Give the Gift of Learning

Hat's off to Pottstown Mayor Bonnie Heath!

During Monday's borough council meeting, Mayor Heath said something that resonated with me and with which I heartily agree. She articulated something I have been mulling over for quite some time.

I am more than a little mildly disturbed by the ever-increasing materialism associated with the Christmas season (yes, I know this is the only time of the year anyone ever talks about how materialistic our society is, but that doesn't make it any less true).

For several years now, for example, we have been careful to give my son "experiences," or, to be more specific, tickets, for his birthday instead of a pile of video games which hold his interest for only a short time.

I'd be willing to be he does not know when he got half the games he got, but he will always remember seeing Bill Cosby live and the Cirque de soleil.

But there is another way to provide "experiences" as gifts, which brings us back to Mayor Heath.

Always the champion of downtown local businesses, Mayor Heath urged those watching on PCTV (and the handful of us in the audience) to consider giving the gift of knowledge, or, more specifically, lessons this season.

Be they music lessons at High Street Music; singing or acting lessons at TriCounty Performing Arts Center; painting, ceramics or sculpture lessons at Gallery on High, these are things that will stay with people forever.

Heck, consider paying for a class for a community college student you know, karate lessons, hairdressing or other beauty lessons; whatever would float the boat of those on your list.

They can all be found in downtown Pottstown.

And, in addition to fostering creativity and building skills that could last a lifetime, they are another way to support downtown Pottstown businesses.

If we want our downtown to be a reflection of our town, we need to find something there we can support.

That way, you are also giving a gift to your town at the same time.