COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Submit events about 2 weeks in advance of desired publication date to lmitchell@berksmontnews. com. Jan. 12 to 19 Julie Longacre Art Show: Chestnut Knoll Personal Care and Memory Care, Boyertown, Jan. 12 to 19 from 9 a.m. to 5 pm. Longacre is multitalented published writer, artist and photographer. She is fondly dubbed ‘an artist of the people.’ She is proficient in any medium—watercolor, oil or acrylic. The majority of her work is realistic and subjective in nature but her paintings encompass a variety of subjects, moods and color forms. Free and open to public. Opening Reception with Artist Julie Longacre Jan. 12 from 12-2 p.m. Color with a Purpose Jan. 19 from 2-3:30 p.m. adult coloring session, $10 donation to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association; space is limited, RSVP required at 610-473-8066. Jan. 13 Gallery Opening: Jan. 13 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Clay on Main, 313 Main St., Oley. Rachel Yoder will be displaying her latest show in Clay on Main’s gallery space Jan. 13 to Feb. 10. Jan. 13 Start Your New Year Creatively: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, 201 Washington St., Reading. Brunch at the innovative Belly Kitchen and Drinkery then be inspired by the Artist Studios on the 2nd and 3rd floors. Encounter creative painters, photographers, potters, glass-blowers, fiber artists, printers, woodworkers and many others. Handicap accessible. Jan. 14 Penn State Master Watershed Stewards Information Meeting: 6 to 8 p.m. in Berks County Agricultural Center conference room, 1238 County Welfare Road, Leesport. People interested in becoming Master Watershed Stewards must attend an information meeting as the first step in the process. Program partners with area environmental organizations to train volunteers to become citizen scientists. Volunteers go out into the Berks County community to educate the public about water quality and watershed issues; organize stream restorations, cleanups and monitoring; build demonstration rain gardens and rain barrels, and much more. Classes will be held on Monday evenings from mid-March through mid-June, with three Saturday field trips. Fee covers manual and cost of training. Bring schedule to information meeting. For an application or more information, contact Karin Wulkowicz, Berks County Master Watershed Stewards Coordinator, at krw42@psu. edu or 610-378-1327, ext. 221. Berks County Ag Center is handicapped accessible. All parking is free. Jan. 15 AARP Smart Driver Refresher Course: 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Chestnut Knoll At Home Service, 1041 E. Philadelphia Ave., Gilbertsville. Learn techniques to defensive driving, and how to handle your vehicle during challenging driving conditions, and about the new technology features found in modernized vehicles. Course vailable to drivers aged 55 years and older. There is a charged. Discount for AARP members. Bring AARP membership card (if applicable) and valid driver’s license. Event includes breakfast and lunch, courtesy of Chestnut Knoll. Seating is limited. RSVP, or for more details call 610-473-3328. Jan. 17 Boyertown Lions Club dinner meeting: 6:30 p.m. at Friendship Hook& Ladder Co., S. Reading Ave., Boyertown. This is Trivia night led by Karl Stauffer. Jan. 17 Berks County Patriots

meeting: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Leesport Farmer’s Market. Jonathan Hanen, Regional Field Rep., Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), non-profit, non-partisan 5013C, in Washington, D.C. presents Discussion: Illegal Immigration; Sanctuary Cities; Border Security. Also Paul Brooker, CPA, gives overview of Trump Tax Cuts. Jan. 18 Bus Trip to March for Life: Immaculate Conception Church is sponsoring a coach bus to Washington, D.C., for the March for Life. For information call or text Angela Peterson at 610-858-9688. Jan. 19 Dance: Ages 30 and up, 7 to 10:30 p.m. at Keystone Fire Co., 240 N. Walnut St., Boyertown. Admission charged, includes hot sandwich, door prizes, music by “Johnny K”. Cash bar. For information, contact Marge 570-9432393.

Jan. 19 Intro to Digital Photography Class: Getting to know your camera and what all of those buttons really do. Photography workshop presented by Berks Photographic Society 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 40 N. Noble St., Reading. Bring camera and camera manual. $70 donation. Register online at https://www.pay.berkscamera.org/product/introto-digital-photography-class/ Jan. 19 Felting Basics Workshop: 10 a.m. to noon, Clay on Main, 313 Main St., Oley. Functional items such as hats and purses or shaped into whimsical sculptures. Gain new skills and work with your hands under the expert guidance of Sandra Britland. Admission charged. Jan. 20 Boyertown Lions Club

Purse & Basket Bingo: 1to4 p.m., Keystone Fire Company, N. Walnut St., Boyertown. Doors open 1 p.m. Play starts 2 p.m. Admission cost includes 20 games of bingo. Additional special games may be purchased. Door prizes. Refreshments will be sold. Tickets available at door or to pre-purchase, call Nancy at 610-367-7704. Walk-ins welcome. Jan. 21 Erasing & Cloning Using Photoshop: Photography workshop presented at Berks Photographic Society, 40 N. Noble St., Reading. 7:30 to 9 p.m. Free. Jan. 21 New Hanover AARP meeting: 12:45 p.m. at the New Hanover Lutheran Church, Lutheran Road, Gilbertsville. Optional social time with a bring-your-own bag lunch (beverage and desserts provided) is at noon. Entertainment by Michael Kropp, singer and guitarist. Food drive in support of Boyertown Multi-Services; bring food donations to assist those in need. All those age 50 and older invited to attend. Jan. 26 Bread from Scratch Workshop with The Oley Baker: 10 a.m. to noon, Clay on Main, 313 Main St., Oley. Tom and Pam, also known as “the Oley Baker,” will share their knowledge about all things breadrelated. Participants will learn about leavening, kneading and baking, including how to create your own sourdough starter, and how to harvest yeast from the air. Plan to sample some of their wares accompanied by butter and cheese from Valley Milkhouse. Admission charged. RECURRING Pottstown Area Garden

Club meetings: first Fridays at St. James Lutheran Church, 1101 E. High St., Pottstown at 11:30 a.m. Open to anyone interested in all aspects of gardening, including horticulture, floral and landscape design, garden study and flower show schools. Summer meetings held at various locations. See us on Facebook. Gilbertsville Toastmasters: improve public speaking skills and confidence. Meetings first and third Tuesday 7 p.m. in classroom 205 at New Hanover United Methodist Church, 2211 Swamp Pike, Gilbertsville. Email Doug Maden at dougmaden@gmail.com or visit www.kstoastmaster.org. Bereavement Seminars: Mondays 7-9 p.m. at St. Catharine’s Parish Center, 2427 Perkiomen Ave. Mt. Penn 19606. 610-370-1174 Birdsboro Rotary Club: Thursdays at Stoppers, 6421 Perkiomen Ave. at 6:30 p.m.

Pagoda Writers: 1 to 3 p.m. first Saturday on second floor of Pagoda, 98 Duryea Drive, Reading. THE CENTER AT SPRING STREET 200 West Spring St., Boyertown, a program of Boyertown Area Multi-Service, www.boyertownareamultiservice.org. Open to ages 55 and older. 610-3672313 Fridays: Early Bird Breakfast 8 a.m. Saturdays: Yoga 9 a.m. Saturdays: Move & Groove 10:15 a.m. Space is limited, call The Center to reserve spot. Sundays: Pickleball at Boyertown Community Park 1 p.m. Mondays: Pilates 6 p.m. Mondays: Yoga 6 p.m. Wednesdays: Pickleball at Boyertown Community Park 9 a.m. 2nd & 4th Thursdays: walking at Boyertown Community Park. Meet 9:30 a.m. at large pavilion. Jan. 10: 1 to 2 p.m. Music by Pretzel City Nuggets, an all men cappella barbershop chorus. Jan. 11: 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Friday Nite Dance featuring tThe Rehrig Brothers.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Light refreshments for sale. Admission charged. Jan. 14 & 25: 9:45 to 11:45 a.m. Shuffleboard Tournament

Jan. 14: 1 to 2 p.m. Iphone/ Ipad Apple Class by Jen Kulp. Join us as we navigate the beginning ways of using your Ipad or Iphone. Bring your device, this will be a hands on learning program.

Jan. 15: 10 to 11 a.m. Boyertown Area Multi-Service Tour

Jan. 15 & 22: 6 to 8 p.m. “Coloring with a Purpose” with Julie Longacre

Jan. 17: 12:45 to 2 p.m. “History Revisited” by Darius Puff, a local Lenape historian.

Jan. 22: 1 to 2 p.m. Book Club. This month’s selection is “The Escape Artist” by Brad Meltzer.

Jan. 22: 6 to 9 p.m. BINGO Nite. Doors open at 4 p.m. with refreshments for sale.

Jan. 23: 12:45 to 4 p.m. Hasenpfeffer Card Party

Jan. 24: 12:45 to 4 p.m. Pinochle Card Party

Jan. 28: 1 to 2 p.m. Michael Kropp, Guitarist, Vocalist

Jan. 30: 1 to 4 p.m. “Golden” Texas Hold ‘Em BOYERTOWN LIBRARY Scrabble Club: Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. Join other adults in a friendly game of Scrabble, no sign up necessary. Adult Book Club: First Monday at 10:30 a.m.

Book Sale: Friends of the Boyertown Community Library hosts monthly Book Sales on third Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bearabilities: every second Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Hosted by Abilities in Motion at the Boyertown Community Library. A social and recreational opportunity for adults of all ages with disabilities and their caretakers. Interactive activities designed for all abilities will include, music, craft-making and sensory friendly seasonal events. Call library at 610-369-0496 to sign up. Crafting Club for Adults: ages 18 and older will meet every third Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. Join other adults for a fun time of crafting. Meets monthly to make seasonal crafts. Call library at 610369-0496 to sign up.

Tech Help Tuesdays: Oneon-one instruction provided for Microsoft Office, Google, email, Internet use, social media, smart phones or tablets. Call library at 610-369-0496 to schedule an appointment.

Adult Painting Party: held twice a month, on second Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. and third Thursday 11 a.m. Cost $20 includes all materials. Call library to sign up. MIFFLIN COMMUNITY

LIBRARY Most programs encourage pre-registration and take place downstairs at the Mifflin Community Library unless otherwise noted. Stitching Circle: Mondays 6:30-8 p.m., and Afternoon Stitching Circle meets Wednesdays 1-3 p.m. Bring own materials. Mifflin Writers Group: 1st & 3rd Thursdays 6:30-8 p.m. OLEY LIBRARY Preschool storytime: Fridays 10:30 a.m. While focus is preschool ages, lapsit infants or young homeschool children are welcome as well. We are not a “hush” library and encourage children to join us who may be new to organized events. Storytime is a great program for children preparing for preschool and kindergarten.

Movie night: new “Harry Potter” Book and movie club. Read the book, then come to library to watch movie on first

Thursday of month 5-7 p.m. September is “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.”

Home School Hook Ups: 3rd Tuesday of each month at 10:30 a.m. RSVP so we can plan for seating and supplies. EXETER COMMUNITY LIBRARY

Jan. 12: Family Dance Party 10 to 10:30 a.m. Parent or caregiver with child ages 8 & under. Engage your body and mind with educational and toe-tapping songs. Singing, tap along to the beat with instruments, fun props like scarves, ribbons, or a parachute. Jan. 15, 22 & 29: Baby Lapsits Storytime 9:30 to 10 a.m. infant to age 1 (pre-walking). Meaningful one-on-one interaction between baby and caregiver. Lap songs, rhymes and simple stories.

Jan. 16, 23 & 30: Toddler Storytime 10 to 10:30 a.m. walking to ages 3. Stories, songs, finger plays, activities,

and crafts.

Jan. 17, 24 & 31: Preschool Storytime 10 to 11 a.m. ages 3 to 5. Engaging books, songs and activities.

Jan. 23: Chit, Chat, Sit, & Knit 6:30 to 8:15 p.m. Bring your knitting project, sit and relax among friends. Registration recommended, 610406-9431

Jan. 23: Coloring Night for Adults 6:30 to 8 p.m. Bring out your inner child with a night of coloring fun for adults. Ages 16 and up. Registration recommended, 610-406-9431.

Jan. 26: Crafternoons noon to 2 p.m. ages 4 and older enjoy DIY seasonal crafts.

Jan. 28: Letter Writing Social (adult) 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The Lost Art of Letter Writing continues. Creating envelopes from scratch. Learn how to craft beautiful handmade envelopes to add a personal touch to your letters. Call to register, 610-406-9431.