Sunday Night Football gave the Lehigh Valley a pair of quick shoutouts during the Eagles’ win over Detroit.
The first came during player introductions, when Nazareth High School alum Jahan Dotson said “610” as his hometown callout.
Allentown School District Foundation Launches Emergency Food and Fund Drive
The Allentown School District Foundation has joined forces with the District to launch an Emergency Fund and Non-Perishable Food-Raiser to assist students and families affected by the ongoing government shutdown and disruptions to federal nutrition assistance programs.
Bethlehem’s Justin Keiper Named Runner-Up for National Funeral Director of the Year
When it comes to helping people say goodbye, Justin Keiper might just be the best in the business. The American Funeral Director magazine has named him the 2025 Runner-Up for Funeral Director of the Year.
Lehigh Valley Snubbed from National Geographic’s Best Places to Visit in 2026
National Geographic just dropped its Best of the World 2026 list, 25 must-visit destinations ranging from Milan’s Dolomites to Dominica’s whale reserve and even Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
That’s right. Pittsburgh!!!!
The Steel City made the cut for its museums, art scene, and downtown revitalization. And while that’s great news for Western PA, those of us on the other side of the state were left flipping through the list like: no Bethlehem? no Easton? not even Tatamy?
Sure, the Dolomites have stunning mountain views, and Dominica’s getting a whale reserve. That’s great. But have the folks who made this list ever watched Musikfest from the top of the Hill-to-Hill Bridge?
Have they ever wandered through Bacon Fest in Easton, elbow to elbow with thousands of hungry people and the smell of sizzling pork in the air?
Have they ever lined up at Yocco’s for a hot dog that’s somehow both simple and perfect?
Have they ever sat trackside at the Velodrome in Trexlertown on a Friday night?
Have they even been to The Great Allentown Fair Demolition Derby?
Have they ever driven down Freemansburg’s finally omg took forever newly paved Main Street, windows down?
Have they ever biked the Saucon Rail Trail in Hellertown on a crisp fall day and ended up in a tavern debating who makes the best wings in the Valley?
And if the National Geographic team really wants to see world-class tourism, they should try visiting Jim Thorpe in the fall if they can find a parking spot. That town’s been so good at it, you can’t even visit!
We’re not saying National Geographic got it wrong. We’re just saying maybe they’ve never walked Main Street Bethlehem in December.
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Hellertown Historical Society Hosts Special Screening of The Fries Rebellion
History buffs and film enthusiasts alike are invited to a special screening of The Fries Rebellion, an acclaimed short film exploring the 1798–1799 Pennsylvania tax revolt that took place across Northampton, Bucks, and Montgomery counties. The event will be held on Tuesday, October 28 at 7 p.m. in the Hellertown Historical Society’s Tavern venue, located in the lower level of the historic Heller-Wagner Grist Mill at 170 West Walnut Street, Hellertown, PA. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Pass the Budget Episode Featuring Meals on Wheels Greater Lehigh Valley
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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.
Allentown Rescue Mission’s “Thanks for Giving” Drive Returns Nov. 8, with Meal Match Challenge
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.
Banana Ball Returns to Coca-Cola Park in 2026
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.
L.L.Bean’s Witch, Warlock, and Zombie Paddle Returns to Lake Nockamixon
L.L.Bean is bringing some spooky outdoor fun to Lake Nockamixon this weekend with its Witch, Warlock, and Zombie Stand-Up Paddleboard or Kayak Outing and Food Drive in Quakertown, Pennsylvania.
Participants are encouraged to dress in their best Halloween costumes and paddle alongside L.L.Bean’s Outdoor Discovery instructors, who will be wearing their own witch, warlock, and zombie attire for a fun fall adventure on the water.
Mostly Lehigh Valley Basketball Stars
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.
WDIY Celebrates 30 Years of Community Radio in the Lehigh Valley
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WDIY is celebrating 30 years of community radio from its home in Bethlehem’s historic Flatiron Building. Since first going on air in January 1995, the station has become a hub for local voices, diverse music, and civic engagement across the Lehigh Valley.
We had a chance to sit down with Executive Director Margaret McConnell on the roof of the Flatiron Building, overlooking the valley WDIY serves. She talked about everything from the station’s ten-year founding journey, to its 130 dedicated volunteers, to the challenge of replacing federal funding cuts.
“Try to replace 15 percent of your personal budget,” McConnell said. “That is a part time job. We have to fill that gap.”
We also talked about WDIY’s commitment to future generations through its youth media program, which has already trained more than 200 students to host shows and create podcasts.
“Through WDIY we combat homelessness, address mental health, prevent teen suicide, alleviate senior citizen loneliness, and spread joy,” McConnell said. “WDIY is not just a radio station. It is a beacon of hope, support, and empowerment for everyone in our community.”
The 30th anniversary celebrations continue with concerts, community programming, and a unique new fundraiser at the State Theatre in Easton — Lehigh Valley Hollywood Squares.
🎟 Learn more about Lehigh Valley Hollywood Squares at: https://www.wdiy.org/lehigh-valley-hollywood-squares
Thank you to our Partners!
WDIY 88.1 FM
Wind Creek Event Center
Michael Bernadyn of RE/MAX Real Estate
Molly’s Irish Grille & Sports Pub
Banko Beverage Company
Check Out Renee Christine’s Latest Single “Lehigh Valley”
Rising singer-songwriter Renee Christine has unveiled her latest single, “Lehigh Valley,” released on September 26, 2025. Produced by Doug Schadt, the track blends Christine’s folk and country influences with vivid storytelling rooted in place, memory, and resilience.
The End Bookstore Expands with New Titles, Romantasy Celebration, and Community Spaces
The End Bookstore, a longtime community hub for readers in the Lehigh Valley, is unveiling its expanded design and layout on Tuesday, September 23 at 5 p.m. The renovation adds more than 1,000 new titles, fresh sections for trending genres, and new areas dedicated to families and young readers.
The independent bookstore, which has served readers for nearly 13 years, remains the only all-new, general interest bookstore in the region. Its expansion reflects both the resilience of indie bookstores nationwide and the surge in interest around genres such as romantasy, dark romance, fantasy, and horror.
To mark the occasion, The End will host a launch event for its new “Midnight Lair” section on September 23. The celebration includes appearances from a popular romantasy book blogger, themed swag, and exclusive promotions. The store has also lined up a series of author events, including an October 10 reading with science fiction luminary Martha Wells.
Beyond new genres, the bookstore is strengthening its role as a gathering space. Families can enjoy the redesigned “Let’s Play Books” area, which hosts weekly story times on Wednesdays at 11 a.m. Readers can also explore curated audiobook picks through Libro.fm. Partnerships with local businesses will help fund books for children as part of the store’s Authors to Schools program.
Owner Kirsten Hess emphasized that adaptability is central to The End’s success. “We’ve been in business for almost 13 years, the only way to do that is by constantly changing. What does our community want? What does our community need? That’s our approach.”
The End Bookstore is a member of the American Booksellers Association and the New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association. As the indie bookselling landscape grows nationally, Hess remains candid about the challenges: “We are always about two months away from closing – every book purchase matters.”
The Mom Market Comes to Bethlehem
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On this episode of the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast, we’re joined by Devika Knafo, the organizer behind The Mom Market, a vibrant new pop-up event coming to the Bethlehem Rose Garden on August 24.
The Mom Market is designed to celebrate and support mom and women entrepreneurs in the Lehigh Valley, featuring artisan goods, local businesses, wellness vendors, food, and entertainment in a family-friendly community setting.
We talk about how Devika came up with the idea, the challenges moms face balancing business and family, and why creating spaces for women to connect, collaborate, and grow is so important. She also gives us a preview of the day’s schedule, from community yoga to kids’ storytime and even Disney princess dance-offs, and shares what’s next for this seasonal series of markets.
🎧 Listen now:
www.lehighvalleywithlovemedia.com/podcast
📍 The Mom Market
August 24, 9:30 AM–3 PM
Bethlehem Rose Garden
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momsmeetmarket
Watch Episode: https://youtu.be/dKoVJFn6DP8
Thank you to our Partners!
WDIY 88.1 FM
Wind Creek Event Center
Michael Bernadyn of RE/MAX Real Estate
Molly’s Irish Grille & Sports Pub
Banko Beverage Company
Solving the Lehigh Valley’s Housing Puzzle: Affordability, Zoning, and What Comes Next
Get More LVWITHLOVE Content at LVwithLOVE.com
George Wacker and Jeff Warren are joined by Jill Seitz, Chief Community and Regional Planner at the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, and Michael Bernadyn, 2025 President of Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS®, for a deep dive into the region’s housing challenges.
From outdated zoning laws to increasing demand and shrinking affordability, the Lehigh Valley is at a tipping point. This episode brings together two perspectives—planning and real estate—to talk about how we got here and what needs to happen next.
“We have the jobs. We have the economy. What we don’t have is enough housing that works for everyone.” — Jill Seitz
“If we don’t address supply and density issues now, affordability is going to get worse—and fast.” — Michael Bernadyn
Watch Episode: https://youtu.be/Smg4Rb1dgFE
Thank you to our Partners!
L.L. Bean Outdoor Discovery Programs
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
Housing Isn’t Just a Market Issue. It’s a Regional One.
Housing is one of the most urgent and complex challenges facing the Lehigh Valley.
In this episode of Off the Record, we hear from two people deeply engaged in the work:
Jill Seitz, Chief Community and Regional Planner at the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, and
Michael Bernadyn, 2025 President of Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS®.
🎧 Listen to the Episode
www.lehighvalleywithlovemedia.com/podcast/housingepisode
The numbers speak for themselves.
“We’re anticipating that we’re going to need about 20,000 new units of housing in the Lehigh Valley by 2030. And that’s in addition to what we’ve already got planned and in the works.” — Jill Seitz
But this isn’t just about building homes—it’s about building the right kinds of homes in the right places.
“People that live and work in the Lehigh Valley can’t always find housing they can afford or housing that suits their needs.” — Jill Seitz
“The challenge has always been, and still is, that we have more buyers than we have sellers.” — Michael Bernadyn
The Zoning Conversation We Need to Have
Much of the region’s housing strain comes down to barriers in zoning and local governance.
“We have 62 municipalities in the Lehigh Valley. And if you want to build a multifamily development, you’ve got to go through a very time-consuming process. And there’s a lot of resistance.” — Michael Bernadyn
“Communities want economic growth… but they don’t always want the housing that goes along with that.” — Jill Seitz
The solution? A shift in mindset—and a move toward regional thinking.
“Housing is not optional. It’s not a nice-to-have. It’s necessary if we want to keep growing.” — Jill Seitz
What’s Next?
The path forward requires policy alignment, regional cooperation, and a commitment to long-term solutions.
“We want to make sure that our municipalities are zoning for all types of housing. And that we’re working regionally to make sure there’s a place for everyone—whether that’s a first-time buyer, someone downsizing, or someone who wants to stay in their neighborhood as they age.” — Jill Seitz
“If we don’t start having these conversations now, and making changes now, the situation is going to get worse—and fast. But if we do act now, we can start to shift things in a better direction.” — Michael Bernadyn
This Episode Matters
This conversation isn’t just about housing markets. It’s about equity, sustainability, and what kind of future the Lehigh Valley wants to build.
📍 Learn More
Lehigh Valley Planning Commission → https://www.lvpc.org
Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS® → https://www.greaterlehighvalleyrealtors.com
🎧 Listen to the full episode
www.lehighvalleywithlovemedia.com/podcast/housingepisode