💡Save The Moore-Irwin House? Take Our Poll!

ISSUE #102 is brought to you by The MAGIC TRAVEL PROS

Author

MARK SHEPPERD
May 20, 2025

👋Good Morning, Upper Merion -

As the sun rises over King of Prussia and the heart of Upper Merion, each day is a fresh start. Whether you’re setting goals for your business, making time for your family, or simply striving to be a little better than yesterday, you are part of what makes this town thrive.

Take a deep breath and step confidently into your week ahead. You’re not alone. We’re all in this together. Let this be the week you chase that idea, help that neighbor, close that deal, or simply find joy in the little moments. You’ve got this, and we’re rooting for you.

Thank you so much for reading our publication! Please continue to help us spread the good news. Word of mouth is one of the greatest assets we can ask for. Thank you for your continued support and as we head into the unofficial start of summer, have a safe and Happy Memorial Day weekend.

Remember: Be persistent - "I have not failed 10,000 times. I've just found 10,000 ways that didn’t work." — Thomas Edison❤

Mark Shepperd | Lead Contributor

💡SPOTLIGHT EVENT💡

Screen-Agers What Are Your Current Concerns

Are you concerned about how much time your kids spend in front of screens? Are you having friction in your home as you try to negotiate screen time? You are invited to a virtual screening of SCREENAGERS: Elementary School Edition on 5/27 at 7 PM. To receive the Zoom Link, sign up at https://forms.gle/7oRowj2V1RCeAbpU6

MORE LOCAL EVENTS

Upper Merion Performing Arts presents A Year with Frog and Toad, the Musical KIDS!

🐸Join Upper Merin Performing Arts for a heartwarming musical adventure as Frog and Toad take you through a year full of friendship, fun, and unforgettable moments! From planting gardens in the spring to sledding in the winter, watch these two best friends support each other through every season’s ups and downs. Perfect for families and kids of all ages!

🗓️May 20 & 22 (Today and Thursday)

🕧7PM

📍Bridgeport Elementary

🎟️Tickets: $10

HELP REMEMBER AND HONOR

THIS SATURDAY, May 24th

VFW Post 7878, located at 471 East Church Road, King of Prussia, PA, is dedicated to honoring veterans through various community initiatives. Join them in placing American Flags on Veterans gravesites on Saturday, May 24th, 9:30am @ St. Augustine Cemetery and Valley Forge Memorial Gardens. In addition to flag placements, VFW Post 7878 provides a flag disposal box outside their facility. This service allows community members to respectfully retire worn or damaged American flags.

For more info. contact VFW Post 7878 directly @ (610) 277-0292

RAIN DATE: Sunday, May 25th @ the same time

JENKINS JUNIORS

Get ready for a 4-week outdoor adventure for children ages 2-5 at Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens! Starting May 20th, each Tuesday from 11 AM to 12 PM, enjoy stories, scenic strolls, and creative crafts. Activities foster wonder in kids and adults alike. Registration is required for children, and classes will proceed rain or shine.

FUTURE LOCAL AND NEARBY EVENTS

FREE CONCERT

Don’t miss the free concert featuring Tom Hamilton in King of Prussia! Join us for an unforgettable evening of music under the stars. Bring your friends and family to enjoy great tunes and a vibrant atmosphere, all at no cost! It’s the perfect way to unwind and celebrate summer nights.

Haverford Township Historical Society will be hosting the 17th annual Haverford Heritage Festival on June 1st, 2025 from 11 AM to 4 PM along Karakung Drive in Havertown, PA.

FROM LOCAL FUN TO TRAVELING LIKE A PRO

In case you haven’t decided what you’re trying this week…here’s a little help! This will be the place to learn about (be reminded of) local drinks, dishes, deals, and spots!

Come on in…

Flanigan's Boathouse is a beloved family-owned restaurant and sports bar located at 113 Fayette Street in Conshohocken, PA. Since opening in 1991, it has been a local favorite for casual dining, craft beer, and a lively atmosphere.

The Boathouse offers a diverse menu of American cuisine, including burgers, wings, sandwiches, and salads. They feature 38 beers on tap and over 375 craft beers and wines available for takeout from their Below Deck Bottle Shop. With numerous TVs throughout the venue, it's an ideal spot to catch your favorite sports games. The establishment also hosts happy hour from Tuesday to Friday, 4 PM to 6 PM, offering specials on drinks and appetizers. Flanigan's Boathouse accommodates private parties for groups ranging from 10 to 50 people, making it suitable for showers, meetings, celebrations, and office parties.

Note: The kitchen closes one hour earlier than the listed times. 

Warmer weather always means multiple family stops at Petrucci's Ice Cream in King of Prussia, PA. on 670 N. Henderson Road. Located within Nor-View Farm, visitors can enjoy more than just ice cream. The farm features a variety of animals, including goats, chickens, and ponies, making it a delightful destination for families. The adjacent playground and open spaces provide a perfect setting for a leisurely outing. Since its opening in March 1999, Petrucci's has been delighting the community with a wide array of frozen treats in a family-friendly, farm-like setting.

🍦 Menu Highlights

Petrucci's offers a diverse selection of frozen desserts, including:

  • Soft Serve Ice Cream: Classic flavors like vanilla, chocolate, and twist.

  • Hand-Dipped Ice Cream: Over 25 flavors made in-house.

  • Water Ice: Made fresh daily, perfect for a refreshing treat.

  • Specialty Treats: Including banana splits, sundaes, milkshakes, smoothies, gelatis, and unique items like ice cream pies, pizzas, and jumbo chipwiches.

They also offer catering services for events such as birthday parties, graduations, and corporate gatherings.

Welcome to Our Lifestyle Section!

Each week, I’ll dish out a variety of Upper Merion lifestyle vibes in hopes of sparking some inspiration for your next local mini-adventure, or perhaps even helping you find your people. With the help of the King of Prussia Historical Society, we’ll also occasionally celebrate and remember what King of Prussia once was, honoring its roots as we explore today. I’m hopeful some of these shares are helpful, and enjoyable to you. Enjoy!

KING OF PRUSSIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

The Moore-Irwin House

Who Will Save It?

Photo courtesy of the KOP Historical Society

The following is a statement from the King of Prussia Historical Society, shared on their Facebook page on May 16th, regarding the state of the Moore-Irwin House.

This historically significant house is owned by Upper Merion Township. It is eligible for the National Register of Historic Buildings pending acceptance by the owners (the supervisors) of that honor. It is also one of four historically significant buildings recognized by the State of Pennsylvania as being at significant risk of being lost forever due to neglect.

According to the announcement by the state of Pennsylvania, "Its layered history, architectural significance, and deep community ties make it a resource worth protecting."

The Moore-Irwin House in Upper Merion is located at 700 Moore Rd near 8th Avenue. Deferred maintenance has placed this significant historic structure in dire peril.

Upper Merion Township has an opportunity to restore the historic Moore-Irwin House with grant money. There is a company excited and waiting in the wings to repurpose it. All we need is Upper Merion Township Supervisor's approval to let things move forward.

👇SHOULD THEY APPROVE? TAKE OUR POLL 👇

Should the Upper Merion BOS use the resources afforDed to them to help improve the status of the Moore-Irwin house?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Preservationists and architects who have seen the building state that it is most certainly able to be preserved and repurposed. Both a National Register listing (pending acceptance by the township) and the "at-risk" designation open many doors for grant funding.

The KOP Historical Society has identified an experienced and reputable company that is eager to repurpose the building and give it a new life with a public-private partnership. This agreement would provide funds for maintenance and upkeep once it is saved.

The township has few places left pointing to our rich history. Let us hope and pray that this one can and will be saved.

The B.P.O.E - Bridgeport Lodge No. 714

(The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks)

YES! They’re still around…

Famous Elks Thru The Years:

Clint Eastwood - John F. Kennedy - Franklin D. Roosevelt - Gene Autry - Harry S Truman - Babe Ruth - Vince Lombardi - Eli Manning

Elks Lodge No. 714 - 494 Ford Street, Bridgeport, Pa.

The Elks are a strictly an American organization, there are no foreign affiliations and Bridgeport Elks Lodge No. 714, in Bridgeport, Pennsylvania (which celebrates its 125th birthday in 2026) is one of over 2000 lodges located across the USA. With nearly 1.3 Million members nationwide, this lodge continues to be a vibrant chapter of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE), dedicated to community service, patriotism, and fellowship.

🏛️ History

Originally chartered in 1901 as the Norristown Lodge, the organization initially operated at the intersection of Main and Swede Streets in Norristown. It later moved to 222 Haws Avenue. In the mid-1990s, the lodge relocated to its current home in Bridgeport and adopted the name Bridgeport Lodge No. 714

🎯 Mission & Activities

Bridgeport Lodge No. 714 embodies the Elks' core values: Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love, and Fidelity. The lodge actively engages in various community initiatives, including:

  • Veterans Support: Providing "Welcome Home Kits" to veterans transitioning from shelters to permanent housing, in collaboration with the Philadelphia VA and HUD-VASH programs

  • Community Assistance: Organizing food and essentials drives, such as the event on March 10, 2024, which served 60 families in need .

  • Youth Programs: Hosting events like the annual Hoop Shoot, Soccer Shoot and participating in the Americanism Essay Contest to engage and support local youth

🕒 Meetings & Social Hours

  • Lodge Meetings: Held on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month at 7 PM, with adjustments during July, August, and December .

  • Social Room Hours:

    • Friday: 5 PM – 11 PM

    • Saturday: 2 PM – 9 PM

    • Sunday: 12 PM – 7 PM .

👻 Signature Event: The Haunting of Elks Lodge 714

Each October, the lodge transforms into a haunted attraction known as "The Haunting of Elks Lodge 714." Set in a building dating back to 1900, the event features eerie settings and has become a notable Halloween destination in Montgomery County.

📞 Contact Information

  • Address: 494 Ford Street, Bridgeport, PA 19405

  • Phone: (610) 277-3810

  • Email: [email protected]

  • Facebook: facebook.com/Elks714Elks

    If you're interested in joining or supporting the ELKS initiatives, feel free to reach out or visit during their social hours.

    Follow up on “Honor Flight Philadelphia”

    On Saturday evening, May 17th, 125 Veterans ranging from WWII, Korea and Vietnam were welcomed back home @ Upper Merion Middle School by a few hundred flag waving greeters after wrapping up their day trip to Washington, DC. The Veteran’s buses were escorted in by flag flying motorcycles, police cars and fire engines. Then following their red carpet walk and welcome home/thank you hand shakes, the Vets stepped inside the schools cafeteria and were treated to a delicious dinner and USO type show.

WELCOME HOME TO OUR VETERANS

A huge THANK YOU to all of the wonderful folks, sponsors, and businesses that made this event such a huge success.

Sponsored By:

When YOU need to Buy or Sell - Allow Us To Help You! 🏚

It’s The Little Things That Count

Brenda and I can not stress the following items enough to our real estate clients - allow us to help you get the most money for your most valuable possession…

🏠 Preparation Tips

1. First Impressions Sell: Curb appeal matters. Trim the lawn, plant flowers, paint the front door, and clean walkways. You potential buyers are judging your property even before they step inside your home.

2. Declutter Ruthlessly: Less is more. Clear off counters, remove excess furniture, and pack away personal items. It helps buyers picture their own lives in the space.

3. Deep Clean Everything: A spotless home — including windows, baseboards, and light fixtures — shows pride of ownership and can add thousands in perceived value.

4. Fix What’s Broken: Small repairs (leaky faucets, squeaky doors, chipped paint) signal whether the home has been well cared for.

Are You:

  • 🤔 Curious about real-time market activity in your neighborhood?

  • 💰 Looking to find out your home’s value in minutes?

  • 📋 Interested in viewing all active and coming soon listings?

  • 🏠 Looking to help someone buy or sell a home in Upper Merion?

If you’ve answered YES to any of the above…contact The Brenda and Mark Shepperd Real Estate Team of Long & Foster, in Devon, PA. They not only live, work and play in UM - they’ve been helping your neighbors buy and sell homes in Upper Merion for 25+ years.

Garden Meme of the Week:

🌤️ Upper Merion Weather - At A Glance

Tuesday: 🌥 Mix of Sun & Clouds | High: 71°F | Low: 52°F

Wednesday: 🌧 Rain is likely again | High: 55°F | Low: 49°F

Thursday: 🌧 Steady AM rain then PM Showers | High: 55°F | Low: 48°F

Friday: 🌧A few showers still - Mostly Cloudy | High: 66°F | Low: 49°F

Saturday: 🌥 Clouds giving way to some sun | High: 66°F | Low: 50°F

Sunday: 🌥 Partly Sunny | High: 71°F | Low: 51°F

Monday: (Memorial Day) 🌞 Mostly Sunny Skies | High: 74°F | Low: 56°F

Pet Owners - I BET you can relate to this…can’t you!!🌝🌝