Lehigh Valley InSite

Anthony Recker

Back in 1999, when people listened to Mambo No. 5 and Apple’s stock price was $42 a share, I played baseball as a senior at Salisbury High School. We faced some good players in Lehigh Valley at the time, including a big kid from Northwestern High School who threw 90 mph and was drafted by the Mets. But the best player in the area was an overgrown sophomore catcher from Catasauqua named Anthony Recker.

Even as a sophomore, Recker was a force. He could hit, mash for power, and no one dared run on his arm. One look at the darts he threw to second base during warm ups at the start of every inning was like a warning sign to the opposing team – don’t even THINK about stealing today.

Tuna Platter

I’ve been working in downtown Allentown now for close to five years. You can only imagine the amount of times I have walked up and down Hamilton Street, especially when trying to find grub at lunchtime.

I actually had a first (and second) time experience this week, believe it or not! I chose a place that I had never been to, Pasta Alla Rosa, not once, but twice. This quaint little Italian place is at the corner of 6th and Hamilton Streets.

The Liberty Bell Museum

After lunch with some co-workers on Tuesday afternoon, we decided to stop in at the Liberty Bell Museum (622 W. Hamilton St.) in Allentown since I hadn’t been there yet. It’s located in the basement of the Zion’s Reformed Church, that huge building with the red doors. I’d walked by it plenty of times, but the FREE admission sign (which is apparently every day!) drew me in.

If you don’t already know the history of the Liberty Bell in Lehigh Valley, I’m going to give you the quick rundown…

Sky Challenge

I had the opportunity to visit Dutch Springs, a sort of water-park / outdoor-adventure-campus in Bethlehem with my brother and cousin this weekend. Though the place has a multitude of activities including camping and scuba diving (something I had no idea was offered anywhere near a place like Lehigh Valley), we spent most of our time at the water park. Our afternoon consisted of climbing the icebergs (surprisingly challenging!), sliding down inflatable structures we just worked our way up, jumping on trampolines, and generally enjoying the clear, temperate lake water.

After that, we had some pizza and wings that really hit the spot from Noble Roman’s before heading over to The Sky Challenge, a ropes course combined with a rock wall. Now I shudder just watching people do stuff like this (fear of heights over here), but my cousin, an individual of more energy and fewer fears than myself, loved it. It was “pretty scary, but still fun,” according to him (see picture).

Straight No Chaser

I had the privilege of seeing the Straight No Chaser concert at Musikfest on Thursday. I believe they said there were 5,500 people there, that’s amazing. Megan and I took our seats and before we knew it those 10 talented men were on stage in front of us. Megan had no idea what she was in for. I like to think that she was pleasantly surprised; I witnessed her bust a move a few times.

Straight No Chaser played any and everything you could think of. They started with a Motown medley that got the many heads in the crowd bopping. Another blast from the past was when two of them sang their version of a Rat Pack favorite, “Me and My Shadow.” “This is How We Do It,” “Let’s Get It On,” and the Bee Gees mixed with Stevie Wonder could also be heard flowing through the speakers. When they started to sing Zac Brown’s Band “Chicken Fried,” Megan said “Country. Here goes Kate!” I’m not sure if she was embarrassed or not when I started singing to her a few times.

7 Walkers

Psychedelic backdrop, harmonic guitar rifts, taking me to a far place with fluffy clouds, blue skies, running through fields of wildflowers with pulsing red and green lights….

Ok I am back!

Steely-Dan

Ok, I have to confess. I have been to Musikfest in Bethlehem less than five times in my life. If you live in Lehigh Valley, that is probably a sin.

For 10 days in August, the only buzz you hear around town is, “are you going to Fest tonight?” But there’s more. I actually have two things to confess. The last time I was at Musikfest was probably about 25 years ago. Why?

Alison Krauss and Union Station

When Musikfest first hit the scene in Lehigh Valley in 1984, steel was still being manufactured in the South Bethlehem plant. My father and grandfather both worked for Bethlehem Steel, but not in Bethlehem. They worked at Sparrows Point. The steel was a big part of my life. You can’t imagine how thrilled I was to see the number of people on site at Musikfest’s South Side campus this year and the life that has been regenerated there.

My wife and I had tickets for Allison Krauss and Union Station so we decided to arrive early and walk around. It being a Tuesday, the SteelStacks Farmers Market was underway (though not in its normal spot). I was very impressed with the quality and variety of artisan breads, meats, cheeses, preserves, fruits and vegetables and dessert items. It’s worth a separate trip. We had dinner outside at Looper’s and as usual had a fine meal. Having seen so many dessert items we wandered back to the Farmers Market to buy something. The offer of a free sample by Tabora Farm & Orchard sealed the deal. A small bag of a dozen thin and crispy chocolate chip cookies was immediately opened and partially consumed.

Photo Credit Brian Wcislo of 401creative.com

You may have noticed that Lehigh Valley becomes a mecca for music fans for 10 rockin’ days each August, ever since Musikfest first took place in 1984. Steve Miller Band was nothing short of phenomenal at Musikfest on Monday night. The acoustics of the Sands Steel Stage were incredible; I’ve never heard a concert at an outdoor venue sound so clear.

It’s been a dream of mine to see Steve Miller Band perform for quite a while now. I’ve spent the last 10 or so years awkwardly “dancing” to their music, ever since I first heard my mom play them on the stereo when I was a teenager. So it was only fitting that she come to the concert with me this past Monday night to see one of our favorite bands.

Blog Picture - Maroon 5

Did you notice the rain on Saturday in Lehigh Valley?  Well it didn’t seem to keep many of the diehard fans away from Musikfest.

My wife and I were a few of those fans, excited to see the new South Side campus.  We arrived in time to check out the new Americaplatz. The two of us enjoyed the music of Love in Stockholm, while eating some delicious chicken tacos from Cactus Blue. Americaplatz offered great food and entertainment as we waited for the evening’s main concert; Maroon 5.