Diane Davies-Dixon's Portfolio

Monday, July 29, 2013

Rain doesn't dampen Puerto Rican Day festival

By Diane Davies-Dixon

Even the rain could not dampen the spirits of the community Sunday for the 42nd annual Puerto Rican Day Festival at Lion’s Park in Bristol.

The aroma of authentic dishes mingled in the air with the scent of rain.

The event is sponsored by the Puerto Rican Cultural Association of Bucks County.

This year, for the first time, the event featured pure Puerto Rican Paso Fino horses and a Pirate Roberto Cofresi, better known as El Pirata Cofresi, re-enactment.

Also included in the event: live music, authentic cuisine, cultural workshops and novelty vendors.

While cultural music was playing throughout the park families strolled around taking in the history of Puerto Rico. Some in the crowd return to Bristol for Puerto Rican Day because it is part of their culture.

Nilda Hillyer of Bristol Township was raised in Bristol and returns to her roots for the special event.

“The music is my favorite part,” said Hillyer. “It is my heritage.”

Hillyer also noted that she did not know about the Paso Fino horses. A lesson learned about her culture.

“The horses are so pretty,” said Jasmine Hillyer, 8.

Nicole Roemhild of Bensalem returns every year in anticipation of running into family and friends to celebrate her heritage with good music.

“Some cultural things become cliquey,” said Roemhild. “But not Puerto Rican Day.”

“I see a lot of my family here.”

Nick Fitzgerald of Philadelphia returns to Bristol on Puerto Rican Day for the atmosphere.

“I like the feeling that is generated,” said Fitzgerald.

The party-like environment is what draws him back, noted Fitzgerald.

The horses tapped around giving the crowd a demonstration on the smooth, natural, four beat lateral gait they possess.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Hope for Hannah

By Diane Davies-Dixon

There's a sign that greets visitors on the front door of a home in the Farmbrook section of Levittown: "No crying, this is a happy home."

Yet it's hard to remain upbeat for Vicki Pizzullo these days. She broke down within minutes of a reporter's visit to discuss her daughter Hannah's health. At 6 months old, the baby has an incurable illness that has overwhelmed the family.

Videos of newborn Hannah wiggling about in her seat making multiple attempts to get her thumb in her mouth show a normal, healthy baby. But those simple movements became painful at 4 months old.

“She would start screaming when she would eat,” Pizzullo said, her voice cracking while choking back tears. “Everything just happened so fast.”

Hannah, who stopped eating because of the pain, would soon be diagnosed with a rare and fatal strain of leukodystrophy, also called Krabbe (pronounced Crab A) and Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy.

Krabbe is a genetic disorder that affects both the central and peripheral nervous systems, according towww.huntershope.org.

An important enzyme needed for the production of a protective covering for nerve cells known as myelin is lacking in Krabbe babies.

It is the deterioration of that covering that causes Hannah pain.

The journey for her and her family began in June.

Her father, Justin Ginion, and Pizzullo took Hannah to a hospital and were told Hannah had acid reflux and was dehydrated. She was sent home, according to Pizzullo.

“The blood work showed nothing wrong,” said Pizzullo.

“This is my third baby,” said Pizzullo. “I knew something was not right.”

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Turning a first date into a family business

By Diane Davies-Dixon

How many people can say the first date with their boyfriend or girlfriend turned into a family business?

Corey Winter, a Bristol resident, can.

Ten years ago, he took his then-girlfriend, Jackie, to a hobby shop on their first date. That was the night Jackie bought her first RC car and found herself hooked on radio controlled racing, known among fans as RC racing.

Apparently she found herself hooked on Corey as well, since the two later married.

“It is an excellent hobby,” Corey said of his hobby-turned-business. “I was at a flying event one day with a buddy joking about opening a hobby shop. It started as a joke.”

Corey, who’s been flying RC airplanes for more than 20 years, was working in a collision center and had always dreamed of owning his own — until he was injured at work.

Today, he and Jackie own the Ultimate RC Hobby Shop and Raceway at 801 Cedar Ave. in Croydon. The business has a pit area with full electricity and a place to set up tools to work on the cars, which can cost hundreds of dollars.

About three years ago, the couple opened a hobby shop in Bristol. But customers wanted a track to race on. So, after one year in Bristol, they moved to the bigger location in Croydon, according to Jackie.

“It was very scary making the jump to a bigger place,” she said. “We wanted to do something that would be different that people would really like.”

Jim Griggs, 54, has been racing RC vehicles for 30 years. These days, he spends two nights a week at the Croydon track racing his custom-painted vehicle.

“This is my home track now,” said Griggs, a Levittown resident. “Thursday nights (when racers practice to compete on Saturdays) are priceless.”

Turning rocks to roses

By Diane Davies-Dixon

Turning a concrete slab and plain rocks into a place of beauty dressed in roses for residents has been the mission of two men residing at Grundy Gardens retirement complex in Fairless Hills.
For the third year, Jackie Coyte, 69, a resident of Grundy Gardens for four years, and Wilson Drews, 76, a resident for three and a half years, have been brightening up the outdoor patio just outside the community room with colorful flower gardens.

Coyte is in charge of the perennial garden outside Grundy’s community room. In his piece of paradise he’s planted 17 different species of perennials.
There are a variety of peonies, lilies, roses, calla lilies, dwarf cannas, corn flower, irises, cabbage and others in the perennial area.
Among the many flowers in the perennial garden are irises whose root stock date back 100 years and once grew at the site, according to Coyte.

The contractors who built Grundy Gardens gave some to resident Shirley Moser who gave them to her son for his garden. At the time Grundy Gardens did not have a garden to plant them in.
To read more go to:http://www.phillyburbs.com/my_town/bristol/retirees-turn-rocks-and-concrete-into-a-floral-eden/article_4ff42216-436b-58be-ade1-e7c3e3dde793.html?mode=jqm

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Rain stops in time for grads

By Diane Davies-Dixon

Bill Fraser/Staff Photographer

The sky opened up and the rain poured down. People in the stands ran for cover, many taking shelter underneath the bleachers.

But the rain stopped in time for the ceremony to begin. Staff quickly dried off the chairs with towels and leaf blowers for graduates of the the Harry S. Truman class of 2013 to sit on.

A blue sky reappeared, chasing away the gray just long enough for speeches to be heard.

Senior David Andrew Micholas, president of the National Honor Society, gave the opening remarks.

“We are gathered to celebrate the end of our time together,” said Micholas.

Bill Fraser/Staff Photographer

“The memories we made will be behind us as we go our separate ways,” he said. “But today also brings new beginnings for us to grow stronger.”

Class President Luke John Robinson began his speech with a moment of silence for Eddie Brodecki a classmate killed in a one-car accident last April.

“There may be an empty seat. But he sits beside us getting his diploma.”

CSL graduates celebrate

By Diane Davies-Dixon

As one journey comes to an end, another begins.

Members of the Center for Student Learning Charter School’s Class of 2013 praised their families, faculty and staff for guiding them to their destination -- graduation.

On Thursday night, CSL held the school's 11th graduation ceremony in the auditorium of Pennsbury High School East.

The auditorium was decorated with blue and orange balloons along with “Congrats graduates" signs.

Board of Trustees President Heather Humienny addressed the graduates with words of wisdom.

“There is always a lot of talk about roads to travel,” said Humienny. “Sometimes the road you have to travel is not well defined; there are a lot of twists and turns. You could have decided to get off the road.”

But the Class of 2013 stayed on the road, persevered and earned their diplomas, she said.

“This is an amazing group,” said Humienny. “You make the faculty, staff and board of trustees proud."

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Learning to cook like a pro calls out

By Diane Davies Dixon

“I was never one for measuring,” says chef Michael Ratini. “That is why baking didn’t go so well.”

Michael Ratini shows the guests how to prepare Fennel salad
Diane Davies-Dixon/Photo

But The Culinary Institute of America graduate has certainly found his niche in the kitchen. He shared his expertise with 22 women at a recent cooking demonstration at the Brick House Presents Elite Cuisine in Tullytown.

Ratini, 22, created a meal from start to finish that pleasures the taste buds.

On the menu: Arugula Salad with Tonnato Dressing, Porchetta, Raw Fennel Salad, Fresh Fettucine with Porcini Cream Sauce and Polenta Budino.

Ratini started with Tonnato dressing for the Arugula Salad.

Michael Ratini Demonstrates how to make mozzarella
inthe pasta machine
Diane Davies-Dixon/Photo

He successfully estimated the amount of ingredients needed , according to Mary McIlvaine of Bristol.

“I always thought ‘does it turn out right if it is not measured’,” says McIlvaine.

Another interesting method to his cooking is that he doesn’t look at the time.

“I don’t usually cook with time,” said Ratini. “When it is done, it is done.”

Polenti Pudding/
Diane Davies- Dixon/Photo

He also demonstrated how to use a mandolin to grate fennel for the fennel salad.

That was something several women had never thought of using for salad.

“I learned about spices and techniques,” says Joanne Fuchs of Bristol Township. “Things you think wouldn’t go together but do.”

“Like the fennel salad” says Fuchs, “I never would have tried that.”

“The fennel salad was interesting,” says Neilia Makadok of Newtown.

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.