NewHopePennsylvania/LambertvilleNewJersey

FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS - HELLO!

When I go to the gym in the mornings and cross the Free Bridge, I look up and down the river and just get the biggest grin on my face. I love the views here - no matter what time of year or type of weather - it is simply beautiful. I do NOT take for granted this wonderful place on earth where I live. I hope each of you will take a moment to appreciate what you have and be thankful!
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Speaking of appreciation, I was talking to a business owner last week who told me about "Invite a Neighbor to Dinner Night." No obligations, nothing to do - except invite a neighbor to dinner. Very simply, January 11th, 2003 is the day set aside to celebrate what makes America a great place to live in by encouraging you to invite a neighbor - someone you don't know well or at all - to dinner to get to know him or her (or them!) better. I thought this was an inspired idea and so I offer it to you. Check out their website at www.dinnerday.com.

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If you don't usually read the FACES & PLACES, I encourage you to read these articles. I think you will be pleasantly surprised to read about the people and places here in the New Hope and Lambertville area.

This month's features:

Local Color this month is the phenomenal story of Blackburn & Izzo, a lovely couple reunited after 20 years apart. More than inspirational - this is a story of medical and spiritual miracles - a story of love.

Art & Artists - Impressionist artist Jerry Cable is this month's featured artist - another inspiration! How old were YOU before you knew what you wanted to be when you grew up? Check out Jerry's tale.

Around Town - The Lambertville Free Public Library - what a great place to spend time! The people are friendly - you can use their computers - and there's the ABC Art Gallery upstairs if you need to break away from reading for a while. Support your community - read a book!

Theater & Music - OK, Boomers - who of you doesn't remember the band RENAISSANCE? Did you know that the lead singer, Annie Haslam, lives in Bucks County? Did you know she is coming to New Hope in Feb. 2003? Read about Annie and her new interests.

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More Gift Ideas! Visit our EXCLUSIVE Holiday Shopping Page to get ideas and buy for all of your "hard to buy for" family and friends!

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FREE MONTHLY DRAWING!

This month's Free Monthly Drawing is a $35 Gift Certificate to Possum's Flowers & Gifts (17 W. Ferry St.) - check out their Holiday selection!

The winner last month of a $35 gift certificate to Delray True Value Hardware is Tony Petrillo.

Congratulations Tony!

[Editor's note: Tony has not yet responded after 3 attempts to contact him. If he does not respond within the next week, I will make this award to someone else.]

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GIVE A GIFT FROM YOUR HEART!
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Holidays are an especially tough time for people - particularly for those without funds for even the most basic necessities. I encourage you to give of your heart this year to your favorite charity, church, or synagogue. If you are undecided what to do, here is something that I am supporting this year.

Read more:

The HEARTFELT FOUNDATION, founded in 1978, is a volunteer-driven 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization dedicated to serving and assisting people in any form of need. Heartfelt's mission statement is: "Changing people's lives through the healing power of heartfelt service." Our heart-to- heart service in the human community is demonstrated in an endless variety of ways ranging from feeding those who are hungry, assisting at-risk and in- need families, supporting abandoned or abused children, helping those with no homes, to comforting the sick and terminal. (www.heartfelt.org)

The HEARTFELT Foundation in Philadelphia chooses service projects each year for the holiday season. This year we've adopted a second grade class from the Lea School in West Philadelphia and the shelter for Women Against Abuse.

Heartfelt in Philadelphia invites you to participate:

1. Donate: new and gently used winter clothing, especially for children, infants to teens; gift certificates (from chain stores ie: Forman Mills, Payless shoe etc); toys such as board games, art supplies, and children's books.

2. Make a tax-deductible donation: Tax ID #95-3867855 Checks made out to The HEARTFELT Foundation sent to Marilyn Bullock, c/o Designs by Marilyn, PO Box 16, New Hope, PA 18938.

100% of donations for this project will go to honoring the project.

If you would like to participate, contact me at editor@newhopepennsylvania.com so we can work out delivery details. Mid December I will be taking all gifts and donations to the Philadelphia drop off location.

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THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH
Take one minute each night to pat yourself on the back for a job well done - whatever it is. Love yourself so you can be more loving to others!
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Be-dee-be-dee-be-dee… That's all Folks!

Until next month - keep smiling! I am!

Your friendly editor,
Marilyn