Ed Hedes becomes the 11th Honorary Inductee in the 29-year history of the Jim Thorpe Area Sports Hall of Fame. Hedes is just the third sports writer to be honored with an induction into the Hall — joining Joe Boyle and Rudy Bednar.

Hedes graduated from Panther Valley High School in 1969 and after graduating from East Stroudsburg State College began his 43-year career as a sportswriter in May of 1973 with the Lehighton Times News. He became sports editor at the Times News a few years later and held that position until he retired in 2016. During those 43 years, he covered the Jim Thorpe High School sports scene, other local sports and many major sports events. Among the teams and events Hedes covered for the Times News were the Eagles, the Phillies, the Flyers, the U.S. Open, and World Series games in New York and Philadelphia. In addition, he covered District 11 and PIAA State Championships in multiple sports.

Many Jim Thorpe athletes have the writings of Ed Hedes proudly displayed in their scrapbooks over the years.

His 43-year career was recognized in 2017 when he was inducted into the Carbon County Area Sports Hall of Fame.

The next two weeks will highlight these 2018 inductees into the Jim Thorpe Area Sports Hall of Fame: Robert Hodor and the 2012 Girls Basketball Team.

The Jim Thorpe Area Sports Hall of Fame’s 29th Annual Induction Banquet will be held on Saturday, Aug. 18, at a new location, Dean Anthony’s Restaurant at 1122 North Street in Jim Thorpe. There is limited seating (220 maximum). Call Wilmer Redline (570-325-3073) or Jack Kmetz (570-325-4923) for tickets to the banquet and the induction ceremony.

All tickets will be sold in advance and None will be sold at the door. Tickets are $35. Children from 5-12 will be admitted for $10.95 and children under 5 will be free. Tickets include wine, beer and soda only, all else is a cash bar. Cocktail hour will begin at 5:00 p.m., Dinner at 6:00 p.m. and the Induction Ceremony will begin at 7:15 p.m. Musical entertainment will be provided at the end of the Awards Banquet

Personalized advertisements for the 2018 Banquet Program can be purchased for $25, $50, and $100. Talk to Redline or Kmetz for more details.