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 Nancy Moffett Exercising at home has its advantages. Pros include the convenience of working out whenever you want, with privacy, and saving the expense and travel time of a gym membership. Another benefit is that you don’t need a lot of equipment to get started and you can tailor what you buy specifically to your needs. Of course, there are many treadmills and elliptic... »
By Cathy Kiley Of the many pleasures I’ve had over the years writing restaurant reviews, my favorite may be the opportunity of getting to know area chefs on a more personal level. One of the most visible chefs in the Lehigh Valley is Shawn Doyle of Savory Grille. He is active not only on the Valley’s dining scene, but also in the giving of his valuable time and skills by ... »
By Sara Hodon Your child has been complaining of an earache. Your spouse needs a physical for a new job. You pulled a muscle in your shoulder. You don’t want to wait in the emergency room, and your family doctor is booked solid. A trip to your nearest urgent care center can take care of everyone in a few hours. These facilities, which provide short-term medical care to pat... »
“When you have your health, you have everything. When you do not have your health, nothing else matters at all.” — Augusten Burroughs (Dry) Dear Readers, When I was researching quotes for this month’s letter, it seemed that many people–from a blogger’s grandmother to my father to a character in the movie The Princess Bride—had their own versions of this quote. And it... »
By Laura B. Teter Richards Window Fashions 1518 Union Boulevard | Allentown, PA 18109 | 484-223-1818 | richards-design.com “When we installed our new windows, customers would ask us where they could purchase new blinds and shades to replace the old dirty ones we had removed for them.” According to Business Manager, Erin Duffield, that’s what led to the creation of R... »
