Mark Rabenold, a friend of mine from Allentown, took his mother for a ride last Tuesday afternoon to visit his grandparents’ grave site at Jordan Lutheran Church’s cemetery in Upper Macungie Township. When he pulled up into the cemetery he couldn’t believe what his eyes saw.

No, it wasn’t a ghost like something you’d see in a horror movie. But a more realistic figure.

There before him, and looking right at him and his mother, was a sizable black bear. Since my friend is an avid and accomplished photographer who usually carries his camera, he managed to snap off a photo as the bear ran between the tombstones and before it took off.

“I’m only sorry I didn’t have my camera all ready to go when I first saw him crossing the cemetery road, as I could have gotten a great picture of him looking right at me,” Rabenold recalls and regrets. “You can bet the next time I stop by the Jordan Lutheran Cemetery, I’ll be constantly looking around before getting out of my car.”

According to Bob Danenhower, of Bob’s Taxidermy in Orefield who usually has a handle on bear and deer sightings in and around the Orefield area, he had reports of a bear in fall in the same area of Rabenold’s bear. He thinks it may be the same bear.

Judging from the photo, and in his taxidermy experience with bears, Danenhower believes the bear is possibly a 250-300-pound female (sow) that’s on the prowl for food. If it’s the same bear in spotted in fall, it may have been denned-up over the winter in the woodlots along Haasadahl Road in Upper Macungie.

It’s at this time of year bears go on a feeding spree looking for berries, orchards, bird feeders and yes, trash cans and dumpsters.

So if you’re in the area of Jordan Lutheran Cemetery, keep an eye peeled for this seemingly resident bruin.

FIREARMS

RANGE DAY

How would you like to try out a Class One or Class Three firearm? Or thinking about purchasing a new firearm. Well mark your calendar for Aug. 11, that’s the date Xtreme Gun Worx in Emmaus is hosting this unique range day.

According to Frank Cody, owner of Xtreme, attendees will have an opportunity to check out the latest in firearms and related accessories at Guthsville Rod & Gun Club in Orefield.

Top major firearm and accessory manufacturers will be on hand displaying and demonstrating their newest line for 2018. Cody adds that he’s making it a family affair with games for the kids, plus raffles, prizes and food. And, the Hawk 99 radio station will be on hand with their form of entertainment.

Range Day will begin at 10 a.m. and will close at 5 p.m. There is no charge to attend and parking is available on Guthsville’s grounds. Guthsville R&G is located at 2676 Valley Road, Orefield.

For more information, contact Xtreme at 610-421-8331.