A number of events are scheduled to commemorate Black History Month in Berks County.
On Sunday the Friends of Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site will host a presentation on “The African American Settlement of Six Penny Creek: Charcoal, Iron and The Underground Railroad.”
The program will be held at 2 p.m. at Hopewell’s visitor center theater in Union Township.
The presentation is by Dr. Benjamin Carter, Muhlenberg College associate professor of anthropology and department chair. He has worked extensively on the Six Penny Creek community whose residents worked at Hopewell and other furnaces in the area.
Kutztown University Radio will feature special programming and syndicated programs for Black History Month. A highlight will be the Cool Jazz Weekly EXTRA. KUR interns are recording “KUR Black History Month Spotlights,” a 45-second daily mini-feature highlighting notable African American people. They will air throughout the month on weekdays and will be available daily on KUR Spotify podcasts.
There is a display in the KU Rohrbach Library honoring the legacy of Black soldiers in the U.S. military.
KU’s Ujima Conference promoting community and collective work will open Feb. 20 with a day of service. The public is invited to hear the keynote speakers. Dr. Denise Pearson will discuss the conference’s “It takes a village” theme on Feb. 21 at noon in McFarland Student Union Room 218. Pearson is vice chancellor and chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.
The closing keynote speaker is Wanjiku “Wawa” Gatheru, founder of Black Girl Environmentalist. She will appear on Feb. 22 at 2 p.m. in McFarland Student Union Room 218.
KU’s annual Diversity Conference is scheduled for March 1 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is open to the public. This year’s theme is inspirational advocacy through the arts.
Berks parks
The following Berks County Parks & Recreation programs are scheduled to take place in February:
On Feb. 14, Snowshoe With Your Sweetheart takes place at 6 p.m. at the Berks County Heritage Center, Bern Township. Enjoy a snowshoe walk down the Union Canal Trail with parks staff. Participants will enjoy hot chocolate and discuss snowshoe tips before trying out a few pairs outside. Program is free, registration required.
On Feb. 20, Read with a Ranger: Love Is In The Air is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Heritage Center. Kids ages 3-5 are invited to enjoy a themed story, go for a walk on the trail and complete a craft to become an honorary Junior Ranger. The program is free, registration suggested.
A Maple Sugaring program is set for Saturday, Feb. 24 at 10 a.m. at Gring’s Mill Recreation Area in Spring Township.
Learn how to identify the right kinds of trees to tap and make your own syrup. Observe the process of taking sap to syrup and see just how much it takes to accomplish it. Cost is $5 per person; kids under 3 free. Registration required
On Feb. 24, there will be a Full Moon Hike at 6 p.m. at the Heritage Center. Walk the Union Canal Trail on the evening of the full moon.
A homeschool program on maple sugaring is scheduled for Feb. 27 from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Bingaman House in Lower Alsace Township. Cost is $5 per child; registration required.
To register for any program, go to countyofberks.recdesk.com/Community/Program
Pilates classes
The Jewish Federation of Reading is starting Pilates classes at the Jewish Cultural Center in Wyomissing. Held in partnership with Martha H. Connolly of Pilates at Any Age, classes will be held twice a week and are open to the community.
Starting Tuesday, two Pilates classes per week will be held at 10 a.m. at the JCC, 1100 Berkshire Blvd. Suite 125, Wyomissing. The hourlong class on Tuesdays will be classical Mat Pilates and the hourlong class on Fridays will be chair Pilates. No experience is necessary, beginners are welcome and encouraged.
Participants should wear comfortable clothing, grippy socks or bare feet and bring a water bottle. Participants will need to sign a waiver and release form.
The price per class is $5 and payable via cash or check only. The first class will be free for all participants. JCC members can attend Friday classes for free during February.
Registration is recommended at info@jfreading.org
Dog open house
Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue will hold its monthly Open House Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at its Golden Gateway facility at 60 Vera Cruz Road, Reinholds. Meet and greet dogs available for adoption. Staff is on hand to answer questions, and food is available for purchase. No admission charge. (No photos please, and do not bring other dogs to this event.) For more information, contact info@dvgrr.org, call 717-484-4799, or visit: https://dvgrr.org/adopt/monthlyopenhouse/
Fraktur program
Historian and linguist Bill Oosterman leads a workshop on the fraktur style of calligraphy script on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Mennonite Heritage Center, 565 Yoder Rd., Harleysville. Students will be taught the strokes of the letters in the alphabet. No special skills required. Children 8 and older welcome.
The workshop is $65 for non-members and $60 for members, including materials. Participants are asked to bring a text that they want to practice. Preregistration is required and class size is limited. To register visit: mhep.org/events or call 215-256-3020.
Spirit on Tap
The Spirit on Tap Contemplative Spirituality group is holding a pair of discussions Thursday at St. John’s United Church of Christ, 257 W. Walnut St., Kutztown.
At 9:30 there will be a discussion of “The Brothers Karamazov” book 10 led by retired professor Craig Bennett.
At 10:30 Dr. Harry L. Serio and the Rev. James Skelton will lead a talk on resonance, the nature of sound and its uses in worship, healing, entertainment and social interaction.
For more information, contact Serio at hlserio@aol.com.
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