June 2023 Newsletter

President’s Message:

Summertime is almost here and I want you to make it the best one ever.   If there is something that you have wanted to do and haven’t done it, go for it.  Don’t think you can’t, just do it.

Right now I am out at the Kutztown Fairgrounds preparing for The Kutztown Folk Festival.  I am working with a great group of young men from Kutztown University who were anxious to land this as a summer job and that’s what it was to them…..a summer job.  However as the weeks have gone by, they have learned so much about this event and what is involved in preparing for it that they now realize they themselves are creative and they never thought of themselves in that way.    And how rewarded they feel.  They can’t wait to see the finished product and experience it.

We as craftsmen and artists understand this.  So enjoy Summer and share your talent of creativity with others.

Hope to see you on Tuesday at the home of the Vardjan’s for our summer picnic.  This is always a great event and a fabulous way to start the summer.  This is our kick off to make it the best one ever.

“The mind is like a parachute, it works best when it is open.”  Frank Zappa

Your President,
Barry L. Bennecoff

Vice President’s Message:

The new bylaws passed at the May 2nd meeting.   Our team will try to get the final version on the Website as soon as possible.
Vice President,
Cleon Garl

Programs:

I’m looking forward to seeing all that signed-up for the picnic. We will not be at the Goggle works this month. Our annual picnic will be at the Vardjan residents. The guild will provide hot dogs and burgers, chips and soft drinks. Bring a covered dish to share. Also, bring a lawn chair and your favorite adult beverage to enjoy the country setting. Let’s pray for a dry evening. Festivities start at 6:00 PM, an hour earlier than our usual starting time. See you Tuesday June 6th.

Programs Chair,
Matt Vardjan

Shows:

BCTV:

Please join us on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at 7:00 PM for a preview of The Kutztown Folk Festival 2023.  I will be talking with Heather Zimmerman, Director of the Kutztown Folk Festival and eight guests who will be sharing with you some highlights of this year’s festival.  There is going to be a lot of new experiences this year along with all of the good old stuff that everyone loves.  We are on Comcast, channel 15.  You can also go to BCTV.org and watch it live on your computer. Catch it the next day or so at our website, rbcrafts.org and see it on YouTube.  And then experience the Kutztown Folk Festival Live July 1 through July 9, 2023.

You will be glad you did.

“Your Berks Craftsmen” Host,
Kay L. Bennecoff

Standards:

The next jury session is scheduled for Tues, Sept 5, 2023 at the Goggleworks in room 325. 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 5:30, and jurying will begin at 6:00. Members will be asked to leave before jurying begins, and can return in 30 minutes for the results.

For more information or for an application, go to https://rbcrafts.org/resources  or contact Louise at eglassplace@gmail.com.

Standards Chair,
Louise Mehaffey

Membership:

From the State web site this month, we are currently showing a total of 150 members for our Reading-Berks Guild chapter.  This number can change almost daily depending on how often they update their database.

You can see the status of your membership on the State Web site here: https://pacrafts.org/members/.  After logging in, you provide links to other sites like your Facebook page or even a link to a video that may include yourself.

You can search the member’s directory and see how others present themselves to help you update your profile.  That directory database is: https://pacrafts.org/member-directory/craftsmen-member-directory/.  This directory also allows you to sort on members of other Chapters as well as our own.

One of the best perks of being in the Reading-Berks Guild is our great badge.  How do you get one?    Email or contact me and I will get a form to you.

Thanks Much,

Membership Chair,
Gary Rosborough

Website:

A few people have mentioned that they think our chapter website could use some updating.  I agree totally, but need help on what needs updating and a few people who are familiar with websites that could help with making the changes. If you are interested, please drop a note to info@rbcrafts.org
Webmaster,
Bill Jones

Events:

General Meetings: (1st Tuesday of Month):

June 6, 2023,  Our annual picnic.

July, 2023   No meeting, instead visit some of our members at the Kutztown Folk Festival.

Shows:

Holiday Show:   Saturday & Sunday, November 4 & 5, 2023

Newsletter:

No General Meeting in July!

If you would like to put something in the Newsletter, please contact me at info@rbcrafts.org
Newsletter Editor,
Sandra Jones