Department of Homeland Security Secretary Visits Easton Ice Cream Parlor

By Christina Georgiou

Janet Napolitano, left, arrives with family members in
Downtown Easton, late Tuesday afternoon, trailed by
Secret Service agents.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano made an unannounced visit to Easton late this afternoon, stopping at the Bank Street Creamery for ice cream.

Bank Street Creamery co-owner Marishka Michener welcomes
Janet Napolitano to the family-owned ice cream parlor.

Easton Mayor Sal Panto greets
Department of Homeland Security
Secretary Janet Napolitano in
Downtown Easton late Tuesday
afternoon.

Mayor Sal Panto was on hand as well as Bank Street Creamery co-owners Lynn Wallen, Marishka Michener, and Melissa Titus, to welcome President Barack Obama's cabinet member to the city.

In addition to a contingent of Secret Service agents, Janet Napolitano was accompanied by her sister-in-law, Nancy Napolitano, and her niece, Sarah Haunstein, who works at the Downtown ice cream parlor.

The party was reportedly on their way to the graduation celebration of Janet Napolitano's nephew, Sarah's brother, who is graduating from Nazareth Area High School at Stabler Arena this evening.


Bank Street Creamery co-owner Lynn Wallen shakes hands with
Janet Napolitano Tuesday afternoon.

The visit, which was low-key, lasted about 20 minutes. The Department of Homeland Security Secretary reportedly enjoyed a cup of Hungarian Torte and Mexican Chocolate Diablo, two of the Bank Street Creamery's gourmet specialty flavors. 

Department of Homeland Security Secretary
Janet Napolitano enters The Bank Street Creamery.

Napolitano's Secret Service detail
keeps a watchful eye outside the
Bank Street Creamery Tuesday
afternoon while the Homeland Security
Secretary enjoys ice cream inside.



Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano
prepares to depart after enjoying ice cream at The Bank Street
Creamery.

The Bank Street Creamery, formerly The Purple Cow Creamery, has been doing business in Easton for the past 15 years at 15 South Bank St.

The family-owned ice cream parlor, which makes all it's own flavors on the premises, will be celebrating the milestone this weekend with an anniversary/birthday event on Sunday. Events include live music and dance performances, an appearance by the shop's iconic purple cow mascot and other attractions. The event runs from noon to 3 p.m.

Bank Street Creamery co-owners Lynn Wallen and Melissa Titus, center and
right, accompanied by a parlor employee, watch as Janet Napolitano departs.