Slate Belt Band Holding Free Community Concert

EAST BANGOR- The Slate Belt Band is holding a free community concert on Wednesday, April 18 at East Bangor Fire Hall. Spectators will be treated with classic cinema songs from Mary Poppins, The Wizard of Oz, The Little Mermaid and more. The Band will also play tunes like "The Entertainer," "Soul Bossa Nova," heard in the Austin Powers movies, and "All That Jazz" from Chicago plus many more. The concert begins at 7 PM. For more information, call 610.599.0593 or email band@slatebeltband.com.

Elinor Fehr Lecturing at the Slate Belt Heritage Center

BANGOR- The Slate Belt Heritage Center will hold its monthly historic presentation on Thursday, April 19 at 7 PM. The speaker for the evening will be Mrs. Elinor Fehr whose topic will be the Lenape Native Americans. Mrs. Fehr and Mr. Donald Repsher have co-authored the book, “Of Forest and River: The Lenape of the Slate Belt.” The book is the first in a series of ethnic heritage books the Slate Belt Heritage Center will be issuing about the ancestors of the Slate Belt. Along with the presentation, artifacts of the Lenape, found during archeological digs in the Bangor area, will be on display in the chamber showcases. 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.

Merchants National Bank Makes a Donation to F. A. March Elementary School

Merchants National Bank recently made a donation in the amount of $850 to F. A. March Elementary School to help support their project to purchase new playground equipment. Their current wooden equipment was installed in 1989, and their goal is to replace it with new equipment made of galvanized steel. Located in Easton, PA, the school was established 93 years ago and currently has an enrollment of 277 students.

“Since 1914, F. A. March Elementary School has produced many of the areas most involved and influential citizens and leaders,” commented James L. Sampson, Jr., Senior Vice President of Lending at Merchants National Bank. “It is with respect for the heritage that Merchants National Bank is pleased to donate to the Friends of March and aid in their efforts to update the school’s playground equipment,” Sampson added.

“The Friends of March would like to thank Merchants National Bank for their contribution towards our playground fund. It puts us one step closer to reaching our goal of a new playground for the students of F.A. March Elementary School and the children of College Hill,” commented Susan Joseph, Co-chairperson of The Friends of March.

Established in 1890, Merchants National Bank is a locally owned and operated community bank. Headquartered in Bangor, PA, MNB has two branch offices in Bangor and additional offices throughout the Lehigh Valley, including Mount Bethel, Wind Gap, Bushkill Township, Martins Creek, Forks Township, Redner’s Warehouse Markets in Northampton and a Business Center in Easton, PA. MNB Investment Services is a division of the Bank and offers investment and wealth management financial services. In June 2005, Merchants National Bank received the Bernard J. Metz Entrepreneurial Spirit Award by the Two Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce in recognition for the Bank’s entrepreneurial accomplishment and community service in the Two Rivers area. The Bank’s website can be accessed at www.merchantsbangor.com.

Colleen O’Donnell Memorial Golf Tournament & Gathering

A benefit golf tournament will be held in memory of Colleen O’Donnell at 8 AM on Saturday, April 21 at Cherry Valley Golf Course. The format is a Four Man Scramble and begins with a shotgun start. All proceeds will go to Colleen’s mother (Brenda Gurst) and her sister (Kelley O’Donnell) to help with funeral costs and other expenses. A gathering will take place later that night at Hillside Rod & Gun Club. The public is invited to attend and the cost is $5 per person. For more information, call Maggie Kluska at 610.588.6983.

Slate Belt COG Holding April Meeting

The Slate Belt Council of Governments (COG) will meet at 7 PM on Wednesday, April 25 at the old Washington Township Municipal Building. The public is encouraged to attend and discuss ways to improve the service to the Slate Belt COG municipalities. The Washington Township Municipal Building is located on Route 191 in Washington Township.

Bangor Elks Holding Annual Variety Show

The annual Bangor Elks Variety Show will be held Friday and Saturday, April 20 and 21 at Bangor Area High School. Start times are 8 PM on Friday and Saturday. 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.

Pen Argyl Police and Fire Department News

The Pen Argyl Police Department responded to 380 incidents during the month of March 2007. Of the 347 incidents filed, 38 were criminal incidents. There were 26 people arrested or cited and 7 juveniles were handled by the department. Lookout Fire Company Number 1 responded to 8 calls and logged 175 hours on calls and 156 hours of training.

NCC Inducts Local Students into Honor Society

Seventy-four Northampton Community College students were recently inducted into the Beta Beta Chi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. To qualify for membership in this honor society of community and junior college students, inductees must have a 3.5 or higher grade point average, be enrolled in an associate’s degree program, and perform community service work. The following are the Slate Belt students inducted for the spring, 2007 semester. From Bangor: Daniel Crafa, Elizabeth Maginley, Krystal Lynn Sheredos, and Ryan Vanderhoff. From Mount Bethel: Jennifer Lomerson.

Richmond United Methodist Church Holding Sausage & Pancake Supper

Richmond United Methodist Church is holding a sausage and pancake supper from 3 to 7 PM on Saturday, April 21. The menu includes pancakes, sausage, mashed potatoes, green beans, gravy, spiced cabbage, homemade ice cream, cake and coffee. Meals are $8.50 for adults, $5 for children aged 5- 12, and free for those under the age of five. The church is located on Route 611, four miles south of the junction with Route 512, and 5.8 miles north of the traffic light in Martins Creek. For further information, please call the church at 610-588-7317.

Merchants Bank Walkers Busing to New York City

The Merchants National Bank Walkers, a Relay for Life Slate Belt team, is sponsoring a bus trip to New York City on Saturday, April 28. The trip includes a tour of Little Italy, Zabar’s, and many other attractions. The bus will depart Merchants National Bank (25 Broadway, Bangor) at 7 AM and depart New York City at 5 PM. The cost of the trip is $30. For more information, please call Mary Jo Martino at 610.588.9265.

Second Ward Fire Company Ladies’ Auxiliary Meeting

The Ladies’ Auxiliary of Second Ward Fire Company will meet at 7 PM on Tuesday, April 24 at the Second Ward Fire Hall. The Auxiliary’s mission is to raise funds for the fire company and help the community. The group meets the 4th Tuesday of the month. For more information, call Carol at 610.588.0333 or Lisa at 610.588.6133.

Relay for Life Slate Belt Team Sponsoring Atlantic City Bus Trip

Relay for Life Slate Belt team, Hope A Lot, is sponsoring a bus trip to Resorts Casino on Sunday April 29. The cost is $28 per person with the casino returning $22 in cash and an $8 food voucher. The bus departs the Park & Ride, located off Route 33 and William Penn Highway in Easton, at 8:30 AM. Soda, water and snacks will be available on the bus and there will be a 50/50 raffle. For more information call Tammy Warren at 610.863.5033. For more information about the American Cancer Society, contact Rosemarie at the American Cancer Society at 610.921.2329, ext 3109 or rmurphy@cancer.org.

“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.

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.

Portland Ambulance Pastie Pickup

Pasties ordered from the Auxiliary of Portland/Upper Mt. Bethel EMS may be picked up between 12 and 4 PM on Thursday, April 19 at the ambulance building located off State Street in Portland. Call 570.897.6366 with any questions.

Roseto Police Department Offering Free Online Service

The Roseto Police Department is offering a new service through their website to help in reporting, tracking and recovering stolen items. Go to www.RosetoBoro.org and click on the Stolen Items link. The service is free.

Bangor Elks Holding Country Line Dancing

BANGOR- The Bangor Elks Lodge #1106 is now hosting Country Line Dancing every Monday night from 7 to 10 PM. The event is open to the public. The Bangor Elks is located at 120 Broadway in Bangor. For more information, please call 610.588.3420.

Waggin’ Tails Dog Adoption Day

Waggin’ Tails Pet Rescue, a no-kill all volunteer animal rescue organization, will hold an adoption day on Sunday, April 22 from 10 AM to 2 PM at the American Legion, located 209 in Gilbert, PA. Many wonderful dogs will be available to meet with potential adopters. Anyone interested in adopting a dog must fill out a pre-adoption application with veterinary and personal references and have a home inspection prior to adoption. For more information, visit www.waggintailsrescue.com or call 570.992.4185.

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.

Relay for Life Easton Holding Captains Meeting

Relay for Life Easton will hold its next team captains meeting at 7 PM on Wednesday, April 18 at the Met-Ed building on Sullivan Trail in Forks Township. The Relay for Life is a community event where teams of 8 to 15 people come together to raise money for the American Cancer Society. The year long fund raisers culminate in the 24 hour Relay for Life, where survivors are honored and people come together to raise money to eliminate this dreaded disease. Cancer survivors are invited to join in the Relay for the survivor celebration and survivor lap. The American Cancer Society also invites survivors to bring their caregivers. As the sun goes down the luminaria ceremony is held having bags with candles around the track honoring the cancer survivors and to memorialize those lost to cancer. Relay for Life Easton will be held on June 15 and 16 from 2 PM to 2 PM. For more information, contact Rosemarie at the American Cancer Society at 610.921.2329 ext 3109 or rmurphy@cancer.org.

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

NCC Offers Web Page Basics Course

Northampton Community College will offer “Build Your Own Web Page,” a class that will help students understand the basic principles of web page design. The course will cover basic HTML files, formatting, and adding images, links and lists. The course will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays, May 1-10, from 6:30 to 9:30 PM in Penn 106 on NCC’s Main Campus in Bethlehem Township. For a course description or to register online, visit www.northampton.edu and click on the course search tool. To register over the telephone using a credit card, call NCC toll-free at 1-877-543-0998.

Easton Table Tennis Club Seeking Players

The Easton Table Tennis Club is looking to grow the club by adding more players. The club was co-founded by Tony Falcone of Nazareth and Tim McLaughlin of Williams Township and is open to men and women of any age or skill. Games are played Mondays and Fridays from 7 to 10 PM at Third Street.

DEP Secretary Urges Public to Celebrate Earth Day

Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty encourages residents to clean up their communities and improve the quality of life by participating in the Great Pennsylvania Cleanup on Saturday, April 21. Earth Day is April 22.

Feature cleanup events are scheduled for April 21. Other events may be scheduled through May 31. “Let’s Pick It Up, PA!” is the theme this year.

The Great Pennsylvania Cleanup — an ambitious statewide effort to remove litter and trash from the state’s roadways, parks, forests, riverbanks, neighborhoods, open spaces and schools — is supported and sponsored by the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful alliance, a wide range of businesses, trade organizations, civic and environmental groups, and local and state governments, including DEP, PennDOT, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Department of Education. This year’s initiative includes a focus on Litter-Free School Zones, a new program in which schools agree to check and remove litter from campus grounds weekly. Schools also promote all campus events as litter-free events.

“By pitching in together, we can lift up the quality of life in our great communities and boost the commonwealth’s economic competitiveness,” McGinty said. “With this year’s emphasis on cleaning up schools, we can work alongside our children in the Great Pennsylvania Cleanup and learn together that everyone has a role to play in keeping our neighborhoods clean.”

Last year during the Great Pennsylvania Cleanup more than 132,000 volunteers from all 67 counties removed 6.7 million pounds of trash from roads, parks, schools, waterways, wildlife areas and communities.

This year’s Great Pennsylvania Cleanup offers exciting incentives for groups that register their events and report the results. Random drawings will be held to award gift cards from a growing number of Pennsylvania businesses sponsoring the Great Pennsylvania Cleanup. PennDOT will distribute free work gloves, safety vests and trash bags to registered cleanup groups. PennDOT will also provide a comprehensive safety package to groups interested in roadside and other cleanups.

Visit the Great Pennsylvania Cleanup Web site at www.greatpacleanup.org to find or register a cleanup event and obtain a Litter-Free School Zone program application. Information is also available by calling toll-free 1-888-548-8372. The Web site has everything event leaders need to get organized, including information to help groups and individuals with registration and promotion of local cleanups, safety information, links to other cleanup organizations, a wide variety of promotional materials and lesson plans for teachers. (DEP Press Release).