Hailing from the southern reaches of the Northeast in Reading, PA.
An odd mix of Amish, Mennonite traditions among immigrants from many countries, the area has always struggled to find its identity. Adding to this juxtaposition is the old authentic and rather massive
Reading Pagoda sitting atop Mt. Penn upon which the "dutchified" city of Reading is built. It lights up the skyline at night and can be seen from many many miles away. It typifies the lack of identity of the area.
Anyone passing through would have to wonder, "what the heck, is that a pagoda?" Had it not been atop the mountain and is only accessible via a long series of switchbacks (which I have climbed numerous times with my bicycle) and is in a TeaVacuum area, it would be an incredible location for a tearoom!
Reading, pronounced redding, is not famous for much, but is home of a lot things long gone such as Monopoly's Reading Railroad, Met-Ed who owned and operated "TMI" at the time of the nuclear power plant accident, and major steel and textile industries long defunct (also formerly called the Factory Outlet Capital of the world when a factory outlet was exactly that, factories that also had outlets), Cadillac Fleetwood was created and made here.
Now, we are regretably home to "John and Kate" of reality TV fame who can be seen fleeing the tabloids and paparazzi.
Sports celebs Stu Jackson who is now the Exec Director of the NBA, Hall of Famer Lenny Moore, his nephew former NBAer Donyell Marshall, NFL QB Kerry Collins.
Author John Updike is from here, and his "Run Rabbit Run" was filmed across the street from my home growing up.
Actor Michael Constantine has always lived here when not acting, weird seeing him walk down a local small town mall. More recently Kelly McGillis and Richard Gere oddly landed here.
And that's about all I want to say about Reading PA.