Chamber's Scholarship Golf Outing

I think I forgot to post this when I received it, so my apologies, but the event isn't until June 8, the Slate Belt and Nazareth Area Chamber 9th annual golf outing will be held at Woodstone Golf Club.

$115 per golfer and it includes green fees, cart, lunch, dinner and there will be prizes.

From the Chamber's web site event info was the following:

Contact: Nazareth Chamber at 610-759-9188

Watch for further details. Sponsorships available. Gold - $1,500. Silver- $750 Bronze $350 Tee/hole sponsor - $80.

Upcoming Holiday Events

Thanks to Nazareth Borough for posting these upcoming holiday events on the home page of their web site (visit the site here):

November 23^rd – Christmas Exhibit

Opens at the Whitfield House.
Information: Moravian Historical Society,
610-759-5070
director@moravianhistoricalsociety.org
www.moravianhistoricalsociety.org

December 4^th - Borough Tree Lighting

Takes place on the Circle.
Brass ensemble from Nazareth High School performs until Santa arrives bringing gifts.
Near-life size manger scene.
Information: Nazareth Chamber of Commerce, 610-7549-9188, www.nazarethchamber.com
December 9^th - Colonial Christmas hosted by the Jacobsburg Historical Society.Enjoy an old fashioned Victorian Christmas with cooking, crafts and games of the colonial era at the Old Henry homestead “Museum of the Pennsylvania Longrifle.” Live music and period dress. Information: Jacobsburg Historical Society, 610-759-9029.

December 13^th - Candlelight Walking Tours

Guided walking tours to 6 locations, each with its own entertainment. Information: Moravian Historical Society, 610-759-5070, director@moravianhistoricalsociety.org www.moravianhistoricalsociety.org

December 27^th - Nazareth Towne Open House

An evening featuring holiday decorations, lights, music, entertainment and refreshments hosted by a dozen churches and organizations. Information: Moravian Historical Society, 610-759-5070, director@moravianhistoricalsociety.org www.moravianhistoricalsociety.org

Quarters for Military Families

The Express-Times has an article on Sunday's Quarters for Military Families event on Main Street (read it here).

Quarters for Military Families

Thanks to reader Wayne who made a comment on an old post (read it here) asking if the Quarters for Military was on Sunday, October 5. I hadn't heard anything, but on the Chamber web site it does list it on the calendar (visit it here). Unfortunately I couldn't find any additional details.

Martin on Main Update

From all accounts the Martin on Main Festival was a huge success despite the early Saturday thunderstorm.

The Morning Call had this report and the Express-Times had this one and a follow-up.

Congrats to all parties for putting together such a wonderful new community event.

Martin on Main - Today!

Martin Guitar's 175th Anniversary Party - August 2nd Noon til 9 pm ~ Main Street, Nazareth

Nazareth celebrates the 175th anniversary of Martin Guitar on Saturday, August 2, from noon until 9:00 p.m. Hundreds of owners of Martin Guitars who belong to a Martin owners' club will converge on Nazareth ready to play and party. C. F. Martin & Co. will put many models of their guitars on display, and a new guitar, a DX 175 anniversary model, will be raffled off to one very lucky person, with raffle money going to the nonprofit Nazareth Downtown Association. Everyone is invited to attend. Listen or bring your instruments!

Nazareth's downtown will welcome visitors with food and drink for sale, and space for jamming. Fine art will be displayed along the sidewalks. For one day the small, quiet town will transform itself into an open air festival of music and art.

Sponsored by the Nazareth Downtown Association and the Nazareth Area Chamber of Commerce.

175th Anniversary of Martin Guitar

Came across a post on Harmony Central (read it here) about the Martin enthusiasts 3rd annual tour of Nazareth.

They are expecting about a 1000 Martin Guitar fans to visit the factory and community on Friday, August 1, to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the company.

Accompanying the events at the factory, will be a festival in downtown Nazareth sponsored by the Nazareth Downtown Association and Nazareth Chamber of Commerce. This event will be on August 2 from noon until 9:00 p.m. and will feature food, music and the arts.

Kazoo Parade

The Morning Call (read it here) has details of activities on the 4th of July including the Kazoo Parade in Nazareth:

In Nazareth, grab your kazoo for the Patriotic Kazoo Parade at 10 a.m. Friday beginning at Nazareth High School and ending at the borough ball field for a July 4th program.

The Express-Times has a similar blurb (read it here)

NAZARETH: Nazareth will host its Patriotic Kazoo Parade and July Fourth Celebration at 10 a.m. The parade will begin at the high school and end at the borough baseball field. Information: Nazareth Chamber of Commerce, 610-759-9188.

Parking Restrictions Eased

JD Malone reports that the planning commission has eased restrictions on parking for new business in the borough and that these measures will be put before Council at the upcoming monthly meeting (read the article here).

Both the Nazareth Downtown Association and the Chamber of Commerce have been encouraging reducing parking restrictions to allow for more businesses to open and operate in the borough.

Parking Requirements on New Business

Both papers have reports on the parking requirement restrictions for new businesses in Nazareth following the workshop and business meetings of council.

The Morning Call article on the Council features the proposed parking change - read it here.

The Express-Times article specifically speaks to the parking issues - read it here.

Belated Tree Lighting Announcement

Sorry for not getting this up sooner my DSL service was down for most of the week and only back up twenty minutes ago(long story will surely share at some point).

The Tree Lighting Ceremony is Thursday, December 6, at the Circle - festivities begin at 7:00 p.m.

Santa along with a brass band, Christmas Carols and much more.

Many thanks to the Chamber and its sponsors for putting on this wonderful annual event!

And to everyone who sent notes reminding me to post it - which I couldn't see because of the loss of service - sorry, I got them but couldn't reply either!

Quarters for Families

The Express-Times has a blog post on the Quarters for Families event held in Nazareth this past Sunday (read it here).

The event raised $5700 for Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council and the Blue Star Mothers.

More on Quarters for Troops Event

JD Malone has an article in the Express-Times providing greater detail regarding the upcoming Quarters on Main Street Event (read it here), which will support US military troops abroad and their families at home.

"I think that is a stunning idea," said Dorothy Niklos, president of the Lehigh Valley chapter of Blue Star Mothers. "When the Iraq war started, there was a need to help (the troops) and help the families."

Blue Star Mothers will co-sponsor the event along with the Nazareth Chamber on Sunday.

Chamber's Quarters for Military Families

Thanks to the Nazareth Chamber for forwarding this announcement to me:

Quarters for Military Families

Sponsors: Nazareth Area Chamber of Commerce, Alexandria Manor, Express-Times, First Star Savings Bank, and Prudential Choice Properties.

October 14, 2007
1:00 - 3:30PM
RAIN OR SHINE

Place Quarters on Centerline of South Main Street for Military Families in the Lehigh Valley who are deployed overseas. Working with the Blue Star Mothers and Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council who will benefit from the funds raised through this event.

Entertainment provided by Dream Kids, Bruce Stimmel, & Joe Reichel's Band

"Come lay your Quarters on the Line for those Families who have loved ones laying their lives on the line protecting Our Freedoms!"

First Star on South Main Street will also be accepting donations.

Kazooers Parade Despite Weather

While the postal service may have been on holiday for the 4th of July (as they should) the un-July weather couldn't hold back a 100 area residents from participating in the 3rd Annual Kazoo Parade.

Today the Express-Times has an article on the parade (read it here) in which the mention of trying to set the world record for a kazoo band previously got me thinking - why not go for the world record every year? It is definitely an encouragement to participate and if it happens it is great community PR.

Enjoy the rest of the 4th of July Holiday week - today looks beautiful!

Do You Kazoo?

Nazareth's Third Annual Kazoo Parade will kick off Fourth of July Festivities.

JD Malone of the Express-Times has an article (read it here) and the Morning Call an announcement (view it here) regarding the event.

Malone reports the parade route: "starts 10 a.m. in front of Nazareth Area High School, proceeds to Belvidere Street, hums its way to Main Street and winds through the circle to arrive at borough hall around 10:45 a.m."

And also that "the marchers will rest while the Nazareth Area Band plays, a Ben Franklin impersonator -- the official master of ceremonies -- entertains and a special speaker yet to be announced gives a rousing Independence Day speech."

If you want to participate in the parade Lafayette Ambassador Bank will provide free kazoos, meet at the school before the start.

Following the ceremonies, the Chamber of Commerce will have a picnic at the park. The all you can eat pig roast costs $10 for adults and $5 for kids under 5 and will be at the main pavilion.

Council Workshop Update

The Business meeting for Nazareth Council is Monday. Thanks to Becky Butz who did forward to me some additional notes from Thursday.

Some private donors have provided Gift certificates are going to be given out at each concert, etc. at the Park as an incentive/thank you to those who attend.

3 parking meters will come out in front of #134 (New Borough Offices)- 2 regular spots and 1 handicapped will go back in place. Parking meters will be put in front of #30 (and on the side, I think).

In a potentially controversial move, the question/suggestion was made to include 30 Belvidere in a tour the Chamber of Commerce will be running by trolly thru Nazareth and Bath. The tour will be designed to identify all available properties as business opportunities. The Chamber will invite prospects from the area as well and NJ and NY.

The controversy would come from taking the public building and turning it over to private investors who could do anything to it, including turning it into housing units. To date no public discussion on what to do with the building has been had.

4th of July Festivities

If you aren't heading to the shore for the 4th of July Holiday, the Morning Call today had a list of area events and fireworks displays including this about Nazareth (read it here):

NAZARETH: The Nazareth Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its Fourth of July celebration at 10 a.m. Wednesday with a kazoo parade forming at Nazareth Area High School on E. Center Street. A pig roast will be held noon-2 p.m at the borough park main pavilion. Entertainment will include the Nazareth Area Community Band. Tickets for the roast are $10 for adults and $5 for children 4 and under. For information, call 610-759-9188.

Nazareth Chamber Declines Offer to be Consumed

The Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce recently offered to absorb the Nazareth Chamber according to a report in the Express-Times (read the article here), but Board Members declined.

The article states that several LVCC members met with Nazareth Chamber Board Members, but Nazareth declined to merge with the much larger LVCC wishing to keep its local identity. At the same time they did state that they were open, and have previously held joint functions with the group.

The Nazareth Chamber extends beyond the NASD area and services central Northampton County, while the Slate Belt Chamber services the northeast portion of the county. LVCC merged with the Twin Rivers Chamber of Commerce (greater Easton area) last year and is now the 2nd largest Chamber in the Commonwealth of PA, trailing Philadelphia.

What do you think? Does the local area need its own Chamber or should it merge? Does it matter? Would there be more benefits for local businesses or less individualized service?