No Egg Hunt

For the first time in over 60 years, the children of Little Lehigh Manor will not be enjoying an egg hunt on the same slope of Lehigh Parkway. The event was started in the late 1940's by the homeowner's association, then taken over by the local chapter of the Optimist International in 1960. That chapter now has been reduced by the years to three men, all in their eighties, and one of them now lives in Florida. Ever the optimist, Dave Jordan put up the sign above, hoping to create some interest for next year. So far, he has received only two calls, one from an older Jewish blogger, who hunted for eggs there as a child, growing up in that wonderful neighborhood. If you have an interest in volunteering to take over the event, please phone Dave at 610 XXX-XXXX

reprinted from April of 2012

ADDENDUM APRIL 21, 2025: I do not know if an egg hunt ever was restored to the Parkway neighborhood, but otherwise, the hunts are alive and well in Allentown. Last Saturday there were hunts in Midway Manor and Mountainville. This Saturday, there were hunts in Percy Ruhe, Jordan and Bucky Boyle Parks. Over the weekend there were also smaller hunts,  among them, one organized by the Ortiz Foundation in Stevens Park, and another by a book club in Cedar Park.

When Mack Was Allentown

I grew up around the corner from Mack's famous 5C plant, on the corner of Lehigh and S. 12th Streets. In the early 1950's, the brightly colored truck tractors would cover the lot next to the old assembly plant. All day long, a new tractor would leave for delivery somewhere, with two more piggy back on the coupling hitches. Over the years I have written a lot of posts about Mack, especially how their workers would use the Fountain Park WPA steps, walking to their jobs on S. 10th Street. Mack made all their own truck parts there, except the tires. Built Like A Mack Truck, was a result of the local craftsmanship.

In Saturday's Morning Call article about Mack investing in the Macungie plant, the vice president is quoted as saying that Mack was here to stay. By Saturday evening, that vice president was no longer with the company, according to WFMZ. I remember when the larger share of production was moved to South Carolina in 1987. Shortly before that plant closed in 2002, they handed out sunglasses to symbolize their bright future there. I remember when the World Headquarters on Mack Boulevard moved to North Carolina. I don't know about Mack's long term future in the valley, but I do know that the ties that bind have long since been broken.

Jack Mack, one of Mack Truck's founding brothers, was killed in an auto accident in 1924. He is buried in Fairview Cemetery on Lehigh Street.

above reprinted from 2016 

ADDENDUM APRIL 18, 2025: Mack has announced an upcoming layoff of about 300 workers, citing the tariffs and uncertainly about demand. Local Democratic elected officials, Josh Siegel and Nick Miller, have wasted no time blaming Trump's half hazard approach to tariffs. Mack union officials are also joining the chorus, not against tariffs per se, but the way the administration has implemented them. While local Republicans have not yet commented, they know that Trump's coattails are already turning into a liability. How did this fall from grace happen so quickly? Trump's appointments have been the worse in my memory, and he's a man who certainly needed good advice.

Allentown As Charlie Tuna

One girl gets a new hair-do and wardrobe, but the other one gets asked to the prom?!?  While a $Billion Dollars of our diverted state taxes went to Allentown's Hamilton Street, Bethlehem was voted Best Main Street in the nation. 

Years ago, Starkist Tuna had a campaign where Charlie Tuna, although dressed in the best, was never picked. Starkist wanted tuna with good taste. Nobody has ever accused Allentown of having good taste.

Children learn that all the king's men couldn't put Humpty Dumpty back together again. Despite one promotion after another, Hamilton Street remains dead. I suppose I should be glad that only the street is dead, as opposed to the people walking on it. Last Friday we learned of a shooting off Tilghman Street. Almost a week has passed, but not another word on the incident. When shootings became so common place in Allentown that there was no follow-up story in the paper, we were in trouble.

The Depreciation Of Union Terrace

I have been advocating for Union Terrace since I stopped then-mayor Joe Daddona jogging to complain about some work needed on the structure. Likewise, I stopped Bill Heydt and his wife on a walk, and badgered both Pawlowski and O'Connell.

Matt Tuerk, consider this an open letter to you. Union Terrace (now Joseph Daddona Terrace) has never looked worse, or never was it in more immediate need of intervention.

The double stairwell down from St. Elmo Street is degraded. Worse yet, shown above, the northern end corner of the stage mound wall is about to collapse from shameful neglect.

Mr. Mayor,                                                                              Please don't allow the park department to tell me that they will seek a grant from Trexler Trust, and that they will send a consultant to recommend what kind of mortar to use on the repair.  Please just send a mason and fix it.

Sincerely, Michael Molovinsky, Advocate for the traditional park system and the WPA

reprinted from June 2022 

ADDENDUM APRIL 16, 2025:Union Terrace has been repointed, and the mason did an excellent job. Expect some fanfare this spring/summer from the city and Parknership about the restoration. While they're basking in their accomplishment, hopefully they will put the Parkway double stairwell landings on the schedule, because that job is way overdue.

Future of Allentown Parks In Jeopardy

Let me clarify that I'm referring to those aspects and features of the park system that made it famous. Let me clarify that I'm referring to those features which Harry Trexler established a trust fund to protect. 

If anybody doubts that even Trexler's wishes have been subverted, let them try and locate Mrs. Trexler's greenhouse. Although it was her pride and joy, specifically protected by the trust, years ago the trust petitioned the court it allow its removal, to accommodate a former park director.

Lately, the park department and Trust have been accommodating the Wildlands Conservancy. The agenda of the Conservancy and the traditional park system are NOT compatible. The word wildlands is not in the definition of parks, and the word parks is not in the definition of wild lands.  Under their cooperation, we have lost access to the park creeks, some WPA structures, and the future of the traditional Allentown park system.

The new Parknership is funded by both Trexler Trust and the Pool Foundation, which is the main backer of the Wildlands Conservancy.  It would be nice if the current Trexler Trustees were all descendants of the General Trexler, and shared his park values. In reality, they're all influential people, who mostly value getting along with the establishment.  Allegiance to the traditional park system no longer figures into their decision making, and hasn't for decades.

Besides for the parks, there's not much left of Allentown's former uniqueness. However, I know that there are thousands of people who share my dismay about the direction of the park system. I intend to make the new Facebook group, WPA of Allentown, a lobby for the traditional park system. There appears to be no other advocacy group for those values.

ADDENDUM: The above is rather blunt, even for this outspoken blogger. However, there is no other local venue expressing such sentiments, although many share my opinion(s) on the parks.

Bad Day For Allentown's Traditional Park System

Sunday was a rough day for Cedar Park. In cooperation with the City Park Department, dozens of eager Wildands Conservancy volunteers descended upon Cedar Park and planted dozens of trees, expanding the faux Riparian Buffer even out more from the creek. While some of the plantings took place in the most western section toward Cedar Crest Blvd., half the damage was done before the last walk bridge on the path loop. This former open space was prized by numerous dog owners, near one of the few places their pets can get a tick free drink!

The holes were dug earlier in the week by the park department. This cooperation between the department and Conservancy indicates that the department is as committed as ever to the faux buffer, aka Weed Wall. The Wildands owns hundreds of acres on South Mountain, where they could plant all the trees they want.  

I recently offended some officials by stating that the current public park input meetings are a political dog and pony show. If the city really cares about how the residents feel about the parks, they can read the Facebook group Allentown Chronicles. On the group, hundreds of residents have expressed their disgust with the weed walls.