Berks County Living March 2023

3 STORIES SURE TO INSPIRE

+

HOW

TO BUILD THE HOME OF YOUR DREAMS GUT

IS YOURS IN GOOD FORM?

CONTENTS

FEATURES

Health Heroes

Get inspired by how these Berks residents have helped others in times of challenge.

My Gut Instinct

Learn how gut health impacts our overall health and how a local organization aims to educate.

HEALTH : You’re Worth It

Our third issue of the year puts health and its importance front-and-center. After all, without our health, where would we be? From self-care to essential screenings and so much more, our well-being is something to take seriously, for ourselves and for those who love us.

In need of some inspiration? You’ll surely find it by flipping to page 22 and meeting three local health heroes: an organ donor, a ballet dancer and the founder of an important nonprofit organization. And on page 32 we invite you to learn more about the need for gut health, essential to our overall health.

Looking to kick your workout program in to high gear? It may be as simple as investing in a new active outfit or two. We have ideas from local retailers in The Look starting on page 18.

Perhaps you’re aiming to eat with fresher, whole-food ingredients. On page 38, glean some inspiration as writer Marian Frances Wolbers describes just a sampling of the many dine-in and to-go options at Wyomissing’s Russo’s Gourmet Foods & Market.

Starting with one small step, we can all work to make a positive change in a healthy direction. We hope this month’s issue strikes a chord with you.

Sincerely,

STAFF SPEAKS

What room of your home would you renovate if you could only do one and why?

“The kitchen, for sure! I need new countertops and a backsplash. I love to cook and to entertain!”

Robyn L. Jones, publisher

“My living room...it's so sterile and it needs some personality!”

Elaine Wyborski, art director

NIKKI M. MURRY NMurry@BerksCountyLiving.com She/Her/Hers Editor-in-Chief

“I would definitely renovate our kitchen. It needs the most work and it would be very exciting to make it more beautiful.”

Elizabeth Beebe account executive

ONE MORE THING

Spruce up for spring! Don’t miss our Home & Garden profiles starting on page 26 if you have an upcoming project in mind.

Whip Up Delicious Recipes. They’re healthy, too! Browse Calm Eats by Wyomissing resident Daniela Modesto in our blog section.

Couch to 5K. Do you aspire to register for a race for the first time? We’ve got some tips to get you started.

Get Bonus Content. It’s free! Sign up to be a BCL Insider and get our monthly e-newsletter, info on special events and more. Just click the homepage icon.

EXPLORE WITH US. Follow along on Instagram as we share delicious foods and shopping discoveries, attend events and more. Just search BCLMag.

COOKING WITH CARE. Make meals the whole family can enjoy guilt-free. Visit our “Healthy Family Meals” board on Pinterest for inspiration. Search Berks County Living Magazine.

FACEBOOK FOLLOW. Learn more about My Pet’s Brace, featured in our Berks Bits section @MyPetsBrace.

“I’d renovate our attic to make it a functional space for my son to have as a bedroom, then take his existing room and expand our bedroom and increase our closet space. That counts as one, right?”

Nikki M. Murry, editor

“I’d update my kitchen! We spend most of our time in this area as my kitchen is pretty big. It would be nice to give it a makeover!”

Sara Woodward account executive

ON THE COVER

A good friend is one that will help you in a time of health crisis, twice. Just ask Dick Henry. Read more in our feature on page 22 as written by Jon Fassnacht and photographed by Carrie Kizuka Photography.

PHOTO BY TANIA COLAMARINO, AMA PHOTOGRAPHY MAKEUP BY THERESA VIOLETTE

HIRE A GARDENING HELPING HAND

Late this month we’ll welcome spring. If you’d like to enjoy a lush, beautiful garden but don’t necessarily have the time to devote to make it happen, local landscaping company Connelly Lawn & Garden, Inc., Sinking Spring, may be able to help with its Personalized Gardening Service. Explains Melissa Charlesworth with Connelly, “We are here to lighten the load of the average homeowner. I like taking on a property that needs a bit of work and seeing it come back to life. I also love being able to help people who do not have the time or ability to care for their landscapes in the capacity that they’d like to.” Services include spring clean-ups, weed management, plant health care, corrective pruning and more. Says Charlesworth, “We offer scheduled monthly visits and an open line of communication between our customers and our trained horticultural technicians. Organic options are available, and we pride ourselves on ethical landscape practices to preserve pollinators and the local environment.” Free estimates are available. Just reach out to missy@connellylawn. com or visit connellylawn.com.

NIKKI M. MURRY

–

Visit the Healthy Spot on Spring

Opened in 2021, The Spot on Spring was born from the vision of owner Santiago Villa. He says, “I have been in the health and fitness industry for more than 10 years and have always been passionate about helping people better their health and lifestyle. Our goal was to create a space where everyone feels welcomed, all while enjoying our guilt-free goodies.” Some customer favorites include energy refreshers, hot chai lattes, protein shakes and protein waffles, which can be customized to their liking. Says Santiago, “In a community where it’s so easy to access unhealthy foods, we wanted to provide an alternative that is healthy and enjoyable!” Find The Spot on Spring at 1000 N. 10th St. (located on Spring Street), Reading. For more info call 484.721.8844 or visit on Facebook @thespotonspring.

NIKKI M. MURRY

–

PETS NEED PROSTHETICS TOO

For the rambunctious or accident-prone pup tearing their CCL (the ACL in humans), or those pets looking for mobility assistance, My Pet’s Brace may be the answer. The Morgantown-based business was born in 2010 by founders Jim Alaimo, a certified prosthetist orthotist, and Mark Hardin, a certified public accountant. Both were beginning the second chapters of their careers and decided to work together to see how they could apply their knowledge to the veterinary world. Simply put, My Pet’s Brace helps pets to walk and play again by fabricating custom leg braces and prosthetic devices. Most patients are dogs, but cats and farm animals have also received aid. Because some animals are not surgery candidates, or because surgery can be cost-prohibitive, a custom brace can be a lifesaver for animals and their owners. The location is one of only a handful of full-time companies working to provide veterinary orthotics and prosthetics in the country, fabricating more than 2,000 devices a year, many of which are for Berks County dogs that have visited the facility for a custom-fit. Want to learn more? Call 610.286.0018 or visit mypetsbrace.com –

Yoga for You

Looking to add yoga to your health routine? Check out one of these three Berks locations to see if it strikes a chord with you.

1 . Hang out.

Add a twist to traditional yoga poses by trying a Trapeze Yoga class at Empower Yoga/ Fitness/Wellness in Hamburg. For more info and to sign up visit empowerberks.com

2.

For beginners. If you’re new to yoga, Sincerity Wellness Studio in the Schoolside Plaza, Leesport, may be the spot for you. Classes include Hatha All Levels, Chair Yoga, Meditation and Back to Basics Yoga. To book and learn more, visit vagaro.com/sincerity

3. Best of Berks winner.

The Nest Collaborative in West Reading is a healing space for visitors to grow and connect. Founding teachers at The Nest say their purpose is to expand your potential while grounding you in practical daily living. Learn more at thenestcollaborative.com

One More Thing Eat, Drink and be Able.

Support IM ABLE Foundation by purchasing a ticket to the nonprofit’s Bash event planned for March 18 at the Plex at Alvernia University. For more info visit imablefoundation.org/ 2023bash.

NIKKI M. MURRY

INSIDE Ampersand INTEGRATIVE WELLNESS

BY KELLY TANGER | PHOTOS COURTESY AMPERSAND INTEGRATIVE WELLNESS

Just Breathe. Take a nice, relaxing deep breath…Ahh! That’s how you’ll feel when you step inside the doors of Ampersand Integrative Wellness in Wyomissing. The spot opened in 2019 and is comprised of four owners who are also practitioners: Gabby Warner, Whitney George, Jesse Hershey and Stefano Sarge. A variety of other amazing practitioners and staff members make up Ampersand. As Integration Coordinator Laural Miller puts it, “Ampersand as a whole is the holistic wellness facility that offers integrative care.”

Upon entering, you’re immediately greeted not only by friendly staff, but with a relaxing, organic scent offering a sense of peace and tranquility. Any feelings of apprehension or anxiety are quickly washed away. Laural says, “I feel like when people enter our doors, they’re definitely going to feel that energy of just a breath of fresh air — like coming into a place surrounded by love and support and non-judgement.”

Integrative Initiatives & Unique Services

Clients are welcome to see any of the individual practitioners or they may choose to partake in integrative care. For an individual with a particular wellness goal in mind, they would meet with the integrative coordinator for an extensive assessment to ensure their particular goals are pinpointed. From there, they would be connected with specific practitioners to help reach their wellness goals. Laural says, “The really amazing thing about everything being under one roof is our practitioners work together, collaborate together to help you meet those goals, so they’re directly speaking about you and what your goals are, how you’re doing and they’re talking and troubleshooting and coming up with a plan together.” A client may also choose to simply tackle one area at a time.

Services to explore include massage therapy, personal training, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), trauma touch therapy, grief counseling…list goes on. But Ampersand’s Integration Program is what sets it apart. Integration is the linking of differentiated elements into a functional whole. They explain, “With an integrated system, our lives become flexible, adaptive, coherent, energized, transformed and stable. As humans, we are multi-faceted beings with varying needs. Rather than separating areas of care, the integrated approach

allows for multiple modalities to be unified, focusing on the client's whole being by utilizing the wellness wheel. Integrated services are client-led, and individuals are able to work with multiple practitioners who will work with them to create a wellness experience of different services designed to meet their current wellness needs. Clients will receive collaborative feedback, ongoing support and check-in sessions from all of their practitioners.”

Laural says, “At Ampersand we’re not [only] about treating symptoms, but we’re also about really focusing on the root cause of what’s creating these symptoms and how can we rebalance you and how can we find what that root cause is to help you get better.”

7 Bristol Court, Wyomissing 484.516.2206

ampersandintegrative.com

LEARN MORE Did you know?

The “&” symbol is a broken infinity symbol. With infinity, everything is always going forever, but with that “and” comes the breaking free of a pattern.

Art with purpose.

The front lobby at Ampersand contains handmade origami jewelry made by one of their clients who used origami art as a means of healing.

Desha Dickson

VICE PRESIDENT OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION AND COMMUNITY WELLNESS AT TOWER HEALTH

BY CHRISTINA J. STEFFY

PHOTO BY JOHN A. SECOGES, SECOGES PHOTOGRAPHICS

Desha Dickson loves working with the community, and she is a proud advocate for women and marginalized groups. Desha has worked with the Berks County community since joining Reading Hospital in 2011, and she will now expand her reach to all of the communities served by Tower Health.

Q:You’ve held the VP Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion [DEI] and Community Wellness role at Tower Health since June 2022. This is a new role for you, but is it new for Tower Health?

The community health portion isn’t new; I’ve helped uplift the voices of marginalized groups in previous community wellness roles with Reading Hospital. The DEI portion as an official title is new. I’ve always done DEI work informally as part of my other roles, though. By officially making this part of the job, Tower Health has decided to be specific and intentional in its DEI efforts.

Q:What do you hope to accomplish in this role?

I want to bring awareness about why DEI work is necessary and the impact of doing and not doing this work. I also want to shed light on the commonalities among different community groups so we can all work together better. There’s also a fear about DEI initiatives that I want to eliminate. Ultimately, I want to create an inclusive community for employees and for patients. Everyone should feel comfortable coming to Tower Health for employment and care, and they should feel free to be their most authentic selves.

Q: Can you expand more on how you approach community wellness in your role?

Community wellness naturally includes DEI work, which is why I was always doing both in my previous roles. When I work with the community, I look for areas of disparity and pockets of access issues with various groups of people. It’s important to look at access from their perspective, not mine. What things do they perceive

as barriers, even if I don’t perceive those same things as barriers? I want to find out what our communities need, and I look to them to find out. I ask, “What can we do for you?” rather than telling them, “Here is what we can offer you.” It’s also important to form partnerships with different groups. Knowing people isn’t the same as forming partnerships. You form a partnership when you cultivate a relationship and understand groups and what moves them.

Q:Your job sounds very rewarding, and it sounds like it keeps you busy. When you’re not at work, how do you relax and have fun?

My family and I love playing board games and card games. I also like cooking; in fact, I haven’t found a recipe I don’t like to cook. And I grew up near King of Prussia, so I like getting back to the mall and shopping.

LEARN MORE

Tower Health network. The Reading Hospital and its associated offices are part of Tower Health, a healthcare system serving communities in Berks, Chester, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.

Career preparedness for high schoolers.

Ms. Dickson created an internship program at the Reading Hospital for Berks County high school students. Visit bewellberks. org/pathways-programs for more information.

Helen Reinhold

FUSING REAL WITH ETHEREAL

BY MARIAN FRANCES WOLBERS

Helen Reinhold-Gordon’s brush finds a moment and moves it into a realm that extends beyond the canvas, where viewers can enjoy it again and again. Her style is straightforwardly delicate, evocative, uncannily deliberate. It’s imbued with honesty, wonder and the moment…the moment when an ordinary foggy sky clears to reveal a glowing lavender-leafed tree floating (Fading Mist), or when crimson blazes beyond flower petals (Red Is Red Is Red ).

Reinhold explains, “I’m compelled to paint common everyday objects — landscapes or human figures that tell a story to the viewer pausing long enough to notice. These seemingly unremarkable images present themselves to me repeatedly, and I need to show the oomph. The way a person sits and tilts their head: this tells you stuff. The way the light rests so briefly on flowers, rocks, vases in a still life, perhaps the glint off the rim of someone’s glasses…”

Oil paint suits best: “My early years found me using watercolors like they were acrylics, thick and opaque with very few washes. I figured I might as well jump to acrylics, but those found me painting like they were oils, so I eventually went right to the source.”

Art Emerged Early

“I grew up in a very creative, over-the-top, ‘too much’ family of making things. Extraordinary things. I witnessed a creativity that never questioned how to make it but how long will it take.

I was a curious, persnickety child that had to get in on everything. I think my older sister put the first crayon in

my hand and made the pupil scribble while she played the teacher. Eventually, I had to draw as well as she did. A gold star placed on a coloring page at age five joyously did me in, and there was no turning back.”

She adds, “My mother would reward four children with a trip to the Reading Public Museum for behaving at mass on Sundays. How brilliant was that?”

Fast forward to 2023: “Lately, I’m curious about how light, atmosphere, water molecules affect a potential creation. In past work, it was all about the flowers in the still life set-up. The focal point has evolved to how light passes through the glass of a vase and then the water, visually manipulating the stems feeding into the water… How does one create atmosphere, particle changes and manipulation of space whenever light comes into play?”

Berks County

Powers Success

With a summa cum laude BFA from Kutztown University, Reinhold credits the Berks environment. “Becoming a member of Berks Art Alliance

in the mid-90s opened doors via the workshops offered, opportunities to exhibit, and the members who were so sharing of their knowledge.”

Becoming a member of Art Plus Gallery in West Reading provides “an amazing experience not only in exhibiting my work in a gallery but gaining knowledge on the business side of art. Serving on the Board of Directors for the last four years has certainly opened my eyes to running and maintaining an art career.”

Exhibitions at GoggleWorks, Wyomissing Art Institute and PSU Berks “had me crossing paths with individuals who have now become my students at the Yocum Institute and at my home studio.”

helenreinhold.com

REVELATIONS

- Reinhold reupholsters antique/vintage cars.

- “I actually began college at West Chester to become a Phys Ed teacher.”

Businesses to Help you Look & Feel your Best

BY ZOE SATTERTHWAITE, STORYTELLING INTERN, GRCA

Are you looking to relax and unwind, make healthier food choices or get fit? Look no further, as these Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA) members are here to help you exemplify health and wellness from the inside out.

French Creek Aesthetics

French Creek Aesthetics is a luxury med-spa based in Elverson offering a full range of services, from massages and facials to Reiki and cupping therapy. Facial services can be customized based on your skin’s needs. Other skin treatments such as dermablading, chemical peels and microneedling are also offered. For those looking to combat aging, head to French Creek Aesthetics for filler injectables like Xeomin,

Restalyne and Versa. If you carry tension in your body, consider a deep tissue or tailored massage. To destress and relax, try a Reiki or reflexology session. Whatever your body needs, French Creek Aesthetics can help with its wide variety of treatments and highly trained staff. To learn more about its services and to schedule an appointment, visit frenchcreekaesthetics.com

Clean Eatz

If you lead a busy lifestyle and don’t have time to cook healthy meals, try Clean Eatz in Wyomissing. The business offers meal plans you can order online and pick up in store with no subscription required. Not sure if meal plans are for you? Clean Eatz also has a dine-in café as well as grab-and-go meals! All Clean Eatz to-go meals include macronutrient details on the package, so you know exactly what you are fueling your body with. Healthy food choices go beyond meals, which is

why Clean Eatz also offers protein and superfood supplements as well as nutritious smoothies and snacks. Owners Sarah Deisher and Dani Zeamer know that it can be difficult to make healthy food choices, which is why they want to do the work for you and provide healthy food at a reasonable cost. To order your first meal plan, visit cleaneatz.com/order-online

Body Zone Sports and Wellness Complex

“A community that is healthy both physically and mentally will thrive in countless ways,” says Ted Kolva, Body Zone Sports and Wellness General Manager. Located in Wyomissing, Body Zone offers a variety of classes, workshops and programs that engage the mind and body. The facility boasts a 25yard pool, an indoor track, several group fitness rooms, a childcare center and much more. With several different membership levels to choose from, you can find the perfect match for your fitness

needs. For those who may want extra incentive, check out Body Zone’s Health Partners Money Back Plan, where they vow to pay a portion of your dues if you visit the center at least 12 times a month.

Body Zone also offers one-onone nutritional counseling with a registered dietician, as well as nutrition workshops that are free to Body Zone members. If you’re interested in starting your fitness journey with Body Zone, visit bodyzonesports.com

Whether you’re trying to exercise your body or nourish your soul, trust that GRCA members have you covered.

Upcoming Event

Join Berks Women2Women

4:30 to 6:30pm, Thursday, March 30, at GRCA’s Center for Business Excellence for “Networking Experience: Manifesting with Mimosas.” Network and sip on mimosas while building your vision board for 2023.

NOMINATE THE NEXT W2W ATHENA

Presented to leaders across professional sectors, the ATHENA® Leadership Award’s rich history, international scope and focus on mentorship distinguish it as one of the most prestigious leadership awards one can receive.

AT COMPASSION ENDODONTICS, Dr. Thomas Graham , founder, owner and board-certified endodontist, is delighted to welcome an associate to the practice, Dr. Jamie Kang . Dr. Kang comes to Compassion with over 20 years of experience as an endodontist who specialized in microendodontics and microsurgery.

Our doctors utilize evidence-based and modern technology to provide high quality, compassionate care for every patient. Individuals enjoy a variety of comfort items customized to their needs, from music and pillows to a therapy dog visit. Compassion Endodontics is also grateful to Hope Rescue Mission. For every root canal performed, a man experiencing homelessness receives overnight shelter and three meals.

March

WHAT TO DO & WHERE TO GO

COMPILED

BY

NIKKI M. MURRY

28

Winnie the Pooh

Disney's iconic Winnie the Pooh, Christopher Robin and their best friends Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger, Kanga, Roo, Rabbit and Owl have come to life in a musical stage adaptation. Featuring the Sherman Brothers' classic Grammy Award-winning music with further songs by A.A. Milne, this fresh stage adaptation is told with stunning life-sized puppetry through the eyes of the characters we all know and love, in a new story from the Hundred Acre Wood. For tickets and more info visit millercenter.racc. edu/winnie-pooh

32nd Annual Boscov’s BERKS JAZZ FEST

The festival provides performance opportunities for emerging and established artists alike and showcases incredible and diverse talent to fans from all over the world. Acts will include Pieces of a Dream, The Manhattan Transfer, Chris Botti, Victor Wooten & The Wooten Brothers, to name a few of the many. For more info and tickets visit berksjazzfest.com.

Various dates, times and venues across Berks County

3-5, 17-19, 29 & 31

Reading Royals

Come out and cheer on your hometown hockey team and enjoy a variety of fun themes and promotions. For more info visit royalshockey.com

Various start times

Santander Arena | Reading

2 & 6pm | Miller Center for the Arts Reading Area Community College

JO KOY

As one of today’s premier stand-up comedians, Jo Koy has come a long way from his modest beginnings performing in a Las Vegas coffee house. Jo’s uniquely relatable comedy pulls inspiration from his colorful family that has reached all kinds of people and has translated into sold-out arenas around the world. For tickets and more info visit santander-arena.com

8pm | Santander Arena | Reading

2

The Original Harlem GLOBETROTTERS

Your favorite Globetrotter stars are bringing out their amazing basketball skills, outrageous athleticism, and a non-stop good time. For tickets and more info visit santander-arena.com

7pm | Santander Arena | Reading

19

Presents – The Family Series: Jason Bishop

KU

From his breathtaking Double Levitation to his cutting-edge Op-Art and Plasma illusions, Jason Bishop features stunning and original state-of-the-art magic with a totally modern energy and an outstanding rock & pop soundtrack. $15. For more info visit kutztownpresents.org

2pm | Schaeffer Auditorium

Kutztown University

ART EXHIBITS

Thr ough April 16

To the Moon: Snoopy Soars with NASA

Just before the first man landed on the moon, Charlie Brown and Snoopy soared through space with NASA’s Apollo 10 mission in May 1969. The exhibition To the Moon: Snoopy Soars with NASA examines the history of Apollo 10 and the Peanuts characters’ role in that flight and in the NASA Manned Flight Awareness safety program. For more info visit readingpublicmuseum.org.

Reading Public Museum | Reading

Through April 16

Femi J. Johnson: Storyscapes

Born in Manhattan and raised in Easton, PA, Femi J. Johnson’s early artistic talent in graphite and charcoal drawing led to a professional career as a master draftsman and designer for Bell Laboratories and Lucent Technologies. After thousands of technical drawings over decades of work, Johnson redirected his creative energy back to the fine arts. In 2012, Johnson returned to the Lehigh Valley and has exhibited extensively across the region and internationally. For more info visit albright.edu/about-albright/buildingsfacilities/center-for-the-arts/freedman-gallery/.

Freedman Gallery at Albright College | Reading BENEFITS

March 25

2 nd Annual Undy 500

Join My Gut Instinct and Classic Harley-Davidson in the fight against colorectal cancer and support colorectal cancer awareness month by donning your undies on the outside of your pants, shorts, etc. as you ride your scooter, bike or motorcycle on location. For more info visit classicharley.com/ event/21080/2ndannualundy500.

10am | Classic Harley-Davidson | Leesport

CLASSICAL MUSIC

March 4

Reading Symphony Orchestra: Brahms – Symphony No. 4

MARCH

Reading, PA

on sale NOW at www.berksjazzfest.com

Jason Bishop Sunday, March 19, 2023 2022-2023 SEASON berkscountyliving.com | MARCH 2023 15

RETURN TO THE

THIS MONTH

visit readingsymphony.org/event/brahmssymphony-no-4.

7:30pm | Santander Performing Arts Center | Reading

CONCERTS/NIGHTLIFE

March 9

The Kingdom Choir

London’s The Kingdom Choir first attracted the world’s attention when they performed their show-stopping performance of Stand By Me in front of a world-wide television audience of more than 2 billion at the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Since that infamous day, the Choir’s infectious joy and spirit, matched only by their raw Gospel spiritual style, has taken them around the world. For tickets and more info visit kutztownpresents.org.

7:30pm | Schaeffer Auditorium

Kutztown University

March 11

The Weight Band

Performing original songs as well as classics of The Band, The Weight Band is led by Jim Weider, a 15-year former member of The Band and the Levon Helm Band. The Weight Band originated in 2013 inside the famed Woodstock barn of Levon Helm. Weider was inspired by Helm to carry on the musical legacy of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group. $41. For more info visit millercenter.racc.edu/weight-band.

7:30pm | Miller Center for the Arts

Reading Area Community College

March 29

John Pizzarelli & Catherine Russell: Nat King Cole & The Ladies Of Song

John Pizzarelli, the world-renowned guitarist and singer has established himself as a prime contemporary interpreter of the Great American Songbook and beyond. With sparkling swing and a stunning vocal approach, Catherine Russell is among the greatest interpreters of American popular song. Together, they pay homage to Nat King Cole and the legendary singers who appeared on his popular TV show. For tickets and more info visit kutztownpresents.org.

7:30pm | Schaeffer Auditorium

Kutztown University

Submit your event on our website at BerksCountyLiving.com

Find Your Fitness Fit

Not every fitness program is for every person, but fitness is important for everyone. That’s why it’s important to try a few methods to find which you connect with. After all, staying fit not only benefits us physically, but mentally and emotionally, too. Here’s how:

• PHYSICAL BENEFITS: We know fitness programs can help manage weight, strengthen bones and muscles, improve your brain health, reduce the risk of disease and improve mobility, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg!

• MENTAL BENEFITS: Working out can aid in reducing anxiety, depression and negative moods by improving our self-esteem and cognitive function. Exercise has also been found to help relieve feelings of low self-esteem as well as social withdrawal.

• EMOTIONAL BENEFITS: You’ve likely heard of a runner’s high. That’s the release of endorphins the activity brings an individual, creating feel-good feelings. It might be hard to believe, but exercising can increase your energy level and also improve your sleep quality, both good for your overall mood.

How should you get started on your fitness journey? Visit one of these locations right here in Berks!

Hot Yoga West Reading

120 S. 3rd Avenue, West Reading 610.374.2659 hotyogawestreading.com

Our yoga studio is the first and only of its kind in Reading and Berks County. We offer the traditional Hot Yoga 26&2 sequence (26 postures, 2 breathing exercises) in classes ranging from 60 to 90 minutes within a friendly welcoming community. Multiple classes are offered daily. We also offer Core Cardio HiiT, Ashtanga and Yin Yoga. Come join us!

Colonial Fitness Center

172 Shillington Rd., Sinking Spring chbsports.com | 610.777.7801

Whether you are new to fitness or a seasoned exerciser, our goal is to make you feel at home! Colonial Fitness is a family and senior-friendly gym that has been in Berks for 40+ years. You’ll find the best value in fitness amenities, professional and quality group-ex classes, a huge variety of strength equipment and cardio options, and the largest free-weight space locally. Stop by today and join our family!

LJ’s Fitness

102 N. Third St., Womelsdorf 610.589.5213 | ljsfitness.com

You’ll feel safe, welcomed and encouraged at LJ’s Fitness. We’re committed to helping people lead better lives physically, mentally and emotionally. We strive to be a light in the lives of our member family and shine that light outside of our walls. See for yourself with our free one-week trial. Visit and see why we’ve been named a Best of Berks winner again!

Berks Encore Health & Wellness

berksencore.org

Healthy Steps in Motion is an an exercise program to help you build body strength, increase flexibility and improve balance. Whether you are active or sedentary, move with a walker or cane, Berks Encore has a program for you. You don’t need any special equipment, only sneakers and a water bottle. Classes are free for anyone 60+! Meet new people; make new friends! For more information, contact Kathy Roberts, Berks Encore Health & Wellness Director, at 484.388.3196.

Monochromatic FASHION

BY HEATHER BAVER

Add a sophisticated look to your workout wardrobe by embracing the monochromatic trend. Showcase your love of neutrals, or pick one color and wear it in different shades for an energizing, confident look when you go for a run, hit the gym, or head off to your favorite exercise class.

#2

#4

5. Sustainable Speed. Lightweight and responsive, these shoes were made for running, HIIT class, strength training and beyond. The breathable mesh upper is crafted material. Speedboard® technology helps you conserve energy and make

9

FOR MEN ACCESSORIES

After-Workout Essential.

Expedite your post-workout recovery by using essential oils. Different oils can ease sore muscles, help you relax and feel centered. These roller balls offer a convenient way to apply the

West Reading

5 10

6. Ready to Compete. Make these shorts your go-to choice for any workout ensemble. Made of polyester, they feature a comfy waistband, convenient side pockets and Lotto’s signature logo. They’re perfect for your favorite sport spot, whether it’s the pickleball court or the soccer field. Lotto Men’s Squadra III Shorts, $40, Fromuth Racquet Sports

7. Forget Sweat. Add a pop of cheerful color to your all-black ensemble with this vibrant tee. Lightweight polyester material and Deep Dry Technology banish sweat and keep you fresh. Wear it for quick, comfortable movement when playing pickleball or during intense workouts. Lotto Superrapida Pickleball Tee, $60, Fromuth Racquet Sports

8. Run with the Wind. Continue your outdoor workout even in windy or rainy weather. This jacket has an athletic fit and rip-stop material for a lightweight feel. A hood with a brim keeps your face dry, and the pack-me pocket is perfect for storing keys. On Men’s Weather Jacket, $240, Fleet Feet West Reading.

Enjoy the harmonious combination of comfort and traction. Use a yoga mat to maintain balance and provide cushion so you can focus on your poses. These mats are made from natural rubber material — a nontoxic and an eco-

11

Cushy Cover.

#6

#7

#8

Enhance your yoga mat with a highperformance towel. Place this soft, super-absorbent yoga towel on top of your mat to banish sweat and increase grip. Out of the studio, these quickdrying towels are an ideal companion during workouts and runs.

Arete Yoga Towel, starting at $35, Bldg. 7 Yoga, Wyomissing

Hiking Essentials

BY HEATHER BAVER

Celebrate the coming spring by hitting the trails. Berks County is full of scenic places, whether you’re hiking a portion of the Appalachian Trail, visiting Hawk Mountain, or exploring Blue Marsh or Antietam Lake. Before you head out, check out these five hiking staples, and be prepared for your adventure.

LIGHT AND LEAK-PROOF.

Travel light and stay hydrated during your outdoor excursion. Fill this ultralight, shatter resistant bottle with cold water and attach the leak-proof cap to a backpack strap or carabiner. Open the two-part cap for easy sipping, and spin off the second part to refill or wash this BPA-free, dishwasher-safe bottle.

YETI Yonder Water Bottles

25 and 34 oz., $25- $28, TCO Fly Shop, 2229 Penn Avenue, West Lawn | 610.678.1899 tcoflyfishing.com

PACKED AND READY.

These internal frame packs offer plenty of space to transport your gear with ease. Multiple pockets, including a dedicated hydration sleeve, and sleeping bag compartment keep everything organized. A vented back panel keeps you cool on warm days, and adjustable straps provide a custom fit.

Osprey Rook 65 Internal Frame Pack and Osprey Renn 65 Women's Internal Frame Pack, $180 each, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Broadcasting Square Shopping Center, Wyomissing | 610.373.7366 dickssportinggoods.com

MAKE THE GRADE.

Tackle steep, rough trails with confidence. Topped with cork and EVA foam, these lightweight trekking poles have a soft, comfortable grip and extend to your preferred height. Try these carbon fiber poles to boost your balance, to increase speed and endurance, to protect your knees, and to provide a muscle-building upper body workout.

Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles, $199.99, Cabela’s, 100 Cabela Drive, Hamburg 610.929.7000 | cabelas.com

ENERGY IN HAND.

Treat yourself to a delicious snack. Glutenfree and vegan, each bite-sized piece includes a tasty blend of organic dates, sunflower seeds, raisins, apricots, cacao powder and goji powder. Packed with superfoods and wholesome ingredients, these Chunks of Energy will keep your whole group invigorated, no matter how long the journey.

Organic Cacao Goji Chunks of Energy, $9.99/lb. in the bulk section, Kimberton Whole Foods, 1139 Ben Franklin Highway West, Douglassville, 610.484.4843, 810 Knitting Mills Way, Wyomissing | 610.484.4421 kimbertonwholefoods.com

ALL-WEATHER ANORAK.

Stay dry and comfortable while you explore the trails and watch for raptors. This waterresistant anorak comes in a variety of colors and features the Hawk Mountain logo. When it warms up, fold the anorak into itself and stow it away in the zippered pocket.

Hawk Mountain Logo Anorak, sizes XS-3X, (sizes and colors may vary), $45, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, 1700 Hawk Mountain Rd., Kempton | 610.756.6961 hawkmountain.org

for your chance to win an all-weather anorak from Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. Good luck!

STORIES OF STRENGTH

By Jon Fassnacht

Photos by Carrie Kizuka Photography

Overcoming pain, whether mental or physical, is exhausting and can cause sufferers to lose hope. But it also can bring out the best in people. These stories highlight the triumph of the human spirit, showcasing the power of perseverance and the unselfish act of sacrifice for the greater good.

THE TEDDY FOUNDATION

HELPING PARENTS COPE WITH LOSS

Theodore “Teddy” Kurenda’s time on earth lasted 33 minutes. His parents hope his influence will touch lives for decades to come.

Matt and Alaina Kurenda’s first pregnancy ended in miscarriage, but in late 2020 they found out they were expecting again.

“We were over the moon but also nervous,” recalls Alaina, 28.

Soon after the new year, tests began to show some concerning signs. At 18 weeks, the Shillington couple was told the issues had become serious: there was excess fluid buildup, and Teddy’s kidneys couldn’t be found on the ultrasound. Given the option to end the pregnancy, the Kurendas declined.

“We decided that as long as Teddy was willing to hang on, we were willing to go through this journey with him,” Alaina says. “But every time we went to an appointment, we kind of had ourselves prepared that he might not have a heartbeat anymore.”

The ensuing weeks included visits to Hershey Medical Center and a clinical trial at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, all to no avail. They were told there was a 99 percent chance he would pass in the womb and a 100 percent chance he would pass soon after being born. They decided to schedule a cesarian section for 37 weeks; if there was even an infinitesimal chance of a miracle occurring, they wanted to give him that chance.

“He was born alive, which we were told would not happen,” Alaina says. “So that in itself is our little miracle.”

The doctors tried to get Teddy’s heart beating normally, but his parents soon determined

+

it was too much stress on his 3-pound, 6-ounce body. After his passing, the Kurendas squeezed a lifetime of memories into two days, getting him baptized and introducing him to family and friends. Their young niece read books to Teddy and filled him in on their lives.

“After that, I decided I can’t just sit and sulk in my sadness,” Alaina recalls. “I had to do something. So I started the Teddy Foundation.”

With enthusiastic support from Matt and mother Mary, Alaina launched the organization, which sends care packages to families in similar situations, be it a miscarriage, an ectopic pregnancy or a life-limiting diagnosis. More than 100 care packages were distributed in 2022.

Alaina offers her skills as an amateur photographer to couples whose time with their little ones is likely to be devastatingly short.

Perhaps most importantly, she also offers support.

“I make sure I take the time to read the story of everyone who submits a request and I write them a little letter,” she says. “And I just let them know, if you need to chat, here’s my phone number. Because when I was going through my pregnancy with Teddy, I wish I had that. I wish I had someone to call up and say, ‘Hey, I’m feeling really weak today, and I feel like I might need to make a drastic decision. Can you talk about it with me?’”

As of now, the foundation is a family affair, but they’re in the process of assembling a board.

Each bundle consists of homemade and donated items, including a plush teddy bear, framed artwork, handmade bracelets, an angel stone, magnets and literature. Alaina says the packages are often purchased for family members or friends experiencing loss, which she considers a beautiful way to support someone when you really don’t know how else to help.

“Some people believe they are helping by not bringing up your loss,” she says. “In reality, parents who lost a child feel as though you are forgetting their baby. Helping them carry their grief instead of hiding it away is most helpful.”

Donations are always welcome, Alaina says, as are volunteers for community events like the West Reading Fall Fest.

Almost exactly one year to the day of Teddy’s birth and passing, and all the grief associated with it, the Kurendas experienced the pinnacle of joy, welcoming Lucy to the world. During a recent interview, the baby girl appeared determined to make her presence known, at times overtaking the conversation with the dulcet sounds of gibberish.

“She’s a bright star in our story,” Alaina says. “That’s for sure.”

“I DECIDED I CAN’T JUST SIT AND SULK IN MY SADNESS. I HAD TO DO SOMETHING.”

Surrounding Teddy in the photograph are the co-founders of The Teddy Foundation, his mom Alaina and his mommom Mary, along with his sister Lucy and cousin Chloe. They hold his beautiful birth photograph and the precious memories with him close, always. Not pictured is Teddy's dad, Matt, co-founder.

When Jason Hornberger got the opportunity to honor his late mother-in-law, offer much-needed assistance to a family friend and teach his children the importance of acts of kindness, he took it.

All he had to do was donate an organ.

Twice.

In 2015, Dick Henry, a fixture of the Berks County community, announced that he needed a liver transplant. The realtor and auctioneer had been diagnosed with NASH (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis), an inflammation of the liver that resembles hepatitis caused by alcohol abuse but arises from something else.

DICK& JASON

CLOSE FRIENDS WHO SHARE MORE THAN A BOND

than 60 people applied to help. Unbeknownst to Henry, his close friends from the Hornberger family were among them. And Jason was a match.

For Hornberger, the act had deep meaning.

“Dick’s a longtime family friend, and I certainly appreciate him for everything he’s done for the community,” says Hornberger, 35. “But it was also a way for me to honor my mother-in-law. She died suddenly when my wife was only 11, and she was an organ and tissue donor when she passed.”

After doing some research, the Shillington resident determined that he wouldn’t sacrifice much by

resident says. “I was in a very weakened state. I was down to about 130 pounds.”

But Henry’s complications were not over. Nor was Hornberger’s life-saving generosity.

The anti-rejection medication Henry took for his new organ eventually took a toll on his kidneys. By 2021, they also needed to be replaced. Once again, Hornberger leapt into action.

His employer, Orrstown Bank, offers a generous policy for organ donors and was very supportive when he mentioned he wanted to do it again. Hornberger dealt with more pain the second time around, but he came home from the hospital the day after the surgery and returned to work right away. His only sacrifice, he says, was not being able to lift his children for a few weeks while he healed.

“It must have been something that was hereditary,” says Henry, 74. “I really didn’t drink for many years prior to that, and it just progressively got worse. So, we started searching for a donor.”

Due to the philanthropist’s standing in the region, more

donating his liver. He just needed to exhibit “a little courage and a tolerance for pain.”

The liver transplant occurred in late 2016. Almost immediately, Henry’s health began to improve.

“It made a tremendous difference,” the Wyomissing

“Giving a part of my body, if that’s going to do more good for Dick than it will for me, of course I’m going to help,” Hornberger says. “It’s something that is bigger than me. We can multiply the good in the world by making a little bit of sacrifice. I got a compliment from one of my best friends right

afterward that if I can give an organ, then he’s got to at least give blood.”

Back in action and eminently grateful for the connection that turned his life around, Henry often gets phone calls from people wanting to discuss potential donations, and he says he gives them the best advice he can.

Hornberger continues to live his life knowing his selflessness has allowed his friend to continue to live his life. He’s not concerned about complications; as a living donor, he would get bumped to the top of the transplant list if something were to happen to his kidney or liver.

According to Henry, the University of Pennsylvania told them it was the first time they ever had a living donor give two organs. According to Hornberger, it was no big deal.

“All I did was lay down and let really smart doctors do what they do for a living and take some pain meds on the back end,” he says. “What I did wasn’t that heroic. I didn’t run into a building that was on fire. I didn’t really have to do anything all that crazy. It was just saying ‘yes’ when somebody asked for help.”

“WE CAN MULTIPLY THE GOOD IN THE WORLD BY MAKING A LITTLE BIT OF SACRIFICE.”

Undergoing two surgeries in a little over a month has kept Anndria Ciabattoni on her toes.

Which was the point. Or, rather, the pointe.

An information technology worker at Met-Ed by day, Ciabattoni has danced as a hobby for most of her life. Decades of ballet and pointe eventually took a toll on her hips. About five years ago, the pain became unbearable. She attempted cortisone shots, natural treatments and physical therapy, but the aches remained. Doctors told her she was bone on bone, with total hip replacements the only option to allay the discomfort. At first, she wasn’t interested.

“How could their hips possibly be better than the ones I was born with?” the Reiffton resident remembers thinking. “But it had to happen. It was kind of crazy. I was having trouble walking around the block, but I could still put my pointe shoes on and take class. I had a recital in June that I wanted to get through for fear that it would be my last one ever.”

The decision to proceed was solidified when she discovered on Facebook a hip replacement group for active people, where she saw someone with a double replacement running marathons, even a woman showing off her post-surgery pole dancing skills. She scheduled surgery for her left hip in June, with her right hip following a month later.

The surgery is one of the most common elective procedures, according to Ciabattoni’s surgeon, Dr. Kenneth J. McAlpine Jr. of the Bone & Joint Care Center, located inside the Doctor’s Office Building in Reading Hospital. And that is mainly because people are staying active longer.

“The main reason we do any replacement is for arthritis, and as people stay healthy longer they’re able to be more active, so they have more wear and get more arthritis,” he says. “If they want to keep up their activity, the best way to do that is a joint replacement.”

When Ciabattoni told McAlpine she may want to do splits again, he altered her prosthesis to a dual-mobility model, featuring two parts that move.

“Hip replacements can get a large range of motion but it’s not a given,” he says. “So there were some things on my end we could do with specific implants to give her as much mobility as possible.”

McAlpine says recovery from hip replacement surgery is fast. Patients usually can return to normal movements in six to eight weeks, and some people recover even quicker.

Ciabattoni says she was doing laps around the hospital hallway with a walker a few hours after the surgery. Certain things like tying her shoes or picking things up off the floor – movements that included bending at the hip joint – were hard at first. But their difficulty eased quickly. She maintained her foot strength by performing exercises using her barre at home.

“Where I am now compared to where I was before this is mind-boggling amazing,” she says. “I’m doing stuff that I couldn’t do before, because some things just hurt too bad. The pain stopped me from doing it. And I

SHE WAS DOING LAPS AROUND THE HOSPITAL HALLWAY WITH A WALKER A FEW HOURS AFTER THE SURGERY.

didn’t know it at the time. But you take the pain out of the equation and, ‘Wow, this is happening.’”

She returned to classes at Allegro Dance in West Reading the week after Labor Day, only a little over a month after her second surgery. She felt a bit wobbly but was thrilled to be back on her feet again. The company’s annual recital is in June, taking place a year after what she feared might be her final performance. Sporting two new hips and one new lease on life, Ciabattoni can’t wait to be on that stage. “Everything’s been perfect,” she says. “I just can’t wait to see how much better it continues to get.”

6 Handy Gardening Tips to Try

For the larger home and garden projects on your wish list, you’ll want to call on one of the professionals profiled on the pages that follow. But, for those who are looking to dabble in, or do a bit of gardening work themselves, here are some tips that may come in handy…

1. Goodbye dirty fingernails. Prevent clumps of dirt from sticking underneath your nailbeds by drawing them across a bar of soap first. You’ll seal the undersides of your nails so dirt can’t collect there. When you’re done, use a nailbrush to remove the soap and you’ll be set.

2. Grab vegetable oil. Doing some trimming? Keep the line on your trimmer from jamming or breaking by treating it with vegetable oil before installing it in the trimmer.

3. Freeze protection. Small clay pots make excellent cloches for protecting young plants from unexpected overnight frosts and freezes.

4. Banish aphids. Control them with a strong blast of water from the hose or with insecticidal soap.

5. Save your vegetable water. The next time you boil or steam vegetables, let the water cool and use it to water potted patio plants. Just wait until you see how they respond.

6. Dry herbs quickly. The best way is to lay a sheet of newspaper on the seat of your car, arrange the herbs in a single layer and then roll up your windows and close the doors. It will dry herbs quickly and your car will smell great, too.

Ryeland Gardens

Visit Ryeland Gardens, a lovely, quaint gem of a nursery nestled in the historic Conrad Weiser Homestead, Womelsdorf, where your gardening success is our highest priority. We carry a wide variety of annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, mulch and everything you need to make your garden grow. We’re happy to offer advice regarding plant selection and do our best to give detailed instructions for anything we carry. Stroll through our series of display gardens to see the plants in action. Each has its own unique personality, and we encourage you to view what’s thriving and where, helping to inform your own gardening decisions. Owner Dennis Hurst became interested in horticulture at a young age. His father started his own nursery in the 1970s, and Dennis grew up helping with the family business before opening Ryeland in 2015. He says of the gardening, “It’s all about the joy of creation, the appreciation of beauty and taking delight in what we’ve been given. And that is something I’m delighted to do!” Of Ryeland Gardens, he asserts, “We hope to see you here, and we will do our best to make Ryeland Gardens your favorite place to visit for high-quality nursery stock, whether it be for something common, or something new and rare.”

Riverview Gardens & Gifts

The Riverview team invites you to come see us! Our buyers are always on the hunt for fantastic new products: home décor items, houseplants, beauty products, jewelry, apparel and more. Check out our ever-changing line of on-trend garden products and gifts and stroll through our houseplant house to find hot plants like string of pearls, monstera and fiddle leaf fig! (Houseplant supply varies throughout the year.) In the spring, peruse our own greenhouse-grown annuals. Fruit trees, berry bushes and organic edibles are popular among customers with a massive variety of heirloom vegetables available ready-to-plant. We stock more than 400 varieties of trees, shrubs and perennials. Additionally, we are fullyoutfitted for pond construction and maintenance with a large selection of pond plants, fish, pumps and filters, liners, fish food, pond chemicals and more. We are a family business and a 100 percent woman-owned company.

3049 Pricetown Rd., Temple

610.929.5049 | gardensandgifts.com

riverviewgardensandgifts

Riverview Tree & Landscaping, Inc.

With more than 46 years serving the needs of Berks and surrounding counties, Riverview has earned an impeccable reputation in the lawn and landscape industry. We design and install garden and landscape plantings, retaining walls, walkways, patios, firepits, ponds, pondless water features, waterfalls and more! We have a plan for every need and budget. Our Maintenance Division provides services in mowing, lawn care, spring clean-up, edging, mulching, pruning, weed control, fall leaf clean-up and seasonal decorating services. Customized maintenance plans are available upon request. Riverview is a family business and a 100 percent woman-owned company.

3049 Pricetown Rd., Temple

610.929.5049

riverviewtree.com

riverviewtree

PA005859

PHOTO BY YOUSEF ESPANIOLY UNSPLASH

Essig Plumbing, Heating & Cooling

Since our humble beginning as Paul W. Essig Plumbing in 1938, we have evolved into a third-generation, award-winning, family-operated company. While many things have changed, including our name today as Essig Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, one thing remains the same: our commitment to support our wider community with superior technicians, service and quality. President Steve Essig not only believes in this core value, but operates under it. He asserts, “In the home service industry, everyone believes that you must put your customer first. I realized that you can’t put your customer first until you put the employees first. If we put the employees first, they will put the customer first.” By providing employees with ongoing training, support and positive encouragement, they are better able to serve customers by providing superior service, honest communication and fair pricing.

Our mission is to support the communities in which we live and work. We encourage our team to give back. We also support community partners like Hope Rescue Mission, Salvation Army and others with both monetary donations and volunteer support.

It is for all these reasons that so many have chosen to use Essig and continue to choose Essig. For this we say, thank you Berks County, for placing your trust in our humble company for the last 85 years. We appreciate the support! Make it Easy, Make it Essig!

Anewalt’s Landscape Contracting

At Anewalt’s Landscape Contracting, we love Berks County and its surrounding areas, and nothing gives us more joy every growing season than bringing beauty to the communities we serve.

Whether we create memories for your family with an amazing outdoor living space design and build, conceive a vibrant and welcoming look for your business, or maintain your lawn and plantings to keep them healthy and beautiful, our professional landscape designers and certified bilingual staff will bring you the best the industry has to offer.

What makes Anewalt’s special?

• The Power of Excellence. Our family-owned-and-operated business is a trusted resource in Berks and beyond for 35+ years of service. We are designated a Landscape Industry Accredited Company by the National Association of Landscape Professionals for our properly certified staff, national safety program participation, responsible and ethical business practices, and our demonstrated customer excellence.

• The Power of Education. We ensure our team has the most current green industry knowledge to bring you the latest in landscaping trends and techniques.

The Power of Community. We are blessed to donate our skills, labor and love to local causes needing our help. Our team has beautified churches and senior living properties, lifted the spirits of struggling families, and volunteered with youth.

At Anewalt’s Landscape Contracting, we are proud to bring you the beauty of every growing season.

76 Tobias Lane, Bernville

610.916.7070

anewaltslandscape.com

New Castle Lawn & Landscape

Outdoor spaces are an extension of your home, a place where you can enjoy the beautiful weather and become immersed in your views from inside. Since 1994, New Castle has been building dream spaces that are both functional and beautiful. Our team of skilled designers will guide you through the perfect vision, be it a large patio for entertaining, or an intimate garden to enjoy a book in, we will create a unique plan developed from your wish list and budget.

Beyond building outdoor living spaces, our experts can manage the grunt work that goes into maintaining a beautiful property. From lawn care and tree services to plant health care and mulching, we will design, build, and maintain your outdoors so that you can spend your time relaxing and enjoying it!

Why choose New Castle? When you choose to work with us, you’re joining our mission of giving back to the community that we love. We are strong believers in supporting the families and organizations that make up our communities. While you will see our trucks and our work across the area, more importantly, you will also see the faces of our New Castle team members passing along their time and expertise in our community. We look forward to welcoming you to the New Castle family of clients!

610.796.7818

newcastle94.com

Norman Kohl Interiors

Norm has always been fascinated by art, architecture and interior spaces. For more than 25 years, he has remained focused on client-centered design with a service-driven, problem-solving approach. Committed to quality and detail, he brings a thoughtful, collaborative, lighthearted spirit to every project. Measured and responsive, his service aims to relax and reassure clients through the exciting, yet often overwhelming, design process. You will not see a signature style in his work, but rather a warm, comfortable, relevant environment, thoughtfully imbued with the individual character of each client.

norm@normankohlinteriors.com

610.451.0668

normankohlinteriors.com

Above: a completed patio project. Left: our designer’s rendering.

Greenawalt Roofing Company

Greenawalt Roofing Company has proudly served Central Pennsylvania residents since 2004. The company was established in Lancaster County by Travis Greenawalt in order to provide exceptional roofing services to local homeowners. Since then, Greenawalt has opened a second location in Pittsburgh and added Southeastern Pennsylvania to its service area. Greenawalt has quickly established a state-wide reputation as an honest and reliable roofing and home exterior company. They have been recognized by Certainteed-Saint Gobain as one of the best roofing companies in the nation and are a Certainteed 5-Star Select Shingle Master. This is a hardearned designation that only 2 percent of contractors in North America attain.

Greenawalt currently provides services to property owners of both residential and commercial properties and have a team of dedicated Storm specialists to assist with hail or wind damage.

They have made a name for themselves as one of the best home exterior companies in Pennsylvania thanks to their unwavering commitment to providing outstanding service to their customers. Greenawalt Roofing uses high-quality products to transform homes, and then backs its work with an industry leading 12-year workmanship warranty.

Lancaster: 717.898.6000

Reading: 610.779.3111

Pittsburgh: 412.314.8882

greenawaltroofing.com

Diebolt Landscape Co., Inc.

Now into our fifth decade serving Berks and its surrounding counties, Diebolt Landscape Co., Inc. continues to apply new techniques, processes and materials to ensure a more efficiently installed and sustainable product for our customers. We design and build outdoor hardscape elements such as kitchens, heated dining/entertaining areas, swimming pools and active recreation features; through comprehensive communication, it all fits together to fulfill your needs and desires. Softscape elements are integrated using quality, guaranteed plant materials and with touches of lighting, automatic irrigation systems and running water—so relaxing that you may never want to go on vacation! Enjoy peace of mind when you call Diebolt Landscape Co., Inc., knowing that all the details have been included and our solution will provide years of pleasure and value to your property.

762 Alleghenyville Rd., Mohnton 717.445.5400

dieboltlandscape.com

D&B Elite Custom

At D&B Elite Custom, we’re more than just a homebuilder. We empower our clients from the initial call to project completion. Our focus and commitment to excellence remains our top priority when it comes to delivering high quality products coupled with superior craftsmanship. Decades of experience remodeling and building custom homes provide an unmatched value in every project we touch. It’s the reason why nine of every 10 new clients we obtain originate from referrals by satisfied customers, and it explains why we were named People’s Choice in Home Contractor and New Home Builder in 2022 and again this year. Contact us today to make your home Elite!

2001 State Hill Rd., Wyomissing

610.927.6494

dandbelite.com

GoodFellas Granite

Trust the very best craftsmen in the business. With more than 38 years of experience and the finest craftsmen working in our fabrication shop, you can trust any project you bring to GoodFellas Granite LLC to be within our field of expertise. No matter what type of work you’re looking for, we stock various levels of granite, marble, quartzite and quartz to fit every style, color, taste and budget. Looking to renovate your home or office? Stop in to visit GoodFellas Granite LLC on Bernville Road (Route 183) just miles off Route 222. We are open Monday through Friday, 8am to 4:30pm, and Saturdays, 9am to 1pm. Closed on Sundays. We offer the largest and best selection in Berks.

5353 Bernville Rd., Bernville 484.218.8184

goodfellasgranitellc.com

Connelly Lawn & Garden

Connelly Lawn & Garden is Berks County’s premier landscape company. Whether you are looking for scheduled lawn care, to maintain your landscape, or to create a beautiful backyard oasis, we are your solution. Our team of lawn and garden experts, landscape designers, fine gardeners and top-notch hardscape craftsmen can help you create breathtaking, one-ofa-kind outdoor spaces. We have proudly served Berks County since 1990. Members of the Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery Association.

703 Henry Circle, Sinking Spring 610.678.8949

connellylawn.com

Boyer’s Floor Covering

1

2

Celebrating 100 years in business this year, Boyer’s is the go-to place for all of your flooring needs. Looking to revamp the flooring in your home or other property? Get to Boyer’s Floor Covering in Reading! Serving Berks since 1923, the business offers residential and commercial floor products, including carpeting, hardwood flooring, ceramic tile, luxury vinyl tile, laminate, sheet vinyl and custom area rugs. Want to see your options first-hand? Customers can visit Boyer’s expansive, newly designed showroom or take advantage of their shop-at-home service and see many of the products available in your space using the room scene visualizer on their website.

When it comes to installation, Boyer’s Floor Covering boasts a team of dedicated and experienced installers to handle all flooring projects. Boyer’s is proud to provide customized and personal shopping experiences for every customer and will work with you from the start to the finish of your project. Military discounts are always offered, and financing is available.

MY GUT INSTINCT

THE IMPORTANCE OF GUT HEALTH

BY HEATHER BAVER

APARNAMELE, MD

PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS

says Aparna Mele, MD, Gastroenterologist with Digestive Disease Associates in Wyomissing. Passionate about this topic, we talked to Dr. Mele about strategies to promote a healthy gut and how her nonprofit’s annual Guts and Glory Expo offers visitors a fun, interactive learning experience.

“Our gut bacteria are the BFFs that we didn’t even know we had,” says Dr. Mele. Inside our digestive tracts, “100 trillion species of bacteria are living within, constituting 75 percent of our immune system,” says Dr. Mele. “They aid in the digestion of the foods you eat, absorbing nutrients and using them

Give It Some Time

Dr. Mele also advises taking your time when you eat. “Give quality time for meals; eat slowly to allow more efficient digestion.” She recommends eating small meals during the day and not skipping meals. “Regular meals maintain blood sugar levels, prevent sugar cravings and control hunger.”

Besides drinking plenty of liquids, Dr. Mele advises eating a rainbow of at least five fruits and vegetables daily, since they are packed with vitamins, minerals and fiber. “Eat prebiotics in foods, which feed our friendly gut bacteria and build immunity such as leeks, bananas, onions and beans.” She also suggests focusing on whole

more than 90 percent of the serotonin, the hormone that makes us feel happy, is produced in the gut.” This brain-gut connection is also the source of food cravings. “Psychological stress can negatively affect gut health, causing inflammation and emotional eating.”

For optimal gut health, Dr. Mele says, “Eat a variety of fiber-rich foods (like fruits, vegetables, oats, beans, moderately lean meats, fish, eggs, protein and dairy).” She also recommends avoiding saturated fats and limiting alcohol.

grains for fiber, vitamins and antioxidants.

“Pre and probiotics help our healthy gut bacteria populations in different ways,” notes Dr. Mele. Probiotics are live microorganisms, while prebiotics are food for these hard-working bacteria. She recommends incorporating both into our diets. “Whenever possible, choose food over supplements to build up your gut army. Probiotics can be found in fermented foods such as yogurt, kombucha (fermented tea), tempeh (fermented soybeans) and sauerkraut (fermented cabbage). Prebiotics consist of fiber and can be found in fiber-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains.”

“The key to making healthy food taste good is to utilize ALL THE SENSES,” says Dr. Mele. Whether raw or cooked,

keep foods their original color. For an amazing aroma, use aromatic herbs and seasonings. In addition, try combining foods to maximize nutrients and antioxidants. Examples include, “vitamin C and plant-based iron (lemon juice in a spinach salad, apples and lentils), complementary proteins (black beans and rice), and tomatoes and olive oil.”

CAN NEGATIVELY AFFECT GUT HEALTH, CAUSING INFLAMMATION & EMOTIONAL EATING.

GIVE QUALITY TIME FOR MEALS; EAT SLOWLY TO ALLOW MORE EFFICIENT DIGESTION.

Our guts are the foundation of our health,”

EMBRACE HEALTH

Beyond Food

Besides food, gut health is also impacted by other activities. Dr. Mele notes that diet allows beneficial gut bacteria to flourish, while exercising provides benefits like reducing stress, depression and anxiety while releasing feel-good endorphins. Prioritizing sleep is also important. Too-little sleep leads to excess stress hormones, and allows food and toxins to pass into the bloodstream. “This then can lead to a host of issues including bloating, inflammation, stomach pains, food sensitivities and changes to the gut microbiome.” Hormones can signal sleep-deprived people to choose the quick energy of unhealthy processed carbs, sugar and trans fats. To help people pursue optimal wellness, Dr. Mele founded My Gut Instinct, a nonprofit with a mission

“to collaboratively inspire and empower our community to embrace health and eat and live better for longevity, and increase awareness of preventable

diseases that impact community health.” The group has a wellness blog at mygutinstinct.org and is active on social media.

In March, for Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, they host the UNDY Ride 500, in partnership with Classic Harley-Davidson. “Most people don't know that colorectal cancer is the second deadliest cancer in the United States or that it's highly preventable,” says Dr. Mele. At the event, “anyone is invited to walk/run/do a ride (using any two wheelers) on the Harley riding course wearing their underwear (on top of your clothes, on your handlebars, on your head, whatever you wish!) to raise awareness of this important disease.” Donations are also collected to benefit the Colorectal Cancer Alliance.

Each year, the nonprofit also hosts a Guts and Glory Digestive and Wellness Expo. Their 10 th annual expo will be held at Penn State Berks on Sept. 23, 2023. “Guts and Glory is a celebration festival showcasing the beauty of health and longevity not just within an individual, but also the health of a community and community relationships,” says Dr. Mele. Visitors can purchase fresh produce and taste local cuisine, watch fitness demonstrations, and enjoy music and dancing that showcases diverse Berks cultures. “We also host a large inflatable “Mega” Colon exhibit, which provides visitors with an interactive, educational experience of

EXERCISING

PROVIDES BENEFITS LIKE REDUCING STRESS, DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY

stepping through a large-scale model of the human colon that highlights common disease conditions.”

Many groups are represented at the event including wellness experts, first responders and organizations supporting animal welfare and environmental causes. “I like to think of it as a Festival of Happiness, and I am so grateful to Penn State Health St. Joseph for their loyal endorsement and sponsorship and to Greater Berks County for its receptivity and support. This community has helped keep our

EAT AND LIVE BETTER FOR LONGEVITY

BUILDING CUSTOM CUSTOM

You might say that the foundation of Kevin Kozo’s profession springs from his childhood.

Indeed, the owner of Shillington-based Turnberry Construction Group has been involved in the business of home construction and renovation since his youth.

“My dad had apartments in the Lehigh Valley, and I would help him out,” says Kozo. “He was also involved in banking and sort of flipping houses. My brother and I learned a lot.”

In the late 1990s, Kozo took a job in new construction with Berks Homes. His early training and hands-on experience – notice taken by owner/CEO LaVern Horning – resulted in him being rapidly promoted to site supervisor.

“It was a great run; I learned a lot, and I owe him a lot,” says Kozo.

Horning’s mentoring was a factor in Kozo moving his family from a small starter home in West Lawn to a newly built residence in Flying Hills.

“LaVerne said: ‘Go and build your house,’” recalls Kozo. “I went out to the site, got a phone call from a banker with Blue Ball who told me to come in with my tax returns and pay stubs, and I got the go-ahead. My ‘client’ was my wife.”

The family, including then-wife Jen and children Kelly, now 21 and a Penn State student, and Nick, now 17 and a Governor Mifflin senior, long enjoyed the home.

Kozo would soon begin in a new building venture, but when he and his partner’s differing philosophies surfaced, he knew it was time to declare his entrepreneurial independence.

That was back in November of 2005.

WHAT’S IN A NAME

As he pondered a name for his fledgling business, he knew the importance of finding a solid moniker as well as one not already claimed in Pennsylvania or on a URL.

Kozo found himself stumped until a friend more or less threw a hat in the naming ring.

That buddy had just returned from a trip to Scotland where he’d played the Turnberry golf resort on the Firth of Clyde in Ayrshire in southwest Scotland. The course, built in the late 1800s, has had quite the history, including serving as a military base in the two world wars and hosting the 1977 Open Championship where the iconic winning golfer Jack Nicklaus was bested by Tom Watson. For the past eightplus years, it has been owned by the organization headed by the 45th U.S. president.

Kozo’s friend tossed him a hat bearing the golf course’s name and logo. The course’s history immediately appealed to Kozo and Turnberry Custom Homes, doing business as Turnberry Construction Group, was officially formed.

Since then, Kozo and his colleagues have constructed more than 60 custom-designed homes, mostly in Berks County as well as in surrounding Schuylkill, Chester, Montgomery and Lancaster counties.

Growing his commercial work, Kozo purchased the 426, 428 and 430 Penn Avenue parcels in 2011. He first took on renovation of 426 where the Farmhouse Kitchen is now located within the first-floor retail space and the two apartments on the upper levels. He followed that with 430, where Turnberry was located until the first floor

BY TURNBERRY CONSTRUCTION GROUP

BY DONNA REED | PHOTOS COURTESY TURNBERRY CONSTRUCTION GROUP

was renovated for the Penn Avenue Salon. Then came the big project – new construction at 428. What was once a driveway is now a stunning contemporary three-story building with a first-floor restaurant and two spectacular apartments, one with a rooftop garden/deck.

Michael Kautter of Wyomissing-based Kautter & Kelley architects, designed the building that simultaneously stands out yet complements the familiar borough streetscape.

“I came to Michael with ideas, and he came up with this,” says Kozo, sweeping his arms as he sat in Noodl, which he describes as “the first fast casual ramen restaurant in the heart of West Reading.”

The 21st century signature vibe of the building design centers on natural elements – wood is very prevalent – and the natural light created by large windows and open spaces.

USING HIS NOODL

Kozo’s planned construction time was constricted by the intervention of COVID-19 in early 2020. A verbal agreement for a restaurant to lease the new space fell through. Kozo’s bank wanted guarantee of a signed retail lease before financing the project. So Kozo, with his entrepreneurial sense of adventure, decided he would operate a restaurant there.

“BellCo (Federal Credit Union) agreed to loan the money for the restaurant, which meant the first floor was leased and the building was up and running,” he says.

The two new apartments, one and two bedrooms, were quickly leased to local professionals. He says they loved the walkability of Penn Avenue and three dining establishments within 100 yards of their front doors.

Kozo decided on the ramen theme due to its youthful appeal. Some selections are gluten-free, with specialties like sesame noodles, some soup-based noodle creations and spring salads. The emphasis is on vegetarian choices, but there are some available proteins like chicken, pork and fish to add.

Convenience in ordering is key. Patrons enter their selections on a kiosk, swipe a card for payment, grab a placard with the table number, and the meal will be delivered by a server.

The restaurant already has the mascot for which it’s named. Noodl was created by his goddaughter Madison Hand, an art major at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, at Kozo’s request. She rendered all the artwork, which depicts a happy Noodl enjoying her domain.

That domain is one of minimalism.

“Right now, contemporary design is my favorite,” says Kozo. “I like clean lines and not a lot of clutter.”

White prevails, with the exposed duct work and pipes painted that color, enhancing the pervasive natural light. The large hanging lights, which add a touch of blue and a suggestion of the orient, were found and ordered online from Rejuvenation Lighting.

“They look almost like upside-down ramen bowls, don’t you think?” Kozo says, smiling.

In temperate weather, the big windows slide aside to create a true open-air dining experience, linking the exterior patio to the full eatery.

“The idea is to have this restaurant be attractive to a much younger demo than me,” says Kozo who, at 53, isn’t exactly over-the-hill.

CREATING UNIQUE HOMES

Age may have been a consideration in the creation of his restaurant, but when it comes to the custom home business, Kozo said there is no age factor. In fact, clients in the market for homes designed for their tastes and needs span generations, he says.

There is one commonality, though: Kozo working one-on-one with clients from first contact to completion of the home is essential.

When first contacted, Kozo and his team pose a lot of questions, something they do gratis. Among them: the client’s vision of the project including the amount of work that would entail, design preference and, very critically, the client’s budget.

“My first question is: ‘What is your budget, and what is your wish list?” he says. “Truth be told, the wish lists are usually bigger than the budgets.

If the budget runs short of the client’s hopes, he’ll suggest feasible compromises well before any real work is initiated.

Turnberry price points pretty much average between $750,000 to more than $1.5 million. Understanding the amount of money involved, Kozo is determined that construction of his clients’ homes is completed on or before contractual deadline and, if possible, at or under budget. Both those factors have been challenged in the past couple of years due to the pandemic and the subsequent supply chain and inflation issues.

Customer service is even more critical in light of these matters, he says.

“What I find is that most people are looking for service,” Kozo says. “When you’re spending this kind of money, clients have the right to expect a high level of personal service.”

He provides his personal cell number to each client.

While each custom home and renovation project is unique, Kozo does note some recent trending.

For instance, the median age of his clients ranges from 40 to 70.

“They are usually very secure in their employment and their financial situations,” he says.

Clean, contemporary designs are the most requested, often made a bit more traditional with crown molding accents throughout.

Another centers on creating a home that accommodates — or can be made to accommodate — the needs of more than one generation. What may, at some point, be intended as in-law quarters can start out as an additional master suite, living/great room or expansive unfinished basement area.

In the wake of the pandemic, the prevalence of remote work has increased the need for even more efficient home offices.

ENJOYING THE VIEW

On a recent project, one he calls “The P House,” his and her home offices were part of a custom home design in Alsace Township.

“One has a door and is pretty much sectioned off from the noise of the family,” he says. “The other has a more open feel.”

The more defined office space is set up to also serve as a bedroom if needed with room for a Murphy bed, an attached bathroom and a closet.

“It could eventually become an in-law suite,” he says.

For both offices, Kozo, his team and the clients were determined the offices took advantage of the natural surroundings.

“We tried to focus on the views,” he says. “For instance, you want to be able to lift your head and look up at the bird feeder. It helps you to relax and enjoy your space.”

Another bonus: a break from the computer screen helps lessen eyestrain and can improve productivity.

Kozo praises the local municipal officials with whom he deals with on everything from permits to zoning to building and trades inspectors.

“We’re very fortunate in that if an inspector walks the project and if something is found, they can send a photo and we’ll get right on it and send a photo, back showing it’s fixed,” he says. “They know my reputation, and it’s important for me and my guys that we’ve established that trust.”

Kozo’s reputation has also made him a teacher of sorts.

He has created a five-part “master class” series for Keller Williams in which he’ll take novice real estate agents through the construction process, from site/lot selection to the finished product.

“The point is, a lot of the younger or new agents don’t always understand new construction and can actually fear it,” he says, “and many fear there are builders who aren’t trustworthy. My goal is to eliminate the stigma. I’m happy to be a mentor for agents and clients — even if they don’t go with me in the end.”

ADVICE for those considering BUILDING A NEW HOME:

- Make sure you are comfortable talking with your builder and be direct in your approach. Communication and availability are essential – you should expect to meet at least weekly with the builder during construction, walk the site and expect any and all questions to be addressed. Talk with different builders before deciding on one. “Go with your gut,” he says.

- Understand the contract you are entering into. The verbiage should be in plain language. Retaining an attorney to review is always wise.

- Ask to see a builder’s final project –or several of them. Speak with the homeowners and don’t be shy about asking questions.

AUTHENTIC ITALIAN AT

Russo’s GOURMET

FOODS & MARKET

BY MARIAN FRANCES WOLBERS | PHOTOS BY HEIDI REUTER

Imagine. In front of you is an Italian spread to crow about. You can hardly wait to dive in. A cold bottle of clear Mangiatorella natural mineral water sits next to a steaming cup of aromatic Vegetable Lentil Soup, and to the side is an assortment of hand-picked plated olives — firm, hearty Calabrese olives and pale-green Castelvetrano olives (named as one of the most delicious olives in the world) — along with roasted tomatoes and some imported artichoke hearts. A luscious helping of

layered homemade lasagna wafts richly deep tomato-y, cheesy notes up to your nostrils; the hearty pasta-ricotta entrée is accompanied by a rainbow medley of herbed, steamed, fresh veggies — pure white cauliflower florets, shapely slices of yellow and red peppers, bright green

broccoli and seared zucchini.

Within close view from your table is an espresso bar where Montano coffee awaits, conveniently located right next to the homemade cannoli that you’ve had your eye on since you entered. Or — you muse — shouldn’t I have the tiramisu or gelato instead? So many choices.

Penne with red sauce and mini meatballs

Wake UP! (You’re Not Actually in Italy)

At Russo’s Gourmet Foods & Market & Catering in Wyomissing, the enterprise is split into two parts: the wholesale business on one side of the building, and — on the other side — a market and dining area which include not just shelved items, but a deli section, frozen food lane and bakery area. Takeout meals are always popular, says Sabrina Cirandine — and why not? Customers keep coming back for so many favorite aspects, she explains, from the full salad bar, the olive bar, hot soup kettles, frozen soups and stuffed shells, and lusciously prepared foods at the far end of the store. “Everyone’s so busy these days,” says Cirandine, “so it’s great to grab foods and have dinner ready to serve.”

But many Berks Countians might not know that Russo’s is also a terrific place to dine, whether it’s for a café stop, full lunch or early dinner. Owned and operated by the Grande family, Russo’s keeps things simple. Customers can come in, select their meal items (from traditional pasta dishes to huge sandwiches made with the freshest Italian cheeses and meats), pay at the register, and sit down to enjoy! Nothing fancy, no linen-clad tables. Just terrific, highest-quality foods, primarily imported from Italy — and from the Calabria area in particular, where the family’s roots lie.

Chicken Cutlet (Rolled and Stuffed), Baked Salmon & More

“All our food is made fresh every day,” says Cirandine. From pizza

to arancini to potatoes au gratin with ham, hot-from-the-oven dishes fill Russo’s prepared foods case daily. According to Cirandine, “The chicken cutlet is very popular, as well as our baked salmon dinners. Of course — all the pasta dishes are favorites.”

The chicken cutlet is a meal in itself — so filling, healthful and flavorful. A perfect white chicken cutlet is rolled all the way around and stuffed with seasoned broccoli rabe (rapini in Italian), then topped with baby spinach, melted mozzarella and tiny diced tomatoes. The slight bitterness of rabe tucked inside the cutlet tunnel is tempered by a warm spice, utterly enhancing, bringing out the delicious taste of well-baked, juicy chicken.

Usually, there will be some kind of fish entrée, with baked salmon almost always a choice. Sometimes Russo’s salmon emerges from the oven bathed in a sweet chili sauce.

Other times, the salmon is baked with herbs, salt, pepper, white wine and Italian olive oil “for a very light effect,” says Cirandine. Goldenorange and just flaky, the generous portion of salmon is lifted up by a whisper touch of engaging herbs and scattered cherry tomatoes, bringing a savory sensation to the whole experience.

On a recent day, Ziti (prepared al dente, of course!) in Cream Sauce with spinach, tomatoes and mushrooms proved outstanding.

It’s the type of pasta dish to eat as slowly and mindfully as possible, taking extra time to swirl individual noodles into that addictive, mushroom-infused sauce. So satisfying…

On the red side of sauces, diners can indulge in Russo’s Pasta with Mini-meatballs in tomato sauce. That fulsome “gravy” balances quality crushed tomatoes with just enough sweet to enhance every type of pasta, from ziti to spaghetti. Plus, you’ll likely find yourself wondering how on earth such tiny little meatballs can pack so much flavor into every morsel. Talk about a wonderful mystery!

Absolutely Authentic Taste: It’s All about Original Ingredients

There’s a culinary truism that diners instantly appreciate once they’ve dined at Russo’s: original ingredients, artisanal products and imported ingredients absolutely make a vast world of difference, in any dish. Diners may even find themselves inspired to shop for products they need to go home and start cooking! The knowledgeable staff is more than eager to help, sharing such unique offerings as countless types of dried pasta and risotto, as well as the family’s Casa Ligaro extra virgin olive oil and Nonna Carmen Marinara Sauce. 1150 Bern Rd., Wyomissing 610.898.1918 | russofoodmarket.com

Salmon in a sweet chili sauce

Cannolis

Chicken Cutlet stuffed with broccoli rabe and topped with spinach

Some of your most important connections can be found close to home

We’re proud to put Berks County first for 30 years, and we’re committed to helping you build on your success with a financial strategy that’s just for you. Maggs & Associates Merrill Lynch Wealth Management

www.fa.ml.com/maggs

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (also referred to as “MLPF&S” or “Merrill”) makes available certain investment products sponsored, managed, distributed or provided by companies that are affiliates of Bank of America Corporation (“BofA Corp.”). MLPF&S is a registered broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, Member SIPC and a wholly owned subsidiary of BofA Corp.

Investment products: Are Not FDIC Insured Are Not Bank Guaranteed May Lose Value © 2022 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.