Lehigh Valley Style May 2021 by Innovative Designs & Publishing, Inc.

FACES OF THE VALLEY

Meet

the

Chris Bryant, owner & designer of OoAK Furniture, pg. 38

7 CREATIVES SHARE THEIR CRAF T

Netflix Star

MADISON REYES

Talks Life in the Lehigh Valley

May 2021

Atop Saddle Ridge

Station House Hills

Melrose Manor

At the end of a cul-de-sac on nearly 3 acres, this brick colonial has abundant curb appeal. 2018 renovations set it apart from the ordinary. Game and exercise rooms, outdoor fireplace, in-ground heated pool. 4 BRs, 4.5 baths. $895,000

Set on 9+ acres in Palisades SD, this one of a kind 5 bedroom home was inspired by the Dwight House in Massachusetts, with 6,820 sq.ft. of living space over four floors. Grounds include a nearly 1 acre pond & 3-car detached garage. $999,000

This Myron Haydt original offers detailed design & an exceptional floor plan, with thick oak & marble floors and curved walls. A Newly updated lower level offers 2 finished rooms, full bath, & walk-out. 5 bedrooms, 6.5+ baths. $1,900,000

Carriage Bridge Estate

Long Meadow Lot

Country Colonial

Built in 1807 & perched on nearly 2 acres, original touches remain throughout this converted barn. Features include a wall of windows in the living room, finished walkout basement, and mulitple outbuildings. 4 BRs. $1,550,000

This 89 acre parcel offers rarely available acreage with a conservancy easement is in place to preserve nature’s splendor with a building envelope sheltered from view. Tucked in the Bucks County countryside, minutes to I-78, NJ, Doylestown. $1,100,000

Classic design & a timeless floor plan are the hallmarks of this stone and vinyl colonial in Haycock Township. Set on 4 acres with over 3,700 sq.ft. of living space, the location is near essential commuter routes. 4 BRs, 3.5 baths. $698,750

Woodland Drive Lot

French Country Inspiration

Executive Building Lots

Wooded 22 acre parcel, traversed by Falls Creek & with road frontage. Located near 411-acres of game lands & within walking distance of Ringing Rocks State Park. Located in Palisades SD, minutes to I-78, & a hasslefree commute to NJ & NYC. $250,000

Red oak hardwood flooring, spacious rooms, and extraordinary craftsmanship. This European-style home is in the planning stages. Myron Haydt Development, Inc. will work with homeowners to create their dream home. 4 BRs, 4.5 baths, $1,889,000

Meadows & forest embraced by rolling green hills, within minutes of the Saucon Valley Country Club & the vibrant Allentown & Bethlehem downtowns. Lots are designed to accommodate homes over 4,500 sq.ft., 2 to 6 acre lots starting at $300,000

Planning to visit Wind Creek Bethlehem for the first time? We’ve got you covered! Sign up for Wind Creek Rewards and you’ll get an instant $ 10 food credit, AND we’ll cover your first day of play with up to $1,000 in Slot FREE Play. Guaranteed! We’re following the most recent CDC recommendations so you can play with peace of mind. See Rewards Desk for full details.

GET UP TO 1,000 SLOT FREE PLAY $

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER. ©2021 Wind Creek Hospitality. *Minimum $75 loss required for FREE Play rebate. FREE Play will be added to your account within 7-10 days of initial visit. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL Valid for new Members only. Limit one Food Credit redemption per Rewards account. May not1-800-GAMBLER. be combined with other offers. Must be 21 years of age or older. ©2021 Wind Creek Hospitality. *Minimum 75 loss required for FREE Play rebate. FREE Play will be added to your account within 7-10 days of initial visit. Wind Creek per Hospitality management reserves all rights. with other offers. Must be 21 years of age or older. Valid for new Members only. Limit one Food Credit redemption Rewards account. May not be combined $

Wind Creek Hospitality management reserves all rights.

W E L IVE H ERE. W E F ORECAST H ERE. |

WFMZ.COM |

EN T M EE R A G ER D N U

CHIC & SPRAWLING MODERN STONE HOME, LOWER MACUNGIE

BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME OR SUBDIVIDE, LOWER SAUCON TWP

SENSATIONAL GOLF CLUB LOCATION, UPPER SAUCON TWP

Stylish & contemporary with nearly 4500 sqft of living space across 3 levels. Abundant light & meticulously maintained grounds overlooking the Little Lehigh River. 1.5 acres, 5 bedrooms, 3 full/1 half baths. $960,000

This beautiful 19+ acre lot has undergone preliminary engineering for a 3- or 4-lot subdivision, or create an enviable estate home or gentlemen’s farm with plenty of land for grazing. Just minutes from major commuter routes. 19.33 acres. $399,000

Luxurious nearly brand-new home on lush grounds, in a unique European-style setting across from Saucon Valley Country Club & Saucon Rail Trail. Condominium ownership, 4 bedrooms, 3 full/1 half bath, 2 offices. $1,195,000

ELEGANT AND REFINED CARRIAGE HOUSE, SAUCON VALLEY

EXCEPTIONAL CONDO LIVING, 55 PLUS COMMUNITY, LOWER SAUCON TWP

SPECTACULAR RIVER VIEW RETREAT, LEHIGH VALLEY

A stylish and carefree lifestyle awaits at Four Seasons with sought after amenities and attractive, timeless homes. This condo offers 1 story living, an open concept floor plan and spacious bedrooms. 2 bedrooms, 2 full baths. 1700 sqft. $329,900

Stunning views of the Delaware River. Easy commute to NYC & NJ. Full time or weekends. In-ground pool, tennis court, barn. Large building with 2nd floor loft for cars and yoga/art studio. 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, 135 acres. $2,249,000

Luxuriously-appointed carriage home located adjacent to the cross country trails of the scenic Lehigh University Athletic Fields. Featuring an open floor plan, 1st & 2nd floor master suites, home office & gym. 3 bedrooms, 3 full/1 half bath. $725,000

Call for information on these properties or any other real estate opportunities.

Luxury Sales Specialists 484.280.6212 m • 610.282.4444 o Rebecca.Francis@foxroach.com www.RebeccaFrancisLuxuryHomes.com

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Debra Protchko, MBA; Shanna Sigmans; George Heslin; Rebecca L. Francis, MBA

©BHH Affiliates, LLC. And independently operated subsidiary of HomeSerivces of America, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, and a franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.® Equal Housing Opportunity. Information not verified or guaranteed. If your home is currently listed with a Broker, this is not intended as a solicitation.

CONTENTS

PHOTO BY MARCO CALDERON

May 12 THIS MONTH’S PICKS

What We’re Loving Right Now

15 TRENDING NOW

News, Notes & Quotes

20 GET THE GOODS

Gift Box Floral & Garden

23 ASK THE EXPERT Fall in Self-Love

27 LIVING WELL

Gardening for the Mind, Body & Spirit

33 INSIGHT

Madison Reyes

38 MEET THE MAKERS

7 Creatives Share Their Craft

84 5 THINGS

Food Trucks

86 INSIDE DISH

Brü Daddy’s Brewing Co.

90 BEYOND THE MENU

Smoked Spatchcock Duck, Chef Mark Muszynski

COVER PHOTO

Chris Bryant, owner and designer of OoAK Furniture, photographed by Marco Calderon.

M AY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

93 DINING GUIDE

Where to Go to Please Your Palate

96 DRINK THIS Be inspired by the Valley’s creativity and craftsmanship, pg. 38

Nitro Coffee

Trust is the foundation of all relationships. When it comes to health care, trust means everything. Trust takes time, inspires confidence, instills hope, and goes deeper than words. You’ve trusted St. Luke’s to care for you and your family through all of life’s moments for almost 150 years. We promise to keep earning your trust for generations to come. The care you trust. Now more than ever.

sluhn.org • 1-866-STLUKES (785-8537)

EDITOR’S LETTER FIRE & ICE! The Valley was still a winter wonderland when Marco shot Douglas Ihlenfeld and Market & High Co. in March!

3 THINGS

our publisher, Pam Deller, is looking forward to this month! pdeller@lehighvalleystyle.com

BTS with Kimmy Raub at Gift Box Floral & Garden

Planting herbs to enjoy all summer.

Meet the Makers One of my favorite things about helping to produce this magazine is having the opportunity to work with so many local creators and getting to collaborate with them on the stories we share here. Our freelance team of writers, photographers and stylists are constantly dreaming up ways to elevate these pages. So while you can find their creative magic in every edition of Lehigh Valley Style, we’d like to introduce you to seven more makers in a feature dedicated to locals who have perfected their craft. Turn to pg. 38 to get to know a sculptor, a mixed media artist and educator, a live event painter, a boutique laser cutter and more.

Then, on pg. 33, hear from another local artist who has perfected her craft—Madison Reyes, star of the Netflix original series Julie and the Phantoms. Before landing this breakout role, Madison attended Allentown’s Arts Academy Charter Middle School and the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts. The 16-year-old living in Allentown talks life in the Valley, dreaming big, representation in media and more. Finally, don’t miss happiness coach and reinvention strategist Jamie Watkins’s advice for falling in self-love. The creator of My Peace of Happy shares why gratitude, boundaries and trusting oneself is key on pg. 23.

Warmly,

KRISTEN L. RINALDI krinaldi@lehighvalleystyle.com lvstylekristen

M AY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

Getting to know Gift Box Floral & Garden.

Dining in The Garden at Brü Daddy’s!

ENJOY 80 TEQUILAS. (MAYBE NOT ALL AT ONCE.)

You’ll be hard pressed to find a larger selection of tequila in the Lehigh Valley. We feature names from Altos to Zarco and 78 others in between. All types of tequila are represented: Blanco, Reposado, Añejo and Mezcal. Each with its own unique flavor and individual character. All of them go perfectly with our impressive menu of modern Mexican cuisine. Please enjoy our expansive collection of fine tequila — just take your time.

torrerestaurant.com 610-841-9399

A PAXOS RESTAURANT

STAFF SPEAKS VOLUME 22, ISSUE 5

President/CEO Paul Prass

As the weather gets nicer, I’m most looking forward to...

Vice President/COO Lisa Prass

Introducing our puppies, Baby and Bear, to the Saucon Rail Trail!

Publisher Pamela Deller

Emb h e a lt h r a c e t h e b garde enefits of nin g t h sea so n , pg. i s 2 7!

Editor Kristen Rinaldi Art Director Elaine Wyborski Director of Creative Services Erica Montes

The kids being able to play outside again!

Graphic Designer Thomas Körp

Sunshine, bike rides, iced coffee, sangria and sand between my toes!

Senior Sales & Marketing Account Manager Kellie Bartholomew Sales & Marketing Account Managers Denise Lichty, Kelsey Rodocker, Pam Taylor

I am looking forward to warm walks outside! I love the Karl Stirner Arts Trail in Easton right along the river. I’m looking forward to doing ANYTHING outside! It’s been a long, cold, snowy winter, and I can’t wait for post-dinnertime walks and bike rides.

I’m looking forward to being able to take morning runs wearing shorts and short sleeves.

Marketing & Events Manager Kelli Hertzog Web Design Specialist Taylor Van Kooten Contributing Writers Susan Bianchi, Alison Conklin, Carrie Havranek, Morgan Kornfeind, Amy Unger, Daisy Willis Contributing Photographers Marco Calderon, Alison Conklin, Shelbie Pletz Proofreader Lori McLaughlin Accounting Donna Bachman, Sarah Varano Circulation Manager Andrea Karges

M AY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

Definitely walks outside with possible hiking! Also, starting to travel within the U.S. again.

Going for a run outside, drinking iced coffee on my patio and having happy hour outdoors!

Fulfilling my New Year’s Resolution to drink outdoors more often, which dovetails well with an interest in scarfing goodies from the food trucks highlighted in 5 Things.

In partnership with:

WORKING ON THIS ISSUE

AMY UNGER

A TEAM AS DEPENDABLE AS OUR

Contributing Writer I really enjoyed my conversation with Madison Reyes. She’s a grounded, intelligent and talented young woman. I think we’ll be hearing a lot more from her in the future.

RAILINGS INSTALLED OR MATERIALS ONLY LARGE IN-STOCK INVENTORY

DECK & STAIR RAILING FENCES 1-3 PORCH, page square - 4.875 x 4.875-option 3.pdf 1

FLAGS & FLAGPOLES 3/31/21 4:29 PM

610.437.1944 | 2738 EBERHART RD. | WHITEHALL | AMERICAN-FENCE.COM

MARCO CALDERON Contributing Photographer Learning the behind-the-scenes of the featured makers’ processes was fascinating. C

CMY

DAISY WILLIS Contributing Writer Chef D of the Bodega Bistro food truck, highlighted in our 5 Things, beat cancer last year while his family kept the business going—I’m just blown away by the resilience and heart behind the sandwiches! L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : M AY 2 0 2 1

The perfect place to begin your next family vacation

KNOW ALL THE OPTIONS TO BUY OR SELL YOUR HOME,

DLP OFFERS ALL THE OPTIONS. star star star star star

star star star star star

Eric O.

Jhenry

Colin B.

“Fantastic! We both sold our old place and bought our new one with DLP. We had a fantastic TEAM behind us all the way. Can’t say enough good things about our experience.”

“I am so thankful that we sold our home (and bought our next home) through DLP. The first time we listed our home it sat on the market for 8 months! After listing with DLP, we sold in three days! Three days!”

“I chose DLP based upon their radio commercials and so far I’ve been impressed with their professionalism, customer service and willingness to discuss what is important to us in our search for a new home. I would definitely recommend with then and DLP Realty!”

RANKED #1 REAL ESTATE TEAM IN PA AND NJ AND #7 IN THE COUNTRY. Our founder Don Wenner built DLP Realty around a simple concept: There’s more than one way to buy or sell a home. And the only “right way” is the one that’s right for you. That’s

star star star star star

8000+ HOMES SOLD

For over 10 years, DLP Realty has helped thousands of people move into the home of their dreams with no stress or worry.

ELIMINATE THE “CATCH 22” We’ve developed programs and solutions to solve the #1 challenge for home buyers and sellers. YOU WANT YOUR OPTIONS

We provide solutions that best fit your situation and needs.

why DLP Realty gives you more options than you’ll find with typical realtors. We let you choose the path that best fits your current situation — so you can buy or sell your home, your way, on your terms. Find out more about DLP Realty at www.dlprealty.com

(610) 890 - 7656 www.dlpstyle.com

95 Highland Ave, Bethlehem, PA 18017

THIS MONTH’S PICKS

Ready, Set,

SUMMER Our favorite season is just around the corner! Here are some summer staples to ensure its success. They call it summer water for a reason! We’ll be sipping rosé poolside all season long— and we’re especially excited about Black River Farms’ newly introduced sparkling rosé, which is available in both dry and semi-sweet varietals.

We’re stocking up on summer sunnies! Head to Blink Optical Boutique for the latest designer styles and exclusives. blinkon19th.com

black-river-farms.com

If there’s anything we learned from a 2020 spent in our backyards, it’s that citronella candles should not be forgotten. Unwined’s Bye, Bugs citronella candle is both decorative and effective. available locally at Greene Marketplace

Berks County-based clothing brand Have Some Fun Today never stops impressing us with its styles, both new and signature. The Palm Clutch is the perfect beach accessory, and featuresthe (hand-embroidered!) HSFT mantra.

A good sunscreen is important year-round, but especially now. Anllo Center for Aesthetics’ Vitamin C Antioxidant Sunscreen is infused with hydrating antioxidants, is lightweight and never leaves a white residue behind. anllocenter.com

havesomefuntoday.com

We would be remiss if we didn’t include ice cream on our list of summer staples! Owowcow’s ice cream popsicles are made with locally sourced organic cream, eggs and honey, and are available in a variety of seasonal flavors.

owowcow.com M AY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

INSPIRED SPACE S WORLD - CL ASS COMPLIMENTARY INTERIOR DESIGN SERVICE

Reimagine Your Entertainment There’s still no place like home!

800.RING.RCN RCN.com 2770E_APRIL_PrintAds_add on.indd 2

Scan now for our

LATEST OFFERS

3/25/21 3:50 PM L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : M AY 2 0 2 1

HOW DOES A FAMILY BUSINESS SCALE FOR GROWTH?

610.336.0514

They hire the Family Business Experts. Take your family business to the next level with Compass Point. Tom with the Kitchen Magic Family: Brett, Lotte, Renate & Cindy

Compass Point Consulting LLC

fambiz_matters

@compasspt

www.compasspt.com

compasspt.com/client-stories/kitchen-magic

Read About Their Growth Story! ValuePoints ROI 9X in 48 Months!

GROWING

Kitchen Magic President Brett Bacho with Compass Point Business Advisor Tom Garrity in the company’s Nazareth plant

BY MORGAN KORNFEIND

TRENDING NOW

Photo by Lytle Photography Company

*Please check each business’s website for information on current operating hours and procedures.

EDIBLE ART CAKE AS CANVAS

622 W. Broad St., Bethlehem 215.667.1771 | cakeascanvas.com

Photo by Mike Robinson Productions

After leaving the financial world and moving to Philadelphia, Huma Usmani enrolled in The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College. Now settled in her new Bethlehem location, Usmani strives to make “edible art” at Cake as Canvas. “We want to be able to create a cake that is as unique as you are while not compromising on quality and service,” she says. “When you’re ordering a wedding cake from Cake as Canvas, we will discuss your idea of a cake for your special occasion, create sketches for your design, provide sampling and finally create your dream cake.” Usmani’s cakes are also available by the slice and start around $3.75.

BB DeCheine also offers bridal hair and makeup options with convenient pricing options.

An Experience Like No Other BB DECHEINE FINE MEN’S SALON & BEAUTY CO. Brittany DeCheine has been making customers look and feel beautiful in the Lehigh Valley since 2010, but after years of honing her craft, DeCheine was thrilled to open her first “salonfront” in Hellertown in February 2020. The 3,000-square-foot space boasts two separate floors for men and women to enjoy a private, completely customized salon experience. “The BB DeCheine men’s team of five ladies has over 50 years of collective experience in fine men’s grooming and services in the Valley, each creating a following of guests that they look forward to welcoming to Hellertown,” says DeCheine. “The private women’s salon floor embodies modern luxury. Now more than ever people need an escape.” 1152 Main St. Suite 2, Hellertown | 484.851.3171 | bbdecheine.com

GATHER, CREATE, GROW

Courtesy of JuxtaHub

JUXTAHUB

JuxtaHub is a nonprofit community center connecting the people of Emmaus through art, food and technology. “The idea for JuxtaHub was born several years ago when a group of about 40 people assembled to brainstorm the possibility of a community arts center,” says board member Shea Zukowski. “Our vision is to create an intergenerational facility that features artist studios, digital and physical maker spaces where people can collaborate and create new things, a multipurpose classroom suitable for art instruction, a dance studio, a black box theater and a commercial kitchen where food entrepreneurs can create products.” While the COVID-19 pandemic has hindered the rollout of this in-person workspace, JuxtaHub is making do by hosting virtual programming until they can allow full access into their building. 375 S. 10 th St., Emmaus | juxtahub.com L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : M AY 2 0 2 1

VOICES OF THE VALLEY

Edith GutierrezHawbaker FOUNDER AND CREATOR OF TE LO JURO COLLECTIVE After years as an art director and educator, Edith Gutierrez-Hawbaker was at a crossroads. Should she continue her journey in the publishing world or hone in on her passion for the arts? A situation with her son put her dreams into perspective. “Te Lo Juro Collective was inspired by my son, who in kindergarten, donated the money he

made at his abuela’s yard sale to help Puerto Rico rebuild,” says Gutierrez-Hawbaker. “It made me look inward and ask myself what I was doing to help my community. “I am from Argentina, but I felt a responsibility to not only help Puerto Rico, but to also give back to the Latinx communities at large,” she says. “His selflessness and compassion reminded me of my upbringing. We lived in a neighborhood that didn’t have much, but we had a strong sense of our cultural identity. We were proud of where we came from and we always took care of one another.” Her son’s generosity spurred her into action, focusing full-time on her dream, the Te Lo Juro Collective, a lifestyle brand celebrating Latinx culture through fashion, art and more. They are a unique group of talented artists whose mission is to raise money for organizations that strengthen the Latinx community. They do this by donating 20 percent of their sales to various organizations,

which include the Hispanic Federation Unidos, Urban Arts Partnership Latinas, Momento Latino and Latinas Contra Cancer. Gutierrez-Hawbaker draws her inspiration for the collective from a variety of distinguished figures in the Latinx community, ranging from Walter Mercado and Sonia Sotomayor to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Her greatest personal hero? Her mother. “Honestly, my mom is my hero. Her beautiful spirit and story of resilience, coming to the U.S. as a single mom,” says GutierrezHawbaker. “She came to America to give us an opportunity. She taught us to always give back, celebrate our culture and dream big.” As her mother’s daughter, Gutierrez-Hawbaker is paying forward the lessons instilled in her at a young age. “Te Lo Juro means ‘I swear,’” she says. “Always promise to honor yourself, to stand up for what you believe in and to speak up and support your community.”

Watch the Unscripted with Russo podcast video with Edith Gutierrez-Hawbaker at lehighvalleystyle.com.

HELP YOUR CREATIVE SOAR THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX

THE 36TH ANNUAL

ART AUCTION

12:00AM SUNDAY, MAY 9

10:00PM SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021

Visit online at: givergy.us/baumartauction36

SERVICES A Division of Innovative Designs & Publishing

Providing solutions that will help your business take off. idpcreative.com | Easton, PA | 484.546.0402

M AY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

510 W. Linden Street Allentown, PA 18101 610.433.0032 www.baumschool.org

Virtual Preview Night Thursday, May 6, 2021 | 7:00pm In-Person Previews Available by appointment beginning on Mon. April 12th through Sat. May 15th

NEW IN TOWN

A Night to Remember TOWNLEY HOUSE

The new Townley House boutique hotel was formerly a 170-year-old apartment complex. “Style and comfort were at the forefront of our minds when designing the space,” says general manager Cassondra Ruta. “Equally as important, Townley is a reflection of what makes Historic Downtown Easton such a special place. It is vibrant, colorful, unique and brimming with historic charm. We want the Lehigh Valley to know that you don’t

have to go too far for a good time and our hospitality group is here to give you a night to remember.” The 16-room hotel boasts rates ranging from $150 to $345, with each unique room including a custom terry cloth bathrobe and slippers, a smart TV, turndown service and Beekman 1802 toiletries. 130 N. 3rd St., Easton | 484.544.4801 townleyhousehotel.com

DON’T AGONIZE

Organize

350

$ HOME OFFICE

Off

On purchases of $2000 or more. Not valid with other offers. Limited time offer.

CLOSETS • GARAGE • HOME OFFICE • ENTERTAINMENT • WALL BEDS • PANTRY • CRAFT • LAUNDRY • MUD ROOM • WINE ROOM

Call (610) 944-1333 for a free Virtual or In-Home Design Consultation or visit us online at closetfactory.com 7 Willow Street, Fleetwood, Pa 19522 the art of organization ©2021 Closet Factory. All rights reserved.

LVS3_21

L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : M AY 2 0 2 1

ONLINE THIS MONTH

LVS Online Head to lehighvalleystyle.com to take advantage of exclusive content designed to keep you connected with Style, the Lehigh Valley community and each other. lehighvalleystyle.com

Win It Enter to win a premium ice cream cake as well as rolled ice cream from The Ice Cream Lounge, a $55 value! Visit lehighvalleystyle.com/ share-with-us to enter!

BE PART OF THE STORY! Do you know someone whom we should highlight in our monthly Insight column? Email editor@lehighvalleystyle.com.

DID YOU KNOW? You can view the entire issue for free online at lehighvalleystyle.com

CO N N E C T W I T H S T Y L E :

M AY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

you provide the spot, we’ll make it your

PLACE to be

Award-Winning Landscapes • Interiors • Events Visit our Design Studio and Showroom: 1780 Rt. 100, Bally, PA 19503 • Saturdays & Sundays 9–3

GET THE GOODS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARCO CALDERON

Gift Box Floral & Garden Stop by Gift Box Floral & Garden in Easton for all of your flower, plant and gifting needs! Owner Kimmy Raub is happy to help.

KIMMY RAUB

Owner

While plants are their best seller, customers can also find local eats, home décor, self-care items and more.

M AY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

Tell us a little bit about your background and what initially inspired you to open Gift Box Floral & Garden. I’ve always enjoyed being creative and crafting—especially creating finished products and seeing the look of happiness on others as they receive them. I wanted to create a space where anyone could do the same. Gift Box gives our customers many opportunities to get creative.

Describe the variety of floral and plant offerings that you carry. We have a great selection of everyday flowers, ranging from roses and carnations to wild flowers and potted plants. As we know, houseplants are the “in” thing at the moment, and so we try to carry plants for those new to the hobby as well as seasoned gardeners. Tell us about your flower bar! Our flower bar is something unique. Customers can choose their own stems and vase or container and we will arrange it for them. We are an everyday florist, too, and make everything from hand-tied bouquets to custom wedding and funeral work. Our florists love when customers give them the freedom to get creative and build arrangements. Tell us about your flower subscription options. Flowers are a great addition to liven up any room. We have

subscriptions for all budgets to bring that little bit of color to your space. Subscriptions range from weekly to quarterly and are the easiest way to constantly have that spark of joy. As for the plant subscription, we can work with customers to choose what type of plant they want in their space and send a fitting one or arrangement. Some might be surprised to learn about the unique non-plant-related items that you also offer. Tell us about those! We have lots of home and garden décor at affordable prices. We also carry a variety of foods, such as beef jerky, local honey,

tea, jams, cookies and more, and we have a great selection of rest-and-relax items, such as soaps, loofahs and candles. We have found through this past year with COVID that self-care is extremely important. Is there one item that just continually flies off the shelf? Plants. We have become known for our houseplants. Ninety percent of what we offer is from local greenhouses. So, when purchasing from us it is essentially local supporting local. What do you love about being based in Easton? I am originally from the Slate Belt. I love a good communitybased local business. The town of Easton has opened its arms to us from day one. It was snowing on our opening day and we still had such a great turnout. I’ll be

forever grateful that we have planted a seed in Easton and the community has nurtured it and watched us grow year after year. What trends or offerings are you looking forward to this summer? Outside gardening. We are also a garden center in the spring to fall. We sell everything from bedding flowers, vegetable plants, herbs, hanging baskets and more. We love this season because our customers do as well. The trend of gardening and owning houseplants has helped lots of people gain green thumbs! 1700 Sullivan Trl., Easton 610.438.0792 | giftboxfloral.com

L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : M AY 2 0 2 1

EPOXY FLOOR COATINGS FOR ALL APPLICATIONS

DECORATIVE AND

DURABLE AND

DESIGNER

EPOXY FLOOR COATING SPECIALISTS NOW HIRING PAINTERS & EPOXY FLOOR INSTALLERS

610.248.2817 ROCHEEPOXYFLOORS.COM

Fast Food At Its Best Allentown • Emmaus • Fogelsville • Trexlertown

Find us online at yoccos.com! Thank you for voting us The Best Hot Dog Shop in the Lehigh Valley! 22

M AY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

BY DAISY WILLIS

ASK THE EXPERT

Through journaling, clear the noise away and discover what’s underneath.

Fall in

Self Love -

The embrace of self-love is increasingly mainstream, but for some it may still hold a sort of stigma. Is it silly and selfish, or the exact opposite? Jamie Watkins of My Peace of Happy shares insight she’s developed coaching women to discover and live their purpose through self-love.

JAMIE WATKINS Happiness Coach & Reinvention Strategist My Peace of Happy mypeaceofhappy.com L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : M AY 2 0 2 1

ASK THE EXPERT

serenity

REINVENTION

When her first marriage ended in divorce, Watkins barely recognized herself. Since the age of 15, she’d gone from girlfriend to wife to mother on a trajectory that ended in not feeling worthy or like she was enough. “I embarked on a journey to love myself,” she says. “To ask, ‘What is life going to look like now? How am I going to show up?’” Drawing on the unconditional love of earthly and heavenly fathers, she learned to heed and encourage her own dreams. Now she’s a Happiness Coach and Reinvention Strategist, empowering others to empower themselves. “You get to create the vision you have for your life,” she says. “You get to reinvent your happiness.”

soothe your senses with the

of custom countertops

Ribera

The kitchen is the heart of your home. Make it a place you love to be with help from the area’s leading fabricator of natural stone, quartz & solid surface COUNTERTOPS for residential & commercial use.

601 South 10 th St., Allentown 610.266.3121 easternsurfaces.com

Featuring the area’s largest selection of decorative & architectural hardware, home accents and unique gifts.

LISTEN HERE

So, if you’re not sure, how do you find out who you are and what you want? “Sit with yourself,” Watkins says. “Maybe you set time aside every Friday to do a brain dump. Take 10 minutes to write down what you’re thinking about, what you’re feeling.” Through meditation, journaling or whatever practice works for you, clear the noise away and discover what’s underneath. Are you taking care of your body? Is something really bothering you? Is there something you need more of? Start to ask yourself, “What do I really, really, really want?” And keep asking, keep exploring. The answers can be buried deep! Factors like kids, partners and obligations come later. “Don’t feel bad about making them secondary,” Watkins says. “You were you before you were mom, wife, employee. You shouldn't have to give up or lose that person to be the others.” Dream as big as you can. What do you look like, sound like, what are you eating, how does your body feel in the life that’s best for you?

GIVE PERMISSION AND GRATITUDE

512 Main Street, Bethlehem 610.419.2548 knobsnknockers.com

M AY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

Who gives you permission to put yourself first? Whether you’re a mom who needs more me time, are in a career rut or are just sensing that your spirit is seeking something, no one else is going to block out your calendar for new habits or projects. “Think how much you give up when you’re waiting for someone to make you happy,” Watkins says. You are the one you’ve been waiting for, and you’ve been here all along!

Watkins recommends a thank you letter to yourself, to the little girl who may have survived trauma, the you of yesterday. “Embrace all of your story,” she says. “The past can hinder us if we don’t embrace it. Embrace that it got you here.”

DRAW AND HOLD THE LINE

“We’re the first to disrespect our personal boundaries,” Watkins warns. When you assess that you’re no longer willing to store your son’s junk in your garage, or that you’re turning your phone off during your pedicure, you may encounter flare-ups from others unused to these limits. As soon as you fold, you show that your needs aren’t important. “We teach others how to treat us,” Watkins says. “People think boundaries are for others, but they’re actually for ourselves.” Trust and confidence in ourselves can be earned by understanding and acting on our own needs, be they for eight hours of sleep, an uninterrupted bubble bath or the pursuit of a new career. Especially for mothers, shade can be thrown on anything but total sacrifice. In fact, a happy, fulfilled person makes a better parent and role model than someone burnt out and risking resentment. “You can do both,” Watkins says. “Fill your cup with the things that bring you joy, and your family can get your best and not what’s left.”

MANY VOICES

There’s a veritable cacophony of voices around us all our lives, from family and friends to social media and tradition. It’s natural to want to weigh the opinions of the people closest to us, or compare ourselves to Instagram images, but it can drown out the voice within. “I used to call myself a people person,” Watkins says, “but I was really a people pleaser. It’s important to get wise counsel, ask directions—but there’s more than one way to get there.” The strongest doubt often comes from within. Watkins coaches women to recognize the power they hold in order to foster their own worth and happiness, and “once you taste that power, you can’t untaste it.” Self-love isn’t about indulgence, it’s about trusting yourself to chart a course to the you who can be happiest, most at peace and really offer her unique gifts to the world.

POWERFUL. TOUGH. S M A R T.

L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : M AY 2 0 2 1

SPRING HOME & GARDEN

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

IF YOU GOTTA GO

FRESHEN UP YOUR CURB APPEAL

GO IN STYLE!

With 25 years of experience— from design and installation to maintenance and curation for both residential and commercial clients—you can trust Brian Hursh and his landscaping team to give your plantings the TLC they deserve.

Enjoy the luxury of home wherever you go! 1.570.894.8690

opt

2 // LAVISHLAVSLLC.COM

PA040143

SERVICING PA , NJ & NY

Selling with

Style!

Hello, Lehigh Valley!

We are all as different as our properties; therefore, identifying your personal needs is our top priority! If you would like to find out what your home is worth in today’s market... and perhaps start looking for a new home, or your first home, please contact us today.

stay connected 12 issues for $12

Delivered right to your door

lets’ talk!

Your referrals and recommendations to family and friends are highly regarded and always appreciated. Thank you!

Jeanette Perruso

Tara Perruso

REALTOR ®, ABR, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SRS Cell: 610.310.8359 jperruso@weichert.com contactjeanette.com

REALTOR ® Cell: 917.952.9839 tperruso@weichert.com tara-perruso.weichert.com

Weichert, Realtors ® Bethlehem Office 2330 Schoenersville Rd., Bethlehem | 610.865.5555

26 M AY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

Subscribe today at LEHIGHVALLEYSTYLE.COM LVSMAY21_LVS-Subscription-1_4pg.indd 1

4/8/21 4:39 PM

BY S US A N BI A NCHI, MS , HE A LT H & W EL L NE S S COA CH

LIVING WELL

Getting your hands dirty and actively engaging in gardening is a tangible way to reconnect with nature.

Gardening for the Mind, Body & Spirit Last year’s stay-at-home orders had many of us looking more closely at our yards, planting more flowers or maybe growing fruits and vegetables for the first time. Getting our hands in the dirt may have just seemed like a good distraction, but its health benefits go well beyond the simple pause in our day. This spring, starting a new garden or tending to a garden may be some of the best time spent as an integral part of one’s physical, mental and emotional well-being.

EMOTIONAL BOOST & PROBLEM SOLVER

Research has shown that those who garden have fewer feelings of depression and fatigue and greater life satisfaction. Getting outdoors is a proven stress reducer and time spent in the yard can have a greater stress-reducing effect than reading indoors or doing an indoor exercise class. In addition to reducing stress and improving emotional well-being, taking a gardening break can help with being more productive at work. When

working intensely on a project, the brain is operating in what is termed “focus mode.” The brain stays within particular neural pathways—narrow, focused, deliberate and methodical. When one takes a mental break to garden, the brain can shift into “diffuse mode.” This is where the brain relaxes and can meander in the neural networks. While digging in the dirt, the brain is free to wander. It has a chance to create new conceptual connections, strategize, generate new ideas and meaning. Our brains aren’t designed to be in focus mode all the time!

L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : M AY 2 0 2 1

LIVING WELL SUPPORTING A GROWTH MINDSET

Whether one is an expert or a novice gardener, there are a multitude of variables to manage—some under our control and others not. Continuous learning, adapting, testing new methods, making errors and improving on past mistakes all foster a growth mindset and help move away from a limited fixed mindset. Gardening teaches us that it’s not too late to learn something new and to continue to improve our skills and abilities. That is a growth mindset. In a low-risk endeavor, we can be inspired to experiment and grow alongside the plants we tend. Making mistakes and embracing nature’s ample forgiveness helps us break from perfectionism. Thankfully, more often than not, the plants grow in spite of our errors. This is the place for you. Imagine exceptional bath, kitchen and lighting products from trusted brands, in settings that help you envision them in your own home. Classic styles alongside the newest trends. A friendly staff offers guidance to ensure that your project goes smoothly.

NATURE AND NURTURE

Getting your hands dirty and actively engaging in gardening is a tangible way to reconnect with nature. It is a chance to take us out of an insular environment and self-absorption, reminding us there is a whole world of magic that can unfold before our very eyes. Tending and feeling responsible for the care of other living things supports a sense of purpose and boosts selfesteem. It fosters being in a relationship with the world around us. There is great satisfaction in visibly seeing and/or tasting the “fruits of your labor.”

ALLENTOWN, PA 1665 East Race Street • 484-488-3677 • frankwebb.com

Exceptional Outdoor Furniture

MORE MOVEMENT

at Bucks county’s premiere lifestyle garden center

SAVE 10%–40%

every set. every day.

Bring indoor comfort outdoors with premium quality, crafted-to-last dining, deep seating and lounging patio furniture. shop over 50 different sets on display today & ready to deliver! need to special order? our designers are here everyday to assist in selecting the perfect set, fabric or additional seating pieces to complete your space! Alfresco Home • Berlin GArdens • cAstelle • erwin And sons • Gensun • HAnAmint Jensen leisure • outdoor interiors • telescope • treAsure GArden • cAsuAl cusHion

1057 N. EastoN Road, doylEstowN, Pa 18902 | buckscouNtRygaRdENs.com

215.766.7800 Just a Short Drive to the Heart of Bucks County!

28 M AY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

Reaching to get the tomatoes that have just dropped to the ground while staying balanced, paired with digging, weeding and carrying compost, are just some of the strength, mobility and flexibility movements that won’t be found in structured workouts. The list of movements one does while gardening can be more varied than a typical workout at the gym! While the size of the garden as well as how grand one’s projects are may affect the level of exertion, the daily opportunity to move—and to move in different ways—can provide beneficial exercise outside of your daily routine.

OUR KIDS BENEFIT

The garden is an incredible place to get children or grandchildren involved in their environment. Sharing in the process of planting, nurturing and stewardship of the garden can give them a greater appreciation and understanding of how

plants grow and where their food comes from. It is an opportunity to improve their nutritional awareness while giving them a sense of pride, accomplishment and connection to what they have grown. As you incorporate the fresh fruits and vegetables from the garden into your diet, you model healthy habits for them as well. What’s more, the benefits of stress reduction, improved mood and reduced depression aren’t just limited to adults.

GROWING LOCAL

Growing our own fruits and vegetables has the benefit of reducing reliance on commercial, factory farming and takes “locally grown” to a new level. Not only does it taste better, it helps us be more self-reliant and gives a sense of control over how we nourish the soil through restorative and sustainable practices. We can take ideas from regenerative agriculture and permaculture where the focus is on nature, not chemicals. The overarching view is improving the whole ecosystem with a strong emphasis on improving soil health through regeneration, composting, no tilling, improving watersheds and increasing biodiversity.

Brighter lending ideas for businesses. ESSA is here to help you achieve your goals with flexible lending solutions and direct access to decision makers. • Loans for Construction, Improvement & Expansion • Commercial Real Estate Mortgages • Term Loans for Capital Purchases • Commercial Lines of Credit & Letters of Credit • Access to Government Financing & Credit Visit us online:

MIX IT UP

In starting or reworking your garden, you don’t have to choose between flowering plants or a vegetable garden; you can and should have both. Mixing certain flowering plants and herbs with your vegetables is a smart, ecological and space-saving way to increase your vegetable yield and keep the whole garden healthy. Companion planting is another term used when planting particular flowers and herbs alongside your vegetables, which benefits the health of the garden. Planting in this way can naturally help reduce harmful pests, increase helpful insects, attract pollinators and improve vegetable yield while improving the biodiversity in your garden.

BE A GOOD STEWARD

Using the principles of permaculture and regenerative agriculture, we can approach and view our own gardens with a lens of sustainability and being good stewards in our environment. Reduction in stress, better nutrition, improved creativity and connection to nature are just some of the benefits of getting outside in the garden. Not only is it a powerful opportunity to nourish our mind, body and spirit, it can also be an opportunity for us to give back to the nature that supports us.

essabank.com/business

Meet our Lehigh Valley Commercial Team: Stephen E. Bowers Regional President, Lehigh Valley Region Mobile: 610.972.9552 Email: sbowers@essabank.com James T. Gorman, Sr. Sr. Commercial Relationship Manager Mobile: 570.881.5006 Email: jgorman@essabank.com W. Tyler McCann Sr. Commercial Relationship Manager Office: 610.849.4043 Email: tmccann@essabank.com Terese Haas Sr. Small Business Relationship Manager Mobile: 484.695.2241 Email: thaas@essabank.com

L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : M AY 2 0 2 1

$100 EVERY HOUR AM PM WEEKDAYS 8 - 5

PLUS A CHANCE AT $25,000! THIS IS A NATIONAL CONTEST SPONSORED BY CUMULUS MEDIA. SEE STATION WEBSITE FOR OFFICIAL CONTEST RULES. CONTEST ENDS MAY 12, 2021.

999thehawk.com

catcountry96.com

wlevradio.com

lvfoxsports.com

Your Center for Oral Surgery & Dental Implants ALLENTOWN • BETHLEHEM • EASTON • STROUDSBURG 610.865.8077 stlukesoms.com

MOTHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Spring Style into a new

Jamie Brotzman lmt le

15% off any color service over $100 NEW CLIENTS ONLY

Over 17 Years of Experience

Massage • Reiki • Facials • Organic Body Therapies • Waxing Éminence Organic Skin Care dŌTERRA essential oils 101 North 4th St., Easton • 484.861.7287 • healingwellnesscorner.com

hellobeautifulsb.com | 610.351.4247

Don’t Forget! Flowers & Gifts for Mom & Grads!

Good in Flower Beds.

craft flower shop | greenhouse | gift shop

32 M AY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

M OT H E R ’S DAY S A L E May 1 - 8

BY AMY UNGER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TORY RUST / NETFLIX

INSIGHT

Reyes landed the leading Netflix role at the end of her freshman year at Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts in Bethlehem.

Madison Reyes STAR OF NETFLIX’S JULIE AND THE PHANTOMS L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : M AY 2 0 2 1

INSIGHT

design/construction • dramatic planting • hardscape • swimming pools and more

610.683.7200 • www.millcreeklandscapedesign.com

CALL NOW FOR GARDEN UPDATES, SPRING REFURBISHING AND LANDSCAPE MAKEOVERS

PA077204

It all started here!

with a Mortgage Refinance at

For more information and to apply:

Call 610.797.7440 Ext. 612 or Visit PeopleFirstCU.org Low Refinance Rates! 34 M AY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

In the pantheon of female-fronted rock groups, there are bands both real (Blondie, Jefferson Airplane, No Doubt) and not so real (Josie and the Pussycats, Jem and the Holograms). Julie and the Phantoms would fall into the latter category; after all, according to the premise of the Netflix original series, three of the group’s four members are showing up for gigs from the afterlife. But one thing that’s very real about this band is the talent of the young musicians who are part of it, including Allentown’s own Madison Reyes, who plays the titular role. Stepping into Julie’s stage-ready kicks wasn’t too much of a stretch for Reyes, who is 16 years old. “I am Julie,” she says. “A Latin American girl with a passion for music. She was so me.” The show is based on the Brazilian television series Julie e os Fantasmas. Reyes was cast as Julie Molina, a high schooler with a gift for music who has lost her passion for singing following the death of her mother. That changes after she summons the ghosts of three fellow teen musicians who died in 1995, right before their band was about to make it big. The four decide to form a band of their own. The series is a mix of comedy and drama, plus a blend of musical numbers that range from tender and moving ballads to get-up-out-of-your-seat-andstomp-your-feet anthems. One of Julie’s biggest bold-faced names behind the scenes is prolific filmmaker and choreographer Kenny Ortega, who served as executive producer and director.

The series is a mix of comedy and drama, plus a blend of musical numbers that range from tender and moving ballads to get-up-out-of-your-seat-andstomp-your-feet anthems.

But long before she was giving her considerable vocal chops a workout on Julie originals like “Wake Up” and “Bright,” Reyes was just a little girl in Brooklyn, jamming along with an earlier staple of the Ortega canon, High School Musical. Reyes says she was hooked on the performing arts from a young age, taking part in talent shows, step clubs and dance clubs.

Make your staycation one to remember...

Your one-stop source for CUSTOM POOL DESIGN, INSTALLATION & MORE including patios, outdoor kitchens, fireplaces and more!

61 0.965. POO L

PA000981 // NJ13VH04418500

But it wasn’t until she moved to the Lehigh Valley that she began to seriously consider making a career out of it. Reyes says her parents first pitched the idea of making the move out of the city to her and her younger sister, Megan. “They sat us down and said, ‘This could be really good for us.’” But ultimately, Reyes says, the decision would be up to the sisters. As Reyes recalls it, she was all about making the move. Her grandparents already lived in the area, and she always looked forward to visiting them beyond the noise of the city. “I always loved waking up in the morning, smelling the fresh-cut grass,” she says. “It was quiet.” Megan Reyes, however, needed a little more convincing, but big sis did a little arm-twisting, and six years ago, the Reyes family began a new chapter in Allentown. The then 10-year-old Madison Reyes enrolled at Ramos Elementary School and then went on to Trexler Middle School. In seventh grade, she landed the lead role of Princess Jasmine in the school’s adaptation of Aladdin. It was then, she recalls, that something clicked. “I realized this is something I want to do,” she says. “I realized I wanted to commit to this.” Reyes then tried out for and was accepted into Allentown’s Arts Academy Charter Middle School, and later, the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts in Bethlehem.

bbcustompools.com

It’s Time To Love Your Room

Love Your Room | (610) 387-6002 | loveyourroom.com L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : M AY 2 0 2 1

INSIGHT But, while she was learning the ins and outs of the craft of acting and performing her freshman year, doubt began to creep in. Reyes, who is Puerto Rican, says she was bothered by the lack of diversity she saw on the stage and screen; she began to wonder if a career in acting was truly for her. Where did she fit into the mix as a Latin girl? But then she heard about a casting call for Julie and the Phantoms.

“Dr. Holli Warholic is honest, up front and treats me with respect,” explains Caitlin Ayre. “I immediately felt comfortable when I met her.” When it comes to providing great OB/GYN care, trust is essential. Trust the St. Luke’s OB/GYN team to deliver personalized and compassionate care, the care you expect from the region’s leading birthing center. sluhn.org 1-866-STLUKES (785-8537)

The care you trust. Now more than ever.

Travel where and how you want this summer. GOLD RV Loans offer terms from 5-15 years and rates as low as 4.99% APR1.

Own your summer: goldcu.org/rv 1 Credit Union eligibility and Membership are required prior to opening an account or loan. Rate effective 4/1/2021. Rate, term, and loan amount vary. Approval based on credit review and collateral evaluation. Not all applicants will qualify for approval. Dirt bikes, scooters, ATVs, and other non-titled vehicles do not qualify as sufficient collateral for RV Loan. Other fees, terms, and conditions may apply. APR will vary based on credit review. Federally insured by the NCUA.

36 M AY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

Reyes didn’t even have to wait until she was back home in Allentown to find out she landed the role. “Everything happened very fast,” she says. “My manager was like, ‘This has never happened before.’”

At the end of her freshman year, Reyes and her father flew to Los Angeles for what she describes as a grueling three-day audition process, in which she had to perform on her own and alongside other potential bandmates for the show. Reyes says she didn’t hold anything back. “I knew I gave what I had to give.” Executive producer Kenny Ortega told Entertainment Weekly he had a good idea of what he was looking for in his Julie. “I didn’t want a glossy, over-experienced actress,” Ortega told the magazine. “I wanted someone who was authentic and relatable, but then also had an instinct, and that was smart, and then a voice, of course.” Reyes didn’t even have to wait until she was back home in Allentown to find out she landed the role. “Everything happened very fast,” she says. “My manager was like, ‘This has never happened before.’” They later shared the good news with friends and family via a video message from Ortega played at her quinceañera celebration. Reyes says she held off on immediately letting everyone know that she’d snagged the part so she could spend time with her friends and hold on to normalcy for a little while longer. “I got to enjoy that teenage life before things got crazy,” she says. And get crazy, it did. Just days after her birthday, Reyes was back in Los Angeles for Julie boot camp: a month-long marathon of table

Professional Sales Staff | Factory-Trained Service & Installation | Family Owned & Operated Since 1945

EMMAUS 575 Chestnut St. (610) 965-9851 • WHITEHALL 2177 MacArthur Rd. (610) 433-4202 K L E C K N E R A N D S O N S .C O M

reads, rehearsals, blocking, vocal work, dance prep and team-building with her new band. “It was a lot of us getting to know each other and having fun,” Reyes says. “We all really like each other, so that’s good.” That was followed by three-plus months of filming in Vancouver that wrapped up in December of 2019. While Reyes clearly had a ball (“This was a dream I had since watching High School Musical,” she says), she admits she did get homesick for her old life in the Lehigh Valley—especially for her mother. Julie and the Phantoms debuted on Netflix in September of last year. It’s unclear yet whether the nine-episode first season will get a sequel, but Reyes is hopeful. In the meantime, she’s focusing on her school work—she’s trying to get ahead so she can graduate from high school early—and her music. She released a cover of the 1995 Selena hit “Dreaming of You,” and is considering releasing an EP for her seventeenth birthday in June. She’s going on auditions, too, and is excited to be one of the young, fresh faces bringing more diversity to the screen. She points to multihyphenate artists like Ariana Grande and Zendaya as two of her inspirations, and then, of course, there’s Julie herself. “Julie has helped me with a lot of things,” Reyes says. “Nothing is impossible as long as you believe.” L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : M AY 2 0 2 1

e h t t e e M

S R E K A M eron d l a C o c Mar y b y h p togra o h P | r y Unge m A y B

HECTOR GARCIA (RAFA) Shop Foreman /Master Builder

7 creatives SHARE THEIR CRAFT

You may have seen their work in art galleries, high-end office spaces, retail megastores or even in a friend’s home (a friend with impeccable taste, that is). They’re the Lehigh Valley’s own “makers,” who know a thing or two about creativity and craftsmanship. They’re making major contributions to the aesthetic pleasures that delight us, excite us and invite introspection, and they’re doing it with their own two hands.

OoAKt

CHRIS BRYANT Owner/Designer

furni ure

If you’ve been ruminating over an office makeover, or seeking out an upgrade for your home décor, instead of clicking “add to cart” on whatever mass-produced pieces pop up on a Google search, maybe it’s time to check in with the expert craftsmen at OoAK Furniture. “It’s all about customization,” says company president Chris Bryant. “You just get a more hands-on experience.” Bryant, a Texas transplant who moved to the East Coast in 2013, is one member of a small team of five that brings a combined 20-plus years of experience to the table. They’re trying to carve out a name for themselves in the competitive custom furniture business by offering residential and commercial clients a little something extra, just as the company name itself suggests; the additional “o” in OoAK rounds out an acronym that stands for “one of a kind.” OoAK was founded in 2019 and operates primarily out of a 9,000-square-foot warehouse on

Union Boulevard in Allentown, although Bryant also keeps an apartment in Manhattan and frequently travels between the Lehigh Valley and the Big Apple. They’re proud to use locally sourced wood that’s harvested in a sustainable, eco-friendly way. “We only use fallen trees in our hardwood projects,” Bryant says. OoAK is also working toward its FSC certification, a designation bestowed by the Forest Stewardship Council that means a company’s products comply with the highest social and environmental standards on the market. “It's about taking responsibility and holding ourselves accountable for the things that we make, which will most likely outlive us,” Bryant says. As for the style of OoAK’s pieces, Bryant describes it as timeless. Clients are encouraged to contribute their own ideas to the design process. “Bring the inspiration,” he says. ooakfurniture.com

L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : M AY 2 0 2 1

40 M AY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

Knecht parts + assembly

MATT LASKA Owner

Matt Laska, owner of Knecht Parts and Assembly, does a very particular thing for a very particular niche. “My product is a boutique laser-cutting service,” he explains via email. “I'm an artisan manufacturer who works with designers, millwork companies and brands. I take on the granular-level details that come up inside of larger projects, like dimensional logos and engraved panels.” But he pursues smaller, personal projects as well, so while you may have seen his work in places like Nike’s flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York City, you may also have seen his work in Easton’s Centre Square, where Laska was selling Pennsylvania Dutch-themed, laser-cut ornaments during the city’s winter-village shopping experience late last year.

He previously worked in construction, carpentry and scenery and even put his expertise to work for a season of Saturday Night Live.

Laska moved his studio from Queens to Easton in February 2020. He also moved himself— he and his fiancée settled in the West Ward. “In conversations with friends, Easton came up a lot,” he says. “We came here and we loved it. We thought, ‘This is the right-size city for us.’” He previously worked in construction, carpentry and scenery and even put his expertise to work for a season of Saturday Night Live. He later moved on to general fabrication before he purchased a small laser cutter and began to explore that world. “It’s really predictable,” explains Laska. “Machines are dependable. But there is still a lot of feeling and intention. It’s about the communication of creative ideas and the execution of the installation work.” Laska says he hopes to build upon those creative partnerships in his new hometown. The pandemic has made meeting new people and collaborating with other artists and designers difficult, but Laska points to the winter village as a bright spot on his calendar, and says he’s looking forward to being a vendor at other Easton community events, like Garlic Fest. knechtpa.com

Market&High Co. MICHELLE CHRIN & TIM FRANKENFIELD Co-owners Michelle Chrin and Tim Frankenfield have a unique “how we met” story: They’re actually not sure how they met. They traveled in overlapping social circles over the years before reconnecting at Musikfest in 2014. Fast-forward three years later and they were opening their own glass blowing studio in Bethlehem, Market & High Co., named for the streets where they lived when that fortuitous crossing-of-paths happened at Musikfest.

Frankenfield’s... been blowing glass full-time for more than 20 years.

Although Chrin had a background in the digital arts, she says she had never set foot inside a glass studio prior to getting reacquainted with Frankenfield. “I was terrified! Everything was on fire,” she says with a laugh. “I remember saying to him, ‘What possessed you to do this for a living?’” Frankenfield, in fact, had attended Temple University’s Tyler School of Art and Architecture in Philadelphia

with the intention of pursuing photography as a career. But then he took a summer class in glass blowing. “That was it,” he says. Now Frankenfield—who’s been blowing glass full-time for more than 20 years—spends his days in the couple’s studio, and Chrin, who has a full-time job in communications for a Fortune 500 company, continues to grow more comfortable with the delicate, demanding, timeconsuming process that yields the one-of-a-kind glassware, shapes, vessels and orbs that are the hallmark of Market & High. “He’s giving me new things to do each and every day,” says Chrin. “I’m finding my studio legs more and more.” Although Frankenfield may be in the driver’s seat for the manufacturing process, Chrin is the true yin to his yang when it comes to design aesthetics. “I can look at something Tim has made and say, ‘Have you considered this?’” They used the pandemicinduced slowdown of 2020 to conduct their own “R&D,” as Chrin dubs it, and to come up with a new series of pieces. Like a lot of their fellow artists, they’re hoping for a return to normalcy this year. But whatever 2021 brings, they’re in it together. “It’s a great feeling to be able to create beautiful objects with your partner, your best friend,” says Frankenfield. marketandhigh.com

...Market & High Co., named for the streets where they lived when that fortuitous crossing-of-paths happened at Musikfest.

L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : M AY 2 0 2 1

tion Celebra paintings ANDY GREENLEE Owner/Artist If a picture is worth a thousand words, a personalized painting that captures that same moment in real time is probably worth even more. Andy Greenlee would almost certainly agree. She began her career in live painting about six years ago, and now travels to special events all over the country with her easel in tow as she grows her company, Celebration Paintings.

I’m so relaxed as soon as I get behind the easel. I’m in the zone.”

Greenlee, a Montgomery County native who now calls Orefield home, says she always had a knack for the arts. “It was such a comfortable language for me, the language of the visual arts,” she says. “It always felt very comfortable.” She was teaching at the high school level when her mother-in-law, a fellow artist, approached her about giving live painting a try. First Greenlee had to figure out the logistics of transforming her stationary studio into a mobile operation;

44 M AY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

once at the event, she had to establish a balance between interacting with guests and focusing on the painting taking shape with her careful brushstrokes. “I get a little stage fright before the event,” Greenlee says, “but once I arrive and set up, I’m so relaxed as soon as I get behind the easel. I’m in the zone.” While weddings make up the bulk of her business, Greenlee says she’s also been invited to put her artistry to work during other noteworthy occasions, like retirement dinners, milestone birthday celebrations and bar and bat mitzvahs. “I’m open to whatever someone has envisioned,” Greenlee says. She takes the task at hand very seriously, knowing that her interpretation of the happenings unfolding before her will be cemented as a very personal memory for the painting’s recipients. “I love bearing witness to these moments and knowing that the painting will be displayed in homes and likely be passed on for generations,” she says. “It becomes a family heirloom.” celebrationpaintings.com

the

Steel Beam

“We try to integrate the past, present and future in everything we do.”

FAY FITCH Owner A trip to The Steel Beam is like visiting a museum, an artist’s workshop and a retail boutique all in one place. The shop moved from Main Street in Bethlehem to Bethlehem Township last year, and owner Fay Fitch says her diligent team is putting the extra square footage to good use, expanding their line of home décor, apparel, accessories, handmade jewelry and historical pieces. Many of the items come from local artists and designers; others are the team’s own handiwork, one of the benefits of having an on-site workshop. “We’re literally hammering things out in the back,” says Fitch. A common theme in many of the designs is local industry. Anyone familiar with Lehigh Valley history will easily recognize companies that have left their mark on the region’s manufacturing story, like Bethlehem Steel and Mack Trucks. “We have a passion for collecting industrial artifacts with a rich history,” Fitch says. Some of those artifacts are then repurposed for modern-day use; Fitch provides an example of a Mack Trucks bulldog hood ornament that was converted into a touch lamp. The Steel Beam also has unearthed other relics, like a Bethlehem Steel stock certificate, and a first edition

hardcover Sears, Roebuck and Co. catalog from 1902–1903. Other pieces, like the handmade jewelry, may not be such an obvious nod to a particular manufacturing giant, but the influence is still there in the shapes, colors and textures. “We try to integrate the past, present and future in everything we do,” Fitch explains. “We’re on a journey together to work toward a common aesthetic.” And maintaining old-world craftsmanship, she says, is key. Fitch hopes public workshops will be an option in the near future, where the curious and the creative can converge on The Steel Beam for a crash course in making everything from soaps to lamps to essential oils to jewelry. thesteelbeam.com L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : M AY 2 0 2 1

Douglas

Ihlenfeld

46 M AY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

DOUGLAS IHLENFELD Sculptor As a child, Douglas Ihlenfeld didn’t have to turn to schoolbooks for a lesson in the fine arts. His father is world-renowned metal sculptor Klaus Ihlenfeld. The younger Ihlenfeld recalls watching him weld with an acetylene torch on their family farm in Barto, Berks County. But his father’s interest in the arts didn’t begin and end with metals. “He was so much into watercolors, oil paints,” recalls Ihlenfeld. “He was a real

across-the-board artist in every medium.” Of course, Douglas Ihlenfeld is now an artist in his own right, drawing inspiration from his father as well as another local luminary in the arts: Harry Bertoia, a sculptor, jewelry maker and furniture designer who was born in Italy but moved to Barto in Berks County in 1950; Klaus Ihlenfeld was his studio assistant, and later Douglas Ihlenfeld lived for many years on the Bertoia family property, where he was surrounded by the artist’s modernist sculptures.

Despite his family pedigree, Douglas Ihlenfeld wasn’t always on a path to follow in his father’s footsteps. He began his career as an electrician in the U.S. Army, working on aircraft like Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters. Later, he started welding on his own after he graduated from the Welder Training and Testing Institute in Allentown. He says he made the shift to full-time artist about 12 years ago, the culmination of what he calls a gradual process. Ihlenfeld describes his style as the exploration of new designs with old-school techniques, using non-ferrous metals such as copper, bronze and brass. “There’s some sort of connection with the metal,” he says. “The metals themselves are so down-to-earth.”

Ihlenfeld’s work has been awarded a number of prizes and has been shown in several local galleries, including the Allentown Art Museum, Moravian College’s Payne Gallery and the Siegel Gallery at Lehigh University. But perhaps his number one fan—and number one critic—is just a quick mile-and-a-half trek down the road from him in Barto: his father, Klaus. “He’s definitely a good person to judge my work,” Ihlenfeld says. “He tells me if it’s good or not.” douglasihlenfeld.com

...exploration of new designs with old-school techniques,

L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : M AY 2 0 2 1

Al Johnson AL JOHNSON Mixed Media Artist and Educator

Al Johnson has racked up an impressive array of awards and accolades during a decades-long career that began when he was just a child in Jamaica, Queens, New York City. He was just 10 years old when a local newspaper named him the most talented young artist in his district. He credits his public school teachers with pushing him to explore his considerable gifts. “They were adamant,” he recalls. “‘You’re an artist,’ they said. ‘You have to pursue this.’” In the years that followed, his portfolio expanded as he found success in all areas of the visual arts, including mural painting, life drawing and painting, illustration and storyboard art for big-name movie studios like MGM. Now the Lehigh Valley is lucky enough to claim him as its own; Johnson moved to Easton and became one of the artists in residence at Bethlehem’s Banana Factory. “It’s a great institution for what it does

48 M AY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

for the community,” he says of the arts center, where he’s hosted several pre-pandemic painting workshops and hopes to do so again in the future. Johnson made the leap to abstract art about 14 years ago, following some introspection. “When I hit 50, I began to look at my life from about 14 to 50 [years old]. [I realized] all I’ve been doing is creating artwork on commission.” But now, he says, he’s doing art straight from his heart. He’s typically working on anywhere from four to eight pieces at a time; he never knows when inspiration will strike, and what the source of that inspiration will be; it could be a poem, a song lyric, a turn of phrase or something cosmic or other-worldly. He’s also constantly experimenting with the chemistry side of art—mixing paints and other materials to navigate new ways of expression. “This is a continual journey for me,” says Johnson. aljohnsontheartist.com

PARTNER CONTENT

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANDREW TOMASINO Now in its sixth year, Faces of the Valley once again shines a light on local professionals who call the Lehigh Valley their home and stand out in their respective fields. Read on and get to know them better, and join us in looking forward to a time (in the not-so-distant future) when we’ll be able to see one another face-to-face once again.

L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : M AY 2 0 2 1

PARTNER CONTENT

THE FACE OF

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS Mark A. Devey When Mark Devey returned to the Lehigh Valley area to head Perkiomen School, it came as no surprise. Mark grew up on the campus of Moravian Academy, where his father served as Headmaster. In Mark’s youth, he was best known for his athletic prowess. An All-American soccer player, his success took him to the international stage playing for the U.S. squad and then to become the all-time leading scorer at the University of North Carolina. At Perkiomen, Mark’s fresh and innovative educational approach has led to the development of a unique institute model of learning, much like college majors, introducing deep-dives into Entrepreneurship, Medical Science and Artificial Intelligence. Exploration of Perkiomen’s Institutes is a hands-on, student-driven, experiential-based model that’s drawing national recognition. Perkiomen’s transformative boarding and day school is both worldly and wholesome, made up of students from down the street and around the globe. It is a safe and welcoming place where students can— as their motto says—“risk becoming your best.” Perkiomen School 200 Seminary St., Pennsburg 215.679.9511 perkiomen.org

50 M AY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

PARTNER CONTENT

THE FACE OF

A DENTAL ARTIST Jignesh Rudani, DMD, MSPH Dr. Jignesh Rudani is a dentist with an artist’s touch, devoted to restoring and enhancing the natural beauty of his patients’ smiles. It’s always been his wish to be an entrepreneur and solo practitioner, and Bethlehem Dental Arts is both a dream fulfilled and opportunity to provide exceptional dental health care to the community. Patients leave his office as both neighbors and friends. The intricacies of cosmetic dentistry require real artistic skill when preparing and restoring teeth to their optimal appearance. It also requires the right tools and techniques. Dr. Rudani uses conservative, state-of-the-art procedures to create beautiful, long-lasting smiles. Bethlehem Dental Arts is a general dentistry practice with services that meet the needs of the whole family. These services include cleanings and exams, dental implants, porcelain veneers, root canals, teeth whitening, crowns and bridges, surgical extractions and Invisalign. All services are performed by a friendly and compassionate staff in a cozy office that feels a lot like home. The comfort, relaxation and happiness of their patients is always a priority at Bethlehem Dental Arts. Bethlehem Dental Arts 3400 Bath Pike Suite 200, Bethlehem 610.866.8501 bethlehemdentalarts.com

L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : M AY 2 0 2 1

PARTNER CONTENT

52 M AY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

PARTNER CONTENT

THE FACE OF

LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPITAL – HECKTOWN OAKS Opening July 1, 2021, the new Lehigh Valley Hospital – Hecktown Oaks will make it easier for Northampton County residents to access Lehigh Valley Health Network’s exceptional care and services. Lehigh Valley Hospital – Hecktown Oaks is conveniently located in the heart of Northampton County, just off Route 33 along Hecktown Road in Lower Nazareth Township. The campus will include a 201,000-square-foot hospital, 35,000-square foot cancer institute and 61,000-square-foot health center. Featured on the new campus is an expansive range of LVHN health and wellness services. Unlike any hospital in the region, all buildings are modern and easy to navigate. Patients will appreciate the warm and welcoming private rooms with natural light. A 24/7 emergency room includes a dedicated space just for kids. Expect innovative, progressive and extraordinary care at Lehigh Valley Hospital – Hecktown Oaks, and expert care provided by Lehigh Valley Cancer Institute, Lehigh Valley Heart Institute, Lehigh Valley Institute for Surgical Excellence, Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital and more. Lehigh Valley Hospital - Hecktown Oaks | 3780 Hecktown Rd., Easton | 1.888.402.5846 | lvhn.org/hecktownoaks Pictured left to right: Jim Miller, Vice President, LVH – Hecktown Oaks; Bob Begliomini, President, LVH – Hecktown Oaks; Pat Toselli, DO, Chief Medical Officer, LVH – Hecktown Oaks

L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : M AY 2 0 2 1

PARTNER CONTENT

54 M AY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

PARTNER CONTENT

THE FACE OF

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CONSULTING BSI Corporate Benefits, LLC BSI Corporate Benefits, LLC (BSI) was founded in 2003 by Agency Principal and Chief Executive Officer Anthony (Tony) DaRe. Tony started BSI with the mission to be an advocate for clients on both a human and a financial level. Today, BSI is a national employee benefits consulting firm with a local presence, serving client groups with 50–5,000 employees. BSI manages over $500 million in health-care spend and has the ability to successfully identify, implement and execute immediate and long-term cost control strategies to effectively manage its clients’ health-care costs. Since 2017, BSI has been named the “Best Benefits Consulting Firm.” As a result of the firm’s commitment to deliver upon all promises made to clients, BSI has achieved 98-percent client retention, and has been named one of the “Fastest Growing” companies in Eastern Pennsylvania seven years in a row. In 2020, BSI was added to the “Inc. 5000” list as one of the fastest-growing privately held companies in the nation and the fastest-growing employee benefits firm in Pennsylvania. BSI’s success can be attributed to not only the level of service and savings provided to clients, but most importantly the team in place to move BSI forward. BSI Corporate Benefits, LLC 79 W. Market St. Suite 400, Bethlehem 1.866.274.2363 bsicorporate.com Pictured left to right: Shawn Hughes, Senior Vice President Val Lewis, Chief Operating Officer Vicki Doulé, Senior Vice President Tony DaRe, Chief Executive Officer Nick Tranguch, Vice President of Sales & Client Acquisition

L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : M AY 2 0 2 1

PARTNER CONTENT

THE FACE OF

NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED CANCER CARE VITA Medical Associates “Treat the patient, not the symptoms.” Since founding VITA Medical Associates in 1993, this is the maxim Dr. Anna Niewiarowska and her husband, Dr. Tomasz Niewiarowski, have built their privately-run practice upon. Their devotion to providing precision cancer care has not gone unnoticed: In 2010, Dr. Niewiarowska took her practice’s standard of care to the next level by achieving the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI®) Certification, the first practice in Pennsylvania (and the 23rd nationwide) to do so.

56 M AY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

PARTNER CONTENT

Specializing in the treatment of advanced cancers, Dr. Niewiarowska welcomes the unique challenges each patient faces. She is fiercely dedicated to her patients’ success. Bolstering her background in pharmaceutical research with a passion for nutrition, Dr. Niewiarowska embraces her role as the “go-to” oncologist for second opinions, with expertise in pancreatic, breast, lung and hematologic cancers. She remains deeply engaged in conducting clinical trials to develop new treatments for pancreatic cancer, and is routinely recognized for providing the highest quality patient care. The VITA team of physicians would be incomplete without Dr. Tomasz Niewiarowski and longtime mentor and colleague, Dr. James Boylan, both experts in the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal and liver disorders. Dr. Niewiarowski developed the Lehigh Valley’s first endoscopic ultrasound program in 2004, introducing the region’s patients to noninvasive technology for the diagnosis and staging of gastrointestinal cancers. VITA Medical Associates | 306 S. New St. Suite 201, Bethlehem | 610.866.0113 | vitamedicalassociates.com L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : M AY 2 0 2 1

PARTNER CONTENT

58 M AY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

PARTNER CONTENT

THE FACE OF

THE BEST HAIR IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY Rooted Salon Rooted Salon, established in 2017 by husband and wife duo Brandon and Katelyn Quigney, is a full-service hair salon offering a wide array of high-end hair services. From precision haircuts to gray blending services to multi-tonal blondes and rich, velvety brunettes, they have many services to offer, while their clients enjoy a complete salon experience. The salon boasts of winning Lehigh Valley Style’s “Best Women’s Salon” for 2018, 2019 and 2020. With a team of ten, this salon may be small, but they are mighty! Each stylist was handpicked to join the Rooted family, with the skills necessary to put out five-star hair. All share the same desire—providing outstanding service with a friendly and inviting atmosphere. As a family-owned small business, Brandon and Katelyn have overlooked no detail, incorporating his passion for customer service and hers for the love of all things hair. Rooted is a Wella Professional certified salon, a leader in the beauty industry for over one hundred years. The salon carries R+Co and Unite product lines, and holds the honor of being an R+Co Bleu founding salon. Reputation and clients’ happiness are what mean the most to the team. The salon has many reviews on different platforms showcasing what sets them apart from other salons. For a standout experience and some equally incredible hair, visit Rooted Salon! Rooted Salon | 6636 Hamilton Blvd., Allentown | 484.860.3060 | salonrooted.com

L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : M AY 2 0 2 1

PARTNER CONTENT

60 M AY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

PARTNER CONTENT

THE FACE OF

PARENTHOOD PARTNERS Lehigh Valley Health Network Starting a family is one of the most life-changing decisions anyone can make. For those who are on that journey, choose a health care partner who’s prepared to help navigate a routine or complex pregnancy: Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN). LVHN supports moms-to-be and their families from the beginning. Families build relationships with their care team, which includes board-certified obstetricians, nurse liaisons, certified nurse midwives and fellowship-trained maternal fetal medicine specialists. The care team provides comprehensive support throughout the pregnancy and seamless access to specialty care, if needed. Part of preparing for parenthood includes planning for the unexpected. If a baby is born prematurely or needs neonatal specialty care, Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital offers the region’s only Level IV neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The experienced and compassionate NICU care team supports parents and their babies every step of the way. And once a baby is born, having a health care provider for the child’s newborn and childhood visits is critical. Whether for regular checkups, vaccination appointments or care for a chronic illness, LVHN’s pediatricians and family medicine providers are affiliated with Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital and are there for every family. Parents work in partnership with their child’s health care provider so the little one has a healthy childhood. Lehigh Valley Health Network 1200 S. Cedar Crest Blvd., Allentown 1.888.402.5846 lvhn.org/motherhood Pictured left to right: Sarah Fraser, CNM, Midwife Karina Reed, MD, OBGYN Kara Coassolo, MD, Maternal Fetal Medicine Kelly Fiadino, RN, Nurse Liaison Erika Yencha, MD, Neonatology Kristin Menconi, MD, Pediatrics

L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : M AY 2 0 2 1

PARTNER CONTENT

Pictured left to right, seated: Rick Hauler, Laura Hauler, Kelsey Elliott, Jonathan Campbell, Tim Dodge, Laurie Nyce, Cindy Lou Lapp Left to right, standing: John Pohl, Christina Gillespie, Nate Boykin, Kristen Martin, James Harrison

62 M AY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

PARTNER CONTENT

THE FACE OF

INNOVATIVE REAL ESTATE SOLUTIONS DLP Realty Providing “real life” solutions for individuals and families, DLP Realty knows that real estate is much more than simply buying and selling homes. Founder and CEO Don Wenner established DLP Realty with a simple concept in mind—there should be more than one way to buy and sell a home. DLP Realty has helped thousands of people move into the home of their dreams. Over the past 10 years, over 8,000 homes have been sold by the DLP team of professionals. They offer a multitude of solutions for every kind of customer, providing personalized service to fit any and all needs. The DLP team is proud to offer more than an average real estate agent, rather they provide a team of professionals to work with their clients in order to get the job done right. And, their competitive offers eliminate worry and risk, for a guaranteed sale that doesn’t drag on for months. Ranking as the number one real estate team in PA and NJ and number seven in the country, DLP Realty truly provides excellence in service for their customers. This award-winning team leaves buyers and sellers “wowed” with impeccable and personalized service. DLP Realty’s satisfied clients are a testament to the company’s innovation and commitment to providing all the options to buy and sell a home. DLP Realty | 95 Highland Ave., Bethlehem | 610.890.7656 | dlprealty.com

L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : M AY 2 0 2 1

PARTNER CONTENT

64 M AY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

PARTNER CONTENT

THE FACE OF

ADVANCED SPINE CARE Physical Therapy at St. Luke’s Physical Therapy at St. Luke’s is dedicated to providing patients with the highest level of quality care. Their Advanced Spine Physical Therapists are leaders in spine care treatment. They have a specialized skill set developed through extensive training and are able to teach and lead the group of highly trained spine therapists. These leaders are an integral part of St. Luke’s innovative Comprehensive Spine program. St. Luke’s Comprehensive Spine program was created to provide patients with convenient and fast access to treat back and neck pain. Back pain is recognized as one of the most common and costly problems in all of health care, affecting as many as 90 percent of people at some point in their lives. Patients can call directly and be scheduled within 48 hours, without the need for a physician prescription. Early access to care has been shown to dramatically reduce recovery time as well as health care costs. The results achieved by patients treated by the highly trained physical therapists in the Comprehensive Spine program have been outstanding. Overall patient improvement scores are ranked in the top 6th percentile nationwide; patients require fewer visits for improvement, and patient satisfaction exceeds 98 percent. Physical Therapy at St. Luke’s wants to help everyone achieve their goals and get back to their life, pain-free! Physical Therapy at St. Luke’s | 50 locations around the region | 484.526.5025 | stlukesphysicaltherapy.com

L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : M AY 2 0 2 1

PARTNER CONTENT

66 M AY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

PARTNER CONTENT

THE FACE OF

DENTAL IMPLANTS St. Luke’s OMS St. Luke’s OMS takes pride in giving patients their smiles back. With offices in five locations and the largest range of oral surgery services in the Lehigh Valley, they are able to reach anyone in need of oral surgery. Dr. Wayne Saunders founded the practice in 2002 to offer high quality and affordable oral surgery care locally, and that one-man practice has since grown to 10 doctors. Not only are St. Luke’s OMS doctors highly qualified, the entire experience is designed to be as convenient as possible for patients. Having multiple doctors and locations allows for flexibility in scheduling and no one has to make a long-distance drive for treatment. Offices are open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with some Saturday appointments during the summer months. St. Luke’s OMS always makes it a priority to be there for patients. Services include dental implants, full mouth restoration including Trefoil and All-on-4 treatments, wisdom teeth removal, bone and gum grafting, TMJ, jaw surgery and sleep apnea. The doctors are also on staff and on call for facial trauma needs at St. Luke’s University Health Network. Oral surgery can be daunting for patients. Knowing that, the St. Luke’s OMS doctors and staff do their best to provide a positive experience in a warm and welcoming environment. St. Luke’s OMS locations in Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton and Stroudsburg 610.865.8077 stlukesoms.com

The St. Luke’s OMS team, left to right: Dr. Rhonda Rohloff, Dr. Michael Fedele, Dr. Daniel S. Lader, Dr. Assabi Isaac, Dr. Wayne J. Saunders, Dr. Veronica Barreto, Dr. Dominic P. Rachiele, Dr. Joseph J. Arnone and Dr. Brett M. Geller L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : M AY 2 0 2 1

PARTNER CONTENT

68 M AY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

PARTNER CONTENT

THE FACE OF

FERTILITY CARE Reproductive Medicine Associates Lehigh Valley Can one put a value on kindness? Compassion? Can one put a value on success? Most patients that come to Reproductive Medicine Associates Lehigh Valley (RMA), who have experienced all of the above, would say no—they are all priceless. And that’s exactly what the RMA fertility clinic in Allentown offers. RMA Lehigh Valley practices the latest, safest and most compassionate fertility medicine and makes patients feel seen and heard. Lead physician Dr. Ndeye-Aicha Gueye is a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist who is not only warm and personable (she’s on a first-name basis with all her patients), but a top expert in what she does. In addition to treatments like intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF), Dr. Gueye is a minimally invasive surgeon who treats endometriosis, fibroids, uterine anomalies, tubal disease and endometrial polyps and scarring. Another inviting face in the office is nurse practitioner Laura Taber, who has more than a decade of professional nursing experience providing compassionate, high-quality care. From the moment patients walk in the RMA door, they are greeted not only with a welcoming smile, but with the optimism that they’re in the right place. RMA offers a full range of fertility services, including IUI, IVF, egg and sperm freezing, and family-building options for the LGBTQ+ community. Plus, a state-of-the-art IVF laboratory helps RMA maintain success rates consistently higher than the national average, turning patients into parents every day. Reproductive Medicine Associates Lehigh Valley 1401 N. Cedar Crest Blvd. Suite 200, Allentown | 610.820.6888 | rmanetwork.com

L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : M AY 2 0 2 1

PARTNER CONTENT

THE FACE OF

HOMEOWNERSHIP Mike Bower Since 1993, Mike Bower has been guiding clients to significant savings when buying their dream home or refinancing an existing home. “The loan process has many hurdles and guidelines to consider up front,” the Whitehall native says. “I love helping people.” As a Branch Manager for AnnieMac Home Mortgage in Allentown, Mike has access to almost every loan program that exists, including conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, PHFA and 203K renovation loans. Mike listens carefully to his clients’ needs to make sure they choose the loan program that best fits their goals, lifestyle and budget. In this competitive market, using a local company like AnnieMac gives customers an edge when making offers on homes: all the processing and closing is done locally and preapprovals take less than 30 minutes. “Having every advantage possible is crucial to win a bid when there are multiple offers on most houses,” Mike says. “This includes a preapproval letter from a local lender that real estate agents know and trust.” With AnnieMac’s speed and service, along with Mike’s experience and support at their disposal, home buyers and refinancing clients in the Lehigh Valley are in fantastic hands. AnnieMac Home Mortgage | 610.973.3375 | mike.annie-mac.com

70 M AY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

PARTNER CONTENT

Pictured left to right: Carly Butters Snyder Tessa Koss Michele Huzela-Keiser Caitlin Fenstermacher Vicky Zisman

THE FACE OF

WOMEN IN DISTILLING Eight Oaks Farm Distillery Five bold leaders: Carly Butters Snyder, Tessa Koss, Michele Huzela-Keiser, Caitlin Fenstermacher and Vicky Zisman are helping set the future direction of Eight Oaks Farm Distillery. Tessa, manager of the Farm Distillery Kitchen, leads the in-person experience customers have come to love when they visit; Caitlin, director of distillery operations, is responsible for creating the award-winning spirits popular both locally and throughout Pennsylvania; Michele, event manager, leads the work with organizations in the Lehigh Valley and helps share the Eight Oaks experience with the community; Vicky is responsible for the on/off premises sales efforts, as well as Eight Oaks’ Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion efforts as the JEDI advisor, ensuring everyone has a seat at the table; while Carly, chief operating officer, pulls it all together—taking care of the crew and the customer experience, with an eye toward Eight Oaks’ continued growth and their future. Intelligent, powerful and dedicated, these women demonstrate visionary leadership and a commitment to Eight Oaks’ purpose: to help make their community a better place. Eight Oaks Farm Distillery | 7189 Rte. 309, New Tripoli | 484.387.5287 | eightoaksdistillery.com L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : M AY 2 0 2 1

PARTNER CONTENT

THE FACE OF

TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE Kevin Dellicker Kevin Dellicker was working for a technology company when he had an idea to help schools bridge the “digital divide.” He pitched it to his boss, but it wasn’t a good fit. So he and his wife, Susan, took matters in their own hands and started Dellicker Strategies in the basement of their home. It was a simple idea, says Kevin. “If schools would cooperate on major technology purchases, they could enhance their capabilities while reducing their costs.” That was 2005, and Dellicker Strategies has since led $275 million in technology infrastructure upgrades connecting 2,000 locations. “We’ve helped 630 school districts in Pennsylvania and New Jersey improve their broadband access, including 39 schools in the Lehigh Valley,” Kevin says. They also helped launch Pennsylvania’s largest online learning consortium, and by 2017 introduced 100 schools to hybrid learning, years before its widespread adoption. Dellicker Strategies today helps many kinds of organizations bridge the digital divide, and their offerings have expanded to include cybersecurity and project management services. “We want to make sure all people can access technology for work, learning and living,” says Kevin, “wherever they may be.” Dellicker Strategies | 8766 Bittners Ct., Germansville | 484.788.1221 | dellicker.com

72 M AY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

PARTNER CONTENT

Pictured left to right: Anne K. Manley Kellie L. Rahl-Heffner Allen I. Tullar Constance K. Nelson Not pictured: Malcolm J. Gross

THE FACE OF

EXPERIENCED FAMILY REPRESENTATION Gross McGinley, LLP Family is everything, right? When a family makes a change, they want a trusted advisor to help find a solution to their unique situation. Gross McGinley’s Family Law team takes the time to listen first, then explains the law and options. They offer sound insights to empower clients to make informed decisions—even when they aren’t easy. Over four decades, attorneys at Gross McGinley have represented families in the Greater Lehigh Valley. Their team is diverse: made up of a former prosecutor, educator, counselor, divorce master, support master and juvenile court solicitor. All are experienced litigators, ready to advocate for clients in and out of court. Plus, they are fathers, mothers, partners—humans who can relate to clients and their case. Whether seeking a prenup or divorce, an adoption or custody, or an order for support or protection from abuse, Gross McGinley is there to serve and to guide. Gross McGinley, LLP | 33 S. 7 th St., Allentown | 610.820.5450 | grossmcginley.com L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : M AY 2 0 2 1

PARTNER CONTENT

THE FACE OF

FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT Julie Knight, CFP ®, CLTC ®, CDFA ® A Lehigh Valley native and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) professional with over 20 years of client-facing experience, Julie Knight focuses on family wealth planning that has multigenerational impact. “I value a fluid, strong, lasting relationship with my clients, and am there for them through the ups, downs and the unexpected,” she says. The current environment—a global pandemic, market volatility, social and political unrest—has shifted the concerns, goals and priorities of many, and opened everyone’s eyes to the reality of “what ifs,” and the need for a plan to address them. The peace of mind that comes with preparedness is invaluable, particularly during times of uncertainty and distress. Julie’s planning process is built on a foundation of effective listening—to concerns and goals—allowing her to craft a plan to address all of her clients’ needs in a way that makes sense for them, their family, and their overall financial picture. Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC 1390 Ridgeview Dr. Suite 101, Allentown 610.674.6981 klcwealthadvisory.com Member: NYSE, FINRA, SIPC

74 M AY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

PARTNER CONTENT

THE FACE OF

COVID-19 HEALTH CARE HEROES St. Luke’s University Health Network At the very beginning of the pandemic, St. Luke’s recognized that COVID-19 would be a source of great anxiety and fear. To date, they have cared for hundreds of thousands of COVID patients—every one the way they would care for their own families. That care included nationally-recognized, groundbreaking medical and operational innovations such as convalescent plasma, antivirals like Remdesivir, virtual care and monoclonal antibodies, to name a few. These innovations improved treatments, increased survivability and produced better outcomes for patients. Today, St. Luke’s is working with “long hauler” patients to develop long-term, comprehensive care, and has vaccinated hundreds of thousands within the community. Behind these masks are just a few of the faces representing St. Luke’s thousands of COVID Health Care Heroes: Amie Allanson-Dundon, MS, LPC, CAADC, CCDP-D, CFAE, CCTP, Network Director of Clinical Therapy Services; Livia Bratis, DO, Chief of St. Luke’s Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine; Delilah Alicea, RN, Patient Care Manager, St. Luke’s Allentown Campus; Ricky Castro, RN, Medical Intensive Care Unit, St. Luke’s University Hospital, Bethlehem; Jeffrey Jahre, MD, Senior Vice President of Medical and Academic Affairs and Section Chief Emeritus of Infectious Diseases. St. Luke’s University Health Network | Serving eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey | 1.866.785.8537 | sluhn.org L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : M AY 2 0 2 1

PARTNER CONTENT

Pictured left to right: Robert I. Cahill, CFP ®, managing partner; Jeffrey T. Bogert, partner; Carol Stehlin, partner & registered associate; Jonathan Soden, partner Photo by Colin Coleman

THE FACE OF

PERSONALIZED WEATLH MANAGEMENT Magellan Financial, Inc. Retirement is a numbers game, and what matters today is not at what age someone plans to retire, but at what income. In this time of uncertainty, the right asset and wealth management advisor can make a big difference between holding your breath, hoping everything will be all right, and knowing the financial future is secure. The skilled professionals at Magellan Financial know how to navigate to a comfortable and stress-free retirement. The investment planning process focuses on a client’s investment goals: What is the future they envision? Using thorough, thoughtful, risk-based strategies designed to support a client’s objectives, a clear picture of the path to financial freedom emerges. It’s a highly individualized and conservative approach, without compromise to one’s current or future lifestyle, and without taking unnecessary investment risk. With more than 100 years of combined experience, a collaborative environment and focus on defining and achieving their clients’ objectives, the Magellan team works every day to provide a different approach to wealth management. Magellan Financial, Inc. | 1605 N. Cedar Crest Blvd. Suite 111, Allentown | 484.240.5722 | magellanlv.com

76 M AY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

Investment products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC (WFAFN), member SIPC. Magellan Financial, Inc., is a separate entity from WFAFN.

PARTNER CONTENT

THE FACE OF

REAL ESTATE LAW KingSpry Buying a home or opening a new business location is one of life’s big moments. Anyone would want their transaction managed in a comprehensive, yet efficient manner. KingSpry real estate attorneys Matthew Tranter and Karley Biggs Sebia can help. KingSpry offers a full-service real estate practice. Their clients are diverse, ranging from first-time home buyers to experienced commercial developers, lenders, purchasers, sellers and landlords. Services include real estate acquisition, zoning and land use, commercial/residential leasing and litigation. For the convenience of clients, they maintain an inhouse title insurance and settlement services company. KingSpry’s real estate practice continues to grow due to the high quality of the services they provide. They understand each transaction is unique and do not take a “one size fits all” approach. Excellent communication and transparency in every step of the process enables them to address challenges as they arise to accomplish their clients’ goals. They often hear from clients who are surprised at how easy transactions can be when their team is involved. KingSpry | 1 W. Broad St. Suite 700, Bethlehem 610.332.0390 | kingspry.com

Attorneys Karley Biggs Sebia and Matthew Tranter

L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : M AY 2 0 2 1

PARTNER CONTENT

THE FACE OF

PROFESSIONAL AUTO DETAILING Prestige Auto Appearance, LLC David Rivera’s passion for auto detailing goes way back. He was just eight years old when he started cleaning cars to help make ends meet at home—his mom was a sole provider with four kids to feed. A neighbor with a body shop showed him how to compound and polish a vehicle, and after that there was no stopping David from building a successful career in auto detailing. Today, David is president of Prestige Auto Appearance, a company he founded in 2014 to provide expert detailing services to car owners and more than 20 dealerships in the Lehigh Valley and beyond. He and his crew are committed to education and exceeding customer expectations, obtaining certifications by the best trainers in the industry. “Our extensive knowledge in all aspects of a vehicle,” Rivera says, is what makes Prestige unique. “Understanding how automotive paint works, what product combinations work best, the exact tools and equipment to care for every vehicle, but also the ones that get the job done well.” From the initial inspection of their vehicle, to the education they receive, to final delivery, customers love every step of the “polished to perfection” process at Prestige. Prestige Auto Appearance, LLC | 3826 Broadway, Allentown | 610.628.4249 | prestigeaa.com

78 M AY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

PARTNER CONTENT

THE FACE OF

PIONEERING NEUROSURGERY Walter C. Jean, MD Walter Jean, MD, has joined Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) and will serve as Chief of Neurosurgery. Jean is a board-certified neurosurgeon known worldwide for his expertise in complex brain surgery. With nearly 20 years of experience in both open and endoscopic skull base surgery, Jean’s clinical interests include acoustic neuromas, pituitary adenomas, skull base meningioma, intraventricular tumors and trigeminal neuralgia. His acclaimed textbook, Skull Base Surgery: Strategies, is used by neurosurgeons across the globe. “I’m excited to join LVHN and continue to build on their solid foundation,” Jean says. “I hope to take LVHN Neurosurgery to the next level with robust clinical activity, research and innovation as well as education.” Jean is a pioneer in utilizing virtual reality in neurosurgery. This groundbreaking technology gives patients a visual explanation of their upcoming procedure, which is often easier to understand than medical terminology. “When patients place the headset over their eyes,” Jean says, “they are transported to a virtual replica of their own brain.” Jean is the only physician in the area using this groundbreaking technology. LVH Neurosurgery 1250 S. Cedar Crest Blvd. Suite 400, Allentown 610.402.6555 lvhn.org/wcjean

Photo by Sharon Merkel / OlafStudio

L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : M AY 2 0 2 1

PARTNER CONTENT

THE FACE OF

DENTAL LEADERSHIP Deborah Campbell, DMD, MSEd Since 2018, families across the Valley have counted on World Class Family Dentistry for all their dental care needs. Dr. Deborah Campbell and staff take pride in living up to their name, offering world-class service in their welcoming, family-oriented office in Allentown. The practice has an emphasis on cosmetic dentistry and technologically advanced, same-day crowns. Dr. Campbell got an early start in dentistry, working as a dental assistant at 14 in her family’s dental office in New York. Pursuing an accelerated program at Lehigh University and the University of Pennsylvania, she completed her bachelors, masters in higher education and doctorate in dentistry in just seven years. After a residency at Lehigh Valley Hospital, she worked 14 years in a Wescosville practice before opening her own. Dr. Campbell prioritizes community service and has won numerous awards for her work. She serves as Chair of Dental Medicine at LVHN, teaches residents there and served on the Miles of Smiles Mobile Unit—all while balancing a busy practice and active family life. She is a mom of three and celebrates her 20th anniversary this year. World Class Family Dentistry 3131 College Heights Blvd. Suite 2100, Allentown 610.351.5140 worldclassfamilydentistry.com

80 M AY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

PARTNER CONTENT

THE FACE OF

MOBILE CATERING George Pitsilos George Pitsilos has been satisfying the Lehigh Valley’s appetite for tasty tacos for a long time. Fresh out of college in 1977, he opened his first Take a Taco restaurant in Fullerton with help from his parents. The restaurant moved to Grape Street before closing, but by then his famous soft shell tacos had become a staple at local festivals, such as Musikfest, Celtic Classic and The Great Allentown Fair. “We use an eight-inch, hand-stretched flour tortilla that we lightly fry and fill with our standard beef, chicken or tuna salad,” George says. Another crowd favorite are the Pierogi Fries: deep-fried homemade pierogi wedges tossed in a garlic Parmesan or Buffalo sauce. Pitsilos came back full-time when the Take a Taco food truck hit the road in 2018. He also offers quick-service and full-service catering for private and corporate events year-round. “Menu items range from our soft shell tacos to a full-course meal consisting of appetizer, prime dry-aged steaks and scrumptious desserts,” he says. “We’re more than just tacos.” Take a Taco Lehigh Valley 610.393.7100 takeatacofoodtruck.com

L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : M AY 2 0 2 1

PARTNER CONTENT

Photo by Emily Dilcherd / Elle Studios

THE FACE OF

CREATIVE EXPRESSION Mary Ott Mary Ott is the founder and owner of With Love Mary Salon in Allentown, a place of passion, dedication, beauty and love. Through 17 years of experience, Mary has grown through her craft. Creative expression is the foundation of all her endeavors. Beginning at a young age, her love for hair was evident. Many years of experience and education led to the creation of With Love Mary Salon. It is her childhood dream come true. The salon space has allowed Mary to cultivate her beloved team and bring her wildest dreams to life. She takes pride in utilizing the intuitive nature of hair coloring, finding joy in all her styles. Behind the chair, With Love Mary’s team of dedicated and talented stylists is motivated in bringing their guests’ visions to life. They specialize in customizable color, dimensional balayage, universal blonding and creative styling. Mary Ott can only hope With Love Mary brings as much joy, love and creativity to her guests as it has to her and her team. With Love Mary Salon | 1529 Hanover Ave., Allentown | 610.440.4350 | withlovemary.com

82 M AY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

PARTNER CONTENT

THE FACE OF

ENTERTAINMENT Kevin Ramaley Kevin Ramaley is a one-of-a-kind event planner whose passion for planning a memorable event is evident to every client he meets. His company, Rockin’ Ramaley, started in 1996 with two turntables, two speakers and a dream: to make every event unforgettable. Since then, Kevin has evolved into the Lehigh Valley’s leading entertainment company by providing personalized services for weddings, birthday parties, corporate events and more. This means listening and thinking outside the box to make his clients’ dreams come true. For one fall wedding, when the bride wanted an outdoor wedding but feared inclement weather, he brought 26-foot live trees inside the venue and used lighting to match the bridal party colors. Realizing each event is as unique as the customer, Rockin’ Ramaley offers a wide range of services: LED dance floors, photo booths, cloud effects and more. The entertainment industry was hit hard by the pandemic, but Kevin reinvented his celebrations as curbside dance parties from his 26-foot Military Truck! When Kevin is not working, he enjoys spending time and making memories camping with his family, working on cars and supporting charities like Angel 34 and Toys for Tots. Rockin’ Ramaley | 44 W. 1st St., Wind Gap rockinramaley.com | 610.393.3339

L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : M AY 2 0 2 1

5 THINGS

BY DAISY WILLIS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALISON CONKLIN

Classic Poutine Fresh-cut fries from Idaho, Cheddar cheese curds from Wisconsin and housemade gravy

Food Trucks Rolling up to private events, breweries, festivals— anywhere hungry people are found—the Valley’s food trucks have been helping to hit the spot over many months of obligatory outdoor dining. Check their websites to track these nomadic nosheries.

M AY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

1. THE FLYING V theflyingvfoodtruck.com

Like the flock of geese that inspired their name, The Flying V is in constant motion amid breweries, wineries, farmers’ markets and more, serving up a satisfying Canadian favorite. Nothing hits quite like hot fries decked with gravy and cheese curds after a couple of craft beers.

2.THE STICKY PIG

Thank You

TO THE 2021 MAN & WOMAN OF THE YEAR CANDIDATES

eatstickypig.com

Along with their usual ramblings, The Sticky Pig food truck is setting up its “farm-to-table bar food” as a fixture at Breinigsville’s velodrome. The mouthwatering pulled pork sandwiches, nachos and inventive sides are made with local ingredients and a lot of love.

FIRED UP . ARTISAN OVEN

ARIELLE ALLEN

DESTINEE DEELEY

GREG BASSETT

ANTHONY FIGEL

MEAGAN BECK

HEATHER FORMICA

JUSTIN BEIDLEMAN

KATHRYN FRICK

ALEXIS BERG TOWNSEND

AMANDA HRYCKO

COURTNEY McCALL

firedupartisanoven

An emissary of Emmaus’s Trapp Door Gastropub, the Fired Up food truck brings a wood-burning pizza oven wherever it goes. Fresh flatbreads hit the spot when this truck is at the curb, and an additional vehicle, The Gastro Truck, is also at large with a full kitchen, serving brunch and whatever the chef dreams up!

KRISTIN PARKS

STACI SAEGER

SARA ANN SALTER

DAN SCHMIDT

MICHELLE WEAVER

AROUND THE . TABLE CATERING

aroundthetablecatering

The cozily-named Around the Table Catering has a home in the Jewish Community Center’s lot in Allentown, as well as making the rounds with their vegetarian, kosher cuisine. This scrumptious Middle Eastern food includes tofu shawarma, veggie gyros and Easton Food Truck Festival’s pick for Best Falafel!

5. BODEGA BISTRO bodegabistrollc

The innovative Puerto Rican cuisine from the Bodega includes Cuban sandwiches, empanadas and Taco Tuesdays. Find it at Emmaus breweries to try the phenomenal Gouda Life sandwich—grilled chicken with bacon, sautéed onions, jalapeño and Gouda cheese—that has folks flocking.

Listen to WDIY on your phone with our new app Enjoy live broadcasts and browse our digital archive wherever you go

NPR News Public Affairs A Diverse Mix of Music L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : M AY 2 0 2 1

INSIDE DISH

BY CARRIE HAVR ANEK | PHOTOGR APHY BY ALISON CONKLIN

BRÜ DADDY’S BREWING CO.

All of the food is unfussy, and has a bit of a twist.

Waikiki Pizza

Applewood bacon, pepperoni, San Marzano tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, pineapple, peppadew peppers, green onion

M AY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

We have so many craft breweries in the region that I’ve just stopped counting. But really good pizza and beer? Those numbers are smaller, but they exist (Birthright, Scratch, Switchback). Add Brü Daddy’s to the list of wood- (or otherwise-) fired pizza and craft beer getting cozy together on a menu full of inventive comfort foods. Brü Daddy’s slipped into the space formerly occupied by Roar on Hamilton Street in Downtown Allentown in November 2019, just six months shy of the pandemic. The team is experienced and creative, and seems to finish each other’s sentences. Head brewer Todd Reinhardt worked at two stellar spots, Free Will in Perkasie and Two Rivers Brewing in Easton, prior to Brü Daddy’s. Head chef Gil DeGruccio cooked in kitchens around the Lehigh Valley, including at Vintage Restaurant (when Mike and Rebecca Pichetto owned it) and The Bookstore Speakeasy. Some may recognize Brü Daddy’s pizza chef John Choi, who tossed pizzas at Scratch and Whole Foods, before landing at Brü Daddy’s. To sit with the crew and observe their rapport, the conversation is expansive,

creative, freewheeling. And so, naturally, are the food and beer. And as for the owners Rich Ryan and his son Kevin? They own two Menchie’s frozen yogurt franchises in the Lehigh Valley, and when they were thinking about their next move, they kept coming back to a brewery, with pizza. Wife Karen came up with the name, illustrator Denton Burrows devised their hop-headed cool-guy logo, and Brü Daddy’s opened. As Rich describes it, they were slammed from the get-go. “We hit the ground running; we barely had time to get our bearings,” he says. It’s exhilarating and rewarding to open with such smashing success, but of course the pandemic halted progress. Like

so many other food and beverage businesses, it became imperative for the crew to become strategic about its approach, and fast. More quickly than perhaps they would have anticipated, Brü Daddy’s started canning to help accommodate the demand for off-premises consumption; it’s one of a couple dozen breweries that ships its beer statewide. Pizza for takeout is already a thing, so packing those up to go wasn’t a stretch. And most of the menu is full of the kinds of foods that will travel well. Somehow, in the middle of all this insanity, the brewery's Black Sheep—a "schwarzbier," or German-style black lager— nabbed a silver medal at the 2020 U.S. Open Beer Championship. The thing with pizza and beer, see, is that it’s a genius combo no one tires of. It’s also so simple and casual enough to eat any day of the week, but versatile enough you can stave off boredom by switching up your brew or your

pie really easily. Brü Daddy’s developed a name for itself quickly, with pizza types tied to geography: Korean barbecue, Hawaiian flavors, Cape May shrimp, Iron Pig pulled pork and, of course, one called Phantom— with sausage, mozzarella, green onion and serrano pepper, named for the hockey team. They’ve formed a partnership with them— naturally. “You can’t move in here on Phantoms nights,” says Kevin. Beers on offer vary, but you’ll find things like cream ales and sour ales along with pilsners and lagers. It’s also easy to elevate the experience and make it more special than you’d expect. And that’s true at Brü Daddy’s. With a dozen taps of classic and unique beers and a dozen and a half pizzas

available for human consumption at any given moment (and more always on horizon), it’s impossible to be bored. There are pizzas and beers to please all palates; the place appeals to a wide range of demographics (see, pizza and beer are the great equalizer). “It’s not just hipsters,” says DeGruccio. But it’s not necessarily easy-peasy to do that well; anyone who pays attention to food and beer knows that just because you can put an ingredient on a pizza or throw it in the proverbial hopper, doesn’t

L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : M AY 2 0 2 1

INSIDE DISH

K-Pop Pizza (Korean BBQ)

Shaved beef steak marinated in Korean BBQ sauce, arugula, San Marzano tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, red onion, sriracha mayo drizzle mean you should. (We’ve all tasted our share of misguided experimental beers and pizzas with toppings that just never should’ve seen the light of day.) If you want something straightforward, you can order a La Margherita pizza and their signature IPA, Haze Daddy. But Brü Daddy’s brews all the beers, too—seasonals, sours and things you haven’t tried yet. Here’s where things depart from what you might expect. “We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel here, but we’re not doing any entrées,” says DeGruccio. “We’ve got kind of like a food truck vibe to our menu,” adds Choi. This means all of the food is unfussy and much of it you can eat with your hands. Everything has a bit of a twist. You can order a flight of fries, which sounds pretty close to heaven—two

M AY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

types and two dippers. Try the Bavarian Pretzel served with an IPA Dijon mustard and beer cheese, or their pierogis with kielbasa. The starters menu also includes what seems to be an essential app these days— roasted Brussels sprouts—along with something they call “Not Chicken Nuggets.” Yes, you guessed it: plant-based chicken nuggets. How about that?

Speaking of plants, great salads are abundant, along with options to add proteins to them (chicken, salmon, shrimp), and so are burgers (including a Beyond alternative), hand-helds such as the super popular El Cubano sandwich, and plenty of other choices for sandwiches run the gamut from Texas brisket to fancied-up Philly cheesesteak to a roasted veggie wrap and a chicken caprese. The only design flaw is that abundance can bring on crippling indecision. There is a solution to that challenge: stay longer, drink more, eat more. “People will order rounds of food, shareables, pizzas and on. It comes in waves,” says Kevin. We also haven’t touched the wings, or really delved into the beer garden outdoor seating area. Or discussed brunch, because that’s a thing, too, and it involves brunch French toasts, brunch quesadillas (all the cheeses, all of them) and brunch pizza with themes such as lox and cream cheese, wild berry pop tart, a western omelet and, of course, omelets themselves. You’d have to keep going back to Brü Daddy’s, over and over, to try everything creative they’ve come up with—whether it’s served to you on a plate or by the pint. Or both.

Brü Daddy’s Brewing Co. 732 Hamilton St., Allentown | 610.351.7600 | brudaddysbrewingcompany.com

El Cubano

Slow-roasted pork, shaved ham, swiss, house-made pickles, IPA dijonnaise, brioche roll

*Please check their website and/or social media for current operating hours and procedures. Hours Tues.–Thurs.: 4–10 p.m.; Fri. & Sat.: noon–10 p.m.; Sun.: 11a.m.–6 p.m.

Parking Metered street parking, parking decks nearby

Specials Socially distanced trivia nights on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.; pizza and beer nights on Wednesday (pizza with a flight, $15; pizza with any pint, $12); karaoke Thursdays at 7 p.m. Sunday brunch all day.

What to Order Pizza is a must! The Waikiki and K-Pop are two of their signature pies, but you can design your own, too. If you want to go a little more classic, check out either a straight up La Margherita, a Bianca pie with several different cheeses or Meat Lovers. But heads up! You can also order their pizzas with a cauliflower crust and/or nondairy cheese, which means your vegan, keto and/or gluten-free friends can eat here, too. Beers are available by the can or growler.

We Got the Beets

Arugula, oven-roasted beets, tart cherries, apples, goat cheese, pistachio, light apple cider dressing L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : M AY 2 0 2 1

BEYOND THE MENU

TEXT & PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALISON CONKLIN

Tag @lvstylemag and #livelvstyle when you make it at home!

Smoked Spatchcock Duck with Chef Mark Muszynski

M AY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

Chef Mark Muszynski knew his whole life that he wanted to be in the kitchen and own his own restaurant. He would cut out of competitive street hockey games early so he could catch his favorite cooking shows on PBS. (He did so secretly as he wouldn’t dare mention to his Philly friends that he was leaving to watch Julia Child.) Muszynski is 100 percent Polish and grew up cooking traditional Polish foods. “In my family, both of my parents were good cooks and my earliest cooking memories were an afternoon of rolling out tray after tray of pierogis with my mom, babcia [grandmother] and older sisters,” he says. “My dad was the ‘weekend warrior’ and I have fond memories of watching him and his buddies boil bushels of crabs in the summertime in a secret spice blend.” At 19 years old, Muszynski became an apprentice at La Truffe restaurant in Philadelphia, which was considered one of the 15 best French restaurants in the country at the time. His hard work, creativity and love of every day being different in a kitchen has led him to owning and operating Curious Goods at the Bake Oven Inn with his wife, Catherine, for the past 14 years. The two have created an absolute treasure of a farm-to-table restaurant in Germansville. (And if you get the chance to go, make sure to have the pierogis—even Alton Brown from the Food Network can’t get enough of them.) On a rare day off, Muszynski loves to cook on his charcoal Weber grill. “Roasting a whole duck seems intimidating,” he says, “but it truly isn’t.” The recipe he shares here cooks the duck over indirect heat, so it will actually be smoked and cooked all the way though with a nice mahogany skin. 7705 Bake Oven Rd., Germansville 610.760.8580 | bakeoveninn.com

ROASTED FINGERLING POTATOES

ROASTED CARROTS

HONEY GINGER STRAWBERRIES

SMOKED SPATCHCOCK DUCK

L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : M AY 2 0 2 1

BEYOND THE MENU

Smoked Spatchcock Duck INGREDIENTS 1 whole duck (5–6 pounds) 1 Tbsp. kosher salt 1 Tbsp. brown sugar 1 tsp. ground juniper berries 1 tsp. ground star anise 2 cups of soaked wood chips (any flavor you like works; Muszynski uses applewood)

INSTRUCTIONS Remove the duck from the packaging. Remove the giblets from inside the duck if they were included and reserve for future use. Rinse the duck with cold water and pat dry with a paper towel. Place the duck breast-side down on a cutting board. Use kitchen shears to cut closely along one side of the duck’s backbone and through the ribs. Repeat this cut along the opposite side of the backbone to remove it entirely. Flip the duck over and press down on the breast to flatten the bird. Mix salt, brown sugar, ground juniper berries and star anise together. Season duck all over with spice mix. Place seasoned duck on a tray and allow it to marinate while you prepare the grill.

Roasted Carrots

Honey Ginger Strawberries

INGREDIENTS

1 bunch of baby carrots, tops cut off and trimmed 1 Tbsp. olive oil 1 tsp. fennel seeds 1 tsp. dill seed Salt and pepper taste

1 quart of fresh local strawberries, washed with stems removed and cut into quarters 1 tsp. fresh minced ginger 1 tsp. olive oil 2 Tbsp. local honey Salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

Rip a large piece of aluminum foil, big enough to hold the carrots. Place carrots in the middle of the foil and add olive oil, fennel seeds, dill seeds, salt and pepper. Wrap foil around the carrots to make a tight package. Place carrots package alongside the duck, on the cold side, one hour before the duck is done. Pierce with a knife to check the doneness of the carrots—the knife should easily pierce the carrots with little residue.

Place strawberries, ginger, oil, honey, salt and pepper in a sauce pan and place on the grill over hot coals. Cook until the strawberries release some of their juices and remove from heat. Keep warm.

Roasted Fingerling Potatoes INGREDIENTS

Once your charcoal is ready, move the hot coals to one side of the grill. Place half of the wood chips on the hot coals, place the grate on the grill, then place the duck, skin side up with the legs facing the coals, on the hot side of the grill. Cover with the air vents over the duck to allow the smoke to penetrate the duck while cooking. The duck will take about two and a half to three hours—or until the internal temperature is 160 degrees. You will need to add more charcoal and wood chips halfway through the cooking process. (One hour before the duck is done, add your prepared roasted carrots package and prepared roasted fingerling potatoes package.) Thirty minutes before the duck is done, rotate the duck so the breast is toward the hot coals to crisp up the skin. Once cooked, remove it from the grill, place on a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.

M AY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

2 pounds fingerling potatoes, washed, cut in half 1 Tbsp. of bacon grease or olive oil 1 bunch fresh thyme 3 garlic cloves Salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS Rip a large piece of aluminum foil, big enough to hold the potatoes. Place potatoes in the middle of the foil and add bacon grease or oil, bunch of thyme, garlic cloves, salt and pepper. Wrap foil around the potatoes to make a tight package. Place potato package alongside of the duck, on the cold side, one hour before the duck is done. Pierce the potatoes with a knife—the knife should go in and come out easy. If the potatoes are still hard, cook for another 20 minutes and retest.

To plate Cut the duck in half right through the breast bone and separate the leg. Separate the duck breast from the bone and slice evenly. Remove the carrots from foil and place on a serving tray along with the potatoes. Arrange sliced duck breast and legs on top of the carrots and potatoes. Garnish with fresh thyme and serve strawberry sauce on the side.

DINING GUIDE Order Top Cut’s Restaurant Award-winning USDA PRIME Dry Aged 22 oz. Bone-In Ribeye.

Photo by Alison Conklin

Style Award Winner

Live Entertainment

Gluten-Free Options

Outdoor Seating

Vegetarian Options

Entrée Price Range:

Wheelchair Accessible

$ under $15 $$ $15-$25 $$$ $25+

Serves Alcohol BYOB

Lehigh $$

ALADDIN RESTAURANT 651 Union Blvd., Allentown, 610.437.4023, aladdinlv.com

Family owned and operated for over 30 years. Serving a variety of authentic Middle Eastern cuisine from homemade grape leaves to delicious shish kabobs. Lunch & dinner.

BELL HALL

*Highlighted entries are Lehigh Valley Style advertisers. Look for their ads in this edition!

*We recommend checking each individual restaurant’s website and/or social media to confirm whether it is open and accessible during these unprecedented times.

612 W. Hamilton Blvd., Allentown, 610.437.1825, bellhallallentown.com

Allentown hot spot featuring juicy burgers and Pennsylvania craft beers. Lunch, dinner & late night.

BRÜ DADDY’S BREWING CO. 732 Hamilton St., Allentown, 610.351.7600, brudaddysbrewingcompany.com

Brewpub featuring food that’s as good as the beer and an authentic outdoor beer garden. Brunch, lunch, dinner & late night.

CURIOUS GOODS AT THE BAKE OVEN INN

Berks

Upscale farm-to-table cuisine in a casual fine dining atmosphere. Team is committed to supporting local farmers! Brunch & dinner.

FOLINO ESTATE VINEYARD & WINERY

GIO ITALIAN GRILL

Italian restaurant making homemade pasta, sauces, desserts and more! Serving lunch and dinner Wed.–Sun. and brunch 10 a.m.– 1 p.m. on Sun. Brunch, lunch & dinner.

THE GRILLE AT BEAR CREEK

6465 Village Ln., Macungie, 610.966.9446, gioitaliangrill.com

340 Old Rte. 22, Kutztown, 484.452.3633, folinoestate.com

101 Doe Mountain Ln., Macungie, 610.641.7149, bcmountainresort.com

Features modern American cuisine, a full-service bar, scenic views and award-winning outdoor dining. Dinner & late night.

Bucks

Gio Italian Grill offers old world charm with a progressive twist. Centering around their woodstone open flame hearth, Gio uses only imported ingredients to produce mouth-watering flavors. Take-out and private parties available. Lunch & dinner.

$$$

GRILLE 3501

3501 Broadway, Allentown, 610.706.0100, grille3501.com

Upscale, yet unpretentious. Fine fusion cuisine. Extensive martini, wine and beer menus. Lunch & dinner.

HOPS FOGELSVILLE $$

MCCOOLE’S AT THE HISTORIC RED LION INN $-$$$ 4 S. Main St., Quakertown, 215.538.1776, mccoolesredlioninn.com

Offering a dining room, martini lounge and bar in a beautifully restored inn from the 1700s. Monthly featured wines and brews from their own Red Lion Brewery. Also offering a complementary door-to-door and hotel shuttle service within a five-mile radius of the restaurant to bar and restaurant patrons, as well as private events at McCoole’s Arts & Events Place. Brunch, lunch & dinner.

SPRINGTOWN INN

7705 Bake Oven Rd., Germansville, 610.760.8580, bakeoveninn.com

7921 Main St., Fogelsville, 610.395.3999, hopslehighvalley.com

Historic pub serving up all American classics with weekly specials to make mouths water. Lunch, dinner & late night.

HOPS AT THE PADDOCK $$

1945 W. Columbia St., Allentown, 610.437.3911, hopslehighvalley.com

Come to eat, drink and have fun! Friendly, food-oriented sports bar with cold brews! Lunch, dinner & late night.

HOUSE & BARN

3258 Main St., Rte 212, Springtown, 610.346.7262, springtowninn.com

149 Chestnut St., Emmaus, 610.421.6666, houseandbarn.net

Springtown Inn is intimate dining in a historic country inn, featuring steak and seafood. Catering all life celebrations! Dinner.

Two distinctly different restaurants, one spectacular setting, entirely re-imagined. Brunch, lunch & dinner.

Carbon

1410 Grape St., Whitehall, 610.434.7600, keystonepub.com

SLOPESIDE PUB & GRILL 1660 Blue Mountain Dr., Palmerton, 610.824.1557, skibluemt.com

KEYSTONE PUB

Demand better beer! Lunch, dinner & late night.

$-$$$

Offers indoor dining in addition to their ever-popular outdoor dining! Guests will enjoy delicious food, tasty drinks and unforgettable scenic views all year round. Lunch & dinner.

MADELINE’S

$$$

1250 Turnstone Dr., Fogelsville, 484.277.2250, madelinesfogelsville.com

Casual fine dining with a creative gourmet flair. Madeline’s, where friends gather. Brunch, lunch, dinner & late night.

Savory at Home order from our curbside menu and shop our retail offerings at

SavoryGrille.com Wed.-Sat. 4:30-10pm Sunday 1-8pm Favorite Locally Sourced

2934 Seisholtzville Rd. Macungie

610.845.2010

L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : M AY 2 0 2 1

DINING GUIDE MELT

BÖSER GEIST BREWING COMPANY

$$$

1250 Simon Blvd., Easton, 484.293.8005, bosergeist.com

The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley, 610.798.9000, meltgrill.com

Dine-in & take Out

ReD LiOn BReweRy BeeR On tap

Offering a sumptuous menu of contemporary Italian fare in its breathtaking 350-seat restaurant, with spacious and customizable rooms for private events. Lunch, dinner & late night.

Artisan craft beer manufacturer/tasting room specializing in barrel-aged products embracing local community small business fans. Brunch, lunch & dinner.

BUDDY V’S RISTORANTE

NOTCH MODERN KITCHEN & BAR $$$

$$$

77 Wind Creek Blvd., Bethlehem, 877.726.3777, windcreekbethlehem.com

The menu offers twists on Italian-American favorites like Sunday Gravy and Steak Pizzaiola. Lunch & dinner.

5036 Hamilton Blvd., 610.351.8222, notchmknb.com

Modern American with an Asian Twist. Lunch & dinner.

BURGERS AND MORE BY EMERIL

RINGERS ROOST

1801 W. Liberty St., Allentown, 610.437.4941, ringersroost1801.com

Family-friendly restaurant. Lots of parking. Friendly faces. Excellent food, from seafood to cheesesteaks. Great beer selection. Lunch, dinner & late night.

SAVORY GRILLE

$$$

2934 Seisholtzville Rd., Macungie, 610.845.2010, savorygrille.com

A culinary gem housed in the historic Seisholtzville Hotel, Savory Grille takes gives back to a time when fine dining was an experience to be savored. Dinner.

TOP CUT STEAKHOUSE

$$$

77 Wind Creek Blvd., Bethlehem, 877.726.3777, windcreekbethlehem.com

Chef Emeril Lagasse uses only the freshest and finest ingredients to create a mouth-watering burger customers will never forget. Lunch & dinner.

DIMAIO’S ITALIAN RISTORANTE $$ & PIZZERIA 27 Main St. Shoppes at Hellertown, 610.838.8004, dimaios.net

Family owned since 1985. Serving southern Italian Cuisine. Known for home-made bread, Chicken Francese, DiMaio’s Creamy Clam sauce and NY style pizza. Lunch & dinner.

The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley, 610.841.7100, topcutsteak.com

Classically inspired cocktails, exquisite wines and USDA prime steaks in a 1940s style rooftop atmosphere. Dinner & late night.

TOPGOLF SWING SUITE AT THE SWEET SPOT $$$ 2805 Lehigh St., Allentown, 610.813.2536, thesweetspot.golf

American bistro cuisine featuring indoor sports and entertainment. Lunch & dinner.

TORRE

The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley, 610.841.9399, torrerestaurant.com

Classic Mexican cuisine with a modern twist in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. Enjoy Happy Hour gathered around the three-story tequila tower. Brunch, lunch, dinner & late night.

$$$

THE TRAPP DOOR GASTROPUB 4226 Chestnut St., Emmaus, 610.965.5225, thetrappdoorgastropub.com

Upscale food in a fun, relaxed atmosphere with an extensive craft beer list. Brunch, dinner & late night.

HUNGRY FOR MORE?

A casual American bistro serving lunch and dinner six days a week and brunch on weekends. Brunch, lunch & dinner.

WHITE ORCHIDS THAI CUISINE

The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley, 610.841.7499, whiteorchidsthaicuisine.com

Authentic Thai cuisine in a contemporary and relaxed dining atmosphere. Signature seafood dishes, house specialties and classic Thai entrées. New bar and lounge area. Lunch & dinner.

336 Northampton St., Easton, 484.298.0400, amanseaston.com

Aman’s elevates Indian dining with an upscale ambiance and an award-winning menu to match. Lunch & dinner.

$$$

1420 Jacobsburg Rd., Wind Gap , 610.881.4031, american-lobster.com

The mission at American Lobster is to bring the best steaks and seafood to the area. Lunch & dinner.

$$$

85 W. Broad St., Bethlehem, 610.865.9600, apollogrill.com

Bistro-style restaurant encouraging a grazing dining experience. Comfortable, friendly, sophisticated and lively. Lunch, dinner & late night.

LEHIGHVALLEYSTYLE.COM 94

M AY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

EMERIL’S CHOP HOUSE

$$$

77 Wind Creek Blvd., Bethlehem, 877.726.3777, windcreekbethlehem.com

Indulge in a variety of irresistible dishes featuring tender steak cuts, mouth-watering prime rib and so much more. Dinner.

1800 Sullivan Trl. Suite 330, Easton, greenvidacompany.com

Café and cold-pressed juice bar, using local and organic ingredients. Breakfast, brunch & lunch.

KEYSTONE PUB

3259 Easton Ave., Bethlehem, 610.814.0400, keystonepub.com

Demand better beer! Lunch, dinner & late night.

THE MARKET GOURMET EXPRESS

M c CARTHY’S RED STAG PUB $$$ 534 Main St., Bethlehem, 610.861.7631, redstagpub.com

Experience the flavor of the Irish and British Isles! Over 200 scotch/whiskies, homemade breads and baked goods and from-scratch cooking! Breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner & late night.

From a party of four on the covered outdoor patio to a party of 400 in the newly renovated event center ballroom, blue delivers with prime steaks and seafood, a sprawling wine list and impeccable service. Brunch, lunch, dinner & late night.

PRIME STEAK HOUSE

325 Stoke Park Rd., Bethlehem, 610.882.4070, primestkhouse.com

Serving Premium Black Angus steaks, fresh seafood, chicken and pasta. Extended wine list. Lunch & dinner.

RAKKII RAMEN

328 S. New St., Bethlehem, 610.419.8007, rakkiiramen.com

A modern restaurant serving traditional ramen and fusion side dishes. Lunch & dinner.

THE SLATE PUB $$$

4431 Easton Ave., Bethlehem, 610.691.8400, bluegrillhouse.com

GET YOUR FILL AT

An all-scratch kitchen “combined with a fun, relaxed atmosphere, you get edge.” Lunch, dinner & late night.

All the classic favorites in one place. Nathan’s hot dogs, burgers, pizza, salad, sushi, ice cream and coffee. Lunch, dinner & late night.

AMAN’S ARTISAN INDIAN CUISINE $$$

AMERICAN LOBSTER

$$$

EDGE RESTAURANT 74 W. Broad St., Bethlehem, 610.814.0100, edgerestaurant.net

77 Wind Creek Blvd., Bethlehem, 877.726.3777, windcreekbethlehem.com

Northampton

BLUE GRILLHOUSE & EVENT CENTER

EASTON TACO & ROTISSERIE 1054 Northampton St., 917.379.4159, eastontaco.com

GREEN VIDA CO.

1528 W. Union St., Allentown, 610.432.1522, unionandfinch.com

APOLLO GRILL

Fine diner-ing at its best. Handmade, fresh food, craft beer, libations and desserts. Call ahead seating available. Breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner & late night.

Authentic Latin food in a warm environment. Lunch & dinner.

UNION AND FINCH

DINER 248

3701 Easton-Nazareth Hwy., Easton, 610.252.4300, diner248.com

509 E. Main St., Pen Argyl, 610.881.4700, slatepub.com

Hometown pub known for its award-winning wings, cheese-steaks, original Belly Busters, nightly dinner specials, vegan and gluten-free choices. Enjoy an extensive cocktail and beer selection. Weekends include karaoke, DJs and live entertainment. Lunch, dinner & late night.

$$$

SOCIAL STILL

530 E. 3rd St., Bethlehem, 610.625.4585, socialstill.com

Full plate American-fusion restaurant, craft distillery, craft beers, local wine and tasting room. Lunch & dinner.

STEELWORKS BUFFET & GRILL

77 Wind Creek Blvd., Bethlehem, 610.419.5555, steelworksbuffetandgrill.com

Experience a variety of fresh culinary dishes from around the world at Steelworks Buffet & Grill. Featuring live action cooking and a fully stocked bar, guests will enjoy a variety of fresh international culinary dishes at the all-you-can-eat buffet or choose their favorites from the a la carte menu, including artisan pizza, a pasta station, fresh-carved meats and more. Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

OUR PATIO IS NOW OPEN! RESERVE YOUR TABLE FOR

Mother’s Day

$$$

SURV RESTAURANT

Sunday, May 9 th

1800 Sullivan Trl., Easton, 484.544.0624, surveaston.com

Dual-concept restaurant with a New American menu and wood-fired pizza. Dinner.

TAP ROOM AT HOTEL BETHLEHEM

437 Main St., Bethlehem, 610.625.2226, hotelbethlehem.com

Offers award-winning musical brunch every Sunday with a splendid buffet array and much more! Breakfast, lunch, dinner & late night.

TRUE BLUE MEDITERRANEAN CAFÉ 1301 Chestnut St., Emmaus, 610.966.8555, yourtrueblue.com

Mediterranean cuisine, fresh, vegan, vegetarian. Belly dancer, opera singer, café, clean, reasonable and centrally located. Lunch & dinner.

Special Occasion in one of our beautiful banquet rooms:

$$$

TWISTED OLIVE

MAKE YOUR NEXT EVENT MEMORABLE! Contact us today to plan your

51 W. Broad St., Bethlehem, 610.419.1200, twistedolivebethlehem.com

A casual, bistro-style restaurant with a world twist serving creative, casual cuisine, along with house-made infused cocktails. Lunch & dinner.

THE VIEW AT MORGAN HILL 100 Clubhouse Dr., Easton, 610.923.8480, morganhillgc.com

Upscale casual dining with the best view in the Lehigh Valley. Brunch, lunch, dinner & late night.

SARAH@MADELINESFOGELSVILLE.COM

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK for Lunch, Dinner & Sunday Brunch 1250 Turnstone Dr., Fogelsville | 484.277.2250 | madelinesfogelsville.com

PATI. OH YEAH!

$$$

YIANNI’S TAVERNA

3760 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bethlehem, 610.410.9300, yiannistaverna.com

Authentic Greek restaurant specializing in the clean flavors of the Mediterranean and seafood. Brunch & dinner.

$$$

ZEST BAR+GRILLE

The Rooftop at 306 S. New St., Bethlehem, 610.419.4320, zestbethlehem.com

A culinary and social experience offering a progressive menu that highlights the best of New American cuisine. Lunch & dinner.

Warren, NJ RED WOLFE INN

live music on the patio

130 County Rd. 519, Belvidere, NJ, 908.475.4772

A diverse menu with French influences, featuring delicious steak entrées and French onion soup that’s to die for, as well as a variety of draft beers and a vast cocktail selection. Dinner.

THYME RESTAURANT AND BAR

sundays 5–8pm

700 Strykers Rd., Lopatcong, NJ, 908.213.3080, thearchitectsclub.com

at both locations starting Memorial Day

Classic, hip, French-inspired, destination-quality restaurant offering upscale dining with indoor and outdoor seating and majestic views of the Skyland Mountains. Lunch & dinner.

Lehigh Valley Style (ISSN 1540-0867) is published monthly by IDP Publications, 3245 Freemansburg Ave., Palmer, PA 18045-7118. Annual subscriptions are $19.95 (Canadian and foreign one year rate is $40, U.S. funds only). Single copy price $3.95. Postage paid at Easton, PA 18045 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Lehigh Valley Style , P.O. Box 2548, Orlando, FL, 32802-2548. All contents copyright © 2021 Lehigh Valley Style . Nothing contained herein may be reproduced in whole or in part without the expressed written consent of the publisher. The publisher disclaims all responsibility for omissions or errors. Lehigh Valley Style and its owners are not liable for claims made by any advertisers or any inaccuracies or intentional copyright infringements. All rights reserved. This magazine welcomes, but cannot be responsible for, unsolicited manuscripts, contributions or photographs. Unsolicited materials cannot be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Printed in USA.

E N J OY O U R FA M O U S C H I C K E N F R A N C E S E

Grazie and Buon Appetito! –T H E D i M A I O FA M I LY

The Shoppes at Hellertown

610.838.8004 // dimaios.net D I N E - I N • BYO B • DA I LY S P E C I A L S • TA K E - O U T • C AT E R I N G

FOGELSVILLE: 610.395.3999 • ALLENTOWN: 610.437.3911

HOPSLEHIGHVALLEY.COM

L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : M AY 2 0 2 1

DRINK THIS

BY KRISTEN RINALDI | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHELBIE PLETZ

Nitro Coffee THREEBIRDS

Ready to try it? Tag @lvstylemag and #livelvstyle!

“Our nitro coffee starts with our cold brewing method. We use about twice as much ground coffee as our traditional hot brew and let it steep for at least 24 hours,” says Joseph Langdon, who co-owns ThreeBirds Coffee House and ThreeBirds Nest with Jennifer Murray. “This process produces a beverage that is richer, smoother, less acidic and more caffeinated than traditional iced coffee.” What does that process entail? “We keg our cold brew under high-pressure nitrogen, which creates an oxygen-free environment that keeps the coffee fresh and flavorful,” he explains. “Special equipment in our draft system blends the gas with the coffee, producing a beverage with creamy microfoam, similar to a draft stout—it even cascades the same way!” The nitro coffee is available in 32-ounce and 64-ounce Mason jars, and they offer a discount for anyone who brings their own growler. “Like any carbonated beverage, or in this case, nitrogenated, it will lose some bubbles over time, but it will stay delicious for days.” Langdon says buying it in bulk is a great option to get you through the week or as a fun treat to share with coworkers. This season, also be sure to try two of their most popular iced drinks. The hibiscus lemonade is their in-house cold-brewed, sparkling hibiscus tea, layered on top of their ginger turmeric lemonade. “Try it with a splash of cayenne honey for some spicy deliciousness,” he suggests. “Another popular cold drink is espresso and tonic—a combo that admittedly sounds a bit strange if you haven’t tried it. The cool chocolatey flavor is perfect for summer.” But if you’re looking for plain ole iced coffee, you won’t find it at either ThreeBirds location, as Langdon and Murray insist that icing their regular coffee would dilute it too much. “Instead, we offer made-to-order iced Americanos—a shot of espresso lengthened with water and served over ice. The result is close to a traditional iced coffee profile, with a little hint of espresso punchiness.” 226 Bushkill St., Easton 325 Northampton St., Easton 484.544.0737 | threebirdscoffee.com

M AY 2 0 2 1 : L E H I G H V A L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

Whole Home WiFi •

TrueMesh Technology blankets your entire home

•

Parental Controls manage screen time

•

Regular software updates happen automatically

•

Guest Network for safe sharing Block unknown devices

•

Bundle it with ONLY

26 90

eero Whole Home WiFi System

eero with 1 eero Beacon ... $9.95 /mo. Monthly rental rates shown. Taxes/fees additional.

/month

IT COULD BE A STROKE

If you experience sudden changes in balance, blurry vision, face drooping, arm weakness or difficulty speaking – call 911 right away. The sooner you act the better your chance of survival. LVHN is your trusted stroke partner and home to Pennsylvania’s first comprehensive stroke center. Learn more at LVHN.org/stroke.