My Town...

[jennielynn1970]

I was born in Lehighton, PA.

-Birthplace of: Joe Semanoff - College football player (BYU Cougars). **I have no idea who this person is, never heard of him

-For many years the Lehigh Valley Railroad was the town's largest employer, with several thousand residents working in the railroad's repair facilities or operating the railroad

-The community was named for the Lehigh River

-This was the site of the first Gnadenhutten Massacre on 24 November 1755, during the French and Indian Wars when missionaries and native converts were slain by native allies of the French.

-One of the largest events every August in Lehighton is the "Bike Night" featuring 28,000 plus motorcycles.



Not exactly the cultural hub of the state, lol.

[jennielynn1970]

Where I live NOW... Allentown, PA

- Does anyone not think of the Billy Joel song? Strangely enough, he sang more about Bethlehem's facts (next town over) than he did of Allentown

-Allentown holds historical significance as the location where the Liberty Bell (then known as the Pennsylvania State House bell) was successfully hidden from the British during the American Revolutionary War.

-During the Revolutionary War, the city was a munitions center for the Continental Army.

-YOCCO'S HOTDOGS - The name Yocco's was derived from the name "Iacocca," after the family who owns the establishment (the founder was Lee Iacocca's father, Nicola Iacocca). However, because the Pennsylvania Dutch could not pronounce Iacocca (an Italian name) and said Yocco instead, the name was changed to reflect their pronunciation.

- Michaela Conlin (from BONES) was born here, and Lauren Weisberger, who wrote "The Devil Wears Prada", grew up here.

[RICHARD]

Yeah! We finally got a Playboy Bunny!

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I forgot one other fact about Pacoima.

The cops that brought you the Rodney King Beating/Lost Angeles Riots were working out of the LAPD Foothill Station, located in the fair town of Pacoima.

[Freedom]

Where I live now:

East Providence, RI.

- been variously part of MA and RI over the years, seems no one could set the boundary line the same way twice. (Been part of Seekonk Mass, Rehoboth Mass, once called Wachemoket, RI, quite an identity crisis!)
- home of one of the Charles Looff Carousels, the one used to show Buyers one of EVERYTHING! With 62 hand carved wooden figures including a camel plus 4 chariots, and yes, I make a point to ride at least once annually! Did you know, carousel art is considered American Folk Art? It was once part of Crescent Park, an amusement park, but only the carousel still exists.
- original home to Rumford Baking Powder
- Pomham Ricks Lighthouse, relighted in 2006 and still being restored.

- Meredith Vieira, of The Today Show, hails from here