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APRIL 24-30, 2025
Looking by Back Ed Pany Lehigh Cement Cloth bags
Women sort the bags; photo courtesy of Heidelberg Materials A few weeks ago, this writer panies; many were used for fireand Larry Oberly visited the wood. headquarters of Heidelberg MaCloth bags were a great substiterials, formerly Lehigh Portland tute for the barrels. They could Cement in Fogelsville. We were be returned to the companies to given century-old photographs be used again. When returning showing Lehigh Cement Com- a bag, you received 10 cents for pany and their old bag factories. each bag. Millions of cloth bags Lehigh Portland Cement Com- were made during the early days pany was founded by a famous of the cement industry. Sturdy philanthropist, General Harry cloth bags contained 94 pounds Trexler. of cement. They were easy to pack Lehigh had numerous cement and move to a job site. Today, replants in many states. In the Le- turned bags would be called recyhigh Valley, they operated plants cling. in Fogelsville, Ormrod, West CoBag factories mostly employed play and Sandts Eddy. women. They cut the cloth, Originally, cement was packed sewed the bags and repaired the in wooden barrels. A standard returned bags. barrel weighed 376 pounds. BarReturned bags had many uses. rels were expensive to make. Most Bags were taken home to use were never returned to the com- in various ways. The Atlas Cement Museum has bags which were used for towels, bed sheets, Local author tablecloths, diapers and furniture covers. Some local churches even Publishes book their pierogi dough on the About dog from Bath rolled bags. One of my favorite stories was Page 2 told to me by Anna Kish, of Jacksonville. During this era, many people swam in the local quarries. Anna needed a swimsuit but did not have the money to purchase one. Ever resourceful, her mother used a Bath Portland (later LeContinued on page 5
50 cents
Northampton School Board hears Budget proposals; considers Cutting $270,000 in public library Funding amidst 4% tax increase By SAVANNAH BROWN During the Northampton School Board’s April 14 meeting, directors heard the proposed 2025-26 Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School, Northampton Community College and updated district budget presentations. During the 2025-26 BAVTS
proposed budget presentation, BAVTS Executive Director Adam S. Lazarchak showed directors a $511,006 net change in increased revenue and a $957,139 or 6.56% projected expenditure increase, which brings their total expenditures for the upcoming school year to $15,555,038. The gap in revenue and ex-
penditures increases required district contribution by 3.96% or $446,133. In total, NASD will contribute 28.5% of the BAVTS 202526 budget based on enrollment history over the last three years, which averages 335 students enContinued on page 6
3-alarm fire in Nazareth Damages apartments and School, destroys restaurant
Photo by Dennis Wetherhold Jr. By HOME NEWS STAFF On Tuesday, April 22 just after 12:45 a.m., emergency crews were dispatched to the 100 block of South Main Street in Nazareth for a high occupancy facility fire with visible flames through the roof and heavy fire conditions. The fire broke out in secondstory apartments on South Main Street, damaging apartments, the Lehigh Learning Academy and
Photo by Dan Clerico; NortheastBravest.com
destroying China Wok restaurant. Nobody was hurt, however three pets living in one of the units have died. An estimated 80-100 firefighters responded to the scene with multiple companies. The Red Cross was on scene and is assisting six tenants. Crews were on scene for approximately 5 hours to ensure the fire was fully extinguished and to
address hot spots. The State Police Fire Marshal is investigating.
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