President’s Message:
I, along with the other members of our board of directors, look forward to working for and with the members of Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen for another two years. While we miss having our regular general meetings, I personally want to thank and commend everyone on working together for the good of the guild as best as we could in trying to stay connected through zoom meetings, e-mail, Facebook, etc. It’s been a year and we look to 2021 with great hope!
As of now, we still have the Holiday social scheduled at Yellow House on December 1, 2020. I understand only a very few are planning to attend and with what is going on currently, we will keep our fingers crossed that it is able to happen. Our “First Saturday” small pop-up, “Santa’s Secret Shoppe” at Renninger’s Farmers’ Market in the White Room, is on December 5, from 9 AM to 4 PM. Social distancing and masks are required and we will keep our fingers crossed on that one too. More small “First Saturday’s” pop-ups are scheduled for the new year in the White Room at Renninger’s. Our show committee under the leadership of Steve has continued to work and look to 2021 for the benefit of our craftsmen while securing May 1, 2021 as a date for a mega craft show outdoors at Renninger’s. Louise has created a Reading-Berks Guild Market on Facebook and that is happening now. Louise and Cleon are administrators for this page. Again, something new for our members. I have been involved in zoom meetings with our State Guild and they are creating a great atmosphere of working together with the twelve guilds in Pennsylvania. Gary has agreed to volunteer his time to help on the State’s social media planning sessions. We are all trying to create good things for all Guild members to be involved in.
Let’s take the time to count our many blessings at this time of year. I am wishing you and your families a warm and happy holiday season.
“May all your troubles last as long as your New Year’s resolutions”. Joey Adams
Your President, Barry L. Bennecoff |
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Shows:
I’m very excited to announce that our guild has been able to secure a site and date for an outside show!
We will be holding our show, May 1st, in the large pavilion at Renninger’s Market in Kutztown . This venue has a macadam floor and steel roof and is 350′ x 60′, so we will have room to social distance as needed. Booth space are tentatively 10′ wide and 20′ deep . Two tables are included, and you will be able to drive your vehicle to your spot making for an easy booth set-up.
We will need some help the day of the show, mostly directing folks to spaces and monitoring set-up. This will be a good way for you to help, if you chose to not sell or if you have a quick and easy booth set-up. Please plan to join us one way or the other.
The concept of this show is to benefit our members, cost is low, and has an easy set-up. Get the application on our web site: rbcrafts.og. This show is open to all Reading Berks members (juried and non-juried) and PA guild members.
Here is a photo of the space:
Show Chair, Steve Hunter |
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1st Saturday’s Pop-Up Shows at Renninger’s Farmers’ Market:
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The Reading-Berks Guild Market:
Christmas Shopping!
The Reading-Berks Guild Market is now live as a Facebook Group! Some of our members have been listing their crafts for sale, with more to come. We are just beginning, so check back often. To go to our Market, sign into Facebook and search for Reading-Berks Guild Market, or click on groups (the little icon at the top of the page that looks like a group of people) and find us, and there is also a link from our website. To sell, you must be a juried member of our chapter. To purchase, you must be a member of the Group. Just go to the Group and click on Join. For more information, contact Louise at eglassplace@gmail.com.
Market Administrator, Louise Mehaffey |
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Programs:
Our December meeting is the annual holiday social at Yellow House Hotel. See our web site to pick your meal. Due to low attendance this year, the entertainment for the evening has been cancelled. It will still be a nice evening out. The staff at the hotel go all out with holiday decorations, bringing out the charm of this 200 year old establishment. If have not signed up and still wish to go to the Holiday Social, please call me ASAP at 610-655-5541. See you there!
Programs Chair, Matt Vardjan
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Media:
If you were unable to watch “Your Berks Craftsmen” on November 18 at 7:00 PM, don’t worry! You can see “Art Quilting” with Martha Ressler on our website by going to rbcrafts.org and under our guild, please click on BCTV “Your Berks Craftsmen“ and you will be able to see the wonderful show. You can also go to BCTV.org and you will also find “Your Berks Craftsmen” on YouTube. “Your Berks Craftsmen” is everywhere! On December 16, at 7:00 PM “Your Berks Craftsmen” is going to help you with Christmas decorating, highlighting some of our past decorating shows, along with some very special Christmas memories from our Guild’s past. I am going to call this episode, “Christmas Pasts”. Join us for this Christmas special as you can watch on Comcast Channel 15 or watch on your computer at BCTV.org that evening. Thank you for watching “Your Berks Craftsmen” and thank you to every craftsman and artist who has appeared on “your” special shows this past year. I so enjoy learning about you and your craft as we talk and develop “your” program and I come away with such great appreciation and awe of what you do. It is indeed my pleasure to continue to produce “Your Berks Craftsmen”. Enjoy this holiday season, stay safe. Until next time, Your BCTV Host, Kay Bennecoff |
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Standards:
The next jury session is scheduled for Tues, March 9, 2021 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 #. Click for more information and an application or contact Louise at eglassplace@gmail.com.
Standards Chair, Louise Mehaffey |
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Stanley G. Seltz Student Awards:
The Education Committee of the Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen is again gearing up to distribute substantial cash awards to Berks County student artisans. Students demonstrating superior skills in fine arts and crafts will also receive invitations to showcase and sell their work at Guild shows. A select committee of jurors will choose the prize-winners at the upcoming Berks County Art & Craft Exhibit, scheduled to be held late Spring, 2021.
Visit our 2020 Award winners:
Education Chair, Carol J. Haile |
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“In the News on WFMZ-Channel 69”:
If you were watching channel 69 news on Monday, November 16 at 5:30 pm and thought you saw our Reading-Berks Guild member Eileen Flickinger on TV, you did! No, she hasn’t given up her juried craft of appliqué with the Reading-Berks and Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen to become a “TV star”. Eileen was doing an interview to help honor her hero, American Red Cross Dispatch hero, Courtney Jakofcich. Courtney received Eileen’s call for help when a fire broke out in her house in September 2019 and Eileen was upstairs in her bedroom unable to get out because of her past disabling injury. Eileen’s initial 911 call hung up but Courtney called it back and got Eileen on the phone. Courtney alerted the Hamburg Fire Company and stayed on the phone with Eileen, helping her to be calm until the firemen arrived and carried her out to safety. Eileen had a lot of heroes that came to her rescue that day and especially Courtney, as Eileen said, “She is my hero.” Courtney saved Eileen’s life. You can see the complete interview by Karin Mallett by going on wfmz.com:. 2020 American Red Cross hero: 911 dispatch. |
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Membership Dues:
A friendly reminder that for a large percentage of our membership, membership dues are due by the end of the year. The remaining members dues are due the month in which you joined. |
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Card Shower:
One of our very talented students, Ethan Nealon, wood carver, was recently injured in a motorcycle accident with a deer. Ethan is at home recovering from his injuries. I know most of you have met Ethan in our Student Gallery at our Holiday Fine Art and Craft Festivals. You may have also talked with Ethan at some of the events at the Heritage Center at Kutztown University. Since Ethan is going to be laid up for a while, let’s shower him with a lot of “get-well wishes” from his fellow-craftsmen from our Reading-Berks Guild. Please send your cards to Ethan Nealon, 7703 Dresher Road, Kempton, PA. 19529 |
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Events:
General Meetings: (1st Tuesday of Month)
December 1st: Holiday Party at Yellow House, 6:00 PM
January 5, 2021: General Meeting via Zoom at 7 PM
February 2, 2021: General Meeting via Zoom at 7 PM
Shows:
Santa’s Secret Shoppe: First Saturday, December 5, 2020 9 AM – 4 PM at Renninger’s Farmers’ Market in the White Room
Something for Your Sweetheart: First Saturday, February 6, 2021 9 AM – 3 PM at Renninger’s Farmers’ Market in the White Room
Think Spring: First Saturday, March 6, 2021 9 AM – 3 PM at Renninger’s Farmers’ Market in the White Room
Hoppy Shopping: First Saturday, April 3, 2021 9 AM – 3 PM at Renninger’s Farmers’ Market in the White Room
Mega Spring Craft Show: First Saturday, May 1 (May Day) 9 AM -3 PM Renninger’s Farmers’ Market Outside, Under the Pavilion |
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General Meetings by Zoom:
Due to social distancing and indoor event attendance limits, we will most likely be having our January and February Meetings by Zoom. Please sign up for our Zoom meetings by emailing: info@rbcrafts.org. You will be invited to all future zoom meetings. The link to the zoom meeting will be sent by Mail Chimp a day or two before the meeting. |
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Opportunity for Reading-Berks Members:
Tom Brungard of the Recreation Board of Birdsboro has invited our members to apply for their “Second Saturday” Craft Show on March 13th, 2021 at the Birdsboro Memorial Community Center. If you need more information, please contact Tom Brungard . Get the application. |
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If you would like something added to our next Newsletter, please contact your editor: Sandra Jones at info@rbcrafts.org
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