Second Annual Nor’wester Readers Dog Walk and Family Fair is May 5th

It’s coming! The Second Annual Nor’wester Readers Dog Walk and Family Fair is scheduled for Sunday, May 5th (rain or shine) at Tyler Park (art barn entrance) in Bucks County.

Mark your calendars now for this fun, popular, and exciting event. ALL walkers are welcomed, with or without a dog. The proceeds will be used to grow the organization so more therapy dog teams can be placed in public and private school classrooms.

Nor’wester Readers, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, provides registered therapy dog teams who work cooperatively with teachers to support and build student motivation. The presence of the therapy dog teams offers a stress free learning environment to improve student self-esteem and confidence.

The organization is currently working in The Center School (Abington), Bensalem Township School District, Council Rock School District, New Hope-Solebury School District, Olney Charter High School, and Pennsbury School District. More than 800 students are currently benefitting weekly from the impact therapy dogs offer by their presence in the learning environment.

In its sixth year of service, Nor’wester Readers’ therapy dog teams have worked in regular education classrooms, learning support, social and emotional support, autistic support, multiple disabilities, life skills, with guidance counselors, with at-risk teens, and in crisis intervention.

Along with a three-mile and ½-mile mini walk, the “Dog Walk” event will offer vendors, raffles, face painting, a professional pet and family photographer, Moonbounce, dancing dogs performances, an entertaining dog contest, horse drawn wagon rides provided by A Better Way Farm Belgians. . . and much more!

They will also be offering both Canine Good Citizen and Therapy Dog testing.

Contact Melinda Berger at 215-906-9229 for CGC and TD testing details. Reservations will need to be made for testing in advance. Pledge forms are available on the Nor’wester Readers Dog Walk website page at www.norwesterreaders.org for any individual wishing to participate in the fund-raising effort. Prizes will be awarded for the highest amount raised.

Individuals wishing to support the organization but are unable to participate in the walk can be “virtual walkers” by donating via the razoo link at the top of the “Dog Walk” web page.

Sponsors and vendors are enthusiastically welcomed, and all related forms are also posted on the website.

Mark the date on your calendars NOW, and plan to attend with your dog, family, and friends to support a worthwhile cause. See the webpage for more information or call 215-504-0154.

In addition, Nor’wester Readers is always recruiting new therapy dog teams. If interested, visit the website for information on the application process.

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Vendors wanted for New Hope Health Fair

The Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce has moved the location and date of the Family Health, Wellness and Safety Fair to Saturday, April 20th, from 10:00am to 4:00pm.  The fair will take place at the New Hope Solebury High School, 180 West Bridge Street, New Hope.

Vendors are wanted in the areas of chiropractic, physical therapy, medical, dental, optometry, fire safety, Reiki, holistic healing, pediatrics and massage therapy. 

Representatives from Care Plus More, New Hope Fitness, New Hope Karate, Alzheimer’s Foundation, American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association will be present. 

The cost to exhibit is only $100. Participants will hand out literature to the attendees and speak with them about the benefits of their services.

“This event is a great way to get information on local service providers and a fun family day,” according to Tony Robinson, event chairperson. “Our goal is to get the whole family involved.”

Admission to the Fair is free.  If you are interested in participating as a vendor, contact the Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce at info@VisitNewHope.com or 215.862.9990.

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Spring into the Northampton Library

Spring has sprung at the Northampton Library! 

Silent Auction: In commemoration of National Library Week (April 13th-20th), take part a silent auction for a signed copy of Norman Mailer’s “Naked and the Dead.”  Put in your bid during the entire month, maybe you will be the winner of this valuable signed edition.

National Library Week celebrations continue – on Saturday, April 13th at 3:00pm learn about the phenomenon of Shen Yun, who they are, what they do and how they are keeping their cultural heritage alive. No registration required. 

Fred Miller will return to the Northampton Library on Saturday, April 27th with another stupendous, foot-tapping lecture in song. Join in on the fun – no registration required.

Toddler Story Time: Tuesdays, April 23rd through May 14th, 10:30-11:30am. Story Time for children between 2-3½ years old, with a caregiver. Registration begins April 2nd.

Evening Drop-In Story Time: Second Monday of the month – April 8th, 7:00-7:30pm. Children of all ages are invited to drop in with a parent or caregiver for some stories and music!

The library is introducing “Wishlist,” a way to help purchase needed items. Your gift is tax-deductible and will assist the library in meeting the growing demand for materials and services.

Click “Donate” on the library’s web page, www.northamptontownshiplibrary.org, then click the “Wishlist” icon.  “Pick a Wish and Help Build a Better Library!”

Thank you for your support!

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2010 Bucks County Poet Laureate announces pre-sale of new chapbook

Award-winning Bucks County poet Lorraine Henrie Lins has announced the upcoming release of her new chapbook, “Delaying Balance.” The book will be available for shipment on May 11th, but pre-sales copies can be now ordered through the publisher, Finishing Line Press.

A chapbook is a small collection of poetry, which often centers on a specific theme. For its part, Lins’ second chapbook draws its title and motif from a poem in the book.

“Delaying Balance’ is about the challenges of parent/writer, the learning how and when to let go, knowing full well the consequences that are often so painful,” said Lorraine. “The poem itself illuminates that wobbly moment between parent and child when neither is holding on, yet both think the other still needs it,” she added.  [Read more...]

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Lower Southampton Township announces registration for Summer Day Camps

Registration has begun for the 2013 Summer Day Camps in Lower Southampton Township, it was announced recently by Matt Gilbert, Parks and Recreation Director.

In making the announcement, Gilbert says that the township is gearing up for an exciting and energetic nine-week camping experience for youngsters from June 24th to August 23rd, which will feature a full share of recreational activities, crafts, instructional enrichment and fun-filled cultural excursions.

“Our program has been carefully designed to allow every child to grow and mature through a series of supervised programs and activities embracing physical development, socialization, teamwork and camaraderie.”

Camp will be divided into a series of age-segmented groups starting with the Pioneer Camp for children ages three to five, which will be located at Russell Elliott Memorial Park on Buck Road.

Discovery Camp for ages five to 12 and seven to 12 will be run simultaneously at two locations, the Dolphin Swim Club, 260 West Bristol Road, and the Joseph J. Ferderbar Elementary School, 300 Heights Lane.

Teen Camp for teens 13 to 18 also will be located at the Dolphin Swim Club.

There also will be a Counselor-In-Training Program for teenagers 13-years of age and beyond which will be housed at the Dolphin or Ferderbar locations.

“We have wonderful programs for children of all ages, however I encourage parents to register early because space is limited,” Gilbert notes.

In 2013, special Summer Day Camp resident rates will be offered to all people residing in the 19053 zip code and all of Upper Southampton Township.

Cost for a youngster residing in those areas is $629 for the season with a $150 deposit required. The non-resident rate is $829 per child with a $229 deposit required.

A full camp payment schedule and further information is available on request at 215-357-7300, extension 340 or online at www.lowersouthamptontownship.com.

The Lower Southampton Township Parks and Recreation Department is headquartered at 1500 Desire Avenue in Feasterville.

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Tiny Tots Nursery School: Offering your child a nurturing, educational environment

TINY TOTS PROFILE

 

by June Portnoy 

Tiny Tots Nursery School is designed to give children 16 months to six-years-old a positive, nurturing experience. With its experienced staff and child-friendly facility, you can feel secure that your child is well cared for. 

“We guarantee lots of love and attention to each and every child here,” says Sheila Risoldi, Tiny Tots’ Executive Director, a teacher who has been working with children for over 20 years. “Our privately owned nursery school becomes these children’s home away from home. Parents comment that they feel like they are dropping off their child with family members.”

Tiny Tots provides these kids with the individualized, personal attention they deserve.

“This school is all about quality; not quantity,” adds Sheila. “Our goal is to give every child the opportunity to succeed, as opposed to fitting as many children as we can into our school.”

Tiny Tots offers a small class size, so teachers have the opportunity to know every child and discover their strengths and weaknesses. As a result, they can cater the curriculum to each child’s unique learning styles, offering extra attention to those who need additional help and challenging those kids who excel.

No child here gets lost in the crowd.

Because the school is so small, every child knows each other. All children play together during lunch and recess, during which time older children nurture the younger ones and younger ones learn from the older ones.

“This creates a real family environment,” says Sheila.

The small school size also motivates these young people to play together, forming lasting friendships.

Although Tiny Tots emphasizes academics, this school ensures its students still have the chance to experience the joy of being kids. The core academic program for kindergarten meets and exceeds all the state guidelines, and follows the same curriculum used at Central Bucks schools.

The kindergarten program offers the same subjects you’d find at the public schools, plus some you won’t, such as Spanish.

Tiny Tots’ staff has numerous years of experience, with many having up to 15 years or more. In addition, the school has very little turnover of staff, so if you have several children coming here, chances are you’ll recognize the same faces year after year.

“When our kids leave here, they are socially and academically prepared to adapt well to their new schools,” says Sheila.

Perhaps this is the reason that so many local teachers and principals choose to enroll their children at Tiny Tots.

This school offers flexible scheduling. Choose half or full days for your child.

From June 19th through August 28th, enroll your child in Tiny Tots’ summer camp. Campers will continue to learn, but in a more fun, less structured atmosphere.

This camp offers a great first camp experience in a small, safe environment. For those children beginning Tiny Tots in the fall, camp helps provide a smooth transition to school.

Select half days, full days, or even certain weeks or days of the week that you wish to send your child here to camp.

Tiny Tots, located at 5908 Mechanicsville Road in Solebury, is currently accepting enrollment for its fall session and for summer camp.

Call 215-794-7001 for information and a tour. Also, visit www.tinytots.us.

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Meet the Bunny March 23rd

Meet the Easter Bunny on Saturday, March 23rd from 10:00am to noon at the Old Library by Lake Afton, 46 West Afton Avenue in Yardley.  The Bunny and his helpers will be ready to play and provide free photos, Easter treats, and plenty of hippity-hoppity fun. 

This opportunity to meet with the Bunny is sponsored by the Yardley Historical Association and will coincide with the Egg Hunt to be held at 10:00am in nearby Buttonwood Park by the Yardley Borough Recreation Board.

For more information about the Association’s activities, visit yardleyhistory.org, e-mail info@yardleyhistory.org or call 215-493-6625.

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Youngsters invited to FBA’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt on March 23rd

FBA Easter

 

Area youngsters are invited to join the Easter Bunny for the annual Feasterville Business Association’s Easter Egg Hunt to be held at Russell Elliot Field on Buck Road, Feasterville, on Saturday, March 23rd, beginning at 10:00am sharp.

According to Linda Pupkiewicz, FBA event chairperson who also will personify the Easter Bunny, “All area children are invited to join the fun and festivities of the association’s holiday egg hunt compliments of the FBA.”

Prizes will be awarded to the leading egg gatherers.

“Through the years this has been a wonderful event for both young and old to come out to and enjoy,” she states.

Parents are encouraged to bring a camera for pictures of their children with the Easter Bunny.

For additional information contact Linda at 215-355-1183.

PHOTO CAP: From left, FBA board member Ray Greenberg, FBA board member Diane Fetscher, FBA Sergeant-At-Arms Karen Madotto, and FBA Easter Bunny and Recording Secretary Linda Pupkiewicz.

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Trevose Fire Co. sponsoring take-out ‘Fish Fry’

The Trevose Fire Company, located at 4900 Street Road in Trevose, will be holding a take-out “Fish Fry” on Friday, March 29th from 3:00 to 7:00pm. Tuna hoagies will also be available.

Advance tickets are recommended as only a limited number of entrees will be available the day of the sale.

The menu includes an adult entrée (four pieces of fish, French fries, and coleslaw) for $8; a children’s entrée (two pieces of fish, French fries, and coleslaw) for $4; and eight-inch tuna hoagies for $5 each.

You can purchase advance tickets Sunday through Thursday from 7:00pm to 9:00pm through March 24th at the firehouse. For more info call 215-357-1270.

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Newtown Business Association hosts Annual Easter Egg Hunt

On March 23rd, at 9:00am sharp, the Newtown Business Association (NBA), representing over 200 businesses and retailers in Newtown, will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt at Pickering Manor Field in Newtown Borough. All are welcome to attend this traditional holiday activity celebrating the joy and fun of a good old-fashioned Easter Egg Hunt for both children and adults.

Member businesses of the NBA will be donating prizes for the event and over 3000 plastic Easter eggs, which will be filled with donated prizes and candy.

To participate, simply come with family and friends to Pickering Manor North Field, at the corner of Frost Street and Lincoln Avenue in Newtown Borough, at 9:00am.

This lively event is over in less than one half hour and will create memories for all. Don’t be late, as the hunt will start promptly at 9:00am.

The Easter Bunny will be on hand to greet the children.

For further information about this event, call event co-Chair Jen Kline Clark at 215-962-3933 or check the NBA website at www.NewtownBA.org.

For information on membership, contact Membership Development Chair Josephine Aynat-Molina at 215-364-0770 or visit the website at www.NewtownBA.org.

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