On July 2, in response to a question of mine, I received an email from the distinguished writer and preservationist Thomas Hylton. Mr. Hylton spoke about prospects for the preservation of Broughal Middle School at Cathedral Church of the Nativity several months ago. I contacted him because I was alarmed when I read a newspaper article which showed the school board and administration in the process of "divvying up" the artifacts of a soon-to-be-slaughtered school. My email was written in the hope that such an outcome still could be prevented.
In his reply, Mr. Hylton said the Bureau of Historic Preservation is now corresponding with the Department of Education regarding Broughal, but that as far as he knows no decision has been made.
"So it is not too late," he concluded optimistically.
This should be a matter of concern for you whether you favor the highest quality education at the lowest possible taxes (which the preservation of Broughal could help guarantee), whether you are interested in the preservation of fine buildings, or both. Here is a matter in which the interests of taxpayer and preservationist (often the same person, but not always) come together.
Mr. Hylton did not say who it is best to contact about the Broughal School matter, and I am still trying to find out. Will let readers know if and when I get additional information. In the meantime you might try getting additional information and help through your legislators. For Bethlehem, they are: Rep. Steve Samuelson, 610-867-3890, and Rep. T.J. Rooney, 610-882-1510. For Senator Lisa Boscola, I am afraid you will have to ask for directory assistance. The Senator did not seem to be listed anywhere in my directory, at least nowhere one might think of looking for her. No doubt this is due to the magic of modern communications, and all arranged to better serve us.
If I were the Senator, I'd complain.

It's got to be nearly a decade ago that some friends and I visited Jacobsburg State Park. It was a special come-one, come-all event for the park, which is a lovely place. The public took up the invitation in a big way; people were walking along the roadways, through the woods and across the meadows, four abreast.
This gave me a very unpleasant feeling about the future. If this forested area was--at least temporarily--as populated as a town, what would happen in the future? Where would people go to recreate and to find their souls when the rest of New York arrived here to live?
I found no answer; but New York seems to have arrived. I sympathize with thse people; obviously, they need the peace and quiet we have had all these years. Unfortunately, their arrival in such numbers--25 a day, according to the Morning Call-- means we no longer have it, or will not have it for very long.
What can be done about this? Not much, alas--except to vote to preserve as much green space as we can still get our hands on.
And, for that matter, get our new neighbors to register to vote and do likewise.
After all, saving open space is in everybody's interest. When it's gone, it's gone.