Blue Valley Times

03/13/2026

03/11/2026

Visit bluevalleytimes.com to see all the content in this weeks issue

03/11/2026

The Morning Call Names Barry Isett & Associates the #1 Top Workplace Among
Medium-Sized Employers for 2026

By Sarah Wallace / Director Pocono Chamber of Commerce
ALLENTOWN, Pa, – Barry Isett & Associates (Isett) has been named a Top Workplace by The Morning Call for the 14th consecutive year, earning a milestone distinction in 2026 as the #1 ranked medium-sized business (125–499 employees) in the Lehigh Valley.
The Top Workplaces award is based entirely on feedback from associates collected through an anonymous, third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage, LLC. The confidential survey measures key aspects of the employee experience, including feeling respected and supported, enabled to grow, and empowered to execute.
“This recognition is incredibly meaningful because it comes directly from our associates,” said Andrew Lawler, President & COO of Isett. “Being named a Top Workplace for 14 consecutive years, and ranked number one this year, is a testament to our people
Continued on page 18
and the culture we continue to build together. I am proud to work alongside such a dedicated team as we grow and enrich the communities we serve.”
The achievement was celebrated at The Morning Call’s Top Workplaces Awards Ceremony on Thursday, February 26, at ArtsQuest in Allentown, where Isett was represented by Jennifer Duddy, Talent Acquisition Specialist; Teresa Rivera, Marketing & Proposal Coordinator; Marcus Rivera, Staff Environmental Scientist; and Lawler.
“Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees,” said Eric Rubino, CEO of Energage. “That’s something to be proud of. In today’s market, leaders must ensure employees have a voice and are heard. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends.”
Isett has been recognized as a Top Workplace every year since the program’s inception, underscoring the firm’s long-standing commitment to fostering a workplace rooted in trust, collaboration, and shared values.

03/11/2026

Nominate a Historic Site in Your Community!

By By Senator Lisa Boscola
SLATE BELT - The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) has opened the 2026 nomination cycle for the Pennsylvania Historical Marker Program! Communities across PA are encouraged to help identify and elevate the stories that shaped local history and our nation’s history. These markers are particularly important this year as Pennsylvania takes center stage for America’s 250th anniversary!
Historic Site There are more than 2,500 blue-and-gold markers already installed in all 67 counties making Pennsylvania’s Historical Marker Program one of the Commonwealth’s most visible ways residents and visitors connect to the people, places, and events that define Pennsylvania’s role as the “Keystone of American History.” For nearly 80 years, the historical markers have commemorated the diverse narratives that shaped our Commonwealth.
This year’s nomination cycle builds on recent improvements PHMC made to make the marker program more accessible and supportive for applicants, particularly Continued on page 18
Key dates and process improvements include:

Required Pre-Application (due April 1, 2026): Applicants must first submit a pre-application, allowing PHMC staff to provide early guidance on historical significance, documentation, and eligibility before a full nomination is prepared.
Final Application Deadline (June 1, 2026): Applicants invited to proceed after pre-application review must submit final materials by this date.
Nominations may be submitted by individuals, historical societies, local governments, nonprofit organizations, and community groups. All proposals are evaluated by a panel of independent historians and scholars from across Pennsylvania and approved by the agency’s commissioners.

More information on the Pennsylvania Historical Marker Program, including application guidelines, is available at: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/phmc/historic-preservation/pa-historical-marker-program.

03/11/2026

Four-time Olympian, Joetta, Emcees 14th Annual “A Night Under the Stars” Gala

By Executive Director Paula Albanese
BETHLEHEM, PA. - Life House Held their gala at Musikfest Café at SteelStacks, the event supports pregnant women and mothers of infants experiencing homelessness in the Lehigh Valley, where family homelessness has risen 51%.
Joetta, an Olympian, author, and wellness advocate, will serve as emcee for an evening that includes a powerful resident testimonial, an award presentation, and the signature Cake Auction featuring more than 20 local artisan bakeries.
Media are invited to attend. Interviews with Joetta, Executive Director Paula Albanese, and program residents are available.
Four-time Olympian, motivational speaker, author, and authority on wellness, Joetta, will emcee Cay Galgon Life House’s 14th Annual Gala, “A Night Under the Stars,” a signature fundraising event supporting pregnant women and mothers of infants experiencing homelessness in the Lehigh Valley.
The gala featured dinner, live entertainment, the Guardian Angel Award presentation, and the popular Cake Auction showcasing over 20 local bakeries. Attendees will heard firsthand from a Life House resident whose journey demonstrates the life-changing impact of stable housing and support services.