Doylestown author’s debut novel has mystery, murder, and steam

Donna Galanti What do you get when you mix the paranormal with a twist of horror, science fiction, and romance? Doylestown author Donna Galanti’s debut novel, “A Human Element,” (Echelon Press March 2012). Galanti’s first novel has been well received with local and national critics.

Jonathan Maberry, New York Times best-selling author of “Assassin’s Code” and “Dead of Night” says, “A Human Element is an elegant and haunting first novel. Highly recommended.”

In “A Human Element,” Laura Armstrong’s friends and family members are being murdered, and despite her unique healing powers, she can do nothing to stop it. The savage killer haunts her dreams, tormenting her with the promise that she is next.

Determined to find the killer, she follows her visions to the site of a crashed meteorite that occurred some 30 years before – and also happens to be the town where she grew up. There, she meets Ben Fieldstone, and in a race to stop a madman, they unravel a frightening secret that binds them together.

But the killer’s desire to destroy Laura face-to-face leads to a showdown that puts Laura and Ben’s relationship and Laura’s pure spirit to the test. With the killer closing in, Laura discovers her destiny is linked to his and she has two choices – redeem him or kill him.

Donna Galanti has a B.A. in English from The State University of New York at Albany and is a member of International Thriller Writers, The Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group, and Pennwriters.

PHOTO CAP: Donna Galanti

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Hep B Foundation adds new members to Board

The Hepatitis B Foundation (www.hepb.org), the only national nonprofit organization solely dedicated to finding a cure for hepatitis B and improving the quality of life for those affected worldwide through research, education and patient advocacy, recently announced the recent addition of three members to its Board of Directors.

The new members include Fox Rothschild LLP Partner, Loren Danzis, Esq.; President and CEO of Modern Group Ltd., David E. Griffith; and Professor of Life Sciences in Princeton University’s Department of Molecular Biology, Dr. Thomas Shenk.

Recent additions to the Foundation’s Board of Directors over the last 18 months have also included The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Assistant Vice President and Corporate Controller, Joseph Hediger; Johnson & Johnson Senior Director, Corporate Office of Science & Technology, Dr. Robert Zivin; and Safeguard Scientifics Inc. Executive Vice President and Managing Director, James A. Datin.

“We are pleased to begin 2012 with the addition of these outstanding corporate and scientific leaders to our distinguished Board of Directors,” stated Hepatitis B Foundation Executive Director and Co-founder, Joan Block. “We look forward to their contributions in our efforts to bring hope through our research and outreach programs to the 400 million people worldwide who suffer from hepatitis B.”

PHOTO CAPS: 1. David Griffith

2. Dr. Thomas Shenk

3. Loren Danzis

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Summer Nature Adventures at Peace Valley Nature Center

In groups of 5-12 (size of group depends on the age group), Peace Valley Nature Center professional educators will lead your child on adventures that will awaken their senses to the wonders of the world around us.

Programs include: Full Day Camp held at Tohickon Valley Park, One-Half Day Nature Adventures for elementary age children, and Preschool Programs.

For more information about program themes, pricing and dates, visit the website at www.peacevalleynaturecenter.org or call 215-345-7860.

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Erich Nieberding appointed to Naval Academy

Erich Nieberding U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) recently announced the appointment of Erich Nieberding of Doylestown to the U.S. Naval Academy for admission to the class of 2016. Sen. Toomey nominated Erich to the academy.

Erich, a student at Central Bucks High School East, is the son of Thomas Nieberding. He is the captain of the school’s varsity track team. He is also a member of the National Honor Society, and he serves as a Boy Scout of America senior patrol leader.

“I am proud to announce the appointment of Erich Nieberding to the U.S. Naval Academy,” Sen. Toomey said. “The selection process for the military academies is very competitive and appointees must demonstrate the highest caliber of academic success, leadership skills and character. Erich embodies these qualities, and I wish him the best with all his future endeavors.”

To be appointed to a U.S. service academy, all potential students must first be nominated by either a member of Congress or the vice president. Selection criteria include academics, proven leadership and fitness as a military officer.

PHOTO CAP: Erich Nieberding

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Pick your own at The Market at DelVal

The Market at DelVal is the perfect place to go if you are looking for a fun, inexpensive and healthy way to spend quality time with your family this spring. Ripened strawberries will be available to be picked beginning mid-May. 

Strawberries are notorious for being the “first fruit” of the season. Strawberries are admired as the “superstar fruit” because of their superb anti-oxidant power. One cup of strawberries gives you a whopping 140% of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C and can reduce the risk of cancer and heart attacks. Strawberries are also low fat, low calorie, high in fiber, folic acid and potassium. 

Pick your own peaches, apples and pumpkins, are also seasonally available. Strawberries will be available to the public for picking Monday through Saturday from 8:00am to 6:00pm, and Sunday from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Strawberries will be weighed and priced by the pound.

For more information about The Market at Delaware Valley College visit www.themarketatdelval.com.

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Original Hospital Rocking Chairs Restored

cdr-rocking-chair It was back in 2000 when then president of the Village Improvement Association (V.I.A.) Carolyn Della-Rodolfa received a call from the man who owned the original Doylestown hospital building, which is now an apartment house. The V.I.A., together with local medical professionals and the Doylestown community, opened the Doylestown Emergency Hospital, an eight-bed facility, at Pine and Oakland in 1923. The man had found some old rocking chairs in the attic and asked if the V.I.A. would like them. They were thrilled to find eight original rocking chairs from the old hospital.

The association offered the chairs for “adoption” to restore them to their original condition, and several V.I.A. members stepped up to help fix the pieces of memorabilia. The chairs can now be found in various locations, including the James Lorah Memorial Home, Pine Run and the Health & Wellness Center by Doylestown Hospital in Warrington. For Carolyn Della-Rodolfa, these antique rockers represent the beginnings of the V.I.A. and its commitment to wellness.

PHOTO: Former V.I.A. president Carolyn Della-Rodolfa (2000-2002) stands with one of the restored rocking chairs from the original Doylestown Hospital.

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Local romance novelist debuts on Kindle and Nook

Kate S. Black by Fran Miller

Doylestown resident Kate S. Black’s first novel, “The Love Shot,” is now available on Amazon Kindle and Barnes and Noble’s Nook sites, and will soon debut on Smashwords. A Southern California gal by birth, Kate has been a Doylestown resident for 20 years, and though her first novel is set in fictional Colway, New York, she closely patterns the town after Doylestown.

“I love all the diverse architecture of Doylestown, and it still has a small-town charm about it, so I used a lot of that when I created Colway, which is supposedly near Oswego, New York.”

Kate’s novel is designated a ‘sweet’ romance versus a ‘spicy’ romance, and she is already at work on the second novel in the series.

“I’m aiming for a trilogy; one of the secondary characters in ‘The Love Shot’ will be the main character in the second novel, and something that is mentioned in the first novel is the plot for the third.”

The book, which Kate began writing in September, took seven months to complete, and a mere 24 hours to be accepted and available on Amazon Kindle and Barnes and Noble’s Nook.

“The publishing process on these sites is very easy,” she explained. “These two sites do not edit or have restrictive formatting, whereas Smashwords, which is a clearinghouse site for several different publishers, like Apple and Sony, has a strict layout format and style, so the process is a bit more complex.”

Her book will be available on Smashwords in late April.

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Piano Academy of Community Conservatory awards certificates of achievement

Comm Conservatory

 

The following students enrolled in The Piano Academy of Community Conservatory were recently awarded certificates of achievement for participation in evaluations upon completion of one year of study.

Level 2 – First Class Honors with Distinction: Amanda Son.

Level 3 – First Class Honors with Distinction: Sophie Malaviya, Sebastian Moreno, Olivia Wang, and Willdragon Wang.

Level 3 – First Class Honors: Misong Byun and Andrew Tai.

The Piano Academy was established at Community Conservatory in 2010 by Eleanor Gross a piano teacher.  The Piano Academy is a comprehensive program for the study of the piano whose purpose is to establish a standard of musical achievement for children and adults.

The curriculum offers a sequential course of study from beginner through advanced levels. Students participate in an examination system whose prime purpose is to enjoy musical learning and performance. Individual student assessments allow students to celebrate their accomplishments and track their progress.

For more information call Community Conservatory at 215.340.7979.

PHOTO CAP: Top row from left: Eleanor Gross (teacher), Sophie Malaviya, and Andrew Tai; bottom row from left: Sebastian Moreno, Olivia Wang, Amanda Son, and Willdragon Wang. Absent from the photo: Misong Byun.

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Community Garden plots available

The Buckingham Township Civic Association is currently holding gardening plot registration for the new Buckingham Community Garden in Holicong Park on York Road.

If interested, call Leah at 215-345-5355 or email info@buckinghampacivic.org.

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Bucks County Youth Shelter and Street Outreach Program

VYH by June Portnoy

Did you know that one in seven kids from ages 10 to 18 will run away? Sixty-nine percent of runaways are ages 15 to 18. Forty-six percent of runaways will spend up to three days on the streets.

If you think this problem only happens in large cities or bad neighborhoods, think again. It’s happening right now throughout Bucks County. For just that reason, the Valley Youth House (VYH) Shelter was established in Warminster eight years ago. It’s a 13-bed runaway and youth shelter that provides a safe place for Bucks County teens between the ages of 13 and 17 to stay temporarily.

Every child who comes to this shelter is experiencing some form of trauma and/or their situation at home has reached a breaking point that has motivated them to reach out for support and guidance. Unlike many youth shelters, VYH offers a comfortable, home-like setting that helps these kids feel normal during a stressful situation at home. While there, kids are typically transported to and from their home schools. Group outings are also arranged.

“This is not a lock-down facility,” says Shane Burroughs, former counselor at the shelter. “It’s designed for kids who want to be there to make improvements and changes in their lives.”

Many of them need therapeutic interactions to learn how to make things better and more manageable at home. VYH provides individual, family and group therapy. The ultimate goal is the reunification of these teens with their family.

If the Valley Youth House name sounds familiar, it’s because it has been serving children and their families since 1973 when its first shelter opened in Bethlehem, PA. Since its inception, that shelter has successfully helped over 10,000 teens.

From VYH evolved The Synergy Project, a street outreach program offering assistance to runaways, homeless and displaced children who are 21 years of age or under. Many of them live in cars or couch hop from friend to friend. This is a three-year federally funded program started two-and-a-half years ago. The hope is that Synergy will receive another three years of funding when its current funds run out.

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