January 3, 2007 Release

Richard Grucela Sworn In For a Fifth Term

State Rep. Richard T. Grucela, D-Northampton, began a new two-year term in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives during swearing-in ceremonies at the state Capitol on Tuesday, January 2.

“We had a myriad of change occur in Harrisburg this year and I am honored to have been given my constituents’ vote of confidence for a fifth term,” Grucela said. “I’m going to continue to push for the issues that have been in the spotlight the most: additional property tax reform, greater health-care coverage and educational improvements.”

Grucela said he is proud of the work House Democrats did in the previous legislative session on issues such as property tax relief, raising the minimum wage and creating the Cover All Kids insurance program. He said he is hopeful Democrats will use their House majority to expand on those accomplishments and benefit even more people.

Grucela said he would continue to introduce legislation allowing school districts to impose education impact fees on new residential development in order to enable a school district to develop programs and facilities needed to accommodate increased student enrollment due to new development in the district.

“New housing developments are increasingly sprouting up across the state, particularly in Northampton County,” Grucela said. “School districts must then find resources to provide a quality education to the influx of students those developments bring. Developers should be responsible for easing the additional expenses they bring not only to infrastructure in the area, but to our school districts, as well.”

Grucela also has sponsored legislation that would require developers to notify school districts of the potential impact on educational costs that their developments may cause.

The 137th Legislative District includes Bangor, East Bangor, Portland, Roseto, Stockertown, Nazareth and Tatamy boroughs, and all or parts of Forks, Lower Mount Bethel, Palmer, Upper Mount Bethel, Upper Nazareth and Washington townships.

Bill O’Reilly Coming to Easton’s State Theatre

Bill O’Reilly, host of The O’Reilly Factor and The Radio Factor, is bringing his “No Spin Zone” back to the State Theatre with a lecture and question and answer session at 8 PM on Saturday, January 6. The O'Reilly Factor on Fox News Channel has been the highest rated cable news show for more than 200 consecutive weeks and The Radio Factor is now heard on more than 400 stations nationwide. Now in its tenth year on the air, The O’Reilly Factor remains the most dominant cable news program in the country. O’Reilly, the show’s host, has been a journalist for more than 25 years, has written three consecutive New York Times number one non-fiction bestsellers and authors a syndicated newspaper column appearing in newspapers across the county. For more information, call the State Theatre at 610.252.3132 or by visiting www.statetheatre.org.

Local Students Inducted Into Northampton Community College Honor Society

Northampton Community College recently inducted fifty-five students into the Tau Gamma chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at the college's Main Campus. To qualify for membership in this international honor society, students must be enrolled in an associate's degree program, have at least a 3.5 grade point average and participate in community service activities. Of the fifty-five, six were students from the Slate Belt. The local students that were inducted for the fall 2006 semester were Kandi Dugan, Kathryn Hontz, Claire Mitchell, Christian Morganstern and Catherine Rue of Bangor and Thomas Neill of Pen Argyl.

Bangor Students Participate in Change of Heart Retreat

Bangor Area Middle School students recently participated in the Change of Heart Retreat that took place at Nelson Lodge at the Kirkridge Retreat and Conference Center. The retreat was held on December 5 and December 12 as part of the school’s Positive Behavior Support program. The retreat was facilitated by Mrs. Roberta Meek, and its focus was to promote the developmental assets and positive qualities that help young men and women grow up healthy.

Pen Argyl Holding Zoning Hearing on Apartment Conversion

The Borough of Pen Argyl will hold a zoning hearing at 7 PM on Thursday, January 4 at Borough Hall. The topic of the hearing is a property owner that is requesting a special exception to convert an existing mill, located at the corner of Lobb Avenue and Bell Avenue, into apartments and a variance for minimum square footage of the lot.

Bangor Area High School Board 2007 Meeting Dates

The Bangor Area School Board will hold their monthly meetings on the following dates. All meetings begin at 7:30 PM and will be held in the Slater Conference Room of the Bangor Area School District Administration Building, located at 123 Five Points Richmond Road in Bangor.

January 16, 2007 Work Session
January 22, 2007 Business Meeting
February 20, 2007 Work Session
February 26, 2007 Business Meeting
March 19, 2007 Work Session
March 26, 2007 Business Meeting
April 16, 2007 Work Session
April 23, 2007 Business Meeting
May 21, 2007 Work Session
May 29, 2007 Business Meeting
June 18, 2007 Work Session
June 25, 2007 Business Meeting
July 16, 2007 Work Session (Tentative)
July 23, 2007 Business Meeting (Tentative)
August 20, 2007 Work Session
August 27, 2007 Business Meeting
September 17, 2007 Work Session
September 24, 2007 Business Meeting
October 15, 2007 Work Session
October 22, 2007 Business Meeting
November 19, 2007 Work Session
November 27, 2007 Business Meeting
December 3, 2007 Reorganization Meeting

Bangor Elks Lodge All-You-Can-Eat Breakfast

The Bangor Elks will hold a monthly all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet the second Sunday of each month. The first breakfast will be held Sunday, January 14 from 8 AM to 1 PM. The cost is $6.50 for adults and $3 for children ages 6-12. Children under age 6 eat free. The Bangor Elks Lodge #1106 is located at 120 Broadway in Bangor.

Knights of Columbus Free Throw Contest

The Knights of Columbus will be holding a basketball free throw contest at 10 AM on Saturday, January 6. The contest will be held at the Pius X High School gymnasium. All boys and girls who are residents of the Slate Belt area, and are ages 10 through 14 years old, are invited to participate. Each contestant must show proof of age prior to participating. Contest entry forms will be available at all area public and catholic schools. Late entries may sign up on the day of the event.

Slate Belt Corvette Club Holding Monthly Meeting

The Slate Belt Corvette Club (SBCC) will hold its next monthly meeting at 9 AM on Saturday, January 6 at Lee’s Café. The club meets the first Saturday of each month. Lee’s Café is located at 103 South Robinson Avenue in Pen Argyl. For more information, call Norm at 570.897.5956, Jeff at 610.841.6403, or visit www.slatebeltcorvetteclub.com.

Pen Argyl Class of 1982 Planning 25th Reunion

Members of the Pen Argyl Class of 1982 will be meeting Wednesday, January 10 to plan their 25th class reunion. Those wishing to attend should call Lori (Murphy) Buck at 610.759.1066.

North Bangor Fire Company All-You-Can-Eat Breakfast

The North Bangor Fire Company will hold their monthly breakfast on Sunday, January 7 from 7 AM to 12 PM at the North Bangor Social Hall. The menu consists of eggs, pancakes, French toast, and chipped beef on toast. There will be ham, bacon, sausage, scrapple, home fries, and toast available. Beverages, desserts, and fresh fruit will also be available. There will be pull tabs available for purchase. The North Bangor Fire Company Auxiliary holds a drawing for different items each month during the breakfast. The cost is $7 for adults and $4 for children ages 6-12. Children under age 6 eat free.

Bangor Exchange Club Holding Pizza & Bingo Night

The Bangor Exchange Club is holding Pizza and Bingo Night at 7 PM on Tuesday, January 9 at the Blue Valley Farm Show Auditorium. The cost is $5 per person and each attendee is asked to bring a gift of $5 value.

Slate Belt Chamber Hosting Consumer Protection Representative

The Slate Belt Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a representative from the Consumer Protection Bureau from 1 to 3 PM on Wednesday, January 10. The bureau investigates consumer complaints and works to arbitrate an agreement between the business and consumer. The representative will be at the Slate Belt Chamber on the second Wednesday of each month. The Slate Belt Chamber of Commerce is located at 856 West Pennsylvania Avenue in Pen Argyl. For more information, call 610.863.0315.

Our Lady of Good Counsel Holding Group Movie Night

Our Lady of Good Counsel Church will host a movie and ice cream night from 2 to 6 PM on Sunday, January 7. The event is part of the church’s Youth God Squad. The church is located at Second and Church Streets in Bangor. For more information, call Gus or Sonia at 570.8975054.

Trinity United Church of Christ Busing to Lancaster

Trinity United Church of Christ is sponsoring a bus trip to the Sight and Sound Theatre in Lancaster on Saturday, January 6, 2007. The trip consists of “The Miracle of Christmas,” transportation, and a dinner variety of Pennsylvania Dutch food. Call Tierney at 610.588.7147 with any last minute questions.

“What’s Up In Worship” January 2007

*Sun, Jan. 7, 10:30 AM- Rev. Bill preaches "Our Godly New Years Resolution"
*Tue, Jan. 9, 7 PM- Discipleship Committee
*Thu, Jan. 11, 7 PM- Bible Study
*Fri, Jan. 12, 12:30 PM- Senior Citizens
*Sun, Jan. 14, 10:30 AM- Rev. Bill preaches "Follow That Star"
*Tue, Jan. 16, 7 PM- Consistory
*Su, Jan. 21, 10:30 AM- Rev. Bill preaches "Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound"
*Thu, Jan. 25, 7 PM- Bible Study
*Sun, Jan, 28, 9:15 AM- Sunday School; 10:30 AM- Rev. Bill preaches "Speaking With Grace"

Note: Sunday School is held each Sunday at 9:15 AM.

Slate Belt Nazareth Baptist Church Holding Family Conference

The Slate Belt-Nazareth Baptist Church is holding Family Conference 2007 on Friday and Saturday, January 12 and 13. The conference will be held from 7 to 9 PM at the church. The speaker for the evening will be Fred Jacoby who will lecture on marital issues. The Slate Belt-Nazareth Baptist Church is located at 1620 Church Road in Pen Argyl. For more information, call 610.863.9274.

Pen Argyl Borough Upcoming Meeting Schedule

Tuesday, Jan. 9- Borough Council Meeting and Public Hearing on SALDO
Tuesday, Jan. 16- Park Board Meeting (Community Center)
Monday, Jan. 29- Sewer Committee (4:30 PM)
Tuesday, Jan. 30- Borough Council Workshop

Note: All meetings will be held at Borough Hall and begin at 7 PM unless otherwise noted.

Friends of the Bangor Public Library Returning This Month

BANGOR- The Friends of the Bangor Public Library’s book discussion group will meet Tuesday, January 16 from 7 PM to 8 PM. The group will discuss Penelope Lively’s Booker Prize winning “Moon Tiger.” The Friends of the Bangor Public Library’s Book Discussion Group is open to the public. Any interested in joining the club may stop by the Bangor Public Library and place their name on the signup sheet. For more information, please call Sherry Darr at 610.588.7316.

Klecknersville Rangers Vol. Fire Company Holding Flea Market

Klecknersville Rangers Volunteer Fire Company is holding its monthly flea market from 8 AM to 2 PM on Sunday, January 7. The flea market is open to the public and tables still are available for potential vendors. The kitchen will serve meals throughout the day. Klecknersville Rangers Volunteer Fire Hall is located at 2718 Mountain View Drive in Moore Township. For more information, call 610.837.1360.

NCC Offering Winter Hike Series at Kettle Creek

Join environmental educator Karen N. Boyle as you search for signs of animal life and other interesting things on a series of hikes through the trails of the Kettle Creek Wildlife Sanctuary. Kettle Creek's 166-acre site in Bartonsville, PA, is home to the Monroe County Environmental Education Center. Each of the three hikes will explore a different part of the sanctuary, and will be held from 1 to 3 PM on January 10 and 24 and February 7. Fee for the series is $33. Visit www.northampton.edu for a complete course description and/or to register for the hike series online or call NCC at 877.543.0998.

Northampton County 4-H Center Hosting Equine Tack Swap

The annual Tack Swap at the Northampton County 4-H Center will be held on Saturday, April 14 from 11 AM - 2 PM. The tack swap is open to anyone who wishes to come to sell or to buy a wide variety of horse related items, apparel and tack. All sellers must have a table area, no consignment items will be sold at the tack swap. Sale areas will be offered to the public for a fee in the indoor area, in the pole barn area, and in the outdoor arena, weather permitting. Anyone wishing to sell during the tack swap must pre-register for spaces in the indoor and pole barn areas; outdoor areas will be allocated on the day of the event. Any size item may be sold. No live animals, pets or dogs are permitted at this event. Vendors are not allowed to sell food items. Persons with large equipment to sell are welcome to display on the open grounds for the registration fee. Food will be available during the tack swap courtesy of Backtrackers 4-H Horse and Pony Club. The Northampton County 4-H Center is located on Bushkill Center Road in Nazareth. Anyone wishing further information, directions or registration for this event is encouraged to call 610.837.7294.

Nazareth School District’s Third Annual Honors Concert

The Nazareth Area School District Music Department will hold its third annual Honors Concert at 7 PM on Friday, January 5. The concert will be held in the auditorium of Nazareth Area High School and includes performances by the Nazareth Area School District Band and Chorus and the Nazareth Alumni Band and Chorus.

Moravian Hall Square Holding Jazz Concert

Moravian Hall Square will be holding their Winter Jazz Concert on Thursday, January 18. The concert begins at 7:30 PM and features the Ernie Stadler Jazz Quintet. The free concert is open to the public and will be held in Kortz Hall located at 175 W. North Street in Nazareth.