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Greater Reading - Western Edition
First
Place
in the US & Canada
I F PA
Independent Free Papers
of America
June 22, 2016
Volume XLVII-No. 31 Reaching Over 36,100 Homes
610-670-2300
1-800-673-2454
www.themerchandiser.com
Audited
Coverage
THE KEY TO THRIFTY BUYING
Serving the communities of • Mohnton • Robesonia • Shillington • Sinking Spring
• Wernersville • West Lawn • Wyomissing • West Reading • Reinholds
Inside...
Automotive
Page 20
Birthday Coupon
Page 5
Classified Ad Form
Page 19
Community Calendar
Page 8
Cooking Corner
Page 10
Crossword Puzzle
Page 12
Dining & Entertainment
Page 6
Healthy Living Page
Page 11
Job Opportunities
Page 14
Obituaries
Page 26
Public Auctions
Page 22
Real Estate
Page 27
TAKE A CRUISE THROUGH
OUR AUTOMOTIVE SECTION!
Annual Ride for Autism Poker Run
Raises Money for Aaron’s Acres
by John Levan
The 9th Annual Ride for Autism
Poker Run-Hunt to benefit Aaron’s
Acres was a huge success once again.
On May 7th, a record-setting 252
riders took part in the event, raising
$4,450--the largest amount of money
raised to date. Event proceeds will
help provide summer camp programs
to children with developmental disabilities.
The event was organized by
Kristi Koinski, a Hamburg resident
who is also the parent of an Aaron’s
Acres camper, and her sister, Sharon
Bossler, of Bernville. Registration
took place at the starting point, Blue
Mountain Fishing Lakes in Schuylkill
Haven, from 11:00 am to noon and
riders returned there at 6:00 pm after
having traversed some two hundred
miles. They were then treated to a
pork barbeque meal courtesy of Yo
Bot, while they listened to live entertainment provided by Tossed Salad.
Door prizes, a Chinese auction, a bag
of cheer and a variety of awards were
presented during music set breaks.
Since 1998, Aaron’s Acres has provided something unique to children
and young adults (ages 5-21) with special needs. They are given the opportunity to learn, grow, and to succeed
despite any challenges. Their goal
is always the same: to provide therapeutically based and age-appropriate
recreational programs directed by specifically trained and certified staff in a
supportive environment that enhances
Poker Run riders rolled once again to help their friends Aaron’s Acres.
socialization and communication
skills. Aaron’s Acres is about connecting with children of all different
abilities, providing various programs
and activities for the entire family.
In Berks County, Aaron’s Acres
has offered Summer Camp and a
monthly school-year recreational program for 15 years. South Mountain
YMCA Camp is the site of Aaron’s
Acres Summer Camp once again in
2016. Proceeds from all fundraising
efforts benefit families and participants in all counties served by Aaron’s
Acres, including Berks, Dauphin, and
Lancaster.
Visit www.aaronsacres.org to learn
more about the year-round social
and recreational programs in Berks,
Dauphin, and Lancaster Counties,
or contact Kristi Baker, Director of
Development, at [email protected] or at 717-917-6101 ext.
105.
To learn more about the Ride for
Autism Poker Run or to see more photos of the event, visit the “9th Annual
Ride for Autism” Facebook page.
• Contact Merchandiser Editor at
717-273-8127 or
[email protected]
Bibliophiles Await Upcoming Book Bonanza at VF Outlet
by Dawn Wivell
Do you love the smell of vintage books or the
sound of book pages being turned? Do you love
getting lost in a great story? Is your home filled
with books – books lining shelves in your living
room, a pile of books on your nightstand, maybe
even a few books replacing the leg of a table? Is a
packed suitcase incomplete without the latest bestseller? Well, my friend, you might be a bibliophile!
A bibliophile is a person who collects books or
has a great love of books. The good news is that
you aren’t alone. Despite the increasing popularity
of Kindles and other e-book readers, the good oldfashioned paper books still have a place in many
people’s hearts. You’ll find many of those people at
the 45th annual Book Bonanza being held July 7-10
in the Red Building at VF Outlet. Last year nearly
4,000 customers scoured the bookshelves at the Bonanza and purchased nearly 60,000 books.
This gigantic book sale is a year-long effort.
Throughout the year individuals who are moving,
cleaning out, or downsizing; Friends groups; businesses; and local libraries donate books to the Book
Bonanza. How many, you ask? About 100,000.
These donations are collected, sorted into more
Bibliophiles delight. Book variety planned for July event.
than 50 different genres, and shelved by a group of
dedicated volunteers. Then, every July these volunteers open their doors for the Book Bonanza.
People come from all over the country for this sale
– the largest book sale in Berks County and one of
the largest in southeast Pennsylvania.
Attendees will find shelves and boxes filled
with hardcovers and paperbacks, children’s, young
adults, collectibles, fiction, and non-fiction books.
In fact, the books are sorted into more than 52 dif-
ferent genres – from cookbooks to biographies and
from romance to horror. The collectibles area contains unique and special books, such as first editions, autographed copies, coffee table books, local
interest and books by local authors. Shelves are
continually restocked throughout the 4-day sale.
Collectible books are priced as marked. All other
books are 50 cents, $1.00, or $2.00. On Sunday, you
can fill a bag with books for just $5.00.
Not a bibliophile? No problem! Attendees will
also find a great selection of CDs, DVDs, puzzles,
and games.
Proceeds from the sale are divided between the
Friends of the Berks County Public Libraries (FBCPL) and the Reading Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW). The FBCPL use the funds to support the countywide library
service and the AAUW uses the funds for its scholarship awards which go to high school graduating
young women from all of Berks County schools at
the top of their graduating class, and Berks County
women reentering school.
The 2016 Book Bonanza will be held Thursday,
July 7 from 2-6 pm. Thursday is considered early-
Visit Us Online at www.themerchandiser.com
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