Bryan Hay, Author at Lehigh Valley Marketplace's Posts

Growing up an Elf in Christmas Village

Growing up an Elf in Christmas Village

PHOTOS BY KONNOR DURANTE Christmas was always the most wonderful time of the year on the Koziar family farm in Jefferson Township, Berks County. “It was amazing, even to us,” says Sonia Koziar, co-owner of the world-famous Koziar’s Christmas Village near Bernville and one of four siblings who grew up on the farm, witnessing its transformation from a year-round agricultural... »

West End Theatre District

West End Theatre District

For almost 13 years, Elena Pascal has had a front row seat in Allentown’s West End Theatre District of Allentown. “I always felt an affinity for this part of Allentown, a nice little area where small businesses have blossomed,” says Pascal, whose BoutiqueToGo at 522 N. 19th St., which sells women’s clothing and accessories, sits across from the Civic Theatre of Allentown, ... »

All Roads Lead to Springtown

All Roads Lead to Springtown

Just south of Hellertown in northern Bucks County where Routes 412 and 212 converge lies the small, quiet village of Springtown, where sturdy pre-Revolutionary War through 19th-century structures, barns, and outbuildings present tangible reminders of its agrarian, independent past. Designated as a National Historic District in 2007, Springtown has about 30 extant structure... »

The Hidden Gem of Pocono Peak Lake

The Hidden Gem of Pocono Peak Lake

SOMETIMES BIG THINGS START IN SMALL PLACES. From the glacial bogs at Pocono Peak Lake in Lehigh Township flow the headwaters of the Lehigh River. The river, 109 miles long and the Delaware River’s second largest tributary, starts out less than a yard wide at the spillway of the lake’s dam. “It’s the focal point of our community, our prime amenity,” says Dan Dougherty Jr., ... »

northampton coin and jewelry

Northampton Jewelry and Northampton Coin Exchange

For 40 years, it’s been more than precious metals and stones at Northampton Jewelry and Northampton Coin Exchange. “We get to be part of super personal moments,” says owner Sarah Schaffer. “We get to be part of someone’s life.” As always, it all started with an interesting personal story, passion, and drive. Schaffer’s dad, Dave Howell, was working as a biology teacher at ... »

Milford Square

Milford Square

For years, Milford Square has always been a quiet, rural community between Quakertown and Pennsburg. But now, with Route 663 and a popular entrance to the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s Northeast Extension, major changes have begun. One of seven historic villages in Milford Township, located in far northwestern Bucks County, Milford Square is situated in the middle of the townshi... »

Boulton

Boulton

Boulton may not be the most recognizable place name in the Lehigh Valley, but the Henry family who settled there holds a distinctive place in the history of American gun making, outfitting American soldiers who fended off the British for the second time, the fur trade, and Union troops in the Civil War. No one lives there anymore, but Boulton is still a large piece of land... »

leep peeping feature image

Leaf Peeping Day Trips

A mountain excursion to see fall foliage is always a classic day trip, but the Lehigh Valley offers an abundance of options for leaf peepers right in our backyards. This year’s foliage looks promising because of the adequate moisture the area has received and should be very similar to last year’s dazzling display, according to Rick Hartlieb, assistant district forester wit... »

Crayola Wooden Toys

Crayola Wooden Toys

Just in time for the new school year, Crayola has launched a new line of educational toys designed to delight children ages 3-5 and rekindle memories for parents and grandparents with classic play patterns from their own childhood. Crayola Wooden Toys offer a series of handcrafted, colorful puzzles, blocks stampers, and dry-erase activity sets designed to stimulate creativ... »

Leibensperger Bus Transportation

Leibensperger Bus Transportation

For 50 years, a yellow Leibensperger bus was a familiar sight for generations of school children and their families in the Allentown, East Penn, Northampton, Salisbury, and Southern Lehigh school districts. The former Leibensperger School Transportation Inc. of Lower Macungie Township started with a single car back when students still attended class in small rural schoolho... »

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