December starts tomorrow, so can the snow and cold be far behind?

If the weather predictions we’ve all been hearing are any indication, this could be one snowy, cold winter.

So when we came across this photo from our 1982 files, we couldn’t help but think it was the perfect picture to run as we head into December.

Apparently someone at Freddy-Hill Farms on Sumneytown Pike, Towamencin, just could not resist a little play on words.

We don’t know if it was one of their cows, or just a creative family member, but they cud not — er, could not — have made it much more of a groaner could they?

Nope, they milked this one for all it was worth.

If you all know what cud, cows and udders are, you should get the joke.

Let’s hope that this year any bovine weather forecasters will deliver warmer predictions.

Now that the annual Lansdale Mardi Gras Parade has been held, the holiday season is officially under way locally.

And if you enjoyed the parade this past Saturday, we thought perhaps you’d like to take a look at a few photos from years gone by, from The Reporter files.

In 1978, (far right) you’ll see how jolly Santa looked as he welcomed in the Christmas season during that parade. That year marked the 28th annual parade, which was sponsored at that time by the Lansdale Jaycees.

The story on the 1978 parade noted that it was a “crisp, sunny fall” day, and the morning parade concluded at 2 p.m., right on schedule.

A photo from the 1979 parade (top) features the North Penn High School Marching Knights. Their banner notes that they were the 1979 National Field Show Champions at the St. Petersburg, Fla., Festival of States.

And also from 1979 (right) is a very creative person almost hidden by the packages that make up his costume.

We hope both the parade on Saturday and these photos from decades ago have put you in the shopping and giving spirit.

Old school photos are always fun to look at and today’s submission is no exception.

Just check out these hopeful young men and women, members of the Class of 1934 of the former Lansdale High School.

Doug Coughlin of Lansdale has shared this photo with us today, and pointed out that his aunt, Freidia Constantine, is in the front row, the sixth young woman from the left.

He said he really doesn’t know who any of the other people are, since it was his late aunt’s photo.

Coughlin’s mother, Elva Constantine Coughlin, the sister of his aunt, had graduated from the school in 1933.

But unfortunately, he said, he does not have a class photo from that year.

It’s interesting to check out the fashions worn by those in the front row — especially the young man in the knickers with those snazzy socks!

And a few of the young men in the back row also have quite the head of hair.

So look closely; perhaps you’ll recognize someone.

Veterans Day will be commemorated on Wednesday, and David Fischer of Souderton has shared with us today a look back at three Fischer brothers from Lansdale who served their country during World War I.



This photo shows George at lower left; William at center; and Charles at right.

The three men were David Fischer’s uncles. Later in this article, you will see Martin mention, who was Fischer’s father. He said he did not get to serve in the war, because of the armistice being signed.

The newspaper clipping he submitted with this photo reports:

“Mr. and Mrs. Martin Fischer, of West Third Street, Lansdale, are the proud parents of three sons who are ‘doing their bit’ to make the world safe for democracy, as well as two more boys who will be liable for service if the present draft ages are lowered.

“The oldest son, Charles, 27, who was employed by Lawrence Freeman of Lansdale before entering the service, left Lansdale last September. He proved to be a good soldier and was made a sergeant with a supply train. He recently arrived overseas.

“George, 24, left for Camp Meade with a contingent from Lansdale last November. He was later transferred to the ambulance corps and is now stationed at Camp Greene, N.C. He was also employed by Lawrence Freeman before leaving Lansdale.

“William, 22, the youngest of the three sons in the service, left Lansdale last November and was assigned to the Fourth Infantry. He arrived in France in April. Before leaving, he was employed by the P&R Railway, having just been appointed baggage master at Gwynedd.

“Another son, John, will be 21 in December and will have to register on Sept. 5 if the draft ages are lowered, as will Martin Jr., who will be 19 in December.

“The boys come from Pennsylvania German ancestry and from a Dunkard family. They are well known about Lansdale and are all said to be first-class soldiers.”

Also sent in by David Fischer was a letter noting that Pvt. William Fischer had been “slightly gassed” in action and was under treatment at a base hospital on Oct. 15, 1918.

It’s quite interesting to look back at how local young men were serving their country during World War I.

And we salute all veterans as we near Veterans Day on Nov. 11.

The present Lansdale Hospital in Hatfield Township, part of Abington Memorial Hospital, has undergone many changes through the years.

Today, Dawn Macy has submitted photos that appeared in a 1990 publication that marked the 10th anniversary of the “new” North Penn Hospital.

One photo shows an aerial view of the former hospital in Lansdale in the 1960s.

The other photo shows the groundbreaking ceremony on Oct. 11, 1977, for the new North Penn Hospital. In that photo we see, from left, Jean Lemmon, auxiliary first vice president; Robert H. McKay, hospital executive vice president; Dr. Charles macy, president of the medical staff; and Albert Hoffman, president of the hospital board.

According to the publication, the hospital started as Elm Terrace Hospital in Lansdale as a privately owned facility that opened its doors in 1934. It consisted of two residences with a 23-bed capacity.


On Sept. 17, 1955, the first building of the North Penn Hospital was dedicated at Seventh and Broad streets, Lansdale. It was a four-story structure that had 80 beds. During the 1960s and 1970s, four major renovations and additions occurred.

The next big change started in the 1970s, when a 72-acre tract of land was bought in Hatfield Township.

In 1980, the present facility was dedicated and in 1984, a new addition was completed.

Since then the hospital was sold and become Central Montgomery Medical Center and, most recently, sold again and changed to Lansdale Hospital.