Pen Argyl High School in Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania held the 2015 commencement ceremony on June 9th. This years valedictorian is Pierce Blasi, son of William and Dong Blasi. The salutatorian is Marissa Aranda, daughter of Christine Aranda. Pierce graduated with a

grade point average of 103.60 percent. He received the Academic Award in Math-ematics, Alumni Award as Top Junior and was the Rens-selaer Polytechnic Institute Medal Scholarship Winner. Pierce was a member of the JV Boys Basketball and Varsity Boys Tennis Team and the Colonial League Tennis All-League. He has recieved the Express Times All-Area Tennis Honorable Mention. Pierce plans to attend the Three Plus Two Science and Engineering program at Bloomsburg University/Penn State.Salutatorian Marissa

Aranda graduated with a grade point average of 102.48 percent. She received the Alumni Award, ASVAB Academic Award, Bausch

and Lomb Honorary Science Award, Academic Award in Mathematics, The Donley Award for Excellence, National Honor Society, Soccer Scholar Athlete, Colonial League Academic All Star, Cohen, Feeley, Alte-mose and Rambo Best of the Best Scholarship, Pennsylva-nia Association of Commer-cial Bankers Scholarship winner. She was a member of the Leo Club, Student Gov-ernment, Orchestra, Soccer

North Warren Regional High School in Blairstown, New Jersey will be holding this years graduation ceremony on Friday, June 19th at 6:45pm at the Fred T. Ehrgood Field. This years valedictorian is Kellie Smigel, daughter of Sally and Chris Smigel, and the saluta-torian is Fiona Schicho, daughter of Bernadette and Douglas Schicho.Kellie has received the

Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award, Outstanding Performance Award in Science, Outstanding Perfor-mance Award in Math, Coachs Award and High Point Award. She was the president of National Honor Society, vice president of Leo Club and assistant swim coach for the Belvidere Barracudas. She was a member of the Spanish Honor Society and the Science League. Kellie will be majoring in

Nursing at the University of Scranton, where she will also continue swimming for the Division III womens team.Salutatorian Fiona Schicho

has received the Princeton Book Award, Ballet Perfor-mance Awards and Girl Scout Silver Award. She was a member of National Honor Society, Peer Leadership, Friends of Rachel, Girl Scouts, Afghan School Project, Leo Club and Math National Honor Society. Fiona was the elected leader of French National Honor Society, she was selected as a mock trial lawyer and she was also a library volunteer.Fiona moved to Philadel-

phia, Pennsylvania this year to train at the School of Penn-sylvania Ballet. She will earn college credits as she contin-ues her ballet training through next year when she will audition for professional companies. Fiona also plans on majoring in nutrition.

Club, Scholastic Scrimmage, Mock Trial, Future Business Leaders of America, Angel 34, Field Hockey, Girls Soccer, Varsity Cheerleading and Track and Field. She was a soccer day camp coach, animal shelter volunteer and an American Cancer Society event volunteer. Marissa plans to attend Schreyer Honors College at Penn State for nursing with Pre-Med focus and to go on to medical school.

Bangor Area High School, located in Pennsylvania, will hold the 2015 commence-ment ceremony on June 11th at Bangor Memorial Park. This years valedictorian is Zoe Kallus, daughter of Craig and Darcy Kallus, and the salutatorian is Shatira Woods, daughter of Priemer and Adrienne Woods.

Zoe is a member of Student Government, National Honor Society and French Honor Society. She has received the Hugh OBrien Youth Leader-ship Award and the Donley Award of Excellence. She was also a part of the First Class Scholars Program at Lafayette College. Zoe plans

Roseto Helping Hands will be holding a hoagie sale now until June 12th. Options are Italian, turkey or ham. Orders must be placed no later than June 12th to Dorothy Ruffiero at 610-588-1363. Pick up will be June 17th at 11am at the Roseto Municipal Building on Garibaldi Avenue in Roseto. Salem UCC of Moore-

stown will be holding their strawberry festival on June 13th from 3pm to 9pm. In case of rain, food will be sold in the church from 3pm to 7pm.Bangor Area High School

Class of 1980 is holding their 35th class reunion on July 18th, at The Washing-ton. They are in search of addresses for the classmates whose invitations have been returned. If you or someone you know has not received an invitation and would like one, please email Susan Malavolta

Smith at Sjmith1 @ptd.net or Marcia Pearson Cox at marcia.coxllc@gmail .comEast Bangor United Meth-

odist Community Church is holding a Perkins' Pies Fundraiser now through June 14th. Pies can be picked up on July 3rd, from 12pm to 1pm and 5pm to 6pm. To place an order, call Stacy at 610-317-2671.Portland Community

Yard Sale Daze will be held on June 27th from 8am to 2pm, rain or shine. Vendors are still needed. You can also purchase a yard spot on the Portland map. Deadline to be on the map is June 20th. For more information, call or text Stephanie Steele at 610-216-6716, Cindy Fish at 973-600-7120, or email port landboroughpa@gmail.com. Bangor Area High School

Class of 1966 is seeking the addresses of the following classmates: Sondra Buskirk Baier, Patty Pysher Bennett, Debbie Hughes Bush, Patri-cia Crowley, Richard Danner, Glenda Dunk, Diana Gala-

tiota, Susan Rising DeBord, Tom Kittle, Jim LaBarre, Bob Mack, Charlene Pasqualino, Rita Danner Riley, Linda Repsher Silvius, Linda Meixsell Yeakel and Mikael Turner. Anyone with information can contact Karen Brewer at 610-588-8615.The BAHS Alumni Asso-

ciation is collecting used musical instruments to be donated to Bangors elementary band program. The instruments will be used as loaners for students who cannot afford them. For more information, call 610-588-5198.The Slate Belt Heritage

Center Oral History Proj-ect is seeking Slate Belt senior citizens who would like to be interviewed. If you know of anyone who has a story, contact Marc Blau at 570-897-5459.The Blue Mountain Com-

munity Library will once again be managing the Wind Gap Middle School Summer Reading Program. All students entering grades four through eight are required to read three books over the summer, as well as complete a writing assign-ment on a non-fiction book. This book may be from the list of books given by the school or from any book on the non-fiction shelves in the library. The books will be available in the library June 15th until August 15th. In order to borrow books, children must have a library membership. For those need-ing to open a membership, an adult with a valid PA drivers license must accompany the student. Membership is free to all residents living in the Pen Argyl School District. Blue Mountain Community Library is located at 216 South Robinson Avenue in Pen Argyl. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 10am to noon, and Monday through Thursday, 6pm to 8pm. For more information, call 610-863-3029 or visit www.bmcl.org.St. Johns Cemetery is

seeking donations to help with the upkeep of the cem-etery, roadways and monu-ments. They are also explor-ing the idea of adding a Com-munity Columbarium near the current Mosoleum. Dona-tions can be sent to: Carol Hummel c/o St. Johns Cem-etery, 136 Messinger Street, Bangor, PA 18013.Happy Birthday, Riley

Bohot! Riley will be 11 years old on June 12th.

Fresh, refrigerated and frozen foods are available to northwestern NJ residents at reduced prices through the Jolin Food Box program. The food assis-tance program offers a variety of ordering options, from breakfast-lunch-dinner combination packs, to boxes of dinner entrees, to special packages just for children. Each month features a variety of high-quality menu items from seafood and poultry to baked goods and prepared meals. The price of a single box ranges from $20 to $40. There is no limit to the number of boxes an individual or family can purchase and the menu changes each month. Inter-ested residents can order online with a credit card at www.jolinfoodbox.com or by calling Project Self Suffi-ciency at 973-940-3500. Payment is made when the order is placed. The next deadline for placing an order is Tuesday, June 16th; deliv-ery will be made to Project Self-Sufficiency on Saturday, June 27th. For more infor-mation, call 973-940-3500, or visit www.projectself sufficiency.org.West Jersey Soccer Club

U8 through U14 tryouts for fall 2015 will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6pm to 7:30pm, now through June 18th. The field is located at 12 Asbury Rd. in Broadway, across from Broadway Post Office, behind Rescue Squad, off of Rt. 57. For more information and age brackets, visit westjerseysoccerclub.org or call Coach Stahl at 908-619-7331. Participants and vendors

can now register for Blairstowns Annual Car Show, scheduled for June 20th at Sycamore Park. Those who wish to enter their cars, trucks and motorcycles can pre-register by emailing jamiedoatley@yahoo.com for a form or more informa-tion.The United Methodist

women are having a pastie sale on June 26th. Pasties are meat pies filled with potatoes and beef, with or without onions. Price is $5.50 each. Orders will be taken through June 21st. To order, call Michelle Peterson at 908-362-6703. Orders can be picked up at the First United Methodist Church, located at 10 Stillwater Road, in Blair-

stown from 4pm to 6pm. The Catherine Dickson

Hofman Library will be holding a Bookface Photo Contest now through June 30th. Line up real body parts so that they match a book cover image. Take a picture and drop it off at the library by June 30th. You can vote for your favorite during the month of July when photos will be exhibited in the librarys showcase. Ribbons will be awarded.Register your children

now for Blairstown Recre-ation Summer Day Camp. Summer Day Camp is for pre-schoolers ages four and five (age four by October 1st, 2014) and for boys and girls currently in grades K through six. The day camp offers weeks of socialization, events, crazy contests, games, Tidal Wave Tuesdays, arts and crafts and more. Summer Camp will be held Monday through Friday, June 29th through July 10th, from 9am to noon at Blairstown Elementary School. Registra-tion is accepted at the recre-ation office on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8am to 1pm, or by mail-in or drop-off box. For fees and more informa-tion, visit blairstown-nj.org and click on Recreation, or call 908-362-6663, ext. 232. Knights of Columbus

Assembly #3125 of Blair-stown is holding their annual flag sale for three feet by five feet nylon USA flags with deluxe embroi-

dered stars and sewn stripes. Donation per flag is $20. Call 908-362-9121 for pickup.Warren County Commu-

nity Senior Centers will be featuring exercise classes, including Tai Chi and Zumba Gold, guest speak-ers and activities. Lunch is served Monday through Friday and transportation is available upon request. For more information and locations, call 908-475-6591. Public Notice: In accor-

dance with the Adequate Notice provision of the Open Public Meetings Act, please be advised that the 2015 meeting schedule for the Warren County Mental Health Board is as follows: June 16th, July 21st, August 18th, September 15th, Octo-ber 20th, November 17th and December 15th at 5pm. Meetings will be held in rooms 123A and B at Warren County Community College, located at 475 Rt. 57 in Wash-ington.Public Notice: In accor-

dance with the Adequate Notice provision of the Open Public Meetings Act, please be advised that the 2015 meeting schedule for the Warren County LACA/DA is as follows: August 11th, October 13th and December 8th at 5pm.Meetings will be held in Meeting Room A--located on the first floor--at Warren County Department of Human Services, located at 1 Shotwell Drive in Belvidere.

Adult Fiction: Childs, Laura: Ming Tea Murder; Eickhoff, Randy Lee: The Forth Horseman; Evanovich, Janet: Explosive Eighteen; Ng, Celeste: Everything I Never Know You; Palmer, Diana: A Man For All Season; Steinbeck, John: The Grapes Of Wrath; Unger, Lisa: Crazy Love You.Adult Non Fiction:

Hoenig, Pam: Sunset Edible Garden Cookbook; Long, Becky: Transition Nutrition; Osmond, Marie: Might As Well Laugh About It Now; Pennington, Bill: Billy Martin, Baseballs Flawed Genius; Richards, Susan: Chosen By A Horse; Tabor,

James: The Jesus Dynasty; Taylor, L.B.: The Ghosts Of Virginia, Vol 3.Large Print Fiction:

White, Karen: Falling Home. Young Adult Fiction: Don-

nelly, Jennifer: Revolution; Green, John: Looking For Alaska; Nielsen, Jennifer: The Shadow Throne. Junior Fiction: Gutman,

Dan: Mrs. Lizzy Is Dizzy!; Sims, Lesley: Usborne Illus-trated Classics For Children.Junior Non Fiction:

George, Isabel: Animals At War; Tell Me About History.Easy Reader Non Fiction:

Bone, Emily: Storms And Hurricanes; Maclaine, James: Bees And Wasps.

The Children's Chorus of Sussex County, New Jersey will host two summer music camps at Christ Church in Newton from August 10th through 14th. A fun and creative Summer Music Day camp will be offered for students entering grades one through six from 9am to noon. Children enrolled in the program will participate in singing, moving, African drumming and a choir expe-rience. From 6pm to 9pm, CCSC

will offer a High School Vocal Workshop for singers

entering grade seven and up. Singers will work on reper-toire from classical and musical theatre, and learn how to prepare for college auditions as well as county, region and all state honor choirs. The staff consists of professional singers and actors.Christ Church is located at

62 Main Street in the heart of downtown Newton, NJ. For more information and to register, please visit the Childrens Chorus of Sussex County website at www. ccscsings.org.

By Jennifer LivelyOften in early recovery,

clients are referred to as being in a state of Denial. This means that they are not 100 percent ready to apply them-

selves to an addictions program of recovery. Sometimes they set up new

conditions for their addiction, such as saying they will cut back, or use less. These

Local excitement for Jeff Alte Jr. Roofings Warren and Hunterdon County No Roof Left Behind free roof give-away program is building. Members of the public have submitted more than 20 stories of friends, family members and colleagues in need of a new roof online at www.noroofleftbehind.com/program/nj/1196.We are honored to be a part

of a community that rallies

around its members so well, said Jeff Alte Jr., owner. The outpouring of nominations is unbelievable and all of the stories are incredibly touch-ing. The finalist process will definitely be a tough one.Nominations will be

narrowed to four finalists. Finalists stories and photos will be displayed on Jeff Alte Jr. Roofings No Roof Left Behind homepage. From June 15th through July

partial efforts are usually a way to appease family mem-bers or deny that their addic-tion is as advanced as it may be. If you or someone you love

is facing a problem with a substance or gambling, please contact the people at a Clean Slate for more infor-mation or stop in at 100 South First Street in Bangor, PA.

15th, members of the public will be able to vote for the finalist they feel is most deserving. The winner will be revealed online on August 4th.A team of local volunteers

will review all the nominees and four will be selected as finalists. For more information about

Jeff Alte Jr. Roofing, their No Roof Left Behind program, or sponsorships and interviews

with Jeff Alte Jr, call 908-850-8558 or visit alte roofing.com.No Roof Left Behind is a

nationwide program that gives folks in the community a way to help their good neighbors that have fallen on hard times. The No Roof Left Behind program provides a local contractor the frame-work to provide a new roof at no cost to a deserving home owner in need.

On July 4th, the YMCA of Easton, Phillipsburg and Vicinity, a branch of the Greater Valley YMCA, is holding their 17th Annual Firecracker 4-Mile Run/Walk and Free Kids Fun Run at Fairview Park in Palmer Township. The Firecracker 4-Mile is again held in memory of long-time Y member and running enthusi-ast, Spencer H. Smith. The Firecracker embodies

the Ys cause by being avail-

able for all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Adults, children, and families are given the ability to raise their spirits and their heartbeats through this fun and competi-tive event. Proceeds from this annual fundraiser will support youth wellness programs at our Y.Registration is now open!

First 150 runners/walkers will receive a Firecracker t-shirt. Pre-register by mail or drop off your registration

form at the YMCA of Easton, Phillipsburg & Vicinity before June 26th. Awards will be given to

First Place Overall Runner Male and Female, First Place Overall Walker Male and Female, and Top Three Male and Female in eleven age categories.Kids Fun Run is to children

ages three to seven years old. Day-of registration is also available. The Kids Fun Run is a great way to introduce

kids to the fun of running competitively. Y staff will be on the course to encourage children along the way. All children that register before June 25th will receive a medal and youth t-shirt. Special prize awarded to the Most Patriotic Dressed Child in the Kids Fun Run. For more information,

contact the YMCA of Easton, Phillipsburg & Vicinity at 610-258-6158 or visit greater valleyymca.org.

Senior Baseball: June 12th, 10am. Slate Belt Senior Center. Blue Valley Farm Show Complex, 700 Ameri-can Bangor Rd., Bangor. FMI call 610-588-1224.

Weona Park Miniature Golf Course Grand Open-ing: June 13th, 11:45am. Free cupcakes & balloons, while they last. $1 off every round of golf, all day.

Local Public Square Rosary Rally: June 13th, noon. Bangor Park Circle, Rt. 512. FMI, call 610-588-9439.

Get Your Tail on the Trail: June 13th, 10am-noon. Hugh Moore Park, 2750 Hugh Moore Park Rd., Easton. FMI, visit www. tailonthetrail.org.

Boomer's Angels Meet & Greet/Dog Adoption Day: June 14th, 11am-2pm. 101 Pocono Commons, Rt. 611, Stroudsburg. Visit, boomers angels.com for adoption application. FMI, email boomersangels@gmail.com, visit boomersangels.com or Facebook.com/BoomersAngels, or call 570-350-4977.

Chicken BBQ Supper: June 14th, 12:30pm-5pm. Christ Ev. Lutheran Church, 703 S. Delaware Drive, Mt. Bethel. FMI, call Chrissy at 610-588-0809

Join Safe Haven Dog Rescue Meeting: June 16th, 6:30pm. Rt. 209, Kres-geville. FMI, visit Safe HavenPa.org or email Safe Haven @epix.net.

Senior Citizen Game Night: June 17th, 3pm-7pm. Slate Belt Senior Center. Blue Valley Farm Show Complex, 700 American Bangor Rd., Bangor. FMI, call 610-588-1224.

Blood Drive: June 20th, 10am-3pm. One Way Church, 50 Broadway, Bangor. FMI, visit giveapint .org or call 484-350-1953 to make an appointment.

Putts w/ Pop Annual Mini Golf Tournament: June 20th, 8am-noon. Weona Park, Pen Argyl. Rain or shine. Teams will consist of 1 adult & 1 child up to age 12. Not limited to just dads; anyone can play. Prizes awarded for winners in each age bracket, by childs age. Registration is $25 per team before June 9th & $35 after June 9th. Registration incl. gift bag, golf ball & hot dog lunch. Proceeds benefit Families First of Pen Argyl. FMI, contact Frank Jones at jones.frank@ penargylsd.org or 610-863-9095 ext. 1308.

Evening Lit. Group: June 10th, 7pm. Catherine Dick-son HofmanLibrary, 4 Lam-bert Rd., Blairstown. Evening book discussion group. FMI, call 908-362-8335.

North Warren Lions Club Spring Golf Outing: June 11th. 700 Strykers Rd., Phillipsburg. Fundraiser to provide scholarships to NW Regional High School gradu-ates. Shotgun start at 8am. FMI, call Bob Blum at 908-475-3181, Bob Brandt at 908-496-4500 or Dick Keil-ing at 908-362-6134.

Pack 140 Cub Scout Round-Up Intro & Info: June 12th, 6:30pm. Knowl-ton Twp. Lions Den, 505 Rt. 94, Columbia. Open to boys in kindergarten through 4th grade & their parents. RSVP to Samantha: smarotta21@g mail.com or 973-534-3030.

Gazebo Concert ft. The Brass Roots: June 12th, 7pm. Catherine Dickson Hofman Library, 4 Lambert Rd., Blairstown. FMI, call 908-362-8335.

Kids Crafts: June 12th, 4pm. Catherine Dickson Hofman Library, 4 Lambert Rd., Blairstown. Ages 5-12. Sign up reqd. FMI, call 908-362-8335.

Outdoor Movie Night ft. Paddington: June 12th, 9pm. Knowlton Tunnel Field. Rain date, June 13th. Concession stand will be open.

Franklin Twp. Community Yard Sale: June 13th, 9am-3pm. FMI, visit franklintwpwarren.org.

Certificate Intro Course on Rose Therapy: June 13th. Namaste Bookstore, NYC. Certificate Intro Course on Rose Therapy using the Rose Oracle Cards by founder Sandy Humby. Workshop incl. Energy Training, dows-

ing & can be used by anyone who wants to activate their spaces, crystals, malas & more. FMI, call 908-797-5225 or visit www.design harmony.com/calendar.htm.

Rose Alchemy Workshop: June 14th, 10am4pm. Spring Meadow Farm, Hope. Come explore the mystery held w/in the heart of the Rose & hear her story. This workshop is an attunement to the original 11 Rose energies that work on the physical body to heal & re-balance. FMI, call 908-797-5225 or visit designharmony.com/ calendar.htm.

Family Child Care Work-shop: June 15th, 6:30pm-8:30pm. NORWESCAP Child & Family Resource Services, 350 Marshall St., Phillipsburg. FMI, contact Jess, Family Child Care Trainer at 908-454-1078.

Young Adult Book Club: June 18th, 2:45pm. Ages 12 -15. Sign up necessary. Cath-erine Dickson Hofman Library, 4 Lambert Rd. Blairstown. FMI, call 908-362-8335.

Adult Jeopardy: June 18th, 7pm. Registration required. Ages 18 & up. Catherine Dickson Hofman Library, 4 Lambert Rd. Blairstown. FMI, call 908-362-8335.

Toni Chaplin Watercolor Class: June 19th, 9:30am-12:30pm. Registration reqd Catherine Dickson Hofman Library, 4 Lambert Rd. Blairstown. FMI, call 908-362-8335.

Blairstown's Annual Car Show: June 20th, 10am-2pm. Sycamore Park, 25 Lambert Rd., Blairstown. Food, music, vendors, prizes, games & fun for the whole family. Rain date: June 21st.

Knights of Columbus Blood Drive: June 20th, 8am-noon. McNulty Hall, St. Jude Church, Blairstown. Pancake, sausage, and bever-age will be served. Sign up

at the door after the masses June 6th-19th, or call 908-362-6444.

Boy Scout Troop 140 Fathers Day Pancake Breakfast: June 21st, 7:30am-11:30am. American Legion Post 258 Givens-Bilet, 22 Hope Rd. (City Rt. 521), Blairstown.

Lapsit Storytime & Sing-Along: June 22nd, 10am Catherine Dickson Hofman Library, 4 Lambert Rd. Blair-stown. FMI, call 908-362-8335.

Lego Club: June 22nd, 4pm. Ages 8 & up. Registra-tion required. Catherine Dickson Hofman Library, 4 Lambert Rd. Blairstown. FMI, call 908-362-8335.

Vacation Bible School: June 22th-26th, 6pm-8pm. Broadway UMC.FMI, call Pastor Evan 908-223-1323.

Magic Show: June 24, 6:30pm. Warren Co. Library, 2 Shotwell Dr., Belvidere. FMI or to sign up, visit warrenlib.org.

Houdini My Hero Magic Show: June 24th, 3:30pm. Catherine Dickson Hofman Library, 4 Lambert Rd. Blair-stown. FMI, call 908-362-8335.

Fandom Friday: June 26th 3pm. Catherine Dickson Hofman Library, 4 Lambert Rd. Blairstown. Snacks provided. Registration reqd. Ages 11 & up. FMI, call 908-362-8335.

Super Heroes Every Hero Has A Story with Science-tellers: June 27th, 11am. Catherine Dickson Hofman Library, 4 Lambert Rd. Blair-stown. FMI, call 908-362-8335.

Walpack Historical Society's Meeting: June 28th, 1pm. Walpack M.E. Church, Walpack Center, Sussex Co. FMI, call 973-948-4903 or visit walpackhistory.org.

Hardwick Seniors & the Hardwick Historical Soci-ety Welcome Tea: June 28th, 1pm-4pm. Historical Vass House, 97 Stillwater Rd., Hardwick. All local residents are invited to attend & be informed of the society & seniors activities & goals.

Movie Night: June 20th, dusk. Stuart Little. FMI, contact Debbie Smith at bangorparkboard@gmail.com or 610-751-7692.

9th Annual Youth Outdoor Adventures Program: June 20th. Blue Mountain Fish & Game Assoc. Free for ages 8-15. FMI or registration, visit drsfa.org or call David Carl at 570-325-4336.

Safe Haven Adoption Day: June 21st, 11am-3pm. Rt. 940, Mt Pocono. FMI about Safe Haven, to find a list of dogs available for adoption & adoption applications, visit SafeHavenPa.org or email SafeHaven @epix.net.

Bangor Elks Lodge #1106 15th Annual Golf Tourna-ment: June 29th. Four person scramble format. Fee includes golf, cart, prizes, cookout lunch & beverages. FMI or to register, call 610-588-3420 or email bangor elks@gmail.com. Deadline to register is June 22nd.

Vacation Bible School: June 22nd-25th. 6pm-8:15pm. Trinity Lutheran Church, 404 Broadway, Bangor. FMI, call 610-588-9126 or 610-588-2023.

to attend Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois to double major in Applied Mathemat-ics and Economics and pursue a career in Finance or Actuarial Science.Salutatorian Shatira Woods

is a member of the Slater Marching Band, Pep Band, Pit Orchestra, Medical Careers Club, French Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society and National Achievement Scholarship Program, in which she was recognized as an outstanding participant. Shatira plans to attend Syracuse University to major in Pre-Medicine or Biochemistry/Neuroscience.

Pennsylvania State Rep. Marcia Hahn (R-Bushkill Township) is inviting men and women who serve or have served our country to her second-annual Veterans Expo. The event will be held Thursday, June 11, from 6 to 8pm, at the Bushkill Town-ship Volunteer Fire Com-pany, 155 Firehouse Lane, Nazareth, PA.My staff and I view this as

a great way to say thank you to our veterans for all they do and have done for us, Hahn said. Its a chance for them to get together with other veterans, as well as check out the many services and programs that are available to them.

A wide variety of vendors and service organizations, ranging from career services to veterans benefit providers, will be on hand. Light refreshments will be served.Hahn also wants to remind

veterans of her monthly outreach program.A representative from the

Pennsylvania American Legion is available the second Wednesday of every month, from 10am to 2pm, in my district office, located at 196 West Moorestown Road, Bushkill Township, added Hahn. Anyone wishing to schedule an appointment to discuss individual concerns and questions should call the office at 610-746-2100.

The Blue Mountain Com-munity Library would like to encourage everyone in the area to come to Detzis Tavern, located at 570 Lehigh Ave., Rt. 512 in Wind Gap, PA on Monday, June 15th, between 4pm and 9pm for their library fundraiser.Detzis has generously

agreed to donate a portion of their sales during those hours to the library. To participate in the fundraiser, you must have a coupon to give to your waitress, which will then be attached to the receipt. The coupons can be picked up at the library Monday through Thursday from 10am to noon

and 6pm to 8pm, and Friday and Saturday from 10am to noon. Coupons will also be available at the tavern that night. Members of the Board of

Directors of the library will be at the door with coupons. Come to Detzis to enjoy the

good food and atmosphere and help the Blue Mountain Community Library raise money for books and supplies. All those on the board wish

to extend their thanks and appreciation to Detzis for their support. For informa-tion, call 610-863-3029 or visit www.bmcl.org.

As I revealed that at the age of 42 I had Stage 4 metastatic CANcer of the colon, lymph nodes and liver, the Slate Belt did what we do best... rally, support, cook food and pray. The only hard part was all of that was for me this time around. There are not enough words

in any language that can truly

express how truly and deeply grateful I am for all the food, donations for medical bills, cards, visits, fundraisers and prayers. I am blessed and proud to live in the Slate Belt. The strength of the Slate Belt has helped me tremendously in my recov-ery. I'm inspired by the Slate Belt to fight, motivated by the Slate Belts love and have a positive attitude because of the Slate Belts compassion.

Having the Slate Belt behind me has given me such peace with my diagnosis. From the bottom of my

heart, THANK YOU to everyone who has been Slate Belt strong for me and with me! Together we CAN kick the c-e-r out of CANcer because with your support, I'm fighting like a girl! I CANcervive (can survive) because of the hope and encouragement the Slate Belt

has poured onto me. I also invite all of you to

celebrate my 43rd "Fight Like A Girl" birthday with me on June 20th at the Wind Gap Theater for an "At the Hop" concert. For informa-tion you can contact Wind Gap Theater at 610-863-3094 or visit www.facebook. com/events/973875035968861Thank You,Jennifer Newland

The Bangor Lions Club recently presented scholar-ships to five area high school students. The Bangor Lions Club presented the following students scholarships checks in the amount of $600, Bonnie Jackson from Faith Christian High School, Samantha Elliot from Pius X High School, Kateland Ackerman and Gunnar Jones, both from Bangor High School. Bangor Lions Club Member and Past President David Shiner presented

Joshua Williams from Bangor High School a schol-arship check in the amount of $800 from the Mary Esther Shiner Memorial Fund.The Bangor Lions have

been presenting scholarships to deserving students for over forty years. Students are chosen for their academic success, extracurricular activities and service to the community. Congratulations to the 2015 scholarship recipients and best of luck in all your future endeavors.

A Teen Summit intended to promote a discussion of the dangers of underage drink-ing, substance abuse, and other important topics perti-nent to youth in Warren County recently drew over 100 participating students.The 2nd Annual Teen

Summit was held at Cente-nary College in late May and included junior and senior students from high schools from around the county.The event featured two very

dynamic guest speakers, Elaine Pasqua, whose topic was Surviving the Party, and Bill Staples, whose talk was titled, It is all about YOU.The Summit was sponsored

by the Coalition for Healthy

and Safe Communities, a program of Prevention Connections, which is a part of Family Guidance Center of Warren County.The Summit also included a

question and answer session with both speakers, who engaged the teens with real-life scenarios.The next Teen Summit is

scheduled for October! Consider helping out by being a sponsor. For more information, contact Mary Jo Harris at mharris@ fgcwc.org. For those inter-ested in getting involved with Prevention Connections and its varied programs, please call 908-223-1985 and ask for either Diane Bonelli or Mary Jo Harris.

Blair Academy senior Christian Suk pitched a com-plete game four-hit shutout and Sophomore Kyle Walker went 3-5 with three RBI to help lead Blair Academy to their fourth straight NJ Prep-A State Baseball Title on May 17th in Princeton, NJ.Blair started the double

elimination tournament with a 1-0 quarterfinal win against Lawrenceville behind senior Eddie Lehrs one-hit pitching performance. In the semi-final game, Blair defeated Hun 4-0 to advance to the championship round. Match-ing Eddie, senior Brett Lubreski pitched a one-hitter with seven strikeouts.In the first championship

game, Hun defeated Blair 2-0 behind the strong pitching of Villanova-bound Jason Applegate, forcing the one game championship playoff. In the final, Blair came out swinging. Kyle led off the game with a single and was driven in by Eddie, followed by an RBI double from senior Neil Ring. In the second inning, Christian led off with a double and Eddie singled in two more runs later in the frame. In the third inning, Kyles two-out, two-run single did the damage. The Bucs closed out the scoring in the fourth inning, adding

six more runs for a 12-0 win.Christian, who came off the

bench after sitting out more than two weeks with an injury, became the winning pitcher in three State tourna-ment final games during his four years at the school. He also became Blairs all-time winningest pitcher. Christian will continue his baseball career at Division I Nicholls State next year. Eddie and Brett will also continue to play baseball at the next level at Babson College and NJIT.As a Junior, Kyle will look to help lead the Bucs back to the State Finals for the fifth time in a row.

As the Bucs concluded an excellent season, Head Coach Jim Stone acknowl-edged how far this team had come from early season struggles to reach their ultimate goal. I am so proud of what this

great group of young men accomplished. Our three captains, four-year seniors Eddie Lehr, Christian Suk and Brett Lubreski, set the right tone for this team. They were major contributors to teams that won four-straight Prep State Championships for Blair, an accomplishment never achieved before by any school in the division.

Pennsylvania State Rep. Joe Emrick (R-Nazareth) issued the following statement regarding the project to install a traffic light at the Route 191-Friedenstahl Avenue intersection in Upper Nazareth Township, PA.On Friday, May 22nd, I

issued a press release concerning the traffic light

project and asked both Keystone Engineering and Newton Engineering why they have yet to make signifi-cant progress on the project, or even submit the necessary plans to PennDOT. Funding for this project

was secured last fall. The original goal was to break ground Wednesday, June 10th, the day after the 2014-15 school year ends in the Nazareth district. No plans have been submitted to PennDOT by either group as of June 2nd, even though Keystone Engineering has billed the district for $316,866.45 in services. As a result, no identifiable time-table for breaking ground on this project can be estab-lished. Representatives of

Keystone Engineering regu-larly attend meetings of the Upper Nazareth Township Board of Supervisors on June 3rd. The public had the opportunity to ask the engi-neers themself why they have not submitted plans to PennDOT for review and final approval. You may also wish to

attend the Monday, June 15, meeting of the Nazareth Area School Districts school board. That meeting begins at 7:30pm in the Walter L. Peters Board Room of Naza-reth Area High School. Representatives of Newton Engineering regularly attend these school board meetings.You have a right to demand

answers as to why no signifi-cant progress has been made on installing a traffic signal at this dangerous intersection.Questions about this or any

legislative issue should be directed to Emricks district office at 570-897-0401 or 610-746-5090.

Ciao Amici, As I sit down to write to my

article every week, I am always looking for new ideas and situations from the past that you the reader can enjoy. I appreciate the positive feed-back and encouragement I receive, but just the other day I was told that what I have been writing since March

24th, 2009 is easy and yes, it is easy because my stories come straight from the heart. As I get older and closer to

the age my grandparents were when I was young, I am understanding how they found beauty in life. By owning a business, my grandparents practiced the art of listening. In order to find out what

friends and customers want, we need to listen, theyd say. As customers came into the butcher shop my Grand-parents were non-judgmental; didnt matter who they were or where they came from, they showed compassion, which also meant to not complain. An example is when I noticed how Grandmoms hands were swollen with arthritis and Id ask her why she never complained. She pointed out to me how a customer lost their arm in accident and having these arthritic hands was not as bad. They also opened their hearts, which

means to accept. Its letting go of all your resistance to the flow of life and its circumstances. They found beauty in simple things like macaroni, a good cup of espresso and soon everything they did they did with artistry and passion. Passion was their priority, especially when it came to cooking. They must have had a hard

life when they first came over to America and saw many people with disabilities because they understood when someone could not hear music or watch the summer sunset from our bench in front of the butcher shop because someone was blind. It is these blessings that brought them to appreci-ated life. Ill never forget when Grandpop tied my tie when I was little. I could tell he found beauty in my eyes like I find in my grandchildrens eyes. Ive found that the best way

to reconnect with how beau-tiful life can be is to give

something away.The other night I visited my

grandson Tazio with a bag and asked him to name a fruit that starts with the letter W. Waffle! he said, knowing it is not a fruit to tease me. Thats not a fruit, I said. Watermelon! he yelled. I know it is a clich, but the

smile on his face, priceless, a beauty of life. Con cordiali saluti, JoeGrowing up in the Butcher

Shop, is available at the shop or on our web page. To receive menu specials and our newsletter, join our mail-ing list at JDeFrancoAnd Daughters.com, click on mailing list and enter your email. Send us your Roseto stories, recipes and com-ments to portipasto@epix. net or call 610-588-6991. J DeFranco and Daughters is located at 2173 W. Bangor Rd., in Bangor, PA. Store hours are 7am to 7pm, seven days a week, with catering available anytime.

(NAPSI)The kitchen remodel is the ultimate home improvement project. Unfor-tunately, its also one of the most expensive. Thanks to product innovations, hom-eowners can remodel their kitchen and give it a fresh, up-to-date look without breaking the bank. From cabinets and countertops to overhead lighting and every-thing underneath, there are a variety of product options available for homeowners to transform their kitchens for less.Seven inexpensive projects

to make over a kitchen include:1. Cabinet Face-liftAre

your cabinets stuck in a previous decade? Update cabinets with Rust-Oleum Cabinet Transformations. This innovative coating system transforms the look of old, worn cabinets into the look of beautiful handcrafted cabinetry without the cost, downtime or mess. This product is easy to use with no stripping, sanding or priming needed. In three simple steps, you can create a new, custom look for your cabinets that you will be proud to show-case.2. Countertop Rescue: Old,

dingy countertops deserve a second chance at looking brand new. Countertop demo-lition costs a fortune and leaves homeowners with an

inconvenient mess. Dont replace counters; rescue them with Rust-Oleum Countertop Transformations. This revo-lutionary, do-it-yourself kit gives outdated, worn surfaces a sought-after, high-end gran-ite finish in a weekend.3. Appliance Alliance: Not

ready to part ways with your appliances just yet? Not a problem. Dated or mismatched appliances are an easy fix with Rust-Oleum Specialty Appliance Epoxy. It is specifically formulated for indoor metal surfaces and provides appliances and other indoor metal applications with a smooth, washable, factorylike finish. Specialty Appliance Epoxy is available in popular colors like black, white, biscuit and even stain-

less steel.4. (Eye) Soaring Lights:

Outdated overhead light fixtures can quickly become an eyesore and oftentimes are surprisingly overlooked by homeowners. Pendant lighting or can lighting are inexpensive additions that can be customized with spray paint. Rust-Oleum Universal spray paint is a paint and primer in one that has the power to transform light fixtures from boring to brilliant.5. Pull Drawer Galore: The

smallest additions alter the overall design or feel of a space. Upgrading hardware can easily be accomplished with a can of Rust-Oleum Universal spray paint. Metal-lic colors such as Oil-Rubbed

Bronze or Dark Steel mod-ernize cabinets, or softer matte colors such as French Cream and Iced Gray provide your kitchen with a warm, cozy feel.6. Let There Be Color: Is

your kitchen lacking person-ality? Spice up dcor items with colorful spray paint. Paint anything from center-pieces, frames, chairs and more to liven up your living space. Rust-Oleum Ultra Cover 2X spray paint provides twice the coverage in a single pass, which means your project will be done in half the time. It is available in a satin or glossy finish with dozens of colors to choose from.7. Specialty SolutionA lot

of time is spent in the kitchen. Looking for a way to keep track of it? Rust-Oleum Specialty Chalkboard and Rust-Oleum Specialty Dry Erase convert kitchen surfaces into writable surfaces. Chalkboard and Dry Erase are the perfect paints to keep track of daily events and to stay organized. These paints can be used to create a life-size wall calen-dar, arrange menus or make for a stylish backsplash. The possibilities are endless with Chalkboard and Dry Erase, now available in a Clear finish.For further facts and tips,

visit www. rustoleum.com.

Hello, fellow readers!Last week we spoke about

Georges weedy invasion resulting in the need for a garden do-over. Thankfully, he opted for a more organic approach, including a non-chemical remedy called soil solarization. Heres how:Its important to prepare

your garden for planting first, as disturbing the soil after solarization can stir up new viable weed seeds. Rototill, remove rocks and clumps of plant material, then level the bed to limit air pockets, which reduce soil heating. Wet soil conducts heat better than dry and makes organ-isms more vulnerable, hence your soil should be damp at least 12 to 18 inches down.In general, clear plastic is

most effective, as the sun rays will pass through the sheet and be trapped below, while black plastic absorbs and deflects part of the heat. However in cooler areas like here, black plastic prevents weeds from growing beneath

it when the air temps are too low. The thinner the plastic the greater the heating, but it is more susceptible to tearing, so slightly thicker plastic (say 1.5 to 2 mils) is best. The plastic must be tight

against the soil. One way is to dig a trench six inches deep all around then cover the edge with soil while pulling the plastic as tight as possible. Some say the best of both

worlds is to create a green-house effect by covering the soil with black plastic first, then add a layer of clear plastic; creating an air space with water bottles or PVC pipes. The two-layer technique can raise soil temperatures an additional 10 degrees F toward the goal of 110 to 125 degrees F in the top six inches. Generally you need six to

eight weeks to cook your soil during the hottest months of the year. In northern parts of the country, its better to leave the plastic on all grow-ing season. Not only will soil solariza-

tion kill weeds, it can also control pests such as fungi, bacteria, nematodes, insects and mites. And it speeds up the breakdown of organic material, increasing the avail-ability of nitrogen and other nutrients for growing healthy plants. Not to worry worm lovers:

many beneficial organisms are able to survive solariza-tion or recolonize quickly and earthworms are thought to burrow deeper down to escape the heat. Garden dilemmas? askmarystone.com

By Sarah LorenFive years ago, Adrian

Ricardo purchased and began barbering in a little shop in Wind Gap, Pennsylvania, originally opened in 1966 by Roger Guzzo. One year later, he re-located from his North Lehigh Avenue location to a larger shop in Rt. 512 Plaza on Blue Valley Drive in Bangor, PA, where he also introduced a well-known tattoo artist, Ken.When Adrian made the

move and re-named his business Platinum Cutz Barber and Tattoo Shop, he described the transition as Bigger and Better. In just a years time, Ken and Adrian increased their clientele, along with the services they provided. Now, three years later, Adrian is offering his clients more than ever before, as he recently introduced tuxedo rentals featuring various name brands at affordable prices. Weve been going to

Adrian since he opened. Hes very accomodating, said loyal customer, Chrstine Hafling of Roseto, PA. He services three generations in our home. I think hes fantas-tic.Adrian still offers barber-

style cuts; hot towel, straight razor shaves; and New York-style fades and designs. With eight years experience as a tattoo artist, Ken provides his clients with custom-designed tattoos, including realistic designs and portraits, lettering, cover ups and more. He also provides his customers with three free touch-up sessions for every tattoo received by him.While waiting for their

haircuts or tattoos, clients can take advantage of the various sources of entertainment in the recently-remodeled barber-tattoo shop, including video games, internet juke-box, pool table and free WiFi, along with a brand new

saltwater fish tank to admire. For customer convenience, there are also change, snack and soda machines.In 2011, Adrian said, Ive

wanted to do this for a long time. Weve come a long way and Im proud to say we finally did it.Four years later, Platinum

Cutz continues to come a long way. Adrian plans on offering unisex services in the near future, adding even more to his list of services. Were not going

anywhere, Adrian said. Its been a great spring season with the introduction of the tuxedos and I only see things getting better.Christine said, Adrian is a

very ambitious entrepre-neur.Its easy for anyone to see

that Ken and Adrian keep on

climbing the ladder of success, as there always seems to be an introduction to something new at Plati-num Cutz.When Adrian first started

cutting hair, it was in his familys basement during high school. Now, Adrian has more than eight years experi-ence and has since become a barber instructor.Platinum Cutz is located at

329 Blue Valley Drive, Rt. 512 Plaza, in Bangor. The shop is open Monday from 11am to 6pm, Tuesday through Friday from 11am to 8pm, Saturday from 10am to 8pm, and Sunday from 11am to 1pm. For more informa-tion or to make an appoint-ment with Ken or Adrian, call 610-599-2887. Also, be sure to like Platinum Cutz on Facebook.

Huff It to Hugh Moore Park, a free, family-friendly event encouraging outdoor recre-ation and healthy living, will jump start the 2015 Get Your Tail on the Trail program on June 13th, from 10am to noon. This event will be held outside the National Canal Museum in Eastons Hugh Moore Park, providing outdoor opportunities on National Get Outdoors Day. To inspire participants who

are enrolled in the Get Your Tail on the Trail 165-mile Challenge, the event theme, no cars allowed, urges participants to leave their cars at home or at a nearby trailhead and get exercise by walking, running or biking to Hugh Moore Park along the Delaware and Lehigh Trail.During the 2015 challenge

season, Get Your Tail on the Trail is promoting a Buy Fresh, Buy Local approach at events with free snack bags of veggies from St. Lukes Rodale Institute Organic Farm. The day will offer activities and exhibits for all ages encouraging exercise, healthy eating and outdoor recreation, including an outdoor scavenger hunt and 19th century games for kids. The first 80 participants to sign in at Hugh Moore Park will be treated to a complementary canal ride at 11am on the Josiah White II, Pennsylvanias only mule-drawn canal boat.The National Canal

Museum, with hands-on exhibits to educate and enter-tain, will be open for admis-sion at 11:30am and canal boat tickets can be purchased for rides every hour from noon to 3pm.Get Your Tail on the Trail is

a community-based wellness initiative created by St. Lukes University Health Network and Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor in 2013 to encour-age residents to get out and get active walking, running,

or biking on the D and L Trail, a 165-mile trail that follows the Delaware and Lehigh Rivers tracing the historic path of anthracite coal from Wilkes-Barre to Philadelphia. The program is designed to improve health outcomes associated with diabetes and coronary heart disease in the Lehigh Valley and encourages all people to

work toward healthier lifestyles with exercise, healthy eating and stress management. For more information, directions and to register for Get Your Tail on the Trail, visit www.tailonthetrail.org. The initiative was recently a recipient of a national award by the American Trails orga-nization.