What is the best way to introduce your child to reading?

The first grade teachers at Washington Elementary, in the Bangor Area School District have found a way. Every first grader in the school has received a special, very exciting, brand new, hard covered book! Imagine their surprise when they opened their new book and discovered their name and home town included in the story! Little One, Little One, What Do You See? is the title of the book presented to the first grade children each year as a gift from the PTA.

The Bangor Elementary PTA holds annual fundraisers to support such wonderful opportunities for children. By purchasing items from the fundraisers, family, friends, and community members have helped to instill a childs love for reading. What a wonderful community effort! Mrs. Colleen Beers, a retired Bangor first grade teacher, was invited back to read the story to the children. Instead of just listening to her read, Mrs. Beers encouraged all the children to read along with her. It was a very enthusiastic time for the readers and the retired teacher.

Pius X High School Presents The Boy Friend

Performances will be April 26th-28th
Pius X High School presents a reproduction of Sandy Wilsons musical comedy, The Boy Friend. Set in the French Riviera during the 1920s, love is in the air as five young girls at finishing school attempt to secure dates for the ball and ultimately to find boyfriends or husbands. Performances will be held on April 26th, 27th and 28th at 7pm at 580 Third Avenue, Bangor. For advance ticket information, contact 610-597-8531 or email ppzito@epix.net. Tickets can also be purchased at the door. Pius X High School won the 2011 Freddy awards for Best Costume and Best Actress in Overall Performance.

Congratulations to Joy Davis, who won a giant chocolate Easter egg from J. Defranco and Daughters Catering and Deli. She won the jelly bean contest with her guess of 1,033 jelly beans; there were 1,047 in the jar. A Used Book Sale will be held at the East Bangor United Methodist Community Church on Friday, April 20th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, April 21st from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The church is located at 136 W. Central Avenue (Route 512), East Bangor, PA. All books will be sold for $1.00 or less! For

more information, call (610)588-8881. MOPS, Mothers of Preschoolers, Come Grow with Us meeting will be Tuesday April 24th at 9:15 am at Mt. Bethel Lutheran Brethren Church. All mothers with children ages infant-5 years old are welcome to attend. Childcare will be provided. The Friends of the Bangor Public Library will hold their annual "Spring Book Sale" at the Bee Hive Community Center on May 4th from noon to 5pm; May 5th from 10am to 4pm; and May 6th, from 1pm to 4pm. Over 1000

like-new and gently used books will be available for sale. All books will be organized according to genres' for easy selection. The Community Center is located at 197 Pennsylvania Avenue, Bangor. For additional information contact Karen Brewer at 610-5888615. A very special Happy Birthday to Rosemary Greco of Roseto who is a loving and caring person who cared for her mother for the last 20 years. The Pen Argyl Area Alumni Association will present three $1,000 scholarships to qualifying seniors.Seniors must have a 3.0 GPA,must be in good standing and must be accepted in a school of higher learning (college,trade school,technical school). Applicants must submit an essay on the given topic. Students may contact Eric Sampson for details on topic and

submission date. Happy Belated Birthday to Marlena Phelps, who celebrated on April 11th. We hope you had a wonderful day, Marlena! We would like to wish Doug Nichols a very Happy Birthday on April 22nd. have a great day, Doug! Also celebrating a birthday on April 22nd is Annette Maria. Have a wonderful day, Annette! Ron Lessig will be celebrating his birthday on April 22nd as well. Have a fantastic day, Ron! Happy Birthday wishes are sent to Duane Bub Meixsell, who will be celebrating on April 23rd. We love hearing from you! Send your birthdays, anniversaries, and 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 March 29 through April 4, 2012. Adult fiction: Black, Lisa, Defensive wounds; Caldwell, Laura, The year of living famously; Carlson, Melody, Back home again; Clark, Mary Higgins, The lost years; Deutermann, P.T., Official privilege; Fallon, Siobhan, You know when the men are gone; Grimes, Martha, Fadeaway girl; Haddam, Jane, Blood in the water; Kallos, Stephanie, Broken for you; Martin, George R.R., The game of thrones (graphic novel); Moyes, Jojo, The last letter from your lover; Patterson, James, Guilty

wives; Steel, Danielle, Betrayal; Strout, Elizabeth, Olive Kitteridge; Trigiani, Adriana, The shoemakers wife; Wallace, Nicolle, Eighteen acres; and Wilhelm, Kate, Death of an artist. Large Print fiction: Edwards, Kim, The memory keepers daughter; and Gardner, Lisa, The perfect husband. Adult non-fiction: Capuzzo, Michael, Close to shore; Doonan, Simon, Gay men dont get fat; Levin, Mark, Liberty & tyranny; Rocheleau, Paul, The one-room schoolhouse. Young Adult fiction: Delacruz, Melissa, Lost in time. DVDs: The girl with the dragon tattoo (Daniel Craig), Hugo.

Gary R. Moffett Scholarship Available to Bangor Seniors

The Bangor Area High School Class of 1986 is proud to announce the Gary R. Moffett Scholarship, in loving memory of deceased classmates and friends, is available again for 2012. The scholarship in the amount of $500, is available to Bangor Area High School Seniors, and can be found in the Guidance Office with Mrs. Diorio. Please call Lisa Moffett or Jenna Moffett at 215-997-2141 for more information. Gary was Class Treasurer through his High School years, and active in many sports. The recipient of the scholarship will be announced during Bangor Area High Schools 2012 Commencement Cer-emony. Applications are due no later than May 15th.

Totts Gap Art Institute News

Several adult workshops are now forming in Watercolor and Oil Painting. Classes run for six sessions and will give students a chance to work in and outdoor as weather permits. These are fun classes that will teach the beginner as well as enhance the more advanced. They also offer ongoing clay, sculpture, knitting and life drawing classes as well. Come on out and experience your artistic side! On Earth Day, Sunday, April 22nd from 12:30 1:30pm, there will be an origami class in amphibians. Join them afterward for a walk with the Nature Conservancy for a Salamander search right on the property! Find out more information online. Summer is fast approaching and they are now taking registrations for Summer Camp for children in grades K-6. Camp is offered the weeks of June 18th and July 23rd and is available either half day or whole day. There is something for everyone. Children will have the option of exploring art, dance, theater or a combination of each! Please check our website for more information at www.tottsgap.org. They are non-profit and are happy to offer a brand new financial aid program that will help many people take advantage of their already low costs! You can find a chart online that will show you how little the class will cost for those who qualify. Join them today and join in the fun!

BARC Presents Grandparents Dance

In an effort to bring recreation to the community and bridge the generational gap between the children and grandparents of the Slate Belt the Bangor Area Recreation Committee (BARC) proudly presents a Grandparents Dance on Friday, April 27th, with 5:30pm Dinner, and 6:30 pm to 8:30pm Dancing with DJ Loony Tunes. Children in grades K-4 are encouraged to attend with a grandparent, parent, or other adult. (All children must be accompanied by an adult). Grandparents...come out and teach the children how to Charleston, Swing, and Hokey Pokey. Kidscome out and teach the grandparents how to Dougie and do the Cha Cha Slide!!! Tickets include a dinner of spaghetti, chicken nuggets, salad, bread, dessert and hot and cold drinks. There is no limit to how many adults a child can bring. Hope to see you there! Contact Recreation Coordinators, Jennifer Reese at 484-645-9370 or Jessica D'Amelio at 610-360-8731, or via email at BARCRecr eation@gmail.com for more information and reservations. Like them on Facebook! Checks should be made out to BARC and sent to school with child or mailed in an envelope marked: BARC/BASD 123 Five PointsRichmond Road, Bangor, PA 18013. All registrations must be received by Wednesday, April 25th.

Spring Yard Sale to Support Team Lukie's Tigers

Grrrrr...It's that fresh, crisp, time of year again with lots of new beginings...from sprouting little seedlings to spring cleaning! Let Lukie's Tigers help you to get rid of your clutter! Lukie's Tiger's are now accepting donations for their spring yard sale. Held at Washington Pet across from Mr. Z's, the yard sale will take place bright and early on Saturday, April 28th. Washington Pet is offering a $5 dog nail trim special for the event. Come out and join them for some Tiger-ific Fun! Contact Jennifer Reese at 484-645-9370 for questions and donations. Lukie's Tigers and Lukie's Fall Festival were started in memory of Luke Anthony Joseph Maida, who became an SMA Angel on December 8th, 2000 at the young age of 5 months and 26 days by his parents Joe and Tara (De Crescenzo) Maida and families. SMA...Spinal Muscular Atrophy is the #1 genetic killer of children under the age of 2. Nail trimming benefits Families of SMA. Food and yard sale proceeds benefits Families of SMA PA Chapter Walk...Team Lukies Tigers.

Being A Good Citizen Can Be Good Business

St. John ELC Plans Upcoming Activities

St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, 12 N. Westbrook Ave., Pen Argyl, has announced upcoming events. On Saturday, April 21st, from noon to 5pm, a group of Boy Scouts from Bangor and members of St. Johns will travel to Zion Moselem Church to help cut seed potatoes for this years planting. Bring your own knife and cutting board. The group will leave the church at noon and return at 5pm. The church will hold their Outdoor Flea Market on Saturday, April 28th, from 8am to 2pm. A rain date is scheduled for May 5th. Reserve your space now for the flea market in the church parking lot. A double space on the lot can be reserved by calling 610-863-7498 or leave a message with the church office at 610-863-4332. Call early, as spaces will go quickly. The Helping Hands will be holding a Spring Rummage and Bake Sale on Friday, May 11th, from 8am to 4pm, and Saturday, May 12th, from 8am to 2pm. Dawn Heisler, chairperson for the sale, is asking for help to set up tables and items for the sale on May 6th, after worship. Items for the sale may be dropped off at the church from May 6th through 9th, between 9am and 2pm. Proceeds from the sale support activities within the church such as Vacation Bible School, and community groups such as the Salvation Army and Turning Point of the Lehigh Valley. For more information about the rummage sale, call Dawn Heisler at 610-863-7498.

(NAPSI)A growing number of corporations are finding that good works and good business can go hand in hand. Whether they are volunteering, helping fund community-based projects or working to strengthen publicprivate partnerships such as United Way,

more companies are taking Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) seriously and investing in communities where they are located. Here are some examples: U.S. Bank works closely with United Way and its partners in communities across the United States to provide

financial education, affordable housing and more. United Way is U.S. Banks largest grant recipient and sole partner of the annual employee giving campaign. Employees are encouraged to volunteer through eight hours of paid time off. In 2010, more than 36,000 employees volunteered. Microsoft provides software and cash grants and employee fundraisingoverall providing $14.3 million in cash, software and in-kind donations to United Way in 2010. Plus, when its employees volunteer more than 10 hours for an eligible organization (employees volunteered 363,000 hours last year), Microsoft provides a $17 matching donation for

The Ocean Does A Million Things For You: Here's What You Can Do For It
(NAPSI)Whether you live in Kansas or on Kauai, the ocean affects your life. Covering more than 70 percent of the planet, the ocean is a vital source of life on Earth. Every other breath you take originates from the ocean. Weather patterns and climate are influenced by its currents. Seafood provides 1316 percent of the world's protein. Human beings depend on the ocean for a wealth of goods and services, yet, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), pollution, climate change and overfishing are diminishing the ability of the ocean to provide many of these benefits into the future. "The ocean is our planet's life support system, and its health is waning," says Daniel J. Basta, director, NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. "We all have a stake in ensuring its health. Recovery starts with our personal actions every day." Here's what you can do: Clean up your act. Motor oil, antifreeze, toxic chemicals (including household cleaners), paints and pesticides that run off from yards and pavement frequently make their way to sea. Properly dispose of, or recycle, these products to avoid being a source of this pollution. Don't trash where you splash. Millions of pounds of trash and debris end up in the ocean every year. A variety of this debris, including cigarette butts, glass bottles and plastics, injure and kill marine life. Keep our waters clean! Practice your 3 R's (reduce, reuse, recycle) to keep trash off the streets and out of the ocean. Conserve energy. The burning of fossil fuels for electricity, heating and transportation releases harmful carbon dioxide into the atmosphere that affects ocean life. Biking, buying products made or grown locally, riding mass transit, drinking tap water and using alternative sources of energy are ways to reduce your impact on the environment. Eat sustainable seafood. Many of the large fish we enjoy eating are fished at levels that can't be sustained. By making informed decisions about the seafood you eat, you're supporting healthy, abundant oceans. Volunteer. Lend your time to support research, education and outreach at places that work to protect coastal and marine habitats, such as National Marine Sanctuaries.

every volunteer hour. Bank of America employees volunteered more than 1 million hours last year. The bank was also the first financial institution to support the United Way Financial Stability Partnership, with $4.5 million in grants over the past few years, plus employee volunteers, providing free tax preparation and filing assistance, resulting in $2 billion in total tax refunds, reinvested into communities. Procter & Gamble works each year to touch and improve lives around the world through its partnership with United Way. Last year, P&G employees joined together to participate in more than 145 volunteer events. Since 2007, more than 300 million children worldwide have benefited from the companys Live, Learn and Thrive Program. Dominion granted $24 million and partnered with United Way to provide heating assistance in 2010. Last year, Dominion employees volunteered 150,000 hours. To learn more, visit liveunited.org/soa.

Stay Ahead of Your Health with Free Annual Wellness Visits

by George Andrews, M.D.

Northampton County Area Agency on Aging Sponsoring Town Meetings

Northampton County Area Agency on Aging will sponsor town meetings as part of the preparation of a new Plan on Aging for the period of July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2016. The purpose of the town meetings will be to solicit thoughts and recommendations from members of the community regarding priorities the Area Agency on Aging should establish in the coming four year period. The Four Year Plan is expected to include initiatives in public information, emergency preparedness, elder abuse investigation and prevention, mental health, and volunteerism, among others. The town meetings will be held as follows: Friday, April 20, 9:30 a.m., Old York Road Senior Center: 720 Old York Road, Bethlehem; Monday, April 23, 10:30 a.m., Nazareth Senior Center, Oliver Border House: 15 South Wood Street, Nazareth; Tuesday, April 24, 10:00 a.m., Slate Belt Senior Center: Blue Valley Farm Show, Bangor; Thursday, April 26, 9:45 a.m., Easton Area Senior Center: 42 Center Square, Easton. All members of the community are invited and welcome to attend any of the upcoming meetings.

(NAPSI)An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure is an important adage to keep top of mind as we each strive to maintain a healthy lifestyle and achieve lifelong wellbeing. Beginning at birth, routine physicals are critical for monitoring a newborns health and developmental milestones. Even throughout childhood years, parents are diligent about scheduling routine physicals or making a doctors appointment at the first sign of an illness in their kids. However, this practice tends to reverse with aging as many adults delay regular doctors visits because they might not feel sick or are afraid of getting a pricey medical bill. In fact, a recent survey from The Senior Citizens League found that 51 percent of older adults put off visiting a doctor or getting outpatient medical services due to concerns about costs. The reality, though, is that postponing medical care can mean greater costs in the long run, particularly for seniors suffering from chronic conditions. With The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reporting that 70 percent of Medicare members suffer from at least one chronic condition, annual wellness visits are an important tool in ensuring lifelong wellbeing and catching serious illnesses early on. This is why health benefits provider Humana strongly encourages all Medicare members to take advan-

tage of the complimentary annual wellness visit offered through their plans. The CMS-mandated benefit, which has been available to all Medicare members since January 2011, provides members with crucial services and the resources they need to keep their health on track. The visit, which can be performed by a health professional such as a nurse practitioner or physicians assistant in addition to a doctor, includes: Comprehensive Medical Review. When members meet with their primary care physician, they should bring their medical records and a list of prescriptions and know about their familys health history to review with the doctor. During this visit, doctors will also track blood pressure, weight and height to establish a baseline for future appointments, as well as calculate the members body mass index, or BMI. BMI is a simple way to find out if the individual could have health risks because of excess body fat. Mental Health Check. Studies show that seniors are at great risk of some mental disorders, many of which can be accurately diagnosed and treated. During the annual wellness visit, doctors will check for signs of dementia, memory loss, depression and other mental health conditions. Developing a Plan. Doctors will examine a patients medical history and current health conditions to create a plan for getting

necessary shots and services. They will also make sure all preventive screenings for chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease and various forms of cancer, are up to date. And there is more good newsmany preventive screenings are also free or low cost for Medicare members. Although its never too late to schedule an annual wellness visit, its a good rule of thumb to contact your doctor early in the year. By forming a partnership with your primary care office, you can have the preventive measures to keep yourself on a path to lifelong health and well-being.
George Andrews, M.D., is the corporate chief of quality at Humana. A former Fulbright scholar, Andrews is board certified in the areas of internal medicine and cardiovascu-

lar disease. Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, is a leading health care company that offers a wide range of insurance products and health and wellness services that incorporate an integrated approach to lifelong wellbeing.

Help For Your Best Lawn And Yard Ever Monroe County Garden
( N A P S I ) T h e r e s good news for homeowners who want the grass to grow greener on their side of the fence. Throughout May, lawn, garden and equipment experts will provide free, one-on-one advice on everything from how to control pests and finally win the battle against weeds to troubleshooting a lawn mower that wont start. Well help everyone who calls and take as long as necessary to get homeowners the answers they need, says Trey Rogers, an internationally known expert on lawn and yard care and leader of the hotline, which is sponsored by Briggs & Stratton Corporation. For example, if your grass is brown or dying where it should be green, he advises, there may be a simple solution. 1. Can you blame it on the dog? The nitrogen in dog urine can burn your lawn and cause a widespread brown patch problem. You can create a special gravel or mulch area and train Fido to go there. 2. Is your mower blade dull? Dull blades tear rather than cleanly cut the grass, which can weaken and damage the lawn. 3. Did you spill fertilizer or overfeed your lawn? Too much fertilizer is a well-known grass-burning culprit. Always follow package instructions when applying fertilizer. If your spreader drops too much in one place, water that spot on the lawn generously. 4. What about too much water? If you overwater or if water pools in certain areas on your lawn, you can drown the grass roots, causing areas to die out. 5. How do I grow grass in the shade? In deep shade, put down mulch instead. In partial shade, seed the area in the spring and fall, when leaves dont block the sunlight. From May 1 to 31, anyone can get a free online or phone consultation with a lawn, garden or equipment expert on any problem by visiting www.Yard Smarts.com or calling 1-866-YARD-TIPS. In addition, every Friday during May, experts will be available for livechats to share information more broadly with homeowners.

Club to Celebrate 85th Anniversary

The Monroe County Garden Club will donate and plant a Cleveland Pear tree at the Dansbury Depot, located at South Kistler Street and Analomink Street in East Stroudsburg, on Wednesday, April 25th, at 11am. The Arbor Day tree will be planted in memory of deceased members of the Monroe County Garden Club. Evelyn Smith, Arbor Day Chairperson, has selected the tree and will attend the program along with members of the Club. The Monroe County Garden Club is a member of District II/III of the Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania; a member of the National Club; and the Central Atlantic Region. For more information, please contact President Arlene Deskus at (570) 420-0283 or adeskus@ptd.net. Join the Monroe County Garden Club on Facebook. The club will hold its 85th Anniversary Celebration on Wednesday, May 9th, 11:30am, at the Chateau Resort and Conference Center, located in Tannersville. Founded in 1927, the clubs A Roaring Twenties Tea Party, will feature a tea luncheon, raffle and a best dressed award. Attendees are encouraged to dress in period costume. Registrations must be made by April 30th. Lisa Diemer, owner of Kitchen Chemistry in Stroudsburg, will give a presentation on herbal crafts.

Credit Scores Matter In A Tough Housing Market

( N A P S I ) T h e r e s encouraging news for homeowners who face a tough housing market. New government mortgage settlement programs may help homeowners avoid foreclosure. Thats good news, because the tough housing market is expected to be worse or much the same for at least the next year. In a recent survey conducted by FreeScore.com, nearly six in 10 respondents expect tight housing credit to continue. A good credit score is important when it comes to qualifying for a home loan, yet many prospective homeowners do not understand how their credit score works. Consumers with better credit and higher credit scores can generally secure home loans more easily and take advantage of low refinancing. Here are some ways to better manage your credit: First, track, monitor and understand your credit scores from each of the national credit bureausTransUnion, Experian and Equifaxin order to secure the best interest rates possible. Read your reports carefully to be sure there are no mistakes. Pay bills on time. See if you can set up payment reminders so that your payments are not late. Reduce the amount you owe. Stop using credit cards and come up with a payment plan. For more information, visit the website at www.FreeScore.com.

Kitchen Must-Haves Make For Dont Just Respond To Power Outages, Prevent Them Healthier Eating
Stick Cookware Sets and its ActiFry Low-Fat Multi-Cooker. T-fals patented Thermo-Spot technology alerts users when the pan reaches the preheated temperature so you can achieve the perfect sear, and keeps dishes healthier as theyre not sitting in oil. As an added bonus, these pans provide fast and easy cleanup with nonstick and dishwasher-safe interior and exterior coating. T-fal ActiFry creates healthier versions of the foods we all love, ranging from vegetables, seafood, meats, french fries and even desserts. Through its unique patented hot-air circulation technology and stirring paddle, dishes are healthier due to little to no oil required. Simply put in the ingredients, turn on the machine and let it go. When its time to clean up, simply put the cooking surface and the lid in the dishwasher. (NAPSI)Some 30 million Americans suffer through extended power outages a year and that number is expected to rise-but you dont have to be among them. While storms, an aging electrical grid and freak occurrences can all contribute to significant power outages, getting a backup generator can make the difference for you. Its all well and good to have some extra batteries put aside but its even better to not need them in the first place. The answer, many families have found, is a stationary home backup generator that can keep the power running during and after a storm. A stationary backup generator connects to a homes existing natural gas or LP fuel supply, automatically turns on after the electrical power goes out and provides power to the home until the electrical grid returns. A stationary generator isnt just part of an emergency preparedness kit-it can actually help prevent an emergency. For example, homeowners in one coastal Maryland community weathered Hurricane Irene without any problems. Every home in the Chesapeake Village subdivision was built with an attached Generac standby generator. While thousands of other residents along the Chesapeake Bay faced week-long power outages, life for Chesapeake Village homeowners continued as usual. Power isnt just a luxury for many people with electronic medical devices, its a necessity. In addition, many work from home or remotely and not having power is bad for their economy and the nations. Fortunately, you can get a Generac power system with an output from 7 kilowatts to 60 kilowatts through a broad network of independent dealers, retailers and wholesalers. For further information, visit www.Generac.com, call (888) 436-3722, follow the company on Twitter@generacpower sys or become a fan on Facebook.

(NAPSI)Cooking healthier meals does not have to be difficult or time consuming. The first step is to stock your kitchen with equipment that

promotes healthier eatingproducts that are versatile and easy to use. For example, musthaves for the healthier kitchen are T-fals Non-

New Cable Boxes Help Save Money And Energy

(NAPSI)A growing number of consumers are getting the picture when it comes to energy and their cable box. Surprising as it may sound, a cable box uses energy even when youre not watching TV. In fact, nearly twothirds of energy use occurs when people are not watching TV or recording a show, costing Americans an estimated $2 billion each year. A home with two standard boxes can use more electricity than a new refrigerator. To help, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys ENERGY STAR program is partnering with pay-TV service providers to offer energy-efficient set-top boxes to their customers. Qualified set-top boxes can power down when not in use and are designed to be at least 40 percent more energy efficient than other models. Experts say if every set-top box in the nation met ENERGY STAR requirements, it would save about $1.8 billion a year and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. To learn more, visit www.energystar.gov/pr oducts.

Join The Fun at Union School House

Bangor students will be joined by teachers, administrators, and the community at the Union School House, located between the Bangor Area High School and DeFranco Elementary School on April 18th, 10am to noon, for an Earth Day Celebration. Learn about recyclable projects that the students have been working on for Earth Day. Show your support by voting for the best inventive project. The rain date will be April 19th.

On March 31st, Jacob competed at Penn State University in the Pennsylvania Boy's Gymnastics State Championships. He scored a 14.8 on high bar to win the Silver Medal. He also competed and scored very well on rings, pummel horse, vault, floor and parallel bars. His all around score has qualified him for the Regional Championships being held at Temple University at the end of April. There he will compete against the top gymnasts from Delaware, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Jacob is currently on the Level 5 team at Lehigh Valley Sports Academy in Allentown, PA where he is coached by Jake Becker and Mike Acevedo. Jacob began his gymnastics career at 3 years old at Miss Lisa's gymnastics in Pen Argyl. When Jacob is not in the gym training, he loves participating in soccer, baseball and basketball. He is a first grade student in Mrs Trumbauers class at Washington Elementary. Proud parents are Andrew and Tanya Hartzell. Siblings are Aaron, Sarah, Grace and Hannah. Grandparents are Joseph and Linda Caffrey of Pen Argyl and Alan and Barbara Hartzell of Phillipsburg. Jacob's parents would like to thank all of their family, friends, neighbors and coworkers who help support his gymnastics dreams by participating in the endless fund raising efforts that help with his coaches, competition and gym fees.

Nationally Known Wildlife Photographer Joins Local Gallery

graphs, for sale at the gallery, feature Pocono Mountain birds and animals in celebration of the Spring in the Poconos exhibit at the Gallery. The Gallery will host a meet the artist evening on Saturday, April 21 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. to celebrate the opening of this exhibit. Other local artists in the exhibit include: Jone Bush potter, Pat Hafermann jeweler, Nancy Hopping photographer, Mary Kester jeweler, Helen Kopec jeweler, Jack Jones birdhouses, Linda Kreckel watercolors, Joseph Michonski furniture, Karyn Michonski soaps, Joan Sayer painter, Pat Transue photographer and Manuel Tufano jeweler. The Meet the Artist reception will give shoppers the opportunity to talk with artists about their work, purchase one of a kind pieces from the artist and learn about their custom orders. The exhibit will run until June 15th. Silver Arrow Gallery specializes in Made in America and Made in Pennsylvania art, jewelry and crafts. For further information visit their website w w w. s i l v e r- a r r o w gallery.com or call 570619-0461.

Nationally known wildlife photographer and author, Dr. Leonard Lee Rue III has installed an exhibit at Silver Arrow Gallery in

Tannersville. Dr Rues work has appeared on over 1800 magazine covers and is the author of 29 books. His wildlife photo-

Stop In at Choida's Belfast Deli Mart

Wanda and Tony Choida have owned and operated Choidas Belfast Deli Mart since 2006. More than just a deli you will find a full line of Shurfine grocery items, dairy products, bread, lottery tickets, newspapers coffee, cappuccino, etc., and home made baked goods including wet bottom shoe fly pie. Along with a friendly staff ready to serve you. They use DEITZ & WATSON deli meats. All sandwiches, wraps and salads are made to order. Breakfast sandBy Candy Martin

ATM available for customers. They also sell bait for fishing. Choida's Belfast Deli Mart is a one stop shop for all your needs. Located at 500 Belfast Road (at the corner of Belfast and Sullivan

Trial Roads) in Nazareth. You can call ahead to place your order for fast pick up. The phone number is 610-759-1744. The hours are Monday thru Friday from 5:30 am till 8:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 7:00 am till 7:00 pm.

wiches, and bagels are also on the menu. Sand-

wich and wrap party trays are available for

parties or any occasion. Hoagie fundraisers for non-profit organizations, such as girl scouts and boy scouts, churches, little league teams, etc. are also offered. Please call Wanda for more information on party trays or fundraisers. The deli offers soft serve ice-cream as well as Hersheys ice-cream. Credit cards are accepted and there is an

Baking Tips For Every Baker

When rolling out crust, roll from the center out, very lightly, then cover with a large piece of plastic wrap continue to roll carefully and turn crust over so that the crust is now on top of the plastic wrap. Place another piece of plastic wrap on top and finish rolling to desired thickness, refrigerate if necessary. With butter based crusts, the plastic helps hold the shape of the crust, eases annoying splitting of the crust, and helps keep you from adding too much flour. When emergencies strike, such as a forgotten bake sale or unexpected guests, its nice to be able to whip up a pie for dessert quickly. First, put pride aside, and keep some piecrust mix like Krust-ez or Pillsbury for a quick crust. Replace a bit of the water with a few tablespoons of sour cream. No one will ever know you used a packaged mix and the sour cream will add flavor as well as help to make the crust flakier. Brush some beaten egg white over your pie crust before baking to yield a beautiful glossy finish. Leftover pie dough? Cover it with some Parmesan or Gruyere cheese and bake it for a delicious appetizer. When a recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a bit of the dry cake mix instead and there won't be any white 'mess' on the side of the cake. Sticking cake layers? Try putting them back in a warm oven for a short time. The layers will come out without a problem, or try lining the bottom of your pans with wax paper. Dropping Cookie Dough - To get cookie dough to drop without sticking, dip the spoon in milk first.

Turn Pantry Staples Into Super Suppers

(NAPSI)Whether you are cooking for your family, friends or guests, you dont have to look far for quick and easy meal inspiration, just check your pantry. There, you can find simple solutions using some of your favorite foods. For example, heres an unexpected twist on classic lasagna that uses Chef Boyardee as an ingredient. Its a wholesome meal that is easy enough for the kids to help make and even easier for the entire family to enjoy. Ravioli Lasagna PAM Original NoStick Cooking Spray 1 cup frozen loose cut leaf spinach 2 cans (15 oz each) Chef Boyardee Beef Ravioli 1 can (14.5 oz each) Hunts Diced Tomatoes, drained well 1 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning 1 cup 1% low-fat cottage cheese teaspoon ground black pepper 1 cup shredded Italian blend cheese Preheat oven to 375F. Spray 8x8-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray. Place spinach in microwave-safe bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave on HIGH 2 minutes; squeeze spinach dry. Combine ravioli, drained tomatoes and Italian seasoning in medium microwavesafe bowl. Cover with

Ravioli Lasagna puts an unexpected twist on a classic pasta dish. plastic wrap and micro- mixture in bottom of wave on HIGH 3 to 4 baking dish. Top with minutes or until mixture half of cottage cheese is hot. Combine cottage mixture and cup cheese, spinach and shredded cheese. Repeat black pepper in small layers. Bake 15 minutes or until cheese is hot and bowl. Place half of ravioli bubbly.

Greggo and Team Win UCA Nationals

the UCA 2012 International Champions. They each received their own gold medallion, Champion Jacket, and a bid to Worlds. Ella has six National Championship titles, one International Championship title, one All Levels Championship title, and many other awards. Ella and her team will be travelling back to Disney at the end of April to compete at the UCA World Championship. Not only will they compete against other teams from across the entire United States, but also from other countries around the world. Worlds is the Best of The Best. It is the next step up from Nationals, and is the Highest Competition in the sport of competitive cheerleading. Ella will be representing the United States, her team, her gym, the UCA, herself, and her talents as a flyer, dancer, gymnast and tumbler. Ella travels and competes with her team all over Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Washington DC, Maryland, Georgia, Florida, and many other states.

Get The Whole Family In The Game

(NAPSI)If you want to let the whole family in on the fun, consider an interactive video game. Several of the latest games encourage everyone to interact and share good times. Feel like dancing? Just Dance Kids 2 is now available on Wii, Kinect for Xbox 360 and PlayStation Move. The game features 40 fun and energetic dance routines to kids favorite songs, including hits from todays most popular artists, TV shows and movies. Or the family can dance to ABBA You Can Dance. The game features 26 timeless songs and invites you to unleash your inner dancing queen with one of the worlds biggest music sensations. Dance with up to four players or join in on vocals. A magical universe. Michel Ancel, celebrated creator of Rayman and Beyond Good & Evil, returns to his roots to deliver Rayman Origins: a 2-D side-scrolling, platforming adventure. The game invites players to join over 100 characters in six unique, enchanting environments. Rayman Origins is a platformer at its core, and can be played alone or with up to four players cooperatively offline. Rayman Origins is available for Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, PS Vita and PC. Add a new dimension to TV. Four new interactive video games are based on televisions most popular and beloved game shows. Family Feud 2012 Edition features the familiar and favorite challenges from the hit TV game show. Hole in the Wall Deluxe Edition features all the familiar challenges from the hit TV show. The Price Is Right Decades video game features popular pricing games that span four decades of the television show. Who Wants To Be a Millionaire features the cleverly written trivia questions seen on the TV show. For more information, visit www.ubi.com.

Ella Greggo, a sophomore at Pius X High School, is a gymnast and a competitive cheerleader for the Rocket Elite Allstars, a nationally ranked team from Easton. This is Ellas eighth year cheering for the Rockets, and she competes on the International Open Level Five Team. Because of the extreme difficulty in stunting and gymnastics, this

level is the highest competitive level of Allstar Cheerleading. Ella just competed at Nationals in March at the UCA - Universal Cheerleading Associations - Cheerleading Competition Championship, held in the ESPN Sports Center at the Wide World of Sports in Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida. Ella and her team won first place, naming them

Car Check Keeps Families Safer Behind The Wheel

(NAPSI)When the chatter of your wiper blades is louder than the kids in the backseat, you know its time to change your wiper blades, and you may even add it to a preroad-trip to-do list. But why wait? Instead, make inspecting wiper blades part of your regular vehicle safety inspection. Spending a few minutes with your car now can help you enjoy safer driving this summer. More than a deep wash to get winters salt and grime away, maintenance items on a car checklist should include inspecting and repairing items that wear over time. Routine items to check include tire pressure fluid levels air-conditioning and engine cooling systems hoses and filters turn signal indicators headlights, taillights and running lights ...plusone of the simplestinspect and replace worn wiper blades. Nationally recognized automotive expert in car care Lauren Fix, The Car Coach, knows that an estimated 90 percent of a motorists driving decisions are based on how well he or she sees the road. Fix and her daughter, Teen Car Coach Shelby Fix, agree that checking wiper blades is one of the easiest ways to improve your familys road safety. As Shelby writes, A dirty windshield could cause big problems. If you cant see where you are going, its dangerous to everyone. Get a new set of wiper blades...they are worth it. Properly maintained wiper blades are simply an easy, low-cost way to help ensure the clearest sight line in a rainstorm and improve driving safety. Industry experts recommend checking blades periodically and replacing them about every six months. Worn, torn or inefficient blades leave streaks, a film and an inconsistent view of the road that can limit vision or delay driver judgment. New blades can provide a better and longer-lasting clear view of the road, especially important for improving safety during summer rainstorms. One option is the Michelin Stealth Hybrid Technology wiper blade, with a patent-pending, spring-loaded design for superior contact with the windshield. For more information, visit the website at michelinstealth.com.

When Buying A Booster Seat, Check With The Experts

(NAPSI)Before you shop for a booster seat, theres one thing you ought to know: Not all booster seats on the market will provide the right fit for the car you drive. Using a booster seat is important. With a booster seat, children ages 4 to 8 are 45 percent less likely to sustain injuries in crashes than when theyre in belts alone. Fortunately, your efforts to choose the right seat can get a boost from some expert guidance. Following the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety ratings can make it easier to select boosters. Unlike child restraints with built-in harnesses, a booster seat relies on a vehicle safety belt to buckle the child in. Its purpose is to make the adult belt fit the child better. Safety belts are designed with adults in mind, not kids, but when a booster seat does its job, the vehicle belt will fit a child correctly. That means the lap belt will lie flat across a childs upper thighs, not across the soft abdomen, and the shoulder belt will cross snugly over the middle of a childs shoulder. The Institute assigns tested seats into four categories: Best Bets are seats that provide good fit for typical 4- to 8-year-olds in almost any car, minivan or SUV. Good Bets provide acceptable fit in most cars, minivans or SUVs. Not Recommended dont provide a good fit and should be avoided. Check Fit applies to booster seats that have varied results depending on child size and vehicle model. Checking Booster Fit Both the lap and shoulder belts must fit your child correctly. To check the lap belt fit, make sure it lies flat and on top of the thighs, not higher up on the abdomen. To check the shoulder belt fit, make sure it fits across the middle of the childs shoulder. If it falls off the shoulder or rests on your childs neck, it wont work as well. An improper fit could encourage your child to move the belt to a dangerous position, such as behind the back or under the arm. The Institute assesses boosters using a special crash test dummy representing an averagesized 6-year-old. For more information, visit www.iihs.org.

Put Your Old Car On The Road Potholes Pose Plenty Of Problems problem. youve hit a pothole, (NAPSI)They lurk alignment Rich White, on rural highways and Proper wheel alignment said To Giving And Getting city streets, ready to cost is important for the life executive director, Car
from scratch and using precious resources from the environment. Annually, more than 1.7 million tons of steel and more than 268,000 tons of aluminum are recycled. This eliminates the need to manufacture such metals and translates to a reduction in landfill space in one year that would equal all 31 NFL football stadiums filled 12 feet deep. What Many People Dont Get Surprisingly, although vehicle donation programs have been around for years, many people dont know much about them or how easy it can be to donate. Nearly three out of four Americans made charitable contributions in the last five years. Sixty-nine percent donated cash, 67 percent donated used goods and 47 percent donated time. For more information about vehicle donation or to learn how to donate a vehicle, call (877) 557-1CAR or check out 1car1difference.com. you time, trouble and money. Theyre potholes, and they occur when water permeates the pavementusually through a crack from wear and tear of trafficand softens the soil beneath it, creating a depression in the surface of the street. While most drivers know immediately when they hit a pothole, what they often dont know is if their vehicle has been damaged in the process. To help determine if hitting a pothole has hurt your vehicle, watch for the following warning signs: Loss of control, swaying when making routine turns, bottoming out on city streets or bouncing excessively on rough roads. These are indicators that the steering and suspension may have been damaged. Pulling in one direction, instead of maintaining a straight path, and uneven tire wear. These symptoms mean theres an span of tires. Low tire pressure, bulges or blisters on the sidewalls or dents in the rim. These problems will be visible and should be checked out as soon as possible. Hitting a pothole can cause plenty of problems - damaging tires, wheels, steering and suspension, wheel alignment and more. If Care Council, its worth having a professional technician check out the car and make the necessary repairs to ensure safety and reliability. The Car Care Council is the source of information for the Be Car Care Aware consumer education campaign. For more information, visit www.carcare.org.

(NAPSI)The next time you find yourself stuck with an old vehicle that barely runsor doesnt even run at allyou may be surprised at just how far that car can go. If you donate it to a charitable organization, you can help others, help the environment and help yourself to a tax deduction. What An Old Car Can Do Donating a car can generate enough cash to: Supply a months worth of food for a family of five, Provide more than two years worth of generic drugs to a senior citizen, Support education, medical research and youth programs, Help rescue animals from neglect and abuse. What You Can Get Besides the good feeling you get from helping others, you can benefit in another way. Because donated vehicles qualify as charitable gifts, you

may be eligible for a tax deduction. If your vehicle sells for less than $500, you can claim up to $499. If it sells for more than $500, you can deduct the actual sale price. Most vehicle donation programs provide full service, including free pickup coordination, processing of the paperwork and sending you completed tax forms. What The World Gets Recycling the metal from old vehicles saves energy, conserves natural resources and reduces the pollution that can come from steel production. According to the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, recycling one car conserves 2,500 pounds of iron ore, 1,400 pounds of coal and 120 pounds of limestone. Thanks to the salvage auction industry, the nation sees significant energy and environmental savings by recycling old materials, such as aluminum and steel, rather than relying on creating those materials

Very comfortable, could help Finder, with delivery. Call 570-213- $3,000. (4/5) 7731. (10/10) For Sale: Entertainment Center, 52 x 72, very good cond.: $50. Queen Ann Upholstered Bench: $50. Wrought Iron Bar Chairs: $75 ea. Chippendale Love Seats: $300 ea. 570-8562762. Email winterplace @epix.net for pics. (4/5)

many extras, 570-897-6943.

Rigid 10 Inch Belt Drive Table Saw: $300; Craftsman 12 inch Band Saw, $100. call 610-588-1246. (5/5)

2006 HD 883: Low miles, extras. $4,500. 862-2684962. (3/5) 1993 Ford Aerostar Van: 75k miles, runs well, new tires, new brakes, new battery. Asking $3,200, or best offer. No rust. Call 610-905-0511. (5/5) 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan: Inspection good until September 2012, runs and drives. Call 610-393-3435. (5/5)

1989 Sea Ray: 16 IO 4 cyl., Always garage kept Low hours; skiis, tube, and Accessories. Asking Queen Size Duvet Cover: $1,975. 570-897-6988. with comforter, terra-cotta (3/5) color. 2 shams, dust ruffle, For Sale: Headstrom metal and pillow, all for $40. Call swing set w/ playhouse; 610-349-2871, excellent Round glass top vinyl patio Motorcycle: 1982 Harley table & 4 chairs; old tools. Davidson Wide Glide condition. (5/5) Call evenings: 908-534- FXWG. 1340cc big twin Shovelhead engine. Clothes: Boys sizes, 8, 9 & 4393. (2/5) Custom chrome. Pristine 10; Girls sizes, 3, 4 & 5 Brand Names; excellent Whole House Furniture cond. $8000. Call 908condition, $1-$3. Call 610- Sale plus some antiques. 459-5881. (8/10)
759-7295. (4/5) Upland Wood Burning Stove: Cast Iron, very good condition, takes up to 24 logs. $495, firm. Call 610381-5389. (2/5) For Sale: Portable Air Conditioner: Used 2 days, 9000 BTU, digital readout with remote. Latest technology. Was $508, will sell for $375. Call 570-236-4172. (2/5) Priced to sell. Cash only. 2 Saturdays: April 21 from 10 to 3. 52 Spring Valley Road, Hardwick. 2 miles from Rt. 94, Marksboro, NJ. After sale, Call 908-362-8291. (1/5)

Elliptical: $225; Treadmill, $150; Refrigerator, $125; Dining Room Table, Chairs, $50. Call 724-541-5003 or 610-588-4542, leave message. (1/5)

1994 Mercury Villager: Inspection good until July 2006 Polaris Predator 2012, everyday driver, 90 Quad in excellent $800. Call 610-393-3435. condition. Great for kids. (5/5) Garage kept & orig. owner. $1,000. Call 732- 1987 Mustang Convert546-7755. (1/5) ible: (Antique) Pearl White with black top, red and white interior. Fully restored, $9,000. Call 570-236-1301. (4/5) Bunton-Textron 48 Zero Turn Lawn Mower: Good cond. Never used Commercially. $950. Call 908-362-0285. (5/5) 1997 Ford F-150: Extended Cab, 4x4, automatic, towing package, bed liner, 160k miles, $5,299. Call 570-8976672. (4/5) 1995 VW Passat GTX: VR6, 175k miles, 5 speed, runs great, needs little TLC, $1,800. Call 484239-7065. (1/5)

Cookbook Collection For Sale: Too many to list, must take all. All kinds, $200. Great for book sellers and book collectors. Call 610588-1968. (2/5) Aluminum Boat: 16 ft.,

Lawn Tractor For Sale: 25 HP merc., galvanized Good condition, runs Queen Pillow Top trailer, side steering good, serious inquiries Mattress Set: New, $150. console, El. Anchor, Fish only. Call 570-801-7293. (1/5)