In small towns across the country, there are places that stand out as “hot spots,” gathering places where community is the focus. In this day and age of big box stores, chains and franchises, the concept of independent business is beginning to fade. It’s a very sad thing, not just for the small business owners, but also for the people in those communities. I debated writing about the closing of “Perk on Main” in Emmaus, but to me, it’s comparable to losing a friend or loved one. It is something that has greatly affected me this week, and I have a feeling there are others who might share my …
When I think of maple syrup, visions of cold, dense New England forests come to mind. I see flannel-clad woodsmen traversing the undeveloped rolling mountains of a place much different from our own Lehigh Valley.Little did I know of the sweet possibilities that exist within the state of Pennsylvania! Since 1999, my husband and I have escaped to a little-known destination called Hills Creek State Park, a 407-acre park located in the north central portion of the state near Wellsboro. The Pennsylvania state park system is phenomenal and was recently awarded the honor of being the best in the …
It’s been such an amazing week, so first and foremost, I would like to write a special thanks to everyone who made my “21st” birthday such a special one. It really was fantastic!As is the tradition for the Holtzhafer clan, Shady Maple is always on the birthday agenda. Flash your license at the Shady Maple cashier and your meal is FREE! Plus you get some great birthday coupons to use in the complex including free giant whoopie pies. “If it’s free, it’s for me,” is our favorite motto.My special day fell on a Monday this year, which meant my husband and older son weren’t able to join me for a …
I write this column with a box of tissues and a hot cup of tea with honey on my desk. As fate would have it, I’ve succumbed to the illness that has run rampant in my home this past week. But moms don’t get sick, at least that’s what I tell myself. I couldn’t possibly have a cold. It just can’t be. Other moms will agree that with the responsibilities we take on each week, there’s just no time for sickness. It’s not an option. I reminisce about the days when I could be sick and stay in bed for days with not a care in the world other than what homework I had to make up. Mom would bring me warm …
When it comes to screen time, there are definitely things we are careful about … no nighttime shows on channels outside of Sprout, Disney Jr., PBS, Discovery Kids and ESPN. We don’t allow our children to watch violent cartoons or shows that tolerate disrespectful behavior.Sports are about all we really turn on in the evening, with an occasional episode of “Winter Wipeout.” It should be a no-brainer to let my sons watch a basketball game. What could go wrong with a bunch of giants running back and forth with an orange ball and a couple of netted hoops, right?WRONG. Welcome to the 2011 NBA All-…
We’ve always had a love of the outdoors. Prior to having children, we enjoyed weekends backpacking in the mountains, rock climbing, and traveling cross-country with just a tent and a couple of sleeping bags. Adventure always has been in our blood. In the early stages of our marriage we had concerns about how having children would impact our love of adventure until we met a couple at a wedding reception. They were in their early 40s. As we sat with them at the dinner table, we told them about our hopes of having children and our fears of how that might change us. Their advice was some of the …
