🍁 Autumn in Bethlehem: Candy Celebrations, Environmental Concerns, and Hockey Safety

In this issue of Bethlehem Local Buzz…

 🍬 From Costumes to Candy: Bethlehem's Post-Halloween Charitable Drive

🚯 St. Luke’s Voices Concerns Over Bethlehem Landfill Expansion Plans

🌽 Celebrating Autumn's Sweetest Tradition: National Candy Corn Day

👻 SteelStacks Secrets: Paranormal Probes Reveal Bethlehem's Ghostly Past

🏒 Bethlehem Youth Hockey Reflects on Safety After Tragic Incident Abroad

And more…

"Each day comes bearing gifts. Untie the ribbon." 

— Ann Ruth Schabacker

From Costume’s to Candy: Bethlehem’s Post-Halloween Charitable Drive

In the wake of Halloween's festivities, Pennsylvania finds itself awash in a sea of leftover candy and costumes. But for those in the Lehigh Valley, there's a silver lining. Local organizations and businesses are stepping up, offering residents an opportunity to put their surplus sweets and outfits to good use.

Corey McDowell, a Residential Advisor at New Bethany in Bethlehem, shed light on the organization's annual Halloween gathering. The event sees families from their shelters come together in a heartwarming display of community spirit. While many costumes are donated by external organizations, New Bethany also contributes to the cause, ensuring everyone has the chance to partake in the Halloween merriment. McDowell emphasized that the primary goal of the event is to provide a sense of normalcy and comfort to families facing challenging circumstances.

But the post-Halloween goodwill doesn't stop at costumes. For those with an excess of candy, several establishments across the Lehigh Valley are ready to accept donations. Soldier's Angels Treats for Troops, a candy collection initiative, invites local businesses and organizations to register on their platform. Meanwhile, Cherry Orthodontics in Bethlehem and Fellowship Community in Whitehall are also welcoming candy contributions throughout the week.

Whether it's a dentist's office or a retirement community, the message is clear: this season, think about donating your surplus Halloween treats and attire.

Bethlehem’s Landfill Debate: St Luke’s Raises Environmental and Aesthetic Concerns

The proposed expansion of Bethlehem's landfill, which involves rezoning woodlands to add 275 acres, has faced opposition from various Lehigh Valley entities, including St. Luke’s University Health Network. St. Luke’s concerns revolve around the potential impact on its Anderson Campus and the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor. Experts have also highlighted potential environmental issues. The health network encourages residents to share their views with local and state officials.

Celebrating Autumn’s Sweetest Tradition: National Candy Corn Day

Every October 30th, candy enthusiasts celebrate National Candy Corn Day, a tribute to the world's first tri-color candy created in the late 1800s by George Renniger of the Wunderle Candy Company. Designed to reflect autumn's colors and corn's appearance, candy corn became a beacon of warmth during the cold winter months. The day encourages various candy corn-themed activities, from baking to crafting cocktails, celebrating the candy's rich history and divisive nature.

SteelStacks™ Secrets: Paranormal Probes Reveal Bethlehem’s Ghostly Past

In the historic heart of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the towering remnants of the SteelStacks, once the home of the Bethlehem Steel Plant, have long stood as a testament to the city's industrial past. But recently, these iconic structures have been thrust into the spotlight for a different reason: whispers of paranormal activity. Justin Torok, a seasoned paranormal investigator and host of the YouTube series "Ghost Encounters," delved into the mysteries of the SteelStacks to uncover any spectral presences.

During a recent expedition, Torok, armed with an array of ghost-hunting equipment, ventured to the top of the Hoover-Mason Trestle. There, he noted the eerie sounds echoing from within the plant, reminiscent of the steelworkers of yesteryear. Historical records indicate that over 600 individuals met tragic ends at the Bethlehem Steel Corporation, with a particularly harrowing day in 1945 witnessing the demise of five workers.

Torok's journey into the paranormal began post-college, blending his academic background in video production and photography with a passion for the unknown. His investigations have taken him to various haunted locales, including The Wooden Match, a bar and restaurant in Bethlehem that was once a train station and the site of a devastating crash in 1927.

While many associate ghosts with malevolent intentions, Torok emphasizes that most spirits he's encountered are simply souls who met untimely ends, not vengeful entities. However, he does recall one chilling investigation in a former brothel where the team experienced aggressive supernatural phenomena.

As for the SteelStacks, the evening's investigation culminated in an unexplained event. As dusk settled, a camera, previously fully charged, inexplicably malfunctioned near an old steel equipment room. Moments later, the faint scent of a furnace wafted through the air, leaving those present with more questions than answers.

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This Week’s Events in Bethlehem PA…

Mon Oct 30th

• Luag Director’s Tour: Pumkin Spice Sculpture Walk with William Crow

  • 5:00pm - 6:00pm

  • Zoellner Arts Center at Lehigh University

• Improv 101 with Kelcie Kosberg

  • 7:00pm

  • The Banana Factory

Tues Oct 31st

• Christmas City Farm Stand

  • 4:00pm - 6:00pm

  • Payrow Plaza

• Halloween at South Side

  • 5:00pm - 6:15pm

  • Bethlehem Area Public Library (Southside)

Wed Nov 1st

• Pennsylvania Arts & Humanities: A Statewide Convening

  • 8:45am - 3:00pm

  • Zoellner Arts Center at Lehigh University

• Veterans Day 2023

  • 6:00pm - 9:00pm

  • Moravian University’s Prosser Auditorium - Haupert Union Building

Thurs Nov 2nd

• David Cook - Alternative Rock

  • 7:30pm - 11:30pm

  • ArtQuest Center at SteelStacks

• Improv House Teams at SteelStacks

  • 8:00pm - 9:00pm

  • Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas

Fri Nov 3rd

• Dina Hall

  • 5:30-7:30pm

  • Artsquest Center at SteelStacks

• Cory Shelly Live

  • 6:00-10:00pm

  • Mister Lee’s Noodles Bethlehem

• Cerviche

  • 8:00pm

  • Artsquest Center at SteelStacks

Have an Event you want us to list?

 Hockey Community in Bethlehem Ponders Safety Measures Post Tragedy

The youth hockey community in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, is reflecting on safety protocols following the tragic death of Adam Johnson, a former Lehigh Valley Phantoms player, during a game in England. Johnson's neck was injured by a skate blade, prompting discussions among parents, coaches, and officials about the safety of young players. Keith Krem, vice president of hockey operations with Lehigh Valley Phantoms Youth, highlighted the inherent risks of the fast-paced game. Protective equipment, including neck guards, is available, but its use is up to individual players. The English Ice Hockey Association will require neck guards from 2024, but changes in higher leagues like the NHL are slower.

Complete Local Sports Schedules:

Lehigh University

Moravian University

Bethlehem Catholic High School

Liberty High School

Freedom High School