Edgewood Cemetery Fundraiser Will Really Grab Ya

Blogger's Note: The following was submitted by Hobart's Run.

A new initiative of the Hobart’s Run neighborhood improvement initiative is designed to be a win-win that addresses two eyesore issues affecting Pottstown’s ongoing revitalization efforts: trash on the streets, and maintenance of the Historic Edgewood Cemetery, located at 989 E. High Street.

Hobart’s Run and Edgewood Cemetery volunteers are partnering to sell trash “grabber” tools to raise funds toward the daunting annual $20,000 cost to keep the Cemetery mowed. At the same time, they hope to inspire Pottstown residents to do more to pick up litter on their blocks.

The cemetery was abandoned in 2012 and became overgrown and unsightly. A small group of citizens now work year-round to ensure basic care through grassroots fundraising, clean-up days, and other events. Unfortunately Covid-19 and related prohibitions on large group gatherings forced the group to cancel a big spring 2020 clean-up and fundraising event.

The grabbers will be provided for donations of $15 or more per tool,* and all proceeds will go to the cemetery’s mowing fund. The tools also are handy in the home for picking up hard-to-reach items.

“In addition to helping Edgewood pay to mow the grass on this 12-acre site, we hope families and

friends will use the tools to safely pick up litter while out walking in their neighborhoods,” says Cathy Skitko, director of communications for Hobart’s Run and an Edgewood Cemetery board member.

“We would love for families, civic organizations such as scout troops, business owners, and neighborhood groups to make this a win-win by purchasing the grabbers and taking on ‘socially distanced’ community litter walks,” she adds.

“Edgewood Cemetery has made great progress in terms of keeping the grounds groomed,” notes Andrew Monastra, president of the Edgewood Cemetery board.

“We know many businesses and individuals have lost income during the pandemic, but we hope many people can make a donation to help us pay respect to the people resting at the Cemetery and keep it from slipping back into its previously overgrown condition,” he says.

“At the same time, this campaign will allow Pottstown citizens to demonstrate pride in their hometown and make sure it’s in great shape as people return to its businesses and other venues.”

There are two ways to order your grabber:

• Write a check for a minimum of $15 to Edgewood Historic Cemetery, and mail it to 740 E. High St., Pottstown, PA 19464. If you would like to receive a grabber for your contribution, please make a note in the memo field of the check. Please also include your phone number and email with your contribution, as volunteers will be in touch about distribution of the grabbers after they arrive. Naturally, larger contributions will be greatly welcomed, and all donations are tax-deductible.
• Use PayPal! Edgewood Cemetery now has a PayPal account. You can indicate if you want a grabber in the drop-down menu.

Citizens interested in contributing to Edgewood’s efforts in any way, including planning a fundraising event for a future date, can contact Andrew Monastra at amonastra@themglaw.com or 484-644-3830.

Can a New Building Sustain Edgewood Cemetery?

Photos and fuzzy videos by Evan Brandt

LIFESAVER: Pottstown Police Officer Gregory Fritz is congratulated by Mayor Stephanie Henrick after being presented with a Lifesaving Award for saving the life of an infant being born.

Wednesday was a busy work session for borough council, as it often is after Election Day.

Perhaps the most significant item was a presentation on making the maintenance of Edgewood Cemetery more sustainable by allowing a mixed-use building to be constructed along the Beech Street site of the cemetery.

But we'll get to that in a minute.

First, let's watch a presentation to Pottstown Police Officer Gregory Fritz, whose training and quick thinking saved a newborn from being strangled during birth.



Good work Greg.

From left, Justin Keller, Karen Lewandowski, Dan Weand.

Also on the docket was recognition of borough workers who have been in the borough's employ for everything from five years to the remarkable 40 years Public Works Director Doug Yerger was been there.

Receiving special recognition was Karen Lewandowski who is retiring after 20 years with the borough.

Here's the presentation made by Borough Council President Dan Weand:




Also reporting to Council was Peggy Lee-Clark, executive director of Pottstown Area Industrial Development, or PAID. Here is the video:




Among the more interesting items was the revelation that The Mercury building has been sold and the new owner, who, rumor has it, is April Barkasi, owner of Cedarville Engineering, plans to convert it into a "boutique hotel with a whiskey lounge on the first floor."

Lee-Clark said she hoped I would be happy there in my old building. I replied I've been known to drink a glass of whiskey from time to time.

There is no video of the presentation made by Andrew Monastra about making the maintenance of Edgewood Cemetery sustainable because, well,  I've met Andrew. There is no phone battery in the world that could have filmed everything he had to say...

Andrew Monastra talks with council about Edgewood Cemetery.

Here is the gist of it.

For the last two years, the historic cemetery on East High Street has been maintained, by hook and by crook, by volunteers sweat and willingness to beg for donations to pay the costs, said Monastra.

But it costs $25,000 a year "just to cut the grass" on the site bordered by Beech Street to the north, Edgewood Street to the west and Keim Street to the east.

Eventually, Monastra said, the volunteers will get tired and dwindle, as will the donations.

What's needed, he said, is a way to make the cemetery sustainable.

The idea, presented to him by investors Elliott Menkowitz and John Jones, is to take the part of the cemetery on which no graves are located, along Beech Street, and put a mixed-use building there.

The green rectangle at the top left shows the location of the

proposed building. 

Because about 60 percent of people now choose cremation over traditional burial, the plan would also establish a "columbarium/mausoleum," a pet cemetery and "scatter garden," where ashes can be scattered.

The mixed use building would put a commercial use in an area of town with a paucity of such uses and its location so close to The Hill School's Beech Street entrance would provide it with high visibility, said Menkowitz.

He said students and faculty at The Hill were polled and asked for things like a barber shop and dry cleaners. "But it would be open for everyone," Menkowitz said.

An artist's rendering of what the proposed building
along Beech Street might look like.

Not only would the proposed building generate tax revenue for the borough and school district, the for-profit entity that would run it would first drive those profits into creating a $500,000 endowment, whose interest proceeds could cover much of the cost of cutting the grass, said Monastra.

But the borough's help is needed because, legally, the cemetery is owned by no one. The borough would have to condemn it and take ownership "for like a second," and then convey it to the entity that could sub-divide it and allow the building to be constructed.

For its trouble, the borough would receive a $5,000 annual contribution (in addition to the property taxes) in the first three years; and then $10,000 in years four and five, said Monastra.

Council agreed informally to have staff look at the issues involved and explore the proposal with Monastra and Menkowitz.

And now, what you've all been waiting for -- the Mayor's monthly report!!!! (Warning, it's more than 7 minutes long. She had a lot to say.)



And not to play favorites, here is the November report from Borough Manager Justin Keller (which is only about three minutes):


And last, but not least, here are the Tweets from the meeting:

Edging Closer to Sustainability

Volunteers Sought to Clean, Mark Veterans' Graves

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by The Hill School.

The sister of a fallen Navy SEAL from Pottstown is organizing a clean up and flag placement at veterans' graves in Edgewood Cemetery on Saturday, Nov,. 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Job Price was a U.S. Navy SEAL Commander until his death during his service to our country in December 2012.

Price was a graduate of Pottstown High School.

Bronwyn DeMaso, Job's sister, is orchestrating this effort.

Volunteers can help out for as long as they would like between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9 at Edgewood Cemetery, where volunteers will clean up and place flags at Veterans' graves as part of this project sponsored by the Travis Manion Foundation which, in part, supports community service endeavors across the country.

TMF was created by Col. Thomas Manion USMC (Ret.), a 1973 graduate of The Hill School whose son, Travis, died while serving our country.

As noted on the Foundation website, Travis’ values and valor, certainly like Job’s, could be defined by the phrase, “If not me, than who?”

During Thomas' time at The Hill, he played cross under Coach Harry Price, Job Price's father, who spent many years serving the Borough of Pottstown and Pottstown School District in a variety of volunteer roles.

REGISTER HERE: http://bit.ly/34ecA4c. There is no fee to participate but donations to TMF are welcomed at the site.

Edgewood Cemetery is located at 989 E. High St., Pottstown. Volunteers are asked to bring gloves and gardening tools if possible.

Questions? Contact Bronwyn DeMaso at 484-235-7875 or bronwyndemaso@gmail.com.

Make a Grave Difference by Helping At Edgewood

In addition to cutting grass and clearing brush, volunteers also help re-assemble and clean damaged headstones during the annual Edgewood Cemetery Clean-up, scheduled this year for Oct. 5.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by Hobart's Run.

Edgewood Cemetery’s small, all-volunteer board, which serves as a “Friends of the Cemetery” organization for the Edgewood Historic Cemetery, Inc. 501 (c)3, is joining forces with Hobart’s Run to plan another community clean-up day for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5.

The raindate is Saturday, Oct. 12.

Last year’s community clean-up day was deemed a tremendous success, with more than 100 volunteers showing up to help rake grass clippings, plant flowers, trim and mow, clean tombstones, and trim overgrown plants. 

Planners hope even more participants will show up this year; they encourage civic organizations to pitch in, too. Local home improvement businesses, restaurants, and various organizations also donated supplies or raffle items.

“The community spirit and friendliness of last year’s volunteers was inspiring,” said Andrew Monastra, president of the Edgewood Cemetery Board. “It was a true, grassroots community effort, and it spoke volumes about the positive energy in Pottstown. We look forward to working with even more people this year.”

Refreshments will be provided – but additional food donations will be happily accepted.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own water bottles.

Some tools will be provided courtesy of Hobart’s Run and The Hill School – but volunteers are asked to bring their own tools if they can, including gloves, rakes, shovels, pruning tools, brooms, weed-whackers and mowers.

Once again, local businesses and individuals will be donating items for a fundraising raffle.

Additional items, from crafts to gift cards, will be welcomed with open arms. If interested in making a raffle item donation, please email Cathy Skitko at cskitko@thehill.org or call 610-705-1017.

Contributions of flowers and other plants also are appreciated.

Fundraising is a crucial concern, as basic grounds maintenance is an ongoing issue.

Monastra notes the low bid for this season’s mowing of the 12-acre site came in at $800 per week, resulting in an estimated cost of $25,000 per season. He points out that mowing Edgewood is no simple or, therefore, inexpensive task due to neglect for many years, sinkholes, and ground damage caused by an active groundhog population.

Unfortunately, the cemetery, created in 1862, has not had an official individual owner since the 1930s. The last individual who had been serving as caretaker essentially abandoned the cemetery around 2012 and it fell into significant neglect. 

Since then, the volunteer nonprofit board has attempted to raise funds to make sure the grass clipped, but increased and sustained efforts must continue to provide for mowing and achieve restoration ranging from resetting falling tombstones to clearing debris and maintaining pathways.

The 2018 clean-up day and fundraising effort raised $3,800 in donations, in addition to $2,500 contributed by Harlan “Bud” Wendell, a resident of Menlo Park, Calif., and a Hill class of 1942 graduate with family ties to John Potts, founder of Pottstown.

Hobart’s Run and The Hill School contributed $5,000 toward mowing during the summer of 2018 and matched that $5,000 amount again in July 2019.

A few additional donations have trickled in over the past year, and a small-scale clean-up was promoted to volunteers this past spring.

Needless to say, while the generosity of Wendell’s and other donors’ contributions and volunteer efforts are immensely appreciated, “with a $25,000-per-season mowing bill, our need for financial support is immediate, serious, and ongoing,” Monastra said. “We need to show our respect to those who are buried there and their families. We also want to be sure Edgewood’s condition does not become a distraction to the fantastic economic and community development efforts in the Borough.

“We also envision creating areas for contemplation and remembrance – with benches and flowers – for those who visit loved ones here as well as other community members who want to walk on these public grounds,” Monastra continued, noting that keeping up with the grass has been the pressing priority.

“We greatly appreciate those who have helped in some way, and, going forward, we would like to recognize substantial donors by installing benches bearing their names, or a plaque thanking them for supporting the cemetery,” Monastra suggested.

Citing the prominent location of the cemetery along High Street -- in close proximity to business revitalization efforts occurring downtown as well as the bike lanes and Schuylkill River Trail – Monastra hopes business owners as well as individuals will contribute to the cemetery’s fund for maintaining and improving the property.

The board also welcomes organization-based fundraising to benefit the cemetery. Recently Monastra was contacted by an individual interested in organizing a golf outing to benefit Edgewood – and he enthusiastically welcomes all fundraising ideas and offers of support.

The board asks area residents who have family members buried in the cemetery to share their contact information, so that the Board can keep them informed about progress and developments with Edgewood’s maintenance.

Tax-deductible donations can be made to Edgewood Historic Cemetery, Inc. and sent to 740 E. High St., Pottstown, PA. 

Individuals interested in volunteering, learning more about the cemetery’s efforts, or providing family information can contact Andrew Monastra at amonastra@themgmlaw.com or 484-459-5412.

Efforts Making Progress at Edgewood Cemetery

Edgewood Cemetery is currently being maintained by volunteers and a non-profit fundraising effort.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by Cathy L. Skitko, senior Director of Institutional Public Relations and Hobart’s Run Communications

With the arrival of spring, it won’t be long until the grass at Edgewood Cemetery in the 900 block of East High Street in Pottstown again is growing and the historic cemetery’s 12 acres are in need of maintenance. 

Cemetery volunteers are looking for citizens to lend a hand at a community clean-up and beautification day on Saturday, April 13, beginning at 9 a.m. and lasting until about 1 p.m. Some tools and gloves will be available, but volunteers are encouraged to bring their own. 

As many know, the cemetery was abandoned around 2012 – and since then a nonprofit board has been working to raise funds and find volunteers to keep this resting place maintained. 

In October 2018, the first “Stop Complaining and Start Caring About Edgewood” community clean-up day was held, resulting in more than 100 volunteers coming out to mow, rake, plant flowers, and bag debris. As part of that heartwarming effort, an anonymous donor pledged $2,500 if his pledge could be matched.

Roadside fundraising for Edgewood Cemetery.

In fact, $3,800 was raised by early November, largely through small checks, raffle prize sales during the clean-up on Oct. 20, and change collected by philanthropic passers-by.

The Edgewood Cemetery board and Hobart’s Run are thrilled to formally announce that the pledge was happily paid by the previously anonymous donor, Harlan “Bud” Wendell, a resident of Menlo Park, Calif.

He is a Hill School graduate of the class of 1942 and father of two other Hill graduates, Harlan Wendell ’69 and David Wendell ’71; brother of two Hill graduates, James ’35 and John ’36; and uncle of three graduates, James ’73, Jonathan ’75, and John ’64, several of whom have contributed to the cemetery projects. 

Bud and his two brothers are the sons of former Hill Headmaster James I. Wendell, who led the School from 1928-1952, and whose wife, Marjorie (Potts) Wendell, was a member of the seventh generation descendant of the founder of Pottstown, John Potts. Mr. Bud Wendell’s father, mother, and brother James are buried at Edgewood.

Despite the distance from Pottstown to his California home, Bud wished to make an impact and spark additional commitment to the cemetery from our local community members – as clearly was accomplished through his pledge.

“The Edgewood Cemetery Board, Hobart’s Run, and The Hill School are providing strong leadership for community interests,” Wendell said. “There might be many people living in the Pottstown area who have family members resting at Edgewood Cemetery and would provide modest challenge contributions to the ongoing annual maintenance and refurbishing program now and in the future, making Edgewood a treasured and honored place in the community.”

Needless to say, the all-volunteer cemetery board and its supporters want to help inform the community of this shared vision.

Volunteers clean up around the Edgewood Cemetery flagpole.

“On behalf of the Edgewood Cemetery Board, I express our heartfelt appreciation to Mr. Wendell for his generosity, as well as our gratitude to him, Hobart’s Run, and Hill for helping re-energize the Pottstown community’s interest in both maintaining and beautifying this important and historic part of our town,” said Andrew Monastra, president of the Board. 

“We still have a lot of work to do, but, thanks to Mr. Wendell’s gift and the contributions of others, we have a great start toward building a fund to maintain the grounds this coming season, and we are making plans for additional events and fundraisers.

“Our goal is to ensure that Edgewood Cemetery is a self-sustaining entity, and a beautiful place where all citizens can spend time in reflection,” Monastra added. “We would like to not only ensure that the grass is always mowed, but also that we can enhance the grounds with plantings, benches, and so forth.”

To that end, gifts (as well as volunteers) are essential and encouraged at any time. 

Another volunteer cemetery effort is planned for April 13.

Friends can send a check made out to Edgewood Historic Cemetery, Inc. to 740 E. High St., Pottstown, PA 19464. Individuals seeking more information about the clean-up and future community-wide events supporting Edgewood can contact Andrew Monastra at amonastra@wolfbaldwin.com or 610-323-7436. 

Please note that the spring clean-up on April 13 will not feature food or raffles, although events similar to the big fall 2018 event likely will be planned again in the future. The Board always welcomes additional ideas for fundraisers and support!

The Edgewood clean-up will run in tandem with the Spring Pottstown CARES Day in which Hill School, Pottstown High School, and Montgomery County Community College students volunteer not only at the cemetery but with Habitat for Humanity at their local restoration sites; at a community garden at Barth Elementary School; and at ongoing home renovation projects in Hobart’s Run that will provide rental housing to local residents and use the proceeds to fund additional community improvements.

Stop Complaining and Start Caring About Edgewood

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by Hobart's Run

On Saturday, Oct. 20, Edgewood Historic Cemetery will hold a community-wide “Stop Complaining, Start Caring for Edgewood Cemetery Day” beginning at 9 a.m. and running until about 3 p.m.

This event is being planned with Hobart’s Run and Pottstown CARES organizers. The rain date will be Saturday, Oct. 27.

Pottstown citizens are encouraged to volunteer at the 12-acre cemetery for a few hours or the whole day, by raking, weed-whacking, mowing, planting flowers, and participating in other improvement projects while learning about the cemetery and its fascinating background from local historians.

Unfortunately, the cemetery, created in 1862, has not had an official individual owner since the 1930s. The individual who had been serving as caretaker essentially abandoned the cemetery around 2012. Since then, a volunteer nonprofit board has attempted to raise funds, keep the grass mowed, and conduct other maintenance, but there is no doubt that increased and sustained efforts must continue to achieve restoration ranging from resetting tombstones to clearing debris and maintaining pathways.

Hobart’s Run and CARES are assisting Edgewood Historic Cemetery, Inc. volunteers with ongoing planning for this “bring your own tools” grounds improvement effort on Oct.20. Hobart’s Run recently made a $5,000 donation toward Edgewood grounds maintenance – one of several contributions Hill has made since the cemetery’s abandonment -- but, to sustain this community resting place, there is a tremendous, ongoing need for volunteers and financial contributions from throughout Pottstown.

Although plans still are being finalized, organizers expect to have a “bucket brigade” of volunteers collecting essential donations from passing vehicles and pedestrians. There also will be an opportunity to share ideas for physical improvements, financial sustainability and fundraisers, and volunteer coordination.

Refreshments will be available; the committee also invites participants to bring food donations to share in fellowship with other concerned citizens. Also, volunteers should bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket if desired.

All are welcome to participate on Oct. 20, from creative master gardeners to weekend warrior weed-whackers and friends who can rake, sweep, or dig.

Andrew Monastra and his wife, Sue, have been doing the lion’s share of physical work at the

cemetery, with help from a landscaping company hired through the Hobart’s Run donation and other contributions.

“As a community, we need to come together on this issue,” Monastra said at a recent presentation at the Pottstown Historical Society, where local historian Michael Snyder shared a fascinating illustrated lecture about the cemetery and the people buried there. 

“This is a shared, Pottstown community-wide concern. The cemetery belongs to all of us who care about how we are treating the people who are interred there as well as those who care about what the condition of Edgewood says about Pottstown as a whole. Eventually, we need a long-term plan for Edgewood to be self-sustaining, but in the meantime, we need volunteers who consistently help with maintenance; we also need lawn mowing equipment, and money that can be used to provide the means to care for the grounds,” Monastra added. 

“We’d like to not only keep the grass mowed; we’d like to create beautiful garden spaces for meditation. But a few volunteers cannot do it all. We greatly appreciate the help we are receiving from The Hill School and Hobart’s Run, and we also know this cemetery belongs to all of Pottstown, and all of Pottstown should be stepping up,” he said.

Cathy Skitko, senior director of institutional public relations and Hobart’s Run communications, notes that Hobart’s Run is enthusiastically helping with the event on Oct. 20 as well as ongoing Edgewood improvement efforts. She agrees that care for Edgewood must be shared by the Pottstown community. Skitko recently joined the Board of Edgewood Historic Cemetery.

“The cemetery falls within the boundaries of our Hobart’s Run neighborhood improvement area,” she said, “and Hobart’s Run and The Hill School want to see it restored and maintained, as demonstrated through our financial gifts and other support to date.

“However, The Hill’s resources must be committed, first and foremost, to its educational mission,” she continued. “The School is willing to be involved with the cemetery as a member of the Pottstown community, but serving as the sole caretaker of a cemetery in perpetuity, as some residents have suggested, is outside our mission and not the reason the School receives funds from students’ parents and alumni,” she explained.

“Nonetheless, we are committed to helping Edgewood Historic Cemetery as a community partner, and we look forward to seeing Edgewood gain support for their excellent efforts,” she added. “Hobart’s Run is addressing a range of priorities that include fostering a clean, safe, and inclusive neighborhood and encouraging positive residential and commercial improvements. We are investing significant efforts toward assisting Edgewood, raising awareness of this community issue, and embracing this collaboration with Andrew and other caring Pottstown citizens, much as we do through a variety of other Hobart’s Run partnerships.”

Friends who would like to search a list to see if loved ones might be buried in Edgewood can do so through the inventory provided at this link. 

Tax-deductible contributions to the maintenance fund are greatly needed and appreciated (information below). Individuals who would like to volunteer for this community engagement endeavor, engage in regular caretaking, and/or make a tax-deductible gift should contact Andrew Monastra at amonastra@wolfbaldwin.com or 610-323-7436. 

Financial contributions can be made to Edgewood Historic Cemetery, Inc. and mailed to 740 E. High Street, Pottstown, PA 19464.

The organization also would welcome donations of working equipment such as lawn tractors, mowers, and weed-whackers, as well as hand tools. They would especially welcome donation of a 360-degree turning mower as well as funds toward purchasing such equipment. Please contact Andrew at the above address to inquire about making such donations.

Sixth Annual Pottstown CARES Clean-Up is Set for Sept. 22, More Caring to Come in Coming Weeks

Volunteers from a previous Pottstown CARES gather before the townwide clean-up.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by PottstownCARES

This year’s Pottstown CARES fall clean-up will be held Saturday, Sept. 22, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.  

Also, several other CARES and Hobart’s Run-related projects are in the works, including an Historic Edgewood Cemetery community-wide clean-up and volunteer engagement event on Saturday, Oct. 20 (see more below).

The fall CARES clean-up event has again been registered as a Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and Intercoastal Cleanup event. Debris bags, gloves, and safety vests are provided for volunteers by Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and PennDOT.

Here is a glimpse at upcoming activities connected to CARES and Hobart’s Run co-endeavors:

 On Wednesday, Sept. 19, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Trinity Reformed Church of Christ, 60 N. Hanover St., there will be a “Common Threads” youth clothing boutique that will donate free, gently used clothing to middle and high school students in Pottstown. Trinity is partnering with CARES students for this event. Pizza and soda will be provided to “shoppers,” as well as music; this event will be a student “mixer” as well.

 Fall clean-up Saturday, Sept. 22, 8:30-10:30 a.m. A group including about 600 Hill students and faculty will pick up litter in the Hobart’s Run area, roughly bordered by Keim, Queen, Adams, and Jackson Streets; tend to a section of Historic Edgewood Cemetery; work in the downtown; assist with projects at Pottstown’s community gardens on Walnut Street and at the Olivet Boys’ and Girls’

Club/Rickett’s Center; pick up litter along Armand Hammer Blvd., Hill’s “Adopt a Highway” road; and work on rehabilitating a home at 702 Walnut St..

Pottstown High School athletics teams will focus on the area from Pottstown Middle School to the Redner’s market and the YMCA to Charlotte Street.

 The year the Pottstown CARES fall clean-up day will culminate with a CARES Activity Night that is being organized by Hill and Pottstown High School students for area youths and families.

The Activity Night will be held Saturday, Sept. 22 from approximately 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at The Hill School’s Lehrman Pavilion at the Far Fields and will feature snacks, music, games, and other kids’ activities such as face-painting.

 At the Activity Night on Sept. 22, The Hill School and Pottstown School District’s student-led

Hobart’s Run Student Leadership Committee will kick off local participation in World of Change, an international nonprofit that facilitates the collection of pocket change that in turn donates 100 percent of the proceeds to Pottstown charities designated by the students involved in this endeavor. 

The charities fall under “bucket” areas of housing, food security, education, financial literacy, health and wellness, and children’s play/discovery. World of Change was founded by Matt Hoidal, a Maine-based Hill School alumnus from the Class of ’90 who is committed to engaging youths in understanding citizenship and the potential they have to make an impact in their towns and throughout the world. 

The literacy “bucket” change collected through the World of Change drive will be applied toward buying children’s Winnie the Pooh books that student Pottstown CARES and Hobart’s Run leaders will hand out to kids during the Pottstown Halloween Parade on Oct. 23. 

The students are planning to march with a literacy-promotion themed “float.”

 On Saturday, Oct. 20, Historic Edgewood Cemetery will hold a community-wide “Stop Complaining, Start Caring for Edgewood Cemetery Day” beginning at 9 a.m. Details are being finalized, but Pottstown citizens are encouraged to volunteer at the cemetery for a few hours or the whole day, by raking, weed-whacking, mowing, and participating in other planning and improvement projects while learning about the cemetery and its rich local history.

Refreshments will be available; the committee also encourages participants to bring food donations to share in fellowship with other concerned citizen volunteers. Hobart’s Run and CARES volunteers are assisting with ongoing planning for this “bring your own tools” effort to noticeably improve the grounds. 

Through The Hill School, Hobart’s Run recently made a $5,000 donation toward Edgewood grounds maintenance – but, to sustain this community resting place, there is a tremendous and ongoing need for volunteers and financial contributions from throughout Pottstown. Individuals who would like to volunteer for this community engagement endeavor and/or make a financial contribution should contact Andrew Monastra at amonastra@wolfbaldwin.com or 610-323-7436. All are welcome, from creative master gardeners to weekend warrior weed-whackers!

 The Hill School’s Hobart’s Run and Pottstown CARES students will participate in the Pottstown Area Rapid Transit (PART) food and goods drive between Thanksgiving and Christmas to benefit the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities. Hill, along with other organizations in town, will place food and other household item collection boxes on their premises. 

PART passengers will receive a $1 fare discount if they make a food or household goods donation when they board the bus during the Take PART, Give Back campaign. In addition, for every 100 pounds of goods donated via the campaign, PART will provide 10 bus passes to the Cluster for people in need of transportation.

CARES stands for Community, Awareness, Responsibility, Empowerment, and Sustainability.

The CARES organization is a collaboration between The Hill School, the Borough of Pottstown, the Pottstown School District, Montgomery County Community College, the Tri-County Chamber of Commerce, Lowes, and, most recently, Habitat for Humanity. 

A 501(c)(3), Hobart's Run works with its residents and property owners to revitalize the neighborhood through projects that create a clean, safe, and inclusive community; provide incentives for home ownership and home improvements; and generate positive, sustainable commercial and retail development. While initially addressing an area of approximately 600 parcels in Pottstown (Queen Street in the south, North Adams on the west, Beech, Grant, and Jackson on the north, and Keim Street on the east), Hobart’s Run strives to use successes in this focus area to spark and support revitalization throughout the Borough.

Bark for Life and Grave Concerns

Wednesday's borough council meeting was rife with interesting information.

From what to do with an apparently abandoned Edgewood Cemetery; to a company that wants to help the borough get abandoned properties fixed up; the Bark for Life and a presentation on the draft of the new regional comprehensive plan for eight municipalities, there was a lot to digest.

You can do so below: