Making A Splash

Figure 1
The Arcadia University swimming pool

Walking into the lobby to enter the natatorium, the glow of red signs screaming "EXIT" wait for eager fans to pass through. The thick air crowds the entrance and the faint taste of chlorine reminds every swimmer, former and current, of their second home. Past the friendly face of the lifeguard on duty, the benches for the team line the floor in front of whiteboards showcasing various workouts. An overflowing pool and scarlet bleachers make up the rest of the home for the Arcadia University Knights (Figure 1).

Arcadia University is located in Glenside, Pennsylvania, just twenty minutes outside of Philadelphia. After joining the Mid-Atlantic Conference (MAC) in 2007, the school has watched the swim team consistently improve in their championship ranking, peaking at 3rd place last season. As the whole team, men and women, along with the coaching staff, prepare for this year's championship event in York, PA, the bar has been set higher. Head coach Nate Parsley and his team are hoping for the gold title this 2017-2018 season.

Figure 2
The coaches cheering during a race

The Arcadia University Knight's men and women's swim teams are at the top of their conference rankings. Under the coaching of Nate Parsley and John King (Figure 2), the men are looking at improving their achievement of 3rd place in the MAC conference to the coveted 1st place. Coach Parsley is new on the pool deck, having swam in college at Rowan University, but never coached before. "Coming to Arcadia I had two primary goals," Parsley explained. "One goal was to develop each swimmer and teach them that swimming fast is not a championship event, but rather a lifestyle that we work at every practice and every meet. The other thing was to find a reason to compete for something bigger than yourself." 

This team has met and exceeded their coaches 

goals. Adorned with equipment and matching outfits, the team during their practice creates an air of professionalism and excitement to watch. The matching outfits were an idea "to instill the concept of team. Swimming has a tendency to be regarded as a more individual sport; however, it is my belief that swim and life are team games," Coach Parsley added. "I also wanted to instill pride in this program; they had done great things in years prior, but did not always carry themselves in that regard." As the swimmers' arms fly in sync with teammates across the pool, the different types of strokes this team excels in are on display. For more information about the four strokes, watch this short video: 

Figure 3
Freshman Justin Reed
practicing relay starts

The Knights enjoy time together at every practice by roughhousing, laughing, and occasionally throwing a basketball back and forth. Some members of the team have various tattoos cascading down shoulders and backs in hues ranging from blue, turquoise, yellow, and red, to a classic black. Collectively, their voices echo through the open air in sounds of harmonious camaraderie. Not a face in the crowd isn't smiling or leaning back in gut-splitting laughter. Freshman swimmer Justin Reed claims, "This team is a big family. Everybody cares about each other and wants to see others succeed." Reed swam for Susquehannock High School before committing to Arcadia University as an up-and-coming freshman. Accompanying him as a prominent freshman, Madison Mckay has also made a name for herself in the MAC division, as she is a possible candidate for the MAC Female Rookie of the Year award. As the boys exit the water and uncover the scarlet diving blocks, the water calms and smooths over, waiting for the first dive (Figure 3).

Figure 4
The coaches and the Arcadia Knights cheer on their team
during the season

Taking on eleven other teams, Arcadia swimming has put in a lot of work to ensure a close fight for 1st place. For the men's team, Albright University is the biggest threat, while on the women's side, Messiah is their challenger. Both the men and women beat Albright and Messiah during the regular season, so the outcome at MACs is looking bright. On Valentine's weekend, the 12 schools in the Mid-Atlantic Conference are going to swim their hearts out aiming for the gold. From the sounds radiating from the pool and locker rooms, the Knights (Figure 4) are ready to make a splash at the MAC championship meet. "I think I always knew that both programs were capable of competing for a championship title," Parsley beamed, "I started believing the minute I arrived on campus and will continue to believe as long as we have a race left to swim."

Thursday, February 7, 2018
                           
               Enrichment Lab Student Services At Your Service



       "I need to make some new friends." "I just need someone to talk to." In college you may be
concerning these statements or wondering who could turn to, to get some type of guidance and
support. Having trouble in a certain subject and need extra help? The enrichment lab in student services center can answer all of these questions and concerns. Located in the middle of the quad lies the student services center, straight across from the Andruss Library. In the shape of a cabin house, the student service center looks small from the outside but has an immense inside. This building contains three floors and includes two entrances. The front entrance leads to the middle floor and the back entrance leads to the ground floor. Entering the student services center, everyone keeps bright smiles on their faces. Students, professors and even employees. Smelling the bacon and bagels from Roongo's cafe on the middle floor gives everyone the urge to grab a bite. The middle floor also has the financial aid office and registrar office. The top floor is very noticeable and open for all students to locate different supports and services more quickly. Some services that the third floor offers includes; LGBTQ resource center, career developments, office of diversity and retention, etc. The services they have for students goes on and on down the line. Overall, they provide various supports and services that offers the wealth of student resources. Enough of this, let's go to the ground floor to the enrichment lab!
      
     The ground floor usually confuses most students. The set of stairs to the ground floor begins on the middle floor in front of Roongo's cafe. It take students directly to the ground floor, which will lead to two sets of huge doors. Two different areas are down on the ground floor. The first area contains the Special Education Services, PSECU credit union, and Java City. Java city sells fresh coffee, bagels, cookies, fruits and juices. Most students recommend their iced coffee, a very mouthwatering refreshment. The second area encounters the enrichment lab across from the Act 101 office. Majority of students do not to ask for help because, they say they feel afraid they will be judged by their peers. A student by the name of Nasir Bryant explains that he was once in that predicament, he was afraid to seek for help.

"I don't want people to see the real me and my weaknesses". "I am afraid to expose the real me, but the enrichment lab gave me much more confidence in myself  than I ever had before", Nasir adds.

     No one should feel ashamed to ask for guidance. This lab gives the most accommodating support anyone could ever ask for. Warm welcomes are given walking into the enrichment lab from the astounding assistants at the front desk. Hearing the noisy crumbling sound of paper and the constant grinding noise of the printer just shows how constantly the enrichment lab gets used. Although the enrichment lab stays occupied, it is very independent. A lot of Bloomsburg students depend on this computer lab to receive feedback. This lab a great place to meet new people and gain some friendships. This also gives a great very social area for students to meet with friends and complete assignments. Throughout the day the enrichment lab has about 50-70 students coming in and out during the day. The enrichment lab opens Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 8:00 pm. What support does the enrichment have? Good question.

Figure 1

     Luke Betley, a co- adviser and a boxing coach mentions that they have multiple services for students. Remember walking into the enrichment lab receiving warm welcomes from the assistants? Well, behind the assistant desk shows an huge bulletin board outlined with bright green construction paper with each of the twelve assistants, with their information. (Figure 1) shows the board with the assistants and a events board to keep students aware of upcoming activities. The assistants information include their picture, name, major, email and what service they provide. Most of the assistants fix laptops, so if someone is having any issues with their computer, the enrichment lab would be great place to come to. In the back of the enrichment lab locates a room, in that room they provide tutorial services. Tutorial services offers tutoring sessions for students who may need help or struggling with a certain subject. To apply for a tutor or even be a tutor to someone in need for extra assistance, click this link for more information. http://intranet.bloomu.edu/tutoring. The tutorial services room is shown in (Figure 2).

Figure 2

The enrichment lab overall creates a good environment to be engaged and interact with mentors and students. Although Luke Betley is a co-adviser, behind the front desk of the enrichment lab locates his office so, he's very well aware on what goes on. In a very thoughtful and serious tone he explains;

   "The enrichment lab is open to all students, it gives them the opportunity to do academic work and catch up socially. I enjoy being here for students and having the opportunity to interact with them".

  An assistant, Jessica Williams  mentioned that she loves assisting students with their needs.

"I enjoy helping others, I feel I learn something in the process while helping a student". She claims



Figure 3

  (Figure 3) shows the room of the computer lab and how the seats are setup. This lab includes 30 computers and one printer. The set up of  the computer seats are designed like a business office almost. Each computer spot has their own personal area. Some students may not want to intact with others and chose be more independent with their work. It seems quite little but, the lab gives a lot of positive energy to each and every person who walks into the room. The sound of laughter, and clicking and clacking of the keyboards may seem like a lot of ruckus but, the support they give here remains valuable. This would be a good home for students to come to for help, support, guidance, and even a tutor. In addition, not all assistants fix laptops or sit at a desk, some assistants tutor certain subjects as well. For example, if there are no more tutors in the subject that someone struggles in, those assistants are available to tutor that subject if available. These mentors and assistants are here for all students and to give the best assistance as much as possible. The enrichment lab and the student services center alone will always be at your service.

 






 



  

Authentic Italian Food

 Denville Pizza
"The trouble with eating Italian food, is that I'm still hungry three days later." quoted the boss John from an unknown source. Unlike most food places in Denville New Jersey, Denville Pizzeria has been around for forty years, and is family owned. The customers are regulars and most have been coming to this pizzeria for decades. It has two entrances, on one side is a pizzeria, and on the other side is a restaurant where people go to dine in and have more of a sophisticated atmosphere. It attracts all kinds of people from teenagers, to the regulars in their fifties. This pizzeria and restaurant is authentic and hand made by the chef Freddy, who was born and raised in Sicily.
On the outside of the pizzaria, it looks small, but it is bigger once you walk in. On the inside, you will see pictures of famous people who have visted, and a carpet with the Italian flags colors on it and a pizza man. Along one side of the wall are pictures of Joe Di Maggio, who's a famous baseball player related to the owner John. Along the pictures is a note Joe Di Maggio wrote to the owner and his brothers. When i asked the owner about the pictures of the baseball player he said, "I am always asked if I am really related to Joe, and it turned out that my grandfather was distant cousins with Joe and they were close growing up." Towards the back of the pizzaria is where the kitchen is. There is only one main chef who has been cooking there for the past twenty five years. Before the kitchen is a step down to the left, where the resturant part of the place is. It is a room that can fit fourty people max for a party.

When i visited the pizzaria i ordered a baked calzone with sausage and peperoni inside. It was delicious with fresh rigottia cheese and mozzarella. The sauce on the side is a t basic need for the baked calzone to be a complete dish, the sauce made this dish incredibly tasteful. After I ate the delicious baked calzone, i sat down with a few of the workers to get the inside scoop on the place. One of the first people I interviewed was a girl who had been working there for about two years. I asked her what her favorite slice to eat was and she responded "My favorite slice is one that is not made often, called the drunkin grandma." The slice is on a thin crust with vodka cause and fresh mozzorella and basil. One of the most unique facts about this pizzaria is that the owner has a tiny garden in the back during the warm time, where tons of vegetables are grown and used to cook with.

The Chillest Place in Town

The Chillest Place in Town

 

Brennan's Big Chill featuring Rosie the cow

Tucked behind Main Street in Bloomsburg, PA lies a quaint, little, family owned ice cream shop called Brennan's Big Chill, or Big Chill for short. Guarding the entrance to the shop stands Rosie, a life size cow statue. As the customer walks in they are instantly hit with a symphony of different smells. Inside the shop vintage white tables scatter the dining area where families can sit and enjoy their ice cream. It's not every day you get to see a penguin and a polar bear sharing a cone, this mural, hand painted on the wall adds a charming touch to the already pleasant place. Big Chill, was established in 2004 by Debbie and Brian Brennan, "We were done with the corporate world, sitting there and not being appreciated for a job well done. We decided with the hustle and bustle after 9/11 happened and having to travel up to 3 hours for work we chose to take control of our own destiny. We didn't know what we wanted to do, I fell in love with the town of Bloomsburg from going camping at Ricketts Glen. I noticed there was no ice cream shop and decided we were going to learn how to make ice cream and the rest is history," Debbie explained.

Inside the shop

Big Chill is home to over 200 flavors, all homemade in shop by Brian himself. "We half counted it not too long ago, all the labels, he makes over 450, but he doesn't like to brag about it so he just goes with 200," Debbie said with evident pride in her face. Brian and Debbie try to keep an even balance of fruit, cookie, coffee, and mint flavors in the ice cream case. Like a scientist in the lab, Brian is in charge of concocting all the delicious combinations. Batching days vary from three to six days per week, all dictated by the customer how much ice cream needs to be made. Making ice cream requires a lot of prep work, something as simple as strawberry takes four days for preparation. "You have to macerate the strawberries. If you don't macerate them your strawberries will be too icy," Debbie elaborated. Safety is an important part of the Big Chill business. Brian is careful when making peanut butter ice cream not to contaminate other appliances and cause a serious health issue with their customers. Flavors range from the classic strawberry, chocolate, vanilla, to strawberry cheesecake, and coconut cream pie. Brian says "sky is the limit" when it comes to making ice cream. At Big Chill no flavor surpasses another, which Debbie described as a good thing because every flavor is equally as popular.

Big Chill Challenge wall of fame

In 2007 Big Chill won a national award from the ice cream industry for the "Big Chill Challenge". Debbie said she and her husband are honored to have won such award. The "Big Chill Challenge" consists of 8 scoops of ice cream and 4 toppings your choice, topped with whipped cream and a cherry. The customer is responsible for eating all of the sundae with no help under the supervision of a member of the Big Chill staff. Winners are awarded a Big Chill t shirt and their name and photo are added to the wall of fame (pictured to the left), names are also listed on the Big Chill website. Currently there are over 1388 Big Chill Challenge champions. The challenge is only offered after the first day of spring through the summer due to ice cream production.

Strawberry and chocolate ice cream cones

Over the years Big Chill has become a pillar of the Bloomsburg community. "I can't pick a favorite memory here. Every single time a child comes in and smiles, and I have watched that child from being a couple years old, to 14 years later being in high school. Putting smiles on people's faces are my favorite memory, every single day," Debbie reminisced. This passion is so hard to find nowadays especially in the corporate world. Bloomsburg is lucky to have such a family oriented place here in town.

"The sweetest thing about my job isn't the ice cream, but doing what I love every day with my best friend."
                                               -Debbie Brennan

The Perfect Produce Store

"Would you like me to carry your groceries to the car for you?" Exclaims Ronnie the cashier, to an older man in front of me. Here at Fairness Hills Produce, the workers will ask you if you need help, unlike most food stores. A small family owned business in Fairless Hills, Pa that has every fruit and vegetable that you could imagine! With unbelievable affordable prices that no one could ever turn down.

When walking through the doors of Fairless Hills produce the strong scent of garlic hits you in the face. Music being played in the background and flowers being sold in front of the store. The fruits and vegetables all lined up on the sides of the store ready to be purchased and with all the different colors, it resembles a beautiful rainbow. Fairless Hills Produce originated over 20 years ago. The owner of the store, Matt Taylor, took over his business from his uncle. Matt has been working at this produce store ever since he was a kid. His dream one day was to open a local business and it came true. The staff consists of 5 part time and 2 full time workers.

Ronnie Wissing is one of Matts part time workers, she has been working here for three years now. She loves her job and claims when she's working she always has fun with the staff and costumers. Being a family owned business and local produce store with amazing deals there are a lot of regulars coming in and out almost everyday. Ronnie found out about this local store from her neighbors who brought them over some fruits and vegetables one day. Once she tasted their food, she decided to apply for a job there herself. "1 week later and I was hired." Ronnie was ecstatic when finding out her first job would be at Fairless Hills Produce.

A typical day at work for Ronnie will consist of many different elements. First whenever she comes into work she clocks in and starts up the cashier getting it ready for the first costumer to arrive. Than she looks up and down the aisles to see if any fruits or vegetables needs to be restocked and bagged. When it is not busy at the front of the store Ronnie will go to the back and help Jimmy and Ceaser bag. After that she than will proceed to put fresh bread out which goes very fast, "it's peoples favorite" says Ronnie. Thoughout her day around the afternoon it tends to get hectic and someone else has to help Ronnie be the cashier.

As you walk to the back of the store you will see all the fruits and vegetables in boxes. Working back there are Ceaser and Jimmy who work their full time. They are in charge of ordering all of the food and bagging all the food. Fairless Hills produce has a lot of local grown fruits and vegetables from a farm down the road but, they do also order them from a variety of different places. Jimmy and Ceaser make sure everything in the store looks nice and they go around to make sure there are none rotten vegetables or fruits on the shelves. Throughout the day there will be many customers who only want one specific item and not the whole bag. "Can I get one green pepper?" says a costumer, Jimmy replies with "yes, it will be 49 cents a pound."At fairness hills Produce they are very loyal to their costumers and make sure they are happy with the produce they will buy.

As being an ultimate favorite store for locals, Fairness Hills Produce makes over 2,000 dollars worth of fruits and vegetables each day. Not only does this store have the same necessities as a grocery store but it has a lovely staff with unbeatable prices! "Once you have shopped here you will never shop at ShopRite again!" says a regular.

More Than Just A Coach

"I was most nervous about acquiring pool time and [finding people] to support the program." Little did Sue Welsh know that 35 years ago, her quick attempt at founding a YMCA swim team would turn into Hamilton Aquatic Club, one of the smaller most successful year-round teams in central New Jersey. All it took was a few years of a small but humble summer league team, and she ended up owning her own pool (figure 1), creating a website to recruit young athletes, and building generations of talented, dedicated, and loving children, whom are still part of the family no matter how much time passes.

 (figure 1)

Sue is popular among coaches and officials throughout the nation, easily identifiable by her short, round, grandmotherly appearance, tired yet youthful hazel eyes, and short, steely gray hair always styled in "The Sue," as it has become known to her team (simply achieved by putting a bowl on your head and cutting around it). Though she has been coaching for so long, the athletes keep her young, so you will always find her singing the popular new songs and dancing on the pool deck, even though she has been known to slip and fall during her performances. Her signature look of a blue Polo shirt and khaki shorts with a stopwatch hanging from the pocket and a clipboard full of qualifying times and meet dates completes the ensemble. She has been planning on retiring for the past eight years, but always seems to find a new standout swimmer who she simply needs to stand by until graduation, because she could never miss screaming until her lungs give out during their races at Nationals, crying with them when they reach a goal time, and debating between a warm, comforting hug or a long winded lecture on work ethic after a bad race. As much as the swimmers grow to resent her six a.m. practices and repetitive sets, the team cannot help but love her and all she has sacrificed for her ever-growing family. This family dynamic, as solid as the unity is, sometimes experiences loss. Arguably the most successful swimmer of this generation, Abbey, has decided this season that Sue is not what she needs anymore, and has relocated to a different club team. However, that does not mean that there is any bad blood, or that it is a personal matter. Trying her best not to get emotional, she reveals, "my decision to make the switch was the hardest I've ever made, but it was necessary. I just need a little more intensity in my workouts at this point, but I can never thank Sue enough for getting me where I am in my swim life and also where I am as a person. I love her, and I'll always come back to check in on her."

The aquatic center at John Witherspoon Middle School, whether the swimmers like it or not, becomes a home shortly after joining Hamilton Aquatics, as this is where the two-a-day practices and the majority of our meets take place. The strong stench of chlorine floods into the nose and brings burning tears into everyone's eyes before even opening the doors, but that does not stop proud parents and the occasional HAC alumni with some spare time from packing themselves shoulder-to-shoulder like a pack of sardines into the bleachers that dominate the better part of the pool deck at every meet. Walking in, you are greeted by the shrieks of the guppies dreading diving into the ice cold water, the senior swimmers calculating what splits they need to swim to reach their goal time, and at least three girls lined up outside of Sue's tiny, octagonal office in the front of the deck, waiting to complain about their latest shoulder injury. Everyone is tripping over the pool noodles and kickboards spilling out of the two identical storage closets on either side of the office, always carrying an abundance of vintage team tee shirts and never enough Gatorade. Two of the more trusted athletes take their places atop the lifeguard stands, most likely reading the names of the record holders on the banners that line the walls as opposed to watching warm up because, in reality, do swimmers really need lifeguards?

At the start of the meet, the bright, young, hopeful Hamilton swimmer is standing like a statue behind the starting blocks, which stand almost as tall as the girl herself. She is not dancing with her teammates as she usually does, because this race demands every ounce of her energy. When the official standing beneath the scoreboard finally blows his whistle, signaling that the race is about to start, she  hops in for the most critical race of her career, and you can see nothing but pure determination on her face and pure fear on Sue's. The girl turns her head ever so slightly after each flip turn, staring past the blue and white lane lines to her sides and directly into the harsh glare of the scoreboard to make sure her time is where it should be. Sue can barely even cheer, as she is gritting her teeth in anticipation and gripping her clipboard until her knuckles turn whiter than usual. She touches the wall, far ahead of her competition, and both yell out deafening screams of pure joy as the girl just achieved her first National cut, and punched her ticket to Greensboro, North Carolina for the spring. After the celebrating is over, Sue has time to reflect on why she started this team, and why she has still yet to retire. "The most rewarding part of being head coach was when I received a heart felt thank you letter from a swimmer who was going to quit swimming, came and swam for Hamilton, and had a remarkable season." Her squinty eyes become even smaller as they well with proud tears, and it becomes clear how she could influence so many ex-swimmers to join her team of coaches later in life.

Although the racing is top priority on the team, and ultimately her pride and joy, everyone's favorite and most cherished memories are the ones that happen outside the pool, showing Sue as a true friend rather than a coach. When the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie came out, Sue's husband just so happened to be out of town for the weekend, so she brought her herd of 50 rowdy teenagers to the movie, treated them to a greasy, delicious dinner of McDonald's, and invited them all over her house for a sleepover. "[My husband] never would have even known I let our house get trashed, if not for the fact that he found an abandoned sleeping bag in our bathroom a week later."

As relentless as Sue Welsh is at times, her tough love never outshines her heart of gold and pure, never ending love for her team, which will never be the same if it ever sees the day when she retires.

                                      Bg's Bakery 

When you walk through the doors, your eyesight isn't a necessary sense to give away where you are, the sweet and comforting scent and the warmth of the air will already tell you, you have entered into Bg's bakery. And luckily for you, this is no place that disappoints. Bg's bakery has been open for decades, which has been providing homemade baked goods to families all over town since 1979. They are located in Minersville, Pennsylvania, and have been known to be a neighborhood favorite!

chocolate chip cookies
with cocoa chunks & M&M's

As you walk into this bakery, the familiar aromas that meet your nose easily trigger flashbacks of getting a treat when you were a little kid. I have been going here ever since I was a teetering toddler, and the thought of visiting on weekends when I am home from school excites me more than learning of a snow day as a child. Once you enter this business, many things grab on to your attention at the same time. You cant help but notice your reflection off of the shining, cold, and clean glass cases that are full from top to bottom of different treats and candies. Maybe you'll pick up an order sheet and request the "usual", or maybe look through the monthly advertisement to try something new and fun. Not only is the customer's view of this place great, but behind closed doors is even more interesting. 

Entering the kitchen you don't know what to expect. Once you go to the back you immediately notice the four enormous ovens, definitely not ones you're used to seeing in your home kitchen. The warmth radiating off of them is tremendous, but the smells seeping out of their doors is even better. The walls are lined with vintage looking photos of cupcakes, and pies, almost as if they came right from a local 1950's diner. No one can help but notice the fun atmosphere, not only do the kitchen walls have bakery paintings, but each employee has a name tag above a metal hook that holds their color coordinated aprons and fluffy oven mittens. It's almost as if each employee is a character from candy land, with their colorful uniforms, smiling faces, and the pride in their work that shows so clearly. 

pumpkin chocolate chip cookie batter 

I was able to sit and watch a recipe being made, and I sure am glad I did! I sat in on the process for making pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. The way all of the ingredients combine together to make something so fun to eat was really cool. It's amazing how mixing a few things together can result in such a beautiful masterpiece. "Whats your secret for making these cookies so perfect?", I asked Rachel, the employee. "Well, basically, dry ingredients first, then wet, and take them out 3 minutes before they're actually done because most people don't know that cookies bake for 3 minutes even after being removed from the oven! Tell your friends," Rachel responded with a laugh. 

Not only do these employees give off the impression that they work hard, but they can also hit you with some facts! Chrissy is the manager's name that speaks on behalf of everyone at the bakery and she provides some things you wouldn't know just by looking at their bakery. Baked daily, is thirty-five trays of bread, along with two homemade items by each employee who is scheduled for the day. So many of their items are homemade they go though an averaged 100 lbs. of sugar a week, occupied as well by 250 lbs. of sugar! With receiving over 25 personalized customer orders a week, there no surprise that these ingredients are used up quickly. Their menu is all made from scratch, and everyone has their favorites! They offer everything from cookies, cakes, pies, scones, brownies, churros, donuts, cheesecakes, pudding cups, and almost anything else you could think of! 

Along with their daily baking and orders, the holidays are even more hectic! They offer an immense amount of specials, coupons, and party arrangements during every holiday. "So Chrissy, you mentioned that holidays are busy, whats your most popular item? Or do you offer any holiday specials?", I question. She replies, "Yes they are extremely busy. Our most popular items I guess you can say range from holiday to holiday. Valentines day its definitely cheesecake cups, and chocolate covered strawberries. Memorial day is our red, white, and blue cupcake trays. Thanksgiving and Easter is our paska bread. And Christmas has got to be cookie trays of course! Every month we offer an advertisement flier, with our months special items, and coupons. We do try to do at least one different item each month that we then make limited edition, it definitely spices things up and customers love to know what each months will be, its always a different surprise!" 

sunday's belgian brunch waffles 

One thing most find particularly different than other bakeries is that Bg's offers a Sunday brunch special! It includes a platter that is your choice of 3 baked goods offered out of the 5 with a cup of coffee or juice. They offer your choice of 3 homemade cinnamon rolls, 2 warm belgian waffles, 2 fresh bagels with your choice of spread and fruit, 3 homemade donuts of your choice, or french toast dippers. You know you would definitely enjoy stuffing your face with 3 of those options, who doesn't love a good brunch?! 

gooey and soft cinnamon rolls 

After seeing, smelling, and learning about all of their homemade goodies, there is no doubt you are not leaving without a purchase. Fortunately for me, I had many samples! I tried brownie batter filled cookies, and their cream cheese roll ups. Let me say, the brownie filled cookies were not only delicious, but some may say, life changing! Immediately after sinking my teeth into one of these, my mouth was on vacation. The warmth of the cookie, and the gooey batter exploding into my mouth after the cookie crumbled on my tongue was truly amazing. Just because these were extraordinary didn't make the roll ups any less important! After taking just one bite, I could feel the crunch of cinnamon and sugar in between my teeth and lips, while savoring the sweet cream cheese and vanilla filling. 

This bakery has not only been a favorite of many for a long time, but just people knowing and seeing everything these employees do to make sure a family's after dinner dessert is wonderfully prepared, really makes it more comforting when ordering from them, and provides this business with a reliable customer base!