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MAY 14-20, 2026
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Looking by Back Ed Pany
‘We’re like a family’: Seniors fear closure of Northampton Senior Center
SAVANNAH BROWN larly. Seniors described the center roster, according to those inter1941 - Civil Defense on the ForBymore than two decades, the as a second home and the people viewed. County-provided meals Senior Center has there as family. Many of them are served daily, with attendance Homefront: Part 3 of 3 Northampton served as a daily gathering place have even been attending the cen- tracked, so the county knows how
“Your Red Cross needs you” Photo by the American Red Cross.
ued to induct young men into the military. The Draft Board #2 was headquartered at the Northampton Post Office. Some of our neighbors who answered the call to serve were John Husak, John Sylvester who later operated John’s Photo Studio, John Paul, John Ifkovits and Louis Skok who was fullback on Northampton’s 1937 “Wonder Team.” Draftees would walk to the Siegfried train station and board a Central of New Jersey train going to a training site. A familiar sight was seeing service men, tanks, trucks and military equipment on trains moving through the borough. On the homefront, our local communities organized Civil Defense agencies. They met and organized at the Fred A. Snyder 353 American Legion in Northampton. Air Defense arrangements were approved for Northampton. There were many residents who volunteered their services for the defense program. The borough was divided into four wards
As a result of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941, the United States entered World War II. President Franklin D. Roosevelt would rally the nation with his inspiring “Day Of Infamy” speech as war was declared on Japan. The Selective Service Act of 1940 (the Draft), contin- Continued on page 2
for older adults seeking meals, companionship and activities, but many of the seniors who rely on the center say they are now facing uncertainty and heartbreak after learning the facility is scheduled to close on June 30. Located at Grace United Church of Christ in Northampton, the center has become much more than a meal site for the dozens of seniors who attend regu-
ter for one to two decades, and some previously attended when they brought their parents or kin. “We’re like a family,” said volunteer Dorothy Fegley, who has attended the center for more than 20 years and was involved when the center previously operated out of the VFW before relocating to the church. The Northampton center now serves about 75 seniors on its
many meals to send. Volunteers distribute the meals, while snacks, baked goods and drinks are donated by church members, volunteers and seniors themselves. Several seniors said the lunch they receive at the center is often their primary hot meal of the day or even their only meal of the day. “People depend on their meals here,” said Marianne Starkey. Continued on page 7
County Executive says Funding cuts forced Senior center closures
By SAVANNAH BROWN Northampton County Executive Tara Zrinski said the decision to close the Northampton and Lower Nazareth senior centers was driven by major funding shortfalls and the loss of revenue streams that previously helped sustain the county’s senior services network. In an interview discussing the upcoming June 30 closures, Zrin-
ski said the county attempted to minimize the impact on seniors by consolidating centers located within close proximity to one another. “We’re trying to do more with less,” Zrinski said. “We tried to consolidate centers that were within five miles of each other.” According to Zrinski, Northampton County currently
operates 11 senior centers and will reduce that number to nine folContinued on page 11
85th Year, Issue No. 20 www.homenewspa.com
USPS 248-700
45 Years