September 3, 2025: GOOD NEWS -- BAD NEWS EDITION of Things We "Heard" and Would Like To Share ...

First, the BAD NEWS...

A number of months back, The Expression published an informative and uplifting article about the incredible job New Hanover Evangelical Lutheran Church  is doing  growing fresh vegetables and using them in the free meals they distribute to help with the problem of food insecurity in the community. [If you missed the article, you can read it here. ]   

August 28, the church shared this awful news via their Facebook page:  

"Sad day in the Garden of Hope. This morning six volunteers showed up to harvest. However, our bins are empty. Someone tresspased into the garden recently and stole the entire harvest intended for the Boyertown Area Multi Service’s Preston’s Pantry and the Pottstown Cluster Pantry. Approx. 300 pounds of fresh tomato and butternut squash produce was stolen. Thats close to 1,000 meals stolen from the mouths of the local hungry. That is the real crime. 

We had recently installed cameras and will review; however, this is a notice for non-profit, community gardens and all gardners to be aware. All of our produce is donated to the NHELC Loaves and fishes meal ministry which feeds close to a 1,000 people a week, Preston’s Pantry and the Pottstown Cluster, as well as Homeless and struggling veterans supplied meals with Veterans Coalition of Penna. standowns, and local church’s evening and midday meals. With the help of God, these ministries will persevere and not give up hope. For we are the Garden of Hope, and we will continue to heal souls, spirit and bodies through fighting hunger."   

What can we say about an occurrence like this in our community?  Awful... terrible... unfortunate... unfair... selfish-- all come to mind.  Jess F. tried to be understanding, saying, "That is heartbreaking. If they were hungry I pray they learn to ask for help instead of stealing." Similarly, Cyndi K. shared, "So sorry, I pray they do good with what they took. God will be their judge!!" Others, like Tammy L. were blunt about their thoughts: "This is absolutely horrible!" Still others offered to share their own harvests to help compensate for some of what was lost. Undoubtedly, we all agree that hopefully, the police investigation will yield the culprits and appropriate action will be taken.

And Now the Good News...

Boyertown's Stellar House Gift Shop shares, 

"It’s almost finished!!!! 

This Friday, Sept. 5th, we’ll be debuting our Free Little Art Gallery outside of the shop! 

This works just like the free little libraries you see around but instead of books, it’s art! Feel free to take Art, leave Art or both! The art work can be done by any age. We ask that pieces be 6” or less and can be done in any medium. If you created it by hand, it’s art! 

We are so excited to share art with the community.

You can follow the gallery on Instagram @boyertownfreelittleartgallery

More News from Boyertown

• Yellow Leaf--a Prompt for Philosopher/Photographer Allison Kelly A single yellow leaf signals summer's end and provokes a question about the photograph's composition.
• Boyertown’s Oktoberfest Returns for 2025! Raise a glass and celebrate Boyertown's 18th annual Oktoberfest promising to be the biggest and most exciting celebration yet.