Five years after Hurricane Ida left its mark on Montgomery County, local communities are turning lessons from the storm into plans for a stronger future.  More than $1.2 million in disaster-recovery funding is going to Montgomery County municipalities and while “grant funding” may not sound exciting, what it can do certainly is.

Think stronger infrastructure, better-prepared neighborhoods and communities that are more resilient when the next major storm rolls through.

That matters to local businesses, too.

Flooding, road closures and damaged infrastructure don’t just inconvenience residents. They can keep customers away, interrupt deliveries and force businesses to close their doors unexpectedly. Investments that make communities stronger can help keep the local economy moving when Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate.

Perhaps the most interesting part of this story is what happens next.  Five years after Ida, Montgomery County isn’t simply looking back at the damage. Communities are using the experience to prepare for what’s ahead—and $1.2 million gives them a little more muscle to do it.

Source: North Penn Now | September 7, 2026

A new housing development is headed to Horsham, but these aren’t exactly starter homes. Toll Brothers is planning a community of 22 luxury homes, with prices expected to start around $1.6 million.  Yes, start at $1.6 million.

At a time when many families are already feeling the squeeze from housing costs, taxes, groceries and everyday expenses, the price tag raises an interesting question: Who is Montgomery County’s new housing being built for?

Twenty-two homes won’t transform the county’s housing market, but the development may say something about where demand exists. Builders don’t typically put multimillion-dollar homes on the market unless they believe buyers are out there.

For Horsham, the project could bring new residents and some serious purchasing power to the community. That could benefit nearby restaurants, contractors, landscapers, retailers and other local businesses.

But for the average homebuyer?

A $1.6 million starting price may have many Montco residents admiring these homes from a distance.

Luxury is coming to Horsham. The bigger question is: Who can afford the keys?

Source: MyChesCo | September 6, 2026

Last week, Tech Talk asked whether Flock cameras were turning Montgomery County into “Big Brother in the Burbs.” This week, we’re flipping the lens. See last week's article here .

Because there’s another side to the story.

Flock Safety cameras are designed to help police identify vehicles connected to crimes, missing-person cases and stolen cars. Unlike a traditional surveillance camera recording everything happening on a street, these systems typically capture vehicle information such as license plates, vehicle characteristics, location and time.  That can give investigators a powerful digital trail.

But here’s where things get complicated: How much tracking are we comfortable with when we haven’t done anything wrong?

A camera might help police locate the car connected to a burglary. But that same technology can create a record of ordinary drivers simply going to work, visiting friends or heading home.

So perhaps the real debate isn’t cameras or no cameras.  It’s where should the line be drawn?

What do you think? If these cameras helped solve a crime involving your family or business, would that change how you feel about being tracked?

SEPTEMBER
SEPT. 12 — Lansdale Beer Tasting Festival
📍 Memorial Park, Lansdale
🍺 Sample brews from Lansdale and beyond during this annual beer-tasting celebration.

SEPT. 19 — Conshohocken Funfest
📍 Fayette Street, Conshohocken
🎉 Conshohocken’s big annual street festival returns with food, entertainment and community fun.

SEPT. 19 — 15th Annual Craft Marketplace
📍 Pennypacker Mills, Schwenksville
🛍️ Browse one-of-a-kind crafts, gifts, food and more at this award-winning outdoor marketplace.

SEPT. 19 — Green Lane Park Local Market
📍 Green Lane Park, Green Lane
🥕 Shop fresh local produce, baked goods and handcrafted items from area vendors.

SEPT. 26 — Whitpain Community Festival
📍 Montgomery County Community College, Blue Bell
🎆 Enjoy vendors, food trucks, live music, kids’ activities, hayrides and an evening fireworks display.

SEPT. 26 — 15th Annual Bird & Wildlife Festival
📍 Green Lane Park, Green Lane
🦅 Celebrate local wildlife with nature activities, vendors, live music and family-friendly fun.

OCTOBER
OCT. 2–3 — Ambler Oktoberfest
📍 Downtown Ambler
🎶 Downtown Ambler comes alive with more than 75 vendors and food trucks, plus special offerings from local restaurants and businesses.

OCT. 3 — Limerick Uncorked Festival
📍 Limerick Community Park, Linfield
🍷 Sample offerings from Pennsylvania wineries and breweries while enjoying vendors and festival activities.

OCT. 3 — Edgar Allan Poe Porch Performance
📍 Pennypacker Mills, Schwenksville
📖 Settle in for an outdoor performance bringing Edgar Allan Poe’s chilling stories to life.

OCT. 9 — Spooktacular Soiree
📍 White’s Road Park, Lansdale
🎃 Dress up for trick-or-treating through the park followed by an outdoor showing of The Addams Family. 

OCT. 10 — Haunted Campground Hayride
📍 Green Lane Park, Green Lane
👻 Take an evening ride through the campground for Green Lane Park’s annual haunted hayride adventure.

OCT. 17 — Green Lane Park Local Market
📍 Green Lane Park, Green Lane
🍎 Pick up local produce, baked goods and artisan-made products at the season’s October market.

OCT. 24 — All Hallows Eve Fall Festival
📍 Pennypacker Mills, Schwenksville
🍂 Enjoy old-fashioned fall fun with pumpkin painting, cider pressing, games, crafts, a scavenger hunt and hayrides.

OCT. 24–25 — Pennsylvania Chocolate & Coffee Festival
📍 The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center & Fairgrounds, Oaks
🍫☕ Explore 150+ vendors offering chocolate, coffee, baked treats and samples, along with seminars and live music

Last week, we built a bowl. This week, we’re giving it a little color. Check ou last week's article here.

Here’s the challenge: add ONE colorful fruit or vegetable to ONE meal each day. That’s it.

No diet overhaul. No complicated recipes. No wandering through the grocery store wondering what on earth you’re supposed to do with a rutabaga.

Just add color.

🍓 Toss strawberries into breakfast.
🥕 Add shredded carrots to your lunch.
🫑 Throw some peppers into that bowl from last week.
🥦 Add broccoli alongside dinner.
🫐 Grab a handful of blueberries for a snack.

Why color? Different-colored fruits and vegetables contain different nutrients and plant compounds, so mixing things up is an easy way to add variety to what you already eat.  And notice the strategy we’re using: we’re adding, not taking away.

🌈 THIS WEEK’S DIG IN CHALLENGE
Pick one color you don’t normally eat and get it onto your plate at least three times this week.

Red, orange, yellow, green, blue or purple, you choose.

Bonus challenge: How many different colors can you eat by Sunday?

No perfection. Just make your plate a little brighter.

Your home may look spotless, but what about the places everyone touches all day?

Light switches, doorknobs, cabinet handles, remote controls, appliance handles, and stair railings can quietly collect fingerprints, oils, dust, and germs. Because they rarely look dirty, they are easy to overlook during everyday cleaning.

This week, try a quick “high-touch sweep.” Grab a clean microfiber cloth and wipe down the surfaces your family reaches for most. It only takes a few minutes, but it can make your home feel noticeably fresher.

And remember: a professionally cleaned home isn’t only about shiny countertops and vacuum lines. It’s about giving attention to the small details that help the entire space feel truly cared for.

Montco Cleaning Pros handles the overlooked spots—so you can enjoy the clean.

Call 267-263-7567 to schedule your cleaning.