Lehigh Valley InSite

SnowBall-2012

Having been born and raised in Lehigh Valley for 43 years, and working for Discover Lehigh Valley for the last 13 years, I’ve been awarded the opportunity to explore quite a few attractions and attend many events. At this point it’s not too often that I can say I did something for a first time in Lehigh Valley; however that was not the case this past Saturday night. For this particular night, that holds true for the location AND the event itself, which is even rarer. So, where’d I go you ask? I attended the 23rd Anniversary Small Business Council of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Snow Ball 2012.

This was not your typical monthly mixer by any means. This year, the event took place at University Center at DeSales University, Center Valley. This was a new venue for the event and one of the buildings I had never been to before. As we pulled into the enormous campus there were luminaries that lined the roads to direct the traffic which was a nice touch being that there are so many buildings on campus.

Two Noble Kinsmen

This past Wednesday, I attended my first ever production at the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, with a chance to see The Two Noble Kinsmen. Not quite knowing what to expect, I went into it with an open mind and made sure to read the synopsis a few times so I’d be able to follow the story easily. It turned out that I was able to follow the dialogue and story line without the added homework I had done. The Two Noble Kinsmen was funny, inspiring, an emotional roller coaster and an all-around great time.

The story revolves around two cousins who fall in love with the same fair lady who cannot choose between the two, and eventually they duke it out to compete for her hand. The love triangles and comedic banter made for a hilarious performance in the intimate stage setting at DeSales University.

Hamlet - 3

Most people, whether fans of Shakespeare or not, are familiar with this renowned opening line of the soliloquy presented by a distraught Hamlet reckoning the meaning of life. Its delivery by actor Justin Adams of The Acting Company at last night’s rendition of the play had the audience members on the edge of their seats.

In all, it’s no surprise the cast of Hamlet received a standing ovation after its performance on the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival Main Stage in the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts at DeSales University in Center Valley, Pa. The applause can be attributed as much to their stellar acting as to an audience showing appreciation that national-caliber thespians make Lehigh Valley home for nearly two months each summer.

Pride & Prejudice

Oh that Mr. Darcy! The most “abhorrent, repulsive, vulgar, rude, man in all of Hertfordshire” invaded Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival last night, much to my delight.

Pride and Prejudice’s Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy have the greatest love story ever written. This production, which started it’s run last night, captured the essence of one of my favorite novels. The quick pace of the play was especially focused on the humor of Jane Austin’s writing, which was so refreshing.

South Pacific

I often wondered why I love musicals so much, and Saturday night I figured it out. Unlike movies with a good plot and great acting, concerts with wonderful music and powerful singing, or performances by nimble dance ensembles, musicals are a combination of all three. When done well, they are unforgettable.

Case in point, South Pacific … the quintessential musical (you’re probably humming “Some Enchanted Evening” right now, aren’t you?).

Melt Staircase

The Granchio Jumbo Lump Crab Cake with Lemon Garnish may well be the single most delicious thing I have ever eaten. I partook in this culinary delight at Melt, one of the premiere restaurants at Lehigh Valley’s Promenade Shops in Saucon Valley. The best part? It was only the appetizer.

In addition to the delicious food, the atmosphere is equally impressive. Their website describes it as “warm” and “soothing,” and they actually deliver on that with soft lighting and subtly striking decor. They have this really cool chandelier (pictured), and these neat luminous vases flanking the granite staircase. I wish I could have explored the place a bit more, just to find out what other sights there were to be seen. Oh, and the bathrooms are amazing. If you go to Melt, do not miss the bathrooms. I’ll just leave it at that.

P5250017

Lehigh Valley is blessed with some incredible talent. Yesterday I had the opportunity to witness several aspects of that talent. The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival held each summer showcases impressive local and professional talent in its productions. In honor of its 20th season a book of photographs of these seasons has been released entitled Majestic Vision. That is exactly what it is, a portrayal of the majesty of the productions of PA Shakespeare Festival. It is an incredible book with more than 190 pages of full color photographs, documenting productions since the early beginnings of the festival. Printed on high quality paper and hard bound, this book shows the artistry of the PA Shakespeare Festival productions.

Official PA Shakespeare Festival photographer, Lee Butz (whose office is down the hall from our offices) has demonstrated an ability to capture the moment in his photographs. Lee, an amateur photographer whose photographs are nothing less than incredible, is a Lehigh Valley native and for more than thirty-five years headed Alvin H. Butz, Inc., one of the country’s largest construction management firms. Lee is at the podium in the photo above.

Golf Swing

We’ve had some pretty nice weather lately in good ol’ Lehigh Valley. One of my top five summer activities is golfing. So the first nice evening that came along, my sister and I threw our clubs in the car and went to the driving range at Two T’s Log Cabin Creamery in Forks Township.

Two T’s has a nice driving range with both covered and uncovered stalls, an irons only area and a small chip and putt spot. They also have a 9-hole, par three golf course and miniature golf. Whoever wins mini golf buys the other ice cream at their ice cream stand (ok that’s my rule, not theirs).

Carvel Ice Cream Cake

Ice cream has been on my mind since I saw the upcoming weather forecast for Lehigh Valley. In my opinion ice cream is a great compliment to any day with warm temperatures and sunny skies.

Since I have a lot of experience with ice cream in Lehigh Valley, I decided to share my 5 favorite shops (in no particular order):

Blog Picture - shula's

Back in January my wife and I purchased the Dream Come True Restaurant of the Month Calendar. Each month the calendar features a Buy One Entrée, Get One Free Offer at one of Lehigh Valley’s fine restaurants. March’s featured restaurant was Shula’s Steak House at The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley.