March 7, 2007 Release

Slate Belt Guardian Angels Chapter Forming

New Chapter eyes first patrol during summer 2007

BANGOR- Six months after the Bangor Block Watch formed and tasked a committee to research the outreach programs provided by the Guardian Angels, a Slate Belt Guardian Angels chapter is forming. Jim Ezzo of the Sussex, NJ chapter of the Guardian Angels was invited to lecture and answer questions at an information meeting at the Bee Hive in November 2006.

The Slate Belt Chapter currently consists of four members but the group is looking to grow and be on the streets by this summer. The chapter will hold an orientation event at 7 PM on Friday, March 16 at the Bangor-Roseto Presbyterian Parish. The event is open to all Slate Belt residents who would like to join the chapter. All members must participate in twelve-week training program that includes CPR, first-aid and self defense. To be eligible, members must be at least 18 years of age and agree to a background check (cost of $10). The Bangor-Roseto Presbyterian Parish is located off Route 512 behind the Medic 9 building at 322 Kennedy Drive in Bangor.

Questions concerning the Slate Belt Chapter of the Guardian Angels may be sent to Dwayne Mullikan at duaneandjoyce@epix.net. For more information about the Guardian Angels, call Jim Ezzo at 862.266.6345 or Robert Champy 201.396.2483, both of the Sussex, NJ chapter.

Brian Carroll Lecturing at the Slate Belt Heritage Center

BANGOR- The Slate Belt Heritage Center will hold its monthly historic presentation on Thursday, March 8 at 7 PM. The speaker for the evening will be local historian Brian Carroll who will present a program on Esso and the Quarry Oil Storage Project. In 1954 Esso Oil piloted a project to store fuel oil in the Alpha Quarry in Wind Gap. The Slate Belt Heritage Center is located at 30 North First Street in Bangor, and is handicap accessible. For more information, please call Karen Brewer at 610.588.8615 or Janet Miller at 610.588.3434 or visit www.slatebeltheritage.com.

DEP Announces Public Comment Period for Proposed PPL Fly Ash Spill Settlement

The Department of Environmental Protection announced the start of a public comment period for a proposed settlement that includes a $1.5 million civil penalty for the 2005 fly ash spill at PPL’s Martins Creek Steam Electric Station in Lower Mt. Bethel Township.

The proposed settlement agreement addresses the civil penalty against PPL for the company’s violation of environmental laws and the company’s continued responsibilities for assessment and cleanup of the spill. It does not prevent or resolve economic damage claims against PPL by private citizens or other organizations.

“DEP is making the proposed settlement available to the public for review and comment for a 60-day period before we submit it to Commonwealth Court for their consideration,” Northeast Regional Director Michael Bedrin said. “In addition to the monetary penalty, the proposed settlement requires the company to conduct any ongoing ash cleanup that might be deemed necessary and to submit a report on the final phase of cleanup operations.”

The proposed settlement would resolve a lawsuit that was filed in Commonwealth Court by DEP in November 2005 following a failure in one of the utility’s ash basins on August 23, 2005, that allowed approximately 100-million gallons of fly ash to be discharged to the Delaware River. DEP required PPL to immediately conduct a major cleanup operation, which was done under DEP’s supervision over the next several months.

In addition, a natural resource damage assessment, or NRDA, process was initiated by DEP to assess short, medium- and long-term impacts of the spill on the Delaware River and its ecosystems. The NRDA team, which includes representatives of several state and federal agencies, is still evaluating water quality, biological and ecological impacts to the river as a result of the spill. Once the evaluation is complete, a separate claim for natural resource damages may be made against the company.

Comments on the proposed settlement will be accepted and considered by DEP until the close of business on May 1, 2007, and may be submitted in writing to: Proposed PPL Settlement, Attn: Mark Carmon, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, 2 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711. TDD users may contact the Department through the Pennsylvania Relay Service at 1-800-645-5984.

The proposed settlement is available online at www.depweb.state.pa.us. Scroll down to the state map on the left and click on Northeast Region and then click on “Delaware River Sampling Results.”

**DEP Press Release**

Pius X Pro Life Club Sponsors Neonatal Benefit

The Pius X High School Pro Life Club is sponsoring a prom fashion show called “Blossoms of Spring Fashion.” The event will be held at 2 PM on Sunday, March 11 at Ridgecrest, Stroudsmoor Country Inn. Tickets cost $10 and must be purchased in advance. For tickets, please call Linda Basso at 610.588.3291, ext. 6 or 610-588-3660. All proceeds will benefit Neonatal Research. For more information, call Cindy Goffredo at 610.393.2127.

“Cruise to the Gap” Car Show Committee Forming

A committee is forming to plan the 24th annual Cruise to the Gap Car Show. The committee will discuss LV Visitors Bureau membership and benefits, advertising and sponsorships, Sgt. 1st C1 Bobby Ehrig benefit and television special featuring the 2007 Cruise to the Gap Car Show. Anyone interested should email Tony Borger at coacht@enter.net.

Knights of Columbus Holding Spaghetti Dinner

The Knights of Columbus will hold a spaghetti dinner from 11 AM to 5 PM on Sunday, March 11 in the Council Home located on West Bangor Road in Bangor. Tickets cost $7 for adults and $4 for children and children under the age of 6 eat free. Tickets can be purchased at the door.

Faith Christian School Holding Silent Basket Auction

Faith Christian School’s Booster Club will hold a silent basket auction from 6 to 9 PM on Friday, March 9. The auction will be held in the Forks Gym and is the school’s largest fundraiser. Volunteers are needed in the areas of auction announcers, setup and clean up, concession stand donations of food and baking, and basket making. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Debbie Medernach at 610.86.8054 or djm58@epix.net.

Minsi Lake Closed Through March 30

Minsi Lake will be closed to fishing through March 30. The lake will reopen on Saturday, March 31 for the first day of the 2007 fishing season. A 2007 license will be needed to fish.

Note to Pen Argyl Borough Residents

Pen Argyl Borough officials ask that all sewer bill payments be sent or paid directly to Lafayette Ambassador Bank, not Pen Argyl Borough. The bank is located at 215 South Robinson Avenue in Pen Argyl.

Bangor Elks Lodge All-You-Can-Eat Breakfast

The Bangor Elks Lodge #1106 will be holding its monthly all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet on Sunday, March 7 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 is located at 120 Broadway in Bangor.

Bangor Alumni Association March Meeting

The Bangor Alumni Association will meet at 7 PM on Tuesday, March 13 in the Administration Building at the Five Points Complex located at 123 Five Points-Richmond Road in Bangor. For more information, call 610.588.5198.

Trinity United Church of Christ “What’s Up In Worship” March 2007

*Sun, Mar. 4, 10:30 AM- Rev. Bill preaches "Having a Clean Heart"
*Tue, Mar. 6, 6 PM- Soup & Sandwiches
*Tue, Mar. 6, 7:30 PM- Community Lenten Service at Community Pres. Church of Mt. Bethel & Portland
*Thu, Mar. 8, 7 PM- Voice Choir
*Fri, Mar. 9, 7 PM- Senior Citizens
*Sun, Mar. 11, 10:30 AM- Rev. Bill preaches "Having a Strong Foundation"
*Mon, Mar. 12, 7 PM- Discipleship Committee
*Tue, Mar. 13, 6 PM- Soup & Sandwiches
*Tue, Mar. 13, 7:30 PM- Community Lenten Service at Community Pres. Church of Mt. Bethel & Portland
*Thu, Mar. 15, 7 PM- Voice Choir
*Sun, Mar, 18, 10:30 AM- Rev. Bill preaches "Forgiveness"
*Tue, Mar. 20, 6 PM- Soup & Sandwiches
*Tue, Mar. 20, 7:30 PM- Community Lenten Service at Trinity United Church of Christ
*Wed, Mar. 21, 7 PM- Consistory
*Thu, Mar. 22, 7 PM- Bell Choir
*Sun, Mar, 25, 10:30 AM- Rev. Bill preaches "Sharing the Cross of Jesus"
*Tue, Mar, 27, 6 PM- Soup and Sandwiches
*Tue, Mar. 27, 7:30 PM- Community Lenten Service at Richmond United Methodist Church
*Thu, Mar. 29, 7 PM- Bell Choir

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

**March 6 Lenten Service- Worship Leader is Rev. Bill Shrout
**March 13 Lenten Service- Worship Leader is Rev. Bob Argot
**March 20 Lenten Service- Worship Leader is Rev. Kodi Ashly
**March 27 Lenten Service- Worship Leader is Rev. Tillie Chase

Wind Gap Baseball Joins Pen Argyl Little League Baseball

Wind Gap Baseball is proud to announce that it has joined Pen Argyl Little League. In an effort to unify the school district baseball players, Wind Gap felt the best program would be to enter Little League Baseball. They will participate against teams from Pen Argyl Little League and be eligible, combined with Pen Argyl Little League, to participate in the popular end of season Little League World Series Tournament.

Washington Twp. Fire Co. Ladies Aux. Sponsoring Atlantic City Bus Trip

Washington Township Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary is sponsoring a bus trip to Resorts in Atlantic City on Thursday, March 15. Anyone interested in participating should call Roberta at 610.588.3984 or Ruth at 610.588.7402.

Bangor High School Band St. Patrick's Day Performance

The Bangor Area High School Slater Band will perform twice prior to their European trip on March 30. The band will perform at the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Scranton on Saturday, March 10 and the Showcase Concert on Thursday, March 22 at Bangor Area High School.

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, March 14. 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.

Plainfield Riding Club Holding Rummage & Bake Sale

The Plainfield Riding Club is holding a rummage and bake sale from 8 AM to 12 PM on Saturday, March 10. The sale offers slightly used clothes, household items, furniture, sporting goods, holiday decorations and homemade baked goods. The event will be held at the club’s facility on State Park Road in Wind Gap. For more information, call 610.863.4547.

Plainfield Fire Company Bloodmobile Site

PLAINFIELD TWP- Plainfield Volunteer Fire Company is a weekly bloodmobile site. Blood drive hours are every Thursday from 3 PM to 7:30 PM and every other Tuesday from 3 PM to 7:30 PM. The Plainfield Fire Company is located at 6480 Sullivan Trail. To learn more about volunteer opportunities at this site and nearby areas, visit www.GiveAPint.org or call 800-223-6667.

Lehigh Valley Unit of American Cancer Society Seeking Drivers

The Lehigh Valley Unit of the American Cancer Society is looking for drivers to deliver daffodils on Wednesday, March 21, Thursday, March 22, and Friday, March 23. Anyone interested in spending a few hours in the morning on one of these days to deliver daffodil orders in the Lehigh Valley should call Rosemarie at 610.921.2329, extension 3109.

There will be over 50 direct sales sites across the Lehigh Valley from March 21 to March 25. Check your local papers for a listing of the direct sale sites in the middle of March.

Daffodil Days was started in 1973, by the American Cancer Society, and were chosen as the Flower of Hope, because they are the first flower of spring. The daffodils are grown in the State of Washington and delivered to the packing locations via refrigerated trucks. If you would like to volunteer the week of Daffodils please contact the office. The money raised through the Daffodils Days campaign helps to fund the American Cancer Society to attain their mission, through research and advocacy and provide local services to cancer patients in the Lehigh Valley.

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide, community based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem be preventing cancer, saving lives, diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy and service.

Northampton Community College Reports Alumni Survey Results

In a survey of the Northampton Community College Class of 2005, alumni report being well-prepared for employment or transfer to other colleges and consider Northampton to be an essential community resource. At the time of the survey, 94% of respondents were employed or continuing their education. Of those who continued their education, 97% said NCC prepared them adequately or better for further study.

Northampton's education is the same or better than that of other colleges, according to 98% of those surveyed, and 55% said it is better. When asked to rate the college in 15 academic and non-academic areas, graduates gave NCC particularly high marks in quality of instruction in their majors, general condition of buildings and grounds, the attitude of faculty towards students, variety of courses, and in testing and grading. When rating "the college in general," 88% of students awarded the college a 4 or better on a scale of 1 to 5 (with 5 being the highest).

Educational objectives were achieved at Northampton by 95% of those surveyed. Nine out of ten respondents feel that, regardless of the financial benefits, their college education has improved the quality of their lives. Forty percent said that if the community college were not available, they would not have been able to continue their education.

Monroe Garden Club March Meeting

The Monroe County Garden Club will meet at 11:45 AM on Wednesday, March 14 at the Hughes Eastern Monroe Public Library on North 9th Street in Stroudsburg. The program will be “Pocono Wild flowers,” presented by Roger Spotts of Monroe County Conservation. The Design for the month is “Time for Tea,” a design in a tea cup. The saucer is not to exceed 5 inches. The Horticulture display will be any houseplant, blooming or not, pot not to exceed 8”. No hanging pots. Entries must be submitted prior to 11:15. For more information, call President Cindy Anglemyer at 570.629.2822, or visit http:/gardencentral.org/pa/monroecounty.

Lehigh Valley Horse Council Meeting

The Lehigh Valley Horse Council will meet at 7:30 PM on Thursday, March 15 in the main area of Willow Brook Farm in Catasauqua. The topic will be the new education Mission for Willow Brook Farm and a demonstration of working of your horse at Liberty. Presenting this topic will be Mr. Peter Fuller, Parelli Certified Level III Trainer. The Lehigh Valley Horse Council is a non-profit organization devoted to promoting equine activities and the educating of the horse owner and the general public. They sponsor clinics/lectures featuring knowledgeable persons on varying aspects of horse ownership and horsemanship. These clinics/lectures are offered free to the public.

“Venus” Now Playing at the Civic Theatre

Screen legend Peter O'Toole stars in Venus the moving story of an elderly actor and his somewhat questionable relationship with a teenage girl. Maurice (O'Toole) and his friend Ian (Leslie Phillips) are two classy curmudgeons whiling away their hours in coffee shops and at the theater. Their routine is thrown for a loop when Ian's niece's daughter Jessie (Jodie Whittaker) is sent from the country to act as his nurse. Jessie shows up on the scene sullen and pouty, immediately drinking all the liquor in the house and slouching her way from room to room. But Maurice befriends her, taking her to museums and getting her a gig as an art model, and along the way he openly expresses the lust she has awakened in him — sparking an unlikely relationship full of discovery and surprise. Visit www.civictheatre.com/film/films/venus.html for show times.