Sponsor:
Foot and Ankle Health Group
John Dahdah, Thomas Beideman, Scott Samuelson, Therese Rindaldi, and Christina Farrell
20 East Philadelphia Ave
Boyertown, PA 19512
Artist:
Dennis Graber
doggedstreet@aol.com
484-264-5532
by Thomas Beideman
Foot and Ankle Health Group practice consists of four offices; Boyertown, Pottstown, Sanatoga, and Royersford with five doctors; John Dahdah, Thomas Beideman, Scott Samuelson, Therese Rindaldi, and Christina Farrell.
We see patients young and old, providing care for all conditions of the foot and ankle. In providing quality, compassionate care, we strive to treat the "whole patient", seeking options that are suitable to the goals and needs of the patient and their families.
We have had an office in Boyertown for over 30 years. To signify the practice's medical scope, we decided that our bear would don a cast on his right leg. Shortly after our bear was delivered, I took my daughters to "meet" him. My oldest daughter suggested that we name him "Barry Bumfoot, the Boyertown Black Bear," a name that seemed fitting and was overwhelming accepted by my colleagues. We are very proud to be part of the Boyertown community and to serve its members!
by Jane Stahl
April 20, 2023
“Barry Bumfoot,” represents the new location of the Foot and Ankle Health Group and has a unique story. He began as “Artie,” was originally sponsored by TriCounty Chamber of Commerce, and painted by students of Boyertown High School under the direction of art instructor Debra Spleen.
“Artie” showcased the styles of many famous artists and was located in front of Boyertown’s popular Grill Shop for many years until the Grill Shop’s exterior was renovated with fresh paint and a new sign.
“Artie” had taken a beating over the years and needed some TLC. Happily, the Foot and Ankle Health Group employed Dennis Graber, auto body specialist, to refurbish him. Graber has painted, clear coated, and repaired Bear Fever’s bears over the project’s history and took over the creation of the project’s plaster tabletop models from Doctor James Tribbett. The tabletop mold was originally fashioned by artist Martha Cawley.
“Artie’s” fans may now miss him, but photographs of “Artie” can still be found on the newly-designed Bear Gallery page of Bear Fever’s website www.bearfever.org, designed and supported by Media Fusion Technologies as a service to Boyertown, a very special kind of place.
by Jane Stahl
August 30, 2006
Bear Fever Pays Tribute to Unsung Hero Dennis Graber
Every successful project has its unsung heroes, and Boyertown’s Bear Fever community art project has its share as well. One such hero is Dennis Graber of Graber Automotive and Collision, East Greenville, who provides our Bear Fever bears with their shiny coats.
The process known as clearcoating protects each bear from the deleterious effects of the sunshine, rain, or snow. With the clearcoat applied, each bear should be able to withstand the weather just like a car.
Graber’s assistance has been noteworthy in his flexibility and willingness to work nights and weekends to meet the deadlines of assorted Bear Fever-related events. And his gentle spirit in carefully handling each bear demonstrates his on-going support for the project.
“I have my favorite bears,” Graber noted. “But, really, they’re all beautiful in their own ways. My family and I often walk around Boyertown to visit them; I’m just proud to be part of this project.”
While Graber Automotive and Collision is a modest repair shop in East Greenville, the classic cars found inside the bays offer first-class testimony of Graber’s skill in auto repair and restoration. He prides himself in creating a smooth finish which requires intensive treatment before any primer or paint is applied.
“Success is all in the preparation,” Graber explains. “Cut corners in the preparation, and each flaw is magnified ten times once the finish is applied.”
“Catering to all your individual auto needs” is the motto Graber forwards for the business which features custom painting, classic car restoration, ASE-certified collision work, engine building, and general auto mechanical repair. Buying and selling antique and classic cars remains a favored pastime for Graber.
Included in those features are restoration for special interest vehicles, cars destined for museums, and prototype cars. In collision work, he offers unibody repair, frame repair, painting, A/C repair and structural repair. Custom engine building and antique automobiles are included in his engine building services along with antique auto mechanical work and general maintenance and inspection work.
Graber demonstrates community spirit in his participation and membership in a variety of community projects and organizations beyond Bear Fever including Lower Providence Police Department, Upper Pottsgrove Police Department, Upper Perkiomen Valley Open Line, and the Upper Perkiomen Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Graber boasts centerfold and front cover attention for a1965 Mustang featured in Mustang Monthly Magazine and Mustang Illustrated. He’s proud of a first place from Pebble Beach for a1935 Mercedes Benz 540 Cabriolet, his 90/100 points in the Florida National Corvette Show for a 1957 Corvette, a People’s Choice Award from the New Jersey Hot Rod Association Car Show in Wildwood, New Jersey for a 1970 SS Nova, and numerous invitations to Conquors D’Elegance.
The artist and mechanic meet at Graber Automotive and Collision where there’s no job too small for careful treatment regarding collision work, minor work to major wrecks, towing, detailing, and guaranteed color matching. Unsung heroes are like that—quiet and unassuming in their willingness to do what needs to be done to make things right. Bear Fever thanks you, Dennis, for your jobs well done!