It’s almost time for voters in Montgomery County to make their voices heard!

Primary Elections will take place on May 16, giving registered Democrats and Republicans a chance to cast their ballot for their party’s nominees for this fall’s General Election.

·     In person. For registered voters who wish to vote in person, polling places will be open on Tuesday, May 16 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

·     By mail/absentee. All voters who wish to vote by mail must apply in 2023, even if they have voted by mail in previous elections. The last day to request a mail-in or absentee ballot for the 2023 Primary Election is May 9 at 5 p.m. All mail-in ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Night (Tuesday, May 16). Ballots can be returned through the mail or by returning them to our Voter Services office or to one of 12 secure ballot drop boxes located across our County.

Check out our website for a comprehensive look at voting in Montgomery County, including sample ballots, drop box locations, dates to know and more.

The Montco Trail Challenge is back!

This annual family-friendly program encourages participants to track their visits to select Montgomery County trails to earn awards for completing visits to 5, 10, or 15 participating trails.

The Montco Trail Challenge includes a few new features this year. The full length of the Chester Valley Trail extension will be incorporated into the challenge, offering users four additional miles of natural trail to explore. Additionally, the Valley Forge National Historic Park is part of this year’s challenge for the first time.

To participate, people can track their progress on a trail card and submit their entries online or drop their completed card at the five drop box locations in the county. Participant awards will be mailed in December after the 2023 Trail Challenge. All entries must be received by December 3, 2023.

With the onset of warmer weather, mosquito season is starting and the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services Office of Public Health (MCOPH) has steps residents can take to protect themselves from spreading mosquito-borne disease.

To reduce the likelihood of being bitten by a disease-carrying mosquito, MCOPH recommends that residents take the following steps to reduce their exposure:

·     Check and repair windows and screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.

·     Survey your property and eliminate standing water, dispose of containers that can collect standing water such as old tires, cans, bottles, buckets, and toys.

·     After it rains, empty plant containers, bird baths, flowerpots, kiddie pools, and pool covers to keep water from collecting in these items.

·     Make sure roof gutters drain properly and rooftops are free of standing water.

·     Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas, and hot tubs. Keep them empty and covered if not in use; drain water that collects in pool covers.

·     Drill several holes in the bottom of recycling buckets so water can drain from them. Cover trash containers so rain cannot accumulate in them.

·     Since clothing can help reduce mosquito bites, wear long-sleeves, long pants, and socks when outdoors to help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

·     Use an approved mosquito repellant when outdoors in areas where mosquitoes are active. Apply insect repellent sparingly to exposed skin. Follow the label directions carefully. Do NOT apply repellent to the face.

Want to reclaim some space in your garage or shed? Stop by one our upcoming household hazardous waste collection events!

These events are by appointment only and pre-registration is required. No televisions, electronics or appliances are accepted at these chemical collections. Businesses and contractors will be turned away from these residential events.

Here’s the schedule:

·     Saturday, May 6 at Oak Ridge Elementary School, 465 Moyer Road, Harleysville

·     Saturday, May 20 at Temple University-Ambler Campus, Enter at 1431 E. Butler Pike, Ambler

·     Saturday, June 17 at Norristown Area High School, 1900 Eagle Drive, Norristown

·     Saturday, June 24 at Abington Middle School, Enter at 2056 Susquehanna Rd., Abington

·     Saturday, September 23 at Spring-Ford 9th Grade Center, 400 South Lewis Road, Royersford

·     Sunday, October 22 at Lower Merion Transfer Station, 1300 North Woodbine Avenue, Penn Valley

Montgomery County has partnered with the National Association of County Governments to help our residents save on prescription, health & dental care costs.

All of our residents are eligible to enroll in the Live Healthy Prescription, Health & Dental Discount Program.

Through this program, residents can save:

·     up to 80% on generics and up to 40% on brand-name prescription medications (including those for pets!)

·     15%-75% on vision care, hearing aids and screenings, prepaid lab work and more

·     15%-75% on dental procedures including check-ups, cleanings, x-rays, fillings, etc.

·     15% on vaccinations, physicals, blood pressure screenings, and more

We have not one but two chances for our residents to show off their creative side going on right now.

First up, we’re still looking for new original stories to feature at one of our Montco StoryWalk® locations! 

Residents of all ages are asked to submit theirs to our 2023 Montco StoryWalk® contest!

Entries will be divided into two groups based on the age of the author: 17 and under and 18 and over. Winners will be selected from each group. All submissions should revolve around physical activity, health, nature, or trails and include artwork. Please visit our website for full contest guidelines.

The deadline to submit is August 1, 2023.

Also, in anticipation of the upcoming Juneteenth holiday, we are holding our second annual Art and Prose of Freedom Contest. 

This contest encourages students to use their imagination to define or redefine unity and community in 2023 in the spirit of Juneteenth. Students can submit entries for poetry, essays, and art for a chance to win prizes. The prize awards will be based on grade categories and entry criteria. The contest is open to students enrolled in public, private, parochial, or home schools located in Montgomery County.

The deadline for submission is May 19, 2023. Once again, full contest rules and guidelines can be found on our website.

Save the date: The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services will hold a resource fair for individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism as well as their families on May 22. This event will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Human Services Center located at 1430 Dekalb Street, Norristown, PA 19401.

This event will include information on:

·     housing

·     employment

·     volunteer programs

·     social security

·     financial/trust/estate planning

·     recreational programs

·     post-secondary educational programs

·     more!

Montgomery County residents will have plenty of opportunities to catch up with our Recorder of Deeds team this month!

On Wednesday, May 10, Jeanne Sorg, our Recorder of Deeds, will review the types of documents that are recorded with her office and go through how to search the database for current and historical deeds on your property. This will be held at 7:30 p.m. at 520 Meetinghouse Road in Jenkintown, PA 19046.

In addition, on May 11, staff will be assisting residents with FraudSleuth sign ups and recording discharge papers at no charge for area Veterans. Team members will also be connecting those who’ve served to our Veterans Photo ID Discount Card program. This event is being sponsored by Rep. Joe Ciresi and held at the Pottstown Library located at 500 E High St, Pottstown, PA 19464. It will take place on May 11 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Do you live in Norristown? We want your help creating a new Community Center space for residents!

We want to hear from you, Norristown!

Our Recovery Plan has allocated $7 million to provide a centralized facility or facilities for community services and recreation serving Norristown. We’re committed to ensuring these funds are used in a way that matches with residents’ needs.

To make sure we’re in alignment with what Norristown residents want from Community Center spaces, we’re asking you to participate in a brief survey!

As it has been throughout this process to date, this feedback will be directly used in the planning, development and implementation of the Community Center project, and will help to develop the uses of the space and identify stakeholders involved.

Thanks for taking the time to give us your thoughts!

The Montgomery County Department of Public Safety is now recruiting motivated candidates for its next class of 9-1-1 Telecommunicator Trainees!

Accepted candidates will start paid training on or around July 17, 2023. 9-1-1 Telecommunicators receive calls for assistance from the public and dispatch police, fire, emergency medical units, and other public safety resources.

The starting salary during initial training is $39,382.74. After successful completion of classroom training (approx. 12 weeks), the salary increases to $45,600.90. Upon certification, which most staff reach approximately six months after their first day on the job, the salary increases to $50,400.91. The position is also eligible for a sign-on bonus, equal to 10% of the initial starting salary.

The County offers an excellent benefits package, which includes:

·     Comprehensive Healthcare Coverage

·     Generous Annual Leave & Vacation

·     Paid Parental Leave

·     Pension & Retirement Savings

·     and more!

The application deadline is Friday, June 16, 2023.

There’s always so much to do, explore and learn at Montgomery County’s Parks, Trails and Historic Sites. Here’s what they have scheduled this month:

·     Full Moon Hike. Friday, May 5 at 7:50 p.m. at Norristown Farm Park in Norristown. Come experience a hike under the almost full moon. This nearly two mile hike will be led by Park Ranger Dave. See some nocturnal animals and experience the starry sky. Wear sturdy shoes for hiking.

·     Early Bird Walk. Saturday, May 6 at 8 a.m. at Green Lane Park in Green Lane. Spring migration of warblers, flycatchers and others will be in full swing. Grab your binoculars and join us for a look at these colorful spring travelers returning from the tropics.

·     The British Are Coming! Saturday, May 6 and Sunday, May 7 at 10 a.m. at Peter Wentz Farmstead in Lansdale. During the winter of 1777 and into the spring of 1778, the Continental army was encamped at Valley Forge while British troops occupied Philadelphia. Visit the Farmstead on May 6th and 7th to meet members of the Queens Rangers and British Light Infantry men to learn about those trying times for citizens and soldiers alike.

·     Pottsgrove Manor: Annual Colonial Mayfair. Saturday, May 6 at 11 a.m. at Pottsgrove Manor in Pottstown. Welcome the arrival of beautiful spring days with historic style at our annual Colonial Mayfair! Discover rows of vendors and roaming interpreters with 18th-century reproduction and handmade items. Historic craft and trade demonstrations plus performances of traditional music, and laugh-out-loud colonial puppet shows, and the famed Benjamin Franklin’s science experiments will delight all!

·     Homeschool- Hiking Safety. Thursday, May 11 at 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. at Norristown Farm Park in Norristown. Join us to learn about the safest way to hike. Discover what should live in your hiking backpack, learn about reading trail signs, and identifying hazards such as poison ivy and ticks. Then enjoy a small hike on the blue trail next to the Kepner Creek. While hiking explore plants and animals along the path. Please include which time frame you are interested in attending. Children ages 7-16 with adult.

·     Amphibians. Saturday, May 13 at 11 a.m. at Norristown Farm Park in Norristown. Did you know Pennsylvania has a state amphibian!? Join us to learn about our native amphibians. Discover their characteristics and importance to the ecosystem. Also meet an animal ambassador from Elmwood Park Zoo.

·     Who Left Those Tracks at USVP? Saturday, May 13 at 11 a.m. at Upper Schuylkill Valley Park in Royersford. Learn about the different footprints or tracks that animals leave behind at Upper Schuylkill Valley Park. We’ll take a look at the resident wildlife at the park and how their footprints differ. A craft and a short hike to look for tracks will be included in this program.

·     Baby Animals. Saturday, May 13 at 1:30 p.m. at Peter Wentz Farmstead in Lansdale. We have been incubating chicken eggs and now they are hatched! Come explore the life cycle of a chicken. Meet the adult chickens at the farmstead and enjoy the newly hatched or hatching babies. Registration not required, join us anytime in the time frame of 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

·     Morning Bird Walk. Tuesday, May 16 at 8:30 a.m. at Norristown Farm Park in Norristown. Join park staff for a morning bird walk. Come observe some amazing birds that are only stopping by. Bring binoculars if you have them. Wear sturdy shoes for hiking.

·     Homeschool – Square Foot Gardening + Seed Starting. Thursday, May 18 at 2 p.m. at Norristown Farm Park in Norristown. Join us for a fun, interactive field trip tour through the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) 2-acre teaching and production farm at the Norristown Farm Park! On this tour, participants will learn how to garden in small spaces with a technique called Square Foot Gardening. Children ages 7 to 16 with adult.

·     Homeschool – Trees. Friday, May 19 at 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. at Lorimer Park in Huntingdon Valley. Join us to learn about different tree species within the park. Explore the difference between evergreen and deciduous trees. Get hands on with leaves and bark. Wear sturdy walking shoes. Please include which time frame you are interested in attending. Children ages 7-16 with adult.

·     Patriots along the Perkiomen The Continental Army at Pennypacker Mills. Saturday, May 20 and Sunday, May 21 at 10 a.m. at Pennypacker Mills in Schwenksville. Spend the day learning about the encampment that happened here in 1777 with the Continental Line. See a court martial, kids can be a soldier, see exhibits in the mansion & much more!

·     Lock 60: May Open House: INLAND Author Event. Sunday, May 21 at 1 p.m. at Lock 60 Locktender’s House at Schuylkill Canal Park in Mont Clare. Please join the Schuylkill Canal Association in hosting celebrated photographer and author Sandy Sorlien, who has published the first book of contemporary photographs from her comprehensive survey of the Schuylkill Canal from Philadelphia to Schuylkill County. For her Open House presentation, Sandy will focus on the Oakes Reach of the Canal and Montgomery County.

·     Summer Concert Series: The Quakertown Band. Sunday, May 21 at 6 p.m. at Green Lane Park in Green Lane. More than just a local band performing at church festivals and civic events, The Quakertown Band is known across the region for its performances of both historic and contemporary music. The 45 plus-member organization is comprised of both amateur and semi-professional musicians of all ages, many holding music degrees.

·     Homeschool – Children’s Chores and Pastimes. Tuesday, May 23 at 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. at Peter Wentz Farmstead in Lansdale. Children in the 18th century lived very differently than we do today. Instead of going to school, most children had to stay home and work on their family’s farm or do chores around the house. No matter how old you were, you were expected to contribute – collecting food, tending to animals, and more. But life was more than just work! Join us to complete some colonial chores and then discover some of the fun toys and games children used to play with back before we had electricity. Please include which time frame you are interested in attending. Age 7-16 with adult.

·     Nature Explorers – Deer. Friday, May 26 at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. at Norristown Farm Park in Norristown. Come learn facts about deer and touch some natural artifacts! Also take a hike to look for deer signs and create a craft to take home. Dress for the weather. Please include which time frame you are interested in attending. Children ages 3-6 with adult.

·     Adult Board Game Day- Wingspan. Saturday, May 27 at 11 a.m. at Norristown Farm Park in Norristown. Join us for our first Adult board game day! We will be teaching how to play Wingspan, which is a competitive game with the goal to receive the most points by the end of the game. You will go through 4 rounds each game to play birds, collect food, and lay eggs to gather the points needed to win! Adults only.

·     Creek Critters. Saturday, May 27 at 1 p.m. in East Greenville. Join us for a knee-deep and up-close look at life in the Perkiomen Creek. Using nets, pans and magnifiers, we will examine the diverse creatures that make their home in moving waters. All creatures will be released unharmed at conclusion of program. Wear old sneakers or water-shoes. No open-toed shoes, please.

·     Peter Wentz Farmstead Bird Walk. Tuesday, May 30 at 8:30 a.m. at Peter Wentz Farmstead in Lansdale. As we are in the peak season for warblers and other songbird’s migration, this will be a walk you won’t want to miss! Many of these species are passing through as they finish their migration. Join park staff to observe these amazing birds that are only stopping by. Bring binoculars or borrow ours! Wear sturdy shoes for hiking.

Please note, many of our events require registration. Click on the links above to learn more before attending!