The Sanatoga Post

POTTSTOWN PA – The performance “window” for members of the Pottsgrove High School Indoor Percussion Ensemble, which enters its second year of competition Saturday (Feb. 11, 2012) at a show in Ambler PA, is only eight weeks long. But as the group (some of whom are pictured above) learned last year, that’s time enough to earn awards from judges, praise from peers, and admiration from parents.

The 12-student ensemble left early Saturday for Wissahickon High School to join its first contest of 2012 against a field of eight other groups, many of them well-seasoned veterans. They’ll perform at 11:40 a.m., and then must wait until awards are presented at 5:30 p.m. to see how they fared. “It’s going to be a long day,” percussion instructor Eric Williamson noted.

It’s worth it, ensemble members contend. The competitions are sponsored by the Cavalcade of Bands Association Inc., the same group that oversees shows in which Pottsgrove’s far larger marching band competes. Doing well there brings honor to the Falcons, the Pottsgrove School District, and themselves, they say.

They’ve spent weeks since November in practice, perfecting their techniques and knowledge of this year’s piece. It’s an original composition called “Dreamcatchers,” written by Pottsgrove grad Kevin Smith (watching the group perform, below) and intended to give sonic definition to a young child’s dreams and nightmares. Parents, teachers and friends who heard it performed during a preview Thursday night (Feb. 9) in the high school gym loved it. “It was very listen-able,” one said.

The ensemble got started last year, and won honors during its first run. “That’s what got us thinking, ‘how can we do even better?’,” Smith said. “We were talking about this year even before last year ended,” he added, grinning.

The group is as different as its surprising initial results. They’re not a bunch of hard-core drummers, Williamson explained; about half its members play string, wind and other instruments with the marching band. Of the 12, five are not yet in high school. That speaks to their versatility, and the ensemble’s ability to continue building successes over several more years.

As it strides into the Wissahickon show, visitors there will see evidence of one more way in which the ensemble defies tradition. Rather than usual uniforms, and in keeping with the theme of Smith’s composition, its members will wear pajamas. They’ll be comfortable, warm and, they hope, winners too.

• See a Post gallery of seven photos, below, taken during the Thursday night preview show. Click on any thumbnail image to enlarge it.

LIMERICK PA – Exelon Nuclear, which is credited for its financial support of Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township’s summer concert series, on Tuesday (Feb. 7, 2012) delivered a $150,000 donation to its host municipality, neighboring Limerick Township, to pay for programs and facilities of the Limerick and Linfield Fire companies, its police department, and local parks and recreation.

The check, presented to the Board of Supervisors by Limerick Generating Station (LGS) Site Vice President Bill Maguire, represented the fourth installment of a $600,000 Exelon contribution to the township during the past four years.

“Our goal at (LGS) is to be both a leader in our community and in the nuclear industry,” Maguire said. “Exelon employees have been, and will continue to be, deeply involved in the community, and this contribution demonstrates our ongoing commitment to Limerick … and the region.”

Municipal officials welcomed Exelon’s gift. LGS, supervisors’ chairman Kara Shuler said, “is a valuable member of our community and we look forward to having them here for many years.”

Exelon is currently in the process of renewing its nuclear Units 1 and 2 operating licenses for another 20 years. The station is located at 3146 Sanatoga Rd. in Limerick, just east of the Lower Pottsgrove-Limerick townships’ line.

Exelon spokeswoman Dana Melia noted the company also contributes more than $400,000 each year to regional charities and community organizations.

Photo by Sean Bonner via YFrog

WHITE ON THE GROUND, CANDY CANE IN THE WINDOW – “Mother Nature does some beautiful work,” notes Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township historical researcher Carol Isett, who received a candy cane amaryllis bulb for Christmas from her son and his family. Husband Glenn Isett, membership secretary for the township Historical Society, took this photo just as the bulb “was at the peak of its blooming time,” Carol reports. The arrival of (rare, so far this year) snow Wednesday (Feb. 8, 2012), which lightly covered the ground and trees, seemed like a perfect time to show it off.

Photo by Glenn Isett

SANATOGA PA – Traffic may move more slowly along South Park Road in Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township, following two public hearings the Board of Commissioners has scheduled for Feb. 23 (2012; Thursday) at the municipal building, 2199 Buchert Rd., Sanatoga PA.

The board plans a hearing at which it will consider setting a 30-mph speed limit on South Park Road, which runs from East High Street directly into the upper (southeast) portion of Sanatoga Park. The park, already busy with joggers, children on playground equipment, and intense soccer games, is likely to get even busier this summer with baseball games, board members learned from Assistant Manager Alyson Elliott.

During the second hearing, commissioners will consider installing dual stop signs at the intersection of South Park and Eastern Street, as well as at the entrance and exit driveway for the park.

The hearings were authorized during the board’s Feb. 6 meeting, and were advertised Wednesday (Feb. 8; here and here) in The (Pottstown PA) Mercury newspaper, the township’s publication of record for legal notices. All the traffic-related measures are intended to increase safety of movement in and out of the park, as well as for residents whose homes line the road, Manager Rodney Hawthorne said.

The park’s soccer field, at its south end, has already seen significant use, Elliott told board members. Its baseball stadium, which in years past has been described as an underused asset, will host several games this year, she added.

Local baseball organizations have indicated they would be willing to help with the field’s maintenance and upkeep, too. The township is currently writing agreements to formalize those arrangements, Elliot said.

Related (to the Lower Pottsgrove Board of Commissioners’ Feb. 6 meeting):

• Speed Limit, Stop Signs Topics Of Park Road Hearings
• Talk About Really Dirty Crime: Township Trash Thefts
• Settlement May Be Near In Rupert Road Bridge Lawsuit

Safer motorcycle riding is on the minds of volunteers at the Ringing Hill Fire Company

POTTSTOWN PA – Volunteers from Lower Pottsgrove’s Ringing Hill Fire Company teach children what to do when a fire alarm sounds. They teach fellow members about how to be better firefighters and emergency responders. Now the company is looking to use its property for yet another teaching role: motorcycle safety.

Ringing Hill has asked the township Zoning Hearing Board to grant a special usage exception in the R-1 residential zone where its fire hall located – 815 White Pine Ln., Pottstown PA – “to teach a Pennsylvania-approved motorcycle safety program,” according to an advertisement published Friday (Feb. 3, 2012) in The (Pottstown PA) Mercury newspaper, Lower Pottsgrove’s publication of record for legal notices.

The board is scheduled to meet Feb. 21 (2012; Tuesday) beginning at 6 p.m. in the municipal building, 2199 Buchert Rd., Sanatoga PA. The hearing is open to the public.

If its exception is granted, Ringing Hill would be the only approved provider of motorcycle safety programming within a 10-mile radius of Pottstown, according to the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Program. Others closest to the greater Pottstown area are in Phoenixville, Wayne, Emmaus, Leesport and Cheyney, the last being 23 miles away.

The program is supervised by the California-based Motorcycle Safety Foundation and the state Department of Transportation.

The foundation’s Pennsylvania website explained the program “was established to teach riders of all skill levels the basic fundamentals needed in order to safely operate a motorcycle. The MSP was created from legislation in 1984 and began one year later. The Motorcycle Safety Program is free to all Pennsylvania license holders.”

Its 15-hour basic rider course “is designed to prepare (motorcycle operators) for entry into the complex world of traffic,” the website said. A second, more advanced 6-hour course “was developed to address the skills needed for low risk, enjoyable on-street motorcycling,” it added. A third and newest course is similar to the basic session, but is specifically geared toward increasingly popular three-wheeled ‘cycles.

A set of courses to be taught at Ringing Hill, where there is plenty of isolated parking lot space for such activity, is classified as an “educational purpose” for the hearing board’s consideration.

The Goddard School

SANATOGA PA – An open house for parents and children to explore the offerings of The Goddard School child care center continues through Friday (Jan. 20, 2012) during regular hours – 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. – at the school, 2074 E. High St., Sanatoga PA, school owner Ed Shaw said Tuesday (Jan. 17).

The school’s programs are intended to enhance a child’s emotional, social, intellectual and physical development from ages 6 weeks to 8 years, he added.

As part of the open house, the school has scheduled “PJ Day” for Thursday (Jan. 19), during which enrolled students and visitors too can wear their pajamas and bring their favorite stuffed animal to join them. It also plans an “Around the World Festival” for next Wednesday (Jan. 25) from 5-7 p.m.

As part of the national Goddard chain, Shaw said the Sanatoga school also will conduct and participate in a Goddard Community Games event planned for Feb. 11 (Saturday) at the school. That event is open to the public. “We’ll have a variety of activities for children and their parents, and we’ll focus on learning about playing well with others and accepting each other’s differences,” Shaw said.

For more information, call 610-970-3336.

Photo from The Goddard School

SANATOGA PA – Jottings from a reporter’s notebook:

Refined Music, Refined Atmosphere Too

It was a happy surprise to hear Cutillo’s Restaurant, 2688 E. High St., Sanatoga heading the list of venues and events being promoted Monday (Jan. 16, 2012) by Philadelphia jazz music radio station WRTI-FM. If you haven’t been there lately, Cutillo’s now presents live jazz by regional performers every Saturday from 9 p.m. to midnight in its lounge. Scheduled for Jan. 28 is “Evolution Jazz.”

Valley Forge Touts The Value Of Membership

Those who travel U.S. Route 422 past King of Prussia during the weekday commute can’t help but notice the strides construction crews are making in the renovation of the Valley Forge Conference Center and its adjacent hotel. They will soon become part of the Valley Forge Casino Resort and Spa. Although an opening is several months away, the resort is already selling three-month trial and full-year memberships for dining and entertainment.

An artist's rendering of the casino's interior

Casino access is included with both, naturally.

The gambling license granted by Pennsylvania to Valley Forge forbids casino access to the general public unless they are registered overnight guests at the hotel; visitors attending a convention, meeting or a private function; customers who spend a minimum of $10 in one of the resort’s restaurants, night clubs or retail stores; or who … you guessed it … are resort members.

Three-month trial dining memberships are currently being advertised at $20; entertainment, $30.

The Exeter Chick-fil-a

Fill Your Stomach, And Bring A Jacket, Won’t You?

Chosen 300 Ministries, which operates in Pottstown, will benefit from a coat-and-blanket drive to be held today (Monday, Jan. 16) just west up the road (U.S. Route 422) at the Chick-fil-a Restaurant in Exeter.

The restaurant and WORD-FM Radio are calling this a “Souper Coat Drive,” which ties neatly to one of the store’s newest menu items, Chicken Tortilla Soup. Visitors who donate a new or gently used coat or blanket will receive a thank-you coupon for a serving of Chick-fil-A’s soups. Restaurant operator Shawn Filby reminds you that he offers a “classic Hearty Breast of Chicken Soup” as well.

Chosen 300 is a non-profit that distributes coats, blankets and meals to the homeless and needy not only in Pottstown, but in Philadelphia and Reading as well.

How often can you say “I cut the cheese!” and mean something good?

Rebbie at a book-signing event

Last June (2011), Royersford resident and singer-songwriter-author Kevin Rebbie published a well-received children’s book, illustrated by animator Laura Bluett, called “Mr. Stinkas and The Little Cheese Shop.” Mr. Stinkas has a dog named “Old Bleu,” and they have adventures that we’re not about to spoil by telling you. Suffice it to say, the book is aptly titled.

Part of its appeal, besides being a hoot for kids, is that a portion of the book’s proceeds are donated to a foundation that supports pediatric cancer research. Rebbie’s been busy on a regional promotional circuit since Mr. Stinkas’ debut. He’s been to Wilmington DE, Philadelphia (several times), and King of Prussia through late last month to do interviews and book signings.

Now he’s offering a discounted price ($25, formerly $30; and free shipping) from his website on a package that includes an autographed and personalized copy of the 64-page, full-color book, an accompanying audio CD, and an “I Cut The Cheese” backpack. The charities (there are now three Rebbie supports) still get a cut too.

Editor’s note: Notebook Worthy is a series of occasional articles; find others like it, here.

Photos from Google Images, the Valley Forge Casino and Resort, Chick-fil-a Exeter, and Kevin Rebbie

POTTSTOWN PA – The New Year’s Day tradition that involves turning warm, sometimes scantily clad bodies into human popsicles – the Polar Bear Plunge at Pottstown’s Riverfront Park off College Drive – returns Sunday (Jan. 1, 2012) with the anticipated dip into the icy Schuylkill River and other activities that make the event worth attending and watching.

Hundreds of onlookers, and a few dozen brave but shivering swimmers, arrive every year at the park for the fun. It’s free, it’s open to the public, and organizers say they’ll practically guarantee visitors will have a good time. The swim registration starts at 9 a.m., followed by a couple of speeches at 10, the lighting of the borough’s flesh-warming bonfire at 10:15, and the plunge itself at 10:30.

Unless you plan to get wet of your own accord – that is, you’re willing to take a dive – better bring an umbrella along. Most weather forecasters predict rain Sunday, although the high temperature should reach 51 degrees. That’s later in the day, sadly; the morning thermometer is likely to read somewhere in the 30-degree range.

• Want an advance peek at what’ll happen? Watch a video (above) of last year’s (2011) edition of the plunge, or see it at The Post’s YouTube user account.

Pallets are already stacked in the park by the riverside, ready to be set afire Sunday

Other coverage:

• New Year’s Day event keeps growing (The Mercury)

PROOF THAT BEAUTY SURROUNDS US – “Long drives don’t seem quite as long when you’re staring at this from the front seat,” photographer “melshellhammer” observed Wednesday (Dec. 28, 2011) as she took this photo of trees and the sun breaking through clouds while riding in a car on East High Street in Sanatoga. She used the free Instagram web app on an iPhone to snap, modify, and transmit the image and its geographic coordinates for the world to enjoy.

Photo by melshellhammer via Instagram

ON THE COURT AT POTTSGROVE HIGH – The girls’ junior varsity basketball squads of Pottsgrove and Upper Perkiomen high schools played Tuesday night (Dec. 13, 2011) at the Falcons’ home gym on Kauffman Road, Pottstown PA. See a gallery of 9 photos, below; enlarge any individual photo by clicking on its thumbnail image.