DRBC River in Winter Photo Contest Announced

The pedestrian bridge over Manatawny Creek in Pottstown's Riverfront Park.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the Delaware River Basin Commission.

The Delaware River Basin Commission has announced its Winter Photo Contest, highlighting amateur and professional photography that conveys the beauty, diversity, function, and significance of the water resources of the Delaware River Basin, a 13,539 square mile watershed that includes the Schuylkill River watershed.

“From the headwaters to the ocean and everywhere in between, winter brings a different perspective to the basin’s water resources, and this contest provides an opportunity to capture, share, and showcase winter’s beauty through your photographs,” said DRBC Executive Director Steve Tambini.

Wissahickon Creek near Manayunk.

The winning image, to be selected by a panel of judges at DRBC, must be taken in the Delaware River Basin. It will be published in the commission’s annual report, on its social media pages, and will also be featured on its website. All entrants will receive a certificate of appreciation from the commission.

Interested persons can visit http://www.nj.gov/drbc/basin/photo/photo-contest.html for complete contest details, including instructions on how to submit their original, high resolution photographs.

The deadline for entries is Feb. 1, 2018.

The DRBC is a federal/interstate government agency responsible for managing the water resources within the Delaware River Basin without regard to political boundaries. The five commission members are the governors of the basin states (Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania) and the commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ North Atlantic Division, who represents the federal government.

To learn more about the commission, please visit www.drbc.net or follow DRBC on Twitter at @DRBC1961.

3rd Teacher Buys New Home in Pottstown With Foundation for Pottstown Education Program

Rupert Elementary teacher Jamie Fazekas in front of her new home.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the Foundation for Pottstown Education.

Rupert Elementary Third Grade Teacher, Jamie Fazekas is the third Pottstown School District Employee who has been awarded a $10,000 forgivable loan through the Foundation for Pottstown Education Residency Program. 

This program provides eligible applicants who work for the Pottstown School District, up to $10,000 in the form of a forgivable loan. The funds can be used for closing costs, down payments, or other expenses directly related to the purchase of property determined to be eligible for the program.

Fazekas applied for this loan in November and was approved before Thanksgiving. She closed on her new home the first week of December. This is the first home purchase for her and she is extremely happy with her new residence.

The $10,000 loan will have 20 percent forgiven each year in which the homeowner remains an employee of the Pottstown School District and lives in the residence as their primary home. 

After five years, the loan is completely forgiven. Should the employee move or leave the Pottstown School District, the remaining balance of the loan is then due to be before paid back to the Foundation.

Congratulations, Jamie and welcome home.

Visit www.foundationpottstowned.org for more information about the Foundation for Pottstown Education as well as following FPE on Facebook and Twitter.

Costello Lauds Passage of Fire Grant Funding

U.S. Rep. Ryan Costello, R-6th Dist., meets with Limerick firefighters.

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by Ryan Costello's office.

Rep. Ryan Costello, R-6th Dist.,  applauded House passage of H.R. 4661, the United States Fire Administration, AFG, and SAFER Program Reauthorization Act, which passed recently on a bipartisan, unanimous basis. 

The legislation reauthorizes grant programs for six years, including the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program and the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG). The legislation also provides for better oversight of the grants and training for grant administration.

These programs provide critical support for firefighter and emergency response companies. Both of these grants are awarded through a competitive process to career and volunteer fire departments, and both grants are intended to help meet equipment, training, and staffing needs.

In Pennsylvania’s Sixth Congressional District, firefighters and first responders have used these grants for self-loading stretchers for ambulances, coats, portable radios, boots, and gloves, among other resources.

“Communities in Southeastern Pennsylvania and across the country rely on brave first responders, and firefighters and emergency response officials need the appropriate equipment to safely and effectively do their work,” said Rep. Costello. “I have been proud to support federal grants that help provide vital resources to our local fire departments.”

Since coming to Congress, Rep. Costello has signed onto funding requests for the AFG program and the SAFER Grant program.

Pottstown DECA Welcomes New Members, Officers

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

Recently, the Pottstown High School DECA Club, an association of marketing students, elected a new slate of officers and inducted 32 new members at a program held at Pottstown High School cafeteria. 

The evening’s ceremonies were conducted by DECA Advisors Kevin Pascal and Lyndsay Hashem.

Jen Hainsey was elected President along with Vice-President Julian Weber,

DECA's new officers, from left, Emmanuel Toussaint, 

Julian Weber, Jen Hainsey, Dennis Morales

Executive Director Dennis Morales, and Management Director Emmanuel Toussaint. Newly elected President Jen Hainsey encouraged the inductees to take full advantage of the opportunities and activities that are a part of the DECA experience. 

The newly elected officers conducted the induction ceremony where 32 new members joined the ranks of the organization.

Victoria McShea, a Pottstown High School graduate and former DECA member, made some brief remarks to the students and family members in attendance.

“Students who participate in DECA learn specific career technical skills, communication skills, human relations, and employability skills that will be valuable for the rest of their lives.”

Emmanuel Toussaint led the group in the pledging of the DECA Creed and said, “I am proud to have you join DECA and look forward to an exciting year of district, regional, and state competitions.”

Julian Weber provided a PowerPoint presentation highlighting all of the activities that DECA students participated in during the previous year.

Pascal and Hashem welcomed the newly inducted students and praised the efforts of the Executive Team in organizing the event. 

 “Induction is one of those events during the DECA year that is stressful but our officers rose to the occasion and have made this a memorable event for both inductees and their family members.”

At the conclusion of the event, all in attendance enjoyed some delicious desserts provided by Melissa Caballero, owner of Melissa’s Sweet Creations.

Members inducted included:

Christian Albert	Diego Magana
Sebastian Buchanan	Donny Marte
Angelica Calel	Nathanael Parson
Jessica Calle-Castillo	Julian Paskel
Haile Clayton	Kishan Patel
Shelby Clayton	Thanea Redrovan
Ciera Cwynar	Julia Reisner
Tom Doyle	Alyssa Rulli
Julianna Figueroa	Alix Stewart
Kentz Gustave	John Stilwell
Jaelyn Harsh	Justine Villamar
Chloe Hebert	Abby Welder
Sybriya Jenkins	Destiny Williams
Brianna Lineman	Hannah Wilson
Brianna London	Harmony Wood
Alondra Magana

Exelon Workers Deliver Christmas Cheer to YWCA

 Blogger's Note: The following was provided by YWCA Tri-County.

Games, dolls, trucks, stuffed animals, and clothing arrived at YWCA Tri-County Area’s Early Education Center this week – not brought by Santa Claus, but delivered by employees of Exelon’s Limerick Generating Station.

A team of employees from the Limerick Generating Station arrived with a truckload of gifts -- wrapped and tagged – for the 165 children attending YWCA Tri-County Area’s Early Education Center.

YWCA Tri-County Area provides names, ages, and clothing sizes, and toy preferences for the children; that information is placed on a gift tag. 

Employees choose a tag and purchase a gift for the child. Exelon employees then matched the tags to the gifts, wrapped the gifts, and delivered them to the Early Education Center.

Each child in the YW Early Education Center – children from 6 months to 6 years in preschool programs, and children K-6 in Before/After School Enrichment – received a gift for their parents or caregivers to take home and give during the holidays.

YWCA Tri-County Area is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. YW3CA is a leader in advocacy for women and girls, works to eliminate racism, and empowers women through quality affordable childcare, adult literacy, and a host of programs to support the health and vitality of women, girls, and families.

Give Blood for the Holidays and Give Life

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross is urging eligible donors to give more life to patients now and into the new year by giving blood or platelets.

Donations decline during the time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day when busy holiday schedules cause regular donors to be less available to give and many blood drives may be canceled due to severe winter storms.

Last year, nearly 64,000 fewer blood and platelet donations were given through the Red Cross during the seven weeks from Thanksgiving through the first week of January than the average during the rest of the year.

“By taking just about an hour of time today, you can help save someone’s life within a few weeks or even days of your donation,” said Alana Mauger, communications manager of the Red Cross Penn Jersey Blood Services Region. 

“We’re asking donors to give now to help ensure blood is available when patients need it most.”

Blood is perishable and can only be replenished by volunteer donors. Red blood cells, the most transfused blood product, must be transfused within 42 days. Platelets, the tiny cells that form clots and help stop bleeding, must be transfused within just five days. More than half of all platelet donations go to cancer patients who may need platelet transfusions to prevent life-threatening bleeding during chemotherapy.

"The platelets were hung by the chimney with care ..."

“Platelet donors don’t have to wait a few weeks to make a difference in a patient’s life,” said Mauger. “Someone could donate platelets on Monday, and by Friday, those same platelets can help someone’s fight to kick cancer.”

Kelly Ellison certainly knows that. 

Twenty-eight weeks into her third pregnancy, she was raced to the hospital with uncontrollable bleeding and received a doubly devastating diagnosis. Not only did she have aplastic anemia – a rare blood disorder in which the body’s bone marrow does not produce enough new blood cells – doctors also detected kidney cancer. Kelly received 43 units of blood and platelets. Five weeks later, she gave birth prematurely to her son, who also needed blood transfusions to survive.

“Our lives have been forever changed because of lifesaving blood and platelet
donations,” said Ellison. “Every breath I take is a blessing!”

All blood types are needed this winter. Platelet donations are especially encouraged the first week of the new year, which is among the most difficult to collect enough platelets to meet patient needs. 

Donation appointments can be quickly and easily scheduled by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

As a special thank-you for taking the time to donate, those who come to give Dec. 21 through Jan. 7 will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities in Berks, Chester and Montgomery Counties:

Berks

Reading: 

1/3/2018: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Crowne Plaza, 1741 Paper Mill Road

Chester

West Chester:

American Red Cross Blood Donation Center, 523 East Gay St., West Chester
Monday - Thursday: 11:45 a.m. – 7:45 p.m. (whole blood)
Friday - Sunday: 7:15 a.m. - 3 p.m. (whole blood & platelet pheresis)

Downingtown

• 1/4/2018: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Simpson Meadows, 101 Plaza Drive
• 1/10/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Chester County Intermediate Unit, 455 Boot Road
• 1/15/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Hopewell United Methodist Church, Family Life Center, 852 Hopewell Road

Exton

• 12/31/2017: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Clarion at Exton, 815 N. Pottstown Pike
• 1/4/2018: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., AGI, 220 Valley Creek Blvd.

Phoenixville

• 12/27/2017: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 865 S. Main St.
• 1/4/2018: 6:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Medical Conference Center, 826 Main St.
• 1/8/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Technical College High School, 1580 Charlestown Road
• 1/10/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, 500 Cresson Blvd.

Montgomery

Willow Grove

American Red Cross Blood Donation Center, 31 Easton Road
Monday - Wednesday: 11:45 a.m.-6 p.m. (platelet pheresis)
Thursday - Sunday: 7:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m. (platelet pheresis)

Collegeville
1/3/2018: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Trinity United Church of Christ, 532 E. Main St.

Eagleville
12/30/2017: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Lower Providence Fire Company, 3199 W. Ridge Pike

Gilbertsville
12/24/2017: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Douglass Township Municipal Building, 1320 E. Philadelphia Ave.

Harleysville

• 1/4/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Arbour Square, 695 Main St.
• 1/12/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Tabor United Methodist Church, 2209 Hendricks Station Road

King of Prussia

• 12/29/2017: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Doubletree Hotel, 301 W. Dekalb Pike
• 1/13/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Creation Kids Worship Room, 150 E. Beidler Road

Kulpsville
12/28/2017: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., The Peter Powerhouse Foundation at Towamencin Mennonite Church, 1980 Sumneytown Pike

Limerick

• 1/5/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Crossroads Presbyterian Church, 10 W. Cherry Lane
• 1/6/2018: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Spring Valley YMCA, 19 Linfield Trappe Road

Pottstown

• 12/26/2017: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Pottstown YMCA, 724 N. Adams St.
• 1/2/2018: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Pottstown Elks Lodge No. 814, 61 E. High St.
• 1/8/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Comfort Inn, 99 Robinson St.
• 1/15/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Comfort Inn, 99 Robinson St.

Royersford
1/8/2018: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Parkhouse Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, 1600 Black Rock Road

Schwenksville
12/29/2017: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m., St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, 40 Spring Mount Road

How to donate blood or platelets
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, from a computer or mobile device. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.