With the long-awaited Sand Spring and Orchard roads, and Route 309 intersection improvement project now underway, that section of Schnecksville has a very different appearance.

At least a half-dozen trees were removed in front of houses on the east side of Route 309.

Throughout the changing seasons, those stately maple trees added natural beauty to the area.

I remember shuffling through their fallen leaves on the sidewalks while walking to school, years back and in recent times, too.

The gray house, torn down on the southeast corner was once a Trexler house, reserved for employees of Trexler Orchards.

Driving around North Whitehall 50 years ago, you could see quite a few gray Trexler houses.

There was one on the southeast corner of Route 309 and Levans Road, which was demolished a long time ago.

When I was growing up, Yorgey Supply, also torn down for the road project, was called Farm and Home Supply.

George Schuler and Rodger Yorgey had the business.

Going back even further, the building was owned by Preston and Catharine Holben and was named Holben's Hotel.

Darlene (Klotz) Bortz, who spent some childhood years in Schnecksville, was born in the residential section of Holben's Hotel, which was owned by a relative.

She recalls the establishment had a porch and gas pumps out front. There was a soda fountain and bar, and dinners were served.

Ellsworth and Pauline Meckel, who provided many decades of service to the Schnecksville Fire Company, managed the hotel for some years.

Since the arrival of Lehigh Carbon Community College, the Sand Spring Road and Route 309 intersection has been used heavily. The current project is intended to increase safety and mobility.

Perhaps some new trees can be planted along the Route 309 corridor to replace the ones now gone.

There are many restaurants now in Schnecks-ville, and Yorgey Supply has found a new location away from the busy intersection.

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Auxiliary members of Northern Valley EMS, NOVA, are baking cherry pies from scratch. Order by Feb. 18 for pick-up on Feb. 24 or 25.

Call Julie at 610-262-7749 to reserve your pies.

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The Schnecksville Fire Company will have a flea market in the pavilion from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Feb. 17 and a buffet-style breakfast in the main hall from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 24.