Main Street Flag Idea Discussed

Hellertown's Main Street could have a more patriotic flavor next summer, if an idea discussed recently by members of the Borough Business Revitalization Committee takes shape.

Hellertown Borough Councilman Tom Rieger broached the idea at the volunteer committee's Aug. 11 meeting, when he suggested that a nylon American flag could be mounted from a bracket on each utility pole along Main Street.

Permission from PPL to mount brackets and flags on the poles would be required.

"I just think it would give Hellertown an identity over the summer," Rieger said.

The flags would be flown from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and would be replaced if they begin to show signs of wear.

Committee members also discussed allowing residents and businesses to sponsor individual flags when ideas for funding the proposal came up.

Rieger suggested that flags at least be hung in the "center of the town," even if mounting them on all Main Street poles from borough-end to borough-end proves prohibitive. 

"I just think that is an obtainable goal," he said.

Hellertown Borough Business Coordinator Mary Himmelberger agreed, and said that so many flags flying in tandem along a major roadway such as Main Street "looks really cool."

In other business, members of the committee discussed the idea of sponsoring a Hellertown Restaurant Week, similar to what , Easton and other local communities have sponsored in recent years.

Designed to encourage local residents to patronize downtown dining establishments, Restaurant Weeks typically offer prix fixe deals on lunch and dinner during a specified time period.

In places like Bethlehem, Restaurant Week is typically held twice a year--in January and July--which tend to be slower months for restaurateurs.

Himmelberger said that after a letter about the possibility of having a local Restaurant Week was sent to 35 Saucon Valley restaurant owners, a handful said they would like to participate, including , , , , and .

Hellertown Borough Manager Cathy Kichline said the borough is starting to become known as a Lehigh Valley dining destination, thanks to newer restaurants such as and .

"I think that's a good idea," she said of the Restaurant Week proposal.