Week in review: November 20-26, 2022

LehighValleyNews.com | By Mariella Miller ,

Published November 27, 2022 at 10:00 AM EST

Kristen Tullo CAT — Kristen Tullo, Pennsylvania director for the Humane Society of the United States, holding a friendly feline.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Welcome back to our Week in Review. We have chosen seven stories, in no particular order, to take you back on the week. Enjoy, and thank you so much for reading.

Gray cat with green eyes — Reese the cat.

1. Here's why Allentown has joined the push to ban cat declawing

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — When Allentown banned the declawing of cats within its city limits last week, it joined an ongoing effort to ban the practice nationwide.

In Pennsylvania, Allentown is only the second city to ban the procedure.

A man on a stool reads a book into a microphone — Dave Fry, founder of Godfrey Daniels folk music club in Bethlehem, reads an excerpt from his new book about the club's history, "Welcome To Godfrey Daniels," on the club's stage Monday afternoon.

2. Godfrey Daniels founder publishes a book about its history

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The owner and founder of Godfrey Daniels, an iconic Lehigh Valley folk music venue, is publishing a book about the club’s storied 47-year history.

3. Daniel Buglio announces campaign for Lehigh County coroner

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Lehigh County's interim coroner announced Monday he wants the job full-time.

4. Bethlehem School Board hires former judge to conduct investigation involving the school district

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Bethlehem Area School Board voted without opposition Monday night to hire retired Judge Emil Giordano of the Norris McLaughlin law firm to conduct an investigation "involving the Bethlehem Area School District," according to an agreement letter from Giordano. The district will pay him $495 per hour for this work.

The Lehigh Valley Phantoms mascot, "MeLVin", pumps up the crowd before they hit the ice.

5. First skaters hit the ice at SteelStacks

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The new skating rink in Bethlehem's SteelStacks opened up Tuesday, officially marked by a ribbon cutting—giant scissors and all.

A mix of staff and volunteers serve up Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday. Organizers say most of them live in the immediate neighborhood, which gives them an extra sense of mission.

6. New Bethany Ministries served its Thanksgiving dinner to all who came

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - On Thanksgiving, serving up food, friendliness and plenty of hugs

7. So many people in the Lehigh Valley need your help this holiday season

BETHLEHEM, Pa - This holiday season, nonprofits need help now more than ever.

“Two and a half years ago, when the pandemic started, it was like a flood. It came in and destroyed everything in its path,” said Laura McHugh, a vice president of Marketing and Communications at United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley. Like many nonprofits, they were in crisis mode, responding to the urgent problems of the pandemic.