STORY CIRCLES: The Bethlehem Area Public Library is offering an exciting new series of workshops for adults aged 55 and older at the Main Library, located at 11 West Church St., Bethlehem. The workshops began May 12 and will be held June 2, 9 and 16 at 10 a.m.

The series of workshops is the first of its kind at BAPL – an innovative initiative that aims to build connection, belonging and trust through storytelling, civic dialogue and creative expression. The Story Circles series is led by Mark McKenna, a professional actor and teaching artist with over 35 years of experience working in the Lehigh Valley and throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Each session will offer a welcoming opportunity to share, listen and connect.

This event will be free. Interested participants must register in advance by visiting bapl.org or by calling (610) 867-3761, ext. 399.

LATIN FESTIVAL: The 14th annual free admission ¡Sabor! Latin Festival presented by Highmark Blue Shield is taking place June 26 – 28, in partnership with media partner La Mega Radio on the ArtsQuest Campus at SteelStacks. The festival is a celebration of Latin heritage for all ages.

The annual Puerto Rican Flag-Raising Ceremony will take place on Friday, June 27, to kick off the festival, just before the musical celebrations later that evening. The event will feature U.S. and Puerto Rican National Anthems and community speakers.

Come hungry and ready to indulge – ¡Sabor! Latin Festival is serving up an irresistible lineup of delicious food options! This year’s food vendors include beloved festival staples like Holy Infancy Church and School, Hogar CREA, La Frikitona, Fiesta Churros and, new to the scene, Mozzarepas. From savory dishes to sweet treats, there’s something to satisfy every craving.

HELLERTOWN HONOREES: The Hellertown-Lower Saucon Chamber of Commerce invites community members to an inspiring evening of recognition and celebration at the 2025 Honors & Hors d’Oeuvres Thursday, May 22. This annual event, taking place at Morris J. Dimmick Park Pavilion from 5:15 to 7:15 p.m., honors individuals and businesses making a meaningful impact in the Hellertown-Lower Saucon area.

Honors & Hors d’Oeuvres has become a beloved tradition that brings together neighbors, local leaders, and supporters to recognize excellence in entrepreneurship, service, and community building.

2025 H & H Awardees

Business to Watch (Two Winners!): Aloha Jay’s Malasadas & Hellertown Veterinary Center

Small Business Leadership Award: Main Street Gym

Community Partner Award: Truist Bank

Positive Impact Award: James “Jim” McIntyre, Owner/Operator of the Hellertown McDonald’s

For tickets or more information, please visit the event page or contact Caitlin Hamlin at caitlinh@lehighvalleychamber.org.

HELLERTOWN EVENTS: The Hellertown Historical Society, in partnership with the Lower Saucon Township Historical Society, Saucon Valley Conservancy and the Saucon Rail Trial Oversight Commission, invites the public to attend Hellertown-Lower Saucon Heritage Day Saturday, May 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. rain or shine.

Heritage Day is a free, walkable celebration of local history and culture, taking place across two historic sites connected by the scenic Saucon Rail Trail: the Heller-Wagner Grist Mill Complex and the Michael Heller Homestead.

In addition to Heritage Day, HHS invites the public to two more exciting spring events: the Election Day Bake Sale Tuesday, May 20, featuring homemade treats on the rear porch of the Miller House, and the Community Yard Sale on the first Saturday in June, offering borough-wide treasures for bargain hunters of all kinds.

For more information, contact: info@hellertownhistoricalsociety.org.

ARTS CLASSES: ArtsQuest in Your Community is in full swing and this summer is bursting with hands-on creativity and exciting art experiences, all now available for registration atartsquest.org/visual-arts/.

Thanks to the support of our incredible community partners, ArtsQuest is thrilled to bring its visual arts programming directly to neighborhoods while construction is underway on the new ArtsQuest Creative Factory powered by PPL.

The very best way to stay up to date with upcoming ArtsQuest Visual Arts programming is to sign up to receive emails as well as visitingartsquest.org/visual-arts/.

DISPLACED SCHOLARSHIPS: Muhlenberg College has announced the launch of its Displaced Workers Scholarship program, designed to support federal, state and local government workers who have lost their jobs due to layoffs. This program also extends benefits to each of Muhlenberg’s corporate partners, providing financial relief and career-focused educational opportunities for those seeking to reenter the workforce with new, in-demand skills.

The new scholarship applies to all Muhlenberg College graduate, degree-completion, and continuing education programs. Based on regional labor market trends and growing employer demand, areas of study include business, health care management and leadership, information technology, business analytics and education.

Qualifying students may receive an estimated scholarship value of up to $5,250 for graduate programs and $5,000 for undergraduate degree-completion programs. Displaced workers from Muhlenberg’s partner institutions will receive the scholarship benefit of the highest value, whether from the partner agreement or the displaced worker program.

Prospective students are encouraged to contact Muhlenberg’s Division of Graduate and Continuing Education for more information about program eligibility and the application process.

For all inquiries, please contact: careymanzolillo@muhlenberg.edu.

PEACE CAMP: Young People Making Peace Summer Day Camp, aka Peace Camp, has been offering childrens’ fun and activities centered around the broad topic of peace since 1990. Playing cooperative games under a full-size, rainbow-colored parachute, singing songs in several world languages, writing letters to legislators to ask their support for environmental issues, drumming, yoga, and making crafts from recycled and found items are just a few of the fun and educational activities led by talented community volunteers.

This year’s Peace Camp will be held July 21-25, 9 a.m. to noon each day, at First Presbyterian Church of Allentown. Campers and volunteers will find more information and can register online at www.lepoco.org/peace-camp.

GARDEN ANNIVERSARY: Mount Airy Neighborhood Association (MANA) was awarded $5,000 by the County of Lehigh for improvements to the historic 1931 Rose Garden for replanting and updating. Stephen Scaniello, the garden’s consultant and current rosarian of the NYC Botanical Gardens, is currently designing and implementing the main beds through summer of 2025. Pam Ruch, a Lehigh Valley designer and curator of the BFBL nurture garden, designed the plan for the surrounding beds. MANA is campaigning to have the 1931 Rose Garden classified as a historic landmark.

Join the gardeners to adopt a plot. Come when you can. Friends of the Garden meet Saturday mornings from 9:30 to noon.

For more information and to sign up for activities, visit mana18018.org/historic-bethlehem-rose-garden/bethlehem-rose-garden/ or mail donations to MANA, 1528 W. Market St., Bethlehem

WRITERS’ MEETING: Greater Lehigh Valley Writers’ Group will hold its monthly meeting from 10 a.m. – noon on Saturday, May 17. The meeting is offered in a hybrid format – in-person at the Palmer Branch of the Easton Library, 1 Weller Place, Palmer, and online via Zoom.

From 11 a.m.-noon, author Donna Brennan will give a presentation on Pacing: Keeping Your Reader Engaged. Brennan will lead a workshop on The Emotional Roller Coaster: Taking Your Reader for a Ride from 1:30 to 3 p.m.

For more information or to register for the events, go to greaterlehighvalleywritersgroup.wildapricot.org; “GLVWG Events.”

Wednesdays to June 25

Music on the Patio with Ian Gallagher. Live music, drinks and food available for purchase. 6 to 8 p.m. Tavern at the Sun Inn, 564 Main St. Visit suninnbethlehem.org/events/ for schedules and information.

To June 27

Art: The Bethlehem Palette Club Juried Exhibition, Moravian Village Art Gallery, 562 Wood St. Free.

To July 27

Checking In: Bethlehem’s Alluring Accommodations; Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites showcase exhibition by local artists. Cost. Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts, 427 N. New St. Information: visit historicbethlehem.org/visit-us/experience/cordially-invited-fine-arts-show/

To Aug. 3

LUAG on the Greenway: CHANGEMAKERS multisite exhibition from LUAG’s extensive range of media exhibits. Visit luag.lehigh.edu/exhibitions/change-makers-south-bethlehem-greenway?mc_cid=38d13447c8&mc_eid=14fe10c1a1 for more information.

Sundays, May 18, 25, June 1, 8

Live on the Greenway Summer Concert Series: open to the public, family friendly, food truck or local restaurant and local craft beverages. 1 to 3 p.m. May 18 – Herencia Jíbara; May 25 – Joyous; June 1 – Life After Dead; June 8 – Eighteenth Hour. Harmony Pavilion, Webster / Taylor streets, South Bethlehem Greenway.

Wednesday, May 14

Wednesday Karaoke. 1 to 3 p.m. Lehigh Valley Active Life, 1633 W. Elm St., Allentown. Call 610-437-3700 for information.

Music on the Patio with Ian Gallagher. Live music, drinks and food available for purchase. 6 to 8 p.m. Tavern at the Sun Inn, 564 Main St. Visit suninnbethlehem.org/events/ for schedules and information.

Thursday, May 15

Star of Bethlehem Festival, Star Screen Movie Nite. Daniel E. Rice Plaza.

Current Events Informal Discussion Group. World, national, state and local topics. 2 p.m. Moderator: David M. Bell. All welcome. Begins with a question chosen by the group and ends with even more questions. Free to members. 1633 W. Elm St., Allentown. Information: call 610-437-3700 or visit lvactivelife.org/

Lehigh Valley Pops Orchestra. Conductor Ron DeGrandis. 9 to 10:30 a.m. Lehigh Valley Active Life, 1633 W. Elm St., Allentown. Information: call 610-437-3700 or visit lvactivelife.org/

Lehigh Valley Pop Music Jam Session. Conductor: Stephen Cee. 1 p.m. 1633 W. Elm St., Allentown. Information: call 610-437-3700 or visit lvactivelife.org

Bands in the Biergarten: live music, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Sun Inn Courtyard, 564 Main St. Visit suninnbethlehem.org/events/ for schedules.

Friday, May 16

Closing day: Printmakers Society of the Lehigh Valley: “Regional Collective Impressions,” free, members exhibition, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bethlehem Town Hall Rotunda Gallery, 10 E. Church St. Visit facebook.com/PrintmakersSocietyoftheLehighValley/

Life Sharing Discussion Group. 1 to 3 p.m. Begins with a question chosen by the group and ends with even more questions. Free to members. 1633 W. Elm St., Allentown. Information: call 610-437-3700 or visit lvactivelife.org/

Elm Street Jazz Workshop rehearsals, 9 a.m. Director: Allan Meyerson. 1633 W. Elm St., Allentown. Free to members. Lehigh Valley Active Life, 1633 W. Elm St., Allentown. Call 610-437-3700 for information or visit lvactivelife.org/

Bands in the Biergarten: live music, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Sun Inn Courtyard, 564 Main St. Visit suninnbethlehem.org/events/ for schedules.

Saturday, May 17

Armed Forces Day

Live in the (Rose) Garden: presented by Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce and sponsor Zoellner Arts Center. Live music, two food trucks and (cost) beverages. 5:30 to 8 p.m. 725 Eighth Ave. Visit web.lehighvalleychamber.org/events/Live-in-the-Garden-Concert-Series-840791/details

Christmas City Wine and Star of Bethlehem Festivals Star of Bethlehem Festival. 18 years old minimum entry. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. rain or shine. 345 Illick’s Mill Road. Information: visit www.starofbethlehemfestival.org/christmas-city-wine-festival

Saturday Night Dance featuring Latin Salsa. Cost per person includes light refreshments. Singles and couples welcome. 7 to 10 p.m. Lehigh Valley Active Life, 1633 W. Elm St., Allentown. Call 610-437-3700 for information.

Sunday, May 18

20th annual Young Playwrights’ Festival. Plays written by elementary and middle school students produced by Touchstone ensemble and associates. Northeast Middle School. 1170 Fernwood St. Information and tickets: visit https://touchstone.org/events/young-playwrights-festival/?mc_cid=38d13447c8&mc_eid=14fe10c1a1

Star of Bethlehem Festival for Kids. Hands on arts, science with crafts; live performances, activities. Free. Noon to 4 p.m. Visit www.starofbethlehemfestival.org/star-of-bethlehem-festival-for-kids

Closing day of ADD – LUAG Senior Honors Exhibition: Lehigh University Art Galleries and the Department of Art, Architecture and Design, featuring five seniors: Isabella Bolaños, Graham Schwartz, Emily Tsao, Ell Nittler and Aviela Maynard. Faculty advisers were: Jenny Kowalski, Kevin Lahoda, Maurizio Masi and Wes Hiatt. Visit luag.lehigh.edu/exhibitions/aad-senior-honors-exhibition for more information

Tuesday, May 20

Good Vibrations Chorus. All singers welcome. 9:30 a.m. Director Nancy Shumaker. All welcome. 1633 W. Elm St., Allentown. Information: call 610-437-3700 or visit lvactivelife.org/

Song Writing. Conductor Stephen Cee. Bring your poems, lyrics and musical talents. Free to members. 11 a.m. Lehigh Valley Active Life, 1633 W. Elm St., Allentown. Information: call 610-437-3700 or visit lvactivelife.org/

Wednesday, May 21

Wednesday Karaoke. 1 to 3 p.m. Lehigh Valley Active Life, 1633 W. Elm St., Allentown. Call 610-437-3700 for information.

The Good Neighbor Awards recognize our neighbors who make significant contributions to improve the quality of life in the Lehigh Valley by PBS39, WLVR, and LehighValleyNews.com 5:30 – 9 p.m. Univest Public Media Center, 839 Sesame St.

The Bethlehem Press calendar listings are, to the best of our knowledge, correct at the time of printing. We are not responsible for the accuracy or reliability of information submitted by external parties.