Mirror Mirror...

Brynn Lecato, 9, of Norristown, looks into a mirror to view her newly painted face at the Elmwood Park Zoo during the zoo's opening day events Saturday, March 31, 2012. Photo by Christine Reckner/Times Herald Staff

Norristown Bicentennial Celebration Article by Christine Reckner

NORRISTOWN — Children and adults trudged through muddy grass Saturday afternoon to celebrate Norristown’s 200th birthday at Elmwood Park.  

The event began with a kickoff celebration which consisted of speeches from all three Montgomery County commissioners, Norristown council, Montgomery County Common Pleas Court Judge William Nicholas, and Hank Cisco, Norristown’s ambassador, as well as an opening prayer by Bishop Richard McCray.

“Today’s been wonderful,” said Howard Scott, of Norristown. “All three commissioners spoke very highly of what we’re doing here in Norristown and the ambassador came in his party garb and Seuss-like tophat.”

Children ran freely, oblivious to the dreary weather, clutching strings of balloons, jumping inside inflatables and throwing footballs, all while sporting handpainted designs on their faces.

Throughout the day, The Fire Chief’s Memorial Bandshell was humming with energy, from historical reenactments by the W.S. Hancock Society, to the Norristown Karate Club Demonstration, to a live concert by the Allen Reynolds Band.

“We had a rough start but people have been really interested in coming out and supporting the community,” said Collections Manager of the Histrorical Society Jeff McGranahan. On celebrating Norristown’s bicentennial McGranagan said, “It’s always been about the people remembering the people of the past and recognizing the people of the present.”

Many prominent organizations in Norristown were present with booths of stocked with goodies and information.

Free food was provided by the Norristown recreation department and Zachary’s BBQ.

For some, the event brought on memories of the past.

Local George Marks, a Norristown Area High School graduate of 1960, said that what he liked the most about growing up in Norristown was the five movie theaters and downtown shopping.

“Back then we didn’t have the King of Prussia Mall,” said Marks.

Scott mentioned that what was particularly notable about the event was it drew a lot of people who had moved away from the area.

“That was very interesting, to see people come back to their roots.”

On Your Marks, Get Set Go! Easter Egg Hunt at the Lower Providence Township Building

Cassandra Long, 2, of Harleysville, picks up an Easter egg during the 2-year-old portion of the Lower Providence Township's Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, March 24, 2012. Photo by Christine Reckner/Times Herald Staff

When I was younger, I treated my mom like a mobile coat hanger. If we went to an Easter egg hunt, I'd cast aside my jacket for her to sling across her arm and offer her my empty plastic egg shells. When I got a little older (but not too old to stop doing this) I'd look back at her from some pony ride or roller coaster and wonder to myself why she looked so happy. I mean seriously, why did parents enjoy watching us have all the fun while they stood there waiting?!

Now that I myself am a grown up I can understand it. I mean, my job is to be a permanent observer, never engaging in the fun, merely capturing it. And you know what...there are more days than I thought there would be where I'm ok with that. These are children I don't even know...and to see their faces light up when they grab one of those eggs is really priceless. They handle each one like it's a piece of treasure!

And of course, it brings me back fondly to my own memories of Sunday morning Easter egg hunts. Like the year I didn't win a chocolate bunny and they gave me one just so I'd stop crying. Or when my grandmother would set them outside her house every year and we'd memorize the good hiding spots. I can distinctly remember the feeling of pride when I'd open an egg with a gold coin inside. I'm not going to lie, I don't think I'm going to mind all that much when my own kids turn me into a hanger one day.

It's a Good Day to Be Irish

 

On Saturday, Fayette Street in Conshohocken was transformed into what a town might look like if a Lucky Charms factory exploded. As you can expect, this made for a deliciously visual day. I love love love St. Patrick's Day celebrations! Parades really make you work though, I spent most of my day running up and down the hill following performers, catching up to others, falling back for the crowd. A photographer's job can be misleading, it's not as easy as it looks! By the end of the day I sure felt like I could use an Irish Car Bomb..


Random fact of the day: My grandparents met at a St. Patrick's Day dance, which is why they named their firstborn, my dad, Patrick.

I met my boyfriend at a "Mug Night" at his apartment complex. I'm not about to name my firstborn Mug...

Only Irish coffee...

 

"Only Irish coffee provides all main essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar, and fat."

Rae Dispaldo judges an Irish coffee from one of the several competing eateries during the Irish Coffee Contest at the AOH Hall in Swedesburg Thursday night, March 8, 2012. This years winner was Screwballs Sports Bar and Grille in King of Prusssia. Photo by Christine Reckner/Times Herald Staff