Lehigh Valley InSite

Rick Pongracz 1956-2012

These blogs are supposed to be about all that’s great in Lehigh Valley. Well about a week ago we had to lay to rest a colleague and a friend, and he was one that made the valley great. So here is my tribute to Richard “Rick” Pongracz.

Well Ricky, we just paid our last respects to a man that we thought so much of. You truly touched everyone you came in contact with. I was so happy to see and hear so many people saying such wonderful things about a man that I really only came to know over the past year. But, I count myself as one of the lucky ones for having had the opportunity to get to know you. From the people at Agere to the staff at Discover Lehigh Valley you made a difference. As an ambassador of Lehigh Valley there was never a day that you didn’t make someone laugh, smile or want to choke you. (LOL)

SoMeT

Discover Lehigh Valley is in the running to host Social Media Tourism Symposium 2012, an annual conference that brings together tourism professionals sharing ideas and learning more about how social media is affecting promotion within the travel industry.

We made it into the “Sweet 16.” You can see the full bracket here. The current round of voting has us (Lehigh Valley) against Milwaukee, Wisconsin and we need your help to secure our spot!

Photo Credit: http://www.erikaliodice.com/

My idea of a perfect concert is seeing an act I love at an intimate venue that’s close by with plenty of parking, all for an affordable price. In other words: a pipe dream. Seeing an act I love usually requires battling traffic to get to Philly or Manhattan, paying an obscene amount to park, and contending with large crowds.

So when I learned that one of my favorite singers, Ingrid Michaelson, was performing right here in Lehigh Valley at Muhlenberg College for $20 per ticket, I couldn’t purchase mine fast enough. On the way to the show last Sunday, however, doubt started to set in. Were we substituting traffic jams and expensive parking for an evening surrounded by drunken college kids?

IronPigs

Being the diehard baseball fan that I am, I recently returned from my second annual pilgrimage to Clearwater, Florida to cheer on the Philadelphia Phillies with some friends last weekend. I’ve been a fan of the Phillies for as long as I’ve been alive, and upon working here at Discover Lehigh Valley I made a “discovery” of my own. The Lehigh Valley IronPigs offer even the most discerning fan an affordable alternative to their favorite MLB team with some exciting minor league action.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you already know that the Lehigh Valley IronPigs are the Triple-A Affiliate of the beasts from the east, the Philadelphia Phillies. If you haven’t been to a game yet, you have no idea what you’re missing.

Sushi at Ichiban

My old college roommates and I couldn’t wait to get together for a girls only weekend, so I immediately jumped into planning mode. Being close to nightlife, shopping, and food were a must, and since I’m getting familiar with Lehigh Valley, why not bring it to Bethlehem?

The Comfort Suites Bethlehem seemed like the best option, and thanks to their help, we had a great suite with two queen beds, a sitting area, and a fridge and microwave (thank goodness, because I am the queen of leftovers). It was spacious, our beds were comfortable, and the front desk attendants were more than welcoming. Just a little tip: the hotel has hot breakfast, allows furry friends, and has a free shuttle to Sands Casino.

Lehigh Beats Duke

This past Friday night, lightning stuck for the second time in the 2012 NCAA Tournament. Just hours after Norfolk State stuns Missouri to become just the 5th 15th seed in NCAA history to upset a #2 seed, Lehigh finished off Duke to make it 6 times. And Lehigh Valley went crazy.

Here’s a little history lesson: you know of the two most recent 15 over 2′s, but the others are Hampton over Iowa State in 2001, Coppin State over South Carolina in 1997, Santa Clara over Arizona in 1993, and the first time it happened was Richmond over Syracuse in 1991.

Jordan Parkway in the Sun

Winter has officially ended. Wait, did it ever really begin this year in Lehigh Valley? The region definitely had a very mild winter which was a blessing for some and a curse for others. The curse came to the ski areas located to the north and south of Lehigh Valley. Blue Mountain Ski Area in Palmerton was able to remain open through this past weekend which was pretty amazing and goes to show that you really don’t need the natural stuff to fall in order to ski, tube or board. Bear Creek Mountain Resort in Macungie was able to stay open to the week prior, which again made those winter sport enthusiasts happy campers.

I, on the other hand, do not really enjoy the cold winters. Sure, I love to see the snow fall, but I’d be happy doing that from my front bow window at home. I’m definitely excited that today is the first day of spring and temperatures this week in Lehigh Valley are going to be amazing.

Old Forge, Pa pizza

This pizza discussion was such a topic of conversation in our office and in a past blog that I decided to bring it back.

“Remember you can’t eat meat on Friday.”  Growing up these words were often overheard throughout my house during Lent.  Being a native of the Scranton area (Blakely exactly) I had the privilege of some of the greatest pizza in the world.  For anyone who disagrees, next time in the Scranton, PA area take a trip down Main St in Old Forge and grab yourself a tray (yes,  “Scrantonites” call it a tray).  Let me know what you think.

pond skimming

I want to start by saying that anyone who says there’s nothing to do in Lehigh Valley is crazy! Especially if they say there’s nothing free to do.

Bear Creek Mountain Resort had two, big, free events this past weekend, the cardboard box derby on Saturday and pond skimming on Sunday.

Antique Toy & Collectible Show

This past weekend, the magical world of toys came to Lehigh Valley. This world is unlike any other and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The Antique Toy & Collectible Show was held at Merchants Square Mall and it was wonderful. I got to see toys from my childhood, which made me feel old, and then I saw toys from my fathers and grandfather’s childhoods and that made me feel young.

There weren’t just toys either, there were albums and costumes (Mr. Peanut pictured in the Gallery and an Iron Man suit as well), there where parts for old toy cars and kits and parts for track cars.