The North Whitehall Township Planning Commission examined a mixed-use development sketch plan.

A neighborhood and commercial development on 105 acres at 3530 Mauch Chunk Road is the goal of the plan, which is referred to as the Mauch Chunk Road development. In addition to townhomes with garages that are two or three floors, the development also includes restaurants, retail establishments, and a gas station.

Furthermore, the proposal incorporates a realignment at the junction of Mauch Chunk Road and Cedar Crest Boulevard. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation would have to approve the realignment's proposal for a roundabout at the existing intersection. Residents will be served by public water and sewer.

Brian Horwith, the chairman of the planning commission, believes the concept is too complex for the location. He believes there  is a better design, but, unfortunately, it will reduce the number of units that the developer could sell.

Other participants complained about traffic. Planner Kathy Crawford worries that Willow, Orefield, and Quarry roads will be significantly impacted by this, but a traffic effect analysis will have to get done to fully know the impact it will have.

Cul-de-sacs, which are generally forbidden by township code, are also a part of the project that was presented. Planners did not file any decisions because the document was only a sketch plan. 

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The Wooden Match, a gastropub and cigar bar where great flavors, great music, and great company come together, will host a visit from America's Best Restaurants in early May.

America's Best Restaurants will bring its "ABR Roadshow" to the restaurant on May 6. This national media and marketing company focuses on highlighting local, independently owned restaurants.  The episode will be aired on social media channels at a later date. Housed in the historic former Bethlehem Station, a train depot that served travelers in the Lehigh Valley for nearly a century, The Wooden Match has been open since 2010.

The business was originally founded by Cigars International, an international retailer of cigars and tobacco accessories. While it is now owned by Vincent Randazzo, the popular eatery continues its iteration as a cigar bar, along with a gastropub menu, live music, and special events. Guests can enjoy primers such as bone-in or boneless wings (with choice of sauce),  "A Sweet Dill" (Match IPA-breaded house pickles and chipotle ranch), "Hoss pierogies" (deep fried or sauteed, caramelized onions, sour cream and red wine demi glace) and "Leave The Gun.... Take the Burrata" (house-made burrata dip, tri-color peppercorns, basil chiffonade, roasted grape tomatoes and grilled naan), along with sandwiches and burgers such as a "Donut Delite" (10-ounce prime beef patty, Cooper sharp, applewood-smoked bacon and grilled glazed donuts), "Pride of Philly" (shaved ribeye, caramelized onions, white cheddar cheese sauce and Egypt Star Bakery French bread), "Don't Call Me Chicken" (breaded fried chicken, applewood-smoked bacon, chipotle ranch, red onion, shredded romaine and toasted Egypt Star Bakery French bread) and "Pigs in Zen" (10-ounce prime beef patty, guava barbecue, slow-cooked pork, applewood smoked bacon, dill pickles, pepper slaw, cheddar and toasted brioche roll).

Other menu highlights include a variety of salads, wraps, and entrees, including "Porky Pig" (peppercorn-dusted, French-cut, bone-in 16-ounce pork chop, fresh herbed compound butter, parmesan risotto, and shaved Brussels sprouts with bacon lardons) and "Deliverance" (Faroe Island salmon, hot honey butter, shaved Brussels sprouts with bacon lardons, and parmesan risotto). An extensive cigar menu and full bar, with a wide array of craft beers, are also available.

The Wooden Match, featuring a dark, vintage vibe, is on the National Register of Historic Places along with the adjacent former freight house, now home to a wine and cheese bar, Artisan Wine & Cheese Cellars. The historic site served travelers in the Lehigh Valley for nearly a century. Passenger service to Bethlehem began near the site in 1868, and a few years later, the Central Railroad of New Jersey constructed a train station in 1873. Hundreds of thousands of people — including notable figures such as presidents Teddy Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman — passed through before passenger service ended in the 1960s, the historical account continues.

Popular menu items that may be featured on the episode include the "Fatman Scoop" appetizer (Hoss pierogies, Cooper sharp cheese, shaved ribeye, red wine demi-glace, caramelized onions and an over-easy egg) and the Harry S. Truman "Campaign Stop Ribeye" (French-cut, bone-in 20-ounce ribeye, parmesan risotto, shaved Brussels sprouts with bacon lardons and truffle chive butter).

America's Best Restaurants will be filming on location from 3 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6. The restaurant will announce the finished episode premiere date on its Facebook page and feature it on America's Best Restaurants' website. Restaurants featured on the ABR Roadshow were selected based on their customer reviews, menu items, social media presence, and level of involvement with their communities.

The Wooden Match, at 61 W. Lehigh St., is open daily. For more information, call 610-865-1777 or visit thewoodenmatch.com.

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An iconic landmark in the Lehigh Valley has gained prominence on a global scale.

Recently, Variety Magazine's esteemed list of "The 21 Coolest Movie Theaters in the World" included Shankweiler's Drive-In Theatre.

Generations of local moviegoers are unsurprised by the award, having savored summer evenings at America's oldest drive-in theater.

Shankweiler's was founded in 1934 and has endured for more than 90 years despite shifting entertainment trends while retaining its own charm and nostalgic appeal.

After purchasing the historic theater in 2022, current owners Lauren McChesney and Matt McClanahan have revitalized it while maintaining its rich history.

The owners feel privileged to have the chance to maintain and improve such a historic theater. Shankweiler's was the second drive-in ever constructed and has been the oldest drive-in theater in the world for the majority of its existence, even holding a Guinness World Record!

With a variety of popular movies that appeal to all ages, the drive-in is busiest during the summer months, even though it is open year-round.

There will be special vendors and activities for the Memorial Day screening. The owners put significant effort into creating a complete experience, including the movie, snack bar fare, décor, photo opportunities, and outside vendors. They want every visit to the drive-in to be unforgettable because it is a special place. A stellar lineup of family-friendly blockbusters, such as Freakier Friday and How to Train Your Dragon, is anticipated for the summer of 2025.

Lauren and Matt are certain that drive-in theaters will always be popular, even in the face of competition from streaming services and indoor multiplexes. The proprietors find that seeing the happiness this historic facility offers to people of all ages is the most fulfilling part of running it. As they relish the global recognition that Variety Magazine has bestowed upon them, the owners of Shankweiler's continue to pay tribute to the past while simultaneously focusing on the future.

With nearly a century of history under its belt and a summer packed with exciting movies to come, this Lehigh Valley gem continues to demonstrate why the drive-in experience remains relevant, lively, and deserving of international praise.

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On USA Today, Pennsylvania has the best Main Street in the nation!

The outlet revealed the winner of its 10 Best Main Street category.  According to USAToday, ten locations with quaint main streets offer more than just a road. These streets are the hubs of their communities, have a thriving culture, and are living examples of history. The winner is Bethlehem, also known as the "Christmas City," which is located in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania.

Thanks to its namesake Bethlehem Steel, the Main Street of the old steel hub is characterized as super walkable and has a wide variety of food alternatives.

Musikfest, one of Pennsylvania's biggest music festivals, is also held in the city.

Winchester, Virginia; Ogden, Utah; and Emporia, Kansas, are among the other towns on the list.

 

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The finance committee of the Whitehall-Coplay School District Board of Directors was ready in the education center to request additional funding from taxpayers in its proposed final 2025–2026 budget.

As part of its $103.2 million spending plan, the district plans to raise property owners' taxes by 5.3% to cover a $6.9 million shortfall. The Act 1 Index limits Whitehall-Coplay's tax hike to the proposed 5.3% increase.

State revenue is $34.9 million, local revenue is $59.9 million, and federal revenue is $1.5 million. In addition, the district receives $30,000 in sales and insurance recovery revenues, for a total of $96.3 million. That sum represents an increase of $7.5 million over this year. Regarding expenses, Whitehall-Coplay is spending $63.5 million on charter schools, health insurance, and salaries related to instruction. A total of $103.2 million was spent on support services ($29.3 million), non-operational expenses ($1.6 million), and current debt servicing payments ($8.8 million).

Teacher pay accounted for the largest increase ($1.6 million) over the 2024–25 budget, followed by medical costs ($842,765). The Whitehall-Coplay School District has a $10.9 million fund balance as of June 30, 2024, of which $7.2 million was unassigned.

The projected tax hike continues a distinct pattern. The 2024–25 budget included a 4.5% increase in property owners' taxes. After a 3% tax rise in the 2022–2023 expenditure plan, the district's 2023–2024 budget included a 2.59% tax increase. After the board votes on the proposed budget on April 28, we expect to adopt the final budget on June 9.

Separately, the committee authorized the acquisition of an extra $4 million in debt for the ongoing building projects at Whitehall-Coplay Middle School and Steckel Elementary School. 

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The Nazareth Area School District Board of Directors reviewed the district's proposed 2025-26 budget at the district office.

The $117 million spending plan calls for a 2.75% tax increase on property owners. The district announced that based on the average home assessment value of $74,000, property owners would see a $118.44 increase. The 2025-26 budget represents a $6 million increase, or 5.47%, from the current year's spending plan. In addition, the district has a $33.9 million fund balance. The majority of the district's revenues—72.8%, or $83.6 million—will come from local sources.

Almost all of the remaining funds are designated to NASD by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. That amount totals $30.8 million, with another $400,000 coming from the federal government. About 42% of NASD's spending is allocated to salaries worth $49 million. Benefits account for another $33.7 million, or 28.8% of the entire budget, bringing the total for salaries and benefits to $82.7 million. That amount is $3.4 million, or 4.32%, more than the 2024–25 school year.

The district plans to allocate $20.4 million for purchased services, $14 million for other expenses, and $7.9 million for debt service repayment. The NASD budget presentation included planning for a new K-4 elementary school building and staffing for that facility. The district's strategy involves implementing a multiyear tax phase-in period, with the assumption that the move will minimize the impact on the community. The district plans to use a similar approach for staff payments. During the phase-in period, this method could result in the district having a surplus of revenues over expenditures. The district will annually transfer the surplus into an account to cover some of the construction costs of the new elementary school building.

District officials also noted a contingency plan should the project exceed the budgeted amount. This strategy includes the use of in-house funds in combination with borrowed funds to increase budget flexibility. The district said the new facility is in response to an urgent need to alleviate significant overcrowding across three elementary school facilities. The 2024-25 budget contained a 1.26% tax hike, with the 2023-24 spending plan including a 1.25% tax increase. Officials added that the process of drafting the budget will continue until a final vote is taken, which is scheduled for June 10.

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Northampton County receiving the $730,000 grant marks Pennsylvania's first competitive funding award of the year.

For a total acquisition cost of $1.4 million, Northampton County said it will match the funding.

43 acres of open space within the Borough of Stockertown will be permanently protected.

A proposal for the 43-acre land acquisition was presented by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) in collaboration with the county. This project will accomplish a key objective in the Commonwealth's Lehigh Valley Greenways Conservation Landscape by conserving land within the two-county area.

Cindy Adams Dunn, secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)is excited for the expanded recreation opportunities it will provide to the public. The acquisition of the property not only assists the Commonwealth in filling a significant trail gap in Northampton County's Two Rivers Trailway, but it also supports the Lehigh Valley Greenways Conservation Landscape's efforts to develop a top-notch trail system within the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor by expanding the LINK Trail Network.

The purchase will expand the County of Northampton's 2,380 acres of parks, trails, and open space areas.

Over the last ten years, Northampton County has seen an exponential increase in the construction of massive warehouses and logistics facilities, eradicating the county's agriculture and open space at an unprecedented rate. The acquisition preserves the agricultural, environmentally sensitive habitat and trail connections in the Bushkill Creek Watershed while safeguarding the land from development. Our Division of Parks and Recreation staff will continue to collaborate with DCNR and the USFWS to conserve important open space in Northampton County, and we are honored to receive this prestigious grant award.

Officials established the Highlands Conservation Act funding program to save important landscapes and natural resources for both people and wildlife. The Office of Conservation within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is responsible for overseeing it.

The 3.4 million acres that constitute the Highlands region are spread over Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. 

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A diner mainstay in Northampton County is gearing up to serve omelettes, club sandwiches, seafood platters, and other freshly prepared dishes to hungry foodies at all hours of the day and night, just a month after a popular Lehigh County diner restored its 24/7 service.

Nazareth Diner will operate 24 hours seven days a week, starting Friday, April 4, as a full-service restaurant offering a wide array of freshly prepared dishes daily. The diner at 581 S. Broad St. in Nazareth previously operated 24/7 before the COVID-19 pandemic, and ownership recently decided to resume those hours. The upcoming restoration of 24/7 service at Nazareth Diner will follow a similar move by another diner about 24 miles away on the other side of the Lehigh Valley. On March 10, Starlite Diner at 233 North Route 100 in Upper Macungie Township resumed its 24/7 service after a more than 10-year hiatus. In return for 24/7 service, Nazareth Diner owner Peter Theo is looking to offer late-night and early-morning meals—options that have been limited in the Lehigh Valley recently—to individuals seeking fresh food during those hours.

Nazareth Diner was established in 1989 by John Theodoropoulos, who previously managed three other restaurants, including the Key City Diner in Philipsburg, N.J. In 2000, Theodoropoulos and his wife, Sophia, and their son, Greg, took over operations of Key City Diner. Today, Greg mostly oversees operations at Key City. In 2012, after 23 years of ownership, John’s other son, Pete Theo, bought Nazareth Diner and implemented a complete makeover that blended familiar qualities with an updated and stylized design. The diner at the intersection of South Broad Street and Easton Road (Route 248) offers a wide array of made-to-order dishes, including burgers, paninis, club sandwiches, and pastas.

Customers can also enjoy appetizers such as wings, fried calamari, pierogies, and quesadillas; seafood specialties such as broiled crab cakes, haddock, scallops, and shrimp; and steaks and chops such as an 8-ounce black diamond steak, an 8-ounce boneless pork ribeye, a 10-ounce chopped sirloin steak, and a 16-ounce ribeye steak. Breakfast selections, including homemade French toast, omelettes, egg platters, sandwiches, pancakes, and Belgian waffles, are available at any time. The diner also features a full bar. This bar features an assortment of mixed drinks, wines, beers, and liquors from some of Pennsylvania's finest vineyards, breweries, and distilleries. Nazareth Diner features seating options that include booths, counter seating, and tables with chairs, and a wide assortment of flatbreads, wraps, melts, charbroiled burgers, triple-decker clubs, and Italian specialties. Other menu highlights include classic sandwiches such as a French dip, hot pastrami, gyro, sweet Italian sausage, meatball parmigiana, and Philly cheesesteak, and "Chef's Corner" selections such as roast turkey, baked meatloaf, breaded veal cutlets, and stuffed chicken with crab meat.

Dining, pick-up and delivery services are available. For more information or to place an online order, visit www.thenazarethdiner.com. Info: 610-759-8555.

Saquon Barkley's Opens Thrift Store In Bethlehem PA

Mama B's Resale Boutique had her big opening at 416 East 4th Street in Bethlehem.

The reason behind Mama B's Resale Boutique was her love of bargains, deals, and clearance! She has consistently donated clothing to charities like Goodwill and the Salvation Army.


They lived in Bethlehem and believed this would be the perfect area for Mama's B Resale Boutique! 

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Jesse Haik, a co-owner of the 2.5-year-old Pennsylvania Rye Company at 536 Hamilton St., is planning to open Simpatico - a modern Italian restaurant - in May at 27 N. Seventh St.

Simpatico will occupy an updated ArtsWalk space that previously housed other dining establishments, including Shula's Steak House, Queen City BBQ and, most recently, Blended, on the ground floor of the Strata West apartment complex. Haik, a New Orleans native, has been working in the restaurant industry since he was 15 years old. Haik and his friend, Dan Gonzalez, opened Pennsylvania Rye Company in 2022 in a renovated Hamilton Street space that was previously home to Grain and Federal Grill restaurants. He's opened and managed restaurants in five states, with former gigs including beverage manager at The Dime restaurant at The Renaissance Allentown Hotel and general manager of the Liberty House in Jersey City, N.J. Haik has wanted to open an Italian concept for many years, and he finally decided to take the leap after noticing the positive reception of freshly prepared pasta dishes at PA Rye Company. It's going to be a modern Italian concept focused on fresh pasta and fresh dough for pizza and focaccia. The full-service PA Rye Company offers fresh and creative cuisine made from scratch, classic and signature craft cocktails, and an extensive collection of rye whiskey.

Simpatico, featuring indoor and outdoor dining, catering/private event space and a rectangular full bar with one side opening to the ArtsWalk, will showcase local fare, fresh pasta, brick oven pizza and innovative small and large plates. Diners will be able to choose from a diverse menu of hand-crafted appetizers, handhelds, entrees and desserts. The pasta will be made on-site, and it will be available to order as an entrée or as a small plate. They will have a good amount of pasta, between six and 10, including some classics and some rotating seasonal options. Haik is still finalizing the menu, but he envisions a mix of modern and traditional Italian-style dishes, including short rib, pork chop, branzino and a premium steak with fresh accoutrements. The meat will be bought from local pigs in New Jersey that are used to make pork chops at Pennsylvania Rye Company, and we’re hoping to expand on that by also purchasing local beef. Two sandwich highlights will include muffuletta and porchetta. Muffuletta, a classic New Orleans sandwich, is a nod to Haik's roots.

Simpatico also will feature a full bar with a focus on craft cocktails and international wines, including several Italian and French wines. Renovations have already started on the roughly 10,000-square-foot space, with updated wainscoting, light fixtures and other cosmetic touches in the dining room. The plan is to add new wall paint, furniture, and curtains in the Seventh Street windows, and a large planter box between the bar area and dining room. He's also repositioning some of the furniture and changing the restaurant's flow. The updated space will be brighter and less cavernous. Currently, the bar connects to the outside, and  the exterior can be seen all the way from the back.  There will be snake plants in the box, creating some division between the dining and the bar and breaking up some of the noise.

Simpatico means "of a like mind" or "in agreement with," and Haik chose it as the name of his new restaurant because it's also a slang term - used frequently in Italian and Italian-American cultures - to describe someone who is friendly or likeable. Haik's wife, who is part Italian, assisted him in choosing the name, which helps convey one of the restaurant's main pillars: inclusivity. It represents people of a like mind and brings people together.

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