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Berks Democratic Party cleans FDR Memorial in West Lawn

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Berks Democratic Party cleans FDR Memorial in West Lawn

With no parades in the area for Labor day several members of the Berks County Democratic Party cleaned up the FDR Memorial Statue in West Lawn. Located on Morwood Avenue, the concrete bust and fireplace pedestal has been neglected for years completely overgrown by weeds and shrubbery.

The clean up crew included a small group of community volunteers along with party chairman Kevin Boughter, Reading City Council members Donna Reed, Marcia Goodman-Hinnershitz and candidate for Berks County Judge Tina Boyd.

A serious FDR looks out towards Morwood Avenue in West Lawn.

Working with Spring Township, the Berks Democratic Party is planning a multi-phase project for the memorial that involves first cleaning the brush around the statue, cleaning and restoring the stone and concrete and finally re-leveling the pad the monument sits on which is currently leaning to the left.

“What we want to do is give recognition to all of the monuments and their meanings” said Reading Councilwomen Goodman-Hinnershitz speaking to a group of volunteers.

Although it is off the beaten path, the monument was creating around the 1930’s during FDR’s presidency by two West Wyomissing men who worked as machinists.

A view of the FDR Memorial from down Morwood Avenue.

During the clean up Reading Councilwomen Reed told us that the FDR and other memorials in the area will be included in the October issue of Berks County Living Magazine featuring the fall Monument Tour in Reading’s City Park.

Scheduled for October 6th, 4:30 – 6:30pm the tour will lead groups around City Park to learn the history of each memorial.

Visit the memorial yourself at 43 South Morwood Avenue West Lawn, PA 19609.

Blankets of Hope accepting donations for Hurricane Harvey

Reading Magazine
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Blankets of Hope accepting donations for Hurricane Harvey

Blankets of Hope, a Berks County based grass roots non-profit is now fundraising to help supply brand new 50″ x 60″ fleece blankets to local shelters in the Houston Texas area. With their usual supply network serving southeastern Pennsylvania, founder Marc Goldstein is expanding is effort following the devastation of Hurricane Harvey.

“I contacted The Salvation Army Dallas-Forth Worth and they are in need of these blankets. The distributor has given us a cost of $3.50 per blanket since they are able to pick the blankets up with their trucks” Goldstein said.

It turns out Goldstein’s regular distributor for his blankets has a warehouse in Carrollton, TX, only 20 minutes from most of the shelters. This advantage means the Salvation Army can pull the amount they need daily and make an immediate impact to those staying at the Dallas Convention Center and other shelters in the area.

Goldstein says 100% of the donations will be going to donating the blankets directly to The Salvation Army Dallas-Fort Worth. Since 2012, Blankets of Hope has donated over 19,000 to 82 different organizations. Goldstien’s goal is to raise $50,000 which would provide 14,000+ blankets with a GoFundMe fundraising page.

Donate to the Blankets of Hope GoFundMe page here: https://www.gofundme.com/blankets-of-hopehurricane-harvey

Blankets of Hope is a public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Rothenberger cuts ribbon on newly purchased Advocate Insurance

Reading Magazine
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Rothenberger cuts ribbon on newly purchased Advocate Insurance

Expanding his business Ron Rothenberger, owner of Rothenberger Insurance Services in West Reading has purchased Advocate Insurance on Madison Avenue in Muhlenberg Township. To manage Advocate Insurance Ron hired his brother Dale as the general manager.

Hosting the ribbon cutting and open house with the Northeast Chamber or Commerce, the night included a small business mixer,  cookout and massages.

Starting his insurance business in 2007, Ron Rothenberger is a 1983 Wyomissing High School graduate and attended Kutztown University. After having 20 years experience in auto sales he decided to make a career change to start Rothenberger Insurance Services. Originally opening in West Lawn, Rothenberger grew his business and moved to West Reading.

Dale Rothenberger speaking to a group after the ribbon cutting at Advocate Insurance.

Ron tells us he took opportunity to buy Advocate Insurance to expand his business into the Muhlenberg area. He also says they are not going to change the name of Advocate, only to improve the website and referral business between clients.

Similar to Rothenberger Insurance, Advocate is a full service independent insurance agency proving everything from personal automotive, home to commercial coverage. Ron said he is proud of the fact that clients are able to call the office and talk to a local person, not an 800 number.

“People don’t always know they are not always covered the way they need, we take pride in crafting our coverage for our clients” said Ron Rothenberger.

Shaggy Dog Cycling Ride raises money for Reading Police K9 Unit

Reading Magazine
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Shaggy Dog Cycling Ride raises money for Reading Police K9 Unit

Cyclists from around Berks took to the trails for the first Shaggy Dog ride to support the Friends of the Reading Police K-9 Unit. Hosted by Oakbrook Brewery in Reading, 67 cyclists rode from the brew pub up to Lake Ontelaunee and back.

In addition to the benefit ride, friends and families and the community were invited out to watch a special demonstration by the Reading Police K9 Unit. Wearing a “bite suit” Reading Police Officers Joshua Faust walked out into the field adjacent to the brewery to show off K9 Cody’s stills apprehending suspects.

Reading Police Officers Joshua Faust and John Hutchinson talk to a small group about the K9 unit.

Officer Faust also demonstrated K9 Trooper’s ability to search for explosives. Trash buckets were placed along the field for Trooper to search and find the bag of explosives. After a few minutes, Trooper quickly sat in front of the third bucket indicating he found the bag.

Riders received a commemorative Oakbrook Brewing Shaggy Dog 32oz. growler. Cosponsored by the Oakbrook Brewing Co. / JB’s Bike Shop Club – Team, cyclists were offered three distances up to a 42 mile ride. Overall, $3,100 was raised for the Friends of the Reading K9 Unit.

Officer Joshua Faust leads K9 Trooper through a drill to find explosives.

If your in the mood for another ride, Kyle Neuheimer, owner of Oakbrook Brewery says they are planning another ride scheduled for September 24th, again benefiting the Friends of the Reading Police K9 Unit. Titled the “Goonies Ride” based after the movie, Neuheimer says it will be more of a family friendly ride with a showing of the movie afterwards.

Walnuttown Fire Company celebrates 100th Anniversary with parade

Reading Magazine
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Walnuttown Fire Company celebrates 100th Anniversary with parade

The Walnuttown Fire Company in Fleetwood celebrated their 100th year anniversary Saturday with a parade and community party. Starting at Willow Creek Elementary, 35 fire trucks from 15 different departments joined in on the celebratory parade. A few traveling from as far as the Lehigh Valley.

Planning for the event started in November 2016 said Walnuttown Fire Chief Jeff Buck. “Our company is always out of the box and we like doing things different. We went to a couple of light and sirens parades and decided to do it ourselves.”

Crowds of people lined Park Road near the fire house to see continuous line of fire trucks drive by. The event also featured food from local restaurants, raffle and a dunk tank.

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