Our April edition has celebrated the great outdoors for as long as I can remember. From must-hike trails, to breathtaking backyards, to vertical farming, to luxury picnicking—and just about everything in between—we have covered it all. But is the great outdoors great for everyone? This is the question we asked ourselves when writer Cindy Ross reached out with her story.
Cindy shared how her husband, Todd Gladfelter, a local chainsaw carving artist, had a near-fatal fall in 2021 that paralyzed him. I did not know much about the progress that the Lehigh Valley had made when it came to accessible nature prior to Cindy reaching out, so it took me by surprise when she said that she wanted to shine a light on the region’s many local options. From adaptive boat launches to accessible fishing docks, there have been great strides toward making nature accessible to individuals with disabilities. Turn to pg. 40 to discover accessible spots around the Valley, learn more about the healing power of nature and hear how creating awareness and improving access is a win for us all.
Then, read about the importance of regenerative organic agriculture by going behind the scenes at Rodale Institute’s Organic Stewardship Awards on pg. 46; get to know professional chef and recipe developer Mary Nolan on pg. 33; step inside Easton’s new Thyme Rooftop Grille on pg. 68; and more in this edition.
