The WCR Center for the Arts, 140 N. Fifth St., Reading, is launching Game Night, a monthly community gathering. The event debuts Monday, Jan. 12, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and will continue on the second Monday of each month. A variety of board games will be available, and participants are welcome to bring their favorites to share.

Free pre-registration is encouraged to help with planning at square.link/u/3RQ4saN5.

Poetry slam

Black Canvas Poetry, in partnership with ThePoetSmiley, is holding The Bless the Mic Mini Slam: Espresso Yourself Open Mic 2026 – Part 1 on Friday, Jan. 16, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Alvernia University’s Francis Hall. The poetry slam is the first in a three-part series planned for this year. It brings together competition, open mic performances and community connection.

The evening will feature Chiina Bloodmire, the 2025 Bless the Mic Grand Champion. Ten poets will compete before a panel of judges for a $200 first-place cash prize, free entry into the June Bless the Mic Poetry Slam, and a featured performance opportunity.

Admission to the event is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required for all attendees and participating poets. Go to tinyurl.com/minislam.

Wyomissing library

Rabbi Brian Michelson of Reform Congregation Oheb Sholom, Wyomissing, will lead a talk on Jewish dietary laws Wednesday at 6 p.m. Attendance is free but registration is requested at www.wyopublib.org.

On Saturday at 1 p.m., the Berks InterCultural Alliance will host Tiffenia D. Archie discussing diversity, equity and inclusion programs in times of disruption. Archie, a Reading High School graduate, is associate vice president and chief inclusion officers at Temple University. This program is free but registration is requested a at www.wyopublib.org.

Dance party fundraiser

Winter Dance Party at the Goodies, a fundraiser for Vision Resource Center of Berks County, will be held Feb. 6 at the Goodwill Beneficial Association, 100 Madison Ave., Muhlenberg Township. The Uptown Band and Lovelace will perform. For tickets, go to www.theuptownband.com or call 610-781-8312.

Spiritual exploration

The Spiritual Exploration Project continues with the following programs:

The Rev. Stephen Ohnsman will speak at Soul Cafe on Jan. 20, at 9:30 a.m. in Calvary United Church of Christ, 640 Centre Ave., Reading. His topic will be “The Changing Face of Religion: Faithful Ministry in a Chaotic World.”

Ohnsmann will speak at Spirit on Tap on Jan. 27 at 7 p.m., also in Calvary UCC. The topic of that talk is “Unholy Alliance: An Overview of Christian Nationalism in America.”

Historical society

The Pottstown Historical Society will hold a general meeting on Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. in its building at 568 High St. The speaker will be local historian Michael Snyder. His presentation is on Camp Pottsgrove, a local encampment of the Continental Army under Gen. George Washington in 1777. Theprogram will describe the events and hardships of local farmers and their families to meet the needs of 10,000 soldiers and a few thousand horses.

Ice harvesting

An ice harvesting demonstration is scheduled for Feb. 7 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Historic Dreibelbis Farm near Virginville. The event, presented  by the Dreibelbis Farm Historical Society, will include a demonstration of antique ice harvesting tools and (weather permitting) cutting and harvesting ice blocks from the pond.

There will be presentations at 1:45 and 2:30 p.m. Horse-drawn wagon rides will be available for a small fee (or if there are 4 inches of snow on the ground, the horses will pull a sleigh). A bonfire, homemade soup, hot chocolate and marshmallows for toasting will be available, and the farm grounds and nature trail will be open to the public.

Admission is free, and the event is rain or shine, with only blizzard conditions or pouring rain leading to cancellation. Those concerned about last-minute weather decisions may call Janine Dreibelbis at 610-451-1193 or go online to www.Dreibelbisfarm.org or “Historic Dreibelbis Farm” on Facebook.

Attendees are encouraged to dress for the weather and be prepared to walk on an unpaved farm lane that may be icy or muddy. Free parking will be available behind the Virginville Grange at 456 Main St. Shuttle rides from the parking lot to the presentation area will be available.

Book sale

A book sale is scheduled for Feb. 20-21 (snow dates Feb. 27-28) at the Sinking Spring Library, 3940 Penn Ave., presented by Friends of the Sinking Spring Library. Hours are Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday from 9 to 2. Selections include books, DVDs, CDs and puzzles. Cookbooks and DIY and craft books are half price. Cash and checks only.

Albright gala

Albright College will host the inaugural Shine Bright Albright Fundraising Gala on April 16 at 6 p.m. This new event is dedicated to expanding access to education through scholarships and investing directly in the next generation of leaders. To become a sponsor or purchase tickets, visit www.albright.edu/annual-gala-2026/.

JPII Center event

John Paul II Center for Special Learning, Cumru Township, will hold its 16th annual Legacy Gala on April 25 at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Reading. The program celebrates the center’s students, adults and staff while sharing gratitude for those who make its work possible.

During the event, JPII will present its Halo Award to Metropolitan Companies for supporting JPII scholarships, with Kevin Timochenko accepting the award on the company’s behalf. The center will recognize David Lomnychuk with its Peggy’s Legacy of Faith award. Through David’s Cleaning Service, he provides valuable job training, and he and his friends decorate the center each Christmas.

To learn how to become an event sponsor, call 610-777-0605, extension 1014, or email mjablonski@johnpauliicenter.org

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