Why Count Hawks?
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary operates the oldest, continually active migration watchsite in
the world. Every day between August 15 and December 15, a Sanctuary observer—staff or volunteer—counts and records the number of hawks, eagles and falcons
migrating past the Sanctuary’s legendary North Lookout. Each year, counters record an average 18,000 migrating raptors. Here are some of the reasons why the Hawk Mountain count is so important:

Check out these Berks treasures!

Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles

85 S. Walnut St., Boyertown | 610.367.2090 | boyertownmuseum.org

Housed in what was once the Jeremiah Sweinhart Carriage Factory in 1872, the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles has more than 50 automobiles on display that were once produced in the Berks County area by manufacturers like Fleetwood, Duryea and Daniels.

Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site

2 Mark Bird Lane, Elverson | 610.582.8773 | nps.org/hofu

The Hopewell Furnace is a bedrock of American industrial history that operated from 1771-1883; today you can trace its legacy with self-guided tours, including programs and demonstrations running from late June through Labor Day.

The Mid Atlantic Air Museum

11 Museum Dr., Reading| 610.372.7333 | maam.org

With more than 50 historic civilian and military aircrafts, the Mid Atlantic Air Museum offers daily tours of its impressive collection of aviation history, located at the Reading Regional Airport.

Nicholas Stoltzfus House

1700 Tulpehocken Rd., Wyomissing | 610.373.6206 | nicholasstoltzfus.com

Nicholas Stoltzfus and his family are the roots of America’s Amish community; these two homes are the only ancestral sites available to tour from the 1700s. Visit website for tour info.

Old Dry Road Farm

202 Highland Rd., Wernersville | 610.678.1226 | nap.usace.army.mil/sb/facilities.htm

Located near Blue Marsh Lake, this 1700s farm site is regularly visited by local classes to learn about rural farming life and practice traditional farming skills, and also holds an Annual Fall Festival open to the public; call for private tour info.

Reading Company Technical and Historical Society

500 S Third St., Hamburg | 610.562.5513 | readingrailroad.org

Come visit the site of the Reading Railroad, featuring vintage railroad cars, locomotives and other artifacts; it’s the railroad made famous in the board game Monopoly!

Tulpehocken Settlement Historical Society

116 N. Front St., Womelsdorf | 610.589.2527 | tulpehockenroots.org

Formed to protect the landmarks and heritage of the Tulpehocken area, which encompasses 322 square miles, including Bernville, Bethel, Mt. Pleasant, Myerstown, Strausstown and Wernersville; features a library holding more than 3,000 books and papers.

Friends of the Robesonia Furnace

430 S Freeman St., Robesonia | 484.955.7381 | robesoniafurnace.org

Established in 1988 to gather and preserve information about the Robesonia area, which owes much of its growth to the Robesonia Iron Furnace dating to 1794; tours by appointment, call for museum hours.

Historical Preservation Trust of Berks County

31 Old Philadelphia Pike, Douglassville | 610.385.4762 | historicpreservationtrust.org

Come visit historic sites such as Morlatton Village near Douglassville, the John DeTurk Cabin and the Jacob Keim farmstead, all acquired by the Historical Preservation Trust of Berks County; directions on the website.

The Leesport Lockhouse Foundation

27 E. Wall St., Leesport | 610.926.5665 | countyofberks.com/parks

The stone Lockhouse was built in 1834 by the Schuylkill Navigation Company to accompany a lock on the Schuylkill Canal; it can be rented for small meetings, and be sure to come out for the annual Strawberry Social at the Leesport Lock House on June 5 from 3-8pm.

The Tri County Heritage Society

590 Willow Glenn Rd., Morgantown | 610.286.7477 | tricountyheritage.org

Formed to collect, preserve and share information about the history of Berks, Chester and Lancaster Counties; come visit the local history reference and genealogy library.

Conrad Weiser Homestead

28 Weiser Lane, Womelsdorf | 610.589.2934 | conradweiserhomestead.org

Twenty-six acres of land invite visitors to treat themselves to a self-guided tour through the Sheetz house, the Weiser house and the Education Center while learning about the life and accomplishments of Conrad Weiser.

Daniel Boone Homestead

400 Daniel Boone Rd., Birdsboro | 610.582.4900| danielboonehomestead.org

A trip to the 1730 home of Daniel Boone’s parents provides visitors with a chance to learn about the early lifestyles of settlers in rural Pennsylvania, with guided house and barn tours and numerous walking trails throughout 579 acres.

Albany Township Historical Society

404 Old Philly Pike, Kempton | 610.756.6144 | albanyths.org

Visitors can explore historic documents and artifacts, including many that preserve the Pennsylvania German language and dialects, and celebrate local culture.

Amity Historical Society

610.582.2070 | amityheritagesociety.com

The histories of Amity, Union, Exeter and Robeson Townships are preserved through the Society’s collections of historical artifacts and records, as well as research library that houses an extensive collection of information.

Andulhea Heritage Center

Rehrersburg | 717.933.5792 | andulheaheritagecenter.org

Taking its name from the Indian name meaning “between two streams” – the Tulpehocken/Schuylkill and the Swatara/Susquehanna watersheds – historical and cultural items are collected from the people in the Tulpehocken and Bethel Townships and shared with the public.

Fleetwood Area Historical Society

110 Arch St., Fleetwood | 610.944.9983 | fleetwoodpa.org

This non-profit organization is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of Fleetwood through the roughly 4,000 items collected, stored and displayed in the museum.

Reading Public Museum

500 Museum Rd., Reading | 610.371.5850 | readingpublicmuseum.org

Introduce yourself to an Egyptian mummy, travel to the stars, or spend time with nature during a trip to the Museum, Planetarium and Arboretum.

American Museum of Veterinary Medicine

5003 Main St., Birdsboro | 610.898.0659 | amvm.org

Explore the past, present and future of veterinary medicine with a look at the displays of 150-year-old tools, field equipment from World War I and rare books dating all the way back to 1550.

Bahr’s Mill

85 Sawmill Rd., Boyertown | 215-679-5388 | bahrsmill.org

Built in 1897 and open during summer weekends, Bahr’s Mill provides visitors with a look into the history of the woodworking and grist mill business run by John Bahr.

The Berks County Heritage Center

1102 Red Bridge Rd., Reading | 610.374.8839 | countyofberks.com/parks

Visitors are invited to take a guided tour through the Gruber Wagon Works and the C. Howard Canal Center located on the Union and Schuylkill canals, as they learn about the role transportation played in Berks County’s history.

Central Pennsylvania African American Museum

119 N. 10^th St., Reading | 610.371.8713 | cpafricanamericanmuseum.org

This Museum, which is located in the Old Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, is a registered landmark and was an actual stop on the Underground Railroad. Visitors can explore the artifacts and learn about African American history and culture in Berks.

Centre Park Historic District

707 N. Fifth St., Reading | 610.375.7860 | centrepark.homestead.com

Established in 1982 by City ordinance, the Centre Park Historic District is a volunteer-run, non-profit neighborhood group that works to promote the historic preservation of one of Reading’s first and most unique suburbs. With their Victorian and Queen Ann style, you won’t find a concentration of homes such as this anywhere else.

Historic Joanna Furnace

Along Route 10, about 2.5 miles north of Exit 22 (Morgantown) of the PA Turnpike | 610.286.0388 | haycreek.org

Even though the Furnace has not been operated since the 1898 death of iron master L. Herber Smith, on the third Saturday of each month this reminder of Berks County’s thriving early iron industry is open to the public, and offers unique events and activities.

Historical Society of Berks County

940 Centre Ave., Reading | 610.375.4375 | berkshistory.org

Discover the stories that can be told from more than 20,000 artifacts. Explore the Museum’s three levels, which include the Craft & Industry Room, the Transportation Room and the Hands On History Room!

Italian-American Cultural Center of Pennsylvania

400 Saint Bernardine St., Reading, PA 19607 | 610.796.3000

This non-profit is affiliated with Alvernia University and serves the residents of Berks through the sponsorship of several educational programs. The Center includes a library and an archival collection of Italian American history in Berks.

Pagoda

Skyline Drive, Reading | 610.375.6399 | pagodaskyline.org

The Pagoda has been the icon of the Reading landscape since its construction in 1908. It is a great destination for a summer drive, and with its gift shop and beautiful views of Berks, it is the perfect place to spend a summer afternoon!

Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center

Luckenbill Rd., Kutztown | 610.683.1589 | kutztown.edu/community/pgchc/index1.htm

This museum is part of Kutztown University’s educational and cultural program. The Center sits on a 30-acre homestead and contains more than 10,000 artifacts, as well as extensive genealogical records for several thousand PA German families.

Hamburg Area Historical Society

102 State St., Hamburg | 610.562.3664 | hamburgpa.org/historicalsociety.htm

For the past 10 years, the Society has strived to preserve the historic records of the Hamburg Area School District. The unique museum building is a piece of history itself – situated in a stone house that dates back to 1876.

Kutztown Area Historical Society

Normal & S. White Oak St., Kutztown | 610.683.7697 | kutztownhistory.org

One of the first historical societies in Berks, this resource features many artifacts, historical publications and photographs from the Kutztown area. Its non-circulating library is a great resource for local historians.

Heidelberg Heritage Society

182 West Penn Ave., Wernersville | 610.678.6202 | heidelberg-heritage.org

With two interesting sites to visit, the museum in the historic Lerch Tavern and the Wernersville Train Station, the Heidelberg Heritage Society has something interesting for everyone. The museum contains five rooms to explore that are teeming with local history.

Sinking Spring Area Historical Society

1100 Ruth St., Sinking Spring | 610.678.4219

This cultural gem features a restored 1872 passenger station and an1858 freight house – once a part of the P&R Railroad – as well as a 1900-era one-room office building.

By Amanda Cain, Alexandra Wertley & Zane Zwillinger

Need something to do this weekend? We have the perfect idea! Experience the beauty of Berks while enjoying a self-guided 28 mile driving tour through northern Berks County to discover the unique American art form known as Hex Signs, the best-known symbol of the Pennsylvania Dutch.! You will get to ride through acres of ancestry dotted with distinctive design of the hex signs on the Hex Barn Art Tour. Follow the map and enjoy the ride!

To view a PDF of this map, please visit: www.readingberkspa.com/pdfs/2008-HexTour.pdf

For more information on this tour or to learn about other tours available through the Greater Reading Convention & Visitors Bureau contact the visitors bureau at: 610.375.4085 | www.readingberkspa.com

My apology to Berks Carpet One Floor and Home for not including the preferred contact information in an article in our May issue. The contact information for Berks Carpet One Floor and Home is:
Berks Carpet One Floor and Home
215 South Fifth Ave., West Reading
610.378.7828
www.berkscarpetone.com

In the May issue of BCL, we told readers about how the Greater Reading Film Commission is creating a promotional film, Location! Location!, which will market the Greater Reading region to filmmakers.
One scene of the movie will be filmed at a Reading Phillies game this summer. The date of that shoot has changed to June 3, from 5 to 8 p.m., at First Energy Stadium. Be there!
Greater Reading Film Commission

www.ReadingFilm.org
filmoffice@readingberkspa.com
1.800.443.6610, ext. 116 or 610.375.4085

Necklaces as party favors? Your picture on a cupcake? Notepads that promote self-esteem? You can customize each of these gifts, which are made by Kind Living Designs!

Kristie Piacine started Kind Living Designs seven years ago to spread cheer and positive energy. Like anything made with love, the small business has grown and grown, and Piacine is overjoyed that people around the area and beyond are experiencing the touches of kindness that she has created.

At the heart of every Kind Living Designs gift is happiness. “Every item I print has a very positive message, especially for girls,” says Piacine. “Girls’ self-esteem, self-awareness and ability to be nice to each other – and to learn that at a very early age – is extremely important.”

More and more items are being printed for boys though; Piacine admits this may be because her daughter was born first, in April 2003. By June 2003, she sold the first Kind Living Designs gift. Nowadays, she has also has her son to provide some inspiration, and you’ll find more and more designs saying things like “I am so proud of you for being yourself. What a leader you are!” There are also many gifts for mothers, fathers, teachers, coaches and anyone else you’d like to send something special to.

Kind Living Designs has been a long time coming for Piacine. Her mother made crafts and carted the whole family to many craft shows. Fast-forward to 2003; Kristie had already received an English degree and climbed her way to a nice corporate position in Reading. Then her daughter was born. She decided it was time for a change. She had always taken after her mother by dabbling in crafts, but it was time to do something more. She wanted to help people.

Our flooring experts warn that no matter what contractor you choose, be sure the company has a PA Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) License number.

The Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act that the Pa. Legislature passed in 2008. “The law establishes a mandatory registration program for contractors who offer or perform home improvements in Pennsylvania. The statute also establishes minimum insurance requirements for contractors; requires contractors to provide their registration number in their ads and contracts; establishes required contract terms for home improvement contracts; prohibits unfair business practices; and creates a criminal penalty for home improvement fraud,” according to www.attorneygeneral.gov.

“A customer who installs flooring enters a home improvement contract, which provides rights to arbitration,” explains Jeff Peiffer, president, Berks Carpet One Floor and Home. “This is designed to protect the consumer.”

“If you use someone who has not yet registered, you are not allowed to sue them, so you hurt yourself by working with a non-HIC contractor,” says Greg Eshbach of Malsnee Tile & Stone.

Pennsylvania consumers can verify the registration of contractors by visiting  www.attorneygeneral.gov/hicsearch or calling 888.520.6680.

By Kristin Kramer