Hoop Dreams, Hoop Memories

Tonight I’ll be at Father Doyne Hall at St. Pius X for one last run up and down the hardwood. While I’m proud of a lot of things accomplished during my Pius years, being part of two Ches-Mont championship teams in 1978 and 1979 ranks right up there, mostly because a lot of people thought we couldn’t do it, but also because I now think of it as a defining period for me, personally and politically, although I would not have described it that way then.

In the course of doing research for a memoir I’m writing about growing up, I’ve spent some time at the microform reader at the Pottstown Public Library, reading old articles from The Mercury. As so often happens, while I was looking for one particular article, I got distracted by another.

Back in those days, a sportswriter by the name of Ken Murray* had a column in The Mercury called “Ken’s Corner.” On June 21, 1974 it was titled, “Is There Room For a New League?” and it was all about St. Pius X looking to get into a new league now that the Suburban Athletic Conference had disbanded. Murray wrote, “What league could the small Catholic school join without stepping in over its head?” He goes on to speculate about a league of smaller schools, perhaps including Pottsgrove, Upper Perk, Methacton and Landsdale Catholic.

I’m pretty sure I read that piece back then, even though I would have been just eleven years old. I was a sports junkie. I followed major league baseball, basketball and football. And that was the year that I – and a handful of other girls – barged our way into Little League baseball in Pottstown. Back then, competition – any competition – felt like a matter of life and death to me. (I’m not always proud of that, but that’s for another time.) As a tomboy, I’d had a chip on my shoulder for as long as I could remember. Anything a boy could do, I wanted to do better. And then sports opportunities for girls were federally mandated through the passage of Title IX in 1972, and I felt personally vindicated.

Another reason I’m pretty sure I was a regular reader of Murray’s column is because I’d met him right around that time. Eight days after the Pius piece, his column featured me, one of my teammates (Caren Holsberger), and our baseball team (M & M Green) in “A Lonely Battle for Sue, Caren.” (That’s the article I was actually looking for.)

In middle school at St. Al’s I dreamed of playing basketball for Pius (the Suburban Catholic League champs in 1974), and it’s not inconceivable that I carried a kind of “I’ll show you, Ken Murray and all you other doubters” attitude around for years until I got the chance. Pius entered the Ches-Mont my junior year. The league had some big schools – Coatesville, Downington, West Chester Henderson, West Chester East, Pottstown. Murray was absolutely right. Pius was a small school. It was the only Catholic school. And we were all white. Racial tensions from the 70s still ran high; I remember police escorting us off the bus at some schools. Playoff games and title games were fraught with emotion and a kind of danger. And we won. Yes, we had some amazing talent (shout-out to my classmate and teammate, Carol Glutz, the school’s all-time leading scorer.) But under Coaches Bernadette and Bill Travers, we also worked our butts off. Every day.

All of this opened my eyes to a larger world: laws got passed in Washington that affected me personally. Gender equity, race relations, and social unrest weren’t far-away concepts that just appeared in headlines. They played themselves out in our own towns and on basketball courts. I think I was also tuned in because I was in the midst of getting a Catholic education, steeped in the values of social justice. While I have not been a practicing Catholic for quite some time, that blood still runs through me. There’s no shaking that, nor do I want to.

So, when I step on the court at Pius tonight and pose for photos with our championship banner with my sister, Michele Dunleavy (varsity girls’ coach at Phoenixville), and my old teammates and friends, all this – and a whole lot more – will be running through my heart and head. And through my veins. St. Pius X will always be more than a building. Its spirit will continue to move through all those who walked its halls and played on its courts and fields – sometimes as though their lives depended on it.

* Could Ken Murray, former sportswriter for The Mercury be the same Ken Murray covering the NFL for The Baltimore Sun? That would be very cool. 🙂

Proudly wearing the #5

Building Community Vitality theme of CPR meeting this Friday, 7 pm

The monthly meeting and speaker series organized by Citizens for Pottstown’s Revitalization will take place this Friday, May 21, from 7-8 pm at the PAL building at 146 King St., Pottstown, PA. The featured speaker is Tom Carroll, president of Preservation Pottstown, tireless community volunteer and all-around positive guy.

The theme of Tom’s talk will be “Building Community Vitality.” He’ll be telling a story that made a difference in his life and how he views communication with others. He’ll also touch on “What is a non-profit corporation?”, Preservation Pottstown’s history and where they are today. If you want to learn more or volunteer, call 215-316-6383.

If you’ve been thinking about getting involved in any aspect of Pottstown’s revitalization, or if you would like ideas and support for organizing a neighborhood watch or even a block party, come to a CPR meeting. They’re a group of friendly, engaged residents trying to make all of Pottstown’s neighborhoods the best they can be. CPR is online at http://www.vivapottstown.com.

Superintendent Candidates Forum Tonight

The three candidates for Superintendent of the Pottstown School District will appear in a public forum tonight at 7 pm at Invictus Mininistries, 79 N. Hanover St. (at the corner of Beech.) They will all respond to the same questions, which can be found in this Mercury article. You can even post your own questions there, and the Mercury will pass them on.

Whether or not you agree with how this forum came to be scheduled, the bottom line is that it’s a chance for all residents to see the candidates speak and interact with the public, knowing they are one step from leading the district.

The candidates are Edgewood Elementary Principal Angela Tuck, Director of Education Jeff Sparagana, and Assistant Superintendent Reed Lindley. Each one has a wealth of experience in the district and a broad array of loyal supporters. The community is fortunate to have three candidates qualified to step up to lead.

Community discussion of RAGTIME this Thursday

This Thursday evening, May 20th, Village Productions/Tri-County Performing Arts Center will be leading a Community Outreach Program to provide education and encourage discussion about the social and historical themes in the musical production, RAGTIME. It will take place from 7-8 pm at Christ Episcopal Church at 316 E. High Street, Pottstown.

The discussion will be led by the Director of RAGTIME, Neal Newman, and the Music Director, Deborah Stimson-Snow (who is also the Artistic Director for the Tri-PAC).

RAGTIME is based on the award-winning E.L. Doctorow novel of the same name, and is being performed at the Tri-PAC on Thursdays through Sundays, June 3rd through 20th.

The public is also welcome to access a complimentary STUDY GUIDE about the work, which can be used by individuals or groups before or after the program to provide information about the plot and social and historical issues in RAGTIME, which revolve around immigration, culture clashes, and the hopes and dreams of the featured characters. The STUDY GUIDE can be downloaded directly from the Tri-PAC website here.

Tri-County Performing Arts Center: The Journey On

Last Friday’s “State of the Organization” event at the Tri-PAC began with a tasty array of food from area restaurants and caterers. Thank goodness Dean Foster, wine genius and fellow blogger, was there to steer me in the right direction at the wine table. (Definitely look for the guy with the full, white beard at similar events around town & don’t be shy about asking for help!) It was also a pleasure to meet Tom Abbott, publisher of The Mercury, who slyly suggested that someone write about the event. Positively!Pottstown was already on the case! So, here you go…

Photo courtesy of Village Productions

I knew the program would be informative in nature, updating the community on how far the organization had come and where they’re headed, but I had no idea how entertaining it would be. Musical selections from the upcoming production of Ragtime, The Musical alternated with information about the importance of the arts and the actual achievements of Tri-PAC, and the format was just right. In fact, it was downright fun. And inspiring, especially the voices rising in song, filling the main stage up to the rafters.

Photo courtesy of Village Productions

Speakers included Bill Kiesling, singer & Spouse Extraordinaire; Deborah Stimson-Snow, Artistic Director; Martha McGeary Snider, PA Policy Advisor for Arts and Culture; Marta Rubin Kiesling, Executive Director; Jordan Shoemaker, student, singer, actress; and Tri-PAC board member and actress Lisa Waltz, a Spring Ford and Carnegie Mellon grad, now living and working in L.A.

What grabbed my attention at the start was Deborah Stimson-Snow saying, “There’s a kind of truth happening here… There’s an opportunity every day to do something true.” Yes – that’s what live performance is all about – an artist or group of artists sharing a search for some kind of truth with an audience. This is a noble thing.

The social impact of the arts is now a well-documented phenomenon, and Martha McGeary Snider, Policy Advisor Arts and Culture for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, hit the high points. A strong arts presence can be a stabilizing force in neighborhoods, providing a common destination, a shared language and a place for diversity to flourish, which is exactly what’s taking place at the Tri-PAC.

Marta Rubin Kiesling, Executive Director, provided key statistics from the fall of 2008 to the spring of 2010. These numbers are essential to understanding exactly what Village Productions has achieved, and it’s pretty astounding:

– Over 14,000 audience members
– Over 150 performances
– Over 800 students
– 64 classes
– 11 staff
– Participation of hundreds of volunteers
– Educational outreach to more than 1,000 students

Educational offerings run the gamut, from children’s classes to voice, guitar, comedy improvisation, piano, dancing, directing, script analysis and group singing. There’s something for every one in every age group.

In looking toward the future, Tri-PAC will soon be offering subscriptions. They’re continually finding ways to increase student and community outreach, and they hope to add a retail and concession stand in the lobby area. Perhaps the most important project will be the façade improvement, giving them greater visibility and creating a landmark location on High Street. Representatives from the state are coming to town today to meet and consider a funding request for the façade improvement project. Let’s keep our fingers crossed. (Feel free to post your support for that project right here!)

The success of the Tri-PAC is a KEY ingredient in the revitalization of Pottstown’s downtown. As McGeary-Snider pointed out early in the program: The arts mean business. And she added, “There is a distinct relationship between engagement in art and engagement in civic life.”

In the end, it all comes down to personal responsibility. Strengthening the arts in your hometown is your civic duty. It also happens to be fun and uplifting. Sign up for a class. Volunteer. Get a group of friends together and see a show. A lively downtown will be the result of the artist, or audience member in each of us, coming out from behind the curtain, or taking our seat in the darkened theater, joining other human beings on a journey for some kind of truth.

Note: More on Ragtime, The Musical in a future post. Subscribe to Positively!Pottstown or join on Facebook to enter a drawing for free tickets!

Pottstown’s Weekend… at a glance

THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN POTTSTOWN THIS WEEKEND AND BEYOND…

May 14 – State of the Organization, reception & multimedia presentation
Special Guest Speakers Lisa Waltz & Martha McGeary Snider
Location: Tri-County Performing Arts Center, 245 E. High Street
Time: 6-8 pm
RSVP: events@villageproductions.org

May 10-15 – Spring Student Faculty Show in the Gallery
Location: The Gallery on High, 254 E. High Street, Pottstown
Gallery Hours: Tuesday through Thursday 10am to 4:30pm; Friday 10am to 5:30pm; Saturday 10am to 3pm; closed Sunday and Monday.

May 15 and every Saturday – Singer/songwriter Showcase
Location: Churchill Artisan Baker & Chocolatier, 137 High Street, Pottstown
Time: 11 am – 1 pm
Phone: 484-941-5100

May 15 and every Saturday night – DJ Dance Party
Location: The Brickhouse Restaurant, 152 E. High St., Pottstown
Phone: 610-906-3527

May 16 – Margaretta R. Lamb & the Boyertown Area Choral Association’s 20th Annual Free Spring Concert
Location: St. James Lutheran Church, 1101 E. High St., Pottstown
Time: 3 pm
Cost: Free!

May 22-23 – Senior Follies
Location: Tri-County Performing Arts Center, 245 E. High Street, Pottstown
Time: Saturday, 8 pm; Sunday, 3 pm
Tickets: ADULTS $12; STUDENTS/SENIORS (65+) $10; CHILDREN (12 & under) $8
$2 off per ticket for groups of 10 or more!

May 22 – Sammy Kaye Orchestra
Location: Sunnybrook Ballroom
Time: 8 pm
Cover: $25 Advance tickets; $32 at the door.

May 24-Aug. 6 – Montgomery County Community College, West Campus Gallery presents
Philadelphia/Tri State Artists Equity
61st Anniversary Exhibition
Location: North Hall, 16 High Street, Pottstown
Time: Mon.-Thurs. 8 am-9:30 pm; Fri. 8 am-4:30 pm
Cost: All exhibits are free & open to the public.
Opening reception Wednesday, June 9 from 5-7pm

June 3-20 – Ragtime, The Musical
Location: Tri-County Performing Arts Center, 245 E. High Street, Pottstown
Time:Thursday – 7:30 pm; Friday – 8:00 pm; Saturday – 8:00 pm; Sunday – 3:00 pm
Tickets: ADULT: Thurs $19; Fri, Sat & Sun $23
STUDENT/SENIOR(65+): Thurs $17; Fri, Sat, Sun $21
CHILD (12 & under): Thurs $13; Fri, Sat & Sun $15
$2 off per ticket for groups of 10 or more!

I scream, you scream, we all scream for…

SCOOPSTER’S!!

The new ice cream parlor at High and Franklin Streets is now open. They’re selling Philadelphia water ice; Nelson’s Dutch Farms ice cream, made in nearby Royersford; and a colorful concoction called “Flavor Burst Combo Cones.” These are soft vanilla custard twists with flavor ribbons on the outside. You pick the flavor you want – caramel, chocolate, strawberry, tropical orange, cotton candy, raspberry, pina colada or banana brickle. (See the banner in the photo.)

Scoopster's

They’ve got eight flavors of water ice: mango, lemon, rainbow, cherry, pina colada, blueberry, cotton candy and root beer (that last one is my favorite.)

Lots of ice cream to choose from: I stared longingly at the chocolate moose trail, which had thick pieces of fudge and mini-peanut butter cups embedded in chocolate ice cream. And the graham slam looked intriguing: graham ice cream with graham ribbons and chocolate-covered pieces of graham cracker.

In addition to the awesome flavors, the prices should put Scoopster’s immediately into the regular rotation for every family and sports team in the area. Ice cream goes for $1.75-$3.50, plus tax. Water ice goes for $.94-$2.50, plus tax. And they’ve got “small prices for small children,” which translates to a pee-wee serving of water ice that’s just 75 cents (plus tax), and ice cream that’s just 94 cents (plus tax) for children 7 and under. Nachos, soft pretzels and hot dogs are available, too.

Scoopster’s is owned by John and Ellen Lettiere, who also own Fine Fixin’s Deli at High and Keim Streets, so you’re assured of good quality & service at prices that won’t break the budget. Look – the sun is shining and summer is in the air. What better time to take your pick of warm weather treats and give ’em a try?

Scoopster’s Ice Cream Parlor
384 High Street (corner High & Franklin)
(610) 327-3109
Hours are 11am-9 pm Monday-Saturday. They’re open on Sundays, although regular hours aren’t set yet.

Happy Mother’s Day!

To all the moms – and all the women acting as moms and caregivers in their many different forms – hope you’re having a great day and feeling the love!

Here are photos of the paintings by local artist Fay Talley that I bought at the YWCA Art Show held at The Gallery last week. I have mostly framed photographs around my home – in addition to my kids’ artwork, of course! – so I’m thrilled to have some original paintings (which were very reasonably priced.) 🙂

I can’t seem to get the “caption” or “title” function to work today. You should be able to match these titles with the images below: “Justa Pear,” “Reds,” and “Reaching for the Sun.”

Everybody’s working for the weekend…

It’s Friday and that tune and lyrics from the 1980s Canadian band Loverboy are stuck in my head, and now you, too, can sing (or suffer) along with me!

Here’s some of what’s on tap for the weekend. If anyone’s got more, feel free to add to the list.

Oh, I also have to make a plug for the YWCA Women’s Festival of the Arts, which ends tomorrow at The Gallery on High. I was at the opening last weekend, and it was packed. I got three small, beautiful paintings done by local artist Fay Talley. I hope to track her down for an interview. I’ll pick up my paintings this weekend and post some photos in a couple days. A portion of all sales benefits the YWCA; maybe there’s something there that your mom will enjoy? Stop by to take a look around before it’s too late! The show ends tomorrow!

THINGS TO SEE AND DO WHILE YOU’RE IN POTTSTOWN THIS WEEKEND

April 30-May 8 – YWCA Women’s Festival of the Arts
Location: The Gallery on High, 254 E. High St.
Opening Reception: 6-8pm, Friday, April 30

May7-9 – Melange Contemporary Dance: So You Think You Can Dance!
Location: Tri-County Performing Arts Center, 245 E. High Street
Time: Friday & Saturday, 8 pm; Sunday, 3 pm
Cost: Adult $17; Senior/Student $15; Child (12 & under) $13

May 7 – Camp Hill Fundraiser Dinner Dance – Tennis Ball
Location: Sunnybrook Ballroom
Time: 6:30 pm
Band: Jump City Jazz Orchestra

May 8 – Schuylkill Valley Regional Dance Company 2010-2011 Season Auditions
Location: Pottstown Dance Theater
Time: 12-3 pm
For further information: thesvrdc@yahoo.com or 484.941.0683

May 8 – Otherwise-Poetry at Churchill’s featuring Jules Gibbs & Bruce Smith
Location: Churchill Artisan Baker & Chocolatier, 137 High Street
Time: 7 pm
Host: Glenn McLaughlin (featured readings followed by open mic)

Letting Go at High Street Yoga

Admit it. You know it’ll make you feel better. You know you should be doing it. Yes, I’m talking about yoga, and I keep putting it off too. So, what’s stopping us?

For me, I keep getting stuck in the same old rut in how I think about a “workout.” Being a former athlete, I’m locked into the idea of going to the gym, breaking a sweat on a machine, lifting some weights, suffering the consequences in my arthritic joints for the next 24-48 hours… and then avoiding the gym for several days.

A conversation with Barbara Kosciewicz, director of High Street Yoga and Wellness, though, has given me new hope that I can break the cycle. The idea of yoga is to open yourself up, and in that spirit, I asked Barbara to tell us what it’s all about. For more details and to see photos of her tranquil studio – yes, you can find inner peace on High Street! – check out her website and her blog.

High Street Yoga and Wellness is on the second floor at 141 E. High Street, above the Academy of Massage Therapy and Bodyworks. Their refurbished and air-conditioned building is across the street from Borough Hall, where there’s ample parking. (More on the Academy in a future post.)

PP: What’s a typical class like? How long is it?
BK: There are many styles and types of yoga. I really like to help people focus on slowing down, focusing on their breath and truly relaxing. A class is an hour and fifteen minutes. The beginning is all about settling in. It’s hard to walk in the door and just start meditating. So we take deep breaths, focusing on the breathing. Then we move into gentle stretching, easing into the physical practice of yoga. The last 10-15 minutes are for deep relaxation.

PP: Your website says: “A typical class at High Street Yoga offers breath awareness, centering/meditation, sequenced and clearly explained asana (physical postures) and, of course, Savasana (final relaxation).” Where do all those strange words come from?
BK: There is an ancient Indian text, written in Sanskrit, that’s called the Yoga Sutras by Patanjali. It’s based on 8 philosophies or steps to achieve a quiet mind. It’s not a religion. That’s where the terms come from.

PP: What if I’ve never meditated before. What happens?
BK: I guide the class to use their breath to still their minds. Meditation is really all about quieting the mind. We take deep, full breaths in and out. The idea is to stop yourself from thinking about work, your day, your lists. Your breath is the one thing that’s constant. That’s the place to always come back to.

By the way, I don’t incorporate chanting into my classes. I want everyone to be comfortable, and some people may be put off by chanting.

Traditionally, yogis did the physical practice of the poses so that they could sustain long hours of meditation. The Western take on this, though, is the reverse – more physical practice, less meditation.

PP: How can I do yoga if I can’t even touch my toes?
BK: You don’t have to be completely flexible in order to do yoga. There are several versions of a pose, so I can help people do what’s comfortable for them. We have props, such as blocks and straps, to help people do the poses at their own comfort level.

PP: How many people are in a class, and what should I bring?
BK: The class size varies. There could be anywhere from 3-9 people. We have mats that people can borrow, or you can bring your own. Dress comfortably, preferably in layers. And bring a water bottle. Classes cost $12 each, and there are packages available.

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