CEDARVILLE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 2013 FUN FAIR

On May 18^th– 19^th  Methodists around the world will unite again for “Change The World” weekend, as an effort to reach out and make a positive difference in their local communities and around the world.  In 2012, Change The World was observed by more than 1500 locations.

To that end, on Saturday, May 18^th (Rain Date: May 19^th), Cedarville United Methodist Church of Pottstown is holding another FREE Fun Fair for local residents.  Last year we enjoyed welcoming many new faces to explore the grounds of our facility and share some good times with many of our friendly members.

We look forward to seeing local families come to enjoy pony rides, a moon bounce, Rainbow the Clown, puppet shows, story time, games, prizes, food and so much more.   It is all FREE.  This is a gift to your family from ours.

The Fair is from 1p.m. – 5p.m. at Cedarville United Methodist Church, 1092 Laurelwood Road.  Less than 1 mile from Coventry Mall.  For more information visit www.cedarvilleumc.org or call 610-326-4173.

Woman Found Dead In North Coventry House Fire

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Chester County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

NORTH COVENTRY TOWNSHIP — Officials believe the fire in a Mount Zion Avenue home where a woman was found dead Tuesday morning was accidental in nature.

Township Fire Marshal Ron Comtois said there was nothing suspicious about the fire, though its cause and origins are not yet being released.

Comtois said the patrolman who came upon the fire around 3:58 a.m. attempted to enter the home but could not and called the fire department.

Responding firefighters discovered a deceased woman, whom officials were not identifying, on the kitchen floor of the home.

Read more:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130507/NEWS01/130509506/breaking-woman-found-dead-in-north-coventry-house-fire-(video)#full_story

Major Road Projects In The Region

US 422 west near Pottstown. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Editor’s note: To see the complete list of projects for the Delaware Valley, click on the link below!

Montgomery County

Markley Street: Work began in February in Norristown on the first of two construction contracts to improve Markley Street from Main Street to Johnson Highway in Norristown. The initial $20.8 million project will rebuild and improve 1.1 miles of Markley Street between Elm Street and Johnson Highway, and a half-mile stretch of Johnson Highway between Markley and DeKalb Streets. Work is to end in fall 2016.

U.S. 422/Route 363: Work will start in August or September to complete the interchange of U.S. 422 and Route 363 (Trooper Road) in West Norriton and Lower Providence.

Montgomery and Chester

U.S. 422. A $73.3 million project to rebuild 1.6 miles of U.S. 422 from about a mile east of the Armand Hammer Blvd. interchange to the Route 724 interchange in Lower Pottsgrove and North Coventry Townships. Construction started in fall 2012 and is to last five years, involving new bridges and pavement.

Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/business/transportation/20130415_Major_Road_Projects_in_the_Region.html#ixzz2QYIJbQQX 
Watch sports videos you won’t find anywhere else

Pottstown Regional Recreation Post Could Wear Many Hats

POTTSTOWN — Sometimes things just fall into your lap just when you need them.

Just one day after members of the Pottstown School Board and borough council brainstormed about ways they can work together to cut costs and market Pottstown to a broader region, an opportunity to do just that for free was again presenting itself.

During their first joint meeting of the year on Feb. 25, members of both Pottstown boards echoed a common lament, the need to market what Pottstown has to offer to a wider audience, to better coordinate and add to major events and the need for additional funding help from outside sources and the surrounding townships.

On Tuesday, the Pottstown Metropolitan Regional Planning Committee heard about an opportunity being developed over the last year with the help of the Pottstown Health and Wellness Foundation to do many of those things at a ridiculously low cost.

Read more:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130304/NEWS01/130309833/pottstown-regional-rec-post-could-wear-many-hats#full_story

Chesco D.A.: Norco Murder Scene Was ‘Doorway Into Hell’

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Chester County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

WEST CHESTER — Two weeks after the grisly discovery of a body inside a burning North Coventry apartment, authorities announced an arrest in the murder of 17-year-old Kevin Allen.

Shakeem Carter, 20, of Norristown, was arraigned Wednesday morning after an investigation concluded he was responsible for the brutal stabbing death of the Norristown High School student inside his father’s home at the Hanover Garden Apartments, officials said.

Allen’s body was discovered on Feb. 12 after a neighbor dialed 911 to report a “terrible struggle,” according to Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan, who announced Carter’s arrest at a Wednesday morning new conference.

Officers from the North Coventry Police Department were the first to enter the apartment, but they had to retreat when they discovered the apartment was on fire.  Firefighters were able to extinguish the flames, but when they returned, they told police there was a body inside.

Read more:

http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130228/NEWS01/130229413/chesco-d-a–norco-murder-scene-was-doorway-into-hell-(video)?nstrack=sid:387506|met:300|cat:0|order:2#full_story\

North Coventry Homicide: Chester County D.A. Says Investigators ‘Going All Out’

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Chester County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

NORTH COVENTRY — The Chester County Detectives and the North Coventry Police continued Friday investigating the murder of Kevin Allen, 17, of Norristown.

“The investigation is going all out,” Thomas P. Hogan, Chester Country district attorney, said Friday.

An autopsy on Allen’s body was preformed Wednesday night, but the cause of death is not being released, Hogan said.

Allen was found dead at his father’s burning apartment on Tuesday Feb.12, at Hanover Garden Apartments in the 200 block of East Schuylkill Road after a neighbor called the fire department.

Read more:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130216/NEWS01/130219570/north-coventry-homicide-chester-county-d-a-says-investigators-going-all-out-#full_story

OJR School Enrollments Predicted Down Over Next 10 Years

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Chester County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

SOUTH COVENTRY — Enrollments in the Owen J. Roberts School District are expected to remain flat or even decrease over the next ten years, according to new enrollment projections presented to the board at a recent committee of the whole meeting.

Projections show the overall student population rising slightly through 2016, from the current 5,121 students to 5,240. If the projections prove true, the numbers will begin dropping in 2017, when 5,233 students are expected to be registered, rising and falling in some years, but hitting 5,218 students in 2022.

Those predictions, presented by Director of Pupil Services Holly W. Acosta, are based on a new study by Decision Insite, an enrollment impact firm which looks at kindergarten enrollments, planned residential developments, and student cohorts through each grade level.

The numbers are a far cry from the steady growth the district had been experiencing in the past, with district wide enrollments climbing by over 1,000 students in 10 years, from 4,050 in 2002 to 5,121 in 2012.  That’s a reflection of the economy and the dip in the housing market which has put a number of large scale development projects on hold, according to Superintendent Michael Christian.

Read more:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130118/NEWS01/130119426/ojr-school-enrollments-predicted-down-over-next-10-years-#full_story

Christmas Nativity Cedarville United Methodist Church — Pottstown, PA

We’re all familiar with the songs of the Season . . . “Away in the Manger”, “O Little Town of Bethlehem” or “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”, to name a few, but is Christ’s story alive to your family and a part of your Holiday celebrations?

On December 16^th from 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., as a gift to the community, we invite you and your family to join us, free of charge, under the blanket of the night sky for a journey back in time.  You will walk, outside, with a Shepherd Guide, following the star of Bethlehem and visiting six live, walk-thru, scenes and hear the story of Jesus’ birth, as narrated by your Shepherd Guide.

You will visit the manger–see the live animals; hear how the angels and shepherds joyously spread the word about Jesus’ birth;  see the delight of the Wise Men presenting their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh; share in the joy of the Christmas Story and complete your journey with some artistic scripture displays from the Bible.

Finally, the Family Life Center will be filled with familiar sounds of the Christmas music we all love and enjoy, complimentary hot chocolate and cookies; free craft activities for the children and an opportunity to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas with your friends and family.

The Live Nativity will be from 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 16, 2012 at Cedarville UMC, 1092 Laurelwood Road, Pottstown, PA.  This is an outside, walking, event, so please dress accordingly.  Please note that this walking tour is made handicapped accessible via the use of golf cart.  The event and parking are free.  For directions or more information you may go to our website at www.cedarvilleumc.org or call the church office at 610-326-4173.

Cedarville United Methodist Church – Community Event‏

Cedarville United Methodist Church, 1092 Laurelwood Road, Pottstown, PA 19465.  Join us for a special Music Sunday on Oct. 14th with traditional services at 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. and a contemporary service at 9:30 a.m.

All services will feature some or all of the following:  singing of hymns, praise team, choir, brass quartet, handbell choir, piano and organ.  A special children’s message in word and song will be held at the 9:30 and 11:00 services.

We look forward to having you join us for a joyous celebration of the gift of music in worship.

More details at www.cedarvilleumc.org or call (610) 326-4173.

FREE Community Fun Fair At Cedarville UMC, North Coventry

A cooked hot dog garnished with mustard. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Cedarville United Methodist Church

1092 Laurelwood Road  • Pottstown,PA

www.cedarvilleumc.org  •  610-326-4173

FREE Community Fun Fair

Saturday, May 5^th (Rain Date May 6^th)  1 p.m. –  5 p.m.

EVERYTHING Is Free of Charge – A Gift From Our Family To Yours

 Bring The Children Out To Enjoy:

 Bubbly Boo The Clown with Skooter the Juggler

Pony Rides	Moon Bounce
Face Painting	Children’s Story Time
Games & Prizes	Hot Dogs & Drinks
Popcorn	DallasFries

                            Door Prizes awarded every ½ hr and include donations by

Boneyard Joe’s, Coventry Café, The Milkman Lunch Shoppe and High Street Yoga.

Less than 1 mile from Coventry Mall

West from all to Left @ Light (Laurelwood Rd.) to Church on Left

Rt. 422 to Rt. 100 West (right) @ Cedarville Rd. Light, ½ mile to Church on Right

French Creek State Park Brush Fire Contained

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Berks County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A huge brush fire that began Monday in southeastern Berks County and forced the evacuation of homes near French Creek State Park has been contained but is still burning, emergency officials said today.

About 450 acres burned and no structures were affected by the fire, according to the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Firefighters will continue to look for hot spots throughout the day.

A DCNR spokesperson said helicopters and airplanes are being used to help douse the flames, and that it will take a couple of days to confirm that the fire is out.

Firefighters from several Berks and northern Chester County companies battled wind-whipped flames well into Monday night. The fire was first reported about noon near Route 345 and Hopewell Street in Union Township, just south of Birdsboro.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=378727

Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician Course

North Coventry Police Department is hosting a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician Course being offered from Tuesday March 6 – Friday March 9, 2012 at North Coventry Fire Department in Pottstown, PA. The class will run from 8:30 am – 5:30 pm each day. The cost to participants is $75.00.

Anyone interested in attending will have to log onto www.cert.safekids.org  to register to attend. Interested parties will have to complete a profile in order to register. 

Once you have completed your profile on the website you will be allowed to register to attend this course. The course ID #PA201112191065, if you have any questions please contact Ofc. Machese from North Coventry Police Department at vmachese@norcopd.org or Y’vette Gayle from PA Chapter American Academy of Pediatrics at ygayle@paaap.org.

Cedarville UMC Pork & Sauerkraut Dinner January 1, 2012

With so many natural disasters continuing to occur around the world and the need for assistance ever-increasing, Cedarville United Methodist Church has chosen to reach out to an area that has slipped out of the current headlines but continues to be in need.

The Central Gulf Coastof the United States was devastated in 2005 by the Hurricane Katrina disaster.  Today, the people in that area are still hurting and there continues to be much work that needs to be done. Gulfport, Mississippi will be the destination of Cedarville’s 2012 Adult Mission Trip.  In Gulfport alone there were 29,970 homes that were destroyed, 3,600 sustained major damage and 1,800 had minor damage.

To help in our mission of sharing the love of God in ways that make a Christian difference, we are raising funds thru a Pork & Sauerkraut Dinner on January 1, 2012.  Worship service will be at 10:00 a.m. on January 1^st.  The meal will be served from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and all are welcomed to either or both.  Dinner tickets for Adults are $8.00 and Children under 10 are $4.00.  Advanced dinner reservations are being taken by contacting (484) 944-4751 and tickets will be sold at the door.

Christmas Nativity Cedarville United Methodist Church — Pottstown, PA

We’re all familiar with the songs of the Season . . . “Away in the Manger”, “O Little Town of Bethlehem” or “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”, to name a few, but is Christ’s story alive to your family and a part of your Holiday celebrations?

On December 18^th from 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., as a gift to the community, we invite you and your family to join us, free of charge, under the blanket of the night sky for a journey back in time.  You will walk with a Shepherd Guide, following the star of Bethlehem and visit five live scenes that tell the story of Jesus’ birth. 

You will visit the manger–see the live animals; hear how the angels and shepherds joyously spread the word about Jesus’ birth;  see the delight of the Wise Men presenting their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh and, share in the joy of the Christmas Story as told by our Grandparents.

Finally, the Family Life Center will be filled with familiar sounds of the Christmas music we all love and enjoy, complimentary hot chocolate and cookies; free craft activities for the children and an opportunity to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas with your friends and family.

The Live Nativity will be from 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 18, 2011 at Cedarville UMC, 1092 Laurelwood Road, Pottstown, PA.  This is an outside event, so please dress accordingly.  Parking is free and the event is handicapped accessible.  For directions or more information you may go to our website at www.cedarvilleumc.org or call the church office at (610) 326-4173.

Pottstown Regional Public Meeting – September 8, 2011 @ 7:00 PM

 

Keim Street Bridge Replacement Vote Tabled By Montgomery County Commissioners

I just read the Fishwrap‘s latest Keim Street bridge article.  I am left scratching my head.  If the quote in the article is correct, then we are lead to believe that the Montgomery County Commissioners learned of this “change of heart” in the newspaper.  Naturally they tabled the vote to approve the engineering contract.  Sadly, the $247,992 contract was going to a Pottstown area business.

Nobody thought calling Norristown to tell them about this “new thinking” would be prudent?  Instead, the commissioners were left to “read all about it” in the newspaper!  WTH!  This proposal should have been discussed “off-line” with the township and the county before any of this information was made public.

And while we’re at it, has anybody polled the North Coventry Township Supervisors or residents?  The Keim Street bridge does connect them to Pottstown so they may have some thoughts on the matter.  Were the township supervisors left to “read about it in the paper” as well?  So much for thinking “regionally”.

No wonder this town never gets any respect from the county.  What kind of message does this send?  Not a very positive one.  It’s like Alice In Wonderland, we just went down another rabbit hole.

COMMUNICATION people!

UPDATE!  North Coventy officials are PISSED!  Check this out!  http://www.pottstownmercury.com/articles/2011/08/11/news/doc4e449dba87aa2669813071.txt

Owen J. Roberts Media Circus Back In Town

Looks like the rumor mill is running full-tilt at the Fishwrap online over the new OJR Superintendent of Schools leaving.  The OJR School Board rushed to hire a replacement for wrongfully terminated Myra Forrest and less than two years later the new guy resigns.  All the details are “confidential”??  Smells like day-old fish guts to me.

Despite all the “drama” this has caused and the pall it has cast over the Owen J. Roberts School District, the students suffer when there are too many turnovers.  It seems more than coincidental that this guy is “outta here” already.  If it is just “bad timing” then more of an explanation is due OJR taxpayers without violating anyone’s “confidentiality”.

The board owes it to OJR taxpayers and students to do a better job of selecting a candidate who is “in it for the long haul”.  Continuity is important and we are talking about educating our children – not hiring someone to run the fryer at Mickey D’s.  You had a perfectly good superintendent, who was totally committed to the district, and you fired her for no good reason!

Two thumbs down for more drama!

Keim Street Bridge Comments By Councilor Jody Rhoads From Wednesday’s Committee of the Whole Meeting

The following comments were made by Councilor Rhoads on August 3rd, at the Committee of the Whole Meeting during the Pottstown Borough Council’s discussion about the Keim Street Bridge situation.  There is debate about whether Council should stop pushing PennDOT to replace the Keim Street Bridge and seek other alternative solutions that are cheaper and have a better chance of being approved.

What I would like to see, with all the studies and tons of money that has been spent over the years on studies, studies, studies, is the county (Montgomery) send a survey out to all the people in the area who have been using the bridge.  I have heard a lot of complaints since the bridge was closed.  A lot of people want to see it open. 

That bridge was there a long time.  I believe before I was born.  The Keim Street Bridge is the in middle of both of these improvements (the Stowe and Armand Hammer Blvd interchanges) and for this revitalization that has been talked about for probably over 25 years, Bethlehem Steel* is there, if that does ever go.  That access in and out of town in important.  As far as I am concerned, it is there and to take that bridge away I think would do us harm.  There is a lot of traffic that goes up and down Keim Street.  That is an important road.  *The former Bethlehem Steel site is now the Pottstown Industrial Complex.

Hanover Street (the interchange) has no entrance to westbound 422.  That is a deficiency.  If there were some changes there, I know there are houses right there in South Pottstown.  At least if there was an entrance to 422 westbound there, that would help somewhat. 

You are talking about improvements at either end of Industrial Highway, but there is nothing in the middle.  I think this is important.  Keim Street does have, it is all there, (the ability) to go west as it is now.  You could go over it (Keim Street Bridge) and go west.

Others do not live here, we do.  Once the bridge is gone, it is not coming back, I will guarantee you that.  If it is in the background hanging in limbo, that chance is in the future, who knows what the future brings.

Once it is gone, you know how that works….

Spotlight On Local Business: Valley View Apartments

We are starting a new feature as a public service to Pottstown area residents and businesses.  Our goal is to help promote existing local business and to showcase what the Pottstown area has to offer to new or existing residents.

I met with Brenda Hand, Community Manager of Valley View Apartments, to learn more about her apartment community and what it has to offer potential residents.  Brenda told me she loves her job and looks forward to coming to work every day.  It certainly shows!  A+ on the office staff!  Valley View has a seasoned maintenance staff that will make sure your apartment home is always in great shape!

The Valley View Apartment community is conveniently located on Route 724, directly across the street from Coventry Mall in North Coventry Township.  The complex is near Routes 100 and 422, which provide easy access to King of Prussia, Reading, Exton and Allentown.  Pottstown Borough is directly across the river and offers more shopping, dining and entertainment options along with Coventry Mall, Town Square and Suburbia Village Shopping Centers in North Coventry Township.

Valley View offers spacious one and two bedroom apartment homes with many amenities.  Units are fully carpeted, have fully equipped kitchens and are air-conditioned.  Other features include laundry facilities in each building, storage areas, a swimming pool, a community center, a playground and a fitness center.  Pets are conditionally accepted and require a pet deposit and monthly rental fee.

Valley View has plentiful parking for residents and visitors.  The complex sits atop a small hill and offers a panoramic view of Chester and Montgomery Counties.  The Leasing Office is in the Community Center, which also houses a fitness center, a cyber café, tanning and a community room.  The Community Center is relatively new and a great asset for residents.

Valley View Apartments are professionally managed by RP Management, Inc.

If you are looking for a new apartment home and would like more information about this complex:

Voice: (610) 326-4223

Internet: http://www.rpmgt.com/Portfolio/ValleyView/

Physical address: 600 W. Schuylkill Rd., Pottstown, PA 19465

If you would like to have your business in the spotlight, send an email request to:

pottstownsuper@gmail.com

Jerry’s Chicken Flies The Coop! Moving To Norco!

Long-time Shoemaker Rd. fixture Jerry’s Chicken is moving to the old Kentucky Fried Chicken site on Route 724 in North Coventry Township.  The move will take place after renovations are completed in January!

Hat tip to SavePottstown! for breaking the story!