Sherman Hemsley Of TV’s ‘The Jeffersons’ Dies

Editor’s note:  George has moved on up!

EL PASO, Texas — George Jefferson was a bigot.  A loudmouth.  Rude.  Obsessed with money. Arrogant. And yet he was one of the most enjoyable, beloved characters in television history.

The Jeffersons in 1984 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Much of that credit belongs to Sherman Hemsley, the gifted character actor who gave life to the blustering black Harlem businessman on “The Jeffersons,” one of TV’s longest running and most successful sitcoms — particularly noteworthy with its mostly black cast.

The Philadelphia-born Hemsley, who police said late Tuesday died at his home in El Paso, Texas, at age 74, first played George Jefferson on the CBS show “All in the Family” before he was spun off onto “The Jeffersons.” The sitcom ran for 11 seasons from 1975 to 1985.

With the gospel-style theme song of “Movin’ On Up,” the hit show depicted the wealthy former neighbors of Archie and Edith Bunker in Queens as they made their way on New York’s Upper East Side. Hemsley and the Jeffersons (Isabel Sanford played his wife) often dealt with contemporary issues of racism, but more frequently reveled in the sitcom archetype of a short-tempered, opinionated patriarch trying, often unsuccessfully, to control his family.

Read more: http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20120725/ENTERTAINMENT01/120729573/sherman-hemsley-of-tv-s-the-jeffersons-dies&pager=full_story

“Living History Sundays” At Pottsgrove Manor

Pottstown, Pennsylvania — Come spend a casual summer Sunday afternoon at Pottsgrove Manor and enjoy the 18^th century surroundings as volunteers demonstrate colonial trades and pastimes.

On August 5, 12, 19, and 26, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, Pottsgrove Manor’s living history volunteers, dressed in colonial period clothing, will be living life the colonial way.  Activities may include needlework, gunsmithing, butter churning, tape weaving, and more.  Visitors can watch, learn, and even join in!  Activities will vary from week to week, so call ahead or check the event listing on Pottsgrove Manor’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pottsgrovemanor to find out what will be offered that day.

A donation of $2 per person is suggested for this program.  Guests can also tour the museum’s current exhibit, “Matters Personal, Details Private:  Cleanliness, Hygiene, and Personal Pursuits in the Colonial Home” on their visit.

The exhibit can also be viewed during a guided tour of Pottsgrove Manor during regular museum hours now through November 4.  Regular museum hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Tours are given on the hour.  The last tour of the day begins at 3:00 p.m. The site is closed Mondays and major holidays.  Groups of then or more should pre-register by calling 610-326-4014.

Pottsgrove Manor is located at 100 West King Street near the intersection of King Street and Route 100, just off Route 422, in Pottstown, Pennsylvania.  Pottsgrove Manor is operated by Montgomery County under the direction of the Parks and Heritage Services Department.  For more information, call 610-326-4014, or visit us the website at http://historicsites.montcopa.org/pottsgrovemanor.

The Ninth Annual Carousel Of Flavor Restaurant Festival – Pottstown

Date : Sunday, Sept 30, 2012 from noon to 4 p.m.

100 Block of High Street, Pottstown in front of Borough Hall

Expanded wine and beer garden this year! Over 4,000 attended last year.  Featuring live bands, crafters and a clown for children of all ages.

If you have any questions regarding the Carousel of Flavor, please contact the Chairpersons:

Jill Burbank (610) 970-0624 or email CarouselofFlavor@hotmail.com

For access to forms, click here: http://www.pottstowncarousel.org/events.htm

Pottstown Area Rapid Transit Fares To Increase August 1st!

Please click on the link below to learn what changes are taking place for Pottstown Area Rapid Transit (PART) users in a few days: http://www.pottstown.org/PDF/2012-part-fare-increase.pdf

Art Blossoms In MOSAIC Community Garden Summer Program

Pottstown, Pa – Campers at the Pottstown branch of the Olivet Boys and Girls Club are learning about fresh, organic vegetables while keeping their creativity humming in a unique summer program at the MOSAIC Community Garden at 423 Chestnut Street in Pottstown.

About twenty campers, aged 10-12 years old, are participating in the six-week program.  One morning each week they walk from the Ricketts Center to the garden, where they spend a couple of hours working on an art project and caring for their organization’s two plots as well as the communal plots around the perimeter of the garden.  So far the children have painted benches in whimsical colors, learned how to use binoculars from a birding expert, and painted birdhouses to take home.  They have also taken home collard greens and had the chance to sample blueberries and cherry tomatoes while watering the many plants being grown around the perimeter of the garden.

Funding for the program, which was designed by Pottstown resident Hannah Davis, is being provided by Susquehanna Bank through Genesis Housing Corporation.  Ms. Davis is teaching the art classes along with Natalie Cyphers.

“We’re grateful to Susquehanna and Judy Memberg of Genesis for making it possible for us to offer programming in our first year of operating the garden,” said David Jackson, president of MOSAIC.  “We want young people especially to experience the benefits of gardening and the arts.”

The remaining three workshops will focus on the life cycle of butterflies and making butterfly mobiles, creating mosaic tile stepping-stones for the garden, and making pizzas at the Ricketts Center with ingredients picked fresh from the garden.

The MOSAIC Community Garden is owned and operated by MOSAIC Community Land Trust, which is seeking additional community garden sites for 2013 in order to expand the supply of fresh vegetables and healthy lifestyle choices for Pottstown residents.  Support for acquisition and construction of the garden came from the Pottstown School District, Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation, National Penn Bank, Genesis Housing Corporation, Susquehanna Bank, Lowes, Borough of Pottstown, Davey Tree Experts, and Andrew Monastra, Esq.

MOSAIC Community Land Trust (CLT) has an office and art gallery at 10 S. Hanover Street in downtown Pottstown.  They welcome donations in support of their mission to increase homeownership, develop community gardens, and support the arts in Pottstown.  Membership in the CLT is open to all; details can be found at their website at www.mosaiccommunitylandtrust.org or by calling David Jackson at 484-949-4235.