OUR 10TH YEAR OF SERVICE
TO THE CITY OF BETHLEHEM, BETHLEHEM AND HANOVER TOWNSHIPS AND THE BOROUGHS OF FOUNTAIN HILL, FREEMANSBURG AND HELLERTOWN

Phone: 610-625-2121 FAX: 610-625-2126 gtaylor@tnonline.com

Tuesday, July 25, 2017


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

 

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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Tuesday, July 18, 2017


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 4th 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

 

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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The Bethlehem Press online

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Wednesday, July 12, 2017


July 12, 2017

COVER STORY-JULY 4TH 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 21st 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’

 

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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Thursday, July 6, 2017


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

 

WEEKLY FEATURES

Around town community calendar

Police logs

Area obituaries

Center for Animal Health and Welfare

Volunteers

Student profiles

High school news reports

 

MEET THE PRESS





The Bethlehem Press online

Where to buy the Bethlehem Press

To subscribe: New start

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