ARTICLE
It was an intimate affair and yet a Jan. 19 event hosted by the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce at the Governor Wolf Historical Society in East Allen Township truly showcased what is best about the Lehigh Valley business community. Dubbed the Candlelit Cocktail Hour, the gathering was the latest in a string of successful HALO events run by the chamber and designed to support and showcase the Governor Wolf Historical Society, a nonprofit volunteer organization founded in 1958 and dedicated to preserving the Lehigh Valley's rich heritage. The society is working to restore the Ralston-McKeen House. HALO stands for Helping and Leading Others, and the chamber uses the acronym as a way to market events that are fundraisers. About 60 people mingled under a candlelit chandelier, dined on hors d'oeuvres and enjoyed Weyerbacher Brewing beer and wine. Historical Society President Kathy Wilhelm and Vice President Linda Kortz presented a brief program on the historical society and the restoration project. Guests were invited for dessert and coffee in the Ralston-McKeen House, where they could tour the home. An auction was also held and prizes included a tour of Weyerbacher Brewing, along with a fill of a 64-ounce growler, and four Lehigh Valley Flower Show tickets donated by Ballantine Management Group. Cocktail hour attendees included Mary Kositz, branch manager of ESSA Bank and Trust and Greater Bath Chamber president; state Rep. Marcia Hahn; Paul Frank from King, Spry, Herman, Freund & Faul and Philip Stofanak Jr. of Stofanak Custom Cabinetry, the event's presenting sponsor. "Donations will be a huge help and we are grateful to our sponsors and attendees," said Renee Keiderling, chamber manager of Nazareth, Bath and Northampton Initiatives. "The Candlelit Cocktail Hour HALO event was such a great way to connect many from all over the Lehigh Valley. Governor Wolf Historical Society has so much passion for history. We, at the Greater Bath Chamber, are so pleased to see such support from all over the Lehigh Valley and we hope to continue this great partnership," Keiderling added. The event was planned by Keiderling, Kortz and Wilhelm with the support of the Greater Bath Chamber and the Governor Wolf Historical Society. . Read the original article here.