Sweet Taste of Success During Carousel of Flavor

Photos by Evan Brandt

Richard Ellis of Maple Street knows how to enjoy an Italian hoagie from Monsanto Bros.; one of dozens and dozens of offerings at yesterday's 13th annual Carousel of Flavor.

For 13 years, the Carousel of Flavor has been big news in Pottstown.

An extremely successful restaurant festival that attracts thousands of people to downtown Pottstown every year, this year the event had an all new news hook.

When I went over to see how the Carousel itself looks, low and behold, not only was it spinning and playing music, it turns out it had just been certified for public use.

Now don't hop in your car and drive over there just yet. If you can believe it, retired long time State Farm Insurance agent George Wausnock, who also happens to be the President of the Carousel at Pottstown, doesn't have it insured for the public to ride it.

George Wausnock, carousel president, left, is joined at the
restored 

trolley that will serve as the snack bar
by volunteer Bob Roebuck Sunday.

At least not yet.

But if you stop by, you'll see the inside is painted; the floors have been polished, the safety fence has been installed and even the antique trolley has been restored to serve as the facility snack bar.

Full disclosure, I have done some work for this non-profit group, but being paid has never been the source of my enthusiasm for this project.

Although the cyber nay-sayers who love to make snide remarks about this project may scoff, I find
this to be one of the more up-lifting things going in Pottstown.

Understand that there is a certain population of people who feel about carousels the way others feel about roller coasters. If you restore it, they will come.

Similarly, there is population of people who love to ride vintage trains.

Brenton McDowell, 2, could not keep his eyes off the spinning

carousel Sunday even long enough to get his picture taken with

his mom, Esther Jean-Louis and his brother Branden Lors, 5.

So when you combine the working antique carousel with the pending construction of a platform for the Colebrookdale Railroad's Secret Valley Line across King Street in Memorial Park, and then add Manatawny Green mini-golf next door, and the Schuylkill River Trail, this starts to look like a fun place to hang out -- and, most importantly, spend some money.

So hat's off to the volunteers who have stuck with it for the 17 years it has taken to raise the money, restore the carousel, fix up the building and overcome the regulatory hurdles.

Through it all, the Carousel of Flavor is a reminder of the success many of us always knew you would achieve.

Now, I'll stop bloviating. Here are the Tweets (and videos) from yesterday's food festival.

What Happened at Borough Council Last Night?

Monday night's council meeting moved swiftly and covered many topics.

They included some I have already written about, such as the fire services agreement vote, and the push to re-name Cross Street after late NAACP President Newstell Marable.

And topics included others I have yet to write about.

You will have to wait in suspense, or try to guess from the Tweets below, which topics merit stories of their own.

Pottstown: It's About Time

Photo by Evan Brandt

The opened time capsule stands empty in front of

Pottstown Borough Hall as Ron Downie reads a

composition to mark the occasion.

Pottstown's past and future shared the stage Sunday.

During the annual Carousel of Flavor, a time capsule buried at the corner of High and Hanover streets was opened.

Minutes earlier, on the same stage, two over-sized checks from Montgomery County transferred $500,000 to two projects that highlight Pottstown's past to help improve its future.

The checks, $250,000 each, are for the Colebrookdale Railroad station in Memorial Park, and for the final physical improvements needed to open the Carousel at Pottstown building across King Street from the station.

(Full disclosure: I was once paid by the Carousel project to write grants and other things, but no longer am.)

Both projects highlight Pottstown's connection to the past, a genuine connection that Colebrookdale Railroad Preservation Trust Executive Director Nathaniel Guest recently pointed out to me as being so crucial to attracting tourists interested in history.

He was right when he said they understand the difference between a Walt Disney building made to look like it was built in the 1870s, and an actual building that was -- or a railroad for that matter.

Photo by Evan Brandt

The contents of the freshly opened time capsule

were a big hit Sunday during the Carousel of Flavor

Part of the tourism and recreation district that is to be created around the two projects, and Pottsgrove Manor; and the Mantawny Green mini-golf ourse; and Memorial Park; and the Trilogy BMX Park and spray parks there; and the Schuylkill River Trail; and Montgomery County Community College; and the Schuylkill River Heritage Area interpretive center, Pottstown stands posed to finally capitalize on the historic heritage it has preserved for so long.

And, if you'll pardon the pun, it's about time.

Pottstown's future will not be made by making it look like any other suburb, it will be made by being unique, a uniqueness that people who have lived here their whole lives sometimes fail to recognize and appreciate.

The town just celebrated the 200th anniversary of its incorporation, obviously its history is one of its greatest assets.

And one of those assets, the Carousel and its trademark restaurant festival, is being used to leverage one of its potential assets -- Americans' growing appreciation for good food.

Terry Jones, a longtime volunteer with the Carousel, told me that it was looking good for Sunday's Carousel of Flavor Restaurant Festival to break last year's record-breaking returns.

Opening the time capsule during this ever-more-popular festival was a good decision, as it put together the people who appreciate all that the "foodie" movement represents, with those who appreciate and remember what Pottstown was like 50 years ago.

Here is some video of the contents:




It was hard not to smile watching people who have lived in Pottstown all their lives, pouring over the photos of those who they knew, where they worked and how they made their way into the sealed steel time capsule that nevertheless leaked a little -- Thanks Hurricane Agnes.

Here's to another 200 years Pottstown.

There was the evidence, as Ron Downie noted in the composition he read for the event,  of the vibrant town Pottstown once was -- and can be again.

The industries will be different,

The interests may be different.

But it we're smart, and don't let old thinking stab us in the foot, the results will be all too recognizable -- a town filled with people who love living here.

Welcome the artists, welcome the educated and make Pottstown a place where learning and creativity are applauded and Pottstown can be vibrant again.

Like it was 50 and 200 years ago.

Without further editorializing, here are the Tweets I could not resist making during this year's event:

So Much to Do, So Little Time (Or, Spend Your Weekends in Pottstown) Now Updated with Even More!

Mercury File Photo

Now in its third year, the Pottstown Pet Fair has grown by leaps and bounds every year

"There's nothing to do."

Parents, how many times did you hear that this summer as your kids lazed about the living room complaining of terminal boredom?

Well they can't say that this month as September is one of those months were everything happens
all at the same time:

First and foremost, let's talk about the Third Annual Pottstown Pet Fair.

 Photo by John Strickler/The Mercury
Angel Jones, 6, holds her new Chihuahua puppy named Junior
at the pet fair last year. 

Scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, the event has grown so big that is has moved to Memorial Park.

Speaking to Pottstown Borough Council last week, the organizers said that it has now attracted more than 80 vendors, "which is phenomenal," said Codes Enforcement Officer Bill Sharon.

As a result, it has grown to the largest free pet fair on the East Coast, he said.

Among the activities will be:

• Blessing of the animals
• Animal rescue organizations
• Pet photos
• Retail vendors
• A food court
• Workshops
• A dog walk to benefit the Bark Park in Memorial Park 
• A rabies vaccination clinic run by the Montgomery County Health Department ($10 per shot).
• Rotary Club Duck Race

* **

Speaking of which, let's talk about The Annual Rotary Club Duck Race. 

Mercury File Photo

Moved from the Fourth of July Celebration, which this year did not include any events in Memorial Park, the annual duck race raises money for 25 different community groups.

Last year, the Rotary and participating organizations sold about 3,300 tickets. Through this project, the community has contributed more than $295,000 to non-profit organizations in the Pottstown area.

The club organizes the event and provides personnel, as well as selling tickets, along with the community groups benefited.

The number on each ticket matches one on a plastic duck which is released with a whole passel of others down the meandering Manatawny Creek. 

About 100 prizes are awarded worth more than $10,000.

• First prize is $1,000 cash
• Second Prize is a 40-inch HDTV television
• Third prize is an i-Pad

***

On Friday, Sept. 20, an opening reception will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. for the opening of a new exhibit at ArtFusion 19464 at 254 High St.

The exhibit is called "When We Were Soldiers" and is the work and personal story of the area's Vietnam War veterans.

The exhibit will be in the High Street gallery through Nov. 9. 

Look to upcoming Mercury issues for a full story on this exhibit and videos of the veterans telling their stories.

* * *

Right across King Street from Memorial Park, historic Pottsgrove Manor will be having its own program that features -- wait for it -- CHOCOLATE!

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. that day, Pottsgrove Manor will host an ongoing series of demonstrations about how chocolate was enjoyed by Americans in colonial times.

The demonstrations will be performed by American Heritage Chocolate (a division of Mars Chocolate North America.)

Also, perhaps most importantly, they can taste a sample of a colonial chocolate drink.

As many of you know, Pottsgrove Manor is the refurbished home of Pottstown founder John Potts.

It is located at 100 W. King St. and is owned and operated by Montgomery County.

* * *

The submissions just keep coming, Barth Elementary Principal Ryan Oxenford sent us this message:

On behalf of the students and staff at Barth Elementary School, we would like to invite you to the rededication celebration on Saturday, September 21. The staff is working hard to plan activities to celebrate our newly renovated elementary school and hope you will join us for the event.

The activities will run from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. with some remarks at 2:00 p.m.

We look forward to seeing you there.

All the best,

Ryan Oxenford and the Barth Family

* * *

The next day, The Carousel of Flavor turns 10 this year on Sunday, Sept. 22 from 12 to 4 p.m. in Smith Family Plaza on High Street, right in front of Pottstown Borough Hall.

The event raises money for the Carousel at Pottstown effort.

In addition to the wine and beer tent, with three beer vendors, 20 restaurants have signed up to sell samples of their best dishes.

There will be musical entertainment. Stroll around the tables of Crafters Row where vendors will have their unique creations on display. Rainbow the Clown will be making her debut, making balloon animals for the kids. Children can climb into a fire truck and the DARE truck.

To get a look at the progress of the Carousel, hop on the trolley for a ride to the carousel’s home at 30 King St., across from Memorial Park.

For the 10th Anniversary new attractions have been added. Chef Mike Pezzillo will teach new skills and answer questions during his engaging cooking demonstration. The Magic of Kevin Joyce will amaze the crowd with his sleight of hand tricks. A raffle of gift certificates from the participating restaurants will be running throughout the day. Also new this year, students from Pottstown High School’s Culinary Arts program will serve up examples of their growing culinary skills, participating as a restaurant this year.

Poster by Alan MacBain

Many restaurants look forward to the friendly competition that day as they vie for the Best of Show awards. The Montgomery County Community College Culinary Arts program officiates the judging of Best Appetizer, Best Entrée, and Best Dessert. 

This year's restaurants are: Armstrong Ales LLC – beer only, Bairds Catering, Batter Up!, Bause Catered Events Inc., Boardwalk Pizza, Boneyard Joe's, Brunish's Grocery and Sandwich Shop, The Copperfield Inn at Lakeside, DaVinci's Pub, Greshville Inn, Grumpy's Handcarved Sandwiches, Mike's Brick Oven Pizza (gift cards available for raffle), Philly Pretzel Factory, Phillies Fire Co – Beer only, Piazza Presto, Positively Pasta ,introducing Lily’s Grill
Pottstown High School Culinary Students, Tacie’s Café’ & Bakery, The Pourhouse Tap Room and Sports Bar – Beer only, The Very Best, Thyme To Serve, Tornetta's Pizzeria, West End Alley

* * *

The following weekend, visitors will revel in the high-borne antics of Pottstown Municipal Airport Day.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, the Pottstown Municipal Airport, located at the intersection of Glasgow Street and Shoemaker Road, will hold a number of ground-bound and

 Photo by Kevin Hoffman/The Mercury 

A colorful blue and yellow bi-plane on display at Airport Day.

airborne events.

Those inclined to look to the skies can enjoy a sky-diving demonstration, as well as free airplane rides for kids.

(The children must be 8 to 17 and accompanied by a parent or guardian.)

Back on the ground visits will find airport displays, games, give-aways, a paper airplane contest, snacks, drinks and information about learning to fly.

* * *

On the same day, right next door and a little bit later in the day will be the Second Annual Can Jam Music Festival at Sly Fox Brewing Company's grounds at 331 Circle of Progress Drive.

The free event will feature a half-dozen of the region's top musical acts and a Kan Jam

Tournament in which the winning team will be awarded its combined weight in Sly Fox beer.

The entertainment for the day includes performances by Ataloft, Travel Lanes, John Train, Swift Technique, The Lawsuits and Toy Soldiers; a lineup which Sly Fox brewmaster Brian O'Reilly says will offer "as solid and diverse a sampling of the best performers on the current Philadelphia area music scene as Ive ever seen."

The first act will appear on the outdoor stage at noon and the final performance is scheduled to begin at 7:30pm, providing over 8 hours of music for the crowd. During that time attendees will be able to enjoy BBQ and pizza from the popular on-premises Tastin' Room, draught beer inside at the bar, and canned and draught beers sold at stands out front. Can Jam Lager, a special beer brewed for the event each year, is expected to be a popular choice.

The Kan Jam Tournament will be a competition among 80 pre-registered two-person teams

The Can-Jame game is simple to learn and fun to play.

conducted on a playing field adjacent to the Tastin' Room. The round robin contest features a series of three-game matches in which scoring involves throwing discs into barrel-shaped goals 50-feet away. Sly Fox adds its own cantacular touch to the game by requiring all contestants to play while holding a can of beer in one hand.

Tournament play will begin at 10 a.m. and the championship match is expected to take place at approximately 4:30 p.m. The weighing ceremony of the championship duo and the awarding of their weight in beer will follow immediately.

The Can Jam Music Festival is named to celebrate Sly Fox's role as the first craft brewery in the Mid Atlantic region to can beer; that choice in 2006 made them one of the earliest adapters of what has since become the hottest packaging trend in the industry. Sly Fox Pikeland Pils became the first canned craft beer to win a Gold Medal at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver in 2007.

* * *

This just in!:
Another great event scheduled from 10-2 on Saturday, 28 September is the Family Fun Fair at First United Methodist Church, 414 High Street.

There will be games for all, a bounce house for the young, face painters, a juggler, a duck pond, a clown and balloon animal artist, a reptile expert with his animals at 10:30, crafts for the kiddies, live music, and a hot dog lunch. The event is free, so be sure to come by and say hello!

***

Tony Smith

If Gospel is you thing, you should know that Tony Smith, Award Winning and Grammy Nominee, Gospel Jazz Artist along with “You Know How We Do It Crew” will present a Gospel Concert on Saturday, September 28, 2013 at 7:00 PM.

The Concert will take place at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 150 North Hanover Street and Tickets ($20.00) are available by calling the Church at 610-326-9171.

The entire Pottstown Community is invited to attend an event, which is brought to Pottstown by Bethel AME Church..

Coming 'Round Again to Good Eats

Blogger's Note: The following was submitted by my good, good friends from  the Carousel at Pottstown organization. Yes, it's that time of year again.

The popular and delectable Carousel of Flavor will complete another year's culinary circle Sept. 30 when it returns to Pottstown's award-winning Smith Family Plaza downtown.

Now in its ninth run, the Carousel of Flavor takes advantage of the variety and talent of the region's many fine restaurants and caterers and from 12 to 4 p.m. provides a four-hour forum for them to present their best.

Photo by John Strickler/The Mercury

Adam and Stephanie Sager dish out food for customers at the
Thyme to Serve Catering stand at the Carousel of Flavor last year.

In return, they provide part of their profits to the Carousel at Pottstown's fundraising campaign.

"This is really one of our most popular events and, to tell the truth, it's popular with our volunteers too. We usually don't feed them this well" joked George Wausnock, president of the Carousel at Pottstown.

Already, 16 area eateries have signed up to participate in the event that will be held in the public space facing Pottstown's proud brick Borough Hall at 100 High St.

If you've ever wondered "how the food is" in one place or another, this is your chance to sample them all using tickets sold for between $2 and $5 and decide for yourself.

And while you can be your own judge, there will be a gathering of professional chefs and culinary students on hand to be the official judges.

Photo by John Strickler/The Mercury

Jim Sein-Lwin from The Pourhouse greets customers during
 last year's Carousel of Flavor.

So the restaurants will not only be competing for your patronage, but also with each other.

In addition, there is live music, a wine and beer garden, a clown, crafters and so much more!

The following restaurants have committed to participating in this year's Carousel of Flavor:

Each year, the crowd at the Carousel of Flavor gets bigger.

• Bause Landry Catering 
• Grumpy’s 
• The Pour House/Little Italy 
• The Very Best 
• Station Bistro 
• Ron’s Bar & Grill 
• Thyme To Serve 
• Baird’s Catering 
• Positively Pasta 
• Johnny G’s 
• Ice House Deli 
• Greshville Inn 
• Piazza Presto 
• Sugar High Treats 
• Trattoria Vittorio 
• Tornetta’s 

There's still time to sign up.

To find out more, call Miles Feather at 610-310-2432 or visit www.carouselatpottstown.org