Balance Magazine – Winter Issue 2022 by LNP Media Group, Inc.

WINTER ISSUE 2022

CONTENTS 6

Makers — Mickayla Miller Wicks and wax: Check out the do’s and don’ts of making and caring for candles.

10 Fashion — Katina Kauffman Denim trends: Skinny jeans may be out this year, but there are plenty of other great ways to wear denim. 16 Food — Mike Andrelczyk Get the buzz: Bees are good for the environment and they make honey, which is good for your health. Learn how to help them.

28 Home — Kevin Stairiker Memories vs media: Got a closet full of old photos, slides or home movies? You can keep the memories while losing the outdated media.

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Considering a Roth Conversion?

pening a retirement savings account typically means choosing between a traditional or Roth IRA. While you may have chosen a traditional IRA for the initial tax savings, you might consider switching to a Roth IRA for tax-free retirement income. Changing a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA is known as a Roth conversion. What is the difference between a traditional and Roth IRA? With a traditional IRA, you make contributions using pre-tax dollars, meaning you’ll pay taxes on the distributions you take in retirement. With a Roth IRA, you pay taxes on your contributions now and make taxfree withdrawals in retirement. Additionally, a Roth IRA does not have a required minimum distribution age, so you can save and grow tax-free dollars for the remainder of your life. Should you do a Roth conversion? A Roth conversion is not right for everyone. Here’s what to consider:

Your timeline: If you’re retiring within the next few years, you may want to forego a Roth conversion. The money you convert into a Roth IRA must stay there for a five-year holding period. Withdrawing sooner could result in a 10% penalty and/or additional income taxes. Tax obligations: If you choose to convert to a Roth IRA you will need to pay taxes on the additional income, which could push you into a higher tax bracket. Your future tax bracket: Consider whether you will be in a higher or lower tax bracket when you begin withdrawing funds. If you believe you’ll be in a lower tax bracket when you retire, you may want to wait to withdraw funds, so you pay less in taxes. If you’re currently in a job slump that puts you in a lower tax bracket, it may make sense to convert to a Roth now. How much to convert and when: If you’re on the cusp of a higher tax bracket, but still want to do a Roth conversion, you have the option to convert a portion at a time, rather than one lump sum, to spread out your tax obligation. Consult your financial advisor before making changes to your retirement account. Together you can review these considerations and make the choice that’s right for your unique financial situation.

Michael Zimmerman, M.Sc. IAR

President & Founder

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February 2022 | BALANCE | 3

BALANCE MAGAZINE

Published by

’ve become a little honey obsessed lately, ever since my daughter had the latest bug

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ON THE COVER

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From hives to honey, beekeeper Lori Stahl is passionate about bees and the beneﬁts they bring – to the environment and to your health.

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TOP TIPS FOR ENJOYING – AND MAKING – CANDLES BY MICKAYLA MILLER

oon after hearing that nearly everything in Pennsylvania would close for two weeks because of the newfound COVID-19 virus, I decided to ﬁnd a new hobby.

I had a few friends who were dipping their toes into the world of candle making, and I ﬁgured it’d be fun to try. After all, it felt like the perfect gift to give to people during that unprecedented and unpredictable time. So, I bought some candle supplies and started creating. And thus, Love + Kindness Candles was born. I never intended for it to be a business, and I didn’t expect people to enjoy my candles

all that much. But two years later, and a lot more skills and personal bonds built along the way, I’ve nurtured a small business that doubles as a hobby to pass the time.

So, using the knowledge I’ve gleaned over those two years, here’s a primer for those who love candles and want to make them last longer, those who want to know more about what they’re burning, and those who want to start making candles for fun. (For those interested in starting a candle business, start with guides from reputable sources, including Standley Handcrafted and Memory Box Candle Co. on YouTube.)

There are several types of candles to choose from when shopping, and each wax performs differently. differently. Here’s a small rundown of some common candle types you’ll ﬁnd.

PARAFFIN

Paraffin wax is a byproduct of petroleum. It’s colorless and odorless, but it’s Paraffin known as one of the best waxes to get a candle with a strong “hot throw.” (Hot throw is how fragrant your candle is in a given space. A good hot throw means your candle is strong and fragrant). There is a debate over whether or not paraffin paraffin releases more soot into the area, making for an uncomfortable breathing experience. There’s not much research to suggest that paraffin paraffin is any better or worse for health than other waxes; it all depends on how your candle is made and how it burns. Paraffin Paraffin wax is non-toxic and cleanburning, which means it releases very little into the air.

SOY

Soy wax is primarily composed of soybean oil, and is non-toxic and clean-burning. It doesn’t have as strong of a hot throw as paraffin, paraffin, which means soy candles will smell a little weaker, on average. Soy candles are often marketed as cleaner alternatives to other types of candle wax, but there’s not much research to back it up.

BEESWAX

Beeswax is a harder wax produced by bees. It has a naturally sweet scent, but does not hold fragrance well unless it’s blended with other wax types. These candles are better for ambiance than making your house smell like a tropical oasis, for instance.

COCONUT

Coconut wax is a creamy, soft, slow-burning wax known for its good hot throw. It’s one of the newer types of natural waxes added to the market. Sources: Lone Star Candle Supply, Armatage Candle Company, Beeswax Co., Candlescience 6 | BALANCE | February 2022

DON’T

• Melt other candles over the stove and make a large Franken-candle. It may smell good, but the results could be unpredictable. A safer alternative would be to buy a candle warmer, which melts your candle from the bottom and turns it into, essentially, a large wax melt.

WE’VE ADDED A NEW NEST!

• Use random jars or other vessels to try to create a functioning candle. There are hundreds of wick sizes to choose from, and the performance of each depends on how large your jar is, what type of wax you’re using and if there are any types of additives in your candle mixture. Even if making candles recreationally and not for sale, you don’t want your wick to be wrong. Some vessels are beautiful for candles, but it would be smarter not to burn anything you can’t test for safety concerns. • Use crayons in your candles if you’re making them at home. Crayons are made from paraffin wax, but they aren’t suitable to burn. At best, you’ll have unincorporated clumps of crayon in your candle creation. At worst, it’s a big fire hazard. Instead, to get some color in your candles, buy a candle-safe dye from a candle distributor, or a dye labeled specifically specifically for candles. • Burn your candles near any air drafts, and don’t burn them on a bookshelf or anywhere that something above them could catch on fire. fire.

• Get a starter kit from a reputable candle supply distribution company, such as Wooden Wick, CandleScience or the Flaming Candle Company. Their kits offer offer everything you need to make aromatic and safe candles without too much of a dent in your bank account. • Stay around your candles as they burn. Leaving a candle unattended, or near children or pets unattended, is a ﬁre ﬁre hazard. • Let your candle sit for a few days before burning it. It will make the oil bind better with the wax and give you a stronger scent.

WAYS TO MAKE YOUR CANDLES LAST LONGER • Before burning a candle, make sure the wick is cut to 1/4-inch. If the wick is too long when you start to burn it, you will have a large and hard-to-manage flame. flame. A well-made candle will have a small but mighty flame flame with a short wick. • Candles have memory, which means a candle will remember where you burned it to last, and won’t burn past that. When you have a ring of pesky wax that just won’t melt around your wick, chances are you didn’t burn it long enough on the first first few burns. It’s best to let it burn until it reaches full melt pool (you can see melted wax on all sides), which depends on the container it’s in. Most candle makers, especially small makers, have their candles reach full melt pool in about three hours. If you notice your candle is burning too fast, you may need to trim the wick. • Don’t wrap your candle with aluminum or put it in a candle holder that fully encloses the candle. It will get too hot and melt much quicker. Some people wrap their candles in foil if the wax is tunneling, or leaving a wax ring along the outside fixx tunneling, but make sure if you do this, you of the melt pool. It’s a potential way to fi watch the candle to make sure the jar does not overheat.

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verence financial planner Jamie Detweiler recalls his first kitchen table conversation with a couple who wanted to plan for the inevitable. The husband asked for help reviewing and organizing financial documents and ensuring his wife would have a comfortable income when he was gone.

Jamie Detweiler Everence Financial Planner

A trust and estate specialist, Detweiler spent the next five years working with the couple to establish a straightforward plan for estate settlement and to make structured investments that would give the wife financial security for as long as she lived. When the husband died, Detweiler was back at that kitchen table with his widow, watching the plan in action. “I saw her handle bills and easily hand over documents. I could see she had a deep sense of peace and comfort in the midst of grieving the loss of her husband. She didn’t need to worry about what’s next financially,” Detweiler says. “That was such a privilege. We don’t always get to see the fruits of that labor. That makes the work that we do very meaningful.” Many people are reluctant to discuss estate planning. They may find the topic intimidating, or they simply may not want to ponder their own mortality. Others may think it’s something they don’t need to worry about until their senior years.

However, end-of-life planning deserves just as much attention as other aspects of our ﬁnancial life, such as retirement planning, investing and budgeting, Detweiler says. “There are few times in our life when as much money and possessions and values transfer as the end of life,” he says. “Beginning to identify what it is that you want to leave to the next generation or leave to the world when you are gone begins long before the last few years before you pass away.” While a will is an important part of an estate plan, it is only one tool. A comprehensive estate plan also includes components such as charitable strategies; a power of attorney to make end-of-life decisions; a plan to minimize estate, gift and income taxes; and trusts that can provide for loved ones while also designating how and when assets are distributed.

“Beginning to identify what it is that you want to leave to the next generation or leave to the world when you are gone begins long before the last few years before you pass away.” — Jamie Detweiler

Leaving a legacy Why everyone needs an estate plan

8 | BALANCE | February 2022

“Not having an estate plan can leave a significant burden for your family and loved ones,” Detweiler says. “Sometimes, forgoing an estate plan, you miss opportunities to have meaningful conversations with your family and loved ones about things that are important to you, your values and things you hold dear.” One key to successful estate planning is organizing financial documents and records. To help, Everence offers the Personal Financial Affairs Directory, a complimentary online guide that makes it easy to organize in one place the personal and financial information that is critical for both creating an estate plan and executing it when the time comes. Another key is having a team of advisers, including an attorney, an accountant and a financial planner.

As an Everence financial planner, Detweiler takes a holistic approach to estate planning, learning his clients’ values and priorities and helping them craft an overall plan that reflects what’s important to them. In the end, an estate plan is a gift that extends far beyond any tangible assets left behind. It’s a meaningful legacy and a final act of love and stewardship. And it all starts with a conversation. “Here at Everence it’s a very safe place to have a conversation about your end-of-life goals,” Detweiler says. “We would be glad to begin the conversation with anybody and really begin to help you map out your estate plan and your goals for how you want to leave the world.” Everence can partner with you to integrate your faith and values into your final financial decisions. To begin the conversation about estate planning or to access the Personal Financial Affairs Directory, visit everence.com/centralpenn or call 717-733-9414.

Planning as an act of love You and your family can have confidence – whatever the future holds. Everence® can help you plan to make your wishes known through: • Asset management including trusts, retirement and charitable accounts. • Trust and estate services. • Charitable gift plans. • Life insurance.

Contact us today Jamie Detweiler, CFP®, CAP® Everence Financial Planner centralpenn@everence.com 717-733-9414 everence.com/centralpenn

Advisory services and securities may be offered through a third-party registered investment advisor or registered broker-dealer that is not affiliated with Everence Trust Company. Investments and other investment-related and/or securities products are not NCUA or otherwise federally insured, may involve loss of principal and have no credit union guarantee.

February 2022 | BALANCE | 9

Confused About

TRENDS? Here’s Your 2022 Guide to Wearing the Latest Fashions

BY KATINA KAUFFMAN | PHOTOS BY VINNY TENNIS

or the better part of the last decade, and certainly for what feels like longer than that, the prevailing trend in denim fashion was making jeans as skinny and slim-ﬁtting as possible. But lately, a host of different styles have made their debut, reinvigorating the denim domain with an overdue variety of fun looks and ﬂair that that we can’t wait to tell you about. Two major themes emerging this year are comfort and an “anything goes” mentality. (Anything except the skinny jean, that is. We’ll share some advice on how to transition away from your beloved jeggings later.) But for now, let’s dive into the top jean trends of 2022 and how to style them.

The Mom Jean

om The M

Jean

exie, ng to L i d r o c c TIP: A to mom hirts in s g n i k ook. tuc ves the l o r p m i jeans

10 | BALANCE | February 2022

Hidden beneath a cloak of high-waisted, loosely fitted denim, moms have understood the practical benefits benefits of this comfortable style for decades. Slap on a pair of mom jeans and everything from your mood to your maneuverability will improve. It’s no wonder this roomy silhouette has made its way back to the runway. Whether you’re trying this look for the first first time or you pioneered its debut, we have some tips to help you pull off the mom jean in the modern era. According to our resident Gen-Z-er Lexie Witgenstein, mom jeans look best when paired with a crop top or a slim-fitting shirt. You can even wear your mom jeans with a graphic tee for an ultra-casual, yet trendy vibe. Lexie recommends finishing this look with a chunky sneaker, like an A1, or a Doc Marten boot for some edge. Chances are, you’re going to fall in love with this look. Because let’s be honest…moms are always right!

The Straight Leg Jean

eg Jean aight L The Str

You really can’t go wrong with a straight leg jean for 2022. This look is trending in a multitude of colors, including browns, greens, pinks and all denim washes from light to dark. You might also notice the patchwork look gaining momentum this year, especially in the straight leg design. Wondering how to style this look? The youngest generation of trendsetters is wearing straight leg jeans very casually with an untucked, oversized T-shirt. If you prefer a tidier look, you can still dress casually by pairing dark-wash denim pants with a tucked-in denim button-down shirt. Almost anything goes this year and the ‘90s denim-on-denim look is no exception.

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The Flare & Bell Bottom Jean

& The Flare

m Bell Botto

If you have a ‘70s soul, you’ll be diggin’ this season’s revival of the flare and bell bottom pant. The dramatic silhouette of this jean style begs to be the center of attention and there are a few tricks that you can employ to make it so. First, tuck in your shirt so that the entire length of your denim is in view. Next, add a belt. This will enhance the hourglass shape that you’ve already started to create by tucking in your favorite shirt. Last, give yourself a boost with a pair of platform shoes. There’s a reason why everyone sported this classic combination in the ‘70s; the lift that you get from a platform prevents your pant from dragging on the ground, which elongates your figure and allows your flare to flow without bunching.

Jean

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Ready to Try These Trending Styles?

Here are tips for a successful shopping trip. • Always buying clothes that look the same? Pretend you’re styling someone else during your next shopping trip. This technique will help you pick different colors and designs. • Take a friend for feedback—we’re our own worst critics! • The shirt you wear shopping might not complement the jeans you’re trying on. Grab a shirt that matches to help you truly envision the look so that you don’t mistakenly say no to a great pair of pants. • If you like a style but you think it’s “too wild” for you, it could be perfect! Give yourself some time to adjust to your new look before ruling it out.

February 2022 | BALANCE | 11

Goodbye,

Skinny Jeans? If you’re over the age of 30, you’ll want to sit down: According to fashion forecasters and Gen-Z-ers alike, the skinny jean trend that’s dominated the fashion industry for years is officially dead. Those born between 1997 and 2012 are looking for ways to set themselves apart and one of those ways is through fashion. As the youngest generation of influencers, this group hasn’t had as much time to become attached to any one style. But closing the decade-long chapter on skinny jeans doesn’t come quite as easily for all of us. We’ve built an entire wardrobe around our favorite dark blue skinny jeans and we are certainly not ready to say goodbye without a fight. After conducting some industry research, we’ve discovered that there is a way to pull off the skinny jean this year without creating a fashion faux pas. Here’s how to wear this look if you still love sporting your skinnies: 1 Opt for a slim fitting stiff denim instead of a stretchy jegging 2 Choose a light washed, distressed or black denim; avoid basic dark blue 3 Pair your skinny jeans with a light, flowy blouse

any es of o h s ky h Chun great wit TIP: k ty loo varie y jeans. n skin

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a high percentage of their portfolio may consider adjusting their withdrawal rate to a lower percentage of their portfolio value. 4. DELEVERAGE YOUR ASSETS As the Fed continutes to fight inflation in 2022, the ecomony could see a major slowdown. That makes it a good time to deleverage your assets (get rid of some) and refrain from taking on new debt. Deleveraging cuts financial risk by eliminating liabilities. The most practical way to do this is by selling assets such as stocks and bonds, decreasing debt. We recommend talking to your financial advisor before you do anything.

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LIFT BY MIKE ANDRELCZYK

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANDREW ALBRIGHT AND LORI STAHL

How honeybees are good for the earth and your body ori Stahl knew she had to do something to help the bees. After reading several news stories about the dire situation facing honeybee populations, Stahl, of northern Lancaster County, decided to learn about beekeeping. “It really felt like a calling,” says Stahl. “I just somehow intuited that I had a part to play.” Stahl, a beekeeper for more than 20 years, owns and operates BeeBees All Naturals – a Lancaster County-based company specializing in honey and beeswax-based products. Stahl gives presentations to help raise awareness and educate people about beekeeping and the beneﬁts of eating locally produced, raw, unheated honey. She is also a member of the Lancaster County Beekeepers Society – an organization that’s been around since 1876. “The one thing I’m really careful to say is that the good news about the bad news about the bees is that people are so much more well-informed now and so much more research has gotten done,” says Stahl. “I think that’s been awesome.”

Millersville University entomology professor John Wallace closes each of his emails with a thought he feels is powerful enough to be repeated like a mantra. It’s

16 | BALANCE | February 2022

a quote from the writer, naturalist and environmentalist John Muir: “When one tugs at a single thing in nature, one ﬁnds it attached to the rest of the world.” It’s a good message to be delivered over the internet – a medium entirely based on connectivity – and it’s a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of everything

A Touch of Elegance for a day out...

from ecology to economics. Thinking about Muir’s quote, it’s easy to see the parallels between our own health, the health of all species on the planet and the health of the planet itself.

in the spring, late summer and fall when the bees really need it. And it’s better to plant a whole bunch of one thing instead of a big mix of things because the honeybees are going to forage on one kind of ﬂower.”

Bees are a perfect example of the sticky, interconnected web of the natural world. As pollinators, bees help ﬂowering plants to reproduce, they are a link on the food chain and they produce honey – an extremely versatile and healthy substance loaded with antioxidants.

Stahl says the Lancaster County Beekeepers Society (lancasterbeekeepers. org) has lots of great resources including lists of local native ﬂowers and charts with the best times to plant them.

Wallace, who trains students in beekeeping as part of Millersville University’s studentrun apiary, says there is a global decline in insect biomass – including honeybees – and that can lead to dire consequences. “I like to use the airplane rivet theory,” says Wallace. “Airplanes are made up of thousands and thousands of rivets. If one pops out, probably nothing happens; if 10 pop out, probably nothing happens; but if we lose 100 of them, maybe some of them hold a wing on. We’re losing species at an alarming rate. You lose one, maybe nothing happens; you lose 50, maybe nothing happens; you lose tens of thousands –and we are – then something is terribly wrong in the ecosystem.”

“I always tell people, if they want to help the bees, the thing that they can do is plant for pollinators,” says Stahl. “To take that one more step, it’s better to plant ﬂowers early

Another option is to simply let a section of your yard go wild. “We can turn our lawns into naturescapes,” says Wallace. “Everyone wants to have the perfect yard, but grass is the worst thing we can have out there.” Stahl and Wallace both agree that reducing our use of chemicals and pesticides is key, too.

... or can be brought home.

“I think it’s super important for people to realize that we need to be thoughtful about using chemicals,” says Stahl. “I think it’s really important that people make better choices about how they maintain their yards.” Stahl also mentions that the trend of putting out sugar water for the bees is actually really dangerous because it can create a place to vector viruses. “That’s one of those things that went awry on Facebook,” says Stahl. Continued on next page

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To go back to Wallace’s favorite John Muir quote about the interconnectedness of nature, having healthy honeybees means having a good source of honey – a delicious and extremely healthy source of antioxidants – which helps us become healthier. There are many different varietals of honey including orange blossom, buckwheat and wildﬂower – it all depends on what the bees are foraging on – but all honey will have lots of antioxidants and minerals in it. “You never want to heat honey over 104 degrees because you lose beneﬁcial compounds,” says Stahl. “One thing I tell people is if you’re going to make a cup of tea don’t put the honey in the bottom of the mug and then pour

Served warm or iced, honeysweetened Golden Milk is a ﬂexible “non-recipe” that you can customize to your liking. Here’s what you need for 2 servings: MILK – 2 cups of your favorite milk: dairy, oat, nut, seed or soy SPICES – Use your favorite warm spices such as turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, and/or ginger. Start with a small amount of each, no more than 1/8 teaspoon, and adjust to taste. Maybe add a dash of salt. HONEY – Start with 1 tablespoon of local honey and adjust to suit your taste. Warm – Put all the ingredients in a saucepan and heat until just warm. Turn off heat, whisk briskly (or use a frother), and pour into 2 mugs through a strainer. Iced – Make as above, let cool, then strain into a blender with a quarter cup of ice and blend until frothy.

18 | BALANCE | February 2022

the boiling water over it, just pour the tea and let it cool and then add the honey, because you’ll get more of the beneﬁts of that honey.” Stahl says she likes to remind people that honey is healthy, but it is still a sugar – a sugar that is easier for your body to process, but still sugar, and that people who have issues with sugar should be aware of that.Honey not only has immense nutritional value, but can be used in other ways too, says Stahl. “In eastern Europe, if people have a chest cold they will actually take raw honey and rub it all over their chest before they go to bed. In the morning you’re dry but it somehow it helps clears you out,” says Stahl. “There’s a lot of ancient wisdom around honey.”

PLANTING FORPollinators! The phrase “swarm of bees” may scare you, but you shouldn’t panic. If you do observe a swarm – a cluster of bees on a branch or structure, which according to the Lancaster County Beekeepers Society can number about 6,000-12,000 bees – you should call a beekeeper immediately. But not because you’re in danger – swarms are typically docile, according to the Beekeepers Society – but because swarms typically only stick around for a few hours. A beekeeper can safely retrieve the swarm and protect the colony of pollinators, which will in turn help the environment thrive.

A PLACE AND 1 PICK PREPARE THE GROUND! As tempting as it is to just toss the seeds into the grass and hope for the best, killing and clearing out the existing vegetation is really the way to go. You can use herbicides, tillage, or smother it with black plastic.

2 PICK A MIX!

“Lots of times if they’re all on a branch you can jerk the branch and then they’ll all fall into a box,” says Stahl.

It’s important to choose a mix that is suitable for your location and includes attractants for specific pollinators that you want to see. For example, if you want to see Monarch butterflies, planting milkweed is your best bet.

Stahl says if she gets a call about a swarm she’ll race off right away to get them, but says the Beekeepers Society also maintains a list of swarm collectors and is a great resource.

3 PLANT!

Lori Stahl, owner of BeeBees All Naturals – a company that produces honey and beeswax-based products – also has a swarm retrieval service. And she works with a local contractor if bees happen to take up residence inside a house or commercial building.

Call Stahl at 717-859-3200 or visit lancasterbeekeepers.org/swarm-collectors to ﬁnd the closest swarm collector.

Broadcast your chosen seed mix onto the soil. The better seed to soil contact you get, the better the seed will grow. Consider walking on or rolling the area to press the seed into the ground. You can also use loose straw or paper mulch to help hold the seed in place while its germinating.

4 WATER! Water the seeds lightly and frequently until they become well established. After the plot is established, monitor water needs throughout the warmest days of summer.

ENJOY THE MEADOW AS IT GROWS!

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“

My recovery is by far the greatest gift I have been given. I am blessed to be surrounded by a community of love and grace that has carried me, taught me, and guided me through the last ten years. In the beginning of my journey that community told me that if I did what they did, I would get what they have; “A life beyond your wildest dreams.” As the years have raced by, my recovery has given me the ability to have a life that I never would have imagined was possible. They were right. Entering recovery has given me the ability to be a wife, a mother, a friend, a sister, an aunt, a daughter, a professional, and the chance to obtain any goal I desire. The ability to remain active in my own recovery gives me the opportunity to pass on the message of hope and promise of freedom to the next person as broken and beaten as I was, just a decade ago. Someone once told me, “All for recovery, because recovery is everything.” I do my best to live that statement every day as I continue to trudge the ongoing road of recovery. — Samantha O.

“

Recovery is a second lease in life and a lifetime of opportunity to give back to help those struggling with things that at one time destroyed my life. What pushes me to continue to grow in my recovery is the chance to be living proof that recovery is possible and that I am no different than the next person seeking recovery. My recovery has not come by osmosis. It takes work but is possible and accessible with help from others, trust, love, and a connection with a power greater than myself. I am blessed beyond measure for my recovery and the opportunity to be a husband, a father, a brother, an uncle, and a son. What can be better than showing up to the stream of life and leaving a positive mark on the world as we know it? — Ryan O.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY VINNY TENNIS

In Lancaster County, recovery is a vital part of our healthy community. About 1 in every 8 people has a substance use disorder, but this is a treatable medical condition with strong chances of recovery with the proper supports and resources. Lancaster Joining Forces and many community partners are working together to prevent overdose deaths and promote recovery. Visit lancasterjoiningforces.org for more information about our community initiatives to prevent overdose deaths.

20 | BALANCE | February 2022

“

Recovery was a choice that I made when I felt like I had no other options in my life, it was a complete factory reset to my health, both physical and mental as well as to my spirituality and soul. We can connect with people from all walks of life who share similar stories and backgrounds however we all have one thing in common, the desire to make a drastic change. Recovery gives the people who truly invest in themselves a chance to help one another and often help humanity. Recovery has also given me a second chance in my life to accept what has happened and what is. To learn to connect with people again, free from ego and judgement as well as the ability show up for myself in ways I wasn’t always willing to in the past. Recovery has allowed me connection with a higher power allowing me to care for and love myself without constant worry over the “big things” in life out of my control. My investment in self has blessed me with a life full of unconditional love whether it be independently or by the warm and loving hearts I have the privilege of connecting with daily. Freedom as well as choices within this amazing world that we live in, and last but certainly not least doors that have opened to a life beyond my wildest dreams and imaginations. — David C.

“

For me recovery is life; living in the moment, for the day, forgiving the past and embracing the future. With the new lease on life that I am so very fortunate to have, I have found myself. Recovery is not only sobriety for me, it’s a spiritual, mental, and emotional growth. Throughout this journey I’ve been able to not only rekindle my relationship with my family, and friendships which I feel is stronger than ever, but it’s allowed me to start my own family. These relationships have given me the guidance and motivation to move forward for myself. I have my freedom back, I have my thoughts, my passions, my ability to feel, and most importantly my soul. Being free from these shackles has allowed me to do something that gives me the most fulﬁllment; giving back. Today, I love life! — Brittany M.

To ﬁnd treatment and recovery support services, visit Compass Mark at compassmark.org/ﬁnd-help. Check out the Lancaster County Recovery Alliance at lancastercountyrecovery.com for community events and recovery resources.

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In partnership with:

® February 2022 | BALANCE | 21

WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TOANOTHERGREATYEAR!

Perry J. Argires, MD, FAANS, FACS Neurosurgeon Specializing in Cervical Disc Replacement and Spine Care Voted as the Best Surgeon in Lancaster County LNP Reader’s Choice Favorite Neurosurgeon

22 | BALANCE | February 2022

Louis A. Marotti, MD, PhD, FAANS, FACS Neurosurgeon Specializing in Spine Care

Voted as the Best Surgeon in Lancaster County LNP Reader’s Choice Favorite Neurosurgeon

Steven M. Falowski, MD Neurosurgeon Specializing in Spinal Cord Stimulators LNP Reader’s Choice Favorite Neurosurgeon

ArgiresMarotti NeurosurgicalAssociates of Lancaster’s team of doctors are prepared to provide nonsurgical pain relief to patients utilizing various modern treatments. Our award-winning Neurosurgical team was founded by Dr. Perry Argires and Dr. Lou Marotti. Both have been consistentlyvotedtheBestofLancaster County. Dr. John Smith helps patients improve the quality of their daily lives through innovative pain management techniques. “Regenerative medicine is a unique focus in which a patient uses their own body’s healing ability,” he explained. “For example, we use platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, which are a concentration of a patient’s own platelets, to accelerate the healing of injured tendons, ligaments, muscles and joints. This is a great option for patients who have arthritis, or tendon, joint or muscle pain.”

Jarod B. John, MD Neurologist With a focus on elderly care and migraines LNP Reader’s Choice Favorite Neurologist

Dr. Steven M. Falowski, honored to be elected to the Board of Directors of the International Neuromodulation Society, provides spinal cord stimulation when nonsurgical pain treatment options have failed to provide sufficient relief. Spinal cord stimulators may be used to treat or manage different types of chronic pain, including back pain, post-surgical pain, arachnoiditis, nerve-related pain, peripheral vascular disease, complex regional pain syndrome, pain after an amputation, and visceral abdominal pain and perineal pain. Spinal cord stimulation can improve overall quality of life and sleep, and reduce the need for pain medicines. It is typically used along with other pain management treatments, including medications, exercise, physical therapy and relaxation methods. Neurologist, Dr. Jarod B. John is able to offer a variety of services to patients ranging from medical management

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of migraines and headaches to procedures such as Botox, EEG, and EMG. He has a deep understanding of the feeling of helplessness a patient and family can experience when dealing with a neurological disorder. His goal is to help patients and their loved ones navigate this confusing and scary time and to provide a successful plan to improve their lives. This diverse group of dedicated physicians and staff offers a unique blend of neurological, neurosurgical, and pain management care all under one roof. For more information on Argires Marotti Neurosurgical Associates of Lancaster, visit our website at https://www.argiresmarotti.com or call (717) 358-0800.

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Upward Onward &

ne morning last fall, Kenneth Leslie woke up in his car in the parking lot of a Chester County Walmart and knew he had hit rock bottom.

He had ended a toxic relationship with his girlfriend the week before, leaving behind the beautiful two-bedroom apartment they had shared. He had turned his side hustle as a DoorDash driver into a full-time gig, leaving behind his stable customer service job at a valet company. Suddenly, at 51, he was homeless with an inconsistent income, but he knew one thing: “You either go further down or you strive to get up, so that’s what I decided to do.” Leslie took his ﬁrst step upward that same day when he became a resident of the Good Samaritan Services men’s shelter in Phoenixville. Good Samaritan provides emergency shelters, residential housing and housing support services to individuals and families experiencing and at risk of homelessness in Lancaster and Chester counties. In addition to Phoenixville, they have facilities in Coatesville, Lancaster and Ephrata. “They opened their doors to me and all of a sudden I went from not knowing what parking lot I'm going to sleep in

tonight to I’m able to get a bed and have a shower,” Leslie says. “So many people take for granted to wake up in a bed, to take a shower, to be able to keep up with your personal hygiene and to be able to eat.” But Good Samaritan Services offers more than just the basic necessities. “Our general goal is to get men off the street and into their own place,” says shelter resource coordinator Tyler Logan. The Phoenixville emergency shelter where Kenneth Leslie found a safe haven is actually three residential townhomes that can house 14 men for up to 60 days. Good Samaritan also has transitional housing for up to six months, as well as affordable twoyear transitional housing for men over 62. They collect program fees from residents of both transitional and affordable housing. Recognizing a similar need for men in northern Lancaster County, Good Samaritan Services hopes to open a men’s shelter this spring in Ephrata, on the same residential street where they already operate a winter shelter and a shelter for single women and single moms. “It really is our winter shelter that has made us aware of the need for a men’s shelter,” says Mandy Johnson, director of community engagement. Last year, the Ephrata winter shelter served 41 unique individuals, including 26 men. “That was eye-opening for us,” Johnson says. In its ﬁrst month this winter, the shelter served 38 individuals, 70% to 80% of whom were men, she says. The Ephrata men’s shelter will offer the same programs as the Chester County shelter, including several ﬁnancial programs to help men get back on their feet. A microloan program enables qualifying participants to get loans from $500 to $2,500 to cover costs associated with living independently, such as security deposits or car down payments.

A savings match program enables participants to make small monthly deposits, which Good Samaritan Services will match at the end. Case managers help connect residents with community resources that can help them secure everything from Social Security cards and birth certiﬁcates to food stamps and jobs. Weekly Bible studies are also available, but not required. “We want to meet them where they’re at,” Logan says. “Nothing is black and white, so solutions aren’t black and white. When I see these guys, I don’t see them as just another individual. I see them as a brother, a human being that Christ loves.” Good Samaritan Services offers hope and opportunity. Kenneth Leslie decided early on to make the most of both. After counselors convinced him of what he already knew - that he needed a job with a regular paycheck - he focused his search on the kind of customer service jobs he had done for decades, but he soon realized that’s not what he wanted anymore. “This whole experience has completely changed the way I think about people,” says Leslie, who recently moved into transitional housing. “I have been supported basically for the last two months by people I don’t even know out of the kindness of their heart.” He now feels compelled to do the same. He recently took a job as a shift manager at Ann’s Heart, a code blue, emergency overnight warming shelter in Phoenixville. “Just being kind to someone and showing compassion and caring and love for another human being. … right now is the most rewarding time in my life I think I’ve had in a long time,” Leslie says. “I feel like I have a purpose again. I’m getting up this morning to make a difference in my life and someone else’s.”

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This is David’s drive. Helping hard-working neighbors like David get back on their feet and on the road. This is why we will always be right here, delivering expert care for the people of central PA. Because this is the health we need to live the way we want.

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February 2022 | BALANCE | 27

CHANGE YOUR MEDIA T

his past fall, after half a decade of letting a Rite-Aid bag full of loose VHS tapes languish in a closet, I decided to finally procure a working VCR to see what treasures awaited me. Once I rediscover these precious moments, I told myself, I’ll get them digitized for the whole family to enjoy. My dreams of finding half-forgotten memory grails were quickly punctured, as the first few tapes had nothing for me other than fuzzy, commercial-filled versions of the “Star Wars” movies I recorded off Spike TV, circa 2004.

Nearing the bottom of both the bag and my patience, I pulled out a tape and was instantly transported back to somewhere in the late ‘80s - it was the first house I ever lived in, but prior to my birth. It was a birthday party for my dad, filled with younger versions of family members. There are people in the video that I haven’t seen for decades, but there they were, watching my dad try on terrible shirts and sing along half-heartedly to the Jimmy Buffet songs playing in the background. Most of the physical media by which humanity documented itself is now old, decrepit and all but waiting to be retired. Tapes, film, photos, vinyl records, even CDs and DVDs to an extent - each has its own schedule of extinction. But these recordings may get a second chance at life with proper preservation, meaning those dusty tapes can now be easily viewed on your laptop or phone. “There is a romance with the actual media itself,” says Steve Ulrich, owner of My Digital Conversion in Marietta. “When you take a reel of film and put it on the machine, there’s something magical about that. It’s different today with phone cameras documenting every aspect of people’s lives.” Ulrich got into the conversion game by way of the film industry, where he served as an assistant editor for a Pittsburgh PBS affiliate 28 | BALANCE | February 2022

before doing similar work in California. After returning to Lancaster, first as a filmmaker, Ulrich quickly became known as the guy who would convert your old tapes into a pristine digital file in his basement workshop. Now, My Digital Conversion is set up in an old bank in Marietta, where Ulrich and his team convert ephemera as old as the 1930s into a simple file that can be uploaded to online cloud storage. Of course, some folks end up with the “bag of trash” that I found myself with. “Sometimes people think that they found that one tape that has all the greatest footage on it, and they might say, ‘Hey, this is my wedding from 1983,’ Ulrich explains. “Then we call them and have to say, ‘This isn’t your wedding, it’s a baseball game or something.” Behind the presumably bulky ‘80s video camera that documented my dad’s birthday party was my uncle, Joe Borgioni. Throughout my life, whenever my large extended family was gathered somewhere, you could reliably scan the crowd and find my uncle Joe, dutifully documenting the proceedings. His son, my cousin Joey, is getting married this year, which means he and Uncle Joe are breaking out thousands of still images and video clips to create something of a life on film in time for the proceedings. Just like anyone asked about a random birthday party from three decades prior, he didn’t remember the discovery that I had found. Uncle Joe, while only 61 today, has seen the change from helping his

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own father splice together ﬁ lm reels of Christmas gatherings and ﬁlm playdates onto a projector, to now uploading photos via Bluetooth onto Google Photos. What is still preserved in dusty boxes – and ripped grocery bags – now doesn’t have to take up any space at all.

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Even in Uncle Joe’s career as a pharmacist, digital preservation is taking over – where once he kept the thousands of medical scripts from each patient in large manila folders, they are now simply scanned and entered electronically. Who has the time? But what becomes of the dusty tapes and splintered celluloid once they’ve all gone to that great cloud in the sky? Even though it would probably take an entire room to contain all these physical memories, they’re hard to surrender. “It’s kind of hard to throw that stuff out, you know?” Uncle Joe says. “In my mind, I always think about, what happens if this fails or if it gets lost? I never really thought about it before, but there’s something about seeing the little reel with my dad’s writing and markings on it ... I don’t know if I have the heart to throw it out.” Even Ulrich, who makes part of his living off of the idea that these memories are better served in a format that can be experienced easily, has a similar difficulty. “Well, the shoemaker’s kids have no shoes,” Ulrich says with a laugh. “I have all of our video tapes in a shoebox in a temperature- and humidity-controlled room, but I haven’t digitized any of them yet. I’m not proud of it. My parents gave me old photo albums and I did have them digitized by us. So, we’re working on it, but when it’s your own business, if I’m digitizing that stuff, I’m not making any money for my employees.” Not everyone has the money or know-how to digitize photographs or video themselves, so once you gather what you want to save, it’s best to leave it to a professional to sift through the materials so that they aren’t damaged or accidentally mistreated. Video recording technology made it so that these moments, precious or otherwise, don’t have to be as ﬂeeting as we once thought. Science says that every time we access an old memory, we’re remembering the last time that we remembered it. Every time we watch that old tape, it degrades just a little, until one day it won’t be there anymore. “I’m glad that I picked up where my dad left off and documented all these different events because it gives us something to go back to, to really appreciate what we had and enjoy those videos of when you guys were little,” says Uncle Joe. I’ll digitize this video one day, but until then, I’m going to enjoy every scratch, hiss and piece of static for what is, for as long as I can. February 2022 | BALANCE | 29

on preserving your legacy

DIGITAL TRANSFER to USB, DVD, & the Cloud. VIDEO: VHS (NTSC, PAL, SECAM), VHS-C, Hi 8mm, Digital 8, miniDV, HDV, DVCPRO, DVCAM, Beta, Betamax, BetaSP, U-Matic 3/4”, and more. FILM: 8mm, Super 8mm, 16mm. AUDIO: Vinyl LP records, 8-tracks, magnetic reel-to-reel tape, audio cassette, mini micro audio cassette, CD. PHOTOS AND SLIDES

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