The Painted Petal: History, Renovation, and TNT in the Lehigh Valley

Posted On June 23, 2026 By lvwithlove In /  

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The Painted Petal is a restored 1910 Craftsman-style boutique guest house and event venue at 7809 Hamilton Boulevard in Trexlertown, Pennsylvania.

Owner Maggie Fischer transformed the once-deteriorating historic home into one of the Lehigh Valley’s most unique places to stay, gather, create, and celebrate. Inside, the house is filled with restored woodwork, leaded glass, salvaged antiques, vintage furniture, local history, and surprises in nearly every room.

One of the biggest surprises came during the renovation, when crates marked “high explosives” were found in the basement. What first looked like old storage turned out to be very real, very old TNT.

Maggie shares the story behind The Painted Petal’s renovation, the home’s history, the antiques and artifacts that found their way back, the challenges of restoring a historic property, and why preservation matters in the Lehigh Valley.

Learn more or book a stay: https://paintedpetal.com/

Address:
7809 Hamilton Boulevard
Breinigsville, PA 18031

 

 

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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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Mike McGrath Signs Off: You Bet Your Garden’s Final Episode on WDIY

Posted On June 5, 2026 By lvwithlove In /  

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Mike McGrath is signing off from You Bet Your Garden on WDIY with a final episode that looks back on 30 years in public radio, a career rooted in organic gardening, and the kind of advice that made him a trusted voice for gardeners everywhere.

In the interview, Mike reflects on his time as editor of Organic Gardening, his years on public radio, and how the show eventually found a home at WDIY. He also shares one last piece of classic Mike McGrath gardening advice: “No trends.” Build raised beds, use real soil, grow without poisons, and do not take advice from random people on the internet.

 

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The final episode of You Bet Your Garden is now available through WDIY. Listen and learn more at https://www.wdiy.org/show/you-bet-your-garden.

Wishing Mike well and thanking him for decades of smart, funny, fiercely organic advice.

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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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Girls on the Run Lehigh Valley & Pocono Builds Confidence One Step at a Time

Posted On May 15, 2026 By lvwithlove In /  
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Girls on the Run has the word “run” right there in the name, but this program is about a lot more than running.

On this episode of the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast, George Wacker is joined by his daughter Dahlia, a first-year Girls on the Run participant at her elementary school, for a conversation with Girls on the Run Lehigh Valley & Pocono Executive Director Liz Fones, coach Jennifer Leffler, and Laney, a program alumna who now gives back as a junior coach.

Yes, there is running. Yes, the season ends with a 5K. But the real work happens during the practices, where trained coaches help participants build confidence, make friends, set goals, talk through emotions, and learn how to handle the kinds of social pressure that can show up early in elementary and middle school.

Liz explains that the program gives girls tools at a critical age, especially as they begin thinking more about how they fit in, what others think of them, and how they see themselves. Jennifer, who has coached for many seasons, talks about helping girls navigate friendships, peer pressure, negative self-talk, and the simple but powerful idea of changing “I can’t do this” into “I can’t do this yet.”

Laney shares how her own experience with Girls on the Run helped her meet new people, build a love of running, and eventually return to the program as a junior coach. She now runs cross-country and track in high school, and talks about how running gives her a way to deal with stress and reset when life feels overwhelming.

Dahlia also shares what she has enjoyed as a first-year participant, including making new friends and getting to be part of something that gives girls a chance to try running in a supportive way.

The episode also looks ahead to the Girls on the Run 5K Celebration at DeSales University on Sunday, May 17. The event brings together girls, coaches, families, running buddies, mascots, music, and plenty of cheering as participants complete the season together.

Girls on the Run Lehigh Valley & Pocono serves communities across the region and is open to girls of all abilities. The organization also emphasizes that financial need should not stop a girl from participating, with scholarships and support available for families.

Learn more about Girls on the Run Lehigh Valley & Pocono at:
https://www.gotrlehighpocono.org/

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Coca-Cola Park Naming Rights End in 2027: What Should the IronPigs Call the Ballpark Next?

Posted On February 3, 2026 By lvwithlove In Blog, Community News /  1

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs and ABARTA Coca-Cola Beverages announced today, February 3, 2026, that their naming rights partnership will wrap up in September 2027 when the current agreement reaches its planned completion. The team made it clear the relationship is not ending completely. Fans will still be able to buy Coca-Cola products at games, and ABARTA Coca-Cola Beverages will remain a Founding Partner involved with the organization and its charitable efforts.

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The Chopper Foundation: Keeping Pets With Their Families

Posted On January 22, 2026 By lvwithlove In /  
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On this episode of Off the Record with the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast, we’re highlighting The Chopper Foundation and the work they’re doing to help families access lifesaving veterinary care when money is tight, so people do not have to surrender a pet or make an impossible decision.

We’re joined by Sharon, Moreen, and Dr. Lee for a conversation about how The Chopper Foundation started, what the need looks like in real life, and how community partnerships make it possible to keep pets healthy and at home.

Sharon shares what she saw again and again when dogs were relinquished: lack of funds for care, or behavioral issues, often after a dog had already been rehomed. She talks about how the unexpected loss of Chopper became the turning point, and how she decided to turn that loss into action that helps other families keep their pets.

The episode also digs into what support can look like beyond emergency vet bills, including food distribution. The foundation has worked with community partners to provide large food donations and run what they call a “chow line,” with past stops in Reading, Allentown, and Bethlehem, and a goal of expanding to Easton. The point is simple: help families who are stretched thin so they do not have to choose between feeding themselves and feeding their pets.

Looking ahead to 2026, The Chopper Foundation shares plans for a low-cost vaccination clinic and ways local sponsors can help make basic care more accessible, including a “sponsor one shot” approach.

For more information and ways to support:
https://www.thechopperfoundation.org/

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Lehigh Valley Snubbed from National Geographic’s Best Places to Visit in 2026

Posted On October 22, 2025 By lvwithlove In Blog /  

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

Posted On October 20, 2025 By lvwithlove In Community News /  

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.

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