GREATER GLENSIDE PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION
Thank You
Valued and much appreciated support from area residents, businesses, organizations and municipal personnel once again provided the Glenside/Abington locale with another major league, big city kind of Independence Day Celebration that many regard as the best July 4th event in Greater Philadelphia’s tri-state suburbs.
Despite gloomy, perilous weather forecasts, the entire morning-into-night, family friendly holiday event, sponsored by the non-profit Greater Glenside Patriotic Association, came off as planned. The only hitch was a 12-minute delay, caused by lightning and a passing thunderstorm, for the scheduled 4 p.m. start of the 103rd Annual Grand, Glorious, Patriotic Parade.
Rain-free weather, however, prevailed for the 10 a.m. We Love America Children’s Program and the after-dark America The Beautiful Aerial Fireworks Spectacular that drew record crowds to areas in and around the Abington High and Junior High Schools’ campus.
Although every celebration contribution is clearly valued, genuinely welcomed and most appreciated by the sponsoring patriotic association, special thanks are due major donors. The include: Abington Bank, Abington Township, Arcadia University, Aqua America, The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development, through assistance of State Rep. Josh Shapiro (D-153rd Abington/Upper Dublin district), Sovereign Bank, Penny’s Flowers, Wachovia Bank, John R. Freed Funeral Home-Glenside, PNC Bank, Roslyn Supply, Joseph Massino, Firstrust Bank, Jim Alexander and Montgomery County Controller Eric S. Kretschman, an Abington Township resident.
Also, Glenside realtor Carol Gillespie, of Quinn & Wilson-Abington, William R. May Funeral Home-Glenside, Spahr-Evans Printers-North Hills, Glenside Pub, Glenside Lions Club, Daryl’s Pastries, Ralph Siani Barber/Stylist, James A. Flaherty Knights of Columbus Council 2138-Glenside, Republicans Lynn Swann for Governor and Jim Matthews for Lieutenant Governor, Weldon Fire Co.-Glenside, Donna Adelsberger and Associates, Rotary Club of Glenside, Cheltenham Township, Jack & Jill Ice Cream (Mokhtar Leheta, regional representative), Burton T. Richie State Farm Insurance-Glenside and Glenside American Legion Post 248.
Also, Barbara A Nye of J. Alden Associates, Fitzgerald’s Tires, Al and Kathleen Herrman, Bond Cleaners, Russell Roofing, Mike Fitzpatrick ( R ) for Congress (8th district), Harry Antrim-Nationwide Insurance, Abington Auto Tags, Abington Free Library, Carol T. Mallen of RE/MAX Services, Pearl Harbor Survivors, Paul Aloe of Aloe Products, Sam Rizzo’s SJR Catering, Dr. and Mrs. Ronald Friedman, Wesley Apothecary, Abington Township & Rockledge Borough Republican Organization (ATRO), Complete Scaffold, Inc., Visconto Funeral Home-Glenside and Pat O’Donnell Landscaping.
Also, John D. Fox, Esq., legal services, Razzi’s Radiator, Michael and Deborah Nelsoon, Penn State University-Abington, Lewis Paint Store, Inc., Harry A. and Catherine Gramlich, Abington Township Roslyn Ward 15 Commissioner John Carlin ( R ), Joseph Dougherty and Bruce Eckel law offices, Joseph A. Weaver, Newspaper Columnist Ted Taylor, Abington Township Treasurer Jay Blumenthal, V. Buccafuri & Sons Nursery-Upper Dublin, Mike Cherry Towning, James Verros of Lincoln Investment Planning, Bill Hall Entertainment And Events, Kirkland Printing-Willow Grove, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 676-Glenside, Rick Santorum ( R ) for Senator Committee, Ameriglow/Ultralights-Sewell, Nj and Mr. Softee.
Vital logistical support and teamwork that contributed to the overall success of last week’s celebration continued being provided by key personnel of Abington and Cheltenham Townships’ police departments and volunteer fire-rescue units, Abington’s Emergency Management Services people and those within Abington School District’s administration responsible for permitting access to certain school sites by general public fireworks’ viewers on the evening of July 4.
Also deserving of appreciation are many residents of Glenside’s Roslyn, Roberts and Keswick Aves., lineup streets for the patriotic parade. They opened their porches and properties as shelters to marchers and participants when lightning and a thunderstorm struck shortly before the parade was to begin.
In response to inquiries from Abington area residents who enjoyed the July 4 fireworks, but were not recipients of the patriotic association’s annual Glenside postal zone fund solicitation mailing, appreciative contributions may be directed to the non-profit group’s P.O. Box 72, Glenside, PA 19038-0072. Checks should be payable to the Greater Glenside Patriotic Association.
The association’s celebration follow-up meeting occurred Tuesday, July 11, when preliminary planning began for the community’s 104th annual Independence Day event on Wednesday July 4, 2007.
William B. Hall
Media/Public Relations Director
Greater Glenside Patriotic Association
(www.glensidejuly4thevent.com)