President’s Message
Another year is almost over. Looking back over 2025 and the accomplishments that our Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen accomplished . . . I can say, job well done.
I also want to shout out a big congratulations to the Kutztown University Football Team on another successful season. We wish you the best in the playoffs. They won their first playoff game 52-0. Several of these fine gentleman helped us out during set-up and close-down at our 75th Annual Holiday Fine Art and Craft Festival. They were such a big help to our Guild, and we so appreciated the fine job they did for us.
Another big event for our guild is our annual Holiday Party at The Yellow House Hotel on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. No business, just great food with great friends in a beautifully decorated hotel in the Oley Valley. Can’t wait to see all of you there.
“Christmas on the Farm” at the Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center is on Saturday, December 6, 2025 from 11 AM to 4 PM. The farm is decorated for the holidays. Craftsmen are in the cabins and in a heated tent, and cookies are baked in the summer kitchen. Entertainment and food is available throughout the day. AND don’t forget, the Belsnickel will definitely be there. After all, it is that special time of year!
Kay and I wish everyone a very happy and joyous holiday season.
“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” Mother Teresa
Your President,
Barry L. Bennecoff
Programs
Everyone having made their reservations, we are all looking forward to gathering at The Yellow House Hotel on Tuesday, December 2 with our talented community of artisans and friends as we wrap up another creative year. Cocktails at 5:00 PM, followed by dinner at 5:30 with entertainment throughout the evening.
As part of our holiday tradition, we’ll be collecting donations for local food pantries. Please consider bringing nonperishable food items to help brighten the season for others in need.
Program Chair,
Amy Langman programs@rbcrafts.org
Spring Festival
First, I am stepping down from running the Spring Show. I thank all of the people who helped me over the past few years.
At this time, the Guild has no Show Chair replacement. Over the past few years we have made this an easy show to run. The applications are on line. The set-up is super easy. The show meetings are held with Zoom so anyone can attend.
What we are looking for is one, or a few members to step up and take a turn running this show. Why not you? If you think being a dues-paying member is enough of a give back, you would be wrong. I look at the Guild as a “we”, and right now most of the work of the guild is done by the same 10 or 12 members, most of whom have been doing the same job for 10 to 20 years. Help your Guild out and take you turn.
Retiring Spring Show Chair,
Steve Hunter festivals@rbcrafts.org
Social Media
As the old year comes to an end and visions of sugar float in the heads of those crafters and artisans looking for that rush to help them finish the projects they have been working on, it’s time to look back on how successful you have been with the creations that are completed and in someone’s home.
Give yourself a pat on the back for completing those works. The folks who bought your works will appreciate them for years to come and hopefully pass them onto others that will also appreciate your handiwork.
There are several Christmas shows going on soon that include Reading-Berks Guild members, so be sure to check out your favorite social media app for those events.
If you have new or updated pictures of your craft, don’t forget that you can send them to Images@rbcrafts.org
Gary Rosborough,
Social Media Chair social-media@rbcrafts.org
BCTV
”Your Berks Craftsmen” will continue to show “Decorating for the Holidays” with Janice Sonnen and Nancy Vardjan throughout the month of December to help you get ready for the holidays. And while you are watching BCTV this month, you might just catch Barry and Kay on BCTV wishing everyone a beautiful holiday season.
I am very excited for 2026 at BCTV. I just know it will be another great year with the Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen “stars” sharing their stories and their art.
January 2026 will feature the BCTV filming crew on the scene of the first annual Homestead Festival at the Kutztown Fairgrounds in July 2025 with Kay Bennecoff as host.
Find BCTV on air and online:
Comcast Reading Channel 15
Comcast-Southern Berks Channel 965
Service Electric Channel 19
Both channels are streaming online 24-7 at www.bctv.org
BCTV is available on Roku, search for BCTV Berks – HOW TO VIDEO You Tube Channel
Access Your Berks Craftsmen directly.
Your Host of “Your Berks Craftsmen”, Kay L. Bennecoff
Standards
The next jury session for new members will be on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in room 325 at the Google works. If interested in being juried, you must be a member of the Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen for at least 3 months prior to the jury date. You can apply on-line. You may also reach out to the Standards committee for more information.
Please remember that your work must be original work with no copies of another’s work, commercial kits, assemblages or patterns. Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen standards include excellence in craftsmanship, well resolved design, and a unique voice or style.
Standards Chairperson,
Diane Phalen standards@rbcrafts.org
Newsletter
If you would like to put something in the Newsletter, please contact us at newsletter@rbcrafts.org
Newsletter Editor, Nancy Vardjan