The Loss of a Firefighter Made Me Think

My Mom always has the WFMZ news on in the morning.  As I passed through the living room this morning they were talking about bringing home the body of Erik Hirner.   Erik was an 11 year veteran of the Reading Fire Department and a life member of the Charotin Hose Company in North Catasauqua.  


Erik lived in North Catasauqua and was only 38 when he departed this life from injuries sustained when his motorcycle collided with an SUV.  

Today a procession will bring him home and to the Funeral home in Northampton for a viewing Sunday and Memorial Service Monday.  This is a sad time for all Firefighters and his family and friends; and I am sure that so many are asking why.  

This morning I thought about that on my drive in.  I don't know why; but I do know that we should live our life everyday to the fullest that we are able,  because we don't know when our time is up.   

Now, I don't mean that we should live recklessly or party like it is our last.  I always had this dumb way of thinking, if I died tomorrow, how long would the line at my funeral be and how long would my obituary be.  I know it sounds lame but I want to be more than 3 lines that say....Beverly Werner of Catasauqua died peacefully in her sleep leaving behind a son, 3 grandchildren, her partner and her dog.  No, I want it to say Past President of Consistory, choir member, Sunday School Teacher and occasional Blogger.  I want it to go on and on.  I want people to miss me who didn't even know me personally but knew me as "that nice lady who smiled"  "the lady who always said Thank you kind sir" when the door was hold open for her.  

Lately this world has been filled with a lot of hate.  Social media, which for me, was a way to see what was happening with friends and family has turned into a playground for adults insulting each other's politics.  

Twitter has turned into a weapon.  We have the freedom of speech but lets not turn it into the freedom to be stupid.   Where is the love, where did it go.  

As we mourn the loss of this young man, let it help us not to ask why but to ask how we can be better.

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

Firefighter Erik Hirner 

Procession & Service Information

Procession from Reading

Departing Reading Hospital 

through the city approximate time 1pm - 2pm

VIEWING
Sunday, June 3rd from 6 PM - 8 PM
Schisler Funeral Home
2119 Washington Ave
Northhampton, PA 18067

MEMORIAL SERVICE

Monday, June 4th at 11 AM
A viewing will be held prior to the service

Schisler Funeral Home
2119 Washington Ave
Northhampton, PA 18067

Lots to do in Catasauqua this weekend!

I just got back from the Iron Works Summer Blast.  It was hot but there was a really good crowd there; which I love seeing at an event it Catasauqua.

 There is a little of everything.  Food, music, beverages, and all kinds of entertainment.  My bff, Cathy and I didn't stay real long, but we saw lots friends and enjoyed a frozen lemonade.  It is exciting to see what Catasauqua might become.  It great to see that they are taking a site and using it the best way possible.  



There was Bike Demos from the Catty Woods bmx bike riders, games for the children, and even a Beer Garden - along with a real garden with a really cool water feature. 




Also, if you think you have what it takes to be a fire fighter, they had Junior Fireman obstacle course you could try out.  (Just a side note - Cathy and I did  not try this course)

There was also an interactived art mural that you can paint your thoughts on.

Besides musical entertainment you could catch the Burning Hearts Fire and Light Theater.

It if gets to hot down at the blast furnace you can head up to the North Catasauqua Park for their last night.  I was up there Thursday night enjoying the music of  the Large Flowerheads.  The North Catty Carnival is always a fun time.

Now - if you wake tomorrow and feel like going to church and perhaps a picnic - Salem UCC is having Church in the Park at 10 AM tomorrow followed by a picnic and games.  Please feel free to join us.

Well, I gotta go take a shower, my new fitness tracker tells me I just  walked 3526 steps and I am a little sweaty.

Don't forget - there is a lot of stuff to do in Catty - check it out - and that's ...another day in Catasauqua

And the Rocket's Red Glare - J4 Fireworks

What a day!  First a parade past my house.  Then the Mother of all Reunions at the North Catasauqua Playground.  All this ending with a BANG at Alumni Field with some spectacular fireworks and some family time.

Catasauqua - nice job on the fireworks.  You put the Iron Pigs to shame.  I loved the purple and green firework that occasionally lit the sky.

Parke and I left early and got a spot in the parking lot - of course, he will never forgive me for that - oh yeah he will.  We picked a shady spot to wait and soon the Reiter Family, along with the Khouri's showed up next.  Soon the Lynn & Schadler families arrived.  Some food, some snacks and a lot or laughs were next.  Then the rest of my own Werner clan showed up with the Morgans.  You know what they say - the family that watches fireworks together yells ooooooh together.

Catasauqua, I would like to thank you for a wonderful time.  I know there is one more event - the house tours tomorrow.


HISTORIC OLD HOME WEEK HOUSE TOUR
The grand finale of Old Home Week is the Historic House and Garden tour on Sunday, July 6, 2014 from 12 to 5 p.m. This is the grandest house tour HCPA has offered. The self-guided tour explores some of the beautiful homes and mansions in Catasauqua’s Historic Districts and beyond. There are 16 properties featuring original architecture of various styles, including Queen Anne, Victorian, Georgian and Federal styles. The interiors feature original woodwork, impressive staircases, stained glass windows, ornate fireplaces and parquet flooring. Catasauqua’s homes reflect Catasauqua illustrious past as the birthplace of the American Anthracite Iron Industry and one of the most prosperous towns in the United States. 

On the day of the tour tickets can be purchased for $18 at The Biery House, 8 Race Street, Catasauqua. . The ticket provides a map and description of each property on the tour. 

I won't be touring this year and please don't stop by my house, I'll be cutting the grass.  

Sincerely though, North Catty and Catty really know how to throw a party.  I love this town.  Also, without Catasauqua in the name of the blog it would just be another day.  Happy J4 and Old Home Week to all.

and that really is ......another day in Catasauqua

Snow by any Other Name Would Still Be.........

Out of the bosom of the Air,

      Out of the cloud-folds of her garments shaken,

Over the woodlands brown and bare,

      Over the harvest-fields forsaken,

            Silent, and soft, and slow

            Descends the snow. - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

At first we look for snow, it's poetic,  we love when snow blankets the ground on Christmas Eve, but when it goes on and on we start to get a little testy about it.   In general I don't mind it - but I hate the ice.  I hate trying to walk on ice and I hate shoveling it.

On Sunday I thought it would be a great day to take Petey for his first ever walk since the snow started blocking the side walks.  It was warm, the sun was shining and I was antsy.  I have been having problems with my knees so whenever it is snows or is icy I don't walk Petey because he pulls too much sometimes - I don't want to slip and fall and take a chance on hurting myself more.

When I got the harness Petey got so excited - he couldn't contain himself.  I don't think I ever saw him so excited.  Parke helped me get Petey down the porch and to the sidewalk.  Oakley (a cat) was on the porch so that's always an experience in itself and I am having problems stepping down with my knees.

So off we went.  I must say we were both disappointed.  I could not get off the block, the corner at the end of the block was not clear.  There was no path to cross.  I was very surprised considering it is a bus stop for the kids.  I could see that all the corners were clear up ahead so I was really bummed.  I didn't want to take a chance walking on the ice to cross.  I would of went around the block but the path down the street was narrow and Petey and I are wide.

So back we went back pass our house and down Walnut Street for a bit and back.  I would of love to gone farther and I am sure Petey would of to.

A funny thing about snow removal and where I live (the house next to me is half in Catty (Lehigh County) and half in North Catty (Northampton County).  Between the neighbor and I we have 3 cars - we park on Howertown Road.(My mom is out back in the driveway)  When the snow got higher and higher we started piling in back of the neighbor's one car and in front of the neighbor's Daughters car.  I was in the middle.  Yesterday North Catty removed snow on Howertown.  They removed the snow in front of the daughter's car because that is North Catty.  But Catty stopped removing snow on Howertown at Walnut.  So the snowpile at the corner reminds me of the "man without a country"  it's the snowpile without a town, but then......that's another day in Catasauqua.

Tis' the Season

There was the laughter of children, some shrieks, screams and the occasional crying child with a father saying "that's it we're going home."  What can incite all these different responses?  Well, Santa of course, especially when Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive by firetruck for the annual lighting of the North Catasauqua Christmas Tree. 

I almost didn't go this year.  Most of the bff's I go with are sick and I didn't feel like going by myself even though I was going to be singing with "We Sing" North Catasauqua's Community Choir.  So I called one of my other bff's Shirley and went up with her.  Let's face it, I really go for the free hot chocolate and cookies, but the atmosphere is great.  I don't know where all the people come from. 

One of the highlights are all the Gingerbread Houses that you can judge, my personal favorite was the one the marshmallow wall. 

All in all it is a great way to start the Chrismas Season.  There is something about standing out on a really cold night singing Christmas Caroles and watching Santa light up the tree that warms the heart.

So, You better watch out, you better not cry, better not pout, I'm telling you why....that's Another day in Catasauqua 

A Night at the Islands

Well, maybe not the islands, but definitely a special night in North Catasauqua.  I wrote about this last year, and it bears repeating, The Caribbean Steel Rhythms are great!

The Caribbean Steel Rhythms, formally known as the Valley Steel Drum Ensemble, first came together in 2007 at Christ United Methodist Church in Easton.

The group is made up of players from the Caribbean and the Lehigh Valley. They are the only known steel drum band in the area, bringing a unique musical sound to the region.

This is the 2nd time I have heard them play at the North Catasauqua Playground, and if it is possible, they were better than last year.  They played everything from reggae to pop, Christmas music to oldies.  The BF's Shirley, Beckah and I were singing along to "I can't help falling in Love" and "My Girl".  There was huge crowd tonight, another friend, Carol,  told me that someone said 600 people were in attendance tonight.   I can believe it, the crowd was so large I had to text BF Nancy just to find her!

Kudo's to the North Catasauqua Playground Committee for making it such a great night, with free popcorn, ice tea and some spicy Caribbean Jerk Chicken.  And thank you for my glow in the dark necklace!  North Catasauqua does a great job when it comes to providing free entertainment and refreshments and even setting the mood with some tiki torches.

And now, dedicated to the lady who was sitting in front of me, who could not remember the name of this song by Abba:

 Can you hear the drums Fernando?
I remember long ago another starry night like this
In the firelight Fernando
You were humming to yourself and softly strumming your guitar
I could hear the distant drums
And sounds of ...........another day in Catasauqua!

What to do this weekend in Catasauqua

I was sitting here playing games on Facebook until my mine went numb and I thought, hey why not blog. I told someone today from Palmerton that I write this blog, but I was running out of things to say.   And even though I don't really have anything to say, that has never stopped me before.

I  thought maybe I would tell you what's coming up this weekend.  I will be volunteering at the North Catasauqua Small Town USA Community Yard Sale and Flea Market presented by the We Sing Chorus on Saturday, June 23 from 8 AM to 2 PM at the North Catasauqua Park.  I was there last year and there was sooooo much stuff to look at.  If you are a yard sailor check it out!  I also see that the Sixth Annual North Catasauqua Small Town USA Golf Tournament will be held Sunday, June 24 at Willowbrook Golf Course.  An 8:30 AM tee time is planned with a shotgun (wow) start, four person scramble competition (whatever that is I have no idea). 

In Catasauqua the band Common Bond (they are really good, I just heard them up at the North Catty Carnival) will be kicking off the Catasauqua Park Summer Concerts this Friday at 7 pm to 9:30 PM, it is free, bring your lawn chairs or sit on the three dips and bring your favorite refreshments (I don't think they mean the blue raspberry vodka that I am drinking while writing this, but hey you never know).

I would like to catch part of this concert and maybe I will, but I have, and I will blog about this later, a Court of Honor for A. J. Renn who will become an Eagle Scout on Saturday afternoon.  Very exciting.

Well you can see that there is a lot to do this weekend in Catasauqua, I hope to see you around, if you see me, say Hi (I really think I need to invest in those "Another day in Catasauqua" t-shirts).

and that is....another day in Catasauqua.

 

 

Singing in North Catasauqua TONIGHT!

Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose, Nothin' don't mean nothin' hon' if it ain't free; and free it was tonight at the North Catasauqua Small Town USA Carnival (besides a $1.50 for a diet pepsi).  Yes people - I was reliving my childhood with bff, Cathy as we listen to The Large Flowerheads at the Carnival tonight.

The North Catasauqua Small Town USA Carnival began today at the North Catasauqua Park located at 701 Grove Street, Carnival opened at 6:00 pm and runs through to Saturday Night.  If you don't believe me go as Alice, when she's ten feet tall.

There's plenty to do, rides and game and great food to eat.  Cathy enjoyed a waffle ice cream sandwich, I think I might stop by tomorrow night and get a taco salad. 

Spent some quality time with with Jaime and Cathy's favorite son-in-law Rami, who is recovering from surgery on his cauliflower ear, get better quick Rami.  I never knew anyone with cauliflower ear before, I always saw it in the cartoons when I was kid.  But then it was like an actual cauliflower on the ear, so I am not sure what it really looks like and they told me not to google any images because it is gross. I didn't but I do have to say, what's new pussycat?

Any way - the entertainment for the rest of the week is as follows:

FREE Entertainment Nightly at the band stand!

Thur. 6/14 from 6:30-9:30pm- The Main Attraction band
Fri. 6/15 from 7:00-10:00pm- Midnight Special country band
Sat. 6/16 from 7:00-10:00pm- Common Bond

I see my red door and I want it painted black, no colors anymore I want them to turn black, but that is neither here nor there was it comes to the carnival.  No, I didn't have any magic mushrooms, but I did have a lot of fun.  So if you are in the area this weekend stop by, and remember I'm not your stepping stone.

Oh, I could hide 'neath the wings of the bluebird as she sings, the six o'clock alarm would never ring.
But it rings and I rise wipe the sleep out of my eyes, the shavin' razor's cold, and it stings

Cheer up, sleepy Jean, oh what can it mean......but another day in Catasauqua

Was that a Conga Line in North Catasauqua?

Yes, indeed there was a conga line in North Catasauqua Friday Night at the North Catasauqua Playground.  The North Catty Rec Committee presented "Paradise in the Park" complete with The Steel Drum Band.  The music was Hot, Hot, Hot, but the night was cool after a thunderstorm drenched the area just an hour before.

I had heard this band perform before at Coca Cola Park prior to an Iron Pigs game, but the sound system there didn't do it justice.  They sounded great tonight and I had a great time.  I got their after 7:00 pm, I wasn't going to go but I was antsy around the house.  When I got there I was delightfully surprised at the  crowd it was larger than I expected and the Tiki torches lit around the area.  I sat by a friend of mine and her husband for a little bit.  Soon after I got there I was served some Caribbean Jerk Chicken, WOW is was spicy but delicious.  I called my friend Shirley who lives nearby and she came up and joined me.  What a great night.  They played for an hour and one-half with a wide range of music.  Not just island music, but some gospel and popular songs thrown in. And yes!  it was inevitable that a conga line formed during Hot, Hot, Hot!     What a great time, friends, food, and music-- it certainly was Paradise in the Park 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's happening in Catasauqua

This weekend is turning out to be a very busy one in Catasauqua.  There will be lots of stuff happening.  First St. Mary's Block Party started Thursday and continues through to Saturday, 6pm to 10:00pm.  This year did you see the new addition to the block party on Race Street?   A Midway of rides!  They look pretty nice to, I passed by them the other night.  Food, beverages, games and entertainment will still be held on Union Street.

The past couple years when I stopped there to noisy around it was so crowded, I think everyone in town shows up.  I remember the block party when I was young.  My grandmother would send me down for the homemade perogies, one of our neighbors use to help make them, they were super delicious.  I remember also hanging around the stage.  There was always a band up on the stage and we would dance all night, it was so much fun.

The new midway reminds me of the old Catty Carnival that they use to have down on Race Street every year.  Me and my friends would ride the rides all night, gosh that was so much fun.

On Friday Night, June 24, Common Bond will be performing at the North Catasauqua Park for the first of a series of summer concerts sponsored by the North Catasauqua Park Recreation Committee.

AND don't forget Saturday Morning 8 AM to 2:00 PM - the WE SING COMMUNITY YARD SALE (I'll be working there somewhere in the morning).  Last time I heard we had 47 vendors coming, so it should be a pretty big event!!!  (Rain, rain stay away)

So, as you can see there is lots to do this weekend, I hope to see you around town.  I've been toying with the idea of getting a T-shirt that say "Another Day in Catasauqua"  they would be so appropriate on a weekend like this!

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