Support For ‘Secret Valley’ Rail Line From Boyertown To Pottstown Picks Up Steam

Plans for a tourist excursion railroad on the eight-mile Colebrookdale line between Pottstown and Boyertown are moving forward and picking up support, most recently from a team of 40-or-so volunteers to got together to do a clean-up along the route.

Last weekend, the volunteers, led by the Pottstown Roller Derby Rockstars and folks in Montgomery County’s ARD program performing court-ordered community service, picked up trash along the right of way.

Berks County Subway provided lunch for all volunteers, and the Pottstown Health and Wellness Foundation provided water.

J.P. Mascaro & Sons provided two dumpsters.

Read more:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130617/NEWS01/130619394/support-for-secret-valley-rail-line-from-boyertown-to-pottstown-picks-up-steam#full_story

11th-Hour Withdrawal Restarts Boyertown’s Superintendent Search

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States Public School Districts (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Boyertown School Board was so close.

After a monthslong superintendent search, the board had selected a candidate and agreed on a contract.

The last step was his appointment, which at one point was expected to take place Tuesday.

But to begin Tuesday’s meeting, board President Gwen W. Semmens made this announcement instead:

“We had a potential candidate who withdrew at the very last moment.  We’ll be looking for new candidates.”

Read more:  http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=477464

Spring Saving Craft Fair

Walnut Woods of Boyertown

Saturday, March 23, 11am-4pm

35 North Walnut Street, Boyertown

Vendors Needed!

Arts and crafts vendors wanted.  Direct sales vendors wanted (home party vendors).  No fee.  Please provide you own table.  Spots will be 6 feet.  Please call to reserve your spot.  Spots are limited.

Contact Jessica at 610-367-6616

Colebrookdale Agrees To Continue Police Merger Discussions

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States with township and municipal boundaries (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

COLEBROOKDALE — Township commissioners are in agreement to continue talks about a possible merger between the Boyertown and Colebrookdale police departments.

The commissioners reviewed a preliminary budget drawn up by the managers of both jurisdictions and unanimously agreed at their Feb. 19 meeting to move ahead in discussions with Boyertown borough officials.

With an estimated budget of nearly $2 million, the commissioners discussed ways of combining staff and appropriating costs, including how to fund pension plans. A meeting with pension representatives from both Boyertown and Colebrookdale is scheduled for March 28.

Read more:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130220/NEWS01/130229904/colebrookdale-agrees-to-continue-police-merger-discussions#full_story

The Pottstown Area Police Athletic League Annual Beef And Beverage

The Pottstown Area Police Athletic League

Presents the 5^th Annual

Beef & Beverage

Saturday, February 23, 7pm – 11pm

Boyertown Orioles, 101 S. Washington Street, Boyertown

Gift Basket Raffles   50/50 Raffle   Limited Tickets for Sale $25.00

Call PAL Office at 610-327-0527

No Boyertown Tax Hike, But Water Rates Rise

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States with township and municipal boundaries (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

After approving a $1.5 million budget without a tax increase, Boyertown Borough Council endorsed a 9.35 percent water rate hike Wednesday in hopes that it will offset a $100,000 decline in commercial and industrial water revenues.

The 6-0 budget vote maintains the current property tax rate of 5.14 mills, leaving the annual tax bill for a property assessed at $100,000 at $514.

By raising water rates, the borough council hopes to generate an additional $150,000 in revenue, with the extra $50,000 acting as a cushion against rising expenses and preventing more rate hikes in the near future.

Council hopes to have the new rates take effect in the first quarter of 2013 and will vote in February to authorize them if the water authority approves them next month.

Read more:  http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=439235

Boyertown, Colebrookdale To Again Talk Police Merger

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States with township and municipal boundaries (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Colebrookdale Township and Boyertown will soon return to a familiar topic of conversation between the two neighbors: a possible merger of their police departments.

At a recent Colebrookdale commissioners meeting, Township Manager Cindy Conrad said Boyertown has approached the township about holding merger talks for the second time in two years and the third time in the past decade.

The board agreed to renew the discussion, with President Todd M. Gamler noting that it doesn’t cost anything to talk.

The police forces have historically worked together.  Because the township nearly surrounds Boyertown, Colebrookdale officers often have to drive through the borough on the way to calls.

Read more:  http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=433906

First Annual Open House At Hodge Podge Unique Boutique In Boyertown

Friday, November 23rd at 11:00 am until Saturday, November 24th at 4:00 pm

The fun begins on Black Friday with Door Prizes and Specials all day.  Then, come wind down with us and share your Shopping Stories in a relaxing, no pressure atmosphere at our monthly Fourth Friday Event.  You’ll enjoy a complimentary glass of wine or iced tea along with a selection of fine cheeses – just what you’ll need to melt away the stress of the Big Box stores.

The festivities continue on Small Business Saturday! From 10:00 am until noon, meet Nadia Beck, designer and owner of the Grey Button clothing line.  Enjoy free coffee, tea and sweets as you get to know Nadia and the ins & outs of the fashion biz!  The new look of Avon arrives at noon until 3:00 pm.  If you haven’t seen what Avon’s been up to lately, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.  Avon offers so many gifts – truly something for everyone – that you can sit and shop while you snack on lite refreshments.  Door Prizes and Deals throughout the day!

Three door prizes will be awarded per day.  Need not be present to win.As Always, No Purchase Necessary.

Hodge Podge is located at 12 N. Reading Avenue, in downtown Boyertown, PA.

 

National Penn Bank Moving Headquarters To Allentown

English: City of Allentown from east side (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Boyertown, PA - National Penn Bancshares Inc., the holding company that operates National Penn Bank, will move its corporate headquarters from Boyertown to Allentown and will build a new facility on Broadcasting Road in Spring Township, according to a company statement released this morning.

The new headquarters will be at Seventh and Hamilton streets in downtown Allentown, a Neighborhood Improvement Zone, and will house about 275 employees. It is scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2014.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/Article.aspx?id=421290

Job Opening In Boyertown, PA

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States with township and municipal boundaries (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Job Announcement

SENIOR CENTER DIRECTOR – FULL TIME + BENEFITS

Must have college degree or equivalent experience with geriatric population.  Strong supervisory and organizational skills a must.

Please send resume and cover letter to:

Boyertown Area Multi-Service, Inc.

c/o Personnel Committee

200 West Spring Street

Boyertown, PA 19512

No Calls Please

Reviving Live Arts At The State Theatre Of Boyertown

It’s a work in progress for owner Kevin Rhude, who would like to turn the 100-year-old State Theatre of Boyertown into a theater of the arts.

At 61 N. Reading Ave., the theater shows three to four movies a week at 4:30 and 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays in addition to a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturdays and Sundays.

But Rhude of Boyertown wants the theater to go beyond film and be a venue for arts of all kinds.

Rhude purchased the State Theatre in 2008.  Having worked in real estate for more than 20 years, Rhude said he has an appreciation for old buildings and art.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=412991

Enrollment Increase Projected In Boyertown School District

Anticipating steep enrollment growth in coming years, the Boyertown School Board received an assessment Monday of the district’s ability to accommodate new waves of students in schools that are nearing, if not above, capacity.

In a presentation before six board members, representatives from the Harrisburg-based architecture and engineering firm EI Associates shared their finding that the district’s elementary schools were ill-suited for projected enrollment growth.

Their feasibility study, authorized in May, found that the Colebrookdale and Gilbertsville elementary schools were over capacity by 16 and 83 students, respectively.

Across its seven elementary schools, the district is at 96 percent capacity, with 3,761 students enrolled and a capacity of 3,900.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=402183

Passenger Rail Excursions Planned For Historic Short Line In Boyertown

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States with township and municipal boundaries (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The sound of the whistle echoed through Boyertown Saturday as the diesel engine left a rail yard near Third and Chestnut streets pulling two hoppers loaded with scrapped steel.

The 8.2-mile downhill trip to Pottstown had begun.

Engineer Fitzhugh “Beanie” Clark said Eastern Berks Gateway Railroad is running one or two trips a week on the historic short line known as the Colebrookdale Spur.  It first became operational in 1869.

The Berks County commissioners bought the line for $1.35 million in March 2009 to save it from abandonment by a former owner, and contracted with Eastern Berks to operate it.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=401732

Boyertown School District Banking On Ads For Revenue

A year ago, Jim Bozzini came before the Boyertown School Board as a parent and taxpayer to suggest a new way for the cash-strapped district to raise money: advertisements.

Now the board is turning to Bozzini, president of School Media Marketing, Gilbertsville, to deliver on his suggestion and solicit advertisements for the district.

The board has approved a three-year contract with Bozzini, the lone bidder, that will give School Media Marketing a 20 percent commission on advertising proceeds.

Officials have estimated $25,000 in first-year profits for the district and say, based on the experience of other districts, that the number could grow to six figures in future years.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=396640

Boyertown Landmark Pharmacy Bauses Closes

Editor’s note:  This is why buying local is important.  Very sad!

BOYERTOWN, PA- A fixture in the Boyertown community for 77 years, Bause’s Super Drug Store abruptly closed its doors for good Monday.

Bauses’s issued a joint announcement with CVS on Tuesday stating that effective immediately CVS had purchased Bause’s pharmacy business and transferred all prescriptions to the CVS/pharmacy at 801 E. Philadelphia Ave., less than a mile from the now-closed Bause’s Super Drug Store, 42 E. Philadelphia Ave.

Bause’s owner Jane (Mellott) Beauchamp said “every single full-time employee” of Bause’s was hired by CVS in Boyertown. She noted that these employees were hired on their own merit “as well as the fact that they were part of the BSDS team.”

Read more: http://business-news.thestreet.com/the-mercury/story/boyertown-landmark-pharmacy-bauses-closes/1

Hodge Podge, To Move From Clayote To Boyertown Storefront

Image via Wikipedia

Editor’s note: Congratulations to my friend Heidi Bauer and her business partner Sandi Evans on moving their store to a larger location!  A win for downtown Boyertown!

Building a Better Boyertown commissioned a study which found that residents wanted to see two more businesses in Boyertown.

The first was a bookstore, and in July, The Book Nook opened at 130 E. Philadelphia Ave.

And now their second request has been met with Hodge Podge thrift and gift shop.

Heidi Bauer and Sandi Evans opened their consignment and area artisan gift store on Feb. 18 in the lower level of Clayote Art Studio and Gallery, 1 E. Philadelphia Ave.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=369474

Boyertown Man Charged In Alsace Killing

Image via Wikipedia

Is there something in the air or water around here lately???

A Boyertown man was arrested at his home Friday about six hours after state police say he fatally shot a friend during an argument at an Alsace Township home.

Robert W. Pfanders Jr., 25, of the 300 block of East Third Street surrendered to troopers who surrounded his residence about 9:30 a.m., investigators said.

He was committed to Berks County Prison without bail following arraignment before District Judge Kim Bagenstose late Friday on homicide charges. He told the judge at Reading Central Court that he is single and a landscaper.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=364663

Boytertown Council Hears Plans For Colebrookdale Rail Spur, Park

Image via Wikipedia

There is no shortage of ideas for new projects in and around Boyertown.

Borough council heard three of them this week: rail tourism, a walking trail and a fenced-in park area for dogs.

The tourist railroad envisioned by Nathaniel C. Guest would use the historic 8.6-mile Colebrookdale Spur line between Boyertown and Pottstown, which Berks County bought for $1.35 million in 2009.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=364402

THRIVE LOCAL Presents Boyertown Holiday Shopping Event

Saturday, December 10, 2011  -  10:30am until 1:30pm  -  Boyertown, PA

 

Please join us as we kick off our first local event! We will meet at Frecon’s Hard Bean at 10:30am on December 10th. Here you will receive information on local merchants and a tag to wear which identifies you with THRIVE. From here you are free to support local busines…ses as you shop for the holidays. Solo, or with others, stroll Boyertown‘s Main Street area and do your part to help restore the American Dream!

A reception will be held at Clayote from 1-2:30pm where shoppers can relax, nourish and imbibe.

Event facilitators will be available at the Hard Bean until 11:30am.

THRIVE – Together Helping Revive Independent Vendors Everywhere

**Restoring the American Dream – One Town at a Time**

Restaurant Review of the Pit Stop

This afternoon I attended a birthday party at the Pit Stop in New Berlinville.  The Pit Stop is one of those places I have always wanted to go but never got there.  Not sure exactly why.

The Pit Stop opens at 3:30 on Sunday and we were the first people there.  Actually, we waited outside until the door opened, LOL!  I liked the décor and the feel of the place, inside and out.

We had a party of 15 so there were several servers handling our table.  Our servers were very good.  They glided around keeping everything filled up.  

Our orders were taken and not long after food started making its way out of the kitchen.  I shared a Stuffed Jalapeno with Cream Cheese appetizer with a friend.  Five large, beautifully fried poppers were served with a raspberry dipping sauce!  They were not greasy and nicely crispy.  An excellent value for only $4.99.

Fresh sliced bread and butter were placed on the table in baskets as the salads made their way to the table.  I had the tasty Sweet & Sour house dressing.  My friend had the homemade Blue Cheese dressing, which she enjoyed.  The salads were a nice size and contained more than the usual wilted iceberg lettuce.  In addition to lettuce there was tomato, cucumber, green pepper, onion and carrots.

For the main event we both ordered the 14 oz. NY Strip Steak & Shrimp on Skewer for $24.99.  We both added sautéed mushrooms.  That was one of the most flavorful steaks I have had in quite some time.  I requested my steak medium and it was prepared as such.  The steak was grilled to tender perfection and the sautéed mushrooms were a nice added accompaniment.  Sautéed onions are also available.  The shrimp were nicely grilled and seasoned.  There were maybe a dozen.  I had potato filling that really was potato filling.  Not glorified mashed potatoes that many places pass off as filling.  My friend had a baked sweet potato. 

I heard no complaints from anyone in our party nor did I see any food go back to the kitchen.  The food was hot when it was served.  The menu states that food is cooked to order.  I would agree.

We did not sample the dessert menu as the birthday gal’s niece is studying to become a pastry chef.  The chef-in-training made a to-die-for scratch pound cake with lemon filling and buttercream icing.  We passed the dessert case on the way out and they looked great!  The menu states the desserts are made from scratch.

I have nothing bad to report.  It was a great first experience on every level and I look forward to returning.  Service, food quality, portion size, presentation, value and any other category you can think of were superb.  I give the Pit Stop two thumbs up!

The Pit Stop is located at:

961 North Reading Avenue

Boyertown, PA 19512

Voice: (610) – 367 – 8244

Website: http://www.pitstoptavernandrestaurant.com/home.htm