Category: Sports & Recreation

Rails and River Towns Ride sign-up today! Last day to get free T-shirt!

Photo and info courtesy of the Schuylkill River Heritage Area.

Support the Schuylkill River Heritage Area with a round-trip bike ride on September 22nd along the Schuylkill River Trail from Pottstown to Birdsboro featuring optional walking tours and a presentation on railroad history.

When: September 22, 2012 (Rain Date Sunday September 23)   

 

Time:   7:30-8:30 a.m. check-in

       8:30 a.m. Presentation on PA Railroad history

       9:00 a.m. rides begin  

 

Where: Check-in at 140 College Drive, Pottstown, PA 19464

 

Cost: $25 adults (age 16 & up); $20 members; $15 children ages 11-15; 10 & under free. If registering after 9/5/12 cost increases to: $30 adults; $25 members; and $20 children 11-15.

 

Amenities: Refreshments provided. Free T-shirts to all who register by Sept. 5.  Ride support and complimentary bike safety checks provided by TriCounty Bicycles, of Pottstown.   

 

More information: Call 484-945-0200 or visit www.schuylkillriver.org to learn more.   

 

Helmets are required. Due to the width of the trail, no bicycle trailers will be permitted during the event.   

Three Ride Options to Choose From!  

  • 18-mile, round-trip ride from the Schuylkill River Heritage Area headquarters in Pottstown to Birdsboro, with a 45-minute guided walking tour of historic Birdsboro.
  • 20-mile Pottstown to Birdsboro ride with a loop trail in Union Township and no walking tour
  • 9-mile round-trip ride with guided tour of Historic Morlatton Village’s four 18th century buildings.

This is the first ride in the Schuylkill River Trail Bike Tour Series, a new multi-year series that supports the Schuylkill River Heritage Area. Each event will feature a unique combination of biking and history.

Special thanks to our sponsors:

TriCounty Bicycles, Universal Machine Company,  Montgomery County Community College, B&G Glass, Gallen Insurance, Boscov’s Department Store, CarePlex, Main Line Financial, Traffic Planning & Design, 422 Commercial Realty, Tim’s Ugly Mug, Vintage Connections, William Knight, Historic Preservation Trust of Berks Co., Barwis Construction, LLC.

 
Schuylkill River Heritage Area
140 College Drive
Pottstown, Pennsylvania 19464

MCCC to Host Ninth Annual Scenes of Schuylkill River Heritage Area Art Show

As with the prior two posts, this comes to us via the prolific Alana Mauger, Communications Director for Montgomery County Community College.

Montgomery County Community College will host the Ninth Annual Scenes of the Schuylkill River Heritage Area Art Show from Aug. 29 through Oct. 19 at the West Campus Art Gallery, North Hall, 16 High St., Pottstown.

An opening reception will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 19, from 5-7 p.m., and will include refreshments and live music. The exhibit and reception are free and open to the public.

Sponsored by the Schuylkill River National & State Heritage Area, the art show features 76 original pieces of artwork done in a variety of styles and media. The artwork highlights the beauty and unique aspects of the Schuylkill River Heritage Area—a 1.2 million-acre area that includes the Schuylkill River watershed within Schuylkill, Berks, Chester, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.

Dawn at Valley Forge by Catherine Grygiel

Artist Catherine Grygiel, Souderton, won Best of Show for her pastel “Dawn at Valley Forge.” She will receive $300 and an award of distinction valued at $1,000 from North Penn Art, Lansdale, for the creation of giclee prints of her work.

Second place with a $200 prize went to Jonathan Bond, Kempton, Berks County, for his oil on wood panel, “Carousel,” and third place with a $100 prize went to Materese Roche, Buckingham, Bucks County, for her oil on canvas, “Sunset Over the Grasslands.”

Four honorable mentions were awarded to: Rich Sassaman for his acrylic, “High School Runner;” Sherry McVickar for her oil, “English Style Schuylkill River Barn;” Lori Quinque-Quinn for the oil painting “Hunsberger’s Used Cars;” and David W. Thomas for his silver gel photograph “Foundation.”

 This year’s juror, Ross L. Mitchell, executive director of the Violette de Mazia Foundation, Wayne, selected the winning entries.

“It was a pleasure judging the Schuylkill River Heritage Area Art Show this year,” said Mitchell, who started his career as a painter and studied at the Barnes Foundation with Violette de Mazia. “The final selections were all of high quality and portrayed a wonderful cross-section of views of the diversity of the Schuylkill River area. Artists reinterpret our surrounding environment and let us see it anew through their unique and individual lens.”

Mitchell previously served as the Gallery Director at the Barnes Foundation in Merion Station where he led the $13 million renovation of the gallery. He was also Senior Associate for Viart Corporation, a Manhattan based art-consulting firm. Currently, he is the president of the Philadelphia Sketch Club, serves as a commissioner on the Lower Merion Historical Commission and as a board member of the Lower Merion Historical Society.

Most works are available for sale, and a portion of all proceeds benefits the Schuylkill River Heritage Area.      

Gallery hours are: Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-9:30 p.m., and Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For more information contact, the SRHA at 484-945-0200 or MCCC Galleries Director Holly Cairns at 215-619-7349, hcairns@mc3.edu.

The Schuylkill River National and State Heritage Area, managed by the non-profit Schuylkill River Greenway Association, uses conservation, education, recreation, cultural and historic preservation and tourism as tools for community revitalization and economic development. For more information about the SRHA visit www.schuylkillriver.org.

Pottstown YMCA holding a Back-to-School Swim Meet this Saturday for 6-12 year olds

The Freedom Valley YMCA at Pottstown is hold a Youth Race Back-to-School Swim Meet this Saturday, August 18 at 11 am.

Swim with your age group – all 6-12 year olds are welcome! You need not be on a swim team to participate. 

Everybody swims – Everybody wins! 

Sign up at the Y.

Open to the whole community.

You may sign up the day of the meet.

Cost: $1/swim event. 

Call 610.323.7300 for more info.

Freedom Valley YMCA at Pottstown
724 North Adams Street, Pottstown, PA 19464
Freedom Valley YMCA: We’re here for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

Schuylkill River Heritage Area plans bike & history tours

The Schuylkill River Heritage Area is offering a Rails and River Towns Ride on the Schuylkill River Trail on Saturday, September 22nd. Mark your calendars and register online or get your registration form in now if you want to take part.

Support the Schuylkill River Heritage Area with a round-trip bike ride along the Schuylkill River Trail from Pottstown to Birdsboro that includes a presentation about the railroad upon whose right-of-way the trail is built, with optional visits to three villages along the route.

This is the first ride in the Schuylkill River Trail Bike Tour Series, a new multi-year series being organized by the Schuylkill River Heritage Area. Each event will feature a unique combination of biking and history. This year cyclists will learn about the history of the Pennsylvania Railroad. For more info. from the Heritage Area website, click here.

There are three ride options, so there’s something for every rider:

• 18-mile, round-trip ride from the Schuylkill River Heritage Area headquarters in Pottstown to Birdsboro, where participants will take a 45-minute guided walking tour of historic Birdsboro.
• 20-mile Pottstown to Birdsboro ride, with a loop trail in Union Township and no walking tour.
• 9-mile round-trip ride with guided tour of Historic Morlatton Village’s four 18th century buildings.

DETAILS

140 College Drive

DATE: September 22, 2012;check-in begins at 7:30am.Welcome and Pennsylvania Railroad presentation begin at 8:30, rides start at 9:00. Rain date Sunday September 23.

CHECK-IN LOCATION: 140 College Drive, Pottstown, PA 19464

COST: $25 per person (ages 16 and up), $20 members, $15 children 11-15, children 10 & under free. Refreshments included! Register by Sept. 5 to get free T-shirt!

4th annual Stop the Drugs/Stop the Violence Crusade to be held this Saturday

This press release contains updated information about this Saturday’s event.

Harris Family Ministries
Stop the Drugs Stop the Violence: “Love can Build a Bridge”

The fourth annual Stop the Drugs Stop the Violence Crusade will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 28 at Riverfront Park in Pottstown. The theme of this year’s campaign, conducted by The Harris Family Ministries, Inc., is “Love Can Build a Bridge.” The love of Jesus Christ can help those suffering from violence and addictions and unite the entire community. Crusade sponsors are Mt. Herman Missionary Church, Bethel AME Community Church and the Pottstown Downtown Improvement District Authority.

This free event is open to the public. All church groups, community groups, businesses and individuals interested in the fight against drugs and violence are invited to attend and network.

In addition to free food, beverages and entertainment, there will be plenty of resource information available for attendees to take. Representatives of various organizations will be on hand for any questions people may have.
This year’s program participants include panelists Dr. Rocio Nell, Executive Director of Montgomery County Emergency services; Dr. Reed Lindley, Pottstown School District Superintendent; Rev. Joseph Bishop of Victory Outreach International; Heather Levandoski, Assistant District Attorney of Montgomery County narcotics Unit; and Richard Dodridge, Executive Director of Philadelphia Teen Challenge, who will also be the keynote speaker.

Music will be provided by the 40-voice First Baptist Church of Indian Trail, NC choir, directed by Jonathan Schallmo; the Victory Outreach International band and choir; and the 20-voice Teen Challenge combined Men’s & Women’s choir, directed by Sister Sherry. Face painting and other arts and crafts will be available to entertain the whole family.

Information tables will be hosted by: Debbie Tellis – Pure Love Works; Andrea Primus-YWCA Tri-County Area; Tri-County Network (TCN); Richard Dodridge-Teen Challenge; Dr. Rocio Nell- Montgomery County Emergency Services; Victory Outreach International- Brother Joseph Bishop; Heather Levandoski- Montgomery County District Attorney’s office; Gail Cooper- Pottstown School District; Cecily Nixon-Hearts of Harmony; Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department; and Sheila Dugan- Pottstown Downtown Improvement District Authority; Guardian Angels Youth Division; Laura Washington-Community L.E.A.N (Loving exercise and appropriate nutrition).

Other sponsors are Jeffery Jackson Enterprises, Inc.; The Hill School; Coles Tobacco; McDonald’s High Street; Ink & Essence; Wegmans of Collegeville; Giant of Pottstown; Empire Hook & Ladder Fire Company; D & C Short Landscaping; Grumpy’s and SBX Entertainment.

Anyone looking to volunteer or donate goods or services, especially signage and food items is invited to call 610-323-8718 or e-mail gharris@harrisfamilyministries.org or you can visit our website at http://www.harrisfamilyministries.org and click the PayPal link for cash donations. All donations are tax deductible.

Riverfront Park is located on College Drive across the street from Montgomery County Community College’s West campus.

Pottstown YMCA offers yoga hour next Tuesday, July 24th

Wear comfortable clothes, bring water and a mat and join in an hour of yoga outside on the lawn of the Pottstown Y from 7-8 pm on Tuesday, July 24.  You will be guided in an experience that connects mind, body and spirit, leaving you feeling peaceful, relaxed and wonderful. 

Open to the community – $10, ages 14 and up.  Register at 610.323.7300 by July 20 – that’s tomorrow!

Rain date July 30.

Questions?

Jane Alan

Administrative Services Director

Freedom Valley YMCA at Pottstown

724 North Adams Street, Pottstown, PA 19464

610.323.7300 ext 10

jalan@fvymca.org  l  www.fvymca.org

Freedom Valley YMCA: We’re here for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

 

Pottstown Parade set for tomorrow at 10 am; ride your bike in it!

 Pottstown’s 4th of July Homecoming Celebration is described here. The Festivities Schedule is here. There’s plenty to do all day and night downtown and at Memorial Park, capped off by the region’s biggest fireworks. Pottstown’s Independence Day parade is a true home town tradition, and the experience of being in the parade, seeing friends and families three-deep along the parade route, is an incredible experience. Thank you to Tom Carroll for info on how you can be in the parade!!

You are invited!

Bring your bicycle, skate board, roller skates or scooter to the Dana Parking lot, Keim St and Center Ave. on July 4th by 9:45a.m. and support Bike Pottstown. Roll in the parade and be part of the fun! If you need a bicycle for the event, stop at TriCounty Bicycles, 256 High St and see John for a nifty, yellow Bike Pottstown beach cruiser.

The event is FREE and fun will be had by all – guaranteed!

One more note…

To do your part and help cover the cost of the fireworks, which are enjoyed by thousands from around the region, please consider making a donation to:

Make your check payable to Independence Day, Ltd., and send to:

MaryAnn Peters

Pottstown School District

230 Beech St.

Pottstown, PA 19464

 

Trinity Reformed UCC to hold “Playground Day” this Saturday!

Parents: Do you want your kids to learn the wonderful, simple games of your own childhood so they can keep themselves entertained outside this summer?

Pastor Lisa Martin of Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ reports that they will be holding their second “Playground Day” this Saturday, June 30 from 1-3 pm. Kids can learn how to play marbles, jacks, hopscotch, jump rope and other simple, fun outdoor games. And they will be giving away the equipment at the end!

If any Positively!Pottstown readers would like to drop off some sidewalk chalk at the church, that was a hot item last weekend! 

Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ is at 60 N. Hanover St., Pottstown, PA 19464. Phone: 610-326-2243 Email: church@trinityuccpottstown.org

Trinity Reformed UCC announces FREE summer programming

This info comes from Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ. I’m sorry I did not get up an announcement about their Playground Day that they held on June 23rd. They were teaching kids “old-fashioned outdoor games like marbles, jacks, double-dutch jump rope, hula hoop, and a variety of versions of hopscotch.” Then they gave all the equipment away. Does anyone else want to sponsor something like this? I think it sounds quite fun — even for the grownups! I’d be willing to pitch in, too.

Okay, so here’s what’s still on tap…

ACT — Arts and Crafts at Trinity
We are sharing the hobbies we love with anyone who wants to learn! We meet from 2-4:30 pm on Tuesdays all summer. Activities will include watercolors, crocheting, collage, and “Christmas in July” handcrafts. We are supplying all materials so there is no cost. This is for adults and children ten and up. Our weekly free community meal follows at 5 pm. Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ, 60 N. Hanover St., Pottstown, PA 19464, 610-326-2243, church@trinityuccpottstown.org

Youth Mission Week
Youth from five area churches will be coming together July 29 through August 3 to participate in Youth Mission Week. Youth live at the church during the week and help with simple repairs, landscaping and clean-up for low-income or elderly Pottstown residents, and also at local non-profit agencies. There are still spaces available for youth who want to participate and homeowners or non-profits that would like some help. We can also use adult volunteers (subject to our safe-church policy.) All forms and more information can be found at http://pottstownyouthgroup.weebly.com/. Youth must be entering 6th grade in the fall. There is no cost for the program, but donations are very welcome.
Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ, 60 N. Hanover St., Pottstown, PA 19464, 610-326-2243, church@trinityuccpottstown.org

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