It's About Time; Snow Hits Norristown

 

It finally snows here, for the first time since Halloween weekend! Something tells me not to expect much...and I'm not complaining, our first snowfall and I was hit from behind by a car that lost control...

Vacant Norristown home destroyed by fire

 

 

http://www.timesherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120105/NEWS01/120109798

Occupy Norristown

Walter Ebmeyer, of Bryn Mawr, holds up an Occupy Norristown sign outside the Montgomery Court House on Saturday, December 10, 2011. Occupy Norristown is collecting toys for the Children of Montgomery Head Start, a preschool program for low-income families with young children. Photo by Christine Reckner/Times Herald Staff

Ron Friemel, of Jeffersonville, holds up an Occupy Norristown sign with a holiday twist outside the Montgomery Court House on Saturday, December 10, 2011. Occupy Norristown collected toys for the Children of Montgomery Head Start, a preschool program for low-income families with young children. Photo by Christine Reckner/Times Herald Staff

Owen Powell, of Media, waves to a car honking in support of the Occupy Lockheed Martin and LOCKHEED-VILLE Demonstration on Saturday, November 26, 2011, at the Lockheed Martin Valley Forge complex in Valley Forge. Photo by Christine Reckner/Times Herald Staff

Tents and signs sit on display at the Occupy Lockheed Martin and LOCKHEED-VILLE Demonstration on Saturday, November 26, 2011, at the Lockheed Martin Valley Forge complex in Valley Forge. Photo by Christine Reckner/Times Herald Staff

Beth Centz, of Philadelphia, adjusts a sign at the Occupy Lockheed Martin and LOCKHEED-VILLE Demonstration on Saturday, November 26, 2011, at the Lockheed Martin Valley Forge complex in Valley Forge. Photo by Christine Reckner/Times Herald Staff

By Christine Reckner

Occupy Norristown members convened with representatives of Brandywine Peace Community, a self-described faith-based, peace activist, war resistance group, outside the Lockheed Martin Valley Forge, to demonstrate against the weapons contractor and protest Lockheed Martin’s alleged profiteering amid unmet human and community needs.

  The motto of the demonstration was revealed on a large banner which read: “LOCKHEED-VILLE: where the businesses of war matters, and human needs don’t.”

  “The reason we have been with and are connecting with the occupy movement is to make the connection to the fact that Lockheed Martin is actually the top gun of the super-rich, of that one percent super-rich that the occupy movement speaks to,” said Robert M. Smith, staff coordinator of the Brandywine Peace Community.

While some motorists rolled down their windows to wave and honk in encouragement, others yelled obscenities at the protesters, telling them they were wasting their time and to get real jobs.

  “We’ve been seeing a lot of young, angry white males,” said Owen Powell, of Media. “I think that’s partly due to racism; a lot of young white males don’t like Obama.”

  An on-site ‘Shanty Town’ sat surrounded by cardboard signs, representing, the group claimed, the shanty towns or, Hoovervilles, built by homeless people during the Great Depression.

Throughout the protest, “LOCKHEED-VILLE Shanty Town” demonstrators chanted “We are the 99 percent” and held banners reading “You Pay; Lockheed Martin Profit$,” and “Jobs Not Wars.”

Wreaths Across America

Dan Kane and Lauren Mondo, of Eaglevile, adjust several of 2000 wreaths placed around the National Memorial Art at Valley Forge National Historical Park during the "Wreaths Across America" event on Saturday, December 10, 2011. The wreaths commemorate the men and women who died at the site during America’s War for Independence. Photo by Christine Reckner/Times Herald Staff

  

On December 10 at 10:00 a.m., the Friends of Valley Forge Park commemorated the men and women who died on the site during America’s War for Independence by participating in “Wreaths Across America.” Over 2,000 wreaths were placed around the National Memorial Arch at Valley Forge National Historical Park to memorialize America’s fallen soldiers and highlight the service and sacrifices of our veterans. 

http://www.timesherald.com/article/20111210/NEWS01/111219987/1010

 

Look How Much Fun My Job Is

Ho Ho Ho!

Kayla Washabaugh, 5, of Eagleville, hugs Santa during the 3rd Annual Lower Providence Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, December 2, 2011. Photo by Christine Reckner/Times Herald Staff

 

That Santa was probably the most personable Santa I've photographed this season yet.  He was happily waving his arms up and down when he got off his firetruck and repeatedly yelling "Ho ho ho Merry Christmas" into the huge crowd of people eagerly awaiting him. Made me wonder how much eggnog he had before he showed up...but seriously, I love these photos of this little girl, she looked so happy and cozied right up to St. Nick.

8th Annual Recovery Tree Celebration

Ornaments hang on the Recovering Tree during the 8th Annual Recovery Tree Celebration hosted by the Montgomery County Office of Drug and Alcohol at the Montgomery County Court House on Thursday, December 1, 2011. The event celebrated recovery from addiction, remembered lives lost, honored those working in the field and supported those in recovery. Photo by Christine Reckner/Times Herald Staff

Eline Jones, of Hatboro, helps her grandaughter Annalyse Jones, 5, hang an ornament on the Recovering Tree.

Rosane Hammond, of Eagleville, leans over the balcony to hang her ornament at the top of the Recovering Tree.