Upper Bucks Free Press • September 2020

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• Upper Bucks Free Press • September 2020

What’s Going On in Upper Bucks?

August 29

Springfield Twp Historical Society Open House 9:30am-12noon at Church School, 2165 Rte 212, Pleasant Valley (GPS Coopersburg).

Beautifully restored! Free, public invited.

Please bring a mask! FMI: Tom 484-308-1510.

August 31 Upper Bucks Chamber of Commerce’s “36th Annual Golf Classic” FMI: ubcc.org

September 3 Free Take-out Community Dinner, already packaged & ready to go home. Pick up 5:30pm-6:30pm at the tent outside the Yerger Bldg across from Trinity Lutheran, 102 N Hellertown Ave, Quakertown.

September 6 “Sunset Skyz Music Duo” 11am-3pm, Free Outdoor Concert at Quakertown Farmers Mkt, 201 Station Rd. FMI: 215-536-4115.

September 7 Labor Day September 10 New Vitae Wellness Foundation’s free online training session “Emotional Regulation as Treatment for Suicidal Behavior” 11am-1pm.

Registration info: 215-538-3403

September 11

Patriot Day 9/11 Service honoring people lost from Bucks County (18) & Emergency Responders & Medical People Staff. Hosted outside, weather permitting by American Legion Post 242 at 610 E Broad St, Quakertown. Begins 11am (about ½ hr) Arrive 10 minutes earlier.

Masks required!

Apple Dumpling and Homemade Soup Fundraiser. Must pay/order by 9/11. Drive thru pick up Sept 25 from 1pm-5pm at UB Activity Ctr, 2183 Milford Sq Pike, Quakertown. $6/dumpling, $3.50 & $6.50/ soups. FMI: 215-536-3066

September 13

“Avilion” 11am-1pm, Free Outdoor Concert at Quakertown Farmers Mkt, 201 Station Rd. FMI: 215-536-4115.

September 14

NO AARP meeting this month!

September 18

Free Shredding Event 10am-12noon at Pennridge Community Ctr, 146 E Main St, Perkasie. Limit 5 boxes or bags, no folders w/ metal or paperclips. Free event, but donations are appreciated.

September 19

“Glenwood” 12noon-2pm, Free Outdoor Concert at Quakertown Farmers Mkt, 201 Station Rd. FMI: 215-536-4115.

September 22

Autumn begins FREE Suicide Prevention Program on Zoom Webinar 8:30am-10am. To register: Deb Ryan/Dir. Community Outreach at 215453-5165 or dryan@pennfoundation.org. (free copy of Dr. Bradley’s book while supplies last)

September 25

Red Cross Blood Drive 11am-4pm at QMart, 201 Station Rd, Quakertown. (inside Entrance #1). Register: redcrossblood.org, sponsor code: qmart or call 1-800-REDCROSS

September 26

WWWA Wrestling 6:30pm bell time at QMart, 201 Station Rd, Quakertown. $15/ ringside, $12/gen adm. Inside Entrance #1.

Follow all CDC guidelines for the event.

Annual Fall Festival 11am-3pm at QMart, 201 Station Rd, Quakertown. DJ, exotic animals, petting zoo, Free pumpkin patch & decorating, crafts, balloons. Follow safety guidelines. FMI: 215-536-4115.

Best Baker Contest at Quakertown Farmers Mkt, 201 Station Rd. Judging at 1pm, winner receives $100 in Market Bucks. Details/info: 215-536-4115

September 27

“Pop Roxx” 11am-1pm, Free Outdoor Concert at Quakertown Farmers Mkt, 201 Station Rd. FMI: 215-536-4115.

September 2020 • Upper Bucks Free Press •

Tuszynski Recognized by ShelterBox for Contributions Quakertown area volunteer, Bill Tuszynski, has been recognized by the US Presidential Administration and humanitarian organization, ShelterBox USA, with the President’s Volunteer Service Award for his efforts in 2019 to provide emergency shelter and supplies to people who have lost their homes to natural disaster or fled because of civil conflict.

With help from Tuszynski’s efforts of raising awareness and funds for ShelterBox, the organization provided shelter and life-saving supplies to more than 145,000 people in 11 countries, including Paraguay after severe flooding, Malawi after Cylone Idai, Syria to support families affected by conflict, and many others.

“The lifesaving work of ShelterBox is only possible because of our inspiring volunteers like Bill Tuszynski, whose service in their communities is ensuring families made homeless by disaster and conflict situations have access to essential shelter and supplies.” said Kerri Murray, President of ShelterBox USA. “This distinction truly sets him apart as someone committed to serving others and making the world a better place.”

ShelterBox provides humanitarian aid in the form of family-sized tents and essential tools to start repairing and rebuilding homes.

Additionally, the organization’s kits and boxes contain items that help transform shelter into a home, like cooking sets, solar lights, blankets, water filtration, and mosquito nets. More than shelter, these items enable families to recovery following disaster, providing a way to keep communities and families together and allowing them the space to focus on the future.

The President’s Volunteer Service Award is a special recognition presented on behalf of President Donald Trump. The award is part of a national recognition program created in 2003 through the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation for individuals of all ages

who contribute a significant amount of time to volunteer activities.

Since 2000, ShelterBox has provided shelter, warmth, and hope following more than 300 disasters in over 100 countries.

ShelterBox serves the most vulnerable families who have been displaced due to earthquake, volcano, flood, hurricane, cyclone, tsunami, or conflict by delivering essential shelter aid and life-saving supplies. ShelterBox’s core aid items include a disaster relief tent for an extended family, blankets, a water filtration system, emergency lighting, and other tools for survival. ShelterBox USA is based in Santa Barbara, California. ShelterBox is an official Project Partner of Rotary International. Taxdeductible donations to the organization can be made at www.ShelterBoxUSA.org or by calling (805) 608-2400.

Covid Crisis Prompts Daughter, Dad to Build Marimba Kaitlyn Zajkowski and her father made the most of their confinement by building a marimba.

Since the closing of school buildings on March 13th, Quakertown Community High School senior Kaitlyn Zajkowski has missed her time in the band room where she could “find my peace” playing her favorite musical instrument, the marimba.

During the quarantine from the COVID-19 Pandemic, she discussed options with her parents, but list prices for marimbas begin at about $2,500 and can reach $20,000. So purchasing the percussion instrument that consists of a set of wooden bars struck with rubber mallets to produce soft, musical tones was out of the question.

Cut off from music “in a band sense” and “longing to get back to music,” Kaitlyn began searching for ways to solve her challenge.

She fired up her computer and quickly realized her only option was to build her favorite instrument. She spoke with her dad and the father-daughter team agreed to become the dynamic duo.

Neither had a background in this type of endeavor. Ed Zajkowski works in Information Technology and Kaitlyn, a sharp student who plans to study engineering in college - either biomedical or materials science - acknowledged “we had no clue what we were doing.”

Still, the family knew that if Kaitlyn put her mind to it, there was no stopping her on this monumental effort. “She never once thought this wouldn’t be done,” Stephanie Zajkowski said. “She didn’t even hesitate.”

Dad agreed. “Kaitlyn can be relentless if she wants to do something,” he said. “This was an opportunity for us to learn and to share.”

Dad purchased the wood and other materials to build the large instrument and their fourmonth effort, completed in mid-July, created a lifetime of memories. Dad would watch his daughter research, size, cut, sand, stain and tune each key while he handled the heavier work. He was close by as his daughter rapidly matured before his eyes.

“It gave us a chance to have some good conversations,” Mr. Zajkowski said. “I got to see her brain working. She is driven.”

Kaitlyn admitted many mistakes happened along the way. “Sometimes a key wouldn’t come out right but we would find ways around that,” she said. “At one point we had to redo a ton of keys. I messed up measurements. But whenever we had setbacks we would support each other. Our goal kept us on track.

“I’m super happy with it. It’s just for practice so it doesn’t have to be perfect. It’ll always be a work in progress. I’ll always be improving it and I’ll always be working on it to improve my skills.

“It was really an enjoyable experience bonding with my dad. It was hard work but so worthwhile. I’m so glad that we did it. It’s so special that we got to work together.”

QCHS Band Director Frank Parker said he is “I’m blown away at how she was able to plan this from initiation to completion. All of the research, making each piece. A tremendous accomplishment.”

Said Mr. Zajkowski: “It’s something she’ll always remember. something I’ll always remember.”

Think Local. Buy Local. Be Local.

QNB Declares Dividend

The Board of Directors of QNB Corp. (OTC Bulletin Board: QNBC), parent company of QNB Bank, at a regular meeting on August 25, 2020 declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.34 per share. The cash dividend is payable on September 25, 2020 to shareholders of record September 11, 2020.

QNB Corp. offers commercial and retail banking services through the twelve banking offices of its subsidiary, QNB Bank. QNB Corp.’s stock is traded in the over-the-counter market under the symbol “QNBC.” For more information, visit QNB’s web site at QNBbank.com.

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• Upper Bucks Free Press • September 2020

High-Resale Value Projects You Can Tackle In a Weekend “There’s no place like home,” as the old saying goes.

You live in and love your home, but there might come a time when you have to leave it. And when that time comes, you’ll want to get as much money as you can for your property so you can move onward - and upward.

In order to increase your homes’ value, you might think you have to put in a ton of time, effort and money, but that’s not entirely true.

Instead, you can take on weekend projects over time to spruce the place up so when it’s time to sell, you have a completely updated property that’ll end up selling itself.

Roll up your sleeves and start on one of the following five weekend projects.

1. Repaint Your Kitchen Cabinets When it comes to smart investment in your home, the kitchen is one of the best places to start. Buyers expect kitchens to be updated.

Stone countertops, stainless appliances and sleek flooring all make a space feel modern.

Obviously, these changes require a lot of money and, sometimes, a lot of time. That’s why you can tackle it in bits and start first with your cabinets.

Old wooden cabinets with equally dated hardware - think oak doors with shiny brass handles - don’t require a complete gut job. Instead, spend a weekend repainting them<bit.ly/3hKM4H3> a more neutral hue. Finish the project off with new metallic knobs and pulls to complete the modernized look.

2. Make the Eye Go up With Crown Molding Most homes have roughly the same ceiling heights, but there’s a little trick to make yours look bigger - crown molding. Yes, that white line at the top of your painted walls will draw eyes upward, making the room appear airier than it may very well be.

The project is easy enough to complete, too.<bit.ly/3aZAogG> You might not be able to install molding throughout your entire home over a single weekend, but you can certainly tackle the project on a room-by-room basis. Again, start with the spaces likely to draw in the most money: • Kitchens • Bathrooms • Living spaces • Master bedrooms These tend to be the make-or-break rooms when it comes to a big purchase. Crown molding adds a bit of detail, a feeling of luxury that’ll certainly add to the bottom line.

3. Boost Curb Appeal, Backyard Bonuses No one will come in your home unless the first impression is stunning. Another DIY project should be a landscape overhaul of your

front yard. It can be something as simple as adding a path of pavers to your front yard or sprucing up your flowerbeds with colorful blooms. All of this will catch the eye of potential buyers - and fatten up the bottom line of the offers they make.

Another easy fix - your garage door. If it’s street-facing, it’s another area for prospective buyers to look at, and it has a great return on investment<bit.ly/32sna8C>.

You don’t have to stop with the front of your home. Especially if you live in a climate that permits lots of outdoor activity, you’ll want a backyard to match. Some may require you rent or buy tools for landscaping and other applications<bit.ly/3gyM8ba>, but imagine the payoff with, for example, the beauty of a functioning fire pit<t.ly/XgL8> in your backyard. Not only will you be able to enjoy it while you’re still living in your home, but potential buyers will easily be able to envision themselves sitting around a fire.

4. Beautify the Bathrooms Bathrooms have a big effect on buyers. They expect clean, modern updates, just like in the kitchen. Overhauling your powder room is an easy weekend task that might require small swaps, such as a new modern light fixture over the vanity or a new vanity altogether.

Your full bathrooms will require a bit more attention if you want them to be up to snuff.

Again, look in the familiar places: • Lighting fixtures • Cabinets • Hardware • Countertops • Tile You don’t have to shell out a ton of money to have someone else re-tile a wall or backsplash in your bathroom, either, if you have the patience to demo and tile the space yourself<t.ly/dn7p>.

5. Out With the Really Old Some accents once considered fresh and fashionable now give your home a dated appearance. You probably already know what in your home screams 70s, 80s or 90s. Whatever it is should go.

The list of outdated design elements is truly endless, but some of the biggest offenders are old-school wallpaper, the floor-to-ceiling wood paneling that may or not be actual wood, and, of course, popcorn ceilings. By removing these three offenders alone - a popcorn ceiling doesn’t take much effort<bit.ly/2EvljaT> - your home will snap right back into 2020!

Once people start envisioning themselves living in your home, you won’t have to envision offers pouring in - they’ll start coming thanks to your hard work!

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

Hello everyone. I am confused about something. In 2018, we had a wet, rainy year and the ground was so saturated with water that when we had 8 inches of rain in an hour in August of that year our place was flooded out and during this storm Quakertown businesses and apartments didn’t get flooded. NOW, here in August 2020, when we haven’t had an extra wet year, there were 7 inches of rain and my place stayed dry and Quakertown borough business and apartments got flooded. Is there something wrong with the drainage system in town? Seems worth investigating. Back to dog business. My daycare friends wanted me to remind you that if you serve wet refrigerated food to your puppy to warm it a bit before we get it, even in the Summer time. It’s easier

on our teeth and our ancestors always ate their food when it was still warm. It brings us closer to our wild side. ~Love, Brandy

Harley’s Haven

Nebula

Meet Nebula! This beautiful purebred catahoula made her way to us after her owner was no longer able to keep her. She is special needs, as she was born deaf...but certainly doesn’t let that slow her down! She is now about 8 months old, and is a happy and playful girl! Due to her hearing impairment, we think she would do best with another dog in the home, and a family with dog experience. She has a great mixture of ready to play, and also down to snuggle! Contact us today for more info about her!

Oliver

Meet Cooper! This handsome guy was adopted from us last year as Atreyu, and unfortunately is looking for another home. His parents adore him, and have spent a lot of time training him, but he can be reactive towards other dogs and small children, and they live in a very busy community filled with both, so they don’t feel it’s fair for him to continue in that space long-term. With adults and people in general he is awesome - He’s fun, outgoing, playful, and oh so sweet! He is about 2 years old, and is a very healthy guy who is always up for an adventure....he just needs a quieter spot so he can succeed long-term. Could it be you?

Contact us today about this handsome guy!

Looking for a furever friend? Give Harley’s Haven a call at (267) 354-5204.

American Legion Post 242 September 2020 Update

BY DICK HELM Good news! Our Post Home Association is now opened. All state rules on amounts of persons allowed in the Post Canteen, the food/ beverage sales and Social Distancing rules apply. We are open 7 days a week starting at 11:00 AM and closing at various times as patron sizes dictate. As more people start to come out to the canteen, the closing times will work back to what they were pre-Covid-19.

Our Post has yearly held a special ceremony to honor the victims of the attack against us in New York City back in 2001, who lived in Bucks County. Surprisingly 18 souls from Bucks County perished in the Twin Towers and on the flights commandeered by the terrorists. We will hold our service outdoors (Weather permitting) and as usual will include honoring our First Responders who were attributed with saving many lives the fateful day.

Our service will promptly start at 11:00 AM on our Post parking area closest to our Post Home. We urge you to make an effort to attend this Outdoor service. It is your chance to say thank you to a few of our first responders in person. We expect to have police officers, fireman, emergency persons, and Emergency Dept. Managers. Thanking them all for being out there to supply services is so much appreciated by them with a simple “Thank

You” voiced through your protective mask.

Hopefully in 2021, when we have our 9/11 services you can shake their hands in gratitude.

You would be surprised what a simple “Thank You” means so much.

It was determined at our last Post meeting that it is only necessary to have one Post meeting a month. Meetings from this point on will be held on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 7:30 PM. The meetings will be held with appropriate seating and health rules required by the state until the restrictions are removed or revised. So we urge you to attend the meetings and be part of the positive changes we hope to make to bring our Post back to where it was years ago. We will post any information involving canteen specials in our dining area We urge you to constantly check the bulleting board on our front lawn for and information on openings, post changes, dining specials or just general information.

Is your dues application still in the “Bills to be paid” folder, as mine is? Do as I am going to do, take it out, write a check, and either send it off to the Post or take it directly in and see all the improvements that were made during the shutdown. Let us make our Post Adjutant proud again this year as he was last year with a 100% renewal rate.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

September 2020 • Upper Bucks Free Press •

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New Vitae Honored with Golden Bowties New Vitae Wellness and Recovery is proud to announce that it has been honored with two Golden Bowtie Awards from the Beck Institute Center for Recovery-Oriented Cognitive Therapy (CT-R). New Vitae has been selected to receive the “Institution Award for Application of CT-R Achieving Effective Community Integration,” and New Vitae psychologist, Robert Dromboski M.Ed. has been selected to receive the “Collaboration Across Organizations Implementing CT-R” award.

The Beck Institute Center for RecoveryOriented Cognitive Therapy (CT-R) is a leading international source for training, therapy, and resources in cognitive behavior therapy. CT-R is an evidence-based intervention that offers individuals a step-wise and concrete process to facilitate the journey through the recovery process. This is the inaugural year for the Golden Bowtie Awards, which is expected to become an annual event.

Dromboski is a key team member at New Vitae, assisting with the day-to-day operations of the Philadelphia-based residential supports and services. He is the primary liaison with the Beck Institute representatives, ensuring high quality recovery services are delivered across the New Vitae organization. He is also the 2019 recipient of the New Vitae Wellness and Recovery Pride Award, which celebrates innovation and ownership of one’s work.

“I am thrilled to receive this recognition.

It is priceless that my work at New Vitae has connected me with the Beck Team and CT-R,” said Dromboski. “It is amazing to be a part of New Vitae Wellness and Recovery, which is dedicated to advancements in mental health care.”

The Golden Bowtie Awards identify local organizations that work with the Beck Institute Center and successfully apply CT-R recovery practices. The awards are designed to recognize outstanding work in the application of CT-R for the residents of Philadelphia. Dromboski and New Vitae Wellness and Recovery were chosen out of multiple employee and organization nominations.

“We are honored to receive this prestigious award from the Beck Institute and look forward to continued partnership with the team at Beck,” said Judith Yanacek, President and CEO of New Vitae. “New Vitae has been fortunate to receive extensive training and support from the Beck team, and we have fully incorporated the practice of CT-R throughout our Philadelphia services. It has been an incredible experience to utilize their expertise as our goals for this treatment evolve.”

New Vitae, Dromboski, and other award winners were honored during a virtual award ceremony on June 25, 2020.

Fall is a great time to test your soil!

Fall and winter months are ideal periods to address soil conditions. Here is a link to obtain a soil test for your lawn, flower or vegetable garden beds: https://tinyurl.com/y2aggncy Soil testing is a simple and economical way to ensure healthy soil for gardening success.

• Download the submission form.

• Follow the instructions to sample soil.

• Package your sample and mail with a check for $9.00 to the address on the form.

• You will receive an analysis of your soil and a list of suggested amendments.

If you need assistance interpreting your results call or email the Hotline team.

Fall Lawn Fertilization: Fall is the OPTIMAL time to aggressively fertilize cool-season turfgrasses (bluegrasses, fescues, and ryegrasses). Cooling temperatures and shorter days provide ideal conditions to maximize root growth and food storage in cool-season turfgrasses. The benefits of suitable Fall Nitrogen (N) applications on cool-season grasses include improved turf density, color, root growth, and food storage.

Appropriate fall fertilization leads to better turf next spring. Still, to reap these benefits, there are important guidelines to follow. No more than 1 lb of N/1000 sq ft should be applied in a single application with any source that is predominately water soluble N and the frequency of application is a minimum of 4 weeks from September through November. Totals of 2 to 3 lb N/1000 sq ft might be applied during the fall according to grass needs and your expectations. Raise the cutting heights, ensure that pH and nutrient levels are appropriate as indicated by soil tests, so the grass enters dormancy as healthy as possible.

Pest or Beneficial?

Have you seen the Blue-Winged Wasp (Scolia dubia)? Not only is this member of the Scoliidae family of wasps beautiful, but it is a SUPER Predator. The adult female burrows into the ground and lays her eggs on grubs of the Japanese or June Beetle. When the eggs hatch the wasp larvae consume the host. You may see this beneficial insect on Goldenrod (Solidago spp.), Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum) or oth-

er nectar plants. It is generally not aggressive when left alone. Learn more: bit.ly/32zWrai Fall Webworm or Eastern Tent Caterpillar?

These two pests are often confused because they both create similar nests.

However, the Eastern Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma americanum Fabricus) build their nests in the crotch of trees and appear in spring. By June and July the mature caterpillars leave the host tree to pupate. The Fall Webworm (Hyphantia cunea Drury) builds its nest at the end of branches and first appears in late summer. Another way to tell them apart is by the color of the Caterpillar. Mature Fall Webworms are mostly white with one or two black stripes and the Adult Eastern Tent Caterpillar is mostly brownish-black with a white stripe. Both of these pests can skeletonize the leaves within and around their nest.

Although they are an unsightly nuisance, they rarely kill the host tree. If you would like to learn more, or need control methods check out these two Penn State Publications. t.ly/dvou and bit.ly/34IwRlM Deciding Where and When to treat for Spotted Lanternfly on Ornamentals? This is a question best answered by each individual gardener based on the level of infestation on your plant(s) and what method best suits your needs. This is a great Penn State Publication to help you decide which IPM (Integrated Pest Management) strategy will work best for you. tinyurl.com/yxjebaga Fall Lawn Fertilization: James Walter, Master Gardener/Master Watershed Steward Our home gardening hotline is open!

Emails are being answered by our trained Master Gardeners/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.

Phone: 267-483-2020 “Ask a Master Gardener or Master Watershed Steward” Penn State Extension Bucks County PO Box 67 East Greenville, PA 18041 Email: BucksMG@psu.edu Please mention that you heard about us in the Upper Bucks Free Press!

Cats and Bats and Husbandly Duty We had bat visitors the other morning.

As I woke up, at my normal still-very-dark-out wake up time, and came downstairs for my first cup of tea, I noticed something on the floor of the still-very-dark living room.

Assuming it was an unfortunate mouse caught by a fortunate and proud cat, I turned on the light to find a dead bat. Actually, not one, but three!

Out came the dustpan, and out went our departed guests...no graveside burials...no eulogies.

We don’t treat most species as we do our own when they leave us, except perhaps for a much loved pet, especially when there is a child in the house...then they receive the full funeral treatment!

Our bat visit ended as quickly as it began... or so I thought until the next morning, when I found another cold and lifeless body on the floor...this time the kitchen floor.

I assume it was cold and lifeless...I know it was lifeless, but touching him/her/it/they with my hands would not be judicious, so I disposed of our newest fatality in a prudent manner, and wrote down on my things to do list to contact the vet, asking advice about the cat, i.e. bat killer.

But where were these space invaders coming from? Once I thought there was somebody living in the crawl space under our old farmhouse...that was easy to check...but when more formerly flying creatures arrived overnight again, I had to figure it out quick...especially since the cat did not mortally wound one of them...he just winged the wing I suppose, and I had to capture him in my wife Shelli’s studio...she is a radio broadcaster doing her morning show from home now, and the sounds of her shrieking on air, while it would make for great radio, would not make for a happy spouse.

I must protect my wife from all bugs and

creatures that enter our home, surely as I would from an armed burglar!!! That’s my husbandly duty, or at least one of them!

Down into the basement I went...iPhone flashlight piercing the cracks and corners of every wooden beam...up into the attic...nothing...outside, surveying the entire house... perhaps there was a tree full? According to Mr. Google, who is also occasionally referred to as Dr. Google, depending on need, there could be 200 bats in one tree...I’m not sure if we have that many people living in our little town!

But, I found nothing...not inside, not outside...I had just two choices...figure out how they are getting in, or if the cat is capturing and bringing in through his pet door for show and tell, get rid of the cat...the dumb one, RumBum...not Kirby, who I almost like.

Shelli would not be happy if RumBum suddenly disappeared, so I did more research and reading. It turns out that bats can squeeze in through a very tiny space.

Somewhere in the back of my very poor, very bad memory, I recalled hearing noises in the fireplace a few months earlier...Aha! Could they be coming in through the fireplace?

I checked it out, and there is a small, very thin, 1/4” opening around the glass doors...Could that be it? That MUST be it!

I reached up into the dark depths of the fireplace, found the flue which I never close, and shut it tight. Latched!

It’s now a few days later, and it appears that I have found the source of all things bat like. Our home is once again properly safe and secure from all creatures, big and small, and we can all...cats and humans...relax and rest easy.

Until, of course, that one day a few months in the future when I start a fire and realize from the massive plumes of smoke filling the house, that my very poor, very bad memory forgot that the flue was closed.

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

“September days have the warmth of summer in their briefer hours, but in their lengthening evenings a prophetic breath of autumn.” - Rowland E. Robinson

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• Upper Bucks Free Press • September 2020

~Obituaries~

Kathryn C. “Kay” Martin, age 92, died July 7, 2020, in Allentown.

She was the widow of Kenneth A. Martin, to whom she was married 71 years. Together, they operated Martin Real Estate.

Born Dec. 29, 1927, in Clifton, NJ, she was the daughter of the late William J. and Grace I. (Neiman) Hartmann.

Survivors: son Kenneth W. Martin (Lois), Quakertown; daughter Lynn C. Geesaman (Jeffrey), Quakertown; grandchildren Joe, Cindy, Melissa, Jacqui, Keith, and Brent; and great-grandchildren Abe, Addie, Brooklyn, Alex, Ethan, Holden, Emma, Garrett, McKinlee, Savanna, Charlotte, and Everett.

In addition to her parents and husband, she is preceded in death by: son Gary L. Martin; and sisters Marilyn Stever, Lois Buckingham, and Wilma Myers.

Services were held in July at Naugle Funeral and Cremation Service, Quakertown. Burial took place in Quakertown Union Cemetery. To sign the online guestbook, visit NaugleFCS.com.

James W. “Jim” Minihan, age 67, of Coopersburg, Pennsylvania, passed away on July 24, 2020 at his home in Coopersburg, PA. Born in Sellersville, PA he was a son of the late William and Joan Minihan.

James graduated from Penn State University in 1975 and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Finance.

He worked for and retired from Household Finance after 30 years. Jim also worked tirelessly at Lake Jamie, restoring the dam and creating an association for the residents there.

Jim enjoyed golfing with his brother, John, and his many friends.

He is survived by siblings: John (Paula) Minihan and Kathy (Craig) Wilson and many nieces and nephews.

Services are private at the convenience of the family.

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

David Carl Bartholomew, age 60, of Coopersburg, Pennsylvania, passed away on Friday July 24, 2020 at his home. Born in Allentown, PA he was a son of Helen (Vasilik) and the late Carl Bartholomew of Coopersburg.

David graduated from Southern Lehigh High School in 1977. He was a Carpenter working for himself and area businesses over the years. He enjoyed the outdoors, especially when he was hunting and fishing.

In addition to his mother Helen, he is survived by two sisters, Tammy Talkach of Zionsville, PA and Judy Mitchell (Stephen) of Washington, NC; one brother, Mark Bartholomew (Randi Sue) of Kempton, PA; one niece Skylar and many cousins, aunts and uncles. He was predeceased by his nephew Brandon Talkach.

Services are undetermined at this time.

Martha V. Hallowell, 83, of Richlandtown, formerly of Coopersburg, died July 29, 2020 in Phoebe Richland Health Care Center, Richlandtown.

She was the wife of the late Ronald Dale Hallowell.

Born in Lancaster, PA she was the daughter of the late Joseph & Alverda (Bauman) Bast.

She is survived by three sons Alan (Barbara), Darren, & Chris (Theresa), her siblings Patsy Rathman, Charles Shearer, Mary Becker, & Peggy Miller.

Five grandchildren Sandi Yaich, Kelly Hallowell, Matthew Hallowell, Jeniffer Hallowell, & Christopher Hallowell.

Predeceased by her siblings William Bast, Esther Hoover, Elmer Miller, Harry Miller, Freda Fackler, Harvey Miller, Gerald Miller, & Ira Miller.

Graveside Services were held on

Please check back to this obituary on the Naugle Website periodically. To view his online obituary, please visit www.nauglefcs.com

Thursday, August 6, 2020 at St. Paul’s Blue Church Cemetery in Coopersburg, PA. Arrangements are the care of the C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (www.crstrunk.com) Quakertown.

Jobe Derek Weaver, age 30, of Quakertown, Pennsylvania, passed away suddenly on July 30, 2020 at St. Luke’s University Hospital in Bethlehem.

Born in Sellersville, PA he was a son of Barry and Debbie (Reinhart) Weaver of Quakertown.

Jobe graduated from Quakertown High School in 2008. Jobe studied Police Science at Upper Bucks Tech School.

He served our country in the United States Army.

He worked at Twin Med LLC in Bethlehem, PA. Jobe was a balloon artist and enjoyed working with children. He loved fishing, hunting, board games and Pokemon/go.

He was an Eagles and Philadelphia Flyers Fan. He enjoyed going to the Iron Pigs, Phantoms games and listening to heavy metal music.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by brother: Joshua David Weaver, aunts, uncles and cousins. He is predeceased by grandparents, uncles and aunts.

Jobe was able to help others in need by donating his organs.

Memorial contributions can be made to American Foundation for Suicide Prevention by clicking the link www.bit.ly/2G4WMdv Arrangements are entrusted to Naugle Funeral & Cremation of Quakertown.

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

Thomas David Rosenberger Sr., age 87, passed away peacefully on August 1, 2020 at his home in Center Valley. He was the loving husband to the late Jennie (Nave) Rosenberger. Born in Milford Square, PA he was a son of the late Eugene and Grace (Neidig) Rosenberger. Thomas graduated from Quakertown High School in 1951 and Penn State in 1952 with a degree in Blacksmithery.

He is survived by children: Thomas Jr., wife Leslie and Debbie Finkbeiner, husband Harry, grandchildren: Brooke and Gabrielle and brother: Donald. He is predeceased by siblings: Ralph and Loraine. Arrangements are entrusted to Naugle Funeral & Cremation Service of Quakertown. To view his online obituary, please visit www.nauglefcs.com.

He was well known to all as “Rosie.”

He will be remembered as a strong, kind, compassionate and always jolly fellow. Tom’s passion for life was always his loving family, devoted friends and loyal four-legged companions. Tom accomplished so much in his life; bought a farm house and called it ‘Rose Meadow Farm,’ ran a well-respected Blacksmith business for decades, taught Blacksmith courses at Upper Bucks Tech School and maintained a membership of the Schuylkill Boots & Saddle Club for many years.

Cheryl Anne Laubach, age 69, of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, previously of Quakertown passed away on 8/2/2020.

She was the loving wife to the late Albert C. Laubach whom they shared 39 years of marriage.

Born in Philadelphia, PA she was a son of the late John and Molly (Gillespie) Mullarkey.

Cheryl worked 30 plus years at Shop Rite with many management jobs. She retired in 2016 as the head of Human Resources for Browns Shop Rite of New Jersey. Cheryl enjoyed her retirement by spending as much time as she could with her granddaughters. She would drive Ella to her dance classes 3 days a week. She also assisted with administrative work at Juli Kells Dance Center. She loved all the dancers and teachers dearly. She also enjoyed going to all of Addisyn’s soccer games and tennis camps and watching her play.

She is survived by children: Michael Murphy, Lori Murphy, and Thomas Laubach, Wife Kelly, grandchildren: Ella and Addisyn Laubach and Meredith and Benjamin Murphy, and brother: John Mullarkey. Wife Donna.

Contributions can be made in her name to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital by clicking on the following link: www.t.ly/3mSA. To view her online obituary, please visit www.nauglefcs.com.

Roger F. Fosbenner, of Zionsville, went home to be with the Lord on August 3, 2020.

Roger was very proud of his family, his legacy.

Wife, Linda (Gehlert) Fosbenner, son Cory and his wife Lorri, their sons Casey and Ty, his daughter Dana Lin and her husband Bill Troxell, their son Jordon and daughter Ella Rose.

He was born Sept. 7, 1942 to W. Franklin and Merle (Fluck) Fosbenner.

Roger graduated from Quakertown High School, Penn State, and Lehigh University.

He was an IT developer at Western Electric, then Lucent, and IBM. Roger was a talented horse trainer and Barrel Racer. He and Linda had a horse farm in Hereford. They traveled to Barrel Races most of the summer.

Roger and Linda shared 53 years of marriage. They shared their time volunteering with the Zionsville Food Pantry.

To sign the online guestbook, visit www.NaugleFCS.com.

Loretta J. Goyda, 80, of Quakertown died August 10, 2020 in St. Luke’s University Hospital, Bethlehem.

She was the companion of Roy Miller.

Born in Sellersville, PA, she was the daughter of the late Francis, Jr. & Lillian (Nuss) Kopp.

For 30 plus years she was a clerk for Bergey’s Inc. in Souderton before retiring.

She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary for both the Sellersville American Legion and the Telford VFW. Loretta enjoyed traveling and her girls vacations especially with her bestie Gert Hager. She also enjoyed reading and baking. She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Telford, PA. She is survived by two daughters, Lori A. Rappold and Shari L. Hissim (Jay). A sister Barbara Clarkson. Three grandchildren Kristofor, Andrew Mayberry (Tiffany Erdman), D. J. Mayberry (Meghan), one great grandchild Karson Rappold and one great grandbaby Mayberry due in 2021.

She is also survived by a daughter Tina Martutartus and her children Brittany, Brian, and Melissa.

She was predeceased by two brothers Tommy Kopp and Dennis Kopp.

Loretta will be sadly missed by nieces and nephew, extended family, friends, and co-workers.

Graveside Services were held on Friday, August 21, 2020 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery in Telford, PA. Arrangements are in the care of the C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (www.crstrunk.com) Quakertown, PA 18951.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the American Heart Association 5455 N. High St. Columbus, OH 43214.

Marlene E. Hengey, age 78, of Quakertown, Pennsylvania, passed away on August 12, 2020 at her residence in Quakertown, PA. She was the loving wife to Richard Hengey with whom she would have shared 58 years of marriage in October.

Born in Quakertown, PA she was a daughter of the late Elmer and Charlotte (Rosenberger) Trumbauer.

Marlene graduated from Quakertown Highschool in 1960.

She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church.

Surviving with her husband are children: Brian, wife Krystal and Lisa, husband Robert, grandchildren: Stephanie and Ariel and brother: Wayne, wife Linda.

Services will be private at the convenience of the family.

Arrangements are entrusted to Naugle Funeral & Cremation Service of Quakertown. To view her online obituary, please visit www.nauglefcs.com.

John Richard Burg, age 59, of Quakertown, Pennsylvania, passed away on August 12, 2020 at St. Luke’s Hospice House of the VNA in Bethlehem, PA. Born in Huntingdon Valley, PA he was a son of the late Lloyd and Barbara (Clausen) Burg.

John graduated from Quakertown High School in 1978.

September 2020 • Upper Bucks Free Press •

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~Obituaries~

John was a kind and gentle soul, always taking time to listen to others about concerns in their lives. He was loved by all at the Grundy House where he lived for 20 years.

John enjoyed being outside in nature, chatting with friends and football. He will be missed by all his family and friends.

Surviving are siblings: Lloyd, wife Dianne, Robert, Chris and Linda.

Arrangements are entrusted to Naugle Funeral & Cremation Service of Quakertown. To view his online obituary, please visit www.nauglefcs.com.

Kevin S. Nace, 52, of Bethel, PA, formerly of Trumbauersville, died August 13, 2020 at his home.

He was the husband of Chrissy (Shafer) Nace.

Born in Allentown, PA he was the son of the late Orvis Lester & Elizabeth R. “Betty” (Schwager) Nace.

He was a self-employed construction worker. In his younger years he was active in the Boy Scouts. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, woodworking, building furniture and any outdoor activities. Kevin was a member of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Trumbauersville.

In addition to his wife he is survived by his step-daughter Jullian Silverman of Slatington. A brother Gary O. (Debbie) of Quakertown. A step grandson Bentley.

He is also survived by a niece Tammy and three nephews Eric, Trevor, and Travis, six great nieces and nephews. A brother in law Wayne Reiss of Coopersburg.

He was predeceased by a sister Linda D. Reiss.

Graveside services will be held on Friday, August 28, 2020 at 6:00 P.M. at Christ Union Cemetery N. Main St. Trumbauersville, PA 18970 (across from the Trumbauersville Fire Company).

Arrangements are in the care of the C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (www.crstrunk.com) Quakertown Nancy L. Yerkes, 78, of Quakertown died August 18, 2020 in Grand View Hospital, Sellersville.

She was the wife of the late Earle Wright Yerkes, Sr. Born in Sellersville she was the daughter of the late Russell Hammerschmidt & Jean (Godshall) Nase.

She was the co-owner of the former Souper Bowl in the Quakertown Farmer Market.

She participated in the MS Walk in Sellersville and enjoyed gardening, her family and babysitting her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Nancy was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Richlandtown where she was a former member of the church council and assisted with the hospitality committee. She also helped with the church fair.

She is survived by four sons Jeffrey Wyllie (Cheryl) of Quakertown, Randy Wyllie (Lisa) of Benton, PA, Scott Wyllie (Tami) of Springtown, and Lucky Yerkes of Quakertown. A daughter Tink Lindsay of Sellersville. Two aunts Ruth Streapy (Bill) of Perkasie and Louise Scheib of Naperville, Illinois. 15 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

She was predeceased by a great grandchild.

Services were held on Monday, August 24, 2020 at 10:30 A.M. in St. John’s Lutheran Church in Richlandtown, PA. 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 National MS Society Greater Delaware Valley Chapter 30 S. 17th Street #800 Philadelphia, PA 19103 or nationalmssociety.org/chapters/pae/ donate Barbara M. Wise, 78, of Quakertown formerly of Giardville, PA died August 20, 2020 in her home. She was the wife of the late Robert Earl Wise. Born in Coopersburg, PA she was the daughter of the late Wallace & Grace (Emrich) Hengey. She is survived by three sons Craig (Dianne), Jeff (Kathy), Robert (Dennise), two daughters Debbie Hampton (companion Jeff) and Kim McManus (her companion). A brother Dick Hangey, and a sister Hazel Fulmer. 11 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Services will be private and at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are in the care of the C. R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc. (www.crstrunk.com) Quakertown.

Erna Doerr, age 96, of Quakertown, passed away on August 22, 2020 at her residence.

She was the loving wife to the late David Doerr with whom she shared 30 years of marriage.

Born in Philadelphia, she was a daughter to the late William and Karoline (Saeger) Betz.

Erna graduated from Olney High School. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Spinnerstown. Erna loved her grandchildren, church and country.

Surviving is her son: Gary Doerr, grandchildren: Matthew Doerr and Karoline Suriel and great-grandchildren: Emelia, Drake and Ben. Contributions in her memory may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1565 Sleepy Hollow Rd, Spinnerstown, PA 18968.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Naugle Funeral & Cremation Service of Quakertown. To view her online obituary, please visit www.nauglefcs.com.

When to Modify Your Estate Plan

BY ROBERT E. FRAVEL, ESQ. By their very nature, estate planning documents are meant to be long lasting and are not prone to frequent revision. For those who are lucky enough to maintain a degree of stability throughout their life, there may only be one or two occasions which warrant a revision or adjustment of their estate plan. But for the vast majority of us, our estate plans should be updated every few years, or after every major life event, in order to follow through on our legacy wishes. With that being said, there are certain events that warrant the revising of some or all of your estate planning documents, or completely scrapping your previous estate plan and starting over. These events include: • Marriage (first marriage or subsequent marriage); • The birth or adoption of a new child; • Divorce; • The death of a current beneficiary in your will or trust; • Choosing to add or remove a beneficiary from your estate plan; • Choosing to change your executor, trustee or guardian;

• You win the lottery! (or simply experience a change in your financial situation); • A move to a different state Keep in mind that a revision to your estate plan does not necessarily mean that you need to draft and execute all new documents.

Sometimes a simple amendment or addendum will suffice. But each situation is unique.

Generally speaking, significant changes will warrant new documents. If you have undergone a major life event and need to adjust your estate plan; or if you simply need a starter estate plan, make sure you sit down with an experienced estate planning attorney who can create a customized estate plan to suit your individual needs. And last but not least, do not procrastinate!

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

Think Local. Buy Local. Be Local.

Preservation Tips for Paintings, Prints People love their collections. No matter the type of object—cookie jars, military memorabilia, fine art posters—collectors want to add to an existing collection, display their assembled objects, and learn more about their cherished treasures. One of the most important and interesting aspects of collecting is preserving art, antiques, and collectibles for the long term. Many collections include family heirlooms or assembled collectibles that will be handed down to younger generations so preserving a collection is very important.

Here are some key points about how to protect, preserve, and enjoy your collections.

Light is the real problem when it comes to the preservation of paintings and works on paper. UV protection using UV-filtered or opaque materials helps prevent fading and light damage.

One of the best ways to preserve fine art is investing in quality framing. For an oil on canvas painting, a frame will protect both the stretcher and the canvas as well as give a finished look to the painting once it is on the wall.

Paintings exist best when kept out of direct sunlight and hung away from elements that may spark temperature and humidity changes like heaters, radiators, and air conditioners.

Prints require a different type of protection when it comes to framing and display. Prints and other works on paper like antique maps, historic documents, and the like should be matted and framed under glass using materials that are free of acid. Acid free materials like mats and storage boxes should have a pH level of 7.0 or greater and the adhesives used in the framing of a fine art print should be pH neutral to protect fragile works on paper. Some acid free materials are made free of lignin, which can produce acid and darken paper, this process is known as acid burning or tanning. Avoid acid burning or tanning whenever possible.

Some of the most critical damage that hap-

pens to art and antiques happens when objects are stored. Although it is little known, significant damage can occur during storage. When you first put an antique object away in storage, everything is fine but over time, changes in temperature and humidity can occur. When no one is looking, other affects may take place which will impact the condition and value of an antique or collection. It is important to store objects in archival boxes intended for a certain type and size of collectible. Physical support is necessary for fragile objects and storage containers like archival boxes need to be constructed to stand the test of time. What you put into a storage box like acid free tissue paper along with an antique is as important as the storage container. One size does not fit all when it comes to archival storage.

Large paintings should be stored off the floor, preferably hanging up even in storage locations. If there is no room for a hanging storage solution, then store large paintings standing upright in a closet or storage area. While it may seem like a convenient place to store paintings, never lay paintings flat, face up under a bed. This will put stress on the stretchers and the canvas itself.

Smaller paintings may be stored upright back to back and face to face on separated shelves.

Use acid free foam core dividers to prevent the wire from the back of one painting from scratching the frame or canvas on the front of another painting positioned next to it. There are specific techniques to protecting art, a good rule of thumb is to handle with care, display works of art away from direct sunlight and store works in areas where temperature and humidity fluctuations are minimal.

Dr. Lori Verderame is the award-winning Ph.D. antiques appraiser on History Channel’s #1 hit show highlighting the world’s oldest treasure hunt, The Curse of Oak Island. For information about your antiques and collectibles, visit www.DrLoriV.com and www.YouTube.com/DrLoriV

• Upper Bucks Free Press • September 2020

Henry and Betty Wieand celebrated a very special anniversary on August 21, 2020. They were each just 20 years old when they tied the knot 75 years ago! They received a happy surprise when their daughter and son-in-law, Jean and Stanley Weaver, were waiting outside of Independence Court for a short visit. No visitors have been allowed inside to assisted living facilities for several months due to state Corona virus restrictions. Jean said that when she found out they could visit her parents for their anniversary, she knew that she and Stanley would drive from their home in Florida. The surprise visit was planned with the help of Jennifer Schmidt, marketing director for Independence Court. Ninety-five year old Betty said that she had been hoping to see her daughter.

It had been a year since the last visit. photo by michele buono

Happy 100th Birthday to Evelyn Smoll! Evelyn, Quakertown High School Class of 1938, credits her longevity to “good genes”. Her father lived to be 100 years old and her mother was close to 100 years old. She lives in Quakertown at Independence Court in the company of her 99 year old brother, Eugene, and 96 year old sister, Betty. She also gets her daily exercise “walking laps” (above right) and doing Tai Chi. We were very happy when she confided that she is an avid reader of the Upper Bucks Free Press. Evelyn has two children and five grandchildren. She said that she feels very blessed that was able to travel extensively with her family to such places as Hong Kong, Europe, and Australia. photos by michele buono

Q’town Parks & Rec Rises to COVID Challenge

Curt Hinkle received a commendation for his 50 years of service to the Richlandtown Fire Company from the PA House of Representatives, presented by Representative Craig Staats.

Quakertown Parks and Rec team members Jessica Myers, Courtney Boehm, and Ashton Rosenberger with just a few of the 750 camp-ina-bags distributed this summer.

Quakertown Police Officers Adam Wolfinger, Steven Stoneback, and Clint McCaslin joined K.I.D.S. campers one memorable morning for a game of kickball.

When COVID-19 caused schools to halt in-person classes without warning in midMarch, children were forced to spend an inordinate amount of time at home, causing parents to maintain full-time jobs and juggle childcare. At the time, it was thought that the state-mandated closure would last a few weeks and children would return to finish the school year. As it became clear that the shutdown was not going to end anytime soon and would extend through the summer, the Quakertown Parks and Recreation department was determined to overcome unprecedented new challenges in order to provide a safe and fun summer that every family deserved and needed.

Recreation Coordinator Ashton Rosenberger and the rest of the Parks and Recreation Department team went to work to establish Health and Safety Plans which implemented guidelines from the PA Department of Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Bucks County Department of Health to open park facilities, Quakertown Community Pool, and K.I.D.S. Camp Program.

The Quakertown Parks and Recreation Department was one of the only Departments in Bucks County to open their Community Pool.

The Quakertown Community Pool opened on Thursday, June 18. The pool accepted memberships and daily passes and adjusted hours to allow for social distancing. When entering the facility, attendees were assigned to socially distant 12’x12’ family area. Patrons were to be in their family area when they were not in the pool.

Quakertown Parks & Rec Departments also offered a seven-week summer camp program as well as Free Sunday Concerts in the Park,

and a Fitness Series in the park. The K.I.D.S. Camp was limited to just 55 children each week to conform to new COVID safety standards. The concerts and fitness programs were also very popular and all followed mandated state guidelines.

Stephanie Young, a K.I.D.S. Camp parent, had nothing but praise for the program, “The line between safe and fun was perfect. We felt comfortable with all the decisions the camp made in keeping our campers safe. But my camper mentioned several times how good it felt to be a normal kid again.”

In addition to the in-person daycamp, the Department developed a free “camp in a bag” program for Quakertown community families who received free lunches from the Quakertown School District. The Department distributed 150 bags each week for five weeks.

The free camp bags provided youngsters with the opportunity to grow and learn though the summer in a fun way, while also providing parents a break throughout the day.

In many ways the Department became an essential service for community families during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing a safe and socially distant outlet for physical and mental health. Rosenberger is very proud of her team, “We are thankful for the tremendous amount of support that we received from the community. Residents were very understanding and respectful of the restrictions that we had to put in place. It took a lot of work, but I am beyond proud of our Department, Lifeguards, Camp Counselors, and Concession Staff for running our summer programs in a safe and fun way.”

She was also thankful for the support from the community, remarking that, “Residents were very understanding and respectful of the restrictions that we had.”

BuckyGrams: Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd, Speedy Gonzales, Yosemite Sam, Sylvester, Foghorn Leghorn, Pepe le Pew, Tweety, Wile E Coyote, Marvin Martian, Road Runner Hidden Message: Love those Looney Tunes! Bucky Block: Sleeping on the job

8

September 2020 • Upper Bucks Free Press •

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My Second Birthday Earlier, in mid-August, a group of volunteers from our local KECA (Keystone Elk Country Alliance) Chapter were up in Cameron and Elk County to help at the Pa. Game Commission Elk Harvest Tag Drawing to be held at the KECA managed Elk Center. As we sat (appropriately distanced) on our Lenape Wapiti Chapter’s president’s front porch enjoying the fresh breezes and wonderful view, I mentioned to the group that in a few days I will be celebrating my 2’d birthday. They sat there looking puzzled at my statement. I then outlined what I meant as I do now to the readers of this column.

It all started back in 1965. Vietnam was in the transition of having U.S. military as advisors to having more troops actually involved in the conflict. When we arrived at our training camp by train from Philadelphia in Fort Jackson, S.C., we were assigned, after orientation and testing, to a Basic Training company (E-10-2). There were so many young men either being drafted into military service or enlisting to get their preference that we were moved, after orientation and testing, to our permanent training company where our living quarters were 8 man field tents. There were two rows of these tents in between the permanent buildings for supplies and the mess hall on top of the terraced hill and permanent buildings below us housing showers, sinks, and toilet facilities.

I met Steve Harris in our 8-man tent. His bunk was against the back of the sidewall and my bunk was at a right angle against the back wall. Steve was from Rockville, Maryland just outside of Washington D.C. In our free time, usually Saturday afternoon and on Sunday, we would talk about racing, cars, and outdoors (fishing & hunting). We became friends and when we found out near graduation from Basic Training about our Advanced training assignment that we were assigned to train together at Fort Knox, Kentucky as Armored Intelligence Troops we became closer friends. This fancy title and the word “Troops” really meant that we were to train as Forward Observers for Tank Units and the word Troops was used because these modern day “Scouts” were still known as the Cavalry! Matter of fact our training troop was part of the famous 7th US Cavalry and during training our D.I. (Drill Instructor) often reminded us of that fact. I knew than that I should have answered the questions during beginning orientation differently when they asked questions similar to-- what would you rather do type a letter, repair an electrical problem, fix a car, or go hunting in the back country?

I answered Hunting in the backcountry. On all such questions I went for the challenge of outdoor hunting and fishing adventures. Who knew???

I arrived at Fort Knox, Kentucky a day earlier than Steve and thus he was assigned a bunk on the other side of the WWII Barracks on the second floor. He also was part of a group of 3 on another brand new M151 (Ford) Jeep with a machine gun mounting in the middle. (Like the Rat Patrol for all those that remember the TV Show). Steve and I were lucky enough to score high in our semi-weekly training exams and could leave afternoon on Saturday after 12 noon and come back by 6 PM on Sunday.

We would go into Louisville and stay at the Brown Hotel with real beds. Over Labor Day we both were in an elite group of our Troop that were given a 4-day pass. We decided different trips, I went up to Indianapolis by bus to attend the Summer Nationals (Drag Racing) and Steve went back to Rockville Md. to see his girlfriend and mother. I am so glad he did as this was the last time he saw them. Our luck ran out. When the lists came down for our next assignment Steve was to ship out to the West Coast for permanent duty in Korea and I was to go to Fort Dix, N.J. to go to Germany to be an observer in West Germany, watching Soviet troops across the eastern border. It is important for me to note at this time that these assignments were given by every other name in our training unit going to Korea, Germany, Korea, Germany (Our names were in succession, Harris—Helm). Steve and I exchanged home addresses and made plans to get together after we were out of the service. Little did we know!!

When I arrived at Fort Dix, NJ, they asked if anyone in our group could type. I learned to type in high school and fortunately volunteered in basic and advanced training to help type and they so noted this on my Military Record. I was held over for 4 more days and was able to have visitors and my family came

over to New Jersey to visit. They changed my orders from watching the Russians to working in the USAREUR Headquarters in Heidelberg. Unfortunately I had my same job code (Armored Cavalry) and was always on the list to be sent home to go west to head over to Vietnam. In April 1966 word came to me from someone who worked in personnel that my name was on the list to go to Vietnam so I quick asked for a leave and got a hop to Paris on a mail courier plane to at least see some of Europe. When I came back I was called into the office of the Secretary of the General Staff (my boss) Brigadier General Edward M. Flanagan Jr. for a special meeting. I thought it was to give a letter of service in the Command Building and be told that I was going for re-deployment. I was wrong; General Flanagan was promoting, with special waivers, three of us in the Command Building to grade E-5 (Specialist 5 or Buck Sergeant) with only 11 months in the service. I later was told that my name was taken off the list to leave Germany. Later on that year I took additional time in August to go to Spain and Portugal. We flew a hop to an Air Base in Spain on an Air Force T-39 Jet resembling a Lear Jet, spent a few days in Madrid, and taking an overnight train to Lisbon, Portugal. As a footnote we spent the night in a 2’d Class train compartment with 2 Israeli soldiers, and a Spaghetti Western movie star. That gentlemen became a famous star and I cannot mention his name, as I have no way of notifying him of publishing his name as I do for my UBFP articles. I remember that on August 15th my Army buddy who was travelling with me (We always had to travel in two’s when either going off base or on leave because of our advance security clearance) were at the beach in Carcavelos, Portugal and walked out to a large rock elevated about 3 feet above the ocean. We shared some wine and cheese with the other young people, spread out on beach towels and took a snooze. When we woke up the ocean was around us and I stood up and the sea breeze blew my straw hat in the sea.

One of the young Portuguese men jumped in and brought it back. They also took care of the wine bottles and refuse earlier. Before jumping in the ocean to swim back to shore I glanced down to see a small shark (about 5’ swim by). With my hat tied to my swimsuit tie string I swam back to shore at top speed!

When we arrived back in Heidelberg after a wonderful vacation it was back to work.

Shortly after arriving back, I found out that a Steve W. Harris was killed in Vietnam. I always hoped it wasn’t the Steve Harris I knew. I was sure his name was Steven. As I neared the date of rotation back to the states and civilian life, I could not get in touch with the Steve Harris I knew at the address given to me. Later on in the 1980’s my wife and I drove and stayed in Washington D.C. when they were having the dedication of the three soldiers looking over at “The Wall.” It was on the eve of the event that we went to hear “The Beach Boys” perform and attend the candlelight service that I found out, with the help of some volunteers, that Steve’s first name did not have an “N” in it. The person “Killed in Action” was my buddy from Rockville, Md. He was killed on the same day I was at the beach in Portugal. If there would have been one name skipped in the rotation of that list at Fort Knox that “Forward Observer” who gave his life for his county could have been me. Since that day in the 80’s I thank God for his sparing me. Even though some of us did not serve in the jungles of Vietnam, we felt the pain of losing our fellow heroes who gave their all. Years later with the help of this computer, I was able to locate Steve’s gravesite.

We traveled to Rockville, Md. on our way to Williamsburg for vacation. On a small hillside cemetery next to a cedar tree is a flat stone with the name of Steve W. Harris with the date of death August 15, 1966. I remembered that I thought of Steve that very day as I saw the shark by the rock in the sea in Portugal. Those with me left me have a moment alone with my buddy; I placed a flag by his stone and wept!

He will always be remembered, by name by me on Memorial Day, as he was truly a Great American Hero!

Yes, August 15th 1966 we lost a hero and to me somehow I was spared and this truly is a gift of a Second Birthday. I will do my best to try to enhance our great American History and dedicate all my efforts of this column not only to my Class, but also to Steve W. Harris of Rockville, Maryland. God gave me a 2’d Birthday and I will always try to give back for that precious gift!

Dick Helm is a long time Quakertown area resident

and

regular

contributor

here

UBFP. Reach him at rbh9@verizon.net.

at

“Ah, September! You are the doorway to the season that awakens my soul... but I must confess that I love you only because you are a prelude to my beloved October.” - Peggy Toney Horton

Bald Eagle Nesting in Richland We’d had several rain storms the past week.

The creeks were high and low-lying areas were flooded. It looked like it did back in the Great Swamp days here in Upper Bucks.

I run my gun dog, Peyton, almost daily. Our usual spot requires wading Licking Run near its juncture with the Tohickon and plodding across a marsh. Morgan and Richlandtown Creeks join the Tohickon near there, too, so water backs up at Axe Handle Bridge. The silver-girder bridge, back in the 60’s used to flood out a lot. The new bridge’s ramps and abutments prevent that but act like a dam. In big storms, a floodwater lake backs up from 313 (at what I still call the Children’s Home), all the way to Raub Road. Farmhouses sit on islands with water in their basements. Erie and Stoneback Roads are closed.

It was too deep to wade creeks, so I loaded Peyton into the Jeep and drove to Heller Road, where I have trespass privileges. Oldtime Quakertonians still know Walnut Bank Farm corner as the Brick Yard or the Quarry.

However, no one returning from afar for my 50th Class Reunion this summer would recognize the drive from Tohickon Ave. to Pumping Station Road.

We parked and cautiously followed a rutted, muddy ATV trail. The white dog jumped over and through potholes and was soon stained brick-red. I was unarmed but Peyton’s animus toward squirrels compelled him to bark up trees a few times. I had to point my walking stick, yell ‘Bang! Good boy, we got him,’ so we could move on.

Great blue herons aren’t rare here, the Quakertown Swamp being a renowned nesting ground, but they always startle me when I spook one. The Quarry’s lake was out of its banks and flooded into the woods. In a low-lying area, I was half-way up my rubber boots deep—the dog splashing merrily along—when an unnoticed four-foot-tall heron squawked like harpy and flapped up through the trees.

We both stopped in our tracks at the shrieks and flutter.

Ahead through the trees, I heard and saw geese and ducks jabbering on the lake. I leashed Peyton to avoid an inappropriate retrieval attempt (they’d swim him to death), and slowly approached lakeside. There were dozens of white with orange-ish heads, canvas Back ducks. As we neared, half flew away.

The others swam off toward a bunch of mallards and wood ducks that were watching from afar. We stepped into the open and there was a frantic escalation of goose-chatter. Dozens of them swam lake-ward from a flooded marsh to our left. Further out, a larger flock glided into view. Peyton was surprisingly calm, but I wished goose season was open.

Across the lake I saw a few snowy egrets on low tree limbs. They’re pretty common, too.

They’re smaller than the great blues, a few of which were wade-fishing in the cattails near the egrets. We’d seen no little green herons,

snipes, rails or cormorants, since autumn, but doves, woodpeckers, sparrows and other birds were everywhere.

On our way back to the Jeep and I spotted something, fifty feet up a tree at the edge of a woods lot. Overlooking an open, chain-link enclosed mulch storage lot was a bald eagle, sitting up-right and regal like they do. It was gazing off toward the railroad grade. From its perch, it could see the remaining fields, buildings and houses that replaced the Brick Yard and farms. It also had a clear view of the woods behind that extended to the EPA Super Fund Site off Pumping Station Road. Wedged into the top branches of the tree was a cluster of sticks; a classic aerie from crossword puzzle clue lists.

The bald eagle (Haliaeetus eucocephalus—‘Sea Eagle, White’), is the only species of sea eagle found only in North America.

Ranging across Canada and the USA to northern Mexico, adult Bald Eagles are called ‘bald’ not because they’re heads are featherless, but because ‘bald’ is an archaic word for ‘white’.

Though Ben Franklin promoted the wild turkey, the bald eagle was chosen as the US national symbol soon after the government was formed. They’ve been rare in Upper Bucks County for a very long time.

An adult bald eagle is large, standing 35 to 40 inches tall with a wingspan up to seven-anda-half feet. Their heads, necks, and tails are white while the rest of their plumage is dark brown. Immature birds are brown with white wing linings. They eat carrion, waterfowl and especially fish, which is why they’re most often found near bodies of water. Eagles reuse their nests, adding to them each year. Aeries can reach up to 1000 pounds. Eagles migrate south, or to coastal areas, if their body of water freezes, limiting food supply. In warmer climates they stay put, except for the dispersal of juveniles six or so weeks after fledging.

Bald eagles reach sexual maturity in about four years. They return to their birth area to find a partner. It’s believed eagles mate for life, but if a mate dies or disappears the survivor will usually select another partner. If the pair fails to produce young in a couple of seasons, they will ‘break-up’. Eggs are usually laid in mid to late February and chicks hatch mid-April to May. One to three eggs per year are produced. Usually two chicks hatch. The fastest growing birds in North American, eaglets can gain up to six ounces a day. They fledge by late June or July and about 50% of eaglets survive past one year. The mortality rate for adults is low. They live about 20 years in the wild.

Bald eagles were removed from the Endangered Species List in 1995 and were considered no longer a Threatened Species in June, 2007. We’re lucky to have at least one nesting pair in our area. Besides humans, I can think of nothing in Upper Bucks County that’s tough enough, or nasty enough to drive them away again.

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

UBFP. Reach him at sjckschc@aol.com

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• Upper Bucks Free Press • September 2020

Kidney for Rick

Think Local. Buy Local. Be Local.

Acceptance The reason I am choosing to write about acceptance is because I feel it is so prevalent right now. I have written before in my articles about my favorite prayer from the AA Big Book. It says, “Acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, thing or situation—some act of my life unacceptable to me and I can no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be. Nothing absolutely nothing happens in God’s world by mistake; unless I accept life completely on life’s terms, I cannot be happy. I need to concentrate not so much on what needs to be changed in the world as on what needs to be changed in me and my attitudes.”

So, this premise is that you believe in God; however, if you don’t believe in God it still makes sense if you believe in a higher power or that there is something greater out there in this big world and space that we live in. Whenever I say this prayer out loud over and over again, I feel a sense of calm come over me and feel hopeful about the present. I try to not project too much about the future because I feel that it creates more anxiety and stress and with living in this pandemic right now; projection is not my friend.

In my article last month, I talked about how we are all experiencing life’s challenges right now and how we can learn to cope and survive.

Which is why I thought this prayer was so perfect. I have a lot going on in my personal life right now that requires all of my attention and

patience at times. For me having a prayer that I can say over and over again when I am feeling “unbalanced ” at times with my feelings is a true lifesaver.

This prayer requires a different thought process than most may feel comfortable. It is putting your trust in something that you can not see. You see we can not always control what is happening in the world or in our lives sometimes. We can only control how we choose to live our life and with how we want to connect with others.

A lot of us are questioning why is this pandemic happening? What will the outcome be?

How long are we going to have live like this with masks, etc.? It is a very unsettling time.

It is creating a lot of anxiety and uncertainty for a fair amount of us. Which is why taking a deep breath and turning it over provides a sense of calm.

My belief is that we are going to learn some sort of lessons from this pandemic on many levels. However only if you believe in this premise. For me and those who think like me in my social, professional and family relationships we are able to do what we need to do and trust that in time the lessons will be revealed.

Life is too short. Live your life with honesty. Trust what is right for you. Give and love unconditionally. Stay well. Stay strong. Stay resilient. Peace be with you.

My belief is, “that all persons are truly greater than they think they are.”

Susan V. Brewer is a Certified Life Coach and Psychotherapist in the Upper Bucks County Area. She can be reached at 215-872-4219.

Visit her website at www.balancelife4u.com.

“Let us remember: One book, one pen, one child and one teacher can change the world.” - Malala Yousafzai

Why the positive pessimist?

I’m naturally a pessimist, but even I can learn to think positively with practice!

While I typically pull from my own experiences and share with you how I’m learning to stay positive, this message was too important not to share it with you. This time, I’ve learned to stay positive from someone I consider to be a role model for positive thinking, Rick Adams. Rick has been through a lot and was recently featured on WFMZ. This is a very worthy cause…not just for Rick…but for Kidney Donation Awareness.

Please read and share Rick’s Story: I’m a lucky man. I grew up with four brothers in a loving family that worked hard, and played hard, raised by “old school” parents.

Parents that, by example, provided a moral compass, an engrained work ethic, and an abiding empathy for others. They showed us that the most precious things in life were, in fact, not “things”. A cookout, a whiffle ball game, a day fishing, shared times with family was what our world revolved around, and most importantly the good health to enjoy it all.

I didn’t know I had this disease until I was 51, when I found out I was born with only one kidney, and that it had been compromised by a blockage in the artery that supplies it. A word of advice to all of you, do a health screening every year. Blood work can detect a problem early and save your life down the road.

The function of my only kidney has now declined to the point that I will have to start dialysis treatments within a couple of months.

Dialysis will keep me alive for some time but it will not allow me to live. Compared to a transplant, dialysis will not only shorten my life but the quality will be significantly poorer.

The thought of being dependent on a machine every day to keep me alive is intimidating. The restrictions to your lifestyle are numerous.

When the function of my kidney got low enough, a few months ago, I began an evaluation at the Lehigh Valley Transplant Center.

As I expected, my family was all in. My four brothers, my wife, and my sister-in-law all immediately offered to be living donors. My concern was getting approved myself because I had had a heart attack 4 years ago caused by my kidney disease. However, the Center’s number one priority is to have no negative impact on a donor. Therefore, three family members were not accepted for consideration due to preexisting health issues that would potentially have an impact on their quality of life over not the short term, but possibly later in life.

The evaluation process is very comprehensive and donor safety driven. Even if you don’t save my life you may save your own. Two of my potential donors were eliminated because of undiagnosed conditions found through the testing. They can now engage in early intervention to insure a longer, healthier life. During testing I was found to have low grade prostate cancer.

Because of early detection I was able to address it before it became more serious. All donor information is confidential, and no donor would be told if they were approved unless, and until, I was approved. So, I was thrilled to find out a short time ago that I was approved to be listed for a transplant. Unfortunately, that only made it harder when each of my three remaining

donors were called by the Center and then had to tell me none of them had been approved to be a direct donor. We had thought we had this donor angle covered. How’s and whys were asked. Tears were shed. What can you say?

It’s hard to convey the emotional roller coaster this has been. Bottom line is, I don’t have a direct donor, and my window for transplant is limited. Any change to my health can knock me off the list. So a direct donor is my only realistic chance. I am on the deceased donor list, but current wait times are 5 years and getting longer due to Covid-19. Not a workable time frame in my case.

It took some time to get my feet back under me, and I’m still bouncing up and down like an emotional yo-yo, but if I learned anything from my parents, it’s that God helps those who help themselves and richest is the man that has many friends. So, I’m working to contact everyone I know…in search of my HERO. I have an amazing family with a real zest for life. We are strong believers in karma and the joys of sharing. The reality of my current situation in no way diminishes how blessed I have been.

Would I like to be able to enjoy it the same way for some years to come? You bet I would! This is not the retirement plan I had in mind.

So here I am reaching out to everyone and asking, “Would you consider giving me the gift of life by donating one of your kidneys?”

I don’t ask this without realizing the magnitude of the question. I wouldn’t even consider asking if I didn’t know that it would do you no harm. I would never have let my immediate family offer to donate if I thought it would diminish them in any way. People just don’t realize the need, or don’t know that you can live just as healthy a life with one kidney. With two functioning kidneys you have four times the capacity you need to live a healthy life.

Over 5000 living kidney donors give the gift of life every year because it is a basic human need to help others. Most of us have had a loved one touched by a life-threatening disease at some time in our lives. We are overwhelmed by the feeling of hopelessness and sincerely wish there was a way we could change the outcome.

Through kidney donation you have the ability to change someone’s life, and your own.

Maybe now’s your time.

All expenses are paid by the National Kidney Foundation, the evaluations can be done wherever you live, and you can withdraw at any point up until the day of surgery. Blood type does not matter. Please share your spare and donate a kidney today. Hopefully, I’m the one you choose to save. Even if you aren’t my match, you can still save my life!

If this is not something you would consider, please use the power of your contacts to help me on my life saving mission. I need to find a donor now. Tell everyone and anyone my story. Tell them how they could safely and at no expense to them, literally save my life while doing something that will come to define their own.

A final word. Treasure each good day you’re blessed with, and don’t wait to tell the special people in your life how much you love them!

For details on how to donate, visit KidneyForRick.com For more from The Positive Pessimist, visit KellyJax.com

September 2020 • Upper Bucks Free Press •

Covid-19 Recovery Fund Awards $70,000 in New Recovery Grants Bucks County COVID-19 Recovery Fund, established in March by United Way of Bucks County with additional funding from Penn Community Bank, has awarded 14 new grants totaling over $70,000.

In June, Network of Victim Assistance (NOVA), was awarded $17,400, to continue to provide critical support to their clients.

Grant funds allowed NOVA to provide a safe working environment for staff and safe meeting spaces for clients. Computer equipment and video set-ups were required to continue meeting with clients safely. Grant funds also provided a supply of personal protective equipment for staff and increased cleaning services in their offices, counseling areas, and waiting areas.

Penny Ettinger, Executive Director at NOVA said, “The pandemic is having a significant impact on many of our clients. For victims of personal violence such as sexual assault, the uncertainty of when this crisis will end, the isolation caused by the stay at home order combined with the stress caused by the shift in daily living can trigger a relapse of trauma.”

She adds, “As an essential facility, we cannot have a lapse in services. Therefore, by purchasing necessary technology, personal protective equipment, and increasing our cleaning services, NOVA will be able to provide a safe environment and limit the staff and client exposure to the coronavirus.”

In addition to the grant awarded to NOVA, recent grant recipients include: Worthwhile Wear, NOVA, Children’s Developmental Program, Valley Youth House, and Penn Foundation, all who received an award for the first time. Advocates for Homeless & Those in Need (AHTN), Good Friends, Inc., The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, Keystone Opportunity Center, Bucks County Children and Youth, Penndel Mental Health and Family Service Association received additional awards.

Since its inception, the COVID-19 Recovery fund has provided 46 grants, totaling nearly $250,000, to dozens of local nonprofits serving people impacted by COVID-19. All grants focus on life-sustaining and essential human services. To learn more about the programs and services provided by these agencies, visit our website at www.uwbucks.org/ covidgrantswork.

United Way of Bucks County Member Agencies will continue to submit grant applications on a rolling basis. Applications are reviewed by a panel of business and nonprofit leaders. Payments are released immediately to ensure that people who experience a financial crisis due to COVID-19 get help quickly.

In addition to more than 800 individual, local donors, Penn Community Bank, Dow, BB&T now Truist, Janssen, PECO, Foundations Community Partnership, Bucks County Foundation, Hallett Charitable Foundation, Barra Foundation, Grundy Foundation, Fegley Law Firm, Shoprite of Hunterdon County, Vistra Energy, Wells Fargo, Bucks County Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., 100+ Women Who Care Bucks County, Residents of Ann’s Choice , PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., The Albert W Bader Foundation, Inc., and the Newtown Business Association support the fund.

Donations can be made at uwbucks.org/ COVIDrecovery or by mailing a check to United Way of Bucks County, 413 Hood Boulevard, Fairless Hills, PA 19030, with COVID recovery in the memo line.

About United Way of Bucks County: Since 1952, UW Bucks has been improving lives in Bucks County by uniting donors, advocates, and volunteers around the common good.

United Way programs focus on the building blocks for a good life: a quality education, a stable income, and good health. For more information, call 215.949.1660 or visit www.uwbucks.org.

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Resources for Confident Voting • Check your voter registration at VotesPA.com. Update your registration if you have changed your name or moved. The deadline to register to vote in the November 3 election is October 19.

• See your customized ballot now and read what responses the candidates have provided in the online voters’ guide at the League of Women Voters’ website Vote411.org. Check back later in the month to see what all the candidates have provided, including presidential candidates, third-party candidates and write-in candidates.

• If voting by mail, ensure you are using an official mail-in or absentee ballot application by visiting Pennsylvania’s official website VotesPA.com and either applying online or downloading one from their website. Call our local election officials at (215) 348-6154 for additional help or to find out where you can pick up an application. The County will be providing election services at their satellite locations in Quakertown and Levittown.

• If you apply for a mail-in ballot online, you can track your ballot from the state’s website. Mail-in ballots will be mailed out in late September or early October. Return your ballot as early as possible. Visit buckscounty.org or call (215) 348-6154 to learn what options there are for returning the ballots.

• Signature verification is one of the security measures in place, both for in-person voting and mail-in voting, to ensure that it is the person who requested the ballot voting it.

The mail-in ballot will have a secrecy envelope for you to put it in, once you have voted the ballot. The secrecy envelope is placed inside an official postage-paid return envelope with an affidavit on the outside that you must sign to have your vote count. Ballot officials examine and verify every signature.

• Learn more about candidates for the United States 1st Congressional District race, Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R) and challenger Christina Finello (D) by watching the candidates’ forum on the League’s Facebook page Monday, October 12 from 8 AM to 9 AM, and available later on the League’s YouTube channel. Visit LWVBC at www. lwvbucks.org for details.

• Learn more about the candidates for the ten Pennsylvania House Districts in Bucks County. All have been asked to participate in League-moderated virtual candidate forums.

These forums will be available on the League of Women Voters of Bucks County’s YouTube channel on Wednesday, October 14. Reach out to your house district candidates to see if they will be participating. submitted by League of Women Voters Bucks County

Libertarian Vice Presidential Hopeful Visits Quakertown

The presidential candidates for the Libertarian Party kicked off their “Brake the Bus” tour last month with several visits to the key swing state, Pennsylvania. While Jo Jorgenson focused on the western portion of the Commonwealth, Libertarian vice-presidential candidate Jeremy “Spike” Cohen made several stops in easter Pennsylvania. Campaign stops included Scranton, Barto, and Quakertown.

Cohen spoke to local voters to answer questions and to remind them that there is another option on the presidential election ballot.

“Speaking to voters today around the state” said Cohen, “The most common thing I hear from them is that they are tired of both major parties. They are tired of them creating more problems, while trying to fix the problems they caused to begin with.”

While Cohen visited the Quakertown Farmers Market, volunteers canvassed for signatures to get the Jorgenson – Cohen team on the Pennsylvania ballot in 2020. Signature collection had been seriously hampered by Governor Wolf’s emergency declaration that

shut down most businesses in Pennsylvania.

The shutdown began mid-March during the same time that signature collection began.

Despite the shutdown however, the Libertarian candidates were able to deliver enough signatures for the Jorgenson – Cohen team to appear on the Pennsylvania ballot this November.

Jeremy Cohen (left), Libertarian VP candidate, with Montco LP member Joseph Van Wagner of Pennsburg photo by John Waldenberger

12

• Upper Bucks Free Press • September 2020

Upper Bucks Area Places of Worship Bible Baptist Church

First United Church of Christ

Meets in Strayer Middle School Cafeteria 1200 Ronald Reagan Drive Quakertown, PA 18951 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

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

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

Join us at 11am Sunday. Halleleujah!

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

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

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

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

First United Methodist Church 501 Market Street Perkasie, PA 18944 215-257-4626 fumcperkasie@verizon.net www.fumcperkasie.com Pastor: Rev. Dr. Suzanne Wenonah Duchesne Sunday Worship Schedule: 10 AM weekly.

We invite you and your loved ones to join us.

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

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

Juniper Street Bible Church 317 Juniper Street Quakertown, PA 18951 267-373-9115 Pastor: Bob Stevenson www.juniperstreetbiblechurch.org Contemporary Worship Service: Sunday 10 am, Prayer meeting for Quakertown Service Wednesday 7pm, Other services as announced. Watch us live on Facebook Sunday mornings at “Juniper Street Bible Church”

Morning Star Fellowship

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

Palisades Community Bible Church

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

Quakertown United Methodist Church

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

Communion first Sunday of each month.

Richland Friends Meeting (Quaker)

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

St. John’s Lutheran Church

4 South Main Street • PO Box 459 Richlandtown, PA 18955 215-536-5027 Admin@stjohnsrpa.org Pastor: Rev. Katherine Steinly www.stjohnsrpa.org/sermons facebook.com/stjohnsrpa.org Watch our Virtual Sunday Church Services 9:30 am on Live on Facebook or any time on Facebook or on our website. Music by our talented Pastor Kat and Choir Master, Zack von Menchhofen, cago. Virtual services continue until our area turns Green.

St. John’s Lutheran Church of Spinnerstown

1565 Sleepy Hollow Road, Spinnerstown 215-536-0734 stjohnsspinnerstown@gmail.com www.stjohnsofspinnerstown.org Pastor: The Rev. Axel Kaegler

Outdoor Worship Service 9:30am Sundays, Services in the tree lined grove across the road from the church, weather and ground conditions permitting. Bring lawn chairs, areas marked for social distancing. Masks required. Check website or call church to confirm service. Online service also available through website.

St. John’s Lutheran Ridge Valley

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

Grape juice & gluten-free wafers available.

Adult Forum 9:40, Handicapped accessible.

All invited and welcome to Share the Joy!

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Applebachsville

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

St. Paul’s United Church of Christ

104 Green Street Sellersville, PA 18960 215-257-7268 Pastor: Rev. Trudy Irving stacey@stpaulsucc.net www.stpaulsucc.net 9am Fellowship Hall, Prayer Shawl Ministry is held 1st & 3rd Tuesdays 1 to 3pm.

(June 14 - Sept 13)

Trinity Lutheran Church

102 N. Hellertown Avenue, Quakertown 215-536-4345 www.trinityquakertown.org Pastor: Lynette R. Chapman 9am Traditional Service, 11am; Contemporary Service, 10:30am; FaithQuest, 10:15am; Handicapped accessible, Family friendly Church, Dynamic Music Ministry, Living God’s Love for All.

Victory Fellowship Church

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

To have your place of worship included in this directory, please contact Lisa Betz at 215-529-8915 ext 11 or email at lisa@ubfp.org

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

BY REV. KATHERINE STEINLY “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”

–Romans 12:14-18 September usually marks a new beginning.

Families with children, teachers, and school administrators plunge into a new school year.

Churches begin a new program year of faith education, musical groups like choirs begin to meet again for regular practices, early preparations for the holiday season begin.

In the wake of the coronavirus, this September will be different. As I write this in August, many school districts continue to discuss when to start classes and whether to meet in person or remotely. Meanwhile, families, teachers, and other school staff are caught up in the debate.

It is at times like this when we do well to remember and act upon Paul’s words from

Romans. How can those of us who are not directly affected be conduits of compassion for the parents, students, teachers, and staff who are struggling to make the right decision for their families? How can we be supportive of parents and guardians trying to consider the well-being of their children? How can we be supportive of teachers and school administrators who seek to serve our community as best they can?

I have seen how caring our community can be for those who have been disproportionately impacted by the epidemic. I have seen the donations pouring into the local food pantry. I have seen the wave of support for local small businesses. I have seen the trains of decorated cars to celebrate milestones and achievements from a distance.

Let us carry this spirit of community into the month of September. Let us lift one another up and open our hearts and minds with compassion. Let us rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Let us not cast judgment but strive to live peaceably with all.

Katherine Steinly is the pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Richlandtown. She can be reached at pastor@stjohnsrpa.org.

“I like a teacher that gives you something to take home to think about besides homework.”

- Lily Tomlin

September 2020 • Upper Bucks Free Press •

13

2020 Toyota 4Runner SUV As crossovers and SUVs have become the top sellers here in the Snowbelt, there are only a few that are seriously off-road capable.

One of the very few is Toyota’s 4Runner, a rock-crawler in its fifth

generation.

Offered in SR5, SR5 Venture, TRD OffRoad, TRD Off-Road Premium, TRD Pro Limited and Limited Nightshade, we were privileged to test the TRD Pro. Built on a body-on-frame platform, 4Runner TRD Pro is a rugged and true SUV. While some others claim to be an SUV, most are merely crossovers with AWD traction. Not so for the 4Runner TRD Pro. As its name implies, it’s pro grade with a locking rear axle, 9.6 inches of ground clearance, Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control, raised suspension with TRD tuned FOX shocks and springs, aluminum front skidplate, and a part-time Activ-Trac mechanically-linked 2High, 4High, 4Low 4WD system that serious off-roaders prefer.

For added stability, TRD Pro has a track width of 64.1 inches with 8-inch wide, 17-inch Grappler, deep lugged tires. But that’s not all.

4Runner has an acute 33-degree approach angle and a 26-degree departure angle to handle rocky terrain and a variety of nasty off-road obstacles where others fear to tread. The major competition for the 4Runner is Jeep’s Wrangler Rubicon that goes a step beyond with front and rear locking differentials, plus a disconnecting sway bar although the latter is an option with 4Runner’s Dynamic Suspension System that wasn’t on the test truck.

The TRD Pro has a rugged look with flared fenders, a sporty but non-functional hood

scoop, a high stance and heavy duty tubular roof rack basket for strapping on a kayak, pair of mountain bikes, camping/hunting/fishing gear or additional spare tire.

4Runner’s exterior exudes toughness and off-road prowess. The test truck was painted in Army Green. The OD color brought back memories of my Army days and riding in a military truck and CJ Jeep.

Its interior boasts similar rugged amenities with heavily padded seats to absorb off-road jostling and included Softex heated front seats.

Equipped with a 5-speed automatic transmission, its shifter is burly as is the stubby 4WD shifter. HVAC controls too are large and easy to use even with gloved hands.

An 8-inch touchscreen came with Toyota’s Entune Infotainment Suite complete with Siri Eyes Free, Wi-Fi hotspot, XM radio, Bluetooth music streaming, Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto connectivity, Amazon Alexa, navigation and JBL audio system.

On the headliner above the rearview mirror is the Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl control switches. The Multi-Terrain/Crawl has four selectable modes of Sand/Dirt, Mud/Sand, Loose Rock and Mogul. The Downhill Assist mode helps prevent excessive speed on steep

downhill’s/slopes when the transfer case is in 4Low gear. For extra traction, the rear differential lock switch is located atop these controls.

4Runner’s gauge cluster offers a 4-inch vertical Driver Information Display that shows a host of notices, modes, alerts and warnings.

The 40/20/40 back seats offer space for three tweens or two large adults. They offer generous leg room and ample head room after a 23-inch stretch into the cabin.

4Runner’s lifgate is still old school as it’s manual that has some heft to it. Liftover to load gear or packages is an easy 29 inches with a 10.5-inch protruding rear bumper that has to be negotiated. But Toyota offers an optional slide-out cargo deck that could be a handy feature.

6th Annual Lily’s Hope Golf Tournament a Success

With the rear seatbacks upright, there’s 47.2 cubic feet of cargo space that measures 39 inches deep, 48 wide and 35 high. Flip them and space increases to 89.7 cubic feet for 65.5 inches of cargo loading depth. To fold the seatbacks, the seat bottom must be lifted forward then the seat back tucked down behind it after releasing a latch so the headrests flip down so it all fits together. As such, the arrangement sacrifices six inches of cargo depth.

To move its 4,750-pound curb weight, 4Runner gets its grunt from a proven 4.0-liter V6 engine that puts out 270-hp and 278 lb/ft of torque. Coupled to the 5-speed auto trans, it earns EPA mileage estimates of 16 city, 19-highway mpg with start/stop technology.

So equipped, 4Runner has a tow rating of 5,000 pounds.

Acceleration is robust. The engine roars and it gets underway in linear fashion. But punch the acceleration at 40 mph and the 4.0L takes off.

This hefty off-roader rides smoothly and stays planted even in sharp turns. It parks relatively easily with a 37.4 foot turning radius.

With a long list of standard functions and features like Toyota’s Safety Sense that includes pre-collision system w/pedestrian detection, dynamic cruise control, lane departure alert, automatic high beams, vehicle stability control, ABS with brake assist and more. The only extra cost options were for a hitch ball mount ($60) and dashcam ($499), that took the base price of $49,765 to $51,444 with a delivery of $1,100.

Along with this, the governments’ 5-star safety rating awarded it four overall safety stars; four for driver frontal crash, three for passenger; five for front and rear seat side crash; and three for rollover.

If you’re looking for a rugged off-roader that doubles as a daily driver, you need to check out Toyota’s exceptionally capable 2020 4Runner.

Nick Hromiak is an automotive enthusiast and freelance writer. We look forward to bringing you his new column each month.

He can be reached at nhromiak@verizon.net.

The Lily’s Hope Foundation hosted their 6th annual Tournament of Hope golf outing on August 21 at the Wedgewood Golf Club in Coopersburg. The outing was originally scheduled for late April, but needed to be rescheduled due to the state-mandated corona virus shutdown. The non-profit organization’s mission is to support babies, children, and their families with unexpected and urgent needs due to premature birth. Funds raised

at this event were especially needed as other 2020 events were cancelled and the foundation suffered a flood a few weeks ago when the remnants of Hurricane Isaias passed through our area. Many baby supplies that would have been dispersed to families were destroyed and the foundation has been scrambling to recoup so they can continue to provide support to families across the region.

photo by michele buono

Grandparents: Consider These Financial Moves Each year, on the first Sunday after Labor Day, we observe National Grandparents Day. Although it’s not as widely recognized as Mother’s Day or Father’s Day, if you’re a grandparent, you probably want to do whatever you can to help your grandchildren on their journeys through life. So, you might want to consider the following moves: • Contribute to their education. If you want to help your grandchildren pay for college, you have a variety of options, including 529 plans. You could also simply set aside some money in an investment account earmarked for education. But you don’t just have to stick to helping out financially – you might also want to do some research to see what scholarships are available.

• Consider a UGMA/UTMA account.

The Uniform Gifts to Minors Act (UGMA) and Uniform Transfer to Minors Act (UTMA) are custodial accounts that provide a relatively easy way for you to give money to your young grandchildren. A financial advisor can help determine if such a plan is right for you. However, once you put money into the UGMA or UTMA, you no longer have any legal access or authority over the funds unless you are the custodian managing the account.

After children reach the age of majority – typically 18 or 21 – or the age of termination if the state where they live allows for the assets to be held until a later age, they will control the assets, and they may not want to use the money as you had envisioned, such as for college. (Also, tax issues for custodial accounts can be complicated, so, before opening an UGMA or UTMA, you’ll want to consult with your tax advisor.)

• Consider gifts to older grandchildren. If you have older grandchildren, you might want to help them out if they’re saving for a down

payment on a home, or are between jobs, or perhaps are even having children of their own.

You can give $15,000 per year, per individual, without having to file a gift tax return. Your spouse can also give $15,000 per year to the same individual, again without triggering the need for a gift tax return.

• Review your will. If you’ve already created your last will and testament, you may want to review it upon the arrival of grandchildren.

You can include specific instructions, such as requiring your grandchildren to turn a specific age before they can receive their inheritance.

You could also codify the same requirements through the use of a living trust. Contact your legal advisor to determine if such a trust is appropriate for your situation.

• Update beneficiary designations. If you want your grandchildren to receive proceeds from various accounts, such as your 401(k), IRA and life insurance, you may need to update the beneficiary designations, which can even supersede the instructions on your will.

Keep in mind that if you have grandchildren with special needs, you may want to designate a supplemental needs trust for your grandchild as the beneficiary instead of naming your grandchild directly. Again, contact your legal advisor for more information.

These aren’t the only steps you can take to help your grandchildren, but they should give you some options to consider. The world is an expensive place, and any assistance you can provide to your beloved grandkids can make a big difference in their lives.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor, Bob Podraza on West Broad Street, Quakertown. He can be reached at 215-5363635 or at bob.podraza@edwardjones.com

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• Upper Bucks Free Press • September 2020

Employment Opportunities

Krause Home & Lawn Care - an award winning company, is looking to hire a few dependable and hard working individuals for 30-50 hours per week. May involve weekend work. Would prefer experience in landscaping and/or handyman fields, but not required. Pay is commiserate with experience. We offer Aflac insurance after 90 days, workman’s comp, paid vacation, company vehicles to be used during work day, competitive pay.

We prefer a clean driving record to operate our company vehicles.

Experience driving a truck with a trailer is a plus! We’re looking for people that are willing to learn, able to work outside, and have a great work ethic! Contact Kevin at 267-261-7671.

Spor’s General Store - Hiring PT Kitchen, dishwasher, cleaning, waitstaff, ice cream window, etc. Also FT assistant managers.

Contact: bspor@sporsgeneralstore. com or stop in the store at 22 W. Broad Street,Trumbauersville

Kulp Roofing & Construction - We are currently in need of experienced individuals for our roof repair team, gutter team, and window team. Individuals must be motivated, punctual, detail-oriented, professional and loyal. Contact us to schedule an interview. We are looking for long-term, year-round help. Roofing is not a requirement for any of these positions except “Roof Repair Technician”.

Applications accepted at our office at 216 D, Apple St., Quakertown, PA, Call 215-538-0618

Naugle Funeral & Cremation Service - Funeral home support staff needed. Event set up, funeral processions, flower handling, extensive interaction with the bereaved. Must be a people person.

Email Matt Grieco at mgrieco@janauglefcs.com

New Vitae Wellness & Recovery Join our amazing staff of caring Personal Care Aides, Med Techs, CNA’s, Care Coordinators, Medical Assistants, Mentors, and Cooks who work in our Personal Care Homes in Quakertown and Limeport. Please apply online at: www.newvitaewellness.com/careers or call (610) 965-9021 ext. #239.

Pool Pro - Hiring Pool Technicians.

Call 610-282-9500 or email PoolProPA@verizon.net for info.

Lazer Limousine is growing and starting an office in the Quakertown area. We have a diverse fleet, from sedans to bus, to handle any number of passengers. Flexible schedule. 267-371-7857

Counter Surfing One afternoon I made the perfect turkey sandwich. I was enjoying the first half of my sandwich when I heard a knock at the front door. I answered the door but when I returned, the plate was empty, not even a crumb was left. I wish I could make my bills disappear that fast. I looked at my dog’s blank face hoping to see some evidence of the thievery. Nope nothing, he was cool as a cucumber. Dang! My dog just learned how to counter surf and he wasn’t even feeling the tiniest bit guilty.

You really can’t yell at the dog after the fact.

You have to catch the dog during or before the nabbing. A simple cue of “leave it” would have helped, but I wasn’t in the room. The most common problem that happens when trying to punish the dog for counter surfing is that the dog only learns not to steal food when the owner is around. As soon has you leave the room, snagged!

The best way to teach your dog not to counter surf is to never leave out tempting food. Face it, that perfect turkey sandwich was just too tempting for my pooch. Opportunity creates the thief. Management is always key when

training your dog. I had one dog who thought a loaf of fresh bread was yummy, bag included. I learned to not put the bread on the counter but put it higher and away. I always clean the counter tops of spills and even the tiniest crumb. The unwanted behavior of counter surfing always becomes stronger each time the dog gets reinforced by finding tidbits on the counter.

As a puppy grows the countertops can become a whole new exciting and yummy world to him. You have to teach the puppy the floor is much more interesting than the countertops. Leave frozen stuffed rubber toys, different chews tossed about the floor and change the toy assortment regularly. If you can’t watch your puppy while there is food out or dirty dishes on the counter use management. If I had better managed the situation by using a baby gate, a crate, or put the dog in another room and shut the door, used a tether or leash, taught the dog “go to place (matt or dog bed) and stay”, or “don’t cross the line” might have saved my perfect turkey sandwich.

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

September 2020 â&#x20AC;˘ Upper Bucks Free Press â&#x20AC;˘

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