JULY 24-30, 2014 Your Local News
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H The Home News Gold Star Mothers/ Fathers Page 7
Bath Legion Wins NorCo Championship
By BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
Bath Senior Legion has captured the 2014 Northampton County American Legion Baseball League championship. They beat The Birches of Saylorsburg last Tuesday at the Saylorsburg Playground, 13-1, and the following day edged them 5-4 in the 8th inning after tying them at 3-3 in the regulation seven innings at Ciff Cowling Field in Bath. In both games, Bath came up with their rallying runs in the late innings. They scored one run in the 3rd, but launched their salvo with three in the 5th, four in the 6th, and finally five more in the 7th in game one. Bath used three pitchers over the stretch, giving up five hits, but only one run – Matt Leon, 2-1/3, with five strike outs; Mike John, 3-1/3 scoreless innings, and Nick Caricari, the 7th inning. Bath had a total of 11 hits, and was aided by five Birches errors. Lead-off walks almost always come back to haunt teams. The Birches scored first on Wednesday, when the first batter walked, went to second on a sacrifice bunt, and eventually scored on a single to right field. Two strikeouts prevented any further damage that inning. But in the 4th, after two were out, there was another walk given up by Bath’s starting pitcher, Mike Horvath, a double to right, and then a throwing error from third baseman Mike John to first baseman Dom Fettore that gave Birches two more runs. The visitors’ starting pitcher, Travis VanHoutten had things under control in the early going until the 6th inning, when Bath scored two unearned runs, allowing Continued on page 2
Nazareth’s Equi-libirum Helps those with special needs Reach their highest potential
Northampton Paw Prints Raises $5K for NPD. Page 10
Nazareth County 4-H Fair Set to Begin. Nazareth Chamber members, along with Pa. State Representative Marcia Hahn, cut the ribbon welcoming Equilibrium to Bushkill Township. -Photo by Danielle S. Tepper By DANIELLE S. TEPPER Special to the Home News
For over 32 years, those with physical and mental disabilities of all ages have been able to come to a place where they are assisted by both caring people and gentle creatures. The mission of Equi-Librium is “to empower individuals with special needs to reach their highest potential through horse-related activities.” Formerly Monroe County Riding for the Handicapped, then Easter Seal RISE, it officially became Equi-librium in 2001 at its Snydersville location. Equi-librium purchased 18 acres in Bushkill Township (Nazareth) in September of 2014. Thursday, July 17, Equilibrium invited members of
the Nazareth Chamber of Commerce to a demonstration and ceremonial ribbon cutting. “It was a hard winter with the snow and ice, so we couldn’t really build or fix it up until the spring,” said Yvonne Darlington, Equi-librium’s volunteer coordinator and instructor. The beautiful summer afternoon was perfect for showing off the land’s two barns, indoor and outdoor arenas, natural pond, and pastures. Darlington explained why their 10 horses are so instrumental in helping people with special needs. “For physical disabilities, the motion of the horse really mimics how people walk; it helps with strength, balance, and mobility.” She continued, “For
people with mental needs, it’s great for learning. Horses are the greatest motivator; whatever we ask the kids to do—put your hands out, pay attention, count to ten—they want to do it, because they’re doing it with a horse and not just in a classroom.” For the summer season, Darlington said they have approximately 77 riders and drivers enrolled, with nearly 150 volunteers. Each rider needs anywhere from zero to three volunteers. Classes are around 45 minutes each. During the ribbon cutting, CEO Erica Hesselson thanked the crowd and said that they are “just delighted to be here in Nazareth.” To find out if Equi-librium could be right for you or a loved one, visit their website at www.equi-librium.org.
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Jr. Conservation School Wraps up Another Successful Year. Page 9
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