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Authored by Society president George Meiser IX |
| Posted 09-29-2003
SEVEN News-Bits of Reading-Berks historical interest…. =============== ============ ========= =============== ============ ========= 1- Rare Anthony Monde accordion disc obtained in Rochelle, IL 2- Society's BCTV program is this WED., Oct. 1st at 7 p.m. 3- Annual Berks County Art Show opens Sun., Oct. 5 at noon 4- Funeral of Edward Palmer, Society custodian/volunteer/friend 5- Eva Kissinger, teacher/Girls' High Grad, died as 99 6- If you change Internet provider, please notify us 7- Book Bonanza 2004 collection Sat., Oct. 11 - 9 to 1 =============== ============= =========== =============== ============= =========== 1- Thanks to eBay, your editor managed to acquire a hitherto unknown Anthony Monde 78 rpm disc, recorded around 1923. More specifically, the selections on the Harmony label (a subsidiary of Columbia Records) are "No Man's Mama" by Pollack & Yellen---and---"I'm Gonna Charleston Back to Charleston" by Turk & Handman. Both are fox trots. The disc is Harmony 75-H. Click on the button to hear the Charleston selection.  Prior to Anthony Monde's death 20 years ago, and this is the 100th anniversary of his birth, he was one of Reading's best known citizens. At the time accordion was a popular instrument and droves of youth took lessons, Anthony Monde was the teacher of choice. He taught from his home of North 4th St., between Elm and Buttonwood, west side. What many who knew him tend to forget is that in his prime, he was one of the finest accordionists anywhere to be found. This is substantiated by the fact he recorded some 20 selections---for Edison, Columbia, and Harmony records. In the days before long-playing discs and CD's, this was an impressive achievement.  Particulars of his early life are in relatively short supply. He had a tendency to be vague about certain details, his age for one. His wife smiled when she told me that when they married, she knew he was considerably order than she, but he lied about his age for so long that by the time he died, he was younger than she! His obituary in the papers gave no age; his tombstone has no birth date or age. For the record, he died at 80, based on the census record of 1910. Anthony grew up in Reading, attended the local schools, and lived on Perkiomen Ave. for quite a few years. In the 1920s he was a headliner on the prestigious Keith Vaudeville Circuit. He performed for European royalty, Margaret Thatcher, and presidents Reagan and Ford. In the U.S. he was a frequent performer on radio and tv. He held patents for a number of inventions, one of which was his highly unusual organette accordion (pictured herewith)  which he took everywhere he went---including to his grave---in Schwarzwald Cemetery at Jacksonwald, Exeter Township, Berks County. At his request, the accordion was to be buried with him. Those in the know said this wasn't a bad idea as only he could play it! Undertaker Lutz tried every which way to get the instrument into the casket but at length gave in to the fact it just wasn't going to fit. In the end, the accordion was put into a plastic bag which was placed atop his casket---and then the grave-site was filled in with earth. Monde's tombstone has something of a likeness of his accordion. He's buried in the newer part of Schwarzwald Cemetery, not far from Oley Turnpike Road.  ============== =============== ============ 2- In our last News-Bits release, we neglected to report that the Society's BCTV program for this WEDNESDAY., Oct. 1st at 7 p.m., would have Michael A. Miller making a return guest visit to show more of his Washington Twp. historic sites. Another guest, baking instructor from the Reading- Muhlenberg Vo-tech school, Mrs. Tracy Stettler, will give us some specifics about gingerbread-house making! ================ ========== ============ 3- The Annual Berks County Art Show opens at noon this coming SUNDAY, Oct. 5th. It continues Mon., Oct 6th through Sat., Oct. 11th----10 to 7. Last day: Sunday, Oct. 12, noon to 5. This much-anticipated art show of works of local artists of yesteryear takes place in the art-barn at Greshville Antiques, Boyertown Pike (Route 562) at Greshville, 2 miles west of Boyertown. Information? 610 - 367 - 0076 =============== =============== ============ =============== =============== ============ 4- We report with great regret the death and funeral (today) of Edward A. Palmer, 74, or Shillington, who passed away Thurs., Sept. 24th in Reading Hospital, where he had been a patient since Sept. 11th. He was the husband of Janet (Roy) Palmer. He was born in Reading, lived on Gordon St. in his youth, served in the Army, and worked at Carpenter Steel prior to his retirement in 1987. Thereafter, he served as the Society's custodian until he became ill a few years ago. During the times he regained his strength, he came to the Society to volunteer his talents, often as a painter. He had a great love and interest in local history---and during his time with us was more of a friend than an employe. He is also survived by son Kerry of Shillington, daughter Cynthia Dixon of Bowie, Md., brother John of Wyomissing, and sisters Mary Dickinson of Wyomissing and Faye Carroll of Stony Creek Mills. There are two grandsons. He was buried in Forest Hills Memorial Park, Reiffton. ================ ============ ========== 5- We also report the passing of Eva E. Kissinger, a retired Reading School District elementary teacher, who died at age 99 on Sept. 23rd in Abington Hospital, Montgomery County. She had taught first grade for 42 years before retiring on June 18, 1965. She was born in Reading, a daughter of Alfred and Sallie (Hinkel) Kissinger. She was a 1921 graduate of Girls' High and a 1923 graduate of West Chester Normal School. She completed his BS at Kutztown State Teachers' College in 1941. Surviving are several cousins. Burial was in Laureldale Cemetery, Tuckerton, Muhlenberg Twp., Berks. ================= ============ ========== 6- Reminder: If you change Internet providers, don't forget to inform us. More and more of you are switching to DSL or other "fast" systems. =============== ============== ======== 7- County-wide used book collection for Book Bonanza 2004 will be held on Saturday, October 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Reading Regional Airport. Watch for signs along Route 183 (the Bernville Road) telling you where to pull in. Adult and children's hardback or paperback books in good condition are needed. The Book Bonanza provides funds for scholarships for women and the Berks Libraries' Summer Reading Program for Kids. Sponsoring organizations: Berks County Public Library System, Friends of Berks County Public Libraries, and the Reading Branch of the American Association of University Women. For more information, call 610 - 779 - 7297. =============== ============== ============= =============== gmmix =========== end === |
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