By Patty Scoboria Clark
Photos courtesy of Easter Seals Eastern PA
I was fortunate to have a career as a singer-songwriter for more than 10 years in Pennsylvania, and I lived and performed in Berks County for many of those years. I have been asked many times if I miss the life I used to lead: singing, performing and connecting with audiences. In response, I describe the natural high that I feel after a productive speech therapy session with a young child, when I have the privilege of helping to facilitate something as important as a first word, a jump from one to two- or three-word sentences, a communication breakthrough utilizing sign language or picture exchange, or any step, big or small, in that child’s speech and language development. For me, nothing quite compares to a job that allows me to make a difference in the life of a child. And Easter Seals Eastern Pennsylvania (ESEP) is the perfect place to do just that.
Speech-language pathologists are in high demand across many settings: schools, skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, outpatient clinics and home health companies. When my husband and I decided to transition to Berks County from Nashville, one online search quickly revealed the attractive number of potential jobs for a speech therapist in this area. There were many choices for me at that pivotal moment of change. After the interviewing process was completed, I received a call from Sandra Wise, the vice-president of ESEP, and she offered me a full-time position. I chose Easter Seals Eastern PA that day and have never looked back.
It is pretty amazing to be part of an organization with such a rich and proud history of helping children. Easter Seals has been a leading national non-profit provider of services for individuals with disabilities and special needs for almost 90 years. The organization has a nationwide network of more than 450 service sites, and each one is dedicated to providing quality and family-centered services to meet the needs of its community. I work for ESEP, which provides physical, speech, occupational, vision and special education services to more than 3,000 children and young adults in Berks and six surrounding counties. My home base is the Berks Division of ESEP, which has been serving the children and families of Berks County for more than 50 years.
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Love the extra unused tiles turned into coasters on page 31 of our April Issue? You can buy them locally & have them represent you! The ones we used were BCL photographer Heidi Reuter’s – get it – they had a camera! What would you put on yours?
Order them for yourself at
Derriffic Designs ~ Hand- stamped Coasters by Alexa Derr
For more information email DerrifficDesigns@aol.com
Or check them out on Facebook – their page is “Derriffic Designs”
Just remember what your mom used to say, “Use a coaster!”
Everyone – or should I say everything – deserves a second chance, right? We think so and so does Mother Earth. Before you discard everyday items or think that something has a single purpose, think again. Reuse, repurpose and restyle with things you already own and you will be doing something good for the environment and for yourself!
By Amanda Dietrich Zeigler Photos By Heidi Reuter
We had some photos that didn’t fit in our print version so we wanted to share them here. Check them out!
Stuff EMPTY GROCERY STORE BAGS in an empty tissue box so you have easy, organized access.
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Provided by The Clutter Crew
“Organize your best life at home and work!”
www.thecluttercrew.com • 610-777-9640 • vali@thecluttercrew.com
Getting rid of clutter? The solution: Donate It, Barter It, Sell It, or Recycle It. This practice is known as Green Organizing: emphasizing the environmentally-friendly
principles of “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repurpose, and Remix”. The following list is for residents of Berks County, Pennsylvania and neighboring counties.
DONATE IT: Donate clothing, home décor, & housewares. Ask for a receipt for your taxes.
Berks Women in Crisis
645 Penn Street, 2nd Floor, Reading, 610-373-1206; call for current needs
www.berkswomenincrisis.org
Ephrata Re-Uzit Thrift Shop
20-22 East Main Street, Ephrata, 717-733-4982, M-Th: 9-5, F: 9-8, Sat: 9-4
Ephrata Re-Uzit (Mennonite) Furniture Shop & Booksavers
1054 S. State Street, Ephrata, 717-733-4934, M-Th: 9-5, F: 9-8, & Sat. 9-3
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You could call Alf and Neige faithful friends of the court.
That’s because Alf, a 9-year-old English bull terrier named after the outer space TV character, and Neige, a 4-year-old white German shepherd whose name means snow in French, are “on the staff” of their masters, Attorney Warren Prince, and his wife, Jan, a paralegal. Warren and Jan operate a large general practice law firm from a magnificently restored stone barn on their six-acre farm in Washington Township.
The barn is the headquarters of Prince Law Offices, P.C., which also has locations in Reading, Allentown, Camp Hill, Lancaster, Exton, North Wales, Lebanon and Pottstown. Jan says they moved into the barn in 1985 and finished and restored it in three major stages as money became available. Their son, Josh, is the fourth generation of Prince attorneys.
Alf and Neige report to work every day. Their job is to meet and greet clients who come to the Bechtelsville offices. And clients often insist that the two accompany Warren when he makes home visits. One of the services they offer their clients is how to establish a pet trust.
Jan said she and Warren have always had dogs, usually two because it’s good for both.
“They are well-behaved, but don’t shy away from handing out plenty of affection,” says Jan. “Our staff treats them well and I think, actually, Alf and Neige train the staff. I don’t think we could not have dogs.”
The Princes have owned several English bull terriers like Alf. They have had both dogs since they were puppies. Jan said they are “comedians,” but very smart and loyal like Neige and other German shepherds. “I think Alf would make a very good therapy dog,” says Jan.
Warren, who even had a dog when he attended law school at Dickinson, added that bull terriers are very fast, especially over the first 30 yards. “Alf loves to run the length of the farm and chase the Harleys.”
“Clients even bring treats to our office,” says Warren. “Alf, who is the alpha dog here, and Neige now expect them. Both dogs also make morning and afternoon runs around the office to beg for treats from their co-employees!”
Prince Law Offices, P.C.
Headquarters:
646 Lenape Rd., Bechtelsville
610.365.7033 or 877.860.5135
Also locations in: Allentown, Camp Hill, Lancaster, Exton, North Wales, Lebanon, Pottstown and Reading.
www.princelaw.com
Article & Photos by Alan Shirk
For some pet lovers the occasional “take your pet to work day” has turned into an oath to put your pet to work. Robbie Metzler, owner of 61 Brew Thru, Leesport, brings his dog, Riley, to work every day.
At the store, Riley has become an official employee. “Riley greets every employee and then he hangs out with them,” says Metzler.
The store has been open for five and a half years and Riley has been working for three years. As customers walk into the store, the 3-year-old excitedly jumps up from his chair and greets each customer.
Riley has been coming to work since he was saved from a shelter at 6-months-old. “This is his second home,” says Metzler.
Riley has become very comfortable in his work position. The dog has a his own chair behind the counter and makes sure to divvy up his time between snacks and greeting people. “A lot of the time people don’t realize he is even here,” says Metzler. “Most people love him.”
Riley’s attitude at work is what makes him a perfect employee. “He is really chilled and relaxed,” says Metzler. Riley usually hangs out in his chair chewing on a bone or taking a nap.
However, the pup has earned more than an employee slot at the store; his presence has gained him a celebrity status with the frequent customers. “People bring him treats and all the kids come in and run around and play with him,” says Metzler. “He’s like our mascot.”
The 61 Brew Thru is a business with a sense of community. Family owned, this shop has lots of regular customers. Riley is one unique element of the business that people talk about.
“When people hear about our store, they say ‘That’s the one with the dog right?’ ” says Metzler. Stop by 61 Brew Thru and meet Riley, beloved pet and employee. You won’t miss him, because he never misses a day of work.
61 Brew Thru
5479 Pottsville Pike (Route 61), Leesport | 610.296.7785
Look for them on Facebook
Article & Photo by Josh Austin
Kim Updegraff, owner, a graduate of Gov. Mifflin High School, earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Bloomsburg University, an MBA from Penn State, and interior design certification from Temple University, Philadelphia. Kim worked for US Airways and Penske Logistics before deciding to follow her passion for window treatments. She is a board and national member of the Southeastern PA Chapter of Window Coverings Association of America.
Dee McCarty, interior designer, has 17 years experience in the industry. She has a bachelor’s degree in business and art from Eastern University, St. Davids, and an interior design certification from Sheffield School of Interior Design, NYC.
Isabel Heimark, interior designer, has an interior designer degree from Harcum College, Bryn Mawr. She specializes in space planning, renovations, additions and reconfigurations.
John Ross II, interior designer, specializes in historic preservation. He was awarded the Historic Preservation Award for work at Hibernia Mansion and Hibernia Park in Chester County.
Dan Wagner, certified window treatment installer, has been in the industry for nine years. He is the former owner of V2K Window Décor & More, Lancaster.
Lori Yoder, advanced window covering professional, has been making custom window treatments since 2003. She attended the Custom Home Furnishings Academy in North Carolina, where she received career professional certifications in advanced window treatments.
Shade Tree Interiors
29 Hardwood Lane, Mohnton | 610.777.7288
ShadeTreeInteriors.com
