The Slatington Public Library held its annual recognition night recently, honoring this year’s memorial and civic recipients.

Library President Wanda Owens opened the evening, noting her personal connection to one of the honorees.

“The Presbyterian Church is very dear to my heart. I have been a member for 43 years,” Owens said. “The Slatington Public Library is proud to honor the United Presbyterian Church of Slatington for their two donations to our library this past year. UPC has always had a special relationship with our library.”

Owens explained that the United Presbyterian Church originally founded the Salem Free Library to serve the community and promote reading. The church also hosted the Gymanfa Ganu (Welsh Songfest) from 1959 to 2019.

“They say, ‘If you get two Englishmen together, they form a club. If you get three Welshmen — or Welsh women — together, they form a choir.’ The Welsh in Slatington were no exception,” she said.

Music played a central role in worship, and the Gymanfa was held every November for 60 years, drawing such large crowds that both afternoon and evening sessions were needed. Owens added that although the event ended during the COVID-19 shutdown, its committee designated the library to receive remaining funds.

“We are very grateful for that,” she said.

Vice President Marilyn Steckel spoke about honorees Joseph and Elizabeth (Isa) Bechtel.

“Joseph Bechtel was a longtime business and civic leader in Slatington,” Steckel said. “He bought what was then Moyer’s Drug Store in 1961 and moved to Slatington with his bride, Isa.”

The couple were active members of Assumption BVM Catholic Church, where Isa served multiple terms as president of the Altar and Rosary Society. She also volunteered with the Junior Women’s Club, Northern Lehigh Swimming Pool, Food Bank, American Heart Association, March of Dimes, PTA and the Sierra Club for Catholic vocations.

“The Bechtels raised eight children here in Northern Lehigh and are survived by 24 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren,” Steckel said. “We are very grateful that the Bechtels were always extremely supportive of our library. It is an absolute privilege to honor this couple tonight.”

Assistant Treasurer Hali Kuntz remembered Etoile Creasey Mack, who passed away in May just shy of her 101st birthday.

“Etoile was a lifelong resident of the Northern Lehigh community,” Kuntz said. “She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Slatington and enjoyed attending local senior groups.”

Mack is survived by her daughter Karen Bird and husband Ronald, grandchildren Larry Creasey and Chad Mankos, step-granddaughter Rhonda Hanzarik, and several great-grandchildren.

“Etoile enjoyed visiting the Slatington Library and borrowing books every few weeks,” Kuntz added. “She believed in serving her community, and the library appreciates her support through this memorial donation.”

Treasurer Lynne Fedorcha honored Annabel Fogal, recalling her more than 15 years on the library board of trustees.

“Annabel was an amazing presence on our board — and in our community — because she was the one member with a background in library science,” Fedorcha said. “Her longevity of service is impressive, but what made her contribution so special was the heart, dry wit, and wisdom she brought to every meeting.”

Fogal’s son Tom, daughter Karen, and friend Gretchen attended to accept her recognition on the Louise Hallman Memorial Plaque.

“Annabel was a tireless volunteer, musician and local historian whose legacy continues to strengthen the library and community she loved,” Fedorcha said.

Secretary Renee Evans paid tribute to Robert J. Schaffer.

“Bob graduated from Whitehall-Coplay High School, served two years in the Army, and earned honors from East Stroudsburg State College,” Evans said. “He and his wife Jill were both teachers in the Weatherly School District.”

Schaffer enjoyed numerous hobbies — fly fishing, collecting artifacts and antiques, training dogs, gardening, and reading history and science books.

“Jill considered this donation to the Slatington Public Library in Bob’s memory because she believes that public schools and libraries are essential to the education of all people, regardless of their backgrounds,” Evans said. “Bob would be pleased to know that Jill is supporting our beloved library in his name.”

Evans concluded the evening by thanking all who contributed.

“We sincerely appreciate the support from our community and stand by our mission: ‘To improve and enrich the lives of the residents in our community through information, recreation and education, using both traditional methods and emerging technologies,’ ” Evans said.

Other honorees included:

• Drs. Cressman and Yablonski Family Practice, which noted that free libraries are essential to all communities.

• Mr. and Mrs. Robert Churetta.

• Michele and Dean Wagaman.

• In memory of Ruth Bennyhoff.