For information on submitting an obituary, please contact Reading Eagle by phone at 610-371-5018, or email at obituaries@readingeagle.com or fax at 610-371-5193.
Most obituaries published in the Reading Eagle are submitted through funeral homes and cremation services, but we will accept submissions from families. Obituaries can be emailed to obituaries@readingeagle.com.
In addition to the text of the obituary, any photographs that you wish to include can be attached to this email. Please put the text of the obituary in a Word document, a Google document or in the body of the email. The Reading Eagle also requires a way to verify the death, so please include either the phone number of the funeral home or cremation service that is in charge of the deceased’s care or a photo of his/her death certificate. We also request that your full name, phone number and address are all included in this email.
All payments by families must be made with a credit card. We will send a proof of the completed obituary before we require payment. The obituary cannot run, however, until we receive payment in full.
Obituaries can be submitted for any future date, but they must be received no later than 3:00 p.m. the day prior to its running for it to be published.
Please call the obituary desk, at 610-371-5018, for information on pricing.
Firefly Bookstore in Kutztown will celebrate National Poetry Month in April with a full lineup of events highlighting local voices, emerging writers, and established poets from across the region.
Throughout the month, Firefly will host four free public events, each featuring readings followed by an open mic for community members to share their work.
Observed each April, National Poetry Month is a nationwide celebration of poetry and its vital role in culture and community. Poetry remains one of the most immediate and powerful forms of expression — capable of distilling complex ideas, emotions, and lived experiences into language that resonates across audiences. Firefly Bookstore is committed to supporting that tradition by providing a welcoming space for writers and readers alike, with a particular emphasis on fostering local and regional voices.
The series begins on April 10 at 7 p.m. with a special open mic event featuring the staff and contributors of Kutztown University’s Essence Magazine. Dedicated to showcasing the creative work of KU students, Essence blends visual art and literature in an annual publication. The evening will open with readings by contributors, then transition to an open mic for attendees.
On April 17 at 7 p.m., Firefly will host Love and Poetry Have No Limits, an evening centered on LGBTQ+ voices. The event will be presented and hosted by author and poet Robin Gow, whose work spans poetry, essays, and young adult literature. This event is presented with support from the Eastern PA Trans Equity Project and the Kutztown University LGBTQ+ Resource Center, and will feature additional readers alongside an open mic.
The series continues on April 20 at 6:30 p.m. with Local Poet Reflections, highlighting the depth and diversity of the Berks County and greater Lehigh Valley poetry community. Featured readers include Kayla Ackelson, Esteban Hernandez, and Brian Mahoney, each bringing distinct perspectives shaped by personal experience, reflection, and craft.
The month concludes on April 30 at 7 p.m. with Women’s Voices, featuring poets Jayne Brown, Laurel Radzieski, and Tabassam Shah. The evening will include the debut reading of Brown’s new chapbook, The Third Remembrance, alongside featured readings that explore themes of identity, place, memory, and transformation.
All events are free and open to the public. Following featured readings, attendees are invited to participate in open mic sessions —whether sharing original work or reading from favorite pieces. Light refreshments will be provided at each event, and guests 21 and over are welcome to bring their own beverages. Please note that some readings may contain mature content.
Firefly Bookstore, located in the heart of Kutztown, has long supported the literary arts through regular programming, including monthly poetry readings, author events, and community open mics. The store maintains a dynamic and carefully curated poetry section, with a strong focus on independent presses and local authors. By hosting events such as these, Firefly continues its mission to connect readers and writers while fostering a vibrant literary community.
Firefly Bookstore is located at 271 West Main St., Kutztown. For more information, call 484-648-2712 or visit www.fireflybookstore.com.