Slate Belt Heritage Center Celebrating 10th Anniversary

Center set to open on Saturday, April 14

BANGOR- The Slate Belt Heritage Center is celebrating its tenth anniversary of incorporation this year. The Center will open for the season at 12 PM on Saturday, April 14. Visitors may tour the Center Saturdays and Sundays from 12 to 3 PM and also schedule private and academic tours. The Center, located in Bangor’s old borough hall at 30 North First Street, is a non-profit corporation that services the communities of Bangor, Pen Argyl, Roseto, Wind Gap, East Bangor, Portland, Upper Mt. Bethel, Lower Mt. Bethel, Washington and Plainfield Townships. The Center features several rooms of exhibits, artifacts, and Bangor’s 102-year-old clock. Monthly historic presentations are held monthly throughout the year and feature local personalities such as Elinor Fehr and Brian Carroll. For more information, call Karen Brewer at 610.588.8615 or Janet Miller at 610.588.3434.

Friends of the Bangor Public Library Hosting Katherine Ramsland

BANGOR- The Friends of the Bangor Public Library will hold their annual Brunch With the Author from 10 AM to 12 PM on Saturday, April 14 at the Bangor Public Library. The guest author will be Katherine Ramsland who has published 25 nonfiction books, 16 short stories, 2 novels and more than 300 articles. She has written biographies of famously private authors such as Anne Rice and Dean Koontz, informative books on the psychology of the criminal mind such as The C.S.I. Effect and more cerebral topics such as The Art of Learning: A Self-Help Manual for Students.

Ramsland has multiple degrees in forensic psychology, clinical psychology and philosophy. She heads the forensic psychology department at DeSales University and has also served as a therapist and crisis counselor. She writes for the Philadelphia Inquirer on breaking forensic topics and for Court TV's online crime library. She has appeared on network news and talk shows, the Today Show, Oxygen, Discovery Channel, History Channel and other cable networks.

Join the Friends of the Bangor Public Library in welcoming Dr. Ramsland for homemade brunch and a behind-the scenes look at vampires, ghosts, serial killers...and book publishing. Attendance is through registration only by calling 610.588.4136. The Bangor Public Library is located at 39 South Main Street in Bangor. For additional information, call Janet Miller at 610.588.3434 or Karen Brewer at 610.588.8615.

Bangor Block Watch Hosting Sgt. Edward Bachert, Jr.

BANGOR- The Bangor Block Watch Outreach Committee has announced that Sergeant Edward F. Bachert, Jr. will lecture and meet with residents at 7 PM on Tuesday, April 17 at the Bee Hive. His topic will be Gangs, Drugs and Violence, Is Your Community at Risk? Sgt. Bachert has over 20 years of experience in the criminal justice system and has lectured and taught at several area colleges. He is employed by the Allentown Police Department and is currently assigned to the PLEAC (Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Committee) and CALEA (Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies Manager). Sgt. Bachert is also the CEO of Safe and Secure Schools and Industries, a consulting business he established in 1992. All citizens of the Slate Belt and surrounding communities are encouraged to attend this free event. For more information, email blockwatch@epix.net.

Plainfield Township to Receive $13,125 Grant for Recycling Effort

Plainfield Township has been rewarded for its recycling efforts in the form of a $13,125 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), according to state Representative Craig Dally. The amount was based on 669 tons of materials recycled. The township received a $3,486 grant last year based on 303.5 tons of materials recycled. The grant was made possible through the Recycling Performance Grant Program, which provides incentives to help communities increase the amount of materials recovered through recycling and promote economic growth through job creation and market expansion.

Bangor Elks Holding Annual Variety Show

The annual Bangor Elks Variety Show will be held Saturday and Sunday, April 14 and 15 and Friday and Saturday, April 20 and 21 at Bangor Area High School. Start times are 8 PM on Friday and Saturday and 2 PM on Sunday. The theme this year is Idol Time, a parody of the television show, American Idol. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for students over the age of 12. Children under age 12 are admitted free. Tickets can be purchased at Heard’s Meat Market in Bangor, Pysher’s Market in Mt. Bethel, Detzi’s Tavern in Wind Gap, Miller’s Paint Store in Bangor, Broadway Bagels in Bangor, Hartman’s II Restaurant in Belfast or from any Elks member. For more information, email info@ElksChorus.com.

Bangor Area High School Board April 2007 Meeting Dates

The Bangor Area School Board will hold their monthly meetings for April on Monday, April 16 (Work Session) and Monday, April 23 (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.

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, April 15 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.

Lookout Fire Company Seeking Craft Vendors

The Lookout Fire Company of Pen Argyl is looking for craft vendors for its annual Memorial Day Celebration that runs from May 24 to May 27 at Weona Park. All vendors are to be open all four days; May 24, 25 and 26 from 6-10 PM and May 27 from 4-10 PM. Vendors must provide their own tents (no larger than 12X12) and tables. The cost is $40 per spot. For more information or to reserve a spot, contact David Mutton at 610.863.4121 or tntmutton@epix.net.

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School Holding Open House

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School is hosting an open house from 2 to 4 PM on Sunday, April 15. Visitors, parents and potential new parents are encouraged to attend. Teachers will be on hand to answer questions and student guides will be available to tour the campus. For more information, call the school office at 610.588.2629.

Pius X Holding 4th Annual Royal Gala

Pius X High School will be holding their fourth annual Royal Gala on Friday, April 13 at the Stroudsmoor Country Inn. Cocktails will be served at 6 PM and dinner at 7 PM. The Spirit of Pius X Award will be given to members of the Sisters of St. Joseph Community who taught at Pius X High School and in memory of the late Philip "Skatie" Casciano. The Pius X High School Class of 1957 will also be honored. Tickets cost $125. For tickets and more information, call the school at 610.588.3291.

Mt. Bethel Vol. Fire Company Gun Show

The Mt. Bethel Volunteer Fire Company Gun Show will be held from 9 AM to 3 PM on Sunday, April 15 at the Mt. Bethel Volunteer Fire Company firehouse. The show features many tables of antique and modern guns, knives, and hunting and fishing equipment. Local dealers and collectors will be on hand. Admission is $4 and children under age 12 will be admitted free if accompanied by an adult. Breakfast and lunch will be available. The Mt. Bethel Volunteer Fire Company is located on Route 611 in Mt. Bethel. For more information, call Harry Nasatka at 610.588.7538.

Slate Belt Chamber Sponsoring Breakfast Seminar

The Slate Belt Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the PCI Insurance Breakfast Seminar on Wednesday, April 11 at J & R’s Smokehouse. Breakfast begins at 8 AM and information about Medicare will be available. J & R’s Smokehouse is located at 1420 Jacobsburg Road in Wind Gap. For information, call 610.863.0315.

Bangor GFWC Holding Meeting

The Bangor Grand Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) will meet at 12 PM on Tuesday, April 17 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. The Bangor GFWC meets the third Tuesday of each month at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Johnsonville. For more information, call June Hess at 610.588.7100.

Washington Township Fire Company Roast Beef Dinner

The Washington Township Volunteer Fire Company is hosting a roast beef dinner catered by Elite Gourmet from 4 to 7 PM on Saturday, April 28. Tickets cost $12 for adults, $10 for children ages 6 to 10 and children under age 6 eat free. Tickets can be purchased by calling 610.588.6417 or at Bangor Hardware, Speers Meat Market and Flicksville Deli.

St. Elizabeth’s of Hungary Church Sponsoring Atlantic City Bus Trip

St. Elizabeth’s of Hungary Church is sponsoring a bus trip to Atlantic City on Thursday, April 12. Bus stops will be the church parking lot in Pen Argyl and the old St. Joseph’s Church on Lehigh Avenue in Wind Gap. For more information and departure times, call Mary Lou Lohman at 610.863.4846.

Slate Belt Farmers Market Holding Vendor Meeting

Slate Belt Farmers Market will hold a meeting for all vendors at 7 PM on Sunday, April 29 at Kelly’s Ice Cream located on Route 611 in Portland. For more information, call 570.897.0135.

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, April 14. 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.

Holy Family Youth Group Holding Youth Mass

The Holy Family Youth Group is inviting the members of local youth ministries to join them in prayer during the Youth Mass at 5 PM on Sunday, April 15 at Holy Family Church. The group assists in a special Mass for the youth of the parish the second and fourth Sunday of each month. Following the Youth Mass on April 15, Pro-Life and Chastity speakers, Mark Houke and Molly Kelly, will lecture. Mark is a juvenile corrections officer and Molly speaks to over 100,000 teens and young adults each year about chastity. Holy Family Church is located at 23 Forest Drive in Nazareth. For more information, call 610.745. 2026.

The American Cancer Society Offering Golf Pass

It’s time to “Tee Off” against cancer with the 2007 American Cancer Society Golf Pass. The American Cancer Society Golf Pass entitles holders to golf discounts and FREE rounds at some of the finest courses in Pennsylvania. Some restrictions apply. The Pass is over a $3,000 value for a donation of just $30.

The 2007 American Cancer Society Golf Pass offers golfers the opportunity to sharpen their skills while helping a worthy cause. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the Golf Pass support the American Cancer Society’s mission by funding much needed research, education, advocacy and patient services.

The American Cancer Society Golf Pass is now available for immediate delivery. It makes a great gift for dads, moms, grads, any holiday and birthdays. To place an order, call your American Cancer Society at 610.921.2329, ext 3111 or e mail rmurphy@cancer.org. For more information call Rosemarie 610 921 2329 ext 3111,

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, advocacy, education, and service. For cancer information 24-hours a day, seven days a week call your American Cancer Society at 1.888.ACS.5445 or visit www.cancer.org.

Pulitzer Prize-Winning Poet W.D. Snodgrass Appearing at NCC

It’s not every day you get a chance to hear a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet read from his own work! W.D. Snodgrass, one of the nation’s premier poets and author of 32 books, will appear at Northampton Community College’s Main Campus on Tuesday, April 17 at 11 AM in the David A. Reed Community Room, College Center, to read from some of his books of poetry and essays.

Snodgrass has been called the founding father of the “confessional” school of poetry for his autobiographical writings, which detail the strange behavior of his eccentric mother and philandering father and address the loss of his sister to asthma at the age of 25.

Born in Wilkinsburg, PA, in 1926, Snodgrass attended Beaver College. After serving in the Navy during WWII, he entered the University of Iowa, eventually enrolling in the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, which attracted some of the finest poets of the day. Snodgrass received his M.A. and M.F.A. from the University of Iowa. Snodgrass has taught at Cornell, Wayne State, Syracuse and Old Dominion universities. Since 1995, he has been a Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Delaware, where he taught from 1979 to 1994.

In 1960, Snodgrass received the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry for his work “The Heart’s Needle,” published in 1959. His works also include “After Experience,” “Remains,” “The Fuehrer Bunker,” “Selected Poems,” and “After Images: Autobiographical Sketches.” Among the honors he has received are the Ingram Merrill Foundation Award, a special citation from the Poetry Society of America, and fellowships from the Academy of American Poets, the Ford Foundation, the Guggenheim Foundation, and the National Institute of Arts and Letters. He is also a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

The program is free and open to the public. Reservations are not necessary. For more information, call 610.861.5393.

Monroe County Garden Club April Meeting

The Monroe County Garden Club will meet on Wednesday, April 11 at 11:45 AM at the Hughes Eastern Monroe Public Library on North 9th Street/Route 611 in Stroudsburg. The program will be "Bonsai," presented by Dan Ferguson, former president of the New York Bonsai Society. The design for the month is "A New Beginning," a line design (vertical or horizontal) using forsythia and any other spring flowers. The horticulture display will be a flower cut from any bulb- 1 stem. Entries should be submitted before 11:15 AM for judging. Check your member yearbook for rules. Anyone interested in gardening is welcome. The Monroe County Garden Club is a member of District II-III Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania and National Garden Clubs. For more information, call Cindy Anglemyer at 570.629.2822 or visit www.gardencentral.org/pa/monroecounty.

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, April 15 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.

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 to 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.