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Authored by Society president George Meiser IX |
| Posted 03-13-2007
EIGHT News-Bits of Reading-Berks historical interest and….lots of photographs ================== ================== ================== ================== 1- Society’s Sousa-Ringgold Band gala banquet at the Abraham Lincoln Hotel, 5th and Washington, Rdg. 2- Lester Breininger Easter eggs in Society’s gift shop 3- Midnight Ritual on NEVERSINK—this Sat., Mar. 17 4- 50th anniv. of Community School of Music & Arts 5- Well-known ragtime pianist to entertain locally – Apr. 18 6- Public sale with Passing Scenes 1 to 13 at Oley 7- Keim Family reunion information (Oley) 8- Nine and one-half hours =================== ================ =================== ================ 1- Last Tuesday, the Historical Society of Berks County hosted the “Sousa-Ringgold Band” dinner-concert that celebrated Sousa’s long-awaited visit to Reading-- on March 6, 1932. 
Over 250 people assembled for “the grand dinner” that recreated the meal served to Sousa and Ringgold Band members 75 years ago. The food prepared and served by the staff of the Abe Lincoln (Wyndham) Hotel last week was a PERFECT re-creation of the 1932 banquet, down to painstaking preparation of the “larded beef” originally featured on the menu. The entire dinner was exquisite in all regards. 
Numerous attendees of the event commented in glowing terms, in various ways, that the Abe provided the best food they had ever experienced at a large banquet. The Ringgold Band faithfully re-created the 1932 band program. Much of the music presented hadn’t seen the proverbial light of day since the afternoon Sousa rehearsed the band…and, regrettably, passed away that night—in Reading, in his bedroom in the Abraham Lincoln Hotel. Following are some photos of the event, a fund raiser to benefit the new Janssen Library, work on which is scheduled to commence in June. Two photos taken several hours prior to the event. As can be seen, the wall posters were huge. 
County Commissioner Judy Schwank reads a proclamation on behalf of all the Commissioners. Mayor Tom Mahon followed with a "Sousa Day" proclamation on behalf of Reading. 
Thomas Caltagirone, on behalf of the Penn'a House of Representatives.....and Michael O'Pake, on behalf of the Senate of Penn'a also read and presented fine proclamations. Your editor apologizes to these good men for not having a photos to represent them. Someone was too slow changing film! Below: Ringgold Band conductor James Seidel...and Loras John Schissel, charasmatic guest conductor and curator of the Sousa collection at the Library of Congress. 
Below: Sime B. Bertolet, Executive Director of the Society, who is largely responsible for much of the planning and success of the Sousa evening. 
On display at the concert is the ORIGINAL Sousaphone made by the Pepper Co. in the 1894's. Sousa's image appears just below the horn's bell. 
The black & white views that follow were taken by Leica-man James Shulman, a Society member and avid photographer. Hereafter we see James Seidel playing a cornet solo--and Debbie Greenawald, Ringgold Band soloist. 
==================== ================= ==================== ================= 2- The Society’s gift shop has a fresh supply of Lester Breininger Easter eggs, hot from his kiln! 
Below, Mr. Breininger shows the inspiration for the scarlet tanager pottery-egg his studio has just produced. 
Below is the much-admired “Breininger Cat Dish,” new for this season. Supply is limited! Feline not included. 
========================== ================= 3- This coming Saturday night at MIDNIGHT, Sat., Mar. 17th, will be the re-inactment of the Tom Hannahoe—Alvah Schaeffer “Midnight Ritual on Nannygoat Hill.” 
Assemble along the sidewalk at the stone pillars at the cemetery gate—along Fairview St. Look for the crowd. =========================== ================ 4- On Saturday, March 31, 2007, at 8:00 pm at the Scottish Rite Cathedral in West Reading, Elisabeth von Trapp, of the world-famous Von Trapp Family, will be returning to her roots in Reading to commemorate the 50th anniversary of The Community School of Music and the Arts, which was founded by her father, Werner von Trapp. 
Elisabeth is the granddaughter of the Captain and Maria von Trapp, depicted in the legendary film and Broadway classic, "The Sound Of Music.” Her father, Werner von Trapp, lived with his young family here in Reading, Berks, for several years following a world tour. It was during this period that he founded The Community School of Music and the Arts, which has served the area for over 50 years, providing music and arts education to thousands of area students. The Community School is a non-profit organization dedicated to making music and the arts available to all students who wish to study, regardless of race, religion, or economic status. This special event will also feature the Berks Classical Children's Chorus performing on stage with Elisabeth. Tickets are available through all TicketMaster locations, www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling 215-336-2000. Group rates and patron program advertising information can be obtained by calling the school at 610-374-7167. This concert will benefit the student scholarship program fund, enabling Community School to keep the doors to music education open to all who are inspired.... Additional information on Elisabeth von Trapp, her music, and the concert are provided by visiting www.communityschoolofmusicandarts.com . As a WEEU 75th Anniversary sponsored event, you will be able to hear Elisabeth on the air during the weeks ahead, as she reminisces of her childhood memories in Reading and talks about her upcoming concert. ==================== ===================== 5- Two notices arrived from the Sinking Spring Area Historical Society: The Sinking Spring Area Historical Society is holding a "Family Fun Night" Fundraiser on Tues., Mar. 27th. If you visit the West Lawn Friendly's Family Restaurant along Penn Ave. between 4 to 8 PM, Friendly's will donate 10% of the proceeds to the S.S.A.H.S. Enjoy great food and great fun while benefitting the Sinking Spring Area Historical Society. ANNUAL DINNER - The Sinking Spring Area Historical Society’s annual dinner is on Wed., April 18th, at St. John's Reformed Church, Fellowship Hall, along Penn Ave., in Sinking Spring. The banquet dinner, catered by "Big John," features chicken and ham “on the table.” ---Serving time is 6:30 PM. ---KARL HAUSMAN, well-known ragtime/pop pianist/ entertainer will play old favorites--to commemorate the Society's 30th Anniversary. The price is $13.00 per person. Advance Reservations are required. Deadline is Mon., April 9. Call 610-678-4219 for tickets and information. The banquet is open to the general public, esp. News- Bits readers! ====================== ================= 6- PASSING SCENES 1 to 13 will be sold at auction on Friday, Apr. 6th, starting at 9 a.m. – at the old stone home of the late Mrs. Eleanor Rothenberger—at 1821 Memorial Highway (Route 662)—between the Yellow House Hotel and Oley Village. 
==================== ==================== 7- The date is now set for the Keim Family reunion— Sat. and Sun., Oct. 13-14, 2007. The next planning meeting is this Sat., Mar. 17 at 10:30 am---at the Oley Youth Building on the main street in Oley Village. Those interested are invited to attend this meeting. < nkime@comcast.net > ======================== ======================= 8- Believe it or not, this edition of News-Bits required 9.75 hours to prepare. ===================== =============== END |
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