Allentown, Pennsylvania much like several other towns and cities of the Eastern Seaboard have had a long and deep history with professional baseball dating back to the formation of the Allentown Dukes, an early professional ball club which played in the Eastern League in 1884.
Unfortunately, the Allentown Dukes only played one season before folding; however, during the 1890s, Allentown saw a several ball clubs come to the city – including the Pennsylvania League, Allentown Colts, which played during the 1892-1893 seasons. By 1894 the Allentown Colts were popularly known as Kelly’s Killers after their popular player-manager Mike “King” Kelly. Late in the 1894 season, Kelly moved the Binghamton (NY) Buffaloes to Allentown and they played the rest of that season as the Allentown Buffaloes – until disbanding after Kelly’s death from pneumonia at 35.
By 1896 the Allentown Peanuts brought Pennsylvania League baseball back to Allentown before disbanding and reforming again in 1898. Of course, by 1898, the Pennsylvania League had folded and the remaining teams formed the Atlantic League – until that league’s eventual collapse in 1900. Allentown went without a professional franchise until 1912 when the Tri-State League brought a club, which yet again folded two years later. But by the 1920s the Allentown Dukes name was revived for a semi-professional club, which played for four seasons at Edgemont Field, a new field completed for the club at Second and Susquehanna Streets. The new Allentown Dukes had some renown when Babe Ruth struck out with the bases loaded in the ninth inning in an 8-7 defeat of the New York Yankees. The success of the semi-professional Dukes led to the start of an Eastern League team with the same name, playing at Allentown ’s Edgemont Field in 1929. And by 1930 Allentown ’s club fielded a League Champion before being renamed the Allentown Buffaloes. Unfortunately, the team and the league collapsed in 1932. But a short three years later, Allentown managed to land its first major league farm club when the Brooklyn Dodgers moved their Reading team to the city, six games within their season. The newly renamed Allentown Brooks much like their predecessors played their home games at Edgemont Field, finishing up the 1936 season before disappearing.
The Boston Braves set up another minor league farm club in the Interstate League, using the Allentown Dukes name. Fairview Field, now known as Earl F. Hunsicker Bicentennial Park was specifically built for the new Allentown Dukes, and in their first season at Fairview Field, the Dukes won their league’s championship. The 1940 season brought a number of changes – the first being that the Interstate League’s status was upgraded from class C to class B, and the Dukes became an affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. The Dukes then changed their name to the Fleetwings. After a number of changing major league affiliations – at one point the Phillies and the Cardinals could claim having a team in Allentown – the Allentown team was renamed yet again to the Allentown Cardinals. When the Interstate League folded in 1952, the Allentown Cardinals managed to join the newly formed Eastern League, winning the league championship in 1955 and then folding. But in 1957, the Syracuse Chiefs moved their franchise to Allentown before being replaced shortly thereafter by a Red Sox affiliate, known as the Allentown Red Sox. The Allentown Red Sox played a couple of seasons at a relatively new stadium in nearby Whitehall Township before leaving in 1960. The stadium was demolished and later became the site of the Lehigh Valley Mall.
Almost forty years later, professional baseball returned with the formation of the Allentown Ambassadors, which played in the Northeast and Northern Leagues until 2003. And like their predecessors – the Dukes, the Fleetwings, the Cardinals and the Chiefs – the Ambassadors played their games at the newly renamed Bicentennial Park until 2003 when they too unfortunately folded.
But by 2008, the Philadelphia Phillies brought a Triple A affiliate to Allentown with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs and with the construction of Coca-Cola Park; Allentown hopes to continue their connection with baseball into the next century.
For more information on Allentown, Pennsylvania visit http://www.allentownmicroblog.com. For more information on baseball, visithttp://baseballmicroblogging.com.
July 29, 2009
The Lehigh Valley Ironpigs: Bringing Allentown ’s Baseball Heritage Into the 21st Century
July 28, 2009
Fort Heritage Hotel- a Royal Treat
An article for Press
Fort Heritage Hotel- A Royal Treat
From The Culinary Critique
No Whiskey. Give your hepatic cells a rest. No butter chicken. Stop depositing excess adipose. Visit the only vegetarian and non-liquor heritage hotel in Chandigarh/Panchkula.
I decided to check out the food at the Fort Heritage Hotel for the benefit for the culinary connoisseurs of Chandigarh and Panchkula who are desperate for some other eating joint that is far removed from the same old Chinese food and Madrasi khana.
The ambience is very soothing and soaked in mystery as you enter this hotel that was originally the Fort of the Chandel Dynasty. The tallest wooden door at the entrance is a sight to behold. The durban at the door, in full ceremonial finery, reminds you of the soldiers of that era. The restaurant is staffed by eager eyed waiters who welcome you with warmth. The decoration in the restaurant has all the trappings of a royal dining area. Old weapons and cups adorn the walls . The menu not only gives us all the types of dishes served but is also endeavours to educate us in the history of Chandel Maharajas.
Before placing our orders we built up our appetite by roaming around the Fort and seeing all the vintage cars, swimming pool, the Ganesh temple and the conference room. I had visited Fort with my wife and daughter. My Parents who had come all the way from Bangalore, were the guests of honour. We started by ordering Hot and Sour Veg Soup. I was happy to note that unlike the stingy serving size of other Chandigarh hotels, two soups were enough for the 5 of us. The soup was excellent and was neither too hot nor too sour. It was perfect. By the time we finished our soup the waiter arrived with one plate each of Spring Rolls and Veg Seek Kabab that was again surprisingly enough for the 5 of us. The spring rolls were non oily and the fillings were soft. The veg seek Kababs dipped in green chutley were a perfect complement. After this the main course arrived. Dear readers, allow me to recommend Makai-Kumb Subji, Panch Mel Dal and Paneer Bedmi, and I am sure you would be thankful to me for the recommendations. The food just melted in our mouths. Again, one plate of each dish with tandoori roti was enough for the entire family. Makai-Kumbh Subji seems to be the chef’s specialty because it was had the balanced amalgamation of sweet corn and mushrooms marinated in subtle spices. Panch-mel Dal was made from 5 different pulses, simmered in a brass pot for more than 12 hours to imbibe all the delicate essences into its very core, was another dish that is worth recommending. Never knew that the humble dal could be elevated to such great culinary heights by prolonged thermal intervention. Paneer Bedmi just about passed the test. The paneer was probably mass produced, that would explain the detrimental effect on it’s texture. The sweet dish was the standard ice cream with hot chocolate sauce. The sauce was runny and could have been better. Tasted like Bournvita dissolved in hot water. Other than the sweet dish, the main course was a pleasant experience. Now for the financial implications. Very astonisning, considering the standard of the hotel. We were billed Rs800/- for a meal for 5 members. Even in a cheaper fast food restaurant, where you have to stand in a line to pay and collect your grub, I would surely have ended up spending more minus the royal ambience. Just taste Makai-Kumbh and Panch-mel Dal at Fort and it will perk you up. If not, get back to this culinary critique.
Sudhakar Natarajan
Deputy Commandant
Indo Tibetan Border Police , SHQ
NE-I, Khating Hill, Itanagar
arunachal Pradesh 791111
July 26, 2009
Heritage Institute: Spabeautyschools.com Featured School of the Week May
With schools conveniently located in Colorado, Florida, Missouri, Oklahoma and Virginia, prospective students who desire unique and fast-growing occupational training options can apply to Heritage Institute or Heritage College (part of Heritage Education). There individuals can explore career pathways in cosmetology, esthetics, massage therapy, medical assisting, personal training, pharmacy technology, and more.
At Heritage, earn your occupational associate degree in massage or enlist in its massage therapy diploma program. After you’ve successfully completed training, begin using your acquired skills and education to help individuals reduce physical and mental stress, and improve health and wellbeing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, certified massage therapists have earnings’ potentials of $30+ hourly.
With stark competition, it’s essential that future hair designers acquire practical training and education to compete in this job market. However, pursuing your cosmetology career has never been made easier than at Heritage. With job growth anticipated to be faster than average than all other occupations, Heritage successfully prepares students through its accredited cosmetology program to become licensed cosmetologists and beauticians.
If motivating others to achieve physical fitness and wellness appeals to you, then the personal training program at Heritage can help you to earn certification as a personal trainer. Accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), the personal training course at Heritage prepares you to work in diverse and fascinating environments including health clubs, exotic retreats, aboard cruise ships, and at other recreational facilities. With earning prospects of over $50k annually, achieving your certification in personal training at Heritage is well worth the effort.
Heritage demonstrates its long-term commitment to its students and graduates by providing quality vocational training, financial aid programs, and extraordinary career services. Why put off until tomorrow what you can do today? Explore these or any one of the many, fine career-training programs at Heritage now.
* Source: BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Featured School the Week: Heritage Institute
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