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Marc Elias Keller of Yardley Named Short Fiction Contest Winner
Officials at Bucks County Community College have announced the winners of the Bucks County Short Fiction Contest.
Marc Elias Keller of Yardley won first place for his story, “The Sweet Drop.” Bob McCrillis of Doylestown placed second for “Holding Ground.” And Susan Lederhouse of Yardley captured third place for “Dear Adrienne.”
There were also two honorable mentions. Tom Casola of Pipersville received first runner-up for “Home by the Lake,” and Lee Davis of Doylestown was named second runner-up for “Free Ride.”
The final judge was John Phillips, whose debut short-story collection, Dress Whites, was published last fall.
A celebration will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, in Tyler Hall, room 142, on the Newtown Campus. During the event, the top three winners will read from their stories. Phillips will join us to discuss his writing life. The event is free and open to the public.
Of Keller’s first-place story, Phillips wrote that is “a well-done story that is a parable for our times. Sugar works very well as a metaphor for all kinds of addiction - power, fame, dominance - and the costs to civilizations in deaths and a way of life. ‘The Sweet Drop’ deftly depicts how quickly long-established rules of behavior can change when there is ‘sugar’ in the air. The descriptions of the ant colony are intriguing, and the author has maintained nice tension throughout the story.”
“Holding Ground” by McCrillis was cited because “there are excellent details of the fishing life and good dialogue throughout that make this story standout. Particularly nice dialogue is when the granddaughter is telling her grandfather about one-night stands. It’s funny and at the same time reveals differences between generations. Nicely done.”
Of Lederhouse’s story, “Dear Adrienne,” Phillips commented: “This story defines melancholia. The writing – through the beat of its sentences and gentle recollections of people, places and their histories with the family – leaves us dripping with melancholy. Even the discovery that the couple had been murdered seems just an inevitable part of life to endure.”
The contest is open to adults who are residents of Bucks County. The winners receive honoraria of $200, $100, and $50, respectively. The contest is funded by Bucks County Community College and receives support from the School of Language and Literature. Professor Elizabeth Luciano is the contest administrator. A short-fiction contest for high-school students is taking place this spring. For more information, contact Professor Luciano at elizabeth.luciano@bucks.edu or visit the Bucks County Short Fiction Contest web page.
'A Tribute to the Tenors' Salutes More than a Dozen Singers
Bucks Live! – the series of cultural events at Bucks County Community College that brings world-renowned entertainment to Newtown – proudly presents “A Tribute to the Tenors” with John D. Smitherman at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 13.
One of the original Three American Tenors, Smitherman pays homage to more than a dozen songsmiths, varying in style, including such iconic artists as Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban, Tom Jones, Mario Lanza, Andy Williams, Luciano Pavarotti, and others. The show features many favorites, including “You Raise Me Up,” “It’s Impossible,” “Magic Moments,” “Time to Say Goodbye,” and many more.
The concert showcases Smitherman’s incredible vocal range, commanding stage presence, and heartfelt storytelling. With a voice equally at home in operatic arias and popular classics, Smitherman takes audiences on a musical journey celebrating the greatest tenor voices of all time. The concert takes place in the intimate Zlock Performing Arts Center, located on the Newtown campus at 275 Swamp Rd., Newtown, Pa., where there is ample free parking. The Zlock Lobby Bar serves drinks and snacks starting 90 minutes before curtain and during intermission. Reserved seating tickets are only $25, and free for Bucks County Community College students with current student ID.
“A Tribute to the Tenors” is part of the Bucks Live! series of innovative programs that entertain, inspire, and enrich Bucks County’s cultural landscape. Take in world-class live music, dance, and theatrical performances close to home and at an affordable price. Explore more opportunities at the Zlock Performing Arts Center.
International Guitar Sensations Perform Two Shows in Newtown
Bucks Live! – the series of cultural events at Bucks County Community College that brings world-renowned entertainment to Newtown – proudly presents two March concerts in collaboration with the Philadelphia Classical Guitar Society.
Laura Snowden, a British-French guitarist and composer known for her intense and poised performances, graces the stage of the Zlock Performing Arts Center at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 7. Snowden’s eclectic musical output has ranged from playing guitar solos on Lorne Balfe's soundtrack for the Marvel film “Black Widow,” to performing Lisa Streich’s guitar concerto with the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
Next, The Volterra Project Trio comes to campus at 3 pm. Saturday, March 21. The multinational group reimagines classical guitar trio music, drawing inspiration from European impressionism, Mediterranean folk melodies, and cinematic scores. The trio is comprised of Antigoni Goni from Greece, Luca lsolani from Italy, and Maarten Vandenbemden from Belgium, who together breathe fresh life into the guitar, treating it as a miniature orchestra and exploring its unique sounds, dynamics, and colors.
Reserved seating tickets are only $25, and free for Bucks County Community College students with current student ID. Each concert takes place in the intimate Zlock Performing Arts Center, located on the campus at 275 Swamp Rd., Newtown, Pa., where there is ample free parking. The Zlock Lobby Bar serves drinks and snacks starting 90 minutes before curtain and during intermission. To reserve tickets, visit the Zlock Performing Arts Center ticketing website. For directions and a campus map, visit the Newtown campus web page.
The concerts are part of the Bucks Live! series of innovative programs that entertain, inspire, and enrich Bucks County’s cultural landscape. Take in world-class live music, dance, and theatrical performances close to home and at an affordable price. Explore more opportunities at the Zlock Performing Arts Center.
Public Input Sought on Associate Degree Nursing Program
The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing is hosting a public forum for in-person comment March 25 and accepting written feedback by March 9 Bucks County Community College invites public input as it seeks to continue accreditation for its Associate Degree Nursing Program.
The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) will be visiting the Newtown Campus Tuesday – Thursday, March 24 – 26, as part of the accreditation process.
The visit includes a forum from 2 – 2:45 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25 in Founders Hall Room 140, where the public is invited to share comments about the two-year program that prepares students to become registered nurses.
In addition, the ACEN is gathering written comments that must be received by March 9. To submit, email public-comments@acenursing.org, or mail to:
ATTN: Accreditation ServicesAccreditation Commission for Education in Nursing3390 Peachtree Rd. NE, Suite 1400Atlanta, GA 30326
To learn more about the Associate Degree Nursing Program, visit the program web page, email adnursingdirector@bucks.edu, or call 215-968-8353.
Bucks County Community College is located at 275 Swamp Rd., Newtown, PA 18940. For a campus map and directions, visit the Newtown Campus web page.
BCCC Hosts Third Annual Recovery & Mental Health Resource Fair
With 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. – roughly 59 million to 61 million people – living with a mental illness, Bucks County Community College invites the public to learn more at its third annual Recovery & Mental Health Community Resource Fair on Thursday, March 5.
“The fair provides the opportunity to bridge gaps in awareness, support, and treatment for our college community and for the public,” noted Emily Sexton, the College’s Collegiate Recovery Program Coordinator. “This event is intended to foster a community of hope and reduce stigma so that no one is alone in their journey.”
The free event, which takes place from noon to 2 p.m. in the Rollins Center on the Newtown Campus, features representatives from more than 50 organizations from Bucks, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties.
They will share information on a myriad of subjects, including mental health, suicide, gambling, collegiate recovery programs, substance use disorder and recovery, eating disorders, sexual health and wellness, domestic violence, and overall wellness.
New this year are mindfulness demonstrations, comfort dogs, door prizes, and giveaways, Sexton added.
Some of the participating organizations include:
Bucks County Drug and Alcohol Commission
Bucks County Department of Mental Health
PRO-ACT/Southern Bucks Recovery Community Center
Planned Parenthood Keystone/The Rainbow Room
Voice and Vision
NOVA Bucks
A Woman's Place
The Renfrew Center for Eating Disorders
St. Luke’s Penn Foundation
Woods Services
The event is sponsored by the Bucks County Community College Collegiate Recovery Program in collaboration with the Student Life department. It takes place in the Solarium and Gallagher Rooms in the Rollins Center, building No. 11 on the Campus Map. Bucks County Community College is located at 275 Swamp Road, Newtown, PA, where there is ample free parking.
The Collegiate Recovery Program (CRP) at Bucks County Community College supports students in recovery and students affected by someone else's addiction. The Bucks CRP is a member of the Association of Recovery in Higher Education (ARHE) and adheres to the recommendations and standards established by ARHE. For more information, contact collegiaterecovery@bucks.edu.
Award-Winning BCCC Floral Design Program Returns to the Philadelphia Flower Show
After a stunning debut in 2025, students are creating a ‘Rooted in Art’ theme for the 2026 show that runs February 28 – March 8 Bucks County Community College’s floral design program returns to the Philadelphia Flower Show February 28 – March 8 after a stunning debut last year, when students took home a silver medal from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.
Stemming from the show’s theme of “Rooted: Origins of American Gardening,” the College’s exhibit is called “Rooted in Art,” reflecting BCCC’s origins of being founded on the Newtown estate of artist and educational philanthropist Stella Elkins Tyler.
“’Rooted in Art’ is a celebration of where creativity begins, and how it grows,” said Renee Tucci, a floral design instructor at the College and national president of the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD). “It tells a story deeply rooted in the vision of Stella Elkins Tyler. Her lifelong love of art, and her unwavering dedication to education, helped shape the rich and diverse creative programs that thrive at Bucks today. She is the root from which it all began.”
The exhibit features seven original floral designs, each interpreting the connection between nature, art, and education, alongside six selected student works from the College’s School of Arts and Communication.
“These pieces — representing ceramic, jewelry, woodworking, photography, and drawing — highlight the collaborative spirit and cross-disciplinary creativity that define the Bucks community,” Tucci noted. “A highlight of the exhibit will be a bronze sculpture of Joan of Arc, created by Tyler herself.”
Lead floral design students taking part are: Amparito Arriaga, CFD (Certified Floral Designer); Isabelle Kondel, Karen Kuyper, Jennifer O’Donnell, CFD; Lauren O’Leary; mother-daughter duo Els Poff, CFD and Melanie Poff, CFD; Mary Rigau, Maria Salinas, Melinda Spink, and Linda Weinberger, CFD.
Art students whose works are featured in the exhibit are: Mason Chase, Payton Ferri, Crystal Grey, Layne Griffaton, Scott Menin, and Sofiya Vasyutinskaya.
Additionally, several students and instructors from the program will be featured on the 6ABC show “FYI Philly” on Saturday, February 28, as part of its Philadelphia Flower Show segment. The special feature will give viewers an inside look at the creative process behind the production and installation of the "Rooted in Art” exhibit.
The BCCC Floral Design program, which offers both certificate and degree options, provides students with hands-on experience and a solid foundation in the art of floristry. As an Educational Partner with the AIFD, the program equips students with the skills necessary to pursue careers in event design, floral retail, and more. Students have the opportunity to become a Certified Floral Designer (CFD) by completing the comprehensive curriculum. For more information, visit the Floral Design Certificate Program web page.
