Upper Bucks Free Press • May 2025

ONGOING:

What’s Going On in Upper Bucks?

May 1 to May 15- Children’s Book Drive! Quakertown Library is collecting children’s books for Summer Quest Prize Awards at the Library, 401 W Mill St, Quakertown

May 1 to May 28- “The Art of Slow Painting” (Egg Tempera Portraits by Robin Crowley) 9am-4pm at Generations, 259 N 2nd St, Souderton. Meet the artist May 6 & May 20 from 11am-1pm. 215348-0375 or rcrowley31@verizon.net

May 28 to August 27-Telford Night Market every Wednesday from 5:30pm8:30pm. Independent vendors, food, produce, merchandise, art. Live music, kids’ crafts, games and seating area for dinner or snacks. telfordhappenings@ gmail.com

ANGEL’s TABLE Food Kitchen open every Tues, Wed, Thurs 11am-1pm at Emmanual Episcopal Church, 560 S Main St, Quakertown. Info: angelstable.org or 267-717-5315

‘Baseball for Special People’ (kids & adults with physical & developmental disabilities) Season runs end of April through June, Sunday afternoons behind Milford Twp Municipal Bldg 267-992-4973 baseball4specialpeople@gmail.com

May 2

Order hoagies from Trumbauersville Fire Co by today for pickup May 11. Call Jen at 215-989-0909

“Some Like It Hot” free movie matinee 2pm-4pm at Perkasie Library, 491 Arthur Ave, Perkasie. Peanut-free crunchy snacks & beverages in lidded containers are welcome. 215-257-9718

May 2 & 3

Used Book 2-Day Bag Sale at Upper Perkiomen Valley Library, 350 Main St, Red Hill. Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday 10am-2pm. Bag is provided. Cash or check, no credit cards.

May 2, 3, 4

“The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe” live performance at DCP Theatre, 795 Ridge Rd, Telford. Fri 7:30pm, Sat/ Sun 1pm & 4pm (also May 9 & 10) Box Office: 215-234-0966. Tickets and Story details: dcptheatre.org

May 3

QuinBy’s 10th Birthday Party! 11am12noon at QuinBy’s Playground in Quakertown Memorial Park. Free party for kids with an adult. Come enjoy light refreshments & hang out with QNB’s QuinBy the Savings Squirrel. Rain cancels event.

Flea Market 9am-2pm at Dublin Fire Co, 194 N Main St, Dublin. Breakfast & lunch outdoors by Ladies Auxiliary.

‘The Band Burn’ will play 8pm at Trumbauersville Betterment Club, 2000 Oak Dr, Trumbauersville. $5 cover charge at door for non-members. Also a Buffet starting at 7pm for $12. Questions? Call 215-538-1314

‘Springing into Song’ with The North Pennsmen Barbershop Chorus, 2pm at Souderton Mennonite Church, 105 W Chestnut St, Souderton. Tickets $20/ adults, Free age 18 & under. 215-3931940, Northpennsmen.org

Watercolor Flowers Guided Workshop at 2pm, all supplies provided. Also a list online if you prefer to bring your own. Quakertown Library, 401 W Mill St. For teens & adults! 215-536-3306

Bowling for Last Chance Ranch at 5pm7pm OR 8pm-10pm at Earl-Bowl Lanes, 251 N West End Blvd, Quakertown. $25/ person, Music w/DJ Will, fun, food, bake sale, 50/50. Tickets must be bought in advance. Lastchanceranch.org

Spaghetti Dinner 4pm-7pm at Trumbauersville Fire Co, 142 N Main St, Trumbauersville. (Advance $13/age 11+, $7/age 5-10, Free/age 0-4. $13/takeout)

All tickets $2 more at door. Text/call 215989-0909 for tickets or info.

‘Ruck for Bucks’ benefits Vets, 12noon9pm at Sellersville Moose, 301 W Park Ave, Sellersville. BBQ Competition & Cornhole Tournament. All you can eat, DJ & 3 Live Bands. Info/Tickets: ruck4bucks.ticketspice.com/ruck-4-bucks Cash Bingo! Open 6pm, Games 7pm. Food/drinks for purchase. NO outside food. Keelersville Club, 2522 Ridge Rd, Perkasie. 267-272-2305.

Drive-thru Roast Beef Dinner ($15) fundraiser, 4pm- 6pm at Frieden’s Lutheran, 2451 Saucon Valley Rd, Center Valley.

May 3 & 4

Annual Spring Craft Show 11am-4pm at Quakertown Farmers Market, 201 Station Rd. Local vendors & artists with handcrafted items. 215-536-4115

May 4

Sunday Breakfast 8am-noon at Palisades Fire Rescue, 3010 Rt 212, Springtown. $12/adult, $6/ages 5-8, free: 4 & under.

“History Lives On” Celebrating Plumstead Township’s 300th Anniversary with Thomas Upton of the Plumstead Historical Society. Open House 1:30pm4pm, speaker at 2pm. Strassburger Farmstead, 407 Keystone Dr, Sellersville Free Concert- The Philly German Brass (traditional & contemporary music) 2pm at Zwingli UCC, 350 Wile Ave, Souderton. Zwingli.org

2nd Annual Food Festival to benefit RamPacks. Food trucks, balloon animals, DJ, Bake sale, Games, Facepainting, Raffles, 50/50. Free to attend. www. rampacks.com

May 6

Board Game Night! 6pm at the Quakertown Library, 401 W Mill St. New games, classic favorites. Bring your own to share with others or choose from our wide selection. 215-536- 3306.

“The Perk” 50 years of family ownership by Larry Nacarella. 6:30pm dinner meeting of Perkasie Historical Society at St. Stephen’s UCC, 110 N 6th St, Perkasie. $15 reservation: 215-257-9624. perkasiehistory.org

May 8

Indian Valley Library Used Book Sale, 100 E Church Ave, Telford. 10am-6pm. 215-723-9109 x118

May 9

Designer Bag Bingo, open 6pm, games 7pm at Benner Hall, 1260 Cherry St, Quakertown. $35/adv, $40/door. Door prize, special games, basket raffles, more. BYOB food/drinks. Quakertown.RC@ gmail.com or 267-772-0782

“It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World” free movie matinee 2pm-4pm at Perkasie Library, 491 Arthur Ave, Perkasie. Peanut-free crunchy snacks & beverages in lidded containers are welcome. 215-257-9718

May 9 & 10

Flower Sale- Friday 3pm-7pm, Saturday 9am-2pm or sold out. Quakertown Fire Co, 505 W Broad St, Quakertown. Cash or check only.

Sunset Social’s ‘Savage Sidewalk Stroll’ (sidewalk sale) 4pm-7:30pm along Broad St in Quakertown. Music, food trucks, craft beer, artisans, family fun. The Train Station has an Open House with free temp tattoos, scavenger hunt, etc.

“The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe” live performance at DCP Theatre, 795 Ridge Rd, Telford. Fri 7:30pm, Sat 1pm & 4pm. Box Office: 215-234-0966. Tickets and Story details: dcptheatre.org

May 10

Shredding Fundraiser at Upper Bucks Senior Center, 2183 Milford Square Pike, Quakertown. Details: 215-536-3066. Donations will be accepted.

Free Community Lunch! Pick-up time 9am at First UCC, 151 S 4th St, Quakertown

Plants, Bake & Soup Sale 9am-3pm at Passer Community Center, 2580 Richlandtown Pike, Coopersburg. There are 20+ vendors. Cash or checks only. 610-248-2843

Flea Market 8am-1pm at Grace United Methodist, 295 S Main St, Telford. Vendors $10/space, call 215-723-2144 to reserve.

Ask a Teen Technology Help 2pm, 3pm at Quakertown Library, 401 W Mill St. Bring your questions about Word formatting, email, laptop or tablet help, social media tips & phone app tutorials. Register: tinyurl.com/askateen 5th Annual Art in the Park, Free Event 12noon-4pm at Bucks County Community College, 1 Hillendale Rd, Perkasie. Local artists, musical performances, crafts, food vendors, more. Event inside if raining. Pennridgeimprovementproject.com

The Drop presents Concert Night at First UCC, 151 S 4th St, Quakertown. Doors open 5pm, Concert 6pm. Music by ‘Think of 3’ and ‘Freedom in Christ Band.’ Opens 5pm, Concert 6pm. All donations support The Drop youth center.

Indoor/Outdoor Flea Market 8am-1pm at Palisades Fire Station #40, 3010 Rt 212, Springtown. Rain/shine. 484-291-1717

May 11 Mother’s Day

‘Mommy & Me Tea Party’ 1pm in Room 201 at Quakertown Farmers Market, 201 Station Rd. Belle & Cinderella will host the party. Visits, photos & games with the Princesses. All welcome. Food, tiara/ crown & goodie bags.

Trumbauersville Fire Co Hoagie Sale Day! Italian, Ham, Turkey & Roast Beef. Advance orders need to be placed 10 days prior to Sale. Pick-up is from 12noon-2pm today at 142 N Main St. Info: Jen 215989-0909.

What’s Going On in Upper Bucks?

May 13

Puzzle Swap 6pm at Quakertown Library, 401 W Mill St. Bring your retired jigsaw puzzles & meet with others to trade puzzles & discuss strategies. All exchanges will be direct swaps among participants (no lottery, etc.) Also some puzzles set up to enjoy.

May 16

Free Shredding Event 10am-12noon at Pennridge Community Center, 146 E Main St, Perkasie. Limit of 5 bags or boxes. Donations welcome!

“The Thin Man” free movie matinee 2pm-4pm at Perkasie Library, 491 Arthur Ave, Perkasie. Peanut-free crunchy snacks & beverages in lidded containers are welcome. 215-257-9718

Leidy’s Spring Fling 6pm at Immanuel Leidy’s Church, 273 W Cherry Lane, Souderton. Free event under the stars, Worship, BBQ dinner, Bonfire with s’mores. Bring your chair or blanket. No registration

May 16 & 17

12th Penn Dry Goods Market: Fri 10am5pm, Sat 10am-3pm. Schwenkfelder Heritage Center in Pennsburg. Antiques/ Vintage Americana! Webpage: Schwenkfelder.org/penn-dry-goodsmarket. Antiques Show Lectures $25 ($35 day of) 215-679-3103

Déjà vu Flea Market available for sewing tools, linens, books, craft supplies, etc. also at Schwenkfelder Heritage Center in Pennsburg. Café Applique offers great food, too. $5 admission for the Flea Market. 215-679-3103

May 17

Amy’s Ride/Run/Walk against pancreatic cancer at The Park at 4th & Mill St, Quakertown Memorial Park. (7am checkin) (8am-33 mile & 24-mile bike rides) (9:30am-5K Run & 5K Walk) Register: AmysRideRunWalk.com

Arts Alive! 10am-4pm (r/d 5/18) on Broad St in Downtown Quakertown. Artists & Crafters Exhibit. Live entertainment, Food Court, Train Rides, Chalk drawing, Wine, Beer, Alpacas, more. 215-536-2273 or QuakertownAlive.com. Quakertown Duck Hunt- Find a rubber duck in participating businesses along Broad St during Arts Alive! 10am-4pm and win a prize. Look for our Duck signs and stop in.

Pop-Up Market, 9am-12noon at Perkasie Farmers Market, South 7th St between Chestnut & Market. Local farms, local foods. Summer Season opens June 7th ‘Summerfest’ 9am-2pm at Camp Meno-lan, 1415 Doerr Rd, Quakertown. Auction, food, open house. menolan.org

The Voices Project (helping survivors of abuse thru artistic expression) hosting 3-course Tea Party Fundraiser, 12noon-2pm at Jaquelyn’s on Main, Coopersburg. FMI: Donna 484-542-7706 or wwatrainingservices@gmail.com

May 17 & 18

Museum Display 12noon-4pm at Perkasie Historical Society Museum, 513 W Walnut St. “Cigar Making & the Tobacco Fund”. Photos, tools, packaging. This industry started The Tobacco Fund to support our soldiers. FMI 215-257-7039

May 18

3rd Annual Ride for the Ranch 10am, Keelersville Club, 2522 Ridge Rd, Perkasie. Breakfast available 9am, Registration 10am, Kickstands Up 11am. All bikes welcome, $25/rider + $15/ passenger. Lunch included. R/D June 1. Lastchanceranch.org

Craft & Vendor Show 11am-3pm at Tylersport Firehouse Event Hall, 125 Ridge Rd, Telford. Want to be a Vendor? Call/text 267-945-9232. $40/table (spaces are limited), 8ft table & chairs provided.

‘Plant Swap’ 12:30pm-2pm, Menlo Park Pavilion, 4th & Park Ave, Perkasie. Must be potted & labeled. Trade a plant or buy a plant. Perkasie Garden Club. perkasiegardenclub.weebly.com

‘The Covered Bridges of Bucks County’ presentation by Robert Beck - 1pm at Richland Historical Society One Room Schoolhouse, 130 Richlandtown Pike, Quakertown. Free, donations appreciated. Octagonal Schoolhouse (only one left in Bucks County) from 1802-1850. Open House 1pm-5pm at corner of Swamp Rd & Second Street Pike (Rt 232), Wrightstown Twp. Listed on National Register of Historic Places. 215-598-7534

May 19

Keystone Quilters Meeting 7pm (open 6:30pm) at St. John’s Lutheran, 26 1st Ave, Richlandtown. Also on ZOOM. Call 267-261-6202 for access. Guest Fee $10. “Creativity Journey-10 Stages of Creative Exploration” with Julie Brown

May 20

Trivia Night 3rd Tuesday every month, 6pm at Quakertown Library, 401 W Mill St, Quakertown. Come enjoy some friendly competition and brainteasing fun. Come as a team or fly solo. 215-536-3306

Scouting America honors Charles ‘Skip’ Davenport at a Wine & Hors d’oeuvres Reception 6pm-9pm at Bishop Estate Winery, 2730 Hilltown Pike, Perkasie. Info: 215-431-5689, 215-348-7205 x308.

May 21

Free Retirement Planning In-person Seminar by ‘Friends Life Care’ 10am at Indian Valley Library, 100 Church Ave, Telford. RSVP required. rsvp@flcpartners.org or 215-628-8964

May 22

Springfield Twp Historical Society Program, 7pm at Trinity Lutheran Church across from Church School, 2165 Rt 212, Pleasant Valley. “Local Efforts to Support Revolutionary War” Amy Hollander shares stories of Bucks County’s Patriotic Leaders & their efforts. Free! Public invited. Questions: Tom 484-308-1510

May 23

“What’s Up, Doc?” free movie matinee 2pm-4pm at Perkasie Library, 491 Arthur Ave, Perkasie. Peanut-free crunchy snacks & beverages in lidded containers are welcome. 215-257-9718

May 24

Perkasie Memorial Day Parade begins at 7th & Market Sts at 9am & ends at Memorial Garden in Menlo Park. Community is invited to decorate & join the Parade in patriotic dress. Memorial Ceremony 10:15am. events@perkasieborough.org

Indian Valley Library Used Book Sale, 100 E Church Ave, Telford. 10:30am4:30pm. 215-723-9109 x118

Motown 101- the sound that changed America. Join us on an engaging journey through rhythm, soul & history of the hits that made America dance. 3pm at the Quakertown Library, 401 W Mill St.

May 25

33rd Annual Lake Lenape Car Jamboree at 555 Constitution Ave, Perkasie. Registration $25/day of Show 9am12noon. Trophies, 50/50, vendors, music, more. Rain date May 26. goodtimemotorvators@yahoo.com

May 26 MeMorial Day

May 28

Veterans Appreciation at Telford Night Market 5:30pm-8:30pm. Telford Train Station, Penn Ave & Main St, Telford. Local vendors, live music, great food all season. Vendors? Call: Telfordhappenings.com

Celebrating Chalfont’s History 7pm, Hilltown Township Building, 13 Creamery Rd, Hilltown. Brief nostalgic history showing transforming of farming community to a suburb. Videos of old time Filling Stations & the Forest Amusement Park. Hilltownhistory.org

May 30

Order hoagies from Trumbauersville Fire Co by today for pickup June 8. Call Jen at 215-989-0909

“Young Frankenstein” free movie matinee 2pm-4pm at Perkasie Library, 491 Arthur Ave, Perkasie. Peanut-free crunchy snacks & beverages in lidded containers are welcome. 215-257-9718 Fifth Friday in the Café, 7pm at Generations, 259 N 2nd St, Souderton. $15/evening of pop hits from 50s-80s w/ Cayden Johnson & Connor Feick. Snacks, desserts, beer, wine, soda, coffee, tea. Register by May 27 at 215-723-5841.

May 31

3rd Annual Snouts & Tails 5K & Fun Run at Last Chance Ranch, 9 Beck Rd, Quakertown. ($40/runner, no dogs/ strollers this one) ($25/person 1.5 mile Walk 2x around Ranch) ($5 Kids Fun Run w/adult) Food, vendors. Register at: www.runtheday.com

Springfield Twp Historical Society Open House at our One-room School House, 2165 Rt 212, Pleasant Valley. See historical documents, albums etc. in Church School repository. Free! Public invited. Questions: Tom 484-308-1510

June 1

‘Spring into Summer’ 11am-2pm at United Friends School, 1018 W Broad St, Quakertown. UFS Café, Games, Dunk Tank, Vendors, Live Music. unitedfriendsschool.org

June 3

Perkasie Historical Society Membership Picnic at the Perkasie Carousel: ‘Our Carousel Music.’ Tom Iannucci shares his passion for music that he has arranged and composed for our Carousel.

Perkasiehistory.org 215-257-7039

June 4

‘70s Night’ at Telford Night Market 5:30pm-8:30pm. Telford Train Station, Penn Ave & Main St, Telford. Local vendors, live music, great food all season. Vendors? Call: Telfordhappenings.com

June 7

Flea Market/Craft Fair, 9am-2pm at Christ’s Lutheran Church, 218 E Broad St, Trumbauersville. Vendor spaces 9’x12’ are $15. Call 215-536-3193 to reserve.

Trumbauersville Community Day & Fireworks. 4pm - dark. Food, games, community organizations, music. Tville Lions Strawberry Fest til sold out. trumbauersvilleboro.org

Quakertown Veterinary Annual Pet Fair, 10am-3pm at 2250 N Old Bethlehem Pike, Quakertown. 215-536-6245.

June 8

Trumbauersville Hoagie Sale Day! Italian, Ham, Turkey & Roast Beef. Advance orders need to be placed 10 days prior to Sale. Pick-up is from 12noon-2pm today. Info: Jen 215-989-0909.

June 11

‘Western Night’ at Telford Night Market 5:30pm-8:30pm. Telford Train Station, Penn Ave & Main St, Telford. Local vendors, live music, great food all season. Vendors? Call: Telfordhappenings.com

June 13, 14, 15

“The Outsider” live performance at DCP Theatre, 795 Ridge Rd, Telford. Fri/Sat 7:30pm, Sun 2pm. Box Office: 215-234-0966. Tickets and Story details: dcptheatre.org (also 6/20, 6/21/, 6/22)

June 14 Flag Day

Free Veterans Seminar, 11am-1pm (lunch included) American Legion Post 242, 610 E Broad St, Quakertown. Bucks County VA representative will keep Vets up to date with changes. 610-986-2265 kspencer6568@gmail.com

Strawberry Festival/Craft Fair 11am4pm (r/s) at St. John’s Lutheran of Spinnerstown, 1565 Sleepy Hollow Rd, Quakertown. FMI 215-536-8838

Museum Display 12noon-4pm at Perkasie Historical Society Museum, 513 W Walnut St. “Cigar Making & the Tobacco Fund”. Photos, tools, packaging. This industry started The Tobacco Fund to support our soldiers. FMI 215-257-7039

June 15 Father’s Day

Octagonal Schoolhouse (only one left in Bucks County) from 1802-1850. Open House 1pm-5pm at corner of Swamp Rd & Second Street Pike (Rt 232), Wrightstown Twp. Listed on National Register of Historic Places. 215-598-7534

2025 Lexus 450H AWD SUV

It’s one of the country’s best-selling luxury AWD vehicles, and as such, you see a lot of them on the roads. What we speak of is the Lexus RX AWD SUV.

I must be up front here; my wife owns an RX 350 and loves it. It’s the best car we’ve ever owned. But I promise to not be partial, and give an honest review.

RX’s are offered in RX 350, RX 350 Premium, RX 350h (hybrid), RX 350 Premium, RX350h Premium, RX 350h Premium Plus, RX 350 F Sport Handling, RX 350 Luxury, RX 350h Luxury, RX 500h F Sport Performance and the RX 450h Plus Luxury that we were privileged to test. With this extensive array

of choices, there has to be a model that would make you very pleased with your selection.

The RX 450h PHEV tested, was a plugin that with a full charge will deliver about 35 miles of all-electric range. That’s sufficient for trips to the local grocery store or to nearby Home Depot/Lowe’s. And it can be charged by a 110 outlet. It couples to a 2.5-liter 4-cyliner that generates 304 total system horsepower. This couples to a CVT automatic transmission.

Aside from its striking exterior that cannot be confused with any other SUV, the RX’s interior is posh and living room comfortable. The front heated/cooled front seats are soft and nicely supportive. And their tiny ventilation holes have eye-grabbing diamond patterns.

Perched atop the dash, that’s even with the top of the dash so it doesn’t interfere with visibility, is a huge 14-inch high-def touchscreen that serves a host of apps that includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Wi-Fi, 4G connectivity, rearview and revolving cameras, HVAC selections, Auto Park function and many more. Since most selections are made on the touch sensitive display, it momentarily takes the eyes off. But after acclimating to its operation, selections can be made quickly.

On the other side of the dash is a large single vivid gauge cluster that includes a driver information display for features, functions and alerts. Situated on top of the steering wheel hub is a driver attention sensor that gives warnings if turning the head away from center. There’s also a digital rearview mirror that can be switched to a traditional view.

RX 450h’s interior door handles are unique in that a light push on the handle and the door partially opens. A nifty touch on this luxury SUV.

A stubby gear selector for the CVT transmission is flanked by a wireless phone charger along with an EV switch for an all-electric power jaunt.

After a low 19-inch step-in into the back seats, ingress/egress is easy thanks to wide opening doors. Rear seats are also heated with separate HVAC controls located at

the back of the console. The transaxle hump is low allowing for a third or middle seat, short-legged rider. The seats like the fronts, are sofa soft and comfy with good leg and headroom.

Back in the cargo area and with the rear seatbacks upright there’s 29.59 cubic feet of cargo space that measures 41 inches deep, 44 wide and 28.5 high. Flip the seats and cargo capacity increases to 46.19 cubic feet for 72 inches of cargo loading depth. Lift-over into the area is an easy 30.5 inches. And the liftgate can be opened by merely waving a foot under the rear bumper.

RX 450h is powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder that when combined with the electric system has a total system output of a peppy 304-hp that earns EPA mileage estimates of 83 MPGe or a combined city/ highway, or a gas only 35 city/highway MPG. Coupled to a CVT transmission, the RX 450h does a 0-60 sprint in 6.2 seconds. And it carries a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. As said, using the PHEV system it has about a 35-mile all electric range. As for the electric system, in can be fully and quickly charged on a 240volt Level 2 charger in about 2.5 hours. So powered the RX 450h has good linear acceleration and passing power. There’s certainly no want for power.

Like all Lexus vehicles, the RX 450h rides heavenly and hush quietly on 21-inch Bridgestone tires. It’s a smooth, comfortable ride in city and over highway jaunts. And it parks easily with a tight 19.4-foot curb-curb turning radius.

Price wise, RX 450h started life at $68,730 with a long list of standard features and safety features such as Lexus 3.0 Safety System, Pre-collision system w/pedestrian detection, radar cruise control w/ curve speed management, lane departure alert w/steering assist, blind spot monitoring w/rear cross traffic alert and more.

On the options side, cold area package/ windshield wiper deicer, ($100), convenience package ($1,420), triple beam LED headlamps ($1,565), premium Mark Levison audio ($1,160), advance park w/ remote ($480), power rear door-kick sensor ($150), premium paint ($500), digital key allows locking/unlocking and starting the RX with your phone plus digital rearview mirror ($475), carpeted cargo mat ($150), illumination package w/lighted door sills ($760), mudguards ($165), side puddle lamps ($175), and delivery ($1,350) took the bottom line to $77, 265.

To its credit, the RX 450h has good resale value, low maintenance, miserly fuel economy and is a top IIHS Top Safety Pick. The RX 450h is all encompassing and makes a great family vehicle. We have no complaints with ours.

The RX 450h is covered by a 4 year/50K mile basic warranty, a 6/70K powertrain and an 8/100K covering the hybrid components. In addition, all RX models get a 1/10K mile complimentary service plan.. Nick Hromiak is aN automotive eNtHusiast aNd freelaNce writer. He caN be reacHed at NHromiak@verizoN Net

David Ramirez Esquen Named UBCTS Student of the Month

Pennridge High School student

David Ramirez Esquen is the Upper Bucks County Technical School’s April Student of the Month.

David moved to the United States from Peru three years ago with his parents and two sisters, as his family sought more significant opportunities for their future.

A native Spanish speaker, David has shown remarkable language growth, becoming fluent in English and excelling in communication and academics. After enrolling at Pennridge High School in August 2022, his ESL instructor, Carly Baker, inspired him to explore the opportunities at UBCTS. With a natural interest in healthcare and a strong desire to help others, he joined the Healthcare Careers Program in August 2023.

quality assignments, often ahead of schedule. He excels in the skills lab, quickly mastering new techniques and demonstrating them at a high level.

David’s most memorable experiences at UBCTS include visiting the St. Luke’s Simulation Center and touring Moravian College. After graduation, he plans to attend Bucks County Community College to pursue

David has flourished at UBCTS. He successfully earned his Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification through the partnership with The Community at Rockhill, where he now works part-time. His dedication, compassion, and teamwork have made him a valued employee. He is also preparing to begin his cooperative education experience at Rockhill this spring. Known for his work ethic and strong academic performance, David consistently turns in high-

his Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) certification, to become a Registered Nurse (RN), and, one day, possibly a doctor.

David enjoys spending time with his close-knit family outside of school, especially during summer trips to the beach or Dorney Park.

David is a shining example of what can be achieved through determination, kindness, and a passion for helping others. His future in healthcare is bright, and UBCTS is proud to be part of his journey.

BY PALMA MOYER, RN

Gratitude. A friend of mine thinks that if you have a grateful attitude, you will be less depressed. I had to give that much thought. How could you not be depressed if you are in chronic pain, are homeless, have no money or job and no friends? Sounds like an impossible situation. He said be grateful that you are alive. I think that might be the answer. If you are alive, a cure for chronic pain or illness might be around the corner. If you are homeless a shelter could be a temporary safe place until something better is found. If you have no friends, make some by being a friend to some else who is struggling. It seems that depression and anxiety are prevalent in today’s society. I blame it on the persistent use of cell phones and lack of personal contact and interaction with our peers. It is easier to text

than to speak directly to the person. I have been out to eat and noticed all members of a family around the table, all using cell phones and no personal conversation with those sitting next to them I would advise families to go back to family meals and check cell phones at the door. Try making friends with your families and then reach out to someone who, needs a friend or helping hand. This would leave less time to be depressed or anxious. I am still thinking about gratitude I am grateful for all I have. I still get anxious and depressed at times but I have faith in God and this seems to be my best solution. If anyone has any other thoughts, I am open for suggestions.

~ as always, Palma Moyer

Ponderings by Palma

AdAm J. Bruzgo, 49, of Philadelphia and formerly of Quakertown, passed away on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia.

On December 28, 1975, John and Sophie (Bielawiec) Bruzgo, welcomed their youngest son into their loving family.

Following his formal education at Neshaminy High School, Adam joined the United States Coast Guard and served until he was medically, and honorably, discharged.

After receiving his Commercial Driver’s License, he worked driving commercial vehicles on the open road for a few years, enjoying country music on his long journeys. This gave him the opportunity to see a lot of the United States.

In his spare time, he found joy in casting his reel, cheering on the Tennessee Titans, and quoting the movie Dumb and Dumber. He was pretty much unbeatable when it came to the video game, Madden Football. Animals have always been drawn to Adam, which is understandable given his kind and caring nature.

In addition to his parents, the memories of Adam will live on through his brother, Michael Bruzgo and Michael’s sons, Mason and Grant Bruzgo, as well as his sister Elizabeth Parylak, her husband Joeseph and their two daughters, Hannah and Ashley Parylak.

Arrangements are under the care of the C.R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc., Quakertown.

NANcy AlBertA (thomsoN) Furst, 87, of Center Valley, PA, passed away on April 20, 2025. She was born in Sellersville, PA on February 13, 1938 to the late Russell and Dorothy (Diehl) Thomson. Nancy was the loving wife of Edward Furst for 64 years. She loved flowers and was an avid gardener. Nancy dedicated her life to her family and thoroughly enjoyed any time she got to spend with them.

Nancy is survived by her husband Edward; daughter Robin Nase (Keith); grandchildren Alicia Kershner, Kevin Furst, and Cassandra Bettler; 7 great grandchildren; Brother Merrill Thomson; and many other loving family and friends. She is predeceased by her parents; son Edward Furst Jr.; grandson Edward Furst III; and brother Russell Thomson Jr. Services will be privately held. She will be interred at Quakertown Union Cemetery.

Arrangements by Naugle Funeral & Cremation Service, (nauglefcs.com).

Bruce deNNis elsNer It is with deepest sorrow that we share the passing of Bruce Dennis Elsner on April 12th, 2025. He moved beyond this life surrounded by family, love and prayers. Bruce was, and always will be, a deeply loved husband, brother, father, grandfather, uncle, great uncle, and dear friend.

Bruce was born on August 26, 1940 in Philadelphia, PA. He graduated from Neshaminy High School in 1958 where he was the yearbook photographer, a member of NHS, and lettered member of the high school chorus. He attended Penn State main campus in 1961 and graduated in 1965. He was an Army ROTC cadet during college and, upon graduation, was stationed in Kourat, Thailand in May of 1966 through June of 1967 as part of the Army Corps of Engineers building a road through the Chiang Mai Province. After the Army, Bruce began a successful career in Pharmaceutical Quality Control and Assurance, first at Squibb (19681974), followed by Richardson Vicks Inc (1974 - 1992), then Proctor and Gamble (1992 - 1996). He continued his professional education with many additional certifications including sessions with W. Edwards Demming, an executive certification from The Institute for Productivity Through Quality in 1989 and more. Throughout this time, Bruce developed or improved numerous processes and products for a variety of well-known over-thecounter health and beauty products. You can thank Bruce for helping you get rid of all those “sniffling, sneezing, coughing, aching, stuffy head, fevers” and also keeping the wrinkles away with Oil of Olay! The last stage of Bruce’s career was his longest, from 1992 to 2023, as a successful and sought-after consultant, auditing and assisting companies interested in manufacturing FDA-regulated products. He had a way of helping businesses understand complexities in a frank and informative manner, including two companies where Nancy, his daughter, worked. Bruce served his community in many ways including as council president of First U.C.C Church (Quakertown, PA), member of many church committees, mentoring church youth as well as coaching youth soccer.

Tennis, gardening, photography, singing, and great conversation were the things that regularly brought joy to Bruce and to all those with whom he shared his time. His organizing and participating for over 40 years in his doubles tennis group led to lifelong friendships on and off the court. Despite his self-taught and com-

pletely backward racquet grip(!), he hit lots of cross court winners- on the court and in life.

He planned his gardens with precision as evidenced by his detailed timeline for planting and documentation of weight and yield! If you like lettuce, zucchini, and tomatoes, he was glad to share his abundant harvests delivered during daylight or under cover of darkness. He was undefeated in the Annual Best Tasting Tomato Contests (except for multiple contested seasons, according to other family members!).

Everyone who ever stood for a photo with Bruce knew that the lighting and smiles would be wonderful, regardless of many takes and retakes; candid photos and Bruce were two complete strangers! The same care and craft he put into his photographs he put into every aspect of his life.

There was always a song in Bruce’s heart which began in high school and continued into church and community choirs, barber shop quartets and talent shows, weddings and funerals. He practiced all of his songs to be as perfect (as possible), which is exactly how he approached everything in his life.

“Finally,” but forever ongoing in our hearts, Bruce loved conversation in all sorts of subjects with all sorts of people. He blended listening, patience, encouragement, and advice to share and laugh, to help, to be in relationship as much as he could and we have all been blessed by his emotional intelligence in many different ways and times.

In many other ways, his life overflowed into ours. His remodeling work in his Buckingham, PA home included new stairs from kitchen to family room and a multi-level deck with swing - all with Judy in mind. He could regularly be found in his workshops sometimes creating gadgets and sometimes works of art including a 25-foot-tall Christmas star which illuminated Winding Road, a custom garden seed hot frame/cold frame for pre-frost veggie plantings; a one-of-a-kind rocking horse we’ll cherish for generations, desk hutches for high school homework, deepshelf window seats and bamboo walls to make bedrooms places of adventure and comfort and so much more. He built picnic tables and sheds and forts along with church info displays and lighting systems; anything needed for play or function. He was determined (and successful!) at fixing no matter what including the annual “find the burnt-out bulb on the Christmas tree lights” quest, repairing the 20-year-old tractor that was already 25 years old when he got a great deal on it, and how to outsmart the mice eating the cantaloupes just as they were perfectly ripening. He was a liner-upper and made everything plumb and square (including people), the champion bb gun squirrel trainer, an expert lawnmower for croquet courses, the best summer Cousins Camp counselor, and “patented” the perfect pancake process. So many talents big and small which he relished and shared with enthusiasm and hopefulness.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, Edmund and Gertrude Elsner and brothers-in-law, Capt. Michael C. Wunsch and Richard S. Walter. He is survived by and will be dearly loved and remembered by: his wife and co-pilot in life for over 60 years, Judy; brother Ed and wife Bev; sister, Carol Walter; brother-inlaw Ted Wunsch and his wife, Dee; sisterin-law Suzanne Johnson and her husband, George; son David and his wife, Karen; daughter Nancy (Werkheiser) and her husband, John; grandchildren Chris and his fiancée Ally (Brown), Lizzy, Natalee, Kate, and Adam, and many adoring nieces and nephews, extended family, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, Judy asks that donations be made in Bruce’s name to First United Church of Christ, 151 South 4th Street, Quakertown, PA 18951 to support the music department or to Wounded Warrior Project.

Arrangements are in the care of the C.R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc., Quakertown.

dAvid l. Fluck, 81, of Quakertown, passed away on Monday, April 14, 2025, at St. Luke’s Hospice House in Bethlehem. Born on May 1, 1943, in Quakertown, he was the son of the late Herbert F. and Bertha D. (Schultz) Fluck.

A graduate of Quakertown High School, he went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from the Pennsylvania State University, as well as a Master of Arts in Music from Michigan State University.

David enjoyed a thirty-five-year career, which began in 1965, as an elementary school instrumental music teacher for the Pennridge School District, teaching at Sellersville Elementary for the majority of his career, retiring in 2000.

Outside of work, he enjoyed antique cars—especially his 1956 Imperial Southampton, records, playing in the Quakertown Band, as well as briefly playing in the Bell Choir at First United Church of Christ in Quakertown.

He was a member of the First United Church of Christ in Quakertown.

David will be lovingly remembered by his cousins: Daniel Ritter, Philip Ritter, Barbara Scotese, Denise Capaldi, and Nancy Weismuller; as well as numerous friends, former colleagues, and former students.

Interment will follow in Quakertown Union Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made—in David’s name—to First United Church of Christ, 151 South 4th Street, Quakertown, PA 18951.

Arrangements are in the care of the C.R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc., Quakertown.

JohN e. Frymoyer, 65, of Quakertown, PA, passed away on April 13, 2025. He was born in Reading, PA on November 1, 1959 to the late Carl R. Frymoyer Sr. and Mary L. (DaDamio) Frymoyer. John was an auto mechanic for most of his life. John enjoyed skiing, racing, and football. He really enjoyed going on bus trips with family and friends to different NASCAR tracks. John was a member of Calvary Bible Fellowship Church in Coopersburg, PA.

John is survived by his daughter Kenadee Carreras; siblings Carl Frymoyer Jr. and significant other Beverly Hudock, William Frymoyer Sr., husband of Susan, Anita Miller (wife of the late Brian Miller), and Jeffrey Frymoyer Sr., husband of Melody; and many other loving family and friends. He is predeceased by his parents and 3 half-siblings, Sharon (Frymoyer) Yasso, Janice (Frymoyer) Gromling, and Jan Frymoyer.

Arrangements by Naugle Funeral & Cremation Service, (nauglefcs.com).

lois i hAFler, 98, of Quakertown, passed away on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Upper Bucks Campus.

Born on October 30, 1926 in Brunswick, Maine, she was a daughter of the late Harold and Helen (Bagley) Ormsby.

Following her formal education, Lois entered the workforce as an office worker on the Navy base in Brunswick, where she met her late husband. After relocating to Quakertown, she held employment as a machine operator in local garment factories, served as a sales associate in the Women’s Department at the former

~Obituaries~

Leh’s Department Store, and operated the Telford Fashion Outlet with her late husband. In her retirement, she took a job with the Penny Power, which she loved, working there until she was 88. She was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Perkasie, where she also served on the Altar Guild and was part of the “Lunch Bunch.”

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Wilson Hafler, Jr.; a son, Dennis Hafler; a daughter-in-law, Jean Storck Hafler; brothers, Donald Ormsby and Harold Ormsby, and a sister, Elizabeth Moody.

Lois will be lovingly remembered by her son, David Hafler and his wife Barbara; grandson, Brian Hafler and his wife Kate; granddaughter, Amanda Hafler; two great-grandchildren, Riley and Jason Hafler, and many cherished nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held at Peace Lutheran Church, 100 Old Bethlehem Road, Perkasie, PA 18944 on Saturday, May 3, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at 10:00 a.m.

Interment will be in Tohickon Union Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Lois’s memory to Home at Last Dog Rescue, P.O. Box 1341, North Wales, PA 19454 or online at homeatlastdogrescue.com.

Arrangements are in the care of the C.R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc., Quakertown.

christiNe hilFerty (nee Child) of Plumstead Township, PA, passed away Friday, December 6, 2024. She was 71. Chrissie was born in Doylestown, PA and grew up in Point Pleasant before moving to her tenacre homestead in Plumstead Township with her husband Patrick Hilferty. Chrissie loved nature, tending her gardens, growing vegetables and a vast variety of beautiful flowers. She was a wonderful cook and baker and enjoyed sharing meals with family and friends. She baked goodies on a regular basis, for the staff and residents at Neshaminy Manor while her mother resided there. Chrissie loved the Philadelphia Flower Show, displaying her flowers there for several years. She enjoyed visiting Longwood Gardens and the Wyatt Museum and looked forward to vacations on Long Beach Island, Florida and Vermont, where she spent much time with her "brother" Christopher. Chrissie loved Disney World and collecting Disney pins; Jiminy Cricket being her favorite. Chrissie was the beloved wife of the late Patrick J. Hilferty, an Army Veteran and Master Plumber. Chrissie was predeceased by her parents, Edward A. Child, Sr. and Gertrude (Hinterleitner) Child, and her sisters Patricia Fitting and Susan Knight. She was also the dear sister to Judith Nice who passed earlier this year. Chrissie is survived by her brothers Edward Child (Suzanne) and Eugene Child (Susan), her brother-in-law Louis Fitting, dearest friend and cousin Norwood Collins and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Humane Society or Fisherman’s Mark of Lambertville to assist in feeding others. Send condolences to www.varcoethomasfuneralhome.com

Arthur “Artie” AlleN hoch, 70, of Pennsburg, PA, passed away on April 22, 2025. Born in Quakertown, Artie was the son of the late Arthur Jacob Hoch and the late Grace Jane (Bittorf) Hoch.

Artie enjoyed his retirement spending time with his family. His grandchildren love playing pranks on him. His response was always, “you jerk”. Over the sum mer, you could find him at a local car show or fishing. He also enjoyed hunting and there was always a good story behind how he shot it.

Artie will be dearly missed by his wife, Jacqueline, together they shared 46 loving years of marriage; his children, Jessica Hoch and A Jay Hoch (Stephanie); his grandchildren, Tyler, Chloe, and Keith, Amara, and Sophia; his sibling, Sue Ryales (Wife of the late Joseph Ryales). Artie is predeceased in death by his parents.

Arrangements by Naugle Funeral & Cremation Service, (nauglefcs.com).

AvA gAil m. (WilsoN) JohNs, 79, of Quakertown and formerly of Cambria County, passed away on Monday, April 7, 2025, at Neshaminy Manor in Warrington, PA.

Born on September 12, 1945, in Gallitzin, PA, she was the daughter of the late Charles R. Wilson and Grace G. (Spahr) Santella.

A graduate of Altoona Area High School, she went on to earn a degree from Altoona Business School. She spent the majority of her career as a CRCST Technician at Doylestown Hospital, from which she would later retire.

She was a kind and generous person who had an awesome sense of humor. She had a joke for every occasion. She was an animal lover who had a fondness for dogs and cats. She enjoyed her television programs and loved going to the movies. She had tons of friends and everyone adored her.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by four brothers: Charles, David, Roland, and Michael Wilson.

Ava Gail will be lovingly remembered by her daughter: Stacey Rubolino; son: Brett A. Johns and step-son: Mark J. Johns; grandchildren: Robert Donaldson (Molly), James "Nic" Rubolino, and Sophia Rubolino (James Fogarty); great-granddaughter: Finley Donaldson; and brothers: Christopher Wilson and Jeff Wilson (Sue).

Arrangements are under the care of the C.R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc., Quakertown.

Joseph “Joe” kANe, 70, of Quakertown, PA, passed away on April 5, 2025. Born in Philadelphia, PA. Joe was the son of the late Martin Kane and the late Gertrude (Gibbs) Kane. Joe will be dearly missed by his beloved wife, Mary Frances, they shared 53 loving years together and 48 years married; his children, Erin Gero (Thomas) and Kristin Rider (Eric); his grandchildren, Brianna, Jacob, Tommy, Sophia and Reagan; his siblings, Elizabeth (John), Kay Pratt (Jim), James Kane (Pat) Mary Seltner (late Charles), and the late Rose Flynn, Martin Kane, John Kane, George Kane and Theresa Hoffman. He will be sadly missed by his extended family including nieces and nephews.

Joe worked at Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local 1 PA-DE as a craftsman for 40 years and he remained an active member there after retiring.

Arrangements by Naugle Funeral & Cremation Service, (nauglefcs.com).

WAlter AlleN kerNechel, 85, of Kintnersville, PA, passed away on March 27th, 2025, at Above and Beyond at The Knights Nursing Home. Born in Quakertown, PA, Walter was the son of the late William Kernechel and the late Sarah (Schaffer) Kernechel.

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Walter attended Quakertown High School. He served 4 years in United States Army. He worked as an electrician for many years.

Walter will be dearly missed by his wife, Ann, together they shared 66 loving years of marriage; his children, Michael (Terri), and Lorie Hearing (Jim); his Grandchildren Lauryn Hearing and Michael T. Kernechel; Walter is also survived by his brother Chester, along with many nieces and nephews.

Walter is predeceased by his siblings Harold, Arthur, Ruth, Dorothy, Russell, Kathryn, Ray, Ethel, Richard, Grace.

Arrangements by Naugle Funeral & Cremation Service, (nauglefcs.com).

deBorAh (mANoNe) lovette, 69 years young, of Perkasie, went to be with our Lord on Sunday, April 20, 2025.

Debbie was born in South Philadelphia on April 16, 1956.

She was the longtime life partner of the late Danny Ray, who passed away in 2015, and with whom she enjoyed many miles of motorcycle adventures. She enjoyed gardening, gambling, crafts, and being a rebel without a cause.

Debbie, known for her warmth, humor, and kind encouragement, was always the life of the party and a beloved bartender. She won best bartender for BuxMont. She loved her career and retired from the Telford Inn after 17 years.

Debbie is predeceased by her father Frank Manone, who passed away in 2014.

Debbie will be remembered by her loving and supporting family. Her mother: Theresa Passante; daughters: Lexi and Courtney; grandchildren: Gianna, Brooklyn, Dennis, Joey, and Saquon; sister: Lisa and her husband Michael; niece: Ciara; nephew: Austin; brother: Frank

and his wife Liza; and several cousins she adored.

Services will be private.

Arrangements are in the care of the C.R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc., Quakertown.

roBert mArlo, 68, of Coopersburg, passed away on April 12, 2025. He was born in Philadelphia on August 28, 1956 to the late William and Dorothy (Class) Pickett. Robert proudly served in the US Army from 1976-1979. He went on to work as a Lineman for Bell Telephone and would stay there until his retirement. Robert loved collecting model trains and photography. He enjoyed going out regularly for breakfast with his friends.

Robert is survived by his nephew James Craft & Eunjung Lee & family; cousin Lea & James Goodman & family; good friend Regina Paquetta & her family; and many other loving friends. He is predeceased by his parents; and sister Dorothea Pickett; and aunt Ruth Bradberry.

Arrangements by Naugle Funeral & Cremation Service, (nauglefcs.com).

elizABeth (Betsy) mccArty, loving mother and grandmother, passed away on March 30, 2025, at her home in Quakertown, PA.

She was the wife of Herman (Mick) McCarty Jr., with whom she shared 45 years of marriage. Born in Philadelphia, PA, she was the oldest of seven children of Robert Fournier and Florence Morrison Fournier.

She loved gardening, reading, spending time with her children and grandchildren, and spending as much time as she could with her feet in the sand and the sun on her face at the beach.

She is survived by her sons, Bryan McCarty (Diana McCarty) and Kevin McCarty (Justin Rice); her daughter, Heather McCarty (Patrick Kenyon); her grandchildren, Isabel McCarty, Adriana McCarty, and Gabriel McCarty; and her siblings and their families. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and her loving brother, Bob.

Arrangements by Naugle Funeral & Cremation Service, (nauglefcs.com).

zygmuNt heNry pApciAk passed away unexpectedly on April 5th at age 87, and will be remembered as a practical joker with a wicked sense of humor, a passionate sports fan, and for his extraordinarily “colorful” language.

“Ziggy” was born in Quakertown PA on July 28, 1937, to Henry Papciak and Anna Dwulit. He grew up on a dairy farm that was owned and operated by his Polish immigrant grandfather, Zygmunt, for whom he was named.

Ziggy married Joyce Elaine Faith in 1963, and they raised three children together.

Ziggy is preceded in death by his grandson Joshua in 2002, and his wife Joyce in 2008. He is survived by a son, Bryan; daughter Karen Seemann and son-inlaw Bert Seemann; and daughter Elaine Papciak. His grandchildren are Matthew Seemann and granddaughter-in-law Rachel Shallue, and Alyssa and Owen Seemann.

Arrangements by Naugle Funeral & Cremation Service, (nauglefcs.com).

edNA mAe schAeFFer, 86, of Quakertown, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at her home surrounded by family.

Born on December 1, 1938, in Quakertown, she was a daughter of the late David and Mae (Owens) Rotenberger.

A graduate—and valedictorian—of Quakertown High School’s Class of 1956, she went on to enter the workforce. Edna Mae enjoyed a career as an Office Manager for Todd Motors, Bracalente, and later retired from V & M Tool.

Outside of work, she found joy in crocheting, making porcelain dolls (including their clothing), and cooking. Above all, though, she loved being with her family— her home was a place where everyone was welcome and eager to be a part of.

With a Bible full of annotations and page markers, she held a deep faith and commitment to Jesus Christ.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her sister: Carol Rotenberger.

Edna Mae will be lovingly remembered by her husband of sixty-seven years: Richard W. Schaeffer; son: Richard A. Schaeffer (Patricia); daughter: Rochelle Lang (David); brothers: David Rotenberger, Jr. (Barbara) and Denny Rotenberger (Jody); grandchildren: Jacob, Tiana (Matt), Annika (James), Austyn, Trevor (Rachel), and Susie (Ken); great-grandchildren: Addalynn, Elena, Carter, Hannah, Maverick, Hailey, and Lucas; nieces and nephews; as well as the various extended family who fondly called her “Grandma E.”

Arrangements are in the care of the C.R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc., Quakertown.

mAdeliNe r schrAder, 90, of Quakertown, passed away peacefully in her home on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Born on February 16, 1935, in Abington, she was the daughter of the late Willie and Concetta Uhlig.

Madeline was a member of the Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Sarasota Florida.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband: Robert Schrader who passed away on April 26, 2023; and brothers: Emil, Alvin, Art Uhlig.

Madeline will lovingly be remembered by her sons: Richard Bitner (Heather), Kenneth Bitner (Sherry), and Jonathan Bitner (William); daughter: Constance Hines (Steve); stepchildren: Todd Schrader (Ana), Steven Schrader, and Robin Averett; grandson: Ian Richard Bitner (Vicki); and five great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank Visiting Angels and Linda for their dedicated and compassionate care.

Services will be private.

Arrangements are in the care of the C.R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc., Quakertown.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, 7461 Prospect Road, Sarasota, FL 34243.

Joseph “Joe” JohN simoN, 64, of Kutztown, PA, passed away at Hershey Medical Center on April 5th, 2025. Born in Texas, Joe was the son of the late Joseph John Simon Sr. and the late Gertrude Simon.

Joe attended Columbia-Montour Area Vocational-Technical School and graduated in 1978.

Joe worked for Primerica Financial Services in Quakertown, PA, as a life insurance licensing instructor for many years and other various insurance fields.

Joe grew up in Bloomsburg, PA, where he and Mary would attend the fair each year. Joe and Mary were currently attending The Bridge Church in Hamburg, PA.

Joe will be dearly missed by his wife, Mary, together they shared 31 loving years of marriage; his aunt, Gweneth C. Miller; his cousins, Dale H. Carodiskey Jr. and Jennifer R. Yost (Charles); along with extended family members and friends.

Arrangements by Naugle Funeral & Cremation Service, (nauglefcs.com).

george thomAs,v, born on May 16, 1937, died on Monday, April 28, 2025, in Lewisburg, PA, having enjoyed his roller coaster ride of life experiences.

His favorite pastime was reading, learning, and taking hundreds of hours of undergraduate and graduate college courses in mainstream and an esoteric, eclectic mix of subjects. He also enjoyed listening to music in nearly all genres and traveling far and wide.

At eighteen, George felt he owed a debt to the country and to honor the men and women who served during WWII and the Korean War and joined the U.S. Army for three years. He was fortunate to be given the responsibility and experiences implied by the Army commercial “Be All You Can Be.”

As a young lad, George remembered seeing Civil War Veterans in a Fourth of July parade. He also saw Spanish American War Veterans and WWI Veterans in later Fourth of July parades. Now we are losing the last of the living WWII and Koren War Veterans. Unfortunately, the country has lost the patriotic spirit embodied in those former Fourth of July parades.

Approaching his end-of-life, George reflected on his greatest disappointment. It wasn’t the roads not taken. It is the moral decay infecting our country, concern for its future, and inability to reverse the downward spiral.

He believed some of the most prominent politicians of our times lack any sense of morality and was mystified that those politicians have many followers that think the lack of any morality is admirable. Born in Bethlehem, he was the son of

the late George, IV and Mary Roberts Thomas. George enjoyed the love and companionship of his late wife, Janet Johnson, for nearly fifty years, the loving care of his two children: George VI of Seattle, WA and Elizabeth of Lewisburg, PA; his sister: Mary T. Carl; his brother: J. Preston Thomas, II; and his faithful companion, Lucky.

Living in many places, including Europe, NYC, DC, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and the California desert, was a joy and each made him feel at home and as if he always lived there. Tehachapi, CA was his favorite.

George was fortunate to have a dozen, close, long-term friends, and had rewarding work experiences. He worked as a professional photographer and with data processing at Air Products and Chemicals, J.T. Baker Chemicals, American Olean Tile Company, the Naval Aviation Supply office, and for the Pennsylvania Department of Education. On weekends, as a guest user of the NIH and GEICO computer systems, George honed his computer skills by testing features available in the latest IBM software.

He was a member of the Upper Saucon Lions Club, a lifetime member of the NRA, and former member of the Upper Saucon Planning Commission and Sewer Authority.

George believed in the Humanist Creed and was a member of the Ethical Society.

A private viewing is scheduled for his family to say “Farewell and Rest in Peace.”

Arrangements are in the care of the C.R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc., Quakertown.

Per Mr. Thomas, no memorial contributions are requested, but should someone wish to contribute to a charity, they should make a donation to their favorite charity or to The Salvation Army Allentown Crops., 144 North 8th Street, Allentown, PA 18101, or Doctors Without Borders, 40 Rector Street, FL 16, New York, NY 10006.

ANNA uhrich, 90, of Sellersville, entered her Heavenly home, with her family by her side, on Monday, April 14, 2025, at Belle Terrace in Quakertown.

Born on January 30, 1935, in Sellersville, she was a daughter of the late William B. and Agnes E. (Steich) Dierolf.

Following her formal education, Anna joined the workforce, holding employment with the U.S. Gauge for twenty-five years until her retirement. She then went on to enjoy gardening for The Washington House in Sellersville until her final retirement in 2016.

Outside of work, she was an enthusiastic fan of the Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies. Anna had a green thumb and her most loved hobby was tending to her house plants and beautiful flower garden. She also collected coins. Anna was one of those rare people who loved to clean. Over the years, she had pet dogs, cats and fish and was a member of the SPCA. All animals were dear to her heart. Anna attended East Swamp Church in Quakertown.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her sister: Eleanore Gellock; a niece: Denise Culton; two nephews: Neil and Wayne Culton, and her great-nephew: Benjamin Culton.

Anna will be greatly missed by her brother: William Dierolf; three nephews: Brent Dierolf, Brian Dierolf (Jaime), and Mark Culton (Barbara), two great-nieces: Liz and Rebecca Dierolf, four great-nephews: Mark, Adam, Joshua and David Culton, six great-great nephews and three great-great nieces.

Interment is in Old Zionsville Lutheran Cemetery.

Arrangements are in the care of the C.R. Strunk Funeral Home, Inc., Quakertown.

irviN AllAN WesterFer of Richlandtown, passed away on Friday, March 28, 2025, at the age of 82. He was the son of the late William and Catherine (nee Schwartz) Westerfer. Irvin is survived by his three children, Barbara Ann DeMedio, Irvin Jr. (Jackie), and Tracy Davies (Brian); his eight grandchildren; and his five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by several siblings, Gary, Stephen, David, Linda, John, and MaryLou, and has joined several siblings, the late Nancy, Norbert, Bill, Catherine, Patricia, and Don, all of whom we are sure welcomed Irv.

Irv worked at Nyce Crete/Landis Block as a dispatcher for almost 40 years until his retirement in 2007.

He was happiest when he was in his garden and even initiated a small gardening group when he moved into a 55+ retirement community in 2019.

Arrangements by Naugle Funeral & Cremation Service, (nauglefcs.com).

richArd dAle White, Jr , age 61, of Quakertown, Pennsylvania, passed away unexpectedly on April 5, 2025, at his home in Ottsville, PA.

Raised in Newtown Pa, he was a 1982 graduate of Council Rock High School. Rich spent his whole life in farming and construction. He had a life-long love of horses, the outdoors, making and building things, and working with his hands. Rich was also into race cars, old tractors, and music. As a musician he played bass in the band Smoked Whitey.

He is survived by his son Richard White III and his wife Becky. His granddaughters, Baylee and Mia. His parents, Richard D. and Margaret (Peggy) White. His siblings, Ted White (Wendy) and Robin White Dengler; and by many extended family members and friends. He will also be missed dearly by his fiancé, Kathleen Heston.

Arrangements by Naugle Funeral & Cremation Service, (nauglefcs.com).

Joseph eArl zimmermAN, sr., 75, of Bethlehem, passed away on March 25, 2025, surrounded by his family, listening to Motown which he enjoyed his entire life. He was born in Somerville, NJ on August 27, 1949 to the late Joseph and Arlene (Roll) Zimmerman. He was the loving husband of the late Shirley Ann (Grob) Zimmerman for nearly 30 years. Joseph enjoyed fishing with his brother, was an avid hunter, and tending to his gardens.

Joseph is survived by his children Joseph Earl Zimmerman Jr. (Lisa) and Judy Zimmerman (Scott Barthol); grandchildren Maria and MaryRose Barthol; siblings Donald Zimmerman (Rita) and Donna Kline (Sherwood); and many other loving family and friends. He is predeceased by his parents; wife Shirley; grandson Anthony Joseph Zimmerman; and sister Tracy Jean Zimmerman. His late uncle Earl ensured he'd be ushered into heaven with bright red toenails.

Arrangements by Naugle Funeral & Cremation Service, (nauglefcs.com).

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As a dog trainer, I frequently hear concerns like "I can only give my puppy her dog food— no treats or chews!"

Puppies with sensitive stomachs often struggle to find safe options to satisfy their natural chewing instincts. Fortunately, beef cheek rolls are often the perfect solution for this common issue.

Although beef cheek rolls resemble traditional rawhide, there’s a key difference: they’re made from a single piece of beef cheek, not leather industry byproducts. This makes them significantly more digestible and safer for puppies and dogs alike. Additionally, beef cheek rolls are free from artificial additives and harsh processing, which makes them ideal for dogs with dietary sensitivities or picky eaters.

Why Beef Cheek Rolls are a Fantastic Choice

Durable: A 5–6-inch beef cheek roll can last up to a week for super chewers who spend 30 minutes to an hour chewing daily. Dogs with softer mouths often enjoy them for even longer, making these rolls highly reliable.

Cost-Effective: At roughly $4 per roll, these chews offer excellent value for their longevity compared to other products.

Safe Chewing: Unlike rawhide, which can splinter and break into large chunks, beef cheek rolls soften as dogs chew. This allows dogs to nibble off small, digestible pieces, which helps avoid choking hazards or digestive blockages.

Gentle on Stomachs: Because they are so sturdy, dogs consume minimal amounts at a time. This makes them less likely to upset sensitive stomachs, even with frequent use.

Boredom Buster: Puppies and dogs love chewing, and these rolls provide extended mental stimulation and keep them occupied. They also don’t emit strong odors, which is a plus for indoor use.

My Personal Experience with Beef Cheek Rolls

With over two years of using beef cheek rolls, I’ve found them invaluable for my dogs, including my super chewer Kelce. Her sensitive stomach hasn’t been upset by these durable chews, even after frequent sessions. They’ve been a lifesaver for redirecting her natural chewing behavior away from furniture and other inappropriate items.

A Minor Drawback

Beef cheek rolls can leave a sticky residue as dogs chew. To address this, I recommend using a towel or designating a washable dog bed for chewing sessions.

For sensitive-stomach puppies, beef cheek rolls are a safe, effective, and cost-friendly option that meets their needs while protecting their health! submitted by marioN c o’Neil cPdt-ka, ctdi, owNer aNd iNstructor for molasses creek dog traiNiNg, llc, QuakertowN aNd traiNer for ruNaway farm Pet HosPital, PeNNsburg sHe caN be reacHed at molassescreek@verizoN Net

I have twenty-seven pairs of shoes.

That’s ridiculous. And, I just bought a new pair of sneakers this week. Hokas. Black with white bottoms. My wife loves hers, but she walks 7-10 miles every day and needs very good quality (also known as very expensive) shoes.

I walk from the couch to the fridge. I should be able to survive using the lime green no names that I purchased many years ago for $2.99. Yes, that’s right. $2.99, and yes, bright lime green. But they were cheap. And easy to find in the dark. Another plus.

Now I bought these $165 massive monstrosities that look like the clown shoes you might see at the Big Apple Circus. I may have to contact Clowns “R” Us to order a red nose and squirty flower before I venture out. (Yes, there really is a Clowns “R” Us.

Not to be confused with Clownz R Us.)

Back to my many pairs of shoes. I didn’t include the Sanuks or sandals in that number, or my water-shoes. Just good old shoes and sneakers.

One day Shelli and I went walking on the long wooden boardwalk at Belmar, and I left my shoes at the edge of the boards, right where it overhangs the kids making out in the sand, to walk along the ocean a bit. When we returned, my sneakers were gone. To be fair, no one actually saw a clown running off with their arms up high, a sneaker in each hand, yelling “I’ve got new sneakers”!

I asked around.

So, barefoot, we ventured across the street to the tiny surf shop to buy my first pair of Sanuks. If you’ve never seen, they’re not quite sandals, but not quite

shoes. Definitely not a good choice for someone with really bad foot problems, but they were a very cool faded orange, and I needed something!

I love them so much that I later bought a black pair that I began to wear to work until the boss yelled at me. I guess they clashed with my tie. (I was also reprimanded for walking around with my shirt out. This was before it became fashionable, and the first time I have ever been fashion forward.”)

Anyway, I now have three pairs of Sanuks, one black and two orange, and quite a few sandals. But, again, these are not included in the twenty-seven.

I am currently recuperating from my second bunion surgery, and a small part of my collection is due to the aforementioned bunion, which as it continued to widen, eventually outgrew each then current model of shoe. My dad was smart. He had the same condition, but he would just get a razor blade, and cut an X in the side where the bunion would stick through. Unlike me, dad was not fashion forward.

To be completely truthful, some of the shoes/sneakers looked good at the store when I was in a bind, but not so great once I got home. Some didn’t fit that well, some I suddenly decided thirty minutes after buying that I didn’t like, and for some reason, purchased a few brown pair, which is very odd, because I only wear black pants.

I don’t even have a pair of brown. Blue, but not brown.

Thinking of blue, it feels like a great day to take a drive back down to Belmar. I sense a nice pair of sapphire Sanuks are in order.

joHN scHaNiNger is a lifeloNg resideNt of

QCHS Alumni Spotlight:

John Rivers, Class of 1937 Part II

BY RAY FOX '66

Part One of the QCHS Alumni Spotlight in April's issue about John Rivers brought about contacts and reactions especially from people who had heard about him from their parents or other relatives.

Part One was about his early life, how he arrived in Applebachsville, the Horne family who became his foster family, his time in the Quakertown School District, his life shortly after graduation, and his professional boxing career. Part two of the John Rivers story covers a much shorter period (about nine months) but is extremely important to tell.

As an added part to this story and because Memorial Day falls at the end of this month, I thought it would be respectful to include all the former Quakertown High School graduates who died in service to our country. This will be included near the end of this article.

To start this article, it is interesting to note that in 1937 John had tried to enlist in the Marines but failed his physical because of flat feet. It is amazing how time changed once the US entered World War II. As President Franklin Roosevelt said, December 7, 1941 is a day that will “Live in Infamy.” The lives of Americans changed on that day. And so did the life of John Rivers. It was on January 5, 1942 that John was inducted into the Marines. Like generations of Marines, John was sent to Parris Island, NC for basic training. For Marines, basic training at Parris Island was for eight weeks and stories about how tough Marine training there have been told for years.

In John’s case, due to the need for soldiers to fight the war, basic training was for five weeks. On February 13, John finished boot camp and was sent to New River, NC for two and a half months of advanced combat training. The Marines had set up the camp at New River near the coast of NC to be a replica of the jungles of Southeast Asia. Two training friends of John’s, Al Schmid from Philadelphia and Lee Diamond from New York were part of this training and part of the rest of John’s story.

John was part of the 11th Machine Gun Squad, H Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines. The Battalion consisted of 1,000 men who were divided into over twenty machine gun squads. John was the gunner for his squad with Schmid being the assistant gunner. John’s job was to fire the sub machine gun and Al’s job was to load the machine gun for John. In March, 1942 John had his first leave. During that

visit the Hornes and to visit friends. At the end of May, John had a second and last leave when he came home again and added to his visit, time at the Bethlehem Boys Club (where his boxing career began as mentioned in Part One). The chain of command for the 2nd Battalion had formed early in John’s training at New River. It included Commander Alexander Archer Vandegrift, who became a Medal of Honor winner, Colonel Clifton Yates who was a decorated World War I hero, and Lt. Colonel Edwin A. Pollock who took command of the 2nd Battallion in April. Pollock, like John, was also a winner of the Navy Cross for his courage on the Alligator River in Guadalcanal.

After training and leave time, John and his Battalion were loaded on a train for the trip across the US. They arrived in San Francisco and on July 22nd set sail on the USS George F. Elliot for New Zealand. The Marines were well fed and had time to bond with each other on ship. To pass time, there were also boxing matches set up which, of course, John had to participate. It is believed that John’s last letter home was written while on ship and sent to Mrs. Squire Kepner. In it he mentioned about leaving New River, the train ride across the country, and the ocean voyage. Other topics in his letter included, “How did the boys make out in school? What is new around town? I’ll be home by X-mas. Hope you are all fine, Johnny. P.S. Tell Sonny, if they still sell them, I’d like to reserve a season ticket in Football.”

During these months in the South Pacific many battles were occurring as the Japanese and US fought island by island for control of the Pacific. It was on June 26 that Commander Vandergrift learned that his 1st Marines were to invade Guadalcanal and the nearby island Tulagi in less than six weeks. When the 5th Marines arrived at Tulagi Island they were met with heavy resistance from the Japanese. On August 7 the 5th Marines again led the charge on to Guadalcanal followed by the 1st Marines. Surprisingly, there was no resistance on Guadalcanal. John and his unit secured the air strip and then began to set up camp and prepare for the battle they knew would come. It was not long after disembarkation that the Elliot was blown up by a Japanese bomber.

bombing by day and ship shelling by night from the Japanese. The Marines dug their fox holes deep and survived the bombing. Getting enough ammunition and food was a difficulty for those days.

The Marines dug in for the battle ahead which was preceded by three days of

(top left) A picture of the location in Guadalcanal where John Rivers was first buried in 1942. He is now interred at the National Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii. (in article above) a picture of John’s Purple Heart Award.

(bottom left) a picture of a letter sent from the U.S. Marine Headquarters to the Horne family awarding John the Navy Cross.

(top right) A picture of the plaque honoring QCHS graduates who died in service to our country.

On the fifth day there they were limited to two meals per day. John, Al, and Lee were dug in together at a strategic location. The Battle of Guadalcanal of the Tenaru River really took place at the Ilu River at a place called Alligator Creek. On August 18, shortly after midnight 2,000 highly trained Japanese troops landed to be challenged by 900 Marines. The battle raged for 3 days and it was on August 21 that John died. Al Schmid was blinded in that battle and took over John’s place firing the machine gun even while blinded. Lee Diamond was also wounded and unconscious. It is believed that John, Al, and Lee are responsible for killing over 200 Japanese that day. All three of them received the Navy Cross for valor as well as Purple Hearts. Among the dead that day, four Navy Crosses and two Silver Medals were awarded. The Battle of Guadalcanal was a battle that proved to the Marines that they could stand up to the best trained troops of Japan. This became quite significant as battles to control the Pacific Islands continued.

John was initially buried on Guadalcanal in row 3, plot 7 with a simple cross bearing his name. A picture of that site is included with this article. John’s grave was later transferred to Hawaii where he is buried in the National Cemetery of the Pacific at Punch Bowl Crater.

I want to thank Paul Gerhart, Commander of the John Rivers VFW for his help with gathering information and pictures for this article. I also want to give credit again to F.L. Betz, author of the book Johnny Rivers, American Marines. The Quakertown V.F.W. was named after John Rivers on November 13, 1991. The previous name was the Quakertown V.F.W. Gerhart made an interesting observation when I met with him to gather facts for this article. He said, “It is interesting how John Rivers life came full circle. He was living in a Lutheran Orphanage, when he was taken in by a Lutheran Family (the Hornes), and the V.F.W. named after him is rented from a Lutheran Church. The members of the V.F.W. are still working to try to have John award the Medal of honor.

The Quakertown Community Alumni Association encourages alumni to participate in the Association activities. Its mission includes fundraising to provide scholarship opportunities each year for graduating seniors. Please check out our Facebook Pages “Quakertown High School Alumni Association” and the Alumni pages of the QCSD.org website for more information. We are a 501(c)3 organization and always welcome any contributions toward our scholarship endeavors. If you are interested in donating, email Qchsalumniboard@gmail. com and you will receive instructions on how to do so. Comments and ideas for future articles can be sent to Ray Fox at rdefox@msn.com.

The Alumni board is a group of dedicated people who strive to support the students and alumni as much as we can. You could say that we “bleed blue” but more importantly, that we embody two commonly known Quakertown mottos:

“Enter to Learn; Leave to Serve.”

QHS Graduates Who Died in Service to our Country

As mentioned at the beginning of this article, I want to honor other Quakertown High School graduates who died in service to our country. Extensive research was done by Robert Roth to arrive at this list and a plaque hangs in the Sr. High School with all their names. The Quakertown Community Education Foundation, Bob and Carol Hunsworth Roth, and Dave and Lila Taylor Tyson were responsible for placing this plaque in the High School. With Memorial Day at the end of May, it is important to remember these people.

World War I

C. Russell Leitch Class of 1911

Ivanhoe Metz Class of 1913 World War II

Raymond F. Pfaff Class of 1926

Donald Eugene Hoffman Class of 1934

Alexander Evanko Class of 1936

Harry R. Maurer Class of 1936

John Rivers Class of 1937

Harry Swartz Class of 1937

Harry B. Booth Class of 1938

Russell Allison Class of 1939

Richard Schaffner Class of 1939

William T. Beck Class of 1941

Charles D. Benner Class of 1941

Alan R. Fluck Class of 1941

Philip Ingalls Class of 1942

Milford J. Rodgers Class of 1944

Ralph Beck Class of 1945

Oswin Moll Class of 1945

Korea

Clarence E. Rotenberger Class of 1945

Vietnam

Paul E. Gross Class of 1955

Atis. K. Lielmanis Class of 1957

Donald Kemmerer Class of 1959

Gary Holland Class of 1963

Blackbird Bluebird

Blue Heron Blue Jay Cardinal Catbird Chickadee Crow Dark-eyed Junco Eagle Goldfinch Grackle Hawk House Finch House Wren Mourning Dove Nuthatch Oriole Owl Robin Sparrow Starling Tufted Titmouse Woodpecker

Think Local. Buy Local. Be Local.

Finally, some nice weather! I’m not sure I ever told you people that I am A Therapy Dog. I go to Bell Haven Nursing home and sometimes to My Church, Morningstar Fellowship. I belong to an organization called Canines for Christ. The name really fits us because dogs are the closest to GOD’s unconditional love you will get on earth. That’s why our name backwards spells god. Before the COVID time we went to many other places but they waited too long to allow us back so we went to Bell Haven. Hope to see you all at Arts Alive! I’ll be the cute little dog in the carriage. ~ Love Peanut

The answers to the puzzles on this page are found elsewhere in this issue. Think Local. Play Local. Be Local.

Plant Sale Set for May 3 Rain or Shine

Penn State Master Gardeners of Bucks County will hold its annual plant sale on Saturday, May 3rd, from 9AM to 1PM at the Middletown Grange Fairgrounds located at 576 Penns Park Road in Newtown, PA 18940.

This highly anticipated sale will include donated plants from Master Gardeners, unusual perennials, annuals, vegetables and herbs, pollinator and butterfly plants, native plants, houseplants, shade plants, deer-resistant plants, container plants, and a beautiful selection of hanging baskets for Mother’s Day.

Penn State Extension Master Gardeners develop their horticultural expertise through participation in educational training classes. In exchange for their training,

Master Gardeners serve as volunteers for extension horticulture programs, including teaching, community demonstration gardens, and answering questions on county garden hotlines.

More than 80 knowledgeable Master Gardeners will be on hand during the sale to answer your home gardening questions.

Your plant sale purchases will support community outreach, local demonstration gardens, and gardening education.

Please note: No dogs are allowed. This event will be held rain or shine. Shoppers are encouraged to bring wagons or carts for easy carrying. The sale will accept cash, checks, and credit cards. For more information, call 267-483-2020.

photo by Kathleen Kimbel

The Importance of a “Revocable Living Trust”

BY ROBERT E. FRAVEL, ESQ.

I have long been of the opinion that Living Trusts are not the “one size fits all” estate planning solution that many once claimed them to be. However, that does not mean that Living Trusts do not have their advantages. This article will highlight some of the advantages associated with Living Trusts.

1.Avoidance of probate and keeps affairs private.

While the probate process in Pennsylvania is not overly burdensome, there are some fees that accompany the probate process and once the probate process begins, the amount, manner and method of asset distribution become public knowledge. One of the key advantages to using a living trust to avoid probate is that the amount, manner and method of asset distribution stay private and for many people privacy is a key concern. A revocable trust can protect the privacy of your property and beneficiaries when you die. Since it's not subject to probate, your trust agreement remains a private document. It doesn't become a public record for all the world to see. Your assets and who you've decided to leave your estate to will remain a private family matter.

2. Eliminates ancillary probate.

If a client owns real estate in a different state (Ex. A beach house in New Jersey), ancillary probate may be necessary in order for the personal representative to administer said real estate. Which means, that upon the death of the client, the personal representative of the client’s estate will have to open up an additional estate in New Jersey in order to properly handle the liquidation or title change of the beach house. However, if that beach house was part of a Living Trust, ancillary probate would not be necessary. The trustee would already have the legal authority to handle out of state assets.

3. Retention of control.

One distinct advantage of a Living Trust, is the grantor’s ability to maintain control over trust assets during his or her lifetime (the grantor is the person who created the trust and funded the trust with assets). With estate planning, we typically think of documents that dictate how our property will be managed when we are either unable to do so (i.e. Power of Attorney) or after we die (Will). However, if the grantor is also the trustee of the Living Trust, he or she will be able to retain control over the trust assets and have full authority to dispose of them during her lifetime. This means that if you want to change a provision in the trust document or even eliminate the trust all together, you, as the grantor, have every right to do so. If the trust were irrevocable, once that trust document is signed, the grantor could not change the terms.

4. Plans for incapacity.

A revocable living trust allows you to plan for mental disability. Assets held in the name of a revocable living trust at the time the grantor becomes mentally incapacitated can be managed by a successor trustee, someone the grantor names in the trust document to take over in the event he can no longer manage the trust himself. This is an advantage similar to that of a Power of Attorney. Estate planning is centered around planning for the unexpected, and any document that provides a plan in the event of incapacitation is very useful.

If you think that a Living Trust may be a beneficial addition to your estate plan, or if you are not sure if a Living Trust is the right estate planning tool for you, make sure you schedule an appointment with an estate planning attorney.

Employment Opportunities

Jackson Hewitt Tax Services

Quakertown Office. Flexible schedule, hourly pay and bonuses, tax preparation training, continuing education, Friends & Family discounts. quakertown.net/jh Krause Home and Lawn Care Seeking 2 or 3 individuals to expand business. Construction experience is helpful. Wage will be based on experience. References requested. Clean driving record and driver’s license required. 267-261-7671

The Proper Brewing Company Bartender,Dishwasher,Cook. kris@theproperbrewing.com or stop in at 117 West Broad Street, Quakertown

Naugle Funeral & Cremation Service, Ltd. is looking for folks who may have EMT, Ambulance, Fire fighter experience, retired, or just looking for part time work, open to assisting us with “transfers of decedents” at any hour of the day or night. This is one of the most important, yet delicate services we provide our client families. Empathy, situational awareness and strength are all needed for this part time job. If interested in hearing more, please contact Matt Grieco, managing director, directly at mgrieco@janauglefcs.com

Upper Bucks Area Places of Worship

Bible Baptist Church Meets at HIghland Park Dining Hall 415 Highland Park Road Sellersville, PA 18960

484-523-3333

www.biblebaptistcares.org

Pastor: Tom Harris

Bible Study Hour 9:30 am, Morning Worship 10:30 am, Services interpreted for the deaf Christ Church United Church of Christ 101 N. Main Street Trumbauersville, PA 18970 215-538-0142

christchurch10@verizon.net www.christchurchisalive.org

Pastor: David Heckler

A friendly, welcoming church. Change fear into hope, doubt into faith. God is calling.

Join us at 11am Sunday. Halleleujah! Christ’s Lutheran Church 218 East Broad Street Trumbauersville, PA 18970 215-536-3193

christselca@verizon.net www.christslutheran.com

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!

First United Church of Christ 151 S. Fourth Street Quakertown, PA 18951 215-536-4447

info@firstUCC.net www.firstUCC.net

Senior Pastor: Rev. Jon C. Bauman

Sunday worship 9:15 am. Sunday School Classes for all ages at 10:30 am. 2nd Saturday Free Community Lunch Pickup 9:00 am. 3rd Thursday Free Community Supper 5:30 pm

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more." Revelation 21:1 (nRSv)

One day, when I worked at a retirement home as a custodian a few years ago, I saw a man with an open bible, a pen, and maybe a notebook at a table in the cafe, so I stopped to chat with him to see what he was reading. He was reading from the book of Revelation, and he was wondering if now is the last of days, if Christ was coming back soon, and we spoke for a bit about those questions. It certainly wasn't the first time that I had a conversation about the end of the world, and it wasn't the last, either. The book of Revelation has been the source of a lot of interest, study, fear, confusion, and even obsession, since the time that it was written. Still, ever since I can remember, many of us turn to the last book in our bibles at times when the world just seems rife with conflict, and we ask ourselves and each other: Is now the time? Are they the antichrist, whoever they may be?

What does "taking the mark of the beast" really mean?

To the first readers of this book who followed the Jesus of Nazareth who had been crucified by Rome, and rose again, it

Good News Church 424 Juniper Street Quakertown, PA 18951

215-536-4393

Pastor: David Markey, Jr.

An alternative to the ultra-contemporary Sunday Worship and Children’s Church 10:30 am, Wednesday Bible Study 7:30pm, World Evangelism Fellowship affiliate.

Grace Bible Fellowship Church 1811 Old Bethlehem Pike N. Quakertown, PA 18951

215-536-6096

grace@quakertownbfc.org www.quakertownbfc.org

Sr. Pastor: Ron Kohl

Sunday School for all ages. 10:10am Morning Worship, Small group meetings 2nd & 4th Sundays 6:30pm; Tues: Ladies Bible Study 9:45am; Wed: AWANA (2 yrs - 6th grade) & Teens for Christ 6:30pm, Adult prayer meeting 6:45pm Juniper Street Bible Church 317 Juniper Street Quakertown, PA 18951

267-373-9115

Pastor: Derrick Thompson www.juniperstreetbiblechurch.org

Worship Sunday 10 am; also live on Facebook recorded to watch on Youtube. Bible study Tuesday 6 pm. We pray you will join us in worship and study.

Morning Star Fellowship 429 S. 9th Street Quakertown, PA 18951 215-529-6422

Pastors: John & Theresa Decker www.mstarqtown.org

Sunday Services at 9 am and 11 am. Our cafe is open with free coffee. Children’s Ministries provided. Celebrate Recovery on Tuesdays at 7 pm. Student Ministries on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm. Weekly Connections. For updates and schedule changes, check our website. Pennridge Christian Fellowship 720 Blooming Glen Rd Blooming Glen, PA 18911 215-257-7309

pastor@pennridgecf.org www.pennridgecf.org

Pastor: Thomas Vargis

Multicultural Charismatic church worshipping God in a casual, friendly atmosphere. Our service consists of song service, testimonies, and teaching of the word. Live Spanish translation & children’s service 10:30 Sunday worship.Livestream: fb.com/pennridgechristianfellowship

was not simply a prediction of what may happen; it was a description of what they heard, felt, and/or saw that was happening as the movement grew and drew the attention of Rome. But the message of the book to them wasn't to hunker down in fear, but to give them hope for justice to come to those they felt were above the law, and to remind them that God would not use an empire to lead his people, but would make empires bow to him.

Throughout the scriptures, that message is woven. It is the claim that God will make everything right, that the world will be restored to what it was before the fall in the Garden of Eden, and that the Kingdom of God is greater than the kingdoms of humanity. And from Genesis to Revelation, God called people to proclaim that we are not to give up in despair, nor are we to join in the corruption that we see and feel, but we are to live in the hope of God. We are called to embody the hope of the restoration of Eden in drawing closer to God, repenting of all that distracts us from Him, preaching the Gospel, being the hands and feet of Jesus Christ to those in our midst, and resisting the evil around us. We are also called to examine what and who we may be turning to who demand the allegiance and loyalty that is only due to God.

The beauty and the tragedy of the book of Revelation are within its ability to seem descriptive of our world at any given time. There will always be antichrists who draw us away from the ways of Jesus. There will

Quakertown United Methodist Church 1875 Freier Road Quakertown, PA 18951 215-536-4992 barb@qumc.com www.qumc.com

Pastor: Rev. Graham Truscott

Sunday schedule: Worship 8:30 am, Sunday School 9:45 am, Worship 11 am Communion first Sunday of each month. RCCG New Life Chapel 450 S. West End Blvd (Route 309) Quakertown, PA 18951 (732) 491-1914

pastor@rccgquakertown.com www.rccgquakertown.com

Pastor: Kayode Oluyemi Are you looking for the transformative experience through worship and the undiluted inspired word of God? Come to New Life Chapel on Sunday at 10am & Tuesday at 7pm. Richland Friends Meeting 206 S. Main Street Quakertown, PA 18951 (215) 538-7555

clerk@richlandquakers.org www.Richlandquakers.org

Join us Sundays at 10:30am

St. John’s Lutheran Church 4 South Main Street • PO Box 458 Richlandtown, PA 18955 215-536-5027 Admin@stjohnsrpa.org www.stjohnsrpa.org

Pastor: Rev Dr. David A Genszler

In person worship service Sunday at 9:30 am, Watch our Worship Service anytime on stjohnsrpa.org/sermon or on Facebook. Activity Center Rentals Open, Capacity 125, call 215-536-5027 to book.

St. John’s Lutheran Church of Spinnerstown PO Box 120 1565 Sleepy Hollow Rd Spinnerstown, PA 18968 (GPS Quakertown 18951) 215-536-0734 stjohnsspinnerstown@gmail.com www.stjohnsofspinnerstown.org

Interim Pastor: The Rev. Susan Lang Worship Service: 9:30 a.m. Service also is live-streamed on Facebook (St. John's Lutheran Church, Spinnerstown, PA) and video available on the church website.

always be wars and rumors of wars. And there will always be the temptation to deny what Christ has called you to be.

As I am currently reading through Revelation again in my personal devotional and study time, I have been reflecting upon it, and the message it teaches at any given point in history.

In whatever time the body of Christ finds itself within, we are called to do the same: Draw close to God.

St. John’s Lutheran Ridge Valley 910 Allentown Road West Rockhill Twp 215-257-9643

stjohnsridgevalley910@gmail.com www.stjohnsridgevalley.com

Pastor: Rev. Lauren Bruno 8:30am Traditional - 10:15am with 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 Evangelical Lutheran Church of Applebachsville 837 Old Bethlehem Road Quakertown, PA 18951 215-536-5789

stpaulsqtown@gmail.com www.stpaulsqtown.org

Pastor: Rev. David Heckler

We believe in sharing God’s love in joyful service. Come and see. All are welcome. St. Paul’s United Church of Christ 104 Green Street Sellersville, PA 18960 215-257-7268 secretary@stpaulsucc.net www.stpaulsucc.net

Sunday Worship 10:15 in Sanctuary Springfield Mennonite Church 1905 Pleasant View Road Coopersburg PA 18036 267-999-1404

Pastor: Robert W. Gerhart www.springfieldmennonite.org

Join us at 10:15 am Sunday Mornings for a Blended Worship Service, Multigenerational,lovingcongregation.Biblically and Doctrinally Sound. Trinity Lutheran Church 102 N. Hellertown Avenue Quakertown, PA 18951 (215) 536.4345 www.trinityquakertown.org

Pastor: Rev. Rachel Scheible 10:15 am Service, Handicap accessible, Family Friendly, Dynamic Music Ministry, Living God’s Love for All

Preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, make disciples, and baptize the faithful. Care for the needs of all people. Resist Evil.

And bow to no one but Christ.

"Let the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy" - Revelation 21:11 joN baumaN is tHe seNior Pastor at first uNited cHurcH of cHrist iN QuakertowN He caN be reacHed at jbaumaN@firstucc Net

QNB Bank Names

Melissa Pierson to Vice President, Branch Manager

Preservation Tips for Paintings, Prints

Melissa Pierson was recently hired and named Vice President, Branch Manager at QNB Bank’s Wescosville Office. In her role, Melissa is responsible for all aspects of branch management, including staff development, new business development, and supporting community and customer relationships. Melissa has eighteen years of experience in the banking industry, most recently serving as Vice President, Branch Leader at Truist Bank.

People love their collections. No matter the type of object—cookie jars, military memorabilia, fine art prints—collectors want to add to a collection, display their pieces, and enjoy learning more about their treasures. One of the most important aspects of collecting is preserving collectibles for the long term. Many collections include family heirlooms that will be handed down, so preserving a collection is very important. Here are some key points about how to protect, preserve, and prize your collections. Fight the Light Light is a problem when it comes to preservation of paintings and works on paper. UV protection using UV-filtered or opaque materials are key to preventing fading and light damage. One of the best ways to preserve fine art is investing in quality framing without class covering the surface of a painting. 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.

Unlike paintings which should not be framed under glass, prints require different protection. Prints and other works on paper like antique maps, historic documents, drawings, watercolors, etc. should be matted and framed under glass using materials that are acid free. This protects the object for the long term. For acid free materials like mats and storage boxes, a pH level of 7.0 or greater used at the time of manufacture and adhesives that are pH neutral are recommended. Works on paper are fragile and some acid free materials are made lignin free. Lignin can produce acid and darken paper known as tanning or acid burning. This is not what is desirable.

Some of the most critical damage that happens to art and antiques occurs when objects are stored. Although it is little known, significant damage can occur in storage. When you first put a piece in storage, everything is fine but over time, changes in temperature and humidity and other factors may affect condition. This happens when no one is looking. It is important to store objects in archival boxes intended for a particular type or size of collectible. Support is necessary for fragile objects and storage containers like archival boxes are constructed to stand the test of time. One size does not fit all when it comes to storage solutions.

Large paintings should be stored off the floor, preferably hanging up on secure hooks. If there is no room for such a storage solution, then store large paintings standing upright. While it may seem convenient, never lay paintings flat nor should they be stored face up under a bed or leaning against a sofa or other piece of furniture. Smaller paintings may be stored upright back-toback or face-to-face on separated shelves. Use acid free foam core dividers to prevent the wire on the back of one painting from scratching the front of another painting. 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.

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Brain Injury Warriors We are Super Heroes!

Brain Injury Awareness Month was celebrated at New Vitae Wellness and Recovery’s “Action Recovery” program on Thursday, March 27 at Anne’s Artisan Center. Staff and clients enjoyed a fun afternoon Superhero themed pizza party with games, photos, and plenty of treats and prizes. Peer Kylie shared her inspirational story of being a survivor. There was also an art exhibit with artwork featured by clients of the program.

A Brain Injury Warrior is someone who has experienced a brain injury—whether from trauma, stroke, illness, or other

causes—and continues to fight through the challenges of recovery, adaptation, and advocacy. It can also refer to caregivers, family members, and supporters who stand by those affected by brain injuries.

For Brain Injury Awareness Month the term "Brain Injury Warrior" celebrates resilience, strength, and determination. This event honors survivors and raises awareness about brain injuries. It’s a chance to recognize the courage it takes to navigate life after a brain injury and to build a community of encouragement and education.

Back Row (Left to right) Mathew Hatfield, Valarie Reese, Patrick Scaliti, Jaime Welzig, Luz Gonzalez, Audrie Roth, Robert Smith, Karen Givens. Bottom Row (Left to right) Leily Amparo, Ezri Lutz, Katelyn Koeing, Tantrell Hunt, Venessa Ojeda. photo by michele buono

What Is a Rent-Back Agreement?

If you’re buying a new home while selling the one you’re currently living in, you’ll definitely be glad to know what a rent-back agreement is.

As you might imagine, this double transaction can require some really good luck, timing wise, to get just right. After all, if you sell your home and have to move out before you’ve closed on your new home or even found a place to live, that means you’ll have to either find interim housing or pay to stay in hotel limbo. Either way, you’ll have to endure moving twice.

Not so with a rent-back agreement, which gives the sellers extra time to live in the home after closing, essentially letting them become the new buyer’s temporary tenants. It doesn’t last for long—there are usually time limits—but it will give sellers a chance to close on their new home and pack up for the big move.

For the buyer, offering a rent-back agreement can have a couple of big bonuses. For one, if it’s a competitive market, an offer that’s flexible on move-out dates might very well have an edge. And the rent that the seller would pay the buyer could help recoup those hefty closing costs.

Done right, it can benefit everyone, but there are some things to consider before you jump on board.

How a rent-back agreement works

Like the name implies, rent-back agreements are legally binding agreements made in writing between the buyer and the seller. Both parties need to decide on a couple of issues, namely how long the seller will need to stay in the house after closing and how much rent the seller will pay to be there. To figure out what rent would be fair, check out comparable homes for rent in your area.

To play it safe, the buyer may also charge a refundable deposit, just like any landlord would.

There’s always the chance that damages could occur while the seller is living

there. That’s why it’s a good idea to have a holdback deposit of anywhere between $5,000 to $10,000.

Once everyone agrees, the buyer will close on the house, at which point the buyer will officially take possession and pay any upfront costs like a normal closing. In addition, the seller will pay any security deposits or upfront rent and remain in the house.

What rent-back agreements mean for the seller

Getting more time to buy your next dream home can be a lifesaver, but don’t dawdle—a rent-back agreement won’t buy you much time.

Typically, lenders won’t accept anything longer than 60 days.

While you’re still at the property, there’s one more potential downside to deal with: It isn’t really yours anymore. You technically have a landlord now, which means if you cause any damages, you may not get your security deposit back.

What rent-back agreements mean for the buyer

If you’re not in a rush to move in, offering a rent-back agreement can help you get your dream home.

It really can make your offer stronger, but don’t take it too lightly. Since you’re the new owner (and the new landlord).

The buyer, like a landlord, is now responsible for making any repairs should, say, your water heater break. Plus, you may have to make those repairs immediately.

Buyers will also have to worry about the sellers actually moving out on time. It’s rare that they drag their feet, but it can happen. If so, you will have to go through the usual process landlords do, evict your tenants. Still, odds are all will go fine, and your sellers will be grateful they won’t have to move twice.

i love PHoNe calls, coffee dates, aNd House visits witH PeoPle i kNow & tHose i Have yet to meet i’m excited for tHe oPPortuNity to coNNect witH you! Please call me at 215-872-9865 today!

Weird State Borders

I’ve always enjoyed learning about geography and studying maps of any sort. Now-adays I also watch a lot of TV shows like, “How the State’s Got Their Shapes”, etc. Recently, on YouTube, a title caught my attention: “The Weirdest State Borders.” My interest in local history is well known and I’ve already learned how Pennsylvania’s present-day borders were determined. Consequently, when I tuned-in I wasn’t surprised that the first couple of weird state borders they featured involved Pennsylvania. Not PA directly, which is basically a rectangle. It’s our neighboring states of Maryland, West Virginia and Delaware that have weird borders. But, PA first. Its eastern border is simply the Delaware River. The northern border, which is pretty much a straight line, took a long while to establish. After several shooting wars with Connecticut over the Wyoming Valley, PA’s claim was upheld by the Federal Government in 1786, and the border drawn along the current latitude. Erie County was sold to the state by NY in 1792, to provide access to the Great Lakes. Those borders aren’t weird. However, drawing PA’s western and southern bor-

ders resulted in three weird panhandles. And there’s the unique, circular border PA has with Delaware. It’s our neighbors that earned a ‘weird border’ rating. Virginia’s original charter included the southwest corner of PA until after the Revolutionary War. The Ohio Country was vaguely defined as ‘those territories north of the Ohio River’. When the United States established the Northwest Territories in 1787, the border between PA and Ohio was ‘drawn’. It ran north/south between Lake Erie and an extension of the Mason/Dixon Line. As a result, Virginia retained a panhandle sliver along the Ohio River’s southern bank. When West Virginia seceded from the Confederacy in 1861 Wheeling was chosen as its first capitol city and efforts by Ohio and PA to get control of the western panhandle ended. WV’s eastern panhandle follows the Potomac River and the Mason/Dixon Line and is only three miles wide at one point.

Maryland has the weirdest borders of any state. Cecil Calvert’s/Lord Baltimore’s 1632 grant from King Charles I, was for all land “not previously settled by Europeans”, north of the Potomac River to the 40th parallel. Later, William Penn’s 1681 grant from King Charles II, gave him land north of the 40th parallel. 17th century surveying and cartography were often drastically inaccurate. The 40th parallel was well to the north of Philadelphia. Disputes between the Calverts and Penns

went on for generations. Militia was activated and Cresap’s War was ‘fought’ between the colonies in the Susquehanna Valley in 1736-37. The issue was finally settled in 1763, in PA’s favor, and Charles Mason and Jerimiah Dixon were ordered to survey a border between the two colonies. Maryland’s western boundary was the source of the Potomac River, so its narrow, western panhandle was formed.

Maryland also had border disputes with Virginia and Delaware. By 1632, Virginians had settled at the southern end of the Chesapeake Peninsula (Delmarva), and the Dutch, then the Swedes, had established colonies along Delaware Bay’s western shore. The “previously settled” clause in MD’s charter exempted those areas from MD’s control. In 1751, the court-ordered Trans-peninsular Line was surveyed. It ran from (now) Fenwick Island on the Atlantic coast to the Chesapeake Bay and separated Virgina from Maryland. A decade later the north/ south Delaware/Maryland border was established. Another part of Mason’s and Dixon’s assignment was to survey a line perpendicular to their east/west line that intersected the Trans-peninsular Line and was tangent to the “12 Mile Circle”. The 12 Mile Circle that forms the border between northern Delaware and SE PA is the only circular boundary in the United States. Its designation precedes all other ‘official’ boundaries drawn in the Delmarva/PA region. After the AngloDutch Wars and before the establishment of Pennsylvania, the Duke of York claimed for himself a radius of 12 miles around the courthouse in Newcastle, DE, which, at the time, was the largest port city on Delaware Bay. The Circle was laid out by surveyors Taylor and Pierson in 1701. Originally, Penn’s grant did not include old New Sweden on the east shore of Delmarva. However, in 1684 the Duke of York ceded his holdings to Pennsylvania. The Calverts and Penns continued to argue over the various

boundaries for the next 80 years, until Mason and Dixon finally settled it. Their ‘Lines’ were surveyed: east/west at parallel 39.43; north/south on a line tangent to the 12 Mile Circle that intersected the Trans-peninsular Line. Maryland lost territory and its border became even weirder. The 12 Mile Circle has caused disputes not just in the Colonial Period but between States on into the 21st century. The Wedge, a 1.068 square mile or 684acre sliver of land was delineated by the Mason/Dixon Lines’ intersections with the Circle and the 39.43 parallel. It was initially given to Pennsylvania but when the Lower Counties separated and formed Delaware, it claimed The Wedge. Not until 1921, were negotiations with PA finally settled, yielding the land to Delaware. In addition, and uniquely, the 12 Mile Circle is not subject to normal ‘river-rights’. Its eastern limit officially extends to the low tide mark on the New Jersey bay-shore. NJ argued that the Grotain Method of measurement (drawing boundaries down the middle of rivers), should be used and took DE to court in the 1820s. The Circle’s precedence was upheld. “New Jersey vs Delaware” reached the U.S. Supreme Court in 1907, 1934 and in 1935, when the court again refused to rule, or to ever hear the case again. Regardless, NJ persisted. A 21st century case stemmed from NJ’s plan to build a liquified natural gas plant on Delaware Bay’s eastern shore. It would violate elements of the state’s Coastal Zone Act and Delaware sued to stop the project. A March 21, 2008 Supreme Court decision, for the most part, reinforced Delaware’s special authority over the 12 Miles Circle. I already knew a lot of that stuff so you can see how I wasn’t too surprised when they were chosen for discussion in the “Weirdest State Borders” TV show.. jack scHick is a loNg time QuakertowN area resideNt aNd regular coNtributor Here at ubfP. reacH Him at sjckscHc@aol com

Knowledgeable investors are aware that investing in the capital markets presents any number of risks, including interest rate risk, company risk, and market risk. Risk is an inseparable companion to the potential for long-term growth. Some of the investment risks we face can be mitigated through diversification.1

As an investor, you face another, lesser-known risk for which the market does not compensate you, nor can it be easily reduced through diversification. Yet, it may be the biggest challenge to the sustainability of your retirement income.

This risk is called the 'sequence of returns risk'.

YMCA to Manage SOLECO Community Pool In Summer 2025

River Crossing YMCA is pleased to announce it will manage the Southern Lehigh Community (SOLECO) Pool at 3900 Jacoby Road in Coopersburg for the 2025 season.

Since 1964, when volunteers raised money for a pool to serve the community, the pool has been run by a group of dedicated, community volunteers, the SOLECO Community Pool Board. In early fall 2024, the board approached the YMCA to assume management of the pool. Conversations progressed quickly as the two organizations have a shared commitment to serving the community and providing basic water safety, progressive swim lessons, competitive swimming and personal fitness opportunities.

“We were thrilled to be contacted by the SOLECO Pool Board about the possibility of managing the pool this year,” commented Trish Feinthel, chief operations officer of River Crossing YMCA. “They are a passionate, community-minded group of individuals, and we know how

important the pool is to this community and the Southern Lehigh School District. We look forward to offering high-quality aquatics programs to swimmers of all ages, supporting the SOLECO Swim Team, and providing a fun, safe place for families to enjoy this summer.”

The SOLECO Community Pool has been a cornerstone of Southern Lehigh Living Memorial Community Park for well over 50 years offering an array of aquatics programs for all ages. The SOLECO Swim Team is part of the eightteam Suburban Swim League, which competes in meets throughout the summer. In addition to the lap and children's pools, the center includes a pool house, community activity room, snack bar, as well as lounge chairs and grassy areas for families and friends to gather.

The YMCA has opened summer pool membership and program registration. Please visit ymcarivercrossing.org/soleco for details.

The sequence of returns risk refers to the uncertainty of the order of returns an investor will receive over an extended period of time. As Milton Friedman once observed, you should, “never try to walk across a river just because it has an average depth of four feet.”

Sequence of Returns

Mr. Freidman’s point was that averages may hide dangerous possibilities. This is especially true with the stock market. You may be comfortable that the market will deliver its historical average return over the long-term, but you can never know when you will be receiving the varying positive and negative returns that comprise the average. The order in which you receive these returns can make a big difference.

For instance, a hypothetical market decline of 30% is not to be unexpected. However, would you rather experience this decline when you have relatively small retirement savings or at the moment you are ready to retire – when your savings may never be more valuable? Without a doubt, the former scenario is preferable, but the timing of that large potential decline is out of your control.

Timing, Timing, Timing

The sequence of returns risk is especially problematic while you are in retirement. Down years, in combination with portfolio withdrawals taken to provide retirement income, have the potential to seriously damage the ability of your savings to recover sufficiently, even as the markets fully rebound.

If you are nearing retirement or already in retirement, it’s time to give serious consideration to the “sequence of returns risk” and ask questions about how you can better manage your portfolio.

1. Diversification is an approach to help manage investment risk. It does not eliminate the risk of loss if security prices decline.

tHis article was submitted by bob Podraza of robert james iNvestmeNts at 1313 west broad street, QuakertowN He caN be reacHed at 215-583-5013 or at robertjamesiNvestmeNts com