Category: People

Pine Hill Christmas Tree Farm offers $5 discount, Monday-Thursday

Among this year's first taggers, courtesy Pine Hill Tree Farm

Do you have a young family that is starting to create its own holiday traditions? Ever want to get back to basics and enjoy the satisfaction that comes from picking your own Christmas tree and sawing it down in the crisp December air while the kids sip hot chocolate and think you are the best mom or dad in the whole wide world?

You can do all that at the Pine Hill Choose-N-Cut Christmas Tree Farm on Sheep Hill Road in North Coventry. Pine Hill has been run by the Sally and Dick Heylmun family for 45 years! And for the past 20 years, they have  held their prices steady at $25 a tree. Now they are offering a $5 discount if you get your tree on Monday through Thursday; just mention Positively!Pottstown. That is a great price for that special tree that will work for you and your home. (Some of the larger and more perfect specimens are individually priced higher.)

Pine Hill is just 2 miles from downtown Pottstown, yet has that full country atmosphere.  Mrs. Heylmun still mows around the trees, shears them, and generally oversees the care of the farm, keeping the place like a lawn.  Having raised 5 boys on a teacher’s pay, the Heylmuns know what it costs to raise a family, and they have refused to raise prices.

This year, there’s an abundance of Scotch pines. They also have a good supply of white pines and Norway spruce. There’s a limited supply of Colorado Blue spruce.

The Douglas firs and Fraser firs are pre-cut from a local farm and will be delivered this year the day before Thanksgiving, Dec. 1, and Dec. 8. The Pine Hill website provides nice photos and descriptions of the various trees and their needles, so you can decide ahead of time what kind of tree you’re interested in.

Remember: You choose and cut your own tree.  They do offer saws to borrow. No chainsaws, please!

Choose-n-cut your tree on Monday through Thursday, mention Positively!Pottstown and get a $5 discount – no coupons required!

Pine Hill Christmas Tree Farm
1174 Sheep Hill Road
610-323-8045
pinhilsal@aol.com

 

Juan Carlos Fine Mexican specials for Friday & Saturday

Take a break from shopping and family and turkey and make a reservation (484-624-4931) for this Friday or Saturday at Juan Carlos Fine Mexican Cuisine, 235 E. High Street in the heart of Pottstown. Pumpkin flan, anyone?! Chef Ron Garza is offering these fab specials:

Friday, 25 November

Soup: Northern bean soup, $3 per cup

Salad: Mediterranean salad, $5

Entrée: Roasted chicken with potatoes in lemon garlic sauce, $12.99

Dessert: Pumpkin flan, $6

Complementary egg nog, available with or without brandy.

 

Saturday, 26 November

Soup: Beef orzo soup, $3 per cup

Salad: Mediterranean salad, $5 

Entrée: Stuffed peppers and tomatoes, featuring a lightly spiced dill and rice mixture, $12.99

Dessert: Pumpkin flan, $6

Complementary egg nog, available with or without brandy.
 

Meet Byers’ Choice Artist Joyce Byers Sunday at MCCC Gallery in Pottstown

 A heartwarming holiday exhibit that features handmade Christmas Carolers designed by Joyce Byers of Byers’ Choice Ltd., the internationally-known collectible figurine business located in Chalfont, has opened in Montgomery County Community College‘s North Hall Art Gallery, 16 High St., Pottstown.

A “Meet the Artist” afternoon reception with Byers is planned for tomorrow, Sunday, Nov. 13 from 1 to 3 p.m. Christmas Caroler figures are displayed throughout the gallery in vignettes that include Victorian themes as well as telling the story of Scrooge and The Twelve Days of Christmas. Each unique figure is created with an upturned face – mouth open in song.

The exhibit, “Handcrafting Christmas Tradition In Our Community,” continues through Dec. 16 during regular gallery hours, Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The gallery is closed weekends, except for Nov. 13. Both the exhibit and receptions are free and open to the public.

For more information about the exhibit, call Montgomery County Community College Galleries Director Holly Cairns at 215-619-7349.

MOSAIC Community Land Trust reception this Saturday

Please join the MOSAIC Community Land Trust for a FREE reception this Saturday, November 12 from 7-9 pm as they thank their Community Garden volunteers and welcome guests to their office and gallery located at 10 South Hanover Street, Pottstown, Pennsylvania, across from the Brick House restaurant.

Exhibiting artists are Raun Kercher and Lev Ritvalsky. 

MOSAIC will also be unveiling its new logo, which was designed by Raun.

For more information on MOSAIC Community Land Trust, please visit and subscribe to the blog here or become a friend on Facebook. Pottstown is on the brink of revitalization, and MOSAIC is a part of that. You can learn about other events, how to get involved, and follow the development of the community garden at 423 Chestnut Street by getting connected.

Raun Kercher

“Raun Kercher’s artwork covers a history of American music from the genres of both American Blues and Jazz. The artwork tells a history while capturing emotions expressed in music.”

Read a previous review of Raun Kercher’s Exhibition here, or visit his website

Let Ritvalsky
“My art, regardless of the medium I’m using, is simply an end result of whatever happiness runs from my brain through my hands to my tools each day that I work. This talent brings great energy to my life and I am honored to have it. My art isn’t about making a statement, unless that statement is to bring a smile to someone when they see my work.”

RSVP now for Friday happy hour!

The next Positively!Pottstown Happy Hour is taking place this Friday, Nov. 11 from 5-7 pm at the Milkman Lunch Co. & Cake Shoppe at 451 N. Charlotte Street. Our hosts are owners Sam Rhame and Chris Longeway.

In case you haven’t been to their shoppe or had one of their melt-in-your-mouth delectable cupcakes, these guys are putting Pottstown on the map for their gorgeous artistry with fondant. Plus they have cheery messages on the blackboard outside their shoppe every day. They are spreading love, happiness and inner peace through cake, which – if you think about it – could do a lot for world peace, too. 

Join us this Friday afternoon and see for yourself!

RSVP to positivelypottstown@gmail.com

LointerHOME’s latest restoration: 426 King Street, Pottstown

 Last week I was thrilled to attend LointerHOME‘s open house at 426 King Street to see how Amanda and Cristian DeSeta have returned this stunning Victorian to its original grandeur and added the  modern amenities that today’s homebuyers are looking for. Like their previous Pottstown projects on King Street and at 467 Farmington Avenue, they have once again used quality craftsmanship and an attention to detail that brings out the best of the old and new.

Here are the particulars: 111 years young, almost 4000 sq ft, 4 bedrooms, 2 full, 2 powder baths, original hardwood floors and all new appliances, with an asking price of $168,512. The sellers are offering 3% seller’s assist, paying closing costs, a 1-year home warranty, and inspections to be completed before an offer is made – all this to allow a stress-free purchase.

Work has already begun on 424 King Street, where the DeSetas will locate their headquarters. LointerHOME has ongoing restoration projects in Florida and California.

If you would like more information or to schedule a visit to 426 King Street, contact the listing agent, Lori Vanderbilt at Coldwell Banker Hearthside.

Lori Vanderbilt
lorivanderbilt@aol.com
direct: 610.489.7700
cell: 484.889.6234

The beautiful photos here were taken by Betsy Barron Fine Photography.

PAID hires Steven Bamford as executive director

Earlier today an article in The Mercury‘s online business section announced the hiring of Steven Bamford by PAID, Inc. to serve as the first executive director of the revamped economic development entity responsible for Pottstown’s revitalization. Roy’s Rants writes that Mr. Bamford’s first day will be November 10th. Mr. Bamford brings more than 20 years of economic development experience to the position. There is much work to be done, and it’s a relief and very welcome news to hear that Pottstown has got someone with his credentials working on its behalf.  Welcome aboard!

Emmanuel Lutheran presents outstanding choral, classical music

After promoting the Emmanuel Lutheran Music Series for the past year, I attended one of their concerts for the first time yesterday. All I can say is, “WOW!”

I will admit right here that I did not take to choral and classical music when I was growing up like my two musically-talented older sisters. I guess I just wanted choir practice to end so I could get into the next kickball or baseball game at the Franklin School playground. That being said, I’m pretty sure my musical appreciation IQ reached a new high yesterday while in the presence of some incredibly talented singers and musicians from The Hill School, The Bel Canto Children’s Chorus and Cantatica, the ensemble-in-residence for the 2011-2012 season at Emmanuel. The program featured “Music of the Celtic Isles,” and every piece was stunning – from solemn to achingly beautiful to Riverdance-inspiring.

Below is the schedule for the rest of the season, along with links. Mark calendars and make a point to get there. Emmanuel – under the creative leadership of Andrew Meade, head of Music Ministry – is bringing some world-class talent to town and showcasing homegrown talent, too.

Please note that there are actually two series: Emmanuel’s Music Series and Cantatica’s series. The Emmanuel Series is generally free; admission is charged for the Cantatica events.  See you there!

Emmanuel Lutheran is located at 150 N. Hanover Street, Pottstown, PA 19464.

For a brochure of Emmanuel’s music series, click here.

For more info on Cantatica, visit www.cantatica.org.

MUSIC AT EMMANUEL

(all concerts held on Sunday)

ELENA ULYANOVA, Piano Masterpieces –  Oct. 23, 4 pm, Free

READING CHORAL SOCIETY, Celebration of Light – Dec. 11, 4 pm, Free

MATTHEW LEWIS, Pipe Dreams (organ) – Feb. 26, 2012, Free

MEGAN DURHAM, Mystery of the Song (mezzo-soprano) – Mar. 25, 2012, 4 pm, Free

WESTMINSTER KANTOREI – April 29, 2012, 4 pm, Free

CANTATICA SCHEDULE

AN AMERICAN THANKSGIVING – Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011, 7:30 PM

 GUEST ARTIST:  The Coventry Singers

CABARET SONGS, A Special Gala Fundraising Event – Sunday, March 11, 2012, 4 PM

 FEATURING: Toni Marie Palmertree, Soprano 

JOYFUL, JAZZY AND JEWISH! – Sunday, May 27, 2012, 4 PM

FEATURING: Klezmer Band

ADMISSION

$12 Adults – $10 Seniors – $8 Students

Tickets available at the door.

TICKET RESERVATIONS

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

info@cantatica.org or 484-951-5113

Former soap opera star to speak, perform at First Presbyterian this Sunday

Acclaimed actor, Frank Runyeon, is scheduled to speak at First Presbyterian Church Pottstown during the Sunday School hour and worship on Sunday, September 25th. Perhaps best known for his many television roles, including his 7 year stint on As the World Turns, Runyeon is now a sought after speaker for churches, schools and groups of all denominations.

On Sunday Runyeon will give a presentation on “Hollywood and Faith: The struggle to live faithfully in the media age” at 9:15. During the 10:30 worship service, he will share his dramatic interpretation of the Sermon on the Mount. Both events are open to the public and free of charge, thanks to an anonymous donation to the church.

Runyeon is a native of our area and a graduate of The Hill School, Princeton University, and General Theological Seminary, and has won national praise for his work as a translator and performer of Biblical texts over the past 20 years. He has performed the gospel for hundreds of thousands of people in almost every state in America, earning rave reviews from critics, scholars, and church leaders of every denomination. Runyeon is regularly reviewed as “the best speaker we have ever heard” by students and faculty at private and public schools across the nation.

First Presbyterian Church of Pottstown is located at 750 North Evans Street, Pottstown and is handicapped accessible. More information about Sunday’s program and other church events can be found on the website: www.fpcpottstown.org or by calling the church office at 610-326-0620.

For more information on Frank Runyeon: www.runyeonproductions.com

HUGE shout-out to The Very Best!

Still the very best!

I was roaming High Street, looking for a wireless internet connection, and the folks from The Very Best graciously let me sit at the counter and get tapped in while they hustled to get their food and set-ups ready for the Carousel of Flavor. They’ll be there serving up their famous hot dogs and chili. Come out and support this Pottstown institution since 1921!

Thank you to owner Joe Miller and his fiancee Amy Shuster for getting me wired!

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