QNB’s Allentown Office is Open
SUMMER 2020
www.westendallentown.com
Volume 6, Number 2
WEST END
L I V I N G Here For You! QNB’s Allentown Office remains OPEN under restricted lobby access (one customer at a time). The branch is operating under normal business hours and continues to offer a 24/7 ATM and Night Drop.
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535 North 19th Street
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9 COVID-1ry Direecs t3 o to 11 pag
Restaurants etc.
Banks
From burritos to pizza to sushi and more: Here’s what’s open, when, and how best to order.
Many in the neighborhood have made significant accommodations to COVID-19. Check out how.
Groceries
Mental Health/ Giving Back
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UP & K C I P ERY V I L DE
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What you need to know before you head out grocery shopping, including updated store hours.
Medical Care page 5
The latest on health care professionals who offer care in and around West End Allentown.
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page 8
The important numbers to call when considering those in need—yourself and others.
Entertainment / Culture page 9
From family fun to individual enrichment, turn to this list when the stir-crazies hit.
Pharmacies
City Services
This list will help you determine where and when to access your prescriptions and more.
You have questions about trash pickup, recycling, parks, and payments. We have answers.
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PHOTOS FOR THIS ISSUE BY: JANE GEIST PHOTOGRAPHY, SUSAN SMERKER, ROBERT AYERS, ISTOCK PHOTOGRAPHY
PLUS: Essays, Insights, History & More QNBbank.com 800-491-9070 Is New All 2 When the Old Neighborhood Over Again 7 And Now, a Word to Our Sponsors 10 How I Cook... Chef Mary Nolan 12 Ron’s Ramblings: Pandemic of 1918 14 St. Patrick’s 5K Update & Thank You
SUMMER 2020
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A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
When the Old Neighborhood Is New All Over Again By Paul Kita
By now you’ve likely done all you can to follow the advice of coping with self-quarantine. You’ve counted your blessings. You’ve prayed. You’ve meditated. You’ve walked around the block. You’ve cherished the extra time with family. You’ve puzzled. You’ve board gamed. You’ve Tiger Kinged. You’ve connected and re-connected with friends. You’ve Zoomed. You’ve Google Hungout. You’ve even House Partied. And you’ve baked. My word, have you baked. I, too, have done all these things (well, except for Tiger King because who has time for that when there’s a toddler in the house?). But I’ve done all these things and still only feel maybe halfway okay. Fear chips away at blessings. Worry infiltrates even the most beautiful springtime walks. Disconnection runs like static in the background of every Zoom—no matter how cool your custom background. There’s an undercurrent of sadness to COVID-19 that can quickly turn to an undertow and I, like the rest
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of you, am just doing my best to tread water. I’ve lived in West Allentown, in two different homes, for more than 10 years. I’ve been the editor of West End Living for close to two. I met my wife in West Allentown. We had our son here. We’ve looped Trexler Park and ambled Cedar Beach more times that we can count. We’ve breakfasted at Syb’s, lunched at Charlie K’s, dinnered at Sumo, and even closed down the place at Liberty Street Tavern a few times in our early days. We don’t want to live anywhere else because we believe that it’s the best place for us to live. We love West Allentown. So I thought I would love selfquarantining in West Allentown too. And I do, except that I had to learn to love it. Like grocery shopping, ordering takeout, and connecting with friends and family under COVID-19, I’ve also had to relearn how to live in my neighborhood. By that I mean that there are some things that, for right now, I need to grieve because they have vanished. And then, in the very same world, I have appreciated what is new. Police tape drapes around the perimeters of playgrounds our family used to frequent. My son tells me “playground closed, Daddy� and I tell him that it will open again at some point. “At some point,� is now part of his vocabulary. I explain this to him on our walks around a block or two of our neighborhood, his pudgy little hand grasping two fingers of my left hand as he totters from PUBLICATION STAFF Editors — Paul & Meghan Kita Writer — Frederick Jerant Copy Editing —Sara Muir Designer — Publication Design, Inc.
West End Alliance, Inc.
PO Box 173, Allentown, PA 18105 www.westendallentown.com
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Photographers — Jane Geist — Hub Willson Editorial Consultant Michael Drabenstott
interesting-thing-on-the-ground to interesting-thing-on-theground. This form of outdoor entertainment isn’t as fast as playground slide, but the joy is in the slowness. I miss the wild bustle of dining at Greenhouse Enoteca, where pizza pies fly out of that red oven with ferocity and bartenders shake-shake-shake cocktails for guests all chattering and clattering. The cars jockeying for parking around the restaurant have ceased, yet the traffic hasn’t subsided, and instead populates @ greenhouseenoteca on Instagram. Internet comments aren’t usually something I read if I want to feel positive, but the words of support and glee on Enoteca’s are pure, unfiltered fun. “Whenever I see one of your posts I almost lick my phone !!!!� reads just one. There’s energy in all the exclamation points. On days I used to feel particularly motivated, I’d run from my home, around Trexler Park, into Cedar Beach, up to Muhlenberg College for a victory lap around their track, and then jog back home. But the pathways at Trexler and Cedar grow narrower each time I visit and the track closed its gates more than a month ago. I know I’ll return to run these places again, but I’m not sure when. Gratefully, as my wife has put it, the entire West End of Allentown is a park. I can touch my running shoes to the sidewalk outside my house, direct them north, south, east, or west, and I’m among a roof of trees, a chorus of birds, and a sense of peace.
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••• ADVERTISING Managing Director Ann Biernat-Rucker For advertising information, contact Ann at 610-703-8004 annbiernatrucker@gmail.com ••• West End Living is published quarterly by the West End Alliance, Inc. to promote the West End Theatre District.
And, lastly, I’m without the semimonthly face-to-face meetings of the staff of West End Living. You wouldn’t know this from our bare-bones masthead, but the people who drive this publication are among the most committed people I’ve ever worked with. As we sit in Ann’s living room or, if weather permits, the oasis of Fred’s backyard, there’s a deep love that powers and drives each issue. It’s not just a love of the West End neighborhood—it’s a love to express that love. When COVID-19 hit Pennsylvania, I had a sense that maybe we’d skip an issue. Who has time? Of what service can we, a neighborhood newspaper, actually provide? But then this team buckled down. Ann scheduled a Zoom call. Fred delivered an incredible list of ideas. Bob put together a mock cover. Jane volunteered amazing photos from her rich archive. Michael offered motivation from his seemingly endless reserve. Even though we all weren’t in the same room planning the issue to come, it felt like we were. There’s an encouraging power that comes from watching people help others. Seeing help in action activates you to help. So it is with that encouragement that we bring to you a COVID-19 West End Living special, which is, although unlike any its past and in its own new way, very special. n ••• EDITORIAL Editorial suggestions or comments? Contact us at
westendlivingmagazine@gmail.com ••• Publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, photos or artwork. Nothing may be reprinted in whole or in part without written permission from publisher. Printed in U.S.A.
Restaurants Editor’s Note: To the best of our knowledge the following listings were accurate as of time of publication. That said, changes may have occurred. Contact the businesses directly for the most up-todate information. Cali Burrito 2149 Reading Rd. Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., daily Online ordering only (for pick-up or takeout): toasttab.com/cali-burrito Menu: www.caliburrito.com/menu.html Note: Self-serve salsa, hot sauce, and fountain beverages are unavailable. We are not partnered with any food delivery service, please use with caution. Giovanni’s Pizza 1001 N 19th St. Hours: Mon through Sat: 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Sun: noon to 8:00 p.m. Takeout and delivery available Order through the website: giovannispizzaallentown.com Henry’s Salt of the Sea (610) 434-2628 1926 W. Allen St. Hours: Wed through Sat: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Takeout service only Menu: henryssaltofthesea.com Note: To place your order they
will be taking calls from 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. No online orders accepted at this time. Jay’s Local 2301 W. Liberty St. (610) 351-3100 Hours: Daily 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Curbside pick-up, takeout, and delivery. Order by phone or online. Menu: jayslocal.com Note: Ask about our new “box deals” – each box feeds four people.
Nostos Greek Restaurant 701 N. 19th St. (484) 350-3799 nostospa.com Hours: Tues through Sun: noon to 8:00 p.m. Please use our take-away menu, found at the “special occasions” section of our website. Curbside pick-up; free contactless delivery for orders over $40 within a 4-mile radius. Delivery also via Grubhub, UberEats, and Doordash.
Madeline’s on Liberty 1727 W. Liberty St. and in the Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market (610) 462-0337 Hours Farmers market location: Thurs: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Fri, Sat, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Hours Liberty St. location: Tues through Thurs, call for hours. Curbside service. Ask about delivery options.
Parma Pizza 3110 W. Tilghman St. (610) 439-6940 Hours: Sun through Thurs: 11:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Fri, Sat: 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Takeout and delivery only Ringer’s Roost 1801 W. Liberty St. (610) 437-4941 ringersroost1801.com Hours: Mon, Tues 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Wed through Sat: noon to 9:00 p.m.; Sun: 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Curbside pick-up, delivery
Mi Chong’s Kitchen 3100 Tilghman St. (610) 820-9555 michongallentown.com/ Hours: Noon to 8:00 p.m., daily (hours may vary, call to confirm) Takeout and delivery only New Garden Chinese Restaurant 1727 W. Liberty St. (610) 774-9828 Hours: May vary. Call to confirm. Takeout and delivery only
Rita’s Italian Ice and Frozen Custard 1912-18 Tilghman St. (610) 435-4501 Hours: 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., daily Call ahead for pickup; walkup customers use first and last windows only.
Salvatore Ruffino Pizza 1902 W. Allen St. (610) 437-3621 Hours: Mon through Thurs: 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Fri, Sat: 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Sun.: noon to 8:00 p.m. Full menu available, for takeout and delivery only Sleepy Cat Urban Winery 1840 W. Allen St. (610) 740-0733 sleepycaturbanwinery.com Hours: Wed, Thurs: 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Fri: 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Sat, Sun: noon to 4:00 p.m. Bottle sales only Sumo Sushi and Japanese Fusion Restaurant 3174 W. Tilghman St. (610) 351-1887 sumopa.com Hours: Mon through Fri:11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Sat, Sun: noon to 8:00 p.m. Pickup and delivery only Tavern on Liberty 2246 Liberty St. (484) 221-8765 tavernonliberty.com Hours: 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., daily Takeout only
Restaurants Continued t
Thank You to our West End Alliance Cornerstone Partners WEA Cornerstone Partners commit to a year-long investment in our neighborhood and WEA activities. We are grateful for their support. For more information on becoming a Cornerstone Partner, contact Michael Drabenstott at (610) 417-0503. SUMMER 2020
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Restaurants: The Greenhouse Enoteca 2114 W. Tilghman St. Menu: ghenoteca.com Hours: Tues through Sat, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Takeout only. Please place all takeout orders online via our website. No phone orders.
Wally’s Deli 711 N. 17th St. (610) 435-7177 wallys-deli.com/ Hours: Mon through Sat: 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Takeout, or by delivery via DoorDash
Todd’s Island Seafood 711 N. 17th St. (484) 221-8385 Hours: Mon through Fri.: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Sat: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sun: 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Note: Call ahead with your order and we’ll bring it to your car.
Wert’s Café 515 N. 18th St. (610) 439-0951 Hours: Mon through Thurs: 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Sat: 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Menu: wertscafe.com Curbside service only. Phone orders only.
Yocco’s 2128 Hamilton St. (610) 821-8488 yoccos.com Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., daily (other locations may vary) Takeout only
These restaurants are closed until further notice: Bellissimo Ristorante,
New York Stromboli Pizza, Nick’s Diner, O’Brien’s Really Good Food Company, Parkland Restaurant, Ritz Barbecue, Syb’s West End Deli, The Shanty on 19th, The Udder Bar, Youell’s Oyster House
Groceries Giant 3070 Tilghman St, (610) 776-1531 Hours: 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., daily (Pharmacy closes at 8:00 p.m.) Special hours for shoppers aged 60 and over: 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. daily Pickup and delivery available via Giant Direct (powered by peapod). Visit giantdirect.com for details. Weis 365 S. Cedar Crest Blvd. (610) 821-4550 Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., daily Pharmacy hours: Mon through Fri: 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Sat: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Sun.: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
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Ahart’s 1401 W. Allen St. (610) 776-0244 Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., daily Senior hour: 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., daily Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market 1825 Chew St. (610) 432-8425 Hours: Thurs: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Fri, Sat: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Note: Foods must be to-go; no sit-down areas available. Many merchants are open, but may have revised hours. Call ahead for details. Visit allentownfarmersmarket.com/covid-19-update for a list of merchants and direct phone numbers.
Wegmans 3900 Tilghman St. General phone: (610) 336-7900 Pharmacy phone: (610) 336-7940 Store hours: 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., daily. Pharmacy hours: Mon, Weds, Thurs, Fri: 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Tues: 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Sat: 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Sun: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Notes: Wegmans has reserved Tuesdays, 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., for seniors and other vulnerable customers. Online grocery delivery and curbside pickup services are available, but times are extremely limited. Check back frequently for available windows. All Market Café seating areas, all in-store pubs are closed. n
Medical Care West End Family Eye Care 2804 Walbert Ave. (610) 439-3937 westendfamilyeyecare.com Hours: subject to change daily; please call ahead. Not accepting new patients Bausch Eye Associates 1616 W. Allen St. (610) 432-0201 bauschandjones.com The office is closed until further notice. Call and allow for 24 hours response time. Leslee R. Dreisbach, DMD 2250 W. Allen St. (610) 435-2610 Emergency care only
Caren C. Ruht, DMD 744 N. 19th St. (610) 776-7770 carenruhtdmd.com Call ahead for hours Lehigh Valley Health Network 1627 W. Chew St. (610) 402-8000 lvhn.org Offers free COVID-19 pre-screenings through e-visits, the MyLVHN nurse information line (1-888-402-LVHN), or through a video visit (MyLVHN app required). After the pre-screening, you may be referred to a “assess and test” location. Hours for the West End Theatre District’s is 1730 Chew St.: Mon to Fri: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Sat, Sun: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Note: If you have other questions concerning COVID-19 or about LVHN services, please call 888-402-LVHN (5846)
St. Luke’s University Health Network 1736 Hamilton St. (866) 785-8537 St. Luke’s has offered COVID-19 testing stations since March. They are available only for patients who are symptomatic and have been directed to the testing stations after being triaged and screened positive by their primary care doctor or the Coronavirus hotline (1-866-STLUKES [785-8537], option 7) team. The location closest to the Theatre District is: St. Luke’s West End Medical Center 501 Cetronia Road Hours: Mon through Fri, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Sat: 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. For more information, visit slhn.org/covid-19 n
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Pharmacies Americus Pharmacy 723 N. 19th St. (610) 437-4874 rx1959@verizon.net americuspharmacy.com Hours: Mon through Fri: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Express Care Pharmacy 1727 Liberty St. #2 (610) 351-2273 expresscarepharmacypa.com Hours: Mon through Fri: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Sat: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Offers free delivery, but you must register through a form on the website.
Walgreens 1702 W. Tilghman St. walgreens.com Pharmacy: open 24 hrs Store hours: Mon: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Tue: 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Wed through Su.: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Drive-through service is available Walter’s Pharmacy 401 North 17th St. #102 (610) 435-4706 walterrx@ptd.net
walterspharmacy.com Hours: Mon through Fri: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Sat: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Offers to-your-door delivery service and other options. Call or email for details. CVS n 1601 Liberty St. (610) 820-9737 Store and pharmacy open 24 hours n 3010 Tilghman St. Village West Street Shopping Center (610) 776-6551
Store hours: Mon through Fri.: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Sat: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Sun: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Pharmacy hours: Mon through Fri: 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Sat: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Sun.: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Special hours exclusively for vulnerable guests and their caregivers (both stores): Weds: 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Note: Both stores offer delivery of prescriptions and “everyday essentials.“Register through cvs. com or call your store directly. n
Banks BB&T n 1660 N. Cedar Crest Blvd. (610) 336-6091 n 4200 W. Tilghman St. (610) 398-1396 Hours: Mon through Thurs: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Fri. 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. No lobby hours at either location; drive-up services only
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QNB Bank 19th and Allen St. qnbbank.com (800) 491-9070 Hours: Mon through Thurs: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Fri: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Sat: 9:00 a.m. to noon. Office offers restricted access (one customer at a time) during normal business hours. Certain services are available, but call for appointment. ATMs and night drops remain available 24/7. All visitors are required to wear face masks.
TD Bank 1828 W. Tilghman St. (610) 439-1360 td.com Hours: Mon through Fri: 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Sat.: 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Drive-up and ATM service only
Wells Fargo Bank 506 N. 19th St. 2002 W. Liberty St. (610) 439-4280 wellsfargo.com Hours: Mon through Fri: 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. No lobby hours at 19th St. location. Drive-up service only at Liberty St. n
And Now, a Word to Our Sponsors The West End Alliance would like the thank the sponsors of the West End World of Food Festival, the West End St. Patrick’s 5k, the advertisers in West End Living magazine, and all those who have helped us in other ways to make the West End Theatre District a better place to live and work.
Cornerstone Partners
QNB Bank St. Luke’s University Health Network
Supporters
A-Town Pawn Aardvark Sports Shop Advance Auto Allentown Appliance Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market AmeriClean Services Anthony Ashley Hair Design Atlas Machining and Welding Bausch Eye Associates Bleiler Insurance Agency Blink Optical Boutique Bounce U and The Mill Bright Creations Learning Center Broadway Service Center Bru Daddy’s Christ Lutheran Church City of Allentown Civic Theatre Clark Production Associates, Inc. Creative Tile Imports Daniel Joseph Realty Designs by Maria Anastasia Discinsanity Dotta Jeep Dr. Ken Brislin / OAA
Drabenstott Communications Ed Christine Watch Repair Edgewater Bulk Transport Emaus Avenue Car Wash FB3 Realty Firestone Fulton Bank Greg’s West End Saloon Gretta Kistler, REALTOR® Harned Durham Energy Hava Java Henry’s Salt of the Sea IBEW 375 Jack Callaghan’s Ale House Jaindl Enterprises Jay’s Local Kathy Harris Custom Framing Shoppe Keystone Property Management Keystone Running Store King Powder Coating Kitchens by Design, Inc. Lehigh Valley Technical Associates, Inc. Louise and Company Lynn-Ann Kocon Accounting and Tax Services Mary Ann Donut Kitchen MLB Electric Mr. Bill’s Poultry Market Muhlenberg College Muhlenberg College Theatre and Dance Department Omega Homes One Valley Realty Painting and Decorating by Shane Penn Cap Properties Pines Dinner Theatre
Redeemer Lutheran Church Reinhardt Awning Co Resistance Welding Controls Ringer’s Roost Riverview Country Club Silver Shears Sleek Styles Salon Sleepy Cat Urban Winery Sodexo South Parkland Youth Association St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, Inc. Staiman Recycling Stengel Bros. Inc. STEPin4MOR Susan Bella Jewelry TDS Technologies Teamsters Local 773 The Gilbert Funeral Home of Whitehall The Institute for Female Pelvic Medicine The Nut Hut The Quillian Tattoo The Shops at 3900 Hamilton The Udder Bar Timothy Zaveri Jewelry TopStar Express Trek Bicycle Allentown Truth Beauty Salon Udder Bar Volpe’s Sports Bar Walnutport Door Company Wert’s Café West End Associates Wiener & Wiener LLC Wolf Insurance Agency Yocco’s YourPM.mobi LLC n SUMMER 2020
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Mental Health Services Lehigh County Crisis Intervention (610) 782-3127 Offers licensed telephone and mobile crisis services that provide mental health assessments to all age groups regardless of income or insurance, 24 hours/7 days. Staff can also assist in accessing county services.
Al-Anon Virtual meetings: al-anon.org AA Virtual meetings: aalv.org NA Virtual meetings: na.org Gambling 24-hour hotline (877) 565-2112 n
Giving Back Front Line Appreciation Group (FLAG) flag-lv.org flag.lehighvalley@gmail.com; FLAG-LV collects funds, spends the money at local restaurants, and then distributes hundreds of meals to doctors, nurses, technicians and other medical personnel who are risking their lives to keep us healthy. Although
the local group has existed just a few weeks, it already boasts nearly 1,000 volunteer members. As of mid-April, it had raised nearly $7,500, purchased over 500 meals, and turned nearly $3,800 to local restaurants. The need continues to grow, and the group welcomes your support – as a financial donor, a volunteer, or as a restaurateur. n
MEDICAL UPDATE
St. Luke’s, Lehigh University Collaboration on “Bug Zapper” Leads to Life-Saving Invention Among stories of hope, generosity and togetherness, the COVID-19 pandemic has also given rise to an incredible feat of ingenuity and innovation – the invention of the “Bug Zapper” to sterilize masks. The St. Luke’s Sterile Processing Department, or SPD, is the place where all surgical and medical instruments are sent to be meticulously cleaned, sanitized and packaged for reuse. “On any given day, we are processing many, many items here at our hospital in Bethlehem,” states Taylor Bennett, St. Luke’s Network Director of Sterile Processing. “But with the current situation, there is an overwhelming need to process our employees’ PPE on a daily basis. We literally have thousands of masks.” For St. Luke’s University Health Network anesthesiologist, Christopher Roscher, MD, a light went on – literally and figuratively. 8 WEST END LIVING
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“I had been doing research into how to decontaminate masks for reuse, and peer-reviewed literature suggested that, in a pandemic, UV-C light could be an acceptable strategy to do that,” he says. UV-C is a specific range of UV, or ultra-
violet, light and has been shown to deactivate viruses and other pathogens by causing changes in their DNA. Dr. Roscher got in touch with Nelson Tansu, PhD, Lehigh University’s Director and
Endowed Chair of its Center for Photonics and Nanoelectronics (CPN). “What St. Luke’s was looking for was a high-throughput sterilization system,” said Dr. Tansu. “Together our teams started a collaborative design process which was completed in record time.” The end result: a way to effectively and efficiently sterilize 200 masks every 8 minutes! The unit, engineered by Lehigh students and staff and assembled at St. Luke’s by biomedical engineer Jay Johnson, has been affectionally named the “Bug Zapper” not only due to its appearance, but due to its COVIDkilling properties. This, like so many other stories, offers a ray of hope during the pandemic – showcasing that the human mind and spirit can overcome anything – especially when working together for a great cause. n
Entertainment / Culture We’ve rounded up some great ways to fill your stay-at-home hours, for kids and adults. Best of all, they’re mostly free! Jewish Community Center lvjcc.org/covid Family activities: games, exercises, cooking, arts and crafts, and lots more. Visit and explore! Allentown Art Museum allentownartmuseum.org/ experience/museumathome/ Links to virtual art-ventures
for kids and adults. Explore monoprinting, coloring pages, virtual museum tours, artsy movie recommendations, informative videos, three hours of chill beats by local DJ Brad Scott and other ways to stay involved with art. Storyline Online storylineonline.net Videos feature celebrities reading children’s books aloud, with animated pages and music. Titles include A Bad Case of the Stripes, Peter Rabbit, Catching the Moon, and When a Dragon Moves In. Highlights highlights.com/parents/crafts/31kids-crafts
The magazine’s website shows how to make your own clay, turn cereal boxes into puppets, whip up a DIY bubble mix, create bathtub crayons and lots more, using items commonly found at home. The Metropolitan Opera metopera.org/user-information/ nightly-met-opera-streams/ Offers free streams of a different classic performance each evening. Online crossword puzzles puzzles.usatoday.com/ dictionary.com/e/crossword/ Classic games cardgames.io/ Solitaire, FreeCell, Yahtzee,
reversi, chess, cribbage, checkers and more, for solo play or against virtual opponents. Allentown International Contemporary Art Center facebook.com/ AllentownContemporary Enjoy artwork in-person (but safely) by visiting Paul Nicholson’s “window gallery” at 511 Linden St. Paul is the director of Muhlenberg’s Martin Art Gallery. The window display features work by area artists, but will likely include international works in the future. n
Military Nur A m F b u la n ire c e s s e s City Worke rs Police F o o d Banks Doctors Volunteers s e e y s o r l e p k r o m W E n o i y t r a Sanat Groce
Postal G as Attendants Banks s r ie l p p u S Farmers Pharmacy Food Home De e r a l C i v h e t r l y Truck Drivers Hea ...and Many More Including You Staying at Home! SUMMER 2020
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FROM A NEIGHBOR
Shelter-in-Place Ramen
How I Cook Under Self-Quarantine Is All the Time
Recipe courtesy of Mary Nolan
By Mary Nolan
Cook. Eat. Clean. Repeat. That seems to be the routine, three times over—three kids over—every day, during self-quarantine. At times, I feel like a short-order cook to my kids. No green stuff (herbs), one likes creamy peanut butter and the other one likes chunky, hold the jelly, the list goes on. Normally we have the (often welcome) distraction of school, sports, and work to take at least one of these meals off my plate, so to speak. But now it’s really all we have to do, along with some schoolwork and getting outdoors for a walk or bike ride. Our “to-do” list has been totally erased. So we are trying to dig deeper into cooking projects that we normally don’t have time to tackle. There’s been sushi rolling, pasta shaping, bread baking, and cake decorating. There have also been large pots of beans stewed, soups made with leftover bits, and improvised birthday dinners. But, sometimes by the time dinner rolls around, I’m not ready for another big project—or mess. This ramen recipe was created
Ortiz Yellowfin Tuna in Olive Oil (mypanier.com) These thick, meaty chunks of hearty-tasting tuna bathe in luscious oil, ready to drop into a sandwich (no mayo needed!) or stir into a sandwich. Cat-food tuna, this is not. 10 WEST END LIVING
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Ingredients: 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth 1 ½ cups water 3 Tbsp white miso (use less if using yellow or red) 2 Tbsp hoisin sauce 6 oz dried ramen noodles (usually 2 packages), seasoning packet discarded 3 cups cooked shredded chicken n Optional add-ins to pick and choose to suit your taste (and what you can find): n ¾ cup matchstick carrots (add to the broth when you add the noodles) n A few handfuls of julienne kale (stir in with the chicken) n A handful of roughly chopped cilantro leaves and tender stems (stir in with the chicken) n Soft-boiled eggs (drop in boiling water for exactly 5 minutes, peel, and put an egg in each bowl before serving) n Nori seaweed snack sheets (tuck into the side of the bowl right before serving) n Sriracha to taste (garnish) n Thinly sliced scallions (garnish) n Toasted sesame seeds (garnish)
out of my desire to use some leftover rotisserie chicken and to my surprise, my kids all loved it—green stuff and all. This recipe is easily halved and easily adapted to suite your tastes. It’s meant to utilize pantry staples, and you can get as fancy as you want from there. The base broth is delicious as-is, and the add-ins are meant to enhance the dish. The soft-boiled
Prized Pantry Item Treats A “splurge” these days looks less like a vacation and more like picking up a little something special at the grocery store (or, okay, on the Internet). Here are six delicious long-lasting items that are totally worth the hunt.
Serves 4
Amish Country Roll Butter (Giant, Wegman’s) This hunk of butter comes in a two-pound, paper-wrapped package, which brings back childhood memories of country butter. It’s amazing on a toasted bagel. Miso (Walmart, Wegman’s, Whole Foods) This fermented soybean product can come in white, yellow, or red varieties. Each type contains a ton of flavor, especially when added to soups and stews. Hu Chocolate Bundle (hukitchen.com) If you’re a dark chocolate fan,
Directions: Bring chicken broth and water to a simmer in a large pot. Stir in miso and hoisin, making sure to fully dissolve. Stir in noodles (and carrots, if using) and cook 3-4 minutes, until tender. Stir in chicken (and kale/cilantro, if using). Return to a simmer. Divide evenly among bowls. Add a soft-boiled egg to each bowl, if desired. Garnish and serve.
egg and Sriracha are two things I personally wouldn’t skip. The egg yolk should be stirred in to enrich the broth, and I never go without spice! Overall, this is a comforting
dish and we could all use a little comfort these days. n —Mary Nolan is a West End Allentown resident and Executive Chef at Bon Appetit
Hu is for you. This bundle of eight bars includes flavors like vanilla crunch, cashew butter with vanilla bean, and an underrated salted variety. Frankies 457 Sputino Organic Extra Virgin Oilve Oil (Wegman’s, supermarketitaly.com) It’s creamy, peppery, and smells a little like grass in the summer sun. Drizzle some over a mixed greens salad, bowl of pasta, or—if you’re feeling daring—some vanilla ice cream. Rick’s Picks Smokra (Wegman’s, rickspicks.com) That’s pickled okra, infused with smoked paprika and a little curry powder. They’re crunchy, tangy, and very, very snack-able. n
Allentown City Services The following information was accurate at press time; please be sure to visit allentownpa.gov/ for possible updates. Street cleaning, trash, and recycling Street cleaning resumed April 19. Bulk-item curbside collections have been suspended until further notice. This includes “any specific municipal waste item that does not fit in a 32-gallon trash can or in a 30-gallon trash bag, which include but is not limited to furniture, mattresses, etc.” Construction debris will not be collected. Bulk items that are not removed from the curb are subject to a SWEEP violation ticket with additional costs. All household trash must be in plastic bags and may not be placed loosely inside a trash can. This safety measure will contain household waste in a manner that is safer for the collection employees. Regular trash and recycling collections continue across the city. Electronics and paper shredding recycling are suspended until further notice. The city’s yard waste drop-off site (1401 Oxford Dr.) opened on April 1 for city residents only. It’s open Mondays and Fridays from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Wednesdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Because residents drive in and unload their own materials, social distancing is not an issue. Mulch loading services by city staff are suspended, but residents may continue to self-load mulch for free.
City buildings All city government buildings are closed to the public. Please use online services or the mail. City payments should be made by mail or at the Penn St. dropbox; in-person payments, if required, can take place at the first-floor treasury window. Need a replacement tax envelope? Call (610) 437-7506. Permit applications and other documents should be dropped off at City Hall’s temporary customer service area for review. City staff will answer questions immediately, or respond by phone or email. Similar makeshift customer service areas will be set-up at Bridgeworks and the Parks Department office. Health Bureau All childhood and adult immunization appointments and low-risk tuberculosis screenings are cancelled. All requests for home-based needs are evaluated on a case-by- case basis Women with breast health issues will be assisted, but routine screenings have been suspended. All educational programming in the community has been cancelled. Sexually Transmitted Disease screenings for symptomatic patients, and treatment for STDs,
will be done by appointment only. License expiration dates will be extended as needed. The Allentown Health Bureau is extending the license period of food and childcare establishments, whose licenses were to expire in March or April, until June 30. Fire regulations Fire permits for childcare facilities and food establishments, whose licenses were to expire in March or April, have been extended to June 30. Parks Allentown’s parks remain open, and visitors are reminded to heed the CDC guidelines posted at each facility. Restroom facilities in Lehigh Parkway at Robin Hood Bridge, Fly Shop, and Lil Le Hi Trout Nursery do not have running water available and are closed until further notice. Facilities at Cedar Beach Playground, Trexler Park, Lehigh Parkway along Park Drive, and the Malcolm Gross Rose Garden have
running water available and remain open. The city of Allentown is closing all park pavilions during the COVID-19 Disaster Emergency. These include Bucky Boyle Park, Cedar Beach, Franklin Park, Jordan Park, Keck Park, Lehigh Canal Park, Lil’-Le-Hi Trout Nursery; Pavilions at Honochick Drive: (Rose Garden #1, #2, # 3); South Mountain Reservoir; Stevens Park and Valania Park. All rentals of city pavilions are suspended until May 1. All 21 city-maintained playgrounds, as well as the city’s dog park and the Skatepark at Keck Park, are closed until further notice. In addition, playground equipment gates will remain locked. Caution tape remains at areas without gates. Please check regularly for updated information regarding the status of Parks and Recreation programs and facility usage at www.allentownpa.gov/parks, on Facebook at Allentown PA Parks and Recreation or by calling the Recreation Office at (610) 4377757. Tax filing/payment extensions The filing due-date for 2019 Business Privilege Tax is now July 15, 2020. No interest or penalty will accrue if the 2019 Business Privilege Tax is paid or postmarked on or before that date. The discount period for early payment of 2020 city real estate taxes has been extended until May 5, 2020. All 2020 city real estate tax returns that are paid or postmarked on or before May 5 are eligible for a 2% discount on the tax portion only of their 2020 city real estate tax bill. n SUMMER 2020
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RON’S RAMBLINGS
How West Allentown Survived the Pandemic of 1918 By Ron Epstein
be taken to stop the spread of the flu. The fear was that the war industries would be crippled. The City Council was advised to prohibit all public gatherings and close all schools, theaters, saloons, pool halls, soda fountains, and churches until the danger passed. The State Commissioner of Health Dr. B. Franklin Royer then ordered all amusement parks and saloons closed by October 4, but they did not actually close until October 7 because of opposition by Allentown’s Mayor Alfred L. Reichenbach. It was a common
misconception at the time that all diseases were caused by dirty conditions. The mayor believed the virus would not spread to Allentown because it was a clean city. Bethlehem on the other hand was a filthy, dirty city, in his view, with thick layers of dust on the streets. In reality there were parts of Allentown that were in deplorable condition as well such as the sixth ward, where people were crammed into row homes and visiting nurses had to shovel dirt away from the front of the homes just to get in.
Believe it or not, one Allentown City Councilman, Socialist John Allen believed the pandemic was caused by dogs and cats and suggested they all be killed. Needless to say, he received no support from the rest of council or the townspeople. A placard was put on the homes of those who had the flu and, in order to avoid the stigma, plus the need to make a living, many people went to work even though they were ill, which further spread the virus. By October 1 there were 35 cases of the flu in Allentown and 2 deaths. By October 7 the figure had reached 135 and by the very next day jumped to 265, and these were only the reported cases. Many developed pneumonia. In the end nearly 500 people died from the flu itself or the pneumonia. By November the worst of the epidemic had past and by the end of the year there were only a few cases of the flu in Allentown. n ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH PHOTO
The spread of COVID-19 has made significant changes to the lives of Allentown residents, but the city has been here before during another pandemic that took place 102 years ago. The Spanish Flu of 1918 spread to this country from Europe beginning in September of that year. Before the Spanish Flu ended in 1919, about 20 to 50 million people died worldwide, including 500,000 to 675,000 in the United States, according to some estimates. At that time World War 1 was raging. Here in Allentown, as throughout the rest of the nation, bond sales and fundraisers were being held to raise money for the war effort. One such effort was the Fourth Liberty Loan Drive, which took place from September 28 to October 19. By that time the pandemic had engulfed Bethlehem and was just about to reach Allentown. The Liberty Loan Parade, the largest in Allentown’s history up until that time brought the town’s residents out in droves, which allowing the virus to spread more rapidly. The Public Health Service issued a warning in the form of a recommendation that drastic action should 12 WEST END LIVING SUMMER 2020
With masks over their faces, members of the American Red Cross remove a victim of the Spanish Flu from a house.
QNB Bank Offers COVID-19 Resources During Crisis
Now more than ever, the bankers at QNB want you to know that they’re here to help during the unprecedented crisis brought on by the coronavirus COVID-19. They realize that the closure of schools, businesses, and many other services are having a dramatic effect on everyone’s daily lives. QNB remains committed to meeting all your financial needs during these tough times. Here’s what they’re offering. Small Business Help U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and Treasury have implemented the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which is designed to assist small businesses and their employees during this crisis. This program provides small businesses with payroll assistance in the form of a guaranteed loan from SBA. Eligible borrowers can work with QNB to apply and receive up to 2.5 times their average payroll expenses for the prior year. Additionally, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce created a guide to help small businesses, independent contractors, and gig economy workers prepare to file for a coronavirus relief loan under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Visit uschamber.com for more information. Consumer Loan Help If you are having difficulty making your monthly consumer loan or mortgage payment due to financial hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, QNB has solutions to help you through this difficult period. Call our customer service center at (800) 491-9070 or (215) 538-5605 to discuss options
for payment relief. Our customer service center hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Digital Banking Solutions QNB has a wide array of them, including QNB-Online, QNBMobile, QNB Pay-A-Person, QNBText, QNB-Voice, and online retail loan applications for everyday banking needs. Customer service representatives are available to help you activate (or help you use) your digital banking services by calling customer service. Fraud Awareness Beware of scams and criminals using fear, intimidation, trickery, urgency, or disinformation related to the coronavirus to attempt to steal your sensitive, personal or account information, or even encourage dealing strictly in cash. Watch out for strange calls, emails, texts or websites that look like they are coming from legitimate businesses or government agencies asking for information like your Social Security number, usernames and passwords (login information), account numbers, credit or debit card numbers, PINs, etc. QNB will never request such information through email, text, or outbound calls. Always check your account statements for official websites and customer service numbers and call those numbers directly rather than giving out information over the phone, email, or text. n
QNB’s Allentown Office is Open QNB’s Allentown Office remains OPEN under restricted lobby access (one customer at a time). The branch is operating under normal business hours and continues to offer a 24/7 ATM and Night Drop. 535 North 19th Street
QNB consults the CDC and the PA Department of Health websites for information regarding the latest updates. For updates, visit QNBbank.com/covid-19
800-491-9070
QNBbank.com SUMMER 2020
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SPIRIT AND RESILIENCE
St. Patrick’s 5k Runners Set a New Course
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Daddy’s, as well as to longtime supporters Aardvark Sports Shop and Keystone Running Store. “Given the circumstance, participation was more important to reward than fast times,” says Drabenstott. The West End St. Patrick’s 5k raises close to $17,000 each year for neighborhood development and beautification of the West End Theatre District. The 2021 race is scheduled for March 21. “We appreciate the support of our runners,” Drabenstott says. “We hope to see them back next year for what will be an extra-special celebration.” n
PHOTOS BY: EUNIECE SANTIAGO PHOTOGRAPHY
COVID-19 may have canceled the 2020 West End St. Patrick’s 5k, but it couldn’t stop about one-third of the runners from participating in the 12th annual event via a virtual running of the race. More than 275 of the 813 registered runners opted to run a “virtual 5k” on a measured course, on a treadmill, using a GPS, or by simply estimating the 3.1-mile distance. Runners submitted their times electronically and sent pictures of themselves in their festive green garb. Many of them even created their own race bibs to commemorate the event. “We expected maybe 100 people to run on their own without the fun, festivity, and fanfare that accompany our race through the West End,” says Race Director Michael Drabenstott. “We were blown away when results and photos were coming in every five to 10 minutes. It was heartwarming to see the spirit and resilience of our runners, who were determined to have a good time regardless of the situation.” Finishers ranged in age from 9-year-old Marcella Benedetto of Bethlehem to 88-yearold William Ennis of Allentown. Several runners that planned to visit Allentown for the race and parade instead ran where they were. Devon King ran in Waco, TX. The Bechtel family ran in Holden Beach, NC. Justine Scriptunas started in Kentucky and ran over the Ohio River to finish her 5k in Cincinnati, OH. Drabenstott says the race randomly awarded 60 gift certificates that would have been age group awards, including gift cards from Allentown restaurants Ringer’s Roost, Jay’s Local, and Bru
Photos
From Representative Schlossberg
The majority of the photographs you see in this issue of residents, business owners, and locations throughout the neighborhood were taken previously. As an editorial board we decided to collect images that highlight the vibrancy, activity, and diversity of what West End Allentown has to offer.
Representative Mike Schlossberg
New Date:
Primary Election
June 2, 2020
State Income Tax Deadline July 15, 2020 REAL ID Enforcement
October 1, 2021
My office is closed until stay-at-home orders are lifted for Lehigh County. You can still call (610-821-5577) or email RepSchlossberg@ pahouse.com for assistance with state government related matters.
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