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Authored by Society president George Meiser IX |
| Posted 10-03-2006
14 NEWS-BITS of Reading-Berks Historical Interest…. ===================== ================== ======== ===================== ================== ======== 1- A comment on News-Bits….. 2- Tomorrow IWED.) at 7 p.m. on BCTV – Society’s monthly program 3- FIRST THURS. at 8:30 a.m. –1938 JACK LUDEN & TUFFY film 4- BERKS MOVIE MADNESS is beginning! 5- THREE CENTURIES TOUR is THIS Saturday. Bus available! 6- READING READS: The Greater Reading Literary Festival 7- Do check the Society’s museum/ gift shop page for additions! 8- Society Volunteer Marguerite Russell dies 9- Aulenbach Cemetery walk highlights well-known interrees 10- Ship House in Berks County. You won’t believe this…. 11- Doug Reinert adds over 11,000 new names to on-line cemetery and church records 12- Kutztown H.S. has special train program WED., Oct. 18th 13- PA German Day, Sun., Oct. 8, at the Heritage Festival 14- Order form for The Passing Scene—Volume 14 ===== ========= ============= ============= ===== ===== ========= ============= ============= ===== 1- We extend an apology in regard to the recent infrequency of News-Bits releases. They will resume on a once-a-week schedule soon. We’ve been working 12 to 18 hours a day to complete “The Passing Scene—Volume 14” so that it will be ready for distribution in November. Accordingly, we have a file of several hundred unread email notes. We beg your understanding in this matter….. The new Passing Scene will contain more photos--- ALL restored---than any previous volume in the series. Look for lots of photo insets to provide a then-and-now look at Reading-Berks historical sites. 
=============== ============== ============= ===== 2- Tomorrow evening (WED., Oct. 4th) at 7 will be our monthly BCTV program with three guests, one of whom will have exciting news about BERKS MOVIE MADNESS. NOT INCIDENTALLY, Doug Reinert---the Society’s computer, digital file, and Internet wizard---has reformulated our 24/7 BCTV program access via the Internet. You can watch us at any hour the day or night, anywhere in the world. Look for improved quality in all regards. You who live far from Berks, including our faithful Society members and supporters in Europe and Canada, can watch the BCTV program by accessing www.berkshistory.org/media/hill.ram =============== ================ ============== 3- The Historical Society’s FIRST THURSDAY program features the 1938 JACK LUDEN film, ROLLING CARAVANS, one of four Jack made that year that included Tuffy, the Wonder Dog. Tuffy IS amazing. Wait till you see his stunts. 
Luden, a veteran of 70 Hollywood films, was Reading’s “movie star,” born and reared on North 5th St. in Reading. 
First Thursday programs are open to the public. $1 for members and $2 for non-members. Program runs one hour. Easy parking at the Society on Thursday mornings. Use our new parking lot right behind Society headquarters at 940 Centre Avenue. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. for “morning treats.” Show starts at 9 a.m. and ends at 10 a.m. JACK LUDEN photos and memorabilia will be on special display. ================ ================== ============== 4- The first BERKS MOVIE MADNESS FILM FESTIVAL (www.berksmoviemadness.com) from WEDNESDAY, Oct. 4 through THURSDAY, Oct. 12, 2006--presented by the Berks Arts Council--will screen more than 50 feature and independent films with a Reading connection, host numerous post-screening question and answer sessions, hold several workshops, help resurrect the Kutztown International Animated Film Festival, feature appearances by local actors and film personalities and include a short film/video competition. The theme of the downtown Reading festival is a celebration of actors, actresses and other cinema luminaries born or living in Greater Reading and Berks County. Among the highlights of this new initiative are showings of "Cutter's Way," starring Jeff Bridges, John Heard and Reading actress Lisa Eichhorn, who will appear at the festival; "My Life" starring veteran Reading actor Michael Constantine, also scheduled to appear; and "Rabbit Run," a film based on the novel by Shillington native John Updike. Tickets for 16-ticketed events are now available at www.brownpapertickets.com/producer/2713 or by calling 800-838-3006. "I think everyone will be amazed at the amount of talent we've uncovered in our own community," said Connie Leinbach, executive director of the Berks Arts Council. "Plus, we're excited to be able to offer the council's first major event dedicated to the movies. We hope this will become a tradition like the Berks Jazz Fest." F. Alan Shirk, festival chairman, said he anticipates an excellent turnout. "We've gotten a lot of positive feedback about the festival which has taken about a year to put together. Venues and seating are limited, so we urge people to get their tickets early. " Sponsors include the Pennsylvania Film Office, Leesport Bank, the Reading Musical Foundation, Comcast, Manderbach Ford, Bullfrog Films, HBO and Shirk Communications. Here are some of the highlights of the nine-day festival (Complete details, including the schedule, film plots and personalities, are on the website.): John Updike Night, featuring "Rabbit Run," the only major studio feature film ever made in Reading and not available on VHS or DVD. This will screen Sat., Oct. 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Woman's Club of Reading, 140 N. 5th St., Reading, with other activities, including a panel discussion. An 8-hour master acting class taught by Actress Lisa Eichhorn, born in Reading. This will be at the GoggleWorks on Sat., Oct. 7, and Sun., Oct. 8, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. both days. The cost is $50 and class size is limited to 20. Others may audit the class for $10. Her film, "Cutter's Way," screens Friday evening, Oct. 6 at the GoggleWorks. An original score for the 1926 film "Don Juan," created by Reading composer David Himes. This film, the first non-silent film shown in Reading, will screen at the GoggleWorks on Thurs., Oct. 12, at 7 p.m. An afternoon of children's programming on Sat., Oct. 7, at Trinity Lutheran Church beginning at 1 p.m. featuring "The Black Stallion" based on the book written by Walter Farley, who lived near Earlville. An Afternoon with Ray Dennis Steckler, 1955 Reading High grad and Hollywood director, featuring his films, "Lemon Grove Kids Meet the Monsters" and "Rat Phink A Boo Boo." Steckler is planning to appear. Resurrection of the Kutztown International Animated Film Festival, started in 1973 by the now retired Kutztown University Professor Dr. Thomas Schantz. The animated festival opens Berks Movie Madness on Oct. 4 at the Kutztown Strand, but actually runs from Oct. 1 through Oct. 8. It features works from the Academy Awards, the Ottawa International Animated Festival and by local animator Bob Cesca (Oct. 4 only for Cesca's work). The Berks Movie Madness Short Film/Video Awards on Tues., Oct. 10, along with highlights of the first Haydenfilms Online Film Festival. This is at the GoggleWorks at 7 p.m. Five free workshops at the Reading Area Community College (RACC) Schmidt Technology Center on Sat., Oct. 7, and Sun., Oct. 8, beginning at 9:30 a.m. and covering production, screenwriting, acting, making a movie and documentary making. A night with Berks Filmmakers on Wed., Oct. 11, with the work of James Harrar, Albert Kilchesty, Elizabeth Knipe, Jerry and Ida Orr, Caleb Smith, Jerry Tartaglia and Gary Adlestein. This is also at the GoggleWorks at 7 p.m. An appearance by celebrated comic and film artist Jim Steranko on Mon., Oct. 9, at 7 p.m. at the GoggleWorks. He'll discuss his work on Francis Ford Coppola's "Bram Stoker's Dracula," which screens that evening. A lecture by Dr. Robert A. Metzger, retired director of the Reading Public Museum and Art Gallery and noted film historian. His free talk, "Jayne Mansfield, Ronald Reagan and Other Memories of A Devoted Film Historian," is set for Sat., Oct. 8 at 10 a.m. at the GoggleWorks. A free night of Reading 8mm historic movies and the Jack Luden Western, "Rolling Caravans" at the Historical Society of Berks County, 940 Centre Ave., Reading, on Thurs., Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. hosted by George M. Meiser IX. (This also runs at 9 a.m. on Oct. 5 as a society First Thursday Program.) WE’RE HAVING POPCORN, too!
Also scheduled to appear at the Berks Film Festival are Michael Constantine, Mayor Tom McMahon, Author Ed Taggert, John Zaring, Professor Richard Androne, Sister M. Pacelli, Victor Colicchio, Bob Cesca, Hayden Craddolph, Curt Crane, Paul Galan, David Grabias, George Hatza, Jim Hubbard, Letty Hummel, Conrad Karlson, David Kneeream, Costa Mantis, Neo-Pangea members, Zenta Thomas, Megan Ulrich, Jerry Walsh and Kate Williamson. Among the other films to be shown are "My Life," "Pursuit of Happiness," "Street Fight," "The Black Stallion," "Sons of the Desert,' "Footlight Parade," "Earth vs. The Spider," "Sentenced home," "Centralia," "The Virgin President," "The War Effort," "Postcards from Paradise Park," "Mattie Fresno and the Holoflux Universe," "Time of Tears," Towards the Vanishing Point," and the documentaries, "Reading 1974" and "The Corrupt City (1969)." Please visit the website for complete details: www.berksmoviemadness.com ============== ============= =========== ========== 5- THREE CENTURIES TOUR is this SATURDAY THREE CENTURIES TOUR is this SATURDAY THREE CENTURIES TOUR is this SATURDAY 3 Centuries in Berks Historic Property Tour Saturday, October 7, 2006 9AM-5PM The Historical Society of Berks County will be hosting the “3 Centuries in Berks” historic property tour this year. 
This has been a yearly event run successfully by the Berks County Conservancy. The event will be similar.....same name, same Saturday in October, same kind of properties. NOTE: The 12-page 7-by 8.5-inch TOUR BOOKLET, printed on encyclopedia-quality paper, contains history and photos not available elsewhere. A detailed map of historical sites (8.5 by 14 inches) is included. Here is a general idea of its appearance, but chances are it’s been reduced too greatly---for inclusion here---to provide quality reproduction. Sorry about that! 
This coming Saturday, we will be exploring the architectural treasures and pristine woodlands throughout Brecknock, Caernarvon and Robeson Townships. This is a self-drive tour. HOWEVER, one bus has been secured and there are some seats yet available. To take the BUS-BASED TOUR add $10…for a total of $30. If interested in being included on the bus, call the Society immediately at 610 – 375 – 4375. GMMIX will conducting the BUS TOUR. For a nominal fee, lunch can be purchased at Allegheny UCC, Alleghenyville, and St Thomas Episcopal Church, Morgantown. Tickets are on sale NOW….at the Historical Society. For your convenience, tickets may also be purchased at Pikeville Antiques and Green Valley Nursery. The day of the tour tickets can be purchased at Masthof Bookstore, 219 Mill Road, Morgantown. Cost: $20 per person for the self-guided tour. Tickets may be paid for by check or credit card at Society Headquarters, 940 Centre Avenue, Reading. www.berkshistory.org/three_cent/ (Photo included) =========== =============== ============= ========= 6- OCTOBER is “Reading Reads” month…. READING READS: The Greater Reading Literary Festival: Organized by a volunteer committee of Berks County authors, educators, artists, and illustrators, the Literary Festival is designed to raise the awareness of the area's literary heritage, the interest in contemporary writing, and the importance of reading and the written word. More than 80 events at more than two dozen venues will include author book signings, book discussions, writing courses and workshops, literary-related stage productions, book store discounts, poetry readings, and much more. Wallace Stevens: A "foreword" to the festival began by readings of proclamations honoring Reading native Wallace Stevens at the Reading City Council meeting on September 25 and the Berks County Commissioners meeting on September 26. Stevens was born at 323 N. 5th St. in Reading on October 2, 1879. He won the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize in Poetry in 1955, the same year he died. He is considered to be among the most important poets of the 20th century. Find out more about Wallace Stevens' Berks County connections, his life and literature. Read "Wallace Stevens: Poet Laureate of the Pennsylvania Dutch," a special feature by Charles J Adams III. On Sunday, October 8, the Berks Bards poetry group will present a special program that will interpret Stevens' work through dance and readings. That event will be held at the GoggleWorks in downtown Reading. County Commissioner Judy Schwank, a member of the Historical Society of Berks County, has indicated that “as a lasting remembrance of Wallace Stevens and the inaugural Literary Festival, the county will pursue the installation of a Pennsylvania & Museum Commission historical marker on North 5th Street, at his birth place.” For more about “Reading Reads,” access…. www.readingreads.com/ ============= =============== ================= 7- If you haven’t peeked into the Society’s on-line museum/ gift lately, you might be surprised what’s in stock. It’s now easier to make instant purchases using PayPal….or conventional use of credit cards, etc. www.berkshistory.org/giftshop ================ ================= ============== 8- It is with great sadness that we report the death (last Thurs.) of Marguerite Russell of Perkiomen Ave., Reading, . She was 83. She was at the front desk greeting visitors last Tuesday, one week ago. The next day, she had a severe stroke and passed away the following day. We were devastated at the news. Marguerite reported for duty at the Society approximately 900 times, logging in some 3,600 hours during her 16 years with us….and one of us. 
Even into her 80’s, she’d “fill in” more than once a week if needed. All one had to do was call her. One often hears that nobody is indispensable. We don’t believe that. ==================== =============== ============= 9- The Aulenbach Cemetery Company board of directors is having its first cemetery walk on SUNDAY, October 8th at 4 p.m. Tombstones of interest….and information of those at eternal rest….will be featured on the tour, as well as the office and other buildings---including a two-seater outhouse! Many of the German vintners of the Mount Penn and Mount Washington lie here, and a well-known 19th century playright and journalist. Aulenbach’s is situated between Howard Blvd. (at the Lindbergh Viaduce and Perkiomen Avenue about at the Reading-Mount Penn border. Want more information? Call Sandy at 610-478-8789 or Corrie at 610-37-9096 ================ =================== ============== 10 – SHIP-HOUSE IN BERKS…You won’t believe your eyes! www.amusementparknostalgia.com/boathouse.html ===================== ================ ========= 11- Doug Reinert sent a note to inform us that a good many more names have been added to our on-line cemetery and church-record files. More specifically, he stated that he added 3,700 more names to the cemetery file,bringing the total to 199,729. Additionally, he added 7,629 more names to the church-record files, bringing the total to 1,048,995. ============== ============== ============= ===== 12- “Rail Lines of the East Penn Valley” “Rail Lines of the East Penn Valley” is the title of the program to be presented on Wednesday, October 18 at the Kutztown Area Historical Society. Pictured is the Topton depot…. 
The program starts at 7:30 pm. Jim Schlegel and Bill Yurvati, local train aficionados, will share photographs and stories about the EIGHT different rail lines that served the East Penn Valley, including The Berks County Railroad….The Schuylkill and Lehigh Railroad…. The Allentown Railroad….The East Penn Railroad…. The Allentown and Reading Traction Company….and the Catasaqua & Fogelsville Railroad. These railroads served from the Schuylkill River to the Lehigh River and from the Blue Mountain to the South Mountain. All are welcome. Admission is free. The meeting will be held in the 1893 high-Victorian schoolhouse situated on the corner of Normal Ave. and Whiteoak St., a few block south of the main street in town. Parking is no problem at the schoolhouse. ================== ================ ============== 13 The 25th annual Heritage Festival is this coming weekend, from 11 am – 5 pm. Celebrate the historic, cultural and transportation heritage of Berks County. This 2-day event takes place at the Berks County Heritage Center, a place of assorted historical significance. Unwind and relax as you stroll among demonstrations, activities and exhibits or sit down and listen to an outstanding array of music and lectures. On Sunday, the festivities feature a full-size and miniature carriage and Wagon Show. Highlights of the show include draft horse demonstrations of plowing, pulling, and a horse and wagon obstacle course beginning at 3:15 p.m. The main stage area will feature a PA German Day Celebration with musical entertainment by the Toad Creek Ramblers at noon and 3:30 p.m., along with PA German dialect speakers and songs. Watch Children & Adult Singing, Speaking and Dancing Groups---or walk the Cake Walk at 3:30 p.m. The festival includes special programs and walking tours of the Heritage Center grounds. Topics include Deppen Cemetery with Betty Riegel, the Herb Garden with Grace Kline and Wertz’s Covered (Red) Bridge with local historian and author Fred Moll. Take a tour of the C. Howard Heister Canal Center and Gruber Wagon Works. The engine that powered the Gruber Wagon Works, the Otto Gasoline Engine will be “fired-up” for demonstrations. Activities such as children’s games, crafts and a storyteller will be in full swing both days. Artists and craftsmen will be displaying and selling their work. In our Home crafts tent, you can taste some homemade applesauce, churn butter, make sauerkraut, and eat some potato candy. Rain or shine event. Refreshments will be available. Admission is FREE, with a $2.00 parking donation. The Heritage Center is located on Red Bridge Road off Route 183, ½ mile south of the 222 exit. Shuttle buses run Sunday from the DirectLink parking lot on Rt. 183. Call 610-374-8839 for more info and for auto/wagon show registration or visit www.countyofberks.com/parks ================ =============== ============== 14 ORDER form for PASSING SCENE—Volume 14: ORDER form for PASSING SCENE—Volume 14: (Print out and enclose with your order) Mail to: Historical Society of Berks County 940 Centre Avenue Reading, PA 19601 Our phone number is 610 – 375 - 4375 (Ask for Gloria) Our fax number is 610 – 375 - 4376 Name_________________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ Phone number (________) _______________________________ Email address __________________________________________ Passing Scenes picked up at the Society are $45, even money. Passing Scenes sent by mail are $49.50. They will be sent out in a well-padded envelope with “Delivery Confirmation.” We will see that you receive the books you order! Delivery of The Passing Scene—Vol. 14 is expected to be at the Society the first week in November. If it comes in earlier, we will mail the book(s) immediately--if you have remitted the $49.50 amount. I’m ordering ____ copies of Passing Scene—Vol. 14 (A limited number of Vol. 10’s and Vol. 13’s remain for sale at the same price-scale as Volume 14.) No orders can be accepted without payment due to bookkeeping considerations. Books are reserved in your name upon receipt of payment. VISA _ _ _ _ - _ _ _ _ - _ _ _ _ - _ _ _ _ Exp: ___/____ MASTERCARD _ _ _ _ - _ _ _ _ - _ _ _ _ - _ _ _ _ Exp: ___/____ Signature: _____________________________________________ Purchaser paid (by mail_____ ) (by phone_____) (in cash_____) ----------------------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------- ================ ================= ================== |
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