Annual Touch-aTruck Festival held In Bushkill Twp. Photos by Gregory Morgan Photography
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OCTOBER 10-16, 2024
Looking by Back Ed Pany
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Northampton Distinguished Alumni honored at celebration
Becky’s Drive-In: Part 5 of 5
Cindy and Dean Deppe Today we are concluding my interview with Cindy Beck Deppe, of Becky’s Drive-In. Cindy was a former student of this writer at Northampton Area Senior High School. Her father built the landmark drive-in theater in Berlinsville 78 years ago, providing entertainment for many, many movie patrons. A past New York Times article listed the drive-in in the top 10 drive-ins in America. Mr. Beck, the founder who spent much of his life showing and making films, sadly passed away in 1987. Over the years, the Becks faced many challenges. They have rebuilt after storms and made many modifications to operate efficiently.
Cindy remembers, “The drivein continues our family tradition. I spent much of my life watching families sitting on the grass relaxing before the movie.” Cindy has worked in the drivein ticket booth for over 50 years, greeting patrons from the Lehigh Valley and neighboring states. Since 1946, the drive-in has added a new screen, new refreshment stand, restrooms, digital projection and upgrades to two projectors. William and Alice Beck’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren have worked at the drive-in to continue the family tradition. Grandson’s Chris and Nick Deppe and greatgrandson Michael Marino are the Continued on page 2
Seated (left to right): Mrs. Patricia Amey, Mrs. Sallyann Madden and Ms. Laura Meyers; standing (left to right): Mr. Kyle Davis (representing Mr. Kim Davis (deceased), Mr. Ron Jerdon, Mr. Pete Schneider (representing Mr. Peter Schneider, Sr. (deceased) and Mr. Brian Ruff. Submitted by CLAUDIA SHULMAN Seven Northampton Area High School alumni were publicly recognized as this year’s 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award honorees on Sept. 22 at a celebration sponsored by the Northampton Area Konkrete Kids Educational Foundation. The honorees are: Mrs. Patricia Amey, Class of 1962; Mr. Kim Davis, Class of 1970 (deceased); Mr. Ronald Jerdon, Class of 1980; Mrs. Sallyann Madden, Class of 1979; Ms. Laura Meyers, Class of 2007; Mr. Brian Ruff, Class of 1977 and Mr. Peter Schneider, Sr., Class of 1938 (deceased). The celebration, held at Wood-
stone Country Club and Lodge, individual commitment to comwas attended by 160 people: fam- munity service and volunteerism, ily, friends and colleagues of the a recent photo and a graduation honorees, as well as community photo. These plaques will be permembers and local business lead- manently installed on the Distiners. guished Alumni Wall of Honor, The highlight of the recogni- located in the high school lobby, tion program that followed din- that already displays the plaques ner was the plaque presentation, of the 35 previously selected honwhen each honoree had the op- orees. Like the other honorees portunity to share with the auContinued on page 6 dience some of their experiences as Northampton Area School 83rd Year, Issue No. 41 District students that impacted www.homenewspa.com their careers, accomplishments and commitment to community service. Each honoree received a plaque including their professional achievements, as well as their USPS 248-700
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