IN SERVICE
Air Force Airman Christian A. Chilcoat graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Chilcoat is the son of Richard Chilcoat of North Granger Road, Northampton.
He is a 2009 graduate of Northampton High School.
Sacred Heart School
Amanda Beers (left) and Lauren Schuster (right)
Picture: Amanda Beers (left) and Lauren Schuster (right)
Sacred Heart (Bath) 8th grade students, Amanda Beers and Lauren Schuster were recipients of the Diocese of Allentown Bishops’ Scholarship. The Awards Ceremony was held on April 20th at Alvernia University. Both students will be attending Bethlehem Catholic in the Fall 2013.
Lehigh Township Lions Club
Adopt-A-Highway
Lehigh Township Lions
Members of the Lehigh Township Lions Club have been picking up trash and keeping a two-mile stretch of Blue Mt. Drive clean for 17 years. The club began the Adopt-a-Highway project and has been committed to getting their stretch clean. They have picked up 307 bags of garbage and refuse between Rte. 248 and Wood Drive in those 17 years and the 31 members looks to continue the clean up efforts.
The Lehigh Township Lions have been active for 62 years. Meetings are held at the Blue Mountain Restaurant on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month.
Cement Worker of the Month
By Ed Pany
Mr. James Keefer was reared in Bath, one of 11 children, graduating from Northampton High School in 1972. He recalls, “I was in the construction class at Bethlehem’s Vo-Tech. We built a home from the foundation to completion, learning all the aspects of construction under the excellent supervision of our instructors, Angelo Deanglis and Bob Keifer.”
“The course taught me skills I have used on my job and in constructing my own home.” Jim applied this training in working on stores at the Lehigh Valley and Westgate Malls, and the Easton 25th Street Shopping Center.
A lull in construction resulted in Jim being hired as a temporary summer employee at Keystone Cement in 1982. His father Bertine was a 39 year veteran at the Plant.
He started as a laborer, but soon progressed into the maintenance department as a repairman apprentice. Old timers, Richard Hartzell, Richard Funk and Bill Drauch shared their valuable experiences with him. This enabled Jim to qualify as a first class repairman. A very talented employee, his next position was versatile, working as a carpenter, welder and millwright.
In 1992, he moved to the electrical department. Presently, he is the shop millwright, utilizing a myriad of equipment from lathe to drill press. He said, “I fabricate parts needed in various sections at the plant from coal mills to clinker mills. I enjoy operating all the shop equipment and working on a variety of projects. There is great satisfaction when we safely complete a job.”
The shop is supervised by Mark Dlugos and Rodger Derr. The team holds weekly safety meetings updating the employees on any safety issues. Their objective is to see that the plant operates in a safe and efficient manner.
Mr. Keefer said, “I work with a group of great co-workers who exhibit both a sense of pride and community. Recently, Jim and fellow employees spent 32 hours at the plant during mega storm Sandy monitoring all the equipment.
The family has some interesting canine friends, a Great Dane, Leonberger and Swiss Burnese Mountain dog. They also have been active with the Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue group.
Mr. Keefer feels cement has a bright future, as there are numerous projects needed to improve America from replacing old highways to new waste water plants. Jim is a friendly and amiable gentleman who is following in the foot steps of his father at the plant, a dedicated cement worker.
He is married to the former Doris Smale. Jim is proud of son Paul and daughter Holly. The family especially enjoys camping. The friendly couple resides in Moore township. I congratulate Mr. Keefer on his 30 years of continuing service at Keystone and hope all my friends at the Plant will benefit from a growing economy which will stimulate our historic cement industry.
