STEEL RIVER PLAYHOUSE - THIRD ANNUAL GALA

Long
time local residents and patrons of the arts in Pottstown and Boyertown, John
(“Jake”) and Gretchen Lea are being honored for their many contributions to the
arts at a Gala in their honor at Steel River Playhouse, 245 E. High Street,
Pottstown.  The event will take place on
Friday, June 6th coinciding with the opening night of THE MUSIC MAN,
the final production of the 2013 – 2014 season. 
This is the third installment of Steel River Playhouse’s Annual Gala
Fundraiser and will feature food from over 24 local restaurants, caterers,
bakeries and grocery stores, with tasting tables from Sly Fox Brewery and
Manatawny Still Works. The event celebrates the arts in Pottstown and provides
funding for the upcoming season. 

Gretchen's
involvement in Pottstown began when she opened her shop on King Street.  She was one of the first graduates of the Tri-County
Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership program, which pairs business leaders and
non-profit organizations to complete projects, and create Board members. Through
the Leadership program Gretchen got involved with MOSAIC and joined the Board
of Fellowship Farm. She also worked with the YWCA, and the Cornerstone of the Arts.
 After meeting Marta Kiesling, one of the
Steel River founders, Gretchen donated the first $150 to pay for the new
theater’s membership in the TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce. 

Jake
is retired from running his own construction company and as Director of Land
Preservation for the Montgomery Land Trust. One of Jake’s finest
accomplishments is the preservation of 345,000 acres in Maine, a $35 million
project that preserved the land for hunting, fishing and conservation. A
feasibility study that said it couldn't be done, so Jake took charge and got
the job accomplished! 

Equally
well known in Boyertown, Gretchen was instrumental in starting the Boyertown
Holiday House Tour, and has served on the Board of Building a Better Boyertown,
working with Studio B as well as the Boyertown Bear project.  According to Gretchen, "Arts make a
community come alive." 

Please
join us as we honor John and Gretchen Lea, philanthropists in the arts,
community development, and the environment in Pottstown and Boyertown.  There will be refreshments and live
entertainment followed by a performance of the Broadway classic The Music Man.  For more information on sponsorship
opportunties and tickets, please check our website, www.steelriver.org, or call Mary Beth Kerekes at 610-970-1199.