Schuylkill Matters

For 20 years my husband has attempted to get me to appreciate the finer points of football. It hasn’t worked. I hope my son never plays football since I would have trouble knowing when to cheer.

I had an uncle who was NUTS for the Washington Redskins and I just found out that a local guy

Harry Butsko: First Row, Far Right

once played for the team. In 1963 Harry Butsko played for the ’skins for one season. Butsko, a linebacker, was born in Pottsville in 1941 and attended Minersville High School and the University of Maryland.

Of course Butsko’s real claim to fame was that as a junior he was on the 1957 Cass Township high school football team. That year the Cass Condors finished the season undefeated, unscored, and untied. The following year he helped the team win another five games without being scored on. In the end the team’s streak of undefeated, untied, and unscored last for 15 games through the 1957 and 1958 seasons. Even I–a football idiot– know that is impressive! Unbelievable! Historic! Feel free to add your own adjective here!

Can you tell us about any other local guys who went on to play NFL football?

Good luck to all our gridiron warriors who hit the field this Friday!

Hi I am Cait. I was born and raised in Schuylkill County and a recent high school graduate. I have never had trouble expressing my opinions. This blog is a result of expressing my strong feelings about issues relating to my age group in Schuylkill County. My senior year I had a conversation with several Schuylkill County leaders who wanted to hear more on my thoughts. At several meetings with VISION we concentrated on ways to help the youth of Schuylkill County and how to accentuate the good of our county. It was decided that I should do a blog that could serve two purposes. One is to share my experience as a first generation college student. My second purpose is to invite you to post comments on the bumps that you are experiencing in the transition from high school to college and how you resolved them.

I am the first in my family to attend college which means that I am learning everything the hard way. I am currently attending college, majoring in business with concentrations in marketing and finance. My experience of applying to college and doing all the research to get where I am today made me really open my eyes why many young, bright, high school students don’t make it to the next level of education. I am here to help you ease into the transition from high school to college. I will be discussing the in and outs of college from social life to resume boosters. Let me help you on my journey through my co-ed college adventure. My goal is to share my experiences with other young adults as we make the hard transitions to life on our own. I am also interested in hearing what you have to say. So if you have any questions, comments, or concerns, let me know!

Some people think of cemeteries as eerie, depressing places. Others think of them in a more positive light. The difference between those two groups may be just two words…perpetual care. Growing up, our cemetery didn’t have perpetual care. It had “family upkeep”. In our family that was my dad loading his lawn mower into his pick-up. Cemetery day was always a family affair. My grandmother went to visit people we didn’t even remember with names we didn’t even recognize. We kids loved the big space to run around in– but we did avoid walking on graves since it brought bad luck. And then afterwards my dad, sweaty from pushing the mower around to all the family graves, would stop at Austin’s for ice cream on the way home. CMPs for everyone!

Turns out my family wasn’t the only one to enjoy a visit to their cemetery(OK, maybe not so enjoyable for my dad pushing the mower!). Throughout history and around the world many cultures have had days set aside to visit cemeteries–often in a joyful manner. One of those days is coming up. Sunday, September 5 is Baber Appreciation Day in Pottsville held at Charles Baber Cemetery at 14th and Market Street. Surprisingly, Charles Baber Cemetery has been a recreation spot since it was bought by Mr. Baber in the 1860’s. For decades it had a water reservoir that was used for fishing, ice skating, and the perfect spot for picnickers and people out driving in their horse and buggy.

Although the reservoir was reduced to a small pond, the cemetery remains a lively place. If you’d like to enjoy beauty, serenity, and even a bit of fun at Baber Cemetery stop by on Sunday.

noon to 4 pm Basket and Gift Card Raffle to benefit the Friends of Baber Cemetery Fund

3 pm to 4 pm Guided Walking Tours

4 pm to 6 pm Picnic–hamburgers, hot dogs and paper products will be provided. Picnickers are asked to bring a salad to share.

4 pm to 6 pm Third Brigade Concert

6 pm Solumn Evensong Service

Throughout the day there will be arts and crafts for the children and a bake sale. Feel free to bring your lawn chair. Freewill donations will be accepted.

Just yesterday I heard a women say, “I can’t believe it’s the end of summer.” and her friend replied, “Yes, and they go faster and faster as the years go by.” Yes, for most of our kids this is the last weekend of freedom. So what can we do to celebrate the last hurrah?

My family went to Knoebel’s Grove Amusement Park last night. It’s like visiting an entirely different park when you go after the rides are lit up. Watching the Ferris Wheel alone was worth the trip. Tonight is Bargain Night–you can get a hand stamp for 6 pm through 10 pm for just $9.00. But what else is going on closer to home this weekend?

What: Fire Safety Program
Where: Locust Lake State Park
Date: Saturday
Time:6:30 pm
Note:Smokey the Bear will visit.

What: Peach Festival
Where: First UCC, 110 Rte 61, Schuylkill Haven
Date:Saturday
Time:4 pm to 7 pm
Note: Ham and turkey dinner with potato salad and peach sundae, homemade baked good.           $10 for adults, $5 for kids

What: Autumn Hawkwatch
Where:Hawk Mountain
Date:Saturday
Time:All Day
Note:Wear hiking boots

What:Magnificent Marlin Meander
Where:Meet at Schuylkill AG Center
Date:Sunday
Time:2 pm to 3:30 pm
Note:Two miles-easy to moderate

Have Fun!

How much change do have rattling around in your pocket, purse or sofa? I checked my purse and I have $2.91. $2.91 I will probably never use–maybe a few of the quarters to fill parking meters. But most of it will eventually end up in my son’s piggybank. Where does your change go? Why not empty out all the niches that hold coins you’ll probably never use, turn it into bills and use it to help a worthy cause? No time to get to a coin machine? That’s fine. They like money that jingles too.

Why not support your local library?  Since libraries are supported by government money, we’re all conditioned to say, “I pay my taxes. I did my part.” Unfortunately, there isn’t as much government money to go around as there used to be. Imagine your salary being 15%, 30% or even 50% smaller than it was last year. That’s what local libraries are facing this year with their budgets. So they hold fundraisers and too many people say, “I pay my taxes.” This year, if you want the library to continue operating you may have to give a little bit more. So how about that spare change you have lying around? You don’t have to wait for a fundraiser! You can just walk through the door and say, “Here, I had $1.66 under the sofa cushions.” If we all make a teeny tiny donation it could add up to big money.

Rally for Reading

If you’re a parent you’ll be shopping this weekend. There’s always one last thing on the list: shoes, tablets, lunch boxes. So why you’re out take your spare change to Boscov’s in the Fairlane Village Mall on Saturday and help the Port Carbon Library. Boscov’s is having a slew of free activities from 11 am to 3 pm and a few things for sale–hot dogs, homemade baked goods, and bookmarks–that will benefit the Port Carbon Library. Why not buy a special baked good to slip into your student’s lunch on Monday?

Some of the activities are:

• crafts for kids
• shaped rubber band bracelet trading event
• child ID creation
• kids snacks
• healthy cooking demos
• relaxation center
• let’s go to the movies event

You can also register to win:

• Two $100 shopping sprees
• Two watches
• MP3 Docking Center
• George Foreman Grill
• Toy Fun Pack

Stop by and trade your spare change for a cupcake…and a place where your family can find books, movies, CDs, children’s programs, computers, and more. Isn’t all that worth $2.91 in change?

I was thinking about that classic movie from the 70’s “The Odd Couple” this weekend. Last Wednesday my computer crashed in a spectacular manner explaining the lack of post on Friday. When it was “wiped clean” of Viruses(I always picture the computer guy with a cleaning rag and a spray can of cleaner)we had the horrible task of reloading…well, everything. Somewhere along the line I checked a box I shouldn’t have or didn’t check a box I should have. It’s all still a blur. Suddenly I had 47,000+ emails in my inbox. Every email I receive since January 2009. Not only were they there but they wouldn’t go away! No matter how many I deleted when I turned the computer back on they were all back. Yes, Twilight Zone for the digital age.

I began entertaining thoughts of throwing my computer out the window. If you’ve ever seen “The Odd Couple” you know this is an Oscar Madison reaction. Felix Unger would never throw anything out a window. He would never have 47,000 emails in his inbox either. And if he somehow did(perhaps Oscar visited this horror upon him)he would have a tech guy on retainer, a back up plan, a back up computer.

Thanks to a great gal at tech support–who will definitely be winning Verizon’s “I helped the craziest customer” contest–I am down to 365 emails in my inbox.

If you aren’t sure if you’re a Felix or and Oscar you can refresh your memory this  weekend with a local production of “The Odd Couple”  at Mount Carmel Area High School. The Anthracite Citizens’ Theatre is producing “The Odd Couple” at 2:30 pm on Friday and Saturday. Tickets are only $10.

Hopefully by Wednesday I will have recovered from my trauma and Schuylkill Matters will be back to normal!

When my son’s school has their annual fall festival I always hope that I won’t get assigned one of the game stands. I hate being in charge of the games because I hate the look on a little kid’s face when they don’t win. Breaks my heart. So maybe I wasn’t the best person to host a contest here on Schuylkill Matters. As we came to the end of the entry time I was getting that familiar twinge. Oh no, someone would have to lose!

Then the Philly Pretzel Factory in St. Clair(right next to Wal Mart) came to the rescue and gave me enough prizes so we could have four winners. How nice are they? Try the Cheesesteak Pretzels. Super yummy. And a big thank you to our generous donor! If you want to stop by you can find their hours at Eat More Pretzels.

So our four winners can stop by Schuylkill VISION at 123 Mahantongo Street, Pottsville to pick up their prize from the lovely ladies there.

And the winners?

Deborah Filanowski, Denim McDemus, Kellie Hubiak and Martina Keil

Denim gets a gold star for getting seven correct answers.

Martina Keil gets the award for long distance entry. You can take the girl out of Schuylkill County(all the way to Oregon) but you can’t take the Schuylkill County out of the girl. Martina got five corect answers! Sadly, the closest Philly Pretzel Factory is on Oregon Avenue in Philadelphia! What’s a winner to do? Let us know if you’d like to pass your prize on to a Schuylkill County friend Martina.

Anyone interested in the answers to the quiz? Look for them in red.

1. Of the four railroads you can “buy” in Monopoly which two ran through Schuylkill County?

a. B&O and Reading b. Reading and Pennsylvania c. Reading and Short Line d. Pennsylvania and B&O

2. Yuengling Brewery survived Prohibition by producing several new products. Did they produce:

a.“near beer” b. ice cream c. a breakfast drink d. all three

3. The Appalachian Trail wanders through Schuylkill County along what mountain?

a. Blue Mountain b. Locust Mountain Range c. Mahanoy Mountain d. Sharp Mountain

4. The 8 foot tall bronze Mother’s Monument statue is in what county town?

a. Ashland b. Centralia c. Frackville d. Mahanoy City

5. What does “Schuylkill” mean?

a.hidden river b. long river c.plenty of venison d. rushing and roaring water

6. Schuylkill County Airport is also known as Joe Zerbey Airport. Who was Joe Zerbey?

a.county commissioner b.doctor c. lawyer d. newspaperman

7. Big Diamond Raceway opened in 1972 as a ¼ mile dirt track in the NASCAR Dodge Weekly. It closed in 1994 to make the oval a bit bigger. How big is the Big Diamond track now?

a. 3/8 mile b. ½ mile c. ¾ mile d. 1 mile

My family just got back from a beach vacation where we had to play mini golf at Viking Golf. Not so much for the vikings, but for the dragons. My son loves them! So imagine the excitement when we learned about the movie How to Train Your Dragon. Although we don’t go to the movie theatre very often we made an exception for this one and loved it! And now we get a second chance to enjoy the movie and we’re recommending it to all our friends.

Fight the back-to-school blues yet! Stop by the Sovereign Majestic, Pottsville this Saturday, August 21 to enjoy How to Train Your Dragon. The movie starts at 7 pm with free admisison and popcorn. My family saw this one in the movie theatre and I highly recommend it to everyone. There are so many different dragons…something for everyone.

Fall is fast approaching and it isn’t just the back to school sales at the mall. The Autumn Hawkwatch is beginning on Sunday at Hawk Mountain. It’s amazing to stand on the trail and watch a raptor soar through the air on the raptor’s version of the interstate. On Saturday from noon until 7 pm you can celebrate the return of the raptors with a summer concert at Kempton Community Center to benefit Hawk Mountain. Along with entertainers there will be artists, raffles, and food.

Entertainers:

Tony T (Host/Presentor)
Keith Brintzenhoff (autoharp player/singer/comedy)
Carly Moffa (Nashville recording artist)
John LYons (traditional heartland folksongs)
Phyllis Hummel (special guest singer)
Stephen DiJoseph (blues/classic rock)
Terry Strongheart (Native American originals)
Jim Oldman (folkmaster/storyteller)
Matt Miskie (original songs of PA)
The Holt Twins (originals and sweet 70s favorites)
Robert Fischer (Cedar Flute Maker and player)

It was a dark and stormy night…

…at the beginning of Snoopy’s novel that never ends. If you’re a Peanuts fan and want to know what the Peanuts gang is upi to go no further than Pottsville. This weekend the play ”You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” is being performed at the Sovereign Majestic.

Dates: Saturday, August 14 at 7 pm

          Sunday, August 15 at 2 pm

Tickets: $10.00

When many people think of Schuylkill County they think “beer” but the county also creates some fine, award winning wines. To learn a little more about that industry I contacted local winery Benigna’s Creek  and got a little info from Amy Masser.

VISION:  Where did the name Benigna’s Creek come from?

 AMY:   Benigna’s Creek was the original name of the creek which runs thru Klingerstown and is now called the Mahantongo Creek.  Back in the 1700’s, a missionary by the name of Zinzindorf was exploring the area and he named the creek after his daughter, Benigna.  Benigna later started the first all-girls school in Bethlehem, PA.

 VISION: Can you tell us the story of how you make the decision to start a winery in, of all places, Pennsylvania? Is Pennsylvania weather or land good for grapes? I’ve always thought of more temperate spots like California and Italy as wine spots.

 AMY: Pennsylvania has been growing grapes for a long time.  Northern PA grows a lot of concord, niagara and catawba grapes.  We grow chambourcin, steuben, traminette, vidal, seyval, etc.  We’ve always been farming the land, only now we farm grapes instead of corn! 

VISION: How much wine do you produce each year?

 AMY: We produce over 20,000 gallons.

 VISION: Do you have a personal favorite?

 AMY: My favorite is the Chambourcin Reserve.  It’s made from chambourcin grapes and spent one year in Pennsylvania oak.  My favorite sweet wine is Patriot Red, which is our best seller.  We’ve got a great Strawberry wine which won an award for best fruit wine in PA, and of course our Sunshine wine won best wine in PA.  We’ve got something for everyone.

 VISION: Can we visit the winery to try the wines?

 AMY: This weekend is the Summerfest Wine Festival on Sat, August 14 from noon until 6 pm. We held our first festival in 2001 when we opened the winery and every year since.  It started out as a way to get people to come to our winery and we slowly added craft and food vendors and then other wineries.  It has become a tradition for many of our customers and every year we keep growing in attendance. The cost is $15 per person.

VISION: Which wineries are attending the Summerfest Wine Festival?

AMY: Besides our own wine, Shade Mountain, Spyglass Ridge, Red Shale Ridge, Adams County, Sand Castle, Long Trout, and Brookmere Wineries will be there.

 VISION: Tell us what will be happening at the festival.

AMY: We have free wine tasting; food vendors will be selling lots of great food; horse-drawn carriage rides in the vineyard; music; etc.

VISION: Sounds like a great opportunity to learn more about how a winery works, get introduced to some new wines, and have a fun afternoon. Don’t forget your designated driver!