STUDENT REPORTER: The Northwestern Press is looking for a student reporter for Northwestern Lehigh High School. 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.

QUIET CHRISTMAS: Not everybody is feeling festive this holiday season. Some folks are grieving the loss of a loved one or a job or a friendship, for example. Other people may be feeling sad about their health problems or the divisiveness in our country or the unsettling state of our world.

To help make the Christmas season more bearable and meaningful for people who are mourning, Asbury United Methodist Church is offering a special Quiet Christmas service, open to the public. The church is located at the corner of Walbert Avenue and Springhouse Road in South Whitehall Township. The Rev. Evelyn Stupp, Asbury’s pastor of bereavement and care ministries, will lead the service 7 p.m. Dec. 18. The calming service will include special music, hymns, candle lighting, scripture, reflection and prayers and will last about one hour.

Quiet Christmas is designed as a gathering to experience hope and healing during life transitions and events that can weigh people down. The service offers a source of strength and support. All are welcome to attend.

COLLEGE GRADUATE: Zoe Paige Streeter is one of over 3,200 candidates to be recognized in the University of Georgia’s Class of 2025 fall Commencement ceremonies held this week. Streeter, of Breinigsville, is a candidate for AB Journalism.

PEER TUTORS: Riley Furlong of Kempton and Mary Galantino of Kutztown were among 20 peer tutors who were recognized for their impact on Alvernia University, Reading’s, student body during the 2025 fall semester at an award ceremony hosted by the Academic Success Center ahead of winter break.

Furlong received the award for Creative Contributions to the Academic Success Center.

Galantino received the award for honorable mention for Most Well-Attended Study Group as a Professional Nursing Tutor, supporting 42 students totaling 400 appointments.

The peer tutors received awards for the number of appointments, study group attendance, feedback survey results, and overall excellence in their roles.

The entire cohort of peer tutors supported 610 students in over 3,065 appointments since May 11.

Peer tutors offer a wide range of support, including in-person and online as well as individual or group sessions, supplemental instruction for challenging courses, study groups, and extended test review sessions.

Students often say that a tutor made all the difference in their course performance.

WRITERS WORKSHOP: Registration for the 2026 Write Stuff Writers’ Conference, presented by the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group is open. One of the premier writing events in the area, the conference welcomes writers in all genres, at all levels of publication, from unpublished to several writing credits. The conference will be held on March 12-14 at Homewood Suites Center Valley, 3350 Center Parkway, Center Valley.

Early Bird prices are available through Jan. 15. Conference registration deadline is March 1, or until the hotel’s maximum capacity has been reached.

New York Times-bestselling author Kristin Bair is the keynote speaker and main presenter. Bair will be presenting two half-day workshops as well as a breakout session on Saturday.

Recorded sessions will be available for a limited time after the event for those who cannot attend the conference. Registered conferees under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, with separate registration. For a complete schedule, list of presenters, and rate schedule, visit glvwg.org.

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.

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

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.

Each session will include coffee/tea, refreshments, and a time for socializing. This will be followed by a brief presentation about a topic of interest and an open forum discussion among the group members. The sessions will be held in the Great Hall at the Osprey House 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 if you have any 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.