Christ Lutheran Church, located at 703 S. Delaware Drive in Mt. Bethel will be holding an apple dumpling sale on October 13thfrom 11am to 1pm. For more information or to place an order, call Chrissy at 610-588-0809.The 6th Lehigh Valley

Watershed Conference will be held from 8am to 5pm on October 13th at Lehigh Universitys STEPS Build-ing, located at 1 West Packer Avenue in Bethle-hem. The conference serves as a forum that brings together community water-shed organizations, munici-pal officials, educators, students, scientists, technical experts, natural resource agency staff, industry repre-sentatives and the public to discuss effective ways to improve and protect the land and water resources through-out the greater Lehigh Valley. To view the confer-

ence schedule or to register online, go to www. eventbrite.com/e/lehigh-v a l l e y - w a t e r s h e d - conference-registrat ion- 16189010767. For more information, contact lehigh watershedconf@gmail.com.The Chandler Estates are

looking for vendors for their fall celebration on October 24th from 9am to 4pm. For more information, call Tina at 610-863-3503 or email Tina@chandler estate.com.The Pen Argyl Alumni

Association is sponsoring a trip to Deck the Halls at the American Music The-ater on November 28th. The trip includes dinner, show and all tax and gratu-ities. To purchase tickets or receive more information, call Bill Ruggiero at 610-863-6297.Hope UCC is in need of

neck tie donations for My Brothers Keepers to tie together sleeping bags made for the homeless. Donations can be dropped

off at Hope UCC in Wind Gap.Slate Belt Health and

Rehabilitation is looking for volunteers. If you enjoy talking, singing, dancing, exercising, reading, and more, and would like to share your gifts with the residents, stop by 701 Slate Belt Boulevard in Bangor for an application or call 610-588-6161. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old.St. Johns Cemetery is

seeking donations to help with the upkeep of the cem-etery, roadways and monu-ments. They are also explor-ing the idea of adding a Community Columbarium near the mosoleum. Dona-tions can be sent to Carol Hummel c/o St. Johns Cem-etery, 136 Messinger Street, Bangor, PA 18013.

Religious Education classes at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Sussex County have begun. Children ages three through 12 will participate in a program called Sing to the Power, which includes lessons and activi-ties that help children explore ways they can use their different forms of personal power to effect positive change in the world. The classes are held every Sunday from 10:30am to noon in the fellowship hall, located at One West Nelson Street in Newton. For further information, call 570-828-2732 or visit www. UUNewtonNJ.org.Free exercise classes will

be held for adults at town hall in Johnsonburg. Classes are an hour long on Monday and Wednesday at 10am, and Saturday at 9am; or Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 4:45pm. For more information, visit www. frelinghuysennj.us/aerobics.htm, call Cathy at 908-852-7426, or email cathy@cathy baobean.com.

Blairstown Recreation is offering fall workout sessions of Zumba, PiYo, Pilates and Yoga for adults and teens. Zumba will be held Tuesdays and Thurs-days from 6pm to 7pm now through December 10th at Blair Academy Dance Studio. PiYo is offered on Fridays, now through November 20th from 8:30am to 9:15am at the Evangelical Free Church of Blairstown. Pilates will be held Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9:15am to 10:15am at the Evangelical Free Church now through November 19th, and Yoga will be held Mondays and Wednesdays from 6pm to 6:50pm at Cath-erine Dickson Hofman Library. For more informa-tion, visit www.blairstown-nj.org.NORWESCAP Child and

Family Resource Services (CFRS) is offering free NJ Family Child Care Pre-Service Registration train-ing. This is an exciting opportunity to start a home-based small business by providing quality child care to Sussex County area fami-lies. The three-session, eight hour training is being held at the CFRS office, located at 186 Halsey Rd., Suite 1, in Newton, on Tuesdays, Octo-ber 6th and October 13th from 6pm to 9pm each night and Thursday, October 8th from 6pm to 8pm. Atten-dance at all three sessions is necessary to complete the registration process. For more information and to register, call Maureen, Family Child Care Special-ist, at 973-383-3461.The Warren County Com-

munity Singers are looking for new members. The sing-ers are a non-audition group. Rehearsals are Tuesdays, 7:30pm to 9:30pm at the First Presbyterian Church of Washington, located at 40 Church Street in Washing-ton. Singers present two concerts a year: a holiday concert in December and Spring Fest of Song in early

May. All voice parts are welcome. Mens voices are especially needed. For more information, call Jane at 908-399-4771.Public Notice: In accor-

dance with the Adequate Notice provision of the Open Public Meetings Act, please be advised that the 2015 meeting schedule for the Warren County Mental Health Board is as follows: October 20th, November 17th and December 15th at 5pm. Meetings will be held in rooms 123A and B at Warren County Community

College, located at 475 Rt. 57 in Washington.Public Notice: In accor-

dance with the Adequate Notice provision of the Open Public Meetings Act, please be advised that the 2015 meeting schedule for the Warren County Human Services Advisory Council is as follows: November 24th (location TBD) at 1:30pm. Meetings will be held in the Freeholder Meeting Room at the Wayne Dumont Jr. Adminisration Building, located at 165 Rt. 519 S. in Belvidere.

Adult Fiction: Clayton, Meg Waite: The Wednesday Daughters; Clegg, Bill: Did You Ever Have A Family; Coleman, Reed: Robert B. Parkers Blind Spot; Robert B. Parkers The Devil Wins; Coulter, Catherine: The End Game; Doig, Ivan: Last Bus To Wisdom; Doyle, Arthur Conan: The Original Illus-trated Sherlock Holmes; Evanovich, Janet: The Scam; Greaney, Mark: Support And Defend; Karon, Jan: Come Rain Or Come Shine; Katchur, Karen: The Secrets Of Lake Road; Mclain, Paula: Circling The Sun; Meister, Ellen: Farewell, Dorothy Parker; Patterson, James: Private L.A.; Russo, Richard: The Old Cape Magic; Stewart, Mary: The Crystal Cave; The Hollow Hills; The Last Enchantment; The Wicked Day.Adult Non Fiction: Brown,

Brene: Daring Greatly; Fowler, Simon: Tracing Your Great War Ancestors; Gilbert, Elizabeth: Eat, Pray, Love; Mccullough, David: The Greater Journey; Manzo, Caroline: Casa Nostra; Oreilly, Bill: Killing Reagan; Walker, Johnny: Code Name, Johnny Walker. Pennsylvania Collection

Blau, David: The Blaus And The Holocaust; Reichard, H. Markley: I Remember When, Shopping Bangors Business Block.Junior Fiction: Eckert,

Allan: Incident At Hawks Hill; Return To Hawks Hill; Martin, Ann: Needle And Thread.DVDs: American Gangster;

Blue Velvet; Cinderella; Hammys Nutty-Fun; Outlander Season 1 Volume 1; Pitch Perfect 2.Fiction Audio Books:

Ahern, Jerry: The Slaughter Run; Hoag, Tami: The 9 Maguire, Gregory: Out Of Oz; Margolin, Phillip: The Associate; Pearson, Ridley: The Risk Agent; Robb, J.D.: Delusion In Death.Non Fiction Audio Books:

Oreilly, Bill: Killing Reagan; Osteen, Joel: Become A Better You 7 Keys To Improving Your Life Every Day.Ebooks: Coulter, Cath-

erine: The End Game: Brit In The Fbi Series Book3; Katchur, Karen: The Secrets Of Lake Road; Lewis, Beverly: The Photograph; Oreilly, Bill: Killing Reagan; Pettrey, Dani: Sabo-taged: Alaskan Courage Book 5.

October has been desig-nated by the American Veterinary Medical Founda-tion as Our Oath in Action month. The AVMF is the charitable arm of our national organization, the American Veterinary Medical Associa-tion. For over 50 years, this non-profit has provided funding for animal health studies, disaster response, animal welfare education and other activities. The Our Oath in Action program started after 2005s Hurri-cane Katrina caused such devastation. Thousands of volunteers put in countless hours helping the people and animals who were affected by the storm.The Veterinarians Oath

reads: Being admitted to the profession of veterinary medicine, I solemnly swear to use my scientific knowl-edge and skills for the benefit of society through the protec-tion of animal health and welfare, the prevention and relief of animal suffering, the

conservation of animal resources, the promotion of public health, and the advancement of medical knowledge. I will practice my profession conscientiously, with dignity, and in keeping with the principles of veteri-nary medical ethics. I accept as a lifelong obligation the continual improvement of my professional knowledge and competence.That is quite a commitment

that we veterinarians need to honor. Practicing high-quality medicine and being advocates for our patients is something we strive for every day. In addition, we have participated in numerous local activities including Relay for Life and Bark for Life, the building of the Syca-more Park Playground, and donations to school, scouts, and fire and rescue fundrais-ing activities. For the month of October, we will be adding a special charitable event. Blairstown Animal Hospital

will be accepting donations

By Maria CascarioSuperlatives describe Pope

Francis visit to the United States and four local residents were fortunate to have witnessed the events in Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia, PA.

Roseto, PA residents Nancy Jones, her daughter Ashley and Linda Ruggiero were on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building and watched the festivities on the jumbotron. It was quite an experience just to get there. The girls picked up Ashley at Westchester University and drove to Maryland, then boarded a train to D.C. They went to Senator Toomeys office for their tickets. Next morning, they woke at 4am and walked to get a place in line to reach the west lawn.

Pope Francis made a brief appearance on the balcony of the Capitol Building and blessed the crowd.

Nancy said, It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to be in the shadow of the Pope.

Linda said, It was a peaceful presence no matter how big the crowd.

Anthony Ruggiero III of Bangor, a member of the local Knights of Columbus Council #3862, went to Philadelphia to volunteer to direct tourists to their destinations. He was near the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, and the Pope in his

Popemobile turned right in front of the Basilica.

Anthony said, It was a feeling like I have never experienced before. If you believe in who Pope Francis embodies there is no greater figure or celebrity. That is the feeling you had being there and seeing him. His humility and genuineness was captivating.

of pet food, treats and cat litter. We will be donating these items to First Presbyte-rian Church of Blairstowns food pantry on Main Street in Blairstown, NJ. You may drop off these items at our hospital anytime during our regular hours from 8am to 8pm, Monday through Friday, and 9am to 5pm on Saturday.It is so important to reach

out to those in need, and there are many just in our immedi-ate area. The food pantry also takes donations of non-perishable food and toiletries all year round. If you are interested in donating items to local shelters and rescue groups, please contact us and we can put you in touch with some of those organizations. Many also have fundraising events and your participation goes a long way to helping animals in need. And of course, please consider open-ing up your heart and home to one of the many pets in need of love and security.

Improve your Reading, writing, math and computer skills with the Free GED preparation classes in the Pennsylvania school districts of Bangor, Pen Argyl and Nazareth will continue this Fall beginning the week of October 19th. The GED preparation classes will help students improve reading, writing, math and computer skills to then take and pass the GED test. Students must attend class both days of the first week for orientation. If a student cannot attend both days, they may wait for the next session, which will begin in the winter. The classes run through Decem-ber and will not be offered again until the spring term.Computer training for the

GED test is included in all classes. A new GED test format administered only on the computer and only at an official GED testing center began January, 2014. Finan-cial help for the GED test may be available.Adults, who attend classes,

complete certain require-ments and pass the GED exam will be eligible to receive an equivalency high school diploma. Meeting days and locations will be as follows:-Bangor: Class will meet

Mondays and Wednesdays, from 6pm to 8:30pm, in the library of DeFranco Elemen-tary School, located at Rt. 512 and Five Points Rich-mond Road, beginning Octo-ber 19th.-Pen Argyl: Classes will

meet Mondays and Thurs-days, from 6pm to 8:30pm, in the library of Pen Argyl High School, located at 501 West Laurel Avenue, beginning October 19th.-Nazareth: Classes will meet

Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 6pm to 8:30 pm, in the library lower level of Naza-reth Area High School, located at 501 East Center Street, beginning October 20th.The funding for the GED

program comes from federal

and state education grants managed by Northampton Community College (NCC). Bangor, Pen Argyl and Naza-reth school districts also contribute to the program.Over the past 33 years,

hundreds of area residents from Bangor, Pen Argyl and Nazareth school districts have earned GEDs through the local adult literacy program.NCC operates one of the

largest adult literacy programs in PA. Information about continuing studies at NCC will also be available. For more information, call Northampton Community College at 610-861-5427. For information about the GED test and testing services, visit to www.ged.com.

By Maria CascarioOur Lady of Good Counsel

Church in Bangor, PA,which serves approximately 275 families, is observing its 100th anniversary with a Mass of celebration, dinner and reception on October 18th.

The milestone event will have the honor of Bishop John Barres as main celebrant of the Mass with local clergy in attendance.

Fr. Stephen Maco, who has been pastor of the church for four years, is looking forward to sharing the festivities with his parishioners.

The Mass will be at 2pm and the dinner and reception is at 4:30pm at Shawnee Inn.

Our Lady of Good Counsel church members are active in church activities and the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Holy Name Society are examples of this particpation.

Our Lady of Good Counsel Church has a long and storied history of service to its parishioners and the

community. The church members are proud of the accomplishments of the parishioners, past and present.

Fred Curcio said, I received my First Holy Communion and Confirmation here and our son was baptized in the church. Its an exciting time to have our church be in existence for that long. Fred

participates in Holy Name Society, Finance Committee and Parish Council. He said he enjoys doing things for the church.

Fr. Maco said, I think the faith of the people is an inspiration to me in my own priesthood. Its the foundation of our parish and sustains our growth. This is a very welcoming faith community.

Marine Corps League Northampton Co. Detach-ment 298 Meeting: October 7th, 1900 hours. 1621 Lehigh St., Easton. All active duty & honorably discharged Marines welcome. FMI, email jimmineousmc @rcn.com.

Haunted Heritage Tour: October 8th, 7pm-9pm. Slate Belt Heritage Center.

Stroudsburg Aglow Meet-ing: October 8th, 9:30am. St. Peters UMC, Saylors-burg. FMI, call 610-614-0507 or email stroudsburg aglow@yahoo.com.

Holy Rosary: October 10th, noon. Bangor Park Circle, Rt. 512. FMI, call 610-588-9439.

Lukies Fall Festival: Octo-ber 10th, 11am-5pm.

Weona Park, Rt. 512, Pen Argyl.

East Bangor UMCC 150th Congregational Anniver-sary: October 11th, 9:15am. 136 W. Central Ave. (Rt. 512), East Bangor. Reservations requested. FMI, call 610-588-4453, email pshower@epix.net, or visit ebumc.org.

Northampton Community College Job Fair: October 13th 6-8pm. NCC Spartan Center, 3835 Green Pond Rd., Bethlehem Twp. FMI, email alugo@northampton. edu.

Pocono Garden Club Meeting: October 13th, 1pm. Kettle Creek Environ-mental Education Center, Running Valley Rd., Bartonsville. FMI, call 570-977-613l.

Bangor Elks Halloween Parade: October 15th,

7pm. Theme: Wild Wild West. Register before Octo-ber 10th at 3pm at Brays News Stand, Heards Meat Market or Bangor Public Library. Late registration will be held at the Bee Hive Comm. Center on October 15th, 5pm. FMI, call 610-588-1195 or 610-588-3183.

Outdoor Craft & Flea Market: October 17th, 8am-2pm. St. Johns Lutheran Church, 12 N. Westbrook Ave., Pen Argyl. FMI, call Janet at 610-863-5997.

Bangor VFW Flea Market: October 17th, 8am. Rt. 191. Food & beverages avail. FMI or to reserve a space, call 908-319-3731.

Portland Family Fun Day & Yard Sale: October 17th. Yard Sale: 8am-2pm; Family Fun: 11am-4pm. Delaware Ave., Rt. 611. FMI, call 570-897-0559 or email portlandboroughpa@gmail.com.

Free GED Classes: Begin October 19th & 20th, 6pm-8:30pm. Pen Argyl High School Library, 501 W. Laurel Ave., Pen Argyl; DeFranco Elementary Library, Rt. 512 & Five Pts. Richmond Rd., Bangor; & Nazareth High School Library, 501 E. Center St., Nazareth. FMI, call 610-861-5421.

American Legion Aux. Coach Bingo: October 24th, 11am. Bangor VFW, 202 Veterans Rd., Bangor.

FMI, call Laura at 570-897-6442.

St. Peters UCC Vera Brad-ley Purse Bingo: October 24th, 11:30am. FMI, call Sheila at 610-837-1533.

Brunch w/ the Author Karen Shoemaker Katchur: October 24th, 10am. Slate Belt Heritage Center. Registration req'd. FMI, call 610-588-4136.

Community Presbyterian Church Fall Festival: Octo-ber 24th, 11am-3pm. Rain date: October 25th. 1755 S. Delaware Ave., Mt. Bethel. FMI, email community presby@gmail.com or call 570-897-6766.

Pius X High School Athlete Recognition Dinner: Octo-ber 24th, noon. Location TBA. Honoring Phil Stam-baugh, Jeff, Joe & John Detzi, Anthony & Mike Casciano, Charley Angelini, Brad Decker, Alex Christoff, Steve Zegalia, Mike Corvino, Ralph LoPardo, Nick Martucci, Eric Rath, Don D'Iorio, Anthony Gruppo, Richard Dick Smith & Rob Goffredo. FMI, call Joe at 484-597-9007.

Boomer's Angels Boo at the Zoo: October 25th, 10am-4pm. 5150 Game Preserve Rd., Schnecksville. FMI, email boomersangels @gmail.com, visit boomers angels.com, find them on Facebook, or call 570-350-4977.

Pastie Sale: October 27th,

Youth Center Little Tykes Soccer: Now-October 31st. The Youth Center, 16 Hamp-ton Rd., Glen Gardner. FMI, call 908-537-4594 or visit www.the youthcenter.net.

Free Employment Readi-ness Training: October 8th or 22nd, 10am. NORWES-CAP Career & Life Transi-tions Center for Women Regitsration reqd. FMI, call 908-835-2624.

Tricky Tray: October 9th, 6:30pm. Knowlton Elemen-tary School. Benefits Knowl-ton Elementary PTO & Knowlton Twp. Fire & Rescue. FMI, call Kathy Garriques at 908-475-2498 or visit TrickyTray.com.

Car Show: October 11th, 9am-1pm. Harmony Twp. Recreation Fields, 3003 Belvidere Rd., Phillipsburg.

Advanced registration recommended. FMI, email h.montilone0307@gmail.com.

Friends of the Warren Co. Library Silent Auction: October 13th-30th. 2 Shot-well Drive, Belvidere. FMI, call 908-475-6322.

Casino Night to Benefit Father John's Animal House: October 16th, 6pm-10pm. 88 Lawrence Rd., Lafayette Twp. FMI or tickets, call the shelter at 973-300-5909 or visit www. fatherjohnsanimalhouse.org.

3rd Annual Swayze Mill Park Car Show: October 18th, 11am-3pm. 100 Swayze Mill Rd., Hope.

11th Hour Rescue Fest: October 18th, 4pm-9:30pm. 45 Main St., Stanhope. FMI, call 973-347-7777. To purchase tickets now, visit: https://goo.gl/b3duhn.

France at a Glance: Mon-days, October 19th-November 23rd, 3:15pm-4:30pm. Blairstown Elemen-tary School Library. Classes are for boys & girls, grades 1st-3rd. FMI, visit www. blairstown-nj.org.

Rummage Sale: October 23rd, 9am-4pm & October 24th, 9am-noon. Franklin Twp. Vol. Fire Dept. Aux., 37 Second St., New Village. FMI or to donate, call 908-689-3677.

Rummage Sale: October 23rd, 9am-4pm. Yellow Frame Church, Rt. 94 & One Yellow Frame Rd., Fredon. FMI, call 973-383-5364 or 973-383-9840.

Warren Co. Community Singers Cabaret Caf: October 24th, 7:30pm. Grace Lutheran Church, Roseberry St., Phillipsburg. Tickets avail. at the door.

Horror, Hounds & Hallow-een Dog Walk of the Dead III: October 25th, 11am-3pm. Waterloo Village, Byram. FMI, email Anthony at deaddogwalk@gmx.com.

Free Holiday Bazaar for Caregivers: November 8th, 2pm-3pm. The Manor/ Belvidere Firehouse, 689 Water St., Belvidere. FMI, call Robin Ennis at 973-993-1160 ext. 305, or email Robin.Ennis@UnitedWay NNJ.org.

11am-1pm. Christ Lutheran Church, 703 S. Delaware Dr., Mt. Bethel. Call Chrissy at 610-588-0809 to order.

Rummage & Bake Sale: October 30th, 8am-4pm & October 31st, 8am-2pm. St. Johns Lutheran Church, 12 N. Westbrook Ave., Pen Argyl. FMI, call dawn at 610-863-7498

East Allen Twp. Vol. Fire Dept. Bingo: November 1st, 11:30am. 5354 Nor-Bath Blvd., Northampton. FMI, call 610-767-7140 for more info.

By Jennifer LivelySteroids, or performance

enhancing drugs, are often abused and misused by athletes wanting to increase their athletic performance. There are two kinds of

steroids. The first are corti-costeroids, such as cortisone or prednisone. These are drugs that doctors often prescribe to help control inflammation in the body. Corticosteroids do not enhance athletic perfor-mance. The second type are anabolic steroids. Anabolic steroids, are the type that are often linked with illegal use in sports. The use of anabolic steroids is banned in profes-sional sports and the Olym-pics. Anabolic steroids

( a n a b o l i c - a n d r o g e n i c steroids) are synthetic versions of the male hormone testosterone. Some effects of Anabolic Steroid abuse in men include infer-tility, breast development, shrinking of the testicles,

male-pattern baldness, severe acne and cysts, radical mood swings and bursts of anger and rage, often referred to as roid rage. Doses taken by steroid abus-

ers are often 10 to 100 times higher than what would be medically prescribed for legitimate use and users can experience intense with-drawal when they discontinue use. Have more questions? Talk to your family physician or see the friendly staff at a Clean Slate, located at 100 S. Main Street in Bangor, PA, or call 610-452-9348.

Ciao Amici, Some recent events

accorded that make me wonder what kind of world we live in. A child waits for ice cream at a school lunch cafeteria, he somehow loses a nickel and now he is five cents short. Sorry no ice cream for you today, he is told. Heart broken, he sits with his friends as they eat their ice cream. Rules are rules. Sad world we live in. Another child has a bad

stomach ache; the parents call their family doctor;

Sorry we have no open-ings, they say. So then you are on your own. Sad world we live in. In my day, Dr. Farace and

Dr. Romano made house calls. I would like to pass along a story a friend told me. It shows what taking responsibility is all about.In a tribe of Indians, or so

the story goes, someone was stealing chickens. The chief declared that, if caught, the offender would receive ten lashes. When the stealing continued, he raised it to 20 lashes. Still the chickens methodically disappeared. In anger, the chief raised the sentence to 100 lashes. The thief was finally caught, but the vhief faced a terrible dilemma; the thief was his own mother! When the day of penalty came, the whole tribe gathered. Would the chief's love override his justice? The crowd gasped when he ordered his mother to be tied to the whipping post. The chief removed his shirt, revealing his powerful stature, and took the whip in hand. But instead of raising it to strike the first blow, he

handed it to a strong, young brave standing at his side. Slowly the chief walked over to his mother and wrapped his massive arms around her in an engulfing embrace. Then he ordered the brave to give him the hundred lashes.Senso comune ai non

comune.Common sense ain't

common. Will Rogers Con cordiali saluti,JoeGrowing up in the

Butcher Shop, is available at the shop or on our web page. To receive menu specials and our newsletter, join our mailing list at JDeFrancoAndDaughters.com, click on mailing list and enter your email. Send your Roseto stories, recipes and comments to portipasto @epix. net or call 610-588-6991. J. DeFranco and Daughters

is located at 2173 W. Bangor Rd. in Bangor, PA. Store hours are 7am to 7pm, seven days a week, with catering available anytime or by appointment.

Two women plus 12 instru-ments will equal one good time when world music duo Simple Gifts presents a free community concert to celebrate First Presbyterian Church of Blairstowns 175th anniversary on Sunday, October 18th. The award-winning band will perform at 3pm, with a dessert and coffee reception to follow.Simple Gifts performs on

an impressive array of instru-ments, including two violins, mandolin, hammered dulci-mer, recorders, and guitar plus some more unusual instruments like the bowed psaltery, baritone fiddle, banjolin, guitjo, and doum-bek. Members Linda Little-ton and Karen Hirshon present a variety of ethnic folk music, including every-thing from lively Irish jigs and down-home American reels to hard-driving Klezmer freilachs, haunting Gypsy melodies, and exotic Balkan dance tunes. Throughout their perfor-mances, they put their own distinctive stamp on tradi-

tional tunes, blending styles from diverse cultures with their American roots. First Presbyterian Church

is located at 1 Main Street in Blairstown. Space for the concert is limited, so RSVPs are encouraged; to reserve seats, please email

fpcb@ptd.net or call 908-362-5254. There is no cost for admission, although free-will offerings will be gladly accepted to help offset costs associated with the event and the churchs recent stained glass restoration project.

The Slate Belt Heritage Center, located at 30 North 1st Street in Bangor, PA, is pleased to announce that it is now accepting applications for its Annual Heritage Award. The purpose of the award is to acknowledge individuals who have performed exemplary acts that promote and preserve the culture and heritage of the Slate Belt. Candidates may be individuals or groups and can be nominated by themselves or by another party.There will be three catego-

ries:1. Initiative Award: Appli-

cant who has performed exemplary actions in promot-ing and preserving the Slate Belt heritage through in-kind actions. This means acts that do not necessarily involve monetary donations, but can be unpaid service for a preservation cause. 2. Architectural Award:

Applicant who is saving or conserving a historic build-ing, place or artifact where restoration is authentic to preservation. 3. Special Focus Award:

Applicant who is saving or conserving tradition or a body of knowledge. That

individual who contributes to educational information via exhibits, documentation, internet, archival, etc. Nominations will be

accepted this fall and will be reviewed in January of each year. The awards will be presented at a special program in June. One prize will be awarded with the possibility of one per category, depending on committees review of candi-dates. Nominations should include a description of entry, photos (if applicable), and any pertinent documen-tation. The Heritage Center retains the right to exhibit and/or publish the applica-tion materials, including photographs. Applications for those not chosen will be held on file, indefinitely, for future consideration. Interested parties may

obtain an application at the Heritage Center (Sundays from 1pm to 3pm), at local municipal offices or by contacting Karen Brewer at 610-588-8615. If calling, please leave an address where applications can be mailed in addition to name and phone number. For addi-tional information contact Karen Brewer.

Lisa Feidler and Jan Swift will be featured at Gallery 23, located at 23 Main Street in Blairstown throughout the month of October.Jan is a renowned watercol-

orist. Her landscapes, still lifes, and florals are distinc-tive. Jan adores painting. I love to paint anything and

everything. Watercolor is so exciting, especially when happenings involving line, color, shape, space, and texture occur from the paint itself. I don't like to get locked into any one thing. Jan also excels in her collages.A resident of Blairstown,

Jan graduated from Moore College of Art in Philadel-phia with a bachelor of science degree in art educa-tion. She earned her masters degree in education at Tyler School of Fine Arts of Temple University. She taught art for 25 years in Bucks County, PA, where she supervised 11 schools before moving to Blairstown to continuing her teaching.Although retired from

teaching, Jan continues to be prolific in her art. She holds the Governor's Award for excellence in teaching and has published articles in Arts and Activities, a leading art education magazine. Swift is a member of Pocono Arts and has captured first place in

watercolor for three consecu-tive years. Her paintings are represented in private and corporate collections.Lisa specializes in art glass

beads and jewelry. Mostly a self-taught artist, Lisa has been creating all types of arts and crafts most of her life. Though she holds a B.S. in Business Administration and an A.A.S. in CADD, art is her true life's passion. Drawn strongly to the ethereal, mys-tical quality of glass and gems, Lisa seriously pursued her passion in the summer of 2008, finding herself enrolled in several glass workshops that would give her the basics to allow her creativity to blossom. Exqui-site art-glass beads and her accompanying jewelry are the vehicles through which she chooses to express her artistic voice. Lisa's work is distinguished

by her use of lively, whimsi-cal bold colors, sparkling dichroic glasses, various semi-precious stones and metals, and vintage glass and crystal components. She also incorporates her own art glass beads in many of her pieces, creating designs that are a delightfully edgy depar-ture from typical, and include a wide range of styles. Lisa is available to teach the

art of strung or wire-wrapped jewelry in her home either

privately or for groups of up to five. One-on-one lessons

are available for glass bead making.

Thid past weekends uncer-tain weather forcast postponed Warren Countys scenic bus tour of the Morris Canal until Saturday, October 10th, and limited seating is now available for the rescheduled date.The 9am to 3pm tour,

conducted by the Warren County Morris Canal Com-mittee, visits sites including Saxton Falls, Bread Lock Park, Plane 9 West and more.Register for the tour by

calling the Warren County Planning Department at 908-475-6532. Cost is $20 and includes a box lunch at Plane 9 West, site of the Jim and Mary Lee Museum in the former plane tenders house, which was the home of noted canal historian James Lee and his family for many years.For further information

about the Morris Canal, please visit our website at www.morriscanal.org. The canal, which operated

from the 1830s to the 1920s, spanned northern New Jersey from Phillipsburg on the Delaware River to Jersey City on the Hudson. Warren Countys heritage corridor gives reminders of the canals glory days, with inland ports of call with names like Port

Colden, Port Murray, Port Warren, Port Washington and

Rockport, and descriptive identities including Fresh Break Lock, Guinea Hollow and Greenes Bridge.Aside from the tour, the

Morris Canal Museum at Bread Lock Park is open year-round on the second Sunday of each month from 1pm to 4pm, located on Route 57 in New Village, Franklin Township, NJ. This

museum collection includes a scale model of a working canal boat lock, interactive dioramas, and displays of Warren County history including the Morris Canal, Shippen Manor, Oxford Furnace and the Lenape Indians. The grounds include fitness and walking trails, a picnic area, and canal boat replica.

(NewsUSA) - "And you'll be able to wear it again!" is a phrase often used around bridesmaids' dresses. Because a ridiculously expensive lime-green taffeta shepherdess gown is appro-priate for almost any occa-sion, and the Peter Pan collar is poised to make a come-back any century now.If you're one of the many

women who has piles of Pepto-Bismol-colored ruffles stuffed in the back of her closet, never fear -; you will be able to wear that dress again. Host an old brides-maids' dress party, and the good times may even blot out the embarrassment of having had to wear that dress in the first place.Where to start? The concept

is simple -- invite all of your girlfriends over, and tell them to wear their most hideous bridesmaid dress. Not only will you get to rewear the bridesmaids' dresses of weddings past, you'll also get to laugh at some of the more hideous outfits. Note: if you were a bridesmaid at a friend's wedding, either don't invite her or try not to wear the dress she chose, even if it does include a tutu and

puffed sleeves.Adding an inexpensive spin

to classic elegance is the way to go. Skip the chips and dip in favor of a fruit-and-cheese platter. For a refreshing twist on champagne, the tradi-tional wedding libation, pick up a few bottles of a fruit-flavored sparkling wine. Arbor Mist (arbormist.com),

which is known for fruit and wine combinations like Strawberry White Zinfandel and Blackberry Merlot, has recently released a line of sparkling wines. Both the Peach Sparkle and the Rasp-berry Sparkle combine light and crisp sparkling wine with natural fruit, creating the perfect refreshment for a get-together with your girlfriends.For entertainment, ask each

woman to tell the story behind her bridesmaid dress. You can also have fun play-ing a wedding-themed round of Pictionary or charades. You can also hold a vote to find out, for once and for all, which one of you had to endure the wearing the worst bridesmaid dress.For more information about

Arbor Mist wines, visit www.arbormist.com.

By Ann BareOh dear, you think to

yourself. My sister gets cranky so easily. My best friend, although I love her dearly, is unpredictable and undependable. I have some friends from school, but we rarely talk and really only keep in touch through Face-book. My coworkers are becoming friendlier, but we are not what I would call friends yet. Im getting married in six months and I want to have a stress-free wedding. Whom do I choose to be in my wedding party?Its not always possible to

select the perfect atten-dants. Personalities, tradi-tions, expectations and cultural mores can influence a brides choice of her maid or matron of honor and her bridesmaids. There are those who expect to be asked to be in your wedding; after all, you were in theirs. Your sisters and closest cousins would be natural choices-especially to Mom and sweet Auntie. Your best friend and you pinky-swore years ago that you would be at each others side, but now her life decisions are not making her a suitable choice. The hard-

to-decide task just got more difficult.So whose wedding is it

anyway? You want to look back on this day and have pleasant memories so make your decisions accordingly. What do you want to remem-ber? Pasted smiles on an array of size three gals and tuxedoed handsome men flanking a radiant couple? The hope of having your wedding photo featured in the hometown papers next bridal insert? Beautifully coiffed hairstyles and tiny ankles beneath tea-length dresses? What will really make your day happily memorable?Do you even have to have

attendants? Centuries ago the role of the maid of honor or bridesmaid was to attend to the bride several days before her wedding; an additional role of attendants, both bridesmaids and groomsmen, was to dress similarly to the wedded couple in order to confuse evil spirits or jealous suitors who might try to sabo-tage the wedding or in some way harm the couple. Thank-fully, the duties have become less risky and demanding and may be as simple as signing

as a witness to the marriage. (Because state laws vary, verify how many witnesses signatures are needed on the marriage certificate.)In selecting whom you will

ask to stand up for you at your wedding, first share your concern with your fianc and consider his input. Then consider those who are dear to you and whom you respect. The person whom you select should see the opportunity as both an honor and a privilege to be standing at your side. Perhaps there is an older woman whose marriage you admire. Maybe your child-hood friend would laugh with you before, during and after the ceremony, adding to a life full of meaningful experi-ences. Perhaps your sister has become the trusted confidante you have come to appreciate and she would be the perfect choice. Perhaps a male friend would serve as your bridesman (with your fiancs approval, of course). The choice is yours.The goal of your bridal party

selection is to enhance your memorable day with favor-able circumstances and expe-riences. Choose wiselyand enjoy your day!

By Tresa EricksonWhether old news or recent,

divorces are not easy to deal with, especially when plan-ning a wedding. If your parents or future in-laws are divorced, you must plan certain aspects of your wedding carefully to keep conflict to a minimum. The areas most affected generally are invitations, seating and the receiving line.The word-ing on wedding invitations typically names the host. Who is hosting your

wedding? If you are, you have nothing to worry about. If any of the parents are hosting, you will need to take extra care with the wording so that it reflects the nature of the situation. You can go about this in many ways. Generally, the names of the divorced should fall on sepa-rate lines and their relation-ship to the bride or groom should be established, if needed. If the bride's parents are

remarried and they are hosting the wedding, for example, the invitation might read: "Mr. and Mrs. George Smith / and / Mr. and Mrs.

Henry Jackson / request the honor of your presence / at the marriage of Mr. George Smith's and Mrs. Jackson's daughter / Susan Ann...."If there is conflict among the divorced, good seating at the ceremony and reception is a must. You can go about this in many ways. Generally, mothers and spouses sit in the front row at the ceremony with their family right behind them, and fathers and spouses in the third row with their family right behind them. If the divorced parents are

on good terms, they may all sit together in the front row, with their families behind them. The same principles apply to seating at the recep-tion. Divorced parents in conflict should be seated at separate tables; divorced parents in good standing may be seated together. It really is a matter of choice. You may switch up the seating as needed.As for the receiving line, you have a few options for dealing with divorced parents. You may have them stand together if they get along, or separate them if they don't. You may also ask

the mothers only to stand in the line.Remarriages among the

divorced can complicate matters, especially if you are close to your stepparents. No matter what the nature of your relationship with the new spouses, you should recognize them and involve them in the wedding, even if it is just mentioning their names in the invitation. Should you want them to play a more prominent role, you should discuss your wishes with all parties involved. A bride raised by her stepfather, for example, might prefer him rather than her biological father to walk her down the aisle. Before she makes any definite plans, she should discuss her decision with her biological father. This will eliminate the element of surprise and alleviate hurt feelings and tension later.Planning a wedding around

divorced parents is not easy, especially when they are in conflict. Tread lightly, discuss your decisions with everyone involved and proceed with caution.

(NewsUSA) - Congratula-tions, guys, on being so in love that you can save your-self at least one big headache this holiday season.Yes, for those wondering, if

you're planning on popping The Big Question -- marriage, that is -- a diamond engagement ring can also count as her Christ-mas or Hanukkah present. "If a guy's gonna pop the question eventually, he might as well use the oppor-tunity to avoid shopping for a holiday gift and kill two birds with -- ahem -- one stone," the Washington Post declared.And you won't be alone:

While 39 percent of all marriage proposals occur between Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day, what sane-thinking male wants to be the one who waited till February to give his girlfriend a ring she was expecting in December?Ergo, to help you out, it's

time to separate some myths from facts when it comes to the whole engagement ring-buying process. (Alternate Plan Alert: For those not quite ready to propose -- or, for that matter, who have

other diamond jewelry lovers on their holiday lists to shop for -- we've also got some tips for you.)MYTH: You need to be

prepared to spend two months' salary on a ring.FACT: That's just a guide-

line. Your financial circum-stances -- and your girlfriend's taste -- ultimately rule.MYTH: There's no way of

telling whether a diamond has been produced "ethically" or not.FACT: This is a big issue for

some couples, so know that the Diavik mine in Canada's North West Territories, for one, has gone to great lengths to provide buyers with proof that it's adhering to interna-tional standards of labor, health, safety and environ-mental practices in producing the nicely sized diamonds of good color and gem quality it's famed for."Each certified gem is

laser-etched with a unique number that indicates the date

mined, and each gem's unique optical fingerprint is recorded in an international database so that it can be positively identified," says an expert in the field, noting that many insurance companies offer discounted rates in such cases.MYTH: Most women want

a pear-shaped diamond engagement ring.FACT: Round diamonds are

the most popular.MYTH: You must pick the

ring out yourself in order to maximize the effect.FACT: Thankfully, no, so

you've dodged a bullet there. But if you prefer shopping stag, at least have your girlfriend's hints in mind.Finally, about those other

diamond jewelry gift-gifting tips we promised."Classic diamond stud

earrings will never go out of fashion," says jewelry and style expert Michael O'Connor, "and diamond line bracelets can be worn with any outfit."

(NewsUSA) - Looking for family fun or a romantic getaway? Just go to Mexico. Whether you're a large family or two honeymooners, you can experience cultural immersion, fine dining, spa services and beachfront relaxation at The Villa Group Resorts in Cabo San Lucas.A cluster of villa properties

located on prime beaches offers a selection of special packages.* Have fun with the kids

and treat yourself, too, at Villa del Palmar. Enjoy the family-friendly environment including air-conditioned suites with private balconies and complete kitchens to

make you feel right at home. For recreation, cool off in

the swimming pools and whale waterslide, relax at

the new Desert Spa, exercise at the fitness center, play tennis or try out your skills on the putting green, and take pleasure in viewing themed dinner shows every night.* Explore a romantic escape

for two at Villa La Estancia. Relax in a one-bedroom suite with sparkling wine and strawberries and a moonlight massage to start out your vacation as a "just-married" couple. Enjoy

gourmet cuisine and unrivaled hospitality on lushly landscaped grounds that include dancing foun-tains and whirlpools. Deluxe studios and spacious pent-

houses also are available.* Many options for families

and couples are available to choose from at Villa Del Arco Beach Resort & Grand Spa. Oceanfront suites, waterfalls,spa tubs, children's areas,

and activities such as kayak-ing and snorkeling are just a few of the highlights. Don't forget to try a signature facial, body wrap or other therapeutic service to fine-tune your mind, body and soul.* Discover a variety of

treatments at The Desert Spa. "The Desert Spa Discovery" features three nights in a deluxe one-bedroom oceanview suite, two 50-minute aromatherapy

massages, a men's facial therapy for him, a lemon-lime facial for her, and unlim-ited access to the fitness center and spa facilities for the entire stay. In addition to these amenities, "The Desert Spa Adventure" includes a his-and-hers experience in a spa suite for two with a hydrotherapy session, a personal training session for two with a U.S. certified personal trainer and a light spa cuisine lunch for two at Villa Del Arco's oceanfront La Perla restaurant.For more information about

Mexican vacation opportuni-ties in Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta, visit www.TheVilla Group.com.

By Tresa EricksonAh, you have finally set a

date for your wedding. Now on to the planning. One of the first tasks on your to-do list is to find attire. When it comes to choosing formalwear, brides are concerned most with their wedding dress and veil. Shoes don't receive as much attention and are some-times picked hastily at the last minute. Yet, it is the shoes, not the dress, that the bride walks in all day long. The right pair can make all the difference between a bride who happily dances the night away and one who stumbles around in pain because her feet are covered in blisters. To keep your feet healthy and ready to go on your wedding day, make sure you shop for shoes early and find the right pair.Start the search for shoes as soon as you have picked out your wedding dress. Try to go shopping mid-day when your feet are somewhat swol-len. Keep in mind that you will be doing a lot of walking on your wedding day, so look for shoes that are comfortable and fit well. If you try on a pair that feels tight or rubs your heels, return them to the shelf and move on. You do

not want blisters on your wedding day.Look for shoes that will match the color and style of your wedding dress. If you are planning to wear a modern ivory-colored dress, for example, don't go for stark white, chunky heels. Try thin, ivory heels instead. While white and ivory satin heels are traditional choices, that doesn't mean that you can't go for something else. If you are wearing a white Western style dress, white cowboy boots would be ideal.Shop for shoes that will accentuate the length of your wedding dress. If you need a bit of lift to pull up a long dress, find a pair of shoes with a heel. If the length of your dress is just right, look for low heels or flats. If your dress is so long that no one will ever get a glimpse of your footwear, then by all means, go for comfort and choose a pair of tennis shoes. Whatever way you go, don't choose a pair of shoes that you will have trouble walking in. Few women, for example, can handle stiletto heels. To walk down the aisle and dance with the groom grace-fully, you will need a pair of shoes that you can walk in with ease.Finally, try to find

shoes that will complement the groom's height. If you are taller than the groom, don't choose a pair of high heels. They will only add to your height and emphasize how much taller you are than the groom. Go for flats or low heels instead. If, on the other hand, you are several inches shorter than the groom, you may want to go with higher heels to decrease the height difference.There is a lot entailed in the search for shoes. Don't get caught unaware. Take the time to shop for shoes and choose a pair that fits well and comple-ments your attire and your groom's height. Depending upon your plans, you may even want to purchase a sepa-rate, more comfortable pair of shoes for the reception. Once you have found the perfect shoes for your wedding, take time to break them in. Walk around the house in them for several hours each day. If slippage seems to be a prob-lem, scuff up the bottoms with some fine sandpaper.With some time and effort, you can find your own glass slippers and be the belle of the ball at your wedding. Enjoy shop-ping!

(NAPSI)The American kitchen these days is more than just a place to cook and eat. Its become the central meeting place or hub of the home and the right colors can really help warm it up.To help you brighten your

kitchen, Jessica McConnell, Manager, Color, Finish & Material at the Whirlpool Corporation Institute of Home Science, offers a few tips.For a simple update for your

kitchen, she recommends adding pops of color with different textiles, cookware and kitchen gadgets each season: orange for Hallow-een, red for Christmastime as well as pearly white and frosty pine, which can be a more understated, modern and unexpected approach to holiday themes. Also, gold is a hot color trend for kitchens right now, and few things say holidays like shiny gold accents.

Its pretty amazing, McCon-nell says, what some new dish towels, a rug and coordinat-ing throw pillows (if, say, you have a breakfast nook with bench seating) can do to update your kitchen.Another simple trick she

offers is to add color in the form of a tea-pot or cookware that you can display either on your cooktop or on a shelf or rack. A nice container of

kitchen tools and gadgets is a really simple and easy way to tie it all together.The next time youre in the

market for new kitchen appli-ances or in the midst of remodeling your home, consider this: When it comes to kitchens, black is the new, well, black. Now you can get a new kitchen suite from KitchenAid in a black stain-less finish.The key to making black,

white or stainless appliances work with existing or new cabinetry is to understand what complements each finish for a modern look. Pair white appliances with

light wood or gray or white painted cabinets; black appli-ances with espresso, gray washed wood, walnut or dark painted cabinets. If you have high contrast from appliance

to cabinet color, such as white appliances and dark, cherry cabinets, bring in white accessories and countertop appliances to complement. Stainless is versatile. Its a

neutral mid-tone, premium material and goes well with virtually any tone. With a black stainless

suite, small touches of red, either in small appliances, cookware or textiles, will coordinate really nicely with the red medallions on the handle end caps.Dont Avoid Color, Embrace

ItExplains Mary Jo Peterson,

CKD, CBD, CAPS, Color is the tool most readily avail-able to us to establish our personality in our home, to create a mood, to invite others into our space, and we can do this with the ways we use this easy tool. To add warmth to a space, we might add a soft yellow, gold or bronze or, in smaller amounts, a brighter tone of orange or red. While these are all warm colors, the more intense colors will have greater impact on the level of activity they suggest in the space. Particularly when used in muted hues, these colors are often great companions to the newer black stainless suites of appliances we are seeing in trends today.For more information and

for helpful tips and tricks for the home, go to www. instituteofhomescience.com.

Hello, fellow readers!Greetings from Cape May

where I am enjoying a fall respite. Cape May is at the very end of New Jersey and has attracted vacationers since the mid-18th century, designating it as the country's oldest seaside resort. In 1878 a fire destroyed much of the town center and the reconstruction that followed was largely Victorian in style. In 1976, the entire city of Cape May was officially designated a National Historic Landmark to ensure the preservation of the buildings. Fall is a wonderful time to

be here, when the crowds of peak season have gone home. In addition to marvel-ing over the Victorian archi-tecture, many buildings painted in vibrant colors reminding me of Candy Land, I can't help but drool over the gardens adorned with plants we can't grow here. Cape May is in USDA zone 7b/8a, which is two zones warmer than ours. Chinese Windmill Palm (Trachycarpus fortunei) and Needle Palms (Rhapidophyllum hystrix) adorn the landscape. While there are a few Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia) hardy in our zone, they often die back in winter, but in zone 7b they grow gloriously into a small tree.

There are many plants admired in Cape May that are hardy in our zone 5b as w,ell. Original oil lamps illuminate rows of stately Sycamore trees (Platanus occidentalis) with their camouflage trunks lining the streets. And Mon-tauk Daisy, Nipponanthemum nipponicum, are in full bud ready to burst into happy white daisies with sunny yellow centers. Theres Beau-tyberry (Callicarpa Ameri-cana) with clusters of hot pink berries in their glory this time of year. Yes there are garden nots

such as clashing colors or shrubs pruned into meatballs and other unnatural shapes, but Cape May has many more garden dos. A charming pale yellow church is adorned with bright pink knock-out roses staged in front of hydrangea, starting their reddish fall shift. Vase-shaped Crape myrtles with mottled bark set the stage and purple salvias border the garden with fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln') turning to their golden hues of fall.The beauty of the landscape

continued into the night with the Blood Moon casting a hauntingly Halloween-ish mood above the Victorian horizon with the crashing sounds of the ocean sensa-tionalizing the scene. This trick was a surly a treat! Garden Dilemmas?askmarystone.com