Category: Emmaus

Hussedaag

· Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick
Some years ago a resident of Emmaus said to the writer in her native dialect [Pennsylvania German], “Heit iss der Hussedaag” (Today is Huss Day). I asked her what that meant. She did not know, but said that they always sowed their turnip seed on that day. Thus did the memory of John Huss, the great pre-Reformation reformer, find a place in our local…

Behind the Barricades

· Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick
A somewhat bizarre and truly sad story has unfolded here in Emmaus. It seems that the president of the Emmaus Historical Society recently became embroiled in controversy within the society, and finally stepped down as president yesterday, just before the election for the presidency scheduled for this evening, leaving his opponent in the election uncontested. Today, the former president barricaded himself into a barn…

A Localist Moment in Emmaus, reprise

· Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick
I wrote last week regarding the proposed opening of a swingers’ club (to be named “The Vault”) on Main Street in Emmaus, at the very heart of the borough. Last night, to consider the matter, the borough’s zoning hearing board met at the Emmaus Community Park (an aptly named venue for this event), rather than their usual borough hall location. Suffice it to say…

To the Beyond

· Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick
I just read the obituary for the fine barber I wrote about back in August. It’s tough to find a good barber, and it’s tougher still, I think, to find a good man. Rest peacefully, Barty. May your memory be eternal.