Northampton Press

Pennsylvania's version of Megan's Law first became effective in 1996.

The law required convicted sexual predators register on a database held by the state.

The database would be publicly available, insuring a community would know when a convicted sexual predator lived in the neighborhood.

This was 1996, when America Online, Prodigy and CompuServe were the Internet giants.

There was no Facebook, no Twitter, and if you told someone to Google something, they would look at you like you had three heads.

Despite some of the flaws in America, we are a lucky group of folks.

Take for instance a right we, as citizens of this country, possess: the right to vote.

Politics continues to turn into an acrimonious, dirty battle between two warring parties. Regardless of where your political loyalty lies, every vote, not only in theory but also in practice, counts.

Even voting at the lower levels of government, at the municipal, township and county levels, is crucial and plays a pivotal role in determining the national agenda and the overall national political climate.

Erna Trinkle, 91, of Fullerton and a guest at Whitehall Manor, died Oct. 19, 2013, in Sacred Heart Hospital.

Born in Allentown, she was a daughter of the late Rudolph and Julianna (Muik) Trinkle.

She was the executive assistant to the vice president of Finance, Air Products and Chemicals , Trexlertown, for 27 years, retiring in 1983.

She was a member of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church, Whitehall.

She was a member of the Golden Agers, the former Women of Saint Elizabeth and the Secretaries Association of the Lehigh Valley.

A fire damaged part of a multiunit apartment complex on Mickley Road, Whitehall Oct. 26.

The fire damaged building V (12 units), building T (11 units) and building S (12 units). A total of 306 apartment units are housed at the complex.

Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. told The Press Monday the fire scene was inspected by the fire marshal but the cause of the fire has not been publicly announced. Hozza said the fire is believed to have started near the wooden deck area of an upper unit in building V.

No fatalities were reported, Hozza said.

Ellen M. Stepp, 68, of Northampton, died Oct. 20, 2013, at her home. She was the wife of the late John Stepp Sr.

Born in Northampton, she was a daughter of the late Clinton and Irene (Frantz) Silfies.

Before retiring in 2010, she was a certified nurse's assistant at Liberty Nursing and Rehab, Allentown.

She was a member of Grace United Church of Christ, Northampton.

THURSDAY 31

· Northampton trick-or-treat night – 6-8 p.m.

· Allen Township trick-or-treat night – 6-8 p.m.

· Moore Township trick-or-treat night – 6-8 p.m.

·Hallomentary Docu-ween – 1-2 p.m., Whitehall Township Public Library, 3700 Mechanicsville Road. Information: 610-432-4339.

· Movie night – 3-5 p.m., Whitehall Township Public Library, 3800 Mechanicsville Road. Information: 610-432-4339.

· Halloween Stories – Whitehall Township Public Library, 3800 Mechanicsville Road. Information: 610-432-4339.

Elwood E. George, 77, of Hanover Township, died Oct. 25, 2013, at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Muhlenberg, Bethlehem. He was the husband of Darlene (Berg) George for 53 years.

Born in Allentown, he was a son of the late Grant and Beatrice (Pierce) George.

He graduated from barber school in 1961.

He owned Woody's Barbershop, Allentown, before retiring in 2004.

He was a member of the Hanover Township Zoning Board for many years.

The woman's words stick in my mind, conjuring up images of contrasts, not unlike multihued autumn leaves.

When I asked the woman whether she doesn't worry someone will steal the money from the produce stand's "honor" box, she replied, "If they do, they'll lose a lot more than we will."

My husband and I visit that Mennonite farm stand whenever we are in the area, and this was the first time we encountered any member of the family.

Samuel J. Ruff, 68, of Allentown, died Oct. 19, 2013, at his home. He was the husband of Sidney (Johnson) Ruff for 13 years.

Born in Allentown, he was a son of the late Joseph F. and Virginia (Kohlmeier) Ruff.

He was a 1962 graduate of Dieruff High School.

He was a technician for Fisher Clinical Services, Trexlertown, before retiring. Before that, he worked at the Globe Times, Bethlehem, for 18 years and at the Call Chronicle, Allentown, for 12 years.