The Berks Genealogical Society is offering four classes to help with research on your family tree.
The classes are on Monday nights from 6 to 8 and start June 20.
The classes are June 20, “Getting Started”; June 27, “Using Our Library”; July 11, “Using Local Resources”; and July 18, “Using the Internet & Ancestry.com.”
The cost is $10 per class, payable at the door by check, cash or credit card.
Classes will be held in the society library on the fourth floor of the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, 201 Washington St. Free parking in back of the building.
Call the library for more information and to register at 484-509-4806.
Spaatz museum
The General Carl Spaatz National USAAF Museum in Boyertown will host a lecture by author and historian Jared Frederick on July 29 at 7 p.m.
Frederick, the author of numerous books, including “Dispatches of D-Day” and “Hang Tough,”
will lecture on his new book, “Fierce Valor: The True Story of Ronald Speirs and His Band of Brothers.”
The event will be presented in the reception hall of the Friendship Hook & Ladder Fire
Company on Warwick Street in Boyertown.
There will be a $10.50 admission fee for the lecture and a self guided tour of the museum.
Alzheimer’s fundraiser
The square-dancing fundraiser Do-Si-Do Away Alzheimer’s Disease is Friday at the Holiday Inn in Morgantown, followed by a celebration at the nearby Hollywood Casino in Morgantown.
All are welcome.
Organizer Lynn Cronomiz said in an emailed statement: “I lost my mother to Alzheimer’s Disease five years ago. Her struggles never leave me. … I volunteer and advocate with the Alzheimer’s Association for increased research dollars and support for caregivers. It is my ardent wish that we can finally know the first survivor of Alzheimer’s Disease during my lifetime.”
The biggest Alzheimer’s event is the Longest Day fundraiser, which occurs worldwide on June 21, which is Tuesday, but activities take place in June, which is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month.
Preservation events
The Historic Preservation Trust of Berks County presents its third Saturday of the month programs. They are:
• July 16, 11 a.m.: “The French and Indian War in Pennsylvania, 1749-1758.”
Lynn Otto leads the discussion of many historians would say was the first world war because it was truly a global war and not fought just in the colonies. The presentation will feature the early struggles and defeats and finally the Redemption at the Forks of the Ohio. Otto has been a reenactor for over 30 years and has served on the board of the Friends of Conrad Weiser, organizers said.
• Aug. 20, 11 a.m.: “Founding Females – Women of the Revolution.”
The Founding Fathers are well-studied, but less well-known are the courageous wives, mothers,
daughters, and female friends who are often overlooked in their shadows. Join historian and genealogist Darlene Moyer as she explores these ladies’ important contributions to the American Revolution, organizers said.
Program are at the White Horse Inn along Old Philadelphia Pike in Douglassville with a suggested donation of $2 per person. All proceeds benefit the trust.
The trust is a nonprofit on that acquires, preserves, and maintains historically and
architecturally significant properties in Berks County. The trust currently owns and maintains eight historically significant buildings in Berks.
More information: 610-385-4762 or www.historicpreservationtrust.org.
Barbecue festival
The annual PA BBQ Festival at Jim Dietrich Park in Muhlenberg Township is June 25 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and June 26 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
There will be 11 barbecue food stands and specialty vendors offering smoked jerky, sauces, smoked cheeses, mustards, hot sauces, pickles and more.
There will also be music both days and a selection of beer, wine and spirits.
There is no admission fee, but a $5 parking fee.
For more details, check the event’s Facebook page.
Historical society
Longswamp Township Historical Society will hold a museum open house on July 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and July 3 from noon to 4 p.m.
The museum is the 1844 Schubert Haus at 32 Church St., a former parsonage.
Hunting class
A Spanish-language hunting class with be held June 25 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The course is for new hunters to get a license and anyone 11 years and older can register for the class.
The Pennsylvania game commission is holding the class at its southeast region headquarters at 253 Snyder Road, Ontelaunee Township,
To register, contact Game Commission officer A.J. Garcia at 717-787-4250 ext. 73329 or adgarcia@pa.gov.
KU honors alumnus
Kutztown University alumnus Norman A. Inkpen Jr., Class of 1970, was presented the Robert L. Payton Award for Voluntary Service at the Council for Advancement & Support of Education District II Individual Achievement Awards Celebration Ceremony Tuesday, on June 7, KU said.
Inkpen, seeing how his life was transformed by Kutztown University, is dedicated to giving back and paying it forward to ensure Kutztown University students have every chance to graduate and create the lives they envision for themselves. With this in mind, he is intent on building a “culture of philanthropy” throughout campus, the university said.
He has served on the KU Foundation’s board of directors since 2015.
In 2017, he accepted the role of chairman of the foundation’s Campaign Committee. Inkpen has given to the University for over 30 years and most recently established two endowed scholarships: one to benefit KU’s diverse student population and the other to assist with student retention.
Wernersville open house
There will be an open house at the restored 1927 Wernersville passenger train station on June 25 from 1 to 4 p.m. at 20 E Penn Ave, Wernersville.
There’s no admission to the site, which is operated by the Heidelberg Heritage Society. Volunteers will be available to offer information and answer questions.
Drag show fundraiser
One Love Project and Nitro Bar presents “’90’s Rock n’ Roll Pride Drag Show” on June 25 starting at 8 p.m. to celebrate Pride month.
The Nitro Bar is at 416 Penn Ave. and drag show is on the third floor and only for those age 21 and older.
The admission fee is $10 at the door and proceeds benefit One Love Project and underwrite the group’s community events.
Independence Day event
On July 4 at 2 p.m., playwright Christine Emmert and Berks Opera Workshop Director Francine Black are slated to conduct a reading of the Declaration of Independence with poetry and patriotic songs at the White Horse Tavern, 31 Old Philadelphia Pike, in Douglassville.
Bring a chair or blanket for the free program.
Visitors will also get to meet Revolutionary War reenactors from the First Pennsylvania Regiment of the Continental Line, see demonstrations by Berks Friends with Fibers, and tour the Mouns Jones Archaeology Project.
The event will be hosted by the Historic Preservation Trust of Berks County and sponsored by Amity Township, the Friends of Hopewell Furnace, and the Society of Pennsylvania Archaeology, Chapter 21.
