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Being part of a vibrant community is what makes us so gosh-darn happy. We just love strolling down Main Street on a Sunday afternoon, volunteering at Godfrey Daniels on a Friday night, or enjoying tunes in the Sun Inn courtyard on a Thursday night in summer. And Back Door bakeshop supports the good work of the organizations that make our community vibrant.

Here's a preliminary list of upcoming events which Back Door Bakeshop will be a part of. Stay tuned to our Facebook page for more details as they're confirmed.

South Side Film Festival Annual Fundraiser Mar. 24

Godfrey Daniels Annual Members-Only Free Concert Mar. 30

Spring on Fourth, What's on Third? Apr. 21

Chocolate Meltdown to benefit the Sun Inn Preservation Association May 20

Earth Day Cleanup Downtown Bethlehem Historic District Apr. 28

Bethlehem Farmers' Market at Campus Square Thursdays May-Oct.

Bethlehem Historic District Farmers' Market Tuesdays May-Oct

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Apple Pie

It's almost October and that means the fall festival season is upon us once again! We're looking forward to the excitement of the outdoor markets in our town. Oct. 1 is the Moravian Academy Fall Festival, and Oct. 8 is the Downtown Bethlehem Harvest Festival.  This is our second year at both festivals and we just can't say enough about how much we enjoy them. We'll have lots of pumpkin this and apple that, dog biscuits, and of course some new cookies and brownies.

After that is the Southside Bethlehem Just Desserts Festival on Oct. 21. Our desserts will be served at Fox Optical and Cleo's. We'll be wandering about, so stop by and say hi!

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We just love to be outside. At a festival, a farmers' market, or just about any reason at all - as long as it's warm and sunny, we're smiling. This weekend is the kickoff of the 2011 Downtown Bethlehem Artwalk. Now in its fourth season, the Artwalk "is a great opportunity for artists and musicians to showcase their talents to visitors to Bethlehem’s Main and Broad Streets" - according to the Downtown Bethlehem association website.

Luckily for us, Bucky and John at the Historic Sun Inn love our cookies and brownies, and so they've asked us to set up shop on Main Street in front of the Inn.

We kind of have our own little artists' enclave - Sharon Merkel illustrator/photographer (http://www.skmerkel.com), Dina Hall singer/songwriter (http://www.dinahall.com), and Back Door Bakeshop - Gail Lehman.

You just never know who's gonna stop by, so mark the dates and join us please.

May 28, June 26, July 30 and August 27  - See you on Saturday.

dina artwalk 2009

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Once again, it's time for the Bethlehem Farmers' Market. We've been part of this for a few years now, and the market just gets better each year.

Our products have expanded, and we're sampling new stuff all the time. We know that once you taste, you'll be hooked. Even your pets have fallen in cookie love. Last spring we introduced Dog Biscuits - both cheesy and peanut butter - and well, we couldn't keep up with sales. Later in the summer we brought you Granola. That was a huge hit. Since then we've been making fresh batches every week.

Once summer rolled in you went wild for our fresh Blueberry Preserves and Blueberry Coffee Bread. Peach season came around and we wowed you with Peach Crumb Coffee Cake and Peach Jam. That was followed by apple season and that can only mean the most delicious Apple Streusel Pie on the planet (IMHO). And then it was fall. Pumpkin, oh great pumpkin. Pumpkin Bread, Pumpkin Pie, Pumpkin Roll.

Well, guess what? The market starts this week!

What are you craving? Tell us.

See you every Thursday, 11-3pm - Lehigh University Campus Square, Bethlehem, Pa

2011 Vendors: Key Ingredient Market (spreads and dips), Earth’s Phocas (fresh flowers), York Moor Farm (fresh eggs and produce) and Around the World in 80 Cakes, Easton Salsa Co., The Popcorn Pit, A Natural Alternative (soaps and toiletries), Back Door Bakeshop, Humdinger Alpacas (wool products), Tasty Pastry, Lettuce Alone Farm (produce), Bechdolt Orchards (produce) and The Flour Shop Bakery

If you want more info, just drop us a note: info@backdoorbakeshop.com

- Dina and Gail

brownie tasting

We're about to begin our second season of Brownie Tastings. Gail likes to experiment with different varieties and truthfully, I just can't eat one more morsel of chocolate. That's where you come in. We need tasters - lovers of chocolate who don't mind testing the recipes. So we're throwing a little party or two. The first one is Sunday, Mar. 27, 2-4 p.m. at Terra Cafe in Bethlehem. There will be live music by yours truly and my pal Beth Sherby.

As for the brownies, I don't know what Gail has going in the oven yet, but I have been instructed to get some Bethlehem Brew Works Insidious Imperial Stout. Superb idea!

About Terra Cafe: We've been supplying the Easton cafe with carrot cake, cookies, banana bread, lemon squares and the like, for over a year now. The Bethlehem cafe is at 326 S. New St. (formerly Wildflower Cafe) and serves sandwiches wraps and salads, fresh fruit smoothies, fair trade coffee, and tea.

So, we encourage you to have lunch, enjoy the music and sample those brownies. Bring a friend, or two.

- Dina