Pottstown School Supply Donations Are Pouring in

Photos courtesy of John Armato

From left to right, Assistant Manager Stephanie, Store Manager Bob, and Assistant Manager Nick. Bob

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

Donations to the Pottstown School District are busting out all over.

Once again, the Pottstown Rotary Club has delivered
brand new dictionaries to every fourth grader
in the Pottstown School District.

Most recently, the Pottstown Famous Footwear store delivered supplies it collected by running a summer promotion that gave a customers a $10 coupon for donating any school supplies.

The store staff delivered the donation to the Pottstown School District to help provide students with the tools they need to be successful in school. 

The management said," we are very happy to give a helping hand in building future success for our students."

And, like it has so many years in the past, the Pottstown Rotary Club recently delivered dictionaries to every Pottstown School District fourth grader.

Superintendent Stephen Rodriguez and
Community Relations Director John Armato
unload school supplies donated by PMMC.

Then of course, there was another donation from the good folks over at Pottstown Memorial Medical Center, whose contribution was so large, it almost maxed out the capacity of Community Relations Director John Arnato's vehicle.

And all of this, comes on top of the boxes of supplies provided through the free-hair-cut school supply drive by Blade's Edge Unisex Salon last month.

Any of you who know Mr. Armato will not be surprised that his reaction to each of these is similar: "Just another example of strong community partners working to build strong schools and more reason to say Proud to be from Pottstown."

Pottstown Students Get Glimpse into Health Care

From left, Ja'Mya Greer, Hannah Palmer, 

and Karrisa White

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

After a year of planning and collaborating with the Pottstown Memorial Medical Center, the level three Healthcare Technology students completed a clinical rotation at the hospital at the end of May. 

Ja'Mya Greer, Hannah Palmer, and Karrisa White had the opportunity to shadow healthcare workers and observe what goes on behind the scenes in a hospital.

The three students spent their first day in a continuing education session for hospital employees to keep them up to date on the latest policies, procedures, and technology. 

The students had the opportunity to see trifold displays created by the nurses in the hospital as a resource for other nurses and healthcare professionals in the building to stay current. Students sat through a session on the latest protocol for patients presenting with chest pain called the STEMI Pathway and even took the quiz given by the presenter. 

 After hearing from the cardiologist, students learned about new technology just purchased by the hospital to assist patients' whose primary language is not English. Then they observed a presentation on the Gift of Life organ donor program.

On their second round, students were given a tour of the facility and met with the respiratory department. Students were given a demonstration of the equipment that respiratory therapists use to treat respiratory disorders. 

Afterward they were paired with a member of the Physical and Occupational Therapy teams and completed rounds with a physical or occupational therapist. The highlight of the day was a tour through the intensive care unit.

On their final rotation, students met with the director of the laboratory. Students took a tour of the lab area and were able to see diagnostic laboratory tests in process and gain real world experience in what a laboratory technician does. 

After the lab tour, the three students were able to tour the radiology department and then each one went with a different radiology technician. 

 Ja'Mya Greer decided to go to radiology and observe the radiology technicians complete mammograms. "It was cool how they performed the tests, and interesting since I want to become an OB\GYN," she daid. 

Karrisa White was also in the radiology department. Karrisa was able to sit in on an ultrasound of the kidneys. She said "It went smoothly. The pictures came out clear and afterwards she did the paperwork and put it away for the doctor. I would like to be a Sonographer or a Radiology Technician at the hospital."

Hannah Palmer was able to observe a back x-ray and a chest x-ray. Hannah said "I learned a lot and I got to see how different departments worked and was able to ask them questions, like if they liked their job and what school they went to. I also liked that I was able to be face to face with patients. I just wish we could have done it for a longer time."

The students were able to relate what we discuss in class to what it looks like in the real world. 

The Pottstown High School’s Career and Technical Education program is thankful to Pottstown Memorial Medical Center for providing us with this opportunity. The time, investment of personnel, and extensive planning on the part of the hospital is greatly appreciated. The high school and hospital plan to continue developing the rotation and to offer the experience each school year.
Pottstown High School is a public high school entity that combines academic instruction with elective career and technical educational programming.

Joint Meeting Focuses on Getting PAID

Peggy Lee Clark was in an unusual spot Tuesday night.

As the new executive director of Pottstown Area Industrial Development, Pottstown's economic development arm, she was obligated to give a report on the activities of her predecessor, Steve Bamford.

The occasion was the quarterly joint meeting of Pottstown Borough Council and the Pottstown School Board, a meeting of such import only three members of the school board bothered to show up.

Nevertheless, there was some news to be found amid the reports.

Clark reported that for the second time, a grant application to the state for the refurbishment of the former Ellis Mills building on High Street was turned down. Now the owner, Scott Bentley, who spend a fair bit of change trying to clear the interior, is now interested in selling.

On a brighter note, she said a deal for the purchase of the former Prince's Bakery on South Washington Street is close to closing and the new owners aim to transform the space into a restaurant.

But perhaps the best news of all is that Cedarville Engineering LLC, has not only moved from Chester County to Pottstown, but brought 35 jobs along the way, projected to expand to 50 by next year.

The will move into what is now the BB & T Bank building at the corner of High and North Hanover streets. The top three floors of that building have been vacant for 20 years, but Cedarvill will occupy the top floor and has right of first refusal for the two floors beneath it, Clark said.

"We want development that provides living wage jobs," Clark said.

Both boards also talked about the need to prepare for the pending sale of Pottstown Memorial Medical Center to Reading Health Systems and the loss of nearly $900,000 in tax revenue for the school district and less for the borough should the property come off the tax rolls because the new owner is non-profit.

Here are the Tweets from the rest of the meeting:

PMMC Donates $10K for ADA Chariot on Carousel

From left, Richard Newell, CEO of Pottstown Memorial Medical Center, Bev Reber, Vice-President of The Carousel at Pottstown, Matt Shelak, COO of Pottstown Memorial Medical Center and George Wausnock, President of Carousel

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the Carousel at Pottstown.

The highlight of the July 16 Cigar and Scotch Run fundraiser for the Carousel at Pottstown was a handsome donation for a handicapped-accessible chariot for The Carousel at Pottstown.

Pottstown Memorial Hospital made a donation of $10,000. enabling special modifications for individuals with special needs to safely ride the 1905 restored carousel.

Pottstown Memorial Hospital CEO Richard Newell and COO Matt Shelak presented a check for $10,000. to carousel representatives George Wausnock, President, and Bev Reber, Vice-President, during a stop and
tour of the Carousel on Saturday.

Read Me a Story

Submitted photo

Members of the Pottstown High School KEY Club and Elks Lodge 814 with books they collected and donated to the Pottstown Memorial Medical Center's maternity department.

Blogger's Note: As part of their effort to support the Pottstown School District's PEAK initiative to get books into the hands of new parents and start off their parenting on the right foot, the Pottstown High School KEY Club and Pottstown Regional Public Library collected book donations to donate to the maternity department at the local high school.

What follows is the release from the hospital about the donation.

Pottstown Memorial Medical Center’s Maternity department recently received 200 donated book packets from Pottstown High School’s KEY Club and the Pottstown Library. 

 Pottstown Memorial Medical Center has been involved in an ongoing “Books 4 Babies” Book Drive with the two organizations to emphasize the importance of reading aloud to children for literacy development and language acquisition.

The Pottstown High School KEY Club is an international student led organization, which provides volunteers for a variety of community and school events, including Parent Literacy Nights. 

Studies have shown that reading aloud to children stimulates achievement in reading comprehension and overall success in school. 

"The Pottstown High School KEY Club is happy to help get young readers on the path to success through the Books 4 Babies project. We had a lot of fun working with the Pottstown Regional Public Library, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks Pottstown Lodge No 814, and Pottstown Memorial Medical Center. We look forward to continuing this project!" said Jenna Endy, KEY Club President.

Through the assistance of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks Pottstown Lodge No. 814 the “Books 4 Babies” project was able to donate 200 books. 

In addition the members of the Elks Lodge volunteered to assist the KEY Club in preparing and delivering the books. 

“The members of the Benevolent and Protective order of Elks of Pottstown Lodge Number 814 are honored and proud to work in partnership with the Pottstown High School Key Club, Pottstown Regional Public Library and Pottstown Memorial Medical Center in order to facilitate such a beneficial program as “Books 4 Babies,” said Jerry Rhoton, Exalted Ruler B.P.O.E Pottstown Lodge No. 814.

Donations of newly gently used books for infants and toddlers are currently being accepted and donations can be dropped at Pottstown High School, 750 N. Washington Street, Room 134. 

Donated books will be distributed to newborns at Pottstown Memorial Medical Center. 

“Pottstown Memorial Medical Center is excited about the opportunity to give newborn babies the gift of literacy and to continue to serve as an integral part of the Pottstown community,” said Charlotte Dardanello, Chief Nursing Officer at Pottstown Memorial Medical Center.

This Saturday in (Medical) Science

Try not to be jealous of those fabulous calves of mine people.

So we've spent a lot of time in our This Saturday in Science features, exploring space, beneath the ocean and, um, back to space again, so we figured it might be time to explore some inner space, like the kind inside our bodies.

Luckily, just as that thought occurred to me, I had reason to visit the emergency room at Pottstown Memorial Medical Center.

This thing is definitely science-related....

As it turns out, ever since I was a tyke, I've had an umbilical hernia.

It means there is a space in the muscle wall (not that this is an area of my body known for its muscle tone) and
sometimes, things that belong inside, can peek through the hole.

That's the scientific explanation for a hernia, I swear.

Anyway, other than an abnormally violent objection to being tickled there, it never gave me any problem and I never paid it any mind -- until last weekend that is.

I'll spare you the details of the lead-up.

Let's just say some pain, a terrifying trip through medical pages on the Internet, and a call to our on-call doctor ended up in a late night Sunday visit withour friends in the emergency room.

Now, to be sure, there were lots of needles, gadgets and gizmos that were all sciency.

But the actual healing came about as the result of some expert laying on of hands by the doctor on call who essentially put everything back where it belonged without nearly as much pain as I imagined it would entail.

Despite the obvious advantages, this port is apparently
not designed for the delivery of spirits. 

So, thanks for that.

I thought that was pretty cool and was ready to up and leave at that point, which would have made this a very short post.

Pain gone?

Problem solved, let's go.

Yeah, not so fast.

Eventually, after the paperwork, the bureaucracy and the actual treatment, we got to the science.

Naturally, blood had to be taken for testing and the nurse left behind a "port" in my hand so they could get any old substance they wanted to into my system.

I agitated for vodka with disappointing results.

Eventually, I did get a drink, although it was not quite what I had in mind.

It seems that after dealing with the problem, they had to be sure they understood the problem. That meant getting a look at my insides without opening me up to have a look, a course of action which received my vigorous endorsement.

The tool of choice Sunday night was a cat scan.

And, it seems, in order to get the best look inside, they need something to highlight the areas they wanted to look at.

Enter, the beverage.

I'm not sure what it was called, but I do know peach ice tea will never again hold quite the same allure for me.

I had to drink all 900 ml of this stuff; not my idea of

an enjoyable drinking contest.

It took a good 20 minutes to get the stuff down, and although I will confess my skepticism about the straw being a big help, that turned out to be the case.

I guess the soda people are on to something.

Anyway, after consuming this muddy looking brew, all 900 milliliters of it, came the best part -- the waiting.

Two hours of it.

So I don't know about you, but waiting around in a hospital, whether in the waiting room or back in the room with the curtain, is about as boring as it gets.

They had a television, but of course it didn't work.

Now, as these photos have no doubt indicated, we had a smart phone at our disposal, but you know what, there's only so much information on the Internet, and after two hours, we knew we would heave read it all.

Besides, the battery was low and we had to preserve our photographic equipment for the photos still to come.

Luckily, being old-school types, we had come well-prepared.

We brought books.

It's funny, when you think about it, but in my house, when you're heading out the door to the emergency room, the things you check for are your keys, your wallet, your insurance card and, of course, a good book.

A good book: Never Leave Home Without One.

Luckily for me, I often have at least two going at the same time.

I decided against the 1,000-page history tome I've been quietly digesting for months, and instead brought along a lovely little book my wife recommended: "Gilead" by Marilynne Robinson.

It won the Pulitzer in 2005 and reading it, I can see why.

Nothing takes your mind off your mortality quite like good writing.

The two hours passed, well, like two hours always passes in an emergency room -- good book or not -- slowly.

Finally, a man showed up at about 1 a.m. much too alert for the hour it seemed to me, to take me on a ride to the cat scan room.

This part was undoubtedly scientific.

The cat scanner, if that's what you call it, is a big circular machine, that looks a little like the time arch in an old Star Trek episode.

They hooked up some iodine to my port.

I asked if we would at least put port in my port, but again, science came before celebration.

The cat scan machine talks to you and, like a good patient, I did what it told me to do (good practice for the robot takeover of the world no doubt). It consisted primarily of telling me when to hold my breath.

Then, don't hold your breath, came more waiting.

I tried, and failed to catch some shut-eye.

Finally, a different doctor arrived, had a look at the report, at my blood test results and told me I could go home, that it wasn't that serious and that I should go see another doctor (which is a pretty full summary of most of my medical science experiences.)

Never underestimate the mood enhancing power of the mighty Thor!

But as we slipped me out of my fashionable gown, the one with the daring dip in the back, I noticed a set of high-tech mood enhancers sitting on the counter.

It didn't seem like anyone would mind....

....after all, who needs more mood enhancement than an emergency room patient?

But I'm afraid the only science involved here was psychology.

You see, in addition to being a science fiction geek, I'm also a comic book geek, so who better to enhance my mood than the mighty Thor?

Although I will confess, as super-heroes go, he's not that big into science....

That Giving Spirit

Third graders in Karen Lawler's class at Franklin Elementary School show off their new supplies, donated by
employees from Pottstown Memorial Medical Center.

Blogger's Note: Once again, FOB John Armato provides information about how Pottstown is beating the bushes to drum up support for the school district from local businesses. Below are two more examples.

Franklin Elementary School third grade students received some much appreciated aid from the employees of the Pottstown Memorial Medical Center.

The aid, in the form of a wide assortment of classroom supplies, was donated to the students as a result of a project headed by PMMC employees Marian Lippert and Karen Kocher.

Each student received school supplies which they immediately began to utilize. Additional supplies will be distributed to students throughout the remainder of the school year.

PMMC employees are proud to be a part of the Pottstown community and to play a role in the education of our young people.

Third grade teachers Karen Lawler and Diana Dotterer were overjoyed with the array of supplies for their students.

 Lawler noted, “Students having the necessary tools to help build their educational foundation will lead to success in their future lives. We are appreciative of all of our community partners and the efforts of the employees of PMMC.”

Presenting the supplies to the students at a special classroom ceremony, Kocher said, “I’m overwhelmed by this tremendous experience and the response of the students to these supplies. Seeing first hand, person-to-person the difference that our efforts can make is encouraging and will help our future efforts in supporting our schools.”

* * *

Foundation for Pottstown Education Executive Director Myra Forrest, and board member
John Armato, center, accept a $1,000 donation from Susquehanna Bank Vice President
Marketing Manager Katrina Belcher.

Recently, Susquehanna Bank demonstrated its support of early childhood education and the Pottstown School District with a donation of $1,000.00 to the Foundation for Pottstown Education.

Foundation Executive Director Dr. Myra Forrest and Board member John Armato accepted the donation on behalf of the Foundation.

Forrest noted, “Being able to provide some of our youngest citizens with the foundation that will lead to their academic success is a stepping stone to a healthy community. The donation will be applied to activities of the Pottstown School District’s PEAK Program (Pottstown Early Action for Kindergarten Readiness)."

She said "the PEAK Program has developed partnerships between the school district and private childcare facilities to coordinate efforts to ensure that students entering school are prepared to take advantage of the educational opportunities offered.”

The donation was presented by Susquehanna Bank Vice President Marketing Manager, Pottstown Office at 159 East High Street, Katrina Belcher.

Belcher said, “Susquehanna has a long history of supporting the local communities where we do business. We recognize the importance of investing in the future of our communities, and one of the best ways to do that is to support the education of our children. We are pleased that our donation will assist the Foundation for Pottstown Education in fulfilling its mission of fully developing their students’ potential.”

Gallery School Needs Your Vote for Livestrong Project Contest

POTTSTOWN -- Voting began yesterday in a contest to help find and fund programs that support families fighting cancer.

And the Gallery School, at Gallery on High, in partnership with Pottstown Memorial Medical Center/Fox Chase Regional Cancer Center is among the national candidates.

The LIVESTRONG® Community Impact Project was created to bring proven cancer support programs to communities across the United States.

Finalists will be determined through an online voting campaign that begins on Wed., Mar. 7 at 10 a.m. Applicants with the top votes per region will receive a financial award of support to replicate and implement a sustainable program dedicated to supporting families fighting cancer.

Finalists will also receive tools and resources from the Lance Armstrong Foundation, the organization established in 1997 by the cancer survivor and champion cyclist to serve people living with cancer and empower communities to take action against the world’s leading cause of death.

“We are thrilled and honored to be selected as a candidate for the Community Impact Project,” said Erika Hornberg-Cooper, executive director of the Gallery School of Pottstown.

“We share LIVESTRONG’s passion for inspiring and empowering people affected by cancer and look forward to working together to make a difference in the lives of cancer survivors and their families,” she said.


If selected, The Gallery School of Pottstown in partnership with the Pottstown Memorial Medical Center/Fox Chase Regional Cancer Center will use the awarded funds to expand on the Healing Arts program that is currently offered to cancer patients at the hospital.

In 2010, The Hill School Philanthropy Council provided a $2,100 grant to the Gallery School's Healing Arts program. Pictured above presenting the check are, from left: Erika Hornburg-Cooper, executive director of the Gallery School; Peter Bachich, Hill School Class of 2010, vice-president of the Student Philanthropy Council; Cathy Paretti, director of the Gallery on High; and Greta Witter, Hill School Class of 2010, president of the Student Philanthropy Council.

The Healing Arts program’s focus is on using different art modalities, group discussions, and workshops that utilize mental, physical, and creative exercises to explore the person the patients want to be or used to be in the context of cancer diagnosis and recovery. If awarded the funds we will be able to expand on patient perceptions of well being and lift their spirits, whereby making treatment outcomes more successful.

Click here to cast your vote for the joint Gallery/PMMC/Fox Chase project.


The 2012 Community Impact Project will offer nearly $1.4 million in implementation awards to 90 finalists. This represents the largest number of financial awards LIVESTRONG has granted in a single year in the history of the foundation.

Pottstown Memorial Medical Center

Hundreds of qualified hospitals, cancer centers, universities and non-profits from across the United States applied to be part of four different programs:

 * The Creative Center – Hospital Artist-in-Residence Program: Since its inception in 1994, The Creative Center has been dedicated to bringing the arts to people with cancer and chronic illness through all stages of life as a way to help them discover their own creative resources while meeting the challenges of diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. The Artist-in-Residence program helps cancer survivors deal with the stresses of treatment through artistic expression. The program will work bedside and in small group settings with men, women and children – in oncology units, bone marrow transplant units, intensive care/respiratory units, hospice and palliative care programs.

* LIVESTRONG at the YMCA: LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is a research-based program that offers people affected by cancer a safe, supportive environment to participate in physical and social activities focused on strengthening the whole person. Participants work with Y staff trained in supportive cancer care to achieve their goals such as building muscle mass and strength; increasing flexibility and endurance; and improving confidence and self-esteem.

* Advanced Certification for Palliative Care: The Joint Commission’s Advanced Certification for Palliative Care is designed to set standards and acknowledge hospitals providing state-of-the-art palliative care services that relieve symptoms and stress of serious illness and improve quality of life for patients. The Center to Advance Palliative Care will provide tools and training to 20 hospitals and cancer centers across the country to assist in their efforts to qualify for the Certification.

* Pillars4Life: Pillars4Life is a patient/caregiver support program that has been proven to enhance quality of life for cancer patients and allows hospitals and their social workers to more efficiently triage and attend to the psychosocial needs of a much greater number of patients.

 LIVESTRONG is committed to supporting community organizations in their efforts to help cancer survivors face the challenges and changes that come with cancer and has invested more than $70 million in community-centered organizations.

Voting ends on March 232 at 5 p.m. 

For more information about the LIVESTRONG Community Impact Project and to vote, visit http://vote.livestrong.org/. 

For more information about The Gallery School of Pottstown visit http://www.galleryonhigh.com or about the Pottstown Memorial Medical Center/Fox Chase Regional Cancer Center visit http://www.pottstownmemorial.com.

About the Gallery School of Pottstown is a non-profit community art center. Its mission is to provide a solid educational foundation to youth and adults alike, regardless of income level. The school helps students foster their creativity and develop their talents both for personal enrichment and as a foundation for advanced studies in the arts.

The mission of the Gallery School of Pottstown is to enrich the lives of the residents in the greater Pottstown area through the visual arts, regardless of ethnicity and economic situations. Our goal is to spark creativity, build self-confidence and develop community bonds through education, mentoring and community service.

About LIVESTRONG/Lance Armstrong Foundation LIVESTRONG serves people affected by cancer and empowers them to take action against the world's leading cause of death. 

Created as the Lance Armstrong Foundation in 1997 by cancer survivor and champion cyclist Lance Armstrong, LIVESTRONGis known for its iconic yellow wristband and is a leader in the global movement on behalf of 28 million people around the world living with cancer today. 

 Since its inception, the organization has raised $450 million for the fight against cancer. For more information, visit LIVESTRONG.org.