Thursday December 12, 2024 - Maiden Creek/ Ontelaunee

Approximate 4-miles

Hike will be on the north side of Maiden Creek which flows into Lake Ontelaunee. We will start on an old road that leads to W Shore Drive; however, there is another old road that branches off this trail/road and returns to the old road. If there wasn't recent rain, we would explore further after reaching West Shore Drive.

NOTE: there is an option for those who do not want to explore to stay on the original old road to W Shore Drive and return via the same trail/road, The distance for this is under 4 miles and is 1 hill.

Meeting place: 10:00 AM Parking Area for Lake Ontelaunee Trails

Directions: Route 222 towards Allentown, Left on 662 at Moselem Springs circle. Around 3 miles after McArdle's Pub on the left and crossing the bridge, immediate left to one of the Parking Areas for Lake Ontelaunee Trails. See below GPS.

GPS: 1561-, 1599 Moselem Spring Rd, Hamburg, PA 19526 40.5556484, -75.9818772

For more information or further directions, contact: Cell 610 603 6876

Thursday December 5, 2024 - Blue Marsh Hike

Moderate 4-6 mile loop

We will hike the trail from the Stilling Basin towards the Red Bridge.

Meeting place: 9:30 AM. at Stilling Basin -Upper lot near the basin.

Directions: From Route 183 north, turn left at the CVS onto W. Leesport Road. Turn right onto County Welfare Road. At the stop sign, turn left onto Palisades Road, then right into the Stilling Basin.  

NOTE: WEAR ORANGE TO BE SAFE. Heavy snow or rain will cancel this hike.

For more information or further directions, contact: Cell 484-557-7854

Thursday November 28, 2024 - NO HIKE

 HAPPY THANKSGIVING 

Thursday November 21, 2024 - Swatara State Park

Easy to Moderate 4 miles

Swatara State Park in Lebanon County, starting at the Trout Run Trail Head Parking Lot off RT 72. There are moderate hills and a few rocks. 

We will be hiking part of the AT and other trails to make it a loop. For those who want to make the hike longer, we will 

continue on the AT, completing all the trail within Swatara Start Park.

Lunch is optional afterwards at Esther’s in Fredericksburg or Moose’s outside Fort Indiantown Gap.

 

1st Meeting place: 9:00 A.M. at Old Church Road Parking Lot at Blue Marsh.

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2nd Meeting place: 9:45 A.M. at Trout Run Trail Head in Swatara State Park. 40.482745, -76.545741 do not use Swatara State Park in your GPS, it will direct you to Pine Grove, not the TRAIL HEAD.

Directions: Interstate 78 to Interstate 81North. Exit at first Exit (Lickdale/Ft Indiantown Gap, Route 72). Left at light on top of exit. Left at the next light (North on route 72). Trout Run is 3 miles on the right. If you reach Rt 443, you went too far.

 

For more information or further directions, contact: cell 610 603 6876

Thursday November 14, 2024 - Lebanon Valley Rail Trail

 Approx 4-5 miles

Leader will begin hike at the Root Beer Barrel in Cornwall. We will walk towards Mt. Gretna. Individual hikers can turn around whenever they choose, but the objective is to get to Mt. Gretna before turning course.

Meeting place: 10:00asm at the route 419 trailhead in Cornwall.

GPS: 40.276849, -76.411277

Fort more information or further directions, contact: 610-850-1855

Thursday November 7, 2024 - Kaercher Creek Dam and Vicinity

 Approx. 4.5 miles

Leader will do some trails in the now closed Kaercher Creek County Park. We will see some remnants of the graded but never finished Allentown & Auburn Railroad from 1875, as well as a nice blend of woods, town roads, cemetery, and fields. Lunch to be decided the day of the hike.

Meeting place: 10:00 am at the Kaercher Creek boat launch area.

Directions: Take route 61 to Hamburg bear right onto 4th St., at third traffic light turn right onto State St. (Old Route 22) Proceed about one mile and turn right at driveway into the former park, across from the Hamburg Center.Look foir the red and white sign for the Hamburg Soccer Associastion. 

GPS: 3501 Old  Route 22, Hamburg

For more information or further directions contact: 610-603-6876

Thursday October 31, 2024 - 1700 Parkside Drive South, Wyomissing - Halloween Hike

Approx 3-4 miles

Happy Halloween!

Have you heard? There are man-eating spiders in Wyomissing climbing the walls of houses. Or...maybe you know about the skeletons running loose on rooftops of homes? If we keep looking, we may find some other spirits visiting Wyomissing at this time of year.

Wear your favorite mask and join the fun! Always dress appropriately for weather conditions.

Meeting place: 10:00am at 1700 Parkside Drive South, Wyomissing, 19610

Directions: Coming from Buttonwood Street on Museum Road, turn right onto Parkside Drive South & follow to the parking lot. Coming from Shillington on Museum Road turn left onto Parkside Drive South. and go to the parking lot.

For more information and further directions, contact: 610-796-7602

Thursday October 24, 2024 - Clarence Schock Memorial Park at Governor Dick (near Mt. Gretna)

Approx 5 miles 

Hike at Clarence Schock Memorial Park

Meeting place: 10:00 A.M. Environmental Center at 3283 Pinch Road, Lebanon, PA 17042. 

GPS: 40 14 14.72N - 76 27 31.22W

DIRECTIONS: Route 422W to 501South in Myerstown; Route 419S in Schaefferstown; Route 72S in Quentin and 117N shortly afterwards (note: you will be merging on Rt 322/72 entering on the left and the exit is on the right very soon.) 2.2 miles turn left on Pinch Road (across from the Pizzeria immediately after the pull-in parking section of Mt Gretna.), 1 mile to Environmental Center entrance on the left. Note: May quest states to use the turnpike from Reading, these are how I get there from Hamburg.

Lunch afterwards: There are picnic tables at the Environmental Center.

For more information and further directions, contact: 484-665-0196 with questions.

Thursday October 17, 2024 - Return to Roaring Creek

Approx. 4-5 miles

L. ROHRBACH will lead a return to Roaring Creek. This is a watershed north of Centralia along Route 42. Three reservoirs adjoin an 8-mile rail trail that runs from Route 42 to Route 54. The hike will begin from Route 42 and proceed on the rail trail to the scenic 1-mile-long middle reservoir. For those desiring a modestly longer and more varied hike, we will take a side trail through the woods that might add about 3/4 mile to get to the middle reservoir. Bring a sandwich to eat at the picnic tables at the reservoir before the return hike

NOTE: If there is inclement weather, a Blue Marsh hike will be substituted.

Meeting place: 8:45 AM at Church Road off Route 183. From here there will be a drive of about 1 hour 15 minutes to reach the starting point.

For more information and further directions, contact: 610-850-1855

Thursday October 10, 2024 - Hike from Brentwood parking lot - Wanderers and Alternate Hike shared hike

The weather looks good for this coming Thursday October 10th, so let’s plan to start hiking from the Brentwood parking lot. We will walk upriver and possibly make it to the West Reading fishing Pier and back.

Meeting place: 10:00 A.M. at Brentwood Parking Lot, 620 Morgantown Road, Reading. 

DIRECTIONS: Coming from Reading over the Bingaman Street Bridge, turn left onto Morgantown Road (route 10). Travel .9 mile and look for Brentwood parking lot on the left side.

For more information and further directions, contact: 610-796-7602

Thursday October 3, 2024 - ALTERNATE Thursday Hike - No ALTERNATE hike scheduled

 No ALTERNATE hike scheduled this week.

Thursday October 3, 2024 - Oren Holl Memorial Loop

Approx. 4 miles

E. SOWICZ will lead the OREN HOLL MEMORIAL LOOP. This is a very hilly hike. Hills are quite moderate but, there are a lot. Very pleasant walk through the woods. Be aware this is a mountain biking trail.
WEAR ORANGE TO BE SAFE.

Meeting place: 9:30 AM at Holl’s Trailhead off Highland Road.

Directions: From State Hill Road turn Left onto Brownsville Road. Turn RIGHT onto Highland Road at Spitlers Collision. (Approx. 1.7 miles) The road is not maintained and very rutty. The Trailhead in on the RIGHT.
Heavy snow or rain will cancel. Light snow could be nice.

For more information or further questions, contact: Cell: 484-557-7854 

Thursday September 26, 2024 - Roaring Creek Hike

4 to 5 mile hike

Les will lead a return to Roaring Creek. This is a watershed north of Centralia along Route 42. Three reservoirs adjoin an 8-mile rail trail that runs from Route 42 to Route 54. This 4-to-5-mile hike will begin from Route 42 and proceed on the rail trail to the scenic 1-mile-long middle reservoir. For those desiring a modestly longer and more varied hike, we will take a side trail through the woods that might add about 3/4 mile to get to the middle reservoir. Bring a sandwich to eat at the picnic tables at the reservoir before the return hike.

NOTE: If there is inclement weather, a Blue Marsh hike will be substituted.

Meeting place: 8:45 AM at Church Road off Route 183. From here there will be a drive of about 1 hour 15 minutes to reach the starting point.

For more information and further directions, contact: Les 610-850-1855

Alternate Thursday Hike Group will join  Wanderers on this hike.

Thursday September 19, 2024 - Alternate Thursday Hike - No Hike Scheduled This Week

 No alternate hike is scheduled for this week.

Thursday September 19, 2024 - Monocacy Hill

Approximately 5 miles for those wanting a longer hike, hikers can make shorter by skipping the hill.

Donna will lead a hike for you in MONOCACY HILL. There is one steep section of the hill on the new trail. We'll also go up Monocacy Hill, so tht is almost 700 feet of elevation. Hikers can vote on the direction for going up the hill.

Meeting place: 9:00 AM at NEW Boy Scout constructed access parking lot and trail to Creek Trail at Monocacy Hill: 85-97 Hill Road, Douglassville, PA.

Directions: From 422 E, turn L onto airport road, take second left onto Loyalsock Drive, go to the end of Loyalsock to a T with Hill Road, slightly left/ straight cross Hill Road, lot is slightly left of this intersection. Sign says Public Lot. You can see it from the stop sign at the end of Loyalsock Drive.

CHOICES FOR LUNCH: 

1. Bring your own lunch and chair. 

2.  Go to Manatawny Creek Winery and eat there with a glass of wine or beer on the tap.

3. Go out to eat afterwards- Vincenzo’s and Brooks Cafe are close by. 

For more directions or further directions, contact leader: 484.797.4234

Thursday September 12, 2024 - Alternate Thursday Hike - Union Meadows East

1.8 miles

1.8 miles, all downhill, on the Big Woods Trail.  There will be a short shuttle from Union Meadows to the start of the Big Woods Trail.  Optional hike afterwards around Union Meadows Loop Trail or onto the Schuylkill River Trail?

Meeting place: 10:00 A.M. at Union Meadows parking lot, 1281 E Main St, Douglasville PA (behind Fork And Ale Restaurant on route 724).

Directions:  Heading east on route 724 from Birdsboro, it’s about .9 mile after passing intersection with route 345.

For more information or further directions, contact: 610-796-7602.

Thursday September 12, 2024 - West Side of Neversink Mountain

5+/- miles??? (no mileage listed)

From the Klapperthal trailhead we will take the West Neversink trail above the Schuylkill, then the North Neversink trail to the overlook and McIlvain's pavilion.
No terrible hills but a constant climb.

Meeting place: 9:45am at Boscov's East in the far front corner of the parking lot.

For more information and further directions, contact Les at 610-850-1855

Thursday September 5, 2024 - Alternate Thursday Hike - Schuylkill river Trail from Morlatten Villiage

 Approximate 2 hour hike

Please come and join as we hike from the Morlatten Village parking lot to the Schuylkill River Trail.  This time we will head eastward.  Plan to hike one hour east and turn around and head back the 2nd hour.  Bring lunch.  Bring a chair and we can eat at the Mouns Jones picnic table again.
 
Meeting place: Thursday, September 5, 2024 at 10:00 A.M. 

Address:  480 Old Philadelphia Pike, Douglasville, PA.

Directions: From route 422 heading east towards Pottstown.  Look for Douglasville Hotel on the right at a bend in the road, and at next traffic light turn right onto River Bridge Road.  Then take the next sharp right onto Old Philadelphia Pike.  Travel a short distance and look for parking lot on the left. 


For more information or further directions, contact: 610-796-7602

Thursday September 5, 2024 - Hamburg Reservoir to the Pinnacle

 9.5 miles

Hike leader will follow the road up from the reservoir parking area. 

This is the path we will follow:

Cross over the small bridge over furnace Creek. When the road forks,  take the fork to the left. The road will eventually take you to a metal gate. The road proceeds along the north side of the reservoir. Eventually you will come to a road that has blue blazes. Follow the road up the hill. After about 1 1/2 mile of climbing, you will 

come to a clearing (the helipad). bear to the right after you enter the clearing, you will see a white blazed trail. This is the Pinnacle Side Trail. Follow it to the Pinnacle. This route is about a 9 1/2-mile round trip. This is my favorite way up from the reservoir, the trail is not very rocky and there aren't any gut busting uphill climbs. 

Pack lunch to dine at the top.

Meeting place: 9:30 am at the Hamburg Reservoir

Directions: from the town of Hamburg, travel east on State Street (Old Route 22). Follow State Street and tke a left onto Reservoir Road. Follow Reservoir Road until you reach the parking lot across from the Hamburg Water Works.

GPS: 4035.01279388810332 N - 75 56.5171480178833 W

For more information or further directions, contact: 610-301-4342

Thursday August 29, 2024 - Hopewell Lake Boat Launch to Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site

 A fairly easy hike by Kay. Will go from the Hopewell Lake Boat Launch to Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site and return. Call if weather looks iffy.

Meeting place: 10:00am at Hopewell Lake boat launch

Directions: From route 724 / Birdsboro Main St turn right onto route 345 / S Chestnut St. Travel 4.3 miles and turn right onto Park Road. Drive another 1.6 miles in French Creek State Park, look for the boat launch and turn left.

Address: 1200 Park Road, Elverson, PA

For more information and further directions, contact: 610-796-7602

Thursday August 22, 2024 - Blue Marsh (Stilling Basin)

Moderate 4 mile loop

Leader Eugenia will lead a hike in the BLUE MARSH area starting at the upper lot near the stilling basin. We will hike the Dog Lake and Switchback Trails.

Meeting place: 9:30 AM at the Stilling Basin - Upper lot near the basin.

Directiona: From Route 183 north, turn left at the CVS onto W. Leesport Road. Turn right onto 

County Welfare Road. At the stop sign, turn left onto Palisades Road, then right into the Stilling Basin.

NOTE: WEAR ORANGE TO BE SAFE, also heavy precipitation will cancel this hike.

 For more information and further directions, contact: Eugenia 484-557-7854 

Thursday August 15, 2024 - Auburn Section of the Schuylkill River AKA Bartram Trail

Approximately 5 - 6 miles Easy

This will be an easy in and out hikw on the recently opened Auburn section of the Schuylkill River AKA Bartram Trail.  If we hike to the Berks County Line,  the hike should be 5 to 6 miles.  Since this is an in and out, there's the opportunity to turn around at any time. BUT, PLEASE LET THE LEADER KNOW IF YOU DO. There are very slight hills but not many of them. The new bridge is beautiful, the river can be seen at times; but it's a rail to trail, so some may find it boring. 

 Meeting place: 9:30 A.M. at The Auburn trailhead.  2033 Market St, Auburn.   No facilities available.

Directions:  Rte. 61 North at first traffic light in Deer Lake, turn right then left on Route 895.  Look for Dollar General on your right, at 2 miles.  The driveway to trail head is on the right before the bridge.

 For more information and further directions, contact: Bev 610-603-6876

Thursday August 8, 2024 - Nolde Forest

Approximately 4.5 miles 

The hike at Nolde will have a few hills. We will use select trails based on attendees’ preference. 

Meeting place: 9:30 A.M. at Nolde Forest, 980–1058 Church Rd., Reading, PA  19607.

DIRECTIONS: Take Route 625 south approximately one mile from the Route 724 intersection.  Turn right and watch for parking lot on left, approximately one-half mile after bridge crossing Angelica Creek. There is overflow parking at the sawmill if required.

 For more information or further directions, contact: Glenn G. 610-301-4342

Thursday August 1, 2024 - Birdsboro Watershed

Approximately 4-5 miles

There will be several alternatives to adjust or shorten the hike as some individuals may wish. The basics of the hike will be a walk up the unused portion of the former Route 82 and then a loop up to and around the scenic reservoir. Once we return to the old Route 82, we continue to the rock-climbing wall to observe the activities there.

Meeting place: 10:00am on Hay Creek Rd, north of Geigertown, .8 mile north  of where Mullin Hollow Rd ends at Hay Creek Rd.

Updated DIRECTIONS: From the traffic light in Gibraltar at the Turkey Hill,

travel east on Route 724 1.2 miles. Take the first right turn at the

sign for Hillcrest Hall Bingo, cross railroad tracks, turn left on Old

River Rd, then almost immediately right onto Rock Hollow Rd. Drive 2.8

miles on Rock Hollow, cross Cocalico Rd, then drive another 1.1 miles to

the first stop sign at Hay Creek Rd. Turn left and drive .7 miles to the

parking area.

If the detour still exists I expect you will encounter it on Rock Hollow Rd when you want to cross Cocalico Rd. If so, instead of continuing on Rock Hollow Rd, turn right on Cocalico Rd. At the next intersection, turn left onto White Bear Rd. Follow White Bear until it ends at Hay Creek Rd. Turn left and continue on Hay Creek Rd until you reach the parking area.

Another option to totally avoid the possibility of a detour: At the traffic light in Gibralter (the one west of Turkey Hill, turn onto Route 568 south. Soon after passing the Creekside Inn, you encounter a Y. Bear left here onto White Bear Rd. Follow White Bear till it ends, turn left on Hay Creek, and proceed to the parking area.

For more information and further directions, contact: Les 610-850-1855

Thursday July 25, 2024 - Hamburg Reservoir to Pinnacle Hike

Approx. 9.5 miles

The Hike: Follow the road up from the parking area. Cross over the small bridge over furnace Creek. When the road forks, take the fork to the left. The road will eventually take you to a metal gate. The road proceeds along the north side of the reservoir. Eventually you will come to a road that has blue blazes. Follow the road up the hill. After about 1 1/2 mile of climbing, you will come to a clearing (the helipad). bear to the right after you enter the clearing, you will see a white blazed trail. This is the Pinnacle Side Trail. Follow it to the Pinnacle. This route is about a 9 1/2-mile round trip. This is my favorite way up from the reservoir, the trail is not very rocky and there aren't any gut busting uphill climbs. 

Note: Pack lunch to dine at the top.

GPS: 40 35.01279388810332 N - 75 56.5171480178833 W 

Meeting place: 9:00 A.M. @ Hamburg Reservoir

Directions: From town of Hanburg trtsavel east on State Street which will become Old Route 22. Make a left onto Reservoir Road.Follow Reservoir Road until you reach the parking area adjacent to the Hamburg Water Works.

For more information or further directions, please contact leader: Glenn G. 610-301-4342

Thursday July 18, 2024 - Swatara State Park to Bordner Cabin

 Approx. 4 miles

This is a relatively flat hike along the scenic Swatara Creek. We will cross the creek via an unexpectedly magnificent, curved bridge!

We will hike to the very interesting Bordner Cabin that was builkt by a high school shop teacher and his students years ago.

1st meeting place: 9:15am at the Old Church Road parking lot at Blue 
Marsh Lake.

2nd meeting place: 10:00am at the Sand Siding Trailhead on route 443.

Directions to the trailhead: Take route 443 West from Pine Grove - Continue past Route 81. Proceed another 3-4 miles. Look for the Twin Grove Campsite on the right. Immediately past the campsite, look for a DIRT road to the left and travel down this road to the parking area.

For more information or directions, contact leasder at: 610-850-1855

Thursday July 11, 2024 - Warwick County Park

 4 - 6 miles difficulty level of 4 (planned as a 4 mile hike but can be extended to 6 miles)

This is a hike through the forest of Warwick County Park. We'll take the Horseshoe Trail onto the Charcoal Trail and the Connecting Trail back to the Horseshoe Trail. Lunch option at the Inn at St. Peter's Village afterwards.

Meeting place: 9:30am at Warwick County Park parking lot - 382 County Park Rd., Pottstown, PA 19465

Directions: If taking From 222 South, go to 422 East and take the I-176 East exit towards Morgantown. Take exit 2 to turn left onto PA-10 North / PA 23 East for 9.3 miles. Turn right onto County Park Rd., turn left into Warwick County Park.

For more information or further directions, contact leader Marilee G. at 610-750-3115

Thursday July 4, 2024 - Trail Magic Picnic and Hike

Jul. 4th YES! Independence Day! We will do Trail Magic on JULY 4TH !

Sue U., Karen S. and Rich O. will organize.

Join us to honor Herb's June tradition of providing a "Trail Angels" picnic for “thru hikers” on the Appalachian Trail. For those of us who have attended, it has always been a special day. Each participant is asked to donate food/drink - please call Sue to confirm. Tell us what you can bring, Sue will have suggestions on items we need. Bring poles & hiking boots to take a hike, and a chair to relax.

1st Meeting place: 9:00A.M. @ Redner's parking lot, Rte. 61, Leesport. 

2nd Meetinbg place: 10:00A.M. @ The AT trailhead above Leaser Lake.

Directions: Directions to Trailhead from Redner’s in Leesport: Follow route 61 North to Hamburg. Go onto route 78 East at Hamburg. Take Exit 35 for Route PA-143. Travel 0.2 miles on exit ramp. Take left onto PA-143 North. Follow PA-143 North including King’s Highway to town of Wanamaker. Shortly past Wanamaker’s General Store, make a left onto Leaser Road Go approximately 2.2 miles on Leaser Road and it will join Blue Mountain Road. Go 0.7 miles on Blue Mountain Road (will be going up the mountain at this point). Continue until reach the Appalachian Trail Parking Lot on left side of road (address is 283 Fort Franklin Rd, Andreas, PA) – pull into parking lot. If you see signs for Fort Franklin Rd. and you go downhill, you have gone too far!

For more information and further directions, contact: Sue U. 484-948-5084, Karen S. 610-823-9023 and Rich O. 610-223-6952 

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

Thursday June 27, 2024 - Wildwood Park, Harrisburg, PA

Approximately 4.5 miles - Moderate

Bev F. will lead this hike. The 3-mile loop has slight hills with blacktop and pathway mixed surfaces. There are also boardwalks through the marsh/wetlands (1.25 miles).

NOTE: The Park is surrounded by industry and major highways. This will not be a quiet walk in the woods but it's a very interesting place. We will see Art in the Wild while hiking. The works of art are composed of mostly natural materials to blend with Wildwood’s natural setting. The hike will start and end at the Olewine Nature Center. There are interesting exhibits and a wildlife observation deck.

MapQuest has the traveling time of an hour from Reading and 30 minutes from Fredericksburg.

First Meeting place: 9:30 A.M. at Fredericksburg Redner’s. 2975 US-22, Fredericksburg, PA 17026

Directions: Rte. 183 North to Interstate 78 West, exit Fredericksburg to Route 22. Redner’s is a mile or 2 on the right (next to Esther’s) 

2nd Meeting place: Visitor Center: 10:00 AM 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, PA 17110 

Directions: Interstate 78 to Interstate 81, Rt 22 East, R on Wildwood Park Dr which turns into Industrial Road, 1.2 miles Right on Wildwood Way.

OPTIONAL LUNCH: The Glass Lounge: Excellent Burgers, Online Menu has $11.00 (don't know if it's current) OR: The Front Street Diner, I've never been here and no prices on the website. Breakfast all day.

For more information or further directions, contact: Bev F. 610-603-6876 with any questions

Thursday June 20, 2024 - Horseshoe Trail Cleanup

This occurs on the section of the trail that our club periodically maintains. This section spans from Knauers to Adamstown; however, we may not cover all of it this time. Bring loppers and trimming tools, also work gloves, insect repellant, water and plenty of good humor. Wear long pants and a long sleeve shirt to avoid poison ivy. This is a good time to give back to the community some trail maintenance. Lunch is an option afterwards.

Meeting place: 9:30 A.M. at the Kenhorst Shopping Plaza, Rtes. 724 & 625, in the lot at Dairy Queen.

For more information and further directions, contact: Mark F. 484-824-2740 with questions

Thursday June 13, 2024 - Hopewell Lake to Scott's Run Lake and Return

3.5 to 4 miles - Easy

Kay W. will lead an easy hike from Hopewell Lake to Scott's Run Lake and return. Only one small hill. Call if the weather looks iffy.

Meeting place and time: 10:00 am at Hopewell Lake Boat Launch

For more information or further directions contact: Kay W. 610-796-7602