Whitehall-Coplay Press

Melissa Soldridge has been in the medical field for more than two decades. It was later in life, after being a physical therapist assistant for 20 years, that she decided to pursue a different direction in medicine.

Graduating from the nursing program at St. Luke’s University Health Network in December of 2015, Soldridge then passed her boards in January of 2016. She has been a registered nurse for three years and has been working in home hospice care for Lehigh Valley Health Network for a year and a half. She has also worked for St. Luke’s and Fellowship Community.

Do you eat vegetables? Do you consume the recommended serving of veggies? Do you even like your vegetables?

If the answer is no, Eric Ruth, of the Kellyn Foundation, and Shari Noctor, president of Whitehall-Coplay Hunger Initiative, are trying to change that — at least for Whitehall-Coplay School District elementary students.

“Sip — Savor — Save & Support.”

That’s what many Lehigh Valley residents will be doing from April 8 to April 14. It’s the annual Whitehall Area Chamber of Commerce (WACC) Restaurant Week!

Jessica O’Donnell, senior vice president of central affiliated chambers, spoke with The Press to discuss this annual event, which has been occurring for at least three years.

O’Donnell said when Restaurant Week occurs — this year being her second working on the event — she gets more excited every year for it.

As of July 1, Whitehall Area Chamber of Commerce and Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce have merged. The decision to merge comes just nine months from beginning a partnership between the two chambers.

Jessica O’Donnell, senior vice president of central affiliated chambers, and John Ferreira, manager of both Lehigh Valley Mall and Whitehall Mall and a member of the board’s executive committee, spoke with The Press Aug. 2 to discuss the merger.

The Zephyr, a student-produced newspaper at Whitehall High School, continues a 50-plus-year print tradition, thanks to some dedicated journalism students and their always-encouraging teacher.

Deidra Herbert, a WHS teacher of English, journalism and broadcasting/studio/television production, has been with Whitehall-Coplay School District for 11 years. Prior to that, she taught in western Maryland for 12 years.

If you’re out and about in the Lehigh Valley, you’ve probably heard of boroughs or cities having a Restaurant Week, sometimes two a year. And if you’re a foodie, you’re probably very familiar with when those special events occur.

For Whitehall Area Chamber of Commerce, the decision to implement its area’s own Restaurant Week began two years ago. This year, the second annual weeklong event is April 2-8.

Charlene Piskula had a special request for Christmas this year — to have her dog, Sirius, become a certified therapy dog with Lehigh Valley International Airport’s COPE (Canines Offering Passengers Encouragement) program.

Piskula’s wish came true and just in time for the holidays. Sirius was certified the beginning of November. He’s now dog number 17 helping anxious travelers at the airport.

In an Aug. 26 press release, Whitehall Area Chamber of Commerce (WACC) announced a pending partnership with Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce (GLVCC). The board of directors informed of this potential new venture, stating, “As a result of our investigation and after serious deliberation, the WACC board unanimously decided to pursue a partnership with the GLVCC.”

A final approval by the board occurred Sept. 14.

GLVCC Board of Governors then met Sept. 26 and also approved the partnership between the two chambers.

Anyone who has a garden knows it takes time, care, water, plentiful sunshine, possibly fertilizer and a green thumb — something John Orsini, Josie Sabella and Tom Krause say they have. As members of Trinity United Church of Christ, they, as well as other members of the Third and Coplay streets, Coplay, church, have been growing a 20-foot-by-20-foot vegetable garden on the church grounds. Once the vegetables reach maturity, they are donated to Northampton Area Food Bank.

Officer Paul Davis introduced Lehigh County Auto Theft Task Force Detective Salvatore Aprile at the May 23 Whitehall Township Crime Watch meeting. Aprile presented the results of the May 21 recycling, document shredding and VIN etching event held on the grounds of the township’s municipal building.

“This year we had 55 cars come through,” Aprile said.

Among Lehigh County residents and administration, the auto theft task force “received a lot of positive feedback” on this year’s event. This is the seventh year the VIN etching event has taken place.