Halloween in December, Service all Year Long

Photo by John Armato

Interact Club members: front row from left, Kishan Patel, Naomi Parson, Jordon Go, Aaliyah Bray, Faith Nicholes; second from from left, Diego Jamie, Jumee Harris and Yasheen Fleton; and taking up the whole back row is Alex Stewart.

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

The students of Pottstown High School's Interact club may be a small group but they do big things when it comes to serving the community. 

Sponsored by teachers Diane Fox and Diane Shoffstall and supported by the Pottstown Rotary Club

they have completed projects to benefit young and old. 

During the month of October, students collected Halloween treats from Redner's Market to create 25 Halloween goodie bags for children at the Salvation Army and surprised 80 students in the preschool early education program (PEAK ) with some spooky treats. 

Club members wanted to show thanks and appreciation to our country's veterans at the Spring City center by hand making holiday cards for them. 

With cold weather coming during the next few months club members donated 35 pairs of gloves for children on the Walking School Bus.

They also organized a coat drive for the Salvation Army and Pottstown Cluster of Churches to keep adults and children warm this winter. 

The dedicated service of our Interact Club students and the Pottstown Rotary gives us all another reason to say Proud to be from Pottstown.

PHS's Logan Ruyak Recognized for Leadership Again

Logan Ruyak

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

Pottstown High School rising senior Logan Ruyak was recognized recently at the Pottstown Rotary week-long leadership camp.

Camp NEIDIG hosted 150 outstanding student leaders from schools in southeast Pennsylvania. 

Logan, who is the President of the Pottstown High School Interact Club along with classmate Aaliyah Bray represented Pottstown High School. 

Ruyak was selected to receive the Outstanding Camper of the Year Award.

This is not the first time the Rotary Club has taken notice of Ruyak.

In April, 2018, while a sophomore, Ruyak placed first in the 4-Way Test speech contest at the 2018 Rotary District-7430 Conference in Reading. 

Logan’s first insight just seconds into her speech was that for all of the existing rules and explanation of the 4-Way test, it simply comes down to “how to separate right from wrong.”

She had earlier won a speech competition sponsored by the local Pottstown Rotary Club.

Trojans Shine at Pottstown Rotary Speaking Contest

Photos Courtesy of Pottstown School District

Pottstown High School students Madison Carberry, second from left, Andrew Green, center, and Kishan Patel, second from right, are flanked by their advisors Diane Fox and Diane Shoffstall.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by John Armato, director of community relations for the Pottstown School District.

Andrew Green

Pottstown High School students Andrew Green, Kishan Patel and Madison Carberry were put to the test recently, and all proved their academic and speaking talents at the Rotary Speaking Contest.

Held by the local chapter of the Rotary Club, students were asked to take a position on a social issue by applying the Rotary 4-Way Test:

• Is it the truth? 
• Is it fair to all concerned? 
• Will it build goodwill and better friendships? 
• Will it be beneficial to all? 

Kishan Patel

Madison Carberry

Green was the overall winner,placing first with his analysis of the Electoral College. 

He will represent Pottstown at the District competition held at Ursinus College. 

Kishan Patel examined the claims by power companies about climate change and Madison Carberry put the issue of polygamy to the 4-way test. 

High school teachers Diane Fox and Diane Shoffstall were the teams sponsors and gave guidance and support to the speakers. 

Rotary Helps Public Tree Nursery Take Root at PHS

Photos by Evan Brandt

From left, Peggy Whittaker, Spring-Ford High School sophomore Geoff Bright, Pottstown High School Senior Giankirk Kimmell, David Sutton, Pottstown High School senior Destiny Moyer and Hank Saylor all worked Saturday to plant 100 trees in a new nursery being established at Pottstown High School by the Pottstown Rotary Club for its 100th anniversary.

The latest chapter in this story may end up behind Pottstown High School, but it started about a year ago in Australia.

Trees brought to Pottstown High School by Dave Fisher
await planting Saturday morning.

Australia is where Ian H.S. Riseley is a member of his local Rotary Club -- Sandringham, Victoria, Australia
to be specific.

But last year, Risely was also the president-elect of Rotary International and, as is the club's tradition, he set a global theme for the year.

It was an appropriately global goal.

The president-elect challenged every Rotary Club in the world to make a difference by planting a tree for each of its members between the start of the Rotary year on 1 July and Earth Day on 22 April 2018.

Environmental degradation and global climate change "are having a disproportionate impact on those who are most vulnerable, those to whom Rotary has the greatest responsibility," Risely ” said last year at Rotary's International Assembly in San Diego, according to a post in the club's web site.

David Sutton and Peg Whittaker settle a tree into its new home.

"Yet environmental issues rarely register on the Rotary agenda," he said. “The time is long past when environmental sustainability can be dismissed as not Rotary’s concern. It is, and must be, everyone’s concern,” he said.

Trees remove carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from the air, which slows global warming.

The shade trees provide also lower temperatures and thus electricity use, and energy bills.

They also increase the value of residential properties, studies have shown.

“It is my hope that the result of that effort will be far greater than the environmental benefit that those 1.2 million new trees will bring,” Riseley said. “I believe the greater result will be a Rotary that recognizes our responsibility not only to the people on our planet, but to the planet itself.”

Pottstown High School seniors Destiny Moyer, left, and
Giankirk Kimmell, second from right, both members of
the school's Interact Club, joined Bright and his
nephew, Spring-Ford sophomore Geoff Bright for the
planting Saturday.

Mike Bright was the president of the Pottstown Rotary Club when that challenge was issued and he took it to heart. 

The fact that 2018 was also the 100th anniversary of the Pottstown Rotary Club gave him a pretty good idea of how to meet that challenge, he said between digging tree pits Saturday.

"We decided to plant 100 trees," he said, although he acknowledged the club doesn't have 100 members -- "yet."

"We were just going to plant them around town, in parks and the like, and then Tom Hylton came to us and said 'why didn't we plant them in a sustainable way in a way that helps the town the most?' and we agreed that was a great idea," said Bright.

"Now, when Pottstown needs a tree, they can just come here, dig one up and plant it where it's needed," he said.

From left, Matt Kutz, Mike Bright and Tim Hennessey use an
auger to dig holes for the 100 trees plans Saturday.

Rotary purchased the trees and Hylton obtained permission from the school board to use the plot of land behind the school along North Adams Street.

An irrigation system was installed by local plumber Aram Ecker.

Then came the day of planting and it was discovered that the dirt that had been dumped on the site to raise it up enough for the roots to be be healthy had settled a bit.

Shovels were not going to get the job done. Luckily, the brilliant idea of renting an auger was floated and soon enough, 100 tree pits had been dig into the loosened soil.

The new nursery will be home to:

The volunteers made quick work emptying the truck full of trees.

• 20 pin oaks 
• 20 red maples 
• 15 Kwanson cherry trees 
• 15 red oak 
• 10 Valley Forge elms 
• 20 London plane trees and 
• 3 sunburst maple trees.

Bright said he hopes that the high school's Interact Club, sever members of which were on hand to help with the planting, can help with maintenance throughout the school year.

Rotary sponsors the Internact Club in the high school.

Trees were planted almost as quickly as the holes were dug.

The partnership between the school district, the Rotary Club and community activists serves as another example of the advantages of collective action and teamwork, said John Armato, the district's director of community relations and a Pottstown School Board member.

"Just another example of people coming together to make Pottstown a better place to live," said Armato, adding, as he is often known to do. "One town, one team, one goal."

Pottstown's new sustainable public tree nursery takes shape Saturday.

Pottstown Sophomore Takes 1st in Speech Contest

Logan Ruyak, at right, beat these four competitors at the

Rotary Club district 4-Way Test Speech contest in Reading.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the Pottstown Rotary Club

Logan Ruyak, a sophomore at Pottstown High School, placed first in the 4-Way Test speech contest on April 28, at the 2018 Rotary District-7430 Conference in Reading.

Logan’s first insight just seconds into her speech was that for all of the existing rules and explanation of the 4-Way test, it simply comes down to “how to separate right from wrong”.

Under contest rules, contestants are free to select any topic upon which to base their five- to seven-minute speech. Logan selected the divisiveness of political parties, which she took on with the focus and wisdom in an analysis well beyond her years.

Her choice of topic and comments resounded well among the 300 members, friends and guests of Rotary who were in the audience.

Logan’s competed against juniors and seniors on Saturday, with their topics as varied as climate change and educational inequality. 

The 2018 competition began in March with 100 students from 30 high schools, sponsored by 27 local Rotary clubs in the Rotary district comprising a large area in eastern Pennsylvania.

Logan and Pottstown Rotary member Mike Sloane, 

who coordinated the contest.

While awaiting results after the presentation, Logan publicly thanked her home room teacher in Pottstown, Diane Fox, for encouraging her participation in the contest. 

Fox and members of Logan’s family were then on hand to witness and congratulate the student on the winner announcement. 

Mike Sloane, the Pottstown Rotary Club’s coordinator for the contest, said that “Logan’s professional poise and demeaner already guarantee her success in whatever field she chooses. We are Pottstown Proud of Logan.” 

In addition to sponsoring the winning student, Mike Bright, President of the local Pottstown Rotary Club noted that the Pottstown Club stands out among the other 26 participating clubs “as the only local club sponsoring competitors from three high schools with Pottstown, Pottsgrove, and the Hill School.”

The Rotary International ethics test, characterized as “the 4-Way Test” asks four questions of everything we think, say or do:
-is truthful?
-is it fair?
-does it develop goodwill and better friendships?
-is it beneficial to all concerned?

Logan with family members, and Bright, Fox and Sloane.

The test has been translated into more than a hundred languages; one of its most well-known uses has been as the foundation for the annual speech contest for high school students.

The Pottstown Rotary Club is an active service club providing support by way of volunteers and financial donation for many activities in the area, including the Halloween and Fourth of July parades, scholarships, the Rotary Pavilion at Riverfront Park, Habitat for Humanity, the Pottstown Regional Public Library, and the Pottstown School District Walking School Bus, as well as its well-known international programs to ensure access to clean water and the elimination of polio.

Rotary Joins Habitat to Fix Up Walnut Street Home

Submitted Photos

Members of the Pottstown Rotary Club who recently joined volunteers from Habitat for Humanity to rehabilitate a home on Walnut Street in Pottstown.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the Pottstown Rotary Club.

Members of the Pottstown Rotary Club assisted Habitat for Humanity at a home rebuild project on

Walnut Street in Pottstown recently. 

Habitat’s vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live aligned well with the Rotary’s goal of improving the lives of people here in our community. 

Habitat works toward this vision by building and improving homes in partnership with individuals and families in need of a decent and affordable place to live.

Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves. 

The Pottstown Rotary Club has been making that effort for our community since it’s beginning in 1918 – 100 years of service to Pottstown.

The members of Rotary were glad to have assisted in a small way to make Walnut Street a better neighborhood for everyone.

High School Students Pass Rotary's 4-Way Test

Area high school students participate in the Pottstown Rotary Club's 4-Way Contest at Brookside Country Club

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the Pottstown Rotary Club.

One of the worlds’ most widely printed and quoted statements of ethics is The 4 Way Test, which was created in 1932 by Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor.

Adopted by Rotary in 1943, The 4 Way Test has been translated into more than a hundred languages and published in thousands of ways. 

It asks the following four questions of the things we think, say and do:

1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

The Pottstown Rotary's 4-Way Test speech competition began on Saturday, March 24 at Brookside Country Club and culminates on April 28th at the Rotary District 7340 Conference which will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Reading.

The winners were, from right, Logan Ruyak, 1st place; 

Chloe Sullivan, 3rd place; and Barry Wang, 2nd place.

The conference is attended by 300-500 Rotarians from district 7340. This year the conference will also include Interact clubs from the area.

This event has proven to be a tremendous learning and confidence building experience for the students in the past. The results of the competition are:

• First Place: Logan Ruyak of Pottstown High School
• Second Place: Barry Wang of The Hill School 
• Third Place: Chloe Sullivan of Pottstgrove High School

Also Competing:

• Melissa Xu of The Hill School 
• Frazier Thomas of Pottsgrove High School
• Abigail Richter of Pottstown High School 
• Courtney Parry of Pottstown High School

Pottstown High's Interact Club Springs Into Action

Submitted Photos

The Pottstown High School Interact Club undertook a coat drive to keep people warm in winter.

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

The Pottstown High School Interact Club believes in letting their actions speak for themselves. 

The club has a long list of community and school service projects that demonstrate their commitment to others. 

The club collected treats to give out at Halloween.

Members conducted fundraising which enabled them to provide over 300 bags of Halloween treats for the Salvation Army, Senior Center, Operation Backpack and PEAK. 

They provided three dozen gloves and hats to elementary students who are part of the Walking School Bus Program. 

The club's donation of 90 items of hats,gloves,scarves and coats helped the Salvation Army keep people warm during the Winter. 

They supported fellow students in need with bags toiletries collected during the Holidays. 

More than 75 Veterans had a brighter Holiday after receiving a personal card from club members. 

On Valentine's Day more than 100 high school students received a kindness note form the club. 

Zoe Wallace and Abby Richter man the information booth at
Sunnybrook  during the Pottstown Pottsgrove Border Battle
Wrestling Match.

Yearly the members support both the Pottstown CARES and PEAK Day of The Child events with a informational booth and activities for children. 

The club has taken on the mission of raising awareness and calling for action in the fight against human trafficking. 

The students set up fundraising events and informational tables at community events and in school. 

Teachers Diane Fox and Diane Shoffstall sponsor the club, which is a service organization for high school students who desire to volunteer their time to aid school and community. 

It seems there is no end to the Interact Club's activities.

Interact is an international organization sponsored by the Pottstown Rotary Club and this month the students will make a presentation to the Rotary Club. 

The word Interact stands for international action. The club which numbers 26 members has an impressive list of projects on which they have spent more than 300 hours working. 

The club's officers include; Co Chairs Courteney Parry and Zoe Wallace, Maggie Onate Vice chair, Jakhaya Beckem Treasurer and Abby Richter Historian. 

"Our students have shown a commitment to making a positive change in the world and a degree of maturity beyond their age. With young people like this taking leadership roles, our future is bright," said Fox and Shoffstall.  

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 Rotary Club to Recognize Twila Fisher as 'Person of the Year' on Sept. 13 in Riverfront Park

Twila Fisher

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by The Pottstown Rotary Club

The Pottstown Rotary Club annually recognizes a member of the greater Pottstown community for outstanding contributions in areas such as the arts, business, education, health care, non-profit public service, and government service.

This year the Rotary Club is pleased to announce Twila Fisher as its 2017 Person of the Year award recipient. 

Members of the community are invited to the ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 13, at the Rotary Pavilion in Riverfront Park. 

The ceremony, followed by dinner, will begin at 6 p.m. Tickets for adults are $25 and $10 for children. 

Though tickets can be purchased at the event, Rotary is asking that interested members of the community RSVP to Jennifer Isett (jisett@barryisett.com) or Nicole Matz (Nicole.matz1@gmail.com).

Bringing her experience in community organizing and economic development, Fisher was appointed in 2015 as the Hill School’s first-ever Manager of Community and Economic Development, a full-time position created to advance Hill School’s engagement with Pottstown to support a new, collaborative neighborhood initiative called Hobart’s Run. 

The mission of Hobart's Run is to create a clean, safe, and inclusive community; strengthen residential development; and generate positive, sustainable commercial and retail development.

Fisher began leading the Hobart’s Run initiative in January, 2016 and during the short time under her leadership the initiative has successes under its belt including implementation of the Mobile Ambassador Program, the Mid-Day Café’s held every Wednesday in downtown Pottstown during the summer, numerous block cleanups and the first investor's conference with the aim of drawing new investments from Hill School Alumni and interested investors to the Pottstown area.

Fisher previously served the ReDesign Reading Community Development Corporation as a Public Leadership and Service Fellow of the University of Pennsylvania organizing downtown revitalization projects, community organizing and project development, and aiding in policy for various economic development initiatives. 

Fisher earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from Columbia University and received her master’s degree in Public Administration and certificate in Economic Development from the University of Pennsylvania in December of 2015.

The Pottstown Rotary is a local and international service organization comprised of men and women committed to making a positive contribution in their community and the world. 

The Rotary Club of Pottstown supports a number of programs in Pottstown, including, literacy building, the Pottstown Halloween and July 4th Parades, student scholarships, Operation Backpack, and Meals on Wheels. The club also sponsors the Pottstown High School Interact Club, a service club for high school students and recently launched its first Rotaract service club in partnership with MCCC. 

To learn more about The Rotary Club of Pottstown, please www.PottstownRotary.org.

Rotary Club Duck Race Winners Announced

It might not be the kind of race that sets your blood pumping, but winning is always nice -- and there were more than 70 winners in this year's Pottstown Rotary Club Duck Race, held during the GoFourth Celebration in Memorial Park.

Almost more rubber (plastic?) ducks than you can count, each with an assigned number, were placed in Manatawny Creek and those which crossed the finish line first were declared the winners.

The event raises money for dozens of local non-profits, which get to keep a portion of the proceeds from their duck sales.

Without further ado, here are the winners.

1 $1000 Cash: Ticket number 5698, held by Jennifer Isett

2 49" HDTV Television: Ticket number 2968, held by Adriane Rodenbaugh

3 Apple Smart Watch: Ticket number 3494, held by Barbara Eschbach
4 1-hr Hot Air Balloon Ride for 2: Ticket number 207 held by Frank Cebular
5 Complimentary Round of Golf (4) Gilbertsville Golf Club: Ticket number  1751, held by Jill

Bolonski
6 $50 Gift Certificate to Wawa: Ticket number 1091 held by Glenn Stefanowicz
7 1-year Dining Membership to Brookside Country Club: Ticket number 4323, held by William Pappentick
8 30-minute Intro to Flight Lesson: Ticket number 3124, held by Ross Belovich

9 $50 Gift Certificate to Wawa: Ticket number 5024, held by Kelly Taylor
10 $25 Gift Certificate to Eleanor Russel Ltd: Ticket number 5021, held by Kaitlin Doyle
11 Sea Glass Picture: Ticket number 5196, held by Dean Marks
12 $50 Gift Certificate to Wawa: Ticket number 2057, held by Marine Corp League
13 Round of Golf for 4 at Brookside Country Club: Ticket number 2507, held by Louis Ballas
14 Full Detail at Wheels in Motion: Ticket number 1714, held by Mike Sluffegtt
15 Sly Fox Growler with refill card: Ticket number 4669, held by Roger Baumann
16 $25 Gift Certificate Coventry Pub: Ticket number 2544, held by Anthony Catanzaro
17 $10 Gift Certificate to Wawa: Ticket number 165, held by Jim Leveille
18 $20 Gift Certificate to Wawa: Ticket number 1296, held by Colleen Spence
19 Bird House: Ticket number 1972, held by Marine Corp League
20 Gift Certificate for Golf Twosome at Water Gap Country Club: Ticket number 3588, held by Butsy McElroy
21 $100 Gift Certificate to Weitzenkorn's: Ticket number 1842, held by Gary Felter
22 $20 Gift Certificate Camelot Salon: Ticket number 1320, held by Jacqui Batzel
23 $25 Gift Certificate to Wawa: Ticket number 1327, held by Carol Wozonick
24 $20 Gift Certificate Camelot Salon: Ticket number 2344, held by Joan Landis
25 $25 Gift Certificate to Eleanor Russel Ltd: Ticket number 4487, held by Philip Ciofalo
26 $60 Gift Certificate to Wawa: Ticket number 4775, held by Mark Saylor
27 $50 Gift Certificate to Wawa: Ticket number 291, held by Jonathan Fietkau
28 $10 Gift Certificate to Wawa: Ticket number 1664, held by Ruth Worrell
29 $25 Gift Certificate Redner's: Ticket number 5782, held by Ronald Dinnocerti
30 Bird Feeder: Ticket number 2798, held by John Fry

31 Gift Basket "Beach" Theme: Ticket number 4241, held by Gary Chubb
32 $20 Gift Certificate to Olive Garden: Ticket number 1766, held by Don Balonski
33 $50 Gift Certificate Freed's Market: Ticket number 2020, held by Marine Corp League
34 $25 Gift Certificate to Wawa: Ticket number 1159, held by Angelo Galli
35 Gift Certificate for Golf Twosome at Water Gap Country Club: Ticket number 803, held by Stan Brown
36 $25 Gift Certificate to Sunflower Café: Ticket number 1730, held by Tina Mendel
37 $100 Gift Card to Applebee's: Ticket number 2295, held by Thomas Hudson
38 1 free Half Hour Massage - Infinity Chiropractor: Ticket number 4805, held by Ben Major
39 $25 Gift Certificate to Wawa: Ticket number 4313, held by Sara Kelly
40 $50 Gift Card to Wawa: Ticket number 3727, held by Karen H
41 $25 Debit Card and Water Bottle at Citadel Bank: Ticket number 1977, held by Marine Corp League
42 $25 Gift Certificate Giant: Ticket number 2768, held by Norman Freed
43 $20 Gift Certificate to Potts & Penn Family Diner: Ticket number 2417, held by Eugene Krasley
44 1 Oil Change M & M Lube and Automotive: Ticket number 266, held by Donna Manley
45 $25 Gift Certificate to Eleanor Russel Ltd: Ticket number 3278, held by Butch Mohn
46 $20 Gift Certificate Camelot Salon: Ticket number 6009, held by Spring-Ford Rotary
47 $25 Gift Certificate to Potts & Penn Family Diner: Ticket number 3319, held by Michael Hartman
48 1 free weekend Pet Lodging - Limerick Vet Hospital: Ticket number 3859, held by Lawson
49 $40 Gift Certificate Pottstown Roller Mills: Ticket number 3715, held by Gary Crossman
50 $25 Gift Certificate Giant: Ticket number 2279, held by Joyce Wedemeyer

51 30-minute Intro to Flight Lesson: Ticket number 4615, held by Julius Banyal
52 1 free Half Hour Massage - Infinity Chiropractor: Ticket number 2910, held by Nev Lynch
53 $25 Gift Certificate Redner's: Ticket number 1724, held by Peggy Snider
54 $50 Gift Certificate to Lilly's Grille: Ticket number 178, held by Steve Anspach
55 $10 Gift Certificate to Wawa: Ticket number 1064, held by Brandy Smale
56 $25 Gift Certificate to Wawa: Ticket number 3107, held by Linda Jacobs
57 $20 Gift Certificate Camelot Salon: Ticket number 2077, held by Marine Corp League
58 $35 Gift Certificate to Mike's Brick Oven Pizza: Ticket number 2553, held by Steven Smith
59 1 Oil Change M & M Lube and Automotive: Ticket number 5757, held by Kathleen Louden
60 $20 Gift Certificate Camelot Salon: Ticket number 2247, held by Marine Corp League
61 $20 Gift Certificate to Olive Garden: Ticket number 190, held by Kelly Taylor
62 $20 Gift Certificate to Ice House: Ticket number 2140, held by Joanne Augustine
63 $100 Chili's Gift Certificat: Ticket number 5025, held by Alison Wagner
64 $25 Gift Certificate to Downtown Records: Ticket number 3339, held by Diena and Billy Boyer
65 $20 Gift Certificate to Ice House: Ticket number 170, held by Dana Logue
66 $41 Gift Certificate to T&N Saloon: Ticket number 1705, held by David Akers
67 $41 Gift Certificate to T&N Saloon: Ticket number 169, held by Rich Graver
68 $20 Gift Certificate to Wawa: Ticket number 3659, held by David Akers
69 $20 Gift Certificate to Wawa: Ticket number 4801, held by Holly Chang
70 $50 Gift Certificate to Best Buy: Ticket number 3660, held by Anita Slobodin
71 $50 Gift Certificate Downtown Stores "Last Duck In": Ticket number 259, held by Jeff Schulbert

Pottstown on Parade for the Fourth of July

Photos by Evan Brandt

The 10-foot-tall Pottstown Rotary Club inflatable duck is a staple of the Fourth of July Parade.

Pottstown's Fourth of July Parade returned in full Tuesday morning beneath partly cloudy skies, a cool breeze and patriotic feelings.glory

Here are a few Tweets from the parade.

Rotary Names Ken Hamilton Person of the Year

Ken Hamilton at the Althouse Arboretum.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the Rotary Club of Pottstown.

The Rotary Club of Pottstown has announced that Ken Hamilton is its selection as the 2016 Person of the Year.

Ken is an award-winning environmental educator and community leader. He has been recognized as Pennsylvania’s Outstanding Environmental Educator and has been invited to the White House for the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Presidential Environmental Youth Awards for his work with students.

He is the founder of the non-profit Green Allies which formed a partnership with Upper Pottsgrove Township to create the Althouse Arboretum.

The Arboretum is a privately run outdoor education center designed and planned by local students who are empowered to run its educational activities and programs.

The Arboretum also preserves native plant species. This unique treasure is a great resource for the community and has become a regional destination for residents seeking outdoor activities.

The Pottstown Rotary Club annually recognizes a member of the greater Pottstown community for outstanding contributions in areas such as the arts, business, education, health care, non-profit public service, and government service.

Members of the community are invited to the ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016 at the Rotary Pavilion in Riverfront Park. The ceremony, followed by dinner, will begin at 6 pm. Tickets for adults are $20 and $10 for children.

Though tickets can be purchased at the event, we respectfully request that interested members of the community RSVP to William Brogley at 215-704-2943 or Brogley@Baerlaw.net.

The Pottstown Rotary is a local and international service organization comprised of men and women committed to making a positive contribution in their community and the world.

The Rotary Club of Pottstown supports a number of programs in Pottstown, including, literacy building, the Pottstown Halloween Parade, student scholarships, Operation Backpack, and Meals on Wheels. The club also sponsors the Pottstown High School Interact Club, a service club for high school students.

To learn more about The Rotary Club of Pottstown,  visit www.PottstownRotary.org.

Rotary Volunteers Help Drive Walking School Bus

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the Pottstown Rotary Club

The Pottstown Rotary Club stepped up with several other local organizations to provide volunteers for the Walking School Bus program sponsored by the Pottstown School District during the 2015-2016 school year at Rupert Elementary School.

The Walking Bus became a reality in 2015 after the Pottstown School District took the position that encouraging more students to walk to school could reduce absenteeism and tardiness, increase fitness, reduce vehicle congestion at the school, and perhaps trade some of that endless young energy for a readiness to learn.

After promotion of the program to parents and kids, and design of the “safe” routes to Rupert Elementary which varied from 1 to 1.5 miles, the remaining critical need was for the bus ‘drivers”.

That’s where Brooke Martin of the Pottstown Rotary Club came in with about five of her colleagues, to be part of the total of 40 volunteers eventually signed on individually or from the other eight local participating organizations and employers.

Each week over the length of the school year, rain or shine, anywhere from 3 to 6 Rotary members would meet their early morning ‘passengers’ on their assigned route to school.

Most members walked one day a week, some more, all were available as substitutes, and all were at least as excited about snow-days as the kids. The shortest route with just a couple of kids only needed two volunteers each day; the longer route with 20 kids enrolled usually needed four volunteers.

Adding up three routes on five days for 25 weeks brought the total trip length to 425 miles that were covered over the duration of the Walking School Bus program.

Two of those Rotary members have bragging rights for being present for 50 of those miles, in a new definition of community service.

A Rotary goal in the coming school year is to expand its involvement with this worthwhile program.

The mission of Rotary is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.

The Pottstown Rotary is committed to working both globally and locally.

Rotary Club to Host Business-to-Business Mixer At Manatawny Still Works March 16

Rotary Ensures They're Never at a Loss for Words

Photo by John Armato

Franklin Elementary students, from left Moneyai Carter-Bates, Aileen Harrington and Jalaal Clait with their new dictionaries, courtesy of the Pottstown Rotary Club.

The Pottstown Rotary Club is doing its part to ensure that students are never at a loss for words to express themselves.

Recently the club provided over 300 dictionaries to all fourth grade elementary students in the

Lincoln Elementary students Konia Meade-Thompson, Devon Smith
Jace Kutsch, Lyndsay Knittle and Alex Pennypacker,

Pottstown School District. 

Marie Ann Thompson, Rotary member, said, “The Rotary Club recognizes the value of the skill of reading and understanding that it is the starting point for all economic and social opportunities the world has to offer. The club’s dictionary project has seen over 8 million children receive dictionaries for their classroom and home use worldwide. We are proud to support the Pottstown School District and celebrate that over the course of years well over 2,400 Pottstown students have received their own Webster’s Dictionary for their home use.”

While at Franklin Elementary School prior to opening the dictionaries, students were quizzed about what is the first word to appear in the dictionary. 

The successful answer, of course, was “aardvark.” 

Franklin students Sadylyn Derstine, Robert Fitzpatrick

Principal Kevin Downes said "I am excited when I see young people enthusiastically embrace to learn and explore the world around them. This gift provides each one of our fourth grade students with their own home reference resource that will help them prepare to be successful in school and life."

Rotarian Deb Pennrod assisted in the distribution and said, “The Webster’s Dictionary for Students – Third Edition is a quality addition to the student’s home library of tools to assist them in developing their reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. The publication provides not only access to 37,000 definitions but also six special sections which include: world maps, countries of the world, states of the United States, Declaration of Independence, important events in American history, and a list of the presidents of the United States.”

In rear, Rotarians from left, Rich Zimmerman, George Jackson,
Deb Penrod, Marie Ann Thompson, Jim Thompson with teacher
Nicole Leh, and Rupert students Erik Mather,
Caleb Williamson, Cadence Long, Tierra DeVeaux   

During the course of the day, the group of Rotarians including Thompson, Pennrod, Jim Thompson, Rich Zimmerman, and George Jackson visited each of the four elementary schools in the district.

John Armato, Director of Community Relations for the Pottstown School District said, “We are
thankful to the Pottstown Rotary Club for their many community service projects. Providing dictionaries to our students is just another example of Rotary’s commitment to improving our community and preparing young people to be successful adults. It makes me want to say – Proud to be from Pottstown.”

Pottstown Rotary Holds Designer Bag Bingo Sept. 25

The Rotary Club of Pottstown will stage a "Back to School Designer Purse Bingo Fundraiser" on Friday, Sept. 25.

The event, which will feature a fun night of Bongo, 50/50 raffle, Chinese auction, door prizes and food, will be held at the Gilbertsville Fire Company, 1454 E. Philadelphia Ave.

Original purse designers include Dooney & Bourke, Michael Kors, Coach, Kare Spade and more.

The doors open at 5:30 p.m. with bongo starting at 7 p.m.

Reserved tables are available.

Tickets are $25 per person and can be obtained by calling Lori Musson at 610-505-0341.

They will also be available at the door.

Proceeds will be used to support the Rotary Club of Pottstown's Sixth Annual Performing Arts Competition scholarship awards program for area high school youth.

More than $3,000 in scholarships will be awarded in this year's contest.

Rotary Names Det. Long 'Person of the Year'

Pottstown Police Det. Heather Long

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the Pottstown Rotary Club.

The Rotary Club of Pottstown is pleased to announce Detective Heather Long as its selection as the 2015 Person of the Year. 

A juvenile detective and forensic Interviewer, Detective Long graduated from Mansfield University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and a minor in Human Development Psychology. 

She has been employed with the Pottstown Police Department since January 2007 and was transferred to the detective division in July 2010, assigned as the juvenile detective.

In this capacity, Detective Long specializes in the investigation of child abuse and sexually based crimes. She is a member of the Montgomery County Drug Task Force, Montgomery County Sexual Assault Task Force (SATF) and the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) at Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center. She is also a trained forensic interviewer at Mission Kids CAC.

Detective Long is currently the president of the Pottstown Police Officers’ Association. Over the last five years, she organized the annual PPOA Fishing Derby for children of the community. 

For the last three years, she organized the annual Gregg Boyle Memorial Golf Outing, which allows community members to golf with police officers and pay respect to one of Pottstown’s finest.

This is not the first time Detective Long has been recognized for her outstanding service to the Pottstown community. She was honored as Pottstown Police Officer of the Year for 2014. 

Detective Long was also honored by the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office for her work

Long, right, is congratulated by

Montgomery County DA Risa Vetri Ferman

on a child rape case, where the offender (71 years old) pled guilty and was sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison.

The Pottstown Rotary Club annually recognizes a member of the greater Pottstown community for outstanding contributions in areas such as the arts, business, education, health care, non-profit public service, and government service. 

Members of the community are invited to the ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, September 9 at the Rotary Pavilion in Riverfront Park. 

The ceremony followed by dinner will begin at 6 pm. Tickets are $20 and must be purchased in advance. For tickets and additional information, contact Ted Flint at 610-943-4443.

The Pottstown Rotary is a local and international service organization comprised of men and women committed to making a positive contribution in their community and the world. 

The Rotary Club of Pottstown supports a number of programs in Pottstown, including, literacy building, the Pottstown Halloween Parade, student scholarships, Operation Backpack, and Meals on Wheels. 

The club also sponsors the Pottstown High School Interact Club, a service club for high school students. 

To learn more about The Rotary Club of Pottstown, visit www.PottstownRotary.org.

Look it Up

Photos Courtesy of John Armato

Rupert Elementary School fourth grader Gabe Hicks with his new dictionary, courtesy of
the Pottstown Rotary Club.

BLOGGER'S NOTE: The following was provided by the Pottstown School District.

Recently, the Pottstown Rotary Club provided over 300 dictionaries for all fourth grade elementary students in the Pottstown School District. 

Marie Ann Thompson, Rotary member, said, “The Rotary Club recognizes the value of the skill of reading and understanding that is the starting point for all economic and social opportunities the world has to offer." 

"The club’s dictionary project has seen over 8 million children receive dictionaries for their classroom and home use worldwide," Thompson said. "We are proud to support the Pottstown School District and celebrate that over the course of years over 2,000 Pottstown students have received their own Webster’s Dictionary.”

During the distribution at Rupert Elementary School, Principal Matt Moyer quizzed students on the various ways that dictionaries are valuable. 

Pottstown Rotarians Charlie Koening and Eric Mitchell, rear from left,

visited all four elementary schools including Rupert. Shown with their

new dictionaries are, from left, Stephanie Taylor, Cyan Dicarcello, 

Gabe Hicks and Elijah Palmore,

“I was overjoyed to see that the students came up with so many positive ways that the dictionary will assist them in becoming better students,” Moyer said.

He was quick to point out to the students that the all-purpose dictionary, unlike many of the modern conveniences of today’s society, requires no power source or batteries, and can be used at any time and in any place.

Rotarian Eric Mitchell assisted in the distribution and said, “The Webster’s Dictionary for Students – Third Edition is a quality addition to the student’s home library of tools to assist them in developing their reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills." 

Further, he said, "the publication provides not only access to 37,000 definitions but also six special sections which include: world maps, countries of the world, states of the United States, Declaration of Independence, important events in American history, and a list of the presidents of the United States."

During the course of the day, the group of Rotarians including Thompson, Mitchell, Charlie Koening, Jim Thompson, and Rich Shumaker visited each of the four elementary schools in the district.