Free Press – July 31, 2008

Herb Godown, Il Garde, Properties Of Merit, Ed Sacher Estate, Danny Kean, Clean Quakertown streets

Dear Friends,

Good morning. Aren’t you glad you’re not John McCain? While Europe was welcoming Barack Obama like a conquering hero, the GOP candidate looked weak, ill-informed and quite frankly, just plain old. My guess is that most Republicans will be in the fight of their political careers this fall.

I’m a moderate Republican…a voter who’s fiscally conservative but moderate on social issues…such as keeping the government out of our wallets, our bedrooms, and Big Brother’s morals. But what do I know?…and I stray.

Today, let me begin with two sad reports. The first is the passing of a former Free Press employee, Herbert S. Godown. Herb was our pressman for more than 20 years. And even in retirement, he worked in the Free Press mailroom until last year. Herb was 77, a good citizen and a good father.

Like those of the “Greatest Generation,” he was a Korean War air force veteran and active in the community affairs of the Quakertown and Palisades regions. Herb was a scoutmaster…I believe one of his three boys became an Eagle Scout. I spoke with one of his sons, Steven, who told me that his dad left this world for the next…peacefully.

Herb was a happy, hard working, loyal fellow. Our family will miss him.

The second item of sadness is the loss of Il Garde, my favorite Quakertown restaurant for evening meals. Alex Cangialosi and his wife Susanna (Randazzo) created this charming eatery ten years ago. Unfortunately the Wal-Mart shopping center has other plans for the space so their lease is expiring. Alex immigrated to America after he married Susanna, a Quakertown native. In Italy, Alex was an architect. But in the U. S. he became a fine chef and built an excellent business with loyal patrons. Susanna is a lawyer who works in Philadelphia. Each night after work, she came home to serve as a hostess. I must say that she’s good on the eyes.

So is her husband, Alex, MB confides. As he rides around Quakertown on his Paparazzi styled motorcycle, he’s quite swash buckling. I always encouraged classic posture among the female servers, and advised them to remember what their mothers said…‘shoulders back…chest out!’

We hope that after the dust settles, Alex will find a good location and begin once more. In the meantime, it won’t be the same without Alex, Suzanna, and servers like Monica, Christiana, Katie, Annie, and Sean; buses: Emily, Christiana, Kasi, Lily, Kelsy, and Ashlyn; and the culinary stars in the kitchen who made it happen, but the outside world didn’t see: Roberto, Luke, Nick, and Austin.

Item.

Mighty Betsy reminded me that Quakertown Alive is presenting the “Properties of Merit” project for the second year. A local committee tours the borough and nominates residential and commercial properties that display exceptional care and maintenance. Properties of Merit encourages all owners to make improvements to their neighborhoods. Quakertown is the only municipality in Bucks County to participate in Properties of Merit.

Last year, 13 residences and nine commercial properties received the Properties of Merit designation. The committee has made the nominations and within a few weeks the public balloting will begin. Watch for the signs, which will be posted on the properties. Ballots will be available at many local stores and outlets so you can vote for your favorites.

MB told me that Jan Hench, owner of McCoole’s Red Lion Inn will host the winner’s reception on October 21 at 7 PM.

The Properties of Merit Committee is composed of: Cathy Gillahan and MB, Co-chair; Jann Paulovitz is the local awards balloting chairwoman. The other members are: Jim Wilson, Naomi Naylor (Quakertown’s Main Street Manager), Nancy Roberts, and Linda Hinkle.

Item.

Sandy Wolfinger of Quakertown has an interesting mission. She told me that she’s in charge of finding buyers for items belonging to Edward Sacher, a Quakertonian who died recently at age 88. I remember Ed vividly. He was the husband of Cleta Sacher who used to work for the Free Press. She was a sunny person who worked hard and was very reliable.

Ed was a collector of interesting things…such as old photographs and hundreds of postcards. Anyway, Sandy is the executrix of Ed’s estate and would like people to call her with ideas in preparation for his memorial service on August 24. She’s running a yard sale for the family next week. You can reach her at 215-536-1153.

Item.

I hope you read Bridget Wingert’s column in the Bucks County Herald last week (July 24). It was about Danny Kean and his dog Boner. From the Pipersville area, Danny Kean is known as the Piano Man because he has a piano anchored in the back of his pick up truck. He’s traveled throughout America playing ragtime with Boner stretched out on top of the piano.

Bridget reported that Danny is giving away all his worldly possessions in order to travel to China for the Olympic Games. I wonder what Chairman Mao would think if he were alive? Can you just see it…the Chairman’s inscrutable smile? I’ll try to get a little more about the Piano Man for you next week.

Final item.

Quakertown Borough does a good job of keeping its streets clean. I wish they posted a schedule so residents could move their cars on street cleaning days. If they do and I missed the schedule, shame on me.

Sincerely,

Charles Meredith