Lehigh Valley InSite

Class of 99 celebrates in Lehigh Valley

Over the Thanksgiving holiday I attended my 10 year class reunion at the Holiday Inn Conference Center in Fogelsville. It'is hard to believe that it has been 10 years since I graduated from Whitehall High School. (I am sure it will be even more difficult to comprehend each one after this.) What's even stranger is that nothing really changes: The reunion was like being back in the cafeteria but with alcohol instead of chocolate milk.

It was a decent time. I was kind of disappointed with the DJ, which shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone who knows me. You'd think that the last class from the 90s would have had some 90s music playing at their reunion but I didn't hear one song from Nirvana, Pear Jam, or Alice In Chains. Not only was 90s grunge ignored, but so was hip hop and rap from the decade. Hip hop and rap exploded during the 90s! All the DJ had to do was put on Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg’s "Chronic" album and the place would have been bumpin. Instead we had Lady Gaga. I should of snuck into the class of '79s party next to ours; they were playing Bruce, Led Zeppelin, and The Stones and the place was going crazy.

Music aside, we had an open bar and hors d'oeuvres for four hours. Unfortunately for the class of '99 (who apparently can drink), we were cut off 45 minutes before it was supposed to end. That didn’t make people too happy. 

Besides the music - which to me makes or breaks a party - and the early alcohol cut-off, it was a lot of fun catching up with people.

Have you been to a class reunion in Lehigh Valley lately?

Explore Your Passion at Northampton Community College

Have you ever wished that you knew how to paint with oils? Or wondered if you could cut a rug like the folks on Dancing with the Stars? If you’re anything like me, you’ve got a ton of creative energy bubbling beneath the surface but nowhere to channel it. One of the best outlets I’ve discovered is Northampton Community College’s non-credit leisure courses for adults.

Over the years, I’ve taken oil painting, drawing, yoga, ballroom dancing, Latin dance and, most recently, sewing. I’ve found these classes to be an affordable and convenient way to explore hobbies I wouldn’t normally have exposure to. Plus, I’ve been able to put my newfound skills to good use - waltzing with my husband at weddings, creating paintings that hang in our home, and sewing Christmas tree ornaments for my annual ornament exchange.

With locations throughout Lehigh Valleyand online, NCC offers over 600 non-credit courses in every discipline you can imagine from fine arts to computer skills to personal finance and investing. So rather than being cooped up at home this winter season, get out and cook, dance, or learn a new language (a complete list of NCC’s non-credit course offerings is available online).

This post was written by Lehigh Valley InSite guest blogger Erika Liodice, who also writes the Journeys and Beyond the Gray blogs.

An event at the Kemerer Museum in Bethlehem, Pa.

Last month I told you about a luncheon I attended at America on Wheels. Well, I've got another great location to tell you about. Yesterday I went to the Women's Business Council's "Holiday Tea & Trees" event held at the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Artsin Bethlehem. Basically, it was a fund-raising event for the WBC's scholarship fund.

I've toured lots of museums in Lehigh Valley, including the Kemerer on several occasions, but many in the WBC had never been there until yesterday (ladies, you really need to get out more often!). Charlene Donchez-Mowers gave an abbreviated tour and everyone was really impressed with the collections on display for the holidays. It did my heart good to hear so many people say, "I'll have to come back with [fill in the name] to see the entire dollhouse collection!"

What made this event special?'

• Cool, very unique location.
• Great selection of teas from Christine's Secret Garden (Christine KNOWS tea!).
• Wonderful munchies and desserts from Sagra Cooking.
• Free gift bags with lots of coupons from Bethlehem merchants.

Ok, I didn't win any of the trees I bid on in the Chinese auction, but I know my $10 donation will be put to good use. I did, however, get to mingle with a great group of colleagues and re-visit one of Historic Bethlehem Partnership's truly unique museums.

What is your favorite Historic Bethlehem site to visit?

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

It's Rosie's first Christmas - very exciting times - so we headed out to Unangst Tree Farm in Bath to get the perfect tree. Well, more like Mike, Rosie and I went with my in-laws so THEY could hunt for the perfect LIVE tree. I didn't want to take Rosie hunting in the garage for our perfect PRE-LIT ARTIFICIAL tree we bought a few years ago. Plus, if you read my blog from last week, you know that she likes the outdoors, so off we went to the tree farm in Bath.

Unangst Tree Farm is an experience. First, they take you on a hayride to the spot where the trees are. Then they provide the saws and the fun begins (oh, and by "fun" I mean four adults bickering over what the perfect tree looks like). Once the perfect tree was decided upon, my brother-in-law took the saw and start hacking away...TIMBER...Then the guys drug the tree back to the hayride stop where lumberjack-types tagged and bagged it for us. Once we got back to where we began our adventure, we went into the barn where you can shop for wreaths, swags, homemade jam, etc. All in all, our trip to Unangst Tree Farm was a very nice holiday experience.

WAIT...I almost forget to tell you about the best part. The Girl Scouts were having a bake sale! My nephew Jacob and I enjoyed some delicious cupcakes. Do you like bake sales as much as I do?

Where do you buy your Christmas tree?

Things to do in Lehigh Valley: 2009 Recap

It was about this time last year when I started coming up with my "Things do in Lehigh Valley" lists. These three lists (Top 5 Plays, Top 5 Restaurants, Top 5 Overall) were my New Year's resolutions for 2009. Since the year is almost over, I've decided to take a look at how I did.

Lehigh Valley Theater: Top 5 Plays for 2009: I was three for five in this category (although one of the plays I planned to attend was actually canceled, so I was actually three for four). Here are my reviews of the performances I saw at three fantastic venues throughout Lehigh Valley:

• Sweeney Todd at State Theatre
• Death of a Salesman at DeSales University
• Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead at Zoellner Arts Center

Lehigh Valley Eats: Top 5 Restaurants for 2009: I didn't do so hot in this category. I only made it to two of the five restaurants. But I still have 30 days to hit up the three I missed. Anyone care to join me for dinner at Glasbern, Stoned Crab or Magnolia's? In the meantime, here are my reviews of the restaurants I got to:

• Blue Grillhouse & Wine Bar
• King George Inn

Things to do in Lehigh Valley: Top 5 for 2009: I did four out of the five, my best record yet. Here are my recaps of the new experiences I've had over the past year:

• Go climbing at North Summit Climbing Gym
• Make a glass flower at Banana Factory
• Go to a Lehigh Valley IronPigs game
• Take a tour of the Martin Guitar Factory

Considering I had a total of 15 New Year's resolutions and I've kept nine of them so far (remember, I may end the year with 12 if I can get to those last three restaurants), that's not too bad, right?

How'd you do with your 2009 New Year's resolutions? Did any of them involve experiencing something new in Lehigh Valley?

Oh baby! Things to do with a new baby in the Valley

Back in July, I had a baby. And so far, it has been quite an adventure.

While out on maternity leave, which I recently returned from, baby Rosie and I got into quite a routine of eating, napping, watching TV, eating, napping, watching TV … get the picture? I needed to break out of this rut, so I decided to take my new ‘travel system’ to Trexler Park in Allentown and take a stroll.

Rosie didn’t seem to take notice of the lovely scenery this beautiful park had to offer but I sure did! The paths are pretty flat, perfect for a new Mom navigating a stroller for the first time. I might have gone a little overboard by covering the stroller with the mosquito netting, like we were on an African Safari, but we had fun.

Over the next few weeks we broke in the stroller by taking it to The Promenade Shops,  Musikfest, Lehigh Parkway in Allentown and the Ironton Rail Trail.

Rosie really seems to love our trips outdoors (I’m thinking hospital switch) so I will be taking her to ‘walk’ around Historic Bethlehem and visit Santa at Christkindlmarkt.

Does anyone have a favorite place to take a baby for some outdoor fun in Lehigh Valley?

UFC Night at Copperhead Grille

After watching Penn State close out their season with a huge win over Michigan State, I was in a good mood on Saturday and therefore willing to try something new that night. So I met some people at a place I'd never been before - Copperhead Grille in Center Valley - to do something I've never done before - watch the UFC pay-per-view event (a $45 event which Copperhead broadcasts for free!).

Copperhead Grille - a self-proclaimed sports grille - was packed when I got there a little after 9pm, but luckily George and Chris had already secured a table. I guess because I was still thinking about the PSU game, I noticed right away that every table in the place had a good view of at least one TV or the huge movie-theater screen, making it a great place to watch the big game - or in this case, the big fight.

As soon as I sat down, a waitress was at the table asking me if I'd like a drink; for how full the place was, I was impressed at the quick service. 

I glanced over the menu, which was chock full of tasty-sounding creations like the Drunken Cowboy steak, the Chicken Penne Vodka pasta and the U-Need-A-Fajita. Since there were just too many choices for me to pick from, I asked George what was good - he recommended the Flat Bread Chicken Quesadillas. But I was feeling adventurous, so instead of ordering what was recommended, I ordered the Copperhead Favorite Fries- seasoned potato-wedge-type fries covered in melted cheeses and bacon with Cajun ranch for dipping. They were de-li-cious!

Based on my experience, Copperhead Grille has a great menu (including their drink and dessert menu, with champagne martinis and huge brownie-n-ice cream sundaes), equally good food and a great atmosphere for friends hanging out or even a date - although if you do decide to take your date to Copperhead on UFC night, make sure she doesn't mind the sight of blood.

Have you been to either Copperhead Grille location in Lehigh Valley?

My Boy's Baking

I was running an errand for a client the other day (client! work! yay!) and stopped by My Boy's Baking (196 Nazareth Pike, "Bethlehem" - just north of 22 on Route 191 next to Susan's Gourmet). I'd heard that Rachael Ray was a fan (their White Chocolate Sour Cherry Cookies were once her "Snack of the Day") and I had passed by many time but I hadn't stopped in since the bakery hours are 10-5, M-F. This time I actually pulled into the parking lot.

The outside may not look like much, but the inside smells like ... heaven. Bright and clean, there's no place to "eat in" - probably dangerous for those of us with a sweet tooth anyway. A ton of colorful baskets, trays and plates were displayed, just waiting to be loaded up with freshly-baked goodies.

I picked up a box of cookies to take back to my client and a few fliers. The chocolate chip-toffee cookies were still warm and I am salivating even as I type this the next day. I meant to photograph the cookies, but they disappeared! Oops!

Visiting their web site reminded me of another great way local businesses diversify; I'll bet they get a lot of online orders from biscotti and rugalachfanatics, especially now since Rach has introduced them to the world!

Have you been to My Boy's Baking?

This post was written by Lehigh Valley InSite guest blogger Megan Santucci, who also writes the Lehigh Valley Transplant blog.

Our new favorite watering hole in West End Allentown

Last Saturday night was a date night for Michael and I. We were headed to Civic Theatre to see It Might Get Loud, but we also wanted to grab a bite to eat and have a cocktail or two before the movie started. We thought we would stop at Charlie Brown's Steakhouse, which is en route, since we were running short on time, but 6 p.m. on a Saturday night in Lehigh Valley isn't a good time to find anything without a wait. We struck out there, so I suggested the Fairgrounds Hotel & Saloon in the west end of Allentown.

Stepping into the bar was like taking a trip back in time. I actually did my college externship at the same location, but it was called Nathan's at the Fairgrounds. I don't think the bar changed a bit. It's an oval shaped bar with dark wood, mirrors and several TVs. We didn't venture into the dining side since they weren't serving food at that hour. But, the bartender was nice enough to get us some cheese, ring bologna and crackers, which was just enough to hold us over until after the movie. 

The Fairgrounds Hotel & Saloon has a lot of character, and we'll definitely head back there in the future. The only thing I really didn't care for was that it still allows smoking, but the prices couldn't be beat - four cocktails were only $15.25!

Have you tried The Fairgrounds Hotel & Saloon for the food? I would love to hear your comments on it.

Watching the world end in comfort at Rave Motion Pictures in Center Valley

Sunday night I did something I hadn't done for a long time: I went to the movies. Now, yes, I did go to Civic Theatre back in July for the indy flick "Cheri," but the last time I was in a regular movie theater was two years ago to see the very disappointing "Beowulf."

We figured the 7:45pm showing of "2012" (which even has a local connection) on one of the 16 screens at Rave theater at The Promenade Shops would be perfect timing to finish watching the Eagles/Chargers game and grab something to eat beforehand. Needless to say, we didn't get to eat and we got into our seats in time to see the last preview before the feature started - thanks, Eagles!

It was my first time at Rave, the only place my friends say they'll ever go to see a movie in Lehigh Valley. The minute we sat down in the stadium-style theater, I knew exactly why: they have high-backed, super-cushiony seats that recline! It's like sitting in a La-Z-Boy.

To get to those cushy seats, we had to pass by people already seated since we got there so late. Luckily, the rows at Rave are wide enough that you can actually walk by the people already seated and they don't have to stand up to let you through. Nice!

I paid $9.50 to get in to the movie, so I knew what kind of prices to expect when I went to get a soda and some candy mid-way through the movie. What I didn't expect was a lethargic teenager behind the counter who decided it was time to restock the cups rather than serve me so I could get back to my movie. 

After the movie ended, I followed the flood of women into the ladies room. Aside from the neon orange paint that jolted me awake after sitting in the dark for nearly three hours, I was impressed with the cleanliness and the fact I didn't have to stand around doing the "dance" because there were plenty of stalls.

Have you ever been to Rave?