E-Bikes, Raves, FEAT, and Sokols: A Few of Our Favorite Things

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Guests:

  • Jackie Bzura – Bicycle Motor Works
  • Megan Lysowski – FEAT (Fostering Equitable Access to Transportation)

In this episode of the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast, host George Wacker talks with Jackie Bzura of Bicycle Motor Works and Megan Lysowski of FEAT—Fostering Equitable Access to Transportation. They discuss how a grassroots effort to provide e-bikes to those in need grew into a nonprofit with community partnerships, real impact, and a 90s-themed fundraiser to help fund their next set of bikes.

FEAT is a Bethlehem-based nonprofit providing electric bikes, safety training, and gear to people in the Lehigh Valley who need reliable, affordable transportation. The idea came together through Bicycle Motor Works and expanded with the support of Chris Briggs of Bethlehem eBike, who played a key role in bringing the initial team together and helping shape the program from the ground up. With leadership from community advocate Megan Lysowski, FEAT has grown into a fully active nonprofit.

EVENT PAGE: www.bicyclemotorworks.com/event-list

FEAT page: www.featpa.com/

Watch Episode

https://youtu.be/CpIFveEnMTY

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Thank you to our Partners!
WDIY

Lehigh Valley Health Network

Wind Creek Event Center

Michael Bernadyn of RE/MAX Real Estate

Molly’s Irish Grille & Sports Pub

Banko Beverage Company


Episode Recap

Pedaling for Change: How a Grassroots Effort Became a Community-Driven E-Bike Movement

Partnering with organizations like Café the Lodge and the Family Self-Sufficiency Program, FEAT identifies individuals who would benefit most from access to an e-bike. Using a one-to-one model—one person, one bike—they equip recipients with more than just wheels. Each person receives the tools and training they need to ride safely and confidently, including gear like locks, air pumps, and backpacks.

The organization officially became a nonprofit under the fiscal sponsorship of Humanitarian Social Innovations in early 2024. That milestone has allowed FEAT to grow its fundraising efforts and expand community outreach.

One of their first major fundraisers is happening on April 5: Rave Revival – Pedaling for Change, a 90s-themed dance party at Sokols in South Bethlehem. The event features DJ Brad Scott, glowsticks at the door, and plenty of nostalgia-fueled energy. Tickets are $15 at the door or online at bicyclemotorworks.com under the Events tab.

All proceeds will go directly toward placing another e-bike with someone in need, as identified by FEAT’s outreach partners. With the rising cost of transportation and growing demand for affordable, eco-friendly alternatives, FEAT is helping to bridge the gap—one bike at a time.

To learn more about FEAT or get involved, visit featpa.com.

Peeps Collab Deep Dive

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

 

 

 

Girl Scout Cookie Ideas with Brownie Troop 8795

Brownie Troop 8795 in Bethlehem, PA, is kicking off cookie season with creativity, energy, and a love for all things scouting!

Why They Love Scouting
When we visited Troop 8795, the scouts shared what they love most about being a Brownie. From making new friends to learning exciting skills and going on adventures, these girls are building memories that will last a lifetime.

Crazy Cookie Ideas
We couldn’t resist asking them about their dream cookie flavors, and their ideas were as creative as they were delicious! From pizza-flavored cookies to rainbow-sprinkle explosions, Troop 8795 showed us their fun side with plenty of cookie-inspired imagination.

How to Support Troop 8795
You can make this cookie season unforgettable by supporting these local scouts! Here’s how:

Every cookie purchase helps scouts like those in Troop 8795 continue to grow, learn, and dream big. Whether you’re craving Thin Mints, Tagalongs, or Samoas, you’ll be supporting an amazing cause with each bite!

Order today, and don’t miss out on the sweetest way to support local scouts!

2024 in Review: Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast Hits 2.7 Million Downloads!

As 2024 draws to a close, we’re taking a moment to celebrate an incredible year for the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast. This year, we reached an extraordinary milestone: 2.7 million hits across all of our episodes, showcasing the power of community storytelling and local connections.

With 47 episodes in 2025, we’ve shared countless stories that celebrate the heart of the Lehigh Valley and beyond. From exclusive celebrity interviews like Tony Danza, to exploring local landmarks such as The Sayre Mansion and The Dery House, to diving into community-focused initiatives like New Bethany Ministries’ Turkey Drive and Festival Unbound, our podcast covered an incredible breadth of topics this year.

Thanks to your support, we connected with people from all walks of life, sharing the stories that make the Lehigh Valley truly special.

Be sure to visit www.lvwithlove.com for updates throughout 2025!

Highlights from 2024

We’re proud of every episode we released this year, but here are a few that truly stood out:

  • Tony Danza: Standards & Stories – Tony joined us to share insights from his career and his one-man show at SteelStacks, giving listeners a behind-the-scenes look at his life in entertainment. Listen / Watch here.
  • New Bethany Ministries Turkey Drive – We highlighted the incredible work of New Bethany Ministries in supporting our community during the holiday season. Listen / Watch here.
  • Festival Unbound with Touchstone Theatre – A deep dive into this vibrant annual festival celebrating creativity and community. Listen / Watch here.
  • Lafayette College Arts Tour – Exploring the rich arts culture on campus with exclusive insights. Listen / Watch here.
  • Toured The Sayre Mansion – An exclusive look at this historic gem in Bethlehem. Listen / Watch here.
  • Learned to Swim with Goldfish Swim School – A fun and educational episode about fostering water safety. Listen / Watch here.
  • Toured The Dery House in Catasauqua – Discovering the history and beauty of this iconic property. Listen / Watch here.
  • Celebrated 90 Years at Shankweilers Drive-In – A nostalgic dive into America’s oldest drive-in theater. Listen / Watch here.

These episodes, among many others, exemplify the diversity and richness of stories we’re privileged to share with our listeners. Your engagement—from sharing episodes to leaving comments—helped make this possible.

Monthly Highlights

  • Social Media Reach: 500K+ monthly average.
  • Podcast Listenership: 225K+ monthly hits average.

We use S3Stat to verify our numbers. 

Thank You to Our Partners

Our achievements this year wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our amazing partners:

  • WDIY – Supporting local radio! Link
  • Wind Creek Event Center – Hosting incredible events! Link
  • Michael Bernadyn of RE/MAX Real Estate – Connecting us to our community. Link.
  • Molly’s Irish Grille & Sports Pub – Fueling our team with great food and energy. Link
  • The Coop Sports Bar & Kitchen – Fueling our team with Dinosaur Eggs. Link
  • Banko Beverage Company – Helping us keep the conversation flowing. Link
  • Lehigh Valley Health Network – Keeping us healthy! Link

Thank you for believing in our mission and helping us bring these stories to life.

Looking Ahead to 2025

For more updates, episodes, and ways to connect with us, visit our website: www.lvwithlove.com.

We’re already planning for an even bigger and better year ahead, and we want YOU to be part of it! Whether you have a story to share, a business to spotlight, or an idea for collaboration, we’d love to hear from you. Fill out this form to get involved: https://forms.gle/3AXv59fdXrVirXke9.

Are you interested in being a guest on our podcast? Share your story with us by filling out our guest form here: https://forms.gle/V6czQLymPp1B31GW8.

Join the Conversation

Stay tuned for more incredible stories in 2025, and thank you for being part of our journey. Here’s to another amazing year of connecting, sharing, and loving the Lehigh Valley!

The Wicked Botanist: Unique Plants & Whitehall Grand Opening | Shop Local Harder

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Thank you to our Partners!

WDIY

Wind Creek Event Center

Michael Bernadyn of RE/MAX Real Estate 

Molly’s Irish Grille & Sports Pub

Banko Beverage Company

Conversations with Amy Jo Burns, Shelley Noble, and Meg Shaffer: A Preview of SOTA’s Author Events

Get More LVWITHLOVE content


Thank you to our Partners!

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

For more information and tickets, visit sotapa.org/lwta.

Canoes, Poems, and Inclusive Art at Festival UnBound

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Thank you to our Partners!

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

Love Letters to Bethlehem

Lehigh Valley with Love is honored to have been a part of this incredible video project and event!

“Love Letters to Bethlehem” is a documentary project developed by Brian Rashid, CEO of Brian Rashid Global and supported by the City of Bethlehem, the Bethlehem Marketing Council, and the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce. The documentary showcases the compelling and intimate narratives of Bethlehem’s residents, entrepreneurs, and community leaders as they share their journeys, significant relationships, and achievements throughout the city.

J. William Reynolds, Mayor of Bethlehem
Neville Gardner, Donegal Square
Ann Marie Supinski, AM Luxe Apparel
Veronica & Quartez Moore, The Taste Smokers
George & Crystal Wacker, Lehigh Valley with Love Media
Kassie Hilgert, ArtsQuest
Derek Wallen, Lehigh Valley Printing,
Roasted and Country Club Brewing
Guillermo Lopez, The Guillermo Lopez DEI Institute

Read more in Lehigh Valley News

 

The Dynamic Lehigh Valley, First Drinks, and The Best Soup in Town with Lehigh University Student Lucy Kwiatek | Take it From a Local with Allison

In this week’s episode, we are talking with Lucy Kwiatek of Bethlehem. She is a student at Lehigh University and is a Bethlehem native.

Having grown up in this area, Lucy talks about some of her favorite aspects of the area including some of her favorite spots to eat, including her first drink at The Bayou (a sazerac that tasted like “eating a hospital and chasing it with a camp fire”) and Black Forest Deli (with “soup that can raise the dead”)!

We also touch on life as a student at Lehigh University and her experiences on campus (and off campus at the United Nations in NYC for example), especially during the pandemic.

Thank you, Lucy!

Thank you to our partners:

Burke Insurance Agency 

Michael Bernadyn of RE/MAX Real Estate

and our Season Featured Partner, Venture X

 

 

 

Take it from a Local, a Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast, is hosted by Allison Pittenger, a 20-year-old college junior.

“A Bethlehem native, I grew up going to Musikfest every summer, seeing shows at the State Theatre, and experiencing all that the Lehigh Valley has to offer. I’m a current student at East Stroudsburg University studying Video & Television production. I love theme parks, musical theatre, traveling, and of course creating content for people to enjoy. I began as an intern with Lehigh Valley with Love in early 2020 and have continued to work with them on various projects, and now this podcast! The goal of Take It From a Local is to hear from Lehigh Valley residents of past and present and to get their views and opinions on the many things to experience in the area. You can find me and follow my journey through life over on my Instagram @alli.pitt. I hope you enjoy the podcast!”


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