Today, I am reading the Sept. 3, 1998, first copy of the Northampton Press - a day when my first Remembering column appeared in the newspaper. Publisher Fred Masenheimer and first editor Marcia White were in Northampton hoping The Press would receive a warm welcome from the community. We all know the positive answer!

The Northampton police chief was Richard Fenstermaker, and Carole Simcoe opened a business in the old Lyric Theatre on Main Street. The Lyric in the past was a vaudeville theater, tavern, luncheonette, billiard room and bowling alley.

A new CVS Pharmacy was under construction, and construction of the proposed Redner’s Mini-Mart gas station was to begin soon. The site was former home to Cross Country Clothes.

Mary Ann Endy wrote the Lehigh Township Country Fair would be held at Indian Trail Park, Pennsville. Proceeds from the fair benefited the Lehigh Township Fire Company. Marge Oberly was also planning monthly trips for the Cherryville Senior Center.

Kelly Lutterschmidt, in her Northampton column, told us the Northampton Street Fair would have entertainment from the Les Bear Band, Joe Reichel’s Band, Saengerbund choir, Joe Wolfer’s Polka Band and Dee Dee Lee’s Western band. There would be a fashion show at Lady Lynnaver’s Dress Shop, 1717 Main St.

In Coplay, Al Recker wrote the Saylor Park Museum, which for several years hosted annual Labor Day picnics and various unions in the Lehigh Valley, would no longer use the Coplay site for its programs.

In Catasauqua, Jim Shugat told us the Catasauqua High School band would present professional wrestling at the Lincoln School in Catasauqua. Featured would be George “The Animal” Steele, Nasty Boy Brian Knobs and the Bad Crew.

Marcia White wrote about Between Two Hearts, a bridal salon created by Egypt’s Elizabeth Duell in a former Catasauqua church.

The Whitehall police beat reported counterfeit $5 bills were passed at Wendy’s.

At Northampton High School, Joseph Kovalchik was in charge of discipline for grades 9 and 11 and reminded the students and parents about the discipline code. Today, he is the superintendent of Northampton Area School District.

And so it was on Sept. 3, 1998.

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In two weeks, we will be going back to August 1941.