Women2Women Magazine Spring 2017

Page 1


201 Penn Street • Suite 501 • Reading, PA 19601 berkswomen2women.com • 610.376.6766

Women2Women Advisory Council

Margarita Caicedo, Karen Collins, Valerie Downing, Vicki O Ebner, Toni Eckert, Lizette Epps, Kim Hippert-Eversgerd, Delphia Howze, Bethany Kirkner, Karen Marsdale, Kimberly Musko, Julia Nickey, Mary Jean Noon, Chiara Renninger, Connie Skipper, Alison Snyder, Tricia Szurgot, Vanessa Wanshop, Kelly Beaver

Women2Women, managed by the Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce & Industry, encourages women to create connections, gain knowledge, open doors and build strategic alliances, and much more. Our goal is to create more women leaders in Berks County by providing a forum where women from diverse backgrounds can learn, share ideas and mentor each other. Membership is free and Women2Women Magazine is a publication of the Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

To join: W2W@GreaterReadingChamber.org

Stay connected: BerksWomen2Women.com Facebook.com/BerksWomen2Women

LinkedIn: Berks Women2Women

Sponsors

Title Investors

Penn State Health St. Joseph UGI

Wells Fargo

Platinum Investors

Alvernia University

BB&T

Boscov’s Department Store

Capital Blue Cross

Carpenter Technology Corporation

Penske Truck Leasing

Reading Eagle Company

Reading Health System

Santander Bank

Schneider Electric UPMC

Gold Investors BCTV

Bell Tower Salon, Medi-Spa & Store

Berks County Bar Association

Berks County Living Comfort Keepers

East Penn Manufacturing

Elegance Derma Spa

Fulton Bank

Herbein + Company

Highmark BlueShield

L.A. Spa & Nail Bar

M&T Bank

Peritech Home Health Associates, Inc.

Reading Dermatology Associates

RKL, LLP

Skin Care by Alyce Sweet Street

Tompkins VIST Bank

VA Productions Wyomissing Hair Studio

Danielle Antos

Editor, Women2Women Magazine

Director of Marketing & Communications at Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Women2Women Magazine

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE

Danielle Antos

Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Tracie Barrett Sweet Street

Jessica Bezler Reading Health System

Tracy Hoffmann Hoffmann Publishing Group

Kristin Golden Mancuso KGM Marketing LLC

Wendy Kershner Axia Marketing

Karen Klein Fulcrum Information Resources

Kristin Kramer

Wilson School District, Wilson Education Foundation

Britany LaManna Loomis Company

Karen Marsdale

Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Monica Rush

Penn State Health – St. Joseph

Connie Skipper Berks County Intermediate Unit

Melissa Varone

Reading Public Museum

The passage of time is unbelievable! We are gearing up for another incredible Women2Women Spring Renewal Expo on April 25th. If you haven’t made plans to attend, do it today. Don’t miss hearing the amazing story of Katherine G. Johnson, whose career is told in the movie Hidden Figures, from her family members via a video conversation and through live story-telling by her great niece. Then, visit all of the phenomenal women-owned businesses and vendors and learn more about mind, body and soul at the break-out sessions. Lunch will celebrate the 2017 Athena Award Recipient, Annarose Ingarra-Milch and we will wrap up the day with a pop-up happy hour and fashion show. See page 16 for an Expo preview.

We have another great issue for you, filled with inspirational stories about interesting women and useful information. Meet Diane Duff on page 8 and learn how she has made a career out of volunteering. Although you may not have as much time to dedicate to the causes you love, you will be inspired to take the first steps to get engaged with an organization of your choosing.

We also feature several other women: Maria Radwanski, Yvette Nunez, Toni Miller, and Maria Reyes. I won’t spoil your reading fun, but you will love the stories about these women and their journeys. Also, check out the article on page 30 where we talk to two of our Women2Women Council members.

Since it’s tax time, we wanted to give you some tips for what to do with your tax refund this year or how to plan to get one next year. The time is definitely now to start making adjustments to your financial plan. Check out the article on page 22. Doesn’t everyone wish for a refund or at least to not have to pay “Uncle Sam?”

Our Health2Wellness section is also quite diverse – containing a plethora of information we all need. We discuss how to care for your hair, skin and nails as we move into summer; Penn State Health St. Joseph talks about how a healthy diet can impact your bones on page 42; and we delve into an uncomfortable topic that many women face: “How to Have the ‘Talk’ with Your Kids.” I hope this article will guide many of us as our kids become age-appropriate for this chat. I know I am nearing this time in my house!

You will find tempting recipes on page 44 for those spring-time vegetables that will soon be available. Keep an eye out for the ingredients and whip up a delicious side dish or main course! Feel free to email me (dantos@greaterreadingchamber.org) and share the recipes you loved!

I hope to see you at the Expo on April 25th! Happy Spring!

All the best, Danielle Antos

We wanted to hear how Maria transitioned her career in health care to a thriving business. What was her motivation and what influenced her? How did she make the transition? How is it working with her daughters? Maria shares her story.

START OF CAREER – EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, KEY EVENTS

I received a bachelor’s degree in nursing from DeSales University and found my first work home at Reading Rehabilitation Hospital. I found it to be a great work environment, surrounded by nurse mentors who encouraged me, and helped nurture my capabilities as a leader. Over the years there, I was taught the principles of Kaizen (which came to the US from Japan through the manufacturing industry). In healthcare, I learned to apply these

Transitioning A CAREER IN HEALTHCARE to a Business OF HER OWN

principles to make continuous, incremental improvements and incorporate a philosophy to build a better organization and community. The principles include the use of self-discipline and taking responsibilities for life. I was encouraged to continue to learn and sought certification as a Rehabilitation Nurse, and I obtained a Master’s Degree (Thomas Jefferson University, 1990) to practice as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Rehabilitation Nursing. I also became certified as a Gerontological Clinical Nurse Specialist and opened Berks County’s first evaluation program for older adults experiencing geriatric syndromes.

GROWTH – MOTIVATION TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS?

After 17 years, I felt the urge to do something new and left the rehab hospital (now HealthSouth). I didn’t set out to own a home health agency but stumbled

upon the opportunity after doing some contractual work with my friends, Mike and Kerri Little. Mike and Kerri owned a non-medical company and together, we purchased a Medicare-certified home health agency in 2005. We own and operate Health Calls Home Health Agency. For me, helping people at home was a perfect segue from working in a rehab hospital because we help people rehabilitate where they live, and finetune how to manage daily life safely, making adaptations in their home environment. We help people safely transition home. We are motivated to provide services that mix compassion, clinical expertise, and knowledge so that people become independent at home. We have chosen the best team of nurses and therapists to help patients and their families during a chaotic time in life. They make difficult work look easy and I have tremendous respect for each of them.

DAUGHTERS – HIRED INTO FAMILY BUSINESS

My husband David and I and the Littles have daughters. In fact, our families met because our daughters were school friends. The kids have grown up in this business. Over the years, my girls worked with us after school and part time while in college; Mike and Kerri’s daughters attended college out of town, and have worked with us off and on during breaks and summers. Today, my daughters, Ali and Diana, both work full time at Health Calls. Ali’s field of work is Human Resources, and Diana works with insurance companies to obtain authorizations for our home health visits. Kelsey Little works in home health in New Jersey, and her sister Kara attends West Virginia University.

WHAT INFLUENCE DOES BEING A WOMAN HAVE ON RUNNING A BUSINESS?

My training as a nurse provides a basis for managing health care. Life experiences, continued study in business management, teamwork, and good communication skills have made the difference in being successful. Has being female been a factor? Absolutely. I think my style of managing is decidedly feminine. I value and emphasize the importance of thorough communication, managing with integrity, decidedly choosing a culture of character and integrity and building a team of people who reflect that. More importantly, though, I believe these are essential to providing quality health care services.

NAME ONE OBSTACLE THAT YOU FACED IN YOUR CAREER

I think one of my biggest obstacles that I have faced in my career is coming to terms with who I am and how others perceive me. I am an introvert and had to do some soul-searching to realize my strengths, fully represent who I am, and feel comfortable revealing myself to the world. A few years back a colleague told me that I needed to do a better job selling myself because the quality and substance of our services was apparent but I didn’t do a very good job representing it. Humility and shyness have huge limitations and were in conflict to what I need to be to sell our services. So I have worked hard to do a better job sharing who I really am, what I represent and the value my business brings to better represent the great assets that are Health Calls and the outstanding staff that work with us.

DO YOU HAVE A MENTOR WHO INFLUENCED YOU?

I have had many mentors over the years. I can’t imagine life without them. They have been essential to my personal and professional growth. Many have been nurses, most have been women, but I am grateful that there have been men too, to help balance me. Part of growing is being able to understand different perspectives and male perspectives have helped balance my thinking and views.

HAVE YOU MENTORED ANYONE DURING YOUR CAREER?

I sure hope so. No, seriously I think the best part of any leadership role is mentoring. Sharing ideas, providing opportunities to think and discuss alternative perspectives is important. Most of the mentoring I have done hasn’t been a result of a formal or verbal agreement. The people I have mentored occurred naturally as part of a relationship through volunteer work, professional work relationships or friendships. Mentoring is a rewarding process and a powerful way to have influence on the future in the thoughts and actions of another human being. n

Volunteering AS A Career DIANE DUFF

“Let no one ever come to you without leaving better.”
– Mother Teresa

Diane Duff carries those words, printed on a card she received from a friend, tucked in her bag as a daily reminder and inspiration. The

Lower Heidelberg Township resident spends over 500 hours a year volunteering in various capacities with several Berks County and regional organizations including the United Way of Berks County, SafeBerks, Penn State Health St. Joseph, the Diocese of Allentown, and her church St. Ignatius of Loyola.

Diane’s entrée into volunteering started over 25 years ago when her two sons were in elementary school and her family moved to Berks County from Baltimore when her husband Michael, an attorney, accepted a position with a local firm.

“I had the intention of going back to work after my sons were born but had no real career path like Michael did,” Diane said. She received her degree in elementary education from the University of Maryland and worked in the mortgage division of several banks after graduating.

“You make choices based on work-life balance. It was easier on us if I stayed home and allowed Michael to pursue his career. It’s not a man/woman thing, but in our relationship that worked,” Diane said. “If we had stayed in Baltimore we might not have been able to do that because of the cost of living and different work situations.”

Diane volunteered at her sons’ newly opened school, Spring Ridge, in the Wilson School District, shelving library books and helping in the classroom. Volunteering at Spring Ridge allowed her to pursue her passion for children, learning, and reading. “I just loved being in the library. Helping a kid to find a book and they would come back and say, ‘Mrs. Duff, I really liked that. Help me find another one.’” She continued volunteering at her sons’ schools and their various activities until they entered college.

Diane scaled back her volunteer work for a couple of years, but that all shifted in 2010. Michael, Senior Vice President-Government Relations and Chief Compliance Officer at Penske Truck Leasing, came home from a breakfast meeting and told Diane he was approached by Tammy White, president of the United Way of Berks County, and Chris Pruitt, then chairman of the board at the United Way, who were looking for a couple to chair the 2011 United Way fund-raising campaign. Diane’s reaction: “Surely you said no. How would we ever do that?”

Adding to her reluctance was her recent lack of community involvement. “You’ve got to be nuts. We don’t know anybody. We don’t have the ability to do this,” she recalls telling him.

Despite her concerns, they said yes. “It was 18 months of probably the best time in our married life in terms of working together on a project,” Diane said. At the end of the successful campaign, Michael enjoyed sharing the story of Diane’s initial reticence and joked, “Now I don’t know how to get the genie back in the bottle.”

Her experience as the United Way fundraising co-chair propelled Diane into more community volunteer activities. She credits the United Way staff for helping her to learn the ropes and introducing her to numerous organizations and individuals across the county. During the campaign, Diane spent a year just observing and learning about the different organizations that the United Way works with and how the entire organization operates. Or as Tammy White put it, “Diane became a student of all things campaigning.”

“That experience was my introduction to the Berks County community. We lived here for 20 years and I was amazed at what I didn’t know about the different non-profits, about the needs in the community, and about the employers,” Diane said. There were times during visits to companies that she would be sitting next to neighbors or someone she recognized from church and made connections she otherwise would not have known.

“It wasn’t just about fund-raising. One of the greatest skills that the United Way staff has is seeing in an individual their skills and what they can offer to whatever the project may be. They do this on a personal level and at a corporate level,” Diane said. “They are great at developing individuals’ and corporations’ potential in terms of supporting the non-profit world in Berks County.”

Tammy said that Diane took the time to get to know the United Way staff and loan campaign specialists. “Diane wanted to see how she could have the biggest impact.”

Diane took many of the experiences and skills that she learned while chairing the United Way campaign and offered them to other organizations like SafeBerks, which provides a safe haven and ongoing support system for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

“We love Diane. She’s fabulous!” said Mary Kay Bernosky, executive director of SafeBerks, where Diane currently serves as secretary on the Board of Directors and has worked on a number of committees.

Continued on page 10

Women2Know

“She’s really good about being thoughtful and asking good questions.

“We want our volunteers to be passionate, advocate in the community for us, and offer us their time, talent or treasure, which is what Diane does.”

In the past, Diane said she would sometimes say no to volunteer opportunities, concerned that she lacked the skills for the assignment, but soon discovered, “That’s not what volunteering is about. It’s more about the passion.

“Part of why I do this is that I find that if you can support a good organization, it allows them to use their assets better, whether their assets are individuals providing services; or whether it’s moving food places – the logistics of picking up food and moving it to people in need. Volunteering allows things to happen. It just makes everything more efficient. The more people that volunteer, the further the money goes. It’s really something you have to experience for yourself.”

For anyone interested in volunteering, Diane recommends starting small and finding something that has a personal impact and fits your lifestyle, whether it’s at school, church, work, or in the community. One way to test the water is by

observing, taking a tour, attending a committee meeting, or participating in an event. If time is an issue, there are other ways to help. It might be serving as a conduit to getting an agency the resources it needs or suggesting an improved way to run a process.

“Berks County is an extremely generous community. If someone cannot give monetarily, they’ll find another way to help,” she said.

When asked if her husband also volunteers, Diane responded, “Michael is like me on steroids.” He currently serves as chair or sits on the board of various work- and community-based organizations. Diane estimates that between the two of them, they attend a volunteer event or meeting up to three evenings a week. According to Diane, one of Michael’s favorite sayings is, “All it takes is time.”

“I have the gift of time which is truly a gift. You only take on as much as what you can do. The only time it’s overwhelming is when personal or family matters disrupt. As a volunteer, you do have the ability to step back because of family obligations or health issues,” she said.

Diane said that if you are asked to volunteer, you have to assume the organization needs your

How to Volunteer

SafeBerks

www.safeberks.com

Damary Rodriguez, Volunteer Coordinator 610 370-7810

DamaryR@safeberks.com

Opportunities:

DIRECT S ERVICE VOLUNTEER – requires a 66-hour training to work at the courthouse, Safe House, or telephone hotline.

Other volunteer opportunities that do not require training include fund-raising, office administrative help, providing meals, activities with residents like quilting or crafting; general maintenance; maintaining the gardens in the Nature Explore garden classroom that is used as part of the healing therapy; and providing classes to Safe House residents and their children on topics like nutrition.

help, and if you say no, you are probably passing up a life-enriching experience.

“One of the most expensive things that a company or organization has is their staff. So as a volunteer, one of your greatest contributions is doing something so that the staff doesn’t have to, and it allows them to use their skill-set within that organization.”

Diane generally takes on opportunities that involve development, asking for sponsorships for fundraisers. “It is a lot of relationship building because you’re asking people to give up their resources. When they see the good the agency is doing they may be able to allocate resources,” she said.

When asked if there was a particularly gratifying moment from all her volunteer activities, Diane recounted a story from her son Alex’s third grade classroom many years ago. Instead of helping all the students in the classroom, the teacher asked her to sit with a child in an empty classroom and do math flashcard exercises. The little boy said, “Wow, Alex is so lucky. My mom doesn’t have time to do this with me at home.”

As Diane said, “Sometimes you can help someone just by being nice.” n

Interested in volunteering with the United Way or SafeBerks? Contact the organizations directly and they will match your interest and skills with their needs.

United Way of Berks County

www.uwberks.org

Darby Wiekrykas, Volunteer Engagement Program Manager 610 685-4574

darbyw@uwberks.org

Opportunities:

The United Way needs hundreds of volunteers for its Big Cheese event June 16 and 17, 2017. The event packages and provides cheese and meals to families in need across Berks County.

There are numerous other opportunities with the United Way or one of its agencies.

Diane Duff’s

Current Volunteer Activities

St. Ignatius Loyola St. Vincent de Paul Society

Committee Member

Co-chair – Food Pantry

Diocese of Allentown

Board Member – Bishop’s Annual Appeal Trust Advisory Board

United Way of Berks County Campaign Volunteer

Accountability Reviewer Tocqueville Cabinet

SafeBerks (formerly Berks Women in Crisis) Board Secretary

Development Committee General

Penn State Health St. Joseph Committee Member – Golf tournament

Diane Duff’s

Past Volunteer Activities

2010–16: Board Member – United Way

2015: Co-chair – Berks Women in Crisis Celebration of Peace

2014: Co-chair – Bishop’s Annual Appeal

2012–13: Co-chair – United Way Tocqueville Cabinet

2011: Co-chair – United Way Annual Campaign

1995–2010: Classroom and library volunteer –

Wilson School District

Chair – Annual Book Drive

Committee member – Home and School Associations

Volunteer – Youth sports teams

Continued on page 12

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON VOLUNTEERING

Volunteering in the United States 2015 www.bls.gov/news.release/volun.nr0.htm

How Volunteers Became Involved with Main Organization

Between September 2014 and September 2015, the proportion of volunteers who became involved with their main organization after being asked to volunteer (41.2 percent) was about the same as the proportion who became involved on their own (41.6 percent) – that is, those who approached the organization. Those who were asked to volunteer were most often asked by someone in the organization.

Opportunities

https://www.volunteer.gov/

National Volunteer Week APRIL 23-29, 2017

National Volunteer Week, brought to you by Points of Light, is about inspiring, recognizing and encouraging people to seek out imaginative ways to engage in their communities. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/Michael-Haberman/ national-volunteer-month_b_1413324.html

Volunteer Opportunities in Berks County

If you are looking for more volunteer opportunities in your own back yard, look no further than the United Way of Berks County Volunteer Opportunities list! https://volunteer.truist.com/uwberks/org/opp

CHEESE

Recognized for Shaping Retail’s Future Boscov’s “Power Player”

“Oh,

did they get the right Toni?”

This is how Toni Miller, Boscov’s top female executive, reacted to her recognition as one of five “Power Players” on the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) “The List of People Shaping Retail’s Future 2017.”

Miller’s response could not have been any humbler. With over 38 years of retail experience, she is currently the Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Financial Officer at Boscov’s, one of the largest family-owned department stores in the United States.

Miller considers herself a risk taker. In 2009, she left her career of over 27 years at Bass Pro Shops in Missouri and relocated to Berks County with her husband, which she described as a “big leap of faith.” Along her journey to success, Miller faced insurmountable challenges, from losing her 21-year-old son

to recently overcoming cancer. According to Miller, overcoming adversity is “a lot about perseverance, determination, and having a lot of purpose.”

Shaping Retail’s Future

Already proving herself as a “Power Player” in retail, Miller’s goal is to share as much of her knowledge as possible. She attributed her own strong work ethic to her mother, whom she considers her hero. Now, Miller wants to give back everything she has learned. According to Miller, “If someone wants to be a sponge and learn off of me, they’re more than welcome to. What is it if I leave and kept it all to myself?”

Miller has gone above and beyond the duties of her leadership positions. She values personal connections with her Boscov’s staff and customers. When describing her

leadership style, Miller explained, “I want to know people personally without being creepy. There’s a humanity in leadership.”

Miller’s Absolute Passion

I asked Miller, “What are you absolutely passionate about and can’t understand why others are not?” After a few moments, she pointed to a photograph of a young woman from the Dominican Republic and said: “Silently finding ways to help people who need a little help because they didn’t have the same blessings and opportunities as we do.” Miller and her husband have set up scholarship funds to give back and help young people realize their hopes and dreams.

Continued on page 14

On Professional Women in the Workplace

When asked if she faced career challenges as a professional woman, Miller replied, “Oh yeah. It hasn’t always been easy, but I never allowed it to be an impediment toward me being the best I could be.”

Kindness and authenticity will get you a long way in life.

Miller recognized that women’s roles have changed a lot. She believes “the workforce has identified that women have a lot to contribute. Women bring some great attributes to leadership that really benefit the workforce.”

Miller shared a valuable piece of advice for aspiring professional women: “Be sure that character and integrity are at the top of your list. Kindness and authenticity will get you a long way in life. Practicing grace goes a long way.” And finally, “Have some fun and don’t take yourself so seriously.”

Yes, the NRF definitely got the right Toni.

Hosted by Penn State Health St. Joseph, Alvernia University and Women2Women

Spring Renewal 6

$70 – All Day

$25 – Breakfast only w/Keynote Speaker

$35 – Lunch only Athena Award Presentation

TuesdAy, April 25, 2017

7:30 A.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Crowne Plaza Reading 1741 Paper Mill Road, Wyomissing

Take time for you - renew, relax and re-engage!

Joylette Hylick Robin Allen

A Unique Start to the Day – join us for breakfast and a Celebration of the Life of Katherine G. Johnson of Hidden Figures fame, as told through her family: a video conversation with her daughter, Joylette Hylick and joining us LIVE – her great niece, Robin Allen, who is currently a virtual Chief Information Officer at Contegix located in Wyomissing, PA. Both will share comments and stories about Katherine’s life. You will not want to miss the amazing story of this woman who was clearly a Hidden Figure

Katherine G. Johnson was born on August 26, 1918 in White Sulphur Springs, WV. She graduated high school at the age of 14 and went on to graduate summa cum laude with degrees in Mathematics and French from West Virginia State University in 1937. She was the first black woman to enter the mathematics program in graduate school at WVU.

In 1953, she joined NASA and was assigned to the all-male flight research division. She calculated the flight trajectory for groundbreaking missions to space. She retired from NASA in 1986.

For more information or to register, call the Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce & Industry at 610-376-6766 or email w2w@greaterreadingchamber.org.

Our luncheon will celebrate the 2017 Athena Award Recipient, Annarose Ingarra-Milch, President, ROI Training & Consulting, LLC

Annarose is a serial entrepreneur, author, speaker, and a retired probation officer who is deeply committed to her community. Her award winning novel “Lunch with Lucille,” shares an uplifting, self-empowerment message all women need to hear, “you are your best asset – at any age.” On the speaking circuit, Annarose reminds women of their value. On the web, she hosts “The People Chronicles – Storied Women.” Annarose is Ms. Pennsylvania Senior America 2016, recipient of YWCA Tri-County’s Sally Lee Lifetime Achievement Award 2016, and presented a TEDx talk, “Age is an Asset.” Annarose serves on Reading’s Stadium Commission, and the boards of the Wisdom Coalition, and FairView Counseling.

After breakfast, attend workshops, engage with local experts, professionals, and women-owned businesses specializing in product lines from health, beauty and fitness to finance and general life balance. Finish out the day with a fabulous fashion show and happy hour with over 300 of your closest friends!

Things You Don’t Want to

6 th Annu A l Women’s e xpo

Hosted by Penn State Health St. Joseph, Alvernia University and Women2Women

Spring Renewal

1

$70 – All Day

$25 – Breakfast only w/Keynote Speaker $35 – Lunch only Athena Award Presentation

Our OUT OF THIS WORLD Kickoff Discussion…Oscarwinning movie Hidden Figure’s Katherine Johnson and her daughter recently taped an interview (by Alvernia University students, specifically for the W2W Expo) anchored in person by Johnson’s niece — Robin Allen... who currently works right here in Reading! Learn about the legacy and spirit of Katherine Johnson – a brilliant African-American woman who served as one of the NASA brains behind launching astronaut John Glenn into orbit.

– join us for breakfast Celebration of the Hidden Figures fame, as

Joylette Hylick and her great

2

Joylette Hylick Robin Allen

Both will share comments and stories about

4

Hidden Figure

Learning how to get rid of your C.R.A.P.; and what C.R.A.P. does to your life!

Katherine G. Johnson was born on August 26, 1918 in White Sulphur Springs, WV. She graduated high school at the age of 14 and went or email w2w@greaterreadingchamber.org.

Miss

Meeting and mingling with other fabulous women – just like yourself!

y, April 25, 2017 A.m.

Crowne Plaza Reading 1741 Paper Mill Road, Wyomissing

Take time for you - renew, relax and re-engage!

3

Our luncheon will celebrate the 2017 Athena Award Recipient, Annarose Ingarra-Milch, President, ROI Training & Consulting, LLC

Annarose is a serial entrepreneur, author, speaker, and a retired probation officer who is deeply committed to her community. Her award winning novel “Lunch with Lucille,” shares an uplifting, self-empowerment message all women need to hear, “you are your best asset – at any age.” On the speaking circuit, Annarose reminds women of their value. On the web, she hosts “The People Chronicles – Storied Women.” Annarose is Ms. Pennsylvania Senior America 2016, recipient of YWCA Tri-County’s Sally Lee Lifetime Achievement Award 2016, and presented a TEDx talk, “Age is an Asset.” Annarose serves on Reading’s Stadium Commission, and the boards of the Wisdom Coalition, and FairView Counseling.

Experiencing the Consultants’ Corner, where you’ll have a chance to talk one-on-one with professionals about starting a new business, securing financing, learning how to read your business financial statements, oror how to become a certified woman-owned business.

5

Celebrate the next Athena Award Recipient. Listen to award-winning author, and 2017 Athena Award winner, AnnaRose Ingarra-Milch, share her inspiring story.

After breakfast, attend workshops, engage with local experts, professionals, and women-owned businesses specializing in product lines from health, beauty and fitness to finance and general life balance. Finish out the day with a fabulous fashion show and happy hour with over 300 of your closest friends!

2 women

Robin Allen
Katherine Johnson

at the 6th Annual Women’s Expo

7

Browsing through 40+ vendors featuring beauty, jewelry, chair massage (ahhh!), and local services. Don’t miss the opportunity for mini makeovers, tips, and spoiling!

10 A new bonus session for all –because who doesn’t need to add some Grit & Rebellion into their life?!

8

Hear from one brave MAN – on how powerful women shaped his leadership style.

9

Using four numbers to predict your health, and having your real-time “numbers” explained to you by a health navigator.

End-of-day celebration

Happy Hour with your new and old friends, watching a high-energy fashion show presented by Boscov’s Department Stores, and a chance to win gift cards and prizes!

Yvette Nunez

VICE PRESIDENT OF CIVIC AFFAIRS AT THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR GREATER PHILADELPHIA

WHAT LEAD YOU TO YOUR CAREER PATH?

I have spent my career in non-profit communications because it was a convergence of my talents as a writer and my passion for progress and prosperity in under-served communities. Today, I serve as Vice President of Civic Affairs at The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia because I want to corral a greater network of resources for the benefit of Philadelphia’s neighborhoods. Advocacy is a cornerstone of that.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR ROLE?

The Chamber is a membership organization, and through the work that I lead, engages the Mayor and City Council on a job creation and economic growth agenda. I love working with others on something greater than ourselves. This was true when I did work in government as a Regional Media Specialist for the US Census Bureau. Our goal was to work with ethnic media to increase the participation of traditionally undercounted communities, including minority populations. Even here, my work was aligned with my passion for the underserved in that federal dollars for

roads, education, etc., are directly tied to the reported population.

WHAT CHALLENGES HAVE YOU HAD TO OVERCOME IN YOUR CAREER?

As the first in my family to graduate from high school, let alone college, the greatest challenge has been operating professionally in a vacuum from the people I love the most, without an embedded network of mentors who could provide tactical guidance as I navigated various leadership infrastructures. Because of that, I love generating dialogue through panels, workshops, etc., that focus on the

experience of those who “made it,” and don’t have anyone in their family who can answer the “now what” questions.

WHAT’S BEHIND YOUR MOTIVATION AND WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

Broadly, I’m inspired by all of the potential that lies in our poorest communities. Often spoken of and not with, our neighborhoods have untapped potential and many amazing assets in culture, resilience, and ironically, joy, that can influence how

we think about poverty. On a daily basis, I am inspired by the grace embedded within my children’s short attention span, which gives me room to always be a better mom tomorrow than I was today.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR SOMEONE ASPIRING TO BE, OR ALREADY IN, A CIVICMINDED ROLE OR CAREER?

Be sure to understand your own joy. The work will always take you outside of yourself, and possibly into devastating realities.

Balance that with what you know to be true about your own joy and incorporate it into your life in the most intentional way. Someone who is civic-minded is already thinking of others. Long-term impact requires you to also think of yourself.

YVETTE WILL PRESENT AT DE MUJER A MUJER ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2017, 5:30-7:00 P.M. AT THE CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL, READING.

HOW TO GET PAID WHAT YOU ARE WORTH

In December my friend “Michelle” called to inform me that she finally got the promotion to management. Her company was expanding and created three new positions at that level within the organization. We celebrated over the holiday, excited for the new year filled with opportunity for Michelle’s advancement. So, imagine my surprise when two months later she sent me an urgent text that we needed to speak immediately about her new role. I knew by all the sad face emojis that it wasn’t good news she wanted to share with me. Michelle explained how she learned that the two other managers (both males) with similar work experience and responsibilities were earning a higher salary. And quite frankly, she was completely disheartened that she hadn’t negotiated a better raise for herself.

If you’ve recognized that you are being underpaid based on the value of your experience or education in your company, or you’ve hit the ceiling for your skills in an industry, there are actions you can take to become the victor instead of a victim of a salary that does not reflect your worth.

I recommend the “4 Ps Approach” – Prepare, Plan, be Passionate and Practice.

PREPARE! This may mean that it’s time for an assessment. Have you contributed to a major project? Increased sales? Improved employee engagement demonstrating excellence in leadership? Review your strengths and list your accomplishments to the organization or industry to support your salary request. Be prepared to share

concrete examples. This is not only the ammunition you need to convey in discussions but it also serves as a confidence booster to encourage you when self-doubt creeps in.

“If you want something you have never had, you must be willing to do something you have never done.” ~ Thomas Jefferson

PLAN! Negotiation can be intimidating for some women. When it comes time to ask for a new salary or a raise, it pays to be proactive. According to Salary.com, “Forty-six percent of men always negotiate salary following a job offer, compared to just 30% of women. And while 39% of men are apprehensive about negotiating, that number jumps to 55% for women.” Visit sites including Glassdoor, Payscale.com and Jobstar for baseline information on

I recommend the “4 Ps Approach” –Prepare, Plan, be Passionate and Practice

salary and compensation by title, industry, company or location. In some larger organizations, the human resources department can be helpful to provide the salary ranges for positions as well.

BE

PASSIONATE! Liz Ryan, a former Fortune 500 human resources senior vice president and self-proclaimed leader of the human workforce movement, says, “If you want to get paid what your talents are worth you are going to have to grow new muscles.” If you want a bigger raise than the policy calls for, you’re going to have to say so, and make a compelling pitch well in advance of your review date. In addition, you’ll also have to say “No” to the wrong opportunities. You’ve earned the salary. Pursue it with enthusiasm!

PRACTICE! Contrary to most beliefs, negotiation is not a skill or something you’re born with. If you are apprehensive about the salary discussion, get support. Training resources are available in various formats. Invest in an online or in-person course, books and webinars. Consider asking your mentor to provide advice or consult with a career coach for guidance. Learn the tactics and process of negotiation to maximize your chances of a positive outcome.

But most of all be FEARLESS

& SELF-ASSURED!

Despite all the tips, tools, training and techniques, the very first step in knowing your value and demanding it is to believe you can achieve the goal of getting paid what you are worth. As women, we are natural negotiators, thereby, we already have an advantage. Set your mind on success and don’t stop until you get what you deserve! n

TAX FAQ S

It is that time of the year again – tax season. The tax deadline this year is April 18, 2017. By now, maybe you have taken care of your taxes for 2016, or maybe you are planning for next year. We compiled some common questions about what to do after filing your taxes – from what to do with your refund to how to change your tax outcome for next year!

I AM GETTING A REFUND... NOW WHAT?

This is overall good news…you do not have to write a big check to the IRS!

It is important to understand that your tax refund is in fact money that has always

belonged to you but that the government has had possession of all year because you overpaid your taxes. If you adjust your withholdings, you can actually invest the additional money that you are not paying in withholding taxes, which will compound and earn you a higher return on your investment. To adjust your federal withholding, you should complete the Form W-4 and give it to your employer.

The fastest way to get your tax refund is by choosing to have your refund direct deposited into your savings or checking account by filling out the direct deposit line on your tax form.

Another great way to make the best out of your refund is by requesting a

direct deposit into your myRA account. A myRA account is a retirement account designed for those who do not have employer-sponsored retirement plans. Saving for retirement is essential so that you can have a source of income when you no longer are able to work. Thus, having your refunds direct deposited into a myRA account is an excellent way of taking care of your future. You can also allocate your refund to have a portion deposited into more than one account by filing Form 8888, Allocation of Refund. Yet another option is to purchase up to $5,000 of series I Savings Bonds. Allocating your refund is a great way to save some of your refund money while still having a portion for immediate expenses.

THE OUTCOME OF MY TAXES IS NOT WHAT I WAS HOPING FOR. WHAT CAN I DO NOW TO CHANGE THE OUTCOME FOR NEXT YEAR?)

Tax planning is essential in order to reduce your tax liability for the year, and also avoid underpayment penalties and interest that the IRS may assess. The easiest way to reduce your liability at the end of the year is by increasing your tax withholdings so that you can either break even or receive a refund. Work with your tax preparer on ways to adjust the amount of your withholding before year-end.

Consider maximizing your contributions to company-sponsored retirement plans such as 401(k) or 403(b) plans, as this will reduce your taxable income on next year’s tax return.

Another way to reduce your current year tax liability is by contributing to a traditional IRA. These contributions are adjustments to gross income on your tax return, which will reduce your tax liability. Please note that contributions to your traditional IRA accounts are not tax exempt. You will eventually need to pay taxes on this income upon retirement. There are certain limitations to funding deductible IRA contributions; please discuss with your tax preparer to ensure you will receive the tax benefit you are hoping to achieve. A taxpayer has until the individual tax due date (typically April 15th – this year April 18th) to fund an IRA, so it is one of the few mechanisms available after year-end to still reduce the tax liability on a current year tax return.

I'VE PROCRASTINATED ON FILING MY TAXES. HOW DO I GET AN EXTENSION?

Filing an extension is straightforward. All you need to do is file Form 4868, which is the Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. This is a short application, which essentially asks you to provide basic information, like your name and address, along with the current year’s estimated tax liability. Please note that filing an extension does not exempt you from paying your taxes on time. You will still need to send in a payment for your estimated tax liability if you do not want to be subject to late payment penalties and interest. n

TOMPKINS VIST BANK

the arts & wellness

the arts & wellness

In our own backyard and throughout the world the arts are emerging as an important and integral component of our overall wellness. Studies have proven that integrating the arts into any setting helps to cultivate a positive environment; supporting our physical, mental, and emotional health. The arts have the power to communicate and educate in so many meaningful ways, and play a very sublime role of significance in our lives.

The arts benefit people by aiding in their physical, mental, and emotional recovery, by relieving anxiety and decreasing the perception of pain. In an atmosphere where our peers can sometimes feel out of control, the arts can serve as a therapeutic and healing tool, reducing stress and loneliness and providing opportunities for self-expression. Art has the power to communicate and educate, giving it a growing role of significance in our communities.

research indicates that patients have shorter hospital stays, take less medication, and have fewer complications, saving potentially billions of dollars annually with significantly better overall health.

Our ability to provide opportunities to engage people in arts programs supports the overall wellness of our humanity. The arts are the keys to promoting prevention and wellness by providing creative solutions to human needs. The arts can also enhance skills — improving observational, diagnostic, and empathic abilities. It helps them to understand people in a different way and connect with them on a more humanizing level.

When the arts — music, writing, drawing, dancing, and painting — are present, pain and anxiety are reduced — promoting healing in the most palliative health care settings. And, as if that weren’t enough, the research indicates that patients have shorter hospital stays, take less medication, and have fewer complications, saving potentially billions of dollars annually with significantly better overall health.

The American Journal of Public Health published a review titled The Connection between Art, Healing, and Public Health. The study has quantified that children, classmates, parents, patients, and communities — when engaged in art in the midst of a health care crisis — benefit. Research-based evidence has confirmed over

Continued on page 26

Saturday, April 29, 2017 3pm

Please Join Us at First Energy Stadium

All walk participants will receive a general admission ticket to:

Reading Fig h ti n Phils

vs. P o rtl a nd Se a D o gs at 6:05PM

PARTICIPANTS WILL RAISE FUNDS TO SUPPORT SAFE BERKS’ CORE SERVICES AND PROGRAMS.

2 tickets to The Ultimate Queen Celebration Starring Marc Martel on June 30th at the Santander Performing Arts Center and a dinner reservation for 2 for Dinner on the Mezz, Two brand new at screen TV’s, Reading Phils Basket, and more to come!

Sponsored by

1704 ORG/PUB: Women 2 Women

Growth2Go

and over again that the benefits of the arts in hospitals, nursing homes, senior centers, private homes, schools, and the community are invaluable. Quantitative and qualitative research from across healthcare disciplines — and documented in peer-reviewed journals — provides evidence of both instrumental and intrinsic benefits of arts in our overall wellness.

When you share an interest in the arts with anyone you can build a relationship through the art medium itself, using it to tell a life story and find a place of connection. We are human because of our brain, our hands, and our heart. Only the human being can express inspiration and emotion by combining all three and thus produce the expression of the human condition in a creative expression of the heart and soul. The arts can be used to heal both clinically as preventive medicines in mental health and for those suffering physically from illness. Art can also strengthen our communities and our overall wellness by driving simulation and conversations.

I am often asked why we choose to support the arts and I believe that our decision to invest in the arts drives us to be a healthier community and create an environment of wellness. It also increases the wellness of our employees, which is an unanticipated bonus and changes the rules of engagement.

In our "always on," "always connected" world of on-demand everything, it can be easy to spend your entire day consuming information. Take a minute to ignore all of the incoming signals and create moments of wellness, and experience the healing power of the arts.

The lesson learned for me was that everyone benefits from an environment filled with art and a wellness oriented environment creates positive energy and plausible results.

Community organizations, schools, and businesses across the nation, as well as my peers, see the value in incorporating arts into our culture. They choose to maintain the investments because the content helps their organizations, their students, or their employees develop their observation, communication, and maintain essential skills for daily living. Everyone is partnering with organizations to provide arts programming as well as health promotion experiences in community settings. Architects and designers are creating settings that are not only beautiful, but also built upon a foundation of evidence that solidifies that the arts provide the most positive outcomes for patients, families, and staff.

From the beginning of recorded history, the arts have been central to the human experience. Looking beyond the 21st century when our expansion of knowledge outpaces our ability to understand and utilize it, we are beginning to pay attention to our basic human needs for wellness, community, art, and music and harness their amazingly healthy powers. This is the heart of the arts.

The process of making art — whether that be coloring, singing, dancing, or anything in between — is good for you. The sound of a simple tune can generate stimuli to the brain, and create physical and mental benefits. The reality is you are expressing your feelings; you are communicating emotion in a simple, yet tangible way, and sharing a piece of you with your colleagues.

I love the smell of fresh paint, or a new box of crayons. I can’t wait to turn up the radio in my car and sing our loud when no one else is along for the ride. Take time to engage your employees, your peers, your friends, your children, your spouse, anyone who will listen to stop, look, listen, and experience the arts.

In our “always on,” “always connected” world of on-demand everything, it can be easy to spend your entire day consuming information. Take a minute to ignore all of the incoming signals and create moments of wellness, and experience the healing power of the arts; anything you do can be a work of art and make a substantial difference in your life and our community. Engage in the arts, but also support the arts for the overall future wellness of the communities in which we live and serve. n

Early detection of glaucoma is key to preserving your sight.

Left untreated, glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness and the leading cause of preventable blindness Glaucoma is a condition that causes damage to your eye’s optic nerve And because there are virtually no symptoms, many people who have glaucoma don’t even know it.

Vision loss begins with peripheral or side vision then progresses towards the center Fortunately, glaucoma usually responds well to treatment, including medications, the latest minimally invasive techniques and advanced laser treatments. But early detection is key to preserving your sight. That’s why regular eye exams are so important Don’t take chances with glaucoma Make your appointment today

Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania is the leading ophthalmology practice in the region, with experienced specialists in glaucoma, cataract, cornea, retina, LASIK, pediatrics and more And all our glaucoma specialists Dr Mehul Nagarsheth, Dr Abhishek Nemani and Dr Justin Shaw are Board-Certified, Fellowship-Trained and respected throughout the medical community That’s experience you can trust When it’s glaucoma, don’t take chances Insist on Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania Learn more at EyeConsultantsOfPA com

Call 610-378-1344 for an appointment.

Our glaucoma specialists: Abhishek K Nemani, MD Mehul H Nagarsheth, MD Justin M Shaw, MD The Glaucoma Eye Center

Mark your calendars for these exciting Women2Women events:

Path2Personal Development (P2D)

Path2Personal Development (P2D) has a personal development focus and is comprised of a series of programs throughout the year that are interactive and provide a place for women to connect, collaborate and support each other in a relaxed environment.

Women2Know Speaker Series (W2K)

Women2Know is a speaker series featuring notable inspiring women who want to share their life lessons and stories of hope and triumph. We invite you to register for any or all of our Women2Know events as unique networking opportunities, while gaining insight from these dynamic women. Lunch is included with these sessions.

Growth2Go Leadership Series For Education & Preparation (G2G)

Growth2Go is a professional “Lunch & Learn” series designed for women by women who want to share ways to help you succeed in a competitive world. Lunch is included with these educational sessions.

De Mujer a Mujer

Each month, we feature a different speaker who will share her inspiring story, accomplishments and challenges. All attendees will receive FREE admission to Caliente!* This adult program is for women only; all women are welcome to attend. Must be present by 5:45 p.m. to receive ticket to enter Caliente. *Must be 21 to enter.

April Events:

DE MUJER A MUJER

Presenter: Wanda Holdren, Owner, WH Dance Academy

Date: Thursday, April 13, 2017

Location: The Crowne Plaza Hotel Reading Time: 5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Cost: FREE!

APRIL13

Born in Puerto Rico, Wanda began a journey at the age of six to start her extensive training in Salsa, Mambo, Merengue, Bachata, Rumba, Flamenco, Tango, Cumbia, Jazz, Hip-Hop and Ballet. Wanda has been featured as an instructor and dancer at national events as well as the Puerto Rico Salsa Congress, International Dance Challenge, National Dance Showcase, and Olympus Dance Challenge. As the founder and director of Berks Salsa Fest and Latin Flair, Inc., she continues her work of sharing and fostering the culture of her native Puerto Rico. A mentor for the Goodwill Keystone Youth Program and the Chapter School, she continues to expand her reputation and drive to create a unified and educated community. Wanda is an expert in fitness instruction and wellness; is a certified Zumba instructor and personal trainer; and participates in the Dance Wellness Program presented by Penn State Health St. Joseph..

SIGNATURE EVENT!!

WOMEN2WOMEN SPRING RENEWAL EXPO

Date: Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Location: The Crowne Plaza Hotel Reading Time: 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Cost: $70 – All day; $25 – Breakfast only w/Keynote Speaker; $35 – Lunch only and Athena Award presentation

APRIL25

Begin your day with a full breakfast and then attend workshops geared to renew your body, mind and spirit. Come and engage with local experts, professionals, and women-owned businesses specializing in retail product lines from health, beauty and fitness to finance and general life balance. Then, stay for a delicious lunch and the 2017 Athena Award Presentation! Finish out the day with a fabulous fashion show and happy hour with over 300 of your closest friends!

May Events:

P2D: HE SAID-SHE SAID: GENDER DIFFERENCES IN THE WORKPLACE PART II

Presented by: Regina Rinehimer, Financial Advisor, Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, and Tom Minick, Associate Vice President of Advancement at Alvernia University

MAY 10

Date: Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Location: The Chamber’s Center for Business Excellence, 49 Commerce Drive, Wyomissing Time: 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

Cost: FREE!

There is no denying that gender stereotypes still exist. While these stereotypes are often exaggerated, research shows gender characteristics do exist and influence the workplace. These differences don’t have to be negative; they can be a positive force for business. Hear from two professionals who have successfully navigated and harnessed the power of these differences. Join Regina Rinehimer and Tom Minick for this interesting discussion and gain tools that will help you navigate your own situations.

DE MUJER A MUJER:

Presenter: Tania Colamarino,

Owner, AMA Photography

Date: Thursday, May 11, 2017

MAY11

Location: The Crowne Plaza Hotel Reading

Time: 5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Cost: FREE!

Cost: FREE!

AMA Photography launched in October of 2010 and has grown from a desire to pursue a passion to a career of capturing memories. Born and raised in Reading, PA, Tania Colamarino is celebrating her 6th year in business. She is passionate about creating images for her clients, which includes photographing local and destination weddings, high school senior portraits and food photographs. She is nationally published in several well-known publications, even winning awards for her work. With all her sessions, Tania’s motivation remains the same: to handle each with love.

G2G: WHY ARE THEY LIKE THAT? RELATING TO DIFFICULT PEOPLE

Presented by: Carol Cool, Author and Speaker

Date: Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Location: Stokesay Castle

Time: 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Cost: $22/person

People can be so frustrating. Why does that guy have to keep talking when you would rather just get started solving the problem? Why does she seem unwilling to take a chance on a new idea? Discover through a fun look at Winnie-the-Pooh personality types why they and other coworkers (and you!) respond the way they do. Turn that knowledge into power to work well together and achieve results. Carol assists people in discovering their own uniqueness and finding balance by living authentically. She is also the author of Finding Balance in the Circus of Life.

June Events:

W2K: THE HONORABLE

JUNE6

MARJORIE O. RENDELL

Date: Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Location: The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel

Reading Time: 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Cost: $22/person

Midge Rendell is a federal judge in the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in Philadelphia. She practiced as an attorney for 20 years as a partner at the Philadelphia firm of Duane, Morris & Heckscher, where she focused her practice on bankruptcy and commercial litigation. In 1994, she was appointed by President Bill Clinton and confirmed by the Senate to serve as a judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. In 1997, she was once again nominated by President Clinton and confirmed by the Senate, this time for the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. She assumed senior status on July 1, 2015, but continues to manage a full caseload. In 1993, Rendell founded Avenue of the Arts, Inc., and was a founding member of The Board of Directors of The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. Rendell served as the First Lady of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania during her husband Ed Rendell’s tenure as governor from 2003 to 2011.

DE MUJER A MUJER:

Presenter: Edna Garcia-Dipini, CEO, The RIZE Group

Date: Thursday, June 8, 2017

JUNE

8

Location: The Crowne Plaza Hotel, Reading Time: 5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Edna Garcia-Dipini is Founder and CEO of The RIZE Group LLC, and D.O.T.S. Music & Art Fest. Edna’s special interest is in the Performing & Multi-Media Arts. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Edna was raised in a community full of culture and art. She is a vocalist since the age of 4 and a graduate of the High School of the Performing Arts (FAME) and Hunter College. Edna is extremely active with the media and several political campaigns in her community. She established her own firm, handling public relations, management, branding and marketing, as well as serving as a consultant for entertainment law. Edna has gained insight on how to run a good business and what is needed in a company to make it grow and keep its integrity.

To Join Women2Women, e-mail: W2W@GreaterReadingChamber.org

connected

Work2Life

Balancing Life, Work & Family

Get to Know Our W2W Council Members

Women2Women caught up recently with Delphia Howze, founder and CEO of D. Howze Solutions, LLC, and Toni Eckert, director of Leadership Berks and a senior leader in the O’Pake Institute for Ethics, Leadership and Public Service at Alvernia University.

Both women are members of W2W’s Council and serve in other capacities within the community. We spoke with them about their various roles and responsibilities, as well as what their involvement and service within the W2W organization means to them.

DELPHIA HOWZE

Delphia Howze has dreamed for years about starting her own business. However, like many women she was hesitant to take the leap from employee to business owner.

After leading diversity and inclusion efforts for companies like SHRM National, Penske Truck Leasing and Strategic Energy over the past 12 years, Delphia decided to assess the direction of her career.

“I really took a step back to take a good look at my personal life, career and aspirations,” she said during a recent interview. “I had the dream of branching out on my own for years, but I hesitated to act on that dream because of fear of the unknown and perceived lack of time.”

With strong encouragement from family, friends, colleagues, business leaders and potential clients, she claimed her passion and commitment for helping businesses and organizations by providing clients with strategic solutions for managing diversity and inclusion. Delphia is founder and CEO of D. Howze Solutions, LLC, which she created in January.

“Going out on my own was a leap of faith, but I realized that it was something that I

very much needed to do,” said Delphia, who moved to Berks County from Pittsburgh in 2008 with her husband and daughter.

Helping clients to understand the value of diversity and inclusion while identifying ways to achieve positive practices and behaviors that lead to defined success are goals that Delphia strives for every day.

“It’s all done by identifying a strategic approach that meets the client’s needs,” she said.

While launching her own business has been time consuming and sometimes overwhelming, Delphia relies on her family, friends and mentors for support.

A W2W Council member since 2015, she also finds encouragement through her connections within the organization.

“My membership in W2W has been of great benefit to me because I have had the opportunity to connect with some wonder-

ful people from a variety of backgrounds,” Delphia said. “There are many opportunities for women in Berks County to connect, learn and grow through W2W.”

Delphia was surprised to discover that meeting other women was not as easy as she had expected when first arriving in Berks County. Becoming a W2W member provided opportunities for her to make valuable connections that helped her both professionally and personally.

“W2W provides a forum of comfort where women can make great connections,” Delphia said. “By joining W2W, members can become involved in various activities that will encourage connections and present opportunities for the future.”

As an expert in diversity and inclusion, Delphia admires the mix of backgrounds and perspectives found within the W2W

Delphia Howze (left) and Toni Eckert (right) serve as members of the W2W Council as well as in other capacities within the community.

organization, and the positive attitudes of its members.

“Every event presents an environment of true inclusion where all participants feel welcomed and engaged,” she said. “In my opinion, there is a benefit of connecting with so many great women in the area. There is such a strong network of support from within.”

In addition to serving on the W2W Council, Delphia serves as a board member of the United Way of Berks County and chair to the UW Governance Committee. She is also the chair of the Blueprint for Leadership program, and serves on the Board of Trustees for Reading Area Community College.

Delphia also keeps up with her 14-year-old daughter’s activities and serves as a coach and mentor to young women. Juggling her work and private life isn’t always easy, but she relies on Franklin Covey’s Time Management strategies to stay on track.

“I came to realize that the concept of worklife balance is misleading,” Delphia explained. “A more accurate description of what I need to strive for is work-life integration.”

Integrating her work and personal life enables her to combine all the valuable components of her hectic world, Delphia said.

“I stay on track, accomplish my goals, and have time for the important people in my life,” she said. “With this mindset, I have no concerns that all the pieces will fall right into place.”

TONI ECKERT

Toni Eckert is a builder of relationships and a creator of partnerships.

resources to address need within the Greater Reading community.

Building relationships and developing, supporting and connecting community leaders, however, does not stop with her job.

Toni also is a member of the W2W Council; a member of the Leadership Berks Curriculum Advisory Board; Alvernia’s O’Pake Institute for Ethics, Leadership & Public Service; and the BCIU-Berks Early Learning Investment Coalition Steering Committee.

She serves as a member of the Berks County School Study Council and is a faculty-member for the United Way of Berks County’s Blue Print for Leadership program.

Opportunities such as these, she said, give

“I have always been a people person,” Toni said. “I am eager to learn, collaborate and connect people, and I am passionate about coaching and personal and professional development. I especially love to witness the growth, development and learning in others.”

Toni has been an active member of the Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce & Industry for 14 years, and for the past decade has been involved with working to advance programming for women. She views her roles as a member of the W2W Council and director of Leadership Berks as connected.

“Both Leadership Berks and W2W programs enrich the overall quality of life,” Toni said. “These programs are the premier resources for such development and connection for both women and men in our community.”

Her role as member of the Chamber and W2W, Toni explained, enables her to maintain important relationships with key area employers who sponsor mid-senior level

“Leadership Berks develops, supports, educates and connects leaders – for life,” Toni said. “We provide students, employers, and nonprofits amazing opportunities to build authentic relationships and personal and professional connections that are equally critical among every sector.”

Building relationships and creating partnerships is her passion, Toni said, and a way to give back to her community.

“I am personally and professionally dedicated to seeing our community, particularly the people living within it, prosper educationally and financially, and enjoy a good quality of life,” she said.

While Toni works to connect people in the Greater Reading area, her husband, Brian, is responsible for 23 different economic development programs in his role as Director of Site Development in the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development in Harrisburg.

Balancing time-consuming and sometimes stressful jobs with the community respon-

sibilities she and her husband assume isn’t easy, Toni said, but has set an example for their daughter, Morgan, 22, who will graduate this spring from Alvernia and begin graduate studies in public administration at Shippensburg University in the fall.

“We’ve found that juggling demanding careers and community responsibilities requires true partnership and passion for our work,” Toni said. “We are deeply dedicated to our community, and have raised our daughter with the same commitment to public and community service and civic responsibility.”

While Toni’s time is divided among many organizations and responsibilities, she holds a special regard for W2W, which she said accommodates and empowers women of many different interests and backgrounds.

“W2W meets women where they are, and takes them where they want to go,” Toni said. “The programming and sessions provide a broad menu in a holistic approach for women in every walk of life – both professional and non-professional.” n

BACK TO SCHOOL with Women2Women and Alvernia University

Maria Reyes has been a bilingual legal assistant at Reading-based Kitay Law Office since November 2015. Her recent one-year anniversary with the firm was particularly significant to Reyes, who since starting her job with the law office also began working toward a bachelor’s degree at Alvernia University as part of the partnership program the University shares with Women2Women.

Reyes earned an associate’s degree in 2001, and had always planned to return to college to complete a bachelor’s degree. Until last fall, however, it seemed like that dream might be unattainable.

The inspiration to advance her career by returning to school struck Reyes when Perla Vinasco, chief operations manager at Kitay Law Office, invited her to attend an immigration seminar in New Orleans. Reyes found the trip far more rewarding than she had imagined, and, when it was finished, Vinasco asked her if she would ever consider going back to school. Reyes didn’t have to think about the question for very long.

“My immediate reply was ‘yes’,” said Reyes, with a smile.

Her inability to stop thinking about this dream, combined with Vinasco’s willingness to help, led Reyes to Alvernia, where she visited online and consulted with her advisor, Lori Korch. Reyes was able to access a preferred tuition rate through the W2W/Alvernia partnership, making her dream of continuing her education more affordable and attainable.

The objective of the W2W/Alvernia partnership is to help grow women leaders in Berks County, explained Karen Marsdale, President of the Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Marsdale recalled attending a national conference at which workforce development was discussed. It was there that she discovered a startling data

point regarding the number of incumbent workers with unfinished degrees.

This clear need for higher education for women initiated a conversation between Marsdale and Daria LaTorre, Dean of the School of Graduate and Adult Education at Alvernia, who discussed what they might do to improve a woman’s chances of starting, or returning to college.

with the organization that they convinced the University to become a Platinum Sponsor. The partnership was further developed in 2015, and more than half a dozen women have taken advantage of the opportunity to attend the University at reduced tuition costs. It is hoped that many more women will explore the possibilities and begin or return to college.

In addition to receiving reduced tuition as a W2W member, women who take advantage of this program also gain access to various professional development events via the University’s Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, access to an extensive network of professionals within the community, and assistance in applying to and enrolling at Alvernia.

“The program is so great because it is so flexible,” Marsdale said. “Alvernia staff works with each student to help them fit classes into their busy work schedules. From my perspective, Alvernia has almost customized each student’s experience in order to make it doable.”

The program is so great because it is so flexible. Alvernia staff works with each student to help them fit classes into their busy work schedules.”

At the time, Marsdale recalled, the Greater Reading Chamber was focusing more on the K-12 education arena, with less attention given to the large segment of women who had some college experience, but no degree.

“It became clear that we needed more people with at least a four-year degree,” Marsdale said.

In 2014, LaTorre and Mary Ellen Wells, Professor of Business at Alvernia, spoke at a W2W event. The women were so impressed

The university has a deeply rooted history of serving non-traditional adult learners by helping them become ethical leaders. As a result, the partnership allows transfer credits and time in the workplace to be considered as credit toward a degree. Alvernia offers degree and non-degree certificate programs in a format that is conducive to the busy

Continued on page 35

Maria Reyes

Pick one

BOYERTOWN:

Dancing Tree Creations

BIRDSBORO: Berks Hearing Professionals

DOUGLASSVILLE: My Dad’s Flooring

EXETER: The Spine & Wellness Center Martin Appliance

FLEETWOOD: Simmeria Café and Bistro

HAMBURG:

Necessities New & Used Furniture Gallery of Hamburg

KUTZTOWN: Dunkelberger’s Fine Jewelry & Gifts

Sorrelli Jewelry

MORGANTOWN: Weaver’s Orchard, Inc.

OLEY: Evelyn & Harriette’s

READING:

Goggleworks Center for the Arts

ROBESONIA: The Shoppes at Randler’s Village

SINKING SPRING: Charlotte Shoppe

SHILLINGTON: Goodwill Fashion Store

TEMPLE: Riverview Nursery & Garden Center

WERNERSVILLE: Five & Divine

WEST LAWN: Elegance Derma Spa

Reading Dermatology Associates

WEST READING: The Compleat Baldwin Brass Center It’s A Gift! The Woman’s Exchange of Reading Jan Rae

WYOMISSING:

Berks Hearing Professionals

The Chamber’s Center for Business Excellence

Wyomissing Hair Studio Courtyard by Marriott Bell Tower Salon, Medi-Spa & Store

schedule of adult women seeking education. LaTorre explained how the process works.

“It’s simple,” she said. “Students apply, mention W2W, and Alvernia will work seamlessly to integrate education into their busy schedules and personal obligations.”

The partnership offers a doable plan for women looking to start college for the first time, or those who have put their educations on hold to raise children or help support their families, Marsdale explained.

“So often women leave college to get married or have a child, and they think there is no way possible that they can finish their degrees with all the other balls they have in the air,” Marsdale said. “The next thing they know, they’re 50 years old and wishing they would have done that. This partnership makes that possible.”

Sometimes we find ourselves feeling comfortable where we are, and we put our dreams in a box. But, when someone else sees the potential we failed to see in ourselves, that can be the seed that causes us to begin to grow. Working towards one’s dream is the most fulfilling feeling.”

Reyes’ journey is a testament to the opportunities this partnership presents. On Oct. 13, 2016, she stepped onto Alvernia’s campus, ready to attend her first class and begin the work of advancing her career. With Vinasco as her mentor and supported by the entire Kitay staff, she is working toward her dream of completing her degree.

“It is possible to get it done if one has a true desire and dream,” Reyes said. “Sometimes

It’s simple. Students apply, mention W2W, and Alvernia will work seamlessly to integrate education into their busy schedules and personal obligations.”

LaTorre

we find ourselves feeling comfortable where we are, and we put our dreams in a box. But, when someone else sees the potential we failed to see in ourselves, that can be the seed that causes us to begin to grow. Working towards one’s dream is the most fulfilling feeling.”

Those who know Reyes, including Marsdale, see first-hand the benefits of her decision to further her education through this partnership.

“From where I sit, I know that she (Reyes) is embracing this experience,” Marsdale said. “She is so excited that she took that first step, and she’s a poster child for those that think they can’t. It will be really fun to watch where she takes this.” n

The Uncertainty of Aging Parents — Be Informed —

IF YOU ARE LUCKY, you will have the opportunity to see your parents age into retirement and beyond. If you are lucky, they will have the capacity to make wise medical and investment decisions. If you are lucky, they will follow every word of your advice. But, what if you are not lucky?

What if you are faced with a parent who has dementia or another cognitive impairment that prohibits him or her from making sound decisions? What if you have a parent who neglected to secure a will, living will, or power of attorney? What if you need to take over the medical decisions and financial responsibility for your aging parent? Are you prepared for that?

Many families find themselves overwhelmed with the decisions and responsibility necessary to take care of an aging loved one. Nearly all wish they had been more educated on the aging process, legal options, wealth preservation, and care choices as well as social and Veterans programs.

When is a good time to start learning about these topics? If you have parents who are 70 or better…the time is now.

The first step in the education process on aging is to learn and understand the signs for concern. While some of these situations may have a valid explanation, many times, these are indications of aging decline that foretell a coming crisis.

Has your loved one:

• Become repetitive with stories or questions

• Had difficulty balancing their checkbook or paying bills

• Provided their personal information to a scammer

• Exhibited odd behavior or said things that are out of character

• Forgotten words to common items like a toothbrush or egg sandwich

• Become accusatory of others stealing or “watching” them

• Fallen

• Lost or gained significant weight

• Become disoriented or lost while driving

• Neglected cleaning their home or throwing away expired foods

Next, give yourself a reality check:

• Accompany your loved one to a doctor appointment to get a clear understanding of what is happening.

• Drive with your loved one as the passenger to assess his or her ability to drive safely.

• Plan a weekend to sleep over at your loved one’s home. This will often provide the most eye-opening experience into what is really happening in your loved one’s world.

Then, start acquiring resources and know your options.

• Is your loved one a Veteran or widow/spouse of a Veteran?

• Does your loved one have a will, living will, and power of attorney?

• What is the financial situation of your loved one?

• Does he or she have a long-term care insurance policy?

• Does he or she prefer care at home or in a facility?

• Are there any religious beliefs or family traditions he or she wants included in end of life wishes?

While these are not easy topics to discuss, they are pertinent. The time to start having these discussions and gathering resources for future needs is now.

Women2Women, in partnership with Penn State Health St. Joseph and professionals working with the senior population of Berks County, have scheduled an educational event to help you plan for your parents’ future.

ORG/PUB: Women

Aging Parent Fair

Wednesday, May 17 n 5-7pm Franciscan

Exhibitors:

Comfort Keepers

Berks County Area Agency of

Berks Encore

Alzheimer’s Association

Berks

Antanavage, Farbiarz & Antanavage

ACSIA Long Term Care, Inc.

Health

Compassus Hospice

Waddell & Reed

Services Pediatric Services Services

Home Health Care & Home Health Care & Home Care & Private Duty for Children Private Duty for Children Duty for

Perinatal Services Perinatal Services

Health2Wellness

Mental, Spiritual, Physical Health & Wellness

AAdvice for Keeping Hair, Skin and Nails Healthy During the Summer

s we prepare for the Annual Women2Women Spring Renewal Expo on April 25, our thoughts turn to recharging after the dreary months of winter.

It’s time to take a fresh look at how we’re doing with our health and beauty routines as we head into the summer months, which, while welcomed, can be hard on hair, skin and nails.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, affecting one in five Americans during their lifetimes.

While most of us enjoy being outside, it is imperative to care for your skin every day, said Amy Hendrix, a certified registered nurse practitioner and skin care expert at Reading Dermatology Center for Healthy Skin and Elegance Derma Spa in West Lawn.

And, she said, that doesn’t mean only your face, but any skin that will be exposed to the sun.

“You need to protect any area of skin that isn’t covered with clothing,” Hendrix said. “Sometimes people will take care of their faces, but forget about the other areas that will be exposed.”

Particularly important for women are the chest, neck, hands and forearms, she said.

If you’re very sensitive to the sun, consider getting sun-protective clothing, which can block up to 98 percent of UVA/UVB rays. Be sure to find a brand, like Coolibar, that has been approved by the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Hendrix often will refer patients to an outdoor outfitter such as Cabela’s in Tilden Township, which has a large variety of sun-protective clothing.

Alyce Versagli, owner of Skin Care by Alyce in Wyomissing, is a nurse with more than 20 years of experience in the medical esthetics industry, and agreed with Hendrix on the importance of sunscreen.

“It’s just one of the most important things you can do for yourself,” Versagli said.

A problem is that many people intentionally tan because they believe it makes them look and feel better. However, Versagli explained, when your skin turns tan, it’s because skin has been damaged and is attempting to protect itself.

Once skin is exposed to UV radiation, it speeds up its production of melanin in order to protect itself from further damage. The increase of melanin causes your skin to darken and results in a tan.

Continued on page 40

“Sure, people like to have a tan because they think they look better, but it’s really just a sign that their skin has suffered damage,” Versagli said. “If someone really feels like they need a tan, we have a great spray tan in our studio.”

Hendrix pointed out that critical areas on which sunscreen needs to be applied are the sides of the nose, eyelids, and outside, on top and inside of ears.

“Many people don’t think to apply to those areas, but they’re all really high-risk areas for skin cancer,” Hendrix said. “In addition, those are areas that are difficult to treat if skin cancer does occur.”

People of color must be equally careful to protect their skin, as skin cancer occurs among all races. Often, serious skin cancers are diagnosed later in people of color, making them more dangerous and difficult to treat.

Ginger McLean, chief operating officer at the Bell Tower Salon Spa in Wyomissing, said that while skin care is important year-round, it can become more challenging during the summer when we’re exposed to sun and outdoor exposure.

Because hot weather makes skin prone to premature aging, a good facial can go a long way during the summer months, McLean said. Bell Tower offers anti-aging facials that help reduce and repair concerns due to exposure.

While sun and heat can dry skin, some people, especially younger clients, find they have trouble with acne during the summer. This usually occurs when someone sweats a lot, which mixes with pollutants.

For that problem, an anti-acne facial can provide deep cleaning to help keep skin clear.

Summer care for skin also should include regular exfoliations and moisturizing, McLean said.

“That is needed to maintain healthy skin all over and will aid in even, radiant and glowing skin,” she said.

Hendrix recommends using a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen that has an SPF of at least 30 and protects against both UVA and UVB rays.

While many women use moisturizers that claim to be sun-protectants, most have only 15 SPF, which is not enough to keep you safe.

Reading Dermatology Center for Healthy Skin and Elegance Derma Spa offers a 30 SPF moisturizer that is not overly expensive and lasts for a long time.

Hendrix applies a moisturizer with 30 SPF the first thing every morning.

“I put on my moisturizer and let it dry before I put on my makeup,” she said. “If I’m going to work and to be inside all day, I won’t reapply. But, if I’m outside gardening or playing with my kids for more than 15 minutes, I’ll reapply and reapply again after an hour if I’m still outside.”

Maintaining good, overall health is your best bet for having a happy and successful summer.

Summer Hair Care

The same rays that can damage skin also are hard on the hair, McLean noted. She recommends wearing a hat while in the sun to protect both your hair and your scalp, which can get sunburned and dry and could end up damaging your hair roots.

Kat Omara, a designer at Wyomissing Hair Studio, said it’s important to moisturize your hair, as well as your skin.

“Make sure that you’re using moisturizer for both your hair and your body,” she said.

Omara recommends a product called Eufora Beautifying Serum, available at the salon. It can be used on both the hair and the skin, she said, providing moisture that protects and smooths.

If you spend a lot of time outdoors, find a conditioner that you like and use it regularly from mid-length to the ends of your hair. Most people do not require moisturizer directly on their hair roots.

If you’re a swimmer and your hair gets damaged from chlorine, you may benefit from a deep-cleansing shampoo that will remove the chemicals from your hair. You can alternate that with a shampoo that’s more nourishing to condition the hair.

And, regular trims are recommended to remove ends from damaged hair.

“Chlorine is tough on hair, so it’s important to keep up with your trims and make sure you get the chlorine out of your hair when you’re out of the pool,” Omara said.

If your hair becomes dry and frizzy during the summer months, you’ll need a good moisturizing product or a salon treatment that can help to strengthen and condition it. If the ends of your hair are overly damaged and products are not helping, it may be time to get a haircut.

And, avoid adding extra heat to your hair by using blow dryers, curling irons and straighteners. When possible, allow your hair to dry naturally and try a style such as braids or a pony tail.

Summer Nail Care

Nail care during the summer months is another area to consider. Nails also can become dry and brittle from over-exposure to UV rays and chemicals in pool water.

To keep your nails nourished, use oils and hand creams on your skin and nail beds. Avoid using acetone or other harsh nail polish removers that can dry out your nails, looking instead for a gentle, nourishing remover.

Just as you use sunscreen to protect your skin, protect your nails from damaging sun with a top coat that features UV protection. You can wear them either on their own or over another color.

Top coats with UV filters can help stop the sun from discoloring your nails.

Your nails grow faster in warmer weather, so you’ll want to pay attention to their length. This is especially important with toenails, which, if left to grow too long, can snag on something and result in infection.

When cutting and trimming your toenails, be sure to cut straight across to avoid ingrown nails. Use a good nail filer to finish off both fingernails and toenails.

You also can use a nail strengthener to protect your nails from breaking and chipping.

If you need help with your nails, seek out the services of a reputable salon such as L.A. Spa, Nail Bar and Massage, which offers professional services to help keep your nails strong, healthy and beautiful.

Staying Healthy All Over

Maintaining good, overall health is your best bet for having a happy and successful summer. Be sure to stay well hydrated, especially if you’re exercising outside or participating in strenuous activities. Take advantage of the summer’s bounty by eating lots of healthy fruits and vegetables, which provide vitamins, water and fiber. Enjoy a smoothie or fresh fruit drink.

Above all, take some time to enjoy yourself. Whether you’ve got a vacation planned or will be relaxing on your deck or at an area park or lake, take some deep breaths, enjoy the beauty around you and spend time with the people you love. n

Reverse

CONTACT US FOR A PERSONAL EVALUATION AND CUSTOMIZED EXERCISE PROGRAM AD SIZE CONTRACTED: 1/4 V

Healthy Diet, Healthy Bones

Most people don’t know that the majority of their adult bone mass is already in place by the end of adolescence. Your bones have to last you for your lifetime so it’s important to start including calcium and vitamin D as part of a healthy diet at a young age. Women suffer more from osteoporosis than men. Teenage girls in particular have a very low intake of calcium compared to recommended amounts, and diet patterns typical of women can lead to bone loss. Your peak bone mass is reached in your thirties, but it’s still important to maintain a healthy diet to protect bones as you age.

51–70, and 1200mg for women age 51–70 and men over age 70. When you don’t get an adequate amount of calcium through diet, your body has to take it from its reserves found in your bones and teeth.

Calcium is typically associated with building strong bones yet the majority of Americans do not consume the recommended amount. The Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) for calcium varies based on age: 1300mg per day for children age 9–18, 1000mg for adults age 19–50 and men age

Good food sources of calcium include reduced fat milk, yogurt, cheese, green vegetables such as kale, collards, bok choy, or turnip greens, and calcium-fortified foods such as soy or almond milk, tofu, and orange juice. Getting calcium from food is best, but calcium supplements can also be used to get an adequate amount. Calcium citrate can be taken with or without food so it’s a good choice for a dietary supplement. Calcium supplements should be taken 500mg at a time for best absorption. Diets high in protein, caffeine, and sodium can

cause calcium loss, so these should all be limited to recommended amounts.

Vitamin D is also important to bone health as it helps with calcium absorption. Most Americans also under-consume vitamin D. The DRI for vitamin D also varies based on age: 400 International Units (IU) for infants up to 12 months, 600IU for ages 1–70, and 800IU for adults over 70. Food labels use only 400IU to calculate the Percent Daily Value, so this should be kept in mind when checking food labels for vitamin D content.

Naturally occurring food sources of vitamin D include fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel and fish liver oil. Vitamin D can be found in small amounts in beef liver, cheese, and egg yolks, but foods fortified with vitamin D such as milk, milk products, orange juice,

and cereals are good sources. If you are deficient in vitamin D, a supplement can be prescribed by your doctor.

Some ways to increase your calcium and vitamin D intake include making oatmeal with milk instead of water, drinking smoothies made with yogurt, milk, and/or green leafy vegetables such as kale, eating a cup of yogurt for breakfast or as a snack, adding cheese to a sandwich, salad, or baked potato or green leafy vegetables to a casserole.

Extreme dieting, “yo-yo” dieting, and disordered eating can all lead to bone loss. Maintaining a general, healthy diet should be a daily goal for overall wellness as well as preventing osteoporosis. A Mediterranean diet has been shown to be a good overall meal plan to follow for reasons including weight loss, cancer and diabetes prevention, and heart and bone health. This style of eating includes limiting red meat consumption, eating fish at least twice a week, a high intake of whole grains, beans, legumes, fruits and vegetables, a moderate intake of cheese and yogurt, using healthy oils such as olive oil, and moderate alcohol intake. Why not follow a way of eating with multiple benefits?

Bone health is important at any age. It’s never too late to start making changes to your diet to reduce your risk of developing osteoporosis. n

HealthSouth

Reading Rehabilitation Hospital

At HealthSouth, never before has knowledge, technology and teamwork merged so completely to inspire those facing personal journeys of rehabilitation after an illness, injury or surgery. HealthSouth is committed to making a difference for patients and families by developing personalized programs that target patient goals, overcome challenges and embrace progress with refreshing optimism.

With HealthSouth by your side, there is hope to reach your goals and get back home, expanding a horizon full of possibilities. For some, it’s the first glimmer of light. For others, it’s a powerful reminder that with HealthSouth, hope for renewed independence is never far away.

The last days of winter handed us a rocky ride, but spring has sprung and there is much to look forward to.

Days are getting longer and warmer; we’ve (hopefully) put away our heavy coats and boots; area farms and orchards are sprouting and growing; and spring vegetables, fresh from the garden or farm stand, will soon be readily available.

As you know, the Greater Reading area is blessed with an abundance of farms, orchards, greenhouses and garden plots, many of them offering the freshest spring vegetables you can find.

If you haven’t already found some tender spring spinach, young leaf lettuces, sugar snap peas or the first spears of asparagus, it won’t be long until the markets and farm stands are loaded with them.

So head on out and see what you find. Stop at a little roadside stand for asparagus. While you’re there, be sure to ask how the strawberries are coming and when they’ll be

ready to pick. If you’re lucky, the same stand might have some fresh eggs for sale. If so, pick up a dozen or two.

Celebrate the season with the abundance of farm-fresh vegetables grown right in our back yard. Below are some tips about early spring vegetables, supplied to us by Weaver’s Orchard, Inc. in Robeson Township.

Asparagus: Best from April until June. Look for stalks that are straight with compact, dark green tips. Avoid if the stalks look shriveled or have spreading tips. Look for stalks of equal thickness for uniform cooking times.

To store, cut about an inch off the bottom of asparagus spears, submerge the ends in water and refrigerate. Asparagus is free of fat, saturated fat and sodium and low in calories. It is also a good source of vitamins A and C and folate.

spinach: Best from May until June and then again from September to October. Spinach should be fresh with tender, dark green leaves. Avoid if ends are wilted or yellowed.

To store,place in a plastic bag with a paper towel and refrigerate up to 5 days. Spinach is free of fat and saturated fat and low in calories. It also contains high levels of vitamins A and C, iron and dietary fiber and is a great source of fiber, folate and magnesium.

green peas & snap peas: Best in the spring. Green peas and snap peas should be crisp with well-filled pods that are light to bright green. Avoid if they are bulging, wrinkled, or are white or yellow.

To store, refrigerate in an open plastic bag for 3 to 5 days. Peas are free of fat and sodium and a great source of vitamins A and C, folate and dietary fiber.

spring onions: Best in the spring. Also called scallions or green onions, spring onions are, indeed, very young onions. They are milder than those left to mature, and both the white bulb and the green leaves can be eaten raw or cooked or grilled. Look for firm, smooth bulbs and bright green tops; avoid those with leaves that are wilted. Trim the root from the bottom of the onion and the tops of greens before using.

Celebrate the season with the abundance of farm-fresh vegetables grown right in our back yard.

To store, place green onions in a perforated bag in the refrigerator, or wrap in damp paper towels and use within four or five days. Onions are low in sodium, free of fat and saturated fat and high in vitamin C and dietary fiber.

radishes: Best from April through September, radishes should be firm and smooth with bold colors and fresh green tops. To store,

remove the leafy tops and refrigerate in an open plastic bag for up to a week.

Besides being spicy and delicious, radishes are free of fat and saturated fat, low in sodium and calories and high in vitamin C.

lettuce: Best from late March through May, locally grown lettuce is tender and flavorful, and available in varieties such as

Asparagus, Smoked Salmon, Goat Cheese and Egg

Scramble. Steam or sauté 8 or 10 stalks of asparagus until crisp-tender, then chop into one-inch pieces. Scramble eight eggs in a little melted butter, stirring in a quarter to a half cup of goat cheese when the eggs are almost done. After removing from the heat, combine the eggs with the asparagus pieces and a quarter cup of chopped smoked salmon. Serve immediately.

Snow Peas with Pine Nuts and Garlic. Stir-fry snow peas, pine nuts and a clove or two of minced garlic in a little olive oil for a minute or two; until the snow peas are crisp-tender. Add a drizzle of sesame oil and some chopped up, fresh mint leaves. Serve immediately or cool and serve at room temperature.

Grilled Spring Onions. Brush spring onions with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill them on high heat until they are crispy and slightly blackened, about 10 or 15 minutes,

green leaf, red leaf, baby romaine, oak leaf, butter and Boston.

Store lettuce before washing in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator, or wrap in damp towels. Use as soon after purchase as possible, rinsing just before use. Lettuce is extremely versatile, as well as very low in calories and fat-free. Lettuce is a good source of fiber, vitamin A and carotene. n

Spinach Salads. For a complete-meal savory spinach salad combine spinach with sliced mushrooms, red onion, pieces of crispy-cooked bacon, blue cheese crumbles and chopped hardboiled eggs. Finish the salad with a simple vinaigrette. For a sweeter version, combine spinach with seasonal fruits, red onion, and crumbled goat cheese and serve with raspberry vinaigrette or poppy seed dressing.

Quick Radish Pickles. Mix together a half cup each of white vinegar and sugar; stir in 1½ teaspoons salt. Thinly slice a half pound of trimmed radishes. Peel a small onion and cut it into thin slices, then add the radishes and onions to the vinegar mixture. Add fresh dill or peppercorns, if desired. Cover and refrigerate the radishes for at least eight hours, and use within three days.

Lettuce Wraps. Use tender leaves of butter, Boston, red or green leaf lettuce as wraps for chicken, tuna, egg, crab or

How to Have “The Talk” With Your Kids

ome parents dread having “the talk” with their children about puberty. And, as every adult knows, children dread “the talk” even more. But it doesn’t have to be that way, says Kristine M. Leaman, MD, Reading Health Physician Network – All About Women.

As adults know, puberty is not easy. That’s why it is important for parents to make themselves available to their children – to listen, to be attentive, and when the time seems right, to share stories of their own puberty to help their kids understand that everyone goes through it.

“One thing we recommend is trying to normalize these changes,” Dr. Leaman says. “It’s important to ensure our children understand that these changes are not something to be ashamed or embarrassed about. They happen to everyone, and they are not something to dread.”

Reading Health System offers programming on these topics. “All Grown Up” and “Boys to Men” offer forums for discussing the physical, social and emotional changes that occur during puberty. The program for girls has been well-received, with as many as 400 parents, caregivers and girls at the most-recent

session. Reading Health anticipates that the program for boys will be equally popular.

The programs are designed to help encourage conversations between parents and children on these subjects. So, in general, how can parents make these conversations more comfortable for their children?

One way to ease the awkwardness is to have an ongoing conversation and to answer questions openly and honestly – in an age-appropriate fashion, of course – when children ask.

Dr. Leaman says if children haven’t asked questions by age 9, it probably is best to discuss puberty with them so they are prepared for –and not surprised or scared by – the changes that will occur. So, what should be discussed?

For girls, it’s important to address that they’ll see changes in their body; and will begin to menstruate. Explaining the need for bras, sanitary napkins, tampons and deodorant is helpful.

For boys, it’s important to address that they will also see changes in their body; undergo growth spurts and notice changes in their voice.

But changes stretch beyond the physical. It is helpful to talk with children about emotional changes they may experience, including the possibility that they will feel like they want to cry, be angry, feel alone, feel worried or anxious, and may not understand these emotions. That’s why it’s important to talk about them.

It’s also important to help children understand that they probably will notice social changes such as developing different interests than some of their elementary school friends, expanding their friend groups as they reach

middle school, and feeling peer pressure. Dr. Leaman also recommends talking to children about supporting their peers and reaching out to adults when problems seem unmanageable.

Dr. Leaman uses humor in her presentations to help the girls feel more comfortable, and she encourages parents to do the same at home. At “All Grown Up,” she shows photos of herself in elementary school and tells stories of her own adolescence.

Dr. Leaman says if children haven’t asked questions by age 9, it probably is best to discuss puberty with them.

At the end of her presentation, she offers an opportunity for attendees to ask questions. She says that parents sometimes ask questions during the event, but most girls come up to her privately after the presentation to ask their questions. Reading Health System gives each girl a booklet about puberty as well as a gift bag with items such as lip balm, deodorant and sanitary napkins.

But the main purpose of the program isn’t to address the information in the session. Instead, it’s to encourage open dialogue at home, on an ongoing basis, between parents or caregivers and children. “It’s great for parents to tell their children that the cool thing is that they have support, they have their parents or caregivers around to help them navigate this time in their lives,” Dr. Leaman says.

“It’s great to let kids know that all of the things that are happening as their bodies change from a child to an adult are happening to everyone,” Dr. Leaman says. “It’s a process, and we want to be sure kids know they’re not going to go to sleep one night and wake up as an adult the next morning.”

She also tells parents that if they themselves need support or if they feel their children need support beyond what they can offer, that it’s helpful to reach out to the school guidance counselor, the child’s physician or professional psychologists for additional support. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help,” she says. “You can never get too much help.” n

To hold on to a child struggling with addiction, you must finally let go.

Let us take it from here.

At Caron our comprehensive and innovative addiction treatment programs work to make families whole again. So when you have given all you have to give, let Caron take it from here. Reach out to us, and we’ll help you take the next step. Call 855-712-4332 or go to caron.org/berks

Partners in treatment with Berks County.

BUILDING FAMILIES. TOGETHER.

From the most comprehensive and state-of-the-art innovations in fertility and reproductive medicine, to our highly trained physicians and personalized care, Reading Health Physician Network Advanced Fertility and Reproductive Medicine covers a range of services unmatched in the region. Our proactive approach combined with our nationally recognized IVF program – with success rates higher than the national average – underscores our passion for helping our patients build the family of their dreams. Now accepting new patients. Call for an appointment: 484-628-7900

Advanced Fertility and Reproductive Medicine

Shahab S. Minassian, MD

Vincent A. Pellegrini, MD

Debra Schott, CRNP

Jewel Smart, Embryologist

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.