Merchants National Bank Delivers Lunches to Nazareth "Neighbors"

BANGOR- Merchants National Bank recently opened a new office at 44 South Broad Street, Nazareth, Pennsylvania. In the interest of meeting their new neighbors as well as creating awareness of the types of products and services that the Bank has to offer, Merchants' Chief Executive Officer and Director, Anthony J. Biondi, came up with a unique idea of how they could accomplish both of these goals. Biondi, along with several employees, including members of the Bank's Senior Management Team, spent a day visiting ninety businesses in the area of Merchants' new branch. During their visits the staff dropped off special menus, which included selections of food items, along with a listing of Merchants' products and services. Everyone at each of the businesses was invited to order lunch, which would be delivered the following week. The businesses were also given the opportunity to request information on any of MNB's products and services.

On Wednesday, May 30 th , Biondi and the Merchants team donned their aprons and chef hats, loaded their hot dog cart, and delivered over 280 lunches to their new friends in downtown Nazareth. Everyone from MNB truly enjoyed this new approach to the Bank's long–held tradition of “serving the community”.

“The free lunches to the Nazareth merchants was a great way to meet our new neighbors and introduce our unique way of banking to the Nazareth Business Community”, noted Mr. Biondi, adding “it is our intention to present a distinctive approach to community banking and the “lunch on us” idea is just one of many plans we have in an effort to promote our accessibility and endear ourselves to the community”.

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, Nazareth, Forks Township, Martins Creek, 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.

Reagle Dodge Holding 18th Annual Father’s Day Car Show

PEN ARGYL- Reagle Dodge will host its 18th annual Father’s Day Car Show from 9 AM to 4 PM on Sunday, June 17. The car show is sponsored by The Slate Belt Mighty Mopars, a local car club, will be held rain or shine. Trophies and will be awarded and the event will offer hot food, ice cream, 50/50 and music. For more information, call 610.863.6900 or visit www.ReagleDodge.com.

Slate Belt Museum Announces Art Show Winners

MT. BETHEL- Winners of the Slate Belt Museum's annual student art shows, held Memorial Day weekend and the first weekend in June, have been announced. Winners of prizes in the elementary school art show were: Clair Poirier, Five Points Elementary School, Bangor, Grand Prize; Alyssa Rodriguez, DeFranco Elementary School, Bangor, 1st Prize; Cassidy McNew, DeFranco, 2nd Prize; and Eric Bellis, Five Points, 3rd Prize. Honorable Mentions were awarded to: Olivia Brands, Five Points; as well as Lacey Pugh, Michael Martino, Macenzy Groff, Connor Noble, and Hannah Mort, all from the Washington Elementary School, Bangor. Winners of the high school and middle school art show were: Alicia Miller, Grand Prize; Megan Tucker, 1st Prize; Kyle Sandt, 2nd Prize; and Jason Smith, 3rd Prize, all from Bangor Area High School. Honorable Mentions were awarded to: Brittany Kiefer, Elizabeth Krafty, Samm Lobb, Mary Castner, Morgan Miller, Katlyn Dylnicki, and Nat Parrick of Bangor Area High School and to Tiela Miller of Bangor Area Middle School. Judging was done by James Gloria, a professional artist residing in Mt. Bethel.

Wind Gap Summer Sounds Concert Series Returns June 17

Wind Gap Summer Sounds Concert Series, now in its 25th year, will host seven concerts this spring and summer. All concerts will be held at 6 PM rain or shine at Wind Gap Park. Kicking off the series on Sunday, June 17 will be the Slate Belt Band playing concert and show tunes. The second concert will feature Ralph Romano (The Italian Entertainment Center) on July 1 and third concert will be held on a special night, Tuesday, July 3, and be dedicated to the men and women serving and who have served in the United States Armed Forces. The 307th Army Band will perform concert and show tunes. The Pen Argyl and Wind Gap American Legions will hold a special ceremony prior to the concert. The fourth concert on July 15 features King Henry and the Showmen Show Band; the fifth concert on July 29 features Desire, a doo-wop group; the sixth concert on August 12 will be the eight-piece Duke Ellington Legacy Band with Edward Ellington and soloist Nancy Reed; and the seventh and final concert on August 26 features the Dream Kids from Nazareth.

Slate Belt Angels to Earn Their Wings

BANGOR- The Slate Belt Guardian Angels, a chapter of the Alliance of the Guardian Angels, will complete 12 weeks of training on June 29. Guardian Angels founder, Curtis Sliwa, will present the newly formed chapter to the Slate Belt at a special ceremony to be held at 7 PM on Friday, June 29 at Colonial Academy School. The ceremony will be sponsored by Recovery Revolution and will include local speakers and several chapters of the Guardian Angels. The public is encouraged to attend. For more information, contact Chapter Leader Dwayne Mullikin at 610.360.5716 or Assistant Chapter Leader Chris Schander at 570.801.2241 or email slatebeltguardianangels@yahoo.com.

Pius X Royals 4-Man-Scramble Golf Outing

The Pius X Royals football program is holding a 4-man-scramble golf match on Saturday, July 7 at Green Pond Country Club. Registration begins at 12:30 PM and a shotgun start at 1:30 PM. The cost is $90 per golfer and includes greens fees, cart and dinner. Checks should be made payable to Royals Football: Attention Rob Goffredo and sent to 339 North 5th Street, Bangor. All proceeds benefit the Royals football program.

FUMC of Wind Gap Holding Vacation Bible School

The First United Methodist Church of Wind Gap is hosting vacation bible school from Monday, June 18 through Friday, June 22 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at the church. Children ages 3 to 12 are welcome. The First United Methodist Church of Wind Gap is located on West and Water Streets in Wind Gap. For more information, call 610.863.7375.

Crafters & Vendors Sought for Mt. Bethel Carnival

Mt. Bethel Volunteer Fire Company is seeking crafters and vendors for their annual carnival planned for August 2 through August 4. The cost is $60 for all three days and tables will be set up inside and outside. The deadline to register is July 7. For more information, call 570.897.6720.

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, June 17 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.

Bangor Women’s Club Awards Scholarships to Local Students

Jenessa Smith and Briana Benner of Bangor recently received $750 scholarships from the Bangor Women’s Club. Jenessa is the daughter of Jeffrey and Doreen Smith of Bangor and 2007 graduate and Salutatorian of Pius X High School. Briana Benner is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Brenner of Bangor.

Slater Basketball Holding Summer Camps

Bangor head basketball coach Bron Holland is conducting two week-long basketball camps this summer for boys going into grades 3-10. The camp will focus on shooting and 1-on-1 offensive moves and there will be daily games and competitions. The first session will be held June 25 through June 29 and the second July 16 to July 20. The cost is $80 per session or two for $150. All participants will receive a t-shirt and sport pack. Visit www.bangor.k12pa.us and click on Athletics to register or for more information.

Attend a Bangor Block Watch Meeting

The Bangor Block Watch meets at 7 PM on the first and third Tuesday of the month at the Slate Belt Heritage Center located at 30 North First Street in Bangor. The next meeting is planned for Tuesday, June 19. For more information, call 610.588.7028 or email BlockWatch@epix.net.

Bangor VFW Hosting Summer Fling

The Bangor VFW Post 739 is holding their Summer Fling at 1 PM on Sunday, June 17 at the Bangor VFW. The day includes a raffle and meat wheel. Tickets cost $1 each or six for $5. Each ticket holder is entitled to food, draft beer and soda. Winners do not need to be present during the drawing. All proceeds benefit the Bangor VFW’s building fund.

Bangor High School Class of 1967 Seeking Classmates for 40th Reunion

The Bangor High School Class of 1967 will hold its 40th reunion on Saturday, September 29 at Best Western Pocono Inn. The Class is seeking contact information for the following classmates: Ellen Dantith, Joe Duvo, William C. Fisher, Harvey Frable, Robert Hockin, Margaret Barr Hoppes, Dale Houck, Charles Jewel, Christine Willever Mai, Patty Garafalo Silleach, Allison Smith, Loretta Dotta Smith and Tim Wells. Anyone with information is asked to contact Kathy at 610.863.0816.

Bangor Fire Department Seeking Aluminum Can Donations

The Bangor Fire Department is seeking aluminum can and loose aluminum donations to assist with their fundraising. The aluminum is taken to local recycling companies with the funds going toward the purchasing of new firefighting equipment and the exhibit housed at the Slate Belt Heritage Center. Aluminum may be dropped at Liberty Fire Company (67 North 8th Street), Rescue Fire Company #1 (Route 191), or 2nd Ward Fire Company (Northampton and Messinger Streets).

Roseto UNICO Meeting

The next meeting of Roseto UNICO will be held on June 20 at 7:00 pm at Ziggy’s Hidden Valley. New members always welcome.

Bangor GFWC Holding Meeting

The Bangor Grand Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) will meet at 12 PM on Tuesday, June 19 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.

Faith United Presbyterian Church Annual Strawberry Festival

Faith United Presbyterian Church is holding its annual strawberry festival on Saturday, June 16. The festival will be held from 4 to 8 PM and features strawberry shortcake, chocolate covered strawberries, Hartman’s Ice Cream and picnic food. Strawberry pie will also be sold by the slice or whole pie. The festival will be held indoors in the event of rain. The church is located on Pennsylvania and Heller Avenues in Pen Argyl.

The HUB Hosting Kids Night Out

The HUB in Bangor holds Kids Night Out on the fourth Wednesday of the month from 6:30 to 8 PM for kids in kindergarten to 6th grade. Kids attending will participate in Bible-based lessons, games, crafts, video games, DDR, basketball, movie nights, pizza parties and more. For more information, call Cheryl at 610.588.5390 or Monica at 484.695.3881.

St. John’s United Church of Christ Annual Strawberry Festival

St. John’s United Church of Christ in Bangor is holding its annual strawberry festival on Friday, June 15. The festival will be held from 4:30 to 8:30 PM. The church is located at 301 Market Street in Bangor.

Monroe County Garden Club Plant Sale & Flea Market

The Monroe County Garden Club is holding a plant sale and flea market from 9 AM to 3 PM on Saturday, June 16 at the Tannersville Ambulance Building located on Route 611 in Tannersville. Many plants grown by the Monroe County Garden Club will be available for purchase along with flea market items.

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, June 17 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.

NCC Offers Partner Massage Class

Learn to relieve tension, reduce stress, improve overall health, and relax in Northampton Community College’s Partner Massage class. A variety of massage techniques will be demonstrated and practiced, and the benefits of massage will be discussed.

This class is offered on Wednesday, June 20 or on Wednesday, July 18 from 6:30 to 9:30 PM at NCC’s Fowler Family Southside Center in Bethlehem. The cost is $19 plus $1 for materials. Bring a partner, along with a sheet, pillow, and blanket.

The Fowler Family Southside Center is located at 511 E. Third Street, Bethlehem. For a detailed class description or to register online, go to www.northampton.edu. To register by phone using a credit card, call 1-877-543-0998 toll-free