December 12, 2018
C
OVER STORY
Putting the meaning back into Christmas season
The arrival
of Bethlehem’s festive holiday season was officially heralded at the 53rd
annual Advent Breakfast, sponsored by the Citizens Christmas City Committee
(CCCC) and its Community Advent Breakfast subcommittee. More than 200 people
attended the non-denominational event at Moravian Village. Besides the meal,
there was seasonal music played by the Bethlehem Area Moravian Trombone Choir,
along with caroling by Moravian College’s Sigma Alpha Lambda Chapter of Phi Mu
Alpha Sinfonia. Photo: Laviece Tribble,
Lorraine Kelper and Dorise Gross participate in the individual candle-lighting
ceremony during the singing of “O Little Town of Bethlehem.” Candles are a
Moravian tradition, and single candles are displayed in the windows of many
local homes at Christmastime.
By Carole Gorney
Betty Bartron: 99 and still dancing
She was about to turn 99, and Jeff Bartron felt that it was time for a
surprise celebration of the remarkable life of his grandmother, Betty Bartron.
Betty is an enthusiastic gardener with a huge plot that she tends herself. She
is an active member of the Bethlehem Garden Club.
She is also an accomplished knitter.
Photo: Not to be
left out of the dancing, Betty gets out on the floor with a number of
gentlemen, starting with her grandson, Mike Bartron, who helped organized the
party.
By Dorothy and Dennis Glew
Railroad museum still growing
For
generations in many families, model railroading brought untold enjoyment during
the Christmas season. Setting up a train platform under the Christmas tree with
Lionel or HO scale trains, villages of homes and businesses, tunnels and
bridges, lichen greenery and to-scale cars and trucks still brings families together.
For those model railroading enthusiasts who can’t find the time or just aren’t
inclined to build a model train layout, the Lehigh and Keystone Valley Model
Railroad Museum at 705 Linden St. in Bethlehem offers a wonderful alternative.
Photo: Nearly 2,000 engines and rolling stock are running and displayed
throughout the layout.
By Dana Grubb
Fesitval of Lights begins in Bethlehem
Local Jewish leaders and congregants gathered Dec. 4 in Bethlehem for
the 10th annual Hanukkah Menorah lighting ceremony. Rabbi Yaakov Halperin and
Rabbi Michael Singer joined Bethlehem Business Manager Eric Evans on the third day
of Hanukkah for a lighting of the huge Menorah that has been temporarily
erected on Payrow Plaza. Evans represented Mayor Robert Donchez. Photo: The group of Jewish and
government leaders are elevated to reach the lights at the top of the menorah
in a Bethlehem Fire Department truck, with an extending platform operated by
Firefighter Josh Freedman.
By Douglas Graves
Congregations host Winterfest
While the
rain poured down outside, the atmosphere inside was festive, as several hundred
people gathered at Bethlehem’s Light of Christ Lutheran Church to celebrate the
first Winterfest. Presented by the United Proclamation of the Gospel
congregations of Light of Christ and St. Peter’s Lutheran, both of Bethlehem,
to celebrate the beginning of Advent, the Dec. 1 festival featured
carnival-style games, a living Nativity, free food, musical performances,
carols and a reading of the Nativity story. Photo: Members young and old of
both Light of Christ and St. Peter’s comprise three casts for the living
Nativity.
Behind the scenes at Christmas Village
The
Christmas City Village Weihnachtsmarkt, located in the heart of downtown
Bethlehem, is a hidden gem amid the rest of the excitement from the Main Street
shops. When you walk past the Tavern at the Sun Inn you enter a little village
of local vendors selling a variety of products that are festive for the holiday
season. The village has a serene atmosphere, with plenty of space to walk
around, engage with other shoppers and vendors, and shop at a slower pace. From
assorted mustards, to honey, soaps, candles, lip balms, Christmas tree
trinkets, and more there are intricate gift ideas for loved ones, coworkers and
friends. Photo: Herb and Beverly Cruikshank, local merchants, say, “We’re from
Mountaintop. We like to come down here to shop because it has different and
unique stores and it’s so festive. It is the Christmas City, with one of a kind
items that are local.”
By Chloe Goldstein
Winter previews: Boys basketball
By Peter Car
50 years of ‘Nutcracker’
Celebrating the 50th
annual production of “The Nutcracker,” the longest-running “Nutcracker” in the
Lehigh Valley, the Ballet Guild of the Lehigh Valley and Pennsylvania Youth
Ballet brings this glorious holiday ballet to Zoellner Arts Center, Bethlehem,
1 and 4 p.m. Dec 15 and and 2 p.m. Dec. 16. A 50th “Nutcracker Celebration”
takes place after the Dec. 16 performance at Hotel Bethlehem. The honorary
chair for the celebration is Dr. Joseph Roy, superintendent of Bethlehem Area
School District.
By Camille Capriglione
Bethlehem: 4-3 vote seen as failure to protect city’s integrity
Bethlehem: 100 years young at Luther Manor
Bethlehem: HARB approves window sign
Bethlehem: Library ornament aids debt reduction
Bethlehem Township: Residents face possible 9% tax hike
Bethlehem Township: KLristine Blake fills Tom Nolan’s seat
Northampton County: McClure budget has no tax increase
Lehigh County: Board approves tax rateincrease
Student profiles – Bianca Baab, LV Academy
High school news reports – Saucon Valley HS
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Around town community calendar
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Area obituaries
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