Letter From The Editor

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it” —Ferris Bueller

Dear Readers,

Ah, the fleeting days of summer. They hold such promise yet are over before you know it.

For many of us-myself included-summer holds childhood memories of a simpler time: Going outdoors first thing in the morning and staying out until sunset (save for running back home for lunch and dinner), family day trips to the beach, and visits to the local pool. If no pool were available, the sprinkler or the “Slip ‘n Slide” was a great stand-in. Spending time with my grandparents in New York meant trips to the local “five and dime” (complete with soda fountain), nightly visits from the Good Humor man, and walks to the local park. It was a bonus if the park’s fire hydrants were opened, and we got to cool off unexpectedly.

As we all know, times have changed. The easy, breezy days of summer are no longer the norm, but rather a nice surprise. With many families having two parents working and limited time off, this time of year can make us feel as if we’re never going to have enough time to squeeze in all the fun that the summer dangles in front of us. Plus, it can be quite a challenge for working parents to balance childcare and professional responsibilities. To this end, Sara Vigneri takes an interesting approach to summer fun in her article, “Generations of Fun.” It outlines some great summer activities for grandparents and grandchildren, giving generations special opportunities to bond.

Speaking of special, pets play an important role in our everyday lives, and summer is no exception. Summertime pet care presents its own set of challenges, so we had Laura B. Teter report on the best way to care for your pet in the heat, while traveling and if you need to board your pet while you’re on vacation. Check out “Summer Pet Smarts” for more information.

And what would the summer be without ice cream? J.F. Pirro discovered the “Ice Screamers,” an interesting group of individuals who collect ice-cream-related memorabilia. Check them out in this issue’s “Local Color”.

Take some time to soak up the sun, recharge, and enjoy the great outdoors this summer. But before you do, take our survey at lehighvalleymarketplace.com or e-mail me and let me know what your plans are. I want to know—because you live here!

Christine A. Krahling – Editor