In 1968, a public meeting was scheduled to form a Centennial Committee and lay the ground work for the observance of Coplay's 100th Birthday Anniversary in 1969. The gathering took place in the Borough Municipal Building at the time, the old Steckel Brothers Garage on South 2nd St. The location housed the Public Works Department and the Police Headquarters. It even had a jail cell, as I recollect. The facility also provided storage space for Coplay Recreation and Welfare Assn, Inc. A good number of residents participated, which included Borough Officials, a former Burgess and other interested organization representatives. One of the first items on the agenda was to select a Centennial Committee Chairman. The former Burgess, Mr. Dan Yellen, nominated one of the participants for the position, but that individual politely declined the nomination and stated that, in his opinion, the person chosen as Chairman should be a native born person of Coplay. After some discussion, the name of Joseph Mondschein was placed in nomination for the position. Mr. Mondschein was serving as the elected borough Tax Collector at the time and came from a well known large family. Al Recker and Frank Dickman were then given the task to contact and offer the Centennial Leadership role to Mr. Mondschein. Needless to say, Joe Mondschein accepted the position and plans were set in motion. The following were chosen as the
COPLAY BOROUGH CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE
Joseph Mondscein, General Chairman
Frank Herman, Vice Chairman & Asst. Treasurer
Robert Hauke Sr., Secretary & Asst. Parade Chairman
John Ifkovits, Treasurer & Art Displays
L. Kathryn Fogel, Historian
Helen Schnecker, Chairlady, Sisters of the Swish
Evelyn Choy, Centennial Queen Chairlady
Leonard Klingler, Parade Chairman
John Zsigovits, Asst. Parade Chairman & Events Coordinator
Alois (Al) Recker, Chairman, Brothers of the Brush & Publicity
Frank Dickman, Asst. Chairman, Brothers of the Brush & Entertainment
Raymond Kratzer, Banquet Chairman & Field (Stadium) Arrangements
George Miller, Banquet Speakers Procurer
Ernest Hoenl, Lighting and Public Address Systems
Russell Morgan, Photographer
Helen Morgan, Typist
RELIGIOUS SERVICE -
Dr. Oliver Nace, assisted by Rev. Alfred A. Koch,
Rev. John F. Wiesler and Rev. Leonard Merook.
As stated, everyone was assigned a specific task and they all worked together to formulate a truly remarkable and successful chain of events and activities for the centennial year, which culminated with a "JUNE 15 thru JUNE 21 CENTENNIAL WEEK", which we view as a celebration that could never be duplicated in our lifetime.
The community as a whole came together and spruced and cleaned up a town that had the reputation as being one of most clean and wholesome locations in the Lehigh
Valley. The Blose Brothers Garage, which was located on the Northeast corner of 9th and Chestnut St. became a prime example. They totally transformed the area by repainting their building and enhancing the landscaping there. (Years later, the Blose Garage was demolished and a Townhouse Duplex was built on this site.) It is hard to just focus on one location, but they did a superb job without being requested. I guess you could call it "Community Pride". I recall Gabe Kovacs hanging a banner on the front of his Tailor Shop in the unit block of Chestnut St. The Post Office placed a Centennial Sign across the lawn area at the entranceway. Banners were strung over the roadway on the Northampton side of the Coplay/Northampton bridge. There are photos which show the former Fire Chief Sam Santee, , Ray Kratzer and his son, Gary, Bill Klucharich and Rudy Stumpf completing that task. The same type banner was placed on the Western entrance to the borough on Chestnut St. And the list goes on and on and on. I have only scratched the surface of the Centennial Celebration at this point, but we will attempt to follow up with our recollection of what a fabulous time it was. Anyone that would like to add their view of what took place can contact me at 610-262-0802. Our next POST will have pictures of the "Brothers of the Brush" judging and trophy awards presentation. - God Bless,
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