For information on submitting an obituary, please contact Reading Eagle by phone at 610-371-5018, or email at obituaries@readingeagle.com or fax at 610-371-5193.
Most obituaries published in the Reading Eagle are submitted through funeral homes and cremation services, but we will accept submissions from families. Obituaries can be emailed to obituaries@readingeagle.com.
In addition to the text of the obituary, any photographs that you wish to include can be attached to this email. Please put the text of the obituary in a Word document, a Google document or in the body of the email. The Reading Eagle also requires a way to verify the death, so please include either the phone number of the funeral home or cremation service that is in charge of the deceased’s care or a photo of his/her death certificate. We also request that your full name, phone number and address are all included in this email.
All payments by families must be made with a credit card. We will send a proof of the completed obituary before we require payment. The obituary cannot run, however, until we receive payment in full.
Obituaries can be submitted for any future date, but they must be received no later than 3:00 p.m. the day prior to its running for it to be published.
Please call the obituary desk, at 610-371-5018, for information on pricing.
Schuylkill Haven’s annual Borough Day celebration is back and bigger than ever.
Bringing the party to the Main Steet area for its 37th year, the annual event promises no shortage of entertainment, music, food and fun.
This year’s Borough Day, set for Sept. 27, marks a special occasion, organizer Charlie Kershner said.
“We’re celebrating the 275th anniversary of Schuylkill Haven,” he said.
To commemorate the milestone, the Schuylkill Haven Area Historical Society will be hosting an open house and displaying photos and memorabilia from anniversary celebrations from as far back as 1925.
The open house will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Merchandise and more about Schuylkill Haven’s history will also be offered at Borough Day, Kershner said.
Another ever-popular attraction will be trotting among the festivities.
“Pony rides are coming back this year,” Kershner said. “Because of the weather last year, they didn’t make it there.”
The festivities include cruises through town by the Deer Lake HOG Chapter in association with Schaeffer Harley Davidson and the Schuylkill Valley Corvette Club.
Several popular local musicians will be making an appearance, including Rusty Foulke of the band Hybrid Ice, who will perform in the Santander Bank parking lot at 11:30 a.m.
Schuylkill Haven alumni Connor Delvin will again be bringing the brass band sound alongside his band Street Beans.
“Better Together” music performances will take place at the top of every hour inside Jerusalem Lutheran Church.
“Basically, we go by what people request,” Kershner said of the event’s choice of musicians. “Naturally, people love Elvis (Presley), so we’ll be having an Elvis impersonator back again. He’ll be performing about 1:30, 2 p.m. at the train (station) parking lot.”
A trio of diesel-powered train rides, courtesy of Reading, Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad, will be back by popular demand.
“Train rides are always a huge hit,” Kershner said. “They usually sell out every year, so it’s always critical that people call and get information as far as tickets.”
Trains will depart at 11 a.m. 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Boarding begins 30 minutes prior to each departure time.
Those interested in tickets can call the railroad at 610-562-2102. Tickets purchases are confirmed via email and can be picked up at the station on will-call.
Those seeking adult beverages can wet their beaks again this year, with several wineries returning as vendors, Kershner said.
“As usual, there will be lots of great food and crafts,” Kershner said. “New this year, we’re having a vendor who is doing cotton candy and candy apples.”
Schuylkill Hose Co. No. 2 will be serving breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m., in addition to a dunk-a-diver tank.
Free coffee, hot chocolate, and snacks will be on hand at First Citizens Community Bank from 9 a.m. to noon.
In addition, a roving band of entertainers will take their acts to the streets throughout the day.
Street performers and exhibits include the Give & Take Jugglers, magicians Clive Allen and Heather Lynn, Splash the Clown, stilt walker Madeliene Bell, Mark’s Interactive Legos and more.
Kershner noted that previous years have seen anywhere from 12,000 to 15,000 visitors flock to the borough throughout the day.
“We have something for just about anybody across the board,” Kershner said of the event.
Free parking will be available at Schuylkill Haven High School and Elementary School, Island Park, the Evans Delivery lower lot, and all municipal lots except for Railroad Street.
Shuttles will travel the “borough loop” all day, courtesy of R.J.’s Big Yellow Shuttle.
Most events are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.