Hurricane Diane, 1955

Hurricane Diane hit the Lehigh Valley in August of 1955. Living in Little Lehigh Manor, I remember huddling in the house, while the metal garbage cans of the era flew around the neighborhood. My father, whose meat market was on Union Street by the Lehigh River, worked throughout the night. Fortunately for him, his market had an second floor backup cooler, and a small freight elevator. While the retail business district on Hamilton Street is elevated enough to be unaffected from flooding, center city Easton was devastated by the Delaware. The next morning was rather surreal for a nine year old boy. A large willow tree on the corner of Lehigh Parkway South and Catalina Ave. was lying on its side. Although the Little Lehigh receded quickly, the park road and basin had been flooded. Diane remains a record in flooding and damage. Let us hope it remains that way.

photo from August 1955. Lehigh River rising by former A&B Meats. The row of houses shown were demolished to make way for a new bridge approach several years later.

reprinted from August of 2011

OLD ALLENTOWN AND CULTURE WARS

Old Allentown has been involved in two culture wars. First when it began, Emma Tropiano and others were opposed to the gentrification of the neighborhood. After it got established, I felt that the district was too large for its own good, spreading out like minded people too far. The District runs from 7th to 12th, Linden to Liberty.

With the changes in Allentown, especially concerning cultural norms about litter and noise, living center city can be challenging. Affordability is the. new hot button issue, and gentrification is becoming a dirtier term. Even Reilly's NIZ gave a nod to affordability at the former Morning Call parcel

I suspect that those still invested in the District will have to assume a Fort Apache attitude, not only in regard to neighbors, but with the progressive city administration.

Tag Teaming The Pope

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal thought that the spat between Trump and Leo didn't hurt the Republicans too bad, that such disagreements were expected now and then. I disagree with the article's conclusion, but with Vance then jumping in, perhaps the author would also disagree.

In a more tempered administration, perhaps the VP would have gone out of his way to be the good cop. But there is no moderation in Trump's White House. The Trump apologists will comment that they're just more honest than I'm used to, but in reality, the Office of Diplomacy must have been in the torn down East Wing.

So you offend 20% of the population. You break alliances going back to WW2. You take a chainsaw to government services, and schedule cage matches at the White House. All that's fine if you care more about winning than quality of everyone's life. However, as some commenters tell me, Trump isn't running again. My question for them is will MAGA come out for 2028?

ADDENDUM: There were assorted opinions about how Trump would behave at the Correspondents' Dinner. Although it was abruptly interrupted, we're grateful that there were no casualties. How the incident will affect the rescheduled dinner remains to be seen. Trump doesn't seem to be treating the press any more reverently since the dinner, telling a 60 Minute host that she is a disgrace.

Taking Tuerk To Task

Between my issues with Trump, and my weariness of having patrolled Allentown for decades, Mayor Tuerk has mostly escaped my scrutiny. Understand that when the FBI came to Allentown about Pawlowski, this blogger wasn't surprised, I had been on his case for years. Likewise, I have become conditioned to the litter and noise now part of Allentown's fabric.

There is NOTHING that Tuerk could have learned in a conference in Madrid, Spain that justified his trip. Junket should refer to a milk based dessert, not a trip. Truth be told, there are too many potholes and loud dirt bikes that need tamping down here in Allentown.

While speaking Spanish helped Tuerk get elected, learning Pennsylvania Dutch might help him clean up the city. He should spend Saturday mornings at the Fairground Farmers Market, and ask the patrons what they would like to see improved in their neighborhoods.

Nagy Novelty Company

In Downtown Allentown's commercial years, stores extended 3 blocks out from Hamilton Street. The only remaining remnant of that era is the parking meters, which apparently haven't noticed that the stores have been gone now for over 30 years.

On 8th Street, also a couple blocks off Hamilton, was the Nagy Novelty Company. The dictionary defines novelty as a small, often cheap, cleverly made article, usually for amusement. The Nagys' had thousands of them, floor to ceiling. There were little jokes and gags, sometimes risque, passed around parties in the 40's and 50's. When you pulled " Miss Lola, The Snappy Bubble Dancer" leg's out, your finger got snapped. 

The Nagys', an ancient father, son and dog, stayed open till around 1980. I was never sure which one was the son. To me, as an aficionado of the old and curious, the store was a shrine. Items which they sold for a few cents, now sell on ebay for many dollars. They manufactured their own greeting cards. Shown here is the front and inside of an embossed card probably dating back to the 1920's.

Reprinted from Dec. 23, 2008

Hamilton Street's Golden Era

By the early 1950's, our major department stores were operated by the second generation owners. Max Hess Jr. become a merchandizer of national reputation. His store windows presented displays as sophisticated as any major city. One holiday novelty exists to this day, Pip The Mouse, and can be seen at Zion Church. The fourth floor toy department had eye popping, life sized, automated stuffed animals from Germany. Needless to say, Santa Claus was on duty at Hess's.

Families had their favorite department store. While my mother patronized Hess's, others were loyal to Leh's and Zollingers. Although I'm sure that their Christmas displays were also top notch, I have no personal memories. While we now charge citizens to drive through a park with lights, downtowns used to compete with attractive displays. Allentown was famous for the Bell Lights on our iconic light posts, which would rock back and forth, as if ringing. Although times have changed, this blog will remind those few who remember.

reprinted from December of 2012

Humiliation vs. Diplomacy

Trump's problem with the Trump War with Iran is that ending it takes at least grade school diplomacy, not schoolyard bullying. Threats to bomb them back into the Stone Age, or destroy their civilization, only appeal to the pickup truck MAGA and Republican partisans too afraid to speak out. Apparently diplomatically, the best Trump can do is threaten to destroy their bridges and power plants.

Everyone in the world knows that he is unfit for the mess he got us into, except the Ryan Mackenzies, hoping that only the MAGA remnants show up in November. He(they) are wrong about that. On the contrary, Johnny pickup with the flag will stay home, and the rest of the country will be out in force.

Post Trump there will be two problems, among others. One will be for Republicans, and another for Israel... both will suffer consequences. For Israel, the Trump MAGA will be gone, and traditional Democratic support has been challenged by Netanyuhu's aggression.  For Republicans, Trump's ballroom alone will piss people off for a decade.

Tenderizing Mackenzie

Although I'm registered independent, and although the Democrats are a month away from even choosing their candidate, the anti-Mackenzie mailing are increasing in both frequency and size. As someone long offended by the volume of such mailings, the size increase is another irritant.. Are they thought to be more noticeable in the short trip from mailbox to garbage pail?

The current batch are 8.5"x13", and printed in both English and Spanish. Once the Democrats pick their candidate, it will take a forest to provide paper for the cards mailed up to November's election.

Our 7th District is believed to be one of the most competitive in the country for the coming midterms...Competitive meaning expensive. I think that the votes swayed by the money spent are very few. Divide that money by those few swayed votes, and you have an enormous misappropriation of resources.

Canal Park Intervention Needed

Students of this blog know that I have been a long time critic of the park department's disregard of the infrastructure within the parks. While most of my criticism has been in regard to the WPA structures, they are just part of an overall pattern of neglect.

Recently, I was distressed about the replacement of the wooden pavilions in Cedar Park with wall-less metal sheds. Worse for my mental health, in between that decision and its implementation, they allowed the paint to peel away and the wood to rot for a decade.

As poor of a decision as that was, it pales in comparison to what's happening in Canal Park. In Canal, the incredible unique buttress wood supports are beyond peeling, into rotting. While the pavilions in Cedar Park were charming, the pavilion in Canal is irreplaceable. Although it is a shame, actually a crime, that it got to this point, there is a solution. Wood epoxy is available, which can be filled into the rotten crevices, preventing further decay. The uniqueness of this structure justifies such a restoration.

12th Street Church Of the Four Corners

As you approach 12th and Hamilton, although much money was spent on the Arc of Reilly, the corner is dominated by homemade tinfoil signs. The signs are religious in nature, and quite prevalent...They are what grabs your eye, not Reilly's arch.

Although I remain an outlander, I do occasionally communicate with the establishment. While the city is not happy about the display, it is like pesky bloggers protected by law. I also had a short chat with the pastor, who is steadfast about his mission.

Although much of my blog audience is distressed about my recent concentration on national issues, I do still patrol Allentown. Understand that as this blog approaches its 19th year, and I approach my cankerous 8th decade, I offer no apologies in regard to my blog topics.

The Arc de Trump

Trump's proposed arch is another example of mixing his pathological ego with bad taste. The arch at 250 feet tall would dwarf other structures in Washington, and have assorted gold gilded stuff on top. One hoped that destroying the East Wing with a giant replacement would have been enough for him, but with him it's never enough.

Trump has a model on his desk and said "... And this one is going to blow them all away. The one that people know mostly is the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France. And we're going to top it by I think a lot."

I noticed Republican partisans circling the wagons and referring to the Nixon era mad man theory. They might want to remember that things didn't end well for Nixon, nor did the next election for the Republicans.

We Have The Might, But Not The Leadership

Saudi Arabia is worried about Trump's blockade of the Straits of Hormuz. Their fear is that the Houthis in Yemen might constraint the Bab a-Mandeb Strait out of the Red Sea, where much of their oil is now shipping.

While we certainly have the most powerful military in the world, the leadership at the top is erratic at best. I couldn't imagine Trump and Hegseth navigating WW2 or any major conflict since. Neither one takes advice well, and neither one has the experience to lead.

In Trump 1, aka 45, the advisors had a short shelf life, but they were qualified. In current Trump-O-Mania, expertise was never sought, only blind ring kissing. The only constraints on the Trump show seems to be the stock market and the price of oil. Let us hope that we can muddle through until 2029.

The Gospel According To Saint Trump

I'm somewhat weak on my knowledge of the Bible, and refrain from evaluating Popes. President Trump on the other hand is apparently a biblical scholar, and wants Pope Leo fired. In Trump's post cage match sermon, he proclaimed that Leo isn't doing a very good job, and that Leo is a very liberal person.

Trump even released an illustration of himself laying his healing hands on a wounded man. As I've written before, I don't know what kind of psychiatric department Walter Reed has, but they might need to gear it up.

Susan Wiles, Trump's chief of staff, certainly is earning her pay, as is Karoline Leavitt. Explaining away Trump is no easy job. The apologists are sounding sillier every day. Imagine being a Catholic Republican incumbent running for re-election in November, and not speaking up?

ADDENDUM: By early Monday afternoon, Trump removed the image, explaining that it was meant to portray him as a doctor, and that he does make people "feel better". Unfortunately, I don't think that his explanation made anybody feel better about him.

Trump Tries To Buy Hungarian Election With Our Money

Either Donald Trump doesn't understand the concepts of democracy and diplomacy, or he thinks that as President he's above them. His wholesale attempt to influence the Hungarian election with his tweets should embarrass the Republicans, but they have become tone deaf to this administration.

A Trump tweet on his Truth Social, “My Administration stands ready to use the full Economic Might of the United States to strengthen Hungary’s Economy, as we have done for our Great Allies in the past, if Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and the Hungarian People ever need it,” Before Sunday's vote Trump tweeted, “We are excited to invest in the future Prosperity that will be generated by Orbán’s continued Leadership!” 

Orban lost the election bigly, even after Trump's tweets and Vance's visit. That of course is the good news for the Republicans, come November the bad news.

shown above Bela Lugosi, who migrated to America in 1920 from Hungary.

Trump's Quagmire, Netanyahu

Trump's ceasefire with Iran has multiple stumbling blocks, but none as unmanageable as Bibi. Netanyahu's negotiations with Lebanon about disarming Hezbollah, but continuing attacking them in the meantime, does the Lebanese civilians no good. If the Lebanese government had such capability, it would have done so already.

With both Iran and Trump wanting an exit ramp, the Lebanese may become the victim of the contrived truce. If Trump exerts himself enough, he has the cards to restrain Israel. 

Netanyahu had been waiting decades to see Iran's capacities degraded. Trump's compliance with Netanyahu's agenda will be costly for the Republicans, but it wasn't Trump's first or last compulsive decision.

2028 Presidential Election

I saw mention by non-MAGA Republicans that they hope their party can come up with a viable candidate for 2028, assuming that anyone currently associated with Trump wouldn't fit the viable definition. Likewise, I hear Democrats complain that their party never fails to sabotage itself.

I can believe that those associated with Trump, like Vance and Rubio, will be contaminated beyond electability. However, the lesson of MAGA for Democrats is going more to the center, away from the progressive agenda. 

As an independent, I hope such a choice presents itself in 2028, but I'm doubtful. The primary/convention system, although good on paper, often elevates those candidates with the least universal appeal. Furthermore, after 2.5 more years of 47, everyone may need a break from drama.

Mr. Vance Goes To Budapest

More and more, I refrain from commenting on my own posts. The Trumpers get more and more defensive, and accuse me of being a communist for opposing their leader. How would they explain both Trump and Putin supporting the same candidate in the Hungarian elections?

Vance traveled to Budapest to endorse Orban, who has ruled Hungary since 2016. While the European Union is hoping his opponent wins, the Trump administration supports Putin's man, Viktor Orban. 

It wasn't that long ago that American Presidents said, at least publicly, that outsiders should not interfere in  the democratic elections of other countries. We were concerned about Russian inference in our own  elections. We now have an authoritarian regime in our country, and support them elsewhere.  I remember when Hungarians revolted in 1956. I suspect that they too will remember when they vote on Sunday. Likewise, I think Americans had enough of Trump, and will vote accordingly against his sycophants come November.

Trump and Hegseth As War Criminals

Although too many Republicans, sycophants and cultists don't want to admit it, more and more of the world is viewing Trump and Hegseth as war criminals. Trump's statements have long been unpresidential, but now they are becoming downright uncivilized.

So the world knows that Trump is unqualified as a president, but when does our congress stand up? Yesterday he babbled to the world that if he destroys the power plants and bridges in Iran, the people are willing to suffer for a new government there. Of course he also called them animals, and encouraged them to protest last month, because he had their backs.

I notice on the blogs that he is defended by the anonymous. I can understand them not wanting to sign their name to such comments.

Allentown Chronicles Going Private

Several years ago, I started a new local Facebook group titled Allentown Chronicles.  My goal was for a group somewhat more historically oriented than the existing nostalgia groups, where members keep asking which shop had the best pizza or chili sauce. There's nothing wrong with nostalgia, and those groups are very popular, but there was no need for an additional one.

As administrator I have rejected countless people, from mostly the third world, who would like to sell the members a sweatshirt with Allentown printed on it.  While this was burdensome, I preferred  keeping the group public so that any current or former Allentonian had easy access.  The ever changing Facebook is now changing the guidelines, and anybody can join a public group without approval. 

On November 8th the group will become private. If you have been visiting the page but haven't yet joined, you may want to do so in the next few days. 

Shown above was a father promoting the Easter Egg Hunt in Little Lehigh Manor in the 1950's. Allentown has changed a lot since then, and the group-- through posts and personal anecdotes-- tries to provide a place for these recollections. 

photo courtesy of the Williams' family

above reprinted from November 5, 2021 

ADDENDUM APRIL 6, 2026: The Chronicles has continued to grow, and is pushing toward 11k members. While my posts there still reflect my personal experiences, more posts by others are becoming Wikipedia based. I have relaxed the guidelines somewhat, but try and keep the group unique. 

Here on Molovinsky, things have become somewhat more chaotic. My disillusionment with the Trump administration has alienated some of my readers. My unwillingness to continually beat up Tuerk has alienated some others. Allentown is a very different city than the one I grew up in. I still take the city, and especially the park department to task, but for 2020 standards, not those from 1955. And I still appreciate your readership.

Coincidence or Harassment?

Yesterday afternoon, after my post about the Kid Rock flyby, I got quite a surprise. A loud whirling noise awoke me from my prescribed afternoon nap. Outside my window, two large BlackHawk helicopters were circling my property, and one landed in my backyard. Before the soldiers got to my door, I photographed the copter still airborne.

I decided to open the door, rather than have them break it down. They grabbed my camera and took the film out. Unknown to them, I had also taken a photo with my cellphone. I called my congressman, Ryan Mackenzie, to complain, but nobody from his office returned my message.

I also called the office of the Attorney General, but apparently Pam Bondi is having her own issues. When a small town pizza blogger gets harassed, who is safe?  I guess you are, commenting anonymously, but I'd rather...

ADDENDUM: Secretary of War Hegseth removed the Chief of Staff yesterday, General Randy George. Fortunately, at this time, we're not involved in any military operations, which could be compromised by such a change.

ADDENDUM 10:00AM: Today Hegseth changed a long standing policy, and servicemen will be able to carry personal weapons on military bases. He brayed that he was honoring their 2nd Amendment rights. I know that there are military police and guards who are armed.  If Hegseth has the institutional military knowledge to make such a major change, I sincerely doubt. One wonders if the timing indicated that General George wasn't on board with the plan.

photocredit:molovinsky/vicinityofPatrickAF/SpaceForceBase