Lehigh Valley InSite

Going to market!

One of my latest passions has become buying local. I like the idea of supporting local people and families with my purchases as opposed to some conglomerate mega-mart.

One way I try to practice what I preach is at local farmers' markets. Since I live in the Easton area, the market I make it to most often is the Easton Farmers' Market in Centre Square. It takes place every Saturday morning from 9 a.m - 1 p.m. and runs from spring right through fall. It claims to be the "oldest continuous open-air farmers' market in the U.S.," or something like that.

Market vendors range from bakeries and produce vendors, to homemade soap and fresh cut flowers. I have two favorites at this market:

• The Amish Bakery - their baked goods are the best! Just last weekend, we had their cinnamon rolls. Heat them up in the oven for a few minutes and they are divine. We also had their pumpkin cream cheese cupcakes, which made for a nice seasonal treat.
• Teels Hill Soapworks - Made in Pen Argyl, their natural, homemade soaps come in a nice variety of scents and themes. You might not think a natural soap can lather up as well as a store-bought soap, but you're wrong. I like the fact that they are locally made and that there are no animal byproducts in them. 

Check out the market's web site since it's a good way to find out who their current vendors are. You can sign up for their weekly e-newsletter too. And you can check their calendar of events to find out when fun things are taking place, like the Scarecrow Festival (rescheduled for this Saturday, Nov. 1), Annual Pet Parade and X-treme Sports Day.

And while you're downtown, check out the cool shops and restaurants on Northampton, Ferry, Third and Fourth Streets, all within walking distance of the market. Happy shopping and HAPPY HALLOWEEN! 

The Grand Phinale

It's over. I can get back to a normal sleep pattern. I'm so excited, as is the majority of the east coast who have daytime jobs! Yes, I'm talking about the World Series.

The highlight for me was having two tickets to the World Series Premiere Party, hosted by Nacci Printing, at Coca-Cola Park last Wednesday. Even with temps in the 30s, my son and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to watch the first game of the series on the big screen in center field.

Coca-Cola Park is a "diamond" in the rough and was just awarded co-winner of "Best New Ballpark" of the year by Ballpark Digest. It is home to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, so it couldn't have been more appropriate to have the party there since they are the AAA affiliates of the Philadelphia Phillies. If you didn't have tix to the real game at Citizens Bank Park in Philly, this was the next best thing.

I always thought that Philly sports phans were crazy, and they proved me right: The event was like being at a big frat party. Even though my fiance turned my son and I into Red Sox fans, we still had a blast between all the free food, giveaways, FeRROUS sightings and of course the "people watching" classic moments.

What was your favorite part of the W.S.? Are you glad it's over or are you ready for another season? I know we can't wait to see the IronPigs play again next year, because it's just one S-U-E-T place to be! 

I'm a One-Stop Shopper

At some point in the past five years I've turned into a shopaholic of sorts, and lucky for me, there are many things in my life right now that require big purchases:
- home furnishings
- wedding accessories
- "work" clothes
- a new purse or pair of shoes I must have
And Christmas is coming up too, so I can add gifts to my list (hey, it's only two months away people).

My favorite place to shop where I can find all those things is The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley. I love going there because they have everything from unique boutique shops to name brands like L.L. Bean and American Eagle.

One of my favorite stores to rack up my shopping bill is Francesca's Collections. It's located between J. Jill and Limited Too, just down from "town square." They have unique purses, cute clothes, all kinds of jewelry and even some home decor. They also have all kinds of little trinkets, which make good gifts for the person who has everything. I can't leave that store without buying something!

I love going this time of year, because the shops are set in front of a backdrop of changing leaves - it's so pretty! However, my favorite time to go is at Christmas. The streets are decked with garland, and there is always a fire going in "town square" just outside of Starbucks. Mmm, shopping and coffee ... two of my favorites!

Has anyone else been to The Promenade Shops? What's your favorite store or restaurant?

Beauty and the Beast at Civic Theatre

I am so excited. I have tickets for Saturday night's performance of "Beauty and the Beast" at the Civic Theatre! I am taking my 4-year-old niece and her mother and forcing my husband to accompany us. Hopefully the Phillies will have won the World Series, otherwise I will need to find a willing replacement!

Just want to know if anyone has seen it yet and how you liked it? It has been getting good reviews in the newspaper.

- Posted on behalf of Debbie Snyder, LVCVB's "director of first impressions"

Hooray for PennDOT

I used to think that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) was out to get the poor, innocent drivers in and around Lehigh Valley ... particularly with how they designed the ramps we use to get on and off the highways. Anyone who's ever tried getting off the Hamilton Boulevard exit from Interstate 78 eastbound (crossing two lanes of speeding traffic as Route 309 merges with I-78) knows exactly what I'm talking about.

But PennDOT recently made amends with the completion of what I consider to be the best improvement to Lehigh Valley roads in the last decade: a traffic light at the I-78 westbound off ramp onto Route 100 southbound.

Here's the situation: You're driving south on 100 and want to get onto 78 east. To do this, you must drive under the 78 overpass and immediately exit to your right. But at the same time, traffic coming off of 78 is trying to merge onto 100 south right before the 78 overpass. It's the classic cloverleaf design.

I've spent the past 12 years of my life dodging all sorts of vehicles that come flying off 78 and onto 100. In fact, one time a gigundo SUV failed to yield as he pulled onto 100, causing me to slam on the brakes so I wouldn't get run over, only to have the car behind me hitch a ride in my trunk.

But now, I no longer have to worry about out-of-control truckers and speeding soccer moms failing to yield as I attempt to get on 78, thanks to PennDOT's brand new stop light.

Any other live-saving road projects in the Valley you'd like to comment on?

Disc Golf in Lehigh Valley

Football fans in this area are in a frenzy over the Eagles, who are in the hunt for a playoff spot, and Penn State, who is vying for a shot to play for the National Championship. Oh, yeah, and the Phillies are about to bring the first Championship to Philadelphia in 25 years if they can wrap up the World Series tonight.

With sports on the brain, I'd like to shed some light on a non-traditional sport that Lehigh Valley offers: disc golf.

Disc golf can be played all year round, but this is my favorite time to play. The temperature is just right: the bugs are gone and the vegetation that swallows up most of my discs has died off for the year.

Lehigh Valley is home to seven disc golf courses. The courses are usually located in parks, and even DeSales University has a course. Of the seven courses located in the Valley, I have played four.

1. Jordan Park is one of the oldest courses in the country; from what I've heard, it's either the second or third course ever built. Jordan is my favorite to play and the one I've played the most. It is a wooded course that has many elevation changes and the Jordan Creek comes into play on many of the holes. The crew that I play with there has intense matches; we usually wager the title to our cars or that week’s pay.

2. South Mountain is more heavily wooded than Jordan. It also has elevation changes, which I guess makes sense since it has mountain in the name. It's short in distance, but you need to be very accurate to score well. South Mountain is also home to the very popular Ice Bowl, which takes place in January.

3.For the beginner, Wehr’s Dam in South Whitehall is a perfect course. Wehr’s is a short course. The majority of the holes are in wooded areas, but there are a few wide open holes that you can really let it rip. For you aces out there, this is a birdie haven and a lot of fun.

4. Little Lehigh Parkway in Allentown hosted the final round of 2005 World Disc Golf Championship. That alone should say enough about the caliber of this course. It has the least amount of wooded holes, but is the longest. It also has elevation changes and the Little Lehigh River comes into play. After playing this course, my arm is usually hanging.

For more information about disc golf like local tourneys and course information, check out Lehigh Valley Disc Golf.

You light up my life - glass blowing at Banana Factory

I got to go to the Fire & Ice fundraiser event two weeks ago at Banana Factory in SouthSide Bethlehem. It benefits their GlassWorks studio, which I am crazy about. If you haven't yet been to BF, you really need to check it out. You can tour the artists' studios and visit their two galleries and see the exhibits and it won't cost you a dime!

They also have classes on everything from digital photography, in case you want to make the most of that expensive camera your husband talked you into buying, to dancing, in case you have two left feet and your wife demands that you do something about it.

I suggest going on First Friday, a community event that gets folks into shops, restaurants and galleries of SouthSide. The next one is on 11/7. Most places spring for live music and put out free food and drinks to help folks socialize. It's a lot of fun, especially in the fall when the weather is cool.

Anyway, I can sit and watch the artisans at GlassWorks for hours. I find it mesmerizing to watch them work with molten masses of liquid glass and form it into something totally original, not just the usual vase and glass variety. If it were me, I'd probably burn my arm off! What they can do amazes me and I wish I could do it too! Jim, John, and Beth Ann rock!

I shot a few videos of their glass blowing demonstration the night of the fundraiser. You can check them out on my Flickr account. I'd love to take one of their hands-on classes but just haven't found the time to yet. If you have, give me your feedback on what class you took and whether or not you liked it and would do it again. Did you take a clay class and end up with a holey vase? Or did you take painting class and find out you were the next Monet? 

Last-Minute Lunch Plans

Earlier this week I received an e-mail invitation to sign up for a Northampton Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon which was to be held at The Historic Weaversville Inn & Jessica's Tearoom ...THE NEXT DAY!    

Now, for those of you (especially guys) who would cringe at the thought of stepping foot into a frilly tearoom, you gotta try this one. They do have the frilly, lacey side, but this lunch was held in the dining room off to the right.

The meal was served and you couldn't have asked for better soup, salad with chicken, followed by cookies and brownies for dessert (which were worth every calorie!). When all was said and done, Mark Prostko, Chef and Owner, was introduced to everyone's applause.   

After sampling their lunch fare and viewing their full menu online, I can't wait to return to Jessica's Tearoom with friends and family for dinner. We love to go to BYOB restaurants where we can bring some good local wine to enjoy. I hear their Maryland Crab Cakes are "to die for"... or maybe I'll try the Roast Rack of New Zealand Lamb. What would you pick?

Wine and chocolate

OK. I admit it. I like a glass of wine every now and then. OK ... more like a couple times a week. I'm not a big spender when it comes to wine but I know what I like. Usually I check out the "specials" section of the local liquor store and am drawn to anything under $10 with a pretty label. I'm such a girl.

Anyway, when I want to treat myself, I head out to Vynecrest in Breinigsville, just outside of Allentown. They make a sweet and tart cherry wine that is awesome. It's not the kind of thing you drink with a meal. It's a dessert wine called Cherry DiVyne.

Last time I was there, the folks at Vynecrest were selling small bags of dark chocolate Wilbur Buds to go along with it. For anyone not familiar, Wilbur Buds are little solid chocolate pillows similar to Hershey Kisses made in Lititz, Pa. Eat them while drinking the wine and it rocks!   

Cherry DiVyne is definitely a chick wine. Why do I say that? Because it's the perfect wine to bring to any girls night out get-together. Most women are into sweet wines so it will be very popular.

Personally, I buy a bottle and some Buds for myself and sip on it in small juice-glass-sized amounts in the evenings as my dessert and nightcap in one. Treat yourself to a bottle. You won't be sorry.

So I'm curious: Do you drink Lehigh Valley wines, and if so, which winery is your favorite and why?

Pumpkins & Pigs

With Halloween right around the corner, I thought I would tell the whole world (yes, I think our blog is that popular) that I’m a scaredy-cat. I could not possibly name all my fears, so I’ll give you a short list, in no particular order:

• noises
• crowds
• scary movies
• ghosts
• haunted houses
• imaginary people on the deck of my house ready to break in
• shark attacks
• bear attacks
• dog attacks

Basically I’m afraid of all animals attacking me. I think everyone who knows me thinks I’m overreacting about the whole fear of animals thing, but a few select family members witnessed my fear firsthand over the weekend.

Let me start out by saying that I went to Seiple’s Farm  and their IronPigs Corn Maze on Saturday because I needed a pumpkin, some apple cider and also wanted to watch my 2-year-old nephew go to his first pumpkin patch. You get a free hayride to where the best specimens of pumpkins are, so the pumpkin picking went very well. They had delicious cider, great rides for kids, a haunted house and delicious food. My family enjoyed a perfectly cooked funnel cake. :-) Then …

I was never told that there would be a barnyard full of animals there. I was trying to control my hyperventilating as ponies and doggies walked by me ready to pounce at any second. Then my nephew started pointing at the barn and saying, “Oink, Oink. PIGGIES!” My husband and I walked over with him to take a peek (there was a 4-foot-tall iron fence between the pigs and myself). All was well and I was enjoying watching my nephew look at the pigs, then it happened: A piglet came barreling toward me from the back of the barn, and I let out a scream like someone was stabbing me and I fell over backwards almost knocking my husband over and scaring all the children there! 

After my family was finished laughing at my ridiculous fear of a piglet, the only thing that would calm my nerves was a delicious dinner at my favorite place, Stahley’s in Allentown. The only thing scary at Stahley’s was my ability to finish a nachos supreme by myself!

So forget about the scary part of Halloween and focus on the important part of the holiday - CANDY!