History, Language, Genealogy – On Saturday, March 15, people gathered in the Zion UMC Church of Iona at the Annual Pennsylvania German Zammelaaf, brought together by these shared values and a desire to celebrate connections between the past, present, and each other. The event featured crafts, artists, demonstrations, food, entertainment, and a Sunbury Press table run by Publishing Assistant Katie Cressman. 

“The values of history, language, and genealogy really tie into what we do at Sunbury Press by helping bring fascinating stories to life, whether they’re local or from far beyond,” says Cressman. With this in mind, Sunbury Press loaded up a table full of books and hung up a sign that so many of us book lovers think of fondly based on the pure exhilaration and excitement it produces: “BOOKS FOR SALE.” 

The Annual Pennsylvania German Zammelaaf gave Sunbury Press a great opportunity to feature many of the books from our “Local History Press” imprint, which Cressman says is “shining a spotlight on the rich history of our region.” 

A large focus of the table was on authors, readers, and book content, and the relationships that they hold with each other. Cressman says, “We love giving authors the chance to share their work, especially when it connects readers to the past in such meaningful ways. Whether it’s preserving local history or exploring family roots, we’re all about offering books that both entertain and educate. And honestly, who doesn’t love books?!” 

“The best part? The people! As the assistant publisher, I get to spend my days speaking with our authors, which I love! But, it’s amazing to see so many people excited about our books and the incredible work of our authors,” says Cressman. Books provide readers with valuable opportunities to expand their knowledge and build new connections, but reading books is not solely an individual experience. This is extremely evident in the too-many-to-count book-loving, book-sharing, book-talking communities and could clearly be seen in the lively conversations taking place at the Sunbury Press book table. Cressman says, “Engaging in thoughtful conversations about local history offers a chance to discover new cultural events and historical facts that might have otherwise flown under the radar. It’s truly eye-opening!”

Cressman had the pleasure of meeting many historians and passionate individuals who were genuinely excited about the material Sunbury Press had on display, and Cressman adds, “I lost count of how many times people told me how incredible our selection of books was – and keep in mind, what we had on the table was only a small fraction of what we actually offer on our website!” 

In the conversations taking place at this bustling event full of community and culture and passion, Cressman says, “It was inspiring to connect with people who are dedicated to preserving and honoring history, especially those who’ve lived it. As I mentioned, it sparked some great conversations with some really down-to-earth Pennsylvanians!” 

This event was a wonderful opportunity to create connections and to huddle by the Sunbury Press table bonding over the love of books. It is important to remember that physical events such as the Annual Pennsylvania German Zammelaaf are not the only opportunities to explore new knowledge but also to build on passions and relationships with topics and other people. Books themselves are a mode for exploration, excitement, and connection that transcends the necessity for physical spaces and events. So, if you are feeling inspired by all of this book-loving talk, go pick yourself out a brand-new book and get lost in it, but remember to pause for a moment and take in all of the beautiful opportunities that these pages provide you with.