April 2022 Newsletter

President’s Message:

I am hoping to see a room full of people at our April 5 general meeting at the GoggleWorks.  Tuesday’s meeting is one that you will not want to miss.  Our program is going to be about Facebook, a learning event-no tests; just a whole lot of good information.  After a short business meeting, and I promise I will keep it short, we will be able to go downstairs and view the Berks County Intermediate Unit Art show that is on display.  This is the  yearly art show that includes all the high schools from Berks County and this is where you, The Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen, present our Stanley G. Seltz student awards.  Our judges will be on hand to talk with us about this event and the winning entries.  Kudos to our program chairperson, Matt Vardjan, for all his hard work in securing interesting, informative, enlightening programs for our Guild each month.  His dedication and research in finding programs of interest adds to the success of Reading-Berks Guild.

We are on the countdown to our second annual outdoor Spring Craft show at Renninger’s Farmer’s Market.  Steve Hunter and his show committee have been working very hard to ensure the continued success of this event.  It is back by popular demand from both our craftsmen and our patrons.

I want to say something now that I should do twice a month.  I want to thank our Board of Directors and our Show Committee for all their continued hard work which makes my job much easier.  I have been blessed with a great group of people.

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”  Helen Keller

Your President,  Barry L. Bennecoff

Programs:

Our April program is:   Using Facebook and Social Media to promote your work

Many people are on Facebook, but anyone with a product to sell should know the basics of using it for promotion. Any business, but especially small businesses with no extra money for advertising and promotion, should use Facebook’s many free tools and be familiar with how it can help drive more people to the shows where you exhibit.

During this meeting we will go over:
* The difference between a personal Facebook profile and a business page (and why you should have one)
* What are events and how to share them
* Best practices for posting, engagement and increasing how many people you reach

Bio:
Christina Allmer  is a marketing professional with over 20 years experience. She has developed and executed social media and digital marketing campaigns for publishing, job fairs and e-commerce, and enjoys finding no-cost ways to promote products and events.

Shows:

Media:

On Wednesday, April 20, at 7:00 PM please tune into “ Your Berks Craftsmen” on Comcast, Channel 15.  Watch “you”, our juried craftsmen of The Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen as they talk about their upcoming Spring Craft Show at Renninger’s Farmer’s Market at 740 Noble Street, Kutztown, PA  on Saturday, May 7, 2022,  from 9 AM to 3PM, outside under the Pavilion.  This will be the second year for this great event and our craftsmen  can’t wait to show you what’s “new” from their studios. Great timing for all you last -minute- shoppers.  This Spring Craft Show is the day before Mother’s day.

And giving you a “heads-up” for next month, Carol Haile, our education chairperson, will take you on a tour of the Berks County Intermediate Unit Art Show that is taking place at the GoggleWorks in April.   Another show you will not want to miss.

Watch “Your Berks Craftsmen” on Comcast, or on your computer at BCTV.org.  Catch us on “YouTube” and/or watch us on our Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen’s  website, rbcrafts.org.

Standards:

Congratulations to these members whose work passed jurying:

Diane Phalen:  Watercolor Painting

Shelby Peters:  Fine Art

Steve Good:     Metal Sculpting
Standards Chair,  Louise Mehaffey

Membership:

Membership Chair,  Gary Rosborough 

Mini-Grants:

Four (4) Mini Grants, in the amount of $50 each will be awarded in April, 2022.  If more than 4 applications are received, a random drawing will be held to determine the recipients at either a general or board meeting. More details may be found on the application.

We currently have 5 entries for the 4 Mini-Grants!  You MUST attend the April 5th meeting to win!

Kutztown Folk Festival Volunteers:

Join the Welcome Center

You can volunteer at the Welcome Center for 3 hour blocks of time each day during the Kutztown Folk Festival, July 2 through July 10, 2022 from 9 AM to 6 PM.  You could wear your Reading-Berks Guild badge, hat, have brochures or information about out Guild available and our group will be featured on the Kutztown Folk Festival Welcome Board for that week.    You will greet visitors, hand out maps and answer questions.  AND most of all, HAVE FUN!.  Training will be provided.  Each volunteer will receive TWO FREE FOLK FESTIVAL tickets to use during the week too!  Contact Heather Zimmerman to schedule your time slot.  Email:  zimmerman@kutztownfestival.com or call 610-683-1537

Photo Printer for Sale:

Used Epson SureColor P800 Photo Printer for sale for $150.   It is in excellent shape, still prints like new.   It will need a new set of inks soon, but still has enough to show that the printer works correctly.     Must pick up printer.   Please contact info@rbcrafts.org for more information.

In Memory of:

Leon H. Shultz, 96, passed away on Monday, March 28, 2022, at his residence. He was the husband of the late Kathryn H. (Miller) Shultz. They shared 62 years of marriage until her passing in 2013.Born in Harrisburg, PA, he was the son of the late Robert E. Shultz II and Edna M. (Miller) Shultz. Soon after graduating from Reading High School, he was drafted into the Air Force during WWII. He was stationed in Japan until his discharge at the end of the war. On the GI bill he attended Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, PA. While there he swam on the varsity team.

He attended Albright College and took a German class where he met Kathryn Miller, who became the love of his life. He attended Temple University for his graduate degree in education. After several jobs, he started teaching at Reading High School from 1966 until his retirement in 1986. He taught business courses along with coaching the high school tennis team.

Leon was a member of Reading Quaker Meeting. He enjoyed fishing, road trips, Alvernia Adult courses, tennis, his grandchildren, and great- grandchildren. He was a member of the Masonic Temple and the Berks County Tennis Club. Leon will be remembered for his humor and wit.

Left to treasure his memory are his children: Eric L. Shultz (Susan C. Shultz) of Colony Park, Mark D. Shultz (Susan M. Shultz) of Reinholds, and Dr. Susan K. Shultz (Dr. Michael Craig) of Vancouver, WA. Four grandchildren: Andrea Miller (Kevin Miller), Lisa Shultz, Heather Yohn (Rocky Yohn), and Sarah Palisano (Chuck Palisano). Also, four great-grandchildren: Piper Yohn, Hunter Yohn, Colton Yohn, and Brynn Palisano. Leon was predeceased by his brothers Robert E Shultz III and Delane L. Shultz.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2022, at 10:30

AM at Kuhn Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 5153 Kutztown Road Temple, PA. Internment will be at Laureldale Cemetery- 4631 Pottsville Pike Temple, PA. Viewing will be held at 10:30 AM with services starting at 11:00 AM at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to the Reading Friends Meeting, 108 North 6th Street Reading, PA 19601. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home Inc, West Reading is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be expressed at kuhnfuneralhomes.com.

Events:

General Meetings: (1st Tuesday of Month):

April 5, 2022, 7 PM:   General Meeting at the GoggleWorks

May 3, 2022, 7 PM:  General Meeting at the GoggleWorks

June 1, 2022:   Is our Annual Picnic.   Look for details coming soon.

Note:  If we cancel our general meeting due to bad weather, etc, it will be posted on our website: rbcrafts.org by 4:00 PM the day of the meeting.

Shows:

May 7, 2022, 9 AM to 3 PM:   Spring Show at Renninger’s in Kutztown, PA