His Eye Is on the Sparrow ...

“…I sing because I’m happy

I sing because I’m free

His eye is on the sparrow

And I know he watches me …”

 ~ “His Eye Is on the Sparrow”

 ~ Gospel hymn

 ~1905

 ~ Civilla D. Martin, lyricist, Charles H. Gabriel, composer

~The hymn is most associated with actress-singer Ethel Waters who used the title for her autobiography

~ Mahalia Jackson’s recording of the song was honored with the

 Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 2010

The theme of the song is inspired by the words of David in the Psalms and Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew in the Bible: “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” (Psalm 32:8); “Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value then they?” (Matthew 6:26); and “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear yet not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29-31).

A sweet sparrow eyes the beauty of a late May sunset on a gorgeous spring evening at Trexler Nature Preserve, Schnecksville, Pennsylvania.

Firemen's Drinking Fountain ...

“When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;

the flames will not set you ablaze.

For I am the LORD your God.”

        ~ Isaiah 43: 2-3

The Firemen’s Drinking Fountain stands prominently at “Firemen’s Curve” in the heart of downtown Slatington, Pennsylvania on a September afternoon, just has it has for more than a century.

Members of Slatington’s Hose Company #1 dedicated this 12 foot firemen’s monument in 1910. Manufactured by the J.W. Fiske Iron Works New York, N.Y., the fireman holding a child was chosen as a symbol of service, vigilance and humanity. E.T. Barnum Co., Detroit, Michigan, manufactured the fountain to provide water for man and beast. Standing as a living memorial to all volunteer firemen, the statue is a tribute to the heroes who stand ready to serve, at any hour, in any type of weather, and without pay.

When the statue was badly damaged by a car in 1979, the community rallied to raise money for its restoration; it was rededicated in 1980.

The statue was recently refurbished, including electricity connected to the lantern, water hooked up to the fountain, and a black sponge-painted effect put on the base. It was rededicated during a September 11, 2017 ceremony.

Slatington, established in 1864, is the Blackboard Capital of America.

Fire Prevention Week is observed October 8-14, 2017.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has been the official sponsor of the Fire Prevention Week since 1922, when the commemoration began.

President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed the first National Fire Prevention Week on October 4-10, 1925, beginning a tradition of the President of the United States signing a proclamation recognizing the occasion. It is observed on the Sunday through Saturday period in which October 9 falls, in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began October 8, 1871, and did most of its damage October 9.