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Authored by Society president George Meiser IX |
| Posted 03-08-2006
Six NEWS-BITS of Reading-Berks historical interest..... ================= ================ ================= ================= ================ ================= 1- Book review: "Rdg. Railroad -- STEAM in ACTION" 2- Your burnt CD's w/ photos, genealogical data, etc. are dying fast 3- Morlatton Post Card Club show Fri./ Sat., March 24, 25--Lancaster 4- Cumru's High-Hoch Cem. topic of BCAGP mtg. Sun., Mar 12 at 2 5- 1972 Tropical Storm Agnes program Tues., Mar 14 at 7:30--S.Spring 6- Coming in the next News-Bits: major landmarks in jeopardy ================ ================= ================= ================ ================= ================= 1- Book review: "Reading Railroad: STEAM in ACTION--Volume II," compiled by Benjamin L. Bernhart; 70 pages; 8.5 by 11 inches; softbound; 115 (mostly) monochromatic photographs; copyright 2006 by Outer Station Project; printed by Sheridan Press (Hanover, PA) on high-quality glossy paper. Available at the Historical Society's Museum Shop for $15.90. Also available by mail for $19.50 postpaid; checks payable to Historical Society of Berks County, 940 Centre Ave., Reading, PA 19601 
The first thing that strikes the eye is the size of the pictures, many of which are quite large. Numerous inset- photos appear, nestled in unimportant parts of the larger views---mostly in expanses of sky. This publication---a limited edition of 1000---should appeal to the casual Berks history buff, as well as to the many rail fans hereabouts, for the generous number of local photographs, all of which are of superior quality. To Mr. Bernhart's credit, his photo-captions have substance, not always the case in what might be termed "a picture book." No incidentally, the views included will not be familiar to readers. There are many will probably appear in print for the first time. Photo: Train heading northward from the yard in Reading.. around 1902. Good view of the modified old-time signal tower, many of which were removed by 1900. 
Photo: Kutztown's depot around 135 years ago! 
Photo: A camelback-styled locomotive pulls a passenger train through the Seventh Street cut, north of Penn St., Reading....circa 1909. 
============= ================= ================ 2- The latest newsletter from the Ass'n for Recorded Sound Collections reiterated what has been appearing in various news sources recently....that the CD-R's we collectors of photos, genealogical data, and sound files have been burning on our computers are self-destructing---day by day. For a long time, we gave little thought as to how long a home-burnt CD might last. Originally, it was said that CD's would last nearly forever. A report that appeared in newspapers across the nation within the last two weeks must have come as a major shock to many who have been entrusting their most precious bits of data to 28-cent CD's! For you who didn't see that recent article, be aware it was stated that information committed to cheap CD's might be expected to survive LESS THAN FIVE YEARS! It appears that a certain brand whose name begins with "M" and ends with "X" might be particularly unstable. And the re-writable CD's are even worse. It's more than a little ironic that Edison wax cylinders a century old are still mostly playable...and Edison's Blue Amberol cylinders will probably play splendidly in 2106! Below is a photo taken in 1913 of folks listening to Blue Amberol cylinders, all of which probably would play as well today as they did then. Your editor has 1,300 and still plays them from time to time. They are indeed all but indestructible if stored away from excessive dampness. 
In 1976, a major news magazine made the point that "pictures now being taken of the Bicentennial will not be around in 2076, but those taken in 1876 will be!" So what can be done to save sound files, photos, and genealogical data we've collected and hope to retain indefinitely? Transfer them to gold-based CD's that run around $1 each. Major archives have been using these for several years. It just came to my attention that many FM radio stations keep their treasures on gold-based CD's as well. Based on time projections, it was felt--at this juncture--the gold-based discs could retain data well over a century. Gold-based DVD's are also available on the Internet. The URL given above provides the information necessary to purchase Mitsui CD-R 52x GOLD-based discs. You must buy 100 at 98-cents each---plus $5 freight. Get a friend to take half and split the cost. Orders are shipped immediately. ============== ==================== ============= 3- The 31st Annual Spring Post Card Show will be held at the farm and Home Center - 1383 Arcadia Rd. - Lancaster, PA 17603. FRIDAY and SATURDAY, March 24 and 25 - opens at 10 a.m. on both days. Closes Friday at 6 and Saturday at 4. Admission is $2 More information? Kay Feight (717) 263 - 1638 Leon Rowe (610) 444 - 0641 ============== ================== ================= 4- This coming Sunday at 2 p.m., the Berks County Ass'n for Graveyard Preservation will meetat the Americn Legion bldg. at Oley---a yellowish-tan structure---visible from Route 73. Anyone interested is invited to attend. The topic under discussion will be estimates to preserve the High-Hoch family cemetery close to the Western Berks Landfill grounds at Poplar Neck.....walking distance from the Schuylkill River and the Animal Rescue League headquarters (off Route 724) at Ridgewood. =============== ================ ================= 5- Banjamin L. Bernhart, author of numerous books (many railroad-related) will be providing a program to the Sinking Spring Historical Society....this TUESDAY, March 14, at 7:30 p.m. You are invitied to attend this event. Need more information? Contact S.S.H.S. president Paul L. Miller. PKMontello@verizon.net ===================== ================= ============ ===================== GMMIX ======= END ========== |
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