The Valley Voice Archives [In progress]

"The publisher, Ann Marie Gonsalves. Gonsalves was a news reporter for the Globe-Times newspaper of Bethlehem. In 1988, when the Globe-Times let go 15 percent of its staff due to its slowing circulation, including Gonsalves, she saw the opportunity to start a new weekly newspaper covering the Hellertown and Lower Saucon areas. Gonsalves credited the support she received from John Roach, a consultant working for Lehigh University's Small Business Development Center, in setting up the business side of The Valley Voice. The publication has received several Keystone Newspaper awards and the International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors, over the years. Gonsalves grew up in South Bethlehem. She helped support her husband and daughters by working as a bartender, hairdresser, and reporter. Gonsalves' life experiences fascinated Sarah Strohmeyer, daughter of John Strohmeyer, the Pulitzer Prize-winning editor of The Bethlehem Globe-Times. John Strohmeyer supervised Gonsalves during her years at the paper. Sarah Strohmeyer based her main character "Bubbles Yablonsky" on Gonsalves. The award-winning Bubbles mystery series now has seven books. Gonsalves is still active in the Saucon Valley community and attends local events such as Community Day and Apple Fest. The original Valley Voice sign still hangs at 1188 Main St., Hellertown, PA 18055, location of the Valley Voice office and Gonsalves residence."