A free program about the family behind the Muhlenberg Parish name will be held on Friday, February 10 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at the Parish Building, 210 George St.
Bradley Smith, archivist for the Berks History Center, will discuss the influence and legacy of the Muhlenberg family from their arrival in Pennsylvania in 1742 to the present day and how the family influenced community naming. He will also talk about statesman, soldier and architect Frederick A. Muhlenberg, who founded the local Muhlenberg Greene architectural practice.
Following the presentation, guests can view an exhibition of artworks at the Muhlenberg Art Gallery in the Township Building. This collection of hand-drawn works by Frederick Muhlenberg from the 1920s to the 1970s highlights some of his company’s most iconic projects. Note cards depicting some of these works are being offered for sale as a fundraiser for the Berks History Center.
Trip to the flower show
The Western Berks Association of School Retirees is offering a March 6 bus ride to the Philadelphia Flower Show.
The cost is US$80 and includes round-trip transportation, admission ticket, driver’s tip and a small donation to benefit teachers’ scholarships. Departs from the former K-Mart car park in Shillington at 11:30am and returns around 8:00pm
Contact Karen Arndt at 610-914-2049 for more information or to reserve seating. All reservations must be received by February 15th.
Iron harvest event
On Saturday, February 4, at 2:00 p.m., the Dreibelbis Farm Historical Society will host a presentation on the German iron harvest in Pennsylvania. This includes a demonstration of antique iron harvesting tools and (weather permitting) cutting and harvesting blocks of ice from the ice pond. Visitors learn how ice was transported to the ice house and loaded there.
The first presentation will take place at 2:15 p.m., followed by a second presentation at 3:00 p.m. Horse-drawn sleigh or covered wagon rides are offered for a small fee. A campfire, warm soup and hot chocolate will be available and the farm grounds and nature trail will be open to the public.
The event is free to the public and takes place rain or shine, with only snowstorms canceling. If thin ice prevents walking on the pond, a demonstration of tools and techniques will still be held. Participants are encouraged to dress appropriately for the weather and be prepared to walk on a dirt dirt road that may be icy or muddy.
Historic Dreibelbis Farm is located off Route 143 south of the village of Virginville. GPS address: 356 Hard Hill Road, Hamburg, PA. Parking is available on site.
For more information, visit www.Dreibelbisfarm.org, “Historic Dreibelbis Farm” on Facebook, or contact Mark or Janine Dreibelbis at 610-451-1193.
soup bowl
The Walk In Art Center, 220 Parkway Ave., Schuylkill Haven, is hosting its third annual SOUPer Bowl fundraiser on February 10th. There will be lunch from 11:30am to 1:30pm and dinner from 5pm to 7pm
The center’s clay artists have created more than 300 handmade pottery bowls. Attendees can choose a bowl, two different soups, fries, and dessert, and walk away with a decent little lunch or dinner to go. Soups include beef and veg, Italian wedding, and a surprise option.
Visitors can watch a potter’s wheel demonstration and see how the bowls are made. People are invited to visit art vendors as well.
Tickets cost $25 and are available at walkinartcenter.org. Click the event registration button to purchase tickets. The center is located at 220 Parkway Ave., Schuylkill Haven.
Museum seeks help
The organizers are looking for volunteers for the Reading Public Museum Arboretum Assistant Program. Every year the number of projects in the arboretum increases and with it the need for volunteers. Gardening takes place from April to October on Wednesdays from 9.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m.
Prospective arboretum assistants are asked to attend a training/information session at the museum’s planetarium on March 15 at 8:30 am (bad weather date, March 22).
Pre-registration is required. To register or request additional information, contact Volunteer Coordinator Donna Goughnour at [email protected] by March 1st.
“Great Decisions”
Reading Public Library will again host the Great Decisions discussion group series in 2023, showcasing conversations on critical global issues facing America today.
This year’s themes are energy geopolitics; war crimes; China and the US; economic war; Politics in Latin America; Global Famine; Iran at a crossroads; climate migration
The discussion group meets every other Tuesday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. beginning February 28 at the Reading Public Library Foundation building, 113 S. Fourth St. A zoom option is available.
The topics will be presented through a briefing book, a video presentation and moderated discussions. The $35 registration fee includes a reference book of expert papers on all eight subjects. The fee for two people sharing a briefing book is $40. Grants are available through the Reading Public Library.
The Great Decisions series is supported by the World Affairs Council of Reading.
Register online at ReadingPublicLibrary.org/great-decisions/ or by calling 610-478-8977.