Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Why Bethlehem tops this list of easy New Jersey weekend escapes

Happening soon: Blue Christmas Worship on the Bethlehem Patch calendar

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Sunday December 21st Patch AM
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Good morning Bethlehem! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why Bethlehem tops this list of easy New Jersey weekend escapes
  • How did a Bethlehem casino visit land this gambler on a blacklist?
  • How are Bethlehem’s small shops really doing this holiday season?

Also on today's calendar: Blue Christmas Worship.

Find out what's happening in Bethlehemfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did the balloon say to the doctor? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Bethlehemfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Sunday: Mostly sunny and windy, with a high of 41 and low of 23 degrees.
  • Monday: Sun giving way to clouds, temps: high: 37, low: 29.
  • Tuesday: A bit of rain and snow, with a high of 41 and low of 35 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. 10 easy weekend getaways just outside New Jersey (wobm.com) — Bethlehem gets a warm shout-out here as a standout weekend escape, praised for its history, music, museums, SteelStacks, and lively downtown. The writer even lived in Bethlehem and still returns annually for Musikfest, underscoring its draw for quick, easy getaways from New Jersey. Local readers may enjoy how their city is framed as a mini-vacation spot.
   

2. Woman left child in car while gambling at Pa. casino: police (pennlive.com) — State gaming officials say a woman left a 13-year-old alone in a car for over an hour while she gambled at Wind Creek casino in Bethlehem, leading to her placement on Pennsylvania’s involuntary exclusion list. Three similar child-endangerment cases at other state casinos were also cited, and regulators fined a gaming manufacturer for a licensing lapse as Wind Creek continues mitigation efforts.
   

3. Super Saturday crucial for small businesses facing seasonal spending dip (wfmz.com) — Bethlehem shoppers still have time to support Main Street’s Christmas Shop and other small businesses as they push for a strong finish to a slower holiday season. Local owners from Bethlehem, Allentown, and Emmaus say spending is down but loyal customers are keeping grades around a solid B, making this final weekend before Christmas especially important.
   

4. See Historic Bethlehem's fan-favorite Christmas trees in 'most spectacular lineup yet' (lehighvalleynews.com) — Historic Bethlehem is showcasing more than 21 themed Christmas trees across three landmark sites, in what organizers call their most spectacular lineup yet. Running through Jan. 11, 2026, the family-friendly “Trees of Historic Bethlehem” lets visitors tour City Hall’s festive neighborhood, explore Moravian history, and vote for their favorite design while supporting a local nonprofit that stewards key city landmarks.
   

5. Stress-free Jack Campbell leads 13 Lehigh Valley wrestlers in Beast of East quarters (mcall.com) — Bethlehem Catholic wrestlers Reef and Keanu Dillard are in the thick of the prestigious Beast of the East tournament, with Reef pushing Easton’s Nick Salamone to yet another overtime thriller. Thirteen Lehigh Valley wrestlers, including Nazareth, Saucon Valley, and Notre Dame-Green Pond standouts, have reached the quarterfinals in Newark, Delaware, showing just how strong local programs are this season.
   

📸 Around Bethlehem

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Bethlehem

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

    Sunday December 21
  • Blue Christmas Worship
    Epworth United Methodist Church , 3245 Oakland Rd , Bethlehem
    9:00 am

📣 Bethlehem Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Once again I’m reaching out to everyone in the Bethlehem area.
    We have an epidemic of ferrel cats out there that need our help. Good people are out there trapping these poor cats and getting them to no nonsense… (Nextdoor Bethlehem West)
  • CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS!!
    Please send me your child’s gender & Ages please (Nextdoor East Hills)
  • GIANT Food Stores posted a job opening for PT Produce Associate - 6313 in Bethlehem. Apply here.
  • Top Rx LLC posted a job opening for Receiving/Replenishment Associate - Full-Time (8:00 - 4:30) in Bethlehem. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Bethlehem here.

Ok Bethlehem! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I feel lightheaded!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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