When I moved to the Lehigh Valley in 2006, I didn't know much about the area. I could count my local friends on one hand. Although I'd spent my childhood here, most of my close friends had left the area. I had never lived or worked in the Lehigh Valley as an adult. I couldn't tell you how to drive from Easton to Bethlehem without getting on Route 22 (or especially Route 78, which didn't intersect with Route 33 back then). And I especially couldn't tell you the first thing about what was going on here.
Fast-forward six years: Now I'm feeling very much at home here. How did I do it? I am a voracious reader and consumer of media; I read newspapers, magazines, the free “social guides” distributed at bars and restaurants, blogs, junk mail, anything I can get my hands on. I watched “Channel 69 News” and “Tempo!” on PBS Channel 39. I am somewhat of a shameless networker, but I think that's in my nature. Mom says that when I was little, I would sit in the seat of the grocery cart and chat up anyone that passed us in the aisle. So as an adult, no matter where I went in the Lehigh Valley, I said hi. I gave out my business card. I made small talk. I put myself out there, both in person, in the “Valley Newbie” column I have written for the past two years for this magazine and in my blog, Lehigh Valley Transplant. I have made good friends, fun acquaintances and excellent business contacts this way.
I met my dear friends Dana and Jill K. because they emailed my blog to introduce themselves—my kind of girls! My friend Paul's mom and my mom play tennis together, and they set up a play date for us and our significant others. When Molly was looking for a job, I met Adam at a conference, a man she knew through her graduate program, who introduced us via email—now she works with my fiancé, Mark. A business contact, Joe, said I had to meet his friend Jill B., who worked in the same building as I did. Kelly stopped by our neighborhood yard sale and as we chatted, we discovered that she read my blog and I knew her in-laws. Elena and I followed each other on Twitter for years before meeting in real life through our mutual friend, Beth, who I met at a Network of Young Professionals event. Eileen and I joined the same sorority at different universities and competed in the same triathlon race. Tyler and I sat next to each other on the first day of accounting class and discovered that he and his wife, Jenna, lived two blocks from us. These are just a few examples of the ways I've made friends; even if you are introverted and shy, supporting community organizations, putting the word out that you're interested in meeting new people, and following up when an opportunity or invitation comes your way are all ways to connect with the area and build relationships.
This new column—Gal About the Valley—will revisit some memorable events from the past few months, and hopefully inspire you to get involved. I'd share the details of my thrilling grocery shopping, checkbook balancing and statistics homework, but I don't think you could take that much excitement!
Every year I try to compete in at least two races, to give myself something to train for. An added benefit is that the pursuit of a positive goal—the months it takes to prepare for a big race—makes for interesting conversation. When someone asks me “How are you,” after I'm done telling someone about my job (which I love) and my family (which I adore), I have something else to share. In September, I participated in the Via of the Lehigh Valley Walk and Marathon Relay, two events in one weekend that raise funds for a nonprofit human service agency that provides services for children and adults with disabilities like autism, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome. The Walk began at SteelStacks on Bethlehem's South Side, with a route along the Bethlehem Greenway and through the redeveloped Steel property. This past year was the first time the Walk had been on a different day as the marathon, and at a different location, too—lots of dogs, strollers and kids. The Freedom High School marching band started us off. The t-shirt we received just reads “Lehigh Valley Health Network Marathon,” so when I wear it to run a couple of miles, I feel inspired!
The following day's race, a Boston Marathon qualifier, is best known for its full 26.2-mile challenge and half-marathon distance race. My five friends comprised one of 225 relay teams, which meant picking up and dropping off a runner at five locations, and cheering like crazy. The variety of stops required some sweet minivan maneuvering by Rob, the team's official driver. I had planned to run a leg, but was sidelined for medical reasons. Since I was the only van passenger who had participated in the race before, I became the team's parking director (a.k.a. backseat driver) and cheerleader along with the team anchor's fiancée, Jamie. It was a lot of fun to share the experience with the team, marvel at some of the costumed runners (red ball gowns? a purse and boa? “Gotta keep your gels somewhere,” he said), and talk about each leg's unique terrain. I shared this thought with “my” team at the finish line: not to take the race too metaphorically or anything, but it's hard to believe that in a region where some people balk at driving from their home in Allentown to a business or event in Easton, that 3,000 people would pay to run the distance instead!
“...it's hard to believe that in a region where some people balk at driving from their home in Allentown to a business or event in Easton, that 3,000 people would pay to run the distance instead!”
Another sport I enjoy but cannot say I am an expert in is golf. I've been playing since 2006, and enjoy exploring the region's many public or semi-private courses. Even though I was brand-new to the sport, I met a lot of women when I played in a ladies' league at Riverview Country Club in Easton. Most courses offer some type of regular ladies' golf program. Don't worry about taking lessons first to get “good”—just get out there and play. In September, my colleague Lisa and I participated in the one and only Ladies Golf and Gourmet event at The Club at Morgan Hill in Williams Township, to benefit The State Theatre. The nine-hole golf outing, hosted by Ron Martin and Mish Ganssle of RMG Insurance, is a women-only event, and welcomes golfers of all skill levels. We were paired with two State Theatre patrons, who were generous with compliments and good sports, despite the cold and rainy weather. The tournament's scramble format kept the game moving, except for the times when we marveled at the breathtaking views from the course. After the outing, golfers—including my mom, Mark's mom Donna, and the rest of their foursome, Kassie and Cleo—enjoyed a cocktail hour under the tent, then a cooking demonstration by Vintage Restaurant's Chef Mike Pichetto. The food at Vintage is excellent; both weddings we have attended there have had some of the best banquet food we've ever tasted. The group was a lively bunch of ladies from all over the region, all of whom seemed to enjoy the event despite the inclement weather.
One great way to meet people is by attending events that are specifically designed for networking, like the Power of Women luncheon at Cedar Crest College in October. Everyone there is open to make connections. The Power of Women always attracts a diverse group of women—in age, background, career and passions. I try to attend at least one of these events each year to network and learn from keynote speakers. A group of women led by Pam Varkony began Power of Women in 1999 as a way to bring women together to share common experiences and provide ongoing support for their goals and dreams. Today, the organization empowers women from all over the world through support of entrepreneurs from Afghanistan and other developing nations. At this event, Pam announced that Cedar Crest, the Lehigh Valley's women's college, and Power of Women have joined forces to bring educational programming, lectures and networking opportunities to women. Before and after lunch, guests could browse through the event's Sponsors Hall and Networking Room filled with displays by women-owned and women-managed businesses. During lunch, we heard from Karol Ward, a national writer and speaker whose message resonated with women who strive to lead healthier, less stressful lives. I walked away from the event with a stack of business cards and having reconnected with a few special friends.
We don't do the gala circuit every weekend, but every now and again Mark and I like to get dressed up to support a great organization. The vibe at most galas is one of goodwill, which lends itself to small talk, and most events feature silent auctions or raffles that give you something to look at other than your place setting. We attended the Re/Max Charity for Children Monte Carlo Night Gala at the DaVinci Science Center in November. The center was decorated in high style and music was playing as we arrived. We sampled food from a variety of vendors, including Catering by Karen Hunter (always a treat), Sangria, Valenca, and cupcakes from Blondie's. After dinner, we got serious about gambling. Since I'd never played roulette or craps before, I figured this was a great place to learn. Some of the blackjack dealers were familiar faces—ArtsQuest President Jeff Parks and Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski. We saw my colleague Tom and his girlfriend, Katie, near the silent auction tables, and my Junior League friend Cari and her husband, Chris, near the Chinese auction tables. (Tell me why these auctions are considered Chinese?) Many event guests were tied to the organization's host, Re/Max Realty, or beneficiary agencies: Boys & Girls Club of Allentown, Northeast Ministries in Bethlehem and The Children's Home of Easton. Before we turned in for the night, we stopped in at The Mint to celebrate Lou's birthday—we were overdressed, the bar was packed and we had a great time sampling microbrews.
Sometimes, instead of buying a ticket, we pitch in and help an organization make an event happen. For the past two years, we've helped the Easton Main Street program clean up Centre Square after the winter, by spreading mulch and planting flowers. We also volunteered at an event called The Pairings, which raised funds for Equi-librium, a local therapeutic riding and driving non-profit for children and adults with special needs. The first-time event was held at The Bank Street Annex in Easton. The event did not disappoint: 10 chefs, 10 dishes paired with beer and wine, plus extra beer and wine to try. The event attracted real foodies and beer and wine enthusiasts. I was stationed alongside Wendy from Balasia, whose vegan supper club is located in Hereford. Her curried butternut squash dish with poppadom and habanero-infused coconut flakes was a hit; I poured tastings of Hermann J. Wiemer Semi-Dry Riesling from New York's Finger Lakes and Lake Placid Brewery's IPA. With a dish called “The Egg,” prepared and served by Chef Mimmo (Domenic Lombardo) from The Mint, Mark offered tastes of Vitiano Vermentino and Bethlehem Brew Works Hop Explosion—pure indulgence. Speaking of indulgences, Warm Sugar from Hellertown brought a variety of cupcakes paired with Robert Mondavi's Cabernet Sauvignon and Weyerbacher Brewery's Old Heathen. We will definitely make a point to attend again next year, either as guests or volunteers!
Whether you volunteer or buy a ticket, if you're the life of the party or a wallflower, community events are a great excuse (or reason) to connect with people and learn more about everything the region has to offer. Find out what's happening by reading Lehigh Valley Style, and Lehigh Valley Transplant blog (http://2cheese.blogspot.com).
by megan beste | illustration by emily graf
