Community Corner
Newtown's Friends Village Returns To The 70s With "The Disco Ball"
The special fundraising evening will feature food, drinks, lots of dancing and the presentation of Community Builder Awards.

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — Dust off those boogie shoes and circle October 10 on the calendar.
Friends Village (Styer Campus) will be holding a Disco-themed fundraiser - "The Disco Ball: A Friends For All Time Gala" —on Oct. 10 from 5 to 9 p.m. The campus is located at 331 Dolington Road, Newtown 18940.
Tickets include a buffet, beer and wine, DJ, line dancing, a Disco Demo by the Fred Astaire Dance Studios of Newtown, and signature cocktails (alcohol included) donated by Triple Sun.
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"Put on your boogie shoes and join us for an unforgettable evening honoring the establishment of the Styer Campus of Friends Village in 1979," said event organizers. "Celebrate friendship, community, and a future full of promise as we raise vital funds for Friends Village."
DJ Betsy will lay down a monster groove, attendees will learn to do the Hustle, the Bus Stop, and the Night Fever line dance. Dancers from Fred Astaire Dance Studio will burn up
the dance floor. And culinary delights crafted by Emily’s Café & Catering will be served.
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1970s-themed attire is encouraged but not required.
Also at the event, the Friends Village will be honoring three members of community with its Community Builder Award. Friends Village believes that building community means more than creating a place — it means nurturing connections, fostering belonging, and ensuring that older adults can thrive with dignity and purpose.
The Community Builder Award recognizes those who embody these values, whose contributions create lasting foundations of care, friendship, and opportunity for generations to come.
The honorees include
- Terry Christensen. Christensen is a mentor, mariner, coach, author, academic, and dedicated non-profit board leader. His service to the community includes the boards of the Bucks County Peace Center and Friends Village, coaching at George School, mentoring those with addictive behaviors and as a member of the Newtown Township Planning Commission.
- Ruth Samsel. Samsel is one of the longest Friends Village residents, turning 100 years, embodies the spirit of Friends Village. A long-time educator and counselor, Ruth was
recognized at local, state, and federal levels for pioneering career education counseling in middle and high schools. She remains active in her Unitarian Universalist Church where she was the second woman president of the congregation. - Tara Grunde-McLaughlin. Grunde-McLaughhlin is the first female mayor of Newtown Borough. She has previously
served on Newtown’s recreation board and on Borough Council, including terms as Council President and Vice President.
Founded in Newtown in 1897 by members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), Friends Village is a nonprofit senior living community open to all and dedicated to providing older adults of moderate means with an affordable, supportive
place to call home. Across its Paxson and Styer campuses, Friends Village seeks to foster independence, friendship, belonging and meaningful engagement with the greater
Newtown community. Visit our campuses page to read about the two living styles available with Friends Village.
To purchase tickets or donate to Friends Village go to: friends-
village.org/tickets. Limited tickets are available. Price: $125 per ticket. For additional information, contact Karen Haney by emailing khaney@friends-village.org or by calling
215-968-3346, ext. 206.
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