View a tiny sampling of the thousands of items on display in our museum
Learn how you can become a member of the Historical Society of Berks County
Read breaking stories concerning Berks County history.
Authored by Society president George Meiser IX |
| Posted 04-01-2006
EIGHT News-Bits of Berks - Reading historical interest.... ==================== ================ ================== ==================== ================ ================== 1- Oley Valley landmark for sale 2- Society's Exhibition Hall closed for the duration 3- Society's BCTV program is this Wednesday, Apr. 5th at 7 p.m. 4- First Thursday program this Thurs., Apr. 6th at 8:30 a.m. 5- 3,685 additional church records added to our online files 6- Ringgold Band concert--Palm Sunday, Apr. 9th at 3 7- Albany Twp. Ben Franklin-related trip to Phil'a - Sat. 4/29 8- One-act play competition based on the Reading Railroad....... ================== ================= ================= ================== ================= ================= ================== ================= ================= 1- Historic Bieber Mill Farm---200 Bieber Mil Road, near Limekiln, Oley Township--- is up for sale. Here's hoping someone who will appreciate its Oley Valley significance purchases the place. The focus of the 25-acre property along Monocacy Creek is the fully restored four-story grist mill, c. 1800, with original equipment, water turbines, and grain scale. Opposite it is a 1730 stone farmhouse with 3 bedrooms. PHOTO: Bieber's Mill 
There is a 2nd stone farmhouse, c. 1740, with 2 bedrooms, a beehive bake oven, a bank barn...plus two additional barns, a chicken coop, scale-house with a wagon scale, a spring hose, storage building with concrete fllor and 12-foot roll-up door--and a garage. All of this is surounded by pastures and a stream. Asking price is $1,699,000. Inquiries are directed to Jon Kraynak, 610 - 408 - 2120 < kraynakjon@aol.com > ============== ================== ================== 2- The Society's Exhibition Hall closed at 4 p.m., Saturday, April 1st, to permit removal of the Gala Toy Exhibit. Thereafter, the Hall will be redesigned to accommodate the upcoming SAMPLER EXHIBIT, which opens Friday evening at 7 p.m., April 28th. ================= =============== ================= 3- The Society's monthly BCTV program is this coming Wed., April 5th at 7 p.m. Old-time Reading and Berks views will be featured. For four more days, those who missed the March program can still see it at.... =============== ================ ================= 4- Our monthly FIRST THURSDAY program is this coming Thursday morning, April 6th. Light breakfast at 8:30; program begins at 9 a.m. Cary Shaner provides a First Person Presentation. The topic is.... "Jacob Schoener," an 18th century wagoner indentured to James Logan, talks about his job experiences and his contemporaries. ================ ================ ============== 5- Doug Reinert, our web-site manager, reports that 3,685 church records---from Grace Lutheran Church---have been added to our online vital statistic files: ================= =============== ============== 6- Reminder: The annual Ringgold Band Spring concert will be this coming Sunday---Palm Sunday---Apr. 9th at 3. Tickets --- at $12 --- may be obtained at the door. Where: Scottish Rite Cathedral auditorium - West Rdg, beside the hospital. Lots of parking around the building. More information: ================ ================= ============ 7- Albany Township Historical Society is sponsoring a bus trip to Philadelphia, PA, to explore the life of Benjamin Franklin. Enjoy a relaxing drive with family and friends and spend an interesting day in historic center city Philadelphia. The date is set for Saturday April 29, 2006. Tickets cost $45 per person. For details on the sites included in the tour, access www.albanyths.org The bus departs 7:30 am from Kempton Fire Company. Seating is Limited. To reserve tickets contact Andy Brett at 610-756-3575. =============== =============== ================ 8- READING COMMUNITY PLAYERS /READING RAILROAD MUSEUM ONE-ACT PLAY COMPETITION: ONE-ACT PLAYS: Original one-act plays are being sought for a joint RCP and Reading Railroad Museum production in June/ July of 2007, to celebrate the first anniversary of the Museum's opening. A LETTER OF INTENT TO SUBMIT is required and DUE BY JUNE 1, 2006. This may be a simple letter with the Playwright's name, address, phone numbers, e-mail address, etc. stating that he/she will be providing an eligible script before the end of the submission process. Mail to RCP Playwriting Committee, P.O. Box 1032, Reading, PA 19603-1032 ---or e-mail to keldev@ptd.net. SUBMISSION PERIOD: JUNE 2006 TO MARCH 31, 2007 (postmark). The Process: Entries will be received and circulated among a panel of judges; one winner will be chosen, and 1 or 2 additional short plays may be selected for production on the stage at RCP and/or the Reading Railroad Museum, during the summer of 2007. GUIDELINES 1. Plays must relate to the Reading Railroad's history in and around Reading, but, of course, may be historical fiction. Our primary interests are the quality of the work and the relevance to the Reading Railroad history (may include the present or future) 2. Single set, minimal furniture, props, etc. 3. Cast limit of eight. 4. No prior production in the Berks County, PA Area. 5. Length may be 15 to 50 minutes. BACKGROUND Widely recognized as a name from the Monopoly board, the Reading (pronounced Red-ding) Railroad grew from a 94-mile coal hauling line to become the world's largest corporation before settling down to operating a 1,300-mile railroad system in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. Today, segments of the Reading are an important part of the Norfolk Southern and CSX systems as well as numerous shortline railroads. For more information see the website : www.readingrailroad.org. Reading Community Players is the third oldest community theatre in Pennsylvania, opening with its first production in 1921. It produces five or six full length plays each season and includes drama, comedy, mystery, and children's shows. One-act plays, new plays, and Readers' Theatre productions are also produced periodically. Membership stands at nearly 200 from the Greater Reading area. Its playhouse is at 403 N. 11th Street in Reading. For more information see the website: www.rcptheatre.org. SUBMISSION PROCEDURE: There is no application form. Send script, cover letter, SASE to: RCP Playwriting Committee P.O. Box 1032 Reading, PA 19603-1032 SCRIPT FORMAT * Size and paper-not larger than 9x12" or smaller than 8 1/2 x 5 1/2"; white paper only. * Type/print on one side only * Numbering-upper right corner from 1- xx, starting with first page of dialogue * Typing-double-spaced with fresh printer cartridge . . . * Dialogue in upper and lower case . . . * Character names in bold type or all caps at left margin or centered above dialogue . . . * Stage directions set off from dialogue with italics or parentheses. . . * Proofread for typos, mixed-up character names, and missing words/sentences * If scene changes occur during the play, they must be in bold type, numbered and centered FIRST PAGE (Title page) must include, in order: * Title of play in 18pt bold upper and lower case type * Playwright's first and last name, complete address and ZIP, phone numbers with area codes (indicate home, work, etc), e-mail address optional * Leave TOP RIGHT CORNER blank. SECOND PAGE must include, in order: * Listing of all major and minor characters by name with at least one sentence about each (sex, age, brief description) * Multiple characters played by a single actor listed together and identified by character names * Function and minimum number of actors needed for chorus roles (townspeople, work gangs, passengers, etc.). OPTIONAL ITEMS-after Character Listing and before Act I * Synopsis (maximum 50 words) * Scene breakdown * Stage drawing * Director's notes OTHER: * Any musical entries must be accompanied by CD or audio cassette of all songs in script, not just scores or lyrics * Personal information (news clippings, resumes, cover letters, etc) must be separate from script. SCRIPT BINDING * 3-hole plastic or heavy paper report cover-best choice, but be sure prongs are long enough to securely hold script --or * Wire or plastic spiral binding on left --or * 3 secure staples or wire brads on left- Please add tape to back of staples or brads. NOT ACCEPTABLE- * Report covers with slip-on side or top clip * 3-ring notebooks larger than 1" * Single staple at top or side * Wire brads smaller than the holes * Loose pages inside pocket folder or attached with paper/binder clips SCRIPT SHIPPING * Use sturdy envelope and protect any CDs or audio tapes with padding, cardboard, or Tyvek envelopes travel well. * Envelope should be at least 1" larger on all sides than script to avoid damage during mail delivery. * Parcel Post, Media Mail, First Class, or special mailing services are acceptable. No insufficient postage or COD entries accepted. * ALL SCRIPT ENTRIES MUST BE POSTMARKED on or before March 31, 2007 RCP/RRM Playwriting Competition ================= ==================== ============== ================= GMMIX =============== END ========= |
|
|
| Home | Membership | Library | Museum | News | Calendar | Gift Shop | Articles | Photos | Multimedia |