Thanks to the civic-mindedness of the Northern Lehigh area, a dozen lighted wreaths now adorn the General Morgan Bridge in Slatington.

The brand new wreaths were installed on the bridge last month by the Slatington Borough Crew, and then lit one week later, right in time for the holidays.Slatington's Christmas lights - which dated back to mid-1960s - were replaced about 12 years ago, according to Northern Lehigh Future Focus member Robert Stettner. At that time, Stettner said enough were purchased so that each of the 60 light poles on Main Street had a decoration.Since that time, additional lights were purchased in Walnutport, and on the Lehigh River Bridge between the two boroughs through grant money, and public donations, which allowed for a continuous display of Christmas lights along Main Street, from Route 145 in Walnutport, to the southern border of Slatington, Stettner said.The new bridge was dedicated in December 2008, and 16 Victorian styled light poles were installed on the bridge and its approaches.The new light poles came with receptacles for lights, Stettner said. However, not enough old decorations are left to cover these light poles, and in addition, a smaller type of decoration was needed to attach to these shorter, smaller light poles, he said.Stettner said there was a gap in the Christmas decorations at the bridge. Northern Lehigh Future Focus, a local community-visioning group, wanted to remedy this situation by conducting a fund drive in order to purchase new decorations to hang on at least half of the bridge light poles, he said.The decorations are similar to the existing decorations, however they use LED lighting to cut down on electric and maintenance costs, Stettner said.Stettner said funds for the lighting came from three sources: A grant, local residents and area businesses.The total cost of the project for 12 LED lighted 36-inch wreaths was $3,125, Stettner said. Northern Lehigh Future Focus secured a $1,160 grant from the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce Foundation for the project, while the remaining funds were received from local residents and businesses in the amount of $1,710, he said.Stettner said NLFF wishes to recognize and thank the following businesses, individuals and civic organizations that contributed to the General Morgan Bridge Christmas Decoration Project: David and Janice Altrichter; Debbie Barhight; Barb and Darrell Baus; Bechtel's Pharmacy; Rentschler Chevrolet, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge Foundation; Slatington Lions Club; and Steckel & Stopp, Attorneys at Law."Through the efforts of Northern Lehigh Future Focus, The Borough of Slatington, The Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce Foundation, and civic minded businesses, organizations, and residents, there is once again a continuous display of Christmas decorations and lighting from Route 145 in Walnutport to the southern end of Slatington," Stettner said.