September 11, 2009

Lots of News for Early September

Hey, Y'all -

Well, there's lots to cover, so we'll just get right to it.

First of all, I feel it's necessary to post this disturbing information that was passed on to me this afternoon by Kintnersville resident Sandy Weber:

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS MAN?

ACCORDING TO JOE KULICK, DURHAM TOWNSHIP MANAGER:
This person is wanted in connection with several burglaries in the surrounding counties. DO NOT APPROACH as he may be armed with a stolen 9mm handgun. Last seen operating either a white Dodge work van with black ladder racks, PA registration YJE9654 or a dark blue colored 15 passenger window van with a primered hood and tinted windows, PA registration: GKD8838. Both vehicles are stolen.

(UPDATE: It is believed he is now driving a red Ford pickup with a white cap that was stolen from Durham Rd.) If either the person or vehicle is spotted, DO NOT APPROACH but contact PA State Police Dublin at 215-249-9191 or Dial 911.

Subject may have been involved in a motor vehicle accident on Coon Hollow Road in the township at 3AM on Friday, September 11, 2009, and fled the scene on foot.

UPDATE: Apparently this buy was apprehended late last night (9-1--09) and pulled a gun on the officers, who shot him to death. Here's the story. - Mary
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Next, I want to acknowledge the passing of two area residents.
Here's Bill Nast's obituary, who left us last Friday:
William Nast, 89, formerly of Nockamixon Twp., died Friday, September 4, at Saucon Valley Manor in Hellertown.
He was born September 23, 1919 in Philadelphia, a son of the late Herman and Ottilie Minke Nast. From 1957 until his retirement in 1984, he worked as a machine operator for Penn Engineering & Mfg. Corp. in Danboro. Prior to that, he had worked for Roy Fair in Ferndale. He enjoyed hunting and was a member of the Revere/Ferndale Hunting Club. He loved gardening and was an avid Phillies fan.

Bill was a member and former councilman of St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Ferndale. He was an army veteran of WWII and was a life member of the Easton Moose Lodge.

He is survived by one son, Richard and his wife, Donna, of Quakertown; two granddaughters, Rebecca Shermer and her husband, Russell and Kate Nast and her fiance, Nate Knepper; one great grandson; one sister, Elenora Vanni, Doylestown.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Helen, who died in March of this year. His funeral service was held Tuesday, September 8, 2009 at 4 p.m. in St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Ferndale. Arrangements by the Robert W. Snyder Funeral Home, Riegelsville.

And here's the obituary for Dick DeGroot, member of a longtime Nockamixon family, who passed on the same day:

Richard J. de Groot of Erwinna, Pa. died Friday, Aug. 14, 2009, in his home. He was 74. He was born Aug. 22, 1934, in New York, N.Y., a son of the late Cornelius and Helena Slovacek de Groot. For 30 years, he owned and operated A Gourmet's Pantry in Erwinna. Prior to that, he had worked as the international advertising director for Gourmet Magazine in New York for 10 years.

Mr. de Groot was a wonderful host who loved to entertain and was a great cook. He also was an avid reader and enjoyed doing crossword puzzles. He was a peacetime U.S. Navy veteran, who served as a Russian expert. He was a graduate of Fordham University in New York.

He is survived by his partner of 42 years, Steve Knesz; one brother, Robert and his wife, Chris, of Revere; three sisters, Charlotte de Groot of Plumsteadville, Cory Whitehead and her husband, Ken, of Fenwick, Del., and Lillian Crum and her husband, Darryl, of Ferndale; his aunt, Josephine Karasek of Erwinna; and one niece and six nephews.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Doylestown Hospital Hospice, 875 Easton Road, Doylestown, PA 18901. Robert W. Snyder Funeral Home, Riegelsville.


We'll miss Bill and Dick, and wish their spirits easy passage to the next spiritual plane.
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On a happier note, we welcome a new arrival to our township. Vera's Country Cafe is now ensconced in the building formerly known as Judy's Friendly Garden at 4203 Durham Road (Rt. 412) in Ottsville. Stop by, have a bite to eat and welcome our new neighbors. You can call them at 610-847-8372.

Staying with the restaurant theme, Donna Davis says y'all should stop by on Friday evenings over at Country Town in Revere. She's now serving up a hot dinner from the grill between 5-8 PM. It should be a nice option for those not looking forward to having to whip something up at the end of a long, hard week. You don't need reservations, but indoor seating is somewhat limited. So after the weather turns cold, you'll want to get there early, or call in a take-out order. 610-847-6929.
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For the artists in our midst, lots of happenings to pay attention to:

The Gallows Run Watershed Assn. is planning their big fundraiser of the year. On Sunday, Nov. 22, Palisades High School will host En Plein Air: Gallows Run Art for Conservation. Truly an event of the people, by the people and for the people, this exhibition promises to be something really different than we've seen before.

Local artists will be invited to capture a landscape or outdoor scene in our watershed, using their preferred medium. Under the GRWA's guidance, the Heritage Conservancy will reach out
to local artists regarding study sites within the watershed. The project will provide opportunities for local residents and students to experience our important natural resources while observing artists at work at these sites. A second opportunity to enjoy the work will be when they can view the finished results at this exhibition sponsored by the Conservancy.


In discussions with GRWA president Todd Stone of Kintnersville -- a professional painter in his own right -- Palisades High School art teacher Kathy Beck voiced a strong interest in hosting the event at the school’s art gallery. She felt this would provide the potential for secondary benefits to students through both education and art scholarships. The exhibit will be introduced via a reception hosted by the Heritage Conservancy. Opening remarks by Todd and a member of the Conservancy’s executive staff will be made, regarding the importance of conservation and the arts.

A portion of sales of the displayed art will benefit the Conservancy’s land conservation efforts in the Gallows Run Watershed, where a number of landowners are working with the Conservancy to protect the beauty and natural resources of their open space property for the benefit of future generations. In addition, there may be the opportunity to auction or raffle a local piece of
art for the school’s art scholarship program. Details are still being worked out.

The specific objectives of this project are to:
  • Promote and support land conservation efforts in the Gallows Run Watershed
  • Provide opportunities for local artists to interpret and showcase their artistic interpretation of local landscapes and places of conservation interest
  • Engage local residents, including school-age youth, in an educational activity that will dramatically demonstrate the need and value of land conservation through art
There are a few more details at the Conservancy's website. We'll be watching eagerly as plans unfold, and I'll keep you posted here.

Another bit of nearby art news is that John Mathieu, owner of the building located at 36 Bridge Street in Frenchtown, opened a gallery space there this past weekend. It is small, and beautifully done. The idea is for artists to rent it by the week ($500) or the month ($1500) for solo or group shows. No commissions, just the space in a great location (next door to the laundromat). His number is (609) 577-0418 if you're interested in participating.

Yet one more bit of art-related news: A woman named Erin Thomas is turning a building in Doylestown into a non-profit community art center -- sounds very cool. Please check out her website: She's talking workshops, exhibition space, a relaxed place to hang out, all sorts of things. Until Nockamixon gets a much-needed community center of its own, this wouldn't be a bad option.

And if you're not so much an artist yourself, but really love original work, then there's good news for you, too! My friend and former student, Peyton Petty, has opened her art studio, Bunker Hill, in Ottsville to the public for classes and exhibitions. It's a gorgeous space, either to work in or to shop for awesome Bucks County originals.


She's now busy planning her 2009 Annual Holiday Art Show, featuring original paintings, fine art photography, ceramics, furniture, birdhouses, books, cards and more by local artists Tim Yanka, Paula Chamlee, Don Simon, Jana Kolpen, Laura Womack, Reny Willoughby and Peyton herself. So, since we all need to shop more carefully this year, why not find some real values that contribute directly to the health of your neighbors and to the health of the arts in Bucks County?

Mark you calendars to visit the Holiday Show and Sale on Sat. Oct. 24 (11:00-5:00); Sun. Oct. 25 (11:00-5:00); or Sun. Nov.1 (11:00-4:00). You'll be glad you did!
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And finally, because I like to be a positive person, I want to re-visit a topic I broached when I first launched this site a few years ago. I mentioned that I was disappointed in the lack of effort that had been expended in creating a truly informative, useful official website for Nockamixon Township. And I am pleased to say that I no longer feel this way.


In the intervening years, the site has come a long way toward being kept up to date and being made a thorough resource for information every resident needs. It even has a front-page link to our Emergency Management website for use during emergency activations.

So thanks, Nockamixon Supervisors, for allocating the resources to get this done! And citizens, avail yourselves of this resource! There's also a citizen-run site of interest you should check out.

Hope to see you all at Nockamixon Community Day, from 11 AM-5 PM on Saturday, September 19th. Bucks County Horse Park on Rt. 611 in Revere -- be there!

1 comment:

Diana R. said...

Regarding the art show by Gallows Run Watershed Association: The reception will take place at the Ferndale Inn on Nov 22, not Palisades High School. Afterward, the high school will display the artwork for two months. Visit the Heritage Conservancy site for more info:https://www.heritageconservancy.org/home/news-archives/34-newsroom/139-heritage-conservancy-announces-gallows-run-art-for-conservation-program