Books, Gardening Celebrated at EACC

By Christina Georgiou

Volunteer Althea Ruffin checks out books for kids on Saturday.

Air Products volunteers serve ice cream frozen with liquid 

nitrogen at the EACC on Saturday.

The Cops 'n Kids Reading Room celebrated its second anniversary with a birthday party Saturday, with free childrens books, food, and a community gathering on Saturday at the Easton Area Community Center.

About 90 people attended, enjoying the festivities, which also included a science demonstration by volunteers from Air Products, making ice cream with liquid nitrogen.

The West Ward Neighborhood Partnership also held a garden fair at EACC. On hand were master gardeners from the Penn State University extension, who were available to answer

gardening questions.

Residents were treated to free plants and seedlings, including herbs and vegetables, as well as the opportunity to purchase larger specimens for a reduced price, free recycling bins, and other community-related activities.

Reading Room to Hold Birthday Party, Free Gardening Event

The Cops 'n Kids Reading Room is turning two years old, and a birthday party has been planned to celebrate the milestone.

The public is invited to the event, which will happen on Saturday, June 8. Free food, free books and fun activities at the reading room will follow a parade that begins at 10:30 a.m. at Centennial Park, South 12th and Ferry streets, which will progress to the Cops 'n Kids Reading Room at the Easton Area Community Center.

A tae kwon do demonstration, storytime with Dr. Seuss, a "mad science demonstration, child safety protection finger printing, and other activities are planned from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

There will also be a garden fair at the event, also from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., where West Ward Neighborhood Partnership gardeners will be giving away tomato, pepper, eggplant and other vegetable plants.

Composting and worm bin demonstrations, along with an interactive display for kids and families, and a raffle to win a basketful of flowers will also be part of the gardening celebration. Master Gardeners will be present to help with gardening questions.

Pre-planted tomato and basil pots will also be for sale for $10, and rain barrels will be available for $45.

Free recycling barrels will be available West Ward residents too.

The Easton Area Community Center is located at 901 Washington St. Both the Cops 'n Kids Birthday Party and the gardening celebration will take place in the rear of the building, accessible from South Ninth Street.

For more information about the event or about the Cops 'n Kids Reading Room, which aims to connect children and the community through literacy, visit www.copsnkidseaston.org

Peace Candle Lighting Draws a Crowd

By Christina Georgiou

Hundreds gathered in Centre Square Friday evening for Easton's annual Peace Candle Lighting ceremony and related seasonal events, including an appearance by Santa Claus.

Easton historian and centarian Jane Moyer was awarded the Gretchen Wrenshaw Award, which is granted each year to honor community service.

Centarian Jane Moyer received the
Gretchen Wrenshaw Award.

Mayor Sal Panto praised Moyer's life long commitment to the city, noting, "She's put in nearly 100 years of community service too."

"People say Easton’s nothing good anymore,” Moyer said. "But it’s here. We’re full of history."

The privilege of being the Imperial Illuminator--or the person who gets to pull the switch and light the Peace Candle for the first time of the holiday season--was won for a high bid of $280 by Tom Sestak.




Cindy Lytle, second from right, pulls the switch to light the
Easton Peace Candle for the first time of the season, while
her friends, left, and Easton Holiday Committee Chair Sandra
O'Brien-Werner, right, watch.

 But Sestak chose to bequeath the honor on his girlfriend, Cindy Lytle, who pulled the switch with three friends close at hand, to a cheer from the crowd.

As the candle glowed, Panto quipped, "It works. Our city electrician has a job for another year."

In addition to the award and lighting ceremonies, a number of other events and attractions amused the crowd, including performances by Easton Area High School Brass Ensemble, Uptown String Band and TubaChristmas.

An ice sculpting demonstration was sponsored by Velenca restaurant, a petting zoo and the opportunity to explore Easton Public Works heavy equipment and truck amused children, and Cops 'n Kids, sponsored by Just Around the Corner gallery, and gave out popcorn and small toys to children.

Children also decorated a Christmas tree on the Centre Square with ornaments they made at the COPS 'n Kids Reading Room, with the assistance of the Cops 'n' Kids volunteers and the Easton Area High School Red Rovers Basketball Team and Coach Hutnik. Pine cone bird feeders made in the Art in the Alley, an activity provided by the Easton Police Department, were also hung "as a gift to the birds of nature."

A volunteer helps a
child hang a decoration at
the Peace Candle Lighting
Friday evening.
(Photo contributed
by the Easton COPS 'n Kids
Reading Room.)

"We hope that residents will not only appreciate the beauty of the Peace Candle, but also the handiwork of the children who regularly visit the Reading Room to obtain free books on each visit as they come to know the joy of reading," said Judith Dickerson, director of the COPS 'n Kids of Easton reading room.



Retired Easton Police Detective Walt Howell and Patrolman Tim
Wagner give out toys to children



A young lady gets the chance to sit on Patrolman Carl Faulkner's motorcycle.





Scott Miernicki, with his son Wade, 9, sell
brownies and hot chocolate to benefit
College Hill's Cub Scout Pack 3.



Sue Ruggles, of St. John's Lutheran Church, helps children make seasonal crafts.