Issuu

The actress talks about her beginnings at Allentown’s Civic Theatre, pg. 40

2026’S

Influential Women OF THE YEAR

THE LEHIGH VALLEY NATIVE OPENS UP ABOUT HER CAREER AND WHAT’S NEXT

RISING COUNTRY STAR LILLY MOSS

AUGUST 2026

LEVEL UP

Your Health Healthy habits start with the right support. The Jefferson Lifestyle Program helps you build healthier habits through virtual coaching, nutrition guidance and practical strategies designed to fit your life. Start your journey today. JeffersonHealth.org/Lifestyle

Enjoy a staycation with lots of wins. A bone-in ribeye that ruins every other steakhouse? W. A spa that hits different after a long run at the tables? W. Shopping that turns good deals into great decisions? W. Live entertainment worth staying up for? W. It’s all right here, close to home.

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OUR BASIC FOOD GROUPS: GUAC, SALSA, TEQUILA. We start with the essentials: 5 kinds of made-to-order guacamole, 4 types of salsa and a selection of 80 tequilas. That only whets your appetite for a menu filled with ancient Mexican cuisine made with modern ingredients and new flavors. Creatively prepared tacos. Fresh takes on ceviche and enchiladas. All our dishes are part of a balanced diet of awesome Mexican food you can’t find anywhere else. torrerestaurant.com 610-841-9399

A PAXOS RESTAURANT

Nestled in the heart of New Hope this distinguished estate encompassing 56 acres of rolling terrain boasts a storied history as a standardbred equestrian facility. Offered for $6,995,000

This stunning farm is the perfect family compound, weekend getaway or full-time estate. The main house, guest house & converted barn present an unparalleled opportunity. Offered for $6,700,000

150 Acres in Upper Bucks

French Country Splendor

Historic Bucks County Estate

Weyhill Circle

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Legacy Equestrian Farm

State of the art equine facilities include the restored bank barn, 5 fenced pastures, a round pen and a 80’ x 200’ indoor riding arena built in 2010, all on 58 expansive acres. Offered for $3,900,000

Build to Suit

Like a blank canvas which begs for an artist’s dreams, these premier lots provide the setting for your ideal estate, custom crafted by builder Myron Haydt. Packages start at $3,495,000

An elegantly remodeled home located within the private roads of the Saucon Valley Country Club, boasting panoramic views over 22 acres of meticulously tended grounds. Offered for $3,950,000

Barn Again

This Saucon Valley home’s extraordinary character evolved from a legacy barn into a unique residence that combines space, light and imagination. Offered for $1,195,000

European influences are evident in the stunning fieldstone & brick exterior, dramatic cedar shake rooflines, & captivating turrets. This prestigious home is centered on 2.5 acres. Offered for $4,950,000

Nestled on 4.6 acres, the house and grounds have been proudly cared for, and recently updated with a stunning addition and renovations, taking every advantage of its incredible environs. Offered for $3,500,000

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CONTENTS ALISON CONKLIN PHOTOGRAPHY

AUGUST

10 STYLE SCENE

Events | Benefits Galas | Parties

16 THIS MONTH’S PICKS What We’re Loving Right Now

19 TRENDING NOW

News, Notes & Quotes

24 GET THE GOODS

Art of the Woman Fine Art Gallery

27 ASK THE EXPERT

Personal Finance Without Fear

31 LIVING WELL WITH Carole High Gross

35 INSIGHT

Lilly Moss

38 5 THINGS

Local White Wines

40 CHRISTINE TAYLOR NEVER

FORGOT WHERE IT STARTED

48 LEHIGH VALLEY STYLE ’S INFLUENTIAL WOMEN OF THE YEAR

74 BEYOND THE MENU

Pink Lady Apple Cobbler with Chef Amy Palmer

76 INSIDE DISH Morgan’s

80 EAT THIS

Truffle Fries

Try the Seafood

au Gratin at

Morgan’s, pg. 76

4 A U G U S T 2 0 2 6 : L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

ON THE COVER

Christine Taylor, photographed by Alison Conklin

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EDITOR’S LETTER

3 THINGS

BTS with Christine Taylor

IE VGENII ME YER / ADOBE STOCK

our publisher, Pam Deller, is looking forward to this month! pdeller@lehighvalleystyle.com

Sipping local white wine.

Seeing Lilly Moss perform live.

Raising funds for The Perfect Fit on August 20!

Lovely also describes our 2026 Influential Women of the Year; you can also call them strong, selfless, bold and driven. It’s been an honor to get to know these women making big waves in the Lehigh Valley, and you can learn more about Melanie Lino, Tiffani Blevins, Kathryn Friel, Jessica Edris, Taylor Couvertier and Megan Frank on pg. 48. Also in this women’s edition, rising country star Lilly Moss on pg. 35, pelvic floor health on pg. 31, behavioral finance expert Mary Clements Evans on pg. 27 and an apple cobbler recipe from Bolete pastry chef Amy Palmer on pg. 74, plus lots more. Don’t forget to join us at Lehigh Valley Style’s annual Women’s Networking Event at Wind Creek Bethlehem on Thursday, August 20!

Girls rule and boys drool,

ANGELA VENNEMANN editor@lehighvalleystyle.com lvstyleangela

6 A U G U S T 2 0 2 6 : L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

VLAD IMAGE STUDIO

Lovely. That’s the best word I can use to describe our encounter with internationally known actress and Wescosville native Christine Taylor. Seven-year-old me would never have guessed she’d someday get to meet Melody from Nickelodeon’s Hey Dude, but in May, there I was in New York with photographer Alison Conklin for a photo session with Taylor, who greeted us with a broad smile and a fantastically firm handshake. The next few hours were spent laughing, telling stories and jokes and getting some incredible shots. Alison and I are still pinching ourselves. We are endlessly grateful that Taylor so graciously welcomed Lehigh Valley Style into her Manhattan home, and we can’t wait for you to get to know her a little better on pg. 40.

ALISON CONKLIN PHOTOGRAPHY

What a Woman!

Haldeman Haldeman Lincoln Lincoln hosts hosts Allentown Allentown Art Art Musuem Musuem Gala Gala

HALDEMAN HALDEMAN LINCOLN LINCOLN www.HaldemanLincoln.com www.HaldemanLincoln.com

STAFF SPEAKS

V O LU M E 2 6 , I S S U E 8

I admire women who…

President/CEO Paul Prass Vice President/COO Lisa Prass

… can do it all. Women are asked to juggle a lot of things between work, home, family and their own needs, and it takes a lot of strength to keep everything going and do it with grace.

Publisher Pamela Deller Managing Editor Angela Vennemann Digital Strategy Director Brianna Berner Production Coordinator Eleanor Anderson

… can speak their mind with confidence and humility, but also with a touch of humor!

Graphic Designers Eleanor Anderson, Thomas Körp, Elaine Wyborski Marketing & Events Coordinator Jaiden Vazquez Marketing Advisors Denise Lichty, Arielle Solliday, Pam Taylor

… use their experiences to make life a little easier for someone else.

… are not afraid to be unapologetically themselves. Women who laugh hard, love harder and have their own uniqueness that they are proud of.

Client Specialist Emily Markovich Contributing Writers Alison Conklin, Susan Gottshall, Gerry Strauss, Amy Unger, Daisy Willis Contributing Photographers Marco Calderon, Matthew Cannon, Alison Conklin Marketing Intern Ava Janny Proofreader Lori McLaughlin Accounting Jobelle Aleño, Leza Ovten

In partnership with:

8 A U G U S T 2 0 2 6 : L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

… are unapologetically authentic.

… embrace their individuality, lead with confidence and inspire others through their strength, kindness and authenticity.

… are comfortable in their own skin, who find it easy to assert their beliefs, needs and opinions in their respective milieux without apology or explanation.

… are bold enough to be change makers for those who come after them. We have made a lot of strides over the years, but there is always more work to be done. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

Lehigh Valley Style (ISSN 1540-0867) is published monthly by IDP Publications, 3245 Freemansburg Ave., Palmer, PA 18045-7118. Annual subscriptions are $19.95 (Canadian and foreign one year rate is $40, U.S. funds only). Single copy price $3.95. Postage paid at Easton, PA 18045 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Lehigh Valley Style, P.O. Box 293142, Kettering, OH, 45429. For subscription services, call 1.800.896.1392 All contents copyright © 2026 Lehigh Valley Style. Nothing contained herein may be reproduced in whole or in part without the expressed written consent of the publisher. The publisher disclaims all responsibility for omissions or errors. Lehigh Valley Style and its owners are not liable for claims made by any advertisers or any inaccuracies or intentional copyright infringements. All rights reserved. This magazine welcomes, but cannot be responsible for, unsolicited manuscripts, contributions or photographs. Unsolicited materials cannot be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Printed in USA.

MAKING THE MAGAZINE

STOP PAYING FOR SERVICE CALLS! We stand by our service. Fast, free, reliable & LOCAL.

ALISON CONKLIN

Contributing Photographer & Writer

As a kid, I never missed an episode of Hey Dude, so meeting and photographing Christine Taylor was truly a dream. Seeing the Empire State Building in the skyline at the shoot location when I arrived made the day feel even more special, since it holds such personal significance for me. Christine was every bit as kind and fun as you’d hope, and we even got to sample the new Stiller’s Soda—yum!

610-865-9100 ALISON CONKLIN PHOTOGRAPHY

Keep Your Money Out of Danger EMILY MARKOVICH Client Specialist

Just standing in a room with all of our Influential Women, the energy and impact were undeniable within minutes. Connections formed instantly, stories were shared and the uplifting of one another happened so naturally and beautifully.

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L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : A U G U S T 2 0 2 6

STYLE SCENE PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIKE ROBINSON PRODUCTIONS

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10 A U G U S T 2 0 2 6 : L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

EXCEPTIONALLY PRESENTED. ExceptionallySold ExceptionallySold.. SPECIALIZING IN THE TOP 20% OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY AND UPPER BUCKS COUNTY HOME MARKETS DESIGN & BUILD

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REBECCAFRANCISREALTORS.com ©BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently operated subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, and a franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.® Equal Housing Opportunity. Information not verified or guaranteed. If your home is currently listed with a Broker, this is not intended as a solicitation.

STYLE SCENE PHOTOGRAPHY BY VLAD IMAGE STUDIO

Lehigh Valley Humane Society Garden Gala Located at Petersell 1808 Home

12 A U G U S T 2 0 2 6 : L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

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STYLE SCENE PHOTOGRAPHY BY VLAD IMAGE STUDIO

Lehigh Valley Chorale 10th Anniversary Concert Located at Miller Symphony Hall

1 | Ian Murphy and Jake Olsson 2 | Jamie Johnson, Giovanni Poloni and Rachel McIntosh 3 | Dawn Sienkiewicz, Nicholas Sienkiewicz and Elaine Herbert 4 | Nathan Fehnel, Sarah Panovec and David and Betty Walp 5 | Jenna Sentz, Rebecca Troutman, Elizabeth Massa and Anthony DeSouza 6 | Taylor Van Kooten and Liz Olson 7 | Buddy Hill and Marissa Lattin 8 | Sara Dai and Ryan Pereira 9 | Kelly Heffelfinger and Barbara Phelan PHOTO GR A PH Y C OUR T E S Y OF L E HIGH VA L L E Y S T Y L E

Bloom in Style Luncheon

To Benefit Bloom for Women | Located at Saucon Valley Country Club

14 A U G U S T 2 0 2 6 : L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

Providing Caring Hands and Skilled Support for Seniors Who Need Steady, Reliable Long-Term Care Schedule Your Tour Today:

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L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : A U G U S T 2 0 2 6

THIS MONTH’S PICKS

Listen Up

COURTESY OF ARTSQUEST

HOT HOT HOT

Yee-Haw!

Scoot your boots down to the inaugural CountryFest at SteelStacks on Aug. 21–22 for a dynamic lineup of nationally touring artists, rising stars and local performers. Headliners include Clayton Mullen, Luke Borchelt and Peytan Porter, plus tributes to Kenny Chesney and Lainey Wilson. artsquest.org

Feel the burn at the Valley’s newest group fitness studio, Northside Hot Fitness. They’re bringing the heat—105 degrees of it—to Historic Downtown Bethlehem with hot yoga, HIIT, Pilates, barre, strength training and more.

northsidehotfitness COURTESY OF CHICKEN SALAD CHICK

HerStory: Women Who Lead is a podcast by Sandra Bieber highlighting women’s issues in conversation with local women who are trailblazers, experts and leaders. Check it out live at 6 p.m. every third Thursday of the month on WDIY, watch on YouTube and listen wherever you get your podcasts.

wdiy.org/show/herstory-womenwho-lead

Now Open

Pennsylvania’s first location of Chicken Salad Chick is now open in Airport Center in Hanover Township. Find scratch-made, Southernstyle chicken salad in loads of flavors like Barbie-Q, Jalapeño Holly and Lauryn’s Lemon Basil, and enjoy them as a scoop or on a signature sandwich.

E VA N J O H N S O N AT S TAY C A L M I N D U S T R I E S

chickensaladchick.com

Congratulations!

County Seat Spirits won a whopping nine awards at this year’s ADI International Spirits Competition, with three of those going to their Lock Keeper Barrel Finished Gin. Sample that and the distillery’s other winners at their Easton tasting room. countyseatspirits.com

16 A U G U S T 2 0 2 6 : L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

BRICK-AND-MORTAR Onward Coffee is branching out from their mobile caffeination station—the popular coffee trailer is planning to launch a permanent location in South Whitehall Township next month. Expect the same coffee drinks you love from the trailer plus made-to-order handheld foods. onwardcoffeepa.com

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18 A U G U S T 2 0 2 6 : L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

TRENDING NOW COURTESY OF AL AZEEZ GRILL

C O U R T E S Y O F P I L AT E S H A U S O F R E F O R M

AL AZEEZ GRILL PAKISTANI AND MIDDLE EASTERN HALAL FARE

As the Lehigh Valley grows in population, it’s also growing in diversity, which means the demand for international cuisine has skyrocketed. Halal food in particular is having a big moment in the Valley, which is good news for the owners of Al Azeez Grill, who have opened a second location (the first is in Bensalem) in Whitehall. “There are relatively fewer highly rated authentic Pakistani grill concepts [in the Lehigh Valley] compared with the Philadelphia suburbs, so Al Azeez Grill fills a gap with halal Pakistani, Afghan and Middle Eastern fusion cuisine,” says co-owner Syed Zeshan. Diners can indulge in dishes ranging from kebabs to biryani to lamb chops, and customer favorites so far have been Afghan pulao, chapli kebab and the mint margarita. Zeshan is proud of the positive community response since opening in May. “Al Azeez Grill [held] a perfect 5.0 rating with more than 200 reviews shortly after opening, which is unusually strong for a newly opened restaurant.” Zeshan says his operation is more than a restaurant—it’s about not just food, but hospitality.

As a newcomer to the Lehigh Valley, Joanne Dal Bon was looking for a Pilates studio, but she was also in search of a welcoming community, so she created one. She launched Pilates Haus of Reform in June with that kind of environment in mind. “I wanted to create a boutique studio that feels elevated and high-quality while still being warm, approachable and inclusive to all experience levels,” Dal Bon says. The studio offers a comprehensive Pilates experience with all types of equipment—chair, tower, reformer, Cadillac, Bodhi Suspension System and CoreAlign—and clients can take group classes or work one-on-one in the studio’s dedicated private training room. Class sizes are small—the main room houses just eight reformers—to give clients individualized attention that Dal Bon says leads to meaningful relationships between instructors and clients. “Every person walks in with different goals, strengths, limitations and experiences, and I believe they deserve to be supported accordingly,” she says. Dal Bon is excited for the sense of community she hopes to build. “Creating a diverse and inclusive environment where people can connect through movement, conversation, education and shared experiences is something that is incredibly meaningful to me and very much at the heart of what I hope the studio becomes within the community.”

1146 MacArthur Rd., Whitehall | 484.274.6956 | alazeezgrill.com

1251 Turnstone Dr. Suite 201, Fogelsville | 561.324.1281 | pilateshausofreform.com

PILATES HAUS OF REFORM

COMMUNITY-DRIVEN FITNESS

J A C LY N D U C H AT E A U P H O T O G R A P H Y

CHAMP ACADEMY

EARLY CHILDHOOD ENRICHMENT

When Alexandra Valenzuela was raising her family and building her business, 7 Deadly Spins, at the same time, she noticed a lack of activities that encompassed the full age range of her family. While her older children had robust athletic options, there was little of substance for her younger ones. Now she’s building the answer to that problem: CHAMP Academy. While their older siblings come to practice inside The Hitter’s Edge, children from infants to six-year-olds can enjoy their own structured enrichment activities led by credentialed early childhood educators. “Big kids have practice; now little kids have CHAMP,” Valenzuela says. “I’ve been in this community a long time— I know these families. They want more than just drop-off play. They want real programming, real teachers and a place that takes their youngest kids as seriously as their older ones. That’s exactly what we built.” CHAMP Academy offers seven weekly classes that include sensory-rich experiences, music, movement and hands-on play with class sizes of no more than fifteen. Memberships to the academy include access to all weekly classes, and multiple membership tiers mean you can tailor the experience to your family’s needs.

3679 Eberhart Rd., Whitehall | 610.443.0424 | champacademykids.com L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : A U G U S T 2 0 2 6

TRENDING NOW C O U R T E S Y O F Ē C A N I N AT U R A L S

ĒCANI NATURALS

LOCAL BRAND LAUNCHES SKINCARE LINE

Grief often blooms into purpose, and that’s no different for Elvira Mana. “After losing my husband to brain cancer, our family rebuilt how we lived, including what we put on our bodies,” Mana says. When her daughter developed eczema, she began formulating a treatment that would support healing without stripping the skin. “What worked for our family became ĒCANI,” Mana says. This local business has developed a beef tallow cream that moisturizes without using any synthetic ingredients. “We pair grass-fed tallow with AEA-certified emu oil—two fats whose fatty acid profiles closely resemble human sebum—for formulas that absorb cleanly and feel refined,” Mana says. And no, you won’t smell like a steak— these whipped tallow creams come in natural scents like coconut and vanilla as well as an unscented version. Their all-natural cream reflects a larger trend: “People are becoming far more intentional about what they apply on their skin, just as they are with food,” Mana says. “ĒCANI was created to meet that shift with products that feel elevated, trustworthy and genuinely enjoyable to use every day.” Find their products locally at Le Classique Hair Concepts in Allentown, or buy on their website, where they ship nationwide.

ecaninaturals.com

Fresh ideas and unique designs

Event styling is all about the details. Whether it’s an eye-catching backdrop, custom centerpieces or fun inflatables, we make sure that your event stands out from the crowd while blending seamlessly together.

Serving the Lehigh Valley and Tri-State Area

484.714.7748 blueprintcreations.net 20 A U G U S T 2 0 2 6 : L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

TRENDING NOW TORTUGA CLUB

TACOS AND MARGS IN EASTON PUBLIC MARKET

CJ Moyer, Jean Jimenez, Jessica Watson and King Geymen dreamed of opening a tequila bar, but when a space became available in the Easton Public Market, they shifted to developing what they call “a funky little cantina.” Tortuga Club offers not just tequila drinks but inventive tacos like The Meltdown (smashed beef patty, melted cheddar cheese, sweet caramelized onions and signature sauce) and The Nomad (citrus-marinated pork shoulder, cucumber pico de gallo and mint yogurt). Besides tacos, the menu features nachos, corn ribs, chicharrones, quesadillas and tortas. The cantina boasts what Moyer calls “a handful of fun, flavored margaritas,” which you can enjoy in the market or take to-go: Tortuga Club will mix your choice of margarita and can it on the spot for you to sip on later. Moyer and company are thrilled to be establishing another business in Easton—they also operate Presley’s Cocktail Bar—because of the sense of community there. “The energy, the people, the excitement, it’s by far the best communal experience I’ve ever had running a business,” Moyer says. “Everyone works together to build this city up. Everyone looks out for each other. It’s really a beautiful place to own a business.”

325 Northampton St., Easton | thetortugaclub.com |

tortugaclub.easton

VISIT THESE LEHIGH VALLEY BUSINESSES TO EAT & DRINK LOCAL

PHOTO COURTESY McCOOLE’S

PHOTO COURTESY TWISTED OLIVE

TWISTED OLIVE TWISTEDOLIVEBETHLEHEM

McCOOLE’S

AT THE HISTORIC RED LION INN

MCCOOLESREDLIONINN

Soak up patio season at Twisted Olive, featuring local ingredients and handcrafted cocktails. Enjoy Happy Hour on the patio Monday–Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., perfect for relaxing, connecting and savoring the Lehigh Valley.

McCoole’s has introduced exciting new menu additions featuring fresh twists on classic favorites. Guests are invited to enjoy the restaurant’s dog-friendly patio throughout the season and experience everything McCoole’s has to offer Wednesday through Sunday.

51 W. Broad St., Bethlehem | 610.419.1200 | twistedolivebethlehem.com

4 S. Main St., Quakertown | 215.538.1776 | mccoolesredlioninn.com L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : A U G U S T 2 0 2 6

ONLINE THIS MONTH ELLE STUDIOS

LVS Weddings SUBMIT NOW!

Tying the knot in 2026? Submit your photos for a chance to be featured in our 2027 Weddings edition! Visit lehighvalleystyle.com/share-with-us

I N S I D E C R E AT I V E H O U S E / A D O B E S T O C K

BE PART OF THE STORY!

Do you know an individual who should be considered for our 2027 Influential Men of the Year feature? Nominate them at lehighvalleystyle.com/share-with-us!

DID YOU KNOW?

You can view the entire issue for free online at lehighvalleystyle.com!

WANT TO KNOW WHERE OUR NEXT STYLE INSIDER HAPPY HOUR WILL BE?

Want info about upcoming Lehigh Valley Style events? Follow Lehigh Valley Style on Facebook and click on our Events tab! CONNECT W ITH ST Y LE:

22 A U G U S T 2 0 2 6 : L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

Only Online

Looking for things to do in the Valley and exclusive LVS content? Visit lehighvalleystyle.com for weekly event listings, web-only articles and more!

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Art of theWoman Fine Art Gallery and Gift Shop PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARCO CALDERON

Cindy Karchner’s career didn’t take her down a particularly artistic path, but her passion sure did. The fine art photographer is celebrating women artists in every discipline at her gallery, Art of the Woman, and she shares with us how she landed in Emmaus and what it means to lift up her fellow female creatives.

Tell us a little about your background and what led you to open Art of the Woman! I was an art major in college, studying art studio, art history and photography. During college, I began my career in retail operations, which turned into thirty years as a human resources professional. When I retired in 2022, I decided that it was time for me to focus on my passion for photography. In 2018, I had started a women’s photography event business with friends, which we called Art of the Woman Collaborative. We experienced much success and enthusiasm for our events, and then COVID happened.

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After a year off, we attempted to return to normalcy, but the world had changed and gatherings just weren’t what our followers wanted any longer. In 2022, I started my own fine art photography business. In April 2025, I approached a local business owner who was getting ready to retire and asked if she might consider renting her beautiful building to me. In June, the owners of the building asked if I wanted to purchase it. I decided that this was a perfect opportunity for me to take my business to the next level and resurrect Art of the Woman, in a different form. My goal is to support local women artists in the gallery, and support local artists of any kind, in any genre, from 2D and 3D artists to performing artists. I photograph them and their work, providing them with professional-quality images to assist them in marketing their talents through my program, “Elevate Your Art.” What kinds of art does the gallery display, and what is available for purchase? Ours is a small works gallery, so I try to keep the work in the gallery under twelve inches in any direction. Right now, we have glass, clay, textile, fiber, collage, illustrations, multimedia, paintings, photography, jewelry, greeting cards, stickers and more. Our prices range from $2 to $1,500, and everything is for sale, so if you fall in love with it, we’ll wrap it up for you to take it home for yourself or gift-giving. We have everything from tiny miniature paintings to some larger canvases and prints, hand-knit and wet-felted hats,

hand-blown glass ornaments and cups, to exquisite higherend glass and clay sculptures. We have the work of women artists of all types, and unique items are coming in nearly every week as artists create new pieces. Why is it important to have a gallery in the Lehigh Valley that celebrates women artists? As women, we spend so much of our time caring for others, so I wanted to provide a supportive space that allows us to connect with creative, like-minded women and give ourselves time and permission to care for and just be our best selves. Our mission is building community, connections and collaborations through art. Imagine a place that supports women in their creative pursuits by bringing them together through shared interests, helping them find themselves by connecting them with others and building a strong community through mindful experiences. Everyone is welcome. And what I love more than anything is connecting these women with others who can help them learn and grow. Tell us about some of the events that you host. At Art of the Woman we host workshops, gallery receptions and mindful experiences. These range from Rita Richetti’s “Painting the Masters” series, where you can learn to paint in the styles of our favorite artists like Georgia O’Keeffe, Vincent van Gogh and Frida Kahlo; to gallery receptions featuring individual artists, a collective of local artists or a themed exhibit; and mindful experiences such as Mary Golden’s “Compassionate

Communication,” women’s wellness topics or insightful tarot readings. What do you love about your location in Emmaus? There are so many things to marvel at in Emmaus. I love that Emmaus is brimming with creative, communityminded and welcoming small businesses in a very walkable town worth exploring.

23 S. 4th St., Emmaus | 610.737.0288 cindykarchnerphotography.com/ art-of-the-woman

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PERSONAL FINANCE

WITHOUT FEAR BY DAISY WILLIS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARCO CALDERON

ASK THE EXPERT Mary Clements Evans AUTHOR AND CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER

As founder and president of Evans Wealth Strategies, Mary Clements Evans has spent years helping hundreds of clients plan for retirement, and in the process, she identified the need to get into our feelings to find success. Here’s some of what you’ll find inside her book, Emotionally Invested: Outsmart Your Anxiety for Fearless Retirement Planning.

FINANCE FRUSTRATIONS When Evans got into financial advising, she quickly noticed that the vast majority of people aren’t ready for retirement in part because they’re bewildered by emotional obstacles. “Everyone is emotional about money,” Evans says, and without judgment. “I’m emotional about my money, too!” The trick is to turn towards those emotions instead of away and figure out how to make sense of what Evans calls our “Money Why.” That’s made harder under the shame of expectations that we should somehow intrinsically understand a complex financial system that requires years of study to master. “I can’t do your job,” Evans says. “Why do you think you should be able to do mine?” Combine that with the necessity of sharing your financial future with a partner who may have a very different spending style, and money matters have many of us straight-up uncomfortable. L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : A U G U S T 2 0 2 6

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Evans recognizes two main categories among her clients, which basically amount to Shoppers and Savers—or, as she puts it, those with fear of missing out (FOMO) versus fear of running out (FORO). Her website has a handy quiz to determine where you (and any relevant family members) fall on the spectrum, but you probably already sense whether you’re thrilled to make an exciting purchase or bliss out at the size of your savings account. “Neither is inherently good or bad,” she stresses, “but FOMO will run into a problem if they spend money they don’t have, and FORO can cause suffering if they save everything and don’t enjoy life now.”

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One of the ways either style can go astray is by our anxious habit of keeping mum about money. “How can you plan for your future if you can’t talk to your spouse?” Evans asks. Her work often involves balancing conflicting Whys to reassure an exasperated wife that, for example, her husband’s infinitely expanding golf club collection has been contained within a reasonable budget. To start talking and maybe take the Money Marriage Compatibility Quiz together, Evans advises setting a date in the future: “How about next Thursday we talk about our long-term planning?” Don’t launch into the subject without an acclimation period!

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FINDING ADVICE We turn to financial advisors for advice without realizing that “Financial Advisor” and “Financial Planner” are largely unregulated marketing terms. “People have no idea who they’re talking to,” Evans laments. Designations like CFP (Certified Financial Planner) or CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) are gold standards for legitimacy to look out for. When you’re shopping for someone to work with, Evans advises you to try out four or five people. “They may be qualified,” she says, “but that doesn’t mean they’re right for you. We meet three times free of charge before we sign clients. We want to know it’s a good fit. After all, it’s a pretty intense emotional relationship!” If you’re not looking forward to your meetings, you’re not with the right person.

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It’s vital to be willing to compromise. “Everybody’s different!” Evans says. Emotions around money can make us feel like our spending style is the only safe and moral option, but a good financial advisor will prove that whether you have FORO or FOMO, you can strategize together to enjoy life now and in the future.

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PLANNING WITH A PURPOSE With a deep dive into your values and goals, an advisor like Evans helps base financial decisions on tangible expectations like retiring at 65, helping aging parents who are going to need it or setting plans for an ambitious vacation in motion. And that’s why, Evans says, “Women belong in meetings.” Men will often call in or show up solo, saying their wives aren’t interested. “She may not care about the numbers,” Evans says, “but she cares a lot about how the retirement looks.” Both parties will build best toward success when they’re willing to communicate, plan and consult with professionals together every step of the way.

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LIVING WELL WITH

Carole High Gross DPT, PRPC PELVIC HEALTH PHYSICAL THERAPIST AND REHABILITATION CLINICAL SPECIALIST PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARCO CALDERON

It’s an invisible part of your body that plays a big role in your overall health—your pelvic floor. Physical therapist Carole High Gross of Lehigh Valley Health Network, part of Jefferson Health, talks with us to demystify the pelvic floor and the therapies that can help you get back to functioning better.

Tell us about your background and what led you to specialize in pelvic health. I have been a physical therapist since 1992 and am a proud graduate of Thomas Jefferson University, where I earned my Master of Science in Physical Therapy. In 2015, I completed my Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from Arcadia University, and I pursued my Pelvic Rehabilitation Practitioner Certification (PRPC) in 2021. I worked in many areas of physical therapy prior to entering the world of pelvic health. While I was pursuing my DPT and looking for my next professional pursuit, I bumped into a physical therapist friend who owned a pelvic health private practice with another friend who I had worked with many years before. They invited me to their office, and when I walked in and began to talk to them, I knew I was “home.” Pelvic health is where I belonged; I just didn’t realize it.

What exactly is the pelvic floor, and how does its function impact our overall health? The pelvic floor is made up of multiple layers of musculature and connective tissue called fascia, which attach directly

and indirectly to our pelvic bones, tailbone, sacrum and hip regions. The pelvic floor is a part of what we refer to as the “abdominal canister.” The bottom of this abdominal canister is the pelvic floor, the top is made of the diaphragm (involved in breathing), the front and sides contain multiple layers of abdominal muscles and abdominal fascia and the back is made up of our bony spine and musculature around these back bones. All areas of this canister work together and house our abdominal organs. Sometimes the muscles and fascia in one or multiple areas can become too tight or too loose. Impairments in these regions can contribute to weakness, instability, poor muscle coordination, muscle tension, pain and poor pressure management. This will often further contribute to bowel, bladder, pelvic and sexual dysfunction. What are some signs that someone is in need of pelvic floor therapy? Pelvic rehabilitation is not just Kegel exercises. We look at the whole person and craft an individualized program for them. That can include

breathing, postural and body mechanics modifications, pressure management education and practice, exercises to relax and strengthen muscles, biofeedback and manual techniques to address restriction and tightness of muscles and fascia on the outside and internally as appropriate. We often treat not only pelvic muscles but also the abdominal muscles, hip muscles and back musculature as well. Quality of life can be so negatively affected for patients who experience bowel and/or bladder challenges, sexual dysfunction, pelvic pain and pelvic organ prolapse symptoms. Often, people feel alone and suffer in silence. Pelvic rehabilitation professionals can help! Symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction include abdominal or pelvic pain, pain with sexual activity, frequent bathroom breaks during the day and night, strong urgency to urinate, bowel or bladder leakage, difficulty emptying urine or stool, constipation and pelvic organ prolapse symptoms. Everything is connected, so often we see connections with bowel, bladder, pain and sexual dysfunctions. Pelvic rehabilitation is also beneficial as the body changes L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : A U G U S T 2 0 2 6

LIVING WELL WITH and adapts during pregnancy and postpartum periods. Speak to your medical professional if you feel that you may benefit from pelvic health rehabilitation. Are there cases when pelvic floor therapy may not be enough? Pelvic rehabilitation is often one “spoke” of someone’s “wheel of wellness.” Our therapists work as members of a multidisciplinary team, which may include gastroenterology, urology, urogynecology, obstetrics and gynecology, primary care, pain management, mental health and nutrition. Sometimes these health care providers can assist with additional “spokes,” which may include medications, stress reduction and mental wellness therapy or other procedures. Psychological and social factors also affect our overall wellness. It's important to consider all of these factors when working alongside our patients as part of their multidisciplinary team.

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What is the most important thing you want your patients to know about pelvic health? I often talk about the wheel of wellness with my patients. I encourage them to reflect on how their spokes have given their wellness stability (regarding their therapy-related goals). I explain that a wheel cannot provide stability if it does not have multiple spokes to provide support. I sometimes will ask them to draw their wheel, then take a picture and save it in the notes of their phone. If symptoms begin to appear again, they can reflect and see what spokes have gotten thin, bent or have fallen off altogether. This helps a person use the tools that are already in their toolbox to get back onto their goal-related path, without causing alarm, fear or frustration. Tell us about your morning routine—is there something you simply cannot start your day without? I always start my day with a hot cup of coffee! I have a long commute to work. I will often try to listen to a brief mindfulness podcast, take several slow and low relaxation breaths and set an intention for the day.

How about your evening routine? During my long commute, I catch up with my daughters, who are 27 and 23, listen to podcasts, music, or sometimes just the sound of silence. When I get home, I have dinner, make a warm cup of tea, prep for the next day and hopefully catch an episode of a favorite show. A couple of nights a week, I enjoy dinner and conversations with my wonderful mom at her house. On earlier nights, I enjoy taking a walk, sitting out on my back deck and enjoying dinner with family. How do you relieve stress? I stimulate my vagus nerve with deep breathing and a few other easy techniques. I take every chance I can to get a slow, low breath. I also enjoy taking walks and getting outside. I love the sunshine, talking with my family and friends, listening to some Elton John and Van Morrison and spending time with my Boston terrier grandpup! What’s something you like to indulge in? A big cup of Sleepytime tea and some coffee or mint chocolate ice cream hits the spot! My mom and I love to binge-watch a good show on some evenings and weekends, such as Will Trent, Call the Midwife and Elsbeth. I also like to “indulge” in lifelong learning, which ultimately has me doing a project of some type while I am bingewatching those great shows. Do you have a personal mantra? My family (and coworkers) have probably heard me talking to myself. I am an only child, so I always give myself grace to both talk to and answer myself. I say multiple times a day, “You got this, Carole!” Life is tough—but we are tougher. We all got this… one moment at a time, some days. What’s one takeaway you’d like to share? Pelvic rehabilitation is often a mystery to many health care providers and patients. Discussing sensitive issues about bowel, bladder, sexual and pelvic function can feel embarrassing and prevents people from seeking help. We understand that. Often, the hardest part is to make the appointment and step through the door. A little education goes a long way, and people often begin to show improvements by making some minor adjustments. You are not alone!

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Lilly Moss

COUNTRY SINGER/SONGWRITER BY AMY UNGER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALISON CONKLIN

In some ways, Lilly Moss is like a lot of college students. For one, she took advantage of the opportunity to study abroad for a semester. In her case, the destination was Florence, Italy. “It was insane,” Moss says, a few weeks after returning home to the Lehigh Valley. Just to clarify: “insane” is a good thing, in this instance. Moss rattled off the list of places she got to see during her whirlwind tour of a different part of the world: Prague, Geneva, Paris, London, Wales and then “top to bottom” in Italy. Also like many of her fellow students at Easton’s Lafayette College, Moss has to juggle coursework demands with a job. But here’s where the paths start to diverge a bit: Moss’s gig isn’t standard college-kid parttime employment like restaurant or retail, or on campus in the library or cafeteria. Instead, Moss, 21, spends her time clutching a microphone, stalking a stage and commanding a crowd. She’s a country singer/ songwriter and performer with a full-length studio album to her credit, and likely many more to come.

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As the spring semester wound down earlier this year, Moss’s summer tour schedule with her band, the Steel Ponies, was filling up. Her semester overseas was the longest she’d been away from the stage in a while, and at the time of this interview, she was itching to get back at it. “I think not having been performing for those three months, it’s like all the pent-up energy is just going to come out on stage, and I’m really excited for that,” says Moss. “I think it’s going to be so much fun.” Moss grew up in the Christmas City, not the Music City (Nashville, Tennessee, gets those naming rights), but Bethlehem is certainly no slouch when it comes to the art of rocking out. Music festivals and concerts abound, including the granddaddy of them all every August. “Having that foundation in the Valley, like Musikfest, it kind of just created an all-around foundation of music, so growing up it was very musical, and it was always so much fun seeing people on big stages,” Moss says. She credits her parents, Chris and Natalee Hercik, with exposing her and her big sister, Grace, to a wide array of music genres. She took a liking to singing as a young child and would do her toddler-best to belt out Taylor Swift’s latest hits. She was so young she doesn’t remember those early solos, but pictures and videos help fill in the gaps. Another memory from childhood is also a bit hazy for Moss, and that’s probably a good thing. She was three years old when she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. “I don’t remember too much from that time… but it was kind of a scenario that turned my family’s lives upside down,” says Moss. She underwent two years of treatment and was considered officially cured at age five. December of 2026 will mark sixteen years of being cancer-free. “It’s one of those things… I don’t let it define me, but I define what I do because of it,” Moss says. Advocating and fundraising for childhood cancer awareness and research remain a top priority. She was in sixth grade when she began taking voice lessons. Piano lessons were added to the mix soon after. By age sixteen, Moss tried her hand at songwriting for the first time. In hindsight, the end result fell a little short of expectations, “probably because I was trying to write a song like Adele, and obviously that didn’t happen, but that’s what I was trying. I was shooting for the stars.” But she has no regrets about that

rookie effort. “I think writing that first song from start to finish, it’s like, ‘Okay, I did this and I can do it,’” Moss says. “Once you get in that motion, it just starts spilling out of you. It was just up from there.” She cites Jason Isbell as another big influence; Olivia Dean, Tate McRae and SZA are on her personal playlists, too. “It was hard for me in the very beginning to nail down which kind of genre of music I wanted to do, because I was kind of all over the board,” Moss says. “Growing up, I listened to country music, I listened to pop music, and now I like rap when I go to the gym. I think having the knowledge of all the different genres helps you to kind of create a genre within its own.” Her love of singing for a crowd was solidified by what she considers to be her first public performance, a slot at Easton’s Winter Village when she was seventeen years old. “I knew I loved music, [but] I was new to performing live, so I didn’t know what it was,” Moss says. “By the end of the show, I was like, ‘Okay, I don’t want to get off stage,’ which was a very different experience from what I had been doing previously. It was the start of something.” But first she had to finish something: high school. With her Freedom High School diploma secured in 2023, Moss moved on to Lafayette College. A music major, or perhaps a track in the arts and humanities, would have seemed like an obvious fit for someone so creatively inclined. Instead, Moss is majoring in government and law. Her interest in the field was piqued, she says, by a high school internship at the Northampton County Courthouse. “I kind of fell in love with law from there, and then funny enough, like at the same time, my music started, and they kind of just lived next to each other,” says Moss. Allowing both to coexist in young adulthood means finding time for each, even when it may not be practical. Moss wrote and recorded her first album, Meet Me on Broadway, while she was a freshman at Lafayette. She would take classes in the morning and then dash off to the studio in the Poconos. “It was such a fun but busy experience,” Moss says. The album was released in 2024, as Moss’s star continued to rise. Two tracks, “Heartbreak Summer” and “Love Me Not,” were featured on Spotify’s All New Country editorial playlist. In addition, Moss was named ArtsQuest’s Emerging Artist of the Year.

... we’re taking steps forward, we’re not staying still.

She continues to work to get her music to as wide an audience as possible. And while she loves the Lehigh Valley (“It’s home at the end of the day”) and its wealth of performance opportunities, she welcomes the chance to branch out into new ZIP codes. While Moss was still in Italy, she received word that she was being invited to perform at the Barefoot Country Music Fest in Wildwood, New Jersey, in June. It’s a full-circle moment for Moss, who attended the show in 2025 as a fan: “It’s amazing how much difference a year can make.” The festival’s headliners included Miranda Lambert, Post Malone and Kelsea Ballerini. Just breathing in that same beachy air as those country music luminaries is, Moss hopes, a positive sign of what’s to come. “It doesn’t have to be me playing at the Super Bowl, but things like

that [show] we’re taking steps forward, we’re not staying still.” More forward motion has come in the form of Moss signing on to work with Music City Power Company, an artist development and music marketing hub whose founders include the country music duo LOCASH. She’s also dropping three new singles and has rebranded and reissued her debut album under the title Heartbreak Summer. Moss is set to graduate from Lafayette in December. Her next step may be law school, but not in the immediate future. She wants to give herself about a year to focus just on her music. “I love law, I find it so interesting, but I couldn’t imagine a day not performing, because it’s just so much fun,” says Moss. “We’re gonna see what happens.”

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As the largest grower of the Portugalnative albariño grape in Pennsylvania, Stony Run has perfected this light and botanical white with aromatic floral notes and flavors of citrus and wildflowers. Unoaked for a bright acidity that cuts right through summer heat, you’ll want to try this multi-award-winning wine for a taste of what local grapes can do.

Local White Wines

BLANC DE BLANCS BINAH WINERY

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Curbside pick-up or Wegmans is the way to get this award-winning bottle from Binah, a winery working out of sight at Allentown’s Bridgeworks Enterprise Center. The Blanc de Blancs is a fresh, rich méthode champenoise wine composed of grapes from Chester County. Layered with yellow apple and lemon, biscotti and toast, this simmering sip is perfect before a meal—and like all Binah’s wines, it’s kosher.

BY DAISY WILLIS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY IEVGENII MEYER / ADOBE STOCK

Hot summer evenings call out for a chilled glass of white wine, velvety with condensation. Make it your mission to try one or all of these varietals from local wineries at your next barbecue or book club, or to celebrate National White Wine Day on August 4.

PARIS

CLEVER GIRL WINERY 1584 S. Delaware Dr., Mount Bethel clevergirlwinery.com

A 70/30 blend of Cayuga and seyval blanc, the semi-sweet Paris is the winemaker’s favorite at Clever Girl, starting out with a touch of sweetness and finishing crisp and tart with notes of apple, grapefruit and citrus. While their Easton tasting room is temporarily closed, you can find Clever Girl wines at All Aspects at the Barn, an artisan goods shop in Upper Mount Bethel.

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The sixth- and seventh-generation farmers at Galen Glen are known for pioneering the second-oldest planting of this grape variety, which pairs amiably with everything from seafood to poultry to pork to vegetables. Enduring flavor brings first white grapefruit and Amalfi lemon to the palate, ending with a long wet-stone finish.

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ESTHETICIAN A SALON BY ALYSSA RADER

Jess is the owner of Mirror Beauty Studio in Hellertown. The salon specializes in custom K-tip hair extensions and was the first to introduce the luxury method to the Lehigh Valley. Using exclusively one-donor Slavic hair and one of the region’s largest in-stock extension inventories, Jess creates customized transformations. As a Hair by Ester educator, she is dedicated to advanced education, healthy hair practices and exceptional results.

Kayla Kolodi has been an esthetician for five years and is passionate about enhancing natural beauty while helping people look and feel confident in their own skin. She specializes in precision brow services, facials and lash lifts. Using a holistic yet clinical approach, Kayla nourishes, restores and enhances every service she provides. She has built a reputation for offering unwavering support throughout every stage of her clients’ skincare and brow care journeys.

Kylee Weaver, a graduate of Metro Beauty Academy, is passionate about helping clients feel confident and beautiful through personalized hair services. While she especially enjoys creating beautiful blonde looks, Kylee loves helping each guest achieve hair that complements their individual style and goals. Dedicated to continuing education and professional growth, she strives to create a welcoming experience and build lasting connections with every client who sits in her chair.

800 Main St. Suite 102, Hellertown | 484.550.8241 mirrorbeautystudio.com

3305 W. Emmaus Ave., Emmaus | 610.421.6095 asalonbyalyssarader.com

JESS

HAIRSTYLIST, COLORIST & SALON MANAGER CATALINA DRY BAR

DR. ELIZABETH CORBO BOARD-CERTIFIED PEDIATRIC NEUROLOGIST TALESSA AESTHETICS & WELLNESS

PHOTO COURTESY MODERN DESIGN SALON

PHOTO COURTESY TALESSA AESTHETICS & WELLNESS

PHOTO COURTESY CATALINA DRY BAR

HOLLY McBRIDE

HAIRSTYLIST A SALON BY ALYSSA RADER

NHU NGUYEN OWNER | MODERN DESIGN SALON

Recently promoted to salon manager, Holly McBride has built a reputation for exceptional guest care, flawless blowouts and beautifully customized lived-in color. Passionate about helping others feel confident, she leads by example at Catalina Dry Bar, fostering a welcoming experience for every guest while inspiring her team to deliver the salon’s signature level of service.

Not all med spas are the same, and trust matters. Talessa Aesthetics & Wellness is led by Dr. Elizabeth Corbo, a boardcertified pediatric neurologist. Dr. Corbo is actively involved in advanced aesthetic procedures and personalized treatment planning, providing a physician-led approach centered on safety, individualized care and natural-looking results. Every patient receives thoughtful guidance and expert support throughout the aesthetic journey.

For more than 25 years, Nhu Nguyen of Modern Design Salon has been passionate about helping clients look and feel their best. The salon believes everyone deserves to feel strong, confident and celebrated. Great hair is more than a style; it is a reflection of personal power and individuality. Through expert care and a commitment to beauty, Modern Design Salon strives to create an experience that empowers every client to shine.

24 W. Walnut St., Bethlehem | 484.456.2021 catalinadrybar.com

619 Dalton St. Suite 2A, Emmaus | 844.825.3772 talessaaesthetics.com

4668 Broadway, Allentown | 610.530.7553 moderndesignbeautysalon.com L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : A U G U S T 2 0 2 6

Never Forgot Where It Started By Gerry Strauss | Photography by Alison Conklin | Makeup by Suzy Gerstein Hair by Josue Perez | Transportation courtesy of A&A Limousine Service

For Christine Taylor, success did not begin on a Hollywood set. It began in a theater seat in Allentown. Long before she became known for memorable roles in The Brady Bunch Movie, The Wedding Singer, Zoolander and Dodgeball, Taylor was a young girl growing up in Wescosville, riding the bus to Catholic school, spending summers at Dorney Park and dreaming about possibilities she could barely imagine. Today, nearly four decades into a career that has taken her from Nickelodeon stardom to blockbuster comedies and acclaimed television projects, Taylor still speaks about the Lehigh Valley with unmistakable affection. The places, people and experiences that shaped her childhood continue to influence the way she approaches both life and work.

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"I really do like to look back," Taylor says. "I do like to acknowledge what a special place it was for me and still is." That sense of gratitude runs through nearly every memory she shares. Taylor grew up surrounded by family and tradition. Her grandparents lived just across the golf course from her family's home, close enough to visit regularly. Holidays followed familiar routines. Easter egg hunts and Christmas celebrations became annual touchstones. Family wasn't something reserved for special occasions. It was woven into everyday life. "It was very family-oriented and rooted in a lot of traditions," she recalls. "My dad's side of the family [was] all Lehigh Valley-based, and we were very close. When I think about growing up there, those family connections are one of the first things that come to mind." Taylor remembers spending as much time outdoors as possible. Her father was an avid golfer. She played tennis, competed as a diver and spent countless summer days at pools and parks. Mention Dorney Park and her face still lights up. "I still have the memories of going there with my friends," she says. "First you start going with your parents, but then you'd get to that point where your parents would drop you off. This was well before cell phones. They'd just say, 'Meet me here at this time,' and we'd spend the entire day running around the park." Those memories remain remarkably vivid. "I still have the flashbacks when I drive through the area," she says. "I see the signs for Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom, or I think about Ice Cream World across the street, or the Lehigh Valley Mall. Those places instantly take me back." Yet while those landmarks helped define her childhood, the moment that ultimately changed her life happened inside a school auditorium. At age eight, Taylor attended a production of Godspell at St. Thomas More School, where she was a student. It was the first live musical she had ever seen. What happened next would shape the rest of her life. "I had never experienced a musical on stage before," Taylor recalls. "I'd obviously seen musical movies on television, and I was a big fan of The Wizard of Oz, but to see it on stage was completely different. I was mesmerized. I wanted to meet everyone after the show." The production featured teenagers from the local community. To Taylor, they seemed impossibly talented and sophisticated.

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"I met the director afterward, JoAnn Wilchek [Basist], and I remember thinking, 'I've got to do that somehow,'" she says. "It was really that simple. Something clicked." Wilchek Basist would later become far more than a director whose work inspired a young theater fan. She became Taylor's fifthgrade teacher, mentor and eventually lifelong friend. In fact, Taylor credits Wilchek Basist with helping launch the journey that led to her professional career. After Taylor failed to land a role in a school production of A Charlie Brown Christmas, Wilchek Basist encouraged her to explore opportunities beyond the classroom. "The best gift she ever gave me was probably not casting me in that show," Taylor says with a laugh. Instead, Wilchek Basist pointed her toward the Civic Theatre of Allentown, where Taylor began taking Saturday theater classes and appearing in productions. The experience opened an entirely new world. "She introduced me to Broadway musicals on a bigger scale," Taylor says. "She'd tell me, 'You should listen to this album or that album.' I would buy the records and play them over and over and over. She really opened my eyes to everything." What Taylor found at the Civic Theatre wasn't simply acting instruction. It was a community. "There's something about community theater that stays with you," she says. "My dentist was in it. We had all of these different people who had different careers but who were theater lovers and took it seriously and were talented. There was so much blood, sweat and tears and love and heart put into those productions." Looking back, Taylor sees those years as the foundation of everything that followed.

I remember thinking,

'I've got to do that somehow,' L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : A U G U S T 2 0 2 6

The Lehigh Valley cultivated that

passion.

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"It really was the beginning of my love for theater and performing," she says. "The Lehigh Valley cultivated that passion. I feel incredibly lucky that I had those opportunities." Her connection to the Civic Theatre remains strong today. She still attends productions whenever possible and hopes to one day return to perform there herself. "My hope at some point is actually to go back and do a production there," she says. "We've talked about it. Finding the right play and doing something there would be really special." From those beginnings, Taylor gradually transitioned into professional acting, eventually landing a role on Nickelodeon's Hey Dude before building one of the most recognizable comedy résumés of her generation. When asked which projects remain most meaningful, however, one stands out. "The Brady Bunch Movie was hugely important to me," she says. Part of that stems from the fact that she was already a devoted fan long before she was cast as Marcia Brady. "The Brady Bunch was my entire childhood," Taylor says. "I'd come home from school, have a snack and watch it every day. I loved Maureen McCormick. I memorized lines. I could tell what episode it was within the first few moments." Getting the opportunity to portray one of her childhood idols felt surreal. "I really had such a love and passion for that show," she says. "Who thinks they're going to grow up and get to play a character they loved that much?" The experience became even more meaningful years later when Taylor developed a friendship with McCormick herself. "It was very important to me when I was making that movie that she would understand what I was trying to do," Taylor says. "I wanted her to see that I got the comedy of it, but also the love behind it. I didn't want it to feel like a joke." While The Brady Bunch Movie opened important doors professionally, it was only the beginning of a remarkable run that would make Taylor a familiar face to audiences around the world. In the years that followed, she appeared in a string of enduring comedies in film and television, including The Wedding Singer, Friends and Tropic Thunder, projects that continue to find new generations of fans decades after their release. Looking back, Taylor chuckles at one of the unexpected realizations she had while filming The Wedding Singer, the beloved Adam Sandler comedy set in the 1980s. "I laughed at the wardrobe I was put in for The Wedding Singer because my character, Holly, was the Madonna wannabe, the edgy, kind of free-spirited one," Taylor says. "Meanwhile, I think growing up in Pennsylvania, in Allentown, in the Lehigh Valley, I was very preppy."

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In fact, Taylor says she identified far more closely with the region's classic, preppy style than with Holly's flashy fashion choices. "The Preppy Handbook was a book that came out in the ’80s that was circulating around my friends," she recalls. "I think my style was much more that than anything edgy." As her career accelerated, Taylor found herself working alongside some of comedy's biggest names, like Sandler, Jack Black, Vince Vaughn, Owen Wilson and her eventual husband—Ben Stiller. "I've really gotten lucky in the sort of master class in comedy that I've been able to bear witness to," she says. "I've really gotten to work with some of the comedy heavyweights that I was a fan of before I even got to work with them." After marrying Stiller, with whom she would collaborate on projects including Zoolander and Dodgeball, Taylor found herself entering another important chapter. As opportunities continued to arrive and her profile continued to grow, the focus of her life gradually shifted toward raising a family. "I remember realizing, 'I don't want to miss circle time dropping my daughter off at preschool,'" she says. "I don't want to miss those moments where the kids are sitting in your lap and everybody's singing together." Looking back now, she views that decision with complete confidence. "It became very clear to me that raising my family was the priority," Taylor says. "Because I grew up in the Lehigh Valley in such a traditional way, where my brother and I had our routines and activities and friends, I found comfort in that. I wanted that for our kids, too." Rather than disappearing from acting entirely, Taylor remained active through selective projects, guest appearances and opportunities that fit her family's schedule. "My joke was always that I kept a pinky toe in the entertainment industry," she says. Today, with both of her children grown, Taylor finds herself entering an exciting new phase. Her daughter has graduated from college and is pursuing acting professionally, while her son recently completed his sophomore year of college. For the first time in many years, Taylor has the freedom to pursue projects that require travel and extended shoots. That freedom has already led to a creative resurgence. Last year, she completed two independent films, Love & Chaos and Rest and Relaxation, while also appearing in Influenced. Just as exciting for Taylor has

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been the opportunity to collaborate with emerging filmmakers, including female directors bringing fresh perspectives and new energy to the industry. Interestingly, the aspect of independent filmmaking she enjoys most sounds strikingly familiar. "The experience reminds me so much of community theater," Taylor says. "Everybody is there because they believe in the project. No one is there for the money or the notoriety. Everyone is trying to make the best piece of art they can." The comparison reveals just how deeply her Lehigh Valley roots remain embedded in her outlook. Whether talking about Civic Theatre productions from her childhood or independent films made alongside up-andcoming directors, Taylor continually returns to the same values: collaboration, passion and community. Perhaps that is why she remains so optimistic about the future. After nearly forty years in the business, she finds herself energized by opportunities to work alongside a new generation of filmmakers and performers. "It's exciting," she says. "I'm sort of the veteran now, and I get to see these young people coming in with incredible ideas and vision. It's been really freeing and really fun." For young Lehigh Valley residents hoping to follow a similar path, Taylor's advice is surprisingly straightforward: create. "If you want to be an actor, just act," she says. "If you want to write, write. If you want to direct, direct. There are so many ways now to create things and put them out into the world. The important thing is to keep doing it. I really believe an object in motion stays in motion. Keep the creative juices flowing. Do what you love." It is advice she has lived by since that transformative night at St. Thomas More School all those years ago. The little girl who walked into a school production of Godspell could not have known she would one day share scenes with comedy legends, star in beloved films or spend decades entertaining audiences around the world. Thankfully, she discovered something equally important that evening. She discovered what she loved. And thanks to the people and places that nurtured her passion, the Lehigh Valley remains not only the place where Christine Taylor grew up, but the place where her story truly began. L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : A U G U S T 2 0 2 6

2026 Influential

of the

Women Year

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By Amy Unger Photography by Alison Conklin On location at Mosaic & Co. It’s one of our favorite times at Lehigh Valley Style, the moment when we can pull back the curtain and unveil our latest Influential Women of the Year. As always, this group of six is exceptional. We were inspired by their selflessness, their inventiveness, their kindness and their tenacity. We think you will be, too. How lucky are we that they’re working their magic right here in the Valley? Now, meet the class of 2026: Kathryn, Jessica, Melanie, Taylor, Megan and Tiffani.

L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : A U G U S T 2 0 2 6

Kathryn

Friel

The Nomination

“Not only is Katie a positive force for mental health and women’s midlife health in the Lehigh Valley, she is a deeply caring, big-hearted human who cares about her employees’ well-being.” Kathryn Friel wasn’t expecting a big turnout for the first Pennsylvania Menopause Conference in 2025. “I was thinking we’d be lucky to get 100 people, but it just blew up,” she says. The idea to organize the conference came from Friel, a licensed professional counselor and owner of Nickischer & Associates, a therapy practice located within Twin Ponds Holistic Health in Breinigsville. “Menopause is a hot topic right now,” she says. “It finally has a voice. It’s been the hidden universal female health condition forever. Every woman goes through it; now it’s finally trending. And so, it was the perfect opportunity to say, ‘Okay, women need a space to talk about this openly.’” This year’s event was held in May and plans are already underway for the 2027 version; check Instagram ( pamenopause) for updates. For the uninitiated, this isn’t the kind of gathering that involves sterile conference rooms and rambling PowerPoint presentations. “It’s lush, posh,” Friel says. “It’s all about self-care.” It also might be the biggest and best female empowerment party around. “The biggest issue with the conference is trying to get people to quiet down for the weekend,” Friel says. “They can’t hear the speakers, because it is so loud in there. It’s all good. It’s all positivity and friendship.” Destigmatizing menopause is one item on Friel’s to-do list; ensuring access to mental health services for as many people as possible is another. Her therapy practice offers a pay-what-you-can option for those who need it and moves quickly to connect patients with care. “We go above and beyond, and we answer every single phone call within twelve hours,” Friel says. “That’s been my policy for ten years, and it’s totally worked.”

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Jessica

Edris

The Nomination

“What makes Jessica truly influential is her ability to empower others. She doesn’t seek the spotlight—she creates it for the people and organizations she serves.”

Jessica Edris describes herself as mission-centered from a young age. She’s the granddaughter of dairy farmers, and the daughter of a father who specialized in sales and marketing and a mother who was a community advocate. When it came time to forge her own path, Edris borrowed a few key traits from her relatives: a strong work ethic, a propensity to go to bat for others and the know-how to “sell” the work of nonprofits. “I just wanted to do good work for people,” she says. Edris founded the Good Collective in 2023, following many years of work in the nonprofit world. “I just really felt like [nonprofits] deserved to have access to the same level of professional expertise that for-profit businesses do,” she says. The collective works alongside nonprofits to assist in areas like fundraising, communications, events and strategy, helping them build capacity in practical and sustainable ways. The name, Edris says, is intentional. “‘Good’ reflects the kind of work we are drawn to—work rooted in purpose, service and community impact, and ‘Collective’ reflects our belief that impact happens through collaboration, both with our clients and among our own team.” A lifelong Lehigh Valley resident, Edris also serves as executive director of the Lehigh Valley Funders Network, which brings together local corporations, philanthropists and foundations to collaborate on strategies that support the community. She was also named the regional leader of Lehigh Valley 250, the local initiative commemorating the 250th anniversary of America’s founding. One of the things she’s most proud of about the Good Collective is that it creates alignment on both sides. “Our clients get access to experienced, high-level support, and we get to do meaningful work in a way that also honors our commitments to show up for our families, our health and our community,” says Edris.

L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : A U G U S T 2 0 2 6

Melanie

Lino

The Nomination

“She cares deeply about the community she has created in the Lehigh Valley and has raised the standard of what it means to be a communitybased business that is welcoming to all.”

Melanie Lino knew something was missing in her West Bethlehem neighborhood: a place where people could gather for good coffee and conversation and an armful of sweet and savory treats. The self-taught baker knew just the person who could pull off such an endeavor. “Anytime I see a need for something, I’m of the mindset of like, ‘Okay, well, it doesn’t exist, so I guess I’m gonna do it,’” she says. From Lino opened in the fall of 2025. Lino calls the bakeshop—an Afro-Dominican panadería—a love letter to the community. She makes it a priority to work with farms in the region and uses locally sourced ingredients like eggs, cheese, produce and flour as a way of bridging the gap between agriculture and consumer. “Bakeries and farmers, if you’re working with each other in a way that you should, we have a really good connection to support each other’s artistry and each other’s industries,” Lino says. From Lino is upfront about the fact that it’s not the cheapest bakery in town; that’s because paying employees a fair wage, in an industry where that’s not always the norm, is another priority. Each cookie, puff pastry or sourdough viennoiserie is part of something bigger, Lino says: “making sure people are being respected and cared for.” Even though From Lino has been open less than a year, it’s already established a steady crowd of regulars that’s constantly growing. “It’s felt really special that people walk in and they feel a sense of safety, they feel like they’re going into a loved one’s home, they feel welcomed, they feel seen, they feel valued,” Lino says.

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Taylor

Couvertier The Nomination

“From networking nights to community-driven events, the 610 Society is about more than just socializing; it’s about creating opportunities, supporting local businesses and uplifting one another.”

We all love the Lehigh Valley. Taylor Couvertier, who was born and raised in Whitehall, does, too. But sometimes the Valley can feel like a lonely place. “I have always grown up struggling to make friends, and especially being an adult, it’s definitely harder to make genuine friendships,” she says. “I wanted to build the kind of community I felt was missing, something authentic and inclusive.” Couvertier, a branch office administrator for Edwards Jones by day, is a gal-galvanizer by night (and also sometimes by afternoon or by morning or whatever the occasion calls for). She founded the 610 Society as a not-so-secret club for women in their 20s through 40s who want to forge new friendships while checking out hot spots and social events across the region. The group officially launched in April 2025 with an event that drew a handful of women, but now, as word has spread on its social channels ( the610society | The 610 Society) it’s not uncommon for two or three dozen 610-ers to RSVP an emphatic yes. “We’ll go out to dinners, wineries, breweries, axe throwing… basically anything,” says Couvertier. “I take suggestions from the group as well.” While community-building is the primary goal, the eclectic offering of events is the key to a secondary—but intentional—purpose. Couvertier is also passionate about supporting local businesses. “We ask if they want to host us, and then their name gets out there,” she says. Some of the events also have a charitable component, like a clothing swap that resulted in a donation to a nonprofit. The best payoff for Couvertier is the reaction she gets from first-timers. “People are normally shy at first, but then they come to the events and they say… ‘This was great.’ I think they’re glad that I put this out there for the community, for women, and they’re glad that it’s there for the Lehigh Valley, because they feel like they need it.” L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : A U G U S T 2 0 2 6

Megan

Frank

The Nomination

“Megan isn’t just telling stories, she’s building connections. She’s helping create a sense of community, a kind of village where women in the Lehigh Valley can support one another, learn from each other and feel empowered in their own journeys.”

Journalist Megan Frank with Lehigh Valley Public Media had long been kicking around the idea of starting up a talk show with a focus on women; think The View through a Lehigh Valley lens. In January, the stars aligned and she got her chance to bring her vision to life with the launch of Common Threads Lehigh Valley. “The podcast is about elevating women’s voices and highlighting the stories of women who live and work in the Valley,” says Frank. “I think there’s still a need for that. I think that in many spaces in life we still need a lot more women empowerment.” Frank and her various guests can sometimes wade into dark waters, with topics that include birth trauma, health issues, grief and balancing the stresses of motherhood and career. The conversations, while difficult, can lead to enlightenment. “I want women who are watching this to see themselves in these women and to realize that they’re not alone,” Frank says. “I kind of also wanted to lean into this idea that we have more in common than we think, and if we only knew that or explored that, maybe we wouldn’t just kind of put people in boxes.” Frank and her guests step out from behind the microphone, too, with in-person networking events. But the goal isn’t just building a new list of professional contacts; it’s Frank’s hope that the women who attend can also get a jump on building a personal village in the Lehigh Valley. “I challenge every woman who attends to challenge themselves to meet someone new and find a common thread with that person,” she says.

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Tiff ffani

Blevins

The Nomination

“She is the one behind the scenes making things happen. She sees where there are gaps, where people need support, or where connections could be made, and she steps in without being asked.”

There’s a common thread that winds through everything keeping Tiffani Blevins busy these days. She calls it her heart work. “They are the things that make my heart smile,” says Blevins. “I will always make time for them.” As the major gifts officer for Northampton Community College, Blevins works to secure support and sponsorships for the school and its students. But even when she’s off the clock, she’s still at it, in a number of different spaces. Blevins is the president of the nonprofit Easton Area High School Instrumental Music Association; she also works with Penn State Lehigh Valley Launchbox, a small-business incubator for early-stage entrepreneurs. Then there’s the Richard Astwood Jr. Autism Culinary Institute, named in memory of her late cousin, whom Blevins described as an angel on Earth. “Being nonverbal was hard, but food was his love language,” she explains. “When he passed, we just constantly looked for a way to really showcase what he loved most. And for my aunt, it became the way that his legacy got to live on. And of course, for me, it was like, ‘Tell me what you need, tell me how to help.’” Blevins, of Easton, is also a wife and mother to two girls. Is she stretched thin sometimes? Certainly. “Everything comes with a tradeoff,” Blevins concedes. But her dedication to her heart work is innate, woven into her DNA. “My grandparents always told me that it was my obligation to pay forward all the gifts that were given to me, and this is my way of just honoring that,” she says. “I am a firm believer that when you care about something enough, it’s not about finding time. You make the time for the things that [are] most important.”

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

PROFILES: WOMEN WHO MOVE THE VALLEY

SWINE DESIGN “Creating Spaces That Reflect You, Without the Stress”

By appointment: 244 Main St., Emmaus 610.554.2502 swinedesign.com

PHOTO COURTESY SWINE DESIGN

Ashley Hayes built Swine Design for people who want more than a beautiful home. They want a space that works hard, feels personal and brings a sense of joy the moment they walk in. Today, Ashley leads an all-women, Lehigh Valley-based team known for brave, custom interiors, thoughtful renovations and home updates that make everyday living feel more joyful. Their relationship-driven process is built on trust, clear communication and helping clients feel confident in every decision. “We’re not pillow fluffers,” Ashley says. “We’re here to help people create homes that bring real joy to their everyday lives.” As a mom of three, Ashley knows how deeply a home can shape daily life, from busy mornings to quiet moments of connection. For her, success is building spaces where people can exhale, feel completely at home and experience joyful fulfillment every day, while creating a company where women can thrive. Swine Design believes great design goes beyond beautiful spaces. Through a collaborative, relationship-driven approach, Ashley and her all-women team create custom interiors that reflect each client’s lifestyle while making everyday living more functional, joyful and inspiring.

SALLY HANDLON Owner, Handlon Business Resources Helping people and communities flourish has always been Sally Handlon’s purpose. Today, she shares practical insights that inspire healthier lifestyles, stronger organizations and a deeper connection between personal well-being and the surrounding world.

PHOTO COURTESY HANDLON BUSINESS RESOURCES

Sally Handlon’s 54-year career has been defined by purposeful reinvention. Since graduating from Penn State University, she has built a professional path spanning recreation, health planning, banking and finance, entrepreneurship, small business consulting and wellness advocacy. Along the way, a personal passion emerged. Since the early 2000s, Sally has studied herbal medicine, integrative nutrition and whole-food, plant-based living through nationally recognized programs. Those experiences inspired her to write Your Journey to Aging Well, sharing practical strategies to help others live healthier lives. In 2027, that long-standing avocation becomes her primary vocation as she expands her work as a speaker, author and educator, exploring the connection between personal wellness, environmental stewardship and intentional living. While her professional roles have evolved, her purpose has remained constant: helping people build a better future through informed choices, meaningful action and embracing life’s next chapter. Serving the Greater Lehigh Valley 610.417.1352 handlonbusinessresources.com bodyconstruction.me

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Evans Counseling Services Dr. Heather Evans, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker and founder of Evans Counseling Services. With over 25 years of experience, she is committed to strengthening access to compassionate, collaborative mental health care across the Lehigh Valley.

PHOTO COURTESY EVANS COUNSELING SERVICES

Dr. Heather Evans, LCSW, is the founder and director of Evans Counseling Services, a counseling center serving the Lehigh Valley and beyond. With more than two decades of clinical experience, she has dedicated her career to helping individuals, organizations and communities heal from the effects of trauma, abuse and exploitation. Her work has included advocacy, education, consultation and training related to sexual abuse, domestic abuse, human trafficking, clergy sexual abuse, spiritual abuse and religious trauma. At Evans Counseling Services, Dr. Evans leads a team of therapists and somatic practitioners united by a shared mission: helping people heal and grow holistically. The center provides trauma-informed care for children, adolescents, adults, couples and families, recognizing the interconnectedness of mind, body, spirit and relationships. Through counseling, somatic practices, educational programs and wellness offerings, the practice seeks to address not only symptoms but the whole person. This commitment to whole-person care is what distinguishes the center’s contribution to the community. Healing is not simply about reducing distress—it is about restoring connection, cultivating resilience and creating opportunities for individuals, families and communities to thrive. At a time when many people feel overwhelmed by uncertainty and rapid change, Dr. Evans and her team are committed to being a steady presence in the Lehigh Valley. By fostering healing in mind, body, spirit and relationships, Evans Counseling Services strives to be a place of hope, growth and restoration where people of all ages can find support, healing and a path toward greater well-being.

124 S. Main St., Coopersburg | 610.282.5735 evanscounselingservices.com L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : A U G U S T 2 0 2 6

PROFILES: WOMEN WHO MOVE THE VALLEY

DR. HEATHER EVANS

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

PROFILES: WOMEN WHO MOVE THE VALLEY

CAREPATROL OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY AND UPPER BUCKS Mary Ann Pickell is a fortunate woman. Fortunate because she wakes up every morning to a job she loves and works with a team of women who are passionate about serving the senior population. As Certified Senior Advisors, Mary Ann Pickell and her CarePatrol team assist families throughout the Lehigh Valley and Upper Bucks regions in navigating senior living options to find the ideal community for their elder loved ones. The team’s impact is reflected in the feedback they receive from the families they assist. One recent Google review shared: “Mary Ann Pickell and her team are wonderful professionals and human beings. They are highly knowledgeable about senior care options for elders and are both generous and responsive with time and information. They are diplomatic about challenging issues. I have peace of mind that my mom, 98, is very well cared for by compassionate, skilled staffers at a wonderful community suited to her. Thank you, CarePatrol!” These invaluable services—provided by Mary Ann Pickell, Niki Alban and Chloe Pickell (Certified Senior Advisors) and Rebecca Jones (Community Relations)—are offered at no cost to the families they assist. P.O. Box 397, Center Valley 610.509.0445 lehighvalley.carepatrol.com

PHOTO COURTESY CAREPATROL OF LEHIGH VALLEY AND UPPER BUCKS

Helping Familes Find Peace of Mind In Senior Care

CarePatrol’s experienced and compassionate team specializes in guiding families through the overwhelming process of choosing safe and appropriate senior care options. This includes in-home care, assisted living, memory care and independent living communities. For CarePatrol, each family’s peace of mind is their top priority.

KALYNA PROCYK, JD Founder, Procyk Law Group Estate planning isn’t just about preparing for the future—it’s about protecting the people and values that matter most. A thoughtful plan provides clarity, minimizes stress, safeguards assets and ensures an individual’s wishes are honored for generations to come.

PHOTO COURTESY PROCYK LAW GROUP

Kalyna Procyk, JD, is the founder of Procyk Law Group, a modern estate planning law firm serving families and business owners with clarity, care and strategic insight at every stage of life. A seasoned attorney, Kalyna brings the perspective of a sophisticated legal career to deeply personal planning. Before founding her firm, she practiced with prestigious international law firms, advising businesses, lenders, developers and public-sector clients on high-stakes transactions. Today, she pairs that top-tier experience with a warm, relational approach that helps clients feel informed, protected and genuinely understood. Kalyna’s work goes beyond documents. She helps families create plans that evolve with their lives, businesses, assets and values, so their wishes are clear, their loved ones are supported and their legacy is preserved with intention. Through Procyk Law Group, Kalyna is redefining estate planning as an ongoing relationship: one rooted in trust, education and peace of mind for generations to come.

26 E. 3 rd St. Suite 200, Bethlehem | 484.202.0565 | procyklaw.com

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REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE ASSOCIATES Proven Fertility Treatments, World-Class Fertility Care

MARCO CALDERON PHOTOGRAPHY

Left to right: Tara Markovich, Lead RN; Brittany Seal, MSN, WHNP-BC; Stephanie Santiago, Lead Clinical Assistant; Vivian Davis, Financial Coordinator; Ndeye-Aicha Gueye, MD; Stephanie Rodriguez, Patient Services Coordinator.

RMA’s modern facility features a state-of-the-art laboratory with consistently higher birth success rates than the national average. They offer treatment options including fertility preservation and care for individuals or couples needing donor eggs, sperm or gestational surrogacy to build their families.

At Reproductive Medicine Associates (RMA), Dr. Ndeye-Aicha Gueye leads a team of compassionate professionals, alongside board-certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner Brittany Seal, providing personalized, comprehensive fertility care. Dr. Gueye is a board-certified OB/GYN and reproductive endocrinologist and serves as assistant professor for the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Lehigh Valley Health Network. With expertise in IVF, minimally invasive surgery, PCOS and fertility preservation, she brings both skill and empathy to every patient interaction. “Undergoing fertility care is often a stressful and emotional experience,” she says. “Our goal is to ensure that every patient who walks through the door feels welcomed and receives the highest quality fertility care with the best possible outcome.”

Each patient at RMA receives a custom treatment plan supported by a dedicated care team, including a nurse, financial coordinator and access to nutritionists and mental health professionals. Brittany Seal, MSN, WHNP-BC, plays a vital role in this model. With a background in labor and delivery and a passion for women’s health, Seal provides compassionate, patient-centered care. “We are caring for patients when they are most vulnerable; the bond we share is powerful,” she shares. “I am truly honored to be part of their journey.” RMA of Lehigh Valley is proud to be part of the IVI RMA North America network—a community of fertility care spanning 22 leading IVF laboratories that has supported the births of over 220,000 babies nationwide. By blending advanced science with genuine support, IVI RMA North America strives to make the path to parenthood a little clearer, kinder and full of hope.

1401 N. Cedar Crest Blvd. Suite 200, Allentown | 610.820.6888 | rmanetwork.com L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : A U G U S T 2 0 2 6

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CLOSET FACTORY ALLENTOWN

“Custom Closets as Unique as You Are!”

Closet Factory has become a leading closet company franchise in closet organization with over 50 locations throughout the United States, all dedicated to creating the best custom closet solutions possible, right down to the smallest detail.

SAMANTHA MRAVLAG / SCUADRO PHOTOGRAPHY

Closet Factory Allentown is a family-owned and -operated company since 1999. The Focht family brought Closet Factory to the Lehigh Valley to create perfectly designed solutions for their clients’ cabinetry needs by combining a completely custom organizational solution with innovative design style. Committed to creating opportunities for all within the organization, the family prides itself on key positions that are held by strong, empowered women. Vice President Joan Focht handles the purchasing and overall day-to-day activities in the office. Melissa Focht runs company operations, oversees manufacturing and manages the installers. Mandi Focht, the lead designer, also manages and trains the sales team and oversees advertising. Closet Factory’s support staff includes Deb Manly in factory manufacturing projects, Gabrielle Neiss setting in-home appointments/assisting Joan, and Project Coordinator Jennifer Baranowski. Every step of the company’s process is touched by one of these amazing individuals and truly makes the experience with Closet Factory one to remember. 7 Willow St. Industrial Park, Fleetwood Office: 610.944.1333 Cell: 484.707.6313 closetfactory.com

N.W. HAIR STUDIO

Where True Artistry Meets Authenticity N.W. Hair Studio was founded with a simple mission: to create a welcoming space where every guest feels seen, valued and celebrated. After entering remission from breast cancer, Stefenie Sawyer turned a life-changing experience into the inspiration behind a salon built on compassion, inclusivity and purpose. Today, she has created a diverse, multicultural space where every hair type receives exceptional care. A licensed hairstylist since 1994, Stefenie brings more than thirty years of experience, combining technical expertise with a passion for helping clients love their hair. Through continued education, innovation and personalized service, she specializes in advanced color, precision cutting, curly hair and transformational services. Beyond her work behind the chair, Stefenie is deeply committed to her team, mentoring stylists and building a brand that prioritizes people over profit. For her, hair is more than a service, it is an opportunity to inspire confidence, foster connection and build community.

PHOTO COURTESY N.W. HAIR STUDIO

Stefenie is passionate about growing future stylists through mentorship and education. She is dedicated to building a salon culture that values people first, supports her team’s growth and creates an environment where creativity, confidence and community can thrive.

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6636 Hamilton Blvd., Allentown 610.663.7850 studionwhair.com

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MARCO CALDERON PHOTOGRAPHY

Standing, left to right: JaLeesa Wheeler, Office Assistant/Receptionist; Kaycee Cordon, Senior Administrative Manager; Cassandra Queen, Senior Wealth Planner; Maria Zabala, Associate Wealth Planner; seated, left to right: Susan Schupp, Senior Wealth Planner; Maria Mallozzi, Intern; Cristy Church, Operations Manager

MAGELLAN FINANCIAL, INC. Magellan Financial, Inc. continues to strengthen its role as a multigenerational family home office dedicated to elevating client experience. Guided by a mission to serve as the most essential advisor and advocate for successful individuals, families, and business owners, the practice remains committed to helping clients define, build, and preserve their financial legacies. In 2026, Magellan placed a renewed emphasis on Women’s Financial Wellness within the community. With financial stress affecting women at disproportionately high levels, the team is focused on providing education, tools and personalized planning strategies that support long-term financial well-being. By helping women gain clarity and confidence around their finances, Magellan aims to empower them to make informed decisions that support both their present and future. This year also marks continued growth within Magellan’s team of women professionals, who now represent a powerful majority and play a vital role in shaping the practice’s client-first approach. Senior Wealth Planners Susan Schupp and Cassandra Queen bring decades of combined experience, offering thoughtful guidance and long-term planning strategies that help clients navigate life’s complexities. Behind the scenes, Kaycee Cordon, Senior Administrative Manager, and Cristy Church, Operations Manager, aim to ensure that every client interaction is smooth and supported by strong operational foundations. Magellan also welcomed new talent this year. Maria Zabala, Associate Wealth Planner, and Maria Mallozzi, Intern, bring fresh perspective and growing expertise to the team. JaLeesa Wheeler, Office Assistant, enhances daily operations with her commitment to client care.

A Year of Growth, Financial Wellness and Strong Female Leadership Magellan Financial walks alongside their clients, offering specialized planning solutions and unwavering support to help guide each family’s financial journey for generations to come. Driven by strong female leadership, Magellan continues to innovate its planning strategies to meet the evolving needs of today’s families.

1605 N. Cedar Crest Blvd. Suite 111, Allentown 610.437.5650 | magellanlv.com Investment products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC (WFAFN), Member SIPC. Magellan Financial Inc. of Heirloom Wealth Advisors is a separate entity from WFAFN.

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LEILA MITRI

Co-Founder, Mitri Brothers General Contracting & Roofing

1101 Menges Ave., Allentown 610.905.3979 mitribrothers.com

PHOTO COURTESY DREAMCATCHER CAREER COACHING, LLC

Leila Mitri co-founded Mitri Brothers General Contractors & Roofing with her husband, Wasim, after making the leap from corporate America to entrepreneurship. Launching the business during the uncertainty of the pandemic, the couple transformed a small basement operation into a thriving company with its own storefront and warehouse. Today, Mitri Brothers is a trusted, family-owned business offering a full range of residential and commercial contracting services. Leila believes exceptional customer service is what truly sets the company apart. From the first phone call to the final walkthrough, she and her team are committed to listening, communicating and helping clients bring their vision to life. Beyond the business, Leila is passionate about giving back to the community. She mentors local students, speaks about entrepreneurship and supports business competitions, encouraging the next generation to pursue their goals. For Leila, Mitri Brothers is more than a company; it is a legacy built on family, service and community. Family values, attention to detail and a commitment to excellence are at the heart of every project. Leila continues to build a company where craftsmanship and relationships come first.

SHELLEY MALEY, PHR, CCSP Founder, Dreamcatcher Career Coaching, LLC Shelley believes career success begins with confidence and self-awareness. Her coaching approach helps clients identify their strengths, communicate their value and make thoughtful career decisions that lead to lasting professional fulfillment and personal growth.

Dreamcatcher Career Coaching, founded by Lehigh Valley-based, credentialed career development professional Shelley Maley, recently celebrated five years of helping individuals navigate today’s complicated job market with clarity and confidence. Specializing in personalized career and life coaching, Dreamcatcher supports recent college graduates, career changers and other professionals seeking meaningful direction. Through a blend of strategic resume development, LinkedIn optimization and targeted networking guidance, Dreamcatcher empowers clients to build authentic personal brands that stand out among the competition, focusing on long-term career growth and alignment with each client’s strengths, values and goals. Known for offering engaging workshops, facilitating dining etiquette events and providing practical career education, Dreamcatcher Career Coaching has become a trusted resource across the region. Whether guiding someone through a transition or helping them rediscover their professional identity, Shelley remains committed to inspiring purposeful, sustainable career journeys. Serving the Greater Lehigh Valley 610.663.0585 dreamcatchercareercoaching.com

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PHOTO COURTESY DREAMCATCHER CAREER COACHING, LLC

PROFILES: WOMEN WHO MOVE THE VALLEY

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Partner | Gross McGinley

Loren L. Speziale is renowned as a strategic business partner to clients across diverse business sectors. Loren takes a collaborative approach to analyze business opportunities, address business risk and close business and banking transactions.

Anyone who spends an early morning run with Loren L. Speziale on one of the winding trails that cut through the Lehigh Valley will quickly see how she approaches both life and law. Steady, focused and quietly competitive, she sets a sustainable pace, pays attention to her surroundings and never loses sight of the finish line. As a Partner and leader at Gross McGinley, Loren concentrates her practice on counseling business owners and financial institutions while guiding negotiations that sit at the intersection of regulatory requirements and organizational strategy. Whether she is helping a company navigate an ownership transition or advising a financial institution on policy changes, she is known for combining careful preparation with practical guidance. This year alone Loren was named one of ‘Pennsylvania’s Most Influential Leaders,’ a distinguished honor from Lehigh Valley Business and Central Penn Business Journal. The recognition celebrates business and nonprofit leaders across the state who consistently demonstrate integrity, vision, a commitment to excellence, and meaningful community service. Loren’s laser-focused attention and genuine care set her apart, as does her entrepreneurial spirit, reflected in her co-ownership of Camp Bow Wow in Allentown. Loren’s leadership extends to board roles with the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation and Rodale Institute, reflecting her dedication to supporting business growth in the community. Outside the office, Loren is proud to regularly participate in local races such as the Mountain View Vineyard Annual Ribbon Run in support of breast cancer survivors and the Emmaus community 5K. That same community-minded, disciplined mindset shapes her work with clients, aligning with Gross McGinley’s belief that forward-looking counsel drives long-term success.

PHOTOS COURTESY GROSS McGINLEY

33 S. Seventh St., Allentown 610.820.5450 | grossmcginley.com L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : A U G U S T 2 0 2 6

PROFILES: WOMEN WHO MOVE THE VALLEY

LOREN L. SPEZIALE

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SORAYA AGUILAR Co-Founder & President Seasons Olive Oil & Vinegar Taproom

Seasons’ first retail storefront opened in the spring of 2009 in Historic Bethlehem. The store features a large selection of fresh, premium extra virgin olive oils and premium balsamic vinegar, as well as high-quality spices, artisan salts and local and imported food gifts.

PHOTO COURTESY SEASONS OLIVE OIL & VINEGAR

For Soraya Aguilar, olive oil is more than an ingredient—it’s a way to bring people together. Raised in a family of olive growers in Jaén, Spain, she co-founded Seasons Olive Oil & Vinegar Taproom to connect consumers with authentic, fresh extra virgin olive oils and artisanal vinegars while making everyday cooking more approachable and inspiring. Today, Seasons has grown into a multi-location specialty retailer and wholesale brand serving customers across the country. Soraya works closely with retailers, chefs and distributors to promote transparency, traceability and exceptional quality in the olive oil industry. She is passionate about consumer education, leading tastings, classes and culinary experiences that empower people to cook with confidence and discover the flavors of the Mediterranean. Through innovation, education and a commitment to authenticity, Soraya continues to build a brand that celebrates great food, meaningful connections and the joy of gathering around the table. 508 Main St., Bethlehem 610.866.2615 seasonstaproom.com

WEATHERED VINEYARDS

PHOTO COURTESY WEATHERED VINEYARDS

Blending Hospitality & Winemaking Into a Shared Craft of Connection

Weathered Vineyards thrives on the partnership between exceptional hospitality and meticulous winemaking. Dana creates memorable moments while Hillary crafts expressive wines, together shaping a guest experience rooted in intention and artistry.

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At Weathered Vineyards, the women behind the experience bring as much heart as they do expertise. Since co-founding the winery in 2013 with her husband, Rich, Dana Woolley has been guided by a simple belief: that every visit should feel easy, memorable and worth savoring, whether it’s a tasting, a special event or a quiet afternoon to unwind. A natural connector, Dana channels her nurturing spirit into every guest interaction, creating a warmth that makes visitors feel at home the moment they arrive. Winemaker and Chief Oenologist Hillary Gary shares that same devotion, bringing deep expertise and a genuine gift for making wine approachable and enjoyable for everyone. Together, Dana and Hillary have helped shape Weathered Vineyards into more than a destination— it’s a community. Their passion, hospitality and love of the Lehigh Valley are reflected in every bottle and every guest experience.

7618 Carpet Rd., New Tripoli 610.984.2867 | weatheredvineyards.com

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PHOTO COURTESY MORTON BROWN FAMILY WEALTH

Left to right: Melanie Strange, Julia Naccarato, Kathryn Brown, Alison Ehret, Maddy Miller

MORTON BROWN FAMILY WEALTH Financial Confidence Reimagined At Morton Brown Family Wealth, life’s biggest decisions rarely come one at a time. Retirement planning can coincide with caring for aging parents. A business transition may be paired with sending a child to college. The arrival of a grandchild can spark conversations about legacy and generosity. Behind every financial decision is a family navigating change. That is where the Morton Brown team thrives. By taking the time to understand what matters most to each client, the firm helps individuals and families simplify complexity and make decisions that reflect their goals and values. Many of those conversations are shaped by women. As business owners, professionals, caregivers, partners and family leaders, they often help guide the decisions that impact generations. The women of Morton Brown bring their own perspectives and experiences to that process, working alongside the firm’s broader team to create an environment built on trust, communication and genuine relationships. That culture reflects the vision established by co-founders Kathryn Brown and Dennis Morton. Together, they built a firm where collaboration is valued and where mentorship, growth and community involvement are part of the client experience. Brown has been a strong advocate for fostering opportunities for women in the profession, helping cultivate a team that reflects the families it serves. Today, that commitment extends beyond the office and throughout the Lehigh Valley, where the Morton Brown team is engaged in the community. The result is a firm focused on helping people navigate the intersection of money, relationships and life.

“Strong financial plans start with strong relationships. When people feel heard and understood, they’re better equipped to make decisions for themselves, their families and future generations.” –KATHRYN M. BROWN, CO-FOUNDER & SENIOR WEALTH ADVISOR

600 W. Hamilton St. Suite 510, Allentown 610.709.5072 | mortonbrownfw.com L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : A U G U S T 2 0 2 6

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MAY B. AMBROGI, LCSW Mindful Transformations Counseling Creating a welcoming, judgment-free environment, Mindful Transformations Counseling encourages clients to embrace self-care, build resilience and make meaningful, lasting changes. MTC’s approach of genuine connection and personalized care has made them a trusted partner for women seeking greater confidence and emotional well-being in the Lehigh Valley.

PHOTO COURTESY MINDFUL TRANSFORMATIONS COUNSELING

Mindful Transformations Counseling (MTC) was established in 2018 to provide accessible and affordable, high-quality mental health care in the Lehigh Valley. As a clinical social worker since 2002, May B. Ambrogi sought to place a humanistic and holistic approach to mental health and well-being. Accepting insurance and offering a sliding scale and payment plans has allowed for many in the Valley to receive evidence-based and informed treatments such as EMDR, CBT-Insomnia, couples and family therapy modalities and somatic interventions. These therapies are often costly and/or inaccessible to many who need and deserve this level of quality care. Serving the community so that people can evolve into their fully realized selves has been a driving value. Solving present problems is important, but going beyond this to the whole person’s fulfillment and improved sense of self is truly transformative. That is how communities heal and grow together. 35 E. Elizabeth Ave. Suite 112, Bethlehem 610.390.6254 mtcinpa.com

LINDSEY TITONE

Owner, Hello Beautiful Salon & Boutique At Hello Beautiful, every appointment is an opportunity for women to recharge, refresh and embrace their personal style. Lindsey and her team create an experience where beauty, comfort and confidence come together in a space where guests will feel it was designed just for them.

PHOTO COURTESY HELLO BEAUTIFUL SALON & BOUTIQUE

Owned by Lindsey Titone, Hello Beautiful Salon & Boutique in Fogelsville was created to be more than a salon—it’s a welcoming space where women can slow down, reconnect with themselves and leave feeling confident inside and out. Lindsey’s vision was to combine exceptional hair services with a thoughtfully curated boutique, making it easy for busy women to care for themselves in one beautiful destination. From customized hair color, extensions and healthy hair solutions to effortless, wearable fashion, every detail is designed with today’s woman in mind. Whether someone is a working professional, business owner, busy mom or simply looking for a place where they feel seen and cared for, the Hello Beautiful team is there to help them look and feel their best. Visit them in Fogelsville or shop online at shop.hellobeautifulsb.com.

7812 Main St., Fogelsville | 610.351.4247 | hellobeautifulsb.com

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Owner Ross Plants + Flowers + Gifts

For twenty years, Monica has cultivated more than flowers—she has grown a community. As owner of two beloved establishments, a flower shop and greenhouse in Orefield and a flower and gift shop in Allentown, she has transformed a love of flowers and plants into one of the Valley’s most cherished destinations. Customers flock to her shops not only for the exceptional quality and variety, but for the personal touch that defines every visit. Every plant, bloom and gift is hand-selected by Monica and her husband, who curates the seasonal plants, ensuring an expert eye guides every choice. That hands-on approach, paired with an unwavering commitment to service, has earned them praise as “one of the most unique shops in the Valley” and loving comparisons to a smaller “Longwood Gardens.” For Monica, that compliment reflects decades of taste, passion and attention to detail. A former teacher, Monica brings her love of education into every part of the business. She leads classes and workshops and delights in teaching customers—whether in a scheduled session or during a friendly conversation at the counter—about plant care, floral arranging and creative gifting. Monica’s success rests on three pillars: loyal customers who have supported Ross from day one, a dedicated and talented team that brings warmth and expertise to every creation, and a clear vision focused on quality and service. From carefully arranged bouquets to distinctive gifts and healthy plants, each item speaks to that standard of excellence. As she celebrates two decades in business, Monica looks forward to continuing to nurture relationships, inspire creativity and brighten homes across the Valley—one thoughtfully chosen bloom at a time.

MAGGIE J. PHOTOGRAPHY

2704 Route 309, Orefield | 610.395.5193 7525 Tilghman St., Allentown | 610.391.1999 rossplantsandflowers.com L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : A U G U S T 2 0 2 6

PROFILES: WOMEN WHO MOVE THE VALLEY

MONICA YURCONIC-GROFF

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TRICIA VERMILYA

Posh Medical Spa by Tricia Vermilya is more than a med spa—it is a destination where women’s beauty and wellness intersect. Led by Tricia Vermilya, a family nurse practitioner and expert injector, the spa blends advanced aesthetic treatments with a strong foundation in women’s health. Many services go beyond skin deep. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) helps women manage symptoms of perimenopause and menopause—such as fatigue, brain fog, low libido and weight gain— by restoring hormonal balance. Sexual wellness treatments, including the O-Shot and PRP-based therapies, address vaginal dryness, incontinence and sexual dysfunction, offering noninvasive solutions that enhance confidence and quality of life. Medical weight loss programs, including semaglutide injections, support sustainable fat loss while improving metabolic health and reducing the risk of diabetes and heart disease. Each program is tailored to a woman’s goals and physiology. The spa also offers skin rejuvenation treatments—including microneedling, RF skin tightening, injectables and laser therapies—designed to help women feel radiant, empowered and confident at every stage of life. 4331 Easton Ave., Bethlehem 484.788.3491 poshmedaesthetics.com

PHOTO COURTESY POSH MEDICAL SPA BY TRICIA VERMILYA

Owner, Posh Medical Spa by Tricia Vermilya

Every service at Posh Medical Spa by Tricia Vermilya is guided by medical expertise and a commitment to holistic care. By addressing both external appearance and internal wellness, the practice provides a comprehensive approach to women’s health—helping clients look amazing, feel stronger and age with confidence at every stage of life.

HILARY UNGER Owner, Perianth Interior Design

MARCO CALDERON PHOTOGRAPHY

Hilary Unger founded Perianth Interior Design twentyfive years ago, after working for three esteemed New York City firms. Now a resident of the Valley, she continues to expand her loyal clientele base. Hilary understands how personal the endeavor of home design is, and does not take her responsibilities lightly. Perianth takes on a select number of meaningful projects each year, in order to focus on delivering clients the utmost quality. In addition to maintaining excellent working relationships with sought-after vendors, Hilary designs bespoke furnishings, capturing her clients’ uniqueness. Hilary’s insightful and uncanny ability to envision a space’s potential allows her to maximize the beauty and livability of any room. She brings integrity and a small-spaces background to each project, transforming the atmosphere of living spaces and crafting them so that they are simultaneously intimate and open. Using creative problem solving, curated synergy and attention to architectural detail, Perianth makes 1+1 equal 4. Perianth Interior Design personifies panache, bringing an artistic eye and a functional sensibility to furnishings and renovation. Designer Hilary Unger values the collaboration that is integral to her work, and approaches each project with the respect and curiosity it deserves.

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Serving the Greater Lehigh Valley, NYC and NJ 917.545.5993 perianth.com

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PHOTO COURTESY EVANS WEALTH STRATEGIES

Left to right, back row: Lori Bleamer, Maryann Baloh, Nicole Wescoe, Kayla Mjaatvedt and Michelle Doster Front row: Morgan McNeely, Crystal Dye, Mary Clements Evans, Michelle Tauber and Sharon Stauffer

EVANS WEALTH STRATEGIES Evans Wealth Strategies is an award-winning financial planning firm dedicated to helping individuals and families eliminate the stress and anxiety that often surrounds money. Through a unique blend of expert guidance and compassionate conversation, the team empowers clients to move beyond financial uncertainty and toward a more confident, fulfilling future. With five CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professionals and four Accredited Behavioral sm Financial Professionals, Evans Wealth Strategies combines technical expertise with a deep understanding of the emotional side of money. This rare combination creates a welcoming, judgment-free environment where clients feel comfortable, heard and supported. In a world filled with financial noise and overwhelming information, the firm focuses on providing clear, practical strategies tailored to each client’s goals. Whether reviewing investments, building retirement income strategies or strengthening an overall financial plan, their mission is simple: to help clients achieve lasting financial clarity—and ultimately, financial happiness. Their commitment to emotional and financial well-being is so strong that founder Mary Clements Evans authored the Forbes-published, No. 1 bestseller Emotionally Invested, offering insight into how people’s feelings about money shape their financial lives. Located in Emmaus, Evans Wealth Strategies invites prospective clients to take advantage of three complimentary, no-obligation meetings to evaluate their current plan. If the strategy is solid, they’ll confirm it; if improvements can be made, they’ll explain them clearly. No pressure—just an opportunity to gain confidence about the financial future.

“Could Your Finances Be Working Harder for You?” Schedule a complimentary, no-obligation review today to uncover opportunities, strengthen investments, optimize retirement income and gain confident direction for the financial future now.

1134 Pennsylvania Ave., Emmaus 610.421.8664 | evanswealthstrategies.com maryclementsevans.com Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Evans Wealth Strategies is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services.

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SONNYMOON

PHOTO COURTESY SONNYMOON

A Curated Children’s Boutique in Historic Bethlehem

Featuring timeless treasures to dress, delight and inspire, SonnyMoon is a thoughtfully curated children’s boutique located on Main Street in Bethlehem. A go-to spot for quality, charm and a personal touch, SonnyMoon offers head-to-toe clothing, toys, books and more—for every day and special days.

After a successful executive career, Carole Pirozzi chose to build something of her own, launching an executive consulting practice before also opening SonnyMoon, a children’s boutique in Historic Bethlehem in November 2024. When she was recruited back into corporate leadership as Chief People Officer in February 2026, Carole didn’t view it as a choice between entrepreneurship and executive leadership; she simply embraced both. Carole remains SonnyMoon’s curator and guiding force, preserving the boutique’s distinctive vision, exceptional quality and personalized customer experience. Anticipating her return to corporate, Carole began to further mentor Samantha Osorio in January. Sam has been a boutique associate since the early days of SonnyMoon. She graduated with her undergraduate degree in May 2025 and her MBA in Marketing in May 2026, both from Moravian University. Sam has now assumed expanded responsibilities to deliver on a digital and customer relationship strategy, alongside a talented team of primarily university students whom Carole intentionally hires, mentors and empowers. Whether in the boardroom or the boutique, Carole believes the true measure of leadership is developing people and creating opportunities for others to thrive. 459 Main St., Bethlehem 484.788.8415 sonnymoonbethlehem

LAUREN SORRENTINO Chair, Family Law Group | Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba Since the beginning, Fitzpatrick Lents & Bubba has emphasized a culture of integrity and a dedicated understanding of the law, providing an emerging regional client base with the individual attention needed to solve sophisticated legal challenges.

J TAYLOR DESIGN

As Chair of Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba’s Family Law Group, Lauren Sorrentino guides clients through divorce, custody and support matters that often involve closely held businesses, layered financial interests, professional reputations and deeply personal family concerns. Her strength is helping clients see clearly when the stakes feel anything but simple. Lauren brings discretion, strategy and steady judgment to each matter, knowing when to negotiate, when to press and when to help a client focus past the emotion of the moment and build toward a stronger next chapter. Within the firm, Lauren leads the same way she practices: thoughtfully, directly and with purpose. She mentors younger attorneys, strengthens the family law team and helps shape a practice known for handling sensitive matters with both sophistication and humanity. Her leadership reflects the best of what the Lehigh Valley legal community can be.

Offices in Allentown, Easton & Center Valley | 610.797.9000 | flblaw.com

70 A U G U S T 2 0 2 6 : L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

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Where Healing Meets Hope

Bee Well Vitality offers holistic wellness therapies, including mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy, red light therapy and other noninvasive services designed to support the body’s natural healing process. Every product and treatment is thoughtfully selected with wellness, quality and intention in mind.

Bee Well Vitality was founded by Nicole Zane and her husband with a deeply personal mission: to create the kind of wellness center they wished they had during one of the most challenging seasons of their lives. After her husband underwent multiple surgeries, they found themselves searching for answers beyond conventional medicine. Despite countless appointments and treatments, they still felt something was missing. Determined to take control of his healing journey, they began exploring holistic, sciencebacked therapies that focused on supporting the body’s natural ability to recover. Through treatments like mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy, red light therapy and other noninvasive wellness modalities, they experienced improvements they hadn’t found elsewhere. Those results changed not only their health, but their perspective on what healing could look like. That journey became the inspiration for Bee Well Vitality. Today, Bee Well Vitality is dedicated to bringing those same opportunities to families throughout the Lehigh Valley. Rather than simply masking symptoms, the center focuses on creating an environment where the body can recover, recharge and thrive. Every therapy and every product has been carefully selected because Nicole and her family believe in them and have experienced their benefits firsthand. Bee Well Vitality also proudly supports the local community by offering thoughtfully curated, locally made, non-toxic products that reflect the values of health, sustainability and craftsmanship. From natural skincare and raw honey to wellness essentials, everything in the center is chosen with intention. For Nicole, Bee Well Vitality is more than a business—it’s the fulfillment of a promise. It’s about giving others access to the same holistic therapies that helped change her husband’s life and creating a place where people feel heard, cared for and empowered on their own path to wellness. Because everyone deserves the opportunity to heal, naturally.

PHOTOS COURTESY BEE WELL VITALITY

3001 Moyer Rd., Hellertown | beewellvitality.com L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : A U G U S T 2 0 2 6

PROFILES: WOMEN WHO MOVE THE VALLEY

BEE WELL VITALITY

NIKKY ALTEMOSE Co-Founder, CosmetInk

PHOTO COURTESY COSMETINK

Nikky Altemose, co‑founder of the award‑winning permanent makeup studio CosmetInk, has spent over a decade transforming confidence in the Lehigh Valley. As an award‑winning PMU artist, she’s known for her modern, natural approach to brow tattooing, lip blushing and eyeliner enhancements — techniques that help women feel beautiful in their own skin with less daily makeup. Nikky’s work goes far beyond aesthetics. She serves women who have lost their brows due to cancer treatments, alopecia, trichotillomania, hormonal changes, aging and other medical conditions. She also supports clients seeking lip reconstruction, restoring lost color and symmetry through her signature soft‑blush technique. Her mission is simple: to give women their confidence back. Whether it’s rebuilding what was lost or creating effortless beauty, Nikky’s passion for permanent makeup continues to uplift, empower and move the Valley forward.

CosmetInk specializes in natural-looking permanent makeup, including brows, lip blushing and eyeliner enhancements. Nikky combines advanced techniques with a compassionate approach, helping every client feel comfortable, confident and beautifully themselves through personalized, long-lasting results. 3859 Nazareth Pike, Bethlehem | cosmetink.com

JILL CROSSON, DO, MBA All-In Precision Wellness Dr. Jill Crosson, DO, MBA, is redefining healthcare in the Lehigh Valley through her practice, All-In Precision Wellness. As a double board-certified physician in Family Medicine and Sports Medicine, Dr. Crosson combines clinical expertise with a personalized, “all-in” approach to longevity and movement. Her practice moves beyond traditional reactive care, focusing instead on precision health strategies that help patients move better, feel better and live with less pain. Whether working with elite athletes or individuals seeking to reclaim their active lifestyles, Dr. Crosson emphasizes consistency over perfection. By leveraging her background in sports medicine and primary care, she crafts tailored wellness plans that address the root causes of physical limitations. Her mission is to empower the community to achieve lasting health through proactive, evidencebased interventions. At All-In Precision Wellness, Dr. Crosson proves that with the right guidance and a commitment to movement, peak performance is accessible at any age. 229 S. 22 nd St., Easton 484.544.3345 allinprecisionwellness.com

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PHOTO COURTESY ALL-IN PRECISION WELLNESS

PROFILES: WOMEN WHO MOVE THE VALLEY

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Dr. Crosson is double board-certified physician specializing in sports medicine and family medicine with a focus on longevity, movement optimization and precision health. She proudly serves the Lehigh Valley, helping patients live with less pain through proactive, personalized wellness strategies.

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A Compassionate Approach to Mediation and Family Law

AMICO STUDIOS

With more than 30 years’ experience, Christine Lombardo navigated the complex world of corporate strategy and spent fifteen of those years as an attorney and divorce mediator. Her professional foundation is deeply rooted in academic achievements with dual undergraduate degrees in business administration and communication, a master’s in business administration and a law degree. However, her most profound qualifications did not come from the classroom. They came from overcoming life’s hardest moments. Like many people balancing careers and families, Christine knows exactly what it means to be pushed to the brink. She has walked through the devastating loss of both parents. She has endured a painful divorce after a long-term marriage. Through it all, she raised two incredible young women while fighting daily to keep her business and career afloat. These life experiences combined with her business and legal expertise fundamentally changed how she practices. She became a more compassionate attorney, a more effective mediator and a deeply empathetic coach. Now, in addition to her private family law practice, Christine is launching a specialized divorce and negotiation coaching practice by combining her decades of legal/business negotiation with a new certification in life and health coaching. Her mission is to help people navigate high-stakes personal and financial transitions with confidence. Together, Christine will help clients master the strategy of their next move, protect their physical and emotional wellbeing and transform life’s toughest disruptions into a setup for long-term success. Follow @thefreshstartstrategist on Instagram and go to clzlaw.com to connect and learn more. “Going through the divorce process is a challenging and emotional experience, but Christine’s guidance, professionalism and compassion made it easier. She balanced legal advocacy with genuine empathy. Christine always listened to my concerns, explained every step of the way clearly and always made me feel supported and informed. She was responsive and very knowledgeable with a dedication to reaching the best possible outcome for both parties. I am truly grateful and would wholeheartedly recommend Christine to anyone.” –THERESA M. “Christine was an incredible support during my divorce. Her expertise, compassion and dedication guided me every step of the way. I couldn’t recommend her more.” –ROBIN K.

4628 Broadway Suite A #1098, Allentown 610.504.4255 | clzlaw.com L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : A U G U S T 2 0 2 6

PROFILES: WOMEN WHO MOVE THE VALLEY

CHRISTINE LOMBARDO, ESQ., MBA

BEYOND THE MENU

PINK LADY APPLE COBBLER WITH

Chef Amy Palmer TEXT & PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALISON CONKLIN

For pastry chef Amy Palmer, dessert is more than something served at the end of a meal. It is a memory. It is family. It is celebration and nostalgia existing at the same table. For the past nine years, Palmer has worked as the pastry chef at Bolete, creating desserts that feel both inventive and deeply comforting. Her pastries are playful and seasonal, from rhubarb cream cheese galettes to sweet potato profiteroles. Beneath the creativity is something more personal: a desire to make people feel connected. “It’s all about creativity and just making things,” Palmer says. “That’s all I want to do with all of my time.” Baking was not always part of her story. Growing up, her kitchen memories were simple ones: decorating Christmas cookies with her grandmother, sister and cousins or making boxed brownies with her mom. It wasn’t until college that everything clicked. While studying art, Palmer realized she wanted a creative life, one she could build with her hands. That realization eventually led her to pastry school at the French Culinary Institute in New York. “It just felt really instinctive,” she shares. “It’s been the right path.” Now, years later, Palmer creates desserts that feel like the best kind of memory—comforting, familiar and rooted in the people gathering around the table. Few recipes embody that more than the apple cobbler she shares here. It is a dessert forever tied to her father, Chuck Palmer. “I made it every year for Father’s Day and my dad’s birthday,” she says. “It was his favorite dessert.” Her father passed away suddenly last winter, and speaking about him still causes a catch in her throat. The cobbler, laden with Pink Lady apples and a crisp sugar crust, has become more than a recipe. It is a remembrance baked into every spoonful. “Special occasions are always very food-centric,” Palmer says. “You have the foods that year after year are part of your tradition, and even after somebody’s gone, it’s a way of carrying their memory with you." In Palmer’s kitchen, grief and love are inseparable. Every dessert tells a story. Every recipe preserves a person, and somewhere between the apples, butter and sugar, the people we miss most still gather around the table with us.

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Tag @lvstylemag when you make it at home!

PINK LADY APPLE COBBLER INGREDIENTS

2 tbsp. brown sugar ¼ c. + 6 tbsp. white sugar, divided 1 tbsp. cornstarch ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon ¼ tsp. ground nutmeg ¼ tsp. ground ginger 2–2½ lb. Pink Lady apples 1 c. flour 1 tsp. baking powder ½ tsp. baking soda ½ tsp. kosher salt 8 tbsp. unsalted butter, room temperature, plus additional for the baking dish ½ c. buttermilk 3 tbsp. water

INSTRUCTIONS

Combine brown sugar, 1 tbsp. white sugar, cornstarch and spices in a large bowl. Peel, core and quarter the apples. Cut them into thin slices (¼ to ¼-inch thick) either by hand or on a mandoline and add to the bowl. Toss until all apple slices are coated. Set aside to macerate at room temperature for 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter an 8-inch square baking dish. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and kosher salt in a small bowl. With either a hand mixer or a stand mixer,

beat butter and ¼ c. plus 2 tbsp. white sugar together until light and fluffy. Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk to the butter and sugar mixture, scraping the bowl well between additions. Layer apple slices in the prepared dish, pouring over all juices that accumulated at the bottom of the bowl. Spread the batter evenly over the surface, taking care to cover up every bit of apple. Evenly sprinkle 3 tbsp. white sugar over the surface of the batter. Drizzle with water to moisten all of the sugar.

Bake for 35–40 minutes, rotating once halfway through. The cobbler crust should be golden and crisp, and a toothpick inserted in the center should come out cleanly and meet little resistance from the apples. (If you have a digital thermometer, it should read 190–195°F.) Bake an additional 5–10 minutes if necessary, covering the cobbler with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning. Remove cobbler from oven, cool slightly, and serve warm. Refrigerate and gently reheat any leftovers. L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : A U G U S T 2 0 2 6

INSIDE DISH

Morgan's

REVOLUTIONARY WAR INN SERVES UP MODERN AMERICAN FARE BY SUSAN GOTTSHALL | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALISON CONKLIN

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At Morgan’s restaurant, the past informs the present. There’s a sense of history here that makes a visit to this Coplay establishment especially significant in this year of our nation’s semiquincentennial. The property where the restaurant stands was deeded during the Revolutionary War, says chef/owner Blake Morgan; the exact year is unknown. Also unknown is the year the building was constructed, but records do show, says Blake, that it was licensed as an inn in 1804. Were the original stone walls that still stand erected while our patriot rebels were fighting the redcoats? We’ll never know, of course. But we do know that since it was built, centuries ago, this establishment that stands at the corner of North Cedar Crest Boulevard and Willow Street has been a gathering place for food and drink and camaraderie—and Morgan’s continues that legacy today. Established in 2005, the restaurant has been offering its unique brand of hospitality for more than two decades. No doubt that’s related in no small way to Blake’s description of the restaurant as “user-friendly.” Morgan’s meets you where you are. You want breakfast? Check. You want roast lamb at noon or a hamburger at 6 p.m.? Check. There’s one menu for both lunch and dinner, so you can order whatever you want whenever you want it. What’s more, the food is good, and the ambience and staff are warm and welcoming. In the dining room, brick interior walls mix seamlessly with the original stonework and rough-hewn beams, setting the easygoing tone of a country inn. Lace curtains at the windows and white tablecloths add a touch of quiet

elegance. Deep windowsills, decorated seasonally by Blake’s wife, contribute a homey touch. The restaurant’s “American regional” cuisine, as Blake describes the fare, features “local flavor”: produce comes from the Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market and local growers. You’ll find a lot of classics on the menu—think French Onion Soup, Reuben sandwiches, New York Strip Steak and Roasted Duck, for example—along with “super-seasonal” specials. All of the food is made from scratch in house. Blake develops the menu as well as more than a dozen weekly specials, and sous chef Alex Fries, a graduate of Bethlehem’s Northampton Community College culinary arts program, keeps the kitchen humming. Blake, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, started his restaurant career washing dishes at the Harrow Inn in Bucks County. He was running the kitchens of the former Allentown restaurants Spice of Life and Appennino Ristorante when they closed and went on the market. He decided to strike out on his own and buy the latter. From the beginning, Morgan’s has served breakfast, lunch and dinner. Blake says his friends told him he was crazy to serve breakfast—it meant the restaurant would be open twelve hours a day. But he “wanted to provide a service where one didn’t exist” at that time, and breakfast is his favorite meal, he says: he loves to cook it and eat it, too. As it turned out, breakfast service is a major part of the restaurant’s business today. No wonder. There’s something gracious and lovely about starting a day with a whitetablecloth meal. And then there’s the little luxury of

treating yourself to something other than a bowl of oatmeal not just at a weekend brunch, but on a regular weekday. Morgan’s breakfast menu has it all: frittatas, omelets, French toast, waffles, pancakes—even crepes. I could start a day with any of these: Bacon, Caramelized Onion and Applewood Cheddar Frittata; Pierogie Omelet (kielbasa, onion, potato and Cooper cheese); or Caramel Apple Crepes (stuffed with sweetened cream cheese and candied apples, topped with caramel sauce). There are Pumpkin Pancakes with warm syrup, Banana Sour Cream Hotcakes topped with bananas Foster and whipped cream, Pecan Waffles with praline syrup and a Pumpkin and Spice Waffle served with cinnamon butter. Each pancake batter is made from scratch individually, says Blake, ensuring unique flavor profiles. Pancakes with Fruit Compote, a special, is breakfast fare made for a summer day. Berry juice from deeply colored, fresh raspberries and blackberries soaks into the pancakes, infusing their tender, fluffy texture with sweetness nudged a notch in taste using a pinch of allspice, ginger and cinnamon. “It lifts the flavor,” Blake says. It lifts the flavor deliciously. Vanilla cream sauce and cinnamon cream sauce mingle on top of the Cinnamon Bun Waffle, dripping seductively off the edges onto the plate in this simple dish that is anything but simple in taste. The syrupy sauces are a fine foil to the crispy waffle, made with real buttermilk. It’s carbohydrate overload worth every gram. In an Omelet with Smoked Ham and Havarti with Dill, balance tells the flavor story. Smoky, salty notes

INSIDE DISH of ham complement the buttery, creamy cheese with dill’s grassy, herby notes, brightening each bite of egg. Chunks of seasoned, pan-fried potatoes—elevated beyond hash browns, for sure—are a classy accompaniment. Now, when it comes to French toast, it can’t get much better than this: two slices of egg-soaked bread stacked with cheesecake filling in the middle, topped with fans of fresh, unblemished strawberries, banana slices and chocolate sauce. Yes, chocolate sauce. Hmmm. Is this dessert or breakfast? Who cares? It’s luscious and oh-sosatisfying. What a way to start a Wednesday. Or any other day of the week, for that matter. Breakfast, though, is only part of Morgan’s story; lunch and dinner selections offer equally appetizing options. Consider Brie Quesadillas with caramelized pears and walnuts, the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich (with buffalo sauce, Gorgonzola dressing, avocado, bacon, lettuce and tomato on an onion-brioche roll), Fusilli Norma (corkscrew pasta, zucchini, peppers, eggplant, onions and mushrooms simmered in marinara, topped with melted mozzarella) and Pork Tenderloin (apricotglazed medallions topped with caramelized onions, served with sautéed spinach and apple and dried-cranberry orzo). Pan-Seared Scallops, an appetizer, would, undoubtedly, whet an appetite. Four golden brown scallops atop cucumber coulis are crusty outside, tender and moist inside; the coulis, light and grassy, brings summer’s garden bounty to the plate with cooling freshness. Any lunch with Morgan’s Orange Mango Melon Chicken Salad would be a healthy gift to yourself. Chunks of the fruit encircle orange-glazed, grilled

chicken, plated atop greens, complementing the poultry with texture and the mild hues of melon. Orange mango dressing ties it all together, and crisp lo mein noodles add crunch. So much flavor and a host of antioxidants, to boot. The restaurant’s most popular dish, Seafood au Gratin, is culinary luxury. Shrimp, scallops and jumbo lump crabmeat—baked in a four-cheese sauce with herbed bread crumbs—is decadently and deliciously rich. Fat spears of roasted asparagus bring counterpoint texture to the plate, as do seasoned, oven-roasted potatoes. It’s easy to understand why salmon, grilled with an orange ginger glaze and served on a bed of coconut rice, is another popular dish. The moist, flaky fish, touched with fruity sweetness tempered by a hint of spice, is simple, but flavorful, sustenance. The partnering savory rice with its nutty coconut notes transforms the plate with tropical flair. It’s a winning combination that will bring me back for seconds. Morgan’s obviously figured out a winning combination from its start more than twenty years ago. Restaurants come and go, but Morgan’s has proved its staying power. Blake attributes that success to the restaurant’s dedicated, capable staff and staying in tune with the times— being flexible enough to accommodate changing tastes, but remaining steadfastly true to his original vision of an unwavering commitment to caring that customers are happy and satisfied. When the restaurant opened two decades ago, his four daughters were children. Now, of course, they’re grown, and his whole family

is involved in the restaurant. “We are super thankful to be here,” he says: the pandemic was tough, and the Great Recession brought challenges, “but we made it through.” Blake finds inspiration in the inn’s legacy of history. He thinks of the list of previous owners who kept the inn going through the Revolutionary War, the Civil War and the Great Depression, remembering that those who have gone before faced challenges, too, but overcame them. Like those previous owners, he works to ensure Morgan’s continues to be “a place of community”— a gathering place for sharing good food and drink, and the celebrations that make up the fabric of our lives. At Morgan’s, the past does, indeed, inform the present— and, no doubt, the future, too.

Morgan's 3079 Willow St., Coplay 610.769.4100 | morgansrest.net

HOURS Monday–Saturday: Breakfast 8 a.m.–11 a.m. Lunch & dinner 11:30 a.m.–8 p.m. Cost: Breakfast $7.25–$13.50 Starters $12.50–$16.95 Large plates $25.75–$48 Parking: Lot adjacent to restaurant Reservations: Recommended, especially weekends and holidays. Walk-ins welcome.

WHAT TO ORDER For goodness’ sake, treat yourself to Stuffed French Toast du Jour at least once; live with gusto. Grilled Salmon with Orange Ginger Glaze is a powerhouse of flavor and hearthealthy omega-3 acids, too. Go ahead, indulge in Seafood au Gratin, just save some cheese sauce for dipping the potatoes. Double yum. L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M : A U G U S T 2 0 2 6

EAT THIS

TRUFFLE FRIES BY ANGEL A VENNEMANN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MATTHEW CANNON

READY TO TRY IT? Tag @lvstylemag when you do!

STOKE COAL FIRE PIZZA & BAR 80 A U G U S T 2 0 2 6 : L E H I G H VA L L E Y S T Y L E . C O M

Ah, the noble potato. Simple, but versatile— you can have them baked, mashed, roasted, fried. Skin on or off—your choice. Dip them in ketchup or aioli, cover them in cheese, slather them with butter. The possibilities never end with this starchy vegetable, which means it’s always fun to experiment with them in the kitchen. Abe Lopez, executive chef at Stoke Coal Fire Pizza & Bar, has perfected the French fry, so naturally he brainstormed on ways to get creative with them. “People love our fries, and people love anything truffle, so I thought that would be a happy marriage!” he says. And Stoke’s Truffle Fries were born. These fries are made completely from scratch; nothing frozen used, no shortcuts taken. Lopez starts with whole potatoes, cutting them by hand, and then they take not one but two trips to the deep fryer. Lopez says the double-fry ensures that they come out “super crispy.” Next comes two types of cheese—creamy Monterey Jack and salty Parmesan—and real truffle powder. The fries are tossed in a very generous portion of the cheeses and truffle powder, placed in a cast-iron dish, topped with more cheese and heated until it’s slightly melted. The flavors are well-balanced among savory, salty and umami, borne on the crispiness of the fries and accompanied by the excellently melty texture of the cheese. These fries are plenty dressed up already, but for those willing to take them a step further, Stoke offers dipping sauces: garlic aioli (highly recommended) or secret sauce (we’d tell you what’s in it, but, well, it’s a secret). They’re great on their own—as I’m writing this, my daughter and I are sharing these as a fantastic afternoon snack—but they pair well with pretty much anything. “Fries are so versatile that anything from our bar will complement [them], from a refreshing pecorino wine to a Smokey Nail cocktail,” Lopez says. “And pairing them with any of our burgers and sandwiches complements both.” In other words, you can’t go wrong adding these to your ticket. The truffle fries are wildly popular with Stoke customers: “It’s one of our numberone sellers,” Lopez says. “They can’t get enough of them.” Come join the truffle fry fan club the next time you find yourself in Downtown Easton; with such a great collection of flavors in this side dish, you won’t find yourself disappointed.

1 Lehns Ct., Easton | 610.829.1400 stokecoalfirepizza.com

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We are #Stlukesproud to be recognized for the FOURTH consecutive year as a TOP-RANKED employer in the region—because great care starts with great people. Our people make the difference. It’s the dedication and compassion of St. Luke’s employees that have made us the region’s largest and most recognized health system—and a consistent recipient of top workplace and quality awards. As a top-ranked employer, and #1 in the nation for quality, safety and patient experience, we are committed to fostering a positive, collaborative environment where every employee feels empowered to make an impact. We remain a Top Workplace because of our strong values, supportive leadership, inclusive culture and the dedication of our employees. This recognition reflects our commitment to building rewarding careers and community.

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