March 14, 2007 Release

Pius X High School Holds Cultural Day Event

BANGOR- Pius X High School held its first Cultural Day on February 28. An interdisciplinary project, it was chaired by the mother-daughter team of Mrs. Rita Travares and Miss Rita Jean Travares of the English and History departments, respectively. Each class was assigned two countries to study and present at the event. A ring with tables was set up in the school gymnasium presenting the flags, foods and products of Italy, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Korea, China, India, Puerto Rico, Portugal, Germany, Spain, and more.

The day began with an assembly showcasing the talents of the Moravian Stars, an Irish dance troupe from Moravian College. They performed several jigs to "Frenchies" and "Riverdance Rock," and brought audience members up to teach them an Irish Reel. The Moravian Stars wore bright, extravagant, sequined costumes with curly wigs that caught our attention right away.

Pius X's South Korean students did two traditional dances, dressed in festive and colorful garments, using drums and gongs for accompaniment. The first dance was "The Farmer's Dance," which was very upbeat with a lot of drums and movement. Their second dance was "The Ribbon Dance." Each member had a ribbon attached to their hats, and as they danced and moved the ribbons circled and flowed. They, too, brought the other students to the gym floor in order to teach them how to do the ribbon dance. The result was hilarious as it looks much easier than it really is.

A duet of flute and recorder by Dr. Kathleen Steele and student Chandel Rispin followed. Together they played two songs, "Amazing Grace" and "The Bog Down in the Valley O." Mr. Mark Prestifilippo played the guitar with music representing the American jazz culture with a great rendition of Duke Ellington's "Don't Get Around Much Anymore."

Mrs. Randi McGinley created a very informative slide show of the countries showing details such as capital, languages, population facts, and currencies. A great finale to the assembly was Pius' South Korean students' Taekwondo demonstration. Their techniques of self defense and board breaking skills brought the crowd to their feet.

Following the assembly, each class was invited back to the gym to view the table displays and to sample the foods representative of each country.

Pius X High School's first Cultural Day was a huge success, providing all who attended with a better understanding of others. It was a fun and relaxing way to learn about other countries' customs, music, foods, and backgrounds. The school plans to organize its second Cultural Day next year and invites the public to attend the festivities.

Faith Christian Basketball Player Scores 1,000 Points

ROSETO- Luke Rodriguez became the second basketball player in Faith Christian School history to score 1,000 career points. Rodriquez, a high school junior from Easton, reached the historic milestone during Faith Christian School’s MCAA second round playoff loss to Madison Avenue Baptist Christian School.

Rodriguez started the game with 994 career points, six points shy of the 1,000 point mark. Rodriguez scored the historic basket with 4:10 left in the first quarter when he hit a lay-up with an assist from fellow junior, Stephen Rigos.

Luke is the first ever member of Faith Christian School’s Boys Varsity squad to reach the 1,000 point milestone. 1996 graduate, Jeannine Zona, was the first Faith Christian School basketball player to score more than 1,000 points. Luke is the son of Dr. Victor and Elaine Rodriguez. The staff and student body of Faith Christian School are very proud of Luke for his accomplishment.

Bangor Main Street Program Holding Facade Grant Workshop

“(We) are excited to be partners in this program. The opportunity to strengthen our Downtowns and Main Streets through façade improvements will go a long way in helping to revitalize our urban cores,” said Tony Iannelli, President and CEO of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce.

The BBRP provides economic development services to the Lehigh Valley’s small towns by using proven models to strengthen their economic climates and mobilizes volunteers and partners in the public and private sectors to target investment and development into the Lehigh Valley’s smaller urban cores and central business districts.

Northampton County Executive John Stoffa stated, “This is an exciting program that will keep our downtown small communities alive. It is a perfect demonstration of what can be accomplished when people work together.”

The BBRP is funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, Lehigh and Northampton Counties, the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber Foundation and the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce and the nine participating communities: Bangor, Bath, Hellertown, North Catasauqua and Wilson in Northampton County and Alburtis, Catasauqua, Coopersburg, and Macungie in Lehigh County.

Funding for the Design Challenge Facade Grant Program includes a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development through the Pennsylvania New Communities Program as well as contributions from Sovereign Bank, Industrial Development Authority of Northampton County, General Purpose Authority of Northampton County and Lehigh County’s Department of Community and Economics. Grants will be made in accordance with the Borough Business Revitalization Program’s Design Challenge Grant Policies and Procedures and are in conformance with all applicable state and local requirements.

The Bee Hive Community Center is located at 197 Pennsylvania Avenue in Bangor. For more information contact BBRP Coordinator, Mark Hartney, at 610.841.5861 or markh@lehighvalleychamber.org.

Relay For Life Slate Belt Team Holding Fundraiser

Relay For Life Slate Belt team, PAAC Pals, will host a corned beef and cabbage dinner from 2 to 5 PM on Sunday, March 18 at St. Mary’s Church in Wind Gap. The cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children and children age 5 and under eat free. There will also be raffles and drawings throughout the event. Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. St. Mary’s Church is located on Route 512 in Wind Gap. For tickets or more information, call Heather at 610.863.9443.

Bangor Spring & Summer Baseball Leagues Seeking Sponsorship

The Bangor spring and summer baseball seasons are almost here. This season there will be three teams, two will be playing in the Blue Valley Babe Ruth League and one in the Lehigh Valley Connie Mack League. The Bangor Baseball Program is looking for any businesses or persons that would like to make a donation or sponsor the players in the program. The monies received will be used to offset the costs that the parents would have to pay for their child to play baseball. Those who are interested should call Wally Smith at 610.588.0410.

Bangor Elks Seeking Performers for Annual Variety Show

The Bangor Elks Men’s Chorus Variety Show is looking for men age 21 or older to participate in their upcoming show. Membership in the lodge is not required to perform in this community event. The show this year, titled “Idol Time,” presents a unique opportunity not only to sing with the chorus, but also to audition individually for a solo spot in the show. The show will be a parody of the popular “American Idol” television show. Individuals may choose from the categories of singing, dancing or comedy. Auditions will be limited to two minutes in length and will be video recorded for use in the show. There are no auditions for men who want to sing in the chorus. Show dates are April 14, 15, 20 and 21. Interested parties should contact Ellis Williams at 610.588.2121, extension 25 during the day or 610.588.0260 during the evening.

Green Knight Economic Development Accepting Grant Applications

The Green Knight Economic Development Corporation (GKEDC) is accepting grant applications from non-profit groups within Pen Argyl, Plainfield Township and Wind Gap through Thursday, March 15. Income generated from the Green Knight Energy Center is annually donated to support community-based educational programs and organizations. GKEDC provides $4,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors that plan to attend a college or university. Scholarship applications will be accepted from March 16 through May 1. For more information on the GKEDC, visit www.gkedc.com.

Friends of the Bangor Public Library Book Discussion Group to Meet

The Friends of the Bangor Public Library Book Discussion Group will meet at 6:45 PM on Tuesday, March 13 to select books for future discussion. The group meets monthly and discusses fiction and non-fiction books. The group is open to the public and is always looking for new members. For more information, contact Sherry Darr at 610.588.7316 or stop by the library.

Pius X, OLMC, Immaculate Conception Hosting Catholic School Fair

Pius X High School, in conjunction with Our Lady of Mount Carmel School and Immaculate Conception Elementary School will be holding their Catholic School Fair on Sunday, March 18. The event will be held at Pius X High School, located at 580 Third Avenue in Bangor, from 2 PM to 4 PM. Visitors will be able to meet with students, parents, faculty and the administration from all three schools. A presentation will be given at 3 PM. Information packets will be available and tours will be given. For more information, please call Cindy Goffredo at 610.393.2127 or Pius X High School at 610.588.2291.

Bangor Area High School Board March Meeting Dates

The Bangor Area School Board will hold their monthly meetings for March on Tuesday, March 19 (Work Session) and Monday, March 26 (Business Meeting). 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.

Pen Argyl Area Alumni Association Sponsoring Basket Bingo

The Pen Argyl Area Alumni Association is sponsoring Basket Bingo on Sunday, March 18 at the Weona Park Community Center. Doors open at 11:30 AM and Bingo begins at 1 PM. Tickets cost $22 if purchased prior to the event or $25 at the door. Only ticket holders will be allowed in the center. The event will be catered by Ron Koehler. There will be 20 regular Bingos, 4-5 small Basket Bingos, 2 special Bingos, 2 raffles and a 50/50 drawing. Handmade knitted and crocheted afghans will be in 4-5 of the baskets and Longaberger quilted wall hangings in 2-3 baskets. This fundraiser enables the Alumni Association to present $3,000 in scholarships each year to the graduating seniors of Pen Argyl Area High School. For tickets or more information, call Maria Coscia at 610.863.4389.

Blue Valley Farm Show Hosting All-You-Can-Eat Breakfast

The Blue Valley Farm Show will host an all-you-can-eat breakfast from 8 AM to 1 PM on Sunday, March 18 in the Farm Show Auditorium. The breakfast includes homemade cream chipped beef, pork sausage, turkey sausage, ham, scrapple, Kielbasa, pancakes, French toast and homefries. Donuts, cakes, pie, pudding and desserts as well as coffee, tea, hot chocolate and orange juice will be available. The cost is $7 for adults, $3 for kids over age 6 and kids under 6 eat free.

Christ Evangelical Lutheran Holding Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner

Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church is holding a corned beef and cabbage dinner from 3 to 7 PM on Saturday, March 17 at the church. The cost is $9 and children under age 5 eat free. The cost includes dinner, beverages, ice cream and pie for dine-in or takeout. Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church is located at 703 South Delaware Drive (Route 611) in Mt. Bethel. For more information, call Blanche at 570.897.6612 or Evelyn at 610.588.7047.

Bangor Bowling Center Hosting Networking Breakfast

The Slate Belt Chamber of Commerce and the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley are co-sponsoring a networking breakfast on Thursday, March 15 at the Bangor Bowling Center. Joy Zukauskas, Director of Health and Safety Services, will be the quest speaker and lecture on small business health and safety services. The cost is $8 for chamber members and $10 for non-chamber members. Anyone planning to attend is asked to RSVP by March 12. The Bangor Bowling Center is located at 455 American-Bangor Road in Bangor. For more information, contact the Slate Belt Chamber of Commerce at 610.863.0315.

Bangor Fish Fest Planned for March 31

Bangor will hold its annual Fish Fest in Bangor’s Downtown District on Saturday, March 31.

Bangor High School Band Performing at Showcase Concert

The Bangor Area High School Slater Band will perform at the Showcase Concert on Thursday, March 22 at Bangor Area High School. The Band departs for Europe on March 30.

Portland United Methodist Church Holding Rummage Sale

The Portland United Methodist Church will hold its annual Spring Rummage Sale on Friday, March 30 from 9 AM to 4 PM and Saturday, March 31 from 9 AM to 2 PM.

Crafters Sought for Mt. Bethel Craft Show

The 12th Annual Mt. Bethel Craft Show is need of crafters. The event will be held from 9 AM to 3 PM on Saturday, March 24 at the Mt. Bethel Fire Hall. Those interested should call 570.897.5308.

American Cancer Society Daffodil Days Delivery

The delivery of the daffodil orders begin on Wednesday, March 21. Orders of $100 or more to one address will be delivered free. There will be pick up locations in the Lehigh Valley for orders under the minimum. If you would like to be a presale coordinator at your company, church or school, please call the office. There will be over 50 direct sales sites across the Lehigh Valley from March 21 to March 25. The Boyds bear and the vase are only available as pre sales.

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. For more information call Rosemarie 610 921 2329 ext 3109.

Petco Hosting Pet Adoption Day

The Center for Animal Health & Welfare (formerly Northampton County SPCA) is holding a pet adoption day at Petco from 12 PM to 3 PM on Saturday, March 17. Petco is located in the 25th Street Shopping Center on Nazareth Road in Easton.

Expert on "Institutional Racism" Will Speak at Northampton Community College

Dr. Frances Kendall, author of "Understanding White Privilege: Creating Pathways to Authentic Relationships Across Race" will conduct a workshop on race relations from 9 AM to 12 PM on Wednesday, March 21 in the Spartan Center at Northampton Community College (NCC). The workshop is co-sponsored by the Bethlehem YWCA and is free and open to the public.

Kendall is a nationally known consultant who has focused for more than thirty years on organizational change and communication, specializing in issues of diversity and social justice. She has spent the last ten years helping colleges and universities, corporations, not-for-profits and government agencies create hospitable work environments for all employees.

Based in California, Kendall has contributed to many seminal publications on the subject of diversity, and is the author of "Diversity in the Classroom: New Approaches to the Education of Young Children," "Diversity Issues in the Workplace" and "Celebrating Our Differences."

In addition to conducting an interactive public workshop on this topic at NCC, Kendall will also speak to community leaders. Her visit to NCC is being made possible through an endowment established by the family of Floyd R. Lear, Jr. and Industrial Printing Company, Inc. Lear served as secretary on the Board of Trustees at NCC from 1970 to 1975.

Klecknersville Rangers Ladies Auxiliary All-You-Can-Eat Breakfast

The Klecknersville Rangers Ladies Auxiliary is holding an all-you-can-eat breakfast from 8 AM to 12 PM on Sunday, March 18 at the Klecknersville Fire Hall. The menu consists of pancakes, sausage, bacon, ham, eggs, French toast, hash browns and much more. The cost is $6 for adults and $3.50 for children ages 5-12. Children under age 5 eat free. Klecknersville Rangers Fire Hall is located at 2718 Mountain View Drive in Moore Township. For more information, call 610.837.0307.

Meals on Wheels Seeking Volunteers

Meals on Wheels delivers meals to approximately 700 clients throughout the work week and is seeking volunteer drivers to deliver meals between 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM. Also needed are foodline order takers for Mondays and Tuesdays, foodline shoppers Tuesday through Friday and afternoon receptionists from 12:30 to 3:30 PM during the work week. Meals on Wheels is located at 4240 Fritch Drive in Bethlehem. To volunteer your time, call 610.691.1030 or email lindal@mealsonwheelspa.org.