News from Upper Merion Township

October 31, 2014

TOWNSHIP CLICKS

Happy Halloween!

Thank you for attending the 4th annual Halloween Parade on

Saturday, October 25, 2014 . More than 70 children attended. A big thank you to the Upper Merion police officers and staff for providing a safe and fun event.

Did You Know?

The current name of Halloween originates from the day before All Saint's Day, which was called All Hallow Evening; This name was shortened to, All Hallow's Eve or All Hallow's Even. The name changed over time and became Halloween.

Upper Merion Community Center Groundbreaking (Video)

The Center's groundbreaking ceremony was held at 431 W. Valley Forge Road in King of Prussia on Thursday October 23, at 4:30 PM.

(Edited by UMGA-TV's Jim Carracappa)

Do you have a Township Click to share? Simply send your picture to umtinfo@umtownship.org.

COMMUNITY

Public Events

GVF is hosting its 20th annual Transportation Conference on November 10, at the Crowne Plaza-Valley Forge.

PennDOT is hosting a public open house on Thursday, November 13 for the Schuylkill River Bridge Replacement Project. Want more? Visit www.umtownship.org.

Campaigning? Recycle

All Montgomery County residents can drop off their campaign signs from November 5 to November 12 at the following locations. Click here.

Keystone Markers

On Saturday, November 8, a program about Keystone Markers will be held at 2:00 PM in Christ Church Old Swedes Hall. Click here for details.

The Root Of It?

The Upper Merion Shade Tree Commission is looking to plant 32 trees and they can surely use your help. They're bare root and lightweight. Details here.

You Give - Others Receive

The Red Cross Blood Drive will be held on Monday, November 3 from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM in Freedom Hall.

POLICE

Aggressive Driving Enforcement

The Upper Merion Police Department is conducting an aggressive driving enforcement activity on Route 202, Allendale Road, Gulph Road, and First Avenue. More details here.

What is Aggressive Driving?

Aggressive driving includes risky behaviors such as speeding, running red lights and stop signs, tailgating, and improper passing.

PUBLIC WORKS

Leaf Collection

Residents will see that their leaves were picked up early because Public Works crews are ahead of schedule. Crews will revisit all roads again during the regularly scheduled time. What zone are you in? Click here and find out.

FARMERS MARKET

Farmers Market LOGO

Chill With Us!

Your favorite vendors will be at the Market on Saturday, November 1, as we count down our last four Saturdays of the Market season. (Be sure to use all your Market money)

What's Ahead?

On Saturday, November 8, we will hold our annual Fiber Arts Day. Come for hands-on demos of spinning and weaving. Spotted Hill Farm also plans to show where the yarn starts by bringing their baby goats!

Market Connect

Stay in the know by logging onto the UMFM website. The Market is open from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

SENIOR CENTER

Flu Shot - IMPORTANT

Rite Aide will be administering FREE flu shots for adults 65 and older at the UMSSC on Monday, November 3 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. No appointment necessary.

AARP Drivers Course

The UMSSC will host the AARP Drivers Course (4 hour course) from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM on Monday, November 10. Cost: $15.00 for members; $20.00 for non-members. Payment due the day of the course. Sign up at our reception desk.

Mah Jongg, Anyone?

Join us Monday, November 3, 2014 at 9:30 AM. All level players are welcome.

Want More?

Check out the UMSSC website for a complete list of activities.

PARKS & RECREATION

Wanna' Play?

Playball

Music Classes

Senior Bowling and Lunch

UK Elite Soccer Programs

Election day camp - Click here.

Preschool soccer - Click here.

Elite Feet program - Click here.

LIBRARY

Celebrating You!

Do you want to join us in celebrating your native culture or festival? Please email or call us with your ideas.

Save The World....

.....with the famous character, Captain Underpants! All 2nd through 4th graders are invited to party with us on Monday, November 3 at 6:30 PM. Register here.

No School? Free Movie!

The Lego Movie (Rated PG) will be shown on Tuesday, November 4 at 2:00 PM in Freedom Hall.

Enchanted Library

Tour the Enchanted Library with some of literature's most famous detectives on Friday, November 7 from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM. For k-4 but the whole family is invited. Register by calling 610-265-4806. The Library will close at 4:00 PM, November 7 to prepare for the event.

ADMINISTRATION

BOS Workshop

The Workshop will be held in Freedom Hall on Thursday, November 6, at 7:30 PM in the township building.

Become A Member

The following township citizen boards have vacancies. Click here.

Community Connections

Attention all civic minded and business professionals of Upper Merion Township! The PIO is no longer sending Community Connections through "snail mail." The monthly newsletter will now arrive online. Sign up here.

CIO Writes: It's About You!

As the Chief Information Officer for the township I feel that the information we provide gives you a sneak peek inside your community. That is why I continually ask how we can serve you better. Visit our new box called, E-History Facts. This idea came from you! Your input matters, so we thank you for sharing!

Sincerely, Carla Showell-Lee

E-HISTORY FACT

Knickerbocker Ice Company

Icehouses were located along the Schuylkill River in the Abrams section of the township. Every winter, hundreds of workers were employed to cut the ice in the river. The largest company was the Knickerbocker Ice Company, which was the leading company in the Philadelphia area. As late as the 1890's, about 500 people were employed by the company, cutting the ice when it was six inches thick. In 1899, the Knickerbocker Ice Company shipped 2,000 carloads of twelve inch ice from the Abrams site.

(Supplied by the King of Prussia Historical Society)

ON THE MOVE

Halloween Reminders

- Be alert in residential neighborhoods.

- Watch for kids entering and exiting driveways

- It takes a village: watch your child and others

- Carry a flashlight or a reflector

- Turn on your headlights early so that kids can see you too

Traffic Detour

The westbound Interstate 76 off-ramp to Route 23 West (Exit 322) in West Conshohocken Borough will be closed and detoured from 7:00 PM Friday, October 31 to 12:00 PM Saturday, November 1, for concrete repairs.

Travel Restrictions

Weather permitting, Route 363 (Trooper Road) will be reduced to one lane in each direction on Monday, November 3 and Tuesday, November 4 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM and from 7:00 PM Tuesday, November 4 to 6:00 AM Wednesday, November 5.