Alvernia Recognizes Pottstown Physical Therapist

Matthew Musket

Blogger's Note: The following was submitted by Community Health and Dental.

Community Health and Dental Care, Inc. congratulates physical therapy provider, Matthew Musket, PT, DPT for receiving the Clinical Excellence Award from the Alvernia University Physical Therapy Department at the Class of 2021 Celebration event held on May 14, 2021 at Berkshire Country Club in Reading.

According to the recognition award letter sent to by Christopher H. Wise, PT, DPT, Phd.(c), OCS, FAAOMPT, MTC, ATC, Chair, Program Director, and Professor of the Department of Physical Therapy at Alvernia University, the recognition is awarded to an individual outside of the department who has "demonstrated clinical excellence through the application and perpetuation of evidence-based practice that represents the current best evidence, clinical expertise, and patient values and has served as a role model for colleagues and students." 

The letter goes on to say “The department is very appreciative for the dedicated service that you have provided to our student through clinical internships as well as serving as a practical examiner.” Says Christopher H. Wise, “Your commitment to our program is invaluable. Numerous students have advanced their skills under your experienced mentorship.”

Matthew Musket, DPT, has been a physical therapy provider at CHDC since 2019. Dr. Musket is a summa cum laude graduate of Beaver College with his degree in Biology, and he is a graduate from Arcadia University with his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Dr. Musket has been practicing physical therapy in his home state of Pennsylvania with over 18 years of experience in a plethora of settings (early intervention with 0-3 years of age in the home setting, out-patient setting, skilled nursing, long term care, assisted living, academic, and in-patient settings). 

Dr. Musket has presented to many local and national audiences for a variety of topics, as well as is actively participating with regional academic institutions. Dr. Musket is eager to help the tri-county population from pediatric to geriatric as a primary member of the Community Health and Dental Care team.

YWCA Summer Camp Adventure Starts June 21

Blogger's Note: The following was submitted by YWCA Tri-County Area.

YWCA Tri-County Area’s annual Camp Adventures, a nine-week, full-day summer camp for boys and 
girls ages 4 through 12, will take place June 21-August 20 at Fellowship Farm.

Campers will explore the outdoors on the farm’s 126 acres of woods, fields, and pond, will take part in 
games, visual and performing arts, team and individual sports, and swim instruction/ free time in the pool.

Camp Adventures encourages curiosity, team-building, learning, and creativity, and promote healthy lifestyle choices, independence, self-awareness, and confidence.

• STEAM exploration (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) includes activities that will boost their understanding of the environment and support opportunities for hands on experiments.
• Camp Adventures is committed to ensuring that all children are able to safely respond to threatening situations around water. Each day, children will spend time in the pool in both swim instruction and recreational play, learning and practicing water safety, kicking and floating, and swimming.
• Youth will have the opportunity to explore their imaginative skills through visual and performing arts activities. Campers will create their own masterpieces both individually and in small and larger groups.

Camp tuition is $200/week; ELRC child care subsidy is accepted. Campers will receive two free camp T-shirts, and daily lunches and snacks prepared in YW’s Dignity Kitchen.

Camp hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Pick-up and drop-off will be at YWCA Tri-
County Area, 315 King Street, Pottstown.

YWCA Tri-County Area is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. YW is a leader in advocacy for racial and gender equity and equity in education, in empowering the community through quality, affordable early childhood education, adult literacy, and a host of programs to support the health and vitality of women, girls, and families.

'Juneteenth' Celebration Planned for Pottstown

Submitted Photo

Troy Rivera, speaking at last year's Pottstown Rally for Peace and Equality march in Pottstown

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by organizers of the upcoming Juneteenth Celebration.

A family-friendly community event featuring games, food trucks, vendor items, and other activities will take place on Veterans Island in Memorial Park from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 19.

For those not aware of the historic significance of this date – known as “Juneteenth,” – June 19 marks the day in 1865 when U.S. troops led by General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to read the proclamation stating that all enslaved people were freed. 

Granger’s arrival occurred two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. As word spread of Granger’s announcement, celebrations broke out among newly freed Black people who in most cases had not been previously informed.

The local celebration is being arranged by Troy Rivera of Pottstown, Rivera’s Renovation Group LLC., and Jamb Events. 

Mercury File Photo

Thousands showed up for last year's march.

Rivera, along with friend Nate Smith and the Pottstown Branch of the NAACP, organized the successful “Pottstown Rally for Peace and Equality” on June 7, 2020. 

That event was believed to have brought as many as 3,000 diverse people downtown to borough hall for inspiring speeches, prayers, and a peaceful march along High Street as a public sign of unity against racial discrimination and injustice.

A 2016 graduate of Pottstown High School, Rivera said he wants “to again bring people in Pottstown together in a constructive way – especially after a year that has been difficult for so many people, in so many ways, from the pandemic to ongoing acts of hate against ethnic minorities and other groups.”

“As we mark Juneteenth on June 19, we hope once again people from throughout the Pottstown area will show the best of our town and participate in enjoyable, positive activities that unite us,” Rivera added.

At the time of this writing, 16 vendors will be on hand to serve food and sell merchandise including clothing items.

The Splash Park will be operating. A fire truck will be stationed at the park for children to view, and Pottstown Police Department representatives will be there to talk with residents, as they were during last year’s rally.

Rivera said guests are encouraged to wear masks although they will not be required based on recently eased restrictions.

“This is the first time there will be a Pottstown-wide Juneteenth social gathering, to my knowledge,” Rivera said. “I’m hopeful it can be a new tradition for our town.”

Child Health Care Project Gets National Recognition

Pottstown's own Community Health and Dental Care, Inc. has been recognized nationally for its efforts to improve children's health by promoting pediatric primary care.

The non-profit health agency was selected among 50 national winners in the Health Resources and Services Administration P4 Challenge for innovation in promoting pediatric primary care to improve child health. 

The goal of the nationwide P4 Challenge is to increase access of well-child visits and improve immunizations within pediatric primary care settings.

Community Health’s winning submission -- “Centering Well Checks for a Healthier Community!” -- was among over 240 submissions received across the nation. 

Winners represented pediatric primary care providers and partners including federally qualified health centers, academic medical centers, community-based mobile units, and partnerships with local churches, fire departments and other community-based organizations. 

Community Health and Dental was awarded $10,000 to implement its proposal during Phase 2, from May through September, with a chance to be awarded up to $25,000 in October. 

Phase 1 applicants were judged by their understanding of the population served and its need, its innovative approach, and potential impact.

“We are very excited to partner with the YWCA Tri-County Area and Rickett’s Center in Pottstown to increase vaccination rates and provide well checks in a creative and innovative approach by engaging with parents so their children of all ages can receive their annual well checks," said Bridgette McGivern, CEO of Community Health and Dental Care.

According to Health Resources and Services Administration’s website, "the CDC reports that declines in vaccination coverage might leave young children and communities vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles." 

It goes on to say, "well-child visits also declined since the COVID-19 pandemic." 

Parents and caregivers are being encouraged to maintain child well-visits and maintain timely vaccinations.

For more information or to become a new patient, call 610-326-9460.

Since 2008, Community Health and Dental Care ensures access to appropriate levels of care for all people in the service area regardless of their ability to pay. 

The agency provides medical, dental, OBGYN, vision, podiatry, physical therapy, medication assistance therapy, integrated behavioral health, care and case management, and free transportation to and from all CHDC health center locations in Pottstown and Barto.

The agency accepts most major commercial, Medicare and Medicare supplement plans, fee for service Medicaid and Managed Care Medicaid plans and provides a health care discount for eligible uninsured and underinsured patients. 

For qualified patients receiving a 100 percent healthcare discount, the nominal fee for a medical/behavioral health/vision visit is $20, $35 for a dental visit and $5 for a prescription.

Relieve Cabin Fever With a Program on Log Cabins

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

Sunday will mark the first in-person program sponsored by the Friends of Hopewell Furnace since the COVID-19 pandemic began..

For this honor, the friends have selected famed local historian and re-enactor Ken Biles.

He "promises to intrigue the audience with original artifacts focusing on the history of log cabins in Berks County," according to an announcement from the friends.

The event will be held Sunday, June 13, at 2 p.m. and be staged outside next to the upper parking lot. 

Although seating will be provided, feel free to bring your own chair or blanket. Hopewell Furnace is located at 2 Mark Bird Lane, Elverson.

Vaccinated attendees will not be required to wear masks. Others will need to adhere to CDC guidelines and observe social distancing protocols.

Be advised that the park is a water stop on French and Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust Iron Tour. Please watch out for bicycles when entering the park.

Rep. Pennycuick: COVID-19 Rental Help is Available

Blogger's Note: The following was first published in the weekly newsletter sent out by state Rep. Tracy Penncuick, R-147th Dist.

The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) is available for renters of residential properties who are at risk of eviction or utility shutoffs due to hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Landlords can apply for assistance on behalf of tenants and receive assistance directly if the tenant is eligible.

Households may be eligible for up to 12 months of assistance to cover past-due or future rental and/or utility payments. The amount of a household’s monthly rent or utility bills does not preclude eligibility, but the amount of ERAP assistance provided to a household is determined by program administrators at the county level.

State Rep. Tracy Pennycuick

Assistance can be provided to a tenant in a residential rental property for future rental payments and for unpaid rental or utility arrears that were accrued on or after March 13, 2020. Counties may choose to provide additional assistance to eligible households if funds remain available.

Residential tenants can apply for themselves, or a landlord can apply on behalf of a current tenant. Additionally, landlords do not have to agree to participate in the program for tenants to receive assistance.

To qualify for assistance, a household must be responsible to pay rent on a residential property and meet ALL of the following criteria:

• One or more people within the household has qualified for unemployment benefits, had a decrease in income, had increased household costs, or experienced other financial hardship due directly or indirectly to the COIVD-19 pandemic.
• One or more individuals in the household can show a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
• The household has an income at or below 80 percent of area median income, which varies by county. Income limits by county are available and can be found here. Resources such as bank accounts and cars are not relevant for ERAP eligibility.

Learn more about the program and how to apply here.

PHS STEM Team Takes 4th in Statewide Competition

Submitted Photo

Pottstown High School's STEM team is, from left, Will Levey 10th grade,  Andy Bachman, Nada Elgendy 11th grade and, Abdel Elgendy 10th grade.

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

A team of Pottstown High School students took on the economically devastating problem of the Spotted Lantern Fly facing Pennsylvania as part of an award-winning entry to the Governor's STEM competition.

The team was comprised of Nada Elgendy, Abdel Elgendy, and William Levey, and overseen by Pottstown High School engineering teacher and advisor Andrew Bachman.  

Their goal was to provide a workable solution to one of Mother Nature's latest puzzle, in the form of the invasive Spotted Lanternfly. 

They submitted the design, an ingeniously simple but effective way to scrape and collect Spotted Lanternfly eggs from the trunks of trees, and their research to the Governor's STEM competition in April. 

The device is designed to allow a long broom handle to be screwed into the handle to extend the reach of the device to higher heights on trees.

You can see their presentation online by clicking here.

You can check out their research for the cost of mass production and other factors by clicking here.

Their research and design efforts earned them a 4th place finish in the statewide competition. 

To combat the the Asian infestation, scientists recommend scraping egg sacs off tree trunks in the affected area with a card. However, scraping and effectively collecting egg sacs poses challenges. 

The team designed the Spotted Lantern Fly Egg Sac Mitigator which allows homeowners and community members to safely, easily and efficiently scrape and collect the egg sacs. 

The Governor’s STEM Competition challenges student teams from across the state to research, design, and present a device or project that can make the quality of life better for Pennsylvanians by accomplishing a series of practical tasks that can fulfill real-world needs. 

This year’s theme was “Improving Pennsylvania Through STEM.” 

During the school year, teams of students designed and built solutions to real-world problems. Teams were required to work with a member of their local community, a business, or an educational entity to help create an authentic experience while also providing opportunities to learn more about careers in STEM.

 
The Pottstown team overcame the added challenges caused by distancing due to COVD and learned a great deal about how to coordinate efforts in order to solve problems. 

"It is an experience that will serve them well in the work world," said Bachman.