Saturday, April 1, 2017

A Year with Frog & Toad Opens Today at Steel River



Blogger's Note: The following was provided by Steel River Playhouse

A Year with Frog and Toad, the Tony Award-nominated musical, will be staged at Steel River Playhouse on April 1 and 2, and April 8 and 9 by the Theater for Young Audiences.

It is directed by Aileen McCulloch and performances are at 2 p.m.
With book and lyrics by Willie Reale and music by Robert Reale. A Year with Frog and Toad was originally commissioned by Adrianne Lobel, theatre producer/scenic designer, to be based on all four books written by her father, Arnold Lobel.

After its premiere at The Children’s Theatre Company of Minneapolis, the musical found huge success both off and on Broadway. 
The Caldecott and Newbery award-winning stories come to life in wonderful ways—complete with foot-tapping music. Frog, Toad and friends plant a garden, swim in a pond and skip rope with a large and terrible frog. 
And, they like to settle down in a warm house and sip a bowl of soup. This song-filled, year in the life of two charming woodland characters has captivated children, adults and critics alike.

Thursday, March 30, 2017

Easter Egg Hunt at Althouse Arboretum April 9



Blogger's Note: The following was provided by Green Allies

The second annual Forrest Easter Egg Hunt will be held at Althouse Arboretum, 1794 Gilbertsville Road in Upper Pottsgrove on Saturday, April 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Sponsored by the Spark the Wave Club at Pottsgrove High Schoo and Green Alliesl, the cost is $5 per child.

The rain date is Sunday, April 9

Join the us at the Althouse Arboretum for a unique Easter egg hunt along our trails! Search for eggs to turn in for prizes, play games, make a craft to take home and enjoy some family fun.

Event sponsored by GreenAllies with its mission to “Empower and support students to innovate and lead environmental sustainability efforts.”

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Question: What Takes Only 70 Minutes to Complete? Answer: A Pottsgrove School Board Meeting!

Photo by Evan Brandt
The members of the Pottsgrove High School Academic Quiz Bowl Team is recognized by the school board Tuesday for their Championship Season.


It's not definite that Pottsgrove School Board Vice President Al Leach was trying to break a land-speed record running Tuesday night's meeting, but he may have done it anyway.

By 8:40 p.m., Leach had burned through the entire six-page agenda, setting a new standard for Board President Matt Alexander when he returns to run his next meeting.

Much of the meeting was taken up with congratulations.
Photo by Mike Neiffer.
Alexi Neiffer is congratulated by Pottsgrove
Superintendent 
William Shirk Tuesday night.

Custodian Marvin Thrasher was congratulated on his retirement.

The Academic Quiz Bowl team took a bow for their championship, and seemed glad not to have to answer too many questions.

Members of the Pottsgrove High School Chorus were congratulated for their achievements, which were continuing at rehearsal, thus preventing them from being there to receive said congratulations.

And Alexi Neiffer, a Pottsgrove student at the Western Center, was congratulated for winning a commercial art contest at a art college in Philadelphia.

Much of the rest of the meeting was fairly routine, with the most important nugget being Business Manager David Nester's report that the budget gap is down from about $2 million to closer to $900,000, dropping potential tax hike from 3 percent to 2.4 percent.

Superintendent William Shirk also reported meeting with state Sen. Robert Mensch who reported that the state assembly is taking "no action" on many of the items of interest to school districts -- that being property tax reform, charter school reform and pension reform....

Here are the Tweets from the meeting:

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Where Election Politics and Policy Intersect

Photo of the planned improvements to the intersection of Route 663 and 73 presented last night to the New Hanover Township supervisors.


As is so often the case, the shocking news from the New Hanover Supervisors meeting last night was not on the agenda -- unless one considers "comments from citizens" to be a likely source of shock.

Several potentially newsworthy items fizzled.

The agenda item to confirm a new police contract with withdrawn.

A review of the legal matters involving the quarry turned out to be a review of things nearly everybody already knew.

There was some new information about plans to improve the dog-legged intersection of Routes 663 and 73, which involves a traffic signal and left turn lanes, but that was not the item which made everyone sit up and take notice.

Ross Snook, who was recently appointed to the newly revived environmental advisory board, took to the microphone to make several announcements.

One was that he is running for supervisor.

The second was that Marie Livelsberger, appointed about one year ago to replace former chairman Doug Muller, had been knocked off the ballot by a judge.

And the third was his call for the candidate who filed the petition that knocked her off, Shawn Malloy, to withdraw from the race for being an even worse offender of the same technicality that knocked Livlsberger off.

It seems that in addition to filing election petitions with the elections board in Norristown, as well as financial disclosure forms, that those financial disclosure forms also have to be filed with the township.

And it seems, according to Snook, that Livelsberger's were four days late, which was the technicality that convinced a judge to bump her from the ballot.

What no one told the judge, again according to Snook, was that Malloy's forms were filed with the township even later than Livelsberger's -- about 10 days.

Snook also called for the resignation of the person who "orchestrated" the matter, but did not state a name.

There are three seats up for election and, given that Democrats rarely run in New Hanover, the matter is usually decided in the Republican primary.

The two seats up for six-year terms are currently occupied by Livlsberger and Andrew Kelly, who is not seeking reelection. The third seat, with two years left in the term, is occupied by Kurt Zebrowski, who was appointed to the seat after Ralph Fluharty stepped town in July.

Zebrowsky is opposed by Brian Hemmingway in the Republican primary.

With Livlsberger knocked off the Republican line, only Snook and Malloy remain for the two seats with six-year terms, unless Livlsberger decides to run a write-in campaign.

As the meeting wound down, Livlsberger said she has "no personal agendas and I am disheartened to see how the election process has brought out those personal agendas in others."

Supervisor Charles D. Garner Jr. said he regrets that Livelsberger was knocked off the ballot by a judge for "technical issues" because it will deprive voters of a choice in the election.

We'll be looking into this a little more deeply I suspect. In the meantime, here are the Tweets:

Monday, March 27, 2017

Pottsgrove High 'Spelling' Out Comedy On Stage


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

"The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" will be staged at Pottsgrove High School on March 30, 31 and April 1 at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $10, $8 for senior citizens and students.

Winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has charmed audiences across the country with its effortless wit and humor. 

Featuring a fast-paced, wildly funny and touching book by Rachel Sheinkin and a truly fresh and vibrant score by William Finn, this bee is one unforgettable experience.
The cast of the show

An eclectic group of mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming "ding" of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. 

At least the losers get a juice box.

Cast:
Emma Burrus as Olive Ostrovsky
Audra Estel as Schwarzy
Cierra Fekelman as Marcy Park (Co-Dance Captain)
Trystian Hernandez as Douglas Panch
Joe Kelley as Chip Tolentino
Tyler Montgomery as Leaf Coneybear (Co-Dance Captain)
Kathleen Moser as Rona Lisa Peretti (Student Co-Director)
Jessica Samilenko as Mich Mahoney
Michael Thornton as William Barfee

Ensemble:
Bryce Clemmer
Hailey Ellwanger
Summer Grier
Victoria Grier
Sarah Ounsworth
Michaela Sloan (Student Co-Director)
Mackenzie Vanhorn
Hannah Weghorst


Production Team:
Andrea Forrest -- Director, Producer, Choreographer
Kelsey Hendler -- Vocal Director
Anna Taylor -- Assistant Director, Stage Manager
William Einhorn -- Pit Orchestra Director

Sunday, March 26, 2017

Biden to Keynote Exceptional Women Tribute

Ashley Biden, executive director of the Delaware County Center for Justice and daughter of Vice President Joe Biden, will be the keynote speaker at the YWCA TriCounty Area's 22nd Annual Tribute to Exceptional Women on March 30.
Blogger's Note: The following was provided by YWCA TriCounty 

The achievements, leadership, and service of women in the Tri-County Area are in the spotlight this month as the YWCA Tri County Area (YW3CA) presents its 22nd annual Tribute to Exceptional Women at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 30, at the RiverCrest Golf Club and Preserve in Phoenixville.

Ashley Biden, executive director of the Delaware Center for Justice, is the keynote speaker for the event. Ms. Biden also has worked with the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families in the education unit as the education and career liaison; at West End Neighborhood House Life Lines Program with youth aging out of foster care; and at the Northwestern Human Services children’s mental health clinic in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia as a clinical support staff member. 

She earned her MSW at the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice, where she received the “Combating Racism” Award from the Black Men at the Penn School of Social Work Inc.; she also holds a BA in cultural anthropology from Tulane University. Ms. Biden has served on the board of directors at YWCA Delaware. She is the daughter of former vice president of the United States, Joe Biden, and Dr. Jill Biden.

Tickets to this annual event are available online by visiting: https://yw3catribute.eventbrite.com.

YW3CA’s Tribute to Exceptional Women is an annual event which recognizes women for their ability to lead by example, embrace community responsibility, and demonstrate exceptional leadership in one of 10 awards categories. YW3CA has been proud to provide this opportunity for the community to recognize and celebrate the exceptional contributions made by women in the tri-county and surrounding areas.

Community members nominated 28 women for their leadership and accomplishments in the following categories: Arts, Business, Education, Health, Racial Justice, Non-Profit, STEM, Rising Star Award for women 18-30, Coretta Scott King Award for an agent of change, and Sally Lee Lifetime Achievement Award. 

These women are leaders in non-profit organizations, business, health care and hospitals, and at schools and universities. Annarose Ingarra-Milch, the 2016 Sally Lee Lifetime Achievement Award winner, will present the 2017 Awards.

The evening will begin with cocktails and bidding on silent auction items from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., with dinner, the keynote speaker, and presentation of awards to follow. The evening will end with the announcement of the silent auction winners at 9 p.m.

Event sponsors include:
  • Peace Sponsors -- Pottstown Memorial Medical Center, Altria Group, JB Supply Inc., Exelon
  • Justice Sponsor – U Financial and Mass Mutual
  • Freedom Sponsors – BB&T, DNS Construction, Wrigley Business Supply
  • Advertising Sponsor – Wolf, Baldwin & Associates
  • Wine and Cheese Reception Sponsors – Montgomery County Community College, and YWCA board members
Proceeds from Tribute to Exceptional Women will support YWCA Tri-County Area’s mission to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. 

YW3CA educates children, youth, families, and communities through programming that empowers individuals to learn and grow across the lifespan, providing the foundation for a healthy and thriving community; empowers people to learn, grow, and take a stand; and advocates for racial justice, civil rights, women and girls’empowerment and economic advancement, and women and girls’ health and safety.

Nominees for the 2017 Tribute to Exceptional Women are:

Arts – awarded to a woman who encourages and/or demonstrates artistic expression, and supports the artistic development of women and girls.
  • Betsy Chapman, an accomplished harpist who mentors women in learning to play the harp, for both performance and music therapy;
  • Leena Devlin, director of the Steel River Playhouse in Pottstown.
Business – awarded to a woman who is successful in business, who exhibits a strong set of personal values, and who is a mentor to young women in her profession and in the community.
  • Linda Jacobs, owner of Downtown Design in Pottstown;
  • Sheryl Jennings, owner of Wildfree in Downingtown.
Education – awarded to a woman who motivates, teaches, and cultivates strong values in youth within the community.
  • Nehaila Ait Belouali, volunteer with the YW3CA’s Education and Training Center;
  • Calista Boyer, principal at Lincoln Elementary School in the Pottstown school district;
  • Jenee A. Chizick-Aguero, founder and publisher of Motivos, a magazine for Hispanic urban youth;
  • Dee Gallion, a community volunteer at Rolling Hills Apartments preschool, Bright Hope, and soccer coach in Lower Pottsgrove Township;
  • Kimberly Howerter, a pre-K teacher at YW3CA’s Early Education Center;
  • Denise Parham Jones, teacher at Abington School District;
  • Holly Parker, executive director of the TriCounty Community Network;
  • Camika Royal, assistant professor of Urban Education at Loyola (Md.) University and co-director of Loyola’s Center for Innovation in Urban Education;
  • Laura Simmers, director of the Early Education Center at YW3CA;
  • Kelly Earnshaw Skokowski, assistant director of the YW3CA’s Healthy Pathways program for girls.
Health – awarded to a woman who promotes healthy living in the community, raises awareness, and supports woman and girls in a healthy lifestyle.
  • Amy Bause Bartra, Bause Catering;
  • Shenise Henderson, LifeLife Trauma Informed Services;
  • Kate McKee, patient advocate at Pottstown Memorial Medical Center;
  • Dr. Maria Tucker, Total Woman Health and Wellness OB/Gyn in Pottstown.
Non-profit/public service – awarded to a woman who affects change through leadership in the non-profit or public sectors.
  • Taryn Flood, Saving Our Sons Inc.;
  • Lisa Heverly, Operation Backpack;
  • Pauline McGibbon, Women’s Center of Montgomery County;
  • Shaleah Sutton, Uniquely You Summit for Girls;
  • Landa Washington-Coppedge, a minister, radio host, and teacher.
Racial Justice – awarded to a woman who is an active volunteer, who is family-oriented with strong spiritual/religious beliefs; and who promotes racial justice and dignity for all.
  • Shenise Henderson, LifeLine Trauma Informed Services.
Rising Star Award – awarded to a woman age 18-30 who is a role model and enthusiastic leader for girls.
  • Alexandria Thomas, a licensed social worker;
  • Renee Womack, assistant girls’ basketball coach at North Penn High School.
Coretta Scott King Award – awarded to a woman who is an agent of change who advocates and empowers girls, and who is committed to social justice, peace, equality, and human rights.
  • The Rev. Leslie Callahan, St. Paul’s Baptist Church in Philadelphia.
Sally Lee Lifetime Achievement Award – awarded to a woman who has devoted many years to making a significant difference for women and in the community.
  • Toni Reece, founder of The People Chronicles;
  • Janice Warnquist, volunteer at the YW3CA Education and Training Center.