spring-ford area news 2015 winter

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Spring-Ford Area News2

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Contents:Area Contact Information

Who to Call?Upper Providence Twp.Administration Bldg.1286 Black Rock RoadPO Box 406Oaks, PA 19456Phone: 610-933-9179Fax: 610-983-0355www.uprov-montco.org

1286 Black Rock RoadPO Box 406Oaks, PA 19456Emergencies 911Administrative Questions610-933-7899

Upper Providence Police

Royersford BoroughAdministration Bldg.

Royersford Police

royersfordborough.org

300 Main StreetRoyersford, PA 19468Phone: 610-948-3737Fax: 610-948-2915

300 Main StreetSecond FloorRoyersford, PA 19468Assistance: 610-948-3333Non Emergency: 610-948-3305Emergency: 911

Limerick Twp. Administration Bldg.

Limerick Police

646 West Ridge PikeLimerick, PA 19468Phone: 610-495-6432www.limerickpa.org

646 West Ridge PikeLimerick, PA 19468Emergency: 911

Spring-Ford Area School District857 South Lewis Road

Royersford, PA 19468-2732Phone: 610-705-6000

Fax: 610-705-6245www.spring-ford.net

Royersford Free Public LibraryA Branch of the Montgomery County -

Norristown Public Library200 South Fourth AveRoyersford, PA 19468

(610) 948-7277Library Hours:

Monday to Thursday: 10:00AM - 8:00 PMFriday & Saturday: 10:00AM to 2:00 PM

A message from the editor:

Who to Call? ............................................2Take Control of Your Diabetes ...............3Business Spotlight..................................4Arcola Road Bridge Update....................5Winter Snow Reminders.........................6How Prepared Are You?..........................7Antique Area Map.................................8-9Spring-Ford Area Historical Society .........................10-11Pets - Indoor Play & Outdoor Safety ...12Senior Lifestyles ...................................13Discount Ski Tickets .............................14Flashes & Floaters, What They Mean..15

David [email protected]

This publication is an effort to keep the community informed with what is actually happening in your area. For future editions, I welcome your thoughts on topics that affect the community. I'd be happy to publish your opinions on any relevant topics.

Do you have an event that you'd like to publicize? Let me know, and I'll do my best to incorporate your event into the newsletter.

This is your community. This is your home. Use this publication to share your thoughts and ideas with your neighbors. Are you ready to get involved in your community?

Enjoy the snow!

Winter 2014/20153


Take Control of Your Diabetes

Quality.Right Here.

Phoenixville Hospital is proud to have received the following awards and

accreditations.

5 Ways to Reduce TYPE 2 DiabetesResearch shows that for each of these strategies incorporated daily, men reduced their chances of developing diabetes by 31% and women by 39%. For those who embraced all five, the risk of Type 2 diabetes fell by approximately 80%.

1. Maintain a healthy diet2. Achieve optimal body weight3. Exercise4. Limit alcohol consumption5. Don't smoke

Diabetes affects more than 29 million Americans - almost 10 percent of the nation's population - and is one of the country's fastest growing health challenges. More than one million adults are diagnosed with diabetes each year, and an estimated additional five million individuals with diabetes have not been formally diagnosed with the disease.

Phoenixville Hospital offers a diabetes self-management education program accredited by the American Diabetes Association to help those with diabetes connect with resources and live a healthy lifestyle. Our diabetes educators and support staff have specialized training and experience in diabetes management and teaching principles and are committed to providing a caring environment for learning.

The program is designed for:Anyone with a diabetes diagnosis People who are adding insulin or other diabetes medications to their current treatment plan

People having trouble with controlling their blood sugar and A1cWomen with diabetes before and during pregnancyAdults whose diabetes is affected by shift work

Self-management program topics include: Diabetes meal planning: basic planning to advanced carb countingBlood glucose monitoring: setting blood sugar goals and meeting themInsulin overview: types of insulin, safety issuesDiabetes complications: prevention, detection and treatmentManaging diabetes: during activities and illness

Most health insurance plans pay for diabetes education. Get started today! Call Barbara O'Connor, RN, CDE at 610-983-1022 for information or visit PhoenixvilleHospital.com

phoenixvillehospital.com



BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

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Winter 20155


Arcola Road Bridge UpdateAccording to a construction update from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation received by the Township in January, the contractor for the bridge replacement project was to begin implementing a Lead Abatement Program the

thweek of January 12 . The Lead Plan was prepared by the contractor after lead-based paint was found on the existing bridge. According to PennDOT, the contractor submitted a Job Specific Lead Plan to protect its employees while PennDOT conducted its own paint sampling to verify the presence of lead.

The major portion of demolition, including the removal of the existing beams, will occur once the contractor completes the installation of a causeway and the remaining portions of the Lead Plan are finalized.

The update states that the contractor was to resume construction of a modified temporary construction access road on January 19 and, once completed, would begin construction of a revised causeway in the creek. Construction of the causeway was anticipated to begin on January 26 and take two weeks to complete. Major demolition activities should begin in early February and continue through the end of the month.

The project to replace the Arcola Road Bridge is on schedule to meet the targeted completion date of July 5, 2016 and Township officials continue to work closely with state legislators, county officials and PennDOT to advance the construction.

A ceremony at the site last October officially launched the $7.7 million project that includes the demolition and replacement of the existing bridge. The span connects Lower and Upper Providence Townships over the

Perkiomen Creek and serves as a critical route for thousands of commuters. PennDOT closed the Arcola Road Bridge in August 2013 when an inspection found it to be in an advanced state of deterioration. The bridge is classified as both structurally deficient and functionally obsolete. It is one of 133 bridges owned by Montgomery County.

For updates on the Arcola Road Bridge progress go to: www.montcopa.org/arcolaproject orwww.lowerprovidence.org/TransportationNews.htm

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Winter Snow Reminders

From the Fire Marshals and Public Works!

HELP US, HELP YOU!

When snow is on the ground that means winter is officially upon us. The arrival of cold weather means that firefighters will be in a constant battle with slippery roads, hidden hydrants, and frozen hose lines.

Do your part to help keep your neighborhood safe by clearing hydrants of snow. A clear path on all four sides makes hydrants easier to locate and operate in an emergency.

Also, in snowy weather, please utilize off-street parking whenever possible. This allows better access for emergency vehicles and also allows the Department of Public Works to clear the roads more efficiently.

And never shovel snow into the street!

3 ft

3 ft3 ft

Clearto Road

deposited at driveways during plowing. Please do not shovel or blow snow from driveways into the street.

Trash receptacles should not be placed on the street. This inhibits the snow removal vehicles from doing their job. Please place your trash cans either on the lawn or curb in front of your property.

From the beginning of the storm until the roadway is cleared, vehicles, trailers, boats or campers should not be parked in the roadway.

Tenants and owners of properties abutting public streets are required to clear a pathway in the sidewalk. A path at least 30 inches wide must be cleared within 48 hours after it stops snowing/sleeting. Tenants/owners also are required to cover the sidewalk with ashes, sawdust or similar materials in the event of ice or sleet. Placing snow in the gutter or roadway is prohibited.

If you have a fire hydrant on your property, please clear the snow away from the area around it (leaving the markers intact).

As always, the cooperation of residents and businesses is appreciated by the Townships to help them keep your streets and sidewalks safe during inclement weather. Please remember:

As long as it's snowing, the first priority is keeping main roads open and passable. Under normal circumstances, cul-de-sacs and dead end streets are typically plowed last because they carry the lowest volume of traffic. State highways and county roads are cleared by state and county snow removal crews.

Please keep in mind that it is almost impossible to keep snow from being

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Winter 20157


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How Prepared Are You?With any luck, winter will come and go without the crippling storms we endured last year. Mother Nature, though, isn't known for her predictability so here are some tips from www.ready.gov, a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) preparedness campaign, to help you weather winter's worst.

In advance: Stock up on rock salt or an environmentally safe product to melt ice; antiskid materials such as sand; snow shovels; fuel for fireplace or wood-burning stove; and warm clothing and blankets. Once a storm arrives or temperatures dip to single digits:

Stay indoors as much as possible.

Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow. Take breaks, push the snow instead of lifting it when possible, and lift lighter loads.

Change wet clothing frequently to prevent a loss of body heat.

Drive only if it is absolutely necessary. If you must drive, travel during the day, don't travel alone,keep others informed of your schedule, and avoid back roads and shortcuts.

Maintain ventilation when using kerosene heaters to avoid build-up of toxic fumes. Refuel kerosene heaters outside and keep them at least 3 feet from flammable objects.

Never run a generator indoors or in an attached garage.

Check the fuse or circuit breaker box to see if a fuse tripped inside the home and check with neighbors to see if their power is out.

Call PECO at 1-800-841-4141as soon as possible. The automated,

interactive system allows the company to accept thousands of calls at a time and get your information to the right people faster. Don't assume someone else has called: When more customers call, PECO can better manage their response efforts.Be sure to request a customer service

representative if you can describedamage that has occurred,

such as a downed pole or wires.

If the Power Goes Out

Place the generator outside in a well-ventilated,dry area, away from air intakes to the home.

If you will be going away during cold weather,leave the heat on in your home and don't set thetemperature any lower than 55 degrees.



Area Antique Map

A framed, Antique Mapwould make a perfect gift!

610-265-6277www.AndysAntiqueAtlases.com

Winter 20159




Spring-Ford Area Historical SocietyThe Four Oldest Houses In Royersford

The Custer House is the oldest house in the borough of Royersford. The house, built in 1817, is located at 224-226 Second Avenue. Shown in this 1898 photo are seven of the original nine Custer chidren. They are posed on the front lawn. Standing from left to right are: Sarah A. Grubb, Mary Ann Custer, Elizabeth A. Quigg, and Charlotte Poley. Seated are: Maria Huzzard, Abraham Custer and Rebecca Lewin.

Samuel Custer's farm property bordered the river to the West and, what is now Main Street, on the North. It covered over 200 acres. The house, shown here to above and to the left, remains as private residences today.

Frederick Berdstrasser built his house in 1818. It is the second oldest house in

rdRoyersford and is located at 327 North 3 Avenue. At the time Frederick build this house, he owned over 200 acres of ground that bordered the river on the West and Main Street on the South. He also built Royersford's first tavern later known as Schwenk's tavern.

The photo shown here was taken in 2007 and shows the way the house now appears.

The former Latshaw farmhouse, built in 1855, is the third oldest house in Royersford. For many years this house, located at 623 Main Street in Royersford, belonged to Mr. & Mrs. Bertram Brandreth. The photo here to the left shows how the house looks today.

Of course many will easily recognize our society's house, but without the new photo it might be a more difficult challenge as several changes have been made. William Lewin built this house, at 526 Main Street in Royersford in 1861. Today it is the fourth oldest house in Royersford. Chester Rogers acquired the property in 1910 and made several changes and improvements to the structure. Today this historic property is owned and operated by the Spring-Ford Area Historical Society.

Lewin House

Latshaw Farmhouse

Berdstrasser House

Custer House

Winter 201511


The newest pictorial history distributed by Arcadia Publishing is t i t led Spring City and Royersford Through Time, by local author William C. Brunner, and was released in November, 2014. Boasting 180 images depicting scenes of days gone by, the book explores the history of these unique Pennsylvania cities.

From the early 1880s there was a need for people to travel between the two settlement that were separated by the Schuylkill River. In 1839, the opening of the railroad in Royersford increased that desire and resulted in the first bridge built just one year later. Although this covered wooden bridge was washed away in a flood ten years later, it was replaced immediately with another wooden structure. Sadly, this second bridge burned down, and due to its vital importance as a connecting link, it was built a third time, this time in iron. In 1922, the "permanent bridge" was condemned due to rust and this time replaced with concrete. Although the concrete bridge has been reconditioned several times, it still serves the community with the original role

of linking two communities with a constant flow of cars and trucks crossing daily.

Highlights of Spring City and Royersford Through Time include:

Many oil paintings were used throughout to expand the readers' visuals.

View the transformation of mills to retirement communities.

Rare images from historic floods and of the ever evolving bridge t h a t l i n k s t h e s e t w o communities.

The SFAHS Museum store has this book for sale at $20.00 per

copy. It can be purchased during museum hours.

Wednesday and Friday from 11 AM to 3 PM

Sundays from 1 PM to 3 PMFor other arrangements call

610-948-7551

Also available at area bookstores, independent retailers, and online retailers, or through Arcadia Publishing at (888) 313-2665 or www.arcadiapublishing.comArticle from Royersford Arts and Entertainment News

Spring-Ford Area Historical SocietyNew Book Explores Spring City and Royersford's Past

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judging their play style. If you have a smaller dog who likes to chase things, you might want to consider a treat ball or cube. Larger dogs (or dogs susceptible to bloat) can still have fun, but consider a stationary board game, puzzle, or wobble toy. Giving your dog the chance to engage with their food in a more thought-provoking manner can give them an outlet for their mental energy and keep them occupied far longer than a simple bowl feeding. You can even freeze a yummy treat inside a Kong© with some broth, yogurt, or peanut butter for a tasty twist on meal time.

If your dog is used to regular play time in your yard or out on a walk, but you need to curb their outdoor time, try engaging them in some

Indoor Play & Outdoor Safety

Winter is here! Snow, cold weather and shorter days are finally upon us. If you have an active or playful dog, this can mean more time spent indoors and potentially more home destruction that you care to imagine. Knowing that your dog needs more stimulation and energy expenditure, there is plenty you can do to entertain your pup inside while instilling good habits and behaviors for the future.

While some dogs love to run and play outdoors regardless of the falling temperature, you may not always want to be out there with them, which can lead to a pretty frustrated pup. To keep your dog happy and warm this winter, plan ahead and prepare some fun indoor activities that engage their mind and body.

Instead of offering your dog their full meal in a bowl for breakfast or dinner, try making a game of meal time. This is one instance where playing with your food can be fun and stimulating! There are many commercially made puzzle toys on the m a r k e t t o d a y a n d choosing one your dog will enjoy is as easy as

indoor fun! One great game to play with your dog is hide and seek. Start with two people and have some great treats or toys ready. While one person hides, the other can distract the dog. The hider can then call the dog and reward with a game or snack once found. This gives the other person a chance to hide and repeat the game! This is a lot of fun for you and your dog (especially if you can get some kids in on the action) and can also reinforce a strong recall! Mixing training into play is an all-around win.

Did you ever build a pillow fort as a kid? Well, you can put your fort designing skills back into action to teach your dog some house-safe agility. Using pillows, chairs, broomsticks, etc., you can build a simple and safe obstacle course for your dog. Try tunneling under a few chairs, jumping over a broomstick, or you can even weave around pillows. Agility games are fun (and tiring!) and can be a great way to get in some exercise while staying in the comfort of your own home. Indoor agility can also be a good time to practice hand targets and the "stay"command if you're looking to add some training into your play time. A tasty treat or fetch ball can also be used to help motivate your pup over the obstacles.

If you choose to spend times outdoor this winter with your pup, it's important to keep a

few safety tips in mind. For breeds with a shortcoat or short muzzle, the cold can be hazardous, so be sure to bundle them up in appropriate winter gear and offer plenty of warm play breaks as needed. If your neighborhood uses salt to prevent ice formation, you should try to walk your dog on unsalted areas and be sure to wash and dry their feet as soon as you get home to prevent paw injuries. For your own home, you can buy pet-safe salt alternatives to help with any icy conditions. When you can't avoid salted areas, foot protection may be needed but be sure to buy only soft shoes or covers, as hard-soled shoes can lead to joint injuries for dogs because they do not walk heel-toe the way people do. You may also notice packed snow or ice on long-haired pets in their coats. Simply use the low setting on your hair dryer or a warm towel to help break up the larger chunks.

By planning fun and stimulating indoor activities for your dog this winter season, you can help eliminateboredom and reinforce good behavior all while keeping you both warm and dry.

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Winter 201513


Double Block Height

Senior LifestylesMinimize Your Risk of Falling

When you're young, often the biggest injury you receive from a fall is red-faced embarrassment. As we get older, physical changes, health conditions and medications make falls more likely, and they can have a much bigger impact on your life than just being embarrassed. Each year, one in three adults over the age of 65 falls. The risk of falls increases with age. At age 80, over half of seniors fall each year. Once you've fallen, you are 2 to 3 times more likely to fall again. Many of these falls result in injury: 87% of all fractures are due to falls. Fortunately, falls are a problem that is largely preventable.

What is your personal risk?

Certain factors increase your risk of falling. These common medical issues can increase your chance of a fall:

Your strength and balance also play a big role in reducing your risk of a fall. Staying active means fewer falls. Even a modest amount of exercise can improve your energy level, help you maintain your balance and strengthen your muscles and cardiovascular system. Surrey offers fitness classes designed specifically for older adults, including the Matter of Balance classes.

Is your home as safe as it should be? Most falls happen at home. As we get older, things that never used to be an issue start to pose a greater risk: stairs, bathrooms, dimly lit rooms, extension cords, throw rugs, even pets underfoot. The good news is that most of these potential hazards can be minimized with some time and attention.

Let Surrey help. Surrey's handymen can install grab bars, add stair railings, enhance lighting in hard-to-reach areas and make other improvements to your home as part of your fall prevention strategy.

Heart disease or heart failure

Stroke

Parkinson's disease

Low blood pressure

Chronic ObstructivePulmonary Disease

Diabetes

Vision problems

Mental confusion

Medication side effects

Surrey's home care program includes a home safety assessment and recommendations. Rely on Surrey to help you keep active and minimize that risk. For more information or to schedule a free home assessment with a Surrey aging-in-place specialist, call 610-647-9840.

Statistics from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; adapted from LearnNotToFall.com



AVAILABLE THROUGH UPPER PROVIDENCE ONLY!

Discount Ski Tickets for 2015Limerick Township

Parks & Recreation Departmentwww.limerickpa.org

610-495-6432Call to confirm availability.

Ski Area Ticket Type Gate Price YOU PAYBear Creek Weekday (*open to close) $48.00 $32.00(Formerly Doe Mt.) Weekend (No Holidays) $63.00 $58.00

Night ( 4 pm to 9 pm) $35.00 $24.00Big Boulder/Jack Frost Adult Midweek* $46.00 $38.00(*open to close) Adult Weekend* $53.00 $44.00

Adult Holiday $55.00 $49.00Youth Midweek (age 7-18)* $35.00 $33.00Youth Weekend (age 7-18)* $43.00 $35.00Youth Holiday $45.00 $40.00Night (3 pm to close) BB only $30.00 - $34.00 $27.00

Blue Mountain Weekday * $55.00 $48.00(*open to close) Weekend/Holiday* $65.00 $60.00

Night $35.00 $30.00Camelback Midweek $53.00 $46.00

weekend/Holiday $63.00 - $65.00 $56.00Elk Mountain Midweek* $53.00 $49.00(*day or twilight) Weekend/Holiday* $65.00 $60.00Montage Mountain Adult Midweek $50.00 $39.00

Adult Weekend $59.00 $49.00Youth Midweek (age 6-18) $35.00 $27.00Youth Weekend (age 6-18) $45.00 $37.003 hour Snowtubing (Fri-Sat or Holiday) $20.00 $17.00

Roundtop/Liberty/Whitetail Weekday* $66.00 - $67.00 $47.00Weekend/Holiday* $72.00 - $75.00 $60.00Night $45.00 $40.00

Seven Springs Midweek All Day (Mon - Thurs) $60.00 $51.00Midweek Twilight (Sun - Thurs) $54.00 $39.00

Upper Providence TownshipRecreation Department

On sale at Township Building: 610-933-0355Monday - Friday 8:30 am to 4:00 pm

Or Upper Providence Recreation Center: 484-391-2390Monday - Friday 6:00 am to 8:00 pm

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We can help you get the most out of your health insurance.

Convenience is a top priority, especially when you are sick. Phoenix Family Medicine has three convenient locations staffed with board-certified physicians who treat patients of all ages, from newborns to senior adults. Same-day and evening appointments are available. We accept most insurance plans, Medicare and Medicaid. Ask about services your plan may cover at no cost to you.

What Do Flashes and Floaters Mean for You?

Sometimes people see small, moving spots or specks in their field of vision. These sensations are called "floaters". Floaters may appear as dots, circles, lines, clouds, cobwebs, or other shapes. They usually look gray or white and are somewhat see-through. They may move or remain in one place. About 7 out of 10 people experience floaters at some point during their lives. It is easiest to see floaters when looking at a plain background, like a blank wall or blue sky.

Flashes of light, called "flashes", sometimes appear with floaters. Flashes look like flashing lights or lightning streaks, even though no light is actually flashing. Flashes are similar to the sensation of "seeing stars" when a person is hit on the head. Flashes are usually noticed at night or in a dark room.

Floaters and flashes are very common and are usually not a sign of a dangerous medical condition. However, if both floaters and flashes begin suddenly, it may

indicate a more serious eye problem, such as a retinal tear or retinal detachment. Retinal detachment sometimes leads to severe loss of vision and blindness. If a floater appears all of a sudden or if there is a rapid increase in the number of floaters, you should see an eye doctor immediately. You may have a serious eye problem.

While you cannot prevent floaters and flashes, you can prevent vision loss by recognizing the symptoms of retinal tear and retinal detachment.

Periodically check the vision in each of your eyes to make sure there are not any new floaters or flashes. Cover one eye and pick a point straight ahead to look at. Count the number of floaters and pay attention to how long and how intense the flashes are. You should see your eye doctor if:

You have never seen floaters and flashes before and all of a sudden you start seeing a lot of them. You had floaters and flashes before, but you notice a sudden increase in how many there are.A veil or a gray area appears in your peripheral vision or side vision.You have had floaters and flashes for a

long time, but they now look different than they used to.Your floaters interfere with critical tasks such as reading and driving. You had floaters in one eye months or years ago and now have them in the other eye.

It is important to get regular eye exams and to inform your doctor if you experience floaters or flashes. If your eye doctor finds a serious problem, he or she may be able to fix it before it causes loss of vision. Thanks to advances in medicine, several surgical procedures are available to treat a retinal tear and retinal detachment, if any are found during your eye examination.

Ravi Dilip Patel, MD is a board-certified Vitreoretinal Surgeon who specializes in complex vitreoretinal surgery and medical retina conditions at Phoenixville Hospital.

For information on floaters and flashes evaluation or to s c h e d u l e a n appointment in the Phoenixville office, call the Moore Eye I n s t i t u t e a t 610.422.5000.

Ravi Dilip Patel, MD,Vitreoretinal Specialist,

Moore Eye Institute

phoenixvillehospital.com

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