President’s Message:
I hope my message is finding our members and your families doing well. To say that we are living in strange times is an understatement. Our emotions are all over the place. There is no truer statement than “If you have your health, you have everything”. I believe we can all agree to that. I just need to say this: I miss you guys!
On with business, we had a combination in-person and zoom board meeting and show meeting at the Goggleworks. We had a lot to talk about. We had finances to review and our co-treasurers had reports. Fortunately we have reserves. We of course were sad about the cancellation of our 71st annual Holiday Fine Art and Craft Festival but we are looking to 2021. We are planning to remind our patrons that while we can’t see them in person this year and we will miss them, they can find us in our directory at rbcrafts.org (https://rbcrafts.org/) .
This is also an election year for our Guild. Bill Scheirer and Matt Vardjan have agreed to be the nominating committee. If you are interested in being an officer, please contact one of them. Because of this Covid 19 pandemic, this year has been unusual to say the least. I did poll the elected officers and they all have agreed that they would stay on for another term. Nominations are read at the October general meeting and voting occurs at the November general meeting. As of this writing, only 25 people can meet at the Goggleworks in person per pandemic rules so the general meetings for October and November would have to be zoom meetings also.
I am hoping we can at least have our holiday social at Yellow House in December. It is customary to ask Santa to bring us something we really want. I am going to ask Santa to just get rid of this Covid 19.
Hope to see you all next week at our general “Zoom” Meeting.
See you Tuesday!
“If you don’t get everything you want, think of the things you don’t get that you don’t want. ” Anonymous
Your President, Barry L. Bennecoff
Sign-up for our first Zoom meeting on September 1st
by e-mailing info@rbcrafts.org
To insure that the meeting isn’t attended by pranksters, you must sign-up to attend the meeting. Meeting invitations will be sent by e-mail on Monday, August 31.
Media:
“Your Berks Craftsmen” this month will feature Dick Snyder. Dick is a bird carver. We will be in Dick’s studio via “Zoom”. Having the luxury of being in his studio, Dick will be able to show us various stages and details that go into bird carving. Please tune in on Wednesday, September 16 at 7:00 PM. If you do not have Comcast, you can see “Your Berks Craftsmen” on your computer by going to BCTV.org (http://bctv.org/) or in a day or two after the initial showing time, you can find “Your Berks Craftsmen” on YouTube.
Octoberfest auction which is a big benefit for BCTV will occur in Mid October and more than ever will need our help. BCTV has been doing a great job under the current circumstances and keeping everyone “on the air” in one way or another. So if you can donate a handcrafted item to them for their auction, I highly encourage you to do so and I am graciously thanking you for your support. Reading-Berks Guild is the best!!!
I am including a copy of the letter from BCTV (see bottom of newsletter) and a donation page with my Media report. Any questions you can get in touch with me or with Heather at BCTV.
Thanks everyone,
Your BCTV Host, Kay Bennecoff
Programs:
I have been working on some possible remote viewing programs so that the Guild can keep in touch with our membership but it is proving to be a challenge! Keep tuned into the newsletter for possible programs on-line.
I have been able to reserve the Yellow House Hotel once again for the Holiday Social. See the Holiday Social Page for selections. The cash bar opens at 6:00 PM, the meal will be served promptly at 6:30. Butch Imhof will be entertaining us after dessert with his holiday songs and good humor! Yellow House was unable to give prices as of today, but I am assured that that information will be able to be included in the October newsletter. I hope to see all of our members at the Social.
Programs Chair, Matt Vardjan
Standards:
Our next jury session is in September. Members who have belonged to our chapter for a minimum of 3 months are eligible to present their work for jurying. If you were planning on having your work juried, please contact Louise at eGlassplace@gmail.com (mailto:eGlassplace@gmail.com) . Because of COVID19, the Goggleworks has changed their hours and the date must be changed.
Standards Chair, Louise Mehaffey
Shows:
As announced earlier, The Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen’s fall show, October 31-November 1, will not be held this year.
All show fees will be refunded. If you applied and your booth fee has not been returned, please send an e-mail to info@rbcrafts.org (mailto:rbcrafts.org) and your information will be forwarded to our co-treasurers.
Kutztown University has assured us that we will get a date for Fall of 2021 and they will be in touch with us. We usually get our Holiday Show date in the Spring.
Show Chair, Steve Hunter
Events:
General Meetings: (1st Tuesday of Month)
September 1st: Zoom meeting: 7:00 PM
October 6th: Zoom meeting: 7:00 PM
November 3: Zoom meeting: 7:00 PM
December 1st: Holiday Party at Yellow House, 6:00 PM
Shows:
Holiday Festival 2020: Canceled.
BCTV donation:
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To our fellow community members:
2020 has shown us just how important accessible, local media resources are! Citizens of Berks County have stayed up to date with current events and information surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic by visiting our sites and channels in record numbers.
BCTV is dedicated to empowering and engaging you with the opportunity to view, read, and share local content freely. We have developed our mission and platforms to encourage participation, so that diverse voices and ideas may be heard across our community. It is our pleasure to keep you informed and involved. We are asking for your help so that we can continue to do so.
Each October, we hold our most important fundraiser of the year. Dates for the auction will be announced soon! Right now we are planning and adjusting the 2020 Octoberfest Auction and related events to meet health and safety guidelines – but our success relates directly to the generous, quality donations given by supporters and businesses like yours.
Please donate a unique item, gift basket, or gift certificate to be sold during our benefit auction. A donation form is enclosed. You may donate any time now through October 2.
You can expect a follow up call from one of our dedicated volunteers as they prepare us to reach
Business/Individual Donor Name:_______________________________________________
Address:_________________________________________________________________________________________________
City:_________________________State:______ZIP:_________Phone:_____________________
E-mail:________________________________
Contact Person: ____________________________
I prefer to make a monetary gift, I have enclosed a donation in the amount of $____________ to show my support for BCTV.
I am donating a gift certificate(s) in the amount of $___________
I am donating an item or gift basket
Donation Description: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________-
Value: ____________________
If you’re donating a gift certificate(s), you may mail it directly to us, along with this sheet. o BCTV 1900 N. 13th Street, Reading, PA 19604
Call BCTV at (610) 374-3065 to arrange for pick up or drop-off of donations.
Does your item require any special instructions for care or otherwise? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Tell us some information about your business. Info shared will be displayed with your auction item(s) in the online auction catalog listing. The auction catalog will be available on our website, social media, and email. Items of varying values may be packaged together for greater fundraising opportunity; all donors will be recognized individually.
Thank you so much.
Inlay Wood Worker Information:
A customer has asked for information on a wood worker who does inlay work to repair a piece for her. If you are interested in doing the work or know of someone who is, please contact Sandra Jones.
Thank you in advance!
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If you would like something added to our Newsletter, please contact Sandra Jones at info@rbcrafts.org
Don’t Forget, sign-up for the
Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen
Zoom meeting
by e-mailing info@rbcrafts.org
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