It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Helfrich Springs Grist Mill gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Whitehall, PA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Always treated with respect and they showed care for my mother. Everyone was pleasant when”
“Always Best Care Senior Services provided very professional services that resulted in finding the best”
“If your loved one needs in home care, I highly recommend Always Best Care of”
“If your loved one needs in home care, I highly recommend Always Best Care of”
“I am a current client of this provider Always best care cared for my mother. They”
“Ken Good was so helpful and knowledgable when my elderly father needed in-home care. He”
“Ken and Rebecca have been extremely helpful during the process of finding in-home care for”
“Ken is a fantastic provider of in-home care in Doylestown. I highly recommend his team.”
“Ken was the first person I really talked to when I found out my father”
“Excellent in every respect.”
“The support provided by Ken and Rebecca Good (and all of their team) has been”
“Very few businesses or even people come from a place of compassion and a good”
“I am a current client of this provider Ken and Rebecca go above and beyond”
“Ken and Rebecca were a godsend in our search for care for our elderly father.”
“Very good, prompt attention to an unexpected need for day care in home for Mother-in-law.”
“Ken & Rebecca were very helpful & knowledgeable with resources in helping me care for”
“Both Rebecca and Ken were very easy to talk with and were very interested in”
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care provides extremely caring, compassionate help”
“Your loved ones will be in great care with Always Best Care of Greater Bethlehem.”
“Always treated with respect and they showed care for my mother. Everyone was pleasant when I would call about different circumstances.”
“Always Best Care Senior Services provided very professional services that resulted in finding the best personal care facility fit for my mother. They have a passion for helping seniors and prioritize the health and well-being of their clients over everything else. I would highly recommend them when you are in a position of finding senior care services for your loved ones.”
“If your loved one needs in home care, I highly recommend Always Best Care of Bethlehem. Wonderful staff and excellent caregivers that go above and beyond what is expected of them!”
“If your loved one needs in home care, I highly recommend Always Best Care of Bethlehem. Wonderful staff and excellent caregivers that go above and beyond what is expected of them!”
“I am a current client of this provider Always best care cared for my mother. They have been amazing. My mother really likes her caregiver.”
“Ken Good was so helpful and knowledgable when my elderly father needed in-home care. He actually came to the rehab center to meet us where my father was getting physical therapy after a fall. This way he was able to accurately access how much care my father would need and which caregivers would be the right fit. We were afraid we'd have to move him to a nursing home but fortunately we were able to set up in-home care. It's been four months now and we have been very happy with the caregivers who have been assigned to my father. Always Best Care is very responsive and flexible in adjusting hours as needed, somehow managing to keep the caregivers my parents have bonded with even though the hours have been reduced. We are happy our parents are able to age in place with care as they need it.”
“Ken and Rebecca have been extremely helpful during the process of finding in-home care for my in-laws. They have been sensitive to our needs, diligent in their efforts to provide the best possible care, and consistent in their follow-up to see if things are satisfactory. We have been executing this process from out-of-state and the process has been very smooth. Through phone calls and face-to-face meetings when possible, both Ken and Rebecca have been professional, knowledgeable, and a pleasure to work with. I would highly recommend Always Best Care Senior Services.”
“Ken is a fantastic provider of in-home care in Doylestown. I highly recommend his team.”
“Ken was the first person I really talked to when I found out my father was given a year to live. Instead of immediately looking at me like a business opportunity, he treated me like a close friend. He listened and treated me with complete kindness.. I have gotten to know Ken and his wife Rebecca and I can easily say that they are two of the most wonderful people I have ever met. There is nothing in this world I wouldn't trust them with. Especially the care of a loved one.”
“Excellent in every respect.”
“The support provided by Ken and Rebecca Good (and all of their team) has been invaluable as the family navigates through dealing with the impact of our sister's illness to all of us. The structure with using ABC's online portal to evidence our sister's care is extremely beneficial in ensuring strong and coordinated communication. It is truly appreciative this technology is available and utilized by ABC. For those dealing with identifying care for a loved one, you would be smart to contact Always Best Care of Upper Buxmont.”
“Very few businesses or even people come from a place of compassion and a good heart. Always Best Care does. The client always comes first as does their health and well-being, and the family seeking the best for their loved ones. Thank you Ken for all you did for my parents!”
“I am a current client of this provider Ken and Rebecca go above and beyond for their clients, as do their staff. They handled emergent situations for my grandmother when we were on vacation - staying with her the entire time at the hospital. Ken also did significant research for our decision to put her in an assisted living community. I highly recommend Always Best Care.”
“Ken and Rebecca were a godsend in our search for care for our elderly father. Both Ken and Rebecca were incredibly compassionate, empathetic and caring. In addition, they were knowledgeable and had a wonderful process for determining the needs of the family, the needs of the specific individual and finding an appropriate match for a caregiver to meet those needs. I can't say enough about the services provided by Always Best Care. Ken always went above and beyond, he knew the questions to ask, and how to navigate all the red tape of various organizations (Veterans Administration, etc.) AND he diligently does site visits to the facilities he references so he is able to speak from experience about the quality of care at the facilities under consideration. If you are in need of advice and assistance in caring for a family member I recommend Ken and Rebecca and Always Best Care with no reservations.”
“Very good, prompt attention to an unexpected need for day care in home for Mother-in-law. Ken is very well versed in available providers and other services needed at this time.The day care providers dealt well with her memory problems.”
“Ken & Rebecca were very helpful & knowledgeable with resources in helping me care for my Mom during an extremely difficult time. It was great finding two people who cared & listened to my situation. I never felt alone in my difficult decision making process.”
“Both Rebecca and Ken were very easy to talk with and were very interested in getting to know my father. They went out of their way to help us as our plans changed from in home care to personal care. They explained the process and were with us every step of the way to answer questions and provide support. I would use them again in a minute.”
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care provides extremely caring, compassionate help for my mom, I live out of town, and can't be there myself very often. But this business goes all-out to take care of my mom. I don't know what we would do without them.”
“Your loved ones will be in great care with Always Best Care of Greater Bethlehem.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Egypt Memorial Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Melt or visit Whitehall Historical Preservation Society, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Whitehall, PA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Whitehall, PA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Whitehall, PA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.Kids & Family The YMCA has announced the opening of a new child care center in partnership with the Whitehall Coplay School District. Open house April 2.River Crossing YMCA, Community Contributor|Updat...
This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.
River Crossing YMCA, Community Contributor
|Updated Tue, Mar 18, 2025 at 12:19 pm ET
River Crossing YMCA has announced the opening of a new child care center in partnership with the Whitehall Coplay School District. The new center, located on the school district campus at 2932 Zephyr Blvd., is open and accepting enrollment for children aged six weeks through Pre-K. An open house is scheduled for April 2, 5-7PM.
“There is a need for more high quality early childhood education and care for families throughout the Lehigh Valley,” explained Skylar Lynn, Sr. director of child development for River Crossing YMCA in the Lehigh Valley. “We are excited and grateful to partner with the Whitehall School District to bring safe, healthy and positive learning experiences to children and families in this community.”
The new child care center, which also offers before and after school care for students who attend Gockley and Zephyr Elementary schools, is operating in the building previously occupied by Gockley Elementary. Gockley is now in a newly constructed school building on the same campus. The center is open Monday-Friday 6:30AM-6:00PM. The open house on April 2 will include light refreshments and snacks, some raffle giveaways and a fun craft for children.
“I love the programs the Y provides for my school age son Kaden,” shared Tiara Vereen, who has two children enrolled at the new center in Whitehall. “Having before school and after school care really gives working parents like myself the opportunity to work normal hours without having to make any additional changes [to my schedule]. When I was informed of the new center opening, I was thrilled!! When I was made aware of the opening date, I immediately enrolled Kameron so he could start in the toddler program as soon as possible! The staff is phenomenal and I can really tell that my children love what they do there.”
Information about the center, curriculum and tours can be found on the center’s webpage, https://ymcarivercrossing.org/child-care/whitehall-child-care-center, or by calling (610) 439-1431 x4109. A sibling discount of 10% is available for families who need care for more than one child, and financial assistance is available to those who qualify.
River Crossing YMCA (formerly YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties and Greater Valley YMCA) is a charitable, nonprofit organization committed to strengthening communities through membership and programs that foster youth development, healthy living and social responsibility for all. Annually, the Y serves over 142,000 members and participants at its 12 member branches, 13 early childhood centers, 20 summer camp locations and 37 school age child care programs. River Crossing YMCA provides over $12 million of community impact annually in the form of financial assistance to individuals and families in need and free programming for veterans, cancer survivors, older adults and more. To learn more visit ymcarivercrossing.org.
The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?
WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. – Workers are putting the finishing touches on a new restaurant that will soon be serving up wings, burgers, pizza and other tasty eats in Lehigh County.Thirsty Turtle Tavern, a full-service, family-friendly restaurant and bar offering casual American cuisine, is expected to open in April at 1410 Grape St. in Whitehall Township, according to operations manager Brian Smith.The site previously housed a Keystone Pub & Grill location, which ...
WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. – Workers are putting the finishing touches on a new restaurant that will soon be serving up wings, burgers, pizza and other tasty eats in Lehigh County.
Thirsty Turtle Tavern, a full-service, family-friendly restaurant and bar offering casual American cuisine, is expected to open in April at 1410 Grape St. in Whitehall Township, according to operations manager Brian Smith.
The site previously housed a Keystone Pub & Grill location, which closed in September after 12 years of business.
Keystone Pub’s original location, at 3259 Easton Ave. in Bethlehem Township, continues to operate as normal.
"We're probably about three weeks from opening," Smith told 69 News this week. "We're still hiring our team and just putting the finishing touches on everything."
A team of workers has overhauled the Whitehall space with “new everything,” including updated flooring, lighting and kitchen equipment, according to Ayush Patel, CEO of SAS Restaurant Group, which is operating the restaurant.
New bricks, rustic wood and black subway tiles line the walls, and a new lounge area features plush furniture and an electric fireplace.
The kitchen was enlarged by about 150 square feet, with workers knocking down a wall to create an open kitchen design.
Diners will get an up-close at the culinary process, including team members making fresh pizza and sushi, Patel said.
Additionally, new partial walls were installed in a front portion of the restaurant, offering a more secluded dining experience and a suitable area for private parties of up to 30 people.
Thirsty Turtle Tavern will feature seating for around 200 customers – at a mix of booths, low-top tables and high-top seating – throughout the restaurant.
“We’re focused on offering a fun, family-friendly dining experience, with great food, atmosphere, affordability,” Patel said. “Nothing on our menu will exceed $20.”
Thirsty Turtle Tavern’s menu will be diverse, with American staples like burgers and chicken wings as well as international selections such as sushi, tacos and pasta dishes.
The restaurant will feature 15 pizzas, 20 appetizers and 20 burgers and handhelds, Patel said.
Shareable appetizers will include nachos, taquitos, stuffed mushrooms, mac and cheese bites, boneless and traditional wings, tableside guacamole, spinach and artichoke dip and poutine with pulled pork, among others.
In addition to pizza, other Italian options will include chicken parmigiana, penne vodka and a meatball skillet, Patel said.
Down the line, the restaurant also will offer weekend brunch, featuring egg dishes, waffles, mimosas and more, on Saturdays and Sundays, Patel said.
Tentative operating hours for Thirsty Turtle Tavern are 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
“We really want this to be a great hang-out spot, where you come three or four times a month for great food and fun times,” Patel said. “The menu is diverse. So, everyone in the family will be able to find something they like on it.”
Thirsty Turtle Tavern will feature a roughly 50-seat full bar, featuring a new epoxied bar top.
The bar will offer 25 draft beers, classic and signature cocktails and a wide variety of wines.
Later this year, Patel also has plans to install new windows that open to the front patio, allowing for an al fresco feel in the bar area on nice weather days.
“We have 38 TVs," Patel said. "We're going to be a good balance of a restaurant and a sports bar, with a great atmosphere for the whole family."
The new Whitehall restaurant is the first of several Thirsty Turtle Taverns that Patel plans to open in the region.
No other locations have been nailed down just yet, but Patel is considering opening additional restaurants in various areas, including the Reading and Wyomissing areas.
Patel also is planning to open a new location of Fat Patty’s, a sports bar and casual dining concept that specializes in burgers, within the next few months in Toms River, N.J.
In Whitehall, Thirsty Turtle Tavern is replacing Keystone Pub’s former Whitehall location, which owner Savvas Kiprislis closed in September to spend more time with family and focus on running the pub’s Bethlehem Township location.
Prior to Keystone Pub, the Whitehall site was home to a Lone Star Steakhouse.
FERGUSON TOWNSHIPFollowing a series of hurdles on its road to opening, Whitehall Road Regional Park is facing yet another one, with an opening date still not set, and at least a year behind schedule.At the Centre Region ...
FERGUSON TOWNSHIP
Following a series of hurdles on its road to opening, Whitehall Road Regional Park is facing yet another one, with an opening date still not set, and at least a year behind schedule.
At the Centre Region Council of Government’s general forum meeting Monday, CRCOG Director Benjamin Estell delivered a status update on the multi-million dollar park, including a stormwater inspection report that CRCOG recently received.
The five-page report includes comments about stormwater-related errors that were spotted at the park during its inspection. While some of errors are negligible enough to be corrected after the park’s opening, at least two issues could affect the opening date, according to Estell.
“There are at least two pipes that are shown to be installed at a much lesser slope than what was designed, so the comments call for re-laying the drain for these pipes on-site, which could be significant work.” Estell said. “I have forwarded this onto Stahl Sheaffer, the engineer for this project, to begin working on all these corrections.”
It comes after Estell and Centre Region Parks and Recreation Director Kristy Owens said in October that the park’s opening — originally planned for spring 2024, then later eyed for that fall — had been held up by a failure in stormwater construction documentation. Usually that documentation is done during a project’s construction process, but the documentation was not completed due to “mistakes that have been made through (CRCOG’s) engineering service,” Owens said.
With spring now fast approaching, it is possible that the park could open even if significant work is required on the pipes, by sectioning off the affected parts of the park.
Because Stahl Sheaffer received the report so recently, Estell said the engineering firm hasn’t had the time yet to determine what corrections it would be possible to complete while the park is open.
“The reality for me has been that while the park has not been open, it has existed in its built state for some time now, and we have not witnessed problems in any of these pipes,” Etsell said at the meeting. “However, there are regulations that we have to meet, and we will do the work that we have to do to meet those.”
In the meantime, Estell said he plans on engaging in talks with Ferguson Township to try and move forward with the occupancy process.
Even though there’s no opening date for the park that broke ground in 2022, a new construction project will be coming to Whitehall Road Regional Park in the near future.
The general forum voted unanimously Monday to hire Fernsler & Hutchinson Architecture, LLC for $43,950 as the design architect for a new pavilion, complete with a concession stand. The total project cost is estimated at about $500,000.
The pavilion was to be built during the project’s first phase alongside the park’s bathrooms, but as engineering problems arose, it was set aside and brought back up now as a separate plan. The park’s opening date is not contingent on the construction of the pavilion, and funding for the pavilion came from grant funds, a private donor and use of the remaining Regional Parks loan fund.
Given the history, Ferguson Township supervisor Omari Patterson said during Monday’s meeting that he’s “nervous” about the addition of the pavilion. Harris Township Supervisor Frank Harden agreed.
“In the immortal words of Yogi Berra, ‘it’s deja vu all over again,’” he said. “This is the same way we did Whitehall Road Regional Park, it still isn’t open and I’m going to make a statement here tonight that I want everybody to realize — we have an amount that has been delegated for this project, and we are not exceeding it. I will not vote for one more dollar for this project other than what has already been allocated.”
Harden continued venting his frustrations with the Whitehall project, likening CRCOG’s handling of it to the definition of insanity, by “doing the same old thing and expecting different results.”
Measures have been taken by CRCOG for the pavilion’s design and construction process to make sure that mistakes don’t happen again — the architect’s $43,950 payment is a “not-to-exceed” amount, barring permission from granted by general forum, and monthly progress updates to CRCOG on the pavilion’s design and construction are required.
Estell and College Township supervisor Mike Bernier offered reassurance on those measures, with Bernier saying he has faith in the project team and their ability to carry out the pavilion project adequately.
March 07, 2025 5:30 AM
February 28, 2025 6:58 PM
JM
Centre Daily Times
Jake is a 2023 Bellisario College of Communications at Penn State graduate and the local government and development reporter for the Centre Daily Times. He has worked professionally in journalism since May 2023, with a focus in local government, community and economic development and business openings/closings.
WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. - PennDOT is giving Pennsylvanians more opportunities to get a Real ID.The department has added another round of "Real ID Days" events to encourage residents to sign up. During the events, centers will be exclusively processing Real IDs to help Pennsylvanians obtain a REAL ID before the enforcement deadline, according to a news release from PennDOT.They'll be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 3, including at the Driver License Center in Whitehall Township.The events will also be h...
WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. - PennDOT is giving Pennsylvanians more opportunities to get a Real ID.
The department has added another round of "Real ID Days" events to encourage residents to sign up. During the events, centers will be exclusively processing Real IDs to help Pennsylvanians obtain a REAL ID before the enforcement deadline, according to a news release from PennDOT.
They'll be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 3, including at the Driver License Center in Whitehall Township.
The events will also be held on March 3 at that time at:
Bridgeville Driver License Center at 1025 Washington Pike, Bridgeville.
Altoona Driver License Center at 1738A 9th Avenue, Altoona.
Erie Driver License Center at 7200 Peach Street, Suite 480, Erie.
Lancaster East Driver License Center at 2090 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster.
King of Prussia Driver License Center at 143 South Gulph Road, King of Prussia.
The deadline to get a Real ID is May 7.
After that, you'll need one to fly domestically, enter a military base, and get into certain federal buildings that require a federally acceptable form of ID.
For a complete list of REAL ID Days events, people can visit PennDOT’s website.
“PennDOT is committed to making it as convenient as possible for Pennsylvanians to obtain a REAL ID if they want one,” said PennDOT Deputy Secretary for Driver and Vehicle Services Kara Templeton.
“Because we’re seeing an increase in demand, we decided to offer our REAL ID Days as a way to ensure we are meeting the needs of the public and providing them with the best possible customer service.”
Federal REAL ID regulations require that PennDOT must verify the below documents:
Proof of Identity: examples include an original or certified copy of a birth certificate filed with the State Office of Vital Records/Statistics with a raised/embossed seal, or a valid, unexpired U.S. Passport.
Proof of Social Security Number (proof must display currently legal name and full nine digits of the Social Security Number): examples include a Social Security card, a W-2 form, a SSA-1099 form, a non-SSA-1099 form, or a pay stub.
Two Proofs of Current, Physical PA Address: examples include a current, unexpired PA driver's license or identification card, vehicle registration, or a utility bill with the same name and address.
Proof of all Legal Name Changes (if current legal name is different than what is reflected on proof of identity document): examples include certified marriage certificate(s) issued by the County Court for each marriage, court order(s) approving a change in legal name, or adoption decree issued by your county's family court.
PennDOT says that if the current name is the same as what is reflected on the proof of identity document (usually birth certificate or passport), proof of legal name change does not need to be shown.
More information about REAL ID document requirements can be found on PennDOT’s REAL ID website.
PennDOT says when a customer gets their first REAL ID product, they will pay a one-time fee of $30, plus the applicable renewal fee (the current renewal fee is $39.50 for a four-year non-commercial driver's license and $42.50 for a photo ID).
The expiration date of their initial REAL ID product will include any time remaining on their existing non-REAL ID product, plus an additional four years, unless the customer is over 65 and has a two-year license, according to PennDOT.
According to PennDOT, the expiration date structure means that the customer won't lose time that they've already paid for. After the initial REAL ID product expires, the customer will pay no additional fee beyond regular renewal fees to renew a REAL ID product, PennDOT said.
After customers present the proper documentation and pay the applicable fee, they may obtain a REAL ID-compliant product by:
Receiving the product in the mail within 15 days, if application was made at a Driver License Center.
Receiving the product over the counter, if application was made at one of PennDOT’s 15 REAL ID Centers.
WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — Bob Hartman has been a Whitehall schools student, athlete, teacher, multiple-sport coach, 23-year director of athletics and a 2024 Hall of Fame inductee.Shortly after Whitehall-Coplay School Board accepted Hartman’s letter of retirement Monday night, district Superintendent Christopher Schiffert encapsulated Hartman's impact on the school community. "He lives, breathes, eats and sleeps Whitehall. He bleeds Whitehall." Christopher Schiffert, superinten...
WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — Bob Hartman has been a Whitehall schools student, athlete, teacher, multiple-sport coach, 23-year director of athletics and a 2024 Hall of Fame inductee.
Shortly after Whitehall-Coplay School Board accepted Hartman’s letter of retirement Monday night, district Superintendent Christopher Schiffert encapsulated Hartman's impact on the school community.
"He lives, breathes, eats and sleeps Whitehall. He bleeds Whitehall."Christopher Schiffert, superintendent, Whitehall-Coplay School District
“He lives, breathes, eats and sleeps Whitehall,” Schiffert said. “He bleeds Whitehall. You don’t just replace someone like Bob Hartman.”
However, that is precisely the job at hand, as Hartman’s retirement becomes effective Aug. 13.
“We’ll have conversations now about how we want to move forward with the process of getting someone new in place as quickly as we can,” Schiffert said.
“We’d like to have some transition time built in before he leaves in August, to make sure he’s able to really get as much time as possible in helping whoever the new person would be.”
Hartman did not attend the board meeting. He did not respond to a voicemail left on his school office phone Monday morning seeking comment.
A Whitehall High School Class of 1990 graduate, Hartman was a multi-sport athlete and coach prior to becoming director of athletics in June 2002.
He coached six PIAA state place winners in wrestling and served as an assistant junior high school football coach.
Hartman, 53, has served as District XI chairman since 2014 and vice president of the PIAA Board of Directors since 2020.
He also has received multiple PIAA Athletic Director of the Year awards.
Schiffert calls Hartman’s retirement bittersweet.
“I know he’s looking at some new endeavors and different things,” he said. “But it’s sad.
"I came to Whitehall 15 years ago, and he was one of the first people that I was really able to connect with. It’ll be hard not working with him anymore.”
Also Monday, the board unanimously approved a resolution for the Steckel Elementary School and Whitehall-Coplay Middle School Environmental Abatement Project.
The Capital Improvement Plan consists of replacing all the windows at the 56-year-old middle school and replacing electrical, plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning units at both schools.
The systems are either beyond repair or non-compliant with modern building codes, officials said.
The middle school windows project will be done in two phases: Half the windows will be installed this summer 2025 and the rest in summer 2026.
Last August, state Rep. Jeanne McNeill, D-133rd District, secured a $500,000 grant for the projects through a Local Share Account Program and Public School Facility Improvement Grant Program.
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