Lehigh Valley InSite

25 years in Lehigh Valley - then vs. now

Last night the Lehigh Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau celebrated 25 years in the tourism business, so I thought I would do a little compare and contrast of tourism events and attractions. Here's Lehigh Valley 1984 vs. Lehigh Valley 2009.

* Pro baseballin Lehigh Valley was in the middle of a very long drought in 1984. The last major league affiliated team, the Allentown Red Sox, left town in 1960 (interesting fact: the Allentown Red Sox played at Max Hess Stadium, which is where the Lehigh Valley Mall is now located). Now we have the hugely successful AAA Philadelphia Phillies associated Lehigh Valley IronPigs, which arrived in 2008, and play in Allentown's beautiful Coca Cola Park. (Check out some of the past Lehigh Valley InSite blog posts on the IronPigs here.) 

* Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom. 1984 was a big year for Dorney Park. They were recovering from a fire that destroyed many buildings and rides the year before but also celebrating their 100th anniversary! Obviously, 25 years later Dorney celebrated another anniversary, their 125th, and is now a top notch amusement and water park. (Check out some of the past Lehigh Valley InSite blog posts on Dorney Park here.)

* Golf. Lehigh Valley used to be a tough place to get a tee time 25 years ago with only 7 public courses:
* Willow Brook Golf Course (9 holes at the time)
* Twin Lakes now Iron Lakes Country Club
* Green Pond Country Club
* Allentown Municipal Golf Course
* Bethlehem Golf Club
* Locust Valley Golf Club
* Wedgewood Golf Course.
25 years later, I'm happy to say we are a hacker’s paradise. Since 1987, Lehigh Valley has doubled in public golf courses. 
* 1986 Indian Creek Golf Course
* 1992 Center Valley Club
* 1993 Southmoore Golf Course
* 1993 Whitetail Golf Club
* 1995 Olde Homestead Golf Club
* 2004 The Club at Morgan Hill
* 2006 Riverview Country Club.

I think I'm going to continue this comparison next week. Not sure on who or what yet, but I will dig up some goodies though so stay tuned.

In the meantime, what changes have you noticed in Lehigh Valley over the past 25 years? 

Lock Ridge Iron Furnace is Recognized

A couple of weeks ago I went to the unveiling of the official state historical marker commemorating Lock Ridge Iron Furnace in Alburtis. Lock Ridge Furnace was the last furnace in the U.S. to solely use anthracite coal as fuel. 

The remnants of the 1868 Lock Ridge Iron Furnace, which look a bit like the ruins of a castle, are actually located in a beautiful park. At this time of year with the leaves changing, it is a great opportunity to see some history and enjoy fall foliage at the same time. You can also visit some of the merchants in the business district of Alburtis while you are there. 

The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission administers the historical marker program throughout the state. The Lock Ridge Iron Furnace/Alburtis marker is the 31st site in Lehigh County; there are 69 sites in Northampton County. That's a total of 100 sites in Lehigh Valley. How many have you seen?

Only in Lehigh Valley: the Martin Guitar Factory Tour

My boss is a huge fan of Martin Guitars. He owns at least five of them and he's been on the free factory tour numerous times (he says it never gets old). So on Friday, he took me to the Martin Guitar factory over in Nazareth to help me fulfill one of my last remaining New Year's resolutions for 2009: Take a factory tour of Martin Guitar.

Our tour guide handed out individual headphones and battery packs for all of us in the group to wear, that way no matter where we were in the tour we could hear what he was telling us, and we were off.

To start, we got to see samples of all the beautiful woods used to create the guitars. Our guide proceeded to explain each step of the guitar-making process to us as we came across that area of the factory. From the bending of the side woods to the different bracing patterns used to enhance the sound to the intricate mother-of-pearl inlay carving. After seeing first-hand the time and attention to detail the Martin employees put into each guitar, it's no wonder they're called artisans.

The tour took about an hour, although I would've liked it to have been a bit longer. Our group was a bit large, so I couldn't always see what the guide was talking about until we were on our way to the next stop on the tour but I didn't want to miss that part either.

Afterward, I received my special factory tour "gift" and headed toward the Martin Guitar museum. Even though I'm not a guitar player, I still appreciated Martin's rich history and beautiful craftsmanship, both perfectly illustrated by looking at the 1,000,000th Martin ever made, which happens to be on display.

Guided tours of the Martin Guitar factory are held Monday through Friday between 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., which is why it took me almost an entire year to fit it into my work schedule. But if you are visiting the area, have the day off or can take a long lunch, the tour is certainly worth it. Just ask my boss!

A day in the Lehigh Valley countryside

I recently received an email from County Line Orchards - the real Apple Store, out near Kempton - saying the Gala apples were ripe, so over Labor Day weekend my husband and I headed for the rolling hills, woods and working farms of the western Lehigh Valley.

After buying our apples, we stopped by the Kempton station of the WK&S Railroad. There you can get an old-fashioned train ride on the "Hawk Mountain Line" (named for the nearby bird sanctuary) back through the hills to the village of Wanamaker, below the picturesque Donat's Peak in Western Lehigh County.

When our son was young he loved the WK&S, and I was pleased to see that it looks better than ever, the station freshly painted and the train filling up with happy families. One boy I saw reminded me of ours -- his eyes were gleaming with excitement as he looked over the train and cars. I'll bet he went home with a wooden train whistle from the gift shop or a railroad patch for his mom to sew onto his jacket.

I recommend a ride on the WK&S. The chugging of the train and its whistle at the intersections makes it seem like it's taking you back through time as you travel on the tracks. Add to that the changing leaves, a drive through beautiful countryside to get there, and some apples and cider to take home, and you may have a perfect family day you'll be talking about for years to come.

This post was written by Lehigh Valley InSite guest blogger Nancy Wisser, who also writes the Clonehenge blog and contributes to the Weird Nazareth blog.

Was that a 1915 Oakland I just saw drive by?

Lehigh Valley is well known for its automotive tradition. This weekend that tradition is at its peak with Das Awkscht Fescht (starting Friday and running through Sunday). 

I am far from being a “gearhead”, but this antique auto show is amazing. Nearly 3,000 cars will make their way to Macungie Memorial Park for all or part of the weekend. (Saturday and Sunday, in my opinion, are the best days.)

I like to go early on Sunday morning and watch all the cars be driven in. With a cup of coffee in hand, I'll snag a seat at the stands set up by the car entrance by 7 a.m. for a couple of hours of entertainment.

After that my wife and I tend to wander the festival taking in the various models.  My wife’s favorites are the early Corvettes and the colorful Nash Metropolitans.  My favorites are the big wing cars of the late ‘50s and early ‘60s and the Avanti.

Another interesting aspect of the festival is the antique auto flea market; if you’re looking for parts, manuals, old advertisements and much more, you can find it there or they will tell you where to find it.

Some tips when you go:

1. Wear a hat. Shade is at a premium in the park. 
2. Bring a camera. You’re going to want pictures of some of these babies. 
3. Wear your walking shoes. 
4. Go early. Many of the cars leave between 4 - 4:30 p.m.
5. Stick around for the food and entertainment. The festival gets even better once the cars go. 

Will I see you at Das Awkscht Fescht?

Bethlehem's Blueberry Festival: an annual tradition

For the last several years I have been a faithful attendee of the Annual Blueberry Festival at Burnside Plantation in Bethlehem. I first found out about it from a neighbor in my apartment complex when I lived in the city. All it took was one visit and I was hooked!

I think what I like most about this small summer festival is its homey quality. Burnside Plantation is a bit of the countryside in the city. The elaborate gardens surrounding the historic homestead have been meticulously maintained, which makes a beautiful stage for the event. I don't think most residents even realize Burnside exists since it's so well camouflaged by trees and the Martin Tower building on 8th Avenue.

Once I arrive, I'm on a mission to take it all in - except for the petting zoo, which I leave for the families. I usually start my visit with a tour of the many crafters' booths. In the past I've bought jewelry, stained glass and a ceramic pot. Next I head over to the house for a tour by costumed guides, followed by some nosh from the food tent. Finally, I settle with a slice of homemade blueberry pie and blueberry ice cream in front of the stage for some entertainment. It really is a great way to enjoy summer!

Have you ever attended the Blueberry Festival? Think you'll go this year?

Now This is an Auto Stimulus Package!

The current dismal news about the challenges being faced by the auto industry made my trip to see the classic cars from the Nicola Bulgari collection at America on Wheels all the more compelling. 

Quick "local" side note: Bulgari stores a portion of his collection in a warehouse in Allentown. And since he believes that "cars are made to be driven," all of them are driven, often around Lehigh Valley, PA.

Now, back to the exhibit.

Eleven cars, built between 1931 and 1941, are on display as America on Wheels' current changing exhibit; however, this represents a mere portion of Bulgari's collection. Here are some highlights from my visit:

• 1936 Hudson Custom 8 Series 65 Convertible (pictured) - my favorite, although it’s a challenge to limit it to just one. The color, trim and pop up wing windows demonstrate just how well-designed this car is. And the flashy yet functional bumpers made me realize how cosmetically simple today's cars are compared to those of the 1930s.
• One of 7,200 LaSalles that were manufactured by hand in nearby Fleetwood, PA (a surprise to me) is on display. 
• 1931 Chrysler CG Imperial Dual Cowl Phaeton - a convertible with a Straight 8 384 cubic inch engine, I consider this to be the most ornate car in the exhibit.
• 1935 Nash Ambassador Sedan - a big car with plenty of legroom and height for those taller folks, something you'll be hard-pressed to find in a modern car.
• 1940 Supermodel 59 Estate wagon - formerly owned by Bette Davis; it was given to her after it appeared alongside her in several movies. 

You really need to see these vehicles up close to get a sense of the elegant design that once made the U.S. auto industry great. I say, bring back vehicles with flair and verve like these and we will see a resurgent auto industry. 

Think you'll go see this exhibit at America on Wheels? (It runs until October 15!)

1776, the musical, is top-notch theater!

When I mentioned wanting to go to the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, my husband Don was not enthused until I told him which show was on the top of my list - the Tony Award-winning musical "1776." How lucky we are to have Broadway quality theater right here in Lehigh Valley PA!

This was my first time experiencing 1776 but Don had seen it years ago. Kudos to the good people at DeSales University who bring us this festival ... he enjoyed their production more than the show in New York.

From the moment the curtain opened I felt as if I was actually witnessing history in the making. When taught in school, Congress signing the Declaration of Independence seemed so matter-of-fact. The actors playing John Adams, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and the rest really brought to life the passionate debate and compromise that preceded the final document's signing, and did so with intensity, humor and song.

I especially liked the way John and his wife Abigail's actual love letters back and forth help tell the story from a founding "family" perspective. In today's world, they'd be text-messaging constantly!

Every aspect of this show was top notch: the set, lighting, orchestra ...I could go on forever. At the end, the entire audience sprang to its feet for a well deserved standing ovation.

Will you go and sign the Declaration of Independence too? There are 14 more show times to experience PSF's "1776" for yourself. 

*Thanks to PSF & Lee A. Butz for the above photo.

Wow! 100 vendors at Nazareth's Arts & Crafts Festival

I'm hoping Saturday's weather is good and not just because I'm off - I'm planning to attend the annual Arts & Crafts Festival on the lawn at the historic Whitefield House in Nazareth. (If the weather's a wash, it relocates to Nazareth Area High School.)

I like these kinds of community events because they really help me feel connected to my Lehigh Valley. Plus, this one's a fundraiser for the Moravian Historical Society, which means I'll be supporting my Lehigh Valley too. 

The free event is slated to feature more than 100 vendors selling everything from crafts made of wood and cloth, to silver and beaded jewelry, to fine art and pottery. It starts at 9 a.m. and goes until 3 p.m. which doesn't sound like enough time to make it to all of the vendors, but I'm up for a challenge.

The Nazareth Community Band and the Nazareth Big Swing Band will be performing, which is my kind of music - it's almost like they were thinking of me when they booked the entertainment ;)

When I'm in the mood for a little nosh, I'll have my pick of hot dogs, barbecue and some traditional Moravian sugar cake. Better yet, every food purchase I make will directly benefit the local service clubs and non-profits who are selling it as their own fundraiser.

If I have a little time, I might even explore the museum exhibits inside Whitefield House, since admission is only $1 all day.

Parking is on the street only which means I might have to circle the block a couple times to get a spot. But it sounds like it's going to be worth it. I'm looking forward to it.

Which summer arts and crafts festivals in Lehigh Valley are your favorites?

My trip to jail

While most college students head to the beach for spring break, I went to Canada ... and visited my first prison. While some people actually pay money to sleep at the Ottawa Jail, I preferred touring the location and learning about its haunting history.

My guided tour of the Old Jail Museum in Jim Thorpe was filled with lots of interesting stories and lots of usual sights.

Did you know, female inmates had televisions in their cells?

Did you know, a prisoner once tried to escape by stripping naked and buttering himself up to squeeze out one of the jail's very narrow windows, only to get caught midway out when a neighbor woman informed the warden that a naked man was hanging out a window?

Did you know, several of the infamous Molly Maguires hung to their deaths from the gallows in the main cell block (and their ghosts are occasionally seen hanging from the gallows to this day)?

Did you know, in Cell 17, there's a handprint on the wall that never disappears, despite efforts to clean, repaint and rebuild the wall? (The photo above is from Cell 17, but the Old Jail Museum no longer allows photographs of their chief attraction.)

Unfortunately, some of the older folks in my group missed out on parts of the tour - like going down into the dungeon to experience what it was like in one of the solitary confinement cells in the pitch dark! - because of all the stairs. No elevators here, folks - the Old Jail Museum has been kept as historically accurate as possible.

Any suggestions on the next jail I should visit?