I can’t count the number of times I have taken photos of the pig standing in front of the house at the intersection of Route 309 and Autumn Road, New Tripoli.

Decked out in his (or is it her?) best holiday finery or showing support for a sports team for an upcoming big game, the pig at Hartman’s Butcher Shop often graced the pages of the Northwestern Press.

The butcher shop, owned by Dennis and Carol Hartman, sold the last of its meat delicacies July 8. From holiday hams to meat sticks filled with pineapple to homemade hot dogs to freshly made ground beef, Hartman’s was truly a small town “mom and pop” store.

We wish the Hartmans a restful and enjoyable retirement and thank them for their loyalty as advertisers to the Lehigh Valley Press weekly newspapers.

While one community is hurting from the loss of a more than four-decade-long relationship with the Hartman family, people in another area of the Lehigh Valley are celebrating the grand reopening of an entertainment icon in their neighborhood.

The Roxy Theatre in Northampton Borough reopened after having its doors shuttered for more than a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eager moviegoers stood in long lines on the Main Street sidewalk July 2 waiting to purchase tickets and watch a film inside the historic movie house built in 1921.

The theater, which features discount prices, offers current movies, live acts, organ music and more, has been owned by Richard Wolfe for some 50 years.

Wolfe and the Roxy Theatre are also loyal advertisers of the Lehigh Valley Press weekly newspapers.

The local shops, the local theater, the local farm markets and the weekly newspapers are part of the glue that helps hold the community together.

While we bid a fond farewell to one and a joyous welcome back to another, remember - in these post-COVID-19 times - small family businesses and farms depend on your support to keep their doors open.

Why not shop locally this week? Visit a roadside farm market for fresh produce, then enjoy a show at the Roxy.

Deb Palmieri

editor

Parkland Press

Northwestern Press