Around Town Compiled by Jane Knotek
PEACE EVENT: Christ Lutheran Church, Hellertown, will participate in a live international Zoom observance marking the 81st anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki from 7 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 5.
The event, organized by May Peace Prevail On Earth International, commemorates Nuclear Prayer Day and includes a worldwide moment of silence and prayers for peace.
The public is invited to attend. Admission is free.
PRAYER DAY: Religious leaders, congregations and people of goodwill are invited to participate in Nuclear Prayer Day Aug. 6 and the Global Days of Prayer and Action Aug. 6-9, an international effort promoting peace and the abolition of nuclear weapons.
The observance commemorates the anniversaries of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and encourages prayer, education and action.
Congregations are encouraged to include prayers for peace, moments of silence, vigils and educational programs during the observance. Resources and participation information are available at voices-uri.org/nuclear-prayer-day.
GROUP SING-ALONG: Singers of all ages and abilities are invited to participate in a group sing-along, “Faith in America: Together We Sing,” sponsored by the Bethlehem Interfaith Group.
The event is part of Musikfest, and will be held on Thursday, Aug. 6 at 4 p.m. at PNC Stadtplatz (Payrow Plaza, 11 E. Church St.).
All are welcome to participate; the tunes will be familiar, and song sheets will be provided. There is no fee and no registration needed.
The Bethlehem Interfaith Group is an association of faith leaders from a variety of faith traditions in the community, working together for education, social justice and friendship.
ROTUNDA GALLERY: The Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission (BFAC) will present “Assemblages & Collages” from Aug. 14 through Sept. 22 at the Bethlehem Town Hall Rotunda Gallery, 10 E. Church St.
The exhibit features works by Linda Kondikoff, Anna Kuo, Domenick Naccarato, Maryann Riker, Barbara Schulman and Rhonda Wall, highlighting contemporary approaches to mixed-media art using found objects, fabrics, paper, metal and other materials.
An opening reception will be held Sunday, Aug. 16, from 2 to 4 p.m., with an artist talk at 3 p.m. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The exhibit is sponsored by BFAC and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. More information is available at Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission.
HELLERTOWN STUDY: The Borough of Hellertown is seeking public input as part of a community parking study designed to evaluate current parking conditions, challenges and opportunities.
Residents, business owners, employees, property owners and visitors are encouraged to complete the Borough of Hellertown Parking Study Questionnaire. Feedback will help identify areas where parking is working well, concerns that need to be addressed, and potential improvements for the future.
The survey will remain open through Aug. 23. Responses will be summarized and used to help guide recommendations as part of the parking study.
Questions about the study may be directed to Nicole Keegan at nkeegan@barryisett.com
SCHOLARSHIP RENAMED: Following the Celebration of Life of Immediate Past President Keith Muir, the Greater Lehigh Valley Auto Dealers Association has renamed its long-standing student scholarship program the Keith Muir Scholarship Fund to honor his leadership and lasting impact on the Lehigh Valley automotive community.
GLVADA has also approved a memorial donation to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation in Keith’s honor, recognizing his lifelong commitment to service, education and giving back.
EGYPT REUNION: The I Grew Up in Egypt PA Facebook group announced a reunion for 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 26 at Egypt Memorial Park, 4548 Main St. Registration for the event is available on the group’s Facebook page.
Registration is required.
For information, call Suzanne at 609-675-6302 or email egyptpareunion26@gmail.com.
GARDEN CLUB: The Bethlehem Garden Club is having a presentation on “Think Beyond the Vase,” Presented by Linda Weinberger on Thursday, August 20 at Advent Moravian Church, 3730 Jacksonville Road, Bethlehem. Doors Open at 12:30, Program at 1:00 followed by club meeting and refreshments. The program is free and open to the public. Please join us.
VETERANS: Office of Veterans Affairs: staffed with VA-accredited Veteran Service Officers: Northampton County: 610-829-4875, orcopa.gov/veterans-affairs; Lehigh: 610-782-3295, veteransaffairs@lehighcounty.org;
Veterans Support: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.- usually third Monday of the month, State Rep. McNeil’s district office, 1080 Schadt Ave., Whitehall. Information on education, health care and death benefits. For appointments with an American Legion Service Office representative, call 610-266-1273.
WALLA GAZZO: The Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Walla Gazoo Golf Tournament Monday, Aug. 10, at Bethlehem Municipal Golf Club.
Recognized as Bethlehem’s longest-running golf tournament, the event brings together business leaders, Chamber members and community partners for a day of golf and networking. Registration and a hot dog lunch begin at 11 a.m., followed by a noon shotgun start in a scramble format.
The public is invited to attend the Backyard BBQ Bash beginning at 5 p.m., featuring live music by Twelve String, barbecue, raffle prizes, networking and the tournament awards presentation.
Proceeds support the Bethlehem Chamber’s mission of strengthening the local business community.
For information, sponsorship opportunities or to register a foursome or purchase Backyard BBQ tickets, contact EvelynC@LehighValleyChamber.org.
PARK PROGRAM: The Borough of Fountain Hill’s summer Park Program will run through Aug. 14, offering free recreational activities for children, including arts and crafts, board and lawn games, and sports such as kickball, pickleball and soccer.
The program will be held Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and 6 to 9 p.m. Registration is required. Children age 10 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
The borough also announced the appointment of Karlene Hemerly Fluck as recreation manager. A Fountain Hill native, Fluck will oversee the program and its activities.
For information or to register, call Fountain Hill Borough Hall at 610-867-0301.
STEWARDS NEEDED: Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites is launching a new Colonial Industrial Quarter Stewards Program and is seeking volunteers and team leaders to help maintain paths, walkways and grounds at the historic site. The program comes ahead of the opening of the Overlook on History this fall. Volunteers interested in serving as Trail Tenders or team leaders can learn more and sign up at historicbethlehem.org.
ZUG EXHIBIT: Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites is presenting Jeanette Barres Zug: A Life in Service to Moravian Bethlehem at the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem, 66 W. Church St. The exhibit highlights the life and contributions of Zug, a longtime volunteer, educator and preservation leader who helped shape the museum and train generations of tour guides. Through photographs, archival materials and personal artifacts, the exhibition explores her lasting impact on preserving Bethlehem’s Moravian history.
More information is available at historicbethlehem.org.
KILIMANJARO FUNDRAISER: Boys & Girls Club of Bethlehem board member Dylan Stroup will take his support for local youth to new heights this summer as he climbs Mount Kilimanjaro to raise awareness and funds for the Club’s programs.
Stroup, who joined the Club’s board of directors in 2024, is leading the “Climb for Kids” campaign with a goal of raising $50,000 for the Boys & Girls Club of Bethlehem, which has served local children and teens since 1930. Today, more than 650 Club members take part in programs focused on education, recreation and character development.
His climb of Mount Kilimanjaro, the world’s tallest free-standing mountain, is scheduled to begin in early August. Donations to the campaign will help support Club kids and teens as they build confidence, overcome challenges and prepare for bright futures in the Bethlehem community.
To support the effort: Contributions may be made to Dylan Stroup’s Climb for Kids campaign benefiting the Boys & Girls Club of Bethlehem.
NORTHAMPTON AWARDS: Northampton County will hold its 2026 Annual Awards Ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 8, at 5 p.m. in Courtroom 1 at the Northampton County Courthouse.
Northampton County will present awards to residents in the categories of Volunteer, Youth, Business, Veteran, Samaritan, and Emergency Personnel.
Community members are encouraged to nominate deserving individuals and organizations using the form on the DCED website at norcopa.gov/dced. To submit a nomination, please contact Dawn Tomaino at dtomaino@norcopa.gov.
Nominations for Outstanding City and Municipal Employees will be submitted directly by their municipalities.
The event is free and open to the public.
SUMMER PROGRAM: Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites has announced a series of new summer programs and events celebrating history, craftsmanship and America’s 250th anniversary.
HBMS also announced new America 250 tours, including “Bethlehem & the Revolution” and “Ales & Tales,” along with new Maker’s Retreat weekends in June and October offering hands-on classes in blacksmithing, pottery, jewelry making and other traditional crafts.
FOOD DRIVE: Organizers of the fifth annual Summer Harvest Food Drive will hold the monthlong collection in July to benefit food pantries in Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties in Pennsylvania and Warren County, New Jersey.
Led by Tamie Swain of Bethlehem, the drive collected more than 6,000 pounds of nonperishable food for 15 pantries last year. Organizers hope to increase donations to 10,000 pounds this year.
Donations also will be collected during the Blast Furnace Blues Festival July 17-18 at SteelStacks in Bethlehem.
Information on volunteering, hosting a donation site or making a contribution is available at summerharvestfooddrive.com.
CLEAN UP: 2026 Big Cleanup at the Rose Garden. Join the friends of the Garden and volunteers who maintain the garden Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Replace aging roses and plant new, sustainable varieties that support birds, bees, and other pollinators.
Email 18018mana@gmail.com.
Funding etc.: there is a GoFundMe platform to make giving easier. (Please note: GoFundMe automatically suggests a 17.5 percent tip, but you can adjust it to zero or a modest 1.5 percent if you prefer.) Visit gofund.me/4dfe76cc.
CELTIC CONTESTS: The Celtic Cultural Alliance is inviting participants to enter several contests during the 39th Annual Celtic Classic Highland Games & Festival, scheduled for Sept. 25-27 in downtown Bethlehem.
Contests include the Irish Soda Bread Muffin Baking Contest, sponsored by King Arthur Baking Company; the Celtic Poetry Contest, open to writers of all ages; and the popular Haggis Bowl, in which 15 contestants compete to eat a pound of haggis the fastest.
Contest details and entry information are available at celticfest.org. The Celtic Classic will feature Highland games, music, food and Celtic culture throughout the three-day festival.
GREENWAY MUSIC: The Southside Arts District is kicking off the summer season with the return of Live on the Greenway, a free outdoor concert series bringing live music, local food and beverage makers, and community energy to Bethlehem’s Southside. This Sunday afternoon series invites residents and visitors to enjoy live performances in an open-air setting while supporting local bands and small businesses.
The series is presented by the Southside Arts District with and supported by the City of Bethlehem, the Bethlehem Parking Authority, and community partners. Concerts take place from 1–3 p.m. on select Sundays at Harmony Pavilion, located between Webster and Taylor Streets on the Greenway.
Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets for seating. Food and beverages from local food trucks and craft beverage vendors will be available for purchase, with vendors rotating weekly.
Convenient is available in the Mechanic Street Lot #2 next to the Greenway or along Mechanic Street, and in the New Street Parking Garage. It is free to park on Sundays in Bethlehem.
For more information, visit: southsideartsdistrict.com/live-on-the-greenway/
NORTHAMPTON HABITAT: After more than three years of hard work, perseverance, and adaptations, “Homes at Forks,”– a collaborative project being undertaken by Northampton County and Habitat for Humanity Lehigh Valley – has received final approval from Forks Township board of supervisors. The 12-acre development is located off Kesslersville Road near the Two T’s Family Entertainment Center and Braden Airpark in Forks Township.
This project will provide attainable housing for 25 families in need, a step forward in our goal of providing affordable housing options in the Lehigh Valley. In true Habitat for Humanity fashion, each future homeowner will contribute 250 hours of sweat equity in helping to build their home – a testament to the dedication and investment these families bring to their community.
LITTER CONTEST: The Pennsylvania Resources Council is accepting entries for its annual Gene Capaldi Lens on Litter Photo Contest through Oct. 31.
Open to amateur photographers, the contest invites participants to submit photos highlighting litter in Pennsylvania communities. Categories include students, adults, and new Before & After divisions recognizing cleanup efforts. First-place winners in each category will receive $500.
For contest rules and entry information, visit prc.org/what-we-do/lens-on-litter-contest or email lensonlitter@prc.org.
BIKE FESTIVAL: Bike Broad, a car-free community bike ride and festival, will be held Saturday, Sept. 12, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Bethlehem Rose Garden on Eighth Avenue.
Roads will reopen around 10 a.m., followed by a festival continuing until noon. The event is open to ages 4 and older.
Information and registration are available at lvcat.org/bike-broad.
10TH ANNIVERSARY: The National Museum of Industrial History will host a cocktail reception Nov. 7 from 4 to 7 p.m. to celebrate its 10th anniversary.
The gala will highlight a decade of public engagement and invites community participation through attendance, program advertising and donations for a silent auction. [10th Anniv ... la at NMIH | Outlook]
Additional details are available through the museum’s website.








