Diane Davies-Dixon's Portfolio

Monday, May 27, 2013

Bensalem celebrates Memorial Day with sirens

by Diane Davies-Dixon

Under clear blue sky, residents of Bensalem and surrounding communities lined Bristol Pike with lawn chairs and blankets. Many of them dressed in red, white and blue.

On Monday, Bensalem began the Memorial Day celebration with a short memorial service at Harry T. Clunn V.F.W. Post #9220, in Eddington.

The memorial service was followed by the parade.

Veterans of the Harry T. Clunn V.F.W. Post #9220 and Bauer-Hartman-Marszalek V.F.W. Post 9198 in Andulusia lead the parade.

Louie (Dog) Katie Stella,6,and Alexis Bahner, 11, of Bensalem
watch the Bensalem Memorial Day Parade from a step
Diane Davies-Dixon/Photo

They began marching from Suzuki Fun Center in Bensalem, down Bristol Pike to Mill Park, the city line with Philadelphia.

“I think it is the greatest thing to show the men and women in wars that we back them,” said Joseph Santivasci, 70, of Bensalem, an Army Veteran himself.

“For some people this day means a day off from work,” said Santivasci. “To me it means that people fight for what they believe in. They have so much love to give their life.”

“Freedom around the world is what we are fighting for and I am proud to be an American,” said Santivasci.

Carrie Fielding, 30, of Bensalem, has been coming to the parade since she was a little kid and carries on the tradition with her own two children.

Taking a day to celebrate and remember why the country has the freedom it does makes the day special when you grow up in a military family, according to Valerie Bahner, 48, of Bensalem.

“Remembrance of veterans and all they did,” said Bahner. “My life would not be as great as it is if not for them.”

Croydon parade featuresVets in Corvettes

By Diane Davies-Dixon

On Monday, Croydon held a Memorial Day parade hosted by the Croydon Joseph A. Schumacher V.F.W. Post 1597 in Bristol Township.

The procession began at State Road and Cedar Avenue and proceeded to the Joseph A. Schumacher V.F.W. Post 1597 on Bellview Avenue.

Diane Davies-Dixon/Photo

Neighbors gathered on their front lawns and along State Street while some spectators sat on the backs of trucks or in lawn chairs in front of cars.

“Today we celebrate freedom with other veterans that survived,” said Mike Thompson, 19, of Bristol Township.

The parade is about all our vets, according to Janis Cordingly, of Bristol Township.

“Today is a big celebration to honor our boys,” said Cordingly. “The living and the dead.”

Diane Davies-Dixon/Photo

Cruising in style in the parade were veterans in Corvettes, antique cars and military vehicles.

Not far behind were Scooby-Doo, Elmo, Cookie Monster, Goofy, Mini-Mouse and SpongeBob.

Leah Ibbetson, 23, of Bristol Township, never attended the Croydon parade until Monday.

“I appreciate everything they did for us. I appreciate our freedom,” said Ibbetson. "Glad I am home for the parade.”

“It is awesome our troops keep us able to have our freedom,” said Al O’Donnell, 24, of Bristol Township.

Memorial Day celebration has deep meaning in Falls

By Diane Davies-Dixon

Veterans march in Falls Memorial Day parade
Diane Davies-Dixon/Photo

“Left, left, left, right, left” came from the distance as the parade march began.

With the sun shining and light breeze, it was the perfect day for a Memorial Day parade.

On Sunday, the Falls Township parade marched from Pennsbury High School in Falls, made a left onto New Falls Road and continued to Historic Fallsington.

For those who served in the military the celebration has a deep meaning.

Bill Young of Middletown served in the military.

“I was in the Army National Guard when I was young,” said Young. “I have a soft spot for this day and the people who come and pay respect.”

And for those who did not serve but had loved ones who did, the feelings were just as strong.

Theresa Kaminski of Falls has pride in her country.

“I am proud of those guys,” said Kaminski. “I have an uncle who died in Germany and a cousin who died in the Phillipines.”

“I am proud of the people who serve our country,” said Kaminski. “And I am proud of our parade.”

Remember, never forget was the message as one of the participants walked along imprisoned in a bamboo jail. POW flags blew in the wind from the roof of his cell.

Diane Davies-Dixon/Photo

Krystin Loncosky of Falls is thankful for freedom.

“I have a brother in the Air Force and I am proud of all the fighting for our freedom,” said Loncosky.
Also, her husband, Joey, was in the Air Force. For him the day is about recognizing and remembering.

“This day is for remembering those who gave everything for our country and recognizing those who currently are serving,” said Joey.

Commander Robert J. Tracey, Grand Marshal Albert McClain, Rep. John Galloway, Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick, American Legion Post No. 960, Pennsbury High School Marching Band, Falls Township American Legion Post No. 834, VFW Post No. 6495 and Ladies Auxiliary, Fairless Hills Lodge No. 776 Free and Accepted Masons, the Girl Scouts of Eastern PA, Cub Scout Pack 100 and many others participated in the parade.

Also, fire departments from Falls, Fairless Hills, Levittown, Morrisville, Tullytown and Yardley drove along in honor of the fallen soldiers

Many Fire Departments in Falls Memorial day parade
Diane Davies-Dixon-Photo

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Veterans who gave the ultimate sacrifice remembered

By Diane Davies Dixon

Jack Gwin performing "I Salute You"
DianeDavies-Dixon/Photo

Hulmeville neighbors gather at Memorial Park for Memorial Day service
Diane Davies-Dixon/Photo

Laying down one’s life, freedom’s greatest sacrifice, was on the minds and in the hearts of many this Memorial Day weekend.

On Saturday, the Hulmeville Historical Society hosted the fifth annual ceremony to honor veterans at Memorial Park in Hulmeville.

The Memorial Day service began with a flag raising by Vietnam veteran William Simpson Sr., who also has a park bench named in his honor.

“I appreciate the attention people give to those who didn’t make it home,” said Simpson. “I think about them every day.”

With election day just a few days ago, Farry said that many people are not exercising the rights that veterans have sacrificed for.

“Bucks County had a very low turnout to vote,” said Farry. “The veterans fight for our right to vote and people are not exercising that right.”

With election day just a few days ago, Farry said that many people are not exercising the rights that veterans have sacrificed for.

“Bucks County had a very low turnout to vote,” said Farry. “The veterans fight for our right to vote and people are not exercising that right.”With election day just a few days ago, Farry said that many people are not exercising the rights that veterans have sacrificed for.

“

If the heat in the buildings is what deters people from coming out to exercise the right “think of those who are in Afghanistan and Vietnam,” said Farry.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

BioBlitz celebrates nature at the Bristol marsh

By Diane Davies-Dixon

Under the warm afternoon sun Friday, a community of scientists and volunteers came together to celebrate nature as Heritage Conservancy kicked off its first BioBlitz.

The event took place at the Bristol Marsh off Basins Park in Bristol.

BioBlitz is a 24-hour event consisting of teams of scientists, naturalists, students, teachers and community members who work together discovering and identifying as many species of plant and animal life as possible, according to Robin Folkerts, vice-president of Heritage Conservancy Development and Community Engagements.

“It wasn’t until a few years ago that I realized what a treasure we have here in this marsh,” said Robyn Trunell, vice president of Bristol Borough Council.

“Planet Earth is so important and without volunteerism this would not be possible and we would not know what we have here,” said Trunell.

About 30 volunteers were there to start off the event.

Heritage Conservancy is a nonprofit conservation organization specializing in open space preservation, sustaining communities, protecting natural resources, property stewardship and historic preservation, adaptive reuse of existing structures and wildlife habitat restoration, according to staff.

The organization began the event with a 3D goal set in place. Discover, Document and Decide.

Scientists were there to help discover the natural resources at the Bristol Marsh and help volunteers document the findings.

Once those goals are achieved, deciding what needs to be done to conserve those resources and developing a management plan for the habitat takes place, according to Folkerts.

Tables were set up for each discovery: mammals, plants, fish, birds, insects and amphibians.

The Bristol Marsh Nature Preserve is 33 acres at Basins Park in Bristol.

5 G Family

By Diane Davies-Dixon

During her lifetime, five generations of her family have been alive at the same time — three times.

Elizabeth Bross Beiermeister, 89, of Warminster, posed for the third time this past Mother’s Day for a photo of her 5G network. Her super-size family.

The celebration took place at her daughter Barbara Treffeisen’s home in Warrington.

Although the entire clan wasn't at the luncheon, the five generation photo included Beiermeister, Barbara and Barbara's children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren at the lunch, there are many more of them.

Beiermeister has five children, 16 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

Her family looks up to her for her hard work and the supportive family environment she created, according to her granddaughter Dawn Berger, 49, of Lower Southampton.

“Our family is so close,” said Berger.” We are there to help at the drop of a dime.”

Ten years ago, Beiermeister traveled to London with her daughter Barbara and granddaughter Dawn to visit her great-great granddaughter Aubrey in college.

“There was a lot of walking and she was a trouper,” said Berger. “We had a hard time keeping up with her.”

“She is known for her soups,” said Berger. “She makes BLT soup and she would make soup from a bunch of leftovers and call it pheasant soup.”

Friday, May 10, 2013

BCCC nursing fees to rise

By Diane Davies-Dixon Correspondent

The nursing clinical fees at Bucks County Community College have remained the same for the past 20 years.

That will now come to an end.

The college board of trustees on Thursday afternoon voted 14-0 to increase nursing clinical fees to double the current cost.

Nursing 101 and Nursing 102 fees will rise from $100 to $200. The Nursing 201 and Nursing 202 fee, now $150, will increase to $300, according to the board. There will also be a $1 per credit increase in student activity fees for clubs and athletics.

The board also approved administrative staff annual merit salary increase of 2 percent for current staff and administration staff salary scale adjustment of 2 percent for new salaries, both effective July 1.

The board discussed and approved projects selected for strategic initiatives for fiscal year 2013-2014.

Projects selected for funding:

Survey entering students, focusing on support needs for the new population. Cost: $7,100.
Consider software tools designed to improve existing information delivery program and customer service. Cost: $9,000 for consulting study.
Parking management upgrade done by United Public Safety in Horsham to allow students to print their own parking passes on their own computer. Cost: $43,000.

The board approved awarding an honorary degree of doctor of public service to award-winning artist, illustrator and alumnus James Bennett. The degree will be conferred upon him during the May 23 commencement ceremony.

Bennett began studying art at Bucks County Community College in 1981 and graduated with an associate degree in fine arts in 1983. The portfolio he created at Bucks won him a full scholarship to School of Visual Arts in New York.

Diane Davies-Dixon can be reached at news@phillyBurbs.com

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Class of '60 reunites to open time capsule

By Diane Davies-Dixon Correspondent

History revealed itself in the form of a box.

On Wednesday, Cecelia Snyder Middle School’s student council, Class of 1960, unsealed a time capsule they had tucked away safe and sound in a box with a marble lid, behind a concrete block dated 1958 at the school.

The class was the first class to attend the new school when it was built in 1958.

“We carried the chairs, desks and bookshelves over from the other school,” said Joe McLaughlin, 68, of Langhorne. “Imagine if they had the kids do that now.”

Al Heller, 68, of Langhorne, recalled that the paper put in the time capsule was the Bristol Daily Courier.

Bill Fraser/StaffPhotographer

“The newspaper had an article about Arnold Palmer winning the Masters,” he said before he and others popped the lid off the capsule to reveal the perfectly preserved artifacts.

Stored away inside was that newspaper copy, an unusual Bible that features the first three pages upside down, plus an envelope with a quarter, dime, nickel and penny inside.

According to classmate Karen Schneider, 68, of Bensalem, students didn’t think the same currency would be used 50 years in the future when they put it in the capsule.

Also inside was a copy of the Constitution of the United States, a copy of the school curriculum, an entertainment Playbill, a school menu, a copy of the school newspaper that did not have a name at the time, and onion paper signed by all the students and faculty.

St. Mary celebrates 40 years

By Diane Davies-Dixon Correspondent

A little rain didn't stop St. Mary Medical Center from celebrating 40 Years of Healing on Wednesday.

The celebration just moved indoors.

While traditional barbecue favorites including hot dogs and hamburgers were being grilled outdoors under a tent, staff gathered in the cafeteria to eat and talk about the Middletown facility that serves Bucks County and the surrounding area.

Dr. Richard Leshner, a cardiologist, has been employed at St. Mary for 27 years and is amazed at the growth.

“St. Mary used to be a community hospital. Now it is a regional hospital,” said Leshner.

Chloe Elmer/StaffPhotographer

In 1973, the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia founded a “city of healing” on a horse farm in rural Bucks County. That city of healing, now St. Mary Medical Center in Middletown, has gone through many changes.

A spokeswoman said 27 of the founding sisters returned for Wednesday's event, which included a Mass.

When St. Mary first opened, the only diagnostic test available was an X-ray. Now the facility is equipped with state-of-the-art technology serving the 630,000 residents of Bucks County and the surrounding area.

The hospital is the home of county’s only state-certified trauma center. And its emergency department, with dedicated pediatric care, is equipped to treat more than 100,000 patients each year. In addition, the facility offers heart and vascular care, neuroscience, cancer treatment and orthopedics.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

On guard at the same post for 50 years

By Diane Davies-Dixon

Her late husband had only one request. “You can get a job as long as dinner is on the table,” he told his wife. And it always was. He never went hungry.

That's because Rose Betker got the one job that made it all possible when she became a Bristol Township crossing guard.

For five decades, the 81-year-old township resident has been crossing children on their way to and from school in Levittown before heading home to prepare dinner.

This week marks her 50th anniversary on the job.

Rose Betker celebrates 50 years as Bristol Township Crossing guard
Photo/Diane Davies-Dixon

When she arrived at her post Tuesday, her daughter had it decorated with balloons and a hard hat that read “50 years May 7, 1963-2013.”

Betker recalls safely crossing her daughter Joanne, now 56, when she was 7 years old. Over the years, she's crossed generations of children including her daughter's friends, their children and then their grandchildren.

“Oh my God, you’re still here?” she was asked once by a man she crossed as a little boy.

It was in 1963 that she was assigned a $1.25-per-hour post at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School (now Magic Cottage Pre-School) in the Appletree section. She remained there until the school closed in 1988.

Not missing a beat, she transferred to a new post at Ailanthus Lane and Appletree Drive just a few blocks away. There she continues to cross children who attend nearby George Washington Elementary School.

She recalls the uniform she used to wear. “Crossing guards dressed in suit-like uniforms," she explains. "They wore police-like hats, white gloves, skirts and ties.”

Now, the dress is more casual. Dark pants, dark shoes and a fluorescent yellow shirt.

It seems to her that many children are driven to school nowadays. Only about six children need to cross in the early morning now, according to Betker.

One of those is a little girl who always picks flowers from someone’s yard along the way to give to her. On Tuesday, the child handed her a bleeding heart flower before crossing.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Bucks Tech team places 7th at state auto repair

By Diane Davies-Dixon

Car doors opened, hoods were popped and safety glasses were in place.

On Thursday, for the second consecutive year, two-student teams from 10 technical high schools across Pennsylvania vied for the bragging rights of being the best car mechanics at their level.

The event, at the Automotive Training Center in Warminster, was to decide the winner of the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Pennsylvania state title and a chance to represent Pennsylvania in the national finals in Dearborn, Mich.

Brian Siegman, 18, of Bristol Township and Rob Bruce, 18, of Falls represented Bucks County Technical High School in Bristol Township. They were the school's top two auto mechanics in their class, and both teamed up recently in the Greater Philadelphia Automotive Competition in Philadelphia, where they placed third and earned scholarships.

“I am going to do the best I can,” Siegman said before the competition began.

Brian Siegman of Bristol Township and Rob Bruce of Falls
Bill Fraser/Staff Photographer

People are keeping their cars longer, so it’s important to know how to fix them, said AAA Mid-Atlantic spokeswoman Jenny Robinson. “In the real world you have to diagnose the problem and fix it,” she said.

The race against the clock began at 9:45 a.m. and ended at 11:15 a.m. sharp. Each of 10 identical Ford vehicles had been intentionally bugged with 10 identical malfunctions.

Only the judges knew exactly what the malfunctions were and how to fix them. Making the repairs flawlessly was the key to producing "the perfect car." Even the slightest oversight by any of the teams, such as a loose taillight clip, was cause for a 1-point demerit. Each team also had to make the repairs within the time allowed.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

High schoolers take anti-smoking campaign to Elementary school

By Diane Davies-Dixon

For their second year, the Kick Butts Generation went out to spread the message “Chews not to smoke” at Cornwells Elementary School in Bensalem.

The slogan is meant to encourage kids to chew a piece of candy instead of picking up a cigarette, according to group leader Caren Schapiro.

To promote that thought, candy was being chewed everywhere at the school on Thursday as Kick Butts Generation students from Bensalem High School visited fifth- and sixth-grade students.

Schapiro, a chemistry teacher at the high school, said the program is designed “to get to the kids before they start smoking.”

Diane Davies-Dixon/Photo
Frank Tepper, 19, a recent Bensalem High School graduate, dressed up in bloody scrubs as Dr. Frank.

She teaches high school students about the effects smoking has on the human body. Those involved in the KBG group stay after school to learn about smoking and create programs for elementary and middle school students during KBG visits.

Various stations are set up in each school with age-appropriate games and lessons on the hazards of smoking cigarettes, said Schapiro.

One such video game demonstrates how smoking over time changes a smoker’s facial appearance. “I think it looks funny,” said Olivia Baranosky, 11, of Bensalem. “It looks like a zombie with gray skin and it’s gooey.”

To read more go to: http://www.phillyburbs.com/my_town/bensalem/high-schoolers-take-anti-smoking-campaign-to-bensalem-elementary-school/article_4c7c30d3-7e34-5a75-a39c-cfa766006afa.html

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Earthship for Earth Day

By Diane Davies-Dixon

On the eve of Earth Day, the Silver Lake Nature Center in Bristol Township is only a few months away from completing its “Earthship” project begun last summer.

The “fully sustainable, carbon-zero building” constructed of tires and other recycled materials, surrounded by a blanket of earth to control its climate, will become the center’s new Watershed Education Building.

Lorraine Skala, the nature center’s education director and assistant naturalist, traveled to New Mexico to visit “Earthship Biotecture” architect Michael Reynolds to learn how to build one at Silver Lake.

Diane Davies-Dixon/Photo
Silver Lake Nature Center's Earthship

With new-found knowledge and the dedication of her husband and many volunteers, plans for the only public Earthship on the East Coast took shape last summer.

“Everyone has latched on to the project,” which is being paid for by a $25,000 grant from Pennsylvania Department of community and Economic Development, said Skala. “It has a life of its own. It’s been an amazing project.”

Tire City donated the majority of the tires that were later filled with earth and stacked to create the walls of the building. Eventually the tires will be covered with plaster. Some facets will be left open to show visitors how the Earthship was constructed.

Earthships are approved by FEMA for hurricane and earthquake zones, according to Skala. She noted that even though the building in Silver Lake park is incomplete, the walls still withstood Hurricane Sandy.

“They are rubber and designed to move with the earth. They will not crack and crumble,” said Skala.

The term Earthship refers to a “ship that can sail on the earth of tomorrow and accommodate the changes coming with the weather,” according to Skala.

Built as a classroom, the Silver Lake facility will contain a 224-square-foot greenhouse fronting the structure. Most of the rough U-shaped building is covered by a grass berm.

Diane Davies-Dixon/Photo
Silver Lake Nature Center's Earthship

The thick walls made of earth and tires is designed to trap heat, a kind of “thermal mass.” It takes a year to heat up, according to the designers. What that does is store heat. When the temp drops in the room the heat will come in from the wall. When the room gets warms up, the heat will travel back into the wall to creating cooler temperatures in the classroom.

“It’s an amazing system,” said Skala. “I never felt a draft or chill or anything when I stayed in one.”

A slanted metal roof will be used to shelter the Earthship and will funnel rainwater into a cistern, according to Skala.

Bucks County Technical High School students have been involved with the building’s plumbing. More volunteers are needed including block layers, carpenters and plasterers. The nature center will supply materials.

“Living close to your resources here, you are responsible for your water and your air. The plants will clean your air and you will have really high quality air in this class,“ said Skala.

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Challenge day changes students' lives

By Diane Davies-Dixon correspondent

Students, some with tear-stained cheeks, wrapped arms around each other, relieved to realize they are not alone in the world.

The emotions came as Bucks County Technical High School held its third annual Challenge Day on Friday in the gymnasium of the school in Bristol Township.

Challenge Day is an organization that helps people connect with each other through programs in their schools and communities.

The event lasts about six hours, roughly the entire school day. The day provides teens and adults with ways to break down their walls and leaves those attending inspired to live in a new environment of acceptance, love and respect, according to the organization’s website.

Dr. Leon Poeske, administrative director of Bucks County Technical High School, said teachers recommend the students for Challenge Day.

“The students work towards learning about each other,” said Poeske. “They talk about abuse, alcohol and family.”

Counselors are present during the day for student support as well.

The day is highly interactive as leaders help students and teachers explore the different ways they separate from others.

to read more go to

A close shave for a good cause

By Diane Davies-Dixon Correspondent

They shaved it all off.

The St. Baldrick’s Day event held by Salon Metro at 425 Alden Ave. in Morrisville was a huge success on Sunday.

A DJ set up under a tent in the parking lot, and food and beverages donated from neighboring businesses set up on tables along the sidewalk all helped ease the nerves of those waiting to shave it all off for the children’s sake. There were also gift baskets and 50/50 chances to be won.

St. Baldrick’s volunteers have funded more in childhood research grants than any organization with the exception of the U.S. Government, according to the website www.stbaldricks.org.

So far this year the organization has raised $20,027,717, according to the website.

Salon Metro set a goal to raise $1,000 and with the support of the community exceeded that goal by a $1,000, making the grand total a whopping $2,000 to go to St. Baldrick’s for Childhood cancer research and awareness.

About 11 people had their heads shaved.

According to the website 175,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year and childhood cancers are unique and require unique treatments and research.

Each of the stylists at Salon Metro have children and feel the cause is near and dear to them, according to hairstylist Melanie Patton, of Levittown.

It is the first year the salon participated in the St. Baldrick’s Day event.

People signed up online to make a donation and have their head shaved. Once the goal is met they have their heads shaved in solidarity, according to Patton.

Hairstylist Regina Pirolli has a friend whose daughter is in remission from cancer.

Kaylee Digiannantonio, 5, of Philadelphia, was diagnosed with sarcoma in her liver one year ago.

According to her mom Jeanine, this type of cancer was not treatable at one time but with the help of donations for research it now is.

Kaylee has been in remission since September and thinks everyone is crazy for shaving their hair.

“Don’t they know how long it takes to grow back?” she asked her mom.

To read more go to

http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/courier_times_news/a-close-shave-for-a-good-cause/article_48fcfb0a-a2ab-556d-9863-6d39a9bb4ee0.html#user-comment-area

Saturday, March 9, 2013

A gala gallery opening

By Diane Davies-Dixon Correspondent

Posted on February 22, 2013

The floral paintings came to life, with colors so vivid and real that visitors could almost smell the sweetness of flowers.The Gallery at the Lower Bucks Campus of Bucks County Community College officially opened Thursday night with Show Some HeART. The exhibit, part of the college’s third annual art show and sale, is hosted by Bucks County Community College and Community Partners: Artists of Bristol on the Delaware, Artists of Yardley, Arts and Cultural Council of Bucks County and ARTSBRIDGE.Jim Sell, executive director of Bucks County Community College’s Lower Bucks Campus in Bristol Township, has worked for years to make the gallery a reality.
“It takes a village to build an art gallery,” said Sell. “Thank you to everyone who helped build and make this happen.”
The plan for a permanent art gallery was hatched four years ago. Its opening is a dream come true for many, according to Rose Marie Strippoli, a member of the Artists of Bristol and art teacher at the Bristol Senior Center.
As Tobias Bruhn, executive director of Bucks County Community College Foundation, was standing on the stage about to address the guests Thursday, a man handed him a business card with a note on the back. The note was from Jim Faridy of Levittown pledging to donate $1,000 to the foundation and gallery.
Bruhn expressed sincere gratitude for the donation and also to the Grundy Foundation for its involvement with the gallery.
Gene Williams, executive director of Grundy Foundation, donated $2,000 to the college foundation, matched by another $2,000 from BCCC Foundation. Those funds will begin building an endowment for the gallery as well as scholarships.
“Grundy is about building a community and partnerships,” said Williams.
The night was about supporting the gallery and funding scholarships, according to Bruhn.
To read more go to: http://www.phillyburbs.com/my_town/bristol/a-gala-gallery-opening-in-lower-bucks/article_f869eb4c-eaa9-543f-a52b-39c77

Friday, March 8, 2013

Smile-maker granted a wish

By Diane Davies-Dixon Correspondent

Seventeen years ago, a car accident left Judith Szabo with limited use of her legs.She was on her way home from her job as a nurse at Fox Chase when another vehicle slammed into her and ejected her from her car. The Bensalem resident now uses a wheelchair, but was left unable to continue her career as a nurse.However, there are plenty of things that Szabo, 74, can do -- including creating greeting cards to lift the spirits of others.

And on Wednesday, the Twilight Wish Foundation lifted Szabo's spirits.
The Twilight Wish Foundation is a national nonprofit charitable organization with a mission to enrich the lives of deserving elders by granting wishes.
Founded in 2003, the organization's national headquarters are in Doylestown. It has granted more than 1,865 individual wishes to seniors throughout the United States. Wishes are granted to those older than 68 with an income of less than 200 percent of poverty level.
To read more go to: http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/courier_times_news/smile-maker-granted-a-wish/article_94d21da9-d128-53a4-85e9-13f1c7ef88b1.html

Save Farms

By Diane Davies-Dixon Correspondent

Posted on March 7, 2013

Farmers, restauranteurs, chefs, producers, winemakers, brewers, market managers and institutional food service managers got together last week to gain knowledge from each other on how to get the "buy fresh buy local" idea out to the public.The Bucks County Foodshed Alliance on Wednesday hosted its fourth annual Farmer Forum at the Newtown Township Municipal Building in Newtown Township.The invitation-only event drew about 50 people.

Alliance President Joseph Tryon of the Hatboro Federal Savings presented the alliance with a check for $2,500 to get the Bucks County chapter's buy fresh by local program started.
“He wants to put local food on his table and recognizes the importance of buy fresh buy local,” said Susan Snipes Wells, vice president of the alliance.
Snipes Wells hopes to encourage new businesses to buy fresh buy local.
”The application for the chapter in Bucks County was approved so we can move forward,” she told forum attendees.
According to state Department of Agriculture statistics, Bucks County is home to eight wineries, 44 vegetable farms, 13 places to get locally grown meats, 17 fruit farms and 16 egg producers.
The foodshed alliance operates throughout the U.S. There are 75 active chapters in the U.S. and 14 in Pennsylvania.
To read more go to: http://www.phillyburbs.com/farmers-forum-stresses-buy-fresh-buy-local-theme/article_a9abd6ac-7eb1-561b-ad74-868ded049eca.html

Sunday, February 3, 2013

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.”