Hello, my fellow Northampton residents — and welcome to June! I literally just got back from attending the pleasurable, inaugural Mayor’s Bicycle Fun Run in Canal Street Park and D&L Trail, but more about that later.

Attention, pet lovers and friends — it’s that time of year to gather your pets and take them out to the 17th annual Paw Prints on the Canal. This pet-centered extravaganza will be held 11 a.m.-4 p.m. June 14, rain or shine, at Canal Street Park.

This popular and always-busy event will be featuring more than 170 vendors for your every pet need, with proceeds donated to Northampton Police Department’s K-9 unit. Additionally, you’ll enjoy dog-training demos, a sharp-dressed pet contest, rescue pets for adoption, a basket raffle and a wide variety of food and refreshments. Parking is a breeze, too.

As there’s much work to do in setting up this event, volunteers are welcome. Should you wish to volunteer and help, call Candi at 610-554-3678. Your service will be greatly appreciated.

If you’re looking for an enjoyable day outdoors with your pet or your neighbors, come down to the park and join the festival. I look forward to seeing you there!

Now, back to our two-wheeled adventure. While the much cooler, windswept day dampened the anticipated attendance, spirits were high for those who joined me and our esteemed Northampton Police Department bicycle patrol for an enjoyable ride north on the Delaware and Lehigh Trail. Traveling up to the Treichlers Bridge trailhead and back, the 21-person pack practiced proper riding and road etiquette while traveling on a congested trail.

Before the ride, bike patrol members performed bike tune-ups and repairs, Kiwanis Club of Greater Northampton tested our young bikers’ turning and braking skills on their challenging road course, and Kelly Milisits made sure we had plenty of cold drinks and snacks on hand.

The fire department volunteers also participated, showcasing their ATV and firetrucks to the delight of the kids.

I want to give special thanks to bike patrol officers for taking time out of their day off to make this event as fun and entertaining as it was. Tom Harp and Rob McCann led the Kiwanis Club contingency, without whom this event would not have been as instructional as it was. With profound thanks to these folks, know that plans are already on the drawing board to make next year’s ride all the more fun.

Scholastically speaking, this year, I, along with my fellow 1976 Northampton High School classmates, celebrated the 50th anniversary of our graduation. Joining this year’s 2026 graduating class on Al Erdosy Field at the commencement exercises May 29, we were honored both at a reception beforehand in the school’s cafeteria and then were introduced during the ceremony.

It was quite the honor, adding to the pride of being a K-Kid. I’m mentioning this not because I want you to know I’m old(er) but because of the time and respect the school district, specifically Superintendent Joe Kovalchik and his staff, led by the ever-wonderful Denise Vilkauskas, gave us on their own accord. At the reception, the superintendent spoke of our past trials and tribulations of our days 50 years ago and how the district has progressed, bringing today’s learning technologies into play. It was an eye-opening educational journey, to say the least.

I know the school district gets a bad rap for many things. I also know Kovalchik takes the heat head-on as superintendent and owns it. It’s the job he’s signed up for. As mayor, I’ve had the honor to work with him on many a town-and-gown issue, and I know he’s a man of honor and integrity, respecting his staff, the students and everything Northampton.

In this case, as also demonstrated at the senior awards ceremony I attended two days earlier, it was all about leaving all of the budget and public issues behind and focusing on honoring the successes of our 2026 seniors. Showing that same respect and focus, he honored those of us who passed through those same high school halls as young, hopeful, naive teens 50 years earlier.

Thank you, Joe, Denise and staff, for the recognition and honors on Friday. As always, it’s a great day to be a Konkrete Kid!

OK, folks, now that we’ve blazed the D&L Trail to begin the summer activities, it’s your turn to get out there and enjoy the upcoming summer in Northampton. Enjoy, and be safe!