Lehigh Valley InSite

A positive outlook on winter weather in Lehigh Valley

Despite being raised in Lehigh Valley, I’m not one of those people who has ever come to love the winter. When I was a kid I did: the sledding, the sliding around and the staying home from school. But as an adult, the winter weather just isn’t fun: the shoveling, the scraping, the cleaning off of the car and the driving in it.

So in an attempt to brighten my outlook on winter, I think I’ll attend next weekend’s 3rd Annual Snowblast Winter Festival in the quaint borough of Emmaus. Created to draw people into its charming downtown, there’s a long laundry list of activities scheduled for February 7 & 8. The things I’d like most to check out include:

 

• Ice sculpting demonstrations
• A visit with Iditarod sled dogs
• Horse-drawn carriage rides
• Slippery tug of war (whatever that is!)
• Hearth-side cooking and storytelling in the historic 1803 House
• An ice skating demonstration by Ice Princess Laura Wetzel and her dog, Snowflake (I don’t think the dog skates; he’s just a mascot of sorts)

It sounds like a great community event, which is just the kind I like to attend. And who knows? Maybe if I stay outside long enough, the numbness in my feet from the cold will subside and I will actually start to enjoy winter. I’m keeping my fingers crossed! Then again, they might be frozen together that way!

Chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate

I can smell the chocolate already. The truffles, the pastries, the candies, and even the chocolate martinis. It will be my own personal nirvana, just like it was last year.

Tomorrow night, I will be volunteering at the Chocolate Lovers' Soiree, which benefits a local non-profit called the Easton Main Street Initiative. It's an important fundraiser for this small organization in the city's downtown.

I first attended the event two years ago (it's first year) with my boyfriend. After paying our admission we went inside, grabbed dessert plates and began filling up on tasting-sized samples of all things chocolate. Since we arrived towards the end, some of the goodies were gone much to our disappointment. Still, we had a good time and planned to return the next year, albeit at the start of the event!

Flash forward to 2008: I've become a regular volunteer with this organization and got to "work" the event as a waitress. Though I was tired when the night ended, I had a lot of fun, so this year I'll be donning my cute waitress apron once more and clearing plates and cups.

I'm personally looking forward to the return of the chocolate fountains, which were extremely popular last year, and the demonstrations by chocolate chefs from Dolce Patisserie and Tombler's Bakery. And while I didn't have much time for snacking last year, this time I'm hoping to get a couple sips of chocolate tea from Christine's Secret Garden.

Anyone want to bet on how much weight I gain? (Just kidding.)

The ice cold IceBowl

The IceBowl lived up to its billing. The temperature was well below the freezing mark, and South Mountain was covered with snow and ice. But that didn’t stop 85 disc golfers from showing up.

The first round began shortly after 10. It was cold but tolerable. I played pretty well and came in with a 65, which put me in the top third of the novice division.

In between rounds they had crock pots in the pavilion with all kinds of good stuff in them. The only problem was that it became so cold, the crock pots couldn’t even keep the food warm. That didn’t stop me from chowing down on some jambalaya and a sloppy joe.

The second round didn't start until 2. By that time, the wind really picked up and the temperature was dropping fast. It was ridiculously cold, but as the IceBowl slogan goes, “NO WIMPS-NO WHINERS."

Everyone finished up before the sun went down, and it was time to tally up the scores. To my surprise I came in 8th out of 22 and won a disc. It was really a surprise because I shot a 71. Everyone must of shot worse the second round. Despite the cold and wind, it was a good time and I look forward to playing next year.

This weekend I'm staying inside to watch the Super Bowl (I'm going with the Cards). No matter how the game is played or the outcome, it will be the greatest halftime event in the history of halftime events: BRUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!.

What songs do you think Bruce will perform?

Quality time at The Morning Movies

I don't know how you feel about your sibling, but my sister is my best friend. We do a ton of stuff together, but there is one in particular that I enjoy: The Morning Movies.

Every Sunday, we go the AMC movie theatre at the Tilghman Square Shopping Center. My mom has dubbed this outing “St. Cinema” because instead of being at church we're at the movies. 

The best part about the outing is that any movie that starts before noon is only $4. My New Year’s resolution is to be thriftier, and after the movie we usually go to my favorite lunch place, Wendy’s, so it really is a win-win situation. 

Aside from the great price, the next best thing about attending The Morning Movies is that when the movie is over, you still have your whole day ahead of you to do other fun things around Lehigh Valley.  For example, last week after the movie we had plenty of time to go shopping at The Promenade Shops, watch the 5 hours of “24” I had on my TiVo and still make it to Stahley’s for dinner!

Shout out to Ro for being a great sister/movie watcher. Do you have a favorite person you like to hang out with?

A lesson in Brazilian food and culture

Last weekend I stepped out of my comfort zone when my family and I went to Rios Brazilian Steak House in Nazareth for my aunt and grandfather's birthday dinner. I love experiencing new cultures and even graduated with a minor in Anthropology, but I'm also a big baby about trying new things. I thought...Brazilian food? Nah. Boy, was I wrong!

They had a buffet with all kinds of salads and other goodies including salmon and chicken pot pie. Oh yea and try the Brazilian ginger ale; it's different from our ginger ale here!

The main course was the coolest thing (if you aren't a vegetarian). When you walk into the restaurant, off to the left you can see a fire pit with meat cooking on long skewers. At all times they have about 15 different kinds of meat you can try. They bring the skewers to your table and plop the pieces of meat right on your plate (but only if you have your "Yes please!" button facing up). My tip: save room for the sirloin wrapped in bacon!

We asked our friendly waiter if they eat like this in Brazil all the time. He said often times on the weekends they cook meals this way.

When my stomach couldn't possibly take any more, I turned my "No thanks!" button facing up to let them know I was beyond stuffed. We left happy and full and I felt good because I tried something new!

To see more pictures from my Rios dinner, check out my Facebook album (you don't need an account to view them).

I'm curious, what kind of food have you never tried, but always wanted to?

There once was a man named Zeisloff ...

Once upon a time, Moravian missionary George Zeisloff came from Germany and settled in the wild frontier of Eastern Pennsylvania. He built a log home - interlocking logs and filling in the cracks with a clay-and-horse-hair paste - and started a family. Within 20 years, during the French and Indian War, George and the majority of his family (a wife and three kids) were killed by Native Americans.

For almost 10 years of my life, I lived on a winding scenic road in New Tripoli named Zeisloff Road, the location of the Zeisloff Log House where the family perished more than 250 years ago. Compared to what the Zeisloffs went through, the most "dangerous" thing to ever happen on my hometown street was being snowed in during the blizzard of '96. Jeez, I had it easy.

The original Zeisloff Log House still exists today in Ontelaunee Park in New Tripoli. Right next door you'll find a replica of Fort Everett, another log structure built with the help of Ben Franklin back around the same time the Zeisloffs came to town. As far as I know, the buildings are only open during the Pioneer Days celebration in October, but because they're located in a public park, you can peak through the windows any other time.

So after the snow stops falling and the roads are clear, why not get out of the house and check out the Zeisloff log house and Fort Everett. While you're in the area, there's the Stanley Log House and the Frederick Leaser Log Cabin too (these are privately owned properties on the Lehigh County Log Cabin Trail, so no peaking in these windows). Happy trails!

Just like the good old days

Saturday afternoon, my wife and I went to our alma mater, Lehigh University, for a wrestling match against Harvard. It's hard to believe that this year is the 100th season of collegiate wrestling at Lehigh. 

The match was held in Grace Hall, named in 2001 by USA Today as one of the five greatest indoor college venues. Known as "The Snakepit," it is a great place to watch a match. 

While the Lehigh crowd was a bit subdued to start, a fall by 141-pounder Seth Ciasulli in 37 seconds got them going. But what brought them to their feet was when 184-pound David Craig, ranked 15th in the nation, took down Harvard's Louis Caputo, ranked 7th, with eight seconds left to win the match. The roar of the crowd made it feel like the good old days, but with fewer people. Lehigh went on to beat Harvard 38 to 3. 

College wrestling is the one sport my wife (a person who can fall asleep at football games in the stadium) understands. She was thrilled to see Lehigh win one big. With a 19 - 1 record in dual meets this season, they're now ranked 8th in Division 1.

Over the years, Lehigh has had 26 individual NCAA Champions in wrestling. During the match, eight more national champions were recognized, four of which were local high school wrestlers. Many people believe that it's because of Lehigh that high school wrestling is so strong in Lehigh Valley. What do you think?

Little Drummer Boy

Overall this weekend was pretty low key for me. Well, except for listening to Michael beat on the drum set he got for Christmas most of the weekend. Now, he's not that bad for only have been playing for a month, but thank goodness they make Motrin because my head needed it anyhow.

His drumming reminded me of a really cool annual event in Lehigh Valley: the Drum Corps International Eastern Classic at J. Birney Crum Stadium in Allentown.

Now it's been a couple years since I've actually seen the event - by the time I remember that DCI is in town, tickets have been sold out for weeks - but if the wind is just right, I can hear it at my house, clear across town.

My favorite thing about this event is that Allentown doesn't just play host to the dozen drum corps from across the country - it's also represented in the competition. The Cadets are one of the oldest marching music ensembles in the world (formed in 1934) and they're good! They have 19 National Championships and 9 World Championships under their belts.

Have a listen for yourself:

Now Michael is never going to enter any drum corps competition because he is too old, among other things, but he would love to become the next Keith Moon. Dream on!

Have you ever been to a drum corps competition? If so, I would love to hear what you like best.

What's old is new again

Growing up in the region, our favorite place to shop was always the Lehigh Valley Mall. It's where we faithfully did our back-to-school, holiday and special occasion shopping.

But as I got older, I found that my trips to the Mall were becoming less frequent. I just didn't want to deal with the traffic on MacArthur Road, the parking and the groups of roving teens.

However, I think I've found a new reason to return. Over a year ago the mall added a group of stores called the Outdoor Shops at Lehigh Valley Mall. Finally Lehigh Valley was going to get the upscale stores we'd been craving; the ones we'd been driving to King of Prussia to shop at all of these years.

I like the outdoor factor since you're not cooped up inside the mall. It just feels more free and less confining. I know that the outdoor approach is suppose to mimic the old-fashioned downtown shopping district, but I don't think it does. However it's very walkable and easy to get around.

So far, I've explored the Apple store, Williams-Sonoma and Ann Taylor Loft. I've also eaten at Bravo Cucina Italiana. Oh and I've been in the Barnes & Noble too, but we already had one of them here so not too exciting.

Next time I go shopping, I'll visit a few more stores until I've knocked all of them off my to do list. Who knows what I'll find!

So what are your thoughts on the new, upscale stores that have come to our region in the last few years? Do you shop at them, or are you more of a Target and Wal-Mart kind of person?

Weekend Wrap Up

Last weekend I had 3 tasks to accomplish, but there was a late addition (a trip up to Famous Smoke Shop) to the list Friday after work. The late addition made me 3 for 4, not to shabby. Disc golf had to be postponed - it was way too cold.

Famous Smoke Shop was a nice addition. Every Friday from 4 to 7, ESPN 1230 and 1320 broadcast their “Happy Hour” show from Famous. I went up there with my buddies Chad and Zig - we each smoked a Rocky Patel and sipped on some complimentary Butthead Lager. Both the beer and cigar were tasty.

It was a neat scene - you have the sports radio show, beer and cigars, and a group of older gentlemen in suits and sweater vests lounging in leather chairs and couches. We had a good time and are definitely going again soon.

As expected, I reeked of cigar smoke, so I took a shower and Casey and I met up with a few other couples at PigPen’s. They really did a nice job of converting a bowling alley into a night club. They actually built a stage on top of the old lanes.

One thing became very apparent to me while I was there ... although I like tribute bands, I do not like cover bands. If I ever have to hear "Living on a Prayer" or "Jenny 867-5309" again, I might lose it. Besides that, I think PigPen’s successfully fills a void in the Lehigh Valley night life department.

As far as watching football on Sunday, we all know what happened, and there is no need to discuss.

This weekend is the IceBowl Disc Golf Tourney. Hopefully I do well, and stay warm.