A Different Past For The Baby Boomers

Little Lehigh Manor was built for the returning GIs after the War. It was a self contained development of several hundred brick twin houses, nestled between Lehigh Parkway and Lehigh Street. It had its own elementary school, and nearby grocery stores. Although this development may have been more idyllic than some older areas in Allentown, it shared its best feature with the rest of the city... It was a neighborhood. I hear these same memories from people in my generation who grew up on the East Side, across the river in the Ward, or center city at 9th and Chew. Great mentoring occurred at the Boys and Girls Clubs, and another dozen organizations devoted to the community's youth. Although there were economic differences and poverty, they seemed to have less of an effect on quality of life and opportunity than now. Perhaps it was the massive number of children from the Baby Boom that created a communal sense of caring among the parents and organizations, but something special seems missing today.

reprinted from January of 2013

picture dates from around 1949. An enterprising photographer brought a pony around the neighborhood as an alluring prop.

The Mighty Atom

Years ago, at the Allentown Fair, as one would push through a sea of carney delusion, tucked back by the 4H animals, was an island of reality. There, in an old battered truck, an ancient Jewish strongman performed incredible feats of strength, to sell only homemade kosher soap. Standing on a platform on the rear of his truck, flanked by photographs from his performing youth, he would bent horse shoes and bite through nails. Many years earlier, my mother as a little girl in Bethlehem, saw him pull a truck uphill with his hair. Even as an old man, like a reincarnation of Samson, his grey hair was still long.
In the summers of 1964 and 1965, myself and a friend,(Fred Schoenk, retired Allentown art teacher) made and sold printed tee-shirts at the fair. We had the honor to know Joseph Greenstein(The Mighty Atom) and his wife. For those interested, there are various articles on the Mighty Atom and even at least one book. Enjoy the fair!

reprinted every year since 2007

Roosevelt Converts Jews

When Republicans ask me about Jewish voting trends, I usually reply that the Jews don't know that Roosevelt died, and that he didn't particularly like them anyway. They have been genetically programmed for the Democratic Party, since their great-great grandmothers thought Roosevelt was helping them. Jewish support for Obama slipped from 78% in 2008, to 70% on Tuesday. Although that is a significant move of the needle, considering how important Israel is to the Jewish psyche, and how little affinity Obama has for that nation, genetics still prevailed.

reprinted from November of 2012

UPDATE AUGUST 22, 2019:  Although over the years I have written many posts about Jewish voting and Israel,  between Netanyahu, Omar, Tlaib and Trump, the topic is front and center.  In the last couple of days we read about Trump and the trope.  Years ago, Art Linkletter had a program called Kids Say The Darndest Things.   Kids, not unlike Trump, don't have the filters that society places on us over the years.

While in the movies, John Wayne and James Stewart were idolized for plain talking, that trait is certainly not expected or appreciated in politics.   Although not expected, I guess the question for 2020 will be how many people appreciate it?

Harassed Homeowner

Years ago, I would occasionally blog about some property owner who was being victimized by Pawlowski's City Hall. Unfortunately, there appears to still be some abuse possible, especially if you're a feisty homeowner who talks back.

The east side woman on Hanover Avenue told me that she was being bullied by a neighboring business owner, who has some apparent connections at city hall. Although I generally stopped attending meetings and making such field trips, I stopped over to see her house. Everything she complained about was totally evident. The neighboring properties were in a distressed shape, yet she is getting the citations. One issue is her rear deck, which is in excellent condition, and could structurally support a herd of elephants. Another issue, that the neighbor's new front construction encroaches on her property, is also obvious.

She's facing a fine(s) that should be rescinded. After talking with her for an hour, I can appreciate that she didn't show the deference that the inspectors are used to. However, she's a taxpayer, maintaining her house in a condition greatly exceeding her neighbors, and deserves the city's cooperation, not harassment.

Weighing In On 1948

1948 was a good year for Allentown and the Lehigh Valley. Mack Trucks, Lehigh Structural Steel, General Electric and almost all factories were going full steam. President Truman stopped by to give a speech. The Allentown Cardinals played the first game in their new ballpark, Breadon Field. The baby boom was going full tilt:



The school district unveiled Lehigh Parkway and Midway Manor Elementary Schools and the new professional style football stadium. Donald Hock was Mayor, and although the last beer was being brewed on Lawrence Street at Daeufer Brewery, the Paddock joined many new restaurants opening that year. Photo's from Dorney Park in 1948.

reprinted from May of 2016


ADDENDUM: Assuming a photograph on the Morning Call website is color balanced correctly, the wooden coaster at Dorney is no longer Dorney Coaster Yellow. Painting the coaster the same shade of yellow was an important tradition at the park, even when ownership changed hands. They don't make Lehigh Valley traditions like they used to.

Around The Corner

Yesterday's post about the zoning hearing for Rite-Aid, out on North 7th Street, showed a classic 1950 black and white photograph of Hamilton Street. Today, we go right around the corner, on South 7th Street. Being the oldest blogger in the valley, and being an aficionado of old photographs, you will be submitted to these excursions. Before we begin, a few notes about yesterday's image. Notice that there are many more shoppers on the north side of Hamilton, than the south. This phenomenon always existed. Were the better stores on the north side? Real estate prices and rents were always higher on the Hess's side. OK, lets go around the corner. The Suburban Line Bus is getting ready to head west, the county poor home being the last stop; Today it is known as Cedarbrook. The Lehigh Valley Transit Company had their main stop a block west, on S. 8th Street. The bus is parked in front of the YMCA, which housed a market at street level. If the photograph was extended on the right side, you would see the monument. Across Hamilton Street is Whelan Drug Store, that location currently occupied by a bank. The billboard above, then advertising local Neuweiler Beer, was a prime sign location. Behind the drug store stands the Dime Bank, which will remain as part of the new transformational Arena Complex. Glad you could join me, now get off the bus, and back into 2011.

reprinted from November of 2011

American Jewish Opposition

Jewish enemies of Trump were handed a paradoxical gift last week when Netanyahu switched course on Omar and Tlaib.  First, let's establish that most Jews are Democrats, and that Democrats dislike Trump, like no other president in memory.  Many of these DemJews only tolerated Netanyahu because of their love of Israel.  They would prefer a more liberal leader in Israel, even if Israel is in a constant state of seige.  The apparent rapport between the despised, and barely tolerated, farther antagonized them.

When Trump tweeted that Omar and Tliab hate Israel, and that no goodwill visit would ever change their attitudes,  nobody, including the most pollyanna,  could dispute that assessment.  On social media, one non-Jewish liberal after another, started commenting how they always supported Israel, but that this decision changed their mind. One second later, they were already complaining that Isreal should be more respectful to our congress, because of all the foreign aid that they receive.  Seems like it didn't take much to erode that support.

Some Jewish periodicals, mostly liberal by definition,  exclaimed Netanyahu's fake strength, bending under Trump's thumb.

Israel survives in a hostile neighborhood by realizing that the few offers of truce that come their way, usually serve the purpose of their enemies. Who would have thought that in the 21st century, that they would also have to contend with American Jewish opposition.

image above is screengrab from Tablet