POTTSTOWN — The time is drawing near. Misty May-Treanor is almost here.

May-Treanor, the multi-Olympic volleyball gold medalist, will add a new dimension to the 22nd annual Pottstown Rumble, expanded to four days this year, Thursday, June 20 through Sunday, June 23.

May-Treanor will not just show up and wave to the fans; she’ll be part of the action in the largest grass volleyball tournament in the eastern U.S.

Plans are for May-Treanor to sign autographs downtown on Friday night at the Smith Family Plaza at 7 p.m. The following day she will also play an exhibition match center court at 2 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Park. But one of the most exciting features of the visit will be the Dream in Gold Juniors Clinic run by May-Treanor for boys and girls, age 10 to 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursday, at Memorial Park.

Pottstown is one of only six stops this year on “Misty May’s Dream in Gold Juniors Clinics and Tournament Series” presented by Spalding.

Growing bigger and bigger every year, the Rumble set a new attendance record in 2012 with more than 2,100 players streaming in from across the country and beyond to compete, 115 nets set up across Memorial Park, prize money $19,000 and $40.000 in cash and prizes total, thousands of spectators there to watch. And that was for the usual two Rumble days, doubled to four days this time around.

This year will feature more nets set up, because the field in the back has been redone and is again available after a few years of being dormant.

The Dream in Gold tour is scheduled for six stops across the United States this summer and features clinics conducted by May and her associates, as well as a series of tournaments designed to celebrate players’ accomplishments while recognizing the importance of continuous practice and competition in order to reach goals in life.

“I am so excited to get out there and see the eagerness of these juniors who are the future of the sport,” May-Treanor said. “These young athletes will be playing in an organized and engaging environment similar to what I enjoyed as a junior myself.”

Players will be divided into various age groups and skill levels to grant each clinician the opportunity to gain the most out of the experience. Each clinic will cover all of the basic fundamentals and volleyball game strategies, providing players with a day of comprehensive skill development.

Tournaments will consist of a round robin format for maximum play, and play offs and championship games will determine division winners. Division winners will receive an invitation to the East Coast Surfing Championships in Virginia Beach, Va., to compete for the 2013 championship.

“Associating with Misty in this endeavor, following her 2012 Olympics achievement, is a privilege and something we plan to build upon for years to come,” said Paul Sullivan, Vice President of Spalding. “Spalding has been a long-time supporter of Misty May-Treanor and is excited to continue its legacy with this elite and comprehensive program.”

The Dream in Gold Juniors Clinic and Tournament Series will be managed by The Elevation Group, which formerly produced events such as the Wide Open Beach Volleyball Tournament, USA Beach Volleyball Junior Tour, U.S. Open Beach Volleyball and Seaside Beach Volleyball Tournament.

Markets include: New Orleans, La., (Coconut Beach); Oshkosh, Wis., (Waupaca Boatride); Pottstown, Penn., (Pottstown Rumble); Snowmass, Colo.; Long Beach, N.Y.; and Virginia Beach, Va.

For more information, visit www.dreamingold.com.

Folds of Honor Foundation founder Major Dan Rooney and Rocky Sickmann, director of military sales for Anheuser-Busch and retired U.S. Marines Sergeant, joined Harvick at Fort Bragg while he visited the Warrior Transition serving as a member of the U.S. Army.  Battalion’s (WTB) Soldier and Family Assistance Center. The Fort Bragg Warrior Transition Battalion provides command and control, primary care and case management for warriors who have suffered injury or illness while

“I’m always at a loss for words for how to express my utmost gratitude to the men and women who serve our country,” Harvick said. “I know the entire NASCAR community is behind me when I say I can’t thank these individuals enough for their dedication and service. Freedom isn’t free. It’s because of them that we can enjoy even the simplest things in life.”

While at Fort Bragg Harvick presented the installation with the firesuit he wore while driving the No. 29 Budweiser Armed Forces Chevrolet to victory in the 2011 Coca-Cola 600. The firesuit was accepted by Major Jason Todd of the WTB on behalf of the Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) group.

Harvick’s visit to Fort Bragg was a part of Budweiser’s “Red, White and Blue Summer” initiative, which benefits Folds of Honor Foundation. Since 2010, Anheuser-Busch has raised more than $5 million for the Folds of Honor Foundation and provided more than 1,000 scholarships to the families of soldiers killed or disabled in service. From May 5 to July 4, 2013, with every purchase of Budweiser, the King of Beers will make a donation to the Folds of Honor Foundation up to $1.5 million*.

“Having Kevin Harvick at Fort Bragg to say thank you to the men and women who serve our country was great to witness,” said Sickmann. “Any time we can give back to those who put their lives on the line in defense of our freedom, it’s an honor.

“Budweiser has been a proud supporter of America’s Armed Forces for more than 150 years through various programs. The Folds of Honor Foundation gives back to military families through scholarships and other assistance and we’re proud to help those efforts.”

Budweiser’s commitment to the Folds of Honor Foundation is an example of the brand’s continued support of America’s Armed Forces.

“The soldiers we met at Fort Bragg were inspiring,” said Rooney. “Their selfless dedication to serving our country is just amazing and serves as a reminder of why the Folds of Honor Foundation is working so hard to ensure no family is left behind in the fight to preserve American freedom.

“The support of companies like Budweiser allows us to do all that we can to aid the families of soldiers killed or disabled in service to our country. Without their assistance we couldn’t help provide healing, hope and an opportunity for dreams to be realized.”

This weekend Harvick’s No. 29 Budweiser Folds of Honor Chevrolet will sport a special patriotic paint scheme that reflects Budweiser’s limited-edition red, white and blue packaging and features the Folds of Honor Foundation on the rear deck lid and TV panel in Sunday’s 600-mile NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

About Anheuser-Busch

Based in St. Louis, Anheuser-Busch is the leading American brewer, holding a 47.7 percent share of U.S. beer sales to retailers.  The company brews Budweiser and Bud Light, two of the world’s largest-selling beers.  Anheuser-Busch is a major manufacturer of aluminum cans and has been a leading aluminum recycler for more than 30 years.  The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev, the leading global brewer, and continues to operate under the Anheuser-Busch name and logo.  For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com.

About Folds of Honor

FHF was founded in May 2007 by Major Dan Rooney, a former F-16 Fighter Pilot with the Oklahoma Air National Guard, PGA Professional, and USGA member. A decorated military pilot, Maj. Rooney has served three combat tours in Iraq. It was after his second tour, while a passenger on a commercial flight, that Maj. Rooney witnessed an event that would profoundly change his life. As the plane landed, the pilot announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, we have an American hero on board – Corporal Brock Bucklin. And his twin brother, Corporal Brad Bucklin, is accompanying him home from Iraq. As a sign of respect, please remain seated while Cpl. Bucklin’s family receives him in his final homecoming.” Maj. Rooney watched through the window of the plane as the flag-draped casket was lowered. He saw a family waiting for Brock, and a little four-year old boy waiting for his father. This tragic homecoming inspired Maj. Rooney to create the Folds of Honor Foundation. To learn more about FHF, visit www.foldsofhonor.org.

*Budweiser and the Anheuser-Busch Foundation will donate 2 cents per case of Budweiser sold, May 5 - July 4, 2013, with a maximum donation of $1.5 million to the Folds of Honor Foundation.

Arrive early to Nationals Park to enjoy entertainment and activities including:

• Dance demonstrations by Gottaswing
• A meet and greet with M&M'S® Ms. Brown
• Photo opportunities for kids of all ages with the living statue of Babe Ruth (back by popular demand!)
• A special costume trunk where kids can play dress up using a wide variety of costumes and accessories
• Face painting by theatrical makeup artists
• A screening of the Warner Bros. cartoon "What's Opera, Doc?," starring Bugs Bunny and his nemesis Elmer Fudd
• Chances to win prizes, including tickets to Kennedy Center performances
• And more!

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The 2012 USA Beach Junior Tour National Championship, held in July at Milwaukee’s Bradford Beach, saw 208 teams compete in girls’ and boys’ divisions from 18 states and 20 USA Volleyball regions. Of the 208 teams competing, 153 represented the Open Divisions (teams that earned bids by tournament finishes throughout the 2012 season), which is a 20-percent increase from 2011 entries.

Launched in 2009, the USA Beach Junior Tour continues to grow year after year featuring some of the most talented young athletes in the country. During the 2012 season the tour increased its events and participants by more than 20 percent, hosting 25 events in 19 states with a total of over 3,300 participants

The Elevation Group of Companies has been a partner of the tour since its inception, managing production and operations including pre-event and tour marketing, branding, event scheduling and registration. The agency also manages the tour’s partnership with its current sponsors – Spalding King of the Beach, Voolii Lifestyle and Honu Sandals.

"We are focused on leveraging the London Olympic success and the popularity of USA Volleyball teams at the recent summer events to expand our tour participation in 2013,” tour director Rick Schanz said.

More information on the USA Beach Junior Tour, including championship results, can be found by visiting www.usabeach.org. 

(New York, NY) – The Cleveland-based Elevation Group has won its first Emmy Award, being recognized by the New York Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for its production of Music of Ireland – Welcome Home. Music of Ireland, a documentary that tells the definitive story of contemporary Irish music, won in the category - ENTERTAINMENT: PROGRAM/SPECIAL.