Art Show Highlights Annual Scarf Bombing Event

Images from the Easton scarf-bombing event, "Chase the Chill", such
as the one above by Robin Phelps, will be highlighted at an art show
at the Family YMCA of Easton, Phillipsburg & Vicinity, starting today.
The show also includes the photography of Matt Smith of The
Express-Times and Christina Georgiou, publisher and editor of
The Easton Eccentric.

 Nearly four years ago, Easton textile artist Susan Huxley started "Chase the Chill", which celebrates the beauty and art of stitching, the worldwide yarn graffiti trend, and random acts of kindness.  Participating knitters and crocheters make hundreds of scarves that they hang outdoors for anyone to take on the first Saturday of November.

During the three years it has taken place, various photographers and news organizations have covered the event in Easton, as well in other places. The event has grown well past Easton's borders, too, with like efforts taking place as far away as Canada.

Starting today, the Family YMCA of Easton, Phillipsburg & Vicinity will exhibit photos highlighting photos of past Chase the Chill distributions and some of the scarves that will be part of this year’s Chase the Chill happening. Featured will be images by Christina Georgiou of The Easton Eccentric, local photographer Robin Phelps, and Matt Smith of The Express-Times.

An opening for the exhibit is set for Friday, September 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Family YMCA, located at 1225 West Lafayette St. The show runs until October 27.

"The purpose of this exhibit is to show you the faces, creativity, and energy that are the driving forces behind the annual Chase the Chill scarf giveaway," said Huxley, who is curating the event. "Thanks to this gallery, now there’s an opportunity to showcase the images of some of my favorite photographers...who have been documenting us crazy Chillers. In fact, no event feels complete without one of these talented people along for the ride. These shooters have taken a journalistic approach, yet there is an artfulness to their work. While sharing the same subjects, all three have created unique perspectives and styles."

For those who would like to take part in this year's Chase the Chill scarf bombing, or even just create a scarf for themselves or a loved one, there's plenty of opportunity to get involved.

There will be a community knit-in (and crochet, too) on Saturday, September 14 from 10 a.m. to noon. Anyone who wishes to participate should bring their needles, hook, and yarn to the upstairs lobby at the Family YMCA.

And, all of the scarves bombing the YMCA hall are for sale, with proceeds benefitting the Family YMCA of Easton and Chase the Chill.

Instructions for making individual scarves on display at the Family YMCA are available on the hand stitching website, www.ravelry.com. While patterns are for sale, each of the displayed scarves has a date attached--that's the day people can download the instructions for free, Huxley notes.

"This is another step toward a new project about to launch, called 'Scarf a Day'. The name says it all: one scarf pattern every day, free," Huxley said.

Of course, people are also invited to donate any hand stitched scarves and/or yarn to this year's Chase the Chill too.

For more about this year's scarf bombing event in Easton, set for Saturday, November 2, visit the "Chase the Chill: The Original" Facebook page.

The Family YMCA gallery, located at 1225 Lafayette St., is open to the public Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays rom 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information about the show, contact Lori Metz at 610-258-6158 or Kyra Lysynecky at 610-258-5055 or visit www.familyymca.org

Updated on Tuesday, Sept. 3 at 6:28 a.m.

Easton Arts Group to Hold Picnic in Historic Cemetery, Gallery Shows

The Arts Community of Easton (ACE) will hold its first annual "Summer Picnic in Historic Easton Cemetery" on Saturday, June 15, from 1 to 5 p.m.

The old-fashioned picnic is intended to raise funds for functional art items to be donated to the cemetery, as well as for beautification projects for the cemetery's grounds.

"We believe the cemetery deserves more permanent trash receptacles as well as recycling, botanical guides, weather-proofed maps and area markers, and a community of caretakers," ACE said in an announcement of the event on its Facebook page.

The picnic will feature live music, artist demonstrations, walking tours of the grounds, yoga workshops, a scavenger hunt, and other activities.

Tickets will be available beginning June 1 at the ACE tent at the Easton Farmers' Market on Saturday mornings, as well as at the cemetery during the event. Prices are $15 for single admission, $25 for couples, and $40 for a family of three to five people.

For more information about the ACE picnic, click here.

ACE is also planning gallery shows over the summer at the "ACE Room C Gallery at the Quadrant", located on the second floor of the bookmart and coffee house, 20 North Third St.

On Sunday, June 9, the one-day show "Get Some Art" will happen at the gallery. Billed as "an excellent way to start your own collection with reasonably priced works", ACE members will drop off pieces that have been kicking around their studio. They hang as soon as the Quadrant Book Mart and Coffee Shop opens its doors that morning, and purchases will immediately leave the gallery, to be replaced with new works.

"A Box of Chocolates" will run at the ACE Room C Gallery at the Quadrant from Saturday, June 15 through Sunday, June 30. For these two weeks, art of all kinds will be revolving through the gallery as ACE members hang and remove pieces at whim. "You never know what you’re going to get."

From Saturday, July 6 through Saturday, Aug. 17, "Art for Option" will be be on display. A wrap-up of the ACE Summer Picnic in Easton Cemetery, photographs and art from the event will be shown. The Art for Option will be concept art that re-imagines existing area markers and trash boxes that will be presented to the cemetery board. This show will be curated by Kate R. McArdle, the picnic event coordinator.

Weekend Guide, May 3 to 5

There is absolutely no excuse for anyone to say they're bored in Easton this weekend!

 

Friday, May 3

Rummage Sale: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Includes clothing, housewares, children's room, and more. First United Church of Christ, 229 Church St., Easton. 610-258-3361 or click here.

Tunes at Noon - Scott Harrington: Noon to 1 p.m. Centre Square. Click here for more details and upcoming shows.

Lehigh Valley Tea Party meeting: 7 p.m., doors open at 6:30 p.m. This month's presentation is on U.N. Agenda 21. Charles Chrin Community Center, 4100 Green Pond Road, Palmer Township. www.lvtp.org

Dancing: 7 to 10 p.m. Waltz instruction with Con Gallagher from 7 to 8 p.m., dancing with DJ Carol Coffinger from 8 to 10 p.m. $10 per person, benefits Third Street Alliance. 41 North Third St. 610-433-7804 or www.thirdstreetalliance.org

Line Dancing: 7 to 10:30 p.m. Lessons at 7:15 p.m. $5 per person for members, $6 for non-members. Tatamy Fire Company, 164 Bushkill St., Tatamy. 610-759-2786 or www.purecountrydancers.com\

Live at Riverside - KeNoBe: 7:30 p.m. Free. Riverside Park, amphitheatre, Larry Holmes Drive, just north of the free bridge. Click here for more details and upcoming shows.

School of Rock - "Women Who Rock", DJ Massimo: Band at 7:30 p.m., DJ at 10 p.m.  Rivals Sports Bar & Nightclub, 5 Lehns Court. 610-923-7625 or www.rivalseaston.com

Adam Web: 8 p.m. The Riegelsville Inn, 12 Delaware Road, Riegelsville. 610-749-0100 or www.riegelsvilleinn.com

Bobby Clark: 9 p.m. Colonial Pizza & Spaghetti House, 136-138 Spring Garden St. 610-252-3033 or www.colonialpizzapub.com

The Uptown Underground: 9 p.m. Two Rivers Brewing Company, 542 Northampton St. 610-829-1131 or www.tworiversbrewing.com

DJ Mikey Z: 10 p.m. Riegelsville Tavern, 1274 Easton Road, Riegelsville. 610-510-3030 or www.riegelvilletavern.com

Family Circus Trio: 10 p.m. Funk, with Jon Fadem, Peter Fritz and John Kimock on drums. Porters' Pub, 700 Northampton St. 610-250-6561 or www.porterspubeaston.com

Time Relapse: 10 p.m. Pearly Baker's Alehouse, 11 Centre Square. 610-253-9949 or www.pearlybakers.net

Saturday, May 4

Free Comic Book Day: The first Saturday in May each year. Participating comic book shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely free to anyone who comes into their stores. In Easton, Sacker's Collectibles, is participating. 60 Centre Square. 610-252-8902 Click here for more about Free Comic Book Day.

Third Annual Jazz Breakfast: 8 to 11 a.m. Featuring live music by the Easton Area High School Jazz Combo. $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and children under 12. Money raised by the event will go towards funding the EAHS Jazz Band's trip to Baltimore. First Presbyterian Church of Easton, 333 Spring Garden St. For more information or advance tickets, call 610-393-0156.

"Fitness Fiesta!": 9 a.m. to noon. Includes bike safety, "Kids Get Fit" classes, adult exercise classes. LINCS Family Center, 2400 Firmstone St., Wilson Borough. For more information, contact Janice Swiatek at 610-704-8710 or jazzerjan@rcn.com

Rummage Sale: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bag day! Includes clothing, housewares, children's room, and more. First United Church of Christ, 229 Church St., Easton. 610-258-3361 or click here.

 Easton Farmers' Market Season Opening: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The oldest continuous open-air farmers' market in the U.S. kicks off its 261st season with with seven new vendors, featuring a total of thirty-four farmers, food purveyors and crafters. Cooking demonstrations, herb talk, healthy eating and cooking tips, live music, free market bags, more. Centre Square. www.eastonfarmersmarket.com or click here for more details.

Mother’s Day Tea Party: 10 a.m. to noon. For Mother’s Day, let’s name all the ways that mothers are special and prepare to celebrate with an “at home” tea party. Attend this event to prepare for the special event at your house. Cops 'n Kids Reading Room, Easton Area Community Center, back entrance, 901 Washington St. 610-250-6562

Annual Historic Easton House Tour: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A self-guided tour of seven historic properties, three public spaces and an artisan session on restoration and preservation. Advance tickets for $20 are available online at www.eastonmainstreet.org and at a number of locations in the city. Tickets may also be purchased the day of the tour for $25. Tour starts at Riverside Park, Larry Holmes Drive, just north of the free bridge.

Bachmann Publick House Tour: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Learn about the building of the tavern,  and life from 1753 through the 1800s, when the building had been enlarged by successive owners, including George Taylor, colonial ironmaster and signer of the Declaration of Independence. Admission is $5 per person. 169 Northampton St. 610-258-1753 or www.sigalmuseum.org

"Magic, Marionettes, and Ventriloquism": 11 a.m. Artist Scott Wagstaff performs. Program is appropriate for ages 3 and up. Easton Area Public Library, 515 Church St. 610-258-2917 or www.eastonpl.org

Pocono Greyhound Adoption Meet and Greet: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sam's Club, Receiving Appointments, 3796 Easton-Nazareth Highway, Easton (Lower Nazareth Township). 570-856-0377 or www.poconogreyhound.com

Spring Plant Exchange: Noon to 3 p.m. Bring a plant, take a plant. Some plants and shrubs for sale too. Hosted by the West Ward Neighborhood Partnership. 630 Northampton St. Click here for more details.

Nurses Celebration: 1 to 3 p.m. Take a tour of the Anderson Campus. St. Luke's University Network, Anderson Campus, 1872 Riverside Circle, Easton (Bethelehem Township).

Roast Beer Dinner: 4:30 to 7 p.m. First Moravian Church, corner of South 10th and Bushkill streets. $10 for adults, $5 for kids, free for those under 6. Call 610-258-6317 for advance tickets.

Tricky Tray: 5 to 7 p.m. Ticket sheets are $5-20, refreshments will be sold too. Olivet Presbyterian Church, 12th and Northampton streets.

Family Style Ham Dinner: 5 to 7 p.m. $9 for adults, $4 for children 6 to 12, free for childred 5 and under. Discount for advance tickets, call ahead. Wheelchair accessible. Christ United Methodist Church, Berwick Street and Seitz Avenue. 610-258-4762

shrmgn shrm gn: 6:03 to 9:42 p.m. The first show of the year at Easton's most unusual art space, with artists Paul Deery, Mike Kondel, and Tom D'Angelo. Our Garage Space, 43 North Sitgreaves St. Click here for more information.

Free Texas Hold'em: 7 & 9 p.m. La Pazza, 1251 Ferry St. 610-515-0888 or www.lapazza.com

Cover Three with Gary Staples, Tom Vallone & Friends: 7 p.m. Bella Luna, 3417 Sullivan Trail, Forks Township. 610-253-7458

School of Rock - "Women Who Rock", DJ Jus Smith: Band at 7:30 p.m., DJ at 10 p.m.  Rivals Sports Bar & Nightclub, 5 Lehns Court. 610-923-7625 or www.rivalseaston.com

Mikey Jr.: 8 p.m. The Riegelsville Inn, 12 Delaware Road, Riegelsville. 610-749-0100 or www.riegelsvilleinn.com

Steve Brosky & Jimmy Meyer: 9 p.m. Two Rivers Brewing Company, 542 Northampton St. 610-829-1131 or www.tworiversbrewing.com

Amos: 9 p.m. Riegelsville Tavern, 1274 Easton Road, Riegelsville. 610-510-3030 or www.riegelvilletavern.com

Karaoke with Nort: 9 p.m. Rip Van Winkle's Pub, 3700 Nicholas St., Palmer Township. 610-258-8873

Fuzed Quartet: 9:30 p.m. The Lafayette Bar, 11 North 4th Street 610-252-0711 or www.lafayettebarjazz.com

ReaLion: 10 p.m. Reggae jams. Porters' Pub, 700 Northampton St. 610-250-6561 or www.porterspubeaston.com

Wig Party: 10 p.m. Pearly Baker's Alehouse, 11 Centre Square. 610-253-9949 or www.pearlybakers.net

Sunday, May 5

Happy Orthodox Easter! (Christos annesti!)

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Coach/Longaberger/Pandora Bingo: Doors open at 10:30 a.m., bingo begins at noon. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Benefits the EAHS Instrumental Music Association and related student music programs. Easton Area High School, cafeteria, William Penn Highway and 25th Street, Palmer Township. For advance tickets call Lisa at 610-253-4972 or Sandi at 610-253-3277.

Doug Hawk: 11 a.m. Sette Luna, 219 Ferry St. 610-253-8888 or www.setteluna.com

Art Show Opening Reception: Noon to 3 p.m. See the Hillcrest Camera Club Members' Photography Exhibition, chat with the artists. Show runs Sundays through June 30. Free. The Gallery at St. John's, 330 Ferry St. 610-258-6119 or www.hillcrestcamera.org

Community Yoga Class: 1 to 2 p.m. Free. Easton Yoga, 524 Northampton St. 610-923-7522 or www.eastonyoga.com

Doc Hollywood, DJ Mike West: 6 p.m., DJ at 10 p.m.  Rivals Sports Bar & Nightclub, 5 Lehns Court. 610-923-7625 or www.rivalseaston.com

Open Mic Hosted by Jim Stocker: 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Riegelsville Tavern, 1274 Easton Road, Riegelsville. 610-510-3030 or www.riegelsvilletavern.com

Easton's most comprehensive guide to what's happening over the weekend, in the city and beyond, is published every Friday.

Are you planning an event? Did we miss something? Let us know! Email us.

Sponsoring the Weekend Guide is an excellent way to advertise your local business. Plus, you get a permanent link to your website, also a great way to drive more traffic to your door. It's affordable too. Email us for details.

Updated on Saturday, May 4 at 12:43 a.m. to add additional events.

Weekend Guide, April 5 to 7

It's finally supposed to be seasonally nice this weekend - about time, right? So take advantage of it. Get out and have some fun...

Friday, April 5

Tricky Tray Fundraiser: 6 to 10 p.m. Benefits Hailey's Heroes for Autism Speaks. Brown & Lynch American Legion, 2260 Corriere Road, Palmer Township.

Line Dancing: 7 to 10:30 p.m. Lessons at 7:15 p.m. $5 per person for members, $6 for non-members. Tatamy Fire Company, 164 Bushkill St., Tatamy. 610-759-2786 or www.purecountrydancers.com

Lehigh Valley Tea Party meeting: 7 p.m. State Representative Daryl Metcalfe (R-12) from Butler County will talk about proposed gun control laws. Chrin Community Center, 4100 Green Pond Road, Palmer Township.

The Inmates, DJ Menson: Band at 7:30 p.m., DJ at 10:30 p.m.  Rivals Sports Bar & Nightclub, 5 Lehns Court. 610-923-7625 or www.rivalseaston.com

Todd Wolfe: 8 p.m. The Riegelsville Inn, 12 Delaware Road, Riegelsville. 610-749-0100 or www.riegelsvilleinn.com

Brian Dean Moore: 9 p.m. Colonial Pizza & Spaghetti House, 136-138 Spring Garden St. 610-252-3033 or www.colonialpizzapub.com

Tiffany & the Skyliners: 10 p.m. Porters' Pub, 700 Northampton St. 610-250-6561 or www.porterspubeaston.com

Post Junction: 10 p.m. Pearly Baker's Alehouse, 11 Centre Square. 610-253-9949 or www.pearlybakers.net

Saturday, April 6

Easton Farmers' Market Winter Mart: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fresh, local organic produce, all-natural pastured meat, farm-fresh eggs, artisan cheese and bread, baked goods, prepared foods, more. Nurture Nature Center, 518 Northampton St. 610-253-4432 or www.eastonfarmersmarket.com

Earth Day event: 10 a.m. to noon. Hear the stories of how trees help us, help plant the Cops ’n Kids tree. Free. Easton Area Community Center, back entrance, 901 Washington St. 610-250-6562

"Celebrate Spring": 11 a.m. Make a beautiful butterfly basket.  Free, open to children ages 4 to 12. Registration is required. Easton Public Library Southside Branch, Room 102, 401 West Berwick St.  Call 610-258-3121 for details or to register.

Art Opening - "At the Edge of Awkward": Noon. Fiber-based art works, leaning toward the edge of awkward. ACE Gallery at the Quadrant, 20 North Third St. 610-252-1188

"It Ain't Just Another Spaghetti Dinner": 4 to 8 p.m. Enjoy a great meal, with a family-friendly DJ providing entertainment. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Children 5 to 11 are $5, free for those 4 and under. Benefits the Family YMCA of Easton and Phillipsburg. Career Institute of Technology, 5335 Kesslersville Road, Forks Township. 610-258-6158 or click here for more details.

Laurie Vosburg and 519 South: 8 p.m. The Riegelsville Inn, 12 Delaware Road, Riegelsville. 610-749-0100 or www.riegelsvilleinn.com

Piper's Request: 9 p.m. Two Rivers Brewing Company, 542 Northampton St. 610-829-1131 or www.tworiversbrewing.com

Prankster: 9 p.m. Riegelsville Tavern, 1274 Easton Road, Riegelsville. 610-510-3030 or www.riegelsvilletavern.com

Dan DeChellis: 9:30 p.m. The Lafayette Bar, 11 North 4th Street 610-252-0711 or www.lafayettebarjazz.com

Schubert & Binder: 10 p.m. Porters' Pub, 700 Northampton St. 610-250-6561 or www.porterspubeaston.com

Basic Black: 10 p.m. Pearly Baker's Alehouse, 11 Centre Square. 610-253-9949 or www.pearlybakers.net

DJ Mo Rada: 10 p.m.  Rivals Sports Bar & Nightclub, 5 Lehns Court. 610-923-7625 or www.rivalseaston.com

Sunday, April 7

Breakfast Buffet: 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. $7 per person, $6 for seniors, $5 for children 6 to 12, free for ages 5 and under. Williams Township Fire Company, 2500 Morgan Hill Road, Williams Township. 610-252-7648

Jorge Torres: 11 a.m. Two Rivers Brewing Company, 542 Northampton St. 610-829-1131 or www.tworiversbrewing.com

Doug Hawk: 11 a.m. Sette Luna, Sette Luna, 219 Ferry St. 610-253-8888 or www.setteluna.com

14th Annual Plaid Show "Crossing the Lines" Artists' Talks and Awards Ceremony: 12:30 p.m. Come and meet the artists! Show runs Sundays, noon to 3 p.m. through April 28. Free and open to the public. The Gallery at St. John's, 330 Ferry St.

Open Mic Hosted by Jim Stocker: 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Riegelsville Tavern, 1274 Easton Road, Riegelsville. 610-510-3030 or www.riegelsvilletavern.com

Save the date!

The ACE Open Studio Tour is set for next weekend, on Saturday, April 13 and Sunday, April 14, from noon to 5 p.m. both days. Check out this self-guided walking tour of Easton's galleries, studios, and creative spaces. Visit www.eastonart.org for more information.

The annual "Music for the Market" benefit event happens next Saturday, April 13 from 7 p.m. to midnight at the Bank Street Annex. Live performances by Nick Levinos, Carter Lansing, School of Rock, and many others. General admission tickets are $20, or $60 for the Weyerbacher VIP Lounge, available at Pearly Bakers and online at www.eastonfarmersmarket.com

Easton's most comprehensive guide to what's happening over the weekend, in the city and beyond, is published every Friday.

Are you planning an event? Did we miss something? Let us know! Email us.

Sponsoring the Weekend Guide is an excellent way to advertise your local business. Plus, you get a permanent link to your website, also a great way to drive more traffic to your door. It's affordable too. Email us for details.

Hare Salon Is More Than Just Another Art Gallery

By Christina Georgiou


Timothy Hare shows a visitor around his
new salon on Spring Garden Street.

Local architect and artist Timothy Hare's new gallery is a bit different from most--he doesn't expect to sell much art.

Now retired after a long, successful career, he instead hopes his new Downtown space will be host to thoughtful exchange of ideas and conversation, in addition to his books and art.

Originally a surrealist and pen-and-ink artist, in addition to his architectural work, Hare's most recent works are bold abstracts, and grace the back room of the gallery space.


Two of the books containing Hare's
pen-and-ink illustrations of Easton
architecture.

The front room greets visitors with the artifacts of Easton's struggle with urban renewal in the 1960s and 70s and Hare's past work, including two books of his pen-and-ink illustrations of Easton.

In the 1970s, jet-lagged and just back from Australia, Hare landed in Easton by chance, he said, just as wrecking balls were about to destroy what is now the city's historic district. Their work had already begun years earlier, and whole blocks of the city's unique antique architecture had already been removed.

The citizens of Easton had protested vigorously against their eviction and the destruction of their homes, to no avail. When Hare arrived, a demolition crane was set up next to the building that houses the Quadrant Coffee House and Book Mart, slated to be the next victim of elimination two weeks hence.


The front room greets visitors with the artifacts of
Easton's struggle with urban renewal in the 1960s and 70s,
along with a collection of hares.

 By that point, though he didn't know it, whole chunks of the city were already lost to the federal government's plan to "renew" urban areas by replacing them with parking and squat light industrial buildings, forcing the relocation of residents to the suburbs. No new residential housing was allowed as part of the plan.

Although Easton was still thriving and bustling with commerce, despite what had already been lost, most of Downtown was being declared "blighted" which paved the way for the ill-conceived destruction of heart of the city.

Despite his fatigue, Hare went to that evening's city council meeting to ask what was going on and why, he said. Not receiving satisfactory answers, he refused to leave until city officials showed him the plans and explained what was going on.



A map of Easton's Downtown
district, showing in black what
buildings had been razed
between 1945 and 1960.



This map shows Easton's Downtown,
with black areas depicting buildings
demolished between 1945 and 1993.
Most were razed in the
1960s and1970s.



Deeply disturbed by the ultimate answer, that Downtown Easton was being flattened and residents forcibly removed from their homes, despite ownership, he decided to do something about it. Having worked in Australia on historic preservation and in America with government contracts, he knew what to do.

Not owning a car, Hare decided to take a bus to Washington DC the next day to attempt to get an injuction against the construction project, of which the demolition was the first phase. He believed from seeing the plans the night before that the city officials had not crossed T's and dotted I's when it came to federal permissions to enact the construction plan, which they were in charge of having been enticed by the millions of federal dollars the city was granted for agreeing to it.

He knew if he was successful the demolitions would be halted, and the city not only would be forced to return the unspent portion of the funding, but wouldn't be granted more, due to their failure to spend it on the project in time.

Three paintings done by Timothy Hare
that depict Easton's various
City Halls through time.

Hare never made it to the bus station, he said. Before he could leave his house, which he had just rented, a woman who had heard about his "making trouble" at the previous evening's meeting knocked on the door and offered her help. She was incidentally the relative of a person of some importance in the federal capitol, who she called upon to help find a skillful presentation lawyer, which sped up the process of Hare getting through the proper doors to file the right paperwork for the injunction.

His efforts were successful, where the protests of 12,000 City of Easton residents had failed, though not before more than half the city's Downtown buildings were gone.

Up until fairly recently, the reasons behind the federal push for urban renewal projects across the nation were a classified secret of the Department of Defense, which had pushed for cities being vacated after World War II, ostensibly to protect them from becoming targets in the event of nuclear war.


Hare's master thesis based
on research into the
reasons for Easton's
ill-conceived urban renewal
attempt, the effects of which
the city still suffers from today.

Hare did his master's thesis on that subject, and a copy of the thesis also resides in his new gallery, housed in a graceful Federal-period building on Spring Garden Street--one of the ones saved by his efforts now nearly four decades ago.

"When I think about it now, if I'd known what I was really up against, I don't think I would have done it," Hare said. "But I'm very glad I did."

Already, it seems, despite officially opening only earlier this week, the salon is a success, not only for being the home to Hare's art, much of which reflects the struggle Easton faced, but for already fulfilling the mission of thoughtful exchange of ideas and historical information, too.

Hare Salon, located at 229 Spring Garden St., is generally open Wednesday through Saturday, from noon to 5 p.m., with other times by chance or by appointment.

To contact the salon, email theviewfromhare@gmail.com. Or just stop by some time.

Update, July 2, 2012: Summer hours for Hare Salon are by chance or by appointment.