Thanks...
The Friends would like to formally thank all local residents who have donated photographs, artifacts, information, time and talent over the years. For without their help, much less would be known of this fascinating area. The Friends also recognizes the significance of a few "special" contributors. These individuals have had a profound impact on the area, and their work should be publicly recognized.
Ed Spatz
Nearly all of the images contained on this web-site were taken by Edwin I. Spatz (1883-19??). Without the many images of the Furnace area, and Robesonia in general, it would be unspeakably difficult to gain a perspective of the area. A finer example of "a picture says a thousand words" would be hard to find! Born in Heidelberg Township, Ed Spatz had a fondness for photography. It is said he would often be seen tramping around the woods with his camera. (probably a Kodak 3A). He loved to take images of people in outdoor settings, on fallen trees, along streams and wooded paths and the like. And luckily for us, he photographed the Furnace and it's workers. Ed himself, as well as several members of his extended family, worked at the Furnace. (as many of Robesonia's residents did) It is told that he sustained a serious injury (probably during the Furnace's extensive remodeling in 1915) and took considerable time to recover with a "noticeable" limp. His work is featured in a publication: "Robesonia, through the eyes of Ed Spatz" The Friends are fortunate to have access to these images.
Lester P Breininger Jr
A local treasure. Lester Breininger's role in local history is tremendous, he is often referred to as the resident historian of the Friends of the Robesonia Furnace, and many other organizations. Nationally known for his craft as a redware potter, Breininger Pottery is a valued piece to any collection. Lester's walking tours of the Furnace ruins are favorite events for many during the annual Furnace Festival. It's easy to see and hear his love of this "neat old place" during the tours. Instrumental in founding the Friends of the Robesonia Furnace and securing the Furnace ruins, Office Building, Taylor Mansion and Furnace grounds are just a few of his multiple accomplishments. Was responsible for publishing a book featuring Ed Spatz's photography. The Breiningers, (Lester and Barbara) graciously allow use of their property for the annual Furnace Festival.
"Living Treasure" Recipients
The Friends of the Robesonia Furnace, Inc., being quite aware of the importance of arts and crafts, the historical significance and the architecture of our area, also recognize the value of our human resources. Therefore, the program Living Treasures has been established to recognize the contributions of our citizens and organizations who have helped us toward our goals, encouraged us by their example and shared their storehouse of information with us.
These criteria will be used by the Board of Directors to select the recipients of their annual award from the nominations received by the end of February of each year. Any member of the Friends may submit a nomination to: Friends of the Robesonia Furnace, Inc., Living Treasures, P.O. Box 162, Robesonia, PA 19551-0162. If you wish to nominate someone by phone, please call the Friends President of the Board of Directors, Barbara Breininger at 610 693-5344.
Suitable award ceremonies are to be conducted at the Annual Dinner Meeting. For recipients unable to attend in person, private arrangements will be made. Past recipients are as follows:
1993: Floyd Umbles, Annie Plean, Wanda Gartner
1994: Anna Trupe, Ralph Putt
1995: Verna Gerhart, Lester Breininger
1996: Harold Steif, Marge Baerncopf
1997: Corey Pieffer, William Williard
1998: Cal Yoh, Randy Gartner, Donna Kuhn
1999: Elmer Deppen, Barbara Orth
2000: Raymond Putt
2001: David Becker
2002,2003,2004: No ceremony’s held
2005: The Charles Murdough Family, Wilson Hartranft, Barbara Breininger
2006: Nancy Snyder, Patricia Bright
2007: Don and Charlotte Moyer
2008: Frances Yoh, Jean Mountz-Boyer
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Frances Yoh
Our first Living Treasure for 2008 is a charter member of the Friends of the Robesonia Furnace Inc. She has assisted with the festival since 1989, serving as co-chair one year, working with memorabilia in the furnace firehouse, and working at the hamburger, hot dog and ice cream stands.
She recently took on the monumental task of preserving the Ruth and Helen Risser scrapbooks which are a life-long collection of Reading Eagle and Reading Times articles about Robesonia residents, organizations, businesses and historical happenings. Five scrapbooks are completed with more to come. At the festivals many present and former Robesonia residents enjoy paging thru the volumes to see if they are included. Frances is currently the secretary of the Friends of the Robesonia Furnace.
She graduated from Robesonia High School in 1951 where she played basketball, played the clarinet in the school band and was the piano accompanist for the choruses.
A sports enthusiast, she now follows the sports activities of her grandchildren and also their band, chorus and other school activities.
Frances has been an active member at St. Daniel’s Lutheran Church during her childhood and adult life.
Frances and her husband, Calvin, have three children, and seven grandchildren, all living in Berks County. Calvin received a Living Treasure award in 1998. The Friends are blessed with the service and dedication of Frances and Cal.
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Jean Mountz-Boyer
Jean is a charter member of the Friends since 1989. Serving as co-chairperson with Donna Kuhn for four years has left many fond memories of the Furnace Festivals. Remember “Cow Chip Bingo” and the cow costume? It seemed as if Mother Nature never wanted to cooperate on Festival Day! Decisions being made at the last moment as to should we hold the festival or not? Serving as Publicity chairperson was a major role for Jean during the early 1990’s. One of the best memories of her association with the “Friends” was May 11, 1995, when the Firehouse was moved to its current location.
A childhood resident of Robesonia, Jean grew up on Elm St. with her parents, Ralph and Jean Mountz. After marrying Gregory Boyer in 1969 and raising two sons, Matthew and Andrew, she remained active in the community as a volunteer Cub pack mother, secretary of the Robesonia Cub Scouts committee, a librarian for the Robesonia Community Library, when it was housed in the Borough Hall on Church Street, as well as a member of the Board of Directors for many years. She acts as recording secretary for various civic organizations. She has been a member of Trinity Lutheran Church since 1955. She and Greg have six lively grandchildren to help make their lives complete!
One activity of which she is most proud is coordinating the “Coats for Kids” collection in the Conrad Weiser Area for which she collects 100’s of coats each year for needy children of the area. Jean also volunteers for the American Cancer Society “Daffodil Days” and the Angel Tree project. Organizing the “Elaine Putt Bake Sale” and helping to collect funds for the “Elaine Putt Scholarship Fund” is another organization she is pleased to support. In April of 2008 she published a book honoring the Conrad Weiser Athletic Hall of Fame “Old Timer’s” inductees. All this while still maintaining an active roll in the Furnace Friends activities.
She has been our membership secretary since she got her first computer. This includes keeping an up to date membership list with addresses, printing labels for newsletter mailing, and delivering them on time — even when working in “The Sticky Wagon” a business Jean and husband, Greg, owned for 15 years.
Spending time cooking and working in her flower garden keep her busy after a busy day working in the Conrad Weiser Middle School Library for the past 37 years.
Though she has since moved from Robesonia, we honor her for her helpfulness.
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Living Treasures Recognized at Friends Annual Dinner
Living Treasure Award recipients Charlotte and Don Moyer, presented at the Annual Dinner Meeting
Living Treasure Award – Presented at the 3/20/07 Annual Dinner Meeting At Ozgood’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar, Robesonia PA
Our Living Treasures for this year is presented on the first day of spring. That is so fitting because they are both like spring – they rejuvenate any group they join, they spring into action, they fertilize, cultivate, and weed thus ending up with beautiful roses anywhere they leave their mark. I spoke to a few people to gather information for this presentation and we all agreed that without them, none of our groups would be the successes they are today.
Our Living Treasures are a happily married
couple – at least it sure looks that way – and they make it look easy. Our
couple is Don and Charlotte Moyer.
Both grew up in this area – Charlotte on a farm and Don in Wernersville and they
still own these properties today. As I understand, they moved out of the area
for several years but couldn’t stay away from all the calm, level headed
Dutchmen so they returned to warm welcomes and cheers!
Let me first brag about what they have done for the Friends. Whenever they were called to help with a project, they were in the forefront leading the way. They helped on many occasions to set up displays in the Furnace Firehouse and/or the Furnace Office. One year we did a 50’s theme, which I think was the most fun. The Moyer’s basically emptied a house and set up everything 50’s from a kitchen table with Melmac dishes to a Maytag ringer washer (we thought we could get them to charge a fee to let the public bring their laundry and demonstrate how the washer worked, thereby increasing our festival revenues, but they do have their limits). They always dress for the occasion and the 50’s was no exception. I’m sure Charlotte wore her poodle skirt which she saved and could still fit into, right?
They also spent many hours tutoring some of the Friends Museum volunteers showing them the various forms used for donations, requests and bequeaths, etc. They made many recommendations on how to collect and store items properly for future generations to enjoy. If they don’t know something, they’ll find out or point you in the right direction.
They’ve always been interested in history and its artifacts and gained much experience not only in setting up exhibits but also museums in general. They don’t selfishly horde their expertise, they shared it with US so that now we know the basics of exhibit preparation and archive preservation are on our way to a successful museum. They show by example how to warmly welcome visitors and if they find Robesonia information and or memorial artifact share it with us.
I believe it was last March when Don and Charlotte shared “The Hat Lady” with our group at the annual dinner. They gave an enjoyable, comical performance and even persevered while being heckled. Aaaah … what fond memories!
Onto the outside world – Don and Charlotte are members of the Tulpehocken Historical Society and have contributed much time and talent to that group. My mother said they were a joy to be around and did so much to help Tulpehocken to achieve the status it enjoys today. The Heritage Society in Wernersville is also a lucky recipient of the talents of this dynamic duo! It is reported that the Society would not be what it is today without the Moyers. They print the Society’s newsletter, the Heidelberger, and conduct wonderful, interesting and significant interviews for the articles.
I have been told that Don is the “Mastermind” behind obtaining the Wernersville Station. I can’t wait to see the finished product in it’s old glory. I hope you will let the Friends know of the grand unveiling so we can participate in this reawakening!
The Moyer’s were very instrumental in setting up a fabulous display about Wernersville and the Resorts at the Berks County Historical Society. It was very detailed and incredible! It really gave you a sense of the majesty of the Resorts and the wonderful countryside of the time.
They also participate with the Berks County Museum Council and hand out brochures and answer questions at the annual Building Show.
Trinity Lutheran Church in Wernersville is also honored to have them as members where they read scriptures, play bells and play in the orchestra (which goes out on tour from time to time).
There are many other stellar things the Moyer’s have done but in the interest of time I’ll stop here and present this fun couple with a gift from the Friends in gratitude for all their help. God Bless!
(Information contributed by: Barb Orth, Wanda Gartner, Donna Kuhn, Barbara and Lester Breininger and Monell Schaeffer, as read by David Bright at the Dinner Presentation.)
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Visit Justine's site and read about the Furnace and other local interests: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~genphotos2
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