Helen Cook

“Spring” Egg Decorating — March Au Pair Meeting

Posted by: hcook on March 10, 2010

 Lehigh Valley Au Pairs — Bring out your artistic talents at our March “Spring Egg Decorating” Au Pair Meeting!

Here are the Details:

     Date:       Sunday, March 21, 2010

     Time:      4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

     Where:    “Fellowship Hall” (Basement) of Trinity Memorial Lutheran Church, 535 West Emaus Avenue, Allentown, PA  18103 

We will be “decorating Eggs for the Springtime”.         Each Au Pair will have six eggs to decorate or color, etc. and we will have a contest and vote on the best or most popular decorated eggs.   Three prizes will be awarded!   We will have snacks and beverages.  You will take your decorated eggs home to share with your family!  You need not bring anything except a good attitude and fun!  Think Creatively!

Au Pair Ski Day at Camelback Ski Mountain A Success!

Posted by: hcook on February 25, 2010

     Lehigh Valley Au Pairs from Cultural Care Au Pair converged on Camelback Ski Mountain on Sunday — Over 100 Au Pairs from the Lehigh Valley and the Philadelphia area spent a wonderful day skiing or snowboarding!   The weather was great and even the beginners never wanted to leave the slopes!  For more photos of the Ski/Snowboard Day - see Photos Page above.

January Au Pair Meeting — Ice Skating!

Posted by: hcook on January 23, 2010

REMINDER:  The January Au Pair Meeting for the  Lehigh Valley Au Pairs be held on January 24, 2010.  We will all go “Ice Skating” (Indoor Ice Rink).   ”Steel City Ice Center”  is conveniently located on the south side of Bethlehem on the site of the historic Bethlehem Steel Company.  The location is easily accessible from Routes 22 or 78 via Routes 378 and 412.   Plenty of parking is available.  Here are the details:

WHERE:     Steel City Ice Center, 320 East 1st Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015

PHONE:     610-625-4774

DATE:       Sunday, January 24, 2010

TIME:         1:00 P.M. to 3:30 P.M.  (Lateness will count as a Non Attendance!)

COST:        $5.00 Per Au Pair (Includes Rental of Skates and Public Ice Skating)

We will have a private room for you to relax, have hot chocolate and snacks!   We will have a short CEP Safety Meeting and will be finalizing the Ski/Snowboard Trip Details (Ski/Snowboard Day is Sunday, February 21).

Procedure:   Come to the Steel Ice Center Building and go to the “Front Desk”.  Give the person at the Front Desk your name and she/he will give you a ticket for the rental skates.  Go to the Rental Area - gather your skates - and come to the Meeting Room (near the ice).  You will have 1 1/2 hours of skating time.  You will pay Helen ($5.00) in the Meeting Room (not to the Front Desk).

Please watch for more details re Ski/Snowboard Trip.  I WILL NEED YOUR RESERVATION AND MONEY FOR THE SKI/SNOWBOARD TRIP ON THIS JANUARY MEETING SUNDAY!!!   We will be completing the Rental Forms for the Ski/Snowboard Trip and please — if you can have your payment for the trip (correct amount if possible — it’s always hard to make change — cost of the Ski/Snowboard Trip announced in January Newsletter).

Looking forward to seeing all Au Pairs on Sunday, January 24, 2010 — Bring friends and/or other Au Pairs — all are invited!

Directions to the Steel Ice Center

From Route 22:
1. Exit onto the 378 South/Bethlehem exit.
2. Follow 378 South until the expressway ends.
3. Get into the left lane.
4. At the first light turn left onto 3rd Street.
5. Follow 3rd Street to the fourth traffic light.
6. Turn left onto Polk Street.
7. SIC is on the left at the end of Polk Street.
1. Exit 67 at Hellertown/Bethlehem.
2. At the end of the ramp turn right onto 412 North.
3. Pass Wendy’s on your left.
4. Continue to the third light and make a soft right to
  continue on 412. (412 becomes 3rd Street)
5. Turn right at the Polk Street traffic light. (Polk Street   is just after the Discovery Center)
6. SIC is on the left at the end of Polk Street.     

From I-78:

From the South:
1. Take 309 North through Coopersburg to 378 North.
2. Follow 378 North over the mountain.
3. At the bottom of the mountain you will see a McDonald’s on your left.
4. Go to the second light after the McDonald’s where you will see the Church of the Nativity.
5. Turn right at this light onto 3rd Street.
6. Follow 3rd Street to the fourth traffic light.
7. Turn left onto Polk Street.
8. SIC is on the left at the end of Polk Street.

January Au Pair Meeting — Ice Skating!

Posted by: hcook on December 30, 2009

The January Au Pair Meeting for the  Lehigh Valley Au Pairs be held on January 24, 2009.  We will all go “Ice Skating” (Indoor Ice Rink).   ”Steel City Ice Center”  is conveniently located on the south side of Bethlehem on the site of the historic Bethlehem Steel Company.  The location is easily accessible from Routes 22 or 78 via Routes 378 and 412.   Plenty of parking is available.  Here are the details:

WHERE:     Steel City Ice Center, 320 East 1st Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015

PHONE:     610-625-4774

DATE:       Sunday, January 24, 2010

TIME:         1:00 P.M. to 3:30 P.M.  (Lateness will count as a Non Attendance!)

COST:        $5.00 Per Au Pair (Includes Rental of Skates and Public Ice Skating)

We will have a private room for you to relax, have hot chocolate and snacks!   We will have a short CEP Safety Meeting and will be finalizing the Ski/Snowboard Trip Details (Ski/Snowboard Day is Sunday, February 21).

Procedure:   Come to the Steel Ice Center Building and go to the “Front Desk”.  Give the person at the Front Desk your name and she/he will give you a ticket for the rental skates.  Go to the Rental Area - gather your skates - and come to the Meeting Room (near the ice).  You will have 1 1/2 hours of skating time.  You will pay Helen ($5.00) in the Meeting Room (not to the Front Desk).

Please watch for more details re Ski/Snowboard Trip.  I WILL NEED YOUR RESERVATION AND MONEY FOR THE SKI/SNOWBOARD TRIP ON THIS JANUARY MEETING SUNDAY!!!   Watch for further emails re Ski/Snowboard.

Looking forward to seeing all Au Pairs on Sunday, January 24, 2010 — Bring friends and/or other Au Pairs — all are invited!

Directions to the Steel Ice Center

From Route 22:
1. Exit onto the 378 South/Bethlehem exit.
2. Follow 378 South until the expressway ends.
3. Get into the left lane.
4. At the first light turn left onto 3rd Street.
5. Follow 3rd Street to the fourth traffic light.
6. Turn left onto Polk Street.
7. SIC is on the left at the end of Polk Street.
1. Exit 67 at Hellertown/Bethlehem.
2. At the end of the ramp turn right onto 412 North.
3. Pass Wendy’s on your left.
4. Continue to the third light and make a soft right to
  continue on 412. (412 becomes 3rd Street)
5. Turn right at the Polk Street traffic light. (Polk Street   is just after the Discovery Center)
6. SIC is on the left at the end of Polk Street.     

From I-78:

From the South:
1. Take 309 North through Coopersburg to 378 North.
2. Follow 378 North over the mountain.
3. At the bottom of the mountain you will see a McDonald’s on your left.
4. Go to the second light after the McDonald’s where you will see the Church of the Nativity.
5. Turn right at this light onto 3rd Street.
6. Follow 3rd Street to the fourth traffic light.
7. Turn left onto Polk Street.
8. SIC is on the left at the end of Polk Street.

December Au Pair Meeting - Thai Thai II Dinner & Gift Exchange

Posted by: hcook on December 12, 2009

   Reminder:  Cultural Care Au Pair —  Lehigh Valley Au Pairs — December Au Pair Meeting is scheduled as follows:

     Date:   Sunday (That’s Tomorrow), December 13, 2009

     Where:  Thai Thai II Restaurant, 509 Main Street Bethlehem, PA — Downtown Bethlehem — “The Christmas City”

     Time:   5:00 p.m. (Do Not Be Late)

     Cost:   $13.00

     Bring:   A gift wrapped ($10 limit) with no name on it and give the gift to Helen for the gift exchange when arriving at Thai Thai.   We will have a Thai Dinner, Christmas Cookies and a Gift Exchange.  

     Parking:   Parking in Downtown Bethlehem is limited this time of year — plan your time to come early — and best to find Parking in one of the Parking Decks near downtown.  Car Pool .. it is the easiest way to park!

     Pre-Meeting Activities:   Although the weather sounds like it might rain, The Christmas City is still fun to find many items for Christmas .. Plan to come early / shop downtown Main Street — Don’t miss “The Moravian Book Store” and other wonderful little and unusual shops.  There may be carolers on the streets and, of course, the horsedrawn wagons.   Come early for the fun before our dinner (Au Pair Meeting)

DECEMBER AU PAIR MEETING - “Thai” Dinner and Gift Exchange!

Posted by: hcook on December 1, 2009

Lehigh Valley Au Pairs will gather for our December Au Pair Meeting in “Downtown” Bethlehem — “The Christmas City” for a “Thai” Dinner (Da and Jick — our Thai Au Pairs — will especially like this)!

Restaurant:   Thai Thai II Restaurant, 509 Main Street, Bethlehem, PA.   The Thai Thai II Restaurant is located in downtown Bethlehem .. near the Hotel Bethlehem and on the same side of the street as the Hotel Bethlehem.

Time:   5:00 P.M.  (Please be AT the Thai Restaurant no later than 5:00 p.m.)

Cost:   $13.00 Per Au Pair (Dinner will be served family style) 

Payment:  You will pay Helen at the dinner (please try to have the correct money)

Gift Exchange:   Please bring a WRAPPED Gift that will be exchanged with the other Au Pairs.  Please remember that we have a few “Male Au Pairs” in the Group so that should make your shopping more interesting.  Please spend about $10 for the gift.  Wrap the gift (do not put your name on the gift) and bring the gift to the restaurant in a bag (don’t tell the other Au Pairs what you bought or are bringing).  Upon arrival at the restaurant, give the bag with the present to Helen and later we will play a “Gift Exchange” game!   At the end of the game - everyone will receive a Christmas present!

Note:  There is sooo much to do in Bethlehem this time of year.  Please visit the following website for ideas:   http://www.christmascity.org/thingstodo/

This might be a good time for you to come early to Bethlehem — park and shop before our Thai Dinner and Gift Exchange.   The shops are interesting - not all that expensive and fun!  Bundle up if it is cold!

Parking:   Parking can be a little difficult — so plan your day accordingly.  There are two main parking decks near Main Street and Broad Street in Bethlehem.  You would park — take a ticket — and if you buy something at some of the local shops (like Moravian Book Store, etc.) you can have the ticket stamped and get some hours of parking for free.  There are also parking spots along the streets .. but please be sure to put money in the parking meters so you will not get a parking ticket!  Put in enough money to cover the time you are in Bethlehem!!!  (Parking Lots are better)

Main Street of Downtown Bethlehem is bustling with shops decorated for Christmas and there are carolers and brass choirs playing traditional Christmas music.  Don’t forget to look in the side streets (Donegal Square for English traditions) and other areas for interesting items.   Just walking around the area should be fun (weather permitting) .. so take some time to do this before the dinner.

The Moravian Book Shop — http://www.moravianbookshop.com/ — is a wonderful place to just look around and you might find a gift for that special someone.  It has so many different items in the store and something for almost everyone.  It is open on Sundays from Noon until 5:00 p.m.

Christkindmarkt – This is a German-type Holiday Market that has been rated as one of the best in the country.  http://www.christmascity.org/ckm/  The cost to enter Christkindmakt is $8.00 .. so you might want to think about that before you go .. but it is an interesting place to buy little things.

Again:   Au Pair December Meeting at Thai Thai II Restaurant AT 5:00 p.m.!

November Au Pair Meeting — Fire Safety — Visit to Mack Allentown Fire Station

Posted by: hcook on November 19, 2009

The November Au Pair Meeting for the Lehigh Valley Au Pairs of Cultural Care Au Pair is at the Mack Southside Fire Station.   We will have a Fire Safety Meeting presented by the Fire Chief of the City of Allentown (or a close associate) and the presentation will feature Fire Safety for Childcare Providers!  You will learn about Fire Safety / Fire Prevention / Use of Fire Extinquishers / What to do in the event of a fire, etc.   Bring your camera .. You will have time to meet with Firemen and have Photos! 

Please wear your Cultural Care Au Pair Tee-Shirts if possible.

WHEN:     Sunday, November 22, 2009

EVENT:    Visit To Local Fire House (Fire Safety CEP Meeting)

TIME:      1:00 P.M. TO 3:00 P.M.   (NOTE TIME:   Do not be late!)

WHERE:   Allentown Fire Department -  

              Mack Southside Fire Station and Training Academy

              1902 Lehigh Street, Allentown, PA   18103

COST:      -0-

DIRECTIONS:

  *Travel Route I-78 (Route 309) to the LEHIGH STREET EXIT.

  *Take LEHIGH STREET Exit towards Allentown

  *Travel towards Allentown to the Second (or Third) Traffic Light

   (Vultee St.) (This is the Traffic Light after you see Blockbuster Video)

  *You will see the “Mack Southside Fire Station and Training Academy”

on the Left.  Parking is behind the Station near the Fire Practice Tower)

             **WEAR YOUR CULTURAL CARE TEE-SHIRTS PLEASE!!!

“Fall” Host Family Event

Posted by: hcook on October 1, 2009

Just a reminder to Host Families that our Annual “Host Family Appetizer and Dessert Night” is scheduled for Friday, October 2, 2009.   We have a nice turnout (per the RSVPs) but if you decide at the last minute to join us — please do!

Event is “Appetizer and Dessert” (no Au Pairs / Children) and is being hosted by the Pluim Family in Hellertown.   Time:  8:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.   Directions to the Pluim Home have been sent to you.

This event fulfills the U.S. Dept. of State Regulation that a Host Family must attend one of two events hosted by the LCC - Cultural Care.    This is always a fun event for Host Families to learn from each other, gain tips and advice, and get to know faces that they hear about all year!   I look forward to seeing many of you at the Pluim home.