610 Day: The Most Lehigh Valley Ways to Celebrate, According to You

Posted On June 11, 2026 By lvwithlove In Blog /  

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610 Day, or June 10, is also known as “610 Day,” which is a nod to the 610 area code. For a lot of us, 610 still feels like the Lehigh Valley area code, even though it came after the 215 days and before 484 entered the chat.

A little phone-number history: 610 was placed into service in January 1994 after being split from the 215 area code, which had covered much of southeastern Pennsylvania since 1947. The 484 overlay was introduced in June 1999 for the same region, which meant 10-digit dialing became part of local life. Today, 610 and 484 cover the same general region, which includes the Lehigh Valley, with 835 also added in 2022.

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Lehigh Valley Patio Palooza 3 presented by Banko Beverage Co.

Posted On May 28, 2026 By lvwithlove In Blog, Contest /  

Hey Lehigh Valley!

Patio season is almost here, and Lehigh Valley Patio Palooza 3 presented by Banko Beverage Co. is back to celebrate the best outdoor spots in the region.

This year, we’re adding something new! 

Along with voting for your favorite restaurant, bar, beer garden, or outdoor dining space, you can also enter the 🏡 Home Patio Edition by submitting your own backyard patio, deck, porch, or outdoor oasis.

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT OR TO VOTE

The winning restaurant or bar patio will be part of a summer celebration at their location.

Home Patio Edition entrants will be eligible for prizes, which may include a Miller Lite mini fridge, lounge chair, patio umbrella, Banko Beverage Co. shirts, koozies, promotional items, and a $100 QuoteAhead outdoor project credit.

Foundation Tavern has won two years in a row. Can anyone beat them this year?

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT OR TO VOTE

Questions? Email info@lehighvalleywithlovemedia.com Use #PatioPalooza to follow along.

 

Terms and Conditions

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT OR TO VOTE

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FeaturedLehigh Valley Small Business White Elephant

Posted On November 10, 2025 By lvwithlove In Blog /  4

Welcome to the Lehigh Valley Small Business White Elephant. This community giveaway brings together dozens of local shops, restaurants, makers, and independent businesses for a fun, citywide gift exchange. Once we put out the call, more than fifty small businesses stepped up with gift cards, products, and experiences worth at least twenty dollars, and we are incredibly grateful for every one of them for joining in.

How it works

  1. Look through the full list of prizes on this page.

  2. Fill out the form below (or at this link) and rank every prize from first choice to last. Your entry must include a ranking for every prize.

  3. After sign ups close, all participants will be randomized.

  4. We will select all winners on Sunday, December 21. Starting from the top of that randomized list, each person will receive the highest ranked prize on their list that has not already been claimed.

  5. We continue down the list until all prizes are assigned.

  6. Winners will be connected directly with the business that donated their prize to arrange pickup, mailing, or digital delivery.

Disclaimer
Lehigh Valley with Love Media hosts the event, manages the sign ups and prize matching, and connects winners with participating businesses. We do not provide the prizes and are not responsible for fulfillment, shipping, or delivery. NO purchase necessary. 

Visit www.lvwithlove.com for updates and more information.

Please email info@lehighvalleywithlovemedia.com with any questions.

 

PRIZE LIST

 

Email your news release to info@lehighvalleywithlovemedia.com

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Bethlehem Area School District Wins Three 2025 NSPRA Awards for Communication Excellence

Posted On June 12, 2025 By lvwithlove In Award, Blog, Press Release /  

BETHLEHEM, PA, July 2025 — The Bethlehem Area School District (BASD) is proud to announce it has earned three national honors in the 2025 National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) Publications and Digital Media Excellence Awards.

The annual NSPRA awards celebrate outstanding work in educational communications, including print and digital publications, videos, social media, infographics, and more. Entries are judged by seasoned communication professionals from across the country.

BASD received the following awards:

  • Award of Excellence – Viewbook: LINK
    This is NSPRA’s highest honor in its category and highlights BASD’s efforts to visually and effectively showcase the district’s values, achievements, and opportunities to students, families, and the community.

  • Award of Merit – Video: Edgeboro’s 100th Anniversary: Media coverage
    Celebrating a century of the Edgeboro neighborhood in Bethlehem, this video project captured stories from residents, students, and alumni.

  • Honorable Mention – Video: Southside Greenway Mural Collaboration: VIDEO
    This video project documented the creative partnership behind the Southside Greenway mural, showcasing BASD student involvement and community collaboration.

“These awards are a testament to the creative energy and professional excellence of our communications team,” said Dr. Jack P. Silva, Superintendent of Schools. “We’re proud to share the stories that make our district, and our community, so special.”

A full list of 2025 winners can be found here: https://www.nspra.org/Awards/Award-Winners/Publications-and-Digital-Media-Excellence-Winners

About the Bethlehem Area School District
The Bethlehem Area School District is the 6th largest in Pennsylvania, serving nearly 14,000 culturally and economically diverse students across 22 community-based schools. The district spans the City of Bethlehem, Bethlehem Township, Hanover Township, Freemansburg, and Fountain Hill. Through partnerships with universities, businesses, and arts organizations, BASD provides rich academic and extracurricular experiences for all students.

 

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Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast Wins “Best Local Podcast” from Lehigh Valley Style Readers

Posted On April 19, 2025 By lvwithlove In Award, Blog /  

The Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast has been named Best Local Podcast by readers of Lehigh Valley Style in the publication’s 2025 “Best of the Lehigh Valley” awards — marking the podcast’s second win, with its first honor coming in 2020.

Launched in 2018, Lehigh Valley with Love has become a leading local podcast by doing what it does best — telling the stories of the Lehigh Valley’s people, places, and pulse. Whether it’s sitting down with community leaders, walking through neighborhoods and festivals, or simply chasing a good story with a camera in hand, the podcast continues to evolve as a trusted voice for the region.

“We try to tell the kinds of stories you don’t always hear elsewhere, or at least not in the same way.” said George Wacker, host and founder. “And over the past year especially, we’ve really leaned into getting out into the community, not just recording episodes, but filming them, walking with our guests, and showing people what the Lehigh Valley looks like right now. There’s so much out there.”

Deeper Dives with Off The Record

In 2024, the podcast introduced Off The Record, a subseries co-hosted by Northampton County Commissioner Jeff Warren. It brings a more serious tone to discussions around mental health, incarceration and reentry, and regional development — without losing the podcast’s grounded, conversational feel.

Episodes in the Off The Record series include:

Watch the full series on YouTube: Off The Record Playlist

Community, Culture & Visual Storytelling

In addition to audio interviews, many episodes now include full video walk-throughs — giving audiences a more immersive look at life across the region. From parks and food trucks to holiday drives and music festivals, recent episodes highlight the breadth and depth of the Lehigh Valley:

🎧 Watch or listen to the full archive:

Powered by the Community

The podcast’s continued growth and recognition wouldn’t be possible without its loyal audience, generous guests, and the support of local sponsors. A sincere thank-you to:

  • Lehigh Valley Health Network
  • WDIY
  • Wind Creek Event Center
  • Michael Bernadyn of RE/MAX Real Estate
  • Molly’s Irish Grille & Sports Pub
  • Banko Beverage Company

Interested in being on the show, or becoming a sponsor?
📧 Email info@lehighvalleywithlovemedia.com
🌐 Visit www.lvwithlove.com

 

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Lehigh Valley Patio Palooza 2 presented by Banko Beverage Co.

Posted On April 14, 2025 By lvwithlove In Blog, Contest /  

UPDATE: The Results Are In!
After thousands of votes and support for dozens of local patios, the winners of Lehigh Valley Patio Palooza 2—presented by Banko Beverage Co.—have been announced!

🥇 1st Place: Foundation Tavern (Wescosville) — Back-to-back champion known for its huge deck, sunset views, live music, and unbeatable community vibe.

🥈 2nd Place: Pints & Pies (Bethlehem) — A year-round patio with palm trees, heaters, and a loyal crowd that loves its all-weather setup and welcoming energy.

🥉 3rd Place: The Wooden Match (Bethlehem) — A nationally recognized gastropub housed in a historic train station, with live music, cigars, and an iconic SouthSide presence.

🏅 4th Place: Wanderlust Beer Garden (Easton) — A globally-inspired outdoor space with yard games, eclectic decor, and a laid-back, fun-first atmosphere.

Scroll down to read more about the contest and how these patios earned their spots!

———–

Hey Lehigh Valley!

Your favorite spring tradition is BACK! We’re once again celebrating the amazing patios and outdoor dining spaces that make our local bars, restaurants, and beer gardens the place to be when the weather warms up.

Welcome to Lehigh Valley Patio Palooza 2 presented by Banko Beverage Co., where you help crown the Best Patio in the Lehigh Valley for 2025!

🗳️ How it works:

  • Vote for your favorite patio below! (or at this link: https://bit.ly/PatioPalooza2)
  • Don’t see your spot? Write it in!
  • Show love to the bars and restaurants that keep your spring and summer vibes going strong by using #PatioPalooza
  • You might even win free swag from Banko Beverage Co. and other great local sponsors!

🎉 What’s next?
We’ll throw a party at the winning patio in early summer—details coming soon! (Check out what we did last year here: https://lehighvalleywithlovemedia.com/blog/patiopalooza)

🗓️ Voting runs from April 14 through May 31, 2025
📩 Questions? Email info@lehighvalleywithlovemedia.com

One vote per email address per day (duplicate entries will be removed)

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Peeps Collab Deep Dive

Posted On February 23, 2025 By lvwithlove In Blog, Video /  

At Lehigh Valley with Love, we love a good deep dive—especially when it involves something as iconic (and sugary) as Peeps! These fluffy marshmallow treats, made right here in Bethlehem, PA, have taken their brand way beyond the Easter basket with some of the wildest collaborations we’ve ever seen.

From Hello Kitty to Pepsi, Oreos to nail polish, Peeps has managed to hop into some truly unexpected places. Some of these collabs make perfect sense (Peeps-flavored coffee creamer? Sure!), while others left us absolutely shocked (Cauliflower Peeps?! Thankfully, that one was an April Fool’s joke).

In our latest Peeps Collab Deep Dive, we break down: 🐥 The strangest Peeps products we could find
🎨 Limited-edition Peeps fashion, beauty, and accessories
🏃‍♂️ The official Peeps 5K (because why not?)
🏨 And even a Peeps-themed hotel room right here in the Lehigh Valley

 

 

 

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