May 2014 Letter from the Editor
Dear Readers,
Phew… we made it!
We survived one of the snowiest, iciest and coldest winters on record.
We shoveled, shivered and watched in disbelief as nearly 15 snowstorms – one after the other – battered the Lehigh Valley. We put our shovels, snow blowers and stamina to the test. And, we can proudly say, “We did it!”
Well, I don’t know about you, but I am glad it’s over. It’s time to get outside and soak up the sun. I’ve happily packed up my boots and dusted off my flip-flops. Now, I’m ready to hit the road and explore all the Lehigh Valley has to offer. And, I think you should do the same. If you don’t know where to start, you can page through this issue of Marketplace for some outdoor inspiration.
Allentown’s Mayfair Festival of the Arts kicks off the summer with a four-day extravaganza, bringing visual and performing arts to our community. It showcases the works of painters, dancers, photographers, musicians, storytellers, comedians, clothing designers, culinary artists, glass sculptors and much, much more. Go with friends, or take your children and experience KidSpace, a family favorite where kids will enjoy hands-on art experiences and get into the action in the interactive theater space. See page 56 for more on Mayfair from Ann Wlazelek.
Make time to head over to Bethlehem and take advantage of all the outdoor programs offered by ArtsQuest. There are concerts, movies, farmers’ markets and so much more. Kelly DiCesare entertains us with a witty account of her family’s recent, spontaneous visit to SteelStacks. This arts and culture campus entertains its guests with music, art and community events throughout the year. Check out her story on page 62.
While you are out tooling around, don’t forget to snap some photos along the way. Frederick Jerant talked to photography experts who revealed some good advice on how to take better pictures with the equipment you already have. Turn to page 40 to learn from the best. Just keep snapping away and when you find one you love, send it our way. We’ll include it in “Snapshot,” the photo section of our magazine. Turn to page 92 to find out how to submit your local photographs.
Here’s to many months filled with sun and fun!
Amy Hines, Editor
amy.hines@ecbiz213.inmotionhosting.com
