October Easton Irregular

october 2017 FREE

Playing with Fire Ash “Rockbottom” Riccaboni of The Asset Ambassadors plays with fire for a crowd outside Connexions Gallery in downtown Easton during Easton Out Loud. image courtesy of Blue 47 Photography

by Christine Lake The recent heatwave isn’t the only thing heating up the Lehigh Valley. A new performance duo, The Asset Ambassadors, has been bringing their unique entertainment to venues across the region after dark. A combination of hoop dancing, fire performance, and burlesque, these ambassadors usher in an experience like none other.

Sarah “Soft Top” Deremer and Ash “Rockbottom” Riccaboni have been performing one way or another their whole lives. Deremer was a classical ballet dancer, while Riccaboni was a classically trained singer. Both have been training with hula-hoop for 8 years, but Riccaboni went straight into fire performing as the founding member of another fire troop. Deremer wasn’t introduced to fire hooping for another four years, but was immediately hooked. The two met while Deremer was performing alone at a venue in Allentown about three years ago, and Riccaboni was in the crowd. “I was so happy to see another Hooper performing locally that I went right over and struck up a conversation,” she says. “We’ve been friends ever since.”

The idea to perform together as The Asset Ambassadors came together kind of as a joke. Riccaboni had been looking for a way to incorporate burlesque into hooping for a few years, but hadn’t found the right opportunity. “We were talking about what would make a unique show for us and we realized that we have almost opposite body types,” says Deremer. “Ash had already been given the nickname ‘Rockbottom’ and we figured the opposite of that, ‘Soft Top’ was very fitting for me. It seemed like the perfect set-up to introduce burlesque elements into our shows and we began writing for that.” The name represents embracing their bodies, but also exposing their passions to the audience. “We’ve always been very supportive of one another, and we’d like others to be empowered to be their own asset ambassadors.”

Obviously, performing with fire takes a lot of concentration and work. “Fire spinning is deviant art,” they explain. “It is real fire, it is real danger and we treat it with the utmost respect. It’s passed down from artist to artist. The fire spinning community is like a big family, constantly educating and empowering each other.” Both ladies practice their skills daily, and rehearse choreography together at least once a continued on page 3

GIVING BACK IS A WORK OF ART

by Christine Lake A new art exhibition is aiming to use the power of the visual arts to bring the face of volunteerism into clearer focus. In the new BLACK—VOLUNTEERISM, artist D Nina Cruz uses a unique medium as the entry point into stories of 14 local volunteers, to give the act of volunteering a voice of its own. The free show opened to the public at SteelStacks on September 3 and runs until October 29.

Though the economic climate of the past decade may make it seem that self-preservation is the right strategy, Cruz offers a different antidote. “In today’s culture, you need to talk to people who look different than you, or eat different foods than you,” she says. “Getting outside of yourself, giving of ourselves is important.” There’s research to back up her assertions. Volunteering strengthens community, but it also strengthens the volunteer’s social network by offering connections; social interactions of this type improve brain function, lower risk of depression and anxiety, and bolster the immune system. Giving, whether of time or funds, also allows us to participate in the things we deem important. It’s a statement to the world that we believe in a cause, and living in such an outward manner allows us to further connect with our values. “Anything that you think is holding you back from volunteering really isn’t,” states Cruz. “I wanted to show that anyone can volunteer, because these likenesses and bios really span the spectrum of real life circumstances.”

A lifelong artist, Cruz recently settled on the New Jersey/Pennsylvania border. “I moved a lot growing up, and that shaped me,” she explains. “I was always the new kid in school, so I had to learn to move past fear to reach out to people.” A little stressed with home improvements, volunteering gave Cruz a way to stop focusing on herself and to help others with the same need. She started with Habitat for Humanity Lehigh Valley, volunteering and then working part-time for five months while also working another full time job. For the group’s big fundraiser auction, A Toast to Hope in 2015, Cruz repurposed a door into a coffee table. “It turned out well, but it needed something,” she says. “I thought, ‘I’m an artist, I can do something with this!’ and as I looked at the piece it just cried out for a bloom.” Having worked with wood stain during her time with Habitat LV, she envisioned a painting on the door made entirely with wood stain. “I didn’t know if I could pull it off, would the stain obey?”

Cruz recalls. It did obey, and the door/coffee table turned out so well, even Minwax noticed and featured it on their social media.

Around the same time, Cruz was working on an idea for a series of paintings inspired by her time with the core volunteers of Habitat LV, turning volunteer benefits into art. Originally, she planned to work in watercolors, but the coffee table creation changed that. The SteelStacks location was already booked for the exhibition, so she had a good idea of the size and number of paintings needed. With over a dozen to paint, time would be a factor. “Watercolor is a medium that I’m very familiar with, so I ran the risk of getting a little too detailed with the likenesses, using up valuable time,” says Cruz. “Working with wood stain afforded me less familiarity with the

Artist Profile page 10

“Art M: Final Brushes” is a piece from the exhibit the new BLACK—VOLUNTEERISM by artist D Nina Cruz , on view at SteelStacks thru October 29.

Irregular Eats page 16

continued on page 3

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October 2017

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the Easton Irregular Lydia E. Bruneo Publisher & Editor Michelle L. Corby Creative Director Contributors: Lori Crosson Carole J. Heffley Richard F. Hope Lauren Kindle Christine Lake Maureen Melick

SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY. BUY LOCAL

Retail Ad Manager Colin K. Gregory Reach us at: PO Box 85 Easton, PA 18044 610-258-4330 bruneo1776@aol.com Founded by Carole J. Heffley and James R. Hicks, Jr. 1996 Remember, support your community.

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Playing with Fire continued from page 1

week. Keeping in touch with other fire performers, they’re always sharing best practices and safety protocols, too. It’s not all physical practice, though; there is a lot of planning, writing, booking and promoting that goes into keeping the group going.

Both Riccaboni and Deremer are moms, and balancing the logistics of family life with the schedule of performing is always a challenge. “That, and the burnt hair,” Riccaboni cracks. The energy coming from the audience and the pure joy of entertaining make the sacrifices well worth it, however. That’s not to say that every show goes off without a hitch. Costume and prop malfunctions do happen, and sometimes something that goes right 50 times during rehearsal goes very wrong during a performance. As for the most surprising thing at an Asset Ambassadors show? “We can’t give that away!” say the ladies. “You’ll have to come find out!”

The duo are standing performers at the Easton Out Loud festivities that take place in downtown Easton on the fourth Friday of every month. Those performances are billed as “Whirled Dreams” and feature a little less burlesque as a more family-friendly type of show. “We are always looking to book more gigs and explore new venues,” Riccaboni says. “We are constantly adding new material,

Sarah “Soft Top” Deremer of The Asset Ambassadors swallows fire at Easton Out Loud. image courtesy of Blue 47 Photography

The Asset Ambassadors. image courtesy of Brittany Bee Photography.

and we feature a wide variety of different acts.” Recently they’ve performed at the courtyard of Connexions Gallery in downtown Easton, ArtsFest Allentown at Cedar Beach Park, and at one of the Drink n’ Draw events at SteelStacks. After dark is always better to get the full effect of the fire, but daytime events are also impressive, as evidenced by the Grand Opening Blast event in Catasauqua in September. “We would love to facilitate new events where fellow fire artists can come together publicly,” says Deremer.

For more information about The Asset Ambassadors and to see more photos from their events, you can visit www.facebook.com/The-Asset-Ambassadors-108894633121165. You can also attend some classes taught by Riccaboni to learn some Ambassador-type skills of your own. The classes are: Hoops and Hops on Monday evenings at Allentown Brew Works, and Hoop Sweat on Thursdays at Sweat Like a Girl in Nazareth (www.sweatlikeagirl.com). She also owns Hoop Hoop Hooray and is available for birthday parties, classes and educational programs.

Giving Back Is a Work of Art continued from page 1

medium, thus distracting from implementing detail in the entire painting.” This isn’t to say that the portraits are lacking in detail, but the details are purposefully in the face and eyes. Cruz used fine brushes and translucent layers of wood stain to create life-like subjects viewers can relate to.

The scope for her vision also grew. “I realized that I had to represent all different ages, different genders, different interests,” Cruz relays. “This would allow those experiencing the exhibition to relate to these real volunteers. No excuses—if the real people featured can get past challenges of time, money, ability and fear, then so can you.” Fortunately, being a dedicated volunteer herself, she had other groups to use as connections. “First, I asked the organizations if I could approach their volunteers to be a part of this project as individuals. Then it was up to the person,” she says. Volunteers from America’s Grow-a-Row, in Pittstown, NJ and Southridge Community Church in Clinton, NJ stepped up to round out the subjects. “The heart and soul of this project are the Bios of the volunteers. The reasons why they integrate volunteering into their lives and what they have gained are what I really want people to see,” says Cruz. “The likenesses draw you in, then I hope people will read the Bios and decide that life is richer when you give—when you volunteer.”

Cruz is also hoping that viewers will share the love by taking their favorite portraits/Bios and share them widely on social media with the hashtag #newblackvol. The exhibit includes a QR code that will take you to the project website where you can explore the bios and mission of the show in depth. There is also a feedback form, and all attendees are encouraged to leave their feedback of what spoke to them, what moved them, and how it changed them. After October, Cruz is intending to make this a travelling exhibit, to get the message of volunteerism out to the world.

“Whatever it is that bothers you in this world, you’re meant to do something about that. This show is my something,” explains Cruz. “We need to get out of ourselves! Be open, go give and serve. You’re the answer to something out there, and there’s no shortage of need for your talents, whatever they may be.” the new BLACK—VOLUNTEERISM is free and open to the public at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, 101 Founders Way in Bethlehem, PA. Hours are: Monday-Wednesday 3:30-6:00 PM; Thursday & Friday 4-6 PM; Saturday 11 AM-6 PM and Sun 12-6 PM. More information on the event can be found at www.cruzcreate.com/show.html.

“Melissa M” is a piece from the exhibit the new BLACK—VOLUNTEERISM by artist D Nina Cruz , on view at SteelStacks thru October 29.

Artist D Nina Cruz poses in front of the pieces from her exhibit the new BLACK—VOLUNTEERISM, on view at SteelStacks thru October 29.

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WALKING TOUR Italianate Town Houses (246, 248, 250 Bushkill Street)

by Richard F. Hope 3-story brick, elaborate projecting cornices over windows and door, and bracketed roof cornice, in the “Italianate” style.

Different construction dates of 1859 and c.1870 have been suggested.

This property is located on the eastern-most part of original town Lot No. 50 as surveyed by William Parsons when Easton was founded in 1752. That Lot fronted on North 3rd Street (then called Pomfret Street) as well as Bushkill Street. At a very early date, the property was informally occupied by Martin Adam. After his death, his widow (Anna Margaret Adam) and her second husband (laborer John Dengler, also spelled Dingler) were appointed administrators of Martin Adam’s estate in 1759: Anna Margaret Adam/Dengler inherited whatever property rights Martin Adam had in the property. An early map of Easton lots shows that Lot No. 50 was fenced in by George “Tingler”, while he occupied a house on Lot No. 52 next door on Pomfret Street. The house was valued by the 1759 estate at only £6, which “was an extremely low figure and the dwelling must have been a poor structure.” Dengler appears in a record during the Revolution, when he was paid £1 and 10 shillings in continental currency (said to be the equivalent of only 7 shilling and sixpence in specie) for digging the grave of Easton’s first resident lawyer, Lewis Gordon, after Gordon died in 1778.

Historian A.D. Chidsey Jr.’s map of 1776 Easton shows a large building built along the rear alley of Lot No. 52, but Chidsey did not identify the source of his information. This large building appears to still be visible in a painting of Easton attributed to the year 1810 (and actually probably painted in 1811 or 1812), when the property was owned by Samuel Sitgreaves (see below).

The Dengler Family’s free ride finally came to an end in 1789, when the Penn Family’s collection agent Anthony Butler made a push to collect past due rents in Easton, and to sell properties to squatters (such as the Denglers) who had not obtained any formal titles. Dengler’s son, George Dengler (also known as John George Dingler) accordingly purchased formal title to the land from the Penn Family in 1789. In 1807, Dengler sold the two Lots to Samuel Sitgreaves, an Easton lawyer, politician and financier who had erected his “Spring Garden” mansion at the corner with Spring Garden Street in 1793. Sitgreaves ultimately acquired the entire “Square”, all the way from Spring Garden Street to Bushkill Street, and used most of it for a garden behind his “Spring Garden” mansion at the Spring Garden Street corner. After Sitgreaves died in 1827, his estate sold the entire Square to brewer John G. Marbacher for $6,500. Marbacher divided up the Square, and proceeded to sell it off in separate pieces. In 1833, the SW corner of Bushkill and Pomfret (now North 3rd) Streets was sold to Jacob Lesher and his wife for $1,350. No building was explicitly listed on this land in the deed, which is consistent with Samuel Sitgreaves’s use of it as a garden (see above). Lesher’s plot included 60’ of frontage along North 3rd Street, and ran 115’ back along Bushkill Street to a private alley opened by Marbacher. This corner property thus included the Bushkill Street frontage now occupied by the town houses at 246, 248 and 250 Bushkill Street.

Ten years later, in 1843, Jacob Lesher placed his land (as well as a number of other pieces of real estate) in trust for his wife, Anna Maria Lesher. The deed of trust described the SE corner of Bushkill and Pomfret Streets as containing a single “Brick Messuage Tenement”. This suggests that Lesher, a “House-Carpenter”, had constructed a single building on the land by this time, probably at the corner itself. Thereafter, Mrs. Lesher’s trustee may have improved the land by adding a building, which would be consistent with the 1859 construction date suggested (probably by an owner) in the Northampton County Tax Records. However, when Mrs. Lesher and her trustee sold the property on in 1868, the building description remained unchanged as a “Brick Messuage tenement” (singular), which may suggest that the property still held only the building at the corner. That sale brought $10,000 from purchaser William W. Clark.

Eighteen months later, when Clark was only 42 years old, he contracted to sell this property for $16,000 to John Martin. The sale was to close on 1 August. When Clark died unexpectedly on 14 July, his estate had to get court permission to complete the sale after his death, which was finally accomplished on 31 August. Newspaper items about Clark’s death indicate that his wife, Susan, had already died the year before, and that William Clark himself was subject to “temporary fits”. On Wednesday, 14 July, he had “succeeded in getting away” from his family and went missing; on Friday his body was “found hanging . . . in a stable in the rear of his late residence on Bushkill street.” He was considered to be a suicide.

The large increase in sale price obtained by Clark for this Easton property in only a year and a half, suggests that significant construction had been conducted under Clark’s ownership. That would suggest that the separate apartment building was built

by Clark, rather than by Mrs. Lesher’s trustee. The alternative “c.1870” construction date suggested for the Italianate Town Houses (see above) would be consistent with construction by Clark.

Clark’s 1869 sale deed continued to describe the building only generally, as a “brick tenement”, but with the inauguration of the modern street numbering scheme only a few years later in 1874, all three modern addresses (at 246, 248 and 250 Bushkill Street) were assigned to three different tenants. This tends to confirm that the Italianate Town Houses had been constructed by that time. The tenants listed in the modernized addresses of 1874 were: • No. 250, as the residence of Miss R. Vanorman; • No. 248, as the residence of Mrs. Charles Smith; • No. 246, as the residence of Edward Ricker.

(Under the prior address scheme, Ricker’s address had been 64 Bushkill Street.)

An Atlas of 1874 also shows the footprint of four buildings along Bushkill Street in place by that time, as well as a substantial building at the corner. [This corner building – forerunner of the Bull Apartments building of today – apparently also included several residential apartments.]

Clark’s purchaser, John Martin, had been born in Ireland, and had come to America in approximately 1847. He arrived in Easton in 1852, and “made considerable money in the rag and junk business”. He reinvested his money in real estate, becoming “one of the largest property owners in Easton”. In his later years, he also operated a bookstore out of the building that served as his home, at 116 South 3rd Street.

Further street address history confirms that John Martin continued to use the Italianate Town House buildings for residential rentals. For example, in 1883, No. 248 was the residence of Samuel W. Nevin, before he took up residence the following year at 115 North 4th Street (next door to David W. Nevin). In 1880: • No. 246 was the residence of S. Kirkpatrick and her son, Morris (an attorney-at-law).

• No. 248 was the residence of paper mill Superintendent George Ehrhart and family.

• No. 250 was the residence of Attorney Robert James and family.

Property owner John Martin died on 10 May 1897. His estate was pressed to pay debts (probably for lack of ready cash, rather than for lack of valuable assets). Within a few months, the entire Bushkill Street corner property (including the land at the corner with North 3rd Street) was sold as a single package by Sheriff’s sale.

The purchasers were partners S. Holland Hackett and Anderson D. Chidsey, who paid $13,000. The Hackett and Chidsey firm was a “private banking and brokerage house” founded in 1889 by Andrew Dwight Chidsey, Sr. and S. Holland Hackett.

Chidsey was one of the sons of Russell S. Chidsey, owner of a stove store on Northampton Street and a founder of the Warren Foundry and the Thomas Iron Co., and an organizer of the Farmers and Mechanics Bank (later the First National Bank of Easton). It appears that John Martin’s underlying debt leading to the Sheriff’s sale had been owed to the estate of Russell Chidsey, Andrew’s father.

Two years later (in 1899), Hackett & Chidsey sold the corner building to James V. Bull. In 1901, Bull also purchased the “three brick dwelling houses” next door along Bushkill Street. The sale price for these apartments was $10,000.

James V. Bull (1841-1930) was one of the two partners in the famous Bush & Bull Department store. His Bull Mansion was also located just s few doors down the street, at 226 Bushkill Street. In 1901, James Bull rebuilt his corner building (the Bull Apartments at 139 North 3rd Street), probably to incorporate the separate buildings shown in the 1874 Atlas into the single building that now stands at the corner, with entrances bearing the addresses of 139 North 3rd Street and 256 Bushkill Street. However, there is nothing to suggest that he did any extensive work on the three Italianate Bushkill Street town houses next door.

• In 1900, No. 246 was the residence of M. Giberson, a salesman (age 40), while No. 250 was the residence of Dr. E. Doolittle (age 54).

246, 248 & 250 Bushkill Street in downtown Easton, PA. photo by Lydia E. Bruneo

• In 1920, No. 246 was the home of Martha Halfrin and her assorted sons and daughters; No. 248 housed rooming house landlady Cora Bray and her daughters Minnie and Edna; and No. 250 was the home of Henry O. Meeker, a power house Superintendent for the electric company.

• In 1930, No. 246 was the home of photographer Frank L. Mattison (and his wife Nora); No. 248 had now been taken over by Edna V. Bray (apparently the daughter of the 1920 renter); and No. 250 continued to be the home of H. Oscar Meeker (now listed simply as an “electrician”) and his wife Elizabeth.

• In 1942, No. 246 had become the home of Nathan G. Shimer, while No. 248 housed Mrs. Belle S. Fleming.

In 1948, Helen Harrison separately sold off each of the “three Brick dwelling houses” along Bushkill Street (i.e. 246, 248 and 250 Bushkill Street).

246 Bushkill Street Helen Bull Harrison sold this town house to Rebecca Prival. She retained it until 1957, when it was sold to Jesse and Dorothy Kieffer for $7,400. Dr. Jesse Kieffer practiced medicine for 35 years in Easton, retiring in 1968. He used the front parlor as a waiting room for patients, next to his examination room, and space in the rear of the building for a lab and dispensing room. The Kieffers’ residence was on the second floor, while their three sons lived on the third floor. Mrs. Kieffer was also a doctor – she had met her husband when they were both in medical school in Philadelphia. She had graduated with an added Masters Degree in microbiology, but did not practice medicine (except to help her husband occasionally). Despite her New York Jewish upbringing, she became a Roman Catholic for her husband, and attended mass daily at St. Michael’s Church around the corner on Spring Garden Street in her later years. After Dr. Jesse died in 1979, Mrs. Kieffer locked the medical office and continued to live in the upstairs apartment. Later, when in her 90s, the first floor was converted back into a residential apartment after Mrs. Kieffer became unable to handle the stairs. Mrs. Kieffer died in 2003 at age 95.

In 2004, Mrs. Kieffer’s estate sold the town house for $130,000 to Theresa L. DeLorenzo. Unfortunately, in 2010 the Sheriff seized the building, selling it to the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA, or “Fannie Mae”). A year later (in 2011), Blakely Mayrosh purchased it for $145,000.

248 Bushkill Street Helen Bull Harrison sold this town house to Richard A. Baddour. In 1975, Baddour and his wife passed the “brick dwelling house” along to Chafiq Melhem and his wife. Chafiq Melhem was born in Kfarsghab, Lebanon. After he immigrated to the United States, he worked as a steel fabricator for the former Argo Welded Products, Inc. of Phillipsburg, NJ. He later was “self-employed in the Real Estate industry.”

He died in 2012. A year before his death, the Melhem’s Bushkill Street property was seized by the Sheriff, and resold approximately three months later for $89,900 to Izzat Melhem, one of Chafiq’s sons.

250 Bushkill Street Helen Bull Harrison sold this town house to Frederick and Helen Zillessen. In 1956, Humbert Orlandi, Jr. purchased the property, and resold it within a few months to Minna Kasover. Chafiq Melhem and his wife purchased it for $9,500 in 1977. Unfortunately, in 2012 the property was seized in a similar Sheriff’s sale to the one next door, and sold within a few months for $49,299 to Christopher and Susan Arne.

[In the interests of space, the endnotes to this article have been omitted. The complete article (including endnotes) will be filed in the Marx Local History Room of the Easton Area Public Library, and in the Sigal Museum Library of the Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society. The author’s articles on this and other buildings in the Easton Historic District are also available for review or download from the www.eastonhistory.com website.]

In 1904, James Bull and his wife Mary gave both of their Bushkill Street rental properties to their two daughters, Helen and Jesse, for $1 plus “the natural love and affection they have for their daughters”. The deed was conditioned on the properties not being sold without their father’s permission during his lifetime, and after his death they were not to be sold or mortgaged without the consent of the other Bull sister. In that deed, the two Bushkill Street properties continued to be described separately, as two different tracts. In 1915, the two sisters signed a deed that eliminated their own refusal rights on each other’s interests in this property, although they did not then sell them. The ownership issue became academic when (after James Bull’s death in 1930 – see above) his daughter Jesse Bull also died on 30 May 1936, willing her half interest to her sister. Helen (by then married to S. Henry Harrison) then held the entire rights to both properties.

• It appears that, despite the ownership being divided in half, the actual occupancy continued to be at least three separate apartments. In 1910, No. 246 continued as the residence of salesman Howard M. Giberson and family, while No. 248 was separately listed as the home of bookkeeper Asher E. Renner and of lumberyard driver Isaac Schooley and his family. Dr. Egbert D. Doolittle and his wife continued to live in No. 250.

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IRREGULAR BOOKSELF with Carole J. Heffley

*****A LONG WALK TO WATER by Linda Sue Park, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt ©2011, 128 pgs., paperback What a super good read this little book is! In the 1980s, the story of the “Lost Boys of Africa” surfaced during the civil war that would ultimately break the African country of Sudan in half resulting in present day Sudan and South Sudan where tribal conflict still exists. The story of the Lost Boys arises from that conflict that saw horrendous war time atrocities with the murders of whole villages by one side or the other. Boys were enslaved (as is the case today) to fight for their families’ killers, while women, older men and children were tortured and massacred. The story begins with eleven-year-old Salva in 1985 in Sudan before the division of the country. Salva is of the Dinka tribe. He is sitting in his school which is about an hour’s walk from his village. A gunshot is heard, then another and another. The teacher shouts for the boys to run into the bush and to keep running, not to go near their homes, not to return but to keep running. Salva looks back while he is running to see his teacher fall to the ground, dead he supposes, of gunshot wounds. The boys run through the afternoon and into the night. They don’t know where they are going, they don’t know what may be happening to their families and they don’t know what to do except to keep running. They are tired, thirsty and hungry.

They keep going now walking instead of running. In a couple of days, they see many others walking too. No one really knows where to go or what to do but they believe that they need to get to East African countries for safety and rumors of refugee camps there. Larger groups do not want to accept the boys into their midst as the youngsters might slow them down and would be eating part of any meager food or water they might find. After a week or two, Salva spies his uncle walking in another group of refugees, but his uncle has no news of Salva’s family except to say that the village was overrun by the opposing army. And so Salva must believe the worst: that his family is dead.

His uncle is a former army man and has a weapon with him. That Salva’s uncle is an adult man, rare in the refugee groups, and has a weapon, makes him the unofficial leader of the small group. He provides Salva with a measure of safety from the wild beasts of the land, especially the lions that grab stragglers as prey, or the cruelties of other tribal peoples they might encounter. With the rifle he carries, Salva’s uncle is able to provide a rare animal or two for the people to eat. Having drinkable water is another issue. While the book uses easy images and words to convey the true complex and harrowing story of one of the Lost Boys, a second story running parallel to Salva’s trials is that of Nya, an eleven-year old girl of the Nuer tribe, years later in 2008 in the newly formed South Sudan. Nya has the daily task of going for water every day for her family. It is a couple hour journey each way. Along the route to a water hole, she, too, faces perils and dangers from the land. It is a long way to travel every day and return home with a heavy water jug balanced on her head. But the water Nya and her villagers find to drink is not always safe. The tribe expects disease from unsafe water (cholera) but there is no other water to be found. The nearest medical facility is three days journey . . . if the diseased victims can travel that far for medical treatment. The two stories conclude in a most amazing, satisfying and interactive way. Comments on Amazon.com include “Heart-wrenching story with a heartwarming ending”, “We were in shock, tears and gratitude”, “A moving nonfiction tale” and many wonderful reports of school children’s response to the story. A Long Walk has become required reading in many middle schools. With over 1,300 comments, over 80% of readers awarded A Long Walk 5-stars. *****LEAVING JACK by Gareth Crocker, Robert Hale ©2008, 304 pgs., hardcover Based on true events, Leaving Jack is a story that will leave pawprints on your heart. It is not a story easily forgotten. This is one of those books that stays with you long after you have read the last page, closed the cover and put it down. I came across this one as part of an older “Reader’s Digest Condensed Books” (2009, vol. 301) in the free library of our car’s tire store. The story, according to a review on Amazon.com, is amazingly accurate in its portrayal of the Vietnam War. Another reviewer writes that the book is difficult to find in the USA exactly because the Vietnam “scenes” are too accurate for comfort in America. I doubt that but with the current Vietnam documentary series on PBS by Ken Burns, I think many people will find this book fascinating especially because of its War background.

Jack is a yellow lab “serving” in Vietnam when he is found without anyone to care for him by a patrol out in the jungle. He is tattooed, as are all military dogs, so the men on patrol know Jack is a service dog, but where Jack’s platoon and handler are is a mystery. One of the men on patrol is Fletcher Carson, an older man at the age of 29, who volunteered for combat after his wife and 7-year-old daughter were killed in a plane crash. Fletcher wants to die but he is against suicide so volunteering for duty in ‘Nam, he figures, will take his life as it is too painful for him to continue living without his beloved family. On patrol, when Fletcher finds Jack in the jungle, his life

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assumes a new meaning. Leaving Jack portrays the story of the approximately 4,000 military dogs used during the Vietnam War who it is estimated saved about 10,000 American soldiers in a variety of circumstances. Of those dogs, only 200 were returned to the USA; the rest were ordered to be abandoned by our country. The story of Jack and Fletcher is the story of one soldier who refused to leave his dog behind. In several places in the novel, I shed tears and I bet you will too. Leaving Jack is a man and his dog story, a war story, and a little romance story, all rolled into one. The characters are wonderfully drawn. The reader cares for each man in the platoon and especially for Jack, the big-hearted yellow lab who protects them all. Several copies are available on Amazon.com. Leaving Jack earned 5-stars in all 5 reviews on the website.

I give it a “perfect 10”! *****FOR CAUSE AND COMRADES: Why Men Fought in the Civil War

by James M. McPherson, Oxford University Press, NYC ©1997, 237pgs. (with notes), hardcover You cannot argue with the first-hand eyewitness accounts of those who fought in war. This amazing book is entirely comprised of the diaries and letters that were written by those who fought in the Civil War, both for the north and for the south. This book has many lessons to be learned in reading those letters.

Here are the very thoughts of those who were in the center of the conflict.

Find out why they fought, what their motivations were and how they perceived what was happening. The answers to those questions are still amazing these 150+ years later. Of the book’s 237 pages, only 178 are of the diaries and letters of the soldiers, the rest of the pages behind page 178 are an appendix and end notes. The wealth of information gleaned by Mr. McPherson for his book is staggering. McPherson’s writing is supremely balanced between north and south and the outcome is that readers find that each side was similar in the way the men viewed their service. Issues such as cowardice, for example, are so similar that either diary entry or letter could have been written by a soldier from either side. On cowardice, McPherson writes the following: “A corporal in the 24th Michigan wrote in his diary during the battle of Fredericksburg: ‘Feel quite sick. If it were not for being called a sneak and a coward I would not be in the ranks today’ and a Lieutenant in the renowned 15th Alabama was ‘quite sick’ at the battle of Gaines Mill, he admitted to his wife afterward, ‘But I was determined to not have it said that our Comp. was in a fight and I not with them’.” On the battle itself an Ohio soldier wrote “Wee ar all in for a fight” and told his wife afterwards: “Mary I went into the fight in good hart but I never want to get in another it was offal mary you cant form any idy how it was. The bulets and cannon ball and shells flew thick as hail.” A private in the 6th North Carolina wrote his father after the first battle of Manassas: “Sutch a day the booming of the cannon the ratling of the muskets you have no idea how it was I have turned threw that old Book of yours and looked at the pictures and read a little about war but I did not no any thing what it was”. For Cause and Comrades is as true a book on war as any you will find. It is an invaluable indictment against war itself as well as a real educational trip through the Civil War to find out the feelings of those who fought and lived through it on both sides. That so many diaries and letters survived all these years afterward is, itself, an amazing circumstance. In the pages of For Cause and Comrades which are taken directly from those letters and diaries, Mr. McPherson gives readers the unfiltered history of the American Civil War. This book is a must-have for any serious Civil War buff.

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KUBRICK’S MONOLITH

A Review of a new book by Easton’s Joe R. Frinzi

by Carole J. Heffley I’ll wager that no one has ever written a book on a movie with as much dedication, research and passion as Easton native Joe R. Frinzi. Joe’s latest book, Kubrick’s Monolith, The Art and Mystery of 2001: A Space Odyssey (©2017, McFarland & Company, USA, 209 pgs., softcover) has been an effort of over 15 years during which time he left no stone unturned in covering every aspect of the movie from the title book to the author and director to almost every scene in the film dissected and explored for nuance and total contribution to the iconic movie. Joe even invited the Easton Irregular’s Jim Hicks to accompany him to New York City to find the meeting places in which writer Arthur C. Clarke and movie director Stanley Kubrick met and discussed the film. (The photographs that Jim Hicks took of Joe at the various places in NYC are included in the book.) Joe says in his preface, “This is a very personal book”, and so it is with Joe’s special flair for searching out the smallest of details and providing insight and information about its significance to the entire story. Thus, Kubrick’s Monolith is filled with small details that could have been omitted, but it is in these details that the book’s genius is found. Take, for example, the use of color in the film—Joe goes into Mr. Kubrick’s use of color in his previous films (almost none) and his use of color in 2001: A Space Odyssey to great effect. Or you might examine Mr. Frinzi’s deconstruction of “The Room at the End” with meticulous care. Then there are the subtle “meanings” of some images and myriad symbolism in the movie, or Mr. Kubrick’s choice to use sound effects as “music” in some scenes and the artistic backstory to the music in the movie.

Kubrick’s Monolith is more than a book about a movie.

This book goes far beyond any book previously written about any movie. Actor Keir Dullea who starred as David Bowman in the movie wrote about the book: “Kubrick’s Monolith is the most profound and best written analysis of 2001: A Space Odyssey I’ve come across. It’s almost as if Joe Frinzi had resided for a time in director Stanley Kubrick’s brain.”

Joe Frinzi will be at a book launch party at Steffie’s and Company Boutique, 4092 Freemansburg Avenue, on Sunday, October 22 from 1 to 4 PM to sign his book. Copies of Kubrick’s Monolith will be available for purchase and refreshments will be on hand. Mr. Frinzi will be taking questions from the audience following his talk on the process of writing his new book.

Joe R. Frinzi is a native of Easton and a 1973 graduate of Easton Area High School. He wrote about movies for the Easton Irregular for 18 years. Joe’s other publishing credits include the Princess Bria series for young children and Movies on My Mind, a compilation of his movie reviews as they appeared in the Easton Irregular. Kubrick’s Monolith may also be ordered online at Amazon.com for $29.95 plus shipping.

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October 2017

the Easton Irregular 7

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Communications Hall Northampton Community College 3835 Green Pond Road Bethlehem, PA 610-861-5300

Allentown Art Museum 31 N. 5th Street, Allentown, PA 610-432-4333

Patrick Kraus Drawing Competition Winners Retrospective 1990-2017 thru December 9. Open Monday-Thursday 8am-9pm & Friday-Saturday 8am-5pm. northampton.edu/news-and-events/events.htm

Designing for the Loom: Drawings by William Geskes thru November 2, Floral thru December 3, Revolutionizing Design: Progressive Home Decorating at the Turn of the Century thru February 4, American Vistas: Landscapes from the Collection thru December 31, and The Poetry of Nature: Hudson River School Landscapes from the New-York Historical Society thru December 31. Open Wednesday-Saturday 11am-4pm (3rd Thursdays 11am8pm) & Sunday 12-4pm. allentownartmuseum.org

Connexions Gallery 213 Northampton Street, Easton, PA 610-250-7627

Ken Kewley & Clara Kewley: People & Places thru October 8, and Bob Gherardi: Come Home, Wanderer October 12-November 12, reception, October 14, 7-10pm. Open Monday 12-5pm, Thursday 12-7pm, Friday 12-8pm, Saturday 11am-8pm & Sunday 12-6pm. facebook.com/ ConnexionsGallery

Dankstreetstudios 7A N. Bank Street, Easton, PA 484-894-8009

Mixed media fine artwork of Danny Moyer. Open by appt. facebook.com/ dankstreetstudios

The David E. Rodale and Rodale Family Galleries The Baum School of Art 510 Linden Street, Allentown, PA 610-433-0032

John R. Grabach and Henry M. Gasser: New Jersey Masters thru October 21.

Open Monday-Thursday 9am-9pm, Friday & Saturday 9am-3pm. baumschool.org

Ahlum Gallery 106 N. 4th Street, Easton, PA 610-923-7101

Acrylic paintings, lithographs, and charcoal drawings by Nina Dine, the granddaughter of American Pop Artist Jim Dine thru October 21st. Open ThursdaySaturday from 12-5pm, every fourth Friday 12-10pm & by appt. ahlumgallery.com

Alvin H. Butz Gallery ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem, PA 610-332-1300

The New Black - Volunteerism, paintings by Nina Cruz thru October 29. Open Monday-Wednesday 3:30-9pm, Thursday 4-11pm, Friday 4pm-12am, Saturday 11am-12am, and Sunday 12-9pm. artsquest.org/arts

Arts Community of Easton: The Susan Huxley Gallery at the Quadrant 20 N. 3rd Street, Easton, PA 484-894-6652

Paintings by Carol Benner thru October 31. Open Tuesday-Saturday 8am-5pm & Sunday 8am-4pm.

Banana Factory 25 W. 3rd Street, Bethlehem, PA 610-332-1300

Revisions thru October 8, ArtsQuest Staff and Teaching Artist Exhibition thru October 15, and Banana Factory Resident Artist Annual Exhibition thru October 22.

Open Monday-Friday 8am-9:30pm, Saturday & Sunday 8:30am-5pm. bananafactory. org/events/exhibitions

Bethlehem House Gallery 459 Main Street, Bethlehem, PA 610-419-6262

The 2017 Summer Show: Khalil Allaik, Lauren Beauchner, Nancy Bossert, Femi J. Johnson, Rigo Peralta, Deborah Slahta, Ward Van Haute & Bobby Zeik thru October 7. Open Wednesday-Thursday 11am-7pm, Friday-Saturday 12-9pm & Sunday 125pm. bethlehemhousegallery.com

Brick + Mortar Gallery Silk Mill Complex, Building N101 1247 Simon Boulevard Easton, PA info@brickandmortargallery.com

Stacey Lee Webber: Divide and Conquer October 7-November 4, reception October 7, 6-9pm. Open by chance or appt. brickandmortargallery.com

American Monarch Theatre Company Easton, PA 484-548-8864

Jazzed & Jilted - An AMTC Original Cabaret Production November 17 at Easton Public Market, Easton, PA. americanmonarchtheatre.org

Cedar Crest College Theatre Samuels Theatre at Tompkins College Center 100 College Drive, Allentown, PA 610-606-4608

Easton Public Market 325 Northampton Street, Easton, PA info@eastonart.org

Arts Community of Easton (ACE) featuring works by Carol Benner, Will Hubscher, Christin Dorner & Earl Stocker thru October 15. Open WednesdaySaturday 9am-7pm & Sunday 9am-5pm.

Grossman Gallery Lafayette College 243 N. 3rd Street, Easton, PA 610-330-5361

Sam van Aken: Streuobstwiese thru December 9. Open Tuesday-Friday 11am-5pm, Saturday 12-5pm & by appt. galleries.lafayette.edu/grossman-gallery

Original etchings, drawings and paintings by Charles Klabunde.

Open Thursday, Friday, Saturday & 1st Sunday 12-5pm & by appt.

CharlesKlabundeArtist.com

Lafayette College Theatre Buck Hall N. 3rd Street, Easton, PA 610-330-3311

The Drowsy Chaperone November 2-5, and National Theater Live/Obsession November 12. theater.lafayette.edu

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow October 3, The Rocky Horror Show October 13-29, Hobnobbin’ Goblins (Lambertville Hall) October 22, and The New World November 7-26. bcptheater.org

Theatre Café 3rd Thursday of each month at Allentown Art Museum 31 N. 5th Street, Allentown, PA. allentownpublictheatre.com

Arts Community of Easton (ACE) Members’ Show thru November 4. Open 90 minutes prior to most performances. statetheatre.org/gallery

Charles Klabunde Gallery & Studio 73 N. 2nd Street, Easton, PA 610-252-1938

Bucks County Playhouse 70 S. Main Street New Hope, PA 215-862-2121

Allentown Public Theatre 127 N. 10th Street, Allentown, PA 888-895-5645

Easton Hospital Gallery State Theatre 5th & Northampton Streets, Easton, PA 1-800-999-STATE

Moravian College Theatre Arena Theater/Haupert Union Building 1200 Main Street, Bethlehem, PA 610-861-1489

The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui October 19-22. moravian.edu/theatre

Civic Theatre of Allentown 527 N. 19th Street, Allentown, PA 610-432-8943

The Secret Garden October 6-22. civictheatre.com

Country Gate Theatre 114 Greenwich Street Belvidere, NJ 908-475-1104

Little Shop of Horrors October 14-22. countrygate.org

Crowded Kitchen Players Allentown, PA 610-395-7176

Act One October 13-22 at the IceHouse in Bethlehem. ckplayers.com

DeSales University Act 1 LaBuda Center 2755 Station Avenue, Center Valley, PA 610-282-3192

Murder on the Nile thru October 8, Godspell October 12-22, and Elevate: Emerging Choreographers Concert November 3-5. desales.edu/act1

Hunterdon Hills Playhouse 88 Route 173 West, Hampton, NJ 800-447-7313

Come Blow Your Horn thru October 12, Beatlemania Now October 14-16, and Train of Love, A Tribute to Johnny Cash October 20-22. hhplayhouse.com

Charlotte’s Web November 2-5. cedarcrest.edu/academics/ performing_arts/events.shtm

8

the Easton Irregular

October 2017

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Lehigh University Art Galleries 420 E. Packer Avenue Bethlehem, PA 610-758-3615

Scott Sherk: SonanceZOELLNER thru December 10, The Drawings of Wifredo Lam: 1940-1955 thru December 10, María Martínez-Cañas thru December 10 and …Of the Americas thru May 27, 2018. Open Wednesday-Saturday 11am5pm, Thursday 11am-8pm & Sunday 1-5pm. luag.org

Madelon Powers Art Gallery East Stroudsburg University 200 Prospect Street, East Stroudsburg, PA 570-422-3495

Alluvial Plain: Recent Work by Yvonne Love October 2-27, reception October 4, 4-6pm. Open Monday, Thursday, Friday 11am-4pm, Wednesday & Thursday 11am-7pm. facebook.com/ EsuArtGallery

Museum of Ethnography 22 S. 3rd Street, 2nd Floor, Easton, PA 908-798-0805

Complacent No Longer (show + 8-minute film) thru September 30, 2018, reception October 21, 6-9pm. Open Tuesday & Friday 11am-4pm, Saturday 11am-2pm & by appt. maryaclarity.com

Forks Area Art Society Cottage in the Woods 700 Zucksville Road Easton, PA 610-250-2260

Forks Area Art Society Opening Exhibition October 8-22, reception October 8, 2-4pm.. Open Sunday 2-4pm & by appt. forksareaartsociety.yolasite.com

Gallery at St. John’s 330 Ferry Street, Easton, PA 610-258-6119

Glimpses From Within: Beverly Murbach-Erhardt, Mary Iacovone, Marya & Earl Stocker thru October 29. Open Sunday 12-3pm & by appt. stjohnseaston.org/ministries/gallery

IF Museum/Academy 107 N. 4th Street, Easton, PA 610-258-0777

Toxic Paradise Series by shalom Neuman thru October 31. Open by appt. facebook. com/IFMuseumAcademy

Lauren Kindle Studio and Gallery 7B N. Bank Street, Easton, PA 267-247-6364

ME-Art Studio 22 S. 3rd Street, 2nd floor Easton, PA 908-319-4864

Ronald K. De Long Gallery Penn State Lehigh Valley 2809 Saucon Valley Road, Center Valley, PA 610-285-5261

Daisuke Shintani & Atsuko Tajima: Digest thru October 17, and Heather Sincavage: A Measure Of October 30-December 15, reception November 8, 5-7pm.

Open Monday-Thursday 11am-5pm, Friday 11am-3pm & Saturday 10am-2pm. lehighvalley.psu.edu/ronald-k-de-long-gallery

Rotunda Gallery at City Hall 10 E. Church Street, Bethlehem, PA 610-398-1451

Printmakers Society of the Lehigh Valley thru October 13, and Hillcrest Camera Club October 19-December 1, reception October 22, 2-4pm. Open Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm. bfac-lv.org/events/rotunda-gallery-shows

Sigal Museum 342 Northampton Street Easton, PA 610-253-1222

The Cat’s Meow: Lehigh Valley in the Age of Art Deco & the 1920s thru August 6, 2018. Open Wednesday-Saturday 10am-4pm & Sunday 12-4pm. sigalmuseum.org

Tomi J. Petrella, Art, Etc. 9 N. 2nd Street, Easton, PA 908-303-0519

Paintings, portraits, murals, and design. Open Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday 10am1pm & by chance or appt. tomiartetc.com

Gallery and working studio of Beverly Murbach-Erhardt featuring watercolors, acrylics and art cards.

Open Thursday-Saturday 11am-4pm. me-artstudio.com

Nazareth Center for the Arts 30 Belvidere Street, Nazareth, PA 610-614-0404

Williams Center Gallery Lafayette College 317 Hamilton Street, Easton, PA 610-330-5361

Buckminster Fuller: Architect, Engineer, Inventor, Artist thru November 19. Open Tuesday-Friday 11am-5pm, Thursday 11am-8pm, Saturday & Sunday 12-5pm, and performance nights 7:30-9:30pm. galleries.lafayette.edu/category/exhibitions

Vera Cosgrove - Filet Crochet October 7-28, reception October 15, 2-4. Open Tuesday & Saturday 12-2pm & by appt. nazaretharts.org

Nurture Nature Center 518 Northampton Street, Easton, PA 610-253-4432 Entangled – exploring the interconnections between humans and marine ecosystems: Weavings by Kristi Cochios, and At Water’s Edge: Printmakers Society of the Lehigh Valley thru October 7; and Perspectives 4: Art on Environment, opening reception October 27, 6:30-9pm. Open Wednesday 10am-1pm, Thursday 6-9pm, Saturday 10am-4pm & by appt. nurturenaturecenter.org

Works by Lauren Kindle. Open by appt. laurenkindle.com

Martin Art Gallery Baker Center for the Arts Muhlenberg College 2400 Chew Street, Allentown, PA 484-664-3467

David Ambrose: Conversations with Yesterday thru November 18, artist talk November 1, 5-6:30pm, and William Hudders: Three Views thru January 15, reception October 18, 5-6:30pm. Open Tuesday-Saturday 12-8pm. muhlenberg.edu/main/aboutus/gallery

Sing for America Easton, PA 610-417-2189

Little Shop of Horrors October 26-29 at EEACS Theatre, 555 Union Blvd, Allentown, PA. singforamerica.net

State Theatre Center for the Arts 453 Northampton Street Easton, PA 800-999-STATE

Muhlenberg College Theatre 2400 Chew Street, Allentown, PA 484-664-3333

Sunday in the Park with George October 27-November 5, and Moving Stories 2017: Student Choreographed Dance Concert November 9-11. muhlenberg.edu/main/academics/theatre-dance/onstage/mainstage.html

Pennsylvania Playhouse Illick’s Mill Road, Bethlehem, PA 610-865-6665

The Lion in Winter October 6-22. paplayhouse.org

Pines Dinner Theatre 448 N. 17th Street, Allentown, PA 610-433-2333

In October The Purple Experience the 7, Tape Face the 13, Linda Eder the 14, Comics of Late Night TV the 20, Haunted Illusions the 21, Nathan Lane the 22, Original Stars of American Bandstand the 28, and Evil Dead The Musical the 31. November brings Well Strung the 2, Straight No Chaser the 4, Alton Brown Live: Eat Your Science the 8, CAT Country 96 20th Anniversary Concert the 9, Marital Arts & Acrobats of Tianjin the 10, Early Elton the 10, A Night with Janis Joplin the 16, and Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood the 18. statetheatre.org

Touchstone Theatre 321 E. 4th Street Bethlehem, PA 610-867-1689

Christmas City Follies XVII November 30-December 22. touchstone.org

Northampton Community College Theatre Lipkin Theatre 3835 Green Pond Road Bethlehem, PA 610-861-5524 Hair October 19-22. northampton. edu/news-and-events/events.htm

Shawnee Playhouse River Road Shawnee-On-Delaware, PA (570-421-5093)

Legally Gray October 6-22, Christmas Musical Memories November 10-December 23, and A Christmas Peter Pan November 17-December 23. theshawneeplayhouse.com October 2017

Alonzo King LINES Ballet October 3, Sō Percussion October 13, Skip Wilkins Quartet October 14, Betsayda Machado y La Parranda El Clavo October 18, Brentano String Quartet October 25, The Sachal Jazz Ensemble November 2, JazzReach/ Ellington! November 4, and Pam Tanowitz Dance/Simone Dinnerstein/ New Work for Goldberg Variations November 15. williamscenter.lafayette.edu

Zoellner Arts Center Lehigh University 420 E. Packer Avenue Bethlehem, PA 610-758-2787 ext 0

In October Compagnie Herve Koubi the 6, Dept. of Theatre: Waiting For Godot thru the 7, Flip Fabrique: Catch Me! the 13, Flamenco Legends by Javier Limon: The Paco De Lucia Project the 15, Pink Martini the 21, Faculty Recital: Deborah Andrus and The DeMarina Trio the 22, LU Choral Arts: Crown Jewels 27-28, and 4x4 Ephemeral Architectures: Gandini Juggling the 29. November offers LU Jazz Repertory Orchestra the 4, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder the 5, Dept. of Theatre: Stupid F*@#ing Bird 10-17, Leslie Odom, Jr. the 11, Verdi’s Il Trovatore by the Academy of Vocal Arts the 18, and LU Wind Ensemble: Signatures the 19. zoellner.cas2.lehigh.edu

Always… Patsy Cline thru October 22, and Over the River and Through the Woods November 3-December 23. pinesdinnertheatre.com

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Williams Center for the Arts Lafayette College, High Street Easton, PA 610-330-5009

the Easton Irregular

9

ARTIST PROFILE Nancy Bossert

by Lauren Kindle “If you expect one thing from me, you will not advance with me.” -Nancy Bossert Ever since I moved to Easton 10 years ago, I have admired Nancy Bossert’s work. I frequently saw her art at Connexions, one of the galleries that represents her locally.

Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down and have coffee with Nancy, and we had a lovely conversation about art. She is an energetic and confident person, and as we drank our coffee together, she talked candidly about her work.

Almost everything inspires her to create art. “It’s a constant barrage,” she says. “Everywhere, I see the lines, the angels, the compositions…” Since she was very young, she has always known she wanted to be an artist. She describes her desire to create as a strong and intimate force in her life. “It’s so innate. It’s so passionate.”

This passion manifests itself in a seemingly diverse body of work, encompassing representative figurative paintings, abstract pieces, fiber arts, stoneware, and jewelry, to name just a few elements. But there always is a common thread, and it’s not just the unity in value, composition, and palette, but also that more nebulous characteristic of art, which can’t be put into words exactly. This is what I might call the artist’s spirit, which shines clearly out of everything she makes.

Some artists might find it daunting to have so many options available to them, but Nancy obviously thrives in this freedom. She doesn’t see her different styles and mediums as vastly separate things; they inspire and influence each other in a seamless interconnectivity. “For example,” she explains, “The abstract informs my figurative pieces. And vice versa.”

For her paintings, she again embraces a multitude of options: oil, acrylic, watercolor, gesso, and more. She likes to explore the combination of mass and linear elements in the same piece, juxtaposing the volume of a figure, for instance, and the roundness of the form, with the two-dimensional qualities of line and abstract shapes, reminding people that it’s a painting!

I personally find her pieces very evocative and narrative provoking. For example, her series of female figures submerging, or rising from the water, leads me to reflect on what it means to be a woman, to be hidden, invisible, or else to emerge, to reveal oneself to a public gaze. It seems to me that as a group, women have been silenced for various reasons, and that many have hidden stories which have not yet been told. Through her painting, Nancy begins to tell these stories.

At least, that is some of my interpretation.

Bossert works constantly. She describes a disciplined studio practice: she gets up early, checks her computer, and then gets to work in her studio where she lives in Nazareth, PA. Sometimes she knows exactly what she wants to do from the beginning, and she works straight through the day. She values good craftsmanship, whether it’s abstract or figurative, or something else. Integrity is a top value.

In addition to being an artist, Nancy is also a teacher. For the past 40 years, she has taught all ages, publicly and privately. It’s clear that she enjoys teaching; her experience as a teacher generates inspiration for her studio work. “I’m not creating artists, but creative thought,” she remarks, describing her teaching philosophy. She wants to teach people how to create a different way of looking at a situation.

On her website, Nancy clearly sums up her enthusiasm for what she does: “The excitement is to love what you do with such a passion, and creating fine art and teaching is just that. I find that I am eager to learn and experiment everyday and equally as passionate to educate others.”

“Submerge”, 28”x20”, mixed media painting on archival paper

“Mother May I”, 24”x18”, oil on canvas

Nancy Bossert has an Open Studio on October 15, 11am-6pm at 245 Schindler Drive, Bethlehem, PA 18020. Follow Nancy online on Facebook: Nancy Bossert, and on Instagram: bossertnancy. Contact Nancy at nancybossert@gmail.com.

“Lowering into the Pool”, 28”x20”, mixed media painting on archival paper “White Robe”, 19”x12”, mixed media painting on archival paper

10 the Easton Irregular

October 2017

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Many years ago, North 3rd Street in Easton, PA was the place where millionaires such as silk industrialists and canal barons sought out space for their luxurious townhouses.

Mansions such as the Simon Residence (pictured above) led to the street being coined with the term Millionaire’s Row. Please support the fine merchants and professionals on North 3rd Street who continue to keep the beautiful architecture and memories of these past millionaires alive.

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Crossword Answers

Š2017 Satori Publishing

(Puzzle on page 14)

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October 2017

the Easton Irregular 11

GARDENING

Dear Garden of Easton, The pine tree in my yard has a brown tip on top, like it has died. Any idea what could have caused this?

-Woody

Q&A with Maureen Melick

Dear Woody, The photo you sent looks like damage from the evil White Pine Weevil (Pissodes Strobi). This weevil attacks the terminal leader of the tree, the branch that sticks straight up. The easiest thing to do is to cut off every bit of brown you can find and burn it to ashes or cook it on your barbecue. Don’t send this branch to the township with your other yard debris since that will simply spread the evil.

To preserve the shape of the tree, you can select the next most upright branch and try to tie it vertical for one season. Cut off all the other whorls that are growing beside this new leader. You can untie it after one season. Keep vigilant for more damage, and cut any brown branches no later than June of each year. This will prevent future adult weevils from damaging the new growth on your tree.

The weevil can also infect other pines and spruces.

You can read the entire story on the Penn State Department of Entomology website. A weevil infestation rarely kills the tree.

Dear Garden of Easton, We planted a tree a couple years ago, and the top is growing in a V-shape, like a fork. Is this okay?

-Carla

Pine tree damage caused by the White Pine Weevil. photo by Maureen Melick

Dear Carla, If your tree is forming two leaders, you should keep one and cut the other off at the base. Sometimes it’s tough to choose, but you must be ruthless. When you hear that snap, the relief is worth all the stress of choosing the winner.

The top will straighten out in time and you will prevent a forked tree that could break in a storm.

Dear Garden of Easton, Here’s a photo of some white fluff on my hemlock tree. Is this the dreaded Hemlock Wooly Adelgid?

-Nervous

Dear Nervous, I’m sorry to report that based on your photo, your beloved hemlock tree does indeed seem to be afflicted with this notorious infestation. Only you can save the tree.

Water it well and fertilize it, so it can resist better against the adelgid. Treat the tree annually with neem oil. Just dilute the oil in water according to the directions and White fluff on a hemlock tree usually signifies an infestation of spray it on the infected branches. This may help with the the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid. infestation. Neem oil is an organic treatment and works photo my Maureen Melick because the adelgid is a soft-bodied insect. I’ve been fighting this battle with my hemlock for about ten years.

Another front-line defense for the hemlock tree is to cut any dead branches. This may be something you already do during spring or fall cleanup.

You can always call a tree service and ask for their staff arborist. They can apply systemic treatments that work on the inside of the tree as the chemicals are taken up through the roots. This is considered a toxic method, but if done right it will help the tree and have little environmental consequence.

Dear Garden of Easton, Fifteen years ago we planted a sugar maple in our front A closer look shows maturing Hemlock Woolly Adelgids soon after coming out of dormancy. yard. The tree has been well cared for, but starting last image courtesy of UMass Extension - UMass Amherst year the leaves were disfigured and small and fall color was not as spectacular. We took a branch to our local extension service in Gracedale. The nice person there told us that there didn’t seem to be any bacterial infection so maybe it’s Maple Decline. What the heck?

-Sugar Dear Sugar, Maple Decline is the technical term for “We have no idea”. Your tree is still a baby - maple trees can live to over 100 years old. Maple Decline affects many species of maple trees. I found an article that attributes the problem to earthworms. Sugar maples and others are native to North America, while earthworms are introduced from Europe, and the article theorizes that an abundance of them can lead to Maple Decline. This seems to be one more example of the adjustment that has been going on ever since Columbus showed up on these shores. I would recommend some heavy pruning. If the Decline continues, you’ll eventually have a dead tree. I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings.

Dear Garden of Easton, I’ve been reading a lot about the spotted lantern fly. It’s a pretty bug. Why is it so bad and why do we have to capture it?

-Bug Lover Dear Bug Lover, The spotted lantern fly was first found in a quarry in Berks County in 2014, and is sweeping Pennsylvania. It’s a pest.

There are no natural controls at present. In other words, our local birds and predator insects have not figured out that it is good to eat. Not that I have!

The only control method is to search and destroy adults, eggs, and nymphs.

Be on the lookout for these bugs. If you see a mass of lantern flies, you are supposed to report it at www.agriculture. pa.gov. I can tell you these bugs are fast. I’ve tried catching them without success. They hop around, but they can fly.

I have seen them in Allentown, and they may be headed for Bethlehem and then Easton. Their favorite host is the Tree of Heaven. Experts tell people to keep one of these weed trees in your yard just to look for eggs from this pest. I don’t have room here to describe the eggs or nymphs, but you will find lots of photos and information on the agriculture web page. Happy hunting!

Dear Garden of Easton, I like to shop online for gardening supplies. Some of the sites make you answer such bizarre secret questions to set up an account. Yesterday a site proposed the secret question “How is weather for gardening purpose?” How am I supposed to answer that?

-Irritable Dear Irritable, The best secret question I’ve seen is “What is your favorite password?”

The Spotted Lantern Fly. image courtesy of Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

12 the Easton Irregular

October 2017

Call 610-258-4330 to advertise

Call 610-258-4330 to advertise

October 2017

the Easton Irregular 13

IRREGULAR EVENTS ONGOING:

Cops ‘n’ Kids Reading Room.

Every Thurs.11am-7pm and 1st & 3rd Sat. 10am-12pm.

Easton Community Center, 901 Washington St. (9th St. entrance), Easton, PA. Info: 610-250-6562, copsnkidseaston.org Easton Farmers’ Market. Every Sat. 9am-1pm (Oct. 7: Garlic Fest, Oct. 21: Apple Jam) Centre Sq., Easton, PA. Info: 610-330-9942, eastonfarmersmarket.com Science on a Sphere & SOS Explorer Touch Screen Kiosk at Nurture Nature Center. Every Wed. 10am-1pm, Thur. 6-9pm, Sat. 10am-4pm. 518 Northampton St., Easton, PA. Info: 610-253-4432, Liesel@nurturenaturecenter.org Senior Connection, a free community senior program offering social and mental stimulation for older adults. Every Tues. & Thur.

10am-3pm. Arndt’s Lutheran Church, 1851 Arndt Rd., Forks Twp., PA, Info: 610-253-3732, Nancy Walters 610-253-0726, nancywalters@rcn.com Sew Others May Be Warm Knitting/Charity Group. Every Thur. 1-3pm. Easton Area Public Library Palmer Branch, 1 Weller Pl., Easton, PA. Info: 610-258-7492 OCTOBER 5: Classic Film: To Catch a Thief.

1:30pm. Phillipsburg Free Public Library, 200 Broubalow Way, Phillipsburg, NJ. Info: 908-4543712 Meet Lehigh Valley K-9 Therapy Group’s Therapy Dogs. 7pm.

Easton Area Public Library, 515 Church St., Easton, PA. Info: 610258-2917 x 310 OCTOBER 6-7: Fall Rummage Sale. Fri. 9am3pm, Sat. 9am-12pm. Christ United Methodist Church, 400 W. Berwick St., Easton, PA. Info: 610-2584762, eastonchristumc.com Huge Rummage/Bake Sale. Fri. 5pm-8pm, Sat. 9am-12pm (bag

sale). Palmer Moravian Church, 2901 John St., Palmer Township, Easton, PA. Info: 610-253-2510 OCTOBER 7: Touch A Truck. 10am-2pm; $5/ benefits Memorial Library of Nazareth and Vicinity. Tuskes Community Park, Upper Nazareth, PA. Info: 610-759-4932, info@ nazarethlibrary.org Did Prohibition Prohibit Cider?

Talk and Tasting. 1pm; free w/adm. or $5. Sigal Museum NCHGS, 342 Northampton St., Easton, PA. Info: 610-253-1222 40 Years in Space! Sphere Spotlight on the Voyager Mission.

1-2pm. Nurture Nature Center, 518 Northampton St., Easton, PA. Info: Liesel 610-253-443, liesel@ nurturenaturecenter.org Conversations on the Canal - The Italian Connection. 4pm; $50.

National Canal Museum, 2750 Hugh Moore Park Rd., Easton, PA. Info: 610-923-3548, canals.org OCTOBER 7-8: Easton Garlic Fest. 10am-6pm.

Downtown Easton, PA. Info: eastongarlicfest.com OCTOBER 10: Classic Book Club. Dracula by Bram Stooker. 7pm. Phillipsburg Free Public Library, 200 Broubalow Way, Phillipsburg, NJ. Info: 908-454-3712 OCTOBER 11: Take the Scare Out of Medicare.

1pm. Phillipsburg Free Public Library, 200 Broubalow Way, Phillipsburg, NJ. Info: 908-4543712 Nazareth Book Club: The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexandra.

6:30pm. Memorial Library of Nazareth and Vicinity, 295 E. Center St., Nazareth, PA. Info: Amy 484-767-8049 OCTOBER 13, 27: Pinochle Club. 12:30pm.

Phillipsburg Free Public Library, 200 Broubalow Way, Phillipsburg, NJ. Info: 908-454-3712

OCTOBER 13: Laughter Yoga. 3pm. Phillipsburg Free Public Library, 200 Broubalow Way, Phillipsburg, NJ. Info: 908-454-3712

OCTOBER 16, 23, 30: Wood Carving Club. 1pm.

Phillipsburg Free Public Library, 200 Broubalow Way, Phillipsburg, NJ. Info: 908-454-3712

OCTOBER 14: Fall Fest. 10am-2pm. New Creation UCC, 3730 Nicholas St., Palmer Township, Easton, PA. Info: 610-253-1541

OCTOBER 17: Tuesday Trails. 5:30-7pm.

Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center, 400 Belfast Rd., Nazareth, PA. Info: 610-746-2801, jacobsburgsp@pa.gov

Introduction to Fly Fishing.

10am-4pm. Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center, 400 Belfast Rd., Nazareth, PA. Info: 610-746-2801, jacobsburgsp@pa.gov P’burg Pork Roll Palooza. 128pm. Riverside Way, 7 Union Sq., Phillipsburg, NJ. Info: ksheedy@ phillipsburgnj.org Historic Nazareth Walking Tour.

2pm; $7/adults, $5/youth/srs., members free. Moravian Historical Society, 214 E. Center St., Nazareth, PA. Info: 610-759-5070, info@moravianhistoricalsociety.org Conversations on the Canal - Blues Cruise with the Steve Brosky Band. 4pm; $50. National Canal Museum, 2750 Hugh Moore Park Rd., Easton, PA. Info: 610923-3548, canals.org OCTOBER 15: WTHS Meeting Features Murder in the Lehigh Valley w/ Dr. Katherine Ramsland. 3pm.

Williams Township Historical Society, St. John’s Church of Morgan Hill, 2720 Morgan Hill Rd., Easton, PA. Info: 610-2538951, LHH2@lehigh.edu OCTOBER 16: Monday Morning Birds & Beans.

8-10am. Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center, 400 Belfast Rd., Nazareth, PA. Info: 610-746-2801, jacobsburgsp@pa.gov Coffee with Pennsylvania’s Children’s Health Insurance Program. 6pm. Easton Area Public Library, 515 Church St., Easton, PA. Info: 800-986-KIDS

If I Can’t Sleep, You Can’t Sleep Local Author Christopher D. Ochs Book Signing. 6:30-7:30pm.

Memorial Library of Nazareth and Vicinity, 295 E. Center St., Nazareth, PA. Info: 610-759-4932 OCTOBER 18: Book Forum. 1:30pm. Phillipsburg Free Public Library, 200 Broubalow Way, Phillipsburg, NJ. Info: 908-454-3712 Everyday Art. 7pm; reg. req.

Phillipsburg Free Public Library, 200 Broubalow Way, Phillipsburg, NJ. Info: 908-454-3712 OCTOBER 19: Computer Café: Grow Your Professional Life w/ LinkedIn. 6:30pm; reg. req.

Mary Meuser Memorial Library, 1803 Northampton St., Wilson Borough, PA. Info: 610-258-3040, meuserlib@rcn.com Master Gardener Series 2017: Plants of Murder and Mayhem w/Lori Metz. 6:30pm. Easton Area Public Library, 515 Church St., Easton, PA. Info: 610-258-2917 x307 Film Discussion Group: The Big Sick. 7pm. Phillipsburg Free Public Library, 200 Broubalow Way, Phillipsburg, NJ. Info: 908454-3712

req. Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center, 400 Belfast Rd., Nazareth, PA. Info: 610-746-2801, jacobsburgsp@pa.gov OCTOBER 20-21: Haunted Easton Tour. 8-9pm; $14/adv, $20/day of. Centre Sq., Easton, PA. Info: www. hauntedeastontour.com OCTOBER 20, 21, 27, 28: Haunted Hugh Moore Park.

6-9pm; $15/reg. req. National Canal Museum, 2750 Hugh Moore Park Rd., Easton, PA. Info: 610923-3548 x221, canals.org/product/ haunted-hugh-moore-park OCTOBER 21: Bus Trip to Stourbridge Fall Foliage Express. 9:30am-6:15pm; $65. Mary Meuser Memorial Library. 1803 Northampton St., Wilson Borough, PA. Info: 610258-3040, meuserlib@rcn.com The Palantine Refugees and the Coming of the Pennsylvania Germans. 1pm; free w/adm. or $5. Sigal Museum NCHGS, 342 Northampton St., Easton, PA. Info: 610-253-1222 Fall Harvest Pub Trivia. 1pm.

Phillipsburg Free Public Library, 200 Broubalow Way, Phillipsburg, NJ. Info: 908-454-3712 Nazareth Halloween Parade.

1pm. Belvidere & Fairview Sts. west to Main St., north on Main to the circle, east on Center St., ends at high school.

Glow Stick 5K and Kids Fun Run. 6:30-9pm; $25 pre-reg/$30 at event. Butz Elementary School, 960 Bushkill Center Rd., Nazareth, PA. Info: 610-746-2801, jacobsburgsp@pa.gov

OCTOBER 20: ABC Nazzies October Adult Book Club. 10:30am-12pm.

Memorial Library of Nazareth and Vicinity, 295 E. Center St., Nazareth, PA. Info: 610-759-4932

OCTOBER 24: Resume Writing Workshop.

4pm. Phillipsburg Free Public Library, 200 Broubalow Way, Phillipsburg, NJ. Info: 908-4543712 Registration is required for this event.

Family Night: Wonderful World of Owls. 6:30-8pm; reg.

Autumn Painting. 5:30-7pm.

Memorial Library of Nazareth

Answers on Page 11

14 the Easton Irregular

October 2017

Call 610-258-4330 to advertise

IRREGULAR EVENTS and Vicinity, 295 E. Center St., Nazareth, PA. Info: 610-759-4932

St. Ext., Nazareth, PA. Info: 610759-2672

Palmer Adult Book Group: The Nest by Cynthis D’Aprix Sweeney. 6-7:30pm. Easton Area Public Library Palmer Branch, 1 Weller Pl., Easton, PA. Info: 610258-7492

Easton-Phillipsburg Halloween Parade. 3pm. South Main St., Phillipsburg to Easton’s Centre Square.

OCTOBER 25: Non-fiction Book Club: The Lost City of the Monkey God by Douglas Preston. 7pm. Easton Area Public Library, 515 Church St., Easton, PA. Info: 610-2582917 x393

NOVEMBER 2-4: Friends of the Library Book Sale.

Memorial Library of Nazareth and Vicinity, 295 E. Center St., Nazareth, PA. Info: 610-759-4932

NOVEMBER 4-5: PA Bacon Fest. 10am-6pm.

Downtown Easton, PA. Info: pabaconfest.com Have an event taking place in the Easton area?

Email it to us here at the Easton Irregular,

bruneo1776@aol.com.

Events will be placed on the events calendar at the discretion of the publisher.

Happy Bookers. Homer and Langley by E. L. Doctorow. 7pm.

Phillipsburg Free Public Library, 200 Broubalow Way, Phillipsburg, NJ. Info: 908-454-3712 OCTOBER 26: An Evening with Mayor Panto: Easton’s Past, Present & Future.

6:30. Easton Area Public Library, 515 Church St., Easton, PA. Info: 610-258-2917 x306 PFPL Writers Group. 7pm.

Phillipsburg Free Public Library, 200 Broubalow Way, Phillipsburg, NJ. Info: 908-454-3712 OCTOBER 26-28: Rummage, Soup and Cookie Sale. Thur. 9am-6pm, Fri. 9am5pm, Sat. 9am-12pm (bag day).

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 305 Delaware Rd., Riegelsville, PA. Info: 610-749-0830 OCTOBER 27: Fourth Friday: Free Activities, Program & Kids’ Craft. 4-10pm; free. Sigal Museum NCHGS, 342 Northampton St., Easton, PA. Info: 610-253-1222 Easton Out Loud: Fourth Fridays. 5-10pm. Downtown Easton, PA. Info: 610-250-6533, liz@eastonpartnership.org, eastonoutloud.com Whitefield After Dark. 5:307pm. Moravian Historical Society, 214 E. Center St., Nazareth, PA. Info: 610-759-5070, info@ moravianhistoricalsociety.org OCTOBER 29: Nazareth Area Community Chorus Harvest of Harmonies Concert. 2pm. Schoeneck Moravian Church, 316 N. Broad

Call 610-258-4330 to advertise

October 2017

the Easton Irregular 15

Irregular Eats GIACOMO’S ITALIAN MARKET Local on local…

This month, Lori Crosson, owner of Forks Cleaners, gives us her take on a local eatery on College Hill.

A slice of pure Italian heaven sits on Cattell Street in the College Hill section of Easton. Now I’m not Italian, but I was fortunate that my dad’s sister married into an amazing Italian family, and I grew up longing to master Sunday “gravy”. Recently, I came home from a long day at my drycleaning shop and the aroma in my house was phenomenal. My husband had stopped at Giacomo’s to get a cup of coffee and breakfast sandwich and discovered they had an extensive selection of fresh homemade Italian staples. He had brought home the best sausage and marinara I have tasted since my occasional meals at my cousin’s Nana and Nano’s house.

We were pleasantly surprised to see that they lived up to our picky standards. My failed attempts at chicken parm with Prego sauce never cut it in the kitchen. Italian night for us was only accomplished by an expensive visit to a restaurant or a trip to NYC’s Little Italy and Mulberry Street, so Giacomo’s was exactly what we needed. Now, a weekly stop at Giacomo’s has been added to my routine.

As you walk in the market, there is an entire wall of pasta and specialized ingredients. There are containers of homemade marinara, meat sauce, vodka sauce, tasty cheeses and stuffed pasta for home baking. Then, straight ahead is a deli packed with sausages, braciole, deli meats and appetizers like arancini. They have an extensive selection of subs and hot sandwiches, desserts, salads and wraps on the menu, and the cherry on top is they are open early; you can get your shopping done, sit and enjoy a hot and tasty breakfast sandwich from the grille, and grab a coffee from their fresh brewed coffee bar. It’s one stop shopping for me and then back home where I can heat everything up and pass it off as my own for family and friends (Shhh…!).

Giacomo’s gives me that real Italian flavor that I treasure, and I recommend you check it out for yourself.

Giacomo’s Italian Market on Easton’s College Hill. Lower right is co-owner, Sal Famularo. photos by Colin K. Gregory

Giacomo’s Italian Market is located at 700 Cattell Street on College Hill in Easton, PA (610-438-1945). They are open Tuesday thru Friday 7am-5:30pm & Saturday 7am-4pm; closed Sunday. Visit them online at facebook.com/GiacomosMarket.

the Easton Irregular

October 2017

Call 610-258-4330 to advertise