April 25, 2018

COVER STORY

A rite of spring

Spnsored by the Bethlehem-Tondabayashi Sister City Commission, the family-oriented and admission-free Cherry Blossom Festival featured Japanese cultural activities such as a tea ceremony, kimono fashions, food, music, arts and crafts. Held at the Serenity Garden next to the library, the fourth annual event was blessed with unusually warm weather, with clear skies and sunshine greeting the festival-goers with temperatures nearing 90 degrees.The previous record, according to AccuWeather, temperature was 61 degrees. Photo: Sandra Lozano of Easton shows her son, Victor Gonzalez, a Japanese lantern hanging from a blossoming cherry tree.

ByTim Gilman

 

SOUTH MOUNTAIN DISTRICT

Cubs enjoy annual Pinewood Derby

Cub Scouts in the Minsi Trails South Mountain District held their annual pinewood derby race at First Baptist Church in Bethlehem March 3. Scouts and their families from all over the Lehigh Valley were in attendance for the yearly district race. Each scout earned the right to be there based on being one of the top finishers in his individual pack. A total of 76 cars participated out of the 85 that qualified. The top three finishers in each rank (Lion, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelo and Arrow of Light) earned the right to race at the upcoming 2018 World Championship Derby race held in New York City’s Times Square (date not yet announced). Photo: A large gathering of spectators attend the pinewood derby race at First Baptist Church in Bethlehem.

By Mark Kirlin

 

LEHIGH VALLEY

Marine gets belated memorial

Fifty years to the day of his death April 6, Marine Private First Class Allen Glenn Mack received the memorial his family had wished for him since 1968. Mack, of Washington Township, was a newlywed when his number was called, and he arrived in Vietnam in December 1967. Months later, while participating in Operation Lancaster, his company was assigned to protecting part of a camp perimeter.

On April 6 his unit was airlifted to help extract a friendly MIA, during which they took heavy mortar attack. Mack was one of two Marines killed. Photo: About 25 family members and friends attend the brief ceremony. Vietnam Veterans of America State District Director George Puzio said, “I’m glad we could put [sic] some closure for his wife and sister. People don’t want to leave. They want to cling to that memory.” Photo: Members of the Leathernecks and Patriot Guards motorcycle groups stand at attention.

By Nate Jastrzemski

 

CLASSROOM

Spring Garden hosts STEAM Day

Students at Spring Garden ES had fun while exploring the sciences during STEAM Day March 23. Community members came into the school to teach kindergarten through fifth grade students about science, technology, engineering, art and math through various hands-on activities. According to Principal Eric Smith, Spring Garden aims to have a different themed day each year to introduce its students to fields they ordinarily might not have a chance to learn about. While last year’s event focused on the arts, giving kids access to multiple types of performances, the committee chose to focus on new fields this year. Photo: Fifth graders work with computers in a workshop called “Digital Breakout” with Patrick Connelly, learning how to record their voices and do voiceovers.

By Katya Hrichak

 

BETHLEHEM SPORTS

Pates hand Liberty its first loss

A win over your rival is always a confidence booster. Pulling out a late game victory is even better, which is exactly what Freedom did last Friday night when they knocked off Liberty 5-2 at Coca-Cola Park. Trailing 2-0 heading into the fifth, the Pates scored five runs in the final two frames for the win and knock Liberty down from the throne of being the only previously undefeated team in the district.

By Peter Car

 

LV FOCUS

Student poetry project

To commemorate “National Poetry Month” in April, the Lehigh Valley Press presents the 13th annual Student Poetry Project. Students whose poems are published on Page B1 read their poems and were interviewed on the April 16 broadcast of “Lehigh Valley Arts Salon” on WDIY, 88.1, wdiy.org, Lehigh Valley Public Radio and NPR affiliate. The broadcast is available as a podcast on the WDIY web site. The Student Poetry Project adjudication committee met March 28 to read more than 100 poems submitted by students from the Lehigh Valley region.

By Paul Willistein

 

OTHER STORIES

Bethlehem: Is city going to pot? Now yet

Bethlehem: Parking study-First view of long process

Bethlehem: 12^th ‘Celebration of Reading’ this Saturday

Bethlehem: Advice sought for Goodman Building

Lehigh Valley: National Drug Take Back Day this Saturday

Lehigh Valley: Dent to depart Congress in May

Lehigh Valley: Bath to leave Colonial Regional police early

Lehigh Valley: Area music students perform in play-a-thon

Northampton County: DCED announces hotel tax funded grants

Northampton County: 37 municipalities get early present

Saucon Valley: School board gridlocked over textbook versions

South Bethlehem: City demographics laid out at task force meeting

 

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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April 18, 2018

COVER STORY

Enchancing opportunities

The Foundation for the Bethlehem Area School District hosted its third annual Celebration Dinner March 20 at Sands Event Center, raising over $60,000 in net proceeds to support their mission – to enhance the learning opportunities for all students of the Bethlehem Area School District. Over 450 guests enjoyed interactive student expos, integrated student musical performance, dynamic décor, placing bids on silent auction items, and a friendly game of “Are You Smarter than a BASD 5th Grader?” trivia game. Photo: Over 70 students from Liberty and Freedom high schools entertain guests with a spectacular integrated performance.

Contributed photos by Marco Callderon Photography

 

SPRING MUSICALS

Bethlehem Catholic: ‘Godspell’

Bethlehem Catholic HS’s Theatre Department spring musical, “Godspell” by Stephen Schwartz and directed by Debbie Acampora opened April 13 and continues April 20 and 21. The 70s inspired ‘hippie’ costumes and the basic stage constructed of boxes that the actors stood or sat on throughout the play all made sense as you watched the musical, which had several stage-wide dance numbers and gatherings. The staging is a spectacle with movement, at times both on the floor and in the aisles. There were over 50 in the Becahi cast. “Godspell” opened off Broadway on May 17, 1971. Musical numbers include “We Beseech Thee,” “Day By Day” and “Learn Your Lessons Well.”  Photo: Cast members dance in Bethlehem Catholic’s performance of ‘Godspell.’

By Lori Patrick

 

LV Charter HS for the Arts: ‘Drowsy Chaperone’

The Lehigh Valley Charter HS for the Arts performed its spring musical, “The Drowsy Chaperone” April 11 through April 15 with four evening and one matinee performance. Based on the book by Bob Martin and Don McKeller, with lyrics and music by Lisa Lambert and Greg Morrison, “The Drowsy Chaperone” is set in the lively era of the 1920s, as seen through the eyes of an audience member. The impending marriage of a Broadway star to a tycoon snowballs into series of comedic and confusing misadventures. Diane Wagner Dobrowolski directed and Neil Chaban (musical director), Peter Wrenn-Meleck (technical direction), Kelly Bickert (choreography) and Charter Arts student Bree Scott assisted. Photo: The cast performs the opening song, “Fancy Dress.”

By Dana Grubb

 

COMMUNITY

Passover meal enjoyable, meaningful

In observance of Passover (Pesach) and Fast of the Firstborn also known as the Festival of Unleavened Bread, Beth El Gibor Messianic Jewish Congregation and guests of different faiths (gentiles) partook in a seder, which means ‘order’ of the plate and wine, March 31.  Photo: The congregation reads along the Passover Trilogy Messianic Haggadah while members and guests recite segments from each table under the leadership of Rabbi Mark Shulman. Green Pond Country Club hosted the event of over 180 people.

By Lori Patrick

 

BETHLEHEM SPORTS

BC tops Nazareth in Grosso’s 900^th game

Baseball has been a staple in Mike Grasso’s life, and last Saturday marked another milestone in the extensive coaching career of the Bethlehem Catholic mainstay. Grasso coached his 900th baseball game in the Hawks 8-7 victory Saturday afternoon over Nazareth. The Hawks (3-2) scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to pull out the win, giving them their third straight victory following an 0-2 start.

By Peter Car

 

LV FOCUS

And the band played on

As the Allentown Band warms up for its annual series of concerts in West Park, Allentown, and at other Lehigh Valley outdoor bandshells and parks, the Focus section profiles the band’s long-time conductor, Ronald Demkee, and the band’s eldest musician, Ezra Wenner.

 

OTHER STORIES

Bethlehem: Things get poppin at HARB meeting

South Bethlehem: Red Ball coming to Southside

Lehigh County: Authority’s charter extension rejected

Lehigh Valley: Dent resigns effective May

Lehigh Valley: Charlie Dent feted at Lehigh Country Club event

Lehigh Valley: United Way’s Celebration of Caring April 18

Northampton County: New corrections administrator named

Hellertown: Mayor’s crematorium business gets approval despite objections
Saucon Valley: Board highlights SeaPerch Program

 

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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April 11, 2018

COVER STORY

King’s words recounted

The cold April wind whipped through Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park in South Bethlehem Wednesday as, in impassioned oratory, Rayah Levy exhorted a small crowd in the sun-dappled park on Carlton Avenue. “Our children are dying every day not through natural causes, but through an infectious disease called miseducation. They are dying because society has polluted their minds with hatred and bigotry,” Levy declared. She recalled King’s analogy of a blueprint that serves as a pattern for a solid building, but that “we have become complacent.”

By Bernie O’Hare

 

EASTER EGG HUNTS

Fountain Hill

Fountain Hill held its annual Easter egg hunt March 31 at Stanley Avenue park, taking advantage of the excellent weather. The sun was shining and it was a beautiful morning for an egg hunt. Many families came out for the festive occasion. The egg hunt was divided by age groups. Photo: Christian Boyerl enjoys his egg.

By Tracy Rice

Hellertown

Hellertown held its annual Easter egg hunt at Morris J. Dimmick Park March 31, with hundreds of kids and their families gathered on a bright and cool morning in anticipation of the big hunt. The event was open to kids ages 1 through 12.  There were five different areas set up for the hunt, based on age ranges. Prior to the hunt, the Easter Bunny made a grand entrance on one of Hellertown’s firetrucks. Photo: At the conclusion of the hunt, Lainey Levering happily holds her bucket of candy.

By Mark Kirlin

 

SPRING MUSICALS

Freedom HS presents ‘Once Upon a Mattress’

The Freedom HS Theatre Company present the Mary Rodgers and Marshall Barer musical “Once Upon a Mattress” April 11, 12, 13 and 14 at 7 p.m. and April 15 at 2 p.m. in the school theater. Tickets are $10 plus processing fee and can be obtained by visiting www.showtix4u.com or by calling 610-867-6630. Photo: Sir Harry (Josh Konschnik) reads Winnifred’s official papers to the ladies in waiting as the Wizard (Ryan Iticovici) and Queen Aggravain (Shannon Callaghan) learn that she actually is a princess.

By Dana Grubb

ANOTHER VIEW

Ed’s World by Ed Courrier

BETHLEHEM SPORTS

Volleyball: Hawks eye wins over top teams

Bethlehem Catholic’s volleyball team is showing they can compete with the best in the East Penn Conference. Now they have to go out and actually beat the top teams. The Hawks are off to a 3-2 start with both of their losses coming to undefeated Parkland (5-0) and Whitehall (4-0) teams in five games. In both of those of matches, the Hawks were able to sneak out wins in the first game before ultimately losing in five, but the signs of being great are there for Jeff Koch’s group.

By Peter Car

 

LV FOCUS

Bernstein at 100

Leonard Bernstein is an iconic figure in the history of music. As a composer, conductor, author, and lecturer, he was a person who influenced so many people’s lives, especially with his Young People’s Concerts with the New York Philharmonic. Bernstein (1918 - 1990) would have been 100 in August. Orchestras all over the world are celebrating his centennial. Leonard Bernstein was a trail-blazer, and without him and his influence, I am not sure if I would be standing on a conductor’s podium today.

By Dian Wittry

 

OTHER STORIES

Lehigh County: Authority’s future in question

Bethlehem: YWCA to honor Woment & Teens of the Year

Bethlehem: Substain opens with a jolt

Northampton County: McClure says Gaming Board’s time has come and gone

 

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April 4, 2018

COVER STORY

Forever eggs

Master Pysanky artist Donna Yob has been creating intricately designed pysanky eggs for nearly 50 years. Pysanky, meaning “to write,” is an egg decorating process that uses a wax-resistant process called batik.She demonstrated her artistry at the Moravian Book Shop March 30 and 31, drawing many inquisitive shoppers to her work station. Yob says she uses duck, goose, ostrich and rhea eggs, purchasing some locally and others on the Internet. She removes the yolk by using a Dremel to create a small hole and then a cooking syringe to clean out the egg. Once it dries she seals the hole. Photo: Master pysanky artist Donna Yob works on creating another one of her eggs at her Moravian Book Shop demonstration March 30. Yob says she has been doing pysanky for almost 50 years.

By Dana Grubb

 

COMMUNITY

City kids scramble for Easter eggs

“They’re off!” On Saturday morning approximately 300 kids ages 3-8 gathered at Memorial Pool in Bethlehem for the city’s annual Easter Egg hunt. Mayor Donchez gave possibly the shortest speech on record: “Welcome to the Easter Egg hunt. Many thanks to the Recreation Department for organizing it. When I count down to one, go!” They went, and in a hurry. It was a scramble.

By Dennis Glew

 

THE ARTS

Amazed by ‘Grace’

The Lehigh Valley Charter HS of the Arts hosted a March 3 evening charity premier of “Getting Grace,” a comedy/drama about a teenage girl losing her battle with cancer. This was the finale of a full-day event where the film was shown consecutively at three Lehigh Valley venues. There was a morning screening at the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas at ArtsQuest followed by a matinee premier at the Roxy Theatre in Northampton. Photo: “Getting Grace” stars and producers gather inside the school’s art gallery for photo ops. Front row, from left, Preston Edwards (Dylan), Alexa McFillin (Audrey), Wyatt Root (Vincent), Vipul Shah (executive producer), Daniel Roebuck (Bill Jankowski), Benita Shah (Vipul’s wife), Madelyn Dundon (Grace), Marsha Dietlein Bennett (Grace’s mom Venus), Diane Wagner (Mary Jankowski). Back row, from left, Neal Fehnel (Balloons the Clown), co-producer Jeff Hartney (Dr. Mark), Buster Roebuck (Bill Jankowski in flashback), Jacob Williams (Doug), Duane Whitaker (Rev. Osburn) and Dana Ashbrook (Ron Christopher).

By Ed Courrier

 

BETHLEHEM SPORTS

‘Pates have high hopes

Expectations are high for Freedom’s boys lacrosse team coming off an EPC West divisional title a year ago. The Pates bring back a talented group from last year’s 11-8 season, which ended in the District 11 3A quarterfinals to eventual champion Parkland. Head coach Tony Fabrizio enters his third season leading the program and is confident this year’s group can keep rolling this spring. “This group of seniors is the first group to compete as a varsity program their entire high school tenure,” Fabrizio said. “They have taken this program from a below .500 team their freshmen year to consecutive district playoffs, and a divisional championship.”

By Peter Car

 

LV FOCUS

LV Press welcomes new ad director

Terry Plinke has been named the new advertising director for the Lehigh Valley Press’ eight weekly newspapers. A graduate of The Pennsylvania State University, Plinke has 10 years print sales experience, having worked previously for two Lehigh Valley daily papers before coming to the Lehigh Valley Press in 2017, where she has been New Business Specialist. Plinke commented on her new role at the weekly newspapers. “There is a strong place for print in the digital world,” Plinke said. “Print advertising works.” Plinke said the local format of community-based Press papers offers an advantage to advertisers.

By Debra Palmieri

 

OTHER STORIES

Bethlehem: NCC hosts Anderson ‘fireside chat’

Bethlehem: Irish tenor warmly welcomed

Bethlehem: Lehigh students prep for March for Our Lives

Bethlehem: Saturday book sales make up for snow

Classroom: BAVTS students are winners in graphic competition

Classroom: Lessons about eagles at the Swain School

Classroom: Swain students present Disney’s ‘Mulan, Jr.’

Northampton County: March for Meals brings out celebrities

Northampton County: $500K in mattresses makes everyone uncomfortable

Northampton County: Officials want jail population reduction

Valley: Norfolk Southern to increase rail speeds on Pa. lines

Valley: Singing sergeant gets harmonious homecoming

 

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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To subscribe: New start

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