PAGODA AWARDS

In March 2023, the coveted Pagoda Award was presented to Craig Poole, president of DoubleTree by Hilton. Poole accepted the award from Jim Boscov (pictured left), joining a list of “giants in the arts community” to receive the prestigious honor.

Since 2014, Craig Poole has been general manager and president of the DoubleTree by Hilton Reading. Because of his devotion to his staff of local, often marginalized people, and to the well-being of his guests, Poole is a two-time winner of the Hilton Connie Award, and, in 2019, of the Hilton Legacy Award. He was also voted the American Hotel and Lodging Association’s Hotel General Manager of the Year. Using his experience as the owner of the James Street Restaurant, a multi-story jazz club in Pittsburgh, from 1986 to 2004, Poole has partnered with the Reading Blues Fest as the primary host site for major concerts, and with Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest as a major concert venue. Through these and other partnerships with arts organizations, he has helped bring thousands of people into downtown Reading each year, benefiting the entire community.

James M. Connors (1933-2020), born in Long Island, N.Y., was an enthusiastic jazz pianist. His business career brought him to Carpenter Steel Corporation (now Carpenter Technology), where his duties included programming the first IBM commercial computer. He also taught business courses as an adjunct professor at Albright College. In 1969 he founded Connors Investor Services. He and his wife Anna have served on boards and volunteered for many nonprofits in Berks County, including Reading Area Community College, the Children’s Home of Reading and the Greater Berks Food Bank (now Helping Harvest). They co-chaired the United Way of Berks County Annual Campaign. Connors took great pride in helping to launch Berks Arts’ Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest in 1990, and continued to support it through the years.

Founded in 1957, the Reading Buccaneers Drum and Bugle Corps is a charter member of Drum Corps Associates, the premier North American drum and bugle circuit. The Bucs have won the most DCA titles of any organization, including the championship in 14 of the last 16 years. They continue to distinguish themselves under the leadership of director Lou Tierno.

John Ernesto has been involved in Berks Arts’ Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest since its launch in 1990, and has been general manager of the festival since 1995. Throughout his tenure it has grown to be one of the top events of its kind in the United States. Ernesto has also supported other arts organizations, including the Reading Pops Orchestra, the Reading Musical Foundation, and Jazz on the Avenue at the Yocum Institute for Arts Education. Until his retirement, he was marketing director of the Reading Eagle Company.

Cedric Elmer is a pianist and educator, serving as executive director and managing director of the Community School of Music and the Arts from 1963 until his retirement in 2014. He now lives in California.

Bruce Bengtson, former CEO of Maier’s Bakery, holds a master’s degree in sacred music and served as the organist and choirmaster at Christ Episcopal Church in Reading for many years, where he performed with his wife Ruth Anne, also a trained church musician. He served as president of the Reading Musical Foundation from 1986 to 1989, and is credited with stabilizing the organization during challenging times. The Bengtsons have devoted their lives to supporting the arts in Berks County through their work with the RMF, the Reading Symphony Orchestra and the Reading Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.

David Kline, a longtime manager of WEEU 830 AM who also served the Reading Eagle Co. in varioius management positions, is a versatile entertainer and musician. Familiar to Berks Countians as “East Side Dave,” the leader of the Mountain Folk Band, he is a bluegrass guitarist, a singer/songwriter, photographer, host of radio shows, recording artist, author, producer and travel guide. Kline has also been a supporter of the arts, serving on the boards of the Reading Symphony Orchestra, the Reading Musical Foundation and other organizations.

Matthew Daub is an internationally known watercolor artist, whose works have been exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and many other venues, including the Reading Public Museum. Many of his paintings focus on sites in Reading and Berks County. He is also an author of fiction, and a retired professor of fine arts on the faculty of Kutztown University.

William G. Koch Sr. is the founder and CEO of William G. Koch & Associates. He is a past president and board member of Berks Arts, and has served on the Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest Committee. He is also co-founder of the WCR Center for the Arts in Reading.

Tom Work, formerly the Co-Chair of Stevens and Lee’s Estates and Trusts Practice Group, has been a devoted supporter of the arts, particularly music. He is an honorary trustee and past president of the Reading Musical Foundation, and has written a comprehensive history of that organization. He has also served on the boards of the Reading Symphony Orchestra and the Reading Public Museum.

Angelo DiMaria is a sculptor whose many projects include a bust of Pope John Paul II commissioned by the St. Catherine of Siena Roman Catholic Church and a relief of former president George W. Bush in honor of his visit to the University of Delaware. He has taught sculpture classes on the faculty of the Wyomissing Institute of Fine Arts (now the Yocum Institute for Arts Education) for many years.

Frederic Toone Bacon (1926-2015) was an arts educator who produced and taught visual and performing arts, including figurative and abstract works in various media. The Pottsville native studied at the Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia and at the Instituto Allende Universidad de Guanajuato, Mexico. In addition to his visual arts, he had a professional career in ballet and modern dance. While living in Reading, he served as a board member of Berks Arts, and was a founding member of the African-American Coalition of Reading.

James Yocum has for more that 50 years been personally involved in the arts and has given financial support to the arts in Berks County. He was president of the board of the Wyomissing Institute of Fine Arts (now the Yocum Institute for Arts Education, named for him) for seven terms. He also serves on the advisory board of the Olivet Boys and Girls Club, and helps enable inner-city children to attend arts events.

T. Jerome Holleran co-founded Arrow International, was vice president and COO of Arrow Precision Products, and co-founded Precision Medical Products Inc. in 1997. He is a watercolor painter and member of Berks Art Alliance, and is a past president of the Wyomissing Institute of Fine Arts (now the Yocum Institute for Arts Education). He and his wife Carolyn have donated millions of dollars for scholarships and have served on boards of many community organizations, including the United Way. They have supported the Reading Public Museum and Berks Arts through their JerLyn Foundation, which sponsors the annual “The Art of Jazz” exhibit founded in 2005 during Boscov’s Berks Jazz Fest. They established the Holleran Gallery at the Yocum Institute, and sponsor the annual Plein Air West Reading event for outdoor painting and exhibits.

Jeffrey Lentz has served as Albright College’s senior artist-in-residence for the departments of theatre and music since 2002. The position includes teaching acting, directing and voice, as well as directing/writing plays for the award-winning Domino Players, and serving as the accompanist for the Concert Choir. A 1985 graduate of Albright College, he received his master’s degree in opera performance from Yale School of music. As a tenor, he has had a distinguished international career in opera, operetta and musical theater, including creating the title role in Lowell Liebermann’s opera “The Picture of Dorian Gray” at the Monte Carlo Opera in 1996.

Will Dexter is co-founder, with his wife Karla Trinkley, of Taylor Backes Studio in Boyertown. Since 1984, the studio is known for the creation of one-of-a-kind art glass vases, bowls, sculpture, jewelry and other items. They create custom projects for corporations and other entities, and residential and commercial lighting installations featuring art glass. Dexter and Trinkley also create their own individual fine-art glass, shown in galleries internationally. Their work is in permanent collections of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the American Craft Museum, the Corning Museum of Glass and the Smithsonian Institute, among many others.

James F. L. Carroll was on the faculty of Kutztown University from 1966 until his retirement. He directed the college’s art gallery and taught studio art and art history courses. In 1974 he created the New Arts Program through the college, inviting artists in all disciplines to visit and talk informally with students. In 1982, he took the program off-campus and continued it as a nonprofit that still exists today. Visiting artists have included luminaries like Philip Glass, Meredith Monk, John Cage, Laurie Anderson, Trisha Brown, and Keith Haring. Carroll, a respected artist in his own right, is still involved in the NAP.

Michael Constantine (1927-2021) was an award-winning actor on Broadway, television and films. He won an Emmy in 1970 for playing the principal on “Room 222” (ABC). He was best-known as a character actor, playing guest roles on countless TV shows, and supporting roles in films that included “The Hustler” and “Voyage of the Damned.” His role in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” (2002) and its 2016 sequel as Gus Portokalos won him much popular acclaim. He was born, and died, in Reading.

Marlin Miller is the co-founder and former chairman and CEO of Arrow International, and co-founder of Norwich Ventures. His wife, Regina Gouger “Ginger” Miller is a nationally recognized watercolor painter, arts educator, business owner and arts patron. She has also created award-winning needlework designs sold around the world. The Millers were instrumental in building the Miller Center for the Arts at Reading Area Community College, and endowed the Downtown Performing Arts Series. The Marlin Miller Jr. Family Foundation has awarded grants to Berks Arts and many arts and other nonprofits in the Reading area. They supported the creation of the Miller Gallery in Francis Hall, Alvernia University, and have been sponsors of the Reading Symphony Orchestra and many other arts organizations and events.

W. Eugene “Gene” Burkhart (1947-2012) was an internationally acclaimed floral designer, lecturer and pressed-flower artist. He won more than 1,500 prizes in flower shows here and abroad, including Best of Show awards and Artistic Sweepstakes at the Philadelphia Flower Show. He taught classes at the GoggleWorks, where he moved his studio in 2005. Burkhart taught floral design classes at Reading Area Community College for 15 years. He created two television programs on decorating for Christmas, aired throughout the Southeast. He was a juried member of the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, the Berks County Horticultural Club, the Pressed Flower Guild of Europe, and Berks Arts. He was the author of “Decorating Christmas Trees,” and his work is displayed in private and corporate collections and galleries throughout the world.

Al Leader (1930-2010) taught music in the Conrad Weiser School District (1951-1957) and the Muhlenberg School District (1959-1987). He taught woodwind instruments privately, and played clarinet and sax in many local bands, including the Ringgold Band, the Centerport Band and the Rajah Temple Concert Band, which he conducted from 1996 to 2000. He performed with the Reading Pops Orchestra and the Reading Civic Opera Society Orchestra (now Reading Civic Theatre). He was the author of “The Audio-Visual Approach to Teaching Music in the Junior High School” (1964), used in many colleges and universities. He was a lecturer on his teaching methods and a composer. Leader was president of the Music Educators of Berks County and a member of the Muhlenberg Arts Council, and conducted the Muhlenberg Community Chorus.

Irvin Cohen (1926-2021) was the founder and CEO of Eastern Machine Products Inc. and Construction Fasteners Inc. As graduates of Penn State University, he and Lois were supporters of the Penn State Musical Theater program at University Park. Irv was one of the founders and a vice president of the GoggleWorks, and a board member of the Reading Public Museum. The Cohens also created and funded the Olivet Boys and Girls Club Center for the Arts in downtown Reading.

Albert Boscov (1929-2017) was chairman of Boscov’s department store chain, founded by his father, Solomon Boscov in Reading. His devotion to philanthropy was legendary and benefited Berks County in a variety of ways, from economic development to promoting understanding among people of different backgrounds. He was a key player in founding the GoggleWorks center for the arts in Reading, one of the cornerstones of the city’s downtown revitalization.

Carol Butler (1950-2022) was a tireless advocate of theater, directing and acting with Genesius Theatre and Reading Community Players, and creating more accessible theater productions for people of all backgrounds. She also served as president of Genesius during the 1990s. Her husband Ed, also an actor and director, participated in many performances in the same theaters. The Butlers raised 35 children through the foster care program, in addition to their own five children.

Sandi McCarthy and her husband, Tom McCarthy, founded the Berks Gymnastic Academy in 1975. Sandi, who had a career as a dancer (including three World USO Tours), is devoted to supporting the arts. She and Tom, both passionate about music, have been involved for many years with the Curtis Institute, serving on several committees. Sandi was on the board of the Star Series Association, and served as president in 1994 to 1996. Their work resulted in Star Series bringing the Curtis Symphony Orchestra to Reading for seven performances. In 2000, Sandi, along with Tom Souders, arranged a “Return to Stirling” event, presented by the Star Series and the Friends of Chamber Music of Reading. This resulted in the Sunday Evenings at Stirling series, featuring outstanding Curtis students and regular Friends performers in recital.

Thomas Souders spent his professional career from 1969 until his retirement as an ophthalmologist in the practice started by his father, Benjamin Souders, now called Berks Eye Physicians & Surgeons Ltd. in Wyomissing. Benjamin Souders also founded the Friends of Chamber Music of Reading until his death in 1971, when Thomas Souders assumed responsibility for the series, which still presents top-quality chamber music free of charge in the WCR Center for the Arts. He has served on the boards of the Reading Symphony Orchestra, the Reading Musical Foundation, the Wyomissing Institute (now the Yocum Institute), the Star Series, the Friends of Music of Albright College, the Berks Opera Workshop, and music programs of several churches.

Douglas Fisher (1934-2008) was owner and president of Pagoda Print Services for 45 years, which printed many of the programs for local performing arts groups, and of Discoveries Gallery for 26 years. He served as president of the Star Series Association, Berks Grand Opera and the Wyomissing Institute of Fine Arts (now the Yocum Institute for Arts Education). He served on the boards of the Reading Musical Foundation, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, Scenic River Days, the Community School of Music and the Arts, and the Reading Public Museum.

J. Carl Borelli (1909-2006) was the director of instrumental music at Southwest Junior High School in the Reading School District. He was a director of music for Reading Civic Opera Society (now Reading Civic Theatre) and conducted in the pit for many of their shows. He was also one of the conductors of the Reading Pops Orchestra. He was a mentor to many music students who later became music educators, performers and leaders.

Sidney Rothstein (1936-2017) was conductor and music director of the Reading Symphony Orchestra from 1976 to 2006. He earned a bachelor’s degree in music education from Temple University, and studied extensively with the legendary French conductor Pierre Monteux. He was also founder and principal conductor of the Orchestra Society of Philadelphia, and was principal conductor of the Charleston (W. Va.) Symphony, the Florida Symphony, the Honolulu Symphony and the Ridgefield (Conn.) Symphony Orchestra.

Elain Bertolet-Kachel (1928-2010), was a professional dancer trained at the Littlefield School of Ballet in Philadelphia, Sadlers Wells Ballet Company (now the Royal Ballet) in London, U.K., and at various New York City studios. She joined the corps de ballet of Radio City Music Hall, and performed in Broadway and television shows. In 1962 she moved to Wyomissing, where she joined the board of the Wyomissing Institute of Fine Arts, became president in 1971, then was hired as executive director in 1974 and taught ballet classes. She also served on the boards of the Reading Musical Foundation and Berks Arts, and was a member of the Civic Center Management Committee.

Bruce McLean, a much-admired actor, director and educator, became the director of drama for the Reading Civic Opera Society (now Reading Civic Theater) in 1956. He performed and directed for the company, and in 1972 wrote a show, “Sing Love,” for them to perform. He retired in 1992, having directed 56 consecutive shows. He is still a guest director for local theaters.

Betty Lou McLean (1929-2006) was an actor and director, who performed with the Green Hills Summer Theatre, Reading Community Players, Berks Summer Theater, Reading Civic Theater and the Fall Festival of the Arts. She taught arts and theater at Penn State Berks Campus for 25 years, and helped start Berks Summer Theater. She also taught drama at the Wyomissing Institute of Fine Arts (now the Yocum Institute for Arts Education). She was a founder of the Berks Arts Council (now Berks Arts), and served on the board for many years.

Jack Coggins (1911-2006) immigrated to New York from Great Britain and eventually moved to Berks County with his wife and fellow artist, Alma Woods. He painted nearly 1,000 oil and watercolor works, many with maritime themes, which gained him much attention. He was also an illustrator for magazines including Life and the Saturday Evening Post, and for books, many with military themes. He taught master art classes at the Wyomissing Institute of Fine Arts (now the Yocum Institute for Arts Education) from 1957 to 2001.

Wesley Fisher (1913-2004) was a professional double-bass player and educator who performed for 57 years with the Reading Symphony Orchestra and served as its personnel manager, librarian and orchestra manager. Fisher co-founded the Reading Pops Orchestra in 1969, and performed in many ensembles in the area. He also directed the Reading Musical Foundation’s “Music in the Schools” program for 23 years. He served on the boards of the RSO and RMF, and taught double-bass privately.

Gertrude Sternbergh (1900-1996), was a charter trustee of the Reading Musical Foundation and served on the board until her death. She was an accomplished, Juilliard-trained pianist who appeared as a soloist many times with the Reading Symphony Orchestra. As a supporter of the RSO, she founded the Women’s Committee of the RSO, and provided all the program notes for the orchestra concerts from 1955 to 1982. She hosted hundreds of concerts at her home, the Stirling Mansion, and propelled the career of pianist Andre Watts. Part of her enormous legacy was the creation of the Gertrude Sternbergh Fund, which sponsored guest artists who performed with the RMF’s Star Series (no longer in existence) and with the RSO.