The Pumpkin House – Kenova, WV

A friend of mine suggested that something like this would make a great festival for Pottstown.  As many residents recall, tractor trailer loads of pumpkins made their way into Pottstown every fall to become Mrs. Smith’s pumpkin pie, before the company was sold.  She suggested in addition to the pumpkin carving that a “pumpkin toss” might be fun when the pumpkin viewing was all over.

Several locations come to mind, Memorial Park or Riverfront Park would be at the top of the list.

This would be a great “homage” to Pottstown’s past.  Pumpkin parade, pumpkin queen, Pumpkin 5K and the list goes on and on 🙂

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kenovas-Famous-Griffith-Pumpkin-House/278830822139142

Hazelwood Residents Get Involved In Changes

Locator map with the Hazlwood neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania highlighted. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Finding money isn’t the only challenge to rebuilding neglected neighborhoods. At the grass-roots level, it may be hard to get people to open their doors.

But a knot of community census takers in Hazelwood is encouraged.

“We haven’t had to convince many people,” said Shavonne Lowry, a 2009 graduate of Slippery Rock University and one of eight census takers. “I was surprised how many people wanted to talk.”

More than 200 people have answered the door so far for a census designed specifically to glean residents’ attitudes about the neighborhood, its needs and its assets. The census is part of a community strategy that emerged from a three-year Heinz Endowments commitment that goes beyond its investment in the former LTV site on the Monongahela River — the city’s last brownfield, a 178-acre, $12 million mixed-use redevelopment site renamed Almono. It is the property of several foundations that include the Heinz Endowments.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-city/hazelwood-residents-get-involved-in-changes-708468/#ixzz2iMt09Np0

Authorities Seize 2,000 Bags Of Heroin In Wilkes-Barre

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

A staggering amount of drugs, including 2,000 bags of heroin, were recovered Friday night in Wilkes-Barre.

Police said a large amount of crack cocaine, drug paraphernalia, “proceeds from drug trafficking” and in total, more than $45,000 worth of heroin were seized at about 9:30 p.m. Friday.

Kenneth Evans, 21, of 19 S. Empire St., was arrested at his home after a search of his residence recovered the illegal substances. Police said Evans had been targeted for dealing drugs in the Sherman Hills area and from his home.

Read more: http://citizensvoice.com/news/authorities-seize-2-000-bags-of-heroin-in-w-b-1.1571823

Eagles’ Nick Folds

IF THIS WAS the class of the NFC East, then the NFC East has no class.

The Eagles played for first place in their division and lost, to a sloppy, depleted Cowboys team that showed up without bullets.

Then again, the Eagles brought knives to this gunfight.

Dull knives.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/eagles/20131021_Eagles__Nick_folds.html#JuIi4OVQZZvCLYub.99

Pottstown Elementary Costs Rising By $2M, $10M Borrowing Set For Monday

POTTSTOWN — As the Pottstown school board prepares to borrow the second $10 million needed for the renovation and expansion of its elementary schools, it is doing so in the face of $2 million or more in change orders and additional costs.

As The Mercury reported in May, the renovation work on Barth Elementary School was well underway when the school board was told the cost of a new roof was not included in the project — an additional cost estimated at another $665,000.

In August, The Mercury reported that wiring for new computer and data systems were not included in the bid for the renovation of Franklin, Lincoln and Rupert elementary schools — an additional cost of an estimated $375,000.

On Thursday night the full board was informed that the cost for additional electrical outlets, boxes, panel boards and the replacement of old wiring at the three schools has added another $388,601 to the price of the projects.

Read more: http://www.pottsmerc.com/social-affairs/20131020/pottstown-elementary-costs-rising-by-2m-10m-borrowing-set-for-monday