The Reading Science Center opened its doors for a few hours on Saturday, giving the public a sneak preview of their new facility and exhibits in works. Still under construction, the Science Center is located on the lower level of 645 Penn Street.
With a quick elevator ride to the bottom floor, guests enjoyed a tour by science center staff showcasing new exhibits, face painting, and live demonstrations for kids.
The Reading Science Center hopes to benefit the city of Reading and the surrounding areas by providing educational and entertaining hands-on science experiences for the community, schools, and families.
According to staff at the sneak preview, the science center mission is to encourage STEM careers and inform the community about scientific activities in the Reading area.
Penn State Chemistry Adviser, Greglynn Gibbs, teaches kids how to make slime.
There is still work to be done. The science center is still a construction zone. Touring the facility, scaffolding lines the main staircase and construction equipment can be seen everywhere.
Don’t worry, the construction equipment won’t be around for long. The staff are excited to get the science center up and running. When completed, the center will host educational classrooms, multiple exhibits, and a science lab.
Guests play with a giant Newton’s cradle.
A Reading Science Center staff member told us they are hoping to have everything completed by the end of February or early March at the earliest.
If you’ve ever been to a Genesius Theatre performance, you know you’re in for a one of a kind show. Hosting a live orchestra, professional lighting, and a wide assortment of special effects, Genesius works hard to provide the community with all of the effects of a Broadway style show.
This was not the case Sunday morning, instead of the usual loud music, lighting, and fog effects of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Genesius tried something new, staging their first sensory friendly performance.
Sunday’s event was the brainchild of Whitfield Elementary school teacher and veteran Genesius actor, Emily Snyder. Snyder organized the sensory friendly performance based her experience with one of her own students who has Autism.
“It was the first time we put on a musical at the school” said Snyder. “For one of my students, it was the only assembly in his whole time in Elementary school that he actually sat, watched and didn’t have to leave or use his headphones.”
This experience gave Snyder the idea to look for other opportunities that would be supportive for families with special needs. “I heard of sensory friendly theatre before, so I figured why not here, this is the perfect show to do it!”
Keeping the show as close to the original as possible was important to Snyder. “We cut out some of the talk-heavy scenes of the musical, and left in more of the fun and upbeat songs so kids could sing and dance along if they wanted too.”
Genesius actors introducing themselves to the audience before the show.
Accommodations included lowering the sound levels throughout the show and replacing the live orchestra with a piano. Prior to the performance, the cast filled the stage to introduce themselves one by one to the audience. During the show, the house lights stay on to allow guests to get up and move around as needed.
“We’re really excited to be doing this.” remarked Genesius Board President Brian Fichthorn during intermission. “We bring Theatre to Reading, and it’s really cool that we can serve another part of the community that’s undeserved. We are already planning more of these performances for next year with our new season.”
To provide a sensory friendly event, Genesius lowered their stage lighting and effects.
Jaime Gruver brought her whole family to see The Little Mermaid. “We would never be able to take my son to a regular theatre performance with the expectation of him not bouncing and being quite”.
Gruver says she enjoys sensory friendly events because it provides her family a stress free environment. “You don’t have the stress of judgement. So, if I see someone melting down, I feel a little relief because that’s our life too.”
“I also have a little one who is not on the spectrum. We often have to divide our time because of the different expectations.” Gruver says her family often avoids going out as a family. “It can be very isolating, but events like these include the whole family, so it’s nice to have time to be out together.”
According to ticket takers, 99 people attended the sensory friendly show.
The annual Crime Alert Berks County holiday Shop-with-a-Cop returned to Boscov’s North in Muhlenberg Township Thursday night. Twenty-seven 4th and 5th grade students from 26 Berks public and parochial schools were selected to participate, each receiving a $100 Boscov’s gift card to buy gifts for their family members.
A contingent of 30 police officers from departments covering the students’ school districts assisted the children in the gift selection process. Wyomissing Police Chief Jeffrey Biehl recruited the law enforcement officers.
“We value this opportunity every year to help children fulfill their Christmas wish lists for their families,” said Rick Periandi, president of Crime Alert Berks County.
“This gives each child the chance to experience the joy of giving, so important at this time of year, as well as to understand that police officers are kind and are always there to provide a helping hand.”
Santa poses for photos with the students and officers.
To kick off the evening, Santa Claus arrived on the Goodwill Fire Company ladder truck in front of Boscov’s greeting students and their families. Crime Alert Berks board and advisory board members as well as volunteers from the United Way served as Santa’s gift-wrapping elves to help the children make their presents even more special.
Crime Alert Berks Vice President Chris Nein organized the annual event and donates refreshments for the participants. “This is something I look forward to working on every year,” he said, “and I particularly salute Boscov’s for everything they contribute to this annual event.” Boscov’s, he said, provides half of the gift cards valued at $100.
It was a brisk Saturday afternoon as residents gathered at Reading’s Iron Playground on Laurel Street. Planned as a joint effort to bring the community together, the inaugural tree lighting ceremony was hosted by District 1 City Councilwomen Lucine Sihelnik and the South of Penn Task Force.
To prepare for the tree lighting, the Reading Public Works Department helped hoist the massive 15 foot tree into place Friday afternoon. Donated by Reinhart’s Christmas Tree Farm, the tree was decorated by South of Penn volunteers.
Tony Veloz, South of Penn’s community coordinator, says the idea for the tree lighting came from community feedback. “When people come over the Penn Street Bridge, they are greeted by the city’s tree, but people feel like there isn’t a whole lot that gets done on this side of the city” says Veloz.
The groups original idea was to place the tree at the end of the Bingaman Street Bridge, as a welcome to the south side of Reading. Due to logistical issues, the group was forced to come up with alternative location. “One of the things South of Penn is trying to do is reclaim spaces that aren’t being used frequently. The tree allows residents to feel welcome” Veloz said.
Inviting residents over to the podium, Councilwomen Sihelnik spoke about her recent listening tour throughout the district. “In the past six months, Iv’e been doing a listening tour throughout district 1, trying to listen an understand, what is important to our community, and what are we trying to reach for together that will unite us. That’s what this is all about.” said Councilwomen Sihelnik. “To be able to see the park full of people playing and enjoying, talking and coming together, is the goal.”
Following Councilwomen Sihelnik comments, Barrio Alegría members sang holiday songs, inviting the crowd to join in. Food for the event was donated by district 1 businesses. Hot cocoa from Queen City Family Restaurant, Biscotti by Tropical Bakery, hot dogs by Berks Packing.
Anyone looking for a unique, charitable, and family friendly way to spend their holiday weekend is in luck! The nationally recognized Berks County attraction, Roadside America, is offering free admission for the entire weekend following Thanksgiving to any visitor who brings a toy donation for Toys for Tots. This is the second year the attraction has hosted a Toys for Tots drop box, and the first year offering free admission for donations.
Roadside America, located in Shartlesville, PA just off exit 23 of Interstate 78, is currently celebrating its annual Thanksgiving Turkey Takeover where over 250 3D printed and hand painted turkeys run amok through the iconic miniature world. Visitors over Thanksgiving weekend will also get a special sneak preview of the holiday decorations throughout the miniature village.
Decorations include twinkling lights on many of the miniature buildings, holiday themed trains buzzing down the lines, and so much more. One free admission will be awarded per donated toy. There is no limit on how many toys can be donated per party, so visitors are encouraged to bring a toy for each member of their party to enjoy free admission for their entire group.
Roadside America is closed on Thanksgiving day, Thursday, November 28th. The attraction will reopen on Friday, November 29th to kick off the free admission offer which will continue through Monday, December 2nd. Aside from being closed on Thanksgiving day, the business will maintain its regular business hours throughout the weekend – 10:00am to 5:00pm on Friday and Monday; 9:00am to 5:00pm on Saturday and Sunday.
