Celebrating Bethlehem's Southside Culture
One of Bethlehem’s most defining landscapes is the Bethlehem Steel factory. Approaching South Bethlehem from any direction, the retired steel stacks are the first thing anyone sees. They are the city’s major historical attraction, and Bethlehem Steel is arguably Bethlehem’s greatest claim to fame. The once multinational corporation impacted the lives of nearly every family…
The Beyond Steel Archive historical collections contain photos, documents, and interviews of Lehigh Valley residents during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries with a specific focus on the steel industry. With its international headquarters located in Bethlehem, PA, Bethlehem Steel dominated the industrial, economic, and cultural life of the Lehigh Valley during its operation. The goal…
Coach Roy and Malta Ortiz have been the heart and soul of the Lynfield Community Center (1889 Lynfield Drive, Bethlehem PA 18015) for the last eight years. They have cultivated the Center into a “hidden gem up in Lynfield,” providing solace, sanctuary, discipline, and life lessons to the Lynfield community. As the only remaining community…
New Bethany Ministries is the organization in the Lehigh Valley that “keeps the lights on” for those who need it most. Their mission is to “provide opportunities for a secure future for the homeless, hungry, poor and mentally ill.” Headquartered at the corner of Wyandotte and 4th Street in South Bethlehem, the group annually serves…
Ghada Kassis is both the baker and the chef behind the delicious pastries and Levantine meals enjoyed at The Olive Branch. With her husband Salir, she runs the warm and inviting Middle Eastern Restaurant, offering an escape from the commotion of Bethlehem’s Broadway Street. Because of her love for the food and her neighbors, Ghada…
Tony Silvoy considers himself “just a humble sandwich maker,” according to his twitter account (@thegoosemen); however, to call Tony the guy who makes sandwiches, or the guy who owns The Goose does not accurately describe his character or influence on the South Side Bethlehem community. For a number of people, Tony is the first connection…