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Grand Opening of General Carl Spaatz Museum set for October 2nd

Reading Magazine
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Grand Opening of General Carl Spaatz Museum set for October 2nd

After 5 years of planning and 3 years of preparation, the General Carl Spaatz National U.S. Army Air Force Museum, is set to open on Saturday, October 2, with live music from the 40″s era and display of military vehicles at 10am, and a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11am.

The living museum concept includes almost 6,000 square feet of space comprising 10 exhibits, of which 6 are featured as interactive for small reserved group tours. Following the opening ceremonies, the museum will open at 1pm for self-guided tours at a special admission fee of $5.00.

Col. Keith Seiwell, USMC (Ret), the Museum’s CEO, estimates that its volunteers have put in thousands of hours getting ready for the big day. Funding for the museum has come from private donations, grants, fundraising activities and an online auction.

Carl Spaatz was born and raised in Boyertown. There is a memorial dedicated to him on Second Street in Boyertown. At one time, the Reading Regional Airport was known as Spaatz Field. General Spaatz trained most of the American pilots who fought in WWI. He pioneered air-to-air refueling and commanded the Strategic Air Forces of WWII that forever changed the way war is fought. He became the first Chief of Staff of the new US Air Force in 1947.

His commands included Commander of the Eighth Air Force, Commander of the North African Air Force, and Commander of U.S. Strategic Air Forces in Europe, and all American Air Forces in the Pacific after the war was won in Europe.

In addition to self-guided tours with audio descriptions, the museum also offers an enhanced, immersive experience that places a small group of visitors in the time frame of our interactive exhibits and invites the visitor to participate by living in history.

The Spaatz Museum embodies “living the mission” by guiding visitors through preparing for, flying and surviving flight and combat. Museum staff, dressed in WWII uniforms, plan to talk the talk of the wartime era, immersing museum visitors the sights and sounds of aerial warfare, including attending pre-flight briefings, donning gear and equipment, piloting a bomber and acting as waist gunners and bombardiers.

The General Carl Spaatz National USAAF Museum is located at 28 Warwick Street, Boyertown, Pennsylvania.

Junior Girl Scout Honors Late Grandfather with ‘Bags of Love’ Donation to McGlinn Cancer Institute

Reading Magazine
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Junior Girl Scout Honors Late Grandfather with ‘Bags of Love’ Donation to McGlinn Cancer Institute

Patients at McGlinn Cancer Institute at Reading Hospital received a special delivery Friday from Junior Girl Scout Emily West, age 10, of Maryland. Working on her Jr. Bronze Award, West wanted a project that would honor her late grandfather, Craig Sands, who lost his battle with lung cancer in November 2020.

In coordination with McGlinn Cancer Institute and Reading Hospital Foundation, West created 127 “bags of love” for patients receiving chemotherapy.

West worked with team members from McGlinn Cancer Institute and Reading Hospital Foundation to create a list of items to include in the bags. She and her mom created a wish list online and within two days she was receiving donations from all over the country, including many from Berks County.

Each bag includes hand sanitizer, hand lotion, tissues, sunscreen, gum, crackers, chips, pens, chapstick, and hard candies

“I am really thankful and excited for this to happen,” West said. “My PopPop was my best friend and I miss him. I wanted to do something that would help cancer patients. I had helped my mom put together handbags filled with personal care items for women who were homeless and/or leaving abusive relationships and I thought we could do something similar. I wanted the bags to go to patients at the McGlinn Cancer Center because that’s where my PopPop got the best care to help him with his fight against cancer. I am excited for my parents, grandmother, uncle, and aunt to be here too to help honor my PopPop.”

In addition, the Reading Hospital Foundation also included a “Blanket of Hope” with each bag.

Michael Brown, MD, Medical Director of McGlinn Cancer Institute said “On behalf of everyone at McGlinn Cancer Institute I’d like to thank Emily for her donation in support of our patients. I know this will help put a smile on their faces every time they use something from the bag.”

“We are so grateful to the entire West family and were honored to be a part of their tribute to Mr. Sands,” said Katherine Thornton, President, Reading Hospital Foundation. “This donation is the perfect example of the impact we can make for our patients when we work together.”

AIM Distributes Animatronic Animals to Combat Social Isolation

Reading Magazine
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AIM Distributes Animatronic Animals to Combat Social Isolation

As COVID-19 variants surge, Abilities in Motion has partnered with the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Berks, Lancaster and Lebanon counties to once again address the negative effects of social isolation through the pandemic.

Through its network of partners, Abilities in Motion distributed over 300 cat and dog animatronic pets that will be given to isolated seniors and people with disabilities.

As an increasing number of seniors and people with disabilities continue quarantining due to COVID-19 and its variants, staff at AIM are seeing an uptick in issues stemming from social isolation. The pets were developed by Ageless Innovations with the purpose of combating isolation and depression.

Social isolation affects all age groups and the interaction with these animatronic animals can reduce depression, social isolation and loneliness while increasing cognitive activity, capability and a sense of purpose. The animals contain sensors that react to touch or movement which creates a life-like effect by purring, moving and blinking.

Abilities in Motion is Berks County’s Center for Independent Living offering support services, education, and advocacy for over 3,700 individuals with disabilities
in the Commonwealth of PA.

Say Cheese! offers American comfort food with a modern twist

Justin Choate
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Say Cheese! offers American comfort food with a modern twist

To kickoff season 2 of Bites of Berks, host Justin Choate, visits Say Cheese! in West Reading to try the delicious Say Cheese! burger. Say Cheese! Restaurant and Cheese is a full service restaurant rooted in a love for cheese and local flavor.

Discover unexpected menu items that challenge your tastebuds or get back to basics with cheese plates and pairings that bring a world of flavor right here in West Reading.

Say Cheese! regularly offer delicious sandwiches, soup, salad, burgers, our award-winning mac & cheese, locally-made coffee, appetizers, entrees, local craft beers, and homemade desserts. In addition, Say Cheese! offers over 75 kinds of artisan cheese at its cheese shop.

Watch the full episode:

Reception honors Olivet youth artists in ‘Multiple Impressions’ Art Show

Jason Hugg
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Reception honors Olivet youth artists in ‘Multiple Impressions’ Art Show

Summer camp is all about fun activities, making new friends, and being creative. The Olivet Boys and Girls Club certainly delivered for youth participating in the organizations summer camp program this year, hosting local field trips, swimming and more.

Looking to spur the creativity of campers, Olivet directors offered several opportunities for youth to paint, draw, and be artistic over the summer. With hundreds of pieces of art collected over the weeks, site directors across Reading held an art show to showcase the campers artwork.

“It reminds us that regardless of our background, differences, and upbringing, we can all come together and create something beautiful” said Jessii Garcia, Oakbrook Site Director.

Held Wednesday, August 18, “Multiple Impressions” was both an end of summer celebration for campers, and an art show featuring a red carpet photo booth, coloring activity station, food and beverages for families.

“Our Olivet youth inspire us to look for hope through the eyes of the children. The Oakbrook art show was a celebration of Olivet’s hope-inspired art” said Christopher Winters, Olivet’s President & CEO.

“Seeing all of the families coming together to celebrate the diverse artistic impressions made by their children exemplified what makes the Olivet Boys & Girls Club so special. Congratulations to Oakbrook Site Director Jessii Garcia, Assistant Site Director Jafet Jaime, and the Oakbrook Team for the amazing art show!”

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