The ink wasn't dry before members of Building a Better Boyertown's committee on creating the 2007 pictorial history book began to plan the second book.

Titled The History of the Boyertown Area in Pictures: Special People Create a Special Place, the 168-page book includes a two-hour DVD featuring interviews from 16 men and women from the community recalling their memories of people, places, activities, and events unique to this special kind of place.

The combination book and DVD will be released on November 27, 2009, as a feature of Boyertown's Premiere Art Show/Sale to be held at Good Shepherd Church in time for holiday giving.

Farms and orchards, civic and service organizations, and a focus on volunteers who have devoted countless hours to the betterment of the community since it was chartered in 1866 became the core of the vision for the second book along with off -Main Street businesses, everyday life, and scenes of the area not included in the first book.

Chapter titles featured in the 169-page volume are Main Street Revisited, Scenes of the Area, Area Farms and Orchards, Civic Organizations, Off-Main Street Businesses, Renowned Citizens, and Celebrations. Each chapter, authored by different individuals, provides a variety of "voices" and writing styles to the effort. Each "Chapter Chair" involved his or her own network in collecting information and photographs. An assortment of proofreaders added expertise and information to the project.

Featuring the human angle to focus on the people who have created and maintained this special community inspired a call for names of citizens through letters-to-the-editor. These "nominations" plus Boyertown's unique Citizens of the Year event served as the basis for the "Renowned Citizens" chapter.

Authors include Jim Jannotti, Off-Main Street Businesses; Gordon Moser, Area Farms; Richard Frecon, Area Orchards; Margaret Harner, Civic Organizations; Diane Van Dyke, Renowned Citizens; and Linnette Hulbert, Celebrations. Jane Stahl served as editor.

Proofreaders include Dan Bause, Kim Frain, Margaret Harner, Jim Tribbett, Kitty Reese, Linette Hulbert, Gordie Moser, Dick Frecon, Athena Jones, and Barbara and Daniel Johnson. Gene Rothenberger served as layout artist and designer of the book.

The DVD included with the book, features the work of the members of WZAR-TV--Zach Reinert--a special young entrepreneur, owner and operator of WZAR-TV, and student of video production at Kutztown University; Bethanne Reinert; Mary Kent; and Joy Rhude. Reinert, known locally for his cable TV show entitled Boyertown Live, preserves in video the present Boyertown scene for future generations.

Narrating the DVD are long-time residents Linnette (Ott) Hulbert and Margaret (Leidy) Harner, along with Boyertown teacher Jeff D. Stahl and Kutztown University senior Christiana Weidner. Both Stahl and Weidner, born and raised in Boyertown, love the community and represent voices of Boyertown's future.

The book and DVD, sponsored by Building a Better Boyertown, will be released on November 27, 2009, as a feature of Boyertown's Premiere Art Show/Sale to be held at Good Shepherd Church. A book signing is a planned feature of the event.

Tickets ($25) for the Premiere Art Show's catered "Meet the Artists" opening and book signing scheduled for Friday, November 27, 2009, from 7:00-9:00 pm will be available at Studio B, 39A East Philadelphia Avenue; Twin Turrets Inn, 11 East Philadelphia Avenue; and Bause's Super Drug Store, 42 East Philadelphia Avenue--strong supporters of the arts in Boyertown. Artists and authors are eager to meet and celebrate the many artistic talents and efforts of this special community at the Friday opening/book signing.

Call Heather Oxenford or Sharon Kistler at Building a Better Boyertown 610-369-3054 to reserve copies of the book and DVD. Soft-cover + DVD--$29.99 plus tax; Hard-cover +DVD-- $49.99 plus tax.

Copies of the pictorial history book and DVD will be available at the following locations: Bause's Super Drug Store, 42 East Philadelphia Avenue; Crown Card and Gift, Gilbertsville Shopping Center; Twin Turrets Inn, 11 East Philadel;phia Avenue; Gracefully Framed, 135 East Philadelphia Avenue; Studio B, 39A East Philadelphia Avenue; and the office of Building a Better Boyertown, 12 North Reading Avenue.

The art show/sale is a new venture for the community in celebration of the first anniversary of Studio B, the home of Boyertown's Arts and Activities Alliance, a committee of Building a Better Boyertown.
Studio B has as its mission the promotion of the visual and literary arts and artists of the area and enhancing creativity along with the health and wellness of the community.
Over 50 artists will showcase their work during the weekend art show; an opening reception is planned for Friday, November 27, 2009, from 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. featuring the culinary arts of Linda Ross's Food Muse. Tickets for the opening can be purchased at Studio B, 39A East Philadelphia Avenue, Twin Turrets Inn, 11 East Philadelphia Avenue, and Bause's Super Drug Store, 42 East Philadelphia Avenue, strong supporters of the arts in Boyertown.

A special feature of the Premiere Art Show is a contest with prizes for those works of art featuring "Scenes of Boyertown"--areas within the four Gateway Signs. First place cash prize--$500; second place--$300; third place--$200 will be awarded at the opening reception along with purchase awards.

The show is open and free to the public Friday, November 27, 2009, from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. and Saturday, November 28, 2009, from 10:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.