By Lori McLaughlin I’ll never forgive my parents for not giving me violin lessons. In elementary school I had the itch to learn but Mom and Dad declined, arguing piano lessons were more practical. After all, more homes had pianos than violins in the living room for impromptu performances at family gatherings. I don’t recall where the violin urge came from, but I’ve always ... »
By Melanie Gold When Jon Clark started Home and Planet in a Macungie warehouse in 1996, his focus was on retailing environmentally responsible items. Back then, he says, “fair trade” was a term that really didn’t factor into his business plan. (Fair trade usually refers to goods produced in developing countries that are sold here.) Over time, though, as he expanded his bus... »
By Carole Gorney Trends come and go, but the popularity of outdoor dining in the Lehigh Valley and nearby communities is here to stay. This season there are no less than five restaurants in downtown Bethlehem that have set up tables and chairs on the sidewalks outside their establishments. Add to that Edge’s patio, and there can be no doubt that open-air dining has become ... »
By Katie Brown It’s that time again. The kids have been out of school for more than a month and parents are faced with the question, “What are we going to do today?” To ease the daunting task of determining the family’s daily goings-on, I’ve compiled a list of activities that are kid-friendly, wallet-friendly and maybe even educational. Let’s start with outdoor activities:... »
By Sara Vigneri Nearly one out of every three households owns a dog — and a majority consider their dog a member of the family. According to the American Pet Products Association, expenses for a dog can reach $1400 annually not to mention the time commitment to train and exercise a dog. Consider this quick ABC guide below if you own a dog or are thinking of adopting a pet ... »
By Cathy Kiley There is nothing more special and enjoyable than gathering up the family for a reunion to share fond recollections and make new memories. One of the many beautiful things about the Lehigh Valley is its unique location between New York and Philadelphia is its accessibility from every direction. There are so many great spots where you may gather and celebrate ... »
By J.F. Pirro Though it’s not her intent, Allentown’s Jennifer Graffman could scare you off with her story about the time she ran into three bears, a mamma and two cubs, in a ravine at Delaware Water Gap in November 2003. “I stood very still,” she remembers. “She was growling and hollering, and then she figured out it was okay, that I wasn’t going to do anything. It took m... »
By Maureen Sangiorgio The cold, dreary winter is finally over and you can’t WAIT for the first warm, sunny day to lie out and soak up the sun’s rays. Tans look so sexy, yet thoughts of malignant melanoma run through your head. Truth be told, skin cancer is the most common type of cancer— and rates are rising. So is there really a smart way to tan? According to the expert... »
By Laurie Teter On the Friday afternoon of Memorial Day weekend, I am escorted down a long, tan-colored hallway through the administrative offices at the Sands Casino in Bethlehem. I can’t help but notice that the décor on the second floor is in sharp contrast to the dazzling, shiny bling of the casino floor. Well before I reach my destination, it’s obvious I am “behind th... »
By Nancy Moffett Oh, the joys of summer! Lounging on the patio with a cool drink…soaking up the sunshine in a warm summer breeze…listening to the sound of running water and the chirping of birds. What’s wrong with this picture? No sounds of running water? Perhaps you’ve thought of adding a water feature to your backyard, such as a pond with plants and fish, but are concern... »
