The Upper Merion Farmers Market welcomed patrons back last week for the start of its second season. More special events are planned for this Saturday, May 28, at the market. Representatives from Sun & Earth will be on hand with a refill station so that patrons can replenish their stock of this company’s eco-friendly cleaning products and biodegradable detergents. Young market patrons can visit Silly Reba, a balloon sculptor and magician. In addition, volunteers from Finding Shelter Animal Rescue will bring their animals to the UMFM. This organization is a no-kill rescue intent on placing dogs and cats in loving homes. The market will welcome the Upper Merion High School Chamber Group as musical guests. The group is a string quartet that performs a mix of standard classical music, as well as contemporary pop, rock, and fiddle tunes. Looking ahead to Saturday, June 4, the market will host Artisans Day. At this event, local artisans will sell their handcrafted specialty items. These items include jewelry, pottery, fine arts, handbags, hand sewn clothing, decorations, hair accessories, and more. The UMFM is still accepting applications from artisans who would like to display their items. Visit the UMFM website to download the...
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The Valley Forge Chorale will be joining with the Great Valley High School Chamber Singers on Saturday, June 4th at 7:30 P.M. for “An Evening of A Cappella”.  The concert will take place at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, located at the corner of Valley Forge and Henderson Roads in King of Prussia.   Admission is $10 and tickets will be available at the door.  For more information call 610.265.4545 or visit the Chorale’s website www.ValleyForgeChorale.com.
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Diana Helmetag was honored recently for her 15 years as an outstanding Orchestra Director in Upper Merion Area Middle School and High School.  Under her leadership Mrs. Helmetag has increased the number of strings students in the Middle School from 30 to 92 and the number in the High School from 14 to 45. Under her direction, the 7th and 8th grade orchestra has consistently received a Superior Rating in the High Note Music Festival and advanced students have been selected to perform in the Schuylkill Valley Area Orchestra at the middle school level. Mrs. Helmetag’s high school students have been selected to perform at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh and Carnegie Hall in New York. Dr. Karen Geller was the Master of ceremonies and unaware that she would also receive the award.   She welcomed 70 attendees to the dinner that was held at the Embassy suites in Chesterbrook.  Dr. Geller said “The Partner in Education Award is not given annually.  The Optimist Club of Valley Forge makes this award only when a teacher, administrator or specialist in the Upper Merion Area School District is particularly deserving of recognition.  In the case of Diana Helmetag,...
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With select songs from the Civil War, Fiddlesticks will help us mark the start of the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War.  The historical musical styling of Nancy Shill and Charlie Pellegrino will entertain attendees on Sunday afternoon, June 12, 2011..  The event is free to the public, so please invite a friend.
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The Optimist Club of Valley Forge conducted its twentieth annual spring highway cleanup last Saturday with the help of the Octagon Club in the Upper Merion Area High School.  Randy Charles, chair of the project said “It is always great to have the Octagon Club and their advisor, Ms. Kenny, work with us. It made the collection of all the bags of trash and recyclables more enjoyable and the work go much faster” Mr. Charles added that “we look forward to this event as a way of improving the quality of life in the community.” The Optimist Club of Valley Forge cleans a section of PA Route 23 from the Bridgeport Borough line through Upper Merion Township in the spring and fall. PennDOT recognized the Club’s continuous effort by adding a “10 year” sign on both ends of the highway in 2001. “Soon we will be proud to have a ‘20 year’ recognition sign in the background of our group pictures,” said Mr. Charles. BACKGROUNDER The Valley Forge Optimist Club was formed in King of Prussia in 1979.  Optimists work for good government, respect for law and the positive development of young people. The Optimists motto is “Bringing out...
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Upper Merion Detective Receives Optimist Respect for Law Award Detective Brendan Dougherty of the  Upper Merion Township Police Department received the Optimist Club of Valley Forge Respect for Law Award dinner meeting at Michael’s Deli last night. The award is given annually to the Upper Merion police officer of the year as selected by the 64 members of the police force. The award was presented by District Judge Bill Maruszczack, a charter member of the Optimist Club and former member of the Upper Merion Police Department. Mr. Dougherty was accompanied by his wife Katie. Lieutenant Jim Early listed Detective Dougherty’s highlights of his eleven year career with the Department. He spent 7 years in the uniformed patrol, 2 years as a detective in the juvenile division before being retained as a full Detective in that division.  His police partner is Detective Les Glauner, a past president of the Optimist Club and current liaison to the Upper Merion Youth Aide Panel. Lieutenant Early proudly spoke of Dougherty’s academic achievements. He received not only his BA but also a Master’s Degree from St Joseph’s University and is now taking post graduate courses from the University of Massachusetts. “Brendan is an excellent...
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