MCCC, Pottstown Organizations Hold Children’s Dental Sealant Program

Pottstown, PA — The Dental Hygiene program at Montgomery County Community College is partnering with the Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation and Community Health and Dental Care to offer a free Children’s Dental Sealant program on Saturday, March 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

During this community outreach event, children ages 6 to 14 will received free oral examinations and sealant application performed by licensed dental hygienists in consultation with a licensed dentist. The College’s dental hygiene students will provide support services. A dental sealant is a clear, preventive coating placed on permanent back teeth to prevent dental decay.

The sealant program will be held at Community Health and Dental Care, 11 Robinson St., Suite 100, Pottstown. Space is limited, and appointments are required. Call 610-326-7405 to make an appointment or for additional information.

About Montgomery County Community College

For more than 50 years, Montgomery County Community College has grown with the community to meet the evolving educational needs of Montgomery County. The College’s comprehensive curriculum includes nearly 100 associate degree and certificate programs, as well as customized workforce training and certifications. Students enjoy the flexibility of learning at the College’s thriving campuses in Blue Bell and Pottstown, at the Culinary Arts Institute in Lansdale, and online through a robust Virtual Campus.

As an Achieving the Dream Leader College, the institution is positioned at the vanguard of national efforts to increase completion, improve learning outcomes, and remove barriers to access for students. The College is also recognized regionally and nationally for its sustainability leadership, work with military veterans, community service and service learning opportunities, and use of classroom technology. For more information, visithttp://www.mc3.edu.

Pottstown Community Field Day Aug 27‏

Genesis Housing is joining with the Hill School, Art Fusion 19464, Pottstown Athletic Club, Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation, CustomFit and others to create a day for families to spend time together learning about low-cost outdoor and indoor activities available in our area.

The Pottstown Community Field Day will take place on Saturday, August 27^th from 11 AM – 2 PM (Rain date: Sunday, August 28^th) at the Chestnut Street Park (Washington & Chestnut Streets). There will be 15 stations of fitness/sports or other activities for group participation for about 5 minutes.  The DJ will play family appropriate music continuously until the 5 minutes are up.   At that time, the DJ will use audio equipment to announce SWITCH and each group will move on to a new station.  Each participant will receive a coin for every station they complete.  When they complete 10 stations, participants will receive a free gift.  We will track how many people completed the minimum challenge equating to at least 45 minutes of fitness.

We are asking for area businesses and organizations to participate in the 3-hour event by making a donation, facilitating fitness stations and setting up information tables. In appreciation for any organization that donates and/or participates, we will advertise their company in social media outlets and in printed materials. We will also provide the opportunity to set up an information table and include coupons or other information in the free gift packs.

For more information or to support the event, please contact me at wash5000@msn.com or (484) 300-2410. Please join us and be a part of this great day!

TriCounty Community Network Executive Director Resigns To Pursue Opportunity

Message from the Executive Director

Dear Members, Supporters and Friends,

It is with mixed emotions that I announce my resignation as Executive Director for TriCounty Community Network (TCN) to pursue another opportunity.  My last day will be July 17th. 

It has been an honor leading TCN these last five years.  I am most proud of our completion of a comprehensive strategic plan which resulted in a new direction, mission and vision for the organization and led to successful new initiatives and increased engagement.  TCN is now seen as a model for effective community collaboration.       

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Board of Directors for their guidance and leadership.  The Board’s volunteer service has been invaluable to the growth and development of the organization and I am grateful for their support. 

I would also like to thank the staff, contractors, advisors, and committee chairs for their dedication and hard work.  Their outstanding teamwork has been vital to TCN’s success.         

Special thanks to our members and volunteers.  I have been inspired by your engagement and level of commitment to the organization and the community.  Your collaborative efforts have brought important and much needed projects and events to the tri-county area. 

My sincerest thanks to all partners, funders, sponsors, and donors for supporting the mission of TCN.  I would like to recognize the Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation for their generous financial support and for being such a valuable community partner. 

It has been a privilege to work with so many wonderful people committed to improving conditions in our community.  I am truly grateful for all the contributions made to help move TCN forward and wish everyone continued success.

Best Wishes,

Jennifer M. Doyle, MPA

Message from the Board of Directors

TCN’s Board Of Directors wishes to express our gratitude to Jen Doyle for her years of service and leadership to Pottstown and to the TriCounty Community Network. Jen’s leadership and vision has helped place TCN in a position where it will be better able to meet the challenges of the Pottstown community in future years. We wish Jen well in her new career path.

We are currently in the process of selecting a new Executive Director who will lead TCN’s future. We will work quickly to select a leader who will best exemplify the vision and mission of a true community collaborative. It is our expectation to have this person named by August 1st and in place for the start of the programming year in September.  In the interim, we are grateful to Jan Morris for her willingness to step in and serve as Interim Executive Director until we hire a replacement. Jan’s wealth of knowledge in the history of the organization, plus her connections in the community, will serve us well in the coming weeks. 

We thank each organization in the TCN community for their support and commitment to Greater Pottstown.  We strive to exemplify the best practices of a community collaborative and value the input of our membership and stakeholders as part of that process.  Please contact me directly at tthunstrom@pennlibertybank.com or by phone (610.535.4881) if there is anything that you feel we should know that can help us better meet the mission and vision of TCN in the coming years. The board believes that its membership is the keystone to TCN’s success and a true part of helping this community achieve great results. We look forward to your continued support and commitment to the organization under the leadership of Jen’s successor.

FREE Children’s Dental Sealant Program

Free Diabetes Program Comes To Pottstown Library Starting Today

Pottstown, PA – free informational diabetes program will be offered in Pottstown starting today.

The program is for adults diagnosed with diabetes and their families. Participants will attend two-hour classes that include discussions about diabetes, exercise and cooking demonstrations.

The free program called “Dining with Diabetes” will be offered every Friday in October starting with an informational and registration session today. The classes will be taught at the Pottstown Regional Public Library from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The library is located at 500 E. High St.

Read more: http://www.pottsmerc.com/lifestyle/20141002/free-diabetes-program-comes-to-pottstown-library-starting-today

Pottstown Area Industrial Development, Inc. Debuts New E-Zine In Collaboration With Major Borough Stakeholders

 

WELCOME TO MOMENTUM, a quarterly publication from Partners for Success, a collaborative of organizations with the common objective of celebrating the stories that make us proud of Pottstown. We salute the residents, business owners, and other stakeholders making Pottstown better every day. In Momentum, you’ll discover stories about business development; recreation and healthy lifestyles; education; and arts and culture.

Founding Partners

• Borough of Pottstown
• Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation
• Pottstown Downtown Improvement District Authority
• Pottstown School District
• TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce
• Montgomery County Community College
• Pottstown Area Industrial Development
• Pottstown Memorial Medical Center
• The Hill School

To read the first edition, click here:  http://www.paidinc.org/momentum.php

Scroll down to Latest Edition:  Spring 2014 – Download (PDF file)

 

To visit PAID’s website, click here:  http://www.paidinc.org/

 

We give two Roy’s Rants thumbs up for the collaboration between stakeholders and for getting serious about marketing Pottstown to potential businesses and investors.  This is a welcome step forward!

Pottstown Area Seniors Center Gets New Director

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

POTTSTOWN, PA — The changes underway at the Pottstown Area Seniors’ Center now also include a change in leadership.

After 19 years with the center, Executive Director Brad Fuller is joining the legions of the retired and is currently training his replacement — Brian Parkes of Gilbertsville.

Parkes, 43, was most recently self-employed for nine years with Krisp Communications, a firm which worked exclusively with non-profit organizations and specializing in communications, grant-writing and fundraising.

Among his clients were six senior centers in Chester County and one in Montgomery County.

Read more: http://www.pottsmerc.com/general-news/20140302/pottstown-area-seniors-center-gets-new-director

Construction Of Pottstown Mini-Golf Course Underway

Location of Pottstown in Montgomery County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

POTTSTOWN, PA — Autumn may be here and winter may be coming — but so is mini-golf season.

Construction has begun on the course and officials say they hope it may be completed before winter.

The project has been at least three years in the making.

Located along High Street, west of Manatawny Creek and adjacent to the former Pottstown Metal Weld building, now home to the Carousel at Pottstown facility, the mini-golf course is meant to complement the carousel and be an attraction for users of the Schuylkill River Trail.

Read more: http://www.pottsmerc.com/20131014/construction-of-pottstown-mini-golf-course-underway

Pottstown Schools Building A Better Report Card With Exercise And Play

Location of Pottstown in Montgomery County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

POTTSTOWN — When fifth graders arrive at the middle school for the first time at the start of the school year, they’ll discover some new play equipment that also doubles as fitness equipment.

Recently installed, the equipment is open to the public for use during non-school hours and is already being tried out by a dedicated group of district employees under the watchful eye of David Genova.

This is the first year that Genova, the district’s wellness coordinator — whose salary is covered by the Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation — will be working full time and he is off to an early start, convincing a cohort of staffers to brave the recent heat wave and work the circuit.

It started off with 13 exercisers, but is now down to six, although, Genova said with a smile, that the group dwindled more because of vacations than because of motivational problems that correspond with 103-degree heat.

Read more:   http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130801/NEWS01/130809992/pottstown-schools-building-a-better-report-card-with-exercise-and-play

$3M Bike Lane/Sidewalk Project Would Create Safe Routes To Schools In Pottstown

Location of Pottstown in Montgomery County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

POTTSTOWN — An ambitious $3 million plan to repair sidewalks and install bike lanes throughout the town as part of an effort to establish “Safe Routes to Schools” was unveiled Monday before borough council.

The idea is to combine state transportation funding and seek funding from the Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation as a match to undertake the upgrades, which would include repairing numerous damaged borough sidewalks at no cost to property owners.

At the same time, said Pottstown School District Superintendent Jeff Sparagana, the district would seek to incorporate the idea of physical fitness into its curriculum and encourage students to walk or ride a bicycle to school and home again.

Sparagana offered up two towns, Naperville, Ill. and Titusville, Pa., where similar efforts were undertaken and have proven successful.

Read more:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130613/NEWS01/130619676/-3m-bike-lane-sidewalk-project-would-create-safe-routes-to-schools#full_story

Pottstown Community Garden Taking Root In Second Site

POTTSTOWN — Say goodbye to the crumbling eyesore, say hello to Pottstown’s second community garden.

The continuing efforts by the Mosaic Community Land Trust to transform falling-down buildings and lots into productive assets took another step forward this week with the demolition of 615 Chestnut St.; the vacant site of a former neighborhood store will soon become a place where local residents can grow food for their tables and flowers for their enjoyment.

The property was owned for several years “by a fellow down in Philadelphia who eventually gave up on owning the property because he didn’t want to have to pay to demolish it, so he donated it to the land trust,” said David Jackson, chairman of the land trust’s board of directors.

That leverage, he said, was the result of pressure from the borough codes department, which cited the property repeatedly for violations.

Read more:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130610/NEWS01/130609277/pottstown-community-garden-taking-root-in-second-site

Regional Recreation Coordinator Pitched To Pottstown Council

Editor’s note:  We are all for regional planning and cooperation.  This approach will help unite the Greater Pottstown area and that would be a good thing!

POTTSTOWN — Borough council may vote Monday on endorsing a proposal that could, at very little cost, provide support and technical services to regional recreation efforts and perhaps draw more financial support for large events like the Fourth of July and Volleyball Rumble.

The proposal has been discussed for several months by the Pottstown Metropolitan Area Regional Planning Committee and would be jointly funded by the Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation and a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

The idea is to use the funding to hire what the state calls “a circuit rider” and what David Kraybill, executive director of the foundation, calls a “regional recreation coordinator” to help organize, provide technical and marketing support and write grants for the eight municipalities which comprise the regional planning area.

To benefit, each municipality would have to sign on and pay what the foundation’s Anna Brendle-Kennedy called “an escalating” fee which begins with several hundred dollars and ends, after five years at $5,000, so long as all municipalities participate.

Read more:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130404/NEWS01/130409610/regional-recreation-coordinator-pitched-to-pottstown-council#full_story

Mosaic Community Gardens Celebration‏

Mosaic Community Gardens

Saturday, January 5, 2013

12 Noon

423 Chestnut St.

Pottstown

http://pottstownclt.wordpress.com/

Welcome to the Mosaic Community Gardens for a celebration of the winter gardens and installation of the artistically designed and built pergola that will support the beautiful Wisteria vine planted last spring.

The pergola is designed and built by Ryan Procsal, a Pottstown resident, designer and craftsman.  We’re excited to feature Ryan’s creative skills in the community gardens and we’re honored to call him “neighbor.”

Ryan’s website: http://www.madebyprox.com/

Join your friends and neighbors on Saturday, January 5th for a ceremonial celebration of the winter gardens, led by Jodi McCarty and Lorraine Kat Morris of the EnlightenedPathHolisticCenter, 1494 N. Charlotte St. Ste#11.

Warm spiced cider and hot chocolate on tap!!

This project/program was made possible through a grant from the Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation.

The Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation’s mission is to enhance the health and wellness of area residents, providing education, funding and programs that motivate people to adopt healthy lifestyles. Visit www.pottstownfoundation.org for more information about the Foundation. Discover Pottstown area’s online community at www.missionhealthyliving.org to learn and share great information on how to lead a healthier life. You can also follow Mission Healthy Living on Facebook and Twitter.

MOSAIC To Hold “Open Garden” In Pottstown

August 29, 2012 – Pottstown, PA – MOSAIC Community Land Trust is holding an “Open Garden” on Saturday, September 22 from 12-2 pm.  All are invited into the Community Garden at 423 Chestnut Street in Pottstown to participate in a salsa-making workshop, learn how the garden works, and pick vegetables to take home.

“The idea of many people gardening their own plot within a larger space may have seemed unusual last spring when this was just a vacant lot,” said David Jackson, President of MOSAIC’s Board of Trustees.  “We want to welcome the community to see the garden in action.”

The Community Garden has plots being tended by Pottstown residents, including groups from Pottstown Middle School, the Olivet Boys and Girls Club, and the Maternity Care Coalition/Early Head Start.  Hundreds of pounds of squash, tomatoes, kale, basil and many other vegetables and herbs are being harvested.  Members weigh their produce and record it on a sheet; totals will be announced at the end of the season.

Garden guests on September 22 will be able to take home vegetables and herbs from one of MOSAIC’s community plots. There will also be salsa-making demonstrations and tastings, along with pesto made from basil grown in the garden. MOSAIC is now seeking another site in Pottstown to add a garden next year.  Interested residents can get on a list for next year’s gardens.

Support for acquisition and construction of the garden on Chestnut Street 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’s a mission to increase homeownership in Pottstown, develop community gardens, and support the arts.  Their office and gallery is at 10 S. Hannover Street. 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.