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Authored by Society president George Meiser IX |
| Posted 04-26-2006
FIVE News-Bits of Reading-Berks historical interest.... ===================== ====================== ===================== ====================== 1- Two lavishly illustrated local history books on the way.... 2- Snow White visits the Society's Hendel Mansion next week 3- Wyomissing native rising rapidly as a front-rank tenor 4- BCAGP decided to rebuilt High private cemetery in Cumru 5- Sat., July 8 reinactment of Vanderslice's Rdg. reading of Declaration of Independence--at Historical Society of Berks ====================== ===================== ====================== ===================== ====================== ===================== 1- Now in preparation are two new Reading-Berks lavishly illustrated popular history books. "The Passing Scene--Vol. 14," a 272-page illustrated history with 300 fully restored photos of large size, will be completed and ready for distribution in November. It will be fully indexed. ==== ==== Also on the way is another local history, set forth with fascinating illustrations and vintage newspaper accounts. Charles J. Adams, III is the driving force behind this publication; your editor serves as his very willing 2nd in command. 
Charlie has assembled some really fascinating accounts of yesteryear. More about both volumes will appear in subsequent News-Bit releases. ====================== ======================= 2- Call the Society for reservations for Snow White's appearance. Reservations are absolutely necessary due to the fact these presentations are very well attended. Phone 610 - 375 - 4375. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, ask for VICKY HEFFNER, educational curator. 
===================== ====================== 3- Tenor Joshua Kohl, a native of Wyomissing and a graduate of Wyomissing High School, is receiving many accolades for his appearances on the concert and operatic stage. Last summer, Josh appeared in a number of comic operettas--to great acclaim --as a star of the Ohio Light Opera Company of Wooster, Ohio. The operetta festival there draws attendees from all over the country--and abroad. 
His tenor voice is strong and clear--and his acting is impressive. More recently, he appeared as Arthur in the Boston Opera Company's production of Lucia. One hopes, before too long, that the opportunity presents itself for Joshua to return to Reading-Berks for a musicale of some sort. Reading has always had a warm spot for Viennese operetta, a field in which Josh truly excells. He's right at home in the works of Johann Strauss and Franz Lehar. ====================== ==================== 4- It was decided at the last meeting of the BERKS COUNTY ASSOCIATION FOR GRAVEYARD PRESERVATION to rebuild the HIGH cemetery at Poplar Neck in CUMRU, which overlooks Route 724 near the Animal Rescue League headquarters--at Ridgewood. The contractor will start sometime in June. Any HIGH-Hoch decendants reading this note might wish to contact President Lorah at WaterLorah@aol.com with an offer of help in some way. The next meeting of the BCAGP will be Sunday, MAY 21st at 3 p.m. at the Am Legion building in Oley Village. ======================= ====================== 5- Phyllis Witman Kelly (Kellyfla@aol.com ) emailed with the following interesting bit of news, which is of particular interest to the Society in view of the fact we own the bell from the 1762 Berks County Court House and have its datestone---both on display in the lobby of Society headquarters. "I am writing in regard to a very special event planned for this coming July. "I am an descendant of Henry Vanderslice, Sheriff of Berks County from 1774-1776. Henry was my 5th great-grandfather. "Sheriff Vanderslice received a copy of the Declaration of Independence with orders from the Congress to call the people of Reading and Berks together at high noon on Monday, July 8, 1776, in order to read the document and inform the citizens of our newly-declared independence. "Many descendants of Henry will be traveling to Reading on Saturday, July 8, 2006, in order to recreate the event. We will meet at the Historical Society in order to ring the same bell that our ancestor rang 230 years ago and to re-read the Declaration. "We have cousins traveling from Texas, Tennessee, Florida and surrounding Berks County communities to honor our ancestor and the part he played in our nation's independence. "Mr. Bart Hannahoe has graciously agreed to attend the ceremony, too, as Benjamin Franklin." ==================== ==================== =================== GMMIX ======== End === |
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