Explore the outdoors with Nature By The Yard

Nature By The Yard, located in Yardley, offers quality, hands-on nature education programs for children and adults.

Some of their most popular programs are: insects, animal coverings, nature detectives, animal adaptations, wildflowers, and birds, but they can custom design a program to meet the needs of schools, camps, scouts, nature-themed birthday parties, guided walks, garden clubs, after school enrichment programs, or any organized group.

Call Pam today at 609.610.6292 or visit http://naturebytheyard.com for more information.

Explore the outdoors together.

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AOY Summer Art Camps: Fun for all ages

The Artists of Yardley (AOY) offers a variety of summer educational programs for ages five to 18 starting June 18th for students of all ages and levels. Students can explore a variety of media and techniques such as drawing, painting, collage, sculpture, and weaving.

Learn about architecture, fashion, illustration, cartooning, and more. Students can choose classes in a variety of media including pencil, charcoal, ink, pastels, acrylics, oils, watercolors, origami, collage, fabric, and yarn.

Explore your creative side this summer!

Try something new such as building a marionette, exploring dinosaur fossils, or creating sculptures and mobiles.

Develop your art school portfolio with teacher and artist, Renee Egan. AOY instructors are seasoned professionals who have experience creating and teaching art to students of all ages.

Sign up early! Summer programs fill up quickly each year. Visit www.artistsofyardley.org/education/education.shtml for more information and to register.

AOY Art Center is located at 949 Mirror Lake Road, Yardley, on the Patterson Farm.

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Dr. Joung Park, DMD taking over practice from Dr. Jane Edgar

Dr. Joung Park, DMD, of Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, 37 S. Main Street in Yardley, wishes to announce that he is taking over the practice from longtime Yardley dentist, Dr. Jane Edgar.

Dr. Park graduated from Pennsylvania State University, class of 2000 with a BS in Science and from Temple University School of Dentistry in 2005.

For the past six years, he has been an associate Doctor at three general practices and has endeavored to establish his own private practice. Now with this opportunity in Yardley, he is about to achieve his eagerly sought-after goal.

Dr. Park is committed to clinical minimalism and very much devoted to the principles of dentistry for the patient and tailoring treatment to the specific needs of the patient.

Please feel free to stop in and say “Hello” or give them a call at 215-493-5347.

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MWA announces beneficiaries for 2012 Yardley Harvest Day Basket Raffle

The Makefield Women’s Association (MWA) has announced that the Family Service Association of Bucks County and Bucks County Housing Groups Penndel Community Food Pantry have been selected as the beneficiaries of this year’s MWA Annual Basket Raffle. The Basket Raffle will be held during the 43rd Annual Yardley Harvest Day on Saturday, September 22nd, in downtown Yardley.

Family Service Association (FSA) is a private non-profit helping more than 6,000 children, adults, and seniors throughout Bucks County each year. FSA programs including outpatient counseling, early childhood services, older adults programs, HIV/AIDS services, The Teen Center, Drive to Success, and Asperger’s Awareness, Community-Education, and Support and the Bucks County Emergency Homeless Shelter assist families in thriving and achieving self-sufficiency.

Visit www.fsabc.org for details on all Family Service programs.

Bucks County Housing Group (BCHG) is a private, non-profit social service organization which provides a wide range of housing and related social services to homeless and low-income families. Their primary goal is to assist families attain permanent housing and financial security. The Penndel Community Food Pantry serves families in lower Bucks County. Last year the Penndel Pantry served 26,347 individuals and gave out 50 tons of community donated food. BCHG anticipates that cuts to state social service programs will mean more families and individuals needing to use the pantry.

Visit www.bchg.org for more details on BCHG and the Penndel Food Pantry.

Planning for the 2012 Basket Raffle is already underway with members of MWA currently soliciting donations to be included in the raffle. If you’d like to sponsor a basket or donate to the raffle, send an e-mail to president@makefieldwomensassociation.org or call Angela at 215.497.1093.

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Mohona Chowdhury selected for leadership award

Mohona Chowdhury Yardley resident Mohona Chowdhury, a junior in Pennsbury High School, has been selected for the 2011 Widener University High School Leadership Award.

Widener and WCAU-TV/NBC10 are the co-sponsors of the 2011 Widener University High School Leadership Awards, which recognize high-achieving juniors from regional high schools who have demonstrated academic excellence and character traits that mark them as potential leaders and future citizens of character.

Principals in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey nominate one high school junior for the awards program. Mohona was nominated by Pennsbury High School after a rigorous selection process. She has been chosen by Widener University as one of the 69 awardees.

Says Tracey Mountford, Counselor at Pennsbury High School, “Mohona is a wonderful example of excellence at Pennsbury. She is a strong leader as evidenced by her participation in many activities that allow her to experience personal growth and various leadership styles. She is not afraid to step out of her comfort zone and is admired by her peers, teachers and administrators. Mohona has a wonderfully warm personality and her unselfish willingness to help others is ever present.  I am extremely proud of Mohona and I truly enjoy working with such a wonderful young lady.”

Says Lisa Becker, Principal at Pennsbury High West campus, “Mohona possesses the character, courage and competencies to receive the Widener University High School Leadership Award. As an individual with great drive and determination, Mohona will be successful in all of her endeavors.”

On receiving the award, Mohona said, “I am extremely honored to be chosen for the Widener Leadership Award and representing Pennsbury High School. I am passionate about giving to my community and hope to continue to lead by example. “ 

[Read more...]

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Bucks Gymnastics Center II is more than gymnastics

Bucks Gymnastics Center II is actually much more than the name implies. Besides gymnastics, the center offers a preschool, camp and family fun nights.

“We have a state-licensed preschool called Peanut Gallery,” said Director Jim St. Clair.

The Peanut Gallery has been operational for the past two years, and St. Clair said it has been a successful venture. The Peanut Gallery is open from 8:00am to 1:00pm, Monday through Friday. Children ages two-and-a-half can start at the preschool.

The youngest children get playtime, music and movement, stories, craft time and socialization. The five-year-old class at the Peanut Gallery receives gymnastic instruction, computer activities, stories, crafts and other learning activities. The pre-kindergarten class adds to the other classes by adding letter and sound recognition, number recognition and math skills, pre-writing skills and more.

The Peanut Gallery employs certified teachers. One might not picture a traditional preschool in the gymnastics center, but the arrangement works quite well.

“They (Peanut Gallery children) get instructed in gymnastics every day,” said St. Clair. “It’s not just running around – it’s an instructional class.”

Call today for Peanut Gallery Preschool (215-295-3844) and Summer Swim and Gym Camp (215-295-5354).

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An invaluable Valentine’s lesson

YV Girl Scouts

 

The Girl Scouts from Troop #2401 in Lower Makefield received an early Valentine’s treat from an anonymous customer last month while selling cookies in front of a local bank. This customer asked the girls to fill two empty cases with their favorite cookies and then assisted the girls with the necessary calculations to complete the transaction. However, instead of taking the cookies home, he requested the girls to do one more thing – to give the cookies to someone who would really enjoy them.

“This gentleman was such a role model to our fifth grade girls,” said Sue Hackman, the troop leader. “He taught them so much with just his one act of kindness. He left us all speechless.”

“At first I was like, are you kidding me?” added Sue’s daughter, Sam.

Although initially surprised the girls were impressed by this person’s obvious generosity and busily discussed where the cookies should go. By the end of their selling shift, the Girl Scouts decided the cookies should go to those at a local senior citizen community and delivered the cookies immediately afterwards.

“I was amazed. I think it was a nice Valentine’s present for people we had never met,” said one of the Troop girls, Kathryn Myer. “I can’t wait to tell my classmates.”

Accepting the cookies on behalf of residents at Sunrise Senior Living in Lower Makefield Township, Lead Care Manager Dorothea Johnson was as surprised as the girls with this lovely, unexpected gesture.

“When we visited Sunrise Senior Living to deliver the cookies that is when the girls truly felt the warmth of passing along this good deed,” said Dawn Flook, a Scout mom and cookie coordinator for the Troop. “Particularly touching was that it is so close to a holiday that promotes love and appreciation.”

“He was really, really generous and I think it was nice of him to donate his money to help our troop and the older people. He put others before himself,” added Girl Scout Georgeanna Flook.

Sam Hackman added “I’ve learned it’s not always about you and that you have to be generous with other people. When I grow up I’m going to do the same thing.”

Pictured from left, Girl Scouts Georgeanna Flook, Kathryn Myer, and Cate Diamond, Sunrise Care Manager Dorothea Johnson, and Girl Scouts Sam Hackman and Caroline Denarie.

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John Daidone receives Valentine’s Day surprise for promoting healthy hearts

John Daidone

 

by June Portnoy

There was silence at Quarry Hill Elementary School’s gym on Valentine’s Day as all students and teachers waited eagerly for Mr. John Daidone, the school’s physical education teacher, to open the doors and step inside. Once he did, he was greeted by shouts of “Surprise!” along with a few surprise visitors including his wife, Karen, with their newborn baby, Dante, several family members, and two representatives from the American Heart Association (AHA).

This surprise assembly was held to recognize Mr. Daidone’s contribution as the school’s Hoops for Heart (HFH) Coordinator.  Thanks to his efforts, Quarry Hill raised $23,322.49 last year during its HFH campaign, ranking fifth in the nation. During the assembly, Dan Green, AHA Youth Market Director, shared some of the school’s statistics over the past eight years since Mr. Daidone came to the school, establishing HFH at Quarry Hill.

During the 2003-2004 school year, the school raised $7,986. Before last year, the previous high was in 2008-2009 when Quarry Hill raised $14,305. Last year the school surpassed its previous high by raising over $23,000. Since Mr. Daidone brought HFH to the school, Quarry Hill has raised a total of $88,799 for this worthy cause.

HFH is a national fundraising program sponsored jointly by the AHA and the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD). It was established to address the problem of sudden cardiac arrest in high school, collage and professional sports.

HFH accomplishes several objectives. It teaches students to set and achieve goals and discover that they can make a difference. It also gives kids the opportunity to work on basketball skills and play exciting skills games. Mr. Daidone holds this fundraiser each year over a six-week period to coincide with the basketball unit taught in all grades at Quarry Hill.

HFH also funds critical research and educational programs that fight heart disease and stroke, our nation’s number one and number four killers.

“Every once in a while, we get the rare occasion when we can really celebrate and recognize a volunteer that we have who coordinates the Hoops for Heart event,” said Dan, who explained the meaning of a volunteer as “someone who gives of himself, helping others without expecting to receive anything in return.  That’s what Mr. Daidone does by coordinating the Hoops for Heart Program for Quarry Hill Elementary School.”

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TEEN SCENE: Opportunities await in Costa Rica

by Breanna Forgione, sophomore, Pennsbury High School

Sea turtles. Canopy zip-lining. Beaches. Pennsbury High School’s 2012 summer abroad trip is sure to be a once in a lifetime experience.

From June 20th to July 4th, students will be accompanied by Spanish teacher Ms. Andrea Garberina for a truly unique trip to Costa Rica. The 14-day trip will consist of visiting beaches, parks, the capital city, and even hot springs.

The group will journey to the top of the Poas Volcano, which contains these hot springs. Students will have the opportunity to peer into the two-mile crater and try out Ox Cart crafts. Furthermore, the Monteverde Cloud Forest will be visited. With an altitude of about 5,000 feet, this “cloudy” forest is known for its abundant fauna and flora. Students will also have the option to take part in the Canopy Zip-Line tour that’s offered here.

Combined with the beaches and forests of Costa Rica, the Manuel Antonio National Park is the perfect place to view monkeys, crabs, and sloths. The Monteverde Reserve will guide students through nature trails, where nocturnal wildlife will be viewed.

Also, participants will experience how to dance the El Torito, or traditional Costa Rican dance. To complete this cultural experience, participants will be meeting local students at a Costa Rican school.

Not to mention the cost of the trip will include transportation, hotel accommodations and meals, travel insurance, and a tour director and local guides. The trip is guaranteed to be safe, with a 24-hour phone service for parents, as well as a Crisis Response Plan.

Luckily, I was able to talk with Ms. Garberina about the inside details of the trip. 

[Read more...]

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Pat Miiller selected to judge 2012 Terri Lynne Lokoff National Child Care Teacher Awards™

Pat Miiller The Terri Lynne Lokoff Child Care Foundation (TLLCCF) has selected Pat Miiller, a resident of Yardley, to serve as a judge for its Terri Lynne Lokoff National Child Care Teacher Awards. 

This will be Pat’s fifth time serving as an official judge for the National Child Care Teacher Awards™ program. She began reading and scoring applications for the 2008 Teacher Awards. Pat is an early childhood consultant and teacher at Bucks County Community College, a PQAS instructor, and Bucks County CEG Coordinator.

She will serve with 39 other child-care professionals from across the country. Winners will receive their award at a special ceremony on April 19th at the Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia.

The Terri Lynne Lokoff Child Care Foundation was established in 1987, by Kay and Fred Lokoff in memory of their daughter, Terri Lynne, a devoted child-care provider who was tragically killed in a car accident. The TLLCCF is a non-profit foundation that funds non-sectarian, non-profit child-care programs dedicated to excellence, and is committed to ensuring the availability of quality child-care for all children.

PHOTO CAP: Pat Miiller

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