By Rick Koze Having built exclusively in the Lehigh Valley for 50 years, Kay Builders has a pretty good handle on local market conditions for new home construction. By most measures, conditions in the Lehigh Valley home building market were once again challenging in 2011. Although total sales for 2011 were slightly lower than 2010 as a result of the boost given to housin... »
By Frederick Jerant Although major sporting goods chains strive to be all things to all athletes, Aardvark Sports Shop in Bethlehem has stayed focused on its original niche—shoes and accessories for serious runners. The store was founded in 1984 by Chuck Kovacs. Kovacs ran the Bethlehem business on Guetter Street for just four years before selling it to Richard Haines, who... »
By Jennifer L. Rodgers If you don’t learn from your mistakes, then there isn’t much point to a second chance. When those mistakes are big and they translate into time spent in jail, the learning curve is even higher – especially for women. Janet Jones (name changed to protect privacy) had a drug addiction and was in and out of jail “five or six times.” After each sentence ... »
Long before the cluster of hotels, business parks and distribution centers dotted the perimeter of Fogelsville, the Native Americans of the Lenni Lenape tribe inhabited the territory west of Kuhnsville and North of Trexlertown in what is now part of Upper Macungie Township. By the mid 1700s German immigrants, attracted to the rich soil and copious water sources, establishe... »
By Cathy Kiley Blue has been a shining star on the Lehigh Valley dining scene for nearly a decade. Since opening in 2002, locals and business travelers have embraced Blue as a favorite destination for not only dining and corporate meetings, but as a lively, friendly meeting place. Now, with recent renovations completed, one cannot help but notice the painstaking attention ... »
By Sara Hodon Foster Jewelers 1859 Main Street l Northampton, PA 18067-1588 l 610-262-4068 l fosterjeweler.com If you’re looking to add some sparkle and shine to your jewelry collection or repair a treasured family heirloom, Foster Jewelers has just what you’re looking for. Founded by Foster G. Longenbach in 1947, Foster Jewelers has been owned and operated by John a... »
By Sara Hodon Springtime means warmer temperatures and more quality time outdoors, but it also means the start of allergy season. While any number of things can aggravate an allergy inside a person’s home—dust and pet dander among them—the great outdoors are chock-full of allergens that compromise respiratory systems. According to Eric Schenkel, MD, Director of Valley Ast... »
By Nancy Moffett Spring is upon us, even if balmy weather is still weeks away. This is a good time to evaluate and plan for projects that will increase your home’s curb appeal. Every improvement you make will add to the enjoyment of your home and make it more appealing, when and if, the time does come to move on. Clean Up Are there still downed branches from 2011’s Hallowe... »
By Melanie Gold Once upon a time, young adult literature (called “YA”) seemed to be limited to fairy tales and sports stories. In truth, YA authors tackle the fanciful worlds of wizards and vampires, and anything else that interests teens. The high quality of YA books has led to increased—and in some cases, unprecedented—sales. The runaway popularity of J.K. Rowling’s Harr... »
By Sara Vigneri I don’t ask for your pity. In fact, I know many of you envy me. As a freelancer, I get to work from home in my pajamas, making my own hours. My daughter once said to me, as I shoved her off to school one morning, “you have it so good-I have to go to school and you get to work in your bed!” Full disclaimer: I don’t work in my bed. At least, not if I a... »
