Tue, 04 Dec 2007 13:22:38 EST
The Beer and Pretzels exhibition opened this past Saturday, Dec. 1st, 2007
1-- The Beer & Pretzels exhibition opened this past Saturday
with enormous success. Perhaps 500 attended. The Society's
opening--free to members AND the general public--featured German
music and dancing, Reading Beer and Reading pretzels, three
kinds of cheeses, and bratwurst with sauerkraut on a bun.
The real attraction, however, were all the brewery and pretzel
memorabilia...which number in the hundreds. The entire first
floor of Society headquarters at 940 Centre Avenue is "filled"
with collectible memorabilia.
The 19th century full-color brewery posters are nothing less
than stunning. And, yes, there are rare posters and signs for
Keystone, Muhlenberg, and Boyertown breweries.
The exhibition continues to March 15th and may be visited
during regular Society hours, Tuesday through Saturday, 9 to
4 p.m.
Passing Scene--Volume 15 has been delivered and may be obtained at 940 Centre Avenue
2- The Passing Scene--Volume 15 was delivered to the Society
this past Friday at closing time.
It is NOW available.
Those who wish to obtain a copy online--and purchase using a
credit card or PayPal--may do so STARTING THURSDAY....by
visiting http://www.berkshistory.org/giftshop/
Those who have already ordered and paid for the book TO BE
MAILED will be receiving their copies soon. A mailing committee
is being assembled to complete address labels and
delivery-confirmation slips.
The delivery-confirmation slips require a good deal of time
and "hand labor" but are deemed necessary to pretty nearly
insure that your books reach your hands.
The last year we sent Passing Scenes through the mails withOUT
delivery-confirmation slips, fully FORTY-ONE books were "lost in
the mail." Postal authorities were at a loss to explain how so
many books--sent through the Reading Post Office--could disappear.
The financial loss to the Society was considerable....
In spite of precautions taken to have the books delivered to members
and friends, problems sometimes still occur...including some weird
ones.
A Volume 13 sent to a member in Texas phoned to inform us that her
book arrived all but destroyed. The mentally challanged delivery
person BEND the COVERS severely so that the parcel would fit into
her loaf-of-bread-shaped mailbox. We replaced her damaged copy.
AUTOGRAPH opportunity for Volume 15 will again occur this SATURDAY, Dec. 8th
3- The next book signing will take place this coming SATURDAY,
Dec. 8th, from 9:30 to noon.....and.....from 1 to 3:30.
Those living in the area might do well to come later in the day,
by which time most planning to attend Saturday will have had
their books autographed.
The Society's BCTV program is tomorrow evening at 7...and ends at 8
4- The Society's monthly BCTV program is TOMORROW, Wednesday,
Dec. 5th, at 7 p.m.
A generous sampling of Vol. 15 views will be shared with
viewers.
This SUNDAY is Centre Park Historic District's annual HOUSE TOUR
5-
23rd ANNUAL CHRISTMAS HOME-TOUR of Centre Park area---Dec. 9th
This very popular annual Christmas Home-Tour is
scheduled for this SUNDAY, December 9th...from 1 to 6
Tickets may be purchased the day of the tour at a
booth in Centre Park---at Centre Ave. and Douglass---
across from the Society's HENDEL HOUSE.
As usual, the Victorian homes on the tour will be lavishly
decorated for the season.
And also as usual, refreshments for those participating
in the house tour will be available in the Connor Auditorium
at the Historical Society's headquarters at 940 Centre Avenue.
AND, as was featured in last year's tour, the HENDEL HOUSE
will be open for a Christmas Boutique that will offer all
manner of decorative and practical (and edible) goods!
Much effort has gone into bedecking Hendel House with holiday decorations.
BELSNICKEL SCROOGE starts this Friday at Genesius Theatre, Reading
6- On Friday, December 7th, Genesius Theatre will premiere
a brand new Christmas musical called "The Belsnickel Scrooge."
It's a Pennsylvania Dutch adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic
"A Christmas Carol." It's sure to delight the entire family.
Writer/Director LJ Fecho has transplanted the story from
Victorian England to Depression-Era BERKS COUNTY.
Berks history buffs are sure to appreciate the many topical
references: "our Socialist Mayor" and the "Embassy
Thee-ate-ter"...and the appearance of Solomon "Sammy" Boscov and
Lambert Sternbergh as the businessmen seeking Scrooge's holiday
charity.
Genesius co-founder Michael O'Flaherty has written beautiful and
witty original music and lyrics for the production.
"The Belsnickel Scrooge" will be performed at 8 PM on
December 7, 8, 12, 14 and 15.
Matinees are at 3 PM on December 8, 9 and 16 and at
4 PM on December 15.
The theatre is located at the corner of 10th and Walnut Streets
in Reading.
For tickets, go to www.genesiustheatre.org or call 610-373-9500.
