Emmaus's Young Talent, Gabriella Montero, Showcases Her Skills on a Grand Scale

At just 12 years old, Gabriella Montero, a resident of Emmaus, has already made significant strides toward stardom. With a repertoire of over a dozen performances and diverse training experiences, she's poised for success, and her upcoming shows with the Rockettes and Harlem Globetrotters this winter further attest to her rising prominence.

Gabriella, a sixth grader at Lower Macungie Middle School, boasts a background in theater, film acting, singing, and dancing. Her impressive resume includes participation in various productions, such as "A Christmas Carol," "Legally Blonde Jr.," "Matilda," "The Wizard of Oz," and "A Christmas Cinderella," performed at venues like the Civic Theatre of Allentown, St. John’s UCC via the Emmaus-based production company Star of the Day, and Cedar Crest College.

On December 28, Gabriella and a group of around 10 performers will kick off the Rockettes' show at Radio City Music Hall in New York with opening songs. Then, on February 24, she will join other performers to sing the national anthem at the Harlem Globetrotters' event at Madison Square Garden.

Her talent has not gone unnoticed, as she's received several accolades in her few years in the spotlight. Gabriella clinched first place in two divisions at the 2023 student auditions for the National Association of Teachers of Singing, emerged as a semifinalist in this year's Hal Leonard Vocal Competition, and secured second place in the previous year's Charleston International Music Competition.

Bear Creek Ski Area Closed Temporarily Due to Weather

Nearby ski resorts in the Pocono Mountains, like Blue Mountain and Camelback, haven't declared closures similar to Bear Creek. However, many have shut down lifts and trails across their premises due to unfavorable conditions. Optimal snowmaking necessitates temperatures of 28 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.

There's a misconception surrounding machine-made snow as being artificial, but it's essentially the same as natural snowfall—it's just produced mechanically instead of through weather patterns. Although the method differs significantly from natural snow formation, its end result remains identical: snow production.

Due to the absence of accumulating snow in the Lehigh Valley this winter, resorts have heavily relied on snowmaking machines. However, these machines require ideal weather conditions to be effective. Unfortunately, the local weather hasn't been conducive to snow production, leaving snow enthusiasts disappointed.

Man Trapped for Hours in Substation After Copper Theft Attempt

A man, identified as Jason M. Wadusky, 45, from Whitehall Township, faces charges for damaging electric utility property while attempting to steal an unspecified amount of copper on Christmas Eve at a Northampton County substation.

According to state police in Bethlehem, Wadusky got trapped on Sunday in electrical equipment at PPL Electric Utilities’ Siegfried Substation in Allen Township during the copper theft attempt. He also caused damage to an $800,000 transformer.

The Northampton County district attorney’s office approved multiple charges against Wadusky, including felony burglary and criminal trespassing. Bail was set at $5,000. Emergency responders spent approximately six hours rescuing Wadusky.

Regional Weather Update

Forecasters have updated their estimates, suggesting that a strengthening midweek storm in eastern Pennsylvania may bring rainfall totaling up to two and a half inches.

The weather pattern is expected to commence with drizzle before noon on Wednesday, followed by more intense rainfall in the early afternoon, as per the National Weather Service. The rain will persist through Wednesday night, with projections indicating up to half an inch during the daytime and a potential two inches overnight.

On Thursday, light showers are anticipated to linger, gradually diminishing by Thursday night.

High School Varsity Schedules

Emmaus Boys Varsity Basketball Schedule

Emmaus Girls Varsity Basketball Schedule

Emmaus Boys Varsity Wrestling Schedule

Emmaus Girls Varsity Wrestling Schedule

Bring In the New Year

A few ways to ring in the new year. Call ahead for info, tickets, and reservations.

Fireworks

In Allentown, ring in the New Year with a Fireworks Celebration in downtown Allentown. The event begins at 9 p.m. at the southeast corner of 7th and Hamilton Streets in front of the Lehigh County Government Center.

Blue Mountain Resort Party, Palmerton

The festivities at the New Year’s Eve Party begin in the Slopeside Pub & Grill with a special menu for the occasion and then transition right into a dance party with a DJ beginning at 9 p.m. in the Last Run Lounge. Dance the night away to the balloon drop with noisemakers, hats, champagne toast, and continental breakfast after midnight. Cash bar available. Tickets are $25.

Tube in the New Year

Blue Mountain Resort, Palmerton
Ring in 2024 at this ever-popular family-friendly event. Join the family-friendly party from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. for a night of fun on the tubes at our Snow Tubing Park in the Valley Adventure Center (weather -permitting). Tickets include unlimited snow tubing from 7 p.m. to midnight plus a buffet, giveaways, and a cash bar for adults 21 & over.

Gatsby Themed New Year's Eve Party

Wilbur Mansion 201 Cherokee St, Bethlehem, PA 18015

Make your reservations today and come in your best 1920s glamour to revel in an unforgettable evening of glitz and glamour!

Folino Estate Winery, 340 Old Route 22, Kutztown

Ring in 2024 at Folino Estate Winery with a memorable evening of dinner, dancing, and a little magic on New Year's Eve from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Enjoy cocktails, hors d' oeuvres, and gourmet food stations. Dance the night away with music by Amber Rae and the Swingin' Foxes.

Entertainment at the Emmaus Theater

Really? Weird Laws

Georgia: it's illegal to tie a giraffe to a telephone pole or street lamp
California: It's illegal to eat a frog if it died during a frog-jumping competition.
Florida: it's illegal to sing in your swimsuit
Arizona: you can't have a donkey sleeping in your bathtub after 7 p.m.
California: it's against the law to eat an orange while taking a bath
Alabama: it's illegal to drive while blindfolded
Arkansas: it's illegal to sound your horn at any place where cold drinks or sandwiches are served after 9 p.m.
Delaware: it's against the law for a pawnbroker to accept an artificial limb or wheelchair as payment
Georgia: it's illegal to consume fried chicken by any other means than with your hands
Kansas: it's illegal to throw knives at men wearing striped suits

Humor

Married Life - During check-in at the airport for a non-stop long-haul flight, the airline staff was very apologetic to the husband and said:
"I am sorry sir, the flight is really full today. We couldn't allow you and your wife adjacent seats. Your seat number is 14A and madam's is 42H."
Husband: "Oh, thanks! Do I have to pay anything extra to you for this favor?"
Staff: "No sir, madam has already paid!".

Chess Bored - A group of chess enthusiasts checked into a hotel after a large chess tournament.
Rather than going straight to their rooms, the group stayed together in the lobby discussing the day’s events and their recent victories.
After an hour, the manager of the hotel entered the lobby and asked them to disperse.
“But why?” they asked.
The manager answered, “Because I can’t stand chess nuts boasting in an open foyer.”

 December 28