Happy News From NorCo Courthouse

Courthouses are rarely happy places, especially during criminal week. But the recent sight of four young children, dressed in their Sunday best and running and laughing outside the rotunda, brought smiles to Deputy Sheriffs and courthouse visitors alike. They were at the courthouse for a good reason. They had just been adopted.

Twin bothers Jayden and Ricardo Rivera, age 6, were sporting summer hats, dress shirts and vests. After spending 1,837 days in foster care, they are now the sons of Carmen and Ricardo Rivera. They're both looking forward to first grade, and Jayden admitted he's a ball player.

Ruby Saylor, age 3, and Maya Saylor, age 5, in beautiful dresses and with their hair carefully braided and bowed, are now the daughters of Kristin and Richard Saylor. They were unable to describe their future plans because they were too busy stealing the boys' hats.

There's Hope For Us Yet

For most people, attending a public meeting is right up there with a root canal, especially on a gorgeous June summer night, with the sun still beckoning. But get this. Brayden Hough, a Wolf School scholar who has already attended a meeting to fulfill a scouting requirement, asked his father to bring him back. And he had lots of questions. Where's the Mayor? Sitting at a table in front of Council. Who's that man in the middle? That's Council President Willie Reynolds? What does he do? Teach in Allentown. Then why isn't he on Allentown Council? You have to live in the City.

His father, ArtsQuest Event Services Director Scott Hough, wanted to go for a ride in a squad car. Brayden seemed more interested in Robert's Rules of Order.

Bethlehem Kids Bring New Life to Library Garden

Though there's a garden right behind the Bethlehem Area Public Library, it has been neglected in recent years. It was once maintained by Musikfest volunteers, but that stopped when the festival stopped using Payrow Plaza as one of its venues. Fortunately, Girl Scout Troop 810, under the guidance of Troop Leader Pat Scipioni, has breathed new life into the old garden. In addition to weeding the garden, scouts have planted Echinacea, daisies, speedwell and salvia, along with other plants. But that's just the start. During a recent Library Family Fun Night, over 60 children tried out their own green thumbs, planting marigolds around the perimeter.

Outreach librarian Edana Hay started things off by reading two books, Waiting for Wings and My Garden. In addition, kids had an opportunity to make their own lady bug magnet and a bee hummer, with the help of girl scouts Madeline Hausmann, Emma Sensale and Alessandra Scipioni. But the garden beckoned, and both kids and parents planted marigolds and left a sea shell by each so they would know which flower is theirs.

Anabelle Hammons dug all the way to China.

Twins Nareh and Nazeh Tahmassian were more focused on packing the dirt down around their flowers.

Alex Younnes was the inspector.

Becahi Girls' B-Ball Coach: Failure is Part of Success

Megan Dellegrotti

When she was in the 7th Grade, Megan Dellegrotti experienced her first big disappointment when she was passed over for a basketball team on which all her friends were playing. Crushed, she was ready to pack it in. But her father gave her a dose of reality. Unlike her friends, she had been playing for only a year.  "When you're not practicing, someone out there is," he told her. It's a message she took to heart and one that led her to become Berwick High School's all-time leading scorer. It led to where she is today, head girls basketball coach at Becahi. She shared her story at Notre Dame of Bethlehem's 45th Annual CYO Banquet on May 16.

Dellegrotti told the grade school student athletes that she's no natural, either in sports or academics. But though she's only 5'4", she played Division I basketball at the University of Delaware. Team captain for two years, she was selected to the NCAA East Regional Team. But she's most proud of her academic achievements. "My commitment to academics made everything possible," she said, explaining that she learned to prioritize her time. Those days started with 6:30 am workouts to compete with athletes who were faster and taller.

Those days ended with the books. "Being smart is sexy," she insisted.

Before coming to Becahi, Dellegrotti coached at Southern Lehigh for five seasons, leading them to three Colonial League Championships and a 104-28 record.

But instead of claiming that winning is everything, or the only thing, she told sto make udents the most important lesson is learning to fail. "Failure is part of success," she teaches.

Dellegrotti's speech, not the typical fare expected from a coach, was greeted with a standing ovation.

Notre Dame's CYO then went on to make its annual awards. The biggest honor, the 2014 CYO Christian Spirit Award, went to 8th Grader Grant Hershman, a three-sport athlete who has maintained high honors. When it was announced, his grandfather Lou brushed a tear from his eye. He tried to hide it, but is very proud of his grandson, and rightfully so.

Lou Hersham with his grandson, Christian Spirit Award winner Grant Hershman

Lou's other grandson, Cole, was awarded MVP an the Biddy Boys Basketball Team. He is going to be a terror on the court.

Lou Hershman with grandson Cole

Lou calls his grandsons General Grant and Colonel Cole.

On the varsity boys basketball team, there were two winners.

Though he's only in seventh grade, Caden Giordano (pictured right), won every tip-off and was deadly under the boards. He took MIP. Single-handedly, he turned a playoff game around. My grandson, Dat Lambert (pictured left), was awarded MVP. He is a very deceptive point guard whose quick moves on the court has actually caused opposing players run into each other. He's also a thief, good for stealing the ball several times a game.

The person who taught him how to steal? A judge, of course. Judge Emil Giordano, who led another CYO basketball team to an undefeated season, coached Dat when he first started playing basketball, and encouraged these felonies.

Caden has a year to go, but Grant and Dat are on their way to Becahi next year. Grant will be playing baseball and hoops. Dat will play football and basketball.

Many of you more regular readers have watched Dat grow up on this blog. Thanks for putting up with my bragging. The person who has been behind him every step of the way is his mother, Tuyet.

Dat has also been supported by numerous other selfless coaches, from Rodney Robinson to Craig Golden to Chuck Rockmore and Duane Schmoyer.

Colonial Cops Give Local Kids A Merry Christmas

Kids, cops and ... a cow?

Thanks to the Colonial Regional Police, nine needy local families will have a Merry Christmas this year. For the eighth year in a row, police provided local children with an experience they'll remember the rest of their lives.

This is the way to go shopping!

The cold December Saturday morning started as officers, accompanied by Santa helper, picked the children up at their homes in a police cruiser. From there, it was off to breakfast at Chic-Fil-A. Then the fun really started. Children piled into nine cruisers for the procession to Wal-Mart, as emergency lights flashed and sirens wailed away. People in the parking lot stopped in their tracks, jaws dropped, wondering what was happening. But they started smiling as cruiser doors opened and kids emerged, on their way to do some serious shopping.

Dylan, age 9, picks out a police car. 

Armed with lists, and checking them twice, officers and children worked together to get presents for these families. Each child got to pick one out for himself, too. After that, Wal-Mart workers wrapped the gifts, and it was off to lunch at Red Robin.

This “Shop with Cops” program was possible thanks to the generosity of local citizens, the police officers themselves, Giant Food Store, Wal mart, Chic-Fil-A and Red Robin.

SGT John with daughter Claire, age 12, and Natasha, age 6

The boys finished their shopping first. Natasha, age 6, standing in line, complained, "I hate boys. My brother beats me up."

"But you picked out a present for your brother," answered Claire, age 12.

SGT John, who doubles as Claire's father, said he loves this event and participates every year. "I wouldn't miss it for the world," he said, even though he was scheduled to go on duty in a few short. hours.

It's an experience the police remember, too.

Patricia, age 8, said girls finished behind boys because "we took our time."

Dylan decides he'd rather have a race car. 

- Jeremiah, age 8, with Officer TJ and an unidentified man who kept saying, "Ho, Ho, Ho."

Dylan decides he'd rather have a rifle and pistol

You can see more pics on my Facebook page.

Two Kids Severely Sunburnt at Bethlehem Day Care?

Bethlehem police have received allegations that two toddlers were severely sunburned while in the custody of Foundations Early Learning Academy, which is located at 444 Montclair Ave. According to the report, the children had blistering over backs and shoulders. They have referred the matter to Children and Youth, as well as the state Department of Public Welfare.

According to one online review, "This facility is wonderful! The staff is very experienced and caring."

Brother, Can You Spare a ... Bat?

Before I ever saw Northampton County Judge Emil Giordano in a courtroom, I saw him at numerous baseball diamonds. He loves sports, and was a triathlete himself in his younger years. I always thought he would have been an excellent professional coach. He loves the kids and they love him. Almost all of the boys he coached in first and second grade are now excelling in baseball and basketball.

Me, I'm just a fan. But Judge Giordano has always assured me I'm a great athletic supporter.

His son Joseph and niece Victoria started an organization last year called The Tenth Inning. They collect gently used baseball/softball gloves, bats, batting helmets and catching gear so that they can be redistributed to children in need in local communities. Believe me, there are many kids out there, especially in Allentown, who would treasure a hard ball or a half decent glove. I've seen that firsthand.

This program was a big success last year. According to the Judge, "The generosity we witnessed last year with all the donations collected was amazing!"

So if your kids (or you) have outgrown that old baseball or softball equipment or you have sporting goods in your garage that haven't been used in a while, fill out this form and wait for a call from Joseph or Victoria.

I'll be checking, too, but first I have to make sure I have no outstanding warrants.

7th Grade 'Canes Win LV Knee-Hi Basketball 'Ship

7th Grade Canes (Dat only nutbag who won't smile)

After being down by eleven points in the first half, the 7th grade 'Canes roared back in the second, beating a tough DYC (Allentown Downtown Youth Center) team to win the LV Knee-Hi Basketball Championship for 7th grade kids, 78-67. The game was played today at Freedom High School.

It's a scary team. Although they have fallen behind several times this season, they always finds a way to come back and win.  In the last three years, they've lost just twice. Every single ball player is capable of scoring double digits in any given game, but what makes them good is that they work together.

Much of the credit for that is due to Head Coach Craig Golden. Unfortunately, he missed the game as a result of a death in his family. But his assistant, Dom Italiani, did a great job with these young men.

The game was interrupted briefly when Mayor John Callahan barged in, arguing a call. The ref asked him to leave, and he did, making rabbit ears as he left. I think he got thrown out of the pool too, even though there was no swimming meet.

On Monday, Callahan will call all the refs and apologize.

Dat and his Mom

Dat with Justin, still thinks he can't smile

Who Dat? A Fighter

He looks airborne in this shot

Watch out! I'm about to start bragging about my grandson again. If this kind of thing drives you nuts, I understand because I am a miserable bastard myself. I'd suggest skipping this post altogether or kicking some nun. If you do read this, just remember, I warned you.

I am no biological relation to Dat. My haters like to point that out and they are right. But unfortunately for him, I have always considered him my grandson. I was with him when he was born, and have remained a part of his life. He was born quite sick, with a large hole in his stomach, and it very nearly killed him. Doctors told us to prepare for his death, but they hung in there with him. One physician at St. Luke's - Dr. Unger - actually spent an entire day and night at Dat's side.

You see, Dat is a fighter.

For the first six months of his life, his home was a hospital. Much of that time was in intensive care, where he was in excruciating pain. Some weeks after his birth, I asked a nurse once why a tube was still in his mouth. She told me that if it was removed, we'd hear nothing but screams.

Eventually, one of his eyes opened. Then it was both. Piercing, sentient eyes that take in everything.

And then, despite everything that had happened, a smile.

After being released from the hospital, he was back again in two weeks, suffering from a heart problem compounded by pneumonia. After that, it was epilepsy. Time and again, he's been airlifted to a hospital. He's got more airmiles in a chopper than most paratroopers

Not exactly what you think of when you hear about a jock, is it? But it's true. Despite some bad bounce passes from life, he's a baller. Even in his dreams, his hands move as he makes free throws.

When he was just four, he played pick up baseball for the first time with some much bigger boys in Nazareth, two of whom are Bill Coker's grandsons. Dat loved it and them so much he made his mother bring him back the next day. "My team needs me," he told her.

It's been that way ever since. Football, baseball and the game he loves more than all others - basketball. He's played on more teams than I can remember. But Monday was a biggie - his debut as point guard at Nitschmann Middle School's "varsity" team. A 7th grader, he won a spot on the 8th grade team.

He grows an inch every week, but is still shorter than any of the players on his own team. He was also shorter than the ballers from Nitschmann's dreaded opponent, Parkland. So I figured coaches might play him a minute or two to give the starters a break. He started. Coaches played him the entire game. He finished with 16 points, 12 assists, 2 3-pointers and 3 steals.

He's still a fighter.

And he still smiles.

Updated: Why Dat? Dat is a Vietnamese name.

A Charter High School For the Business-Minded

The Business and Entrepreneurship Charter High School, located at 601 East Street in West Easton, is looking for students. Below is a very lengthy overview, prepared by Mark Lang. I am publishing all of it. If this is something you are considering for your son and daughter, I know you'll take a close look at it, especially after you see a video of the above young entrepreneur from Allentown, who worked on a business with skateboards.

"This is my time to shine," this young man said.

You can contact Mark Lang with any questions at 610-691-8459.

Summary

The Business and Entrepreneurship Charter High School is pioneering a new paradigm for education that engages students through hands-on, meaningful project activities and helps the students achieve their full potential to advance business and society in the ways they are gifted. We are leveraging the best lessons from entrepreneurs to address all the education needs and opportunities of the 21st Century's global creative economy within the context of today's social challenges.

A culture of learning is created by helping each student understand and develop his or her natural abilities and passions. The resulting environment supports engagement and fulfillment, which makes learning meaningful. Students master the core academic subjects through specially selected, team-based and student-directed projects. In this way students learn to research the information needed for a given task or project, critically evaluate what is important, and communicate and collaborate with peers and other resources to co-create outcomes that address goals. Further, all students learn to solve problems creatively just like entrepreneurs by engaging in challenging, multidisciplinary "incubator" projects to the point of creating their own innovative businesses and social initiatives that address real issues for real customers.

The project-based approach provides a learning environment that naturally engages and develops a wide variety of students with diverse abilities and interests. This includes academic standouts bored with traditional schools; to hands-on learners who are disconnected from book learning; through kids who have not had the role models and opportunities to be all they can be. Each has the opportunity to contribute in his or her own unique manner and to take the projects as far as he or she wants to go, so there is no need for separate advanced placement courses. By working together students experience the power that diverse people with different skills and abilities can bring to a productive collaboration. Finally, all students learn to lead within the context of their own gifts and personal styles.

Need for New Education Paradigm

It is widely recognized that in the 21st Century we face an economy globally integrated to an unprecedented degree, along with unimagined advances in science and technology. Hungry people in faraway lands are ready and able to take on any job that is predictable and routine enough for them to master, if it is not automated first. This includes the vast majority of jobs within the traditional middle class. U.S. based organizations must constantly move the bar forward by innovating to survive. The knowledge and skills required for adults to achieve their full potential as citizens, employees, leaders, parents, volunteers, and entrepreneurs in this world are dramatically different from those in prior ages. People require real mastery in English, math, science, and other school subjects so they can apply their understanding to new situations. Further, business and political leaders are increasingly asking schools to develop such skills as critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity, leadership, and even innovative problem solving―often referred to as "21st Century skills."

Recognizing that schools in the U.S. are falling behind on measures such as international tests and dropout rates, new testing regimens have been forced on public schools to hold them accountable for performance. We believe that the targets for these assessments and the education reform movement in general are misplaced because, even if they are achieved, schools will at best satisfy basic content learning in the tested subjects―leaving out the range of newly important 21st Century skills and, in particular, the need for regular innovation.

Educational Philosophy

The Business and Entrepreneurship Charter High School is being designed from the ground up to address all of the education needs dictated by the 21st Century global economy, as well as various societal challenges that get in the way of learning. That includes:

1. Engaging students in learning so they have the motivation to stay involved;
2. Identifying and building on the strengths and styles of each individual student so he can achieve his full potential as gifted;
3. Getting beyond memorization of facts and formulas so that students truly master the core academic subjects and can apply them to any situation; and
4. Developing the innovation and leadership skills to question, think, collaborate, and creatively address problems and opportunities (the 21st Century skills).

It is pretty obvious that changing or improving the current education system cannot accomplish such ambitious learning goals. This effort requires an entirely new paradigm of learning that integrates all of the goals.

The new education paradigm being pioneered by the Business and Entrepreneurship Charter High School involves hands-on, student directed learning organized around real projects that are meaningful to students. First, the curriculum includes specific activities to help each student identify his or her natural strengths and interests. Every person is born with unique skills (things he or she can do better than many others) and interests (things that invoke passionate responses). We help each student get in touch with his or her specific life purpose, where he or she is gifted and passionate, and then to develop the knowledge and skills he or she will need to achieve their full potential in that purpose. Second, we teach the majority of core academic subjects (broadly reading and writing, math, science, and humanities) through hands-on projects. We select key questions that are interesting to the students and also require specific knowledge they need to learn, and have students work on projects in teams to develop the answers. In this way students learn the important content as it is used to address real and meaningful applications. At the same time the students are developing 21st Century skills including critical thinking, collaboration, communications, creativity, research, and project management. Finally, we have all students work on challenging, multidisciplinary projects chosen largely by the students where they develop innovative solutions to real problems and opportunities in business, school, or community. Students learn initiative, innovation, dealing with ambiguity, learning from failure, and related advanced skills while they incubate new businesses and social initiatives.

The Business and Entrepreneurship Charter High School has been launched with significant support from business leaders and entrepreneurs within the community. We expect them to help the school keep aware of dynamic business and human resource requirements. Further, many will interact with the students as project mentors, hosts for interns, and sponsors of projects students undertake for specific organizations.

This learning approach borrows from several national education models including High Tech High in San Diego and the Buck Institute for Education in Novato, CA. It also incorporates extensive knowledge from the school's principals and supporters on entrepreneurship and the non-linear innovation process practiced by creative entrepreneurs (called "lean entrepreneurship" in many circles today). Our new education paradigm emerges at the integration of entrepreneurial innovation and leadership. We expect it to become a national model for the future of education, and we expect to develop extensive tools, guides, lessons, and support for the approach that we will share with other Lehigh Valley schools as well as nationally.

Who Will Benefit

The curriculum of the Business and Entrepreneurship Charter High School, which includes mastery of the core academic subjects, advanced 21st Century skills, and even innovation, represents the full range of knowledge and skills cited by every major recent government and business survey of education requirements. All students will graduate with confidence and understanding of themselves, with a mastery of core academic subjects, with an understanding of business and the free market system, with experience to research and address new issues, and with experience and understanding of how to collaboratively find creative solutions to problems and opportunities. For that reason, the school aims to be a model for how other public educational institutions can transform to finally address the needs of the global creative economy.

More specifically, we see several student constituencies for which the Business and Entrepreneurship Charter High School is particularly suited. First, students who now do well in the current academically focused institutions but may be bored because they are not fully challenged, can greatly broaden the value of their education. The projects provide a vehicle to take the learning as far as a student is capable, and teaches him to collaboratively apply his academic knowledge to address real problem situations and to creatively solve problems. This kind of hands-on experience will prepare the student to be productive in any job setting or to get the maximum advantage of higher education. Second, students who are turned off by the highly structured academic environment, with its focus on learning the right answers, will thrive in our hands-on, project-based approach, where questions are welcomed and work is largely student directed. Third, we have made a special effort to address students who are lost because they have not had the role models, opportunities, encouragement, and support within and beyond the school. We will engage them and open their eyes to their specific gifts, help them catch up where they may have fallen behind with project activities and individual computer-based learning, and provide opportunities for them to develop those gifts while getting the education they need to achieve their full potential.

Students with the natural interest and drive to start businesses will graduate not only with relevant knowledge about business and entrepreneurship but also with real experience in starting and growing a business. Those whose purpose is focused more on improving society or contributing to an existing organization will graduate with the confidence, fundamentals, initiative, innovation, and leadership skills to help any employer or colleague constantly advance through innovation.

Particulars

The Business and Entrepreneurship Charter High School is a publicly supported alternative for high school students in the Lehigh Valley under Pennsylvania's charter school law. Thus, there are no costs to attend. We plan to open in September 2013 with approximately 150-200 students in grades 9 and 10. Additional classes will be added in the next two years until the school covers grades 9-12 with approximately 400 students. If demand is as expected, attendance will also be expanded in each grade to reach 600-800 high school students. The school is located in a facility in the Wilson Area School District (West Easton) newly renovated for our use. However, students from any district in the Lehigh Valley and beyond may apply, and transportation will be provided by the home district for districts up to 10 miles from the school. As required by law, if demand exceeds available slots, students will be selected from the applicant pool by a qualifying criteria or lottery system yet to be determined. We expect the focus of the school to be the hand-on projects and other related activities that will incorporate much of why students at traditional schools look to extracurricular clubs and activities. However, students who desire can participate in sports programs and other extracurricular activities offered in their home districts, if not provided by our school.

How to Apply

The Business and Entrepreneurship Charter High School is currently seeking applicants who are interested in registering for either the 9th or10th grade starting in September 2013. Please complete the online form at the website at www.busacad.org. This form gets a student on the list for application but does not commit him or her to attend. You can also find contact information for questions at the website, and additional material will be added as development proceeds.

Lehigh Valley BatWorks Hits a Home Run

These maple and ash planks await their metamorphosis into baseball bats

From Little League through the college level, aluminum and carbon-fiber composite bats reign supreme. With names like Voodoo, Stealth and Attack, manufacturers attempt to instill some baseball magic into these metal and plastic bats. Coaches love them. Parents, not so much. They can cost $450. But what about the kids?

Given the opportunity, they'll most often drop the plastic or metal for the cheaper wood bat. The ball might not travel as far. It's definitely harder to hit. But no plastic or metal bat, despite their magical names, can replace the sharp crack of a piece of lumber sending Mr. Spalding over the fence ... or through someone's window. It's the sweet sound of Spring. Real magic.

Zach Reidy, age 5, is ready to swing away.

So not surprisingly, wood bats are making a come back, especially in tournament play. Pennsylvania Legion baseball is returning to the wood. This is where Lehigh Valley Bat Works, enters the picture. A wood bat manufacturer with a new batting facility located near the diamonds at East Allen Township's beautiful Bi-Centennial Park, it's going gangbusters.

At a recent open house, proprietor Steve Toth demonstrated the 10-day process involved in making a wood baseball bat, from beginning to end.

The finished product, waiting for a good home

First, the lumber - solid cuts of ash and maple - is weighed and carefully examined for defects. "Every bat we make is a pro quality bat," Toth claims. After that, the bat goes on the lathe for shaping, with a tolerance of 0.002 inches. From there, it's a sander. Finally, the bat is stained, painted and personalized for the hitter. Just as Roy Hobbs burned "Wonderboy" and lighting bolts into his "very special" bat, so can every Little League ball player, who can come to Bat Works and get fitted for the kind of bat that best suits him.

The best part is the price. A youth bat can be as cheap as $40. A heavier piece of lumber, and one that could be used in the Show, will range between $65-85.

LV Batworks' Steve Toth has hit a home run with his wood bat business

Bethlehem 'Canes Win Thanksgiving Tip-Off Tournament

Bethlehem's 7th grade 'Canes team is pretty amazing. Undefeated as 6th graders last year in both tournament and regular season play, the boys got used to winning by thirty or more points.

But that was then.

During this weekend's Thanksgiving Tip Off Tournament, sponsored by Allentown's East Side Youth Center, they struggled. They were actually behind in two different games, but still found a way to come back and win after a long weekend of basketball. They defeated a very tough ... and very tall ... team from Schnecksville to win the championship on Sunday at Dieruff High School.

By two points.

The 'Canes, unlike most basketball teams, are relatively short. But they have explosive speed, ball handling skill and can shoot. And they have Coach Craig Golden, who has led them to a 74-1 record over the last three years. He thought he retired from coaching last year. But his players thought otherwise, and begged him to return.

A Childrens' Crusade Against Cancer

Thirty-six children will be diagnosed with cancer today. One out of five of them will die. The CureSearch Walk is an attempt to reduce the forty thousand children being treated for cancer today to zero. On October 14, over five hundred people gathered at Bethlehem Township's Municipal Park, for the second year in a row, to walk for a cure. Among them were approximately twenty-five children wearing green medals to symbolize that they are fighting and surviving. They raised $91,000 to fund children's oncology trials at 180 hospitals, including hospitals here in the Lehigh Valley.

Bailey Seibert, age 7, along with her dog Coco, is one of "Ella's Fighing Tutus."

Here are some other of "Ella's Fighting Tutus." They look like they just finished the caber toss at the Celtic Classic.

Palmer Elementary teachers and students walked in honor of cancer survivor and fellow walker Sammi Zupko, age 7.

Cancer survivor Ryan Glose, age 9, decided to run and was in the leader's pack.

Though Isiah Kressler Wood is just two years ago, he applauds his fellow fighters and survivors.

As walkers winded their way though Municipal Park, Lehigh Valley Lacrosse players stopped their game to applaud some real fighters.

CureSearch's Kelli Very claims the LV walk is among the very best of the 90 that have been organized throughout the country this year.

For more pictures, check out my Facebook Album.

A Sunday Drive ... On a Bike

Remember the Sunday drive? This one was on the bike. Using Google's mapping feature for bikes, I was able to get a route from Nazareth to Grange Park in Upper Macungie that kept me off the main drags. My grandson had a football game there against South Parkland. If he was going to risk his life against the Trojans, I'd risk mine against Lehigh Valley motorists.

Google Maps managed to put me on both the Nor-Bath and Ironton Trails for part of the 51-mile round trip.

The most dangerous part of my trip was the frequent appearance of PSU students, who were collecting money for cancer or something. There was even a kid waiting outside my estate.

I unleashed the hounds.

I shot some video of different parts of the trip, ending it with one of Dat's touchdown passes.

We both survived.

A Miracle at Easton Rotary Field

Hannah McGovern (R) sings National Anthem

It was built and they sure came. Over five hundred people were on hand for Opening Day at Easton Rotary Field on September 9. Right next to Charles Chrin Community Center on Greenwood Avenue in Palmer Township, it's a $750,000 astroturf baseball diamond. There's a teletron in left center field, stands, and most importantly, lots of ballpark franks. But this is no ordinary ballfield. It's a miracle.

You see, this ballfield was built for kids whose physical and intellectual challenges prevent them from playing in the local little leagues. On Opening Day, 105 of them had an opportunity to be real baseball players, thanks to the efforts of hundreds who donated their money or services to the Northampton County Miracle League.

The stadium itself is a miracle. No bonds were needed. It was built in just 133 days. Not one dime is owed to anyone.

Dave Colver: He built it and they came.

This is largely due to the efforts of Dave Colver, Chair of Palmer Township's Board of Supervisors. His Board authorized this project in 2010, when it was just a dream. Then he volunteered to act as Project Manager.

"Dave, you built a miracle," said Miracle League President Rick Agretto before the ceremonial first pitch was tossed. Colver, known in the community as "Mr. Palmer Township," credited the many local businesses and people who provided money or, just as importantly, their time.

Easton Rotary kicked in the first $100,000, and after that, it all snowballed. Charles Chrin served as site contractor. No charge. Finelli Consulting Engineers did the designs. No charge.

Kevin Benton, Jr., enjoys a ballpark frank

There are 250 Miracle league fields in the United States, including one in nearby Schnecksville. But Colver explained that what might seem like a short trip to many can be an ordeal for a family with special needs children.

Northampton County Executive John Stoffa, who serves on the Miracle League Board, summed up the sentiments. "There are no strikeouts here," he said. "Only winners. May the miracles continue for years to come."

After the dedication ceremony, there was a double header. Everybody won. Every athlete saw his or her name on the teletron. And the last batter of every half inning hit a grand slam. Everyone left with at least one ballpark frank.

And a smile.

Rocky Mo Davis hits a grand slam.

Connor Francis escorted to first after belting out a single.

Slideshow:


Blogger's Note: It was a pleasure to meet Untouched Takeaway at this event. She was there to cheer on a friend's son. I also had the privilege to meet a few readers. Some of them even agree with me!! But I forgot to ask if I could mention them.

Bethlehem Steelers Prepare For First Scrimmage

Steelers hydrate during a hot practice.

Though it was about 180 degrees in the shade, several hundred kids in heavy pads and helmets spent a few hours running themselves ragged and hitting each other yesterday. Under the careful supervision at least fifty coaches, one of whom swallowed his whistle, these boys and men engaged in the organized insanity we all know and love as football.

This is Dat's last year with the Steelers. During a break in yesterday's festivities, he and Kyle are taking some big gulps. I just hope it's not Budweiser.

Dat and Kyle have played football and baseball together for several years. I think they might be the team's quarterbacks.

I've seen their line. I sure hope they can run backwards.

Their first scrimmage, incredibly, is Monday night. I think they're playing Penn State.

Summer Hoops in Allentown

Instead of playing baseball, my grandson decided to join AAU basketball this Summer. As much as I'd love to see him at second base or leading off this time of year, that's his call and I support it. He's so crazy about basketball that he actually takes shots in his sleep.

His AAU team, Lehigh Valley Heat, travels most weekends. He's playing some great teams in D.C., Philly, Baltimore and even Ohio. I'm unable to tag along to those games, as I can't really afford the hotel rooms.

Thankfully, he's playing in another league, too, and it's right in my price range.

$0.

On Monday and Wednesday nights, hundreds of Lehigh Valley kids descend upon Allentown's beautiful Cedar Beach and Alton Parks for summer hoops.

Dat's team ? "A-town Assault." Last night, they devoured a squad from Macungie, appropriately called the "Big Macs."

Is he learning anything? Beats me. But he's having fun. The kids have cool names and numbers on their Jerseys. Dat is "Who Dat?" Another young man is called "Cyphers." Isaiah Graves has a #3 backwards. And so on.

It's very cool. But when I'm running, and hear the sound of a bat hitting a ball, I still have to stop and watch, if only for a moment.

Dangerous Soccer Kids Exposed

Coach Corlette ties shoe of hardened criminal.

A group of Bethlehem Township residents have told Commissioners twice, on October 3 and again on April 3, that a 6.59-acre pocket park at the end of the Anthony Drive cul-de-sac, should be reserved for them ... and only them.

In October, they objected to Lehigh Valley Magic, a girls' soccer team, that conducted games and tournaments every weekend, leading to lots of noise and traffic congestion.

Now, the FC Falcons's 10U boys use the park for practices, and just two nights a week. No games. Some residents complained anyway. Amazingly, they claim parks don't belong in residential communities, decrease property values and lead to increases in crime.

But Kim Kanopka, a Township resident whose 10 year-old son Kenan plays for the Falcons, thinks these complaints are "a little ridiculous. To find there's animosity in our own Township is a little disappointing,:" she said as she watched her son practice on April 4.

Adam Kostenbader demonstrates his skills.

According to team manager John Kostenbader, the team consists of ten boys, all from the Township. In fact, two come from the exclusive Bethlehem Estates development, where the park is located.

"I'm not sure how these little boys are going to cause a lot of crime," he said, as Coach Ivor Corlette tied one of the boys' shoes. Kostenbader and Corlette both stated they use the field for practices only, and that their home games are played in Allentown.

"We tried to do everything right," Kostenbader stated, noting there was even a petition supporting the practices, signed by about thirty residents of Bethlehem Estates. He added that the boys are under constant adult supervision.

The boys loved the attention. As a WFMZ-TV camera van sat in the cul-de-sac, nine year-olds Adam Kostenbader and Omar Silva put on their best moves.

Does this boy look like a burglar?

"We're going to be on TV!" they assured each other.

In the distance, a lawnmower could be heard. It was louder than these boys, just as Parks and Recreation Chairman Barry Roth told Commissioners on April 2..

A travelling team, the Falcons have won five of the six tournaments in which they've played this year.

But they lost on April Fool's Day. Coach Corlette blamed the weather.