(Bangor, PA) Merchants Bank is proud to continue its support of the Slate Belt Heritage Center by sponsoring the printing of their most recent book, “At the Blue Hills Above the Forks, Pennsylvania Dutch Culture in Northampton County’s Slate Belt”.  The book, written by Melissa E. Hough, Vice President of the Slate Belt Heritage Center, is the third in a series of ten books that the Center has planned for publication.    A different aspect of the heritage of the Slate Belt is the focus of each book.

Merchants Bank was founded in Bangor, Pennsylvania and continues to remain headquartered there.  As a community bank, Merchants remains loyal to its roots, and to those have been instrumental in the Bank’s growth that began in the Slate Belt many years ago.

“The Pennsylvania Dutch played such a key role in the development of the Slate Belt region”, noted Anthony Biondi, Chief Executive Officer at Merchants Bank, adding, “Ms. Hough has done a wonderful job capturing the essence of their contribution to our region through her unique photographs and insightful writing style.  Merchants Bank is very proud to continue to support this fascinating ethnic book series.”

“The Slate Belt Heritage Center is very grateful to Merchants Bank for their continued support in the publication of the third book in the Center’s Heritage Book series,” said Cathy Heard, Heritage Book committee member.  “For the past 119 years the Merchants Bank has played an important part in the history of the Slate Belt.  We are so fortunate to have a local bank that supports local efforts,” added Heard.

The book can be purchased at the Slate Belt Heritage Center, or at Merchants Bank’s Main Office on Broadway in Bangor or the Bank’s Pennsylvania Avenue Office in Bangor.  The cost of the book is $18.

Established in 1890, Merchants National Bank is a locally owned and operated community bank.  Headquartered in Bangor, PA, MNB has two branch offices in Bangor and additional offices throughout the Lehigh Valley, including Mount Bethel, Wind Gap, Forks Township, Nazareth, Martins Creek, Redner’s Warehouse Markets in Northampton and a Business Center in Easton, PA.  MNB Investment Services is a division of the Bank and offers investment and wealth management financial services.  The Bank’s website can be accessed at www.merchantsbangor.com.