L to R: County Commissioner Ruth S. Damsker, Martha Pitcairn, Chairman of the Capital Campaign for Abington Art Center, Laura Burnham, Executive Director of the Art Center, and County Commissioner Thomas Jay Ellis, Esq.

ABINGTON — The Abington Art Center is a non-profit community organization offering a studio school, exhibition program, and a sculpture garden. The Center, located on Meetinghouse Road in Jenkintown, recently received a $25,000 grant, presented by the Montgomery County Commissioners, to revitalize its sculpture park and grounds outside of the Center.

“Abington is fortunate to have this resource and as County Commissioners, we want to do what we can to keep the Art Center a vibrant part of the community,” said Montgomery County Commissioners Chairman Thomas Jay Ellis, Esq. The Abington Art Center is a cultural and recreational gathering place for the community that allows everyone from pre-school students to aspiring artists and professionals to participate in the arts at whatever level they choose.

The First Annual Valley Forge 5-Mile Revolutionary Run at Valley Forge National Historical Park will will take place on Sunday, April 23, 2006. The event will become a spring tradition with proceeds benefiting the trails of the park. The 5-mile run, sanctioned by USA Track & Field, will allow experienced or occasional runners to enjoy this challenging course through scenic Valley Forge. Age divisions are 14 and under, 15 to 19, 20 to 24, 25 to 29, 30 to 34, etc., and continue up to 70 and over.

Two other options are available for those interested in participating. The 3-Mile Walk to Washington's Memorial Arch will be an untimed round-trip walk to the Memorial Arch, which marks the entrance of the Continental Army into the Valley Forge Encampment during the winter of 1777. There will also be an untimed 1-Mile Youth Fun Run for youngsters not participating in the 5-mile run or 3-mile walk. Cost for the 5-mile run and 3-mile walk is $15 prior to April 21, with race day registration of $20. Participation in the 1-mile walk is free.

Following the race, awards and prizes will be presented to the top overall male and female finishers of the five-mile run. First, second and third place frontrunners in each five-mile age division will also receive awards. T-shirts will be given to all participants in the 5-mile run and 3-mile walk.

Refreshments, health and exercise exhibits, park information, visitor information and running clubs will be represented at a Family Expo at the Start/Finish area in front of the Welcome Center of the Valley Forge Park. For more information on particpating in this event, visit ValleyForge.org.