A Town Comes Together

I was lucky enough to be twelve years old when Slatington, my home town, turned one hundred years old. What a celebration we had!  Oh sure, we are no Bethlehem, nor Allentown, that have been around for centuries.  But one hundred years is pretty special. Slatington has now passed 150 years and counting.  I no longer live in Slatington, but I live close by in Schnecksville. My thoughts focus on the time of my youth spent in the slating town.

Here is one of those thoughts. Slatington was never known as a town whose citizens care about each other like some other towns in the area. Egypt was known as the Little Town That Cares. Northampton is the Community of Unity.  Slogans? Sure, but maybe something to it? Probably. I am not sure why my town doesn’t have the same reputation. Maybe I am wrong. Feel free to argue this point in comments.  Maybe it has to do with something in the character traits of the Pennsylvania Dutch and the Welsh. Who knows?

But, back to being twelve. Slatington certainly came together for its centennial. We were all one. Nearly every citizen attended at least one event in the week long celebration. A majority of the town’s adults were either Brothers of the Brush or Sisters of the Swish.  Those terms reflect the beards worn by men and the long skirts worn by women.

From old fashioned ice cream socials to fireworks. From ox roasts to giant parades. From sidewalk sales in the business district to old time bathing suit contests at the new pool. There were speeches from politicians. There was a centennial song. Yes, a song! I don’t think you can find it on Spotify! It was a memorable week.

But that week. Just that week. We were all proud to be Slatingtonians! How long did that feeling last? I don’t think very long.

There were celebrations at 125 and 150 also. I, sadly, was unable to attend.  So I can only look back on 1964 and bask in those memories of a town coming together.  A wonderful time to be from Slatington. But from my standpoint, every day is a wonderful day to be from Slatington!