I spent a good part of my adult life leaving the Lehigh Valley. I've lived and worked in Turkey, China and England, but the Valley seems to be my center of gravity. After graduating from William Allen High School and Kutztown University, I went to graduate school at Emerson College in Boston and then City University in London. Traveling abroad changed me in many ways, especially in how I think of other cultures and my own. But it also made me homesick. After more than a decade of working as a teacher and journalist overseas, I returned home, to Allentown. Since then, I've been a journalism teacher and an editor for community newspapers. And now with Patch, it's clear there's no place like home.
No wine for you: All liquor stores in Pennsylvania will be shuttered by 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve and 8 p.m. on New Years’ Eve, by decree of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.
Patch readers unite! Help one of our area school districts win $100,000. Homeowners in Upper Moreland and Hatboro-Horsham are finalists in Patch's Deck the House Contest.
You voted and this house was the top local vote-getter in our Deck the House contest.
You voted and this house was the top local vote-getter in our Deck the House contest.
You voted and this house was the top local vote-getter in our Deck the House contest.
You voted and this house was the top local vote-getter in our Deck the House contest.
You voted and this house was the top local vote-getter in our Deck the House contest.
You voted and this house was the top local vote-getter in our Deck the House contest.
Some say the ancient Mayans predicted the world will end Dec. 21; others say you should plan on going to work Friday anyway.
In one of many doomsday myths, it's is widely believed the ancient Mayans predicted that the apocalypse will occur on Dec. 21. Beware of zombies.
Procrastinators rejoice: You can still find great deals buying gifts online, with free guaranteed Christmas Eve delivery.
Unions have broad appeal in PA, staunching right-to-work efforts. Gov. Tom Corbett said the Pennsylvania legislature lacks the will to pass right-to-work laws.
A 29-year-old Bucks County man was arrested in Lehigh County for allegedly luring real estate agents to model homes with the intent to rape them. Arrests do not indicate a conviction.
In its “12 Days of Giving” Holiday Campaign, Walmart donated $5,000 to a Richboro nonprofit that helps families in need.
The Neshaminy High School Select Choir won the grand prize for its rendition of "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas."
Here are the most popular local stories from Patch during the week.
FISCAL POTHOLE: The “fiscal cliff” will bite into only a small portion of Pennsylvania’s $21.5 billion federal funding.
With gas prices down 50 cents since September, 93.3 million Americans are expected to take a trip this holiday season, an increase of 1.6 percent.
Starbucks holding its Buy One, Share One holiday drink event again this week.
Gov. Tom Corbett says “no” to setting up a state-based health exchange.
