73 area residents have been recognized as "Community Heroes" by Mauch Chunk Trust Company as part of their award program of the same name.  Since 2000, MCT has solicited peer nominations of those residents in the community who have "devoted substantial time to non-profit community organizations that benefit or improve the quality of life..." 

From the nominations, at least six "heroes" have been chosen each year by an independent selection committee.  While the majority of the award recipients prefer to remain anonymous angels of the community, MCT feels strongly that their good and generous deeds should be made known to the communities they serve.  Each "hero" is honored at a public banquet and Mauch Chunk Trust Company presents each recipient with an inscribed plaque and a $100 donation is made in their name to the charity of their choice.

According to Mauch Chunk Trust Company President and CEO, Patrick H. Reilly, "Volunteers don't often get the recognition they deserve.  We are proud to have the opportunity to honor these outstanding members of our community who selflessly donate their time and talents to help make our local community a better place to live and work." 

• Minimum age requirement - 25 years old
• No posthumous nominations
• Prior winners are not eligible
• Deadline for nominations is March 31, 2011

Nomination form can be found online at:  http://www.mauchchunktrust.com/a_community.htm 

Home, Garden, and Business Expo

The Carbon County Chamber of Commerce and the Carbon Builders Association proudly present the 2011 Carbon County Home, Garden, and Business Exposition.  The Expo will be held on Saturday, April 30th, from 11 AM to 6 PM, and Sunday, May 1st, from 11 AM to 5 PM, at the Jim Thorpe Memorial Hall, East 10th Street,  in Jim Thorpe.  

Display booths are available on a first come, first served basis.  The cost for a 8 x 10 booth is $250 for members and $500 for non-members on the main floor.  A limited number of display booths are available for 501-C3 non-profit organizations with less than 10 employees at a discounted rate.

We are also providing 8 x 10, and 16 x 20 booths on the lower floor.  The cost for those is less than the main floor and is noted on our registration application.  In addition, we will make available a 2000 square foot pavilion for use with outdoor/covered displays.  The pavilion cost will be determined by the area required by the user.

The Memorial Hall kitchen will have hot and cold foods available for purchase by exhibitors and patrons.

If interested in reserving a display booth, please contact either the Carbon County Chamber of Commerce, 110 North Third Street, Suite 216 Lehighton, PA 18235 or The Carbon Builders Association, PO Box 218, 490 Ore Street, Bowmanstown, PA  18030. Questions may be addressed to either Heather at the Chamber office at 610-379-5000 or to Debbie at the Carbon Builders office at 610-379-1099.

The Jim Thorpe Area Council will be sponsoring their 15th annual Jim Thorpe Birthday Weekend on Saturday, May 21st and Sunday, May 22nd.  This event is in honor of James Francis Thorpe, a Native American and "Athlete of the 20th Century".

The first annual Jim Thorpe Celebration of the Arts is set for the weekend of May 14 & 15 in the historic district of Jim Thorpe, PA.

From free events to tours and shows, you don't have to travel far to find great music, art and culture. It's all right here at "Jim Thorpe on Art Weekend". Come for the day, stay for the weekend. Book a package at one of our delightful beds and breakfasts.

There are several outstanding headline events scheduled, for details visit the event website. Click here to view the official press release.