January 1, 2020

COVER STORY

The year in review

Each year the Bethlehem Press reflects on the events, big and small, good and bad, that affected our community. Here are a few of the many stories and images we’ve covered in 2019. Photo: MAY: The Lehigh Valley’s tallest building and former executive site of the vast Bethlehem Steel corporate empire is demolished, representing in seconds the company’s decades-long collapse.

By Nate Jastrzemski

 

ST. ANNE’S CATHOLIC CHURCH

Marking 90 years of worship, service

Clergy and parishioners of St. Anne’s Catholic Church gathered at noon Nov. 10 to celebrate a special Mass of Thanksgiving. The occasion was the 90th anniversary of the parish’s founding. Photo: More than 200 members and friends of St. Anne’s gather for dinner at Blue. Several guests afterward commented on the fine meal and excellent service.

By Dorothy and Dennis Glew

 

BETHLEHEM GARDEN CLUB
Honoring Betty Bartron

Bethlehem Garden Club hosted its November meeting at Advent Moravian Church, with celebrity guest speaker Jane Godshalk, AIFD, and invited other regional garden clubs to attend. The event brought out approximately 200 gardeners eager to learn from the design expertise of Godshalk, who created seven designs on stage following the looks of  “modern mass” and ‘”armature” designs. The arrangements went home with attendees by raffle. Photo: Bethlehem Garden Club hosted its November meeting at Advent Moravian Church, with celebrity guest speaker Jane Godshalk, AIFD, and invited other regional garden clubs to attend. The event brought out approximately 200 gardeners eager to learn from the design expertise of Godshalk, who created seven designs on stage following the looks of  “modern mass” and ‘”armature” designs. The arrangements went home with attendees by raffle.

By Lori Patrick

 

SPORTS

Winter Classic set for Jan. 25

The annual Lehigh Valley Winter Classic will take place on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020 at the Bethlehem Municipal rink located at 345 Illick’s Mill Rd, Bethlehem. The Winter Classic is an all-day ice hockey celebration with all the proceeds going to the SPHL (Special Hockey of the Lehigh Valley) Polar Bears team. The event started back in 2014 and continues to grow, raising $3,000 its first year to a record $44,000-plus in 2019.

By Scott Pagel

 

FOCUS

14th annual ABEs salute Lehigh Valley stage

Lehigh Valley regional theater continued to delight, surprise and impress in 2019. The ABEs, as in Allentown Bethlehem and Easton, is an attempt to encapsulate a year’s-worth of plays and musicals produced by Lehigh Valley nonprofit theater companies. This is the 14th annual ABEs. The overview is based on stage shows seen and-or reviewed by myself and Carole Gorney. Admittedly, we didn’t see every show in 2019.

By Paul Willistein

 

OTHER STORIES

Bethlehem (BASD): Charter school makes request

Bethlehem (Planners): Short-term lodging faces new limits

Bethlehem: Casino workers share holiday spirit

Bethlehem: Hispnaic Center hosts Santa

Fountain Hill: Borough living will get more costly

Fountain Hill: Wreaths Across America

Fountain Hill: Tree lighting at new site

Mama’s Musings: Making decisions

Student profile: Matthew Thomsen, Freedom HS

High school news: LV Academy by Destiny Negron

 

WEEKLY FEATURES

Around town community calendar

Police logs

Area obituaries

Center for Animal Health and Welfare

Volunteers

 

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December 25, 2019

COVER STORY-LUMINARIA NIGHT

Holiday event reaches $1M milestone

Thousands of residents throughout the city lit up the night Dec. 15 with candles for a special holiday tradition; Bethlehem’s 22nd annual Luminaria Night.  The event was originally scheduled for Saturday but was rescheduled to Sunday due to inclement weather.  This year, New Bethany Ministries celebrates a milestone of $1 million total raised during the event. The organization uses the money from the sale of luminaria candle kits for programs aiding the poor, hungry, and homeless in Bethlehem and throughout the Lehigh Valley. Photo: One of the popular areas for residents and tourists alike is located near the Bethlehem Area Public Library and the Moravian Historic District. This home prominently features Luminaria kits along with festive holiday decorations.

By Mark Kirlin

 

BROUGHAL MS: SOUTHSIDE STRONG-PART 4

Kicking the ball toward the goal

In June, Bethlehem Area School District administrators selected Broughal MS for a Comprehensive Support & Improvement (CSI) plan, based on the school’s three-year average of math and English Language Arts (ELA) scores on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) tests administered annually to eighth-graders. Broughal’s CSI plan, using $545,000 of Title I federal funds, encompasses three main areas: culture and mindset; instruction and assessment; and professional development. Today’s final installment about the CSI plan looks at the results from the school’s first-quarter ELA and math assessments, with additional commentary from Dr. Rosemary Hughes, director of school support at the Pa. Dept. of Education (PDE). Photo: Two of Amy Putlock’s sixth-graders set up the electronic musical instruments they made as part of a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) initiative. Educators from DaVinci Science Center worked with the students to prepare for a demonstration open to the public.

By Theresa O’Brien

 

EINSTEIN AND FRIENDS

Celebrity camel returns for holiday event

Einstein the snow camel, the camel who gained fame when he was caught in a November 2018 snowstorm, continues to remain in demand for special appearances. For the second year in a row the 12-year-old dromedary camel visited Bethlehem’s Quadrant Private Wealth Stable, home of Bethlehem’s mounted police patrol, at an event organized by the nonprofit Friends of the Mounted Police Dec. 15. Photo: Einstein with Friends of the Mounted Police board members and volunteers who helped to organize the recent event.

By Dana Grubb

 

SPORTS

Holiday tournament time

With the holiday break upon us, our local boys’ basketball teams will be hitting the road and enjoying some team camaraderie away from the Lehigh Valley.Bethlehem Catholic will head to the 31st annual Robert H. Griffith Holiday Tournament for the fifth straight year slated for December 27 and 28. Last year’s field included Red Lion, York Catholic and York Suburban. Freedom will head to the Jersey Shore this winter to take part in the Wildwood Boardwalk Basketball Classic. They will take on Sterling High School on December 29 at 2pm and then play on December 30.

By Peter Car

 

FOCUS

Santa and the Belsnickel

The night before Christmas is very near but creatures are stirring, even the mice. All quiver in fear, cause Belsnickel soon will be here. What? — What happened to Santa Claus? What happened to sugarplum fairies, sweets and spice? And who’s this Belsnickel fellow?

 

OTHER STORIES

Bethlehem: Board members support Sutp. Roy

Bethlehem: HCC reviews several façade projects

Bethlehem: HARB approves Kavva, VegOut signs

Bethlehem: Community band concert

Bethlehem: Reflective art at the Rotunda Gallery

Bethlehem: Grandpa Joe’s attracts candy lovers

Bethlehem: BAPL’s Bob Cohen Room opens new page

Lehigh County: Clean energy program moves ahead

Northampton County: ArtsQuest gets $45K county grant

School: Holiday Festival of Trees at LVIA

School: Charter Arts students support ACS

Student profile: Rylan Foraker

High school news:  Notre Dame HS

 

WEEKLY FEATURES

Around town community calendar

Police logs

Area obituaries

Center for Animal Health and Welfare

Volunteers

 

MEET THE PRESS

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December 18, 2019

COVER STORY – ADVENT BREAKFAST

‘Vanish your fears’

Advent’s origins date back to the Middle Ages, when it was a pre-Christmas season devoted to prayer and fasting before the coming of Jesus.  Here in Bethlehem, Advent is commemorated with the lighting of giant outdoor candles – one for each of the four weeks before Dec. 25. For the past 54 years, the Christmas City has also held an annual non-denominational Advent breakfast to bring the community together to celebrate the beginning of the sacred season. Photo: A total of 225 people attended this year’s 54th annual Advent breakfast, sponsored by the Citizens Christmas City Committee of the Bethlehem branch of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce.

By Carole Gorney

 

PCFLV GALA

Hearts of Gold gleam

Around $147,000 was raised by The Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley (PCFLV) at their 2019 Hearts of Gold Gala Nov. 9. Guests nattily dressed in tuxedos and evening gowns enjoyed cocktails, dinner, dancing and a live auction of children’s artwork conducted by auctioneer Jason Douglas Houser. The not-for-profit’s chic fundraiser was held at the Centennial Catering and Conference Center in Center Valley. Photo: In front, from left, Hailey Mientus, Owen Wilt, Madison and Caitlin Cleffi gather to greet guests at the Hearts of Gold Gala Nov. 9. Assisting them are, from left, Mckayla Lawley and Sherlyn Cerrato.

By Ed Courrier

 

CHRISTMAS CITY

Shopping at Christkindlmarkt

ArtsQuest’s annual holiday season extravaganza shopping experience, Christkindlmarkt, benefited from excellent weather Dec. 7 as thousands of people visited the four tent complex at SteelStacks looking for just the right gifts, grabbing a bite to eat or just listening to entertainment. Over 150 artisans offer almost anything imaginable for the discriminate holiday shopper. Photo: At the Fowler & Pena creations stand, Beal Fowler points out stained glass stars for Shay Joy and her husband Matt Miller. It was the second Christkindlmarkt visit for Joy and Matt who live in Center Valley. “It’s the Christmas City so you have to come,” Matt said.

By Dana Grubb

 

ONLINE ONLY

Board members support Roy

Bethlehem Area School Board members addressed at their Dec. 16 meeting a recent controversy around charter schools and race. On Dec. 5, BASD hosted a press conference to discuss charter reforms. A reporter from another media outlet asked why parents choose charter schools, and Superintendent Dr. Joseph Roy’s response included a long list of items, including a longer school day and busing. The last item Roy mentioned was that some parents may choose charter schools to avoid their children attending school with students from other races or from poverty backgrounds. “The fact is, when an uncomfortable topic is raised,” BASD Board President Mike Faccinetto said, “we often hear these reactions.”

By Theresa O’Brien

 

SPORTS

Werner wins Penn Manor title

Brandon Hall is looking for growth with the Liberty wrestling program and the Hurricanes demonstrated some of that over the weekend with their performance at the Penn Manor tournament in Millersville. The Hurricanes finished second as a team with 152.5 points, coming behind team champion Council Rock North (190.5 points).

By Peter Car

 

FOCUS

‘Swinging in the holidays’

An actress and singer known for her roles on iconic television series “Happy Days” and “The Office” joins the Lehigh Valley’s own Rob Stoneback Big Band for “Swinging the Holidays with Linda Purl and the Rob Stoneback Big Band,” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21 at Miller Symphony Hall in Allentown. Linda Purl joins Rob Stoneback and his band for a mix of Christmas music, American standards and swinging jazz in their first collaboration.

Kathy Lauer-Williams

 

OTHER STORIES

Another view: Holiday Hope Chests seeks continued help

Bethlehem: Vandals strike Kings’ memorial

Bethlehem: Callahan publicly calls out city hall

Bethlehem: Statewide outcry: Charter reform

Bethlehem: Shop ‘til you drop at NCC

Lehigh Valley: Rt. 22 still too long a drive for state

Mama’s musings: Friends at Christmas

Northampton County: ‘Human error’ cause voting system issues

Northampton County: Independent voting machine investigate sought

Sacon Valley: Teacher contract awarded to 2023

Southside Task Force: Free holiday parking on Saturdays

Southside: KIZ awards $80K in grants

Student profile: Abigail Mack, Liberty HS

High school news: Liberty HS by Ethan Christman

 

WEEKLY FEATURES

Community calendar

Meeting calendar

Police logs

Area obituaries

Center for Animal Health and Welfare

Volunteers

 

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December 11, 2019

COVER STORY

‘Tis the season

It was standing room only as far as you could see in each direction of Payrow Plaza at Bethlehem Public Library for the annual Christmas City tree lighting ceremony Nov. 29. Hot chocolate with marshmallows and cookies were served as a variety of joyous musical performances heralded the city’s annual celebration of its namesake season. Photo: The 43-foot-tall Christmas City tree illuminates the landscape, adding to the holiday mood.

By Lori Patrick

 

CHRISTKINDLMRT

Breakfast with St. Nick

The last day of Christmas with Saint Nicholas at Christkindlmarkt takes place Dec. 14, from 8:15 to 9:30 a.m. Tickets can be purchased online. Your ticket will also give you early admittance and all day admittance to Christkindlmarkt. Expect a line for the breakfast. On earlier weekends, many parents used the waiting time to take a photos in front of the large Christmas tree in the lobby.  Photo: Saint Nicolas with Lani and James Goins.

By Lani Goins

 

STEAK and BURGER

Girls and Boys Club annual benefit

The Girls and

Boys Club of Bethlehem’s annual ‘Steak and Burger’ dinner was held in the Historic Hotel Bethlehem’s grand ballroom Oct. 24. Sponsors, supporters and club members enjoyed dinner of steaks for kids and burgers for adults, a silent action, the message of guest speaker Don Cunningham, the sleight of hand of magician Joe Keppel, and an evening of camaraderie. Retired Club CEO Gary Martell was also recognized for his recently concluded 42 years at the Bethlehem club. Current CEO Winston Alozie was emcee for the event, which also noted that next year will mark 90 years of the club’s existence in the city of Bethlehem. Photo: Approximately 40 club members express their appreciation outside the hotel.

By Dana Grubb

 

SPORTS

Liberty, Freedom off to hot starts

It was an impressive weekend for our local teams, as they kicked off the basketball season Friday night. Freedom and Liberty both jumped out to 2-0 marks on the year, as the Patriots won the Jeff Dailey Memorial Tip-Off Classic at Notre Dame. Freedom pulled away from Bethlehem Catholic (1-1) in Saturday’s championship contest 68-47. After trailing the Hawks 30-26 with 3:49 in the third quarter, the Patriots exploded to finish the game on a 42-17 run.

By Peter Car

 

FOCUS

Singing policeman at home with Allentown Band

It is the fifth time “The Singing Policeman” returns to sing with the Allentown Band for the its annual holiday veterans’ concert. Daniel Rodriguez, known internationally as “The Singing Policeman,” says Allentown is a place he “keeps coming back to.” Rodriguez, also known as “America’s Tenor,” accompanies the Allentown Band, El Sistema Lehigh Valley Children’s Chorus and guest musician, Michael Mergen, a cornet player with the U.S. Marine Band, for the “Americans We Tribute to Veterans-Holiday Concert,” 3 p.m. Dec. 15, Miller Symphony Hall, Allentown.

By Kathy Lauer-Williams

 

OTHER STORIES

Bethlehem: Conflict with city hall costs Callahan

Bethlehem: Art Commission celebrates city hall’s 50^th

Bethlehem: Business owner writes exercise history book

Bethlehem ASD: Schenkel, Shively join school board

Bethlehem HARB: Board approves news signs for 2 shops

Freemansburg: Council irked by city water department

Lehigh County: Lack of privacy at polls criticized

Lehigh Valley: Pip the Mouse brings holiday spirit

Lehigh Valley: Browning announces candidacy

Lehigh Valley: Boscola announces $250K in school safety grants

Nothampton County: Council holds line on 2020 taxes

Saucon Valley: School board elects news president, welcomes Welch

Student profile: Abigail Mack, Freedom HS

High school news: Freedom HS

 

WEEKLY FEATURES

Around town community calendar

Police logs

Area obituaries

Center for Animal Health and Welfare

Volunteers

 

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To subscribe: New start

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December 4, 2019

COVER STORY-MAYOR’S TREE

Students bring holiday treatment

A little extra holiday spirit was in the air at Bethlehem City Hall Nov. 22. Joyful third graders from Spring Garden ES and Lehigh Valley Dual-Language Charter School gathered to decorate ornaments for the mayor’s tree and take part in holiday festivities. This beautiful annual event was organized by Beverly Bradley, the president of the Cops ‘n’ Kids Children’s Literacy Program. Photo: Third graders from Spring Garden ES and Lehigh Valley Dual-Language Charter School to meet Santa Claus at Bethlehem City Hall Nov. 22. They were given knitted scarves and hats which they modeled in the photo.

By Leslie Regan

 

SOUTH BETHLEHEM

Wind Creek officially takes over

An Oct. 10 grand opening signaled the completion of the Wind Creek Casino takeover of the Bethlehem casino from Sands. Poarch tribal chairwoman Stephanie Bryan said it was a “celebration of a vision that has become a reality” of the $1.3 billion purchase, that included re-branding the facility over several months. It was a festive affair, as celebrity chefs Emeril Lagasse and Buddy Valastro circulated among guests posing for photos. Photo: Surrounded by dignitaries, tribal chairwoman Stephanie Bryan cuts the traditional ribbon. In a forward looking address, Bryan told attendees, “We are proud to be your partners in progress.”

By Dana Grubb

 

SPORTS

Basketball previews

BP sports writer

 

FOCUS

The Nutcracker lives on

Repertory Dance Theatre (RDT) of the Lehigh Valley will present its production of the beloved holiday ballet, “Nutcracker,” for two performances, 2 p.m. Dec. 8 and 9, in the majestic Miller Symphony Hall, Allentown. The “Nutcracker,” accompanied by music of the award-winning Allentown Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Ronald Demkee, and the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts Choir, tells the tale of Clara and her Nutcracker Prince and brings the magic of Christmas to audiences young and old. With beautiful costumes, a growing tree, sword fights and snow maidens, it is sure to be a delight.

By Camille Capriglione

 

OTHER STORIES

Bethlehem; Council member, mayor clash

Bethlehem Area SD: Thomasik, Patrick honored; Stein contract renewed

Bethlehem: Rose Garden’s memorial explained

Bethlehem: First-time visitors to the Christmas City

Lehigh County: County gets grant for intel center

Lehigh Valley: Boscola announces recreation grants

Lehigh Valley: Regional groups work to negate racism

Lehigh Valley: Local Marines wish each other, Corps happy birthday

Lehigh Valley: Raising domestic violence awareness

Lehigh Valley: Watershed forum attracts industry experts

Opinion: Mama’s Musings - Waiting

South Bethlehem: New installations bring year-round exhibit to Greenway

Student profile: Abigail Brown, Bethlehem Catholic HS

High school news: Bethlehem Catholic 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

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November 27, 2019

COVER STORY-LINNY AWARDS

Honoring community giving

ArtsQuest’s fourth annual Linny Awards program got off to a rousing start with the announcement that in 2019, the ArtsQuest Foundation received a $5 million anonymous gift, the largest in the nonprofit’s history. The announcement was made by foundation CEO Jane George, who added that there were also two anonymous $1 million donations to the endowment. Photo: Arts Educator of the Year Amy Potlock is presented with her Linny Award by State Rep. Steve Samuelson. Beall Fowler is also on hand to congratulate Potlock.

By Carole Gorney

 

SPORTS

Hawks to host basketball tournament

Bethlehem Catholic’s boys’ basketball program has partnered with the Lehigh County Special Olympics to host a tournament at Bethlehem Catholic on Dec. 20 and 21. The tournament will feature three other Catholic schools from Baltimore and Washington, D.C., as the likes of John Carroll, Bishop Ireton and St. John’s Catholic Prep make the trek to the Lehigh Valley. For Hawks head coach Scott McClary, the event is one that he’s always wanted to organize, since his time working with the Lehigh County Special Olympics.

By Peter Car

 

FOCUS

Once in a lifetime

Douglas Wiltraut has received the Robert Sanstrom Prize, a Gold Medal, and $5,000, as an honorarium, for his painting, “Fading Away” (2018, egg tempera on panel, 22 in. x 33 in.) at the 65th Annual Exhibition of the National Society of Painters in Casein & Acrylic (NSPCA) held at the Salmagundi Club, New York City. The organization was founded in the 1950s and the society’s top prize, named for Robert Sanstrom, can only be received once in an artist’s lifetime. Sanstrom was an artist and NSPCA associate membership chairman who left his $1.2-million estate to the society as a legacy gift.

By Ed Courrier

 

OTHER STORIES

Bethlehem (BASD): Boardwill seek more revenue

Bethlehem: (BASD): Three elementary schools inch towards repair or replacement

Bethlehem: Rose Garden part of Boscola’s park grants

Bethlehem: Gary Martell honored for service to community

Bethlehem: Off to the races Oktoberfest style

Bethlehem (Planners): Second Ave. Armory project is official

Bethlehem: 28^th Super Day fundraiser

Freemansburg: Winter emergency plans outlines

Lehigh Valley: Diamond and Silk hosts pro-life banquet

Saucon Valley (SVSB): Parents, residents address bullying

St. Anne: Astronaut delivers big picture

St. Anne: Principal recognized for school growth

Student profile: Mercedes Lobb, LV CHarter Arts

High school news report: LV Charter Arts

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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