STUDENT REPORTER: The Northwestern Press is looking for a student reporter for Northwestern Lehigh HS. The reporter would be responsible for a news column once a month. This is a paid position. Interested journalists should respond to gtaylor@tnonline.com. Addison Watt’s first middle school column appears on A11 today.

HAAFSVILLE DONATION: As 2025 draws to a close, we look back with gratitude — and forward with hope. Thanks to compassionate supporters like you we provided safe shelter, medical care and love to over 900 homeless pets. But, as the weather cools and the holidays approach, many more animals still need our help. As we prepare for another busy year, we need your help to continue this lifesaving work. Your year-end gift will directly provide:

Warm shelter and full bellies for animals in need, critical medical care, spay or neuter services and vaccinations, adoption support to match pets with loving families, rescue efforts for at-risk animals in our community.

Will you make a tax-deductible donation today to give more animals a second chance? With your help, we can begin 2026 strong — ready to save lives and spread compassion. From all of us — two-and four-legged — thank you for being part of our family. Your kindness changes lives, one wagging tail and happy purr at a time. With heartfelt thanks, All of us at The Sanctuary.

TRAIL CLOSURES: Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association, 1700 Hawk Mountain Road, Kempton, is reminding everyone deer season has began. For visitor safety all trails are closed on Dec. 13. All trails except the main Lookout Trail are closed until Dec. 12.

COLLEGE ATHLETES: Noah Schlofer, of New Tripoli and Northwestern Lehigh HS graduate, is a member of the Muhlenberg NCAA Division III men’s wrestling team this winter as a sophomore, while studying business administration and finance at the college.

Joseph Chukoskie of Kempton is one of eight Lebanon Valley College cross country student-athletes who earned All-Region honors based on their performance at the Mid-Atlantic Region Championship this fall.

Chukoskie placed 21st with a time of 25:50.1 to earn All-Region honors for the second consecutive season. The Dutchmen finished third-the program’s best-ever finish at a regional meet-and placed five runners in the top 35.

Three Northwestern Lehigh HS graduates were among 300 Lebanon Valley College student athletes recognized as members of Flying Dutchmen athletic teams this fall.

Local students include Samuel Bower of Germansville, Joseph Chukoskie of Kempton and Matthew Santana of New Tripoli. All three participated on the cross-country team and all three are pursuing a bachelor of science in exercise science.

The Lebanon Valley College men’s cross country team posted another historic season in 2025, winning its second consecutive Middle Atlantic Conference Championship.

TOY COLLECTION: Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, 1343 Long Lane Road, Kutztown (Old Route 22 at Krumsville) is collecting Toys for Tots. Please bring donations to the church by Dec. 13. Toys will be picked up shortly afterward. For questions, call Janice 484-650-5533.

SANTA BREAKFAST; Christ’s Church at Lowhill, 4695 Lowhill Church Road, New Tripoli, will hold its annual Breakfast with Santa 9-11 a.m. Dec. 13. This is a free community event. There will be crafts along with a visit from Santa. Homemade candy will be available for purchase. For more information, call 610-842-4781.

WREATH FUNDRAISER: Lyons Creek Farm Market, 3507 Blacksmith Road, New Tripoli, is holding a wreath fundraiser to support Weisenberg Volunteer Fire Department. Order wreaths on-line until Dec. 14 and they will email you a coupon to choose a 22 inch or 32 inch wreath. Bring the coupon to Lyon Creek Farm to pick up your wreath. Lyon Creek is open weekends now through Christmas: Dec. 12-14. To order, go to -https://weisenberg-volunteer-fire-department.square.site/.

FOSTER CARE: The Salvation Army Eastern Pennsylvania Children’s Services announces the launch of a new Short-Term Foster Care Program that provides safe, loving homes for children who require temporary care. No prior experience is required, just a willingness to provide a nurturing and supportive environment for children in need for days or weeks. Contact Emily at 610-821-7706 or emily.anthony@use.salvationarmy.org.

BUS TRIP: The Northwestern Elementary Scholarship Committee is hosting a bus trip to New York City May 9, 2026. The bus will leave Northwestern Elementary at 7:30 a.m. and depart New York City at 7:30 p.m. Price is $55 per seat. Contact Tracy Smoyer at smoyert@nwlehighsd for more information.

HAWK MOUNTAIN

AUTUMN HAWKWATCH: Counters and interpreters will tally migrant raptors daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Dec. 15.

HOMESCHOOL HAPPENINGS: Time to put on your knit thinking cap! This month they explore the adaptations of animals and plants surviving the winter in northern latitudes. Learn identification, natural history, and meet some raptors who winter in Pennsylvania 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 17. Adult and one child $20, members $15 and per additional child $10. Registration is required to attend.

APPALACHIAN WINTER ECOLOGY WORKSHOP: Taught by Dr. Dan Ardia, professor of biology at Franklin and Marshall College, this 3-day workshop will explore Hawk Mountain’s winter wildlife and how plants and other wildlife adapt to this critical life cycle period 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Jan. 17, 2026. There is a cost and registration is required to attend this program. For more information or to register go to hawkmountain.org.

LEHIGH GAP

SENIORS GROUP: Lehigh Gap Nature Center, 8844 Paint Mill Road, Slatington, has formed a new group for nature-minded seniors. They seek to bring together LGNC members for fellowship and conversations about nature, conservation, and other topics. The sessions are held on the second Monday of each month from 9-10:30 a.m.

SPEAKER SERIES: Join LGNC staff on select Thursday evenings from 6-7 p.m. through March to learn about local history and ecology, conservation initiatives, and more. There is a suggested donation per person for nonmembers. For more information or to register, go to https://lgnc.org, email mail@lgnc.org or call 610-760-8889.

ECOLOGY CLUB: LGNC’s Ecology Club is back for the 2025-26 school year! Children ages 9 and older are invited to meet from 4:15-5:15 p.m. at the Osprey House on the first Wednesday of every month until June 3 for fun, hands-on nature adventures. Participation is free to all LGNC members and their families, and no registration is required. Email riley.davenport@lgnc.org with questions.

BOOK CLUB: The Cabin Fever Book Club meets once a month from 10 a.m. to noon during the fall and winter months to discuss books on ecology, environmental history, and environmentalism. This year’s book list is “The Serviceberry” by Robin Wall Kimmerer for Dec. 18. Next year’s book list for 2026 is “The Comfort of Crows” by Margaret Renkl for Jan. 15, “West with Giraffes” by Lynda Rutledge for Feb. 19 and “Tip of the Iceberg” by Mark Adams for March 19. Books are available at the Palmerton and Slatington libraries, Lehigh Gap Nature Center, or on Amazon for purchase. For more information or questions, email mail@lgnc.org.