Top stories in the June 25 issue of The News

One of this week’s front page stories is “Exeter Township School Board seeks law suit.

The Exeter Township School Board is seeking a law suit against Jordan and Elizabeth Bausher. The school board was trying to buy a tract of land from the couple years ago and made a deposit of $100,000 on the land. But unfortunately after other drama throughout the years, it hasn’t been able to buy the land. Now the school board wants the money back but the Baushers don’t want to give it back. Read more about that in this week’s paper.


A great front page read this week is “Daniel Boone students use creativity, science skills during Camp Invention” written by intern Mark Eddinger. Turn to this week’s News to read how Daniel Boone students learned about science and made inventions in June during Camp Invention.

Another top story in the paper this week lets people know about a Douglassville woman’s book, “The Gift.” Mary Hill shares her story about Parkinson’s Disease and how she makes the best of her life while living with the disease.
The book is very informative and easy to read. It’s also very inspiring.
With people living longer, there’s no doubt that we’ll end up with some disease or disorder in our lives whether it will be cancer, Diabetes, heart disease, etc., and to know there are people out there overcoming these hardships is very inspiring.
For more information about the book, contact Hill at mjanehill@yahoo.com or to read excerpts from the book, visit www.beachfrontpress.com.

Not much left to watch on TV

I was hooked on several TV shows during late winter and now there is nothing left to watch. On Mondays, I would celebrate the end of Monday with the MTV reality show, "The Hills" featuring girl drama just too entertaining to turn away from. Then on Tuesdays and Wednesdays I'd tune into "American Idol." Thursdays I'd enjoy the awesome comedy "The Office." Now, all three shows are over and sometimes I feel kind of lost. Guess that's what happens when you rely on TV.
Now the only show left for me to watch is "My Boys" on Thursday. It's a chick show so I don't recommend you guys check it out. My boyfriend whines when I turn on the show. It's about a woman who writes about the Cubs and her guyfriends who live in Chicago.
Also, the other night I went on You Tube and tried to watch some episodes of the classic "The Wonder Years." I was told the show cannot be released on DVDs because of some licensing agreement about the songs used in it. Has anyone else heard about that?
If anyone knows of any good shows that are on or other good shows I could watch on DVD, let me know!

The Hills
www.mtv.com

My Boys
tbs.com/shows/myboys

Learning about the Schuylkill River Sojourn

Coming this week is an article I wrote about the Schuylkill River Sojourn. I had the chance to see the sojourners stop in the Union Township Recreation Area.
This is the first time I had heard about the sojourn (where people paddle down the Schuylkill River in their kayaks and enjoy entertainment along the way.) I thought it was a pretty neat concept. The total sojourn is more than 100 miles but you get to choose how far you want your journey to be.
A few of the people I talked to said that a lot of the participants come back every year. I can definitely see why. I think it would be relaxing (as long as the weather was nice) to paddle along the river. I like the outdoors for the most part but not camping because I can’t stand mosquitoes and other bugs.
I talked to the sojourners about the heat. As you know, a few days last week were unbearable. The one man I talked to said that it was pretty hot but he didn’t mind it since he was wet from paddling. He said it was difficult to sleep at night. (The sojourners camp out in township and state parks along the way.)
It was nice to see the Union Township Recreation Area also. I was told the boat ramp just opened this spring.
One of the beautiful sights I saw while on the assignment was butterflies.
For more information about the sojourn, check out The Southern Berks News this week.

Boone Area Library needs community's help

The Boone Area Library will close this fall if it doesn't receive enough funds through the Annual Giving program. The staff has mailed out fliers asking for residents' support.
The library is such a valuable place in the Birdsboro community. It will be a shame if people don't reach out and help the library.
Boone Area Library has been around since the 1960s and offers many services.
The staff is now conducting the summer reading program for people to "catch the summer reading bug." There will be many programs offer that teach children and teens about bugs.
Library Director Michelle Kehoe said that she organized the program with Terri Kullman, children’s coordinator.
“This is a fun way to get kids to read and learn about bugs,” Kehoe said.
The program includes bug-themed games. movies and crafts. Children, teens and adults can read for prizes.

Children’s activities
Programs will be presented at 6 p.m. on Tuesdays. Each program will include stories, speakers and crafts.

June 17-Boone Bug Club-activities and crafts about bugs
June 24-Buggy Book Bingo-play for books and prizes
July 8-Family Movie and Dinner Night-Disney’s “A Bug’s Life”-free popcorn. Bring a comfy chair and dinner or purchase pizza and soda from the Junior Friends.
July 15-Insect Safari-Meet library staff members at French Creek State Park amphitheater to hear stories and look for bugs.
July 22-Miss Maggie Sings-Come to the library for buggy songs and dancing.
July 29-Bug Scavenger Hunt-Come search the library for things that wiggle and buzz.
August 5-Family Movie and Dinner Night- Bee movie-free popcorn. Bring a comfy chair and dinner or purchase pizza and soda from the Junior Friends.
August 12-Bug Party-Hang out at the library for games, crafts and snacks.

Teen programs
Programs start at 6 p.m.

June 19-Big Bug Movie Night-Come watch an old bug film from the 1950s. Popcorn, snacks and soda will be provided. The first 25 teens that arrive will receive a prize.
July 10-Wii Event. Play the latest games and compete for prizes.
July 24-Are You Brave?-Come to the library for some bug snacks.
August 7-Teen Movie and Dinner Night-Bring a comfy chair and enjoy the show. Popcorn, pizza and soda will be provided.

Preschool story times at library
10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 6 p.m.
June 16, 23, 30; July 7, 14, 21, 28; August 4, 11

Preschool story time at Amity Community Park at 10 a.m.
June 13, 20, 27; July 11, 18; August 1, 8

Toddler story time at library, 11 a.m.
June 18, 25; July 2, 9, 16, 23

Traffic on 422

I was traveling on Route 422 through Amity and Exeter townships this Tuesday and encountered construction and delays.
In Amity, there was a short delay not far from where you make a left to go to Route 82. Then I encountered quite a delay when I reached Exeter due to a lane closure close to the Exeter Commons construction site.

Exeter Commons is a new shopping center that is scheduled to open in 2009. The center is going to be anchored by Target, Giant and Lowe’s. A groundbreaking ceremony was held at the end of May in Exeter. Officials and developers have named creation of jobs, additional places to shop, increasing the commerical tax base and fixing up roads as benefits of the center. A total of $18 million is being used to improve parts of Route 422.

In Exeter it was a stop and go situation and I felt a little frustrated since I had not even reached my destination yet. (I was probably delayed along the stretch of highway near Gibraltar Road for about 10 minutes, which seems a lot worse when you’re in a hurry.)

On the positive side, it looked like the lane was going to be widened so that will be great when it’s all done. Township officials have said that construction is also going to take place in the evenings which will definitely eliminate delays for drivers.

For updates on the Exeter Commons project, keep reading The Southern Berks News and visit the Exeter Township Web site, http://www.co.berks.pa.us/exeter/site/default.asp.

I think it’s great Exeter Township and developers are keeping the public updated through the Web site rather than leaving area residents wonder what's going on.