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Authored by Society president George Meiser IX |
| Posted 12-13-2006
8 NEWS-BITS of Reading-Berks historical interest.... SEVEN PHOTOS are included. ===================== ====================== ===================== ====================== 1- Sat., Dec. 16 - Autographing Pass. Scene--Vol. 14 at Society - 9:30 a.m. 2- Bowman Mansion at 38 North 4th, H.S. of B.C.'s previous headquarters 3- Log cabin site and Amity Twp. farmhouse identified 4- Winter's worst just around the corner? an astonishing 1911 photo 5- Earthquake (rumble) of 2.8 between Mohnton and Sinking Spring 6- John Philip Sousa event a really special "happening" 7- Year of the Museum exhibition in Exhibition Hall 8- Jan. 13, 2007 - Boyertown Opera House Fire story to be recreated ============================== ================ ============================== ================ ============================== ================ 1- This coming Saturday, Dec. 16, will be the 2nd and last book signing (autographing) session for “The Passing Scene—Volume 14” books recently received from the printers. Signing times next Saturday are from 9:30 to noon….. and from 1 to 3:30. The sesson this coming Saturday should not be as hectic as was the case last Saturday when we signed the better part of 1,500 books. The line continued without break from 9:15 to 12 noon. The afternoon session was steady but not as pressing. 
From all indications, Volume 14 will be in short supply by the time Dec. 23 arrives. The gift shop sold 168 today (Wed.). A number of Volume 10’s and 13’s remain for sale, also at $45, tax included. “The Passing Scenes” may be purchased through our Internet gift shop: www.berkshistory.org/giftshop ======================== ====================== 2- In the previous News-Bits, there was a typo that begs to be corrected. It was reported that the Society's former headquarters, previous to moving to 940 Centre Ave., was at 38 N. 4th St., in a fine structure often referred to as the Bowman Mansion. Bowman was incorrectly spelled. ======================== ====================== 3- In the previous News-Bits we presented photos of two structures and asked wheter any reader can identify the locations. From Society member Tony Mattassa of Robeson Crossing the following reply was received: "That photo (#12 on latest Newsbits) is no longer unidentified, thanks to Charlie Miller of Amity Township. It is currently 1720 Weavertown Road in Weavertown, Amity Twp. It is owned by Mr. & Mrs. Steve Kutsch (Ed Kutsch's son). The double chimneys are no longer on the house. Part of the house (presumable the left side) was a general store at one time. It's along Weavertown Road between Weavertown Lane and Amity Park Road. Charlie and I just came from the house in question." 
- - - - - - - - - The photo of the log cabin being dismantled stood on the north side of the main street in Oley Village, two buildings to the left (west) of the present fire company headquarters. A fine brick dwelling now occupies the site. 
====================== ==================== 4- We realize the accompanying photo has nothing to do with Reading or Berks County, but it's too good not be share. It's made it way around the Internet, so it's possible some readers have already seen it. For those who have not, the following picture was taken in 1911 and shows Niagara Falls "frozen solid." This could not have occurred all that often. 
====================== =================== 5- Around 2:30 today (Wed., Dec. 13), a substantial rumble was felt and heard at the Historical Society. According to reports, the quake registered 2.8 and was centered somewhere between Mohnton and Sinking Spring. The floor shook in the Society's Exhibition Hall to the degree the tall-case (grandfather's) clock there was caused to shift from its level position to standing somewhat askew. People in the building described the incident as "a car accident," "an explosion," and "the janitor dropped something heavy." ===================== ================== 6- JOHN PHILIP SOUSA JOHN PHILIP SOUSA JOHN PHILIP SOUSA 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 ===================== ================== ===================== ================== 7- A newly installed display---"Year of the Museum" --- in Exhibition Hall at Society headquarters at 940 Centre Ave. ---features artifacts, photos, etc. that focus on the history of our Society, which dates back to 1869. Among the photos are some interior and exterior views of our two buldings, previous to our present structure, which dates to 1928 / 9. Curator Joshua Blay even dug out of deep storage the sign that used to crown the entrance of our 38 North 4th St. building, the former Bowman Mansion, which was razed several decades ago. 
Also on display at present is our Stamtisch, the table and its matching chairs that once were part of Kuechler's Roost atop Mount Penn. This one-of-a-kind large "beverage table" has a listing of German-American Roost patrons carved in a concentric pattern on the table's surface. 
===================== ================== 8- The following news release was received: TOWN ARCHIVE, INC. PO Box 97 Earlville, PA 19619 610-367-0005 www.townarchive.com/operafire Contact: Dawn Haas Rhude at 610-367-8022 drhude@yahoo.com Catastrophe Redux Scheduled for New Year in Boyertown BOYERTOWN- For the first time in history, this town’s greatest tragedy will be re-enacted in “The Opera House Fire,” a play about the disaster that cost 171 lives almost a century ago. 
Premiering on the 99th anniversary of the fire, the curtain is set to go up Jan. 13, 2007, at the Odd Fellows Hall, 35 E. Philadelphia Ave., practically across the street from where the conflagration actually took place. Boyertown resident Dawn Haas Rhude will direct the play for Town Archive, Inc., a non-profit company based in Earlville, whose mission is to educate residents about their communities. With dialog culled from stories that appeared in national newspapers of the time, playwright Bernard J. Colan has written a play that resurrects the humanity within the raw numbers of men, women and children who lost their lives as a result of the blaze. It was a time when electricity had been introduced but not yet widely used in public buildings; of the realization of local fire companies that technology did not measure up to disaster, and when love and bravery refused to go up in flames. Also the director and owner of Boyertown’s Miracles In Motion Dance School, Haas-Rhude has decided to use dancers to portray the malevolence and brutality of the fire. She will work with dialog ripped from the words beneath the headlines of the yellow press to tell the tale of tragedy without ignoring the triumph. Public auditions were held in early October for a cast of players that includes eight male characters, three females, a 10-year-old girl (with vocals). Actors from the local community were encouraged to become involved with this historic project, the only re-enactment for nearly a century after what publications called “The Boyertown Horror.” Performance dates: Jan. 12, 13 and 19, 20. For more information please call 610-367-8022 or surf to www.townarchive.com/operafire - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Opera House Fire cast: Charles Spatz/Carl Spatz - Greg Harwell Dr. Thomas J.B. Rhoads - Ray Bechtel Jr. Henry Fisher - Zacheriah Greene Rev. Adam Weber - Jonathan Moore Martha Weber - Molly Kitchell, Devon Stakonis Harry Bechtel - Brian Bechtel Pearl Tretheway - Donna Swoyer Edith Engle - Jesse Haas Walter "Bally" Houck - Cliff Stackonis Dr. Robert Strasser - Michael Gibbons Mrs. Henrietta Monroe - Tammy Rudolf-Greene - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Make checks payable to Town Archive PO Box 97, Earlville, PA 19519 Fri. Dress Rehearsal 7 pm, Jan. 12, 2007 Prime Seats $15; Gen'l Admission Pay $11 before Dec. 31....$12 at the door Sat. Premier 7 pm, Jan. 13, 2007 Prime Seats $20; Gen'l Admission: Pay $14.00 before Dec. 31....$15 at the door Sun. Matinee 3.m, Jan. 14, 2007 Prime Seats $15; Gen'l Admission Pay $11 before Dec. 31.... $12 at the door All seats subject to availability. Please include phone and/or email contact information with your ticket request. If needed, the same slate of shows will be scheduled the following Sat., Jan. 20 and Sun., Jan. 21 . Comments to barn857@msn.com For more information call 610-367-8022 or 367-0005 ===================== ====================== ===================== GMMIX ============END |
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