The Muhlenberg Township Arts Board has teamed with the Muhlenberg Community Library to organize the Holiday Trail of Lights fundraiser. Participants purchase a ticket for a carload of fun on Dec. 14 at 5:30 p.m., after they stop by the library, 3612 Kutztown Road, Laureldale, to get the map of Muhlenberg Township houses with spectacular light displays.
At each stop, participants will get a friendly welcome, a treat and a playing card for the Holly Jolly Poker Run. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church has agreed to be a bonus stop. Those who give a nonperishable food item for the local pantry will get a bonus playing card. For families that give multiple items, every child will get an activity book and crayons. Light refreshment will be inside the church.
At the beginning of the trail, the library will have a train display
The cost of participation is $25 per car. People are encouraged to register at secure.rec1.com/PA/muhlenberg-township-pa/catalog or buy your ticket at the library or the township building, 210 George St. To learn more call 610-929-4727 ext. 264.
Nativity display
Zion’s Lutheran Church, 354 Zion’s Church Road, Perry Township, will open its Fellowship Hall on Saturday, Dec. 14, from noon until 3 p.m. with a display of over 200 Nativity sets from a private collection. A free will donation will be accepted and all proceeds will be sent to Lutheran Disaster Response to aid in Domestic Emergency Assistance. Complimentary cookies and hot and cold beverages will be served during the showing. For more information, email at Bobbersee123@aol.com.
Christmas trains
The Reading Railroad Heritage Museum’s holiday exhibit on nostalgic Christmas trains will be on display weekend through Jan. 12 at the museum, 500 S. Third St., Hamburg.
The display includes vintage and modern model trains in five sizes operating in a holiday setting. A special feature is a bridge that was displayed at the former Roadside America in Shartlesville.
Hours are Saturdays through Jan. 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday through Jan. 12 from noon to 4 p.m. Admission includes outdoor tours of the railyard led by experienced guides, weather permitting. Cost is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, $3 for children ages 5-12 and free for children 4 and under. Learn more at www.readingrailroad.org
Genealogy open house
Berks County Genealogical Society will hold an open house Saturday, Dec 14, from noon to 4 p.m. at its library on the fourth floor of the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, 201 Washington St., Reading. Santa will be in the library all day to entertain children. A short beginners’ genealogy class will be held from 3 to 4 p.m.
Holiday concert
The Greater Reading Encore Chorale is presenting a concert, “Celebrate the Season,” on Sunday, Dec. 15, at 2 p.m. at Alsace Lutheran Church, 2201 Kutztown Road, Muhlenberg Township.
German service
Join us on Sunday, December 15, at 11 am for The Deutscher Weihnachtsgottesdienst, a traditional Christmas worship experience in High German, will be held Sunday, Dec. 15, at 11 a.m. at Renewed Spirit Church, 449 N. Ninth St. Worship will be led by Pastor Sonja Ware in partnership with the Reading Liederkranz Singers under the direction of Mark Herr.
Parking is available on the adjacent church lot with overflow parking available nearby. The church is handicapped accessible through the side door from the parking lot. Radio station WEEU will broadcast the service live.
Festival of trees
Keystone Villa at Douglassville is holding its annual Festival of Trees on Thursday, Dec. 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. The event features decorated trees donated by families, businesses and organizations, musical entertainment, a hot cocoa bar and treats. There will be a photo opportunity with Santa.
Purchase raffle tickets to win one of the trees. Proceeds support the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
Entrance is preferred through the Independent Living building at 1180 Ben Franklin Highway East.
To learn more, call 610-385-5000 or 610-385-5002.
TV program on water
The League of Women Voters of Berks County presents “Water — Is There Enough?” Tuesdays in December from 9 to 10 p.m. on Berks Community Television and available via streaming at www.bctv.org and www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjuI03soTP4EUm_7lawBYq81L4Sjr2sgp.
The program explores where water comes from, how much of the resource people use, the cause of droughts, conservation tips and information on local water suppliers.
Guests are Bethany Ayers Fisher, sustainability manager in the Reading Public Works Department; Bill Murray, executive director of the Reading Area Water Authority; and LWV board member Judith Kraines.
Talk on Quakers
The Friends of Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site will host a free program by preservationist and educator Harold Finigan on Sunday, Dec. 15, at 2 p.m. in the visitor center theater at the Union Township site.
Finigan will explore the legacy of Darby Quaker Meeting. When the Quakers came to Pennsylvania in 1682, some 70% of them were slaveholders. Within less than 100 years, the organization had rejected slaveholding and became the leaders in eliminating slavery within the British Empire. Finigan will discuss how the Darby Quakers made this happen.
Due to capacity limitations, those interested in attending are encouraged to arrive as early as possible to ensure a seat.
Toy drive
Tri-County Chiropractic of Douglassville, 990 E. Ben Franklin Highway, Amity Township. is holding a Toys for Tots drive. People are encouraged to drop off new, unwrapped toys at the office to help make the holidays brighter for local children. Donations are being accepted weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Dec. 19.
THON benefit dinner
In an effort to support children and their families in the fight against pediatric cancer, Penn State Berks Benefitting THON student organization will host its eighth annual “Inspire the Night” Benefit Dinner from 6 to 10 p.m., Friday, Jan. 17, in the Redner’s Event Center at FirstEnergy Stadium.
The event is open to students, faculty, staff and community members. Tickets can be purchased directly through the Berks Benefitting THON website until Jan. 6. Individual tickets cost $100.
The dinner will immerse guests in an understanding of THON, an event in which Penn State students participate in a 46-hour dance marathon. Proceeds benefit Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital. The event will include games, raffles and live auctions.
For more information, email Olivia Rice at OAR5069@psu.edu or Sydney Bankert at SXB98@psu.edu. To purchase tickets, visit sites.psu.edu/berksbenefittingthon77/inspire-the-night/.
History meeting
The Fleetwood Area Historical Society will meet on Wednesday Dec. 18, at 7 p.m. in its meeting room in the Fleetwood Community Center. 110 W. Arch St. It is open to the public.
Participants will reminisce about previous holiday meetings, view slides of Roadside America, discuss recent museum discoveries and elect a president, vice president and recording secretary for 2025.
Cloister tours
Historic Ephrata Cloister has scheduled its annual Lantern Tours Dec. 27-30. The program offers visitors a glimpse of life in the community in 1744.
This year’s performance, “Conscience and Truth: Conrad Weiser’s Ephrata of 1744,” invites guests to step into a pivotal moment in the cloister’s history: Weiser’s transformative experiences at Ephrata and the reasons behind his departure..
Tours run every half hour from 6 to 8:00 p.m. Each tour lasts about one hour and is limited to 30 participants.
Tickets must be purchased in advance. Admission prices are $15 for adults (18 to 64); $12 for those 65 and older, $10 for students age 6-17 and free for children 5 and under.
Tickets are available by phone at 717-733-6600 or at www.ticketleap.events/tickets/ephrata-cloister-associates/lantern-tours-1275179160.
Ticket holders should arrive five to 10 minutes before their scheduled tour time. Dress appropriately for a tour that takes place partly outdoors, and bring a small flashlight for dimly lit paths.
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Source: Berkshire mont