Pottstown Hospital staff show off the masks donated through the efforts of the Pottstown chapter of the NAACP and the Pottstown Children's Foundation. The PCF also bought lunch Tuesday for the Lower Pottsgrove Police Dept.
So like the medical professionals who served during that war, those serving on the front lines fighting this virus right here in Pottstown also deserve our respect and thanks.
Submitted Photo
Stephanie Worrell, surgical technologist at Pottstown
Hospital with the food donated by VVA Chapter 565
And perhaps that's why it seems so appropriate to tell you about a donation from Pottstown Vietnam
Veterans of America Keystone Chapter 565.
They were informed that more food was being purchased for the Emergency Room than it could possibly eat.
"The food designated to for a specific department in that hospital cannot be shared with other departments. That is that hospital's protocol," according to Billy Worrell, vice president of the post.
So on April 14, the chapter provided 14 large pizzas and three tossed salads to some of the other departments at the hospital.
The pizza came from Valentino's Pizzeria in Stowe, who "have been very good to veteran projects in the past," said Worrell.
Submitted Photo
Rocky Citrino, left, and Jesse Schmoyer, deliver pizzas from
Little Italy, and are welcomed by hospital staffer Kim Basile.
There is certainly no shortage of pizza at the hospital.
On Monday, Rocky Citrino, proprietor of Little Italy, delivered 95 free pizzas to the hospital staff.
Additionally, a supply of surgical masks, some donated anonymously to the Pottstown chapter of NAACP, and the others obtained by the Pottstown Children's Foundation, were provided to hospital staff.
If you like the sound of honking car horns, than the above video has more than five minutes of it for you to enjoy in a good cause, thanking medical workers at Pottstown Hospital fighting the coronavirus pandemic.
Photo by Evan Brandt
Pottstown Hospital workers wave to the parade of cars
honking horns and carrying signs to show their appreciation
for the workers fighting coronavirus.
Pottstown Hospital workers were once again treated to an automotive cacophony Wednesday evening as a parade of more than 40 vehicles, horns blaring, lights blinking and drivers waving circled past the front entrance.
Like the event held last week featuring first responder vehicles, the event was staged to show appreciation for the medical workers at Pottstown Hospital who are on the front lines fighting the COVID-19 virus.
Photo by Evan Brandt
Workers on the floor dealing with COVID-19 cases held up a giant heart to show their appreciation for the parade.
The parade was organized by Frank Warner, a North Coventry resident who has been a township manager there, as well as a former reporter for The Mercury and, most recently, a police reporter for The Morning Call newspaper in Allentown.
"It was great to look up at the windows and see them in the windows waving," said Warner.
Warner said about 40 cars lined up in front of the Post Office High Street. Witnesses said the line of vehicles stretched west about a block, past Little Italy restaurant.
Photo by Evan Brandt
There was no shortage of signs to make the reason
for the drive-by plan to hospital workers.
"It was nice to see the cars lined up. It's great to have so many regular people willing to turn out and show they really appreciate what the hospital workers are doing,"
Warner said after the event had concluded.
The 7 p.m. drive-by was not the only treat for hospital workers Wednesday. At about 3 p.m., another group of five motorcycles and 20 vehicles, many of them muscle show cars, made a pass as well.
Photo by Rick Martin
A worker at Sanatoga Center shows her appreciation
for the support.
That effort was organized by Mike Murphy, a Pottstown native, and also included the area's three nursing homes, where COVID-19 has hit particularly hard.
"We met up at the outlets in Limerick, keeping six feet apart and maintaining social distancing," said Murphy.
"Then we went over to Sanatoga Center, then cut over to Route 724 and visited Manatawny Manor, then over to the hospital and up Charlotte Street to ManorCare," Murphy said Wednesday evening.
Photo by Rick Martin
Motorcycles led the way for the 3 p.m. drive-by Wednesday.
"We had alerted them we were coming by and it really worked for the nursing homes because 3 p.m. is when they change shifts," said Murphy.
Photo by Rick Martin
Nurses wave
during the 3 p.m.
drive-by
At Pottstown Hospital, the shifts change at 7 p.m.
"We wanted to hit the smaller facilities too, because they're all fighting the same fight," said Murphy.
"It's all very uplifting," said Chanelle Petro, who is working on Pottstown Hospital's third floor, which has been designated as the floor for coronavirus patients.
"My mom, my grandmother, my son and his girlfriend were all part of this," she said of the 7 p.m. event.
"It brings tears to my eyes," she said.
That is also true of the work Petro is doing.
Photo by Evan Brandt
From left, Danielle Davidheiser, Ebony Hall
and Lori Chestnut, enjoyed the support.
"It's tough, emotionally, physically and mentally," she said.
"It really made me feel appreciated," said Ebony Hall, who works in housekeeping with Danielle Davidheiser and Lori Chestnut.
All three came out to see the 7 p.m. drive-by.
"We really appreciate all the support everyone is showing," said co-worker Lori Fox.
"It really made me smile," said Fox. "You just can't see it behind my mask."
An Owen J. Roberts High School graduate has figured out a way we can support local restaurants AND support front-line medical workers at the same time.
His name is Simon Crew, and he is a 2018 graduate who is attending West Chester University Honors College where he is double majoring in marketing and economics; and double minoring in community and civic leadership.
And, not surprisingly, his idea checks off all those boxes.
His idea is a website called "Meals for Medics" and it pairs up people who want to help local businesses and hospital workers with participating restaurants.
The idea is pretty simple, which is what makes it so brilliant.
"Our mission is to provide Pottstown Hospital Employees, who are working through this pandemic, with meals during their shifts. There are roughly 15 people per shift," so you go to the website and sign up to provide a meal for one shift from one of the participating restaurants.
There are currently eight: Sly Fox, Grumpy's, The Pourhouse, Bucktown Grille, Coventry Parlor at Laurel Locks, Giovanni's 724, Sal's Pizza and Tony Joe's House of Great Eats.
Crew contacted the restaurants to see if they would be interested in participating. He said his email is on the website in case other restaurants in the area want to hop on board.
The site has links to the restaurant websites, as well as what meal packages they offer and whether or not they can deliver.
"This way you can support local businesses and get meals to the hospital workers," Crew said.
When you sign-up to provide a meal for a shift, the site lists your name and what shift you've chosen,
This screengrab shows how you can pick a hospital shift to feed.
so people have the option of picking the day, the shift and the restaurant.
The idea was spurred by his desire to help after his university closed and he came home to share his house with mother, father and three younger siblings.
"I was trying to think of a way to help and my mom suggested I buy a meal for someone on the staff at Pottstown Hospital. but my dad said one meal is not very effective and I should see if I could find a better way," said Crew.
"There are other sites called Meals for Medics, but this is the only one I know of that works this way," he said.
He said a classmate at West Chester liked his idea and has already reached out and is hoping to establish a similar site in the Erie area.
Crew also realized quickly that buying a meal for 15 people could cost from $100 to $130, so his site also has a GoFundMe link so that people can contribute what they can afford, and he pools the money to buy meals for shifts for which no one has signed up to provide meals.
"I know a lot of people are out of work now, and may not be able to cover the cost of a full meal for 15 people," said Crew. "This way, they can give what they can afford."
You can have the restaurant deliver the meals, or do it yourself, although if you want to add the personal touch, there is a protocol to follow that is detailed on the website.
Since March 7, the site has provided meals for 21 shifts at the hospital, which works out to 315 meals provided free to workers who are risking their lives battling the coronavirus pandemic.
Crew knows the hospital staff appreciates the effort because he was told so when he stopped by to drop off (what else?), some Girl Scout cookies.
"I spoke to the lady at the front desk and she told me she has been getting meals and distributing them in the hospital and she said it works very smoothly and people really like getting them, it's a big relief."
Crew said current plans call for providing the meals through May 5, "but I would extend it if more people sign up."
Sirens blasting, 25 emergency vehicles paraded down East High Street to Pottstown Hospital Monday night to offer their full-throated support of the front-line medical workers battling coronavirus.
Photos and video by Evan Brandt
Emergency responders line up in front of Pottstown Hospital
to salute the front-line medial workers there putting
their lives on the line to fight coronavirus.
The idea was the brainchild of state Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-146th Dist.
"My sister is an RN in New York and she sent us a video of all the churches ringing their bells in support of the medical workers, and then the next day, all the fire trucks came by with their sirens sounding and I thought 'that's pretty cool. We should do something like that here,'" Ciresi said Monday evening.
The Pottstown Fire Department and EMS worker picked up the idea and ran with it.
Their participation was organized by Chad Quinter, chief of the Phillies Fire Company.
Medical workers in the window looking out on the parking lot
at Pottstown Hospital wave back at the emergency responders
applauding them Monday as part of an organized salute.
Pottstown Fire Chief Frank Hand said the 25 vehicles that participated got together at the Goodwill Fire Station on High Street.
They then made their way down High Street to the hospital, sirens blaring and lights flashing.
"Limerick was supposed to be here too, but they had a fire," said Hand, as a Goodwill Ambulance took off from the hospital parking lot. "They have a call too," Hand said.
"We're so impressed with how the hospital staff is bearing up under this threat," said Hand. "It really shows the strength and backbone of this community."
A mask-wearing Rich Newell, CEO of Pottstown Hospital couldn't agree more.
Hospital staff gather at the entrance to Pottstown Hospital
to watch the emergency vehicle parade in their honor, all
while maintaining social distancing from them, naturally.
"The staff has been so dedicated through all of this. We haven't seen a large number of call-outs or no-shows," said Newell.
"And the show of appreciation from the community has been absolutely tremendous," he said.
Newell said the show of support by the first responders means a lot to the staff.
"I haven't seen anything like this before, except on the Fourth of July," he joked.
First responders from the Pottstown area applaud the staff
at Pottstown Hospital Monday evening.
"This just takes my breath away, said Skye Tulio, marketing coordinator for the hospital who was out taking pictures and shooting video.
"I know it must have made their night," she said of the employees. "We're so grateful for the support from the community. This is incredible. We all really appreciate this."
"You know, outside of Philadelphia, Montgomery County is being hit about the hardest in all of Pennsylvania," said Ciresi.
Emergency vehicles lined up in front of Pottstown Hospital.
Officials also reported 208 new positive cases of the virus in the county since Saturday, bringing the county’s total number of cases to 2,023 since March 7.
For Ciresi, who lost his brother several months ago to cancer, this show of support is personal.
"I talk to my sister every night, and she'll tell me about the people they lost that day. I'm worried about her. Her boyfriend has terminal cancer, so he can't stay with her and she comes home every night and she's alone," Ciresi said.
This sign has been erected outside Pottstown Hospital.
"It's taking its toll on her mentally and emotionally, I can tell."
"And my niece is a nurse's assistant in Port Jefferson and she is on the front line too," Ciresi said. "Now she has a cough now and a fever."
"Everyone needs to know these people put their lives on the line every time they walk into that hospital," Ciresi said.
"As well as the police officers and EMS workers. They never know what they're going to find when they answer a call," Ciresi said.
"And even the kids working in the grocery stores are at risk. They don't know who is walking in there," Ciresi said.
Little Italy owner Rocky Citrino and Hill School Human Relations
Director Heather Gelting deliver Good Friday Hoagies to
Pottstown Hospital Friday.
People in the greater Pottstown community continue to demonstrate that we are in fact, a great community.
Here is the latest example provided by The Hill's ever-energetic Cathy Skitko:
Hill School faculty and staff recently took up a collection and raised more than $1,800 to purchase about 300 lunches for medical staff at the hospital and Goodwill Fire Company personnel.
Through the efforts of Hill's Human Resources director Heather Gelting, the school has been working with the ever-generous Rocky Citrino at Little Italy's with plans to deliver 350 hoagies to Pottstown Hospital and 25 Goodwill, "as our way of saying thank you to the dedicated and heroic EMT, fire, and hospital staff," Skitko wrote.
Goodwill Fire Station also received hoagies from the effort.
Pottstown Hospital as well as other hospitals/emergency personnel are receiving significant deliveries of essential PPE equipment donated by Hill School parents and alumni from China and South Korea.
They organized efforts to gather these much-needed supplies and shipped them to Hill's Elliot Menkowitz, M.D. Wellness Center for distribution as needed throughout our area.
China is a major producer of these essential products. Some of The Hill donors live in our region but have contacts who helped to make this possible.
Yijuan Qiu, Hill's administrative coordinator and international family liaison, with a large shipment of masks received April 7.
As the COVID-19 situation was worsening in the U.S., a few Hill parents reached out to Headmaster Zack Lehman and asked what they could do to help our general area in the growing crisis, and he said that PPE support was greatly needed.
Hill's parents and alumni took it from there.
More than 70 Hill families are participating in this effort, including parents who have enrolled their students for next year for the first time.
Pottstown Police officer Steve Dise, left,
and Corporal Todd Istenes with masks
donated by The Hill School.
"Hill expects as many as 50,000 masks or more will make their way to healthcare-related facilities in our area via a first stop at Hill's Wellness Center.
So far, about 20,000 masks of various models have been delivered and distributed (or are in the process of being delivered to their final destinations) since this effort began in late March, according to Dr. Kristin Spencer, Medical Director of Hill's Wellness Center.
The equipment has found grateful homes, so far, at the Pottstown Hospital; the Pottstown Police Department; Goodwill Fire Company; the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania's emergency department; Keystone Villa Continuing Care Community in Douglassville; and various emergency services/ambulance companies and other healthcare professionals.
Helping to coordinate the effort, in addition to Dr. Spencer, has been Yijuan Qiu, Hill's Administrative Coordinator and International Family Liaison.
Also, before these parents and alumni became involved, masks that were on hand for use in Hill's Science Department were donated by Hill to the local cause.
From left, Carrie Hehn, interim executive director for personal care, Sue Seanor, executive director of independent living and Jonathan Garber, vice president of operations, heritage senior living with masks donated by The Hill School's efforts.
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.
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.
Gene Dugan, namesake of Grumpy's Handcarved Sandwiches, won the whole ball of wax (or should we say cheese?) Saturday when he won both the judge's and People's Choice trophy's at Pottstown's first-ever Cheesetoberfest event in Memorial Park, which paired two things I dearly love, grilled cheese sandwiches and beer. At left is Brian Parkes, executive director of TriCounty Active Adult Center, which both sponsored and benefited from the event.
There was beer.
There were grilled cheese sandwiches of multiple varieties.
There was even a "Beeramid," a pyramid of 15 cases of beer, chances for which were to be had for just $5.
I don't remember the name of the man who won the Beeramid. What's important to remember here folks is that it wasn't me.
Let's face it folks, there was no mold growing on theTriCounty Active Adult Center's first-ever Cheesetoberfest.
Sure, the event was a fund-raiser for a worthy cause. But it was also a "fun-raiser" .... yeah, I went there.
Seven local eateries (two never showed up, no doubt cowed by the competition), offered up their unique visions for the perfect grilled cheese sandwich and those of us lucky enough to be there, got to sample all seven.
There wasn't a single bad sandwich.
I tried to write them all down, but I fear the list of ingredients for each offering is incomplete. Nevertheless, here is a partial list of the offerings as best I could decipher my hand-writing:
Pottstown Mayor Stephanie Henrick may have been a judge. But there is only on Mayor of Cheesteroberfest and his name is Ron Barrett
Lily's Grill -- Candied jalepeno cheese, I don't remember what kind, on a uniquely crispy bread,
made so by the fact that the griddle Chef Adam Burke used was rippled.
Pottstown United Brewing -- This was also a Burke special since he does the food for Pottstown's newest pub as well. This one was pumpkin-spiced gouda, with apple, onion and Swiss. (This was the one that won my red People's Choice ticket).
Brookside Country Club -- Crab and bacon mac and cheese with muenster and white cheddar, with a tomato jam dipping sauce. (Chef Peter Fizz was working overtime to fill these orders and there was a very long line.)
Railroad St. Bar & Grill -- Chef Mike McCloskey said his recipe for "Octoberfest Grilled Cheese" included bratwurst, white cheddar, onions and peppers. Railroad Street also provided the beer, which was an excellent selection. I chose Victory Brewing Company's Hip Czech Lager.
Bause Catered Events -- Smoked gouda, muenster with carmelized onion, garlec-onion butter and crushed salt & vinegar potato chips. Chef Erin Bause also offered up some delicious tomato soup to dip your sandwich in. Quite good.
Pottstown Hospital -- Yes, you read that right. And I must say, Chef Stewart Sherk makes a great grilled cheese. His recipe had arugula, tomato, pesto with asiago and provolone cheese on sourdough bread.
Grumpy's Handcarved Sanwiches -- For this winning combination, Chef Gene Dugan blended chedar, muenster, havarti and goat cheese with crushed figs on potatoe bread. He also provided tomato soup for those who feel it is a crime to eat any grilled sandwich without tomato soup.
Also on hand was The Daisy Jug Band, which played in the beer tent. Here's a sample:
About 200 people came out under the cloudy skies, perfect weather for grilled cheese sandwiches.
They ate, they drank, some played the cornhole game set up for those who enjoy such things, and then came the big reveal.
Here come da judges...
The judges for Cheesetoberfest were the Honorable Stephanie Henrick, the mayor of Pottstown; the equally honorable Scott Bentley, renown local businessman and the decidedly less honorable Evan Brandt, Mercury reporter and renown quaffer of beer.
Brian Parkes, executive director of the TriCounty Active Adult Center, seen in the photo above with the judges, sad the event raised about $4,000 for the center.
