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Bonnie Seipt attends the Holstein Convention almost every year. But this was the
first time she brought along her daughters Margaret, 10, and Courtney, 8. “We are from
the area, but we never saw Bethlehem. It’s been very educational,” she said.
Stars In Bethlehem
Holstein Convention Women Gather In Historic City
LOU ANN GOOD
Food And Family
Features Editor
BETHLEHEM (Northampton
Co.) About 90 women congre
gated in historic Bethlehem Feb.
27 for the annual Pennsylvania
Holstein Convention Ladies Pro
gram.
Dr. Leo Frangipane signs
books after his presenta
tion challenging women to
determine what is most im
portant in life.
Pennsylvania Dairy Princess Raechel Kilgore, right,
Alternate Rachel Ebert, left, and Alternate Ashley Chap
man lead the group in a milk toast.
March 1, 2003
Saturd.
i '
f i
Each year, the event is con
ducted at various sites through
out the state. The activities com
bine a mix of education,
entertainment, inspiration, and
shopping.
But most of all, for people like
Pat Miller, Harrisburg, it is a
time to renew friendships and
build new ones with participants
who share farm-related interests.
Although historic Bethlehem is
well known for its name affilia
tion to the site of the first Christ
mas and to Moravian stars, a new
type of star appeared in the city
Thursday.
“You are the stars of Bethle
hem,” said Andrea Semmei, pro
gram chairperson.
Helping her plan the program
were Teresa Davis, Berks Coun
ty, and Andrea’s sister Lisa Sem
mei, Lebanon County.
Both Lehigh and Northampton
counties lay claim to the historic
town of Bethlehem. The program
began at the Holiday Inn where
the Pennsylvania Holstein Con
vention was conducted. Buses
transported the women to the
Hotel Bethlehem, where coffee
and luncheon were served.
During the morning, the group
visited the Moravian Museum, a
national landmark. The museum
is the oldest building in Bethle
hem and is where the Moravians
built their community house. (See
the Antiques Center for more
about the town’s history).
Dr. Leo Frangipane, a surgeon
for 25 years, challenged the
women to focus on the right stuff
when dealing with life.
“What is really important?” he
asked.
He presented several scenarios
of life and death instances. Prom
ises made by those facing death
are never to build bigger houses
or make more money or to gain
more power. Instead, the focus is
on relationships, he said.
The youngest person attending the ladies program is ley, Hamburg, drinks milk
4-month-old Noland, held by his mother Kandy King, Le- even when she is away
high County. from the farm.
Holstein Convention Ladies Day planners, from left, are
Teresa Davis, Berks County; Andrea Semmel, Lehigh
County; and Lisa Semmel, Lebanon County.
Beth Raney, State College, tries on a hat in anticipa
tion of next year’s event, when women are asked to wear
hats.
“We are spiritual beings hav- Frangipane, a nationally
ing a physical experience,” known speaker on issues of well-
Frangipane said of the challenge ness anc * healthcare, said that
to understand what life is all most disease is caused by atti
about
tudes and perspective. He chal-
lenges people to laugh often and
focus on “the right stuff.”
During the afternoon, women
explored the many small shops in
the historic district.
Elaine Deitrich, Lehigh
County, center front, is one
of the many Holstein
women who attended the
program conducted in
Hotel Bethlehem.
Dairy farmer Donna Wer-