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, October 30, 2018


October 31, 2018


COVER STORY

Pumpkin sculpting

Several creative adults gathered at Northampton Community College Oct. 18 for a master pumpkin carving class in preparation for the Halloween season. The class was taught over two days to ensure plenty of time for participants to carve their very own 30-40 pound pumpkins. The instructor, Dave Dion, was not just teaching how to carve your everyday Jack O’ Lantern. This carving project was much more complex, and often involved sculpting a full face with detailed noses, eyes, and mouths. Dion was happy to start a new Halloween art tradition in the Lehigh Valley. Referring to his new class, he said, “We started last night and will finish tonight. It’s the first of its kind and we are really excited about it.”  Dave guided his class through advanced carving techniques and procedures.

By Leslie Regan

 

LEHIGH VALLEY

Fake painkillers new threat

As the opioid crisis continues to take lives at a record pace, a new problem has begun to emerge: Lookalike painkillers. They are designed to look exactly like prescription painkillers such as Percocet. They are instead a deadly combination of fentanyl and heroin, or in some cases, pure fentanyl. They kill. Last Friday, a person who sold a lethal lookalike was charged with a drug delivery resulting in death. Gustavo Rivera, 31, of Bethlehem, has been charged with selling what Kara Ann Heckenberger, 27, thought were Percocet pills. They were in fact a combination of heroin and fentanyl. She died after taking just one of these pills Aug. 9, 2017.

By Bernie O’Hare

 

 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

By Ed Courrier

 

PEOPLE

An entertaining hobby

Halloween may be Terri Vadino’s favorite holiday. It is certainly the one that gets her creative imagination going. She recently started adding to the scary fun at a local haunted attraction, where actors line up for full-face make-up in a wide variety of ghoulish makeovers. In fact, one of the features of Vadino’s work is the fact that she likes to consult with her clients and create an original look. Photo: Terri Vadino and Tamantha Yanders pause in the process for a photo. Vadino started her make-up artist career using herself and her friends as subjects.  She has always loved to draw. “The human face is a beautiful canvas for my art,” Vadino says.

By Douglas Graves

 

GENERAL ELECTION – NOV. 6

Pa. Governor

Pa. Lt. Governor

U.S. Senator

U.S. House Representative – 7th District

State Representative – 138th District

State Representative – 134th District

State Representative – 133rd District

State Senator – 18th District

State Senator – 16th District

Northampton County referendum

State Senator – 40th District

 

CLASSROOM

LV Charter Arts presents 'The Crucible’

The Lehigh Valley Charter HS for the Arts presented Arthur Miller’s ‘The Crucible’ at three performances Oct. 19, 20 and 21 in the Charter Arts theater. Director Christopher Morris said that the classic play’s “concept of the idea of otherness” influenced its selection. Morris was assisted by Peter Wrenn-Meleck on the set and lighting design, Cheryl Vlasak on costume, hair and make-up design, Mike Lorenz on music composition and David Jerry on sound effects. ‘The Crucible’ was produced by the Charter Arts Theatre Department with a cast of 20 student actors,  by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc. from New York. Photo: “That is a sign of witchcraft” accuses Thomas Putnam (Dylan Vlasak) as Abigail Williams (Marcella Karam), John Proctor (Derrick Sanders III), Elizabeth Proctor (Hannah McCalla) and Reverend Parris (Dylan Gombos) surround the prone body of Betty Parris (Meara Plesh-Gill).

By Dana Grubb

 

SPORTS

Liberty stuns Freedom

The first quarter of the regular season finale between Freedom and Liberty went as expected in the matchup between the undefeated Patriots and the 4-5 Hurricanes. Liberty’s opening drive resulted in a quick three-and-out and the ensuing punt into the gusting wind set Freedom up at its own 45. It took a little over two minutes and six plays for the Pates’ offense to put up the first score of the game, a 9-yard run by Matthew Russin. The ‘Canes fared no better on their second possession. Two runs for negative yardage were followed by an incomplete pass and the punt team came on for the second time. This punt stayed on the Liberty side of the field and Freedom offense took over at the 42. Five plays later, Liberty head coach John Truby had his first big decision.

By Tom Wenborg

 

FOCUS

Zeke Zelker’s ‘Billboard’

A locally-produced film, inspired by a 1982 billboard-sitting contest in Whitehall Township, will have its world premiere, 7 p.m. Nov. 1, Nineteenth Street Theatre, Allentown. Lehigh Valley filmmaker Zeke Zelker’s “Billboard” will be the first film shown in the newly -renovated theater which reopened after a one-year $5.5-million capital campaign project.

By Kathy Laure-Williams

 

OTHER STORIES

Bethlehem ASD: Board reviews state district size report

Bethlehem ASD: Board begins planning next year’s district projects

Bethlehem HARB: College, hotel seek some changes

Bethlehem: Family fun at First Baptist event

Hellertown Candy and costumes

Saucon Valley SD: Middle school principal resigns

Student profiles: Carson Swick, FHS

High school news report: Freedom HS

 

WEEKLY FEATURES

Around town community calendar

Police logs

Area obituaries

Center for Animal Health and Welfare

Volunteers

 

MEET THE PRESS





The Bethlehem Press online

Where to buy the Bethlehem Press

To subscribe: New start

Send news to the Bethlehem Press

To advertise: Ad staff

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Thursday, October 25, 2018


October 24, 2018

COVER STORY

Getting ready for Halloween

Self-taught makeup artist Libby Ortiz left everyone in stitches at her Halloween special effects workshop Oct. 15 at the Bethlehem Area Public Library Southside Branch. Accompanied by Liberty HS senior Bianca Hess, who patiently served as a model, Ortiz demonstrated the fine art of creating a stitched lips look. Bethlehem residents Ashley Reinhart and Katie Heebner sewed their own mouths shut as they followed step-by-step instructions provided by Ortiz. Photo: Ashley Reinhart, Libby Ortiz, Katie Heebner and Bianca Hess at a Halloween makeup workshop Oct. 15 at the BAPL Southside Branch.

By Ed Courrier

 

CULTURE-CELTIC CLASSIC

Nice weather, big crowds

The 31st annual Celtic Classic Highland Games and Festival was held in Bethlehem Sept. 28-30.  The festival is the largest free Celtic festival in North America, and this year’s event benefited from sunny weather with temperatures in the low 70s on both Saturday and Sunday. With the nice weather came large crowds that most likely allowed the event to reach its historical average of over 280,000 people during the three days. Photo: A bagpipe player from the Bergen Irish Pipe Band.  The New Jersey based band finished first during Sunday’s grade 4 pipe band competition.

By Mark Kirlin, Dana Grubb and Lori Patrick

 

OPINION

Ed’s World

Graphic commentary by Ed Courrier

 

SPORTS

‘Pates win EPC soccer title

The Freedom Patriots were crowned EPC boys’ soccer champions on Saturday after defeating Pleasant Valley in the final of the EPC tournament, 2-0, at Nazareth High School. “I’m ecstatic,” said Freedom coach Matt Reightler. “I knew these guys could do it.” The Patriots beat the Bears in the regular season, 3-0, but with the post season, everything is new.

By Katie McDonald

 

FOCUS

‘Rise’ to the occasion

The Armistice of Nov. 11, 1918, was the document that ended the fighting on land, sea, and air in World War I between the Allies and their opponent, Germany. The signing of this document took place at the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” of 1918. It is a national holiday in many countries. Over time, the name was changed in the United States in order to honor veterans who have served in the military. We now call Nov. 11 Veterans Day. In honor of the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day, the Allentown Symphony commissioned Grammy-nominated Chinese-American composer Zhou Tian to write a new piece of music to open the 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10 and 3 p.m. Nov. 11 concerts. The opening piece, “Rise,” was inspired by diaries written by American soldiers during World War I.

By Diane Wittry

 

OTHER STORIES

Bethlehem Council: Group seeks to renovate Rose Garden

Student profiles: Elisabeth Lee, Liberty HS

High school news reports: Liberty HS notes

People say: What’s your choice of Halloween costume this year?

Lehigh County: Taxes will not increase in 2019

Hellertown: Officials leery of new PennDOT rule

Northampton County: Kevin Lott takes Kraft’s vacant seat

Northampton County: Kassis tapped for domestic violence unity

Hanover Township: Township at zero debt

 

WEEKLY FEATURES

Around town community calendar

Fall and Halloween events

Area obituaries

Center for Animal Health and Welfare

 

MEET THE PRESS





The Bethlehem Press online

Where to buy the Bethlehem Press

To subscribe: New start

Send news to the Bethlehem Press

To advertise: Ad staff

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Tuesday, October 16, 2018


October 17, 2018

COVER STORY-CARING FOR CATS AND DOGS

Pastor does God’s work caring for feline residents

Many people claim to be “cat people,” but Pastor Larry Vandever may be one of the most dedicated. He is committed to Lehigh Valley’s feral feline homeless population. Vandever, who has pressed the Bethlehem City Council and administration to implement a catch, neuter and release program for the Christmas City’s feral cats, has made feeding and caring for homeless cats a crusade of conscience. “God has told me this is my purpose,” said Pastor Vandever, who said he is not currently working for a church. Photo:

By Douglas Graves

 


Unexpected beagle invasion brings community together

Around 11:30 p.m. Oct. 6, Lehigh County Humane Society Shelter Manager Teisha Jones received a call for a rescue of 25 beagles from a home in Upper Saucon Township. When members of the team from the shelter arrived at the residence with two trucks, they were not allowed in. When they looked through the window, they saw beagles everywhere, and heard barking and howling. The resident brought the dogs out of the home one at a time, and after 25 dogs, Lehigh County Humane Society officials knew there were many more than they first suspected. A total of 65 beagles were rescued from the home – 35 females and 30 males, ranging in age from 2 months to 11 years old. Photo: A rescued beagle eager to greet visitors.

By Debbie Galbraith

 

NORTHAMPTON COUNTY

Centenarians honored

Centenarians who are county residents. State Representative Steve Samuelson, Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure and NCAAA Administrator Laurie Greco presented state and county certificates of honor to the honorees. Those honored included Mary Bach, Margaret Bonniwell, Millicent Breiner, Harold Brunell, Esther Cressman, Grace DeMarco, Lucy Dicampli, Margaret Firuta, Edith Flick, Catherine Gaudesh,  Gladys Hancock, Muriel Hartline, Louis Hegedus, Alois Himsl, Dorothy Hocking, Dr. Caroline Hollshwander, Kathryn Jacobs, Ollie Lawson, Ivy Lewis, Rose Magdasy, Mary Mertz, Marian Montz, Helena Rapp, Alverta Reddinger, Kathryn Schaivone, Kenneth Singer, Naomi Smith, Pauline Takacs, Alberta Marguerite Thomas, Angelica Ventin, Catherine Weidner, Lucille Whitmer and Anna Wolper. See details of each honoree on the Bethlehem Press website and its Facebook page.

 

COMMUNITY

‘Stage’ fundraiser raises record amount

Elton John opened his “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour in Allentown at PPL Center Sept. 8. Before the concert, Valley Youth House held its annual fundraiser event as “Setting the Stage with Elton John” in the Allentown Renaissance Hotel, which is connected to PPL Center. Valley Youth House honored Steve and Jeanne Follett and Follett, LLC as the 2018 Distinguished Honoree, while guests enjoyed Sir Elton John’s favorite foods and his favorite florals in an elaborate display on the podium stage. The dessert table featured sugar cookies in colorful shapes, including sunglasses, crowns and musical notes. The music of Elton John filled the room before and after presentations. Photo: Centenarians who are county residents. State Representative Steve Samuelson, Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure and NCAAA Administrator Laurie Greco presented state and county certificates of honor to the honorees. Those honored included Mary Bach, Margaret Bonniwell, Millicent Breiner, Harold Brunell, Esther Cressman, Grace DeMarco, Lucy Dicampli, Margaret Firuta, Edith Flick, Catherine Gaudesh,  Gladys Hancock, Muriel Hartline, Louis Hegedus, Alois Himsl, Dorothy Hocking, Dr. Caroline Hollshwander, Kathryn Jacobs, Ollie Lawson, Ivy Lewis, Rose Magdasy, Mary Mertz, Marian Montz, Helena Rapp, Alverta Reddinger, Kathryn Schaivone, Kenneth Singer, Naomi Smith, Pauline Takacs, Alberta Marguerite Thomas, Angelica Ventin, Catherine Weidner, Lucille Whitmer and Anna Wolper. See details of each honoree on the Bethlehem Press website and its Facebook page.

By Lori Patrick

 

CLASSROOM

Helping students feel special

For the third year in a row, students at a Bethlehem Area School District elementary school benefited from the kindness of both ArtSkills and the Kids in Need Foundation receiving backpacks filled with school supplies. This year students at Lincoln ES were the recipients. ArtSkills manufactures arts and crafts supplies and ArtSkills creative director and partner Michele Demsky said it’s all about “passing it down, paying it forward and giving back.” “All kids deserve the same chances and this levels the playing field,” Demsky added. Photo: With festive balloons decorating the school stage behind her, Lincoln ES Principal Benita Draper tells students that their assembly has a special surprise. More photos on our Facebook page.

By Dana Grubb

 

SPORTS

’Pates stun Emmaus

Is there anything real in the world anymore?

 In the history of Freedom football there have been many great and dramatic moments, and it is either tomfoolery or naive to take a single game, a single great play, a single great win and say, ‘this is it, this is the greatest win in the history of Freedom High School football.’

But on Oct. 12, at East Penn School District Stadium, Freedom definitely had a great and dramatic moment. After 48 minutes and then some of glorious field combat between two quality high school programs, the scoreboard in the south end zone stated the cold, hard facts — Freedom 32, Emmaus 31.

By Stephen Althouse

 

FOCUS

Bach Choir opens season

Having a Grammy-Award-winning classical pianist play at the Bach Choir of Bethlehem’s opening gala concert resonates personally for Bach Choir artistic director and conductor Greg Funfgeld. “As a young man, I would regularly attend concerts in New York City where I had the privilege of hearing Peter Serkin play,” Funfgeld says. “His performance of Beethoven’s ‘Fourth Piano Concerto’ was one of the greatest musical experiences of my life.”

By Kathy Lauer-Williams

 

 

OTHER STORIES

Another view: North Side 2027

Bethlehem: Company seeks zoning exception

Hanover Township: Peddling, soliciting ordinance proposed

Lehigh County: Male bison transferred from Trexler

Lehigh Valley: Nothstein weathers false claim, sues

Northampton County: McClure says taxes to remain unchaged

Northampton County: Ken Kraft going to jail?

Student profiles – Alexandra Hutchinson – Liberty/BAVTS

High school news – BAVTS notes

 

WEEKLY FEATURES

Around town community calendar

Police logs

Area obituaries

Center for Animal Health and Welfare

Volunteers

 

MEET THE PRESS





The Bethlehem Press online

Where to buy the Bethlehem Press

To subscribe: New start

Send news to the Bethlehem Press

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Tuesday, October 9, 2018


October 10, 2018

COVER STORY

Kaiser ‘House of Horrors’ marks 17th year

On the last weekend of September, Jeff Kaiser is spotted mowing in between all of the displays at his family’s annual Halloween ‘Kaiser’s House of Horror’s’ at the corner of North Boulevard and Lafayette Avenue in northeast Bethlehem. All that remains to ready the exhibit before it opens Oct. 1 are the electrical connections. Kaiser, his mother Janet, sister Jennifer Yeakel and a few friends had been working since before Labor Day to get everything ready for what has become an October and Halloween tradition now in its 17th year. Photo: Jeff Kaiser kneels among some of the original gravestones that were crafted from the slats of a waterbed frame.

By Dana Grubb

 

LIVING BY FAITH

A dad’s perspective

Her original plan was to teach in Montana for a few years and then apply back this way as an experienced teacher, but she now calls Montana “home” and is thinking about purchasing a house.

As much as it scares me, I may have to live with this adjustment for the long term. But if my baby girl can manage this, I guess I’ll have to “man-up” and accept it myself. So Mom and I, too, are living by faith, that this is the right place for Cari to be. Photo: The third time around was a charm for the Stoves family. Father Jim Stoves with Carina in the hospital not long after her birth.

By Jim Stoves

 

BETHLEHEM PRESS

Starting our 14th year

Some of the people who help produce the Bethlehem Press met recently for breakfast at Perkins on Third Street in South Bethlehem to celebrate the start of the paper’s 14th year of publishing. From left are, Joanna Ireland, Ed Courrier, editorial assistant Nate Jastrzemski, editor George Taylor, Lori Patrick, Dana Grubb, Douglas Graves, Paul Willistein and Carole Gorney. The Bethlehem Press serves all municipalities in the Bethlehem Area School District, as well as Hellertown. It is one of the publications of The Lehigh Valley Press.

Press photo by Deb Galbraith

 

APPLE DAYS 2018

Everything apple … except iPhones

To celebrate the arrival of the apple harvest and the beginning of fall, Historic Bethlehem Museum and Sites sponsored its fifth annual Apple Days festival in early September.

The Burnside Plantation, location of a colonial farm during Bethlehem’s earliest years, was the site of activities of all sorts that attracted a large audience. Kids crowded into the petting zoo and played in a small maze, many with their faces painted. Older guests listened to talks and demonstrations of early farm technology or enjoyed fiddlers who played traditional music. Photo: “Whoa!” A well-meaning lad gets the surprise of his young life when a sheep wants to be fed, now.  The petting zoo featured sheep, rabbits, a donkey and a goose with feathers that looked to be custom-designed for Broadway.

By Dorothy and Dennis Glew

 

SPORTS

Freedom wins again

Nobody expected Freedom to mercy rule Easton last week, but you can’t put anything past this year’s group of Patriots following another impressive performance in last week’s 35-7 thumping over the Rovers at BASD Stadium. The win pushed the Pates to 7-0 heading into a massive showdown with undefeated Emmaus (7-0) this week on the road Friday night, but there was no looking ahead of Easton last week, as Freedom raced to the game’s first 35 points in dominating fashion to put the game into the mercy rule by halftime.

By Peter Car

 

FOCUS

'Billie Elliot' - Jumping for joy

When William Sanders looked around to select the play for the reopening of Civic Theatre of Allentown’s $5.5-million renovation and restoration of its historic Nineteenth Street Theatre, he needed to look no further than his favorite musical. “Billy Elliot.” “Billy Elliot” premiered in London’s West End in 2005 and was nominated for nine Laurence Olivier Awards, receiving four, including best new musical. Sanders saw “Billy Elliot” six times on Broadway. The musical, which opened in 2008 and continued into 2012, was nominated for a then record-tying 15 Tonys, receiving 10, including best musical. From London’s West End to Allentown’s West End Theater District, “Billy Elliot” is the opening act for “The Next Act: Setting the Stage for the Future” capital campaign to refurbish the theater.

By Paul Willistein

 

OTHER STORIES

Bethlehem: Parking ticket increase suggested

Bethlehem: City takes action on feral cat issue

Bethlehem Township: Hudak on Noaln-‘God speed, Tom’

Fountain Hill: Cat overpopulation issue licked

Lehigh County: County makes move for lead safety

Northampton County: Cope named new Park & Rec head

Opinion: Newspapers needed now more than ever

Saucon Valley: School receives bronze medal ranking

South Bethlehem: Lehigh, city seek input on streetscape

Student profile: Maddie Schaffer, Saucon Valley HS

High school news: Saucon Valley

State: Local school safety grants announced

State: State police bolster schools support

 

WEEKLY FEATURES

Around town community calendar

Police logs

Area obituaries

Center for Animal Health and Welfare

Volunteers

 

MEET THE PRESS





The Bethlehem Press online

Where to buy the Bethlehem Press

To subscribe: New start

Send news to the Bethlehem Press

To advertise: Ad staff

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