What is something most people don't know about you? "I would say they don't know too much about my character. I'm positive, friendly, open to everyone, and always willing to meet everybody." What words of advice would you like to share? "Even if you're mad with somebody, keep those bad comments to yourself. If somebody makes you mad, try to overlook them and move along." Jacqueline works as a hostess at Cafe the Lodge and is originally from Chicago, Illinois.
"I would say my favorite place is the South Side of Bethlehem because it has grown a lot creatively and artistically with the community. It's come a long way on the South Side. There a lot of businesses in the area and places like the Banana Factory that are trying to bring out people’s true talents and show people that we’re more than what meets the eye." Wilfredo is a long-time resident of the South Side and local artist.
"ArtsQuest is excited to provide free family programming for all residents of the South Side of Bethlehem in visual arts, performing arts, and all other kinds of fun events." Lisa is the Director of Education and Outreach for ArtsQuest.
Chris is a local artist at the Banana Factory who primarily works with pastels.
"There is something about the South Side. Especially at night, it's so organic. I live in Allentown and even though they have this whole new stadium and restaurants, it's too expensive for the people in the area. So other than the nights they have an event it's a ghost town, you know? Great places to live are places where people can walk around and see lots of other people walking around." Emily is a Lehigh graduate who works as a waitress at Jenny's Kuali.
"The South Side has changed a lot since I was growing up. It used to be just the Steel, but now there is a big arts community for the people. There is also much more ethnic diversity." (paraphrased) Jan is a lifelong resident of the Lehigh Valley.
Tracey is the owner of Trixie's Treats, a local bakery and food cart specializing in cupcakes.
Heather is the owner of Wrap'd Tight, a local gourmet wrap and salad business founded in 2005.
"We were at a potluck and started fire spinning. We learned one by one as a family and turned it into a professional show." The Burning Hearts is a local professional troupe of entertainers that harnesses the danger and excitement of fire prop manipulation, combined with group choreography and dance.
"I work with Cooking Matters, a six week cooking and education course that we offer to the Lehigh Valley. We are the only ones in Pennsylvania that currently offer it and it features parents, kids, and people of all ages learning how to eat healthy." Kristina works for the Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley.
"We’re a local 501(c) non-profit that provides free support and programming to any local family that has a child with cancer. Although people might think that childhood cancer is rare, unfortunately we serve about 150 families and the numbers continue to grow. There are some other foundations and agencies in the area that focus on research. but our focus is providing day-to-day support in terms of opportunities to be together and do fun activities. We have monthly events at the Banana Factory."
"It’s so cool that the South Side Arts District is just that, an Arts District. It really ties in all of the different arts like performing arts, music, visual arts and brings in a lot of the community." L2 creations is a handmade, upcycled jewelry retailer.
"We are launching a mobile farmers' market coming into eight different areas of Northampton County and two of them are in Bethlehem. We will be coming on a weekly basis starting mid-June. But it’s not just a market place, it’s going to be nutritional education, cooking demonstrations, sampling, recipes in Spanish and English, along with just good fun to keep things exciting." Eric is the director of Kellyn Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to promoting family and community wellness.
"My favorite thing about the South Side is probably the food. There are so many unique little places that you'd never find anywhere else. I love when I walk into a restaurant and the employees there remember me. It really makes the South Side feel like another home." Katie is a sophomore at Lehigh University
“I'm a graphic designer, but my family owns Nieves Spanish Grocery. My mother started it 35 years ago. We have lived here on the South Side since we were children. It’s a grocery store, we do bill payments, loan payments and I sell airbrush work.” William Nieves is a South Side airbrush artist.