I grew up in Allentown, Pennsylvania – the state’s third largest city. It shares a history similar to South Bend’s. Once an epicenter of silk manufacturing, it was filled with bustling industry and thriving economy. But like many other mid-sized cities, Allentown experienced tough times as American industry shifted to overseas production. Chances are, if you’ve heard of Allentown, you know of it as the economically depressed image immortalized by Billy Joel’s song, “Allentown.” The lyrics paint a dire picture of the greater metropolitan area known as the Lehigh Valley:
“Well we’re living here in Allentown/
And they’re closing all the factories down/
Out in Bethlehem they’re killing time/
Filling out forms/
Standing in line.”
And they’re closing all the factories down/
Out in Bethlehem they’re killing time/
Filling out forms/
Standing in line.”
My grandfathers both worked at the Bethlehem factory Billy Joel references. Bethlehem Steel was once America’s second largest producer of steel, which helped build American landmarks including the Golden Gate Bridge, the Chrysler Building and the Hoover Dam. One could easily judge the strength of the economy based on the Steel’s five blast furnaces that constantly illuminated the night sky. In the mid-1990s, Bethlehem Steel stopped production at its main Bethlehem Plant. The city’s economic outlook darkened as the furnaces’ fires dimmed. Today, the blast furnaces are lit with blue and purple spotlights and serve as the backdrop for The Sands Casino.
A year after Billy Joel released “Allentown,” I was born, two miles down the road from those factories. Apparently I couldn’t wait to be involved in my community – my mother went into labor while my father was out putting up campaign yard signs, and I’ve been passionate ever since. By the age of 6, I had befriended the Mayor of Allentown, Joe Daddona. I have fond memories of being greeted by the distinct office-building smell of City Hall, and taking the “secret staircase” to the Mayor’s office. There are photos of me banging a gavel in the Mayor’s chair. Growing up, my father brought me to political campaign meetings. He instilled in me the importance of vibrant communities and a unique sense of place. I made my first campaign phone call in braces, and was knocking on doors before I could drive.
A year after Billy Joel released “Allentown,” I was born, two miles down the road from those factories. Apparently I couldn’t wait to be involved in my community – my mother went into labor while my father was out putting up campaign yard signs, and I’ve been passionate ever since. By the age of 6, I had befriended the Mayor of Allentown, Joe Daddona. I have fond memories of being greeted by the distinct office-building smell of City Hall, and taking the “secret staircase” to the Mayor’s office. There are photos of me banging a gavel in the Mayor’s chair. Growing up, my father brought me to political campaign meetings. He instilled in me the importance of vibrant communities and a unique sense of place. I made my first campaign phone call in braces, and was knocking on doors before I could drive.
Inscription: “To Claudia Anewalt- Allentown’s first future lady mayor- Joe Daddona, Mayor 7/19/90″ I attended Allentown public schools, including a diverse high school with over 2,000 students, the majority of whom received free and reduced lunch. Although school days were interrupted with bomb threats and trash can fires, I received an excellent education that prepared me to graduate cum laude from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. With a thirst for knowledge and growing desire to give back, I returned to the Lehigh Valley and earned a Masters from Lehigh University’s Community Fellows Program in 2007. As part of the program, I worked with the West End Alliance helping the nascent neighborhood association preserve a historic mixed-use area. This distinct type of neighborhood has a variety of independent retail and service businesses, dining, entertainment, and higher density residential all within a few blocks. Although I loved being back in my hometown, the nerd in me still hadn’t satiated my quest for knowledge. My community involvement and political exposure led me to augment my education yet again, and I traveled to Indiana to attend the University of Notre Dame.
At first, the Midwest was a culture shock for this displaced East Coaster who regularly wears a necklace with a Pennsylvania shaped charm and can rattle off state trivia for hours. But after five years of being an “official” Hoosier (of course I changed my voter registration the moment I arrived!) Indiana has grown on me. I met my husband in 2010 and due to the opposing locations of our jobs, we moved to Goshen. It took a bit of time, but once we got to know the local community, it was clear Goshen was a place we wanted to stay. I love the friendly atmosphere and quality of life in this small town. My husband now rides his bike to work, allowing us to be a one-car household and we are happy to take advantage of a low cost of living, beautiful public parks and other forms of recreation. And as if that weren’t enough, I can enjoy one of the “most life-changing pizzerias in America,” according to Esquire Magazine.
Admittedly, Goshen is far from perfect. But, like the rest of Michiana, it’s on the way up. As graduation loomed, I struggled with the possibility of leaving the community we’ve been actively involved in for three years. One of the biggest reasons why my husband and I decided to stay was because we wanted to help create a great place to live - not just move to one. Joining enFocus provided an opportunity to do just that! I have a lot of Indiana trivia to learn (did you know that 90% of the world’s popcorn is grown here?) and I’m still searching for a charm in the shape of the Hoosier state. However, I can proudly say that this is now my adopted home.
At first, the Midwest was a culture shock for this displaced East Coaster who regularly wears a necklace with a Pennsylvania shaped charm and can rattle off state trivia for hours. But after five years of being an “official” Hoosier (of course I changed my voter registration the moment I arrived!) Indiana has grown on me. I met my husband in 2010 and due to the opposing locations of our jobs, we moved to Goshen. It took a bit of time, but once we got to know the local community, it was clear Goshen was a place we wanted to stay. I love the friendly atmosphere and quality of life in this small town. My husband now rides his bike to work, allowing us to be a one-car household and we are happy to take advantage of a low cost of living, beautiful public parks and other forms of recreation. And as if that weren’t enough, I can enjoy one of the “most life-changing pizzerias in America,” according to Esquire Magazine.
Admittedly, Goshen is far from perfect. But, like the rest of Michiana, it’s on the way up. As graduation loomed, I struggled with the possibility of leaving the community we’ve been actively involved in for three years. One of the biggest reasons why my husband and I decided to stay was because we wanted to help create a great place to live - not just move to one. Joining enFocus provided an opportunity to do just that! I have a lot of Indiana trivia to learn (did you know that 90% of the world’s popcorn is grown here?) and I’m still searching for a charm in the shape of the Hoosier state. However, I can proudly say that this is now my adopted home.
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