Category: Sports & Recreation

Tri-County for a Cure Team Gets Ready for Yoga on the Steps

If you’ve seen a bunch of women dressed in black yoga garb and pink bandanas running around downtown Pottstown in the last few weeks, you aren’t imagining things and we aren’t being invaded by pink ninja yogis.

It’s the Tri-County for a Cure team, headed up by local yoga instructor, Barbara Kosciewicz of High Street Yoga and filmed by photographer Melia Rios-Lazo, of Priceless Moments Photography. I am lucky enough to be one of these team members, and we’re busy getting ready for the Yoga on the Steps fundraiser for Living Beyond Breast Cancer that will be held in Philadelphia on May 15th.

Image by Melia Rios-Lazo from Priceless Moments Portrait

Last year’s event drew over 1,200 yoga enthusiasts to the Art Museum in Philadelphia to do yoga and raise money for Living Beyond Breast Cancer, a non-profit dedicated to support services for women in treatment and beyond. While many breast cancer organizations focus on finding a cure, LBBC is different. According to their mission statement, their goal is, “To empower all women affected by breast cancer to live as long as possible with the best quality of life.”

Kosciewicz found out about the Yoga on the Steps event late last year and got a couple of friends, jewelry artist Carrie Grabowicz of Hammi Jammi Jewelry and Joy van Ruler, an artist who designed this year’s team logo, to join her on the steps of the Art Museum. This year, the team has 20 registered members and there is room for more. Fellow yoga instructor, Stephanie Smolik of Yoga-for-Every-Belly, is a team member as well.

So, what does all this have to do with pink-headed yogis running rampant through the streets of Pottstown and encouraging business owners, the mayor and borough manager to strike a yoga pose?  Actually quite a bit. The excitement was all about the video the Tri-County for a Cure team is making to raise awareness about breast cancer.   

Image from Living Beyond Breast Cancer

The impetus for the video was a conversation before one of Barbara’s classes about how funny it would be to do yoga in random places around town. Before long the idea had grown to involve raising awareness and funds for the Yoga on the Steps event and the team, Tri-County for a Cure.

Honestly, the first day of filming, I think many of us (myself included) were a little nervous about the idea of being filmed or photographed in yoga poses, but with Melia’s enthusiasm and skill, we all quickly got into the spirit of the day. Before we knew it, we were sitting in prayer squat near the door of a Septa Bus in front of Borough Hall.

We had a schedule, but also grabbed unsuspecting people along the way, and I was amazed at the support we found. We even convinced the UPS driver to pose with us near the police station, and some college kids on the steps at Montgomery County Community College.

“We attracted attention, beeps and awareness. Everyone we came in contact with was supportive of the cause and gave yoga their best shot,” said Kosciewicz. “We talked to people who were survivors, who had family members that were survivors or had lost someone to breast cancer.” 

She continued, “At the end of each day filming I walked away energized, but also with the understanding that Breast Cancer is a terrible disease and something that has affected everyone. I would use the word ‘powerful’ to describe the filming days.”

Even Positively Pottstown’s own Sue Repko joined us at Riverfront Park for some quiet meditation on the last day of filming. We also got Borough Manager Jason Bobst, The Schuykill River National and State Heritage Area staff, and most of the Pottstown Health and Wellness Foundation staff out to do yoga on that 70 degree Friday we enjoyed a few weeks ago.

photo by Lisa Engle

The whole experience was, well, something amazing to experience.  We got so many people to come out of their stores, offices, and comfort zones and be a little silly with us for an important cause. Barbara summed up the days’ filming this way (and I agree wholeheartedly): “I enjoyed the interaction with each and every person; the willingness of EVERYONE to do something for breast cancer and for Pottstown’s revitalization.”

The video is set to debut at the next Positively Pottstown Happy Hour on April 15th at the Academy of Massage Therapy and Bodyworks and High Street Yoga, which shares the space on the second floor of the massage school.

For information about the event in May, or to learn more about the organization’s services and mission, you can visit Living Beyond Breast Cancer’s webpage at www.llbc.org

If you can’t wait till April 15th for the video and want a sneak peek of the coverage, you can check out the Mercury’s coverage of the day, or visit the Tri-County for a Cure facebook page for links to the local news stories that ran about the filming

What Heritage Resources are missing from this list?

LIST BELOW UPDATED AS OF 3/17/2011, 2:20 p.m.

PLEASE NOTE: WE ARE LISTING LOCAL, EXISTING RESOURCES

As part of the Heritage Action planning process, we’re in the midst of listing all the heritage resources that Pottstown has to offer. Think of a heritage resource as anything that is of any cultural, natural, historic or recreational significance in the history or current life of a community. Is there anything you’d like to see on the list?

Our next step will be to assess and rank these resources. Thanks for all the input so far!

NAME OF HERITAGE RESOURCE

Listed Historic Site/Structure
2 National Register Historic Districts
Pottsgrove Manor
Railroad Station
Roller Mills
Grubb Mansion
Jefferson Elementary School

Non-Listed Historic Site/Structure
The Carousel (planned)
Elks Club
Pottstown Historical Society
Historic Walking Tours
Potts Family Cemetery
Edgewood Cemetery
Candlelight House Tours

Cultural Site/Structure
historic churches
– Holy Trinity Church
– St. John’s Byzantine Church
– Emmanuel Lutheran Church
– Zion’s Reformed Church (Old Brick Church)
– St. Aloysius
– St. Peter’s
– Christ Episcopal Church
– Invictus Ministries
– Other churches

Edgewood Cemetery
Old St. Aloysius Cemetery

Archaeological Site/Structure

Museum or Interpretive Center
Pottstown Historical Society
Pottsgrove Manor

Educational Institution or Library
Pottstown School District
Pottstown Public Library
Montgomery County Community College
The Hill School
The Gallery School (arts)
High Street Music
Wyndcroft School
St. Aloysius School

Arts, Entertainment, Shopping
Assume all the downtown shops; maybe we’ll need a complete directory that’s easy to update on an informational kiosk?
The Gallery on High
Tri-County Performing Arts Center
Pottstown Arts & Cultural Alliance (PACA)
North Hall at MCCC
Boyer Gallery at Hill School
Center for the Arts at Hill School
High Street Music
The Ballroom on High (Swingkat)
Coventry Singers
Emmanuel Lutheran Concert Series
Sunnybrook Ballroom
Churchill – poetry & live music
Pottstown Symphony
Dada Gallery
Existing Murals

Trails, Greenways, Bikeways, Railroads
Schuylkill River Trail
Memorial Park
Bike Paths on High Street
High Street (wide – for parades)
Historic Bridges – 1903 Manatawny Bridge
Transportation
– PART – public transit
– Charles W. Dickinson Transportation Center (transit center)
– Pedestrian Underpass at MCCC
– Free bike program/bike lanes
– Airport

Natural & Scenic Sites
The Schuylkill River
Schuylkill River Trail
Riverfront Park
Manatawny Creek
Memorial Park

Parks & Recreation Areas
Pottstown Parks & Rec. Dept.
The whole Pottstown Parks & Rec. System, pocket parks, etc.
Pollock Park (Schuylkill River trailhead?)
Memorial Park
– Spray Park
– Trilogy Park
– Skate Park (planned)
– Miniature Golf/Manatawny Gateway (planned)
Riverfront Park
422 Sportsplex
High Street Yoga
Community Land Trust – Community Gardens
Pottstown Garden Club
The Dell & Far Fields at The Hill School

Festivals/Special Events
– In Riverfront Park
– Schuylkill River Festival
– Schuylkill River Sojourn (stopping point)
– First Saturdays
– Sunday Music in the Park
– Relay activities
– Weddings
– Fishing/rafting
– cross-country skiing
– biking
– Polar Bear Plunge
– Shiver on the River

Carousel of Flavor
Classic Car Shows
July 4th Celebration
Volleyball Rumble
Soapbox Derby
Parades
Family Fest
Open Doors (community day)
Halloween Parade
Candlelight Historic House Tour
Free Trolley Tours during special events

Heritage Tourism Business
– recreation
– Tri-County Bicycles
– Bike Share Program
– Bentley’s Boards (skate shop)
– Hidden River Outfitters (operates out of SRHA building)

– food/drink
– The Farmers’ Market
– Grumpy’s Handcarved Sandwiches
– Churchill, Inc.
– The Brickhouse
– Juan Carlos
– Funky Lil Kitchen
– Henry’s
– Positively Pasta
– Martha’s Famous
– Beverly’s Pastry Shop
– Company Cakes
– Burger King
– McDonald’s
– Dunkin Donuts
– Wawa
– Pottstown Diner
– High Street Diner (VIP)
– Very Best Restaurant
– Frankie & Johnnie’s
– Jack Cassady’s
– The Pourhouse
– The Icehouse
– Maria Angela’s
– Maximilliano’s
– Brunish Brothers Hot Dogs & Sausage

Media & Marketing
Borough Website
Tri-County Chamber of Commerce
Pottstown Downtown Improvement District Authority (PDIDA)
Roy Keeler/Roy’s Rants – blogger
WPAZ
PCTV
The Mercury
The Pottstown Post/Sanatoga Post
Positively!Pottstown – blog
Citizens for Pottstown’s Revitalization

Other
Walkable town
Wide, tree-scaped streets
Plenty of parking
Coordinated programs & activities promoting physical activity & health.
Historic architecture
Keystone Opportunity Zone
Mrs. Smith Pies
Pottstown Memorial Medical Center
Health & Wellness Foundation
Great volunteers
Elks Club, Rotary Club, Ambucs, Kiwanis,
Veterans Groups & other civic associations
Brookside Country Club
Train line
Small town atmosphere
Eagles/Firebirds
Hurricane Agnes
Underground Railroad
Reading/Philadelphia Railroads/Stations
Mills/Forges
Native American Lenni Lenape tribe
Dutch naming of the river
Steel industry & metal fabrication legacy
Firestone

Marketing Pottstown as a Trail Town: We need you!

On February 9, I first blogged about the Heritage Action Planning process getting underway in Pottstown with a grant from the Schuylkill River Heritage Area. As a consultant working with Pottstown resident Tom Carroll on implementing the grant for the Borough, I also sent out emails & a questionnaire to a list of potential “Partners” in the process.

The overall intent of creating a Heritage Action Plan (HAP) is to improve the connections between the Trail and downtown Pottstown and to identify and leverage existing arts, cultural, historical and recreational resources to spur economic activity.

Based on a few recent conversations, I’d like to give a pared down explanation of what this process is all about and why it needs strong participation from arts & cultural organizations, educational institutions, government, businesses and restaurants – all of whom are known as “Partners.”

1. When we finish the Heritage Acton Plan or HAP by the end of April, we’re going to immediately turn around and apply for $25,000 from the SRHA to enact the plan by May 2012. This isn’t going to be just another planning study that sits on a shelf; we’re going to get something done.

2. The HAP will include marketing strategies, branding, and physical enhancements to make people aware of what’s downtown.

3. We want to create a Trail Town identity for Pottstown. More and more it’s looking like High Street will become a permanent leg on the Schuylkill River Trail. As the Trail connections are completed between Philly and Pottsville, more and more people are going to be coming through Pottstown. We want them to know that they can stop in Pottstown and find something to do and something to eat. (Pottstown needs to simultaneously look at its zoning and create a package of economic development incentives for new & existing businesses downtown, too, but that’s not part of the HAP process.)

4. Visitors coming off the Trail might not be in a position to go to a nice restaurant or the Tri-PAC that day. But once we get them downtown, we want them to know EVERYTHING that’s available so they want to come back again to experience something else.

5. One of the main outcomes of this plan will likely be VISIBLE & ATTRACTIVE KIOSKS at the Riverfront Park Trailhead, at a possible new trailhead in Pollock Park in south Pottstown, and in the downtown. The trailhead kiosks will make it clear how to get to High Street. All of them will have maps and show what’s available downtown by categories like: The Arts, Historical Attractions, Casual Dining, Fine Dining, Recreation.

6. These kiosks will essentially be “telling a story” that informs and entices EVERYONE to walk around, enjoy local history & architecture, see an art show or the performing arts, and stop in at a restaurant. The marketing of Pottstown as a Trail Town is meant to touch a wider audience of visitors, not just Trail users.

7. The Schuylkill River Heritage Area wants to help the towns along the river use the Trail as an economic engine. This Heritage Action Planning process is the first step.

Anyone interested in being a Partner is invited to meet other Partners and participate in a workshop with the Schuylkill River Heritage Area’s consultants, Peter Johnston & Associates, on Friday, March 4 from 1:30-5 p.m. at the Tri-County Area Chamber of Commerce, 152 E. High Street, Pottstown, PA 19464. Please RSVP to Sue Repko at PtownHAP@gmail.com or 609-658-9043.

Snow daze!

The last few weeks have been full of inside-out pajamas, spoons under the pillows and ice cubes in the toilet.  All these superstitions are supposed to bring feet of snow and no school until spring. Of course, if you don’t have elementary school aged children, you might be dreaming of a tropical winter getaway or worrying if you remembered to buy rock salt to put on the sidewalk for yet another “wintry mess” as meteorologists like to call it.

At my house, we are knee- deep in snow-crazed children, so these two most recent snow events have come not with cups of cocoa and long sessions of reading by a fire. Instead the snowstorms have forced me out of my warm home to accompany my kids as they face the Rupert Elementary Hill.  It’s a good place to sled and most of the East End of town shows up there at one time or another when there’s fresh snow (and old snow, truth be told).

What you might not know, however, is that there are places in Pottstown that are specifically designated for sledding.  The Parks and Rec department of Pottstown Borough lists the following streets::

              #1: South Price Street (Between South Street and Center Avenue)
              #2: Rosemont Alley
              #3: Loop Drive (Between Burden Drive and Winding Road)
              #4: Hawthorne Avenue (Between N. Hills Blvd and S. Hills Blvd)  
              #5: South Evans (Between Cherry Street and Laurel Street)

And, here are the details about sledding in these spots: 

  • Rules: Barricades should be placed in proper position by first sledder to arrive at area, and removed by last person(s) using the hill. (Put it back to curb)
  • Hours: 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (School Days) 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (Weekends/Non-school days)

After a nice conversation with the Parks and Recreation Department, I also learned that there are great sledding hills at Brookside Country Club and Lincoln Elementary, just in case the snow has already melted on the street sledding areas. I was really surprised to hear that at one point in Pottstown’s history you could sled all the way down Mervine Street, which would be closed off for just this purpose. 

That sounded like fun, even to me and I am not a big fan of winter or snow or even being cold.

sledding at Rupert Elementary

Back at Rupert, the wind was blowing, but that didn’t stop kid after kid from showing up at the hill, some with air filled and gravity defying tubes, others with saucers, still others with the newest thing in sleds that are just a little slip of plastic and require the rider to throw themselves down the hill headfirst and reward them with a super fast ride.  My own kids have a mixture of sleds:  a saucer, an old-fashioned two-person model and the newest addition, a snowboard.

We stuck it out for an hour and a half, down the hill and back up, braving the frigid wind.  The kids raced each other and I spent a lot of time yelling for them to bail out of the sleds before they hit the street.  Finally, we all walked back home.  More accurately, I dragged two of my kids home in a sled, listening to them plotting the next snowstorm and reminding each other to turn their pajamas inside-out.

Got a favorite place to sled in Pottstown?  How about a memory of winters past and your favorite sledding spots?  We’d love to hear about it.

Fourth & final article in series on childhood obesity

Note: This is the final article in a four-part series on Childhood Obesity presented by the Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation. Corresponding Webisodes are available for viewing on www.missionhealthyliving.org. This final article focuses on what parents and children can do to start to change their habits, lose weight and live healthier lives.

CHILDHOOD OBESITY: WHAT CAN PARENTS DO NOW

TO HELP THEIR CHILD FIGHT OBESITY?

By: Dr. Laurie Betts, Program Officer, Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation

A recent White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity Report to the President, Solving the Problem of Childhood Obesity Within a Generation, released some startling information—childhood obesity has become an epidemic in America and it is now considered a national health crisis. If your child is already overweight or on his or her way to becoming overweight, now is the time to take action. The effects obesity can have on your child’s emotional and physical health, both in the short- and long-term, can be devastating. Making changes in your child’s life that will affect his or her health and weight positively can be difficult, and at first appear overwhelming. You may not even know where to begin, but there are easy ways to take small steps that will equate to big changes in your child’s future.

There are a number of factors that can contribute to a child being overweight, including frequently eating a high-calorie diet, not getting enough exercise, family history, psychological issues and family dynamics. In addition to these factors, there are definite warning signs you can watch for that could indicate your child is already overweight or on the path to becoming obese including weight gain, inactivity or lethargy, depression, meal skipping, obsessions with food and continual snacking.

Steps To Take

As a parent, you have the most influence over your child’s eating habits. One of the most important first steps you can take is to commit to change as a family. Embarking on this journey as a family will enable long-term success because what you do will become a way of life in your household and constantly be reinforced. Remember, parents help build and shape lifelong eating patterns and children are likely to model the food and meal rituals of their families.

First, if your eating habits are less than perfect, don’t stress—bad nutritional habits can be changed. It is important to set the example, however. Secondly, it is imperative that parents set down some rules in regard to how their children view food. Do not use food as a reward, punishment or as a way to handle emotions. Finally, you want to teach your child the importance of healthy eating both at mealtimes and at snack time. Teaching your child how to satisfy cravings with options that are low in fat and contain simple sugars—sugars that are found in fruit rather than sugary snacks—are lessons that will last a lifetime. Taking the time to talk with your family and then incorporating the benefits of eating better into your lives will also go a long way. Good rules to follow for nutritional eating include:

• Limit sodas or high-sugar drinks

• Eat more fruits and vegetables

• Increase physical activity

• Eat more protein, nuts and leaner meats

Other things you can do as a family to help correct or prevent obesity include:

– Make an appointment to see the family doctor or pediatrician to get additional up-to-date-advice

on fighting childhood obesity.

– Record what your child eats and drinks for a week to show the doctor.

– Check out websites that have nutritional and exercise information you can use like

www.mypyramid.gov, www.nourishinteractive.com, www.letsmove.gov, and

www.missionhealthyliving.org.

– Make wise choices and keep only healthy food in the house.

– Severely limit sweet and fattening snacks, desserts and beverages.

– Don’t use food as a reward or a punishment.

– Stop eating out at fast food restaurants.

– Eat together as a family as often as possible with the focus on conversation; take your time

at meals and make them a relaxed and close family time.

– Exercise with your kids on a regular basis.

– Restrict TV and recreational computer time to a maximum of two hours a day.

– Lead by example, adopt good eating habits and exercise regularly—together.

– Teach your children how to handle negative emotions without using food. For instance, if he or

she is upset suggest a walk, listening to music or have them draw or write about what they are

feeling.

Changing the way your child and your family thinks about food does not have to happen all at once. Make a list of goals you want to achieve as a family to get healthy and lose weight. Choose one or two goals each month to incorporate into your daily living. The most important part of setting these goals is to choose something small enough that you can commit and stick to it. Start slowly and don’t overwhelm yourself, but keep your commitments even when it’s not convenient. Over a matter of months, you will start to see results and start to feel great about what you are doing for yourself and your family.

To learn more about the warning signs, risk factors and solutions to childhood obesity, plan on attending the free seminar sponsored by the Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation on Thursday, January 13, 2011, 7:00-8:00 PM at the Pottstown Senior Center, 724 North Adams Street, Pottstown. Dr. Laurie Betts, Program Officer for the Foundation, will discuss the trends, causes and health implications of childhood obesity, and practical steps you can take to reverse or prevent this serious condition. You will also hear about local programs that can aid in the prevention of childhood obesity. To register, please call Rose Crews at 610-323-2006 x21 or email her at rosecrews@pottstownfoundation.org.

About the Series – Childhood Obesity This four-part article series was developed by the Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation. Corresponding Webisodes featuring local experts can be found on http://www.missionhealthyliving.org. The first article discusses how childhood obesity has become a national epidemic. The second article focuses on the warning signs and risk factors of childhood obesity. The third article talks about what schools are doing across the nation, the state of Pennsylvania and in Greater Pottstown to combat childhood obesity.

About the Foundation The Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation’s mission is to enhance the health and wellness of area residents, providing education, funding and programs that motivate people to adopt healthy lifestyles. Visit www.pottstownfoundation.org for more information about the Foundation. Discover Pottstown area’s new online community at www.missionhealthyliving.org to learn and share great information on how to lead a healthier life!

Pottstown Roller Derby Rockstars

What started out as a quick facebook status update after a particularly tough day at work has turned into a force to be reckoned with.

When P Hitty (then and alternately known as Patty Fetterman) posted, “Bad day at work… anyone want to start a roller derby team??” she really didn’t imagine that she had put into motion the Pottstown Rockstars Roller Derby Team.  She met friend, neighbor and owner of Funky Lil Kitchen, Tonda Woodling, for a few drinks, and the idea sounded even better.  Woodling (who sports the derby name:  Hillbilly Hustler) had actually been looking to join the Philadelphia Liberty Belles Roller Derby team, but with the distance and the time commitment being an obstacle, thought her dreams of roller derby had been dashed.

Pretty soon, they found that a roller derby veteran was living in Pottstown and wanted to get back on her skates, so the two enlisted the help of  Lida Addison (who goes by the derby name of “Low-blow Lida” ) and got a group of 7 women together at The Brickhouse.  They wanted to figure out if they could really start a roller derby team right here in Pottstown.  Apparently, they could.  Fast forward a few months and plenty of planning and practicing; the team now has 19 members ranging in age from 25 to 40, with more of the women on the 40 side than the 25.

Fetterman describes the derby experience as something between nostalgia and girl power.   Listening to her talk about how much fun (and what a workout) derby practice is makes me wistful for the endless childhood days I spent at the roller rink.  The local rink where I grew up, Guptill’s Arena, was an old blueberry farm that had been converted into a roller skating nirvana, and amazingly holds the Guiness World Record as the largest indoor skating rink in the world.  I clearly remember lacing up my beautiful white leather skates with the purple and pink yarn pom-poms my mom helped me make out of leftover yarn. 

Of course, roller derby is quite a bit tougher than those elementary school skating sessions, but the feelings might just be the same.  It is almost enough to make me think even I could be a roller derby rock star (almost being the key word).

This coming Saturday, you (and I) can get that old feeling back again and hang out at Pheasantland Roller Rink and see what roller derby is really all about.   The Rockstars are raising money to get their team registered with the WFTDA (Women’s Flat Track Derby Association) and get their apprentice status in the league.

The event starts with an open skate from 3:30 to 4:30 and then the Rockstars will take the rink for a demonstration.  At 5pm, you can pay $3 to go up against either Low-blow Lida or Busty Cage (known in real life as Nikki Henry), who are the veterans in the group.  There will also be a bake sale and raffles all to help the team get into the WFTDA league.  The raffles listed for this event are pretty amazing-everything from a Starbucks gift basket to a trip for 4 to Mexico (yes, to Mexico).  You can check out more information about the event and the team by visiting their facebook page at:  www.facebook.com/pottstownrollerderby

Here’s the rundown of the event:

Location: Pheasantland Roller Rink

551 Manatawny Road, Boyertown, PA  19512

Their website:  www.pheasantlandrollerrink.com

Time: 3:30-6:30

Admission: Donation to the team.  Bring some extra cash for the raffles, bake sale and more.

Skate rentals are only $1 and they have inline and quad skates available.

Polar Bear Plunge Poll

As some of you may know, I recently opened my big mouth and said I would jump in the Schuylkill River on January 1st during Pottstown’s Parks & Rec Polar Bear Plunge.

You can read all about the Plunge in the Mercury article here.

Weather.com is calling for a partly sunny day on Saturday, high around 47 degrees. Not too bad for January 1st… I guess. The thing is, I don’t really like swimming unless the air temp is, like, 97 degrees and the water is about 90 degrees. Right about now I’m getting cold feet just thinking about this Plunge. So, I’m looking for some feedback in the poll below. Please, don’t be cruel. Cut me some slack. Think about my overall health and wellness. Help me find a way out of this!

Third article in series on childhood obesity

Note: This is the third article in a four-part series on Childhood Obesity presented by the Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation. Corresponding Webisodes are available for viewing on www.missionhealthyliving.org.

CHILDHOOD OBESITY: WHAT ARE SCHOOLS DOING ON A

STATE AND LOCAL LEVEL TO FIGHT THE EPIDEMIC?

By: Dave Kraybill, Executive Director, Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation

Back in 2004, The Child Nutrition and Women, Infants and Children Reauthorization Act required that all education agencies develop wellness policies to address childhood obesity by the start of the 2006-2007 school year. Districts nationwide had to create at least one goal to improve wellness in the following categories: nutrition education, physical activity, availability of nutrition guidelines to students, and other school-based activities to address student wellness.

“Pennsylvania was one of the few states that actually collected and analyzed plans to ensure they addressed this problem of childhood obesity,” said Elaine McDonnell, projects coordinator, Project PA. “If school districts [in Pennsylvania] sent goals that did not meet state standards, the schools had to rework those plans.” Project PA was a collaboration between Penn State University’s Department of Nutritional Sciences and the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Division of Food and Nutrition. The team partnered with schools and their communities to provide sound nutrition education and to promote children’s healthy eating behaviors.

Pennsylvania school districts set goals and improved snacks and a la carte offerings to meet this required federal legislation for reducing childhood obesity. The state’s multi-faceted approach included mandatory training sessions for all school food service directors and financial incentives to schools that adopted state-created nutrient standards for the a la carte food items offered at the school. Ultimately, nearly all school districts worked with the state to formulate plans that would target obesity in some way. While Pennsylvania schools addressed and improved the food available through vending machines and a la carte offerings, they still were missing opportunities for physical activity, which did not improve.

A recent White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity Report to the President, Solving the Problem of Childhood Obesity Within a Generation, released some startling information—childhood obesity has become an epidemic in America and it is now considered a national health crisis. The report presents a series of specific recommendations, two of which involve school involvement—providing healthy food in schools and getting children more physically active through physical education, recess and other after-school opportunities.

Currently, the Pennsylvania Department of Education has new legislation in draft form under Chapter 12 that, if passed, will require schools to establish and maintain wellness committees to assess, plan and implement, monitor district and school health and wellness policies and programs. This will include setting up goals and measuring success in the areas of nutrition and physical education at the elementary, middle and high school levels.

What Are Our Local Schools Doing?

The local school districts have been involved in addressing childhood obesity on a state level for many years. However, the local schools in Pottstown and those within a 10-mile radius have another advantage that most schools in Pennsylvania, even the nation, don’t have—grant funding available through a Foundation.

The Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation provides grants, programs and educational resources to the Pottstown Area to enhance the health and wellness of area residents—but that did not include giving grants to schools in the very beginning.

“Initially, we weren’t sure if we should fund a public entity,” comments Sharon Weaver, Board President, Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation. “But, we soon realized that schools could be instrumental in furthering our vision.  All school districts, public and private, have initiated creative programs that continue to directly hit one of our target audiences—children.”

“We as a community have been very fortunate that our area school districts have embraced health and wellness, which includes addressing the problem of childhood obesity,” remarks Dave Kraybill, Executive Director, Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation. “The schools have consistently and creatively submitted grant requests for programs and projects that have been effective and well received by the students, teachers, parents and community. We thank them for their continued efforts and dedication to improving the health and wellness of our youth.”

There are many area schools using grants from the Foundation to improve the health and wellness of students. For more information about the programs offered for students and parents, please go to the school’s website.

School: Boyertown

Grants: Healthy Hearts and Minds, Revise Recess

For More Information: http://www.boyertownasd.org

School: Daniel Boone

Grants: Healthy for a Lifetime

For More Information: http://www.dboone.k12.pa.us

School: Owen J. Roberts

Grants: Fit for Life

For More Information: http://www.ojrsd.com

School: Perkiomen Valley

Grants: Creating Healthy Opportunities for Students, Comprehensive Adolescent Fitness Program

For More Information: http://www.pvsd.org

School: Pottsgrove

Grants: Wellness Center Project, Walk4Life, Dance Dance Revolution, SNAP, Five for Life Program, SNAP Academy

For More Information: http://www.pgsd.org

School: Pottstown

Grants: Safe Schools/Healthy Students, Healthy Snack Program, CATCH Kids Club

For More Information: http://www.pottstownschools.com

School: Spring-Ford Area

Grant: Healthy Choices Project

For More Information: http://www.pvsd.org

School: Blessed Theresa of Calcutta School, Schwenksville

Grant: Gymnasium Building Project for students K through 8

For More Information: http://www.blteresacalcutta.com

School: Coventry Christian School

Grant: Nutrition Curriculum Enhancement

For More Information: http://www.coventrychristian.com

School: Perkiomen Valley Academy

Grant: H.E.A.L. – Health & Emotional Alternatives for Life

For More Information: http://www.pvsd.org

School: Sacred Heart School, Royersford

Grant: Health and Wellness

For More Information: http://parish.sacredheartroyersford.org

School: St. Aloysius School

Grant: Fitness, One Step at a Time

For More Information: http://www.saintaloysius.net

School: West-Mont Christian Academy

Grant: Fitness Training Room, Healthy Snack Program, Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program

For More Information: http://www.west-mont.org

About the Series – Childhood Obesity This four-part article series was developed by the Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation. Corresponding Webisodes featuring local experts can be found on http://www.missionhealthyliving.org. The first article discusses how childhood obesity has become a national epidemic. The second article discusses the risks, warning signs and long-term effects of childhood obesity. The final article will focus on what parents and children can do to start to change their habits, lose weight and live healthier lives.

About the Foundation The Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation’s mission is to enhance the health and wellness of area residents, providing education, funding and programs that motivate people to adopt healthy lifestyles. Visit www.pottstownfoundation.org for more information about the Foundation. Discover Pottstown area’s new online community at http://www.missionhealthyliving.org to learn and share great information on how to lead a healthier life!


Playing catch-up…

1. I feel like I’ve been put through the wringer. Put my last packet of writing for this term into the mail about an hour ago. Brain = fried.

2. The previously mentioned Holiday Hop must, unfortunately, be canceled. Wait. It’s actually it’s not that unfortunate because I will still be there! And I will still be hopping from one place to another and “laughing all the way,” as the song goes. But I didn’t have time to properly advertise it and get all the hoo-ha and goodies organized, and the few people I heard from who were interested in the Hop will be out on the town with their families, so we will run into each other here and there, but not Hop as a group.

3. PLEASE, PLEASE come downtown tomorrow night to check out all the fabulous decorations, fun activities, shopping and merriment!! The Mercury describes a lot of it right here. I will be at the Firebirds lunch tomorrow and The Gallery Open House beginning at 5 pm at 254 E. High Street before hopping around town.

4. Get your tickets for A CHRISTMAS CAROL! It opens at Tri-PAC at 245 E. High Street tonight and runs the next few weeks. I’ll put up a separate post later but get it on your calendar now. Here’s a sneak preview from The Mercury.

5. Last but not least: HAPPY HANNUKAH!! to all readers observing the holiday. May your latkes be crisp and your home filled with the glow and warmth of the Menorah candles.

Pottstown Firebirds return to the nest this Friday!

I was just a kid, but I remember the Firebirds home at the corner of Hanover & Third Streets, across from St. Al’s, if my memory is correct. I think there was a big sign that said something like, “Home of the Championship Pottstown Firebirds.” As a budding athlete, who was interested in all kinds of sports, there was a lot of pride in the community for that team. I’m really looking forward to attending the lunch and reception described below. Come out and meet some of the men who made it happen! More details can be found below and at The Gallery’s website.

Come Celebrate with the Pottstown Firebirds!

The Pottstown Firebirds are coming home, and you are invited to share the day with them! In celebration of the Gallery School of Pottstown’s second edition of the Pottstown Signature Series, which this year honors the Pottstown Firebirds, we will be holding a day of celebration leading up to our holiday party.

The day begins with a fabulous lunch at Brookside Country Club with the team members and managers of the Pottstown Firebirds. Enjoy a delicious menu and relive that time in our town’s history when the Firebirds were all the buzz. The lunch starts at noon and a reservation is required.

Scheduled to attend from the Firebirds: Bob Calvario — President; Al Cavallo — Program advertising; Neil Mahr– Printing /Programs; Jack Dolbin — WR (played for Denver Broncos); Greg Berger — DB; Leo Levandowski — C; Herb Nauss — DB; Dr. William Rakow — DB; Frank Mitchell — OT; John Land — RB; and Jim Haynie – QB.

Tickets are $100 and include lunch and your very own Signature Series poster. A $40 option is available for those only interested in lunch.

And… You are cordially invited to our Annual Holiday Party!
The evening will wind down at Gallery on High, where we will have our annual holiday party with the players and coaches as our special guests. The team will be on hand to sign both the Signature Series posters, which will be available for purchase at the party, or any other Firebirds memorabilia you may have saved over the years. There will also be a display with some Firebirds items from the players’ personal collections. Good food and good times with friends old and new.

Thanks to The Pourhouse for providing the food for this great event!

The party starts at 5pm and ends at 8pm, and there is NO CHARGE to attend. A small donation to the Gallery School for autographed items is greatly appreciated.

Please RSVP to info@galleryonhigh.com or 610-326-2506.

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