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Authored by Society president George Meiser IX |
| Posted 06-11-2003
SIX News-Bits of Reading-Berks historical interest….. ============= =============== ============== 1- Musical Gala at Society this Saturday evening at 7:30 - free! 2- Society fund raiser last weekend a smashing success 3- St. Mary's parochial school in Rdg. closes after 115 years 4- Excellent guide to property terms and research on Net 5- Reading Theatre Project mini-plays June 26/27--Thurs./Fri. 6- From the old photo album: 1265 Perkiomen Ave.,Rdg., in 1888. ============ ============== ================ 1- The Historical Society of Berks County, in conjunction with the Music Club of Reading-Berks, presents its annual gala musicale at the Society (940 Centre Ave.) THIS coming Saturday evening, June 14th, at 7:30. This free program has become quite popular with local audiences because of its variety of unusual offerings. The program is divided into four distinct sections. STUART COHN presents a tribute to tenor Nicolai Gedda that includes a Berks connection of special interest. Dr. Cohn's collection of recordings is impressive. BRUCE BENGTSON will play one selection-Wm. Selby's "Voluntary"--on the Society's 203-year-old Dieffenbach Organ that shows the pioneer Berks instrument at its very best. You'll be astounded and pleased. JOHN HENRY FUNK will present three short French songs from a new CD that he recorded several months ago. Mr. Funk, during his university days at Harvard, studied with Lambert Murphy who was a popular Victor record artist and Metropolitan Opera tenor. Murphy earlier had coached with the world famous tenor, Enrico Caruso (1879-1921). Incidentally, are you aware Caruso's grandson lives in Berks? GEO. M. MEISER, IX digs into his record collection for oldies and oddities for a segment titled "mismatched performances." Expect to hear unusual vocal performances. "Four Men and Their Music" is open to the general public…and the program is free. Messrs. Cohn, Funk, and Meiser are seen below.  ================ ============== ============== 2- The Society's annual fund raiser, which took place last Saturday evening at "Boonecroft," was a major success in spite of unabating rain. Our genial host, Severin Fayerman, had his estate's grounds in pristine condition. Society Trustee, Janis Longlott, oversaw all arrangements for food and entertainment, which were first rate in all regards. The dinner and entertainment were in a tent so massive and elegant that attendees became oblivious to prevailing weather conditions.   ================ ============== ================ 3- Tuesday, June 10th, was St. Mary's parochial school's last day of classes for the 76 students who attended the 12th and Spruce facility---southeast corner---which dates from 1928. In the 1930s, St. Mary's had nearly 900 students and for a period included an 11th grade. For the past 50+ years, the school ran classes only to the 8th grade level. Parochial school classes began at St. Mary's in the late 1880's- in the church basement. In 1904, a handsome 12-room bldg. was erected behind the church which was razed in 1977 to make space for a parking lot. Included herewith are two views of the 1904 bldg. which your editor took around 1976.  =========== =============== ================= 4- There's an excellent Internet-based guide for those of you who are interested in the study of early properties and the terms associated with that study. While prepared by the Lancaster County Historical Society, the explanations are totally applicable to Berks. For an easy explanation of such terms as indenture, patent, deed of release, Proprietaries, return of survey, grantee, federal tax of 1798 and 1815, glass tax, etc., access: http://www.lancasterhistory.org/education/house/landrecords.html http://www.lancasterhistory.org/education/house/additional.html ============ ================ ================ 5- For an unusual evening of locally-relevant theatre, read on... Reading Theatre Project presents….."10 Minutes from Reading," ten-minute plays with music. Regional professional writers have created the plays, some of which include mature subject matter. 1. "The Bride of Reading" by Roma Greth Set in 1921, the year women got the vote and the generational conflict over the expanding role of women began. 2. "Blue Firefly" by Heather Thomas Does America's great poet Wallace Stevens still haunt the Reading row house of his birth? The creative spirit glimmers there as a girl comes of age in the city's gritty 1960s, and a poet remembers the shards of herself. 3. "All Boards Down" by Susan Sneeringer As two sisters unwind at a local walk-in bingo hall, the assistant DA drops by for a spot inspection. The game gets interesting. 4. "It Happened on Cherry Street" by Félix Alfonso Peña Set in the Reading of today, this comedy focuses on the "changing of the guard" in the city and on cross-cultural miscommunication 5. "Train Stop" by George Hatza In the mind of a batterer just moments before he perpetrates a stunning act of violence, a vicious cycle of domestic abuse draws to its inevitable, tragic conclusion. 6. "You Know What I Mean!" by Chuck Gallagher A look at a caregiver struggling with his attitude and the difficulties encountered by the aging man whom he tends. 7. "One Word Links The Ideas" by Craig Czury. A multi-voice poetry performance...a conversation as a window, possibly a mirror. The everyday voices recorded from a Wernersville State Hospital poetry workshop. 8. "We're Running Out" by Jason Brudereck A broadly satiric look at city hall with cautionary overtones. Original music by Ken Blekicki Thursday and Friday, June 26 and 27, at 8:00 PM Tickets are $11.00 and available from Ticket Master 215-336-2000 The plays will be given in the ballroom at the Sovereign Performing Arts Center--former Rajah Theatre--on North 6th St., Reading. An elevator is available to transport you to the ballroom. ================ ==================== =================== 6- From the photo album: 1265 Perkiomen Ave., Rdg., in 1888. At the time the view was taken, draughtsman William Good lived here. Good Street would be on the right/east side. The commodious home is long gone. The one-story brick building now on the site is home to radio stations WRFY-FM and WRAW-AM. Next time you drive by, notice that the old stone retaining wall along the sidewalk survives.  ============= ====== gmmix ====== end ==== |
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