Tag: Arts

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.

Next Happy Hour at Farmers’ Market, Feb. 25

Come out and meet the new owners of The Farmers’ Market

– Ben Moscia & Elise LeBoutillier –
and hear their plans for reinvigorating this crucial corner of High Street!

Friday, Feb. 25 from 5-7 pm
300 E. High Street
Pottstown, PA 19464

Your $5 cover gets you food by Grumpy’s
and complimentary beverages!
RSVP to positivelypottstown@gmail.com
Would your business or organization like to host a
Positively!Pottstown Happy Hour?
We want to promote Pottstown businesses and organizations
and get people into your space.
Email Sue Repko at positivelypottstown@gmail.com.

Volunteer, Intern & Job Fair at Tri-PAC today & Saturday

Job Fair at the Tri-County Performing Arts Center
VOLUNTEER, INTERN & JOB FAIR
Volunteer & Paid Positions!
Interview Dates: 2/15 & 2/19 (9:00 am – 2:00 pm)

Seeking adults of all ages and high school students for a variety of volunteer, intern, stipend, and paid positions.

Areas include Concessions, Retail, Facilities, Instructors, Administrative Assistants, Accompanists and other Musicians, Music Assistants, Production, Costumes, Props, Sets, Lighting, Sound, Stage Managers, Scene Shop Manager, Grant writing, Box Office, House Management, Marketing, Event Planning, and Fundraising.

Download details here.
Location: Tri-PAC, 245 E. High St., Pottstown, PA 19464

Appointments appreciated; walk-ins welcome

Heritage destination location: Pottstown

The Borough of Pottstown recently received a $2,000 Trail Towns and Tours Grant from the Schuylkill River Heritage Area (SRHA). Pottstown resident and biking and greenway advocate, Tom Carroll, and I have been retained by the Borough to implement this grant, and this blog post is meant to kick off that process and give some details about how it will work. Along the way, we’ll keep the community informed via this blog. For a good summary of the purpose of the grants, see Evan Brandt’s article from January 29th here.

The Trail Towns and Tours Grant is to be used to create a 30-page Heritage Action Plan (HAP) by the end of April 2011. It’s a deliberately short time frame in order to get results and for the SRHA to meet the William Penn Foundation’s time limits for spending the funds.

The overall intent of creating the HAP and going through a planning and consensus-building process (however quick) is to identify and leverage existing cultural resources, market Pottstown as a heritage destination, and get Schuylkill River Trail users (and other visitors) into the downtown to spur economic activity. Just as important will be the chance to develop and formalize solid working partnerships among individuals, organizations and businesses committed to promoting downtown Pottstown. This is what we’ve all been talking about for quite a while, and this grant gives the community a chance to try it out – working together and presenting a new image to potential visitors, outside governmental agencies and funders, as well as residents themselves.

It should be noted that heritage tourism IS economic development, but that it should be considered just one prong of a multi-pronged economic development strategy for Pottstown. There is still plenty of room to develop and promote Pottstown as an arts community, or one that values and hosts sustainable technology companies, or whatever other approach comes out of other visioning/planning efforts.

So, what is a heritage or cultural resource? I’ll just give a few examples: the River and its trail; historical architecture, markers & walking tours in the downtown; arts organizations; restaurants, including “heritage eateries,” such as The Very Best and the diner; the Historical Society; The Hill School; Pottsgrove Manor; Riverfront & Memorial Parks; a completed Carousel & mini-golf, etc. Visitors want an authentic experience when they decide on a destination and how to spend their money. Pottstown has loads to offer and the point of this grant is to identify and package it all in a way that will appeal to these visitors.

Another key part of this planning process will be looking at what needs to be done to make it very easy for people biking or hiking on the Trail to know what’s available in town and then actually direct them off the trail and safely to High Street. This whole approach is based on the idea of making the Pottstown Business Loop – a stretch of High Street – an official part of the River Trail, since it’s unlikely a right-of-way along the river will be available from Norfolk Southern anytime soon.

We’ll be helped along in this process by using what’s known as the Heritage Towns and Tours Toolkit, provided by the SRHA and created by their consultants, Peter Johnston & Associates of Easton, MD. From a planning perspective, this Toolkit is just amazing, allowing communities (& consultants, I might add) to dive in where they might otherwise be totally intimidated. The Toolkit lays out a step-by-step process to create a HAP with the rationale, forms and examples that make it seem do-able. Even better is that the SRHA grant comes with $5,000 worth of consulting services from Peter Johnston & Associates. They will be in Pottstown at least once for a 3-4 hour workshop to help us work our way through the Toolkit. We’ll also have support from the SRHA staff, who are right around the corner at 140 College Drive.

Basically, we will go through the following 5 steps:

1. Organize & Plan – What do we want for our community as a heritage destination? Form Useful Partnerships; Create a Vision & Goals, and Define Partner Expectations.

2. Identify & Assess – What do we have to offer as a heritage destination? Identify Heritage Resources; Assess Heritage Resources; and Bring People and Ideas Together.

3. Market & Improve – What do we need to market our community and what has already been done? Create an Image; Market Your Community; Improve Effectiveness.

4. Protect & Manage – How do we get there? Build Public Support, Look at Ordinances & Other Regulations, Make Any Recommendations That Will Help Protect Resources.

5. Prepare & Implement – How to complete the Heritage Action Plan?
Define Projects and Activities, Assign Costs, Manage Resources Over Long-Term

By the end of this process, Pottstown will have:
• A List of Partners and Stakeholders
• A Vision, Goals, and Objectives
• A Summary of Stakeholders and Assigned Jobs, Tasks, and Other Duties for Partners
• An Inventory of Heritage Resources, which have been Evaluated and Assessed for the Heritage Program
• A Marketing Plan Summary including an Image/Brand
• A Listing of Current Government Protections for Heritage Preservation and Tourism
• A Summary of Needed Policy and Regulatory Protections for Heritage Resources
• A Project List, Description of Projects, and Budgets
• A Final List of Recommendations or Strategic Actions including projects; and
• An Organizational Structure for the Long-Term Management and Oversight of the Heritage Program

The HAP will then be used to make another application to the SRHA for $25,000 in implementation funding to carry out the top priorities in the Plan. Those activities must be completed by May 2012.

The next step for Tom and me is to get in touch with folks from an initial list of local “Partners,” inviting them to participate in the process and start filling out a Partnership Form from the Toolkit. Please give me a day or so to get that email out. We invite others who want to participate to get in touch with us at PtownHAP@gmail.com.

Obviously, I think there’s a lot of potential here to get some solid forward movement on the economic development front. I appreciate the Borough giving Tom and me the chance to work on the project and rally the community around common goals – an improved local economy, stronger partnerships and more positive exposure and marketing of all that Pottstown has to offer.

On Tap This Weekend

If you’re looking for something entertaining and uplifting to do this weekend, here are some arts and cultural happenings in Pottstown to check out.

Celebrating Sondheim runs this weekend only at the Tri-County Performing Arts Center. In celebration of the incomparable American composer and lyricist, Stephen Sondheim, Village Productions invites you to a Valentine’s Weekend performance of favorite songs featuring Sondheim’s unique take on romance and relationships. Shows take place Friday & Saturday at 8 pm and Sunday at 3 pm. Tickets range from $13-$17 and are available here. (Parental guidance suggested due to themes about relationships.)

The Winter Member Show at The Gallery on High is running now through March 19. The Gallery’s hours are Tuesday-Friday 10am-4:30pm and Saturday 10am-3pm (closed Sunday and Monday.) The Gallery is located at 254 E. High Street in a fully restored Victorian building in the center of Pottstown’s historical district. The Gallery offers contrasting styles of media for even the most discriminating collector and represents local and national artists with established reputations and new and upcoming artists. Please call 610-326-2506 or email info@galleryonhigh for more information.

Saturday night at 7 pm, check out poet Ray Brown in the Otherwise-Poetry series at Churchill Artisan Baker & Chocolatier, 137 E. High Street (484-941-5100). The evening is hosted by Glenn McLaughlin. Ray Brown’s poetry will be followed by an open mic. Get your verse on!

On Sunday, Feb. 13, 7:30 p.m., Emmanuel Lutheran will be the venue for a Valentines-themed concert presented by wonderful professional ensemble called “CANTATICA”. The concert is entitled “Love Songs: A Valentines Celebration”, and will feature choral and vocal works from many different styles including: classical, celtic, latin, opera, folk, and jazz. One of the featured soloists is Toni Marie Palmertree (soprano) who lives right here in Pottstown. Tickets: $14 Adults; $12 seniors; $6 students. Tickets available at the door. Info. info@cantatica.org; 484-951-5113

And if you want to support Boy Scout Troop 129 before you go out on Saturday night, Feb. 12, they’re holding an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner from 4-7 pm at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Hanover & Walnut Streets. MENU INCLUDES: Spaghetti in Sauce, Meatballs, Salad, Coffee, Tea, Milk and Dessert. Adults – $7.00; Seniors/Kids (7-13) – $5.00; Children 6 and under – FREE; Tickets Sold at Door.

Happy Hour is on!

Hey, folks – the Happy Hour is on at 5 pm at The Gallery, 254 E. High Street. My sources tell me there are some parking spots across the street, in the lot at Charlotte/High and behind the New York Plaza building (Penn/High). Give yourself some extra time. No rush – we’ll be there until 7:30. See you then!

THE FROG PRINCE comes to Tri-PAC

Photo courtesy of Tri-PAC
This weekend bring the whole family to this clever and charming musical rendition of the classic fairy tale for children of all ages! THE FROG PRINCE runs for ONE WEEKEND ONLY at the Tri-County Performing Arts Center, 245 E. High Street, Pottstown. Produced from an original script by Janet Stimson and Debbie Stimson-Snow, with music arranged by Aaron Otheim, this retelling of the tale will appeal to adults as well as children.

Here’s the story line: A beautiful but spoiled Princess reluctantly befriends Zog the Frog after dropping a golden ball into his well. Through a series of challenges between the Princess, Zog, and the Court Jester (whose jest, unfortunately, has lost its zest), the Princess brings Zog to Court “for dinner”. A zany time ensues, with the Court Chef and Butcher trying to serve Zog up AS dinner rather than serve him DURING dinner.

There is a no nonsense Queen, a loving but misguided King, a group of singing Courtiers, and of course the crazy antics of Zog and the Jester. THE FROG PRINCE is a humorous romp that folds themes of tolerance and understanding into an enchanting story book and musical score, for the enjoyment of all ages.

Photo courtesy of Tri-PAC

This show runs for three performances only this weekend, Saturday January 29th at 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM and Sunday January 30th at 3:00 PM. This production is also available for school groups and clubs at the Tri-PAC or off-site from February through May.

Tickets are on sale now at www.tripac.org. Ticket prices are $13 for children 12 and under, $15 for students and seniors, and $17 for adults. Groups of 10 or more receive $2 off per ticket when purchased in a single transaction. Don’t miss the chance to see rollicking play, one weekend only at the Tri-County Performing Arts Center.

Village Production/The Tri-County Performing Arts Center is a dynamic performing arts organization founded in 2001 by a dedicated team of performing artists, arts educators, and area residents who dreamed of creating new and highly accessible performing arts opportunities for the community. Village Productions seeks to strengthen community, inspire creative exploration, educate, and entertain, through the presentation of quality performing arts events and educational opportunities geared toward a diverse audience.

Positively!Pottstown Happy Hour this Friday

Hi, Folks —

It’s 2011 and time to re-connect, catch up, and throw ourselves anew into this crazy endeavor known as the revitalization of Pottstown. 🙂

The next Positively!Pottstown Happy Hour is this Friday, Jan. 28th at The Gallery on High at 254 E. High Street. The fun starts at 5:01 pm and goes until 7:30 pm. We’ve extended the event by a half-hour for those who are fighting Friday night traffic to attend. Thank you to Erika Hornburg-Cooper and Cathy Paretti for welcoming us into their space!

We’re about 50-strong at this point, and it’s not too late to send an email to positivelypottstown@gmail.com and say you plan on stopping by. Just bring yourself, a friend or two, a smile, and $5/person to cover food; any profits will go to The Gallery. We’ll be featuring cornbread muffins and wings from Martha’s Famous at 259 E. High Street.

This Friday night, warm up with cool art and cool people at The Gallery — see you then!

Art Goes to School

If you pose the question “what is art?” to a room full of kindergarteners, you will get all kinds of answers. As usually happens with kids, the first answer kind of sets the trend for the rest.  So, if the first child says “art is when I play with play-doh,” you are bound to get at least four more answers pretty much like the first.  Then, you will get a few who want to tell you about their dog, or their sister, or even what they had for lunch

But if you keep calling on them, you might get the kind of answer that art teachers really love, just as I got last week in my first volunteer gig with Art Goes to School.  One round- faced five-year-old raised his hand and summed it all up in one sentence:  “Everything is art!”

Art Goes to School (AGTS) might just be the coolest program that you don’t know about. The local chapter of this non-profit volunteer organization brings art history and appreciation to kids in the Pottstown School District every winter, and has been doing so for the last 20 years or so. Another chapter visits the Owen J. Roberts elementary schools.  Started under the auspices of the Junior League in 1962, AGTS became an independent non-profit about 10 years ago and today has grown to include 52 groups in PA and NJ.

Basically, all AGTS volunteers work with the same portfolio, which changes from year to year. In the fall, chapters meet to discuss the works, this year ranging from the well known like Andy Warhol’s famous portrait of Marilyn Monroe to the obscure like The Poultry Market by Walter Henry Williams, and get familiar with all the works.  Then, each volunteer gets to bring their own particular style to their presentation, which, for me meant asking the kids what they think art really is.

Once we waded through some silly answers and I heard what about half the class got for Christmas, we got down to the business of looking at some art and talking about what they liked and didn’t like.  I, personally, loved having the little kids because there is something so unguarded about the way they approach art and they have no filter (for better or for worse) about sharing what they think. Because I have some idea of the average attention span of a kindergartner in the late afternoon of the first day back after winter break, I brought brand new crayons and asked them to draw something for me.

When they were done, we compared them to some of the prints I had picked to show the class.  They giggled over Picasso’s Portrait of a Woman and again at Frida Kahlo’s prominent eyebrows in The Frame.  But, eventually, we had a really great discussion about how not everyone sees things or will draw them in exactly the same way, and each kid left the room clutching their drawing and, I hope, knowing a little more about art.

The Pottstown Chapter of AGTS also encompasses the high school kids, with four students each year participating in the volunteer program as part of their senior project.  These students have a chance to observe other volunteers when they present at Blessed Theresa of Calcutta (formerly St. Pete’s for any Pottstown expatriates).  Then, once they have done their practice presentation for other Art Students at the high school, they can start logging the hours they need for their project.

The Art Goes to School program in Pottstown runs through the middle of February and volunteers will be visiting classes in all grades, 4K to 5th, at all five elementary schools.  So, if you have a child in a Pottstown school, be sure to ask them what they thought of The Yellow Cow (by Franz Marc) or The Road Menders (by Van Gogh). Their answers just might surprise you.

Literary dreaming

Okay, I’m here amid the snow-covered Green Mountains, hanging with my writing buddies at the end of  a long day of readings and workshop, and I get to spinning out part of my dream scenario for Pottstown’s revitalization. This particular version includes a writing center in Pottstown, where my buddies and other writers – maybe they’ve published books, maybe not yet – can stay in a gorgeously renovated Victorian bed/breakfast writers’ retreat for 1-4 weeks, for a modest weekly fee. Writers are always on the lookout for a reasonably-priced retreat, where they can get some work done. (Maybe we’d entice them with a tour of The Hill School, where Tobias Wolff spent some time, or maybe a trip to Shillington, home of John Updike.) We might even be able to get some writers to visit a class in the schools, do a program at the library, or give a reading at night. Some of my people here like the sound of all this. And, you never know — if we built a solid network of authors who had already been to Pottstown, the next step might be to invite them all back, along with others, and begin hosting an annual literary arts festival. Wouldn’t that just turn the world’s perception of Pottstown on its head? Would make a really good story, too…

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