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Schuylkill River Heritage Area plans bike & history tours
The Schuylkill River Heritage Area is offering a Rails and River Towns Ride on the Schuylkill River Trail on Saturday, September 22nd. Mark your calendars and register online or get your registration form in now if you want to take part.
Support the Schuylkill River Heritage Area with a round-trip bike ride along the Schuylkill River Trail from Pottstown to Birdsboro that includes a presentation about the railroad upon whose right-of-way the trail is built, with optional visits to three villages along the route.
This is the first ride in the Schuylkill River Trail Bike Tour Series, a new multi-year series being organized by the Schuylkill River Heritage Area. Each event will feature a unique combination of biking and history. This year cyclists will learn about the history of the Pennsylvania Railroad. For more info. from the Heritage Area website, click here.
There are three ride options, so there’s something for every rider:
• 18-mile, round-trip ride from the Schuylkill River Heritage Area headquarters in Pottstown to Birdsboro, where participants will take a 45-minute guided walking tour of historic Birdsboro.
• 20-mile Pottstown to Birdsboro ride, with a loop trail in Union Township and no walking tour.
• 9-mile round-trip ride with guided tour of Historic Morlatton Village’s four 18th century buildings.
DETAILS

DATE: September 22, 2012;check-in begins at 7:30am.Welcome and Pennsylvania Railroad presentation begin at 8:30, rides start at 9:00. Rain date Sunday September 23.
CHECK-IN LOCATION: 140 College Drive, Pottstown, PA 19464
COST: $25 per person (ages 16 and up), $20 members, $15 children 11-15, children 10 & under free. Refreshments included! Register by Sept. 5 to get free T-shirt!
4th annual Stop the Drugs/Stop the Violence Crusade to be held this Saturday
This press release contains updated information about this Saturday’s event.
Harris Family Ministries
Stop the Drugs Stop the Violence: “Love can Build a Bridge”
The fourth annual Stop the Drugs Stop the Violence Crusade will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 28 at Riverfront Park in Pottstown. The theme of this year’s campaign, conducted by The Harris Family Ministries, Inc., is “Love Can Build a Bridge.” The love of Jesus Christ can help those suffering from violence and addictions and unite the entire community. Crusade sponsors are Mt. Herman Missionary Church, Bethel AME Community Church and the Pottstown Downtown Improvement District Authority.
This free event is open to the public. All church groups, community groups, businesses and individuals interested in the fight against drugs and violence are invited to attend and network.
In addition to free food, beverages and entertainment, there will be plenty of resource information available for attendees to take. Representatives of various organizations will be on hand for any questions people may have.
This year’s program participants include panelists Dr. Rocio Nell, Executive Director of Montgomery County Emergency services; Dr. Reed Lindley, Pottstown School District Superintendent; Rev. Joseph Bishop of Victory Outreach International; Heather Levandoski, Assistant District Attorney of Montgomery County narcotics Unit; and Richard Dodridge, Executive Director of Philadelphia Teen Challenge, who will also be the keynote speaker.
Music will be provided by the 40-voice First Baptist Church of Indian Trail, NC choir, directed by Jonathan Schallmo; the Victory Outreach International band and choir; and the 20-voice Teen Challenge combined Men’s & Women’s choir, directed by Sister Sherry. Face painting and other arts and crafts will be available to entertain the whole family.
Information tables will be hosted by: Debbie Tellis – Pure Love Works; Andrea Primus-YWCA Tri-County Area; Tri-County Network (TCN); Richard Dodridge-Teen Challenge; Dr. Rocio Nell- Montgomery County Emergency Services; Victory Outreach International- Brother Joseph Bishop; Heather Levandoski- Montgomery County District Attorney’s office; Gail Cooper- Pottstown School District; Cecily Nixon-Hearts of Harmony; Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department; and Sheila Dugan- Pottstown Downtown Improvement District Authority; Guardian Angels Youth Division; Laura Washington-Community L.E.A.N (Loving exercise and appropriate nutrition).
Other sponsors are Jeffery Jackson Enterprises, Inc.; The Hill School; Coles Tobacco; McDonald’s High Street; Ink & Essence; Wegmans of Collegeville; Giant of Pottstown; Empire Hook & Ladder Fire Company; D & C Short Landscaping; Grumpy’s and SBX Entertainment.
Anyone looking to volunteer or donate goods or services, especially signage and food items is invited to call 610-323-8718 or e-mail gharris@harrisfamilyministries.org or you can visit our website at http://www.harrisfamilyministries.org and click the PayPal link for cash donations. All donations are tax deductible.
Riverfront Park is located on College Drive across the street from Montgomery County Community College’s West campus.
Register Now for SCORE Small Business Workshops in September
This just in from Pottstown SCORE…
Pottstown SCORE is offering to local entrepreneurs a fall workshop series, “How to Start and Operate a Small Business.” This seminar is scheduled to be presented from 7:00 to 9:30 pm on four consecutive evenings beginning on Monday, September 10. All classes will be held in Suite 102 in the New York Plaza Building, 244 High Street, Pottstown. There is ample free parking in the lot behind the building. Use the entrance from the parking lot to reach the SCORE office.
This workshop series, presented by SCORE, Counselors to America’s Small Business, is for those who are considering starting a business as well as those who are currently operating a small business.
The workshop sessions are as follows:
- Sources of Information and the Tax and Legal Implications of the Different Legal Structures, September 10
- The Business Plan and The Business Loan, September 17
- Sources of Market Information, Marketing, September 24
- It’s All About Profit, October 1
The instructors for this workshop series are local business partners and experienced SCORE counselors. Tap into their expertise to gain practical, real-life information on how to start and operate a small business. The instructors are as follows: Ralph Clemmer, former Chairman of the Board of Evans-Houseman & Richard, Inc.; Don Havas, President of Applied Technology and Sciences, Inc; James Hufford, Business Services Manager at Diamond Credit Union; Jeff Kofsky, President of Higher Vision Coaching and Counseling; David Megay, Esq., Attorney with O’Donnell, Weiss & Mattei, PC; Scott Rakowski, CPA, of Rakowski and Company, and Carolyn Wiker, Head of Adult Services at the Pottstown Public Library.
Registration begins at 6:45 pm, and all classes start promptly at 7:00 pm.
Each session costs $25. A manual on preparing a business plan will be available for $20. A special price of $100 is offered for the 4 classes as a package, and this includes the manual. As an added bonus, there is a 50% discount off the workshop fee for each additional person.
This has been an extremely successful and well-attended workshop. Early paid reservations guarantee a seat. For more information or to register, call the Pottstown SCORE office at 610-327-2673 or register online at www.pottstownscore.org.
Reserve now for “Cyber Bullying & Stalking” workshop at YWCA’s Girl Talk series
Time is winding down to RSVP your attendance to the YEAR OF THE YOUNG WOMAN “Girl Talk” series event. The topic is “Cyber Bullying and Stalking.” The workshop will take place this Saturday, July 28th from 10 am – noon. It is free with a reservation. Call the YWCA Tri-County Area at 610-323-1888. The YWCA is located at 315 King Street (Park in the Permit spaces in the Evans Street lot across the street.)
Guest speaker is Colleen McIntyre, Assistant District Attorney in Montgomery County with experience on the Narcotics, Juvenile and Sex Crimes Units.
Why do people participate in cyber bullying and stalking?
1. Anger
2. Bigotry
3. Fear
4. Jealousy
5. Low self-esteem
6. Revenge
7. Righteousness
8. To get the attention of the target or others
Stalking is a term commonly used to refer to unwanted and obsessive attention by an individual or group to another person. Cyber Bullying is the use of the Internet and Cell Phones to harm other people, in a deliberate, repeated, and hostile manner.
The speaker is Colleen McIntyre. Ms. McIntyre is Assistant District Attorney in Montgomery County with experience on the Narcotics, Juvenile and Sex Crimes Units.
Future Girl Talk Series events cover the topics:
Advocacy – September 22, 2012
Go Green! – November 10, 2012
For information about events, please contact the YWCA at 610-323-1888.
Company Cakes Sticky Buns: Short and Sweet

Due to some unfathomable mix-up and confusion on my part, I did not realize Company Cakes was still selling their famous sticky buns on Sunday mornings. Yesterday, on my way downtown to the fabulously successful Sidewalk Sale organized by PDIDA, I saw a sign announcing the sale of said sticky buns on Sunday beginning at 8 am. I stopped in to double-check and, sure enough, the sticky buns are on, I was told.
I didn’t exactly count down the hours, but the thought of a really good sticky bun crossed my mind many, many times the rest of the day and was the last thought I had before falling asleep last night, and the first thought this morning when I woke up. It was just about 8:15 this morning that I was back in Company Cakes, where owner Mark Neiman was serving up his sticky, yeasty creations. I was shocked to hear the prices: $1 for a plain and $1.25 for a raisin or nut sticky bun. I got one plain one, took it home, and dug in with a knife and fork. It was still warm. It had melt-in-your-mouth goodness. Really, it’s almost incomprehensible, the deliciousness. Look at the photos. Go get some for yourself. And, at those prices, get some for a few of your loved ones. They’ll love you all the more.
Company Cakes: 26 N Charlotte St Pottstown, PA 19464, 610-705-9450

Grand opening of Mercury’s Media Lab and PDIDA Visitors’ Center tomorrow at 11 am! HUGE Sidewalk Sale this Saturday!
The Pottstown Downtown Improvement District Authority (PDIDA) office at 17 N. Hanover Street will be opening its re-furbished Visitors’ Center tomorrow. The Center will include information on local events, businesses, and organizations, and the framed photos on its walls will give visitors a visual taste of Pottstown’s history.
Just across the street, The Mercury will unveil its newly-tricked out Community Media Lab, where members of the community can use computers, do research in Mercury archives on microfilm, and grab a cup of coffee. Workshops on blogging and other aspects of linking the public with technology and communication tools are being planned.
PDIDA and The Mercury will celebrate with a “ribbon-joining” ceremony that begins at 11 am tomorrow and runs for about a half-hour. The first block of N. Hanover Street will be closed from 10:30 am – 1 pm. Refreshments will be available in both locations. The ribbon-joining, as opposed to a ribbon-cutting, is meant to symbolize the spirit of cooperation between The Mercury and PDIDA in helping residents and visitors alike learn more about the history of Pottstown, take pride, and participate more in civic life.
Speaking of civic life… it’s everyone’s duty to BUY LOCAL! whenever they can! The recent, incredible BUY LOCAL! challenge in the Pottstown public schools, which netted over $55,000 in one month for downtown merchants, shows that there’s plenty of wonderful stuff to be had in downtown Pottstown. Why not come out and do it again this Saturday, July 21 from 11 am-4 pm when there is a GIGANTIC Sidewalk Sale taking place? PDIDA is still getting calls from vendors wanting a table at the event. There will be a face painter, juggler, clown/balloon artist, raffles and loads of FREE FUN, so come on down!
Pottstown YMCA offers yoga hour next Tuesday, July 24th
Wear comfortable clothes, bring water and a mat and join in an hour of yoga outside on the lawn of the Pottstown Y from 7-8 pm on Tuesday, July 24. You will be guided in an experience that connects mind, body and spirit, leaving you feeling peaceful, relaxed and wonderful.
Open to the community – $10, ages 14 and up. Register at 610.323.7300 by July 20 – that’s tomorrow!
Rain date July 30.
Questions?
Jane Alan
Administrative Services Director
Freedom Valley YMCA at Pottstown
724 North Adams Street, Pottstown, PA 19464
610.323.7300 ext 10
jalan@fvymca.org l www.fvymca.org
Freedom Valley YMCA: We’re here for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
Stop the Drugs/Stop the Violence Crusade set for July 28th at Riverfront Park
This news comes to us via The Harris Family Ministries…
Please spread the word! If you know of someone who has a problem with sustance abuse, and they would like help, please let them know. If you want more information so that you can help someone…please come out. There will be lots of information, prayer, free food and non alcoholic beverages, music, and several guest speakers.
If anyone would like to help or make a donation, please call 610-323-8718.
Butterfly Garden Open House on August 11th
I recently received the invitation below from local butterfly naturalist Ron Richael. He’s a Pottstown resident who’s also a butterfly expert!
A Butterfly Garden open house will be held on Saturday, August 11th from 1pm – 4pm at the residence of Ron & Carol Richael at 344 West Beech St., Pottstown, PA 19464. About 15 –20 species of butterflies are usually seen at this event. 18 nectar plants &11 host plants will be shown at the event. There is no rain date for the event. Everyone is invited & there is no charge. Hope to see you there!
Ron Richael
610-323-3805
Butterfly open house directions to 344 W Beech St, Pottstown, Pa 19464
We are located near the intersection of West King St. & Route 100. From Reading go 422 east & then north on Route 100 & make your first left onto West King Street (Pottstown Diner is your landmark) Go 100yards & turn right on Gable Ave. into the complex. Go to the stop sign & turn right. (Gable Ave.) Follow this to the back street & bear left. (Gable Ave.) After you bear left the street turns into West Beech St. It is a colonial blue house with two orange butterflies on the front door– you can’t miss it. A yellow butterfly crossing sign will be on the telephone pole in front of the house.
From Boyertown – Allentown – take 100 South & turn right onto West King St. Use the same directions from there. Please do not go to Beech Street – we don’t live there. We live on West Beech Street, off of West King Street in the Pottsgrove Manor development.