Creating a beloved community is the mission

Posted: Monday, January 21, 2013 5:55 am | Updated: 11:56 am, Tue Jan 22, 2013.

By Diane Davies-Dixon correspondent

Posted on January 21, 2013

• 
  by Eric White

A mixture of people from different ethnicities gathered together with a similar vision: creating a beloved community in Bucks County.

The Bucks County Committee on Interracial Harmony, Interfaith Community of Lower Bucks, Bucks County Human Relations Council and The Peace Center gathered as one and held two simultaneous events on Sunday.

Natalie Kaye of Bucks County Committee on Interracial Harmony led the event at the Bristol Senior Center in Bristol Township. And Barbara Simmons of The Peace Center led the event at Doylestown Presbyterian Church in Doylestown. It was the first time the groups held a simultaneous event.

The event was held to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Join the Dialogue to Create a Beloved Community brought about 40 individuals from various ethnic, economic and religious backgrounds to the Bristol center. Together they discussed how to create the beloved community.

The kind of community that Dr. Martin Luther King envisioned in his speeches. One without racism and hate.

Bucks County Commissioner Diane Marseglia opened the program and brought a proclamation from the community of Bucks County, declaring Jan. 20 Beloved Community Day in Bucks County.

“People say racism doesn’t exist anymore because they can’t see it,” said Marseglia.

The dialogue was broken up into groups of about seven individuals of different ethnicities, discussing their individual visions of what a beloved community is.

Also, the aspects they already see in their community that are beloved and how to create a beloved community.

According to Kaye, the Bucks County Committee on Interracial Harmony has held events to honor King for more than 20 years. But people stopped coming so they decided to partner with the others to create the simultaneous dialogue.

“I hope the event will be a springboard for other events to create a beloved community in Bucks County,” said Kaye.

Sandra Herman of Bensalem used a salad bowl as a reference as her vision of a beloved community. The mixture of different colors making a better community.

Others viewed a beloved community as safe, respectful and prosperous. Not prosperous in wealth, but with food, clothing and shelter. Celebrating differences without violence and looking out for one another.

The exchange of dialogue is meant to send individuals back to their communities with views of how to bring people of all races together peacefully.

Brother HasibAbdur-Rahman, of Zubaida Foundation in Yardley, believes that learning about other ethnicities is a step in the right direction.

“We have to have interfaith dialogues so that we understand each other,” said Abdur-Rahman.

Keith Jones, facilitator of one group, noted that issues were never addressed in the areas that had racism issues before.

“Diversity efforts were not supported because people didn’t see past their own backyard,” said Jones. ”If people would sit and listen to each other they would see we are alike — not so different.”

“We all need each other,” he said.

It is a concern for many of the members of the groups that the younger generations are not a part of the peace-making process.

“Interracial harmony needs activities to involve the youth to keep it going,” said Clarence Hayes Jr., founding pastor of A New Direction Ministries in Penndel.

Retired Pennsbury Elementary School teacher Nancy Tickel of Middletown hopes to build a community based on King’s beloved community.

“I hope to get answers, how to get the community to accept everyone,” said Tickel.

Marion Snipes, board member of the Peace Center and member of Interfaith Community, hopes to enlarge the community of safety and peaceful relationships between people.

“If you don’t do this, there is no chance to overcome the problems,” said Snipes. “If one person has a chance to overcome racism it is worth it.”

Long time staffers say goodbye to Y

Posted: Sunday, January 27, 2013 12:00 am | Updated: 8:19 am, Sun Jan 27, 2013.

By Diane Davies-Dixon Correspondent

Posted on January 27, 2013

• 
  by Steve Robb

The trio Joanne Tansey, Cathy Lambert and Saile Wilbur are set to embark on a new journey: retirement.

The Lower Bucks Family YMCA bid farewell to longtime staff members during a luncheon at the Fairless Hills branch on Friday.

The staff members have more than 60 years of employment combined at the YMCA.

The family atmosphere at the YMCA is something all three of the women said they will miss.

Joanne Tansey, 64, of Falls, has been with the YMCA the longest. She spent the past 26 years at the Fairless Hills location. She started as a part-time employee when her kids were in school, which grew into a full-time position.

“I will miss it here,” said Tansey.

She plans to return as a volunteer for special events and to remain part of the YMCA family.

“The Y is a great place to work because it is family oriented,” said Tansey. “The people who work here are caring.”

Coworker Kathy Hess of Middletown has worked under Tansey’s supervision for more than eight years.

“We have been together ever since and have grown very close,” said Hess. “She is a great boss and a good friend.

“I am going to miss her a lot,” she said. “She has always been very helpful and a good friend. She is like family.”

Hired by Tansey, Cathy Lambert, 64, of Falls, has been employed at the Fairless Hills location for the past 18 years.

Lambert will miss her coworkers and the members.

Through the years, Lambert has watched children grow into teens at the YMCA, and said the organization is like a family.

“Cathy always went to bat for families that needed financial aid,” said Eric Stark, CEO of the local organization.

When people couldn’t afford a program they needed and did not fit into the sliding scale, she found a way to get the families the aid they needed,” said Stark.

“She cares genuinely day in and day out for the people. A pleasure to work with and always pleasant and calm,” he said. “There is a gentle way about her.”

With two great-grandkids on the way, she is sure to keep busy, but hopes to find the time to travel to Florida.

Saile Wilbur, 68, of Southampton, is retiring after 17 years. She started at the Tri-hampton branch that is now in Newtown.

Although she spent most of her years as a front desk clerk, she taught youth art classes for about four years.

“The Y has the greatest members in the world,” she said.

She lives her life in sessions since that is how the programs are set up. Now that will change.

Now that she will be retired, Wilbur is planning on spending more time tutoring for VITA (Volunteer in Teaching Alternatives). She also plans to volunteer more at her church, Davisville Church in Southampton.

“Saile is passionate about our members and knows them all personally by name,” said Joan Sawyer of Bristol Township. “It is important to her, that she makes a difference in the lives of those who struggle.”

Super Duper Bowl III

Posted: Saturday, February 2, 2013 6:15 pm | Updated: 12:28 am, Sun Feb 3, 2013.

By Diane Davies-Dixon Correspondent

Posted on February 2, 2013

• 
  by Dan Golden

Fifth-graders at Eleanor Roosevelt Elementary School in the Pennsbury School District braved the bitter cold and hit the field for a great cause on Friday.

Dressed in many layers of clothing, the fifth-graders were led by coaches Roger Kean, a fifth-grade teacher, and Jason Miller, a fourth-grade teacher, to participate in Super Duper Bowl III, the last game of the annual winter flag football tournament.

Years ago, the tournament began as a couple of teachers organizing football games. They then decided to turn the game into a charitable event, according to Miller.

And the Friday before the Super Bowl is a great day to play since the kids are already pumped up for the big game, he said.

Bouncing up and down to the upbeat music, played by fifth-grade teacher Sandy Raybuck, the student spectators tried to keep warm as they cheered on the teams.

“We incorporate the game into our math, reading and writing lessons too,” said Kean. “The day is also about creating school spirit and good sportsmanship.”

Each year the Super Duper Bowl raises money for a different charity. The first two years the students raised money for multiple sclerosis.

This year the event raised money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The teachers collected $1 from each student who wanted to come out and watch the fifth-graders play.

According to acting principal Gail Campbell, about $330 was raised. But there was still money coming in at the end of the event.

Friday’s festivities began with a mini pep rally that included the school band and cheerleaders.

The featured teams were named after the fifth-grade teachers and the video game Donkey Kong. Melnick Mashers, Kean Kongs and Raging Radical Raybucks.

Kean appeared in a gorilla mask that sent the students bananas with enthusiasm.

All the team shirts were designed by Zach Kaczor, 13, of Lower Makefield, when he was a fifth-grader at the school. He came out to support his younger brother Chaz and cheer him on.

“I think the game is awesome,” said Lora Kaczor, of Lower Makefield.

“It is a great last hurrah for fifth graders,” she said.

Each student and staff member was treated to a soft pretzel to enjoy while they cheered on their favorite team from the sidelines.

Also supporting the students and wishing them a great day was mystery guest, former NFL player Lonnie Allgood.

For about four weeks prior to Super Duper Bowl III, the teachers practiced playing flag football with the students during their recess.

After the game Chaz Kaczor, 10, of Lower Makefield, said his thoughts before the game were “I hope I score a touchdown.”

“I was getting pumped up looking in the mirror jumping up and down this morning,” he said.

Fifth-grader, Alexa Ryan was named Most Valuable Player. Her trophy was a giant soft-pretzel in the shape of a trophy.

“It was really fun,” said Ryan. “I liked catching the ball.”

“I want to thank Mr. Kean and Mr. Miller because no other school does this,” she said.

Scouts test winter survival skills

Posted: Saturday, February 2, 2013 5:53 pm | Updated: 1:29 am, Sun Feb 3, 2013.

By Diane Davies-Dixon Correspondent

Posted on February 2, 2013

• 
  by Dan Golden

Arctic temperatures could not deter the Boy Scouts from their annual winter survival skill exercises this weekend.

Festivities for the Lower Bucks County, Playwicki Division Boy Scouts of America, Klondike Derby began early Saturday morning at Tyler State Park in Newtown Township.

The Klondike Derby is an annual event held by some Boy Scout districts during the winter months. The Scouts have been running the derbies since 1949.

The patrols must transport survival gear on a sled pulled by the Scouts.

As Scouts and parents unloaded homemade wooden sleds out of the back of cars and trucks, volunteers made sure the stations were ready. Sleds were managed by patrols of about eight Boy Scouts.

Each sled held a flag that was made by the Scouts, representing the individual patrols.

The patrols checked in before the race, making sure all the supplies needed for the adventure were loaded on the sled. Supplies included: water, snacks, note pads, pens, pencils, a watch, score sheets, first aid kit and a few other objects.

According to Scoutmaster Dave Clark, about 300 Scouts participated in Saturday’s derby.

A fire burned under the pavilion by the dam and coffee and hot cocoa were served to keep parents and volunteers warm while they waited for the Scouts to return.

The event ran from about 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a lunch break consisting of hot dogs in between.

According to Jerry Schenkman, a volunteer father from Troop 29, the object of the derby was to go to all the stations, which included setting up tents, building fires, applying first aid, and all the different skills needed for outdoor winter survival.

Zachary Gutherman, 12, of Middletown and Troop 82, wanted to get as many stations and skills completed as his patrol could, he said.

“We have to race to the top of the hill and do our stations,” said Nick Helstrom, 15, of Middletown, also from Troop 82.

“The more knowledge you have and the more stations you complete, you get golden nuggets (actually little bb’s). The more you get, the higher your points are and you win,” said Helstrom. ”The prize is bragging rights for each event won. A badge is also earned.”

After survival skill stations are completed, the patrols move to the soccer field adjacent the parking area for sled races, according to Helstrom.

“The day is a fun way to practice skills and spend time with your patrols,” said Cole Miller, 11, of Middletown and Troop 82.

“The goal is to get the highest points that we can and to have fun,” said Griffin Goode, 13, of Lower Makefield and Troop 210.

“We do knot tying, archery, fire building and navigation at some of the stations,” said Goode.

Team building is the biggest part of the derby, according to Clark.

George Worth from Troop 29 arranged the event.

According to Worth, awards are given to the highest finishers in each of the three age groups: 13 and under, 14 and over and mixed age.

“The patrols can earn up to 10 points at each station,” said Worth.

Stations were identified by handmade signs which hung on the tree branches throughout the park.

About 20 stations were set up in the woods and along the dam.