The Berks County Parks & Recreation Department is presenting the following programs:
• Sunday, May 19, The Lebanon Valley Railroad and Heritage Park, 2 p.m. at the Berks County Heritage Center, Bern Township.
This slide presentation by Paul Miller, president of the Sinking Spring Area Historical Society, will take the audience on a ride beginning at Reading’s Outer Station, traveling along the Lebanon Valley line of the P& R RR, and into Lancaster County on the Reading & Columbia. A stop will be made at Heritage Park in Sinking Spring. The event is free and open to the public.
• Tuesday, May 21, Read with a Ranger: Water, 10 a.m. at Antietam Lake Park, Lower Alsace Township.
Kids ages 3-5 are invited to enjoy a themed story, go for a walk on the trail and complete a craft to become an honorary Junior Ranger. Admission is free; registration suggested.
• Thursday, May 23, Full Moon Hike & Yoga, 7:30 p.m. at Berks Leisure Area, Spring Township.
Take part in an easy introductory session of yoga before heading out onto the Union Canal Trail to take in the moonlight. Bring your own yoga mat, water, and a sturdy pair of walking shoes. Admission is free; registration required.
• Tuesday, May 28, Homeschool Hour: Water, 10 a.m. at Antietam Lake Park.
Join parks staff in discovering the wonders of water. This is not a drop-off program. Cost is $5 per child; registration required.
Register for all programs at countyofberks.recdesk.com/Community/Program
To learn more, contact Lisa Gauker at LGauker@CountyofBerks.com or 610-374-2944 extension 2611.
Railroad open house
An open house will be held Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Wernersville Railroad Station, located at Route 422 and Werner Street. Tour the 1926 restored Reading Railroad station that was part of the Lebanon Valley line and served the South Mountain resorts and surrounding communities. No admission charge.
Genealogy meeting
The Berks County Genealogical Society meets Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in the society library on the fourth floor of the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, 201 Washington St., Reading. Brian Englehardt will discuss Berks County Indians. Doors open at 6 p.m. Admission is free.
Gardening talk
On Wednesday the Wyomissing Public Library will welcome Penn State Master Gardener Mary Ellen Mahan to talk about native plants and trees. The program, which will begin at 6 p.m., is free and open to the public. The library is located at 9 Reading Blvd.
Mahan will offer recommendations for some of the most hardy, attractive and beneficial native trees for Berks County, reference sites to learn more about natives and the birds they attract and where attendees can obtain many of the recommended trees free of charge.
Registration is requested; visit wyopublib.org to register, or call the library at 610-374-2385.
Soul Cafe
A presentation on “Reincarnation and Christianity” will be given by Dr. Harry L. Serio and Dianne Seaman Poitier at Soul Cafe on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. at West Lawn United Methodist Church, 15 Woodside Ave. All are welcome and there is no charge. For more information, email hlserio@aol.com.
Plant sale
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary near Kempton will host its annual Spring Native Plant Sale Saturday and Sunday outside the Visitor Center, featuring almost 100 species of native trees, grasses, ferns, shrubs, and flowering plants. The sale is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. All proceeds benefit Hawk Mountain’s conservation and education programs. Volunteers will be on hand to answer questions, offer tips, carry purchases to buyers’ cars or store them until the end of the day’s visit. For those interested in learning more,
Visitors may explore the sanctuary’s trails and scenic overlooks and attend the free Raptors Up Close! program, hosted every weekend through Memorial Day in the Amphitheater.
On Saturday visitors may stay late to learn all about The Secret World of Bats at 7 p.m.. More upcoming events and details are available at hawkmountain.org/events.
Used book sale
The Womelsdorf Community Library is holding its used book sale on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the library parking lot, 203 W. High St. There will be books of all kinds and genres and for all ages. Cost is $1 per book, or fill one of their bags for $5.
Spring festival
A spring festival will be held Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Advent Lutheran Church, 16 Telford Ave., West Lawn. There will be free food, crafts and games.
Leesport program
On Monday, May 20, at 7 p.m., the Leesport Area Historical Society will present a program led by Barry Webb from the Blue Mountain Eagle Hiking Club. The program will take place in Bethany EC Church, 308 Main St., Leesport. Webb will discuss the club’s history and activities. Parking in rear of church.
Film screening
The Historic Preservation Trust of Berks County’s 3rd Saturday program resumes Saturday at 11 a.m. with a showing of the film “From the River” at the White Horse Tavern on Old Philadelphia Pike in Douglassville. Suggested donation is $2 per person. All proceeds benefit the trust.
The film features scenes from the trust’s Morlatton Village. It is a 35-minute sprint through 350 years of Berks County history. Released by Schott Productions in 2023, the film examines the triumphs and tragedies of the region’s history through the stories of the men and women who made it happen.
Programs will continue on the third Saturday of each month through September.
To learn more, call 610-385-4762 or visit www.historicpreservationtrust.org.
History open house
The Heidelberg Heritage Society presents a “Three Floors of History” open house Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. at 182 W. Penn Ave., Wernersville.
Sale at church
A 25-cent sale (clothing, shoes, books, household and more) and indoor/outdoor flea market is scheduled for Saturday from 8 to 11 a.m. at Calvary United Church of Christ, 1231 Route 100, Barto. All are welcome.
Flea market
The Muhlenberg Township Parks and Recreation Department is holding its annual Spring Flea Market on Saturday (rain date Sunday) from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Jim Dietrich Park.
Spaces are $15 and are 20 feet wide by 20 feet deep. Tables are not provided as part of the $15 rental fee. Setup begins at 6 a.m. and is on a first-come, first-served basis. Please do not arrive before 6 a.m.
Refreshments will be available from the Muhlenberg Community Library, so vendors may not sell food or drinks. For more information, contact the township office at 610-929-4727, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Lincoln Park event
Lincoln Park Community United Methodist Church, 1 Carlisle Ave., will hold its annual indoor/outdoor Flea Market on Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Items include books, housewares, bedding, holiday decor, accessory boutique, sporting goods, vintage items, toys and games. There will be hot dogs, barbecue, homemade soup and baked goods. For more information go to www.lpcumc.org.
Public education talk
The League of Women Voters of Berks County presents “Public Education Funding Matters” airing Tuesday at 8 p.m. on BCTV. Watch live or streaming on www.bctv.org.
Guests are education activist and former Boyertown School Board member Donna Usavage, education consultant Dr. Sherry Roland-Washington and LWV Berks board member Bill Litvin. Topics include the current state of public education funding, Gov. Josh Shapiro’s public education funding proposal, charter school funding and the impact of these issues on Berks County schools, communities and taxpayers.
BCTV is available on area cable systems, via streaming at bctv.org and at www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjuI03soTP4EUm_7lawBYq81L4Sjr2sgp
‘Walk with Conrad Weiser’
The Historical Society of the Cocalico Valley’s next educational program, “A Walk with Conrad Weiser” will be held Wednesday, May 22, at 7 p.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 167 E. Main St., Ephrata.
Lynn Otto will discuss the Tulpehocken Path, a 65-mile passageway from Conrad Weiser’s farm in Womelsdorf to the Native American capital at Shamokin.
This program is open free to the public. Parking lot and entrance in the rear alley. For more information, visit www.cocalicovalleyhs.org or call 717-733-1616.
Cemetery workday
The Berks County Association for Graveyard Preservation will hold a workday Saturday at the Hill Graveyard in Earl Township beginning at 9 a.m. in an effort to clear the graveyard and dig out vine roots. Tools needed include string trimmers, loppers, shovels and other digging tools and gloves. Wear appropriate shoes for walking through a cow field. From Yellow House, take Route 562 toward Boyertown. Make a left on Camp Road, where is a sign for Camp Manatawny. the road will become dirt/gravel as it approaches the farmstead at its end. Bear left behind the barn to park. Questions: Call Les 610-850-1855
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Source: Berkshire mont