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Second Annual Hampton BrewFest promises more

May 7, 2012 By

After a rousing success in 2011, the Second Annual Hampton Brewfest comes roaring back in 2012, boasting more of everything – more beers, more brewers, more food choices, more music!

Connoisseurs from across the area will be sipping the suds from more than 80 select craft and microbrews from around 40 breweries – and enjoying tastes of more than 20 wines from vineyards across the Bucks County Wine Trail – while enjoying live music at the beautiful Phoenix Sport Club, 301 W. Bristol Road in Feasterville, on May 19th, from 1:00 to 5:00pm. In addition, now home brewers are represented.

The Hampton BrewFest was named for local area towns surrounding the Phoenix Sport Club: Northampton, Lower Southampton, and Upper Southampton.

The Phoenix Sport Club is an historic German Heritage Sports Club situated on 30 beautiful rolling acres with ample on-site parking and a large picnic area. In addition to beer and wine tasting, food, water and soft drinks will be available for purchase from local restaurants. And in addition to two of the area’s most popular bands, The Kirko Band and Mike Beck, entertainment now features Stems n Seeds.

May 19th is Armed Forces Day, so the BrewFest will once again feature activities and drawings to support the United Service Organizations (USO). The USO of Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey, Inc., or “Liberty USO,” is supported solely through voluntary contributions and receives no government funding. Their mission is to support and enhance the quality of life of the U.S. Armed Forces personnel and their families in our area.

Once again, special ‘Designated Driver’ tickets are available at deep discounts. In addition, guests should check the website for information about local taxi and limousine services.

For more information or to buy tickets, visit www.hamptonbrewfest.com. Tickets can also be purchased at Fireside Beef and Ale in Feasterville, Tony’s Place in Ivyland, CHOW 284 in Feasterville, and The Beer Store in Southampton.

Please note, due to state regulations, admittance is open to those over 21 years of age only.

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NHS Interact Club and Adviser Suzi Drake win 2012 American Red Cross Heroes Award

May 7, 2012 By

Suzi Drake The American Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania recently selected the Neshaminy High School (NHS) Interact Club and Adviser Suzi Drake as 2012 American Red Cross Heroes Award, Community Partner Hero. This award is presented to a community group, neighborhood organization or local company that consistently demonstrates a commitment to making a difference in the community.

Suzi Drake and the Interact Club were nominated by Interact core member Caroline Crasnick, Interact member Erika Emery, Playwickian newspaper editor Tiffany McMahon and English teacher Tara Huber. In her nomination statement, Caroline described the community impact of the Interact Club.

“Making a difference is extremely important to us. We do a variety of different community projects, from spaghetti dinners and talent shows to prom dress donations. With each new project comes more motivation to make the world a better place with charity and compassion for those who unfortunately are not so lucky,“ Caroline stated. “We are proud to say that we’ve raised thousands of dollars for several different causes, overseen by our tremendous leader Ms. Suzi Drake, who we’d be nowhere without.”

Erika Emery elaborated on the personal significance of adviser Drake and the Interact Cub.

“The one event that made the largest impact on my own life was the Relay for Life American Cancer Society Twenty-Four Hour walk this past June.  Those who wished to partake signed up, raised [a large] amount of funds, and walked like it was their job,“ Erika wrote. “Ms. Drake made purple tie-dyed tee-shirts for the group, once again using numerous hours of her own time to go above and beyond.”

According to Tara Huber’s nomination statement, “Ms. Drake is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of the people of the Bucks County Community, making her a true humanitarian in every sense of the word. Sacrificing countless hours, she is constantly seeking opportunities to connect the Neshaminy High School students to the community in which they live. Her caring and supportive personality fosters an environment where students can discover a true sense of purpose and self-worth through service to their community.”

Tiffany McMahon boasted in her article, “Interact Club is making our community a better place one step at a time. Interact Club is touching hearts all over in our community.”

The American Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania will host a Real Heroes Breakfast to recognize heroes in Bucks County who have saved lives, committed selfless acts of courage and compassion, and exemplify the mission and qualities of the Red Cross movement.

This year’s event will be held May 2nd at Spring Mill Manor in Ivyland.  Registration is at 7:30am and the breakfast begins at 8:00am.

PHOTO CAP: Suzi Drake

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Neshaminy School District Annual District Art Show 2012

May 7, 2012 By

You are cordially invited to attend the Neshaminy School District Art Show 2012, open to the public May 14th, 15th, and 16th from 7:00-9:00pm at Neshaminy High School (Gym A).

The opening night reception will be held on Monday evening, May 14th at 7:00pm, with opening remarks by Dr. Louis Muenker, Superintendent of Schools. The opening night ceremony includes awards presented to the District Art Show Poster Contest winners.

This grand event provides an opportunity to view the unique individual talents of students and the collaborative efforts of those involved in the Fine Arts Program.

The show features works of art created by students in kindergarten through the 12th grade. With 40 pieces of artwork selected by each art teacher, this year’s selections will total over 800 creative endeavors by students that are considered to be the best of the best.

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Petri re-schedules Southampton Town Hall Meeting

April 30, 2012 By

Rep. Scott Petri (R-Bucks) has moved the date of his town hall meeting, which was scheduled for Thursday, March 29th, at Southampton Free Library. 

Scott has rescheduled the meeting at the same location for Thursday, June 14th, at 7:00pm.

“As time goes on it is evident that the cuts outlined in the 2012-13 budget will depend largely on the revenue generated in the final months of this fiscal year,” said Scott.

“At this juncture, it makes sense to reschedule for a time when I will have a clearer sense of our state’s financial condition. In the meantime, if any of my constituents have questions concerning the proposed state budget, I will keep my website updated at www.RepPetri.com, and their calls and correspondence are always welcome,” Scott said.

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TEEN SCENE: ‘Move it!’ heard for final year in Neshaminy

April 30, 2012 By

NESH TEEN SCENE by Dana Incelli, sophomore, Neshaminy High School

Did you ever hear about the loudest man in the Neshaminy hallways? He wasn’t a teacher or a student; he was arguably the most boisterous hall-aide at Neshaminy – Earl Sladek. Sadly, our hall aide for three years is leaving, and starting a new life as a retired man. The sound of Mr. Sladek telling the students to “Move it!” will no longer be heard. But the life of Mr. Sladek does not just linger in the halls of Neshaminy High School.

Before he started monitoring, Mr. Sladek proudly served as a police officer for over 25 years and is also a war veteran. After the force, he then started monitoring the halls of Maple Point Middle School. He adapted relatively fast, and used his booming voice to his advantage. He walked the halls of the middle school for eight years before coming up to Neshaminy.

“He has been a part of my Neshaminy experience since eight grade,” senior Lauren Driscoll said. “It is like he is graduating with us.”

Mr. Sladek has had a variety of experiences at his job here.

“I like all of the interaction that I get to have with the students,” he confessed.

His only dislike with his job is waking up at 4:30 in the morning.

After three years, it is obvious Mr. Sladek has encountered some memorable moments from his days here. His favorite memory of Neshaminy High School was, “The talent show of 2010, when I sang and played guitar to the song ‘Kumbaya.’”

Mr. Sladek has spent a big portion of his life working, and now that he’s retired, he will have a lot more time on his hands. He will spend it with his family and grandchildren.

Otherwise, he plans to do, “Anything I want. My wife, Barbara, and I are planning to travel state side.”

 “Most importantly, I want to fish! I retire Friday the 13th, and Trout Season starts on the 14th.

Mr. Sladek wants everyone to remember how he treated every student with respect and fairness, because he knew that everyone is good at heart, sometimes you just have to find it.

“I’d like to thank my fellow employees Madeline Askin and Rita Budman, who I have worked closely with, as well as all my other hall monitor friends,” Mr. Sladek said.

For now, it is time for Mr. Sladek to “Move it!” as he enters the next stage of his rewarding life.

PHOTO CAP: From left, Rita Budman, Juanita Petrucci, Earl Sladek and Madeline Askin, enjoying their last days of patrolling the halls of Neshaminy High School together. The send-off party thrown by Mr. Sladek’s co-workers, in addition to the wooden chair hand-painted by students, made his retirement a memorable occasion.

Photo by senior Randi Durkin.

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Lower Southampton Fire Department: Keeping the community safe

April 30, 2012 By

by Maura McCormick

“Some say it’s a calling, but I believe it to be a privilege to be a part of something as amazing as the volunteer fire service and I couldn’t have found a better place to be of service than the Lower Southampton Fire Department.”

So says 13-year member of the Lower Southampton Fire Department (LSFD), Adam Noel.

Lower Southampton Township residents may be unaware of what an extraordinary fire department exists within the building at 466 Elmwood Avenue. Compromised entirely of volunteers with more than 130 members, approximately 50 being active, the LSFD has been serving the community since 1931.

LSFD has an impressive history of dedication. Even after the firehouse itself burnt down in 1974, members still prevailed and responded to calls from what was left of the building. So it’s not surprising that the fire department is still going strong.

With six pieces of apparatus, the department was called upon 424 times in 2011. 

One of the things that makes LSFD exceptional is their Marine Unit. With 20 volunteers trained in swift water rescue, 15 of them also trained in scuba diving rescue, ‘Dive Rescue 6’ as it is referred to, is just one of three such units in Bucks County. This means that if anything or anyone needs to be recovered from a waterway, sometimes even a heavily flooded roadway, LSFD can answer the call. Dive Rescue 6 has also made LSFD a part of The Bucks County Technical Rescue Taskforce. 

The dive team is what prompted Mark Steinmuller to join the fire department.

“I came in looking for someone to dive with and now I literally have, a band of brothers,” he said.

Another unique feature of LSFD is their Special Service truck, which has an air cascade system. With only a handful throughout Bucks County, Special Service 6 is called on frequently because its air cascade system enables the fire department to refill, at the scene of a fire, the self-contained breathing apparatus that firefighters carry on their backs into a fire.

Although the fire department does receive funding from the township, they also have some exciting fundraising events throughout the year. If you have been fortunate enough to have never needed their services, remember that the fire department relies, in part, on the contributions of the community it serves. 

All of the events including car washes, flea markets, auctions, fire prevention and dining events at Rita’s Water Ice and Bruster’s Real Ice Cream, are listed on the newly renovated website at www.LS6FD.com.  

If you are interested in volunteering in any capacity you can contact Chief Steve Krippel at chief6@lsfd.com or at 267-688-6288.

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National child safety program provides free FBI quality fingerprints and photographs for children

April 25, 2012 By

The Keeping Kids Safe Project by S.I.P. Kids, a national child safety organization who tours the country providing free FBI quality digital fingerprints for children, is coming to Trevose to host a free child safety fair. “Police officials say time is crucial in the recovery of missing children. One major problem that costs precious time is gathering current photographs, fingerprints, and personal information to assist law enforcement agencies,” says National Director of S.I.P. Kids, Lytishya Borglum.

The free child safety fair will be inside the showroom at the Faulkner Buick GMC auto dealership on Friday, May 4th from 3PM-7PM and Saturday, May 5th from 10AM-4PM. In addition to fingerprinting, they have extended invitations to local organizations and law enforcement agencies to help educate children and their families on how to avoid dangerous situations.

“As parents, we have a common passion for helping others keep their children safe and with the help of Faulkner Buick GMC, we are able to do just that,” says Mrs. Borglum.

Faulkner Buick GMC is located at 4427 E Street Rd., Trevose, PA 19053. For more information, contact Andrea Abrahamson at (319) 268-4111 or andrea@sipkids.com.

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Spring adult programs at the Township Library of Lower Southampton

April 25, 2012 By

Grave Matters—Victorian Mourning Rituals—Wednesday, May 2nd at 7:00pm – Jane Peters Estes, a Civil War re-enactor, will explain 19th century mourning rituals. This program is a tongue-in-cheek look at death and dying during the Victorian Age.  It covers everything from the dying words of famous individuals to headstone epitaphs. Although the topic may be deadly, many portions of the program are humorous. Jane will talk about many of the mourning customs of the Civil War era and there will be a small display of mourning memorabilia.

Searching for Cleopatra—the Last Queen of Egypt—Thursday, May 10th at 7:00pm – Dr. Stephen Phillips, the library’s favorite Egyptologist, returns to talk about Egypt’s most famous queen, Cleopatra. She has been the subject of literature and lore stretching from the historians of ancient Rome, to Shakespeare, to modern literature and finally to current cinema.  What do we really know about Cleopatra, and how do we know it?  This lecture relies on actual archaeological data, such as it is, to tell us the true story of ancient Egypt’s fabled queen. Did she really exist? Do we actually know what she looked like? Did she really marry Mark Anthony? Do we even have any idea where she is buried? This illustrated lecture looks at, and looks for, the latest evidence concerning this last queen. Dr. Phillips is the Research Assistant to the Curator-in-Charge of the Egyptian Section of the Penn Museum. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. He has participated in a wide range of archaeological excavations over the last 15 years, including fieldwork in Jordan, France and seven field sessions in Egypt. He specializes in the analysis of ancient Egyptian human skeletal remains, mummies and mummifications. This is an Outreach Program funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and sponsored by the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. Register during library hours.

“Meet me at the Eagle” – Spend an Evening with John Wanamaker—Wednesday, May 23rd at 7:00pm – “Meet me at the Eagle” was a frequent suggestion for Philadelphians over the years. The statue was impressive and so was the department store named for its founder, John Wanamaker. Actor Bob Gleason’s Wanamaker gives us the story of a businessman who provided variety and fun for his customers and who was rewarded for his efforts. Here was a man who was civic-minded and charitable.  Wanamaker fostered a progressive relationship with his employees, making it possible for them to go to school, building a vacation amusement place for employees to use on weekends, housing the biggest organ in the world (built for the St. Louis Centennial Exposition) and arranging for the organ to be played in the store. John Wanamaker was a man who made a lot of money and tried to do good things with it. Please call during library hours to register.

The Township Library is located at 1983 Bridgetown Pike in Feasterville. 

You can register at the Information Desk or by calling the library at 215-355-1183, ext. 104.

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Churchville Nature Center’s Annual Wildflower Sale is April 28th & 29th – May 5th & 6th

April 25, 2012 By

Churchville Nature Center’s Annual Wildflower Sale will be held on April 28th, 29th and May 5th and 6th. There will be a variety of plants for your garden to choose from, including native perennials, plants for attracting hummingbirds and butterflies, aquatic plants, trees, shrubs, ferns and colorful Annuals just in time for Mother’s Day. The sale will be held from 9:00am to 5:00pm.

For those who wish to become members the day of the sale, Churchville Nature Center will offer a special discount of $10 off a plant purchase over $50, and $20 off a plant purchase over $100.

This year’s spring raffle prizes are: first prize, a brand new two-person kayak; second prize, a $500 gift certificate to the center’s Wildflower Nursery; and third prize, a backyard bird feeding station. Raffle tickets are $1 each or six for $5.

For more information on the sale call the center at 215-357-4005 or check their website, www.churchvillenaturecenter.org.

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Hard work pays off for Shane Hanson-Ashworth

April 25, 2012 By

by Maura McCormick

Shane Hanson-Ashworth has been qualifying for the Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling Championship since he was seven-years-old. This year, at age 11, he won the title.

Wrestling since he was five, Shane has a commitment to the sport that many adults couldn’t manage. He credits his two older brothers, Eric and Ryan, with igniting his passion for wrestling.

“There has always been an, ‘I can do it better than you can’ between them,” says Shane’s mom, Kimberly Ashworth.

Although there is nearly a decade in age difference between he and his brothers, Shane says he loves that competitive spirit. 

During wrestling season, Shane maintains a tight schedule. Monday through Friday Shane attends Joseph Ferderbar Elementary School. After school he does his homework, grabs a bite to eat, then makes the 45-minute commute to Malvern Prep in Chester County for a two-hour wrestling practice. That is, with the exception of Fridays when he practices at Bucks County Storm in Doylestown.

His commitment to wrestling goes above and beyond. Instead of a Christmas ‘break,’ Shane spent his vacation at Central PA Stars Wrestling Club in Carlisle continuing to work on his technique.         

Shane has wrestled in 35 matches over the 2011-2012 season which ran November through March. All of his hard work paid off when he qualified in February at Germantown Academy to wrestle in the State Championship. He took his divisions title in March at Hershey Arena after one match.  In four minutes he won 5-3. 

The end of wrestling in March brings the beginning of baseball season.  Shane pitches, plays second base, shortstop, and left field for travel and in-house Lower Southampton Baseball.      

Also an exceptional student with consistent straights A’s, Shane has earned acceptance to Malvern Preparatory School for the 2012-2013 school year.

Not only does Shane excel athletically and academically, he has also made it a personal mission to help find a cure for breast cancer. His mother is a survivor and has been in remission for three years. 

Shane was looking forward to participating in Ferderbar Elementary’s Early Act Program, a service club sponsored by the local Rotary club.  When Shane found out that his school would not be participating for the 2011-2012 school year he went ahead and found a way to be charitable anyway.

“Not because he had to,” says Kimberly, “because he just wanted to.”      

“Dream big,” Kimberly tells him, and he did.

Shane undertook a letter writing campaign along with a presentation to his school administration to organize his own fundraiser for Simply Hope for Women, which benefits women who are fighting breast cancer.  By selling bracelets and sweatbands for just a dollar each, he raised over $1100.

Ultimately, Shane would like to attend Stanford University to study law or sports finance to become a sports agent. With all the success he has had up to age 11, there’s no telling what he can achieve. 

Shane would like to send special thanks to his Mom and Dad, as well as his Malvern Prep Coaches Todd Brennan and Nate Lautar.   

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