BETHLEHEM PRESS

June 14, 2017

COVER STORY

‘Investing in people changes the world’

Lodge director Ian Panyko looks forward to expanding Café the Lodge’s restaurant and catering services. For the past five years, the Southside Bethlehem enterprise has continued to thrive. A $5,000 Wells Fargo Foundation gift will allow the Café to hire additional staff to balance the increased demand at the restaurant, which is open for breakfast and lunch Monday through Saturday, as well as fulfill its catering orders. Staffed almost entirely by adults with mental illness, the Café can customize its catering menu for almost any event and can provide servers and chefs. In addition to employment opportunities, the grant will help to fund the Café’s training and workforce development programs, increase sales and generate new customer contacts. Photo: Opened in March 2012, the Café is open to the public with easy access off the South Bethlehem Greenway. Previous Wells Fargo gifts have allowed the Café to remodel its outdoor dining area. Photo: Café the Lodge receives a $5,000 Wells Fargo Foundation gift at a June 1 presentation at Café the Lodge, 427 E. Fourth St., Southside Bethlehem: From left: Rich Adams, Wells Fargo Foundation Committee member; Allen Singer, Café the Lodge chef; Ian Panyko, The Lodge director; Café barista Gregory Dutt; Mike Pany, Wells Fargo senior community development director; Laura Haffner, Wells Fargo area vice president for the Lehigh Valley; Steve Evans, development director for Resources for Human Development; Kristy Minier, Wells Fargo district manager; and Molly Fleming, Wells Fargo Foundation committee member.

By Carol Smith

COMMUNITY

R.K. Laros memorial service June 24

Bethlehem-based R.K. Laros Foundation, established in 1952 by Laros Industries Silk Mill founder and owner R.K. Laros, announces the memorial service for his son, R.K. Laros Jr., past Trustee, chair, board member and Member Emeritus of the Foundation, who served since 1965. Dr. Laros passed away Feb. 17 at Hospice in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. He was 81 years old and had struggled with dementia for several years.

CLASSROOM

Top students get star treatment

For the fourth year, Bethlehem Area School District honored its top academic graduates at an event reflective of the media-friendly sports team drafts: The Academic Signing. The 10 top students from both Liberty and Freedom high schools were treated to a luncheon with parents, administrators and supporters June 5, at which they introduced themselves, their college, and prospective major. They then signed proxy documents for the audience to witness; a ceremonial confirmation of their accomplishments and dedication to their continued education.Twenty of Bethlehem’s top students sit at the Education Center to signify their readiness to move on to the next stage of their lives. They are: (bottom row) Liberty HS graduates Madeleine Atwood, Nina Beltrami, Leah Bogert, Jessica Boyer, Elizabeth Escott, Samuel Kaufman, Joyce Kim, JaiMei Li, Valentine Perevalov and Seinn S. Wai; and (top row) Freedom HS graduates Christina Concilio, Sarah Dunn, Michael Harding, Sarah Hussain, Kathryn Lee, Carol Lin, Sahitya Mandalapu, Abigail Rowan, Aliceann Trostle and Ally Young.

By Nate Jastrzemski

LIBERTY HS GRADUATION

‘Just the starting point’

Parents, family members and friends of Liberty HS’s class of 2017 filled Stabler Arena to the brim for the graduation ceremony June 6. The crowd cheered and applauded as the 643 graduating seniors filed into the arena in their navy and maroon caps and gowns, ready to receive their diplomas and declare themselves alumni. At the beginning of the evening, Principal Harrison Bailey III introduced the theme of the 95th commencement ceremony which permeated each of the speeches delivered throughout the course of the night: a quote by e.e. cummings that read, “It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.”

Photo: District champions in baseball, softball, swimming and cheerleading take a bite out of their gold medals prior to the start of Liberty High School’s 95th annual commencement exercises.

By Katya Hrishak and Dana Grubb

BETHLEHAM CATHOLIC HS GRADUATION

Like no other in the LV

Bethlehem Catholic HS graduated its 2017 class of 202 seniors in a commencement ceremony at the school auditorium June 7. Though the school is mostly known for its athletic prowess in the East Penn Conference and District XI, this graduating class received 176 scholarships and awards to 52 different colleges and universities.

Valedictorian Florencia Dayan will attend George Washington University and is the recipient of a Presidential Scholarship. Salutatorian Maria Macaluso will be attending Lehigh University. Both are among 45 seniors who received the President’s Award for Academic Excellence. Photo: Bethlehem Catholic High School Principal John Petruzzelli speaks with students for the last time before they begin graduation exercises. During this speech, Petruzzelli mentioned how proud he was of all the seniors and his shared his confidence in their continued success.

By Bernie O’Hare and Allison Poczak

FREEDOM HAS GRADUATION

‘Now it’s our turn’

It was a year to celebrate benchmarks, and the graduates of Freedom HS were flush with pride at Stabler Arena June 7. They entered knowing some of their class’ accomplishments would survive to inspire underclassmen for many years to come – the fulfillment of the evening’s theme: “Building Something That Will Outlive Us.” Signifying that by his mere presence was guest speaker Mark Sigmon, who was president of the school’s very first class of graduates, who began their senior year 50 years ago in 1967. Photo: Filled with the anticipation of graduation a group of classmates gather for one final photo before Freedom HS’s 50th commencement.

By Nate Jastrzemski and Dana Grubb

COOKING WITH EMERIL

Food for thought and scholarships

It was like watching one of his more than 2,000 TV cooking shows on the Food Network, but this time Emeril Lagasse was up close and personable. The owner of three restaurants at the Sands Casino Resort in South Bethlehem, Lagasse was the star attraction at the start of the 2017 Food and Wine Festival, an annual fundraiser held at the Sands Event Center for Northampton Community College’s culinary arts program. Photo: Externship winners and their NCC culinary arts faculty meet for a group shot with Emeril Lagasse. In front (l-r) are: Rebecca Heid, hospitality faculty; Isabel DaCosta, hospitality management winner; Julissa Graziano, third-place culinary winner; Lagasse and Jacob Watson, first-place culinary winner. In the rear (l-r) are: NCC President Dr. Mark Erickson, Chef Susan Roth, culinary faculty; Kadija Fran, hospitality management winner; Keanith Quinones, fourth-place culinary winner; Chef Victor Bock, Sands Bethlehem; Samantha Lee, second-place culinary winner; and Chef Chris Wilson.

By Carole Gorney

BETHLEHEM SPORTS

End of the line for LHS

It started out as a bright and sunny afternoon for baseball, but quickly turned into storm of runs for Pennsbury during Monday’s PIAA 6A semifinal showdown with Liberty. The Falcons erupted in the top of the third inning for nine runs to douse any hope for the Hurricanes, as Liberty’s memorable season came to a close at Bear Stadium in Boyertown, falling in a five-inning 10-run rule by a final 12-0 score line.

By Peter Car

LV FOCUS

Here comes summer!

“Country Scenes … Blue Ribbon Dreams” is the theme for the 34th annual Schnecksville Community Fair, June 20 - 24, Schnecksville Fire Company, Route 309, near Lehigh Carbon Community College, North Whitehall Township. “There will be plenty of amusement rides, live entertainment, food and exhibits, so be sure to mark your calendars,” says Fair president Emory Minnich. The Fair opens at 5 p.m. June 20 - 23 and at 3 p.m. June 24 Judging day is June 19 when the Fair is not open to the public.

OTHER STORIES

Bethlehem: Council discusses medical marijuana

Bethlehem Township: Medical marijuana dispensary approved

Fountain Hill: Bacchanalia team presents check

Northampton County: Brown awards no-bid prison study

Northampton County: $130M aquarium pitched for Easton

Lehigh Valley: Peace-a-thon nets $,2000

Bethlehem: PPL promotes summer reading

Father’s Day: Daddy’s little girl

BAVTS: Students participate in Culinary Challenge

Freedom HS: Drama class ‘Acts Out’

WEEKLY FEATURES

Around town community calendar

Police logs

Area obituaries

Center for Animal Health and Welfare

Volunteers

Student profiles

High school news reports

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June 21, 2017

COVER STORY

‘A grand tasting’

Thirty-two top restaurants from throughout the Lehigh Valley served up samples of everything from yellow fin tuna to lamb sliders to kourabiedes (Greek cookies) at the eighth annual Food and Wine Festival in June at the Sands Event Center. The weekend fundraiser for the Northampton Community College (NCC) Foundation attracted more than 3,000 food enthusiasts who bought tickets to taste some of the area’s unique cuisines, and sample wines from around the world. The event raised approximately $250,000 for scholarships for NCC students.“With our low tuition, that’s about 250 scholarships,” said NCC President Mark Erickson. Photo: Ticket holders for the Food and Wine Festival received a commemorative wine glass in which to sample the more than 40 different wine types from around the world.

by Carole Gorney

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS PANEL REVIEWS

Municipal ethics reform in Pa.

The efforts of Councilwoman Olga Negron and Councilman Michael Colon to produce a strong comprehensive ethics ordinance for City of Bethlehem public officials have captured the attention of the League of Women Voters (LWV) throughout the Commonwealth. During the League’s statewide conference, held at Pocono Manor from June 2 to 4, a workshop titled “Municipal Ethics Reform in PA: Tales from the Trenches,” featured Negron, Lehigh University Associate Professor Breena Holland, and City of Reading Ethics Commission solicitor Edward Stock. The session was facilitated by outgoing Northampton County LWV President Beverly Hernandez and attended by incoming president Margaret Skaarup. In their presentation each touched on the different challenges of enacting ethics legislation to promote and ensure good government practices. Photo: Seated are Reading Attorney Edward Stock, Bethlehem City Councilwoman Olga Negron and Lehigh University Associate Professor Breena Holland, each of whom presented a talk on ethics issues in local government. Standing are Northampton County League of Women Voters incoming president Margaret Skaarup and outgoing president Beverly Hernandez, who arranged for the local government ethics workshop at the Pennsylvania League’s annual conference.

By Dana Grubb

GRADUATION: SAUCON VALLEY

‘A place where you belong’

It was a beautiful evening outside and inside Saucon Valley HS as 174 seniors took to the auditorium stage for their last official high school function. Family and friends watched June 9 as the senior class members of 2017 took their places among Saucon Valley alumni. The evening was full of laughter and bittersweet tears as student and faculty presenters shared cherished memories of the tight-knit class, going as far back as middle school, and fortifying words for the future. Photo: Dr. Michael Krentz ushers the graduates into the auditorium to an organ arrangement of “Pomp and Circumstance.” All in all, there were 174 graduates June 9 at Saucon Valley HS.

By Liz Kemmerer

GRADUATION: NOTREDAME CATHOLIC HS

‘A most powerful weapon’

Notre Dame Catholic HS of Green Pond graduated 122 seniors at its 51st commencement earlier this month in an outdoor ceremony attended by over 700 people at its Bethlehem Township campus. Unlike some previous years, in which periodic downpours soaked everyone, this year’s graduation was under sunny skies with no hint of rain. Class of 2017 honorees included Dannielle Hibshman, the school’s valedictorian, who will be attending Syracuse University, and Salutatorian Sophia Macchia, who will attend Drexel University. Photo: The processional of Notre Dame HS commencement as candidates enter the football stadium for the June 10 graduation ceremony.

By Bernie O’Hare and Tim Gilman

GRADUATION LV CHARTER HS FOR THE ARTS

‘We hold each other up’

For the 14th and final time, Lehigh Valley Charter HS for the Arts students, faculty and proud families endured the sweltering echo chamber of Packer Chapel to celebrate a graduation ceremony June 12. The successful and expanding school will require a larger venue next year, but for 116 young men and women, this was a joyous sendoff. “What a class,” began Executive Director Diane LaBelle. Photo: After commencement, members of the Charter Arts Class of 2017 leave the Packer Memorial Chapel to the applause and cheers of their families and teachers.

By Nate Jastrzemski and Dana Grubb

CLASSROOM

Marvine ES presents ‘Annie KIDS’

For the first time in Marvine ES history, students in the school’s drama club presented a musical, “Annie KIDS,” with a free performance June 1. Bolstered by support from Just Born Inc., which provided a sound system and the costs for the scripts and royalties, a cast of 50 began rehearsals in February with students from grades one through five participating. Photo: Surrounded by a chorus of orphans, Annie (Yerianiz Rosado) and Molly (Daisy Rodriquez) perform “Maybe” in the opening scene.

By Dana Grubb

BETHLEHEM SPORTS

Gold rallies for win in McDonald’s All-Star game

Nick Petros had a knack for making clutch catches during his senior season at Bethlehem Catholic and he came through again in his final high school football appearance during last week’s 47th annual McDonald’s All-Star Football Classic. Petros hauled in the winning 12-yard touchdown from Freedom quarterback Joe Young with 40 seconds left in the contest to push the Gold team to a 37-34 comeback victory over their Red counterparts at Nazareth’s Andrew S. Leh Stadium.

By Peter Car

LV FOCUS

Legacy of the Lenape

A new exhibit, “Native Americans: A Diverse & Evolving History,” opened recently at the Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum, Allentown. “The history of American Indians is shrouded in folklore and stereotypes from Western movies,” says Joseph Garrera, Executive Director of the Museum. “Much of their history has been written by the cultures that conquered them and took their lands.” Museum officials contend that the new exhibit humanizes Native Americans, portraying them as people in the context of their cultures, families, and destroyed civilizations. The exhibit seeks to inspire visitors to reconsider the proud history of the Native Americans. They were the first to inhabit the Lehigh Valley and all of America. Indians’ love of the land and respect for nature made them North America’s first conservationists.

By Paul Willistein

OTHER STORIES

Bethlehem Area: Summer work continues focus on early reading

Northampton County: Gracedale’s service rating tumbles

Bethlehem: Roofing proposal top HARB agenda

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Center for Animal Health and Welfare

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June 28, 2017

COVER STORY

Celebrating our graduates

Our annual graduation supplement is included in this issue of the Bethlehem Press. Additional photos appear on the School page.

‘Doors that open to us’

Liberty and BAVTS graduate learns to control the ‘sleeping beast’

Sometimes Pomp and Circumstance is the sweetest song in the world because the student hearing it worked hard to overcome obstacles on his way to graduation. The 2017 Liberty HS graduate Sam Lopez recalls a difficult road on his way through school as he learned how to control what he calls a “sleeping beast” – anger. “I’ve always been an angry kid,” he said. “From fifth grade all the way until my 12th grade year, anger has been one of my biggest battles, and still is!” Photo: Sam Lopez celebrates his graduation from Liberty HS with his mother Lydia Lopez and his father Samuel Lopez Sr.

By Michelle Meeh

‘You are not alone’

Becahi graduate’s life has been full of many challenges

Jennie Lynn Alexina Miller, a member of Bethlehem Catholic’s class of 2017, has overcome many physical disabilities while challenging herself to greater heights. Jennie was born with a small right ear, a small right thumb and only a foot where her right leg was supposed to be, and no right hip. She wears a prosthetic right leg and scoliosis affects her lower back. In addition, Jennie has suffered two concussions and undergone roughly 15 surgeries. Photo: Bethlehem Catholic 2017 graduate Jennie Miller will begin classes at the University of New Haven Aug. 28 majoring in marine biology. Jennie’s life has been full of challenges which she has met and conquered.

By Selena Cintron

BUSINESS

Quadrant moves into Historic House #1

The investment by Quadrant Private Wealth in the historic property at 2 West Market St. has paid off handsomely. The structure, which was constructed in the 1840s by immigrant Ernst Lehman, has been renovated to allow Quadrant to relocate its offices from One West Broad St. According to earlier documentation about the site’s history, trombones manufactured for the Moravian Trombone Choir were once manufactured by Ernst Lehman and his son Bernard in the clapboard building behind the residence. Photo: The new home of Quadrant Private Wealth at 2 West Market St. was built in the 1840s by immigrant Ernst Lehman. Quadrant moved into the building on June 2.

By Dana Grubb

CLASSROOM

Charters Arts club supports Haiti Health Trust

Members of the Youth for Christ Club at the LV Charter HS for the Arts present their check for $1,000 to Carol Van Artsdalen, secretary and treasurer of the Haiti Health Trust and Andrea Nichols, Haiti Health Trust board member. The trust supports a hospital in Haiti.

CLASSROOM

Tech/trade school students honored by SkillsUSA

SkillsUSA honored dozens of local students at its 31st annual Elmer Gates awards breakfast at the Best Western Conference Center recently. SkillsUSA Council founder Gates established a program to recognize students at local career and technical schools for exemplifying qualities desirable as both a student and prospective employee. The Elmer Gates Enterprise Awards are presented to students based on their scholastic achievement, school and community involvement, entrepreneurial spirit and involvement in SkillsUSA. Each winner is given a plaque and a $100 gift card from the Gates family. Photo: Freedom and Liberty HS Gates winners Joshua Crespo, Andrew Flynn, Kira McLendon, Chance Sigafoos, Alexander Ballek and Amr Asran.

By Nate Jastrzemski

BETHLEHEM SPORTS

Freedom girls reach Cedar Beech finals

The Cedar Beach Basketball Showcase gave fans a sneak peek of what they can look for this winter on the hardwood and for the Freedom girls, that appears to be another district run after reaching the finals on Sunday. The Patriots fell to University City (N.J.) 51-40 in the championship game, as their New Jersey counterparts were the only team to beat Freedom in the tournament.

By Peter Car

LV FOCUS

Something wild

When Noah Dach, a 2016 Muhlenberg College graduate, and fellow student Henry Evans decided they wanted to run away and join the circus, they instead created their own. Dach, Evans and Tommy McCarthy co-founded the Atlas Circus Company, which has been developing performances in and around New York City since the trio graduated from Muhlenberg College. McCarthy is assistant director of “Wild.” In part, they wanted to offer new opportunities for circus performers in an era when once-popular circus companies like Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus are shutting down. Ringling Bros., founded in 1871 and which billed itself as “The Greatest Show on Earth,” gave its final performance May 21 in Uniondale, Long Island, N.Y.

By Dawn Ouellette

OTHER STORIES

Lehigh Valley: YWCAs host ‘Stand Against Racism’

Bethlehem Authority: Moths out, carbon in

Bethlehem: School board oppose bill that halts spot assessments

Bethlehem: Soiree celebrates 25^th Rooms to View

Bethlehem: DA says council’s ethics draft needs work

State: PennDOT releases audio manual for dyslexic teens

Lehigh Valley: Student art display opens at PSU/LV campus

Lehigh Valley: Scouts complete shoebox project

Lehigh Valley: Grants helps Meals on Wheels

Hanover Township: Veterans get the best (parking) spot

WEEKLY FEATURES

Around town community calendar

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Area obituaries

Center for Animal Health and Welfare

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July 5, 2017

COVER STORY

Something to smile about

The Pediatric Foundation of the Lehigh Valley (PCFLV) held a week-long camp for pediatric cancer patients and their siblings on the campus of Cedar Crest College June 19 to 23. Camp Smile, just one the many free services and opportunities PCFLV offers to its cancer warriors and their families, gave campers a chance to explore art classes, theater, sports and swimming, and visit with many special guests from the community. Emma Rawlings, a senior at California University of Pa. majoring in public relations, interned with the camp this year. “It really is amazing how quickly everyone here becomes a family,” she said. Photo: Maggie Telesha of Allentown (left) attends Our Lady Help of Christians. She’s the sibling of a cancer warrior and is absolutely loving her fifth year at the camp. Jillian Sayre will attend Eyer MS in Macungie this fall. She’s a cancer warrior who’s fighting medulloblastoma and says the best thing about Camp Smile is all the other campers. Jared Dowling, a student at Freedom HS, is a cancer warrior in his third year at Camp Smile. For the past two years, he’s been a counselor-in-training. He’s also PCFLV’s Teen Board president.

By Joanna Ireland

ALLENTOWN DIOCESE

Monsignor Schlert named bishop

The Vatican announced last week that Pope Francis has appointed a priest of the Diocese of Allentown, Reverend Monsignor Alfred A. Schlert, as the Fifth Bishop of Allentown. Bishop-elect Schlert is the first priest of the Diocese to be appointed to serve as its Bishop. He has been serving as the Diocesan Administrator since his election by the Diocesan College of Consultors on Feb. 1, 2017 following the Jan. 31 installation of his predecessor Most Reverend John Barres as the Bishop of Rockville Centre, New York.

By Mart Gouger

R.K. LAROS MEMORIAL

Celebrating a life well-lived

Friends and family gathered last Saturday morning to celebrate the life of one of Bethlehem’s illustrious sons, Dr. Russel K. Laros Jr. They came together June 24 at Rosemont Lutheran Church on West Broad Street just as the morning’s cloudy start gave way to brilliant blue skies. The memorial service was attended by family which included his son, Russell Keller Laros III of Hawaii and his daughter Ann Laros-Weaver of Dubai both of whom spoke to the attendees. Several grandchildren and other family members also attended. Russell Laros shared several humorous stories about his father and his father’s life-long friend, former Bethlehem Mayor Gordon Mowrer. Photo: Dr. Russel K. Laros had a life time relationship with the Rosemont Lutheran Church and had been on the building committee that built the current church building.

By Doug Graves

SOUTH BETHLEHEM

Celebrating community diversity

A mural currently being produced on the north facing wall of 414 Hayes Street is one part of the neighborhood improvement project currently underway under the auspices of the Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley (CACLV) and Lehigh Valley Community Land Trust, with financial support from Wells Fargo Bank, according to CACLV associate executive director of community development Ellen Larmer. Holly Fields-Scott of Bella Pintura Inc. is working on the mural, which she says “celebrates diversity of the community” and which should be finished by the end of July. After the brick exterior wall received repairs, Fields-Scott was spotted outlining and painting the mural with her daughter, Nevada’s, assistance on June 23. Their work will continue to the end of July she estimates. Photo: Working from a lower section of scaffolding, artist Holly Fields-Scott paints a section of the mural on the north wall of 414 Hayes St.

By Dana Grubb

PORTUGUESE FESTIVAL

Pride, hospitality on display

Red and green, the Portuguese flag’s dominant colors, were on display at every turn as the Portuguese community of Bethlehem celebrated the 38th annual “Portuguese Heritage Day” at Holy Infancy School June 9 and 10 on East 4th Street in South Bethlehem. The festival benefits the Brotherhood of Our Lady of Fatima. “Pride in being Portuguese” was the festival’s theme as many people, young and old, dressed in traditional Portuguese costumes. The food, prepared by volunteers from the community, featured everything from heart-healthy sardines, grilled whole, to Portuguese donuts (maybe not so heart-healthy). Entertainment included groups of dancers performing traditional circle dances. Photo: Dancers whirl in a traditional Portuguese dance.

By Dorothy and Dennis Glew

COMMUNITY

‘An important part of who we are’

More than 50 members of the Liberty HS Hurricanes varsity football team devoted a warm and sunny Saturday to cleaning up the Steelworkers Memorial at the foot of the Fahy Bridge on June 10. The student athletes pulled weeds by hand and then used screwdrivers to painstakingly remove roots and debris from between each commemorative brick. The football players finished the job by sweeping the area with leaf blowers so that the inscriptions on the memorial bricks could be read clearly. “We’ve got about 52 kids here,” said John Truby, Hurricanes head football coach. “They’re all of various ages, freshmen up to those who will be seniors, so it’s a good mix for this crew. They also cleaned up leaves on the side (of the memorial). It was pretty bad. This is probably the worst we’ve seen it, with the growth in between each stone. It was overrun.” Photo: Liberty HS Hurricanes lift screwdrivers in the air to signify completion of their annual cleanup at the Steelworkers Memorial. The players will get credit for community service as required by the school district.

By Peter Brekus

CLASSROOM

Charter Arts spring concert

The Lehigh Valley Charter HS for the Arts presented its spring instrumental concert May 25, performing in three acts. The wind ensemble, percussion ensemble and full orchestra performed 11 selections. The performance was directed by artistic director and percussion instructor Matthew Wells and woodwinds instructor Kim Seifert. Seniors performing in their last concert wore a red rose to signify their final performance at Charter Arts. Above: The full orchestra under the direction of Kim Seifert performs Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro.”

By Dana Grubb

BETHLEHEM SPORTS

Legion playoffs to begin

It looks like all three of Bethlehem’s NORCO Legion baseball teams qualified for the postseason, as they look to make a run to the championship with the playoffs set to begin on Tuesday. The first round of the tournament was slated to begin on Monday, which comes after our July Fourth holiday deadline, but the league had to push back it’s final day of the regular season a day, moving three opening ribs dates to July 4, 5 and 6. Freemansburg (11-6) was the winners of six-straight games heading into Monday and had locked up one of the top-four seeds.

By Peter Car

LV FOCUS

Miller Symphony Hall leader sees renewed opportunity

Miller Symphony Hall, Allentown, home to the Allentown Symphony Orchestra, had a “great season” for 2016-17, and Allentown Symphony Association Executive Director Sheila K. Evans has an even better season in store for 2017-18. “It was a great season. We had an amazing season last year,” Evans says. Maestra Diane Wittry is in her 22nd season as Allentown Symphony Orchestra Music Director-Conductor, bringing world-class artists to Miller Symphony Hall, enhancing the cultural community in the Lehigh Valley.

By Paul Willistein

OTHER STORIES

Bethlehem: Proposed city council ethics ordinance ‘too unwieldy’

Bethlehem: City police announce new child porn unit/Arrest made

Fountain Hill: Public works project gets under way

Lower Saucon Township: Officer receives Ogden award

Bethlehem Township: Commissioners take aim at ATV use

Valley: Local students among Swain School graduates

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Center for Animal Health and Welfare

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July 12, 2017

COVER STORY-JULY 4^TH IN THE CITY

Community reads the Declaration

The sixth annual Fourth of July reading of the Declaration of Independence took place at Bethlehem’s Payrow Plaza in the late morning of Independence Day with over one hundred area residents in attendance. Readers for 2017 were Northampton County Court of Common Pleas Judge Emil Giordano, Lehigh Valley dentist Tom Gyory, Bethlehem Councilman Eric Evans, Northampton County Councilmen Glenn Geissinger, Matthew Deitz, Hayden Phillips and Seth Vaughn, Bethlehem Mayor Bob Donchez, Bethlehem Police Chief Mark DiLuzio and former Lehigh County Commissioner Dean Browning. The Gilbert family provided vocal accompaniment on the singing of the national anthem and “God Bless America,” and Bethlehem based Boy Scout Troop #59 led the Pledge of Allegiance. Photo: The Fourth of July in Bethlehem concluded with the city’s traditional fireworks display. Launched from the centrally located Sand Island along the Lehigh River, the pyrotechnics give residents many vantage points from which to enjoy the sounds and colorful bursts as the nation celebrates its independence. This view is from St. Michael’s Cemetery.

By Dana Grubb

PEOPLE

Becahi principal goes home

Bethlehem Catholic’s principal for the past seven years, John Petruzzelli, has taken the next step of his career, returning to his hometown of Philadelphia as principal of St. Joseph’s Preparatory School, where he once worked as dean of students. Petruzelli made an impression and was well liked by the students. From his quirky morning announcements to taking cameos in school plays to setting up opportunities for the student body to hoot out SpongeBob Squarepants references during assemblies, he helped change the culture and attitude at the school. Despite the excitement about starting the new job, “I’m very sad about leaving,” he said in an email from Philly. “It’s tough to leave a place that you have loved and invested so much time and energy into. The kids have been amazing. I will really miss them.”

By Nate Jastrzemski

COMMUNITY

Moravian Day celebrates city’s founding

Moravian Day, a festival for Moravians and the community, was held June 17 on the grounds of Central Moravian Church and the nearby Moravian community in historic downtown Bethlehem. The event featured entertainment, food, music and family-oriented activities. The admission-free celebration was sponsored by the Bethlehem Area Moravians (BAM) and other Moravian entities as part of a 2016-17 schedule of special events marking the 275th anniversary of the Moravian founding of Bethlehem in 1741. A 275th anniversary Moravian Lovefeast followed on June 25 in Johnston Hall, Moravian College. Photo: Madeleine Atwood, a Central Moravian Church member and Liberty HS graduate, attempts a 19th century wooden hoop and stick game. The Moravian Historical Society provided the game “Graces,” especially for girls “to teach them poise and grace,” said Suzanne Keller of the MHS.

By Tim Gilman

BETHLEHEM

Sister City program marks 21^st year

Gray skies and drizzle forced the annual Slovenian flag-raising ceremony from Payrow Plaza into the Rotunda on June 23, but the spirit of those in attendance was not dampened. Bethlehem-Murska Sobota Sister Cities Association founder Stephen Antalics Jr. acted as master of ceremonies, and Robi Poredos of the Slovenian Press Agency gave the invocation and benediction. The guest speaker was Deputy Chief of Mission at the Republic of Slovenia Embassy, Vladimir Kolmanic, who attended with his wife Vesna and son, Amir. Kolmanic noted the 26th anniversary of Slovenian independence and 21st anniversary of the Sister City relationship between Bethlehem and Murska Sobota. Photo: Attendees at the ceremony join in singing “God Bless America” at its conclusion.

By Dana Grubb

CLASSROOM

Charter Arts students present ‘Dance Quilt’

The Lehigh Valley Charter HS for the Arts stitched together a graceful “Dance Quilt” of ballet, modern, and tap styles with the help of visiting alumnus Nicholas Heffelfinger May 19 and 20. Heffelfinger, recently graduated from Boston Conservatory. According to artistic director of dance Kim Maniscalco, “For me a quilt represents many hours of work put forth from the hands of many people. The outcome is always a thing of beauty …” “Our quilt was not only to please the eye and soul, but for its own practical purpose; to serve as a training ground for our young dance students.”

For more information on the school, visit charterarts.org. Photo: From left, Karina McKenna, Josh Frumkin and Hailey Fleming join Malcolm Burton and Emerson Ahn during “Le Papillon,” a student-choreographed work by Kaitlyn Fritz.

By Ed Courrier

BETHLEHEM SPORTS

Larimar new Liberty boys soccer coach

Former Liberty High School soccer player and Moravian College graduate Ian Larimer is the new head coach for the Hurricanes’ boys’ soccer team. Shortly after he was hired earlier this year and shortly after the team’s strength and conditioning work had been done, Larimer held a group meeting with Liberty soccer players to outline his philosophy, among other things.

By Katie McDonald

LV FOCUS

‘Cirque It’ City

Touchstone Artistic Director JP Jordan was in Peru when he first decided to create the Jakopa’s Punch Band. “I was in Peru when I got word that David Bowie had passed,” Jordan explains, “and I was told that The Lesson Center planned to host a benefit for leukemia patients in honor of Bowie. “Now, I didn’t have a band at the time, but I asked if I could play a set if I could pull a band together in time, and they said sure. So we ended up getting together this group of musicians.” The name of the band stems from Jordan asking his niece what she thought “JP” stood for. “It just fit. I like to think that the band itself, the music, is the punch.”

By Luke Muench

OTHER STORIES

Bethlehem: Little progress made advancing ethics proposal

Bethlehem: Summer book sale opens July 19

Bethlehem: BASD longtime ESOL teach retires

Fountain Hill: Borough performs summer cleaning

Northampton County: Council passers on greater contract oversight

Lehigh Valley: 31 added to are volunteer fire depts.

Lehigh Valley: PCFLV dedicates ‘Ray of Sunshine’

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July 19, 2017

COVER STORY

‘They can just be horses now’

At a June 1 ribbon cutting ceremony and a July 8 open house that featured a special visit by the Budweiser Clydesdales, the Bethlehem Police Department, nonprofit Friends of the Bethlehem Mounted Police, and the community celebrated the completion of the new Bethlehem Mounted Police stable. Constructed on 10 acres of land generously leased from the Allentown Diocese, and immediately adjacent to Holy Savior Cemetery, the new structure has housed mounts from the unit, Pharoah, George, Asa and Grey since mid-May. Photo: The big attraction was the Budweiser Clydesdales, but the event was held to celebrate an open house for the new Bethlehem Mounted Patrol stables. Thousands of area residents attended and toured the facility.

By Dana Grubb

COMMUNITY

Festive July 4^th in Old Edgeboro

On July 4th, current and former residents of the Old Edgeboro section of Bethlehem did what they have been doing for the past 43 years: they gathered on Sycamore Street for the annual Independence Day celebration.Neighbors line the block with tables and chairs. Overhead are two large American flags suspended over the ends of the block by Marty Plyler. This year, as always, the event began with a reading of the Declaration of Independence. Readers were Vivien Appel and Nick Englesson. As always, the audience enthusiastically applauded lines expressing defiance of England by the colonists. Photo: A long table of entrees and salads is complemented by a table of desserts. Guests brought their own drinks.

By Dennis Glew

FESTIVALS

‘An offer you can’t refuse’

Sponsored by the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce, the Second Annual Bethlehem Italian Festival was held June 17 on Main Street and in the Sun Inn Courtyard. The event featured a “Wine Trail,” with 14 wines curated by South Italy Imports were available for tasting. An “Italian Food Trail” featured culinary delights sampling at nearby participating restaurants like The Brick, Tapas On Main, Twisted Olive, and The Colony Meadery at the Book Shop. Photo: Accompanied by Nick Franco on accordion, actor and singer Gianni Russo serenades diners at Corked on Main Street. Russo, who played Carlo Rizzi in 1972’s “The Godfather,” was in town to promote Don Corleone Organic Italian Vodka with the motto, “An offer you can‘t refuse.”

By Ed Courrier

OPIOID CRISIS

‘Warm handoff’ aids addicts

Physician General of Pennsylvania Dr. Rachel Levine gave a press conference at Lehigh Valley Hospital June 12 on new programs which aim at getting drug addicted patients – notably, opioid and heroin abusers – the care they need. Several representatives from the hospital and other local organizations were on hand to give insight on their efforts. Photo: Paige Walsh, addiction recovery liaison, Dr. David Burmeister, D.O., Dr. Rachel Levine, Dr. Robert Cannon, D.O. and Layne Turner speak during the presentation on warm handoffs at Lehigh Valley Hospital.

By Christopher Dryfoos

ANOTHER VIEW
What to do if your doctor prescribes an opioid

A TV commercial for a network of treatment centers encourages drug addicts to contact them for rehab. Another has New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie warning there is an epidemic of opioid addiction, but addicts have a way out. “Help is within reach,” he says. You might have seen these commercials, but perhaps you have not been – as I have – swallowing an oxycodone tablet while watching them.

By Linda Wojcichowski

BETHLEHEM SPORTS

Bethlehem Catholic Athletes of the Year

Tessa Zamolyi: As high school sports seasons go, Bethlehem Catholic High School senior Tessa Zamolyi would play volleyball at the beginning of the school year and compete in track and field at the end, but in the middle, the heart of the season, it was basketball that would take center stage in her athletic career.

By Katie McDonald

Mikey Labriola: When Mikey Labriola first got to Bethlehem Catholic his freshman year, it would be fair to say that wrestling coach Jeff Karam was not one of his favorite people.

By Peter Car

LV FOCUS

Afternoon and night delight

July 22 promises to be a jazz lover’s delight in the Lehigh Valley. The Pennsylvania Jazz Collective presents its second annual “Christmas City Summer Jazz Festival,” 12:30 - 10 p.m. July 22 at the Bethlehem Municipal Ice Rink, 345 Illick’s Mill Road, Bethlehem. There will be 12 groups on two stages. Festival headliner is Tom Schuman of Spyro Gyra. Schuman and Jazz Collective Artistic Director Alan Gaumer go back to the late 1970s when a twenty-something Gaumer needed a sub for a gig in upstate New York. The drummer recommended a teen-aged Schuman and Gaumer was “blown away by his playing.” The two have kept in touch since, including after Schuman relocated to Las Vegas. Spyro Gyra plays the Blue Note in New York City on July 25, allowing for Schuman’s Bethlehem festival appearance.

By George Vandoren

OTHER STORIES

Bethlehem: Casinos, locals at odds with state

Bethlehem: Steeples & Steel tour dates announced

Bethlehem: School band members recognized

Valley: Officers recognized for DUI/traffic enforcement

Valley: Area residents complete management program

Lehigh County: Commissions dole out casino hosting funds

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July 26, 2017

COVER STORY

Film company sets the scene at THE CUP

Anyone passing by the Linden Street landmark known as the Bethlehem Dairy Store, also known as The Cup, on June 29 may have felt as if they were experiencing a time warp. Classic cars from the 1950s and very early 1960s were parked in the store’s lot and along Millard and Linden streets to set the scene for an SAC union independent film being produced by FIFO (Fade In/Fade Out) CEO and founder Bill Hartin. FIFO is a nonprofit filmmaking consortium dedicated to cultivating and growing filmmaking in the Lehigh Valley area.

By Dana Grubb

DESALES POLICE SURVEY

Biggest issue: Communions with public

In the spring of 2017, DeSales University, in cooperation with the office of the chief of police and Mayor Robert Donchez, conducted a Bethlehem community survey to investigate the perceptions of safety in Bethlehem neighborhoods by household residents. I hoped that the survey would provide insight and information that the Bethlehem Police Department could utilize in order to better serve the citizens of Bethlehem, target areas of citizens’ concerns and to open additional channels of communication with all members of the community. I also wanted to understand residents’ satisfaction with the police department, their perception of crime and their fear of crime and police community relations and cooperation.

By Mark DiLuzio, Bethlehem police cief

FOUNTAIN HILL

Borough welcome new police officer

Fountain Hill Mayor Jose Rosado swears in Reza Imrani as a new part-time Fountain Hill police officer. Imrani previously worked at Moravian College.

By Tracy Rice

PEOPLE

‘1927 was a good year’

Friends and five generations of family members gathered around Margaret “Marge” Rooney July 15 at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish Center in Bethlehem to celebrate her 90th birthday. The theme of the surprise party was “1927 was a very good year,” and the room was decorated accordingly. Each table was adorned with sheets of paper listing fun facts from 1927, coasters displaying the year and PEZ candies and Kool-Aid packets, both of which were invented in 1927. Photo: Sons Michael, Patrick, Timothy and Robert Rooney Jr. surround mother Margaret “Marge” Rooney at her 90th birthday surprise celebration July 15.

By Katya Hrichak

ENTERTAINMENT

Brew Fest supports WDIY

English beer. Belgian beer in many varieties. German-style beer. Even Chocolate Peanut-butter Stout. Beers of every sort were available to sample July 8 at the Second Annual Homebrew Fest organized by WDIY, the Lehigh Valley’s Community NPR station. Twenty-six homebrewers contributed their wares; nearly 300 guests sampled among the many offerings. One guest described the event as “heaven for beer lovers.” It was also a very successful fund-raiser for WDIY. Photo: Close to 300 people participated in the 2017 Homebrew Fest, nearly filling the Charles A. Brown Ice House.

By Dennis Glew

COMMUNITY

Boys and Girls Club host annual fundraiser

The Boys and Girl Club of Bethlehem’s 38th annual golf tournament was held at the Silver Creek Country Club June 12 with 76 golfers participating. One of the organization’s two largest annual fundraisers, participants in the tournament enjoyed lunch on the clubhouse patio, a round of golf and dinner. Photo: The foursome of Jim Baker, Dan Nigito, Dominic Nigito and Dave Weikert teed off from Hole no. 1 to start the tournament.

By Dana Grubb

LEHIGH VALLEY

‘Hope for the entire community’

With the addition of the new Children’s Cancer and Multipurpose Infusion Center to the Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest campus, the 1210 building on South Cedar Crest Boulevard became entirely devoted to pediatric specialities. The grand opening took place July 18 and the center began receiving patients July 24. Photo: LVHN Department of Pediatrics Chair Nathan Hagstrom cuts the ribbon at the Children’s Cancer and Multipurpose Infusion Center grand opening July 18, surrounded by fellow LVHN employees. The center began receiving patients July 24.

By Katya Hrichak

BETHLEHEM SPORTS

Liberty HS Athletes of the Year

Gunner Anglovich sets his goal to be the best

By Peter Car

Jackie Arthur wasn’t planning to be a track star

By Katie McDonald

LV FOCUS

Up close and personal

“The Wow Factor” is in effect for the 2017-18 season of the State Theatre Center for the Arts, Easton.The 2016-17 season at the historic State Theatre was billed as “90 years of Wow.” State Theatre President and CEO Shelley Brown says when she was planning the 2017-18 season she made sure that the 91st year would continue to “Wow.” “It really inspired me that it was really important to me that we’re ready for 90 more,” says Brown. “That’s why the tag line, “Nobody does it better.’ “That’s the sentiment that I got all year, and just that it was a great, great venue and meant a great deal. That’s what was inspiring me. That we’re here. We’re here to stay.”

By PaulWillistein

OTHER STORIES

Bethlehem: 2017 will feature the last city seal

Bethlehem: Zoners approve new UGI tank

Bethlehem: YWCA to celebrate 90 years of service

Bethlehem”: City council approves new parks plan

Northampton County: Council literally in the dark

Bethlehem Township: Wanted-Replacement commissioner

Valley: BB&T, LVCF disburse $1.45M in grants

Valley: Fair queen completes her reign

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Aug, 2, 2017

COVER STORY

Dog tales wag tails

A Read to Dogs program attracted 25 children to the June 26 session at the main branch of the Bethlehem Area Public Library on Church Street. The young readers are paired with gentle and attentive trained therapy dogs during four 15-minute sessions. Six canines and their local owners showed up for the special event, which has been offered by the library for 10 years, according to Pat Mickowski of Bethlehem, local community coordinator for the program. Photo: Beverly Raymond’s bassett hound patiently listens to a book being read by Javien Cortes, who was participating for the first time, according to his mother, Amber Cortes of Bethlehem.

By TimGilman

BETHLEHEM

Police, fire departments hold joint ceremony

In a rapid ceremony July 21, during which the Rotunda was packed with city officials, family, friends, media and fellow uniformed public servants, 10 people were honored with promotions or welcomed into their ranks. Mayor Bob Donchez announced, “Bethlehem’s approach to safety has seen many changes over the years. The implementation of new technology and training techniques. They have improved the equipment that is used. But that cannot change the critical factor that one needs to be a police officer or firefighter, and that is character. Photo: In a joint ceremony of the police and fire departments, four new police officers are sworn in by Mayor Bob Donchez.

By Nate Jastrzemski

ANIMAL ASSISTED STRAEGIES

Going to the dogs for help

Downtown Bethlehem went to the dogs one Tuesday in June, when mental health clinician Lynette Reed used service and therapy dogs to demonstrate how they and other animals are being used to help people suffering the effects of trauma. The demonstration was part of Reed’s presentation on “Animal Assisted Strategies in Creating Safety” during the International Institute for Restorative Practice’s three-day 2017 Summer Symposium at the Hotel Bethlehem. Photo: Jingles is a therapy dog owner Joyce McGettigen of Churchville uses in school reading programs. Animals provide a bridge between teachers and students and can help relieve stress in the classroom. Jingles has been trained to work in many different settings and conditions.

By Carole Gorney

PEOPLE

Breathing life into the discarded

Award-winning Lehigh Valley pastel artist Jacqueline Meyerson has added yet another honor to her impressive list of prizes and recognition by being selected to exhibit her painting, “Locked Up,” this September at the National Arts Club’s 45th annual “Enduring Brilliance” competition in Manhattan. To compete, Meyerson’s painting had to be juried from among 1,300 entries, with only 180 being selected. “This is the crown jewel of pastel exhibitions, and to go to this event is very exciting,” Meyerson says. Photo: Pastel artist Jackie Meyerson creates her wonders in her studio in the basement of her Macungie home. She has shown in 16 exhibitions this year, from local galleries to international competitions.

By Carole Gorney

LEHIGH VALLEY

Dent recognized Military Academies Class of 2021

Congressman Charlie Dent (R-15th) held his 12th annual send-off reception for high school students from his district who will be attending one of the United States Service Academies this fall June 19 at his 3900 Hamilton Boulevard office in Allentown. Photo: Congressman Charlie Dent (R-15th) stands with Class of 2021 U.S. Service Academy students Caleb Vargo of Palmyra (U.S. Naval Academy), Vincent James Jenkins of Bethlehem (U.S. Merchant Marine Academy), Michael Schnabel of Macungie (U.S. Naval Academy), Reilly McGinnis of Macungie (U.S. Military Academy at West Point), Serena Johnson of Orefield (U.S. Naval Academy), Andrew Posch of Bethlehem (U.S. Military Academy at West Point), and Konstandinos Zaharakis of Bethlehem (U.S. Naval Academy) at the Congressman’s 12th annual U.S. Service Academy send-off reception at his Hamilton Boulevard office in Allentown.

By Aaron Berger

COMMUNITY

Church connects with art

Children shared creativity and laughs at Fritz United Methodist Church during the church’s first summer art camp. Twenty-one children ages 5 to 12 spent each night learning different art techniques and practiced their new skills on a variety of projects. After the five-night program, running from July 24 to 28, students gained a better understanding of art, took home art creations of their own and made some new friends. Each night started off with dinner, followed by some free time outdoors with activities such as relay races, jump rope and chalk drawing. After the outdoor fun, the art lessons began. Photo: Before the painting begins, students have a brief lesson about famous landscape artists and the techniques used in their works. Students then utilize their new knowledge when it is their turn to paint.

By Allison Poczak

BETHLEHEM SPORTS

FHS: Athletes of the Year

Callahan overcome injuries his senior year

By Peter Car

Swint was all-round great person, athlete

By Katie McDonald

LV FOCUS

The Musikfest experience

The 34th annual Musikfest, Aug. 4-13, features more than 400 performers from the United States, Canada, Cuba, Denmark, The Netherlands, Scotland and South Korea, performing on 16 stages on the north and south sides of Bethlehem. Headlining the Sands Steel Stage at PNC Plaza are ticketed concerts: Carlos Santana, Aug. 4; Chicago, Aug. 5; Father John Misty, Aug. 6; Live, Aug. 7; Aloe Blacc, Aug. 8; Godsmack, Aug. 9; Toby Keith, Aug. 10; The Band Perry, Aug. 11; Lee Bice, Justin Moore, Aug. 12, and Jethro Tull by Ian Anderson, Aug. 13. Musikfest highlights include the new Experienceplatz venue featuring the Architects of Air attraction, the Martin Guitar Stage at Yuengling Lagerplatz, and expanded visual arts activities at the Spark Orthodontics Familienplatz family venue, now in the Colonial Industrial Quarter.

OTHER STORIES

Bethlehem: HARB board approves solar panel installation

South Bethlehem: Mayor’s Task Force reviews police survey

Northampton County: Boscola, Brown hail P3 prison legislation

Northampton County: Judge Dally on problem solving courts

Lehigh Valley: Blood shortage hurts hospitals

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August 9, 2017

OVER STORY: MUSIKFEST

‘A celebration ... of everything we are’

The opening ceremony for the 34th year of Musikfest was kicked off with a simple question by ArtsQuest President and CEO Kassie Hilgert Aug. 4 at Wells Fargo Festplatz: “Who wants to get a festival started?” But before the 10-day festival could officially begin, Hilgert thanked everyone who continues to make Musikfest possible each year, including this year’s 1,800 volunteers, more than 150 corporate partners and “every department at city hall.” Photo: The new Martin Guitar Co. stage hosts folk singer Carly Moffa from Nashville, Tenn., Aug. 5 for her first Musikfest performance. The 16th and newest stage at the Yuengling Festplatz tent attracted a standing-room-only crowd. The free performance was the right ticket for Musikfest visitors. Festival artists will perform more than 40 acoustic sets and open mic sessions will be available for concert attendees.

By Katya Hrichak and Tim Gilman

POLICE

Summer camp takes a turn

It’s a plot line right out of a summertime horror film: Kids playing in a park happily until the monster arrives. In this case, the children were part of a summer camp experience hosted by the Bethlehem NAACP. It was the organization‘s first time offering the camp for young people ages 5 – 18 at Saucon Park on Williams Street in Bethlehem. The monster itself didn’t show up at the camp, but it left its droppings: the head of a dark-skinned baby doll ripped from its body and impaled on a stick. Photo: Grace Spruiell leads campers in a sing-a-long during an otherwise enjoyable camp experience for local children.

By Nate Jastrzemski

COMMUNITY

‘Wanting to see neighborhood succeed’

The Bethlehem Area Public Library Southside Branch partnered with New Bethany Ministries to offer a program titled “Fight Hunger and Homelessness” at the library July 27. The program, part of the adult summer series “Build a Better World,” focused explicitly on the impact hunger and homelessness have on Bethlehem and the greater Lehigh Valley.

Kate Cohen, director of development and communications at New Bethany Ministries, began the presentation by introducing both the organization and the prominence of the selected issues within the community. She quizzed the audience on what they knew of current statistics related to food deserts, food insecurity, homelessness and the affordability of housing.

By Katya Hrichak

PEOPLE

‘Give thanks for our time together’

Their senior year at the Liberty HS and Bethlehem Vo-Tech schools was marked with noteworthy 20th century events. President Franklin Roosevelt would die suddenly in April 1945, the furious final months of World War II in Europe would conclude in May, and the final push to defeat Japan in the Pacific was gaining momentum. Just a couple of months after they graduated, the first atomic bombs were used in warfare. Their entire generation had grown up through the Great Depression. In June, 40 surviving members of the class of 1945 and their guests gathered at the Palace Restaurant for a buffet luncheon to mark 72 years since they graduated, noting there probably might not be additional opportunities for reunions, as those who organized and attended are mostly nonagenarians. Photo: Reunion committee chairperson Joseph Kricks addresses his classmates and their guests at the reunion held at the Palace Restaurant. Kricks, who attended with his wife, Kathryn, was class president. His family owned the well-known Bethlehem business, Kricks’ Bakery.

By Dana Grubb

IIRP’S 2017 SUMMER SEMINAR

Dealing with cultural trauma

Racism, and dealing with the trauma that it causes, was one of more than a dozen related subjects discussed at the International Institute of Restorative Practices’ 2017 Summer Symposium at the Hotel Bethlehem in July. A total of 78 people from around the world attended the three-day event titled, “A Restorative Journey: Transforming Relational Harm.”

Photo: Presenter Kevin Jones works with traumatized students in transition schools, as well as being a student and family services school administrator. After providing restorative practices training to his school, he says the climate there has improved tremendously, including dramatic changes in student behavior and improved attendance.

By Carole Gorney

BETHLEHEM SPORTS

Football teams get on the field

Monday may have been a dreary day across the region, but for football fans, it was a joyous occasion as the official first day of camp opened for high school teams across the state. With the heat acclimatization period kicking off, Monday’s weather provided reprieve from any hot temperatures, as the overcast sky provided a cool and damp opening day, setting the stage for a moderately warm week for players and coaches to get their bearings on the new season.

By Peter Car

LV FOCUS

Eyes wide shut

Despite what many are claiming, this year marks Jethro Tull’s 49th anniversary, not its 50th anniversary. “I come across that all the time. People just seem to want to jump the gun,” says Ian Anderson, lead vocalist, flautist, acoustic guitarist, and founding member of Jethro Tull. “But honestly, even if it was, this has been just another tour. It’s been just another tour since the beginning. I’m not an anniversary guy. It’s just not on my mind. I don’t think that way.” Jethro Tull by Ian Anderson is touring the United States in 2017, playing some of its biggest hits, including “Locomotive Breath,” “Living In The Past,” “Bungle In The Jungle” and “Aqualung,” with a Musikfest concert at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 13, Sands Steel Stage at PNC Plaza, SteelStacks, Bethlehem.

By Luke Muench

OTHER STORIES

Bethlehem: Council meeting done in minutes

Bethlehem: HCC tables ‘pencil-like structure’

Bethlehem: Wesley Church-‘We’ve Got Your Back Covered’

Northampton County: Bethlehem wants tax breaks for northern neighborhood

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August 16, 2017

COVER STORY

Administrators against armed staff

The states senate last month passed bill 383, which allows school district staff and faculty who possess concealed-carry permits to carry firearms on school property. Educators across the state have spoken against the bill. Bethlehem Area School District Superintendent Dr.Joseph Roy said he’d be uncomfortable with guns in the hands of anyone other than trained professionals. He told Lehigh Valley Live anything else raises the risk that some innocent person is going to get hurt,

By Nate Jastrzemski and Ed Courrier

LEHIGH VALLEY

Fab Lab: ‘Fabulous Fabrication’

Northampton Community College’s Fab Lab in South Bethlehem will double its space and learning opportunities when NCC’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship opens in May 2018. The initiative is being made possible by a $7 million grant to renovate the first floor of the Fowler Family Southside Center on East Third Street, where the Fab Lab will expand to half of the new space for innovation, and the remaining space will be devoted to entrepreneurship. Photo: Tobor the Great, named after the robot in the eponymous 1954 film, was designed and built by Fab Lab instructors working together for a total of 10,000 hours. The robotic arm acts under the control of the special glove shown on the arm of the man in the background.

By Carole Gorney

MUSIKFEST

Fest comes to a close

Joining hundreds of other Santana fans in lawn chairs or on blankets along First Street, are Kathleen Wentz from Bethlehem Township and Kathy Brown from Bethlehem. They agreed that listening just outside the gated Sands Steel Stage venue is a lot of fun.

Photos by Dana Grubb, Lori Patrick and Tim Gilman

PEOPLE

Cub Scout day camp adventures

The occasional cloudbursts couldn’t dampen spirits at the Cub Scout Day Camp at Louise Moore Park in Easton July 14, the last day of a week-long adventure. Fortunately, it was sunny for most of the week while the nearly 100 Cub Scouts from area packs moved among various activity stations to have fun and learn. Staffed by 60 scout leaders and volunteers, these included stations for scouting skills, science, sports, water sports, archery and BB gun marksmanship. Photo: On their last day of the week-long Cub Scout Day Camp at Louise Moore Park, the kids and their leaders still ‘have a ball’ despite some drippy weather.

By Ed Courrier

COMMUNITY

Tooth Fairy visits National Night Out

National Night Out, held on the first Tuesday of August, is a chance for police and other first responders to get together with the local residents they serve and show them that they all care. Bethlehem Township has one of best of these community gatherings at its municipal park. In addition to a moon bounce, water slide and all kinds of educational exhibits, there’s also plenty of free food donated by area businesses and restaurants for a crowd of nearly 1,000 people. But the star of the night would have to be the tooth fairy, who flew in before she started work that evening to hand out toothbrushes and pencils to area children. Photo: The Tooth fairy is actually Gabrielle Matejcik, whose toothbrush might be a bit too big for Sophia Bermudez.

By Bernie O’Hare

BETHLEHEM SPORTS

Tony’s To-Cat wins TOC

The 28th version of Catasauqua’s Tournament of Champions proved to be an old-fashioned basketball barnburner. Top-Cat, the champion of the nearby Stiles League, defended its title with a tight-knit, 62-59 win over Ohlson’s Landscaping to capture the crown. Derek Hall hit John Amoroso for a layup with roughly 15 seconds remaining in the game to help Top-Cat to the title. It was a close contest throughout the night, as the tournament featured its share of interesting games. Teams from Allentown, Allentown JCC, Bangor, Catasauqua, Catty Over 35, North Catasauqua, Stiles and Summit Hill participated.

By Jeff Moeller

LV FOCUS

A cool award

Douglas Wiltraut received a Ruth G. Rosenau Silver Medallion in the Adirondacks National Exhibition of American Watercolors for “A Cool Sip” (dry brush watercolor, 35 in. x 54 in.).

Wiltraut’s long-time friend, Bob Schaffer, posed for the watercolor near the “Poughkeepsie Bridge,” a 19th-century railroad trestle south of Slatington along the Lehigh River. This is the third time Schaffer modeled for an award-winning work by Wiltraut. The award presentation for “A Cool Sip” was Aug. 4 in Old Forge, N.Y.

By Ed Courrier

OTHER STORIES

Bethlehem Area SD: Sage new Freedom assistant principal

Bethlehem: HARB assists with pergola proposal

Bethlehem: YWCA launches ‘Music & Memory’

Lehigh Valley: Task Force thanked for helping veterans

Lehigh Valley: Daycare own pleads in infant’s death

Lehigh Valley: UGI donation benefits are children

Northampton County; Convicted murderer blames lawyer, ex-wife

Solar eclipse viewing: Some do’s and don’ts

Fountain Hill: Firemen, police thanks for blaze response

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August 23, 2017

CHARLOTTESVILLE

Bethlehem’s reply: Holding hands and prayer

Over the weekend, as the 34th Musikfest came to an end, Bethlehem Police Chief Mark DiLuzio had just one word to describe it - “Great!” Over the 10-day festival, over 1.2 million people visited the Christmas City. Only 36 people were arrested, mostly for public drunkenness. But 309 miles away in Charlottesville, Va., a “Unite the Right” rally ended in tragedy. Three people are dead. Dozens more are injured. A president first said “both sides” are to blame, then blamed white supremacists and the KKK, and finally returned to saying that “both sides” are responsible. How did Bethlehem respond? By holding hands. By praying. Photo: Bethlehem officials, clergy, NAACP members and Bethlehem residents join hands and pray for an end to racism in America.

By Bernie O’Hare

COMMENTARY: ED’S WORLD

Another kind of eclipse

By Ed Courrier

SOLAR ECLIPSE

Earth, the moon and the sun

Mark Twain fans may recall how a total eclipse helps protagonist Hank Morgan escape death and impress royalty and the magician Merlin when Morgan time travels to sixth century England after a blow to the head in Twain’s novel “A Connecticut Yankee in King’s Arthur’s Court.” On Aug. 21, a total solar eclipse, visible to the continental United States, inspired scientists, baffled wildlife and dazzled star gazers with its celestial show. Photo: Phyllis Bailey visited her six grandchildren in Bethlehem this week and they came to the library to take part in the solar eclipse festivities. “With all the things going on in the world, an event like this shows us that God is still in control,” Bailey said. “This is such a phenomenon.”

By April Peterson, Rich Chartrand, Lori p[atrick and Susan Bryant

MUSIKFEST

Event sets new attendance record

A record number of performances and performers, several new programming elements and nearly ideal weather conditions combined to attract a record number of patrons to Musikfest and the city of Bethlehem Aug. 4-13. Attendance at the 2017 festival, presented by the nonprofit ArtsQuest, was 1,196,000, up 25 percent from the 957,000 people who attended the event in 2016. The 2017 attendance tops the previous all-time attendance record of 1,152,000 set in 2008 and equaled in 2009. Photo: Folks dancing to Doppelganger’s German version of “Mack the Knife” (“Die Moritat von Mackie Messer”) at Festplatz Aug. 13.

Contributed article/Photos by Tim Gilman and Ed Courrier

FREEMANSBURG

Community marks National Night Out

Freemansburg Borough held its National Night Out Aug. 1 at the borough park. The event paid tribute to borough police officers and first responders, while giving visitors the chance to meet those who serve in the community. Visitors were also treated to games, free finger- printing, food and drinks. Photo: Freemansburg Borough Council Vice President Justin LaBar grills up hot dogs for National Night Out visitors.

By Mark Reccek

BETHLEHEM SPORTS

Football returns Friday night

Area football teams took part in their season opening scrimmages last weekend, but the lights come on for real this Friday night when the football season kicks off across the state. Bethlehem Catholic and Liberty both begin their season on Friday, as the Hawks host Pocono Mountain West at BASD Stadium, while Liberty hits the road for a contest against East Stroudsburg South. Both games kickoff at 7 p.m., just like Freedom’s Saturday night showdown at J. Birney Crum Stadium when they face Allentown Central Catholic. For the Golden Hawks, Friday will be their first shot at an encore following last year’s state semifinal appearance with head coach Joe Henrich back in charge.

By Peter Car

LV FOCUS

Allentown Fair marks 165 year

One of the United State’s Top 50 fairs kicks off Aug. 29 and runs through Sept. 4, Labor Day, the unofficial end-of-summer holiday. Fair organizers are touting the milestone-year event as “The Pick of the Season,” saving the best of what summer has to offer for last. Headlining the Fair’s Grandstand shows are ticketed concerts: Thomas Rhett, Aug. 29; Keith Urban, Aug. 30; John Mellencamp, Aug. 31; Rascal Flatts, Sept. 1; Pentatonix, Sept. 2, and Tito Nieves, Ivy Queen, Jose´ Alberto “El Canario,” Sept. 3.

OTHER STORIES

Bethlehem: City Council votes against gifts

Bethlehem: LVIP fire likely accidental

Bethlehem Township: Board to survey resident library interest

Freemansburg: Council approves fire co. radio purchase

Valley: Interstate 78 repair work begins

Northampton County: Brown has some good news … and some better news

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August 30, 2017

SEARCH AND RESCUE

Massive effort under way to locate missing woman

As Midnight approached, and one last sweep in the vicinity of the Woodland Terrace at the Oaks facility, 1263 S. Cedar Crest Blvd., Allentown, failed to turn up any trace of missing resident Audrey Penn, 78, searchers began to pack up their gear and head home with a sense they had not been able to do what they showed up to do. Salisbury Township police officers had been at it since 8 a.m. Aug. 23, after Woodlands Terrace personnel discovered Penn missing during an early morning bed check. Several police command officers, as well as Salisbury Township Police Department Chief Allen Stiles, were on scene interviewing anyone who might have seen the woman. Police conducted multiple searches in every room and closet in the building. Photo: Fire department and search and rescue teams continue their search activities for a missing Woodlands Terrace dementia patient late into the night of Aug. 23. Photo2: As this edition of The Bethlehem Press went to press Tuesday, Audrey Penn (below) still had not been found.

By Jim Marsh

ALLENTOWN DIOCESE

Bishop to be installed Aug. 31

Bishop-elect Alfred A. Schlert will be ordained as bishop and installed as the fifth bishop of Allentown Aug. 31 at a special Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Catherine of Siena. The church is located at 18th and Turner streets in Allentown. The Mass will begin at 2 p.m. The procession of deacons, priests and bishops will lead Schlert to the altar. Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput will be the principal ordaining bishop. Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States, will also be in the sanctuary.

MINSI-TRAILS

Popcorn sale kick-off

The Minsi Trails Council launched its annual Boy Scout Popcorn Fundraiser with a little assistance from Bumblebee and his arch enemy Megatron at the Aug. 1 kickoff event at Moravian College. More than 250 adults and 150 scouts, representing 180 scouting units, turned out for the event. “Megatron,” the actual Deceptacon Mack truck from the movie “Transformers: Dark of the Moon,” courtesy of Mack Trucks, was kept in line by the series’ hero “Bumblebee,” a yellow Chevy Camaro sponsored by Scott Chevrolet. Photo: Boy Scouts ham it up at the kickoff’s photo booth. From left, Jacob Schierer and Hunter Smith from Troop 329 with Justin Gichiengo and Massimo Piscitello from Troop 362. Both scout troops are based in Bethlehem.

By Ed Courrier

ED’S WORLD

Graphic commentary
by Ed Courrier

PEOPLE

Class of ’67 gather for 50^th

Fifty years after they were the last full graduating class from then Bethlehem HS, nearly 200 graduates of the class of 1967 and their guests gathered for their 50th reunion in early August at the Best Western in Hanover Township. That year, 992 people received diplomas from what was Bethlehem’s only public high school. The following year Freedom HS would open, ushering in the era of two public high schools in the Bethlehem Area School District. Photo: Classmates from so long ago, Chip and Beverly Bartik Walakovits poses with class of 1967 president Fred Robertson. The Walakovits reside in the Bethlehem area and Robertson now resides in Florida.

By Dana Grubb

BETHLEHEM SPORTS

Hawks pummel Pocono Valley West

You could say that Bethlehem Catholic’s season opening win over Pocono Mountain West was an opportunity for them to iron out some wrinkles. It also provided evidence as to why the Hawks are primed to be one of the most dangerous teams in the area this season. Running back Tavion Banks displayed his flashy play in the backfield, as he ran for 148 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries to spearhead the running game, while quarterback Javon Clements was an efficient 7-of-11 for 142 yards and a score in the 58-14 victory.

By Peter Car

LV FOCUS

Broadway under the stars

Summer is for sitting outside, eating hamburgers and hot dogs, relaxing, kicking back, and in general, just having a good time. Summer nights are for listening to music under the stars, enjoying the cool air and letting the music wash over you as you sit with friends outside on the lawn. I think of places like Tanglewood in Massachusetts, with the Boston Symphony; Wolftrap in the Washington, D.C., area, with the National Symphony, and The Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and the LA Philharmonic.

By Diane Wittry

OTHER STORIES

Fountain Hill: Shooting death reported

Bethlehem: YWCA announces new board members

Lehigh County: Cedarbrook analysis provided

Northampton County: Is NORCO ready for the age of aquarium?

Lehigh Valley: Solar eclipse extras

State: Gov. Wolf announces test reductions

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September 6, 2017

COVER STORY

The power of the T-Rex

While school crossing guards were mobilized recently for the opening of Bethlehem schools to protect community children, no crossing guards have been available to make sure senior citizens and the disabled can safely cross Westgate Drive. That is until now. Passing motorists couldn’t help but notice the T-Rex accompanying Lutheran Manor residents last week as they continue their safety walk at the intersection of Westgate and Bathgate drives where they have asked for a lighted crosswalk and a lower speed limit. Photo: T-Rex (Amy Zanelli)assists Lutheran Manor walkers as they continue their safety walk at the intersection of Westgate Drive and Bathgate Drive, where they have asked city officials for a lighted crosswalk and a lower speed limit.

Contributed story

LEHIGH VALLEY

Sen. Toomey’s Town Hall at PBS39

Fairly or unfairly, U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa) has come under heavy criticism for refusing to meet his constituents at a town hall. One group calling itself Tuesdays with Toomey actually camps outside his legislative offices weekly. Last week, it was Thursday with Toomey. It was a one-hour televised town hall Aug. 31 at the Steelstacks’ PBS-39 Studios before a small crowd of 54 people and nine reporters and photographers. Before things got started, about 35 protesters rallied outside the PBS studios. Many of them were Dreamers, the name used for undocumented immigrants who came here as children. Under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, as many as 800,000 dreamers have been granted a reprieve. President Donald Trump could have ended that program as early as Sept. 1, but Toomey said at the end of his town hall that “we should find a way” to help this group. Photo:
Senator Pat Toomey said he is sympathetic to the plight of Dreamers, the name used for undocumented immigrants who came here as children.

By Bernie O’Hare

BUSINESS

Food a big industry in the LV

We love our food. Before every snowstorm, we flock to local supermarkets to stock up with milk, eggs and bread. A trip to the grocery is a weekly ritual. Holidays are an excuse for a feast, picnic or barbecue. But amazingly, we only spend about 6.5 percent of our household budget on food. This is far less than any other country in the world. Europeans spend between two and three times as much as we do. Russian families spend nearly a third of their household budget to put food on the table. This was one of the first points made by the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) as it recently kicked off its national tour with a tour of Hanover Township’s Freshpet Kitchens, followed by a roundtable discussion and of course, lunch. Photo: Freshpet Kitchens is where the Grocery Manufacturer Association kicked off their national tour.

By Bernie O’H are

PEOPLE

‘Still send[ing] love’

Family and friends gathered around Gertrude Kuhnsman to celebrate her 106th birthday at the Moravian King’s Daughters Home on West Market Street Aug. 26. “She’s always very appreciative and she’s always liked a party, so she’s happy for this celebration,” said daughter Shirley Bilheimer. The celebration was marked by live music, a porch full of guests and a visit from a mounted policeman and two horses. The visit from the horses was in honor of the horses that Kuhnsman owned earlier in her lifetime. Photo: Daughter Shirley Bilheimer reads a birthday card to her mother, Gertrude Kuhnsman, on her 106th birthday.

By Katya Hrichak

COMMUNITY

Comfort for chemotheraphy patiends one bag at a time

The CHEMO Bag, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to providing gift bags full of comfort items for chemotherapy patients, held its first major fundraiser in August at the Bethlehem Municipal Golf Course. Founded in 2013 by Leah Walia, a nurse who herself had gone through chemotherapy, the group now has more than 40 volunteers and sponsors. About 1,000 gift bags were distributed this year, but Community Outreach Director Judy Swartley says that is only about one-third the number of patients who undergo chemotherapy annually. “My goal is to provide for every one of them.” Photo: Bethlehem resident Susan Chavanne takes home the Pampered Chef grill, one of the sought-after lottery prizes awarded as part of the fundraiser.

By Carole Gorney

NEIGHBORHOOD

‘Someone else’s junk’

The weather for the fifth annual yard sale at St. Anne’s Parish in Bethlehem could not have been better. Moreover, its location on Washington Avenue between Linden Street and Easton Avenue ensured a steady stream of visitors who stopped when they spotted the sale. And there were great buys on appliances, baskets and blankets, furniture, kitchen goods, books, tools and toys, stuffed animals, games, and decorative objects, among other items. Organized each year by the Parish Knights of Columbus, the sale benefits numerous charities, including Coats for Kids, Special Olympics, the Soup Kitchen in Allentown, ARC, Disabled Vets and St. Anne’s. In addition, people who have had a fire in their home or some other misfortune get help, as well as individuals in need of hearing aids. Photo: An assortment of goods donated by St. Anne’s parishioners awaits customers

By Dennis Glew

LV HOSPITAL-MUHLENBERG

Family fun at the festival

The 56th Lehigh Valley Hospital - Muhlenberg Summer Festival concluded its three-day run Aug. 19. Carnival rides, games and local musical entertainment attracted thousands of Lehigh Valley visitors to the free event. The festival is known for its large art and craft tents which feature notable vendors with handmade and homemade items. The popular summer event is spread out on the hospital’s Bethlehem area property. Above: After getting his face painted, Charles Mynar fills a bottle of colored sand in the Kiddie Land tent. Mother Crystal Mynar, a former Catasauqua resident who recently moved to Arizona, said she was visiting her sister.

By Tim Gilman

CLASSROOM

Student-run sports camps aid PCFLV

Students from Freedom and Liberty high schools volunteered time from their summer break to run a three-day sports camp for Bethlehem area elementary students July 10, 12 and 14. BASD Mini-Thon members partnered with the Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley to organize the event. Athletes from the Freedom and Liberty varsity teams provided instruction in the basics of field hockey, baseball, football, cheerleading, lacrosse and volleyball to the eager day campers, who ranged in age from 5 to 11 years old. The Monday and Wednesday activities were held on Freedom’s new turf field, where the kids were cycled through different sports stations where they received instruction for 25 minutes before Mini-Thon councilors ushered them to another sport. The Friday camp was moved indoors due to rain.

By Ed Courrier

BETHLEHEM SPORTS

’Canes coach not happy with loss to Easton

To say that Liberty head coach John Truby was upset following last week’s 24-7 defeat to Easton would be an understatement. Truby let his feelings be known about a lost opportunity on the road against the upstart Red Rovers (2-0), where his team failed to execute, gave up big plays on defense and lost the turnover battle in their first real test of the season. “We literally shot ourselves in the foot time after time after time,” Truby said. “I can’t even begin to tell you how angry I am with our poor execution overall. It was really just that bad. We had spots where we could do things and we just couldn’t keep it together. The little things killed us tonight. I guess I have to preach it a little bit more this week.” Easton quarterback Scott Poulson and wide receiver Jake Herres proved to be a problem for the Hurricanes last week, as they hit for a pair of big TDs to distance themselves from Liberty (1-1).

By Peter Car

LV FOCUS

‘Heroes of Flight 93’

The terrible trauma of 9/11 made us family. Images of two hijacked airliners crashing into the World Trade Center in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001, and the aftermath are indelibly burned into our memory. We recall a third plane slamming into The Pentagon in Arlington County, Va. And we remember the fourth plane burrowing into a field in Shanksville, Somerset County. “9/11 And The Heroes Of Flight 93” by The Media People, whose executive producer is Scott Stoneback of Alburtis, completed in April 2017, has received two international awards, the Hermes Creative Platinum award in the category of education, and the 38th annual Telly Bronze award in the category of documentary. Videographer and editor was Gregory Roth of Emmaus.

By Paul Willistein

OTHER STORIES

BASD: New teachers, new school

BASD: Rivera tell teachers ‘Identify what students need’

Lehigh County: Hartzell rethinks Cedarbrook project

Lehigh Valley: Lanterfly quarantine area increases

Fountain Hill: St. Luke’s receives Heart Assoc. award

Fountain Hill: Council adopts drastic collections plan

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September 13, 2017

COVER STORY

A political ‘beacon’ retires

On Sunday, Congressman Charlie Dent (R-15th) hosted what was supposed to be a “formal announcement” concerning his intentions next year. But news of his retirement leaked out on Thursday. Dent had revealed his intentions to a few of his congressional colleagues, and they spilled the beans. “They’re wonderful friends, but they have big mouths,” Dent joked Sunday at the swanky Renaissance Hotel in downtown Allentown.

Dent’s retirement announcement a surprise by Nate Jastrzemski

Standing Up for ‘sensible center’ by Bernie O’Hare

‘Working from the center’ by Bernie O’Hare

STATE LEGISLATURE: D-133RD

Community remembers McNeill

A stunned public learned of the death of state Rep. Daniel McNeill, D-133rd, Sept. 8 many of them were unaware the 70-year-old Hokendauqua resident had been battling cancer, as he had carried out his work without interruption and with determination and a smile. Whitehall Township Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. said, “Danny was the ultimate ‘fighter’ for the people, whether it was for Whitehall Township or the entire Lehigh Valley. Danny’s tireless efforts to make his constituents aware and educated about the opioid crisis and his constituent services assisting countless people of the 133rd District will not be forgotten.”

By Al Recker

VEGAN HEAVEN

Veg-Fest celebrates cruelty-free, meat-free, dairy-free lifestyle

South Bethlehem was overrun by a voracious group of people Aug. 26, when the city held its seventh annual VegFest, celebrating and promoting a cruelty-free lifestyle and delicious meat- and dairy-free foods. “VegFest began in 2011 when the Downtown Bethlehem Association staff and board of directors were looking for a new event to host on the Southside,” Timothy A. Brooks, DBA manager of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, said. “There are not many vegan festivals in Pennsylvania. I believe that is one reason for the draw. Another reason is the healthy lifestyle of a plant-based diet.”

By Brian Myszkowski

COMMUNITY

Annual golf tournament benefits Chamber

The annual Walla Gazoo Golf tournament and clambake, organized by the Bethlehem office of the greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, was held Aug. 21 at the Bethlehem Golf Club. Lynn Collins Cunningham, senior vice president of the GLVCC’s Bethlehem office, reported that 136 golfers participated in the event, enjoying a round of golf on the well-maintained course and a clambake in the evening. Cunningham said the decades-old event remains one of the major fundraisers for the Chamber of Commerce in Bethlehem and that proceeds support both staffing and various initiatives. The tournament was played in a four player scramble format and the winning foursome at 12 under par (59) was comprised of Julian Sghiatti, Joey Cappelli, Dan Kluemper and Ed Kluemper. Other winners were Joe Feilmeier (closest to the pin), Pat Sewards (longest drive-men), and Linda Rosencrance (longest drive-women). Photo: Walla Gazoo participants enjoy a clambake buffet dinner after completing their rounds of golf.

By Dana Grubb

BETHLEHEM SPORTS

Becahi rallies to top Emmaus

Despite falling behind by two touchdowns in the first seven minutes of the game, Bethlehem Catholic didn’t panic last Friday against defending league champ Emmaus. The Golden Hawks quickly answered with three unanswered first-half touchdowns then held off Emmaus in the fourth quarter for a 28-21 win over the host Hornets.

By Mike Haines

LV FOCUS

Nobody does Bond better

A Broadway diva meets a suave secret agent on Sixth Street in Allentown when songstress Rachel York joins the Allentown Symphony Orchestra for the 2017-18 season-opening Pops Concert, “The Music Of James Bond And More,” 7:30 p.m. Sept. 23, Miller Symphony Hall, Allentown. York is well-known for her Broadway performances in the original Tony Award-winning production of “City of Angels”; “Les Miserables”; “Victor/Victoria” (Drama Desk Award), with Julie Andrews; “Sly Fox,” with Richard Dreyfuss, and “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,” with Jonathan Pryce.

By George Vandoren

OTHER STORIES

Bethlehem: Council adopts ethics ordinance

Bethlehem: Anderson Campus opens Specialty Pavilion

Bethlehem: Book sale opens today (Sept. 13)

Fountain Hill: DEP says borough must help clean river

Lehigh Valley: German grocery chain sinks roots in Valley

Lehigh Valley: Annual TPA picnic

Lehigh County: No tax increase in proposed 2018 budget

Hanover Township: Supervisors approve Sun Inn Distillery

Bethlehem Township: Edinger honored for 20 years service

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September 20, 2017

COVER STORY

The voices of recovery

In its 27th year, National Recovery Month is continuing its climb out of the darkness that is the stigma of addiction and into headlines around the globe. This year, Recovery Month follows only a few weeks after President Trump declared the opioid epidemic in America a national emergency. Local Lehigh Valley news has been plagued with stories of tragic deaths from overdoses and families torn apart by addiction. There is no one path to recovery and no one way to erase this problem, but there are millions of voices that are willing and able to help, and here are just a few of them.

By Heather Nigrone

UPDATEMissing woman’s body found

Nearly one month after a woman was reported missing from a home for senior citizens in Salisbury Township, the search is over. Audrey Penn, 78, was pronounced dead 3:44 p.m. Sept. 17 by Deputy Coroner Jack Fliter after her body was found in a drainage ditch in the area of Hamilton Boulevard and Kressler Road, Lower Macungie Township.Initially identified as Jane Doe by Fliter, she was positively identified as Penn in a news release to the media 9 p.m. Sept. 18 following testing earlier in the day. An autopsy was performed Sept. 19 to determine the cause of death.Penn, who had Alzheimer’s disease, lived in Woodland Terrace at the Oaks Senior Living Community, Salisbury Township. She was last seen Aug. 23.

By Paul Willistein and Deb Galbraith

STATE

Senators say property tax #1 complaint

Mark Twain once observed that the only difference between a tax man and taxidermist is that "the taxidermist leaves the skin." That was the sentiment of most of the over 200 people who crammed into Bethlehem Township's meeting room Wednesday night for a town hall on property taxes. The forum was hosted by state senators Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton), Mario Scavello (R-Monroe) and Dave Argall (R-Schuylkill). Each is a co-sponsor of the Property Tax Elimination Act, which was defeated in 2015 when Lt. Governor Mike Stack broke a 24-24 tie to send this reform measure to perdition. But Argall has resurrected the legislation and is conducting town halls statewide to whip up support.All three state senators agreed that the public is clamoring for a change. Photo: It was standing room only at Bethlehem Township’s meeting room as over 200 people cascaded into a town hall on school property tax reform.

By Bernie O’Hare

STATE

Child welfare workers: Overworked, under paid

A lengthy report from the state Auditor General on the child welfare system is calling out numerous pitfalls in the relevant agencies that can have deadly results. “In 2016, 46 children died and 79 nearly died in Pennsylvania from abuse and neglect. Of those 125 children, nearly half of their families were already in the child-welfare system. Pennsylvania’s child-welfare system is broken. “This is not hyperbole or exaggeration,” Auditor General Eugene DePasquale said in the report that concluded a yearlong study of the state’s child welfare system.

By Brian Myszkowski

MORAVIAN COLLEGE

New shining star on campus

Representatives of Moravian College -- from the president to incoming first-year students -- gathered at the corner of Main and Laurel streets Aug. 20 to take part in the informal opening of the the Sally Breidegam Miskiewicz Center for Health Sciences. Built over the last year, the 55,000-square-foot center will support Moravian’s programs in health-related fields including nursing and public health, among others. Sally Breidegam Miskiewicz was a graduate of Moravian College in the Class of 1994. She was the chairperson and chief executive officer of East Penn Manufacturing in Berks County. She also served on Moravian College’s Board of Trustees from 2008 till her death in an accident in 2014.

Photo: Seen from Monocacy Street, the Center for Health Sciences sits just beyond the Priscilla Payne Hurd Academic Complex (foreground, left) and next to the Collier Hall of Sciences (distance, left). The lawn and walkway offer open space on a fairly busy campus.

By Dennis Glew

LEHIGH VALLEY

Memorial Day parade 2018 celebrates state’s musical roots

Washington, D.C., has its National Memorial Day Parade, Philadelphia marks the occasion with Penn’s Landing Waterfront Day, and in 2018 for the first time, Northeast Pennsylvania will observe the holiday with the “The Great Allentown Memorial Day Celebration” on May 27 and 28 at the historic Allentown Fairgrounds.The plans for the annual event were announced at a news conference Aug. 21 by Jeffrey Tapler, president of the board of directors of the Pennsylvania Music Preservation Society (PAMPS), sponsor of the celebration, and Alex Meixner, Grammy Award nominee and nationally acclaimed musician, performer, bandleader, educator and leading advocate of polka music. Photo: William Allen HS Marching Band tuba players high-five each other after award-winning musician and Lehigh Valley native Alex Meixner compliments their playing. The students had only been playing the tuba for three weeks.

By Carole Gorney

CLASSROOM

Partnership provides school supplies

ArtSkills, a local arts and crafts company, for the second year donated hundreds of backpacks filled with fun goodies to the Freemansburg ES student body Sept. 1. Teachers got packages for their rooms, too. ArtSkills worked with The Kids in Need Foundation, a nonprofit whose purpose is to keep kids and teachers alike stocked with school supplies. KINF Executive Director Dave Smith said, “We know that when children and teachers get the tools they need, it creates a more equal learning environment and promotes confidence in the classroom.” Photo: ArtSkills co-owner Bradford Demsky hands a backpack to Ruben Fantauzzi as Marinellys Ibanez receives her own. Both students are fourth graders.

By Nate Jastrzemski

BETHLEHEM SPORTS

Pates upend Northampton

Getting a win in East Penn Conference football is a goal every week and that’s what Freedom was able to do in last week’s 26-13 home victory over Northampton. The win pushed Freedom to 3-1 on the season and that was the most important take-away for head coach Jason Roeder.

By Peter Car

Bethlehem Catholic blows by Eagles

It was a test of grit and resiliency on Saturday night for Bethlehem Catholic and Hawks answered against Nazareth in resounding fashion. Trailing 20-13 at halftime against the Blue Eagles, Becahi exploded in the second half, outscoring Nazareth 38-7 en route to a 51-27 victory.

By Peter Car

LV FOCUS

Pain awareness month

For Julian Phillips, chronic pain is an everyday fact of life. Nothing in Phillips’ active childhood years in England, where he was born, indicated that he would later be living a life of constant physical agony. September is “Pain Awareness Month” in the United States. Phillips again this year brought the American Chronic Pain Association awareness program to the attention of the board of commissioners in Salisbury Township, where he resides. Township commissioners agreed to allow “Pain Awareness Month” signs to be placed in the township.

By Ed Courrier

OTHER STORIES

Bethlehem HCC: Business signage changes approved

Bethlehem HARB: Artefact scores four for four in Sept.

Bethelhem Area SD: Freedom HS’s 50^th anniversary Oct. 15

Opinion: Equifax-Life will never be the same

Letter: Bethlehem gift ban still too loose

Lehigh Valley: Family fun at the fair

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October 4, 2017

COVER STORY

‘My spiritual life-giving guardian’

Molly Troxell never thought that when she first met John Garrity, their working relationship would become a 40-year friendship. Troxell, who recently began her 18th year as an elementary school art instructor, was Garrity’s student teacher at Northern Lehigh ES. “I student-taught in England for half a year before I met Mr. Garrity,” said Troxell, who teaches in the Bethlehem Area School District and is a resident of Emmaus. “At the time, Northern Lehigh was an open concept school with no walls between the classrooms. Despite the very loud and constant noise, Mr. Garrity was an amazing teacher who included pottery making and ceramic art in his curriculum. For him, it was all about encouraging his students to use their imaginations to produce wonderful artwork.” Photo: Molly Troxell, who recently began her 18th year as an elementary school art instructor, was John Garrity’s student teacher at Northern Lehigh Elementary School.

By Rich Strack

PEOPLE

Poet Hilda Doolittle honored

The Bethlehem Area Public Library and Lehigh University have partnered to bring recognition to the poet Hilda Doolittle, who was born in Bethlehem in 1886 at the site of the city’s government complex. Added to the list of national Literary Landmarks, a plaque was recently dedicated at the entrance to the main branch of the library on West Church Street.

Head librarian Josh Berk said a lecture on Doolittle by Lehigh University associate professor Seth Moglen had provided the impetus for pursuing the recognition. “Seth’s lecture got us all fired up about H.D.,” said Berk who credited Lehigh University with providing help on the application and sharing the cost of the plaque. Photo: Representing Lehigh University and the Bethlehem Area Public Library are Seth Moglen, associate professor of English, Suzanne Edwards, director of the Humanities Center at Lehigh, Amardeep Singh, associate professor of English, Rayah Levy, director of adult services at the BAPL, Jennie Hyest, assistant director of international studies at Lehigh, Scott Gordon, former chair of the English department at Lehigh, and BAPL head librarian Josh Berk.

By Dana Grubb

BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP

Anderson campus to double capacity

At their Sept. 18 meeting, Bethlehem Township Commissioners voted 4-0 to approve an expansion at St. Luke’s 500-acre Anderson campus that will allow the hospital to double its capacity. “Tower Two,” a four-story hospital building nearly identical to the main site, is what St. Luke’s Vice President Ray Miolam calls the next chapter in the development of the Anderson campus. He anticipates the project will be complete in two and one-half years, with construction starting next spring. Voting yes were Malissa Davis, Mike Hudak, Howard Kutzler and Tom Nolan. Pat Breslin was absent.

By Bernie O’Hare

COMMUNITY

Celebrating Leh’s 169^thbirthday

A. W. Leh’s 169th Birthday Party Sept. 17. Leh, (1848-1918), the Civil War soldier and architect whose work dominated Bethlehem at the turn of the 20th century, is near and dear to owner Evelyn Beckman. Her event venue and home is located in the old Siegfried Drugstore, which was designed and built by Leh in 1888. Today you can view the original tile, stained glass and new custom woodworking, as well as antique furnishings. Ambre Studio is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places and is listed on Bethlehem’s Preservation Plan as a “Tier One” type property for protection from demolition described as one of Bethlehem’s “historic treasures.” Photo: Evelyn Beckman of Bethlehem, owner of Ambre Studio, restored the property built by architect A.W. Leh. Beckman has kept the historical aesthetic alive here and celebrates Leh’s birthday each year by hosting a party open to the public.

By Lori Patrick

ST. LUKE’S

Baby and Me center opens

The St. Luke’s University Health Network announced the opening of its new Baby and Me Support Center, calling it the “first of its kind in the area.” At a dedication reception Sept. 9, hospital representatives were joined by Bethlehem Mayor Bob Donchez and State Representative Michael Schlossberg (D-132). Jared King, SLUHN service line administrator for women’s and children’s services, said the facility fills a certified need in care. Photo: Hospital and public officials hold a ceremonial ribbon cutting to mark the Sept. 11 opening of the facility.

By Dana Grubb

CLASSROOM

Interacting with science

Science and fun collided at the Northampton Community College Fowler Family Center during a Cops ‘n’ Kids Literacy Program event Sept. 20. The collaborative event offered students from the Northeast Ministry after-school homework program the opportunity to try their hands at the game of tennis while simultaneously learning about anatomy and physiology. To kick off this series of science-oriented programming, Cops ‘n’ Kids came together with the Northampton Community College women’s tennis team and Prathysha Kothare, president of Parkland HS’s Science in Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math and Medicine (STEAMM) in Action group. Photo: Members of the NCC women’s tennis team, Parkland HS STEAMM club president Prathysha Kothare partnered with Cops ‘n’ Kids to develop a science-based program series for the Northeast Ministries after-school homework program students.

By Katya Hrichak

BETHLEHEM SPORTS

Battle of the unbeaten: Becahi vs. Parkland

High school football games don’t get much bigger than this Friday’s tilt between Bethlehem Catholic and Parkland. The 7 p.m. showdown in Orefield pairs both undefeated squads in the crosshairs, as the winner grabs sole possession of the EPC South. Coming off last week’s 24-17 victory over Easton (4-2), Bethlehem Catholic (6-0) is ready for another pivotal showdown against one of the area’s top programs.

By Peter Car

LV FOCUS

Revisit ‘Secret Garden’ at Civic

For director William Sanders, choosing “The Secret Garden” as Civic Theatre’s opening production for the theater’s 90th season was a no-brainer. “Every year we try to find something that is family-friendly, then something that is fun, and then something that would be a little off the beaten path, something a little bit more cutting edge. This [‘Secret Garden’] would be family-friendly,” explains Sanders of how he puts the Civic season together. “The Secret Garden” opens at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 6 and continues at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays (and Oct. 21), through Oct. 22 at Civic Theatre of Allentown.

By Luke Muench

OTHER STORIES

Bethlehem Area SD: District included in city’s emergency planning

Bethlehem Area SD: Board reviews successful projects

Bethlehem: Water authority awaiting word on pipeline, wind projects

Bethlehem Township: Commissioners consider fire tax, tax break for firefighters

Nation: Celebrating newspapers’ impact on community

Lehigh County: Roberts Youth Services job confirmed

Lehigh County: Cedarbrook renovations approved

South Bethlehem: Tradition rose marks start of Charter Art’s 15^thyear

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October 11, 2017

COVER STORY

Terror in Vegas: Bethlehem woman at nearby casino

Jennifer Miller was just looking to have a good time at a Las Vegas show with her sister-in-law Charlene Gibson. Unfortunately, that show was near the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, where on Sunday night, Stephen Paddock shot and killed dozens of concertgoers at a country music festival across from the hotel. “Me and my sister-in-law went out, just us two. It was our first time,” the Bethlehem resident said. “We were in the Cirque de Soleil Michael Jackson ONE show. The show started at 9:30, and at about 20 to 11 they stopped everything. At first they said they were having difficulties and to bear with them. We thought they were just technical difficulties.” Photo: Jennifer Miller and Charlene Gibson pose for a photo during their Las Vegas vacation, where they attended a show close to the location of the shooting that claimed 59 lives Oct. 1.

By Brian Myszkowski

OPINION

‘Domestic terrorism, plain and simple’

Platinum recording artist Jason Aldean’s set was tragically interrupted at the Route 91 Harvest Country Music Festival in Las Vegas Oct. 1 when a gunman opened fire on the crowd, killing 59 people and injuring roughly 600 more. It is a sad reality we live in as Americans when we are not safe at the movies, schools, churches, and now music concerts. Just five months after the Manchester, England attack during an Ariana Grande concert, we now have an even deadlier attack happening here in the United State. It is extremely terrifying and disheartening to know that this is something that is beginning to happen so often, especially at a place that is meant to be about fun and the enjoyment of music.

By Selena Cintron

POLICE

Shooting suspect apprehended in city

John Michael Hann, 61, was arraigned Thursday afternoon on charges of homicide and attempted homicide in connection with a shooting in Lehigh Township the night before. Hann is accused of shooting and killing his cousin, Joseph F. Mullner, 64. Mullner’s wife Melinda, who called police at 6:26 p.m. on Wednesday to report what had happened, was also shot. She is hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. Lehigh Township police found her husband’s body in the driveway of their Longacre Drive home. Photo: Lehigh Township Police Chief Scott Fogel discusses the case.

By Bernie O’Hare

ED’S WORLD

Graphic commentary by award-winning artist Ed Courrier

BETHLEHEM

Hotel may be new CRIZ site

The City of Bethlehem’s CRIZ may get a new property in its jurisdiction. The Hotel Bethlehem on Main Street in Bethlehem is a candidate to be among the projects under the taxes for development program known as the City Revitalization and Improvement Zone or CRIZ. Last week, Bethlehem Mayor Bob Donchez announced that he recommends that the hotel and other properties be included in the CRIZ. If approved, the iconic Hotel Bethlehem, according to Managing Director Bruce Haines, will allow previously developed expansion plans to proceed. Expansion plans had been “put in a drawer” by the Hotel Bethlehem ownership, but when Donchez succeeded in getting the CRIZ language re-written to include additional properties, Haines and his partners realized that their shelved expansion plans would be much less risky under the provisions of the CRIZ. Photo: View of proposed Hotel Bethlehem expansion from the historic district looking east.

By Douglas Graves

ENTERTAINMENT/CULTURE

Celtic Classic marks 30^th year

The Celtic Classic Festival marked its 30th anniversary Sept. 22-24 this year. The festival is said to be the largest free Celtic Fest and Highland Games in North America. Jayne Ann Recker, executive director of the Celtic Cultural Alliance, said, “This year’s festival was very well attended, with new things for the 30th anniversary well received. We’ll definitely be back next year.” Photo: The festival grounds underneath the Hill-to-Hill Bridge features a food court and the Grand Pavilion entertainment tent in the background below downtown Bethlehem. Celtic beer is popular at the festival.

By Tim Gilman and Dorothy and Dennis Glew

BETHLEHEM SPORTS

Becahi falls to Parkland, 38-24

The Bethlehem Catholic football team fell into an early hole, and could not dig themselves out last Friday night at Parkland School District Stadium. The Golden Hawks found themselves down 17-3 heading into halftime against Parkland, and then trailed 24-3, their biggest deficit of the game, early in the third quarter. They were able to battle back and make things interesting, but the Trojans answered any Becahi score and held on for a 38-24 victory in a battle of unbeaten teams at the top of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference.

By CJ Hemerly

LV FOCUS

Getting into the act

For director Ara Barlieb and the Crowded Kitchen Players (CK Players) theater company, “Act One” is a production that everyone wanted to be a part of. “Like a lot of theater companies, we are drawn to plays about theater,” Barlieb says. “It’s really compelling to do a play about a play.” Barlieb says that, to the best of his knowledge, “Act One” has never been performed outside of New York City.The Lehigh Valley premiere of “Act One” will be presented by the CK Players at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, Oct. 13 - 22, Charles A. Brown IceHouse, Sand Island, 56 River St., Bethlehem.

By Luke Muench

OTHER STORIES

Bethlehem: Homeless shelter policy altered for winter

Northampton County: Board votes to approver LERTA in city

Police: Homicide arrest made in Fountain Hill shooting

Classroom: Becahi honors top students

Classroom: Becahi tournament-Let’s Par-Tee!

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October 18, 2017

COVER STORY

Nitschmann 2.0: Not your grandfather’s middle school

Nitschmann MS hosted an open house Oct. 4 for the public to showcase the new $53.1 million, 180,000-square-foot building. The evening began with Principal Peter Mayes giving a brief introduction in the school’s auditorium before inviting everyone to explore the new school. Many teachers and students were posted around the campus and in classrooms to greet the public and answer questions.

By Mark Kirlin

VIEWS

Let’s talk civility

In the midst of recent tragedies and current events, the topic of civility comes to the forefront. By definition, civility is formal politeness and courtesy in behavior or speech, focusing on other people rather than our own self interests. George Washington wrote “Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior.” Today most of these rules seem outdated. However, the core message remains relevant; setting aside our self-interests and focusing on respecting others.

By Jacquelyn Youst

COMMUNITY

‘Preserv[ing] the connection’

After six years of being closed, the High Street Bridge was dedicated in a reopening ceremony Sept. 25.“As many of you know, this bridge used to be a single-lane wooden bridge that was owned and maintained by Norfolk Southern. Quite honestly, we’ve had issues with the bridge for at least the past 20 years in terms of deficiencies, and a couple of times it was closed,” said Michael Alkhal, city director of public works. Photo: Michael Waldron cuts the ribbon and officially reopens the High Street Bridge in Hellertown.

By Katya Hrichak

BUSINESS

Framing what you love

After years in an Eastside studio, Girl on the Hill Framing has moved to a new shop in center city. Offering custom framing for home and business use, art preservation and the sale of vintage pieces, owner Dawn Moser said she relishes the chance to help people find creative answers to their questions about art and family relics. Photo: oves the history of downtown Bethlehem. She is a graduate of Saucon Valley HS, Northampton Community College and Kutztown University, and over the past 15 years has worked on art installations and framing projects for local artists, ArtsQuest, Lehigh University, Lehigh Valley Hospital and the Sands Casino.

By Nate Jastrzemski

BETHLEHEM HISTORY

‘Firefighting’ author to speak Nov. 8

The newly released book “Firefighting in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, 1741–1917” tells the story of how a town battled the elements – and won. It is the first of its kind, with many never-before-seen photographs. The authors (right), Nancy Rutman, Chris Eline and Karen Samuels, will discuss their research for the book and present a slideshow about Bethlehem firefighting Nov. 8, 7 p.m., at Seidersville Hall, 3700 Old Philadelphia Pike. Nancy Rutman discovered an interest in American history as a teenager, during the nation’s bicentennial in 1976. Chris Eline is a local historian and firefighter for the Bethlehem Fire Department for 24 years. Karen Samuels is an author of seven books on Bethlehem area history and a Keystone Press Award-winning newspaper columnist.

BURNSIDE

Apples Fest single autumn’s arrival

There couldn’t have been a better way to say ‘goodbye’ to summer and ‘hello’ to autumn than Historic Bethlehem Museum and Sites’ 4th annual Family Fun Apple Days Festival. On Sept. 9 and 10, the Burnside Plantation hosted record numbers of over 3,500 apple lovers from locations all over the Lehigh Valley. Photo: A new addition to this year’s festival intrigued dog lovers such as Raelynn and her father, who read to Abby, a therapy dog from Therapy Dogs International. The therapy dogs were adored by all and Richard, left, Abby’s owner, noted the smiles the four-legged friends bring to everyone’s faces.

By Allison Poczak

FREEDOM/EMMAUS

Fighting pediatric cancer … together

rior to the Sept. 29 football game, students from Freedom and Emmaus teamed up to help raise money and awareness for pediatric cancer. Both student sections observed “gold-outs” to support the Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley (PCFLV). FHS and EHS have both been selling the “gold-out” shirts in school, as this is the main way to obtain donations and participate in this event. PCFLV helps cover all of the medical expenses for kids with cancer in the Lehigh Valley who are registered with them and also have fun little events for the kids throughout the year. Photo: Freedom football player Alec Huertas runs onto the field with Mackenzie Cleffi, daughter of Michael Cleffi (a teacher at Freedom) who recently had her last chemotherapy treatment.

BETHLEHEM SPORTS

LHS wins D-11 golf title

The Liberty High School golf team once again brought home the hardware, capturing the District 11 team title after also winning the East Penn Conference title two weeks ago. The Hurricanes lost to teams like Emmaus and Parkland during the regular season, but leading up to the EPC tournament, felt they had an advantage with their top-five golfers and that certainly proved to be the case.

By Mike Haines and Scott Pagel

LV FOCUS

Sounding Beethoven

There has long been a connection between art and music, with one often inspiring the other. Many musicians are also artists and vice-versa. Years ago, when I first started conducting the Allentown Symphony Orchestra, someone asked me if I had ever heard any of the sound sculptures created by the artist Harry Bertoia. At that point I had not, so they invited me out to Harry’s barn and studio in Bally, Berks County, along Route 100, about 15 miles from Allentown.

By Diane Wittry

OTHER STORIES

Valley: LANTA, union team up for Puerto Rican relief

Valley: Giant donates $250K for Hurricane Irma relief

133^rd District: Jeanne McNeill accepts nomination

Bethlehem: City announces public meeting for parking review

Bethlehem: HCC members warm to cold storage plan

Northampton County: Audit reveals questionable P-card use

Northampton County: Gaming board reluctant to gamble with $745K in slots revenue

South Bethlehem: Charter Arts presents ‘Waiting for Godot’

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October 25, 2017

OVER STORY

Monster Mash

Northampton Community College’s Fowler Center Fab Lab was the scene of some zombie mask creativity recently, just in time for Halloween. Resin casting instructor Michael Bianco showed a small group of students how to mold, adhere, feather and bloody a number of mask special effects, and how to make a prosthetic hand casting. “It sounded like fun,” Moravian Academy student Liam Brolly said. “I had done this kind of make-up for a movie my cousin made.” Photo: Instructor Michael Bianco with his zombie mask class participants, James Conolly, Ava Conolly, Annie Direnzo, Michael Brolly, Liam Brolly and Hugh Brolly. Another student, Missy Hartney had left earlier.

By Dana Grubb

COMMUNITY

Are you Southside proud?

Long in the works behind the scenes, the Southside Proud marketing campaign officially launched at a public gathering Sept. 30. Part of the Southside Vision 2020 neighborhood improvement project, the campaign is geared toward bettering the Southside’s image in the city’s consciousness, turning from the impression of rough and compact steelworkers’ districts to the modern iteration; schools, restaurants, entertainment and the arts all within walking distance of close-knit neighborhoods. Photo: Used at a number of recent events for photo and video ops, the small blackboard lets locals literally stand by their words.

By Nate Jastrzemski

AT THE LIBRARY

Getting an earful on communications’

Marcie Lightwood, from the Institute for Jewish - Christian Understanding at Muhlenberg College, led a workshop on developing good listening skills at the South Side branch of the Bethlehem Public Library recently. Janine Santoro, from branch adult services, said she felt there was a need in the community to address the current polarized political climate. “No one is listening to anybody,” she lamented. Lightwood spoke about the difference between debate, discussion and dialogue. “Discussion is not wrong, debate is not wrong, dialogue is what we want to get into.” she said of the evening’s program. Photo: Marcie Lightwood from IJCU, Muhlenberg College discusses what she calls the “Cultural Iceberg” during a listening skills workshop at the Bethlehem Public Library’s South Side Branch.

By Ed Courrier

CLASSROOM

OLPH students practice fire safety

“Stop, drop, and roll!” shouted uniformed children filling the benches at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School on Santee Road in Bethlehem Thursday. They were repeating the refrain from Fire Officer Jeff Owens’ song about fire safety. The class, presented by Owens, public education coordinator for Koorsen Fire & Security, was good, but besides getting some valuable advice, the kids got a chance to pet his two black Labrador retrievers, Kali and Kasey. Photo: Madison Carvello, Abigail Kelly, Chloe Moreno, Kristen Moreno, Madison Cummings make friends with assistant instructor dogs Kali and Kasey.

By Douglas Graves

MORNING CHAT

With coffee and cops

Several Bethlehem Township police officers, along with Chief Dan Pancoast and Township Manager Melissa Shafer, visited the newly renovated McDonalds to share coffee with residents and employees. In addition to listening to their concerns, officers accepted applications for a citizen police academy. They also discussed Project Lifesaver, a program that helps locate Alzheimer’s patients who wandering away from home and get lost. Photo: In honor of National Coffee Day, Bethlehem Township’s finest share some java with at the newly refurbished McDonald’s along Route 191 with customers and employees. Officers Gretchen Kramer and Dean Wilson discuss caffeine with Regional Manager Brian Latshaw.

By Bernie O’Hare

BETHLEHEM SPORTS

Volleyball: Liberty wins EPC title

After winning its second straight East Penn Conference title over the weekend, Liberty’s volleyball team now wants more. The Hurricanes (18-1) knocked off Central Catholic 22-25, 25-14, 25-17, 25-21 Saturday at Northampton for the EPC championship and move onto the District 11 4A tournament as the top-seed heading into Thursday’s slate of action.

By Peter Car

LV FOCUS

It takes two

Direct from Argentina, Tango Buenos Aires performs a sizzling and sensual voyage through dance in its new show “Spirit of Argentina.” Tango is a culture in and of itself, possessing its own gestures, language, vocabulary and aesthetics. Audiences the world over embrace the intensity of tango and its expressive movements. Tango Buenos Aires dance company is hailed as the most authentic and uncompromising representative of tango. Tango Buenos Aires performs “Spirit of Argentina” at 8 p.m. Oct. 27, Miller Symphony Hall, Allentown.

By Camille Capriglione

OTHER STORIES

Bethlehen Area SD: Board to recommend charter renewal

Bethlehem Area AS: Homestead issue hot ballot item

133^rd District: Molony Republican candidate for special December election

South Bethlehem: Volunteers make the ‘fall haul’

Fountain Hill: Borough Little League gets big grant

NorCo: Brown says no tax hike in balanced budget

NorCo: Brown says no jail at Gracedale

NorCo: Kraft under nepotism scrutiny

Lehigh Valley: Sheriff issues phone scam alert

Saucon Valley SD: Math committee seeks part-time hire

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November 1, 2017

COVER STORY

Defunding programs

Many families find Valley housing unaffordable

Housing costs in the Lehigh Valley are steep. For many families, housing is simply unaffordable, and programs designed to help this sector of the population are being defunded. The Restoration House Program, operated by New Bethany Ministries on Bethlehem’s Southside, is one of those programs. By the end of October, all current residents were required to vacate their apartments, even if they had not reached their full duration of stay.

Part 1 of a series by Katya Hrichak

SIDEBAR: A directory of housing agencies

http://bethlehem.thelehighvalleypress.com/2017/10/31/defunding-programs-0

ELECTIONS

Bethlehem Press voting guide

Compiled by Jane Knotek, Bernie O’Hare, Nate Jastrzemski and Samatha Anderson

http://bethlehem.thelehighvalleypress.com/2017/10/31/bethlehem-press-voting-guide

BETHLEHEM

Wolf announces initiative

“We have a budget.” Though it was the biggest takeaway from Gov. Tom Wolf’s visit to Bethlehem Friday, it was only because of this the real reason for his visit was made possible. Standing in the National Museum of Industrial History on Third Street, Wolf announced a $12 million initiative to help coordinate and streamline activities and opportunities for bettering industry statewide. Photo: “This is a great place to do business, and a great place to build a business,” Gov. Tom Wolf said Friday during his visit to the National Museum of Industrial History on Third Street. Wolf announced a $12 million initiative to help coordinate and streamline activities and opportunities for bettering industry statewide.

By Nate Jastrzemski

http://bethlehem.thelehighvalleypress.com/2017/10/31/wolf-announces-initiative-spur-statewide-manufacturing-success

BETHLEHEM

Southside celebrated at annual event

The Lehigh Valley Charter HS for the Arts hosted the 32nd South Bethlehem Historical Society annual meeting Oct. 3. Society members were welcomed by Charter Arts CEO Diane LaBelle at the start of the event. Missy Hartney, main street manager for the Southside Arts District, brought attendees up to date on the what her organization is doing to improve various aspects of the neighborhood south of the Lehigh River. Photo: SBHS President Jessica Lee is flanked by the event’s guest presenters. From left is Missy Hartney from the SouthSide Arts District and Barbara Fraust from the Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission.

By Ed Courrier

http://bethlehem.thelehighvalleypress.com/2017/10/31/mayor%E2%80%99s-sstf-%E2%80%98southside-proud%E2%80%99-0

COMMUNITY

Festival supports farm project

The second annual Monocacy Farm Food Festival Oct. 1 included hands-on activities, face painting, demonstrations, local food and artisans, music, farm tours, speakers and raffles. All proceeds went to support the Monocacy Farm Project which is a program managed by the Sisters of St. Francis. The project includes a 10-acre farm that provides organic produce to low income families and local shelters. In addition, the program provides various educational programs that teach agricultural techniques and nutrition to youth and adults. Photo: Horses were on display during the Monocacy Farm Festival. Proud grandfather Barry Eynon holds granddaughter McKenna Eynon as she gets to see a horse up close.

By Mark Kirlin

COMMUNITY

Trick or Treat night in the city

Photos by Tim Gilman

http://bethlehem.thelehighvalleypress.com/2017/10/31/trick-or-treat

CLASSROOM

Freedom HS mark’s 50^thanniversary

Bethlehem residents and district officials gathered around Oct. 15, 1967, as Vice President Hubert Humphrey spoke at the Freedom HS and East Hills JHS dedication ceremony. His speech is still available for reading online to this day. In it, he applauded the two schools as the finest he had ever seen, saying to all involved that, “You have decided to equip those children for success – successful employment, successful college careers, successful participation in American society.” Humphrey’s words did not fall on deaf ears, and 50 years later to the day many former students and educators, some whom listened to that original speech, returned to Freedom and East Hills for a rededication ceremony. They returned as educators, politicians and examples of the caliber of students produced by the Bethlehem Area School District. Photo: Exploring the capsule East Hills head custodian Ro Faulkner tries on some of the time capsule contents, while custodian Melissa Sule was shocked to find her mother’s senior graduation photo in the first yearbook.

By Heather Nigrone

BETHLEHEM SPORTS

‘Canes out-muscle Patriots for city title

After the frustrating season Liberty’s football team had endured through nine weeks, last Saturday’s dominating 21-7 victory over Freedom gave everyone on the Hurricane sideline a monstrous smile. Sparked by Jaden Vazquez punt block after Freedom went three and out on their opening drive, Trevor Harris scooped up the football and raced six-yards for the opening score that felt like a grand slam of emotion for the early 7-0 lead.

By Peter Car

LV FOCUS

‘Varekai’

Cirque du Soleil’s “Varekai,” in a way, is a story about learning how to walk again. In the process, “Varekai” the show, flies. Or, rather, the performers do. “Varekai” will be presented for seven performances, Nov. 9 - 12, at PPL Center, Allentown. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9; 4, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10, 11; 1:30, and 5 p.m. Nov. 12.

By Katherine Santiago

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