I grew up in the sleepy canal town of Freemansburg, on the outskirts of Bethlehem.

I have fond memories of my childhood. Many of the children and teenagers knew each other and spent hours on end in the summer playing on the sidewalks, in the streets and in the surrounding small fields.

We spent summer days fishing down at the canal. We would gather together on one another's front porches throughout the day and into the evening, and talk about life and dream about the future.

Our parents knew each of us and they treated us like we were part of their family.

We were family.

In Freemansburg in the 1980s, there was a small town feel. The residents knew it and those who would visit the borough could sense it and see it. It was visible and palatable.

I have spent the past three years covering school district affairs and the occasional community events in Catasauqua and North Catasauqua for the Catasauqua Press.

Each time I enter both boroughs, I am simply amazed at how beautifully and smoothly the community works together and how it resembles the idealistic small town community.

What's missing in America is that small-town feel. Often, those living in or near smaller communities are drawn to the large cities because they offer an exciting, fast-paced lifestyle. What some may miss out on is the mostly safe, family-friendly, close knit communities like Catasauqua and North Catasauqua.

Located in our own backyards, these towns offer solid schools, relative safety, engaged families and members of the community who serve their communities not for the money, power or notoriety, but rather because they care.

Thomas Hylton, in his book "Save Our Land, Save Our Towns: A Plan for Pennsylvania," advocates for small towns such as Catasauqua and North Catasauqua – small towns that offer many amenities.

In essence, rather than living in an impersonal suburb, Hylton believes the ideal community is one where neighbors know one another and need not drive three towns over for the closest convenience store.

What impresses me most about Catasauqua? The friendliness of the residents. The vested interest parents have in the lives of their children.

The respect the children and students have shown me in my interactions with them. The concern and love the teachers, staff and administration of Sheckler Elementary School, Catasauqua Middle School and Catasauqua High School have for each student.

A friend of mine has jokingly suggested I move to Catasauqua because of the positive commentary I share with others.

My consistent, positive commentary is the result of what I initially found in Catasauqua – a small, lovely, quaint gem of a town.

Catasauqua, the residents, community leaders, teachers and students, thank you for showing me small town American still exists and is thriving.

Thank you for showing me people still care about their community, their families and the well-being of one another.

Certainly other small-town communities exist in the Lehigh Valley as well.

However, the two Catasauqua boroughs, in my mind, stand out as quintessential examples.

Mark Reccek

editorial assistant

Whitehall-Coplay Press

Northampton Press

Catasauqua Press