Santa Claus is Coming to Town

The BCCT reports that Santa has traded in the reindeer powered sleigh for diesel power fire apparatus in a large number of towns.

He made a list and Morrisville is on it! Watch for St. Nick later today.

Santa trades sleigh for fire engines

Santa Claus will be visiting several Lower Bucks communities via fire engine between now and Christmas:

MORRISVILLE FIRE CO.
Today starting at 3 p.m.

Winterfest Schedule

Morrisville Winterfest December 6, 2008

8:30-11am Holy Trinity's Breakfast with Santa
Call: Audrey 215 295 9235 or Michele 215 295 6230 for advance tickets
and prices.
Tickets on sale until 12/3/08.and will NOT be sold at door. Bring a
camera for pictures with Santa!

9am-2pm Morrisville YMCA Craft Fair & Flea Market
Variety of crafts, jewelry, holiday gifts…. Food by Lumpylicious BBQ
200 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Call Kim 215 428 2598

9am-2pm Senior Center Christmas Bazaar 31 E. Cleveland Ave
AM refreshments & lunch available, bake sale, crafters, FREE pictures
w/ Santa, Gift Boxed Money shirt, raffles & door prizes 215 295 0567

10am-11:30 Winterfest Parade 215 736 0346
Post Road to S. Pennsylvania Ave., to Delaware Ave., to Washington
St., to Lafayette St., to Hillcrest Ave., to N. Pennsylvania Ave., ending
At The Morrisville YMCA!

10:00am-3:00pm Summerseat Remembers
Historic reenactors, including George Washington (scheduled to arrive at 11).
Come have lunch. Home made chili, soup & baked goods.
Basket raffle & 50/50...
Hillcrest and Legion Ave

4pm-7pm Live Nativity & FBC Open House 50 N. Penn. Ave.
LIVE nativity, refreshments, "Celebrate the Season" Concert @ 6pm,
Gingerbread House & coloring contest awards @ 7pm,
Solid Rock Youth Center 7-9pm

5pm-6pm Robert Morris Plaza Activities Bridge St. & PA Ave.
Caroling, reading of Twas The Night Before Christmas, annual
Tree lighting and the arrival of Santa Claus

5pm-8pm BRIDGE STREET BLOCK PARTY!
Enjoy your local Morrisville Business Community after hours!
LIVE entertainment, DJ, FREE refreshments Call 215 295 3430

5pm-8pm Morrisville Rescue Squad Open House
Washington St., Refreshments, entertainment, pictures with Santa…

Presbyterian Church Alternative Christmas Shopping this Sunday

Thanks to the emailer who sent in this information on a great Christmas shopping idea!

You can also do some extra good by bringing something for the food bank too.

On Sunday, Dec. 7th the Presbyterian Church in Morrisville is having an "Alternative Gift Market" from noon to 3:00. It will feature art from Trenton Soup Kitchen artists, Ten Thousand Villages Fair Trade items, handbags from Peru and others, and "gift certificates" for donations for the food pantry!

The "shop" will be in the basement area, "Fellowship Hall" at Morrisville Presbyterian Church on North Pennsylvania and West Trenton Avenues.

Winterfest: December 6

From the BCCT.

Make sure you come out and support our town.

Winterfest is coming to town

By DANNY ADLER

Now that the Thanksgiving turkey is done, Santa Claus is preparing to make his annual rounds through Morrisville during the borough’s Dec. 6 Winterfest celebration.

The jolly one’s day kicks off with a “Breakfast with Santa” event at Holy Trinity School and concludes with him hanging out at the Morrisville Rescue Squad headquarters.

Other festivities include a Winterfest parade through the borough’s streets, a live nativity scene and concert, caroling, tree lighting, a reading of the Christmas classic and more.

Here’s a full list sent from organizer Kim Kane of the Morrisville YMCA:

“Breakfast with Santa” from 8:30 to 11 a.m. at Holy Trinity School on Osborne Avenue gives families the chance to enjoy some morning grub with Santa. For tickets and pricing for the breakfast, call 215-295-9235.

From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Morrisville YMCA at 200 N. Pennsylvania Ave. hosts a craft fair and flea market, featuring crafts, jewelry, holiday gifts and food.

The Morrisville Senior Center Christmas Bazaar will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 31 E. Cleveland Ave.

The Winterfest parade runs from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and swirls through the borough, starting at Post Road and traveling down South Pennsylvania Avenue to Delaware Avenue. Then the procession turns onto Washington Avenue, Lafayette Street and Hillcrest Avenue before going back on Pennsylvania Avenue, where the parade ends at the YMCA.

The First Baptist Church of Morrisville, at 50 N. Pennsylvania Ave., will present a live nativity and offer refreshments from 4 to 7 p.m. A “Celebrate the Season” concert there is scheduled for 6 p.m.

From 5 to 6 p.m. at the Robert Morris Plaza at Bridge Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, there will be caroling, the reading of “The Night Before Christmas,” the annual tree lighting and a guest appearance by Santa Claus.

Local businesses on Bridge Street are slated to stay open during the Bridge Street block party from 5 to 8 p.m., featuring live entertainment and refreshments.

Also from 5 to 8 p.m., the Morrisville Rescue Squad, on North Washington Street, will host an open house with refreshments, entertainment and, yep, more Santa.

Trees Planted at Williamson

From the BCCT

Posted in News on Saturday, November 15th, 2008 at 3:26 pm by Staff Photographer Kim Weimer



Debby Colgan,with the Morrisville Environmental Advisary Council checks to see if a tree she’s planting fits properly, as Scott Sanford holds it in place while planting a crabapple tree in Williamson Park in Morrisville Borough. Through the efforts of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resource’s Tree Vitalize program and local bodies, 50 trees are added to the park along North Delmorr Avenue in the Borough, Saturday. Yardley is also slated for 15 trees that will line Main Street and Afton Avenue in their Borough. Both boroughs are part of the Landmark Towns project that is designed to help small river towns invigorate their downtown business districts.

Halloween Happenings at Y

From the BCCT.

The Morrisville YMCA is hosting its Halloween Happenings from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at 200 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Kids can get decked out in the Halloween best and trick-or-treat through the YMCA’s hallways. YMCA officials say it’s a safe alternative to trick-or-treating through neighborhoods. There’s no cost for the event, but a canned or dried food donation is necessary to get in. For more info, call the YMCA at 215-736-8077.

Food for fright

From the BCCT

Food for fright
Posted in Community on Tuesday, October 21st, 2008 at 4:31 pm by Gwen Shrift

The Morrisville Ambulance Squad has a deal for you - bring a non-perishable item for the Morrisville Presbyterian Church’s food pantry, and they’ll knock a dollar off the admission price before scaring you silly at their haunted house fundraiser.

The event takes place Oct. 24-26 and Oct. 31-Nov. 1, starting at 7 p.m. each date. Hauntings take place at 139 Washington St. Full admission is $3; with food donation, $2.

The church’s food center is open on Wednesdays from 9:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 7 to 8 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month.

Don't forget Octoberfest

From the Trentonian. Don't forget Octoberfest, now through Sunday at Williamson Park.

Octoberfest in Mo'ville
By STAFF REPORT
10/03/2008

MORRISVILLE, Pa. - Morrisville's four day Octoberfest and Carnival, which started yesterday, is open to everyone, not just borough residents, a key organizer said yesterday.

Kimberly Kane, the Morrisville YMCA events director and an Octoberfest coordinator, said any talk about non-residents being banned is wrong.

The world is welcome, including Trentonians.

"As we handed out flyers at the local shopping center near the Calhoun Street Bridge several people said things along the line of 'oh, I heard about this, but I live in Trenton. I heard we aren't allowed to go.'

"I'm not sure why people would think that or who might have told them that, but several people said things along the same lines,'' Kane said. "It just baffles me and I am concerned.

"We would never exclude anyone. It is a community event that is open to the entire public. I would like to officially invite your New Jersey customers and all New Jersey residents to please, join us at the carnival over the next 4 days.''

The events are set for Williamson Park, just on the other side of the "Trenton Makes'' bridge.

These Boots Were Made For Walking

From the BCCT. Go take a hike with the Friends of the Delaware Canal. The Morrisville leg of the walk is on Saturday, October 25, from the waterworks to Bristol.

Walks along canal begin Saturday

By DANNY ADLER

One step at a time, the Friends of the Delaware Canal and others will walk about 32.5 miles of the Delaware Canal trail this month.

They’ll meet up four Saturdays in a row for the 21st annual Canal Walk, which starts this week and will cover more than half of the 60-mile towpath trail.

Normally, the annual walk covers the entire length of the historic waterway, but repair work in numerous sections of the canal will limit the trek this year to 32.5 miles.

The walk gives participants a chance to learn about the canal’s past — and future — while taking in the autumn scenery along the canal and Delaware River corridor. Susan Taylor, executive director of the group, local historians and conservationists will show where mule-drawn boats once transported coal and other goods while pointing out the significant historical and environmental areas along the route.

The walks, which are free and open to the public, begin at 9 a.m. each of the following Saturdays.

• This Saturday: a 9-mile walk begins at the Delaware Canal State Park office complex in Upper Black Eddy and ends in Point Pleasant.

• Oct. 11: A 5-mile trek from the Virginia Forrest Recreation Area north of Centre Bridge in Solebury to Odette’s Restaurant in New Hope.

• Oct. 18: 8 miles from Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve in Upper Makefield to the Afton Avenue aqueduct in Yardley.

• Oct. 25: 10 miles from the Morrisville waterworks complex on Delmorr Avenue to Bristol’s Lions Park.

For more info, call 215-862-2021, e-mail friends@fodc.org or visit www.fodc.org. The Friends of the Delaware Canal is a nonprofit organization working to preserve and improve the canal and its surroundings.

September 30, 2008 1:21 PM

Octoberfest on the Delaware

Octoberfest on the Delaware

The Majestic Midway Carnival is in Morrisville Thursday through Sunday in Williamson Park along the Delaware River. Themed entertainment and food will be available, along with Arts in the Park, Rockin' to the Golden Oldies, bingo, crafts, and more. For more information and event times, call 215-428-2598.

Labor Day in Morrisville

Yesterday was Labor Day. Morrisville undertakes quite a number of activities on Labor Day.

First was the 10K race, sponsored by the Morrisville Fire Company. The race wound its way through the borough streets to the finish at Williamson Park. Congratulations to all the participants.

Then there were the festivities in Williamson Park, including the some of the local service organizations, churches, and community groups. There was the inevitable mix of Boy Scouts, fire fighters, borough politicians, and kids in sack races, along with the beautiful weather.

Let's not forget the car show along the downtown section of Bridge Street. I remember some of those older cars from when they were the "New! Improved! Better!" model fresh from the factory.

It was pure small-town corn, and it was great. This is the type of thing that Morrisville excels in. If you missed it, you missed a great show. This was the time to meet your neighbors (you know, the ones you sort of nod toward as you drive by...yeah, them) and say hello in person. It's civic events like these that renew the fraying fabric of community.

This is why Morrisville is a good place to raise a family. While we try to salvage our school system from the ravages of the Stop the Schoolers, let's not lose focus on what makes Morrisville.

Does anyone want to share their stories? What local officeholders or celebrities did you spot? Who was conspicuous by their absence?

Plenty of ways to spend your Labor Day

From the BCCT.

Plenty of ways to spend your Labor Day

Three communities are marking the unofficial end of the summer on Labor Day with some partying.

Morrisville, Lower Makefield and the Venice Ashby section of Bristol Township have events planned for the entire day Monday.

Morrisville’s festivities jumpstart with the Morrisville Fire Co.’s 10K run in the morning.

The rest of the day will feature a car show on East Bridge Street, plenty of food vendors, games, live entertainment, arts and more.

The 10K Labor Day Run begins at 9 a.m. at Williamson Park on North Delmorr Avenue. Entry fees for the race are $25 in advance, or $30 on race day when registration will be held between 7 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. Registration forms can be obtained on the Web at www.morrisville98.com.

The car show begins at 10 a.m., and other planned events will be held throughout the day at Williamson Park on Delmorr Avenue. There will be a large inflatable slide and castle for the kids, face painting, a scavenger hunt, a visual arts program, bingo, live entertainment from the Daisy Jug Band and more. These events are free and open to the public. Food vendors will set up a food tent at Hogs and Rice motorcycle shop at Bridge Street and Delmorr Avenue.

Scavenger Hunt!

From the BCCT.

Towns to host giant scavenger hunt
The event will showcase the “tremendous historic and cultural assets” of the boroughs.
By DANNY ADLER

A local revitalization effort will hold its first big event next month featuring the four Landmark Towns of Bucks County — Bristol, Morrisville, Yardley and New Hope.

The Landmark Towns, a project of the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, is preparing for a “ravenchase” — somewhat of a scavenger hunt using riddles, anagrams, puzzles, planted actors, gadgets and ciphers leading to a secret end location. The Great Delaware Canal Chase, a joint effort by Landmark Towns and Ravenchase Adventures, leads participants throughout the four towns by car to solve the codes and learn a bit about American history. Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams.

“We’re really hoping to attract visitors to the downtowns in the four communities through a really fun activity. Participants will most likely stop along the way and visit a retail store or restaurant that they may otherwise not have the opportunity to do,” said Donna Boone, Landmark Towns’ regional main street coordinator.

The event begins at 10 a.m. Sept. 13. Tickets are $50 per player or $150 per car (up to six people). For more information or to register for the event, visit www.ravenchase.com.

Landmark Towns is not using the event to raise funds, but to raise friends, Boone said. Any proceeds, which she said will be negligible after expenses, go directly to the event organizer at Ravenchase.

“We determined that it is more important at this time to raise awareness about the tremendous historic and cultural assets these communities have to offer,” Boone said.

The Landmark Towns of Bucks County initiative started several years ago trying to convince the waterfront boroughs of Bristol, Morrisville, Yardley and New Hope to sign on and commit to the project.

The hopes were to preserve each borough’s historic resources, enhance their local economies and brand the riverfront towns as destinations.

In more than two years, all four boroughs have committed to the project, and the state has chipped in money for transporta tion efforts to link the towns and to hire a regional coordinator.

Morrisville celebrates '1776'

From the Trenton Times. Don't forget the show tonight at the Williamson Park pavilion at 8 P.M..

History at home: Morrisville celebrates '1776' By ANITA DONOVAN
Friday, August 22, 2008

July 1776 was hot and humid in the Delaware Valley. In Philadelphia, the Continental Congress, approximately 40 representatives of the 13 rebellious colonies, sat debating submission or revolution, while war already raged from Boston and New York to South Carolina. The supporters of independence -- the argumentative Boston attorney John Adams, Virginia's shy but articulate Thomas Jefferson and Philadelphia's resident genius Benjamin Franklin -- urged the adoption of a "declaration" of separation from Great Britain, while John Dickinson of Pennsylvania, and southern slave holders Joseph Hewes and Edward Rutledge demurred. The rest of the delegates hung suspended in perplexity, while Gen. George Washington conducted what already looked like a losing battle.

We know the outcome of the Congress, but the Declaration did not make independence happen overnight. Six months later, in an already venerable settlement on the Delaware River, Robert Morris, a financier of the revolution, lent his rural mansion Summerseat to Washington to serve as the jumping off place for the December 1776 sneak attack against the British at Trenton.

This weekend, Morrisville Borough, named for Morris in 1804, honors its singular role in America's birth with two free performances of Sherman Edwards and Peter Stone's musical reenactment of that fateful July, "1776." Presented by Morrisville's resident theater company, Actors' NET of Bucks County, the show will take place at 8 p.m. today and tomorrow at the riverfront's Williamson Park.

"You could say that '1776' is our signature show," says NET managing director Joe Doyle, who plays John Adams in the production.

"This is the sixth time we have staged '1776.' We've done three productions indoors at the Heritage Center, our first one outdoors in Williamson Park in summer 2004 -- in conjunction with 'The Man Who Bought a Country,' my own historical musical about Robert Morris," says Doyle. "Then we staged a production at the Washington Crossing Open Air Theatre in 2005. We took a break from history last year, doing 'You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown' in the park. But now we're back to '1776' at Williamson."

As in the past, the Morrisville Borough Council is sponsoring this production. Doyle admits it isn't easy taking the show outside and breaking it down after each performance. In the past, the Actors' NET crew hauled light and sound equipment from their theater opposite the Park. This year, they were able to borrow sound gear from the borough and lights from area producer Joe Martin.

"The vast majority of our cast this year are repeaters from past runs of the show," says director Cheryl Doyle, "making it quite easy to reassemble."

Mary Liz Ivins portrays Abigail Adams, singing the beautiful love song "Till Then" with husband John. Jim Petro plays Jefferson and Kyla Marie Mostello, as Martha Jefferson, is thrilled when her husband "plays the violin."

The performers are just as enthusiastic about the sixth performance of their roles as they were for the first several.

"There are a few roles that I don't mind doing endlessly," says Steve Lobis, playing the obdurate Pennsylvania delegate Dickinson, "and this is one of them." To him, "1776" is a wonderful combination of fact and entertainment.

"Peter Stone's book may take some artistic license with historic detail, but I find the accuracy of facts and quotes is quite impressive," he notes. "It's a great treat for those of us who love both musical theater and history."

Marco Newton, who has portrayed the crusty custodian An drew McNair in all six productions, also loves doing the show. His character is primarily comical, but he represents the common man amongst the high profile delegates making the big decisions.

"The words and delivery are branded on my consciousness. For me, it seems like the history lesson a kid would prefer over a boring lecture. The way '1776' is presented makes kids interested in the past in a way they never would ordinarily be.

"From the play, we realize our founding fathers had personalities, issues, libidos, egos -- they weren't just men in funny wigs, as they are usually portrayed."

For Doyle, the role of Adams brings together the historic and the personal.'Honestly, from the first time I read the script. Mr. Adams spoke to me. I strongly identify with his personality -- flaws and all," says Doyle, who also has served for several years as an interpreter of the Adams persona for Philadelphia's American Historical Theatre. "I understand what it is to be pushy, headstrong and passionate over something I fervently believe in, so when people react adversely, like Adams, I feel misunderstood."

Although the script jokes that Adams is "obnoxious and disliked," history shows he was highly respected by his peers.

Apparently, Doyle's perception of Adams comes across to the audience. While speaking as Adams at an AHT forum, Doyle was approached by newly naturalized citizens who thanked him -- as if he really was Adams -- for what the Founding Fathers did to create and secure our nation.

"You can't help being moved when something like that happens. All you can do is tell them -- as Adams might have -- that it was an honor to perform these duties."

Probably Doyle's favorite compliment came from a youngster who saw "1776" and solemnly announced that he planned to grow up to be "like John Adams."

"The most memorable of all our shows was July 4, 2004," recalls Doyle. At one point, Adams sings jubilantly about the future of America. "Just as I sang the line, 'I see fireworks, I see the pageantry, the pomp and parade,' from across the river in Trenton the sky was suddenly illuminated by fireworks -- as if on cue. An amazing moment. Or, as John Adams would say,'Incredible!"'

The show is appropriate for all ages. Playgoers may bring blankets or chairs or sit on bleachers. Free parking is on site and along the riverfront.

Borough Arts and Events Calendar

Next up in Morrisville's summer-long celebration:

Friday, August 22nd, and Saturday, August 23rd
The "Heritage Theater" presents "1776"
Raindate is August 24th
Williamson Park Stage Pavilion
Info call Joe or Cheryl Doyle @ 215-295-8181
No charge for this event
More info: visit www.actorsnetbucks.org

On deck:

Saturday, August 30th
Come tap your feet to the tunes of the "Tri-County Band"
Williamson Park Stage 6-8pm
Bring a blanket or chair
No charge for this event

Borough Arts and Events Calendar

I've been pretty negligent in checking out the borough website at http://morrisville-boro-gov.com.

Please bookmark this site and make sure you check it out for all the things going on that make Morrisville a community.

This weekend on the calendar:

Saturday, August 16th
Come and strut with the "Uptown String Band"
Williamson Park Stage Pavilion 6-8pm
Bring a blanket or chair Rain date August 17th
No charge for this event

On deck:

Friday, August 22nd, and Saturday, August 23rd
The "Heritage Theater" presents "1776"
Raindate is August 24th
Williamson Park Stage Pavilion
Info call Joe or Cheryl Doyle @ 215-295-8181
No charge for this event
More info: visit www.actorsnetbucks.org

"Hair Spray" at the Pool Tonight

Thanks to the emailer who sent in this reminder...

The Morrisville Community Pool & Morrisville Borough Arts & Events Committee will be hosting a Free Family Movie - "Hair Spray" this Saturday July 26 8-11pm at the Morrisville Community Pool Parking Lot. The movie will be shown "Drive-In" style. Stay in your car or relax outside.

Jazz in the Park Sunday

Don't forget the Jazz in the Park on Sunday July 20

Jazz in the park
Posted Wednesday, July 16th, 2008 at 8:32 pm by Andy Vineberg, Courier Times entertainment writer

Talented Philadelphia vocalist Ella Gahnt highlights the 5th annual Morrisville Jazz Festival, scheduled for 3-9 p.m. Sunday at Williamson Park on Delmorr Ave. in Morrisville. Admission is free.

Gahnt has performed in prestigious jazz venues throughout the city and region. You can listen to her sing on her 2006 album of jazz standards, “By Request.”

Also performing Sunday are the Donna Antonow Trio, Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble, the Eric Mintel Quartet and Midnight Sun Orchestra. For more information, call 215-295-8181 or visit www.morrisvillejazzfest.com.

Community Day

Don't forget the fun at Community Day at Williamson Park Saturday, May 17, 2008 from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M.


7th annual Community Day to feature food and fun for all

By DANNY ADLER STAFF WRITER

Get ready for a day of fun Saturday at Williamson Park with Morrisville’s seventh annual Community Day.

The event, held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the park on Delmorr Avenue, will feature local crafters and vendors, games, entertainment and food, organizers said.

A moon bounce, slide and funhouse will be on hand for the kids, too.

Community Day is sponsored by Morrisville Borough, the Morrisville YMCA and Air Products and Chemicals of Morrisville.Rain date is set for May 24, same time and place.

Air Products is an international company that produces industrial gases, gas processing equipment and chemicals used in adhesives, paints and other products, with a branch in Morrisville that has been a Community Day sponsor for years.

New this year, Student Venture and the Solid Rock Youth Center are holding a 3-on-3 basketball tournament for boys and a girls softball tournament for kids in seventh to 12th grades. The tournaments are set for 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Tourney registrations begin at 12:30 p.m. that day alongside the courts at the park.

Community Day, which often attracts a crowd of hundreds, is free and open to the public.

For more information, call the Morrisville YMCA at 215-428-2598.