Racers make their marks

By Diane Davies-Dixon Correspondent | 0 comments

Miranda Murphy didn’t get to see her finished soap box car until the night before Saturday’s big race.

While she worked on the vehicle with her mother for eight months, the finishing touches were a surprise.

Miranda, 17, was thrilled with the results, a pink fairy tale on wheels.

Miranda was among 31 participants in the 56th Annual Bucks County Soap Box Derby on Woodbourne Road in Levittown on Saturday.

The sun shone down on the racers as they made their way down the hill to the finish line in cars so narrow, they resembled kayaks on wheels.

The racers, boys and girls aged 7 to 17, competed in three divisions — stock, super stock and masters — based on experience, age and height.

The winner of each division now heads to the 75th Annual World Race in Akron, Ohio, on July 21. The first-place finishers also won gold wheels and gold helmets, according to Suzanne Murphy, Miranda’s mom.

Saturday’s race was Miranda’s last, because she’s aging out. While sad she won’t be competing again, she was especially happy to go out in such a stylish set of wheels.

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Animals taking cover from the heat

Diane Davies-Dixon Correspondent | 0 comments

All was quiet on the grounds of Pennsbury Manor in Falls during Wednesday's scorching heat.

Even a groundhog was spotted running for cover back into his hole beneath a tree, where it was no doubt cooler than the mid-90s above ground.

The first day of very hot summer weather hit Bucks County and surrounding areas Wednesday and will linger until early Friday morning, according to the American Red Cross.

The agency urges people to take precautions during this time.

Pennsbury Manor does that. When temperatures exceed 85 degrees, tour guides don't have to suit up in the Colonial attire they normally wear, according to Doug Miller, historic site administrator. Volunteers usually don outfits imitating the dress of Quakers from the 17th century. The clothing covers almost the entire body, including the head, at the recreated home of William Penn on 43 acres along the Delaware River.

Even the animals that are a big part of the landscape there found cover in the shady spots on the grounds and in the barns Wednesday, said Miller.

Sheep were hanging out in the barn with fans blowing and plenty of water. Romeo, a 27-year-old horse, found escape from the heat inside a stall. Bill and Red, the oxen brothers, were across the field relaxing in the shade.

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Summer makes a grand entrance

Diane Davies-Dixon Correspondent | 0 comments

Remember longing for summer weather? Well, it's here.

The season, which officially begins Wednesday, is making a grand entrance, bringing scorching temperatures and high humidity.

An excessive heat warning will be in effect from 1 p.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. Friday, according to the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, N.J.

Temperatures will be in the mid-90s Wednesday but will feel more like 100 to 105 degrees with the increased humidity, said Accuweather meteorologist Carl Erickson in State College.

On Thursday, a high temperature of 100 degrees is forecast, but expect it to feel more like 110 degrees, Erickson said.

Average temperatures are usually in the mid-80s when summer rolls in, he added.

As the mercury rises, so will the number of people flocking to places throughout Lower Bucks looking for relief.

Neighborhood pools and senior centers are expecting a wave of folks escaping the heat.

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CSL grads told: 'You earned it'

By Diane Davies-Dixon Correspondent | 0 comments

Perseverance backed by faith got them there.

The Center for Student Learning Charter School’s Class of 2012 collected the diplomas they worked so hard for with proud smiles Thursday night during the ceremony held at Pennsbury High School East.

Family and friends gathered in the auditorium for the school’s 10th commencement.

Tom Reiley, executive director, advised the crowd “Hoot and holler your loudest. You earned it,” as he addressed the class.

“Twenty-two of you overcame every obstacle inside of you,” he said. “We knew you had it in you and you found it.”

He proudly spoke to the graduating class, reminding them to keep striving to improve themselves and reminding them “When setbacks occur you can overcome them.”

Heather Humienny, president of the board of trustees, described the achievement of the students as a journey of patience, understanding and perseverance.

Her advice to the class is “Maintain purpose in spite of difficulty.”

All words backing the philosophy of positive education.

To read more go to: http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/csl-grads-told-you-earned-it/article_4bdf6d7c-054a-59a5-ad48-f986168e424f.html?mode=story

In the knick of time

Diane Davies-Dixon Correspondent | 0 comments

Her coworkers aren't happy with her. And not because she did anything wrong. She did everything right.

So they aren't thrilled that Miss Jinny is retiring from her teaching job at the William Penn Center in Fallsington.

"A little piece of Jinny will remain here," said Bobbi Ranalli, 56, of Middletown. "People who come here to work, stay because of Miss Jinny."

After 37 years of nurturing children at the preschool, Jinny Warburton, 74, of Lower Makefield is stepping aside.

And even though they're sad she's leaving, former and current staff, her family and old college friends got together for a surprise -- and tearful -- retirement party Thursday.

When Warburton started at the center, she said she fell in love with its philosophy of teaching. The day care and preschool, she said, is committed to a hands-on approach to learning, fostering creativity and self-expression.

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Experts offer tips on how to stay safe this summer

By Diane Davies-Dixon Correspondent | 0 comments

Summer has started and the fun has begun. Trips to the beach and lounging by the pool are what many people have on their mind.

What they don’t plan on is a child drowning, or landing in a hospital because of dehydration or a disease after a bug bites.

But those things happen.

Trauma centers across the nation can attest to that, according to Kim Everett, trauma prevention coordinator of St. Mary Medical Center in Middletown.

“Drowning is a huge problem with children between the ages of 1 and 4,” Everett said. “Most drownings occur in private homes according to our records.”

Such tragedies can be prevented, according to Everett and Safe Kids USA, a nonprofit organization solely dedicated to eliminating preventable childhood injuries.

One of the most important moves would be for adults to learn adult and child CPR, since 88 percent of children have drowned under adult supervision, Safe Kids states on its website, www.safekids.org. Administering CPR immediately after finding a child unresponsive in a pool can make the difference between life and death, according to Safe Kids.

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Big shoes to fill

By Diane Davies-Dixon Correspondent | 0 comments

Bensalem gym teacher Gerry Frazier loves cupcakes.

Shouting out to the students at Belmont Hills Elementary School in the midst of the annual Sneaker Day, he asked, “What’s the best part about cupcakes?”

Students replied in unison. “They’re bite size!”

It is a well-known fact at Belmont that Frazier eats his cupcakes in one great big bite. Although some parents have been making them bigger, he still manages to fit the whole thing in his mouth at once.

While he still continue the one-bite tradition, he won’t be doing it at the school.

At age 57, Frazier, who some call “the face of Belmont,” is retiring. And the entire school, former students and others who admire him came out Thursday to say goodbye.

Frazier, who lives in Bensalem, has been spreading his energy throughout the school as a gym teacher for the last 36 years and has never missed a day.

He still has the energy of a 20-year-old and a heart bigger than many, his admirers say.

He’s been invited to about 50 weddings of former students, and even christenings of former students’ children.

He’s even given one of those students away on her wedding day. He’s been so involved that he’s attended younger students’ dance recitals and games, proms and graduations.

To put it simply, the teacher/mentor is deeply loved by those he has touched.

To read more go to: http://www.phillyburbs.com/my_town/bensalem/big-shoes-to-fill/article_17489d23-e0a4-50ea-a019-f6d91b52ba2e.html

Writer's unite in philly

Diane Davies-Dixon Correspondent | 0 comments

For lovers of language, the 64th annual Philadelphia Writers Conference will be held June 8 through June 10 at the Holiday Inn at Fourth and Arch streets in downtown Philadelphia.

For those with a passion for writing in any genre, workshop sessions will be held for short story, poetry, horror/sci-fi/fantasy, memoir, novel, playwriting, writing for new media, and nonfiction.

The writing workshops are led by published authors and the best writing teachers in the area.

A peer critique will be held Friday night, so bring along sample works to read aloud.

Is your manuscript ready to sell? Sign up for a 5-minute pitch session on site after registering Friday morning (registration opens at 8:30 a.m., and agent/editor signups open at 9 a.m.).

Jonathan Maberry, a New York Times bestselling and multiple Bram Stoker Award-winning author, magazine feature writer, playwright, content creator and writing teacher/lecturer, will be the opening speaker Friday morning. Maberry also is co-founder of the Liars Club and founder of the Writers Coffeehouse, both writers organizations.

"Writers prosper when they're around other writers, and the PWC is a chance to be a part of a thriving community of writers. It is the best networking opportunity around," said Maberry "You always come away fired up, well-informed and optimistic about getting your words into print."

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Croydon memorial day parade

By Diane Davies-Dixon Correspondent | 0 comments

Traffic came to a halt on State Road as the parade drew near. Despite the heat, hundreds of people came to the Croydon Memorial Day parade to display their appreciation of veterans.

The parade featured the honor guard from Croydon’s Joseph A. Schumacher VFW Post 1597, the Harry S. Truman High School marching band, members of the Croydon Town Watch, Knights of Columbus Pius XII Council No. 4765, Boy Scouts, elected officials, the Croydon Civic Association and others.

Some veterans who came to watch the parade said they felt deeply appreciated by the crowd.

Francis R. De Mezza, 89, of Levittown, a U.S. Army veteran of World War II has attended the Croydon parade for the last 20 years, in part for the feel of patriotism from the day.

This day gives De Mezza and other veterans a chance to come together again.

“Every year there is a declining number of World War II veterans. They are leaving us every year,” said De Pezza. “The gap of World War II veterans will never be refilled.”

Pleased that VFW posts remain active and continue to serve veterans, he appreciates the parade.

“I hope the tradition continues on. God bless America,” said De Pezza.

to read more go to: http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/courier_times_news/croydon-parade-shows-appreciation-for-veterans/article_0cd6444d-d2a8-561b-a00d-16923052e4f6.html

King for the night

By Diane Davies-Dixon Correspondent | 0 comments

The secret was well-kept.

The teachers, staff and students at Harry S. Truman High School were left in the dark, as is the tradition, about the nominees for prom king and queen.

But when they found out who would be crowned king at Pen Ryn Mansion in Bensalem recently, they could not have been happier or more emotional.

That’s because the Class of 2012 didn’t go with the all-star jock or the class president. They didn’t pick the star of the school play.

Instead, they chose Michael Zielinski, 18, a life skills student who attended all special education classes except for gym.

“It was exciting,” said Zielinski, who had never before attended a prom.

“When Michael was crowned prom king, he was so excited,’’ said his prom date Adriana Stephenson, a senior at Bucks County Technical High School. “He was jumping up to pump up the crowd. He is such a nice guy and everyone seems to know him because of his outgoing personality. I met a countless number of his friends. As his friend myself, it was my pleasure to go to the prom with him.”

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It's a bark-o-rama

By Diane Davies-Dixon Correspondent | 0 comments

Strutting their stuff, hundreds of pampered pooches took over the Middletown Grange Fairgrounds in Wrightstown on Saturday.

The Huntingdon Valley Kennel Club hosted its 86th annual All Breed Dog Show. Prancing around the fairgrounds, some with fur and hair and some without, were about 1,100 dogs consisting of 125 different breeds.

Most exotic of the bunch was a xoloitzcuintli (xolo) a former Westminster winner named Champion Bayshore Georgio Armani. This hairless breed has been used as therapy for people suffering from arthritis and other ailments that can be soothed by warmth. The longer they are in the sun the darker color their skin turns but they do not burn. They bring warmth to people, according to a friend of the handler.

“He is number one in the country,” said Handler Gwen DeMilta, 56, of Downingtown.

The breed is fairly new and comes from Mexico.

Evident at first glance is the love between the dogs and the people they are with. Tails wag happily as they plant plenty of slobbery kisses on their partners’ cheeks both before and after their trip around the ring.

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