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APRIL 3-9, 2025
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NAHS brings magical ‘Matilda’ to the stage
The cast of “Matilda” takes a curtain call, left, and rehearses for the musical during Tech Week rehearsals, right By KERI LINDENMUTH The Northampton Area High School Theatre Company brought Roald Dahl’s beloved story, “Matilda,” and all its magic to the stage as their Freddy Award-contending spring musical. The production ran from March 28-30. Audrey Wood starred as the
titular Matilda Wormwood, a five-year-old genius with a vivid imagination, a gift for storytelling and a touch of magic. Despite being overlooked by her family and mistreated by the tyrannical principal Miss Trunchbull, played by Hailey Achey, Matilda's courage inspires her classmates and compassionate teacher Miss Honey
(Ava Billy) to stand up for what's right. Rounding out the Wormwood family were Hailey Laury as the ballroom-dancing Mrs. Wormwood and Jeff Bittmann as the television-obsessed Mr. Wormwood. The production showcased iconic moments from Dahl’s 1988 novel and the popular
1996 film adaptation, from the young Bruce Bogtrotter eating Trunchbull’s giant chocolate cake to Trunchbull’s famous hammer throw of the pigtailed Amanda Thripp. These fun moments on the stage were accompanied by a rousing score and energetic choreography performed by NAHS’s student cast and orchestra.
Ballroom dancing, acrobats and magical chalkboards—the production featured plenty of special effects, something Director Christine Marto said she was excited for audiences to see. “The magic chalk that moves on its own, the cup that Matilda can tip with her eyes... I just Continued on page 5
102 candles, countless Lehigh Township supervisors declare Memories: Julie Moralis Burn ban; salute firefighters Celebrates birthday milestone Berlinsville Park be striped for is being taken on either subject as By LAURA KLOTZ The March 25 meeting of the pickleball use as well as for ten- yet, but the recreation board will With family and friends Lehigh Township Board of Super- nis, and he requested the board’s discuss both matters at their next
Julie Moralis celebrates her 102nd birthday amongst family and friends in Bath, Pa. By SAVANNAH BROWN A remarkable milestone was celebrated on Friday, March 28 as Julie Moralis marked her 102nd birthday surrounded by her beloved daughter Annmarie Werley and friends in Bath, Pa. A woman of immense strength,
creativity and kindness, Julie has lived a life full of passion, hard work and cherished moments. Born on March 28, 1923 in Northampton, Pa., Julie grew up during the Great Depression as Continued on page 6
visors began with supervisors discussing the final payment request from Vision Mechanical for the maintenance building. The township is still awaiting the replacement for the faulty part in the building’s water tank. Board member Cynthia Miller put forth a motion to deny payment until the replacement part is installed. Township Manager Alice Rehrig confirmed that the township has the certificate of occupancy, and board member Gerald Pritchard asked whether a happy medium can be found rather than holding the final payment hostage. Board President Michael Jones stated that Vision Mechanical has ordered the part but it has not yet arrived. The motion passed 4-1, with Jones casting the lone dissenting vote. Under recreation, Pritchard reported that the recreation board has requested the tennis court at
thoughts on the matter. Sandra Hopkins, with the recreation board, said that it was suggested at a meeting, but there was no discussion or vote on the topic. It was noted that some township residents are traveling into Allentown to play pickleball due to a lack of local facilities. Pritchard also stated an examination of the tennis courts at the Danielsville Park has determined that the damage is too extensive to be patched; the courts must be torn up and replaced. The trees at the park were also examined, and if they do not belong to the township they can be trimmed back as far as the property line. It is unclear, however, whether they do belong to the township or not. Township Solicitor David Backenstoe recommended having the land surveyed to confirm the property line and ownership of the trees. No action
meeting. In other news, Rehrig stated that now that the fire tax has been established, the board members needed to review the leases on some properties, including one which has expired and one which is due to expire. For most of the leases in question, Backenstoe said that it would be sufficient to include an addendum about the fire tax; the board will work out the fire tax owed for each parcel and proceed from there. However, the Lehigh Township Athletic Association is supposed to pay $1 per Continued on page 11
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