Alvernia graduate: Class of 2025 Graduate Kacie Walters of New Tripoli earned the Holleran Center Community Engagement Award at the 2024 Honors Convocation Award Ceremony at Alvernia University, Reading.

Walters was one of over 70 Alvernia University students who received academic, service and experiential learning excellence awards.

CEDAR CREST GRADUATES: The PPL Center in Allentown filled with students, staff, faculty, and supporters May 10 to celebrate the accomplishments of Cedar Crest College’s Class of 2025 at Commencement including these Germansville residents: Paige Wambold, a degree in nursing; Gabrielle Pearson, a degree in nursing; and Gabriellia Vanegas, a degree in business administration.

ALL CONFERENCE: Joseph Chukoskie of Kempton was one of more than 30 Lebanon Valley College spring student-athletes to earn all-conference honors for the 2025 season.

Chukoskie, a graduate of Northwestern Lehigh HS, was a member of the men’s track and field team and was named First Team All-MAC in the 10,000 meters and Third Team All-MAC in the 5000 meters.

Chukoskie is pursuing a bachelor of science in exercise science at The Valley.

STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL: Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Slatedale is hosting its annual Strawberry Festival and Basket Drawing noon to 6 p.m. June 8. The menu includes hot dogs, hamburgers, barbecue, pierogies, baked beans, funnel cake and, of course, strawberry shortcake with or without ice cream. The event will be held rain or shine. Entertainment by “Tammy G’ from 2 to 4 p.m. The basket drawing is at 5 p.m. Holy Trinity is located at 4118 Main St., Slatedale.

ALUMNI REUNION: Tiger All Alumni Reunion, 2 to 7 p.m. Aug. 2 at Ontelaunee Park, New Tripoli, rain or shine. Food trucks on site for food and drink purchase. Call 610-760-1175 for more information and reservation form.

ELECTRONICS RECYCLING: Weisenberg residents only with ID. Weisenberg Volunteer Fire Dept., 2500 Golden Key Road. Kutztown, 9 to 11 a.m. June 29. Watch for details in flier in June 12 Press issue.

HAWK MOUNTAIN: May 31, 8:30 a.m. Birdwatching for beginners, This one-day workshop will introduce you to the fun of bird-watching using the many species around the Sanctuary; May 31, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Youth art exhibit, Youth Art Month Contest display ends today. For more information: https://www.hawlmountain.org.

MUSIC ON MOUNTAIN: Hawk Mountain Sanctuary and the Berks Sinfonietta will present the fifth annual Music on the Mountain, a live presentation of classical selections at 2 p.m. June 7 in the Sanctuary’s accessible Amphitheater. Seating is limited, and tickets cost $20 for Hawk Mountain members and $25 for nonmembers, available to buy online or by calling 610-756-6961. Music on the Mountain is made possible thanks to a generous sponsorship by Dr. and Mrs. Barton Smith and Susan H. Smith, and the performance will be held in memory of William I. Smith, Jr., M.D.

To register for Music on the Mountain or explore other upcoming events, visit hawkmountain.org/events.

LEHIGH GAP: Pollinator Day and native plant sale, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 21. Bee presentation by Tom Lindeman from Dedko’s Bees at 11 a.m. Proceeds from plant sale benefit the nature center’s native landscaping programs. Peruse an exhibit of bee-themed artwork produced by local artists. Lehigh Gap Nature Center, 8844 Paint Mill Road, Slatington.

GAS PRICES: Gas prices are creeping back up just in time for the busy summer driving season. The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is up 2 cents from last week to $3.18, as the price of crude oil rises and demand increases. Typically, the seasonal increase in gas prices starts earlier in the spring, but lower crude oil prices so far this year have kept that from happening. Despite the recent upward trend, drivers are paying about 40 cents less compared to last year.

which is good news for the record as 39.4 million Americans are expected to take road trips over Memorial Day weekend.

The national average per kilowatt-hour of electricity at a public EV charging station remained unchanged this past week at 36 cents.

HOT JOBS: People interested in a career in the trades will have an opportunity to learn about hot jobs in the area, training programs, and funding possibilities at the Career Pathways Showcase at PA CareerLink® Lehigh Valley Thursday, June 5, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. PA CareerLink® Lehigh Valley is located at 555 Union Blvd. in Allentown.

In partnership with PA CareerLink® Lehigh Valley, Lehigh Carbon Community College and Northampton Community College will showcase training opportunities leading to a career in the trades, including noncredit, short-term certificate programs, as well as degree programs. Featured will be programs in automotive and commercial driver’s license training, electrical, construction, HVAC, manufacturing and welding.

Attendees will have the opportunity to talk with representatives from LCCC and NCC about financial aid, admissions and career services, and visit with faculty in the various programs about program requirements and job opportunities. Training funds may also be available for qualified participants through PA CareerLink® Lehigh Valley.

Employers will be on site to highlight their open positions and talk with attendees. Preregistration for the event is encouraged and can be completed online. For additional information, contact LCCC Admissions at Admissions@lccc.edu or 610-799-1575.

WILDLANDS CONSERVANCY: June 10, PreK Pathfinders: Flower Power, 10 a.m., Trexler Nature Preserve, Environmental Education Center, 4935 Orchard Road, Schnecksville. Contact Nicole Landis, NLandis@wildlandspa.org. Event is free; registration is required; June 15, Wilderness Survival, 1 p.m. at Louise Moore Park, 151 Country Club Road, Easton, Contact Nicole Landis, NLandis@wildlandspa.org. Event is free; registration is required; June 18, Explorer Day Camp, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Trexler Nature Preserve, Environmental Education Center, 4935 Orchard Road. Schnecksville. Contact: Arianna Kohler, AKohler@wildlandspa.org. Event is free; preregistration is required at: https://engage.wildlandspa.org/calendar/event/271.

NATURE ADVENTURE: Join 4-H and entomology experts for a three-day adventure into nature Each morning, campers will gather with games, activities, and snacks. In the afternoon campers will explore the habitats outside and hunt for bugs in the wild. This event is recommended for youth ages 9-13 but is open to all youth ages 8-18 and takes place June 16 to 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day at 4184 Dorney Park Road Lehigh County Agricultural Center Allentown. Fee. Contact Ellyn Siftar at 610-391-9840.

PASSPORT EVENT: The Passport to 4-H event will be held July 7, 15 and 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. at 4184 Dorney Park Road, Lehigh County Agricultural Center, Allentown. Event is open to youth ages 5-7 and is limited to the first 12 registrants. No cost for 4-H members. Contact Ellyn Siftar at 610-391-9840.

LITTER CONTEST: Now that summer is upon us with more relaxed schedules, grab your cameras and mobile devices and photograph the worst or most unusual examples of litter in your Pennsylvania community. To focus attention on the litter problem across the state, the Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC) is accepting entries in its annual Gene Capaldi Lens on Litter Photo Contest through Oct. 31.

In the student (through 12th Grade) and adult categories, three prizes each are awarded with the first-place winner receiving $500, second-place $250 and third-place $100.

Entries should help bring awareness to how litter threatens public health and safety, scenic beauty, property values, the environment, pets or wildlife. Entries will be judged on the following criteria: anti-litter message, originality, photographic technique, quality of photo, originality of title and severity of the litter.

Questions may be directed to lensonlitter@prc.org and additional information, as well as previous winners, sponsors & an online entry form can be found at https://prc.org/what-we-do/lens-on-litter-contest/.