My thoughts on the stabbing in Catasauqua

My friend,  Brenda, contacted me on Facebook about the recent stabbing that took place at the Catasauqua Playground.  She asked "Could the focus of the blog be...returning to our roots, the Old Catty??? mentioning that we need to "step in and stop the madness"?"  Which is a great thought, but in the Old Catty I was roughed up at the Catty Park.  I was somewhere around the age 12 maybe and my cousin Sandy and her friends (do you remember this Sandy!) dared me to call someone "boy crazy".  Calm words in today's society, and stupid me says out loud "Boy Crazy (insert name here)".  That girl had me down on the ground faster than you can say help. I don't remember what happened after that, blocked that out, but you know I never called her that again.

Violence, unfortunately is as old as man himself.  Started way back in the book of Genesis, when Cain killed Abel, that's only four chapters in of the first book of the Bible.  Things have happened at the playground from before me and unfortunately will happen way after me.   I agree with Brenda, we need to "step in and stop the madness?"  But how?  That's the really big question.

My lesson in Sunday School this morning led to a discussion of what happened at the park.  Today's lesson was from the book of Jeremiah, an old Testament Prophet, who was trying to tell the people that God was there for them.  The most powerful verse from the lesson was this:  Jeremiah 31: 33 - This is the covenant (promise) I will make with the people, declares the Lord.  "I will put the law in their minds and write it on their hearts.  I will be their God and they will be my people"    God might be putting the law in our minds but He is also putting His Love in our hearts and this is the most important part.

I have heard from people and read that the boy who intervened and was stabbed was a good boy.  I think he was trying to do the right thing, he had the law and love in his heart.  Doing the right thing doesn't mean that something bad can't happened to you.  He probably saved the life of the 15 year old boy.  I pray and I hope that you pray to that he recovers.  We also need to pray for man, Nathanial Claudio, who was arrested for the stabbing, that he one day opens his heart to the love and not violence.

I have a theory that if every child went to Sunday School when they were young, we would have less people breaking the law.  God becomes our conscience, we learn from Him right and wrong, as well as from our parents.   

I have friends who say they didn't take their children to Sunday School because they want their children to "find God".  How do you find something you never lost.   Our job as adults, parents and teacher is to teach children love.  To help them learn right from wrong.   Yes, let's stop the madness, let's love one another and set a great example for the children of Catasauqua, the future of the world.

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

BIG DAY TOMORROW!!!

Pastor Mike

Yes, it is a big day tomorrow for a couple of reasons.  First, Pastor Michael Smith, Salem UCC's current Pastor will be Ordained tomorrow in an Ordination Ceremony at Salem.  Salem hasn't hosted an ordination for over 50 years so what a great opportunity for the little church  that could.   I've never talked about the problems that Salem had in the past on this blog, and I never will.  Salem has a bright and shiny future, and what a great way to celebrate. (Special thanks to Pastor Ed and Pastor Bob, we couldn't of done it without you both)

Another big event, not to overshadow Pastor Mike but......tomorrow will be one year that I am writing this blog!!!  YES it is this BLOG'S BIRTHDAY - I would have had a party but I am going to a pretty big one tomorrow already. 

This blog, started out of boredom, feeling a little down, but also feeling that wow, there is a lot of stuff to talk about in a small town and it has been very fulfilling.  I have reconnected with some people.  Had a lot of feedback on the articles and in general -- learned a LOT about Catasauqua's History. 

Yup "Another day in Catasauqua" has been just that...... another day.......another story.......another thought and I have enjoyed them all.   If you have read any of my blogs, thank you. 

Well I gotta go, I was making dinner and started a small fire in the oven by leaving the potholder inside, don't worry -  you know what I always say......that's another day in Catasauqua.

HAPPY SPRING!!!!

The Spring or Vernal Equinox is a celebration of the rebirth of nature and brings with it the symbols of birth/rebirth. It is full of traditional symbols and superstitions.

As part of the vernal equinox ritual, eggs play an important role in the festivities throughout the world. According to folklore, the vernal equinox is the one time of the year that eggs can be stood on end. Earth and nature are said to be in harmony if an egg can be balanced on its end during the equinox, at the very point in time, when day and night are also in balance. (It is said that this is a myth, that once you know how to balance an egg, you can do it any time)

The Vernal Equinox, the first official day of Spring is on or about March 20. It is the point at which the sun crosses the celestial equator from south to north. This signals the beginning of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere.

The vernal equinox has long been a significant event in the lives of agricultural peoples as it symbolizes nature's regeneration, fertility, growth and bounty. The word equinox comes from Latin and means "equal night". On this day, night and day each last twelve hours.(and that happens daylight savings time or not)

People have recognized the vernal equinox for thousands of years. There is no shortage of rituals and traditions surrounding the coming of spring. Many early peoples celebrated for the basic reason that their food supplies would soon be restored. The date is significant in Christianity because Easter always falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox. It is also probably no coincidence that early Egyptians built the Great Sphinx  so that it points directly toward the rising Sun on the day of the vernal equinox.

The first day of spring also marks the beginning of Nowruz, the Persian New Year. The celebration lasts 13 days and is rooted in the 3,000-year-old tradition of Zorastrianism .

I know of no spring celebrations here in Catasauqua, maybe we should start some.  I am not sure what it would be, but I am sure we could think of something, in the meantime HAPPY SPRING and that's another day in Catasauqua.

Spring, Bridges and Flowers in Catty

As I was preparing for dinner, I sat on the front porch snapping beans.  It is amazing, has spring truly sprung, or as Parke says when I ask him if he is going to put the snow shovels away, "I am waiting for the big one."

I watched cars go by with the top down.  I saw ants on the pavement.  Bugs are flying around already.  My flowers are gorgeous.  Is mother nature pulling a trick on us, or is the winter that never really happened?

I am loving it.  I hope this is not a precursor to a really hot summer.  Let's not even think about that and just enjoy the beautiful weather in Catasauqua.

Took a walk with Parke after supper and was armed with the camera.  Do you know that on March 27th last year I attempted to get pictures of flowers and I had a hard time, not today.  Hyacinths, Daffodils and even something that looks like tulips are already in bloom.  A few more days and the Magnolia Trees will be in full bloom.  I can't believe it.

AND SPEAKING OF THINGS I CAN'T BELIEVE - the Race Street bridge will have lane restrictions this Monday and Tuesday from 9am to 3pm, for bridge inspection.  What if it doesn't pass, are they going to close it?  Duh, they couldn't do this before they closed the Pine Street Bridge?   I am off on Monday, so I won't have to deal with it, but I work Tuesday and because I work such strange hours it will affect me one way or another.   

When it comes to the Pine Street Bridge closure what bothers me the most is that it is almost time for BASEBALL - mainly Iron Pigs Baseball and I usually go down Race Street to Canal Road to go to Coca Cola Park.  Have you tried that at 5:00 PM yet, omg, you just inch along.  Hate that! 

Well enough whining, have a great evening, get out and enjoy this beautiful weather because it's another day in Catasauqua.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Top of the evening to you!  I've been meaning to write all day.  Did you every have a day where you thought you didn't have anything to do and then you remember - oops I have an appointment to go to.  That was my kind of day.

I got up early this St. Patrick's Day in search of a brisket.  I went shopping to Redner's in Northampton last night and they were all out.  I have never made one and for some reason I was determined to today.  I like corned beef so I thought, why not.  It was delish!!  I made it in the crockpot with potatoes and carrots and covered it with wedges of cabbage, it got very tender, a little salty for Parke, but he now knows that he to likes corned beef. 

In honor of the holiday, I thought I share some St. Patrick's Day Trivia:

• It is said the St. Patrick Died on March 17^th, hence we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on this date.
• St. Patrick’s real name was Maewyn Succat and he was born in Scotland (not Ireland!) around 385 A.D.
• Leprechauns are the official shoe makers of the fairy kingdom.
• Shamrock is the national flower of Ireland.
• The Christian Church of Ireland was founded by St. Patrick.
• It is said that St. Patrick died at the age of 79 in 464 A.D.

• The St. Patrick’s Day custom came to America in 1737. It was first celebrated publically in the U.S. in Boston.
• On St. Patrick’s Day, in Chicago the rivers are dyed green.
• Green is affiliated with St. Patrick’s Day because it is the color of Spring.
• On St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland people traditionally wear small bunch of shamrocks on their jackets or caps.
• If you are caught without wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day, you’ll be pinched!
• Traditional St Patrick’s Day food includes, Irish soda bread, corned beef and cabbage, Irish stew, and of course, Guinness.
  
  
  Ah, what I wouldn't do for a Guinness right now, but I guess that will have to wait for some other time.
  
  
  In the meantime -
  
  
   Wishing you a rainbow
  For sunlight after showers—
  Miles and miles of Irish smiles
  For golden happy hours—
  Shamrocks at your doorway
  For luck and laughter too,
  And a host of friends that never ends
  Each day your whole life through!
  
  
  Happy St. Patrick's Day and that's another day in Catasauqua.
  
  
  
  

Why I write

I started this blog, Another day in Catasauqua, March 25, 2010, so this blog will soon have a birthday, it will be one years old.  I started it on a whim, I wanted something to do, perhaps earn a few bucks at it, an outlet for my emotions.  I have written about the history of Catty.  I went searching for the railroad tunnels and spring.  My subjects have been all over the place.  Several times I wrote about others in grief over their deaths. 

Today I was reminded why I write this blog, to touch you, my reader, to be informative, and just to be me.

I received a letter today from someone who knew Skeeter Heist.  I wrote about Skeeter a couple months ago, I was saddened by the fact that his obituary was so small, for a man who was so big in life.  This gentlemen knew him when he lived in Baltimore, when he was sober for a long time and when he drumming again.  This letter made me happy to see that for a while, albeit short, he was happy. 

The letter made my cry, both happy and sad tears; and I realized I wouldn't of ever got this letter, or got to know a little more about what happened after he left Catty and how he tried to turn his life around.  He sent me something, that I didn't have for my blog about Skeeter, and that was a picture. Thank you Jason. 

Yup, today I was reminded why I write this blog and that my friends, is another day in Catasauqua.

Bye Bye Pine Street, Hello Traffic

Well, if you live in Catasauqua I guess you know this by now, but in case you don't the Pine Street Bridge will be closed starting tomorrow, March 6 until a projected date of July 7.  Oh my.

The Pine Street Bridge project is part of a more than $33 million Lehigh County bridge repair and replacement program of three river crossings slated to span the next four years, according to Director of General Services Glenn Solt.

Later this year the county will replace the Hokendauqua-North Catasauqua Bridge connecting Lehigh Street in Whitehall to Eugene Street to North Catasauqua. The replacement of the Coplay-Northampton Bridge will begin once the Lehigh Street span reopens.

At least one of the bridges will be closed through 2016, Solt said.

So, I guess we will be learning a lot of new traffic patterns!  I am not sure which way I want to go.  Going the Hokey Bridge is out of my way.  Going the Race Street Bridge is more direct BUT have you ever seen the traffic on Race Street at 5:00 PM!  Now, this is the only time you will hear me say this but I am glad I am laid off part-time because I go in at different times everday and sometimes these are not peak times, coming home could be a different story though.  I guess I could come home the Tilghman Street Bridge to Canal Road then up through the development to the light at Race and 14th Street.   My guess is we will all be using tricks to get around. 

Good luck everyone, try not to develop road rage, stay calm and that's another day in Catasauqua.