At an impressive 50-minute ceremony dedicating the new $2.9 million Palmerton Hospital, Dr. Roger P. Batchelor had the honor of cutting the ribbon as more than 3,000 people attended the affair.

The program opened with the invocation by the Rev. William Longsdorf. Guest speakers were David L. Gamble, president of the hospital’s board of trustees, U.S. Congressman Daniel Flood, Lindsay Johnson, president of the New Jersey Zinc Company, Palmerton, and state Sen. Frederick Hobbs.

Tribute was paid to the townspeople who contributed so much of their time, talent and money to make a dream come true in the small community.