As weather was just about as perfect as you could have this past Sunday, I ventured down to our Canal Street Park to write this edition. With all of the natural motivation, I couldn’t help but envision the colorful plantings that will enhance this area in the upcoming months.

For now, though, I couldn’t help but think about the recent passing of the Rev. Jerry Mraz and his contributions to the park. You see, God called Jerry home last week, and we’re lesser a town for his absence. Up until the final days of his well-spent 91 years, Jerry was actively working to ensure the continued success of all the monarch butterfly way station gardens along the trail. His dogged passion about the need and viability of such gardens motivated many to action. In what was to be, unfortunately, our last conversation, I wholeheartedly promised the good reverend that I would be sure his mission would continue in all its natural glory. I’m sure that’s the sentiment of everyone, young and old, who’s had the pleasure to assist him, and will continue to assist, in these projects.

So, rest in peace, my good friend. We’ll take it from here. Know that you served Northampton well, Jerry, and we are forever grateful.

From the trail ride, I went back to finalizing the preproduction work on the last of the Hometown Heroes banner requests. With the influx of new applications, we will exceed the 450-banner mark. What a statement about the love and respect our citizens feel toward our veterans. Impressive!

As a reminder, all of the photos that were submitted are available for pickup at borough hall during normal business hours. Thank you to everyone who participated in the project, as it turned the streets of Northampton into a living history lesson. Don’t forget to check out the Northampton Hometown Heroes pages on Instagram and Facebook as well. Our high school students will continue to direct more of that history into your living room.

A thanks also goes out to Dan Roebuck and his entire cast and production crew for using local sites for his upcoming “St. Nick of Bethlehem” movie. Alliance Fire Company proved to, again, be a great backdrop for one of Roebuck’s movies. As many of those who did show up as extras for the parade scene know, the ever-gregarious Roebuck treated us in a behind-the-scenes look at the fun, though tedious, side of movie making. Complete with WFMZ news coverage and a plethora of your crazy Christmas outfits to enhance the scene, I couldn’t have been more impressed with the turnout and your enjoyment of such an experience. I understand the movie should be ready to go by this Christmas - so stay tuned!

This past Friday, I had the distinct honor of welcoming Congresswoman Susan Wild to town, as she accepted my invitation to tour Atlas Cement Company Memorial Museum. Led by museum curator and founder, Edward Pany, along with trustees Larry Oberly and Sally Madden, Wild was treated to quite the history lesson of our cement heritage, as only Pany can deliver.

After the museum tour, I introduced her to our borough hall staff, followed by my one-to-one meeting with her to discuss local issues and opportunities. “Local” was the operational goal here, of course, to which she offered resources and her support. All in all, Wild could not have been more complimentary of the museum and her tour guides, our office staff and her time in Northampton. I look forward to all of our legislators visiting the museum on their future trips to Northampton, as I have extended an invitation to each and every one of them.

Lastly, I enjoyed a visit by Discover Lehigh Valley President, CEO and good friend Alex Michaels last week. During an informational lunch, we discussed ways to better market and bring business into Northampton through Discover Lehigh Valley. Armed with new, web-based tools, I’m already working with his staff to advertise and promote our local events, such as Paw Prints on the Canal and the Uptown Street Fair. It’s part of an overall strategy to get outsiders to visit, then showcase the town as a great place to live and do business.

Visit discoverlehighvalley.com to get an idea of what we can do through this wonderful resource.

Make sure to visit my Mayor Tony - Northampton, PA Facebook and Instagram pages, where I have many photos and additional information about these topics. I look forward to your visit. For now, back to my bike ride.

Happy May, everyone. Spring has sprung!