Artist
Sponsors
- Wren and Company
Joan Miller
32 South Reading Avenue
Boyertown, PA 19512
610-367-2016
FAX 610-369-0409
- Affirmative Funding
William J.Hunter, Broker/Owner
34 Warwick Street
Boyertown, PA 19512
610-367-1570
FAX 610-473-0515
bjharrirm@aol.com
- Mario’s Pizza
159 South Reading Avenue
Boyertown, PA 19512
610-367-2008
- Schaeffer’s Family Restaurant
Terri and Brian Schaeffer
45 South Reading Avenue
Boyertown, PA 19512
610-367-2214
- Media Fusion Technologies
151 South Reading Avenue
Boyertown, PA 19512
610-369-7747
800-307-3533
FAX 610-369-7795
www.mediafusiontech.com
- Boyertown Publishing Company
Scott Gabel, Executive Vice President
48 South Reading Avenue
Boyertown, PA 19512
610-367-2121
800-362-7829
FAX 610-367-7093
scottg@boyertownpublishing.com
www.boyertownpublishing.com
- Gerhart, Hartman and Ritner Insurance Agency
138 South Reading Avenue
Boyertown, PA 19512
610-367-2544
- Boyertown Vision Center
Keith Reitnauer
135 North Reading Avenue
Boyertown, PA 19512
610-367-2140
FAX 473-7452
- Dr .Edward Furman, optometrist
135 North Reading Avenue
Boyertown, PA 19512
- Dr. David Donahue, optometrist
14 South Reading Avenue
Boyertown, PA 19512
610367-2931
FAX 610-367-1658
drddonahue@aol.com
Journal Entry
by Aishah McNeil
At first glimpse he is stunning red bear who commands the attention of his audience. The attractive and decorative design along his bodice grasps the interest of its viewer. As the Reading Avenue Share Bear it is not only a beautiful creation, but also holds a special meaning in the heart of its artist, Arline C. Christ.
The Mind behind the Design
Mrs. Arline Christ is a former art teacher at Boyertown Junior High West. As a former student, I can attest to her exceptional teaching skills. She is definitely a woman who has a passion for what she does. Although she no longer teaches, she is currently the Director of Art for the Pottstown Carousel Project.
In her spare time, she enjoys painting real wood animals. Over the past few months, she has been diligently working on this bear for Bear Fever. Her personal goal for this project is to show people the wonderful ideas and talents that Boyertown has to offer. She stated that, “Other areas showcase their artists, now it's time for us, and there are so many.”
More Than Meets the Eye
This bear transcends the physical, serving as Mrs. Christ’s “shining memorial to the spirit of the best of Boyertown.” While visiting the Ukraine she heard a saying that reminded her of the students that show up in her life. Believed to be an old Boy Scout saying it reads, “Make new friends, But keep the old, some are silver, some are gold.”
Mrs. Christ has participated in the Boyertown Mural and the Sister City Exchange. She has realized that there are so many things about Boyertown that are great, especially the kids.
Supporting the Spirit
The creation of this Share Bear was sponsored by several businesses and professional offices on Reading Avenue in Boyertown. These businesses include Wren and Company; Affirmative Funding; Mario’s Pizza, Media Fusion Technologies; Boyertown Publishing Company; Gerhart, Hartman, and Ritner Insurance Agency; David Donahue, Optometrist; and Ed Furman and Keith Reitnauer of the Vision Center.
I had the opportunity to speak with several of the sponsors.
When speaking with William J. Hunter of Affirmative Funding, he stated that he chose to sponsor a bear because, “My sister-in-law is involved. The bears are nice looking and good for business.”
Joe from Mario’s, when asked the same question, stated that he was convinced to sponsor the bear when Judy Hunter spoke to him because, “I’ve known her for twenty years, and it’s just a good thing.”
After interviewing Gerhart, Hartman, and Ritner about how they felt the project would affect the community, they stated that, “It will improve Boyertown and will be pleasant to look at. It’s like decorating a house.”
When asked what their sponsorship will do for their business, Wren and Company stated that “It’s a good opportunity for networking.”