July 2026 - Craftsmen Shows, Board Meetings, Summer Fun

Newsletter - July 2026

President’s Message

”The Life of a Craftsman” was the topic of our last BCTV show. That theme is going to carry over to the Homestead Stage at the second annual Eastern Pennsylvania Homestead Festival. I think that could be a good series for Kay to carry over into our TV show, “Your Berks Craftsmen” in the future. (Hint-hint)

Everything is ready to go and we will be giving our donations to our four recipients in honor of our country’s 250th anniversary in mid July. Now I just have to get the four groups together at the GoggleWorks for the pomp and circumstance. Reading-Berks Guild of Craftsmen is proud to be able to help the arts and crafts endeavors.

Your Board of Directors is holding a special meeting in July. Our topic is “Talking about Restructuring Our Guild” for the future. We need to talk about ideas and ways we can move our chapter forward in the future. We will take a hard look at what is needed to do this. Your Board has one great commitment, and that is to you - the members. Suggestions are appreciated and can be given to any board member.

I have not received word if we have any nominations for new officers for our election coming up in November. We have five elected positions and they are President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Newsletter Editor. Time is running out. I will be remaining on the the Board as Past President for one year to help the incoming President.

“Life’s most urgent question is ‘What are you doing for others?”.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Your President,

Barry L. Bennecoff

Programs

There will be no meeting in July. Enjoy the summer and the time spent with family and friends. We’ll meet up again on August 4^th at Sly Fox Taphouse at 820 Knitting Mills Way in Wyomissing at 6 PM to reconnect and start the fall show season.

August 4^th at 6 PM

at Sly Fox Taphouse

at 820 Knitting Mills Way

in Wyomissing

to reconnect and start

the fall show season.

Program Chair,

Amy Langman

programs@rbcrafts.org

Holiday Fine Art & Craft Festival

Applications are now officially open for our 76th Holiday Fine Art & Craft Festival, and this year brings some exciting changes! We’re thrilled to announce a brand-new location, a new date, and a fresh format for this beloved annual event.

The 2026 Holiday Show will be held on Saturday, October 10, from

9 AM to 4 PM at the Hamburg Field House in Hamburg, PA.

This special one-day-only event will create an energetic and festive shopping experience for both our members and visitors. With the new format, we expect a lively day filled with handmade artistry, holiday spirit, and community connection.

We encourage all interested artisans to apply early and join us as we begin an exciting new chapter for the Holiday Show. Use this link to apply today!

Holiday Show Chair,

Steve Hunter

festival@rbcrafts.org

Social Media

As the summer heat cranks up and everyone is huddled inside the air conditioning, you may want to update your events calendar to make sure you catch important arts and crafts shows this fall.

Our Facebook page will be showcasing the Reading Berks Annual Holiday Fine Art and Craft Festival with pictures of those works that will be available at our event.

This year we will be at a NEW LOCATION which is the Hamburg Field House, located on 123-127 South 4^th Street in the rear (Pine Street) in Hamburg, PA 19526. It will be consolidated to a ONE DAY ONLY show, so you will not want to miss the day. The date is October 10, 2026. With this new location, it will have great free parking and be all on one floor for easy access.

Be sure to check out Facebook and Instagram for continuing information and artisan pictures as well as videos.

Tickets can be purchased ahead of time. Our web site also will have updated information available.

We will also have a booth at the Taste of Hamburger Festival in Hamburg, PA 19526 where we will have a chance at free goodies, so check us out there.

Gary Rosborough,

Social Media Chair

social-media@rbcrafts.org

Web Site

How to update your information in our online member directory!

Our website directory: https://rbcrafts.org/resources/directory/

This directory uses membership information provided by the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen (PGC) through their monthly report.

Want your website or social media link to appear?

You’ll need to update your profile on the PGC website:

Log in at https://pacrafts.org/
Go to Member Resources → View/Update Your Profile
Click the gear icon and select Edit Profile from the dropdown
Be sure to add your website (or Etsy shop), Instagram, and/or Facebook page link in the appropriate section.

Once your profile is updated, your information should appear on our website directory page within 30 days, or after we receive the next monthly report from the PGC.

Need help?

If you're having trouble editing your profile, email: membership@pacrafts.org

Include your name, chapter, and the information you'd like updated.

Lisa Short,

Web Site Chair

membership@pacrafts.org

BCTV

Airing through the beginning of July, you can continue to view “Life of a Craftsman” on BCTV. Then a little later in the month, the new “Your Berks Craftsmen” for July will have us talking and getting to know Danette Posey, fiber artist. P. S. She also has a great golf swing!

Find BCTV on air and online:

Comcast Reading Channel 15

Comcast-Southern Berks Channel 965

Service Electric Channel 19

Both channels are streaming online 24-7 at www.bctv.org

BCTV is available on Roku, search for BCTV Berks - HOW TO VIDEO

You Tube Channel

Access Your Berks Craftsmen directly.

Thanks for watching,

Your Host of “Your Berks Craftsmen”,

Kay L. Bennecoff

Standards

The next Jury Session for new members is on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, in Room 325 at the GoogleWorks in Reading, PA. You must be a member of the Pennsylvania Guild with selecting the Reading Berks Guild of Craftsmen as your chapter selection. Also include prior information about standards of work as well as information online on the website - STANDARDS.

Standards Chairperson,

Diane Phalen

standards@rbcrafts.org

Open Guild Positions

Are you passionate about fine craftsmanship and interested in helping guide the future of our Guild? We are currently seeking nominations for several upcoming openings on our Board of Directors. Elections will be held in November, and nominations should be submitted by the regular October meeting.

Serving on the Board is a meaningful way to support the Guild’s mission, contribute your ideas, and help sustain our long tradition of excellence in fine craft. Board members provide leadership, stewardship, and direction for our programs and activities.

The following positions are open for nomination along with a brief job description:

President

presides over meetings, appoints committee chairpersons, directs

Guild activities, and serves as an ex-officio member of all committees.

Note: The Past President-serves one year on the Executive

Committee to support the incoming President and ensure a smooth

transition.

Treasurer

manages Guild funds and provides financial reports at each meeting

of the Guild

Recording Secretary

records and distributes minutes of all Executive Committee meetings

and records and reads minutes of all general meetings at general

meetings

Newsletter Editor

monthly, email board members to received information for an up-coming newsletter and publish it using Constant Contact, a very easy computer newsletter program. Tutorial lessons will be given to the new Newsletter Editor.

We welcome nominations of members who are committed, dependable, and enthusiastic about supporting the Guild. Prior board experience is helpful but not required.

We encourage you to consider how you—or a fellow member—can help support and shape the future of our Guild. If you would like to nominate yourself or another member, please reach out to me.

Nominating Committee Chair,

Bill Kassel

bill@bill-kassel.com