Bethlehem

Mentors can turn kids away from life learned on streets Julie Bykowicz captures the pessimistic attitude of city's juvenile justice system in "Arrest a child, rescue a life" (Dec. 23) - an article that underscores the incongruous correlation between incarcerating a child and delivering that same child from harm's way. But it is no wonder that expectations are so low for a child caught in a city juvenile justice system that is more often measured by its failures than its successes and in a city where we are more likely to note the number of yearly homicide victims and shootings among the young than the number of high school graduates and youth leaders.

Milton Henry Leubecker, a retired general manager of the old Bethlehem Steel Corp.'s Key Highway Shipyard at the base of Federal Hill, died of Alzheimer's disease complications Monday at the Gilchrist Center for Hospice Care. The Timonium resident was 77. Born in Baltimore and raised in Fullerton, he was a 1947 Kenwood High School graduate. He then joined the steel firm's Key Highway ship-repair yard as a machinist apprentice. He enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve's 11th Engineer Battalion and served during the Korean War. After his release from active duty, he returned to Key Highway and at night earned his Bachelor of Science degree at the John Hopkins University.

Mark Kidger of the European Space Agency confesses to a certain obsession at this time of year -- one that has nothing to do with the big bang or dark energy. "It's probably the oldest mystery in astronomy," the British scientist said. Kidger is speaking of the "Star of Bethlehem," the heavenly sign in the Gospel of St. Matthew that guided the wise men in their search for the baby Jesus. Although it is no longer a staple of planetarium shows, the star and its story remain as fascinating for astronomers and historians on this Christmas Day as they have for almost two millenniums.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- I woke up in New York one day last week - a good thing, since I had gone to bed in New York the night before - and dressed and packed and hustled off to the subway. On the sidewalk on 86th Street and Central Park West, a newspaper vendor stood with big stacks of the Post, Daily News, Newsday, Wall Street Journal, Financial Times and Times. I walked up, he glanced at me, reached for the Journal, then the Times. A buck twenty-five for an instant reading of my character. What is it about me that says I'm not interested in news about the misdeeds of the rich and famous?

On December 20, 2007, ROBERT E. STOKES; beloved husband of LeEtta A. Stokes. On Monday, friends may call at VAUGHN C. GREENE FUNERAL SERVICES (RANDALLSTOWN), 8728 Liberty Road from 11 A.M-5 P.M. On Wednesday, Mr. Stokes will lie in state at New Bethlehem Freewill Baptist Church, 1400 N. Eden Street, where the family will receive friends from 10:30-11 A.M., with services to follow. Inquiries to (410) 655-0015.

BETHLEHEM, PA. / / You don't have to travel far to learn Bethlehem's Moravian history. The story of its founding by Christian missionaries in the 18th century echoes underfoot on cobbled streets and from austere limestone buildings scattered throughout the downtown. Bethlehem's Colonial roots are never more apparent than at Christmas, its name having been given to the community on Christmas Eve 1741 by its first Moravian settlers. This is high season in the Christmas City, as the town is informally named.

On November 21, 2007, MARY F. BROWN. On Monday, friends may call at VAUGHN C. GREENE FUNERAL SERVICES (RANDALLSTOWN), 8728 Liberty Road., from 4:00-8:00P.M. On Tuesday, Mrs. Brown will lie instate at Greater Bethlehem Temple, 8334 Liberty Road, where the family will receive friends from 6:30-7:30P.M. with services to follow. Inquiries to (410) 655-0015.

The Rev. Donald E. Bendewald, a former missionary who served as pastor of Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Northeast Baltimore for more than two decades, died Monday of a heart attack at Park Place Care Center in Georgetown, Texas. The former Rosedale resident was 71. Mr. Bendewald was born and raised in Elgin, Ill., and was a 1953 graduate of Elgin High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from Concordia University in Milwaukee, and was a 1961 graduate of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis.

Mary A. Pyles, a well-known veteran Dundalk political campaign director who also enjoyed sewing theatrical costumes, died of renal failure Sunday at her grandson's home in Englewood, Fla. She was 87. Mary Ann Zinach was born in Slovan, Pa., the seventh of 12 children. She was the daughter of Serbian immigrant parents, and later moved with her family to Weirton, W.Va., where she graduated from high school and attended community college. In 1939, she married Ralph Pyles; seven years later, the couple moved to Dundalk when they both took jobs at Bethlehem Steel's Sparrows Point plant.

On September 27, 2007, Overseer DON BOOKER, beloved husband of Marian Booker. On Saturday, October 6, Overseer Booker will lie in state at Greater Bethlehem Temple, 8334 Liberty Road from 9-11:30 A.M. The family will receive friends from 10:30-11:30 A.M., with services to follow. Inquiries to 410-566-5500.