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This article originally appeared in the
My Town section of
The Times Herald-Record.
It is used here with kind permission of the author.
| "I
applaud you, Middletown, for standing tall and proud through
the good times and the bad. You will always be remembered
as a small city with a big heart owned not by a select few
but by all of us." |
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Middletown
is full of history, charity and diversity
Rosa Boyd
Middletown is a small community, more than 200 years old, filled
with charitable organizations, history, events and landmarks.
Our most beautiful landmarks are our churches spiraling high into
the sky, filling the spiritual needs for all, as well as the basic
needs for some.
The magnificent Paramount Theatre stands proudly on South Street,
opening its doors to talented youngsters performing plays such as
“West Side Story,” as well as offering all the people
of the area some wonderful cultural events.
Another landmark is our magnificent Thrall Library on Depot Street
– a monumental tribute to the Erie Railroad days of yesteryear
and now a wealth of information for its readers.
Around the corner, in the old Montgomery Ward building, is the
future home of an interactive children’s museum. What was once
the hub of retail will be a mecca of hands-on learning experiences
for our youth and adults, too.
Historically, our city has been a refuge for immigrants who could
find work on the railroads, factories, retail stores and offices.
These Irish, Italian, Jewish, Puerto Rican, West Indian, German,
Mexican and many more, too numerous to mention, have left us with
a legacy and families to carry on the details of running our community.
Today we have fourth and fifth generations of them living where
their ancestors emigrated to many years ago.
This wonderful “salad bowl” makes our community rich
with diversity and culture. The successful International Food Festival
held in August, with the cooperation of the city and Business Improvement
District, was evidence of this heterogeneity at its best.
In progress, and in conjunction with the city and the BID, is another
First Night 2001 to be held New Year’s Eve in the heart of
our downtown. Last year’s nonalcoholic family events was enjoyed
by 3,000 area residents.
We are a community concerned for our young and old alike throughout
Orange County. The many civic organizations such as the Elks, the
Rotary, the Kiwanis, the YMCA, the Lions and the Masons are always
available to lend a helping hand whether it be for a Halloween party,
sporting event, giving scholarships to our youth or giving out shoes
and turkeys to the needy.
I applaud you, Middletown, for standing tall and proud through
the good times and the bad. You will always be remembered as a small
city with a big heart owned not by a select few but by all of us.
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