The Sanatoga Post

POTTSTOWN PA – Although its members have taken the summer off, the Pottstown Area Council of Governments – of which Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township is a part – will resume meeting during the fall. Township Commissioner James Phillips is Lower Pottsgrove’s council representative.

• These events have been added to The Post calendar.

Council members attempt to cooperate in solving common municipal problems. The local council also is part of a similar, broader effort by the Pennsylvania Association of Councils of Governments.

Board meetings during the remainder of 2009 are scheduled for:

• Sept. 8 (Tuesday), 7 p.m., in Pottstown Borough Hall, 100 High St., Pottstown PA; and
• Nov. 10 (Tuesday), 7 p.m., in the West Pottsgrove Township Municipal Building, 980 Grosstown Rd., Stowe PA.

A council meeting for January 2010, the date of which is yet to be announced, is expected to be held at the township municipal building in Sanatoga.

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The literacy center.

SANATOGA PA – A 7-hour training workshop for volunteer literacy tutors, sponsored by the YWCA Tri-County Area Adult Literacy Center, will be held Saturday (June 27, 2009) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the center, 1830 E. High St.

The program provides support and professional training for volunteers to become effective tutors. Previous experience is not required. Upon training completion, volunteers will be paired with adults who hope to become more knowledgeable in the English language or math.

Registration is required. A $12 fee will be charged for training materials and lunch. For more information, call 610-326-7323.

• This event has been added to The Post calendar.

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Published during the week just ended in The Sanatoga Post:

Saturday, June 20

• Quiet Crowd Hears Bands Battle
  Seven rock bands competed to be judged the best Friday night at Sanatoga’s Sunnybrook Ballroom in a cancer-fighting fund-raiser. Those in attendance seemed to have a good time. Watch a Post video of one performance.
• Keep Healthy Next Week
  A review of free or low-cost local seminars, support groups, screenings, tests and clinics to help you stay healthy and fit, sponsored or conducted by community health care organizations.
• Community Band Releases Concert Schedule
  The Pottsgrove Community Band doesn’t limit itself to just three townships! Its summer-long concert schedule takes its music to audiences far and wide across the area.
• Cutillo’s Helps Alzheimer’s Research
  A golf fund-raiser it is sponsoring will be held Monday at Bella Vista Golf Course.

Friday, June 19

• Chief’s Concern: Daytime DUIs
  As Lower Pottsgrove police stay aggressive in DUI and seat belt law enforcement, Chief Michael Shade identifies a worry: drunks driving during the day.
• Trading Activity Draws Bank Comment
  Changes in trading volume and price of National Penn Bank stock earlier this week coincided with the end of a share purchase program.
• New Equipment Highlights Fire Report
  Ringing Hill Fire Company’s housing of new equipment was noted in Lower Pottsgrove Fire Marshal Lew Babel’s recent report to township commissioners.
• Bands Battle Tonight Against Cancer
  They’ll be at Sunnybrook, they’ll probably be loud, and they’ll surely be entertaining … all for a good cause.

Thursday, June 18

• State OKs Police Consolidation Study
  Pennsylvania has agreed to pay for a study that looks at merging Lower Pottsgrove’s department with two others. The township is definitely NOT interested, but it’s playing along.
• What It Takes To Run A School District
  Lots of organizations and people and specialists. Most of them at a price. All of them appointed annually.
• Stuff To Do This Weekend
  Classic cars in Sanatoga and Schwenksville, and a classic car race – the Soap Box Derby – in Pottstown. History events at Valley Forge and Pottsgrove Manor. Classic rock, too, as bands “battle” at Sunnybrook.
• Paper Shredding Event Benefits Fund-Raiser
  Diamond Credit Union lets you shred everything you can carry for only $10. You can prevent identity theft, and the money benefits the American Cancer Society.

Wednesday, June 17

• Store Opens At Upland; District Anticipates Revenues
  The first store opened Tuesday at Upland Square Shopping Center. That got Pottsgrove School District directors wondering about how much added tax revenue the center could yield.
• Historian Talks Of Pie Tradition
  So what’s bubbling beneath a baking pie crust? In Pennsylvania German tradition, maybe more than you know. A regional historian explains, next month.
• Hair Salon Donates To Cancer Center
  The mother of its co-owner died of breast cancer, so she conducted a fund-raiser to help others.
• District Honors Retiring Teachers
  The Pottsgrove school board Tuesday night recognized three retiring teachers who have given more than six decades of service to the district’s students.
• Stoneback Band Plays Sunnybrook
  Billed as a “big band for the 21st Century,” the group plays next weekend in Sanatoga.

Tuesday, June 16

• Route 422 Toll Meetings Next Week
  The public will have two chances, in Pottstown and Royersford, to further comment on plans to institute a toll that would pay for highway improvements and possibly resume rail service from Norristown to Reading.
• California Echoes Sanatoga’s “Bark”
  A West Coast Relay For Life fund-raising effort decides the Bark For Life parade at Sunnybrook during April was an idea worth copying.
• Bids Sought For Pottsgrove Sound System
  The 20-year-old public address system in the Pottsgrove High School stadium is “toast” and will be replaced.
• Adult Dance And Mixer June 26
  Unwind a little. Let your hair down. The fun is scheduled at Sanatoga’s Sunnybrook Ballroom.

Monday, June 15

• Community Band Keeps Connecting People
  For 50 years now, the Pottsgrove Community Band has helped area residents keep a song in their hearts. The band played its anniversary concert Sunday. Couldn’t go? Watch a Post video of a great performance!
• Tonight’s Planning Meeting Canceled
  Lower Pottsgrove’s planning commissioners won’t gather again until mid-July.
• What They Sold For
  A weekly review of the highest prices paid for homes in Lower Pottsgrove and neighboring municipalities.
• Ways To Spend A Fine Sunday
  From planting flowers at Ringing Hill station, to planting a foot in just the right spot and throwing a strike: Sunday was an exceptional day for doing almost anything.
• Walk Among The Birds June 27
  Spend a Saturday morning learning more about, and exploring the nests and breeding grounds, of local birds in a nearby natural habitat.

Sunday, June 14

• The Post Week In Review
  For June 7-13, 2009.

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By Ben Armstrong

PHILADELPHIA PA – It may not be a “scorcher,” but the heat of summer is right around the corner, and it’s never too early to begin preparing for it. You can use less energy and help the environment and your wallet this summer, all by following a few simple tips from PECO.

Electricity usage normally increases during hot humid days because of the use of cooling appliances like air conditioners, refrigerators and freezers. More electric usage means utility higher bills, but you can minimize these effects with the following suggestions. They can help you reduce energy usage by 30 percent or more, and save on overall home energy costs:

• For customers with central air conditioning, keep thermostats at a constant, comfortable level (74 to 76 degrees) when at home. Raise the thermostat setting for days with extreme heat (90 degrees or higher) to save even more. Lowering the thermostat setting below the desired temperature will not cool the home faster.
• Ensure that room air conditioners are sized properly for the room, and turn the unit off if someone is not going to be in the room for an extended period of time.
• Place window air conditioners on the north or shady side of the house to avoid overworking the unit in the hot daytime sun.


Spread the cool around.

• Use fans to evenly distribute cool air and reduce the air conditioner’s “on” time.
• For those without any air conditioning, consider using ceiling fans or portable fans operating with the windows partially open to circulate fresh air into the home.
• To reduce heat and moisture during the warmest part of the day, run appliances in the early morning or evening hours when it’s generally cooler outside. These include ovens, washing machines, dryers and dishwashers. Also, use a microwave to cook, or barbecue outside, if possible, during the hottest days.
• Keep shades, blinds and curtains closed. About 40 percent of unwanted heat comes through windows. Simply drawing blinds and curtains, which act as a layer of insulation, can reduce heat gain to your home. Awnings are even better and can dramatically reduce radiant heating. Window coatings and window film can reflect as much as 80 percent of direct rays from the sun.
• Turn off all unnecessary lighting and appliances, which add heat to the home.
• Keep doors firmly closed to keep cool air in and hot air out. These include entrances to the outside, garage or attic.
• When shopping for appliances such as refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners, look for the Energy Star label, and purchase the most affordable energy-efficient unit. Newer more energy-efficient models lower monthly operating costs.
• Replace your old standard incandescent bulbs with new compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL). They use about 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs, and they last up to 10 times longer.

PECO understands that higher summer temperatures mean increased energy usage and higher utility bills. Consumers can visit the company’s website to find even more energy-saving tips, energy calculators to help consumers better understand how they use energy, and an online store for discounts on energy saving products for their home or business. The company also offers information on energy assistance programs, budget billing and payment options.

Editors Note: This article was written by Ben Armstrong, a representative of PECO. The company is a Philadelphia-based electric and natural gas utility subsidiary of Exelon Corp. PECO supplied this article and is responsible for its content. Its publication is part of The Post’s Sunday Contributor series, for which guest authors are invited to offer submissions. If you’d like to become a Sunday Contributor, please e-mail The Post.

Published earlier by Sunday Contributors:

• Be Cool, Save Money, Be Green
• Avoid Summer Ankle Sprains, Strains
  

Staffers worked to ensure the groups sounded their best.

SANATOGA PA – Seven different musical groups from throughout the area competed on stage Friday night (June 19, 2009) and into the wee hours Saturday morning at Sunnybrook Ballroom, 50 Sunnybrook Rd., in the first Pottstown Battle Of The Bands fund-raising event to benefit the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, an organization supporting pediatric cancer research.

• Watch a 4m40s video, hosted at YouTube, of a performance Friday night by the musical group “Sound House” during the Battle of the Bands at Sunnybrook Ballroom. Press the “play” button, above.
• See a gallery of Post photos from the event.
  

There was no immediate announcement on total attendance, or how much money was collected. The name of the winning band was not available when this report was written.

Almost two hours into the 6-hour event, however, a mostly teens-and-older crowd of about 300 people seemed to be quietly enjoying themselves and supportive of their favorites in the battle. The event was extensively supervised by Sunnybrook and Alex’s Foundation volunteers, and several Lower Pottsgrove Police patrols were in evidence. One police officer said the crowd was “well behaved, and a decision not to serve alcohol inside helped a lot.”

The battle, which pitted band-against-band in professionally judged performances, was sponsored by the Newtown PA-based Rose Group, owners of Pottstown’s Applebee’s Restaurant, and The High Street Music Company of Pottstown. This is the fifth consecutive year the restaurant operator sponsored benefit events for the foundation.

The judging panel included Daoud Sahw, drummer from Van Morrison; music producer Phil Nicolo and Jay Scott, father of the young girl for whom the Philadelphia area foundation is named.

The organization said it has funded more than 100 research projects at more than 40 institutions across the country.

The crowd was of modest size early in the evening, but engrossed in the music than emanated from Sunnybrook's stage.

For some, the dance hall's hardwood floors seemed more comfortable.

Yeah, you could say that band members were into it.

For its beneficiaries, the night was a cause of celebration.

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SANATOGA PA – Health care news for Sanatogans (and anyone else!), June 21-27, 2009:

• These events have been added to The Post calendar.

Monday, June 22

Ready for the big event.

Water aerobics classes for members of Pottstown Memorial Medical Center‘s Senior Circle group will begin at 2 p.m. in the Boyertown Area YMCA, 301 W. Spring St., Boyertown PA. For more information, call 610-327-7699.

A blood drive will be held from 2-8 p.m. in the New Hanover United Methodist Church, 2211 Swamp Pike, Gilbertsville PA. Appointments are required, and may be made by calling the blood center at 610-926-6060.

The third in a series of four weekly Lamaze classes for expectant parents will be held from 7-9 p.m. in the boardroom on the ground floor of Pottstown Memorial Medical Center (PMMC), 1600 E. High St., Pottstown PA. For more information, call 610-327-7147. The last class is scheduled at the same time for June 29.

Tuesday, June 23

An exercise class for members of Pottstown Memorial Medical Center‘s Senior Circle will begin at 9:30 a.m. at Congregation Mercy and Truth, Keim Street, Pottstown PA. It includes 60 minutes of aerobics, strength training and stretching. For more information, call 610-327-7699.

The weekly meeting of the Domestic Violence Support Group sponsored by Pottstown Memorial Medical Center is held every Tuesday evening. For more information on times and locations, call 610-970-7363.

The first in a series of three Living With Diabetes classes will be held from 6-9 p.m. in the ground-floor boardroom at Pottstown Memorial Medical Center (PMMC), 1600 E. High St., Pottstown PA. For more information or to register, call 610-327-7463. A physician’s prescription is required. Remaining classes are scheduled at the same time for June 25 and 30.

Wednesday, June 24

Gentle yoga classes for members of Pottstown Memorial Medical Center‘s Senor Circle group will begin at 9 a.m. at Villa at Morlatton, 1180 Ben Franklin Hwy. East, Douglassville PA. The 70-minute session focuses on yoga for flexibility and relaxation. For more information, call 610-327-7699.

A blood drive will be held from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at National Penn Bank, Philadelphia Ave. and Reading avenues, Boyertown PA. Appointments are required, and may be made by calling the blood center at 610-926-6060.

Blood pressure screenings will be conducted by staff members from Phoenixville Hospital from 7-8:15 p.m. in the lobby of the hospital, 140 Nutt Rd., Phoenixville PA.

Blood pressure screenings will be conducted by staff members from the Visiting Nurse Association of Pottstown and Vicinity from 10 a.m. to noon at the Pottstown Area Seniors Center, 724 N. Adams St., Pottstown PA.

An educational seminar designed to help patients of Pottstown Medical Specialists Inc. (PMSI) better manage diabetes is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in its Division of Internal Medicine, 1561 Medical Drive, Suite C. For information on it, call 484-945-0405.

A free meeting of the Post-Partum Adjustment Group is scheduled from 6:30-8 p.m. in Conference Center room A at Phoenixville Hospital, 140 Nutt Rd., Phoenixville PA. Registration is required. For more information or to register, call 610-983-1288.

Thursday, June 25

An exercise class for members of Pottstown Memorial Medical Center‘s Senior Circle will begin at 9:30 a.m. at Congregation Mercy and Truth, Keim Street, Pottstown PA. It includes 60 minutes of aerobics, strength training and stretching. For more information, call 610-327-7699.

The monthly meeting of the Visually Impaired Support Group, sponsored by Phoenixville Hospital, will be held from 10:30 a.m. to Noon in the annex at Phoenixville Hospital, 140 Nutt Rd., Phoenixville PA. For more information or to register, call Gail at the Montgomery County Association for the Blind at 215-896-5989.

A well-child clinic sponsored by the Visiting Nurse Association of Pottstown and Vicinity will be held from 5-7 p.m. at the VNA’s offices, 1963 E. High St., Sanatoga PA.

Blood pressure screenings will be conducted by staff members from the Visiting Nurse Association of Pottstown and Vicinity at 2 p.m. in Manatawny Manor, 30 Old Schuylkill Rd., Pottstown PA.

The second in a series of three Living With Diabetes classes will be held from 6-9 p.m. in the ground-floor boardroom at Pottstown Memorial Medical Center (PMMC), 1600 E. High St., Pottstown PA. For more information or to register, call 610-327-7463. A physician’s prescription is required. A remaining class is scheduled at the same time for June 30.

Friday, June 26

Blood pressure screenings will be conducted by staff members from the Visiting Nurse Association of Pottstown and Vicinity on June 26 (2009; Friday) from 1-3 p.m. at the Coventry Mall, North Coventry PA.

Photo by Clipart.com

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The band will play somewhere almost every week this summer.

LOWER POTTSGROVE PA – Performances by the Pottsgrove Community Band, the musical organization with members from Lower, Upper and West Pottsgrove (PA) townships that this year celebrates its 50th anniversary, have been scheduled throughout the summer. They include:

• June 22 (2009; Monday) at 7 p.m. in Chestnut Knoll, Boyertown PA;
• July 6 (2009; Monday) at 7 p.m. in Manatawny Manor, Pottstown PA;
• July 13 (2009; Monday) at 7 p.m. in Sanatoga Court, Evergreen Road, Lower Pottsgrove PA;
• July 20 (2009; Monday) at 7 p.m. in the Southeastern Veterans Center, Spring City PA;
• July 26 (2009; Sunday) at 6 p.m. in Phoebe Berks Village, Wernersville PA;
• July 27 (2009; Monday) at 7 p.m. in Berean Bible Church, East High Street, Sanatoga PA;
• Aug. 9 (2009; Sunday) at 7 p.m. in the First United Church of Christ, Royersford PA;
• Aug. 10 (2009; Monday) at 7 p.m. in Manor Care, Pottstown PA;
• Aug. 16 (2009; Sunday) at 6 p.m. in Sanatoga Park, South Sanatoga Road, Sanatoga PA (rain date Aug. 17); and
• Aug. 24 (2009; Monday) at 7 p.m. at the Colonnade, Schwenksville.

Additional concert dates have yet to be scheduled in West and Upper Pottsgrove.

• These events have been added to The Post calendar.

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Cutillo's Restaurant.

SANATOGA PA – John Cutillo and his family, owners and operators of Cutillo’s Restaurant, 2688 E. High St., are among those helping to organize and promote the third annual “Golf for Alzheimers” Tournament, to be held Monday (June 22, 2009), at Bella Vista Golf Course, 2901 Fagleysville Rd., Gilbertsville PA.

• This event has been added to The Post calendar.

Alzheimer’s disease is a disorder that destroys brain cells. It causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior severe enough to affect work, lifelong hobbies or social life. Proceeds from the tournament will benefit both Alzheimer’s research and Manatawny Manor, a nursing home on Old Schuylkill Road in Pottstown.

The fundraiser is scheduled to start at noon with lunch, followed by golf at 1 p.m. To register for the event, contact Cutillo’s at 610-327-2910.

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More and more of our neighbors are going hungry.
We can help them. Click here or on the graphic above and visit FeedingAmerica.org.

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