Fran 'The Title Man' Gaspari Title Insurance-PA & NJ

Many of you who read my post yesterday know that my family and I had our power irresponsibly turned off by MET ED, our local power company that sells 'power' but not 'service'!!!

Briefly stated, we were never contacted by phone to inform us of the shutoff, even after we electronically paid our bill in full plus extras!!!

MET ED has demonstrated clearly that they could care less about their customers...their bottom line is all that is important...I wouldn't wan't to give them any more notoriety than they deserve...none!!!

What's it like to spend an evening with 5 kids under 14 and an irate wife???

Let me show you the ways!!!

I'll try to give them to you chronologically...

Left work a little early to 'calm the storm'...

Garage door opener doesn't work...and a 9 year old is not strong enough to lift a garage door up without power...even when chain is disabled!!!

Kids can't flush the toilets...well, only once...we are supplied water by well...no power, no water!

No one can wash their hands...same reason...

It's getting dark...break out the candles, the oil lamp, and try to get homework done before nightfall!!! One child had a paper do...which he could not complete...neither computer nor printer enabled to operate without power!!!

Younger children displayed fear in their voices and countenances...MET ED could probably care less!!! "Will we ever have power again?", they fearfully asked!!!

Family assembled to discuss the plan as we watched everything in the refrigerator and freezer melt and get ready to spoil...does MET ED care???...I doubt it!!!

Briefed children about use of flashlights, conserving energy and batteries, getting to bed early, and what to do upon rising and preparing for school...reassured children power would be back on by the time they got back home from school as promised by the MET ED contact...hopefully a 'local' body and not one of those 'offshore' talking boxes!!!

Slept well...briefly caught the Flyer's score and Phillies wrap up on my battery operated radio...

No shower, no shave...couldn't even find my 'backup' electric razor...probably wouldn't have been charged anyway...

Looking forward to getting to work early where we have power, heat, and water!!! Serviced by PECO Energy...never a problem in 40 years of continuous service!!!

And thank God for two things...Wipey Dypes and Anti bacterial waterless hand cleaner!!!

Interesting info: Click here!

And here is what the Pa. P.U.C. says: "The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities to ensure safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protect the public interest; educate consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; further economic development; and foster new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner."

I wonder which utility company wrote that???

I recently discovered that Garrett E. Brownback, a 'rich creamery man of Linfield', a little town not far from my Limerick office, was the person that originally built the famous mansion in the heart of Linfield proper that is now a Bed & Breakfast of national reknown!!! A real landmark and elegant example of Victorian architecture!

The interesting thing about the mansion, at least as far as my family is concerned, is that it served as the place where my wife and I and forty relatives and close friends gathered to celebrate our wedding on April 24, 1993! Of course for my wife and I at least, it will always be a memorable occasion...the food, the ambiance, the elegance of the old mansion, the piano playing softly in the background, as guests and hosts wandered from room to room exploring conversational opportunities, gastronomical specialties, and exchanging old stories in a very Victorian atmosphere!!!

Of course, hours before, we exchanged vows in a candlelight ceremony at St. Eleanor Roman Catholic Church in Collegeville, just a few miles away where the nuptial Mass was concelebrated by three priest friends and where the entire congregation shared in our self-prepared list of prayer intentions!!!

This April 24, we are celebrating the 15th anniversary of this blessed union...and besides my wife forgiving me for forgetting our tenth anniversary, I have much to be thankful for! I'm sure my wife would agree, that neither of us could have conceived the many wonderful things that God has wrought in our lives since that April Spring day in '93.

Many thanks to all our family members, friends, neighbors, coworkers, caterers, and yes, you Garrett E. Brownback, for supplying such a wonderful building in which to celebrate such a blessed event in our lives!

Overlooking the fifth largest city in Pennsylvania, Reading, is the 'Japanese' style structure known simply as 'The Pagoda'! Read the wikipedia account and history and check out the attached photos!

Reading, Pennsylvania, population over 84,000, is the county seat of Berks County...a rural suburban city northwest of Philadelphia, our nations first capital!

Reading is making a comeback due to the energies of many concerned residents and area investors and developers...

'The Pretzel City' as it is sometimes called has so many interesting historic venues they are too numerous to mention...from the many 'shopping outlets' to the magnificent 'Sovereign Center'...to its old breweries, steel manufacturers, Albright College, Reading Phillies baseball...to the beautiful Berkshire hills which surround it!

A fascinating place to tour, shop, dine, see a show or concert, watch semi pro ice hockey, enjoy a Reading Phillies game just to mention a few!!!

Put Reading on your short list of places to visit...and start your visit at the 'Pagoda'!!!

We have so many 'best kept secrets' in our area it isn't even funny! Last week I wrote about the 'Kimberton Whole Foods' store in Douglassville, Pa...my hometown!

About 15 minutes drive to our northeast is the little town of Boyertown, Pa...home of the world famous Boyertown Bears American Legion Baseball Team...no, they're not a best kept secret...as they have won the American Legion World Series and have dominated play in baseball tournaments for years!

I want to focus on 'Ritner's State Theatre' in downtown Boyertown!

They've been in the same location for many many years...but what makes Ritner's State Theatre unique is their practice of showing only wholesome family movies at fantastic discount prices...how's this for example:

Ticket Prices

All Seats $3.00 for all evening shows

All Seats $2.00 for all shows before 5 P.M.

So, you have a family of five and want to take in a current movie, $10.00 is all you'll need for the Sunday matinee...that leaves plenty left over for popcorn or snacks...or donation to your favorite charity!!!

By the way, when visiting Boyertown be sure to take some extra time to tour the town and check out their unique collecton of 'Boyertown Bears' which decorate almost the front of every business...and dot the landscape with Beary interesting sites for the kids and adults alike!!!

Looking for a Spring ride through the countryside...surrounding Boyertown on all sides are beautifully rolling hills with lots of nature and greenery to observe...and top it off with a restful and enjoyable sojourn with the family to 'Ritner's State Theatre'!!!

Ritner's State Theatre...you'll see a great current movie and you'll still have gas money for the ride home!!!

How's this for a 'mission statement':

"We care for the earth by promoting organic & bio-dynamic farming methods. We conduct our business in a respectful & ethical manner while building strong cooperative ties within our larger community.
In a more personal way, we support each individuals quest to learn more about healthy choices in diet & lifestyle. Finally, we are committed to honoring each customer with outstanding service."

No, this is not a new Active Rainer...it is not a new real estate professional...it is the mission statement for a wonderful new store which has become a hallmark of our Douglassville community! The Kimberton Whole Foods Store!

Actually, they aren't new...they opened up over a year ago in the Douglassville facility. I had become familiar with the Kimberton Whole Foods store by visiting their Kimberton, Pa location which has operated successfully for years.

Well now, Douglassville has a tremendous new asset to its heart of great merchants!

Try Kimberton Whole Foods Store...you will find they have a great selection of 'naturally grown' foods, 'gluten free' products for those on allergies, and a grand variety of specialty health items, including fresh vegetables, organic cereals, low salt soups, specialty spring waters, nuts, dried fruits, safe cosmetic products, etc...Take a tour of their Douglassville location as soon as possible...you won't be disappointed!!!

You'll still need to visit our other neighborhood food facility, 'Redners', an excellent employee owned discount food store, but don't pass up the opportunity to check out Kimberton Whole Foods!!!

Also, take this opportunity to begin learning to choose more nutricious, healthier, food selections for your family...read ingredients on food labels, wean your family off of 'chemically overloaded' foods. The people at Kimberton Whole Foods will courteously help you in that selection process...and there are many books and periodicals which you can purchase there which explain the 'whole foods' philosophy!

Oh, and tell those nice people you heard about them on Active Rain!!!