3rd Edition Spring 2015 TRADITIONALLY YOURS

A newsletter written by the residents, for the residents!

Traditionally Yours 1 3rd Edition Spring 2015

Inside this Issue….. Peg Dockry——————2 Hess’ Dept. Store——8 Resident Showcase—-15 Sid and Ellie Butler- ——3 Flying w. Matt———-9 Sparky———————16 Count Your Blessings— 3 Singapore—————12 Chorus———————17 Prom————————-4 Zumba——————-12 Cuisine———————17 St. Patty’s Day————4 Poetry——————-13 Grandpa——————-18 Wise Sayings—————5 Mickie Seese—————5 Goodfellas—————13 Al and Betty—————18 Alexandra Chando——-6 Hairspray—————13 Jenny Kratch————-19 Oscar Party—————-6 As I see It—————-14 Nicole Eckrote———— 7 Destiny——————-14 Jokes————————-7

Peg Dockry, New Resident by Rita Litvin

Peg Dockry, a fascinating new resident, was born in Morristown, New Jersey in 1924. She had a younger sister who is eleven months her junior.

Peg’s father worked as a supervisor of a large estate whose owners had the family move with them to a new location in Millbrook, N.J. where Peg’s family lived in a house on the property. She and her sister went to a one room schoolhouse through sixth grade. They finished seventh and eighth grades in another building, after which Peg attended Morristown High School.

On graduation day, Peg was hired as a stenographer for a trucking company. This business was located right beside the municipal airport and every day Peg observed the bright yellow student planes flying overhead. This sight inspired her to take lessons and she earned her flight license.

Part of Peg’s job with the trucking company entailed going to New York City to check competitive railroad rates. While there, Peg met railroad employees who told her about a job within that office. Peg got the job. It was there that she met and eventually married her husband Joe. When the Korean War broke out, Joe completed a tour of duty. When he returned home, he discussed the possibility of adopting a little girl who was half American G.I. and half Korean. They recognized the plight of these poor children who had no one to care for them. Cecilia joined the family at just the time Peg learned she was pregnant. She had twins, a boy and a girl, and later, three other children.

Peg will always remember their wonderful times square dancing with the family and her special job of ballroom cueing which involved helping dancers by calling out directions for their movements.

Over the years Peg enjoyed writing poetry and short stories which were often published in magazines and newspapers including the New York Times.

Peg’s husband was a teacher who also spent thirty years as a school principal. He passed away in 2000. Afterward, Peg sold their house and moved to Texas where she lived for twelve years near eldest daughter Kathleen and her husband. After their separation, Peg and Kathleen moved to Princeton, N.J. Peg moved into Traditions on Columbus Day 2014.

Traditionally Yours 2 3rd Edition Spring 2015

Meet Sid and Ellie Butler, New Residents by Bob Flynn

Sid and Ellie Butler joined the Traditions community in the fall of 2014. Their home for more than forty years prior to the move was in nearby Nazareth.

The couple met while undergraduates at the University of Maine. Sid was originally from Silver Spring, Maryland. Ell hailed from Malden, Massachusetts, just outside Boston. Sid moved on to graduate engineering studies at Penn State.

Sid was a professor of Material Science at Lehigh University from 1969 until his retirement in 1991. Prior to Lehigh, he worked in research for E.I. DuPont.

Ellie’s main responsibility in those early years was raising a growing family which topped out at three boys and a girl. She briefly considered a career in education, but a trial year of student teaching changed her mind.

What followed then was a twenty-five year odyssey in the fine art of grape growing and wine making. With only two acres on their Nazareth farmstead, the beginnings were humble and marked by long hours and hard work. Ellie learned the intricacies of grafting grapevines and nurturing the grapes through their three year growing cycle. Sid joined in by fabricating a homemade crusher and wine press.

Later on, the Butlers purchased twenty nearby acres to transform their “hobby” into a productive commercial enterprise. Licenses were obtained for the operation of both the vineyard and the winery. Ellie hired stay-at-home moms to provide a work force while their kids were in school.

It all worked. At its peak, the winery produced 3,000 gallons of varietals, both white and red bottled and labeled for sale directly at the vineyard. Ellie recalls that “it was nice to be open on Sunday while the State Stores were closed.”

Count Your Blessings Anonymous, submitted by Ruth Markley

• If you woke up this morning with more health than illness…you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week. • If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture… you are ahead of five million people in the world. • If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death…you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.

Traditionally Yours 3 3rd Edition Spring 2015

Traditions of Hanover Senior Prom by Connie Huber

At 6 pm on April 10, 2015, disc jockey Dave Werkheiser spun the first platter to begin our Senior Prom. Laurie, with the help of the entire staff of TOH provided the residents with “An Evening in Paris” that was a wonderful success.

Helen Odenwelder, one of our Aged to Perfection residents, proved that age is just a number. She was the Bell of the Ball dancing with the men from the Omicron Gamma Omega Fraternity of Moravian College. When complimented for her dancing, Helen replied, “Sometimes I get tired.”

With hot appetizers and champagne punch to keep us energized, everyone had a great time.

Prom King and Queen were Art Troiani and Mary Fish.

St. Patrick’s Day Celebration by Bob Flynn

March 17th was a festive St. Patrick’s Day for all of us here at Traditions, Irish or not. Corned beef and cabbage topped off the dinner menu, along with bright green cupcakes and Irish coffee.

Entertainment was provided by Eric Kearns who sang many Irish ballads including “Danny Boy” as well as pop hits from the 60’s and 70’s. Close to a hundred residents, staff and guests enjoyed renditions of “Sweet Caroline,” sounding just like Neil Diamond and the Willie Nelson classic “You are Always on my Mind.”

The day wrapped up with a “recital” by the O’Grady Quinlan Step Dancers. Their stage was the carpet in the Fireside Lounge. Loud reports, almost like gun shots punctuated their elegant and precise routines. Turned out that the “gun shots” were generated by the dancers themselves, clicking their heels in mid-air.

Traditionally Yours 4 3rd Edition Spring 2015

Wise Sayings Submitted by Rita Litvin

• A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on. • Winston Churchill

• Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference. • Reinhold Neibuhr

• I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have. • Thomas Jefferson

• The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good. • Unknown

• The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves and wiser people so full of doubt. • Bertrand Russell

• You can avoid reality but you cannot avoid the consequences by avoiding reality. • Ayn Rand

• Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world and all there ever will be to know and understand. • Albert Einstein

Resident Showcase: Mickie Seese

On December 29, 2014, Mickie Seese gave a piano recital. She played selections from Johann Sebastian Bach, Tchaikovsky, Satie and Shubert. Approximately forty-five residents attended.

Mickie played her electronic piano and closed the performance with Franz Shubert’s Ave Maria on the organ setting. The crowd requested three encores after rounds of applause!

Traditionally Yours 5 3rd Edition Spring 2015

My Granddaughter, Alexandra Chando, Actress by Sylvia Troiani

Alexandra’s show business career started when she was three years old and lined up her dolls on the living room floor. She would dance and sing to the dolls who were her audience. When she finished her show, Alexandra would put their hands together so they could applaud her.

When Alexandra turned seven, she started taking acting classes at the Pennsylvania Youth Theatre. In elementary school, she sang and danced. In junior high school, she continued to act in little plays, and in high school she had many lead parts.

While Alexandra was in high school, her parents hired a manager. She had an audition for the T.V. show Houseblend, which, unfortunately, was not picked up. Finally, at sixteen years old, she auditioned for the lead part in a television soap, As the World Turns. Her role lasted for three years.

At twenty-one years old, Alexandra left for Los Angeles and continued to audition. She won the lead part in a new show called The Lying Game which was filmed in Austin, Texas. She played eighteen year old twins. This role also lasted three years. Alexandra then had a part in the T.V. show Castle. While she works, Alexandra continues to take online courses from Fordham University.

Living in Los Angeles, across the country from her family, for the last seven years has been challenging for Alexandra. Ultimately, it’s what she has to do at this time of her life if she wants to act. We all miss her and wish her the best.

Oscar Party by Connie Huber

On “Oscar Sunday,” Traditions held our Second Annual Oscar Party. Steve and Debbie Frank, son and daughter-in-law of Santa Frank, brought in their nine-foot tall golden Oscars. Each resident in attendance held a paddle that had a picture glued to it of Neil Patrick Harris, this year’s Oscar host. Steve and Debbie brought with them a list of fifty Oscar trivia questions. Any residents who knew the answer to the question posed held up their paddles. The Franks kept score and our three winners were Kathy Hauler, Rita Litvin and Mae Pursel.

The kitchen provided a variety of great snacks and everyone had a wonderful time.

Traditionally Yours 6 3rd Edition Spring 2015

Nicole Eckrote – TOH Housekeeping by Mickie Seese

Nicole was born in 1973, in Whitehall, PA. She is an only child.

Growing up, Nicole’s main interest was quarter horses. Her Aunt Liz and Uncle Frank raised horses and encouraged her to ride at six years of age. When Nicole was seven they gave her a pony of her own named Shakey. Nicole rode him in 4H shows.

As she got older, Nicole worked with a trainer to learn how to rein horses. At this time she began to branch out to do more complex riding and training.

Today Nicole owns seven horses: three Friesian, one Andalusian, one Paso Fino, one Warlander Friesian and one Quarter horse mare which she rescued from an auction for horsemeat.

The Friesian horses will be entered into international horse shows. Nicole is hoping to have an entry in a French show this year.

Nicole’s favorite horse is the Warlander Friesian. He was born two days before her grandfather passed. He is named Anazjoe 512 for the month and year of her grandfather’s death.

Nicole lives on a farm in Hereford Township where she and twenty employees board and care for these and other horses.

Jokes – Truisms – It Hasn’t Always Been This Way by Anonymous

• I started out with nothing…I still have most of it. • When did my wild oats turn to prunes and All Bran? • I finally got my head together – now my body’s falling apart. • Funny…I don’t remember being absent minded. • All reports are in. Life is now officially unfair. • If all is not lost, where is it?

Traditionally Yours 7 3rd Edition Spring 2015

Remembering Hess Brothers Department Store by Kathryn Letcher and Bob Peters

With the rejuvenation of downtown Allentown in full swing, some of us remember Allentown’s previous heyday when Hess Brothers Department Store was an icon of the community.

Kathryn Letcher tells us: Hess’s was my mother’s first employer when she moved from McAdoo. She worked there for five years before getting married.

Even after she left Hess’s they would send children’s clothing to my mother so she could look them over and purchase what she wanted. That way, with little ones at home, she didn’t have to worry about dragging us all out shopping.

She was a happy Hess Brothers customer.

Bob Peters also wrote about his fond memories of Hess Brothers:

I graduated from Frackville High School in 1935 during the middle of the Great Depression. My family immediately moved to Allentown because there were absolutely no jobs available in the coal regions. Virtually all 125 graduates from my class were gone within a year.

In Allentown, one of our neighbors was the coat buyer in the Ladies Coat Department at Hess’s. He was responsible for getting me a job as a check boy, which meant that I brought merchandise from the “Reserve” to the store on a merchandise truck. The job paid $8.00 a week; for this I worked six days a week including 9 am to 9 pm on Saturdays.

This is where I met my future wife, who was the buyer of Ladies Underwear in the downstairs store.

Hess’s was a real nice place to work, in spite of the low pay. We check boys used to have some great times together over in the Reserve. I remember one incident, which was perhaps the crowning achievement of our careers.

It consisted of our getting the elevator door up on the eighth floor of the Reserve and then pushing one of the empty merchandise trucks down the elevator shaft. It made a horrific crash. Strangely enough, nothing ever came of it.

Max Hess, Junior, the owner of the store at that time was engaged to Betty Fuller of the Catasauqua Cement people, and all of us check boys sort of had a crush on her. She was so friendly. She was a regular visitor and would talk to all of us. We would kid her about marrying “Junior,” as we all referred to him.

(Continued on Page 9)

Traditionally Yours 8 3rd Edition Spring 2015

One of the best things about Hess’s was its successful use of special events to help bring in customers such as monthly close-out sales, flower shows, celebrity appearances, Christmas shows, and Pip the mouse.

In addition to working at Hess’s I was a local musician and played the banjo and guitar professionally. One of my good friends, Bob Mest, who ran the Ninth Street elevator, played saxophone, and, typical of Hess Brothers, we were switched from our regular Jobs at Christmas time to help provide entertainment for the Christmas show.

After three years at Hess’s I got a job at Mack Trucks. Even though the pay was about three times more than I was making at Hess’s, I never enjoyed work as much as I did working for Hess Brothers.

Flying with Matt by Connie Huber

It was December; the air was cold and crisp. My grandson Matt drove his parents Ken and Michelle, and me to the Queen City Airport in Allentown. Matt’s brother Vince and his friend followed us. A twin engine Cessna was waiting when we reached the tarmac. Matt helped all of us board the plane and made sure we were all belted in. Then he climbed in followed by Michele who closed the door. Matt started the engines, checked with the tower, and we were off on our adventure. We taxied down the runway into the dark, clear night. Our destination was New York City, whose skyline had fascinated me since I was a little girl. To see it from the air was a dream come true.

We flew up Hudson Bay, through the towers of the Verrazano Bridge, to the Hudson River. As we followed Manhattan’s coastline, Matt kept in close contact with the tower advising them of our location. He handed me a headset so that I could hear all the tower communication. We flew over Ground Zero which was still a huge hole in the ground. The sight of it brought back the horrors of September 11th. Soon I could hear other pilots talking to the tower about approaching “The Lady,” who was, of course, the Statue of Liberty. As we drew near, I could see all the planes circling her. It was a well-coordinated chorus line, the tower keeping every plane at a safe distance. As we circled, I was overwhelmed with emotion. I had wanted to see the Statue of Liberty ever since Superman flew Lois Lane around her.

We continued up the Hudson River to the George Washington Bridge, and when we turned around, the majesty of New York was displayed in all its glory.

The flight home was filled with laughter and joy. We first flew to Reading Airport for dinner at Wild Wings Restaurant. After paying the bill, we crossed the tarmac and returned to the plane for our trip home, “just like the rich folk do.” Back at Queen City, Matt had to make sure the plane was properly parked and ready for its next passengers.

This trip was one of the most exciting things I have ever done.

Traditionally Yours 9 3rd Edition Spring 2015

We Support Vibrant Senior Living!

Traditionally Yours 10 3rd Edition Spring 2015

We Support Vibrant Senior Living!

Traditionally Yours 11 3rd Edition Spring 2015

Singapore, 1988 by Barbara Colacurcio

This unbelievable trip started with a flight between Newark and L.A. From there, we boarded a Singapore Airlines double decker, 747 Jumbo jet for our trip to Kuala Lumpur. Although we had a fuel stop in Hong Kong, it was the middle of the night, so we couldn’t shop. It was just a chance to get the circulation going in our legs.

In Singapore we took a rickshaw ride, visited a jewelry factory, and took a trip through a rain forest. We also shopped at an open air food market, where we saw turtles that had their shells removed. Their bodies were used for soup. We also saw a rubber tree plant.

On this trip I traveled with ten other people. My roommate, Janet, was not only a good friend, but also my head nurse at work. She was never on time. I had read her the riot act just prior to our trip telling her, “I’m not missing any activities because of your lateness.” She made everything on time.

After Singapore, we visited Tiomen Island, a tropical island with lots of bugs. When we went back to our room at night and turned on the lights the creepy crawly creatures became very active. Janet pulled her bed into the middle of the room and started screaming at me, “Get someone to get rid of these bugs!” Which I did.

One morning I got out of bed and looked at Janet in the other bed with a towel wrapped around her head. I asked, “Why the towel?” It turned out that she had gotten up hours earlier so she would be on time for our trip that day and wrapped her hair so it wouldn’t get messed up while she slept.

What an experience of two weeks for just $1,700.

Zumba by Connie Huber

On Thursdays at 2, pm, Janis comes to Traditions to teach Zumba Gold class. Zumba Gold is a form of exercise done to a Salsa music beat. Those that participate have fun and get a wonderful cardio workout. We can choose whether we want to dance standing up or sitting in a chair. Either way, most of the group works up a real sweat. Anyone wanting a great workout that is not too strenuous and a lot of fun should join us in the Game Room.

Traditionally Yours 12 3rd Edition Spring 2015

Poetry Corner Poems by Jack Hauler

If You Accept Me When I was Young

If you accept me, I am. When I was young If you ignore me, I am denied. I dreamed, about airplanes. If you forget me, I never was. A little older I dreamed, about airplanes and girls I am here, why do you not hear my scream? Then just about girls. I will not demand your hero worship. Hearing applause, I will not bow too many times, Now in senior years but would not mind the chance to refuse. Again I dream, of airplanes and girls But now I become concerned! If, in life we should come together, For I am dreaming less. and you accept me as I am, in spite of what I was but still may become, then Loving, I surrender.

Goodfellas by Bob Flynn

Goodfellas may seem an unlikely name for the men’s group here at Traditions, particularly if you remember the 1990 hit movie about the rise and fall of a crime family.

Our Goodfellas are all about enjoying good times without breaking the law. We meet on the second Thursday of every month for dinner and fellowship.

There are a number of special events and outings throughout the year. Typically, they include trips to museums and parks, weekend breakfasts and the annual mini-golf tournament.

Hairspray by Barbara Colacurcio

In March a group of TOH residents enjoyed the Freddy Award contender, Hairspray which was produced by the students of Freedom High School.

It was hard to believe that the performers in this musical were not professional actors, singers and musicians.

Please join us for future trips to area high school musicals, where for as little as $8, we are transported to Broadway for an afternoon of exciting entertainment.

Traditionally Yours 13 3rd Edition Spring 2015

As I See It… by Bob Flynn

1931…the year I was born. A year in which our nation was in the grips of the Great Depression. Another baby, however welcome, was still another mouth to feed. Amid all the love and laughter, worry lurked just below the surface. It seemed that every time we made ends meet, someone moved the ends.

It wasn’t all doom and daily drudgery, thanks to the magic of radio. All words, no pictures. We had our “shows” where we could envision happy days, love in bloom and far-away places with strange-sounding names.

For Dad, it was more about reality. There was Walter Winchell with his shotgun delivery…”Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. America and all the ships at sea.” And H.V. Kaltenborn. And FDR’s “Fireside Chats.”

For Mom, it was “One Man’s Family” and “Mary Noble, Backstage Wife.” Just as important was her daily dose of Kate Smith. Remember…”This is Ted Collins. It’s high noon in New York and time for Kate Smith.” As I recall, she always opened with “When the Moon Comes over the Mountain and closed with “God Bless America.” Mom’s little kitchen radio was off limits to the rest of us.

For my sister, Joan, her favorite was “Our Gal Sunday.” The story asked, “Can this girl from a little mining town out West find happiness as the wife of Lord Henry Brinthrop, a rich and titled Englishman?” Of course, she could.

My show was “Jack Armstrong, All American Boy.” Although they were students at Hudson High, Jack and his friends Billy and Betty roamed the globe in search of adventure. It never occurred to me to question why they rarely went to class. That’s the beauty of fantasy.

It was all so magical. Now we have television, the internet, cellphones, GPS, texting and sexting. I guess robots and artificial intelligence will be next.

No imagination required.

Destiny McMannus by Barbara Colacurcio

Destiny McMannus is a Liberty High School senior who works part time here at TOH as a server, in addition to her daily responsibilities, Destiny assists residents in Wii Bowling every Saturday.

Wii Bowling is a simulated video game in which participants use a motion-sensing remote control to mimic actions performed in the real life sport. The rules of the game are simplified to make it accessible to all players.

Destiny has been accepted at Moravian College and will begin attending in the fall. Until then, please join her and your fellow residents for fun, laughs and exercise at Wii Bowling at 2pm in the Theatre.

Traditionally Yours 14 3rd Edition Spring 2015

Resident Showcase by Stefanie Schoomer

On the 31st of March three residents shared their talents and experiences. First, Terry Lichak shared the hobby that she began when she retired. As an empty nester, after raising seven children, Terry had enough time on her hands to enjoy needlework. She began with crewel, a kind of embroidery that uses heavy wool yarns, and she also made fun crafts on her sewing machine. She showed us a scarecrow and a watermelon pillow that she made many years ago. Soon she moved onto needlepoint making beautiful pillows for each of her children. Finally, she took up counted crosstitch, and made artful pictures that look like paintings. We enjoyed looking at many examples that included framed pieces, a Christmas tree skirt and Christmas stocking. Terry continues to enjoy this hobby today, spending a year or more on each project.

Allen Fink shared the process of chair caning with us. Many of us have experienced the sadness of seeing a beautifully caned chair through which someone had put a foot or knee. Instead of replacing that seat with a solid one, Allen learned the art of caning. He brought several beautiful samples of his work to the showcase along with the tools he used including golf tees and rolls of the cane which come from the stem or trunk of the rattan palm grown primarily in Southeast Asia including Malaysia.

Allen showed us the two styles of caning he did, depending upon the construction of the chair or bench he was caning. In one style, he wove the canes directly on the chair through holes drilled all around the seat area. The second method he used was to cut a sheet of caned material and work it into a groove around the seat, finishing it with border cane.

Finally, Ray Cook shared two of his travel experiences, both of which touched deeply at the roots of his patriotism. The first experience occurred the first time he saw the Statue of Liberty in 1942. Seeing her out in New York Harbor was emotionally overwhelming for him as a very young man. His second powerful travel experience occurred when he first saw the Liberty Bell. As a tourist, Ray was wandering the old cobblestone streets in the historical Independence National Park area when he saw a set of glass doors and decided to see what was in this building. He found…the Liberty Bell. Since it was near closing, Ray was the only visitor at the time and the docent, seeing how emotional Ray had become on unexpectedly being in the presence of this icon of his freedom, unhooked the rope from the stanchion and invited Ray to touch the Liberty Bell. This was one of the most powerful experiences of Ray’s life.

Traditionally Yours 15 3rd Edition Spring 2015

His Name is Sparky by Peg Dockry (previously published Express-Times, Easton, PA)

“The count is three and two…outfield has moved in…” Deep in the country another afternoon was dragging by, and my sister and I groaned in agony at the sound of ANOTHER BASEBALL GAME! No one dared shatter the concentration of our father who sat hunched over, ear to radio.

Television was not yet on the scene, and the promise of a car ride after supper was light years away. With our luck, we girls knew our ride would end at a sandlot where a bunch of stupid men would be playing a stupid game!

How is it now that I sit on hard bleachers, shivering in the breeze that runs before the thunderstorm now flickering over the Poconos, wishing that I had brought a jacket, my eyes glued to a baseball diamond? The answer is playing second base, and he will grin at his grandmother, if no one is watching. He is nine, but the size of your average seven-year old. His name (which he has earned) is Sparky, a tribute to his attitude of constant attention, like that of a terrier watching a rat.

He has been obsessed with baseball since age six. How did he fall under the spell? No one steered him, nobody knows. But there he stands as clouds come boiling over town, hands on knees, eyes on home plate, full of true grit.

Behind me on the paved parking lot, boys are roller-blading and shooting hoops, but now and again, two or three of them will stop, distracted by the crack of ball on bat. I shift my aching bones on the wood bench, aware that I and the women around me are tolerated, so long as we cheer for the correct team, protest at the right time and refrain from asking ignorant questions.

The game is over. Sparky’s team did not win, but they gave a good account of themselves. No more could be expected of a man. I rise nonchalantly – with the casual air of one who wonders if that wretched right knee is going to straighten – and go to meet my grandson, a look of studied indifference on my face. Only the guys are permitted to smile, holler or growl.

As I go, I think back to the time in second grade when Sparky’s mother was summoned to school to deal with the matter of his aggression. I can’t believe that such an episode could occur in the land of the free and the home of the Phillies, but it actually did.

MOTHER: I’m surprised to hear this. I never see any aggression at home. TEACHER: It’s an everyday occurrence. MOTHER: Perhaps if you could show me what he does… TEACHER: (Putting her arms straight out in front of her) Well, he extends his arms and joins his hands. Then he brings his joined hands up to right shoulder like this and then… he swings his arms!”

“…AND THAT BALL IS OUTTA HERE!”

Traditionally Yours 16 3rd Edition Spring 2015

Traditions Chorus Performs by Peg Dockry and Stefanie Schoomer

On Thursday, March 19th, the TOH chorus ushered in springtime with a concert entitled “Snapshots of America.” Rather than photographs of our patriotism, the vocal lens captured the faith of Shall We Gather by the River, the mirth of The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze, and the affirmations of America, the Beautiful. The Wild West melody of Don’t Fence Me In was enhanced by the hobby horse performance of Davis and Grey Stassfurth, great- grandsons of resident Doris Hess. Our own State was acknowledged by the rousing strains of Pennsylvania Polka, with a delightful performance on the Boombah, played by Allen Fink’s daughter Pat diStefano.

Sunday, March 22nd found our talented Chorus performing at the popular TD Community Stage in the Arts Quest Center. Fourteen chorus members participated along with director, Mona Turner; piano accompanist, Jan Larson and guitarist, David Crank. Open to the public, many people who were at Arts Quest for performances in a variety of venues, or who were just enjoying the beautiful Sunday afternoon at the Steel Stacks, stopped by to listen. It was a very festive atmosphere, and everyone had a great time.

Exploring Cuisine by Barbara Colacurcio

For those of us at Traditions who enjoy going out to restaurants to eat, each month we have several opportunities. Recent trips took the Golden Girls to Bruno Scipioni’s where we delighted in homemade pizza and other Italian treats.

Next, all were invited as we drove to Allentown to visit the well-known Wertz Café for burgers and their very famous fried onion rings.

Later in March we enjoyed Italian specialties such as lasagna, eggplant parmesan, and mussels over linguini at the Vineyard in Fountain Hill.

April found us at Prime Steakhouse, just around the corner, Hampton Winds at Northampton Community College, and Morgan’s on North Cedar Crest Avenue in Allentown.

If you enjoy eating out and like to explore new places to dine, join us throughout the month. We are always looking for suggestions of new places to try, so let Laurie know where your favorite restaurant is and then look for it on the monthly calendar.

Traditionally Yours 17 3rd Edition Spring 2015

Grandpa and the Sausage by Riegel

On Sundays grandpa went to the Italian Club. He would always bring a chocolate bar for my brother and me, and homemade sausage for the family. One Sunday when he took the trolley car home, my friend and I were sitting in the back. He got off first and we followed him. This day, Grandpa had had a little too much to drink at the club and he was not too steady on his feet as he zig-zagged along the street. Under his arm he had the wrapped sausage. He held tightly to it, but it was coming out of a split in the wrap anyway.

Some of the sausage links were dragging on the ground, and several dogs started chasing it until they got some. No matter how hard Grandpa tried to shoo and kick the dogs off the sausage, the dogs won. In his efforts, Grandpa fell down a couple of times, but he got up and continued on his way. I was thankful he was not hurt, and stayed with him until he safely reached home.

I told my mother about Grandpa’s trip home with the sausage dragging on the ground and the dogs fighting for it, so she had to throw it away.

Later, when my brother and I went into Grandpa’s pockets for our chocolate, my brother’s hand came out with a long white evening glove, and I had a nylon stocking in my hand. We dangled them to show my mother. She was not happy and told us we were not allowed to go into Grandpa’s pockets again. Then she had a talk with Grandpa. We thought it was funny. Mom did not, but Grandpa just laughed along with us.

Al and Betty D’Argento by Connie Huber

Al and Betty Joined the Traditions family in August 2014. Prior to this, the D’Argentos did a lot of traveling during their retirement. They visited all fifty states and fifteen different countries. They are avid sports fans and were able to attend a Rose Bowl game, a Fiesta Bowl and Super Bowl XI.

Al was drafted into the Army in September 1943. He was assigned to the 572nd AAA Battalion. While serving in France, they were credited with shooting down more enemy aircraft than any other outfit in the 7th Army. He received three European Battle Stars and was discharged in 1946.

Betty was a supervisor at the Bell Telephone Company from 1943 to 1948. After the War, Al was employed at Bethlehem Steel and Betty worked at Lehigh Valley Dairy.

The D’Argentos married in 1947, and have been blessed with three children and seven grandchildren.

(Story Continued on Page 19)

Traditionally Yours 18 3rd Edition Spring 2015

Throughout the years, Al and Betty were closely connected with Al’s alma mater, Girard College, and hosted students in their home during the Christmas holidays for many years. Al received the Award of Merit from the National Girard College Alumni and the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Lehigh Valley chapter. He was also selected to the Girard College Athletic Hall of Fame for Basketball.

The D’Argentos owned and operated the former Jordan Park Snack shop for 22 years. They also ran a concession stand at Muhlenberg College basketball and football games as well as at the Great Allentown Fair.

In addition, Al was active with the former Joseph Freidman Sons in Bethlehem from which he retired as president in 1987.

Jenny Kratch, Resident Life Intern by Stefanie Schoomer

After much planning by Resident Life Director Laurie Schwab and Executive Director Cathy Heimsoth, Traditions was fortunate to gain the talent and enthusiasm of Moravian College senior, Jenny Kratch as an intern during 2014-2015 school year. Jenny is responsible for the Winter edition of Graymatter, a book of memoirs written by and for Tradition’s Writing Group, as well as the Winter and Spring editions of another of the Writing Group’s publications, Traditionally Yours, our TOH newsletter.

Jenny will be graduating this month with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health. She has been recognized by Moravian College as a Dean’s List Recipient and as a member of Omicron Delta Epsilon International Economics Honor Society.

In addition to interning for Resident Life, Jenny has been an office assistant at Julie Lorber, MD, PC Colon and Rectal Surgery, Summit, NJ, interned at Moravian College Health Center, and works at American Eagle Outfitters, in their Center Valley store.

As busy as she is with studies, work and internships, Jenny has found time for fun and is Captain of Moravian College’s Track and Field team. In addition, she was recently named Landmark Conference Field Athlete of the Year.

Thank you, Jenny, for being such an incredible help to us this year, and good luck to you in pursuing your career!

Traditionally Yours 19 3rd Edition Spring 2015

Traditionally Yours 20