Coffee Klatch has moved to 1:00 to 3:30 PM in the afternoon on Fridays. Come on down for java, juice, pastries, and camaraderie. We hope more residents will be able to attend this time slot.

Columbus Property Management, a Member of Mission First Housing Group • www.missionfirsthousing.org • twitter: @MissionFirstHG

August, 2018The Whitehall Gazette is a monthly newsletter for residents put together by staff of The Whitehall Apartments and Mission First Housing Group. •

Dog Days of SummerJuly has been an unseasonably rainy month, but not the worst on record. The Na-tional Weather Service recorded a high 9.72 inches in July of 1969. Notwithstand-ing, the totals for this past month were 7.48 inches. Not a-drop-in-the-bucket, heh.

Anyway we’re into August and the tail end, no pun intended, of the Dog Days of summer. This time historically follows the rising of the “dog star” Sirius who the Greek gods associated with heat, drought, sudden thunderstorms, mad dogs, and bad luck. The “Dog Days” begin July 3 and end August 11, coinciding with the heliacal (at sunrise) rising of the star. It is the brightest light in the sky, as it is conspicuously more luminous than others that surround it.

To the naked eye, it has a bluish-white appearance and cycles through chromatic shifts as it twinkles. Astronomically known as Alpha Canis Majoris, it has an apparent magnitude of twice that of the second brightest star in the Centaurus constellation, Cano-pus. Sirius is 40 times brighter than our sun and is only 8.6 light years away, making it a close neighbor.

However, contrary to the characteristic baking it is usually associated in the north-ern hemisphere; the Egyptians believed the Dog Star appeared just before the Nile’s flooding season. But since it’s rising, also indicates a time of hot and sultry weather, the Old Farmer’s Almanac strophe deals with this thus:

Dog Days bright and clear indicate a happy year.

But when accompanied by rain, for better times our hopes are vain.

As the latter seems to be the case this year, and despite a soggy July, let’s hope August will be a belly warmer for everyone at the Whitehall.

Free Senior Food BoxesLook for Senior Box deliveries mid-July. If you haven’t signed up and meet eligibility requirements, see Ron in The Whitehall office.

The Whitehall Apts. is a permanent, supportive housing development for veterans in Spring City, Pennsylvania. The Whitehall Gazette is produced by the staff of the The Whitehall Apartments and Mission First Housing Group.

Never Write a Rent Check Again! It’s the beginning of the month-you got things to do, places to be, and bills to pay. We know how busy you are and how long that ‘to-do’ list can get. That’s why we’ve made it as easy as possible to mark “pay rent” off the list every month with our convenient and secure, electronic payment and mobile app option! You can make a one-time rent payment online or with our app without purchasing a money order or standing in line. It’s fast, easy and can be done when you want, from where you want. Plus it’s FREE! That’s right, FREE! Save time and money by paying your rent online or with our app! Please contact Ron Wandover or Julie Carter in the office for more information.

to all residents born this month!

Calendar of Events• Phoenixville’s First Friday: Visit Phoenixville on the First Friday of every month, May through October,

to experience the vibe of this eclectic town. There is parking in public and private lots surrounding downtown. Please be aware that the event gets very crowded. Friday, July 6, 4-10 pm, Main Street between Bridge & Church Streets, Phoenixville, PA

• Schuylkill Freedoms Festival: A FREE, all ages, outdoor music festival located at the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge. Presented by Chaplin’s Live, featuring local/live music, food trucks, craft vendors, activities for kids, and so much more! Sat., August 4, 12pm-8pm. 1601 Valley Forge Rd

• Bocce Ball & BBQ: First Presbyterian Church of Phoenixville will hold this event on Sunday, August 5th on the church lawn following the 10:30 a.m. service. Come to pray and stay to play! It’ll be a great day!

• Chesco Pops Orchestra: The concert features classical music with a twist, as well as Pops classics. Phoenixville Area Middle School, 1392 Gay St., Phoenixville, on Sunday, August 5 at 3:00 PM

• Movie Night at the Library: The Phoenixville Public Library will screen Chappaquiddick (2018, PG-13, 146 min.) Thurs. Aug 9th, 7PM 183 Second Avenue, Phoenixville, PA.

• Technical College High School Pickering CharleSound: Join TCHS Pickering for a free summer evening of fun, food and music! Rain or shine! Wed, Aug 8, 5:30-8:30. 1580 Charlestown Rd, Phoenixville

• St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish Community Festival: Amusement rides, a rock wall, live music and games. Wed. Aug. 22 — Sat. Aug 25, 6 pm to 10 pm. 256 Swamp Pike, Schwenksville, PA

• Wilderness Survival Skills Hike: Phoenixville Public Library is sponsoring this hike in Warwick County Park, led by County Park Rangers. Sun. Aug 26, 2pm. 191 County Park Rd, Pottstown, PA

Recipe: Chicken and Rice with MushroomsIngredients:• 1/4 cup dried mushrooms (about 1/4 ounce)• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided• 1 lb skinless, boneless chicken thighs • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika• 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper• 3/4 cup chopped onion• 8 ounces Cremini mushrooms, sliced• 3/4 cup uncooked brown basmati rice• 2 cups frozen green peas, thawed• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme

Directions:1. Boil 2 cups water. Take off heat, add mushrooms;

let stand 20 mins. Drain, reserving the liquid. Chop mushrooms. Cut chicken into 1 inch pieces.

2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tbsp oil to pan. Sprinkle chicken with paprika, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper. Add chicken to pan; cook for 5 minutes or until chicken is browned, stirring oc-casionally. Remove chicken from pan.

3. Return pan to medium heat. Add 1 tbsp oil. Add onion and Cremini mushrooms; sprinkle with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper; sauté 4 mins, until lightly browned, stirring occasionally. Stir in reserved por-cini liquid, chopped porcini, and rice; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 35 minutes. Stir in the chicken, peas, and thyme. Cover and cook 10 minutes or until rice is tender and chicken is done.

Anne Konopka Patricia King

August Vets Quote: “For what avail the plough or sail, or land or life, if freedom fail?” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

Spring-Ford Project Outreach Food Pantry

Thursdays 10:30 am-12:30 pm UCC Church, 145 Chestnut St.

Spring City