The Patio Podcast

Earlier this year, thanks to a grant from the Lehigh Valley Arts and Cultural Alliance (LVACA), I took my microphones inside several Allentown community centers focused on retired adults and seniors, specifically asking for stories from Lehigh Valley local who, when it comes to Hess’s department store, are the true legacy-holders. IN THIS EPISODE: You will hear Hess Brother's memories from me...

Earlier this year, thanks to a grant from the Lehigh Valley Arts and Cultural Alliance (LVACA) , I took my microphones inside several Allentown community centers focused on retired adults and seniors, specifically asking for stories from Lehigh Valley local who, when it comes to Hess’s department store, are the true legacy-holders. In this first episode, you will hear me at the Jewish Community Ce...

Brand New Episodes are on their way thanks to the Lehigh Valley Arts & Cultural Alliance's (LVACA) Allentown Arts & Culture Project Grants program, which supports independent artists and small nonprofit organizations offering impactful, community-centered creative projects in the Lehigh Valley. Grants are are awarded to new or reimagined projects across all creative disciplines—music,...

Don't flirt, and ALWAYS speak well of the house... Continuing with a complete reading of pages 19-29 inside, "Rules and Regulations for the Government of the Employees of Hess Brothers; Allentown, PA."  This episode will get you inside the minds of Max and Charles Hess, trusted Members of the Firm, and department leaders. As the rule book states, MERIT WINS. The proof is on the page...

There was nothing like the Christmas season at Hess Brothers flagship store in Allentown! So cozy up by the fire to hear some of my favorite Christmas stories from seasons one and two! These Hess's holiday highlights will jog your own memory AND warm your heart. Share them, as well as your own memories, while gathering with family this season. Happy Holidays to all! The Patio's original...

We're back with Season 3! After an unintended hiatus, I am so excited to be bringing you new episodes of The Patio Podcast .   Starting NOW I want to speak with members of your organization, social club, church, apartment complex, alumni association, nursing home, and neighborhood-watch for new episodes of The Patio Podcast. Capturing as many stories as possible, small but mighty vignette’s o...

This is the Season Two Finale, but there is so much more ahead as we approach the One-Year Anniversary of The Patio Podcast! Thank you to all the cheerleaders, listeners, and guests who made this incredible project possible. You're responsible for preserving your local history and Hess's legacy-- I can't think of a greater gift we could possibly share!         During his 25-years at...

During his 25-years at Hess's, Wayne Holben worked his way up to Director of Public Relations. His longest stretch as a Hess’s co-worker began in 1973, one week after he returned from three-years of serving overseas in the Army. Prior to that, Wayne had various roles as a stock-boy, then worked in merchandising.  Before he was old enough to work, often at the request of Mr. Hess, Wayne ran od...

VOTE The Patio Podcast   for BEST LOCAL PODCAST in the 2024 Best of the Lehigh Valley Survey!  Best Local Podcast is category #134, type in "The Patio Podcast"  Vote online at www.bestofthelehighvalley.com Deadline is Monday, February 5, 2024 ... ( Part 1 is audio + Part 2 is a video on YouTube ) Lois, Tina, and Lori are three members of a small tribe they fondly referred to as The Hess’...

Mrs. Frances Ziegler’s 28-year career at Hess Brothers includes some of the most dynamic stories we have heard to date. If she had not spent years carefully assembling one scrapbook for her son, John Ziegler , it is very likely that her story would never have been told.  In this episode, John, adopted son of Mrs. Ziegler, and I comb through that scrapbook to share stories and theories about the go...

Caring DAM Hearts , a nonprofit organization with a mission of assisting and providing hope and kindness to homeless, veterans, and individuals in need throughout the Lehigh Valley region. Founded in 2016 by Denise "Neice Eie" Martinez after workplace stress nearly killed her, Neice Eie and a team of volunteers regularly visit homeless encampments and provide tents, tarps, propane, cloth...

Mark Keeler is the longest serving Puppeteer in the history of Allentown's beloved Pip the Mouse program; and owner of The Yippee Show Puppet Company.  Pip the Mouse has been delighting audiences during the holiday season year after year. Starting inside the window displays of Hess’s Department Store, more recently, Pip resided at the Liberty Bell Museum in Allentown before the assets of that...

Steve Greenberg is the son of Hess’s last, local Chairman & CEO, Irwin Greenberg. The stories Steve shares speak for themselves, but the level of detail he recalls is one of the most remarkable things we've heard on The Patio Podcast .  There is no doubt that Irwin and Steve Greenberg experienced so much of this business together, and when they were not together, Irwin nurtured their rela...

Former Hess’s employee, Bob Richter, is now America’s Vintage Lifestyle Expert! Bob is the author of A Very Vintage Christmas and Vintage Living .  Known for his starring role on the PBS series Market Warriors , Bob also hosted Flea Market Minute and Minute Makeover .  Bob’s vintage holiday expertise is often featured on TV and in print. WATCH THE VIDEO TOO: www.youtube.com/@HessPatioPodcast   Our...

*Special Crossover Episode with The Rad Years Podcast host, Ryan Kelly!* In the early 1990’s when some Hess’s chandeliers were sold off, and the Toy Department was removed from the flagship store, Lehigh Valley Native, Ryan Kelly , was just a kid who wanted to get THROUGH Hess’s in the mall as fast as possible. Ryan, like many of his peers, was a Mall Rat, who was more interested in the comic book...

Glenn Koch loves local and urban history, and is a certified Hess’s aficionado! Glenn is also a collector of antique postcards, photographs, and ephemera, who has spent most of the 21st century thus far collecting Hess’s ephemera on eBay, which he uses to build and share his own online museum on Pinterest .   Ephemera are items of collectible memorabilia, typically written or printed ones, that we...

Shonda Moralis, MSW, LCSW is a psychotherapist, coach, and award-winning author, and Founder of Breathe Mama Breathe & Co.  In this episode, she talks me through the leading research on nostalgia, her own memories as a Hess’s employee, and how following curiosity lead to new purpose in my life— Hess’s! Together, we explore the purpose nostalgia plays in the human psyche, its benefits, and how...

We're back with SEASON TWO of The Patio Podcast. After thousands of downloads in Season One, we have even MORE stories and history to share about the Lehigh Valley's beloved Hess's Department Store! This is a sneak peek of some of the guests who are going to help us remember Hess's from the end of September 2023 through the very special Christmas season!  ** NEW THIS SEASON! Re...

These nine short stories cover decades of Hess’s history. Each holds unique insider information that will close out this first season of The Patio Podcast! The stories come from members of Society of the Arts (SOTA) , which include individuals who worked with Max Hess Jr.; regularly shopped in The French Room; were hand-picked for special projects by Mrs. Berman; attended many of the "Old All...

WATCH CARSON'S INTERVIEW at HessPatioPodcast.com !! www.hesspatiopodcast.com Carson Kressley is an American television personality, actor, designer, and Lehigh Valley native. Known for his Emmy Award winning part in Bravo ’s ground-breaking series Queer Eye for the Straight Guy , Carson has held a special place in pop-culture ever since.  From Dancing with the Stars to RuPaul's Drag Race...

Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs host City Series beginning with Allentown's Hess's! Saturday, July 1, 2023 @ 6:35pm vs. Rochester Red Wings THE PATIO PODCAST WILL BE CHEERING ON OUR HOME TEAM The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are excited to announce the introduction of their new annual “City Series,” theme nights beginning this season. The City Series will honor the Lehigh Valley one city at a time sta...

Former Hess's co-workers and friends for more than 40-years, Donna Reilly and Neva Kear, met in 1979-80 on the 4th floor of the 9th & Hamilton Store. Donna remembers everyone being treated with dignity and the look in the children's eyes when she transformed into THE Strawberry Shortcake. Neva remembers EVERYTHING, from the first and last name's of the Executives to her many rol...

Robbie Lawrence is one of the most active collectors of retail nostalgia in the Lehigh Valley. You may know him from the stage at Musikfest, or as a co-host of The Polka Show alongside Mike Mittman on Service Electric Network. He has been dubbed the "Prince of Polka" as frontman of Robbie Lawrence and the Steelworkers Polka Band .  Robbie says he has a lot of life to live and spends his...

Flag down your Patio waitress, because we’re about to spill some Max Hess Jr. tea! (Since we have an amazing multi-generational audience, spill some tea is the same as spilling the beans . I, myself, have never used the phrase until today!) We have three short stories from historian and author, Frank Whelan , that he was told about Max Hess Jr., by the people who lived them.  If you missed my full...

May the 4th Be With You! Today we're bringing you a special STAR WARS episode featuring Donald Serfass. Don was hired as part of the Advertising & Public Relations department, and had a robust career at Hess's from 1976-1980. Star Wars was released in May 1977. It's hard for many people to remember a time before Star Wars , which revolutionized movie technology, franchising, and...