Travel with GRCA & Fall in Love with France

RACHAEL ROMIG, SENIOR DIRECTOR OF EVENTS & SPECIAL PROGRAMS, GRCA

On Nov. 2, the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA) will be flying with a group of avid travelers to a place where every dream can come true — France. This nine-day, seven-night trip will take you to Provence, a region in southeastern France bordering Italy and the Mediterranean Sea, which is known for its diverse landscapes, from the Southern Alps and Camargue plains to rolling vineyards, olive groves, pine forests and lavender fields. To the south is the Côte d’Azur (or French Riviera), where the elegant city of Nice and glamorous resort towns such as Monaco and Cannes line the coast.

As you enjoy the sunrays of early fall, think about walking over cobblestone streets with others who want to culturally immerse themselves in a faraway place. From the beauty of the French Riviera and Villages of Provence to storybook-like medieval villages and Roman ruins, the tours we will take show us that there is more than beauty that meets the eye. Learn from a professional guide about the people who once walked over the same streets and visit St. Remy de Provence where Vincent Van Gogh painted most of his famous works.

Are you looking for a new signature scent for your home? Lavender is always my go-to choice, and I can’t wait to visit the famous lavender museum. While you’re there, snag a new perfume for yourself or a friend. We will get an insider look at the Fragonard perfume factory so we can see what it really takes to make the scents we love so much. I will be taking a piece of France home with me in a lavender or perfume bottle. And, speaking of bottles, of course we will be visiting the famous Côtes du Rhône wine region and enjoying a private group wine tasting.

For those not interested in perfumes but prefer clothes, we have that, too. Extend your visit with a stop in Milan, which is sure to offer a one-of-a-kind shopping experience. If you choose to spend your money differently, I’ll see you in Monte Carlo’s casino. There is a little bit of everything for everyone.

To join GRCA on this magical trip or for more details, visit tinyurl.com/chambertrip2023

Upcoming Event

Kick off the summer with Berks Women2Women on June 29 from 5:30 to 8pm for its annual Lobsterfest. Enjoy a night of casual networking, drinks and, of course, lobster! Visit greaterreading.org to purchase tickets.

West Reading Fashion Show.

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WHAT TO DO & WHERE TO GO

A Pollinator’s Purpose

Visit a variety of information stations in and around the Native Plant Garden to learn how pollinators positively impact all our lives and what we can do to help them. This is a self-guided and ADA-accessible event. Free. For more info visit hawkmountain.org/ events/a-pollinators-purpose.

10am-2pm | Native Habitat Garden & Visitor Center at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary | Kempton

15-17

13th Annual

Taste of Kutztown

On hand will be diverse regional wineries, distilleries, craft brewers, eateries, artisans and live musicians. Profits benefit the local community and international causes through Kutztown Rotary. For more info and tickets visit tasteofkutztown.com

11:30am-5:30pm | Kutztown Community Park | Kutztown

Kempton Fair

Featuring an assortment of contests, including baking, agriculture contests, a frog-jumping contest, rides, a Beer Garden, line dancing, fireworks and more. Admission: $10 per person. Early bird special 10am-3pm on Saturday: $5. Free parking. For more info visit kemptonfair.org

Various hours | Kempton Community Center | Kempton

32 nd

Annual

World War II Weekend

Prepare to step back into 1944 for “A Gathering of Warbirds.” Experiences include aircraft demonstrations, autographs and meetings with WWII Veteran special guests, an Oral History Van of the American Wartime Museum, a WWII History Archive and more than 1,700 WWII military and civilian reenactors and dozens of combat and support units. Rain or shine. For more info visit maam.org

Gates open at 8:30am daily Mid-Atlantic Air Museum Reading Regional Airport | Reading

2-4

Art Exhibits

May 27–Sept. 4

The Robot Zoo

Robot Zoo reveals the magic of nature as a master engineer. Eight robot animals and more than a dozen hands-on activities illustrate fascinating real-life characteristics, such as how a chameleon changes colors, a giant squid propels itself and a fly walks on the ceiling. The larger-than-life-size animated robots also include a housefly with a 10-foot wingspread, a grasshopper, a bat and a giraffe whose head and neck alone stretch to 9 feet tall. For more info visit readingpublicmuseum.org

Reading Public Museum | Reading

June 3

Hawk Mountain Arts Tour

Pick your own route, set your own pace, and enjoy a wide variety of pieces by artists displaying their work in their home studios or host locations. The self-guided driving tour winds about a 25-mile radius within the scenic Albany Township. For more info visit hawkmountain.org/events/ hawk-mountain-arts-tour.

9am-5pm | artists’ homes in Albany Township area

FAIRS & FESTIVALS

June 17

29th Annual Art on the Avenue

The free community event features West Reading businesses, local vendors, artists and crafters, live music and lots of fun foods and drinks. Rain or shine. For more info visit visitwestreading.com/festivals-events.

11am-7pm | Penn Avenue | West Reading

Sports

What Else

June 11

Picture Perfect Gift Art Class

Participants will be shown how photographs can be transformed into various gift items. The class presented by photographer and author, Olapeju Simoyan, takes place at the Hamburg Strand Theater in the Party Room. Suitable for ages 10+. Deadline to register is June 8. To reserve a spot, contact Hamburg Area Arts Alliance/Our Town Foundation at 610.562.3106 or hamburgarts@verizon.net

Noon-2pm | Hamburg Strand Theater | Hamburg

June

6-11, 13-18 & 28-July 3

Reading Fightin Phils

Cheer on your Fightins as they start as they take on the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, Hartford Yard Goats and Richmond Flying Squirrels. For game times, promotions and tickets visit fightins.com.

Various start times

FirstEnergy Stadium | Reading

June 17

Grand Reopening of Epler’s One Room Schoolhouse

See how the schoolhouse was remodeled and go back in time to 1847. View old school desks, a potbelly stove and learn how children attended school in 1847. Light refreshments will be served. For more info call 610.507.2263.

1-4pm | Berks County

Heritage Center | Reading