Flag Day Ceremony at Northampton Township

June 14th is Flag Day.

Northampton Township, in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, does it right

with a patriotic celebration honoring our flag, the freedoms for which it stands,

 and those who defend our country and protect those freedoms.

Pictured above is the Stars & Stripes at the 

Northampton Municipal Park,

beautifully lit by the sunset.


Pete Palestina is a U.S. Marine Veteran and former Northampton Supervisor.

He planned the event and served as an ace Master of Ceremonies.

Opening remarks and nods of thanks were given by Barry Moore, Township Supervisor.

Marine Corp League Patriot Detachment 1230 present the colors.

The BucksMont Squires of Song entertain us with their harmonies:

The Star Spangled Banner, This is My Country, God Bless America, 

and that favorite flag-waving tune, You're a Grand Old Flag.

Our National Anthem. L to R: 

Boy Scout Troop 5, BuxMont Squires of Song,

Marine Corp League Patriot Detachment 1230.

Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick, Supervisor Barry Moore, Senator Tommy Tomlinson, 

Bucks Co. Commissioner Rob Loughery, Supervisor George Komelasky.

Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick referring to a moving scene in the movie,

Saving Private Ryan, inspired us to ask ourselves, 

"Have we earned what the flag stands for?" 

Senator Tommy Tomlinson

Bucks County Commissioner Rob Loughery

Northampton Township residents enjoying the event!

The United States Flag Code states that, 

"The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem to display, 

should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning."

An annual flag disposal ceremony was led by Boy Scout Troop 5.

The blue field of stars is first cut from the flag,

then the 13 stripes are cut apart.

The scouts respectfully burned the retired flags that 

had been collected throughout the township.

We were pleased and proud to have in attendance

World War II Iwo Jima Veteran, Henry Apice, front center.

With heartfelt thanks to all men and women who are serving 

or who have served this great country in the U.S. military!

God bless each of you, and God bless America!

Here are links to sites you may want to visit:

Northampton Township

Northampton Township Parks & Recreation

Bucks County, Pennsylvania

Marine Corps League Patriot Detachment 1230

BucksMont Squires of Song

Boy Scout Troop 5 Churchville, PA

You may also enjoy this previous post,

The Northampton Township Volunteer Fire Company Celebrates 100 Years of Service!

The Art of … Dragonflies

StudioVero

Here's a scientific nugget about dragonflies:

Able to travel up to 30 miles per hour, they move each of their 4 wings independently.

That's not only up and down, but also rotating back and forth on an axis!

Let's appreciate their delicate beauty through these various art mediums

gleaned right from Etsy, complete with links to their shops!

Crazy about the greens in this watercolor!

MarilynKJonas

A concrete stepping stone for your garden!

MyGardenGoddess

Modern. Very cool!

MangoSeed

The rich color of alcohol ink.

InkBrights

Here's a great linocut block print.

RuthsArtwork

Ethereal, transparent wings.

GwydionsGarden

A fairy-like iridescent suncatcher!

GlassMonkeyArts

Lovin' this batik!

HandPaintedOriginals

Fabulous, detailed mosaic!

MoniqueSarfityMosaic

And a lovely dragonfly necklace,
courtesy of my very own Paisley Beading!

Visit my Etsy shop here!

Emma Block Illustration

My latest infatuation is with the art of London illustrator Emma Block.

Emma is inspired by vintage clothing, 30's jazz, and illustrations from the 50's.

Featured are charming young ladies meandering about town,

sipping tea at a bistro while relaxing and catching up on a novel,

taking a leisurely bike ride, soaking in a bubble bath,

or watering a window box overflowing with bright blooms!

I'm drawn in by the delight of this simple, pleasant lifestyle!

Find more of Emma Block here:
Website
Etsy
Facebook

The Pennsylvania Grand Canyon

We Americans are all familiar with Arizona's Grand Canyon.

But did you know that Pennsylvania has one of its own?

Referred to as one of the state's best-kept vacation secrets,
and listed as one of the Top 10 PA Attractions,
The Pennsylvania Grand Canyon is a sight to behold!

Located in north-central Pennsylvania, it's near Wellsboro,
and part of the Tioga State Forest.
We made a point to stop by when we were recently in the area.

pacanyon

Also known as the Pine Creek Gorge, this picturesque canyon is

47 miles long, 4,000 feet rim to rim, and 1,500 feet at its deepest point.

Unlike the Grand Canyon out west, this one is covered with gorgeous vegetation.

It was beyond beautiful when we visited in the spring, 

and no doubt especially stunning when robed in autumn colors!

Adventure awaits!

The surrounding area features several campgrounds 

and the Leonard Harrison and Colton Point State Parks.

The Pine Creek is a mecca for whitewater rafting, canoeing, kayaking and tubing.

It also draws fishermen from far and wide for small mouth bass and trout.

There are plenty of hiking and biking trails, including the

Pine Creek Rail Trail, which follows the creek at the base of the canyon. 

Visitors can take a wagon ride tour of the canyon!

olecoveredwagon

Bald eagles, river otter, wild turkeys, white tail deer and black bear call this place home.

The scenery is breathtaking - just to take it in and stand in awe of God's magnificent creation!

We also visited nearby Corning, New York.

Check out my post on the Corning Museum of Glass!

Links for you to explore:

PA Canyon

Ole Covered Wagon Tours, Inc.

Leif ~ Let's Go Shopping!

I really enjoy shopping on the web.
I remember back in the day, I was so afraid.

Just the thought of typing in my credit card number and releasing my money to the world!

Holding my breath before pulling the trigger for that very first online purchase. 

Ha! Got over that real fast!

Anyway, what I've come to realize is how very many online shops are out there

and we're not even aware that they exist. It's a real pity!

Beyond my usual stops at L.L. Bean, Talbots, Macy's, etc., (the big-name companies),
there are tons of fabulous specialty stores just filled with unique & clever items. 

Some also have physical stores, (known as "brick and mortars" in the business), and some do not.

I thought I'd share several of my great online finds with you,

with a few of my favorite items featured to give you a feel for the place.

Thus starts a new series I am entitling "Let's Go Shopping!"

Also- I'd love it if you passed along tips for super online shopping sites that you've found!



The opening post for this series is Leif!
Based in Brooklyn, NY, Leif was founded in 2011 by Stacy Anne Longenecker.

Many of you know of my thing for succulents - (here's a post on that: Sassy Succulents.)
So, the item that drew me in is pictured above.

>>>Cacti Tealight Candle Set<<<
Are they not the cutest?
A set of 6 for $20.



There's more ahead!
Join me at Leif and Let's go Shopping! 

>>>Paloma Triangle Coaster Set<<<

Jazzy birchwood coasters by Wolfum. $34.

>>>Passport Pocket Notebook Set<<<

Ideal travel journals!

By Rifle Paper Co., set of 2. $12

>>>Nouveau Serving Set<<<

Serve your salads with pizzazz!

Bold colors, acrylic, $35.

>>>Extra Pur Bar Soap Set<<<

Here's a set of 3 soaps in bright packaging for a perfect hostess gift at $20.

Triple-milled means long lasting. Made of pure vegetable ingredients.

The scents are Mediterranean Sea, Verbena & Grapefruit.

>>>Mosaic Zip-Around Wallet<<<

Cool water-colored pastels. Lots of handy compartments.

Textured faux leather. $48. 

>>>Starry Serving Tray<<<

A trendy geometric pattern in classic black & white.

By Piano Nobile, melamine, 14" x 10", $40.

>>>Striped Lidded Storage Basket<<<

Imagine the things you can stow in one of these,

not to mention, it's a smart piece adding a snap to your decor!

13" x 9", $45

>>>Constellation Matches<<<

A cleverly covered box of matches 

is way more chic than one of those clicking lighters. 

Leave it out on the table next to your candle, it's that cute. $4.

>>>Lacquer Bento Lunch Box<<<

Total fun in coral, rose, peppermint or white. $32.

Here are some of the things that Stacy says illustrate the "Leif Lifestyle":
"...a collection of vintage glass bottles that span the colors of the rainbow,
old botanical and anatomical prints,
Meyer lemon butter on freshly baked scones,
various breeds of succulents scattered throughout the home,
a garden full of vegetables, a couch filled with colorful pillows,
freshly cut flowers on a reclaimed wood kitchen table..."
Yes, yes and yes!

Here's the Leif website!

chARiTyelise Pottery

Charity Hofert grew up in Maine and now lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

She's the benefactor of a dynamic high school art teacher who

encouraged and inspired her to develop an "insatiable" love of art.

Bright colors in whimsical patterns cover her handmade pottery

and "bring a little cheer into one's home and life!"

Look for more chARiTyelise Pottery here:

Blog

Etsy

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Images used with direct permission from Charity Hofert.