LOTS going on in November & December. Feel free to send news of your organization’s activities. See calendar here.
Take your pick: Variety of music on tap this weekend
There are multiple musical events happening in Pottstown this weekend. I’m going to let you know about all of them, and then you can decide what you’re in the mood for!
(1) At 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, the Senior Theater Performance Troupe at the Tri-County Performing Arts Center will put on their Veterans Day Tribute. They will celebrate all veterans with a USO-style show filled with popular songs from the Civil War through World War II. Tickets are $12 for adults; just $10 for students and seniors; and $8 for children 12 and under. Go here for tickets and more info. Tri-PAC is located at 245 High Street, Pottstown, PA 19464.
(2) If you want to continue enjoying great music while honoring veterans AND support the Pottstown High School Boosters, you will want to get your tickets ASAP for the Veterans Day Extravaganza this Saturday, Nov. 13 at the Stanley I. Davenport Center for Performing Arts at Pottstown High School, 750 N. Washington Street. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. and the show starts at 6:00 p.m.
Organizer, music enthusiast and dedicated booster Tom Coyle has put together an amazing line-up of classic doo-wop and oldies performers, guaranteed to bring back fond memories. The list at press time includes: Jimmy Beaumont & the Skyliners (“Pennies from Heaven”), the Duprees (“You Belong to Me”), Shirley Alston Reeves & the Shirelles (“Soldier Boy”), and Larry Chance & The Earls (“Remember Then”). The show will be hosted by radio personality KING ARTHUR of SoundsofPhillyRadio.com and WNJC1360.
Tickets are $45 and will benefit the PHS Boosters. Keep the fun going at an after-concert DJ dance at the Elks Lodge, 61 High Street Pottstown, PA 19464 (Cover: $5.00). Contact Tom Coyle directly for tickets at 610-306-9361 (NOT the school.)
(3) And, finally, if you want to hear one of the most accomplished and magical choirs in the country, you should head over to Emmanuel Lutheran Church at 150 N. Hanover Street on Saturday evening, where the Westminster Choir from Princeton, NJ will be conducted by Joe Miller. Special guests include the Hilltones and Hilltrebles, a capella groups from the Hill School.
The Music at Emmanuel series is now in its 27th season and brings extraordinary musical talent to downtown Pottstown, usually for free. The Minister of Music at Emmanuel Lutheran is Andrew Meade, who received his master’s degree from Westminster. He has been at Emmanuel since September 2009.
“With a group of really well-trained singers led by an incredibly talented conductor, the energy and vibrancy of sound will be unlike anything most people will have heard before,” he said.
I couldn’t agree more. For a sample of the angelic sound of this choir, check out this performance of Peter Christian Lutkin’s choral benediction The Lord Bless You and Keep You. It was recorded this past May, just before graduation, in the Princeton University chapel.
The Emmanuel Lutheran sanctuary, beautiful and with great acoustics, seats 450 people. Tickets for Westminster Choir are $10 at the door. Students with a valid ID get in free. The concert this Saturday begins at 7:30 pm. A reception to meet the artists follows every concert.
Community meeting announced to stem violence
In the wake of the recent gunfire in Pottstown, the mayor and local and county law enforcement officials will hold a meeting next week to address residents’ concerns and report on what measures can/will be taken to prevent further outbreaks.
The meeting will be led by Police Chief Flanders, Mayor Bonnie Heath and District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman. It will be held at Invictus Ministries, 79 N. Hanover Street on Wednesday, November 17 at 6:30 p.m.
Please come out in a show of strength to restore sanity and safety to the streets of Pottstown. I’ll see you there.
Downtown Ambassadors Program
In a comment on another post, Katy mentioned Easton, PA’s Downtown Ambassadors program, and I thought I’d post some links. I’ve heard a few folks from Pottstown mention this, but I didn’t know that there was a company that actually provides this service to downtown improvement districts. Basically, you can contract to have casually-uniformed ambassadors on your downtown streets, cleaning, providing info to visitors and being a security presence. They carry 2-way radios, too.
Here’s a link to Block By Block, the company. And here’s an article on the positive feedback on Easton’s program. Looks and sounds like a great idea. Money — always an issue. Maybe a volunteer force? Worth looking into, for sure. Thanks, Katy!
Pottstown: Time for the full-court press?
The article about Danville, PA that we just added to our Revitalization Library got me thinking about very specific actions that Pottstown might want to consider now.
Why not take the $45,000 remaining after painting the Mrs. Smith’s building brick red and apply it to QUANTIFIABLE & VISIBLE ACTIONS to improve Pottstown’s downtown?
High Street is THE face of Pottstown. People take one look and make a snap judgment, maybe without even getting out of their cars. Pretty soon High Street is going to be beautifully illuminated. Now is the time to press any advantage to be gained from that, coordinate resources, and put out a blitz of tried-and-true downtown economic development strategies.
1) I’ve heard from several sources that there was a downtown site inventory/survey started or completed as follow-up to the Economic Development Strategic Plan. Where is it? Resurrect & update it. Find a simple, clean, attractive, inexpensive way to create an online database with key information about vacant properties that are available for sale or rent; allow for uploading of photos. Call upon Montgomery County Community College’s new urban planning students to help with site inventory and in getting additional info from local realtors and the county’s property records database. Input the data and unveil a new downtown district marketing tool via PDIDA’s website.
2) Determine the vacancy rate in the downtown and set a goal for getting X number of additional storefronts occupied within 6 months. Use some of the $45K to create a rent subsidy/marketing incentives package to attract new businesses that have solid business plans. Include existing businesses in the marketing plans. (I don’t know what PDIDA’s budget is, but I’m pretty sure it needs more resources to get its job done.)
3) There is this wonderful resource for new and existing business owners right in the New York Plaza building at 244 High Street: SCORE. They’re a non-profit business mentoring association that gets funding from the U.S. Small Business Association. Four times a year they offer a workshop seriesto help with all aspects of running a business. They offer other courses as well, all of which are taught by experienced professionals who volunteer their time to share their knowledge. Use some of the $45K to fund partial scholarships for new Pottstown-based businesses and nearly-full scholarships for existing business owners.
Imagine the messages the Borough could pretty quickly & easily send to the business world:
1) Here’s our downtown property inventory; we want to help you find the space that works for your business.
2) If you have a solid business plan, we will help with the rent during a pre-determined start-up phase.
3) We help promote all our businesses.
4) We will fund training workshops and introduce you to a network of business professionals to help you succeed.
5) By the time the 2011 First Saturdays start up again, there will be a VISIBLE difference in the downtown.
6) By coordinating the expertise already in the community, we can make $45K go a long way.
High Street is how the outside world judges you.At some point, you gotta put on your full-court press.
(Ideally, along a parallel path, the Borough would be doing the same thing for its industrial sites, including facilitating brownfield clean-up & marketing the sites nationwide, even internationally. I’d put an emphasis on green manufacturing and renewable energy tech companies, but that’s just me.)
Danville, PA: “Each stride forward begets another.”
I am sending a HUGE thank-you out to Pottstown resident Andrew Kefer for sending along this article: “Welcome to Downtown Danville, the Vibrant Small Town You Never Expected.”
There are so many lessons here that could be immediately applied to Pottstown’s revitalization.
1) Create a “better business climate.”
2) Tap Montco college students for discrete planning and community development projects and give those students real-world experience.
3) Resurrect the facade improvement program. (Is PDIDA’s Facade Rehabilitation Loan program active?)
4) Promote arts district downtown. (Danville is doing a multi-year mural program: “To one degree or another, all murals should touch on Danville’s heritage and history,” said Danville Main Street manager, Jim Wilson. Although I think a mural program would be fantastic, in the post that follows this one, I’m going to suggest using the additional $45K from the re-painting of the Mrs. Smith building toward other economic development efforts. For me it’s a matter of timing and getting the most bang for the buck. )
5) Create a business incubator downtown. Get designated as a Keystone Innovation Zone to get grants to attract tech start-ups and entrepreneurs. (Is this state designation/funding still available?)
Thanks again to Andrew for this informative, idea-packed article!
Mélange Dance Company at Tri-PAC… NOW!
Mélange Contemporary Dance Company is the resident dance company of the Tri-County Performing Arts Center on High Street. They are back from their recent tour of Poland and are performing this weekend. There are just two shows left – tonight and tomorrow afternoon, so get your tickets today! The following press release gives insights to their recent overseas trip. sr
Back from their tour of Poland, the Mélange Contemporary Dance Company returns to the Tri-County Performing Arts Center, 245 E. High Street, Pottstown for a weekend of superb music and dance. On stage for three shows only, November 5th through 7th, their performance features pieces performed at The International Dance Festival in Ladek Zdroj Poland, as well as new works.
The dances are informed by experience – and their experiences during this year’s trip to Poland left some lasting impressions! Much like our recent weather, Poland experienced severe storms and flooding, and when Mélange arrived to perform at the International Festival they discovered that the stage had become unstable due to the wet ground. The entire festival had to be moved to the town square – a quaint, old part of the town, while pumps sent in from Russia worked to reclaim the original festival area.
The town of Ladek Zdroj, Poland is one of the oldest spa towns in Europe. The old buildings survived untouched during WWII because the Germans utilized the spa treatments. It is said that Mozart’s wife Costanza used them too! During the dancers’ downtime they were able to relax and enjoy a swim in a naturally heated indoor pool of mineral water, time in a salt cave that helps sinuses and respiration, and a body de-tox. They were also given a class by a world class instructor from Warsaw.
During the festival Mélange was a headlining group, and participated in a week of classes, performances, and lectures with dancers, teachers, critics, and students from around the globe. A local sculptor thought their program was the best one during the whole week and has since sent pictures he took to Michelle Jones-Wurtz, for whom he made a sculpture that he plans to present to the company next year.
The company includes Founder and Artistic Director Michelle Jones Wurtz, Christa Campbell, Krista Grunklee ,Emily Horstmann Getchell, Jessica Jarvis, Jill Michalsky, Sara Pyfer, Jackie Kokolus, and Tija Ore. Their November performance at the Tri-PAC will showcase a diverse, energetic suite of dances.
Tickets for all shows at the Tri-PAC are available online. Please note that seating is limited, and shows do fill quickly, so go to http://www.tripac.org to purchase your tickets now or call 610.970.1199!
Tickets range from $13 for children 12 and under, $15 for students and seniors (65+), and $17 for adults. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. When available, tickets will be sold at the door. Remember, it’s all happening on High Street!
Village Productions is a dynamic nonprofit performing arts organization that 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. The new Tri-County Performing Arts Center at 245 E. High Street, Pottstown, PA is the home of Village Productions. You may contact Village Productions through their website at http://www.tripac.org, or by telephone at 610-970-1199.
Welcome, Mercury readers & outdoor enthusiasts!
A big shout-out to The Mercury for sending readers this way! Whatever kind of sports, hiking, biking, model airplane (!) or nature experience you’re looking for, you’re sure to find something at one of the many local parks in Pottstown and the surrounding region. Fellow blogger Rosemary Keane and I have had a great time discovering all these amazing resources.
Please visit the Parks & Rec page for a table of contents of all the articles we’ve published over the past five weeks, thanks to the support of the Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation. You might also want to check out the Foundation’s Mission: Healthy Living website, which features not only the parks stories, but all kinds of other interesting health-related news to keep you and your family feeling good.
The parks articles here at Positively!Pottstown are organized by municipality, so you can locate parks in specific places or just browse and let yourself be inspired. Then pack a lunch, gather up the kids, friends, or your significant other and spend some time outdoors this weekend. You’ll be glad you did!
Towpath Park, where canal history comes alive
East Coventry Township has just two parks, but each one packs quite a lot of possibility into its space. Yesterday I told you about my visit to Ellis Woods Park, and today I’d like to share my impressions of Towpath Park, a grassy strip that lies between Route 724 and the Schuylkill River and Schuylkill Canal. To get to Towpath, turn into the park across Route 724 from the old, overgrown Pizza World at the intersection with Peterman Road. 
Although you wouldn’t know it unless you are middle-aged or are wasting time on the Internet :-), the entrance to Towpath Park is perhaps best known as the longtime resting place of the former Rosedale Diner of Pottstown. A photo of the diner was featured on the cover of Daryl Hall & John Oates’ 1973 album, “Abandoned Luncheonette,” which contained the hit “She’s Gone.”
Moving on to more traditional historical matters, just as Ellis Woods Park & the nearby cemetery provided me with a little history lesson, Towpath Park provides some very interesting information about the Schuylkill River canal, the transportation of goods in the 1700s, and what life was like in the area of Frick’s Locks.
As part of his Eagle Scout project, William Dougherty erected a series of four story boards within Towpath Park memorializing the Schuylkill River Navigation canals. (He’s the same young man who made the awesome trail signs in Ellis Woods Park.) It’s best to read the historical markers in order. The first one is located near the children’s playground, which is on your right as you enter Towpath Park. (Except for an oversized, lone metal turtle, the play equipment has been removed, but plans are in the works for replacements.) The first marker is entitled, “Towpath Park Historical Trail.” As you move through the park, parallel with Route 724, you will come upon the other markers: “Life on the Canal,” “Schuylkill Navigation Company,” and “Canal Construction.” 
According to the Schuylkill River National and State Heritage Area, between 1816 and 1825, the Schuylkill Canal was built by the Schuylkill Navigation Company to help move anthracite from the coal regions to Philadelphia. If you want to read more, check out their website.
But Towpath Park is not just for budding history buffs. It’s got a wide array of other facilities including a volleyball net, picnic tables, grills, port-o-potties, plenty of parking, a boat launch and mini-dock. The boat launch was upgraded about three years ago when the access road and approach to the boat ramp were paved to improve safety and maintenance. It also provided additional signage to encourage use of the launch. I was there on a gorgeous fall afternoon, and the water looked so inviting. 
I really wished I had a boat. Why don’t I have a boat? I wondered. I’ve enjoyed kayaking a few times when I’ve visited friends in Canada in the summers. A simple kayak or canoe would suffice in times like these. It’s not such a major investment. This is definitely something to antagonize my husband about as soon as I get home. “Honey, why don’t we have a boat?” On the other hand, an outfitter on High Street could be a really good business. Then I could just rent a kayak there. Oh… I’m actually blogging now…must get back to story…
Towpath Park serves as a gathering spot for children’s summer programs, the annual Township Park Day in June and an annual stream cleanup day. The park pavilion is also available for rentals, just get in touch with the Township at the number below…. And may all your boating dreams come true! 
TOWPATH PARK
Location: Route 724, Pottstown, PA 19465, at the intersection with Peterman Road, across from Pizza World and the veterinary hospital
Size: 7 acres
Suitability: All ages. Site of several annual Township events.
Facilities: Tables, benches, pavilions, grills, volleyball, boat ramp, dock, port-o-potties, historical markers, contact with nature, water views. Pavilion is available for rental.
Activities and tips: The old playground equipment has been removed and plans are being made for its replacement. Young children through adults will enjoy the four historical markers which give some local history in manageable chunks.
Hours: Dawn to dusk.
For pavilion rentals, contact: 
East Coventry Township
855 Ellis Woods Road
Pottstown, PA 19465
(610) 495-5443
(610) 495-9925 FAX
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. M-F
Website: http://www.eastcoventry-pa.gov/
Follow the parks series at Mission: Healthy Living, Positively!Pottstown, Twitter(PositivelyPtown), Facebook, and The Mercury.
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