Slate Belt Native Rocks With Twelve Twenty-Four

We all have different tastes in music but it seems that everyone has enjoyed the music of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra at some point. Twelve Twenty-Four, a high energy, full-scale rock orchestra, features the music of TSO, as well as their own holiday creations. They will be performing on December 13 at the Sherman Theater in Stroudsburg and Zoellner Arts Centre in Bethlehem on December 29. Dirk Yahraes, a Pen Argyl native, performs with Twelve Twenty-Four. The son of Whitfield and Mary Ann Yahraes, Dirk is familiar to audiences in our area as he is the bass player for the Bangor Elks Mens Chorus. His journey to becoming part of Twelve Twenty-Four took a very interesting
By Maria Cascario

path. Dirk said I attended a Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert in Wilkes Barre about ten years ago and came out to find a Twelve Twenty-Four flyer on my windshield. It took a few years, but I finally got to see them at Lehigh University. Over the course of a

few seasons, we developed a relationship and I became known to them as the guy with the flyer on his car. Knowing that I played the bass and was a fan, they offered me an audition at the end of the 2008 season. I was fortunate to be the one selected as their new

bass player. He continued, Being in Twelve Twenty-Four is a wonderful experience. I am surrounded by an incredible group of talented and creative musicians. Second, I love that I get to celebrate the Christmas season and spread its message in a completely different way. Third and most importantly, is the opportunity to meet the people who come to our shows. We hold a Meet and Greet after each show, as a way of thanking everyone for spending a few hours with us. Dirk has heard many compliments on the shows but he says his favorite is We have made coming to your shows part of our Christmas tradition! How do you top that? And it all began with a flyer on my windshield!

Heritage Center To Hold Holiday Presentation

The Slate Belt Heritage Center will hold their Holiday Historic Presentation on Sunday, December 9th, 2pm, at the Bee Hive Community Center, 197 Pennsylvania Avenue, Bangor. Moravian Christmas Customs will be presented by local historian Susan M. Dreydoppel. Ms. Dreydoppel is the former director of the Moravian Historical Society in Nazareth. She will focus on the topic of local and Moravian history. She has recently published a book celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Schoeneck Moravian Church in Nazareth. A graduate of Moravian College, she has worked in museums in Chicago, Alaska and Minnesota before moving to the Lehigh Valley. The presentation is free and open to the public. The site is handicap accessible. For more information, call Karen Brewer at 610-5888615.

Pen Argyl Announces Holiday Celebration at Weona Park Community Center

On Friday, December 7th at 6:30pm, Pen Argyl Borough will host a very special evening at the Weona Park Community Center. Mayor Sabatine, Borough Council and the Pen Argyl Outreach Committee invite the families of Pen Argyl to attend the Holiday Celebration at the Community Center located in Weona Park. Join friends, family and neighbors for a joyous holiday celebration. To get the Slate Belt in the holiday spirit, Holiday carols will be sung! Of course, Santa Claus will be making a special trip to Pen Argyl to visit the good children of the Borough. Santa will be giving small gifts to all the young children in attendance. There will be complimentary drinks and snacks. The goodies, drinks and gifts are being graciously donated by local businesses and Pen Argyl Borough Council. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held on Sunday, December 9th at 1pm. For more information contact the Pen Argyl Borough Manager, Robin Zmoda, at 610863-1822.

Christmas On Broadway will be celebrated on December 15th, at THE HUB, 14 Broadway, Bangor. Starting at noon, come enjoy activities throughout the day and stay for the "FREE" Christmas Community

Dinner from 5pm to 7pm. Entertainment will also be provided. This event is free and open to everyone. For additional information, call 610-599-0465. St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish is sponsoring a trip to the

Trump Casino in Atlantic City on Thursday, December 13th. Kick off the Christmas holiday with a trip to the shore! There will be a first location pick-up on St. Elizabeth's parking lot in Pen Argyl leaving by 8:30am; the second pick-up location will be the old St. Joseph's parking lot in Wind Gap leaving by 8:35am. For more information, please call Mary Lou DeRea-Lohman at 610-863-4846 or 610-844-4630. The Slate Belt Young at Heart Club will be hosting their annual Christmas luncheon on Thursday, December 20th, at noon. The club is open to all men and women, 55 and older. They recently had a representative from the Crayola Company to present the history of the company. They were also fortunate to be able to salute area veterans at the November meeting. For more information, please call Mary Lou DeReaLohman at 610-8634846 or 610-844-4630. We would like to wish Tori Jancovic a very Happy Birthday on December 9th. Have a great day, Tori! Kyra Castano will be celebrating her birthday

on December 10th. Have a wonderful birthday, Kyra! Happy Birthday wishes are sent to Bill Gallagher, who will be celebrating on December 12th. Have a fantastic day, Bill! We would like to wish Dylan Vaughn a very Happy Birthday on December 12th. Have a great day, Dylan! Trisha Boettinger will be celebrating her birthday on December 12th. Have a great day, Trisha! Santa is coming to the Bangor Public Library on Saturday, December 15th. He will read stories and be available for photographs. Bring your camera and you can take your own picture! Santa will arrive at 10:30am to read stories and will stay until 11:30am. There is no charge for this event just stop in at the Bangor Public Library on that Saturday morning. For more information, please contact the library at 610-588-4136. We love hearing from you! Send your birthdays, anniversaries, and other tidbits of information to us at: The PRESS 1 Broadway, Bangor, PA 18013
thepressnews@enter.net

Here is a list of the new items added to the collection of the Bangor Public Library during the week November 23 through 28, 2012. Adult fiction: Armstrong, Kelley, Frostbitten; Coplin, Amanda, The orchardist; Evanovich, Janet, Notorious nineteen; Genova, Lisa, Still Alice; Ishiguro, Karuo, Never let me go; See, Lisa, Peony in love; Simonson, Helen, Major Pettigrews last stand. Adult non-fiction: Jillette, Penn, Every day is an atheist holiday; Phillips, Kevin, 1775; Preston, Diana, Cleopatra and Antony; Victoria, Barbara, Its not about you, except when it is. Junior fiction: McDonald, Megan, Stink & the ultimate thumb-wrestling smackdown; McDonald, Megan, Stink: solar system superhero; Mullarkey, Lisa, The din don ditch-a-roo; Mullarkey, Lisa , Swimming with the sharks; Pilkey, Dav, Captain Underpants & the terrifying return of Tippy Tinkletrousers. Junior non-fiction: Kevin, Brian, Gun safety. Easy fiction: The ant and the grasshopper: why should you prepare for tomorrow?; Chaconas, Dori, Looking for Easter; Cocca-Leffler,

Maryann, Princess Kim and too much truth; Miller, Pat, Squirrels New Years resolution; Shapes; Spelman, Cornelia, When I feel angry; Spinelli, Eileen, Miss Foxs class earns a field trip; Spinelli, Eileen, Peace Week in Miss Foxs class; Tyler, Jenny, Animal hideand-seek; Wells, Robert, How do you lift a lion?; Wells, Robert, Whats faster than a speeding cheetah? Easy non-fiction: Heyer, Carol, The first Christmas. Easy Reader fiction: Hill, Eric, Spot bakes a cake; Hill, Eric, Spot can count. Easy Reader nonfiction: Dieker, Wendy, Cranes; Dieker, Wendy, Tractors; Glaser, Rebecca, Airplanes; Glaser, Rebecca, Dump trucks; Glaser, Rebecca, Trains; Riggs, Kate, Apatosaurus; Riggs, Kate, Pterodactyls; Riggs, Kate, Stegosaurus; Riggs, Kate, Triceratops; Riggs, Kate, Tyrannosaurus Rex; Riggs, Kate, Velociraptor; Schmidt, Maria, Fire trucks. Reference: Consumer Reports buying guide 2013. DVDs: Fallen; Max & Rubys Christmas; The Pink Panther classic cartoon collection; Princess of Thieves; Red Skelton; Strawberry Shortcake: berry, Merry Christmas.

Mr. Pete Ruggiero, executive vice president of global operations at Crayola, was the guest speaker at both DeFranco Elementary and Bangor Middle School recently. Both school buildings have been implementing the Leader in Me program, a character & leadership development program that is implemented school-wide at with the intention to help develop the essential life skills and characteristics students need in order to thrive in the 21st century" as well as the seven Habits that the students have been practicing in school and their personal lives. Mr. Ruggiero, a dynamic speaker, spoke to the 5th through 8th graders about the importance of leadership, endurance, and stepping outside your comfort zone to achieve success.

Annual Second Ward Childrens Christmas Party Set For December 8th
The Annual Second Ward Fire Company Childrens Christmas Party will be held on Saturday, December 8th, 1pm, at the firehall. Children up to age 12 are invited to attend. Please call 610-5882700 with the age of child and whether a boy or girl by noon on Friday, December 7th. Anyone wishing to donate cookies or brownies for refreshments can bring them to the firehall the day of the party. Santa will arrive by firetruck. Come and enjoy the fun.

The Lower Mt. Bethel Fire Company visited Little Wrangler Ranch to promote fire safety awareness recently. They discussed with the children what to do in the event of a fire and the importance of having fire drills, not only at pre-school, but also at home. A fireman dressed in all his gear was on hand so that the children could see what a firefighter would look and sound like.

Annual Second Ward Childrens Christmas Party Set For December 8th
The Annual Second Ward Fire Company Childrens Christmas Party will be held on Saturday, December 8th, 1pm, at the firehall. Children up to age 12 are invited to attend. Please call 610-5882700 with the age of child and whether a boy or girl by noon on Friday, December 7th. Anyone wishing to donate cookies or brownies for refreshments can bring them to the firehall the day of the party. Santa will arrive by firetruck. Come and enjoy the fun.

Northampton County 4-H Equestrians Shine at the State Show

It is a huge accomplishment for any 4-H horse club member to qualify for the State 4-H Horse Show, held each year at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg. To compete at the State level, the 4-H members (and their equine partners) have to be at the top of their game in their classes at both the county and district show. Seventy-three 4-H members competed in the Northampton County Round-Up which was held on August 12th. A total of thirty-five Northampton County 4-H members qualified to compete at the District Show, which was held at the Montgomery County 4-H center on August 25th. Ten of these talented equestrians advanced to represent Northampton County at the State Horse Show. The 53rd annual Pennsylvania State 4-H Horse Show was held October 26, 27 and 28 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Youth from 58 counties qualified for this year's show. Over 900 youth with 996 horses participated in 48 performance and 100 production classes and special events throughout the weekend. The Northampton County riders that competed at States represent the top 4-H equestrians in Pennsylvania. Emilie Dumbach (Whitehall) had a very successful show and earned a 1st place ribbon and was Pennsylvania State Champion with her equine partner, My Perfect Porter. Emelie also placed 2nd in the Senior Classic Hunter Under Saddle Class. Allison Fox (Danielsville) showed two ponies in Production Classes that are designed to showcase horses that 4-H members raise from a foal or purchase as young animals. Allison was State Champion with her lovely three year old filly, Foxmoore Shades of Grey and placed 2nd with her weanling filly, Foxmoore Resolution. Allison also trained and rode her filly in the Production Futurity Class and placed 6th in the performance show in the Hunter Under Saddle Pony Class. Nicole Fox (Danielsville) earned a Reserve Championship ribbon with her talented mare, Na-Fel Zephr in the Working Hunter Pony class and was 4th in Hunter Under Saddle Ponies. Claire Smith also successfully competed in this class and placed 5th with her very fancy gelding, CRs Hip Hop. Riding her wonderful mare, Mist Me, Morgan Wallace (Nazareth) earned a 3rd place ribbon in Junior Hunter Seat Equitation on the Flat and placed 10th in Junior Classic Hunter Under Saddle, and 8th in Low Working Hunter Horses.

By Dr. Greg Leck and Staff, Leck Veterinary, 610-863-3111

Now is the time to help the pets of families that have been devastated by the recent hurricane, personal tragedies, loss of a loved one or loss of a job. These folks are finding it particularly hard to provide for their own basic needs, let alone those of a family pet. Awareness campaigns like Toys For Tots and Wounded Warriors Project cast a dynamic spotlight for those in need in the human population. With that in mind, lets help our local community in similar fashion and shine a little light for our pets here at home. It is not about the presents you receive, it is about the good you can do with the gifts you give. You have the ability to make a positive difference in this world

through simple acts of kindness, sort of Paying It Forward. An ordinary person can change peoples attitudes, and serve others without the expectation of something in return, thus stimulating their own personal spiritual growth. In return, the idea is to increase the goodness of the world. Shelters always need food, volunteers and money, Leck Veterinary Hospital runs a pick up station for a local group called Camp Papillon. You can donate litter, toys, food, blankets, cleaning supplies and more at 115 West Pennsylvania Avenue in Pen Argyl. If you would like to be a real angel, monetary donations are being collected to help defray the cost of treatment for those most affected and it is all done anonomously. You may know of someone who has a pet and is struggling - why not give a donation by placing credit on their account for necessary services. Stop by the hospital or call for details. This season there is a reason. Help us spread some holiday cheer.

East Bangor UMC Seeking Yourh Group Members

The East Bangor United Methodist Community Church is pleased to announce that they are starting a youth group. The ministry is aimed at increasing youth involvement in the church and community while strengthening their personal relationship with God. The group is for those in grades 6-12 and is open to the community. The first gathering will take place at the church on Sunday December 9th from 5-7pm. Questions may be directed to the church office at 610-588-4453. The church is located at 136 W. Central Ave. (Rt. 512), East Bangor.

Live Nativity At Arndts Lutheran Church

Volunteers of all ages will conduct an Outdoor Live Nativity at Arndts Lutheran Church in Forks Township on Saturday, December 8th from 5pm to 8pm with live animals, music and narration. The event will be held on the grounds of the church, at 1851 Arndt Road in Forks. Located at the intersection of Arndt Road and Bushkill Drive, the congregation will also offer light refreshments and light the grounds of the church with candle luminaria for the Advent event. Children will participate in the costumed nativity, and the stable area includes a burro, lambs and goats. As the children pose in the stable, volunteers from the church read the Christmas Story continuously while music plays in the background. A large hanging lighted star reminds the visitors of the Christmas story. Visitors can linger at the stable, enjoy the animals, socialize and gather around a celebratory fire which is held in the Scout Troup 29 Outdoor Education area. At 6pm, a church service is held in the Sanctuary of Arndts Lutheran Church; all are welcome. The public is encouraged and welcome to view the Outdoor Live Nativity, which will provide a peaceful scene to appreciate the true Christmas story. In the case of severe inclement weather (exteme cold, hard rains, deep snow) the event will be cancelled. For more information contact the church office at 610-253-3732.

Pen Argyl Plans Holiday Senior Day

Join the Pen Argyl SADD, Leo Club and Student Government for a fun-filled Senior Day at Pen Argyl High School on Friday, December 21st. Festivities will begin at 8:30am, and end at 12:30pm. Enjoy listening to the sounds of the chorus and jazz band. There will be a continental breakfast and luncheon for everyone attending. Other activities include quoits, tours of the building, technology lessons and bingo. The event is open to all senior citizens of the Pen Argyl Area School District. Please RSVP to the event by calling 610863-1293, ext. 1, by December 10th.

Innovative Treatment Can Help Heal Serious Diabetes Complica(NAPSI)Whether you have diabetes, or know someone who does, youre most likely familiar with the importance of controlling the disease through diet and exercise, an insulin regimen or both. However, even for those who strive to effectively manage their condition, serious and debilitating complications such as diabetic foot ulcers can occur. Fortunately, an innovative treatment option is available in a wound care center near you. Diabetic foot ulcers are common, often painless, complications that are caused by nerve damage and/or poor circulation. Because patients may not experience pain or discomfort with the ulcers, the wounds can go untreated for long periods of time, which can lead to severe consequences, said Dr. Desmond Bell, Board Certified Wound Specialist and founder of the Save A Leg, Save A Life Foundation. The key to preventing additional complications with ongoing diabetic foot ulcers is to seek treatment at a wound care center where professionals can appropriately address the medical needs of the situation. Wound care centers provide advanced wound healing techniques and state-ofthe-art wound assessment, testing and treatment for people suffering from acute and chronic wounds. Although wound healing can take time, if you have a foot wound that has not healed in four weeks with conventional therapies, consult with a doctor at a local wound care center about trying Apligraf. Apligraf is a unique living cell-based treatment that plays a more active role in wound healing by delivering living cells, proteins produced by the cells, and collagen, which each play an important role in healing. Apligraf is the only product with FDA approval for healing both venous leg ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers. To find a wound care center near you, visit www.apligraf.com. In addition to medical treatment, Dr. Bell recommends that people with diabetes take preventative action and check for signs of diabetic foot ulcers by following these tips to stay foot healthy: Reduce your risk factors Appropriately protect your feet Look at your feet daily Important Safety Information: Apligraf is FDA-approved for the treatment of venous leg ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers lasting longer than one month that have not adequately responded to conventional therapy.

Hahn Offers Individual Assistance for Local Veterans

Area veterans may receive assistance with individual questions thanks to a continuing partnership between state Rep. Marcia Hahn (R-Northampton) and the Pennsylvania American Legion. The latest in a series of meetings will be held on Wednesday, December 12th, from 10am to 2pm, at Hahns district office, located at 354 West Moorestown Road, Nazareth. Area veterans may seek assistance and information pertaining to specific benefits and programs at that time. Frederick Smith, a service officer with the American Legion, will be in attendance that day to address individual concerns veterans may have. Anyone interested in meeting with him should make an appointment in advance. To schedule an appointment or to discuss any other legislative issue, please call Hahns district office at (610) 746-2100.

Taking Home Entertainment To A New Dimension

(NAPSI)Watching movies and sports in the comfort of your own home is a great way to spend time with family and friends-and now it can be even better. Thats because with new technology, you can now watch any 2D movie as a 3D masterpiece you dont have to wait for a 3D version to come along. What You Get Usually, 2D to 3D conversion is something of an afterthought and the resultant picture is only marginally threedimensional. Also, with many home theater displays, the trade-off of brightness and discomfort that you get from wearing 3D glasses can make it a hassle. Now, however, on two new projectors, converting 2D to 3D results in more dramatic and engaging pictures. You end up with an actual 3D picture worthy of the name. Fans of 3D will definitely want to try it while using their favorite 2D movies, even classics from the 1930s and earlier. How It Works Two new Mitsubishi projectors use proprietary algorithms to take a 2D image, calculate and interpolate multiple depth levels, and produce detailed, highdefinition 3D images that create a natural perception of depth with minimum crosstalk or distortion. Content appears impressive enough to literally jump off the screen. Theres a vastly expanded color range, too; the greens of trees and cyan shades of oceans that were previously hard to reproduce can now be seen with deep, vivid hues. As with all 3D projectors, you need active shutter glasses, but if your friends come by to watch with you, they can bring their own and enjoy the same fine effect. In addition, Mitsubishis HC8000D-BL boasts rich details, even in darkly lit movie scenes or film noir and 1,300 lumens of brightness, making it a great option for gaming. The companys new HC7900DW projector features even higher brightness - 1,500 lumens. Both projectors use Texas Instruments latest DMD chip to create exciting, vibrant 2D and 3D images in full high-definition, while an ultrahushed fan means viewers hear quiet dialogue or soft music during a movie or television show, not an annoying fan hum. Learn More For more information, visit www.mevsa.com or www.mitsubishipres- entations.com or call (888) 307-0349. You can also connect on Facebook at www.face book.com/MitsubishiDi splays and on Twitter at twitter.com/MitsuDispl ays.

Hello fellow readers, All this talk about decorating window boxes with evergreens brought up a few good questions. Bob from Hackettstown asked why Rhododendron leaves curl in the cold. And Jane from Mt. Bethel wrote her Nellie Stevens Holly often turn brown and dieback over winter. What should she do? Both are a result of transpiration which is the loss of water vapor from parts of plants (especially leaves) to facilitate the process of photosynthesis which converts light energy into chemical energy to fuel the plants. Wow that sounds very scientific. Mary version -transpiration works much like sweating as it cools plants and enables the flow of nutrients and water from the roots to shoots.

When plants are unable to replenish the water they lost through transpiration due to frozen soil or drought, dehydration and damage can occur. Ever heard of winter burn? Like our sun burn, it can recover with new growth. Bobs leaves are curling in the cold (and in sweltering heat by the way) to protect themselves from moisture loss. Clever defenses! Be sure to choose the right plant. Nellie Stevens Holly is best in zones 6-9 (we are a 5b) although Ive had success in protected spaces. Avoid planting broadleaved evergreens in areas of high wind exposure. Deeply water plants before the ground freezes, and continue to water during winter months when above freezing if there is little precipitation. You can create physical windbreaks with stakes and burlap or use Wilt-Pruf which is a natural resin derived from Pine Trees. Theres no evidence of its effectiveness (there's that science thing again) but the 60-year tenure speaks for itself. Tip of the season: Some use it on wreaths and Christmas trees to retard needle drop. Garden dilemmas? askmarystone@gmail.c om.

(NAPSI)There could be good news for those feeling the winter bluesat any time of year. Color Can Create Contentment Science has shown that color can have a positive effect on moods and that flowers are one of the easiest ways to add a splash of color and a burst of positive energy into any space. As the days get shorter and it gets darker outside, a wonderful way to change emotions, uplift spirits and give yourself a mood makeover is to infuse color into your home and office, said Michael Skaff, head of floral design for FTD and a member of the Color Marketing Group. Fortunately, you can now get fresh floral arrangements in four distinctive color palettes chosen specifically for their ability to lift spirits. Tone Up Your Mood Each color in the Color Your Day floral collection from FTDgreen, pink, purple and yellowevokes specific, unique feelings. Green: Shades of green deliver renewal and joy with a palette of

harmonious hues. Pink: Shades of pink convey the feelings of love, friendship and warmth. Purple: Shades of purple enchant the spirit and trigger the imagination. Yellow: Shades of yellow bring a cheerful energy to any environment, uplifting the spirit with a spark of sunlight. Color can be integrated into every aspect of daily life with things like pillows, wall color, curtains and flowers, Skaff added. For instance, I painted my kitchen yellow because it gives me a burst of energy that I need in the morning. You may want to integrate purple accents

into your office as it is a color that inspires creativity. Learn More To see the beautiful

arrangements available and for further information, visit www.ftd.com. You can also call (800) 736-3383.

Give the Gift of the Outdoors this Holiday Season

(NAPSI)Heres an idea for a new holiday tradition: Unplug the electronics and enjoy the outdoors. According to a survey from L.L. Bean and the National Park Foundation, 60 percent of parents say their children spend less than an hour a day outside and weather can often be a deterrent. With the right gear, however, and a little inspiration, the outdoors can be enjoyed yearround. Here are some gift suggestions from Outdoor Discovery Schools manager Gretchen Ostherr to help the whole family get outdoors and active: For the newbie: The best way to get people motivated for the outdoors is to start them young. There are many ways to get kids to go outside in cold weather, including gifts such as sleds and toboggans, snowshoes, ice skates and snow toys. Ski helmets and goggles are great gifts to help keep kids safe while enjoying the snow as well. For the gadget guru: If youre looking to impress the gadget gurus in your life and motivate them to get outdoors, you cant go wrong with a Solar Emergency Weather Radio. Excellent for camping and wilderness activities, its also a good way to stay informed and prepared during a power outage or emergency. Look for a digital readout, earphone jack, built-in LED lights with emergency flash and electronic and cellphone charging ports. You can find these radios in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit an emergency kit, bedside stand or car. For the style conscious: For the fashion-forward member of your family, shearling-lined boots and down jackets offer a great way to stay on trend while remaining dry and warm, whether commuting to work or walking in the woods. For the lazy boy: There is usually at least one person in the family who is hard to motivate to spend time outdoors. A good backpack can be one gift that even the most infrequent outdoorsman will find useful. Backpacks are universally convenient for helping to store and carry items when out and about and come in a variety of sizes and styleseverything from a simple day pack just right for walks, bike rides and picnics to large utility rucksacks that can be used for camping, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. For the person who has everything: For the person who has already established a love for the outdoors, you can inspire his or her next outdoor adventure with something extra special this holiday season. In celebration of its 100th anniversary, L.L. Bean has created a line of special-edition anniversary products such as the limited edition Bamboo Fly Rods. Beautifully crafted and made by hand, they are a fitting tribute to the classic rods used by L.L. Bean 100 years ago. This is very likely to impress the avid enthusiast of the family. For more gift ideas and additional information on how to get your family outdoors, visit www.llbean.com.

DINING SECTION
(NAPSI) Tis the season of decking halls and trimming trees, and now theres a delicious way to do bothin the kitchen. Theres no chance of breaking heirloom ornaments when youre decorating miniature Festive Popcorn Trees made from The Popcorn Boards recipe. Roll up your sleeves, gather the kids and pull out your prettiest decorating sugars and sprinkles. Then turn marshmallows and popcorn into a scenic winter wonderland to displayor eat. Long ago, Christmas trees were trimmed with treats such as apples, nuts or dates. With Festive Popcorn Trees, your entire tree is edible. Theres no right or wrong way to decorate a tree, but if youre not happy with the results,

Deck The Halls With Popcorn Trees

eat it and start again. Its the ultimate ecofriendly way to trim a tree. And if youre looking to trim fat and calories during this hectic season, pop up a bowl of plain popcorn to nibble on when hunger strikes. At 30 calories a cup, wholesome, whole grain popcorn is naturally low in fat and calories and the fiber can help fill you between meals. Leave the padding to jolly old St. Nick. Festive Popcorn Trees Yield: 10 trees 10 cups air-popped popcorn* 1 10-ounce bag miniature marshmallows 2 tablespoons butter 1 teaspoon vanilla extract decorating sugar (green, blue)** 1 tube of white frosting (with decorating tip) assorted small colorful candies, such as sprinkles and miniature silver drages Place popcorn in large bowl. Place marshmallows and butter in medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir until marshmallows are melted and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla extract. Pour mixture over popcorn in bowl. Toss well to coat popcorn evenly. Line a baking sheet with foil. Spray hands with nonstick cooking spray, then scoop up about 1 cup of popcorn mixture. Shape mixture into a cone shape, keeping the base flat. This forms the tree. Sprinkle tree with decorating sugar; place tree on baking sheet. Continue to make the rest of the trees. Pipe frosting on trees to make

a garland, then decorate them with colorful candies. Serving suggestion: Place each tree on a sugar cookie and decorate your serving tray with shredded coconut to resemble snow. Notes: * Its important that this recipe starts with unflavored white popcorn for best color and flavor. You can make your own colored sugar by adding food coloring to sugar, stirring in a bowl or shaking vigorously in a sealed container.

MIX cream cheese and cookie crumbs until well blended. SHAPE into 48 (1-inch) balls; place in single layer in shallow pan. Freeze 10 min. Dip balls in chocolate; place in shallow waxed paper-lined pan, allowing excess chocolate to pool at bottom of each ball. Decorate with remaining ingredients as shown in photo. 1pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened 24 NUTTER BUTTER Cookies, finely crushed (about 3 cups) 2pkg. (6 squares each) BAKER'S White Chocolate, melted 48 Mini OREO Bite Size Cookies 2Tbsp. decorating icing REFRIGERATE 1 hour or until firm. Keep refrigerated.

1/4cup ground Coffee, any variety 1/4tsp. ground nutmeg 2Tbsp. sugar 2-1/2cups cold water 1cup eggnog, warmed 1/2cup thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping PLACE coffee and nutmeg in filter in brew basket of coffee maker. Place sugar in empty pot of coffee maker. ADD water to coffee maker; brew. When brewing is complete, stir in eggnog. POUR into 4 cups; top with COOL WHIP.

December 5, 2012

The PRESS

Page 17

To The Community and everyone who helped during Hurricane Sandy

Thank you for your many hours of volunteering to give people comfort and food, for your kind words and caring smiles. I have never witnessed this kind of natural disaster. I am so grateful I live in a community that opened their hearts to others in need. The volunteers forgot about their own needs and made the community their first priority and helped the many who were in need. I cannot express how thankful I am for all the help we received. Thank you to all the Utility Workers who worked long hours to restore power; to Mt. Bethel Road Crews; Township Supervisors and Employees; and Special thanks to: Bangor Area School District Bangor Slater Marching Band Sophie and Mt. Bethel Diner Portland Upper Mt. Bethel Food Pantry BJs (Stroudsburg) Bono Pizza (Mt. Bethel) Sweet Thing Cupcakes Millers Egg Ranch Tuscarora Inn and Conference Center PA Bagel & Deli Sams Club (Route 248) Baarda Farms & Denises Designs Blue Mountain Rod and Gun Club Mt. Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church Mt. Bethel Towing Joan & Roger Whitford Gina & Olev Sandres Stoutland Family Judy Romagnoli Linda Snyder Jessica Quinn Melinda Koehler Heather ONeill Robert & Shannon Giamonic Tamara Bell Laura Seas Linda Ackerman Cathy Allen Pete Reisen & Ingrid Beuneu Frank Brown Harry & Janet Nasatka Gail Kneebone Dale & Sandy Evans Kris & Julie Vanderpool Jean Tucker Collin, Craig and Caleb Fisher Mt. Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church Volunteers Mt. Bethel Volunteer Fire Company Members and Ladies Auxiliary Members EMT Personnel And thank you to the many people who donated baked goods, food, water, and everything else. If I forgot anyone, I would like to apologize. If you would like to make a monetary donation to the Ladies Auxiliary or the Portland Upper Mt. Bethel Food Pantry, mail to PO Box 194, Mt. Bethel, PA 18343. God Bless, and Thank you, Gail Kneebone, President, Mt. Bethel Ladies Auxiliary

The Best Way to See Clearly in Any Driving Condition

points. The beam blade design is the latest advancement in wiper technology that offers even pressure and enhanced clarity in all conditions. Although the beam blade is considered an all-season wiper, you may want to consider a winter weather blade that is equipped with superior armors and synthetic blended materials. TRICO invented the winter blade in 1953 and has recently perfected it with TRICO Ice. This wiper blade is a great option for providing maximum performance in the most unrelentingly harsh conditions. Of course, one of the most frustrating parts of buying wiper blades is installation. Thankfully, wiperblades.com has helpful installation videos to help you avoid the struggle and make the process as quick and easy as it should be. No matter where you live, unpredictable and harsh weather will affect driving visibility, so be ready with a reliable, quality set of wiper blades when the time comes. Get more tips on how to keep yourself and other drivers safe at wiperblades.com.

(NewsUSA) - Is there really a difference between wiper blades? When is it necessary to change my wipers? As the wet seasons approach, it's important to ask yourself these questions as heavy rains and increasingly severe weather can obscure driving visibility. In fact, the American Optometric Association reports that 90 percent of all driving decisions are based on visibility. Having a properly installed set of wiper blades will enhance your vision during difficult driving conditions. Most drivers don't even realize they need new wipers until that moment of truth, as a storm approaches or heavy snow begins to fall. To avoid this, check your wipers once a month for worn or split rubber that can cause streaking or chattering. TRICO, an authority in the wiper blades industry, encourages consumers to "change your clocks, change your blades" and make replacing wipers part of your typical fall and spring routine maintenance during daylight saving time. Finding the right-sized

blades can seem difficult. The "Find Your Wiper" feature on wiperblades.com offers a quick solution by letting drivers select their vehicle's make, model and year to display a full selection of wiper blade options. You may find that several different wiper blades fit your car, and then ask yourself, "Does it really matter which one I use?" The difference between a conventional style and the newer, premium beam design is important to keep in mind. A conventional blade design features a steel superstructure with blade claws, a rubber wiping element and several connection

On Thursday, November 15, 2012, the Slate Belt Young at Heart Club had the opportunity to honor our local veterans. Eugene Trigiani, one of the veterans, presented a program on POW's. Five students from Pius X High School, accompanied by Mr. Bill Stine, presented a stiring and emotional patriotic musical tribute. One of the students by the name of Dan also played Taps on a trombone. But most of all, it was wonderful to be able to salute our veterans! I, personally, want to thank all the veterans and their families, and all our members and guests, for allowing us to thank these very deserving people. God Bless America! Sincerely, Mary Lou DeRea-Lohman, President, Slate Belt Young at Heart Club The Bangor Park Board and Octoberfest Committee would like to thank everyone who assisted in making this years Octoberfest a huge success. Thank you to all the volunteers, judges, vendors, pumpkin carvers and everyone else who helped to make this an enjoyable event. In addition, we would like to thank the following people: Bangor Borough, Bangor Police Department, Rescue and Second Ward Fire Companies for the lights, Kevin Strawn, Perry Morris and Boy Scout Troop #102, Frontier Communications, Chocolates on Broadway, Giant Food Market, Main Street Market, the residents of the Bangor High Rise for donating stockings, Bangor High School National Art Honor Society, The Do Something Club and Dally's Amusements for balloons. Whatever Comes Along and The Methodist Church Thrift Store for the scarecrow clothes. The Girl Scout troops, Bangor Child Care Center and Little Ray's Day Care for carving pumpkins. And a special thanks to Greg Diomedo for running the hay ride and to the Bangor Elks for running the train and to True Blue Farms for donating ALL of the pumpkins. The First Place winner of the Themed Pumpkin display was Madagascar 3 by Janet, Phyllis and Roberta. The Second Place winners for Dead Date by The Fusch Family and Third Place winners for Classic Movie Monsters were Sherry, Gail, Sheila and Mandy. The winners of the Childrens Costume Contest were as follows: Ages 0-4: Prettiest, Olivia Burton, Funniest, Jack McGinley, Scariest, Donovan Crowley and Most Original was the little boy as the John Deer Tractor. For Ages 5-10: Prettiest, Krista Bartholomew, Funniest, Shannon Louszko, Scariest, Heckman Phillips, Most Original, Ryan DeVito. For Ages 11-15: Prettiest, Tiffany Baumgartner, Funniest, Renee Marinelli, Scariest, Avery Schiavone and Most Original, April Ramella. This event would not have been possible without all the hard work and donations of the volunteers, businesses and organizations. Thank You, Bangor Park Board Dear Editor, Major Mary Francis of the Salvation Army is a wonderful person. She is a hard-working person who loves Christmas and works especially hard through the holidays. She is very understanding and helpful of families and children in need. Major Mary is a good friend who listens and is there to help in any way she can. Thank you, Major Mary, for being my friend. Sincerely, Jeffrey The Washington Twp. Fire. Co. Ladies Auxiliary would like to thank the following businesses and people who donated to the Holiday Bingo game on November 18th; Albanese Florist, Bangor Hardware, Blue Valley Diner, Bono Pizza in Bangor and Bono Pizza in Pen Argyl, Carmellas, Detzis, Franklin Hill Vineyards, Giant, Holiday Hair, Old Mill Restaurant, Reimer Bros., Richmond Hotel, Speers Meat Market, Cristies Styling Studio, Style America, Tolinos Fuel, The Trolley Shops Restaurant, and Weis Markets. We would also like to thank Laura Bachman, Sheila Boettinger, Cindy DeLuca, Marge Dally, Albert and Donna Eberle, Jane Eberle, Dee Frable, Ruth Hahn, Gail Miller, Brian and Jill Segfried, Kay Shook, Shirley Thomas, Frances Tolino, Harold and Sandy Wambold, Bob Smith, Joe Henry and Lonnie Romano. Sincerely, Washington Twp. Ladies Auxiliary