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.

 

Weekend Guide, December 13 to 15

In between shopping for holiday gifts, why not gift yourself with a bit of fun?

Friday, December 13

 

Millionaires' Row Holiday Open House Event: 5 to 8 p.m. At least 10 businesses along this historic section of Downtown Easton will feature several live music performances,  book signings, refreshments, art, strolling minstrels, re-enactors in period clothing associated with the Sigal Museum, and more, plus a number of special offers for shoppers. Click here for full schedule of events.

"This House Is For The Ladies" Book Signing: 5 to 8 p.m. Easton historian Ken Klabunde will sign copies of his new book which chronicles the history of the Simon Mansion. Part of the Millionaires' Row Holiday event. Third Street Alliance, in the library, 41 North Third St. Click here for more details.

Concord Chamber Singers Madrigal Yuletide Feast: Cash bar and dinner begins at 6 p.m., concert begins at 7 p.m. Tickets ar $45 per person. Northampton Country Club, 5049 William Penn Highway, Palmer Township. 610-252-4394, 610-252-4251, 610-253-2583, 610-258-6125 or www.ccsingers.org

The Large Flowerheads, Ugly Sweater Party with DJ Riske One: Band at 7 p.m., DJ at 10 p.m. Rivals Sports Bar & Nightclub, 5 Lehns Court. 610-923-7625 or www.rivalseaston.com

Line Dancing: 7 to 10:30 p.m. Lessons at 7:15 p.m. $5 per person for members, $6 for non-members. Tatamy Fire Company, 164 Bushkill St., Tatamy. 610-759-2786 or www.purecountrydancers.com

Bear Night: 8 p.m. to midnight. Annual potluck--bring a dish, dessert, appetizer plate, some hoho, or anything to add to the holiday fare. La Pazza, 1251 Ferry St. 610-515-0888 or www.lapazza.com 

Midnight Shift: 8 p.m. The Riegelsville Inn, 12 Delaware Road, Riegelsville. 610-749-0100 or www.riegelsvilleinn.com

Tom Goehring: 9 p.m. Two Rivers Brewing Company, 542 Northampton St. 610-829-1131 or www.tworiversbrewing.com

Bobby Clark: 9 p.m. Colonial Pizza & Spaghetti House, 136-138 Spring Garden St. 610-252-3033 or www.colonialpizzapub.com

DJ Mikey Z: 10 p.m. Riegelsville Tavern, 1274 Easton Road, Riegelsville. 610-510-3030 or www.riegelsvilletavern.com

The Fortunate Fall: 10 p.m. With Dan DeChellis on keyboards. Porters' Pub, 700 Northampton St. 610-250-6561 or www.porterspubeaston.com

Only Living Boy: 10 p.m. Pearly Baker's Alehouse, 11 Centre Square. 610-253-9949 or www.pearlybakers.net

DJ Chub Tone: 10 p.m. Dub's on Fifth, 402 South Fifth St., West Easton. 610-438-3827 or www.dubson5th.com

Saturday, December 14

Easton Farmers' Market Winter Mart: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. More than 35 vendors offering fresh, local and organic food and fine crafts. Runs every Saturday through April 26. At the former Weller Center, 325 Northampton St. 610-258-8500 or www.eastonfarmersmarket.com

Photos with Santa: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. $5 donation, benefits the Center for Animal Health and Welfare. TD Bank, 2417 Park Ave., Palmer Township. 610-252-7722 ext. 4

"SEVEN!": 6 to 9 p.m. "Come have a glass of wine, some munchies, and help us celebrate seven wonderful years on the Alley!  We wouldn't be here without your support, so stop in and let us thank you!  We'd love to see you!" Live music by Carter Lansing too. Just Around the Corner, 5 North Bank St. 610-258-9850

Fashion Show and Silent Auction: Cocktail hour from 7 to 8 p.m., show begins promptly at 8 p.m. T's Green Boutique, 456 Northampton St. 610-252-2728 or www.tsgreenboutique.com CANCELLED, rescheduled for January 4

Free Texas Hold'em: 7 & 9 p.m. Registration is 15 minutes prior to each game. La Pazza, 1251 Ferry St. 610-515-0888 or www.lapazza.com

Uncle Rocco, DJ Kevin Rogers: Band at 7 p.m., DJ at 10 p.m. Rivals Sports Bar & Nightclub, 5 Lehns Court. 610-923-7625 or www.rivalseaston.com

Steve Brosky and Jimmy Meyer: 8 p.m. The Riegelsville Inn, 12 Delaware Road, Riegelsville. 610-749-0100 or www.riegelsvilleinn.com 

Brittany Ann: 9 p.m. Two Rivers Brewing Company, 542 Northampton St. 610-829-1131 or www.tworiversbrewing.com

Robert Clark: 9 p.m. Riegelsville Tavern, 1274 Easton Road, Riegelsville. 610-510-3030 or www.riegelsvilletavern.com

The Brothers Duddy: 10 p.m. Porters' Pub, 700 Northampton St. 610-250-6561 or www.porterspubeaston.com

Assorted Musicians: 10 p.m. Pearly Baker's Alehouse, 11 Centre Square. 610-253-9949 or www.pearlybakers.net

Truth and Soul: 10 p.m. Dub's on Fifth, 402 South Fifth St., West Easton. 610-438-3827 or www.dubson5th.com

Sunday, December 15

"Tis the Season" Recital: 2 to 4 p.m. Performances by Piano Dreams students, guest pianists, and vocalists. Hampton Inn, 3729 Easton-Nazareth Highway, Easton (Lower Nazareth). 610-438-0994

Yoga Under the Sphere: 5:30 p.m. $15, proceeds go to the Shanthi Project, Nurture Nature Center, and Easton Yoga. Nurture Nature Center, 518 Northampton St.

Industry Night: 10 p.m. Rivals Sports Bar & Nightclub, 5 Lehns Court. 610-923-7625 or www.rivalseaston.com

Easton's most comprehensive guide to what's happening over the weekend, in the city and beyond, is published every Friday.

Are you planning an event? Did we miss something? Let us know! Email us.

Last updated at 5:39 p.m.

Three Honored by City for Decades on the Job

By Christina Georgiou

John Sproat, Ann Peake, and Tony Beck show off the clocks they received Wednesday evening in recognition of their
40th anniversaries as City of Easton employees.

Three City of Easton employees were recognized by city council Wednesday evening for dedication to their jobs over the course of four decades.

Ann Peake, John Sproat, and Tony Beck have each worked for the city for forty years.

Each was presented with a commemorative clock to mark the occasion.

"Since they all have a lot of time, we thought it was appropriate to give them a clock," Mayor Sal Panto said at the presentation.

While a number of city employees have been on the job for a long time, Peake, Sproat, and Beck are currently the longest serving, the mayor said.

"All of them have been actively employed, actively engaged, and they've been really, really good employees," Panto said.

Peake works in the city's financial department and answers incoming call to city hall, Sproat serves as supervisor for the wastewater collection bureau, and Beck is a supervisor in the city's wastewater plant.

The presentation of clocks is a first for the city, Panto said.

"We've never done this before," the mayor noted, adding that the city may make the gesture a tradition for such long-serving employees in the future.

The city's annual holiday and employee appreciation luncheon, where the service of other Easton employees will be noted, is next Friday, Panto said.

Easton 2014 Budget Passed Unanimously

By Christina Georgiou

The 2014 City of Easton budget was passed unanimously Wednesday evening, with no comment or discussion from city council.

The new budget holds property taxes at their current rate or 24.95 mills, but residents will pay more in Earned Income Tax (EIT) next year. A 0.2 percent increase in the EIT was passed by council members on November 13, raising the rate to 1.95 percent for residents. The EIT rate paid by those who work in Easton but do not reside in the city will remain at the current 1.75 percent rate.

A $110,000 shortfall in the budget will be rectified in January, city administrators said last month, suggesting that the money will likely be made up by not filling a currently vacant position on city staff and/or delaying hiring for a new position that is in the budget.

City administrators had previously attempted to fill the gap by proposing a $25 increase per unit in the annual residential licensing fee, but the move failed to get city council members' approval.

The 2014 budget calls for a general fund of about $32.27 million, an increase of approximately $700,000 over 2013.

Local Historian's New Book Chronicles History of Simon Mansion

Local historian and author Ken Klabunde's
new book, "This House Is For The Ladies"
chronicles the history of the Simon Mansion
on North Third Street in Easton.
Contributed image

For those that love history, a stroll through Downtown Easton is always a treat, and  the Simon Mansion is a standout among the many architectural gems that grace the neighborhood.

Those who wonder what the story is behind what is arguably the most beautiful building in the city are in luck, as local author/historian Ken Klabunde has just published a new book detailing the structure's history.

"This One Is For The Ladies" chronicles the history, with numerous pictures, of this glorious mansion which still dominates North Third Street, also known as "Millionaires' Row".

Built in 1904 by millionaire industrialist and silk mill owner Herman Simon for his wife and daughter, architect William Michler was reportedly ordered to"build the handsomest house in the Lehigh Valley because this house is for the ladies of the Simon family."

And, as the current home of Third Street Alliance for Women and Children, the mansion is still a house "for the ladies".

"...for the more than 100 years that the mansion has been here, it has been a house for his ladies, home to single working women, and now for homeless women and their children," Klabunde says in his new book. "I am sure that Mr. and Mrs. Simon are very proud to have their home utilized in this way to help others. After all, he spent a good deal of his life improving the quality of the life in the City of Easton."

Copies of "This One Is For The Ladies" are available at the Quadrant Book Mart, 20 North Third St., as well as at the Third Street Alliance, 41 North Third St.

Three upcoming book signing events are planned too--Friday, December 13, from 5 to 8 p.m.  during the open house on Millionaires' Row in the library at Third Street Alliance, and at the Quadrant on Friday, December 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and again on Saturday, December 21, also from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Easton Community Gardens Win Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Award

By Christina Georgiou

Second from left, Sophia Feller, who manages the West Ward Neighborhood
Partnership's community garden program, celebrates with Barbara DeStafano,
Elinor Levy, Yvonne Tugya, Lynn Holden, Joanne Czeck, Scott Slingerland,
and Lexy Rodriguez Tuesday afternoon at Daddy's Place in Easton. The
group had planned to accept the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s
Community Greening Award yesterday in a ceremony at the
Pennsylvania Governor's Mansion in Harrisburg, but cancelled their trip
due to the snowy weather.

Easton's community gardens and urban farm, programs run by the West Ward Neighborhood Partnership (WWNP), have been very popular and were an integral part of the city's experimental "Veggie Van" program this summer. And now, the program has received recognition outside the City of Easton as well.

Beating out 89 other nominees, the program was awarded Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Community Greening Award yesterday in a ceremony at the Pennsylvania Governor's Mansion, presented Susan Corbett and horticultural society president Drew Becher.

But, while WWNP staff, along with about a dozen volunteers, partners, and friends had planned to attend the ceremony to receive the award personally, snowy weather on Tuesday made the group decide to forgo the trip.

So instead, a number of those involved with the city gardening effort gathered at Daddy's Place, next door to WWNP offices, to celebrate the recognition yesterday afternoon.

Despite missing out on the chance to accept the recognition personally, community garden manager Sophia Feller said the honor means a lot to her and all the others involved in the community garden plots.

"It is wonderful for WWNP to be recognized by PHS for all the hard work, sweat, and...tears put into the community garden program over the past five years," she said in an email. "This award is for all of us, because it took every single volunteer and partner working together for a greener and kinder community to make the gardens and the urban farm grow as well as they have."

The award-winning project started with four urban community garden projects in 2008 and 2009 and has expanded to 13 gardens, an urban farm, a small greenhouse, and two summer garden programs for kids.  Free garden classes are offered each spring as well.

WWNP community garden mascot Rosa the Rabbit was also
present for the celebration.

Urban gardening initiative partners include the Easton Area Community Center, The School of Natural Learning, Spring Garden Children’s Center, Penn State Master Gardeners, HUD Senior Housing, Easton Area Neighborhood Centers, The Kellyn Foundation, Lafayette College, and The City of Easton that collectively bring a wide range of garden programing and education to West Ward residents. The community gardens were made possible by a grant from the Wells Fargo Regional Foundation.

In recognition of the honor, Easton City Council is expected to present a congratulatory citation to WWNP this evening at its December 11 meeting.

The WWNP was created by the Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley in 2005 to improve the quality of life for the densely populated West Ward.

ProJeCt Early Childhood Ed Program Gets Keystone STARS Designation

ProJeCt of Easton’s Early Childhood Education program has achieved the Keystone STARS designation, the organization has announced.

"Our Keystone STARS rating is important to us because it affirms our commitment toward providing quality early learning experiences to the children in our family literacy program," said Kris Hettrick, ProJeCt’s literacy program manager.

Keystone STARS is a state-funded voluntary program that promotes quality in child care, PA Pre-K Counts and Head Start Programs. Programs earn STAR ratings based on quality standards for teachers, classrooms, and program management.

ProJeCt’s Early Childhood Education program is designed for low-income families with children ages three months to five years. Activities promote early reading skills, such as the ability to identify the sounds of letters. Children enrolled in this program also have a parent who is enrolled in one of the organization's adult classes, promoting  family literacy and helping parents develop their skills as their child’s most important teacher.

ProJeCt is a community benefit human service agency founded by local clergy and community. Its services include emergency assistance, a food program, and case management support services that assist people in developing life skills and moving to self-sufficiency. Its educational programs include adult basic literacy, English as a second language, GED preparation, family literacy, and supplemental education programs for school age children.