For more than a century, A-TREAT has been part of the Lehigh Valley story. The sodas and seltzers we grew up with, the flavors that feel like home. Now the brand is doing something new: using that fizz to fight pediatric cancer.

In this episode of the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast we are on site at the A-TREAT facility with Luke Jaindl, Vice President of Jaindl Companies, and Michelle Zenie Rounds, Executive Director of the Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley (PCFLV).

Together they share the story behind “Fizz That Fights” Lemon Twist Seltzer, a limited edition release that puts community first. Every bottle helps raise awareness and support for PCFLV’s mission to provide hope, programs, and direct assistance to more than 450 local families navigating childhood cancer.

We talk about:

How the A-TREAT and PCFLV partnership came to life

Why local matters, from Jaindl’s rescue of A-TREAT in 2015 to PCFLV’s hyperlocal mission

The importance of awareness initiatives like “30 Days, 30 Stories” during Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month

A-TREAT’s unique place in Lehigh Valley history, from Big Blue to holiday flavors, and what the future looks like

Listen in for community, history, and a whole lot of fizz.

Learn more about PCFLV: https://www.pcflv.org/

Watch Episode: https://youtu.be/7RpzdyyKQ_A

On this episode of the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast, George Wacker sits down with Michael Fickes, songwriter and frontman of Roman Patterns, to talk about the band’s debut full-length album Somewhere on the Highway, out now on Shaky Records.

The album follows their 2024 Darts EP and features 11 brand new tracks, including the singles Modern Man and Daylight Saloon, plus a reimagined cover of Fuel’s hit Hemorrhage (In My Hands). Recorded and produced at Shaky Records, the album blends grunge and alternative rock influences from the late 90s and early 2000s with modern indie rock sensibilities.

Michael shares how his creative partnership with producer Shaky reignited after a long break from music, how family and friends contributed to the record, and why Roman Patterns is focused on the studio rather than the stage — at least for now.

Listen to Somewhere on the Highway:Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube

On this episode of the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast, we’re joined by Devika Knafo, the organizer behind The Mom Market, a vibrant new pop-up event coming to the Bethlehem Rose Garden on August 24.

The Mom Market is designed to celebrate and support mom and women entrepreneurs in the Lehigh Valley, featuring artisan goods, local businesses, wellness vendors, food, and entertainment in a family-friendly community setting.

We talk about how Devika came up with the idea, the challenges moms face balancing business and family, and why creating spaces for women to connect, collaborate, and grow is so important. She also gives us a preview of the day’s schedule, from community yoga to kids’ storytime and even Disney princess dance-offs, and shares what’s next for this seasonal series of markets.

Listen now:www.lehighvalleywithlovemedia.com/podcast

The Mom MarketAugust 24, 9:30 AM–3 PMBethlehem Rose GardenInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/momsmeetmarket

On this episode of the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast, we’re joined by Kenna DeValor, a poet, publisher, and founder of FlowerMouth Press. Kenna’s new poetry collection DISCOFRUIT is a shimmering celebration of queer identity, vulnerability, and joy.

We talk about how the book was born in a small Poconos café under a disco ball, Kenna’s creative upbringing in Coopersburg and Charter Arts, and how FlowerMouth Press grew from a solo idea in 2019 into a nonprofit platform amplifying Gen Z voices around the world.

We also explore the importance of art, physical media, and why the next generation isn’t done with poetry.

Listen now:www.lehighvalleywithlovemedia.com/podcast

Grab DISCOFRUIT:Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/discofruit-kenna-devalorBlurb/Author Site: https://kennadevalor.my.canva.site

Submit to FlowerMouth Press:Website: https://flowermouthpress.orgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowermouthpress

What started as three filmmakers meeting at a Wegmans café has grown into one of the Lehigh Valley’s most collaborative creative communities. In this episode, George talks with Dawn Daignault, Michael Sheridan, and Vince Stahl, the founders of Route 22 Filmworks — a grassroots filmmaking group that now boasts more than 200 members and an annual film festival at Bethlehem’s Ice House.

We discuss the group’s origins, how they’ve built a space where newcomers and seasoned pros collaborate on no-budget films, and why their festival focuses on showcasing local talent. They also share behind-the-scenes stories, the unique challenges of keeping films under 20 minutes, and why they believe the Valley’s indie film scene is thriving.

Learn more: Route 22 Filmworks → http://route22filmworks.com/ All episodes → www.lvwithlove.com

The Greater Lehigh Valley Arts + Culture Patron Survey is more than a questionnaire. It’s a region-wide effort to gather real data on how people engage with the arts, what gets in their way, and how we can create more inclusive, accessible cultural experiences.

In this episode of Off the Record, we’re joined by Meg Mikovits, Assistant Director and Research Manager at the Lehigh Valley Arts and Culture Alliance, and Marta Kepka, Director of Arts Marketing at Lafayette College. They share how this free, anonymous survey came together, what kinds of questions it asks, and why it’s so important that both individuals and organizations take part.

We talk about:

Why the arts are essential to economic growth, public health, and social connection

The surprising lack of existing audience data in the region

What organizations can gain from distributing the survey to their audiences

How the results will be shared and used across sectors

Whether you’re a mural lover, a Musikfest regular, a parent with kids in band, or someone who just wants to see more arts opportunities in your neighborhood, your voice matters.

Take the survey: https://bit.ly/LehighValleyArtsSurvey Full episode and more: www.lvwithlove.com

Recorded at City Hall’s Payrow Plaza, it’s the Mayor’s Musikfest Podcast 2025, hosted by Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds and Lehigh Valley with Love Media’s George Wacker.

This year’s episode highlights the people powering Musikfest behind the scenes and on stage:

Kassie Hilgert, President and CEO of ArtsQuest, shares what’s new and what keeps the festival going after 42 years

Patrick Brogan, Chief Programming Officer of ArtsQuest, talks booking hundreds of bands and building a “city within a city”

Dave Fry, local music icon who’s performed at every single Musikfest since 1984, joins the conversation and performs live

Laura Waits and Cathy Campanaro of Sync Recovery, along with Northampton County Council member Lori Vargo-Heffner, talk about the launch of SoberPlatz, a new alcohol-free space at the festival

Meet the Mayor, a long-time local band, reflects on playing Musikfest for the past 8 years

Bren closes out the episode with thoughts on artistry, identity, and what it means to perform at Musikfest

Listen for honest conversations, local stories, and a look at how community and music come together every summer in Bethlehem.

Musikfest starts Friday, August 1.Thank you to everyone who helps make Bethlehem such a special place to live, visit, and celebrate.Have a great Fest.

https://youtu.be/VSV_onIlqok

Did you know that 62% of Americans are eligible to donate blood, but only 2–3% actually do?

In this episode of Off the Record with Lehigh Valley with Love, we sit down with Rami Nemeh, President & CEO, and Lina Barbieri, VP of Communications and Chief Philanthropy Officer at Miller-Keystone Blood Center, to explore the very real crisis facing our region’s blood supply — and what it will take to fix it.

With cohost Jeff Warren, we hear powerful stories of survival (including one that hits close to home for Jeff), and we learn how Miller-Keystone is using apps, AI, and even virtual reality to modernize donation and inspire the next generation of donors.

Key stats we discuss:– 62% of Americans can give blood, but only 2–3% do– Every 2 seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood– 60% of local donors are over age 55– Only 5% are ages 18–25

https://youtu.be/93n9HoweDDQ 

Bethlehem Economic Development Corporation (BEDCO) Executive Director Sean Ziller joins the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast to explain how two new grants from Pennsylvania’s Main Street Matters program could impact local businesses and neighborhoods.

One grant funds strategic planning for the SouthSide Arts District. The other, known as the Business Improvement Grant (BIG),  offers matching microgrants of up to $5,000 for small businesses in certain areas.

Ziller and host George Wacker explore how these initiatives aim to strengthen Bethlehem’s business environment, how the funds will be used, and why strategic planning today matters for the city’s future.

Learn more and apply: www.bedco-pa.org/main-street-matters Contact: [email protected]

In this episode of the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast, we talk with Henry Rouhana, founder of Sure Fix Remodeling in Easton, Pennsylvania.

Henry’s story begins in Lebanon, where he spent summers on construction sites and found inspiration watching architects bring spaces to life. After earning his architecture degree from ALBA in Beirut, Henry immigrated to the United States with his wife and two young children.

Starting over was not easy. With no money and no resources beyond his determination, Henry launched Sure Fix Remodeling. Over time, his business grew to include a full showroom and a trusted team of family members.

Today, Sure Fix is known for its commitment to design, craftsmanship, and treating every client like family.

Explore Sure Fix Remodeling: www.surefixremodeling.com