The Norristown Preservation Society urges the county to formally withdraw its application for demolition of the site as soon as possible. It is an untoward anti-preservation and reuse legacy of former Commissioner Lawrence that should be utterly rejected.

I understand Sean Kelly formerly of Eastern State Penitentiary, has communicated to the county about preserving the castle part of the prison including cells. The Norristown Preservation Society supports this idea. It further supports the stabilization and removal of hazardous materials from the site so that it may be attractive to any interested parties. It does the cause no good if deterioration is to advance simply because of neglect. Though I am told Montgomery County put a new roof on the main building back in the early 2000s, it has done little over the years to trim back the foliage growing from one of the turrets.

It is my belief that new photographs and films should be made of both the interior and exterior of the old prison site. That a multimedia presentation be put together showing the old prison in the best possible light. Historical, economical, practical, aesthetic. That this presentation of both words and paper, motion, pictures and emotion, sensible and sensitivity, be used to sell the site to potential developers.

Russell Rubert President, Norristown Preservation Society

The Norview Farm was owned by the Battista family and operated as a dairy farm from 1922 until 1999 when the family sold the property to Upper Merion Township for preservation as a living memorial to the township’s rural and farmland past.

The original “Norview Rooster” or “Giant Chicken” graced the entrance to the former dairy farm from 1971 until its replacement in 2009. Despite being the constant victim of juvenile delinquents and adult criminal vandals alike, the big rooster managed to survive. The big chicken, whom I will call “Abe” for the historic Abrams section of Upper Merion where he once stood, suffered the indignities of being pulled down, bound by a chain and dragged down the road, attacked and damaged six times in its first 20 years. Its legs were broken and the Fiberglas bird was subjected repeatedly to the tune of thousands of dollars in damages.

Historically, Abrams, named for the Abraham family once prominent in the area, stretches from the Caley Road homes all the way down Beidler Road to Sweetbriar, Hope Community Church (formerly Abrams Community Chapel) and Belmont.

When Upper Merion decided to replace “Old Abe” with a new rooster, it was suggested that the original be auctioned off and the proceeds go to charity. It was purchased by Fran “Shorty” Shultz and moved to his home, becoming a fun sight to passersby for several years.

It found a new home at the Gateway Cafe in Swedeland. Shultz had it moved to the lawn in front of the popular eatery. It was dressed up for many festive occasions — a Philadelphia Flyers jersey, a Phillies cap and more.

From 2015 to March of 2023 Swedeland was home to Old Abe — the original Norview Rooster. Then came the closing of the Gateway Café and the diner’s relocation to Bridgeport. The plan was to place him on a beautiful decorated grassy square near the front door of the renamed 4th Street Café. But first he had to go in for renovation.

Across the street at Maaco’s body shop, Old Abe had his tired, broken legs mended and his cracked color repainted. But the new paint job and repairs aren’t all that is needed for the old bird to find his new perch. Ron and Peg Mahoney, the owners of the 4th Street Café, have to go before Bridgeport zoning officials for permission before the rooster can officially move to his new home. All is not yet worked out.

The rooster’s relocation to 26 West 4th Street in Bridgeport has been not yet been approved. Though he stands in front of the cafe, it is not officially sanctioned by the borough. It is hoped and encouraged that. “Old Abe” the original Norview Farm rooster can once again crow each morning, a warm and welcome sight for many years to come.

Sources for this article, Philadelphia Inquirer May 20,1999, King of Prussia Historical Society and Peg & Ron Mahoney, 4th Street Café.

From an early age Thomas Stewart showed great penmanship and organization skills. Subsequently, he was chosen as secretary for practically every organization with which he became associated. In 1867 young Stewart graduated from Quaker City Business College in Philadelphia.  For the following six years he worked at different jobs as a clerk and bookkeeper. During the winter he conducted a night school and business college.

In 1868 he opened a writing school at 126 and ½ Main Street in Norristown. In 1872 Stewart became both secretary and treasurer for the Waterford Glass Company in New Jersey. He worked there until 1885. While working at the glass company he continued his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic. The G.A.R. was a veterans organization consisting of Union veterans of The Civil War.  He quickly achieved prominence and success in the organization. In1880 Stewart was appointed Assistant Inspector General of the Grand Army of the Republic. He was reappointed to the position in 1898 and 1899.  He was G.A.R. Adjutant General 1898 -1901 and was elected Commander in Chief in 1902.

Beginning in 1886 General Stewart served as both trustee and secretary of the Pennsylvania Soldiers and Sailors’ Home. He served as a member of the commission in charge of the Soldier’s Orphan Schools from 1889 to 1896. Active in Republican Party politics, he had served as a political speaker since1878. He was a delegate to the Republican Party State Convention in Harrisburg in 1884.General Stewart joined the Pennsylvania National Guard, September 29, 1869. During this time the Norris City Rifles were reorganized. The Norris City Rifles had been founded by General John Hartranft before The Civil War. Thomas Stewart advanced in rank from First Sergeant to Second Lieutenant then to First Lieutenant. On September 5, 1879 he was promoted to Adjutant, Sixth Regiment Infantry. On Sept. 29, 1890 he was promoted to Assistant Adjutant General, First Brigade.

On January 15,1895 Thomas Stewart was appointed by Governor Daniel Hastings Adjutant General of the Pennsylvania National Guard and reappointed by each succeeding governor. General Stewart is one of the longest serving PA Adjutant Generals in Pennsylvania Guard history.  Under his tenure in office significant progress and improvements were made in reports, methods of accounting and administration, particularly in accounting and in the establishment of a manufacturing department for the State Arsenal. This specific achievement later led to the naming of the Norristown Armory, “The Thomas J. Stewart Armory,” which is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. Around 1927 or1928 The General Thomas J. Stewart Armory also known as the Norristown PA National Guard Armory was built at 340 Harding Boulevard in Norristown. It consists of a two-story structure with a drill hall in the back and administrative offices building in the front. It is in the Classical Revival T Plan style with decorative stonework of yellow brick on a concrete foundation with a parapet. It was added to the National Register in 1991. Under General Stewart’s management the quota of troops from Pennsylvania for the Spanish American War were supplied more swiftly and more cost efficient than any other state.

From 1885 -1886 Stewart served as a State Representative from Montgomery County during which he helped organize supplies for victims of the infamous Johnstown Flood. The flood claimed the lives of 2200 people. He was the author of the “Soldiers Burial Bill”, passed overriding the governor’s veto. From1886 1890 Stewart was elected and served as Pennsylvania Secretary of Internal Affairs. The office was created by the Pennsylvania Constitution of 1874. The office was abolished and replaced in 1967. His fame and value as an orator were such that he was one of the party of generals that traveled the western states in 1896 and spoke widely, traveling over 9000 miles to 13 different states and speaking at 279 public meetings. He was said to have had a gift of eloquence, was witty and often sought out as a speaker by Republican politicians in their campaigns. Stewart and his comrades were said to be instrumental in the election of William McKinley as 25th President of the United States.  For his efforts General Stewart was offered the position of Assistant Secretary of War. He declined to accept.

General Stewart was married to Miss Rebecca Ashenfelter. She passed away December 4 1894. He remarried in1901. His 2nd marriage was to Mrs. Alexina R. Weaver on November 29, 1901 It is not known if either marriage produced any children. General Stewart was said to have “looked the part of a soldier.”  His commanding figure in uniform was a familiar sight at official functions throughout the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Stewart was a prominent Mason. He was a member of Charity Lodge in Norristown, was a Knight Templar and attained the rank of 32nd Degree Mason in the Consistory. He was later awarded the honorarium of 33rd Degree Mason.

Built in 1925 in the west end of the Borough of Norristown the Thomas J. Stewart Junior High School at 1315 West Marshall Street in Norristown was named for General Stewart. It was reorganized as Thomas J. Stewart Middle School in 1973. Recently plans were announced to change the name of the school.

General Thomas J. Stewart died suddenly September 11, 1917 in Harrisburg at 69 years of age, the same date as that of his birth. His health had been declining, but he had “soldiered on” at his post of Adjutant General of the Pennsylvania National Guard. He was buried at Market Square Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Germantown, Philadelphia. Although today the students of his namesake school and general public alike have largely forgotten Thomas J. Stewart’s many contributions to the safety and health of the people of Pennsylvania, this native son of Montgomery County is not forgotten. After General Stewart’s death a bronze statue was erected in Harrisburg in his memory. To this day, the Thomas J. Stewart Medal, created in honor of his many years of service, is awarded to Pennsylvania National Guardsmen and women “Upon recommendation of their unit or organizational commanders, for one hundred percent attendance and excellence in drill, including annual field training, during any one year.” to the Adjutant General of the Pennsylvania National guard. Only one of the medals is awarded to any one person.

At the Historical Society of Montgomery County, located on DeKalb Street in Norristown, his G.A.R. sword is preserved, at the state capital and in the archives of the Pennsylvania National Guard his record of public service is remembered and revered for all time.

Sources for this article: Thomas J. Stewart Middle School website, Pennsylvania House of Representatives records, The Pennsylvania National Guard & Pennsylvania National Guard Museum Curator Capt. Michael R. Sprowles and The Historical Society of Montgomery County.

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was a marvelous, inspiring speaker. Who in his public pronouncements promoted an idea and ideal that asked all to judge their fellows, not by “the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” He was and remains to this day an inspiring example for tolerance, coexistence, peaceful protest and forgiveness.

I would encourage that the contributions of Dr. George Washington Carver not be forgotten. To dedicate one’s life to science is to invest in the future for all humankind.

Booker T. Washington was a key proponent of African American businesses and one of the founders of the National Negro Business League. His Tuskegee Institute, which became a historically black college in Tuskegee, Alabama, is the solid foundation on which all progress is based. That education is the key to all opportunity, private and public advancement.

Marian Anderson was a gospel singer of universal renown. Through her powerful and wonderous singing voice, the word of God was spread to all people.

Nat “King” Cole, whose easy-going style and smooth voice transcended feelings of racial prejudice and division with his “Unforgettable’ Christmas Song and more.

From the earliest days of the country’s founding to the present the presence of Black Americans has been seen and felt. Whether it was Crispus Attucks, the first to give his life in the cause of American Independence at the Boston Massacre; Hercules Posey, who served Washington at Valley Forge and in Philadelphia; or York, who traveled with Lewis & Clark on the Corps of Discovery Expedition.

The bravery and sacrifice of the United States Colored Troops of the Civil War, the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, the Black American has always been there, present for many, if not most of all the great events, good and bad in American history.

By and large adding in the most significant positive terms to the greatness of our nation. In our own local community, the positive effects, worth and contributions of such members of the community have been felt.

William Wall, of the Rebel Hill section of Upper Merion, served as township supervisor.

Mazie B. Hall, championed the rights of the disenfranchised and marginalized members of her community as an educator and advocate for fairness and justice from her home in our boundary neighborhood of Mt. Pleasant.

Today, as in the past, and throughout all American history the American of African descent continues to enrich and help to refine the gold that is America.

As it says in the song America, the Beautiful:” America! America! God mend thine every flaw, Confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law! America! America! May God thy gold refine. Till all success be nobleness. And every gain divine!”. And so, we celebrate our African American brothers and sisters, neighbors and friends, who through their unending contributions to our American experience help “thy gold refine.”

By Russell Rubert, King of Prussia Historical Society

In the summer of 1969, young Linda Rice was with her husband Howard at Valley Forge State Park. There she thought about the Jewish presence in Upper Merion and nearby municipalities. She decided it was time that a place should be found for the local worship of her faith. This was the beginning idea that would one day become Temple Brith Achim in King of Prussia. By 1970, having gathered together a core group of 22 area Jewish families, Howard and Linda Rice looked to find a place where they could worship.  Among those first founding families were, Howard and Ruth Rosenblum, Shelley Newman, Steve and Ellen Matzner, Ronald and Nancy Drucker, and Howard and Valerie Sheinbach.

Their first meeting was in 1971 at Valley Forge Presbyterian Church on Town Center Road. Former Upper Merion Park and Recreation Director David Broida recalls the shul being located for a time at the Upper Merion Cultural Center/ Moore Irwin Estate on Moore Road. The former Winter Quarters Farm was once visited by George Washington during the Constitution Convention of 1787.For some time afterward the group met at various local places for religious services and education until with perseverance and time they finally established a home of their own. In 1982, Temple Brith Achim was built at 481South Gulph Road.

Temple Brith Achim is a reform Jewish congregation. This means that while they believe in the Divine Revelation as revealed on Mt. Sinai, they also subscribe to a progressive ongoing revelation. They believe that the first five books of the Bible, known as the Torah, were written by human beings under Divine Inspiration It is believed that as Torah is passed to each generation, it is open to interpretation and re-interpretation; therefore, revelation is continuous and at times necessitates reform that is informed by the past but not always bound by tradition.

Over the years Temple Brith Achim has grown. In 1988, the Solomon Social Hall, kitchen and 8 classrooms were added for religious instruction. In 2008 the Powell Center for Lifelong Jewish Learning was built. It was dedicated in 2009. A licensed, catering kitchen was added in 2010. A stone garden was donated near a side entrance in 2020 in memory of Temple member Ira Saligman.

Today Temple Brith Achim offers many educational, social and religious opportunities for its members. It offers many chances to learn, grow and worship in an atmosphere filled with cultural and religious traditions. Their Powell Religious School offers pre-school through confirmation education as well as the means to create and foster positive Jewish identities through the study of Hebrew, prayer, history, the Torah and the celebration of Shabbat and life-cycle events.

Among annual charitable works and events are the on-going Tikkun Olam Food Drive, three Red Cross Blood Drives a year, hosting voting precincts twice a year, getting out the vote efforts and continuing chartable and community support. Such as providing holiday gifts for families in need, volunteering in soup kitchens and cleaning parks.

Temple Brith Achim’s social and cultural activities include many to share with new friends and old. There are activities for a variety of ages, genders and genres. Both religious and secular. The Temple has an Adult Choir, Junior and Senior Youth Groups, a Men’s Club, Sisterhood, and a toddler play group.  There are on-going learning opportunities including Adult Education, Torah Study, Social Action, a yearly Scholar-in-Residence Program, Adult B’nei Mitzvah classes, Shabbat dinners, Tot Shabbat and numerous Holiday celebrations.

Examples Temple Brith Achim 50th Anniversary Celebration Events

1.    Party with Dinner and Silent Auction

2.    Songs with Sara starring TBA’s Sara Duchovnay

3.    Workhouse Brewing Company “Beer Tasting” and   tour of brewing company

4.    Day of Jewish Learning with learning activities, pizza in the sukkah, and Simcha Torah services

5.    Capstone Service with Choir and Orchestra, catered dinner and oneg.

The most recent Linda Rice Lifetime Service award was awarded on December 15, 2022 to Rhonda Hager . Previous recipients have been the late Leon Rosen, Kareen Hartwig, and Ellen Matzner.  The award is in memory of honored Temple founder Linda Rice.  Former Brith Achim Temple President Rhonda Hager is only the fourth person to date to receive the highest Temple Brith Achim award for the demonstration of leadership, spirituality, passion and consistent and dedicated service to the community. Matthew Shapiro (2012 – 2015), Heidi Rosenau-Sinel (2015 – 2017) are some of the most recent past temple presidents. Steve Kantrowitz is current president and Sharon Forman, Director of Life-Long Jewish learning. Cindy Poust is office manager.

Over the years there have been many part time and full time rabbis who have helped with the spiritual and secular health of the temple. Among these were Rabbi Bogash (1971) who assisted the early members in creating the temple name and charter. Rabbi Howard Bogot, (1972) was the first part time rabbi. Rabbi Kenny Berger and Rabbi Gary Gerson assisted student in the early years. Rabbi Hava Pell (1977) At the time, one of only 50 female rabbis in world, served as the temple’s part time rabbi. Rabbi David Cahn-Lipman (1983) was Temple Brith Achim’s first full time rabbi/school administrator. He is now known as Rabbi David Lipman. Rabbi Rober O. Ourach was the second full time rabbi/school administrator. Rabbi Reena Spicehandler, (2003) served as interim rabbi. Rabbi Eric J. Lazar is the current rabbi/school administrator. He has served as full time rabbi/school administrator of Temple Brith Achim for 18 years, since 2004.

Temple Brith Achim is a valued and welcoming member of our Greater King of Prussia community of friends and neighbors. Enriching our lives and adding to our human experience with open hearts and helping hands for over 5 decades.

Sources for this article are Steve Kantrowitz, President, Sharon Forman, Director of Life-Long Jewish learning, Peter Walsh, Rabbi Eric Lazar, Cindy Proust, executive assistant to Rabbi Lazar and office manager, Howard Rice and Cheryl Rice Wohlstett, Former Upper Merion Park and Recreation director David Broida, Philadelphia  Jewish Exponent and Chabad.org.

The local Ukrainian Catholic worship community at the corner of Hurst Street and Union Avenue in Bridgeport was founded in July of 1924 with Father Eugene Bartosh as founding pastor. He served for approximately 10 years. Father Nicholas Lizak served as 2nd pastor during the late 1930s and early years of World War II. The parish rectory was built in 1941 to accommodate Father Lizak, his wife and two children. In 1944 a school building was erected.

The Philadelphia area is home to the 2nd largest Ukrainian population in the United States after New York City. Beginning in the early 20th Century successive waves of Ukrainian people immigrated to America fleeing from oppression, and seeking freedom and economic opportunities. They have fled Tsarist Russia, the Stalinist genocide, the Soviet Cold War era, the collapse of the Soviet Union and the 2022 Post Soviet Russian invasion.

From 1932-1933, communist dictator Joseph Stalin massacred over 3.4 million Ukrainians with a state-created famine. Known as the Holodomor, from the Ukrainian words for hunger (holod) and extermination (mor). Though the famine was not restricted to Ukraine, Stalin’s policy of aggression against Ukraine was especially virulent with intense measures aimed specifically at Ukraine and deaths rose far beyond the initial count. From his ascendency to power in 1924 to his decease in 1954 up to 6 million Ukrainians are reputed to have died due to his policies of murder, exile to Siberia and forced starvation.

Worship services for the Ukrainian Catholics were first held in a boarding house on Ford Street and in Saint Augustine’s Temperance Hall. The new congregation was soon able to gain a more permanent place in the borough in which to worship. For the first ten years of the new church’s life, they met in a former women’s bonnet factory at 494 Ford Street. The first mass was said July 12, 1924.  Father Bartosh traveled from Camden, New Jersey to conduct services for the Ukrainian Catholics. The bonnet factory locale had also been used by the Irish and the Slovaks for their church services. Today the location is the home of the Benevolent Order of Elks Lodge 714. After a decade there the Ukrainian congregation had the church at the top of Union Avenue constructed. Built close to the feast day of St. Peter and Paul the church was named in their honor. The new church was dedicated on May 30, 1936, with the first mass celebrated in the new church soon after.

The third priest to serve as pastor of St. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church was Father Basil O. Sheremeta. He took over from his predecessor on April 14, 1944. Father Shermeta built the church hall and Fatima shrine next to it. The building was to serve as a regular school but instead was used as a church hall. With the advent of the Second World War, it was decided there was a need for a cemetery. Approximately 12 acres were bought and St. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery on Church Road in Upper Merion was established. Stephen Makowiak born on March 7, 1922, was the first to be buried at the new cemetery. Makowiak who had attained the rank of Technician Fifth Grade was attached to the 13th Armored Infantry Regiment 1st Armored Division. Technician Makowiak was killed in Action at the Battle of Anzio, Italy May 30, 1944, during World War II as a result of enemy action. Father Shermeta served St. Peter and Paul church for 28 years.

In 1972 Rev. Dr. Ronald Popivchak took over as 4th pastor of St. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church. A post he has held for over 50 years. Father Ron was ordained in Philadelphia at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Franklin Street. He had studied at the Catholic University in Washington D.C. and was assigned to inner city work. After five years he was able to be reassigned to Bridgeport with the passing of Father Shermeta.

During his tenure, Father Popivchak has had the cemetery repaired and beautified. He acquired the Coates Street property to enlarge parish parking. He has established Sunday school classes in the church hall. Most recently he has established online classes for both elementary and high school. These classes are streamed live nationwide every Sunday at 11:00 am. During his time in Bridgeport, Father Ron has doubled the size of the parish and its monetary holdings.

The Ukrainian Catholic Church is a part of the Universal Catholic Church. It observes the same traditions as Eastern Orthodox Churches but is part of the Catholic Church. Most people don’t know that the Catholic Church consists of over twenty distinct churches. The largest being the Roman Catholic. The non-Roman Catholic Churches consist of six liturgical traditions: Alexandrian, Antiochene (or Syrian), Armenian, Byzantine, Maronite, and Chaldean. The Ukrainian Catholic Church follows the Byzantine tradition.

Originally a part of the Great Schism between the West and East Christians of the Roman Empire which led to the split of the early Christian faith into the Roman Catholic and the Eastern Orthodox churches, the Ukrainian Catholic Church traces its origins to the Union of Brest in 1596 A.D. It was with the Union of Brest that the Church in Kyiv reentered communion with Rome. In 1944 the Russian Soviet Union insisted that the Ukrainian Catholics return to the Orthodox Church and be a part of the Russian Orthodox Church, which they would control. Many Ukrainian Catholic bishops refused. They were arrested and imprisoned, murdered or exiled to Siberia. This resulted in two Ukrainian Churches. The Eastern Orthodox Ukrainian Church and a Ukrainian Catholic Church then operated underground in secret. It was not until 1989 that the Ukrainian Catholic Church could again operate freely. Until 1990, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church remained under the authority of the Bishop of Moscow. This is no longer the case.

St. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Bridgeport is part of the Universal Catholic Church. Worldwide the Ukrainian Catholic Church is governed by the Synod of Ukrainian Catholic Bishops. Its highest-ranking major archbishop is Patriarch Sviatoslav Shevchuk. Archbishop Borys Gudziak is metropolitan archbishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia. The head of the Catholic Church, and so the Ukrainian Catholic Church, is Pope Francis. Archbishop Gudziak in Philadelphia is the highest ranking Ukrainian Catholic prelate in the United States.

Ukrainian Catholicism differs from Roman Catholicism in minor and major ways. Ukrainian Catholics cross themselves from right to left. Roman Catholics cross left to right. In Ukrainian Catholic tradition Holy Communion is always distributed directly into the mouths of communicants by a priest using a spoon. Married Ukrainian Catholic men can be ordained as priests or deacons, though unmarried clergy may not marry. Widowed clergy may not remarry.

Ukrainian Catholics celebrate their faith with the Divine Liturgies of St. John Chrysostom and St. Basil the Great. These are quite different from the Roman Catholic Liturgy as reformed by the Second Vatican Council. Ukrainian Catholics in Ukraine and many other Eastern Catholics outside the United States follow the Julian calendar as opposed to the Gregorian calendar. In a number of ways, Ukrainian Catholics worship like Eastern Orthodox.  Despite this, all Catholics, regardless of their liturgical tradition, may receive Holy Communion in Ukrainian Catholic churches.

With the closure of the borough’s various ethnic churches, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (Italian) Our Mother of Sorrows (Slovak) and St. Augustine (Irish) St. Peter and Paul is the sole surviving national-centric Catholic Church in Bridgeport. Sacred Heart Church (Founded as Polish, but now serves all) remains but is located in Swedesburg, Upper Merion. Today, despite significant challenges to the Ukrainian people in their homeland and here in the area they continue to persevere. Each week Father Ron celebrates the holy liturgy in the Ukrainian language, which is live streamed for a nationwide audience.

Sources for this article: History Channel.com, Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, Father Ron Popivchak, Randy Bennett and the Bridgeport Borough Hall of Fame, Philadelphia Inquirer, Britiannica.com. & the Saints Peter & Paul Diamond Jubilee anniversary commemorative booklet. Black and white photos courtesy of Saints Peter and Paul Church. 

The Rev. Dr. Ronald Popivchak has served the community as pastor for more than 50 years. Father Popivchak is the author of the book “Bishop for a Day” and live streams the holy mass in the Ukrainian language every week for a nationwide audience.

A large crowd gathered for a Ukrainian-language mass in the church, many holding small Ukrainian flags or clothed in the Ukrainian national colors of blue and yellow to demonstrate their unity. Afterwards they filed out and down the sidewalk a short distance to the school building  where the rally was held due to the inclement weather. According to police over 300 people attended the event.

The rally began with introductions by Bridgeport Borough Council President Kyle Shenk and an emotional anecdote and appeal by Father Popivchak. They were followed with brief and sincere remarks of support by United State Representatives Madeleine Dean and Mary Gay Scanlon. In prepared remarks PA Attorney General Josh Shapiro spoke of being the great-grandson of an immigrant and expressed solidarity with the Ukrainian people. Bridgeport Mayor Beth Jacksier expressed her gratitude for all attending. U.S. Rep. Dean condemned the Russian invasion as “Not a War, but a series of War Crimes”. She called for air cover and significant aid of aircraft and weaponry.  U.S. Rep. Scanlon said “Putin wasn’t expecting a united front”  Included on the dais were local state representatives, State Rep. Tim Briggs and State Senator Amanda Cappelletti. Final speaker Boris Pawluk brought the crowd to its feet with his mention of how the capital of the Ukraine was expected to fall within 48 hours yet still stands. His impromptu call for an “Iron Dome” of air cover and other calls for American assistance brought the audience to its feet in applause.

The rally ended with Ukrainian American children and adults holding the American and Ukrainian flags together in a sign of unity

The rally  was planned and organized by Father Popivchak and Bridgeport Borough council president Kyle Shenk, who posted of the event on social media. Yellow and blue flyers were handed out urging support for the beleaguered Ukrainian nation and its battered citizens. Father Ron Popivchak took donations for Ukrainian relief and told the rally attendees how they can help in the future. Donations will go to the Ukrainian bishop, currently on the Polish border.

Text of the flyer distributed to the crowd entitled “Virtue, Liberty and Independence” concluded with the words:

“The promise of liberty, the preservation of independence is a long and difficult journey. Only with virtue can we prevail. Steadfast, united and strong. Determined that as free people we claim the right to be masters of our own destiny. That as independent, virtuous souls we claim the right to live in peace.”

Al Paschall was educated as a journalism student attending night school in Philadelphia. He subsequently worked for The Times Herald and Today’s Post in Upper Merion. Eventually running the Post’s office in King of Prussia. As an adolescent Rocky joined the Cub Scouts and later was a Boy Scout. He was one of the first Eagle Scouts in Bridgeport.  He did this without a father.  It was through the help and assistance of Mr. D’assandro,  Mr. DeRisoto and the other leaders in his Scout troop that this was possible. It was there that he earned the give back attitude and goodness that comes to you when you do. Early on Rocky became a protector to his younger sister Lisa. He would walk her to  Our Lady of Mt Carmel School, making sure she would make it to class safely. The older girls at school wanted to play with her at recess so that they could get a chance to talk to her brother Rocky. They would always ask “Who does your brother like?” with her answer always “ME!”

As she grew up, he was both brother and father to her. From going to her first piano recital, parent night at BKHS to making her sweat when a date would arrive at the front door. One time a boy arrived to pick her up for a date. He blew his car horn to announce his arrival.  Protective older brother Rocky was upstairs in his room. He was down the stairs 3 at a time to let her know  that she wasn’t going out until the boy came to the door. That she should never settle for less.

Al Paschall married Patricia Keily March 22, 1986 at the Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge. They had two sons, Calvin and Graham. The new family lived in Bridgeport raising their sons there. The couple divorced amicably in September of 2001, remaining on friendly terms. In 2006 Al married his second wife Dianne Ryan-Paschall. In 1989 Al Paschall founded the King of Prussia Chamber of Commerce, serving as its president until 2006. When the King of Prussia Chamber merged with other local chambers to create the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce he led the new combined chamber through difficult economic times. In 1992 Al Paschall cofounded a conservative think tank, the Lincoln Institute of Public Opinion Research. According to his wife he and a friend sketched out the idea for the new institute on a napkin at a Chester County diner.

The Lincoln Institute debuted “The Lincoln Radio Journal” in 1995. Starting as a monthly half hour public affairs radio program on only 6 stations it expanded to a weekly program on 81 stations airing throughout Pennsylvania with Al Paschall as its host-commentator. A number of the commentaries from the program such “The Circle Game,” “Somedays” and “We the People,” were collected as a book entitled “I Haven’t Found Laura Yet”. The book sold well in the King of Prussia area. The commentaries were written in a biting, humorous and educational style.

In 2000 Al was the prime force in the relocation of the King of Prussia Inn. Built in 1713 the Inn, located in the middle of Route 202 was the namesake for the original village hamlet and had become a symbol of the Greater King of Prussia area. This was when his “Rocky” persona came to the fore. Al Paschall gathered together various state and local groups into a movement to get the job done. Cutting through red tape, conceiving, planning and implementing a strategy. Together with the King of Prussia Historical Society, Upper Merion Township, PennDot, state representatives and more he helped navigate, coax and enlist disparate groups and individuals to move the King of Prussia Inn from out of the path of the wrecking ball. Today, though unseen and inaccessible to the general public, the Inn survives largely due to his efforts. He wrote of his experience in his pamphlet book: “The Inn Mover’s Diary”.

For years Al “Rocky” Paschall lived near the relocated King of Prussia Inn at an apartment on Bill Smith Boulevard in Upper Merion. After 25 years of using his writing and speaking skills as a newspaperman to bolster his various causes Al Paschall retired on June 30, 2011. For a while he lived in West Chester, then Florida. He died May 28, 2012 in Melbourne, Florida. He was the “Rocky” for the chamber of commerce, a fighting shining knight and champion of local business, Greater King of Prussia area interests and for the interests and happiness of his family and friends.

Sources for this article:  Lisa Paschall Jack, Calvin and Graham Paschall, The Times Herald obituary.

Though he had no formal education beyond the 8th grade Bob Mohan showed great aptitude to learn. The Navy taught him to transmit coded messages of critical war plans. He attended three Navy code schools to learn esoteric code, including a ten-week course in increasing complexity at Naval bases in Pennsylvania, California and Hawaii. During the war he performed his duty as a code messenger on a submarine chaser in the South Pacific. There his ship pursued Japanese submarines in the vicinity of the Philippines until his boat was torpedoed and sunk. Through his presence of mind, stamina and natural agility he saved himself when almost all hands were lost. When the ship was hit Bob, as the radio operator, had to issue an alarm and send a May Day for help before he could see to his own safety. He then had to make it back onto the deck and abandon ship. Once overboard he and six fellow sailors clung to a small pieces of debris.  One by one, the others grew tired of holding on and drifted away. “You could hear the sounds of screams in the water” Mohan told his children as he related his terrifying experience, “and we knew that it was the sharks.”  With tears running down his face, the memory still fresh in his mind despite the passage of years Mohan told his children the story only once and never again. He spent three days and three nights on the water before he was rescued.

After the war Bob returned to the states and the Philadelphia area. One of Mohan’s early jobs was as a manager of a local A&P supermarket. On May 30, 1947 Bob Mohan married Claire Jordan Mohan. They had 5 children. William, Patricia, Janice, Robert and Joann.

In 1956 the family moved to the Candlebrook section of Upper Merion and 271 Prince Frederick Street. In 1964 Mohan opened his own insurance office, the business for which he is most fondly remembered. Throughout the Greater King of Prussia area, for close to 40 years Bob took care of auto tags, notary, life, home and automobile insurance. His office, Bob Mohan Nationwide Insurance, was located in a converted house on DeKalb Pike next to Cummins Gas station, right across from the King of Prussia Plaza at 709 West DeKalb. His office hours were more than just 9-5. He often went back at night – plus 3 hours on Saturday.

On February 28, 1973 disaster struck as the Mohan home was engulfed in flames. His daughter Janice recalled that horrible day. She was returning home to find the street blocked and fire engines, police and bystanders filling the street. She asked what was happening and was informed of a “total” house fire. When she asked if it were her neighbors, the Delaneys, a policeman replied “The Mohans,” her own house. Long anguishing moments followed as she searched for family. As she sought to find her mother in the crowd of onlookers. Finally, she saw her. Her mother was okay; the horror of the disaster momentarily forgotten as she was relieved to see both her mother and father were safe. When asked by a young fireman named Paul Carney if there was anything he especially wanted to save Mohan indicated his family photo album. Carney braved the flames and rescued the album.

In the 1980s Bob Mohan decided to retire. For several years his Nationwide office was run by his son Bob Jr. But then a new tragedy struck as Bob Jr. became seriously ill. Bob Sr. came out of retirement to help maintain the business. And when Bob Jr. lost his battle with cancer Bob Sr. ran the office for a few more years until his second and final retirement. Weldon Bliss Insurance succeeded him at the location. In 2008 the building was taken over by Mike Yates State Farm Insurance before being demolished. It is currently the site of the Verizon store.

Mohan truly cared about his clients and their well-being. Several times he paid the premium for his customers when they were late in making payments so that their policy would not lapse and leave them without coverage. On one occasion he helped with a neighbor’s mortgage when the man came to him fearing that his house would go up for Sheriff’s Sale.

Among Bob’s hobbies and interests outside of work were watching sports and gardening. He was a volunteer at Casino Nights and other Mother of Divine Providence Church fundraisers. He chaperoned the MDP teen dances and helped get them started. He was intimately involved and was the prime force with organizing the Mother of Divine Providence Church Harvest Ball dance. Most memorably he volunteered at the annual Mother of Divine Providence Christmas Bazaar. For many years he ran the wheel for the “Cheer Booth,” a roulette style wheel where one put a quarter down on the chance to win a bottle of booze. Countless families recall putting down their 25 cents and waiting breathlessly for him to spin the wheel with the hope of their number winning.  One summer he organized a “Meet the Phillies Day.” Baseball players Jay Johnstone, Tommy Hutton and Bobby Wine were on hand to meet and greet at his insurance office. Bob was personal friends with Bobby Wine. He was a big Philadelphia Eagles and Villanova basketball fan. He never missed an Eagles game if he could help it. He would often listen to Phillies games on the radio in his car.

Bob loved celebrating the different holidays. He went above and beyond to make every holiday a special memorable event. He especially decorated for Halloween. The Mohan Haunted house was a well-known not to be missed destination in the neighborhood and beyond. Kids coming from near and far. One year his homemade haunt drew as many as 400 visitors!

The Mohan Halloween House was for many always a two-stop house. You would go once and then after some Trick or Treating elsewhere, you would stop back at Bob Mohan’s. In the kitchen there were “witches’ cauldrons with hot chocolate brew. In the Living room you were greeted with a coffin. The Mohan back yard swimming pool was heated with a tent-like enclosure around it. Part of the Halloween House tour was through the pool enclosure. The heated pool met the cool Autumn air and created a spooky fog. Today, years later some of those former Trick or Treaters think of his Halloween House when they pass by the former Mohan home. His set up was a precursor to today’s elaborate decoration. It is agreed by all that Bob Mohan always went all out for Halloween. It was considered by most the best Halloween destination in town!

In 1995 Bob battled throat cancer. Always in good humor he celebrated “graduating” from chemo treatment with a mortarboard graduation cap. Two of his favorite sayings were – “It’s all attitude” and” “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” He was his children’s biggest cheerleader – always encouraging his kids, and never put any pressure on them. Bob Mohan was more than just an insurance man. He was the kind of man you could call about anything and he would drop what he was doing and help. His friends and clients loved him. He was an asset, icon and friend to the King of Prussia community and more. Bob Mohan died in September of 2001. He was 75.

The new PHMC marker celebrates the achievements and life of Mrs. Holstein, a Civil War nurse, author, co- savior of Mt. Vernon and Washington’s Headquarters at Valley Forge and first Regent of the Valley Forge Daughters of the American Revolution. Anna Holstein is only the second woman in Montgomery County so honored; Lucretia Mott of Cheltenham, suffragist and abolitionist was the first.

During the Civil War Anna Holstein served as a Field Nurse in Virginia and Maryland. She subsequently was appointed Matron in Charge of Letterman Hospital in Gettysburg.  Directly after the Civil War Mrs. Holstein wrote a book under the pseudonym “Mrs. H” about her experiences entitled Three Years in Field Hospitals of the Army of the Potomac. In 1892 she wrote a second book: The Swedish Holsteins in America from 1644 to 1892 on Holstein family history. In 1893 she served as Pennsylvania Regent to The World’s Columbian Exposition commonly known as the Chicago World’s Fair. The Fair was held to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ arrival in the New World in 1492.

Attending the Anna Holstein marker dedication was a gathering of more than three dozen local and state officials, representatives of the King of Prussia Historical Society, Norristown Preservation Society, family of the current owners of the one-time Holstein home and many interested individuals.

Afterwards a celebration was held at the King of Prussia Diner on Town Center Road. The proceeds of a raffle were donated to the Upper Merion Area Community Cupboard. This historic marker was the culmination of the work of many disparate groups and agencies. Among them the Daughters of the American Revolution, the King of Prussia Historical Society, Anna Holstein researcher Camryn Schwartz, PA State Senator Amanda Cappelletti, PA State Rep. Tim Briggs, Upper Merion Township and UM Historical Commission, Montgomery County, Valley Forge National Park, Preservation Alliance and Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Board and the current owners of the property.

The former Holstein home is one of a number of still standing historic structures in Upper Merion. Another, the Moore-Irwin house, the former Winter Quarters Farm, the one-time farm home of Jane Moore, stands at 700 Moore Road. Plans are being investigated to restore and reuse the historic house and property. Anna Morris Holstein, local hero and national figure, a woman of whom Upper Merion, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania and the nation can be justly proud.