Documentary focuses on community movement to address racism [Spotlight]

Jun. 26—An ongoing movement to address racism in our community launched in 2020 by local youth has been documented in the new film entitled "Stand Together." The hour-long documentary tells the story of Youth Volunteer Corps of Reading students' Stand Together Against Racism (S.T.A.R.) initiative to address racism through education and dialogue that is initiated and facilitated by youth.

Directed by 11th-grade student at Wilson High School and intern at VA Productions Julia Adilman, the film is a testament to the power of youth to create change.

"I am deeply grateful to have been given the opportunity to not only learn about S.T.A.R. but also give a voice to such an amazing youth-led initiative," Adilman said. "What S.T.A.R. is doing for our community is so important, and it is imperative that their story is heard. I am privileged to have played a small part in their story."

"Being a part of S.T.A.R. has taught me that my voice matters and I'm so grateful we are able to document our journey so far," said Maddy Fratis, high school senior and S.T.A.R. cofounder. "I look towards the future of S.T.A.R. with great enthusiasm."

Over the past 18 months, the S.T.A.R. movement has engaged hundreds of people in education and awareness initiatives as well as projects supporting racial equity.

The film will premiere at 7 p.m. on July 6 at the Goggleworks Theatre, 201 Washington St, Reading. Tickets will be available at the door. For more information on how to get involved or support the S.T.A.R. movement, visit www.yvc-star.org.

Books

Myerstown resident Dominic Murgido has released a new book titled "In a Heartbeat: A Tale of Reflection, Faith, Hope, and Resilience," a heartfelt look at his grief journey after his wife was killed in a vehicle accident in 2006.

"In a Heartbeat" discusses the challenges and setbacks that occur along the road to overcoming a significant loss, following a grief time line through heartache and sorrow. With the companionship and support of his wife's dog, Hal, Murgido was able to make choices and take risks in an attempt to move forward.

The author discusses topics that include choices, risks, regrets, triggers, signs and resilience. He also provides insight through the sharing of actual entries from his personal journal while experiencing the grieving process.

Murgido lived in the Reading area for about 30 years since attending college at Alvernia, where he subsequently taught for 26 years as an adjunct faculty member in criminal justice.

He founded a grief support group, sudSSpirit, which meets in Berks County monthly since 2008.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, "In a Heartbeat: A Tale of Reflection, Faith, Hope, and Resilience" is available at brick-and-mortar bookstores or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store or Barnes and Noble. For more information, visit dominicmurgido.com.

----Joseph J. Swope has published "Dark Age Monarch: The Reign of King Arthur," a historical novel that offers an inventive take on the Arthurian legends. The book was released on Thursday by Black Rose Writing. This is Swope's fifth book.

Arthurian tradition has followed two distinct paths. Medieval romance depicts the spectacular capital of Camelot and a land of armored knights, jousts, and fantastical adventures. More recent researchers have focused on identifying the real King Arthur, if such a person existed, in the early days of the so-called Dark Ages.

"Dark Age Monarch: The Reign of King Arthur" blends the two strands together in an imaginative re-telling that maintains elements of the traditional tale but is set in a historical perspective, with a bit of magic thrown into the mix.

"I have studied the Arthurian tradition for many years," Swope explained. "Dark Age Monarch represents my take on a tale that has proven over the years to have many sides and many points of view."

The book is available at www.blackrosewriting.com/fantasy-paranormal/darkagemonarch as well as on www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com.

Arts

Yocum Institute for Arts Education has announced the appointment of Benjamin Delp Watts to the newly created role of director of development, in which he will be responsible for strategically planning for the future of the Yocum Institute.

Watts will look to foster, create and maintain relationships with families, teachers, staff, colleagues, volunteers, supporters and donors.

Trained as a professional opera singer, Watts has performed from Austria to Austin, Texas; and in Reading, from Albright College to Alvernia. Ben received a bachelor of arts degree in German, Music, and Theatre and Dramatic Literature from Albright College in 1998; and a master's of music in Vocal Performance from the University of Texas at Austin in 2001.

After graduating, he studied under internationally renowned opera star Gilda Cruz-Romo for 10 years.

Upon moving back to the Reading area in 2013, he performed as Jack in "Jack and the Beanstalk" at the Yocum Institute in 2014.

From there, he began to serving on various boards in the arts and human services. In 2020, he earned a doctorate in Leadership Studies with an emphasis on Cooperate Leadership from Alvernia University.

"Since relocating to Penn Avenue, the Yocum Institute has grown and changed tremendously," said Susan Rohn, Yocum's executive director. "Ben has been involved with the Yocum Institute and the greater arts community for many years and understands the impact of the arts on social, emotional and academic development. He will be a tremendous asset to our mission."

Theater

The acclaimed, record-breaking run of Disney's "Winnie the Pooh: The New Musical Stage Adaptation," created and directed by Jonathan Rockefeller, is coming to the Miller Center for the Arts at Reading Area Community College on March 28, 2023. Tickets go on sale July 15 at 10 a.m. at winniethepoohshow.com.

In a new story from the Hundred Acre Wood featuring Pooh, Christopher Robin and their best friends Piglet, Eeyore, Kanga, Roo, Rabbit and Owl (and Tigger too!), this stage adaptation is told with life-size puppetry. Accompanying the modern narrative is an original score from Nate Edmondson, which features some of the songs written for the animated feature from The Sherman Brothers, including "Winnie the Pooh," "The Blustery Day," "The Wonderful Thing About Tiggers," "Whoop-De-Dooper Bounce" and A.A. Milne's "The More It Snows."