Louis Petolicchio, the Education Director for COOL who will be serving as course host, said that COOL was excited about bringing “A More Perfect Union” to the Souderton-area and revisiting the region.

“In January, COOL presented ‘The Birth of Freedom’ course, which was very well received,” he said.  “So, when we were asked to come back and do another presentation, we were only too happy to jump at the chance.”

Mark Thomas of Cornwall, Chairman of COOL, said that the presentation is an excellent opportunity to energize the electorate during the 2012 Election cycle.

“We always hear politicians and political activists talking about the importance of the Constitution – especially during a Presidential election – but so many Americans have been left in the dark about the Constitution itself and how important the rule-of-law is to our country,” he said.  “Courses like ‘A More Perfect Union’ give us the opportunity to reflect back and remember how we got our Constitution and how precious a document it really is.”

Lani Kimenhour, who was instrumental in arranging for COOL’s first course in the area, said she was motivated by the morning workshops that COOL has been presenting at the Pennsylvania Leadership Conference outside of Harrisburg the last couple of years.

“After attending a COOL seminar in Harrisburg last spring, I knew that it was something that others in our area could benefit from,” Kimenhour said.  “The folks at COOL bring passion and enthusiasm to the topic of the U.S. Constitution.”

“They remind us just how important it is for citizens to understand the role and limitations of government as the Founding Fathers intended,” she noted.

“A More Perfect Union” is a video presentation that dramatizes the events leading up to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, and the debates and arguments that forged the document that has been declared by America’s Founding Fathers as the ‘law of the land.’  It is presented in a combination video/open discussion format and runs 2 to 3 hours.

“A More Perfect Union” is scheduled to begin at 1:30 PM at Immanuel Leidy’s Church, 276 W. Cherry Lane, Souderton, PA.  Cost of the course is $10, which includes all necessary study material.

Additional information may be secured by contacting 215-723-8707, or by e-mailing office@leidyschurch.org.

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This past March 23 and 24, the Constitutional Organization Of Liberty (COOL) was again a Patriot Sponsor of the Pennsylvania Leadership Conference (PLC), the annual gathering of conservatives from across the Commonwealth in the Harrisburg area. As always, it was an excellent opportunity for participants to network with other like-minded individuals, attend a variety of informative presentations, and hear outstanding conservative leaders – including Keynote Speaker pollster Frank Luntz as well as Presidential candidates Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich.

We can only express our heartfelt thanks for the support COOL received this year as State Senator Mike Folmer and Instructor Louis Petolicchio were again invited to host one of the opening workshops – this year on “The Bill of Rights.”  We had been advised shortly before the presentation that the PLC had received confirmation of about 20 participants, but a final count at the end of the morning found that more than 100 people had sat in on the workshop – one of the largest ever held at the PLC!

In addition, just like last year, COOL had the largest contingent present, with five reserved tables. And, if it may be said, COOL had the finest display table in the entire showroom with books, t-shirts, and various other items available for purchase.  And we were honored to have been publicly recognized by Mr. Luntz for the gift basket which was provided to him.

The 2013 Pennsylvania Leadership Conference has already been scheduled for April 19 and 20, so make plans now to join COOL for what will be yet another exciting event.

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http://thedavidmadeirashow.com/podcasts/2012/the-dms-3-25-12/

Mark Thomas of Cornwall, Chairman of COOL, said that they were excited about the opportunity to present “The Birth of Freedom” in Souderton as it will be their first course in Montgomery County.

“COOL has presented courses and presentations all across Pennsylvania, but interestingly, we have not done anything in Montgomery County,” Thomas said.  “It’s a natural fit to conduct Constitution-oriented courses in Southeastern Pennsylvania because of the historic relationship between our Founding Fathers and the Philadelphia region.”

Lani Kimenhour, who arranged for COOL to do the presentation, said she was motivated to have a course in the local area after attending the 2011 Pennsylvania Leadership Conference outside of Harrisburg where COOL had a morning workshop on the Constitution.

“After attending a COOL seminar in Harrisburg last spring, I knew that it was something that others in our area could benefit from,” Kimenhour said.  “The folks at COOL bring passion and enthusiasm to the topic of the U.S. Constitution.”

“They remind us just how important it is for citizens to understand the role and limitations of government as the Founding Fathers intended,” she noted.

“The Birth of Freedom” outlines the origins of human liberty, the unique principle of individual freedom, and it’s influence on western culture and the United States.  It is presented in a combination video/open discussion format and runs 2 to 3 hours.

“The Birth of Freedom” is scheduled to begin at 1:30 PM at Immanuel Leidy’s Church, 276 W. Cherry Lane, Souderton, PA.  Cost of the course is $10 and includes all necessary study material.

Additional information may be secured by contacting 215-723-8707, or by e-mailing office@leidyschurch.org.

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Mark Thomas of Cornwall, Chairman of COOL, said that the five-year old organization designated the plan as “Operation October” due to the number of events and functions COOL will be participating in to encourage additional education on the Constitution and America’s founding documents.

“Since Constitutional education is the stated purpose for COOL’s existence, we wanted to highlight the many events and functions that we are engaged in this month,” Thomas said.  “We have hosted courses and functions throughout central Pennsylvania and the activities this month will supplement what COOL has been doing all year.”

Thomas said that “Operation October” will begin with a “Liberty Breakfast” in Bucks County on Saturday, hosted by The Loyal Opposition of Pennsylvania, which counts among its leaders Jennifer Stefano, who is reported to be considering a primary challenge to Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick.

“We have had a number of successful breakfasts this year, and are excited about taking the ‘Liberty Breakfast’ to the Philadelphia metropolitan area,” he said.

COOL will follow up the “Liberty Breakfast” with an intensive weekend course presentation of the “Institute On The Constitution” in Jonestown (Lebanon County) beginning on Friday, October 14 and concluding on Saturday, October 15, and then again the following weekend in Spring Grove (York County).

“We refer to this presentation of the IOTC as a ‘Blitz’ because we have modified the coursework to comply with the busy schedules that so many people have today, and present all of the material in an engaging and fast-paced manner,” Thomas said.

COOL will be concluding “Operation October” by hosting a table at the Non-Partisan Political Faire hosted by the Lebanon 9-12 on October 25.

“We were pretty excited about the opportunity to participate in the Faire this year because it will be a great opportunity to network with a wide variety of people,” said Laurel Lynn Petolicchio, who serves on COOL’s Board.  “When the Lebanon 9-12 approached us about sponsoring a table, we thought this would be a great way to wrap up our October promotion.”

The Jonestown IOTC Blitz is scheduled to take place at Lebanon Area Evangelical Free Church at 600 Shepherd Drive, and the Spring Grove Blitz is set for St. Paul Lutheran Church at 201 S. Main St. in Spring Grove.  Both courses are fee-based and attendance confirmation for the IOTC Blitz sessions is requested to ensure sufficient seating and study material.

Additional information may be secured by contacting 717-228-7524, or by e-mailing COOL directly at reclaimliberty@verizon.net.

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Mark Thomas of Cornwall, Chairman of COOL, said that the five-year old organization has arranged for the morning function at the Old Country Buffet, beginning at 8:30 AM.

“We’re very excited about bringing our breakfast to Chester County,” Thomas said.  “We have hosted courses and functions throughout central Pennsylvania but this is the first one we have held in Chester County.”

Thomas said that the Liberty Breakfasts are new for 2011 as they found a number of individuals were interested in gaining additional knowledge about the Constitution but were not able to commit to long term coursework.

“After the successful classes we had last year, COOL’s Board went ahead and approved the use of the breakfast model in order to broaden our access and appeal to the different locations we think would be receptive to our courses and educational approach,” he said.

Carris Kocher, of the Bill of Rights Bicentennial Committee, which, along with Chester County ACTION, is hosting the breakfast, said she personally made arrangements for the breakfast in Downingtown and is looking for a strong turnout.

“This area has a large number of deeply convicted individuals when it comes to the Constitution and how the law should be applied,” Kocher said.  “I really felt the time had come to start combining COOL’s strong educational expertise with the conservative activists in the area.”

Kocher also noted that since 2011 is the 275th anniversary of Patrick Henry’s birth, the breakfast will include a musical tribute to Patrick Henry by Charlie Zahm of Philadelphia,

“Charlie is an outstanding musician with a wealth of musical talent and historical knowledge,” Kocher said. “He is popular at Maritime, Early American and Celtic festivals, and his rich voice is matched only by his masterful guitar playing.”

“Having this tribute to Patrick Henry at this event seemed fitting,” Kocher said, ”as, without Patrick Henry, there would be no Bill of Rights and no First Amendment.”

State Senator Mike Folmer (R-48^th), who serves as a Board member for COOL, attended the first Liberty Breakfast in Palmyra and said he was very pleased with the function.

“I enjoyed the fact that the breakfast allows participants to gain additional knowledge about the Constitution and our Founding documents without feeling pressured to stick to a long term schedule,” Folmer said.  “And for an elected official like myself it is a great time to just catch up with local constituents without having to worry about being the center of attention.”

“Anyone who attends these breakfasts comes out learning something,” he said.

The topic for the Liberty Breakfast scheduled for August 6 will be “The First Amendment” and will feature both a review of the Amendment as well as an open discussion of the critical aspects of it.

The meeting room at the Old Country Buffet has been reserved and breakfast will be served ala carte whereby participants will order and pay for their own meals.  After the meal, the forum will begin, and there is no charge to participate, although donations will be solicited.

Attendance confirmation is requested to ensure sufficient seating in the meeting room, and may be made by contacting Kocher via e-mail at kochercj@verizon.net.  Any other inquiries may be made directly to COOL at 717-228-7524, or by e-mail at reclaimliberty@verizon.net.

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Mark Thomas of Cornwall, Chairman of COOL, said that the five-year old organization has arranged for the morning function at the Old Country Buffet, beginning at 8:00 AM.

“We’re very excited about bringing our breakfast to the Mechanicsburg area,” Thomas said.  “We have hosted courses and functions throughout central Pennsylvania but this is the first one we have held in Mechanicsburg.”

Thomas said that the “Liberty Breakfasts are new for 2011 as they found a number of individuals were interested in gaining additional knowledge about the Constitution but were not able to commit to long term coursework.

“After the successful classes we had last year, COOL’s Board went ahead and approved the use of the breakfast model in order to broaden our access and appeal to the different locations we think would be receptive to our courses and educational approach,” he said.

Kelly Krouch, of Mechanicsburg, and a course instructor for COOL, said she personally made arrangements for the breakfast in Mechanicsburg and is looking for a strong turnout.

“Mechanicsburg has a large number of deeply convicted individuals when it comes to the Constitution and how the law should be applied,” Krouch said.  “I really felt the time had come to start combining COOL’s strong educational expertise with the conservative activists in the area.”

State Senator Mike Folmer, who attended the first Liberty Breakfasts in Palmyra and Manheim, said he was very pleased with the function.

“I enjoy the fact that the breakfast allows participants to gain additional knowledge about the Constitution and our Founding documents without feeling pressured to stick to a long term schedule,” Folmer said.  “And for an elected official like myself it is a great time to just catch up with local constituents without having to worry about being the center of attention.”

“Anyone who attends these breakfasts comes out learning something,” he said.

The topic for the Liberty Breakfast scheduled for June 4 will be “The Second Amendment” and will feature both a review of the Amendment as well as an open discussion of the critical aspects of it.

The meeting room at the Old Country Buffet has been reserved and breakfast will be served ala carte whereby participants will order and pay for their own meals.  After the meal, the forum will begin, and there is no charge to participate, although donations will be solicited.

Attendance confirmation is requested to ensure sufficient seating in the meeting room, and may be made by contacting 717-228-7524, or by e-mailing COOL directly at reclaimliberty@verizon.net.

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“We were excited about hosting this breakfast because it was our first function in Lancaster County,” said Mark Thomas, Chairman of COOL.  “And we were pleased by the response, both in terms of attendance as well as the interest that was expressed by people who were not able to come out.”

“We’re looking forward to having another breakfast in the area again soon,” he said.

With 30 people from across the region in attendance, COOL course instructor Louis Petolicchio directed an interactive, point-by-point review of the first article of the Bill of Rights, emphasizing the definition of words and phrases as intended by the Founding Fathers.

We can only express our heartfelt thanks for the support COOL received this year as we hosted one of the opening workshops entitled “Fundamentals of the U.S. Constitution.” We had been advised shortly before the presentation that the PLC was anticipating about 40 people to attend, but a final count at the end of the morning found that more than 130 people had sat in on the workshop – one of the largest ever held at the PLC!

In addition, just like last year, COOL had the largest contingent present, with five reserved tables and one overflow table at the annual dinner. And, if it may be said, COOL had the finest display table in the entire showroom with books, t-shirts, buttons and various other items available for purchase.

The 2012 Pennsylvania Leadership Conference has already been scheduled for March 23 and 24, so make plans now to join COOL for what will be yet another exciting event.