The Home News August 7

Cement Worker of the Month: Todd M. Flyte

By ED PANY

Todd Flyte was raised in Moore Township and attended Moore Elementary School. As a youth, he was active in Little League Baseball and at age 13 started to work on the Schlegel farm until he graduated from Northampton Area High School in 1985.

After high school, he received an apprenticeship with Iron Workers Local No. 36.

He recalled, “We worked at all the Lehigh Valley cement plants, and I gained valuable on-thejob training. The apprenticeship lasted for three years; I was paid $17.50 an hour.”

Mr. Flyte gained valuable knowledge from his father, Robert. His father was a fine student and friend of this writer at the high school.

Todd said, “I have great respect for my father, who shared his working experiences and work ethic with me.”

His father, an excellent welder, worked on many large projects including the Three Mile Island nuclear plant. Both of Todd’s grandparents worked at the former Penn Dixie Cement plants.

Todd was employed several years by Lehigh Valley Erector and Tri-City Erectors. He especially remembers helping to erect the Steel Force ride at Dorney Park.

Todd said, “When completed, we were given the first rides in the super coaster.”

In 2010 the construction industry declined, and Mr. Flyte and a number of iron workers were unemployed. Todd’s neighbor, Mr. Schlegel, a Buzzi employee, said Buzzi Unicem

(Hercules) was hiring. Todd was hired as a millwright; his previous cement experience qualified him for the position. The starting rate was $24 an hour.

Today, there are 15 millwrights at the plant. Presently, Todd is a plant inspector working to maintain the operations of the plant. He works closely with Tommy Yost, under the supervision of Mr. Bill Street.

With a smile, Todd said, “I enjoy my job. We check all the equipment in the plant.”

In his spare time, he plays golf at Whitetail Golf Club and played at the former Willow Brook Golf Course. He also hunts at the family cabin in Potter County.

Todd is married for 34 years to the former Stacy Brandl, of Whitehall. They are extremely proud of daughters Brittany and Alyssa and three grandchildren. The friendly couple resides in Moore Township.

We wish Mr. Flyte and his co-workers a safe and successful career at the century-old Stockertown plant.

Blue Moo Ice Cream Shop to reopen Under new ownership

By HOME NEWS STAFF

Ice cream lovers, rejoice! A beloved ice cream shop is back in Moore Township, this time under new ownership.

Blue Moo Ice Cream Shop, located at 2693 Community Drive, Bath, will hold its grand opening this Saturday, Aug. 9, from 1-9 p.m.

The business will kick things off with ice cream only, opening the kitchen in the coming weeks.

Horns & Hooves Mobile Mini Moos will join the grand opening from 2-4 p.m., providing photoops and the opportunity for cow cuddles while guests enjoy their ice cream.

Nazareth Borough Council

Addresses weeds, grants and Community events

By SAVANNAH BROWN

The Nazareth Borough Council met on Monday, Aug. 4, and much of the discussion centered on a concern brought forward by resident Becky Butz, who addressed the issue of overgrown grass and weeds on various properties in the borough.

Specifically, Butz cited Broad Street and Belvidere Street as areas plagued by neglect, stating, “This is just not right, and it can be fixed so easily.”

The conversation quickly evolved into a broader debate about how to maintain property standards, especially in a borough where rental properties are in-

creasingly common.

Councilman Christopher D. Crook supported the idea that zoning enforcement needs to be more responsive, suggesting Zoning Officer Anthony DiSante begin attending meetings, so he can hear these concerns directly.

Councilman Carl Fischl echoed the frustrations, noting that many of the problem properties are owned by absentee landlords. According to Fischl, with about 60% of the borough’s housing stock occupied by renters, accountability often falls through the cracks.

While Councilman Carl Strye acknowledged that DiSante is overwhelmed with responsibili-

ties, he remained hopeful that better enforcement could still be achieved.

“If we need to hire somebody full time, we’d have to squeeze that in our budget to work. If we have to raise taxes a little bit to make that work, I’d be willing to do that if it helps make Nazareth a better place to live,” Strye said.

Blue Moo’s original owners, Brian and Michelle Crocefoglia, held their last day of business on Aug. 31, 2024.