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DECEMBER 1-7, 2022
Looking by Back Ed Pany Circus series, Part 3 of 3
Photos courtesy of Thom Horvath.
The Wisconsin, John Ringling’s personal railcar. In this final column, we look back at the last Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey railroad trains as they pass into circus history.
We thank Mr. Thom Horvath for sharing his photographs with our readers. We will return in two weeks.
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Nazareth Center for the Arts Dedicates new mural by artist Matt Halm
By SAVANNAH BROWN During Small Business Saturday on November 26, Nazareth Center for the Arts held a dedication ceremony for its new mural, painted by local Lehigh Valley muralist Matt Halm. Nazareth Center for the Arts Board President Jenny Swanker said the mural would be dedicated to the Borough of Nazareth for the renovation of the historic firehouse, built in 1902, which was transformed into the art center in 2009. Swanker stated that the mural is a symbol of progress in Nazareth and that it will help bring more local tourism to Nazareth. “The new mural is the epitome of our mission to inspire and celebrate the visual and performing arts in Nazareth and the Lehigh Valley. We believe that this mural will positively impact Nazareth and promote more murals and other public art here. I think that this response from the crowd perfectly illustrates the community excitement and engagement for our local art scene,” Swanker shared. Muralist Matt Halm thanked the art center and Swanker for bringing everything together, which he stated was no small task. Halm also shared there was careful consideration to put the mural on six aluminum composite panels so that it would not be painted directly on the historical building.
“I painted [the panels] in my tiny little studio, which is also known as my shed, so I can only paint about two of them at a time and then create sort of an assembly line to match the seams,” said Halm. Halm stated the panels were then put together on the ground and hoisted up with a crane, which was the first time he had ever seen that done for any of his artwork. Halm expressed, “We were inspired by the arts, by celebrating and honoring artists, and furthering the mission of Nazareth Center for the Arts.” Halm said he liked the idea of using hands in the mural as they are “where all the imagination comes through and actually create the art.” Halm
went on to say he thought it would be an interesting way to show art actually being created, using bright colors and patterns. Some of the references in the mural include a guitar that is modeled directly after a Martin D28 model, a firefighter emblem as an homage to the firehouse that the art center now occupies, a microphone, circular shapes that represent records, the shape of Nazareth Speedway from an aerial view, and the rose pattern on the shirt represents the historical Barony of the Rose. Halm expressed that the creativity and colorfulness of the mural are “ways to show the broad range of creativity and the Continued on page 8
Bath Borough celebrates Christmastime with Tree lighting ceremony By SAVANNAH BROWN On Monday, November 28, the Borough of Bath held a tree lighting ceremony and Christmastime festivities for residents of all ages with a big turnout. To begin the ceremony, Mayor Fiorella Mirabito thanked Unangst Tree Farms for donating the tree, Bob Siegfried for representing his father, Russell Siegfried, in the lighting of the tree, Bobby
Siegfried for assisting with music and electronics, Kaitlin Kolonia for sharing her voice, the Bath Borough Community and Economic Development Committee and the Parks and Recreation Committee for co-sponsoring the horse drawn carriage rides, Father Christopher Butera and Pastor Terrence Walsh for their continued spiritual guidance, the Bath Borough Council and its office
staff, the Public Works Department, and Bath Fire Department for their assistance and support, Cub Pack 33 and their parents for assisting with providing hot chocolate and sugar cookies to all attendees, and the one and only Santa Claus for always making time to come to Bath. Next, Pastor Terrence Walsh from St. John’s Lutheran Church provided the opening prayer and
Kaitlin Kolonia sang a beautiful rendition of the “National Anthem.” Northampton County Councilman Tom Giovanni expressed that Bath’s tree lighting ceremony was a wonderful kickoff for the holiday season and Christmas spirit. “One of my favorite things is watching the eyes of small children light up when they are open-
ing up presents on Christmas. I want to wish all residents a Merry Christmas and happy holidays,” Continued on page 5
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