Some businesses start in basements, others in garages. In the case of Matt Adams, the inception for Backyard Beans took place in his—you guessed it!—backyard, specifically with a drum roller over a propane grill. When this longtime coffee-roasting enthusiast and his wife, Laura, noticed a lack of coffee vendors at local farmers’ markets, they decided to fill the void by se... »
Healing the psychological wounds of war with a wagging tail Jason, a veteran and volunteer, spends some quality time with Loftus, a Tails of Valor service dog in training. Anyone who’s owned a pet can agree that animals have a soothing, supporting, and healing impact on a person’s life. The organization Tails of Valor—which trains rescue pups to be service animals for war ... »
Two festive local events, two ways to support our local healthcare system More convenient access to state-of-the-art medical care for the Bucks and Lehigh County regions draws closer each day, as construction continues on a new $100-million St. Luke’s University Health Network facility in Quakertown. The 30-acre campus, scheduled to open in late 2019, will provide a welcom... »
Mark your calendars because the Lehigh Valley knows how to have fun! Whether you’re in need of a few adult beverages with some pals or wholesome family fun with your little ones, you can find it right here. Embrace the culture and cuisine of the Valley amid a diverse series of festivals this fall as you make memories with family and friends. 23rd Annual Chile Pepper Festiv... »
Reset Outdoors is redefining therapy, with a little help from nature Inspiration often strikes without warning, bringing life-changing ideas swiftly into crystal clear perspective. For therapists Connor Moriarty and Joshua McSparin, inspiration for their meditative outdoor adventures struck one beautiful day while kayaking on Lake Nockamixon. It was that day the two... »
The rise of shared work spaces is great news for local entrepreneurs It’s a bright summer morning, and Lorenzo Marinelli and his laptop are bathed in sunlight pouring through the large windows at Easton coWorks at the Karl Stirner Arts Building. “I was looking for a local coworking space because working from home is not what everyone thinks,” he says. “It’s very lon... »
25 things you need to do, see, and eat before school’s back in session It happens to the best of us. Come August, you realize that summer’s quickly slipping away and you haven’t taken advantage of all the amazing activities the Lehigh Valley has to offer. But we’re here to help. Whether you’re into ‘Festing or feeding giraffes, doing yoga on the farm or shopping at the far... »
More kids are stressed out than ever. Here’s how to help them chill. Worries, nervousness, knots in the stomach—anxiety is a common and pervasive thread woven through the daily lives of millions of Americans. And according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, as many as one in eight children feel the effects of anxiety. Countless fears cause anxious feelin... »
When Catilin Bagenstone looks at a bushel of red winter wheat seeds, she sees bottles of vodka—630 to be exact. Of course, she’s viewing it through the eyes of a distiller at Eight Oaks Craft Distillers in New Tripoli. “We used this metric when our farmer was planting last fall to estimate just how many bottles of vodka we’ll yield in the future from one acre. It’s amazing... »
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... »
