community - Upper Bucks Free Press

Neighborhood Association Springs into Action
My wife and I attended a Quakertown
revitalization meeting at Borough
Hall at the end of last year. It was
simply, a coincidence. You see, my
next door neighbor inadvertently
dropped a flyer on our porch when
she knocked on our door to drop
off mail that was mistakenly placed
in her mailbox. The flyer claimed
there was a revitalization meeting
taking place at the Borough Hall
and being that my wife and I were
working on a plan to open a coffee
shop, it seemed like an important
meeting to attend.
do for someone else, even though
I am not a professional. There was
another resident that said she no
longer could keep up her yard but
had no intentions of moving. There
had to be someone in the community
that could assist her in their spare
time. Someone that could make the
simple wishes come true.
After the meeting it occurred to
me that there was a vast disconnect
between the Borough we lived in
and the residents that lived in it. The
powers that be seemed to be passing
legislation and making decisions
that no one was paying attention
to. After a good night sleep and
some in-depth discussions with my
wife, we decided it would be a great
idea to start a neighborhood group.
Something that could connect the
people in power with the people that
they served. So we came up with
the Quakertown Neighborhood
Association.
There was a gentleman there that
said he had a garage that needed to
be removed and said he did not have
the skills or the money to remove it.
The Borough had made it clear that
all structures on a homeowner’s
property are the responsibility of the
homeowner. My friends and I had
previously removed a garage for a
friend after he purchased a home
and the garage was falling over. I Our first meeting was organized
thought, it can’t be that difficult to through Facebook. We had 12
people at the first meeting which
was held at Borough Hall. At that
meeting it was decided that this idea
had a future, and one that could be
maintained with a little bit of hard
work. We had a very intense brain
storming session that night, and the
volunteers were put into place. At
the second meeting, we arranged
the outline for a board, and decided
to put together a website. With
the help of random officials of the
Borough, the word was beginning
to spread.
With the blessing of the
Borough Council we are now
the Quakertown Neighborhood
Association. We now have had one
meeting every month, organizing
the Neighborhood one section at
a time. We can now be reached
at Quakertownna.org and on the
Face book page at Quakertown
Neighborhood Association. Join
the Neighbors in bringing back
their community, one day at a
time. Serving the Quakertown
Borough, Richlandtown Borough,
Trumbauersville Borough, Richland
Township, Milford Township and
Haycock Township. We are here for
the people of the community, by the
people of the community. The way
it was in the beginning.
Our next meeting will be at the
Quakertown Historical Society on
April 20th at 7pm. The topics will
include Quakertown clean up day,
Relay for life, Arts Alive and many
other subjects. If you have a wish,
or a topic you would like to bring to
our attention, please contact us us at
[email protected]
Sincerely,
David T. Johnson Jr.
Marketing Coordinator
Quakertown Neighborhood
Association
What does “community” mean to you?
Community is a group of people in a common area or interest with a common goal to work
together for the betterment of the community.
David Zaiser, Workforce Manager, Quakertown Borough
A place where I live and feel a part of. A place where I feel safe.
Christine Heimark, Speech Therapist, Milford Township
A safe place with sidewalks and a place where most of us still wave at each other, which is
“old school cool.”
Mike Walsh, Consultant, Trumbauersville Borough
Knowing everyone and helping people out in your town.
Chris Shelly, Volunteer Firefighter & Food Service worker, Sellersville Borough
A place where relationships matter and folks try hard to care about their neighbors and
their surroundings.
Janet Stever, Artist & Director of Christian Education, Quakertown Borough
2
• Upper Bucks Free Press • April 16, 2010
Local Upstart Starts Up Community Publication
“Hey Chris! Who
won the Halloween
Parade?”
I was asked this exact question
several times by a number of
people in the weeks following last
year’s Quakertown Lions Club
Halloween Parade. I announce the
parade from the grandstand, but the
judging is left to a diehard group
of community members specially
tuned to the task. I didn’t know
the answer. Nobody else I asked
seemed to know the answer, either.
Very curious, indeed.
According to Tom Klee, the
parade’s coordinator, the names
of the winners in the various
categories were sent to a number of
local newspapers right away. The
results, however, did not appear to
be newsworthy enough to publish,
and the people of Quakertown
would be denied the knowledge for
which they so eagerly thirsted.
This anecdote is just one of many
small, seemingly insignificant,
instances where our friends, family,
and neighbors – our community –
got out there and did something,
yet the details went largely
unrecorded. Put those small puzzle
pieces together and now we’re
missing a big piece of what brings
and holds a community together –
communication.
Not only is it important for a
community to know what happened
in the past and whom were the
players, but also to know about what
will happen and how the community
can get involved. Be it a pancake
breakfast for the local fire company,
a rally to promote a cause, or even
a “Night Out” to discourage crime
and increase overall awareness in
the neighborhood. If folks don’t
know what is going on, a terrible
thing happens… nothing.
Through a series of purchases,
mergers, closures, twists, turns,
and aberrations, our community
lost its voice once called the Free
Press. You could pick that thing up
and see what your neighbors were
up to, who was born, who passed
on, who celebrated an important
milestone, what interesting events
were upcoming, and even learn the
winners of the Halloween Parade.
Not all those
who wander
are lost.
JRR Tolkien
All is not lost, however, fair citizens
of Quakertown and the surrounding
Upper Bucks area. There stands
an opportunity before us to restore
a vital communication link in our
community. In fact, I’ve already
taken the liberty of volunteering
your services to make it happen.
The Upper Bucks Free Press is an
initiative to report the who’s who
and what’s what of Upper Bucks
County.
Triumphs, challenges,
issues, tragedies, and joys… if it is
important to you, it is important to
others in your community, as well.
So share what you know in the form
of facts, figures, photos, and even
suggestions and disappointments.
Local News for You, by You.
The success of this community
publication is dependent upon three
key factors:
(1)
Content. After all, there has
to be something to read. There’s
plenty going on, so let us know!
(2)
Distribution. A minimum of
5000 copies will be distributed on a
monthly basis to pick-up locations
across Upper Bucks County with
the heaviest concentration initially
being in the Quakertown School
District. Several hundred copies will
also be hand delivered to random
homes throughout the area to build
awareness and participation.
The publication will also appear on
line at upperbucksfreepress.com.
(3)
Money. Somebody has to
pay to produce this publication.
Newsprint doesn’t grow on trees,
you know. Advertising sponsorship
helps to get the news to the people
and the people to your cash register.
More sponsors means more content,
wider distribution, and more
frequent publishing. A win-win
situation if ever there was one.
Look for our first issue at the
beginning of May 2010, but please
don’t wait until you see it. Help us
to create it!
I look forward to working with
you on this project. Please write
or call to discuss your role.
Christopher J. Betz, publisher
[email protected]
267-379-3590
Above, a 37-year-old photograph of the publisher of the new
Upper Bucks Free Press as he appeared on the pages of Quakertown’s original Free Press in the early 70’s. Now that was
news! This is arguably his best side to this day.
Photo Contest Announced
The Quakertown Neighborhood
Association is proud to announce its
First Annual Photography Contest
for the students of Quakertown
High School. The contest is open
to all Quakertown High School
students and runs until April 30th,
2010. The students will have the
opportunity to win an Olympus SP570UZ Digital Camera. (pictured
at left) The prize was donated by
Olympus Imaging America Inc.
Students were asked to submit a
photograph that represents the work
“neighborhood” or “neighbors”.
The contest runs the month of April
and the entries will be available for
viewing at the QNA booth during
Arts Alive on May 15th, 2010.
For more info about the QNA or
the photography contest please visit
www.quakertownna.org or call
267-424-0479.
April 16, 2010 • Upper Bucks Free Press •
3
Libraries Don’t Make Headlines
but Make a Difference
Dear Chris:
Congratulations on breathing new life in the "Free Press". I wish you every success as you begin production of this local paper.
One of the budget issues that does not necessarily make the headlines during state budget discussions is the need to provide adequate funding for
libraries.
In my legislative district, I am pleased to have two public libraries that
receive considerable use by local residents. They are the Pierce Library
in Perkasie and the Michener Library in Quakertown. In my opinion, all
public libraries should be sufficiently funded because they are used constantly by local citizens.
Public libraries provide a wealth of information on many subjects and issues. It is quite an adventure to visit a library and be surrounded by thousands of books waiting for the reader to visit some exotic island or be
refreshed with a lesson in American History.
With this wealth of information waiting for those who patronize libraries,
we can readily understand the need to keep them operational so they can
continue to serve the public.
These are a few of the reasons I will continue to lobby for our outstanding
public library system.
Sincerely,
Paul I. Clymer
State Representative
145th Legislative District
Tell them you saw it in the
Upper Bucks Free Press!
April 16 – 30
“April’s Angels” Sculpture Exhibit
Michener Library, Quakertown
215-536-3306
April 17
Scrap Metal Drive begins
West End Fire Co., Quakertown
267-733-7026
Upper Bucks YMCA Healthy Kids
Day, 10 AM – 1 PM, 401 Fairview
Ave, Quakertown 215-536-8409
Spaghetti Dinner, 5:30 PM
- 7:30 PM St. John’s UCC,
Richlandtown 215-538-0875
Earth Day Family Nature Hike
2 PM Nockamixon State Park
Sterner Mill Hiking Area
215-529-7307
April 18
Canine Good Citizen Testing,
2 PM Molasses Creek Park,
Milford Twp. [email protected]
April 22
Earth Day in Telford, 11 AM –
2 PM, lastchanceranch.org
Community
Events
April 22 – May 2
Bucks County Peace Week
greenshirearts.org
April 24
Paws on the Promenade, 10 AM –
2 PM, Meet and learn about pets
for adoption. Fun activities!
Promenade Shops, Center Valley
lastchanceranch.org
Flea Market & Craft Show
Dublin Fire Company - $15/space,
bring own table. Reservations
required – 215-249-3089
St. Isidore’s Yard Sale & Flea
Market, 8 AM – 1 PM
2045 W. Pumping Station Road,
Milford Twp. 215-620-3553,
April 24, 25
PA Equestrian Horse Farms Open
House, Sat, 10 AM – 4 PM, Sun 11
AM – 4 PM, lastchanceranch.org
April 25
1st Annual Mother & Daughter
Tea Party, 1 PM – 3 PM, Ages 3 to
10 years old, Upper Bucks YMCA,
Quakertown 215-536-9622
April 28
Upper Bucks & Pennridge
Chambers of Commerce Business
Card Exchange, April 28, 5 – 7 PM
Bucks County Community
College, Perkasie
April 29, 30
St. John’s UCC Spring Rummage
Sale, 9 AM - 6 PM, Benner Hall,
Richlandtown, 215-538-0875
May 1 - 2
Upper Bucks Relay for Life
9 AM – 9 AM
Memorial Park, Quakertown
relayforlife.org/paupperbucks
May 1 - 9
National Women Build Week
habitatbucks.org/womenbuild.htm
May 2
Vera Bradley Bingo, 12 Noon
Benner Hall, Richlandtown
Benefits Last Chance Ranch
Claudette 215-679-6498
May 5
Miller Keystone Blood Drive
St. Luke’s Quakertown Hospital
215-538-4680
Upper Bucks YMCA Cinco de
Mayo 5K, 7 PM
Megan Deily 215-536-YMCA
May 7, 8
Spring Spectacular & Auction –
Friday 4 PM, Saturday 7 AM
Quakertown Christian School
Paletown Rd., Quakertown
215-536-6970
Non-profit and community events
are included in this listing on a
space available basis. E-mail the
details with contact information to:
[email protected]
4
• Upper Bucks Free Press • April 16, 2010
April 16, 2010 • Upper Bucks Free Press •
Community
Events
May 12
Quakertown Midget Football
registrations, 7:30-8:30 pm
QMFA Field House
[email protected] (football)
[email protected] (cheer)
May 15
Arts Alive 10 AM – 5 PM
Downtown Quakertown
quakertownalive.com
Independence Court Spring Flea
Market, 9 AM – 2 PM
Park Avenue, Quakertown
Free space, bring table.
215-538-7050
Bark in the Park
Molasses Creek Park,
Spinnerstown
lastchanceranch.org
Pet Wellness Event, 11 AM –
3 PM, Benefits Perkasie Dog Park
Menlo Park, Perkasie
Kitty Myers 215-804-6494
A “Home Dedication” at the
Stitchery, 4 PM
Habitat for Humanity
815 West Chestnut Street in
Perkasie
[email protected]
May 16
Annual Mother & Son Picnic
1 PM – 3 PM
Ages 3 to 10 years old
Ashley Herrington 215-536-8409
May 18
Free Skin Cancer Screenings
5 PM – 6 PM, St. Luke’s
Quakertown Ambulatory
Procedure Unit
1-877-610-6161 to sign up
May 22
Spring Craft Sale & Yard Sale
8 - Noon, West Swamp Mennonite
Church, Quakertown
Cindy Raub 215-536-7263
1.BENCH
2.CANOPY
3.CASCADE
4.CHERUBS
5.DESIGNS
6.DOMES
7.FILIGREE
8.FISH
9.FLOWERS
10.HEDGE
11.HILL
12.HORSES
13.LIONS
14.MYRTLE
15.PHLOX
16.PINE
17.PLANTS
18.POND
19.POOL
20.ROCKS
21.ROSE
22.RUSTIC
23.SCENE
24.SCULPTURE
25.SHRUB
26.STATUE
27.STONE
28.STREAM
29.TERRACE
30.TILES
31.TOPIARY
32.TRAIL
33.TREE
34.TRELLIS
35.VISTAS
36.WATER
5
6
• Upper Bucks Free Press • April 16, 2010
Bucks County Community College Celebrates Completion of
Multi-million Dollar Expansion Project at Perkasie Campus
(left to right) George Komelasky, Vice President, College Expansion Steering Committee; Dr. James Linksz, President, Bucks
County Community College; State Representative Paul I. Clymer; J. Peter Dominick, Executive Vice President of Bucks County Bank
& College Trustee; Betty Graver, College Trustee; James Cawley, Bucks County Commissioner, Diane Ellis-Marseglia, Bucks County
Commissioner, Senator Patrick Murphy, Charles H. Martin, Bucks County Commissioner (photo by Tracy Kline)
New Aamco Repair Facility Opens on Route 309, Quakertown
Find the Upper Bucks
Free Press!
Quakertown
Upper Bucks Chamber of Commerce Board President John Healy (left) joins Chamber Executive Director Tara King (right) in welcoming
new business owner, Thomas Hearn, to Quakertown at a ribbon cutting ceremony earlier this month. (photo by Christopher Betz)
Aamco
Boyers Market
Captain Bob’s Seafood
Dairy Queen
Dominick’s Pizza
Faraco’s Pizza
Frank’s Beer Stein
Giant Food Markets
Giovanni’s Pizza
Hobo’s
James Michener Library
John’s Plain & Fancy
Quakertown Family Restaurant
Redner’s Market
Sal’s Pizza Randa
Sine’s 5 & 10
Wawa
Spankey’s Deli
Suelkes Roadstand
Swann’s Pantry
Upper Bucks Senior Center
Yum Yum Donuts
Sellersville
A & N Diner
Pizza Pub
Roy Ann Diner
Village Market
Perkasie
Bravo’s Pizza
Emil’s
Gran Sasso
Revivals
The Perk
Trumbauersville
Fina’s La Cantina
Silver Shears
Bruce’s Garage
Spor’s General Store
Trum Tavern
April 16, 2010 • Upper Bucks Free Press •
7
Quakertown Food Pantry in Full Swing at New Location
Fisher
expressed
heartfelt
appreciation to the Borough Council
and residents of Quakertown for
their outstanding commitment to
making the facility and its services
possible. When the Bucks County
Government Center on Route
309 was closed and relocated, the
Pantry and several other non-profit
organizations were left without a
home. Quakertown offered the use
of their skating shelter at Memorial
Park as a stopgap measure to keep
the organization of 170 volunteers
in business.
Quakertown Food Pantry vice president Bob Fisher shows off the organization’s
new facility to members of the Quakertown Lions Club. The Pantry is hosted in a
renovated building owned by Quakertown Borough. (photo by Christopher Betz)
Members of Quakertown Lions
Club toured the new Quakertown
Food Pantry facilities Wednesday
evening.
The Pantry receives
considerable financial support via
the Lions’ fundraising efforts and
members were pleased to learn how
the facility is run and how many
people in the community benefit.
that one in eight Pennsylvanians
currently uses food stamps and that
hunger is often a “silent issue.”
The Quakertown Food Pantry
presently serves approximately 500
families and over 1300 individuals
in the Upper Bucks area. Demand
continues to increase due to the
general state of the economy,
Quakertown Food Pantry vice keeping the Pantry’s facility busy
president, Bob Fisher, explains six days a week.
In the following months, when the
Pantry was still unable to secure
a more suitable and permanent
facility, Borough Council voted to
renovate part of their old electrical
works building for the Pantry.
Very generous donations from the
community for materials made the
renovation possible in the end.
According to Pantry board member
Marty Mack, Quakertown Borough
is the only municipality that provides
any financial support whatsoever to
the Quakertown Food Pantry. Of
the clientele served by the facility,
Mack estimates that well under
50% come from inside the borough;
the rest come from surrounding
boroughs and townships.
The average cat can
jump five times as high as
its tail is long.
Trumbauersville Residents Embrace
Recycling Initiative
Since
the
Borough
of
Trumbauersville
implemented
curbside recycling at the start
of the year, most residents have
been faithfully filling and putting
out their red recycling cans every
Thursday.
According to J.P. Mascaro & Sons,
the borough’s contracted wastehauler, nearly 9 tons of recyclable
waste were collected in January
and February alone. 5.75 tons was
comprised of commingled waste
including aluminum, steel, plastics,
while just over 3 tons of paper and
cardboard avoided the landfill.
Unlike larger municipalities, the
Upper Bucks borough of just over
1000 residents is not mandated
to separate recyclables from the
regular trash stream. Participation
is voluntary.
8
• Upper Bucks Free Press • April 16, 2010