EXETER TWP., Pa. – Exeter Township supervisors are in negotiations for a partnership with Catering by DoubleTree to bring the Reading Country Club “back to life,” as one supervisor said.
“The Exeter Board of Supervisors are negotiating a strategic partnership with Reading Hospitality Management through their off-premise catering division, Catering by DoubleTree, to open the Reading Country Club for catered events,” read Chairperson George Bell.
“Reading Hospitality manages the highly-ranked award-winning DoubleTree Hilton in Reading, Pa., where Catering by DoubleTree operates its prep kitchens, and sales, marketing and staffing offices,” the announcement stated.
“The partnership would give Catering by DoubleTree the exclusive right to plan and cater all events at the RCC,” Bell continued. “Catering by DoubleTree would do all the marketing, scheduling, event planning and execution at the RCC.”
This would apply to custom-tailored private and community-inclusive events, including weddings, banquets, proms, corporate meetings, and golf outings.
The company will perform all food preparation off site and will staff events with their own trained employees. There will be no upfront costs to the partnership, and all revenue for the township will be applied to the RCC budget.
They will agree to hold monthly community events at the RCC.
Dan Hoch, director of business development for DoubleTree by Hilton Reading, said his group is excited by the possibility of “returning the Reading Country Club back to the one of the hubs of community activity.”
He said the hotel and its catering arm achieved recognition with a strategy that could work for RCC — by operating consistently with the highest level of customer service and operating under one simple tenet of how they can do that while moving a community forward.
Hoch said Catering by DoubleTree wouldn’t be involved in managing golf, but it would be responsible for planning related events as well as a range of other events, including those that are welcoming to the Exeter Township community.
The board said it’s tentatively planning to reopen the club for a food truck event in October as a soft launch of the partnership.
The supervisors voted 4-1 Monday to continue discussions.
The Berks County Parks and Recreation Department is hosting several events this weekend at the county heritage center in Bern Township.
• May 14, 9 to 11 a.m. Veterans In the Parks guided walk
A 2- to 3-mile easy walk along the Union Canal Trail to explore the area’s history, flora, fauna and interesting facts about the trail. Local veterans groups will be onsite to join the hike. The event is free, but pre-registration is required. For more information, email lgauker@countyofberks.com or call 610-374-2944 ext. 2611.
• May 14, 10 a.m. If Trees Could Talk walk
If Trees Could Talk is an outdoor walking tour to explore the landscape and history of the heritage center prior to its existence as a park. The walking tour is free, but pre-registration is required. Register by contacting Daniel Roe, at droe@countyofberks.com or 610-374-8839 x201.
• May 15, 1 p.m. Ride with a Ranger: guided trail ride
Chief Park Ranger Eric Seidel is inviting children to ride with him to see what it takes to be a park ranger. Participants will hit the Union Canal Trail for a two-hour ride that will include activities and bike skills. This program is geared toward children 6 years and older with an accompanying adult. Children must wear helmets while riding. It’s a free event but registration is required at least 24 hours in advance. To register or for more information: lgauker@countyofberks.com or call 610-374-2944, ext. 2611.
For as long as he can remember, Mohnton’s Memorial Day parade has been a highlight of Jeffery Shanely’s year.
Shanely — a longtime resident and now the head of Mohnton’s parade committee — said he looks back fondly on childhood days spent celebrating with friends and watching the Gov. Mifflin High School band march.
Since 1960, the Memorial Day parade has been a fixture in the community like no other, Shanely said. Everyone knew it was happening, and everyone showed up.
“It’s kind of a natural part of life in Mohnton,” Shanely said.
Like so many facets of the pre-COVID-19 pandemic past, that part of Mohnton’s life has ceased since 2019.
Other than a small memorial service held by veteran groups at the Mohnsville Cemetery — privately in 2020 and publicly in 2021 — Mohnton’s Memorial Day celebrations have been postponed.
But as the winter weather fades to spring, thirst for a deeper warmth and camaraderie absent since COVID is driving local demand for the return of large-scale community events.
“It’s something that helps everybody get over what we’ve gone through the last two years,” Shanely said.
This year, those missing the marchers, classic cars and tunes from the Reading Buccaneers won’t be disappointed: The Mohnton Memorial Day parade is back in full swing.
And even at 92 years old, local legend Shirley Showalter — who has sung the national anthem every memorial service without fail for the past 30 years — will honor veterans with her voice again at the Mohnsville Cemetery.
Shirley Showalter, 92, has been singing the national anthem at Mohnton’s Memorial Day service for over 30 years, and will sing again this year. (COURTESY OF JEFFREY SHANELY)
Shanely said the amount of parade volunteers this year is double what was seen in previous years. Donations have increased substantially as well, Shanely said, and are flowing in earlier than usual.
“We definitely got good responses and quick responses from sponsors,” Shanely said.
Shillington, too, has seen a groundswell of interest since announcing its Memorial Day parade will be resurrected this year, also for the first time since 2019.
“People are busting at the seams to get out,” said Ed Michalik, head of the Shillington parade committee. “They’ve been calling town hall asking if we’re having it.”
Michalik said enthusiasm levels for the parade are noticeably higher than in previous years.
“I think it’s all part of getting back to normal,” Michalik said. “A lot of the activities we’ve had, even this past summer opening the (Shillington) pool with precautions in place, it’s yet another step for people to come together.”
Michalik and Shanely said this year’s parade will resume operations entirely as they have been in the past. No pandemic-related procedural changes will be made to either event.
Fersommling returns
Another Berks staple, the annual Fersommling, an event steeped in Pennsylvania Dutch culture and cuisine, is set to reunite community members.
Hundreds of attendees are predicted at this year’s event, mostly from Berks, but also from Lancaster and Lebanon counties and the Lehigh Valley, said Joyce Hassler, a member of the Fersommling event board.
“People are very anxious to see it come back,” Hassler said. “And this may be the only time in a year that we get to see some of these people.”
Before COVID, the only other time the Fersommling hadn’t run since starting in 1937 was from 1943 through 1945 during World War II.
And although the halls of the Leesport Farmers Market have been quiet on Fersommling day these past two years, the aroma of scrapple, shoo-fly pie, and fresh cooked ham — Hassler’s favorite — will again fill the space on the Monday after Easter.
Bruce Rohrbach of Kutztown performs with The Happy Dutchmen band during the Berks County Fersommling in 2019. The event returns Monday. (READING EAGLE)
Hassler noted the event, which is attended by many elderly community members, would likely see a decline over previous years’ showings due to lingering COVID concerns.
“Absolutely it (COVID) is a part of it, but I’m not blaming COVID entirely,” Hassler said. “Age is going to take its toll. You may be housebound or physically unable to get there.”
Nonetheless, Hassler said she hopes young Pennsylvania Germans and others interested in the unique culture keep the event alive for years to come.
“It’s just the idea of getting together and hearing the music and just the fellowship,” Hassler said. “Fellowship to Pennsylvania Germans is very important.”
Anniversary delayed
Fellowship is also the goal of renewed events at the Keystone Social Club in Hamburg, said club President Gene Schlegel.
Pandemic concerns forced the club to postpone its 100-year anniversary celebration for two years, but over half of the club’s 400 members attended the gala this month.
“There’s a lot of people that are looking forward to it,” Schlegel said before the event.
Schlegel said the club opened again for bowling last year, but some members hadn’t been in to see their friends since COVID began.
Those members were out in force April 2 to bowl at the club’s lanes, celebrate longstanding members and make new memories.
Members of the Keystone Social Club in Hamburg gathered to celebrate the club’s 100-year anniversary. The event was postponed in 2019. (COURTESY OF SCOTT KREIDER)
READING, Pa. – The 31st annual Berks Jazz Fest is underway. Saturday and Sunday are the last days to hear the sounds of Jazz.
The DoubleTree hosted several performances on Friday.
The hotel celebrated Reading Blues Fest Night with the Craig Thatcher and Mike Guldin Guitar Summit.
The Scottish Rite Cathedral hosted the Anniversary Celebration Concert. The Miller Center for the Arts also featured the work of the Joey DeFrancesco Trio.
There is still some time to catch some Jazz Fest shows this weekend.
On Saturday, the DoubleTree is hosting an auction in the morning. You can stay at the hotel for the Celebrating Women in Jazz concert at 1:00 p.m.
There will be an Afternoon Jazz party, also at the the DoubleTree.
The Scottish Rite Cathedral is hosting David Sanborn and Friends at 6:00 p.m.
And Al “DJ Act” Taylor is ending the day at the DoubleTree at 9:30 p.m.
Jazz Fest ends Sunday with a great day of shows.
The DoubleTree is hosting Sunday Brunch with a salute to Nico Colionne.
You can check out A Contemporary Sax Retrospective at the Miller Center at 3:00 p.m.
The Yocum Institute is hosting a Tribute to Buddy Rich at 4:00 p.m.
The festival finale will be held at the Scottish Rite Cathedral.
More information and a complete list of events can be found here.
