Morgantown/Honey Brook townlively.com
FEBRUARY 21, 2024
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
If you build it, they will come skate
Program highlights black history and the Underground Railroad BY FRANCINE FULTON
It may seem that the topics of iron furnaces, charcoal production and the Underground Railroad are unrelated, but they are connected, according to Ben Carter, associate professor of anthropology at Muhlenberg College. As he explained
BY FRANCINE FULTON
I
f all goes as planned, an empty field at Livingood Park will be transformed into the Elverson Skatepark, which will be open to people on skateboards, scooters, bikes and inline skates. Funds to build the skatepark are being raised by Action-Impact of Elverson, a nonprofit Christian youth organization that was founded by the late Ron Pershall, and is currently being operated by his son, Dave Pershall. ActionImpact volunteers Justin and Jansen Horrocks, who are Ron’s grandsons and Dave’s nephews, are spearheading the project.
Ben Carter
Church lures in fishermen with fly tying classes
Justin Horrocks (left); his son, Oliver (center); and Jansen Horrocks are looking forward to using the skatepark.
BY FRANCINE FULTON
speak,” Jansen added. According to Justin, it took about a year for the park to be approved by the borough of Elverson. “Jansen talked with the parks and recreation team. He expressed that he was interested in (building) a skatepark because people in the community seem to have an interest in that,” said Justin, noting that Jansen has previously worked with skate ministries in the West Chester area. “Once we had approval
Along with Sunday services, most churches offer activities like Bible studies, youth groups and Sunday school. At Gateway Baptist Church in Honey Brook, an additional program is being held for people who enjoy fishing - fly tying classes. Dubbed “Fly Tie at the Brook,” classes began on Feb. 6 and will be held at 7 p.m. every Tuesday in February and March. During the program, attendees will learn how to tie a certain fly,
from the borough, that is when Action-Impact got involved. I approached Dave Pershall and told him we were looking for a nonprofit willing to build the skatepark.” The skatepark will be constructed near the Route 82 entrance of the park where the tennis courts used to be located. “There were potentially two sites in the park; this was the preferred site,” noted Justin. “The benefit of this is that since it had tennis See Skatepark pg 5 waterproof
take part in a brief Bible lesson and enjoy beverages and snacks. The program is free and open to the community. According to Brandon Stone, worship leader, the classes are conducted by professional outdoor fishing and hunting guide Jamie McLamb of Fallen Timber Outdoors. McLamb is a friend of Gateway pastor Walter “Poke” Shuler. “It started with the pastor and his buddy Jamie. They have always done fly fishing and hunting. They were talking See Fly fishing pg 2
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during a Black History Month presentation at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, colliers, who made charcoal to fuel the furnace, often took shelter in makeshift huts in the woods where they were able to hide slaves seeking freedom. Car ter ’s talk , titled “ The African American Settlement of See Black history pg 4
“The design that we have is for all types of wheeled activities, whether it be a scooter, a bike, a skateboard or skates.” To help familiarize people with the projected Elverson Skatepark, a benefit gala will take place at Action-Impact on Saturday, Feb. 24, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Attendees will be able to enjoy finger food and refreshments while learning about the park. “We will be going over details of the park and how it will benefit the community and more,” said Justin. “Jansen and I are going to explain what we are doing and why Action-Impact would love to build it and donate it to the borough.” “We will also have guest speakers that night, including someone who does a skateboard ministry, and the skatepark builder will
VOL XXXII • NO 3