'Santa' Coco still leading

"Santa" Coco of Douglassville is still leading in our polls! Coco has received 14 votes. "Dragon" Smokey is in second with 6 votes. "Hot Dog" Lady received 4 and "Pocahontas" Isabelle received 1. Remember you have until Nov. 7 to cast your vote. Please only vote once (one vote per person.) Thanks for your support! This has been a great contest so far!

P.S. Go Phillies! World Series 2008!

"Santa" Coco leading in the polls for pet contest

"Santa" Coco of Douglassville is leading in the polls for the pet contest! Coco received 13 votes so far. "Hot Dog" Lady received one vote. "Pocahontas" Isabelle and "Dragon" Smokey have not received any votes yet. Readers have until Nov. 7 to place their votes. Don't forget to vote for the The Southern Berks News' Halloween pet photo contest! Thanks for your support!

Pet contest 2

Here are the other two pictures you have a chance to vote on. (See last blog for details.)

3. "Santa" Coco of Douglassville
4. "Dragon" Smokey of Mt. Penn

Vote for your favorite pet contest

If you read this week's paper, you will see the entries for the Pet Halloween Costume Contest. Please cast your vote by Nov. 7. You have several options with voting: you can respond to this blog, mail in the ballot form, or e-mail me at htassmer@berksmontnews.com.
If you are e-mailing or responding to the blog, please include your name, city of residence, phone number (in case we need to speak with you), name of your favorite pet photo and any other comments.
I just figured out that I can only load two photos at a time on here so I will post the other two contestants in another blog entry. The two included in this post are 1. "Hot Dog" Lady of Douglassville and 2. "Pocahontas" Isabelle of Reading/Exeter.

Birdsboro art show experience

This past weekend I attended the opening reception for the Birdsboro Fine Arts Show.

I arrived at the Birdsboro Community Memorial Center early because I figured it would be difficult to find parking. And it sure was! The borough parking lot was almost full by the time I arrived there.

I am sure Saturday and the rest of the days were busy but I can tell you for sure that Friday was hoppin’. There was a line of people waiting from the door and some people had to stand on the sidewalk before they came in. By then, I knew that this was a popular event for Birdsboro.

I am a big art fan myself. I wish I could draw but I think writing is just as fun. (And I seem to do that better anyway.) My best friend is an artist and I’ve been to many art and music events with her.

I had the chance to speak with several of the artists during the reception: Pat Oxenford of Douglassville, Don Levengood of Earlville and Bruce Becker of West Lawn. If you read my preview article, you will know all about Mr. Becker. He was in Lancaster for a painting project around the time of the 2006 Amish school shooting incident. Becker teamed up with community members and raised money for the victims’ families. I had to buy his book, “Kindness and Compassion.”

It was definitely a great event and I encourage, you, the readers, to attend next year and check out Birdsboro activities in the future.

Exeter celebrates Homecoming

Exeter Township School District celebrated Homecoming on Oct. 10. The Eagles played against Blue Mountain. Above, the Homecoming Queen Gabby Fundyga and Homecoming King Jake Hennessy smile during their victory. (Photo by Harold Hoch) For more photos, check out this week's Southen Berks News. There are pictures in the Sports section and on page 20 (back of Classifieds.) I am going to try to upload some photos onto the Berksmont Web site so people can get some copies.

Antietam students walk to school

Antietam students from Mt. Penn Elementary Center took part in International Walk to School Day on Oct. 8. WalkBikeBerks, a Berks County organization, planned the event with school and other local officials. The walk started out at Redner's on Carsonia Avenue.

It was a chilly morning but a wonderful experience. I grew up in a rural area so walking to school was not an option for me. The kids were really excited about the event and so were the parents that participated. I met one parent that walked with her kids and a dog named Sadie. She told me she walks with the kids every day to school. She said they park at a certain street and her children's fellow classmates enjoy seeing Sadie.

It's great to see schools taking healthier steps to the future. Obesity is a real problem in our society and if there could be more days like the one on Oct. 8, it would encourage kids to be healthier and excercise. Several school officials told me that they are planning on having a walk in December and in the spring.

Schools recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Schools recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month

As you may know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
During a volleyball game on Sept. 30, Exeter and Daniel Boone girls played while dressed in pink. The refs and spectators were also dressed in pink.
I really would like to do a feature in light of the observance and if you know of anyone I can talk to (a survivor), send me an e-mail: htassmer@berksmontnews.com.

Daniel Boone Homecoming Victory

Go Daniel Boone! Daniel Boone beat Conrad Weiser during their Homecoming Game on Oct. 4.
In addition, Ryan Voerman was named Homecoming King and Nicole Zerr was named Homecoming Queen.
To purchase photos, visit www.berksmontnews.com. Click on Photo reprints on the left side.