TVHS sets colorful run to benefit Four Diamonds

BY FRANCINE FULTON

On Saturday, July 15, members of the Twin Valley High School (TVHS) Mini-THON Club will present the second annual TVHS Mini-THON 5K and kids’ fun run/walk, during which participants will be doused with color. Proceeds will benefit Four Diamonds, a nonprofit organization that has a mission to raise money to conquer childhood cancer.

Registration will open at 10:30 a.m.

at the TVHS Fitness Center, and there will be a 2K kids’ run/walk beginning at 11 a.m., followed by a 5K walk/run at 11:30 a.m.

The fundraiser, designed to mimic Penn State’s colorful THON 5K, will take place on the campus of TVHS and Twin Valley Middle School. “The courses will be clearly marked with arrows, and people will be directing racers on which way they need to run,” explained event coordinator Chelsea Hurley, who will be a TVHS senior this fall

See TVHS pg 2 you can pet anywhere. You can read to him and show him pictures, and after the books are done, you can play with him and his toys.”

“This is his first time (at the Boone Area Library); he is so happy to be here,” added Goodling, a former teacher in the Daniel Boone Area School District.

She explained that Charley always wears a banana indicating that he is a KPETS dog, which means he has been certified with Keystone Pet Enhanced Therapy Services.

The idea to train Charley to become a therapy dog came after Goodling visited Godfrey’s Welcome to Dogdom in Mohnton.

“Charley was walking around, and they told us he would make a good therapy dog. They had two dogs at the time who went through KPETS,” she said. “He had to go to an orientation with other dogs, and he automatically flunked because he barked (at the other dogs, and) they are not allowed to bark. So, we went back and did some training and practice, and he (eventually) passed all of his tests.”

Since earning his certification, Charley has visited libraries throughout the Berks County Library System, including Spring Township and West LawnWyomissing Hills. “He became a therapy dog right before COVID hit and he didn’t get to do many things (at first) because everything was closed down,” said Goodling. “He did stress release for accountants during tax season. He went to the Highlands (at Wyomissing) for employee stress relief. They took him through the whole Highlands facility, and he got to meet everybody.”

Charley, along with his older sister, Jordie, are bichpoos, a mixed breed that is a cross of a poodle and a bichon frisé. Goodling noted both Charley and Jordie enjoy having children read books to them and

See Birdsboro library pg 4

Honey Brook Speedway to host Keystone

BY FRANCINE FULTON

All the excitement of racing can be found locally at the Honey Brook Speedway, where youths ranging in age from 5 to 16 compete while driving quarter midget race cars.

Those interested in learning more about the sport are encouraged to attend the Keystone Invitational, which will take place at the speedway on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 7, 8 and 9. A complete schedule for the event can be found at www.facebook.com/honeybrook speedway.