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Guaranteed Delivery THE KEY TO SMART BUYING Volume XLX – No. 19 May 5, 2021 www.TheMerchandiser.com

Feature of the Week Brood X to emerge this year Berks Strollers will hike at Blue Marsh on May 8. Meet 10am at Visi- by Ryan Reed, Natural Resource Program tor Center off Palisades Drive. Lead- Specialist, Bureau of Forestry er: Kay, 610-796-7602. Like other memorable life events, many people will remember the last time they heard the synchronized song of the cicada. Some fi nd their chorus to be deafening and Grant approved maddening, while others think it’s strangely beautiful –- a triumphant reminder of the re- for community silience of nature. revitalization For an organism that spends more than 99 State Rep. Mark Rozzi and state percent of its life below ground, it certainly Sen. Judy Schwank have announced gets a lot of attention, and that will again be that a $32,500 grant has been ap- the case this spring. Maybe this is because of their eerie song, or their freaky, almost proved for the West Reading Com- alienlike appearance. munity Revitalization Foundation as This year, an especially large group called part of the state’s COVID-19 Relief – 17-year cicadas will emerge in Pennsylva- Supporting Elm and Main program. nia. The emergence of the 17-year cicada, “COVID-19 has affected so many also called Brood X, is the largest such parts of our everyday lives, so I’m emergence of the eight different broods proud to see the state step in to lend a known to reside in Pennsylvania. forest dwellers, especially birds and mam- What are cicadas doing while spending hand to make certain important com- Their Pennsylvania range roughly fol- mals. As many as several hundred cicadas all of that time underground? Growing and munity organizations cannot only lows the Appalachians from Wyoming and per square meter are gulped by the mil- developing cicadas spend nearly all of their survive during these trying times, but Lackawanna counties south to York County lions by black bears, turkeys, squirrels, rac- lives sucking nutrients from the roots of for- also continue the important work and and southwest to Somerset County – and coons, possums, skunks, crows, and blue est trees. This weakens trees, but Pennsyl- services they provide,” Rozzi said. all counties in between. Their continuous jays – and that’s just on the land. They also vania forests seem to take it in stride, hav- The COVID-19 Relief – Support- range extends into Maryland, West Virginia, make a tasty meal for hungry trout, bass, ing evolved with cicadas for millennia. The ing Elm and Main program is re- and Virginia. Interestingly, Pennsylvania’s and muskies awaiting in forested lakes and most visible effects from periodical cicadas sponsible for supporting community Brood X population is dwarfed by the one streams as well. occur above ground on slender twigs, where revitalization organizations dedicat- that occupies nearly all of Indiana and a big Scientists have studied the impact of this females slice slits in preparation for deposit- ed to the community and economic part of Ohio. A sizable Brood X population sudden input of nutrients in the food web, ing their eggs. This results in unsightly twig development in older and historic also exists in eastern Tennessee and extends and evidence shows a major, positive effect die-back but usually does little harm to the downtowns, commercial districts and into northern Georgia. There is an isolated on survival of wildlife offspring and future trees. neighborhoods. Brood X population that occupies a small abundance. The positive effect also extends Periodical cicadas may look a little fright- “I’m delighted that the Borough part of southern Michigan, as well. to the forest itself, as countless cicadas even- ening, but they are not harmful to us or our of West Reading will benefi t from Billions of these soft-bodied insects are tually die, decay, and release their nutrients Continued on page 11 this grant,” Schwank said. “They tasty bundles of protein for insect-eating to the forest soil. have been on the cutting edge of communities in Berks County, and the commonwealth, in regards to promoting outstanding Main Street Commercial district businesses Singing together and Elm Street projects. I know this again funding will go to good use.” could get piece of grant As a celebration of singing to- West Reading created the West gether again, Reading Choral Society Reading Community Revitalization Businesses in downtown (RCS), under the direction of RCS Foundation in 1997 to combat crime, Reading will have the op- Music Director Dr. Graham Bier, will falling rates of home ownership, and portunity to make improve- perform the great “Gloria” by Anto- public infrastructure issues. ments inside and outside their nio Vivaldi, accompanied by chamber locations thanks to a $25,000 orchestra. It will be paired with Cecil grant from the Truist Founda- Effi nger’s exquisite “Four Pastorales” tion. for choir and oboe. The Greater Reading After a year of virtual and recorded INSIDE Chamber Alliance announced performances, Reading Choral Soci- the grant as part of an effort to At Your Service ...... 4 ety is happy to once again be able to work alongside the College- sing for a live audience! The concert Automotive ...... 11 Towne project investment al- will be held at the Grove at the Read- ready underway in Reading’s Classi ed Form ...... 13 ing Liederkranz, which is an outdoor commercial district. venue, on Sunday, May 9, at 4 p.m. Community Calendar ...... 10 The money could help sur- Singers will be wearing masks and rounding businesses prepare will be socially distanced from each Cooking Corner ...... 7 for the infl ux of students and faculty mem- provements should call Aaron Gantz, senior other and the audience. The audience bers, according to GRCA. director of economic development, at 610- Crossword Puzzle ...... 15 will also be asked to wear masks. The “GRCA has been meeting with Alvernia 898-7788. Liederkranz will have both their food Dining & Entertainment ...... 6 University representatives and other down- The Truist Foundation works to fulfi ll the and beverage stands open during and town stakeholders to explore opportunities Truist Financial Corporation’s mission to in- Job Opportunities ...... 8 after the concert. to leverage the CollegeTowne project for spire and build better lives and communities The Reading Liederkranz Grove Mother’s Day ...... 6 other investment. The Truist Foundation in the areas it serves. is located at 143 Spook Lane, Read- grant will help existing businesses make im- “We’re proud to partner with the Greater ing. In place of tickets, RCS will be Obituaries ...... 15 provements to their storefronts for new and Reading Chamber Alliance to support our accepting a donation at the door, and existing customers,” Jim Gerlach, GRCA local businesses as we work to carry out our Public Auctions ...... 14 pricing is PWYC (pay what you can. president and CEO, said in the release. purpose to build better lives and communi- For more information, visit www. Real Estate ...... 10 Property and business owners interested ties,” Alex Brame, Central Pennsylvania re- readingchoral.org. in obtaining some of the grant funds for im- gion president for Truist, said.