James Love Named 2007 PA District Exchangite of the Year

BANGOR- James Love of the Bangor Exchange Club was named 2007 Pennsylvania District Exchangite of the Year at the Tri-District Convention held last month in Rantville, PA. The Exchangite of the Year award honors Exchange Club leaders who contribute to society through volunteerism. Jim, an active member since 1999, serves as the Treasurer of the Bangor Exchange Club and has held several leadership positions, including PA District President, and played a large part in the establishment of the Nazareth Area Exchange Club. He will be Immediate Past President of the Mid-Atlantic District of Exchange Clubs in Pennsylvania and Maryland to provide leadership to 36 Exchange Clubs. Jim is a retired CEO and Executive Vice President of Merchants National Bank of Bangor and currently resides in Plainfield Township with his wife Carol. 2006 Pennsylvania District Exchangite of the Year award winner Dr. John Barilla presented Jim with the award.

Friends of the Bangor Public Library Discussing “The Law of Similars”

BANGOR- The Friends of the Bangor Public Library’s book discussion group will meet Tuesday, July 10 from 7 to 8 PM at the Bangor Public Library. The group will discuss Chris Bohjalian’s “The Law of Similars.” The book discussion group is open to the public and welcomes new members. Anyone interested in joining the club may stop by the Bangor Public Library and place their name on the signup sheet. For more information, call Sherry Darr at 610.588.7316.

Slate Belt Heritage Center Holding Monthly Historic Presentation

BANGOR- The Slate Belt Heritage Center will hold its monthly historic presentation at 7 PM on Thursday, July 12. The speaker for the evening will be Dane DiFebo who will present “Local Involvement in the American Revolution: 1775-1783.” The event is free and open to the public. 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 visit www.slatebeltheritage.org.

Slate Belt Corvette Club Holding Vettes for Vets Benefit Car Show

BANGOR- The Slate Belt Corvette Club is holding its second annual benefit car and truck show on Sunday, July 8 from 9 AM to 3 PM at the Blue Valley Farm Show with all proceeds benefiting the Slate Belt Veterans Association. Participants may pre-register for $15 by Friday, July 6 or for $20 the day of the show. Refreshments will be provided by the Blue Valley Farm Show kitchen. There will a DJ plus three bands providing music throughout the day. A Miller blood drive and sign-ups for the Veterans Outreach group will also be available. The Blue Valley Farm show is located at Route 512 and American Bangor Road between Bangor and Pen Argyl. For more information, call Jeff at 610.841.6403 or c5showcar@yahoo.com.

Summer Sounds Returning to Weona Park

The Weona Park Band Shell will feature a country and bluegrass concert performance by Majestics on Sunday, July 8 at Weona Park in Pen Argyl. The free concert begins at 6 PM and is sponsored by Pen Argyl Borough, Pen Argyl Athletic and Park Association, Green Knight Economic Development Corporation, MPTF and PA Partners in the Arts.

14th Annual Robert L. Decker Memorial Softball Tournament

The 14th annual Robert L. Decker Memorial Softball Tournament will be held on July 14 and 15 at Hillside Field in West Bangor. The tournament is open to Class C-D teams and the cost to enter is $150 with awards going to the top three teams. The tournament format is double-elimination. To register or for more information, call John Smith at 610.588.1474 or 610.863.1293, extension 1.

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, July 8 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.

2007 Green Knight Golf Open and Pig Roast

The Pen Argyl Green Knight wrestling and football teams are sponsoring a golf match and pig roast on Friday, July 27 at Green Pond Country Club. The format is Four-Man-Scramble with a 10 AM shotgun start. Prizes include Closest to the Pin, Longest Drive and Top Group. There will also be a 50/50 raffle. Registration will be held at 9 AM and cost $90 per person. For more information, call Scott Kupec at 610.759.4933 or Paul Reduzzi at 610.863.7257.

Annual Liberty Fire Company Carnival Begins July 12

Liberty Fire Company will hold its annual carnival from Thursday, July 12 through Saturday, July 14. There will be steamed clams, hot sandwiches and games. There will be DJ entertainment Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. The carnival will be held behind the Liberty Fire Company firehouse on Eighth Street in Bangor.

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

*Sun, July 1, 9:30 AM- Patriotic Hymn- Happy Birthday America
*Sun, July 8, 9:30 AM- Rev. Bill preaches "Peace of Mind"
*Fri, July 13, 9:30 AM- Senior Citizens
*Sat, July 14, 5 to 9 PM- Ice Cream Festival
*Sun, July 15, 9:30 AM- Rev. Bill preaches "Speaking the World to Others"
*Tue, July 17, 7:00 PM- Consistory
*Sun, July 22, 9:15 AM- Rev. Bill preaches "Our Friends"
*Sun, May 27, 10:30 AM- Rev. Bill preaches "Motivated People”

Faith Alive Ministries Holding Vacation Bible School

Faith Alive Ministries invites all children to join them at Son Force Kids Vacation Bible School for fun and exciting adventures. Children will have a great time singing, creating crafts, and playing games. Most importantly, they will discover how to have courage as God’s special agents. Son Force Kids runs from 6:30 to 8:45 PM daily from Monday, July 23 through Friday, July 27 at Faith Alive Ministries, located at 125 W. West Street in Wind Gap. For additional information, call 610.863.6911.

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, July 15 at the Mt. Bethel Volunteer Fire Company's 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 for adults 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.

Bangor Farmers Market Reopens July 7

The Bangor Farmers Market will be open Saturday, July 7 on the corner of First and Market Streets in Bangor. The market, sponsored by the Bangor Main Street Program and Bangor Borough, is open every other Saturday throughout the summer from 9 AM to 2 PM. Anyone interested in selling fresh produce, fruits, vegetables and crafts should contact Barbara Zavacky at 610.588.5174.

Blue Valley Garden Club Holding Meeting

The Blue Valley Garden Club will hold its monthly meeting at 7 PM on Monday, July 9. The meetings are held the second Monday of each month. For more information, contact President Carol Akam at 610.599.6216.

Slate Belt Corvette Club Holding Monthly Meeting

The Slate Belt Corvette Club (SBCC) will hold its next monthly meeting at 9 AM on Saturday, July 7 at Lee’s Café. The club meets the first Saturday of each month. Lee’s Café is located at 103 South Robinson Avenue in Pen Argyl. For more information, call Norm at 570.897.5956 or Jeff at 610.841.6403.

Slate Belt AARP Holding Annual Picnic

The Slate Belt Area Bangor Chapter # 4135 of AARP will hold its annual picnic at 12 PM on Monday, July 9 at Wind Gap Borough Park. The menu includes hot dogs, hamburgers, fried chicken, baked beans, pasta, salads, pickled cabbage and cold and hot drinks. Officers elected for the 2007-2008 term will be installed at the picnic. Entertainment will be provided by Eric Kearns. Only members who purchased tickets may attend. Call 610.863.9272 with any questions.

Vendors Sought for Mt. Bethel Carnival

Mt. Bethel Volunteer Fire Company is seeking indoor and outdoor vendors for its third annual carnival on August 2, 3 and 4. The cost is $60 for three days and all interested parties must register by July 7. To reserve a spot, call 570.897.6720 after 5 PM.

Washington Twp. Ladies Aux. Atlantic City Bus Trip

Washington Township Ladies Auxiliary is sponsoring an Atlantic City bus trip on Saturday, July 14. The cost is $24 per person with $20 in return and $8 for food. The bus departs the Washington Township Firehouse at 8 AM. For tickets call Robert at 610.588.3984 or Ruth at 610.588.7402.

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, July 11. 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.

Merchants National Bank Celebrates Grand Opening of Nazareth Office

Merchants National Bank recently celebrated the opening of its newest location at 44 South Broad Street, Nazareth, PA, with a VIP Cocktail Reception held on May 31 st and a Grand Opening event on June 2 nd . A portion of the Grand Opening was dedicated to a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially kick off the new branch. Merchants used a “money ribbon”, made of actual currency totaling $250, which was later donated to the Nazareth Vigilance Hose Company #1. Accepting the ribbon for the fire company was Carl Strye, Jr., President. Speaking on behalf of the Bank were CEO Anthony J. Biondi, and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Richard M. Hotchkiss. Also offering words of welcome and congratulations were Mayor Earl Keller and Joe Negrao, Jr., Nazareth Chamber Board Chairman.

Over 100 invited guests enjoyed the Cocktail Reception, which featured an art exhibit by local artist Fran Macdonald. Merchants National Bank commissioned Macdonald's newest watercolor painting, “The Whitefield House at Dusk”. Merchants is offering a free print of the painting, which measures 28” x 24”, to anyone opening a new account at the Nazareth Office with a deposit of $250 or more.

During the daylong Grand Opening event the public was invited to tour Merchants' new branch and enjoy free food and soft drinks, face painting, and games. Music was provided by local DJ Bill Ruggiero. Entry blanks are on hand at the Nazareth Office for a drawing that will be held on June 30 th , with the grand prize being a four-day trip for four to Colonial Williamsburg, VA. Other prizes include gift baskets from Something Unique Boutique and Franklin Hill Vineyards.

Biondi said of the events, “We are overwhelmed by the hospitality shown us by our Nazareth friends and neighbors. The warm reception we gratefully received from the Nazareth community only validates further our commitment to the town and the surrounding area.”

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 Market 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.

Bake Sale to Benefit Waggin’ Tails Pet Rescue

Waggin' Tails volunteers are baking lots of delicious treats and will have them for sale at 10 AM on Sunday, July 8 at Kinsley's ShopRite, located on Route 209 in Brodheadsville. Everyone is welcome to stop by and get a delicious homemade treat with all proceeds benefiting Waggin' Tails homeless and abandoned animals in their sanctuary and in foster homes. Waggin' Tails is a no-kill animal rescue organization completely dependent on donations. For more information, visit www.waggintailsrescue.com, call the office at 570.992.4185 or email information@waggintailsrescue.com.

Grucela Bill Giving School Districts Room to Plan Passes House

The House of Representatives today unanimously passed legislation introduced by state Rep. Richard Grucela, D-Northampton, that would require school districts to be given advance notice of impending residential development. The bill was sent to the Senate for consideration.
“This is a very effective way to offer school districts a heads-up so they can plan accordingly for growth,” Grucela said. “Whether planning to expand their facilities or educational materials, this legislation would provide schools the information they need to make fiscally savvy decisions for the future.”

The bill, H.B. 71, would require municipalities to notify the superintendent of a school district within a month when a residential development or planned residential development has been finally approved by the municipality’s governing body.

The notice would have to include the location of the development, the number and types of units to be included in the development, and the proposed construction schedule of the development.

Grucela said the legislation would help areas like the Lehigh Valley, where many school districts are already overcrowded.

According to a 2007 Lehigh Valley Planning Commission report, the Lehigh Valley has experienced a period of hyper growth compared to the rest of Pennsylvania. Over the past five years, the population in the Lehigh Valley has increased by an average of 3,543 residents annually. Housing has increased by 13,693 units for an annual average increase of 2,739 units.

Between 2001 and 2005, the Lehigh Valley experienced new housing development due to the approval of 17,000 new residential units.

“Many residents are new to the area, and they find the housing very affordable when compared to where they are relocating from – New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia,” Grucela said. “But this new development comes at a cost to many in the region who find it difficult to secure affordable housing, and to school districts that are currently unable to accommodate the increased student population.”

First Friday Fun Dances at NCC’s Southside

NCC dance instructors will be at the Fowler Family Southside Center in Bethlehem on Friday, July 6, and Friday, August 3, from 8 to 10 PM playing all the music for all the dance classes taught at NCC. Anyone is welcome to come and dance the night away! Pre-registration is required, and the fee is $10 per person. To register, visit www.northampton.edu and click on Search Courses. Or call 877-543-0998 to register over the phone using a credit card. NCC’s Fowler Family Southside Center is located at 511 E. Third Street in Bethlehem. For more information, call 610-861-4175.

Amadeus Opens at the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival

The nature of genius and the power of envy collide in Peter Shaffer's Tony award winning drama, Amadeus, opening under the direction of Dennis Razze at the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival through July 8.

Shaffer creates a complex and dissonant portrayal of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the musical genius of the 18th century, and the events which occurred during his mysteriously short life. Amadeus, whose name literally means "loved by God," inspires rival musician Antonio Salieri to question his faith, asking why God would bestow such a magnificent gift on someone Salieri considers grossly unworthy.

Salieri divulges his callous opinions directly to the audience, conveying Shaffer's themes of envy and desire. The playwright's unconventional account -- weaving real events with imaginative conjecture -- dispels the traditional "porcelain" portrayal of Mozart.

This fantastic tale of scandal and jealousy is driven by Salieri, played by William Elsman. Elsman recently performed the title role of Macbeth at the Texas Shakespeare Festival and Don Quixote in The Adventures of Don Quixote at the National Theatre of the Performing Arts. Steve Burns, star of the popular children's program Blue's Clues, portrays Mozart as the immature, unruly, and boisterous socialite who possesses an obvious gift of musical talent, thrilling all of Vienna. Burns, a former DeSales student and Festival company member appeared as Francis Flute in PSF's 1994 production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, also directed by Dennis Razze. Janine Barris, whose Broadway, Off-Broadway, and TV/film credits include Bobbi Boland starring Farrah Fawcett, plays the vivacious Constanze Weber, Mozart's wife.

Directing the production is Dennis Razze, the Associate Artistic Director of the Festival and DeSales University's Director of Theatre. He directed last season's acclaimed production of My Fair Lady, in addition to past productions including Man of LaMancha, As You Like It, and A Midsummer Night's Dream. Lisa L. Zinni, whose PSF costume designs include My Fair Lady, The Imaginary Invalid and The Man of La Mancha, returns to design the lavish dress of the aristocratic Viennese court. Will Neuert, whose PSF set design credits include Othello (1996), Hamlet (1995, 2002), and Macbeth (1993), designs the18th century Rococo-styled set. With credits including PSF's My Fair Lady, Henry IV, Part 1 and Around the World in 80 Days, Eric T. Haugen returns to design lighting. Sound design is produced by Matthew Given, who marks his fourth consecutive season as PSF's resident sound designer.

Performances of Amadeus are Tuesdays at 7 PM; Wednesdays through Fridays at 8 PM; Saturdays at 2 PM and 8 PM (no 2 PM on Saturday, June 23); Sundays at 2 PM; Family night: Sunday, June 24 at 7:30 PM.

Single ticket prices range from $27 to $45. Discounts are available for seniors, students, and groups. Season tickets are still available and offer patrons the greatest discounts and flexibility. For ticket information, contact PSF at 610.282.9455, ext. 1, or www.pashakespeare.org.