September 22, 2024: Things We "Heard" and Would Like To Share ...

by Lesley Misko

Pig On The RUNNNNNNNN

“There’s a pig running around on Route 73 west of Boyertown, near Dan’s Deli,” local resident Phyllis Leidy shared to a Boyertown area focused Facebook group a few days ago.

It was a whimsical reminder that even as our community slowly but steadily has transitioned from rural, sprawling farmland to Philly suburb and tourist destination, it only takes a wayward pig to reveal our rural roots.

Decades ago, local watercolor painter David Larson painted a view of Boyertown’s Spring landscape as seen from a house porch. The painting was titled “Boyertown, A Special Kind of Place” and it became the cover of a local marketing magazine, published to familiarize people with the Boyertown area as a great place to live and raise a family. Still later, local artist Robert L. Williams brought the painting to life as a super-size mural, painted on the side of a building on South Reading Ave., where it can still be seen today.

The description of Boyertown as “a special kind of place” has stuck over the years. Often local residents’ working together to achieve a big project – like the building of Bear Stadium—demonstrates Boyertown’s specialness. Sometimes people’s generous spirit and eagerness to reach out to help those in need, validates the special label. And yet other times, it’s simply a whimsical exchange like the one that played out on Facebook, as symbols for laughter and astonishment, along with an array of humorous comments, filled the Facebook group page.

“Are his sirens on,” asked Donald Heller, getting right into the spirit of things. Phyllis replied that there were no lights on the pig, but lots of lights around it, as traffic was snarled. Robert Grater joined Phyllis in debating whether the pig might be running to or from the Oley Fair.

Missy Hammer and Scott Moatz both speculated, “Looks like Dan’s special is pulled pork this weekend.” Others tried to guess who might own the pig on the run. One pig owner, Carri Sola, thanked people for thinking of her pigs, but said, “All my pigs are in! Thanks though.”

Sensitive to the poor pig’s plight, Melissa Svenningsen reminded others, “It could be someone ‘s pet. Poor little one.”

The final thought was provided by Phil Haddad: “Did the squeeler say, ‘Wee, wee, wee… all the way home?” he asked, alluding to the children’s nursery rhyme.

We don’t know the ultimate fate of the poor pig, but we hope he survived the experience, and we thank him and all who commented for reminding us that Boyertown is indeed “a special kind of place.”

Appreciation to Jonathan Bartman, the Facebook group administrator, and the many group members who shared their witty … and caring! … thoughts.

Don't Let A Few "Bad Apples" Ruin The Bunch

Boyertown's continuing close ties to its agricultural history provide a bounty of healthy locally grown produce at affordable prices.  Local growers invite  visitors to come into their orchards and fields to pick peaches and apples, climb varied cherry trees, crawl around and pick strawberries, among other things. 

Visitors from more urban areas have an opportunity to share these experiences with their children to help them understand the origins of some of the foods they eat and the hard work required required to produce it. It is a special experience, so with sadness, we share this statement recently issued by Frecon Orchards. We hope you will read it and share it, and if you are in a local orchard and see people behaving badly, perhaps you could share what you observed with the orchard owners. 

 From Frecon Farms: 

PLEASE READ: As we prepare for another beautiful weekend in the orchard, it’s important to share with you a bit of what goes on behind the scenes during the week. We collected 4 bins of Crimson Crisp and 6 bins of Honey Crisp apples. [off the ground] after last weekends orchard visitors left. Each bin holds between 800 to 1000 net pounds. 

We have noticed adults and children alike, shaking apple trees, climbing them, pulling apples and either dropping or throwing them without much consideration that this is food, that someone could eat. 

Due to modern standards of food safety, any apple that comes in contact with the ground is lost. It cannot be used for eating, drinking, cider or baking. They become waste that is turned back into the soil, as all we are left to do is fertilize with them. 

Our family lives and works here, as we have for 80 years. We invite you to our farm, and hope you hear our plea to visit our orchard with the same care and love that we put into growing our apples. 

Sincerely, The Frecon Family 

Photo from Frecon Farms Facebook page.

Bally Lions Continue To Collect Glasses

The Bally Lions proudly share:  

"Thanks to the Bally Lions Club and our community, we've collected 246 prs of eyeglasses to date! Drop boxes are at Quigley Chevrolet and Bally branch of Ambler Savings Bank." 

Comedy Show Fundraiser for Gilbertsville Fire and Rescue

Last chance to buy tickets!

Photo from Facebook.

More News from Boyertown

• A Pictorial Tour Through the History of Boyertown: Main Street Businesses page 22 Main Street--page 22
• TRADITIONS While traditions are considered unchanging, life changes constantly and new traditions must be created; what lasts is the desire to give thanks for life, mutable as it is.