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........

My thoughts from the back row of the Chorus

We Sing to my left

Tonight We Sing - the musical choral group I belong to from North Catasauqua sang at Barnes and Noble for a fundraiser for an English teacher in Catasauqua High School, Mr. Whitehead who is battling cancer.  He doesn't want the money for himself, instead he would like to raise the money for the school library and English Department.  20% of proceeds purchased between 6-8 pm tonight will go to the school.

Kudos to Mr. Whitehead and Barnes and Noble for doing this. 

We Sing to my right

The bff Cathy and I left to go over about ten minutes before it was time to be there, but to our dismay we could not find a parking spot anywhere near Barnes and Noble so we parked at JC Penney and walked briskly through the mall, but we were a tad late, but the good thing about this we just snuck into the back row.

The joys of being in the back row of a chorus is that you can dance and no one sees you.  And hopefully the director doesn't see you acting up.

Look carefully and see our audience

Our little concert wasn't well attended - some friends and family of members along with a few curious shoppers watched us, along with a young "Mr. Gold"  look a like before he became the evil Rumpelstiltskin (Once upon a Time reference).

Young Mr. Gold

After the concert Cathy and I headed over to the Yankee Candle Shop - ATTENTION MEN - they have special candles for you, like  MMMM Bacon, 2 x 4 and Fresh Mowed Grass!

PS - Cathy - Thank you for the Tart for a Tart!  

All in all it was a nice evening for a good cause.  My prayers are with you Mr. Whitehead.

  And 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 

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.

 

 

Cheeses of Nazareth and Crazy Cats in Coats

Cheeses of  Nazareth and crazy cats in little coats is the kind of day I am having.  It's been a day full of laughs and giggles.  First it started with our North Catasauqua Community Choir, "We Sing", we had two concerts today.  One at Our Lady of Perptual Help and one at Country Meadows Assisted Living.  The songs were lively and fun.  We had lots of laughs rehearsing and even while we were singing.  Everyone seemed to enjoy it.  Afterwards the bffs and I went for dinner.   Nancy wanted to find Nazareth Diner and with a few turns here and there she found it.  While we were eating she mentioned that there was a cheese shop nearby and that she would love to find it.  I was game, I love cheese.  Anyway she asked the waitress if she knew where it was, she said she didn't know the name of the place, I turned to Cathy and said it was Cheeses of Nazareth and that was it, I and her lost it.  They said the directions and we didn't hear a word.  So they wrote down the directions for us, they said the place started with a "C"  and again I started laughing saying yup Cheeses of Nazareth.  Anyway we did find it, it was closed and it wasn't called Cheeses of Nazareth.

On another note, I have been trying to get my mom to stop feeding all the neighborhood cats, I know the neighbor's cat Oakley is like one of my own.  He has been coming over for years for treats, sits on my lap in the summer and even comes to the back door and looks in the kitchen window when he is really hungry.  But the food being out on the front porch has attracted a few more cats, one very fat little mouse, whom I think met his recent demise since he couldn't run anymore and maybe, just maybe a skunk.  So I took the food in.  I told my mom, that she can feed Oakley in the morning and that's it.   Tonight we are sitting here watching TV and there was a noise at the window, I asked Parke to check, and to be careful, just in case it was a skunk.  He opened the door and said nope, just a cat out here in a green coat.  I said what??  He said the cat was wearing a little green coat, and sure enough there was this cat, yet another one I haven't seen wearing a little green coat with dog bones on it.

Parke's theory is that the cat roughed up some little dog and stole it's coat.  The strange sites here in Catty.  Well, in case you didn't know where I lived before, you will now, just look for the house with all the cats on the front porch including the one sporting a coat, and that's ...another day in Catasauqua.

Hark the Herald Choirs Sing.....in Catasauqua

A few years ago my church Salem UCC,  combined with St. Paul's Lutheran Church to do St. Paul's Annual Candlelight Concert.  At the time we were experiencing some "dark times" at Salem and with out the help of St. Paul's and Pastor Gary Walbert, I think  a lot of us would of been without Christmas Spirit. 

Sometimes I think, oh, I don't want to take the time and participate, but then I do and I am glad I did;  and the night of the concert......all I can say is that sometimes, it takes my breath away.  If you have never gone, go this year.  It is tomorrow afternoon, December 11, at 3:30 pm.  Elizabeth Knecht is performing, she is an excellent dancer and soloist.  The voice of an angel.  Mike Fister on the organ at ear splitting volume.  Maybe it's because I sit to close to the speakers.  Besides the combined Choirs (St. Paul's and Salem), there is The James Ruhf Bagpipe Band.  When they come in, omg, it is awesome.  We are suppose to sing "La's" while they play Highland Cathedral, but I am always crying, sorry.

I also see in the bulletin that besides Pastor Gary, our own Pastor Elect Michael Smith will be there.  For those who don't know Pastor Mike will be our new permanent Pastor starting in January. 

There is refreshments afterwards and if that is not enough to make you come, well, I'll be playing the Bongo - yup I am!!!  For real!  I am all excited.  Maybe one day I'll get a drum solo!

Now, if you are still in the mood for music, then next Saturday, December 17th,  you are invited to Luminary Night in North Catasauqua.  The North Catasauqua Community Chorus "We Sing!" will perform a concert in the North Catasauqua Park beginning at 6:30 PM.  North Catasauqua (and parts of Catty) will be all a glow with luminaries throughout the town and around the Park. 

Music is always special, but Christmas songs, well they warm your heart and your soul.  We sing fun songs about reindeers and Santa Claus, but it is those songs about a special baby,  born in a manger that gives that true glowing feeling.

I love Christmas and I love Christmas music and in Catasauqua and North Catasauqua music will fill the air and dispell the darkness of night, because you are never alone when you can find the Light and Love of Christmas. And that's......another day in Catasauqua.

We Sing Community Chorus-Concert Sunday

I am a member of We Sing Community Chorus and I just wanted to let you know about our Concert this Sunday at 4:30 PM at Salem United Church of Christ located at 615 Third Street, Catasauqua, PA.   The Concert is entitled the Beat Goes On....Hits of the 20's, 30's, 40's 50's and 60's.  There are some really great songs and a lot of fun comes with this concert.

I really enjoy being a member of this chorus, we have a great director, John  and I have a lot of huckleberry friends on this chorus to.  You will know what I mean by that after you hear Moon River!

Admission is FREE and their are refreshments afterwards.  Hey it doesn't get any better than that does it!

Well, I am getting ready to leave for my small vay-cay with the ladies, but I will be back Saturday rested and ready to sing.  I am taking my beach chair - I am going to be optimistic! 

So, don't forget Sunday afternoon when in Catasauqua the music will fill the air and we can say that's......another day in Catasauqua.

Oh Say Can You See, Part 2

Well, we did it! We Sing, North Catasauqua's Community Choir sang the Star Spangled Banner at the Iron Pig's game at Coca Cola Park on Friday, May 13. Pastor Bob told us today that he saw three of us, from Salem UCC, on the Jumbotron, Cathy Reiter, Karen Renn and me. It was a great moment in time for me and I am sure for my fellow chorus member as well. We came out from Section 105 and marched over to the 2nd base area to sing. I forgot that the baseball players are on the field at the same time. It was strange to see them up close.

Since this was also a night that I personally had tickets for with my 18 game package, the section that I have been sitting with was there. As soon as I got on the field I looked up and saw the ladies that sit behind us and I waved, and sure enough they knew it was me and stood up and waved, danced and cheered, ah God love them, I know I do.

Well, we sang, they cheered, I think we sounded okay, I know we were quick! And now I can chalk up another great memory. And with that.......it's another day in Catasauqua.

Oh Say Can You See!!!!

Maybe you live in North Catasauqua, and last night you thought you heard a song in the air. Well, you were right. The North Catasauqua WE SING Community Chorus was practicing the Star Spangled Banner, out on the lawn at the North Catasauqua Municipal building. Now, you might ask why? Well, let me tell you. WE SING IS SINGING FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE IRON PIGS GAME!!!! Yes, this Friday, May 13 at 7:05 PM our voices will fill the air. Am I so excited, OH YEAH!!! I have sat almost everywhere at Coca Cola Stadium and I have even thrown out a ceremonial first pitch but this is different, this is our National Anthem!!! I can't wait and this blogger will fill you in on the experience this weekend. Also I am going to try to take pictures along the way, should be fun.

Also while I am talking about We Sing. We Sing is sponsoring a Community Yard Sale/Flea Market on Saturday, June 11, 8am to 2pm. It will be held at the North Catasauqua Playground and we need vendors, so if you are interested in having a spot you can call the North Catty Borough Hall at 610-264-1504 or email: northcatawesing@aol.com for further information.

Also this weekend I saw a sign that the Masonic Temple is having a Spaghetti Dinner Saturday, this might finally be my opportunity to finally get in and sneak around, I will be the one with a big floppy hat and sunglasses and a camera, no one will suspect anything.

and that's another day in Catasauqua.