November 29, 2017

TREE LIGHTING

Christmas City shines

Bethlehem Mayor Bob Donchez and Chief of Police Mark DiLuzio officially kicked off the Christmas season at Bethlehem’s annual tree lighting ceremony Friday afternoon. Carols, a community sing, hot chocolate, cookies, PEEPS and a visit from Santa Claus completed the holiday tradition. Liberty HS’s Grenadier Band, the St. John AME Zion Choir, DeXperience, Cunningham and Associates and Luke DiGiacinto also performed at the ceremony. Photo: Hundreds of spectators kick off the holiday season in Bethlehem at the annual tree lighting. Music filled the air as the people marveled at the tree during the community event.

By Lori Patrick

 

COMMUNITY

Valley responds to storm victims’ needs

When a hurricane called Maria knocks your homeland to its knees, strips the shade from the trees, and leaves the land devastated, destitute and down, what do you do?  If you’re a Lehigh Valley Puerto Rican, you get busy. On Nov. 5 at ArtsQuest SteelStacks in Bethlehem, area Hispanics – Puerto Ricans and their simpatico brothers and sisters, the Dominicans, joined hands with other Lehigh Valley residents and raised money to help the families back home. They organized a free concert featuring live music by several popular Latin groups, including Grupo en Secuencia, Lehigh Valley Urban Orquestra, Orquestra Xariz and other music presented by DJ Baby J & Star. Photo: oncilo Deputy Director Julie Alvarez, Director of Governor’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs Lucy Colon, Director of Special Projects for Pennsylvania and Secretary of State Norman Bristol Colon, Director of Partnerships for the Salvation Army Rev. Bonnie Camarada, HGSK Law partner Attorney John Beichert and Allentown Police Detective (Retired) Luiz Garcia with a mockup check for $9,000 raised by the Nov. 5 fundraiser.

 

PEOPLE

Bethlehem Press writer honored

Bethlehem Press freelance writer Bernie O’Hare was among journalists honored by the Pa. Bar Association recently at a luncheon in downtown Philadelphia. O’Hare won first place in the weekly division for his reporting on the gerrymandering issue. Front row: Susan Schwartz, co-chair, Bar/Press; Holly Lubart, Bar/Press; Melissa Melewsky, Bar/Press; Bernie O’Hare, Bethlehem Press; Nicole Brambila, Reading Eagle; Stephanie Weaver, Reading Eagle; Jo Ciavaglia, Bucks County Courier Times; Sharon R. López, PBA president; Kevin E. Raphael, representative of award sponsor Pietragallo, Gordon, Alfano, Bosick & Raspanti LLP and James McClure, York Daily Record, accepting on behalf of Ed Mahon, Dylan Segelbaum and Scott Fisher also from YDR.

Back row: Riley Yates, The Morning Call; Jon Marks, Jewish Exponent; P.J. D’Annunzio, The Legal Intelligencer; Kyle Grimes, PBA Bar/Press Committee; Don Gilliland, Bar/Press; and Michael Berry, Bar/Press.

 

LEHIGH VALLEY

Guest speakers laud Literacy Center

The success of The Literacy Center’s education efforts were on proud display Oct. 5 at the Great Room on the Allentown campus of Muhlenberg College.  Three guest speakers showed off their public speaking skills in English as they each made brief remarks before a roomful of fellow students, teachers and board members and sponsors of The Literacy Center.  A smattering of political representatives and well-wishers, plus some proud family members of the speakers, rounded out the audience. “This evening represents what America has always stood for: a nation built on the strength of immigrants, slaves, seekers, adventurers, hard workers and those willing to do what needs to be done to support our families, get ahead to realize the American dream,” said Nikki Gutgold, who opened the evening’s events. Gutgold is a professor of communication at Penn State Lehigh Valley. Photo: Allentown resident Grace Affonso, a student at The Literacy Center from the Philippines, Whitehall resident Judit Garger from Hungary and ESL Coordinator, Maryam Mohammed Ali from Morocco and student at The Literacy Center, and Orefield resident and The Literacy Center student Miyuki Matsushima from Japan.

By Douglas Graves

 

BETHLEHEM SPORTS

Another step closer

Survive and advance. That’s the name of the game at this point of the PIAA football season and Bethlehem Catholic epitomized that mantra in last week’s 33-32 victory over Selinsgrove. With 11 seconds to play in last week’s PIAA 4A quarterfinal at Shamokin, Becahi faced the survival aspect of the state playoffs. And back and forth affair with Selinsgrove provided a 34-point fourth quarter between both teams. The Seals (11-3) used a big play approach all night to hang with the Hawks (12-2), as quarterback Logan Leiby hit wide receiver Jarrett Inch for four touchdowns on the night, the last one coming from 30-yards out to pull Selinsgrove within 33-32 with 11 seconds to play.

By Peter Car

 

LV FOCUS

 ‘Christmas Wonderland’ kicks off holiday season

“Christmas Wonderland: A Holiday Spectacular,” one of the most delightful and enchanting Christmas shows this side of the North Pole, will be presented at 7 p.m. Dec. 2 and 2 p.m. Dec. 3, State Theatre Center for the Arts, Easton. The show features a cast of 24 singers and dancers who are hand-picked from London, New York, Las Vegas and Los Angeles. The dazzling cast of high-kicking chorus girls transforms the stage into a winter wonderland filled with more than 1,000 glittering costumes. Adorned by spectacular sets and scenery, this show brings the excitement of Christmas to the stage.

By Erin Ferguson

 

OTHER STORIES

Bethlehem: Council to limit short-term housing

Bethlehem: Council takes residents seriously

Bethlehem: Residents support Breast Cancer Coalition

Bethlehem: YWCA seniors donate art to MOMA

Bethlehem: Class of ’47 meets for 70^th time

Bethlehem: St. Theresa students honor veterans

Bethlehem: Alumna helps students learn to sign

Bethlehem: SPotlighton the dark side of U.S. foreign policy

BASD: High schools to offer more courses

Business: Nazareth Pike McDonalds reopens

Northampton County: Proposed 2018 budget holds firm

Northampton County: Council weighs $1M DaVinci grant

133^rd District: Meet the candidates in Dec. 5 special election

Valley: Sixth Street Shelter families guests at party

Hellertown: Mascaro gets 3-year contract

Hellertown: Borough hires part-time officer

Valley: Boscola announces 5 grants for local projects

 

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Center for Animal Health and Welfare

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High school news reports

 

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November 22, 2017

COVER STORY

Starting the season

Third-graders from St. Anne School and Donegan ES in Bethlehem participated in the annual Mayor’s Tree Decorating program at city hall’s Payrow Plaza Nov. 17. Cold weather, with temps in the mid-forties, forced some of the activities to be held indoors at the Rotunda. The annual event is organized and sponsored by the Cops ‘n’ Kids Literacy Program. Photo: Santa Claus welcomes students from Donegan ES and St. Anne School to the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at city hall.

By Tim Gilman

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Graphic commentary by award-winning artist Ed Courrier

 

COMMUNITY

LV Foundation awards grants

As part of its 50th anniversary celebration, the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation awarded four Spark grants totaling $50,000 to community organizations addressing human trafficking in Lehigh and Northampton counties.  Winners of the grants were announced during the foundation’s invitation-only program, “Hidden Crisis:  Human Trafficking in Our Community,” held at the Third Street Alliance in Easton in partnership with the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley Women United. Photo: The Crime Victims Council of the Lehigh Valley received $12,500 to support its 2018 Human Trafficking Conference.  Representing the council at the awards ceremony are Melissa Ash, outreach education; Suzanne Beck, executive director; and Nikia Stith, victim advocate.

By Carole Gorney

 

HALLOWEEN

Bethlehem’s ‘Spook-tacular’ parade

Bethlehem’s Halloween Parade was held Nov. 5, after being postponed due to inclement weather the previous weekend. The six-division procession began at 15th Avenue and Broad Street, with spectators lining the parade route. A reviewing stand was set up on Main Street for the Parade Committee to select award winners for the annual event sponsored by the City Parks and Recreation Department. The milder, dry weather attracted a healthy mix of participants and onlookers. The parade ended early at the Christmas City Fairgrounds under the Hill-to-Hill Bridge. Photo: Mabel Makovsky, Noah Stambaugh and Erika Broesicke carry the banner for their school.

By Tim Gilman

 

BETHLEHEM SPORTS

Freedom falls to Parkland

It was a familiar sight in the District 11 6A championship game. A year after playing in the district final, the Freedom and Parkland football teams met on the gridiron once again in the big game, and once again the Trojans came out on top. Number one seed Parkland used the strength and legs of its senior running back Jahan Worth and its defense in keeping the sixth-seeded Patriots out of the end zone in winning its sixth straight district championship 30-6 last Friday night at Al Erdosy Stadium at Northampton High School.

By CJ Hemerly

 

LV FOCUS

Pop classics

Singing prodigy Jackie Evancho returns to grace the stage of the State Theatre Center for the Arts, 7 p.m. Nov. 29. The lauded classical crossover singer rose to fame after appearing on “America’s Got Talent” at age 10 and astounding audiences with her mature, rich sound. Now 16-years-old, she seeks to craft a career on her own terms. “I’m in the middle of figuring out who I am. I am looking to be outside of being defined by a certain genre. I think it would be really cool to kind of go, ‘One day, I want to sing classical; the other, I want to sing pop,’ to just kind of mix it up.”

By Makenna Masenheimer

 

OTHER STORIES

Bethlehem: Barber offers free clips for veterans

Bethlehem: Harvest Fest a popular fall event

Bethlehem: Farmers’ Market ends season

Bethlehem: Anniversary ornament goes on sale

South Bethlehem: Mayor’s Task Force welcomes hurricane victims

South Bethlehem: Christkindlmarkt opens 25^th season

Classroom: Hanover ES honors veterans

Northampton County: Gaming grants awarded

Fountain Hill: Council passed 2018 budget

 

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Center for Animal Health and Welfare

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November 15, 2015

COVER STORY-VETERANS DAY

‘For all you have sacrificed’

Bethlehem Catholic HS hosted its seventh annual “Veterans Appreciation Breakfast” Nov. 10, honoring veterans related to students and staff at the school.  Nearly 30 veterans from various branches of the United States’ armed forces were hosted by students, faculty and administrators in the school cafeteria for a Veterans Day ceremony followed by a light buffet breakfast. Photo:

By Dana Grubb

 

MILLER HEIGHTS-VETERANS DAY

Salute includes special moment

Miller Heights ES held its 17th annual Veterans Day Ceremony Nov. 10 and patriotism was on display with music, readings and special moments that honored military veterans. The program contained musical numbers performed by the Liberty HS Brass Ensemble, Freedom HS Fife and Drum Corps and Men’s Choir. Also included was a rendition of “Taps” on trumpet by fourth grade teacher Louis Poczak.Perhaps the highlight for many was a reunion for Miller Height’s student Jaziah Morales whose father, Corporal Regolio Morales of the U.S. Army, was called into the ceremony to surprise his son after being away for almost eight months serving on active duty. Photo: Corporal Regolio Morales sees his son in person for the first time in almost eight months

By Mark Kirlin

 

AFFORDABLE HOUSING –PART 3

Success stories from Restoration House

“It’s sad to see that the program is shutting down. It’s sad to see that there will no longer be help for people who are stuck in a situation like me,” said Zynnia, one of New Bethany Ministries’ Restoration House Program participants forced to vacate the apartments at the end of October. After being defunded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, all current occupants of the Restoration House apartments on Third Street had to be moved out by the first of November, regardless of whether or not they have stayed for the full 18- to 24-month duration of the program.

Series by Katya Hrichak /Illustration by Ed Courrier

 

BETHLEHEM SPORTS

Becahi tops Saucon Valley for District 11 title

You could see it from the opening whistle of the District 11 4A championship game Saturday night at Nazareth. There was no way Bethlehem Catholic was going to lose to Saucon Valley.

 The Hawks bullied their Colonial League counterparts all over the field and throttled them en route to a 42-7 mercy-rule victory at Nazareth. Becahi (10-2) led 28-0 at halftime and never looked back, as they knocked off the Panthers in back-to-back years for the district crown.

By Peter Car

 

LV FOCUS

LV Art Council makes ‘ArtCount’ with grants

The Lehigh Valley Arts Council made “ArtsCount” with $39,711 in Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts (PPA) grants awarded to 26 area artists, musicians and arts nonprofits. ArtsCOUNT 2017, run by the Lehigh Valley Arts Council, was held at the National Museum of Industrial History, Bethlehem. “There are many stories about how the arts have made a difference in someone’s life,” said Lehigh Valley Arts Council executive director Randall Forte before he and grant coordinator Zach Kleemeyer passed out checks at the Oct. 18 event. Forte asked recipients to participate in the council’s “The Power of Story” advocacy project.

By Ed Courrier

 

OTHER STORIES

Bethelehem: School board at odds with Charter Arts

Bethlehem: HCC members sign off on signs

Bethlehem: City EMS gets award, new truck

Bethlehem: Moravian College event welcomes Peace Corps to campus

Lehigh County: 2018 taxes remain static

Lehigh County: Board welcomes new members

Valley: Wounded trooper saved his own life

Valley: First responders show their support for trooper

Valley: Unofficial election results

 

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November 8, 2017

COVER STORY

A daily reminder

U.S. Air Force veteran Alan Yuknis and his wife, Carol, honor those in law enforcement and those who have served in America’s armed forces with this display on the corner of their property at their Bethlehem Township home.

By Dana Grubb

 

LV HOUSING-PART2

Helping the broken and hopeless

If you’ve been looking for a home or apartment in the Lehigh Valley recently, you may have noticed the high prices. These costs might not be an issue for your family, but housing costs place a high financial burden on low-income families residing in the Valley. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition’s “Out of Reach” 2017 report, the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton area is the fourth most expensive area in Pennsylvania in terms of housing costs. The report states the average monthly price of a two-bedroom apartment in the Lehigh Valley is $1,038 and that in order to afford it, an individual would need an annual income of $41,520 or 2.8 full-time jobs at minimum wage.

By Katya Hrichak

 

COMMUNITY

100 years of unification

“Today is truly about Archibald Johnston, our first mayor of Bethlehem,” declared executive board member and founder of the Friends of Johnston, Inc., Victoria Bastidas while addressing a gathering at Camel’s Hump Farm on the Johnston Estate during the Founder’s Day Fair. State Senator Lisa Boscola (D), whom Bastidas described as the estate’s “patron saint” for her work on helping to preserve the property, presented a citation from the state recognizing 100 years of Bethlehem’s unification at the event. Photo: Jamie Brekus from Bethlehem views the back of the 22-room mansion designed by Curtis Lovelace for Archibald Johnston and his family in 1921.

By Ed Courrier

 

CLASSROOM

LHS students take part in ‘Showdown’

When the touring show Beatles vs. Stones – A Musical Showdown comes to the Miller Symphony Hall on November 30, the Liberty HS String Quartet will have the privilege of joining the professional musicians on stage to add some orchestral texture to the evening.

The show pits Rolling Stones tribute band Satisfaction against rival Brit boys Abbey Road in an all-out musical showdown for rock dominance. The string quartet will perform seven songs with the bands. Photo: Liberty HS student musicians Angela Rhee, Vivian Wong, Man Nguyen and Julia Zheng.

Contributed article

 

BETHLEHEM SPORTS

Moving on

Despite a rough two-game stretch to close out the regular season, which included a 21-7 loss in the finale to Bethlehem rival Liberty, Freedom head coach Jason Roeder wasn’t concerned as his team prepared for the district playoffs. In fact, it was that recent stretch that Roeder believed would strengthen his team as postseason football got underway. And he was right. No. 6 seed Freedom went into Emmaus and defeated the No. 3 seeded Hornets, 26-15, on Friday night in the District 11 Class 6A quarterfinals. The Patriots scored the game’s first 19 points before holding off a late run from the host Hornets.

By Todd Kress

 

LV FOCUS

Galas galore

The season of galas draws to a close as the year 2017 comes to an end. Two of the most recent fun and fund-raisers benefited the Baum School of Art and Civic Theatre of Allentown. The Baum School “Fall Gala,” held on several levels of the school, honored the Baum Family for its support of the school and celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Russell E. Baum Building, Fifth and Linden streets, Allentown.The Civic Theatre “90th Anniversary Celebration” Gala, held at the NB Center Of Automotive Heritage, Allentown, honored Dr. Barry and Sharon Lee Glassman and celebrated the 90th anniversary of the Nineteenth Street Theatre, Allentown.

By Paul Willistein

 

OTHER STORIES

BASD: Proposed legislation concerns board

Bethlehem: City council touts tech transparency answers

Bethlehem: HARB approves massage center sign

Valley: Boscola, Stefano win endorsements for restitution law

Saucon Valley: Homeschooled student’s participation in vo-tech examined

Fountain Hill: 2018 sewer, garbage fees unchanged

Lehigh County: Commissioners fight to retain cross on seal

Southside: Groups join in to ‘Clean to World’

State: PennDOT to phase in new licenses, ID cards

Classroom: St. Anne School gets Founders grant

Valley: ArtsQuest’s Linny Awards to be presented Nov. 8

 

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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