Upper Bucks Free Press • October 2021 by Upper Bucks Free Press

• Upper Bucks Free Press • October 2021

What’s Going On in Upper Bucks? UPPER BUCKS SENIOR ACTIVITY CTR under new management. Stop in Tues, Wed & Thurs 9am-3pm until further notice. Meet us & check out classes available, also need more volunteers. 2183 Milford Sq Pike, Milford Square. FMI: 215-536-3066 APPLE DUMPLING FUNDRAISER for UB Senior Activity Ctr, 2183 Milford Sq Pike, Milford Square. $6.50 CASH ONLY, must pay when ordering by Oct. 15. Pick up Oct 22 from 1pm-4pm at door. FMI: 215-536-3066

October 1

Fall Food Drive for Quakertown Food Pantry every Fri/Sat/Sun in Oct. at QMart, 201 Station Rd, Quakertown. Non-perishable & canned donations accepted at Office, Exit #4. ‘Steve Brosky & John Cannavo’- Live Music 6pm-10pm at the Trolley Barn Public Market, 108 E Broad St, Quakertown. FMI: trolleybarnpublicmarket.com or 267-875-0701

October 1 & 2

Theatrical Performance by a NY actress at outdoor sculptures (Fri 6pm) (Sat 3pm), Art Sale/Wine Tasting & cash wine bar Fri/Sat 2pm-8pm at a Private home, 440 Top Rock Trail, Kintnersville., 500+ pieces of art for sale. FMI: 267-221-4003

October 1, 2 & 3

Quakertown Jet Jam (Fri/Sat 9am-5pm) (Sun 9am-3pm) featuring radio control jet models in flight. Spectators welcome, no fee. Held at John P. Fritzges Memorial Flying Field, Kumry Rd & Rosenberger Rd, Quakertown. FMI: buc-le.org

October 2

Blessing of the Animals, 11am-1pm in parking lot of Grace UMC, 295 S Main St, Telford. FMI: 215-723-2144 or telfordgrace.org Pet Vaccine Clinic 11am-3pm (low cost for dogs/cats) at Last Chance Ranch, 9 Beck Rd, Quakertown. FMI: lastchanceranch.org or 215-538-2510. Annual Yard/Bake Sale 8am-2pm at Lower Milford Fire House, 1601 Limeport Pike, Coopersburg. $5/bag available at 12noon. FMI: chestnuthillchurch.org or 610-390-9026. “The Fabulous Dr. G & Mr. Soul”-FREE Concert 10:30-1pm at QMart, 201 Station Rd, Quakertown. FMI: 215-536-4115. Fall Festival & Trunk or Treat, 3pm-7pm at The Park At 4th in Quakertown. Food, crafts, hayrides, costume contest, music, much more. Buy required $5 wristbands for kids. FMI: quakertown.org/fallfest ‘Paint a Fairy Door’ 10am for ages 4-12, Sellersville Train Station, 308 Clymer Ave. Must pre-register at Borough Office. Materials fee $10 (limit 25 kids) Take your door home, then return on Oct 9 for the ‘Find the Fairy Doors’ free event. FMI: 215-257-5075. Makers Market 10am-4pm at Calvary Church Souderton, 820 Rte 113, Souderton. Local makers/artists with handmade goods. Free admission. First 1000 people receive a free tote. makersmarket@calvary-church.com ‘Grandma’s Table’- Live Music 6pm-10pm at the Trolley Barn Public Market, 108 E Broad St, Quakertown. trolleybarnpublicmarket.com or 267-875-0701 Rupert & Scheetz ‘Americana Music’ Concert, 7pm at Solomon’s UCC, 2990 Bedminster Rd (Rte 113), Perkasie. (near Bedminster). Admission: $10/person. solomonsucc.org or Facebook. Visit: rupertandscheetz.com 9 Pin No-Tap Tournament (bowling, prizes, music) 9:30pm-11:30pm at Earl Bowl Lanes in Quakertown. $125 per team of 5, snacks & beverages sold to raise money. Register at prideofquakertown.org Fall Festival Fundraiser 4pm-8pm at Sage Alley Brewery in Coopersburg. Live music, Silent auction. (local scholarships & families). FMI: FosterFitzgeraldFoundation.com or 484-225-2261

October 3

Car Show at Ciocca Service Ctr (next to Dairy Queen), 1531 Park Ave, Quakertown, 11am-3pm. DJ entertainment. Basket raffle benefits Food Pantry. (r/d Oct 10) FMI: 610227-5312

Craft Show by Jennifer Lynn Events, 11am4pm at QMart, 201 Station Rd, Quakertown. Local artists/crafters in North Lot across from Garden Ctr. Annual Winter Coat Drive for Salvation Army, 11am-12noon at QMart, 201 Station Rd, Quakertown. All sizes in clean, good condition. Take to Mkt Office, Exit #4. Perkasie “Sweet Treats” Fall Festival 12noon-4pm in town center AND Menlo Park. Free bus shuttle between ¼ mile apart locations. Entertainment, food, vendors, activities, petting zoo, crafts & much more. Walk in Penn’s Woods (statewide PA walk today) 2pm-3pm, guided walk at Peace Valley Nature Ctr in Doylestown. Relaxing stroll, friendly leashed dogs welcome. FMI: 215-348-6270, peacevalleynaturecenter.org

October 4

Family Education Program on Addiction first three Mon. of month 7pm. Understand the impact on everyone involved. Presbyterian Church of Deep Run, 16 Irish Meetinghouse Rd, Perkasie. FMI: 215-527-3077. Register: 800-221-6333.

October 5

FREE Farmers Mkt 12noon-6pm at Quakertown Elementary School’s Pavilion, 123 S 7th St, Quakertown. Free, fresh produce from a local farm, please bring own bags if possible. Recipes also provided. Quakertown Rotary Charity Golf Outing at Macoby Run Golf Course, 5275 McLean Station Rd, Green Lane. FMI: 267-772-0782 or email: gchambers1967@gmail.com

October 9

East Penn Modifiers Car Show 9am-1pm at QMart, 201 Station Rd, Quakertown. 100+ Cars & Trucks. FMI: 215-536-4115. ‘Family Fun Fest’ 11am-3pm at Quakertown Library, 401 W Mill St. Eyes of the Wild Rescue group programs at 11am, 12:30pm & 1:30pm. Bring something to sit on & enjoy our lawn entertainment. calendar.buckslib.org “Find Fairy Doors” free Event 2pm. Lake Lenape Park is home to 12 Fairy families. Fairy doors will be visible. Come to Boy Scout Cabin, 116 E Walnut St, Sellersville to register. Find all 12 Doors & win a prize. FMI: 215-257-5075. 4th Annual Haunted Campground Hayride at Green Lane Park, 5:30pm-9pm. Free hayride thru our spooky campground. Crafts/snacks offered at family-friendly event for all ages. No pre-registration needed. FMI: 215-2344528

October 10

“Country Jades” (Country music in Event Rm 201) 10am-1pm FREE Concert at QMart, 201 Station Rd, Quakertown. 215-536-4115. Bux-Mont Cornhole Tournament 12:30pm at The Trolley Barn, 116 E Broad St, Quakertown. $50/team to enter. Prizes, 50/50, Raffle Basket. (benefits FreeFall Action Sports Park) FMI: BuxMontCornhole@gmail.com Great Swamp Fish & Game Fall Festival 12noon-5pm at 2650 Schukraft Rd, Quakertown. (r/d Oct 17). Food, beer, cocktails, hayrides, games, vendors, raffles, more. Cash only. FMI: 215-536-8820. Homesteaders Day at the Stokes House, 1299 Apple Rd, Quakertown at 1pm. (Haycock Histor. Soc. meeting) Frontiersman Stew cooked over an open fire, also Muzzleloader Demo. Free to all, refreshments served. Designer Purse Bingo 1pm at Richland Twp Fire/Rescue, 64 Shelly Rd. Tkt/$30 at door. FMI: 215-778-1641

‘Clues & Critters’ Naturalist Foray 2pm at Peace Valley Nature Ctr in Doylestown. Free, join us as we go thru various habitats. All ages welcome w/adult. FMI: 215-348-6270.

October 11

October 12

Blood Drive 3pm-8pm at The Proper, 117 W Broad St, Quakertown. (donate blood & get a free pint of beer in return, #pintforapintblooddrive) Schedule appt at: 800-733-2767 or RedCrossBlood.org and enter: Proper

October 13

Woman’s Club of Indian Valley meets 1pm at Telford Community Bldg, 125 W Hamilton St, Telford. Masks required. “Vision Impairment Awareness” program. womansclubofiv.com or 215-872-7907

October 14

Ribbon Cutting/Open House 12noon-1pm at Robert James Investments, 1313 W Broad St, Quakertown. RSVP at ubcc.org/events

October 15

‘Bob Tomlinson’- Live Music 6pm-10pm at the Trolley Barn Public Market, 108 E Broad St, Quakertown. trolleybarnpublicmarket.com or 267-875-0701 3rd Fridays in Souderton 6pm-9pm. FMI: 215-723-6627

October 15 to 23

Used Book Sale at Upper Perkiomen Valley Library, 350 Main St, Red Hill. Masks required! (Mon to Thurs 9am-7pm) (Fri 10am5pm) (Sat 10am-2pm) during normal hours.

October 16

Autumn Alive! Fall Festival 10am-4pm in downtown Quakertown. Pet parade, vendors, food court, live entertainment. Free family fun, pet parade! FMI: QuakertownAlive.com or 215-536-2273. (r/d Oct 23) Springfield Twp EAP, Electronic Recycling Event 9am-12noon at Springfield Elementary, 1950 Rte 212, Quakertown. “Sunset Skyz Music Duo” FREE Concert 12noon-3pm at QMart, 201 Station Rd, Quakertown. (outdoor stage) 215-536-4115. ‘Gabby Rox Duo’-Live Music 6pm-10pm at the Trolley Barn Public Market, 108 E Broad St, Quakertown. trolleybarnpublicmarket.com or 267-875-0701

October 17

Wonderful Wander Naturalist Foray 2pm at Peace Valley Nature Ctr, 170 N Chapman Rd, Doylestown. Free, check out the seasonal changes. FMI: 215-348-6270 Coopersburg Halloween Parade 3pm (r/d Oct 24) Marchers, floats, fire trucks & bands will march down Main St. Food truck near Town Hall w/hot funnel cakes.

October 18

October 20 Senior Services Expo 2pm-3:30pm. Hear from leaders specializing in protecting senior citizens in Bucks County at Pennridge Community Ctr, 146 E Main St, Perkasie. FMI: 215-453-7027.

October 21 Community Dinner (3rd Thurs) 5:30pm at First UCC, 4th & Park Ave, Quakertown. FMI: 215-536-4447.

October 22 Halloween Party! 6pm-10pm at The Gathering Place, 351 Broad St, Quakertown (benefits Outreach Care). Music, costume contest, games, vendors. FMI: 215-534-1363.

October 23 ‘Trick or Treat’ & ‘Halloween Costume Contest’ for kids, 1pm-3pm, Quakertown Farmers Mkt, 201 Station Rd. Bring a bag to collect treats. Go to Exit 19 for photo taken to enter contest. FMI: 215-536-4115 or mail@quakertownfarmersmkt.com ‘Trunk of Treat!’ 6pm-8pm at First Church of the Brethren, 455 Trumbauersville Rd, Quakertown. (r/d Oct 24) FMI: 215-536-7510

October 27 ‘Nearly Forgotten Artist of Hilltown Twp’ 7pm (John Falter, 100+ magazine covers including Saturday Evening Post). Other artists’ artwork also shown. Municipal Bldg, 13 W Creamery Rd & Rte 152, Silverdale. (free) FMI: 267-614-9174

October 29 & 30 Fall Rummage Sale (Fri 9am-4pm) (Sat 9am1pm) at Quakertown United Methodist, 1875 Freier Rd, Quakertown. Saturday is $3 per bag. FMI: Becky at 215-896-7055.

October 30 Springfield Twp Histor. Soc. Open House 9:30am-12noon at Church School, 2165 Rte 212, Pleasant Valley (GPS Coopersburg) View artifacts, documents, etc. Free, public is invited. FMI: Tom Cline 484-308-1510 “Smooth Retsina Glow” FREE Concert at QMart, 201 Station Rd, Quakertown. Outdoor stage. FMI: 215-536-4115. Bucks Co Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event (registration required at BUCKSHHW.EVENTBRITE.COM) Strayer Middle Sch, 1200 Ronald Reagan Dr, Quakertown. FMI: 215-345-3400

October 31

Halloween

‘Ministers of Music’ (spiritual music in modern arrangements) 6:30pm, First Church of the Brethren, 455 Trumbauersville Rd, Quakertown. Evening of beautiful music. Free will offering. FMI: 215-536-7510 or quakertowncob@gmail.com

November 1 Early Deadline for Quakertown Lions Hoagie Sale. Pickup will be on Nov 6. Italian or Turkey hoagie still only $5 each. Pre-orders advised. Call Jim at 215-536-1983.

November 6 Quakertown Lions Hoagie Sale. Pickup at QNB, 3rd St, Quakertown from 9am-11am. (see Nov 1 above) FMI: 215-536-1983

November 12 Purse Bingo by K9Kops, opens 5:45pm, bingo 6:30pm-10pm. Benner Hall, 1260 E Cherry Rd, Quakertown. $25/tkt. Pre-order: Venmo or Paypal K9KopProject@gmail.com BYOB, baked goods for sale. FMI: 610-3928787, 215-687-2152

November 14 ‘Hilltown Twp Through Postcards’ 1:30-4pm w/speaker @ 2pm. (development of picture postcards beginning in late 1800s) Free, held at Strassburger Farmstead, 407 Keystone Dr & Bethlehem Pk, Sellersville. 267-614-9174

October 2021 • Upper Bucks Free Press •

Have something to share with your community? info@ubfp.org • 215-529-8915 www.ubfp.org • fb.com/ubfreepress 582 S. West End Blvd • Quakertown, PA 18951

Think Local. Buy Local. Be Local.

• Upper Bucks Free Press • October 2021

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Selling Your Home During the Holidays Whether you’re planning the perfect Thanksgiving feast, or focusing on the December holiday season, if you’re also planning to sell your home, you may be contemplating holding off until January. After all, nobody buys houses this time of year, do they? In 2021, the answer may very well be “Yes, they do.” The pent-up buyer demand, along with low inventory in the spring and summer selling season and record-low interest rates, means that for many buyers the search for the perfect home is ongoing. If you were thinking of waiting until 2022 to sell your home, you might want to consider moving your plans up and listing your home during the fall and winter months to take advantage of strong buyer demand. Advantages of Listing a Home During the Holidays There are plenty of good reasons to list your home during the holiday season, including the following: You’re likely to find more motivated buyers during this time of year. If they still haven’t found the home they want—or they have a sudden need to relocate—holiday buyers may be more willing to make decisions quickly. In addition, they may be eager to get moved in for their own holiday celebrations, making them easier to negotiate with. Many of this year’s buyers have been disappointed by multiple offers on previous properties due to the summer’s low inventory. They may be willing to move fast and make an offer before someone else does. The increasing use of virtual tours makes this the best possible time to sell a home with minimal inconvenience. You’ll also cast a wider net when your real estate agent shares your home’s virtual tour on a dedicated website or as an enhanced feature on the MLS. This is a slower time of year for real estate agents as well, so your agent will have more time to focus on your listing. Talk to your agent about ways to get the widest possible audience for your home and its features. Let’s face it, you’re already cleaning and decorating your home for the holiday season. What better time to show it? Challenges of Listing a Home During the Holidays Of course, listing a home this time of year may bring some drawbacks, including the following: If you are entertaining during the holidays, you’ll want to communicate with your agent about days and times when tours will not be available. They are likely offering virtual tours as a convenient alternative for interested buyers and their agents. If you are traveling during the holidays, you’ll need to ensure that you are available for negotiations and pertinent questions as needed, and

that your agent can come in and prepare the home for showing as required. If time is of the essence, it may be difficult to schedule home inspections, appraisals, and closings during the holiday season. Talk to your agent and ensure that he or she has a plan in place to move the transaction forward in the event that you go under contract during the holidays. Making a Holiday Listing More Appealing Want to get your home show-ready while also enjoying the holidays with your family and friends? It’s easier than you think. Here are some things to keep in mind. Lighten up on decorations While you’ll want to enjoy the season, don’t feel the need to cover every possible surface in holiday decor. It’s important for buyers to be able to see the space and get a sense of how it works during the non-holiday months of the year. Go for a more minimalist, decluttered holiday look that enhances, rather than hides, the home. Focus on outdoor spaces Even though it’s winter, don’t neglect your outdoor spaces. Keep paths and surfaces clear of leaves and new-fallen snow. Optimize outdoor lighting so that buyers can see well, even when it gets dark early. Create a cozy seating area on the terrace with candles, a firepit, and a basket of blankets. Warm up the space Speaking of cozy, take advantage of the season to enhance the indoors as well. Greet potential buyers with the scent of something baking in the oven and a plate of holiday cookies on the counter. Light pumpkin or evergreen scented candles and start a fire in the fireplace. Make visitors feel welcome and right at home. Take photos before you decorate Just in case your home doesn’t sell before December 25, it’s a good idea to take listing photos before you decorate. You don’t want buyers looking at photos with holiday decorations in mid-January. It will make the listing feel stale, even if it’s only been up for a couple of weeks. Right-price your home for a faster sale If you’re motivated to sell, this is not the time to test the market and hold out for a higher-than-average sale price. Talk to your agent about comparable properties in your area, and ensure that you price your home correctly at the beginning of the process for maximum market impact. A real estate agent or broker has the market insights, professional network, and buyer pool you need to get your home sold any time of year. Talk to them about your timeline and your financial requirements and they’ll help craft a plan that makes sense for you.. Sue Deily has been a Realtor for 35 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.

Separated but not Divorced? Don’t be a Fool Get a Divorce and Update Your Estate Plan BY ROBERT E. FRAVEL, ESQ. There seems to be this notion nowadays that being “separated” from an estranged spouse is somehow legally significant. And quite frankly I have no idea how where this idea came from. In the eyes of the law, if you are not divorced – i.e. have not obtained a decree from the Court of Common Pleas declaring you as divorced from your former significant other, then you are married. And here’s the kicker – if you are “legally separated” but not divorced at the time of your death, and have either a) not updated your estate plan or b) failed to create an estate plan at all, then your “spouse” from whom you have been “legally separated” will inherit from your estate. It doesn’t matter if the two of you had been living separate and apart for 25 years, if you never divorced then your spouse could be entitled to an inheritance from your estate. The only time that being “separated” has any legal significance is during divorce proceedings when trying to determine if the appropriate amount of time has passed before issuing a divorce decree. But that only comes into play when one actually files for divorce. One might be asking, “If I’m dead, why would I care what happens to my estate?” Let’s assume that you are an owner of a business, and that you have been “separated” from your spouse for 15 years. Would you

want someone who has not been a part of your life for the past 15 years to take over the business you have worked so hard to build? Probably not. It gets even more complicated if there are children involved or if the business is family owned. Your decision to not follow up and get a divorce and/or update your estate plan has now potentially cost your children their inheritance and your family members ownership of the business. When you said “I do”, you created a legal entity that was accompanied by certain rights and privileges. And until you are removed from that marriage by a court of law, those rights and privileges remain in full force and effect. Don’t be a fool and procrastinate when it comes to getting a divorce and updating your estate plan after separation. Take care of these issues right away because I guarantee they will come back to haunt you down the road. And they will certainly come back to haunt your family members. If you find yourself in this situation, contact an experienced attorney to help you get these issues straightened out. 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, and business law. To set up a consultation, call his office at (267) 227-9138 or visit his website at www.fravel-law.com

“The wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves. We have had our summer evenings; now for October eves! ” - Humbert Wolfe

Halloween Dog Safety Halloween can be scary and stressful for a lot of dogs. Every Halloween, your dog’s world is turned upside down with ringing doorbells and excited kids. In addition, the candy that drops to the floor could be hazardous to their health. Here are some tips to keep them safe. 1. Dog costumes. Dogs can look adorable in Halloween costumes. If you decide to dress them up, make sure costumes are simple and loose-fitting. Detailed costumes can make it difficult for dogs to move and cause injury if they get spooked and take off running. If you try a costume on your dog and he seems aggravated or upset, it’s probably best to avoid using a costume. Try a cute bandanna or t-shirt instead. 2. Keep your dog indoors. It’s probably best to leave him inside behind a secured baby gate, in a closed bedroom, or crated with a safe chewy or food stuffed puzzle toy. 3. Keep decorations out of reach. Keep decorations to a minimum, especially with a young dog or puppy. Wagging tails and excitement can easily knock things over. Nobody wants a Halloween fire caused by a knocked-over candle Jack-o-Lantern. If you find that your dog enjoys chewing on your newest Halloween decorations, apply bitter apple spray. The spray is a non-toxic, safe, and effective chew deterrent for most dogs. 4. Make sure your dog is wearing identification. Some dogs will do whatever they can to get outside. With your door

opening and closing numerous times during all the commotion, their escape can be easier than normal. If they’re wearing their ID and are microchipped, they can safely be returned easily if they sneak out. 5. Seek care immediately. According to the Pet Poison Helpline, the four most common food related hazards for pets around Halloween are: • Chocolate • Candy overindulgence • Raisins • Candy wrappers If your pet is showing signs of illness or you think your pet may be poisoned, contact your local veterinarian or the Animal Poison Control Center ASPCA 888-426-4435 immediately. The sooner you seek medical treatment the better off your dog will be. 6. Throw away glow sticks immediately. Keeping your kids visible during Trick-or-Treating should be your number one priority. If you choose to use glow sticks, make sure you safely throw them away immediately after use. While non-life threatening, the liquid inside the glow sticks can cause: irritation, pain, excessive drooling, and foaming of the mouth. Have a fun but safe Halloween, everyone. I hope to see you all out for the Autumn Alive! Pet Pageant Costume contest this year!f; she is counting on you to speak for her.” Submitted by Marion C. O’Neil CPDT-KA, CTDI, owner and instructor for Molasses Creek Dog Training, LLC, Quakertown. She www.molassescreekdogtraining.com

October 2021 • Upper Bucks Free Press •

The Autumn of our Lives

American Legion Post 242 Update The American Legion Post in Quakertown was a busy place on September 11th, 2021. Early in the morning over 150 motorcycles sponsored by the Sons of the Legion Branches of our post and East Greenville Post along with the fire companies from the Quakertown Community and Perkiomen Valley formed after a brief breakfast and registration period. Motor Cycle policemen from the same areas escorted this impressive group of Patriots to the East Greenville Post in the Palm, Pa. area for their Patriots Day Program. East Greenville Post has a piece of the World Trade Center as a memorial. As this very large group of cyclists and fire engines left, shortly after their exiting many of the dignitaries, local policemen, local firemen, and general public attendees began to arrive for our 19th anniversary of what is known as Patriot’s Day. This year’s guest speaker was Representative Craig Staats. Representative Staats is not only the Pa. Representative of our 145th District; he also is a veteran and member of Post 242. The names of the 18 Bucks County residents killed that day in the various attacks was read by Thomas Courdoff, a Milford Township supervisor. Tom also is a veteran and member of Post 242. Marshal Smith, our vice-commander tolled the bell after each name read. This year our Emcee was Stephan Potsko, a Master Sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserves and a member of Post 242. Our soloist was Marge Lewis and James McDevitt played taps. Our Post Chaplain, David Ellis, offered the invocation and initial greeting as well as the closing benediction. Post 242 wishes to thank all the above participants for the memorable presentation. Most important we wish to thank all those who serve throughout the whole year to protect us from harm and are there to help us

in emergencies in our homes. These “First Responders” represent the unselfish devotion given us and that gave their all on that fateful day, September 11, 2001. The cool weather, bright skies, and gentle breezes brought back the thoughts of many of us as to what we were doing 20 years ago. We wish to thank the 82 or so guests of our Post twenty years later for attending this service. We ask you to openly THANK a fireperson, a police officer, or an emergency medical person when you meet them. They are there for YOU in your time of need! Earlier today, I attended a meeting of area Veteran’s Organizations to finalize the plans for our next big event. Veteran’s Day, November 11th. Our service will take place on November 11th promptly at 10:00 AM. The location is “Pennridge North Middle School” located at the campus of schools at 1500 North 5th Street, Perkasie, Pa. 18944. We urge you (General Public) to arrive before 9:45 AM as we have students from all 3 Upper Bucks School Districts as well as area private schools. As of now, because of indoor school services, they will require the wearing of masks. A luncheon will be served to veterans and their guests after the program at the school. Our Adjutant Charles Wismer mentioned to me that over 50% of our members have renewed. We urge you to go to your “To Be Paid” stack, retrieve the application and get it in the mail. We are again shooting for that 100% mark. Look for the future mailing of the tickets for our youth activities drawing. We have one of the best tickets around for a chance to not only support the Post but put a little cash in your pockets!! ~ For God and Country, Dick Helm

Many of us remember Jimmy Durante, the old vaudevillian actor and singer we had seen on early TV. He would close his show by walking from spotlight to spotlight singing “As the days dwindle down to a precious few, September, November”,Then close with saying “Goodnight Mrs. Callabash wherever you are.” (This was what he called his wife when she was alive.). Well that is how I felt on September 11th of this year. After writing last month about being “A Survivor”, this article almost flows into the same theme because of that day. That morning I left home early in the morning for the American Legion Post to view the large contingent of motorcycles and fire engines leaving our Post for East Greenville in a coordinated effort to remember the 20th anniversary of that dark day in our history. I was there to greet the participating guests, and make sure that things went smoothly for a new generational replacement as Emcee would be handed a smooth program. I had to leave as the program just got started because my “Class of 61” family was having their last “Rented Facilities” type reunion. Hopefully our 65th, 70th, and on up will still meet informally at a local restaurant as other “older folks” reunions do! It was really great getting together with my classmates again! There was no contest to see who traveled the furthest. There was no speeches or loud music. We met in the afternoon so we could all drive home or to our motels in the daylight. Sadly our Class President Gary Dimmig read the names of those classmates who passed on since our last class reunion. Midge (Moyer) Weisel who chaired the reunion committee read the names of those who helped in this our last “Big” reunion and we gave a grateful round of applause. It was a courageous undertaking on their behalf to attempt a reunion during this “Health Crisis Period” and I wish to personally thank the committee for attempting this risky undertaking. Although most of us used the handrail on the steps from the lower patio of the venue to the dining hall, we still were

able to make it on our own power. Just 15 years ago we would have walked briskly up the center of these broad steps! Sadly I learned of one or what I previously called “The Brick Tavern Gang” having some serious health issues. So it goes! I and my wife were busy talking with a spouse of a classmate whom my wife worked with when the time neared to end this wonderful day of renewing friendships, sharing pleasant memories with these forever friends. I looked over towards that door as many of my classmates departed. Once again my last month’s article about “Survivors” entered my mind. Will I ever see them again? If not, the memories we share together today will keep me going and hopefully when “The class of ‘61” gathers for a breakfast or lunch at a restaurant I will be in attendance. If not the spirit of this wonderful class will once again make for others pleasant memories. Going back to the morning activities. Twenty years ago a tragedy of monumental portions occurred at 3 sights. America endured! Today this day is known as Patriots Day. I would like to think that name is given as that day brought a spirit of nationalism back to a busy and hurried society. I once again felt that same feeling in my heart and whole being of wanting to protect my country as I did when I took that fateful step forward before taking the solemn oath when inducted in the Army on May 11, 1965. America is alive and well, and we will always be Patriots. September 11th, 2021 was a busy day and still in the evening I wasn’t overly tired. Two things happened that day. In the morning I experienced the feeling that all is not lost. People still have Patriotism in their hearts and are not afraid to express it. In the afternoon I met with a generation that was born after the “Greatest Generation.” These fellow classmates carried on the dreams of that “Greatest Generation” (Our Parents) and made them a reality through hard work and a passion to succeed. Yes, Mr. Durante, the days are “Dwindling down to a precious few” but my classmates of the class of “61” will make the best of them! Dick Helm is a long time Quakertown area

resident

and

regular

contributor

here

UBFP. Reach him at rbh9@verizon.net.

• Upper Bucks Free Press • October 2021

William “Gummy” Reimer III, 74, of Doylestown, PA, August 24, 2021 died at Belle Haven Retirement Community in Quakertown. Son of the late William V. Reimer, Jr and the late Margaret (Bailey) Reimer. William honorably served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam Conflict. After his service, he worked for many years as a block layer before his retirement. He was a proud member of the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club since 1978 and will be deeply missed by his fellow brothers. Survived by close friends who have graciously coordinated his funeral arrangements and final events. Viewing Saturday, September 18, 2021 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Naugle Funeral & Cremation Service, Quakertown, PA. Interment at Washington Crossing National Cemetery. Mary Catherine Nixon, 84, formerly a resident of Quakertown, passed away on Thursday, August 26, 2021, at Phoebe Richland Health Care Center, Richlandtown. She was the beloved wife of Blake W. Nixon for 61 years until his death in 2018. Born in South Whitehall Township, she was the daughter of the late Stanley H. and Caroline (Dreisbach) Heckman. Mary was a 1954 graduate of Parkland High School. Mrs. Nixon had been employed as a secretary for the former Wonsidler Brothers, Trumbauersville. Mrs. Nixon was dedicated to her work with the Girl Scouts, starting with her time as a Brownie leader and moving onward to positions with the regional Council. Her efforts to instill strong values in the girls under her charge was a driving force of her dedication to the Scouting experience. Many life-long friendships began with her time in the Scouts. With her husband, Mary had enjoyed attending concerts, especially the Bethlehem Music Festival. She had also supported Blake’s artistic efforts and the many art shows in which he had exhibited. They had also loved traveling, journeying to every state except Hawaii, although their favorite trip was to Alaska.

~Obituaries~

Mrs. Nixon passed on her love of the outdoors to her children, whether by feeding birds, watching wildlife, or taking day-long hiking trips. Her strong work ethic was also much evident, as was her loving commitment to family and friends. Her daughter recalls a Circle of Friendship that connected Mary to lifelong friends, Scouting contacts, and new friends met at various assisted living communities-all sharing in Mary’s quiet strength of character, warmth, and generosity of spirit. Mrs. Nixon is survived by her two children: Dean William Nixon and his wife, Patty Jo, of Johnson City, TN, and Dawn J. Kozakowski, of Mt. Laurel, NJ; two grandchildren: Mike Kozakowski and his significant other, Noreen McDonough, of Philadelphia, and Kelly Kozakowski, and her significant other, Michael Hampton, of Dallas, TX. A memorial service was held September 3 in Sellersville, with interment following in Quakertown Union Cemetery, Quakertown. Due to COVID concerns, an additional Spring 2022 gathering is also planned. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mary’s name may be made to Phoebe Ministries, Office of Philanthropy, 1925 W. Turner St., Allentown, PA 18104. Betty Meier Steeley Funeral Home, Sellersville www.steeleyfuneralhome.com

Stella Jean Ciurlej, age 93, of Perkiomenville, PA, passed away on August 31, 2021, at Einstein Medical Center in East Norriton. She was the loving wife to the late Edward S. Ciurlej with whom they shared 54 years of marriage. Stella would be proud to say her husband Edward was a Purple Heart recipient during WWII. Born in Sellersville, PA, she was a daughter of the late Anthony and Genevive (Mazurkiewicz) Siatkowski. She graduated from Quakertown High School. Surviving are children: Jeanne Collier, husband Robert, Deborah Barmettlor, husband Robert and Joanne Burns, grandchildren: Major Jason and Christina Collier, Kristin and Alan Greidus, Jennifer and Matthew Potter, Jeff, Scott and Allison Barmettlor, Melissa and Kevin Burns, great-grandchildren: Travis, Hailey, Jaxson, Connor, Jenna, Kyle, Owen, Grace, Jake, Luke, and Gavin. She was

predeceased by son: Edward Michael Ciurlej and siblings: Henry and Wanda. Memorial contributions: Bucks County SPCA. www.nauglefcs.com

Danny Trujillo, 47, of Quakertown formerly of Tucumcari, New Mexico died September 1, 2021 in St. Luke’s University Hospital, Bethlehem. Born in Tucumcari, New Mexico he was the son of Priscilla M. (Salazar) Crawford and the late Daniel Trujillo. He was the step-son of William “Bill” Crawford. He was an avid tattoo artist. Danny enjoyed baseball, fishing, family outings, hard rock music, and his mom’s cooking. He also loved his dog Charlie. Through his compassion, Danny made the decision to be a Gift of Life donor. In addition to his mother and step-father he is survived by a brother Ryan Crawford (Krystal) nephew Miguel. He was predeceased by his brother Donald. A memorial gathering was held on Sunday September 26, 2021 at 1:00 PM at The North Penn Gun Club, 2555 Tollgate Road, Quakertown, PA. 18951. Arrangements are in the care of the C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (crstrunk.com) Quakertown. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Danny’s name can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital for Cancer Research 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105. Erna M. LaBelle, age, 92, of Bethlehem, PA, passed away on September 2, 2021, at St. Luke’s Anderson Hospital in Easton. She was the loving wife to the late Paul E. LaBelle with whom they shared 53 years of marriage. Born in Philadelphia, PA, she was a daughter of the late Francois and Maria (List) Cloes. She graduated from Saint Bonaventure Catholic Business School in 1946 in Philadelphia. Surviving are children: Robert E. LaBelle, wife Kathy Clifford-LaBelle, Edward P. LaBelle, wife Kathy, and Paul A. LaBelle, wife Sue, 14 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and 2 great great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by son: Frank L. LaBelle, daughter: Marie E. LaBelle and sister: Betty Zazula. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her memory Make-AWish Foundation (215) 654-9355, your local VFW Chapter and or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital (800) 822-6344. www.nauglefcs.com Anthony (Tony) Hughes, 82, died September 14, 2021. Born and raised in Augusta, Georgia, but was a resident of Haycock Township for more than 50 years. Tony was a singer/songwriter, some of whose work has moved into the folk tradition and is widely sung. “The Little Blue Top” was used as the theme song for the PBS broadcast of the 1972 Philadelphia Folk Festival, recorded when Tony performed it in the Saturday night concert that year. He performed in numerous venues with his wife Lynn, including some of the Quakertown Alive! events, the Ship Inn (Milford NJ), and Patrick’s Irish pub. He was also a teacher who taught science at the Miquon School in Conshohocken for 47 years. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, his brother, and two sisters. There will be no services. Arrangement are by the C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc., (www.crstrunk.com) Quakertown, PA. Sharon R. Hallman, 60 of Quakertown formerly of Lansdale died Saturday September 18, 2021, in St. Luke’s University Hospital, Bethlehem PA. She was the wife of Kenneth Hallman celebrating eleven years of marriage. She was an office assistant at the Milford Veterinary Clinic and also worked for Fredericks Meats in Quakertown. Prior to that she was employed by the former Marjeans Catering in Lansdale. She was a true animal lover especially to her dogs and cats. Her most joy was being a loving mother and grandmother. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her sons Eugene G. Kozuch, III (Ashley Pedrick) of Perkasie and Adam C. Kozuch (Nancy DeCanio) of Telford. A stepson Benjaman L. Hallman of State College. Six grandchildren James, Arielle, Briella, Giavanna, Sean and Cassandra. Services will be held at the convenience of the family. Arrangements in the care of the C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (crstrunk.com) Quakertown PA. Evan W. Evans, 79 of Quakertown died Wednesday September 15, 2021 in Quakertown Center. Born in Gilberton, PA he was the son of the late Evan H. and Grace Ann (Kleckner) Evans. Before his retirement he was a crane operator for the former Fairless Steel Co. He was a US Navy veteran. Evan Is survived by a son William and a brother David. Services will be held at the convenience of the family. Arrangements and cremation services are in the care of the C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (www.crstrunk.com) Quakertown, PA.

Jose Enrique Hernandez Aguinada, 47 of Blandon, PA formerly of Ilobasco, El Salvador died September 13, 2021 in El Salvador. He was the husband of Megan E. (Berger) Hernandez. They celebrated their 17th wedding anniversary last November. Born in El Salvador he was the son of Juana Aquinada and the late Joaquin Hernandez. Jose was co-owner with his wife of the 5th St. Diner in Temple, PA. Prior to that he was employed by Blooming Glen Contractors, Inc. and as a chef at John’s Plain and Fancy Restaurant in Quakertown. He was a member of the Holy Guardian Angels Catholic Church in Reading and was a former member of St. Isidore’s Catholic church in Quakertown. In addition to his wife and mother, he is survived by his children Alexander Hernandez, Isabella Hernandez, Matthew Bowman, Nicholas Bowman, Edwin Hernandez, and Wendy Hernandez. Four sisters and extended family and friends. A memorial mass was celebrated on Sunday, September 19, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. at St. Catharine of Siena Catholic Church, 4975 Boyertown Pike Reading PA 19606. The family will greet family and friends following the mass at a reception to be announced. Arrangements in the care of the C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (www.crstrunk.com) Quakertown. Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude’s Children Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis TN 38105-1942 www.stjude.org Robert Valentine Hegel, 98, of Quakertown, died Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021 in his home. He was happily married to Shirley Ann (Cochran) Hegel. They celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary last June. Born in Canarsie, Brooklyn, NY, he was the son of the late Valentine and Evelyn (Post) Hegel. Before his retirement, Robert was a teacher of graphic arts and deaf education at the PA & NJ School for the Deaf. Prior to that, he worked for the Bucks County Times as an offset printer and Bucks County Vocation Tech as an offset printing teacher. He received his B.S. in education and certification in American Sign Language from Thomas Edison State University in Trenton, NJ. He also served as assistant director for 22 years at Camp Nejeda. Robert was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Pacific Theater during WWII serving as a craft infantry signal man and a naval tactics instructor. He was awarded three Battle Stars and five medals. Robert’s children remember him as an all-around adventurer, pirate, boater, biker, sunbather, golfer, but most of all, a loving dad and granddad. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Jeri Reid (Bryan), Jeffrey Hegel (Patty Pettebone) and James Hegel (Michele); grandchildren, Theresa Hegel, Asa Hegel, Crystal Hegel, Kevin Hegel, Allison Hegel, Brianna Hegel, and Nicholas Reid; great-grandchildren, Talia Keshock, Gabriel and Persephone Hegel and Anastasia Kidder. He was predeceased by his siblings Jerry Hegel, Doris Flanagan, and Gloria Seidner. A memorial service was held on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, at 2 p.m. in the C.R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (crstrunk.com) 821 W. Broad St. Quakertown, PA 18951. Memorial contributions can be made to Camp Nejeda, P.O. Box 156 Stillwater, NJ 07875. Per family wishes, those attending the visitation and services, please wear a mask. Julia M. Overly, 39, of Quakertown died September 9, 2021 in her home. Born in Allentown, PA she was the daughter of Bernard Overly and Linda (Cox) Shoenfelt and her step-father Paul Shoenfelt. She was last employed as a hairdresser. Julia liked listening to music especially the group Tool. She enjoyed collecting crystals. She loved children and animals. Julia was a loving mother. In addition to her parents and step-father she is survived by a daughter Madelyn Rose, three siblings Margaret Kruger (Zachary), Caroline Overly, and Harry Overly (Carolyn Metzger). Her maternal grandmother Ruth Cox, and two nephews Adam Kruger and Theodore Yule. A mass was held on Thursday, September 16, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. at 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 memorial contributions can be made to Glioblastoma Foundation P.O. Box 62066 Durham, NC 27715. Jeannette Kennedy, age 78, of Corning, NY, passed away on September 17, 2021, at Rockhill Mennonite Community in Sellersville, PA. Born in Corning, NY she was a daughter of the late Melvin and Cecil (Ward) Kennedy. Jeannette was an upholsterer by trade and a loving mother. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, and caring for her friends. Jeanette

October 2021 • Upper Bucks Free Press •

~Obituaries~

was a remarkably strong woman; she smiled often, and appreciated a good laugh. She wouldn’t want us to remember her any other way. She is survived by her children Christina Cox (Carl), and Michael Maria (Jovina Buscagan), grandchildren Clarissa Frey, Hiroyuki Kawahara, Trixia Buscagan, and Katherine Evans, siblings Caroline Kennedy, Clifford Kennedy, Carol Depue, and Patricia Wilson and good friends Larry and Inez Sheesley, Mary Boyle, and so many others at Coopersburg Apartments. She is predeceased by siblings Robert Kennedy, Dorothy Depue, Sheila Kennedy, and William Kennedy.

Virginia M. Boos, 78, of Quakertown died September 8, 2021 in St. Luke’s Hospice House, Bethlehem. She was the wife of Edward J. Boos. They were married 40 years in July. Born in Quakertown she was the daughter of the late Lester & Mae T. (Dubbs) Althouse. She was last employed by various clothing mills in the Upper Bucks Area. She was a member of the Upper Bucks Senior Center. She also enjoyed traveling, bird watching, camping, and Country Western Music. In addition to her husband she is survived by a daughter Kathleen Sell, three grandchildren Shawn (Gillian), Joshua, and Aleah, and one great grandchild Jayley. Predeceased by a brother Lester, Jr. As per her wishes there will be no services. Arrangements are in the care of the C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (www. crstrunk.com) Quakertown. Susan K. Minarik, 70, of Quakertown died September 7, 2021 in her home. She was the wife of the late J. Perry Minarik. Born in Quakertown she was the daughter of the late Donald & E. Ruth (Willauer) Knauss. She attended the St. Luke’s School of Nursing obtaining her LPN in 1970. Susan was a member of the First United Church in Quakertown. She was strong in her faith and was an active member in the church family. Susan devoted her life to caring for those she loved. Her family and her grandchildren were the center of her life and she gave selflessly to them all. She enjoyed coloring during her battle with cancer and added the colors to the lives of people around her. She taught so many how to face adversity with grace. Sue always had a smile and loved to laugh. She is survived by two daughters Aimee Werner (Ronald) and Loree Giordano (Thomas) and three grandchildren Joey Werner, Kristin Giordano, & Jimmy Giordano. Predeceased by a brother Bill Knauss. Memorial Services were held on Monday, September 13, 2021 at 1:30 P.M. in First United Church of Christ 151 S. 4th 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 First UCC, 151 S. 4th St. Quakertown, PA 18951 or to Fox Chase Cancer Center on-line at foxchase.org/giving or by mail to Fox Chase Cancer Center Office of Institutional Advancement 333 Cottman Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19111. Albert Aaron Houser III, age 55, of Zionsville, passed away on September 18, 2021, at home. He was the loving husband to Kelly (Gordon) Houser with whom they shared 37 years of marriage. Born in Philadelphia, PA, he was a son of the late Albert Aaron, Jr. and Gertrude (Hurish) Houser. Al worked at Kayden Industries in Ohio for more than 3 years. He will be remembered most for his presence. His love and energy was radiating. Surviving along with his wife are children: Elizabeth Houser, Amanda Houser (fiance Andrew Werkheiser), Albert Aaron Houser, IV, and Tyler Houser, grandchildren, Seany Keeney, Parker Keeney, and Jackson Werkheiser, brother Daniel Houser (Nancy), and sister Denise McAvoy, nephews Sean Gordon &amp; Dennis Veasey and mother-inlaw Mary Gordon. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Albert’s family. Brent Alan Feldman, age 75, of Telford, PA, passed away on September 17, 2021, at Quakertown Center in Quakertown, PA. He was the loving husband of Rosemarie (Rakoczy) Feldman, with whom he shared almost 51 years of marriage. Born in Philadelphia, PA he was a son of the late Benjamin Feldman and Dorothy (Love) Miller. Brent graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1964. He proudly served our country in the Army. He was the Store Manager for the Rescue Mission of Trenton Thrift Store. He will be most remembered for his sense of humor. In addition to his wife, he is survived by daughter Alicia Pandolfo (Sal, Sr.), grandchildren Rosemary, Sal Jr., and Mena Pandolfo, and nephews Ray, Joey, Tony and Michael Rakoczy. He dearly loved his family, and was loved himself by all who met him.

Mae Elizabeth “Betty” Koch, age 95, of Quakertown, PA passed away on September 18, 2021, at St. Luke’s Hospice House in Bethlehem. She was the loving wife to the late Oscar E. Koch with whom she shared 67 years of marriage. Born in Quakertown, April 1, 1926, she was the daughter of the late Russell and Alice (Biehn) Allison. She graduated from Quakertown High School in 1943 and Jefferson Hospital School of Nursing in 1946. Betty started her nursing career at the Tice Clinic. She then went back to school and earned her Bachelor degree from East Stroudsburg State College and became a school nurse for Quakertown Community School District retiring in 1994. Surviving are her children Matt Koch, Todd Koch, Neal Koch, Lynn Welles (Lincoln) and Jill Kostenbader (Robert), and grandchildren Leah, Kyle, Evan, and Loren. She was preceded in death by her brother Russell Allison Jr. Arlene Elizabeth Price, 87, of Quakertown Pa passed away Sunday, September 19, 2021, at the Lutheran Community at Telford. Born in Emmaus, she was the daughter of the late Willard and Ruth (Moser) Luckey. She was the loving wife of her high school sweetheart, the late William Price sharing 38 happy years of marriage. After graduating from Quakertown Community High School in 1951, Arlene attended Allentown Hospital School of Nursing graduating as an RN in 1955. She later earned her BSN degree at East Stroudsburg University in 1973. Arlene found her true calling as a school nurse, working at Quakertown Community High School. Arlene is survived by her daughter Jane Price, granddaughters Stephanie Coyle and her husband Robert Coyle, Kasey and Kristin Price, and sister Betty Newhard. She was predeceased by her son David Price, sister Dorothy Laudenslager, longtime companion Jack Smith.

Margaret Anne “Peggy” (McKeever) Luna, age 78, of Bechtelsville, formerly of Little Egg Harbor, NJ, passed away on September 12, 2021, at Lehigh Valley Health Network - Cedar Crest in Allentown. She was the loving wife to Vicente Silva Luna with whom she shared 55 years of marriage. Born in Jersey City, NJ, Peggy was the daughter of the late Arthur and Rosemary Therese (Radican) McKeever. Peggy worked as a Registered Nurse for her husband Vicente S. Luna, OB/GYN for over 30 years until their retirement. Together, they delivered countless beautiful children into our world. Surviving along with her husband Vicente are children: Mike Luna, husband Sahag Gureghian, and Tony Luna, wife Anne, grandchildren: Luke Aedan, Olivia Rose, Margaret “Maggie” Grace Luna, Izabella Rose, and Logan John and brother: Richard McKeever. Peggy was predeceased by her son: Vincent David Luna and her infant grandson: Sean Vincent Luna (www.SeanVincentGoesHome.com).

James Abraham Stoudt went to meet his Savior on Saturday, September 18th, following a rapid decline in his health, at home in Quakertown surrounded by his family. He just celebrated his 82nd birthday. He was the loving husband of Darlene (Reeves) Stoudt to whom he was married for nearly 60 years. Jim was raised on the family farm near Trumbauersville by Charles and Martha (Beun) Stoudt. In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons and their families: James, who resided at his parents home in Quakertown, Jeff and his wife Kadishe (Spahija) Stoudt of Center Valley; and Jason and his wife Amy (Schubert) Stoudt of Coopersburg and four grandchildren who never failed to make Jim smile: Suraya, Theresa, Jack, and Jacob. The last part of the family was Pop’s little buddy Murphy, nearly 17. Shirley A. Solomon passed away on Sunday, September 26. She was born and raised in Allentown, PA. She was the daughter of Verna and Charles Solomon. As a young woman, she worked as an advertising account executive photographer in NYC. She has resided in Bucks County for the past 20 years. During her life, she found pleasure in the company of numerous pet dogs. Shirley enjoyed taking photos, reading, and visiting with friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Dorothy Holden, Coopersburg, PA a brother, James B. Solomon, Black Mountain, NC. She leaves behind a sister, Vesta Fountain, nephews, David C, Solomon and Kevin Kear, nieces, Toynia E. S. Gibbs, April Kear, Neva Kear, Kristen Stout, and numerous grand nephews and nieces. 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.

Paul F. Decker, 86, of Quakertown died September 26, 2021 in Independence Court, Quakertown. He was the husband of the late Lorraine M. (Weller) Decker. Born in Philadelphia, PA he was the son of the late Paul & Madeline (Wollaver) Decker. He was a laborer for the former U.S. Gauge Ametek Division in Sellersville. He enjoyed bowling and bowled in several leagues with his late wife. Paul participated in the return of the First Space Travelers (Monkeys) on May 28, 1959 recovering the Jupiter AM-18 nose cone. He was a U.S. Navy Veteran. He is survived by two step-sons Ronald Popowitz (Linda) of Richlandtown, Ray Popowitz (Janet) of Coopersburg. He was predeceased by a step son Roger Popowitz. Services are pending. Arrangements are in the care of the C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (crstrunk.com) Quakertown. Larry W. Schwartz, 65, of Quakertown died September 27, 2021, in Lehigh Valley Hospital Hospice Unit. Born in Quakertown he was the son of the late Harry & Blanche Catherine (Landis) Schwartz. He was last employed as a construction foreman. He was a social member of the Coopersburg Fire Company. He enjoyed hunting and motorcycling. He was a member of the First Church of the Brethren in Quakertown. Larry was a loving father and grandfather. He is survived by a son Cory M. Schwartz, and a daughter Toni M. Schwartz (Scott Kronmiller). Five brothers Brian (Angie), Barry, Rick, Randy, and Denny, two sisters Penny, and Linda Gerstenberger. Two grandchildren Aubrey and Matilda. Predeceased by two brothers Jerry & Butch and a sister Susie. Services will be held on Friday, October 1, 2021, at 2:00 P.M. in the C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (www.crstrunk.com) 821 W. Broad St. Quakertown, PA 18951. Call 1:002:00 P.M. in the funeral home. Julia “Julie” May Walton DeGrendele, 89, of Quakertown passed on September 27, 2021, in her home. She was the wife of the late Arthur E. DeGrendele and the late Donald R. Buzby. Julia “Julie” May Walton was born in the Abington Hospital, Abington Twp., Montgomery County, Pennsylvania to Harvey W. Walton and Myrtle May Reading Walton. They were living at the home of Myrtle’s parents, William B, and Mary Elizabeth Reading in Plumstead Twp., Bucks County,

Pennsylvania. In April 1937, the family moved to Bedminister Twp., Bucks County where Julia attended Algards Elementry School, a one-room building for all 8 grades. Upon graduating Algards, Julia completed her high school education at Sell-Perk High School in 1949. She then was employed with the Hunter Springs Company in Lansdale, PA. An avid reader, Julia earned a BA in Education from Temple University and Masters’ Degree from Lehigh University in Bethlehem with majors in Education, Reading Comprehension, and Psychology. After teaching several years at the Quakertown High School, she spent the remainder of her 28+ year career as a professor with Montgomery County Community College, retiring in 1997. As a youth and young adult, Julia was active with the Luther League organization. During the course of her adult life, she shared her love of reading by helping others develop reading skills of their own. Julia was a volunteer for GrandView Hospice for many years. Julia loved bowling with her husband, the late Arthur E. DeGrendele. They belonged to the Early Birds and Ball and Chain leagues in the Quakertown area. She was also the former president of the Gem bowling league. Julia and her husband, the late Arthur E. DeGrendele are survived by a daughter, Dawn DeGrendele Harris {Ron}, and son Arthur W. DeGrendele, grandsons; Ryan Mark and Ethan Jacob Harris, sister, E. Elaine Brown, Milton, DE and brother, Charles Dale Walton {Lillian} of Columbia, SC. Along with her parents and loving husband Art, she was predeceased by her brother and sister in law, Richard DeGrendele {Arlene}, Harvey Richard Walton {Lucy}, sister and brother in law, Laura DeOme {Forest}, nephew Dennis DeOme, nieces Susan A. Walton and Christina Laise Walton Hull, nephew Chet Walton, and Robert Charles Walton. Additional survivors include numerous nieces and nephews ALL who knew and loved their “Aunt Julia” A Memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 16, 2021, at 11:00 A.M. at the C.R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (www.crstrunk. com) 821 W. Broad Street, Quakertown, PA 18951. Call 10:30-11:00 A.M. in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Grand View Hospice, Last Chance Ranch, or the Audubon Society. Wherever you are, feel free to plant a tree, shrub, or flower as a lasting memory of our dear mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.

• Upper Bucks Free Press • October 2021

Downtown Cars for a Cause Cruises into Quakertown

BY MICHELE BUONO

Almost 300 cars were arranged along Broad Street in downtown Quakertown on Sunday for the inaugural Downtown Q-town Cars for a Cause. Hosted by the Plaza Knights, this will be an annual event that partners the “car crowd” with the local business community to benefit a charity. This year’s charity was the Children’s Tumor Foundation. Event organizer Ed Scholl “couldn’t have asked for more” when talking about the event. Ed describes the car show idea as “ a group of local people looking for a way to promote the classic car hobby, bring people to the downtown to help local businesses, and raise funds for a charitable organization.” Ed who is Quakertown’s Economic Development Consultant understands that the past year has been especially difficult for small businesses and was very happy that the car show brought thousands to the downtown. The event drew thousands of people from a wide area, including Lehigh and Berks counties and Delaware state. Many local businesses reported higher numbers of customers on Sunday. For the inaugural car show, the focus was on The Children’s Tumor Foundation with special guest, 16 year old Owne Frenia and his family. Owen was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis

(NF) at the age of 2. At age 8, a brain tumor was discovered. Owen had his first of three brain surgeries and endured 14 months of weekly chemotherapy at CHOP following this discovery. In 2017, a second brain surgery was necessary due to the tumor growing again. This surgery left Owen with a seizure disorder (epilepsy) for which he continues to take medication. This surgery was repeated in 2019 due to the tumor growing again. In March of 2020, Owen began what would be a 15-month regimen of oral chemotherapy. This treatment has been successful in halting the tumor’s growth. However, the GI side effects have been so bad that Owen was forced to discontinue this treatment in May 2021. Owen has had over 60 MRI’s which will continue every three months until the tumor shows long term stability. Despite some learning disabilities, Owen does well in school. He plays on the school JV volleyball team and is a competitive rock climber. He loves to cook and watch professional sports. Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a genetic condition that causes tumors to grow along nerves. In addition to tumor growth, it can also cause chronic pain, blindness, deafness, disfigurement, cancer, and learning disabilities. 1 in 3000 individuals are affected by NF and it affects all race and genders equally. There are very few treatments and no cure.

Best in Show winner Phil Behm and wife, Dian, and his 1956 Chevy. photo by michele buono

Buckygrams: haunted house, witch, trick-or-treat, costumes, ghost, black cat, hocus pocus, creepy, scary, jack-o-lantern, spooky, darkness Hidden Message: “Happy Halloween!” Bucky Block: Go on a double date

October 2021 • Upper Bucks Free Press •

QCHS Alumni Spotlight: Kurt Amen, Class of ’06

This is another in a series of articles highlighting notable graduates from Quakertown Community High School. Featured individuals are selected by the QCHS Alumni Association. This month we highlight Kurt Amen, Class of 2006. Kurt Amen is a 9th grade science teacher who joined the faculty at Quakertown Community High School in the 2020-21 school year. Born and raised in Quakertown, Amen also graduated from QCHS in 2006. Amen has always had an affinity for the sciences and focused particularly on Biology while in high school. He also enjoyed participating in sports as a member of the Golf, Baseball, and Track teams. He also notes that he participated in Leadership Rotary Camp. At Elizabethtown College, Amen continued to pursue his interest in science achieving his Bachelor of Science degree in General Science education in 2010. He later got his Master of Science degree in Educational Media Design from Wilkes University in 2016. Amen began his teaching career at Lebanon Middle School in Lebanon, PA, following with three and a half years with the Commonweath Charter Academy teaching middle school general science. He continued his career at CCA as the STEM Conservatory Manager forming relationships with STEM businesses and running labs all over Pennsylvania. He returned to the classroom at Nitschmann Middle School in Bethlehem for three years. He is pleased to be in his second year now teaching at his alma mater. So, why teaching? Amen says he wants to “open every avenue I can for the kids in the community I teach. It not only provides a modest homelife, but gives me all the opportunities I need to pursue happiness. You get to be creative, while gaining a sense of meaning.” He wants his students to know that they are “loved and cared for” which is “everything in the building of a strong community.” Amen’s passion for teaching was influenced by a number of his teachers at QCHS. Mrs. Waddel was the “only teacher to sit with me and figure out why I couldn’t understand math as fast as the others. She has real passion.” Mrs. Eisenmen “knew how to dish it back at any students that would challenge her. She related to us all effortlessly.” Mr. Brader was “quick, humorous, caring, and made a point to keep us on our toes.” Mr. Blake was “strict, scary, and did everything he could to help students that cared about performance.” Mr. McQuown “really enjoyed us being there and loved everything about his job. I aspired to be a teacher because of this.” Amen also named Madame Rooney and Mr. Dixon as exceptional teachers who kept him engaged in learning.

Amen further credits his success to following some simple mantras: Take risks. Create. Stay healthy. Relationships are everything. Prioritize kids over all else.

When asked about his 15 minutes in the spotlight having been named WMMR’s Preston & Steve’s “Coolest Teacher” at QCHS earlier this year according to students, he remarked, “I don’t think it gets better than this in terms of reciprocation. The kids here knew they were loved and cared for when they came in every day. I am subject to teaching science in the Library due to our school’s spacing and influx of population. For them to see us take a tough situation, make the best of it, and then recognize me through WMMR is something that I will have pride in for the rest of my life. They were incredible for me, my first year at Quakertown.” But what if Kurt Amen didn’t pursue a teaching career? He says he’d either be a Golf Teaching Pro, something in construction, or an engineer of some sort. “But honestly, if I could go back and do it again, I wouldn’t change a thing.” Amen lives in downtown Quakertown a block away from the high school with his wife whom he refers to as a ‘supermodel.’ “She works her tail off every day and always helps me when I am contemplating my interactions with students.” Amen remarks that together, they are servants to their “superior family member,” a border collie named Luna Lovegood Amen. The Quakertown Community High School Alumni Association encourages alumni to participate in the association’s activities and its mission which includes fundraising and providing scholarship opportunities for QCHS grads. For information about the association, contact Melea Rupert at mrupert55@hotmail. com or visit www.quakertown.net/alumni. UBFP intern Nicole Pasciuti, a junior at QCHS, contributed to this story.

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info@ubfp.org • 582 S. West End Blvd • Quakertown, PA 18951

The Best is Yet to Come

October greetings! This is the month where we will truly see the beauty of fall. I expect to see the trees changing their seasonal attire very soon. There has already been a tinge of that transformation, but it will be in full force by mid-October. There is something about the changing colors of autumn, the crispness of the air, and the deep, saturated blue of the skies that inspires the soul to look beyond our present circumstances and to focus on the change we can create to make our lives just as awe-inspiring as autumn. I often ponder how life during a pandemic would have been sixty years ago when technology was not as advanced as it is in the twenty-first century. There were no cell phones, no Internet, and no social media as we know them today. The ways people could be ignorant and disrespectful to each other were limited to face to face. You could not attract a million viewers with despicable tirades. Six decades ago, we got up from the chair in which we were seated to change the radio station, the television channel, or to turn off the light switch. Alexa was non-existent in the twentieth century. In the 1960s, we had three television channels and no cable. The movies we watched were limited to those three channels. We could not choose between Showtime, Starz, Cinemax, and HBO. There were no paid video streaming services like Hulu, Peacock, Disney+, and Netflix. So, what did we do? During those times, we respected one another, and we communicated with each other face to face. We picked up the telephone

and talked with our family and friends, and unless we had a party line the conversation was private. Yes, there may have been argumentative exchanges of words, but only those two people heard them. Back then, our families were complete. Our mothers cooked three meals a day and we sat at the table and ate together. Some of the best and most valuable conversations were held at the dinner table. There was no fast-food, no take-out, no DoorDash, no GrubHub, and no Uber Eats. Occasionally, we would dine out at a restaurant where we enjoyed the company of each other. There was no distraction in the palm of our hands that took precedence over a real, in-person conversation. How times have changed! I do not suggest we revert to six decades ago. Much of the advanced technology we have today is necessary. It provides faster, more efficient communication, but it also has become a detriment during the past eighteen months because society has become so dependent upon it. Not only have we lost communication skills, but we have lost compassion and kindness toward one another. The quarantine and restrictions of the pandemic have not treated us kindly. However, I believe that if we focus on the change we can create, our lives will be just as awe-inspiring as the month of October. “Always remember that your present situation is not your final destination. The best is yet to come.” Jacque Holliday is a long time freelance contributor to UBFP. She always welcomes your comments via email at jacque@ubfp.org

So I promised to discuss feeding old dogs. My dog brother Grady will get a bowl with chopped up chicken and turn away from it and go eat a bowl of dry dog food instead. Sometimes my human will take the same food and put it in a different bowl and sit it down and he will eat it. Don’t assume your old dog isn’t hungry. He could have doggy Dementia. He sleeps in weird places and drinks water with his feet in the bowl. Sometime dogs stop eating because the food gets smashed against the side of the bowl and the dog cant get it out of the corners. Some dogs do better with plates so they can roll it into their mouth. We have some dog friends who don’t like to get their fur around their mouth dirty so they like to be hand fed. If your dog needs to eat more and stops eating try hand feeding them. I don’t

have any of these problems. Boy I hope I don’t ever get where I don’t appreciate food. Here is a picture of me at the vets getting weighed.

October 2021 • Upper Bucks Free Press •

Diversification, Patience, & Consistency Regardless of how the markets may perform, consider making the following part of your investment philosophy: Diversification. The saying “don’t put all your eggs in one basket” has some application to investing. Over time, certain asset classes may perform better than others. If your assets are mostly held in one kind of investment, you could find yourself under a bit of pressure if that asset class experiences some volatility. Keep in mind that diversification is an approach to help manage investment risk. It does not eliminate the risk of loss if an investment sees a decline in price. Asset allocation strategies also are used in portfolio management. When financial professionals ask you questions about your goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk, they are getting a better idea about what asset classes may be appropriate for your situation. But like diversification, asset allocation is an approach to help manage investment risk. It does not eliminate the risk of loss if an investment sees a decline in price. Patience. Impatient investors can get too focused on the day-to-day doings of the financial markets. They can be looking for short-term opportunities rather than longerterm potential. A patient investor understands that markets fluctuate, and has built a portfolio based on their time horizon, risk tolerance, and goals. A short-term focus may add stress and anxiety to your life, and could lead to frustration with the investing process.

Consistency. Most people invest a little at a time, within their budget, and with regularity. They invest $50 or $100 or more per month in their retirement account or similar investments. They are investing on “autopilot” to help themselves attempt to build wealth over time. Consistent investing does not protect against a loss in a declining market or guarantee a profit in a rising market. Consistent investing, sometimes referred to as dollar-cost averaging, is the process of investing a fixed amount of money in an investment vehicle at regular intervals, usually monthly, for an extended period of time regardless of price. Investors should evaluate their financial ability to continue making purchases through periods of declining and rising prices. The return and principal value of stock prices will fluctuate as market conditions change. Shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. If you don’t have an investment strategy, consider talking to a qualified financial professional today. The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG Suite is not affiliated with the named broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Copyright 2021 FMG Suite.

This article was submitted by Bob Podraza of Robert James Investments on West Broad Street, Quakertown. He can be reached at 215-583-5013 or at robertjamesinvestments.com

• Upper Bucks Free Press • October 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!

BY PASTOR CHAD WISLER As we connect with God and are impacted by Him, He sends us to connect and impact others with the gospel. I love that statement because I think it’s a great way to think about the entirety of the Bible; to think about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus; and to think about our role in Jesus’ last command to “…go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Mt. 28:19-20 NIV) Jesus’ last command in Matthew is all about connecting and impacting others with the gospel. The gospel is another way of talking about the good news of Jesus. The best definition of the word gospel which has stuck with me for years, is this, “we are more messed up than we realize and more loved than we can ever imagine.” I think that sticks with me because it is short and sweet, easy to remember, and true. I also like the statement that began this article because it reminds me to keep first things first. It points me back to Jesus, to stay connected with Him. It reminds me to replace my negative thoughts with ones that He has spoken over me. It reminds me to take my desire for approval and remember that I already have the only approval that will ever matter, the one that comes from Him. It reminds me that when I fear or don’t feel in control, He has risen from the grave and already reigns victorious. It reminds me that when I search for satisfaction in the things of this world, that Jesus is enough. Connect and impact are great values, but without pointing to Jesus, a lot of good work can be done to change people’s lives for the better and yet still leave you feeling empty. Connect and Impact are two values, rhythms and methods in which we can join personally and corporately in the work He is doing, joining in His mission, and continuing what Jesus started. For example, in our church we just finished a sermon series called the Summer of Connection which highlighted the importance of connecting with God and connecting with

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, Small group meetings 2nd & 4th Sundays 6:30pm; Tues: Ladies Bible Study 9:45am; Wed: AWANA (2 yrs - 6th grade) & Teens for Christ 6:30pm, Adult prayer meeting 6:45pm

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 will restart in Fall of 2021. 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 Services at 9 am and 11 am. Our cafe is open with free coffee. Children’s Ministries provided. Celebrate Recovery on Tuesdays at 7 pm. Student Ministries on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm. Weekly Connections. For updates and schedule changes, check our website.

others, and we learned what the Bible had to say about living a connected life. We also put it into practice, and after every service, we spent time connecting with each other. From BBQ cookouts, to pancake breakfasts, to ice cream floats – all were part of developing our connections with each other and with God. Connection is not always easy. Sometimes it’s downright awkward. But it’s worth it. Jesus didn’t pick 12 experts, good students, or people that he knew would work well together. You probably could have made the first hit reality TV show if you followed the 12 disciples around and filmed the ensuing drama. And yet something much more powerful than their personalities and strong opinions brought them together. Through the connection with the Spirit, He used them to impact and change the world. The other value we see is Impact. One of the rhythms that flows from this value in the life or our church is what we call Impact Sunday. On that first Sunday of every month we look back and share updates and stories of how the missionaries we support all around the world are staying connected to Jesus, often in difficult circumstances. They share about how they are joining His work in their context and are seeing God impact lives in their part of the world. We then continue a tradition started at Calvary’s first church service over 70 years ago, where all unspecified offering goes directly to missions. Finally, we talk about how we can pray and join in existing missions and current relief efforts in Haiti, Afghanistan, Louisiana and locally. Even a small amount of time, talent, or treasure can go a long way when we know the God of all creation has come to rescue and restore in and through the work of Jesus on our behalf. For those of you up for a challenge as you go about the rest of your day and week, try one or all of these questions: How can you connect with God this week? Who is someone you have not have talked to in a long time, connect with them. What’s one way through prayer, serving, listening, etc., in which you can be impacted by God? What’s one thing you can do to join His

Palisades Community Bible Church

St. John’s Lutheran 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

4 South Main Street • PO Box 459 Richlandtown, PA 18955 215-536-5027 Admin@stjohnsrpa.org www.stjohnsrpa.org Pastor: Rev Dr. David A Genszler In person worship service Sunday at 9:30 am, Watch our Worship Service anytime on stjohnsrpa.org/sermon or on Facebook. Activity Center Rentals Open, Capacity 125, call 215-536-5027 to book.

Quakertown United Methodist Church 1875 Freier Road Quakertown, PA 18951 215-536-4992 barb@qumc.com www.qumc.com Pastor: Rev. Richard K. Brown II Sunday schedule: Worship 8:30 am, Sunday School 9:45 am, Worship 11 am 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. Isidore Roman Catholic Church 2545 West Pumping Station Rd Quakertown, PA 18951 (215) 536-4389 Pastor: Rev. Kenneth C. Brabazon izzyparoff@comcast.net www.stisidores.org Sunday Masses - 5:00pm Saturday evenings; 7:00am, 9:00am, & 11:00am on Sunday mornings; 1:00pm in Spanish Sunday afternoons mission and make an impact in someone’s life? As always, be patient with yourself. We have to allow ourselves to receive His grace. I hope you are encouraged and comforted by the work Jesus finished on your behalf through his life, death, and resurrection. Remember, you are not alone. Reach out.

St. John’s Lutheran Church of Spinnerstown

1565 Sleepy Hollow Rd, Spinnerstown 18968 215-536-0734 stjohnsspinnerstown@gmail.com www.stjohnsofspinnerstown.org Pastor: The Rev. Axel Kaegler Worship Service: 9:30 a.m. Service also will be live-streamed on Facebook (St. John’s Lutheran Church, Spinnerstown, PA) and video will be available on church website. Check website for updated COVID guidelines.

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 stpaulsqtown@gmail.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

I’d love to listen, talk, and see how I may be able to help point you to Jesus on your journey. I hope this can be the beginning of a conversation where we grow together. Chad Wisler is a pastor at Calvary Church’s Quakertown Campus. He can be reached at cwisler@calvary-church.com.

October 2021 • Upper Bucks Free Press •

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

Think Local. Play Local. Be Local.

Have something to share with your community? Send it to us!

UBFP • 582 S. West End Blvd, Ste 2 • Quakertown, PA 18951 info@ubfp.org • fb.com/ubfreepress • www.ubfp.org

Brown Chilly Cider Colorful Corn Maze Cornucopia

Equinox Falling Leaves Festival Golden Gourd Halloween Harvest

Hayride Jack-OLantern Maize October Orange Pumpkin

Raking Red Scarecrow Thanksgiving Trick or Treat Yellow

• Upper Bucks Free Press • October 2021

Employment Opportunities

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. Jbiagioli5775@gmail.com Spor’s General Store - Hiring various positions, ages 15 & up. Contact: bspor@sporsgeneralstore. com or stop in the store at 22 W. Broad Street,Trumbauersville New Vitae Wellness & Recovery - Join a Talented Team! Seeking Personal Care Aides & Medication Technicians for all shifts. No experience necessary. We will train successful applicants. Please call (610) 928-5277

Who Named Us Quakertown? On the afternoon of July 29, 2021, I got a handful of “Extreme Alert—Category: Meteorological” alarms on my cell phone. Quakertown was in a Tornado Warning area. A Warning is much more serious than a Watch. It could mean there is a tornado on the ground already, or at least one’s been sighted. I negligently didn’t “Take Shelter Now,” as I was instructed, but quickly looked out the window. It was dark, windy and raining hard, but I neither saw nor heard a tornado. I did follow the instruction to “Check Media”. I’m not sure which channel my wife put on the TV but, sure enough, Quakertown was in the red zone of most severe danger. The thing is, they didn’t call it Quakertown. They called it ‘Richland’. On their map, Richland was a little northwest of a place called Paletown (??) I know Paletown Road and guessed the small group of houses halfway between 313 and the railroad crossing must have been called Paletown, once. They were in danger, too. The young, nearly frantic, weather girl must have been new to the area because she never even mentioned Quakertown. She kept saying “Richland”. I was surprised. Most people in the Philadelphia region have heard of Quakertown and have some idea of where it is. As a proud, long-time resident (and a Quaker, to boot), my feelings were hurt. The ‘big’ town surrounded by Richland Township has been called Quakertown for 218 years, since 1803.

Since before there was a Pennsylvania, and until after the Revolutionary War, our area of Upper Bucks was generally know as the Great Swamp. It was fertile farmland so, when William Penn’s Proprietor’s Manor was established in 1703, and the area was officially opened for settlement, they called it Richland. People were much more likely to buy land in ‘The Richlands’ rather than in The Swamp. With land around Philadelphia fully occupied, immigrants moved further inland and farms were soon established throughout the Upper Bucks region. The central part of The Swamp was settled mostly by Welsh Quakers and the western (and to a lesser extent the eastern), part by the ‘Dutch’ (Germans). The area became a ‘bread-basket’ and continued to be so through the revolutionary period. The Quaker’s community was centered on the intersection of the road between Philadelphia and Bethlehem, the Road to Durham and the newly built (1730) Swamp Road to the county seat at Newtown. That intersection is now Main Street/California Road and Broad Street in Quakertown. When Upper Bucks was officially divided into townships in 1734, Milford and Richland were delineated. [Richland is the only township in Bucks County that has a north and south orientation, rather than NW/SE]. By the turn of the 19th century, the entire region was rurally populated but the actual village of Richland, located at the approximate center of the Great Swamp, contained no more than a dozen or so dwellings. The Red Lion Inn (established 1748), was an important stage

stop on the route between Philadelphia and the Lehigh Valley. With the establishment of the U.S. Postal Service, an ‘office’ was assigned to Richland. Life-long resident, shoemaker and storekeeper, William Green was appointed postmaster. William Green’s great-grandfather, James Green (b. 1690 in England), relocated from Whitemarsh to Springfield Township, Bucks County, in 1730, and settled on 300 acres that adjoined Richland Manor. William’s grandfather, Joseph Green (b. 1717 in Springfield), was a member of Richland Friends Meeting and, in 1744, married Catharine Thomas (b. 1715 in Richland). Her family was among the earliest settlers in the Great Swamp. Their third son, Benjamin Green (b. 1750), was William’s father. William’s mother was Jane Roberts, of another early Richland family. Benjamin bought and sold many properties across the region, before settling on (now) Main Street in Quakertown. William Green was born in Richland Township on November 10, 1776. He became a shoemaker and storekeeper. His first business (considered to be the first store in Quakertown), was at (now) 132 South Main St. between Juniper and Park Ave. [The frame building burned in 1862]. In 1802, William Green purchased from Evan Foulke a tract of land on the NE corner of Main and Broad Streets and moved his store there. He added to that property several adjoining lots, which were purchased from Samuel Nixon and Enoch Roberts. In 1805, Green built a brick residence and store that still stands (2021). The building also served as the community’s first post office. William Green married Mary Roberts (b. 1785) of Rockhill Township on April 19, 1804. Green was a successful businessman and land speculator. He was prominent in

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local affairs and filled many “positions of trust” in the community, including that of first postmaster. He was reappointed to that position for 40 years. When, in 1803, as the U.S. Postal Service was assigning names to all their ‘stations’, William Green was asked to choose a one for his. The only name that made sense to him and was accurate was “The Quaker’s Town.” So, the village officially became Quakertown. At that time, Quakertown encompassed only the west end of today’s borough. A swampy, brushy area called The Thicket, which extended from (today’s) 6th St. to 3rd St., separated it from the mostly German settlement centered on (today’s) Hellertown Ave. and Broad St. The village of Richland Centre, had its own post office. When the railroad came through Richland in 1857, it was (allegedly), spitefully routed a mile east of Quakertown because of a “trivial dispute” between the proprietor of the Red Lion Hotel and the RR surveyors (perhaps no free drinks?). Quakertown, which had been incorporated in 1855, spread toward the railroad and, in 1874, it absorbed Richland Centre. Upon the merger a public vote was held to determine the name of the now much larger town. Tradition has it that Quakertown won by only two votes. I don’t see how the pretty young weathergirl, who was awfully excited about the tornado warnings, could know anything about our history but, whoever told her to warn Paletown but not Quakertown should be ashamed and ought to look at a modern map. William Green named us Quakertown a long time ago. Jack Schick is a long time Quakertown area resident and regular contributor here at

UBFP. Reach him at sjckschc@aol.com

October 2021 • Upper Bucks Free Press •

Home Remedies vs Registered Pesticides

In an effort to curtail the use of pesticides homeowners result to using household remedies often found on the internet or social media. Many claims are made about household remedies: that they are chemical-free. Not true! Everything contains, including water. Example: Distilled white vinegar is about 5% acetic acid. A chemical that controls pests IS a pesticide by definition. ALL chemicals are toxic at some level of exposure. Chemicals that kill pests do so by toxic action. Here are reasons why using Penn State does not recommend home remedies. • Home remedies often contain the same chemicals as registered pesticides but lack the proper safety instructions, how much to use and how often to apply them. Example: Kitchen vinegar contains acetic acid but the label does not tell you that it is corrosive to the eyes, toxic to aquatic life or how to safely use the product on plants. • Household remedies have not been evaluated for risks specific to your site/pet. Example: Hydrogen peroxide has been tested for first aid use on human skin but, when applied to garden vegetables to control fungi it could harm anyone who consumes the vegetables. • Home remedies may require heating or mixing chemicals which could cause harmful effects. Heating home remedies can cause fumes which could be harmful to young children who are more susceptible than adults. • Home remedies are often ineffective and may have a negative effect. Example: With little known effectiveness homemade mosquito repellents can irritate skin and leave you vulnerable to mosquitotransmitted diseases. It can be illegal to use home remedies on vegetables to be sold for consumption by others. What does all this mean? Home remedies have not been tested for effectiveness or harmful effects. EPA-registered pesticides are rigorously tested for both effectiveness and/or harmful effects for the plants indicated on their labels and provide specific PPE necessary for the safety of humans during application. Pesticide use can be safe if used for the specific pest included on the label, the homeowner reads the label and follows all the safety precautions

listed. Does this mean Penn State always recommends using pesticides? NO! Good gardening practices can go a long way to prevent the use of pesticides on your property. Penn State recommends the IPM (Integrated Pest Management) practices. First use Cultural methods: Make sure your soil is healthy (soil testing) Right plant - right place. Plants often need a specific pH, light requirements and soil type. Maintain proper watering practices to avoid drought stress to your plants Rotate vegetable crops of the same family Second use Mechanical/Physical methods: • Weeding, mulching Traps or barriers • Hand pick those offending insects • Proper pruning techniques Third use Biological control: • Predators (Ladybugs, Lacewings, etc) • Parasites (Parisitoid wasps) • Nematodes Fourth use Biorational, soft Pesticides: Insecticidal soaps, horticultural oils, repellents, microbials, and insect growth regulators Your last resort based on your tolerance of a specific pest should be: Conventional pesticides, fungicides and herbicides If you choose to use registered pesticides be sure to read the label, only use the product for those insects it is intended for and follow all the safety precautions listed. Ultimately, you as the homeowner have the choice. Our home Garden/Watershed hotline is open! Emails are being answered by our trained Master Gardeners and Master Watershed Stewards remotely from 9 am to 4 pm Monday thru Friday (closed noon-1pm). For fastest service use email. You can still call if you prefer. Leave a message and we will return your call. “Ask a Master Gardener/Watershed Steward” Penn State Extension Bucks County Email: BucksMG@psu.edu Please mention that you heard about us in the Upper Bucks Free Press! Email: BucksMG@psu.edu Please mention that you heard about us in the Upper Bucks Free Press!

20th Anniversary of 9/11 Commemorated

Members of local government, firefighters, police, other first responders, veteran’s organizations, and residents of Upper Bucks came together at the American Legion in Quakertown to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the terror attacks of 9/11/2001, remembering those who perished and honoring those who go in harms way for their fellow citizens when called upon. photos by ken sutliff

Trolley Barn Public Market Wins Statewide ‘Townie’ Award

Congratulations to Brian Benner and his crew at the Warren Weiss Insurance Agency in Milford Square on celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the business Brian’s grandfather founded. Benner is the third generation to operate the agency and credits his staff for their service allowing the business to continue to grow steadily. photo by michele buono

Pennsylvania Downtown Center (PDC) announces nine Townie award recipients for 2021. The Townie Awards are a festive and esteemed annual tradition designed to recognize the commonwealth’s core communities and individuals for creation and implementation of projects, programs and events that exemplify the goals of PDC’s community revitalization mission. Eligible communities are part of Pennsylvania Downtown Center’s statewide network of nearly 200 organizations, including Main Street and Elm Street programs, making the Townies a competitive award process each year. The Trolley Barn Public Market on East Broad Street in Quakertown was recognized with the prestigious Anchor Building Award. This honor recognizes large projects that were once the proud central focus structure of the downtown or neighborhood that have been brought back from the brink of demolition.. This award is granted to those projects that involve a building of 10,000 square feet or more, that have been vacant, or largely underutilized for a period of time in excess of two years. Quakertown Alive! believed and the PA Downtown Center agreed that the Trolley Barn Public Market deserved this year’s Anchor Building Award for the beautiful transformation of the borough’s old trolley barn into a vibrant public market that attracts visitors from across the region. Property owners Ian Jeffrey and Chris LaBonge appreciated the historical significance of the building and saw the potential to make it a downtown focus. According to Chris LaBonge, “The Trolley Barn Public Market, its staff, and all our vendors are delighted to have won the Anchor Building Award. It is an honor to receive this award because being an anchor tenant to the larger Quakertown Borough was very much the intention of the project from inception. Ian and I wanted to make a difference in our community, and we wanted our project to have to push the community over the tipping point where other businesses start to look at the Borough as an attractive place to open storefronts. This award allows us to measure ourselves against our initial goals and say, “Yes! We’ve made a difference. Thank you to Quakertown Alive,

the Borough, County of Bucks, and the state of PA for all the support we’ve received.” “This Townie award for the Trolley Barn Public market elevates and acknowledges its importance to the goal of making downtown Quakertown as a destination. People can plan to meet and gather to enjoy not only the food, but great entertainment in an outdoor setting complete with fire pits and comfortable seating,” said Quakertown Alive!’s Executive Director Naomi Naylor. “This project is truly timely with the opening of the Upper Bucks Rail Trail as we see more cyclists coming in to our downtown to shop and dine.” Pennsylvania Downtown Center’s executive director, Julie Fitzpatrick, said “The annual Townie awards provide an opportunity for us

photo by michele buono

to celebrate these exceptional and inspiring community revitalization projects throughout our commonwealth. Our Main Street and Elm Street programs, staff, board, and volunteers work tirelessly throughout the year to make impactful change in their business districts and neighborhoods, and the Townies give us a chance to reflect on these success stories. The work of community revitalization is never done, it is an ever-evolving community effort. PA’s Main Street and Elm Street programs have continued to provide responsive and innovative programming throughout this past year.” The awards ceremony takes place as part of PDC’s annual statewide conference, held in a different commonwealth community each year highlighting the respective city or town’s accomplishments in community and neighborhood revitalization. 2020 and 2021 Townie Award winners were recognized at this year’s conference in downtown Reading.

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