The Valley of Reading, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite will be presenting “Holiday Happenings” in December at the Scottish Rite Cathedral, 430 Seventh Ave., West Reading. Activities take place Dec. 6 and 7 and Dec. 13 and 14 from 5 to 8 p.m. The event features toy train and LEGO displays, a live Nativity scene, a roving magician and a nightly visit from Santa Claus.
“Tuba Christmas” takes the stage on Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. On Dec. 7 at 5:30, the Reading Choral Society will have a Christmas music program and sing-along. On Dec. 13 the Brass Menagerie will perform, and on Dec. 14 the Happy Dutchman Band will feature German Christmas music. Both programs run from 6 to 7:30. New this year will be a Christmas Bazaar with proceeds to benefit the Children’s Dyslexic Center.
Admission is free, and complimentary refreshments will be available.
To learn more about the events, call 610-373-0790.
Thanksgiving run
The Berks Gymnastics Team is holding its annual Flippin Fun 5K Turkey Run on Thursday, Nov. 27, at Jim Dietrich Park, 4899 Stoudt’s Ferry Bridge Road, Muhlenberg Township. There will be a fun run at 8:30 a.m. followed by the 5K at 9. Sign up at the race or in advance at Pretzelcitysports.com.
Wyomissing library
Today at 6 p.m. at the Wyomissing Public Library, Dr. Charles Barbera, president and CEO of Tower Health, will talk about his “Week of Immersion” at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp during the summer. The program took place under the auspices of the International Center for Education about Auschwitz and the Holocaust, which is based in Poland.
On Saturday at 1 p.m., the library will offer a program on “The Care and Feeding of Houseplants.” Master Gardener Mary Lou Hart from Penn State Extension will present how to care for your houseplants during the winter. People may bring a photo of their problem plant but are asked to please not bring plants.
Both programs are free and will be held at the library, 9 Reading Boulevard. To register, visit www.wyopublib.org, or call 610-374-2385.
Artist Sara Miller will offer a two-part “Art for Adults” class Dec. 1 and 8 at 6 p.m. in the library. Students will create mixed media studies, following an introduction to materials and techniques. Traditional, whimsical and abstract approaches will emerge through the use of colored pencils, watercolor paints, oil pastels and simple rubbings.
The class is limited to 12 students, and registration is required. The fee for the two classes, payable by Dec. 1, is $20. No experience is necessary. To register, visit www.wyopublib.org or call 610-374-2385.
Antietam market
The Antietam Farmers and Artists Market is open today from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Antietam Valley Recreation and Community Center, 905 Byram St., Pennside. The market is continuing its nonperishable food and winter clothing drive. 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.
Author talk
Author David Denby will deliver a talk on his book “Eminent Jews: Bernstein, Brooks, Friedan, Mailer” on Tuesday at noon at the Jewish Cultural Center, 1100 Berkshire Blvd., Wyomissing, This free event, part of the Literatour Berks lecture series, is open to the whole community. The subjects of the book are notable Jewish Americans Leonard Bernstein, Mel Brooks, Betty Friedan and Norman Mailer. Denby, a former film critic, is a staff writer at The New Yorker.
To learn more, go to readingjewishcommunity.org, email info@jfreading.org or call 610-921-0624.
Christmas on the Farm
“Christmas on the Farm,” a free holiday event hosted by CHOR Youth & Family Services, will be held Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Jim Dietrich Park farmhouse in Muhlenberg Township. The gathering is designed to celebrate and support foster care and adoptive families. It includes crafts, a petting zoo and warm beverages.
Sing Messiah
The 47th annual Sing Messiah will take place Sunday at 3 p.m. in Grace Lutheran Church, 30 Liberty St., Shillington, This community event features vocal soloists and the Berks Chamber Orchestra performing the Christmas portion of Handel’s “Messiah.” The audience gets to be the chorus.
Soloists are Katherin Crusi, soprano; Maria Damore, alto; Orin Strunk, tenor; and Kent Bollman, bass, under the direction of Bill Snelling. Bring a libretto if you have one, others will be available at the church. Non singing participants are welcome as well.
Christmas concerts
• The Cultural Series Team of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 117 E. Arch St., Fleetwood, is presenting a Christmas concert on Sunday at 3 p.m. featuring Mount Laurel Brass. The seven-piece ensemble includes musicians from Berks and Chester counties. No tickets are required, but a free-will offering will be taken.
• Blue Mountain Heritage Chorus presents a free traditional Christmas concert at Salem Bellemans Church, 3540 Bellemans Church Road, Centre Township at 2 p.m. Sunday. Refreshments will follow the program. A free will offering will be taken.
Pet loss support
A Christian pet loss support group will be held at St. John’s Reformed Church, 4001 Penn Ave., Sinking Spring, Dec. 1 starting at 6:45 p.m. Sessions are led by Dr. Becky Frank, associate veterinarian with Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice.
This group is open to the public and is offered at no charge. Direct questions to office@stjohnsss.org and RSVP to that email if you plan to attend. Parking is located behind the church, and the fellowship hall is on the lower level.
Theology with a Twist
Theology with a Twist presents “Spiritual Warfare and the New Apostolic Reformation” by Bradden Weaver on Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. in the Kutztown Tavern, 272 W. Main St.
Many forces promote Christian nationalism, but foremost among them is the New Apostolic Reformation, a network of churches dedicated to a fundamentalist reconstruction of the United States through the domination of America’s political, social and cultural power centers. Weaver explores the theology, religious practices and identify formation of NAR’s spiritual warfare model.
The event is free, but food and drink can be purchased in the restaurant downstairs and brought up to the event space. Parking is available in the community lot behind the tavern or on Main Street. All are welcome.
Muhlenberg library
The following events are coming up at the Muhlenberg Community Library, 3612 Kutztown Road, Laureldale:
Holiday Open House, Dec. 6, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event includes refreshments, a model train, Santa Claus, digital photo by Rita Claire Photography, crafts, story time and basket raffle. Free for all ages.
A “Deck the Door” poker run will raise money for the library on Dec. 13 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. This family-friendly, self-paced driving tour features activities and prizes. Tickets are $25 and available at the library.
See muhlenbergcommunitylibrary.org to learn more about both events.
Cookies with Santa
A Cookies with Santa and Basket Raffle will be held Dec. 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bernville Library, 6721 Bernville Road (Route 183). Enjoy cookies, milk, juice, and a story with Santa. Basket/gift card raffle winners will be announced. To learn more, call 610-488-1302 or visit www.berkslibraries.org/bernville.
Shopping tour
The Bernville Christmas Shopping Tour is scheduled for Dec. 6 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. It starts at St. Thomas Church, 536 N. Main St., with 30 craft vendors. Homemade cookies and breakfast and lunch will be for sale. The tour continues with special events and discounts at six Bernville-area stores. To learn more, call 610-488-6702 or go to stchurchbv@verizon.net
Pictorial journey
“A Pictorial Journey Since the 1800s” will be presented Dec. 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the West Lawn/Wyomissing Hills Library, 101 Woodside Ave., West Lawn. The presentation by author Ben Bernhart will include information about the Outer Station and Reading and Penn Central railroads and more. Admission is free. Call 610-678-4888 for more information.
Barto church events
A 50 Cent Sale and Indoor Flea Market will be held Dec. 6 from 8 to 11 a.m. at Calvary United Church of Christ, 1231 Route 100, Barto. All are welcome.
The church also is hosting a community giveaway (clothing, coats, household goods, lunch and more) Dec. 13 from 9 to 11 a.m.
Dog rescue open house
Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue will hold its monthly Open House from 10 a.m. to noon on Dec. 13 at its Golden Gateway facility, 60 Vera Cruz Road, Reinholds. Meet dogs that are available for adoption. Staff is on hand to answer all questions, and food is available for purchase. No admission charge. To learn more, email info@dvgrr.org, call 717-484-4799 or visit dvgrr.org/adopt/monthlyopenhouse/.
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