Gov. Wolf unveils plan for Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 Recovery, Page 7
The Home News Your Local News
APRIL 23-29, 2020
50 cents
Front lawn Concert rocks Holiday Hill In Bath by ERIN FERGUSON
Addison Bensing
Nazareth third-grader Offers words of hope, Strength, and faith During quarantine By KERI LINDENMUTH During the COVID-19 quarantine, hundreds of Facebook users have been logging on to the social media site to find words of encouragement and faith from Addison Bensing, a third-grader at Shafer Elementary School. The nine-year-old has been on a mission to inspire viewers with 30 Bible verses in 30 days. It was Addison’s mother Lynn who first had the idea as a way to bring positivity to the many who are facing a difficult situation. “Since the beginning of this quarantine...I have felt very strongly about the importance of both setting a good example
of how to handle difficult times and doing something positive in the midst of it,” she says. “I asked Addison if she wanted to do this and she immediately said yes and was very excited about it!” Giving back and getting involved is not something new to Addison. An avid animal lover, Lynn says she asked that the Easter Bunny donate pet supplies to the local shelters this year. These videos were another way Addison could give back. Lynn chose 30 Bible verses that focus on overcoming fear and anxiety, something there is no shortage of these days. She had Continued on page 2
This past Sunday, in the Bath neighborhood of Holiday Hill, Bobby Siegfried and a few neighborhood musicians joined forces to bring some musical joy to the community. Live From Studio B, Special Edition, Neighborhood Jam, took place around 2 p.m. after neighbors, Bobby Siegfried, vocals/guitar/piano, Bob Evraets, guitar, Rob Evraets, Jr., drums, Tony Eppolito, guitar, and Dan Knouse, vocals, decided to come together in a more than regulation social distancing way to perform a front lawn concert. “This past Sunday was really just about musicians wanting to jam together and hopefully entertain our neighbors and immediate community in a safe way. We are all so thankful that is was so well received," says Siegfried. Studio B is a recording studio that Bobby Siegfried built in the mother-in-law suite of his home. He has been a singer, songwriter and musician since he was a young child after his parents were told by their church organist that he could sing on key. He trained classically on the piano, but always had a desire to add a more modern twist to the music he played. He turned to the guitar in high school and throughout college. “I owe my parents a debt of gratitude that I don’t think I can ever repay. Music is everything to me and the piano, even though it took a back seat in my early 20's, is what really sets me apart. I don’t think a day has gone by Continued on page 2
Looking by Back Ed Pany Weaversville Part 5 of 14
Ms. Susan Jenkins, who researched the Weaver family history, provided us with a rare segment of local history, a Weaversville Academy circular and catalog from 1858. The public school system we have today dates back to 1834 when the state of Pennsylvania created the common school system. The law was a major accomplishment of Gov. George Wolf. Wolf, of German lineage, was born in what is now East Allen Township. The restored Wolf Academy in the township preserves the Wolf legacy. The Weaversville Academy, constructed in 1856, provided a high school classic education for parents who wanted their children to have a comprehensive curriculum. In 1856, there were no local high schools. The academy was really one of our first high schools! Today, if you travel south on Weaversville Road, the brick three-story building is a short distance from Walnut Street. The catalog belonged to Amanda Weaver Martinis, daughter of Samuel Weaver. It’s a real treasure of history. The 1858 catalog states: “This institution is in the quiet village of Weaversville, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, in the midst of fine healthy agricultural country. It is 14 miles from Easton and 3 from Catasauqua, on the Lehigh Valley Railroad. For healthfulness, beauty of scenery and freedom from temptations to vice and idleness, the
Photo courtesy of Margie Jenkins location is considered a very desirable one for a literary institution.” Could we still use this description today? Passengers from New York via Central Railroad of New Jersey and Lehigh Valley Railroad can reach Catasauqua in five hours. Direct daily communication with Philadelphia is secured by the opening of the North Pennsylvania Railroad to Bethlehem on the Continued on page 2
79th Year, Issue No. 17 www.homenewspa.com
USPS 248-700
New PHOTO OF THE MONTH contest! See page 7 for details.