Some fun and interesting stuff to report this month from our corner of the county, and one kind of scary thing. Let’s get the scary stuff out of the way first:

Most of us probably aren’t aware that Better Materials quarry in Ottsville was purchased a year ago by Hanson PLC, a British company. Seems another Hanson-owned quarry located in Wrightstown last week experienced a partial collapse that closed a heavily traveled stretch of Swamp Road in that township. According to a Pennsylvania DEP press release issued on July 29, initial investigations found that the recent spate of intense rainfall saturated the clay highwall along the road, weakening it to the point of collapse.

It’s kind of scary because our Board of Supervisors, in an effort led by Henry Gawronski, has been in negotiations with Better Materials to allow them to expand their quarry almost out to Rt. 611. I don’t think anyone would like to imagine such a collapse along that stretch of road. Luckily, no one was hurt in this one, but a large piece of construction equipment was buried in the mudslide. This event does raise the question of how well Hanson is protecting the public from the dangers of such accidents in any of their operations. It’s worth keeping an eye on.

On a cheerier note, Helen Nast reports that St. Luke’s Annual Peach Festival was a success despite a morning deluge. They drew a good crowd and everyone had a lot of fun. Speaking of fun, Nancy Janyszeski’s daughter Amber has been cast as a go-go dancer in Little Steven’s International Underground Garage Festival. The popular independent music event, to be held August 14th, will be televised on MTV from New York’s Randall’s Island.

Lil and Darryl Crum will soon be grandparents to son Sage and daughter-in-law Tracy’s new baby, which is expected to be a girl. Jean and Vernon Wehrung will also welcome a new grandson from son Jeffrey and daughter-in-law Kim. Congrats to all the new parents and grandparents, and welcome to our newest Nox neighbors!

We also welcome Upper Black Eddy’s Donna Davis to the business community in Revere. Donna opened the Double D Dollar Store in Glen Neebe’s new plaza at the bend in Rt. 611. Make sure to stop in and say hi, and show Donna our gratitude for bringing such a convenient store to our area.

The Jolly Roger Society/Palisades Community Foundation will be holding their Annual Silent Auction fundraiser on Sunday, October 17th from 4-7 PM. This year, the popular event will be held at the Springtown Inn (for all you prime rib lovers). Auction item donations are being accepted by area individuals and residents until August 15th. Tickets for the soiree are limited, and will be sold on a first-come basis. Contact the organizers at PO Box 521, Ottsville, PA 18942. Proceeds will go toward the building of the high school’s all-weather track.

Alana Balogh wants everyone to know they can help the environment and the school of their choice by participating in the recycling program from Epson America, Inc. and The FundingFactory. It’s a “points” reward program, designed for schools and other non-profit organizations. They receive points for empty ink and toner cartridges, which they can then use to purchase needed items to assist their students or organizations.

Individuals can assist by donating their spent ink cartridges to the school of their choice. If that school is already a member of The FundingFactory, they will simply add the Epson cartridges to the other products they are recycling. If that school is not a member, they can join at no cost by simply visiting www.fundingfactory.com.

Please send your items of interest for this column to notes@thewordforge.com, and thanks for reading. Enjoy the rest of your summer!