Lansdale candidates go to the mat, literally

In truth, the mayoral candidates are close friends whose families vacation together. Said Gross: "I love him like a brother, even though he snores like a chainsaw. Our visions for Lansdale are very similar. We're looking to redevelop the town like Phoenixville, Ambler, or West Chester. We work as a great team together. It's just unfortunate he had to lose."

Besides raising money for Manna on Main Street, which supplies meals and social services to the homeless and indigent, the event had a grander, more serious purpose.

"It's something to bring a little more attention to Lansdale," Szekely said. "I was born and grew up here, and Lansdale has always been the butt of jokes: It's where a bunch of farmers live. This shows we've got a sense of humor, we're a little quirky, we know how to have fun. And, hopefully, that will help with revitalization."

Whether that happens, the stunt certainly pleased the crowd.

"I think it's fantastic," said Carol Zellers, 59, a real estate agent who has lived in Lansdale since the '50s. "It's symbolic of the new ideas and new people that are bringing vibrancy, enthusiasm, and excitement back to town. It's a welcome change."

Read the first article in the series, on husband-and-wife Rolls Royce restorers, with a video and photo gallery at

http://go.philly.com/ThisSuburbanLife

If you know of any interesting stories or characters that capture life in the suburbs, contact Art Carey at 610-313-8106 or acarey@phillynews.com.