JUNE
3 AND 10, 2020
New
Bethany: Pandemic increases needs
In a time when much of the Lehigh Valley was
brought to a standstill, New Bethany Ministries has been busier than ever. The
Southside Bethlehem nonprofit is used to difficulty, providing services for
people who have nowhere else to turn. But, like everyone during the COVID-19
crisis, it has faced new challenges. Executive Director Marc Rittle calls New
Bethany “a community of care and support.” Homeless and low income clients can
be helped by a full range of services, including hot meals, a food pantry,
showers, hygiene products, and laundry services, as well as varied housing
programs and case management services. Photo: Volunteers Nicole Peluso and Josh
Osowiecki, and Director of Operations Veronne Demesyeux prepare lunches in the
New Bethany Ministries kitchen.
By
David Howell and Dana Grubb
Something
to look forward to
On the night of Nov. 23, 2012, Bethlehem resident
Brian McCritcherd awoke screaming in pain from injuries to his back that
happened during six years of service in the Army. His service had already left
him with several crippled fingers; now, in addition to the pain he was
suffering, the veteran was losing the ability to stand unassisted and walk.
Five major surgeries on his back followed over the next few years, none of them
fully successful. Today, thanks to a strong upper body, McCritcherd can pull
himself to a standing position, but his left leg doesn’t respond at all. Photo:
After his workout, Brian McCritcherd is joined by Jodi Evans, recreation
director for the City of Bethlehem, who was instrumental in making the ice rink
available for him for one hour each week. Next year, Evans hopes to attract
more skaters with disabilities to the facility.
By
Dennis Glew
Media named
4A Player of the Year
Bethlehem
Catholic senior guard Taliyah Medina was named 4A Player of the Year and First
Team All-State Girls Basketball Player on April 20.
The
soon-to-be Villanova University Lady Wildcat finished her career at Becahi with
1,168 points, over 600 rebounds, and more than 200 assists despite missing her
junior year due to injury.
By
Katie McDonald
Toomey
roundtable: Why not get outside
U.S. Sen. Pat
Toomey (R-Pa.), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee Subcommittee on Health
Care, convened a virtual roundtable about youth baseball and softball leagues
safely resuming play.
The event
took place on Thursday, May 21, and the public was invited to watch on YouTube.
The roughly hourlong discussion can still be viewed on Sen. Toomey’s YouTube
page.
By
Scott Pagel
Tribute:
Dixie White a cultivator of causes
Dixie Dugan White, who passed away April 18, was one of a
kind.
It would be difficult to find anyone in the Lehigh Valley
who was more of an activist. She worked with countless organizations for
economic equality, human rights and the environment. She was determined, but
she always kept her sense of humor.
Her many socially-active involvements included President,
Pennsylvania Chapter, National Organization of Women; Senior Field Organizer,
Chicago Chapter, National Organization of Women, and first director, AIDS
Service Center of the Lehigh Valley.
By
David Howell
Curtail
rises: ‘Fresh Voices’
“Fresh Voices” is as
innovative as ever this year, in one sense more than Southside Bethlehem’s
Touchstone Theatre might have imagined.
As with its recent
“Young Playwrights’ Festival,” this year’s “Fresh Voices” is going virtual
because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic mandates.
By
David Howell
OTHER STORIES - June 10
Bethlehem
BASD: District prepared to reopen
Bethlehem
BASD: Signing day/academic awards
Lehigh
County: Voting, healthcare under review
Northampton
County: County first to report election returns
State:
Wolf – Our resolve is being tested
State:
Wolf pandemic weekly update
Student
profiles – Paige Zimmerman, LV Academy
OTHER
STORIES – June 3
Bethlehem:
‘Open parks’ council asked
Bethlehem:
Council reviews pandemic effects
Bethlehem:
Limited services on Memorial Day
Bethlehem
BASD: Draper named early learning head
Bethlehem
BASD: District honors retiring ‘Built by Bethlehem’ leaders
Fountain
Hill: Masks for those in need
Hellertown:
Closures, postponements announced
Saucon
Valley: Virtual graduation approved, then changed
State:
Wolf – ‘We can’t isolate ourselves forever’
SteelStacks:
‘Levitt in your Livingroom’ premieres
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