Scene in Easton: Celebrating the 193rd Anniversary of Greek Independence

By Christina Georgiou

About 80 people gathered in Centre Square Saturday afternoon to witness the raising of the Greek flag in observance of the upcoming Greek Independence Day, on March 25.

Fr. Constatine Papadopoulos, of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Wilson Borough, led the gathering, along with State Representative Robert Freeman and Easton Mayor Sal Panto.

After a brief prayer in Greek, Papadopoulos spoke about the importance of freedom and liberty.

"Freedom is precious today, and it is the mother of liberty," he said. "It is freedom that allows us to have pride in our souls."

Young attendees wave smaller flags as they wait for the
Greek flag raising ceremony to begin.
Click on any photo for a full size view

He added, "We also appreciate the founders of America...this great, great nation."

Freeman, after presenting Papadopoulos with a declaration of recognition of the event from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, noted the influence of Greek culture on society as a whole.

"We acknowledge the many contributions of Greek Americans...Greek Americans have made America strong as so many other immigrants have made America strong," he said. "We also acknowledge the many contributions of Greek civilization to the world...The world owes a debt of gratitude to the Greek civilization. The world would not be the same without them."

The group, with many holding Greek flags, then sang the national anthem, followed by the Greek national anthem.

Before assisting parish president John Kariofillis with raising the Greek flag over Centre Square, Panto noted, "This Greek ethnic group in Easton is strong, and I hope it remains strong...We need our ethnic groups to remain strong so we as a country continue to prosper together."

Angelo Karaminas, 5, of Easton, dressed in traditional Greek garb for
the event.

Fr. Constatine Popadopoulos of the Annunciation Greek
Orthodox Church talks with a young parishioner at
Saturday's flag raising event on Centre Square.

 

A family watches as the Greek flag is raised
over Centre Square.

Fr. Constatine Popadopoulos reads the resolution recognizing
the event given to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church
by the state legislature after the event.

Scene in Easton: Cookies and Milk with Santa

By Christina Georgiou

Kids got to pick out free books from the
Cops 'n Kids Reading Room.
Click on any photo for a larger view.

Paxinosa School students and their families, comprising a crowd of about 500 in all, gathered at the school Thursday evening for milk and cookies, holiday activities, and the chance to meet Mr. and Mrs. Santa A. Claus.

Some merry volunteer elves catch a break
after serving cookies and milk.

Making holiday cards for troops stationed
overseas was one activity Wednesday
evening.

Courtney Boisseau from Head Start gives away small
gifts to passing children, as Weed and Seed Director
Laura Accetta looks on.

A group waits to participate in a holiday sing-along in the auditorium
at Paxinosa School Wednesday evening.

Members of Brownie Troop 8962 of Palmer Township, above
and below, wait for the sing-along to begin. Troop
members handed out musical instruments for participants
to play during the event.

Waiting to see Mr. and Mrs. Santa A. Claus.

 

Scene in Easton: Bacon Fest II

By Christina Georgiou

Kostas Karaminas, of Angelo's on North Fourth Street, cooks up some bacon
during Bacon Fest II, held Saturday on Easton 's Centre Square.
Click on any photo for a full size view

Kim Rothenbeck took first prize at the
the hog calling contest during Bacon Fest II
in Easton on Saturday.

Thousands of bacon lovers flocked to Easton and hammed up the porcine goodness Bacon Fest II had to offer Saturday on Centre Square--and there was quite a lot of it!

From bacon everything--including jams, chocolate-covered bacon, bacon ice cream, and a plethora of savory bacon culinary creations--to pig and weiner dog races, a hog-calling contest, and even "Art du Cochon", the day was packed with fun and food for all.

A sweet potato bacon cupcake with cranberry sauce filling and
goat cheese, mascarpone and cream cheese frosting by Ashley Barlow took first prize at the "Hog Heaven Cupcake Competition", while the honorable mention went to Jessica Delong for her cupcake featuring a bacon pecan crumble and brown sugar maple frosting.

Delong also took a prize at the competition for the presentation of her cupcake creation, and 13-year-old Gracie Barone, whose entry was a banana, peanut butter and bacon cupcake, got an honorable mention for her Elvis-themed presentation at the event.

Kim Rothenbeck, appropriately dressed in hot pink porcine accessories, won the hog calling contest for her energetic, amusing interpretation of attracting swine to come home, in front of an enthusiastic crowd.

Others made pigs of themselves, as a number of festival-goers were seen sporting snouts, piggy hats, and other animal inspired accessories celebrating the day.

Easton Farmers' Market manager Megan McBride chats with
the proprietor of Bacon on Wheels. The vendor was sold
out by mid-afternoon.

When it was all done, little bacon was left. Though most vendors had brought enough supplies to make it through the day, some others were seen packing it in or enjoying the festival themselves after the crowd had gobbled the last of their popular offerings.

Said one, "I guess we'll just have to bring even more next year."

Easton Hospital appropriately provided free cholesterol
screenings at Bacon Fest II on Saturday.

There was even pig-inspired art at Bacon Fest II.

Artist Charles Vail works on a pig painting at Bacon Fest II
held in Easton's Centre Square on Saturday.

Easton's Centre Square was temporarily renamed "Bacon Street" on Saturday.