While it’s good to be humble in victory, it’s just as important to be gracious in defeat.

Despite his beloved Blue Bombers suffering a 51-14 drubbing at the hands of Northern Lehigh in a football matchup Sept. 19, Palmerton Mayor Don Herrmann remained complimentary.

Herrmann took time under his mayor report during Thursday’s Palmerton Borough Council meeting to reflect on not only the game, but also the spirited canned food drive that resulted from it.

“Let me start off my report by congratulating the Northern Lehigh football team for defeating our Palmerton Blue Bombers last Friday,” Herrmann said. “Even though it was a crushing and sound defeat, the night was a huge success for Northern Lehigh and Palmerton food pantries.

“Thank you for all donations from the two local communities. It is much appreciated and is a huge help for the needy especially around the holidays.”

Herrmann specifically thanked Keller Williams Realty, the Aquashicola and Palmerton fire companies, the Palmerton Football Booster Club, the Palmerton cheerleaders for their help, and also gave a huge thanks to Jim Christman for his use of his box truck to transport the large amount of canned goods to the respective food pantries.

“A huge shoutout to Mayor Jeralyn Schoch of Slatington for helping with the collection and for promoting the event,” he said. “Slatington, as you all know, is a great borough.”

Herrmann continued to talk up Slatington as part of the lighthearted agreement he and Schoch made leading up to the game itself.

“They have a great market and farmers market, they have a great fireman’s statue, they have one of the finer pools in the area with the Northern Lehigh Swimming Pool, they have a great concert bandshell, and they even have their own airport. Slatington is most known for their contribution of slate which is used in slate roofs and in school chalkboards.

“Without Slatington, who knows how students across the world would have been educated. Slatington is definitely a great place to live and is in good hands with the current mayor.”

Canned goods were welcome at the gate, and nonperishable, non-expired goods were collected the entire week leading up to the contest.

Herrmann said donations were also able to be brought to football practices that week and given to the coach. Also, a bin was set up on his porch for anyone who couldn’t make it to the game, or could be brought with to the game.

Similarly, Schoch said donations were able to be dropped off at Slatington Borough Hall and at the Slatington Borough Police Station, as well as at her house.

Each item collected then went to a food pantry in Palmerton or the Northern Lehigh area.

In the past, Herrmann made friendly wagers with the former mayor of Jim Thorpe.

This time around, Herrmann said he turned to Schoch due to the local rivalry.

The only difference was that last year, Palmerton earned a win over Jim Thorpe.