ISSUE No
18
S P R I N G 2 018 Celebrating local shopping, dining, arts, events, and community
City of
Bethlehem Women of Bethlehem: Past & Present
You invest in your community. You empower small business. You enable non-profits. T H A N K YO U F O R F O U R YEARS OF READING FIG A N D LO V I N G LO C A L . TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Fig was born to lift up independent businesses and non-profits in the City of Bethlehem. Join us on our mission. Learn more and explore local content at figbethlehem.com.
B E A PA RT O F F I G ! Have a business that’s hungry to be in Fig? Contact Kiera (kiera@figindustries.com) and ask her about the summer Food + Drink issue, launching June 12!
Women’s work The City of Bethlehem is growing and changing like never before. Meet some of the dynamic women who are working to enrich our community.
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giving back
authentic
Running a shop that supports an important cause: Michelle Orr.
Setting a powerful example in a South Side school: Sonia Vazquez.
PA G E 8
PA G E 5 8 IN THIS ISSUE
voices
social mission
The sounds of our city from Lehigh Valley Underground: meet The Hook.
Meet our 2018 Social Mission Partner: Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley.
PA G E 2 1
PA G E 4 9
And of course,
great shopping, dining, arts, events, and community— as always. KEEP READING
single sisters An historic site with a progressive view: from our partners at Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites. PA G E 1 4
community supporters Supporting the growth of the City of Bethlehem. PA G E 6 0
On the cover: Published author, Kate Racculia, with just a few of her books written by her favorite female authors.
ISSUE 18 / SPRING 2018 / BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA / WOMEN OF BETHLEHEM: PAST & PRESENT
C R E AT E D A N D P R O D U C E D BY F I G I N D U S T R I E S Creative thinkers and makers with a forever mission of Design For Good. Learn more about our mission and meet our team at figindustries.com. PUBLISHER Fig Industries DIRECTOR Kiera Wilhelm C O M M U N I C AT I O N S Erin Cusack Kelly McAllister Susan Bowser Anthony Gorick Regina Sukanick P R I N T I N G PA RT N E R The Standard Group
WRITERS Kate Racculia Steve Neumann Gerard Longo DESIGNERS Ian Berg Josh Seibert Michael Baker Melissa McDade PHOTOGRAPHERS Karlo Gesner Matthew Tennison
C O M M U N I T Y PA RT N E R S A N D C O N T R I B U T O R S ArtsQuest Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites
Jon Lunger
Kristina Cole
Lehigh Valley Underground
Vanessa Palumbo
SouthSide Arts District
George Wacker
ALL THINGS SOCIAL Look for Fig Bethlehem on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for daily coverage of local entertainment, events, food, fashion, and community.
A D V E RT I S I N G I N F I G To find out how you can strategically and effectively market your business through the Fig communications package, contact Kiera Wilhelm at kiera@figindustries.com.
Fig Industries, LLC has made every attempt to ensure that all information contained in this publication has been obtained from reliable sources, but all such information is provided “as is” with no guarantee of completeness or accuracy. The views of contributors do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of Fig Industries, LLC. Fig Industries, LLC cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions contained in, or reliance made upon the contents of, this publication. Copyright: Copyright 2018 © Fig Industries, LLC. All rights reserved. Photography or page layout contained in Fig shall not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without the specific written permission of Fig Industries, LLC. Contact 717.394.7737 or info@figbethlehem.com.
W H E N T H E D I R E C T O R S ’ team at Fig decided to focus our spring issue on the inspiring women in our respective cities, it was a “heck yes!” moment. Without hesitation, each of us began rattling off the names of impactful businesses and organizations led by women in our communities. For the past three months, I’ve had the pleasure of gathering the stories of these women: stories of risks taken, obstacles overcome, and successes achieved. Business owners, community leaders, artists, and entrepreneurs—these are unique individuals whose paths are as diverse as their passions. This issue celebrates the journeys and accomplishments of 38 hard-working, risk-taking, dream-chasing women in Bethlehem. And don’t get us wrong—we know there are plenty more of you out there.
This issue also honors those who came before us. The Moravian traditions of our city’s founders included a pretty progressive view of women for the time, producing female leaders, educators, artists, innovators, and farmers. You’ll read about the Single Sister’s House in Historic Bethlehem where some of these women lived—and where a rich series of programs and workshops takes place today.
When I was 13, my Great-Great Aunt Emma brought me a silver cuff bracelet from a recent trip she had taken to India. Emma was a world traveler, a Master’s degree-holding former school principal, and a die-hard Phillies fan who lived a rich and full 110 years. You can see the bracelet in my photo over there. Creating this issue, I’ve thought a lot about Auntie Em, and of all the women who have inspired me over the years. I can safely say that I now have 38 more women to add to that list. We hope you’re inspired, too. KIERA WILHELM & THE FIG INDUSTRIES TEAM
A NOTE FROM FIG
a tribute to those who inspire.
As fresh as it gets! C H E F & OW N E R S T E V E ’ S G A R D E N , providing organic produce for Twisted Olive’s deliciously seasonal menu.
T H E G R O W I N G S E A S O N I S B E G I N N I N G ! Chef, gardener, and owner Steve Kershner and his wife Sherri can often be found in their extensive home garden. Twisted Olive’s menu is set apart from the rest, featuring the fruits (and vegetables) of their labor, grown organically with lots of love. The duo plant, nurture, and harvest anything from Carolina Reaper peppers—the hottest pepper currently known to man—to figs. Stop in to see what’s cookin’—and growin’!
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51 WEST BROAD STREET 610.419.1200 TWISTEDOLIVEBETHLEHEM.COM
F R E S H FA C E Welcoming new businesses to Bethlehem. Mike Szerling and Pawel Zielinski
Fresh Face: Steel District Barbershop STEEL DISTRICT BARBERSHOP isn’t your grandfather’s barbershop; it’s all that, and more. From the hardwood floors, to the leather couch, to a three-chair setup that allows not only the barber to interact with his clients, but lets the clients interact with the other barbers and each other—Michael Szerling and Pawel Zielinski offer personalized service with a modern adaptation of classic style. “It’s the kind of barbershop where intimidation doesn’t exist,” says Kacper Waskiewicz, Pawel and Michael’s friend—and apprentice barber at Steel District. “When you walk in here, you’re greeted with a handshake and
a complimentary beverage of your choice.” Many clients choose among a variety of beers, which are rotated regularly. In fact, now that they’re firmly established with a regular clientele, the three are even looking for sponsors from local breweries. And in addition to their unique beverage service, clients also have the option of online booking which saves everybody time—but walk-ins are always welcome. Michael and Pawel have known each other for 15 years, and are both first generation barbers. “I never went to barber shops,” Michael says, “I just 77 WEST BROAD STREET, UNIT 20
went to chain places and I was always getting jacked up. Finally, I said ‘Pawel, can you clean up around my ears?’” “He forced me,” says Pawel with a chuckle. “He was my first haircut.” Together, the pair decided that Bethlehem needed a barber shop like this one — a shop that can handle all types of haircuts with a classic feel to it. Steel District Barbershop isn’t just a barber shop. It’s a place where you can hang out and spend some time with the guys—three friends who treat you like a proper client—and where every haircut, every service matters.
610.849.2134
STEELDISTRICTBARBERSHOP.COM
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GIVING BACK Making a difference in the lives of others.
PHOTO BY: CHRISTA NEU
Giving Back: My Sister’s Closet “I’ VE SEEN A LOT OF WOMEN M I S T R E AT E D ,” says Michelle Orr, Vice President of My Sister’s Closet, “and I’ve wanted to help them feel encouraged.” Michelle initially came to My Sister’s Closet as a volunteer a little over 10 years ago. Shortly after, she became a sales associate, then boutique manager and, finally, Vice President. My Sister’s Closet is a retail boutique that was the original funding source for the Truth for Women organization, which runs Truth Home in the Lehigh Valley — a therapeutic residence offering a safe place for survivors of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation.
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Volunteers, like Michelle was, are the backbone of the organization. They keep the programs running while it receives funding from churches, fundraisers like an annual 5K, a silent auction, the fashion show at The Hotel Bethlehem, and of course, donations. “An anonymous donor made a matching donation of $20,000 this year,” Michelle says. “We were able to raise over $30,000, so we received the full amount he donated.” Michelle has always loved fashion and retail, but in the future she sees herself speaking to the community more. She wants to be able to provide updates about the encouraging stories of the work they’re doing, like the one that
LEARN MORE ABOUT FIG GIVING BACK AT FIGBETHLEHEM.COM
happened this past Christmas. A horse and carriage company in Bethlehem donated free rides to all the women in Truth Home, complete with tiaras from the Dollar Tree. They proceeded down main street, waving to people they didn’t know and who didn’t know them. “One of the women came back to the home that night,” Michelle says, “and said she’d never felt more beautiful in her life.” “That’s why we keep doing what we’re doing,” she continues, “because their childhood was stolen from them. To be able to give them a little bit of a childhood experience is really priceless.”
BETHLEHEM: 3400 BATH PIKE EASTON: 4003 WILLIAM PENN HIGHWAY, SUITE 305
Love Film?
NOW IN ITS
15 th
MA RK YO U R C AL EN DAR S!
year
June 12TH thru 16TH
5 4 1
DAYS
VENUES
EVENT
SouthSide Film Festival presents five days of curated selections from Oscar winners and nominees, documentarians, students, and first-time filmmakers who bring their stories from around the world to share with Bethlehem. Hosting dozens of filmmakers from around the world, SSFF has established itself as an international festival with a small-town feel.
Venues:
LV CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS TOUCHSTONE THEATRE VICTORY FIREHOUSE GODFREY DANIELS
SouthSide Film Festival is dedicated to promoting the art of the independent filmmaker and the community culture of South Bethlehem. Since its first festival, SSFF has screened over 1300 films from 46 states and 90 countries, giving passionate filmmakers a venue to share their stories through moving pictures—stories told with vision, humor, anger, empathy, silliness, sorrow, and uplifting reverence. If you love film, don’t miss this extraordinary event.
[Take note]
our 6th annual
SSFF Fundraising Dinner AT MOLINARI’S
monday, june 11, 2018
[ Festival Eve! ]
Support the Festival and celebrate its 15th year with a multi-course dinner presented by a team of chefs from some of the Valley’s favorite restaurants, including Molinari’s own Chef Geo Dodig. This event sells out, so get your tickets early! www.ssff.org
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Frames for the whole Family Fox Optical prides itself on providing quality eyewear and exceptional service for every generation. Stop by soon and see their unique collection of frames! Eye examinations available by appointment only.
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28 EAST THIRD STREET
610.332.2400
FOXOPTICAL.COM
Mother/Daughter Models: Nina B. wearing Andy Wolf Eyewear, Gina B. wearing Oliver Peoples
F R E S H FA C E Welcoming new businesses to Bethlehem.
Fresh Face: Roasted FROM FRAGRANT COFFEE BEANS to nuts, meats, and veggies, there’s not much that doesn’t taste better when blasted with high, dry heat. Just think about Brussels sprouts, a Thanksgiving meal staple, and one of the menu items at Roasted. A boiled sprout is mushy and almost offensively odorous, while a roasted one is something altogether different: slightly charred and sweet, with wonderful little crispy leaves that provide textural delight. Nazareth native Derek Wallen—along with co-owners Chris and Shelli Topping—have transformed a formerly cramped space on West 4th Street into a deceptively spacious and beautifully appointed breakfast and lunch eatery, just as the Maillard reaction transforms
food into deep and rich caramelized goodness. That’s Roasted, where you can find not only meats and veggies, but creative takes on egg scrambles, breakfast sandwiches, sweet and savory pancakes, tacos, panini, salads, and much more. Derek met Chris selling him Apple Computers for his recording studio Little Creek Recording at Double Click. Shelli was working at the space’s former occupant, Blue Sky Café. “We love SouthSide,” Derek says. “We love the fact that there’s so much growth, especially food-wise. That’s how I always grew up, supporting local businesses.” 22 WEST 4TH STREET
In harmony with that ethos, much of the Roasted menu is sourced locally too, with support from small businesses like Yellow Sky Farm in Northampton and Homestead Coffee Roasters in Upper Black Eddy. Roasted’s diverse menu offers an omnivorous selection, with items ranging from scrapple—a sometimeshard-to-find Pennsylvania Dutch favorite— to vegan and vegetarian dishes, such as vegan chili and a glutenfree vegan black bean burger. So if your mouth is watering, stop by and sidle up to the butcher’s block bar beneath the skylight, or take a seat in the airy, highceilinged dining area with the rustic exposed brick—and don’t forget to try their Brussels sprouts! 610.849.2673
ROASTEDBETHLEHEM.COM
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casino hotel outlet center 9 restaurants event center
Spring on SouthSide SATU R DAY, A PR I L 2 8
ENTERING OUR 23rd YEAR, Saturday, April 28th, we hope to welcome over 23 competing chilies to contend for the Title of People’s Choice Best Chili and the Celebrity Judge’s Top Choice! With live art demonstrations, crafts for the kids, live music, and the new Banko Beverage Beer Garden—located on Mechanic street between Webster and Taylor streets— there’s something for every member of
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SOUTHSIDEARTSDISTRICT.COM
The Sands is dedicated to SouthSide business growth.
Prepare your taste buds for a Chili Challenge like no other at the SouthSide Arts District’s Spring on the SouthSide Community Festival & Chili Cook-Off.
the family at Spring on the South Side. Bring your Musikfest Mug for a special mug refill! Chili tastings will be stationed throughout the shops, restaurants on 3rd and 4th Streets, and South Bethlehem Greenway between 3rd and 4th streets. Chili passports and maps will be available online at
southsideartsdistrict.com or that day at the registration booth on the Greenway between Adams and New Streets. A $10 passport will get you 10 tastings to enjoy or share. Bring a canned food donation in support of New Bethany Ministries and the Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley’s Food Pantry, and you will receive a $2 discount on your passport!
The festival day includes: Photo by Peter Hershey
11 A M - 3 P M
CO P S ‘ N ’ K I D S C E LE B R AT I O N O F R E A D I N G Cops ‘N’ Kids 12th Annual Celebration of Reading and the Arts & Sciences. W H AT: Free entertainment, free books, free food, crafts, science experiments and more! WHERE: Northampton Community College Fowler Family SouthSide Center at 511 E. Third Street.
JOIN US ON THE SOUTHSIDE AS WE S AY G O O D BY E TO O LD M A N W I N T E R A N D H E LLO TO S P R I N G ! For more information, visit southsideartsdistrict.com or call 484-892-0395 to speak with Missy Hartney the SouthSide Arts District Manager.
A N D M A R K YO U R C A LE N DA R S : F I R S T F R I D AY
OUTDOOR MUSIC & BEER GARDEN C H I LI CO O K O F F C E LE B R AT I O N & B A N KO B E V E R AG E B E E R G A R D E N Chili Tastings throughout 3rd & 4th Streets and on the South Bethlehem Greenway! Pick up your passport at the registration booth located on the Greenway between Adams & New Streets. WHERE: Enjoy 10 tastings and vote for your favorite chili. Enjoy live music provided by Godfrey Daniels, sidewalk sales, live art demonstrations, crafts for the kids and the new Banko Beverage Beer Garden! Be sure to bring your Musikfest Mug! 3PM - 4PM
H OT P E P P E R E AT I N G CO N T E S T & WINNER ANNOUNCEMENTS Only the strong survive at Homebase Skate Shop’s HOT Pepper Eating Contest. Watch local heroes dive into the depths of spicy peppers, and see a new champion be crowned! Then stay for the announcement of our People’s Choice & Judge’s Choice Chili Winners! WHERE: The Godfrey Daniels Main Stage and Banko Beverage Beer Garden—located on Mechanic street between Webster and Taylor streets.
Starting May 4th—join us every First Friday of the Month for the addition of the Banko Beverage Beer Garden and Outdoor Live Music provided by Lehigh Valley Underground! Be sure to bring your Musikfest Mug and enjoy the sounds of summer! E V E R Y F R I D AY
O U T TO LU N C H CO N C E R T S E R I E S Starting May 4th—Dine alfresco every Friday from 12pm-2pm for our Out to Lunch Concert Series on the South Bethlehem Greenway (between New & Adams Streets). Enjoy take-out discounted lunch specials, live music, and pop-up vendors! Every week will be a different sound and style. Picnic tables and blankets will be provided, but seating is limited! Enjoy the beautiful weather, catch a free concert, and rock your lunch.
For more details on these events, visit S O U T H S I D E A RT S D I ST R I CT.CO M 77 SANDS BOULE VARD RESERVATIONS: 877.726.3777 PASANDS.COM
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The Single Sisters’ House: Past & Present
Thank you to our editorial sponsor— Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites
Here is where our story begins.
Step into the Single Sisters’ House and embark on a journey like no other. Close your eyes and picture it: The year is 1748; The United States, as we know it today, is not even a distant thought on the horizon. This collection of 13 American colonies are firmly under British rule—there is nothing united about them, each one considering itself more of a separate country with its own currency and culture than part of a greater whole. And Bethlehem? It is a fledgling settlement, barely seven years old. Its Moravian founders are still constructing more buildings, establishing and developing trades, and supporting their missionary work through a system called the General Economy. Individuals in Bethlehem each live as an active part of a Choir—a social group arranged according to age, gender, and marital status—in which each member gives his or her labor to the community in return for food, shelter, medical care, and education.
The Single Brethren had just outgrown a two-story structure with a two-story attic, built in 1744, and were ready to move down the street into their new, improved, and greatly expanded Single Brethren’s House. Anna Nitschmann, the spiritual leader of the Single Sisters’ Choir, saw her chance and fought for the Single Sisters to move into the recently vacated building instead of waiting for a place in Nazareth to be built. She won over the leaders of the Moravian Church, and the Sisters moved into their new home, the Single Sisters’ House. With each floor of the 1744 section at about 1,200 square feet, measuring a little more than a typical two-bedroom apartment (which comes to just under 1,000 square feet), the Single Sisters settled into their new home, brimming with a whole new world of opportunities and independence for these unmarried Moravian women—all 50 of them. What was it like to be a woman in a Moravian community during the 18th century?
Surprisingly progressive. The Moravians were a diverse society, and welcomed people from many places including Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Ireland, England, as well as African Americans and Native Americans. They believed that everyone should be educated, not just the sons of the wealthy—so males and females both received an education. The Sisters dressed uniformly in plain, full, gathered skirts and simple bodices, symbolic of their simple lifestyle and their desire to concentrate on their spirituality and purpose. At the Single Sisters’ House, the rooms on the first and second floors were used as work rooms while the third floor served as a sleeping hall, or Schlafsaal, where women and girls slept dormitory-style. The Sisters’ daily lives involved cooking, embroidering, sewing, teaching, tending the children, and partaking in religious services. But they were so much more than that. These women were educa-
tors, leaders, ordained ministers, artists, innovators, and farmers. Sister Maria Beaumont was considered a renowned pianist in Bethlehem. And Sister Anna Rosina Kliest was an avid writer, who would write dialogues for the seminary girls to perform, as well as a painting teacher, and a notable botanist. The Single Sisters’ House was not just a space where unmarried Moravian women worked and slept. It was their home, their community. Here is where they were allowed and encouraged to explore and develop their passion, free from the pressure of finding a husband. In a time when most other women had to rely on men to survive financially, these women
50 WEST CHURCH STREET 610.882.0450 HISTORICBETHLEHEM.ORG
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In a time when most other women had to rely on men to survive financially, these women supported and mentored each other.
supported each other, mentored each other, passed down their knowledge from one generation to the next, debated different topics with each other, and helped each other discover who they were as individuals. Here, they could be themselves. This sense of community is so powerful that, even after the General Economy officially ended in the 1760s, the Single Sisters’ Choir system of living—its values and its sense of family—remained in place. Although it was not necessarily a step for future individual financial growth, women could live together, be supported by each other, and lead independent lives. Polly Heckewelder, daughter of Moravian missionaries and born in the Ohio Territory, is a telling example of this. Polly grew up in Bethlehem and attended the Moravian Seminary for Young Ladies, before leaving to teach at Linden Hall (the Moravian girls’ School in Lititz). She eventually returned to Bethlehem to live in the Single Sisters’ House, where she resided for the rest of her life, and during the Civil War, organized the Soldier’s Relief Society of Central Moravian Church in 1861. It was this closeknit and supportive mindset that made the Single Sisters’ Choir the last Choir to remain in Bethlehem, outlasting the Single Brethren’s Choir by some 34 years.
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However, now that the General Economy was over, members of the Single Sisters’ Choir had to earn money and pay a stipend to live in the Single Sisters’ House. For example, in 1772, including meals, dormitory space, and miscellaneous items, the annual cost was 13 pounds which in today’s dollars would be very roughly $2,000 per year. So they turned to the skills and trades that they learned and began to sell their fine embroidery for profit while others spun, wove, and even farmed! When the Choir system dissolved in the mid-1800s, the rooms transformed into small apartments rather than the dormitory-style space it once had been—but the communal spirit of the Single Sisters continued. By the 1900s, women who were living in the Single Sisters’ House were witness to major world events such as two world wars, civil rights movements, global conflict, and the introduction of the internet. As the national and global landscapes changed, the space remained an affordable, safe, and supportive place for unmarried and independent women to live with its strong sense of community alive and well. This was a safe place for
50 WEST CHURCH STREET 610.882.0450 HISTORICBETHLEHEM.ORG
women in transition: from women who wanted to explore their identity before settling into marriage (or never getting married), to women who were divorced and needed somewhere to stay for a while, to senior citizens who wanted to live out their lives in an affordable place with a strong sense of security. Can you imagine a place today with such a mix of women? As these women adapted and changed, so did the Single Sisters’ House. In the 1950s, the basement of the 1772 Eastern Addition served as a fallout shelter where rations were also stored, and, in the 1980s, the dining room in the 1752 wing became an exercise room for the women to do aerobics!
This 1744/1752 wing of the Single Sisters’ House remained a residence until 2007. Its last remaining tenant lived in the building continuously from 1949, when she came here as a child with her mother. Shortly after, the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem began preservation work to make the Single Sisters’ House part of the Moravian Museum of Bethlehem in order to tell the unique story of these women and this historic structure, which had been a safe residence for women for 260 years. And, in 2012, Historic Moravian Bethlehem, a 14-acre section in the heart of Bethlehem that includes the Single Sisters’ House, was recognized as a National Historic Landmark District, one of the highest distinctions in the country. Today, the Single Sisters’ House is open to the public as an exhibition and programming space that houses a wide range of programs inspired by the women who lived within these walls. Programs include artist workshops, expert-led discussions,
yoga classes, crochet courses, self-defense classes, town halls full of community dialogue, and is also a visitor destination. With its foundation in the progressive Moravian tradition, it continues to serve as a celebration of past, present and inspiration for future generations of female leaders in Bethlehem through the support of the community and Moravian Museum of Bethlehem, a part of Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites. We invite you to experience the Single Sisters’ House, the Lehigh Valley’s only historically-rooted, bricks and mortar, women’s programming space, and continue its tradition of celebrating women’s ac-
complishments, discussing their challenges, With its foundation into and drawing inspiration from the past help shape the future for women and the the progressive Moravian community.
tradition, it continues to serve as a celebration of past, present and inspiration for future generations of female leaders in Bethlehem.
Historic Moravian Bethlehem, a National Historic Landmark District nominated to the U.S. Tentative List in December 2016
50 WEST CHURCH STREET 610.882.0450 HISTORICBETHLEHEM.ORG
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L U AG I S T H E T E AC H I N G M U S E U M AT L E H I G H U N I V E R S I T Y. Over 14,000 paintings, sculptures, works-on-paper, photographs, videos and new media works provide first-hand experiences for students across the disciplines.
420 EAST PACKER AVENUE 610.758.3615 LUAG.ORG
Karyn Olivier: Horger Artist-in-Residence for Art | Architecture | Design. The Horger Artist-in-Residence is a semester long rotating residency that brings a noteworthy talent to Lehigh University.
13 T H A N N U A L YO U N G P L AY W R I G H T S ’ F E S T I VA L & G A L A M AY 12 , 2 0 1 8 Events starting at 6 pm
Join us for a showcase performance of exceptional, original plays written by Lehigh Valley students during the theatre’s Young Playwrights’ Lab. An adult Gala & Auction Fundraiser will directly follow the Festival with desserts, drinks, and live music. Proceeds benefit Touchstone’s arts-ineducation programs. 321 E A ST 4TH STREET 610.867.1689 TOUCHSTONE.ORG
For festival and gala tickets, visit touchstone.org/events/13th-annual-young-playwrights-festival-gala/
we’ve moved!
FUR N ITU R E | DECO R | O B JEC T S
Visit our new location on Bethlehem’s South Side for inspirational room settings, interior design services, and creative gifts for the home. Tuesday - Saturday: 10am - 7pm Sunday: 12pm - 5pm
The New Home for all things home
21 EAST THIRD STREET 610.419.4111 DOMACIHOME.COM
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figbethlehem Fegley’s Bethlehem Brew Works
Connect with on social media A LWAY S F R E S H . Look for Fig Bethlehem on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for daily coverage of local entertainment, events, food, fashion, and more.
234 likes
CLUSTERS HANDCRAFTED POPCORN features a different selection of gourmet flavors daily. You’ll find everything from good old-fashioned Caramel Corn to unexpected tastes like Cinn-a-bun, Toasted Coconut, White Cheddar Chipotle, and even Dill Pickle (you have to try it to believe it)! Visit Clusters online or at their Main Street shop to see, smell, and taste for yourself what everyone’s raving about!
20 610.849.2576 CLUSTERSPOPCORN.COM
FIG VOICES New sounds of our city in partnership with Lehigh Valley Underground.
Voices: The Hook I N 2 0 1 7, F O U R C H I L D H O O D F R I E N D S A N D M U S I C I A N S from the Lehigh Valley
came together to create something fresh and unique. In 2018, they seem poised to take off to great heights.
The Hook’s journey started when guitarist/singer Carlos Barata moved back to the Lehigh Valley from Oregon, following the passing of his father. From there, he reconnected with old pals Chris Kondravy (drums), Youssef Moussa (bass), and Joe DiMarco (keys)—all of whom were eager to start making music again. “We were each just sort of around, available, and feeling the right void at the right time,” Barata explains.
AT FIG AND LEHIGH VALLEY UNDERGROUND, WE BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF LIVE, LOCAL MUSIC TO BUILD COMMUNITY. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE VALLEY’S MUSIC SCENE AND EVENTS AT LEHIGHVALLEYUNDERGROUND.COM.
From there, the foursome went to work, borrowing elements of roots, reggae, rock, punk, blues, metal, and gospel to create a sound that blurs traditional genre barriers. This is evidenced on the band’s debut, full-length release, “Moonshine & Honey,” which was made available to the public on March 12. “Moonshine & Honey” is a result of different directions meeting at one place at the perfect time,” Barata said. “Overall, nostalgia is a big part of this album. We all long for something, whether we like it or not. Usually, it’s our past. We hope people will have a great time with the music, but also take the time to focus on the authenticity and simplicity of the lyrics.
We’re sure there’s some common ground.” The band looks to translate the momentum from “Moonshine & Honey” into a continued, growing presence on the regional scene. In addition to gaining more traction in the Lehigh Valley, the band has plans to play festival dates and a summer/fall tour—stretching to Philadelphia, New York, and western Pennsylvania—as the year progresses. “Overall, there’s just a lot of good mojo going around this entire experience,” Barata said. “The future looks bright—and that’s exciting.” Learn more about The Hook at readysetgethooked.com.
LEARN MORE ABOUT FIG VOICES AT FIGBETHLEHEM.COM
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3243 EASTON AVENUE 1.800.678.2274 VACATIONSBY VIP.COM
This is the first installment of Aardvark Stories—celebrating the journeys of folks who have found support, good health, and fitness through their experience with Aardvark Sports Shop. Each story will be written by freelance writer and blogger Stephanie Hoppe, herself an avid runner, part-time employee at Aardvark and Team Vark member. Look for this feature all year and follow along! And read more about Stephanie and her running adventures at hoppefeet.wordpress.com.
Aardvark Stories: Chris Luck BETHLEHEM HAS ITS OWN selfproclaimed Forrest Gump. In the last year, Chris Luck, an IT Manager at Guardian Life Insurance, has not missed a single day of running. Much like Forrest, Chris was not always a runner. For most of his childhood and adult life, Chris, now 41 years old, struggled with his weight. In 2008, at nearly 290 pounds, Chris started Weight Watchers. Two years later, after mastering portion control and reaching his goal weight, a friend convinced him to run a 5k. “Not only was that my first race, but that was only the third run of my life,” said Chris,
who has since run five marathons and twenty-one half marathons. In the past ten years, running has evolved into a way of coping with life’s challenges. In September 2014, one week after finishing his first marathon, Chris was diagnosed with Lymphoma. Throughout over six months of treatments, he continued running, training and, completing races. “I think that’s why I got through things the way I did. If I would’ve just sat there and said, I’m sick, I can’t run because I’m going through this, it would’ve been much worse,” said Chris, who also endured a collapsed lung, 559 MAIN STREET, SUITE 122
blood clots, and a stomach blockage. Chris, who plans to complete two marathons in 2018, profoundly credits Aardvark Sports Shop’s Team Vark for supporting his running journey. “It has become more of a family than just a team…the multiple runs every week with friendly faces…coming around the corner at a race two hours from home and seeing a ‘Team Vark’ sign… lying in a hospital bed and having several Vark-mates in your room within hours of being admitted and throughout the stay. I have connected with other running groups, but none are quite like Team Vark,” said Chris. 610.866.8300
A ARDVARKSPORTSSHOP.COM
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WOMEN'S WORK whether they’ve been pioneers in their fields for decades or are
just beginning to forge their way, there’s no question that women are making a difference in Bethlehem. The 38 women featured here do it all—and though their paths are as varied as their roles, many of the lessons they share are the same: we can’t always anticipate where life will lead us, never underestimate your own power to make change, and big risks can lead to big rewards.
These are women who are not afraid to dream big and make things happen. And there’s more where they came from— Bethlehem has no shortage of fierce females. This year it seems only fitting to honor some of the stories of those who have been plugging away at their passions, building careers, creating community, and changing the definition of “women’s work”. Seeking inspiration? Read on. Written by Kate Racculia (cover), a writer, designer, teacher, and researcher living in Bethlehem, PA. She is the author of two novels, the most recent of which, Bellweather Rhapsody, was named an Alex Award winner by the American Library Association/YALSA.
“THE ONLY PERSON WHO CAN HOLD YOU BACK IS YOURSELF.”
“The only person who can hold you back,” says Karen Widrick, general manager of downtown Bethlehem restaurant Edge, “is yourself. Always go into a meeting, an interview, or just your daily life, with the confidence that you own it.” It’s Karen Widrick’s job at Edge to manage all the moving pieces—to create an atmosphere that allows the chef and his team to think outside the box and bartenders to break from traditions, to create a space where ‘fun’ and ‘casual’ go hand-in-hand with fine dinning— without compromising quality. Widrick worked her way up from hostess to her current role as general manager, taking a variety of positions over the years so she could learn every aspect of the industry. Now she works side by side with her husband, Edge Chef Timothy Widrick. Edge has been a part of the downtown Bethlehem restaurant scene for years, through hard times and good, and Widrick sees the restaurant as a positive staple that will continue to grow and contribute to the community. “I believe a legacy should not be the physical things you leave behind,” she says, “but the lives you touch.”
KAREN WIDRICK
edge restaurant 74 WEST BROAD STREET, SUITE 220 610.814.0100 EDGERESTAUR ANT.NET
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“THERE IS TREMENDOUS VALUE THAT COMES FROM CONNECTING AND EMPOWERING PEOPLE FROM EVERY CORNER OF OUR GLOBAL SOCIETY.”
KASSIE HILGERT artsquest 101 FOUNDERS WAY 610.332.1300 ARTSQUEST.ORG
ArtsQuest is feeding the soul of Bethlehem. Dedicated to increasing access to the arts for all, the nonprofit is situated at the heart of two of President and CEO Kassie Hilgert’s passions: the arts and urban revitalization. She joined ArtsQuest in 2008, when it was undertaking a $26 million capital campaign to rejuvenate a portion of the largest brownfield under redevelopment in the United States, and at the onset of
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the Great Recession. It was a risk, to say the least. It was a risk that continues to pay off. Through Musikfest, the organization’s flagship event, the Banana Factory cultural arts and education center, and the ArtsQuest Center and SteelStacks™ arts and cultural campus, ArtsQuest now reaches more than 1.8 million people a year. That’s a lot of souls getting fed. “There is tremendous value that comes
from connecting and empowering people from every corner of our global society,” Hilgert says. “The Lehigh Valley is growing, changing, and evolving as people from all over the country move here. That creates a richer, deeper tapestry for us to engage and learn from.” Encountering the variety of life, in our community and through the arts, nourishes us all.
“TRUST YOURSELF MORE.”
DEBORAH SACARAKIS zoellner arts center 420 EAST PACKER AVENUE 610.758.2787 ZOELLNER ARTSCENTER.ORG
Deborah Sacarakis, Artistic Director at Zoellner Arts Center at Lehigh University, is bringing the world—speakers and dancers, musicians and poets—to Bethlehem. Founded in 1997, Zoellner’s mission is to create an environment where artists and students of the arts develop and learn, and to educate, inspire, and captivate the community. Creativity has guided Sacarakis’ career. She began the process of bringing guest artists to Zoellner, broadening the existing fine arts slate with multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary offerings. It was the kind of risk that required building support from faculty and staff, and maintaining confidence in her vision. “Trust yourself more,” she advises. “Balance public opinion with your own sense of direction and belief.” Over the years, Sacarakis has overseen bringing the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Pops, and artists and speakers from Lily Tomlin to Ani DiFranco to Chick Corea to Zoellner’s stage, enriching the local culture and modeling strong direction. “The more visible women are in roles of leadership, the more affirming it is to younger generations of women,” she says, “To trust their own abilities to lead.” “Understand your personal strength and value. It will allow you to create new worlds, and bring those worlds together.”
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KATE FLATT social still 530 EAST 3RD STREET 610.625.4585 SOCIALSTILL.COM
Kate Flatt knows the spirit of Bethlehem. Born and raised locally, she’s now coowner of Social Still, a craft distillery and kitchen housed inside one of the South Side’s architectural gems: a nearly hundred-year old bank. Social Still provides an amazing food and beverage experience while creating world-class spirits—the first distillery in the Lehigh Valley to do so since prohibition. It was a natural progression for Flatt to manage her own place, though it didn’t happen overnight. She spent more than 20 years in the restaurant business, including 16 years as a server under Dyanne Holt, former owner of Apollo Grill. “Success,” Flatt says, “is not a single moment. It’s a culmination of all positive moments.” And, importantly: “Each of us defines success differently.” Social Still is growing and spreading outside the Valley. You’ll find their bourbon, whiskey and gin poured in restaurants from Easton to Allentown to Philadelphia and beyond. Flatt is excited to expand, even as her heart stays with Bethlehem, and the community she’s happy to be a part of. “I support a lot of local businesses,” she says. “It’s amazing to see so many women in leadership roles. I am so proud of my hometown!”
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“EACH OF US DEFINES SUCCESS DIFFERENTLY.”
“FOLLOWING YOUR DREAMS REQUIRES FOCUS, RISK-TAKING, AND HARD WORK.”
ELAINE PIVINSKI franklin hill vineyards 7833 FR ANKLIN HILL ROAD, BANGOR TASTING ROOM: 559 MAIN STREET 610.588.8708 FR ANKLINHILLVINEYARDS.COM
When Elaine Pivinski, fresh off of Woodstock, first saw the Bangor realtor’s listing for 35 acres, she didn’t see the future. She and her children’s father “began the adventure” anyway, planting grapes without knowing whether they would even grow. “My thought at the time,” she says, “was at the very worst, I’d lose my home. If I succeeded…well, here we are.” Pivinski is the owner of Franklin Hill
Vineyards, an environmentally and socially conscious grower, producer, and marketer of wine of the highest quality and value. After planting the vines in 1976, Franklin Hill became one of the first wineries in the Lehigh Valley to open their doors in 1982. Today, you can find Franklin Hills wines and hard ciders statewide at Wegmans and certain Weis Markets. And they’re growing. “We like to have our foot in the future,” says Pivinski. “We’re very lucky to do
what we do.” That spirit, a mix of gratitude and persistence, guided Pivinski through the challenges. “Following your dreams requires focus, risk-taking, and hard work,” she advises. “If a loan is necessary, borrow within your means. Have an exit plan.” And trust yourself: her business plan, she says, was her intuition. Believing in the future, after all, is what helps you create it.
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NORA HENDRYCKS Nora Hendrycks took a leap of faith. In 2016, leaving behind a 25-year career in the financial services industry, she founded barreform, a boutique fitness studio that opened in 2017 on 4th Street. “I bet on myself,” she said. “I stepped completely out of my very comfortable comfort zone.” She wanted to create something that brought a direct and positive impact to people. That’s exactly
“DON'T LISTEN TO ANYONE WHO TELLS YOU THAT YOU ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH.”
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barreform 202 WEST 4TH STREET 610.625.5300 BARREFORM.COM
what barreform’s unique class-based workouts do; they’re designed to help each client challenge themselves to be better than they were the day before. It’s work to change, hard work, but the results are worth it. “Don’t listen to anyone who tells you that you are not good enough, or that you can’t pursue your dreams,” she advises. “Be patient, and never give up on yourself.” Life is a leap and challenge that we
rise to meet. “I often think if I knew then what I know now, I would do lots of things differently,” she says. “But honestly, the more I think about it the more I wouldn’t change a thing. The less than perfect decisions, the mistakes and the lessons of my life brought me exactly to where I am right now.”
“IF THERE IS SOMETHING THAT YOU WANT, DESERVE, OR NEED, ASK.”
KATE HUGHES
bethlehem house contemporary art gallery 459 MAIN STREET 610.419.6262 BETHLEHEMHOUSEGALLERY.COM
Bethlehem House Gallery challenges typical white-walled galleries by displaying art in a welcoming setting— their motto is “home is where the art is” — and focusing on local artists. It’s a philosophy guided by Gallery Co-director Kate Hughes, a deeply creative person and arts professional who continually challenges herself. In addition to co-directing the Gallery, Hughes is a photographer, playwright,
radio personality on WXLV, and an advocate for women. “Growing up with brothers,” says Hughes, “I felt I had to prove myself. As a little girl, I used to move large furniture around in my house just to show how strong I was.” That spirit has stayed with her. “If there is something you want or deserve in life,” she says, “ask and don’t be afraid to go after it.” Hughes sees that same tenacity of
spirit in women in Bethlehem every day—business leaders, mothers, artists, and friends, working collaboratively to create our town. For ten years Hughes has been involved with V-Day, a global organization dedicated to ending violence against women and children. “The women, men and children I’ve worked with through V-Day have inspired me,” she says. “There is strength in inspiration.”
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(L TO R)
MARCY DOBIL AMY BARNETT LISA MEDERO josh early candies 3620 NA Z ARETH BETHLEHEM PIKE 610.865.0580 JOSHEARLYCANDIES.COM
“DON'T UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF DOING SOMETHING YOU LOVE.”
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Josh Early has been part of Pennsylvania history for over a century, and a part of Marcy Dobil, Lisa Medero, and Amy Barnett’s entire lives. The owners and managers of the fifth generation family-owned candy business are also the daughter and granddaughters of Marge and Josh Early V, who opened the candymakers’ first Lehigh Valley store in the 1960s. Dobil, Medero, and Barnett had a strong desire to carry on the Josh Early Candies tradition and values, but each of them had different careers before entering the business—and there was a learning curve. Those challenges created opportunities, and a source of motivating inspiration. “Don’t
underestimate the power of doing something you love,” they say. “When you follow your dreams and pursue your passions, work doesn’t feel like work.” They’re excited to be working with more women in their day-to-day business dealings, both outside the company, and within. Nearly 90% of their 66 employees are women, and they’re proud of the positive work environment they create and foster for female employees. The descendents of Marge and Josh V are growing the Josh Early Candies legacy, providing delicious treats and excellent service, and taking care of their employees and the local community.
ANN MARIE SUPINSKI am luxe 74 WEST BROAD STREET 610.419.203 AMLUXEAPPAREL.COM
The AM in AM Luxe—a women’s apparel and accessory shop in downtown Bethlehem—is Ann Marie Supinski, the shop’s founder and CEO. And ‘Luxe’ describes a unique & special experience for each client to have, every time they enter. “The first time my friend came to the shop,” Supinski says, “she told me I feel like I’m in your closet.” After years of having to shop outside the Lehigh Valley for items that fit her style, that didn’t feel too young or too mature, Supinski was inspired to provide a unique collection for the sophisticated woman locally. “Owning a business in downtown Bethlehem,” she says, “brings me joy each and every day.” She loves being part of a community, and feels a responsibility to give back. AM Luxe hosts Shop with Purpose events, where Bethlehemites can enjoy food and drink while they shop, with a percentage of the evening’s proceeds supporting a charity of choice. Starting her own business after 38 years in retail was possible with the encouragement of many, and with the particular support of a mentor. “Look for every opportunity to have a mentor and be a mentor,” she says. “I was fortunate to have mentors throughout my career that encouraged me. A great deal of my success came from that guidance and support.” Now she takes every opportunity to give back and be a mentor to young women herself. “There is no better feeling.”
“LOOK FOR EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A MENTOR AND BE A MENTOR.”
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“ALWAYS BE A STUDENT OF WHATEVER IT IS YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT AND OFFERING TO THE WORLD.”
MELANIE SMITH miss melanie yoga 908.319.3813 MISSMEL ANIEYOGA .COM
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Melanie Smith is helping people find balance. Stillness. Strength. A natural seeker and believer in something greater than herself, she created Miss Melanie Yoga (MMY) after discovering a safe space for her own spirit in her yoga practice. Her career as a child welfare social worker left her depleted, unsure if she was actually helping or “placing band-aids over bad situations and moving on to the next.” She founded MMY to focus on teaching yoga, stand-up paddleboarding, and mindfulness meditation. Today, it has grown into a community of teachers leading stand-up paddleboard yoga yearround in lakes, rivers, and indoor pools.
Smith firmly believes that, as more people find yoga and meditation, the components of empathy, compassion, kindness, and nonviolent communication embodied in a yoga practice will change our society as a whole. It’s easy to get distracted by life, but with focus and strength, transformation is possible. “Just start where you are, with what you have,” she advises. “Make a plan, but don’t be attached to the outcome of the plan. Believe in yourself and always be a student of whatever it is you are passionate about and offering to the world.”
BRIANNA LASKO Brianna Lasko, owner, creator and handletterer of letteredgem, is encouraged by all the women she sees taking charge of their passions. “From small business owners to bloggers to anyone pursuing their dreams,” she says, “their bravery is contagious.” A creative person who “just can’t sit still,” she’d been practicing calligraphy for years. But it wasn’t until she returned to her hometown of Bethlehem from Frisco, Texas, and
letteredgem 4240 AIRPORT RD ALLENTOWN 484.347.9347 LET TEREDGEM.ETSY.COM
stepped back from a decade-long teaching career to raise her daughter Landry, that she began investing in her calligraphic skills. Now she creates handlettered goods to beautify your home, from one-of-a-kind canvas wall art to bespoke handlettered gift bags and wedding favors. “I think, as women, we all have that little voice in our head,” she says. “That gut feeling. Listen to it. If you feel in your heart that you need to take a
step in a certain direction, own it and let it happen.” And most importantly, “Have confidence! Let your dreams and aspirations become your reality no matter how scary it may seem, or what obstacles you may face.” Pursue your passions; you never know who else you may be inspiring to pursue their own.
“LET YOUR DREAMS AND ASPIRATIONS BECOME YOUR REALITY.”
letteredgem 35
ONE OF THE MANY WAYS DONNA HELPS THE SANDS SUPPORT THEIR SUSTAINABILIT Y COMMITMENT IS BY DONATING EX TR A TOILET PAPER— COLLECTED FROM SANDS HOTEL ROOMS — FOR THE COMMUNIT Y ORGANIZ ATIONS THAT NEED IT.
“GET INVOLVED IN YOUR COMMUNITY.”
DONNA TAGGART taggart associates 26 EAST 3RD STREET 610.882.1571 TAGGARTASSOCIATES.COM
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“Get involved in your community,” says Donna Taggart. She does, every day. She’s the president of Taggart Associates, a community and economic development consulting firm located in the heart of the South Side historic district. Offering real estate development project management, community relations, and non-profit management services, Taggart Associates is committed to helping communities reach their potential. Taggart, a Bethlehem native, has been both a witness to the South Side’s revitalization and catalyst. After a career in public and nonprofit economic development, she joined the company, originally founded by her husband, 11 years ago, to assist the Las Vegas Sands
Corporation’s community outreach. “I can see that it is really making a difference,” she says. “[Sands’] support has strengthened many SouthSide Bethlehem non-profits, allowing them to focus on their missions.” She’d love to keep those missions flourishing by connecting more local corporations and institutions to agencies in need. “Change happens,” Taggart advises, “by staying the course. Don’t get discouraged with the twists and turns in the road.” And, crucially: connect. “The networks you build can only help you both personally and with your work. Take the time to mentor other younger women,” she says. “Mentoring is how we build future leaders.”
DINA HALL & RAMONA LABARRE godfrey daniels 7 EAST 4TH STREET 610.867.2390 GODFREYDANIELS.ORG
Listen. Trust yourself to follow the song. Ramona LaBarre began volunteering at Godfrey Daniels, the renowned Bethlehem music venue, after attending three concerts—and today, she’s the managing director. Dina Hall, president of the board of directors, heard that same tune. A musician herself, she discovered Godfrey’s shortly after moving to the area, started to volunteer, “and soon enough,” she says, “Ramona recruited me.”
Now both women are responsible for upholding Godfrey Daniels’ legacy, as well as shepherding the organization into the future. LaBarre and Hall have coordinated this effort with respect and appreciation for each other’s expertise, diversifying the board, hiring management, and giving Godfrey’s room to grow. They hope to strike a balance between the venue’s long-standing folk artists “who have been performing on our stage for literally decades,” and new
“IT’S IMPORTANT FOR WOMEN OF ANY AGE TO BE SELF-RELIANT, REGARDLESS OF THE TASK BEFORE YOU.” artists and sounds. Listen to the old and the new, to yourself—“It’s important for women of any age to be self-reliant, regardless of the task before you,” says Hall—and to each other. When LaBarre first recruited her to the board, Hall says she “listened and took lots of notes,” learning from LaBarre’s example how to lead from a position of “knowledge, experience, and wisdom.”
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SARAH PETRYK allium floral design 502 S CLEWELL STREET BY APPOINTMENT 978.884.7712 ALLIUMFLOR ALDESIGN.COM @ALLIUMFLOR ALDESIGN @ALLIUME VERL ASTING
“The moment you become your own boss,” says Sarah Petryk, proprietor and designer at Allium Floral Design, “is both exhilarating and terrifying.” That moment came six years ago, when she left her full time job in events and marketing to focus on designing for weddings and special events. From her first local wedding, Petryk booked two more. And the business bloomed into what it is eight years later. Last year, Allium provided floral designs and styling for 150 weddings and events. Petryk, collaborating with a team of 20 artists, loves using flowers to bring life to a space, helping clients create an event with a beauty and feel that is exclusively their own. Getting caught up in the whirlwind—of life, events, weddings—is easy. Petryk advises remembering to slow down. Stop and smell the proverbial roses. “Feel confident in who you are now,” she says, “not who you wish you were, or who you want to be. That is the woman who has the strength to start her own business, grow her existing business, figure out how to best support and love her family and friends.” It’s easy to compare ourselves to other people and other businesses, but: “Just don’t. Your client will want to know you.”
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“FEEL CONFIDENT IN WHO YOU ARE NOW.”
“DREAM BIG.”
ANNAMARIE SANTOROSNOW santoro's franks & chili 432 WEST BROAD STREET 610.867.3000 SANTOROSFR ANKS.COM
Annamarie Snow and her husband, Russ, went for a walk—and saw a ‘for rent’ sign. They’d talked about opening a neighborhood hot dog shop for a long time, but this “was an omen,” says Snow. Not long after, Santoro’s Franks & Chili was born. Not your average hot dog shop, Santoro’s provides a warm and friendly environment for friends and families to make special memories. Their menu includes many vegan and vegetarian options, so everyone can enjoy a meal together. A former dispatcher for a local trucking company, Snow was looking to make a change. She was good at her job, but didn’t
particularly enjoy it. Starting a business in her 50s, she says, was a huge risk. But with her own experience in management and her husband’s as a classically trained chef, they were confident they could make it work. “My best advice,” says Snow, “is surround yourself with positive people who raise you up rather than tear you down. Find them, and keep them close in your circle of friends.” And dream. “Dream big,” Snow advises. “Don’t settle for merely existing. The comfort zone might feel really safe, but it’s not where you are meant to be!”
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“BE DARING, BUT ALSO KIND TO YOURSELF AND OTHERS.”
(L TO R)
BRIDGET GEORGE JAN BONGE ROBIN KANI the bach choir of bethlehem 4 40 HECKEWELDER PL ACE 610.866.4382 BACH.ORG
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Bridget George grew up in England and sang in the Oxford University Schola Cantorum. She’s the Executive Director of the Bach Choir of Bethlehem, whose mission is to inspire an appreciation of the value of Bach’s music through performance, education, and community outreach. Executive Director since 1997, she was attracted by the choir’s wonderful legacy, “and by the extraordinary leadership and musical excellence of its current Artistic Director and Conductor Greg Funfgeld.” George’s career in the Lehigh Valley arts community, with husband Bill George and their children, has spanned four decades.
She cites several exceptional women as her inspirations, for their accomplishments, devotion to music and theater, and community spirit—Jan Bonge, one of two women presidents in the 120-year history of The Bach Choir, Robin Kani, principal flautist of the Bach Festival Orchestra since 1983, and Jennie Gilrain, formerly with Touchstone Theatre, and now a teacher in the Bethlehem School District. “Be daring, but also kind to yourself and others,” says George. “With mindfulness, every twist and turn of the journey can add to the integrity and valuable perspective of the whole and contribute to a life of beauty, love, learning, and service.”
JENNIFER CENEVIVA edward jones 83 WEST BROAD STREET 610.865.7959 EDWARDJONES.COM
Jennifer Ceneviva sees her job as a privilege—the privilege of being invited into other peoples’ lives. “This is so much more than business,” she says. “The work we do together is woven into the very fabric of life.” A financial advisor with Edward Jones, her motivation always comes from a desire to help people, to strive to make her corner of the world a better place.
“START WHERE YOU ARE. THE FIRST STEP IS TO HAVE A CONVERSATION.” MEMBER SIPC
Ceneviva is focused on understanding each of her client’s individual needs, goals and tolerance for risk. She uses an established process to build personalized strategies, and works with her clients and their families throughout their lives, revisiting over time their goals, risk, budgets, as well as their strategies to help keep them on track. She would like to have even more conversations with people in the Lehigh Valley about their financial futures, as a partner who seeks to offer honest, straightforward advice. Finances can be intimidating, but the best time to act is always now. “It’s never too soon or too late to plan for a strong financial future,” she says. “And don’t apologize or be embarrassed for perceived imperfections. Start where you are. The first step is to have a conversation.”
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KELLY KEHS & MARIBETH ALLEN zen chocolate
BETHLEHEM
A piece of chocolate is a tiny work of art that you can eat. “Just one bite and you lose control of your face in the best way possible,” says co-owner and marketing manager of Zen Chocolate Maribeth J. Allen. “Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?” She didn’t know much about making chocolate before she met co-owner and chocolatier Kelly A. Kehs; Kehs, an experienced baker, taught herself how to make candy. Word of mouth blossomed into
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610.674.3177
“BE POWERFUL, BE BRAVE.”
@ZEN _CHOCOL ATE
an opportunity to build something more. Kehs created Zen Chocolate, an artisanal chocolate business, and Allen photographs and markets these tiny, tantalizing works of art. The partners, in life and in business, are passionate about pairing their chocolate with the Lehigh Valley, collaborating with local businesses and infusing their creations with as many of the Valley’s foods and flavors
as possible. Their goal is to build their family business into something longlasting, continue to expand and collaborate, and instill in their children what their mothers taught them: persistence, motivation, pride in one’s craft, and confidence. “Be powerful, be brave,” they advise. “And know that you have within yourself the ability to reach any goal you set out to achieve.”
MISSY HARTNEY Missy Hartney is working to change lives and minds. As Main Street Manager for the SouthSide Arts District, she oversees a strategic plan to improve the economic conditions for businesses and institutions on Bethlehem’s South Side, on a mission to overcome the challenges and misconceptions that face the area. She’s helping South Bethlehem be seen for what it is: a vibrant place full of life, spirit, and energy.
southside arts district 324 SOUTH NEW STREET 484.892.0395 SOUTHSIDEARTSDISTRICT.COM
The SouthSide Arts District’s primary focus is the business district, knowing that, over time, improving economic conditions will cascade to positively impact the community. Hartney sees women as a major driving force of that renewal. “There is some serious Girl Power in Bethlehem, particularly the SouthSide,” she says. “Many of our businesses and nonprofits are run by women; strong, passionate, hardworking women helping to shape
our community and its future.” That future gets closer through the efforts of women like Hartney—who didn’t always have a clear path in life. “Give yourself time to figure it out,” she counsels. “Don’t be afraid to not have the answers, but don’t sit back and hope they come to you. Do the work, figure out your strengths, and see where you fit in the world.”
“DON’T BE AFRAID TO NOT HAVE THE ANSWERS, BUT DON’T SIT BACK AND HOPE THEY COME TO YOU.”
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Cara Paredes is spinning a lot of plates. She’s the regional restaurant manager, social media specialist and graphic design coordinator for the 3PA Restaurant Group, which includes Tapas on Main, Cachette Bistro & Creperie, Urbano Mexican Kitchen & Bar, Peculiar Wine & Beer Shop, The Flying Egg and, plus Easton’s Mesa Modern Mexican. “I would describe the restaurant business as having no beginning and no end,” she says. “We always strive to have excellent service, and food and ambiance with a humble attitude—so our guests come back again and again.” It wasn’t what she thought she’d be doing; she planned to be a visual communications designer. But life pointed her in new directions. She worked at several restaurants after college that, combined with her design experience, prepared her for her current role. “Little did I know,” she says, “I would be managing slash owning multiple restaurants in the years to come.” She credits her husband, Juan Carlos Paredes, proprietor of 3PA Restaurant Group, for encouraging her. Now she uses her design and organizational skills daily, albeit in an industry she didn’t expect. “Don’t give up on what you truly want to do,” she advises, “and who you want to be.”
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CARA PAREDES 3 pa restaurant group 42A SOUTH 3RD STREET, EASTON 610.597.7156 3PARESTAUR ANTGROUP@GMAIL.COM
“I WOULD DESCRIBE THE RESTAURANT BUSINESS AS HAVING NO BEGINNING AND NO END.”
“YOUR BIGGEST LESSONS, SUCCESSES, AND GROWTH WILL COME FROM FAILURE.”
MARTHA CLIFFORD tuskes homes 4511 FALMER DRIVE 610.255.7956 TUSKESHOMES.COM #ASKMARTHA
Building a house is challenging enough. But finding a home? Martha Grubbs Clifford can help. Director of Marketing for local custom homebuilder Tuskes Homes, it’s Clifford’s job to listen to customers, and match them to their ideal home and community. Bethlehem is her community too, it’s her hometown, and she’s inspired by all the progress and potential she sees in the area. “There are powerful, smart, creative women behind so much of its growth,” she says, citing the city’s flourishing arts and culture, and great restaurants and shops. “I love bragging about where I live!”
Even in a place you love, real estate and home building can be risky business. Clifford was laid off from her job of ten years when the real estate market turned in 2008. But she didn’t quit; in 2011, after taking time to enjoy becoming a new mother and explore other careers, she joined Tuskes Homes. Risks—and loss—are also how we grow. “I am still a work in progress, but I constantly whisper to myself to simply show up, worry less about being perfect, and not be afraid to fail,” she says. “Your biggest lessons, successes, and growth will come from failure.”
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DOWNTOWN BETHLEHEM ASSOCIATION GETDOWNTOWNBETHLEHEM.COM
RANDI MAUTZ WORDS OF WISDOM:
“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” - Sir Winston Churchill
LISA J. GIRARD
LESLIE BOWEN
GENERAL MANAGER, MORAVIAN BOOK SHOP
WORDS OF WISDOM:
America’s Oldest Bookseller.
Never give up your power to anyone else; you are stronger than you think!
Downtown Bethlehem Association WORDS OF WISDOM:
Never let anyone tell you that you cannot do what you have set out to do.
RACHEL GRIFFITH OWNER, APOLLO GRILL
Great food & professional service in a welcoming environment. WORDS OF WISDOM:
Surround yourself with positive energy! Negativity is wasteful.
ELAYNEE POLENTES WORDS OF WISDOM:
Be the type of person you want to meet.
KARI KEYOCK WORDS OF WISDOM:
Have a compassionate heart, an open mind, and thick skin.
ELAYNEE, RANDI, KARI & LESLIE OWNERS/PARTNERS, IMAGEVOLUTION MARKETING SOLUTIONS
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Creating innovative, effective branding strategies that make a difference.
WHO WE ARE The Downtown Bethlehem Association is a council of The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. W H AT W E D O We aim to revitalize, rehabilitate, promote, and advance downtown business areas within the city of Bethlehem. JOIN US Have questions about the downtown, current events, or just curious about how to get involved? Visit getdowntownbethlehem.com.
LORI WARSING CO-OWNER, CAPTURED LV ESCAPE ROOM
Offering players a unique experience testing their wits in a themed environment.
Find out about the benefits of being a member of the DBA by contacting Emily or Tim at EmilyK@lehighvalleychamber.org or TimB@lehighvalleychamber.org.
WORDS OF WISDOM:
Don’t be afraid of change. Take a leap of faith.
BRITTANY ROGERS OWNER, INTRIGUED SALON
Making clients welcome, helping them feel confident and look amazing. WORDS OF WISDOM:
Keep reaching for your dreams…when you think you can’t do it, keep going!
DEB CAREY VP BRANCH MANAGER, MERCHANTS BANK
Offering an exceptional banking experience and contributing to the community’s economic growth and development. WORDS OF WISDOM:
Create a life you love. Get out there and stir things up!
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“DON’T BE DISCOURAGED BY A LIMITED SKILL SET. LEARN, AND DO.”
ABBY OGDEN & MEG FOX fox & finch vintage rentals
502 SOUTH CLEWELL STREET 610.554.1207 THEFOX ANDTHEFINCH.COM
“We own lots of power tools,” say Abby Ogden and Meg Fox, co-owners and managers of Fox and Finch. “And we use them often!” That wasn’t necessarily the case when they started their business, a specialty furniture rental company that runs a photography studio out of its warehouse. They taught themselves to build, upholster, paint and stain, and rewire light fixtures—skills that
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empowered them, and that they hope will encourage others to be skillfull in the beauty they create. The pursuit of beauty is the bedrock of their business. Lovers of vintage furniture with complementary personalities and skills, Ogden and Fox founded their company with the goal of helping people create spaces that provide elegant hospitality for their guests in any setting.
But taking on a new business is not without risks; financial, and personal. Both Ogden and Fox had small children when the business launched, and striking a healthy balance had its attendant struggles and triumphs. Ogden and Fox advise patience, faith, and education. “Don’t be discouraged by a limited skill set. Learn, and do,” they say. “There is a host of resources available to develop your interests.”
Photo by: Christa Neu
Social Mission: Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley
Empowering families since 1968
AT F I G , we believe in the power of a community that works together to identify needs and find solutions—one that creates connections and is passionate about helping its neighbors. We believe in the mission of Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley—our 2018 Social Mission Partner. Please consider supporting and surrounding them this year. O U T O F M A N Y submissions and much deliberation, we’re excited to announce that we chose Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley to be our Fig Bethlehem 2018 Social Mission Partner! The Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley focuses on helping and empowering individuals in the Bethlehem community. Fernanda Ferolie, Community Resource Coordinator, discussed an
important new initiative that helps people from Puerto Rico who have been displaced due to the recent hurricane. “We have received around 700 individuals, 200 families, since October 2017,” said Fernanda. “We evaluate families coming in to help find what their needs are—health insurance, jobs, transportation needs, and/or housing. Then, we set up a plan to reach each goal.”
In addition to the new initiative to help displaced individuals from Puerto Rico, the Center continues to offer a senior center, a food pantry, a Career Link program to help with employment, WIC, and so much more. Visit www.hclv.org to find out more, to explore the incredible impact their programs are having in the Bethlehem community, and to learn how you can help.
520 EAST 4TH STREET
610.868.7800
HCLV.ORG
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Leading
ladies F I G W A S B O R N T O C O N N E C T YO U , our readers, with the local people and places that you care about. We created a different kind of media message—one that energizes and inspires. One that encourages collaboration and engagement. One that cares about the community and strives to make a difference. In each Fig destination, we have a strong and visionary leader who is passionately invested in her community. She finds life in working with entrepreneurs and community leaders—and through Fig, is making a difference in their businesses and organizations. Please meet our dynamic and creative Fig Directors.
Kiera Wilhelm Fig Bethlehem
published since 2013
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figbethlehem.com @figbethlehem
Brynley Farr Fig Columbia
published since 2013 Produced by Fig Affiliate Studio ByFarr figcolumbia.com @figcolumbia
Brianna Carlisle Fig Kennett
published since 2013 figkennett.com @figkennett
Gretchen Lusby Fig West Chester published since 2011 figwestchester.com @figwestchester
Deborah Brandt Fig Lancaster
published since 2005 figlancaster.com @figlancaster
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I G N I T E A L O V E O F L E A R N I N G T H AT W I L L L A S T A L I F E T I M E . When you visit Moravian Academy, a respectful community of people will welcome you. On our two beautiful campuses, we offer day students in preschool through grade 12 an education that develops the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. We seek to educate by inspiring and supporting our students, building a solid foundation for them, rich in hands-on experiences, innovation, and global perspective upon which a lifelong love of learning can grow.
J O I N U S for an upcoming admissions event or plan your personal visit today! moravianacademy.org/visit
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BETHLEHEM 610.332.5200 MOR AVIANACADEMY.ORG
Kate Hughes, Co Director Ward Van Haute, Director/Curator
Art for All
459 MAIN STREET 610.419.6262 BETHLEHEMHOUSEGALLERY.COM
Brandon Williams
Kathleen Barrett
LOC ATE D ON M AIN STRE ET IN HISTORIC B ETHLE HE M , Bethlehem House Contemporary Art Gallery specializes in original, innovative art by both emerging and established regional artists. Four annual shows demonstrate the practical use of contemporary artwork in real-world modern interior design by exhibiting works in a furnished environment—a “living space”—so that when you enter the gallery, you feel as if you’re being welcomed into the home of a friend. Come by and say hello!
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Your Guide to the
APRIL 20 APRIL 21 LIVE MUSIC V I S UA L A R T S DEMOS & EXHIBITIONS FREE PERFORMANCES I N T E R AC T I V E EXPERIENCES 54 54
T H E S O U T H S I D E A RT S & M U S I C F E S T I VA L I S A FA B U LO U S T WO D AY E V E N T filled with visual arts experiences, live music, and family programming! Purchase a one-or-two-day music wristband to enjoy 10-plus musical acts each night at Godfrey Daniels, National Museum of Industrial History, Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts, Banana Factory Arts Center, and the ArtsQuest Center’s Musikfest Café at SteelStacks. And this year, ArtsQuest is partnering with Lehigh Valley Underground to offer five free performances each night at various shops and restaurants on the SouthSide, pushing the total number of musical acts at this year’s Festival to more than 30 in all! Read on for more information about the 2018 SouthSide Arts & Music Festival!
Delta Rae
H E A D L I N E AC T S Mr. Sipp
PURCHASE A MUSIC WRISTBAND and enjoy access to these headline acts!
FRIDAY, APRIL 20
MUSIKFEST CAFÉ 6pm Mike Mains presented by Yuengling 8pm Mr. Sipp 10pm The Infamous Stringdusters
L E H I G H VA L L E Y C H A RT E R H I G H SCHOOL FOR T H E A RT S
6pm Charter Arts Big Band 7:30pm Chelsea Reed and the Fair Weather Five 9:30pm Michael Blume
SATURDAY, APRIL 21
MUSIKFEST CAFÉ 6pm The Novel Ideas presented by Yuengling 8pm Delta Rae 10pm Start Making Sense: Talking Heads Tribute N AT I O N A L 6:30pm Grandchildren MUSEUM 9:00pm Young Mister OF INDUSTRIAL H I S T O RY
BANANA 6pm And The Kids FA C T O RY 7:30pm Bencoolen
L E H I G H VA L L E Y C H A RT E R H I G H SCHOOL FOR T H E A RT S
GODFREY 6:30pm Ona DANIELS 9pm Dar Williams
BANANA 6pm Maybird FA C T O RY 8:30pm Albert Castiglia
6pm The Lesson Center 7:30pm Madaila 9:30pm Wild Adriatic
GODFREY 6:30pm Queen Hilma DANIELS 9:00pm Girls, Guns *Lineup and schedule subject to change. and Glory
Please visit www.steelstacks.org for the most up-to-date lineup
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V I S UA L A R T S highlights
REDBALL BY KURT PERSCHKE
April 17-22 | All around SouthSide
In the days leading up to the SouthSide Arts & Music Festival, motorists and pedestrians may have unexpected encounters with an enormous red ball as the renowned RedBall Project comes to Bethlehem! A 250-pound, 15-foot tall sphere, the RedBall is a traveling public art piece created by Kurt Perschke. The ball has been to more than 25 cities around the globe including Barcelona, Calgary, Montreal, Paris, and Sydney. It appears in a new site each day, so you may find it squeezed between buildings, in a park, hoisted above bridges, or even adorning the SteelStacks campus—drawing attention to sometimes overlooked spaces that have architectural and historical significance.
SPLIT INFINITY April 20-June 25 | SteelStacks
In addition to great live music, the SouthSide Arts & Music Festival showcases visual and performance art in expected and unexpected places! On Friday night and Saturday during the day, attendees can stroll the ArtsWalk featuring artisans and fine art vendors, check out art installations and sculpture throughout the SouthSide’s business district, and sample delicious eats from awesome food trucks and more.
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This cast bronze sculpture of Albert Einstein was created by James West, a Pittsburgh-based sculptor who has done major commissions across the nation, including Pittsburgh’s “Point of View,” a bronze sculpture of George Washington and Seneca leader Guyasuta. The 2,000-pound “Split Infinity” will be on display in the ArtsQuest Center’s Capital BlueCross Creativity Commons April 19-May 20, with an opening reception April 19.
F R E E M U S I C S E R I E S & more FREE CONCERT SERIES Presented in partnership with Lehigh Valley Underground
SATURDAY, APRIL 21
FRIDAY, APRIL 20
C O LO R M E M I N E 6:30-8pm 25 E. 3rd St. Julia Sommers
C O M F O RT S U I T E S 6:30-8pm HILL TO HILL GRILLE Roi and the Secret 120 W. 3rd St. People DOMACI 7-8:30pm 21 E. 3rd St. Kayla Avitabile O L LY ’ S I R I S H G R I L L E 6-7:30pm M & S P O RT S P U B Chelsea Lyn Meyer 8 E. 4th St.
SOTTO SANTI 10 W. 4th St.
8-9:30pm Rofo Audio
C O M F O RT S U I T E S 6:30-8pm HILL TO HILL Acoustic Kitty GRILLE Project 120 W. 3rd St. D O M A C I 7-8:30pm 21 E. 3rd St. January Noon
INTERACTIVE ART PROJECTS Choose from a variety of hands-on art projects for children and adults that are inspired by urban artists, including tattoo art, graffiti lettering, chalk art and more. Projects are sure to fire up your creativity and leave you with a feeling of pride when you complete them.
C O LO R M E M I N E 5-6:30pm 25 E. 3rd St. Jordyn Kenzie
M O L LY ’ S I R I S H 6-7:30pm GRILLE & Cass McSparin S P O RT S P U B 8 E. 4th St. S O T T O S A N T I 8-9:30pm 10 W. 4th St. theLionhearted
S K AT E B OA R D C O M P E T I T I O N presented by Homebase610 & Banana Factory Arts Center Local artists will take part in a competition in advance of the festival to design the obstacles that skateboarders must navigate during the competition!
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AUTHENTIC Leading the way through innovation and example.
Authentic: Sonia Vazquez “I DO WHAT I DO BECAUSE I LOVE MY COMMUNITY,” says Sonia Vazquez, Principal of Donegan Elementary School. Sonia was born and raised two blocks away from Donegan, and has lived in Bethlehem her entire life. Both of her parents moved here from Puerto Rico, and her father was a steelworker for many years. After getting her degree in special education from East Stroudsburg University, Sonia came back to work in Bethlehem—first at Broughal and Northeast Middle Schools, and then Freemansburg Elementary, where she first took a principal’s position. “I was there about 6 years and everything was going great,” she says. But having grown up on the South Side near Donegan
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Elementary, Sonia knew the school and felt drawn back to the neighborhood. Out of all the elementary schools, it was struggling the most. “I asked the superintendent to let me come to Donegan.” Sonia got to work, creating leadership programs starting with 5th grade and working backwards; giving students jobs helping to manage the school, and meaningfully share in that responsibility. She implemented a successful after-school program, brought yoga and mindfulness to the classroom, and infused the school community with a vibrant sense of respect that you see and feel the minute you step through the doors into the brightly-lit, artfilled lobby—ultimately transforming the school in more ways than can be listed in
LEARN MORE ABOUT FIG AUTHENTIC AT FIGBETHLEHEM.COM
one short article. But she won’t take all the credit. “I’ve surrounded myself with like-minded people,” Sonia says. “And my staff is like no other. The parents are on board with me, too, so we’re all working together.” Although Sonia is admittedly nearing the end of her career as a school principal, she doesn’t really see it ending, even if she’s not completely sure what the next phase will be. “I know it’s going to be somewhere working with kids and the community at some level,” she says. Powered by a passion to give back, Sonia Vazquez is unlikely to slow down anytime soon. Bethlehem is the luckier for it.
Welcome to The Fab Lab N O RT H A M P TON CO MMUN IT Y CO LLEGE'S MA KER SPACE
PROGAMS IN: Robotics and electronics 3D drawing and printing Digital laser cutting and engraving Audio recording and mixing Woodworking CNC and standard metal machining Plastics Luthier/guitar building certification Entrepreneurship Design Critical thinking
LOC ATE D ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE FOWLE R SOUTH SIDE CE NTE R , The Fab Lab at Northampton Community College is a place where you can build almost anything—a makerspace with an unpretentious and welcoming atmosphere. Whether you’re a novice, a seasoned maker, or anything in between, come see what NCC’s Fab Lab is all about. Our 26 instructors are ready to share their skills and knowledge with you.
511 EAST 3RD STREET
610.332.8665
NORTHAMPTON.EDU/FABL AB
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On the following pages,
you’ll find our Community Supporters—businesses committed to a thriving downtown. Although they may not be located in Bethlehem, they believe in the power of buying local and shopping small. Take time this spring to visit these businesses—and tell them you found them in Fig!
Fresh. Organic.
Products from our farm to your table. Come see a working organic farm and buy with confidence knowing where your food comes from. Call for tours, shopping, and cooking classes. Restaurant and CSA customers welcome.
Products: Organic eggs Organic Heritage Breed Meat birds Seasonal herbs and vegeatables Artisan goat cheeses Bone broth WWW.KREEK YTREEFARM.COM KREEK YTREEFARM@GMAIL.COM 610-442-2719
Renewal. Awakening. Ahead. All words associated with Spring. And while there is joy in readying the home before the winter holidays, there is something special about a fresh start in Spring—and the chance for reinvention in the New Year. So renew your space. Awaken your senses. Move ahead with your plans for renovation. Start dreaming up your next project at Denney Electric Supply.
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523 RHOADS AVENUE, BOYERTOWN 610.367.4707 | 61 EAST BUTLER AVENUE, AMBLER
215.628.8880
DENNEYELECTRICSUPPLY.COM
WHEN BOB AND BERNIE COLLINS recently moved to Garden Spot Village, Bob was curious: would he still be able to pursue his passion for welding and metalworking? A machinist and millwright by trade, Bob has enjoyed metalworking in his spare time since he was ten years old. After some coordination with Garden Spot Village, help from friends, and the recruitment of other interested residents, Bob established the official Garden Spot Village Metal Crafters on campus. The Garden Spot Village community donated machining tools, welders, clamps, and other materials, to make the metal shop a reality. Now the group is growing more than ever, with designated members training others on machines, teaching those who are new to welding, and collaborating on projects together. Living a purposeful life in a thriving community is at the heart of Garden Spot Village—because crafting a meaningful future never ends. We would love to hear your retirement story, introduce you to some residents and give you the opportunity to learn a little more about the Garden Spot story.
Get in touch and we’ll set a time to see if it makes sense to craft a future together. You’re invited to visit our website or give us a call.
433 SOUTH KINZER AVENUE, NEW HOLL AND 717.355.6000 GARDENSPOT VILL AGE.ORG
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Celebrating local shopping, dining, arts, events, and community in the city of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
presorted standard us postage paid fig industries 17604
F I G B E T H L E H E M .C O M
Forever on a mission. CHAMPIONS FOR CHANGE
Fig believes creative thinking and powerful communication can transform businesses and communities.
B U I L D I N G R E L AT I O N S H I P S Fig creates connections—between businesses, between people, between communities, and between ideas.
LO V I N G LO C A L Fig believes in supporting neighbors and strengthening local economies. In fact, it’s at the very heart of what we do.
Join us on our mission and discover the impact of investing in your community.