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.
Hay Creek Valley Historical Association volunteers will once again tempt taste buds during the family-friendly Hay Creek Apple Festival at the Historic Joanna Furnace on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 11 and 12.
The traditional fall apple harvest is firmly rooted within our local rural heritage and culture. The aroma of fresh apples in the cool autumn air brings back pleasant recollections and creates distinct memories. For 45 years, many have made this event a family tradition.
The Hay Creek Apple Festival offers homemade apple fare, family fun and an immersive experience in the historic Joanna Furnace Complex, which was an iron furnace that operated from 1792 to 1901 in Robeson Township, Berks County.
Held on Oct. 11 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Oct. 12 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., the two-day festival includes scarecrow building, pumpkin painting, hay rides, face painting and rides on the popular Apple Barrel Express. All family fun activities start at 9 a.m.
Six of the historic Joanna Furnace buildings will be open with garbed interpreters telling the full historical story of the 19th-century ironworks and village including a working Blacksmith Shop, workers demonstrating the casting process in the Casting House, and a storekeeper at the Office and Store selling traditional products such as the Joanna Furnace metal castings, pottery, and brooms. The Joanna Furnace Wheelwright Shop and Blowing Engine House will be open with interpretation.
In the Charcoal Barn Museum, watch a 22-minute Joanna Furnace history video and see Joanna Furnace stoves and products and recovered archaeological artifacts. Interpreters will show the process of charcoal making.
The annual Hay Creek Flea Market will be open both days for visitors to shop. The market includes more than 100 vendors with household, antique and vintage, tools, clothing, children’s toys, home décor and craft items. The market opens early each day at 7 a.m.
Booths can be reserved and setup on Friday, Oct. 10, from noon to 5 p.m. or Saturday, Oct. 11, starting at 6 a.m.
Food
Visitors arrive early and start the day with the renowned Hay Creek apple pancake breakfast, served from 7 to 11 a.m. both days. The breakfast will be served in the historic Joanna Furnace Mule Stable and offer all-you-can-eat apple pancakes plus each patron will be served a piece of county sausage with juice and/or coffee.
Then throughout the day, every imaginable traditional apple food is available from freshly pressed cider to fritters, pies, crisp, dumplings and so much more. The 19th century Joanna Furnace apple cider press will be operating throughout each day with continuous demonstrations. Experience freshly pressed Hay Creek Cider by the cup or by the half-gallon to take home.
The menu includes the combination of traditional early American dishes with such favorites as apple dumplings, apple pies, apple crisp, apple bread, homemade caramel apples with various toppings, apple fritters, hot mulled cider and the freshly pressed cider.
And not to be missed is Mabel’s Iron-Kettle Soups, cooked over open fires. The recipes can be traced back to the meals served to 19th-century furnace workers’ families. Chicken corn noodle, beef vegetable, ham and bean with rivels are also available by the quart for taking home.
Additional foods include chicken pot pie (also available by the quart for taking home), pulled pork and chicken sandwiches, mac and cheese, chili, hamburgers, hot dogs, French fries, sausage sandwiches, soda, water and coffee, as well as wine and craft beer.
The Hay Creek Apple Dessert Contest will be held on Saturday morning at the festival. The contest is open to all. Bring your entries of cakes, breads, cookies, pies and miscellaneous desserts to the Festival Food Court area between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. Include a detailed recipe along with the entry. Judging will take place at 10 a.m. Winners in each category will receive $30 plus two complimentary passes to the upcoming Christmas at Joanna event. A youth category will also be available for bakers under the age of 18. For more details, visit www.haycreek.org or call Ruth at 484-437-2801.
Admission to the Hay Creek Apple Festival is free. Parking is on the historic Joanna Furnace site with a donation. All proceeds from Hay Creek events support educational and restoration projects through the Hay Creek Valley Historical Association and the 18th and 19th historic site. For more information, visit www.haycreek.org or call 610-286-0388.