As a native Kutztonian, I grew up hearing the phrase “If you ain’t Dutch, you ain’t much” invoked regularly, usually followed by a sly wink. Turns out, in fact, there’s veracity to the platitude, as the Kutztown Folk Festival makes much ado about Pennsylvania Dutch culture during its 69th annual celebration, running from June 30 to July 8. While new attractions are feature... »
Warm weather whets the appetite for light, healthful seafood. And with meticulously managed systems of logistics in place, long-standing area seafood markets provide swimmingly fresh catches abundant enough to rival most shoreline locales. From farmed freshwater trout to saltwater mollusks, crustaceans, and cephalopods (yes, octopus, we’re talking about you), local consume... »
This bucolic vineyard, winery, and restaurant pours on the rustic charm with European-style wines that partner beautifully with Italian food. We Love Amid the many premise-made pastas, wood-fired personal pizzas, and traditional Italian entrées vying for attention, Mama Lidia’s Lasagna sings the most seductive aria. Luscious baked layers of ricotta and mozzarella, homemade... »
We know what you’re thinking: Gluten-free beer? Yuck! But the truth is, gluten sensitivity is a growing problem—and for those affected by this issue who just want to sit back with a Belgian white after bagging lawn clippings on a hot summer day, well, they’ve been out of luck for a long time. The good news: The beer industry has finally started to respond with an array of ... »
On-the-go moms often turn to off-the-shelf snacks as a quick fix for their peckish offspring. In fact, snacking plays an important role in meeting a child’s dietary needs, from providing a needed energy boost to taking the edge off a voracious appetite that could lead to overeating at dinner. Packaged products often tend to be loaded with sugar, salt, and fat. Even 100-cal... »
A warm atmosphere sets the tone for casually refined dining and stellar sipping with a local focus. WE LOVE Cashew Crusted Chicken — one of the stars on the seasonally revamped menu for spring and summer—represents the quintessence of warm weather fare. The toasty, nutty coating provides this mild, tender meat with an appealingly crunchy texture, and a house-made mango sal... »
Like most farmers, Lynn Trizna works long hours and is hyper-focused on the weather, a common fixation in her profession. But unlike most agriculturists, this energetic 30-year-old earned a bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies from the University of Pittsburgh before deciding that her true passion lay in a different field, quite literally. After an intense, hands-on e... »
This revamped retreat on the lower level of Shepherd Hills Golf Club scores with both sports fans and families. WE LOVE A table filled with assorted apps makes group grazing fun, but you might not feel inclined to share the luscious Poke Tuna. Claim a plate of these freshly crisped wonton chips piled with tender Ahi tuna chunks and a crunchy spiced slaw—then drizzled in a ... »
The Essence of Spring with Chef Shawn Doyle As the earth reawakens, a host of fresh delicacies arrives to rejuvenate winter-weary palates. The fleeting appearance of many springtime tastes, both exotic and familiar, only seems to add to their ephemeral appeal. Culinary experts celebrate the most sought-after examples of nature’s early bounty, and home cooks who follow thei... »
Reclaiming a life from a downward spiral of addiction and violence can seem like an insurmountable challenge. It takes time, effort, courage, and support—both emotional and financial—for a vulnerable woman to recover from a painful past and plant the seeds for a healthy, productive future. Bloom Bangor offers such empowerment to marginalized women in the Slate Belt area. A... »
