OMG - Catasauqua Lake, no more

Back in April I wrote two articles on the Catasauqua Lake.  The Catasauqua Rod and Gun Club built the lake many years ago and after the Rod and Gun Club disbanded the lake became somewhat mucky.  Hanover Township bought the lake from the County for $1.00 and according to an article in the Catasauqua Press, "We (Hanover Township) have invested over a million dollars in the park."  So guess what those scallywags did!!!!!  At the Township Council meeting of July 20 they renamed the Catasauqua Lake, it is now called Lake Hanover.

No wonder they never returned my phone calls about the Catasauqua Lake, they were planning on changing the name all the time.  Now I agree that the Township did a wonderful job in re-doing  Canal Park, it is beautiful, but they did not have to change the name.  They said they are changing the name because it actually lies in Hanover Township.  Well people, do we realize that Catasauqua Road, is not in Catasauqua or that Pennsylvania Avenue is not in Pennsylvania. 

If your going to rename something it is usually done in honor of someone.  Such as JFK Airport, or  Reagan National  Airport or when they rename streets or parks to honor someone.  Honor someone Hanover Township, not yourselves for spending money. 

Well, I know one thing, those two manmade islands out there are Beverly's Island and the Isle of Parke and no one can change that! And that's......another day in Catasauqua!!!!

A delightful surprise at the North Catasauqua Playground

I was sitting out reading when Parke came out and said he was taking a walk to the golf course and back.  I asked to join him and off we went.  When I got past the Blue Monkey I heard some music and singing,  I said to Parke that maybe it's Concert in the Park night, so on our way back we walked on over to the North Catasauqua Playground and to my delight it was.  Tonight was Sing for America.

Sing for America is comprised of 5 siblings who have performed together for over seven years, they are from 14 to 21 years old.

Tonight when we walked up it reminded me of  Disney Singers.  In fact, when one of them sang the theme from Anastasia,  she sounded just like a Disney Princess.

I was surprised at their song choices.  A couple of Rosemary Clooney songs, Etta James, Bette Midler's rendition of Going to the Chapel, songs from Casablanca (here's looking at you kid) and a very funny rendition of Sisters, from White Christmas, complete with the boys doing the Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye parts.

They ended appropriately with Patriotic songs (I will now be hearing Semper paratus is our guide in my sleep again) since there mission is to support local military families through the donations they raise.  And yes, I teared up.   I tried to sing Battle Hymn of the Republic with them but I was turning  into a blubbering fool.

Thank you North Catty and Thank you Sing for America for a wonderful Wednesday night.

Who knew such a hot day could end is such cool way, but that's....another day in Catasauqua


http://www.singforamerica.com/

What I did on my summer vacation, part 2

Some mornings you wake up in Catasauqua and it's quiet.  That's how this morning was, I thought, oh yes, my perfect morning.  You see, since my mom moved in she is up before me and therefore the golden rule of  not talking to me before my coffee is usually shattered with riveting news like "Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony are getting a divorce" and then her ten minute commentary on the subject.  Hint - she doesn't like J-Lo.

So when I got up to a quiet house this morning I thought wonderful, I can read the paper and meditate before a long afternoon of things I must do.  Of course, it didn't happen quite like that.

But, since today was a day off and in my series of what am I doing on my summer vacation (really I  am laid off part time but hey I can call it what I want)  here is my second entry.  Today I spent the day in air condition comfort reading a book .....at the hospital.  Hey, what can I say,   Parke had a test today (I did asked him if he studied. which he must of cause he passed), and a doctor visit with his cardiologist.  I wanted to go along because there was talk of Parke needing a pacemaker/defibrillator, which he had put off, which turns out to be a good thing because he is doing a little better!   Good news is always a good thing.

And speaking of vacations, I did pass palm trees, YES palm trees, check them out they are on Schadt Avenue after you pass over MacArthur Road in Whitehall.   They have been planting palm trees at this one house year after year.  They were only perhaps 1 to 3 feet tall at the most and they would die out every winter.  Now they planted 3 palm trees and they are at least 9 feet tall, OMG check them out.  Maybe they are not real, I don't know, this was the first time that I saw them.

Very few palm tree varieties survive northern winters, but Needle palms, Dwarf Palmetto Palms and the Windmill Palm trees are the only documented survivors of below zero temperatures. Who knew! 

Well, that was my day off in Catasauqua, ok, so maybe it wasn't the best of days, but it certainly wasn't the worst.  And that's.....another day in Catasauqua.

Sunday in Catasauqua

Today, my huckleberry friend,  Cathy, noted in our church bulletin that Bethany Church, in Catasauqua was having a free Strawberry Festival from 11:30 to 1:30 pm, today.  So we decided that the neighborly thing to do would be to mosey on over and check it out. 

In case you don't know where Bethany Church is, the former Grace United Methodist Church at the corner of 5th and Walnut in Catasauqua was reopened as a satellite campus of Bethany Church in May, 2010.

They have a Contemporary Service, Sunday 9:30 am. This service includes a live praise band, nursery and Kid’s Church. The morning message is streamed live from the Wescosville Campus service. Casual dress is welcome.

They had free hot dogs and a strawberry dessert that was delicious.  We talked to a few people and I think it was a nice way for them to introduce themselves to the neighborhood.  Cathy and I even toyed with the idea of joining their Zumba class, although the thought of moving rapidly didn't seem to appeal to either one of us at that moment, but you never know.

I love when Catty is a friendly place and you can get to know one another, that's what makes it so appealing some days, and that's.......another day in Catasauqua.

North Catty recycles!

North Catty recycles, it must be true, I read it on Facebook. Or at least they soon will be.

This quote from North Catasauqua  -

"The borough is currently working on the new resource and an official announcement concerning hours and what can be recycled will be announced to all borough residents in the near future."

Recycling is processing used materials into new products to prevent waste of potentially useful materials.  When we do this we reduce not only the consumption of fresh raw materials but we reduce energy usage, air pollution, water pollution and lowers greenhouse gas emissions.

Recycling has been a common practice for most of human history, with recorded advocates as far back as Plato in 400 BC. During periods when resources were scarce, archaeological studies of ancient waste dumps show less household waste (such as ash, broken tools and pottery)—implying more waste was being recycled in the absence of new material.
 
Resource shortages caused by the world wars, and other such world-changing occurrences greatly encouraged recycling. Massive government promotion campaigns were carried out in World War II in every country involved in the war, urging citizens to donate metals and conserve as a matter of significant patriotic importance.

Today recycling is one of the best ways for you to have a positive impact on the world in which we live. Recycling is important to both the natural environment and us. We must act fast as the amount of waste we create is increasing all the time. 

I am lucky that in Catasauqua we have curbside collection.  It seems that each week I find more and more to put in the bins.  I am trying to be more aware of the plastics that I use to throw away instead of recycling. I also have a compost bin in the backyard so that yard waste and kitchen waste can be recycled into compost for my garden.  Yes, there are many ways to help the planet earth and recycling is just one of them. 

So remember everyone...recycle, reduce and reuse and that's......another day in Catasauqua.

What I did on my summer vacation...

No, this is not the Catty pool, but I wish it was

It dawned on me this weekend that I use to wish that I had days off in the summer and now I had them, but I was basically not doing anything with them.  Some days, I write this blog on my day off, or do research for  the articles.  But being off so long is starting to be like when I was a kid on summer vacation, I am starting to get bored.

I don't have the money to go places and do the things that I would like to do or use to do when I was working full time and took vacation days.  So I thought on Tuesday, what can I do to make me feel like, hey ! a day off in the summer.  So I went to the Catty Pool.  Pool prices are kind of ouchy.  $6.00 for resident. But it was a very hot day, the pool wasn't too crowded and the water was nice; so I guess it was worth it.

I got there at 2:00 PM, so I didn't get one of the lounge chairs, but that was okay.  I sat where I use to when I was a kid, and I read.  It was a good day, no one pooped in the pool and  now, I am almost done with the book I am reading.

The pool is not the same as when I was kid.  I miss the deep water.  I know this is probably a lot safer but there is something about not touching the bottom of the pool that I miss. 

I am going to have to try to find more things we can do that are cheap or free so that I can say, this is what I did on my summer vacation.

In the meantime this is just....another day in Catasauqua.

A new broom sweeps clean, but the old brush knows all the corners.

Don't you hate it when you start a project and suddenly somethings happens and you have to run to the store to complete the project.  That happened to me today.  I was working on my patio in the backyard when I picked up my broom and it fell apart.   I just poured polymeric sand on the bricks and now I  had nothing to sweep it in with.  So it was off to Walmart and back home to complete the project.  Of course, Parke had a few jokes about me walking around with the broom like....to bad you had to drive over because you could of flew back.  All jokes aside, I thought I share some broom folklore with you.


Brooms are a symbol of good luck around the world. They sweep away bad fortune and protect against evil.

A new broom brings good luck and harmony to a home. A broom, salt, and bread completes a traditional welcoming gift:

• Bread – That this house may never know hunger.
• Salt – That life may always have flavor.
• Broom – To sweep away troubles.

The phrase “flying off the handle” comes from broom lore. When a woman would get frustrated trying to chase her children out of the kitchen so she could finish with the cooking, a swat from the broom was a last resort, sending the straw flying off the handle and across the room.

In Sicily, on Midsummer’s Eve, a broom is placed outside the home to ward off any wickedness that might come knocking.

Never bring old brooms into new houses as a broom becomes attached to a home, so leave the old one behind. A new broom brings good luck and harmony to a new home.

Last but not least - the proper care of your broom!

Always store your broom hanging from a hook or standing on the handle.  Sitting the broom on the fibers on the floor will cause the fibers to bend.

And sweeping in one direction will make the fibers bend.  Sweep equally from each side of the broom.

I bet you didn't know there was so much to know about brooms, well now you do..... and that's .....another day in Catasauqua.

What the frock?

Oh silly me.  I guess last night I did not proof read my blog  as well as I should have.  Because as I wrote about frolicking in the rain water as a child, my last paragraph read as follows:

"As I  watched the water swell on Howertown Road, the urge to frockling was getting stronger with each passing rain drop.  But how does one frockling on Howertown without anyone calling the police that a crazy lady is splashing in the street.  So, I discreetly wiggled my toes in a puddle instead.  Do you know how it felt....it felt good.  It was cool and wet and for a moment I felt like a kid again."

My bff, Cathy pointed out that "frockling" sounded like something dirty and that this paragraph read like a bad romantic novel.   As I reread the paragraph I had to agree since I did use swell, cool and wet all in the same paragraph, along with....it felt good.  Well, maybe there is a trashy romance novel in me somewhere trying to get out and I just don't know it.

If I did write a romantic novel set it Catty, what would be a good title?  Any suggestions?

In the meantime, I will watch what I frockling say from now on and that's just ....another "frockling" day in Catasauqua.

It's raining, it's pouring, Catasauqua is......wet

Tonight,  since dinner, I was contemplating watering the garden.  Should I or shouldn't I?  Was it going to rain, or was it not going to rain.  I checked the radar on the weather channel and it didn't look like we were going to get rain, but it was cloudy.  So I did the most natural thing to do, I procrastinated.   But this time it paid off, it rained and it poured and for the first time in a long time, I sat out and watched it.

What did you do when you were a kid when we had rain like this, where the streets all got flooded.  Did you splash, did your frolick?  This would of been the perfect frolick in the rain kinda of day when I was a kid, because I use to spend every day at the Catty Pool when I was a child, so I lived in my bathing suit.   I would of probably still had my suit on and would of ran out in the rain since I lived at the corner of 2nd and Mulberry and all the water would run down Mulberry. 

As I  watched the water swell on Howertown Road, the urge to frockling was getting stronger with each passing rain drop.  But how does one frockling on Howertown without anyone calling the police that a crazy lady is splashing in the street.  So, I discreetly wiggled my toes in a puddle instead.  Do you know how it felt....it felt good.  It was cool and wet and for a moment I felt like a kid again. 

And that's .....another day in Catasauqua

Having the blues in Catasauqua

I feel a bit down today.  I think being off work is starting to get to me.  I am on a partial layoff and I work 24 hours a week, but this week 8 hours was holiday pay for July 4, so that left us only 16 hours to work.  So I was off Monday, worked 5 hours Tuesday and then I was off again today.  I didn't have that much to do today, but I still was busy.  I started the day cleaning at the church, then went to the bank and then to Toys R Us.  I spent the afternoon reading and practicing piano.

The book I am reading is The Help, I recommend it, it is so good, but it had me very emotional today;  my eyes kept getting teary.  It's set during the civil rights movement in Jackson, Miss., where black women were trusted to raise white children but not to polish the household silver.  It's shocking to me, how in the 1962, people were building separate bathrooms in there houses for the black maids to use.

I wanted to be sure to catch "The View"  I wanted to see what they had to say about the verdict in the Casey Anthony case.  There was so much on Facebook yesterday and out cries for justice for this little girl.  But I was pretty sure, from the little I watched it, that there was so much reasonable doubt and not enough hard core proof that I felt that there was going to be a not guilty verdict.  This does not upset me as much as the fact that in 2008 there were 1494 children (under the age of 18 years) murdered in the US.  453 of them were girls.

Worse yet, a 1999 US Department of Justice Study concluded that between 1976 and 1997 in the US, mothers were responsible for a higher share of children murdered during infancy while fathers were more likely to be responsible for the murders of children age 8 or older.  The saddest part of all that 61% of children murdered under the age of five were murdered by their parents and that the third leading cause of death among american children 4 to 15 years old is murder by a parent.  So while we remember Caylee, lets not forget that there are so many more children who are abused and murdered out there and we don't even know their names.

We are suppose to protect children, to love them and teach them and when we see something that goes against it, we become outraged.  

What a Debbie-downer I am today, but I just hopped on Facebook and saw this message from Joyce Meyer's "Nobody is in charge of your happiness except you."  Thanks Joyce.  I guess now is the time I have to start making hard decisions as to what I am going to do.  Do I go back to school?  Do I change jobs?  Do I get a second job?   I just don't know right now. 

In the meantime I'll keep on looking for something to write about, I'll read and I'll pray for answers or maybe a sign.  Hey and do you know what that sign might say.......that it just ... another day in Catasauqua.

Red, White and Catasauqua

Gracie

My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Happy July 4th dear readers, from Catasauqua and from yours truly.  Of course I didn't wake up today feeling like this.  I had had plans of going to hear the Declaration of Independence read this morning at the George Taylor Mansion.  For you non-local readers, George Taylor was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.  His home, which is located in Catasauqua  was built by Taylor in 1768. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1971.  However, my morning went bad fast. 

Remember this one from the other day, now he is dressed up

First, there is an unwritten law that states "Do no talk to Bev upon waking with any news, good or bad, chores or complaints until either one hour after waking or until the consumption of 2 or more cups of coffee."  My mother does not follow this rule and upon my waking did all of the above. 

Later in the day, I got in better mood by visiting my bff Cathy, and her family, dressed up her dog Gracie and I consumed a watermelon beer called Hell or High Watermelon Wheat Beer.  I didn't taste the watermelon that much when I was drinking it, but I tasted it later in a burp!

After leaving Cathy's, my spirits were lifted and  I felt a little more patriotic.  I decided to take a walk with the camera to capture some 4th of July spirit in Catty!  I feel a lot better now,  I walked, I sweated and thought about how great it is to really be an American.  To see the flags flying, hearing the children playing, listen to the pops and snaps of firecrackers and to smell the hamburgers on the grill, yes that's all part of being an American.

One of my favorite songs, and I have many,  is Lee Greenwood's Proud to Be an American.  My very favorite part is: 

And I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘ Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

Yes, God Bless the USA, God Bless Catasauqua and may God Bless you this day and always, and that's...another day in Catasauqua.

My house!

Red, white and Vodka

So, today's post is written on the keen observations of Parke (*special note from Bev, this story has been co-written by Parke, thus why it starts keen observations and not Parke was ranting, lol)  after today's trip to the Liquor Store.  It's been a few months since I visited the Wine & Spirits Store, as they are called.  But prior to being laid off, I would go into the one at Westgate Mall after I went to my Weight Watchers Meeting (yeah I know how that sounds). Someone would be standing there "offering samples of spirits" and once or twice I would stop and try a different wine, which I would end up getting as Christmas presents for different friends, or for myself.  That's how I found the Chocolate Wine (tastes a little like yoo-hoo with a kick).

So back to today.  We hit the Wine & Spirits Store in Whitehall.  I told Parke, I had a helluva week and I need some wine this weekend.  We go and to my joy there was a refugee from bartender school by the door pouring samples. I glanced, walked away, and then went back.  Yes, I saw correctly, they had Blue Raspberry Vodka.  I asked for a sample, and it was delicious.  Like a blue raspberry freeze pop, with a kick.  If you ever seen my smurfmobile, you know I have a thing for blue raspberry. Parke who had never seen State Stores giving away booze before) sees this and says,"Yes, a state run agency is giving away FREE SAMPLES OF ALCOHOL!! Alcohol you drink, then immediately drive home, or maybe to the bar, or maybe down a very busy freeway. That's the exact combination of events they've been spending billions of dollars trying to brainwash us into believing is the most evil thing a human can do on Earth.Oh, except when they're trying to sell $10.00 bottles of wine, I guess."

But that was just the start of the Parke's incredulousness. When we got to the vodka aisle, well, what did we see? Whipped Cream Vodka, Chocolate with Whipped Cream Vodka, Lemonade Vodka, my Blue Raspberry Vodka and Parke's personal favorite, Cotton Candy Vodka. "Who are they marketing Cotton Candy Vodka to- four year olds?" he said.  "I can see it now, you want the kid to go to bed and you say, here ya go have some Cotton Candy."   When we went to the check out, he asked, tongue in cheek, if they had Gummy Bear Vodka, the woman seriously answered they probably make it and we just don't have it.

Three Olives Dude Vodka which is like a Mountain Dew flavored vodka (I wonder if my son knows about this one?) is marketed to the "Big Kid" in us.  I seriously hope that it does not encourage underage drinking and I hope everyone drinks responsibly and uses a designated driver.

Me, I planning of walking tonight and sharing a blue raspberry vodka with a good friend of mine.  So if you see me later with a slight stagger you know it's .......another day in Catasauqua. 

Catasauqua Hydrants that are a work of art

My morning walk was with a purpose this morning!  I love a walk like that, I don't really feel like I am getting exercise, but I am.  By the way, a side effect of writing this blog is that I have lost 5 pounds since being laid off, which is funny considering I had to quit weight watchers.  Anyway, before I get way off of track, this mornings walk was a mission to find the painted fire hydrants in Catasauqua.  I wasn't sure where to find them,  I knew that I passed one everyday on my way home from work on Pine Street and I had seen a flag downtown the stated "CATASAUQUA HYDRANTS, REVITALIZATION THROUGH ART"

I Googled and found out this blurb on a Facebook page for Main Street Lehigh Valley:

"Catasauqua Painted Fire Hydrant tour: These student's artistic masterpieces were the result of a partnership between the Catasauqua Borough Business Revitalizaiton Program and the Sheckler... Elementary School art department. Funding was provided by the County of Lehigh, the GLVCC Foundation's MSLV initiative, and the borough of Catasauqua. Stay tuned for more information."  



I didn't find more info, but I found painted hydrants!  The ones featured today are on Pine, Bridge, Church and Front Streets.  If you know of more, let me know I will go and a second excursion.

This is a cross from the fire station, how appropriate

A fire hydrant is also known as a fire plug, this dates back to at least the 17th century. This was a time when firefighters responding to a call would dig down to the wooden water mains and hastily bore a hole to secure water to fight fires. The water would fill the hole creating a temporary well, and be transported from the well to the fire via bucket brigades or, later, via hand pumped fire engines The holes were then plugged with stoppers, normally redwood, which over time came to be known as fire plugs. The location of the plug would often be recorded or marked so that it could be reused in future fires.

The version of fire hydrants used today were invented by Birdsill (the man's name was Birdsill?  and we think some of today's names are strange) Holly of Lockport, New York, known for his prodigious contributions to the field of hydraulic engineering in the 19th Century. While Holly was only one of many involved in the development of the fire hydrant, innovations he introduced are largely responsible for the fire hydrant used today.

So I found 10 of these beautifully painted Fire Hydrants, I hope you enjoy them as much I did and that's.....another day in Catasauqua.