Piano Concert Sunday to Aid Stricken Brothers

If you like classical music, and you like helping children, then St. James Lutheran Church has just the way for you to spend your time Sunday.

At 4 p.m., John Bednar, Joan Johnson, Bruce Tonkin and Robin Ward will perform the classic, as well as jazz and blues music in a concert to help two brothers who face some real challenges.

Ryan and Jake Fritz both have muscular dystrophy and the contributions made at the concert will help to pay the costs of travel and lodging for them to travel to Georgia.

There, they will get acquainted with and learn how to train and command two service dogs who will help them.

The church is located at 1101 E. High St.

All Grads Ride Free on Colebrookdale This Weekend

Well, there's not much to add to that headline.

And sure, as you head out into the adult world, you want to guard against people
"taking you for a ride" -- except in this case.

In this case, the Colebrookdale Railroad wants to take you for a ride just because.

If you have graduated from high school or college any time in 2015, you can save your money for those college loans Saturday.

Just present your diploma, or other form of proof, and you get a free ride.

Even if you haven't graduated yet, if you have a letter from your school saying you have satisfied all graduation requirements, you get a free ride.

Saturday ride times are 1 and 4:15 p.m. and leave from the rail yard in Boyertown.

There are no rides on Sunday.

For more information about the railroad, click here.

PEAK Performance and Little Libraries

Council's Wednesday work session was surprisingly light, but with a few delightful interludes.

Photo Courtesy of Dick Whittaker

This is what the Little Libraries look like.

One was a proposal by the Pottstown Rotary Club to put "Little Libraries" in at
least two (possibly more) locations around town.

People can simply take a book and return it, or not. It is a project of the club's Literacy Committee.

Another was a presentation by Pottstown Schools Superintendent Jeff Sparagana on the district's signature early learning program, called PEAK, which stands for Pottstown Early Action for Kindergarten readiness.

Council also seems inclined to move ahead quickly with the vacant property ordinance advocated by Community Champions which will provide a way to get a handle on derelict vacant properties in town.

You can read all about it in the Tweets below:

W. Pottsgrove Pool Opening is Community Day Too

West Pottsgrove Township’s annual community day will take place at the township pool on Saturday, June 13, the same day the pool opens for the season.

The pool is located at 953 Von Steuben Dr.

The event, held on June 14 in case it rains, will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. with only $3 admission to the pool and hot dogs, burgers and drinks all costing only $1.

The event will feature fire and police department displays; ice creams, drinks, games for kids, D.J. entertainment all day and the performance by a community band from 4 to 5 p.m.

There will also be a community flea market and yard sale, and anyone can bring a table and sell their own wares for a $5 donation.

For more information, call the township at 610-323-7717.

After Big Bust, What Now?

Pottstown Police Chief Rick Drumheller

The second in a series of community meetings about crime in Pottstown was held Monday and this time, there was more information.

That's because when the first meeting was held in February, the investigation into the major gang war that was behind so many of the months of violent events was still under investigation.

But many of those involved have been arrested and this time, those from the police and the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office could be more forthcoming -- as the Tweets from the meeting reveal.

Hope Takes Flight at VNA Ceremony

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the Visiting Nurse Association of Pottstown

The Visiting Nurse Association of Pottstown (VNAP) will hold its 12th Annual “Hope Takes Flight” Butterfly Release event at 1 p.m.Sunday, June 7 at Midge’s Garden at the Pottstown VNA office at 1963 E. High Street

The event will take place rain or shine. Typically, there is a group of 20-25 people who either participate or watch the butterfly release.

Monarch butterflies are handed out to those who have donated in the memory or honor of a loved one. 

The butterflies offer a graceful, symbolic symbol of the transformation of life’s journeys.

The celebration of life ceremony includes music and reflective readings. 

As a personal recognition of each individual who is being honored, a butterfly is dedicated in his/her name; the names are read aloud in memory or honor of loved ones. Individuals who have dedicated butterflies are then able to release them privately or as part of the collective group. 

Children’s activities and crafts are also provided.

Butterflies may be reserved until Wednesday, June 3. 

There are a limited number of butterflies are available. 

To benefit its hospice program, Berks VNA encourages individuals to make a donation of $25 per butterfly to help support those who need hospices services. 

For more information, call 610-378-0481x3142 or email development@hhcminc.org.

Since 1917, the Pottstown Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) has provided the most comprehensive home health care services available in the area. 

Regardless of ability to pay, its nurses help individuals achieve a level of physical independence and emotional well-being in their home of choice. VNAP still continues to offer round-the-clock support to patients and their families after nearly a century.

Pottstown VNA's primary programs include Home Health Care including skilled nursing, therapy, Wound, Ostomy and Continence Care, IV therapies, and Hospice. 

Additionally, it takes care of bothersome details like insurance authorizations, service coordination and supply deliveries. For more information, please visit www.vnapottstown.org or call 855.THE.VNAs.

Education By the Numbers

Photos Courtesy of John Armato

Members of the Franklin Elementary School Math Olympiad team work on a problem.

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

Fourth Grade students from all four Pottstown Elementary Schools competed again in each other in the first annual Math Olympiad on Thursday, May 21. 

The Rupert Elementary Math Olympiad team puts their
math knowledge to work.

More than 30 students competed as individuals and as teams to complete complex mathematics problem solving questions. 

In each timed round students were given 10 mathematical problems to solve. Round one was an individual round, and round two a team round. 

Team scores were a combination of the individual and team rounds. 

"I am excited to see our students so enthusiastic about this event," said Rupert Elementary Principal Matthew Moyer. "Competitive academic events like this, challenge the students and will lead to excellence in the classroom."

 The Goals of Math Olympiad:

• To stimulate enthusiasm and a love for Mathematics 

  

  The winning team was Franklin Elementary School.

• To introduce important Mathematical
  concepts 
• To teach major strategies for problem solving 
• To develop
  Mathematical flexibility in solving problems 
• To strengthen Mathematical intuition 
• To foster Mathematical creativity and ingenuity 
• To provide for the satisfaction, joy, and thrill of meeting challenges

The Results:

Team Winner: Franklin Elementary School

Individual Winners:

1st Place winner Abby Eagle

1st Place - Abby Eagle from Rupert Elementary School

2nd Place winner

Lily Fetterman

2nd Place - Lily Fetterman from Barth Elementary School

Special Thanks To: Tri-County Federal Credit Union for sponsoring the event!

Our Pottstown Staff for their help and involvement:

Barth- Kathy Eagle, Coleen Blute, Cara McGuffin, Nikki Alutius, Rachel Pollock

Lincoln - Mandi Wampole, Denise Schleicher

Franklin- Karen Confino, Darla Stout, Bridget Baldwin

Rupert- Allen Ferster, Diana Dotterer, Nicole Valenti, Jamie Fazekas, Lauren Crean, Del Ferster