WEST PARK CIVIC
ASSOCIATION
www.westpark-ca.org
August 2007
Art-in-the-Park
Art-in-the-Par Celebrates33rd Year
Art-in-the-Park held its 33rd annual art show on Saturday, June 16th, 2007at West Park. 72 area artists
along with fellow artists from New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania exhibited their original
works. WPCA also awarded 2 free spaces to student artists (Grades 9-12).
Our art show remains a FREE event to the public. We also were fortunate
to have performances by the Allentown Band and the Repertory Dance
Theatre.
Art-in-the-Park winners this year were: Watercolor-Lee Baldwin
(1 ), Cece Tucker (2nd ), Bernie Tyler (3rd ), Ed Klova (HM); Oils and
Acrylics- Nathan Marzen (1st ), Jean Krantz (2nd ), Edith Roeder (3rd ),
Jack Eagle (HM); Photography- Bill Cooperman (1st ), Chris Hornaman
(2nd ), Dale Traupman (3rd ), Judith Woodruff (HM); Graphics-Morgan
Smith (1st ), John Kolbek (2nd ) , Claudia McGill (3rd ), Catherine Colsher
(HM) and Student Winners-Kristina Knipe (1st ), Sam Keller (2nd ).
Special thanks to our judges this year Cindy Gunn and Susan Ford.
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We wish to sincerely thank our generous 2007 sponsors who included Mary Hessinger, Georgann
Miller, Stan and Carol Stephens, King Phillips Enterprises, Ibolya Balog and Harry Crapser, Bob and
Brenda Egolf, Glenn Neiman, Anonymous, Friends of Art-in-the-Park, and Robb & Peggy Egolf. Also,
we wish to extend our sincere thanks to the following businesses and individuals who submitted ads:
Sewards Steak Shop, The Good-Buy Girls, Stephens Funeral Home, Gillespie Printing, Heckenbergers’
Seafood, Red Barn Produce, Episcopal Church of the Mediator, The Emmaus Corale, Fairgrounds Poultry
Market, East Penn Business Forms, and Ben, Fiona and Family. We are awaiting word from Lehigh
County if we will be receiving grant money for this year’s art show. Lehigh County has always been
very generous in awarding grant money for the show.
Also a huge thank you to all of our volunteers that helped to make Art-in-the-Park a success. This
year’s volunteers included: Ralph Graber, Violet & Deb Feden, John & Pat Ziegler, Dot Shue, Dorothy
Stewart, Drew, Sue, Andy & Maggie Burns, Nancy Bahr, Althea Yuracka, Tom Yuracka, Glenn Neiman,
Jeff Wetherhold, Tony Phillips, Margaret Decook, Marvin Wheeler, Sharon Wolf (visiting from
Colorado), Michael Cesar, Kathy Guth, Fern Zeigler, Maryann and Joan Merkel, Jackie Nuss, Maria
Welsh, Mary Hessinger, Grace Van Schoick, Lehigh County Juvenile Probation and all of their helpers
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and the Episcopal Church of the Mediator for their food stand and flea market.
We estimate that 3,500+ patrons attended and everyone expressed how much they enjoyed the art
show, concert, the dancers, and of course our beautiful park! We are already planning for our 2008 Artin-the-Park which will be part of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the dedication of West
Park (1908-2008)! Art-in-the-Park will be Saturday, June 21st, 2008. In order to make the day a
success, we need your help. If you are willing to help with our 34th annual Art-in-the-Park, please call
Peggy and Robb Egolf at 610-434-0657 or email us at peggy.egolf@verizon.net
Peggy Egolf
Concert Support
West Park Civic Association Helps Sponsor the
West Park Summer Concert Series for 3rd Year
The West Park Civic Association and Art-in-the-Park sponsored the West Park Summer
Concert Series for the 3rd year, by donating $500. Also Art-in-the-Park applied for and received a
$1000 grant from the Charles H. Hoch Foundation on behalf of the West Park Summer Concert
Series. WPCA also helped to sponsor the Tango in West Park by donating $250.
Band Shell Historic
Designation
The West Park Civic Association is exploring steps to register the park and band shell as historic
places and landmarks. This involves a lengthy application process at the state and federal levels of
government. However, after discussions with notable historian for the region, Frank Whelan, the belief
of interested parties is that our lovely neighborhood resource certainly qualifies.
The primary designation would identify the park and band shell on the National Register of Historic
Places. This is done by the National Park Service. Also, the Secretary of the Interior can designate a
place as being a National Historic landmark because of its importance to all Americans. We believe
that the band shell may qualify for this recognition. If we succeed, additional grants and programs
become available to help better maintain the site. The West Park Civic Association intends to develop a
plan using the help of local college students to perform research and prepare the application. The
application is submitted to the Pennsylvania State Historic Officer, who then nominates the location to the
National Parks Service. If anyone would like to be part of a committee focused on this project, or know
local students interested in historical preservation, please contact Michael Donovan at
mdonovan@cedarcrest.edu or 610-428-8749.
Michael Donovan
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2007 Calendar of
Events
“Block Party”
West Park Civic Association to host Block Party
Saturday, September 29, 2007 1-6PM
Save the date! The West Park Civic Association plans to host a Block Party on West Street between
Linden and Turner Streets on Saturday September 29th, from 1-6pm. The day’s events will include a flea
market, entertainment, games for children, and food concessions. Participants for the flea market,
potential vendors, and volunteers should contact Glenn Neiman at 610-428-7736 or
gneimanwpca@yahoo.com. The civic association will participate in the flea market by selling donated
items in order to raise funds to support the many events hosted throughout the year. If you have items to
donate or would like to help with the stand, please contact Glenn Neiman at the above phone number or
email address. Further details will be included in the next WPCA newsletter.
“A Spooktacular Event”
WPCA’s Halloween Party for Kids & Adults
Friday, October 26th, 2007 6:30-8pm
WPCA is pleased to announce the return of our annual Halloween Party thanks to the efforts of
Violet and Deb Feden. Our Spooktacular event will take place Friday, October 26th, 2007 at the
Church of the Mediator, West & Turner Sts., 6:30pm-8:00pm. Enjoy games, contests, prizes, and of
course treats! We ask that all adults and children come in costume and that you bring a treat to share
with the others. You must call to reserve your ghoulish spot by calling Violet or Deb Feden at
610-437-0454. We look forward to seeing you at this bewitching event!!!
“Tree Lighting”
West Park Tree Lighting Ceremony
Monday, December 10th, 6-7pm
Join the WPCA and Mayor Ed Pawlowski at the West Park Tree Lighting Ceremony, Monday,
December 10th, 2007, 6-7pm. This event is sponsored by the City of Allentown and is a great way to get
into the holiday spirit! Please watch future newsletters for more information.
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“2008 events”
Plans Underway for Celebrating
Two West Park Anniversaries
2008 is a special year for our neighborhood…the 100th anniversary of the Dedication of West Park
and the 50th anniversary of the addition built at the Episcopal Church of the Mediator. A committee
of WPCA and Church members met in June to compile a list of proposed events to celebrate these
milestones. Committee members included Glenn Neiman, Mike Donovan, Rev. Maria Tjeltveit, and Rob
and Peggy Egolf. The committee is also working closely with Mr. Greg Weitzel the Director of Parks,
Recreation and Trails.
Some of the proposed 2008 events include:
March- An evening of West Park Memories/Pot Luck Dinner, March 1st, Spring Scavenger Hunt/Easter
Egg Hunt March 22nd.
April-Earth Day Event (Tree planting) (TBA)
May-4 City Bands’ Kickoff Concert for the Anniversary (TBA), Celebration of the addition to the Church
of the Mediator (TBA), Children’s Author Melissa Bell-General Trexler Books discussion (TBA)
June- Guided Tour of the War Memorials in West Park (TBA), Art-in-the-Park, June 21st, Historic House
Tour (TBA)
July- West Park Gardens (TBA)
August- Ice Cream Social (TBA)
September- Block Party (TBA), Celebration of the Dedication of West Park (TBA)
October- Seasonal changes in West Park (TBA), Halloween Party (TBA)
November- Rotation of the Faiths with representatives from different faiths giving blessings throughout
the park (TBA)
December- Christmas Caroling (TBA)
Other ideas include the placing of a time capsule in West Park and an evening with Frank Whelan. Please
watch future WPCA newsletters with more information on these events. Also, if you have an idea for an
event to celebrate either of these anniversaries please contact Peggy Egolf at 610-434-0657 or
peggy.egolf@verizon.net or Glenn Neiman at 610-428-7736 or gneimanwpca@yahoo.com
“West Park Gardens”
If you have been in the park recently, you may have noticed that the four circular gardens along the
walkways have now been planted according to the new Scott Rothenberger designs. The replanting of
these gardens along with the fountain garden completes the initial phase
presented. The WPCA would like to thank Scott and his company, Joann
Kostecky Garden Design, for volunteering to partner with us on this endeavor. In
addition to creating the plans and meeting with the City Parks Department, Scott
also met city workers on site to place each individual plant in order to assist with
executing the designs and to help insure plant survival. Another thank you is in
order for John Fasolka, Superintendent of Parks, for his support and cooperation.
Our future plans will be to continue working with Scott and John on other planting areas in
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the park. Residents that volunteered to help weed and remove trash from these (5) gardens can now do so
at their leisure. We also encourage visitors to the park to help protect these gardens from vandals and
other prohibited conduct by stopping or reporting perpetrators.
“Approved Vendor List”
In an effort to assist homeowners, in our historic district, with the procurement of contractors, for
performing repairs and new work on their homes, the West Park Civic Association would like to start
compiling a list of preferred vendors. Not every contractor is capable or qualified to do perform the
architecturally correct work required, in some cases, according to guidelines set forth by the city for the
historic districts. Further, contractors with no sensitivity to the
historic district have been found knowingly performing work that
violates the guidelines. They skillfully omit asking homeowners
questions or volunteering information regarding Historic
Architectural Review Board (HARB) approvals. In the end, they get
paid twice if they have to come back and reverse the work performed.
If you would like to recommend a contractor for this list, please
contact Tom Yuracka at 610-435-8850 or send email to
gneimanwpca@yahoo.com.
“Check Mate Numbers”
Promoting neighborhood safety is part of the mission of the West Park
Civic Association. Crime watch has been part of the activities since
WPCA’s founding in 1975. A sign at the corner of 15th and Chew still
displays “Crime Watch Patrolling” from those early days. Instead of
members walking or driving around the neighborhood to patrol the streets,
we have more often relied on neighbors to keep their eyes open for potential
problems and report their concerns either through WPCA leadership or
directly to the police. This is where the “Check Mate” program comes in.
Check Mate is a program run by the Police Department, whereby an
individual registers and is assigned a number. When such a member calls to
report an incident to the Call Center, all they have to give is their Check
Mate number, instead of the name, address, phone etc. that is usually requested of callers. Having a Check
Mate number makes it fast and convenient to report incidents from illegal parking to noise and disruptive
conduct. It also protects the identity of the caller in case the trouble makers are monitoring police band
communication, thus eliminating a concern that alert neighbors have about retaliation. Harry Crapser has
a supply of applications that he brings to WPCA board meetings. If you are unable to get to the meeting,
please call Harry at 610-434-3995 to get an application.
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Ibi Balog
“Classified section”
If you are interested in advertising items or services for sale in the WPCA newsletter, please contact
Tom Yuracka at 610-435-8850 or gneimanwpca@yahoo.com. Advertising space can be purchased for a
small fee. The proceeds will be used to help defray the costs of publishing and mailing our newsletter.
“Post card and T-Shirt Sales”
At the recent Art-in-the-Park event, the sale of West park vintage post card reproductions and West
Park logo T-shirts was brisk. Both items are available for purchase at any time. If you are interested in
making a purchase, please call Tom Yuracka at 610-435-8850 or Peggy Egolf at 610-434-0657.
“Safety Tip”
If you have a remote for your car door locks, keep your car keys beside your bed at night. If
you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get in your house, just press
the red panic button on your remote. The alarm will be set off, and the horn will continue to
sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies. Next time you come home for the night
and you start to put your keys away, think of this: It's a security alarm system that you probably
already have and requires no installation. Test it. It will go off from almost anywhere inside your
house and will keep honking until you reset it with the button on the key remote. It works if you
park in your driveway or garage. If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break in
your house, odds are the perpetrator won't stick around... after a few seconds all the neighbors
will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and sure enough the criminal won't
want that. And remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. The
alarm can work the same way there.
2007 West Park Civic Association Contact Information
POSITION
NAME
PHONE
EMAIL
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Membership
Clean & Green
Art-in-the-Park
Glenn Neiman
Ibi Balog
Scott Armstrong
Jeff Wetherhold
Nancy Jensen
Harry Crapser
Rob & Peggy Egolf
610 428 7736
610 434 3995
610 433 5957
610 432 1389
610 432 3834
610 434 3995
610 434 0657
gneimanwpca@yahoo.com
ibalog@parentenet.com
scottwpca@yahoo.com
nsjensen@rcn.com
peggy.egolf@verizon.net
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Attention Members: If you are currently receiving WPCA notifications via email, and your email
address has recently changed, or you would like to be added to the list, please send your correct email
address to Nancy Jensen at nsjensen@rcn.com. Thank you.
WEST PARK CIVIC ASSOCIATION
OF ALLENTOWN, INC.
1634 TURNER STREET
ALLENTOWN, PA 18102
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Allentown, PA
Permit No. 362
WPCA Board Meetings Church of the Mediator
Tuesday, September 4, 7:00 PM
WPCA website: www.westpark-ca.org
If your committee has a meeting or an event to announce in the Calendar, e-mail
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gneimanwpca@yahoo.com or drop off at 1634 Turner St.
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