Reading Magazine

07/23/2025

For the past 19 years, Leslie Esterly has been working with the youngest of students in the Reading School District challenged with multiple disabilities and supporting each of them on a path toward achieving individual goals while learning and growing.

For the past 19 years, Leslie Esterly has been working with the youngest of students in the Reading School District challenged with multiple disabilities and supporting each of them on a path toward achieving individual goals while learning and growing. A graduate of Alvernia University with a degre...

07/14/2025

On the face of the Schlegel Park Pool building, a vivid underwater world has emerged — one not filled with water, but with color, creativity, and community spirit. The expansive mural, painted by local artist Jean Esther, transforms the pool’s entrance into a portal to the deep sea, teeming with marine life and imagination. It’s a piece that now welcomes visitors not just to swim, but to pause, reflect, and admire.

On the face of the Schlegel Park Pool building, a vivid underwater world has emerged — one not filled with water, but with color, creativity, and community spirit. The expansive mural, painted by local artist Jean Esther, transforms the pool’s entrance into a portal to the deep sea, teeming with...

07/14/2025

Mural dedication at Schlegel Park Pool

07/14/2025

City of Reading celebrates grand opening of first public dog park

07/10/2025

Each summer, the return of the Penn Street Market signals more than just fresh produce—it marks a weekly ritual that connects neighbors, supports local farmers, and breathes new life into downtown Reading.

Each summer, the return of the Penn Street Market signals more than just fresh produce—it marks a weekly ritual that connects neighbors, supports local farmers, and breathes new life into downtown Reading. Now officially part of the Food Trust network, the market has opened its 2025 season with ex...

07/03/2025

What started as a routine call about an injured hawk turned into a unique rescue mission in downtown Reading—one that showcased quick thinking, compassion, and a bit of wildlife know-how.

What started as a routine call about an injured hawk turned into a unique rescue mission in downtown Reading—one that showcased quick thinking, compassion, and a bit of wildlife know-how. On Tuesday, June 24, Officers O’Reilly and H. Alexander responded to a report of a distressed bird near a bu...

07/01/2025

Tucked inside the lobby of a towering office building on North 5th Street, a quiet warmth awaits. It’s not just the smell of fresh soup simmering or the soft hum of conversation. It’s the feeling that you’ve stepped into someone’s story—one built on faith, healing, and the courage to begin again.

At the corner of resilience and revival in downtown Reading, tucked inside the lobby of a towering office building on North 5th Street, a quiet warmth awaits. It’s not just the smell of fresh soup simmering or the soft hum of conversation. It’s the feeling that you’ve stepped into someone’s ...

06/27/2025

Berks Barber School, now officially re-opened under the leadership of Samuel De la Cruz, is much more than a training ground for future barbers. It’s the continuation of a tradition rooted in opportunity, resilience, and service—one that began under the steady hands and sharp eye of Charlie G. Haynes more than three decades ago.

Near the corner of Schuylkill Avenue and West Buttonwood, a small building carries decades of quiet significance in Reading’s history. Inside, the hum of clippers and rhythm of conversation speaks to more than just haircuts—it echoes the legacy of a local pioneer and the enduring power of mentor...

06/24/2025

When the summer sun hits its stride, few things beat the joy of cooling off at a splash pad.

Beat the heat with this guide to splash pad parks in Reading, PA. Find free, family-friendly spots to cool off and enjoy outdoor fun this summer.

06/17/2025

The night unfolded in a series of electric performances, with each participant commanding the stage through verse that ranged from deeply personal narratives to bold social commentary.

The WCR Center for the Arts pulsed with energy, rhythm, and raw emotion on Saturday, June 14, as the inaugural Bless the Mic Slam Poetry Contest brought a powerful new wave of creative expression to the heart of Reading. Organized by ThePoetSmiley, the sold-out event marked a defining moment for the...

06/12/2025

The Reading Public Library is gearing up for a summer filled with books, creativity, and community with the return of its annual Summer@RPL program. The festivities begin with a Kickoff Party on Saturday, June 14, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Main Library’s Children’s Department.

The Reading Public Library is gearing up for a summer filled with books, creativity, and community with the return of its annual Summer@RPL program. The festivities begin with a Kickoff Party on Saturday, June 14, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Main Library’s Children’s Department. The event will...

06/06/2025

🌆 First Friday Fun on Penn Street! 🎉 Downtown Reading came alive tonight with the season’s first First Friday Block Party — complete with live music, creative vendors, and playful moments for all ages. From dancing to street games and shopping local, it was a perfect start to the summer.