Musikfest 2021 preview night a sign of a normal ‘Fest in abnormal times
Another attempt to add voice to my writing, this time describing the desire for Musikfest fun during still-uncertain times.
Filters & Sorting
Farewell, old friend
After 169 years, The Easton Express-Times finally ended its print edition. For the last run, I was back as a freelancer to eulogize my old paper. This was personal. This was where I spent countless nights getting the final headlines to print; where I covered presidents and pandemics, elections and festivals, storms and stories; where I met my wife. The result — over a century and a half of local news in 4,000 words — became the centerpiece of the special section, a final sendoff as a record of local history became history itself.
Night at the Roxy
The story of superstar Billy Joel’s first headlining gig could have happened anywhere, but it happened here — in a small theater in a small town, thanks to a small radio station with an unusual format. The various threads that came together 50 years ago are explored in this long-form story assembled through several lengthy interviews. I handled this project from the top down: writing, photography and digital layout.
Cooper’s hawk who? New names for American birds will affect 23 seen in Lehigh Valley
When it was announced that all North American bird species directly named for people would be renamed, I quickly sought out local experts to explain what this would mean for birders in our region, and get their (varying) opinions. This was a quick turnaround on a somewhat wonky — but impassioned — topic.
Reveling in weirdness in N.J. town where original ‘Friday the 13th’ filmed
A Friday the 13th adventure in Blairstown, New Jersey, where the original “Friday the 13th” was filmed. Hockey-masked, machete-wielding men roam as horror fans renew wedding vows in what has practically become a holiday for this small town. You just have to be there, so I went.
Bethlehem reclaiming relic of its greatest Civil War hero, by collector and coincidence
To find out how a Civil War relic was returning home after many decades, I had to track down one of the collectors involved for an interview. The result is a fascinating glimpse into history and the people who pursue it.
Musikfest 40 for 40: Stories from four decades of the Lehigh Valley’s biggest event
This ambitious project — 40 separate stories — required copious research through generations of archival methods, cataloging relevant headlines, story selection, writing and graphic design, planning and scheduling. The results are compiled here in the introductory post. My personal favorite is the protector of the Chicken Lady.
The end of Steel
On the 20th anniversary of Bethlehem Steel's sale, four interviewees tell their tales of individual realization that the industrial titan was doomed.
Good sh*t! Bees are making dark, smoky honey out of spotted lanternfly excrement.
Huh. Spotted lanternflies, while invasive and dangerous to trees and agriculture, can still serve a purpose. (And I love this headline.)
Lehigh Valley Then
My ongoing almanac-style series for lehighvalleylive.com recalls local historical headlines from 10, 20, 25, 50 and 100 years ago. Researched the old-fashioned way (with microfilm in the library), featured articles typically focus on famous people or events — the things that make readers go, "Oh yeah, I remember that!"
Billy Joel’s ‘Allentown’ at 40: Tough times and hard feelings from folks still livin’ here
Billy Joel has been singing about Allentown (about Bethlehem, really) for 40 years. But how do the people living here then and now feel about that?
Interviews with union steelworkers, historians, mayors and local economic cheerleaders come together in this in-their-own-words style recounting of a song that captured a snapshot of hard times, for better and for worse.
Delaware Water Gap park proposal opposed amid questions on boundaries, hunting and history
The Delaware Water Gap is a majestic sight. But would the national recreation area be as stunning with another name? A push to redesignate it into a full-fledged national park meets strong opposition — and dredges up a painful history. Both sides seem as far apart as the gap itself in this complicated fight.
Don’t drink the water: Neighborhood thirsts for answers about chemicals in their wells
2022 NEW JERSEY PRESS ASSOCIATION AWARD WINNER: PFAS-contaminated wells were slowly being identified in a New Jersey neighborhood, but no one was talking about how extensive the problem really was. I went door to door to find out what neighbors were experiencing, and pressed the issue with local and state officials.
Moving the Appalachian Trail: How volunteers finished a local job long in the making
It takes a lot to move the Appalachian Trail. I spent one recent Saturday on a walk in the woods with these trailblazing volunteers, documenting with words and photos their mission to reroute the AT.
Lehigh Valley billionaire launches into orbit on historic all-civilian SpaceX mission
My passions for astronomy and local history collide when a local billionaire embarks on a historic spaceflight. The story includes commentary from another local astronaut.
Juneteenth is a national holiday. We must choose what that means, Lehigh Valley organizers say.
A new holiday is a cause for celebration. But what should that look like? A unique opportunity to look at the meaning of Juneteenth as it becomes a national holiday.
Fear, isolation give way to hope on COVID anniversary
2022 NEW JERSEY PRESS ASSOCIATION AWARD WINNER | 2022 KEYSTONE MEDIA AWARDS HONORABLE MENTION: As we hit one year of COVID-19, our coronavirus coverage team presented personal stories of challenge — a reminder of what we have all endured, and what we still faced. For me, it was a chance to reconnect with my friends who endured a life-threatening bout with the pandemic virus.
1st COVID-19 vaccines given in Lehigh Valley: ‘Light at the end of the dark, long tunnel’
As coronavirus cases surged to their peak in late 2020, a historic moment: Witnessing the first vaccinations in the Lehigh Valley.
Blue to red in 30 miles: What 1 Pa. road tells us about America’s electorate
2021 TONER PRIZE WINNER | 2021 OJA FINALIST | SOCIETY OF NEWS DESIGN 2020 AWARD OF EXCELLENCE | 2021 KEYSTONE MEDIA AWARD WINNER: As co-lead reporter in the Swing County, Swing State project, I helped develop unique 2020 Election coverage, including coordinating and writing this centerpiece feature on the diversity of one of Pennsylvania's most important counties. For a month, I headed up and down one county road — at times even going door to door — asking people of different political persuasions to talk about their motivations. The result is an award-winning story told in a way never before seen on our website.
2 pandemics, 100 years apart. Headlines from the Lehigh Valley’s 1918 Spanish flu response sound like 2020.
2021 NEW JERSEY PRESS ASSOC. AWARD WINNER: A history feature that compared local storylines from the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic to the present day COVID-19 news. Inspiration for developing an ongoing historical headline feature, Lehigh Valley Then. Submitted to the NJPA in a portfolio of history pieces.
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