Behind the Scenes at the ROXY

The Roxy in Northampton was and still is one of my favorite places to see a movie.  It's not a multiplex - it is not even a duplex - it is a good old fashion movie theatre.

The theatre was first opened on Feb. 1st, 1921 as the LYRIC Theatre by Harry Hartman who previously had several other nickelodeons in Northampton.

As a child my Mom took the cousins and I to see movies there.  I saw every Elvis movie at the Roxy and for some reason a lot of gladiator movies to.  I remember seeing Ben Hur - it must of been a special showing of it because we even got a program book.  I still have it somewhere.

If you want to read about the history of the Roxy - they have a website -  http://www.roxytheaternorthampton.com/roxyhistory.htm

Why do I still like the Roxy - $3.00 movies and the best buttered popcorn in town!  But today was special - We Sing - North Catasauqua's Community Choir held rehearsal there.  We will be preforming tomorrow October 20, 2013 at 3:00 PM.  The concert costs $5.00 this year, but only because we are raising money for a good cause. A diabetic alert dog for Matt Globosits.

I was behind the stage years ago and the owner had posters and newpaper articles of all the headliners that performed at the Roxy.  Since they did some remodeling some are gone but still backstage is awesome.  It's like how I  imagine Broadway in the old days to be.  I have a terrible urge to sing:



Overture, curtain, lights
This is it, the night of nights
No more rehearsing and nursing a part
We know every part by heart
Overture, curtains, lights
This is it, we'll hit the heights
And oh what heights we'll hit
On with the show this is it

Tonight what heights we'll hit
On with the show this is it

In case you don't know what that is from it is was Bug's Bunny and Daffy Duck sang in the beginning of the Bugs Bunny Show.

The wood, old posters, old furniture, the brick, the darkness - stepping out on stage - the bright lights - the feeling - priceless. 

If you can --join us tomorrow at the Roxy for We Sing's Concert.  If not enjoy a movie there sometime, because it is THE ROXY.

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

You know you are a Rough Rider when Thanksgiving is more than Turkey

On each Thanksgiving Day, the Catasauqua Rough Riders play a non-league game against their rival, the  Northampton Konkrete Kids. The game is not sanctioned and does not count as a win/loss for official standings with regard to playoff consideration within the PIAA. The rivalry which started in 1925 has been ongoing.  When I was really young I can remember Mr. Pfiefly, our gym teacher telling us that if Catty would win the game we would have off Monday after Thanksgiving.

It was such an exciting time and it still is for Catasauqua Students.  Back then we had the Bonfire, the Pep Rally, Homecoming and the big game.  Now they even do more!  I just read on facebook that one of my friend's home and been toilet papered, that's because I senior lives there.

That's my name, last one on the right.

I am so glad that the Catty vs. Northampton game is a Thanksgiving tradition.  I see students wearing some great shirts now, wow-wish we had them back in the day.  We got programs, which we use to autograph for each other.  By some miracle my Grandmother kept all my stuff in the attic and as you can see I have the books for 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972 and 1973.

I was reading some of those autographs, oh boy, did I laugh.  But ah....memories. 


Well, the turkey is hopefully thawed enough and the rice pudding and apple crisp is done.  Time for me to head to bed and prepare for.....another day in Catasauqua.

Brown & White...Brown & White

I just got done reading the headline article of today's Morning Call entitled "Bleed--don't read--Orange and Black." Poor Northampton, it has to change all their streets signs by 2018 to a more acceptable color combination required by PennDot. One of the combinations that they can choose from is brown and white, but somehow I don't think that's gonna happen

I feel for Northampton, truly I do, there are alot of streets signs and I am sure it will be quite an expense. Personally I like the orange and black, I think you can read them easily. Plus when I am on a walk, I know I have gone to far and it's time to turn back.

This will be the 89th year for the Catasauqua/Northampton rivalry, a long running Thanksgiving Football Tradition. To this day, I cannot wear orange and black. If I attempt to I feel like some sort of traitor. I guess we do bleed brown and white and Northampton bleeds orange and black.

Being a Rough Rider does stick with you. I did a house settlement for Whitehalls own, Matt Millen many years ago, while he was still playing pro-football. He asked me where I went to school and I said, Catasauqua. He then ruffled my hair and said, "hey a Rough Rider." So I guess, once a Rough Rider, always a Rough Rider, and that's another day in Catasauqua.