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In this episode of Lehigh Valley with Love, we talk with Dina Kovats-Bernat, Director of Development and Communications for Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley, about what happens when politics stall and how delayed budgets are putting real lives at risk.
The Allentown Rescue Mission will host its annual Thanks for Giving Food & Supplies Drive on Saturday, November 8, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., marking the nonprofit’s 125th year of service. Donations of non-perishable food and essential supplies will be accepted at both Josh Early Candies locations in Allentown and Bethlehem.
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs have announced that Banana Ball will return to Coca-Cola Park on August 7 and 8, 2026, bringing the high-energy baseball phenomenon back to the Lehigh Valley for a second straight year.
The Lehigh Valley’s got a pretty wild basketball history. Some of the names on this list were born here, others showed up for college or to play with the Allentown Jets, but they all helped put local hoops on the map.
We rounded up a few who stood out the most:
Basketball runs deep in the Lehigh Valley. Some of these players were born and raised here. Others came through for college, for a few pro seasons, or to coach local teams like the Allentown Jets or the Pennsylvania ValleyDawgs. Together, they helped build a basketball legacy that stretches from packed high school gyms to NBA courts and overseas leagues.
Here are a few names that tell the story.
Comedian Tom Segura made a surprise stop in Hellertown before his show at the PPL Center in Allentown and he could not stop praising La Maya Restaurant.
ALLENTOWN, PA / September 23, 2025: The Allentown Rotary Club has awarded a $7,500 grant to the Boys & Girls Club of Allentown, providing funding for new tables and chairs to enhance the organization’s youth programming spaces. A ribbon-cutting ceremony and celebration marked the installation of the furniture.
The event was attended by five Rotarians, including longtime member Don, who has served with Rotary for more than 38 years and once participated in the Boys & Girls Club as a child. His presence underscored the connections between the two organizations and the lasting impact they have on generations of Allentown families.
Children enjoyed pizza, cake, and story time before helping cut the ribbon on the new furniture. For the young members, the gift represents more than just tables and chairs. It creates an improved environment for homework, group activities, and meals.
Rosaria, Assistant District Governor for Rotary, described the moment as a reflection of Rotary’s principle of “Service Above Self.” She noted the children’s excitement and explained that the furniture will strengthen the Boys & Girls Club’s ability to provide safe, welcoming, and functional spaces for learning and growth.
The Boys & Girls Club of Allentown serves hundreds of children every year through after-school and summer programming that promotes academic achievement, character development, and healthy lifestyles. Many of the youth rely on the club as a safe and supportive environment during critical out-of-school hours.
This grant continues the Rotary Club’s legacy of community service. Members of the Allentown Rotary Club participate in hands-on projects, charitable giving, and international initiatives, and the club remains part of a global network dedicated to addressing humanitarian challenges.
For Don, the grant represented a full-circle moment. From receiving support as a young Boys & Girls Club participant to giving back as a Rotary leader, his story illustrates the power of community organizations working together to foster resilience, opportunity, and leadership in the next generation.
About Boys & Girls Club of Allentown
The Boys & Girls Club of Allentown (BGCA) is a nonprofit serving approximately 2,000 youth from inner-city Allentown. bgcallentown.org Their mission is to enable young people, especially those who need it most, to reach their full potential as caring, responsible citizens. bgcallentown.org The Club operates multiple clubhouses including a Teen Center and offers programs in academics, character development, health, wellness, and recreation. bgcallentown.org+1
BGCA Contact & Locations
Main Office: 720 N. Sixth Street, Allentown, PA 18102 bgcallentown.org+1
Phone: (610) 432-9944 bgcallentown.org
Website: bgcallentown.org bgcallentown.org
Email press releases to info@lehighvalleywithlovemedia.com
What started with a single blazer in the trunk of a car has become one of the Lehigh Valley’s most powerful stories of community-driven change.
In this episode of the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast, host George Wacker sits down with Sarah Barrett, Executive Director of YWCA Allentown, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Perfect Fit, a workforce empowerment program that’s helped more than 13,000 women step into new careers with confidence.
Topics include:
How The Perfect Fit began as a grassroots effort
Why clothing is just a tool, and the real heart is community support
Career workshops, tech certifications, and professional mentoring
What’s next for the next 25 years
Join the Celebration: Outfit to Empower Luncheon
Friday, October 24, 2025
Renaissance Hotel, Allentown, PA
Learn more or get involved: ywcaallentown.org/perfect-fit
Guests:
In this episode of the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast, host George Wacker sits down with Paul Gosselin and Kostas Hatalis of Alexander Labs, an AI incubator based in Allentown, Pennsylvania, that’s putting the Lehigh Valley back on the innovation map.
You’ll hear how this growing team is not only building on-premise AI systems and custom large language models, but doing it all from the region that produced the world’s first commercial transistors — long before the rise of Silicon Valley.
From community collaboration and tech talent to data privacy and enterprise-level solutions, Alexander Labs is working to make AI accessible, secure, and proudly local.
To learn more or get in touch, visit: https://alexanderlabs.ai
Kostas Hatalis opens with a bold statement: the Lehigh Valley isn’t just a place with warehouses — it was the original Silicon Valley. The region manufactured the world’s first commercial transistors in the 1940s, and yet few in tech today give it credit. That legacy is exactly what inspired Alexander Labs, an AI incubator based in Allentown that’s trying to bring innovation back home.
Paul Gosselin, co-founder of Alexander Labs, walks us through how the project started — with an empty room, a few whiteboards, and a wild idea. Paul had been running software companies when he met Kostas, a Lehigh Ph.D. who had already built his own large language model. They talked, they brainstormed, and soon they realized: “We need to create a lab. One that brings the community in and builds something real.”
That idea became Alexander Labs — an incubator not just for AI startups, but for a smarter, more connected Lehigh Valley tech ecosystem.
One of Alexander Labs’ most exciting projects is GoCharlie, a next-generation AI assistant that can write, analyze, and support business operations. But what makes it special isn’t just what it does — it’s where and how it was built.
GoCharlie’s models are developed right in Allentown using an approach Kostas calls “small language models.” Instead of billion-dollar infrastructure, these models run on a single GPU or CPU, making them affordable, fast, and customizable for real businesses.
In a world where companies send sensitive data into massive black-box systems like ChatGPT, GoCharlie offers something better: AI you can understand, control, and host locally.
Alexander Labs is also building its own on-prem data center — allowing businesses to plug in directly and run GoCharlie inside their own walls. Paul calls it GoPrem — and it’s already helping companies avoid relying on Silicon Valley giants for AI tools.
“We’re really focused on enterprise,” he says, “but it’s more than that — we’re helping companies get their data in order, whether structured or unstructured, so they can actually use AI meaningfully.”
Throughout the conversation, privacy and autonomy come up again and again. Alexander Labs isn’t just building AI — they’re building trust. Kostas explains how big tech companies are scraping public data to train their models, while businesses are becoming increasingly wary of handing over proprietary information.
That’s why localized, on-premise AI is such a key differentiator. “You can’t just trust Microsoft or Google with everything,” Paul says. “We can offer the same kind of power — but right here in the Valley, with local partnerships and control.”
Despite the region’s rich tech history, the Lehigh Valley hasn’t been part of the AI conversation — until now. Alexander Labs is trying to change that. With support from Ben Franklin Technology Partners and other local initiatives, they’re helping seed the next wave of innovation.
“We’re trying to build culture here,” Paul says. “It’s not easy. But if we can keep talented students and young founders in the Valley, we can build something real.”
Looking ahead, the conversation shifts to the future of AI. Kostas explains that the next wave isn’t just smarter chatbots — it’s AI agents: autonomous systems that can do real work across tools like Slack, Zoom, and WordPress. “If it’s a task that can be done remotely, AI is coming for it,” he says.
But for Alexander Labs, the goal isn’t replacing people — it’s empowering them. By creating scalable, local-first AI, they’re making sure small businesses can keep up — and even outpace the giants.
This episode isn’t just about AI — it’s about ownership. It’s about building technology that serves local communities, respects data privacy, and creates opportunity where it’s needed most. Alexander Labs is betting that the next big thing in tech doesn’t have to come from California — it can start in Allentown.
And if they’re right, the Lehigh Valley may just become the first Silicon Valley all over again.
4K VIDEO VERSION: https://youtu.be/nOkK0EWAEOM
In this episode of the Shop Local Harder Holiday Series, we visit Camp Bow Wow Allentown to talk with Bobby Ludwig. Discover how this premier doggy daycare and boarding facility is ensuring your furry friends are cared for and loved. From training programs to doggy playtime and boarding services, Camp Bow Wow offers everything your pet needs to feel at home. Tune in to learn more about their holiday boarding availability and how they’re creating a fun and safe space for pets year-round.
Bobby Ludwig – Camp Bow Wow, Allentown
Camo Bow Wow Allentown – www.campbowwow.com/allentown/
4K VIDEO VERSION: https://youtu.be/gl0JhFLVPno
In this episode, we take a walk with Marc Rittle, Executive Director of New Bethany, through the heart of South Bethlehem. Marc shares how New Bethany is helping Lehigh Valley residents in need, including the recent transformation of their food pantry into a choice pantry. Families can now shop for fresh produce and groceries in a setting that feels like a real store, giving them the dignity of choice and empowering them in a meaningful way.
The holiday season is right around the corner, and New Bethany’s Turkey Drive on Friday, November 22nd, is set to be a huge event at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown.
This year, they’re aiming to collect 1,200 turkeys to meet requests from local organizations, ensuring that hundreds of families from Allentown to Bethlehem have everything they need for a memorable Thanksgiving.
Want to get involved? Drop off a 10-12 lb frozen turkey at Coca-Cola Park or donate virtually by texting “LVturkeydrive” to 41444.
They’re also collecting holiday meal sides like stuffing and green beans, so feel free to add a little extra to the donation!
For more details, visit New Bethany’s Turkey Drive page: https://newbethany.org/event/turkey-drive/
Tune in to learn more about New Bethany’s work and how you can make a difference this Thanksgiving season.
Big thanks to this episode’s sponsors: Wind Creek Event Center, Michael Bernadyn with Remax Realty, Molly’s Irish Grille & Sports Pub, Bingo Bango Beverage Company, and WDIY 88.1 FM!
Marc Rittle: Executive Director of New Bethany
TURKEY DRIVE: https://newbethany.org/event/turkey-drive/
4K VIDEO VERSION: https://youtu.be/PQVZ4MmJhh8
In this episode, we take a tour of the Allentown Art Museum’s first floor, exploring the New American Galleries with incredible pieces from artists like Rigo Peralta and Keith Haring, plus a visit to the legendary Frank Lloyd Wright room.
Then, we talk all about the upcoming Cocktails & Collecting event happening Saturday, October 5, followed by the Art Fair for All on Sunday, October 6.
It’s a packed weekend of art, culture, and fun, so get ready to dive in with us!
Cocktails and Collecting Link: https://www.allentownartmuseum.org/cocktails-collecting-2024/
Alison & Irene: The Allentown Art Museum
Cocktails & Collecting: https://www.allentownartmuseum.org/cocktails-collecting-2024/
VIDEO VERSION: https://youtube.com/live/KmANdAGaqiI
This week, we’re joined by Kyle Edwards, the visionary CEO of A True L.O.V.E Story. From vibrant art and inspired apparel to impactful community events, Kyle shares how his company motivates people to live their best lives while supporting important causes.
Tune in to hear about his journey, the story behind the brand, and how A True L.O.V.E Story and their brick and mortar location for events in downtown Allentown, Inkwell, LLC, is making a difference. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation filled with passion, creativity, and a whole lot of love!
VIDEO VERSION: https://youtu.be/tGwN5fX5xFA
Welcome to this episode of the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast. Today, we’re talking with Katarah Jordan, the new CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Allentown.
Katarah’s background in education and community development makes her a perfect fit for the role. From leading the James Lawson Freedom School to fighting food insecurity at Second Harvest Food Bank, she’s dedicated to empowering youth.
We talk about those things as well as her excitement for her new role, which is palpable. She’s passionate about creating transformative spaces for Allentown’s children to thrive.With her dynamic energy, she’s set to inspire staff, members, and stakeholders alike.
As she takes the reins from retiring CEO Deb Fries Jackson, the club enters a new chapter full of promise and possibility.
VIDEO VERSION: https://youtu.be/cIIRLLKLLMI
Dive into the Lehigh Valley’s Hidden Depths with Stillfin & Stiffchin!
This episode of Lehigh Valley with Love plunges into the fascinating world of local scuba diving legends Stillfin and Stiffchin (aka Matt and Chris).
These aren’t your average divers – they’re treasure hunters, historians, videographers, and environmentalists who capture the magic of our waterways like no one else.
Get ready to:
Stillfin
Stiffchin
Stillfin Faceboook: www.facebook.com/STILLFIN1/
Stillfin YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/STILLFIN
Stiffchin Faceboook: www.facebook.com/STIFFCHINADVENTURES/
Stiffchin YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/STIFFCHIN
Would you like everyone on the internet to know where your Christmas / Holiday light display is? Well, we’re putting together a map for everyone to enjoy and we want your residence or business to be a part of it.
If you’re sure, then please submit your information below to be included in our Lehigh Valley Holiday Lights Map.
We’re excited to see some of the most interesting, traditional, and fun holiday displays throughout the Lehigh Valley area (and beyond)
By Submitting your light location, you’re agreeing for us to use it on our public Google Map.
