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Posted 08-21-2003 SIX News-Bits of Reading-Berks historical interest... ================= ================ ================= 1- Eagerly awaited new book on Neversink Mountain NOW available 2- The passing of Dr. Claude A. Reich, a gentleman and a scholar 3- The passing of Earl Patterson, long active in Reading politics 4- Ringgold Band plays SUNDAY, Aug. 24, from 3-6 at Strausstown 5- Amity Heritage Society meeting Sunday, Aug. 24, at 1:30: Monocacy 6- Next "Historical Review" will be a treasure; fabulous cover ================= ================= ================= ================= ================= ================= 1- It's finally here and available immediately! NEVERSINK: Reading's "Other" Mountain (The Resort Years: 1880-1930) by Paul A. Druzba. Published by Exeter House Books 2003; 192 pages; printed on non-glare paper; 5 ¼ by 8 ½ softbound; 90 monochrome illustrations. Available from the Historical Society: $14.95 plus tax. $18.50 postpaid. Make checks payable to Historical Society of Berks County, 940 Centre Ave., Reading, PA 19601. Mr. Druzba has produced a very readable volume devoted to a subject of considerable interest to a great many people. The two-page Table of Contents provides an succinct overview of content: 1- Facts and Figures (of the mountain), 2- Native Americans, 3- Transportation and Neversink, 4- A Place to Relax, 5- Neversink Mountain Railroad, 6- The Resorts, 7- The White House (the first resort), 8- The Highland House, 9- Haak Farm and Quarry, 10- Hiener's Wissel, 11- Neversink Mountain Hotel, 12- Centennial Springs Hotel (later, the Berks County Tuberculosis Sanatorium), 13- Point Lookout, 14- Klapperthal Area, 15- Klapperthal Park Station, 16- Dengler's Glen Hotel (the last resort), 17- Random Notes, and 18- Traces & A Look Ahead. This compilation has something for everyone with an interest in Reading-area resorts and the forms of transportation that serviced them. The well-read history buff will probably find the segments on the White House, Haak Farm and Quarry, Hiener's Wissel, the TB sanatorium, and the Glen Hotel especially enlightening. Exemplifying the old adage that actions speak louder than words is the fact that nearly everyone who picks up Mr. Druzba's book and pages through it, buys it. It's bound to become a best seller. For the record, the author---who prepares copy for WEEU radio--- is an avid Reading-Berks postcard and memorabilia collector and a member of our Society. His most recent contribution to local history was as writer and producer of a particularly fine commemorative video created last year: "Berks County: The First 250 Years," which is still available at our museum/gift shop---or by mail. Also for the record, Mr. Druzba will be the featured speaker at our FIRST THURSDAY program on Sept. 4th. His slide presentation is titled: "Neversink Mountain." This will be a good time to obtain an autographed copy of his book. Mr. Druzba also will appear on the Society's next BCTV program, on Wednesday, Sept. 3, at 7 p.m. ================= =================== ============== 2- It is with extreme regret that we note the passing of an old friend and valued member of our Historical Society, Dr. Claude V. Reich. He contributed fine material on PA Germans and their culture to our magazine, "The Historical Review," but in the final analysis, he probably will be best remembered by locals for his great devotion to the history of Reading High School and its alumni association. ============= ================== =============== 3- Any Times or Eagle newspaper reader who has lived in the Reading-Berks area for an extended period of time will no doubt recognize the name of Earl Patterson: ============= ================= ================ 4- The Ringgold band plays this Sunday, Aug. 24th, from 3 to 6 at the Strausstown playground, visible from Route 183. You can't miss the place. The event is the annual picnic of the Zion Blue Mt. U.C.C. church. You are invited. Bring a folding chair. Buried on the church cemetery is Black Jim (White Jim's buddy) whose story is not unlike that of the Tom Hannahoe--Alvah Schaeffer pact made in the 1890's and observed once a year on Nanny Goat Hill, on Neversink. Ask an old timer at the picnic to tell you the story....or check "Echoes of Scholla-- Illustrated," page 112. The time frame of both stories is nearly the same. =============== ================= =============== 5- The Amity Heritage Society meets this Sunday, Aug. 24th, at 1:30---at Fairview Chapel, an historic landmark right along Route 422 in Exeter Twp. The main focus of the meeting is the town of Monocacy. Amity H.S. received a collection of old-time photos which had belonged to Virginia Ludwid; they date back nearly a century. Included are views showing Ludwigs, Klines, Shireys, etc. These views will be displayed at the meeting. There will also be a short presentation on the history and architecture of a colonial house located in Robeson Twp., presently owned by Joanne and Lee Herb. Some might recognize the place as the John and Mary Billman farm along Cedar Hill Road. Questions? amityhs@hotmail.com Amity Heritage Society, P.O. Box 151, Earlville, PA 19519 Phone: 610 - 582 - 2070 ================ ================= ================ 6- Members of the Historical Society can look forward to a really meaty issue of the "Historial Review of Berks County," due out in early September. Not unlike the past two issues of the magazine, the cover illustration--in vivid color--is based on a rare painting. This one shows us a bucholic scene along the Schuylkill River, rendered from yesteryear's Stoudt's Ferry Bridge Road, looking to the 1857 covered bridge and its tollhouse. A man and his son sit on the Muhlenberg Twp. side fishing. A forthcoming News-Bits release will reveal more of what stories are featured. For starters, though, if you have any ties to northwest Reading and Schuylkill Avenue---and if you are interested in canal boat-building at Reading and Bern Twp. and know something about Poplar Neck, High's Woods, and the magnificent High mansion along the old South 9th St. road, you'll revel in the next Review! ============== ============ ===== gmmix == end ==

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