The Sanatoga Post

SANATOGA PA – For those ready to take a break just before the Thanksgiving holiday gets under way, the Turkey Trot Dance and adult mixer – featuring disc jockey “Enchanted Midnight” – will offer recorded hits from the 1960s through the ’80s  next Wednesday (Nov. 25, 2009) from 7-11 p.m. in Sunnybrook Ballroom, 50 Sunnybrook Rd., Sanatoga PA.

• This event has been added to The Post calendar.

A happy hour event will be held from 7-8 p.m. A $5 admission fee will be charged at the door. Proceeds benefit the Sunnybrook restoration fund.

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They paid how much?

POTTSTOWN PA – The top price paid for real estate within the township from Aug. 26-31, 2009, was $235,000, the Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper reports. The property is located at 2371 Donna Ln.

This week’s top reported prices were listed Sunday (Nov. 15, 2009) in “The Top 50,” the newspaper’s weekly review of highest prices paid for real estate sold within the city of Philadelphia and townships in its surrounding counties.

By contrast, during the same period, the top real estate sales price in Pottstown PA Borough, immediately to the west was $190,000; Limerick PA Township, east, $543,400; New Hanover PA Township, northeast, $375,310; Upper Pottsgrove PA Township, west, $330,556; and in North Coventry PA Township, south, none listed.

Related:

• What They Sold For, Aug. 20-25, 2009
• What They Sold For, Aug. 13-19, 2009
• What They Sold For, Aug. 5-12, 2009
• What They Sold For, July 29-Aug. 4, 2009
• What They Sold For, July 24-28, 2009
• What They Sold For, July 20-23, 2009
• What They Sold For, July 13-17, 2009
• What They Sold For, July 6-10, 2009
• What They Sold For, June 29-July 3, 2009
• What They Sold For, June 22-26, 2009
• What They Sold For, June 15-19, 2009
• What They Sold For, June 8-12, 2009
• What They Sold For, June 1-5, 2009
• What They Sold For, May 25-29, 2009
• What They Sold For, May 18-22, 2009
• What They Sold For, May 11-15, 2009
• What They Sold For, May 4-8, 2009
• What They Sold For, April 27-May 1, 2009
• What They Sold For, April 20-24, 2009
• What They Sold For, April 13-17, 2009
• What They Sold For, April 2-12, 2009, was unavailable
• What They Sold For, March 30-April 1, 2009
• What They Sold For, March 19-27, 2009
• What They Sold For, March 18-20, 2009
• What They Sold For, March 5-11, 2009
• What They Sold For, Feb. 26-March 4, 2009
• What They Sold For, Feb. 18-25, 2009
• What They Sold For, Feb. 4-11, 2009
• What They Sold For, Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2009
• What They Sold For, Jan. 19-27, 2009
• What They Sold For, Jan. 10-18, 2009
• What They Sold For, Jan. 1-9, 2009
• What They Sold For, Dec. 22-31, 2008
• What They Sold For, Dec. 15-19, 2008
• What They Sold For, Dec. 8-12, 2008
• What They Sold For, Nov. 26-Dec. 5, 2008
• What They Sold For, Nov. 18-24, 2008
• What They Sold For, Nov. 10-17, 2008
• What They Sold For, Oct. 28-Nov. 3, 2008
• What They Sold For, Oct. 20-27, 2008
• What They Sold For, Oct. 13-17, 2008
• What They Sold For, Oct. 6-10, 2008
• What They Sold For, Sept. 29 -Oct. 3, 2008
• What They Sold For, Sept. 22-26, 2008
• What They Sold For, Sept. 15-19, 2008
• What They Sold For, Sept. 8-12, 2008
• What They Sold For, Sept. 1-5, 2008
• What They Sold For, Aug. 25-29, 2008
• What They Sold For, Aug. 18-22, 2008

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POTTSTOWN PA – Students and teachers at the Pottsgrove School District‘s Ringing Rocks Elementary School plan this week to pack some Thanksgiving cheer for families in need the same way they’d pack their lunch boxes on a school day.

Ringing Rocks Principal Michelle Bozzini reports that children and adults alike will converge Wednesday morning (Nov. 18, 2009) at 9:15 a.m. in the school’s cafeteria to make and wrap sandwiches that will be served by the Community Meals Program of the Outreach Center for the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities, 137 Walnut St., Pottstown PA.

• This event has been added to The Post calendar.

“The kids are very excited to be helping their community,” district spokeswoman Beth Trapani noted in an e-mail Sunday.

The cluster is an organization consisting of local churches and religious groups whose social and other programs benefit Greater Pottstown area residents. Its community meals effort serves those who lack cooking facilities, are incapable of cooking for themselves, are in need of a meal, or who just want to share some companionship.

The program’s lunches are served from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on:

• Mondays at Christ Episcopal Church, 316 High St., Pottstown PA;
• Wednesdays, The Salvation Army, 137 King St., Pottstown PA;
• Fridays, First United Methodist Church, 414 High St., Pottstown PA; and
• Saturdays, Walnut Street Seventh Day Adventist Church, Walnut and Warren streets, Pottstown PA.

The cluster also serves dinner twice weekly, at 5 p.m. on:

• Tuesdays, at Trinity Reformed Church, Hanover and King streets; Pottstown PA; and
• Thursdays, First Presbyterian Church, 750 N. Evans St., Pottstown PA.

Photo from Clipart.com

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SO BIG THEY HAD TO MOVE – Advance response for the third annual Bingo Bonanza fund-raiser to benefit St. Pius X High School, 844 N. Keim St., Pottstown PA, was so overwhelming that organizers decided this year to move it from the high school to Sanatoga’s Sunnybrook Ballroom, 50 Sunnybrook Rd., Pottstown PA. More than 800 tickets to the event had already been sold a week before the event. Dozens of tables packed with Bingo enthusiasts filled the ballroom’s main hall (above) Sunday (Nov. 15, 2009) to compete for cash and other prizes in adult, teen and child categories. Many prizes were donated by area businesses and individuals. A tie-breaker table for youths, at which one winning young girl found herself (below), helped determined how multiple winners would share in prizes.

Congressman Jim Gerlach, right, was among the featured speakers Sunday in Sanatoga during the second of two dinners for veterans conducted by local Girl Scouts Rosie Brunner, left, and Meagan West.

Lower Pottsgrove's state Rep. Tom Quigley, right, talks with diners at his table.

POTTSTOWN PA – For a second consecutive week, U.S. armed services veterans and active duty personnel and their families responded Sunday (Nov. 15, 2009) to the invitation of two local girl scouts to share a meal and be recognized for their service to the nation, in what was called “A Dinner With The Heroes” in the Colonial Room at Sunnybrook Ballroom, 50 Sunnybrook Rd., Sanatoga PA.

Scouts Meagan West and Rosie Brunner of Pottstown area Troop 71425 spent months planning and preparing the meal as the centerpiece of their attempt to earn Girl Scouting’s second-highest honor, a Silver Award. A total of 50 service men and women, and their guests, were invited by West and Brunner to Sunnybrook yesterday and on Nov. 8 to enjoy dinner and receive the Scouts’ praise.

• The girls received help from several individuals, local veterans organizations, fellow scouts, and their parents.

The scouts crafted their own personal tokens of tribute and presented them to each veteran and service member in attendance.

With state Rep. Tom Quigley, who represents Lower Pottsgrove, Limerick and Pottstown, serving as the dinners’ co-sponsor, the service men and women also drew attention from other dignitaries. Limerick congressman Rep. Jim Gerlach arrived for greetings and conversation, and Pottstown Mayor Sharon Valentine-Thomas was among the diners.

Souvenir programs gave every participant a memory to take home.

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POTTSTOWN PA – The Pottsgrove High School Music League annual Holiday and Craft Show will be held Saturday (Nov. 21, 2009) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pottsgrove High School, 1345 Kauffman Rd., Pottstown PA. This year’s event will coincide with a separate but additional show at Ringing Rocks Elementary School, ensuring extra shopping traffic. For more information, call 610-323-0808.

• This event has been added to The Post calendar.

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Published during the week just ended in The Sanatoga Post:

Saturday, Nov. 14

• 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.
• Cinderella Finds Twin At Pottsgrove High School
  A musical for children being presented Thursday puts a comedic spin on the popular fairy tale about a young woman who loses her slipper and finds a prince.
• Craft Shows, Bazaars Under Way Today
  Local churches and charitable groups have got lots of interesting gift ideas to see, and tasty food items to try, in advance of the holiday season.
• 4-H Clubs Exhibit At Oaks Pet Expo
  Montgomery County (PA) youths took themselves and their pets to the show, to promote animal husbandry and their organization too.

Friday, Nov. 13

• Pottsgrove Marchers Compete In Championships
  The award-winning Pottsgrove High School Marching Band will play in Hershey PA this weekend, competing against musicians from across the state.
• School Changes Tonight’s Fun Performance
  Sometimes things just don’t go as planned. But when you’re as organized as the Lower Pottsgrove Elementary School PTO, a substitution can be as good – or maybe even better – than the original.
• Bursich Manager Elected Surveyors’ 2010 VP
  A Berks County resident, headquartered in Sanatoga, has been selected for a two-year leadership stint.
• Featured Poets Saturday In Pottstown Bakery
  The Mad Poets Society convenes downtown for readings by two nationally acclaimed poets. There’s an open mic for local writers, too.
• YMCA Registers For Youth Basketball League
  Applications from kids ages 4-14 are being accepted daily through Nov.28 at the Pottstown facility.

Thursday, Nov. 12

• New Codes Book Cause For Municipal Excitement
  No, it won’t be considered entertaining night-time reading, but the new book of Lower Pottsgrove Township codes and ordinances has been published. It contains everything current, drops the obsolete, and can be continually updated in print and online.
• District Sets Dec. 3 Hearing On Rocks’ Budget
  The cost of rebuilding and expanding Ringing Rocks Elementary School isn’t yet set in stone, but must be submitted as an estimate to the state for reimbursement funding. A hearing on the proposed project budget will be held next month.
• Stuff To Do This Weekend
  A dance in Sanatoga, a musical in Phoenixville, a comedy in Collegeville. Hand-sewing demonstrations, Santa’s arrival, and a workshop for budding family researchers. Oh, and the now weekly list of local holiday bazaars, craft fairs and digestible goodie sales.

Wednesday, Nov. 11

• Thank You, Veterans, For Your Service
  Today is Veterans Day. Here’s a round-up of related events across the Greater Pottstown area. Attend one, and while there thank those who protected the rest of us.
• Bittersweet Homecoming For Family Grieving Son’s Loss
  With the help of volunteers and donors, including a Sanatoga business, a family whose young son died this week of a debilitating disease moves into a new home.
• Music Soothes The School Board
  Last night’s Pottsgrove School District board meeting included a performance by young musicians from Ringing Rocks Elementary School.
• Imaging Centers Win MRI Accreditation
  Medical facilities in Lower Pottsgrove and Boyertown are certified by the American College of Radiology.
• Sanatoga Court Plan Holiday Open House
  The assisted living facility on Evergreen Road will hold a holiday gift and food sale, complete with activities for adults and kids.

Tuesday, Nov. 10

• Tim Gunn Appears As Iron Man In Pottstown
  The “Project Runway” fashion guru won’t visit in person, but he will show up in comic book art form, through Nov. 25 at a downtown gallery.
• Vying For Silver Award, Scouts Honor Veterans
  Two local Girl Scouts pay homage to Pottstown Area veterans with dinners they produced and hosted at Sanatoga’s Sunnybrook Ballroom.
• District Tech Audit Response On Board Agenda
  Pottsgrove school directors weren’t happy back in August, when they received a technology audit that reported the potential for information security problems. How those issues have been addressed is part of tonight’s meeting.
• Pottsgrove Hosts College Info Program
  In an attempt to help Pottsgrove seniors prepare for higher education, the high school will conduct a seminar on what to look for, and where.
• Dance The Adult Way Nov. 20 At Sunnybrook
  Take a break on a coming Friday in Sanatoga to boogie your cares away.

Monday, Nov. 9

• Sanatoga Project Faces Limerick Zoning Decisions
  The Limerick Zoning Hearing Board could issue critical rulings this week that will affect the future of The Gateway At Sanatoga shopping complex, proposed to be built just east of the Lower Pottsgrove township line.
• What They Sold For
  A weekly review of top prices paid for real estate in Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township and surrounding municipalities.
• You’d Need 2 Forms Of Plastic To Buy Gas Here
  If and when it opens, a Costco fueling station in The Gateway At Sanatoga would be very particular about who could purchase gasoline there, and with what.
• Home Depot Offers Discounts To Veterans
  Former and current members of the U.S. armed services, and their families, earn a bonus through Veterans Day at the Lower Pottsgrove store.
• Also, In The Limerick Post
  • What They Sold For … In Limerick
  • Outback Offers Free Items To Veterans

Sunday, Nov. 8

• The Post Week In Review
  For Nov. 1-7, 2009

SANATOGA PA – Health care news for western Montgomery County residents (and anyone else!), Nov. 15-21, 2009:

• These events have been added to The Post calendar.

Sunday, Nov. 15

A peer-led meeting of Resolve, the National Infertility Association support group, is scheduled to be held weekly on Sundays beginning at 2 p.m., sponsored by Phoenixville Hospital, 140 Nutt Rd., Phoenixville PA. Registration is required. For more information or to register, call 610-917-0006.

Monday, Nov. 16

Take a mini-session starting Monday.

A holiday mini-session of health-related programs and classes begins today and runs through  Dec. 20 at the Pottstown YMCA, Adams and Jackson streeets, Pottstown PA. The series includes aquatics, fitness, youth and seniors’ activities, and others. Fees and registration are required. For more information, call 610-323-7300.

Tuesday, Nov. 17

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.

A free breast pumping class for new and expectant mothers is scheduled to be held from 7-9 p.m. in Suite 300 of Medical Office Building II at Phoenixville Hospital, 140 Nutt Rd., Phoenixville PA. Registration is required. For more information or to register, call 610-983-1288.

Wednesday, Nov. 18

A grief support group meeting conducted by the Pottstown YMCA will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Freedom Valley YMCA branch at Adams and Jackson streets, Pottstown PA. Those in need of grief support and counseling are welcome to attend. Group meetings are scheduled on the first and third Wednesdays of every month. For more information, call 610-32-7300.

A free meeting of the Post-Partum Adjustment Group is scheduled to be held from 6:30-8 p.m. in Suite 300 of Medical Office Building II at Phoenixville Hospital, 140 Nutt Rd., Phoenixville PA. Registration is required. For more information or to register, call 610-983-1288.

Thursday, Nov. 19

One of the most anticipated events of the year in Pottstown Memorial Medical Center‘s Healthy Woman lecture series, its annual Celestial Bodies workshops, will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Center for the Arts of The Hill School, Beech and Sheridan streets, Pottstown PA. This year’s workshops feature belly dancing, emotional freedom technique, guided imagery, I Ching, nutritional herbal remedies, Qigong, Reiki, restorative yoga, trigger point therapy and tuning fork therapy (vibrotherapy). The evening will start with light refreshments and the chance to network with Healthy Woman partners, followed by a keynote on new Family Risk Assessment Programs by Dr. Jeffrey Stevens, an oncologist and hematologist with PMMC’s Regional Cancer Center.  After the keynote, participants are invited to attend their choice of three of the 10 available workshops. For more information, call 610-327-PMMC.

A Caregiver’s Support Group will be held tonight and on the third Thursday of every month from 6-7:30 p.m. at Chestnut Knoll Assisted Living Facility, 120 W. 5th St., Boyertown PA. The group is specifically designed for givers of care to Alzheimer’s or dementia patients. It provides information and education, and also serves as a forum for learning from others. For more information, call 610-473-8066.

Friday, Nov. 20

Free dental screenings will be offered weekly on Friday mornings in the Boyertown Multi-Service Center, Spring Street, Boyertown PA. Patients interested in this service must call Community Health and Dental at 610-326-7405, and not the Multi-Service Center, to schedule an appointment. Patients will be informed of the dentist’s findings following the screening.

Saturday, Nov. 21

A one-day birth prep class for new and expectant parents is scheduled to be held Nov. 21 (2009; Saturday) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Suite 300 of Medical Office Building II at Phoenixville Hospital, 140 Nutt Rd., Phoenixville PA. A fee of $85 per couple will be charged. Registration is required. For more information or to register, call 610-983-1288.

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Introducing "Twinderella" royalty: Prince (Jeremy Downey), Queen (Kaitlyn Kennedy), King (Matt Zarley), and Princess (Anastasia Koss).

Meet Cinderella and her family: Cruel Stepmother (Jordan Shoemaker), evil stepsisters (Amanda Collar and Mary Burckhardt) and Cinderella (Kayla Speedy).

POTTSTOWN PA – What if Cinderella – she of the popular fairy tale – had a long-lost twin brother named Bob?

That’s the premise of a children’s musical called “Twinderella,” being staged next Thursday (Nov. 19, 2009) at 7 p.m. at Pottsgrove High School, 1345 Kauffman Rd., Pottstown PA.

• This event has been added to The Post calendar.

The production runs about one hour and is ideal for elementary-age children and up.  Children age 12 and younger will be admitted free; admission is $1 at the door for all others.

The show focuses on Cinderella (played by Kayla Speedy), who suffers the taunts of her cruel stepmother (Jordan Shoemaker) and stepsisters (Mary Burckhardt, Amanda Collar).  With the magic of her Fairy Godmother (Nicole Messina), and some enchanted giant gerbils, she succeeds in reaching the ball.

On the other side of the kingdom, Bob (Jamal Reddick) is abused by his equally evil stepfather (Taylor Bush) and stepbrothers (Tyler Noll, Mike Rossi) as he tries to get to the royal ball … game.  Only the appearance of his gangster Godfather (Vinny Pellechio) can fix the situation.

The show is punctuated with lively songs like “The Stroke of Twelve,” “You Got Work T’Do,” and “Celebration.” Eventually the search is on to find feet to fit the glass slipper, and a muddy cleat, and to reunite Cinderella and Bob with their respective prince and princess.

The cast also includes Krisina Antonio, Jeremy Downey, Paris Footman, Ian Hendricks, Orlando Hernandez, Kaitlyn Kennedy, Ashleigh Kleinschmidt, Jen Korb, Anastasia Koss, Vicki Lambert, Jazmin Reddick, Lauren Robison, Jeremy Tauber, Tim Wehr, Yinan Xiong, Katrina Zadoyko, and Matt Zarley.

The production is directed by Todd Kelly and Kim Sheeler.  Alysa Murray serves as student director.  Choreography is by Stephanie Land; costumes by Elizabeth Rodenbaugh and Cindy Wozniak; and art direction by Cindy Scherer and Gwyn Thomas.

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POTTSTOWN PA – Local churches and charitable organizations want to help Pottstown area consumers get a head start on their holiday shopping, with bazaars, fairs and shows that offer a variety of craft, food and other goods. Here’s a list of what The Post has been advised is open today (Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009). Be aware: most start early in the morning and end by mid-afternoon, so plan a route accordingly.

A craft show featuring the all-handmade wares of more than 60 vendors will fill two rooms for public viewing and purchases today from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Limerick Fire Company, 390 W. Ridge Pike, Limerick PA. A raffle also is planned.

The fall Antiques Show and Sale sponsored by the Twin Valley Scholastic Boosters Club will be held  today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday (Nov. 15, 2009) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Twin Valley High School, Route 23, Elverson PA. Tickets cost $5. For more information, call 610-999-1291.

An Autumn Craft Fair and Bazaar will be held today from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 316 High St., Pottstown PA. Admission is free. The event features various area crafters, a “Thinking and Doing Green” table, a kid’s craft corner and children’s book exchange, and baked goods. For more information, call 610-323-2895.

A Holiday Craft Bazaar with more than 40 tables of crafts will be held today from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hope Community Church, 2732 N. Charlotte St., Gilbertsville PA. A flea market also will be held. Lunch, home-made baked goods and lunch will be available.

The annual Christmas Bazaar of Coventryville United Methodist Church will be held today from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 1521 Old Ridge Pike, Pottstown PA. It features a silent auction, bake table, greenhouse, tree trimming items, a youth table, and attic treasurer. Breakfast and lunch items also will be for sale.

The Holiday Bazaar of St. John’s United Church of Christ will be held today from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the church at the corner of High and Price streets, Pottstown PA. Home-made crafts and Christmas items will be offered, along with goods on a white elephant table. Church cooks will sell cookies and other baked goods, soups, potato filling, and other hot and cold lunch items.

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Glascow and Walnut streets, Stowe PA, will hold its Holiday Bazaar today from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church, with parking available at the rear. Food items, including home-made chow-chow, soup, baked goods and candies will be available for sale, as well as crafts, plants, and items on a white elephant table.

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