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Authored by Society president George Meiser IX |
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NINE News-Bits of Reading-Berks historical interest.....
=================================== 1- Ebay has Knights of Golden Eagle ledger from Amityville/Athol 2- Museum Council’s bus trip to Fonthill, H.C. Mercer’s 1912 "castle" 3- New old-time photos being added to Society’s basket exhibition 4- President of Reading’s defunct Schofer Bakery dies at 87 5- Graveyard Assn mtg on 3/30 deals with Relocating Oley Graves 6- Ex-mayor of Bally, Charles Bauer, dies at 88; was a civil leader 7- 1915 Deatrick History of Kutztown, loaded with photos, reprinted 8- "Booklegger," bio of Max Hassel, just published; Rdg. brewery history included 9- Music Club of Rdg.-Berks offers free concert next Sat. at 7:30 ========================================== 1- Ebay is selling an Amityville/Athol Knights of the Golden Eagle (Bright Star Castle) ledger representing the years 1893-1913. It’s $14.95 at present. If you’d like to see photos, access: http://cgi.aol.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3600298299 Years ago, the Knights of the Golden Eagle was a very popular men’s lodge in Berks. Many towns and villages had a castle (group). Oley Village had a splendid 3-story building on the Main St. with two eagles perched on the roof. The building is now an apartment house. The last unit of this organization, known to your editor, was a women’s group in Blandon---Ladies of the Golden Eagle. About 25 years ago I spoke with the president who had converted part of her house for use as their "castle." She was around 90, as were her few remaining ladies. While I haven’t checked lately, it can be assumed the group is now inactive. An Internet check reveals that the organization still exists! And in Pennsylvania! If you want to know more, access: http://www.abaris.net/freemasonry/marin_knights_golden_eagle.htm ========================================== 2- The Berks County Museum Council is sponsoring a bus trip to FONTHILL, Dr. Henry Chapman Mercer’s 1912 "castle," which now functions as a fascinating museum. It’s located at Doylestown. 
For a fascinating history of Dr. Mercer, his castle, and his collections and activities, access: http://imls-train.cis.drexel.edu/bucks2/henry_c_mercer.htm The date is WEDNESDAY, April 2nd. We leave from the Berks County Heritage Center, Red Bridge Rd. (Parking lot off of Route 183). On the grounds you have the opportunity to view the production of decorative tile and mosaics at what is called the "Moravian Pottery and Tile Works." It was here that the beautiful emblem set into the floor of the entranceway to the Historical Society of Berks County was made---in 1928. The tile leading into the Society’s library was made here also---in 1988. Also on the trip you’ll see the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa with its striking stained-glass windows. Lunch at Plumsteadville Inn. We return to the Heritage Center around 7:30 p.m. Name__________________________________________________ Address:_____________________________________________ Phone # _________________ Cost: $55.00 per person x _________ = $___________ Lunch: choice of: ( P one) ____Chicken Cordon Bleu ___Tenderloin Tips over Noodles Make checks payable to: Berks County Museum Council Mail to: Shirley M. Brown (Phone 717 - 866-4101) PO Box 705 Richland PA 17087 ============================================= 3- The current BASKET EXHIBIT, in the Society’s Exhibition Hall, is proving to be enormously popular. It may be viewed Tuesday through Saturday, 9 to 4. As noted in an earlier News-Bits email, the old-time baskets range in size from one you can sit inside to one designed and made to hold a single jelly bean! In the photo below, a yellow arrow points to that tiny fully-woven basket. 
The "Strauss boys" of Strausstown made baskets for years, but when the exhibit opened, we didn’t have a photo of Ray Strauss. Someone found one and lent it to us. Here it is: 
Our basket exhibit has been made possible by an underwriting grant from the Widgeon Foundation, Jennifer Malmberg, secretary. ========================================= 4- It has just come to our attention that William F. R. Schofer, former president of Schofer’s Bakery, died at age 87 in a hospital in Westminster, MD---on Sun., Dec. 29th, 2002. Formerly, he had lived in Wyomissing. During his years at the Schofer Bakery, South 5th St., Reading, he had served as a baker, purchaser, and, latterly, as president--- until his retirement in 1976. He was a 1952 graduate of the Am. Institute of Baking, Chicago. He was a WWII vet; he received the Presidential Unit Citation. Services were held at Atonement Church, Wyomissing. Byers Funeral Directors of Randallstown, MD, had charge of arrangements. He is survived by wife Rosene, and a son and three daughters, all of whom live out of the area. ======================================== 5- Berks County Assn. for Graveyard Preservation is holding an open meeting SUNDAY, March 30th at 2:30 ---- at the Oley Am. Legion bldg. >From Rt. 73 at Oley, look for De Turk Rd., which is to the left of the Oley Legion Diner. It’s visible from 73. Info: 610 - 582-1720 The program should prove of general interest to both history buffs and genealogists: "Relocating Oley Historic Graves" Archeologist Mark Drogo is the speaker. YOU ARE INVITED. http://www.BCAGP.org ========================================== 6- On Saturday, Jan. 11th, Charles E. Bauer died in Pottstown Memorial Medical Center at age 88. Prior to going to the Frederick Mennonite Community, he had resided on Cherry St. in Bally Borough, the place of his nativity. He was employed 42 years by Bally Case and Cooler Co.; he retired in 1980. He was mayor of Bally for 6 years and had been a councilman for 2. He was a life member of the Bally Fire Co. where he was a past president and captain of the fire police--- for 20 years. He managed the former Bally adult baseball team for a long time. He is survived by wife Esther L. Letterhouse-Bauer---and sister Dorothy Miller and brothers Leo and Stanley, all of Bally. He lies buried in the churchyard of the Most Blessed Sacrament Church, Bally. =================================== 7- Notification was received that W. W. Deatrick’s splendid 1915 history of Kutztown has been reprinted in both hardback and paperback. Dr. Deatrick was an active member of the Historical Society of Berks County, a professor at Kutztown Normal School, and one of the best photographers Berks ever had. The volumes are available from Higginson Books. The softbound version sells for $41.25, postpaid. Hardbound is $12 more. If you want to know more and are interested, access: http://www.higginsonbooks.com (or phone 978-745-7170 ) ====================================== 8. Retired Reading Times editor and valued member of the Historical Society ED TAGGERT has just published "Bootlegger," the story of the rise and fall of Max Hassel, "The Millionaire Newsboy." 
Max Hassel, who became a bootlegger at age 19 during the Prohibition, was a millionaire by 24. He was a rarity in that he never used violence to achieve his wealth. For a period, he owned three of Reading’s breweries. Those fascinated by the history of Reading and its breweries during the 1920’s will find much of interest in this softbound, well-indexed, 247-page, 6- by 9-inch volume. Price is about $17 at the Historical Society’s museum shop. By mail, it’s $20 to PA residents. Out-of-staters: $19 postpaid. Make checks payable to Historical Society of Berks County and mail to 940 Centre Ave., Reading, PA 19601 A more complete account of this publication is forthcoming. ===================================== 9- The Music Club of Reading-Berks presents "Musical Potpourri" Saturday, March 29th, at 7:30 p.m. (That's NEXT week!) At Atonement Lutheran Church, Penn Ave. & Wyomissing Blvd. in Wyomissing. Dr. and Mrs. Barton Smith are the hosts. THE PROGRAM: + Suite for viola and piano (molto vivace), by E. Bloch Matthew Consul and Margaret Ross-Hey + Bagatellies for clarinet and piano, by G. Finzi Kathryn Hong and Barton Smith + Concerto in G, arranged for flute ensemble, by E. Monroe + Dance of the Sugarplum Faries by P. Tschaikowsky, J. Gardener, J. Hershberger, R. Rutting, E. Shapiro, C. Stephen, J. Shuman, D. Swinford, and A. Williams + Double flute concerto in G, by J. Quantz C. Stephen and John Shuman, flutes Richard Maurer, cello, and Margaret Ross-Hey, piano + Suite in d minor for solo cello, by P. Tschaikowsky Richard Maurer + Improvisation on a telephone number!, by M. Devlin Martin Devlin, organ + Medley of Memorable Tunes, by K. Weil Runette Gabrielle, soprano; Larry Longlott, baritone "Lucky" Camporeale, electric bass; Barton Smith, piano Come and bring friends! It’s free! Refreshments will be provided. The Music Club of Reading-Berks is observing its 99th anniversary. NOTE: Look forward to a "Three Men and Their Music" program at the Historical Society.....coming soon. This is always a fun evening--- presented as a joint effort of the Historical Society of Berks County and Music Club of Reading-Berks. Info: 610 - 779-1487 ======================== gmmix === end === |
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