#################### BERKHEISER NOTES Volume 4, Number 38 Sunday, December 24, 2006 http://community.webshots.com/user/berkheisernotes03 http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec?htx=board&r=rw&p=surnames.berkheiser #################### MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! ==================== SONETHING NEW! For the first time ever, on a trial basis, a separate copy of this newsletter is now being sent to the BURKHISER Mailing List at Rootsweb in addition to all of you. I'm hoping this will be helpful to other researchers in the future.---Rick B ==================== FROM THE NEWSPAPERS >From Rick Berkheiser [The Berkheiser reference is hard to find, but its in the article towards the end.---Rick B] http://archives.pottsville.com/archives/1999/Aug/9/E233213.htm Fair finale draws over 3,000 rock fans Gary Lewis and Playboys stir crowd; organizers happy with week's turnout BY LISACOONEY Correspondent SUMMIT STATION -- A sea of empty lawn chairs stood sentinel before the main stage at the Schuylkill County Fairgrounds hours before Saturday night's Gary Lewis and the Playboys concert. By 7 p.m., more than 3,000 fans were gathered to take a musical trip back in time with songs like "This Diamond Ring" and "Temptation Eyes." "Attendance was great," said Craig R. Morgan, fair spokesman. "We are drawing many people from outside the area." More than 30,000 people attended the fair, about the same number as last year, he said. The biggest turnout was Friday when 7,742 people passed through the gates. "I feel kind of happy and sad at the same time," Morgan said regarding the fair's closing Saturday. "This is a celebration of our agricultural heritage. We couldn't have had greater weather for the fair, but I feel sad because our farmers are hurting big time." Besides the agricultural aspects of the fair, big-name musical acts helped draw the crowds throughout the week, with 800 attending Tuesday's concert by country sensation Chad Brock, 2,000 turning out Thursday for The Drifters and 3,500 coming Friday to see Confederate Railroad. Gary Lewis and The Playboys also had its share of fans.While none of the original Playboys remain, the talents of Richie Spina, on keyboard, Billy Sullivan, guitar, Darren Frate, bass, and Mike Hudack, drums, complimented Lewis' vocals. Lewis had seven number one hits in the 1960s - including "This Diamond Ring" in 1964 - and appeared on the "Ed Sullivan Show" five times. With vocals from Spina and Sullivan, the audience grooved to other early rock 'n' roll standards, such as the Grass Roots hit from 1968, "Temptation Eyes" and a medley of six Beatles' tunes. With toes tapping and hands clapping, the audience sang along. "This music brings back memories for me of being a newlywed. I remember singing along with the radio when my daughter was just a baby," said Terry Manley, Pine Grove. Manley and many other women took the opportunity to take photos of the former teen-age heartthrob. Kathy A. Arner, Tamaqua, probably snapped an entire roll of photos. "I want to remember this forever," she said. "This is the music I grew up with and it's all I still listen to." At the end of the set, Lewis was greeted at the side of the stage by fans asking for his autograph, photos or even a kiss on the cheek. Some people held fair programs for Lewis to sign, but others came with their 30-year-old Gary Lewis and the Playboys albums. Lewis pronounced the '60s as "a wonderful time for rock 'n' roll music." Those who had the opportunity to hear one of the two concerts he gave Saturday agreed. Saturday was not only the final day of the fair, but it was also Family Day. The old and the young were on hand to see the exhibits, ride the rides, eat the goodies and help celebrate. Gary D. Wert Jr., 6, of Wernersville, enjoyed riding the race cars and petting the animals. "The goats were the friendliest," he said. Megan M. Kaiser, 4, of Lincoln Park, N.J., liked the Ferris wheel the best. She was visiting her grandparents, Richard and Pat Kaiser, who stay at a local campground over the summer. Her father, Richard P. Kaiser said, "We try to come for the Fair every year. It's such a nice fair. You don't have to worry about a bunch of tickets for everybody. They can ride as much as they want." According to Morgan, the $6 admission, which included rides and entertainment was new this year, but will remain in effect in the future. "People seemed pleased with it," he said. "Where else can you ride all the rides, enjoy entertainment, like Gary Lewis and the Playboys, and see exhibits all for one low cost?" Ruth A. Benner, Hometown, was in the 4-H Club when she was growing up on an Indiana farm. She recalled raising and showing calves at the local county fair. "We always come to the fair. We usually hit the food booths first and then take in the exhibits. It's just a lovely time," she said. Carole A. Artim, Lenhartsville, and Elaine L. Kennedy, Friedensburg, helped put on the dog obedience and agility demonstrations and showcase Saturday afternoon. "This year we featured the hound group," Kennedy said, as she petted her champion smooth-coated collie, Sarah. "I try to feature different dogs each year to give people the chance to see breeds they might consider when purchasing a new pet. We come to the fair to educate people about different breeds, and give the dogs the opportunity to perform. They love it and the people do, too." Shirley T. Lodato, Gilberton, who had left a wedding early to get to the fair, bought a chance to win a queen-size quilt made by the Schuylkill County Quilter's Guild just moments before the drawing and walked away with the grand prize. "I told my husband this morning I was going to win it," she said. Morgan praised the volunteers who donated their time to the fair. The association's hard work and dedication paid off this year with good crowds all week, he said. "The nice weather and good entertainment played a role in drawing the crowds," said Harold W. Berkheiser, Schuylkill Haven, who runs a scale model exhibit just inside the gates. "It's a good turnout. We've had many people through here," said Gary L. Slutter, waterways conservation officer for the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, which had an information exhibit at the fair. Plans are already under way for the 17th Annual Schuylkill County Fair in 2000. The Schuylkill County Fair Association, which is always looking for more volunteers, meets the third Thursday of every month at 7:30 p.m. in the summer at the fairgrounds and in the winter at the Friedensburg Fire Company. ==================== MISSING LINKS >From Rick Berkheiser This week's MISSING LINK is William A. Berkheiser. He knew Henry and Elizabeth Berkheiser from Schuylkill Haven, Schuylkill Co., PA and he testified to proof of their marriage on Dec. 12, 1891. This comes from Henry Berkheiser's Civil War Pension file. Not to be confused with my Henry Berkheiser. :-) ==================== ALICE BERKHEISER >From Rick Berkheiser Compiled from various sources 1 Alice Berkheiser. Born on 9 Mar 1898 in South Bend, St. Joseph Co., IN. Alice died on 14 Mar 1898 in South Bend, St. Joseph Co., IN. She was the daughter of: 2 John A. Berkheiser. Born on 30 Nov 1868 in South Bend, St. Joseph Co., IN. John A. died in 622 S. Chapin St., South Bend, St. Joseph Co., IN on 18 Oct 1940, he was 71. Buried on 21 Oct 1940 in Riverview Cemetery, South Bend, St. Joseph Co., IN. Occupation: Blacksmith at Oliver Mfg. Co., Laborer. Cause of death: Death of Coronary Thrembosis-immediate; due to Chronic Mycardditis, Vericose Veins, Ulcers, and Chronic Phlebitis-10 years. Due to Diabetes Melletus-4 years. What's interesting to note here is that nobody in the family that's old enough to remember never mentioned an Alice until I discovered her in City Cemetery's Sexton records. ==================== NEWSPAPER TIDBITS Transcribed by Rick Berkheiser from St. Joseph Co., Indiana newspapers "The South Bend Tribune", Tuesday, August 22, 1911, page 12 TO ADDRESS CONVENTION. Rev. John Cavanaugh Speaker at Big Catholic Meeting at Columbus, O. Rev. John Cavanaugh, C. S. C., president of Notre Dame university, will be a speaker to-night before the American Federation of Catholic societies, which is in session in Columbus, O. The convention is attended by 12,000 delegates representing a membership of 3,000,000. Rev. Father Cavanaugh's address will be given in Memorial hall in the Ohio capital. The subject will be the "State, Church and School." He left for Columbus last night and will return Thursday. -------------------- "The South Bend Tribune", Wednesday, August 23, 1911, page 5 GO TO HUDSON LAKE PARK. Royal Neighbors Spend Day in Picnic At Resort. Fifty members of the Royal Neighbors of America spent the day at Hudson lake park to-day. The occasion being the annual picnic of the order. The party was conveyed to the resort by a special South Shore car attached to the regular train at 9:40. A week from Sunday Michigan City's pretty resort, Washington park, will close for the season. The South Shore line is announcing a special excursion from South Bend next Sunday. ==================== OTHER INTERESTING ROOTSWEB SITES TO VISIT Rick Berkheiser To visit the St. Joseph Co., Indiana Message Board: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec?htx=board&r=rw&p=localities.northam.usa.states.indiana.counties.stjoseph The St. Joseph Co., IN website: http://www.ingenweb.net/stjoseph/index.htm Hosted by Sharon Gill Vanden Bossche The South Bend Area Genealogical Society website: http://www.rootsweb.com/~insbags ==================== ON A LIGHTER NOTE >From Rick Berkheiser [This is supposedly attributed to Jeff Foxworthy, but with these e-mail forwards, you just never know. I've seen this version for several other states, and this one is similar to the Indiana version.---Rick B] Forget Rednecks .....here is what Jeff Foxworthy has to say about Pennsylvanians... If your local Dairy Queen is closed from September through May, you may live in Pennsylvania. If someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance and they don't work there, you may live in Pennsylvania. If you've worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you may live in Pennsylvania. If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed a wrong number, you may live in Pennsylvania. If "Vacation" means going anywhere south of Philadelphia for the weekend, you may live in Pennsylvania. If you measure distance in hours, you may live in Pennsylvania. If you know several people who have hit a deer more than once, you may live in Pennsylvania. If you have switched from "heat" to "A/C" in the same day and back again, you may live in Pennsylvania. If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you may live in Pennsylvania. If you install security lights on your house and garage, but leave both doors unlocked, you may live in Pennsylvania. If you carry jumpers in your car and your wife knows how to use them, you may live in Pennsylvania. If you design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit, you may live in Pennsylvania. If the speed limit on the highway is 55 mph -- you're going 80 and everybody is passing you, you may live in Pennsylvania. If driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow, you may live in Pennsylvania. If you know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter and road construction, you may live in Pennsylvania. If you have more miles on your snow blower than your car, you may live in Pennsylvania. If you find 10 degrees "a little chilly", you may live in Pennsylvania. If you actually understand these jokes, and forward them to all your Pennsylvania friends & others, you definitely live in Pennsylvania ---- a few adders If the first thing you think of for the up coming Holidays is Huntn season, yes you must live in PA If your kids school closes for the first day of Rifle season, yes again you know you live in PA f you moved to PA to save all that $ from taxes but pay twice as much cause your gas bill to drive to NJ for work, and to fix your car cause there is not enough money from taxes to fix all the pot holes, you know it you live in PA. ==================== FROM THE MESSAGE BOARDS Surnames That Might Be of Interest Board : Boards > Surnames > Dewald Subject : Dewald in Chicago Author : Allison Date : 5 Dec 2006 8:43 PM GMT http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/gcS.2ACIB/172 ==================== You are receiving this newsletter because you have expressed an interest in the Berkheisers and their history. If you no longer wish to receive BERKHEISER NOTES, please let me know and I'll remove your name from the list. No questions asked. If you wish to submit something to be printed in this newsletter or any other piece of information, please feel free to send it in. It is always interesting to hear from our "extended Internet family"! Most of the information I present here is pretty well sourced so if you ever need to know the sources I use, please don't hesitate to ask. ==================== En frehlicher Grischtdaag un en hallich Nei Yaahr! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! :-)