A Warm Feeling

Barth students in Mrs. Wolfel's and Mrs. Blute's classes get an unexpected gift from a generous parent.

When Barth Elementary School parent Melissa Caballero found out about students who come to school cold, she decided she needed to do something about it.

According to school principal Ryan Oxenford, she organized "Operation Keep Me Warm for the Holiday" for two classes at Barth. 

She coordinated efforts using Facebook and was able to provide each student in those classes with a bundled package consisting of a hat, scarf, blanket, book, stuffed animal, and gloves or mittens. 

The students were extremely excited by this surprise gesture. 

"This idea was brewing in my head after going to a PTO meeting," Caballero told Oxenford. 

"We were talking about taking up donations for hats and gloves. And who we should donate them too. After the meeting I was talking to a teacher. She told me that for years children would come to school cold and ask if there were any hats and gloves that they could have. This made my decision final. I had to do something," Cabbalero said. 

"I sat down and talked to my husband about this and he was super supportive of my idea. And I knew that I could not just give them hats and gloves. I wanted to give more. So we thought and thought what else. Then that is how I came up with 'Keep Me Warm for The Holiday' name." 

"What else would keep them warm? Heads , hands, how about their brains (a book). How about their hearts( a teddy bear and blanket to cuddle) also went with it would be a snack bag with hot chocolate," she said.

She got an outpouring of support in this effort.

"I knew I was not financially table to pull off this idea alone. So I facebooked my friends and family," she explained.

"Each of us bought items here and there when we could. We pulled it off in three weeks; 80 children from three different schools."

And why would anyone undertake such a project during the holiday season? Precisely because it is the holiday season.  

"Pottstown is my home town. And I am willing to try to do whatever I can to make a difference in our town, our children's lives," Caballero said. 

"They are our future. I want to show them that no matter how tough life gets. There are ways to work them out. That WE Pottstown stick together we can make a difference to make our town the best place to be," she said. 

Is this the beginning of a new tradition? It could be...

"I hope I can do another project like this next year. I have a lot of my friends and family who are willing to help me again. I can't thank my husband, family and friends enough for their help and support," Caballero said.
Both Caballero and her husband, Alex, are graduates of Pottstown Schools and they have four children; Alex Jr., 13, who attends Pottstown Middle School, Mia, 8 and Jade, 5, both of whom attend Barth and Ethan, 3, who is a future Pottstown student.

Mia is in Kelli Wolfel's class and Jade has Colleen Blute.


"The kids were super surprised and super excited by the generosity of Operation Keep Me Warm," Wolfel said! "They looked great in their new hats and gloves reading their new books."

"Operation "Keep Me Warm For the Holidays" was an incredible undertaking by one person," Blute said. "She, along with other community partners, demonstrated to the children how important it is in this day and age to understand the true meaning of Christmas. The excitement on the faces of each and every child made the message clear to every person present."

As for Oxenford? He said simply, "I continue to be amazed by the spirit of people."

You're right about that Mr. Oxenford.

The Downtown Christmas That Was

Babystitting services were provided downtown, along with story times and other kid activities. But seriously, what kid at Christmas would not be smiling under a giant sign that says "Cake?"

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.

And so, with these pictures, I present with, who knows, maybe a million.

They are courtesy of Shelia Dugan, Pottstown's Main Street Manager and the head of the Pottstown Downtown Improvement District Authority, which scheduled this month's downtown holiday events and struggled against some truly gruesome weather.

So without further ado, here are the photos!

The Boys and Girls of Summer

It's that time once again, as the snow piles up outside, to turn your thoughts to the boys and girls of summer.

Early registration for Pottstown Little League Baseball and Softball must be post-marked by Dec. 31. That's saves you $10 off the $60 cost.

Send your check and registration form to Pottstown Little League and Softball, P.O. Box 1004, Pottstown, PA 19464.

Click here to print out the registration form.

For registration questions, contact Megan Miller, Registrar at 484-524-3833 or e-mail at baseballmom0928@hotmail.com

Serving Pottstown's youth for 35 Years Little League Baseball and Softball is for children residing in the Borough of Pottstown. 

Any player who will attain the age of 5 years before May 1 of the year in which he or she will play; and will not attain the age of 13 years before May 1 of that year is eligible for baseball. 

Any player who will attain the age of 5 years before Jan. 1 of the year in question and will not attain

the age of 19 before Jan.1 of the year in question is eligible for girls softball.

Walk-in registration dates are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 18th and 19th; and again on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 25th and 26th at the Pottstown School District Administration Building, (in rear) located at Beech and Penn Streets.

The challenger division registration fee is $25.

Late Registration is after Feb. 8, 2014.

Players may be placed on a waiting list depending on the number of players that have registered in that division.

Players must reside within our chartered Little League boundary, the Borough of Pottstown. Exceptions are if a candidate played in the League last year and has moved out of our boundary, a waiver may be obtained to continue to play in the Pottstown Little League.

For more information visit the website at www.pottstownlittleleague.com

Inside Folk Art

Deanna Robles, center, with Sharon McGinley and Ed Terrell.

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

Deanna Robles, Pottsgrove High School and Western Montgomery Career and Technology Center student in commercial art, sees the world differently.

And now others got a glimpse of her world at Goggleworks Center for the Arts in Reading, as their featured artist at a small reception held on Dec. 8, in Deanna’s honor.

Invited by Goggleworks board member Ed Terrell to showcase her “Inside Folk Art” work, Deanna was supported at her debut by family, friends, Goggleworks resident artist and mentor Sharon McGinley, and teachers.

Avid reader, able to play piano by ear, Deanna is autistic, yet expresses herself beautifully through her music and art.

Deanna's work on display.

Michelle MacLuckie, Pottsgrove School District’s Supervisor of Special Education notes, “Deanna is
a remarkable and talented young artist who seizes every opportunity to grow and learn.

"She is a kind individual whose unique and compassionate perspective is reflected in not only her art but in her every interaction. I am very proud to know her and can't wait to see what her future holds.”

“Deanna was very excited on her special day,” reported her father Peter Robles.

Deanna’s work is on display until Dec. 31.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

What are you doing reading some stupid blog on Christmas Day?

Go off and be merry.

Peace on Earth and Goodwill Toward All.

And You Thought the Belsnickel Was Bad...

The Krampus, forebear of Santa?

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by Montgomery County Community College.

Ever wonder why Santa Claus slides down the chimney when there are easier ways to enter a home? Or, why today’s Santa is a jolly, chubby old elf, when the historical Saint Nicholas was a thin man with a trim beard?

The answers to these and other questions about the multicultural origins of Santa Claus were recently explored by Montgomery County Community College’s Associate Professor of English Marc Schuster and discussed with students and other listeners during a lunch-time presentation.

Schuster, author of four books, admits that he has been curious about Santa Claus since he was a child when his grandfather told him that the man in the red suit was an Americanized version of Saint Nicholas. This answer only triggered more questions for Schuster, and using his curiosity—a trait he encourages his students to employ—and the Internet, he recently found some answers that led to more questions.

“I always tell my students that some of the best writing comes from trying to find answers to nagging questions,” Schuster says. “I love anything that forces us to question our assumptions and look at the world from a new angle. There’s so much we never think about, so much we accept at face value, but when we start to pick at the edges of our perceived reality, we can discover a whole new world.”

Photo by Matt Carlin

Montgomery County Community College’s Associate
Professor of English Marc Schuster recently discussed
the multicultural origins associated with our present-day
Santa Claus during a special lunch-time presentation. 

Through his research he verified, for example, that there was a fourth-century bishop named Nicholas, who was known for his kindness and generosity. Over the centuries, tales of St. Nicholas spread through Europe and mixed with legends from other cultures to create the modern concept of Santa Claus.

Further research revealed that the reason for Santa’s chimney entrance is based on the Germanic myth of Krampus, a Grinch-like holiday demon who slithered down chimneys to stuff children who misbehaved into burlap sacks.

Schuster’s entertaining presentation also addressed why Santa winks, the connection with the name Chris Kringle and Santa’s association with Coca Cola. 

To learn more about these interesting Santa facts, visit Schuster’s blog, “Abominations—Marc Schuster’s Random Musings and Ephemera,” at http://marcschuster.wordpress.com.

A Comfortable Contribution

Blogger's Note: The following was submitted by the owners of the Comfort Inn & Suites in Pottstown.

Brothers Mayur Chheda and Mital Chheda, principals of the Infinity Hotel Group, LLC (headquartered in Atco, N.J.), and owners of the Comfort Inn & Suites Pottstown/Limerick, committed their support to the 26th annual holiday toy and food drive to benefit underprivileged families in the Pottstown area.

“Since the hotel was built in 1989, the Comfort Inn & Suites in Pottstown has always been involved in the community. Since we purchased the hotel, and following its subsequent $1.5 million make-over in 2009-2010, we’ve stepped-up that commitment,” said hotel owner Mayur Chheda. 

“We understand how important it is for businesses to support their communities, so we’ve pledged 65 gallons of milk, 65 five-pound bags of potatoes, 65 loaves of bread, and 65 containers of butter,” added Mital Chheda, Mayur’s brother and business partner.

The community effort is being organized, once again, by local citizen, Jim Frymoyer. 

Jim Frymoyer

Frymoyer began the tradition as a member of the Moose Lodge, and is continuing it with the Manatawny Association, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles N0. 626. The goal is to touch the lives of over 300 people in the area this year.

The toys are delivered at a party held for the children at the Norco Fire Company.

The hotel is also organizing an ‘angel tree’ at the hotel, and encouraging their team of hospitality professionals (room attendants, guest service agents, maintenance personnel, and management) along with their guests to bring gifts to the hotel for needy children. 

Al Patel, the hotel’s General Manager, said, “we are so fortunate and so blessed, and we feel a special obligation during the winter holiday season to share our blessings with those in need – especially in making the holidays a little more special for the families and children in the area.”

Jon Ray, maintenance director at the hotel, has been working with the Manatawny Association that

Assembling the food baskets.

distributes the food and toys for a number of years, and is grateful for the generosity of the hotels ownership, management, and staff. 

“In the hospitality business, and at the Comfort Inn Pottstown, we’re all about making people happy,” he said, “and this year will be extra special. I am glad that my owners and co-workers are equally sharing in the spirit.”

Infinity Hotel Group owns and manages a collection of properties, including Comfort Inn, Pottstown, PA; Comfort Inn, Galloway, NJ; Quality Inn, Galloway, NJ; Best Western, Williamstown, NJ; Travelers Lodge, Atco, NJ. 

Four additional hotels in the Marriott and IHG brand families are also under development. www.infinityhotelgroup.com

Penn Grant to Benefit Schuylkill River Trail Projects

The Schuylkill River Trail will run from Philadelphia 

to Pottsville when complete.

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

The Schuylkill River Heritage Area has received a three-year, $394,238 grant from the Philadelphia-based William Penn Foundation to continue the development of the Schuylkill River Trail in Schuylkill County, and to develop and implement river and trail-related programs.

The money will fund watershed stewardship programs, environmental education and trail expansion.

It will also fund a one-mile loop River Walk Trail in Pottstown’s Riverfront Park, with direct connection to the Schuylkill River Trail. The loop trail, which will be located directly behind the Schuylkill River Heritage Area’s 140 College Drive offices, will incorporate five interpretive stations focused on the river and watershed protection.

The Schuylkill River Sojourn

In addition to trail building, the grant will enable the Heritage Area to provide a mentor-based watershed education program for the I-LEAD Charter School in Reading that incorporates classroom lessons and field trip elements. That program will be a continuation of an existing class introduced this year by the Schuylkill River Heritage Area.

“This grant will enable us to continue to develop the Schuylkill River Trail,” said SRHA Executive Director Kurt Zwikl. “It will also allow us to provide educational and recreational programs that connect people to the river and inspire them to protect and conserve our natural resources.”

Several river and trail-based recreation programs will also be supported by the grant, including the Schuylkill River Sojourn, an annual weeklong, 112-mile guided canoe/kayak tour that is organized by the Heritage Area.

The Pedal and Paddle

The sojourn, which is entering its 16th year in June, incorporates educational programming about the river’s history, culture and environment that are intended to promote the river as a valuable natural and recreational resource.

Another popular Heritage Area program that will benefit from the grant will be the Pedal and Paddle events held every summer. Pedal and Paddles take participants on a round-trip adventure from Pottstown to Douglassville. 

They include a bike ride along the Schuylkill River Trail, tour of Historic Morlatton Village and return trip via kayak. The program introduces people to the river and the trail, and promotes preservation and conservation.