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DECEMBER 4-10, 2025
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Life during The Great Candles, carriages and Christmas Depression: Part 2 of 9 Cheer fill Bath Borough’s new Friendship Stage during annual Looking by Christmas tree lighting ceremony
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The Roxy; contributed photo Today I am reading Vol. I, No. 2 of the 1935 edition of the Northampton Mercury, a rare copy of a weekly newspaper which had a short journalistic life. The paper was circulated in Coplay, Cementon, Catasauqua, Hockendauqua, Egypt, Howertown and Northampton. In checking the dozens of 1935 advertisements, I found only one remaining business in existence and flourishing. Yes, the landmark Roxy. The paper carried a special column named “Roxy Newsettes.” The Roxy we all know and love was originally known as the Lyric Theater, which is the present Roxy building. The building was owned by Henry A. Miller, prominent local businessman who op-
Ed Pany
erated Miller’s Department Store and Miller’s coal yard. It was renamed Roxy in 1933. The admission charge for adults was 30 cents and 15 cents for children. This writer attended the Roxy on many occasions. We were greeted by the popular manager William “Bill” Sage, a fixture at the theater from 1937 until 1957. The Roxy was a major source of entertainment. There were no television or computer games in our living rooms at the time. The “Roxy Newsette” told us about Shirley Temple (remember the childhood movie prodigy?). She starred in the films, “Little Colonel,” “Bright Eyes,” and her latest film at the time, “Our Little Girl.” The paper stated Shirley was a sensational star and a dramatic artist beloved by millions. The film was so popular it was held over for enthusiastic audiences. There was even a Saturday special matinee at 10 a.m. with free souvenirs for every child in attendance. One lady said, “Watching Shirley Temple dance, act and sing temporarily took our minds off all the problems our family faced during the depression.” Another popular movie star was the vivacious Mae West in “Going to Town.” For those who enjoy scary movContinued on page 14
George Wolf Elementary School singers singing “Candy Cane Lane” By SAVANNAH BROWN A chilly winter breeze carried the scent of chestnuts, the glow of candles and the joyful murmur of neighbors reuniting as Bath Borough welcomed the holiday
season with its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Sunday, Nov. 30. Held this year at Ciff Cowling Field’s new Friendship Stage, the event lived up to the promise of its name as an
evening steeped in connection, gratitude and the unmistakable warmth of small-town holiday tradition. Residents of all ages arrived Continued on page 6
Lehigh Township Supervisors to Vote on land preservation By LAURA KLOTZ The Lehigh Township Board of Supervisors opened their Nov. 25 meeting by hearing a request from Gary and Joyce Hummel, who were seeking a waiver of stormwater management requirements. The Hummels wanted to place a 40-by-30-foot pole barn on their farm for storing equipment. The Hummel family has farmed the property for four generations, but due to a minor subdivision some time ago, they have run into this difficulty which is preventing them
from putting up their building. After examining a map of the farm and listening to the history of the situation, the supervisors agreed that the circumstances of the farm are very unique, and that there is no reason to believe that stormwater drainage would impact anyone else’s property. Because of the singular circumstances and geography of the farm, the supervisors agreed to grant the waiver. Township Solicitor David Backenstoe informed the board that he has prepared the packet
of information concerning the open space preservation project, as requested some months earlier. This is a step in getting the matter placed as a referendum on the ballot in May. The supervisors will review this packet and Continued on page 3
84th Year, Issue No. 49 www.homenewspa.com
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