40¢
70th Year, Issue No. 48 USPS 248-700
DECEMBER 1-7, 2011 A General Circulation Newspaper Serving The Community Since 1942
SERVING BATH, CHAPMAN, NORTHAMPTON, NAZARETH BOROS; ALLEN, E. ALLEN, MOORE, LEHIGH, BUSHKILL, LOWER NAZARETH & UPPER NAZARETH TWPS.
Members leaving NASD school Board lauded for their service
By BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
SERVICEMAN PAUL WILLIAMS and his family turn on the lights for Bath borough and later met with Santa Claus in the Bath borough building. – Home News photos
Northampton Area School Board honored retiring member Geraldine Skapits at their Nov. 21 meeting, and also recognized Brett Reichelderfer for his years of service. Mrs. Skrapits had served eight years and Reichelderfer, who was not present, has been a director for four years. Schools Superintendent Joseph Kovalchik said, “It’s a complex job as school director, give and take, and they do what’s best for the kids,” noting that together, “We’ve accomplished a lot.” He also gave tribute to two board members who have given eight years of service and who were re-elected: Jean Rundle, vice president, and David Gogel, president. They received certificates. Board member Jane Erdo said it has been an honor to
work with Mrs. Skrapits and wished her happiness. Also the same for Reichelderfer, whose family comes first. Jean Rundle also thanked Mrs. Skrapits, who received a gift from the board. The school board will have its reorganization meeting on Monday, Dec. 5 at 6:30 p.m. Other Matters • The Northampton County Tax Committee met on Nov. 10, and from that meeting it was announced that letters will be going out in early December to taxpayers regarding the county collection of all earned income taxes from municipalities and school districts in the county after Jan. 1, 2012. Terry A. Leh was appointed primary TCC voting delegate and Rose M. Roberts alternate. • Gogel, in reporting for the facilities committee, reported: Defibrillators are now in all
grades; a roof replacement for the maintenance building is slated for next year; lighting fixture replacement at the Moore Elementary School cost $3,130; solar flashing yellow lights at the school along Rt. 946 will be installed soon; lights at the maintenance building cost just over $2,000 after PPL rebate; and noted that the Borough of Northampton has agreed to work with the school district in regard to the middle school project, following a meeting with Mayor Thomas Reenock and LeRoy Brobst. • Kovalchik earlier noted that the bonfire scheduled for last Wednesday was cancelled because of rain, but said it would have been fun for the football players and fans. . . .He also reported that the Kreidersville Covered Bridge Christmas lighting cerContinued on page 9
Christmas lights go on in Bath By ALICE WANAMAKER The Home News
The Borough of Bath welcomed the Christmas season this past Sunday with the annual tree lighting ceremony held at the borough hall. The tree, which was donated by Robert and Lynn Billings was decorated earlier in the week by the Bath Lions. With construction ongoing at Monocacy Creek Park the borough Christmas tree is located at the borough building on Main and Washington Sts. In a beautiful ceremony orchestrated by Pastor Fran Merkel, the children's choir sang joyful music and welcomed Santa as he arrived on a fire truck. This year's tree was lit by service member Paul Williams and his two daughters. After the ceremony children were welcomed into the borough building where Santa was waiting to hear of their Christmas wishes and give the children small gifts. Mayor Donald Wunderler and his wife Joyce also provided free coffee, hot chocolate and cookies for visitors. Before he left town, Santa put a special mailbox in the parking lot of the Wells Fargo building at the corner of Main and Walnut Sts. He asked that children put their letters to him in that box before Christmas. As many letters as possible will be published in the Home News Christmas edition.
CHILDREN’S CHOIR sang songs to entertain at Bath tree lighting.
House tour, craft show By society this weekend
This Friday and Saturday, Dec. 2 and 3, are the dates for the annual Gov. Wolf Historical Sociiety house tour. The Candlelight tour will be held on Friday. As a Patron, for a donation of $40 for members ($48 for non-members), you will take a tour of six private homes, the Siegfried Log Cabin in Bath and view the Society’s three historic struc-
tures – the 1785 Wolf Academy, the 1795 Ralston-McKeen House and the late 1900’s Monocacy Schoolhouse. This Candlelight Tour begins at the Ralston-McKeen House promptly at 6 p.m. (opens at 5:30 p.m.), visits each of the decorated homes and concludes at the Wolf Academy at 9 p.m. with a catered light Continued on page 4