All 'Dressed' Up and Somewhere to Paddle

August 22, 2014, 9:00 pm

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Kayakers line up to pass through Lock 60.

Blogger's Note:The following was provided by Take it Outdoors Adventures.

MONT CLARE–Take it Outdoors Adventures is sponsoring a five-mile loop paddle along the Schuylkill Canal and Schuylkill River to benefit the Schuylkill Canal Association on Wednesday Aug. 27 at 6 p.m.

All are invited to come out to Lock 60 on the Schuylkill Canal in Mont Clare and join in the paddle, which is appropriate for all experience levels. 

Minimum donation is $20 per person. Kayak rentals are available for an additional $20 (advance registration required).

As an incentive, Take it Outdoors Adventures owner Doug Chapman has vowed to paddle the five-mile loop on a standup paddle board in a dress if $1,000 is raised.

All participants 21 and older will receive one free Sly Fox Beer and one voucher for a free beer from Sly Fox’s Phoenixville or Pottstown location. There may be other incentives.

Lock 60 is the only remaining operating lock on the Schuylkill Canal. 

It is maintained by a dedicated crew of volunteers who donate time, equipment and money to keep the canal functioning. 

This year alone thousands of dollars were spent clearing trees out of the canal so recreational boaters are able to navigate its waters.

Many of the volunteers will participate in this fundraiser. Please come out and support them and the work they do to maintain the canal.

To sign up for this event visit www.takeitoutdoorsadventures.com or email doug@takeitoutdoorsadventures.com.

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Over There

August 23, 2014, 9:00 pm

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Photos Courtesy of Janelle Whitehurst Janelle with friends in Barcelona, Spain

Blogger's Note: Janelle Whitehurst is a Pottstown igh School graduate attending the University of Richmond. This year she had an opportunity to study abroad. Read what she has to say about the experience. 

Janelle in the Maastricht Caves area of the Netherlands.

I had the opportunity to study abroad in Fall 2013 at the Maastricht University School of Business and Economics in The Netherlands. I have to say that this time has been the best four months of my life, so far.

There are fears amongst the African-American community – fears about the potential of racism, or there being no place to get your hair done, lack of friends going with you, finances – that make us one of the most underrepresented groups in study abroad.

I personally had fears about all of these things, but after doing study abroad myself, I say – go for it!

One of the benefits of the experience is the self-discovery that can occur from having time to yourself.

Janelle in Stockholm

The experience was like an awakening to who I am not only as an American, but as a young African-American woman.

Most countries where Richmond sends students find black people curious but beautiful. People usually
find your nationality more peculiar than your skin tone and I never had any encounters with racism.

Many people I encountered thought that I, of all people, was exotic and beautiful for being American and also being black, which took me aback.

Not that I've ever felt inferior or ugly at home in America, but I've never felt so revered for who I am.

Where I studied, there were several black beauty shops so my hair wasn’t a problem.

A friend who studied in the same city handled the issue by wearing braids for her stay.

As for lack of friends, living amongst a myriad of different international students is actually one of the best parts; you didn't go halfway around the world to hang out with the same people you have already spent two years with at Richmond!

At dinner in Janelle's dorm in The Netherlands.

Making new international friends expands your perspective and deepens insights you would never get with friends back home.

Learning about their backgrounds and lifestyles has been the biggest eye-opening and heart-widening experience.

And about the money, Richmond allows your financial aid package to travel with you to finance your experience abroad.

Janelle. who has played on the college Quidditch Team, at Harry Potter's Plaform 9 3/4 at King's Cross Station in London.

There’s a reason why a third of the junior class goes abroad each fall – our school has one of the
country’s best study abroad programs.

The value of study abroad for students of color is that it empowers you and gives you a heightened sense of pride in who you are and where you come from.

In additional to the personal benefits, there are also professional benefits from study abroad, such as it giving you a better competitive advantage for your job search; as businesses become more internationally integrated, employers want workers with international experience and a global perspective


Janelle Whitehurst,
Business Administration major
Maastricht University, School of Business & Economics, The Netherlands

The Digital Notebook invites other Pottstown High School alum to share their experiences after graduation. Send material to ebrandt@pottsmerc.com

A New Vice President

August 25, 2014, 9:00 pm

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So I'll spare you the suspense.

Last night, the Pottstown School Board elected Andrew Kefer as its new vice president.

He succeeds Dennis Wausnock, who was laid to rest earlier that day.

But it wasn't pretty. Read on.

So here it is, your BONUS VIDEO because you, brave reader, read all the way to the bottom.

If, by any chance, you had wanted a preview of what the Pottstown High School Marching Band show might contain this year, this is YOUR VIDEO!

Salaries, Exams and Construction, Another School Year Begins

August 26, 2014, 9:00 pm

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Tuesday night, the Pottsgrove School Board dealt with a number of issues related to the start of the school year, including new, presumably higher, salaries for administrators; as well as high school construction issues, Keystone Exam issues, how to fill board vacancies and even school lunches.

Read all about it through the live-Tweeting of Mercury Reporter Evan Brandt, who has a very sore thumb.

Vote Early, Vote Often

August 27, 2014, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Timeliness is Next to Newsiness

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Candace Benson, on screen, is done with judges. Now it's time for America to judge.

Pottstown High School graduate Candace Benson is poised to become a gospel singing star on national TV, but she needs your help to do it.

Candace, left, and Geoffrey after being named the two finalists on 'Sunday Best.'

Benson, who graduated from Pottstown in 2010 and is now a student at Montgomery County
Community College, is one of the two finalists on BET's program "Sunday Best."

What started out with thousands of auditions is now down to two finalists, Benson and Georffrey Golden who, it should be pointed out, has NO connection to Pottstown whatsoever, although I'm sure he's very nice and all.

You can vote online by logging on to www.BET.com/SundayBest. Voting is now open and you can vote on-line or with the BET Now mobile app as many times as you would like.

For those of you who like to wait for the last minute, you can vote the night of the final program, Sunday, Aug. 31, by telephone.

To vote for Benson, call 1-888-5-BEST-01 or 888-523-7801, but you are limited to 15 votes via this method.

Candace being coached on 'Sunday Best'

If you want to know more about her, click here to read the story I wrote when she became one of the final four.

You can read about her reaction to being named one of the two finalists here.

So why not start early, and start voting now?

If you want to see Candace on the program, you can watch her on this link, where, I hasten to point out, you can vote for her as well.

Have I mentioned that on-line voting is unlimited? Well it is, so go vote.

If you would like to hear Benson sing, here is a video of her singing in The Mercury's Media Lab:

Now, doesn't she seem like she deserves to win?

Remember, you can vote RIGHT NOW! AND AGAIN....ANd again....and again.....

Timeliness is Next to Newsiness

August 28, 2014, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Recreation and Comprehensive Planning

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Photo by a late-arriving Evan Brandt

Recreation and Comprehensive Planning

August 29, 2014, 9:00 pm

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Justin Keller

So this is why we employ professional photographers at The Mercury.

This photo at right was the best I could do, apparently, with my iPhone.

My apologies to Justin Keller.

Anyway, this fine fellow is the person who will be working to coordinate recreation activities for six of the eight towns who bought in to match the state grant that will fund his activities.

East Coventry and New Hanover pinched their pennies and decided against participating in the program.

(This despite the fact that New Hanover just purchased a huge new building as a recreation center this year, but hey, leaders know best.)

He is housed at the offices of the Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation and I'm sure we'll be hearing more from him.

Wednesday night, he was introduced to the Pottstown Metropolitan Area Regional Planning Committee, through which the grant to pay is salary was obtained.

Here are the Tweets from that meeting.

Lincoln and Franklin Confidential

August 30, 2014, 9:00 pm

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Photo by Evan Brandt Although the rest of Franklin Elementary School is scheduled to be open for first day of classes Tuesday, there is still a lot of work to be done in the all-purpose room and students will eat lunch in their classrooms for the next few weeks.

With the cooperation of the Pottstown School District, Mercury Photographer Extraordinaire John Strickler and I were given a guided tour Friday of the two renovated and expanded elementary schools that are to open  Tuesday -- Lincoln and Franklin.

Photo by Evan Brandt It wouldn't be a visit to Lincoln without stopping to talk with 'Mr. Bob,' quite probably Pottstown's nicest man.

Bob Kripplebauer, supervisor of buildings and grounds, was visibly excited by the prospect of new classrooms, new facilities and air conditioning in the two buildings.

Similar renovations at Barth were completed last year and work at Rupert has proven to be too much to complete on time.

Students and staff there will begin the school year where the last one ended for Rupert, in the former Edgewood School on Morris Street.

Although the professional photographer took better photos than I, some of which should be available soon in a slide show on The Mercury web site, if they're not there already, I figured Pottstownians' curiosity of what awaits them Tuesday would still be appreciated, no matter how poor the photography.

I've also embedded a short Tout video I made of the tour for those who prefer moving pictures.



So here they are, photos Tweeted as they happened in another pulse-pounding example of 'live Tweeting.'

And remember to click the blue "Read Next Page" bar to ensure full and complete reader satisfaction.

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Pedaling Through the Parks

August 31, 2014, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Helping Put Pottstown on the Map

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Last Year's bike tour focused on historic cemeteries along the Schuylkill River Trail. This year's ride will feature stops at three National Parks; Hopewell Furnace, Valley Forge and Independence parks.

Blogger's Note:The following was provided by my friend Laura Catalano at the Schuylkill River National Heritage Area.

Did you know that there are three national park sites located near the Schuylkill River Trail?

On Sept. 20 and 21, participants in the Schuylkill River Heritage Area’s Pedaling through Our National Parks Ride will visit those sites by bike.

Although bike trailers are prohibited on the ride,  tandem bikes are not.

The third ride in the Heritage Area’s Schuylkill River Bike Tour Series, it will feature about 30 miles of cycling per day, with visits to Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, Valley Forge National Historical Park and Independence National Historical Park.

Registrants can choose to ride on either or both days. 

The first day will include guided programs at Hopewell Furnace and Valley Forge, with a stop for lunch at the Schuylkill River Heritage Area headquarters in Pottstown. 

The second day will take cyclists from Valley Forge to Independence and will include a tour of Independence and a lunch program on the Washington-Rochambeau National Historic Trail. Lunch will be along the Schuylkill Banks in Philadelphia.

Each day, a bike/passenger shuttle will take riders back to their cars. 

Lunch, a light breakfast, tours and ride support are included. While most of the ride takes place along the Schuylkill River Trail, there are some on-road pieces. 

On the first day, about half is on road, primarily on back roads.

The Schuylkill River Trail Bike Tour Series is a series of annual rides that was introduced by the Schuylkill River Heritage Area in 2012. 

Last year's ride featured players of historic music.

Each fall, a different section of trail is featured. All the rides are intended to raise awareness of the connections that can be made from the Schuylkill River Trail to regional historic sites.

“Our goal in establishing the Schuylkill River Trail Bike Tour Series is to show people that they can travel along the trail to connect to visitor sites and regional history,” said Kurt Zwikl, executive director of the Schuylkill River Heritage Area. 

“Cyclists who participate will not only experience an enjoyable ride, but they will discover how to access three national parks by bike,” he said.

Cost for the Pedaling through our National Parks ride is $50 per person per day and $95 for both days. 

After Sept. 5, cost is $55 and $100 for both days. 

Registration closes Sept. 18. There will be no day of registration. 

Riders will be shuttled back to their cars on both days.

Event is rain or shine. Ride limited to 200 riders per day.

Price includes bike/passenger shuttle, light breakfast, catered lunch, well-marked route, guided tours and programs and refreshments. 

Free t-shirts are included for all who register by Sept. 5. 

All proceeds benefit the Schuylkill River Heritage Area.

Ride support and complimentary pre-ride bicycle safety checks will be provided by TriCounty Bicycles, of Pottstown. 

Due to the width of the trail, no bicycle trailers will be permitted. To learn more visit www.schuylkillriver.org.

The Schuylkill River National and State Heritage Area, managed by the non-profit Schuylkill River Greenway Association, uses conservation, education, recreation, historic preservation and tourism as tools for community revitalization and economic development.

Helping Put Pottstown on the Map

September 1, 2014, 9:00 pm

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Photo courtesy of Montgomery County Community College Candace Benson is a 2010 graduate of Pottstown High School.

"Sunday Best" host Kirk Franklin" said he had "never heard of Pottstown, Pennsylvania" before Candace Benson walked onto his stage.

Despite coming in second in the voting for the national gospel-singing contest on BET TV, its likely after her performances he will have a hard time forgetting it.

The nation voted for Geoffrey Golden of Cleveland, Ohio in the final round of the program, but that was not for lack of votes from Benson's hometown.

The 2010 Pottstown High School Graduate was lauded by the judges after singing "I Won't Go Back" and "He Heals Me" during the two-hour finale Sunday night.

"You have grown so much since you came here," judge Donnie McClurkin told Benson Sunday. "There is not a challenge you have shied away from. I cannot tell you how awestruck I am by your latest performance."

"There are some people sitting at home watching you saying 'look at her. She made it all the way here.' And then you confessed that you were weak and God made you strong," said judge Yolonda Adams. "You know I love you."

Photo from Screen Shot/BET Sunday Best  Candace Benson and Geoffrey Golden, with host Kirk Franklin, were the two finalists Sunday night.

"This is the next level and your voice is beautiful," said judge Kierra Sheard. "You are so gifted in all that you do."

Now a music major at Montgomery County Community College, the 22-year-old auditioned last April with hundreds of hopeful singers. 

She was one of 20 contestants selected to sing on the weekly television competition that started in July. Throughout the past several weeks, she successfully made it through each round. After the judges selected the two finalists, the competition was open to the public Aug. 24-30 to vote for their favorite performer via phone, online or mobile app.

Benson, who studied music from a young age at Collegeville Conservatory of Music and at Pine Forge Academy,  will continue her studies this fall to finish her associate’s degree at MCCC’s Central Campus in Blue Bell. 

In addition to her classes, she sings in the College Choir and during Music Wednesdays, when students can perform for the campus during the lunch-time hour. 

Her professors, Andrew Kosciesza and Michael Kelly, among others, have been encouraging her

Photo from Screen Shot/BET  Sunday Best contestant Candace Benson gets advice  from mentor Kim Burrell.

throughout the competition and look forward to having her back in classes and the choir, according to a press release issued Monday by the college..

Passionate about music, Benson, who lives on Walnut Street and is also music director at Bethel AME Church in West Chester, started playing the piano when she was only 4 years old. 

She has been singing in choirs and bands at church and with her family for many years. 

To see her performances, visit her website at www.candacebensonmusic.com. 

Or you can watch this video right here when she sang for us during her Mercury interview.

"You are going to go on and so some great things," McClurkin told Benson after she sang "He Heals Me.".

As far as all her local supporters are concerned, she already has.

The News Was Not at the Meeting

September 2, 2014, 9:00 pm

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So sometimes, the news is happening behind the scenes while a municipal meeting relevant to that news blithely goes along on its merry way.

Who is missing from this picture? The empty chair, 2nd from the right  is usually occupied by Supervisor Fred Ziegler, who has been arrested.

Such was the case Tuesday night in the case of Douglass Township, Montgomery County.

While Supervisor's Chairman John Stasik was saying he did not know where Supervisor and former police chief Fred Ziegler was, and didn't know if he would be at the meeting, sources tell us he was cooling his heels in a Pottstown holding cell, possibly being arraigned on charges of stealing from the township.

So, luckily for us, we caught wind of that and, with some help, got the story in time to make the deadline for today's print edition.

(You can also read the full criminal complaint here.)

In the meantime, here's the other stuff that was going on while Ziegler was making his way through the justice system.

Of Tourism, Bicentennials and Human Relations

September 3, 2014, 9:00 pm

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Photo by Evan Brandt One of the nicest things about walking to a Pottstown Borough Council meeting is walking past the fountain in Smith Family Plaza.

So last night's meeting was not terribly long, but there are a lot of Tweets, so make sure to click the blue "Click the Read Next Page" bar to ensure full enjoyment.

More for Pensions and More Shopping

September 4, 2014, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Tonight's Car Show, the Year's Last, Will Honor William Bertoti

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Thursday night's Commissioners meeting was swift but fulsome.

The board heard that its police and non-uniform pensions are less "stressed" than they were, but still not fully funded and will require minimum payments of $211,454 and $154,002 respectively.

The board also unanimously gave preliminary site plan approval to a project to build a new shopping center off High Street, next to the Turkey Hill convenience store at the intersection with Rupert Road.

The developers, the Tornetta family, hope that having preliminary approval will attract tenants whose needs they can quickly adopt and get approved without the usual two-year delay.

Remember to click the blue "Click the Read Next Page" bar to make sure you don't miss a thing.

Tonight's Car Show, the Year's Last, Will Honor William Bertoti

September 5, 2014, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: OJR Low Brass Travels in Style

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2014's first car show was well-attended.

William Bertoti

The year's final car show of the Pottstown Classics Car Club tonight will be held in memory of William, "Bert" Bertoti, longtime auto shop teacher at Pottstown High School who died July 19 at the age of 65.

Born and bred in Pottstown, Bertoti graduated from Pottstown High School and was an auto shop teacher there for 20 years.

He was also a U.S. Army veteran from the Vietnam War.

A scholarship has been set up in his name -- the Willy Bertoti Memorial Scholarship Fund -- and contributions can be made to it by sending them C/O Santander Bank 1565 E. High Street Pottstown, PA 19464

This scholarship fund will be used for Pottstown High School students to go to secondary automotive service schools. 

There will also be a table at the car show, held on High Street from 5 to 9 p.m., where donations to the scholarship can be made.

The car show will also feature Rainbow the Clown and a children's craft tent run by the Pottstown Parks and Recreation Department.

OJR Low Brass Travels in Style

September 6, 2014, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Looking for a Job? Job Fair at Sunnybrook Tuesday

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Photos Courtesy of Chris Ficca The Owen J. Roberts High School March Band's low brass section rented a limo to take them and band director Todd Mengel to the most recent game at Daniel Boone High School.

So apparently the low bras section of the Owen J. Roberts High School marching band has a sense of style.

Who knew?

Well band director Todd Mengel knows now.

Apparently there is a tradition at OJR of each of the marching band's section trying to curry favor with the director in order to have the benefit of boarding the bus first.

Traditional means are often employed, such as skits or food.

"Needless to say, Mr. Mengel was beyond surprised."

But this year, the band's low-brass section thought outside the box.

Or in this case, outside the bus.

According info provided by parent Chris Ficca, friend of this blog, the section raised the bar on this tradition by renting a limo for Mengel, his wife and their section to take them to the game at Daniel Boone High School.

"The two young men in the dark suits are actually two marching band  members and the masterminds behind the entire evening," Ficca wrote.

"Needless to say, Mr. Mengel was beyond surprised," Ficca wrote. "It was truly an evening to remember for him."

"In an age when we read and hear so much negative about our youth, I wanted to pass this along to you. I hope it makes you smile like it did for Mr. Mengel, OJR band staff and band students," Ficca wrote.

We very much appreciate and and all submissions to the Digital Notebook, whether about band events or other specialties, particularly when they are accompanied by pictures as fun as those Ficca provided.

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Looking for a Job? Job Fair at Sunnybrook Tuesday

September 7, 2014, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: It's Like Deja Vu' All Over Again.

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Looking for a job?

Well your chances will improve Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. when a job fair will be held at Sunnybrok Ballroom, 50 Sunnybrook Road.

Admission is free and a list of at least 60 potential employers will be on hand to take applications and offer advice.

You can connect with businesses and organizations within the region who are seeking qualified employees.

Information regarding Human Services agencies and Veteran's Services will also be available.

Explore training and educational programs available through local colleges and universities.

Bring multiple copies of your resume.

Job seekers should come prepared to complete applications.

Pottstown Area Rapid Transit (PART) will make special stops at Sunnybrook Ballroom for the Job Fair.

The job fair is presented by Senator Rafferty's Office in partnership with Pennsylvania CareerLink and the TCN Workforce Development Committee.

Here is a list of employers and services which will be at the event:

Abraxas Academy
AlliedBarton Security Systems
American Infrastructure
Aqua America Pennsylvania, Inc.
Avon Products
BAYADA Home Health Care
BlackJax American Pub and Grill
Boscov’s Department Store LLC
Brooks Brothers
CADCOM
CareerLink
Chester County Intermediate Unit Practical Nursing Program
Chestnut Knoll at Home
Creative Health Services, Inc.
DeSales University, Lansdale Campus
Edward Jones Investments
eHomecare
Einstein Healthcare Network
Family Caregivers Network, Inc
Frederick Living
Genesis HealthCare
Greenfield Senior Living of Perkiomen Valley
Hire One
Home Helpers (YCB Inc.)
Home Instead Senior Care
IBEW Local 380 JATC
Innovations Services
InVision Human Services
J. P. Mascaro & Sons
Johnson Matthey
KenCrest
Legal Aid of Southeastern PA
Lehigh Career & Technical Institute
Lowe’s
ManorCare Health Services Pottstown
Mary Kay Consultants
Maternity Care Coalition/Early Head Start
Metro Public Adjustment Inc.
Montgomery County Community College
PA State Civil Service Commission
Pennsylvania State Police
PeopleShare
Phoenixville Public Library
PJM Interconnection
Polo-Ralph Lauren
Pottstown Brick House
Pottstown Memorial Medical Center
Pottstown Regional Public Library
Primerica Financial Services
ResCare HomeCare
Robert Half – Accountemps & Office Team
Score Chapter Pottstown PA
Seniors Helping Seniors
SEPTA
Staffing Plus
The Carney Group
The Home Depot
Transformation Initiative
Tre’SkinRX Skincare
Univest Corporation of Pennsylvania
US Army
Venezia Transport Services
VNA-Community Services, Inc
Wawa
YWCA Tri County Area

It's Like Deja Vu' All Over Again.

September 8, 2014, 9:00 pm

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Who are these folks and what are they holding? Read on and find out.

Monday's borough council meeting was swift, but a lot happened.

Contained within this here blog post, composed primarily of Tweets from said meeting, you will see reference to many votes:

-- Votes on the proceeds of painting sales;

-- Votes on the controversial new mini-mart at the corner of Washington and King Street;

-- Votes on extending the Pottstown Downtown Improvement District Authority for another four years;

-- Votes on pension plan obligations adding up to more than $1 million.

-- And this, a presentation on an event encouraging Pottstownians to be involved fathers, that will be held this Saturday in Memorial Park.

But you'll have to keep reading to find out what happened....

Back to the Future (Planning)

September 9, 2014, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Polarization in Politics? Who Knew?

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Last night was the first of the final four public input sessions being conducted by the Montgomery County Planning Commission on the draft of the new comprehensive plan, titled, as you can see above, "Montco 2040: A Shared Vision."

Below are the Tweets issued from the meeting by yours truly.

If Tweets aren't your thing, here is a link to the story that appears in today's Mercury and on-line at pottsmerc.com

And, if you're really, really into comprehensive plans, click on this link where I have uploaded the plan and annotated it with notes about interesting parts of the plan that pertain particularly to Pottstown and the surrounding area

Polarization in Politics? Who Knew?

September 10, 2014, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: There Be Dragons

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Fuzzy Photo by Evan Brandt's iPhone The panelists in the "Polarization in Politics" forum at Ursinus were, from left, Montgomery County Commissioners Chairman Josh Shapiro, Democrat, former chair of the PA Democratic State Committee T.J. Rooney; Chester County Commissioners Chairman Ryan Costello, Republican; and former chair of the PA Republican State Committee, Alan Novak.

So not that we need any politicians to tell us that politics is polarized, but in a thoughtful, civil forum Wednesday night at Ursinus College, four politicians did talk about why politics can't be more thoughtful and civilized.

Below are the live Tweets your favorite blogger issued from the forum. Know that there are several mistakes contained in the live Tweeting which were subsequently corrected in the Storify that appears below.

No excuses, just regrets for the errors.

There Be Dragons

September 11, 2014, 9:00 pm

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Not much to add to this.