Keith Mayer: Learn about native plants and their benefits in Wyomissing library talk
Jun. 6—Jessie Shiffler, president of Wild Ones of Southeastern PA, will present "Native Plants in the Landscape" on Monday at 6 p.m. at the Wyomissing Public Library, 9 Reading Blvd.
Shiffler will discuss the importance of, and ways to, reduce turf grass lawns and plant native plants to increase ecosystem function for all flora and fauna, including pollinators, the library said.
She will also talk about steps to increase biodiversity, beautify properties, improve forage and bring life to our yards, organizers said.
The program is free but reservations are encouraged. Email ann@wyopublib.org or call the library at 610-374-2385 to reserve a spot.
Dementia presentation
"Dementia Basics" will be presented June 16 at 7 p.m. by Anne Martinez, divisional director of Life Enrichment and Memory, at Maidencreek Place, 105 Dries Road, Ontelaunee Township.
RSVP by June 15 to Donna Crossland at dcrossland@enlivant.com or call 610-926-7600 to receive a Zoom link.
Tourism bureau
Pennsylvania's Americana Region, the official tourism bureau for Berks County, welcomed these new members to its board of directors:
—Rajavel Jagadesan, Chatty Monks Brewing Co.
—Christian Crespo, City of Reading
—Kendra Cook, Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles
—Carla Kishbaugh, Residence Inn Wyomissing
—Levi Landis, GoggleWorks Center for the Arts
—Dr. Pauline Milwood, Penn State Berks
—Mark Ratcliffe, West Reading Community Revitalization Foundation
Additionally, Dan Brown, Deerfoot Vineyard & Winery; Jenny Frei, Bear Creek Mountain Resort; and Cammie Harris, Reading Film Fest were named associate board members and will fill the spots of board members stepping down later in the 2022-23 fiscal year.
Board officers were introduced at the meeting. They are:
—Cathy Wegener, Berks County Parks and Recreation, chair and leader of the twenty-seven-member group
—EmmaRose Strohl, Barley Snyder, vice chair
—Andrew Hoke, RKL, treasurer
—Jennifer Stoudt, Albright College, secretary
—Nathan Brant, South Mountain YMCA, past chairman.
Pet adoptions
Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue will hold its monthly Meet & Greet the Goldens on June 11 from 10 a.m. until noon at its Golden Gateway facility at 60 Vera Cruz Road near Reinholds, Lancaster County.
Meet the golden retrievers and other dogs that are available for adoption.
Staff is on hand to answer questions, and food is also available for purchase.
For more information, contact info@dvgrr.org or call 717-484-4799.
Rodale Institute speakers
The Rodale Institute has announced the lineup for a new educational speaker series that begins June 16.
The presentations will be led by the staff at the Kutztown-based regenerative organic farming nonprofit and will be held at the Rodale Institute Founders Farm campus in Lower Macungie Township, Lehigh County.
The Founders Farm, 2066 Minesite Road, was the longtime home of J.I. Rodale and the Rodale family, and site of the original Rodale Institute organic research trials.
Presentations will take place on Thursdays from 6 to 7 p.m.:
—June 16: Jeff Moyer, CEO, "Saving Humanity with Soil."
—June 23: Dan Kemper, master educator, "Philosophies of Starting a Farm."
—June 30: Rick Carr, farm director, "The Positive Environmental Health Implications of Composting."
Seating for the presentations is outdoors, and guests are encouraged to dress for the weather and wear farm-friendly footwear.
For a full list of the speakers and to register rodaleinstitute.org/education/rodale-institute-summer-lecture-series/.
Awards for students
Two Literacy Council of Reading-Berks students received state awards at the recent Pennsylvania Association for Adult Continuing Education Conference in Harrisburg, the council said.
—Leroy L. Cruz received the first-ever Student Alumni of the Year Award for his work in helping others obtain a high school diploma and assisting others in enrolling in English-language programs, the council said.
Cruz received his high school diploma 10 years ago as a result of taking classes at the Literacy Council. He now serves as a program director/case manager for the YMCA of Reading-Berks.
—Hector U. Lopez received a Student of the Year Award for passing all four GED exams on his first attempt, after attending classes at the Literacy Council for 24 weeks.
Hector is self-employed as a remodeler and wants to continue his education and become an electrician to be better able to provide for his family.
New board member
Breast Cancer Support Services of Berks County announced that Sam Albert has been elected to the board of directors.
Albert is the executive director for Habits of Hope LLC.
He is a certified recovery specialist, certified family recovery specialist and a certified
intervention professional, BCSS said.
Albert had a family history of breast cancer and he was also diagnosed with it. After surgery and radiation he remains cancer free, BCSS said.
He had also previously been a volunteer with BCSS.
