The Palmerton Area Democratic Club honored Rep. Matt Cartwright for his leadership and service to the community in his first year of office representing the PA 17th Congressional District at its Holiday Dinner on Dec. 11.

After summarizing highlights of the congressman's accomplishments and entertaining questions, Cartwright's senior economic development specialist, Bill Hanley, accepted a token of appreciation for Cartwright from Janine Carazo, PADC treasurer, and club president, Sarina Berlow.The items were the book "Messages from Palmerton The First Fifty Years: A Brief Visual and Written History of a Unique Community Told Through the Medium of the Postcard," and a commemorative blanket from Palmerton's Centennial.Both items were obtained from the Palmerton Area Historical Society.