the far creek bank and a collapsing, wooden building nearly hidden in an overgrown grove of trees. Saplings were growing through its floorboards. A generation before, the slab marked the swimming hole.

The building was for changing cloth, lacing ice skates or having lunch and socializing. There were refresments, rest rooms, indoor seating and electric lights for night-time activities. If Tohickon Park was privately owned or was managed by the Borough, I’m not sure.

Access to Tohickon Park was just across the bridge. The swimming hole was made possible

by Eikner’s Dam, which spans the Tohickon a couple of hundred yards downstream. It was built in the 1800’s to service a grain mill. My mom remembered swimming there, back in the 1930’s. They’d also rent a rowboat and could paddle upstream to the Q&E Railroad bridge abutments past the north end of Ambler St. Before refrigeration, they cut blocks of ice from the creek there and haul them by horse and wagon to the ice house on Belmont Ave. When we were kids, the creek there was still wide and deep. Thick with ‘seaweed’ and alive with frogs, snakes and turtles, it certainly wasn’t inviting for a swim. It was over our heads so we weren’t even allowed ‘down at the Tohickon’ until we learned to swim. By the time we did, the shelter was on the verge of collapse and remained off limits. Like normal kids, we checked it out, anyway. The half caved-in roof, busted windows, decades of spider webs and animal signs, rusty screens and nails inspired a healthy wariness of the Tohickon Park’s ruins.

The Tohickon became a favorite place to fish and play. We pooled allowances and bought, a leaky, $4.00 rowboat from the crabby old man who lived in the brick house (now gone), adjacent to the dam. He’d salvaged them after the park shut down. Ignorant of the fact it was once a popular community recreational center, we plied the same waters the generations before us had.

During the three-quarters of a century since Tohickon Park fell into disuse there’s a new bridge Tohickon Ave. Bridge, the swimming hole has filled with silt and the stream has periodically washed out around the dam. The creek is often a muddy shallow, hardly deep enough for fish, much less swimming. The shelter was cleared away long ago. ‘No Trespass’ signs are up and the picnic groves are brushy thickets or totally reclaimed by the woods. The bridge is sloped and curved in a way that nothing of Tohickon Park can even be seen by passing motorists.

Like so many other places that once had significance during Quakertown’s long history, Tohickon Park is gone and mostly forgotten. I hope the coming summer is not a severe one.

In today’s world, jumping into a creek, shooing away the leeches and frogs, then splashing around with friends, a mile downstream from the super fund site, holds little appeal. Fear not! Nothing is permanent. The old pool will be gone, but a new one is on the way.

Jack Schick is a long time Quakertown area resident and regular contributor here at

UBFP. Reach him at sjckschc@aol.com

Quakertown Cares Campaign Surges Past $40,000!

BY JANE THOMPSON-SMITH Nothing can stop Christmas. The faithful know this. Even the Grinch found this out. Christmas is coming, even in the midst of terrible pandemic that has reached new heights. One of the ways Christmas is coming is through a vaccine. And in the Quakertown area there is another, unique way- through “Quakertown Cares.” Yes, Covid isn’t the only thing surging in Quakertown! Love is surging too! And there are still several months left in the campaign.

Giving to the cause recently have been: McAdoo & Allen, Quaker Color ($10,000), QNB Bank ($1,200), an anonymous Quakertown Borough resident ($1,000), an anonymous Milford Township resident ($500), an anonymous Quakertown Borough resident ($425), Zachary Schoch ($300), Rebecca Leiby ($300), Janet Pelone ($300), Nancianne Edwards ($250), Greg Lesher ($250), Enzo Martellucci ($250), an anonymous Quakertown Borough resident ($250), Edward Swartz ($200), Cynthia Teprovich ($200).

The following gave $100 each: an anonymous Richland Township resident, an anonymous Milford Township resident, an anonymous Quakertown Borough resident, Jean and Richard DeTuccio, Carol Hauff, Jason and Kathryn Anderson, Steven and Linda Cardell, Fred and Nancy Tirjan, Patty Blair-Sabol, Eileen Bruchak, Nicole Jerrom, Rebecca Kummery, Shelia Cox, Kim Finnerty, Pam Fothergill, Bethany Fuller, Erin Haslett, Erica Henry, Kevin Kelly, Rebecca Kelly, Jonathon Pallone, Crystal Prine, Terry San Angelo, Andy Scappaticci, Edwin Vasquez, Nicole Zuerblis In addition, Robert and Sandra Myers gave $60, and the following gave $50 each: an anonymous Milford Township resident, an anonymous Quakertown Borough resident, Lynn Geesaman, Diane Cressman, Kelly Shaak, Carolyn Staffieri, Elizabeth Coyle, Frank Hilton, Katie Rosica Giving $25 to the cause were:

an anonymous Milford Township resident, an anonymous Richland Township resident, Corey Beil, Jan Detweiler, Eileen Finlayson, Jenell Hilton, Jennifer Honorado, Wendy Somers, Deborah Yard.

Thank you so much to those who have given to “Quakertown Cares!” The campaign truly helps those who need it most-local families, seniors and veterans who are struggling through these times. Through “Cares” they are able to purchase much needed necessities such as food, clothing, and fuel to heat their homes.

And there are plenty. Especially now.

Year after year you never let us down. It’s so special.

In other very important “Quakertown Cares” news, the campaign was able to distribute $10,000 in gift cards to Quakertown Community School District families! In addition, at Thanksgiving, ‘Cares’ distributed 100 Giant food cards at $50 in lieu of turkey meals (due to COVID) to seniors, veterans, and school families in partnership with Quakertown Community Outreach. “Cares” also supported several students in the borough’s Shop with a Cop holiday program. Also, the campaign supported area seniors in partnership with the Bucks County Area Agency Foundation.

During the last three months, Quakertown Cares has provided food assistance to 410 individuals and families, most in the form of $100 Giant food cards.

All recipients live within the local school district and are school families, veterans, and seniors with economic need.

Every dollar contributed goes to neighbors in need, as the non-profit charity has no administrative expenses.

Want to be a part of helping your neighbors this holiday season?

Just fill out the coupon on this page and mail it and your donation to “Quakertown Cares,” c/o QNB, P.O. Box 9005, Quakertown, PA 18951, or it can be dropped off at any QNB location. Contributions are tax-deductible, and all will be acknowledged.

And thank you for caring!

QNB Promotes Brindley to VP, Coopersburg Branch Manager Melissa Brindley was recently named Vice President, Branch Manager at QNB Bank’s Coopersburg Office. In her role, Melissa is responsible for the efficient, effective management of the Branch, as well as coaching Branch staff, developing new business and retaining and expanding existing relationships within the Coopersburg market.

Melissa has been in banking for 13 years, previously serving as Vice President, Branch Manager at QNB’s Colmar Office. She earned her associate degree from Bucks County Community College and has completed several Pennsylvania Bankers Association courses.

Melissa lives in Perkasie with her family.

As an active member in the community, she serves as Co-Chair of the Young Professionals Council for the Greater Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce. Melissa also enjoys participating in and supporting various local community events.

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• Upper Bucks Free Press • January 2021

Cadillac CT5 Sedan

While SUVs and crossovers are top sellers right now, sedans are still in favor for those who want riding comfort in a low silhouette design. And Cadillac has come on strong with their latest CT5 midsize sedan.

This rear-drive (AWD is a $2,000 option) replaced the former CTS sedan.

As such, it’s a tad smaller, more maneuverable plus it sports a striking chiseled, angular design.

CT5 is offered in Luxury, Premium Luxury (tested), Sport and CT5-V Blackwing that has a myriad of sporty features and performance functions.

The CT5 550T Premium Luxury tested was not only an eye-grabber, but true to Cadillac tradition. It had a classy 5-passenger interior sporting a 10-inch iPad-type touchscreen with, ONSTAR, 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, apps and rearview camera that offers four selectable views including frontal and side views. Below it is a palm-shaped 10-speed automatic electronic automatic transmission shifter that has a “P” button for park gear instead of a typical detent. It’s surrounded by neat carbon fiber type trim that really sets off the cockpits’ decor.

Below the shifter is a rotary dial controlling some touchscreen functions and the four driving modes of My Mode, Tour, Sport and Snow/Ice. CT5’s Rearview Camera Mirror is unique in that it does double duty as it can be switched to a wider rear view to see any unseen obstacles on either back side of the car.

HVAC controls on the vertical stack are comprised of two horizontal rows of easy to operate switches with the bottom row activating the heated/cooled seat functions and heated steering wheel.

An analog gauge cluster (surprised Cadillac didn’t go with digital gauges as many lesser cars are using) includes a driver information display for various driving functions, features and alerts.

Front seats are exceptionally supportive, soft, comfy with extended under thigh support.

The driver’s seat has a custom setting so three different drivers can set their preferences.

When crossing a highway line or backing into an object, the driver’s seat buzzes as an alert.

And get this. The driver/passenger seats also have a massage function that soothes over long hauls. But be forewarned. Once activated, you won’t want to get out of the car when the trip is over.

Back seats are equally as comfy as the fronts, but only for two adults as a tall transaxle hump doesn’t allow sufficient legroom. However, three youngsters can be accommodated.

Trunk space is rated at 11.9 cubic feet and with the rear seatbacks upright, there’s 41.5 inches of storage length. Flip the seatbacks and length expands to 72 inches. Only problem

here is there’s an oval-type partition behind the rear seatbacks that lessens space. But two hoofer type golf bags will still fit. There’s also a deep bin on either side of the trunk to stow smaller items plus beneath the trunk floor, is a two partition hard foam bin to stow added items.

CT5 is offered with two engine choices. A 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder with 237-hp and 258 lb/ft of torque for EPA mileage estimates of 23/32 mpg for RWD and 21/31 mpg for AWD. Our test car came with the optional ($3,500) 3.0-lter, twin turbo V6 that generates 335-hp

and a whopping 400 lb/ft of torque for EPA mileage estimates of 19 city, 26-highway mpg with RWD and 18/25 mpg for AWD. These ratings are with engine start/stop technology and 10-speed auto trans.

The 3.0L V6 offered impressive performance from a standing stop and during highway passing situations. It moved CT5’s 3,659-pound curb weight as if there was a V8 under the hood. And in Sport mode, rpm’s increased somewhat as did shift points for quicker acceleration.

The ride on Michelin 18-inch all-season self-sealing tires was silky smooth and quiet, a trademark of all Cadillac’s.

Handling was controlled in sharp turns with the suspension offering compliant maneuverability. Parking was easy with a relatively tight 39 foot turning diameter. And when backing into a parking spot and there’s an object or person, CT5’s Reverse Automatic Braking automatically stops the car. It’s part of the Driver Assistance and Advanced Security Package ($1,950) as is enhanced automatic braking, adaptive cruise and a lengthy list of added items.

Other safety features include rear cross traffic alert, forward collision alert, lane change alert w/side blind zone alert and front pedestrian braking.

CT5 carried a base price of $40,695 but after adding the aforementioned options plus the Platinum Package ($8,330) that included the massaging seats, panoramic sunroof, Bose audio, alloy pedals, climate, parking package and a few more, the Drive Awareness Package added an additional $1,300 and with a $995 delivery charge, the bottom line reflected $58,770.

With that comes a 4 year, 50K mile bumperbumper; 6/70K powertrain with roadside assistance/courtesy transportation; and complimentary first maintenance visit warranties.

All in all, CT5 is not like your grandfathers Cadillac. Far from it. It’s a pleasing mix of luxury, sportiness and latest technology for a price that’s less than its comparable competition from BMW and Mercedes. And it’s made in the good ole USA. Nick Hromiak is an automotive enthusiast and freelance writer. We look forward to bringing you his new column each month.

He can be reached at nhromiak@verizon.net.

WOW! What a year THAT was! I know there has been some hate among the humans over difference of opinions on MANY issues but some people have gotten friendlier. We have all shared in a disaster together so we have something in common that bonds us together.

People share their personal struggles of this time with each other. No matter if you are rich or poor it has affected you and your life. Some humans had their little humans at home, some lost their jobs, some had to work longer hours, some got sick. When you share in a tragedy it can make you feel closer to those who also went through it. Enjoy and Love each other and hope to see you all out and about this year. ~Love Brandy and the gang

Pandemic Leads to Surge in Multigenerational Households The pandemic is accelerating a multigenerational household trend: Family members are bringing their older relatives into their household, young adults are moving back home, and families are pooling their financial resources due to a job loss or as a way to conserve money and accommodate more members of their family.

Housing experts believe the multigenerational trend will last for some time—and may be here to stay.

About 16% of buyers have opted for a multigenerational home since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, compared to 11% the previous year, according to data from the National Association of REALTORS®.

“One in six home buyers who purchased during the pandemic purchased a multigenerational home,” Jessica Lautz, NAR’s vice president of demographics and behavioral insights, told realtor.com®. “That’s an increase from 1 in 10.”

NAR’s data shows the most common reason for a multigenerational home this year was to care for and spend more time with older par-

ents, followed by cost savings and ability to pool several incomes.

What’s different about multigenerational homes? They may offer a separate entrance and a private kitchen from the main part of the house, like an accessory dwelling unit. Or homes may have two owner’s suites or be big enough that family members can spread out.

Other features may accommodate specific needs.

Homebuilders have been responding to the demand for multigenerational buildings in recent years. For the last five years, Lennar Corp. and Toll Brothers have been constructing homes with two separate entries that include separate kitchens and living spaces.

Multigenerational homes tend to be larger, by nearly 22%, according to NAR data. A multigenerational household averages about 2,290 square feet and costs about 10.7% more, coming in at $299,000. For comparison, the typical existing home is about 1,800 square feet and costs $270,000.

Sue Deily has been a Realtor for 34 years, resides in the Upper Bucks County area and enjoys serving her clients in Bucks, Lehigh, and Montgomery Counties. Contact her at suesellshouses@gmail.com or 215-872-9865.

January 2021 • Upper Bucks Free Press •

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Amanda Little, 24, of Quakertown, a manager at Holiday House Pet Resort in Doylestown, was certainly In the Holiday Spirit last month. Having always had a ‘soft spot’ for animals in need, Amanda used her Christmas bonus to buy dog and cat food and donate it to the animals at the Upper Bucks County SPCA shelter in Quakertown. Charles, our full time office paperweight (cat) here at the Free Press office, is a rescue from that very shelter as was his predecessor, Snickers. He and the rest of us here at UBFP applaud this generous gift to the homeless animals in our community! submitted photo

Holiday Blooms Faded? Now What?

When the blooms fade, you’ll want to take steps to keep the plant alive—and hopefully healthy enough to re-bloom next season. Here are a few pointers for some popular holiday plants.

Christmas/Thanksgiving Cactus (Schlumbergera). After the blooms drop, keep the cactus in a cooler location, with indirect light— perhaps a basement with windows or a heated garage. Next summer, it will benefit from being out in part shade until cooler fall weather sets in. You will notice new shoots forming on the plant. Once buds start to appear, move the plant indoors to a sunny location. If the buds don’t develop into flowers, the plant may need a bigger pot or richer soil—you may consider repotting.

Or, move it to a location with more sunlight.

Try to keep the plant’s environment sunny but not above 70 degrees to optimize flowering.

Poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) will give you more of a challenge to get the plant to flower again. To extend the blooms, take care to keep the plant’s room temperature consistent. When the flowers and leaves fall, cut the plant back to 3-5 inches and move the plant to a cool (sub-60 degree), well-ventilated place until spring. During this time, the plant will not require much water, but again, the soil should not dry out completely. In late spring, bring the plant out of dormancy with new soil, a warmer location, and increase watering.

When summer evening temperatures are above 60 degrees, move the plant outside for the summer in moderate shade. Pinch off shoots during the summer to make the plant bushier and give it a nice shape. By late summer, when evenings start to cool, the poinsettia needs to come back indoors in a warm, sunny window.

Again—room temperatures between 70-75 are ideal—but cooler evening temperatures in low 60s and darkness is important. At this time, the plant should be treated almost every week to a dose of soluble fertilizer. If you’re hoping for Christmas color, starting in October the plant requires complete overnight darkness (not even a nightlight!) for eight weeks. This is when the bracts (modified leaves) will acquire their bright color. Once flower buds are formed (around Thanksgiving), the plant is ready to reward you with holiday brilliance for the second year and will need sun to brighten the bracts.

Kalanchoe (K. blossfeldiana) offers abundant bright flowers for holiday enjoyment.

It requires a sunny location in the home for flowering, if it is to flower a second year. If you don’t have a sunny window, your plant will become unattractive and spindly. You may have more success by taking root cuttings and placing them in moist sand to restart the process. Like poinsettia, kalanchoe will need to be given the same “dark” period in order to set flower buds. Unlike the poinsettia, it may not need to be cut back in the spring.

Cyclamen (C. persicum) is one of the most difficult winter potted plants to survive more than a few weeks in a home. The key to a long-lasting plant is cool temperature. Nighttime temperatures around 50 degrees are best to prevent yellowing leaves and dropping buds. Daytime indirect sunlight is equally important. Keep the soil moist, but avoid letting any water into the crown or leaves of the plant. If you can treat your Cyclamen to these comforts, its blooms will stay bright for 3 or more months.

Other beautiful holiday plants such as Jerusalem Cherry, Christmas Pepper, Primrose and Cineraria cannot survive in the home beyond one blooming season and attempting to maintain the plant is a recipe for frustration and failure.

If you succeed in getting your Holiday plant to bloom a second year, you can pat yourself on the back and award yourself a ‘holiday green thumb’ – that’s something to be very proud of!

Photo Credits: Penn State Extension - Cactus, Kathy Kelley, PH.D; Cyclamen, Carol Pappas Our home Garden/Watershed hotline is still open! Calls are being answered Monday through Friday from 9 am to 12 pm. Emails are being answered by our trained Master Gardeners and Master Watershed Stewards.

You can still call if you prefer. Leave a message and we will return your call as soon as possible.

Phone: 267-483-2020 “Ask a Master Gardener/Watershed Steward” Penn State Extension Bucks County Email: BucksMG@psu.edu Please mention that you heard about us inin the Upper Bucks Free Press!

Time for New Year’s Financial Resolutions

Many of us probably felt that 2020 lasted a very long time. But now that 2021 is upon us, we can make a fresh start – and one way to do that is to make some New Year’s resolutions.

Of course, you can make these resolutions for all parts of your life – physical, emotional, intellectual – but have you ever considered some financial resolutions?

Here are a few such resolutions to consider: • Don’t overreact to events. When the coronavirus pandemic hit in mid-February, the financial markets took a big hit. Many people, convinced that we were in for a prolonged slump, decided to take a “time out” and headed to the investment sidelines. But it didn’t take long for the markets to rally, rewarding those patient investors who stayed the course.

Nothing is a certainty in the investment world, but the events of 2020 followed a familiar historical pattern: major crisis followed by market drop followed by strong recovery.

The lesson for investors? Don’t overreact to today’s news – because tomorrow may look quite different.

• Be prepared. At the beginning of 2020, nobody was anticipating a worldwide pandemic and its terrible consequences, both to individuals’ health and to their economic well-being.

None of us can foretell the future, either, but we can be prepared, and one way to do so is by building an emergency fund. Ideally, such a fund should be kept in liquid, low-risk vehicles and contain at least six months’ worth of living expenses.

• Focus on moves you can control. In response to pandemic-related economic pressures, some employers cut their matching contributions to 401(k) plans in 2020. Will some future event cause another such reduction? No one knows – and even if it happens,

there’s probably nothing you can do about it.

Instead of worrying about things you can’t control, focus on those you can. When it comes to your 401(k) or similar employer-sponsored retirement plan, put in as much as you can afford this year, and if your salary goes up, increase your contribution.

• Recognize your ability to build savings.

During the pandemic, the personal savings rate shot up, hitting a record of 33% in April, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economy Analysis. It fell over the next several months, but still remained about twice as high as the rate of the past few years. Of course, much of this surge in Americans’ proclivity to save money was due to our lack of options for spending it, as the coronavirus caused either complete or partial shutdowns in physical retail establishments, as well as dining and entertainment venues. But if you did manage to boost your own personal savings when your spending was constrained, is it possible to remain a good saver when restrictions are lifted?

Probably. And the greater your savings, the greater your financial freedoms – including the freedom to invest and freedom from excessive debt. When we reach a post-pandemic world, see if you can continue saving more than you did in previous years – and use your savings wisely.

These aren’t the only financial resolutions you can make – but following them may help you develop habits that could benefit you in 2021 and beyond.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor, Bob Podraza on West Broad Street, Quakertown. He can be reached at 215-536-3635 or at bob.podraza@edwardjones.com

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• Upper Bucks Free Press • January 2021

Upper Bucks Area Places of Worship Bible Baptist Church

Meets at HIghland Park Dining Hall 415 Highland Park Road Sellersville, PA 18960 484-523-3333 www.biblebaptistcares.org Pastor: Tom Harris Bible Study Hour 9:30 am, Morning Worship 10:30 am, Services interpreted for the deaf

Christ Church United Church of Christ

101 N. Main Street Trumbauersville, PA 18970 215-538-0142 christchurch10@verizon.net www.christchurchisalive.org Pastor: David Heckler A friendly, welcoming church. Change fear into hope, doubt into faith. God is calling.

Join us at 11am Sunday. Halleleujah!

Christ’s Lutheran Church

1 Luther Lane Trumbauersville, PA 18970 215-536-3193 christselca@verizon.net www.christslutheran.com Interim Pastor: Rev. Susan Lang 9:00am Worship, 10:15 Sunday School Handicapped accessible, Family Friendly Church. Find us on Facebook!

Church of the Incarnation

44 S. 8th Street Quakertown, PA 18951 215-538-3787 Ardores@verizon.net www.IncarnationQuakertown.org Pastor: Most Rev. Thomas J. Kleppinger Traditional worship, Biblical faith Sunday 10:30am, Holy Days as announced.

Emmanuel Episcopal Church

560 S. Main Street Quakertown, PA 18951 215-536-3040 emmanuelchurch11@yahoo.com www.emmanuelquakertown.org Sunday service at 10am, Visitors and new members always welcome!

Evangel Assembly of God

401 Arch Street Perkasie, PA 18944 484-860-8269 Pastor: Rev. Gary Saul Sunday Morning Worship 10:30am, Adult Sunday School 9:30am, Wednesday Evening Prayer & Bible Study 6:00pm, Where God’s Love Changes Lives

First United Church of Christ Fourth Street & Park Avenue Quakertown, PA 18951 215-536-4447 info@firstUCC.net www.firstUCC.net Facebook.com/FirstUCCQuakertown Co-Pastors: Douglas & Joyce Donigian Traditional worship Sunday 9:15am, Contemporary Service 11:45am, Alternative worship Sunday 5:15pm, Community dinners every 3rd Thursday 5:30pm

Good News Church 424 Juniper Street Quakertown, PA 18951 215-536-4393 Pastor: David Markey, Jr. An alternative to the ultra-contemporary Sunday Worship and Children’s Church 10:30 am, Wednesday Bible Study 7:30pm, World Evangelism Fellowship affiliate.

Grace Bible Fellowship Church 1811 Old Bethlehem Pike N. Quakertown, PA 18951 215-536-6096 grace@quakertownbfc.org www.quakertownbfc.org Sr. Pastor: Ron Kohl Sunday School for all ages. 10:10am Morning Worship, Evening 1st & 3rd Sundays 6:30pm; Small group meetings 2nd & 4th Sundays 6:30pm; Tues: Ladies Bible Study 9:30am; Wed: AWANA (2 yrs - 6th grade) & Teens for Christ 6:30pm, Adult Bible Study 7pm.

Juniper Street Bible Church 317 Juniper Street Quakertown, PA 18951 267-373-9115 Pastor: Bob Stevenson www.juniperstreetbiblechurch.org Sunday worship 10am (also watch live on our Facebook page), Tuesday 7pm Bible study and prayer, Sunday 6pm Bible study and sharing. We offer an invitation to you. Come and worship with us.

Morning Star Fellowship

429 S. 9th Street Quakertown, PA 18951 215-529-6422 Pastors: John & Theresa Decker www.mstarqtown.org Sunday service at 10 am, Children’s Ministries provided, Student Ministries on Tuesdays, Weekly Connection through small groups, Cafe open with free coffee. Check the website for updated information.

Palisades Community Bible Church

8730 Easton Road Revere, PA 18953 610-847-2637 secretary@pcbchurch.com www.pcbchurch.com Pastor: Rev. Corbin Seltzer, Jr. Sunday School (all ages) 9:30am, Sunday Morning Worship 10:30am, Tuesday Prayer Meeting 7:00pm, Men & Ladies’ Bible Studies - see website. “Walk by Faith.” II Cor. 5:7

Quakertown United Methodist Church

1875 Freier Road Quakertown, PA 18951 215-536-4992 barb@qumc.com www.qumc.com Pastor: Rev. Dr. Lori Wagner Effective July 12, 9:00 a.m. Parking Lot Worship, 10:00 a.m. In-Sanctuary Worship There is no Sunday School for the time being.

Communion first Sunday of each month.

Richland Friends Meeting (Quaker)

Main St at Mill Rd & Park Ave Quakertown, PA 18951 215-538-7555 Friends@RichlandQuakers.org www.RichlandQuakers.org Clerk: Jack H. Schick Non-Denominational guided meditations Wed, 7pm Sunday worship 10:30am “Absolute freedom of thought and worship is our faith and practice.”

St. John’s Lutheran Church

4 South Main Street • PO Box 459 Richlandtown, PA 18955 215-536-5027 Admin@stjohnsrpa.org Pastor: Rev Dr. David A Genszler Parish Musician: Zack von Menchhofen www.stjohnsrpa.org/sermon facebook.com/stjohnsrpa.org In person worship service Sunday at 9:30 am, Watch our virtual Sunday church ser-

vices 9:30 am live on Facebook or anytime at stjohnsrpa.org/sermon/sermons/ Virtual services continue until our area turns Green.

St. John’s Lutheran Church of Spinnerstown

1565 Sleepy Hollow Road, Spinnerstown 215-536-0734 stjohnsspinnerstown@gmail.com www.stjohnsofspinnerstown.org Pastor: The Rev. Axel Kaegler Worship services online, available through church website: stjohnsofspinnerstown. org. Call or check website for updates on resumption of on-site services.

St. John’s Lutheran Ridge Valley

910 Allentown Road, West Rockhill Twp 215-257-9643 stjohnsridgevalley910@gmail.com www.stjohnsridgevalley.com 8:30am Traditional - 10:15am w/praise band.

Grape juice & gluten-free wafers available.

Adult Forum 9:40, Handicapped accessible.

All invited and welcome to Share the Joy!

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Applebachsville

837 Old Bethlehem Road, Quakertown 215-536-5789 stpauls@netcarrier.com www.stpaulsqtown.org Pastor: Rev. David Heckler We believe in sharing God’s love in joyful service. Come and see. All are welcome.

St. Paul’s United Church of Christ 104 Green Street Sellersville, PA 18960 215-257-7268 Pastor: Rev. Trudy Irving stacey@stpaulsucc.net www.stpaulsucc.net Sunday Worship 10:15 in Sanctuary

Victory Fellowship Church

120 Ridge Road, Telford 215-453-9988 victoryfellowshippa@gmail.com www.victoryfellowshippa.org Pastor: Dr. Virgil A. Mobley Full Gospel.A friendly, loving, and joyful church where the presence of God is in His house. Check out our website..

Have something to share with your community? Send us the details! info@ubfp.org • 215-529-8915 • 582 S. West End Blvd • Quakertown, PA 18951 New Year – New Estate Plan!

BY ROBERT E. FRAVEL, ESQ.

With 2020 coming to an end (thankfully), it is time to once again revisit a prominent topic: estate planning. If you already have your estate plan in place (Will, POA, Trust, Healthcare Directive/Living Will – or any combination thereof), you are ahead of the game. But just because you had these documents prepared on your behalf, does not mean that you can sit back and forget about them.

Each year it is a good idea to go back through your documents and review them.

Make sure they still reflect your intentions and desires. Are the beneficiaries in your Will/trust still alive and/or in your good graces? If not, who do you want to replace them? If your children were minors at the time your Will was drafted but have since reached the age of majority, you may want to have a new Will drafted and eliminate any testamentary trust created for minor children. Also, if your children have since grown up, you may be inclined to name they as the personal representative of your estate.

Are all of your agents and successor agents in your Power of Attorney still alive and/ or residing in the same general area as you are? If not, you may want to revisit the top-

ic. And don’t forget about your Healthcare Directive/Living Will. Take some time to review this and just make sure that your end of life wishes and medical POA declarations are still accurate. If not, have a new document prepared and placed on file with your hospital and treating physician.

And lastly, are there any charitable donations you wish to make at your death that are not mentioned in your estate plan?

It is very likely that your estate plan doesn’t need any changes, but it is always a wise practice to review your documents at least once a year. And if you have some changes that need to be made or simply have some questions, schedule an appointment to sit down with an experienced estate planning attorney.

Happy new year everyone, and here’s to hoping that 2021 will be an improvement from 2020.

Robert E. Fravel, Esq. is a Bucks County attorney located at 123 N. Main Street, Suite 101B, in Dublin, Pennsylvania. He specializes in estate planning & administration, family law, business law and real estate law. To set up a consultation, call his office at (267) 227-9138 or visit his website at www.fravel-law.com.

Christmas and Epiphany

BY REV. AXEL KAEGLER Epiphany greetings to you and your loved ones.

Not a phrase you hear too often, I’m sure.

And yet the season of Epiphany - which follows the 12 days of Christmas provides us with considerable guidance at the start of the New Year - especially after such a difficult year.

The Feast of Epiphany is when we celebrate the arrival of Three Wise Men with gifts for the infant Jesus, as led by the Star which revealed the Christ. But the season continues with many important Biblical stories of the light of the world. The first Sunday in Epiphany in our Church is a celebration of the Baptism of our Lord, and the last Sunday in Epiphany - right before Ash Wednesday is the transfiguration of our Lord. In the darkest times of the year, we confess that the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it.

Whenever I think of the Season of Epiphany, I also find myself thinking of my Armenian friends - who taught me that in the Armenian Orthodox and Armenian Evangelical traditions Christmas and the Epiphany story of Jesus’ baptism are celebrated at the same time. To the Armenian Churches - observing Christmas as simply Jesus’ birthday comes up short - but to confess further that in Jesus the very Word and heart of God is revealed to us in love - that’s where the good news is found! And that’s what is revealed in Jesus’ baptism and ours. In fact, the traditional Christmas greeting in Armenia isn’t “Merry Christmas” but “Christ is born and revealed” with the response “Good news to you, and to us!”

The Armenian people have had a more difficult past year than most - though it wasn’t widely reported here. This past fall - the autonomous and self-governing region of Artsakh (an Armenian-populated region with-

in Azerbaijan, close to the Armenian border) was attacked by the Azerbaijani and Turkish governments. Armenia received fire, but mercifully, its borders were not invaded. But people whose families have confessed “Christ is born and revealed” - “Good news to you, and to us!” for millennia in Artsakh have been killed and oppressed. Ancient churches and monasteries have fallen silent due to this incursion, which evoked horrific memories of the Armenian Genocide in the early 20th century. The Russian-brokered peace plan has not helped.

And yet - it is to them that Christ is born and revealed. This is good news for them, and for us. It is not for a stable and perfect world that Jesus Christ was born and revealed - but for an oppressed and sin-struck one. And a Good News that is unwilling to meet the world’s real pain and suffering is hardly good news worth preaching - no matter where we live.

What Christ promises us is not military victory, or political power. Instead, Christ’s incarnation promises that love for us is rooted in God’s very being. Amid militant injustice there is still a light that shines in the darkness.

A light that summons all who see it around Jesus Christ. In finding Christ we are given his presence, and are assured that our fate shall be his own: a life that is more shaped by love than hatred, and a death that is met by resurrection.

Let us make room for him in the manger of our hearts. Let us laud him not just with gold, frankincense, and myrrh, but with a life where God’s love is lived out. A life where those who are hurt and ignored by the world know that they are cared for by God, and by us. May our lives be witness to such a peace on earth until Christ comes again.

Axel Kaegler is the pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Spinnerstown. He can be reached at kaegax01@gmail.com

January 2021 • Upper Bucks Free Press •

13

Life’s most persistent and urgent question: “What are you doing for others?”

- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The answers to the puzzles on this page are found elsewhere in this issue.

Think Local.

Play Local.

Be Local.

Allspice Basil Bay Leaf Cardamom Cayenne

Celery Seeds Chives Cinnamon Garlic Marjoram

Nutmeg Onion Flakes Oregano Paprika Parsley Peppercorns

Rosemary Sage Salt Sugar Thyme Turmeric

14

• Upper Bucks Free Press • January 2021

Employment Opportunities

Professional Tree Care & Landscaping - Full time ground worker’s position available.

Must have current license and reliable transportation to our location in Quakertown PA. Must have chainsaw experience, able to use a chipper and drive a full size pick up. Start right away. Call 215-804-8208 Kulp Roofing & Construction - We are currently in need of experienced individuals for our roof repair team, gutter team, and window team. Individuals must be motivated, punctual, detail-oriented, professional and loyal.

We are looking for long-term, year-round help. Applications accepted at our office at 216 D, Apple St., Quakertown, PA, Call 215-538-0618 Biagioli Construction - Laborer/ Helper Wanted For Remodeling Looking for a self motivated person. Experience not necessary, willing to train the right individual. Must have reliable transportation. Contact us at Jbiagioli5775@gmail.com Spor’s General Store - Hiring PT Kitchen staff Contact: bspor@ sporsgeneralstore.com or stop in the store at 22 W. Broad Street,Trumbauersville

New Vitae Wellness & Recovery Join our jolly staff and make someone’s holiday joyful! New Vitae Wellness & Recovery is committed to improving the quality of life for individuals with mental disabilities. NVWR is currently seeking enthusiastic, highly productive people for our Personal Care Aides, CNA’s, Brain Injury Support Specialists, Medication Technicians, Activities Coordinator, LPN’s, Maintenance, and Therapist positions. Please submit resumes to: www.newvitaewellness.com/ careers Independence Court - Seeking Resident Care Aide and Full time housekeeping staff.

215-538-7050, 1660 Park Avenue, Quakertown.

Lazer Limousine is growing and starting an office in the Quakertown area. We have a diverse fleet, from sedans to bus, to handle any number of passengers.

Flexible schedule.

267-371-7857 The Gutter Guys - Seeking career minded employees. No experience required, just a valid driver’s license. We’re based in Perkasie. Contact Kim at mbgutterguys@aol.com or call 215-996-9976.

Think Local. Work Local. Be Local.

‘Shop With A Cop’ Event Benefits 180 Local Youngsters

BY GARY WECKSELBLATT Approximately 40 law enforcement officers enjoyed their favorite event of the year Thursday night at the Richland Walmart as they received shopping lists and walked up and down the aisles with 180 youngsters - one at a time - as part of the Shop With A Cop program.

The Quakertown Police Department began the program about a decade ago to help the children of local families have their holiday dreams come true. Most of the participants benefitting from local donations are elementary-aged students in the Quakertown Community School District.

“Many of these families are going through life challenges,” said QPD Officer Bob Lee, a QCSD School Resource Officer. “Maybe a parent has lost a job or is on a military deployment. Perhaps there’s some other hardship. We would like these kids to have the opportunity to view police officers in a different atmosphere to promote positive relationships.”

And the officers enjoyed the experience as much as the children, though the COVID-19 masks they wore may have hidden their wide smiles this year. Officers from QPD, Richland Township (including Chief Ficco), Bedminster Township, Dublin Borough, Hilltown Township, Springfield Township, Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Game Commission participated on their own time.

Ashton Rosenberger, who oversees applications and donations to the program, said the SWAC Committee raised $50,000 from generous members of the community and local businesses. To show how far SWAC has come through the work of the committee, the program began with 10 children and $1,000 10 years ago.

“It is heartwarming to see the local business continue to come together for our community families that need help this holiday season, even with the challenges that this year has brought,” the SWAC Committee stated in a release.

Each child chosen for SWAC received $150 for their shopping list. Parents received $100 to shop while their child was shopping with a police officer. Children also received dinner, a backpack filled with school supplies, and wrapping paper to wrap their gifts at home.

Families unable to attend due to COVID-19 had officers shop for them. Officers will deliver the items to their households next week.

Said Officer Lee: “Quakertown is a blue-collar community, and the support has been awesome. The cops want to be here. We look forward to this.”

Gary Weckselblatt can be reached at gweckselblatt@qcsd.org.

We are proud to provide our Upper Bucks community with convenient access to a multidisciplinary group of physicians, specializing in diseases and disorders of the brain and spine.

Our team of highly skilled specialists delivers personalized care tailored to your particular health needs, and treat brain and spine tumors, spinal cord injuries, movement disorders, normal pressure hydrocephalus, aneurysms and stroke, and other complex neurological conditions.

For more information, call 1-866-STLUKES (785-8537) or visit sluhn.org/findadoctor.

Trust the region’s leaders in neurosurgical and endovascular care.

Doron Rabin, MD Neurosurgeon

Roy Hwang, MD Neurosurgeon

Daniel O’Rourke, MD Neurosurgeon

Evan Marlin, MD Neurosurgeon

Dang Zhang, MD Neurosurgeon

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Martin Oselkin, MD Neuroradiologist