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AUGUST 24-30, 2023
Looking by Back Ed Pany Physicians and Musicians, Part 1 of 6
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Monarch Butterfly Waystation Dedication ceremony held at Canal Street Park
Construction of Haff Hospital, photo courtesy of Larry Oberly A few months ago, we wrote a column on the old landmark Haff Hospital in Northampton. The great-grandson of Dr. Charles Haff, Mr. Scott Haff, read our column and contacted Mr. Larry Oberly, of the Northampton Area Historical Society and Atlas Cement Company Memo-
rial Museum. He generously donated a plethora of Dr. Haff’s photographs, speeches, hospital information, the doctor’s musical talents and community activities. Young Charles Haff graduated from Hokendauqua High School. Continued on page 5
Assante Ristorante Italiano celebrates 20th anniversary By SAVANNAH BROWN On Tuesday, August 15, the Assante Ristorante Italiano family celebrated their 20th anniversary milestone with a ribbon cutting ceremony, festivities for all ages, and a sold-out mouth-watering buffet feast that was fit for a king. For over 20 years, the Assante
family has been serving delicious authentic Italian food to their loyal customers who keep coming back for more. Located on Main Street in Northampton, they are truly a staple of the community. Assante’s customers would Continued on page 10
By SAVANNAH BROWN On Tuesday, August 15, Northampton Borough held a dedication ceremony at Northampton’s Canal Street Park for the Monarch Butterfly Waystation, which is located near the park’s gazebo. Reverend Jerry Mraz, retired pastor of Holy Trinity Slovak Lutheran Church, spearheaded and funded the Monarch Butterfly Waystation project, which he first presented to Northampton Borough Council in October 2022, along with the formation of a beautification committee. The project was designed by Lori Metz and officially broke ground in May. The site now includes a display case with milkweed, eggs and caterpillars that people can watch turn into chrysalises and eventually butterflies, along with assorted nectar bearing perennial flowers around the display case for the butterflies after they are released, which Rev. Mraz described as a symbolism of Christian faith and resurrection. The event was attended by various Northampton Borough Council members, Mayor Anthony Pristash, local Boy and Girl Scouts (whose responsibility it will be to maintain the waystation) along with their parents, troop leaders and members of the community, who were all eager
Rev. Jerry Mraz to see the release of the monarch butterflies. Before releasing two monarch butterflies, Rev. Mraz provided his inspiration for the project. “Seven years ago, I lost two important people in my life,” he began. In 2016, his wife, Elizabeth (Betty) Mraz passed away in February, and just five short months later his eldest granddaughter, Meagan Duarte, who shared the same October birthday as his late wife, also passed away. Meagan passed suddenly from spontane-
ous coronary artery dissection after giving birth to her second son just one month before her tragic passing. Then, as Rev. Mraz, Meagan’s sister Kayla Karan and Kayla’s Continued on page 10
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