87 People Paddle Down The Schuylkill River For The Annual Sojourn

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

POTTSTOWN — Nearly 90 people dragged their kayaks and canoes into the Schuylkill River around 9 a.m. Wednesday as they started the fifth day of the 15th Schuylkill River Sojourn.

The group camped out Tuesday night at Riverfront Park in the borough before paddling 17.8 miles to Mont Clare on Wednesday.

The 112-mile guided kayak and canoe trip started in 1999 after the Schuylkill River was named River of the Year buy the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

According to the group’s website, it takes seven days to reach the Philadelphia Boathouse Row from their launch site in Schuylkill Haven. The canoeists and kayakers paddle between 14 and 18 miles a day, stopping for lunch, then camping overnight.

Read more:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130606/NEWS01/130609563/87-people-paddle-down-the-schuylkill-river-for-the-annual-sojourn#full_story

Pottstown Dragon Boat Team To Compete In Philly Regatta

POTTSTOWN — The first Pottstown team to compete in the Independence Dragon Boat Regatta in Philadelphia isn’t looking to just be an also-ran this weekend.

“The coaches who do this for a living and are involved with Boathouse Row have given a lot of positive feedback about our team,” said Rob Matthews, the owner of Crossfit Pottstown where the 20 rowers train.  “If we can get their timing right, they’re going to be competitive.”

June 1 will mark the seventh annual regatta featuring 30 feet long boats with dragon faces, tails and paint jobs one might associate more with a Viking invasion than the Schuylkill River.

Beginning at 8 a.m., teams will begin the 500 meter races.  Each team participates in a qualifying heat,which determines what category the team races in.  The next round will take the top two boats from each heat and put them into a final race that will determine the winner.  A consolation race comprised of the boats that came in third and fourth in the semifinals also takes place.

Read more:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130530/NEWS01/130529127/pottstown-dragon-boat-team-to-compete-in-philly-regatta#full_story

Pottstown Dancers To Perform At The Olympics In London

Dancers and athletes have a lot in common.  Both require physical strength, dedication and long hours of training. But dancers, of course, don’t go to the Olympics, right?

Well, this year, 22 dancers from the Pottstown Dance Theatre will be heading to London during the 2012 Olympic Games.  While they won’t be competing, the students—aged 13 to 18—will perform in the Olympic Village on the day of the closing ceremonies.

They’ll dance on stage, entertaining crowds awaiting the closing ceremonies on August 12, with a 30-minute piece, entitled “The Evolution of Dance,” that was choreographed by Pottstown Dance Theatre Director Michelle Jones Wurtz.

Read more: http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20120720/NEWS01/120729977/pottstown-dancers-to-perform-at-the-olympics-in-london&pager=full_story

Guided Bicycle Tour Of Pottstown Being Offered Saturday, July 23rd

The Schuylkill River Heritage Area is sponsoring a bicycle tour of Pottstown next Saturday, July 23rd from 9 am until 1 pm.  The tour is being made possible by a grant from the Pottstown Health and Wellness Foundation.

The tour will start at 140 College Drive, at the Schuylkill River Heritage Area offices next to Riverfront Park, at 9 am.  Participants will be use the free Bike Pottstown “yellow cruisers” to take a five-mile ride down to the Grosstown Road trailhead and back to Riverfront Park.  Next on the agenda is a tour of Pottsgrove Manor followed by lunch at Grumpy’s Deli in downtown Pottstown.  The cost of the four-hour tour is $15 but does not include lunch.

There is limited space so call (484) 945-0200 for more information and to register.  You must register in advance!

Sounds like a cool morning so don’t delay.  Call and make your reservations today!

Eagles Embarrass Giants At Meadowlands

The Philadelphia Eagles gutted out a win yesterday over the rival New York Giants in the Meadowlands, coming from behind 24-3 at halftime to beat the Giants 38-31.  The Eagles scored 28 points in the fourth quarter.  The Eagles are now 10-4 for the season and lead the NFC East!

By comparison, former Eagle QB Donovan McNabb and his Redskins are 5 – 9 which is probably where the Eagles would be this season had he not been traded!

To read an exciting game synopsis: 

http://www.pottsmerc.com/articles/2010/12/20/sports/doc4d0f429f23c78566702571.txt

McNabb’s Career Swirling Around The Drain

Image via Wikipedia

Donovan McNabb‘s career is in free fall.  He is now being reduced to third string QB for the Redskins and coach Mike Shanahan said he may not be back next season.  Didn’t we just witness the hoopla over McNabb’s new contract a few weeks ago?  However, before the ink was dry he lost another game?

The Redskins are 5-8.  There are three more games left this season for the Redskins.  After next week, McNabb falls to third string for the last two games of the season.  McNabb’s performance has been erratic (say it ain’t so Joe) and he has dropped to 25th in the league with a 77.1 passer rating.  Not to mention his career-high 15 interceptions.

I think this season certainly justifies to anyone why McNabb is no longer No. 5 with the Eagles.

IMHO Donovan should bow out gracefully and retire while he still has a shred of dignity left!

Philadelphia Daily News Top 10 Suburban Football Teams

Image via Wikipedia

The Philadelphia Daily News released their Top Ten Suburban Football Teams list.  While no Pottstown area high school made the top ten, Boyertown (9-2) and Pottsgrove (9-2) were listed as Under Consideration.  I guess that’s like an honorable mention.  Kudos to Pottsgrove and Boyertown for their excellent seasons.

To see the list click below:

http://www.philly.com/dailynews/breaking/sports/20101115_Daily_News_top_10_suburban_football_teams.html