By Frederick Jerant There’s no record of the first Thanksgiving menu – other than deer and wildfowl – but culinary historians surmise that the table might have been laden with native fruits like plums and melons and local vegetables (perhaps leeks, beans and squash), along with fish and shellfish. As time and customs passed, huge turkeys took center stage, surrounded by st... »
By Nancy Moffett The smell of freshly cut wood fills the air. The buzz of saws, planers, drills and routers fills the ear. At each work station, craftsmen bend intently over their work, barely noticing visitors passing by. A young man readies a spray booth to apply a finish coat to the next project. Along the way, carefully drawn plans guide every move. Here is where dream... »
By Andy Cook With winter almost upon us, we think about bringing out the heavy blankets, changing over to our warmer clothes, and prepping our snow blowers and finding those shovels we put away last year. However, many of us get so caught up with our busy lives that we don’t take the time to get our cars ready for the wintertime. There are many things you can do today whic... »
By Cathy Kiley When owner John Trapani opened Grille 3501, he brought with him over a decade of experience in the food industry that included the former Trapper’s Pub on the Southside of Allentown. His dream of opening a casual yet upscale restaurant came to fruition in 2001 when he transformed a 75- year-old Lehigh Valley tradition, Trinkle’s Cetronia Hotel, into a trendy... »
By Nancy Moffett Lights, candles, trees…ribbons and bows. That’s what decorating for the holidays brings to mind. But, every year, people are injured; pets are sickened; homes burn and one slip can be a disaster. Let’s resolve to all do our decorating safely this year. Outdoors According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), about 12,500 Americans are trea... »
“Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons.” —Ruth Ann Schabacker Dear Readers, If you’re like me, your holiday “to-do” list probably looks something like this: • Defrost the turkey! Make stuffing! • Pick up fresh flowers for Thanksgiving table centerpiece. • Buy teachers’ gifts. • Make sure we have enough wine! • Don’t forget stamps for the Christmas cards! ... »
“A curious and remarkable town.” That’s how John Adams described Bethlehem in 1777 and that sentiment holds true today. Situated in the center of the Lehigh Valley, within the counties of Northampton and Lehigh, Bethlehem has a population of nearly 75,000 spread amongst its almost 20 square miles, making it Pennsylvania’s 7th largest city. History In 1741, a small group ... »
By Edward Hoffman, Jr. As Bob Dylan noted in 1964, “The Times They Are a-Changin’.” While this anthem of societal change may seem unrelated to the 2011 residential real estate market, in actuality, Dylan’s poetic title track serves as a template for today’s buyers. Back in 1964, most buyers were limited to “traditional” home ownership. Today’s buyers have a myriad of optio... »
By Jennifer LoConte Our furry household members, those we call our pets, are an essential part of most American families. They enrich owners’ lives and, with each wagging tail or purr, bring a smile to our faces. Some pets are workers and enjoy helping their human friends while others prefer to lie around the house on a comfy chair. Whatever their preference, pets give unc... »
By Carole Gorney It is fitting that this popular carol extolling the virtues of the fir tree was originally written in German because legend says the first Christmas “Tannenbaum” was introduced by St. Boniface (672-754) in the German town of Geismar. In fact, some of the earliest customs related to Christmas trees and their decorations can be traced back historically to Ge... »
