Wind Creek Bethlehem serves up something for every taste. Bold, contemporary American cuisine awaits at Urban Table—where prime burgers, jumbo wings, cauliflower steak, and land-and-sea favorites are paired with signature cocktails and rotating drafts.
New in Saucon Valley
This stunning home in the heart of Saucon Valley is perfect for those who seek charm and character with modern amenities. A sparkling pool and pool house are privately positioned on the 1.6 acre property. $2,500,000
This 1800s building set on Market Street has a notable history. The property offers an opportunity to invest in a highly visible location. Dual front entrances and an intriguing floor plan provide flexibility. $650,000
Set back from a country road amidst 46 rolling acres this farm is a captivating full-time residence or a
A
and two
This 5 bedroom, 4 ½ bath farmhouse is in the SV School District. The large lot encompasses an antique bank barn perfect for parties, projects and collections, a 3-car attached garage and 5-car detached garage. $995,000
West End Allentown
Walk to the park from this 1921 bungalow in a prime location with oak floors, high ceilings and leaded glass windows framing bright rooms, and a 1st floor primary suite with 2 walk-in closets. Patio and 2-car garage. $550,000
With cul-de-sac access this 2.11 acre home site is level with green meadows and mature tree borders in the rear and southern exposure with mountain views. Customizable 5,700 sqft building package available. $495,000 Executive Lot Multi-Generational Living
In the middle of 65 acres this multi-generational compound offers a fully individual 2019 home and a classic 5 bedroom farmhouse. Amenities include inground pool, hot tub, cabana, pond and extra garaging. $2,300,000
5,700 SqFt
This 1800s home offers over 3,500 sq ft with 4 bedrooms and 4 ½ baths. The building once included a medical practice and today offers space as well as potential for future uses. Set in a village community. $525,000
Meticulously designed, this luxury home will be completed by award-winning builder Myron Haydt in an executive neighborhood with expansive lots in a location that is easily accessible to Bethlehem and Allentown. $3,250,000
Healthy Living
Planning this month’s content turned out to be really motivating. October is traditionally Lehigh Valley Style’s healthy living edition, and because healthy living can take so many different forms, we had fun exploring the different aspects of how we can be inspired to take better care of ourselves.
I’m someone who takes food pretty seriously, so our healthy recipe feature was extra fun for me. We prepped these dishes and shot them in my kitchen (my table and dishes are famous now!) and I loved getting to sample the flavors of
these different healthy meals (not to mention the glut of delicious leftovers I got to keep). Check out our staff’s favorite healthy meals on pg. 58.
Also in this edition: take advantage of the crisp autumn weather by getting outside for exercise with our fall fitness feature on pg. 50, maybe even with a new pair of kicks from Emmaus Run Inn, the subject of this month’s Get the Goods on pg. 26. We also speak with menopause expert Dr. Kristin Friel on pg. 33, and we have tips on how to get better sleep on pg. 29.
ANGELA VENNEMANN editor@lehighvalleystyle.com
3 THINGS our publisher, Pam Deller, is looking forward to this month! pdeller@lehighvalleystyle.com
26 A visit to Emmaus Run Inn for new walking shoes.
Working out outdoors this fall!
Trying my co-workers’ healthy recipes! 58
VOLUME 27, ISSUE 10
President/CEO
Paul Prass
Vice President/COO Lisa Prass
Working on improving the quality of my sleep has become a full-time job!
I’d love to start strength training. As much as I want to do it to look better, I know at my age I also need to start looking out for my bone health.
Working on going completely gluten-free. I was GF for almost four years, so I’m finally going back. Also, adding more fitness training to my crazy weeks.
I’d like to start meal-prepping lunches so I’m not “accidentally” having PB&J five days in a row. Unless it’s a really good PB&J… then maybe six.
I need to start stretching more! I am not as flexible as I used to be, and find myself cramping up at times, so I need to start stretching as soon as I wake up in the morning!
I’ve cut sugar out of my diet and I’m making sure I add in more veggies and protein!
I would like to wipe out all added sugar from my diet. A tall order for someone with a well-developed sweet tooth!
I’d like to start journaling every morning!
SUSAN GOTTSHALL
Contributing Writer
I loved the stories about Porters’ Pub Mug Club. Made me want to start drinking beer so I can get a mug and join the fun there!
HEATHER MAYER IRVINE
Contributing Writer
While I was reporting the fall fitness feature, I attended a stand-up paddleboard excursion with some friends for a birthday. I absolutely loved Miss Melanie Yoga, and her offerings fit the bill of the story perfectly.
$15 ADVANCE DONATION $20 DAY OF EVENT *Advance reservations recommended. For tickets and information, visit: presesnted by in support of hosted by
Best of the Lehigh Valley Party
Lehigh Valley Style hosted its 2025 Best of the Lehigh Valley Party on Thursday, July 31 at Delta Hotels by Marriott Allentown. Guests enjoyed sampling winning bites and sips from 18 Best of the Lehigh Valley winning restaurants, dancing to live entertainment from DJ Brad Scott and The Weekenders and posing for a variety of photo ops made possible by Blueprint Creations and Rockin’ Photobooth.
1 | Stephen Lewis, Devin George, Darrian DiLiscio, Brandon George, Maddie Armstrong, Nadia Pletz and William Alexander 2 | Courtney Cruz and Yendira Rosario 3 | Marybeth Griffaton, Emma Barron, Jessica Olivier and Rayda Gonzalez 4 | Kayla Kolodi, Alyssa Rader, Jacy Rader and Stephanie Scheirer 5 | Joe Harvey, Kristofer Ewaniuk, Todd Leibenguth, Molly Herman, Wade Stoneback and Mark Prestifilippo 6 | Susan Worobec and Laurie Nelson 7 | Abby Silfies, Kristine Ortiz, Maria Esposito, Elaine Zelker and Lauryn Graves 8 | Christy DelRio, Ava DelRio and Anna Griggs 9 | Kelli Fairchild, Alexsondra Jordan, Jennifer Anllo, Lucia Breslauer, Liz Sanguinito and Nettie Park 10 | Kayla and Eric Marhefka
| Lucely Camacho, Channon Smyly, Taylor Romero and Samantha Cary 3 | Peggy King, Krista Berardelli, Susan Kovacs and Shelley Maley
| Makenzie Bernhard, Emily Ellis, Casandra Magliane, Jimi Honochick, Modesty Angelopaulos, Joe Galle and Sharon McAlpin
| Tony and Tara Markovich 6 | Grace Baker, Roxy Williams, Lizzy Lehman, Kristina Zick and Jessica Crafts 7 | Kim Fisher, James Pepe and Jerilynn Haefeli 8 | Aidan Lester, Sue Amato, Jenny Scott and Amy Wolff 9 | David Miller and Stacey Redfield Miller
| Katie and Steve Kilroy
THIS MONTH’S PICKS
New Dining Concept
Bethlehem Barrel & Drafthouse is now open at The Outlets at Wind Creek, offering a casual atmosphere to enjoy food, whiskey and beer. The bar features a rotating selection of Pennsylvania brews and spirits, paired perfectly with dishes like churrasco, a wedge salad and a crab cake sandwich. windcreek.com/bethlehem/dining
NOW OPEN
Need a meal to go with your brew at Lost Tavern in Bethlehem? Check out 3 Broke Blokes Grille, where they’ve partnered with the brewery to offer smash burgers, cheesesteaks, wings and lots more. Try the Booty Bowl! 3 Broke Blokes Grille
PEEP THOSE LEAVES
Fall fun awaits—Jim Thorpe’s Fall Foliage Festival is running the first three weekends of October. Take in the beauty of the autumn colors and stay for craft and food vendors as well as live music jimthorpe.org
Third Location
The Joint Coffee Co., with locations in Bethlehem and Whitehall, is now open on the ground floor of The Marquis in Easton, where you can find single-origin drip coffees, nitro cold brew, bourbon cortados and more. thejointcoffee.com
25th Anniversary
Celebrate The Perfect Fit for Working Women as they mark 25 years of empowering women to thrive in the workforce! YWCA Allentown’s annual luncheon to support the program is Oct. 24, and proceeds allow the program to offer women professional attire and career development resources. Tickets available at ywcaallentown.org/ote
Congratulations!
Allentown’s own Brü Daddy’s Brewing Co. won a silver medal at this year’s US Open Beer Championship for their Pastry Fiend Key Lime Pie fruited sour. The beer is part of the brewery’s seasonal rotation of sours, which can be sampled at their Hamilton Street location. brudaddysbrewingcompany.com
Serving the area for over 20 years with award winning designs.
Call (610) 944-1333 for a free in-home design consultation and estimate or visit us online at closetfactory.com
Some people might argue that the era of playing board games has died. However, at Board to Death Games, you’ll find that games are still very much alive. With its first location right on the Emmaus triangle, Board to Death has now moved just a few doors down. “We've needed to move into a bigger location ever since we started hosting game nights and other events at our store,” says owner Thomas Boone. “The previous space only fit around six people comfortably, and with the community that we're building, that hasn't been nearly enough space in a while.” This newer space welcomes anyone with any interest in games, offering a wide range from new and trending games to older classics. While keeping its cozy main living room, there are now two additional rooms: a mystical medieval-themed room and another full of tables to play games from the game library. You can also attend one of the many game nights throughout the week, all listed on their website. “I'm so happy we're able to stay on Main Street,” Boone says. “It's been really cool to find how many fellow gamers are in the Lehigh Valley.”
338 Main St., Emmaus | 610.421.6048 boardtodeathgamestore.com
HAUSMAN FARM DISTILLERY
HOMEGROWN SPIRITS
HOLOGRAM ZOO LEHIGH VALLEY
NOW OPEN
The first 3D hologram center of its kind in the Northeast is now open in the Lehigh Valley. Hologram Zoo Lehigh Valley owners Harshal and Manpreet Patel have backgrounds in business and technology, but they’ve always wanted to step into the STEM and education spaces. “Our family has a deep appreciation for wildlife and nature and supports cruelty-free products and brands, along with enjoying a vegetarian lifestyle,” says Manpreet. So they decided to open a hologram center that brought their interest (virtually) to life. “This is an ‘edutainment’ center where you can learn and have fun. By leveraging top-grade holographic technology and specialized 3D glasses, our visitors can experience a variety of lifelike content,” says Manpreet. Visitors have the choice of multiple hologram shows featuring Australia, Africa and dinosaurs, as well as special seasonal shows. There is also a hologram wall that creates life-sized holograms that users can make eye contact with and interact with. Don’t miss the hologram rooms, where you can go on adventures in a holographic aquarium or a monster escape room. Hologram Zoo Lehigh Valley is open year-round and is perfect for hosting events, field trips or to simply have fun through holographic experiences.
123 S. 3 rd St. Suite 4 & 5, Easton | 610.438.0059 | hologramzoolv.com
Hausman Fruit Farm, first opened as a poultry farm in 1916, now offers almost any produce you can grow in Pennsylvania. The farm has been passed down through generations, and is currently run by fourth-generation owners Justin and April Hausman and their four kids. “The primary challenge faced by a family-owned-and-operated farm is the transition to the next generation, particularly in terms of financial sustainability,” shares April. With this in mind, the Hausmans have launched Hausman Farm Distillery. They currently focus on various staple spirits, with a specialization in limoncello. Their strawberry limoncello has been a massive hit, and they are in the process of introducing blueberry and cinnamon peach versions, as well as fruit-infused brandies and homemade applejack. “We are deeply grateful to each and every customer who has supported our family farm over the years,” says April. “This unwavering support has made it possible for us to proudly welcome the next generation.” Come to the distillery for their fall festival, weekends through Oct. 26, and find their products at their farm store Wednesday through Sundays or the Emmaus and Coopersburg farmers markets.
Brianna Lasko, a Lehigh Valley native, has brought the coast, the country and the cozy to her new Main Street shop, Lovely by Brianna. Lasko, a teacher for 20 years, is no stranger to running her own studio-storefront in the Christmas City, in which she created custom hand-lettering. “But I felt a strong nudge to shift from being maker to curator and focusing on my love of home decor,” Lasko says. Lovely by Brianna opened its doors in May, located in the former David Hausman Designs building, and features handpicked items from local and national small businesses. We especially love her “Real Housewives of Bethlehem” mugs. “I carefully research individual vendors and items to make sure they’re the right match for my business,” she says. Lasko incorporates her love of the beach, her ties to her time living in Texas and her desire to be cozy in choosing her merchandise. “My goal is to have something for everyone,” she says, especially beach lovers who live in the Lehigh Valley. Lovely by Brianna is a dream come true for Lasko, who’s always loved home decor. “I’m beyond thankful every day that I took the leap and followed my heart,” she says. “I hope this is just the beginning.”
RANCH CITY BREWING
CRAFT BREWERY NOW OPEN
“It started with a love for the craft and quickly grew into a career rooted in both creativity and precision,” says Dan O’Leary. With a successful history in brewing, O’Leary decided to open Ranch City Brewing alongside wife Daneal O'Leary, AJ and Nikki Mitchell and Kyle and Cynthia Randell. This new Easton spot embraces its roots in a small town with a “big city buzz.” With the beer brewed and served from one of the six 10-barrel serving vessels, customers get their drink straight from the source. Offering a wide variety of signature drinks, from their piney Manifest Destiny IPA and their Schitzengiggles Pilsner to their Quiet Man Irish dry stout, there is something for everyone to enjoy. “At Ranch City Brewing, we're not just here to pour great beer, we're here to be part of Easton,” says O’Leary. This microbrewery hosts local talent most Friday and Saturday nights, has weekly trivia and is planning an array of additional events such as bull riding and line dancing nights. “Whether it's through our food and brews, collaborations with local makers or hosting events… we're all about building a space that reflects and supports the heart of Easton,” O’Leary says.
1250 Simon Blvd., Easton | 833.420.9903 | ranchcitybrewing.com
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COURTESY OF RANDALL'S
McCOOLE’S
AT THE HISTORIC RED LION INN
MCCOOLESREDLIONINN
Enjoy warm weather dining on McCoole’s pet-friendly patio! Voted best in Quakertown 2024 by LehighValleyStyle readers, McCoole's is a colonial-period tavern with a warm atmosphere, great service, craft cocktails and delicious food. Open Wednesday through Sunday.
4 S. Main St., Quakertown | 215.538.1776 | mccoolesredlioninn.com
1812 PIANO LOUNGE
1812PIANOLOUNGE
Located in the West End Theatre District, 1812 Piano Lounge offers a one-of-a-kind destination to meet, dine, sip and sing along with some of the region’s top performers. The casually elegant atmosphere and intimate setting invite guests to feel like part of the performance. Play it again! 1812 W. Allen St., Allentown | 484.274.6208 | 1812pianolounge.com
A unique dining experience in the heart of the Lehigh Valley, Capo & Co. offers a pouryour-own beer wall,
Rooted in the heart of Bethlehem, Twisted Olive offers a gathering place where guests can celebrate the fresh flavors of locally sourced ingredients from throughout the Lehigh Valley, embracing a true garden-to-table approach.
GET THE GOODS
Emmaus Run Inn
To many, a sneaker is simply a choice of shoe. A comfortable, leisure option for everyday wear. But for a runner, there is hardly anything more important. The fit and support of a running sneaker can determine an entire run, and any additional gear can make for some of the best. The staff at Emmaus Run Inn know this. Their goal is to have each runner leave with the confidence to run any mileage and the anticipation of going on their next run. We spoke with co-owners Bob Schwelm and Sean Linehan and store manager Tyler Long to learn more.
QCan you tell us a bit about the history of Emmaus Run Inn?
The Emmaus Run Inn opened in the spring of 2013. It is owned by two running buddies who want to share their passion for an active lifestyle with others. The Run Inn is your starting point for the best gear and expert advice and is staffed by your local community.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARCO CALDERON
How have you connected with the local community throughout the years?
We host events and participate in local health fairs and race expos. We also have a group run that leaves the store every Tuesday at 6 p.m. The group run is designed for all paces and abilities to enjoy a three to four mile run around the town of Emmaus. Once a month, we partner with a shoe brand for a demo night. We typically do something a little out of the ordinary on those evenings. Last month, we partnered with Yocco’s and ASICS to have a hot dog run around Emmaus.
What sets you apart from other running stores in the area?
Our staff and product knowledge. We have a staff of 10 people who constantly work on improving their skills on the sales floor. We often have technical sessions with sneaker and accessories brands to gain product knowledge and stay informed on the latest trends in our industry. We are also committed to growing the walking and running community around us. Our goal is to provide a welcoming, safe and fun environment for runners and walkers of all experience levels.
What are some of the products customers can find in the store?
We carry the top styles from Brooks, HOKA, New Balance, On, Altra, Topo, Mizuno, ASICS, Puma and Saucony. We also carry accessories from our friends at Balega and Feetures socks, Garmin watches and massage therapy tools from ROLL Recovery. We carry running apparel from brands like Vuori and Tracksmith. We also keep a great stock of nutrition from Honey Stinger, Maurten, Clif and GU.
How does your team learn and become experts on the shoe types and brands?
We go through a very extensive training program to ensure that all of our employees are fully ready to go on the sales floor. We stay current with quarterly visits from our many footwear brands to dive deep into new technologies associated with the sneakers. Most importantly, we are knowledgeable because we use these products on a daily basis. We only hire fitness enthusiasts and athletes.
Can you talk about the oneon-one customer-to-employee experience at the store? This experience starts with conversation. Our desire is to meet everyone’s unique needs. Do you have any injuries? What activities are you doing? We customize each fitting by measuring your feet (length and width) and watching you walk or run to assess biomechanics. We’ll bring several good pairs of shoes for your specific foot type and see which sneakers feel the best. If you’re running around the block for the very first time or you’re trying to qualify for the Boston Marathon, your experience is the same. We give every customer the same exact experience to ensure every customer leaves satisfied and feeling excited about their new shoes.
What are some of the customers’ favorites?
Our core brands of HOKA, New Balance and Brooks will always be fan favorites. Brands like On and Topo are making a big splash in our industry. Run specialty is always evolving. It’s great to see smaller brands compete with the leaders of our industry.
Do you have any advice for people looking to get into running?
Start small and slow down! A run-walk program is a great way to get started in the sport. To get started you only really need a good pair of sneakers and good socks. The rest you can piece together as you go.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The Emmaus Run Inn is located in the heart of downtown Emmaus. Emmaus is often overlooked by its big brother Allentown, but the people of Emmaus have embraced us as their running and walking store. We are minutes from the Little Lehigh Parkway, South Mountain trails and the great all-grass cross-country course at Camp Olympic. We really appreciate all of the local support and enjoy being a part of such an active community.
322 Main St., Emmaus 610.966.9939 | emmausruninn.com
BETTER S LEEP FOR BETTER HEALTH
BY DAISY WILLIS | ILLUSTRATION BY RUDZHAN / ADOBE STOCK
David A. Cohen, MD
SECTION
CHIEF OF
SLEEP
MEDICINE,
ST. LUKE’S UNIVERSITY HEALTH NETWORK slhn.org/wellnow/sleep
We spend about a third of our lives unconscious, time well spent on vital restorative processes throughout the brain and body. Whether you’re suffering wakeful nights or just aspiring to more substantial shut-eye, step in as your own sandman with Dr. David A. Cohen’s advice on getting a good night’s rest.
SLEEP MATTERS
“Sleep impacts almost every aspect of our health,” Cohen says, from brain and cardiac function to hormonal regulation and mood. More and more medical conditions are being linked to sleep disorders, leading specialists in fields like cardiology, neurology and endocrinology to increasingly find sleep medicine relevant to their work.
This isn’t meant to stoke anxiety about your sleep quality. In fact, it’s important to stay calm about a bad night here or there. “Waking up at night isn’t necessarily a problem,” Cohen says. “Especially as we get older, sleep naturally gets more disrupted.”
You’ll know your sleep hygiene needs attention if you consistently struggle to fall or stay asleep, wake up feeling unrefreshed or drag through your days. If your
SUMMER FUN Your source
family reports that your snoring is keeping them up or you’re told that you’re gasping or you stop breathing while asleep, that could signal a deeper issue best addressed by a medical professional.
CONSISTENCY
Sleep hygiene consists of good habits and consistency around hitting the hay. In fact, consistency is Cohen’s number-one sleep suggestion. Sleep isn’t something you “catch up on” over the weekend. “We are 24-hour creatures,” Cohen says. “The brain prefers to do things at the same time each day.” Go to bed at the same time, wake up at the same time and do your best to avoid big weekend fluctuations which can throw off the cycle for days to come.
DOS AND DON’TS
The hours before bed inform the hours of the night. Heavy meals near bedtime are to be avoided, especially those that might trigger acid reflux. Caffeine should not cross your lips within six hours of sleep—that includes pre-workout drinks. “A lot of people think alcohol helps them sleep,” Cohen notes, “but it can lead to disrupted sleep (sleep fragmentation) and wakefulness.”
A quiet, cool and dark room is ideal, and white noise works, especially when ambient sounds threaten disturbance. Exercise is excellent in general but best kept closer to the front end of the day.
Though naps are not advised if you’re trying to improve night sleep, a quick one can restore some alertness to the day. Keep them nowhere near bedtime and set an alarm for 20–30 minutes, max.
Bedtime mindfulness or meditation, even for five minutes, can help calm the mind and reinforce a sense of routine.
SCREENS
These habits prime the mind and body for sleep, but there’s a final boss in the fight for a restful night. With stimulating light and addictive content, screens are the major modern saboteur of our slumber.
“The brain makes a subconscious connection,” Cohen says, “between being in bed and being awake.” If you’ve taught your brain that the bed is an endless
carnival of bright, attention-grabbing TikToks, it enters that space primed for entertainment, not rest.
WAKING AND WORRYING
If you’re someone whose night is interrupted by wakeful rumination, whether it’s about your alarming failure to fall back asleep or any of your pet problems, Cohen suggests implementing planned worry time.
Your brain is reinforcing a learned behavior to worry in bed, so take the reins and teach it something intentional. Spend a little time before bedtime in another space writing down all the things you’re likely to start fretting over at 3 a.m. Over time and with practice, this trains your brain to do its problem-solving elsewhere, keeping the bed a calm space.
“On a short-term basis,” Cohen adds, “it’s good to get out of bed and read a boring book, returning when you’re sleepy and clear-headed.”
SUPPLEMENTS
Many aspects of sleep are learned behaviors, and for that reason, pharmaceuticals offer limited assistance. “I don’t recommend supplements and medications,” Cohen says, preferring to reteach patients to become better sleepers independently.
For good candidates, Cohen is a proponent of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), which helps rewire unhelpful patterns, like associating the bed with anxiety, and rebuild the habit of falling and staying asleep.
SLEEP TRACKERS
By monitoring movement, heart rate and respiratory patterns, wearable sleep trackers can offer a general picture of sleep quality. Just don’t get obsessed— trackers aren’t great at detecting sleep stages yet. “People fixate on their sleep time or REM percentages and think they’re failing at sleep,” Cohen cautions.
What some devices can do is detect signs of sleep apnea, prompting professional follow-up. “It’s kind of cool,” Cohen says. “Patients come in and say their watch told them.”
The
Dr. Scott Gradwell and Dr. Jose Silverio provide expert periodontal and dental implant care with compassion, precision and innovation, offering advanced techniques, personalized treatment and trusted results for patients throughout the Lehigh Valley.
At their Allentown practice, Drs. Gradwell and Silverio provide expert care in periodontal treatment, dental implants and cosmetic gum procedures. With a shared commitment to innovation and patient comfort, they offer a full range of services, including periodontal therapy, sinus lifts, soft tissue grafting, extractions and full-mouth dental implant solutions in a modern, welcoming setting. Conscious sedation is available for a relaxed, stress-free experience, especially for anxious patients.
Scott Gradwell, DMD, FAGD, PC, is recognized as a leader in implant dentistry and advanced periodontal care. With over 36 years of clinical experience, he is known for his precision, warm chairside manner and dedication to excellence. He collaborates with leading restorative dentists, participates in international dental missions and is a five-time “Teacher of the Year” award recipient at Lehigh Valley Hospital.
The practice is proud to welcome Jose Silverio, DDS, MS, as a surgical partner. A board-eligible periodontist with extensive U.S. and international training, Dr. Silverio brings advanced clinical skills and a modern, patient-focused approach. Fluent in English and Spanish, he is dedicated to providing accessible, personalized care to the Lehigh Valley community.
Together, Drs. Gradwell and Silverio offer a powerful blend of experience, innovation and compassion, delivering exceptional results for every patient.
QTell us a little about what you do at Lehigh Valley Health Network.
I am a generalist-trained OBGYN physician, which means I take care of pregnant moms, deliver babies and perform minor and routine gynecological surgeries. I care for women of all ages in the outpatient setting. My areas of clinical interest include menopause and sexual health. I am also active in the education mission of the department, working with medical students, residents and advanced practice clinicians. I have a passion for teaching using simulationbased education.
How did you decide to lean into research and treatment of perimenopause and menopause?
I graduated residency in 1999 and was lucky to work with a few faculty who had strong interests in menopause. This was before findings from the Women’s Health
Kristin Friel
If you’re a woman, you may have dealt with this, and if you haven’t yet, you will: menopause. Until recently, it was something rarely mentioned in public and studied even less, leaving women to bear it in silence. But today, providers like Dr. Kristin Friel of Lehigh Valley Health Network, part of Jefferson Health, are shining a light on this condition and offering women better options to understand menopause, treat its symptoms and thrive in a new season of life. Friel, the vice chair of education for LVHN’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology as well as an adjunct clinical assistant professor at Thomas Jefferson University, talks to us about her work and what women need to know.
Initiative (WHI) trials were published in 2002, which significantly impacted the care of menopausal women. It was a game changer in the world of menopause care at the time.
When I finished training, I knew I wanted to keep up with menopause research and advancements. I had always found the biology and clinical presentation interesting and challenging. I attend meetings of The Menopause Society regularly and listen to a weekly webinar on Monday nights, and those have been great sources for continued learning.
I went through menopause myself about ten years ago and experienced many bothersome symptoms, so I was also motivated to keep learning for my own health. I think new research, a reexamination of the WHI data and the influence of social media are giving menopause a moment, which is great for the field and even better for patients.
What are some common symptoms you see in your patients, and how do you treat them?
I think about two phases of menopause symptoms. In phase one, vasomotor symptoms, otherwise known as hot flashes, affect the majority of women. They can be mild, moderate or severe and can lead to sleep disturbances and difficulty concentrating and getting through life’s daily activities and responsibilities. Treatments include nonhormonal and hormonal prescription medications. There are some complementary medicine options, but these are less effective according to the limited data that we currently have.
Other common phase one symptoms include sleep issues, mood changes, joint and muscle pains, cognitive or brain fog, weight gain, lower libido and painful sex. The list is extensive and varies from woman to woman. How to manage these
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARCO CALDERON
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symptoms requires a deeper dive to make sure nothing else is going on. Hormone therapy is the most effective at treating hot flashes and may help with some of the other symptoms women experience. We call phase two the genitourinary syndrome of menopause. These symptoms can include bladder urgency, frequent urinary tract infections, tissue sensitivity and dryness, vaginal pain with penetration and changes with arousal and orgasm function. They tend to be chronic and progressive unless managed early. A medical exam can help us understand an individual woman’s unique anatomy and functional status. Treatment options may include localized hormone therapy, vaginal moisturizers or lubricants during sexual play and/or physical therapy or referral to a urogynecologist.
Sexual health concerns are more nuanced and layered. Women can have symptoms around desire, arousal, orgasm and pain. These require a thorough history and sometimes an exam. The good news is that there are a variety of treatment options, from behavioral health to physical therapy to both on- and offlabel medications, that can be discussed.
Bottom line: Every woman’s journey into menopause is different, and I think treatment options need to address a woman’s goals, what she is interested in doing for her immediate symptoms and what she is motivated to do for her longterm health goals.
What should women know about hormone replacement therapy?
Women should not be afraid of menopausal hormone therapy (we don’t use the word replacement anymore). The first distinction is between systemic hormone therapy, which is approved currently for the treatment of vasomotor symptoms and prevention of osteoporosis, and localized vaginal hormone therapy. Whether or not hormones help with all menopause symptoms women may experience requires further research. Sometimes symptoms may be a part of the aging process or an underlying medical condition.
There are only a few contraindications for starting hormone therapy, but we must
be clear with women about what the data tells us about how hormones can help and how they might help.
My bottom line is that not all women want or need hormone therapy and some women cannot take it. But all women deserve a conversation around their health concerns and I think when given good, accurate information, they will make the choice that is the best for them.
There are a lot of companies popping up selling supplements that claim to treat perimenopause and menopause. What are your thoughts on that?
In general, it is much better to get needed nutrients through your diet. I would much rather have a woman spend her time and money talking with a nutritionist and buying good food versus supplements. Data has not shown support for supplement use except when explicitly indicated.
What’s one takeaway you’d like to share?
Use this time in your life to fully “pause.” And what I mean by that is give yourself some space and grace to think thoughtfully both about how you want to manage your symptoms and seek someone who will listen and provide you with up-to-date, evidence-based recommendations. But also use this time to think further into the future—about what you can do to preserve brain, heart, bone and muscle function. Have a five-year plan, but also have a 30-year plan. Lifestyle changes work, and they can and should begin now. Hopefully, menopause can be a motivating force for some of those lifestyle/lifelong health behavior changes.
And finally, sometimes it takes a team to negotiate this transition, and that is okay. Don’t be afraid to see the pelvic floor physical therapist, a nutritionist, a sleep specialist, a rheumatologist and, of course, your primary care provider.
See your healthcare provider for medical advice, and read the extended interview online at lehighvalleystyle.com
EXTRAORDINARY SMILES
Restoring Wellness, One Smile at a Time
At Extraordinary Smiles in Schnecksville, Dr. Sandip Ladani leads with a simple philosophy: put patients first. From preventive care to full-mouth dental implants, the practice offers comprehensive, high-tech dentistry in a calm, spa-like environment designed to make patients feel truly at home.
The family dental practice is renowned across the Lehigh Valley for delivering comprehensive dental care with a personalized, human touch—where patients aren’t just treated, but truly cared for.
Whether someone is visiting for preventive care or a full-mouth transformation, Extraordinary Smiles is equipped with the latest dental technologies and a dedicated team committed to restoring both function and confidence. One of the practice’s signature services—full-mouth dental implants—has transformed the lives of countless patients suffering from extensive tooth loss, advanced decay or illfitting dentures. This life-changing solution not only improves chewing ability and appearance, but also promotes long-term oral health and overall well-being.
But what truly sets Extraordinary Smiles apart is how they make patients feel: at home. From the moment someone walks through the door, they’re welcomed into a calming, judgment-free environment where anxiety melts away and trust begins to build. Dr. Ladani and his team take time to listen, educate and support patients every step of the way, ensuring that their journey toward a healthier smile is as comfortable and empowering as possible.
In a world where health is more important than ever, Extraordinary Smiles is proud to be a place where wellness and dentistry meet—with every patient leaving not only with stronger teeth, but also with a renewed sense of confidence and peace of mind.
LEHIGH EYE SPECIALISTS
Quality, Compassionate Care for Ophthalmic Diseases
Lehigh Eye Specialists take pride in their unwavering commitment to excellence in complex eye care. Their distinguished team of ophthalmologists and optometrists unites decades of combined experience with the latest advancements in diagnostic tools, surgical techniques and treatment options. This unique blend of expertise and technology allows them to deliver precise, individualized care for patients facing a wide spectrum of ocular conditions.
Their services span every facet of advanced eye care—from managing intricate retinal disorders and performing state-of-the-art cataract surgeries to diagnosing and treating corneal diseases, offering modern refractive surgery options, providing specialized glaucoma management and alleviating the discomfort of chronic dry eye. Every patient is met with a thoughtful, compassionate approach that prioritizes comfort, trust and long-term visual health.
The exceptional skill of their physicians has earned recognition on a national stage. Dr. Maz Kazahaya, a 2025 Castle Connolly Top Doctor in Ophthalmology, and Dr. David DeRose were each honored by Newsweek as among America’s Leading Doctors 2025 in their respective subspecialties—Retina Surgery and Cataract Surgery. These accolades reflect not only their surgical precision and clinical expertise but also their dedication to achieving the best possible outcomes for every patient they serve.
At Lehigh Eye Specialists, advanced medicine meets personalized attention. Patients can feel confident knowing they are receiving world-class care from a team committed to protecting, restoring and enhancing vision—helping individuals maintain clarity, independence and quality of life for years to come.
Dr. Maz Kazahaya, a 2025 Castle Connolly Top Doctor in Ophthalmology, and Dr. David DeRose were each honored by Newsweek as among America’s Leading Doctors 2025.
Left to right: Mouhammed Abuattieh, MD; Julie McLaughlin, OD; David A. DeRose, MD; Maz Kazahaya, MD, FACS; Jennifer Ng, OD; Tricia L. Thomas, MD
INTENTIONAL COUNSELING & WELLNESS
Evidence-Based, Holistic Therapy to Support Mind, Body & Soul
At Intentional Counseling & Wellness, care goes beyond the therapy room. The Bethlehem-based practice brings together expert counseling and integrative wellness services to support the mind, body and spirit in one calming space. Whether it’s navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD or life transitions—from parenthood to career shifts—ICW meets every client where they are with personalized, compassionate support.
A team of licensed clinicians and wellness practitioners offers an integrative approach that includes talk therapy, somatic bodywork, therapeutic yoga and trauma-informed massage therapy. By blending evidence-based care with restorative practices, ICW helps release stress, restore balance and support lasting change.
ICW believes healing is not just about treatment—it’s about creating a safe, welcoming environment where clients feel seen and supported through every step of their journey.
Intentional Counseling & Wellness offers counseling, somatic bodywork, yoga and massage therapy in a tranquil, inclusive setting. With care for anxiety, trauma, perinatal challenges and more, ICW helps clients build balance, connection and lasting tools for everyday life.
The Valley’s Leader in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Since 1939
Lehigh Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery celebrates nearly a century of excellence in patient-centered care. Since its founding in 1939, the practice has remained independently owned and operated by its boardcertified oral and maxillofacial surgeons, delivering exceptional care tailored to each individual patient. This independence gives the surgeons the freedom to put patient care above all else; every decision made is centered on providing the highest quality treatment and outcomes for patients.
Lehigh Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery is honored to have served the Lehigh Valley for over eight decades. As the practice continues to grow, its mission remains the same: to provide compassionate, expert care to every patient who walks through the door.
For more information about Lehigh Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, or to schedule a pre-surgical exam, please visit lehighoms.com or call 610.435.6161.
Services offered include: All-on-4 ® /Teeth In A Day® , dental and zygomatic implants, wisdom teeth extractions, general tooth extractions and cosmetic surgical/non-surgical treatments. Sedation is available for surgical procedures.
Celebrating 10 YEARS of
Physicians Weight Control began in 1987, founded by Medical Director William J. Strowhouer Jr., DO. For decades, the program has helped people across the East Coast live healthier, happier lives through personalized care and FDA-approved appetite suppressants.
In 2015, William J. Strowhouer III—son of the medical director, a St. Joseph’s University graduate and U.S. Army veteran—took a leap of faith on a technology that seemed too good to be true: Strawberry Laser Lipo. Unlike other body contouring options that came with questionable side effects or poor long-term results, this treatment offered real, visible inch loss with no downtime or adverse effects.
Soon after, WJSIII brought on his then-girlfriend, Maggie Corl, a Rowan University graduate with a strong background in sales and customer service, to help grow the business. Together, they built a program focused not only on results but on creating a supportive, positive environment for both clients and staff.
Over the past 10 years, they’ve grown the Strawberry Laser Lipo program to three offices, refined a trustworthy team, gotten married and welcomed a son into their family.
Now, with the rise of GLP-1 medications, Strawberry Laser Lipo is more relevant than ever, helping patients tighten skin and maintain aesthetics during rapid weight loss. Whether you’re using a compounded or name-brand GLP-1, the Strawberry Laser is a powerful tool in achieving sustainable, confident results.
Join PWC and SLL on the next phase of this exciting journey!
William J. Strowhouer III & Maggie Corl Strowhouer
Dawn Godshall
CEO,
COMMUNITY ACTION LEHIGH VALLEY
BY AMY UNGER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALISON CONKLIN
Ask Dawn Godshall how she’s feeling, and her answer—“Tired, but hopeful”—might sum up the sentiments of more than a few leaders in the nonprofit sector, as funding sources either dry up or are delayed on the federal and state levels, amid an acrimonious political climate desperately in need of a salve that’s nowhere in sight. And so the “tired” part certainly seems understandable, but where does the “hopeful” feeling come from? Somehow, despite the less-than-ideal circumstances, it seems to resonate strongly with Godshall, a self-described woman of faith with confidence in the workings of both a higher power and the Lehigh Valley community she’s called home for more than two decades.
I believe that all of us are on this earth, not just for ourselves, but we’re here for a purpose to help other people.
Godshall is the chief executive officer of the Bethlehem-based Community Action Lehigh Valley (CALV). She started at the agency more than ten years ago and worked in various other roles before landing the top job in 2021, taking the reins from longtime leader Alan Jennings.
CALV has roots that go back to the 1960s, when President Lyndon B. Johnson declared a nationwide war on poverty, enlisting the federal government to play a larger role in social welfare. The nonprofit, one of 42 Community Action Agencies in Pennsylvania, aims to give a hand-up (not a hand-out) to those who need it, through a number of programs that address everything from homelessness to food insecurity to neighborhood revitalization. But continuing to turn that mission into real-life metrics is getting harder to do.
As July was drawing to a close, the shelves at the Second Harvest Food Bank in East Allen Township were almost bare. “Our partners are calling us saying, ‘We need food,’ but we don’t have the food to give them,” says Godshall. Second Harvest supplies food to 200 agencies across six Pennsylvania counties: Lehigh, Northampton, Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne.
Many food banks saw an increase in need during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic; while the health concerns brought on by that crisis have largely subsided, the spike in demand has not. Second Harvest still feeds an average of 100,000 people a month. It’s just one of the CALV programs impacted by the potential loss of millions of dollars in funding that either hasn’t been renewed by the federal government, or is in limbo on the state level (Pennsylvania had not yet passed its 2025–2026 budget at the time of this interview). “The federal government wants to pass a lot of this on to the states, but the states just don’t have the capacity to replace all of the funding that came from the federal government,” Godshall says.
She also worries about the local farmers who took a hit when the Trump administration canceled Pennsylvania’s $13 million contract with the Local Food Purchase Assistance program, which paid those farmers to supply food banks with fresh produce. She fears for those who could be left in the cold—literally—by cuts to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Reductions in funding to a program that helps low-income
seniors mean tough choices will have to be made: which 70 seniors will no longer get food boxes?
Godshall’s empathy is grounded in shared experience. While growing up in Buffalo, New York, she spent time in the foster care system after the deaths of both of her parents. “I grew up poor,” she says. “I always thought that I wanted to be rich and famous, because that’s what poor kids want.” She studied journalism and communications in college, landing her first post-graduation job at The Buffalo News. She then made the leap to ABC broadcasting in New York City, working first in the sports division and then in TV news. She was a producer for WPVI in Philadelphia for ten years, ending in 2000.
A few years later Godshall was living in the Lehigh Valley and felt herself being pulled in a different direction. She began volunteering at The Children’s Home of Easton. “After years of television, I realized that my calling was to make a direct and positive impact on people, and that had a lot to do with kids for me because of the experience that I had with foster homes growing up,” Godshall says. That would lead to a job running the Ways to Work Family Loan Program, which provides parents with low-interest loans for car purchases or repairs. Godshall had found her niche. She says, “It was kind of life-changing to me. Television is about sharing stories, but nonprofit work is about changing lives.”
Godshall didn’t know it at the time, but another epiphany of sorts was in the offing. Later, while working for the Allentown Rescue Mission, she hitched a ride with Alan Jennings, then head of CALV, to attend a meeting in Washington, DC: “I don’t even remember what the meeting was, but I remember just being captivated by this man who was doing all of these wonderful things in the nonprofit realm in the Lehigh Valley, and on the way back from Washington, I remember saying to him, ‘I don’t know why, but I feel like I’m going to work for you someday.’”
That thought proved to be prescient when Godshall was offered—and accepted—a position as development manager at the agency’s Sixth Street Shelter in Allentown. The work with Community Action Lehigh Valley, she says, was demanding but gratifying. “Alan only wanted people to
work for him who had what he called a ‘mission zeal.’ He wasn’t interested in paying people a lot of money. He was interested in people who were all about the mission of community action, which is to give people a voice in the decisions that affect their lives.”
When Jennings’ retirement was on the horizon, Godshall initially wasn’t sure she wanted to try to fill his shoes. But, after much prayer and reflection, she decided to go for it. “I always say that [my shoes] were high heels, so they were different shoes,” she says.
More than four years later, her commitment to CALV and its pursuits as an anti-poverty organization is stronger than ever. “I see more of a need,” she says. “The need hasn’t decreased any. We haven’t put ourselves out of business quite yet.”
Until sentiment shifts among those who control the government’s purse strings, there’s not much Godshall or CALV can do about those funding sources. The nonprofit already has laid off ten percent of its staff in recent months, and more cuts might be necessary in the future. For now, Godshall is banking on the generosity of the people of the Lehigh Valley to help fill the void. “I believe that all of us are on this earth, not just for ourselves, but we’re here for a purpose to help other people,” she says. “Some people embrace that thought. Some don’t. But for those who care about what’s happening to their neighbors and to people who are in need, I really have faith in the people in the Lehigh Valley that are able to help, that they will. They will step up and help.”
Monetary donations are the most helpful, so CALV can apply them directly to where they are needed the most. As July turned to August, CALV was preparing to hold a news conference to discuss how federal budget cuts might impact several of the agency’s core programs. “I wish that this administration would see that cutting costs is not just about saving money, but there are people involved in these scenarios,” Godshall says. “As they continue to pull resources from the community, we’re going to see more people who are hungry. We’re going to see more people who are homeless, if we are not able to continue a lot of the programs that this agency has put out there in the community.”
communityactionlv.org
Family-Friendly Fall Frolics
BY DAISY WILLIS PHOTO BY HEDGEHOG94 / ADOBE STOCK
We’re smack in the middle of—objectively— the supreme season, full of spiced treats and crisp weather. Make the most of its many delights with the whole crew in tow, be it with blue skies over fiery forests or hints of Halloween.
1. APPLE PICKING BOBWHITE ACRES 3879 E. Mill Hill Rd., Coopersburg bobwhiteacres.com
Apples are everywhere this time of year, and with pie season right around the corner, you’ll want to lay in a supply of fresh and fragrant fruit. Bobwhite Acres offers pick-your-own produce from strawberries to pumpkins, and this time of year you’ll find crisp Cameos, Fujis and Idared apples perfect for baking.
Many local farms offer a corn maze for visiting pumpkin-pickers, and for the casual enthusiast and younger kids this might hit the spot. For those looking to tap into the primal confusion found in aisles of identical crops, the 11 acres of Mazezilla await. Helpers in the field and atop watchtowers make sure no one is stuck without help!
3. GHOST TOUR CRYSTAL CAVE
963 Crystal Cave Rd., Kutztown crystalcavepa.com
Kutztown’s Crystal Cave has offered 10 acres of subterranean wonder since its discovery in 1870, and in October, you’re invited to spelunk across time as well as space through a spooky ghost tour of the caverns. Guides don Victorian garb to give the cave’s original tour complete with tales of mysterious, unexplained lore.
4. SCENIC CHAIRLIFTS
BLUE MOUNTAIN RESORT
1660 Blue Mountain Dr., Palmerton skibluemt.com
You can enjoy autumn leaves on a Sunday drive or a Hawk Mountain hike, but there’s another option somewhere between a peaceful park bench and a thrilling zipline to take in the fall foliage, and that’s hopping on Blue Mountain’s repurposed ski lifts for a weekend ride overlooking seas of colorful leaves. Four to a lift, and don’t forget your cameras!
This year marks the 15th annual Oktoberfest at the SteelStacks, a series of events famous for beer and festival food, dirndls, live music and most notably, little weenie dogs in tiny costumes racing for the finish line. Celebrate the area’s German heritage with a bratwurst in one hand, a strudel in the other, and polka music blasting.
Awareness starts the conversation, but action saves lives. Because when it comes to ending breast cancer as we know it, every dollar, every step, every signature, every screening matters. Every Action Counts.
Turn awareness into action by supporting our 2025 Men Wear Pink ambassadors.
HOME STYLE
Mission-focused, ArtsQuest has its eye on the future with a brand-new, state-of-the-art Cultural Center slated to be built in 2025 in addition to the renovation of the historic Turn & Grind Shop, located next to the Bethlehem Visitor Center on the SteelStacks campus. The Cultural Center will serve as a visible and creative gateway to Bethlehem’s SouthSide; provide much needed space, new programs and advanced technology that will double the number of students and families ArtsQuest currently serves; implement new partnerships as a Communications Career Pathway Program with the BASD; and further foster economic development and tourism across the Lehigh Valley, which will improve property values and further civic pride. The Turn & Grind Shop will allow ArtsQuest to significantly expand its private event space to further accommodate corporate events, weddings, proms and additional functions. Its beautiful and historical location and structure will significantly further travel and tourism to the Lehigh Valley.
HAVEN HOUSE: RESTORING HOPE, RENEWING LIVES
The need for community-based mental health services from organizations like Haven House has grown post-pandemic. Looking in from the outside, one wouldn’t know that over 70 staff members are working to keep seven distinct programs and countless partnerships running to support around 3,000 individuals in Lehigh and Northampton counties. Haven House continually searches for new opportunities to expand and improve access to services to fulfill their mission. In addition, Haven House takes every opportunity to further educate the public around mental health to foster a stigmafree environment. This year, Haven House plans to resume poverty simulations, grow group therapy options and host a gala-type event, in order to reach new and different audiences regarding community mental health. Please follow them on Facebook or subscribe to their newsletter to avoid missing any of their exciting updates.
Members of the Haven House leadership team
ARTSQUEST
Mission-focused, ArtsQuest has its eye on the future with a brand-new, state-of-the-art Cultural Center slated to be built in 2025 in addition to the renovation of the historic Turn & Grind Shop, located next to the Bethlehem Visitor Center on the SteelStacks campus. The Cultural Center will serve as a visible and creative gateway to Bethlehem’s SouthSide; provide much needed space, new programs and advanced technology that will double the number of students and families ArtsQuest currently serves; implement new partnerships as a Communications Career Pathway Program with the BASD; and further foster economic development and tourism across the Lehigh Valley, which will improve property values and further civic pride. The Turn & Grind Shop will allow ArtsQuest to significantly expand its private event space to further accommodate corporate events, weddings, proms and additional functions. Its beautiful and historical location and structure will significantly further travel and tourism to the Lehigh Valley.
HAVEN HOUSE: RESTORING HOPE, RENEWING LIVES
By creating a stigma-free community in which those with barriers can thrive towards independence and accomplishment
The need for community-based mental health services from organizations like Haven House has grown post-pandemic. Looking in from the outside, one wouldn’t know that over 70 staff members are working to keep seven distinct programs and countless partnerships running to support around 3,000 individuals in Lehigh and Northampton counties. Haven House continually searches for new opportunities to expand and improve access to services to fulfill their mission. In addition, Haven House takes every opportunity to further educate the public around mental health to foster a stigmafree environment. This year, Haven House plans to resume poverty simulations, grow group therapy options and host a gala-type event, in order to reach new and different audiences regarding community mental health. Please follow them on Facebook or subscribe to their newsletter to avoid missing any of their exciting updates.
1411 Union Blvd. Allentown 610.433.6181 haven-house.com
Members of the Haven House leadership team
ArtsQuest is a nonprofit with a mission of providing access to the arts for all. Its programs reach more than 1.9 million people annually. Fundraising events, sponsors and community partners allow ArtsQuest to provide over half of its programming free to the public with scholarships available for individuals facing financial hardship.
into F all
fitness
By Heather Mayer Irvine
The fall months might be some of the best for outdoor fitness, thanks to cool and crisp air and top-notch foliage. Before you hunker down for the winter, try one (or several) of these outdoor fitness activities with a picturesque fall backdrop.
Photo by weyo / Adobe Stock
H ike
The Lehigh Valley is, unsurprisingly, surrounded by hills and mountains. In just a few minutes, you have access to hundreds of trailheads and nature walks for all abilities.
The Get Your Tail on the Trail program was created in 2013 by St. Luke’s University Health Network and the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor. It’s a free program designed to get more folks hiking and moving outside. Details on the program’s hikes can be found at tailonthetrail.org/events-calendar
Upc oming Events
A Walk in Penn’s Woods
Oct. 5, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Start at the base of Miller Mountain in the Pinchot State Forest for a six-mile loop up and down the mountain; dinner to follow.
Health and Heritage Walk
Oct. 5, 1 p.m.
Start at Hugh Moore Park at the Canal Museum for a one-mile, flat walk along the canal. Includes a history talk on the Lehigh Valley’s waterways.
4 Miles for Health Walk
Oct. 26, 9 a.m.
Start at Jordan Creek Park for a four-mile guided walk along the Jordan Creek Parkway.
Health and Heritage Walk
Nov. 2, 1 p.m.
Start at Hugh Moore Park at the Canal Museum for a one-mile, flat walk along the canal. Includes a history talk on industry and iron.
Photoby encierro/ Adobe Stock
Our other favorite hiking spots include:
Wildlands Conservancy South Mountain Preserve
554 Alpine St., Emmaus
The preserve includes 12 miles of trails with short hikes ranging from easy to difficult.
Jacobsburg en v ironmental Education Center
400 Belfast Rd., Nazareth
Visit the new education center for maps and kid-friendly hiking packs before venturing off through Henry’s Woods, an old-growth forest along Bushkill Creek. The area has many hiking trails for varying skill levels.
Trexler Nature Preserve
4935 Orchard Rd., Schnecksville
For hiking or trail running enthusiasts, the Trexler Nature Preserve offers more than 18 miles of trail, with lots of elevation. Wildlife abounds, including grazing bison.
Henry’s Woods / Photo by Kelsey Plate
Run
Whether you want to log miles alone or with like-minded, fleet-footed friends, the Lehigh Valley is primed for running. Check out these group runs happening throughout the area:
leh igh Valley Road Runners
lvrr.org/group-runs
Wednesdays, 5:15 a.m., Muhlenberg College track, speed work
Saturdays, 7 a.m., Fish Hatchery parking lot (distance varies)
Saturdays, 9 a.m., Allentown Rose Garden (distance varies)
Aardvark Sports Shop
559 Main St. Suite 122, Bethlehem | aardvarksportsshop.com
Wednesdays, 6 p.m. (distance varies)
Emmaus Run in n
322 Main St., Emmaus | emmausruninn.com
Tuesdays, 6 p.m. (distance varies)
Keystone Running stor e
1042 Mill Creek Rd. Suite 32, Allentown keystonerunningstore.com
Tuesdays, 6 p.m. (distance varies)
For solo miles, visit some of the most scenic routes the Lehigh Valley has to offer:
Ironton Rail Trail
Multiple trailheads; Whitehall and Coplay | irontonrailtrail.org
This mostly flat, paved trail offers car-free miles with lots of foliage and historic sites.
leh igh Parkway
Park Dr. and S. Jefferson St., Allentown allentownpa.myrec.com/info/facilities
Tackle this gravel-paved route once around for roughly six miles, or cut across bridges to shorten the distance. The Parkway is known for its hills, but some of us like that.
Saucon Rail Trail
Multiple trailheads; Hellertown, Upper Saucon and Lower Saucon | sauconrailtrail.org
Enjoy this pancake-flat, gravel trail for miles and miles, much of it shaded before the leaves start to fall.
It’s not too late to register for either (or both) of the Lehigh Valley’s top running festivals.
BethleHem Running Festival: Oct. 17–19
Take in the sights and hills of Bethlehem with a trail race, a 5K, 10K and half marathon. Run them all or some combination and enjoy the festival at Bethlehem’s SteelStacks. (The series also hosts a kids’ race.)
Soak up the foliage along the Lehigh River in any event of your choosing: marathon, marathon relay, half marathon, or half marathon walk. Finish in Downtown Easton.
Register: race.delawareandlehigh.org
Photo by Halfpoint / Adobe Stock
Bike
The Ironton Rail Trail, Lehigh Parkway and Saucon Rail Trail are also popular, well-loved biking options.
For organized rides across varying abilities, the Coalition for Appropriate Transportation (CAT) offers bike education and many group rides and events. For ride details, a full schedule and to sign up, visit lvcat.org/group-bike-rides
Advanc Ed Overnight Ride, Oct. 3–5
Bike from CAT’s home base in Bethlehem to Mauch Chunk Lake Park in Jim Thorpe for a two-night camping experience. This is an unsupported ride and recommended for advanced riders.
Women’s Rides
Tuesdays, 6 p.m. at the Charles A. Brown Ice House, Bethlehem. Rides often end with a stop at a local spot for an adult beverage!
Weekend Bakery Rides
As the name implies, ride, eat, repeat. This group rides at a social pace and makes fun stops for snacks and drinks.
Over the Hill Rides
Fun Monday morning rides, usually with a stop for coffee. Anyone is welcome!
Photo by pavelkant / Adobe Stock
P addle
Head to the rivers or lakes for a scenic, but effective workout on a kayak or paddleboard.
Miss Melanie Yoga
Based near Lake Nockamixon (and next to Owowcow Creamery, just sayin’), Melanie Smith rents paddleboards, but her board classes are the way to go if you’re new to the sport or want something out of the ordinary. Her fall on-the-water classes run through the middle of October and include paddleboard yoga, PaddleFit (think fitness class on a board) and meditation. Location sites include Lake Nockamixon, the Route 33 boat launch on the Lehigh River, Downtown Easton and Hugh Moore Park. Visit missmelanieyoga.com for a full calendar and class locations.
Kayak rentals
If you prefer a water sport that requires less balancing, Lake Nockamixon rents kayaks and other boats for a day on the water (cash only!). After Labor Day, you’ll need to call to check hours (215.538.1340) or check the lake’s Instagram page. nockamixonboatrental
Historic BethleHem River to ur s: Glendon Dam
Kayak and Bike
Through November, try a self-guided kayak-bike tour that starts in Bethlehem Township with a two-mile kayak paddle downstream. From there, hop on a rented mountain bike for six miles of easy riding on the D&L trail. Visit historicbethlehemrivertours.com to learn more and book your trip.
Better with Friends
Try these free community pop-up classes this fall.
Barre: Oct. 8, 5 p.m.
The Farm Bakery, Quakertown
Barre3 is leading a 45-minute signature class, which combines strength, cardio and mindfulness. Bring a yoga mat, water bottle and optional handheld weights. Sign up in advance, spaces are limited. allentown@barre3.com | 610.841.8200
Yoga: Oct. 25, 10 a.m.
The Brick, Bethlehem
The Yoga Loft and Northside Alive are hosting an hour-long class open to all levels. Bring a yoga mat or towel.
Lake Nockamixon / Photo by Kelsey Plate
F r om O ur KITCHENS
Photography by Alison Conklin
Fall is the time for cozy meals, and it’s always a bonus when those meals aren’t total gut bombs. We love options that are vegetable-forward or feature lean meats like turkey and chicken, and we really love meals that come together in no time—perfect for busy weeknights. Check out these favorite dishes from our staff and contributors and add them to your own menu.
Butternut Squash Quinoa BowlServes 4
This recipe was inspired by the cafeteria at Rodale, where I was an editor at Runner’s World. I love the fall flavors and the heartiness of the quinoa and butternut squash. This dish is also great for meal prep because it makes tons of leftovers that you can use in different ways throughout the week (add greens for a grain salad, toss with a scrambled egg). This is one of my favorite recipes in my Runner’s World Vegetarian Cookbook, published in 2018.
—Heather Mayer Irvine, contributing writer
INGREDIENTS
2 c. cubed butternut squash
3 tbsp. olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
1 c. quinoa
1 medium red onion, chopped
1 ½ c. coarsely chopped kale
1 apple, cored and chopped
½ c. dried cranberries
INSTRUCTIONS
Heat oven to 400°F. On a large baking sheet, toss the butternut squash with 2 tbsp. of the olive oil, and a generous sprinkle of salt and pepper. Roast squash, stirring halfway, until the squash is browned and tender, about 25 minutes.
Meanwhile, cook the quinoa according to package instructions.
In a medium skillet, warm the remaining 1 tbsp. oil over medium until shimmering. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the kale and cover, letting the kale wilt only slightly, about 3 minutes.
Toss together the onion and kale, squash and quinoa. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and top with the apple and cranberries.
Turkey and Black Bean ChiliServes 8
My family has been making this chili for years, and it’s one of the few dinners that all four of us can happily agree on. The original recipe called for beef, but we substituted turkey when my daughter chose to stop eating beef and pork. You would never know the difference! It’s filling, flavorful and perfect to warm you up in cool weather. For weenies like me with texture issues, throw the beans into a food processor before adding them to the pot—problem solved.
—Angela Vennemann, managing editor
INGREDIENTS
2 tbsp. olive oil
3 lb. ground turkey
6 cloves garlic, minced
2 c. water
2 tbsp. cumin
2 tbsp. chili powder
2 tsp. oregano
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cayenne pepper
3 6-oz. cans tomato paste
2 tsp. sugar
3 c. diced tomatoes
3 c. diced onions
3 c. diced green peppers
7-oz. can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
2 15.5-oz. cans black beans, drained
INSTRUCTIONS
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the turkey and sauté until browned. Add the garlic and sauté for 5 minutes.
Add 2 c. of water and bring to a boil. Add the spices, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
Add the tomato paste and sugar and simmer for 5 minutes.
Add the diced tomatoes, diced onions, diced green peppers, 2 minced chipotle peppers and 2 tbsp. of adobo sauce from the can. Simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes.
Add the black beans. Ladle into bowls and serve with grated cheese and saltine crackers if desired.
Chicken Sausage Sheet Pan MealServes 4
This chicken sausage sheet pan meal is one of my go-to weeknight recipes! It’s an easy and healthy sheet pan dinner I originally found on Pinterest. I’ve been making it for a while now, and I love how simple it is to throw together, especially on busy days. I usually use chicken sausage or hot Italian sausage, zucchini or asparagus, and sweet potatoes. My husband is a big fan since he loves a good sheet pan meal!
—Arielle Solliday, marketing advisor
INGREDIENTS
1 package of chicken sausage, sliced
2 zucchinis, chopped
2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 red onion, sliced
1–2 tbsp. olive oil
Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder
A pinch of adobo seasoning and red pepper flakes (for a kick!)
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or foil.
Add sausage, zucchini, sweet potatoes and onion to the pan.
Drizzle with olive oil and toss with all seasonings until evenly coated.
Bake for 30–35 minutes, flipping halfway through, until veggies are tender and sausage is browned.
Serve as-is or over rice, quinoa or cauliflower rice.
INGREDIENTS
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 lb. hot Italian sausage, casings removed (if you prefer less spice, you can use mild sausage)
1 medium onion, diced
2–3 carrots, peeled and diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
6 c. beef broth
2 14.5-oz. cans diced tomatoes (with juice)
8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 tbsp. Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
9 oz. refrigerated cheese tortellini (you can use non-refrigerated as well)
2 c. packed chopped kale (thick ribs removed)
½ c. heavy cream
1 tsp. red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
Grated Parmesan cheese
INSTRUCTIONS
Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5–6 minutes. Drain excess grease if needed.
Add the diced onion and diced carrots to the pot. Sauté for about 5–6 minutes, or until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
Stir in the 6 cups of beef broth, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and Italian seasoning. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the soup to a boil.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 15–20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the vegetables to become tender.
Stir in the tortellini and chopped kale. Simmer for 5–7 minutes, or until the tortellini is cooked and the kale is wilted and tender. Add heavy cream.
If desired, stir in red pepper flakes at the end of cooking for a spicy finish. Adjust to taste.
Ladle into bowls and top each bowl with grated Parmesan cheese.
Tortellini SoupServes 6-8
This recipe is from my mom, Tara, and is one of my all-time favorite cozy meals. This soup is easy to make, keeps and reheats well, and tastes delicious! Not to mention that it’s loaded up with protein and veggies!
—Emily Markovich, client
specialist
Spinach Feta Turkey MeatballsServes 3-4
I started making these meatballs at the beginning of my senior year of college, and since then they have become a staple! My best friends and college roommates would beg me to make them every few weeks. It is such a quick and delicious meal to make, especially if you pair them with your favorite creamy lemon orzo!
—Jaiden
Vazquez, marketing and events coordinator
INGREDIENTS
1 lb. ground turkey
1 egg
½ c. seasoned breadcrumbs
½ tsp. adobo
¼ tsp. onion powder
¼ tsp. garlic powder
¼ tsp. parsley flakes
¼ tsp. crushed red pepper
Pinch of black pepper
2 c. fresh spinach, finely chopped
½ c. crumbled feta
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Combine the turkey, egg, breadcrumbs and seasonings in a large bowl.
Add the spinach and crumbled feta.
Roll the meat into 14 round balls and place on a lightly greased baking sheet.
Bake for 15 minutes. Flip, then bake for an additional 8 minutes.
Done! Pair it with your favorite creamy lemon orzo!
Skillet Cheesy ChickpeasServes 4
You know those days when you want something comforting and healthy but have zero energy to make it happen?
This is the meal for you. It’s incredibly simple, comes together in no time and you probably have the ingredients in your cupboard right now. I make it at least once a week, and even though I’m the only vegetarian in the house, everyone loves it. Add a good loaf of crusty bread, and you’ve got a cozy, feel-good dinner whenever you need it.
—Alison
Conklin, photographer and contributing writer
INGREDIENTS
¼ c. olive oil
1 onion, thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
2 15-oz. cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
24-oz. jar marinara sauce
¼ c. water
Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
1–2 c. shredded mozzarella
Garnish of your choice (we used scallions but basil works, too)
INGREDIENTS
Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add the onion and sauté for 3–5 minutes until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the chickpeas and stir to combine, followed by the marinara sauce, boiling water to thin it out and season with salt and pepper.
Simmer for 10 minutes. Add the shredded cheese on top and transfer to the broiler to melt the cheese until bubbly and golden. Season with salt and pepper and garnish.
MAPLE PECAN SWEET POTATOES WITH Chef Jason Sizemore
TEXT & PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALISON CONKLIN
Jason Sizemore never set out to start a business; he just wanted to share his love of vegan food and entertaining with people. A former public school teacher and principal for over two decades, Sizemore found himself craving a creative outlet. “The principal years were super stressful,” he says. “I needed something fun on the side.” That “something” turned into a 10-course vegan Thanksgiving class hosted in his home and, eventually, into Butterhead Kitchen.
Sizemore’s love of cooking goes back to childhood, learning by his mother’s side in the kitchen and experimenting with ingredients such as zucchini from the family garden. “That experimenting was fun,” he recalls. “It planted something in me early on.”
But it was the sudden loss of his father to heart disease, a genetic condition Sizemore also shares, that made him reconsider what he was putting on his plate. “We thought my dad was doing everything right,” he says. “I asked myself, ‘What else could I do?’” The answer was plant-based eating.
Veganism wasn’t just a lifestyle shift, it became a mission. Sizemore’s cooking classes are part dinner party, part cooking show, with guests gathered around at Butterhead Kitchen to watch, commune, taste and learn. “It’s like a cooking show where you can eat the food and talk to the cook,” he says. “I love the conversation. I love the community of it all.”
That joy shows up in the recipe Sizemore is sharing: a sweet potato maple pecan casserole. It’s one of the first dishes he ever veganized for his and his husband’s first vegan Thanksgiving, and the very first one he taught in that inaugural Thanksgiving class. Creamy, comforting and topped with a brown sugar pecan crust, it’s become a signature on Butterhead Kitchen’s holiday menu. “I crave it,” he laughs. “Even cold, the next day.”
Butterhead Kitchen offers private and public interactive demostyle and hands-on cooking events in its space, your home or business, as well as catering and a growing line of house-made vegan cheeses and products. Its name comes from Sizemore’s beloved dog, Alfie, nicknamed Butterhead. Sizemore’s tip for branching out into vegan food? “Start small. The more you try, the more you might want to incorporate into your life.”
Today, Sizemore’s heart health is stable, and his cardiologist credits his plant-based lifestyle. “If my story would have been different, I don’t know if I would’ve gone vegan,” he reflects. “But instead, I found this life that I love. And now I get to share it with other people, one meal at a time.”
butterheadkitchen.com
MAPLE PECAN SWEET POTATOES
INGREDIENTS
Base
2 lbs. fresh sweet potatoes, cooked and peeled, or 32-oz. can of yams
2 tbsp. Earth Balance vegan spread or plant-based butter of choice
¼ c. oat milk or plant-based milk of choice
1 tsp. vanilla extract
¼ c. maple syrup
½ tsp. salt
¾ tsp. nutmeg
¾ tsp. cinnamon
Topping
¼ c. Earth Balance vegan spread or plant-based butter of choice
½ c. brown sugar, packed
½ c. white or 1-to-1 gluten-free flour
¾ c. chopped pecans
2 tbsp. maple syrup
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 350°F. A toaster oven works too!
Cook sweet potatoes with your preferred method (oven, microwave or Instant Pot) and peel.
Combine sweet potatoes and vegan spread. Mash until blended.
Add plant milk, vanilla, maple syrup, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon.
Pour into baking dish (9 x 9 or small round).
Mix the topping ingredients together until well combined. Hands work best.
Spread over the base, leaving some small areas
for the sweet potatoes to “bubble” through.
Bake for 35–45 minutes until bubbly and the top is browned. Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.
Tag @lvstylemag when you make it at home!
Porters’ Pub
A SMALL RESTAURANT AND BAR WITH A BIG HEART
BY SUSAN GOTTSHALL | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALISON CONKLIN
Just a few blocks from the city’s center, Easton’s Porters’ Pub fills a nondescript street corner in the West Ward, its black-and-gold-trimmed exterior calling up images of a classic publick house across the pond.
It seems fitting that Porters’ is set apart from the concentration of restaurants around Centre Square—it’s a bit of an outlier, and not just geographically. There’s only one television at Porters’, and it’s rarely turned on. There’s no fryer in the kitchen (there’s no room), so you won’t get fries with your burger here. And, while it’s long been considered an Irish pub, last year’s St. Patrick’s Day shepherd’s pie was inspired by Moroccan cuisine.
What really sets it apart, though, along with good food and great beer, is the spirit of camaraderie—the ongoing relationships that take root and flourish here, building a community that’s become the pub’s foundation.
With its stone walls in the dining area and worn brick walls in the bar, Porters’ gets an old pub feel from its home in a building that dates from 1833. An eclectic mix of wall decor ranges from paintings of Easton and beer advertising posters to a large carved wooden sign—a gift from a customer—that reminds patrons to “Eat, Drink and be Merry.” With only ten dining room tables, five high-top bar tables, and a dozen seats at the bar, the pub’s intimacy is cozy and welcoming.
What might be most significant about the decor, however, are the pewter mugs hanging from the ceiling. A manifestation of Porters’ Mug Club, which began in 1991, there are about 3,500 of them.
After drinking 60 beers on the pub’s prescribed
list, customers get a mug that can be inscribed with up to 32 characters. Some customers take their mugs home, but others keep them at the pub, hanging from the ceiling, so they’re available whenever they visit. Close to 7,000 patrons have earned mugs since the club began; thousands of customers are currently working toward earning a mug, one beer at a time.
Considering the Irish influence and the Mug Club, it should come as no surprise that beer is big here. The bar offers more than 150 craft brews, including 12 on draft, which always include Guinness, Harp Lager, Smithwick’s and Magners Irish Cider. There’s beer from around the world in a variety of styles, and every season there are new beers from local breweries; beer pairing dinners are featured quarterly. Porters’ also offers Irish whiskey, scotch and bourbon.
Rest assured, for those who are not beer drinkers, cocktails and wine are available, too.
The kitchen, with Chef Seth Harrow at the helm, may be too small for a fryer, but it still serves up food that’s big on flavor—from starters such as flatbread and award-winning chili to sandwiches such as cheesesteaks and apple turkey cheddar melts to entrées such as shrimp scampi and smoked peach-glazed pork chops.
Harrow, who’s been at the pub for a year, cooked at a seafood shack during his college years studying radio and TV. Post graduation, as he searched for jobs in his field, he worked in restaurants and found that environment felt like home. He’s been lucky, he says, to work with and learn from talented chefs: for example, Chef Thomas Donohoe, who trained with some of the best chefs in the world (think Thomas Keller of The French Laundry in Yountville, CA, for example).
Harrow describes Porters’ Pub’s cuisine as pub fare with “a modern Irish twist.” He sees today’s Irish culinary identity as a celebration of the parts that make up a whole; in other words, giving close attention to every single ingredient, focusing on quality.
Irish touches include Jameson mushroom demi-glace on Coulotte Hacienda steak, Irish whiskey beurre blanc on salmon, and Guinness honey barbecue sauce on drumsticks (grilled, not fried, of course).
The “modern twist” on Irish cuisine that Harrow references means there are some menu selections without Irish heritage.
From the starters list, duck bacon sausage sliders are quintessentially American, considering that the little sandwich is a take on a Big Mac (and a lot more delicious). It’s a 50/50 blend patty of ground duck and ground pork bacon and chargrilled till its edges are just crisped. It’s then topped with housemade coleslaw and Cooper Sharp American cheese and served on a grilled brioche bun dripping with house-made Thousand Island dressing. It’s a grand interpretation of an American classic, with outsized flavor.
Classic macaroni and cheese, with aged cheddar and smoked mozzarella, gets a lobster makeover. From the first bite of this creamy pasta, lobster’s essence comes through loud and clear—no doubt thanks to the plentiful chunks of meat, not just flakes here and there. Radiatori pasta with its ruffled edges ensures “every fold gets nice and gooey,” says Harrow. The crusty topping features a kick of Cajun spice, and crushed corn tortilla chips send the aroma of toasted corn to the olfactory senses when the dish is served.
Look no further for pub food perfection than Guinness-braised barbecue brisket. At first bite of the melt-in-your-mouth meat, the flavor of the coffee-rubbed brisket glistening in its deep and complex Guinness sauce grabs you by the taste buds and doesn’t let go. Its bed of seasonal vegetables—yellow squash, green beans, broccoli, potato—infused with the brisket’s juices and sauce complements the meat, underscoring the flavor.
This is the comfort food you long for on a blustery, frigid and snowy January day.
Irish salmon features a pan-seared filet and house red rice with Irish whiskey beurre blanc and seasonal vegetables. The fish is beautifully cooked— pink, moist and flaky—and the rich, buttery sauce caresses the salmon like a gentle hug. Harrow’s rendition of red rice, commonly found in the Southern US, is a cross between classic and Cajun, so the rice is actually more sweet than spicy, providing contrast with the more nuanced fish. This is the fun part of his job, Harrow says—adding whimsy to the fare by serving Cajun-inspired rice in an Irish restaurant.
That sense of fun obviously translates into desserts as well.
The classic Italian tiramisu, made in-house, features a bottom layer of cold-brewsoaked ladyfingers, bringing balance to another layer of creamy, rich mascarpone topped with cocoa powder. The match made in heaven of coffee and chocolate in this light-as-air, creamy sweet is well executed.
In addition to the age of the building that Porters’ calls home, there’s a lot of history here. Established in 1990 by three Porter brothers, the pub was sold to Ryan and Christine
Piper in February 2024. The couple was not in the market for a pub, Christine says, but the Porters invited the couple to consider the purchase when the brothers were ready to retire. It was the Pipers’ own history with the pub that led them to buy it: both had worked there for several years in the early 2000s. They met there, in fact, and when they married, they stopped at the pub on their wedding day between the ceremony and reception.
Porters’ Pub is just that kind of place, the place where everybody truly does know your name, the place you want to include in one of the most important days of your life, the place where camaraderie is just as important as the food and the beer.
The Mug Club is a major factor in the convivial spirit. It’s a conversation starter, Ryan says; customers get to know each other as they talk about their progress imbibing the 60 beers. “People come as strangers and leave as friends,” says Christine.
One customer, who started visiting Porters’ in 1991, has 100 mugs, and starts on the 60-beer quest as soon as he gets another mug. Soon after the Pipers took over Porters’, a woman met her goal to finally earn a mug on her 90th birthday. The menu’s oven-roasted turkey sandwich, The Odd Oddsen, is named after the patron who suggested the idea of the Mug Club and became its first member.
Some customers visit to honor and remember deceased family members by drinking out of a loved one’s mug. Engraved brass rectangles on a wood plaque near the bar pay tribute to regular customers who have passed away “So many people have passed through here,” says Ryan. “Every mug tells a story.”
Don’t miss the duck bacon sausage sliders; a Big Mac will never be the same. Who would pass up mac and cheese with lobster? It’s luxury meets comfort food—an indulgence worth the caloric cost. And, for goodness’ sake, don’t wait for winter to have the Guinnessbraised barbecue brisket. I double-dare you not to lick the plate clean.
TRUFFLE MAC AND CHEESE
BY ANGELA VENNEMANN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MATTHEW CANNON
Mary Lopresti knows as well as anyone that you can elevate a dish just by adding truffles. The owner of VegOut Bethlehem, beloved for its inventive vegan fare, started out dressing up her vegan burgers with truffles, and her customers raved. “The truffle burger was such a hit that I added it to our regular menu,” she says. From there, she was inspired to improve other dishes—first truffle fries, then truffle mac and cheese. “It quickly became a fan favorite, combining two of our most popular menu items into one decadent dish that truffle lovers can’t get enough of,” Lopresti says. “It’s a comforting, indulgent dish that takes classic flavors and gives them a modern, flavorful twist.”
VegOut’s truffle mac and cheese is the ultimate “I can’t believe this is vegan” dish, creamy and full of flavor. Lopresti creates a base of baked mac and cheese, then tops it with meatless crumbles (your choice of Impossible or Beyond), house-made truffle aioli, crispy fried onions, grated dairy-free Parmesan and a touch of fresh parsley. One serving is very generous, so don’t be afraid to bring a partner to help you conquer this meal. Or tackle it yourself—we believe in you!
This truffle mac is hearty and comforting, with a blend of savory flavors that will keep your taste buds happy. Lopresti notes that this dish pairs well with VegOut’s Caesar salad, their multiple pierogi options and their dairyfree shakes. It’s certainly worth a return visit, and when you come back, try some of VegOut’s other mac and cheese varieties—taco mac and cheese, buffalo mac and cheese, loaded mac and cheese and Big Mac and cheese. Still gravitating toward the truffle version? Try the truffle mac crunchwrap (yes way), with all of the truffle mac flavor you love wrapped in a flour tortilla and grilled.
When you’re at VegOut, you can feel good that everything you’re eating is made with kindness in mind. “Everything we serve is 100 percent vegan—created with compassion for the animals, care for the planet and without ever compromising on flavor,” says Lopresti. She and her staff pride themselves on creating bold flavor combinations while reimagining traditional comfort foods, and they’ve hit the mark with this truffle mac and cheese.
1 E. Church St., Bethlehem 610.419.0126 | vegoutbethlehem.com
READY TO TRY IT? Tag @lvstylemag when you do!
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