You Can Take it to the Bank

Wednesday, February 17

"You can take it to the bank" is an idiom well known in the English language.  It means you are able to depend on the truthfulness of a statement: it is not counterfeit or bogus.

There are a lot of things you can take to a bank in Lansdale.  Unless you are like me, and take them to a Credit Union.



I bank at the Merck Sharp & Dohme Federal Credit Union on South Broad Street.  Which was a fine coincidence, because the Merck Sharp & Dohme Federal Credit Union was going to be the recipient of Lansdale's Economic Development Committee Business of the Month Award later in the day.

Dan Sokil of The Reporter memorializing the event

Councilwoman Carrie Hawkins Charlton delivered the award, and outlined many reasons they Merck Sharp & Dohme was worthy of the award.  They are extremely community focused, and donate money, time and effort to many local charities.

Plus, they have a Cow Plop every year.  Where you place money on where a cow is going to, well, plop.  Her stuff.  Don't make me spell this out!  You know what I mean.  With proceeds going to charity.  The money, not the plop.

One thing I love about Merck Sharpe and Dohme is that it has a small town old fashioned bank vibe to it.  They understand that you are the customer, and they treat you right.

And they have lollipops.  Now I have to tell you that every time I see the basket of lollipops, two things happen.  First, I think about when I was a kid and would go to the bank with my mom.  And I would always get a lollipop.  Second, I think about that song by the Chordettes.  You know the one.  Lollipop.  And how I can never get it out of my head for the rest of the day.  Here it is, so you can have the same excruciating pain of this song invading every moment of your day.  You're welcome.




What is my takeaway from this?  The Merck Sharp & Dohme Federal Credit Union is a lot like Lansdale itself.  It reminds us of great times past, but puts a modern spin on things.  It fits in with Lansdale perfectly.

Do you think only people who work at Merck can bank here?  I never worked for Merck.  Just about any company can sign up to be a member.  Mine did.  And if yours isn't, you should get them to.  It's free and easy.

It also made me think about how generation after generation always complains about the music of the current generation.  "Oh, those kids today!  They listen to such garbage!"

I kind of thought that when I stumbled upon the lyrics to Lil' Wayne's version of Lollipop.  I can't print them here.  I won't even link to them.  This is a family blog.  Go Google it yourself.  Because that Lil' Wayne has a big old mouth on him!

But there I am, sounding old.  Because we listened to a song with these lyrics:

Lollipop lollipop
Oh lolli lolli lolli
Lollipop lollipop
Oh lolli lolli lolli
Lollipop lollipop
Oh lolli lolli lolli
Lollipop (pop)

(repeat)

I mean, really!  I think America's love affair with mind altering substances started a lot sooner than we thought it did.

Anyway!  Congratulations to Merck Sharp & Dohme Federal Credit Union for their Business of the Month award.  It is well deserved.

Lansdale Shopping Score:  1

Now, just a few moments to talk about an unsuccessful Lansdale shopping trip.  I needed a toy.  For a five year old.  A specific toy, because this boy is into Minions.  Big time.

Now I believe they have a toy section at Big Lots, but most probably not the robust selection I would need, because this five year old has a lot of Minions.  I needed to find one he didn't have.  So it's off to Toys R Us in neighboring Montgomery Township.  Where they have lots of Minions.

I settled on a Tumblin' Stuart.  The one with one eye.  When you press his head, he speaks in Minionese.  He tumbles.  He gets back up.  And, once in a while, when getting up, he farts.

This, of course, sends one five year old and four adults into paroxysms of laughter every time Stuart does this. Every time.  We, as adults, are hysterically laughing at a farting toy.

Let me tell you.  I'm 54 years old.  I have been known to fart when getting up.  And no one thinks it's hysterically funny.  No one.

Lansdale Shopping Score:  Zero (I would have if I could have, but it’s something not available in the borough)

So the recap:

ONE opportunity to shop/eat in Lansdale met.

ONE need not fulfilled by a Lansdale establishment.

Let’s see what today brings!