Boxes of chocolates for Valentine’s Day might strike you as a cliche, but one thing is certain: It’s still a good idea. Light, dark, or white; cream-filled, caramelly, or coconutty; smooth, chewy, or crunchy—it’s a gift that will delight practically any recipient. And while it’s easy to grab a pre-selected box or two off the shelf, it’s nearly as easy to put your personal ... »
Do you crave to jitterbug in a haven for hepcats? Maybe you’d rather polish up your winklepickers and hit the floor for some jive with your poodle-skirted honey? You can do both—and lots more—when you drop by the Gas House Dance Hall, one of the most hoppin’ joints in the Lehigh Valley. Swing dance enthusiasts Robynn and Keith Shannon founded the Gas House in 2013. “They t... »
Home ownership has long been a big part of the American Dream. And plenty of effort goes into it: working, saving, and searching—not to mention maintenance. But, as John Lennon put it, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans,” and some people find that dream dissipating just when it was within reach. That’s what happened to Jinette Ramos and her ... »
Here’s a helping of Turkey Day trivia to bestow upon your tablemates this holiday season alongside second servings of mashed potatoes and green bean casserole. Whether you need to fill an awkward pause, defuse a squabble, or you just want to flex your knowledge, there’s at least one thing on this list that’ll get the conversation flowing. Pilgrims weren’t the first. It sou... »
Your music collection probably holds several tracks that you think should’ve been hits. Most of your friends don’t recognize them and don’t know anything about the performer—but agree they’re worthy of rocketing up the charts. The difference between a hit and a miss is often just a matter of exposure. Without lavish promotional budgets and lots of airplay, even the most ta... »
London has Buckingham Palace; Paris, the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre; Philadelphia has Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. Then, of course, there are many small American towns with claims to fame that are somewhat less impressive. Take Barney Smith’s Toilet Seat Art Museum in San Antonio for example, or the world’s biggest ball of twine (19,873 pounds in 2013) in Cawke... »
If you’re a typical bank customer, you’ve probably experienced merger after merger after merger. Take the former First National Bank of Allentown. After it joined with American Bank and Trust Co., it was known as Meridian Bank. That is, of course, until Meridian was swallowed by Corestates, which First Union bought. A little while later, it merged with Wachovia, and, fina... »
The years 1920-1933 spanned a peculiar time in American history. Thanks to the 18th Amendment to the Constitution, the production, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages was strictly prohibited. Of course, that didn’t mean people couldn’t get their hands on alcohol. Wealthy people stockpiled it before the 18th Amendment was ratified. “Bathtub gin” and other homem... »
Insurance. If you’re like most people, that word elicits a good solid “blech!” whenever you read it or hear it. But that’s unfortunate, says Jane O’Malley, a co-owner of Coringrato Insurance Agency, because everyone will need some type of coverage sooner or later. She should know. O’Malley and her sister/co-owner Joan Shafer practically grew up in their father’s business. ... »
Nestled along Route 512 in Northampton County, the tiny borough of Bath is experiencing a resurgence – the once-sleepy community is transforming itself into a haven for local artisans. It’s easy to miss Bath (the entire community covers less than a square mile), and is home to about 2,700 people. Named for a community in Somerset, England, Bath was founded in 1737 – which ... »
