Vergess Net, the Kutztown Area Historical Society’s book commemorating Kutztown’s bicentennial celebration, will debut at the society’s annual Holiday Festival on Saturday, November 11. The festival opens at 9:30 am and continues until 3:30 p.m.
Featuring over 400 full-color photos of all the bicentennial events – and the people who attended them – Vergess Net brings back the fun and spirit of Kutztown’s bicentennial.
“Working on the book brought back so many great memories. It was like living the bicentennial all over again,” says Martha Johnson. “It has so many pictures in it. If you were at the events, you are probably in this book.”
Vergess Net is Pennsylvania Dutch for “don’t forget,” a title suggested by Keith Brintzenhoff. It reminds us of our roots and the community spirit that was resurrected by the bicentennial. Vergess Net sells for $50 with all proceeds going to the Kutztown Area Historical Society. After the holiday festival, you can purchase Vergess Net at Firefly Bookstore, 271 West Main Street, Kutztown. If you sponsored the book, you must pick up your copy at the historical society during the holiday festival or during the Sunday openings from 1 to 3 p.m., starting Nov. 19.
“We love to launch our books at the holiday festival because it makes for an even more special day,” says society president Sheila Fulton. “Vergess Net is the latest in our tradition of fine books about Kutztown and its people.”
The holiday festival is in its 36th year, and has become the traditional kick-off of the Christmas season in Kutztown.
“The train display will be running, with some new features added by our dedicated crew of train enthusiasts,” according to Fulton.
In addition to the trains, the festival features arts and crafts in all eight of the classrooms in the 1892 Public School House. The kitchen, always a favorite, will serve homemade soups along with other goodies. Society bakers are hard at work for the Christmas cookie sale.
The society recently added chair lifts to the rear stairs, making the entire building accessible to all.
Sheila Fulton says, “The chairs go from the basement to the top floor, so if you have trouble walking stairs, we can take care of that!”
As with all society events, there is no admission fee for the holiday festival.
