Free Tickets to Sensory-Friendly Seussical Available

From left, show producer Bob Decker, Casey Fenoglio, Community Wellness Program Manager from the Pottstown Hospital, Aram Eker, Sherri Morret and foundation executive director Joe Rusiewicz. 

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the Foundation for Pottstown Education.

The Foundation for Pottstown Education recently received funding which will provide free tickets for local students with special needs and their families to attend the first ever Sensory Friendly Performance of the Pottstown School District performance of Suessical the Musical.

The funding is being provided through the generosity of a Community Wellness Grant from the Pottstown Hospital Tower Health, the Pottstown chapter of AMBUCS and Mr. and Mrs. Aram Ecker.

On Thursday, March 5th the Pottstown School District will present a special showing of this year’s musical. This will be a "sensory-friendly" performance that is designed especially for individuals with autism spectrum disorders, sensory sensitivities, or other disabilities. Patrons will enjoy the show together with family and friends in a welcoming, inclusive, and relaxed space. The show will also have an interpreter for individuals with hearing impairments.

Environmental conditions will be modified by maintaining a low-level house lighting in case guests must get up and move around, by eliminating harsh changes in theatrical lighting, through the avoidance of large sound and visual effects, and by the replacement of the 22-piece orchestra with two keyboards. 

House rules will be relaxed so that audience members can freely respond to shows in their own way and without judgment. They will be welcome to move around, get up, sing, or dance.

Tickets may be obtained by contacting Foundation Executive Director Joe Rusiewicz jrusiewicz@pottstownk12.org or by contacting the district’s special education department at 610-970-6625. Tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Casey Fenoglio, community wellness program manager from the Pottstown Hospital Tower Health, stated that “funding this event aligns with the community’s need to improve the health of all of our community members. Partnering with the Foundation and the school district in making this musical accessible to students can help with social inclusion, stress reducing and creating a positive emotional experience.”

Aram Ecker, who is a member of the Pottstown AMBUCS stated that “they are proud to partner with the Foundation as it aligns with our organization’s mission of inspiring people to conquer challenges related to mobility and independence.” Ecker and his wife Donna are longtime supporters of the musical program in the Pottstown School District.

Rusiewicz indicated that when he first heard of this performance for the children of the district, he knew that the Foundation needed to support the program. “I think that this is such a great opportunity to include all of our local students. I applaud Bob Decker, Chris Sperat, the actors and stage crew for making this event happen.”

The district musical is being held on Saturday, Feb. 29 at 7 p.m.; Sunday, March 1 at 2 p.m.;  Friday, March 6 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, March 7 at 2 p.m.

Tickets for these performances can be purchased on the Pottstown School District’s website.

About FPE: The Foundation for Pottstown Education’s (FPE) mission is to support, promote, sponsor and carry out educational, scientific or charitable activities and objectives within or related to the Pottstown School District. Visit www.foundationpottstowned.org for more information about the Foundation for Pottstown Education. You can also follow FPE on Facebook and Twitter.

Still Time to Register for the Halloween Parade

It's that time.

Pottstown's famous the Halloween Parade will be held next Tuesday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. on High Street.

If weather is inclement, the parade will be held Thursday , Oct. 27 at the same time. The decision will be made by 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday.

Additionally, the evening will kick-off with the annual costume contest, to be held at Goodwill Fire Company at 6 p.m. the day of the parade.

This year, here is a fee to register groups to be in the parade and organizers are still taking registrations.

The fee is for businesses and organizations. Families, youth, and individuals still participate free.

The fees are $20 for non-profits (excluding fire companies and marching bands); $40 for business and commercial entities and $40 for political organizations.

The hope is that the addition of this funding feature will ensure the parade can continue in perpetuity as a partially self-funding event.

To register contact the Parks and Recreation office at 610-970-6018.

All proceeds go to the Rotary Club to pay parade costs.

Downtown Pottstown's 'Haunts on High'

Pottstown's "Temple of Terror" opens Friday, Oct. 9 and runs every Friday and Saturday night in October.

If you’re looking for Halloween fun this month, you need look no further than downtown Pottstown.

A variety of local organizations have teamed up to create “Haunts on High,” a month-long calendar of activities that will put a shiver in your step.

It begins with the downtown merchants window decorating contest, which starts on Saturday. Voting

The Pottstown Halloween Parade will be Oct. 28.

begins on Oct. 24.

The Temple of Terror, the haunted attraction in the Masons lodge at the corner of King and North Franklin streets starts Oct. 9 and continues every Friday and Saturday night throughout October.

That attraction, in its third year, is staged by P.O.S.T., which stands for Pottstown Organizations Serving Together and is comprised of the Masons, the Elks, the AMBUCS and the Order of the Eastern Star.

They have joined forces with ArtFusion 19464, which is helping with the window decorating, as is the Pottstown MOMS Club.

On Friday, Oct. 16, a scarecrow contest will be held at the Manatawny Green mini-golf between King and High Streets and the next day, it will hold a workshop on how to build your own.

On Sunday, Oct. 18, the annual Monster Dash 5K run will be held in Riverfront Park, with registration starting at 7:30 a.m.

A example of last year's window decoration.

The YMCA Safehouse Trick or Treat will be held 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23.

That Friday and Saturday, Manatawny Green will hold its “Spooky Golf” from 6 p.m. until midnight.

The Pottstown Downtown Improvement District Authority is helping to coordinate downtown businesses which will host a “Safe Trick-or-Treat” event on Saturday, Oct. 24 from 12 to 8 p.m.

It will feature face painting, caramel apples, movies and other Halloween fun.

That will also be the day voting begins on the downtown window decorating contest.

Finally, Pottstown’s signature Halloween Parade will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 28.

An AMTRYKE for a Not-So-Little-Tyke

Photo by Donna Ecker

Pictured are Tryke recipient's grandmother Judy Frederick, his nurse Johannie Rodriquez, Past AMBUCS President Nick Lozorak, AMBUCS President Jamie Wendel, and AMTRYKE recipient Jayden Stoudt.

Blogger's Note: The following was submitted by the AMBUCS.

On Thursday evening, Sept. 25, at a joint meeting with Tri-County AMBUCS, Valley Forge AMBUCS, and Perkiomen Valley AMBUCS, the Pottstown Chapter of AMBUCS gave away one of their signature AMTRYKES.

An AMTRYKE is a therapeutic bike individually fitted to each special needs recipient. 

Jayden Stoudt is pictured receiving his second AMTRYKE having outgrown his first one. 

 Also on hand for the event was AMBUCS National President Elect, Mr. Al Bidel of Springfield Illinois.