Pottstown Dance Theatre - Parent's Source

www.ParentsSource.com 

Tri-County Edition 

September/October 2011 

Annual 

Back-to-School 

Issue 

Keeping Your Schedule 

without 

Losing Your Sanity 

Cover Story 

Pottstown Dance Theatre 

Baby 

Naymes 

Quality Dance for All Ages 

Plus: Parenting Tips, Human Services and Support 

Raising Readers Book Reviews

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Parents’ Source 

September/October 2011 

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Features 

4 

10 

18 

Cover Story 

Pottstown Dance Theatre 


without Losing Your Sanity 

By Merry Monteleone 

Baby Naymes 

By Janine Boldrin 

A Note from Sandie 

I hope you enjoy our back-to-school issue as you get 

used to the routine of juggling school and after-school 

activities again. Fall is a time of change at our house. 

The most obvious difference, of course, is that we now 

have a 4th grader and a 10th grader (not to mention the 

occasional visit from our junior in college). There are 

lunches to make, homework to assist with (or at least 

ask about), soccer practices and games to attend, and 

new teachers and classmates to adjust to. Still, I love this 

time of year as the chill of fall starts to slip in. 

Our first article fits perfectly with this time of year. In 

“Keeping Your Schedule without Losing Your Sanity,” 

Merry Monteleone gives useful tips for keeping home 

and family life running smoothly for parents. Like me, 

Merry is not a natural list-maker or schedule-keeper, 

but she has learned that planning ahead and getting 

organized makes life with kids a lot easier. It even allows 

for more unstructured time to play and do spur-of-the 

moment things with the kids. 

In our humor article, “Baby Naymes,” Janine Boldrin 

takes a look at the trendy and not-so-trendy baby 

names she has run across as she tries to prepare for the 

birth of her third child. She pokes a little fun at the ways 

that her generation of parents has tried to find unique 

spellings or names to distinguish their children from 

their future classmates – only to find that there are lots 

of other parents doing the same thing. Take a look and 

see what she and her husband decided to name their 

new little girl or boy. 

For those of you following the progress of my family’s 

literary forays, we are anticipating an October 2011 

publish date of Scott’s middle grade historical novel 

Russian Snows: Coming of Age in Napoleon’s Army. It will 

be available in ebook form as well as paperback. Order 

a copy at www.RussianSnows.com. Since the last issue, 

Helen made a winning, one-minute pitch of her book, 

Fifteen, at the Pitchapalooza event at Chester County 

Books and Music. The prize is a personal introduction 

to an agent or publisher. Meanwhile, both of them are 

gearing up for another win in the annual NaNoWriMo 

contest in November (more at www.nanowrimo.org). 

In every issue 

5 Family Events Calendar 

15 Parent to Parent 

16 The Parenting Connection 

21 Raising Readers Book Reviews 

23 Education Directory 

25 Human Services and Support 

page 2 

Find a wealth of parenting resources at www.ParentsSource.com 

Parents’ Source September/October 2011 page 3

P a i d A d v e r t i s e m e n t 

What Parents have to say... 

– Cover Story – 

Local Dance Studio to Perform in 

London during 2012 Olympics 

Led by owner and International Dance Artist Michelle Jones-Wurtz, the Pottstown 

Dance Theatre will be travelling to perform in London at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. 

The theatre was chosen by a search committee from the 

American Alliance of Performing Arts Educators, a nonprofit 

company that presents student arts organizations 

both domestically and internationally. Nineteen dancers 

will perform at the games. Guests and chaperones will 

accompany the group on the trip and attend the performances 

and events. 

Pottstown Dance Theatre focuses on the growth of 

students as individuals. They believe that since dance 

is a performing art, performance experience is integral 

to dance education. The teaching curriculum spans the 

entire school year. 

Students are placed in the level that will challenge 

them technically, yet build and maintain self-confidence. 

It is common to remain in the same level for more than 

one year. Students are most successful when they progress at their own pace. The school 

offers classes in Ballet and Pointe, Tap, Modern, Jazz, African, Hip-Hop, Creative Movement, 

Irish, Break Dance, Highland, Musical Theater, and Pilates. The ballet program is based on 

the Vaganova Syllabus, as set up by the school of the Kirov Ballet in Russia. The Theatre 

welcomes the student who works toward a career in dance, as well as the student that 

dances purely for the joy of movement and the benefits that transfer into daily living. 

The Theatre is currently gearing up for the 2011-2012 school season and has classes 

for children and adults. There are many styles and ability levels at the school, and students 

have many options for putting together their own curricula. The “After-School” 

program allows students to take classes they enjoy while learning an art form with friends. 

“Intensive Program” students take three ballet classes weekly and one other dance style 

such as Jazz, Modern, Tap, Hip-Hop, Break-Dance, African, or Irish. “Academy” students 

come for four hours weekly during the daytime and have unlimited access to all classes 

in the evening. “If you’re looking for a dance school that teaches true artistry and nurtures 

talent, this is the area’s best,” said Ms. Wurtz. 

Ms. Wurtz is no stranger to international dance performances in her career. For the 

past eight years she has performed, choreographed, and taught at the International Dance 

Festival in Ladek Zdroj, Poland, and she has toured the country as a performer. Her professional 

company, Melange, the resident dance company of the Tri-County Performing Arts 

Center, was a headlining group last year at the Festival. During her time overseas she 

has worked with some of the world’s most prestigious dance professionals from France, 

Switzerland, Poland, and Russia, to name a few. Currently two former principal dancers 

from the Kirov Ballet, Andrei Ustinov and Elena Martinson, are faculty members at the 

Theatre. 

For more information, call the school at 610-323-2569 

or visit the website at www.pottstowndance.com. 

Family Events Calendar 

The Family Calendar features events for the entire family. 

Also see “The Parenting Connection,” which focuses on 

parent-related activities and support. 

Find links to most events on www.ParentsSource.com 

Ongoing–September 4 

“Share This World,” with Musician Jim Rule, 

6 pm, Exeter Community Library, Exeter 

(Free, pre-reg) 610-406-9431 

Ongoing–September 5 

Boyertown Community Pool 2011 Season– 

adults must accompany children, Noon– 

7 pm, 417 S. Madison Street, Boyertown ($) 

610-369-9622 or 610-369-3045 

Ongoing–October 28 (Fri) 

Kennett Square Farmers Market, 2– 

6 pm, Genesis Walkway, State & Union 

streets, downtown Kennett Square, 

www.historicKennettsquare.com 

Ongoing–October 29 (Sat) 

Boyertown Farmers Market, 10 am–1 pm, 

Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles 

Parking Lot, 100 South Walnut Street, 

Boyertown, 610-369-3028 

Ongoing–November 5 (Sat) 

Phoenixville Farmers’ Market, 9 am–1 pm, 

under Gay Street Bridge at Taylor 

Alley, Phoenixville, http://www. 

phoenixvillefarmersmarket.org/ 

Ongoing–November 19 (Sat) 

Collegeville Farmers Market, 9 am–1 pm, 

behind Benjamin Moore Paint Store/ 

Collegeville Home and Blend Café, 460 E. 

Main Street, Collegeville, 610-454-1050 

Ongoing–November 20 (Thu–Sun) 

Kuerner Farm Tours, offered at timed 

intervals, Brandywine River Museum, Chadds 

Ford ($) 610-388-8382 

Ongoing–November 20 (Sat & Sun) 

“Pulling for the Union: The Pennsylvania 

and Reading Railroad in the Civil War,” Sat, 

10 am–4 pm; Sun, Noon–4 pm, The Reading 

Railroad Heritage Museum, Hamburg ($) 

610-562-5513 

Ongoing–December 15 (daily) 

Autumn Hawkwatch, 9 am–5 pm, Hawk 

Mountain Sanctuary, Kempton ($) 610-756-6961 

Ongoing–December 31 

“Now and Then: Everyday Items and Their 

18th Century Counterparts,” Tue–Sat, 10 am– 

4 pm; Sun, 1–4 pm, Peter Wentz Farmstead, 

Worcester (Donation) 610-584-5104 

Ongoing–January 29 

“Spirituous Liquors and Healthful 

Distillations: Alcohol in Colonial America,” 

Tue–Sat, 10 am–4 pm; Sun, 1–4 pm, 

Pottsgrove Manor Historic Site, Pottstown 

(Donation) 610-326-4014 

Ongoing–March 31 

“Racing in Reading & Berks County” exhibit, 

Tue–Sat, 9 am–4 pm, Historical Society of 

Berks County, 940 Centre Ave., Reading ($) 

610-375-4375 

August 23 

“Makin’ Music, Rockin’ Rhythms,” ages 4 & up, 

10:30 am, The Colonial Theatre, Phoenixville 

($, pre-reg) 610-917-1228 

August 24, September 28, 

October 26, November 16 

Pottstown Family Center Playgroup–parent 

discussion, parent/child activity, snack, free 

giveaways, any family with a child ages 0–5 w/ 

adult, 10:30 am–Noon, Rolling Hills Apartments, 

Pottstown (Free, pre-reg) 610-326-1610 

August 24 & 31 

Kids’ Summer Series Afternoon Themed 

Teas–tea sandwiches, fruit, beverages, dessert, 

craft, game, 3 pm, Simpson House Tea Room, 

Village of Eagle ($, pre-reg) 610-458-0120 

Wednesday Hibernia Hiking Club, three-mile 

walk on flat, gravel trail, 9–10 am, Hibernia 

County Park, Wagontown (Free, pre-reg) 

610-344-6415 

August 26 

“Floyd Final Friday”–four different hourly 

shows, 7, 8, 9 & 10 pm, Reading Public 

Museum, West Reading ($) 610-371-5850 

Summer Concert Series, 6:30 pm, Marshall 

Square Park, West Chester (Free) 610-436-9010 

page 4 Find a wealth of parenting resources at www.ParentsSource.com Parents’ Source September/October 2011 page 5

August 26–27 

Zoo Snooze, Fri, 6 pm–Sat, 9 am, Elmwood Park 

Zoo, Norristown ($, pre-reg) 610-277-3825 

x240 

August 26–September 11 

“Resonance: Speaking for the Arts”– 

interactive, revealing arts event, share your 

voice at Aug 26 reception, 5–9 pm, Studio B, 

Boyertown (Free) 610-563-7879 

August 27 

BBQ Choo Choo, 6–8 pm, by Pig Out BBQ Pit, 

West Chester Railroad, West Chester ($, prereg) 

610-361-8200 

Berks Celtic Oyster Festival, Noon–9 pm, 

St. Benedict’s Picnic Grove, Morgantown ($) 

610-375-4085 

Bird/Nature Walk, beginners/children 

welcome, 8 am, John James Audubon Center 

at Mill Grove, Audubon (Free, pre-reg) 

484-410-1157 

Butterfly Release Celebration–hands-on 

activities, all ages, 10 am–Noon, Upper 

Schuylkill Valley Park, Royersford (Donation) 

610-948-5170 

page 6 

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900 Heritage Drive, Suite 920 

Pottstown, PA 19464 

610-326-9797 

East Coast Super Reptile Show, 9 am–4:30 pm, 

The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, Oaks 

($) 484-754-EXPO 

Fall Migration Bird Walk, ages 8 & up, 8 am, 

Norristown Farm Park, Norristown (Free, prereg) 

610-270-0215 

Family Day at the Park–pony rides, crafts, 

food, old fashioned games, races, 4–8 pm, East 

Brandywine Community Park, Downingtown 

(Free) 610-269-8230 

Library Day, 11 am–3 pm, w/Village Library 

at Boscov’s East, Reading (Free) 610-286-1022 

Saturday Hibernia Hiking Club, three-mile 

walk on flat, gravel trail, 9–10 am, Hibernia 

County Park, Wagontown (Free, pre-reg) 

610-344-6415 

“Who’s Next” – Tribute to The Who, 8 pm, 

Sellersville Theater, Sellersville ($, pre-reg) 

215-257-5808 

August 28 

Birding at Black Rock, beginners welcome, 

8–10 am, w/Valley Forge Audubon Society, 

Black Rock Sanctuary, Route 113, Phoenixville 

(Free, pre-reg) 610-344-6415 

Bird/Nature Walk, beginners & children 

welcome, 8 am, Exton Park Pond, West 

Whiteland (Free, pre-reg) 484-410-1157 

“Father of the Bride” (1950) 2 pm, The Colonial 

Theatre, Phoenixville ($) 610-917-1228 

Living History Sunday–trades, crafts, pastimes, 

all ages, 1–4 pm, Pottsgrove Manor Historic 

Site, Pottstown (Donation) 610-326-4014 

Native American Day, all ages, 10 am–3 pm, 

Norristown Farm Park, Norristown (Free) 

610-270-0215 

“Native American Life in The Susquehanna 

River Basin Region,” 2–3 pm, Berks County 

Heritage Center, Reading (Free) 610-374-8839 

Sunday at Antietam Lake Park: Family Picnic 

and Old-Fashioned Games, 2–6 pm, Antietam 

Lake, Reading (Free, pre-reg) 610-374-8839 

“What You Can Buy With a Nickel,” all ages, 

1–3 pm, 1900’s History Center, Pennypacker 

Mills Historic Site, Schwenksville (Donation) 

610-287-9349 

“Willy Wonka, Jr.,” all ages, Sat, 7 pm; Sun, 

3 pm, Tri-County Performing Arts Center, 245 

E. High Street, Pottstown ($) 610-970-1199 


August 28, September 4, 11, 18, 25 

Summer Picnic Special, Noon, West Chester 

Railroad, West Chester ($, pre-reg) 610-361-8200 

August 30–September 10 

Fall Student Faculty Show, Tue–Fri, 10 am– 

4:30 pm; Sat, 10 am–3 pm, Gallery School 

of Pottstown at Gallery on High, Pottstown 

(Free) 610-326-2506 

September 1 

Story Thursday, 1 pm, Reading Public 


Swingin’ Summer Thursdays – “World Night” 

w/ANIMUS, 6:30–9:30 pm, Gay Street, 

between High & Matlack, West Chester (Free) 

610-436-9010 

September 2 

Hopewell Lake Sunset Paddling Program, 7– 

9 pm, French Creek State Park, Elverson ($, 

pre-reg) 610-582-9680 

September 3 

46th Annual Duryea Day, 9am-4pm. 

Hundreds of antique and classic cars, 

trucks, and motorcycles. Food. Flea Market. 

Live Bands. Free trolley to the Museum 

(Free admission with pass). Boyertown 

Community Park. ($5 adults, $2 children, 

5 and under free) 610-367-2090, http:// 

www.boyertownmuseum.org/bmhv/ 

Creek Critters, all ages, 1 pm, Green Lane Park, 

Green Lane (Free, pre-reg) 215-234-4528 

End of Summer Bash, 10 am–5 pm, Elmwood 

Park Zoo, Norristown ($) 610-277-3825 

Fireworks & Fountains – “Summer Pops,” 

8:15 pm, Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square 

($, pre-reg) 610-388-1000 

September 3–4 

Latin American Drag Fest, Maple Grove 

Raceway, Mohnton ($) 610-856-9200 

September 4 

Flea Market, 7 am–2 pm; Toy Show, 7 am– 

1 pm, Leesport Farmers Market, Leesport 

(Free) 610-926-1307 

Movies in the Park: “Toy Story 3” & “Soul 

Surfer,” dusk, Limerick Community Park, 

Limerick (Free) 610-495-6432 

September 5–October 30 

Peddler’s Village Scarecrow Competition 

& Display, 10 am–6 pm, Peddler’s Village, 

Lahaska (Free) 215-794-4000 

September 6 

18th Century Immigration Experience, 

1:30–3 pm, Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage 

Center, Pennsburg ($, pre-reg) 215-679-3103 

September 7 

A First Look at Monarchs–story, butterfly 

craft, ages 3 & up w/adult helper, 1 pm, 

Norristown Farm Park, Norristown ($, prereg) 

610-270-0215 

American Idol Live! 2011 Tour, 7 pm, 

Sovereign Center, Reading ($, pre-reg) 

610-898-7200 

Nature Tykes: Fishing is Fun, ages 3–7, 10–11 am, 

1–2 pm, Springton Manor Farm, Glenmoore ($, 

pre-reg) http://dsf.chesco.org/ccparks 

Wee Ones at Winterthur, ages 3–5, 10:30– 

11:30 am, Winterthur Museum & Country 

Estate, Winterthur, DE ($) 800-448-3883 

September 9 

“MST3K: The Horrors of Spider Island” (NR; 

1960) 9:45 pm, Friday Fright Night, The Colonial 

Theatre, Phoenixville ($) 610-917-1228 

Raptors with Ranger Rachel, ages 6 & up, 5– 

6 pm, Springton Manor Farm, Glenmoore ($, 

pre-reg, bring binoculars) http://dsf.chesco. 

org/ccparks 


35th Annual Hay Creek Festival, 10 am– 

5 pm, Historic Joanna Furnace, 3 miles north 

of Morgantown, Rte. 10, Geigertown ($) 

610-286-0388 

Mushroom Festival, Fri, 7 pm; Sat, 10 am– 

7 pm, carnival to 10 pm; Sun, 10 am–5 pm, 

Kennett Square ($) 888-440-9920 

Zoo Snooze–cookout dinner, animal 

encounters, breakfast, Fri, 6 pm–Sat, 9 am, 

Elmwood Park Zoo, Norristown ($, pre-reg) 

610-277-3825 

September 10 

2nd Saturday Program–“Yesterday & 

Tomorrow–The Past & Future of Wyomissing 

Borough,” 10 am, Historical Society of Berks 

County, Reading ($) 610-375-4375 

Bird & Nature Walk to Marsh Creek State Park/ 

Struble Trail, 9:30–11:30 am, Henrietta Hankin 

Library, Chester Springs (Free) 484-340-7672 

Community Swim, all ages/under 12 w/ 

adult, Noon–2 pm, Freedom Valley YMCA at 

Pottstown ($) 610-323-7300 


Doggie Dash & Walk, all ages, 9 am, Nolde 

Forest Environmental Education Center, 

Reading ($) 610-775-4614 

“Make Your Own Kite” Workshop, all ages, 1– 

4 pm, Berks County Heritage Center, Reading 

($, pre-reg) 610-374-8839 

Pottstown Open Doors II–music, art, trolley 

rides, military & emergency vehicle display, 

games, activities, moon bounce, free bike 

use, school supplies, food, downtown events, 

11 am–2 pm; school events, 2–5 pm, 

Pottstown (Free) 610-970-6500 

Summer Concert Series: Tree (Celtic Music) 

Concert, all ages, 1 pm, Green Lane Park 

Amphitheater, Green Lane (Free, bring 

blanket/lawn chair) 215-234-4528 

“The Run for Green Valleys”–5K Run/Walk 

or 10K Run, 8–11 am, Green Valleys Assoc., 

Welkinweir, Pottstown ($, pre-reg) 610-469-4900 


Celebrate Grandparents Day, 9:30 am–5 pm, 

The Crayola Factory, Easton ($) 610-515-8000 

Chadds Ford Days – demonstrations, reenactors, 

crafts, music, food, 10 am–5 pm, 

Route 100, Chadds Ford (Free) 610-388-7376 

“Flamenia’s Wedding” (one-act family 

comedy), 3 pm, Tri-County Performing Arts 

Center, Pottstown ($, pre-reg) 610-970-1199 

Sidewalk Sale, 11 am–5 pm, Skippack Village, 

Skippack (Free) 610-584-6004 


Apple Sales–select & pick apples, 30 historic/ 

modern varieties, Wed–Sun, 9 am–5 pm, 

Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, 

Elverson ($ apples) 610-582-8773 

Harvest Days 

Hayrides • 5 Acre Cornfield Maze • Lots More 

— Every Sat. & Sun. in October — 

Book Your October Birthday Party! 

For information – www.merrymead.com 

610-584-4410 

2222 Valley Forge Road • Lansdale 

page 8 

September 10–November 20 

N. C. Wyeth’s “Treasure Island,” Classic 

Illustrations for a Classic Tale, 9:30 am– 

4:30 pm, Brandywine River Museum, Chadds 

Ford ($) 610-388-2700 

September 11 

A Birding Adventure, all ages, 8:30–10:30 am, 

Lorimer Park Pavilion, Huntingdon Valley 

(Free, pre-reg, bring binoculars, field guides) 

215-947-3477 

Children’s Raptor Identification Workshop, 

10 am–1:30 pm, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, 

Kempton ($, pre-reg) 610-756-6961 

Second Sunday Event, 11 am–4 pm, 

GoggleWorks, Reading (Free) 610-374-4600 

Silent Movie, 3 pm, by The Theatre Organ 

Society of the Delaware Valley, The Colonial 

Theatre, Phoenixville ($, pre-reg) 610-917-1228 

Weiser Interpretive, Noon–4 pm, Conrad Weiser 

Homestead, Womelsdorf ($) 610-589-2934 

Find even more listings at 


September 15 

Story Thursday, 1 pm, Reading Public 



Pennsylvania National Quilt Show, Thu, Fri, 

Sat, 10 am–6 pm; Sun, 10 am–4 pm, The 

Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, Oaks ($) 

484-754-EXPO 


Leesport Area Community Days & 

Fireworks, Fri, 5–10 pm; Sat, 4–10 pm, 

Leesport Playground, Leesport (Free) 

www.Leesportareahistory.org 

227 Evergreen Road 


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Parents’ Source September/October 2011 page 9 

.


without Losing Your Sanity 

By Merry Monteleone 

I’ve never been one of those naturally organized people. Before having kids, I was very much a 

fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants type of person. Sure I took care of my responsibilities but my schedule 

was in my head, not organized in any way – and that worked fine for me. Add three kids with varying 

activities and my whole system of winging it just wasn’t working anymore. I knew I had to adopt some 

new habits to keep myself and my family on track. 

File It! 

Each one of my children drag home an amazing amount of 

paperwork from school. The system of tossing it all on the dining 

room table until I have time to go through it just doesn’t work. 

Without some method for keeping these things, I miss important 

notes and have to hunt through a stack of papers every time I need 

to send back a form or figure out what they need for class. 

My solution: A hanging file holder in the kitchen. Each child has 

one file for their school class and separate files for each of their 

activities. In the back file folder I keep a list of all of the numbers I 

need for school and the information for the committees I volunteer 

on. Now everything is organized in one easy place and I’m never 

at a loss for what the kids need when they need it… well, at least 

not with their school papers. 

Save the Day 

Every member of my family has their own schedule. Each of 

their teams and clubs send out a full calendar of commitments for the season. At any given time I might 

have seven separate calendars to keep track of, so I combined them. I replaced my small, kitchen 

calendar with one that has extra large boxes for the days. Every time I get a new schedule from one of 

the kids’ activities, I transfer the important dates to my kitchen calendar. This works for me because 

my kitchen is my home base and I check the calendar often to make sure I’m not forgetting anything. 

What’s on the Menu 

One of the biggest hurdles I face is trying to keep a regular dinner schedule when things have us 

running from one activity to the next. If I don’t plan meals, there’s absolutely no time for cooking – and 

I can’t do fast food very often because it doesn’t agree with my stomach or my checkbook. 

My solution: devise a menu. Once a week I look through the calendar and see what the upcoming 

schedule looks like, and then I figure out dinner meals that work for each day. If we have football from 

five until seven, I know it’s a good day to make a quick, easy dinner or break out the crock-pot in the 

morning. If it’s a fairly light activity day, I know I can make a more elaborate meal. I’m still a fly-bythe-seat-of-my-pants 

person at heart. Sometimes I’ll substitute pizza or grilled cheese sandwiches 

because I just don’t feel like cooking. But planning the basics ahead of time means we have a homecooked 

meal most days and it helps keep me on budget. 

Time to Play 

With all of this scheduling, you’d think that there would be very little time left to spend as a family. 

Like most moms, the brunt of the workload for running the household falls on my shoulders. While 

dad is outside enjoying some downtime with the kids, I still have a meal to prepare or clean up after. 

These days, I now try to plan a little better. My oldest helps me clear the plates and the kids take 

turns setting the table and getting the drinks. This way, we’re done in half the time and we still get 

to enjoy each others’ company for a while. I’ve adapted this method for other household chores, too. 

While my kids don’t always do the most thorough jobs, it’s a lot less effort to touch something up than 

to do it all myself. 

Taking Homework on the Road 

I often joke that I didn’t have as much homework to do when I was in school as my kids do. When 

you have more than one child, that time-span can add up rather quickly. When one or more is hopping 

from activity to activity, trying to make sure they get it all done before bedtime can be daunting. 

If I don’t check on each of them before heading out the door to someone’s practice, I know we’ll 

come home late, needing dinner and baths, and wind up with assignments to complete on top of all 

that. And if one of them needs help, well, let’s just say it’s not so easy to explain fifth grade math 

while completing twelve other household chores. So, I make sure to check in with the one who has 

practice and have them do their homework right after school. Depending on the other two’s workload, 

they can complete some at home and take whatever still needs to be done with us to practice, along 

with any supplies they need. This way, there’s enough time if one or all of them need help with their 

assignments, without having to stay up too late or throw everything else off-kilter. 

If you are a mom whose routine has become a series of activities to keep track of, adopting some 

of these organizational tips might be a great way to make a little room in your life…without sacrificing 

too much of your own “me” time. 

Merry Monteleone balances her writing career while raising three active children. 

She often thinks juggling sharp utensils would involve less precision. 


Annual Pennsylvania Renewable Energy 

Festival, Fri & Sat, 8:30 am–6 pm; Sun, 

8:30 am–4 pm, Kempton Community Center, 

Kempton ($) 610-756-6961 

September 17 

5th Annual Fall Festival, Noon–9 pm, along 

Penn Ave., West Reading (Free) 610-685-8854 

25th Anniversary Celebration: Grand Finale 

Barbecue, 10 am–8 pm, Kimberton Whole 

Foods, Kimberton (Free) 610-935-1444 

31st Annual Conrad Weiser Disc Golf 

Tournament, 9 am registration; tournament, 

9:30 am, Conrad Weiser Homestead, 

Womelsdorf ($) 717-866-5874 

A Walk in Warwick Woods, 11 am–1 pm, 

Warwick County Park, Pottstown (Free, prereg) 

http://dsf.chesco.org/ccparks 

Autumn Tea Time, 1:30–3 pm, Berks County 

Heritage Center, Reading ($, pre-reg) 

610-374-8839 

BBQ Choo-Choo, 6–8 pm, by Pig Out BBQ Pit, 

West Chester Railroad, West Chester ($, prereg) 

610-361-8200 

Blue Bird Nestbox Workshop, ages 4 & up 

w/adult, 10 am–Noon, Pennypacker Mills 

Historic Site, Schwenksville ($, pre-reg) 

610-287-9349 

Fall Star Party, 7:30–9:30 pm, Hoopes Park, 

West Chester (Free, bring flashlight, small red 

balloon) 610-639-2081 

Harvest Time–apple butter cooking, “pickyour-own” 

apples sales, 10 am–4 pm, Hopewell 

Furnace National Historic Site, Elverson (Free, 

$ apples) 610-582-8773 

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page 10 



Heritage Day–living history, Colonial craft 

demos, 10 am–4 pm, Henry Muhlenberg 

House, 201 W. Main Street, Trappe (Free) 

610-489-7560 

Honey Brook Harmony Day–yard & book 

sales, needlecraft swap, food, 8 am–4 pm, 

Honey Brook Community Library & Honey 

Brook community (Free) 610-273-3303 

Insect Safari, ages 6 & up w/adult, 1–3 pm, 

Norristown Farm Park, Norristown (Free, prereg, 

space limited) 610-270-0215 

Kids Day in the Park, 10 am–2 pm, Bell Tavern 

Park, Downingtown (Free) Rain date Sep 24, 

610-269-1989 

Laerenswaert Series: “Worth Learning”– 

Colonial Medicines, all ages, 1 pm, Peter Wentz 

Farmstead, Worcester (Free) 610-584-5104 

Oktoberfest, 10 am–5 pm, Elmwood Park Zoo, 

Norristown ($) 610-277-3825 

Paint Splatter Party, ages 3–5, 11 am; ages 

6–9, 1 pm; ages 10 & up, 3 pm, The Crayola 

Factory, Easton ($, pre-reg) 610-515-8000 

Pointe Entertainment Presents Ian Hunter, 

8 pm, The Colonial Theatre, Phoenixville ($, 

pre-reg) 610-917-1228 

The 26th Annual Arts & Antiques Fair, Noon– 

5 pm, Centre Park, Reading (Free) 

610-375-7860 

Upper Perkiomen Birding & Wildlife Event, 

all ages, 8 am–4 pm, Deep Creek Lake 

Area, Green Lane Park, Green Lane (Free) 

215-234-4528 

Wildflower Walk, 9:30 am, Perkiomen 

Watershed Conservancy, Schwenksville ($, 

pre-reg) 610-287-9383 


Scarecrow Festival, 10 am–6 pm, Peddler’s 

Village, Lahaska (Free) 215-794-4000 


Inspiring Minds: Howard Pyle as Teacher, 

9:30 am–4:30 pm, Brandywine River Museum, 

Chadds Ford ($) 610-388-2700 

September 18 

Chester County Restaurant Festival, Noon– 

5:30 pm, downtown West Chester (Free, no 

pets) Rain date Sep 25, 610-436-9010 

page 12 

Concert in the Park: The Large Flowerheads 

w/Liz Longley, 5 pm, Kerr Park Gazebo, 

Downingtown (Free) 610-269-0344 x200 

Ferns & Mosses Walk w/Dr. Susan Munch, 

1:30 pm, Monocacy Hill Recreation Area, 

Geiger Road, Douglassville (Free) http://www. 

monocacyhill.org/ 

Hagley Museum Antique Car Show, 10 am– 

4 pm, Hagley Museum & Library, Wilmington, 

DE ($) 302-658-2400 

Heritage Walk at Hugh Moore Park, 1:30 pm, 

Hugh Moore Park, Easton (Free) 610-559-6613 

Ride for Kids 2011, registration opens 8 am, 

Valley Forge Christian College, Phoenixville 

($, pre-reg) 800-253-6530 


“Fairy Tales Do Come True,” The Work of 

Digi, Tue–Fri, 10 am–4:30 pm; Sat, 10 am– 

3 pm, Gallery School of Pottstown at Gallery 

on High, Pottstown (Free) 610-326-2506 

September 20 

10th Anniversary Program Series: “Our 

Community”–add items to “memory tree,” 

1:30–3 pm, Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage 

Center, Pennsburg (Free, pre-reg) 215-679-3103 

September 22 

“Marvelous Migration,” ages 3–7, 2 pm, Upper 

Schuylkill Valley Park, Royersford (Donation, 

pre-reg) 610-948-5170 

“On the Edge of Battle–Chester County and 

the Civil War” exhibit, Wed–Sat, 10 am–5 pm, 

Chester County Historical Society, West 

Chester ($) 610-692-4800 

September 23 

Adrian Belew Power Trio & Stick Men, 

featuring Tony Levin & Pat Mastellotto, 8 pm, 

The Colonial Theatre, Phoenixville ($, prereg) 

610-917-1228 

“Elements,” by Keigwin & Company– 

“seriously fun dance,” 7:30 pm, Kutztown 

Presents, Kutztown University, Kutztown ($, 

pre-reg) 610-683-4092 


Zoo Snooze–cookout dinner, animal 



610-277-3825 



Saint Pio Feast Day Celebration Weekend– 

procession, Sat, Noon; “Ferrari as Art” exhibit, 

Sun, Noon–3 pm, food, National Centre for 

Padre Pio, Barto (Free) 610-845-3000 

September 24 

Autumn Harvest: Fall into Fitness, all ages, 

4–8 pm, Warwick County Park, Pottstown ($ 

parking) 610-469-1916 

Bird Walk w/Sarah Neto, Noel Kelly, ages 6 

& up w/adult, 8 am, Green Valleys Assoc. at 

Welkinweir, Pottstown (Free) 610-469-8646 

Community Yard Sale, 8 am–Noon, Smith Plaza, 

Pottstown ($ to sell, pre-reg) 610-326-2506 

Conestoga Turnpike Day–celebrating the 4th 

paved road in PA, 10 am–4 pm, The Mill at 

Anselma, Chester Springs ($) 610-827-1906 

First Annual Pottstown Pet Fair–FREE fair 

featuring non-profit animal shelter groups 

(cats, dogs, rabbits, and others), market 

of items for sale and pet services, 9 am– 

2 pm, at Smith Family Plaza, Borough Hall, 

Pottstown. Call 610-310-0070 for more 

information, www.Pottstown.org 

Golden Pheasants Fall Blast–music, food, 

cannon explosions, Civil War Encampment, 

hayrides, 4–7 pm, Hagley Museum & Library, 

Wilmington, DE ($, pre-reg) 302-658-2400 

Limerick Community Day–food, crafts, 

music, inflatable games, more, 11 am–4 pm, 

Limerick Community Park, Limerick (Free) 

610-495-6432 

National Public Lands Day, 10 am–4 pm, 

Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, 

Elverson (Free) 610-582-8773 

National Public Lands Day – projects, 

Environmental Expo, programs/activities, 

9 am–1 pm, Valley Forge National Historical 

Park, King of Prussia (Free) 610-783-1077 

River Walk & Picnic, all ages, 11 am–2 pm, 

Pottsgrove Manor Historic Site, Pottstown ($, 

pre-reg) 610-326-4014 

TEDxPhoenixille – 2nd Annual Conference, 

10 am, The Colonial Theatre, Phoenixville ($, 

pre-reg) 610-917-1228 

The Autumn Philadelphia Vintage Book & 

Ephemera Fair, 9 am–4 pm, The Greater 

Philadelphia Expo Center, Oaks ($) 484-754-EXPO 

Tree Planting at the Laurels Preserve & “Get 

Back to your Roots” Fall Festival, 10 am, 

Brandywine River Museum, Chadds Ford ($) 

610-388-2700 

Wild Adventure Program, 11 am–1 pm, Elmwood 



Heritage Harvest Fescht, Sat, 10 am–4 pm; 

Sun, 11 am–4 pm, Pennsylvania German 

Cultural Heritage Center, Kutztown University, 

Kuztown (Free) 610-683-1589 

RotorFest: All Helicopter Air Show, 10 am– 

4:30 pm, American Helicopter Museum & 

Education Center, West Chester ($) 610-436-9600 

September 24–25 & October 1–2 

9th Annual Brandywine Valley Wine Trail 

Harvest Festival, 1–5 pm, Black Walnut 

Winery, Sadsburyville (Free concert, $ wine 

events) 610-857-5566 


Celebrating Four Decades of Collecting (art 

of Brandywine region), 9:30 am–4:30 pm, 

Brandywine River Museum, Chadds Ford ($) 

610-388-2700 

Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles 

NEW EXHIBIT 

The Life Atomic: Growing Up 

in the Shadow of the A-Bomb 

October 1 – December 24, 2011 

$6 Adults / $5 Senior Citizens or AAA / $4 Students 

This exhibit explores the impact of the atomic bomb on American culture 

in the 1950s and early 1960s. The exhibit features: 

• Civil Defense vehicles built in Boyertown, PA • Full-scale family fallout shelter 

• Local and national Civil Defense • Atomic toys, games and music 

• Atomic Age film festival • Family Day, Saturday October 1 • And much more 

85 South Walnut Street, Boyertown • 610-367-2090 • www.boyertownmuseum.org 


September 25 

“Bald Eagles Yesterday and Today,” 2–3 pm, 

Berks County Heritage Center, Reading (Free) 

610-374-8839 

City Rhythm Orchestra: Stan Kenton Tribute, 


pre-reg) 610-917-1228 

Fitness Hike, 10 am, Monocacy Hill Recreation 

Area, Geiger Road, Douglassville (Free) http:// 

www.monocacyhill.org/ 

Raptor ID Workshop, ages 12 & up, 10 am– 

1:30 pm, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Kempton 

($, pre-reg) 610-756-6961 

Wildlands Challenge Adventure Race, ages 15 

& up, Blue Marsh Lake, Leesport ($, pre-reg) 

610-775-4614 

Worship in the Park, 10:30 am, NorthPointe 

Community Church, Limerick (Free, bring 

lawn chair/blanket) 610-495-1500 

September 28, October 26, 

November 16 


discussion, parent/child activity, snack, 

free giveaways, any family with a child 

ages 0–5 w/adult, 10:30 am–Noon, Rolling 

Hills Apartments, Pottstown (Free, pre-reg) 

610-326-1610 

September 29 

Civil War Education Series: Civil War Concert 

by Libby Prison Minstrels, 7 pm, Hagley 

Museum & Library, Wilmington, DE (Free) 

302-658-2400 


Uni-Select Auto Plus NHRA Nationals, 8 am– 

7 pm, Maple Grove Raceway, Mohnton ($) 

610-856-9200 

September 30 

Family-Style Opening Reception: 

“Moneyville,” 4:45–7 pm, Reading Public 


Summer Concert Series, 6:30 pm, Marshall 

Square Park, West Chester (Free) 610-436-9010 


87th Unionville Community Fair, Fri & Sat, 

9 am–9 pm; Sun, 10 am–6 pnm, Fairgrounds 

behind Landhope Farms, Routes 82 & 926, 

Kennett Square ($) http://www.ucfairinc.org/ 

page 14 

October 1 

Bark in the Park, all ages, 11 am–3 pm, 

Nottingham County Park, Nottingham ($ 

parking) 610-932-2589 

Chester County Day Historic House Tour, 10 am– 

5 pm, benefits Chester County Hospital, West 

Chester ($, pre-reg) 610-431-5301 

Diana Ross, 7:30 pm, Sovereign Center, 

Reading ($, pre-reg) 610-898-7200 

Haunting Stories by the Bonfire, all ages, 

7–8:30 pm, Pennypacker Mills Historic 

Site, Schwenksville (Donation, bring chair/ 

blanket) 610-287-9349 

“Meet the Fall Forest,” 1–2:30 pm, Hawk 

Mountain Sanctuary, Kempton ($, limited to 

first 20 registrants) 610-756-6961 

Phoenixville Adventure Film Series: “From 

Everest to Antartica,” 9 am–12:30 pm & 1:30– 


pre-reg) 610-917-1228 

Sky Tour, 7:30 pm, w/Chesmont Astronomical 

Society, Anson B. Nixon Park, Kennett Square 

(Free) 610-444-1416 

“Understanding Birds of Prey,” ages 9 & up, 

1 pm, Deep Creek Pavilion, Green Lane Park, 

Green Lane (Free, pre-reg) 215-234-4528 

“Vive tu vida! Get up! Get Moving” 9 am–1 pm, 

La Communidad Hispana, Anson B. Nixon 

Park, Kennett Square (Free) 610-444-7550 

October 1–2 

39th Annual Skippack Days Arts & Crafts 

Festival–crafts, food, entertainment, 10 am– 

6 pm, Skippack Village, Skippack (Free) 

610-584-6004 

“On the Homefront: the Civil War at Hopewell,” 

10 am–4 pm, Hopewell Furnace National 

Historic Site, Elverson (Free) 610-582-8773 

Stitch in Time: Cross-Stitch Ornaments– 

beginners of all ages, 10–11:30 am, Berks 

County Heritage Center, Reading ($, pre-reg) 

610-374-8839 

October 1–December 24 

“The Life Atomic: Growing up in the Shadow 

of the A-Bomb” exhibit, Tue–Sun, 9:30 am– 

4 pm, Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles, 

Boyertown ($) 610-367-2090 

(continued on page 22) 


Parent to Parent 

Readers share their tips, hints, and advice on parenting 

We spend so much time in the car during the fall – driving to soccer games, to and from 

school, and on errands, and I’m finding that it’s a great time to have conversations with my 

kids and even play some games. We play the conversation game – one person asks a question 

of another person in the car and the other person answers in a complete sentence and gets to 

ask a question of someone else. Or, we play a game where we describe a word and everyone 

else has to guess what it is. Or, just talk one-on-one if it’s just two of us. Chauffeuring can be 

a great way to connect as a family without other distractions! 

My son sometimes complains about going to sports practice but my rule is he has to suit up 

and go. If he chooses not to participate once we’re there, he still has to sit and watch the rest 

of his team practice. Every single time he has decided to practice once we are actually there. 

Share your tips with Parents’ Source readers! 

(See page 3 for all the ways to get in touch with us). 

Send in a tip by September 12, 2011 to be entered for a chance to win 

4 tickets to the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire. 

Collegeville 

Speech and Hearing 

Debbie S. Lombardi, MS, CCC-A/SLP 

Susan F. Levy, MA, CCC-SLP 

Speech/Language/Voice/Cognitive Therapy 

Hearing Testing/Auditory Processing/ 

Hearing Aids for Children and Adults 

610-454-1177 

555 Second Avenue, Suite D-204, Collegeville 

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the 

Parenting Connection 

This section contains support groups, parenting classes, and other connections to events 

of particular interest for the active and involved parent. Find links at www.ParentsSource.com. 

September 1, 8, 15, 22 

Prepared Childbirth, 7–9:30 pm, The 

Center for Nursing & Allied Health, Chester 

County Hospital, West Chester ($, pre-reg) 

610-738-2300 

September 2, October 7 

Parents Night Out/Kids Night In, ages 4 & 

up, 6:30–9:30 pm, The Center on Central, 

Paoli ($, pre-reg) 610-710-1487 

September 6, 20 & October 4, 18 

Nursing Mothers Group–share ideas, weigh 

baby w/registered nurse, 2–3 pm, Henrietta 

Hankin Library, Chester Springs (Free) 

610-321-1724 


ADHD Support Group (Montgomery Cty. 

CHADD), 7–9 pm, St. James Lutheran 

Church, Limerick (Free) 610-409-9623 

September 7, 21 & October 5, 19 

Grief Support Group, 6:30 pm, Pottstown 

YMCA, Pottstown (Free) 610-323-7300 

September 8 

Car Seat Inspection, 3–6 pm, Phoenixville 

Hospital, Phoenixville ($, pre-reg) 

610-363-8701 

Infant CPR for New Parents & Car Seat 

Safety, 7–9 pm, Medical Office Bldg. Confer. 

Center, Phoenixville Hospital, Phoenixville 

($, pre-reg) 610-983-1288 


Pottstown Evening Family Support Group 

(formerly Trappe Support Group), 7:30 pm, 

NAMI Montgomery County, Room IOP 

3, Creative Health Services, 11 Robinson 

Street, Pottstown (Free) 610-323-6689 

September 10 

One Day Lamaze Class, 9 am–3:30 pm, 

Pottstown Memorial Medical Center, 

Pottstown ($, pre-reg) 610-327-7147 

September 10, 24, October 22, 29 

(one session) 

Prepared Childbirth, 9 am–4:30 pm, The 



610-738-2300 


Hartstrings Warehouse Sale, Mon, 3–9 pm; 

Tue, 9 am–9 pm, The Greater Philadelphia 

Expo Center, Oaks ($) 484-754-EXPO 

September 13 

Breast Feeding Class, 7–9:30 pm, Medical 

Office Bldg. Confer. Center, Phoenixville 

Hospital, Phoenixville ($, pre-reg) 

610-983-1288 


Breastfeeding & Working, 6:30–8:30 pm, 

The Reading Hospital Conference Center, 

The Reading Hospital & Medical Center, 

Reading ($, pre-reg) 610-988-HELP (4357) 


Newborn Care, 7–9:30 pm, The Center 

for Nursing & Allied Health, Chester 


610-738-2300 


Amity Township Crime Watch Meeting 

– safety presentation, local police 

crime update, 7:30 pm, St. Paul’s 

Lutheran Church, Douglassville (Free) 

www.amitytwpcrimewatch.org 

Teen AD/HD Support Group Meeting, 7:30 

pm, Exton Baptist Church, 141 E. Swedesford 

Road, Exton (Free) 610-429-4060 


Car Seat Safety Check, call for appointment, 

Pottstown Memorial Medical Center, 


September 17 

MOM’s Club of Douglassville West 

Annual Children’s Clothing Toys & Gear 

Consignment Sale, 7 am–Noon, St. Paul’s 

United Church of Christ, Douglassville, 

http://momsdouglassvillewest.webs.com/ 


One Day Birth Prep Class, 9 am–4 pm, 

Medical Office Bldg. Confer. Center, 

Phoenixville Hospital, Phoenixville ($, prereg) 

610-983-1288 

September 20 

Breastfeeding Class, 7–9 pm, Pottstown 

Memorial Medical Center, Pottstown ($, 

pre-reg) 610-327-7213 


(one session) 

Sibling Class, 6:30–7:30 pm, Mira 

Conference Room, Chester County Hospital, 

West Chester ($, pre-reg) 610-738-2300 

September 21, 28, October 5, 12 

Lamaze Classes, 7–9 pm, Pottstown 

Memorial Medical Center, Pottstown ($, 

pre-reg) 610-327-7213 

September 24 

KIDS SALE – Gently Used Clothing & 

Equipment, 8 am–Noon, Cornerstone 

Preschool, Trinity EC Church, 250 

Sweinhart Road, Boyertown, 610-473-2840 

September 26, October 3, 10 

Three-Week Birth Prep Class, 7–9 pm, 

Medical Office Bldg. Confer. Center, 


610-983-1288 


Prenatal Breastfeeding, 7–9:30 pm, The 



610-738-2300 


Parents/Teachers & Caregivers of AD/ 

HD Children & Teens, 7–9 pm, Kesher 

Israel Congregation, West Chester (Free) 

610-429-4060 


Post Partum Adjustment Group, 6:30– 

8 pm, Medical Office Bldg. Confer. Center, 


610-983-1288 

The Compassionate Friends Support Group 

Meeting, 7 pm, First Presbyterian Church, 



Just Between Friends Sale, Thu & Fri, 9 am– 

7 pm; Sat, 8 am–8 pm, Greater Reading 

Expo Center, Reading ($) 610-898-9900 

October 1 

Children’s/Teen Outgrown Sale, 8 am–2 

pm, by Berks Kids Closet, Leesport Farmers 

Market, Leesport (Free) 610-693-5627 

October 6 

Infant Preparation Class, 7–9 pm, Medical Office 

Bldg. Confer. Center, Phoenixville Hospital, 

Phoenixville ($, pre-reg) 610-983-1288 

October 22 

One Day Breast Feeding & Pumping 

Workshop, 9 am–1 pm, Medical Office 

Bldg. Confer. Center, Phoenixville Hospital, 

Phoenixville ($, pre-reg) 610-983-1288 

Ongoing 

AD/HD CHADD Teen Support Group, with 

Dr. Ari Tuckman, 3rd Thu, 7:30–8:30 pm, 

Exton Community Baptist Church, Exton 

(Free) 610-429-4060 

Adult (& Family) Literacy Center, YWCA of 

Pottstown, 610-326-READ 

Autism Alliance Meeting, monthly at the 

CCIU, Downingtown. Contact Brenda, 

Autism Network Coordinator, 484-237-5354 

Autism Society of Berks Cty. meetings, 2nd 

Mon monthly, 7–9 pm, Keller Williams 

Realty Office, Exeter (Free) 610-376-0130 

Baby Boot Camp–stroller fitness program, 

Coventry Mall, Pottstown ($, pre-reg, 1st 

class free) 610-293-1958 

Bereavement Support Groups, by TriCounty 

Home Health & Hospice: 

• 2nd & 3rd Tue, 6:30–8 pm, Chesmont 

Professional Building, 13 Armand 

Hammer Blvd., Pottstown 

• 1st Tue, 2–3 pm, Phoenixville Senior 

Center, 153 Church Street, Phoenixville 

Building the Family Parents Support Group, 

2nd Thu monthly, 6–8 pm, Pottstown 

Memorial Medical Center, Pottstown (Free) 

215-348-9770 

page 16 



By Janine Boldrin 

In a corner of the playground are River and Skye. They are playing with little Autumn, even though 

she usually comes with Sunday. Nearby, Gray, Scarlett, and Azure have commandeered the swings while 

Sienna waits for a turn. In the sandbox, Zander hits Serenity on the head with a stick but he claims she 

hit him first. 

Now that I am pregnant, I listen to the names people give their children. The Internet swells with 

advice, and the tabloid aisle is a big source of inspiration. While out with my two boys, I keep my ears 

open. Naming baby number three is difficult among the sea of new choices. But even the unique seems 

to have become commonplace. So what is a mother to do when it comes to finding an original name 

Especially when Mercedes, Lexus and Armani have to use their last initial in preschool. And Caitlin, 

Caitlyn, Kaitlin and Kaitlyn, much to their mothers’ horror, all ended up in the same classroom. So God 

help their kindergarten teacher. 

At the pediatrician, the nurse calls for Lindon (or Lyndon) and Madeline (or Madelyn, or maybe 

Madelyne). Smith Sadie Smyth sits in a stroller while Edna Ami and Anne Brilane play with the blocks. 

Churchill and Kipling are not getting along and are broken up by their mothers. 

New parents use “Jaxon” instead of “Jackson.” They skip “Amelia” and choose “Emilia.” Don’t make 

the mistake of using “Jason,” because in 2011 it is most certainly, “Jayson.” 

(As a note, it’s Conor with one “n” not two, just in case you were wondering.) 

Noah was once the guy with the Ark, not the kid who chews crayons. And Apple was once a computer 

company and even before that, Red Delicious and Golden. 

Today I met: Blender. Not among the toasters and microwaves but standing in line at a cash register 

at Target. 

Oh, and then there is Smiley. I can vouch that her parents got that one wrong. And let’s hope she 

doesn’t end up working in Walmart. 

Dakota was born in Brooklyn and Brooklyn was born in North Dakota. Bronx lives in California and 

Paris lives in New York. 

Keegan, Teegan and Meegan were born to an Italian family a few blocks away from an Irish family 

who just had Genevieve. Love, Honor and Cherish live down the street but that might change because I 

think their parents’ divorce will be finalized next week. 

These days I hear mothers call: Silas. And they don’t mean “Marner.” 

I know a Charly who is a girl and a Devon who is a boy, not to be confused with Devin, a girl, who 

has a brother named Charlee. 

A generation whose parents named their children James, Michelle, Nicole, and Kimberly, have 

decided that their babies will go by Homer, Zuma, Seraphina, and Liberty. 

So in making a decision on what to name our daughter, the new baby name books, Internet sites and 

magazines are very little help. The unique names are already used up. There has to be something else. 

Last week, at a Greek diner, I think we made a decision. No, it didn’t come from the waitress’s nametag 

or the back of a menu. It came to us out of the blue with no need for us to Google the spelling. 

A stroke of genius! And so simple it wouldn’t need to be repeated! Unique Well, I’ve haven’t heard 

it uttered on a playground in at least a twenty-mile radius. 

Our baby will be Jane. 

But hey, if it turns out to be a boy, we might go with Octavius. 

Janine Boldrin is a freelance writer, mother of three and Army spouse who lives in West Point, NY. 

Caring Hands & Open Hearts – raising 

grandchildren support group, 1st Tue 

monthly, 6:30 pm, First Baptist Church, 

301 King Street, Pottstown (Free) 

610-327-4621 

Community Crossroads Peer Support 

Group Center, 529 E. Gay Street, West 

Chester (Free) 610-429-1702 

CONCERN…supporting children in need; 

providing foster homes to children and 

youth of Montgomery, Bucks, Delaware, and 

Chester counties. Informational meetings, 

3rd Thu monthly, Noon, 49 Easton Road, 

Suite 202, Willow Grove (Free) 215-654-1963 

Daddy’s Spirit Moves Me Forward sm – 

facilitating positive experiences for 

children who are grieving the loss of 

their father, for ages 5–18, Valley Forge, 

610-710-1477 

Domestic Violence Victim Support Group, 

day and evening meetings, PMMC, 


Down Syndrome Interest Group of Chester 

County, 1st Thu monthly, 7:30 pm, The ARC 

in West Chester, 610-889-0291 

FAST (Families & Schools Together) – for 

Pottstown Middle School families (grades 

6 & 7), Tue, 5:30–8 pm, at Pottstown Middle 

School (Free, pre-reg) 610-718-5372 x223 

Foster Parent Information Meetings, call 

for dates, Concern, Berks County (Free) 

610-944-0445 

Foundations of Fatherhood Workshop for 

Dads–covers communication, anger, child 

development, adult relationships, w/light 

dinner, every Thu, 5:30–7 pm, Phoenixville 

Communities That Care, Phoenixville 

Hospital, 140 Nutt Road, Phoenixville 

(Free) 610-917-9675 or 610-933-7728 

Grandfamily Support Group – w/teen 

and children’s activities, 1st and 3rd Fri 

monthly, 7–8:30 pm, Government Services 

Building, 601 Westtown Road, West Chester 

(Free, pre-reg) 610-344-5890 

Groups for Kids of Domestic Violence 

Families: Project H.A.L.T. – ages 13–18, 

Berks Advocates Against Violence, Reading 

($, pre-reg) 610-736-3693 

Hopewell Special Parent Support Group– 

relaxed/informal time of devotions/prayer, 

1st Wed, Sep–Apr, 6:30–7:30 pm, Hopewell 

United Methodist Church, Downingtown 

(Free, pre-reg) garyrose@verizon.net or 

vicki@hopewellumc.org 

“Kids Konnected,” support group for kids 

of parents with cancer, grades elementary– 

high school, 4th Mon monthly, 7–8 pm, 

St. Joseph Medical Center, Reading (Free) 

610-378-2141 

La Leche League of Chester County–Helping 

mothers to breastfeed through free motherto-mother 

support, encouragement, 

information, and education (Free) http:// 

beanmom.com/laleche/ 

Lifeline of Berks County Services, by 

appt., W. Reading (Free) 610-374-8545 

– Emergency Diapers, Formula & Baby 

Clothes – Free Pregnancy Testing – Oneon-One 

Parenting & Breastfeeding Classes 

Military Families Support Group, 4th Thu 

monthly, Youth & Family Services of Upper 

Perk, at Community Bible Fellowship, Red 

Hill (Free) 215-234-9372 

MOMS Club Chapters – (Moms Offering 

Moms Support) is a national non-profit 

support group designed for stay-at home 

moms. The Club offers Mothers support 

from other mothers. We also offer children’s 

activities, playgroups and Mom’s activities ($) 

See www.ParentsSource.com 

for a listing of MOMS clubs 

Mothers of Boys (Berks County area) group 

for mothers with boys of all ages (Free) 

610-944-1225 

Mothers of Children with Disabilities 

Support Group, every Mon, 9:30–10:30 am, 

The Arc of Chester County, West Chester 

(Free, pre-reg) 610-692-3737 

NAMI Can–Support Group for Families 

of a Child or Adolescent to age 22 with 

severe emotional disturbances, 2nd Mon 

monthly, 7–9 pm, Central Presbyterian 

Church, Downingtown. (Free, pre-reg) 

610-935-0739/ 610-296-0377. 

page 18 



NAMI–Chester County General Meetings, 

w/guest presenters, 3rd Thu monthly, 7– 

9 pm, Christ Memorial Lutheran Church, 

Malvern (Free) 484-947-5643 

NAMI–Family Support Group w/MH 

facilitator, 2nd Thu monthly, 7–8:30 pm, 

Phoenixville (Free, pre-reg) 484-947-5643 

NAMI–Family Support Group w/facilitator, 

1st Wed monthly, 7–9:30 pm, West Chester 

area (Free, pre-reg) 484-947-5643 

NAMI–Kennett Square/Southern Chester 

County Family Support Group, 1st Thu 

monthly, 7:30–9 pm, Friends Meeting 

House, Kennett Square (Free) 610-444-5993 

Parent Network–workshops held 2nd 

Thu monthly , 6:30–8 pm, E. Brandywine 

Township Building, 1214 Horseshoe 

Pike, Downingtown (Free, pre-reg) 

610-696-8211 

Parent Support Group, Mon & Wed, 6:30– 

8:30 pm; Thu, 1 pm, Pottstown Family 

YWCA, Pottstown (Free) 610-323-1888 

Parents As Leaders–support for parents 

of pre-school aged children (birth to eight 

years), Family Services of Montgomery 

County, Eagleville (Free) 610-630-2111 

x228 

Parents As Teachers–parents and children, 

birth to age 5, Mon–Fri, 8:30 am–4:30 pm, 

In-Home Visitation Program or visit 

Pottstown Family Center, Pottstown, 

610-326-1610 

Parents’ Network–parenting support 

groups meets weekly with a trained 

facilitator while children attend The 

Children’s Group, Pottstown YWCA, 

Pottstown, 610-323-1888 

Parents Without Partners Valley Forge, 

King of Prussia ($) 610-948-2333 

Pottstown Area Health & Wellness 

Foundation – check out http://www. 

missionhealthyliving.org a FREE local 

website that can give families easy steps to 

live a healthier life. 

Preemie Parent Support Group–for parents 

of pre-term babies in NICU or at home, 4th 

Thu monthly, 6:30–8 pm, Meeting Room, 

Henrietta Hankin Library, 215 Windgate 

Drive, Chester Springs (Free, pre-reg) 

610-715-5253 

Pregnant & Parenting Teen Program, 

Berks Counseling Center, Reading (Free) 

610-373-4281 x233 

Respite–The Arc of Chester County TAP 

Program (Temporary Assistance Provider)– 

offers one-on-one respite assistance 

to families by the hour, day, or week, 

610-696-8090 x239, 

Social Communications Groups for 

Children with Autism Spectrum, grades 

K–5, every Mon, 6 & 6:45 pm, Center for 

Pediatric Therapy, Wyomissing ($, pre-reg.) 

610-670-8600 

Wit’s End–support group for parents, 

spouses, friends of loved ones using 

drugs or alcohol, Tue, 7:30 pm, New 

Goshenhoppen UCC, East Greenville (Free) 

215-679-2041 ■ 

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Call for details. 

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Douglassville Shopping Center, next to Redners, Rte 422, 610-385-0766 

Over 100,000 

Books In Stock 

Raising Readers 

These reviews of classic children’s literature provide discussion points and insights to help parents guide their children’s reading. 

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry 

Annemarie Johansen and her friend Ellen Rosen live in occupied Denmark during 

World War II. They have grown used to the German soldiers (some are nice, but 

others are threatening) that occupy the area. 

There is talk that the Germans will soon round up all of the Danish Jews and send 

them away. At first, innocent Annemarie is only puzzled by the talk since it doesn’t 

apply to her. Then she grows concerned as she observes that her parents, and Ellen 

are very upset since the Rosens are Jewish. 

When word spreads that the round up is imminent, the Johansens join with other 

Danes to try and hide their Jewish friends and help them escape across the sea to 

neighboring Sweden. As the story progresses Annemarie helps her mother and 

father in their efforts to save their friends, and discovers courage she didn’t know she had. 

The character development offers a nice insight into a young child’s perception of events that are sensed 

but not fully understood. In fact, the story manages to create a sense of foreboding without actually going 

into the horrors of the Holocaust. 

Depending on reading level, this story is for readers nine years old and up. 

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls 

This story opens with Billy Coleman, now an adult, remembering back to when 

he was ten years old and purchased two puppies. The story is told as a memory of 

that time in his life. 

Their family is poor and farms the land in the Ozark Mountains. Billy wants 

two coonhounds very badly, but the family can’t afford the purchase. Billy’s father, 

however, gives him three traps, and over the next two years Billy saves the money 

he makes from trapping and other jobs and is finally able to purchase his hounds. 

The responsibility of training and caring for his hounds takes center stage in Billy’s 

ongoing development toward adulthood. 

The themes of determination, love and maturity are explored as Billy slowly 

comes of age.The end of the story is bittersweet. The money that Billy and his family 

have earned and saved from farming and hunting allows them to move out of the mountains and into 

a nearby town where the family will have a much better life and the children can go to school. However, 

Billy’s dogs have died from a separate (and intense) adventure and are left behind – but not forgotten. 

Depending on reading level, this book is for readers 12 years old and up. 

Raising Readers is written by Steve Arnold of Club Z! In-Home Tutoring Services. He can be reached at 

610.831.5101 or ChesMontClubZ@verizon.net. Find out more about Club Z! Tutoring at www.clubztutoring.com/ 

ChesMont/. For expanded book reviews, visit www.ParentsSource.com/Raising_Readers.asp 

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page 20 



Family Events Calendar 

(continued from page 14) 

October 1–30 (Sat & Sun) 

“Boofest” Trick-or-Treat Weekends, 9:30 am– 

5 pm, The Crayola Factory, Easton ($, discount 

w/costume) 610-515-8000 

Merrymead Farm 28th Annual Harvest Days 

– hayrides, cornfield maze, more, Sat, 11 am– 

4 pm; Sun, Noon–4 pm, Merrymead Farm, 

Lansdale ($ activities) 610-584-4410 

October 1–December 31 

“Moneyville” exhibit, Tue–Sat, 11 am–5 pm; 

Sun, Noon–5 pm, Reading Public Museum, 

West Reading ($) 610-371-5850 

October 1–May 1, 2012 

“Lace Adds the Finishing Touch: Victorian 

Lace Embellishments from Clothing to 

Home Décor,” Tue–Sat, 10 am–4 pm; Sun, 

1–5 pm, Pennypacker Mills Historic Site, 

Schwenksville (Donation) 610-287-9349 

October 2 

Alex & the Kaleidoscope Band–colorful 

kid’s rock music, 2 pm, Kutztown Presents, 

Kutztown University, Kutztown ($, pre-reg) 

610-683-4092 

“Brunch, Blues & Hot Cars: A Century of 

Magnificent Automobiles,” 11 am, benefits 

Kennett Symphony at Brantwyn, Wilmington, 

DE ($, pre-reg) 610-444-6363 

Marshalton Triathlon Pedal–Paddle–Pace, 8 am, 

Marshallton ($ racers, pre-reg) 610-696-9374 

RSVP’s Run Wild at the Elmwood Park Zoo– 

5K run or walk, 9–11 am, Elmwood Park Zoo, 

Norristown ($, pre-reg) 610-277-3825 

October 4, 11, 18 

Play & Learn: Parent/Child Workshop, ages 

12–36 months, 10:30–11:45 am, Coatesville 

Library, Coatesville (Free, pre-reg) 610-384-4115 

October 5 

Ask the Dog Trainer: Essential Tips to Better 

Understand Canine Communication, 6:30– 

8 pm, Norristown Public Library, Norristown 

(Free) 610-278-5100 x112 

October 5, 12, 19, 26 

“Celebrating Four Decades of Collecting” 

Tours–different weekly focus, 11 am, 

Brandywine River Museum, Chadds Ford ($, 

pre-reg) 610-388-8382 

October 6 

Eileen Ivers and Immigrant Soul – Celtic 

Craziness, 7:30 pm, Kutztown Presents, 

Kutztown University, Kutztown ($, pre-reg) 

610-683-4092 

Kathryn Stockett, author of “The Help,” 7 pm, 

Scottish Rite Cathedral, West Reading ($, prereg) 

610-796-9001 

October 7–8 

Zoo Snooze – cookout dinner, animal 



610-277-3825 

October 7–9 

Southeast Pennsylvania Fall Home & Garden 

Show, Fri, 2–7 pm; Sat, 10 am–7 pm; Sun, 

11 am–5 pm, Greater Reading Expo Center, 

Reading ($) 610-898-9900 

October 7–28 (Fri) 

Friday Night Fright Night – Scary story 

readings for Halloween enthusiasts, 7:30– 

9:30 pm, The Little Publisher, Malvern (Free) 

610-647-1849 

October 8 

Bird Walk w/Rob Blye, ages 6 & up w/adult, 

8 am, Green Valleys Assoc. at Welkinweir, 


Creative Kids Party, 2 pm, The Crayola Factory, 

Easton ($, pre-reg) 610-515-8000 

Fall Harvest on the Farm, all ages, 10 am– 

3 pm, Peter Wentz Farmstead, Worcester 

(Free) 610-584-5104 

Hay Creek Apple Festival, 7 am, Historic 

Joanna Furnace, Route 10, Morgantown (Free) 

610-286-0388 

Schuylkill River Festival–music, arts, food, 

kid’s activities, 11 am–4 pm, Riverfront Park, 

Montgomery County Community College, 

College Drive, Pottstown (Free) 610-718-1847 

“The Box Car Children,” ages 5 & up, 11 am 

(w/craft) & 2 pm, Miller Center for the Arts, 

Reading Area Community College, Reading 

($, pre-reg) 610-607-6270 

Westtown-Goshen Rotary Club’s Goose Creek 

Duck Race, 11 am, Goose Creek Park, at 

Westtown Post Office, Westtown ($, preadoption) 

610-399-4780 

at 

Community Music School 

775 West Main Street in Trappe, PA 

New Classes Starting Soon! 

www.cmsmusic.org 

610-489-3676 

October 9 

9th Annual West Chester Rotary Chili Cookoff, 

Noon–3 pm, Gay Street, West Chester ($, prereg) 

610-639-2081 

Throughout the Ages: An Historical Account 

of Green Lane Park, 2–4 pm, Green Lane Park, 

Green Lane (Free, light hiking) 215-234-4528 

October 10 

Young Naturalist Day: Live Like the Lenape, 

grades 2–5, 9 am–3 pm, Green Valleys 

Assoc. at Welkinweir, Pottstown ($, pre-reg) 

610-469-8646 

October 11 

“Word Puzzles and the Seven Rules of 

Wisdom,” 1:30–3 pm, Schwenkfelder Library 

& Heritage Center, Pennsburg ($, pre-reg) 

215-679-3103 

Instruction for all ages! 

Strings, Winds, Brass, Percussion, Voice & Piano 

775 West Main Street, Trappe, PA 

610-489-3676 

www.cmsmusic.org 

Lydia Rieger’s Tanglewood Tutoring 

Learn alongside your child! 

Unscripted Play, Toy Making, Knitting Classes 

Preschool Classes, Academic Tutoring, Homeschool Help 

Birdsboro, 610-639-1439, MrsRieger@aol.com 

Happy Heart 

Early Learning Center 

Preschool and Kindergarten Classes 

1445 E Main St, Douglassville, PA 

610-383-3733 

www.happyheartelc.com 

One-On-One, In-Home Tutoring 

All Ages & Subjects, Qualified Tutors, Affordable Rates 

1st Session FREE! 610-631-5101 

www.clubztutoring.com/ChesMont 

October 13, 14, 16, 20–23 & 27–30 

“Pippin,” Thu, 7:30 pm; Fri, 8 pm; Sat, 8 pm; 

Sun, 3 pm; and Oct 29, 3 pm, Tri-County 

Performing Arts Center, Pottstown ($, prereg) 

610-970-1199 

October 13, 20, 27 

Read-Aloud Tours, ages 3–6, 10:30 am, 

Brandywine River Museum, Chadds Ford ($, 

pre-reg) 610-388-8382 

October 15 

All About Apple Cider: Pressing 

Demonstrations & Tastings, 10 am–4 pm, 

The Mill at Anselma, Chester Springs ($) 

610-827-1906 

All Hallow’s Eve Fall Festival, all ages, 1–4 pm, 

Pennypacker Mills Historic Site, Schwenksville 

(Donation) 610-287-9349 

page 22 Find a wealth of parenting resources at www.ParentsSource.com Parents’ Source September/October 2011 page 23 

R

Children’s Halloween Parade, 10–11 am, 

Skippack Village, Skippack (Free) Rain date 

Oct 22, 610-584-6004 

Fall International Coastal Cleanup, all ages, 

9 am–1 pm, Lock 60, Schuylkill Canal Park, 

Mont Clare (Free, pre-reg) Rain date Oct 16, 

610-917-0021 

“Tree ID Made Easy,” ages 9 & up, 1 pm, 

Central Perkiomen Valley Park, Schwenksville 

(Free, pre-reg) 610-287-6970 

Wildflower Walk, 9:30 am, Perkiomen 

Watershed Conservancy, Schwenksville ($, 

pre-reg) 610-287-9383 

October 15–November 12 

Fall Member Show, Tue–Fri, 10 am–4:30 pm; 

Sat, 10 am–3 pm, Gallery School of Pottstown 

at Gallery on High, Pottstown (Free) 

610-326-2506 

October 16 

Colonial Beer Brewing, 1–4 pm, The Mill at 

Anselma, Chester Springs ($) 610-827-1906 

Community Swim, all ages/under 12 w/adult, 

3–4 pm, Freedom Valley YMCA at Pottstown 

($) 610-323-7300 

Fall Foliage Hike, all ages, 1–4 pm, Lock 60, 

Schuylkill Canal Park, Mont Clare (Donation, 

pre-reg) 610-917-0021 

Fall Fungi, ages 8 & up, 2 pm, Lorimer Park, 

Huntingdon Valley (Free, pre-reg) 215-947-3477 

Harvest Festival: Brewing Beer in Colonial 

Days, 1–4 pm, The Mill at Anselma, Chester 

Springs ($) 610-827-1906 

Heritage Day & First PA Regiment Flintlock 

Shoot, 10 am–4 pm, Daniel Boone Homestead, 

Birdsboro ($) 610-582-4900 

“Max & Ruby–Bunny Party,” 6:30 pm, 

Sovereign Center, Reading ($, pre-reg) 

610-898-7200 

October 18 

Kinder Nature Class, ages 3–5 w/adult, 12:30– 

1:45 pm, Green Valleys Assoc. at Welkinweir, 


October 19 

Little Wonders Class, ages 2–3 w/adult, 12:30– 



October 20 

Gerald Clayton Trio–Groovin’ Jazz, 7:30 pm, 

Kutztown Presents, Kutztown University, 

Kutztown ($, pre-reg) 610-683-4092 

“Quaker Soldier: The Civil War Experience of 

Henry Gawthorp of the 4th Delaware,” 7 pm, 

Hagley Museum & Library, Wilmington, DE 

($) 302-658-2400 

“What a Hoot!” Ages 3–7, 2 pm, Upper 

Schuylkill Valley Park, Royersford ($, pre-reg) 

610-948-5170 

October 21 

“Lil Monster Bash”–Halloween art projects, 

5–9 pm, costume parade, 6:30 pm, The Crayola 

Factory, Easton ($, pre-reg) 610-515-8000 

October 21–23 

Suburban Home Fall Show, Fri, Noon–9 pm; 

Sat, 11 am–9 pm; Sun, 11 am–6 pm, The 


484-754-EXPO 

October 21–23 & 28–30 

Nightmare at Elmwood, 10 am–5 pm, Elmwood 


October 22 

“An Apple a Day, the Colonial Way,” all ages, 

11 am–3 pm, Pottsgrove Manor Historic Site, 

Pottstown (Donation) 610-326-4014 

An Evening of Bone Chilling Ghost Stories, all 

ages, 7:30–9 pm, Green Lane Park, Green Lane 

(Free, pre-reg, space limited) 215-234-4528 

Bird Walk w/Susan Lucas, ages 6 & up w/adult, 

8 am, Green Valleys Assoc. at Welkinweir, 


Fall Family Fun Festival & Ghost Walk, 5–8 pm, 

The Village of Marshallton, West Bradford 

Township (Free) 610-269-4174 

Halloween in the Park–trick-or-treat, 

dramatic storyteller, hay maze, games, DJ, 2– 

4 pm, Bell Tavern Park, Downingtown (Free) 

Rain date Oct 29, 610-269-1989 

The Outdoor Photographer–Fall Session, all 

ages, 2–4 pm, Green Lane Park, Green Lane 

(Free, pre-reg, bring camera) 215-234-4528 

October 23 

International Car Show & Octoberfest, 11 am– 

5 pm, Skippack Village, Skippack (Free) Rain 

date Oct 30, 610-584-6004 

Weiser Interpretive, Noon–4 pm, Conrad Weiser 

Homestead, Womelsdorf ($) 610-589-2934 

Human Services and Support 

Consumer Credit Counseling 

Services of Delaware Valley 

http://www.cccsdv.org/ 

The CCC Services of Delaware Valley offers 

foreclosure consultations at its West Chester office. 

CCCS staff of certified credit and housing counselors 

helps sort out each client’s financial situation and 

get control of their personal finances regardless of 

income levels. (BC, CC, MC, A, $) 

770 East Market Street Suite 190 

West Chester, PA 19382 

800-989-2227 

Friend Inc. Community Service 

http://www.friendinc.org 

Offering drug, alcohol, family counseling, a food 

pantry, and has partnered with local service 

providers, educational institutions and civic, social, 

and religious organizations to meet community 

needs. Friend Inc. helps people find housing and 

employment, receive financial counseling, and learn 

parenting skills. (BC, CC, MC, A, $, F) 

658-D Noble Street, Kutztown, PA 19530 

610-683-7790 

Parents as Teachers (PAT) 

http://www.center-school.org/pa-pirc/ 

documents/PA-PIRCFallNewsletter07.pdf 

To provide the information, support and 

encouragement parents need to help their children 

develop optimally during the crucial early years of 

life. (BC, CC, MC) 

Pennsylvania Parent Information 

& Resource Center 

275 Grandview Avenue, Suite 200 

Camp Hill, PA 17011 

717-763-1661 

Pottstown Family Center 

http://www.fsmontco.org/ 

The Pottstown Family Center, managed by Family 

Services of Montgomery County, offers food, 

education, employment and training assistance, 

family services, home visiting, teen pregnancy 

assistance, information and referral, and support 

groups. 

The Center will offer free playgroups on August 24, 

$ = Fee for Services 

A = Appointment Necessary 

BC = Serving Berks County 

D i r e c t o r y 

CC = Serving Chester County 

D = Drop-Ins Welcome 

F = Services at No Charge 

September 28, October 26, and November 16 at the 

Rolling Hills Apartments, Pottstown, to any family 

with a child ages zero through five. Each playgroup 

will meet from 10:30 am until Noon and will include 

parent discussions, a parent/child activity, snack, 

and free giveaways. Pre-register by calling 610-326- 

1610. (BC, CC, MC, M, A, $, F, G) 

Family Services of Montgomery County 

3125 Ridge Pike 

Eagleville, PA 19403 

610-630-2111 

Pottstown Family Center 

1976 East High Street 


610-326-1610 

The Arc Alliance 

http://www.marcpa.org 

The Arc’s advocacy service, educational programs 

and efforts are directed toward the improvement 

of lives of children and adults with developmental 

disabilities. (BC, MC, A, $, F) 

Eagleville Office 

3075 Ridge Pike 

Eagleville, PA 19403 

Reading Office 

1829 New Holland Road, Suite 9 

Reading, PA 19607 

610-265-4700 

Upper Perkiomen 

Domestic Violence Task Force 

http://theopenline.tripod.com/updvtf.html 

The Upper Perkiomen Domestic Violence Task 

Force is a community-based coalition of agencies 

and individuals dedicated to the elimination of 

domestic violence through advocacy, intervention 

and education. The task force meets the first 

Wednesday of February, April, June, August, October 

and December at 8 am, at The Open Line building. 

(BC, MC, D, F, G) 

The Open Line 

452 Penn Street 

Pennsburg, PA 18073. 

215-679-4112 

G = Support Group 

H = Hotline or Helpline 

I = Insurance Accepted 

M = Multi-Lingual Services 

MC = Serving Montgomery County 

SS = Sliding Scale 


October 25 

“Aerial Compositions,” 1:30–3 pm, 

Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center, 

Pennsburg ($, pre-reg) 215-679-3103 

Kinder Nature Class, ages 3–5 w/adult, 12:30– 



October 26 

Little Wonders Class, ages 2–3 w/adult, 12:30– 



October 26, November 16 


discussion, parent/child activity, snack, 

free giveaways, any family with a child 

ages 0–5 w/adult, 10:30 am–Noon, Rolling 

Hills Apartments, Pottstown (Free, pre-reg) 

610-326-1610 

October 27 

Halloween Parade, 7 pm, downtown West 

Chester, 610-436-9010 


The Great Pumpkin Carve, 5–9 pm, Chadds 

Ford Historical Society, West Chester ($) 

610-388-7376 

October 28 

21st Annual Halloween Safehouse, 12 & under 

w/adult, 6–8 pm, Freedom Valley YMCA at 

Pottstown (Canned food item) 610-323-7300 


Mind, Body, Spirit Expo, Fri, 4–9 pm; Sat, 

10 am–8 pm; Sun, 10 am–6 pm, The 


484-754-EXPO 

October 30 

Fitness Hike, 1:30 pm, Monocacy Hill 

Recreation Area, Geiger Road, Douglassville 

(Free) http://www.monocacyhill.org/ 

Monster Mash Dash & Kids Spooky Sprint, 

8 am, Anson B. Nixon Park, Kennett Square ($, 

pre-reg) 610-444-1416 

Trick-or-Treating at the Homestead–pumpkin, 

face-painting, campfire storytelling, 18th 

c. toys/games, 10 am–4 pm, Daniel Boone 

Homestead, Birdsboro ($) 610-582-4900 

OTHER ONGOING EVENTS 

1776 Junior Historian’s Club, call for dates 

& times, Historical Society of Berks County, 

Reading ($, pre-reg) 610-375-4375 

American Girl Club, 4–5 pm, 2nd Mon 

monthly, Parkesburg Free Library, Parkesburg 

(Free, pre-reg, may bring dolls) 610-857-5165 

Amity Chess Club, all ages/all skill levels, Fri, 

7–10 pm, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 

Douglassville (Free) 610-580-7405 

Anime Club, ages 12–18, Wed, 4–5 pm, 

Norristown Public Library, Norristown (Free, 

pre-reg) 610-278-5100 x0 

Anime Club–Japanese language, culture, 

movies, books, ages 13 & up, 4th Sat, Noon, 

Bayard Taylor Memorial Library, Kennett 

Square (Free, pre-reg) 610-444-2702 

Bel Canto Children’s Chorus, for girls and 

boys ages 9–12, no previous experience 

needed. E-mail info@belcantochildren.com 

for audition information. 

Birthday Parties at the Pottstown YMCA–pool 

and party room! Call 610-323-7300 for date 

availability and more information. 

Boy Scouts of America Hawk Mountain Council 

#528–serving Berks, Carbon & Schuylkill 

counties, Reading ($) 610-926-3406 

Boys’ Chess Club, ages 12–112, Sat, 10 am– 

Noon, Upper Perkiomen Valley Library, Red 

Hill (Free, pre-reg) 215-679-2020 

Chess Club, ages 6 & up, Tue, 5:30–7:30 pm, 

Henrietta Hankin Library, Chester Springs 

(Free) 610-321-1700 

Chess Club, ages 6–15, Thu, 6:30–8 pm, 

Chester County Library, Exton (Free) 

610-280-2630 

Chess Club, all ages/all skill ranges, Sat, 1– 

2 pm, Pottstown Public Library, Pottstown 

(Free, pre-reg) 610-970-6551 

Chess Club, Mon, 4 pm, Reading Public 

Library, Reading (Free) 610-655-6350 

Children’s Discovery Trail and Activity 

Stations–explore 300 years of American 

History, Historic Yellow Springs, Chester 

Springs ($) 610-827-7414 x10 

Family Storytime, 1st Tue monthly, 7–8 pm, 

Perkiomen Valley Library, Schwenksville 

(Free, pre-reg) 610-287-8360 

Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania–serves 

Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Delaware, 

Montgomery, Northampton counties and 

Philadelphia ($) 888-564-4657 

Guard Start, ages 11–14, preparation for lifeguarding, 

American Red Cross, Berks County 

Chapter, Reading ($, pre-reg) 610-375-4383 

Guys Read, boys in 3rd–5th grades w/adult 

male, 2nd Tue, 6:30 pm, Henrietta Hankin 

Library, Chester Springs (Free) 610-321-1700 

Hands on History Room, Tue–Sat, 9 am– 

4 pm, Historical Society of Berks County, 940 

Centre Avenue, Reading ($) 610-375-4375 

Home Depot Kid’s Workshops, 1st Sat. 

monthly, ages 5 – 12, 9 am–Noon, Home 

Depot Centers, call your local location (Free, 

pre-reg) www.homedepot.com 

Indoor Playground Birthday Parties, 

preschool ages, Sat/Sun, Noon–2 pm, 1–3 pm, 

Boyertown Area YMCA Gilbertsville Center, 

Gilbertsville ($, pre-reg) 610-367-YMCA 

Indoor Pool Birthday Parties, all ages, Sat/ 

Sun, 2–4 pm, Boyertown Area YMCA Daniel 

B. Boyer Center, Boyertown ($, pre-reg) 

610-369-YMCA 

Kids’ Woodworking Clinics, 2nd Sat monthly, 

10–11 am, Lowe’s Home Improvement 

Centers, call your local location (Free, pre-reg) 

Lapsit Storytime, 0–20 months, Wed, 

10:30 am, Boyertown Community Library, 

Boyertown (Free) 610-369-0496 

Million Youth Chess Club, meets weekly, call 

for times, ages 6–17, 15 affiliated clubs in 

Reading Area (Free) 610-373-3061 

Movie Night, Wed, 5 pm, Reading Public 

Library, Reading (Free) 610-655-6350 

My Choice! My Voice! Girls in Charge! 7th & 

8th grade girls, Mon, 3:15–5 pm, Pottsgrove 

Middle School; Tue, 2:30–4 pm, Pottstown 

Middle School, by YWCA Tri-County Area ($) 

610-323-1888 

Pokemon–win free stuff, 2nd & 4th Thu, 6– 

8 pm, Upper Perkiomen Valley Library, Red Hill 

(Free, bring deck of 60 cards) 215-679-2020 

Preschool Story Times, Thu & Fri, 10:30 am, 

Boyertown Community Library, Boyertown 

(Free) 610-369-0496 

Preschool Storytime, ages 3 & up w/adult, 

Mon, 10:30 am, Boone Area Library, Birdsboro 

(Free) 610-582-5666 

Preschool Storytime, Fri, 10 am, St. Paul’s 

United Church of Christ, Amityville (Free) 

610-582-5666 

Preschool Storytime, Wed, 10–10:30 am 

& 2–2:30 pm, Gently Used Books (next to 

Redner’s Market), Douglassville Shopping 

Center, Douglassville (Free) 610-385-0766 

Preschool Storytime & Craft, ages 3–5 w/ 

adult, Thu, 10–11 am, 1–2 pm, Exeter 

Community Library, Exeter Township (Free, 

pre-reg) 610-406-9431 

Red Cross Certified Babysitting Course, ages 

11–14, Berks County Red Cross, Reading ($, 

pre-reg) 610-375-4383 

Shephelah Youth Center, grades 6–10, Fri, 

7:30–10 pm, Cedarville United Methodist 

Church, Pottstown ($) 610-326-4173 

Story Time, 3rd Sat monthly, 11:30 am, by 

Boyertown Community Library, Hard Bean 

Café, Boyertown (Free) 610-369-0496 

Studio B–art classes for all ages, art 

exhibits, art activities and parties offered 

on location at Studio B, Boyertown’s art 

gallery and teaching studio, or at your 

location on Studio B’s Art Mobile. Learn 

and have creative fun in the visual 

and communication arts. Visit http:// 

www.studiobbb.org or contact Jane @ 

610-367-8066, janeEstahl@comcast.net. 

Tail Waggin’ Tales–read w/therapy dog, 2nd 

Thu monthly, 6–8 pm, Perkiomen Valley 

Library, Schwenksville (Free) 610-287-8360 

Teen Leaders Club, Mon, 6:30–8 pm, Spring 

Valley YMCA, Limerick (Free) 484-984-2000 

Teen Leaders Club, Wed, 6:30–8 pm, 

Phoenixville Area YMCA, Phoenixville (Free) 

610-933-5861 

Volunteer Storytime & Craft, 10:30–11:30 am, 

Perkiomen Valley Library, Schwenksville 

(Free, pre-reg) 610-287-8360 

Youth & Teen Programs – YMCA of Reading/ 

Berks, 610-378-4700; Freedom Valley 

YMCA, 610-323-7300; Brandywine YMCA, 

610-478-YMCA; Audubon Branch YMCA, 

610-539-0900; Upper Main Line YMCA, 

610-249-9622 ■ 


Sunnybrook Village 

600 Heritage Drive, Pottstown 

484-941-0888 

Every 

Monday 

Large Pizza * 

$ 

8 99 

ALL DAY 

— Hours — 

Mon–Thurs, 9:30 AM–9:30 PM 

Fri, 9:30 AM–10:30 PM 

Sat, 9:30 AM–10:00 PM 

Sun, 9:30 AM–9:30 PM 

*Must mention offer when ordering

Pottstown Dance Theatre - Parent's Source

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