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Posted 07-01-2003 EIGHT News-Bits of Reading and Berks historical interest… ============ ============== ================== ======= ============ ============== ================== ======= 1- BCTV program THIS Wed. at 7 (Laureldale/Prohibition) 2- Admission fees modified for non-members of Society 3- NEW EXHIBIT at Society salutes Old-Time Fourths 4- Fascinating Mohnton discovery---at Wyo. Ave. & Walnut 5- Boonecroft hayride concludes Society's 2003 fundraiser 6- Recent obits: Dr. Stolz, E. Weimer, and M. Hoyer 7- Summer issue of the Review sent to the membership 8- Volunteers needed for various purposes at the Society =============== =============== =============== 1- The Society's monthly BCTV program this Wednesday, July 2nd, is composed of three parts: A- The Laureldale Anniversary Committee returns for the final installment of its photo salute to the borough. A fine complement of panelists will be on hand. B- Ed Taggert, author of the enormously popular book on the Prohibition era in the greater Reading era---and Max Hassel, comes to tell us more of that period. C- Potpourri of slides of downtown Reading (1910-ish), the Blue Bird Shop on Schuylkill Ave., Schuylkill Avenue's Schuylkill Fire Co., misc. old Exeter Twp. views, etc. If you missed June's BCTV program, you can still catch it by accessing: http://www.berkshistory.org/realaudio/hill.ram ============ ============== ============= ============== 2- The Society's admission-charge schedule has been modified to reflect the prevailing scale throughout PA, of museums of similar size---and many even smaller. The following applies only to NON-members: Adults - general admission to museum: $ 4 Adults - Senior Citizens - 65 or over, with proof of age: $ 3 Children - 12 and under: $ 2 Children in organized groups - Scouts, school groups, etc.: $ 1 The above charges apply ALSO to Saturday admission, which previously had been by donation. As we are currently operating at a deficit, this move became necessary. When told Saturday admissions were by donation, many either ignored the donation box----or dropped in a quarter for a family of four! This does little to pay utility bills and general costs involved to maintain staffing. (Membership dues cover only a small portion of the costs incurred in date-to-day operations. Without members' Annual Giving, we'd be in desperate straits.) Note: Library use remains $ 5 per visit (for NON-members). Basic membership remains $ 30 per year for individuals; $ 40 for families. A surprising fact: Every member of the Society receives, as a benefit of membership, the "Historical Review of Berks County," which is printed on superior non-yellowing acid-free paper--- with color plates. Including mailing costs, issuing this publication to all members, four times a year, eats up $ 20 of the $ 30 basic-membership charge! ============== =============== =================== 3- A new exhibit, "Celebrating an Old-Fashioned Independence Day," opens in Exhibition Hall this week! Members are invited to "a special opening" Thursday evening at 7. Refreshments will be served. Non-members will get their first chance to see the collections this coming Saturday. On the members' opening this Thursday, Paul Troutman will usher us outside for a demonstration of firings of antique toy cannon, mortars, and "bouncing boys." The first two listed employ black powder. Needless to say, we had to get special police approval to make this possible. (We're hoping this activity won't generate 911 calls!) Additionally, there will be a gallery tour by three of the collectors who've provided the exhibits. You've never seen so many antique cap pistols, cannon, and related "celebration toys" in your life. One 110-year-old toy pistol shoots marbles! Imagine launching that on today's market…… The next News-Bits will feature views of the collections on exhibit. Watch for it. ================== ================== =========== 4- While the project remains a work in progress, Tom Schappell has determined to rehabilitate the 1873 Cyrus Hornberger (later, Noll) wagon-works building that stands on Wyomissing Ave. in Mohnton, at the corner of Walnut. For folks not familiar with the borough, this is on "the main street" of town; looking out the building's back window you see the rear of the baseball field's grandstand. Driving this project was Tom's discovery of two 19th century artifacts vital to an old-time wagon works operation: a black- smith's hearth in full working condition (found hidden behind a false wall!) and a wagon elevator---with all its parts---on the top floor, designed to operate on the structure's three levels. The gearing must be seen to be appreciated! When completed, the former wagon works will be major attraction in the town, especially at night. =============== =================== =============== 5- This past Saturday, Severin Fayerman, who graciously hosted the Society's recent annual fundraiser at his splendid county estate---"Boonecroft" near Limekiln---reinvited those who attended the aforementioned fund raiser to a hayride that was postponed due to heavy rains that made passage over unimproved roads nearly impossible. The event was well worth waiting for. The ride, which took an hour and was guided by educational curator Vicky Heffner, meandered back into the proverbial hinterlands, past 18th and 19th century buildings few of us knew about. A really ancient-looking Boone home "way out back" came as the biggest surprise. We take this opportunity to thank Mr. Fayerman for being a most genial host to the Society and its members. Incidentally, there were two hayrides Saturday to accommodate all who wanted to return for more fun. ================ ================= =========== 6- Brief review of several recent obituaries….. Dr. John C. Stolz, ex-radiology chief of Community General Hospital, died June 24th at age 95. In more recent years, he resided at the Highlands at Wyomissing. His first wife, Vivian Lavery-Stolz, passed away in 1992; his second, Anne Kelsey- Stolz, in 2002. Dr. Stolz was a graduate of Hartwick Seminary, William and Mary, and Hahnemann Medical School in Philadelphia. He did postgraduate training at the Hospital of the University of PA. He actively served Community General, with distinction, from 1941 to 1976. He was a member of Trinity Luth. Church, Reading. As might be expected, he received many awards and honors over the years---and was an emeritus member of the board of directors of our Society. Dr. Stolz is survived by son Dr. Jonathan L. Stolz, Wyomissing, a Society trustee, and daughter Lavery Stolz-Willits, Fleetwood. Dr. Stolz was one of a kind. Most, who knew him well, would comment at the mention of his name, "….a gentleman of the old school." He had a philosophical nature and expressed himself elegantly. His classical education served him well. When Dr. Stolz spoke, he had everyone's full attention. His very being generated respect. His huge smile brought instant joy to those around him. To say that he will be sorely missed is an understatement. It's unlikely your editor will encounter his equal in this lifetime. = = = = = Mary Hoyer, longtime producer of high-quality dolls that were on the wish-list of most girls for decades, died June 24th, at age 101. Her husband William passed away in 1988. The Society hosted a major birthday party for Mary a year ago. Mary began her career as a fashion designer in the early 1930's, designing children's knitwear for several major yarn makers. In 1937, she conceived the idea of creating a slim-bodied doll for which she would design, knit, and crochet patterns. Soon thereafter, the Mary Hoyer Doll Mfg. Co. came into existence. Surviving are a daughter, M. Arlene Hoyer-Hess, Reading. Among her grandchildren is Dr. Mary Lynn Saunders, of Montgomery County, who continues the family enterprise and who has been a good friend to this Society. = = = = = Elizabeth "Betty" Weimer, former contralto soloist, died June 24th at her Linden St. home in Reading. She was 81 and is survived by husband Gail F. Weimer and son Eric, of Chicago, both outstanding musicians. Betty was a soloist for many groups and churches in the area. During the years the Music Club of Reading was actively producing operas and operettas, starting in 1963, she was always in a starring role. She had a large, dependable voice. Betty took vocal studies at the New England Conservatory of Music and the American Conservatory, Chicago. She was employed as a legal secretary for Judges Grant Wesner and Frederick Edenharter---and the Berks County Court office administrator---until retirement in 1986. ============ =========== =============== 7- Members of the Society have received their Summer issue of the "Historical Review," which has been particularly well received. The stunning cover, showing Berks artist Chris Shearer sketching a Gypsy encampment in the Oley Furnace area, was made possible through the joint efforts of Dick Shaner of Kutztown and Valerie Malmburg of Greshville, both active members of this Society. In addition to the regular features of the magazine---which include library news, Random Thoughts, Mr. Yoder's report on "the Society at work," and three full pages of book reviews--- there are these articles: John Long, PA German Split-Oak Basketmaker by Dick Shaner Itinerant and Gypsy Willow Basketry, etc. by Richard H. Shaner Greetings from Basket, PA, a photo offering A Desire to Paint: Mary Leisz, Berks artist by Valerie Malmberg Wayfaring Stranger by Linda Griggs Rdg's Wash Fraus: Powwowing for 3 Generations by Joanne Flores Iskra-Chubb 1926 Rdg. Keystone Baseball Team by Charles J. Adams, III Charles Evans Cemetery's New Arboretum by Andrea Berman Memories of Rural Life in the Prohibition Era by Oliver Jacoby =============== =============== ================== 8- HELP! We are reaching the critical stage in our need for volunteers to continue the Society's offerings. Few volunteers ever leave the ranks except for protracted illness or death. We've had an incredibly loyal and dependable group. But time is taking its toll…… We're looking for volunteers willing to give a morning or an afternoon, once a week or less. We'll take what we can get! Even being put on a substitute list to fill in when needed is something we'd appreciate. Shifts usually run 3 hours. A few noble souls donate a full day every week. We need library volunteers…..to help gather data from various sources for transfer to file cards…to organize file cards… to work the front desk, helping visitors get books and find materials…to keyboard data into the master computer (really needed!). If you are willing to come in on a trial basis to see what it's all about, give Librarian Barbara Brophy a call at 610 - 375 - 4375. Email: Society.Library@verizon.net We need volunteers to clerk the gift shop, which is open daily, and to serve as receptionists---at the front desk---to greet visitors, collect entrance fees, and answer the telephone. If you like to meet people, these are the places. For more information, call Gloria at 610 - 375 - 4375. Or email her at Gloria.Meiser@verizon.net We need docents, or visitor guides, especially to provide tours for school groups. From time to time, there are senior tours, too. All needed information is available in "guide books." We're making a plea for retired educators, regardless what level you taught, to consider being a docent. If you'd like to know more or give it a try, call Vicky Heffner, our education curator, at 610 - 375 - 4375. Email: Vicky.Heffner@verizon.net ============= ================ =============== ============ gmmix ========== end =============

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