Lehigh Valley InSite

Sands Bethlehem Casino

Still wondering what to do tonight? Last year, my friends and I rang in the new year at Sands Casino in South Bethlehem.

We got there a little after 9pm, and the Sands was hopping! It was fun to be around all the people and the sounds of the casino. The cocktail waiters and waitresses were not only passing out free drinks but free party hats and noise makers. Everyone in the place seemed to be having a great time and really embracing the holiday. My friends and I went looking for the lucky slot machine that was going to make us rich for 2010 (not sure any of us ever found it, but we sure had fun looking!).

Museum of Modern Peeps Diorama

Last year, I invited my friends Ellane & Stacey from Langhorne to join me at the first Peeps Fest, which is located on the same site of Christkindlmarkt in downtown Bethlehem.

We enjoyed …

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When some guys reach their mid-40s, they head out and buy the Harley-Davidson they always wanted. Me? I went out and bought a pretty sweet Gretsch drum set!

Bookstore

About two months ago I wrote a blog about taking Casey out for her birthday in Bethlehem. I never got around to part two of that blog… until now.

After we finished our wonderful dinner at The Apollo Grill, we went back to the Hyatt Place and hitched a ride with the shuttle driver to the south side of Bethlehem to go to The Bookstore. For months, we have been wanting to go to The Bookstore, a bar modeled after a 1920s speakeasy.

Tree

Life’s been a little crazy for me recently. Between my Mom having health issues, my car being totaled in an accident (not my fault) and having to shop for a replacement vehicle, the holiday season has crept up on me faster than a tractor trailer on Rt. 22. To say I’m not ready would be quite an understatement.

Things always seem to fall into place though. Last week at the Women’s Business Council’s 2nd Annual Holiday Tea & Tree Party, benefiting the scholarship fund, I won one of the twelve pre-decorated trees which will fill in just fine for a Christmas tree at my house this year. Although it is breaking tradition of buying a balled tree to replant after the holidays, I’m looking forward to not having needles shedding in the house.

Foulkin around at foulkers

If you’ll remember, I’m a bit of a pool player. And I’d much rather go out, support a local restaurant, and have someone else cook for me. There are many places around Lehigh Valley where people like me who enjoy these two things can go for a night out. One of my favorites is Foulker’s at the Blue Ridge in New Tripoli.

I spend most of my time at Foulker’s because of their two pool tables, which are typical 7′ x 3 1/2′ bar table (75 cents a game). What’s NOT typical is the balls, cue sticks and linen felt are in great shape compared to most places.

The Crossings Premium Outlets 1

Are you feeling the holiday shopping rush yet? With a little over a week left to hit the stores, I know I am wishing I would’ve bought more online! I can do without all the lines and crazy people trying to find those last-minute bargains.

I’m thinking about changing my strategy for next year though. I always take a day off during the week before school starts to head to The Crossings Premium Outlets in Tannersville. The outdoor complex is located about 15 minutes north of Lehigh Valley and it is very convenient to get to.

Rosie santa sad face

All I’ve been hearing for the last two weeks from Rosie is, “SANTA! HO! HO! HO!”  She seemed like she really loved the jolly man with the presents, until it was time to take a picture with him. She looked at me like “NO ONE SAID ANYTHING ABOUT ME SITTING ON THIS GUYS LAP!” Then it was a full on freak out.  Talk about fun.

If you have a child who really loves Santa, there are many places around Lehigh Valley to go.  Christkindlmarkt in Bethlehem, Promenade Shops in Center Valley and Lehigh Valley Mall in Whitehall all have a Santa who will pose with your children and capture a precious moment.

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Tomorrow is the 51st Annual Christmas Peace Pilgrimage in Lehigh Valley. It’s a 10-mile walk from Nazareth to Bethlehem, two of the most historically relevant towns in local Moravian heritage.

According to my mom, who did the “peace walk” last year, the purpose is to encourage peace rather than violence in a non-political setting. With a friend from church by her side, Mom drove to Bethlehem to meet the bus that would take her to the starting off point for the pilgrimage at Nazareth Moravian Church in Center Square. Then as the clock struck noon, Mom and 240 other “pilgrims” began their walk along Route 191toward Bethlehem.

Allentown brew works

I am a fan of microbrews, or craft brews, not exactly sure which one they are called now. It is basically beer that tastes real good (although if your beer of choice is of the light variety, I’ll warn you now, this is not an event for you).

Casey received an email from the Brew Works in October promoting the Craft Beer Festival on December 4 at Allentown Brew Works. We got four tickets immediately; it was a great deal at $25 a piece if you bought tickets early. After a certain date, tickets were $35, but even at $35, it was still a great deal. Good thing we got tickets early – the event sold out.