80th Annual Liberty Fire Company Carnival

BANGOR- 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. Live bands will entertain the crowd on Friday and Saturday nights. Acoustic Project performs Friday night and Uncle Smiley on Saturday night. New to the carnival this year is Beers Around the World. Samples of beer from Italy, Ireland, Mexico, Australia, Czech Republic and Jamaica will be available. The carnival will be held behind the Liberty Fire Company firehouse which is located at 67 North Eighth Street in Bangor. For more information call 610.588.2366.

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 Diane DiFebo who will present “Local Involvement in the American Revolution.” There are also several showcases of Native American artifacts from around the Lehigh Valley as well as the Jayne Mansfield collection through September 15. 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 Museum Featuring Local Artist

MT. BETHEL- The Slate Belt Museum is featuring a two-week exhibition of botanical illustrations in watercolors by Ginny Klute of Blairstown, New Jersey. Her work will be displayed Saturdays and Sundays, July 14, 15, 23 and 24 from 1 to 5 PM. The museum is located at 2214 North Delaware Drive in Mt. Bethel, on Route 611just north of the Route 512 intersection. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged.

Roseto Borough Summer Recreation Begins July 16

The Borough of Roseto is sponsoring summer recreation from July 16 through August 10, Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 12 PM at Roseto Borough Park. The program is open to children entering first grade through eighth grade, as of September 2007. There is no charge for children of Roseto Borough residents. Non resident fees are $30 for the first child, $20 for the second child and $10 for any additional child in the same family. Registration will be held at the Roseto Borough Park on Friday, July 13 from 7 to 8 PM and on Saturday, July 14 from 10 AM to 12 PM.

Bangor Schools & Bangor Library Co-Sponsoring Summer Reading Program

Super sleuths and daring detectives are invited to “Get a Clue At Your Library.” The 2007 Summer Reading Program is open to young people, preschool through children entering grade 5, this fall. There will be story hours, crafts, drawings and a reading incentive program. A special preschool story hour for kids who have not yet entered kindergarten will be offered at 10 AM each Friday at the Bangor Public Library. Children entering grades 1 through 5 this fall are invited to attend one session per week at one of the three locations, as the program will be the same at each location. Tuesdays the program will be held at 1 PM at the Bangor Public Library. Wednesdays the program will be at DeFranco Elementary at 12 PM. Thursdays Five Points Elementary will host the program at 10 AM. The program runs through July 27. For more information, call LouAnn Fehr at 610.599.7013, ext. 3309.

North Bangor Fire Ladies Aux. Tupperware & Bake Sale

North Bangor Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary is holding a Tupperware and bake sale from 10 AM to 4 PM on Saturday, July 14 at the North Bangor fire hall. There will be refreshments and all proceeds will be used for the fire company’s new kitchen. North Bangor fire hall is located at 301 Lake Minsi Drive in Bangor.

Slate Belt Farmers Market Now Open

The Slate Belt Farmers Market is open from 8 AM to 2 PM every Saturday and Sunday throughout the season and is located on Route 611 just outside of Portland.

Free Concert and Musical Auditions at Weona Park

Recording artist Kandida will perform at 4 PM on Saturday, July 28 at Weona Park. Musical auditions will be held after the concert and sign-ups will take place from 12 to 2:30 PM the day of the concert. For more information, call Kandi at 484.707.8188.

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.

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 Area High School Board July Meeting Dates

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

Portland Area Business Association Holding Sidewalk & Yard Sale Days

The Portland Area Business Association is hosting Sidewalk and Yard Sale Days in Portland’s antique district the second Saturday of each month through October. Spaces can be rented for $10 and participants must bring their own table. For more information, call Shepherds General Store and Pharmacy at 570.897.7437 or Knott Necessarily Antiques at 570.897.7140.

Vacation Bible School at Community Presbyterian in Mt. Bethel

Community Presbyterian Church is hosting Bible school from Monday, July 16 through Friday, July 20. Children ages 3-13 may attend each evening from 6 to 8 PM. The closing celebration will be held at 9:30 AM on Sunday July 22. The church is located at 1755 South Delaware Drive. For more information, call 570.897.6766.

Slater Basketball Holding Summer Camp

Bangor head basketball coach Bron Holland is conducting a week-long basketball camp 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. Camp will be held July 16 to July 20. The cost is $80. 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.

Bangor GFWC Holding Meeting

The Bangor Grand Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) will meet at 12 PM on Tuesday, July 11 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.

Golden Sunshiners to Meet

The Golden Sunshiners will meet at 1 PM on Wednesday, July 18 at the United Church of Christ in Flicksville. Steak sandwiches will be served at 12 PM and cost $5. Call 610.588.5133 before July 16 to place an order.

Bangor Elks Holding Country Line Dancing

The Bangor Elks Lodge #1106 is holding 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 Offering K9 Massage Session

Waggin’ Tails Pet Rescue is holding a session to introduce the dog's basic muscle structure and teach basic massage techniques for pets. The techniques are used to ease hip pain, back and knee problems, old age, excessive exercise, and general relaxation. The class is presented by Vyolet Albano, an animal communicator, canine massage practitioner, Reiki practitioner and Chi Master with more than 25 years in the animal health care and rehabilitation fields. The class will be held at 7 PM on Friday July 20 at the Waggin Tails office located on Route 209 in Brodheadsville (1/4 mile north of Route 715, next to the office of Dr. David H. Pierce). The cost of the session is $40 with a portion of the proceeds going to benefit Waggin' Tails Pet Rescue. For more information or to make a reservation, call Vyolet at 570.619.6016 or DogStarEngergyCenter@yahoo.com.

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, July 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.

Monroe County Garden Club Tour

The Monroe County Garden Club is offering a garden tour from 10 AM to 5 PM on Saturday, July 14. Visit the gorgeous secret and hidden gardens in Monroe County. The self-guided tour features many beautiful gardens with interesting and uncommon plants including outstanding perennial gardens; woodsy and wonderful shade gardens; a delightful children's garden; the fabulous secret garden of an award-winning sculptor; water gardens, ponds and waterfalls; herb and vegetable gardens and the wonderful community garden that the club maintains. The garden owners will be available to answer questions. A description of each garden and directions will be provided and most gardens will have refreshments. Most of the gardens are not handicapped accessible. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 on the day of tour and can be purchased from Monroe County Garden Club members or by calling Sheila Bortree at 570.629.0279 or emailing monroecountygardenclub@yahoo.com. Tickets may be purchased on the day of the tour from 9 AM to 12 PM at the Patricia Hoot Kresge Garden, American Cancer Building, Route 209/West Main Street in Stroudsburg or David Miller Park, behind Dansbury Depot, between Crystal and Analomink Streets in East Stroudsburg. The rain date is Sunday, July 15.

Meals on Wheels Seeking Volunteers

Meals on Wheels delivers 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.

Philly Blues Diva Deb Callahan and Band at the Mauch Chunk Opera House

JTAMS Productions presents Philadelphia based blues singer-songwriter Deb Callahan and her band live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House on Saturday, July 14 at 8:30 PM.

Philadelphia's blues and soul drenched vocalist and songwriter, Deb Callahan grew up in the Boston area but has been a fixture on the mid-Atlantic music scene since the late 90's. During this time she has gained a reputation for writing creative blues, soul and roots influenced original music and using her powerful, dynamic, emotionally expressive voice and engaging stage presence to deliver a unique, high energy live show.

Deb's 2002 debut CD If the Blues Had Wings, garnered her positive acclaim from the blues and roots community and was featured as the hot debut in the October/November 2004 issue of Blues Revue Magazine. Deb Callahan is most often compared to singers such as Janis Joplin, Aretha Franklin, Etta James and Lydia Pense. Blues Revue referred to her as the next Bonnie Raitt and raved "Philly's Deb Callahan has the pipes, the songs and the raw talent to graduate to the next level.”

In 2005 Deb teamed up with producer and song-writer Chris Arms, to craft a contemporary sounding CD with all the elements of timeless blues. This collaboration produced one of her most celebrated releases "The Blue Pearl." From the New Orleans blues/funk of the title track "Blue Pearl Moon" to the marriage of traditional and modern in the "Credit Card Blues." Deb incorporates thoughtful and often funny lyrics to tell a modern day blues tale.

Deb's music has been played at radio stations around the United States and Europe, and receives regular airplay on WXPN (Philly) Blues, Folk Shows and the Women's Music Hour. She's also received airplay from WRDU in Newark, DE, WRSU in New Brunswick, NJ, WDIY and WMUH in the Lehigh Valley, PA area, WTMD in Baltimore, MD, WPFW in Washington DC, WMPG in Portland, ME, other parts of the US and stations around the world including Italy, Australia, Belgium, England, Germany and France. Doors for this concert open at 8 PM and the performance begins at 8:30 PM. To reserve tickets, or for more information, call 570.325.0249 or visit www.jtams.net.