Schuylkill County's VISION

What Do You Run For?

When my daughter was entering high school we all encouraged her to join a sport. "You'll have a ready-made group of friends. It'll be fun. You'll have something to do." She chose cross-country, which started in late July so she'd have that "ready-made group of friends" before she even entered the front doors on the first day of high school. Also, because running in easy....right? Not so much. Especially when you're running 5-8 miles a day in the summer heat. But she stuck with it and, even though she never became a speed demon, she did make friends, she did have fun and best of all, she nurtured a healthy habit that is still with her today. She no longer runs competitively but she still throws on her running shoes and chugs around her college campus or track. She also occassionally participates in 5Ks for various causes.

Next month, before the weather gets too hot she has a chance to run for art. The Walk-In Art Center in Schuylkill Haven is hosting a 5K on Saturday, June 2. The race winds through downtown Schuylkill Haven and the Island and even includes a bit of trail running (much better for tired legs than asphalt). You can even cheer on another type of athlete: the kayakers and canoers launching for the Schuylkill Sojourn. If you register by this Sunday, May 20 the fee is $20, after May 20 the fee is $25. You can register at Pretzel City Sports. Participants get a t-shirt and energy inducing snacks and drinks...and who knows? maybe even a medal! Check-in is between 8:00 am and 8:50 and the race begins at 9:00 am.

The race is just one small part of a bigger weekend at the Walk-In Art Center. It's their Rock the Block event which includes a speaker on Friday evening at 7 pm (Glen Wenrich on Haven Canal History),  a block party type event for the whole family at noon ($5/free for kids and racers), and a musical event at 9 pm featuring two of my favorite musicians Bill Whalen and Jim Devlin.

Never been to the Walk-In? Well this is your lucky day! They're giving tours all weekend to introduce you to what the center has to offer! Stop by! Brinig your running shoes!

I know, my image placement is still kinda random. I'm working on it folks! New computer programs are always a challenge!

PA One Book

Almost every article you read about success in school comes back to reading. If a student can't read well, they won't be able to do well in other subjects. Reading is the key. So how do we ensure that our kids are good readers? Read, read, read!  The Tamaqua Public Library wants to help make your child a reader by participating in the 7th Annual PA One Book, One Young Child program. On Saturday, May 19 they'll be hosting a program revolving around this year's book Stop Snoring, Bernard by Zachariah OHora. There will be two programs: one from 10:30 to 11:30 for children aged 2 to 5 and one from 1:30 to 2:30 for children aged 6 to 12. Children can participate in games, make crafts, listen to stories, enjoy snacks and even bring home a goodie bag that includes this year's featured book. To register call 668-4660.

Stop Hibernating!

Yes, spring weather is crazy. Snow flurries one day. Balmy weather that demands sunglasses the next. And a few thunderstorms thrown in for good measure. But it's time to stop hibernating, get out, and brave this crazy spring weather. Bring a jacket! There's a perfect opportunity to enjoy all the nature our county has to offer on Sunday, May 20 at the Schuylkill County Fairgrounds. The Bear Creek Festival is a free event that features a little bit of everything: animals, construction projects, entertainment, photo opps(bring your camera!), and refreshments. My kids always have a great time. For more information you can contact the Schuylkill Conservation District at 570-622-3742 Ext. 5 or at the website

I'm still learning the new set-up so I promise an image...next time.

Don't forget that this weekend is Mother's Day. Give your mom a big hug!

Broadening Our Horizons

Everyone is welcome to learn more about the Muslim-Christian relationship during a workshop at St. John’s United Church of Christ, Orwigsburg on April 28 from 9:30 am until 3:00 pm. Sponsored by the Interfaith Health Network, the Diversity Council, Schuylkill County VISION and the Islamic Society of Schuylkill County the workshops will be presented by Susan Douglass of Georgetown University. The day will include:

• Basic Beliefs and Practices of Islam   
• Contemporary Hot Button Issues
• Cultural Influences of Islam

Because lunch will be provided and space is limited, please reserve your spot by April 1 by contacting April Mitchell at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or 570-622-6097.

There’s a Monster in Town

850,000 pounds. Pretty tough to get your head around a number that big, isn’t it? Try this on for size. 850,000 pounds is about the weight of a herd of 70 full grown elephants. So what does a herd of elephants have to do with Schuylkill Matters?

Well, if you truly want to get a feel for what 850,000 pounds is you can visit Community Days hosted by Reading Anthracite Company and West Spring Energy, LLC to get your photo taken with their brand new Komatsu PC 4000 — a 29 cubic yard hydraulic excavator that weighs 850,000 pounds! Brian Rich, President of Reading Anthracite, expects the Komatsu to help mine between 400,000 and 500,000 tons of raw coal annually.

If you’re interested in seeing the Komatsu up close and personal, as well as receiving a free tour of an operating coal mine, free up Saturday, March 31. Although the three hour tours are free you have to make a reservation by calling 570-624-4722 or 570-624-4724 with your name, number in your party. phone number, and email address. Tours will start between 8:00 am and 12:30 pm on Saturday. On the day of the tour, you must park your car at the New St. Nicholas Plant, 46 West Mt. Laffee Road, Pottsville and board a bus that will take you to the West Spring Energy Mine, near Locust Gap.

How often do you get a chance to see a monster like the Komatsu? Don’t delay. You can only make reservations until Tuesday, March 27!

Les Brown Weekend

When Lester Raymond Brown was born in Reinerton on March 14, 1912 no one suspected that a century later people would still be celebrating him as the man who brought the “Band of Renown” to the world. “Les Brown and his Band of Renown” played throughoutthe US and also toured with Bob Hope and the USO during trips to Korea and Vietnam. They eventually made it to TV, performing as the house band for the Steve Allen Show, Dean Martin Show, and Bob Hope TV specials.

This weekend you can enjoy the rich big band sound that Les Brown helped make popular at the Les Brown Weekend.

What: The Les Brown Dance

Where: Kevin’s Place, 105 Main Street, Lykens

Date: Friday, March 23

Time: 7:00 pm

Cost: $10 per person

Notes: Come early for dinner then enjoy two hours of dancing and listening to After Hours play Big Band Swing music.

What: Les Brown Centennial Festival

Where: Williams Valley High School, 10300 Route 209, Tower City

Date: Saturday, March 24

Time: 11:30 am to 8:00 pm

Cost:Adults $8/Children and Students with College ID FREE

Notes: Les Brown memorabilia, trivia contest and stories by old friends and family. Special guests: Les Brown Jr., Jeff “Swampy” Marsh, Rusty Higgins, Don Clarke, David Miller, The Manhattan Dolls, The Unforgettable Big Band, Elizabethtown College Jazz Band, Williams Valley Cool Blue Jazz Band, Williams Valley Elementary Jazz, and The Town of Renown Alumni Jazz Band

What: Les Brown Jazz Service

Where: Immanuel Lutheran Church, 134 East Street, Williamstown

Date: Sunday, March 25

Time: 2:00 pm

Cost: FREE

Notes: Non-denominational service featuring sacred jazz music by local musicians.

Feeling Green?

Schuylkill County Green Challenge

Porcupine Pat asked me to get the word out to teachers and students alike about the Schuylkill County Green Challenge for 2012. The theme is “Helping Wildlife” and students in grades kindergarten through Grade 4 are invited to submit posters while those in Grades 5 through 8 are invited to submit essays on this year’s theme. There will be cash prizes for students and mini-grants for school. For more information contact Patrick McKinney at 570-622-4124 Ext 113 of  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

So, students ask your teachers if you’ll be participating in the contest! Teachers, here’s a fun way to harness all that “Spring is here! I want to go outside!” energy that has your students bouncing off the walls!

Time Is Ticking Away!

But it isn’t too late to enter the Art of Rain contest! Enter by yourself, with a friend, or a whole group. For more information contact Megan Blackmon at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Who…Who…

Who do you know? Seems the  Historical Society of Schuylkill County is busy compiling a list of notable residents of the 20th century and they need your help! You can check out the list here and send them any information, stories, etc. that you have about this Who’s Who of Schuylkill County. Disappointed because your favorite local son (or daughter) of Schuylkill County didn’t make the list? No worries! Check out this page and click on “Biographical Work Sheet” to nominate someone for Who’s Who.

In between bio writing, the Historical Society is hosting two interesting events this month.

What: Civil War Roundtable

Battle Between the Monitor and Merrimac

Where:  Historical Society of Schuylkill County

Date: Wed., March 21

Time: 7:00 pm

Cost: FREE

Notes: Tom Shay will present a program on the Civil War battle between the Merrimac and the Monitor, the first battle between two ironclad naval vessels. This month marks the 150th anniversary of that notable moment in history.

What: The Greeley Expedition

Where:  Historical Society of Schuylkill County

Date: Wed., March 28

Time: 7:00 pm

Cost: FREE

Notes: Stu Richards will present a program on the Greeley Expedition, which set out for the Arctic in 1881 with 27 months but weren’t rescued for three years. Among the explorers was Sgt. Joseph Ellison of Pottsville.

Capture The County on Film

If this sudden burst of warm weather has you wanting to be out and about, grab your camera and head out to enjoy Spring and enter a great contest! Pennsylvania Magazine is having their annual Photo Contest and the three categories are

• Railroads and Trolleys (I pass several of those on my way to work everyday)
• Wilderness (Isn’t Schuylkill County know for that?)
• Cityscape (don’t worry, skylines of any city or town count)

The deadline to mail your entries is April 15 and you can enter up to 15 photos. There will be nine prizes (plus a few honorable mentions, possibly) with prizes ranging from cash to magazine subscriptions to t-shirts to gift baskets. You can find a more complete list of rules and entry formhere.

Have fun looking at your hometown through the camera lens and good luck!

Time for the Classics

As promised in the final days of February, I’m back with a list of a few upcoming musical events in the county. In this case, events of a classical nature.

What: Masters of Baroque

Where: Trinity Episcopal Church, South Centre Street and Howard Avenue, Pottsville

Date: Sunday, March 18

Time: 3:00 pm

Cost: Adults $10/Students $7. Tickets for all concerts are available from any choir member, the Schuylkill County Council for the Arts or by calling the Schuylkill Choral Society office at (570) 628-3388.

Notes: A performance by the Schuylkill Choral Society, the chorus will be directed by Dr. Mark P. Thomas and accompanied by Kimberly Breiner Stoudt featuring selections by all the greats including Handle, Scarlatti, Bach, Vivaldi and more.

What: Trinity Episcopal Church Concert Series

Where: Trinity Church, 200 South Second Street, Pottsville

Date: Sunday, April 15

Time: 4:00 pm

Cost: Free Will Offering Accepted

Notes: Organist Canon Mark Laubach will present a program that includes the St. Anne Prelude and Fugue of J.S. Bach, the Liszt Fantasy and Fugue, and soprano Cora Gamelin-Osenbach joining Canon Laubach for Weinberger’s The Way to Emmaus. The audience can meet the artists at a post-concert reception.

What: Ronan Tynan–America’s Irish Tenor

Where: Pottsville Area High School Auditorium

Date: Sunday, April 29

Time: 2:00 pm (doors open at 1:00 pm)

Cost: In Advance $30/At the Door $40. Call 570-622-1802 or 570-628-0883.

Notes: Ronan will be accompanied by pianist Bill Lewis.