Years ago at the Allentown Fair, as one would push through a sea of carney delusion, tucked back by the 4H animals was an island of reality. There, in an old battered truck, an ancient Jewish strongman performed incredible feats of strength, to sell only homemade kosher soap. Standing on a platform on the rear of his truck, flanked by photographs from his performing youth, he would bent horse shoes and bite through nails. Many years earlier, my mother as a little girl in Bethlehem, saw him pull a truck uphill with his hair. Even as an old man, like a reincarnation of Samson, his grey hair was still long.
In the summers of 1964 and 1965, myself and a friend,(Fred Schoenk, retired Allentown art teacher) made and sold printed tee-shirts at the fair. We had the honor to know Joseph Greenstein(The Mighty Atom) and his wife. For those interested, there are various articles on the Mighty Atom and even at least one book. Enjoy the fair!
reprinted annually since 2007
The Allentown Fair has been cancelled for 2020 because of the coronavirus.
His life story is amazing, from being shot in the face in Texas to his career as a strongman. I have the strongest memories of him at the fair, a true original. Besides soap, he also sold homemade laxatives - and supposedly had a very strong Amish following. There are photos of him, using chains attached to his hair, keeping airplanes from being able to take off.
ReplyDeleteHe taught my grandfather how to roll his six-pack. I remember him well.
ReplyDeleteNow we're am I going to get my fix of the girly show with giggles and jiggles?
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