Home Care In Orefield, PA

OREFIELD, Pa. - Heading up north to see the aurora borealis, those beautiful Northern Lights, is on many people's bucket lists. But it turns out, many folks in 69 News' area didn't have to travel far at all to see the spectacle Sunday night.

"All of a sudden, this thing that you've wanted to see or capture for like years is like, just right out there," Jim Trocchio, a photographer who lives in Orefield, said.

Trocchio caught spectacular images of the lights on his camera Sunday night. The Northern Lights are usually known to be found much farther north, in places like Canada, Alaska, or Norway.

But Sunday night, Trocchio only traveled to his neighbor's open field at Wentz Stables to see them.

Monday morning was cloudy in Orefield, where Trocchio showed 69 News the area he captured the lights in. But late Sunday night to very early Monday morning, he says it was mostly clear skies - perfect for viewing the Northern Lights.

"And I was like, I have to find the darkest spot with like, the vantage point where you can see everything," he said.

According to Space Weather Watch, the aurora borealis could be seen in up to 30 states across the country on Sunday. And Pennsylvania and New Jersey were two of them.

The 69 News weather team says the lights happen because of a strong geomagnetic storm: basically, that's a brief disruption in the earth’s atmosphere and magnetic field caused by a solar flare from the sun - essentially bursts of radiation and charged particles emitted from the sun.

Trocchio and others who captured images of the lights do say what they saw in person looked different from what can be seen in their photos. Trocchio, for instance, used a long exposure on his camera, leaving the camera's shutter open for an extended time, to capture moving images. He also edited to make the colors more vivid.

"Just kind of bring out as much as possible without going too much," he said.

"To the naked eye the aurora looked more like light pillars with faint colors of green and pink," photographer Steve Miller said. "It was still super impressive. But to a camera, the colors are very vivid."

Miller also captured the lights; he went up to Andreas in Schuylkill County.

"North of the Blue Mountain because it's a little bit darker up there," he said. "Less light pollution."

Though the lights looked different in person, these phenomena chasers still say it was a bucket-list moment for them.

"Being able to see it capture, it was awesome," Miller said. "I was definitely enjoying it."

"I was like holy crap, this is crazy, you know, because you just don't see that stuff from Pa.," Trocchio said. "You know, just such a fluke thing."

69 News meteorologists add the disruptions that cause the light are not dangerous to humans, but they can temporarily interrupt navigation systems, power grids, and pipelines.

If you missed the lights on Sunday, unfortunately the 69 News weather team says they are off the table in our regions for Monday night.

Only residents of the northern-most parts of some states, like Washington, Montana, North Dakota and Minnesota might catch a glimpse.

Following graduation, Robert “R.J.” Corba ’22 will join Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York City as a clinical research coordinator.

Corba, a biochemistry major from Orefield, Pa., will conduct clinical research at Sloan Kettering as a part of his ultimate goal to be a physician. Though he wasn’t confident in his interests entering Hamilton, through shadowing and exploring different aspects of chemistry, psychology, and biology, Corba found a passion for biochemistry. He cites Sociology of Health and Illness, Health Systems, Bioinformatics, and Genetic Medicine as especially influential classes.

Ultimately, Corba was drawn to clinical research by its practical nature. “It’s a way to make a tangible difference. I’ve learned that the findings of clinical research are really actionable. I can show this medicine is really working, this procedure is effective.”

Corba’s preference for clinical research over experimental labs was cemented through shadowing at St. Luke’s University Hospital Bethlehem in Pennsylvania. “It was really cool to work with human data, real people’s stories. It was what made me decide to work in clinical research instead of a wet lab.”

Corba further explored his passion for fostering connections as co-director of Sidekicks, a mentorship-based program with the local community, through COOP. “Sidekicks reinforced my intuition that I like working with people. It was really rewarding to work with kids and foster relationships like that, and I hopefully want to do the same as a physician,” he said.

Robert “R.J.” Corba ’22

Major: Biochemistry Hometown: Orefield, Pa. High school: Parkland Senior High School Activities: Lacrosse team and co-director of Sidekicks

Class of 2022 Outcomes

His emphasis on the importance of human connections extends within and outside Hamilton. Corba especially appreciated the help given by Assistant Professor of Biology Natalie Nannas, Dean of Admission Peaches Valdes, Men’s Lacrosse Coach Scott Barnard, and Professor of Biology Wei Jen Chang. Corba described Chang as “a phenomenal professor, advisor, and friend throughout my four years at Hamilton. [He] was instrumental in fostering my passion for bioinformatics and genetics, and I thank him greatly for his constant support and wisdom.” Corba similarly credits his confidence and experience to Nannas, and raved about Valdes’ professionalism and advice.

Coach Scott Barnard was also a constant presence throughout Corba’s career as a lacrosse player, guiding him through the years. “Coach B has helped keep me grounded and process driven throughout my four years at Hamilton,” Corba said. “The team culture we have raised based on the pillar of strong work ethic has truly allowed me to keep chopping at my goals and aspirations along the way.”

Looking forward, Corba is eager to focus on research and explore New York City and his career. “Hamilton provided a great space for me to learn who I was and what I stand for; now I feel ready to test my current, fulfilled self against the real world,” he said.

He leaves current students with this advice: “What makes Hamilton College Hamilton College are the people here. My advice is to make the most of every connection you can form, because the people here are what makes the college so special. Relax and stay true. Everything will work out somehow, as long as you keep your efforts genuine and consistent.”

By Ashley Stalnecker |

Listen to this article

Pennsylvania Dutch is David Adam’s first language. Today, Adam and his wife Jean, both 76 of Orefield, instruct classes on the dialect and put on skits for attendees at the Kutztown Folk Festival.

After attracting a few intrigued guests with their informal setup at the Groundhog’s Stand in previous festivals, Jean thought building a porch would make for a more appealing and comfortable conversation site. Thus, Jean’s Front Porch was born.

The festival director built the porch while the couple brought in rocking chairs and other decorations to make the space more hospitable.

“It would be inviting for people to come and hear the dialect spoken or just see how Pennsylvania Dutch people lived many years ago,” Jean said.

At the festival, the couple demonstrated conversational Pennsylvania Dutch with a skit they wrote. For those who are not familiar with the dialect, Jean explained that the skit is a conversation about a couple who become empty-nesters.

As the Adams put on the skit, festival-goers gathered around the porch, listening intently. When the couple stops, the crowd waits — eager for more.

Since building the porch, their feature at the festival has become more successful, Jean said. The Adams get 75 to 100 visitors a day.

Jean’s Front Porch is a popular attraction for the die-hard Pennsylvania Dutch fans. Sunday night, Adam said a few guests sat with the couple, playing the banjo and singing for an hour. It was a Pennsylvania Dutch sing-along.

Jean’s parents spoke the dialect to each other but only spoke to her in English. Until she started teaching classes, she was able to understand but not speak Pennsylvania Dutch. When she got the idea to start teaching classes in September 2018, she decided to incorporate it into daily conversation. David and Jean often speak to each other in the dialect. David said he also speaks in the dialect with friends.

There is a lot of interest in the area in the Pennsylvania Dutch dialect and culture, Jean said. The couple’s class, taught once a week for 13 weeks at Jordan Evangelical Lutheran Church in Orefield, appeals to all ages, uniting various groups under a common interest.

“We do it for the love of it,” David said.

They have an older woman in their class who used to speak the dialect but forgot it over time. She is taking the class to jog her memory. Others find interest in the dialect because family members spoke it, or they have Pennsylvania Dutch heritage.

“We do find that a lot of people say, ‘I wish my parents or my grandparents would have taught me but they never did,'” David said.

David said they teach the dialect to keep the culture alive. Each passing year separates the current generation from its heritage, born in the 1600s migration from Germany to Pennsylvania.

Fewer and fewer people in south-central Pennsylvania speak the dialect because it is not passed down. David said he is attempting to get the younger population interested in the dialect.

Morning Call reporter Ashley Stalnecker can be reached at 610-820-6647 or [email protected].

IF YOU GO

What: Kutztown Folk Festival

When: Through July 7

Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 2-July 4 and July 7; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 5-6.

Where: Kutztown Fairgrounds, 225 N. Whiteoak St.

How much: $14; $13 for ages 55 and older; $5 for ages 13-17; free for children under 12.

Parking: Free

What else: Built around Pennsylvania Dutch traditions, the festival includes the works of more than 200 artists and craftspeople as well as more than 2,500 handmade quilts on display and for sale; plus food, fun, folklore and entertainment.

Information: At kutztownfestival.com

Pennsylvania Dutch is David Adam’s first language. Today, Adam and his wife Jean, both 76 of Orefield, instruct classes on the dialect and put on skits for attendees at the Kutztown Folk Festival.

After attracting a few intrigued guests with their informal setup at the Groundhog’s Stand in previous festivals, Jean thought building a porch would make for a more appealing and comfortable conversation site. Thus, Jean’s Front Porch was born.

The festival director built the porch while the couple brought in rocking chairs and other decorations to make the space more hospitable.

“It would be inviting for people to come and hear the dialect spoken or just see how Pennsylvania Dutch people lived many years ago,” Jean said.

At the festival, the couple demonstrated conversational Pennsylvania Dutch with a skit they wrote. For those who are not familiar with the dialect, Jean explained that the skit is a conversation about a couple who become empty-nesters.

As the Adams put on the skit, festival-goers gathered around the porch, listening intently. When the couple stops, the crowd waits — eager for more.

Since building the porch, their feature at the festival has become more successful, Jean said. The Adams get 75 to 100 visitors a day.

Jean’s Front Porch is a popular attraction for the die-hard Pennsylvania Dutch fans. Sunday night, Adam said a few guests sat with the couple, playing the banjo and singing for an hour. It was a Pennsylvania Dutch sing-along.

Jean’s parents spoke the dialect to each other but only spoke to her in English. Until she started teaching classes, she was able to understand but not speak Pennsylvania Dutch. When she got the idea to start teaching classes in September 2018, she decided to incorporate it into daily conversation. David and Jean often speak to each other in the dialect. David said he also speaks in the dialect with friends.

There is a lot of interest in the area in the Pennsylvania Dutch dialect and culture, Jean said. The couple’s class, taught once a week for 13 weeks at Jordan Evangelical Lutheran Church in Orefield, appeals to all ages, uniting various groups under a common interest.

“We do it for the love of it,” David said.

They have an older woman in their class who used to speak the dialect but forgot it over time. She is taking the class to jog her memory. Others find interest in the dialect because family members spoke it, or they have Pennsylvania Dutch heritage.

“We do find that a lot of people say, ‘I wish my parents or my grandparents would have taught me but they never did,'” David said.

David said they teach the dialect to keep the culture alive. Each passing year separates the current generation from its heritage, born in the 1600s migration from Germany to Pennsylvania.

Fewer and fewer people in south-central Pennsylvania speak the dialect because it is not passed down. David said he is attempting to get the younger population interested in the dialect.

Morning Call reporter Ashley Stalnecker can be reached at 610-820-6647 or [email protected].

IF YOU GO

What: Kutztown Folk Festival

When: Through July 7

Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 2-July 4 and July 7; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 5-6.

Where: Kutztown Fairgrounds, 225 N. Whiteoak St.

How much: $14; $13 for ages 55 and older; $5 for ages 13-17; free for children under 12.

Parking: Free

What else: Built around Pennsylvania Dutch traditions, the festival includes the works of more than 200 artists and craftspeople as well as more than 2,500 handmade quilts on display and for sale; plus food, fun, folklore and entertainment.

Information: At kutztownfestival.com

State officials did not name the farm, but David Jaindl says 14,000 turkeys at Jaindl Farms were affected.

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Authorities are setting up a control area and surveillance zone around the farm to hopefully prevent the flu from spreading.

NORTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- A popular Lehigh Valley turkey farm had to destroy thousands of turkeys after the bird flu disease was detected in a flock.

David Jaindl of Jaindl Farms in Orefield, Pa. says 14,000 turkeys were affected.

According to the USDA, the agency that tracks the cases, 21 commercial flocks have been affected in Pennsylvania.

Similar outbreaks are happening across the country.

Prior to the impact, Jaindl sat down for an interview where he spoke about the flu and inflation.

"It's tough because the product is limited across the country so you're going to see higher prices this year," Jaindl said.

Authorities are setting up a control area and surveillance zone around the farm to hopefully prevent the flu from spreading.

Many of the Jaindl turkeys intended for Thanksgiving were processed before the outbreak, Jaindl said.

Jaindl has supplied turkeys to the White House in the past.

"We are confident that we will have an adequate supply of turkeys for the Thanksgiving holiday," Jaindl said.

Jaindl says bird flu issues have reached 46 states and have affected 50 million birds across the country since February.

The bird flu and inflation are hiking the costs of turkeys across the country.

Data from the USDA shows a dramatic increase in the cost of fresh turkey after the 2015 bird flu outbreak -- and an even higher jump after this year's outbreaks.

Pennsylvania poultry operations continue to experience threats from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The disease is highly contagious to birds and almost always fatal, according to the state Department of Agriculture.

According to the CDC, there are no reports of any human cases of the avian flu in the United States.