Home Care In Mont Clare, PA

Bob Simcox (first from left) EPA’s Disaster Response Coordinator, discusses a plan of action for a home in Downingtown with an Early Response Team. The Rev. Allen Keller (second from left) started with Project Restoration on March 1 as case manager. PHOTO: JOHN W. COLEMAN

By Christie R. HouseMarch 9, 2022 | HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA

Hurricane Ida developed late in August 2021 as a devastating Category 4 storm, which made landfall in the Cayman Islands and Cuba and then gathered its full strength over the Gulf of Mexico. It’s fierce winds and rains rivaled Hurricane Katrina as it made landfall in Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi. While Ida’s winds dissipated, the drenching rain continued as it carved a path North across the Eastern U.S. all the way up to Maine and into Canada, a storm full of surprises.

On September 1, Ida deposited 6-8 inches of rain and spawned seven tornadoes in Pennsylvania. By nightfall the rain had stopped, and residents in Downingtown figured they had seen the worst of it. But in the calm of the night, rivers and creeks started rising, some cresting beyond flood stage at peaks not seen in the last 100 years.

The Rev. Amy Banka, pastor of Hopewell United Methodist Church North of Downingtown, PA, describes the scene confronting residents along the Brandywine Creek on September 2.

“For a lot of home owners, the entire first level of their home was flooded. In some cases, that was the basement, but in others, the first floor. That sent residents onto second floors, not knowing how high the flood waters would rise. Some had to be evacuated by boats. Flooding of this kind is unique. Part of the reaction we were hearing from people was the grief and emotional trauma they experienced in that level of fear, trying to get out and hearing the cries for help from their neighbors.”

Hopewell UMC was well situated to respond immediately. The main church was out of the flood zone, though the Well, a community center they opened in Downingtown proper, suffered some damage. Some of their staff and congregation members were greatly affected. Though this part of Pennsylvania does not experience frequent severe storms, the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference holds United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) Early Response Team (ERT) and Volunteer in Mission trainings regularly.

“We’ve worked with UMCOR for many years in other communities,” Banka explained. “So, we knew how to do this on our own.”

She also commended the faith, nonprofit, business and municipal communities in Downingtown. They came together to respond to this disaster and collaborated well, offering the best of each organization. For Hopewell, that was providing volunteer teams for mud-out, clean-up and repair work.

Soon, UMCOR Early Response Teams from other areas arrived to assist the Hopewell teams. A lot was accomplished in Downingtown because of the preparedness and organization skills of those involved.

But other communities lack resources or experience to pull responders and volunteers together, so, six months later, families are still out of their homes, without means or ability to recover.

In addition to the damage caused by Hurricane Ida, Eastwick, a community near the Philadelphia airport, suffered major damage from Hurricane Isaias, which struck the area in August 2020. Without a FEMA declaration, some residents there are still waiting for home repairs and flood mitigation.

The Rev. Dawn Taylor-Storm, executive director for Connectional Ministries with the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference (EPA), worked with the conference’s Disaster Response Coordinator, Robert Simcox, and Bishop John Schol’s office to apply for an UMCOR grant. In December, Global Ministries’ Board of Directors approved the grant for Project Restoration, a recovery project that includes case management to identify people still without help and coordination for volunteer reconstruction teams.

Lara Martin, director of UMCOR’s U.S. Disaster Response, said: “UMCOR is glad to partner with the Eastern PA Conference for Project Restoration. This work, both in the early response phase and now in recovery, is an example of how, when we invest in disaster ministry over the long haul, conferences are better equipped when disaster strikes. The importance of this work increases as we see the growing impact of climate change on the frequency and severity of disasters.”

Project Restoration

Denise Shelton came on board in February as Project Restoration’s director. A case manager, the Rev. Allen Keller, began work on March 1. Both are members of the EPA Conference.

Shelton has spent her first weeks networking and learning all she can about the communities and existing groups and coalitions active in relief and recovery in the region. United Methodists are front and center in many of these networks. Shelton is also discovering communities still in need of assistance, like Mont Clare.

Mont Clare, Pennsylvania, is situated alongside the Schuylkill River, which runs from Pottsville down through Philadelphia, where it meets the Delaware River. The Schuylkill (“hidden-skulking river” in Dutch) greatly exceeded flood stage on September 2, inundating low-lying areas.

Otterbein United Methodist Church in Mont Clare ended up with more than four feet of water in its basement, which wiped out the boiler and electrical system along with its clothes closet, a major ministry and fundraiser for the church’s mission. The church contracted an electrician in October, but the parts needed for repairs didn’t arrive until January, so the congregation was unable to use the building. Still, Otterbein found ways to be in mission.

Members set up a tent outside in the parking lot and brought food, water and other necessities. Everyone was welcome to come and get what they needed. Other people and organizations dropped off goods, and even those affected by the floods shared what they had with their neighbors. The congregation, without the church building, was still a service hub for the community.

From the ground, up

In Chester and Montgomery counties, 500 homes are still in need of assistance. Project Restoration plans to repair 55 homes in a year’s time and assist other households with non-repair related needs.

“I have been able to connect with a lot of organizations, and I’m finding that the gaps are different in different areas,” Shelton said. “I’m trying to get a seat at the table and figure out how we can best assist. We are in the process of hiring our construction manager now.”

One area of concern she’s identified is a reluctance on the part of undocumented immigrants to ask for help from organizations they fear might be connected to local or regional governments. They seek help only from trusted networks, which may not have the resources for this kind of recovery work.

Shelton is scheduled to tour Eastwick, where Eastwick United Methodist Church has been reaching out to the majority African-American community. Eastwick was nearly washed away for a second time in a year. The whole neighborhood was built on a land fill, and even before the major storms, floods were common; the building foundations are sinking. Much needs to be done there.

Experienced teams, like those from Hopewell UMC, will pitch in once Project Restoration is organized. In fact, Shelton says: “We are building on the backs of work that has already been done. Hopewell was right there from the start. We want to make sure that we are not only partnering with other nonprofit groups but partnering with our own groups as well, looping them into this process to give them opportunity to extend their mission.”

Christie R. House is a consultant writer and editor with Global Ministries and UMCOR. Thanks to John Coleman, Director of Communications, Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, who provided photos and background information for this story.

Consider a gift to U.S. Disaster Response ministries, Advance #901670 and support the UMCOR Sunday offering, to be taken March 27, 2022 in most United Methodist churches.

Humanitarian Relief & Recovery US Disaster Response North America Story UMCOR

What if you could invite three angels into your home who would accompany you through your days, assisting you in having, as I like to refer to it, a ‘rich, full, juicy life’? Would you issue a call and then keep the door open to welcome them in?

Reading the book Living with Grace, Flow and Ease, you can do just that. Filled with first person accounts, expressed simply by the coaching and teaching team of Mary Ellen Finerty and Cheryl Dodd Baldwin, it offers practical ways of nourishing your dreams and desires.

By calling on these energies, which they define at the beginning of each section of the book, Baldwin and Finerty have witnessed turns of events that have brought goose bumps of recognition that we are all always in the right place at the right time. Sometimes the delays experienced in daily activity can be life sustaining as they direct us away from potentially dangerous situations, as the authors know all too well. Even those who might scoff at the ‘cosmic foo foo’ nature of such thoughts, will be convinced if they use the ideas expressed on these pages. Folks of a skeptical nature can find that the ‘How it works’ chapter will spell it out step by step.

A quick read, this light filled, but not light-weight book takes the reader on adventures to Mexico in the midst of Hurricane Emily, to Romania where the pair volunteer with children in need, and to England where they have the opportunity to feed a craving for authentic fish and chips.

This seasoned woman particularly appreciated the bold type font on the pages, which made it easier to read. There are several blank pages in the back on which to take notes if inspired, so it serves as a journal as well.

Cheryl Dodd Baldwin, MPH has degrees in psychology, public health, integrative health, is a certified life-coach, and holds numerous certifications in the holistic health field.

Mary Ellen Finerty, RN, MA has degrees in biology, nursing, and nursing education/administration, is a certified life-coach, and has certifications in the holistic health field.

Both Cheryl and Mary have been involved in the healing arts and personal empowerment field for over forty years. It has been their life’s work and passion. They have a holistic health practice in Mont Clare, PA and work with clients throughout the country. They have taught both nationally and internationally and are authors of the book, Living with Grace, Flow and Ease and host the monthly on-line show by the same title. You can find out more about them at www.graceflowandease.com

These three angels named Grace, Flow and Ease may yet become your best friends and constant companions.

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Rebel Hill Brewing, located in Phoenixville, has announced an expansion with a second taproom. Partnering with Lock 29 Mont Clare, Rebel Hill Brewing is aiming to create a food and beverage destination on the Schuylkill River.

The new taproom will be located at 127 Bridge Street in Mont Clare, PA, and is anticipated to open in Spring 2021.

We spoke with Owner and Head Brewer Greg Kluge to find out more details about the space:

BIPA: How big is the new space in sq/ft? How many seats will it have? (outside of covid)

Greg Kluge: The new space will be 4,784 total sq/ft waterfront space with 100 seats inside and an additional 100 outside. There are two floors, with the ability to hold private events on the second floor. There are lots of windows bringing in natural light, and the space has great views of the Schuylkill.

BIPA: Will you brew there?

Greg Kluge: We will be using our satellite license so there will not be any brewing on-site. All of our brewing will still be done at our Phoenixville location.

BIPA: Will there be food be onsite?

Greg Kluge: Yes, a full restaurant serving Contemporary American cuisine. We partnered with the fine folks that own Well Feed out Skippack, Pa.

BIPA: How many taps will this new space have?

Greg Kluge: We are looking at having 12 taps, 8 dedicated to Rebel Hill and 4 dedicated to other PA Breweries. We will also have a full bar serving PA liquor and wine, with a curated cocktail menu.

BIPA: Any other details about the space we should share with our readers?

Greg Kluge: This location is right off the Schuylkill River Trail and Lock 60, so we will have docks for kayaks and canoes. Beer fans can pull right up to us for a bite to eat and beer or grab a 4 pack to go. We will also have bike racks for those coming off the Schuylkill River Trail. In addition, we will also have live entertainment at the location as well.

For more updates on this space, make sure to follow RebelHillBrewing on Instagram, as well as Lock29MontClare. Breweries In PA will bring you a closer look once they are ready to opening!

PHOENIXVILLE, PA — A massive new passenger rail proposal that would link New York City with Philadelphia and the Route 422 corridor in southeastern Pennsylvania out to Reading is taking shape. Gov. Tom Wolf is working with Amtrak officials to help realize the project, which has gone through countless iterations over the past several decades.

Officials are hopeful the rail, which would make three daily round trips between Reading, Philadelphia, and New York, would be a boon to the regional economy and improve growing traffic concerns on the Route 422 corridor.

"Amtrak is ready to do its part and has created a forward-looking vision for train service throughout the northeast," Gov. Wolf said. "A vision that is good for jobs, good for the economy, and good for the climate."

Eight of the proposed 16 stops on the route are in southeastern Pennsylvania. From New York's Penn Station, the route would progress through several stations in North Jersey to Trenton, then proceed to existing stations at Cornwall Heights in Bucks County, North Philadelphia, and 30th Street Station, before hitting new stops in Norristown, King of Prussia, Phoenixville, Pottstown, and Reading (a full list of station stops is included below).

Amtrak Has Been Aboard The Philly-To-Reading Train

Find out what's happening in Phoenixvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Amtrak made the proposal to bring back rail service long before the recent conference. In a statement of its vision, Amtrak said it was ready to invest in the proposed new stations.

"Reading and Philadelphia are only 60 miles apart but the destinations have not been connected by passenger rail service since 1981," Amtrak noted in support of its proposal. "The proposed route will add frequencies along the Northeast Corridor between New York City and Philadelphia and connect Reading to Philadelphia with five stops on the corridor."

Amtrak also pointed out how the additions would drive local economies, bringing $54 million annually. The new route would connect over a dozen universities and over fifty Fortune 500 companies and connect to services on the Northeast Corridor, Amtrak's national network, SEPTA, Metro-North, Long Island Rail Road, and New Jersey Transit. These new rail connections would improve mobility for underserved communities and provide reliable and efficient transportation to education and employment opportunities in the region, Amtrak's statement said.

Amtrak's reasons for a route into Berks County begin with Reading's population growth of over 15 percent in the past two decades. The Greater Reading population is over 700,000 residents, making it the fifth-largest metro in the state of Pennsylvania. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, since 2000, Reading has added 35,000 new jobs to the economy. New York City and Philadelphia have added 750,000 jobs and 100,000 jobs in the same period, respectively, according to Amtrak's proposal.

Another big piece of Amtrak's proposal is the environment. As the New York – Philadelphia - Reading corridor continues to grow, the need also grows for more sustainable transportation alternatives.

"Due to the short distance, there are few alternatives to driving between the cities, leading to traffic congestion on Interstate 76 between Philadelphia and Reading and on Interstate 95 between Philadelphia and New York City. In early 2020, Philadelphia reported the worst traffic congestion in its history," Amtrak said.

Amtrak reporters over 250,000 people commute into Philadelphia each day. According to IRNX’s 2020 study, the average Philadelphian lost 94 hours, in 2020 alone, sitting in traffic, costing over $1,300 a year in fuel expenses.

All Proposed Station Stops

University Connections

A New York to Philadelphia to Reading Amtrak service would create new connections between major metropolitan cities, medium-sized cities, and colleges and universities, Amtrak pointed out. Students, their families, faculty, and staff could avoid traffic between destinations and likely find greater productivity or relaxation while they travel, Amtrak said.

Colleges and universities served by the New York – Philadelphia - Reading corridor include:

Amtrak executives joined the governor on Sept. 10 to go over the newly released Amtrak vision for the Northeast Corridor and the proposed enhancements to Pennsylvania’s transportation infrastructure.

In the recent conference were Amtrak President Stephen Gardner, Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn, U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright (PA-8th), Allentown Deputy Mayor Leonard Lightner, Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti, and Jim Gerlach, Greater Reading Chamber Alliance President and CEO.

Cartwright, from the Scranton area, serves on the U.S. House Appropriations Committee and is the chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee for Commerce, Justice, and Science, where he oversees more than $70 billion in annual federal spending. He is also the Vice-Chair of the Financial Services & General Government Appropriations Subcommittee.

Wolf expressed a hopeful attitude that state and federal efforts can make the changes needed to meet transportation needs. "With federal leaders at the helm who understand the importance of investing in the future of our country's transportation infrastructure, we have an opportunity before us to build a transportation system that will meet the needs of the 21st century."

Amtrak currently runs two commonwealth-supported routes in Pennsylvania: Keystone and Pennsylvanian. In fiscal year 2019, there were 1.8 million riders between these routes. Amtrak's Northeast Corridor vision proposes three new services in Pennsylvania. Amtrak estimates there would be 1.3 million riders annually by 2035, with the services contributing $200 million in annual economic impact and $6 billion in incremental economic activity from capital investments, based on a projected capital investment needed of $2,700 million.

"Amtrak's plan for expansion will improve equity, accessibility, and reliability in transportation and that’s exactly what our commonwealth needs to continue growing and thriving," said Wolf.

The Governor said, "We need state-level transportation solutions to match this federal leadership so we can build and sustain this vision. I am pleased to support this plan which would expand services to many more Pennsylvanians, strengthen local businesses, the regional economy, and the commonwealth as a whole."

Amtrak's Other Expansions and Changes

The proposal calls for three new service lines and expansion of two existing services:

Nationwide, Amtrak’s vision proposes key improvements on 25 existing routes, adding 39 new routes, and bringing service to more than 160 new communities.

For more information on Amtrak and their proposed enhancements, visit their website here. Information on how Pennsylvania has invested and continues to invest in its existing passenger rail services is on its Plan the Keystone site.

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Those who have lived in the Port Providence neighborhood the longest say they have never seen anything like it.

A community in Phoenixville is still in the dark, one week after the remnants of Hurricane Ida resulted in unprecedented flooding

PHOENIXVILLE, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- A community in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania is still in the dark, one week after the remnants of Hurricane Ida resulted in unprecedented flooding.

People who live in the Port Providence neighborhood along the Schuylkill River Trail are still assessing the tremendous amount of damage done during last week's torrential storm.

Those who have lived here the longest say they have never seen anything like it.

"We had more water here they say that anybody who was here long enough to remember Agnes in the early 70s. Some stats are saying the highest water since 1854," said Chuck Petersheim.

RELATED: Gov. Wolf requests President Biden declare major disaster in Pennsylvania after storms

One week later, most homes remain without power.

For those who rely on their wells, there is no running water either. Then you have the tremendous amount of damage left behind.

Still, as so often happens after a disaster, people from inside and outside the community have done whatever they can to help.

"Everyone has been pitching in. Everyone who's been affected, or not affected, they have been delivering things to the old Mont Clare firehouse," said Andrew Rothfield, whose house was also flooded out.

The potential for severe storms in the forecast Wednesday night was another blow to a neighborhood that's already down.

The worst part is that the people hurt the most by all of this are members of the older generation.

"Most of the people in that neighborhood do not have flood insurance because they did not have a mortgage," Rothman said. "People have lived there for years, most of them have lost everything."

RELATED: Clothing warehouse in need of donations after severe flooding

Officials from PECO say they are waiting for inspections to be completed before they can safely restore power.

Officials there say it will be a few more days at the very least.