In this continuing series, Eric Eberhardt of Eberhardt Motors in Egypt, Whitehall Township, is sharing a rare piece of local history.

During World War II, his grandfather Theodore F. Eberhardt helped guide a group of local residents in printing The Egyptian, a monthly newspaper forwarded to local servicemen and women.

The paper contained local news items which boosted the moral of our servicemen. Numerous letters of appreciation were sent by military personnel to the local residents who prepared the paper.

Here are a few names which might be familiar to my readers. Letters came from Joe Laub, Harold Hassler, Al Groller, Alton Diehl, A.J. Novak, William Kochenash, Fred Borger, Martin Payonk, James Drabick, Fritz Mantz, Paul Kuchera, Woodrow Kern, Warren Reppert, Margaret Haklitch and Mike Roman.

There were hundreds of letters of thanks sent to the staff. A typical letter read like this one from Jessie Gaualla: "Having received your Egyptian every month since I have been in the service, I thought it was about time I let you know how much I appreciate it.

"It is a real morale booster to hear of our friends in other parts of the service, and in all parts of the globe and of course there is nothing better than bits of news from home. Due to censorship regulations I can not tell you where I am or what I am doing."

The fellows enjoyed what ever sports items were printed. Here's one from Oct. 1944: "Extra: Whitehall High ties Northampton 7-7. This year Whitehall High stood on equal grounds with the Konkrete Kids producing a score of 7-7. It was an exciting game from beginning to end. Northampton made their touchdown in the second quarter, Yaple ran 20 yards for the score, Jurasits kicked the extra point.

"It was not until the fourth quarter that Whitehall scored. Joe Aldio passed the ball to "Booka" Warke. Ernie Wescoe kicked the extra point. Friday before the game Whitehall High had a pep rally with Coach Willie Piff there to top it off. In the opening game of the league season Whitehall nosed out Palmerton 13-12."

Here's a story from July 1945: "Coplay took Laureldale apart in Coplay yesterday for a 10 to 0 blanking. "Lefty" Simmon's, Coplay's one-man gang, let down the visitors with only four hits, and belted a single, triple and homerun for himself.

"He recently set a record by striking out 23 Allentown players in a district game and holds a pitching record as he averaged 18 strikeouts in four contests. We're all pulling for Curtis and hope he comes through.

In July 1945, a charter has been granted in the name of the Egypt Memorial Park Association by the courts of Lehigh County.

"Spirited citizens of town have attended many meetings at which there has been laid the ways and means to raise $25,000 for the construction of the park.

The purpose was to create and maintain this park as a memorial to you who have gone to all corners of the world and fought this battle for liberty and freedom.

"Handy Andy" Tomasic Hokendauqua High and Temple U-baseball and football is still in the sports limelight as an athletic instructor stationed in New Guinea where reports say he is the top pitcher and homerun hitter in a 16-team loop.

And in August 1945: "Goosebone Man" Henry Willoughby Troxell died at the age of 72. He was nationally known for his famous weather prognostications.

The family would eat a white goose and he would examine the breast bone for discoloration that would let him forecast the winter. He was as good as any of them, sometimes on the beam, sometimes way off.

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Coming next: The Post War Era.