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

 

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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

 

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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

 

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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

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November 13, 2019

COVER STORY-TUCKER’S TOY RUN

Great ride, great cause

Bikers came from as far away as West Virginia, New Jersey and New York to participate. The ninth annual Tucker’s Toy Run was held Nov. 2, as sunny weather encouraged over 700 bikers to make the ride from Northampton to St. Luke’s University Hospital’s Fountain Hill campus to deliver well over a thousand toys for pediatric patients throughout the hospital’s system.  “The success we have is because of all of you,” said organizer Rick Nauman. The event is run through the Lehigh Valley Community Benefit organization and honors the memory of Tucker Stuart, who died in a motorcycle crash in 2011. Photo by Scott M. Nagy: Bikers gather on the grounds of Tri-Boro Sportsmen Club in Northampton for the start of Tucker’s Toy Run Nov. 2.

By Dana Grubb

 

VOTING ISSUE

Murphy’s Law affect Northampton Co. election

Provisions of the Elections Code are strictly followed in every Pennsylvania election. Unfortunately for Northampton County elections officials, another law raised its ugly head in the Nov. 5 municipal election. Murphy’s Law, the epigram that anything that can go wrong will go wrong, was in full force during the county’s rollout of a brand new voting system called The Express Vote XL. In addition to hypersensitive screens, the touch screens improperly and computed results in the judicial races. After the polls closed, the printed results from the flash drives inside each machine had candidate Democrat Abe Kassis behind Republican Vic Scomillio with less than 100 votes. The voter-verifiable paper ballots, however, say he actually won one of the two judgeships decided. This vote is currently being canvassed, which is a close re-examination of the results in every precinct. Once results are certified, a legal challenge is possible. Republicans have already obtained a court order impounding all voting machines and ballots. Photo: Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure and the Express Vote XL voting machine.

By Bernie O’Hare

 

SPORTS

Hawks fall to Pottsville

Bethlehem Catholic head football coach Joe Heinrich knew it was time to break his team’s recent skid over the past month, one in which the Golden Hawks had dropped three of their last four games. A rematch with Pottsville in the District 11 Class 4A semifinal loomed as possible answer. The Golden Hawks thoroughly defeated the Crimson Tide the past two seasons in the same game. Unfortunately for Becahi, it didn’t work.  The Golden Hawks (7-5) couldn’t get on track all afternoon, and the Crimson Tide did just enough to come away with an 18-13 victory in Pottsville last Saturday. Pottsville will meet Allentown Central Catholic in the final Saturday night at Northern Lehigh.

By Jeff Moeller

 

FOCUS

‘Whose Line’ returns to the State

 “Whose Line Is It Anyway?,” starring Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood, returns at 8 p.m. Nov. 16 to the State Theatre Center for the Arts, Easton. In the comedy show, part of their “Scared Scriptless” tour, Mochrie and Sherwood combine audience participation and improvisation. In a recent interview, Sherwood combines interviewer participation and improvisation.

By Camille Capriglione

 

OTHER STORIES

Bethlehem: Panel explores small-city food challenges

Bethlehem: Treasuring a streetscape

Bethlehem: Mayor outlines $80MK 2020 budget

Bethlehem: Muscle cars, motorcycles at Atria car show

Bethlehem: ‘A Christmas City Christmas’ comes to Moravian Book Shop

Bethlehem: ‘Day of the
Dead’ comes alive at BAPL

Bethlehem Township: Developer sues over Green Pond fees
Lehigh County: Commissioners OK tax raise

Northampton County: State gives $342K for $2.9M voting system

Student profiles – Neha Skandan, Moravian Academy

High school news – Moravian Academy

 

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November 6, 2019

COVER STORY-HOTEL BETHLEHEM

97 and still going strong

Several hundred well-wishers crowded into the Hotel Bethlehem Oct. 6 to help the landmark celebrate its 97th birthday and its recent selection as the third best historic hotel in the country by readers of USA Today. The birthday bash included free food and hors d’oeuvres, mounds of cupcakes, tours, musical entertainment and presentations on the history of the hotel.   Guests were greeted by Hospitality Girls in white knee-high boots, a flashback to 1968, when the then-new general manager hired the young women as greeters. Photo: Ozzie Morales of Bethlehem has been a waiter for 25 years, but for only one year at the Hotel Bethlehem.  Dressed in colonial garb, he offers birthday bash celebrants free hors d’oeuvres during the event.

By Carole Gorney

 

SPORTS

Freedom girls win first district title

Freedom forward Katie Flynn held on to the District XI girls’ soccer championship trophy like it was gold, but the gold was hanging around her neck, placed there by Coach Bob Eaton after the Patriots defeated Nazareth, 3-1, in the Class 4A final on Saturday night at Emmaus High School. “It means a lot and we just brought it all together. It’s post season, we’re a whole new team, and we’ve been on a streak,” Flynn said. “I told them at halftime this is not over. We have to go out and bring it 10 times harder than we played the first half.” The Patriots took a 2-0 lead in the first half on goals scored by Haley Gschrey at 31:39 and 20:15.

By Katie McDonald

 

FOCUS

Gene London’s Hollywood

The exhibit is “Designing Hollywood.” It’s really Gene London’s Hollywood. The exhibit, subtitled “Golden Age Costumes from the Gene London Cinema Collection,” through Dec. 22, Allentown Art Museum, includes 60 vintage costumes from the Golden Age of Hollywood movies, including those worn by Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Judy Garland, Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Katharine Hepburn, Charlton Heston, James Cagney and many more.

By Paul Willistein

 

OTHER STORIES

Bethlehem: Property appeals bill a worry for BASD

Bethlehem: City hosts state Latino convention

Bethlehem: Firefighters remembered, honored

Bethlehem: Parking Authority seeks signage help from HARB

Bethlehem: Council allows a contested fence

Bethlehem: 4^th St. CBD store gets new signage

Bethlehem: Zonera approve Van Buren townhouses

Bethlehem: Religions unite, learn in Bethlehem

Bethlehem: NCC hosts addiction seminar

Bethlehem: Trick or Treat in the city

Fountain Hill: Council learns about gerrymandering

Northampton County: County gets $142K prevention grant

Saucon Valley: Halloween special at high school

Saucon Valley, Board, administration laud students

Student profile – Kiera Sager, Saucon Valley HS

High school news – Saucon Valley HS

 

WEEKLY FEATURES

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