Kroll has senior management experience that spans over twenty-five years.  He has formerly served as Vice President, Sovereign Bank, Philadelphia, PA; Senior Vice President and Regional Executive, Omni National Bank, Plymouth Meeting, PA; Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer, Allegiance Bank of North America, Bala Cynwyd, PA; Vice President and Senior Lender, Commerce Bank, Philadelphia, PA; Senior Vice President, Royal Bank of Pennsylvania, Narberth, PA; Assistant Vice President, Colonial National Bank, Wilmington, DE; Associate Manager, Beneficial Finance Company, West Chester, PA; and Sergeant in the United States Air Force.

A resident of Wayne, Kroll is a graduate of Eastern College, St. Davids, Pennsylvania where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management and received the Distinguished Honors Award.  In addition, he graduated with Distinction from ABA’s Stonier Graduate School of Banking.

The Victory Bank is a locally owned and operated commercial bank headquartered in Limerick, Pennsylvania.  The bank was founded to optimize the financial lives of businesses, professionals, and consumers.  For more information, call 610.948.9000 or visit www.thevictorybank.com.  Member FDIC.

The $1.04 million raised for the renovations were in part thanks to CJ’s three years of participation in the Philadelphia Eagles’ “Tackling Breast Cancer” campaign. In continued support of breast cancer research, CJ’s has sold more than 2,000 pink bracelets this October, with proceeds going to the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital’s Breast Care Center.

“We’re very proud to be receiving this honorable recognition,” said Paul Levengood, owner of CJ’s Tire. “Along with our continued support of breast cancer research, we raise funds yearly for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Alex’s Lemonade Stand, Toys for Tots and Trick or Treat for Unicef.”

The Jefferson Breast Care Center provides a comprehensive treatment experience, including surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, radiology, pathology risk assessment/genetics, social work and a breast care navigator.

About CJ’s Tire

Headquartered in Birdsboro, Pa., CJ’s Tire & Automotive Services is a family-owned and operated company with 12 retail locations throughout southeastern Pennsylvania. In 2011, CJ’s celebrated its 40th anniversary and continues to combine a high-level of name-brand product lines with an even higher level of customer service and satisfaction.  For more information, visit www.cjtire.com or contact Heather Zabicki at 610-404-0224 ext. 142.

Sunday, Sept. 18, 2011 from noon to 4 p.m.

100 Block of High Street, Pottstown in front of Borough Hall

Expanded wine and beer garden this year! Over 4,000 attended last year.

Featuring 3 live bands, crafters and a clown for children of all ages.

Corporate Sponsorship Form

Forms for Restaurants: Please click on the form and print it out. Completed forms should be mailed to: Carousel at Pottstown, P.O. Box 1097, Pottstown, PA 19464

Food License Application and Instructions

Welcome letter

Menu Request Form

If you have any questions regarding the Carousel of Flavor, please contact the Chairpersons:

Jill Burbank (610) 970-0624 or email CarouselofFlavor@hotmail.com

The proclamation authorizes state agencies to use all available resources and personnel as necessary to cope with this emergency situation.

Corbett issued the disaster proclamation this morning after meeting with Glenn Cannon, director of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, and other emergency officials at their headquarters in Harrisburg.
“We are urging all Pennsylvanians to take action now to be prepared,’’ Corbett said. “We will continue to monitor this changing situation statewide and plan for all possible emergencies. Should the need arise, we will be able to help as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

Citizens can find a full list of helpful suggestions on how to plan for an emergency by visiting the state’s preparedness website, www.ReadyPA.org, or by calling 1-888-9-READY-PA.

The state’s Emergency Operations Center has been monitoring conditions statewide, as well as communicating with other states and federal officials, to assess conditions and coordinate any response necessary to support Pennsylvania’s counties and municipalities in the affected areas.

The latest weather forecasts predict that the eastern portion of the state will bear the brunt of the storm with heavy rains of up to 10 inches, and strong winds gusting to 60 mph or more. The combination of wind and rain could result in downed trees and utility lines, possibly resulting in extensive power outages and flash flooding.

In addition, state emergency officials are in communication with multiple state agencies, including the state departments of Transportation, Health, Public Welfare, General Services, State Police, Pennsylvania National Guard, Turnpike Commission, Public Utility Commission and the American Red Cross, to make sure supplies and personnel are ready if needed.

Individuals needing assistance should call their local municipal emergency management office in the “Blue Pages” section of the phone book or, if they have an emergency, should call 911 immediately. Never call 911 to request or report road conditions. When calling 911 to report an emergency, it is critical for callers to stay on the line, even if for an extended series of rings, until the operator answers.

Motorists can check road conditions on state roads by calling 511 or visiting www.511PA.com. Available 24 hours a day, the number provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, average traffic speeds on urban interstates and access to more than 500 traffic cameras. Regional Twitter alerts are also available on the 511PA website.

In the most recent Back-to-School Shopping Forecast survey from PriceGrabber, 95 percent of shoppers will be using money-saving techniques to get school supplies this year. The survey also found that:
* 69 percent will shop online or use comparison shopping websites.
* 52 percent plan to spend as much as they did last year, while 35 percent say they’ll spend less.
* 55 percent will spread the cost of purchases over a longer period of time.

When you’re ready to stock up on backpacks, notebooks and an endless supply of pens, use these tips to help you be a smart back-to-school shopper:

S – Streamline your shopping.
* Instead of driving all over town to get what you need, get as much as you can at one-stop-shops such as Office Depot. Picking up school supplies and classroom supplies – such as tissues, disinfectant wipes, etc. – saves you time and hassle. And it keeps you out of frustrating traffic.
* Check the store’s website before you go – make sure it will have the supplies you need so you don’t waste time looking for something that’s not there. If what you need isn’t in-store, consider ordering online.

M – Make a list.
* Work with your child to craft your shopping list before hitting the stores.
* Many retailers work with local PTAs and school districts to secure back-to-school shopping lists, making it easy to find exactly what your child needs.
* Take an extra pen with you and have your child check off supplies as you get them.

A – Ads and alerts.
* To help you save money, pay attention to the weekly ad inserts in your local newspaper. Combining sale prices with coupons saves you even more. Keep an eye out for super savings, such as Office Depot’s Penny Savers, when you can find many core supplies on sale for just a penny.
* You can also sign up for special deal alerts through retailers’ websites and Facebook pages, giving you the scoop on extra savings.
* If you want to avoid overfilling your email inbox, set up a separate email account just for retail alerts.

R – Rewards and rebates.
* Many retailers have rewards programs that let you in on extra savings.
* Some retailers also have programs that help you earn school supplies for your school. For example, during the back to school season, parents and teachers can give back to communities through Office Depot’s “5% Back to Schools” program, in which 5 percent of purchases goes, in the form of a credit, to a designated school to use towards supplies.
* To take advantage of rebates, check manufacturer websites as well as retailer websites for the latest ways to get money back.

T – Technology tips.
* Keep your computers up to date with the latest virus and malware protection.
* If your child will be doing online research for homework, you can put some parental controls in place to protect your child – check out Google SafeSearch, AOL Parent Controls or ATT Smart Controls, or with your current Internet provider.
* You can see user and professional reviews of parental control software at www.consumersearch.com.

Taking a little time to do your homework now will help you save time and money on school supplies when you’re ready to start shopping. To get the latest in back-to-school savings, visit www.officedepot.com.

“Physicians Care and Independence Blue Cross have been working diligently on this contract to offer the beneficiaries of the plan options in the 422 Corridor,” says David W. Orskey, MSHS, administrator at Physicians Care Surgical Hospital. “We provide the highest quality care in a new hospital where our focus is on our patients and their outcomes. This is a win for the residents of Montgomery, Chester, and Berks Counties that we serve.”

Physicians Care Surgical Hospital, located at 454 Enterprise Drive, is currently booking patients for August appointments. The hospital offers elective and semi-elective procedures for general surgery, gynecology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, ophthalmology, orthopaedic, Ear, Nose and Throat, urology, and pain management specialties.

“Everyone at Physicians Care Surgical Hospital is excited to now have an in-network contractual agreement with Independence Blue Cross,” says Frederic E. Liss, MD, chairman and medical director of Physicians Care Surgical Hospital. “Our sole focus on surgical care has enabled us to provide the safest, most efficient, highest patient satisfaction, lowest cost inpatient and outpatient surgical care available. Physicians Care Surgical Hospital’s formal relationship with Independence Blue Cross reflects these mutual values and makes this type of superior surgical care accessible to many more people in our region.”

Independence Blue Cross has 2.4 million members in the local area and is an independent licensee of the national Blue Cross & Blue Shield Association, which offers 41 member plans and provides coverage to 88 billion members.

About Physicians Care Surgical Hospital

Physicians Care Surgical Hospital was established in October 2010 by local physicians and Nueterra Holdings, a Leawood, Kansas-based healthcare company. The 30,000-sq-ft facility features five fully equipped operating rooms with the latest medical instrumentation and 12 inpatient beds for post-operative care. For more information about Physicians Care Surgical Hospital, please visit the hospital’s website at www.phycarehospital.com More information on Nueterra Healthcare is available at www.nueterra.com or by contacting Jennifer Fox at jfox@nueterra.com or (913) 387-0615.

The building has been renovated and is opening for business this month.  This building will help the PCRC continue to “give a hand up, not a hand out”, and expand many of their services to the community.

Pictured left to right:  Chamber Ambassador Hanna Hartman; Chamber Ambassador Adele Klein; Executive Director Barbara Wilhelmy; Board President George Bell; Chaplain Gary Pace; Board Member Allan Altschull; Chamber Ambassadors Tim Forester, Janet Flack and Betsy Chapman.

Several years of extensive planning and fundraising have paid off for the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities, as the organization recently moved into its newly renovated North Franklin Street location.

Now, they’re ready to show the community what’s been accomplished.

Opening their door to clients Tuesday morning, Cluster officials celebrated the culmination of construction at their larger 57 N. Franklin St. location, moving out of their longtime community support site a few blocks away at 137 Walnut St.

“We are tremendously happy over the accomplishments of this milestone. This facility is large enough that our clients will no longer have to wait outside in the elements and allows us to offer them a less demeaning way to shop for the items they truly need,” Cluster Executive Director Barbara Wilhelmy said. “We are extremely thankful to all in the community that assisted us in making this possible.”

Allan N. Altschull, vice president of the board and chairman of the capital campaign, said the Cluster has been operating out of the Walnut Street location for “many years,” with the board of directors waiting to move into to a new facility approximately 15 years ago to keep up with the community’s needs and desires.

“For 15 years, the board was looking for a building that would better serve the community,” Altschull said.

Altschull explained that the former location was “small and cramped,” only able to accommodate approximately seven clients at a time in less than private conditions.

Besides the interior surroundings, Altschull added that those waiting outside were exposed to the weather elements, whether it was rain, snow or other extreme conditions.

“It was really, really overloaded,” he said. “It just wasn’t functional, it just wasn’t.”

The Cluster explored moving into a larger facility to better serve the community’s needs, and in January 2010, Altschull said the group purchased the former American Legion building, which needed substantial repairs.

“We immediately started to begin renovations,” he said.

Through a $1 million capital campaign, the Cluster was able to open the new larger building, which will better assist clients and provide more privacy, Altschull said.

But all of this would not have been possible without the assistance of the Pottstown area.

“It was because of the generosity of the community,” he said. “People have been very kind.”

The fundraising total currently stands at $930,000 and officials hope to raise the remaining $70,000 by the end of the month.

George Bell, president of the Cluster board of directors, said the opening of the building is important to the Cluster because it allows the organization to concentrate on the next portion of its strategic plan.

“Over the next two to three years, we will research and develop programs, partnerships and referral processes that will enable us to assist interested clines in becoming self-sufficient,” Bell said.

The bank initiative recognizes customers of the community office who have made contributions to the community through work and civic engagement.

Firing, a 30-year employee at Lebow Furniture, is very active in the community and serves as a volunteer firefighter – assisting with directing traffic at accident scenes – at the Humane Fire Company of Royersford and the Friendship Fire Company.

He is also a current member of the Free and Accepted Masons Lodge No. 585 of Royersford and a member of the Royersford Area Community Chest, where he volunteers his time to help raise money for local scouting programs.

“We feel it’s important to recognize and support the ongoing commitments of our customers, like Mr. Firing, who are devoted to making our community a better place to live,” said Tom Spann, manager of National Penn’s Royersford branch. “He’s very worthy of this recognition and we’re proud to have him as a customer.”

About National Penn Bancshares, Inc.:

National Penn Bancshares, Inc. (NPBC) embraces its responsibilities as a corporate citizen and supports the important role nonprofit organizations play in our communities.

The organizations that National Penn’s corporate contributions program supports cover a wide variety of needs and interests with contributions in the following areas: civic, culture and the arts, education, health and human services, and community development.

National Penn recently announced a new partnership with the American Cancer Society and its support of the Daffodil Days fundraiser. Money raised during this springtime event is used to provide services for the society’s ongoing efforts in cancer research, community education, and advocacy programs.

National Penn’s People Helping People Campaign, which just concluded its 23rd year, works with a number of organizations such as the Children’s Home of Reading, Open Door Ministries, Pocono Area Transitional Housing, and Berks Women in Crisis to help area individuals who are less fortunate.

National Penn is also committed to its communities through volunteerism and encourages employees to actively serve the communities in which they live and work. For more information on National Penn, please visit our Web site at www.nationalpennbancshares.com

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The bank initiative recognizes customers of the community office who have made contributions to the community through work and civic engagement.

In addition to practicing corporate law, Koury contributes much of his time to numerous organizations that help to strengthen the area’s economy.

Koury is a past president, a past board member and current solicitor for the Pottstown Area Industrial Development Corporation; board member of the Montgomery County Community College Foundation; past board member and current solicitor of the Visiting Nurse Association; board member and past president of the Schuylkill River Greenway Association; and he is involved in various other organizations and non-profit entities.

“It’s an honor to be recognized by National Penn Bank for contributing to the area in which I was born and raised,” said Koury. “There is much concern in Pottstown over its economic vitality. There has been a steady decline in jobs and many downtown stores are now competing with malls for business. I’m proud to be a part of organizations that help to promote growth and prosperity in our area.”

O’Donnell, Weiss & Mattei, P.C., located at 41 High Street, is committed to supporting the communities in which it does business. The firm provides professional services, at no fee or reduced fee, and financial support to many public service and charitable groups, organizations, and activities.

About National Penn Bancshares, Inc.

National Penn Bancshares, Inc., with approximately $9 billion in assets, is a bank holding company based in Pennsylvania.  Headquartered in Boyertown, National Penn operates 124 community banking offices in Pennsylvania and one office in Maryland through National Penn Bank and its HomeTowne Heritage Bank, KNBT and Nittany Bank divisions.

National Penn’s financial services affiliates consist of National Penn Wealth Management, N.A., including its National Penn Investors Trust Company division; National Penn Capital Advisors, Inc.; Institutional Advisors LLC; National Penn Insurance Services Group, Inc., including its Higgins Insurance division; and Caruso Benefits Group, Inc.

National Penn Bancshares, Inc. common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol “NPBC”. Please visit our Web site at www.nationalpennbancshares.com to see our regularly posted material information.

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In his new role, Gardner will report to Site Vice President Bill Maguire and be responsible for oversight of the day-to-day operational activities at the plant.

Gardner has more than 28 years experience at Exelon and Limerick Generating Station. Before taking on the position of Operations Director, he held the roles of Engineering Manager, Manager of Operations Services, Shift Manager, and Operations Supervisor at Limerick, and held a Senior Reactor Operator License there as well. Gardner earned an MBA from St. Joseph’s University, and a bachelor of science in engineering from Widener University. He lives in Gilbertsville, Pa., with his family.

“It gives me great pleasure to announce a leadership change within the organization, as it demonstrates the wealth of talent we have here at Limerick” Maguire said. “I am confident Pete will continue to make outstanding contributions to the team’s leadership and oversight, and I look forward to partnering with him to ensure the plant’s ongoing excellent performance in safety and reliability.”