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Authored by Society president George Meiser IX |
| Posted 11-26-2006
8 NEWS-BITS of Reading-Berks historical interest... ================== =================== ================== =================== ================== =================== 1- Notice of autograph sessions for the new Passing Scene 2- Pointsettia plant sale to benefit Society's youngsters 3- Visual tour of the Society's museum/gift shop 4- Society's HOME PAGE has a great new look! 5- Fascinating DISCOVERY in Exeter Township 6- HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE at Hendel House--Sun., Dec. 10th 7- Annual Centre Park House Tour SUN. Dec. 10, 1 to 6 8- MARCH 6, 2007 -- "Sousa Tribute" at Abe Lincoln. a once-in-a-lifetime historical event! 
===================== =============== ===================== =============== ===================== =============== 1- The Passing Scene--Vol. 14 is now being bound and will be distributed beginning on Saturday, Dec. 9th, at 9:30 a.m. 
Volumes 10 and 13 will also be available on the two "autograph days." Those who paid to have the books mailed should receive their volumes quickly, as all padded envelopes are already addressed and have the greenish confirmation delivery slips attached. ====================== ============== ====================== ============== 2- Pointsettia plant sale to benefit the Society's 1776 Club, an organization geared to the level of youngsters and early teens. As can be seen, the plants are now available for pur- chase at $10 each during all hours the Society is open. 
We wish to extend thanks to the good people at Glick's Greenhouse, Oley, for their much appreciated cooperation and kindness. ====================== =============== ====================== =============== 3- Take a visual tour of the Society's museum/gift shop, open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 to 4. The cabinet to the left of the museum/gift shop entrance: 
A side-long view of the pottery section which features creations by Lester Breininger, Brian Kunkelman, Nancy Speicher, and Ned Foltz, etc. 
Berks and history-related books for youngsters. Many new titles have just been shelved. 
Some of the many local histories we carry in stock at all times, including the new Boyertown book. Incidentally, the empty space on the 3rd shelf awaits Volume 14..... 
Our most popular cabinet: Pre-owned volumes of local history....the collectors' items. New titles are added AT LEAST once a week. 
Stocking stuffers for the Yuletide Season 
A full view of our pottery section: 
================== ===================== ================== ===================== 4- Doug Reinert of Mohnton, the Society's much appreciated computer guru, has reworked our Home Page(s). See our new look at www.berkshistory.org/ And while you're there, also check our online gift shoppe www.berkshistory.org/giftshop/ ==================== ================ ==================== ================ 5- In early October, Oley Turnpike from Jacksonwald to Limekiln, was closed off for sewer work, necessitating a detour through the Farming Ridge development. At the far eastern end of same development, where Farming Ridge Blvd. terminates at Ritter Lane---opposite Farming Ridge Park's soccer field---we spotted an intact bridge once used by the Oley Valley Railroad (1901-1932) "back in the woods." 
FYI....it crosses Owatin Creek. (Bet you never heard of Owatin Creek!) ===================== =============== ===================== =============== 6- HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE at Hendel House (746 Centre Ave.) SUNDAY, December 10 Quality Handmade Gifts and Unique Treasures in all price ranges Open to the public. Free admission. 1 to 6 p.m. This is in conjunction with the Centre Park Historic District's HOLIDAY TOUR of elaborately decorated historic homes. ================== =================== ================== =================== 7- The Annual Centre Park House Tour will be held on December 11th---from 1 to 6 p.m. As usual, the featured sites (around 9) will be fully and elegantly decorated for the holidays. The Hendel House will be included this year. Expect to see a good deal of activity there. Another major tour-site will be "Overlook," a gothic Victorian treasure erected by J. H. Sternbergh---near where North Fourth, Centre Ave., and Greenwich come together. The Historical Society will be the last stop on the tour. Music and an assortment of drinks and choice edibles will be awaiting you and yours. Society headquarters will be fully open, including the gift/ museum shop which has an impressive array of seasonal and traditional inventory. Most local history books, presently available, are in stock. There are many "new arrivals." And there is a good stock of pre-owned local histories. Tickets for the Centre Park House Tour are $12 and will be sold the day of the event—at a booth in Centre Park—-directly opposite the Hendel House. www.berkshistory.org/mansion ===================== ============== ===================== ============== 8- JOHN PHILIP SOUSA "special event" 
March 5, 2007 marks the 75th anniversary of the final performance of John Philip Sousa, creator of many of the world’s most famous musical compositions, as well as the official march of the United States, The Stars and Stripes Forever. Sousa is recognized as the first U.S. composer to win worldwide acclaim and to tour Europe. Nurtured through ties dating back to 1909, Sousa’s long-standing connection to Reading, Pennsylvania developed through his close association with another historically significant organization, the Ringgold Band. Therefore, in recognition of the historical importance of Sousa the man, the Ringgold Band and the Abraham Lincoln Hotel, the Historical Society of Berks County is proud to host "An Evening of John Philip Sousa and the Ringgold Band" to commemorate March 6, 2007, the 75th anniversary of this renowned composer’s passing. The dinner menu and the concert program for this event will REPLICATE those of March 5 & 6, 1932 when the famous bandmaster conducted for the final time, before the Ringgold Band. Sousa’s music continues to kindle the pride we share as citizens of this great land, and stirs the patriotism within our soul. Come join us for an evening of music sure to rouse the spirit of all patriotic and freedom loving people, and to honor John Philip Sousa, "the March King.” --------- -------------- SOUSA EVENT SPECIFICS: Event: An Evening of John Philip Sousa and the Ringgold Band. A commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the passing of America’s most famous conductor, and creator of Stars and Stripes Forever, the official march of the U.S. Date: March 6, 2007. Ticket sales location: Tickets are $100.00 per person, table sponsorships are available and can be purchased at the Historical Society of Berks County, 940 Centre Avenue, Reading 19601, or by calling the Historical Society at 610 - 375 - 4375. Event Location: The Abraham Lincoln, A Wyndham Historic Hotel, 100 North Fifth Street, Reading, PA 19601. Reception: Cocktails (cash bar), light hors d' oeuvres, with an exhibit of Sousa ARTIFACTS. Time: 5:30pm-6:30pm. Dinner: Facsimile of the dinner banquet in honor of John Philip Sousa at the Wyomissing Club, March 5, 1932. Time: 6:45pm. Music Program: The music program played by John Philip Sousa and the Ringgold Band in his final act as a conductor. Guest conductor and historian for this event will be LORAS SCHISSEL, librarian for the John Philip Sousa Collection at the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D.C. PHOTO: Schissel 
Proceeds: To benefit the Historical Society of Berks County's Henry Janssen Library. Questions: Call Society Executive Director Sime B. Bertolet at 610 - 375 - 4375 ===================== ================ ===================== ================ |
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