By Sara Vigneri Overcrowded classrooms. Teacher strikes. One learning style fits all. It’s easy to understand why parents might want to take their child’s education into their own hands. And while homeschooling was historically associated with religious movements, a growing number of parents are choosing to educate at home because they feel it better suits the needs of the... »
By Sara Hodon Earning a college degree may seem like an unattainable goal but with more flexible program and scheduling options available to adult learners, receiving that diploma may not be as impossible as you might think. Unlike traditional 18-22-year old college students, adult learners, sometimes called “nontraditional” or “lifelong learning” students, have many more... »
By Jen Kach I had to fight for a Facebook page. It was 2008, just after my high school graduation, and the majority of my friends had one. I wouldn’t say I follow trends blindly, a la “Oh, Pippi Longstocking braids are in? Let me break out the wire hangers and red ribbon ASAP!” But I do get inspiration from what I see around me, from what everyone else is doing. And what e... »
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... »
