Berks County Public Libraries are challenging patrons to visit their 19 primary libraries and four branch locations for a chance to win gift cards. The Library Passport Challenge is available through Nov. 30.
Berks County Public Libraries cardholders can pick up a Passport Challenge booklet at any of the system’s 23 locations. Present your library card to be scanned at each location and receive a passport sticker. Patrons who visit all 19 locations noted in the challenge booklet can enter a gift-card raffle. The grand prize is a $400 Target gift card. Three $75 gift cards for area businesses also be awarded.
Those who don’t have a library card can register at any location for free with a valid photo ID. Those who live outside Berks but work or go to school in the county should bring information such as a paystub or current student ID.
To learn more, visit one of the libraries or see www.berkslibraries.org/passport-challenge.
Fall fair
The Wernersville Public Library, 100 N. Reber St., is holding a fall fair fundraiser Saturday from noon to 3 p.m., rain or shine. The admission fee is $5 for adults. Anyone under 18 is admitted for free. Tickets are available now.
The entrance fee gets each attendee a ticket to be entered into a raffle of choice.
The Tri Boba food truck will serve bubble tea and light fare. Proceeds from purchases there will go toward autism education.
Boy Scouts will be selling popcorn. The library teen advisory board will have handmade items for sale. There will be a bracelet-making station in honor of Taylor Swift, a zine making station for teens and adults, a magician, local authors, games and a pie-baking contest.
The entry fee for the baking contest is $5.
For more information, email director@wernersvillepubliclibrary.org.
Farm Fest debut
Berks County Parks is holding its first Farm Fest on Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. at the Berks County Heritage Center, 1102 Red Bridge Road, Bern Township. The family event celebrates farm life and culture and offers a look at rarely opened parts of the Heritage Center, located on a former farm.
There will be tours of the property and an opportunity to learn about how farms grew and processed their food. The center’s full collection of Gruber Wagons will be in the pole barn. Churn butter, ‘milk’ a cow, learn to make bread on an open hearth and do laundry the old-fashioned way. Take a wagon ride. Music by Mike & Linda Hertzog and Miss Laurie Ann & the Saddletones. Food from Deep Roots Valley Farm and Kitchen.
This event is free and open to the public.
Open house
Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue will hold its monthly Open House Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at its Golden Gateway facility at 60 Vera Cruz Road, Reinholds. Come out and meet dogs available for adoption. Staff is on hand to answer all questions, and food is available for purchase.
No admission charge. (No photos please, and do not bring other dogs.) For more information, contact info@dvgrr.org, call 717-484-4799, or visit: dvgrr.org/adopt/monthlyopenhouse/
Drive-thru food sale
Women of the ELCA at Zion’s Lutheran Church, 354 Zions Church Road, Perry Township, are holding a drive-thru food sale Oct. 12 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pre-ordering is required, and payment is due Oct. 6. Menu includes soup, barbecue and apple dumplings.
Make checks payable to WELCA mailed to the church at 354 Zions Church Road, Shoemakersville, PA 19555. Information and order forms at zionslutheran.org and Facebook page.
Event for writers
Berks County authors are offering lively reading presentations and writing-related Q&A sessions and workshops at the West Lawn/Wyomissing Hills Library, 101 Woodside Ave., West Lawn. The events are free and open to ages 12 to adult.
Author LD Zane, a Navy veteran, will read from his published works at the library on Tuesday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.. The focus is on writing creative nonfiction and flash fiction. A Q&A will follow. Zane’s anthology of short stories, “It’s Always My Fault,” will be available for purchase and signing. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Veterans Making a Difference.
On Friday from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the library, authors Anthony Maize and Janice E. Rodriguez will each read a short story with a Friday the 13th feeling. A writing workshop for the public will follow, and the authors will answer questions. Maize’s anthology “The Arlington Club & Other Short Stories” will be available for purchase and signing. A percentage of proceeds will benefit the Salvation Army of Reading.
Photography Society
The Berks Photography Society is offering a special presentation, “Introduction to Seascape Photography,” on Monday, Sept. 16, at 7 p.m.
In this hybrid Zoom session, photographer Francesco Gola will offer a comprehensive exploration of the essential gear required to capture the beauty of seascapes. He will unravel the intricacies of achieving optimal exposure, focus and depth of field in various seaside scenarios. The heart of the talk will delve into shooting techniques, with a particular focus on the art of long exposure.
The event is free for members and a $10 donation for nonmembers. Register and donate at store.berksphotographic.org/product/club-donation/.
Program on voting
League of Women Voters Berks County Presents: “My Vote Matters – the 2024 Election” on BCTV every Tuesday in September from 9 to 10 p.m. It is also available via streaming at www.bctv.org or the BCTV YouTube channel.
The program will focus on what Berks County does to ensure that every vote is counted and everyone who votes is eligible.
Guests include Anne Norton, director of Berks County Election Services; Silvia Gutierrez, chief registrar for Berks Election Services; and Karen Parish, a judge of elections in Alsace Township.
Dining out fundraiser
The Robesonia Community Library is holding a fundraiser at Klinger’s at the Airport, 2385 Bernville Road, Bern Township, on Sept. 18 and 19 from 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. A donation will be made with the purchase of lunch or dinner.
Touch a Truck
Swamp Lutheran Church in Reinholds, 275 Swamp Church Road, will sponsor a “Community Touch A Truck” display on Sunday from 10 a.m. to noon. People in the Cocalico/Ephrata area are invited to attend. Vehicles include firetrucks, ambulance, police car, crane and construction equipment. People will have an opportunity to view and speak with the operators.
Children are invited to climb and explore the trucks. There will be free tractor rides, face painting and other activities. The Adamstown Bookmobile will be there. Food will be available, with the proceeds going to the Adamstown Library.
Car-seat checks
State police are offering free car-seat checks on the following dates at the Reading station, 600 Kenhorst Blvd.: Sunday, Sept. 15, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Tuesday, Sept. 17, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Wednesday, Sept. 18, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Thursday, Sept. 19, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. No appointment is necessary.
The service is being offered in conjunction with National Child Passenger Safety Week, during which state police promise to be strongly enforcing seat belt and child passenger restraint laws.
Farmers market
The Antietam Valley Farmers Market is holding its Monday Market Mingle Aug. 19 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Carsonia Park, 905 Byram St., Pennside, for an evening of shopping, sampling, dinner and dessert, mingling with fellow members of the community and listening to local musician Dan Hauk. The event is rain or shine. The final three markets of the season are Sept. 23, Oct. 7 and Oct. 21.
Apple dumplings
The Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity, 102 Apple St., Leesport will hold an apple dumpling sale on Friday, Sept. 27. Cost is $5 per dumpling. Orders can be placed up to Sept. 19 by calling Phyllis at 610-926-1004.
New York trip
The Wyomissing Public Library is sponsoring a bus trip to New York on Oct. 19 for a visit to the Tenement Museum on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.
There are two private group tours scheduled: Tenement Women will explore the challenges and changes faced by Jewish immigrant mothers in 1902; Under One Roof looks at an Italian family and a Jewish family who were neighbors in the early 20th century.
The museum was founded by Wyomissing native and historian Ruth Abram in 1988 and encompasses two tenement buildings. After the tour, participants will have an opportunity to explore the neighborhood on their own.
The bus will leave Wyomissing at 7:30 a.m. and depart New York at 6 p.m. Free parking for the day will be available at the Wyomissing pool, 901 Evans Ave.
Cost is $130; WPL Association members will save $10. Reservations are required and are limited to 50 people; the deadline to register is Sunday, Sept. 15.
If paying by credit card, visit wyopublib.square.site. For more information visit the library front desk or email ann@wyopublib.org.
Farm tours
Afternoon tours will be offered Sept. 22, from 2 to 4 p.m at the 1868 farmhouse at the Historic Dreibelbis Farm near Virginville.
During this open house, docents will lead visitors through the unremodeled Civil War era house. Highlights include Victorian style furnishings and the vast Native American artifacts collection of items found on the farm.
There is a $6 tour fee. On-site parking is free. The event will be held rain or shine. The Historic Dreibelbis Farm is located on Route 143 south of the village of Virginville. GPS address: 356 Hard Hill Road, Hamburg.
For more information visit www.Dreibelbisfarm.org, Historic Dreibelbis Farm on Facebook or call 610-488-7896.
Flea market, soup sale
St. Michael’s Church, 529 St. Michael’s Road, Tilden Township, is hosting an indoor flea market and soup sale on Oct. 5 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Rain or shine.
Deadline to order soup is Sept. 22. Price is $9 per quart, and available flavors are ham and bean, chicken corn noodle, beef vegetable and Italian wedding. Call Glenna at 610-488-1429. Pick up soups at the Oct. 5 event.
Other food will be available at the flea market.
Fiddle Fest
Friends of Fleetwood Parks will present the annual Berks Fiddle Fest on Sunday at the Fleetwood Park, 334 W. Main St. The gates open at 9 a.m. with main stage activities from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Donations will be accepted. The event is held rain or shine.
The festival begins with a worship service followed by Americana bands on the Mainstage as well as the main attraction — an all-ages fiddle competition.
The Fire/Open Mic Stage features the Scottish Fire Qualifier and the open mic area with emcee Noah Gibney. Pavilion Two hosts workshops on mandolin, fiddle, saw and harmonica. The Rotten Parrots will roam the festival grounds.
The Kutztown Pipe Band will salute veterans, and Big Valley Bluegrass will perform in the grand finale. Attendees are encouraged to bring their musical instruments and join in the jams or bring a lawn chair and simply listen.
The festival will also feature Fiddler Craft Row, featuring more than 50 artisans.
Forms and rules for registration are at fleetwoodparks.com.
There will be food and beverages to purchase.
For additional information, visit fleetwoodparks.com or email berksfiddlefest@gmail.com.
Archaeology talk
The Friends of Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site is hosting a talk by Adam Zurn, founder of Uncharted Lancaster, on Sunday at 2 p.m. in the park visitor center, 2 Mark Bird Lane, Union Township. He will recount his expeditions down the lower Susquehanna River to explore mysterious Native American petroglyphs.
These 1,000-year-old carvings represent some of the oldest man-made artifacts in Lancaster County. Zurn will discuss their significance and possible meanings as well as local legends surrounding the rock art.
Admission is free.
Senior expo
State Rep. Jamie Barton is hosting a Senior Expo Sept. 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Landingville Fire Company, 1 Firehouse Road in Landingville, Schuylkill County.
There will be health screenings and opportunities to learn about resources and programs provided by state government, as well as local nonprofit and community groups
RSVP not required. To learn more, call 570-668-1240.
Fall flea market
The Muhlenberg Township Parks and Recreation Department’s annual Fall Flea Market is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 21 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Jim Dietrich Park. Rain date is Sunday, Sept. 22.
Spaces for sellers cost $15 and are 20-feet wide by 20-feet deep. Tables are not provided. Setup begins at 6 a.m. and is first come, first served. Do not arrive earlier.
Refreshments are available from the Muhlenberg Community Library so the sale of food or drinks of any kind is prohibited.
For more information, call 610-929-4727, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Financial advice
The Literacy Council of Reading-Berks is holding a Financial Fall Cleanup program Sept. 19 from 6:30 to 7:30 at the council headquarters, 35 S. Dwight St., West Lawn.
The program offers people an opportunity to get their finances in order in time for the holidays. The event costs $15 per person, which includes worksheets and a free one-on-one financial coaching session with a licensed adviser.
Spiritual intelligence
The Contemplative Spirituality group will hold a book discussion and a presentation on “Spiritual Intelligence” Thursday at St. John’s United Church of Christ, 257 W. Walnut St., Kutztown. The book for this season is “Zorba the Greek.” The discussion group meets at 9:30 a.m. The Rev. James A. Skelton’s program on spiritual intelligence begins at 10:30. There is no charge. To learn more, email hlserio@aol.com.
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Source: Berkshire mont
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