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photographer- Dave Rutkowski

Diversity Defines Historic Bristol Day 2015A

by Cate Murway

SAVE THIS DATE . . . Saturday October 17, 2015 . . . Historic Bristol Day!!

The 39th Annual Historic Bristol Day sponsored by the Bristol Cultural & Historical Foundation on Saturday, October 17th, celebrates the ‘Diversity’ of Bristol’s history.

BCHF is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving over 3 centuries of Bristol's history and increasing cultural opportunities for all residents of the community, promoting pride which translates into helping and enhancing the treasure that has been inherited.

Diversity encompasses all the different elements of the human races, such as ethnicity, gender, nationality, gender identity and status, as well as citizenship, religion, age, ability and socio-economic status, experiences, viewpoints, and backgrounds. The word diversity has become a popular topic for academic clarifications as well as routine dining room conversation. To value diversity is to respect each human’s worth. Acknowledging diversity requires acceptance on all levels. A community is strengthened when it recognizes and appreciates, understands and embraces the varied backgrounds. Everyone can contribute and benefit from the broad spectrum of unique human qualities. Diversity is the energy that enlivens our very colorful environment where everyone just lives and works together and no character is insignificant.

Each day, Bristol Borough celebrates centuries of American life, the stories of ordinary people from diverse backgrounds who have worked together for generations to build an extraordinary town.

'The Borough of Bristol had a population of 9,738 as of July 1, 2015. Bristol ranks in the upper quartile for Population Density and Diversity Index when compared to the other cities, towns and Census Designated Places (CDPs) in Pennsylvania. The Diversity Index is a scale of 0 to 100 that represents the likelihood that two persons, chosen at random from the same area, belong to different race or ethnic groups.' PA HomeTownLocater ®

Historic Bristol on the Delaware has been a site of recreational venues for centuries. The Historic Bristol Day events celebrated along Radcliffe Street and various parts of the Borough’s Cultural Corridor on the third Saturday of October, are the most reminiscent of the great fairs held in the town during the colonial period.

Mark your calendar for the 39th Annual Historic Bristol Day of “Diversity” on Saturday, October 17, 2015. This is one event each year that you will put on your calendar in ink rather than pencil because the BCHF goal, as always, is to produce a top tier event that is enjoyable and most exciting for every visitor.

HBD Chairperson Elizabeth “Liz” [McCarry] Fisher suggested this year’s theme “Diversity” to celebrate all the backgrounds. “All the families have lived and worked together.”

Her family celebrated St. Patrick’s Day every year at Howley’s Bar that was located on the corner of Washington and Pond Streets. The late Thomas, born in Swinford, County Mayo, Ireland, and his wife, Marjorie [McGee] Howley, were the owners/operators of that bar for 26 years, prior to its closing in 1996. Thomas was the last to survive of 10 brothers and sisters.

Diversity provides a lesson for each of us to accept people for who they are and be open with things that set us apart – race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, physical and mental ability, and language. “Growing up in the mill town of Bristol left only fond memories even though no one was very affluent.” Sidney Lawrence “Sid” Taylor, BHS ‘53 confirmed, “Everyone got along as kids, everyone got along pretty good. Being a kid was fun. I had fun every day and I enjoyed myself! The diversity was beautiful.”

Sid, the former President of the African American Historical Cultural Society of Bucks County, led the effort to raise about $140,000 to bring the 6-foot tall Harriet “Hat” [Ross] Tubman [1820-1913] monument to Lions Waterfront Park in 2006.

“Diversity is the one true thing we have in common.”

Now that’s something to embrace.

The Margaret R. Grundy Memorial Library will present an audio-visual exhibit celebrating Bristol’s diversity entitled, “Every Person Has a Story. What’s Yours?”

How many times have you enjoyed the opportunity to hear, “I remember when…”?

Stop. Look and listen to Bristolians tell stories of growing up in this historic town.

The exhibit will open at the library on Thursday, October 1st and continue throughout the month.

Experience the heart and discover the small-town Bristol on the Delaware history, hospitality and happiness and the great foods. Food and dance will be emphasized at Historic Bristol Day.

Look for BCHF’s Bake Sale Table!

Whether you visit during a parade or a festival when the streets are brimming with activity, or take in the simpler life while sitting on a bench near the postcard-perfect Victorian gazebo in the waterfront Bristol Lion's park, you will always be welcome.

Welcome Friend!

For more information:

Bristol Cultural & Historical Foundation

321 Cedar Street

Bristol, PA 19007

215.781.9895

Historic Bristol Day 2015A is the first segment of a series introducing the 39th Annual Historic Bristol Day to be held on October 17, 2015.

Recommend a “Spotlight”. E-mail vjmrun@yahoo.com

Diversity Defines Historic Bristol Day 2015B

by Cate Murway

SAVE THIS DATE . . . Saturday October 17, 2015 . . . Historic Bristol Day!!

The 39th Annual Historic Bristol Day sponsored by the Bristol Cultural & Historical Foundation on Saturday, October 17th, celebrates the ‘Diversity’ of Bristol’s history.

The best small towns…. you'll find them nestled in the bends of rivers and blending with the landscape rather than disrupting the scenery. They offer a welcomed respite from a frantic pace that often accompanies living in a major metropolitan area. They are filled with warm, unpretentious people who truly want to preserve what makes their place unique. These are the best small towns in America, and you will find one of the very best in historic Bristol on the Delaware.

Come experience what the Bristol residents enjoy every day [Bristol is a borough in Bucks County, 23 miles northeast of Center City Philadelphia, opposite Burlington, NJ on the Delaware River] – authentic character and characters, cultural gems and fantastic outdoor settings. Bristol was our first county seat, where justice was administered for forty years. It contains the only sea-port in the county, where many of the early immigrants landed, either coming up the river in boats or crossing over from Burlington, where some of the ships discharged their living cargoes.

Few small towns have picked up as many accolades!

This 39th Historic Bristol Day is just one of the myriad of festivals and special event opportunities to engage in its rich in history variety of recreational activities and cultural events for all ages.

Bristol’s got game! Children’s activities will be going on all day from 10:00AM – 4:00PM.

N.B. - Children must be accompanied by an adult.

What’s Happening & Where?

“Welcome friend” to FREE Pumpkin Painting from Noon- 3:00PM, sponsored by the BBBA merchants and professionals at the Mill Street Crossing on the 400 block of Mill Street.

Seeking some serenity?

*Stop in at the HBD TEA, 922 Radcliffe Street, scheduled between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM.

1:00PM - 2:00PMMaria Antoniak, accordionist

2:00PM - 3:00PM Martina Miller, harpist

*212-214 Radcliffe Street, listen to Irish tunes from four friends with instruments and good craic.

1:00PM - 2:00PMThe River Drivers

For All ages/ All day:

Retired U.S. Army Major Dr. William “Bill” Smith, BHS Science Department Chair/Chemistry teacher, recipient of ‘The Philadelphia Section of the American Chemical Society Award for Outstanding Teaching of High School Chemistry 2014’, will host “Shaving Cream Chemistry” on Radcliffe Street. Join in for some hydrophobic and hydrophilic high jinks with shaving cream, a unique material that consists of all three states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas.

NOON

St. Mark R.C. Church & cemetery, 1025 Radcliffe Street

St. Mark students portray some of the Bristolians buried in the St. Mark cemetery.

The HBD Children's Corner, co-chaired by educator / Title 1 federal program coordinator, Mary Gesualdi and Bristol Borough Learning Camp coordinator/ Snyder-Girotti 6th grade English teacher, LaToya Wood-Sahm, will take over the Large Group Instruction [LGI] room in the Warren Snyder – John Girotti Elementary/ Middle School located at 450 Beaver Street.

10:00AM to 4:00PM

Dig in! There will be hands-on, “Please Touch Museum”-like activities [ages 5 ^] centered on the five major groups who first settled in Bristol: the Native American Lenape (Delaware) Indians, African Americans, Irish, Italians and Puerto Rican. [Most are represented by memorials along the Delaware River in Lions’ Park, donated by some of the ethnic groups that proudly call Bristol their home.]

A group involvement project will be devised to depict this melting pot community.

Long before turnpike congestion and Starbucks, the Lenape tribe, also known as the Delaware Indians, were the original inhabitants.

11:30AM to 1:00PM

Professional photographer, Catherine Ann “Cathy” Cartwright, self proclaimed “old school and traditional”, will present a Lenape Teaching Table, “teaching truth to inform correctly”, explaining some of the comparisons between the Delaware and Apache Indians.

Among the treasures this Yardley resident of native Apache decedent will bring, will be Lenape artifacts [Delaware Tribe], including moccasins; sinew [the shredded fibers of animal tendon] used for cordage, binding, and for sewing or craftwork; porcupine quills; gourds fashioned into ladles and bowls; a hand drum, some Native American dolls, wampum [purple shells] for trade [the royal color purple wampum beads corresponded to today’s gold], a bucket of stringing beads for crafts, and some White Mountain sage. Cathy also will show a replica of the Wampum Belt presented by the Lenape Indians to William Penn who met under the prodigious Elm Tree at Shackamaxon [now Fishtown], along the shores of Delaware River in 1682.

All are invited to join in the “Round/ friendship” dance.

NOON

To continue to help educate others, Cathy and her husband participate in Native Dancing.

Barton Randall Cartwright “Bart Standing Elk”,

a member of the Delaware Nation of Western Oklahoma,

was born on reservation land in Oklahoma.

He is a card carrying member, documented by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Bart works as a carpenter and an actor,

having appeared in bit roles in “Beloved” starring Oprah Winfrey

and in the PBS production, “The War that Made America.”

2:00PM to 2:45PM

Puppets Pizzazz will present an educational and entertaining puppet show about diversity regarding individuality, “bringing out the best you can be and about being kind”.

Since 1989, Puppets Pizzazz has successfully entertained children of all ages. Owner, Barbara J. Tomlinson “saw a need to reach children through music and there is nothing like hearing them laugh.”

Their show is set up like a variety show with over 25 colorful hand puppets used to perform different songs and skits. Each song or skit is only two or three minutes long, easily holding each child’s attention, even that of the very young.

3:00PM to 3:30PM

Best of Bucks 2015 Stepping Stone Dance Studio dancers will highlight Bristol's diversity.

Step outside onto the school asphalt parking lot for the 4th Annual Historic Bristol Day Car Show.

10:00 AM to 4:00 PM [car registration at the door beginning at 9:00 AM]

The HBD Car Show includes American and foreign antiques and classics, as well as newer Corvettes, Camaros, Mustangs, Challengers, T-Birds and more, all commanding the school’s blacktop.

Browse and reminisce about the memorable times when cars were more like pieces of art!

Car enthusiast cousins, Mark Louis Gesualdi and Christopher Joseph Gesualdi chair this exciting event. Both are Corvette guys and members of the NCRS [National Corvette Restorer Society].

Show attendees vote on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place People's Choice trophy for cars 1987 - 2016 and the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place People's Choice trophy for cars 1900 – 1986. Come and vote for your favorite!

All entries will be photographed by Marc Dubus, a panoramic/ automotive photographer.

The $15.00 registration fee includes a 5 X 7 photo of your car and a chance ticket to win a framed 16 X 20 photo collage of your car with your choice of frame [$69.95 value]. Drawing will be held at noon awarding three winners a photo collage. HBD Show only- special $50.00 for a photo collage.

bristoldaycarshow.com for pre-registration.

A free shuttle bus will stop at the car show and make the rounds to the other HBD activities.

The BCHF is once again sponsoring the Junior Art Contest, based on this year’s ‘Bristol Borough Diversity’ theme, inviting the 6th, 7th, and 8th graders from Snyder-Girotti and St. Mark elementary schools to participate. Artwork can illustrate the ethnic, religious or racial backgrounds of Bristol residents, or be a depiction of one of Bristol’s landmarks.

Students’ 2-D artwork of any media except photography, mounted on poster board and signed on the back including the student’s school and grade, qualifies for judging by an independent organization.

Deadline for submission is Thursday, October 8th.

An eclectic variety of food vendors will be located along the river. Watch the Sailing Regatta, organized and sponsored by the Anchor Yacht Club while you eat. Weather and tides permitting, the starting time is 1:00PM, finishing around 3:00PM . Awards will be presented at the Gazebo at the conclusion of the regatta, approximately 3:30 – 3:45PM.

Data alone cannot tell a full story, so come spend the day enveloped by a town that inspires both creativity and activity. This FREE 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. festival event is the perfect opportunity to stroll, shop or dine within historic Bristol on the Delaware, the oldest town in Bucks County, incorporated as a borough in 1720. It is the third oldest town in Pennsylvania. Come early and plan to stay for awhile.