Veterans Community Day With Food, Beer and Music

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the Pottstown Parks and Recreation Department.

The Pottstown Parks and Recreation Department will host a Community Day in Memorial Park on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

This event will feature free entertainment, family-friendly activities, a bounce house for children provided at no charge, local food stands, a Sly Fox Biergarten, and representatives from multiple regional U.S. Veterans’ organizations.

There is no admission fee.

Hillbilly Shakespeare

A portion of the proceeds, including funds raised in the Sly Fox Biergarten, will be awarded to local veterans’ organizations in support of their missions.

The event will be held on The Island at Memorial Park, amidst the World War II and Vietnam War Veterans’ Memorials. The event begins at 11 a.m. with a short ceremony recognizing American Armed Forces veterans, including two local Korean War Veterans, Al Kutz and Henry “Hank” Saylor who will be recognized with special awards from Glass Tears and Congressman Ryan Costello.

Speakers include Monsignor Thomas Coyle, Army Chaplain Ret.; Bishop Everett Debnam, Pottstown Police Department Chaplain;; and musical performances by Hamilton Celtic Pipe and Drum and Thomas Wang, an award-winning actor who has appeared in numerous theatrical productions as well as in Hollywood, independent and industrial films.

Stephanie Grace

The featured speaker is Captain Robert Boyce, retired commanding officer of the USS Florida, a nuclear Ohio-class submarine, and proud Pennsylvania educator.

Following the ceremonies, the Sly Fox Biergarten will open for business and free concerts will commence from Hillbilly Shakespeare (12 to 2 p.m.) and Stephanie Grace (3 to 5 p.m.).

Activities will be hosted by ArtFusion19464, Stowe Lions Club, and the Pottstown Roller Derby Rockstars, among others.

The long-running Pottstown Rotary Duck Race will also take place at this event, commencing at 4:30 PM. Duck Race tickets will be on sale all day during the event.

Food vendors will include local favorites, Grumpy’s Hand-Carved Sandwiches, Manatawny Green, and The Butcher and the BBQ, offering all of Pottstown’s favorites.

Free parking for this event can be found at 75 West King St, in Memorial Park and more information can be found on the Pottstown Parks and Recreation Department Facebook Page: facebook.com/PottstownParksandRec

The event is rain or shine.

Parks and Recreation ... No the REAL Parks and Recreation

Summer Camp in Pottstown can be fun AND inexpensive

Aficionados of modern comedy television will no doubt recognize the title "Parks and Recreation," an Amy Poehler and, Rob Lowe vehicle about the people who run a terminally dysfunctional department in the imaginary town of Pawnee, Ind.

However, in real life Pottstown, the Parks and Recreation Department is one of the best values in town, and that becomes particularly evident during the summer.

Just perusing the 2012 summer newsletter gives a glimpse into the many ways to have summer fun on the cheap, for those smart enough to take the time to look.

One good example is the Summer Camp program.

It runs for 12 weeks from June 18 to Aug. 24 for ages 5 through 13 and costs less than $100 per child per week. Try finding prices like that at any private camps. Even better, it offers numerous flexible options.

Borough residents pay $95 per child per week or only $20 per day, if you just need a few days covered. Non residents can sign up their child for $105 per week or $22 per day.

The pool at French Creek State Park is one field trip

But you also can sign up for half-day morning camp, from 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. for $10 a day or $45 per week; or half-day afternoon camp from 12 to 5 p.m. for $15 a day or $65 per week. And for an additional $10 per week per child, they can remain as late as 6 p.m. if that's what your schedule requires.

You pay only for the days or weeks that your child attends.

(There is a $40 registration fee for the first child and $35 for each additional child.)

The all-day program is run at Rupert Elementary School and the price includes a camp T-shirt, all Summer Adventure Field Trips, lunch as well as a morning and afternoon snack.

Dorney Park is just one place to which the Pottstown
Parks & Recreation Dept. sells discount tickets.

Those field trips include French Creek State Park, Ringing Rocks Roller Rink and the Adventure Aquarium. Afternoon activities will include swimming, the Fountain of Youth Spray Park at Memorial Park, bowling, miniature golf, roller skating and the movies.

The half-day Summer Adventure camp is coordinated with Penn State Cooperative Extension and the Pottstown School District and is run at three elementary schools, Lincoln, Rupert and Franklin.

The Parks and Recreation Department is also a great source for discount park tickets. Parks for which discount tickets are available range from: Adventure Aquarium in Camden, to Baltimore Aquarium, Busch Gardens (Virginia),Sesame Place, Sea World, Longwood Gardens, Hershey Park, Dorney Park, Six Flags/Great Adventure the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire and Dutch Wonderland, to name a few.

Discounts range from $4 to $14. For more information, call the department at 970-6608. For a complete list, see the Summer 2012 Newsletter.

Strengthen Your Family at Family Fest

This year's Pottstown Family Fest will be held this Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Pottstown High School.

Sponsored by the Pottstown Family Center, the Pottstown School District and the Pottstown Parks and Recreation Department, the event is designed to provide information on family dynamics, unity and development.

Information booths, roving entertainment and door prizes highlight the event.

Featured entertainment will include the Pottstown Senior High School Jazz Band.

Pizza and a beverage will be provided to all that attend, although children must be accompanied by an adult.

Puzzles were among last year's Family Fest activities

This year's theme urges "Pottstown Families to Play, Work and Serve Together" and to buy locally.

"The whole community plays a role in sustaining our local businesses and social service agencies," the flyer notes.

"This year's theme focuses on buying local and encourages families to find volunteer opportunities that they care about so that they can ultimately give back to their community."

The event is sponsored by the Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation and the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania.