Helping Harvest’s fourth annual Celebration of Community and Hope is scheduled for Oct. 1 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. in the Doubletree by Hilton hotel, Reading. The event raises funds and awareness of the organization’s work fighting hunger in Berks and Schuylkill counties. Tickets and sponsorship information at helpingharvest.org/about/news-events/.
Farmers market
The Antietam Valley Farmers and Artists Market will be held today from 5 to 7 p.m. at Carsonia Park, 905 Byram St., Pennside, with special back-to-school features. Learn more at antietamvalley.org/.
Volunteers needed
Horses and Horizons Therapeutic Learning Center Inc., New Ringgold, Schuylkill County, is seeking volunteers for its fall session of therapeutic horseback riding lessons for children and adults with disabilities. Experience with horses and/or people with disabilities is helpful but not necessary. An orientation session for new volunteers is scheduled for Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. at the center, located 10 miles south of Tamaqua near Route 309.
Lessons take place Monday and Wednesday evenings. The fall session begins the week of Sept. 14 and runs for six weeks. Volunteers are asked to give one or two hours of their time on either lesson night. Lesson volunteers must be at least 14.
There is an additional training session for volunteers with horse experience who want to become leaders. Volunteer assistance of professionals in the allied health fields of physical, occupational, speech, and behavior therapy is always welcomed. H.H.T.L.C. also needs people to assist with grounds maintenance, cleaning saddles and bridles and fundraising.
Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer should contact Louise Brong at 610-392-5023 or bronghhtlc@outlook.com. For more information, visit www.horsesandhorizons.org or call 570-386-5679.
History program
The Historical Society of the Cocalico Valley’s next free educational program, “Nature, Industry, and Heritage: Uncovering the Legacy of Lancaster County’s Limestone and Lime Industry.” will be held Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 167 E Main St., Ephrata. Historian Peter Glogovsky highlights some of the people who quarried stone, burned lime or used these commodities, demonstrating the ways these materials contributed to Pennsylvania’s cultural landscapes and industrial development.
Parking lot and entrance in the rear alley. Learn more at www.cocalicovalleyhs.org or call 717-733-1616.
Revolutionary War reenactor Irvin Snavely will be at the society museum at Oak and West Main streets on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. He will be portraying a German Continental soldier.
Gilbertsville concert
Singer-songwriter Sarah McQuaid will perform a concert and lead a workshop Sept. 11 at the Crossroads Guitars and Art, 1041 E. Philadelphia Ave., Gilbertsville. From 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. she will lead a workshop on the DADGAD guitar tuning followed by a concert at 7:30.
Tickets are $25 for the concert, $35 for the workshop and $50 for both. To learn more, call 833-696-8737 or visit www.guitarsandart.com. Learn more about the artist at sarahmcquaid.com.
Soup and bake sale
A vegetable soup and bake sale is set for Sept. 12 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Calvary United Church of Christ, 1231 Route 100, Barto. Chow Chow will be available for sale.
Freight House reopening
Sinking Spring will celebrate the grand reopening of the Freight House at Heritage Park and a festival celebrating America’s 250th anniversary on Sept. 19 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Freight House, 800 Ruth St. Rain date is Sept. 20. The 1858 building was demolished after a 2025 fire and has been rebuilt.
The festival will feature food and beverage vendors, retail and craft vendors and community partners. Learn more at sinkingspringboro.org/.
The Sinking Spring Area Historical Society’s 1872 train station museum will be open during the event with railroad and local memorabilia.
Leadership conference
The Junior League of Reading and Reading Hospital are co-hosting “The Empowered Leadership Conference: Self-Care, Connection, and Courageous Leadership.” The workshop will be led by TEDx Editors’ Pick Dr. Maiysha Clairborne. It will take place at the DoubleTree by Hilton Reading on Sept. 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The workshop is designed to provide leaders, professionals and the broader public with practical tools to build resilience, foster trust and create healthier and more productive workplaces and communities.
Registration, ticket purchases, and a sample professional development day request letter can be found at www.jlreading.org/dr-maiysha/. Tickets purchased by Aug. 22 are $70. The price after that date is $100.
For questions and more information, email info@jlreading.org.
Fiddle Fest
The Berks Fiddle Fest takes place Sept. 20 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Fleetwood Park. Admission is free. Highlights include the Musical Workshop Pavilion, Open Mic and Jammin’ areas, Morning Concert Series and fiddle competitions. Fiddler Craft Row showcases local artisans and makers. Performers include violinist Nyke Van Wyk and a special performance by the Brandywine Colonial Fife and Drum Corps to mark America’s 250th birthday.
Learn more at www.facebook.com/berksfiddlefest/.
Soup sale
An indoor flea market and soup sale will be held Oct. 3 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Michael’s Church, 529 St. Michael’s Road, Tilden Township. Order soups by Sept. 20 by calling Glenna at 484-926-8103. Soups are $9 per quart. Flavors are ham and bean, chicken corn noodle, beef vegetable and Italian wedding. Also available on the day of the flea market: egg sandwiches, hot dogs, hamburgers, hamburger barbecue, chicken barbecue and sides.
Baseball star in Reading
Baseball legend Darryl Strawberry will be the marquee guest for the 18th annual Holiday Benefit Luncheon held by the Law Foundation of Berks County and Pennsylvania Institute of Public Accountants. It is scheduled for Dec. 4 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Reading.
Strawberry was 1983 National League Rookie of the Year with the New York Mets and was an eight-time all-star in his 17-year career. He overcame drug and alcohol addiction and colon cancer and travels around the country to discuss his road to recovery and redemption rooted in his Christian faith.
The luncheon raises funds for the law foundation’s efforts to ensure equal access to legal services and benefit youth throughout Berks County. To buy tickets or secure a sponsorship, contact foundation Executive Director Kori Walter at kwalter@berksbar.org or 610-375-4591.
Fitness fundraiser
Safe Berks is hosting its first Peace in Motion Zumba Fitness Fundraising Party Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at BLiNCK Studios, 1011 N. Park Road, Suite 300, Wyomissing. Peace in Motion will provide a morning of movement, music and fun while raising funds to support survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Community partners DivaDance and FIT4MOM will join Zumba instructors Valerie Makowiecki and Chantel Logan, with Luis Serrano serving as DJ. Registration is $25 per person, and participants of all fitness and experience levels are welcome. The first 50 registered participants will receive a Safe Berks 50th Anniversary hat, one raffle ticket and the official event T-shirt.
Safe Berks is inviting the community to take part in its Peace in Motion T-Shirt Design Contest. Submit an original design using teal and purple. One design will be selected to become the official Peace in Motion event T-shirt. Design submissions must be received by Oct. 1. For registration and T-shirt design contest information, visit the Events & News section at www.safeberks.org.
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