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The IncomingPresident’s ReportChris Zeliznak

When I moved to this area I was exposed to a different way of thinking. Coming from Phila-delphia, where there are so many people and so much development, I felt like I had traveled back to a different time. I immediately found myself gravitating to the Schuylkill Canal Park. Every time I came to the park, I encountered friendly, relaxed people who enjoyed the area. When I realized that most of these people belonged to the Schuylkill Canal Association, I felt compelled to join because they understood the relationship between the quality of their life in the area and the Schuylkill Canal Park. As I became more involved with the Association, the same people who welcomed me to the park the first time have become close friends who share a common goal: to preserve and enhance the Schuylkill Canal Park and Lock 60. Since then, my level of effort and willing-ness to volunteer time to this excellent organi-zation have increased for the same reason. I want to help enhance what is a vibrant part of the community.

However, as Tony stated in his address, change is the only constant. The Schuylkill Canal Association has accomplished a signifi-cant amount in the restoration and enhance-ment of the Schuylkill Canal Park and Lock 60 in 24 years. But it appears that right now may be the most challenging time that the SCA has ever experienced. With the significant devel-opment in the area and the bicyclists, runners, and boaters who will be using the Schuylkill River Trail when it is completed, demands on

Spring 2006400 Towpath Road PO Box 966

Oaks, PA 19456

www.schuylkillcanal.comTel. 610-917-0021Fax. 610-917-8030

The Out-going President’s ReportTony Geyelin

Maybe it’s the shift in seasons, or the birthday I’ve recently “celebrated”, but change is on my mind. One reality that still surprises me is how much change is a part of the routine of our lives. The phenomenon of consistent change is certainly applicable to the Schuylkill Canal Association.

Pam Snow is assisting Executive Direc-tor Betsy Daley on a part-time basis discharging the myriad tasks that accom-pany the Association’s responsibilities in the areas of maintenance, fundrais-ing, capital improvements, community outreach, etc. Those of you who have driven along Egypt Road between Mont Clare and Oaks at any point in the last several months (to cite just one of many examples on both sides of the Schuylkill River) cannot help but have noticed how the population and character of the com-munity around the canal is changing. As our changing surroundings become more urban the use of the canal recreational area and the demands upon the Schuylkill Canal Association will increase markedly.

While change as a concept is a certainty, the forms it takes can be unpredict-able. The best way I know to handle the changes we can’t foresee is to prepare as well as we can for those we know are coming.

In the case of the Schuylkill Canal As-sociation, we know the next few years

will see a significant increase in the number of visitors to the canal area. Here are three changes I would like to see the Association undertake to prepare for this reality:

�.The Board needs to expand in number and expertise. We have wonderful, committed volunteers. We need more, especially those with financial and fundraising skills.2. Canal Day, our biggest fundraiser, needs to be fine-tuned. While it remains a financial success, largely due to the generosity of our business sponsors, attendance was down in 2005. It could have been the op-pressive heat of the day, but some of the energy of prior events seemed lacking, at least to me. This year let’s consolidate all the events in the field between the canal and the river right below Lock 60.3. Those of you who have yet to respond to the Association’s an-nual giving request need to do so now, with as much of an additional contribution as circumstances permit. While the Association accomplishes tremendous things with volunteer effort, its programmatic, promotional and necessary administrative re-sponsibilities deserve adequate and expanded funding.

On a personal note, this is my last column. 2006 has brought a change

Schuylkill Canal News

Chris Zeliznak, SCA’s newly elected president, volun-teering his time as a locktender on Canal Day 2005

continued page 7

Hikers of all ages enjoyed a sun-filled autumn afternoon walking along the upper towpath leading to Black Rock Dam and the trail to Upper Schuylkill Valley Park.

continued page 7

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Our Mission The Schuylkill Canal Association’s mission is to pre-serve, maintain and appropriately restore the Schuylkill Canal and its surrounding lands and man-made structures; to encourage wide public use of the area and an appreciation of its natural en-vironment; to seek ways to further general education in the area’s history; to provide facilities and enhanced settings for various kinds of passive recreation; to seek support of individuals and private organizations, and of lo-cal, regional, state and federal governments, to achieve these goals; and to solicit, receive and expend funds for such pur-poses.

continued page 7

SCA has a New Brochure SCA’s bright new four-color brochure highlights the many recreational and community activities our canal area offers. It includes a vivid regional map which not only tells would-be visitors how to get there, but all the things there are to do once there. Copies are available in the kiosk at Lock 60.

The Executive Director’s ReportBetsy Daley

SchuylkillCanalAssociation

Change is a common thread that is weav-ing through all that SCA is involved with these days.

Tony Geyelin, SCA’s outgoing president, has coined it very well by saying, “change is a part of the routine of our lives.” The change created by the completion of the Lock 60 restoration has been phenome-nal. Many more people are coming to get a glimpse of the only restored lock within the Schuylkill River Valley. They stop in to the Locktender’s House to say hello and congratulate us on what a great job has been done and give us encouragement to keep it up. Usually during the colder months the park is quiet. This winter people are still coming to use the park for all its recreational amenities: canoeists and kayakers are out paddling the 5-mile water trail loop and our frequent walkers are taking advantage of the nicer winter weather to get their 2 to 3 miles in daily. It is unusual if I don’t see Joe and Andy walking along Towpath Road every day. I have seen an increase in dog walkers and more and more I see a greater number of bicyclists, who enjoy pedaling to the lock area, get off their bikes for a rest and then get on their way again. Change was a constant last year and it continues into this New Year. Tony has stepped down after four years at the helm; Chris Zeliznak, or “Cochise” as he likes to be called, has taken over the reins. Graciously Tony has agreed to stay on as the Secretary of the Board and to help guide Chris in his new position. SCA hired an additional staff person, Pamela Snow, who helps out in the office for 10 hours a week. She started in October and immediately brought the membership data base up-to-date. She did a great job and kept on top of getting the “thank you” out to those of you who generously respond-ed to our recent annual giving campaign. Pam works on Monday and Thursday

mornings and just having her here to keep me company has been a wonderful change. But change is about to happen again, Pam will be leaving the first of March for another position. Even though SCA will be filling her position with another part-time assistant as soon as we can I will miss her.

Another change that has been a long-time coming is the “new and improved” SCA brochure. It has been totally revamped, with current-day pictures, information and map-ping included, and provides a good sense of what is available to see and do along the ca-nal. It is bright and colorful and was included with each member’s renewal request back in November. But if you haven’t seen it yet just give me a call and I will send one right out to you. Also recently changed is our website, www.schuylkillcanal.com. You can now take a virtual tour starting at Black Rock Dam at the head of the canal to its end in Port Provi-dence. It includes known areas along the canal and even points out where the portage is both on the river and the canal. Another added feature is an animated display on how a lock works. Just by the click of your mouse you can see a demonstration on how a canal boat navigates through a lock.

Change can be hard to deal with at times but it is necessary if the Association is going to continue to grow. Tony already went into what is needed from the Association’s stand-point. But one change is on the horizon that will shape the future of the Schuylkill Canal Park as well as the entire Upper Providence Township river front. SCA is currently forming a partnership with the Township and Mont-gomery County to permanently preserve areas along the Township’s Schuylkill River frontage as dedicated public open space in perpetuity. A large portion of this area is the Schuylkill Canal Park. In the months ahead you will hear more about this and will be invited to attend a public forum that will be held in the spring. Look for a press release sometime in March or early April and plan to attend.

StaffExecutive Director

Betsy Daley

Part-time Office AssistantOpen Position

Board of Directors Executive Board

President Chris ZeliznakVice PresidentWayne D. Martin

Treasurer Neal Thorpe Secretary

Anthony A. GeyelinGrounds & Waterways

Dan Daley Newsletter & Marketing

Strickland Kneass

DirectorsBonnie Brzoska

Don FriscoStacy MartellucciKevin McDonnellJohn F. PearsonMark Strzelecki

Emailinfo@schuylkillcanal.com

Web Sitewww.schuylkillcanal.com

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The Treasurer’s ReportNeal Thorpe

I’m pleased to report that The Schuylkill Canal Association is in sound financial condition. Prelimi-nary figures for the year 2005 show cash-flow receipts of $102, 292.10 and expenses of $103,811.42. This represents a relatively small deficit of $1,519.32, but SCA advanced some operating funds to several grant-sup-ported capital projects, and will soon be reimbursed for this expense by the grantors.

Thanks to our generous supporters and to the prudent management of the Board of Directors and Executive Di-rector Betsy Daley, SCA has dealt with several years of tremendous growth. We acquired a one-person staff, have taken excellent care of extensive grounds, maintained an impressive schedule of community events, and met all new expenses.

A yearly financial statement is required by law to be filed with the state’s Bureau of Charitable Organizations. Our preliminary figures are reviewed and a tax return with final figures are prepared and sent to BOC by our au-ditors, Maillie, Falconiero & Company, LLP. Any SCA member is free to look at our books by making arrangements with Betsy Daley.

Meet the Schaeffer’s, Residents of the Locktender’s House, 1907-1972……This brief article and picture is courtesy of Rodney Rhoads, a direct descendent of Charles and Katherine Schaeffer.The Schaeffers family held a reunion at Lock 60 the day it re-opened to navigation. Rod lives in Ohio and has stayed in touch. We thank Rod for sharing a little bit of the family history……

The picture above reflects two generations of the Schaeffer family who resided at Lock 60 from 1907 when they arrived from Reading with two canal boats of home furnishings towed by the Schuylkill Navi-gation Tug “Miriam”. Charles S. Schaeffer and his wife Katherine A. (nee Staller) are shown in foreground in this 1919 Fourth of July photograph.

Their adult children standing in the back row are as follows: From left- David C., Emanuel M., Amanda I. (Mrs. Harry H. Rhoads); Sally A. (Mrs. Elmer E. Freese); Ethel M. (Mrs. Frederick F. Croll); Elmer E., and Thomas F. Schaeffer.

Charles S. Schaffer (the Schaeffer spelling was only used by later descendents) was employed for 54 years by the Schuylkill Navigation from 1865 until just a year prior to this photograph. The canal itself had commercially died by that time and, while the dredges and lock tenders continued to maintain the lower reaches, the end was near for the canal itself. Charles started as a “waterboy” at age �� on the canal and also assisted his father David with his canal boats. He progressed through mule

driver and dredge worker to dredge foreman. He was General Foreman of Dredging on the Lower Reaches of the Schuylkill Navigation at the time of his retirement.

His sons followed him to positions on the canal initially, while it was still a viable opera-tion. Dave became dredge foreman after his father’s retirement; Emanuel (Manny) became Lock tender at Lock 60; Elmer (Ed) worked on his father’s dredges and later became electri-cian at the powerhouse across the canal at Lock 60. Tom chose the railroad and became a machinist in the P&R shops in Reading. The photograph shows a very large flag and bunting hanging from the locktender’s house. This was made at the Dettra Flag Factory in Oaks where the Freese’s had an interest. Ed appears in uniform as he had recently returned from France where he had fought in three campaigns including the Meuse-Ar-gonne , with the Rainbow Division. Note the wound stripe on his sleeve.

Manny was the last resident of the Lock-tender’s House. His sister Ethel (widowed), lived there with him through the early 70’s. Ethel passed away in 1975 and Manny in 1976 thus ending the two generations pic-tured in the photo. They contributed much to the history of the canal and to Lock 60 in particular.

You can read more about the Schaeffer family and what it was like to live and work along the canal and at Lock 60 while it was in operation by visiting the Tri-County Heritage Society’s Library at www.tchslibrary.com.

Joe Manganello & Andy Yanoviak on thier daily walk along the canal

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Dogs are WelcomeNeal Thorpe

As many dog-owners have discovered, the entire canal area is an ideal place for you and your dog to share a good outing. It is safely bounded by two bodies of water, the canal and the river, so that Rover can’t rove very far. But within the site’s limits, Rover’s plate is full. There are bushes galore, miles of towpath and trails, open spaces for stick throwing games, and water for water dogs. The grounds are filled with the fascinating scents of wildlife: groundhogs, rabbits, mice, ducks, geese, other dogs and lots more. If he’s in luck there are the remains of stale white bread and chicken livers on the canal bank.

In the big parking lot above Lock 60 you can find the posted rules covering Upper Providence Township parks. They do NOT say “pets must be leashed.” They say, “Pets must be attended to at all times, cleaned up after and kept under control.”

Well, of course they must! As far as the cleaning up goes, my dog Peter and I visit the upper towpath almost daily, and I have yet to step in a dog’s leavings. Either our dog population is very polite (given the large area, I suspect this is the case) or their owners do pick up. As for the matter of control, yes, I keep my dog in control, but seeing him run free gives both him and me so much pleasure that I am grateful every day that it’s not illegal. Whether you decide to leash your dog or not while visiting boils down to a very simple rule: Know your dog.

My unofficial observation is that those who keep their dogs on a leash are in a slight majority. I presume they prefer this kind of con-trol for a wide variety of reasons, including a wariness of encounters with other dogs and people. On the other hand, some dogs, like Riley, Betsy Daley’s big red golden retriever, greets every person and other dog with bubbling goodwill. To one and all he says, “So happy to see you! May I join you in your walk?” Unleashed, he’s free to spread around his joy. My own dog, Peter, barks furiously at every dog he sees as long as he’s in the car. But once out of the car and walking around, he loses his boldness fast. He’ll run up to another dog for a few obligatory sniffs, but sometimes the other dog doesn’t like it, or his or her owner looks nervous. When I command him to come away he actually seems relieved.

Most of the time he trots around, nose to ground, smelling all the wonderful smells. He climbs into the canal to get a drink, or occasionally to scare up the ducks. If I let him run alongside my car he can get up to 20 mph—tongue out and floppy spaniel ears flying. In short, he has a great time. And so do hundreds of other dogs from around the area.

Is there a down side to any of this? I have yet to see a single dog fight along the towpath. If my experience with Peter is typical, well, yes—if it’s raining he gets muddy. And if he finds a dead fish on the canal bank, he rolls in it. But it’s worth it.

Meet Some Good People – Volunteer.The Association is always looking for volunteers to help with various programs. If you would like to meet some good people and lend a hand check out the list below for the meeting dates and events that might interest you.

Canal Day, SCA’s annual community fundraiser, is a few short months away. It will be held on June 25th this year and is be-ing held entirely on the grounds at Lock 60 with St. Michael’s Park used only for parking. Every available space at Lock 60 will be utilized for all the day’s activities. This is a major change that will require more tents, tables and chairs and other amenities to make the day more comfortable for our visitors.

John Pearson is the co-chair of Canal Day and he is looking for as many volunteers as possible to help. New ideas such as a “Night in Venice” boat parade on the Saturday evening before Canal Day will need greater sponsorship and more volunteers to pull it off.

The Schuylkill River Sojourners are coming through town again the beginning of June; June 7th into June 8th is when they will be joining us. Organizational meetings for Canal Day and the SR Sojourn have already begun and will be held regularly start-ing in March. The meetings are held on Tuesday evenings at 7:30 PM in the Loft at the Fitzwater Station, Port Providence.

The following meeting dates are already scheduled so please plan to attend to help out: March 7th, March 21st and April 4th. Email John your address and he will send reminders and provide future meeting dates to keep you informed. John can be emailed at jpearson@fitzwaterstation.com or call him at 610-935-2750 for more information.

Earth Day Clean Up, 4/22/06 – �0 AM to 3 PM, gather at Lock 60 to help with SCA’s spring cleaning. Bring along work gloves, small hand tools; both shovels and clippers, as the Association prepares the grounds for our annual June events and the sum-mer recreational season ahead. Refreshments and lunch will be provided.

The Schuylkill Canal Association is also looking for talented, qualified volunteers to serve as a Director on SCA’s Board and/or provide your expertise for one of SCA’s working committees. While all qualified candidates will be considered, the Associa-tion is particularly interested in individuals with the following skill sets:

·Development ·Marketing ·Engineering ·Property management/facilities ·Records management/archives ·Education ·Program Development ·Volunteer Coordination

If you would like to get more involved please contact SCA by email at info@schuylkillcanal.com. And please do plan to at-tend one of the board meetings coming up over the next few months; the dates, time and meeting location are listed on SCA’s calendar of events enclosed or on our website at www.schuylkillcanal.com.

Peter, Neal Thorpe’s dog, enjoying his daily run along the towpath at Lock 60

Betsy Daley’s dog, en-joying his daily rump along the canal most likely trying to decide whether to go for a swim or not.

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P/T Office Assistant Open PositionSCA is seeking a person interested in the part-time office assistant position available immediately. The position involves working �0 hours a week in the office, located in the Locktender’s House. Duties include typical office tasks such as maintaining the membership database, filing, internet research and on occasion, staffing programs. The ideal candidate is someone interested in history and enjoys the outdoors. He or she will need to have a working knowl-edge of Microsoft office software and be able to work independently when needed.

Those interested can send SCA their information via email to info@schuylkill-canal.com with “Open Position” in the subject line. College students with their own transportation are encouraged to apply. The salary will be discussed upon request.

Eagle Scout ProjectsTwo Eagle Scout projects were completed last summer. Doug Zeigler and Drew Ward, Eagle Scout Award candidates both from Boy Scout Troop 23�, Royersford; completed joint painting projects at Lock 60 during July and August. They were responsible for coordi-nating the project that involved researching the paint for color and appropriate use for outdoor structures and anti-graffiti purposes. They also scheduled the work and directed the volunteers who provided over 200 hours combined of community service to further enhance the Schuylkill Canal Park and Lock 60 for the entire community. SCA is grateful for the great job they did. Thank you to Doug and Drew and Troop 23� for all your help!

The large group of scouts and parents who participated in the painting of the railing surround-ing the newly restored Lock 60.

Volunteers preparing the gray steel railing for a fresh coat of paint matching the Federal Brown color used on the restored lock.

Doug Zeigler and his family stand-ing on the spillway crosswalk after completing the project. Doug applied white anti- graffiti paint onto the spillway walls eliminating the offensive graffiti creating a much more pleasing appearance.

Just a Kindly Reminder…We Need Your Continued Support!This year the SCA Board of Directors decided to coordinate the membership renewal with the calen-dar year, which is also the Association’s fiscal year period. Annual renewal requests went out the first week of November and members who have sent in their donation are in good standing now for all of 2006. From this point forward, SCA’s membership year will follow the calendar year.

SCA is aware that this renewal request might not have been made at the most opportune time for some of our members; the holidays do put a finan-cial strain on most of us. And this year everyone is being bombarded with requests to help with recovery efforts due to natural disasters all over the world in the latter half of 2005. About a 50% return has been received so far but SCA would like to bring that 2006 number up considerably. A �00% return would be ideal!

If you have not yet sent in your renewal contribution, please do so when you can. SCA accepts dona-tions at any time through the year and all contribu-tions are tax-deductible. You, our members, play an important role, your support is still very much needed right here, close to home. It’s really your dues that preserve our historic canal as a unique recreational and community resource.

The new brochure rack was purchased along with the new bookshelf with a $500 grant provided to participants in the Leadership Academy through PANO - PA Asso-ciation of Non-Profit Organizations. That is where you will find SCA’s new brochure as well as other SCA related materials.

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Many thanks to our members and sponsors, your support makes it all possible. It makes possible our many community programs such as Canal Day, the Music Fest, the Luminaria, the monthly Open House, and our displays and presentations throughout the region. It heats the Locktender’s House and the garage, supplies the Grounds and Waterways Committee with equipment and gas. It equips the office, and is, of course, what makes possible the full and part-time staff that is in the office daily to serve you. We thank you!

A hearty welcome also goes out to our new members indicated by an asterisk by their name. Thank you!

Corporate and Business Amerine Env. & Design Assoc.*Arnold’s Go KartsAthlete’s ClosetAudubon Land Development Corp.Auntra Bicycle Repair & Sales*B&D Machine & Fab, Inc.*Brian Walters Factotum, Inc. *Carolyn McDonnell, Massage TherapistCascor, Inc. Warranty SpecialistsColonial Theatre*E. Murphy Electric, Inc.Eastern Mountain SportsEDM Consultants, Inc.Fenton Algard Corp.Fieo Air Cond. & Refrig. ServicesFitzwater StationFrench Creek OutfittersGateway PharmacyGlocker & Co., Inc.*Gold’s Gym, OaksHamburg, Rubin, Mullin, Maxwell & LupinHome DepotJoseph A. Puleo & Sons*K-Mart Corporation, PhoenixvilleLaw Offices of Edward A. SkypalaLockheed Martin Company*Mayerson Law Offices, P.C.Murray Insurance Agency, Inc.New Century BankOaks Italian Deli & PizzeriaP.J. Reilly Contracting Co., Inc.PA School of Muscle TherapyPECO Exelon Co.Philadelphia Park Turf Club, OaksPhiladelphia Rock GymPhoenixville Federal Bank & TrustPhoenixville Tire & Service, Inc.Print Shop and Copy StopRidge RoofingRivercrest Golf Club & PreserveRobert L. Brant & Associates, LLCScott A. Martin Services, Inc.Seacrist’s News AgencyServices Environmental, Inc.Shelly LumberSly Fox Brewhouse & EaterySmurfit Stone Container Corp.State Farm Insurance AgencySteel City Coffee HouseSunset Grille & Pizzeria, Inc.The PhoenixToll Brothers, Inc.*Triple Crown Baseball Academy, OaksWachovia CorporationWild Bird Center of Exton*Yellow Springs Farm

Community Organizations:Agnes C. & Robert L. Bard FoundationThe Claneil FoundationCromby Generating Station, PECO ExelonDelaware Riverkeepers Network Schuylkill OfficeHistorical Society of the Phoenixville AreaKiwanis Club of PhoenixvilleMont Clare Fire Co. Montgomery County Montgomery County Lands TrustOtterbein United Methodist ChurchPartners for Land PreservationPhoenixville Area Chamber of CommercePhoenix Iron Canal & Trails AssociationPhoenix Village Art CenterPhoenixville Community Health FoundationSt. Michael of the ArchangelSchuylkill River Heritage AreaSchuylkill River Heritage Center at PhoenixvilleUpper Providence Township

Barge OwnerDon & Sue Deininger gave a gift in memory of Leonard L. and Donald L. Deininger,Don’s grandfather and father who both spent time on the family farm located years ago in Mont Clare along the canal.

AnonymousMichael S. D’Aries*Rudy, Joan & Matt HarrisArt & Jean Munson*Larry & Barb O’NeillDanon & Heather Robinson*Karlton & Peg SmithNeal G. ThorpeBob & Arlene Verish

Boat CaptainSteve BrzoskaDan & Betsy DaleyVince & Tracey DiPaul*H. Richard Dietrich, Jr.John & Patricia GerhartAnthony A. GeyelinPaul & Charlotte GriggsEd & Jody Hendricks*Robert & Diane KleinLuciana Marulli & Mike KoenigRichard A. Kunsch, Sr.Mrs. W. Mifflin Large*John & Nancy Leneweaver*Joan Lunney & William IdlerWayne D. MartinKevin & Carolyn McDonnellJacob MerriwetherKathy O’BrienDenny & Bobbi PorriniPaul & Dorothy PulcherJames Stuart & Jan GoplerudWalter & Esther Underhill*Shawn & Lisa WardDennis & Gwen White

Lock TenderMartha G. AgnewLouis J. BeccariaJeff & Sue BrouseJohn T. Carpenter, Jr.Mike Celaya & Karen BrzoskaGerrie Cirigliano & Glen MurphyJed Clear Allan & Barbara CohenNancy CurtisAmy P. DeShongPat DillonRich & Ann Downs*Gary DrennenLee & Phoebe Driscoll*Robert Fedick, Sr. & Jr.Paul & Anna FeltonDavid & Dulcie FlahartyMary FooteKurt & Pamala FordAl & Rita GerhardsFrank & Chris GiesaRev. Linda S. GruberGarrett HaynerKen & Eileen HughesStrickland KneassWalt LarkinTom & Nancy LoaneBernie & Nancy MarksteinAlice MarquartSteve & Stacy MartellucciArlene Martin*Alexis MeyersFrank Michener, Jr.Tony & Rita NastriJean & Lew OsterhoudtSam & Connie PiccioneRonald D. RhodeEric & Priscilla SharplessBob & Carol Smith*Patricia A. TomkoDebbie Wolczyk

A group of young visitors watching and listening as SCA’s resident lock tender, Dan Daley, explains how the lock operates. The picture was taken on a warm fall afternoon in Nov. 2005.

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Mule Tender*Baganski FamilyJanet M. BaldwinPaul & Elaine BochnakMarian CarnsDavid & Cheryl Converse*Craig & Robin EmeryAlicia FoxDonald & Ruth FriscoTom Getzey & Lisa GeorgeJohn & Gwynne HageePatrick & Jacqueline HahnDoris E. HeinlyDaniel & Jean JermanJudy & Bill KateinHolly & Andrew KreiderWilliam & Kay KunschDave & JoAnn LawrenceDoug & Tamie Logan*Joanne Meyers*John & Pat MeyersNorris MurphyRonald NettlesBill & Evey NissleThe Pasquarello FamilyJohn & Debbie SeidelVanessa M. Shivak*Rick & Pam SnowDave StrunkEdwin & Margery TaitRoseanne TaylorSusan TaylorPriscilla A. WaggonerJim & Lynn WattersPatrick & Marcia Welch & FamilyLarry WhyteDave & Jill Williams

FriendsMichael & Susan AngeloBarbara Archer*Michael Bartlett*Stephen BayusDavid Beebe*Patricia Benes*Lynne BetleyAdam & Ashley Blackburn*Pat BoganHarvey Bomberger*Bernard Boraten*Peter BostockCarol Ann Brady*Mr. & Mrs. J. Reeve BrightPeter BrownWarren Brown

Bernie & Betty Brzoska*Mr. & Mrs. Peter CallaghanBuck ChambersWalt Choma*Mr. & Mrs. Charles F. Clement III Mary Crabtree*Bill & Eva DevlinEdward DulErle EhlyWilliam Epprecht IIIJim & Rebecca FeeneyRob FettermanChuck Frankenfield\Al & Kitty FunkWalt & Debbie GadzickiBill & Wendy Gaunt*Valerie Gaydos*Susan Geyelin*Edward GlausmanJoAnne Grafe* Mr. & Mrs. Temple Grassi*Susan Greth*Pat HagarmanMark & Leisa Hamill*Alex HandyFrank & Dot HansonFrances HawkinsGrace & Philip HerstineAllen HuberGeorge IrwinPeggy Jo Irwin*Liz JacksonHillard Jaffe*Myles Jaffe*Erik & Karen JensenJohn Jogan*Michael & Nancy Johnson*Gordon & Lynn Keen, Jr.*Amy KimballJohn KimballEric & Christine KlagPeter KleponisDavid Scott KnauerAllen Koehler*Jamey KouryLouis KozmaDorothy Kulp*James LaffertyJohanna LamsonSigne LarsenGail LatchHeidi Lehman*Mr. & Mrs. Richard H. LuschEugene MajerowiczJoe & Sandy Manganello

Karl & Dolly MannJohn & Helen ManneyJoan MathesonOwen & Patricia MayJoe & Vianna McGeeneyGordon & Lynn McLeanDebbie McLeodBob & Faye MichenerTom & Nanue MilesJack MitchellErin MurphyJoe & Angie MyshkoJoe, Sharon & Jamie ParoneLarry PavlikDennis & Nancy PernaMike PilottiMark PodviaVincent RachfalskiShethra RiggBonnie RobinsonGeorge & Phyllis RumppJohn & Charlotte RyanBob & Peg SalingerRon Schmidt*Bunny SchnellMary SeacristSusan ShumanEric & Mary Stewart*Randy StopherSandra SudofskyLori TheisPeter ThorwarthRosanne ThorwarthJane Vegso*Lynne WhelanAgnes WiedmannRichard & Eleanor WolfBob WrightMark & Judy YanchekVictor & Nancy YarnellRobert YoungDonald & Marguerite Zern

The Executive Director’s Report from page 2

Things change but forever stay the same. Isn’t that how the saying goes? It is true, SCA is always evolving and changing, and we need to, to keep up with an ever-chang-ing environment. But we remain steadfast in our mission to preserve and maintain the Schuylkill Canal as a regional heritage resource for all to enjoy.

the Association’s management and volun-teers will be high.

Now is the time for everyone who has con-sidered joining the Association to take on a personal challenge to help the Schuylkill Canal Association handle our upcoming challenge and to further our efforts to pre-serve and restore our rich heritage of local history—for the benefit of our community and for people from across the region. It is a great feeling to be welcomed into an area as if you have lived there all of your life as I experienced. The Schuylkill Canal Association wants to extend that welcome to new people and we would love to have your help.

The President’s Report from page 1

in leadership of the Board, with Christo-pher Zeliznak assuming the presidency of the Schuylkill Canal Association. I’ve been honored by the chance to serve the Association in this capacity for the last four years. Chris is a great fellow, full of ideas, energy and enthusiasm, and I look forward to working with him, the other Board mem-bers, and Betsy in the challenging days ahead.

The Out-going President’s Report from page 1

Canal Day 2005: Canal Day 2005 Schuylkill River Trail Run starts as Denny Porrini, the volunteer director of the run, watches the runners pass by.

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Schuylkill Canal Association400 Towpath RoadPO Box 966Oaks, PA 19456

Help Support the Schuylkill Canal Association…….I wish to become a member of the Schuylkill Canal Association. My dues will go directly to support the outstanding work of the Association in maintaining the canal area as a historic and recreational community resource. I enclose a check in the amount indicated below. Basic annual dues begin at the “Friend” level of $25.00, although any contribution is welcome. All members receive the Association’s news, cal-endar of events and email notices, if address is provided. Other membership premiums are given at the higher donation levels as noted.

All contributions are tax-deductible. Check may be made out to SCA, Inc. Mail to P.O. Box 966, Oaks, PA 19456

Non-Profit Org.US Postage

PaidPermit No. 33

Phoenixville, PA

Barge Owner: $200: _________Free hat and t-shirt

Boat Captain: $100 _________Free hat

Locktender: $50 _________Free Lock 60 postcard

Mule Tender: $30 _________

Friend: $25 _________

Benefactor: $1,000 + _________

Patron: $500 + _________

Sponsor: $300 + _________

Sustaining: $200 + _________

SCA would be glad to have support from the local corporate community. Please become a corporate member by making a contribution in an amount listed below:

A copy of SCA’s official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free within Pennsylvania,1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.

Name: ____________________________________________________________

Organization: ______________________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________________

Town, State, Zip Code: _______________________________________________

Phone:___________________________ Fax #___________________________

Email: ____________________________________________________________

Website: __________________________________________________________

“The Schuylkill Canal Association kicks off the 2006 season with its annual St. Patrick’s Day Hike and Treasure Hunt on Sun-day, March 19, from 1-4 at Lock 60, Mont Clare. Be sure to check out all the exciting programs scheduled through the year. The 2006 Calendar of Events is enclosed inside.”