December 26, 2018
Revised Banana Factory plans
ArtsQuest
returned to the Bethlehem Historic Conservation Commission Dec. 17 with
reworked plans for their major transformation of the Banana Factory complex. Incorporating input from board advice and
public comments gathered at the September hearing, ArtsQuest CEO Kassie Hilgert
and MKSD architect Todd Chambers presented a revised plan that preserves a
historic building previously slated for demolition. Although the proposal was
tabled, they were told that the $16-18 million project was heading in the right
direction. Photo: Banana Factory Exterior perspective of the proposed ArtsQuest
South Bethlehem Cultural Arts Center for 25 W. Third St. by MKSD Architects.
By Ed Courrier
People living on the edge
If you think
it is cold outside this month, imagine how much colder you would be if you were
homeless and living on the streets.
Thankfully, for the homeless in the Lehigh Valley there is a temporary
shelter in Bethlehem that offers an escape from the cold, nutritious meals and
a needed helping hand. Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering (BES) created the current
winter shelter in 2017 by consolidating
a number of facilities operated at up to 14 different churches in the
area. In search of a single home, the
BES Board of directors approached the Christ Church UCC on Market Street, and
according to transitional executive director and shelter manager Bob Rapp Jr.,
the congregation voted unanimously to welcome the shelter. Photo: Volunteers
bring in food and cook all breakfast and dinner meals in the shelter’s
kitchen. Most volunteers are from local
churches. Millie Fortin, Ruth Koenig
and Courtney Deppen are from the First Baptist Church on Linden Street.
By Carole Gorney
Remembering Mark Reccek
When Mark Reccek was diagnosed with a rare
form of cancer, he began his treatment in the oncology department at Lehigh
Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg, Bethlehem. The Marine was a fighter and wrote
regularly for The Press newspapers. While he was undergoing treatment, he was
being cared for by his sister, Donna Kukor, of Bath. During his stints in the
hospital, Reccek continued to write columns on the experiences he had during
his treatment. Reccek was impressed by the work of a therapy dog named Sirius,
who was trained by Charlene Piskula, of Coplay. Sirius was adopted by Lehigh
Valley Hospital for many of its patients and proved to be valuable “medicine”
in the fight against this ravaging disease.
By Paul Cmil
ROTC/Challenger team
finishes 2nd
Students at
Lehigh University have the opportunity to take part in Military Science classes
(Army ROTC) as an elective, in addition to their general undergraduate
coursework. ROTC cadets learn leadership qualities and team building through
intensive physical training, which often takes place at 5 a.m. before other
classes begin. Army personnel teach cadets self-discipline, critical thinking
skills, as well as many other qualities that will help shape the students into
well-rounded and courageous individuals. Photo: Lehigh ROTC members await
instructions for their helicopter training lab Nov. 2 at the university’s
Mountaintop Campus. The cadets often participate in intense training sessions
and simulations.
By Leslie Regan
Holiday tournament time
With the holiday season in full swing this week, all three
Bethlehem schools will take part in finding some joy on the hardwood with
tournaments taking place this week. Freedom will keep things going at home on
Dec. 27 and 28 with their second annual Christmas Shootout, featuring cross
town rival Liberty, W.T. Woodson, and Dallas High School. The Patriots and
Hurricanes square off on opening night and Freedom head coach Joe Stellato
hopes it can be a successful showing for the tournament.
By Peter Car
13th annual ABEs salute LV stage
The big news for the Lehigh Valley theater community in 2018, was,
of course, Civic Theatre of Allentown’s successful $5.5-million “The Next Act”
capital capaign to renovate and reopen its historic Nineteenth Street Theatre,
namesake of Allentown’s West End Theatre District. The other 2018 story of note
in ABEs-land, as in the 13th annual Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton (ABEs) Lehigh
Valley Press Focus awards for locally-produced theater, was the success of
Northampton Community College’s Summer Theatre season, which consistently drew
crowds to its shows on the Bethlehem Township main campus. NCC, which combines
professional and local talent in its productions, produced five shows in two
months, including three musicals.
By Paul Willistein
Bethlehem: Rotary’s Taste & Tunes donates to BASD
Bethlehem: Coal for Christmas is a giftt after all
Entertainment: Holiday on the Southside
Hellertown: Borough taxes will rise next year
Lehigh County: Board approves appointment
Local: Bethlehem Twp. increases taxes; Hanover Twp. holds the line
Northampton County: Council okays 6 union contracts
Northampton DA: Former Lehigh stuident charged with pisoning
Northampton CC: Chorus presents ‘Candlelight Carol’
Opinion: Making state legislature smaller no easy task
Saucon Valley: District hires news assistant supt.
South Bethlehem: Ben Franklin invests $220,000 regionally
South Bethlehem: Sands employees support Sassy Massey
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