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COUNTYARCHIVES
First Lady Frances Wolf and Acting Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson led a discussion about the COVID-19 vaccines and reproductive . Read More. Bucks County Coronavirus briefing for May 27. This guide with interactive tables, charts and maps illustrates the current status of COVID-19 in Bucks County. 2021 PRIMARY ELECTION RESULTS Controller. DEMOCRAT: Neale Dougherty - 48,256 Write-in - 341 REPUBLICAN: Andrew L. Warren - 20,926 Pamela A. Van Blunk - 31,432Write-in - 168
BUCKS LIVING MAGAZINE Bucks Living is a lifestyle magazine that features stories on the latest trends in indoor and outdoor living. POLICE | THE BUCKS COUNTY HERALD Police | The Bucks County Herald. UPDATE: FOUND! (Missing endangered teen sought) Central Bucks Regional Police are looking for a missing endangered 17-year-old girl who is believed to be in the Doylestown area. Makayla Warrington, 17, of Somerdale, N.J., is considered to bea .
IT TOOK 17 YEARS
Birgitta Wolfe. Persistence – 17 years of it – finally paid off. Developers of the proposed Riverview banquet facility and restaurant on the Route 202 Spur in Solebury Township got the unanimous approval of the board of supervisors on Thursday, May 20. The board granted preliminary and conditional final plan approval for Pantera Realty LLC BRIDGET WINGERT: HAPPY TO BE HERE Mort joined the business in 1960, after he attained a pharmaceutical degree at Rutgers. That was 60 years ago, a remarkable amount of time for anyone to spend in a business. When his father retired and moved to Florida in 1969, Mort became the proprietor. Early in the Barnetts’ time with Bear Apothecary, Mort and his wife, Janet, livedin an
FAMILY SERVICE PREPARES TO LAUNCH STREET HEALTHCARE MOBILE Family Service Association of Bucks County is preparing to launch a Street Healthcare Mobile Unit in partnership with several agencies in Bucks County, including Bucks County Opportunity Council, Bucks County Drug and Alcohol Commission, and CARVERSVILLE INN PLANS GO TO HARB According to the Solebury Township Historical Society, the Carversville Inn was built in 1813. Originally called the Bird-In-Hand, it was built in the Federal style, with two floors and a gabled roof. A third floor and porch were added in 1859. Over the years it has served as a hotel, general store, ice cream parlor andgas station.
CENTURIES-OLD STOCKTON INN EYED FOR REVITALIZATION A potential buyer has come forward to purchase the long-neglected Stockton Inn, a historic icon in the Borough of Stockton, N.J. The 300-year-old inn, once a stagecoach stop, attracted New York celebrities in its heyday during the 1930s and ‘40s. NOW AND THEN: TO THE RADIOMAX Ron Kovacs sleeps and breathes music. That’s because the Flemington, N.J., resident’s basement bedroom doubles as a music studio for the online station Radiomaxmusic. HOME | THE BUCKS COUNTY HERALDFIND THE BEST PLACES IN BUCKSCOUNTYARCHIVES
First Lady Frances Wolf and Acting Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson led a discussion about the COVID-19 vaccines and reproductive . Read More. Bucks County Coronavirus briefing for May 27. This guide with interactive tables, charts and maps illustrates the current status of COVID-19 in Bucks County. 2021 PRIMARY ELECTION RESULTS Controller. DEMOCRAT: Neale Dougherty - 48,256 Write-in - 341 REPUBLICAN: Andrew L. Warren - 20,926 Pamela A. Van Blunk - 31,432Write-in - 168
BUCKS LIVING MAGAZINE Bucks Living is a lifestyle magazine that features stories on the latest trends in indoor and outdoor living. POLICE | THE BUCKS COUNTY HERALD Police | The Bucks County Herald. UPDATE: FOUND! (Missing endangered teen sought) Central Bucks Regional Police are looking for a missing endangered 17-year-old girl who is believed to be in the Doylestown area. Makayla Warrington, 17, of Somerdale, N.J., is considered to bea .
IT TOOK 17 YEARS
Birgitta Wolfe. Persistence – 17 years of it – finally paid off. Developers of the proposed Riverview banquet facility and restaurant on the Route 202 Spur in Solebury Township got the unanimous approval of the board of supervisors on Thursday, May 20. The board granted preliminary and conditional final plan approval for Pantera Realty LLC BRIDGET WINGERT: HAPPY TO BE HERE Mort joined the business in 1960, after he attained a pharmaceutical degree at Rutgers. That was 60 years ago, a remarkable amount of time for anyone to spend in a business. When his father retired and moved to Florida in 1969, Mort became the proprietor. Early in the Barnetts’ time with Bear Apothecary, Mort and his wife, Janet, livedin an
FAMILY SERVICE PREPARES TO LAUNCH STREET HEALTHCARE MOBILE Family Service Association of Bucks County is preparing to launch a Street Healthcare Mobile Unit in partnership with several agencies in Bucks County, including Bucks County Opportunity Council, Bucks County Drug and Alcohol Commission, and CARVERSVILLE INN PLANS GO TO HARB According to the Solebury Township Historical Society, the Carversville Inn was built in 1813. Originally called the Bird-In-Hand, it was built in the Federal style, with two floors and a gabled roof. A third floor and porch were added in 1859. Over the years it has served as a hotel, general store, ice cream parlor andgas station.
CENTURIES-OLD STOCKTON INN EYED FOR REVITALIZATION A potential buyer has come forward to purchase the long-neglected Stockton Inn, a historic icon in the Borough of Stockton, N.J. The 300-year-old inn, once a stagecoach stop, attracted New York celebrities in its heyday during the 1930s and ‘40s. NOW AND THEN: TO THE RADIOMAX Ron Kovacs sleeps and breathes music. That’s because the Flemington, N.J., resident’s basement bedroom doubles as a music studio for the online station Radiomaxmusic. NEWS | THE BUCKS COUNTY HERALD Rita’s helps sweeten vaccination efforts. The Bucks County Commissioners on May 20 announced a $30,000 partnership with Rita’s Italian Ice to help sweeten the deal for residents lining up for COVID-19 vaccinations at county-run . ELECTION | THE BUCKS COUNTY HERALD The Primary Election is on Tuesday, May 18, 2021. The Bucks County Herald, in partnership with the League of Women Voters of Bucks County, published the Complete Bucks County Voters Guide. The guide provides nonpartisan candidate information and it educates and informs the community on the important information they need to know as theyprepare
CALENDAR | THE BUCKS COUNTY HERALD 7 hours ago · Thursday, June 10, 2021 through Sunday, June 20, 2021 Experience the sights, sounds and aromas of the electrifying midway with exciting rides and SHOULD PREGNANT WOMEN RECEIVE THE COVID-19 VACCINE? I’ve received quite a few questions about whether pregnant women should receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The risk of death due to complications from COVID-19 is 70 percent higher in pregnant than innonpregnant women.
CALENDAR | THE BUCKS COUNTY HERALD 1 day ago · Friday, June 11, 2021 The summer is known for being a bright, warm, and colorful season, so let’s celebrate it! Explore the Bucks County Audubon Society to identify local wildflowers that dowell in
TEWKSBURY HISTORICAL SOCIETY TOUR FEATURES SIX GARDENS Posted Thursday, June 3, 2021 12:00 am. The Tewksbury Historical Society will sponsor its Biannual Garden Tour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 12, in Tewksbury Township, N.J., rain or shine. Six gardens located throughout the township will welcome visitors. All COVID-19 requirements applicable at that time will be followed. BUCKS COUNTY CORONAVIRUS BRIEFING FOR MAY 13 Vaccine providers have administered 9,452,364 total vaccine doses as of Thursday, May 13. 4,043,255 people are fully vaccinated; with a seven-day moving average of more than 65,900 people per day receiving vaccinations. 1,700,696 people are partially vaccinated, meaning they have received one dose of a two-dose vaccine. 5,743,951 people have received at least their first dose. FLEMINGTON LIFE MAGAZINE Greater Flemington's seasonal, digital and print lifestyle publication. Flemington Life is the region’s only lifestyle magazine of its kind. Readers have been starved for high quality local content — and Flemington Life delivers it. We’re 100% local, with stories about fascinating people, education, sports, food, beautiful homes,the arts
MAIL TEXT IS MISLEADING Send letters to P.O. Box 685, Lahaska 18931, or bridget@buckscountyherald.com or fax to 215-794-1109. The Herald is a nonpartisan publication that aims to print only factual accounts. Letters are readers’ opinions. Character counts. When I think of the most important qualifications for a person to be a judge, honesty and integrity rank at the NOW AND THEN: TO THE RADIOMAX Ron Kovacs sleeps and breathes music. That’s because the Flemington, N.J., resident’s basement bedroom doubles as a music studio for the online station Radiomaxmusic.✕
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NEWS
New Hope photo by Gordon H. Nieburg, Doylestown photo by MichaelKendrick
Communities light up their downtowns__Thu, Dec 03, 2020
New Hope’s new Christmas tree outside the Logan Inn was illuminated Sunday in a scaled down ceremony with Maggie Smith, Mayor Larry Keller and Terry Meehan, president of the Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce standing by. The tree that stood by the cannon for many years was replaced with a 26-foot evergreen. Lighting of Doylestown’s 106th Christmas tree happened on Monday night, undercover, to avoid the usual 3,000 to 4,000 crowd that shows up for the annual introduction to the holiday season. The tree-lighting video will be released at 6:30 p.m. Friday on the Discover Doylestown website andFacebook pages.
continue reading...__ County Theater hopes to complete expansion, renovation in early 2021; fundraising deadline approaches When the County Theater in Doylestown reopens in 2021, patrons will find a third theater, first-floor restrooms and a spacious new lobby with ceilings soaring 18 feet above the floor. Late Art Deco era reproduction chandeliers will illuminate the new lobby space – a striking contrast from the narrow original lobby, which will remain, along with its concession stand, just inside the doors to the old theater on East State Street. Construction crews have been hard at work for months, marrying the County Theater, built in 1938 near the end of the Art Deco era, to its former next-door neighbor, Poor Richards. “One of the challenges,” said John Toner, founding director of the County Theater, “was making the floors line up.” The combined space is all ADA compliant, he said as he walked through the now-joined building dressed in a hard hat and reflective safety vest. The nonprofit County Theater purchased Poor Richards in 2016, and after multiple meetings with local government officials and area residents, developed a plan to renovate the existing theater and expand into the former retail shop next door. Plans originally called for work to be done on one side at a time, but that changed after all construction in Pennsylvania was shut down temporarily last spring due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. “We lost about six weeks,” Toner said. “That’s when we decided to do it all at once. It makes it easier.” The facade of the new side of the theater will have storefront display windows and exit doors, with brick on either side. Above that will be painted panels to mimic the restored porcelain panels on the exterior of the historic original theater side. “We want to have the (old) County be primary and have the new addition be secondary,” Toner said. The new addition, he said, will be harmonious with the old theater side, and with Doylestown Borough. As part of the project, a new roof is being put on the historic theater, likely for the first time since 1938. The project – which is still very much a construction site, with walls and floors still awaiting their finishes and theater seats yet to be installed – also includes construction of new first-floor bathrooms, replacing those on the second floor. There will be two big bathrooms, one for men and one for women, and two individual bathrooms. “Now the public won’t have to go to the second floor,” Toner said. In the works on the new side of the theater are the new lobby with a concession area, and a new 183-seat theater with stadium seating and an 8-foot stage in front of the screen for small music events and lectures. The expansion will allow for more community outreach and cooperative programing, Toner said. The mission of the County is to be more than a movie theater; it’s to also be a community resource, he said. “Partnerships are key to our mission,” Toner said. “It’s a nonprofit community operation.” The two existing theaters on the original theater side are being renovated; the larger of the two theaters will have 120 seats, down from 155, and the smaller of the two will have 90 seats, down from 120. “We’re putting in bigger seating and wider aisles,” Toner said, accounting for the difference. The original theater had one auditorium with 700 seats, but the building was subdivided in the early 1980s. The back part of the property became apartments. “That’s the reason it’s so short,” Toner said, referring to the depth of the County. Two years after the property was subdivided, the owner cut the theater in half, putting in a center wall to create two theaters, but no sound-proofing. That dividing wall has been torn down and is being replaced with a double-wall system, which goes all the way to the roof and keeps the vibrations from going through from one theater to the other, soundproofing them, Toner said. “We also reinforced the wall between us and the apartments,” he added. The County is getting a new laser projector for the new theater, but it is not replacing the two Xenon lamp projectors in the two older theaters. It also plans to add 35mm projectors. “It’s sort of the same thinking that people who listen to vinyl have; it’s more authentic, more historic,” Toner said of older projection methods. “We want to be able to show things on film, like they were in 1938.” Also in keeping with the history of the theater, the original outdoor ticket booth and original lobby will be retained and utilized. There will be a second ticket booth inside the lobby, along with remote kiosks, and patrons will have the ability to buy tickets online and redeem them inside, Toner said, adding there will be no-touch options. Toner said he expects the theater will undergo a period of transition when it re-opens, with limited attendance and a limited number of shows, as well as enhanced cleaning procedures. The current end date for the project is Jan. 31, “but a lot has to happen,” said Toner. “We have our fingers crossed. Hopefully we’ll make that.” The County is working to raise the remainder of the funds needed to complete the $3 million project – an additional $200,000 by year’s end in order to receive an additional $100,000 from two loyal donors, which will go a long way toward helping the County re-open, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. As of Wednesday morning, $72,170 of that $200,000 had been raised. To make a contribution, or for information, visit countytheater.org. jarthur@buckscountyherald.com continue reading...__ Efforts to slow COVID-19 as cases soar As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to soar, Gov. Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine recently announced new targeted efforts to slow the pace of infection, including increasing enforcement on out-of-state travel, mask-wearing, restaurant occupancy and business safety. In Bucks County, officials said, all county business will be conducted by appointment-only for the rest of the year. Much of the county’s workforce will return to working remotely. Bucks reported 23 COVID-19 deaths between Nov. 16 and 28, the most since May, health officials said. As of Dec. 1, Doylestown Hospital was again restricting visitors. In the later part of November, Dr. Levine said, the number of COVID-19 attributable deaths has quadrupled, and the average daily case count is seven times higher than it was two months ago. Among the Wolf administration’s latest mitigation plans is a requirement that Pre-K through 12th grade schools in counties that have “substantial transmission level for at least two consecutive weeks commit to safety measures that ensure the safety and well-being of students and educators,” officials said, in a statement. School districts that chose not to follow the measures must move to fully remote learning and end all extra-curricular activities, said officials. As of Nov. 20, there were 59 counties in the substantial transmission category. “All of us have a responsibility to slow the spread of this virus so our children can stay or return to the classroom,” Wolf said. “It seems pretty unanimous that Bucks County residents are worried about their health and the financial security of business in our community,” Diane Marseglia, chairwoman of the county’s board of commissioners, said. “Governor Wolf’s requests are doable and allow for both health and security. Limiting interactions is important, but the simple act of wearing a mask protects the wearer, those with whom they interact, and ensures case counts stay low enough for businesses to stay open!” In Wolf’s update, he said, the state is revising and reissuing its orders to protect businesses, customers and employees. Among the changes, telework is mandatory unless impossible, safety measures are required for businesses, including cleaning, social distancing and masking. Additionally, the governor’s order said, online sales and curbside pickup for all shopping is encouraged. To help with enforcement of existing masking orders in businesses, the administration said, its introducing liability protection to businesses that maintain in-person operations and are open to the public. “Businesses will receive immunity from civil liability only as related to the Secretary’s masking order given that individuals and entities are engaged in essential emergency services, activities and disaster services activities when enforcing the order.” Bucks County’s health director, Dr. David Damsker, said, it’s important to keep in mind that, given the rising rate of infections, “anybody you know can be potentially infected. If you have symptoms, don’t go to work or school or visit family – get tested. That’s going to help a lot at this point.” continue reading...__ West Rockhill goes 100% solar for power In about 90 days, West Rockhill Township officials hope to become the first municipality in Bucks County to have 100 percent of its electricity requirements provided by solar power. The board of supervisors recently approved a contract for $169,278 with Exact Solar of Yardley to install the ground-mounted system that is rated to generate 90 megawatts a year, slightly more than the township uses in a typical year to power its township building, maintenance shed, traffic signals, and park lights. Construction is scheduled to begin this month and take about 60 days to complete, said board Chairman Jim Miller. “This is an exciting project and a good deal for taxpayers,” said Miller. “West Rockhill is proud to take the lead in bringing solar power to this part of Upper Bucks.” If the system performs as expected, the township will eliminate its annual $13,000 bill from PP&L and possibly generate some income from the energy that is not used and goes back into the grid, according to Miller. That would mean the system, which has a life expectancy of about 40 years, will pay for itself in about 11 years, said Miller. Located behind the township building, the 180 panels will occupy about 5,900 square feet within a fenced area that is monitored by security cameras. The area is ideal for a solar system because it is open. “It’s almost completely unshaded,” according to Vera Cole, a township resident and President of the Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Association. Cole, who worked with Miller on the project, said another advantage of the solar farm is its proximity to existing electrical service in the township building. Its size and location allow for flexibility in how the modules are arranged “to minimize shading and minimize installation costs,” she said. In addition to saving money for township taxpayers, Cole said a solar farm makes sense because it builds “on our record of sound environmental stewardship and would be another good step and good example in that direction.” The project also provides an opportunity for township residents and businesses who may be curious about solar to see it first-hand and to learn more about its operation and technology, she said. Miller hopes to involve students from the Upper Bucks County Technical School and the Bucks County Intermediate Unit in the project. Tech school students, for example, might help with landscaping while students in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) program will be asked to design a website that will allow the public to monitor the system’s performance. “This is a great opportunity, not only for West Rockhill, but for all of Bucks County,” said Miller. continue reading...__ Nockamixon hikes township tax one-third mill For the first time since 2009, Nockamixon Township will have a real estate tax increase. The 2021 budget, approved at the Nov. 19 public board of supervisors meeting, following a hearing, includes the addition of one-third mill, for a new total of 6.33 mills. The estimated annual average impact on residents is $11. The need for the increase was stated as increased support for fire service, which officials said was the same need at the time of the last increase 11 years ago. Township Manager Keith DeLuca noted that the budget benefited significantly from a 14% decrease in health insurance costs. The $1.14 million budget is projected to be exceeded by $1.25 million in income. Also at the Nov. 19 meeting, supervisors approved preliminary and final land development for an expansion of the Wehrung Group’s Specialty Woods satellite location on Route 611 in the Nockamixon part of Ottsville. The project was the subject of a conditional use hearing last December, when the permitted use was approved for further consideration in the land development process, subject to certain conditions. Impact on traffic and the environment, especially stormwater management, were primary subjects in the pandemic-delayed land development process. The project features adding three 12,000-square-feet warehouses to the Nockamixon location, “to enable larger in-stock options for existing products,” thereby creating “less need to order out-of-stock items,” with subsequent less delivery needs, especially as related to the company’s desire to get cabinet operations out of its Tinicum location. The Wehrung Group’s Lumber and Home Center has been at its location on Route 611 in the Tinicum part of Ottsville since 1986. The Nockamixon expansion was described by a company representative at the Nov. 19 meeting as providing for an “increase in stock availability, not an increase in volume sales.” At last year’s conditional use hearing, the warehouse additions had been noted as only for “phase 1” of the project, with a further change, to include establishment of a showroom, to be “a few years down the road.” Township Engineer Steve Baluh noted that the Nov. 19 approval did not include the showroom. The future showroom would be 20,640 square feet continue reading...__ State police let reporters in on crisis training The conference room is long and tight, with white walls and two county maps decorated with township police badges. A projector beams PowerPoint slides onto the whiteboard at the front of the room. At the back, state police Sgt. Tim Fetzer watches a woman raise a gun from her hip, pointing it towards a man with long black hair. He stands with his arm raised, wielding a crowbar and an angry scowl. In a split second, he swings the crowbar and charges the woman, screaming with each step. She yells for him to drop his weapon, to back up, to do anything but attack. She pulls the trigger and -- the man freezes. The screen turns gray and the woman lets out a sigh. “What happened?” Fetzer takes his hand off the computer mouse controlling the laptop in front of him. “It looks like you missed!” You’ll encounter this incident if you’re training to be a Pennsylvania State Police officer or if you attended the presentation on police use of force in November. This situation is from the Ti Training Lab Simulator, a program used to help train future officers. Media members experienced several simulations, each of which required the use of force to resolve. “The premise of the simulator demonstration is to give participants some perspective on the decisions officers are forced to make in dynamically unfolding incidents,” said Sgt. Fetzer. “The simulator is also used by us to teach our students about various decision points that arise within the situations police officers are forced to deal with.” Another simulation asked one reporter to confront a man leaping from his vehicle, gun in hand. The next contained a bike thief, caught in the act but possessing both bolt cutters and a hidden pistol. In these and subsequent simulations, participants used deadly force to end the encounter. However, Fetzer noted that the simulator has hundreds of scenarios, with many needing no force or less-lethal force for completion. Many of the scenarios provide “branching” options where the instructor can force the on-screen actor to either comply or become aggressive towards the student. Sgt. Fetzer omitted those simulations with an objective in mind. “The reason we chose all deadly force scenarios for the demonstration was in part because those scenarios allow us to more easily demonstrate the principles of action and reaction and human performance.” These three principles form a large part of officer training and presenters emphasized them throughout the presentation. The simulator helps trainees form “mental blueprints” to deal with the stressors of each scenario. These schemas are then relied upon by officers during real-world situations to avoid reacting inappropriately or engaging in a “flight or fight” response. The simulator “provides us with the ability to somewhat efficiently train officers in a variety of situations in a completely safe environment. We are able to expose the students to the various decisions they may need to make while exposed to some limited stress,” said Sgt. Fetzer. “I say limited stress because the simulator can never achieve the physical and psychological fidelity associated with a real-life event.” Unfortunately, such real-life use of force events lit up national news this year. George Floyd’s fatal encounter with police in May led to months of unrest and protests, many of which continue today. And 986 people have died in 2020 according to Mapping Police Violence, a site that tracks deaths in police-involved incidents – 20 of those occurred in Pennsylvania, placing it 16th among all states. During the presentation, use of force specialist Cpl. Kevin Selverian addressed these incidents. “What percentage of encounters between police officers and citizens result in an application of force? Normally we hear numbers like 30%, 40%. We even get the occasional 50%. The actual number is less than 0.1% of all interactions.” That’s because officers in Pennsylvania face criteria when using force, namely the Criminal Justification Statute (Section 508), federal constitutional requirements, and individual department policies. Each standard must be met before a police officer is justified in the use of force, whether non-lethal or deadly. The “objective reasonableness” standard, which gained fame for its use in several high-profile Supreme Court cases, states officers are to be judged based on the facts surrounding an officer’s use of force as they were presented at the time force was used, without the benefit of 20/20 hindsight. This repudiation of the “Monday morning quarterback” – one who passes judgment on and criticizes something after the event – was a major theme of the State Police presentation. “All we ask is for an equitable review process. If you’re basing your review upon a long, drawn-out deliberation, you’re utilizing a decision-making model that differs from the model being utilized by the officer at that moment,” said Selverian. He notes that sometimes officers do take the wrong action, in which case he has testified against them in court. But Cpl. Selverian believes in his men and the math, notwithstanding the prominent use of force incidents in 2020.” Selverian added, “99.9% of the time, I feel our officers do the right thing.” continue reading...__ Lifelong Central Bucks resident Esther Welch celebrates 100th birthday Esther Welch is celebrating her 100th birthday on Dec. 4 with her daughters, Linda and Terry, and granddaughter Dana. Her church family from Forest Grove Presbyterian Church will also be wishing her well from the parking lot at her apartment in Doylestown. She has lived and worked in or near Doylestown all her life. Welch is an avid Phillies fan. Her cutout sat in the Phillies stadium cheering them on all season. The Phillies awarded her with a birthday gift bag including a card signed by Mike Schmidt. Welch was born in Danboro to Oscar and Alice Fellman. Oscar Fellman was a mechanic in Doylestown. She had two fun loving brothers, Claude and Russell, and a loving sister, Myrtle. She married Mervin (Merv) Welch, and they enjoyed a long happy life together. She considers herself very blessed and she continues to bless others with her sense of humor, positive attitude and love. continue reading...__ Psychologist wins tractor in social media contest, donates it to TeamVelvet
A passion for using horses to help children overcome trauma earned a local psychologist a new John Deere lawn tractor as part of a social media contest. The tractor was a prize in the contest run by the American Horse Council (AHC) in honor of National Meet A Horse Day, which is celebrated the third Friday each July. Anyone that posted a picture of themselves and their horse doing their favorite activity with a few words about why their horse means so much to them was entered into a drawing to win the John Deere mower. One of the winning entries was a photo of Dr. Susan Edwards with Velvet, the lead therapy horse at the nonprofit organization she founded, Team Velvet Inc. Edwards, in turn, donated the tractor to Team Velvet. “I have never won anything in my life,” Edwards said. “What a wonderful surprise it was to win this amazing machine. The John Deer lawn tractor will be used to clear and mow the horse pasture. It has a cart for carrying refuse and handles easily. I have never driven anything like this in my life and it’s just awesome.” Power Place, of Whitehouse Station delivered the lawn tractor in October and Ian Slater showed Edwards how to use it. Due to the pandemic, fundraising events and volunteer clean up days have been canceled. Team Velvet, Inc. has continued to pursue its mission by going virtual. See teamvelvet.com or call 609-924-4330 for information. continue reading...__ Sleep Out was a way to support Covenant House -- A cold autumn nightin Doylestown
A handful of Doylestown residents rolled out their sleeping bags and propped up cardboard boxes for a bit of shelter as they prepared for a cold, uncomfortable night outside last week. On a normal Friday night, Rick Gallagher and his daughter Mackenzie would be in their warm homes, snuggled in cozy beds. But, on Friday the 13th they, along with several other brave folks, chose to sleep outside to demonstrate their support of and raise money for Covenant House. For 40 years, the New Jersey-based nonprofit has been transforming the lives of homeless, runaway and trafficked youth, providing housing and support services for young people in need. Covenant House estimates that as of 2020, 4.2 million children in the United States are homeless. This year’s Sleep Out, was Rick Gallagher’s fourth. He and his “crew” slept in the parking lot behind Cross Keys Diner, along a busy stretch of Route 313 in Doylestown. After being introduced to Covenant House through a college friend, Gallagher said, “I was so moved by how hopeful and positive these kids were despite coming from really difficult circumstances. It was the first time I really understood human trafficking. It seemed so distant and almost implausible to a guy who grew up in the suburbs. It’s a real and present danger.” In previous years, Gallagher joined the annual Sleep Out fundraising campaign in Atlantic City, where Covenant House has a center. However, this year, the pandemic prevented that and soon, the idea to recruit his daughter and several Doylestown Borough friends to hold the event here, was born. The crew (Dan and Karen Greenhaus, Julie and Jordan Abelson Lisa Tapper and Kristin Reed) chose the parking lot behind Cross Keys Diner, one of the Gallagher’s favorite restaurants, whose owners, Andrea and Paul Markert have supported Covenant House in the past. “The night was cold but clear. I’ve slept in rain and snow flurries before, so this was downright luxurious. It was loud. I was amazed at how many large vehicles drove down 313 in the middle of the night. The newbies experienced varying degrees of discomfort. ... It didn’t help that we could smell the bacon and home fries cooking at 4;30 a.m .but couldn’t enjoy them until 7. They did open the doors at 6:30 and provided us warm coffee,” said Gallagher. Mackenzie, 25, said she’s long admired her dad’s support of Covenant House and decided this was the year to join him. “Sleeping outside,” she said, “was uncomfortable, scary and tough – but it was nothing compared to the thousands of people who do it every day because they have no choice. It was a very humbling experience.” Gallagher said, his team, the Frozen Angels, raised more than $27,000, largely from individual donors. “I am blessed to have a wide swath of very generous, civic minded friends.” continue reading...__ Doylestown Health Foundation premieres docuseries on pandemic response Doylestown Health Foundation launched the public release Tuesday, of a unique two-part film exploring Doylestown Health’s innovative and rapid response to the coronavirus pandemic, and its impact on Bucks County and the surrounding communities. Part I: “Leading Through a Crisis” takes a behind-the-scenes look at hospital operations and preparations from the earliest days of the pandemic through the first surge in Bucks County, featuring a testimonial from a patient who recovered from COVID-19. Part II: “Extraordinary Resilience” explores how procedures and protocols adopted during the first surge have positioned Doylestown Health to continue leading the region in health care and preparedness for the future as an independent health system, with additional testimonials from grateful patients and community partners who are proud to support Doylestown Health. Featuring exclusive interviews with administrative leadership, physicians, nurses, patients, pharmacists, respiratory therapists, and many others serving on the front lines of Doylestown Health’s battle against the virus, the two-part docuseries is a landmark achievement in Doylestown Hospital’s near 100-year history. The film also explores the inspiring role of the community, from making philanthropic contributions to the donations of critical supplies and meals that bolstered morale among health care workers for the past seven months. The two-part docuseries is available to the public, at DoylestownHealthFoundation.org/Docuseries. continue reading...__ Upper Ridge Road closure planned for construction The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is planning to close Upper Ridge Road between Nursery Road and Old Woods Road in Milford Township, from 8 a.m. Friday, Dec. 4 through 8 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, for bridge construction, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) said. During the 24-hour closure, Upper Ridge Road motorists will be directed to use Finland Road, Allentown Road and Trumbauersville Road. Motorists are advised to allow extra time when traveling near the work zone because backups and delays will occur. The schedule is weather dependent. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission will complete this project under a PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit. For a complete list of construction projects impacting state-owned highways in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, visit penndot.gov/District6TrafficBulletin. continue reading...__ Foundations Community Partnership awards its 22nd annual YouthServices grants
Foundations Community Partnership’s (FCP) 22nd annual Partnership in Youth Services Awards ceremony took place virtually Oct. 28. Local business and political leaders, nonprofit organizations and members of the community attended the online celebration. A total of $36,000 in grant funding was awarded to 12 Bucks County nonprofit organizations. Introduced by Peggy Hanselman, Foundations board member, Melanie Lockwood Herman, executive director of the nonprofit Risk Management Center, presented “Strategies to Resume and Thrive,” as the keynote address. Ron Bernstein, founder and former executive director of Foundations Community Partnership (FCP) opened the program welcoming all to the virtual luncheon, speaking of exploring “new ways to work together.” Bernstein has retired and lives in New England. Following Bernstein, the new executive director, Tobi Bruhn, greeted his virtual audience. “Our board of directors is pleased to continue to offer grants to innovative nonprofits during these uncertain times when they need our help the most,” said Bruhn. “We have been supporting Bucks County organizations serving children, young adults and their families since 2007 and we are glad we can continue the tradition.” Surrounded by a bank of trees Tom Hanna, chair of the board of directors, congratulated all recipients. Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick thanked recipients for their hard work ending his segment with a heartfelt “God bless you” and Commissioner Robert Harvie, vice chair of the county board and a 26-year veteran educator thanked all nonprofits saying, “We need your services more than ever.” Commissioner Chair Diane Ellis Marseglia welcomed Bruhn apologetically for “not being able to do it in person.” Caroline Sinton O’Connell, Foundations associate director, joined Dr. Dan Weldon, consultant, to offer a virtual handshake to the awardees as a way of congratulations.George Siokos of the Conservatory who has played piano since age 7, offered a classical selection titled “Arabesque.” Rachel Gallagher, executive director of the Conservatory gave praise, saying “We love these kids and are so grateful.” Community programs receiving grants were: Aark Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center will use the grant for an education center redesign to prepare for post-Covid reopening. Bucks County Children’s Museum will use the grant for its Low Income Museum Access program. Community Conservatory of Music will use the grant to support the Kindred Arts after-school homework program. iRun4Life, Inc. will use the grant for a noncompetitive, after-school running program portal. Kamp for Kids will use the grant for sensory-friendly care packages for families with special needs children. Lenape Valley Foundation will use the grant for parent-child interaction therapy training. No Longer Bound will use the grant to support an after-school program for Bristol Township youth. Open Door Abuse Awareness Prevention will use the grant to present Coaching Boys into Men, a program focused on violence prevention and healthy relationships. Penndel Mental Health Center will use the grant to help families stay connected through technology Tend to Hope, Inc. will use the grant for “Seeds of Hope” care packages for residents at The Lenape Valley Lodge. Travis Manion Foundation will use the grant to present character and leadership education addressing behavioral health needs. Youth Orchestra of Bucks County will use the grant for an after-school program providing music instruction and life skills development. Bruhn closed out the afternoon program emphasizing social distancing and putting on a mask as a reminder to stay safe. He voiced sincere appreciation to the audience for “the time you spent withus.”
continue reading...__ Bear sighting in Lambertville may bring good news Thirteen Lambertville, N.J., merchants, supported by the Delaware River Towns Chamber of Commerce, have banded together to produce a scavenger hunt. There are “small, adorable polar bears” at 13 locations throughout Lambertville, ranging from retail shops to restaurants. Once you find them, you can enter a drawing to win a basketful of gift certificates and your own bear. Homestead Market, at 262 N. Main St., is the kick-off point. You will find Magic the Bear there and receive your first clue. However, the hunt is designed to be circular, so you can start wherever you find your first bear. On Saturdays and Sundays, Magic comes to life at the Lambertville Station, where she hands out candy canes. Then, follow the clues from place to place and enjoy visiting your friendly Lambertville merchants. Some bears are positioned in the windows of the businesses and some are hidden inside. The clues (in rhyme) should guide you to the correct place. “We all need a little magic right now,” said Amy Coss, owner of Sojourner and hunt originator, “Together we came up with an idea of how to spread Magic all around town and have some outdoor and socially distant fun.” Chamber President Jane Wesby said, “We hope that families enjoy looking for Magic and find it with our friendly shopkeepers.” The inspiration for the polar bear came from a window created for North Union Street merchant Lambertville Antiques Decorative Market by local artist Kevin Griffith. “We are looking forward to the return of this display,” said Wesby. The hunt will be open until 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29. When you complete the hunt, you can enter a drawing to win a Basket of Lambertville Magic. Just scan the QR code located at every participating merchant and enter your name and email address, and a winner will be chosen randomly to win a basket full of gift certificates and your own Magic the Bear. Participating merchants are: Homestead Market, Humble Café and Bakery, Lambertville Trading Company, Lambertville Station Restaurant, Meta Café, Sojourner, Perch, Union Jack, Blue Raccoon, Le Chocolate Box, Savour, A Mano, and 13 North of Normal. For information visit bit.ly/2UzfKNh. continue reading...__ Veterans unveil model of Lower Bucks Vietnam Memorial Local veterans organizations joined the unveiling of the Lower Bucks County Vietnam Memorial design on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, at Middletown Veterans Memorial Park, on Veterans Highway, Levittown, Middletown Township. Ceremonies included the unveiling of a maquette of the sculpture being created by Abbe Godwin, a highly regarded creator of works memorializing members of the armed services. Godwin’s works include the Corpsman Memorial and the the Peacekeeper statue at the Beirut Memorial, both at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, N.C.; and the North Carolina Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the grounds of the state capitol in Raleigh. Speakers included U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick and Dan Fraley, director of the Bucks County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs The full-size memorial is expected to be erected next fall at the park. A black granite block, part of a two-panel wall, will include 96 names of servicemen from Lower Bucks County, including 95 killed in action and one missing in action. The finished version will be 10 feet by 10 feet and 5 to 6 feet tall. The second panel will display insignias of the five branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, and the Vietnam War service ribbon. A bronze sculpture of a Vietnam War soldier will be placed in front of the wall. The anticipated $250,000 cost of the memorial will be funded by state and local grants, and through various fundraising efforts. Donations can be made atlbcvvm.org. The Pennsylvania Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation, the major sponsor, is dedicated to raising funds for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, which will honor victims from Bensalem Township, Bristol Borough, Bristol Township, Falls Township, Hulmeville Borough, Langhorne Borough, Langhorne Manor Borough, Lower Makefield Township, Lower Southampton Township, Middletown Township, Morrisville Borough, Newtown Borough, Newtown Township, Northampton Township, Penndel Borough, Upper Makefield Township, Upper Southampton Township, and Wrightstown Township. continue reading...__ Doylestown filmmaker’s award-winning documentary set to screenonline
“Beethoven in Beijing,” an award-winning documentary about the Philadelphia Orchestra’s China legacy created by Jennifer Lin of Doylestown, will be streamed in a free screening Wednesday, Dec. 16, to mark the 250th anniversary of the composer’s birthday. The virtual event, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., is hosted by the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, History Making Productions and more than 40 cultural and civic partners from across the region. “Music connects us, and this is just as important today as it was a half-century ago,” said Lin, a former China correspondent for The Philadelphia Inquirer. “Beethoven in Beijing” vividly recounts the Philadelphia Orchestra’s breakthrough 1973 tour of China – the first American orchestra to visit the People’s Republic – and reveals the astounding resurgence of classical music there today. Produced by Sam Katz, the film, which was co-directed by Lin and Sharon Mullally, features the stories of charismatic personalities, including conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin, pianist Lang Lang and Oscar-winning composer Tan Dun. Attendance is limited and free tickets can be reserved at ludwig250.com. The event will include a performance of a short Beethoven gem by the Philadelphia Orchestra before a screening of the documentary and Q&A with filmmakers. For information, contact Bill Stieg at pentalinaproductions@gmail.com or 267-254-4453. continue reading...__ Route 32 to close weekdays for bridge construction in Bucks The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission is planning to close Route 32 (River Road) from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays between Woodside Road and Afton Avenue in Lower Makefield Township and Yardley Borough, Monday, Dec. 7, through Monday, Jan. 4, for bridge beam erection, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) said. During the closure, Route 32 (River Road) motorists will be directed to use Woodside Road, Taylorsville Road/Main Street and Afton Avenue. Motorists are advised to allow extra time when traveling near the work area because backups and delays will occur. The schedule is weather dependent. DRJTBC will complete this project under a PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit. For a complete list of construction projects impacting state-owned highways in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, visit penndot.gov/District6TrafficBulletin. continue reading...__ Unusual bookshop is thriving during pandemic Faced as many of us were, with the spring shutdown, the question loomed, “What would happen to little shops?” For any small, independent business, the three-month shutdown earlier in 2020 was a real challenge. It was even more intimidating for a fledgling store in a niche industry. Inklings Bookshop and Gallery in Rushland, a tiny independent used book store – the type that is already threatened into near extinction by giant corporations and electronic book sellers. But Inklings has something that makes it stand out – antique and vintage books. And rather than purveying mostly New York Times best sellers, it’s focus is on classic literature, biography, history, art, nature and wonderful children’s books, Inklings has what the owner Karena Green calls a “curated collection.” In addition to books, the store is a charming presentation of other passions such as vintage hats, jewelry, and records. And being in Bucks County it offers local art, local puzzles, local music, even local handmade soaps. Prior to the current pandemic, Inklings Bookshop and Gallery was sustained by a loyal base of customers. Each had discovered the store in the tiny historic town. Though picturesque, it was an unusual choice of location for such an enterprise. “Rushland is just a slowdown at the turn of the railroad tracks with no shopping district – unless you’re headed to Davis Feed Mill,” says Karena. “I have done some selling of books online, but the interpersonal rapport with and support of customers is the core of our shop vision,” Karena says. “Because Inklings has no official employees, just family helpers, it was not eligible for small business or government loans during the COVID-19 shutdown. So Karena applied for several grants in the arts and book community, including one from the Book Industry Charitable Foundation. She heard of BINCS via its campaign: #SaveIndieBookstores. Established in 1996, the program provides financial assistance to booksellers and comic retailers who have a need arising from severe hardship or emergency circumstances. Since its inception, the organization has granted over $9 million to support more than 9,000 individuals and their families. While waiting for a reply from BINCS and with the doors shut, Karena enhanced the collection and opened a new section of the store. New areas with parent edifying resources, including what was becoming a reality for many – home schooling. Creating artwork was a pleasant diversion as well as she anxiously waited to hear back from her grant letters. And she was delighted to receive a positive response from BINCS. The award helped her to pay rent for the brick and mortar shop but above all, the grant “was a beautiful affirmation of the importance and value of Inklings,” says Karena. “It has been a personal dream to open, and the award validated what I was aspiring to give the community, a real resource for budding artistic ideas.” Since the green light for reopening in June, the store has been thriving, even more so than before the shutdown. “Our small collection of customers has been bringing in their friends and families. Now we get new customers almost every day, most of whom rave about the atmosphere, the sensibilities and the diversity of what we offer here.” Inklings Bookshop and Gallery is open noon to 6 p.m. It is located at 1070 Swamp Road, Rushland. continue reading...__ Sen. Santarsiero to host Caregivers Resource and Support event State Sen. Steve Santarsiero will host a virtual Caregivers Resource and Support event 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8. Santarsiero will be joined by speakers from county and state agencies, organizations, and area hospitals, to discuss the challenges facing caregivers, specifically during the COVID-19 pandemic, and resources available to assist caregivers in providing quality care to loved ones, while also taking care of themselves. “In these unprecedented times, it can feel more daunting than ever to care for a loved one, while also taking care of your own needs and health,” Santarsiero said. “We are fortunate to have many community resources for caregivers that can help connect them to a local network of support. I encourage anyone who is serving as a caregiver, or expects to in the future, to tune in to this event to learn about these helpful services and connect with other caregivers in our area.” During the event, the following speakers will share their expertise and information: – Valda Branison, volunteer team leader, Office of Volunteer Engagement, AARP – Margaret (Maggie) Devlin, Aging Care Management supervisor, Bucks County Area Agency on Aging – Troy Dunston, Caregiver Support Program coordinator, Pennsylvania Department of Aging – Kimberly Radago, oncology social worker, Caregiver Support Group, Grand View Hospital Additional speakers will be added as the event draws closer. To receive the link to participate in this event via Zoom, contact Nancy Adam at Nancy.Adam@pasenate.com or 215-489-5000. continue reading...__ New Hope 20-year-old launches fashion brand: Morgan Grabarz’s first collection is an ode to life she left behind when pandemic struck When she was a little girl, Morgan Grabarz absolutely loved princess dresses. But rather than dreaming of becoming the next Cinderella, Grabarz grew up wanting to be more like the Fairy Godmother – who, with a little magic, creates for Cinderella a spectacular ball gown. “I think it was princess dresses that really got me into fashion in the first place,” said Grabarz, now a 20-year-old college junior. “I’ve always loved the whole fashion industry and when I was younger, I used to say, I want to be a fashion designer; I want to have my own clothing line; I want to be the next Michael Kors. People would always laugh, but it never faded for me.” Grabarz, a 2018 graduate of New Hope-Solebury High School, was taking steps toward realizing this future goal as a student at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. But then the coronavirus pandemic struck, and Grabarz was forced to leave the fashion capital of the United States in March. Her freelance position at Ann Taylor’s headquarters cut, a possible internship opportunity at Calvin Klein lost and the application process of studying abroad stopped dead in its tracks, she returned to her hometown of New Hope, retreating to her “happy place.” For athletes, this place is the field. For dancers and actors, the stage. For Grabarz, it’s the sewing room in her house. Stifling disappointment with productivity – surrounded by posters of past designs, a vintage cabinet exploding with fabric, a draft table pulling double duty as a clothing rack – she sat down behind her beloved sewing machine this past spring … and didn’t leave. “When I came home, I was just sewing all the time because that’s what I do when I have free time,” she said. “(My designs) were just sitting in my sewing room not being worn. So I thought I should really start selling them and start having people wear them. That’s what makes me really happy – to see people feeling beautiful in my clothes, so I decided to launch my own brand.” Appearing, initially, to be a year defined by opportunities lost, 2020 has seen Grabarz realize her dream of becoming a business owner and a fashion designer – all before the age of 21. This past summer, she launched her first clothing line, a collection of crop tops and bustiers for women that capture the essence of the Big Apple. She soon followed that up with a fall/winter collection of T-shirts for men. Her designs also include skirts and women’s tees, as well as a holiday collection featuring coats, shirts and even festive face masks, which Grabarz has been sewing throughout the course of the pandemic. Inspired by the life she left behind when COVID-19 entered the global lexicon, Grabarz designed her crop tees to be loose-fitting after hearing so many people say their weight had been fluctuating during coronavirus shutdowns. Hook-and-eye closures in the back enable the bustiers to be looser or tighter, she added. “I felt myself missing New York a lot,” Grabarz explained. “I missed my friends and I missed the city life, so I decided the inspiration of the collection was going to be my life that I’ve had the last two years. I really wanted to portray the emotion of what it feels like to be 20 years old and living in New York City. “It’s energetic and vibrant. I wanted to create show-stopping pieces that would make people feel powerful and beautiful.” Grabarz, a 2020 recipient of the Jim Hamilton Shad Memorial Scholarship, has brought some of that big city panache to the Delaware River towns. In addition to being available online, her designs have appeared in store, and in the windows of, Sojourner on Bridge Street in Lambertville, N.J., just a few miles away from New Hope-Solebury High School, where, not that long ago, Grabarz tread the halls in her pink Dr. Martens boots. Known for her eclectic style, she earned two superlatives in school: “Most Artistic” and “Most Likely to Create My Own Company.” “But back then I never would’ve imagined two years later I would be doing it,” she said. “I thought it was something that would happen much later in my life. I guess now is the time.” Asking her friends to model her designs, Grabarz conducted her first fashion show at 13 during a middle school talent show. She took private sewing lessons, as well as classes in New York City. She sewed constantly and held fashion shows all around the New Hope area – her family encouraging her passion every step of the way. “I’m so lucky. My parents are so supportive of me and they have always been very supportive of my fashion design,” said Grabarz, who also has one brother. Grabarz, who’s interned for Zac Posen’s design department, Fabric to Finish in New York City and Urban Outfitters’ headquarters in the Navy Yard in Philadelphia, loves all types of fashion. “I am very passionate about red carpet fashion and runway. If I could have my own runway show in Fashion Week, that’s the dream for me, but I also recognize the importance of ready-to-wear,” she said. And whether it’s an elaborate gown or T-shirt, Grabarz creates every piece of clothing with one purpose in mind. “I just love to make people feel good in what they’re wearing,” Grabarz said. “I think the way you dress – if you feel good, I think it will make you feel more confident. And that’s just something I love about fashion.” Visit morgangrabarz.com or follow Grabarz on Instagram, @morgan.grabarz, for more information. continue reading...__COVID-19 BRIEFS
Bucks County Coronavirus Summary for December 2 Get the statsThis guide with interactive tables, charts and maps illustrates the current status of COVID-19 in Bucks County. These data are updated daily.See the numbers: Bucks County Coronavirus Summary >>PA Department of Health provides update on COVID-19: 4,744 patients hospitalized and 967 patients in intensive care unitsThe Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of noon, December 1, that there were 8,291 new cases bringing the statewide total to 375,431. As of 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, December 1, there were 194 new deaths reported for a total of 10,757 deaths attributed to COVID-19 The trend in the 14-day moving average of number of hospitalized patients per day has increased by nearly 3,300 since the end of September. Statewide percent positivity for the week of November 20 – November 26 stood at 11.7%. The number of tests administered within the last 7 days between November 25 and December 1 is 371,101 with 46,070 positive cases. There were 52,244 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., December 1. There are 4,744 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 967 patients are in the intensive care unit with COVID-19. Most of the patients hospitalized are ages 65 or older, and most of the deaths have occurred in patients 65 or older. There are 18,578 individuals who have a positive viral antigen test and are considered probable cases and 642 individuals who have a positive serology test and either COVID-19 symptoms or a high-risk exposure. There are 2,852,624 individuals who have tested negative to date. Mask-wearing is required in all businesses and whenever leaving home. Consistent mask-wearing is critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19. Numbers by county Bucks County: 18,296 cases and 704 deathsChester County: 12,654 cases and 406 deathsDelaware County: 20,762 cases and 806 deathsLehigh County: 11,868 cases and 387 deathsMontgomery County: 22,618 cases and 947 deathsNorthampton County: 9,444 cases and 337 deathsPhiladelphia: 63,719 cases and 2,065 deathsData Dashboard: County-specific information and a statewide map >>New Jersey reports 309,675 COVID-19 casesThe New Jersey Department of Health announced that as of December 2 there were 346,206 cases of COVID-19 cases reported and 17,145 deaths, including 107 new deaths. There were 4,350 new cases recorded December 2. The rate of transmission is 1.08. There were 14,170 Mercer County residents who have tested positive for COVID-19, including 176 new cases. To date, a total of 664 Mercer County residents have died due to COVID-19. In Hunterdon County there are 36 new cases and a total of 2,577 cases. There are 78 confirmed deaths and 54 probable deaths. View Mercer County municipality statistics >>View New Jersey statistics >> continue reading...__ L&I urges U.S. Senate to extend pandemic unemployment programs The Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Secretary Jerry Oleksiak today cautioned that the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and federal Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) programs are set to expire Dec. 26. An estimated 400,000 PUA claimants and 109,000 PECU claimants will lose their critical benefits if the U.S. Senate does not extend the program. “To allow tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians and millions of Americans to lose their income during a global pandemic in the middle of winter and the holiday season is beyond cruel,” said Oleksiak. “L&I is working with our partners to identity other state programs and assistance for out-of-work Pennsylvanians with urgent needs, such as food and housing. But Pennsylvania needs the U.S. Senate to extend the PUA and PEUC programs before Dec. 26 by passing an extension through legislation, such as the HEROES Act.” PUA and PEUC were created by Congress in March as part of the federal CARES Act in response to an unprecedented surge in national unemployment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. PUA provides up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits to individuals not eligible for regular unemployment compensation or extended benefits, including those who have exhausted all rights to such benefits. PUA claimants include self-employed works, such as independent contractors, gig economy workers, and workers for certain religious entities, as well as individuals seeking part-time employment, lacking sufficient work history, and those who otherwise do not qualify for regular unemployment compensation or extended benefits. PEUC provides 13 weeks of additional unemployment benefits to qualified individuals whose regular unemployment benefits were exhausted on or after July 6, 2019. PEUC has become increasingly critical as the pandemic continues because more unemployed Pennsylvanians are reaching the 26-week maximum for traditional Unemployment Compensation. L&I urges an extension to this program to assist the Pennsylvanians who will be unable to resume working or find a new job through no fault of their own until after the pandemic and related economic troubles have ended. Approximately 109,000 Pennsylvanians will exhaust or be cut off from their benefits if PEUC is not extended. “In addition to the tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians who will directly lose their benefits on Dec. 26, the abrupt conclusion of these two critical programs will have devastating secondary effects on the businesses where claimants spend their benefits,” said Oleksiak. “The end of PUA and PEUC will further paralyze the economy, causing additional job losses and business closures. I am urging the U.S. Senate to act immediately to extend these programs and protect the American economy from suffering moredamage.”
continue reading...__ Auditor General releases follow-up report on State Veterans Homes: Report echoes significant concerns about response to COVID-19 crisis,deaths
Auditor General Eugene DePasquale today released a special report that raises questions about how the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) managed the COVID-19 outbreak that led to dozens of deaths at veterans homes, with the vast majority occurring at the Southeastern Veterans’ Center (SEVC) in Chester County. “I applaud the Wolf Administration for hiring independent investigators to review the situation at SEVC and would ask that the report be made public when it is complete,” DePasquale said. “Our veterans and their families deserve the best quality of care available, as well as full transparency about any failures that may have put veterans’ lives in jeopardy.” DePasquale’s report, “Protecting Our Protectors: A Review of State Veterans Homes,” examines how the DMVA implemented his 2016 audit recommendations for the six state veterans homes. It also echoes significant concerns about patient care at SEVC in the early months of the pandemic. “Our review found good records of compliance and histories of passing grades at most veterans homes since 2016,” DePasquale said. “However, a state inspection noted that failures by SEVC’s former administration during the beginning of the pandemic put the majority of its residents in immediate, serious jeopardy.” SEVC has reported 42 COVID deaths, more than the five other state veterans homes combined. Some of the homes have reported no deaths, according to Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) data. An outside contractor has been running SEVC since June, and the facility passed subsequent DOH inspections in August and September. Review the new special report, “Protecting Our Protectors — A Review of State Veterans Homes,” learn more about the 2016 DMVA audit report and find the Department of the Auditor General online at www.PaAuditor.gov. continue reading...__ Bucks County Coronavirus Summary for December 1 Get the statsThis guide with interactive tables, charts and maps illustrates the current status of COVID-19 in Bucks County. These data are updated daily.See the numbers: Bucks County Coronavirus Summary >>PA Department of Health provides update on COVID-19: 4,631 patients hospitalized and 970 patients in intensive care units5,676 additional positive vases of COVID-19 The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of noon, November 30, that there were 4,631 new cases bringing the statewide total to 367,140. As of 11:59 p.m. Monday, November 30, there were 180 new deaths reported for a total of 10,563 deaths attributed to COVID-19. The trend in the 14-day moving average of number of hospitalized patients per day has increased by nearly 3,200 since the end of September. Statewide percent positivity for the week of November 20 – November 26 stood at 11.7%.The number of tests administered within the last 7 days between November 24 and November 30 is 375,888 with 32,853 positive cases. There were 38,752 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., November 30. There are 4,631 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 970 patients are in the intensive care unit with COVID-19. There are 17,770 individuals who have a positive viral antigen test and are considered probable cases and 642 individuals who have a positive serology test and either COVID-19 symptoms or a high-risk exposure. There are 2,836,445 individuals who have tested negative to date. Mask-wearing is required in all businesses and whenever leaving home. Consistent mask-wearing is critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19. Numbers by county Bucks County: 17,936 cases and 693 deathsChester County: 12,421 cases and 402 deathsDelaware County: 20,364 cases and 801 deathsLehigh County: 11,579 cases and 385 deathsMontgomery County: 22,228 cases and 941 deathsNorthampton County: 9,199 cases and 336 deathsPhiladelphia: 62,395 cases and 2,042 deathsData Dashboard: County-specific information and a statewide map >> continue reading...__ Bucks County Coronavirus Summary for November 30 Get the statsThis guide with interactive tables, charts and maps illustrates the current status of COVID-19 in Bucks County. These data are updated daily.See the numbers: Bucks County Coronavirus Summary >>PA Department of Health provides update on COVID-19: 4,405 patients hospitalized and 918 patients in intensive care unitsTwo-day total of 9,797 additional positive cases of COVID-19 The Pennsylvania Department of Health today confirmed as of noon, November 30, that there were 4,268 new cases, in addition to 5,529 new cases reported Sunday, November 29, for a two-day total of 9,797 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 361,464. As of 11:59 p.m., Saturday, November 28, there were 75 new deaths and as of 11:59 p.m., Sunday, November 29, there were 32 new deaths reported for a total of 10,383 deaths attributed to COVID-19. The trend in the 14-day moving average of number of hospitalized patients per day has increased by nearly 3,000 since the end of September. Statewide percent positivity for the week of November 20 – November 26 stood at 11.7%. The number of tests administered within the last 7 days between November 23 and November 29 is 392,547 with 47,557 positive cases. There were 47,836 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., November 28 and 33,486 test results reported to the department through 10 p.m., November 29. There are 4,405 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 918 patients are in the intensive care unit with COVID-19. There are 16,951 individuals who have a positive viral antigen test and are considered probable cases and 639 individuals who have a positive serology test and either COVID-19 symptoms or a high-risk exposure. There are 2,828,049 individuals who have tested negative to date. Mask-wearing is required in all businesses and whenever leaving home. Consistent mask-wearing is critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19. Numbers by county Bucks County: 17,733 cases and 679 deathsChester County: 12,246 cases and 397 deathsDelaware County: 20,166 cases and 796 deathsLehigh County: 11,512 cases and 382 deathsMontgomery County: 21,309 cases and 936 deathsNorthampton County: 9,104 cases and 333 deathsPhiladelphia: 61,766 cases and 2,026 deathsData Dashboard: County-specific information and a statewide map >>New Jersey reports 309,675 COVID-19 casesThe New Jersey Department of Health announced that as of November 30 there were 337,304 cases of COVID-19 cases reported and 16,993 deaths, including 41 new deaths. There were 3,199 new cases recorded November 30. The rate of transmission is 1.11. There were 13,793 Mercer County residents who have tested positive for COVID-19, including 70 new cases. To date, a total of 660 Mercer County residents have died due to COVID-19. In Hunterdon County there are 43 new cases and a total of 2,510 cases. There are 77 confirmed deaths and 54 probable deaths. continue reading...__ Pennsylvania COVID-19 case increases top 41,000; percent positivity at 11.7% and 66 counties with substantial transmission Gov. Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today released a weekly status update detailing the state’s mitigation efforts based on the COVID-19 Early Warning Monitoring System Dashboard, highlighting a seven-day case increase of 41,424 cases, statewide percent positivity of 11.7%, and 66 of 67 counties with substantial transmission status. The update includes the following: Level of community transmission as a basis for the recommendations for Pre-K to 12 schools to determine instructional models.Data on cases among 5-18-year-olds.Cases that reported visiting a business among potential locations where exposures may have occurred.Updated travel recommendations.The dashboard is designed to provide early warning signs of factors that affect the state’s mitigation efforts. The data available on the early warning monitoring dashboard includes week-over-week case differences, incidence rates, test percent-positivity, and rates of hospitalizations, ventilations and emergency room visits tied to COVID-19. This week’s update compares the period of Nov. 20 to 26 to the previous seven days, Nov. 13 to 19. “Pennsylvania continues to trend in the wrong direction as COVID-19 continues to spread,” Wolf said. “Last week, we took a number of mitigation steps designed to reverse this trend and help protect Pennsylvanians. We need all Pennsylvanians to follow these measures as part of their collective responsibility to protect one another. I remain convinced that by working together Pennsylvanians can stop the spread of this virus.” As of Thursday, Nov. 26, the state has seen a seven-day case increase of 41,424 cases; the previous seven-day increase was 37,380 cases, indicating 4,044 more new cases across the state over the past week compared to the previous week. The statewide percent-positivity went up to 11.7% from 11.1% last week. Every county in the state has a concerning percent positivity above five percent except for one county, Forest County at 3.6 percent. This includes five counties (Juniata, Mifflin, Bedford, Somerset and Tioga) with percent positivity above 20 percent. “This week’s data, and the one week change in the rate of hospitalizations and ventilator use is a reminder to us all of our role in protecting our health care system,” Dr. Levine said. Community TransmissionAs of Friday’s data, Adams, Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Berks, Blair, Bradford, Bucks, Butler, Cambria, Carbon, Centre, Chester, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Crawford, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Elk, Erie, Fayette, Forest, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Huntingdon, Indiana, Jefferson, Juniata, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lawrence, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, McKean, Mercer, Mifflin, Monroe, Montgomery, Montour, Northampton, Northumberland, Perry, Philadelphia, Pike, Potter, Schuylkill, Snyder, Somerset, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union, Venango, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Westmoreland, Wyoming, and York counties were in the substantial level of community transmission. Throughout the pandemic, there have been 27,954 total cases of COVID-19 among 5 to 18-year-olds. Of that total, 4,212 occurred between Nov. 20 and 26. For the week of Nov. 13 to 19, there were 3,937 cases of COVID-19 among 5 to 18-year-olds. Business VisitsThe Department of Health is providing weekly data on the number of individuals who responded to case investigators that they spent time at business establishments (restaurants, bars, gym/fitness centers, salon/barbershops) and at mass gatherings 14 days prior to the onset of COVID-19 symptoms. It is important to note that due to the recent number of cases, the department is prioritizing case investigations. In addition to the need for people to answer the call, the significant number of cases helps contribute to the low percentages in contact tracing data. All of this reinforces the need for Pennsylvanians to take steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Of the 44,525 confirmed cases reported between Nov. 15 and 21, only 7 percent (3,038) provided an answer to the question as to whether they spent time at a business establishment. Of the 44,525 confirmed cases, 6.9 percent (3,063) answered the question as to whether they attended a mass gathering or other large event. Of the 6.9 percent, 13 percent (398) answered yes to whether they attended a mass gathering or other large event 14 days prior to onset of symptoms. Travel RecommendationsThis week, the Department of Health provided an updated travel order requiring anyone over the age of 11 who visits from another state to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test or place themselves in a travel quarantine for 14 days upon entering Pennsylvania. This order, which took effect on Wednesday, Nov. 25, does not apply to people who commute to and from another state for work or medical treatment, those who left the state for less than 24 hours, and those complying with a court order, including child custody. continue reading...__ OPINION AND EDITORIAL Kathryn Finegan Clark: By the Way -- A move to the countryside As a child in Paris after World War II, Eric Guy was exposed to a wonderful world of exquisite furniture. He later studied at the prestigious Ecole Boulle, a college of fine arts and crafts in Paris, eventually turning his knowledge and skills into designing handmade furniture, emphasizing the beauty of the past. Now, at his shop in Springtown, he is listening to his own inner artist and trending away from the ornate toward more modern design, turning his hand to a stripped-down elegance while also incorporating something of the past into the present.” He said, “I’m moving forward.” About 30 years ago, the Frenchman moved to New York City where he ran a shop as an antique dealer and did restoration work. “My main focus now is creating new ideas, new designs to market,” he said. He is a third-generation craftsman and artist, the son of an architect and grandson of a decorator. “It runs a little bit in the blood,” he said. Ten years ago, he left New York and moved to a shop tucked behind a handsome white porch on Springtown’s Main Street. “I have the best porch in town. I love it,” he said. As we sat there on ornate metal chairs for an open air, masked interview, it was easy to see how much he likes the picturesque village. A focal point in the shop’s Dickensian windows is a tall dollhouse exhibiting the flavor of a Parisian townhouse. He made it for his daughter. Behind the storefront is a cozy, and attractive, woodworking shop, complete with a Mandarin orange tree. Short on machinery and long on hand tools, the shop features all the necessary equipment for making handmade furniture using traditional techniques. As Eric described his journey from metropolis to village, it seemed to parallel what had happened in Paris. Guy said his grandfather, Henry Fauconnet, a successful decorator, often took him to the Louvre, where he sought inspiration, and to the 12th Arrondissement, “where I was surrounded by fantastic antiques.” World-class furniture makers worked and displayed their wares in that quarter before high rents forced them to leave the city and move into the countryside. “It was sad,” he said. “All that is gone now.” But Guy is not sad about moving to Springtown, which he thinks is a particularly charming village. “The people are very friendly and they have been very supportive,” he said. What Guy himself has left behind is his work on period pieces. He is trending now more toward his own creations. “I make the kinds of furniture that are seen in fine houses,” he said. “Very high-end.” He added, “I try to use what history has given me.” Most of his customers come from the tri-state area, he said, but he also noted some of his work has been shipped out of the country He has often returned to Paris, but COVID-19 travel restrictions have temporarily suspended those journeys. Still, it’s easy to see he still misses his birthplace “Every inch of Paris has a history,” he said, “and the parks are so lovely. Spring is the most beautiful moment of Parisian life.” His need to create his own designs has been going on for some time. A line of elegant etagers that he created 10 years ago can be used either to display possessions or as bookcases. “They are luxuriously and carefully crafted with solid brass,” he said. An agent in New York handles their sales for him. Guy also particularly likes to work with solid wood and often incorporates synthetic materials in his designs. One especially interesting piece in the shop is a modern live-edge console table and bench made of solid walnut with a frost finish. The creation of a beautiful piece of furniture is what matters most to him now. And he’d like to share the magic feeling of creativity. He’s planning to teach woodworking and design classes in the near future. More information at ericguyinc.com. kathrynfclark@verizon.netRead More
COLUMNS
Camille Granito Mancuso: Chatterbox -- Holiday light “TwilightZone”
Older folks remember life when shopping was an event. In Italy, I remember, the Italians, especially in small towns, don’t shop like Americans do, even now. From designer shops to the local hole in the wall where we can get batteries and gum, browsing is not encouraged; it’s a foreign behavior, and shop keepers are thoroughly confused, if not annoyed, by it. You need a white shirt? You go out and get a white shirt. You’re done. One shopkeeper, I remember, kept clicking his tongue at us as we wandered around deciding what goodies to try. Most Americans love browsing. Our shopping mechanisms are now built on it. Still, shopping was more fun when we went from store to store in the weather, even when that weather wasn’t kind. It was exhilarating, and many of us have great memories of our childhoods, especially at Christmastime, rushing around in the lights and the snow, or the slush, listening to the bell of every corner Santa as he stood by the big red kettle. Very recently, I went to a mall for the first time in over a year ... long, even for me. More crowded than I anticipated, it was both scary and refreshing. As much as I don’t like to personalize things, I’ll share. I had forgotten how lovely rows of shops can be. Sure, everyone was a bit guarded, but that’s good right now. In the brief time I spent there, I realized that losing our brick and mortar retail would be very depressing, if we let it happen, and, let’s be truthful, we were on our way there even before this virus made it so near impossible, and a bit scary, to store hop. The retail giants didn’t help. Where their inventory was more extensive than small shops, they kept decreasing personnel, making it harder for us to actually buy it. My last two experiences with larger stores were actually contradictory to spending money. It’s a push in the wrong direction with online shopping knocking at our door. People love the convenience of online ordering for sure. It’s all open all hours and gets delivered to our door. We can shop in our fluffy slippers without makeup. The inventory is nearly endless, as are the choices of stores, and we can drink our own coffee, stop to change the laundry loads, or make dinner in the midst of it all. Still, it has its drawbacks, like we can’t try clothes on – that’s a biggie. We can’t feel things, and we are such tactile creatures. We want to know our fabrics before we commit, like our sheets, clothes, towels, oh, and our socks, for sure. Then, there’s the social aspect of shopping. Even if we’re alone, we can interact with people. We smile at strangers and children, chat with other shoppers and the sales help. It’s always fun. That’s how I felt last week, after such a long time away, even though it was just one errand. I saw the mall with new eyes and it gave me joy just being there. It was surprising, all things considered, how many shops were open. It looked like a little town, only indoors. The whole place was dressed for the holidays. I was happy that someone had made that decision. I was wishing there had been snow on the ground, even if it was cardboard, or floors that looked like cobblestone streets, but no matter; it was thrilling just to be out. It was almost emotional to see clusters of people and hear the bells and carols. Sure, this time of year, it’s sparkling almost everywhere, and shopping is safer in small towns and villages outdoors, but after a long drought, even the contrived glitz refreshed. It’s a point to ponder, too: Will all the isolation from the virus breathe new life into people to do more shopping in local shops or malls, when socializing is safe again? Even if it only gets a second chance just because we all have missed socializing so much, it’ll be refreshing. Humans aren’t the only mammal for which socializing is instinctive. Mammals aren’t even the only species to seek social interaction, but I wanted to chat with strangers, watch them move around, browse through racks of sweaters and flip through calendars. They wanted to do that too ... and buy coffee, and stroll around. We have all been away too long. Still, proceed with caution; the last lap always seems the longest and prevention is all we have, right now.Read More
SPORTS
Pennridge battles back to defeat Quakertown on Thanksgiving Pennridge scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to rally past rival Quakertown 21-14 last Thursday in the 91st Thanksgiving Day meeting between the two teams. Shane Hartzell ran 9 yards into the end zone to put Pennridge up 7-0 in the first quarter. Following halftime, Quakertown erased the Rams’ lead on a 46-yard pass from Tyler Woodman to Zach Fondl. Will Steich’s 16-yard strike to Tyler Merwarth put the Panthers up 14-7 until a fumble recovery by Pennridge’s Jake Tarburton knotted the score at 14 in the fourth quarter. Rams quarterback Bobby Croyle connected with Joey Kacerik on a 59-yard pass for the game-winning TD with a little over two minutes left in regulation. Due to the ongoing pandemic, only a limited number of spectators were permitted to watch the annual rivalry game from the stands; a livestream of the game was also provided Thanksgiving morning. Pennridge, the District One Class 6A tournament runner-up and SOL National Conference champion, finished the season with a 7-1 record; Quakertown concluded the year at 5-3.Read More
Central Bucks East seniors commit to colleges Ask Evan Bullotta about his commitment to play lacrosse at the University of North Carolina, and Central Bucks East’s standout defenseman says he got lucky. Listening to his high school coach tell it, luck had nothing to do with the East senior signing a letter of intent to the perennial ACC powerhouse. “Evan is one of those student-athletes that comes along maybe once or twice in a coaching career,” East coach Bruce Garcia said. “His ability to play defense and his knowledge of the game belies his age.” Bullotta, who plans to major in business, chose UNC from an impressive list that included Ohio State, Maryland, Duke and Virginia. “(I chose UNC) for the atmosphere of the campus – the coaches and players there made me feel at home,” Bullotta said. “Also, it’s a very good school academically.” The East senior has been playing lacrosse for as long as he can remember. “I wanted to play at the highest level possible,” Bullotta said. “Around seventh or eighth grade, I realized I could make that happen, so I joined the very competitive club circuit and went from there. Got lucky, got recruited and made my dream school.” Bullotta was one of six East seniors recognized recently for committing to play collegiate sports. Included in that group were three members of the track and field team – Carolena Bellini, Ella Derstine and Kylie Emmens. “The work ethic from the three of them was tremendous,” East coach Steve Martin said. “Going from mentee to mentor, they have been a tremendous asset to the team.” Bellini will continue her career at the University of Vermont, choosing the New England school from a final list that also included Holy Cross, Fordham and Lehigh. “Vermont was just a very unique atmosphere when I visited,” Bellini said. “Burlington is a really neat city, and you get the outdoorsy experience as well, and I don’t think I’d be able to get that anywhere else. I met some of the team, and they were a really close-knit, tight family.” Ali Gillen – herself a record holder at East – coaches Bellini in long and triple jump. “She came to jumping a little late in her career, but she really took to it very quickly,” the East coach said. “It really plays on all of her strengths as an explosive speed athlete on the track. She has a lot of potential to not only jump but also compete in multi events at the University of Vermont.” Derstine will take her talents to Bucknell University where markets, innovation and design will be her major. “I really liked the campus,” said Derstine, who also considered Villanova, Lehigh and St. Joseph’s. “When I talked to the girls, I could tell they were all really tight-knit. Obviously, it’s also a really good education.” As a sophomore, Derstine placed 10th in the 300-meter hurdles at the state meet and then lost her junior season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Ella came out and was one of the best sprinters as a freshman, and as she transitioned into learning hurdles, it became apparent that it was just the right fit for her,” Gillen said. “She’s someone who at first didn’t realize she could be as good as she is. Her freshman year she struggled when she got to some of the higher level meets, but by the time her sophomore year came around, she was ready to be the best in the league, the district and the state.” Emmens chose Rider University from a final list that also included Millersville and Bryant. She was drawn to the track team at Rider. “They’re really close,” said Emmens, who will major in psychology. “I started thinking about college when I got my first PR last winter, and I realized I could actually go somewhere with it.” The East senior is a hurdler. “Kylie is someone who really just improved by leaps and bounds her junior year,” Gillen said. “She really came into her own and realized she could be among the best in the state.” Fiona Henderson will continue her lacrosse career at Kutztown University where she will major in education. “It really is a hidden gem, and I feel like I’m at home there,” said Henderson, who also considered Haverford, Washington College, Temple and Franklin & Marshall. “I’ve wanted to compete in college since I was little. My brother played college lacrosse for Penn State, so I’ve always wanted to be on a team like that.” An all-league goalie as a sophomore, Henderson also was without a spring season as a junior. “She has worked really hard between her club and high school teams to get here,” East coach Jordan Sanocki said. “We are looking forward to spring and what she can accomplish before sending her off to what we know will be a successful college career at KU.” Andrew Whinney has signed a letter of intent to continue his baseball career at the College of the Holy Cross, choosing the school for the combination of the coaching staff, the facilities and the liberal arts education. “I started to look ahead to college around late freshman and early sophomore year when I started to develop quicker,” Whinney said. “From then on, I devoted myself to it, I worked really hard at it and did what I needed to do to get here.” A National Merit Scholarship semifinalist, he also considered Harvard, Bucknell, Columbia, NJIT and Lafayette. “He’s a brilliant kid, and he’s a phenomenal leader,” East coach Kyle Dennis said. “He just absolutely can receive anything. He showed as a sophomore the ability to handle (Tampa Bay Rays draftee) Nick Bitsko throwing 95 mph. He’s worked incredibly hard at his craft and just becoming a great receiver. His technical ability to receive pitches regardless of spin and velocity is the best I’ve seen, and we’ve had some really good catchers.” Football alumni update: Bishop, Gallo shine Although the 2020 football season was unlike any other, multiple area products still were able to play and thrive. Army sophomore center Connor Bishop (Holland) played his way on to the Rimington Award Watch List. The Black Knights are 7-2 with the second best rushing offense in college football. Bishop started eight games and has seen significant playing time in all nine. Virginia Tech sophomore tight end Nick Gallo (Council Rock South) has seen action in all nine Hokie contests. Gallo has 10 catches for 75 yards this fall. He scored a touchdown against then No. 25 Liberty. Elsewhere in the ACC, Syracuse sophomore tight end Luke Benson (CB West) has appeared in every game for the Orange. Benson has six grabs for 63 yards and two touchdowns – a 53-yard score against Duke and a 3-yard reception against Wake Forest. Temple senior quarterback Anthony Russo (Doylestown) had a strong start to the 2020 season. In three games, Russo completed 92 of 135 pass attempts (68%) for 868 yards and nine touchdowns. He also rushed for two touchdowns against Navy. Unfortunately, a shoulder injury may have short circuited Russo’s season. Penn State sophomore defensive end Nick Tarburton (Pennridge) has played in all six of the Nittany Lions’ games. He was credited with a quarterback hurry against Iowa; Tarburton has a tackle in Penn State’s last two games. Not all game action takes place on Saturdays. In the NFL, guard Justin Pugh (Council Rock South) is closing in on the 100th start of his pro career. Pugh should get it on Dec. 20 when his Arizona Cardinals ironically play his hometown Philadelphia Eagles. Pugh has started all 11 games for the 6-5 Cardinals. Tight end Colin Thompson (Doylestown) made his second start for the Carolina Panthers on Sunday and played in a career-high 24 snaps. Thompson has appeared in every game for the 4-7 Panthers, and he caught a 7-yard touchdown on Nov. 15 against the Vikings. Running back Josh Adams (Central Bucks South) has appeared in four games for the New York Jets this season; Adams has 23 yards on six touches and scored a touchdown in New York’s Sept. 13 loss to Buffalo. On the sidelines, Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Paul Guenther (Council Rock) and Green Bay defensive coordinator Mike Pettine Jr. (CB West) are both very much in the playoff hunt. The Raiders are 6-5 and their rushing defense ranks in the top half of the NFL. 8-3 Green Bay leads the NFC North; their defense ranks in the top half of the NFL in total yards allowed. New Hope golfer Natasha Kiel inks with Vanderbilt Natasha Kiel, a high school senior from New Hope, signed her NCAA Division I Letter of Intent with Vanderbilt University on Nov. 11. She will join its women’s golf team as a freshman in the fall of 2021. Vanderbilt, part of the Southeastern Conference, is located inNashville, Tenn.
EDUCATION
Hunterdon students score wins at virtual conference In a year of change, three Hunterdon County Polytech education students aimed for a bit of consistency with top-place finishes in fall Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) events. They succeeded, each bringing home a gold medal and upholding the high school’s reputation for preparing knowledgeable and poised competitors. The gold-medal winners include: – Ava Dressendofer,a senior in Hunterdon County Polytech’s Teacher Academy, with a gold in the Caregiver Carry All Event, for which she designed 12 activities for preschool children to promote social-emotional learning; – Gina DeSanctis and Mayce Fleming, both juniors in Polytech’s Early Childhood Education program, each with gold in the Virtual Read Aloud Event, for which they created engaging scenes with props and supplemental activities to accompany their respective book recordings. In a traditional school year, Polytech’s FCCLA officers would compete in-person during a fall leadership conference with regional chapters. This year, the conference moved online and expanded to become the first Unified Fall Leadership Conference, organized by the New Jersey Career and Technical Student Organizations, through the work of state officers and state advisors. Held Nov. 16 to 20, the conference ran for a few hours each day, offering students from all participating organizations virtual opportunities to interact, engage with college representatives, learn from motivational speakers, attend workshops and more. When it came time to compete, the three Polytech students were among 220 total New Jersey FCCLA participants. They succeeded with help from Polytech Early Childhood Education and Teacher Academy instructor Natalie Guarino, who also serves as the FCCLA Chapter advisor. Guarino met with the students either virtually or when they attended school in their hybrid schedule, using the precious time they had together to fine-tune projects before uploading them for the judges. “All of our students truly deserved the recognition they received,” said Guarino. She acknowledged that the changes to school schedules and formats required them to “meet tighter deadlines and exercise a higher level of creativity than prior years.” In fact, the Virtual Read Aloud Event was added this year to capture the new way teachers are engaging with young learners. Both DeSanctis and Fleming transformed their surroundings and used props to keep listeners engaged. They also rose to the challenge of learning new skills, like integrating music into videos and making puppets. Dressendofer’s project captured her attention to detail, as she meticulously followed and exceeded the rubric’s requirements to deliver a dozen unique activities that promoted social-emotional learning. “These students were rewarded because they leveraged the knowledge and skills they learned through their Polytech coursework to create standout projects,” Guarino said. The students also recognized their teacher’s role in their success. “Thanks to Ms. Guarino, I learned so much about kids and how they become engaged and learn,” Dressendofer said. The winning students hope to compete during FCCLA spring leadership conferences. Currently, they are focused on leading Polytech’s FCCLA. The chapter recently hosted a food drive for a Lambertville food pantry, adopted a family for the holidays through the Salvation Army, and currently is raising money for future competitions, field trips and other chapter activities. To learn more about the career-focused learning offered through the Hunterdon County Vocational School District, visit hcvsd.org, and sign up to attend a Virtual Information Session for either the full-time programs on Dec. 10 or the shared-time Polytech programs on Dec. 12. Applications for programs beginning next year are accepted through Dec. 18 using the “Apply Today” button at the top of the homepage.Read More
Bucks offers courses online during Winter Session College students can make the most of winter break – and save a tidy sum on tuition – by earning up to eight credits in just four weeks during Winter Session at Bucks County Community College. Registration is underway for online classes beginning Monday, Dec. 21 and ending Sunday, Jan. 17. Credits easily transfer to most four-year colleges and universities, enabling students to work toward their degrees at a lower tuition rate – $165 a credit for Bucks County residents – and transfer credits back to their home school. Students with a satisfactory academic standing can take up to two courses during Winter Session. There are 51 courses offered with 69 total sections, including Introductory Accounting, Basic Human Anatomy, Effective Speaking, U.S. History, English Composition I, and many more. All courses are offered completely online, allowing motivated students to study from the warmth and safety of home. Students can look up courses and register online at www.bucks.edu/winter. Registration must be completed by Dec. 20, and payment is due in full at time of registration. For information, visit bucks.edu/winter, call 215-968-8100, or e-mail registrar@bucks.edu.DINING
Susan S. Yeske: Recipe of the Week -- Reach for the vegetables that sustained our ancestors With Thanksgiving behind us and the winter holidays ahead, it’s time to think about hearty dishes that will take us through the cold months of winter.An easy choice is to reach for the vegetables that sustained our ancestors during winter months. Long before we had the option to buy warm-weather vegetables year round, our ancestors figured out which vegetables had hardy skins that stored well in cool, dark places.Along with long storage times, root and hardy vegetables are filled with nutrients they needed to get through until spring brought warmth and a new growing season.The local farmers market harvest season has ended, although some local farm stands and the Stockton Farmers Market are open and the Wrightstown Winter Farmers Market will reopen Dec. 12 at Old Anchor Church in Wrightstown. This year’s winter market will reopen outdoors to reduce any chance of spreading the Covid-19 virus. It will be held the second and fourth Saturdays of the month from 10 a.m. to noon through April.Winter markets will offer root and cold-weather vegetables including beets, parsnips, rutabagas, sweet and white potatoes, onions, leeks, carrots and hardy squashes such as butternut and acorn. You might even find some cabbages, which some farmers leave in the fields and harvest long after the first hard frost.All of these vegetables also are great in soups, stews and risottos. This recipe from myfoodandfamily.com would be satisfying on any chilly night, but also is an attractive dish to serve during the holidays. If you don’t like some of the vegetables, simply substitute it for more of another vegetable you like.Root Vegetable Gratin1½ pounds red onions2 golden beets (about 10 ounces)2 turnips (about 10 ounces)½ pound baking potatoes (about 2)1 sweet potato (½ pound)8 ounces grated cheddar and gouda cheeses, divided¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided 1/3 cup milk 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley 1 teaspoon each garlic powder and onion powder1. Heat oven to 350°F.2. Peel, then cut all vegetables into thin slices. Set aside half the vegetables. Arrange remaining vegetables, with slices slightly overlapping and in alternating groups of 3 vegetable slices each, in concentric rows in 12-inch cast-iron skillet, starting at edge of skillet and covering bottom of half the skillet. Sprinkle half of each of the cheeses evenly over vegetables in skillet.3. Repeat with rows of reserved vegetables to evenly cover bottom of skillet.4. Mix milk, parsley, dry seasonings and remaining Parmesan until blended; drizzle over ingredients in skillet. Top with remaining shredded cheese; cover.5. Bake 1 hour or until vegetables are tender, uncovering after 30 minutes.Read More
Hunterdon Land Trust Winter Farmers’ Market begins new season The Hunterdon Land Trust’s Winter Farmers’ Market begins a new season on Sunday, Dec. 6, at the Dvoor Farm, 111 Mine St. in Flemington, N.J. The market will run every first and third Sunday of the month from December to early May from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dates are: Dec. 6 and 20; Jan. 3 and 17; Feb. 7 and 21; March 7 and 21; April 18; and May 2. There is no market April 4 because of Easter. HLT’s safety protocols remain in effect due to the pandemic. They can be viewed at hunterdonlandtrust.org. Participating farmers and vendors are: •AquaSprout Farms: fresh vegetables including lettuce, Swiss chard, kale and tomatoes. •Bobolink Dairy & Bakehouse: breads and a variety of cheeses – including cave-ripened cheddar, baudolino and drum. Also, available will be grass-fed beef. •Bubbly Goat: goats milk soap, lotion, dish-washing bars, laundry soap, bath salts and lip balm. •Burek by Zeni: homemade bureks – Phyllo dough stuffed with meats, cheese and vegetables, and a Mediterranean or Balkan special precooked meal each week. •Cabbage Throw Farm at Comeback Farm: organic produce. •Catalina Empanada: baked empanadas. •Fieldstone Coffee Roasters: coffee (including beans and ground), teas and more. •Fired Up Flatbread Co.: food truck serving pizza, pastries and beverages. •Gorgeous Goat: goat’s milk products and handmade ceramics. •Neshanic Station Apiaries: raw honey, handcrafted soaps, beeswax candles and lip balm. •Pickle Licious: a variety of pickles, olives and sun-dried tomatoes. •Pretty Bird Farm: an assortment of handmade wreaths featuring fresh greens and berries, dried flowers and citrus, as well as winterberry holly by the stem and holiday bouquets. Keep your garden growing indoors with a rainbow of succulent houseplants, paperwhites and amaryllis available as loose bulbs or potted up and ready to bloom. Email PrettyBirdFarm@Yahoo.com to preorder. •Purely Farm: eggs, artisan sausages, pastured pork and turkey, and bone broth. •River Lea House: assortment of garlics and garlic products including cooking garlic, hummus, black garlic, vegan butter, garlic scape pesto and garlic butter. •Will’s Amazing Vegan Burgers: frozen, homemade vegan burgers that are soy-free, dairy-free and gluten-free, and sauces. Check HLT’s Facebook page or website in case inclement weather forces the market to be canceled. Most farmers accept credit cards. Parking is free and easilyaccessible.
Lew Larason: Thoughts from an Epicure -- Holiday dinners For most of us, Thanksgiving and Christmas, plus other religious holidays, are going to be different this year. Regardless of your age, this is the first time getting together with family and friends for special days hasn’t been possible or at least shouldn’t happen. Of course, there’s the telephone and Zoom, which are fine for talking and seeing one another. However, there’s nothing like sitting down at a holiday table with those you love to “break bread.” For many, it’s special dishes and the time spent together. Like many others, we’ll be by ourselves for the meal. We’ll speak to loved ones. But dinner will be just us. We don’t really have trouble with that because we get along so well. As for the meal, it will not be turkey. The “modern” turkey meat is boring. I’ve had wild turkey, which has flavor that holds up well with anything else on the table. But modern turkeys are almost all white meat and bland. I like dark meat and have noticed that at large gatherings, it often goes quickly. I like leftover white meat in salads and in sandwiches. However, for the main meal, I like food that has flavor. My preference would be roasted chicken or duck. Goose is good but harder to find and has more fat than the other birds. I remember as a child eating pheasant for Christmas dinner. In those days, there were many pheasants, but a challenge for my father and other hunters. Sadly, due to habitat loss, they aren’t around this area much anymore. Patti and I had beef for our Thanksgiving dinner. After all, even though this holiday is about the food, it’s more about being thankful for those you love, whether you’re together or far apart. Give thanks for the day if nothing else. Enjoy your holidays and stay safe. If you have questions or suggestions for this column, contact me either at this newspaper at buckscountyherald.com or directly at guthrielarason@verizon.net.ENTERTAINMENT
New Hope’s “West Side Story” to be told during tour The New Hope Historical Society’s popular “Autumn Walking Tour of New Hope” series will conclude with a tour at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13. The series, recently produced by board member and past president Roy Ziegler, explores the north, south, east and west sides of the historic borough. “There is a rich legacy that endures on the west side of the borough,” said Ziegler. “The New Hope community began at the westernmost part of the borough in the Springdale section located at the junction of Sugan Road and York Road.” The tour will begin at the Parry Mansion and head west along Ferry Street, originally part of the York Road. Then it will be on to the Revolutionary War encampment sites at the Wedgwood Inn and Paxson-Rhoads Estate. Cintra, the Portuguese palace-inspired home of New Hope business tycoon William Maris, will be the next stop, and then tour participants will learn about the Joseph Reeder Estate, now the Fox and Hound Bed and Breakfast. A surprising connection between the founder of Wawa Dairy and a preeminent New Hope family will be revealed. All walking tour participants are required to wear face coverings and maintain social distancing.Read More
Touchstone’s quirky Christmas City Follies premiers online Touchstone Theatre’s Christmas City Follies XXI, the annual holiday-themed variety show, will be presented online this year. Follies will premiere on YouTube at 7 p.m. Dec. 20, with a watch party and then be available to view through Jan. 2. Christmas City Follies offers an evening of original sketches, characters, songs, and more. The show traditionally ranges from the sublime to the ridiculous, with subject matter that has included family stories, dancing hippos, snow camels, holiday yoga, and kazoo-playing Christmas trees. Shooting this year’s Follies as a movie, the company will continue to create and perform material for its eclectic cast of characters, filmed as scenes on Touchstone’s property and around Bethlehem, using the Christmas City as its backdrop. The show will feature returning Touchstone favorites like the Old Guy, Little Red, the Better Not Shout Network, and the Shopping Cart Ballet, as well as a host of new music, personalities, sketches, and stories. The Touchstone company will also perform an in-person “mini Follies” at outdoor holiday events across Bethlehem through Sunday, Dec. 6. Christmas City Follies XXI tickets are: $12 for individuals and $35 for households and a $5 ticket for those who would benefit from a discounted admission. Tickets, which are a link to view the show online, may be purchased at 610-867-1689 or touchstone.org. Radio City Rockette to teach precision jazz workshop in Bucks The Pennsylvania School of the Performing Arts in Newtown hosts a holiday precision jazz workshop with PSPA alumni and Radio City Rockette: Lauren Manning Sunday, Dec. 13. Spots are limited to 11 per group in studio and ZOOM. The workshop will focus on the precise technique that Rockettes are known for, while focusing on the fundamentals of technique, the objective is to craft a more musical, detail-oriented, and sophisticated dancer. Sessions are: ages 9 to 11, 1 to 2 p.m., $35; and ages 12 and older, 2:30 to 4 p.m., $45. Manning is a Pennsylvania native and former PSPA/SIMBT student. For seven holiday seasons, she has performed as a Rockette in “The Christmas Spectacular” starring the Rockettes. She has appeared on NBC’s “July Fourth Fireworks Spectacular” performing the work of Emmy Award-winning choreographer Mia Michaels. Lauren has appeared with the Rockettes on the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, “LIVE! With Kelly and Ryan,” “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and “The Today Show.” Manning is an ABT certified teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 3 the ABT National Training Curriculum. In addition to performing and teaching she is on the commercial team at Dance Media, publisher of Dance Magazine, Dance Spirit, Dance Teacher, Pointe, Dance Business Weekly, and The Dance Edit. For information or to register, contact 215-598-8513 orPSPAstudios.com.
RVCC presents virtual “Cinderella” The Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) Arts & Design department will present its second selection in a virtual concert series launched to help defray the cost of private instructional lessons for RVCC music majors. The virtual concert, “Cinderella,” will be live-streamed from RVCC’s Nash Theatre at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13. The performance will feature award-winning pianist Artyom Pak. The concert will include 19 pieces from Sergey Prokofiev’s ballet, “Cinderella,” Opp. 95, 97, 102, in the composer’s own piano arrangement. The concert is part of the department’s MOZAIKA Concert Series, created to promote multicultural dialogue through the performance of music from the classical canon through the 21st century. To watch “Cinderella,” visit facebook.com/RVCCMusic. The concert also will be available for viewing after the initialperformance date.
ARTS AND GALLERIES
The Art of the River Towns Artist of the Week: Jacalyn Beam This week we are featuring a participating artist from the Art of the River Towns Juried Show. Art of the River Towns, presented by River Towns Magazine, was held Oct. 1 to 4, at Prallsville Mills in Stockton, N.J. Jacalyn Beam of Greenville, Del., was born in Chester County. “Her early training in art was rooted in the history and beauty of the Brandywine Valley,” she said in her artist statement. “She holds a B.S. in Music, M.Ed. and Ed.D. and has always held a passion for painting,” she said in her artist statement. “The Wyeths, Sorolla, Sargent, Sotter, Schofield and Thayer are a few of her favorite artists.” Beam is a member of the American Impressionist Society (AIS), Oil Painters of America (OPA), Washington Society of Landscape Painters (WSLP) and the Mid-Atlantic Plein Air Painters Association (MAPAPA). She served on the board of directors of MAPAPA and the Chaddsford Historical Society for eight years. She participates in juried shows across the country and garners awards. Beam is included in the book, “100 Mid Atlantic Plein Air Painters,” published by Shiffer. She is also featured in “Brandywine Reflections” as an artist helping to preserve the local color and history on canvas. She was interviewed and photographed by The Hunt Magazine in 2019. She was featured on Virginia news stations while painting in Bath County at the “Pools,” known for their famous visitors and historical significance. Learn more about Beam, view and purchase paintings, and sign up for her newsletter on her website. Work by Beam and over 100 other local artists can be found and purchased on the Art of the River Towns Online Sales Gallery through Dec. 31. The online gallery features over 400 unique works by local artists. For information, visit Rivertownsmagazine.com.Read More
“Wish You Were Here” celebrates Bucks County and Bucks artists The Arts & Cultural Council of Bucks County has opened its second online exhibition and sale, “Bucks County: Wish You Were Here.” The exhibition opened Dec. 1 and will run through Jan. 31. This initiative is a collaboration with Visit Bucks County and will culminate in a postcard competition and exhibition at the Bucks County Visitor Center. Nearly 60 local artists have created 120 paintings, drawings, prints, photographs and mixed media works, which celebrate the highlights of Bucks County’s history, architecture, culture and landscape. The works are exhibited online, with links to artist contact information and individual artist websites to make it easy for interested collectors and arts enthusiasts to make direct connections with their favorite artists and works of art. In addition, links to sites featured in the works encourage viewers to explore favorite haunts and hidden gems throughout the county. Visitors to the region will also be able to use the show as an inspiring resource when planning holiday travel. “Collectors, art lovers, art students, friends, arts businesses, and the community are invited to take some time over the next several weeks to enjoy the variety of work and the incredible talent so vital to our region. “The Arts & Cultural Council hopes that buyers are inspired to invest in artists and the arts community by purchasing works for their collection. One hundred percent of the proceeds from artists sales will go directly to the artists, all of whom remain challenged by gallery, festival, and exhibition closures throughout the year. Throughout the winter participating artists will host Facebook Live demonstrations, studio tours, and artist talks; these events will be posted on the A&C website once the schedule is finalized. The exhibition and Facebook Live events are free and open to the public. “Wish You Were Here” will serve as a means of celebration and community building during a challenging time and provide meaningful ways to reach out to old and new friends while honoring cherished local artists and their work. By keeping regional artists at the forefront, the Council and Visit Bucks County also hope “Wish You Were Here” will provide another way for everyone to move forward and make Bucks County the best it can be. To see the show, go to bucksarts.org/onlineshowwinter2020/. The Arts & Cultural Council of Bucks County has several levels of membership and sponsorship. Learn more at bucksarts.org/. Visit Bucks County is the official tourism promotion agency for Bucks County. Learn more at VisitBucksCounty.com or stop by the Bucks County Visitor Center inBensalem.
The Baum School of Art presents Holiday Gallery, in person, online The Baum School of Art in Allentown welcomes back visitors for its 2020 Holiday Gallery sponsored by Bob and Sandy Lovett. Through Dec. 22, the school’s David E. Rodale and Rodale Family Galleries will present over 45 of the region’s artists and artisans. This year’s exhibition will feature returning artists such as Kirsten Woodward, Jacqueline Meyerson, Bruce Fritzinger, Ro Geseck and Jeffrey Wetherhold; as well as new artists Yuko Doren, Alan Kriebel, Isa Kollgaard, Alexis Gurst and more. Purchases from the Holiday Gallery directly support the artists and The Baum School of Art. This year has proven to be very challenging for everyone, including artists and arts institutions. This holiday season, give the gift of handmade – shop ceramics, woodworks, paintings, jewelry, ornaments, totes bags, other fashion pieces, and more at The Baum School of Art. “This year we are offering safe, in-person shopping by appointment only, as well as a new online store.” To schedule a private shopping appointment, call 610-433-0032 or email Lauren Faurl at lauren@baumschool.org. To ensure everyone’s safety, the school’s staff will be sanitizing before and after visitors. All guests will be required to wear masks and have a temperature check before shopping. For those who prefer to shop from the comfort of their home, visit givery.us/baumholidaygallery. AOY Art Center Small Works Show offers online and in-person shopping The members of AOY Art Center have been busy creating inspiration for the Small Works Art Show and Sale opening at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4. Each artist takes a blank canvas not larger than 8 by 10 inches and enters it in the show with his or her own personal artistic flair. There are over 170 works of original art in a variety of formats: oils, acrylics, mixed media, watercolor, and photography by over 45 AOY member artists. Look for works on canvas and works on paper by some of the area’s most popular local artists: Jeanne Chesterton, Connie Dierks, Rodney Miller and Marc Schimsky. This year the show and sale has expanded to provide more options for holiday gift giving and includes some of AOY’s member artisans creations as well. Look for Pysanka creations by Basia Andrusko (in both jewelry and ornaments), ceramic sconces with lighting featuring area locations by Fran Leyenberger, fused-glass creations by Gail McAllister, hand-sculpted ceramics by Nancy Allen, hand-felted wearable fashion accessories by Nelly Kouzmina and jewelry by April Zay of Hummingbird Arts. “The Small Works Show is the only show we run where you can purchase the art and take it with you for holiday giving,” said Bette Sovinee, coordinator. “But,” she added, “that also means that you’ll want to go to our website where we will open the online sales gallery as of 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4, so that you have the best selection to choose from.” Due to COVID-19 there is no in-person opening reception. Rather, AOY invites visitors for a Facebook Live Gallery Walk, also at 6 p.m. Dec. 4. Look for @artistsofyardley. If purchasing online, AOY Art Center is offering the option of shipping at checkout. Curbside pickup for local patrons is also available. Gallery hours are noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays only, from Saturday, Dec. 5 through Saturday, Dec. 19, but shopping via the online gallery is open 24/7. The AOY Art Center is located at 949 Mirror Lake Road in Lower Makefield on the Patterson Farm. For information, and to visit the gallery online, go to: aoyartcenter.org. Solebury Supervisors invite township residents comments on forming anarts panel
The Solebury Township Board of Supervisors is considering steps the municipality might take to recognize its rich artistic history. Board Chair Mark Baum Baicker brought this up at a recent supervisors meeting, noting that famed craftsman George Nakashima was a Solebury resident, as were “New Hope School” impressionists William Lathrop, Edward Redfield, Daniel Garber, Fern Coppedge, Morgan Colt and Mary Elizabeth Price. “The Solebury identity is also missing from references to residents of our own villages: Art historians recognize Phillips’ Mill as the home of Pennsylvania Impressionism, and noted illustrator Charles Hargens lived in Carversville,” reads a post on the township’s website. “To better acknowledge our rich heritage, it was suggested that the Township consider establishing a volunteer Committee on the Arts to recognize these notable painters and designers, as well as the many Solebury artists who have come after them. “Another suggestion was that any such committee focus not only on artists but also on recognizing other important historical figures of Solebury’s past. The Board of Supervisors is soliciting residents’ opinions as to whether the township should pursue such an initiative. Send emails to soleburytownship@soleburytwp.org, or letters to Catherine Cataldi, Secretary, Solebury Township, 3092 Sugan Road, PO Box 139, Solebury, PA 18963.BUSINESS
Local electric bike manufacturer sees business thrive Items ranging from free weights to typical household supplies have been difficult to find throughout the United States since last March due to the pandemic. One of the most notable shortages America has seen is bicycles. With so many people working from home and looking for ways to get outside, bicycles were one of the first items to sell out in stores and online last spring. Meanwhile, Jason Kraft, CEO of Electric Bike Technologies in Croydon, in Lower Bucks County, has seen business boom over the past several months. The business, which has been around since 2008, produces electric bicycles, electric tricycles, and electric bike conversion kits under four separate brands; Electric Bike, E-Bike Kit, Liberty Trike, and Electric Trike. The company’s products have been flying off the warehouse floor since the pandemic began . “This little company that nobody really knew about before has turned into one of the most substantial electric bike producers on the East Coast,” said Kraft, who lives in New Hope. “We now have a huge footprint in the market. Biking was natural, and demand has exploded as a result of COVID-19.” While sales soared, it’s the electric trikes that Kraft has given away at no cost which have brought him the most joy. In 2019, after finding Electric Bike Technologies online, Kim Heinrich and her daughter Allison drove three hours from Maryland to meet with Kraft. Heinrich wanted to find a mobility solution for Allison, who lives with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a fatal genetic disorder that attacks the central nervous system and weakens all the muscles in the body, eventually leaving the children unable to walk or move around. “Allison and her mom drove hours to see us, as Kim wanted a non-medical device to help her daughter go on bike rides with her friends and family, and maintain some independence,” Kraft said. “After speaking for only a few minutes, this pre-teen was pulling at my heartstrings. She needed a solution, and when she got on that trike, her face lit up with the biggest smile, which melted my heart and the hearts of our entire team. Within seconds of being assisted onto the trike, she was flying around our warehouse. I had never seen anything like it. She was smiling from ear to ear, and we all laughed and had to tell her to slow down. To see how happy it made her — as a parent myself with a daughter around the same age — it occurred to me that we were in a position to do something to help kids like her.” Kraft and his teammates immediately decided to give Kim and Allison the trike for free on the spot. Everything changed that day for Kraft. His encounter with Kim and Allison transformed his paradigm and altered his business model. He not only gifted the trike to a family who needed it, it ignited a commitment to give away as many electric trikes to children battling SMA as possible. In 2020, Electric Bike Technologies gave away 10 trikes to children fighting SMA. Next year, Kraft has committed to giving away 20 bikes to kids living with the debilitating disease, and he says that number will continue to grow. “This initiative is all about giving back,” Kraft said. “I saw first hand how liberating our product can be for anyone dealing with a disability that limits or alters their movement. Kids should not be left behind, and we will do everything we can to make sure that doesn’t happen. As long as we are in business, we are going to continue to donate and give more to improve people’s lives.” Most of Kraft’s products are direct-to-consumer, manufactured and assembled by his 20-plus employees inside his 18,000-square-foot facility. The wheels for all the bikes and trikes — 18 different types in all — are built by hand in his plant. Many bikes are custom built, sized to order, and include custom tires. Even the boxes the company ships the kits and bikes in are custom produced locally. The Liberty Trike model has a 360-degree turning radius, can go in reverse, and reaches up to 12.5 miles-per-hour. “When we launched, we knew that our electric bikes and trikes could help people with disabilities, but we didn’t fully realize the impact our products made until Kim and Allison walked into our lives,” Kraft said. “We didn’t see that coming. Those who have lost strength in their legs can now go out with their families and just enjoy life. Our products not only help these kids gain independence, mobility and freedom, but they provide their families with precious time with these children. Helping people is what this is all about. That’s why we’re excited to get up and go to work most days.” Kraft said that his original target demographic had mainly been senior citizens and people with mobility issues, with 65 percent of his customers being women. Since the pandemic hit, his customer base has expanded significantly, with people of all ages and from all walks of life. Learn more by visiting Electric Bike Technologies online.Read More
Bucks Built startup fund accepting applications Bucks County’s first startup accelerator fund is now accepting applications for its inaugural batch of founders. Developed and administered by Startup Bucks, a local nonprofit organization, with funding from the County of Bucks, Bucks Built will invest $250,000 annually into at least 10 promising early-stage startups. Applications for the program’s first batch are open now through Dec. 8, for which five founders will receive up to $25,000 each in funding and 12 months of iterative advising, resources and programming to progress their business. Startups do not need to be based in Bucks County to apply, but they do need to meet certain prerequisite criteria. In addition to being innovative and scalable, eligible startups must have intentions for a founder to reside in, hire employees, and/or base some operations in Bucks County. Interested startups can learn more and apply at bucksbuilt.com. Following selection in February, the first batch of Bucks Built startups will receive funding and 12 months of customized, advisory support including: ● Full-cycle business advising, from concept to scaling; ● Operations and tech stack audit and framework from Coherent Ways; ● On-call advising from the Bucks Built team; ● Curated mentor assignments; ● Pitch coaching and practice sessions; ● Priority to present at the weekly 1 Million Cups Bucks County forum; ● Introductions to follow-on investors and funding sources; ● Connections to services like accounting, legal, etc.; ● Free access workspace and meeting rooms at Stacks Co. in Doylestown and Nomadworks in Manhattan; and ● Access to a community of early-stage and experienced founders. “Bucks Built is founder-focused, taking a partnership approach over a longer time horizon than most accelerator programs,” said Program Lead Jon Mercer. “We want to work closely with founders to help them iterate and spend time on the activities that will grow their companies.” The Bucks Built Screening Panel, responsible for evaluating finalist pitches, is comprised of : ● Billie Barnes, executive director of Bucks County Economic and Workforce Development ● Dana Donofree, founder of AnaOno, an intimates line for women following breast cancer surgery; ● Paul Martino, general partner at Bullpen Capital, a post-seed venture fund; ● Anand Shukla, Angel Investor with Delaware Crossing Investor Group; ● Sri Sriadibhatla. senior manager at Ben Franklin Technology Partners of SEPA; ● Joe Witte, VP at TagOne and co-founder of Bunker Labs PHL, an incubator for veteran-led startups ● Tiffany Yau, founder of Fulphil, a nonprofit educating students in social entrepreneurship. The Bucks Built team driving the program include members of Startup Bucks: Mercer, Michelle Bizon, and MarkMitchell.
HEALTH
St. Luke’s breaks ground on Pediatric Specialty Center St. Luke’s University Health Network has broken ground on a new Pediatric Specialty Center in Center Valley. The three-story building totaling 37,500 square feet will house multiple pediatric specialties. The specialties to be housed at the center are: nephrology, gastroenterology, cardiology, pulmonology, developmental, neurology, endocrinology, physical therapy and occupational therapy, pediatric primary care and pediatric nutrition. The Pediatrics Specialty Center, to open in 2022, will be located adjacent to the St. Luke’s Center Valley Health Center at 5445 Lanark Road and the new St. Luke’s Dermatology building, which opened last month at 5415 Lanark Road. In her remarks at the ceremony, Carol Kuplen, president of St. Luke’s University Hospital in Fountain Hill, thanked Lanark Partners, owner of the Center Valley site, and Boyle Construction, the general contractor overseeing the construction, as well as Michael Perrucci, Mike Caruso, Sean Boyle, Rob de Beer, Christian Perrucci and Dylan Panebianco. St. Luke’s Children’s Services Line Manager Jessika Haynos noted that the groundbreaking for the Pediatric Specialty Center follows on the heels of the opening of the new Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at St. Luke’s University Hospital in February and the new Women & Babies Pavilion at the St. Luke’s Anderson Campus in Bethlehem Township in January. The Women & Babies Pavilion includes a new labor and delivery unit. “The growth this service line has experienced over the past few years is nothing less than remarkable, and I am so proud to be part of Network that is committed to keeping care close to home for families in this community,”Haynos said.
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Penn Foundation to offer teens, families “A Slice of Prevention” COVID-19 has disrupted many aspects of people’s lives, but it has not interrupted substance use. In fact, in many cases, substance use has actually increased. Teens (and their families) are invited to join Penn Foundation for “A Slice of Prevention” – a virtual evening of pizza and substance abuse prevention education – 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15. Penn Foundation professionals will share their expertise and host a live Q&A following the Zoom webinar. Chiaro’s Pizzeria Restaurant (Sellersville, Skippack and Green Lane locations only) has partnered with Penn Foundation to offer webinar participants 20% off their orders. A coupon will be emailed to participants upon registration. To register, visit PennFoundation.org and click on “Events.” For information, contact Deb Ryan, director of community outreach, at 215-453-5165 or dryan@pennfoundation.org. https://buckscountyherald.com/Quick Poll...
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