Time once again for our Sunday Showcase! This week is featured with love and roses to Paula Randolph. Also featured is some tid-bits of her hometown.
Bensalem ,PA
Bensalem Township is a township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States. The township is composed of many communities, including Bensalem, Trevose, Oakford, Cornwells Heights, Eddington, and Andalusia. As of the 2000 census, the township had a total population of 58,434, which makes it the tenth largest municipality in Pennsylvania. The township, which was founded in 1692, is almost as old as the state of Pennsylvania itself, which was founded in 1682.
Short History of Bensalem
Bensalem Township, an area of 21 square miles, is the buffer township between Philadelphia on the West and the rest of Bucks County on the East and Northeast. Through it pass four of the most important arteries of transportation in the United States --- Interstate 95, U.S. Route No. 13 (Bristol Pike), U.S. Route No. 1 (the Lincoln Highway) and the Eastern Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
HISTORY:
There have been many discussions and controversies about the derivation of the name "Bensalem. As far back as 1692 a portion of the name "Salem" appeared in provincial records in connection with surveys and grants of land and some time between that year and 1701 the prefix "Ben" was added. There have also been discussions about the meaning of the name. One historian suggested that the name meant "hill of peace" or "peaceful mount", while others maintained that it meant "son of peace". The last mentioned interpretation seems the most logical, as Joseph Growden, who came to America from the Country of Cornwall in England around 1692 and received a grant of five thousand or more acres of land in Bensalem Township from William Penn, called his vast estate the "Manor of Bensalem", probably in honor of William Penn, a "son of peace".
The Dutch, the Swedes and the English, as a study of the names of the early residents will show settled Bensalem Township. Among the Dutch were such names as Van Bandit, Van der Grift, Van Kirk and Van Artsdalen. These names, in this new country under the English became Vansant, Vandergrift or Vandegrift, Vankirk and Vanartsdalen-and if you look, you will find these names in local phone books. Among the English names that show up in the old records of Bensalem Township are Allen, Baldwin, Williams, Gibbs, Reed and many others. With the heavy influx of new residents during the late 1950's and 1960's there was an infiltration of names whose bearers come from or they are descendants of people who came from almost every state of the Union, in every city, town, township and county of this country of ours.
The Township was not incorporated within its boundaries; it consists of a group of communities, each with its own identity and community life, including churches, schools, fire companies and other community activities, joined together in one large municipal body called a township.
Bristol Pike, which runs parallel with the Delaware River in the southern part of the Township, was also known as "The Kings Highway", was the first road cut through Bucks County by order of the Provincial Council and a number of the milestones are still standing.
After exiting Philadelphia on the Pike, you enter Andalusia and traveling further comes what was previously named "Cornwells Heights", which for a number of years, had it's own post office named Maud and its Pennsylvania Railroad named Cornwells. Later, the name of the post office was changed to Cornwells, and still later, about 1912, a development of homes was called Cornwells. That name was used for the entire township until March 19, 1979, when the post office changed to "Bensalem", which it remains today.
Trivia
++It's reported that Ben Franklin flew his famous kite in Bensalem, at the Growden Mansion. **Growden Mansion
Growden Mansion pre-renovation/ Growden Mansion is one of the more famous historic sites in the community, dating back to 1752, and where Benjamon Franklin, visited his friend Joseph Growden and tested his kite to discover electricity (so the story goes...) You can see the bullet holes to this day in the outbuilding where the "red coats" fire shots to get gain entrance to retrieve confidential documents belonging to Benjamin Franklin.**
At the time, the Galloway family owned the mansion and all of present day Bensalem Township. Franklin would travel through Bucks County dozens of times to visit his daughter living on the Delaware River in Bensalem.
++A small airfield was located at the corner of Hulmeville and Street Roads.
++Bensalem is home to Philadelphia Park Racetrack, a 1 mile thoroughbred horse racing track. This facility opened in November 1974 as Keystone Racetrack. The name was changed to Philadelphia Park in 1984. The track has become notable for being the original home of 2004 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes champion Smarty Jones. A new multi-million dollar slot-casino has been built on the grounds of Philadelphia Park, to be followed by a large, luxury hotel and eventually a golf course.
History:
Originally called Keystone Racetrack, it opened in November 1974 in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. Purchased in 1984 by ITB, the racetrack received its new name, a new turf course, and an innovative new way to wager called Phonebet.
In December 1990, the racetrack again changed hands. Greenwood Racing, Inc., a corporation founded in 1989 by British bookmaking veterans Bob Green and Bill Hogwood purchased the oval from ITB. Full card simulcasting was added as well as six off-track locations called Turf Clubs. Race fans are able to watch and wager seven days a week.
Late in 1998, Greenwood joined with fellow Pennsylvania Corporation, Penn National Gaming, in expanding into New Jersey with the purchase of Freehold Raceway in Freehold, NJ and the operating lease of Garden State Park in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. The new partnership, called Pennwood, is expected to pursue off-track and account wagering in the Garden State. Garden State Park closed in 2002, and was razed shortly thereafter.
Over the years, such notable horses as Smarty Jones, Shuvee, My Juliet, Spectacular Bid, Revidere, Summer Squall, and Broad Brush have found their way to the winners' circle at Philadelphia Park.
Philadelphia Park Racetrack is the home of Pennsylvania's premier thoroughbred race, the $1 million (as of 2007) Grade II Pennsylvania Derby. Held on Labor Day, the Pennsylvania Derby is a one and an eighth mile (nine furlongs/1811m) race for three year olds and has consistently attracted quality fields, and large crowds. Over the past few years, the Pennsylvania Derby has evolved into a three-day festival at the racetrack. The festival lasts all of Labor Day weekend with the culmination on Labor Day with the running of the Derby. The race was not run in 2006 due to the rebuilding of the main grandstand as a "racino".
The Pennsylvania Fair is held every year for almost two weeks around Memorial Day
++Katharine Drexel's shrine and body are located in the township. **Sainthood:
Katharine was beatified by Pope John Paul II on November 20, 1988. She was canonized by Pope John Paul II on October 1, 2000 to become only the second American-born saint. Her feast day is March 3, the anniversary of her death. She is buried in Bensalem Township.**
++Joseph Growden received his grant of land from William Penn. The township celebrated its tricentennial in 1992.
Interstate 95, U.S. Route 1, Pennsylvania Turnpike, and U.S. Route 13 all flow through Bensalem. Exit 351 of the Pennsylvania Turnpike (which connects with U.S. Route 1), is located in the Trevose section, about 1 mile from the Philadelphia border.
++The Cornwells Heights SEPTA station is the largest park and ride in the state of Pennsylvania.[citation needed] It also serves as a commuter Amtrak station to New York City.
++An also notable place in Bensalem is the headquarters of Ibanez guitar company.**History:
The Hoshino Gakki company began in 1900 as a musical instrument sales division of the Hoshino Shoten bookstore company. In 1935 they began manufacturing their own stringed instruments. The company had little presence in the Western world until the mid-1960s.
They started on importing Spanish guitars from the famous Spanish luthier Salvador Ibáñez (1854 - 1920), but when the Spanish workshop was destroyed during the Spanish Civil War (1936 - 1939) and the original guitars became unavailable (and very much sought after because of their excellent quality), they bought the rights of the trademark Ibanez and started making Spanish and acoustic guitars on their own, first as "Ibanez Salvador", and later as "Ibanez".
Harry's Rosenbloom, of Medley Music, based in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, was manufacturing handmade guitars under the name "Elger." By 1965 Rosenbloom had decided to stop manufacturing guitars and chose to become the exclusive North American distributor for Ibanez guitars. At the time, the phrase "made in Japan" was considered to have negative connotations of low quality, so Hoshino Gakki and Rosenbloom wanted to distribute the instruments under a "non-Japanese" name, so it was decided to market all the instruments (and not only the acoustics) under the Ibanez brand name. In 1981 Hoshino purchased Elger Guitars, renaming the company "Hoshino U.S.A." and retaining the company headquarters in Bensalem, Pennsylvania as a distribution and quality-control center.
In the early 1970s Ibanez began making guitars that were almost exact copies of popular models by Gibson, Fender and Rickenbacker. Using somewhat cheaper materials and greater automation in manufacturing, they were able to sell these guitars for a significantly lower price than the originals. The low price combined with the relatively high quality of the guitars made these models very popular. Many guitar aficionados feel that the early- and mid-70s mark a low point in the quality of guitars from the major manufacturers, which helped contribute to the popularity of the Ibanez copies. These guitars have become known as "lawsuit" guitars and have become highly collectible.
The actual lawsuit referred to was brought by the Norlin Corporation, the parent company of Gibson guitars, in 1977, and was based on an Ibanez headstock design that had been discontinued by 1976. Ibanez settled out of court, and by 1978 had begun making guitars from their own designs.
Abandoning the strategy of copying "classic" electric guitar designs, the newer models began incorporating more modern elements into their design, such as radical body shapes, slimmer necks and flatter fingerboards (which allowed for faster playing), higher-output electronics and colourful finishes. This led to an increasing popularity with heavy metal musicians. The company also began an extensive program of consulting with well-known guitar players, such as Kevin 'Noodles' Wasserman, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Paul Gilbert, Munky, Andy Timmons, George Benson, John Petrucci, Herman Li and Sam Totman, creating signature models made to the players' specifications.
The company manufactures also electro-accoustic and accoustic guitars, both nylon and steel-stringed, under Ibanez trademark. The logo used on the headstocks of the accoustic guitars is the original Spanish Ibanez logo.**
++The first Rita's Water Ice **Rita's Water Ice is an East Coast regional chain based in Trevose, PA in Bensalem Township, selling mainly water ice, Old Fashioned Custard, and Gelati (not traditional Gelati), as well as its signature Misto and Blendini creations. There are over 400 locations on the eastern seaboard** has its home in Bensalem, and the headquarters are in the Trevose section of Bensalem Township.
++Fortune 1000 company Charming Shoppes has its headquarters in Bensalem, and is ranked #641 on the list.
++Church of the Redeemer
Church of the Redeemer, 1063 Bristol Pike (also known as "Kings Highway") in colonial times. Established 1860. Magnificent architecture and stained glass windows adorn this community treasure. A POEM For Paula from Robert Frost.
Blue-Butterfly Day
by: Robert Frost |
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It is blue-butterfly day here in spring,
And with these sky-flakes down in flurry on flurry
There is more unmixed color on the wing
Than flowers will show for days unless they hurry.
But these are flowers that fly and all but sing:
And now from having ridden out desire
They lie closed over in the wind and cling
Where wheels have freshly sliced the April mire. WE LOVE YOU Paula!  Hello to all,
My Name is Paula.I'm a quiet,humble type of person and talking about myself is not one of my strong points.Oh well,here it goes.I'm a wahm (work at home mom) of one beautiful three month old girl.Iwas born and raised in Edison N.J.Yes,I said Jersey.Many of you are probably thinking poor girl,lol! Jersey is the but of alot of jokes but it really isn't that bad.I think that it get's a bad rap.The Jersey shore is a great place to take a vacation.I think that people get the wrong impression when they fly into Newark airport and see all the factorys and poverty.The majority of the state is not like that.We have alot of nice suburban towns.As you can tell i'm proud to be a Jersey girl!I should be on the tourism board,lol! O.k.enough about Jersey.
I enjoy designing web sites and i'm the webmistress of several sites.The first website that I designed is called The Enchanted Ladybug Cottage.It is a family and wahm friendly site.
I offer work at home information,shopping,family resources and fun stuff for kids.I'm currently working on my new business site called Prism Enterprises.On that site I will offer web site design services,work at home information and shopping.I'm also working on a gift shoppe.I hope that you will stop by for a visit.
A special thank you to Thomas for featuring me in your Sunday Showcase.To all of my wonderful Adland friends and customers,thank you for supporting a wahm! Wishing all of you a relaxing Sunday!
Sincerely,
Paula a.k.a The Ladybug Lady
My new site: Prism Enterprises
http://pe.2freedom.com
The Enchanted Ladybug Cottage:
http://www.enchantedladybugcottage.com
Prism Enterprises
Affordable web site design,legitimate home business resources and great shopping. http://pe.2freedom.com
~*~ The Enchanted Ladybug Cottage ~*~
A Fun Family/Wahm Friendly Site.
Charming gifts and so much more! |