April 15, 2020
Working together
When Bethlehem resident Jane Florenz started constructing a
project in her home workshop last December, she envisioned it being a little
free library that would offer books for anyone who wanted one. When she
finished it two weeks ago, however, she realized that she needed to shift gears
with the coronavirus pandemic advancing and the fallout from it affecting many
Bethlehem residents’ employment, so she put it to better use. It’s now a
miniature food pantry, and she has installed it in the front yard of her home
at 1040 Cumberland St. Above: Jane Florenz adds some food items to the
miniature free pantry she built and installed in her front yard at 1040
Cumberland St. “We have to take care of each other,” says Florenz.
By Dana
Grubb
Feeding workers; helping others
Billy Cyr is the CEO of Freshpet. The company’s
corporate office is located at 176 N. Commerce Way in Bethlehem. Freshpet produces all natural, preservative-
and additive-free foods for dogs and cats, as well as dog treats. How they are doing during the
shutdown/isolation period: “Freshpet is an essential business; we are still
operating at full capacity. With more people staying home, we have seen a surge
in demand,” Cyr said. Above: Stephanie Behrends, Freshpet human
re-sources assistant, holds a gift certificate with Freshpet employee Richard
Picone
By Lani Goins
Pandemic impacts how living mourn the dead
The
current COVID-19 pandemic has made saying farewell to lost loved ones and
friends even more heart-wrenching. Although “Death Care Services” are
considered “essential” and are permitted by Gov. Tom Wolf’s order to “continue
physical operations,” large gatherings of any kind are forbidden. The
Pennsylvania Department of Health has mandated funeral directors to, “delay
these events or limit these events to 10 people or less.” These directives
align with what’s recommended by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), and Pennsylvania Funeral
Directors Association (PFDA).
By Ed Courrier
Faith bridges the distance
Challenged by social
distancing recommendations – keeping six feet between people, and not gathering
in groups of more than 10 – local faith communities are doing their best to
stay connected. Two local religious officials, Rabbi Michael Singer of B’nai
Abraham Synagogue and Rev. Patrick Lamb of Queenship of Mary Church, spoke with
us about their special efforts during this unprecedented time of physical
separation. Information about other Lehigh Valley houses of worship follows the
in-depth discussions with Rabbi Singer and Father Lamb. Above: Video
courtesy of Rabbi Michael Singer. “Live from New York and Bethlehem, PA, it’s
Friday afternoon!” Cantor Sam Kunstler (left) and Rabbi Michael Singer (right)
from B’nai Abraham offer a Shabbat message prior to the Friday night service.
By Theresa O’Brien
http://bethlehem.thelehighvalleypress.com/2020/04/14/faith-bridges-distance
High school sports cancelled
The
inevitable news that the spring sports season would eventually never happen due
to the coronavirus pandemic became official Thursday, April 9. Following Gov.
Tom Wolf’s announcement that schools would be closed for the rest of the year,
the PIAA followed suit by ending hope of resuming the interrupted winter
championships and ceasing any spring sports.
By Peter Car
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Freddy awards off
While the 18th annual Freddy Awards per se will not be presented,
an April 9 press release statement from Shelley Brown, President and CEO, State
Theatre Center for the Arts, Easton, seems to raise the curtain on some
possibilities.
“With Governor Wolf’s school-closure
announcement today [April 9], it has become impossible for us to present our
annual live television special in its usual form,” Brown, Executive Producer,
Freddy Awards, stated in the press release, adding, “We are working with our
production partner, WFMZ, right now to determine what is possible this year.”
By Paul Willistein
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OTHER STORIES
Bethlehem (BASD): School closed the rest of the year
Bethlehem: St. Luke’s uses command center for response
Hanover (NORCO) Twp: Residents show their appreciation for
responders
Lehigh Valley: PBS39 launches K-5 learning program
Pennsylvania: State stockpiles for expected surge
Around town community calendar
Police logs
Area obituaries
Center for Animal Health and Welfare
Volunteers
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