Man Injured in Shooting on Spring Garden Street

A man was shot and injured Monday afternoon on the 300 block of Spring Garden Street at about 3 p.m., Easton police report.

The 29-year-old victim's injuries don't appear to be life threatening, and he is being treated at an area hospital, they added.

The Easton Police Department says the shooting does not appear to be a random act, and that their preliminary investigation indicates the man was specifically targeted.

Police added their investigation is active and ongoing.

If anyone has information regarding this incident, they are encouraged to contact police.  Callers can remain anonymous through the Easton police tipline at 610-250-6635, or they can  contact Inspector Daniel Reagan at 610-250-6796 with any information.

This Week in Easton, May 27 to 30

It's always great to start the week with Monday off, isn't it? Don't forget to thank a vet!

Monday, May 27

Today is Memorial Day, a federal holiday. Schools and government offices are closed, as well as many businesses.

Easton Memorial Day Parade: Begins at 10:30 a.m. Main route is along Northampton Street, running Easton from Sixth Street.

Comedy Show: 8 p.m. Rivals, 5 Lehn's Court. 610-392-2932 or www.rivalseaston.com

Tuesday, May 28

Bird Walk: 7:30 a.m. to noon. Join Preserve Manager and Natural Lands Trust Wildlife Coordinator Tim Burris to hunt for the chestnut-sided warbler, eastern bluebird, and other species that call Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary forests and meadows home. Wear sturdy walking shoes, and bring a water bottle. No preregistration is necessary. Free. Walks will meet in the parking lot. Walk will proceed in misty conditions but cancel in case of downpour or lightning. Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary, Sunnyside Road (from Rte.611, take Spring Hill Road, make a right onto Sunnyside, follow it to the end), Williams Township. Click here for more information or email timburris@natlands.org

Duplicate Bridge: 11:30 a.m. Temple Covenant of Peace, 1451 Northampton St.

Palmer Township Board of Supervisors meeting: 7 p.m. In the Palmer Library meeting room, at the Municipal Complex, 1 Weller Place (off of Newburg Road), Palmer Township.

Forks Township Planning Commission workshop meeting: 7 p.m. Forks Township Municipal Complex, 1606 Sullivan Trail, Forks Township.

Line Dancing: 7 to 9:30 p.m. Beginner lessons 7:15 p.m. Open dancing follows. $5 per person. Tatamy Fire Company, 164 Bushkill St., Tatamy. 610-759-2786 or www.purecountrydancers.com.

Williams Township Athletic Association meeting: 8 p.m. Williams Township Municipal Complex, 655 Cider Press Road, Williams Township.

Wednesday, May 29

"Rebuilding in the Aftermath of the Sandy Hook Tragedy": 1 p.m. Newtown Police Chief Michael Kehoe and First Selectman E. Patricia Llodra will talk about the challenges of leading a community rocked by violence. Free and open to the public. Lafayette College, Kirby Hall of Civil Rights, Room 104. Click here for a Lafayette College campus map. Click here for more information about the talk.

Non-fiction Book Group Discussion: 7 p.m. This month's book is "The Richest Woman in America: Hetty Green in the Gilded Age" by Janet Wallach, who chronicles the life of the financially shrewd, personally eccentric "Witch of Wall Street." New members are welcome. Easton Public Library, Marx Room, 515 Church St. For more information, call the Library at 610-258-2917 ext 393 or email maryannh@eastonpl.org

Texas Hold'em: 7 & 9 p.m. Free. La Pazza, 1251 Ferry St. 610-515-0888 or www.lapazza.com

Brosky & Meyers: 7 p.m. The Widow's Tavern, 200 Main St., Stockertown. 610-365-8890 or www.widowstavern.com

Open Mic with Scott Harrington: 9:30 p.m. Porters' Pub, 700 Northampton St. 610-250-6561 or www.porterspubeaston.com

Jam Session: 8 p.m. Hosted by Lou Franco. Rivals, 5 Lehn's Court. 610-392-2932 or www.rivalseaston.com

Thursday, May 30

Cops 'n Kids Reading Room open: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Children receive three free books for visiting. Easton Area Community Center, back entrance, 901 Washington St. 610-250-6562

The Ojespa Jazz Project: 8 p.m. Porters' Pub, 700 Northampton St. 610-250-6561 or www.porterspubeaston.com

Bring (or wear) Your Own Vinyl night: 8 p.m. to midnight. With the Easton Record Exchange. Black & Blue, 683 Walnut St. 610-438-3604 or www.blackandblueeaston.com

Karaoke with Off the Grid Entertainment: 8 p.m. Rivals, 5 Lehn's Court. 610-392-2932 or www.rivalseaston.com

Karaoke: 8 p.m. Riegelsville Tavern, 1274 Easton Road, Riegelsville. 610-510-3030 or www.riegelsvilletavern.com

Lelica and BD Lenz: 9 p.m. Two Rivers Brewing Company, 542 Northampton St. 610-829-1131 or www.tworiversbrewing.com

Zoo Zoo & The Capsized: 9:30 p.m. Pearly Bakers, 11 Centre Square. 610-253-9949 or www.pearlybakers.net

"This Week in Easton" lists what's happening during the weekdays, from special events to who's playing to government meetings, all in one handy place. Not just in the City of Easton, but for the entire greater Easton area...Published every Monday morning!

Is there a community or entertainment event you'd like to see here? Are you organizing something you'd like to have posted? Did we miss something? Email us!

Film Screening to Promote Awareness of Food Insecurity

The Peanut Butter Project will present the documentary film, “A Place at the Table” on Thursday, June 6, at 6:30 p.m. at the Nurture Nature Center, 518 Northampton St., in Downtown Easton. 

Doors open at 6 p.m., and the event includes a local food reception catered by Balasia. 

"This film presents the true portrayal of what it is like to be 'food insecure' in America today," says Nancy Walters, a Forks Township resident and the founder of the Peanut Butter Project.  "The movie is powerful, and all too true; the hidden reality is that hunger is local.  Over 500 families, 1800 people, rely on our downtown food pantry, and Easton has several other neighborhood pantries serving others. Hunger is not just an urban issue; our suburbs are also in need of food assistance programs, and access to healthy food is a critical issue."

Attendees are asked for a $10 donation to cover the cost of the reception and film and to bring a jar of peanut butter (any kind, any size) or jelly (plastic jars) to be donated to ProJeCt’s interfaith food pantry.

All are welcome, but seating is limited. RSVPs are appreciated. Please call 610-253-4432 or email Nancy Walters at "nancywalters" at rcn.com to RSVP. 

The Peanut Butter Project was founded in June of 2012 to respond to an emergency need for peanut butter at the ProJeCt food pantry in Downtown Easton.  It has evolved to promote hunger awareness and improve community understanding of local hunger issues, which includes poverty, inadequate food assistance and the high cost and availability of healthy food, which affects child development, education and health. 

The Peanut Butter Project has established additional food pantry collection locations, organized food drives, provided speakers on local hunger issues, partnered to create a “backpack” program for schoolchildren, organized collection of priority staples and will be announcing an app for Android phones in the near future to provide real time information about food pantry needs and collection points.

For more information about the Peanut Butter Project, contact Walters via email at  "nancywalters" at rcn.com or call her at 610-253-0726.

Our Lady of Lebanon Celebrates the Ordination of One of Easton's Own

By Christina Georgiou


Father Alexander Joseph, right, greets
parishioners after his ordination Saturday
at Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic
Church in Downtown Easton.

 About 400 local parishioners, visitors, and members of the clergy gathered Saturday to celebrate the ordination of Easton native Alexander Joseph Saturday at Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church.

Father Alex, as he's now known, was ordained as a priest at the church Saturday morning by the Most Rev. Gregory Mansour, bishop of Saint Maron of Brooklyn, and the religious rite was followed by a noontime dinner reception at the church's banquet hall immediately afterward.

Clergy from several states along the East Coast travelled to Easton to witness and celebrate the event. They were joined by a number local Catholic clergy members as well.

The atmosphere at Our Lady of Lebanon was one of happiness and joy at the momentous occasion, and
Monsour praised Joseph's unwavering faith and dedication.

"Some people take the priesthood for granted," Monsour said. "He never has."

Joseph's ordination is the culmination of eight years of hard work and schooling. He attended Our Lady of Lebanon Seminary in Washington DC, where he currently resides, as well as Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Connecticut.

During that time, he has overcome a number of health issues as well.


Father Alexander Joseph, right, speaks at his ordination
reception Saturday, accompanied by Our Lady of Lebanon
Deacon Anthony Koury, left, and the Most Rev. Gregory
Monsour.

"I'm so tired," Joseph joked, thanking the crowd for their attendence and support at his ordination celebration.

"I ask you to keep me in your prayers, and be assured of mine," he added.

In addition to the prayers, congratulations, and good wishes of family, friends, and the congregation, the church's Holy Name Society and the St. Theresa Sodality gifted Joseph with a set of vestments. The gesture was clearly an emotional moment for all.

And, they will undoubtedly be useful in the immediate future, as Joseph is set to lead his first liturgy today, Sunday morning, at the church, which will also be followed by a midday dinner reception for the congregation at the banquet hall.



The ordination of Father Alexander Joseph on Saturday
drew members of the clergy from near and far.

 After that, he said, he will be returning to Washington DC where he has a room at the seminary for a couple of weeks, while the Maronite Eparchy decides where to place him permanently. During that time, he expects he will be filling in for priests in a variety of locations who are taking short vacations.

While Joseph doesn't know where his assignment will take him, he said it will most likely be somewhere within one of 16 eastern states that comprise the Washington DC eparchy, and he won't be too far away from Easton.

George Moussa, who helped in the kitchen during the
ordination reception, shows off his handiwork on a plate of
hummus. The festive occasion drew a crowd of 400 to Our
Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church on Saturday, all
of who were fed by a dedicated volunteer kitchen staff.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime celebration," said parishioner George Moussa, who added that he's only been to one other ordination of a priest, years ago, in Lebanon. "To have someone ordained from our community, born and raised here...It's really remarkable."

 



Easton Mayor Sal Panto, right, with city controller and
Our Lady of Lebanon parishioner Tony Bassil.





Father Alex arrives at his ordination reception, to applause from the 400 attendees.



Prayers and blessings are offered before the food is served, and, below right,
Antoinette Elias sings the national anthem. Afterwards, left, Monsignor
Maroun Asmar leads the Lebanese national anthem.





Even the raw kibbee reflects the religious nature of the event.



Father Alexander Joseph, with his friend Deacon George Hajj, who will be ordained on July 5.

  



      

Christopher Karam, 7, of Palmer Township, happily helps with cleanup, while right, Marcella Karam, 11, hugs her brother Marc, 6.

Neighborhood Center to Hold a Night at the Races

The Easton Area Neighborhood Center (EANC) will hold its most important fundraiser of the year, "A Night at the Races" on Friday, June 7, from 6 to 9 p.m., at the Palmer Township Fire Company, located at 950 South 27th St. in Palmer Township.

The event will feature 12 horse races, and attendees will get fake money to bet with, which will also be good towards raffle chances on spa sessions, restaurant gift certificates, sports tickets, and gift baskets.

Dinner and free soda and beer are included in the price of tickets to the event, which is $20 per person in advance, or $25 at the door.

A number of sponsorship opportunities are also available for the event, ranging in price from $100 to $1000. Sponsors will be recognized with free tickets, "horse ownership", program ads, name on the sponsorship board, and in-person thanks and recognition at the event.

People can also "buy" a horse for $25. "Owners" of winning horses will receive $75 in real money.

Ads in the Night at the Races program are also available at the following rates: a full-page ad is $100, a half-page ad is $65, and a quarter-page ad is $35.

The EANC provides a variety of services to low- and moderate-income residents of Northampton County, including rent and utility assistance programs, a food pantry, a shelter for homeless families, a mentoring program for pregnant and parenting teens at Easton Area High School, and a program to help individuals diagnosed with psychiatric conditions manage their finances and live independently in the community.

All proceeds from the Night at the Races fundraiser will go directly to supporting these programs.  Donations are tax deductible.

For more information about A Night at the Races, to become a sponsor or program advertiser, or for more about the EANC, call 610-253-4253 or visit www.eastonareaneighborhoodcenter.org

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

Northampton Community College Commencement Includes Easton Graduates

Northampton Community College held its 45th Spring Commencement on Thursday, May 23, awarding associate degrees, diplomas, and certifications to 846 students ranging in age from 18 to 82.

The following individuals from Easton and the Easton area were among the graduates:

 

Nazaarah Abdunafi, AAS; Kyle Apgar, AA; Anthony Assise, AA; Justin Barr, AAS; Stacy Beaty, AS; Fredric Berdux, AAS; Kevin Bilza, SD; Brian Blonski, AS; Leisa Branum, SD; Svitlana Brazzo, AAS; Zachary Brennan, AS; Tammie Bryant, AAS; Tom Burket, AAS; Tejal Byatt, AAS; Julian Castillo, AA; Dylan Catino, AAS; Jonathan Catucci, AAS, AAS; Dawn Cavanaugh, AAS; Matthew Cenac, AA; Jacob Chamberlain, AA; Phillip Chaney, SD; Rosemary Coleman, AA; Laura Craig, AA; Scott Crivellaro, AAS; Amanda Deluca, SD; Paul Edmonds, AAS; Adam Emsweller, AAS; Sharlene Fernandez, AAS; Adbiel Figueroa, AAS; Tori Finlay, AS; Salvatore Fortunato, AS; Tiara Foster, AA; Cecilia Fuentes, AAS; Justin Gabrie, SD; Frank Gianguzi, AA; William Godley, AA; Sarita Gonzales-Cruz, AAS; Zachary Goodrich, AA; Angela Griffin, AAS; Brandi Gulick, AA; Chelsea Gyorfi, AA; Anthony Hanni, AA; Daylan Hartranft, AA; Amy Hennigan, AAS; Sitara Hines, AA; Bethany Hoogerhyde, AA; Bethany Hoogerhyde CERT; Sarah Hoppock, SD; Brandon Hunt, AA; Benjamin Jackson, AA; Katherine Jurgens, SD; Leila Karam, AAS; Amelia Keefe, AA; Marsha LaBar, AAS; Vincent LaFragola, AAS; Tyler Lameo, AAS; Patrycja Lazewska, SD; Matthew Lear, AAS; Janelle Levisay, AAS; Jeffrey Lovaasen, AA; Ashley Lozada, AAS; Jason Manhertz, AA; Jaclyn Marcantonio, AAS; Andrew McCalla, AAS; Eric Miller, AA; Lauren Miller, SD; Andrew Miller, AAS; Brandi Miller, AAS; Rachel Monti, AAS; Filiberto Morales, AA; Salam Muheisen, AAS; Laura Nicoletta, AAS; Tonda O'Donnell, SD; Oscar Oguta, AAS; Ana Oliveira PA BRAZIL, SD; Patricia Patasnick, SD; Robert Pellen, AAS; Ryan Peschel, AAS; Alexis Peterson, SD; Lauren Poff, AA; Margaret Price, AAS; Kelly Quain, AA; Justin Queitzsch, AA; Letitia Quinlan, AA; Alitta Ramby, SD; Robert Reid, AA; Gabrielle Rissmiller, SD; Andrew Rivera, AAS; Alisha Roscioli, AAS; Kelsey Rothstein, AAS; Tania Sanmartin, SD; Faith Schnable, AA; Nicole Schuster, AA; Janell Shaheen, AA; Gurpreet Singh, AAS; Tarsem Singh, AAS; Jasmeet Singh, SD; Katie Smith, AA; Matthew Solberg, AAS; Gregory Stetler, AA; Katie Smith, AA; William Stone, AAS; Candice Stoneback, AA; Stephanie Stroppa, AAS; Colleen Sullivan, AA; Renetia Thompson, AAS; Annmarie Tomaino, AAS; Heather Tremper, AA; George Trilli, SD; Tam Trinh, AAS; Angelo Tsiounis, SD; Alex Tsiounis, AAS; Francis Tate, AA; April Tyburski, AA; Joseph Vassallo, AA; James Voag, AAS; Kelly Ward, SD; Ahjah Ward, AAS; Ericka Washam, AA; Krista Watters, AS; Tyler Weidaw, AA; Ashley Wilson, AAS; Tiara Wintermute, AA; Melissa Wittemann, AAS; James Wolff, AAS; Frank Young, SD; John Zielinski, AAS

 

Congratulations to all on your achievements!

• AA - Associate in Arts
• AS - Associate in Science
• AAS - Associate in Applied Science
• CERT - Certificate
• SD - Specialized Diploma