Veteran Eagle reporter pens memoir, '15000 Bylines' [Spotlight]
Jul. 10—Veteran Reading Eagle reporter Steven Henshaw has released a book titled "15000 Bylines: My Bumpy, Smoky, Fulfilling Newspaper Journey," chronicling his career that germinated in the 1980s when he was a first-generation college student and editor of his campus newspaper.
Inspired by the memoirs of 20th-century newspapermen such as H.L. Mencken and Russell Baker, the book traces the author's steppingstones from small-town weekly reporter to metropolitan daily police reporter and columnist. Infused with engaging, often humorous anecdotes, the book recalls the late-20th century newspaper culture, including time-honored post-deadline, barroom gatherings with colleagues, and the emergence of the digital age.
Henshaw describes his book as both a memoir and chronicle of the final two decades of the Reading Eagle under private, independent ownership. It provides a fly-on-the-wall perspective of events surrounding the sale of the newspaper by the heirs of the founder who started publishing a daily Reading newspaper shortly after the Civil War ended.
"A couple of years ago I started batting around with a couple of my colleagues the concept of a book about some of the colorful characters we've known over the last few decades as journalists," Henshaw said. "It evolved into a personal narrative that weaves memorable characters and events throughout my career with three different newspapers spanning more than three decades."
At its core, he said, it's a story about discovering meaning and purpose through trials and tribulations.
"15000 Bylines" is available on Amazon and Google Books.
Theater
The Reading Theater Project and JCWK Dance Lab will present "In Nature's Studio: Real Bodies," a free outdoor performance today from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Reading Public Museum Arboretum.
The landscape and walkways throughout the Arboretum will become micro-stages where actors, dancers and musicians simultaneously perform, some spanning the 90 minutes of the event and shorter pieces being performed multiple times.
All performances use the park setting and the museum's "Real Bodies" exhibit as inspiration, and are appropriate for all audiences. Audience members can wander the path on their own or sign up for a guided tour.
"Real Bodies" explores life by displaying real, perfectly preserved human bodies and more than 200 anatomical specimens. More than a simple display of human specimens, it connects audiences to a deeper sense of what it means to be alive.
"In Nature's Studio is a collaboration between three distinct organizations in Berks County that are coming together to create community through education and art making," said Jessica Warchal-King, director of JCWK Dance Lab. "I get excited about the ways that the artists and 'Real Bodies' exhibit are engaging to create something unique to and for Berks County."
Participating artists include Matt DeAngelis, Madison DJ Fields, Henrik Fotis, Jeanette Fotis, Brad Gale, Richie Maldonado, Kimberly Patterson, Jessica Pennington, Adam Richter, JCWK Dance Lab (Cady Monasmith, Arielle Ridley and Woosoon Kim) and Trio Jolie (Crystal Jordan, Robin Lilarose and Kirstin Meyers).
The production will be coordinated by Vicki Haller Graff and Jessica C. Warchal-King, with support from Kayla Laucks and Stacy Laucks.
More information can be found at readingtheaterproject.org/in-natures-studio-2022.
Art
Studio B Art Gallery, 39A E. Philadelphia Ave., Boyertown, will host events on Sundays through Aug. 7 supporting its current art exhibition, "WORDS," and the corresponding "Transforming Moments" book release. The following events run from 2 to 4 p.m., and are free and open to the public:
July 10, 17, 24 and 31: Banned Books — Sharing for Understanding. Lovers of books often targeted to be banned are invited to come and share the value of those books.
Aug. 7: The Human Library. In Denmark, there are libraries where you can "borrow"′ a person instead of a book to listen to their life story. The goal is to fight prejudice. Listening to their story, you realize how much you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. People who are represented in Boyertown's "No Place for Hate" mural and others will share their stories.
Pre-registration is requested but not required by emailing janeEstahl@comcast.net.
Theater
1st Street Players, Birdsboro, has announced the shows for its 2022-2023 season, titled "Breaking Free." "Curtains" will be staged in November, "Shrek: The Musical" in January, "Blithe Spirit" next March, "Beauty & the Beast Jr." next May, and "9 to 5: The Musical" next June. Details will be announced at a later date on the group's social media feeds and website, www.1ststreetplayers.org.
