Community Corner

Local Author to Spill More 'Saucon Secrets'

Lee Weidner's "Saucon Secrets, Volume 2" is being published in time for the 2012 holiday season. The author will discuss some of the stories in his book at upcoming book-signings in Hellertown and Lower Saucon Township.

Correction: An earlier published version of this article included an incorrect date (Nov. 29) for the book-signing at Borger's Rare Coins in Hellertown. The book-signing will be held Thursday, Dec. 6 from 6 to 8pm. We apologize for any inconvenience the error may have caused.

On the heels of his recent introductory talk before members of the Lower Saucon Township Historical Society, local author and frequent Patch contributor Lee Weidner has announced that orders for copies of his book "Saucon Secrets, Volume 2" are now being accepted.

Weidner's new book features vignettes about life in Hellertown and Lower Saucon during days gone by, such as a story about how the borough was almost renamed "Hampton" by entrepreneurs. It is the successor to "Saucon Secrets," which was self-published in 2008.

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A former English teacher and borough native, Weidner, 67, is also the author of "Images of America: Hellertown" (Arcadia Press).

The first "Secrets" book is now nearly out of print, although Weidner said recently that several copies were still for sale at Borger's Rare Coins in Hellertown and two collectible copies were recently available through Amazon.com.

Find out what's happening in Hellertown-Lower Sauconwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Five hundred copies of his new book are being printed, making it another "limited edition," Weidner said.

At 400 pages, the price of the hardcover, fully-illustrated tome is $40 ($50 if shipping is required).

Part of the funding for the book's publication was from the sale of his coin collection, but he's not trying to make a profit, Weidner emphasized.

"I'm selling it below cost really," he said. "I just want people to be able to afford it."

Weidner plans to host a book-signing at Borger's Rare Coins on Thursday, Dec. 6 from 6 to 8pm, with other signings planned for Dec. 3 at 7pm at the Heller Homestead and Dec. 12 at 6pm at Seidersville Hall on Old Philadelphia Pike.

The Dec. 3 signing will take place during the Saucon Valley Conservancy's 20th annual Holiday Gathering and an artists' reception for exhibitor David Lee.

Weidner said he plans to donate copies of "Saucon Secrets, Volume 2" to both the Hellertown Area Library and the Saucon Valley School District, which also have copies of his first book. And there's a third volume already in the works.

During his Nov. 14 presentation to the Lower Saucon Township Historical Society, Weidner noted that the cover art for volume two is a striking drawing of a peregrine falcon by Saucon Valley High School student Patrick Deegan, whose work was part of an exhibit by local young artists at the homestead.

He explained that he was attracted to it because it's representative of the natural environment that's an integral part of the Saucon Valley.

“I do not call myself a historian," Weidner said. "All I am is a recorder of history as I learn it."

To order a copy of Weidner's "Saucon Secrets, Vol. 2," call (484) 547-3371.


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