Membership dues for 2020 are due by the end of the year. $20 for a single membership. $30 for a family membership (limit to 2 adults over 21 in the same household; children under 21 are free associate members). 3 options for payment are available: PayPal, snail mail, or use RunSignUp. For the first 2 options you must go to the Pagoda Pacer website.
You can go to the Pagoda Pacer website and click on Join Now. Or use this link.
Dinner, dancing and drinks. $10 per member/$20 non-members. Don’t miss this chance to socialize and see all of your friends in something besides their sweaty running clothes.
Renew your membership (or join) by clicking HERE. You can also become a Pacer or renew your Pacer Membership at the party.
Word on social media was Target had deals on Christmas decorations where you’d get $50 back if you spent $100. This started an exchange on lights etc and made me wonder the long term impact. You see my youth crossed the time between screw-in bulbs and those first plug-in. I’m not sure if it was frugality, pride, or some generational thing, but strings of lights were not replaced without a fight.
Probably in each household, year after year there was a system to how they were put away, and when they didn’t light, you learned how electricity worked. In those strands each bulb was connected in series like a chain. If one bulb failed, the entire strand goes dark and you’d spend the afternoon swapping bulbs to find the culprit. Through this rite of passage, I may have learned much: unsafe techniques on a ladder, don’t hang lights on a holly bush, what it feels to get shocked, and a few curse words.
We try to get smarter with each passing year, and you learn to check things ahead of time. You learn taking down is as much work as hanging up. You learn to prioritize with what’s available, and most of all, you try to remember why you do it.
Hanging lights is probably the closest I’ll get to being a Race Director. I’m humbled and appreciative that the club elected me for a second term as President. I’m a realist, however, in knowing this organization functions because all the lights light. No different than the single bulbs, each member–through volunteering, participating, and promoting–does a part and the Berks area benefits.
November 10th was the 25th running of the Oley Country Classic 10-Miler and 5k. I believe over the history of the race, the Oley Youth League has benefitted something like $100,000. This is done through the hard work of Barry Goodhart, Lenny Burton, and all the Pacer volunteers. What is amazing is the entry fee is still close to the price in the 90s at only $25. As noted, I have been electrocuted, but I can’t recall even a 5k at that price where you get a competitive race, a shirt, and awards that are as impressive as the work of Maggie Gallen (Barnard). If you haven’t been, the shop at Googleworks is a great opportunity to support local artists such as Maggie.
December brings two races we host with and without festive Christmas bells and lights. The Shiver series starts Sunday, December 8th at 10 am. Time to register your first of at least 3 finishes in the series. Three weeks later, join the festivities for the Kris Kringle 5 miler Sunday, December 29th. Both of these are well organized and opportunities to stay active through the cold on the course with a bib or as a volunteer.
We’ll skip the December meeting as David Feinauer (aka Swamp) and team promise to put us all on the Naughty List with a not to be missed Christmas Party on Friday, December 6th at the Grill Fire Company. If you haven’t gotten your fill of Christmas decorating, I’m sure the team would appreciate the help with raffle prizes and decorating. I don’t believe ladders are permissible.
Last but not least, I’d like to thank Phil Lechner and Ken Seale for their time and involvement with both the Board and the Pacers’ club in general. Ken and Phil both have changes and new opportunities in their lives, which opened the board positions in which Ellie Alderfer and Karen Rule were elected.
We’re working on a Royals game for January and Walleyball for February. If we don’t see you in December, have an amazing Holiday–enjoy the lights!
A long list of runners turned out for the 2019 Harrisburg Marathon, all running in honor of Mike Ranck, who ran all previous 47 iterations of the race: Mike Zimmerman (who completed his first marathon), Laura Yoder (who won her age group and qualified for Boston), Jess Gockley (who completed her first marathon and placed 2nd in her age group and qualified for Boston), Karen Gibbons (who completed her first marathon), Brian Stones (who qualified for Boston), Rhoda Smoker, Conrad Smoker, Jon Durand, Ryan Espulgar, Donny Mengel, Dan Govern, and Brooke Schell.
It was an emotional day for all these runners, who each wore pictures of Mike on their shirts.
Brooke ran with Mike’s jacket, which he wore while finishing last year’s marathon. Fresh in her mind was the memory of Mike’s continually hopeful talk, during his treatment, that he would be able to at least walk the marathon this year.
Mike made his presence known with graffiti on a bridge near the finish.
Mike’s wife Laurie, his daughter Courtney, and his granddaughter Willow were all in attendance to see the finishers. Brooke presented Willow with Mike’s medal.
The 33rd running of the KRIS KRINGLE 5 MILE RACE is Sunday, December 29th at 11:00 AM at the Berks County Agricultural Center, 1238 County Welfare Road, Leesport, PA 19533.
Last year we had 629 finishers, and we are on target to reach as many this year. Are you registered yet? Pre-registering helps us plan better, so we can guarantee you get a hoodie. Click HERE to register now.
If you are not running it, please volunteer; we need your help. Come to the Ag Center between 8:30 – 9:00am.
Proceeds benefit high school runners through the Berks County Cross Country Coaches Association and provide college scholarships, free running shoes to students in need, and sponsorship of the Junior High Cross Country Invitational Race.
The 30th annual SHIVER by the RIVER 5K & 10K is NOW. The first one is Sunday, Dec 8th, at Jim Dietrich Park, in Muhlenberg Twp. Registration opens at 8:30am; both races start at 10:00am. If you can’t run all 4 of them, run 3, run 2, or run 1.
If you choose not to run the race, please consider volunteering. We need volunteers before the race, for parking and registration; during the race – on the road, at the finish line and in the farmhouse; and after the race – for cleanup. If you can help prior to the race, please plan to arrive between 8:00 – 8:15. If you can help with the race itself, please arrive no later than 9:30. Look for one of the race directors somewhere around the farmhouse. Thank you in advance for your support!
Hope to see you there!!!
Sue Jackson, Kelsey Jackson, Georgine McCool, Tiffany Pantoja
The Sunshine Committee tries its best to reach out to those in our Pacer family during times of need, hardship, celebration, and other occasions. Over the last few months, the following have received “sunshine” from the Pacer family:
Tom and Beth Kohl, Lauren Massaro and John Thompson, Jimmy Cramer’s family, Mike Ranck’s family, The Durand Family (Jon and Karin), Diane Grim, the Luther family, and the Lynch family.
Those interested in helping out with the Sunshine Committee should contact Phil Lechner at lechnerp@comcast.net.
Ballots were distributed for the election for the board of director positions (4 x 2-year positions) and president (1-year position). (Results in new business.)
Treasury Report – Shaun Luther—112% of target; prepaid for mailings, our equipment is moved out of the shed, and then Shaun has prepaid for the trailer spot.
Races:
Charlie Horse Half Marathon and 5K—Shaun Luther—Registrations available on Ultra Signup for the race on May 23, 2020. Robeson Township received a grant to build a footbridge across the stream at the first water crossing, so that may be done by the race. There’s no plan at this time for a bridge at the second water crossing.
Run for the Ages 10K—Donna Hey—June 28, no other update.
Grings Mill 10K & 5K—Caroline Hill—Sunday, Aug 2. Will keep registration and start at the red bridge area. The directors are looking for new ideas for awards, something with a little pizzazz.
Blues Cruise 50K—Dan Govern—registrations already coming in for the Oct 4, 2020, event.
Oley Valley Country Classic—Len Burton—run on Nov 10, it was a good day, volunteers showed up, and they had a successful run. Special thanks to Charlie Crowell who did the shuttling of the large finish-line apparatus and gave his time as a street crossing guard duty.
Kris Kringle 5-Miler—Polly Corvaia—Dec 29, start at 11:00 a.m., this year is clockwise, so runners will hit the hill in the beginning. 170 pre-registered so far, so on track for a good turnout. All registered runners have received an email confirmation that their registration was received. Kohl Pharmaceutical Research wants to sponsor, so will use that sponsorship for gift baskets. Money/gift cards for the top 2 males and top 2 females. Ted Andrus will donate Southwest tickets again this year. He has moved out of the area, so his continued support is appreciated. Steel gray is the hoodie color this year. Sponsor Fleet Feet and other vendors will be at the event. Polly is offering to have someone who is interested shadow her for possible transition to another race director.
Shiver by the River 10Ks and 5Ks—Sue Jackson—about 170 pre-registered; on track so far for planning. The swag will be a soft cotton shirt, which has been popular this year. Always need volunteers, and, more so, runners. Same course as last year, with better paving this year. Dec 8 is the first race at 10 a.m. Need a volunteer road marshal for “Ken’s corner,” as Ken Seale has moved out of the area.
Committee Reports
Social Committee:
Christmas Party, Dec 6, Grill Fire Company, $10 for members/$20 for non-members, 6 to 11 p.m., disc jockey again this year. Raffles, etc. This is Swampy’s 25th year of organizing the party.
Reading Royals hockey game, will be scheduled for a Saturday night, probably in January.
Wallyball, will be scheduled, probably in February.
Caroline Hill is going to look into axe throwing or an escape room outing.
Jane Setley will put a list on line for voting on activities.
Communications Committee:
Facebook: If anyone has information for posting, please let Jane Setley know.
Community Service:
Weekly runs: the weekly runs are scheduled on a fairly consistent rotating basis. If anyone has a new idea for a running route, please share it with Phil Lechner. Matt Brophy is planning to create a route in Reading.
Trail Maintenance: Blue Marsh has received funds to repair, rework, and upgrade the trails over a 5-year period. On Nov 20 they are having a meeting at Bldg 24, which BAMBA is attending. Some Pacers will also attend. We still have a section of trail that we maintain, as well as funds available for projects at Blue Marsh.
Charity Committee:
Scholarships: The application process is open. The deadline for submission is the end of February.
Membership committee: The annual renewal of membership is due, and emails will be sent on 11/15. Payments for membership are accepted at the Christmas party.
Old business:
The trailer has decals now, and has been in use at the races.
Girls on the Run 5K event is on Nov 24
New business:
Dale Wiest spoke about a charitable activity he has become passionate about—he would like to use running strollers to push disabled individuals in races, so they can experience the races as well. He spoke to Ruthie Vanderbeck of IM Able, and that agency has two donated running strollers which can be loaned out. His idea is to research this further, as far as interest, legality, insurance, etc., with the goal to test this on two races in April and May. His email is wiesty58@gmail.com, and he would like to hear from anyone who would like to be part of this.
Tom Chobot received an email from the Hamburg teachers group. They would like to have a bench on the Bartram Trail in memory of Mike Ranck, and are asking for donations. There is interest in the club to do this, so Tom will look further into the details of the contribution needs.
Election results: Board members elected/re-elected: Ellie Alderfer, Beth Kohl, Karen Rule, and Mike Yoder were elected for 2-year terms. For President, Steve Maguire was re-elected to another 1-year term.
Pagoda Pacers News 