Wedding Reception # 2-Phoenix, Arizona

     Everyone needs a little balance in their  life.  The first reception in Pennsylvania was the "cold" one with 29 degreee temp. and ten inches of snow.  The second one in Phoenix was in 80 degree weather at the Moon Valley Country Club.  This one was for the folks in the "west".  It was a wonderful event-complete with a cake, DJ, "toasts", and a fun loving group of guests.

The Wedding

    My daughter Kelly always dreamed of being married on our old farm.  When Eric proposed, it was all settled-married in the gazebo by the pond-reception in a huge tent!

Wedding Preparation

Buildings were painted-grounds were manicured and the tent was erected.

Wedding Rehersal

This was the "Lull before the Storm" as it was a beautiful fall evening.   The minister, caterer, musician. and bridal party-a good rehearsal and then time to "let your hair down"!

Wedding Nightmare-The Perfect Storm

        The original forecast was that the storm might veer out to sea.  Updated forecast-rain in morning turning to snow in afternoon-what actually happened, all hell broke loose with ten inches of wet, heavy snow.  Many trees fell-along with huge branches-power was lost at noon-tent collapsed an hour later.

Wedding Ceremony

     The wedding took place at the new America On Wheels Museum in Allentown. The museum folks were great and things went unbelievably smooth-with no rehearsal.

The Wedding Party

     Kelly married Eric Hays from Phoenix, Arizona.  In fact. most of the guests were from Phoenix.  Her court consisted of the most beautiful -drop- dead gorgeous girls (women) you could find. (photo by Dana James)

Wedding Reception

  The reception went very well.  Everyone moved  to the restored "Happy Days" original soda fountain for dancing and partying. Things were fine  except for two old codgers who won the bottle of champagne for being the oldest married couple.

Wedding- Sunday Brunch

     No electricity-no water-no toilets-no heat-and we had a great time.  When the going gets tough-the tough party!

Wedding Thoughts

     They say you can learn a lot about people in how they handle adversity- things like tangled Christmas Lights, restaurant mix-ups, and a gigantic wedding storm. After this past weekend, I know that  Kelly and Eric can handle all life's problems. They were amazing!
      Speaking of amazing-my new son-in- law is the very best.  His family is super and I can't say enough about their wonderful friends.  The newly formed Thrush-Hays Family is almost perfect-except for one "black sheep" - moi . !

Quakertown's Hidden Gem Restaurants

     I can never understand how folks will patronize a restaurant that has overpriced food, plus a wait staff with attitude and has sterile hospital décor.  It is the Emperor’s New Clothes!

     I like to “eat out” (my Pa. Dutch Neighbor’s lingo is catching on) especially for breakfast.  We are fortunate to have many good restaurants in the Quakertown area.  Some are well known and some are “hidden Gems” that   are known only to the locals.

   For me, a “Gem” must have more than good food.  It must be fairly priced plus have a staff like a “Cheers Bar”.  I will share with you two of my favorites.

   

Sundays-Hidden Gem of a restaurant

      The first is Sundays at 140 E Broad Street.  You may not notice it as you drive by-or you may think it’s not open .  Ah contraire-the place is bustling with locals, businessmen, construction workers, retirees, etc.  Why the crowds?  Sunday (his real name) is an excellent cook plus-he has a superb personality.  You get a wonderful breakfast along with philosophy, world events , politics,  and with a spattering of humor-a real “Cheers Bar”.  Want to hear the “kicker”- two eggs, toast, and real home  made home fries for 99 cents.

     Can you believe an old guy asked him for a senior discount (no-it wasn’t me).  However, since he told me that story , I always ask him for the discount-big laugh.  If you go, tell him that Bill sent you and ask for the discount on the 99cent breakfast.

Powderbourne-Hidden Gem of a Restaurant

     The next “Secret Gem” restaurant is the Powderbourne on Baus Road in East Greenville.  This place has the same characteristics as Sundays-great food-low prices, and a few of the wait staff have the “Mel’s Diner” attitude.  Another plus for this one is its location-out in the country-a beautiful back roads drive from Quakertown.  The Powderbourne is an old gun club-very rustic and devoid of advertising-complete with a wood burning stove that is a heat source in the winter.  The patio is great for an early morning breakfast.  The kicker: two eggs, home fries, toast and coffee-around two dollars.  Try their bacon and scrapple-the best you’ll find anywhere

Quakertown "Secret Bars and Restaurants"

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     Ask anyone around town about a neat bar and Caseys or McCooles will be the first ones mentioned.  Ask them about Gruvers and you will probably get a blank stare.  Describe its location, about a football field north of the 7-11 in Richlandtown  and they will say that they have driven by the place dozen of times and never stopped.  Folks-by all means stop! 

     The bar is owned by Bill Gruver-his father purchased it in 1937- so it is truly a family affair.  It once was a gas station, bar and candy store.  No more gas but on one side of the store is a candy store-pass through the swinging doors and you are in a really neat old fashioned bar-complete with “Happy Days Booths”.

   It is a true Cheers Bar- everyone says hello –a friendly , fun place.  Stop for a cold draft and tell them Bill sent you.  If Norman Rockwell had painted Bars- I know he would have done Gruvers!