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SIX News-Bits of Reading-Berks historical interest.... ========================================== NOTE: From time to time, mention is made of items that appear in the Reading Eagle or Reading Times, which might seem "unnecessary" to locals. Be aware that, in all probability, some 600 who receive these messages do not live in the Reading-Berks area. ========================================= 1- Get ready to say "Good-bye" to the Reading Times--in 19 days. 2- The Pricetown Hotel, at the traffic light, has an altered look. 3- The 1885 Virginville Hotel ravaged by fire on Memorial Day. 4- Fritz burial ground in Douglass Township to receive attention. 5- 150 historical photographs donated to the Historical Society. 6- Aulenbach Cemetery benefit-barbecue tickets now available. ========================================= 1- The Reading Times, founded 145 years ago, will be discontinued at the end of this month. On July 1st, the Reading Eagle will become a morning newspaper. Having the Eagle as the surviving paper was the thing to do in view of the fact Reading-Berks has had an Eagle in some form since November 29th, 1796. More remarkably, the Eagle has come down through the same family that established it 206 years ago. Accordingly, the Eagle is the oldest survivng business interest in Berks County. ======================================== 2- Some time ago, as the result of an accident, the Pricetown Hotel had its elongated, old-time front-porch roof severely damaged. Apparently, the decision was made to remove it completely rather than repair the damage. While the owners have made the approach attractive, it will take some time till passers-by get used to seeing the building as it now appears. For the record, Pricetown had two hotels. The older one, a stone building in the center of the village (latterly the Emblem Arms), has been out of business for nearly a generation. ======================================== 3- Today's newspaper reported, on page one, that the 1885 (brick) Virginville Hotel in Richmond Twp. was severely damaged by fire-- on Memorial Day. The ornate and very largely original barroom was hardest hit, victim of an electrical short-circuit in the bar- cooler system. While the dining room was not directly stricken, it had water and smoke damage. To the great credit of owner-operator William Bensinger, plans are underway to restore all that was damaged. Berks Fire & Water Restoration of Reading is in charge. It is distressing to the Bensingers and all their patrons that business will probably be suspended four months. The Virginville Hotel has as a reputation for really good food. People travel for miles for Bensingers' ham-and-bean soup. Their creamed cucumber salad is 5-star quality! ========================================= 4- Also reported in today's paper is an effort to restore and make more accessible the FRITZ BURIAL GROUND in Douglass Twp. which was in active use from 1777 and 1893. It contains some 70 identi- fiable graves including 8 Revolutionary War soldiers and 2 from the War of 1812. A website on the cemetery is quite interesting and informative. Take a minute to check it...... http://www.rootsweb.com/~paberks/cemetery/frtzcem.html ======================================== 5- Well-known local thespian and valued Historical Society volunteer Jack Sergeant (of Mount Penn) often mentioned the existence of a fine collection of 8- by 10-inch photographs that were in the possession of an old family friend who had moved to Boise, Idaho. It wasn't until this past weekend that, with no little effort, he managed to get them brought back to Reading. Thanks to Jack, they were donated to the Historical Society. The best of the collection will be shown on our next BCTV tv program--on WEDNESDAY, July 3rd, at 7. Out-of-towners can see by accessing... http://www.berkshistory.org/realaudio/hill.ram Included are about 15 "new" and genuinely rare Carsonia Park views, Penn Street (especially fine shots of the 300 block), close-ups of trolley cars, and general street scenes of Reading. Most of the views are Reading based during the period 1910-1950. ======================================== 6- Tickets have been received for the Aulenbach Cemetery chicken barbecue to benefit the cemetery restoration and maintenance fund. Your help and support are urgently needed! Cost is $7 per ticket. Noon to 3 on Saturday, June 29th, at Exeter Wal-Mart Make checks payable to AULENBACH'S CEMETERY and mail to Gloria-Cemetery Historical Society of Berks County 940 Centre Ave. Reading, PA 19601 The editor of this email service will pay the postage to send your tickets, which were provided by State Representative Tom Caltagirone of Reading. =============== gmmix ========= end ====

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