Newsletter February 2022

by | Jan 29, 2022 | Articles, Newsletter Archive |

Update to the Feb 2022 Newsletter:

Membership Chair Report

Any new members who have not received badges yet, please connect with me and I will make sure you are in the next batch for ordering.  I currently have one person on my new list.

If you are having issues with your clip breaking on the back of your current badge, let me know as I have replacement alligator clips for small charge of 70 cents.

As of the end of the year, December 2021 from the State Guild report, the Reading-Berks chapter has 138 current members.  There were no new members in the Reading-Berks Guild for the month of December 2021.

Membership Chair, Gary Rosborough

President’s Message:

Groundhog Day (Grund’sau dak) is just around the corner and at our house we are hoping Mr. Groundhog finds February 2 to be a very cloudy day.  We are so ready for Spring and some warmer weather.  I hope this cold weather does not deter you from coming out to our general meeting on Tuesday, February 1 at the Goggleworks at 7:00 PM.  Matt has a great program lined up for us and catching up with old and new friends will surely warm up the evening.  Steve and his team are in high gear prepping for our outdoor Spring Show at Renninger’s Farmer’s Market under the Pavilion on Saturday, May 7, 2022 and our Holiday Show at Kutztown University in the Fall of 2022.  Both these shows were successful in 2021 and are looking to be better for this year.  I was pleased to learn that several people already are signed up for our next jury session.  This is good news for our Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen.  We need to continue to embrace and encourage our new members to be active and share their knowledge.  Kay is always looking to share our craftsmen with the world on our BCTV show, “Your Berks Craftsmen”.  The new studio at 401 Penn Street is the “real deal”.

This year for our members who may be interested in doing a chapter booth at one of our State Guild shows is they are offering chapter booths in varying sizes.  Reading-Berks is blessed to have a lot of talented craftsmen.  Involvement in our guild is essential as we look forward to another successful year in 2022.

“The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.”  Albert Einstein

Your President,  Barry L. Bennecoff
P.S.  Don’t forget to renew your memberships; you don’t want to lose your jury status.

Shows:

Our Spring outdoor show application is now on our web site. This outdoor show under the roof at Renningers was well received last year, most enjoyed strong sales. This is an easy show to do with parking at your booth, low fee, short hours, and coffee and doughnuts. We have room to grow this show.  Join us.

Show Chair,  Steve Hunter

Media:

This month on “Your Berks Craftsmen” you will get to know and learn more about Reading-Berks Juried Guild Member Amy Langman, Nature Photographer.  Through Amy’s lens, she will take us with her into the beautiful nature around us and let us experience this all in the comfort of our warm and cozy living rooms on Wednesday, February 16 at 7:00 PM on Comcast, Channel 15.  If you don’t have Comcast,  watch “Your Berks Craftsmen” on your computer  or laptop at BCTV.org.  The next day you will be able to watch “Your Berks Craftsmen” on our website at rbcrafts.org and on YouTube.

Thanks for watching,

“Your Berks Craftsmen” Host,
Kay Bennecoff

Programs:

Our program for February will feature Hallie Vaughan. Her presentation will be, “Female Flag Wavers of the American Revolution. Don’t miss it!

Program Chair,  Matt Vardjan

Standards:

The next jury session is scheduled for Tues, March 8, 2022 at the Goggleworks. Members who have belonged to our chapter for a minimum of 3 months are eligible to present their work for jurying. The room will be open at 6:30, and jurying will begin at 7:00. Members will be asked to leave before jurying begins, and can return in 1- 1 1/2 hours for the results. Check the board at the entrance of the Goggleworks for the room #. For more information or for an application, go to https://rbcrafts.org/resources or contact Louise at eglassplace@gmail.com.

Standards Chair,  Louise Mehaffey

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.

Applications must be received by April 5.  Those received after April 5, 2022, will not be considered.

Education Chair,  Carol Haile

Events:

General Meetings: (1st Tuesday of Month):

February 1, 2022, 7 PM:   General Meeting at the GoggleWorks (check the board for room number)

March 1, 2022, 7 PM:   General Meeting at the GoggleWorks (check the board for room number)

April 5, 2022, 7 PM:   General Meeting at the GoggleWorks (check the board for room number)

Note:  If we cancel our general meeting due to bad weather, etc, it will be posted on our website 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