In this episode of Bites of Berks Justin Choate visits Galen Hall Golf Club, not for the golf but for the amazing food. Go behind the scenes with Chef Dennis to learn how their food is made.
Genesius Theatre Ready for Thoroughly Enjoyable Show
Forget about the boy, when a small town girl searches for a new life in the bright lights of 1920s New York City, where the hair is short and so are the dresses that sparkle and flap, well just about anything can happen and does! “Thoroughly Modern Millie” takes audiences back to the roaring 20’s in style!
Genesius Theatrical Teen Company is performing that thoroughly modern musical “Thoroughly Modern Mille”. Each year at this time the Genesius Teen Theatre Company, usually performs what we used to call our Junior Show, but this new batch of Genesus Teens are all grown up and so very talented that they are presenting the full version of the show, not an abbreviated version of the musical.
“…Millie”, the stage musical, is based off the original motion picture starring Julie Andrews! The musical has New Lyrics by Dick Scanlin, New Music by Jeanine Tesori, with a book by Richard Henry Morris and Dick Scanlin. The original story and screenplay is by Richard Morris for the Universal Pictures Film.
The winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie was the 2002 season’s most awarded new show on Broadway! Based on the 1967 Academy Award-winning film, Thoroughly Modern Millie takes you back to the height of the Jazz Age in New York City, when “moderns,” including a flapper named Millie Dillmount, were bobbing their hair, raising their hemlines, entering the workforce and rewriting the rules of love. This high-spirited musical romp is a delightful valentine to the long-standing spirit of New York City and the people who seek to discover themselves there.
Set in New York City in 1922, Thoroughly Modern Millie tells the story of young Millie Dillmount from Kansas, who comes to New York in search of a new life for herself. Her grand plan is to find a job as a secretary for a wealthy man and then marry him. However, her plan goes completely awry. The owner of her dingy hotel kidnaps young girls to sell to the Far East, her wealthy boss is slow in proposing marriage and the man she actually falls in love with doesn’t have a dime to his name… or so he tells her.
Filled with frisky flappers, dashing leading men and a dragon lady of a villainess that audiences will love to hate, Thoroughly Modern Millie is a perfectly constructed evening of madcap merriment. From explosive tap numbers to a “Fred and Ginger” routine on a window ledge, this is the perfect show for theatres that are looking to show off the dance skills of their performers. In Millie Dillmount, musical theatre has found a new heroine for the ages in Thoroughly Modern Millie!
The Genesius production is directed by husband and wife team Joey Moray and Kelly Kantner Moray, music directed by Emily Snyder, choreographed by Rosanna Pereira. Set design by John Bigos, light design by Zack Spadaccia, costume design by Cynthia Kantner, hair/makeup design by, Kim Siegel of United Artist Salon and sound design by Albert Garcia of Eko Entertainment, LLC. The set, is constructed by John Bigos and Betty Gerstner with scenic art by Marjory Ewald. The show is stage managed by our teen stage manager, Katie McKelvey.
The Genesius production features a teen and pre-teen cast from ages 12 to 18. Katherine Lindsley plays the title role of Millie, Ben Daniels is Jimmy Smith, Nicole Simpkins is Dorothy Brown, Ben Jupina is Trevor Graydon, Hannah Mogford is Mrs. Meers, Andrew Bausher is Bun Foo and Roberto Guevara is Ching Ho, Chloe Fererri is Muzzy Van Hossmere and Hunter Willow-Jones is Miss Flannery.
Support Local Charities and Save Money with the Do It Local App
Shopping local and supporting your favorite charity just got a lot easier thanks to Patrick and Heather Brady, founders of the ‘Do It Local’ smartphone app. The Berks County husband and wife business team was inspired by the classic paperback coupon book concept. However, as modern parents, they wanted a simpler way to browse and use coupons from their smartphones.
“I wanted a medium dedicated to locally owned businesses that was driven by community-centric consumers who love supporting local charities.” – Heather Brady
So how does it work? First consumers buy a $25 fundraising card from the charity of their choice (or directly from the Do It Local fundraising website). With $15 of the registration fee going directly to the charity, users enter the registration code online to unlock the app and all of its features for an entire year.
Pretty simple way to donate to a nonprofit right? Each month the app is updated with new local businesses, coupons, and flash sales. Coupon categories include everything from automotive, fashion to local eateries. Plus, the app comes with a nifty calculator to keep track of your total coupon savings. Save $25 and you’ve already earned back your money!
Coming up with the concept is one thing, managing the exponential growth of the business while raising a toddler challenges the couple everyday. “Everyday is a new day. I haven’t mastered it yet, but luckily I don’t require much sleep!” Heather said. With a background in Information Technology, Patrick is the brains behind the app. While Heather uses her experience from her days working in Corporate Media Sales to building quality partnerships with local businesses and charities.
The dynamic duo also has a few behind the scene partners as well, including Wyomissing based Weidenhammer Systems. “As a huge supporter of the future of Reading, At my former job, Weidenhammer was one of the companies I would turn to to pay for charities advertising campaigns. When I was toying with the idea of bringing my plan to life, I was fortunate enough to have a very good friend at Weidenhammer who gave me expert advice.” said Heather.
The advice was an analysis of the development costs and how to structure the app. The 2 biggest motivators for Heather was when multiple trusted sources mention ‘If you don’t bring the app to life, someone else will’ and her favorite mentor Rick Wolf, telling her that he is proud of her and her “disruptive innovation.”
Although the biggest reason to join is to gain access to hundreds of exclusive coupons, the Do It Local App isn’t just about saving money. It’s mission is to raise money for local charities. With 18 local nonprofit partners already signed up, Patrick and Heather are proud to say they have already donated a few thousand dollars to their partner nonprofits since apps launch.
“There’s always events bringing these two amazing sectors together, but there’s never been a medium dedicated to their mutual success and on-going community impact… until now!” – Heather Brady
A few of the Do It Local charity partners include the Animal Rescue League, American Cancer Society, BCTV, Big Vision Foundation, Teachers in the Park, Bethany Children’s Home, Opportunity House, just to name a few.
“We partnered with Do It Local because this app makes it easy to keep money in the community, where it does the most good. When you can save money, support our amazing local restaurants and businesses, and help local non-profits fund their important work, what’s not to love?” – Kate Alley, VP of Marketing & Development, Opportunity House
Although it started here in Berks, Do It Local is quickly becoming a national App. Patrick and Heather have already started to open up shop in 6 counties surrounding Berks and 2 other states, New Jersey and North Carolina. Business development staff in these new areas will help Heather form new business and charity partnerships.
“I have community driven individuals who absolutely love their communities as much as I do. Their passion shines when they talk about local business owners and getting involved in local charities.” said Heather.
Redner’s Hosts United Way campaign incentive Shopping Spree
Ready, Set, Go! Sherry Bortzel, owner of Whole Lotta Style Salon in Sinking Spring ran through Redner’s as fast as she could loading up her grocery cart with anything she could get her hands on. Winner of the annual United Way campaign incentive shopping spree, Bortzel finished the three minute dash collecting over $800 in merchandise.
The shopping spree was offered as a campaign incentive to donors contributing $4.00 or more per week to the 2017 United Way campaign. United Way raised over $10.5 million in 2017 to tackle issues around its focus areas of health, education, income and safety net services and to support more than 50 programs, initiatives and grants throughout Berks County. Each year, more than 100,000 people are helped through United Way programs.
Redner’s has hosted the event for five years and sponsors the shopping spree. Sherry’s husband Scott, an employee of Penske Truck Leasing won the incentive as part of United Way’s 2017 fundraising campaign giving the opportunity to run the store to his wife.
“I’ve contributed to United Way for many years, and it was such a surprise to learn I won the shopping spree. My company is a strong United Way and community supporter, and it’s great that companies like Redner’s are supportive as well,” said Scott Bortzel.
Three minutes is quicker than you think when running around a grocery store. A few items Sherry Bortzel managed to get in her cart before time ran out included a toaster, toothpaste, dish soap, laundry detergent and meat products.
K9 Bowl fundraiser benefits Friends of the Reading Police K9 Unit
Friends of the Reading Police K-9 Unit hosted there 2nd annual “K9 Bowl” event on Saturday at Hiester Lanes Bowling Alley in Reading. Along with the bowling guests were invited to meet the Police Dogs, buy apparel and enjoy a special “bite suit” demonstration. Overall, the unique fundraiser raised approximately $10,000 for the organization.
The Friends of the Reading Police K-9 Unit is a nonprofit dedicated to raising funds to maintain the Reading Police K-9 Unit. Comprised of local residents, the Friends of the Reading Police K-9 Unit’s mission is to financially support the unit.
In addition to the fundraiser, the Animal Rescue League of Berks County collected donations from guests, which received a raffle ticket for their donation. With a row of prizes, guests had the chance to go home with a gift baskets, gift cards, and kitchenware.