A nonperishable food and winter clothing drive will be held during the Antietam Farmers and Artists Market taking place Mondays, Nov. 10 and Nov. 24, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Antietam Valley Recreation and Community Center, 905 Byram St., Pennside.
The drive is accepting gently used adult or child winter jackets, hats, gloves and scarves as well as new socks. Those in need are welcome to take items home.
Learn more at antietamvalley.org.
History talk
The Fleetwood Area Historical Society will meet on Nov. 19, at 7 p.m. in the Fleetwood Community Center, 110 W. Arch St. (basement, rear entrance). Brian Englehardt will talk about the French and Indian War in Berks County. All are welcome.
Rabbi leads program
The Wyomissing Public Library will welcome Rabbi Brian Michelson on Wednesday, Nov. 12, at 6 p.m. He will discuss what has been happening in the Middle East since a Gaza ceasefire was declared in October. The program is free and open to the public; .
Registration is requested at www.wyopublib.org. The library is located at 9 Reading Boulevard in Wyomissing.
Michelson serves Reform Congregation Oheb Sholom in Wyomissing. He has been leading the “Being Jewish in America” series at the library for several years.
Herb Society
The public is invited to attend the Pennsylvania Heartland Herb Society meeting on Nov. 20 at Bern Evangelical Lutheran Church, 820 W. Leesport Road, Bern Township. Social time at 9 a.m. followed by program at 9:30. The topic is “Heirloom Apples, Oldies but Goodies” led by Stan Szczepanek.
Antiques evaluated
The Sinking Spring Area Historical Society meets Wednesday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. in Sinking Spring Borough Hall, 3940 Penn Ave., front entrance. Antiques dealer Chris Papadakis, will conduct an “Antiques Roadshow” style discussion and evaluation. Members may bring two items for appraisal.
Parking is available in the rear of the building off Columbia Avenue. The public is welcome. For information, call 610-678-4219.
Berks parks
The Berks County Parks & Recreation Department is presenting the following programs in November:
Sunday, Nov. 16, Colonial Candle Workshop, 1 to 3 p.m., Beidler House, Robeson Township. Make your own 100% natural beeswax dipped candle. Call 610-374-8839 for more information. Registration fee is $5, with a $25 material fee. Registration required.
Nov. 18, Trail Tales, 10 a.m., Heritage Center, Bern Township. A story and a chance for young children to discover plants and animal friends in the park. The free program is geared toward children ages 3 to 5. Registration required.
Nov. 19, Junk Journaling, 6 p.m., Heritage Center This class is an open session where journaling friends can gather. Free but registration required.
Register for all events at countyofberks.recdesk.com/Community/Program. Learn more by emailing LGauker@BerksPa.gov or calling 610-374-2944, ext 2611.
Stamp collecting
The Philatelic Society of Lancaster County is holding its annual open house on Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. in the Landis Homes Retirement Community, 1001 E. Oregon Road, Lititz.
Anyone who needs with stamp accumulations through collecting or acquired via estates can bring them for a free consultation starting at 6 p.m., prior to the start of the event.
There will be free baked goods, snacks, coffee and cold drinks along with door prizes and more.
The society meets monthly and is accepting new members.
‘Mean Girls Jr.’
“Mean Girls Jr.,” a musical adaptation of the popular movie, will take place Friday and Saturday, Nov. 14 and 15, at 7 p.m. in Exeter Junior High School, 151 E. 39th St., Reiffton.
Tickets are $8 and can be purchased at the door or at exeterjhs.seatyourself.biz.
Celebrate kindness
Adamstown Area Library is holding a World Kindness Day event on Thursday, Nov. 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to create self-care kits that will be donated to a local organization supporting individuals in need. The kits are filled with essentials such as toothpaste, soap and uplifting notes. All materials will be provided, and the activity is suitable for all ages.
The event is free and open to the public. No registration is required. Participants are welcome to drop in anytime between 10 and 4. Learn more at www.adamstownarealibrary.org.
Polka Mass
Swamp Lutheran Church, 275 Swamp Church Road, Reinholds, is holding a polka Mass on Nov. 16 at 8:30 a.m., featuring the Heidelberg Brass Band under the direction of the Rev. Glenn Beard Jr. A breakfast reception will be held after the service. To learn more, call 717-336-2849.
Book sale
A fall book sale fundraiser will be held Nov. 19-22 at the Muhlenberg Community Library, 3612, Kutztown Road, Laureldale. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 10 to 1:30 Friday and 9 to 2 on Saturday, when customers can buy a bag full of books for $5. Learn more at muhlenbergcommunitylibrary.org.
Joanna Christmas
Christmas at Joanna is set for Dec. 5-7 at Historic Joanna Furnace in Robeson Township. The event presents a celebration of Christmas as it would have looked in 1875.
Candlelight illuminates the furnace complex during the event. The mule stable is transformed into the parlor of the Victorian mansion of Iron Master L. Heber Smith and his wife Ella Jane Grubb Smith as the family prepares for Christmas. Victorian dancing will take place in a heated tent. The Hay Creek Valley Gold Band and Hay Creek Dancers will perform.
There will be performances by local community organizations, and the Belsnickel will make appearances. Children’s activities include wagon rides, the new Christmas express and a Christmas Light Maze. Gifts and festive foods will be available for sale.
Admission is $10 for adults, free for children 12 and under. Hours are 5 to 9 p.m. Friday and 4 to 9 Saturday and Sunday. For additional information visit www.haycreek.org, see Hay Creek Valley Historical Association on Facebook or call 610-286-0388.
A Polish Christmas dinner
The Polish American Heritage Association of Berks County will hold its Christmas Eve Wigilia dinner on Dec. 14 at the YR Club, 1029 Thrush Road, Wyomissing.
Doors open at 4:15, with cash bar and hors d’oeuvres from 4:30 to 5. The breaking and sharing of the Christmas Wafer will be followed by a traditional Polish Christmas Eve dinner, carol singing, assorted desserts, coffee and tea. For more information or reservations contact Henry Pruski at 610-372-1279 after 7 p.m. The deadline for reservations is Dec. 5.
Proceeds support the Polish American Cultural Center at the GoggleWorks in Reading.
Cloister Christmas
Christmas at the Cloister, a Lessons and Carols program, will be held Dec. 8 and 9 in the 1741 Meetinghouse at Ephrata Cloister. Performances will be at 6:30 and 9 each night. It will feature the story of Christmas as told through Scriptural readings, music by the Ephrata Cloister Chorus, and carols for all to sing together. The evening will conclude with light refreshments including hot mulled cider and cookies.
Seating is limited, and advance tickets are required for entry. Tickets are available at www.storepatrailsofhistory.com/2/#/Admission or in person at the Museum Store or Visitor Center. Admission to Christmas at the Cloister is $10 per person. Learn more at ephratacloister.org.
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