1- This is a short-notice news release.

A more comprehensive News-Bits dispatch will follow shortly.

2- Tonight---WED., May 2nd---is the Historical Society’s
monthly BCTV program. It begins at 7 and ends at 8.

As no guests have been scheduled, there many old-time views
will be offered.

Those living outside BCTV’s coverage area can watch our
programs on your computer…anywhere the Internet exists…
at any hour of the day or night….7 days a week.

Access…

www.berkshistory.org/media/

3- Tomorrow---Thursday, May 3rd at 9 a.m.--- is the Society’s
monthly FIRST THURSDAY program.

Western Berks historian Earl W. Ibach will provide an
illustrated talk on the cigar and tobacco industry as
it existed a century ago….based on his newly published book, “Cigarama.”



The factories from Womelsdorf to Sinking Spring will be
featured particularly.

36 full-color slides will be shared. The illustrations are
strikingly beautiful.

This will be the only illustrated talk on the topic
Mr. Ibach will present.

Copies of Mr. Ibach’s book will be available for purchase.

Doors open at 8:30 for a beverage and a sweet.

Come and bring friends.

4- A “grave event” THIS coming Sat., May 5 at 6 p.m.

Aulenbach's Cemetery Assn. will be holding a fundraising
dinner on Saturday, May 5th, in the Crystal Room at Riveredge.
Doors open at 6 PM; dinner is served, beginning at 6:30.

Sandy Stief will be presenting a program highlighting some
of the famous, infamous, and unique individuals buried there.
She will also talk about some of the more unique headstones
that she's encountered.

Tickets are $25.00 each and can be purchased by calling
610-779-5320. CALL for your reservation NOW………

We urge our local News-Bits readers to attend this event if
possible, as Aulenbach’s can use all the financial help it
can muster. Vandals savaged this historic site mercilessly a
number of times in recent years.

At present, the cemetery continues in operation, in large
measure, through the volunteer efforts of historians and
genealogists. State Representative Tom Caltagirone, a
once-upon-a-time history teacher, has worked to preserve
Aulenbach’s---as has County Commissioner Judith Schwank.

5- The Society’s library archive contains Reading City
directories back to 1856.

In the 1960’s, because of its gradually becoming too thick
and cumbersome, the Polk Reading City Directory was
split into two separate volumes…the city itself and suburban
Reading.



For over a century, business establishments donated their
outdated Polk directories to the Society. This morning I
noticed that we’re missing numerous CITY and SUBURBAN
Polk directories, starting around 1990.

If anyone has such directories available for presentation
to our library, kindly telephone Mrs. Brophy at
610-3750-4375.

We would be most appreciative and will arrange a pick-up if
need be.

We’re REALLY eager to bring our collection up to date.

6- Four volunteers were honored for dedicated service
to our Society at a fine dinner catered by Big John. All
attending received a CD recorded by the evening’s
entertainer, Karl Hausman of Western Berks. His unique
style of piano playing was greatly enjoyed by all.

- - - - - - - - -

Apr. 25, 2007 – Historical Society of Berks County
VOLUNTEER DINNER:

Honorees (left to right) are David Unger, front desk;
Doris Burkhart, docent; and Norma
Breiner, library aid.
Karl Hausman, pianist extraordinaire, entertained.
Pamela Hawman, museum curatorial aid, was unable to attend.

7- “History of the Little Swatara Church of the Brethren---
1757-2007” ---was just published. It’s 2 inches thick and
678 pages! The every-name index itself runs over 70
pages.



This tome represents a monumental effort of the part of
the committee that compiled this volume.

In addition to comprehensive profiles of the old meeting
houses in Western Berks that were the forerunners of the
present church, photos and data relative to private burial
grounds also appears.

Costs and contact information---and more of a review---
will appear in the next News-Bits. Those with any interest
in Western Berks will want to purchase this compilation.