For LGBT memories threatened to extinction: Retro-Scope

Retro-Scope.com, “Reflections of LGBT Life in New Hope,” is New Hope Celebrates (NHC) newest creation, fulfilling the organization’s mission to build lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual (LGBT) community pride, history and preserve New Hope’s “spot.”

It was named this year by the Huffington Post, as “one of the USA’s 10 best small town LGBT travel destinations.”

The new Web site is a crowd-sourced, online archive dedicated to the preservation, celebration, and sharing of New Hope’s LGBT history and living community. It is the first phase in a five-year plan to establish a physical space – an LGBT community center/museum – in New Hope. It’s a protected place direly needed by this population in change.

For decades, New Hope has attracted and maintained a diverse and artistic populace, drawing both a strong base of LGBT tourists as well as maintaining a position as the Pennsylvania’s by-far highest LGBT density-per-household, according to the last US census.

LGBT clubs, restaurants and community events have been central to sustaining New Hope’s mixed and textured community, places also known for welcoming straight, questioning or curious patrons. However, like other towns and cities with dense LGBT populations where Pride movements have made strides, many LGBT residents have integrated into the mainstream community as citizens, church-goers, workers and parents.

Simultaneously, their special clubs are being sold out or torn down.

“While most gays are likely advocates of equal rights and push into mainstream, many reminisce about life and times gone by,” said Daniel Brooks, founder and president of New Hope Celebrates, the town’s LGBT all volunteer marketing organization.

“Of the stories most told, many are of hard-fought victories or defeats in human rights but some are sweeter tales – of exclusive parties and clubs; sun-drenched days of camaraderie; frivolous, fun nights among ‘the flock.’”

And upon hearing these stories, Brooks foresees more impending losses, as the population that remembers by-gone days is aging.

“As they pass, with their demise will go decades of photos, event records and important objects that had exemplified the memories of New Hope’s gay collective experiences.”

“For many elderly gays who are single, childless, or once banished by family, the threat of their past vanishing adds to their concerns about aging and disappearing,” commented Brooks.

To address these issues, Brooks dreamed up Retro-Scope. Retro-Scope.com literally restores the many missing parts of New Hope’s LGBT legacy, namely the now lost places, written words and images that magnetized the gay community starting in the late 1960’s onward.

It offers more than just the chance to hop in the way-back machine and spend hours pouring over vintage film clips or photos. The site allows visitors to add their own items to the collection, to comment on others and to share what they see on other sites like Twitter and Facebook. Many of the contributions are images or artifacts from New Hope’s many venues.

“There was no way we could showcase these long-gone, beloved places without the community.” said Sara Scully, founder of Scullyone Productions, whose company produced and designed the site, and with the help of an assistant gathered and scanned the initial wealth of photos donated by individuals.

There are also directories of noteworthy artists, changemakers, and for those who have passed way – a tab named “Remember Me.” These directories will be completed in the next year.

There is a clickable map with an exhaustive overview of all places, both existing and those burned down or bulldozed. Visitors can click a spot on the map, read about the place and see all items in the collection related to that place.

The Timeline page on Retro-Scope offers a linear view of noteworthy events in New Hope’s LGBT past giving the viewer a chance to see all items in the collection related to an event on The Timeline.

“The LGBT community has been an important part of what has made the New Hope area special: from its creative arts community, to its thriving businesses, to its spirit of openness, and inclusion,” concluded Brooks.

“But the community is quickly changing, as many of the landmark places that established New Hope as an LGBT town like The New Prelude, The Cartwheel, or Odette’s have been demolished, converted, or as flood victims are awaiting restoration. Retro-Scope gives the LGBT community – and all of their many friends and allies – an opportunity to live on into eternity.”

For more information visit www.Retro-Scope.com or www.newhopecelebrates.com.

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Contract awarded for paving/repair project
 on approaches for New Hope-Lambertville (U.S. 202) Toll Bridge

The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission last month awarded a construction contract for a planned repaving and repair project on the approach roadways, overpasses and ramps that carry traffic to and from the agency’s New Hope-Lambertville (Route 202) Toll Bridge.

Officially listed as the New Hope-Lambertville Toll Bridge PA & NJ Approach Roadways Repaving and NJ Route 29 Overpass Bearing Seat and Bridge Painting Project, the undertaking includes the following major construction elements:

  • Rehabilitation, repair and repaving of Route 202 approach roadway segment leading to and from the toll bridge in New Jersey and Pennsylvania;
  • Rehabilitation, repair and repaving of associated on/off ramps to PA Route 32 and NJ Route 29;
  • Repointing, joint sealing and concrete repairs to the overpass that carries Route 202 across Route 32/River Road in Pennsylvania;
  • Extensive repairs on the approach bridge that carries Route 202 across Route 29 in New Jersey, including repair of deteriorated concrete, blast cleaning and repainting of structural steel members, deck joint work, and replacement of 16 bearings – the structural steel devices that transfer the bridge’s deck load to the masonry abutments below.

The construction also includes an improvement of the grading and drainage systems at the ramp infield area of the Route 202 and River Road interchange on the Pennsylvania side of the bridge.

A precise schedule for the work has not been established yet, but construction activities are expected to begin in middle of spring. The Commission’s goal is to complete the various work elements by late fall.

The construction contract was awarded to the firm of James D. Morrissey, Inc. of Philadelphia, Pa. in the amount of $6,683,640.40. James D. Morrissey, Inc. was the lowest responsible bidder. A detailed project webpage may be accessed from the projects sub-head at www.drjtbc.com or directly at www.drjtbc.org/route202approaches.

It explains why the multi-faceted project is needed, outlines the major construction components, and provides photographs and a map of the project area.

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Having ‘Friends’ helps the more than 110-year-old New Hope Solebury Library

by Tara Lynn Johnson

The Free Library of New Hope and Solebury gets by with a little help from its Friends.

The New Hope Solebury library (NHSL), the first free library in Bucks County, a not-for-profit public service facility associated with the Bucks County Library System as a Community Public Library, inhabits an old church on Ferry Street. And although the library receives some funding from the State, the Borough, and from Solebury Township, much of the library’s revenue comes from fundraising.

And that’s what Friends are for.

The Friends of the Free Library of New Hope and Solebury are a group of approximately 40 members who raise money to support the library through an ongoing book sale, biannual Mammoth Book Sales, bake sales, and special activities.

To become a Friend, members pay a small fee (as little as $5, though higher donations are welcome). Those funds support book purchases, programs for all ages (including the extremely popular children’s programs), building maintenance, and any other items the library needs.

Recently, the Friends gave money to purchase new leather chairs for patrons to enjoy while leisurely reading at NHSL.

Friends President and Treasurer “Lady” Haight-Ashton, a 20-year resident of New Hope and lifelong lover of books, helped to begin the group about four years ago when former library director Caroline Dechert suggested it.      She’s helping the group expand beyond sales because electronic devices seem to affect the number of people buying books, Lady said.

So the group sponsored a luncheon with local author Wendy Plump (“Vow”) in April.

“We have to change with the times,” Lady said. “Friends groups have to evolve.”

But the book sales continue, and the next Mammoth one will be held at the library May 9th through 11th. The Friends’ goal is to hold member meetings at a set frequency, but for now, with a small number of active volunteers, the group meets on an ad hoc basis.

“We’re still new,” she said. “We’re the newest Friends group on the block.”

(Many Friends groups at county libraries have been around for years or decades).

The Friends aim to create the best possible library for the community by “enhancing the library experience for all citizens,” according to their mission statement.

You don’t need to live in New Hope or Solebury to become a member and Lady said volunteers have fun together, all while supporting NHSL.

“Our main goal is to help the library,” she said. “That’s our mission.”

Lady thinks all libraries are extremely important.   

“They should be a community center where you can meet other people, where you can belong,” she said. “People can come and browse and say hello to people. It’s a beautiful thing to have that community.”     

For information about the Library and the Friends group, visit the Library’s website at www.nhslibrary.org.

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PS&SM donates to CRUSA

PS&SM Percy Naranjo (left), Chief Executive Officer for Performance Spine & Sports Medicine, recently presented Council Rock United Soccer Association a check for $10,000 as a donation to the recreational soccer league.

They plan on doing this again for the fall season in the interest of further forging a relationship with CRUSA. PS&SM wants to share their success with the community because they ultimately understand that the physician/patient relationship has to go beyond the medical office.

Pictured with Naranjo is and Mark Reilly (right), President of CRUSA.

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BARC Developmental Services announces winner of Phillies Baseball Raffle

BARC PR

 

Congratulations to Stacey Kenny of Levittown, winner of the 2013 BARC Developmental Services Phillies Baseball Raffle.

As her prize, she has received a pair of Phillies season tickets for Sunday home games.

The second prize winner was Mr. Robert Moy, Jr. of Richboro, who received a pair of Trenton Thunder season tickets for Sunday home games, and the third prize winner was Ms. Monica Guimares of Levittown, who won a $100 Visa gift card to use toward a Phillies game ticket purchase of her choice.

All proceeds benefit 850 men, women, and children with intellectual disabilities and Autism. Thank you to all those who participated, making 2013 another great success!

For more information about BARC Developmental Services and other fundraising events, visit their website at www.barcprograms.org or find them on Facebook.

PHOTO CAP: Stacey, Stan and Jack Kenny of Levittown

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Student’s plays selected for staged reading

Youth Ink

 

New Hope-Solebury senior, Cady Heath, and freshman, Maggie Dougherty, have had their plays selected by the “McCarter Theatre 2013 Youth Ink! Festivals of Plays, Playwrights and Playwriting.” 

Cady’s play, “Albuquerque,” and Maggie’s play “Play Your Way Out,”were selected among NH-S entries for further development and professional staged reading.

Each year, Youth Ink! works with three to five selected secondary schools with the goal of empowering students to be young playwrights.  Theater teacher Melanie Pittner was able to apply to the program through funding provided by the New Hope-Solebury Education Fund. 

In a five-week period, professional playwrights from McCarter visited with Ms. Pittner’s students, critiquing and fine-tuning their plays. Cady’s and Maggie’s plays will be featured during the festival at McCarter Theater on Wednesday, May 22nd, from 9:00am to 2:30pm.  The festival is open to students, educators, administrators, and funders.  For more information, email palekson@mccarter.org or call 609-258-8288.

PHOTO CAP: Maggie Dougherty (left) and Cady Heath

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Mill Ballet School offers Summer Dance & Theater Camp

Lambertville-based Mill Ballet School, dedicated to educating, inspiring, and creating high-quality dancers and individuals, has announced its 18th year of summer programs and is currently accepting registrations.

Summer programs allow students to strengthen their dance abilities and receive individualized and specialized attention from the outstanding Mill Ballet School faculty. The eight-week session will run from June 25th – August 14th, Monday through Friday, from 9:00am to 4:00pm.

 For those that are unable to attend the day programs there are afternoon and evening classes. Ongoing summer classes are important as they help to keep a dancer’s mind and body strong over the summer break.

Summer open classes also offer new students a chance to familiarize themselves with the facilities, philosophy, and faculty of the Mill Ballet School prior to enrolling in the September 2013 through May 2014 session. 

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Odyssey of the Mind competition

Odyssey Mind

 

The State Odyssey Mind Competition was held on Saturday, April 13th, at Pocono Mountain East High School in Swiftwater, PA. Over 180 teams competed from across Pennsylvania in five different problem areas with teams ranging from Elementary to High School. 

The New Hope-Solebury Middle School Team, having placed first at Regionals, was excited to go to States, especially since it was their first year participating in Odyssey. The team rallied together to fix broken props, support each other and adapt their performance despite unfamiliar staging. 

Their performance was flawless and the judges enjoyed their humor, musicality, creativity, and artwork. 

The team placed eighth in their division as they faced very impressive competitors at States. The team was happy to score third place in the “Style” component for their creative props including a Italian-themed apron with “Piece of Pisa Pizza” painted logo and tiny Tower of Pisas, puzzle pieces, and foam pizza slices hanging from the apron, in addition to a five-foot paper mache Leaning Tower of Pisa on wheels. 

The New Hope-Solebury Middle School team developed skills that will help them in the future including creativity, teamwork, public speaking, and good sportsmanship. Most impressive was the team’s support of the other competitors and the compliments shared on the wonderful works created by other teams.

PHOTO CAP: Standing from left, Jessica Steinberg, Michael Duffy, Gabi Roberts, Cecilia Senyk, Jessica Mullen and Lauren Walinski; seated in front is Kellyann Reidy.

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Local West Point Cadet attends lecture established by Sol Feinstone

Feinstone Lecture The 2013 Sol Feinstone Lecture on the Meaning of Freedom was given at the United States Military Academy last month by Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison, and a delegation from the David Library of the American Revolution was in attendance, as well as one West Point Cadet from Bucks County.

The late philanthropist Sol Feinstone, founder of the David Library in Washington Crossing, established the annual lecture at West Point in 1970 to provide the Corps of Cadets, the men and woman charged with leading the United States Army, with an opportunity to hear distinguished individuals explore the “meaning of freedom.”

Past lecturers have included Elie Weisel, Madeleine K. Albright, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Bill Moyers, George Will, H. Ross Perot, Max Cleland and Al Franken.

This year’s lecturer, novelist Toni Morrison, has been awarded the Pulitzer Prize, the Nobel Prize and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.  Her most recent novel, “Home,” the story of an African American Korean War veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, was on this semester’s course syllabus for the Plebe (freshman) class at West Point.

David Library Trustees Francine Stone, who is the granddaughter of Sol Feinstone, and Norval D. Reece, attended the lecture as representatives of the Library, which is entrusted with supervision of Sol Feinstone’s various philanthropic initiatives. They were pleased to see in the audience Cadet Bryan Silverman, 19, of Yardley, a fellow member of Newtown Friends Meeting.

“I was honored to have the opportunity to hear Professor Morrison describe in her own words the motivation behind her writing,” Silverman said via email after the lecture. “Home is an important commentary on the coming challenges that Cadets will soon have to face as Army Officers responsible for their own soldiers. It touches on themes relevant to a country once again returning from war.”

Silverman also said he “enjoyed welcoming Friends Norval and Ann Reece and Francine Stone to West Point. I think exposure to West Point is often an illuminating experience, allowing for a window into the intellectual world of the academy. I was also pleased that it was the same Sol Feinstone of the David Library, the incredible academic resource located in my hometown, whose generosity brought Toni Morrison to West Point.”

Bryan Silverman is a 2012 graduate of George School. He is the son of Mark Silverman and Dr. Christine Silverman.

This summer he plans to attend Air Assault School and Cadet Field Training. He will graduate from West Point in 2016.

Sol Feinstone died in 1980. He founded the David Library of the American Revolution, a non-profit educational institution, in 1959. It is located at 1201 River Road in Washington Crossing, and is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00am to 5:00pm.

For more information visit www.dlar.org.

PHOTO CAP: Norval Reece (right) and Francine Stone (center), granddaughter of Sol Feinstone, with West Point Cadet Bryan Silverman

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Banshees win Winter Challenge in Palmyra

Banshees

 

The Banshees Red (U12) fastpitch travel softball team won the United States Specialty Sports Association Winter Challenge held in Palmyra, PA on December 1st, going perfect for the day. The Winter Challenge was held indoors at a facility just outside of Hershey. 

The Banshees defeated Central Pennsylvania teams the PA Ball Hawks, PA Gators, and the Dauphin Dynamite en route to a showdown in the “de facto” championship game later in the day vs. the Spring-Ford Sting. Both teams were a perfect 3-0 heading into the game. After several scoreless innings, the Banshees Red took a 1-0 lead and never relinquished it. The Banshees defeated the Sting 5-1 and in doing so, qualified for the USSSA World Series (A) to be held in Florida next summer.

Pictured are the Banshees and their coaches celebrating their win, (first row) Elayna Tsiouplis, Katelyn Clark, Casey Taylor, Brittany Hubler, and Kyleigh Dinnien. Standing are Shannon Stewart, Madison Fisher, Tessa Prushan, Sierra Mosiniak, and Tori Hagendorf.  Coaches (left to right) Mike Mosiniak, Jim Taylor, and Mike Stewart. (Not pictured due to injury, Jess Carey, and coaches Joe Dinnien and Jen Carey).

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