Weand Goes 'Outside' for Help Lowering Tax Hike

January 8, 2018, 9:00 pm

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Attempts to cut spending and/or boost revenue to try and lower the 12 percent tax hike embedded in the $54.4 million budget adopted in December will be aided by two "outsiders."

While Borough Council President Dan Weand evidently did not agree with all of the personnel suggested by Councilman Joe Kirkland to the Ad Hoc Cost Reduction Task Committee, he did agree to put Kirkland in charge.

"You mean I'm going to be the head of the committee but I have no say in who is on it," Kirkland asked.

Weand, who has been on the finance committee that looked at the budget for months, indicated that Kirkland's assessment was correct, and said he wanted some "outside" people, those "not on council or staff" to also have a crack at the budget puzzle.

So in addition to himself, Kirkland and Councilman Dennis Arms, Weand appointed Finance Director Janice Lee and Utilities Director Brent Wagner, Weand also appointed Borough Authority Vice Chairman David Renn, who is not exactly and outsider, and James Smock, the head of the West-Mont Christian School in North Coventry and a former member of the Pottstown School Board.

Weand said Smock has experience dealing with "extremely tight budgets."

Councilwoman Rita Paez said she thought the ad hoc committee should have some minority representation, to which Weand responded he might be able to add some later.

This ad hoc committee has until next month to provide suggestions for borough council to act upon by Feb. 15 to reduce the tax burden.

Best of luck all.

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Pottsgrove School Board Off to a Slow Start

January 9, 2018, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: No Rest for the Weary, Phoenixville School Board Talks Teen Sleep, Start Times and Homework Load

≪ Previous: Weand Goes 'Outside' for Help Lowering Tax Hike

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This is going to be a hard blog to write.

I covered the Pottsgrove School Board meeting last night.

It lasted for 2.5 hours and guess what?

Nothing happened.

OK, that's not entirely true. Stuff happened, but it wasn't exactly news.

The high point was second graders from West Pottsgrove Elementary School, where the meeting was held, who made a presentation about a STEM activity they had undertaken.

And, with a little help from their teachers, they had the board members undertake it as well.

It was quite charming, but not exactly headline news.

Board President Matt Alexander made some appointments, they paid the bills, but really; it was pretty routine.

If I haven't made you stop reading yet, you can always read the Tweets from the meeting here below:

No Rest for the Weary, Phoenixville School Board Talks Teen Sleep, Start Times and Homework Load

January 11, 2018, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Special Pottsgrove Manor Workshop on January 20 Will Teach Colonial Pocket-Making

≪ Previous: Pottsgrove School Board Off to a Slow Start

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The Phoenixville Area School Board agreed informally Thursday night to begin exploring in earnest the idea of start middle and high school classes later in the day to accommodate teen sleep patterns.

Astute Phoenixville area readers of The Mercury, The Phoenix and other Digital First Media products may have noticed a distinct paucity of news of their community in recent months.

That's because the company did not replace Phoenixville beat reporter Eric Devlin when he left for greener pastures and have shown no inclination to do so any time soon.

So I am trying to pick up some of that slack and as a result, attended a Phoenixville Area School Board meeting last night.

Before we get into the particulars, newly elected Upper Pottsgrove Commissioners President Trace

Slinkerd and I have had a few discussions about the way different boards operate. And although I have covered the Phoenixville school board once or twice before, it was always as a fill in.

So given the likelihood that I will attend many of their meetings in the future, let me just observe that one of the things I find interesting about how they run things is that they talk a lot about how they are going to talk about issues.

And while that sounds a little silly on the face of it, I actually think its quite smart; this given that I have seen more than one public discussion in any number of places wander off into the weeds because no one set the parameters of the discussion ahead of time.

Also, the board allows for public comment throughout the meeting, or at least the work session I attended last night, which is always helpful for fully exploring topics.

So good-on-ya Phoenixville. As Doonesbury once said, "you give good meeting."

As for the content of the meeting, there was some interesting stuff.

Despite having just built a large new school building, Phoenixville Schools will run at or near, or even slightly over capacity, for the next 10 years or so according to the latest demographic figures.

The student population is being driven almost entirely by growth in Schuylkill and East Pikeland Townships, as well as Phoenixville Borough itself.

Also of interest was a discussion about the amount of homework Phoenixville students, particularly in the upper grades, have to complete. A parent complained about it earlier to the curriculum committee and Committee Chairman Kevin Pattinson brought it to the full board.

So too did parents Mark Gerner and David Goldberg, who told the board that within 24 hours of starting a Facebook group called Phoenixville Homework Reform, he had 14 members and as many emails wanting to know more.

To their credit, both the board and the administration welcomed the discussion and pledged to undertake a study of the issue to try to find the right balance.

And, now, if you will permit me the pun, we come to the "sleeper issue" of the night -- teen sleep.

Superintendent Alan Fegley has been tasked with setting up a time frame and an orderly way to look at the issue of teen sleep patterns, and how that relates to school hours -- an increasingly popular subject in schools throughout the country.

Both Fegley and Policy Committee Chairman Eric Daughtery have attended seminars on the issue and said they are behind on the timeline Fegley created to move the issue closer to a decision.

With the assent of the other board members, Fegley will now -- while also working to educate the board, the staff and the public about the matter -- begin to put together the particulars of what an 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. start for the middle and high school would look like.

No decision has yet been made, but he warned the board that changing the times will have ripple effects throughout the district, particularly if, in the interest of sleep, school activities are also curtailed on the evening side of the equation as well.

Consider double bus runs, earlier starts and finishes for school plays, athletics, how those things will affect the schedule in the lower grades and the conflicts that it will inevitably create with parent schedules and preferences, he said.

No matter what change, if any, comes about, it would not be for the current or the coming school year, but the 2019-2020 school year at the earliest.

And now, here are the Tweets from last night's meeting in case you weren't following along.

Special Pottsgrove Manor Workshop on January 20 Will Teach Colonial Pocket-Making

January 12, 2018, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Gala Fundraiser Features a 'Little Mermaid'

≪ Previous: No Rest for the Weary, Phoenixville School Board Talks Teen Sleep, Start Times and Homework Load

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Blogger's Note:Today is the last day to register for this workshop.

Ever wondered how colonial women carried around the items they might need throughout their day? 

They used their pockets! However, these pockets look a lot different from modern ones. They were worn around the waist and were not attached to any gowns or petticoats.

Find out more about the history and use of pockets while constructing your own hand-sewn pocket with Pottsgrove Manor on Saturday, Jan. 20 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

This workshop is perfect for beginners learning about historic clothing and those interested in women’s history. Master your basic sewing skills and understand how useful pockets can be.

Class size is limited, so register by today, Jan.13, to secure your spot. 

Registration information can be found on the website, www.montcopa.org/pottsgrovemanor and by calling or visiting the site during normal museum hours. 

Ages 10 and up; workshop cost $20 per person, which covers the cost of all materials. In case of winter weather, staff will cancel 24 hours ahead of program and alert participants by phone. If canceled, participants will receive a full refund.

Pottsgrove Manor is located at 100 West King Street near the intersection of King Street and Route 100, just off Route 422 near the Carousel at Pottstown and Manatawny Green Miniature Golf Course. Pottsgrove Manor is operated by the Montgomery County Division of Parks, Trails, and Historic Sites.

For more information, please call 610-326-4014, or visit the website at www.montcopa.org/pottsgrovemanor. Like Pottsgrove Manor on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pottsgrovemanor.

Gala Fundraiser Features a 'Little Mermaid'

January 14, 2018, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: UP Fire Truck Purchase Delayed, Tax Break Mulled

≪ Previous: Special Pottsgrove Manor Workshop on January 20 Will Teach Colonial Pocket-Making

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Blogger's Note:The following was provided by the Foundation for Pottstown Education.

The Foundation for Pottstown Education in conjunction with the Pottstown School District Musical announces the 2018 Gala to be held on Saturday March 3, 2018.

This is the third annual event which raises financial support benefiting the students of the Pottstown School District.

The highlight of the event is this year’s District Wide Musical, The Little Mermaid. Beside the musical, there will be a dinner catered by Booster’s BBQ, a silent auction and pre-dinner social time with “mocktails”. Visits from the cast also highlight the dinner along with socializing and networking throughout the evening.

A silent auction will be held during the social hour and dinner. Various local businesses and community members have donated special items for this auction. All proceeds raised from the gala and auction benefit the Foundation’s grant programs which help it promote opportunities for the children of the Pottstown School District. 

A portion of the gala ticket price also benefits the District wide Musical.

Tickets for the Gala are $60 per person and include the dinner and tickets for the musical. 

To purchase tickets, please contact the Foundation Office at 610-970- 6616 or email to jrusiewicz@pottstownk12.org.

Event sponsorships are also still available.

About FPE: The Foundation for Pottstown Education’s (FPE) mission is to support, promote, sponsor and carry out educational, scientific or charitable activities and objectives within or related to the Pottstown School District. Visit www.foundationpottstowned.org for more information about the Foundation for Pottstown Education. You can also follow FPE on Facebook and Twitter.

UP Fire Truck Purchase Delayed, Tax Break Mulled

January 16, 2018, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Phoenixville Board Member Resigns, $10M Borrowed

≪ Previous: Gala Fundraiser Features a 'Little Mermaid'

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Photo by Evan Brandt THE PASSING OF THE GAVEL: Newly installed Upper Pottsgrove Township Commissioners President Trace Slinkerd, left, presents Elwood Taylor, who served as commissioners president for 12 years, with a person gavel to thank him for his years of service.

Few enterprises stir more passion, or require more dedication, than volunteer fire service.

In Upper Pottsgrove, where the township's administrative offices are in the basement of the firehouse, the relationship between township and fire company officials is better than it once was.

But that doesn't mean everything always goes smoothly.

Case in point: armed with a price that would increase by $7,000 with the coming of the new year, members of the Upper Pottsgrove Fire Company appeared before the township commissioners Tuesday night with the hope of getting approval for the purchase of a $331,000 fire truck.

It would replace a 1983 pumper the fire company purchased from the North End Fire Company whose parts now qualify as nearly impossible to find.

With the payments on the most recently purchased truck running out in December, and money saved to make the down payment, the fire company hoped the board would agree to the purchase of a smaller, more-versatile pumper that could be had without an increase in spending or taxes.

ROAD WARRIORS: Also recognized Tuesday night was Upper Pottsgrove's   road crew, Justin Bean, Joe Alessi and Jeff Imbody.

The fact that the purchase price was included in the budget just made it seem that much more likely.

But they had not counted on the changing of the guard, the fact that two new commissioners had come on board and had no knowledge of the issue, or that they would be asked to vote on spending that much money the same night they were hearing about it for the first time.

Commissioner Elwood Taylor said it was unfortunate timing, given that it had been discussed at length with the previous board, he had seen a demonstration of the truck and believed the purchase to be a good idea.

But Commissioners President Trace Slinkerd and newly elected commissioner Renee Spaide balked and Commissioner France Krazalkovich was lured by the siren song of a federal grant program the fire company has twice failed to obtain.

The township will have to apply for the grant by next month, but must wait until autumn to find out about the grant, which the fire company gives a slim change of success. Since it will take another year from the time the truck is ordered for it to be delivered, it means another two years of sighting fires with a truck from 1983.

Better news for the fire company and its approximately 20 volunteers is the commissioners seeming willingness to enact an earned income tax break for volunteers who meet certain criteria that could be worth as much as $1,000.

Given that only about six of the company's 20 volunteers actively live in Upper Pottsgrove limits the benefit, but the ordinance the commissioners asked solicitor Matthew Hovey to draft would have a reciprocity clause.

For example, fire volunteers who live in Upper Pottsgrove but run with a different fire company, in Pottstown say, would only get the benefit if the municipality where they volunteer also has a similar tax incentive, as authorized under Act 172 of 2016.

It starts to get a little complicated and the commissioners may abandon that clause after further examination, but that's how it stands now.

In the meantime, here are the Tweets from last night's meeting:

Phoenixville Board Member Resigns, $10M Borrowed

January 18, 2018, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Forget the Super Bowl, Go to the Soup Bowl

≪ Previous: UP Fire Truck Purchase Delayed, Tax Break Mulled

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Photo by Evan Brandt MIGHTY MATHEMATICIAN: Leah Kerry, an eighth grader at Phoenixville Area Middle School, not only earned the best score in the school on the AMC Grade 8 Math Competition, she also was named to the contest's honor roll, meaning she scored among the top 5 percent nationwide, her principal, Frank Garritano, right, told the Phoenixville School Board Thursday night.

The Phoenixville Area School Board unanimously accepted the resignation of board member Michael Ellis at last night's school board meeting.

Ellis was a board member since 2015.

A press release issued by the school district gave no reason for the resignation, but noted "the Board of School Directors sincerely appreciates Mr. Ellis’ dedication to all of the stakeholders of the Phoenixville Area School District, and wishes him the very best in his future endeavors."

School Board President Lisa Longo said she would like the vacant seat to be filled by Feb. 15.

Toward that end, those interested in applying for the seat should have a letter of interest at the office of Superintendent Alan Fegley by Monday, Feb. 5.

To apply, you need only be 18 years old, of good moral character and a resident of the school district for at least one year.

The board will conduct public interviews of the applicants at its Feb. 8 meeting and a vote on a replacement for Ellis will take place that night after the interviews are concluded.

Whomever is chosen will serve into December of 2019.

The other major event that occurred Thursday night was a vote to sell bonds worth $9,950,000 that had been put up to auction online earlier in the day. The auction was won by Janney Montgomery Scott, which will earn an interest rate of 3.15 percent.

That rate is lower than the one predicted in October when the measure was reviewed by the school board, said Jaimie Doyle from Public Finance Management.

There were a total of 29 bids on the bond attracted, perhaps, by the district's AA2 rating financial rating which is good enough to not require bond insurance, Doyle said.

Stanley Johnson, the district's director of operations, said the bond is essentially paying the district back for money it lent itself from its general fund, about $6 million of which was used in the construction of the new Manavon Elementary School, and the other $4 million for the expansion and security project at the high school.

The bonds can be paid back no- sooner than May 15, 2023.

Here are the Tweets from the meeting:

Forget the Super Bowl, Go to the Soup Bowl

January 21, 2018, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Joint Meeting Highlights Pottstown Progress

≪ Previous: Phoenixville Board Member Resigns, $10M Borrowed

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ArtFusion 19464's annual Soup Bowl fundraiser is almost here.

The event, which features gourmet soups served in hand-made bowls in the ArtFusion studios, will be held on  on Jan. 27 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The snow date is Feb. 3

Advance tickets are $20 and include unlimited soup, bread, beverages and homemade desserts. 

Get your tickets here. 

(Plan ahead and save $5. If any are available, tickets at the door will be $25.)

Although this fundraiser has been held before, it will be the first time it is held at the studio's new location, 341 Beech St. in the former Fecera's Furniture building.

Panera Bread has once again donated baguettes. Lily's Grill and Grumpy's have again donated soup.

If you too would like to make some soup to donation, email ArtFusion 19464, or at 610-326-2506 to get all the details.

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Joint Meeting Highlights Pottstown Progress

January 22, 2018, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Boyertown Area School Board Faces the Music

≪ Previous: Forget the Super Bowl, Go to the Soup Bowl

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Pottstown Borough and School District highlighted working together by meeting together Monday night.

First, the school board had to hold their first meeting of the year, but even with a closed-door executive session, that only took about 30 minutes.

Then it was on to the joint meeting which, unlike most previous meetings, had most members of most boards there.

The nine-member school board was only missing two, and the seven-member borough council was only missing one.

The agenda included the long-discussed but never adopted borough sustainability plan -- three years in the making. In fact, they've been working on it so long, it even has its own logo.

But guess what folks, last night, it got adopted! By both boards! Progess!

The school board adopted it unanimously but borough council had two no votes, one from Dennis Arms and one from Rita Paez.

Arms said he worries about the grant-funded projects the plan envisions which then must be sustained, costing more tax money. Paez did not give a reason.

Then the group heard about a plan conceived of by former school board member Tom Hylton and taken up by the Pottstown Rotary Club, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary.

To do so, the group, which has 100 members, plans on planting 100 trees and they are going to do it in a tree nursery that will be established behind Pottstown High School.

After five years in the ground, they can be used in parks, as street trees or on school properties.

Interim Borough Manager Justin Keller outlined the borough's new land bank ordinance and made a pitch for the school board to sign an intermunicipal agreement through which school taxes and liens will be forgiven on properties going into the land bank.

The school board seemed inclined to agree, although the details still need to be worked out and a vote taken.

There was also an update from Keller about the Walk/Bike Pottstown project, expected to wrap up this spring.

And now, without further ado, here are the Tweets:

Boyertown Area School Board Faces the Music

January 23, 2018, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Lower Pottsgrove Board Keeps it Short and Sweet

≪ Previous: Joint Meeting Highlights Pottstown Progress

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Photo by Evan Brandt Washington Elementary School music teacher Anita Boyer outlines the performance by the senior orchestra at Tuesday's Boyertown Area School Board Meeting.

The Boyertown Area School Board faced the music Tuesday night in several ways.

The first and most pleasant was the performance by the Washington Elementary School senior orchestra, which played two pieces for the board.

The second, and decidedly less pleasant, were some budget numbers that put some hard choices in front of the board, including saving saving $1.8 million by cutting the very music program that had just serenaded them.

The third, and most political, were comments from three residents of the district who take issue with an email sent out by board member Clay Breece, which they believe violatesthe board procedures adopted just two weeks ago, and which, they say, is dividing the board and the community.

One of the speakers even called for Breece's resignation.

He responded with a statement, seen in the video pasted below and which did not respond to the call for his resignation, but instead doubled down on his concerns about the school district interfering with parents' oversight and notification about things like questions about gender identity and that even warned of the "collectivism" championed by Karl Marx.

You can read about it all in the Tweets below:

Lower Pottsgrove Board Keeps it Short and Sweet

January 25, 2018, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Douglas, Hewitt Named Student, Staffer of the Month

≪ Previous: Boyertown Area School Board Faces the Music

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As a news professional, I would like to tell you that the 12-minute meeting of the Lower Pottsgrove Township Commissioners Thursday night was eventful.

Because then I would have something to report.

But as a news professional, I am compelled to tell you it was a snoozer.

Of some interest is the fact that the police department received permission to donate recovered bicycles to Liberty Thrift after they have been held unclaimed for a year.

They have eight and they are taking up space.

The board also tabled action on a "memorandum of understanding" with Police Chief Michael Foltz. The board held a closed-door executive session before the meeting that included discussion of personnel, so those two things may be related, but it's too early to tell for sure.

Vice President Stephen Klotz, who handled the matter because the police chief is the son of President Bruce Foltz, said he wanted to table the matter "to make sure to get the language right.

Otherwise, here are the Tweets, what few of them there are ....

Douglas, Hewitt Named Student, Staffer of the Month

January 26, 2018, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Ever Wanted to Join Roller Derby? Now's the Time

≪ Previous: Lower Pottsgrove Board Keeps it Short and Sweet

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Demitri Douglas, Student of the Month

Blogger's Note:The following was provided by the Pottstown School District

Congratulations to Pottstown High School Senior Demitri Douglas for being chosen as the Student of the Month. 

Demitri is involved in many activities.

Currently he is in the cast of the All District Musical, "The Little Mermaid" and competes on the DECA Marketing Team and is member of the Trojan Wrestling Team. 

In the classroom, Demitri holds a 3.0 grade point average and his favorite class is marketing. 

He says his favorite part about Pottstown is the diversity in our school and the good friends he has made. 

Congratulations also to Pottstown High School Teacher Mike Hewitt who has been named as the Staff Member of the month.

Mike Hewitt is Staff Member of the Month

Hewitt is a PHS graduate. In his first year as the Automotive Technology Instructor he has made many improvements to the program. 

Students now wear uniforms while in the shop, the welding program has been overhauled, and students have mobile work stations. 

Hewitt is very proud of the car detailing fundraiser that his program held. 

The class far exceeded their goal of 20 vehicles by detailing 45 cars and vans.

The next program project is preparing for the 2018 car show. Mike also helps coach both the Football and Wrestling teams at the Middle School. 

 Thanks to both Demitri and Mr. Hewitt for giving us two more reason to say Proud to be from Pottstown

Ever Wanted to Join Roller Derby? Now's the Time

January 27, 2018, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Wellness Foundation Auxiliary Gives $20,000

≪ Previous: Douglas, Hewitt Named Student, Staffer of the Month

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The Pottstown Roller Derby Rockstars are not to be trifled with.

Have you ever wanted to be a rock star?

Have you ever wanted to skate in roller derby?

Have you ever wanted to do both?

Well Feb. 5 is your big chance.

That's when the Pottstown Roller Derby Rockstars will have their first intake for new skaters of the upcoming season.

From 7 to 10 p.m. at Ringing Rocks Roller Rink in Lower Pottsgrove, the team will be holding its first practice and opening it up to those interested in joining.

"All you need to bring with you is a mouthguard," writes team Vice President Crystal Hayduk. "We have rental skates, and limited gear available to help you get started."

Participants must be at least 18 and need not have experience. 

"We will help you every step of the way," sayd Hayduk. 

You can email Hayduk at crystalhayduk@gmail.com  with any questions.

Wellness Foundation Auxiliary Gives $20,000

January 28, 2018, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Tour Pottsgrove Manor's New Night-Time Exhibit by Candlelight During Special Opening on Feb. 24

≪ Previous: Ever Wanted to Join Roller Derby? Now's the Time

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From left, Brian Parkes, Executive Director, TriCounty Area  Active Adult Center; Felicity Jeans, Executive Director, Camphill Village Kimberton Hills  Louisa Pieri, Executive Director, Spring-Ford Counseling Services; Justine Pascal, Family and  Engagement Coordinator, Maternity Care Coalition; Sandra Devine Sai, Director, Personal  Navigator Program, Visiting Nurse Association; Mary Bright, Resident Board Member,  Camphill Village Kimberton Hills,; Mary Ellen Dice, President, PAHWF East Auxiliary; Leslie  Slingsby, Executive Director, and Kelli Murphy, Grants Manager, Mission Kids Child Advocacy  Center; Laura DeFlavia, Controller, and Dave Kraybill, President, Pottstown Area Health and  Wellness Foundation.

Blogger's Note:The following was provided by the Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation.

Several area nonprofits will benefit from fundraising efforts of the Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation East Auxiliary. 

The Auxiliary operates the “Just For You” gift shop that is located in the lobby of Pottstown Hospital-Tower Health. The gift shop is open to the public.

Mary Ellen Dice, President of the East Auxiliary, recently presented a $20,000 check to representatives of the Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation and six of its grantees.

These funds have been distributed as part of the Foundation’s fall 2017 grant round and were awarded to the following organizations and its programs:

• Camphill Village Kimberton Hills– Aging in Community Program: Camphill Village provides personalized and preventative care to aging residents with developmental disabilities and struggles with independent living.
• Child Advocacy Center of Montgomery County– Mission Kids: Fostering the resilient child through family advocacy and forensic interviews. Mission Kids is a collaborative effort to stop the cycle of abuse and improve the outcomes for abused children and their families.
• Maternity Care Coalition– Pottstown Area Early Head Start and Parenting Initiative: Maternity Care Coalition strives to improve maternal and child health and well-being through the collaborative efforts of individuals, families, providers, and communities in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
• Spring-Ford Counseling Services– Signs of Suicide: Spring-Ford Counseling addresses the emotional and educational needs of the surrounding communities.
• TriCounty Active Adult Center– Prime Time Health - Making healthier lives possible for older adults: TriCounty AAC is a community center for adults aged 50 and better, offering exercise classes, social and recreational programs, educational programs, a daily lunch and much more.
• Visiting Nurse Association Community Services, Inc. (VNA)– Personal Navigator Program with Expanded Legal Support: The Pottstown VNA provides home health care and hospice care in Montgomery County and nearby areas in northern Chester County.

The Auxiliary’s fundraising efforts included proceeds from sales of the “Just For You” gift shop, in addition to their annual holiday bazaar. New members are always welcome. For more information on how to become a member and how to get involved in the Auxiliary’s fundraising efforts, call the Pottstown Hospital- Tower Health Gift Shop at 610-327- 7044.

Tour Pottsgrove Manor's New Night-Time Exhibit by Candlelight During Special Opening on Feb. 24

January 29, 2018, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Pollock Park Pollution Clean-Up Must Come First

≪ Previous: Wellness Foundation Auxiliary Gives $20,000

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Blogger's Note:The following was provided by Pottsgrove Manor.

Uncover the evening work and routines of the Potts family and their household staff with this engaging and informative new exhibit, Good Night at the Manor.

The exhibit will begin Saturday, Feb. 24 and run through Sunday, Nov. 11. Tours of the exhibit will be given during regular museum hours. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.

Be among the first to view the busy nighttime activities of 1750s Pottsgrove Manor on Saturday, Feb.y 24, from 4 to 6 p.m. 

The exhibit will open with a special introduction by the exhibit’s curator, Amy Reis, at 4 p.m. This will be followed by candlelit tours of the Manor.

Sunset did not mean the end of the work day in colonial America. 

The site’s new exhibit will highlight the evening routines and tasks of everyone in the 1752 Manor house and answer such questions as how did they see at night before electric lights? 

Visitors will learn about the many duties the servants and slaves in the house completed such as cleaning, sewing, and preparing for the next day. Nightly rituals of an elite family, such as John and Ruth Potts along with their 13 children, will be explored. 

Guests can learn the differences between the materials used in making fine expensive candles to the cheaper and greasy tallow candles. 

Participants can smell a popular bedtime tea and historic beauty ingredients, and find out if they can identify the sounds of the night common to a colonial home. 

Original 18th century objects such as sleep ware and lighting will be on display in the exhibit room while an interactive space allows you to figure out how far candlelight can really go.

Pottsgrove Manor is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 4pm and Sunday from 1pm to 4pm. Guided tours last about 45 minutes to 1 hour and the last tour of each day departs at 3pm. Tours welcome all ages. The Museum Shop is stocked with books, reproduction pieces, colonial toys and games, and tons of unique gifts so you can bring a sense of history home.

Pottsgrove Manor is located at 100 West King Street near the intersection of King Street and Route 100, just off Route 422 near the Carousel at Pottsgrove and Manatawny Green Miniature Golf Course, in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Pottsgrove Manor is operated by the Montgomery County Division of Parks, Trails, and Historic Sites.

For more information, call 610-326-4014, or visit the website at www.montcopa.org/pottsgrovemanor. 

Like Pottsgrove Manor on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pottsgrovemanor.

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Pollock Park Pollution Clean-Up Must Come First

January 30, 2018, 9:00 pm

≫ Next: Free Tax, Credit Report Help Coming to Pottstown

≪ Previous: Tour Pottsgrove Manor's New Night-Time Exhibit by Candlelight During Special Opening on Feb. 24

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Photos by Evan Brandt Once the contamination is removed from Pollock Park, the borough will try to get funding to implement this master plan for a new park.

Updating and improving Pollock Park has become complicated after an environmental study of the two-acre site found heavy metal and other chemical contamination beneath the soil.

Nevertheless, having a master plan in place will help attract funding to pay for the park once the clean-up has occurred.

The clean-up will take at least 14 to 16 months from now according to Joseph Kraycik, a consulting geoscienctist with Environmental Standards, the Valley Forge-based firm that discovered the contamination.

Parks and Recreation Director Michael Lenhart addresses environmental concerns during the Pollock Park meeting.

Funding for the clean-up could come from a variety of sources, said Michael Lenhart, Pottstown's director of parks and recreation. In fact, he said, he has already gathered the paperwork for the first grant application to the federal government.

Because the park is now considered a "brownfield," a name for former industrial sites that have contamination, it may actually be easier to attract funding to pay for the park, once the clean-up is done, said Lenhart.

And they're going to need it.

Because now that the park will be taken down to soil, all the trees,m pavement and vegetation removed, the estimated price has jumped from $300,000 to $600,000.

Residents also posed questions and expressed concern about the clean-up, whether they would be exposed and whether any previous exposure might have caused long-term health problems.

There were no immediate answers.

Here are the Tweets from the meeting.

Free Tax, Credit Report Help Coming to Pottstown

January 31, 2018, 9:00 pm

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Blogger's Note:The following was provided by Genesis Housing.

Genesis Housing and CADCOM are pleased to announce that the BB&T Bus is heading to Pottstown on Friday, Feb. 9 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Income Tax Prep will be provided to qualified taxpayers. 

Free credit reports will be available. 

In addition, info on housing, financial classes, housing, banking and more will be offered.

The BB&T Bus will provide financial resources with internet access including:

1) CADCOM will provide free VITA tax prep. Taxpayers must bring all tax related documents, photo ID and social security cards. Appointments are strongly recommended.

2) BB&T Bank will provide free credit reports and information on banking - basics, checking and college savings accounts.

3) Genesis Housing will provide info on credit and budgeting classes.

4) Resource Table with have info on Habitat for Humanity and other local social service programs.

Space is limited so appointments are recommended. 

For Pottstown, call CADCOM at 610-277-6363, Ext 115 to schedule an appointment.

The BB&T Bus offers information and resources covering a variety of topics and is part of BB&T’s community program to “meet you more than half way”.

CADCOM was established as a nonprofit in 1966 as the lead Anti-Poverty Agency in Montgomery County working to coordinate strategic planning, economic development, community development and to create a partnership between public and private entities to serve the needs of county residents.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to people who generally make $56,000 or less, persons with disabilities and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. 

Information on free file software offers for people with incomes of less than $66,000 will also be provided.

Willow Grove CDC was founded in 1990 by local bankers, clergymen, attorneys and realtors to address the need for affordable housing for low-to-moderate income people in the Willow Grove area.

Since 1994, Genesis Housing Corporation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has served Montgomery County as a community housing development organization (CHDO) and is dedicated to the development of affordable housing, neighborhood revitalization and the education of consumers on housing and financial issues.

For more information about Genesis Housing Corporation and our programs, please visit our website at www.genesishousing.org, email at info@genesishousing.org, visit us on Facebook or call 610-275-4357.

Pottstown Musicians Play 62nd Inter-County Band

February 1, 2018, 9:00 pm

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≪ Previous: Free Tax, Credit Report Help Coming to Pottstown

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Submitted Photo Back row, from left, Kishan Patel, Erynn Dunning, Jocelyn Malauulu, Gabe Roseo, Xzavier Francis Williams, Allison Horne. Front row, from left, Akira Love, Colin Dellaquila. Not pictured: Chasey Jules

Blogger's Note:The following was provided by the Pottstown School District.

Congratulations to Pottstown Middle and High School Band members who were selected to preform in the 62nd Annual Inter-County Band Concert at Phoenixville Area Middle School on Saturday, Jan. 27.

This ensemble is an all star team compromised of select 7th, 8th and 9th grade band students from 11 local school districts. 

The night was filled with the sounds of students displaying their talents. 

Kate German, Middle School Band Director, said Pottstown students appreciated being selected and the opportunity to preform with other outstanding students from across the county. 

Hopewell to Host Work on Jewish Women Writers

February 2, 2018, 9:00 pm

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Blogger's Note:The following was provided by Friends of Hopewell Furnace

On Sunday, Feb. 11, in time for Valentine’s Day, the Friends of Hopewell Furnace will host a presentation of "Ruth's Daughters," a new work by playwright Christine Emmert. 

Sponsored by the Friends of Hopewell Furnace, the free program will begin at 2 p.m. in the Hopewell Furnace Conference Room.

Emmert, whose play “From Out the Fiery Furnace” has captivated audiences in the Delaware River Valley for more than ten years, offers this new work which promises to take the audience on a dip into the rich mix of female Jewish writers. 

Everyone from the biblical Ruth to modern scribes are commenting on their faith, their fears and joys in the pens of such as Anne Frank, Gertrude Stein, Nora Ephron and others.

Actress, playwright, and director Christine Emmert lives in Valley Forge.Her interest in women's issues has influenced her artistic work. 

In addition to her work on Hopewell Furnace, she has performed “Fragile Freedom,” a work dedicated to the struggles for women’s rights. She has several pieces out on Kindle including - "Ismene and Lilith" - stories of women who solve their crises and a full length novel, "the Nun's Dragon."

During the 19th Century, women at Hopewell Furnace received equal pay for equal work. They held many of the same jobs as men. Bethesda Baptist Church that is still at Hopewell Furnace was originally constructed as a meeting house where all faiths were able to worship.

Established in 1994, the Friends of Hopewell Furnace is the official non-profit fundraising arm of Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site. A 501(c)3 citizen organization, its mission is to support the preservation, maintenance and programs of Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site. Donations to the Friends may be tax deductible according to the rules set by the Internal Revenue Service.

While at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site visitors are encouraged to go into the village, tour the buildings, see Hopewell's water wheel and learn about iron making and why Hopewell Furnace is important to our nation’s history. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesday thru Sunday, the park is located five miles south of Birdsboro, PA, off Route 345. For more information visit www.friendsofhopewellfurn.org.

Greenway Heritage and Hops Tour Sold Out

February 3, 2018, 9:00 pm

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Blogger's Note:The following was provided by the Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area.

The Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area has introduced a new brewery tour that will pair beer tastings with lessons on history and the environment.

The unique Heritage and Hops Brew Tour being offered on Saturday Feb. 24 will take 45 participants to four local breweries located within the Schuylkill River Watershed from Phoenixville to Reading.

Unfortunately, it is also sold out and the wait list is full. But it sure sounds fun.

Each brewery, in addition to offering tastings of beers produced on site, will provide a presentation about its connection to the Schuylkill River, Schuylkill River Trail or regional history.

The Heritage and Hops Brew Tour has proven to be overwhelmingly popular. Past events sold out one week after ticket sales opened. Cost of the tour is $55 per person.

The tour will begin at Oakbrook Brewing, in Reading, where the presentation will focus on its historic firehouse location. 

The next stop will be Sly Fox Brewery, in Pottstown, where participants will learn about how SRT Ale supports the Schuylkill River Trail. 

After that, Hidden River Brewing Co., located in the Historic Brinton Lodge in Douglassville, will discuss the fascinating history of its 18th Century building. 

The final stop will be Root Down, in Phoenixville, where the topic will be the history of Phoenixville and their building’s industrial past.

The Schuylkill River Greenways NHA is introducing the Heritage and Hops Brew Tour to draw attention to some of the unique breweries in the area, while simultaneously promoting regional history and underscoring the value of clean water.

“You can’t make great beer without clean water,” said Schuylkill River Greenways NHA Executive Director Elaine Schaefer. “We know the people who will take this tour all enjoy local beer. But they may not consider how integrally beer making is connected to protecting and preserving the Schuylkill River, which is a source of drinking water for over 1.5 million people.”

The Schuylkill River Greenways NHA, located in Pottstown, is dedicated to connecting people and communities to the Schuylkill River, and to encouraging people to value the region’s history and protect the environment. The organization is best known for its role in working with partners to build and improve the Schuylkill River Trail.

Building the trail and protecting the river both have economic development and community revitalization benefits that are related to the rise of breweries throughout the Schuylkill River region.

“Breweries benefit from the presence of the Schuylkill River Trail, just as they benefit from clean water,” said Schaefer. “Sly Fox Brewery created SRT Ale because they recognized that beer and recreation often go hand in hand.”

Schaefer said she is excited about the popularity of the tour. But she hopes the message about the importance of history and conservation resonates far beyond the tour itself.

“Beer and breweries are a valuable and fun piece of our regional culture. We want people to recognize the role the river and the Schuylkill River Trail play in building that culture,” she said. 

For more information, call 484-945- 0200

The Schuylkill River Greenways NHA mission is to connect residents, visitors and communities to the Schuylkill River and the Schuylkill River Trail by serving as a catalyst for civic engagement and economic development in order to foster stewardship of the watershed and its heritage.