The era of the corner store will be celebrated when the Lehighton Area Heritage Alliance presents “Songs & Stories” in the Mausoleum. The event will be held on June 25. The Mausoleum is at the western end of the Lehighton Cemetery, located at Fourth and Alum streets, Lehighton.

There will be two shows: one at 3 p.m., and a repeat performance at 5 p.m. Parking is available next to the mausoleum, and chairs are provided.

For those who cannot attend in person, the program will be recorded and shared via the LAHA YouTube and Facebook page after the event.

The interactive program celebrates the era and evolution of the corner store, from the peddler to the central market to our now bygone neighborhood corner stores such as Heiser’s, Kirkendall’s, Haas’s, Shoemaker’s or Semanoff’s. It was a time when Mom could walk around the corner to pick up something for dinner or the kids met up after school for penny candy, ice cream or a soda.

Stories will be presented by Kathy Long, and traditional folk and popular music will be presented by Dave Matsinko, both of Lehighton.

“This will be an interactive program,” Long said. “We have a collection of stories to share, but there will also be time for anyone with a story or memory of their favorite corner store to come and share during the program.”

For those who prefer not to speak in public, stories can be emailed in advance to lehightonheritage@gmail.com or to Long at 570-386-4542.

The musical program will explore American popular song during the heyday of the corner store in the ’50s, ’60s and early ’70s.

“The owner of the corner store usually lived right there,” Matsinko said. “It was common to have that transistor radio playing behind the counter tuned into the sounds of the day on 1160 WYNS or 1410 WLSH.”

Seating is limited. Tickets are a $10 donation to “Lehighton Area Heritage Alliance.” Advance tickets are recommended; however, tickets will also be available at the door. For more information and to reserve tickets via PayPal, visit lehightonheritage.org. Tickets can also be reserved by calling 570-386-4542 or through any LAHA board member.

Proceeds benefit LAHA’s mission to preserve the history of Lehighton and find a permanent home for the collection of historical artifacts.