happy holidays slate belt town topics...in june 2016, the team learned that assistant coach amanda...

Slate Belt Town Topics FREEDecember 18, 2017

The Slate Belt’s Only Daily Paper - sbtopics.comNext Day News .... NOT Next Week

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

BANGOR & PEN ARGYL AREA NEWS

by Larry Cory Bangor graduate Lauren Zengulis had the

rare opportunity to play on, not one, but two na-tional championship field hockey teams at Ship-pensburg University.

When you consider that the vast majority of high school athletes never play on the collegiate level, Zengulis had the chance to play at a colle-giate level that most athletes only dream about.

Just a few weeks ago, Zengulis and the Raiders defeated Long Island University Post 4-1 for the second straight year in the NCAA Division II national championship game played in Louisville, Kentucky, giving the Raiders three national championships in just five years.

Zengulis arrived in Shippensburg in 2014, a year after the Raid-ers’ first national title and a year after her great career for the Bangor Slaters where she was a four-year member of the field hockey team as a midfielder and started every varsity game.

Playing on a high level in high school prepared Zengulis for the that same experience in college. However, nothing could have pre-pared her for what happened in her junior and senior years.

In June 2016, the team learned that Assistant Coach Amanda Strous, also a member of the Raiders’ 2013 title team, had been mur-dered. The team dedicated their season to Coach Strous and used that emotion to fuel their way to the National Championship and defeat LIU for the 2016 championship.

“This was such a hard time for our team to get through because not only are we a close-knit Ship family, but we are also very close

with our Ship alum,” Zengulis said. “After (Coach) Strous’ death we truly made the best of everyday.”

Anyone who has played for, or coached a championship team knows that getting to the top is easier than staying on top. Opponents would like nothing better on their resume than beating a national championship team. Going into Zengulis’ senior year in 2017, she and her teammates knew that duplicating the 2016 season would be difficult.

To compound their task, Coach Bertie Landis resigned after 18 seasons as Shippens-burg’s head coach, and later, teammate Me-

gan Hart was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Again, the team rallied, this time around Hart and used that emo-

tion in their quest for a second title. “When Megan became diagnosed with Leukemia, somehow we

became even closer,” said Zengulis. “We watched her suffer every single day for many months prior to her diagnosis. But that just shows how strong she is because she still came to practice, and games.”

Zengulis scored five goals, took 39 shots and added three assists during the Raiders’ 19-4 season and an unprecedented second straight NCAA national championship.

In 2016, she notched two goals in victories over Southern Con-necticut State and Kutztown, including the game-winning tallies in each contest. She also led the team in shot percentage at .308 and was named to the 2016 ZAG Field Hockey/NFHCA Division II National Academic Squad.

(First of a three-part series) Lauren Zengulis’ Incredible JourneyA Tale of Success and Sorrow

PART 2 & 3 See page 3

http://15.KesslerHomeTeam.com

Slate Belt Town Topics

Slate Belt Town TopicsPen Argyl,Pa

PublishersLarry and Janice Cory

Business ManagerJanice Cory

Editorial AssistantsPatricia ShoupAllison Moyer

PhotographerJennifer Trinkley Photography

Michael Mensch

Office: 610-863-1988Cell: 570-688-3724 (voice or text)335 S. Franklin St., Pen Argyl, PA

Fax: 610-863-1988

HAPPENING IN THE SLATE BELT AREA

See HAPPENINGS page 10

December 19Drawing Workshop

Pocono Arts Cultural Center, 18 N. 7th St., Stroudsburg 6:30-8:30pm.

Never taken a drawing class before? Feel rusty or simply lack confidence? This class is for you. Beginning with a simple con-tour, you will use line to discover a variety of shapes and forms from a still life to the human figure.

The foundational and formal aspects of sketching and drawing will be demonstrated. Explore the steps in drawing from an idea to a sketch to a completed drawing.

Tuition: Member $75/Non-Member $85: Senior Member $65/Non-Member $75

December 20Wednesday Painting WorkshopPocono Arts Cultural Center, 18 N. 7th

St., Stroudsburg. “Painting Alla Prima” (all at one go). Instructor John McAllister 6:30-8:30pm.

All painting mediums welcome, water-color, tempera, acrylic, oil, whatever you are comfortable with. Bring your own materi-als and instructor John McAllister will help you with composition, color, value and basis techniques.

The focus of the workshop is to complete or nearly complete a painting in one 2 hour sitting. Tuition: $10.00

December 21

Oil Painting ClassPocono Arts Cultural Center, 18 N. 7th

St., Stroudsburg. Instructor John McAllister 6:30-8:30pm.

This ongoing workshop focuses on the in-dividual, helping them to develop their own personal style and technique working with the oil medium. Learn how to develop your painting by understanding drawing and com-position, light and shadow, color, prepara-tion of materials and the application of paint.

Working at your own pace, you pick the subject while the instructor guides you through the painting process.


December 22PAHS to Hold “Senior Day”

The Class of 2020 at Pen Argyl Area High School will hold a “Senior Day” on Friday, December 22, 2017 from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. Doors will open at 8:15.

Enjoy listening to the sounds of the chorus and jazz band. We will be serving a conti-nental breakfast and lunch will be provided for all attendees. Other activities include quoits, tours of the building, technology les-sons, and Bingo! This event is open to all senior citizens of the Pen Argyl Area School District.

Space is limited, so please RSVP as soon as possible. All reservations must be made no later than December 15 by calling 610-863-1293 Ext. 1.

December 24 Christmas Cantata

The East Bangor United Methodist Com-munity Church will present a Christmas Cantata, “Let There Be Christmas” (by Jo-seph Martin) at the 9:15 a.m.worship service on Sunday, December 24th. At 7:00 p.m.

there will be a traditional service of Carols and Candlelighting.

Please join us for this Christmas Eve day of songs of praise. The church is located at 136 W. Central Ave. (Rt. 512), East Bangor, PA.

For more info., call 610-588-4453 or visit ebumc.org.

December 26Drawing Workshop

Pocono Arts Cultural Center, 18 N. 7th St., Stroudsburg 6:30-8:30pm.

Never taken a drawing class before? Feel rusty or simply lack confidence? This class is for you. Beginning with a simple contour, you will use line to discover a variety of shapes and forms from a still life to the hu-man figure. The foundational and formal as-pects of sketching and drawing will be dem-onstrated. Explore the steps in drawing from an idea to a sketch to a completed drawing.


December 27Wednesday Painting WorkshopPocono Arts Cultural Center, 18 N. 7th

St., Stroudsburg “Painting Alla Prima” (all at one go). Instructor John McAllister 6:30-8:30pm.

All painting mediums welcome, water-color, tempera, acrylic, oil, whatever you are comfortable with. Bring your own materi-als and instructor John McAllister will help you with composition, color, value and basis techniques. The focus of the workshop is to complete or nearly complete a painting in one 2 hour sitting. Tuition: $10.00

December 28


by Larry CoryBangor resident and Pius X graduate Cliff Burd paints pictures for

children with cancer.Burd has also been friends with Renee Zengulis of Bangor for

many years, and when he learned that Zengulis’ daughter, Lauren, played field hockey at Shippensburg University with a teammate who had Leukemia, Burd stepped up and offered to help.

Lauren’s friend and teammate at Shippensburg is Megan Hart who has battled the illness for several months. During the latter part of this year Burd made an offer to do a portrait of Hart.

He then went to work and painted a great portrait, completing it before the end of the NCAA playoffs which gave him the opportunity to take the painting on a long trip to Shippensburg where the Raiders were playing Stonehill College in an NCAA Division II quarterfinal field hockey game. When he arrived, he placed the painting in the field for the Shippensburg team to see and to fire them up.

“Well yesterday was a total win all the way around,” he said on his Facebook page. “The girls fought and won 6-1 and are now off to Louisville for the final four!

by Larry CoryUntil 2016, only Gina Lucrezi of DeSales and Emily Howell of

ESU were the only former Bangor athletes to win an NCAA national championship. Lucrezi won the 1,500-meter run in the 2004 NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships and Howell’s 2015 ESU Field Hockey team won the DII NCAA national title.

Lauren Zengulis duplicated that feat when Shippensburg won the NCAA Division II Field Hockey Championship in 2016.

When the Raiders won an NCAA title in 2017, Zengulis became the only former Slater to win 2 NCAA national championships.

Former BAHS athletes Jason Marraccini (1997) and Rep. Joe Em-rick (1990) playing for Lycoming both lost in the Amos Alonzo Stagg Division III football title game.

Nonetheless, Maraccini, and Emrick join Lucrezi, Howell and Zengulis in an elite group as the only known players in Bangor High School history to play in a NCAA title competition.

Zengulis is also part of an elite group of four former Bangor field hockey players to be part of the 2017 NCAA Division II Field Hock-ey championships.

When the Raiders played Stonehill College the Skyhawks were coached by 2006 Bangor grad, Susan Ciufo .

After beating Stonehill, Shippensburg would play East Strouds-burg University in Louisville, Kentucky. The Warrior coaching staff included former Slaters, Emily Boyle and Howell.

By coincidence Ciufo was inducted into the Bangor Hall of Fame the same weekend that her team played Shippensburg. Her former coach, Carol Alfred, was also inducted into the Slater Hall of Fame at the same time. Coach Alfred, in fact, also coached Boyle, Howell and Zengulis at some point during their careers making the 2017 playoff coincidence even greater.

More than the coincidence is the fact all four continued their field

Artist Inspires Team, Comforts Sick TeammateCliff Burd Travels Far to Deliver Painting

Part 2

See CLIFF BURD page 6

Part 3

Slaters’ Link To NCAA Tourney

See LINK page 6


The Slate Belt’s Only Daily Paper - sbtopics.comNext Day News .... NOT Next Week

Bangor’s Ed Hay wrestling at 160 won by pin in 1:43 for his 100th career victory during the Slaters’ 44-27 loss to Wilson Wednesday night. Hay joins Scott Heckman and Charlie Sell as other members of the Slater wrestling 100-win club. Sbtt Photo Larry Cory

Bangor loses their match to Wilson Wednesday night held at Bangor School, leaving them 0-1 so far this year. Sbtt Photo Larry Cory

Pen Argyl freshman Tyler Taylor wrestles at 182 versus Sau-con Valley Wednesday night at Pen Argyl. Sbtt Photo Jennifer Trinkley Photography.

Pen Argyl suffers a loss Wednesday night in their match against Saucon Valley, with a final score of 58-21. Sbtt Photo Jen-nifer Trinkley Photography.

Area Wrestling


See CALENDAR page 7

WEEKLY SLATE BELT CALENDARMonday December 18Bingo - Kunkletown Fire Co. Progressive Jackpot. 7pmBlue Mountain Library - Open 10-12 & 6-8pmBangor Public Library - Open 1-8Slate Belt Senior Center - Open 8-4. Blue Valley Farm ShowPlainfield Township Planning Commission - Municipal Building, 7:00 pm.Bangor School Board Work Session - Slater Conference Room , 7:30Lower Mount Bethel Supervisors - Meets Centerfield Building - 7pmUpper Mount Bethel Supervisors - Meets 7:00pmWrite Night - Collaborative writer’s group. Nazareth Center for the Arts, 7-9pmSlate Belt YMCA - Open 5:00am - 9:00pm Tuesday December 19Book Discussion - Blue Mountain Library 6:30 pmBingo - Portland Fire Co., 7pm.Blue Mountain Library - Open 10-12 & 6-8pmBangor Public Library - Open 10-8Slate Belt Senior Center - Open 8-4. Blue Valley Farm ShowPreschool Story Time - Bangor Public Library, 10-11am.Mission of Love Food Pantry & Clothes Closet - N. Main St., Bangor, 10-12Roseto Planning Commission - 7:00pm Borough HallPen Argyl Park Board - Meeting, Community Center, 7:00pm.Slate Belt YMCA - Open 5:00am - 9:00pm Wednesday December 20Bingo - Bushkill Fire Co. Doors 5pm. Bingo 7pm.Blue Mountain Library - Open 10-12 & 6-8pmBangor Public Library - Open 1-8Slate Belt Senior Center - Open 8-4. Blue Valley Farm ShowGym Nite - 6-8pm, Faith Christian School, Roseto. 610-588-6929Story Time - Preschool children. Blue Mt. Community Library, Pen Argyl, 10:30amBangor Yard Waste - Dump in container at Bangor Park, 8-2UMBT Planning Commission - Township Building, 7:30pmSlate Belt YMCA - Open 5:00am - 9:00pm Thursday December 21

Blue Mountain Library - Open 10-12 & 6-8pmBangor Public Library - Open 10-8Slate Belt Senior Center - Open 8-4. Blue Valley Farm ShowStory Time - Preschool children. Blue Mt. Community Library, Pen Argyl, 10:30amPen Argyl Borough Planning Commission - 7:00 P.M. Council ChambersForks Kiwanis - Merchants Bank, Breakfast 7:30amSlate Belt Rotary - Scorecard, Wind Gap, 6-7pmSlate Belt YMCA - Open 5:00am - 9:00pm Friday December 22Connections for Women - Hopesprings, Market St., Bangor 10am - 1pm.Bingo - Wind Gap Fire Co., 6:45.Blue Mountain Library - Open 10-12Bangor Public Library - Open 1-5Slate Belt Senior Center - Open 8-4. Blue Valley Farm ShowKnitters of the Round Table - Blue Mt. Comm. Library, 10:30am. 610-863-3029Slate Belt YMCA - Open 5:00am - 9:00pm Saturday December 23Bingo - Bangor VFW. Doors 4:30. Bingo 6:45.Blue Mountain Library - Open 10-12Bangor Public Library - Open 10-4.Bangor Yard Waste - Dump in container at Bangor Park, 8-12.Slate Belt YMCA - 8-4 Sunday December 24Bingo - Immaculate Conception. Doors 11:00am, Bingo 1:00pmBingo - Bangor VFW. Doors 4:30. Bingo 6:45.Fellowship Dinner - First UMC Bangor, 12:30-1:30.Slate Belt Heritage Center - Open 12-3.Slate Belt YMCA - 10-2 Monday December 25Merry Christmas!

Tuesday December 26Bingo - Portland Fire Co., 7pm.Blue Mountain Library - Open 10-12 & 6-8pmBangor Public Library - Open 10-8Slate Belt Senior Center - Open 8-4. Blue Valley Farm ShowPreschool Story Time - Bangor Public Library, 10-11am.

Mission of Love Food Pantry & Clothes Closet - N. Main St., Bangor, 10-12Bangor Exchange Club - Blue Valley Farm Show, 7pm.Knights of Columbus Meeting - Council Home, 7:30-9:30pmFriends of Bangor Library - 7pmBangor Band Boosters - BAHS Band Room, 7pmUMBT Zoning Board - Township Building, 7:30pmSlate Belt YMCA - Open 5:00am - 9:00pmPen Argyl Workshop Council Meeting - 7 P.M. Council ChambersRoseto Borough Authority - Municipal Building, 7pm.Roseto Sewer Authority - Borough Hall, 7:00pm Wednesday December 27Bingo - Bushkill Fire Co. Doors 5pm. Bingo 7pm.Blue Mountain Library - Open 10-12 & 6-8pmBangor Public Library - Open 1-8Slate Belt Senior Center - Open 8-4. Blue Valley Farm ShowGym Nite - 6-8pm, Faith Christian School, Roseto. 610-588-6929Slate Belt Band - Practice. Roseto American Legion, 143 Garibaldi Ave., Roseto 7-9.Story Time - Preschool children. Blue Mt. Community Library, Pen Argyl, 10:30amBangor Yard Waste - Dump in container at Bangor Park, 8-2Washington Township Supervisors Meet - Municipal Building, 3:30pm.Bangor Zoning Board - Bee Hive, 7:00pmSlate Belt YMCA - Open 5:00am - 9:00pm Thursday December 28Blue Mountain Library - Open 10-12 & 6-8pmBangor Public Library - Open 10-8Slate Belt Senior Center - Open 8-4. Blue Valley Farm ShowStory Time - Preschool children. Blue Mt. Community Library, Pen Argyl, 10:30amRoseto Zoning Board - Borough Hall TBASlate Belt Rotary - Scorecard, Wind Gap, 6-7pmPlainfield Township Supervisors - Meets 7:00pm Municipal BuildingSlate Belt YMCA - Open 5:00am - 9:00pmBangor Borough Authority - Bangor Authority Bldg, 7:00pm


On Burd’s return trip he stopped by Penn State Hershey Chil-dren’s Hospital and presented the portrait to Megan. He wanted to encourage her to stay strong and to remind her we’re fighting for her in spirit.

“I got to spend time with the team and most of all got to spend time with the wonderful Hart family,” he added. “The room was filled with happiness and smiles, and can’t ask for anything more than that. Megan is such a fighter and a bundle of sweetness.

I always leave these situations with the utmost admiration and re-spect for all who are involved and the strength of Miss Megan will get her through this.”

CLIFF BURDcontinued from page 3

hockey careers at a higher level.“Since Washington elementary school I can remember relating ev-

erything to sports, Zengulis said. “Whether it was a paper or project it had to revolve (around) my dream of playing for a championship winning team. Playing sports at Bangor gave me the drive to want to continue my career.”

Zengulis also gives credit to Coach Alfred.“I committed to the Shippensburg field hockey team knowing that

they were a highly successful program with strong core values, said Zengulis. “ Coming from a program like Coach Alfred built at Ban-gor made me want to continue my career on a team just like her’s.”

LINKcontinued from page 3

by Larry Cory When Christine Mammi was hired as Animal Control officer

by the Slate Belt Council of Governments earlier this year there was some brief conversation about an animal shelter that would eventu-ally serve the Slate Belt.

Although only a whisper then, the shelter is now in the early stages of reality.

According to COG Executive Director Scott Parsons, the group has leased a property at 872 Lower South Main Street, Bangor. The building, which is officially in Washington Township, was a former blouse mill and has been vacant for 25 years.

Despite the quarter-century lapse, the structure appears to be sta-ble and suitable for rehab. Plumbing and electrical needs are essen-tially non -existent and need to be completely redone.

Parsons estimates the project will cost $100,000 and may take as long a year to complete. Before occupancy, the structure must meet zoning standards and animal shelter requirements set by the state.

Problem is - where to get money to fund the project since this is a non-profit, venture. The Slate Belt is not exactly blessed with a large number of philanthropists willing to throw money at every needy venture that comes down the pike. Moreover, the organization and individuals that can donate to worthy causes get hit from every angle.

Needless to say - getting $100,000 in donations will be a major task.

If you want to donate time or money to the project you can contact them at [email protected] or 973-479-8532.

The respect for animal care that has grown over time makes the Slate Belt Animal Care center a very worthwhile and necessary proj-ect.

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf recently signed Libre’s Law that sets higher standards for animal care and provides additional penal-ties for those who violate those standards.

This law includes the following:* Neglect of an animal would include denying an animal necessary

food and potable water, clean and sanitary shelter, or necessary vet-erinary care. This would be a summary offense but would become a misdemeanor of the third degree if the violation causes bodily injury to the animal or puts it at imminent risk of serious bodily injury.

* Cruelty to an animal would include intentionally, knowingly or recklessly ill-treating, overloading, beating, abandoning or abusing an animal. This would be a misdemeanor of the second degree.

* Aggravated cruelty to an animal would include intentionally or knowingly torturing an animal or causing serious bodily injury or death of the animal. This would be a felony of the third degree.

Slate Belt Animal Shelter Finds a Home


CALENDARcontinued from page 5 Slate Belt Senior Center

Blue Valley Farm Show Complex700 American Bangor Road

Bangor 610-588-1224Hours: 8:30 A.M.-4:00 P.M.

Meal Reservations please call by 10:00 A.M. one day prior before the meal. Lunch is served at 11:30 A.M. Volunteers needed to help plan/set up for parties and special events

SLATE BELT SR CENTER

Heritage Center Calendar Sunday, January 14, 2 PM- TBASunday, February 11, 2 PM- TBASunday, March 11, 2 PM- “The Life of Blaine Reimel” – James Paynter relates the life of the Slate Belt’s first fatality in World War II.Thursday, April 12th, 7 PM – TBAThursday, May 10, 7 PM – “Memories of the Slate Belt” presented by former Bangor resident and graduate of the class of 1964, David Blau.Thursday, June 21, 7 PM – “Annual Pres-ervation Awards”.Thursday, July 12, 7 PM – “Restoration of the Slate Hoists” – Mike Piersa will conduct an outdoor presentation of the manufactur-ing and operation of the restored Flory slate hoists which now reside in Bethel Park. Thursday, August, 9, 7 PM- TBAThursday, September 13, 7 PM- TBAThursday, October 11, 7 PM- “Haunted Heritage Program”.Thurs, Nov. 8, 7 PM- “World War I Veter-ans”- presented by William Casamassima.

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about your organization, sign-ups for Little League, or similar information - this a FREE service provided by the Town Topics.

Send news by e-mail to [email protected] , call 610-863-1988, text 570-688-3724, mail to 335 S Franklin St., Pen Argyl, PA 18072.

Bangor Library New Books

December 14

DECEMBER

• Deja the Therapy Dog, Tuesday, De-cember 19th, 10:00 AM

• Christmas Games, Build a snowman, Thursday, December 21, 10:00 AM

• CHRISTMAS PARTY(Pre-registration required) MUSIC WITH BILL REESE

• CLOSED CHRISTMAS DAY, DE-CEMBER 25

• Left over Cookie and Fruitcake Day (bring all you want to get rid of) Of-ficers Council Meeting, Thursday, De-cember 28, 9:00 AM

• Events Meeting, Thursday, December 28th, 1:00 PM

• NEW YEAR’S MEAL, Friday, Decem-ber 29

• Fruitcake Day (bring all you want to get rid of)

• Officers Council Meeting, Thursday, December 28, 9:00 AM

Friday December 29Bingo - Wind Gap Fire Co., 6:45.Blue Mountain Library - Open 10-12Bangor Public Library - Open 1-5Slate Belt Senior Center - Open 8-4. Blue Valley Farm ShowKnitters of the Round Table - Blue Mt. Comm. Library, 10:30am. 610-863-3029Slate Belt YMCA - Open 5:00am - 9:00pmFree Family Night Out - Community Presbyterian Church of Mt. Bethel. 6-8pm Saturday December 30Bingo - Bangor VFW. Doors 4:30. Bingo 6:45.Blue Mountain Library - Open 10-12Bangor Public Library - Open 10-4Bangor Yard Waste - Dump in container at Bangor Park, 8-1Slate Belt YMCA - 8-4Free Family Night Out - Community Presbyterian Church of Mt. Bethel. 6-8pm

Sunday December 31 Bingo - Immaculate Conception. Doors 11:00am, Bingo 1:00pmBingo - Bangor VFW. Doors 4:30. Bingo 6:45.Slate Belt Heritage Center - Open 12 3.Slate Belt YMCA - Open 10:00 - 2:00pm

Monday January 1Happy New Year! Tuesday January 2Bingo - Portland Fire Co., 7pm.Blue Mountain Library - Open 10-12 & 6-8pmBangor Public Library - Open 10-8Slate Belt Senior Center - Open 8-4. Blue

Adult Fiction• Tell Tale by Jeffrey Archer• Parting Shot by Linwood Barclay• Enchantress of Numbers by Jennifer Chia-

verini• Miracle Road by Emily March• The House of Unexpected Sisters by Alexan-

der McCall Smith• The Body in the Casket by Katherine Hall

Page• Count to Ten by James Patterson• The Demon Crown by James Rollins• A Conjuring of Light• A Darker Shade of Magic by Victoria Schwab• Thomas Kinkades Cape Light ChristmasB-

lessings by Katherine Spencer• Dead of Winter by Wendy Corsi Staub.

Adult Non Fiction

• Andrew Jackson and the Miracle of New Or-leans by Brian Kilmeade

• Petersons Master the GED 2018• Grain Mains by Bruce Weinstein.

Large Print Fiction

• End Game by David Baldacci• The Midnight Line by Lee Child• Two Kinds of Truth by Michael Connelly• The People vs. Alex Cross by James Patter-

son. Young Adult Fiction

• The Silver Mask by Holly Black• Loved by P.C. Cast• Graduation Day• Independent Study• The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau• Warcross by Marie Lu• Frogkisser• Have Sword, Will Travel by Garth Nix• Tales from a Not-So-Secret Crush Catastro-

phe by Renee Russell. Junior Fiction

• Princess in Black and the Perfect Princess Party by Shannon Hale

• Predator vs. Prey by Lisa McMann• Silent Days, Silent Dreams by Allen Say.

Junior Non Fiction• Blast Lab by Richard Hammond.

Easy Fiction• How to Find an Elephant by Kate Banks• Merry Christmas from The Very Hungry

Caterpillar by Eric Carle• Santa Rex by Molly Schaar Idle• Mama Lion Wins the Race by Jon Muth• Tyrannosaurus Rex vs. Edna, The Very First

Chicken by Douglas Rees• The 12 Sleighs of Christmas by Sherri

Duskey Rinker• Singing in the Rain by Arthur Freed• Where, Oh Where, is Baby Bear by Ashley

Wolff. DVDs

• The Circle• The Dark Tower• Descendants 2


Pen Argyl High held its music concert Saturday night at Wind Gap Middle School. Sbtt Photo Jennifer Trinkley Photography

http://www.ruggierofuneralhome.com


HAPPENINGScontinued from page 2

Oil Painting ClassPocono Arts Cultural Center, 18 N. 7th

St., Stroudsburg. Instructor John McAllister 6:30-8:30pm.

This ongoing workshop focuses on the in-dividual, helping them to develop their own personal style and technique working with the oil medium. Learn how to develop your painting by understanding drawing and com-position, light and shadow, color, prepara-tion of materials and the application of paint.

Working at your own pace, you pick the subject while the instructor guides you through the painting process.


December 30Basketball Clinic

The Pen Argyl Lady Knights will be host-ing a basketball clinic on Dec 30 at Wind Gap Middle School- 9-11AM- open to all girls and boys grades 3-6.

Cost will be $15. Hope to see you there! #TraditionStartsNow

January 3Animal Advocacy Meeting

The Slate Belt Advocacy Group mothly meeting will be held Wednesday, January 3, 2018 from 7 to 8 pm. They will meet at Sec-ond Ward Fire Company, 517 S. Northamp-ton St., Bangor.

January 8RN/LPN Reactivation/Review

Free information sessions will be held at Northampton Community College for nurs-ing professionals with an inactive or interna-

tional license who would like to re-enter the workforce.

Programs will ensure those interested in returning to practice will have everything they require to begin the classes in January 2018.

For more information and to register for a session, please visit www.northampton.edu/HealthcareCourses.For questions, please call 610-332-6585.

January 13Winter Bird Walk

Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 12 PM - 2 PM. Waste Management’s Grand Central Environmental Education Center, 891 Grand Central Road, Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania 18072.

Join in for a walk along the Education Center property and the roads throughout the landfill (after hours!) to view beautiful win-ter birds. Last year, we spotted the Icelandic Gull! We will meet at the Education Center at 12pm and walk from there.

Please dress for the weather and bring bin-oculars or cameras. Any change in plans for the event will be noted on here. Jacobsburg State Park will be partnering with us! Our friend Rick Wiltraut will be leading the way! For questions, please contact WM’s Adri-enne Fors, [email protected]

January 20PA Trappers Fur Auction

On January 20th, 2018, the Pennsylvania Trappers Association District 10 Live Bid Fur Auction at Stockertown Rod & Gun Club (205 Le Fevre Rd. Stockertown, PA 18083).

Doors open at 8am, and auction starts at 9am. Pennsylvania Trappers Association membership and furtaker’s license required. For more information, contact: Bob Count-erman 610-759-9203.

January 27Irish Tin Whistle Workshop

BETHLEHEM, Pennsylvania - Celtic Cultural Alliance announces an Irish Tin Whistle workshop on January 27, 2018, as part of its continuing mission to promote and preserve the Celtic culture through arts, mu-sic, literature, dance, and history programs.

Our Irish whistle workshop with instructor Chris Finnegan, will teach the basics of how to play traditional tunes on a D tin whistle to students over age 14. Students will learn the basic fingering and how to get a good sound from the instrument. Simple music will also be introduced.

Students should bring their own whistle, and Walton’s is the recommended brand. It can be purchased from Donegal Square, 532 Main St., Bethlehem.

Chris Finnegan is an Uilleann Piper and Whistle player from Old Bridge, New Jersey. He has performed extensively in the United States and Ireland and holds the distinction of being the Piper to the Regimental Head-quarters Staff of the “Fighting 69th” (1st Battalion, 69th Infantry, New York Army National Guard).

In addition to the Uilleann Pipes, Chris also plays the Double Bass, Guitar, and Great Highland Bagpipes. Chris performs regularly as a solo musician, in duos and with the Irish Music groups Blackwater and Ballycastle.

The class will be held from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at Life in Christ, 51 E. Hill-mond St., Bethlehem. The cost is $30, and information and registration can be found at http://www.celticfest.org/irish_tin_whistle_workshop.

For more information on the Celtic Classic Highland Games & Festival and other Celtic Cultural Alliance events, visit the organiza-tion’s website at www.celticfest.org.


Area EntertainmentDecember 18Sarah Street Grill - Monday Night Football 8:30 pmPorters Pub- Karaoke 9:00pmNewton Theater- Lady Bird 7:00pm

December 19Sarah Street Grill - Christian Porter 9:30 pmNewton Theater- Lady Bird 7:00pm

December 20Bangor Trust Brewing - Open Mic Night 10pmSarah Street Grill - Open Mic Night 9:15 pmPorters Pub- Open Mic with Scott Harrington 9:30pm December 21Deer Head Inn - Jazz Jam with Bill Washer & Friends 8:00pmSarah Street Grill - Thursday Night Football 8:30 pmPorters Pub- Tyler Evans Trio 8:00pm

December 22Deer Head Inn - Behn Gillece 7:00pmPorters Pub - Wood Smoke 10:00pmSarah Street Grill - Young Lion 10:00pmShawnee Playhouse - Christmas Peter Pan 10:00amShawnee Playhouse - Christmas Musical Memories 2:00pmShawnee Playhouse - The Nutcracker 7:00pmState Theater - David Phelps 7:00pm

December 23Deer Head Inn - Ringing In the Holidays 7:00pmPorters Pub - Heart Headed 10:00pmShawnee Playhouse - Christmas Peter Pan 10:00amShawnee Playhouse - Christmas Musical Memories 8:00pmSarah Street Grill- Dan Krochmal 11:00pm

December 24Deer Head Inn - CLOSED - Merry ChristmasSarah Street Grill - NFL Sunday Ticket 1:00 pm December 25Deer Head Inn - CLOSED - Merry ChristmasPorters Pub - Karaoke at Porter’s Pub 9:00pmSarah Street Grill - Monday Night Football

8:30 pm

December 26Sarah Street Grill - Steve McDaniel 9:30 pm

December 27Sarah Street Grill - Open Mic Night 9:15 pmPorters Pub- Open Irish Jam Session 7:30pm December 28Deer Head Inn - Jazz Jam with Bill Washer & Friends 8:00pmSarah Street Grill - Thursday Night Football 8:30 pmPorters Pub- Bill Goodwin Trio 8:00pm

December 29Deer Head Inn - Esteban Castro Quartet 7:00pmPenns Peak - Back to the Eighties with Jessie’s Girl 8:00pmPorters Pub - Al, Al, Erik 10:00pmSarah Street Grill- Mungo’s List 10:00pm

December 30Deer Head Inn - Kate Baker & Vic Juris 7:00pmPenns Peak - Get the Lead Out 8:00pmPorters Pub - Jazz Hands 10:00pmSarah Street Grill - The SHIFT 10:00pm

December 31Deer Head Inn - New Year’s Eve Party-Dinner 6:30pm Music 9:00pmPenns Peak - Get the Lead Out - 21 and Over ONLY 9:00pmSarah Street Grill - NFL Sunday Ticket 1:00 pm

January 1Sarah Street Grill- NCAA Football Final Four 5:00pm

January 2Sarah Street Grill- CLOSED

January 3Porters Pub- Open Mic with Scott Harrington 9:30pmSarah Street Grill- Open Mic Night 9:15pm

January 4Sarah Street Grill- Young Lion 9:30pmDeer Head Inn- Jazz Jam with Bill Washer- Quartet plays 8-9:00pm, Jam 9-11:00pm

January 5Porters Pub- Rainbow Fresh 10:00pmDeer Head Inn- Oskar Stenmark Quartet 7-11:00pm

January 6Porters Pub- Shane Reimer 10:00pmDeer Head Inn- Music of Ornett Coleman 7-11:00pmState Theater- Boak’s Bash 7:30pm

January 7Sarah Street Grill- The Pocono Duo 9:30pmDeer Head Inn- Ron Bogart Quartet 5-8:00pm

January 8Sarah Street Grill- Hamell & Johnny 9:30pm

January 9

January 10Porters Pub- Open Irish Jam Session 7:30pmSarah Street Grill- Open Mic Night 9:15pm

January 11Sarah Street Grill- Young Lion 9:30pmDeer Head Inn- Jazz Jam with Bill Washer- Quartet 8-9:00pm, Jam 9-11:00pm

January 12Sarah Street Grill- Suze 10:00pmPorters Pub- Bombs Eat Sharks 10:00pmState Theater- Bobby Collins 7:30pmDeer Head Inn- Bill Goodwin Trio 7:00pm

January 13Porters Pub- Mosey Beet 10:00pmState Theater- Mutts Gone Nuts 3:30pmDeer Head Inn- Steve Sandberg Quartet 7:00pmNewton Theater- Yessongs: The Concert 8:00pm

January 14Sarah Street Grill- Jamie Z 9:30pmState Theater- Third Annual Wedding Expo 1:00pmDeer Head Inn- John Ballantyne & Bill Washer 5:00pm

January 15Sarah Street Grill- Hamell & Johnny 9:30pmDeer Head Inn- Story Slam Fundraiser 7:00pm


Winter Bird Walk Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 12 PM - 2 PM. Waste Management’s

Grand Central Environmental Education Center, 891 Grand Central Road, Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania 18072.

Join in for a walk along the Education Center property and the roads throughout the landfill (after hours!) to view beautiful winter birds. Last year, we spotted the Icelandic Gull! We will meet at the Education Center at 12pm and walk from there. Please dress for the weather and bring binoculars or cameras. Any change in plans for the event will be noted on here. Jacobsburg State Park will be partnering with us! Our friend Rick Wiltraut will be leading the way! For ques-tions, please contact WM’s Adrienne Fors, [email protected]

Animal Advocacy Meeting The Slate Belt Advocacy Group monthly meeting will be held

Wednesday, January 3, 2018 from 7 to 8 pm. They will meet at Sec-ond Ward Fire Company, 517 S. Northampton St., Bangor.

Organ Donor AwarenessBangor Woman Organizes Promo Night

Lisa Rigione of Bangor is a donor Mom. Her son Mike DeBiase was an organ donor and saved six lives when he passed away from a brain bleed in February, 2015. He was 23. Twenty Two people die everyday waiting for a transplant.

Lisa helped organize a Gift of Life Organ Donor Awareness Night to bring awareness to the importance of organ donation. She also volunteers and speaks for the Gift of Life. She was lucky enough to partner with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms Hockey team for a night of awareness which will be held 7:05pm Saturday, February 17 at the PPL center in Allentown.

The Gift of Life will be the Phantoms’ Non-profit of the night. Tickets are $20.00 (lower level). Go to www.pplcenter.com then to Events and tickets tab, find promotions and type “GIFTOFLIFE” Promo code:GIFTOFLIFE, additonal fees may apply.

Going out of Town?Going out of town? Let SBRPD know that your house will be

vacant and we’ll do frequent drive-bys to ensure that you home is watched. Go to slatebeltpd.org, hover over the “Contact Us” tab and fill out a vacation /Residence Check Request. Officers will swing by your house and check it out for you. Safe travels... http://slatebeltpd.com/

Prescription Take-Back BoxThe Slate Belt Regional Police Department has a prescription drug

“Take-Back “box at their 6292 Sullivan Trail, Nazareth, Pa office (Plainfield Township Municipal Building). Contact information for the SBRPD is: 911 (Emergency), 610-759-8517 (Non-Emergency), 610-759-8523 (Fax) and 1-888-823-4978 FREE (Non-Emergency Toll Free)

Musical Instrument CollectionThe BAHS Alumni Association is running a drive to collect used

musical instruments to be donated to Bangor’s elementary band pro-gram. The instruments will be used as loaners for students who can-not afford to buy or rent them. They will take them regardless of their condition.

If you have a musical instrument that is gathering dust, and you want to make a difference in a child’s life, call 610-588-5198. We will pick them up or tell you where you can drop them off. Let’s keep the music coming!Your donations may be tax deductible.

Visit slateralums.com for more information.

Pen Argyl Park YogaMondays and Thursdays at the Weona Park Community Center at

6 P.M. Please contact Janelle Connolly at 484-707-5961 or http://www.namastefit.org Weona Park community center building. All lev-els welcome. Beginners encouraged to attend. Class fee will be $10 Please bring a mat, towel and small blanket. Please arrive 10 min-utes prior to class start. Dress in clothing that you can easily move in and feel comfortable in. Recommend dressing in light layers.

Emrick Announces Local Grants MOUNT BETHEL - Three municipalities in the 137th Legislative

District are recipients of Community Conservation Partnerships Pro-gram grants, according to state Rep. Joe Emrick

(R-Nazareth). Funded with federal and state money, these grants are administered by the Department of Conservation and Natural Re-sources.

“Residents of these three municipalities stand to gain great recre-ational opportunities as the result of these grants,” Emrick said. “I applaud the leaders of these local governments for looking to im-prove the quality of life for their citizens.”

Here are the three grant recipients and the amount of the grants received:

Lower Mt. Bethel Township - $450,000 for acquisition of more than 173 acres of land along the Delaware River for open space pro-tection and passive recreation.

Tatamy Borough - $40,000 for improvements to Creekside Park that include landscaping, construction of pavilion and pedestrian walkways and creation of ADA accessibility.

Washington Township - $150,000 for further development of Washington Township Recreation Complex. These improvements include construction of basketball and pickleball courts; a nature play area; pump park; gaga ball pit; observation deck; dog park; disc golf course; parking area; pedestrian walkways and stormwater man-agement measures; installation of nature play equipment and fitness equipment; ADA accessibility and landscaping.

Questions about this or any legislative issue should be directed to Emrick’s district office at(610) 746-5090 or (570) 897-0401.

Civil Air Patrol MeetThe Civil Air Patrol 807th Braden Squadron meets every Mon-

day Night from 6:30 to 8:30 at the Bangor VFW or Braden Airpark, Easton.

Call for meeting location on given night: 610-588-1459 http://cap807.com/

Adventure Backpacks Available Monday thru Saturday, 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM. At Jacobsburg Visi-

tor Center, 400 Belfast Road, Nazareth.Borrow a backpack full of kid-friendly tools to explore Jacobsburg!

These backpacks are best for families with young children. Each backpack includes binoculars, notepad, colored pencils, magnifying lens, bug box, dip net, and five field guides for exploring the pond, insects, birds, trees, butterflies and moths. For more information call 610-746-2801 or email [email protected].

Toys for Tots Drop Off Locations First United Methodist Church, 55 N. 3rd St., Bangor and their

Thrift Store at 38 Broadway, Bangor have been designated drop off locations for Toys for Tots. The are currently accepting donations through December. Toys must be unwrapped and new.


Pen Argyl High School Music Concert - Sbtt Photo Jennifer Trinkley Photography

Bangor beat Palisades 77-40 in home opener. (L) Ben Holland 21 (R) Isaiah Jones 3, Tony Jones 2 Sbtt Photos Larry Cory

Columbia Fire Co. Breakfast with Santa - Sbtt Photos Jennifer Trinkley


Elks Hoop ShootSbtt Photos Larry Cory


ChurchAckermanville UMC 1210 Ackermanville Rd, Bangor, PA Rev. Alice Ann Bonham (610) 588-7818 www.ackermanvilleumnc.org Sunday Worship - 10:00 am 1st Sunday of the Month: Worship at SBNRC - 2:15 pm Bangor Church of The Nazarene 150 Bunny Trail, Bangor Kenneth L. Bean, Pastor 610) 588-6929 www.bangornazch.org Sunday Sunday School - 9:30am Worship -10:40 Power House Praise Band - 5:00 pm Monday First Place - 4:00 pm Wednesday Teen Gym - 6:00 pm Adult Prayer Service - 7:00 pm Belfast Bible 483 Belfast Rd., Belfast Pastor Michael Yaworski (610)759-7937 Sunday Sunday School (all ages) 9:30 am, Worship 10:45 Evening Service 7pm Thursday Bible Study 7:00 pm Belfast Wesley UMC607 School Road Nazareth, PA (610) 746-3652. Pastor Paul Milligan Sunday Children’s & Adult Sunday School 9:15 Worship 10:00 am Coffee fellowship following worship Bethel Bible Church of Mt. Zion 7742 N. Delaware Dr. (Rt. 611), Martins Creek Pastor Rick Tunis 610-250-9809 www.bethelbiblechurchfmzion.org Facebook/Google+: Bethel Bible Church: Martins Creek, PA Sunday Sunday School - 9:am Worship - 10:am. Tuesday Ladies Bible Study - 9:00 am Wednesday “Back to the Bible” - 7:00 pm Christ Evangelical Lutheran 703 S. Delaware Dr(Rt. 611) Mt. Bethel email [email protected] www.lutheransonline/celcpa/celc . Sunday Worship - 9:00 am (Communion 1st & 3rd Sundays) Community Presbyterian 1755 S Delaware Drive, Mt. Bethel E-mail: [email protected] www.mtbethelpresbyterian.org (570) 897-6766. Sunday Worship service - 9:30 am (Communion 1st Sunday) Cross Road Baptist Church 201 S 2nd Street, Bangor, PA Rev. Jay VanHorn, Pastor (610) 588-3966, www.crossroadbaptistbangor.org Sunday Sunday School (all ages) - 9:30 am Worship -10:45 am Prayer Service -7pm East Bangor United Methodist 136 W. Central Ave., East Bangor, PA Pastor David Goss (610) 588-4453. Dial-A-Message, (610) 588-3896. www.ebumc.org. Monday, December 18Bible Study - 7:00 pmThursday, December 21Choir Rehearsal - 7:00pmSaturday, December 23A.A. Meeting - 8:00 pm

Sunday, December 24Choir Rehearsal - 8:30 am Worship Servicew/Cantata - 9:15 am“Carols & Candlelighting” - 7:00 pm

Faith Alive Community Church 125 West Street, Wind Gap, PA Pastor Matthew Whistler (610)863-6911 www.faccpa.org Faith United Presbyterian W. PA & Heller Ave., Pen Argyl Rev. Ruthann Christopher. 610-863-4447 ......www.faithunited.net Sunday Worship - 10:00 am First United Evangelical 25 South 2nd St., Bangor Pastor Ronald Shipman (610)588-3226 Sunday Sunday School - 9:30 Worship - 10:30 First UMC of Bangor 55 N. Third Street , Bangor, Pa. 18013 Rev. Chris Hardy 610-588-4673Services: Every Sunday 11:00 a.m.www.methodismtoday.com Flickville UCC 1337 Lower South Main St., Bangor,Pa Reverend Kenneth Hess (610) 588-4648, www.flicksvilleucc.org Sunday Sunday School - 9:30Worship - 10:45am Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran 2904 Church Rd, Martins Creek PA Pastor Louise Williams email:[email protected] Sunday Worship Service - 9:am. Adult Bible Study & Sunday School After Worship. Grace United Methodist 404 Mountain Ave., Pen Argyl Rev. J. Timothy Fisher (610) 863-4811. Sunday Contemporary Worship - 8:30 am Blended Worship - 10:00 am Youth Group - 5:00 pm Monday Bible Study - 7:00 pm Hopesprings Community of Faith 301 Market Street, Bangor. Jonathan Almanzar - Lead Pastor (610 599-0202 www.hopespringscommunity.org (Info, Events, Podcasts, Links) [email protected] 855-INFO-HOPE Sunday Coffee - 10:15 am Gathering - 10:30 am Child Care Available.Hope UCC Second & Cherry Streets, Wind Gap,Pa Pastor Darlene Blocker.(610) 863-4474 .... www.hopewg.org Sunday Worship - 10:30 am (Communion 1st Sunday) Wednesday “My Brother’s Keeper” - 12:30 pm House On The Rock 1336 Jacobsburg Road, Wind Gap www.hotrfc.org Sunday Worship - 10:00 am Wednesday Mid-Week Service - 7:00 pm Mount Bethel Church 1270 Belvidere Corner Road, Mt. Bethel Pastor Chris Priestaf (570) 897-7142

Little Friends Preschool (570) 897-7797 www.mountbethelchurch.org email: [email protected] Sunday Worship Services - 10:00 am Children’s Church & Nursery available Mount Eaton Church 7277 Mount Eaton Road Saylorsburg, (570) 992-7050 [email protected]. http://www.mounteatonchurch.org Sunday Traditional Worship - 8:00 am Sunday School - 9:30 am Contemporary Worship - 10:30 am United by One Youth - 6:00 pm Wednesday Family Night Activities - 7:00 pm Saturday Worship - 6:30 pm

Our Lady of Good Counsel436 South 2nd Street, Bangor,Mass ScheduleWeekdays (See website)Saturday - 4 PMSunday - 8:30 AMHoly Days - (See website)Confessions 3:25-3:45 PM

St. Vincent de Paul720 Delaware Avenue, Portland,Mass ScheduleWeekdays (See website)Saturday - 6 PMSunday - 10:30 AMHoly Days - (See website)Confessions 5:40-5:50 PM

Two Churches - One Parish:Rectory Office: (610) 588-5445www.ourladystvincent.com Portland Baptist Church 601 Delaware Ave., Portland (570) 897-6866 www.portlandbaptistchurch.com Sunday S. S.- 9:00 am Fellowship - 10:00 am Worship - 10:30 am Wednesday Bible Study 10am Prayer Meeting11:30 Presbyterian Parish of Bangor-Roseto 332 Kennedy Dr., Bangor Reverend Albert Martin (610) 588-4864 www.presbyparishbangorroseto.webs.com [email protected]. Like us on facebook, www.facebook.com/Presbyterybr Sunday Worship 10:45am. Prince of Peace Lutheran Church 2445 Lake Minsi Dr., Bangor Reverend Michael J. Scholtes (610) 588-2355 www.popbangor.org Sunday Worship/Communion - 9:45 am 1st & 3rd Saturday Worship/Communion - 5:30 pm Richmond United Methodist Church 8538 Delaware Dr, Bangor Pastor Ed Van Arsdale (610) 588-7317 www.richmondumc.com Sunday Worship - 10:00 am The Roseto Independent Presbyterian Church 210 Garibaldi Ave, Roseto Rev. Barry Eng (610) 599-9949,

Sunday Worship 9:30 am Slate Belt Church 1620 Church Road, Pen Argyl Scott Davis, Senior Pastor Dustin Ulrich, Assistant Pastor (610) 863-9274 www.slatebeltchurch.com Sunday Worship - 10:30 am St. John Evangelical Lutheran 12 N. Westbrooke Ave., Pen Argyl (610) 863-4332 Sunday Worship - 10:00 am St. Joeseph’s Episcopal 1440 Verona Ave., West Bangor Rev. Joel Atkinson Sunday Eucharist - 11:00 am Coffee Hour Follows Church St. Luke’s U.C.C. Belfast 471 Belfast Rd., Nazareth (Belfast) Reverend Frank Gassler (610) 759-0244. www.stlukesuccbelfast.com Sunday Worship 10:00 am (Communion 1st Sunday) St. Mary’s Episcopal 340 Lehigh St., Wind Gap Rev. Joel Atkinson. Sunday Eucharist and Sunday School - 9:00 am Coffee hour follows service. St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran 1422 Church Rd, Pen Argyl (610) 863-6859 Sunday Worship - 9:00 am Saturday Saturday Night Alive - 5:00 pm The Pentecostal Christian Church of the Truth (Iglesia Pentecostal La Verdad) 4 Jory Ave Pen Argyl Pastor Frank Pons. (570) 807-7794 ( Bilingual Services) Sunday Sunday School (Escuela Dominical) 12 Praise & Worship (Cuho Evanglistico) 1 Tuesday Food Bank Program 55 North Main St., Bangor (10-2) Trinity Lutheran Church 404 Broadway, Bangor 610-588-2023 Pastor:Larry D. Laine [email protected] www.tlcbangor.com Wednesday, December 20Jr./Sr. Youth Group - 6:00 pmAdvent Supper/Devotions and Carols - 6:00pmChoir Rehearsal - 7:30 pmSunday, December 24Sunday School - 9:00 amWorship w/Holy Communion 10:15 amFamily Candlelight Service 7:00 pmTraditional Candlelight Service 11 pm Trinity United Church of Christ 632 S. Delaware Dr, Mt. Bethel Rev. Rodney W. Wells 610 588-1989. Sunday Worship - 9:30 am

Zion Presbyterian Church Water St., Wind Gap Rev. Sam Huffard 610)863-8896. Sunday Worship & Church School - 9:30 am

http://www.bethelbiblechurchfmzion.org/

http://www.ebumc.org./

http://www.flicksvilleucc.org/

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.tlcbangor.com/


As one would ex-pect, cases of the flu are already increasing this year. Northampton County, however, ranks third among 67 coun-ties in the state with 73 confirmed cases of the flu according to data supplied by the Penn-sylvania Department of Health.

Most counties re-port Type A flu as the most common by a wide margin, however,

Northampton is different since it has the largest number (37) of Type B flu cases in the state. Although this fact would appear to be wor-

County Leads State in Type B Flu Casesrisome, local residents can take comfort in the fact that Type B is usually less severe than Type A.

Monroe County, just a short distance from the Slate Belt, has only nine cases of the flu thus far this year.

Berks County is the state leader with 184 cases and Delaware County near Philadelphia has 83. These numbers show that the high-est incidence of the flu in Pennsylvania is occurring in the southeast-ern part of the state.

In the past seven years, the 2011-2012 season had the fewest flu cases. Right now, the number of state flu cases is running on a pace above 2011-2012, however it’s too early to tell where we’re headed this year. Last year was the second highest in the past seven years, while season 2014-2015 had the most.

Nationwide, the state is listed with many other states experienc-ing “local” outbreaks, which is less serious than others classified as regional or widespread. Only Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Georgia rank as the states with the most flu cases.

by Larry Cory

A study has linked vitamin D deficiency with an in-creased risk for cancer and au to immune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis MS, and lupus. R e s e a r c h e r s found, through mapping vita-min D recep-

tors binding throughout the human genome, that vitamin D deficien-cy is an environmental factor in increasing the risk of developing these disorders. It’s been estimated that 70 percent of children and adults in the U.S. are vitamin D deficient. The cause of deficiency is a combination of not getting enough exposure to the sun and not having enough vitamin D in their diets.

You can ask your doctor to give you a simple blood test called 25-hydroxy vitamin D test. It can tell you how deficient you might be in vitamin D. To increase your level of vitamin D through food, you should include more oily fish, such as salmon, mackerel, and tuna. Egg yolks and mushrooms also provide vitamin D. You also could also choose a cereal and milk fortified with vitamin D.

Just 15 minutes of exposure to the sun gives you 20,000 IUs of vitamin D. However, this is without sunblock in the summer. Be aware that you need to be careful not to expose your skin to the sun without sunblock for long stretches of time. This can cause skin dam-age and increase your risk of skin cancer. Not only does vitamin D play a crucial role in the absorption of calcium, but it can stave off osteoporosis, which can be a risk for people with RA. It also protects those susceptible to seasonal affective disorder from becoming de-

pressed. A lack of vitamin D may play a role in chronic pain caused by a

variety of conditions. Research has indicated vitamin D deficiency may be implicated in musculoskeletal conditions, such as rheuma-toid arthritis, neuropathy, migraine, and inflammation. It’s common for people who live with chronic pain to have a vitamin D deficiency. Many doctors routinely check their patients for their levels of vi-tamin D and often recommend vitamin D supplements as part of a treatment plan. Getting more vitamin D may help you to gradually get partial pain relief and improved mood.

Studies have linked low vitamin D levels with heart disease and heart attacks. The systemic inflammation of RA affects internal or-gans and increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Managing this risk includes seeing a preventative cardiologist, eating a balanced diet and maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking. It may also include getting enough vitamin D.

Too much vitamin D can cause toxicity, which can lead to abnor-mal heart rhythms, kidney stones, muscle weakness, and confusion. You would have to take very high levels of vitamin D over an ex-tended period for it to get toxic. It’s important to talk to your doctor before taking high doses of vitamin D.

Vitamin D and Your Health


A L L E N -TOWN, Pa. — The Da Vinci Science Center is pleased to announce that N o r t h a m p t o n County Council has approved a

commitment of $10 million to the Da Vinci Science City project in Easton. Northampton County’s investment, combined with the City of Easton’s $30 million commitment, demonstrates strong local sup-port for this major educational and economic development project. This commitment culminates an 18-month-long effort by the Da Vinci Science Center and Northampton County to thoroughly review the project and the educational and economic impact that it will have on the County.

“I am thrilled to learn of the County’s generous support for this project,” said Lin Erickson, Executive Director and CEO of the Da Vinci Science Center. “We have been working with County Council and the County Administration for many months to demonstrate the value of this project to the County, and we conducted town-hall meet-ings throughout the County this past summer to present our plans and gather feedback from the residents of Northampton County. I am most grateful to the members of County Council for recognizing our efforts and providing this most-important support to our project. I am also most appreciative of the strong support that the residents of Northampton County have shown for this project as well.”

The County’s financial commitment will not only help to bring a major new economic development project to Northampton County, it will also provide many Northampton County residents with free-ad-

New DaVinci Science Center Project Fundingmission benefits. School groups in Northampton County will receive free admission to Da Vinci Science City. In addition, low-income residents will be eligible for free family memberships, and seniors and veterans will enjoy Da Vinci Science City experiences free of charge on selected days each year.

The $10 million commitment from Northampton County marks an-other critical milestone in the project’s development. Commitments to date total more than $60 million, nearly half of the project’s $130 million goal. The project is on track to achieve its goal of raising two-thirds of the funding by June of next year.

“The Da Vinci Science Center has been working over the past two years to bring a world-class science center to the Lehigh Valley that will serve all of its residents, drive economic development in the region, and showcase the incredible scientific and technological achievements that are happening throughout the region,” noted Vince Sorgi, Chairman of the Board of the Da Vinci Science Center. “To-night, Northampton County Council brought us one big step closer to achieving this vision, one big step closer to providing the Lehigh Valley with a science center on par with those in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh –something that this region truly deserves. We are truly grateful for their support, and we are confident that it will signal to other prospective funders that a project of this scale can indeed be accomplished in the Lehigh Valley.”

Da Vinci Science Center: Open for ExSCIting Possibilities. The Da Vinci Science Center is a national award-winning science center that has brought science to life and lives to science since 1992. Da Vinci Science Center experiences make science fun and approach-able, helping to connect people of all ages and backgrounds with the wonders of science. An independent nonprofit organization with IRS 501(c)(3) status, the Da Vinci Science Center engages more than 140,000 participants annually with its exhibits, programs, events, and

As pretty much any parent will tell you, every baby gets a clogged nose at some point—probably more than once. And given that they don’t know how to blow or pick their noses, it can be tricky to un-clog nostrils that are stuffed up.Well, as with most things, the internet found a way. And people seem to be fascinated

with videos showing parents flushing out their babies’ noses.You shoot salt water up your baby’s nose and it unclogs it. Using

nasal irrigation on babies and toddlers isn’t necessarily a bad idea, Gina Posner, M.D., a pediatrician at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, Calif. “I have never recommend-ed using a syringe,” she says, “but it likely has the same effect as a neti pot.” However, she still recommends using a neti pot instead of a syringe because it’s “a more proven method to get the saline rinse into your nose and help the mucus come out.”

In case you’re not familiar with the neti pot process, here’s how it works: In the neti pot, you combine lukewarm distilled or steril-ized water and the provided saline packet. From there, you’ll lean forward, tilt your head sideways, open your mouth, and pour the so-

Clearing a Baby’s Noselution into one nostril. The water streams out the other side, taking nasal gunk with it. (But you should be sure to follow the specific instructions that come with the neti pot and saline solution that you purchase.) The distilled or sterilized water part is key—using tap water puts you at risk of giving yourself or your child a brain-eating amoeba, Dr. Posner points out. The risk is small, but it’s real.

“About 95 percent of kids are not going to be smiling—they’re go-ing to be screaming,” Dr. Ganjian says. Luckily, if you know there’s no way your baby or toddler will tolerate nasal irrigation, there are a few other things you can do.

A humidifier can also help loosen up mucus and move things along, Dr. Ganjian says. Of course, over-the-counter cold medications for children can offer your child some temporary relief, Dr. Posner says.

But, let’s be realistic, this isn’t typically going to be an overnight process—it may take up to two weeks for a child’s runny nose to totally clear up. But if your baby’s nasal drip lasts longer than that, it’s a good idea to call your pediatrician to rule out a sinus infection, Dr. Ganjian says. Ditto if their mucus becomes yellow or green, Dr. Levitin adds.

The good news is that, according to Dr. Posner, noses that are clogged due to nasal congestion almost always clear up on their own at some point. So, as long your child seems relatively comfortable, don’t stress if they won’t let you anywhere near their nose.


TOTTS GAP ARTS CENTERSbtt Photos Larry Cory

happy holidays slate belt town topics...in june 2016, the team learned that assistant coach amanda...

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