TRENDING NOW NEW APP

Social Guides

In March, Qaza Nazeer, app developer and CEO of Emmausbased agency Adfuel, launched Social Guides, an app used to organize recommendations into guides that are specially curated and easy to share. The app allows users to find out who has the best food, drinks and much more. “I have been working on this idea for about four years with many attempts to get it right,” says Nazeer. “My brother came to visit and he asked me what are some of the best places to go to eat. I found myself sending him a bunch of Google map links, so I developed a way to organize and curate recommendations that would be easy to share all in one place.” Social Guides is currently available to download on Apple and Google for free.

ONE YEAR BOOKS, BRUNCHES & BOOZE

The Books, Brunches & Booze (BB&B) Lehigh Valley chapter recently hit their one-year mark and the group celebrated the milestone with some pressed-flower lantern making at the Emmaus Public Library in May. Some of the chapter’s favorite reads of the year include Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson, The Lies I Tell by Julie Clark and The Alice Network by Kate Quinn. “The group loves trivia at local restaurants or breweries,” says chapter host Emily Grothaus, noting that they celebrated Friendsgiving with a potluck and enjoyed a book exchange over the holidays. They meet twice a month, with activities ranging from meet-the-author events to creative workshops like candle making, crocheting and vision board crafting. When asked what they love most about BB&B, making connections and building friendships through a love for reading was at the top of the list.

booksbrunchesandbooze.com/join-the-club

WHAT’S NEW NORT PORT

Nort Port, The Cheese Ball Company, has expanded its reach! This summer, find them “Ballin’ around the Valley” at Saucon Valley, Perkasie, Nazareth and Bethlehem farmers markets. They’ll be serving up rotating seasonal flavors like their Summer Savory “Bacon Me Crazy” (a collaboration with Cellar 159 for the 2022 Bacon Fest that they’re excited to bring back) and the Summer Sweet “Ballaroos” (think Dunkaroos, with a vanilla birthday cake cheese ball covered in rainbow sprinkles and served with vanilla wafers). Want to bring Nort Port to your party? Locals may have spotted The Port mobile concession trailer at last year’s Harvest Fest, but it’s also available to be rented for events, weddings and celebrations. Meanwhile, The Nort is a portable cooler that’s perfect for smaller gatherings, like showers and indoor festivities.

610.762.3395 | nortport.com

Beth Grys

(Pictured here with her family)

PRINCIPAL, MERCY SCHOOL FOR SPECIAL LEARNING

What led you to your role as principal of Mercy School for Special Learning?

I had been teaching in the Diocese of Allentown for many years—first at St. Michael the Archangel and then at Notre Dame. I was approached to see if I would be interested in the position. I had not intended to go into administration, but seeing Mercy changed my mind. This is a fabulous school with amazing students and staff. I could not imagine myself anywhere else.

What advice do you have for someone looking toward a career in education?

While the field of education seems to have many challenges, there really is nothing better. You have the opportunity to have a direct impact on children, families and the future. Don’t hesitate to pursue the field. Spending your life loving kids is a wonderful decision.

What have you loved about building your career here in the Lehigh Valley?

I have been a Lehigh Valley resident my entire life. All of my schooling has been in the Valley, from elementary school through graduate school. My husband and I have raised our daughters in the Valley, both of whom are educators. It is very satisfying to be able to give back to the community that has given me so much. The Lehigh Valley is a wonderful area to grow up and work in. It is truly home.