End of the School Year Teacher Appreciation

After 17 years of public school, next week Justin will be saying goodbye to his teachers, therapists, aides, administrators and coaches who we have grown to love and admire.  This year we are gifting brightly colored dahlias as small tokens of our appreciation. 

You may remember reading about Justin's outstanding life skills teacher, Melissa DeStefano, HERE.  Mrs. DeStefano has taught Justin for the past six years with grace, humor and compassion.  She and her colleagues are our heroes and will be dearly missed.

 Thank you. ♥

~Merrill ♥ 

My Favorite Things: Superhero Cape Socks

Geek chic!  I am pretty sure that my beloved needs a pair of Superman cape socks.  Batman, Robin and Wonder Woman are pretty darn nifty, too. 

Have fun, super heroes!

~Merrill ♥ 

Special Olympics Challenges and Delights Montgomery County Athletes

Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.

Students from Montgomery County, Pennsylvania gathered today at Souderton Area High School to compete in, and support, Special Olympics.  Pottsgrove High School athletes, teachers, therapists, aides and buddies enjoyed a day of sun and fun.

Pottsgrove High School's band played on while athletes and buddies boarded their buses.

 

Five years ago, life skills class teacher extraordinaire, Melissa DeStefano, approached Pottsgrove School District with the hope of having her students participate in Special Olympics.  The district approved, and her athletes have returned each year since earning many awards and fond memories.  Thank you, Mrs. DeStefano and Pottsgrove School District! ♥

Every one expressed excitement in his or her own way.

Justin and fellow Olympians announced the arrival of Team Pottsgrove by carrying a handmade banner around the track. 

A Souderton Area High School student kicked off the games with the Olympic Torch Relay.

Running.  If you were to ask Justin what he did at Special Olympics, he would tell you "running, jumping, throwing."  Here he is giving the 200m his all.

Justin's Pottsgrove High School buddies did a great job making sure he arrived at each event on time.

Educating someone with autism is a huge job.  Here is Justin with some of the amazing people who work with him: his teacher, speech therapist, occupational therapist and ESY/gym teacher.

 Lauren would not have missed supporting her brother for anything.

Jumping.

Justin and his pal, Josh.

Throwing.

We do not remember days; we remember moments.  Today was filled with wonderful moments. ♥

~Merrill ♥ 

Rigatoni with Meat Sauce for 100+

Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world.  Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. ~Margaret Mead

With a record turnout of over 100, today marked my fourth time preparing a Pottstown Cluster Community Meal for those in need.  A hungry crowd enjoyed eight pans of rigatoni with meat sauce, Caesar salad from 30 heads of romaine and homemade croutons, 21 lbs. of fruit, bread and a plethora of desserts.  There were no leftovers.

Previous meals have included shepherd's pie, tuna casserole and Pennsylvania Dutch pork roast.

In the Pottstown area, free hot meals are served five days a week to those in need.  How cool is that?  If you know someone who is in need of a meal, check out the Pottstown Cluster's Community Meal schedule HERE. ♥

No one is cherished more in this world than someone who lightens the burden of another.  Hip hip hooray for our volunteers!

Click HERE to see how you, too, can volunteer with the Pottstown Cluster and make a difference in the lives of others.

~Merrill ♥  

The 2nd Annual Golf Outing to Benefit the Pottstown Cluster a Big Success

Over $12,000 was raised at a recent charity golf outing at Bellewood Golf Club to benefit the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities.  The Cluster addresses the spiritual, social and basic needs of persons within the Greater Pottstown community. 

My husband and daughter participated in the tournament, while my son and I arrived later for dinner as we are not really golfers (think Caddyshack).  Lauren made a 45-foot putt!  Wowie kazowie!

Board president, Allan Altschull, enlisted Lauren's help in selling 50/50 tickets.

Justin took a sneak peek at the silent auction offerings.

 
A great big thank you to all of the local area merchants who made donations for the silent auction.

Following the match, there was a bit of whistle wetting going on. 

This team shot a 60, which I understand to be super duper!

Bellewood Golf Club prepared a delicious dinner. 

Three cheers to Cluster director, Barbara Wilhelmy, and tournament co-chair, George Bell, who did an outstanding job! 

If you believe that no one in the Pottstown area should go hungry, please consider making a donation by clicking HERE, or by calling:  610-970-5995.  Thank you! 

~Merrill ♥  

Come One, Come All to Pottstown Regional Public Library's Backdoor Used Book Sale

Summer reading time is just around the corner.  Come check out the bargains at the Friends of the Library backdoor used book sale at the Pottstown Regional Public Library this Friday, May 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, May 19 from 9:00 a.m. until noon. Proceeds from the book sale will go towards purchasing a much needed copy machine for our library.  Cool!   

Drum roll, please.  A great big thank you to everyone who volunteered their afternoon to set up for sale.  You are all kinds of awesome! ♥  

Click HERE to get the 4-1-1 on the last used book sale. 

~Merrill ♥ 

Montgomery County To Host Compost Bin and Rain Barrel Distribution Event

Perfect timing!  We need a new compost drum.  And, I like the idea of having a rain barrel.  Yippee!

Montgomery County will host a joint compost bin and rain barrel truckload sale on Saturday, May 19th, 2012 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  The sale will be taking place at the Greater Plymouth Community Center, 2910 Jolly Rd., Plymouth Meeting, PA.

Compost bins, valued at $100, will be available for sale at $45 including tax.  Rain barrels, valued at $120, will be available for sale at $55 including tax.  Cash, checks, and credit cards, Visa or Master Card, will be accepted.

“This is a great opportunity for Montgomery County residents to recycle and reuse their food scraps, yard waste, and rain water,” said Montgomery County Recycling Director Chris Kaasmann.  “Through composting, residents can decrease their trash output by 10 – 30% while providing a great soil amendment for their yard.  Collecting rain water can help the environment and our wallets by reducing potential storm water runoff while also providing free water for yard plants and vegetation.”

The sale will take place rain or shine and all items will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis, while supplies last.  Both the compost bins and rain barrels should be able to fit in most cars.  Please plan accordingly, if you intend to purchase.

For more information on this and other programs please visit Montgomery County Recycles or contact Chris Kaasmann, Montgomery County Recycling Coordinator at 610-278-3618. 

~Merrill ♥  

A Happy Mother's Day, Indeed

Yesterday was a day to celebrate mothers.  This year, for me, Mother's Day was a weekend-long celebration spent on the Chesapeake Bay with my wonderful kids and my beloved.  We had dinner alfresco overlooking the water, saw a movie, enjoyed brunch at a lovely inn, napped and went for a bike ride.  Perfect!

The brunch menu included crab cakes Benedict with tomato Hollandaise, field greens with herb vinaigrette, fresh fruit, smoked salmon, crab bisque, assorted pastries and more.   

It is my hope that, someday soon, restaurants will provide diners with gluten-free offerings so that folks like Justin will not need to rely so heavily on meat.

Justin planted this at school for me.  I am not sure what type of plant it is, but am hoping time will tell.

Lauren gave me a plant in a pot that she had painted.  Handmade gifts are awesome!

After eating and eating, it was time for a bike ride in to town.

On our return home, we were greeted by my picture with Justin in the Sunday paper.  Cool!  Thanks, Debbie, for the heads up!

A Mother's Day mention would not be complete without a photo of my mom.  Here she is during a visit to the Grand Canyon.  Beautiful!  We will soon see her for Justin's graduation.  Can't wait (to see her, that is - I can wait forever for Justin's graduation)!

What a wonderful and relaxing weekend.  The best part, natch, was spending time with my family who I love with all my heart. ♥

~Merrill ♥