Not-so-fictional fantasy
BY ADRIAN ESCHENWALD
For many people, the fantasy genre offers mystical words and thrilling adventures that serve as an escape from the stress and tedium of daily life. The realm of fiction is only limited by one’s imagination, allowing avid readers of J.R.R. Tolkien’s novels and attendees of the annual Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire to become daring adventurers and sage wizards.
For Austin Eschenwald and his wife, Steph, the world of fantasy is far from fiction.
Austin was born in Lancaster General Hospital, and he grew up in the Hempfield and East York areas between both his parents’ households. After graduating from Christian School of York in 2011, Austin attended Messiah College, where he met Steph during their freshman year. Today, you can find the husband and wife at Owl & Cedar Homestead, a 5-acre plot of land tucked inside a misty valley in Centralia, Washington.
“We wanted to live more resiliently, have less fragility in our lives and reduce our carbon footprint,” Austin said. “We realized how scary it is that we rely on grocery stores and big corporations, so we started trading with local farmers and building personal relationships.”
In 2022, Austin, Steph and Steph’s mother, Estelle Ducharme, officially established Owl & Cedar Homestead to sell a variety of artisanal goods, including roasted coffee beans, handmade jewelry and fantasy-themed drinks such as jun kombucha and wildcrafted sodas. Austin also offers blade sharpening and repair services through the homestead, and his clients include local
chefs, gardeners and anyone else in the area looking to polish the tools of their trade.
In addition to functioning as a rustic home, Owl & Cedar Homestead is a melting pot of each family member’s unique skills. Austin uses whetstones to sharpen each blade by hand; Steph roasts batches of organic, fair-trade coffee beans; and Estelle fashions a variety of handmade crafts. In 2024, Austin built a commercial-grade kitchen on the property to house a coffee roaster as well as the equipment necessary for brewing fermented drinks.
Austin, Steph and Estelle sell their products at local farmers markets and fantasy festivals - and they fit right in. Owl & Cedar’s melting pot of products and services revolves around a
central theme; Austin and Steph consider themselves fantasy geeks, and they design and package their merchandise to be suited for tabletop game sessions and Renaissance Faires.
The packaging isn’t the only thing that makes Owl & Cedar seem like a vendor that was transported straight from Middle Earth. Austin and Steph make their wildcrafted sodas with ingredients such as wild yeast, pine needles and honey, resulting in a sweet and fizzy beverage that looks more like a magic potion than a Dr Pepper. Owl & Cedar’s jun, a kombucha-like drink that is made with honey instead of white sugar, comes in a variety of flavors, including blackberry basil, black currant and raspberry lemonade.
Austin and Steph’s short-term
BY ADRIAN ESCHENWALD
In an industry governed by record deals and algorithmic playlists, Tyler Burkhart is a truly independent artist. The Landisville native and prolific singer-songwriter has been writing and recording music for a little more than a decade,
during which time he’s garnered a global following, hundreds of thousands of online listeners and an expansive discography. But Burkhart’s music has never been released under a label - and it isn’t even his main career. Burkhart started guitar lessons when he was 10 years old, but he connected with music
BY ADRIAN ESCHENWALD
Over the centuries, artists have used nearly every material imaginable to make their masterpieces. Since human beings first discovered how to express themselves with art, creatives have utilized anything they could get their hands on, from insect dyes to oil paints. Although there are many distinctive mediums, some artists prefer a canvas that cannot be compared to any other: the human body.
The art of tattooing has existed for thousands of years, as evidenced by mummified remains adorned with ancient ink. Civilizations in regions such as the Indo-Pacific used a hand-tapping technique to press designs into the skin, and Native American tribes have a long history of using tattoos to signify cultural and social connections. In modern times, traditional tattoos are still an important practice among the Maori peoples of New Zealand.
Contemporary tattooing in
Austin Eschenwald (right) and his wife, Steph, sold their wares at the Centralia Fantasy Festival in July 2024.
Photo provided by Abby Burkhart Tyler Burkhart
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Production to present immigrants’ stories
Grand Pistachio will present “Layer the Walls: Midcentury” on Saturday, Jan. 25, at 1 p.m. at the Winter Visual and Performing Arts Center, 60 W. Cottage Ave., Millersville.
Tenor to present concert
Tenor soloist Brenten Megee will perform at First Reformed Church United Church of Christ (UCC), 40 E. Orange St., Lancaster, during the worship service on Sunday, Jan. 26, at 10:30 a.m. in the historic 1854 church’s sanctuary.
Megee is a singer, conductor, pianist, choral artist, music director, and actor. Born with autism, he has overcome obstacles and challenges, and he now seeks to encourage others with his heart and inspire them with his voice.
The service will also include a message from pastor Devin B. Jeffers. The service is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided afterward.
Megee will present hymns, Southern gospel music, and other songs.
For more information, call the church office at 717-397-5149.
Church sets Puzzle Palooza
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“Layer the Walls” is a live theater piece for young audiences focusing on immigration and universal struggles surrounding discrimination. While visiting the Tenement Museum in New York City, the play’s creators learned that 40 layers of wallpaper were found on the walls of an old apartment. Each piece had been applied by a new immigrant family attempting to make the space its own, with every layer filled with hopes, dreams, and stories of survival. As layers of the set are peeled away, the characters’ stories of immigration are revealed.
“Layer the Walls: Mid-Century” spans 1930 to 1970, including stories of a Chinese father who enters the U.S. and endures 30 years of separation
from his family, a young Holocaust survivor who has to adapt to life in New York City, and Puerto Rican sisters who join the Young Lords’ fight for health care equity. These stories are brought to life with rod puppetry, ribbon dancing, masks, Bunraku-style puppetry, shadow puppetry, and original music.
Grand Pistachio creates original theater for young people utilizing puppetry, masks, and music. Its mission is to engage audience empathy and open new ways for young people to view each other, the world, and their role in it. The organization seeks to achieve these aims by highlighting the stories of people who might not be in the history books or cultural records.
The event will include free preshow children’s activities as part of the season’s Family Fun Fest series. Community organizations and Millersville University student groups will host tables offering children’s crafts and activities that are inspired by the performance. Children will leave with goodie bags filled with their creations.
This performance will feature ASL interpretation, audio description, and sensory-friendly accommodations.
To purchase tickets, visit www.artsmu.com, call 717-871-7600, or stop by the Ware Center, 42 N. Prince St., Lancaster, or the Student Memorial Center box office on the Millersville University campus.
Faith United Methodist Church, 1290 Fruitville Pike, Lititz, will host Puzzle Palooza on Saturday, Jan. 25, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Check-in will begin at 9:30 a.m.
Teams of two to four people will race to complete a 500-piece puzzle without access to the box top. The winning team will receive a prize. All teams will get to keep their puzzles after the event.
Preregistration is required, and space is limited to 20 teams. There is a fee per team, due at the time of registration.
Registration forms are
available by visiting www .faithumc.us and clicking “Events & Activities,” or people may visit the aforementioned website and use the “Online Giving” button to register and pay online.
No refunds will be issued if a team cannot attend the event, but the team will still receive its puzzle. Individual team member substitutions are allowed.
For more information, call the church office at 717-560-0321. The entrance to the church parking lot is on Koser Road.
College students invited to volunteer
College students are invited to consider volunteering with VisionCorps. The nonprofit organization is seeking enthusiastic volunteers to join its mission of empowering individuals who are blind or vision impaired to live independently.
People are needed to drive VisionCorps employees and clients with low vision to various destinations across Lancaster, Adams, Chester, Lebanon, and York counties. Drivers may choose assignments
that fit their schedule, and assignments range from quick trips to longer appointments in urban or rural areas. Volunteers can use their own vehicles or drive VisionCorps’ company cars.
Volunteering offers opportunities to network and connect with the local community, as well as hands-on experience contributing to a cause.
To learn more, contact Linda at lconyers @visioncorps.net or call 717-205-4116.
Brenten Megee
Puppetry is featured in “Layer the Walls: Midcentury.”
America originated in the 18th century, when Western sailors discovered tattooing techniques during their voyages to the South Pacific. The practice quickly became popular among the seafaring crowd; for many years, tattoos were exclusively associated with rowdy sailors or soldiers.
But in recent years, tattoo shops have spread to every part of the country, and more people are getting inked than ever before.
For tattoo artist Joe Montalbano, who owns Ritual Tattoo Collective in Lancaster city, the art form’s appeal is the way it connects people to each other. “I love meeting the person I’m tattooing and getting to know them,” Montalbano said. “You also get to see the person’s reaction to the work in real time.”
Montalbano, a Lancaster Mennonite School graduate who grew up in Landisville, entered the world of tattooing in 2017, after he traded one of his paintings for a tattoo. After cutting his teeth as an apprentice,
Montalbano became the owner of Ritual Tattoo Collective in 2019. In 2021, Ritual Tattoo Collective moved to its current location on West Orange Street, where Montalbano slings ink alongside resident artist Ian Ross. Montalbano and Ross prefer American Traditional tattoos, a distinct style that features bold outlines and simple color palettes. Although clients may choose from dozens of hand-painted designs that line the shop’s walls, Montalbano and Ross accept walk-ins who have something else in mind.
A living canvas is an obvious aspect of tattooing that separates it from other mediums, but there’s another element no other artist contends with: bedside manner.
Receiving a tattoo can be a painful undertaking, and many tattoo artists put a lot of effort into making their clients as comfortable as possible.
“It’s about going through the journey with someone, whether it’s a quick walk-in or someone’s first
tattoo,” said Anthony Sardi, a Hempfield High School alumnus who works at GrindHouse Tattoos in York. “It’s a really cool experience.”
Bedside manner is one of many things that piercers and tattoo artists have in common. Miley McMillan, who works with Sardi at GrindHouse Tattoos as a piercer, considers her clients’ comfort level to be a top priority. McMillan keeps her station fully stocked with candy, snacks and bottles of water to make sure guests’ blood sugar isn’t too low when they get a new piercing. “My clients really appreciate that I’m not trying to rush them out the door,” said McMillan. “We’re going to sit and chill for a couple minutes, turn off the lights and watch ‘Adventure Time.’”
“Up there in importance with quality of tattooing is the experience you provide,” Montalbano said. “The more comfortable you can make somebody, the easier they’re going to be to work with.”
As the daughter of a tattoo artist, McMillan became familiar with the world of tattooing and piercing at a young age. Although newer to the industry than McMillan and Montalbano, Sardi named the rich history of the art form and its supportive community as key factors in his decision to start tattooing in 2023. “I think working the front desk and signing people up for tattoos and piercings gave me such an appreciation for it,” added Sardi. “I wanted to give someone the experience I’ve gotten.”
“If you’re considering a tattoo, the best thing to do is to walk in here,” said Montalbano. “Talk to us in person, face to face. We’re nice people, and we want to give you your favorite tattoo.”
Music For Everyone (MFE), a Lancaster-based nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing school and community music programs, is accepting applications for its 2025 grants. The deadline is Friday, Jan. 24.
This year, MFE plans to invest in music programs through three grant tracks: the Annual Instrument Grant Program, the Music For Everyone’s Well-Being Grant, and the Steven Killough Memorial Grant.
The Annual Instrument Grant Program focuses on supporting school-based and community music programs in Lancaster County. Eligible organizations, including public or private schools and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, can request funding to help expand access to musical instruments for their programs.
The Music For Everyone’s Well-Being Grant and the Steven Killough Memorial Grant are designed to fund
programs that use music as a tool for healing and promoting well-being in various capacities. Similar eligibility requirements apply, focusing on schools and nonprofit organizations based in Lancaster County. Through last year’s grant program, MFE gave away more than $70,000 worth of instruments and classroom supplies. The organizations applying for the grants had requested a total of more than $230,000.
For more information about Ritual Tattoo Col lective, search for “Ritual Tattoo Collective” on Instagram or Facebook. To learn more about Grindhouse Tattoos, visit www.grindhouse tattoos.com.
Since 2006, MFE has invested more than $6 million in grants, scholarships, and direct program support in school and community music programs. For more information about the grants, visit www .musicforeveryone.org/ education.
To learn more about Music For Everyone, visit www .musicforeveryone.org. The organization may be contacted by emailing mark@ musicforeveryone.org.
Joe Montalbano hand-paints a flash sheet of tattoo designs in his shop, Ritual Tattoo Collective.
Ian Ross (front), (back, from left) Miley McMillan Anthony Sardi and Joe Montalbano
BREAKOUT MINISTRIES: Senior Pastors
Ron & Mary Buch; Sundays at 10am. Contemporary worship & messages of freedom, healing, deliverance and discipleship. Children’s ministry includes nursery through Sr. High. Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting 7-8pm; Check our web site for scheduled home bible studies.; JA Jesus based recovery meeting Saturday 7-8:30p. Men and Women groups meet monthly. Family Fun Night bi-monthly 6:30-9:00, Jr. and Sr. High youth group meets alternating months. Local and International outreaches. Web site: www.breakoutministries.org or Call for details. 2400 Anita Court, Leola, PA 17540. Ph.: (717)656-8366
CHIQUES METHODIST CHURCH:
1215 E. Main St., Mount Joy. Doug Paglia, Pastor. Worship Service at 9-10 am Children’s Sunday School: 9-10 am. Refreshments & Fellowship: 10-10:30 am. Adult Sunday School at 10:30-11:30 am. Nursery Provided, Handicapped Accessible. For more information, call: 717-653-5175.
CHURCH OF THE APOSTLES: “Inclusive
Refuge – Compassionate Justice –Environmental Advocacy.” 1850 Marietta Ave., Lancaster, 17603. Rev. Kathryn Kuhn, Sr. Pastor. Sunday Worship: In-person at 10am (Combined Worship Service) followed by 11am Social Hour. Services also available by phone (888-440-0106) or online at www.apostlesucc.org
COMMUNITY BIBLE CHURCH: welcomes you to Love God, Love Others, and Reach Out with us! Join us for worship on Sundays at 8:00, 9:30, or 11:00 a.m. We’re located at 331 Anderson Ferry Road in Marietta (off Rt 441 on Rt 772). Learn more at cbcpa.org.
FAITH BIBLE FELLOWSHIP CHURCH: 151 Donnerville Rd., Lancaster (one block south of Columbia Avenue). Pastor: Keith M. Long. 8:45 am Sunday School (with nursery and classes for children, youth and adults); 10:15 a.m. SundayWorship Service (with nursery and children’s church). Wed.: 6:30 p.m. AWANA Clubs (K6); Wed.: 6:30 pm Youth Group 717-285-1900. www.faithbfc.com
HABECKER MENNONITE CHURCH: A growing intercultural church that loves God, its neighbors and the world. Join us for Sunday Worship at 10 am. Located at 451 Habecker Church Rd., Lancaster, PA. Active youth group. All are Welcome! Website: habeckerchurch.com
ST. MATTHEW LUTHERAN CHURCH: A Reconciling in Christ (Open & Affirming Congregation). Located at 700 Pleasure Rd.Lancaster. Robin Fero, Pastor. In-person worship: Sat. 5 pm & Sun. 10 am. Online Worship at www.stmatthewelc.com For more info, call (717) 394-9607, or visit our web site.
TRINITY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST: 2340 State St., East Petersburg. Rev. Dr. Christopher Rankin, Pastor. Phone: (717) 569-1632. Sunday Schedule: 7:45 am Worship with Holy Communion; 9:00 am Sunday School for all ages; 10:00 am Koinonia (Fellowship Time); 10:30 am Worship (Holy Communion twice a month) Online service is available by visiting www.trinityeastpete.org “Catch the Vision, Share the Joy!””
WAYSIDE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH: 600 Stony Battery Rd., Landisville (near Hempfield High School). Rev. Dr. Stephen P. Fritz, Pastor. Wayside offers two services: 9:00 am Traditional with choir, 10:00 Fellowship & 10:30 am Contemporary with band & Children’s Ministry. For more info, visit www.waysidepc.org or (717) 898-1551.
ZION EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH/ LANDISVILLE: 85 East Brandt Blvd. 717-898-2911; adminzelc@comcast.net In-person worship at 9am. Live-stream link can be found at zionhempfield.net under the worship tab and on the Zion Lutheran Hempfield Facebook page. Adult Sunday School in-person at 10:15am. Pastor Timothy Seitz-Brown.
Please Note: Updates can be made to your church’s listing for 1st issue date of each month only. (Changes must be submitted by the previous Wednesday.) For More Information On Church Listings And Rates, Call Justin at 717-492-2533
LancasterHistory posts programs
LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Ave., Lancaster, has posted two upcoming events.
The first Friends of the Tanger Arboretum Nature Series program of 2025 will be held on Saturday, Jan. 25, at 10 a.m. Aaron Haines will speak about remote acoustic survey efforts for bats, a cost-effective way to survey rare bats in Pennsylvania, and how to use recording devices to record bat vocalizations. The devices are an integral tool in evaluating bat species under conservation with minimal human interference.
Bats are key indicators of the health of ecosystems, and they provide pest control over problematic insect species. However, in Pennsylvania, seven species of bats are of conservation concern, with three species listed as endangered and two species actively protected by the Endangered Species Act.
Haines is a certified wildlife biologist and a professor of conservation biology at Millersville University. He is also the director of the applied conservation lab at Millersville University. Haines has a Bachelor of Science in forestry and wildlife management from Virginia Tech, along with a Master of Science in wildlife and
Owl & Cedar
range management and a Ph.D. in wildlife science, both from Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
A Nature Series presentation on maple sugaring will be offered on Saturday, Feb. 1, at 10 a.m. Lancaster County Department of Parks and Recreation senior naturalist Lisa Sanchez will share information about the production of maple syrup, its importance to indigenous peoples and European colonists, its role in food rationing during World War II, and its influence on people’s taste buds today. Attendees will explore the history of the tools and techniques used to produce maple syrup and learn all of the steps required to make maple syrup, from identifying trees to collecting and boiling the sap. They will also have the opportunity to sample maple sugar candy.
Sanchez has been a naturalist at the parks department’s Environmental Center for 30 years.
To purchase tickets for either program, visit https://lancasterhistory. org/events/ or call 717392-4633. Advance tickets recommended, as walk-in tickets are not guaranteed. There is a discount for children age 17 and under. Friends of the Tanger Arboretum members will receive complimentary admission, but they should register for the program.
LancasterHistory will reopen for the 2025 season on Tuesday, Jan. 21. The organization will be open from Mondays through Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. to the public. Tours of President James Buchanan’s Wheatland will be available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Research Center will be open from Wednesdays to Fridays and the first Saturday of each month from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. for appointments.
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goal is to acquire a mobile tap system for their kegs of jun and wildcrafted soda. Owl & Cedar recently launched an online store to allow shipping to customers beyond the local community, and Austin said the long-term plan is to open a storefront in downtown Centralia. “We have a vision of having a physical location that is designed like a tavern out of a fantasy book,” Austin added. “We would have an espresso machine for our coffee, our own syrups made from honey and a line of taps for our jun and sodas. There would be a seating area for people to play games, too.”
Owl & Cedar’s brand is heavily influenced by the fantasy genre, but the true foundation of the business is sustainability. The homestead’s fermented beverages come in reusable glass bottles, and their coffee beans are shipped in sustainable packaging. Additionally, Austin’s sharpening services allow people to
Cedar’s homemade cranberry spice jun to various restaurants and businesses in downtown Centralia.
extend the lifespan of their kitchen knives and tools instead of buying a new set once they’re too dull. “Every dollar you spend is a vote for the world you want to live in,” Steph said. “One of the biggest ways we can impact the world is how we purchase things, and we keep that in the forefront of our minds.” For more information, visit https://owlcedar .com or search for “Owl & Cedar Homestead” on Facebook.
SNHA posts Valentine’s Day programs
Susquehanna National Heritage Area (SNHA) will offer a “Love Is Electric” gift card promotion in celebration of Valentine’s Day. The gift card offers the opportunity for the recipient to take a ride aboard the Chief Uncas, a historic electric wood boat built in 1912 and now offering enchanting River Discovery Boat Tours. Guests will have access to panoramic views of the river and expert narration revealing the region’s rich heritage.
The gift cards come with a special valentine, adorned with the message “Our Love Is Electric” and an image of the Chief Uncas. The gift card is valid for the 2025 cruising season.
Gift cards may be purchased at https://susqnha .org/love-is-electric/ or in person at the Zimmerman Center for Heritage, 1706 Long Level Road, Wrightsville. Valentines and gift cards may be picked up at the Zimmerman Center beginning Saturday, Feb. 1. The Zimmerman Center is open on Tuesdays
through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; it is closed on Mondays. For more information, visit the aforementioned website or use the hashtag #LoveIsElectric on Facebook and Instagram to join the celebration. People are also invited to celebrate Valentine’s Day weekend with “Love on the Susquehanna” tours of the Zimmerman Center from Friday, Feb. 14, to Sunday, Feb. 16. Tours will start at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. each day. People will learn the history of Valentine’s Day and hear real-life love stories that have shaped Pennsylvania’s past. They may also view a display of romantic letters written by historical couples from York and Lancaster counties; the exhibit is provided by the York County History Center and LancasterHistory. People will have opportunities to snap a photo with loved ones while surrounded by Valentine’s Day decorations. To make reservations for tours, visit www.susqnha .org/events.
Austin delivers kegs of Owl &
CAP cadets honor veterans at cemetery
Civil Air Patrol (CAP) cadets and senior members from the Pennsylvania Wing, including members of the Jesse Jones Squadron 304 in Lititz, participated in Wreaths Across America at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery on Dec. 14.
The Squadron 304 cadets took part in the Line of Patriots during the hourlong ceremony honoring veterans from each branch of service. Joining them in the Line of Patriots were CAP cadets from the Reading, Harrisburg International, Gettysburg, Scranton, and Chester County squadrons. United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps cadets from the Robert I. Rudy Division
located in Lebanon and the Cedar Cliff Army JROTC were also present on the Line of Patriots, which was led by veteran members of the Patriot Guard Riders.
Following the ceremony, cadets and senior members assisted with laying wreaths at the graves of United States veterans to signify honor and respect for veterans. More than 3 million wreaths were laid countrywide at more than 4,900 locations. More than 42,000 wreaths were laid at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.
Wreaths Across America’s mission is to remember the fallen, honor those who serve and their families, and teach future genera -
tions about the price of freedom. This mission is continued year-round. When volunteers lay the wreaths, they are encouraged to say the veteran’s name aloud, thank him or her for serving and sacrificing, and take a moment to reflect on that person and his or her life.
Jesse Jones Squadron 304 meets each Monday except holidays at 7 p.m. in the Venture Jets hangar, which is located at the airport near the intersection of Lititz Pike and Millport Road in Lititz. Visitors are welcome. More details about the squadron are available at www. jessejones.cap.gov or by searching for “Jesse Jones
Welcome to the Battle aims to disarm the enemy
BY JEFF FALK
You’re invited to a fight, a confrontation between good and evil, a struggle for lives.
In the war against human trafficking, the North Star Initiative (NSI) event Welcome to the Battle is a preemptive strike. It is an attempt to deal the enemy a blow before he or she can mount an offensive.
“The battle is to end human trafficking in our community,” said Melinda Clark, NSI’s chief executive officer. “Our community doesn’t want trafficking to happen here, and it does. The battle line is long, and everyone has a chance to step up and be a part of the battle. Part of the battle tactics is to know what it
looks like and have everyone know what to do when they see it.”
Welcome to the Battle is NSI’s annual panel discussion that involves experts from all areas of the front lines providing facts, dispelling misconceptions and spreading information on the state of human trafficking in Lancaster County.
This year’s Welcome to the Battle will be conducted on Tuesday, Jan. 28, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lives Changed By Christ Church’s Ephrata Campus, 5 Hahnstown Road.
Members of the panel will include Brad Ortenzi, coordinator of the Lancaster Human Trafficking Task Force and ZOE International East Coast; Meg McCallum, Berks County
supervising attorney; Kevin Quinter, detective sergeant of the Wyomissing Police Department; Celeste Hutchinson, NSI’s clinical director; and Jen Sensenig, NSI’s founder.
The event, which is being presented as part of the United States Department of State’s National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, is free to attend, and registration at www .northstarinitiative.org/ events is encouraged. Light refreshments will be served, and a number of local human trafficking fighting agencies, including Lancaster YWCA, Sparrow Place, Hope Inspire Love, Greenlight Operation, ZOE International and She’s Somebody’s Daughter, will See NSI pg 8
Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol, Pennsylvania Wing” on Facebook.
The Civil Air Patrol is the official civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. To learn more, visit www.cap.news or www.gocivilairpatrol.com.
Civil Air Patrol Lancaster Squadron 304 cadets (from left) Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Bruce Gentry, Cadet Maj. Slater Shannon, and Cadet Tech. Sgt. Brady Dougherty participated in Wreaths Across America.
Squadron 304 cadets and senior members gathered for a ceremony at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.
Webinar series to focus on landscaping
Penn State Extension will host a live webinar series, “Recognizing and Avoiding Landscape Problems and Mistakes,” on Tuesdays, Feb. 11, 18, and 25.
Tailored for homeowner associations, property managers, grounds maintenance staff, neighborhood groups, and municipalities, this series will delve into the consequences of improper planting and maintenance practicessuch as planting too deeply or allowing girdling roots to form - and highlight corrective techniques like root collar excavation, air spading, and girdling root removal. The second session will emphasize best practices for contracting and specifications, along with tips for selecting
qualified landscape and tree care professionals. The final webinar will shift the focus to sustainable turf management strategies, spotlighting ways to reduce chemical inputs.
There is a fee. Continuing education credits are available. Registration is required by Friday, Feb. 7, by visiting https://exten sion.psu.edu and searching for “Recognizing and Avoiding Landscape Problems and Mistakes.”
This program is made possible through the financial and in-kind support of the United States Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Bureau of Forestry.
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SERVICES RENDERED
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ANDY’S DRYWALL
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All real estate advertised in this publication is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act which makes it illegal to advertise a preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, ancestry, sex, national origin, handicap (physical or mental) or familial status (people with children) or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. This publication will not knowingly accept any advertisement for real estate which is in violation of the law Our readers are hearby informed that all dwellings advertised in this publication are required to be available on an equal opportunity basis.
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For Rent
ELIZABETHTOWN - 2nd flr. 2BR1 BATH APT. w/garage, all appliances, $1,200/mo., W/S/T/Heat incl., no pets/no smoking. Call 717-554-7633.
Burkhart from
only as a listener during his younger years. At first, Burkhart exclusively listened to Christian rock bands and CDs that his parents owned, but he discovered other genres as he grew older and shared music with friends. It wasn’t until Burkhart received a microphone as a Christmas gift from his brother that he realized he could start recording his own music. Burkhart started recording in GarageBand, learning the basics from his friend and bandmate Mike O’Hara.
putting out his first official record, “Sweet Spell,” in 2015. The 11-track debut is a melancholic but graceful ode to Burkhart’s introspective days living in the suburbs, laying the foundation of his dreamy and graceful sound. Burkhart’s sophomore album, “Marianne,” builds upon his first album’s wistful mood with evocative melodies and earnest lyrics that melt between your headphones and ears as you listen.
found both in print and online. antiquesandauctionnews.net
After graduating from Hempfield High School in 2007, Burkhart attended Millersville University, where he would eventually earn a master’s degree in social work in 2016. But as an undergraduate student who commuted from Landisville, Burkhart began to question his path. Feeling lost and unsure of what he wanted, Burkhart started pouring himself into writing and recording music with the microphone his brother had gifted to him. “I was probably feeling pretty depressed,” said Burkhart. “I was going to college, but I wasn’t hyped about it. It was something I could do that I felt good about.”
Burkhart released a handful of EPs and an album titled Freaking Out before
“I’m a visual person, so I’ve always imagined reaching for something in music,” Burkhart said. “I feel like that’s always been what I’ve felt when I listen to music - this sort of longing and trying to break through.”
Since the release of “Sweet Spell,” Burkhart has nurtured an impressively long discography, including his latest release, “Every night and all,” which dropped in December. Burkhart’s more recent material features a few traits that distinguish it from his early releases, but his sound and creative approach has mostly stayed the same. Similar to the records that preceded it, “Every night and all” sounds sharper than “Sweet Spell” or “Marianne,” both of which Burkhart recorded entirely in GarageBand with minimal knowledge of
recording techniques.
Although Burkhart has become more knowledgeable about music production through the years and often records in a professional studio, he still prefers to track certain instruments and parts of songs in the DIY setting he started in. “In my experience, trying to perfect production usually gets in the way of me actually making things,” Burkhart said. “When I listen to the early stuff, I can hear what I didn’t know. But I still like it, and people connected with it.” Burkhart added that while recording his first few albums, he would
often ditch the microphone altogether and place his laptop in front of an instrument to record.
In the same way Burkhart writes and records by his own rules, he has never been represented by a label or a booking agency, which he credits as one of the main reasons his creative direction has remained as uncompromised after a decade. “The more I do it myself, the less I want to do it with anyone else,” said Burkhart. “I want to do it in a way that feels true to me; I don’t want to compromise.”
To listen to Burkhart’s music, visit https://tyler burkhart.bandcamp.com.
from pg 5
be there providing information on their services.
“There are people who don’t even think human trafficking in Lancaster County happens,” said Clark. “If you don’t think it’s happening, you’re not going to be looking for it. That knowledge can protect someone else.”
“So many people in the community have questions,” added Clark. “Some people struggle attending an event like this. It is hard information. My intent is to have people walk away with hope and feeling empowered. The way we talk about it is true and honest and real, but it brings light, not darkness.”
Last year, more than 250 people attended Welcome to the Battle.
“There are warning signs with human trafficking,”
said Clark. “Some of the things you might be looking for are somebody who lacks ID papers, a relationship in which the participants seem mismatched. It could look like an excessive dependence on a cellphone to a point of desperation. It could involve income that seems extravagant. Anything that looks off is off. It may not be trafficking, but it’s a sign of vulnerability. It should be a concern. It should be a red flag.”
Clark said that it is impossible to know exactly how much human trafficking is being perpetrated in Lancaster County.
“It is one of the most underreported and misidentified crimes,” said Clark. “Exploitation can come before the actual trafficking. There are people in Lancaster County
who are victimized, and there are people who are brought here to be trafficked. Buyers are creating demand. People are paying to abuse (victims) in Lancaster County. The way trafficking happens in Lancaster County is a result of exploiting substance abuse or grooming young people.
Social media is the No. 1 source of trafficking.”
Welcome to the Battle was originally established in 2018. Last year, NSI conducted more than 85 community presentations designed to raise the awareness of human trafficking, educate families and empower attendees
through knowledge.
“The battle to end trafficking is winnable,” said Clark. “Our intention is to replace myths and misconceptions with facts. When it comes to the facts, everyone should be saying the same things because the truth is the truth. There are different people and different groups doing work to make progress. Everybody has different approaches, different resources. We aren’t competitors; we’re colleagues. We all have a place on the battle line.”
NSI is headquartered in Lititz. For additional information, go to www .northstarinitiative.org.
The album art for Tyler Burkhart’s latest release, “Every night and all”
NSI
Panelists engage the audience at last year’s Welcome to the Battle.