Cemetery Tours on Tap for Aug. 18-19

Area residents who want to know more about the history of Hellertown will have an opportunity Aug. 18 and 19, when tours of  will once again be offered.

The Hellertown-Lower Saucon Chamber of Commerce-sponsored cemetery tours that have become a pre-Community Day staple will return for a seventh year, organizer Bud Prosser recently explained.

Prosser said that five significant figures from Hellertown's past will be portrayed by actors during the free tours, which will be given from 6 to 8pm both evenings.

The historical figures whose lives will be narrated by re-enactors at their gravesites are Harry Gregory, a former borough council president and the man after whom  is named; Betty McManus, an ardent supporter of the swimming pool; Nicholas Zenkof, a man who was active in community affairs and the American Legion; Donald McPherson, a longtime Saucon Valley school teacher; and Herbert Weisel, the owner of a harness shop that was once located in downtown Hellertown.

Gregory will be portrayed by Terry Boos, McManus will be brought to life by Dr. Susan Ackermann, McPherson will be portrayed by Craig Medei, Zenkof will be represented by David Pearson and Weisel will be narrated by Wayne Packer.

Prosser said that once again the tours will be guided from grave to grave by local Boy Scouts.

Tours will leave from a tent along Walnut Street--on the north side of the cemetery--every 8 to 10 minutes.

Parking will be available along Walnut Street and those planning to attend this event should wear sturdy walking shoes.

According to a brochure promoting them, this year's tours "are made possible with the simple belief that through knowing some of our forefathers and the contributions they made through their community endeavors, will also motivate us to preserve that heritage for the end of time."

The cemetery tours will be part of a community oriented weekend in the Saucon Valley that will also include Hellertown-Lower Saucon Community Day in Dimmick Park on Saturday, Aug. 20 and a Community-Wide Yard Sale in Hellertown on Sunday, Aug. 21.