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WHAT’S 4 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR 7 Tax Time
Take a fresh approach to taxes.
9 Women and Philanthropy
Women impact philanthropy more directly with giving circles.
11 Career Obstacles
Women have come a long way but still face career obstacles.
13 PANDAS DIsorder
• Retirement Readiness Planning • Financial Issues of Divorce • Investments • Long Term Care Insurance • Portfolio Analysis & Design • Securities Brokerage Services
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17 Tax Tips
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PANDAS disorder isn’t cute or cuddly.
15 Botswana Adventure
Don’t overlook these tax-savings tips.
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19 Health Goals
Steps to score your health goals.
21 Stalker on the Prowl
A lesson for all women on personal safety.
23 MEET and Greet
Regional networking events and meetings.
23 women to watch
New hires and promotions.
23 achievements & applause
Awards and accomplishments.
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5 cover story Chief Lisa Layden is the chief of police of West Hempfield Township and the only female chief of police in Lancaster County. Looking for a more meaningful career in her late 20s, Layden applied to the police academy and has since then risen in the ranks. It is through hard work, dedication, and continually updating her skills and education that she continues to achieve success.
Rules: [NO PURCHASE NECESSARY; must be 18 or over and a legal US resident to enter. Only 1 entry per person. All entries must be received by 1/30/20 at 11:59 pm ET.]
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January 2020 Vol. 17 - No. 1
PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER
Donna K. Anderson
appy New Year! I remember all the consternation that “Y2K” brought on in 1999, and here we are beginning the third decade of the 2000s. What a fast 20 years! Here at On-Line Publishers, Inc., the last 25 years have passed very quickly for us too. This year we are celebrating our 25th anniversary. What started as a single edition of then-called Senior News (now known as 50plus LIFE), is now a multi-title, niche-publishing, and event-production company. Although we started out serving the mind, heart, and spirit of the senior community, we evolved. Women in the community thought there was a need to highlight the successes that women all around us were making; hence, BusinessWoman magazine was launched. It has been our great pleasure to bring to light women excelling in a wide variety of industries and the strides they have made in their fields. Hopefully, they have served as an inspiration to you. Besides the women featured on the cover, hundreds more local women (and men) have provided their expertise on a wealth of topics, and we are grateful to them for sharing their knowledge. Other publications that we produce are 50plus Living, a guide to living and care options in the Susquehanna and
Delaware valleys; beyond50 Resource Directory, a source for goods and services with editions in Berks, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York counties; Caregiver Solutions magazine, an insert in the July issue of BusinessWoman magazine; and other monthly special focuses. Of course, all of our publications are online and in print, reaching readers however they prefer to receive their information. The annual events we host are the Women’s Expos in Cumberland, th Dauphin, Lancaster, and Lebanon counties; 50plus EXPOs in Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, and York counties; and the Veterans’ Expo & Job Fairs in Berks, Lancaster, and York counties and the Capital Area. We hope you have been our guests at an event near you. If not, we’ll see you this year! Thank you for supporting us, and we look forward to serving the community in the coming years.
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EDITORIAL Vice President and Managing Editor Christianne Rupp Editor Megan Joyce Contributing Writers Kimberly Blaker Barbara Trainin Blank Michelle Davis Sandra Gordon Lynda Hudzick Cheryl Maguire Maria V. Snyder Barry Sparks
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BusinessWoman is published monthly by On-Line Publishers, Inc., 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512, 717.285.1350. Copyright On-Line Publishers, Inc. 2020. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use without permission of editorial or graphic content in any manner is strictly prohibited. Views expressed in opinion stories, contributions, articles and letters are not necessarily the views of the Publisher. The appearance of advertisements for products or services does not constitute an endorsement of the particular product or service. Although every effort is made to ensure factual information, BusinessWoman cannot be held responsible for errors in contributors’ material, nor does the editorial material necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. On-Line Publishers, Inc. reserves the right to revise or reject any and all advertising. Subscription information: $14 per year for home delivery of 12 monthly issues. Subscribe online at www.BusinessWomanPA.com or call 717.285.1350. Member Of:
Story
CAREER
COVER
More than Just a Badge By LYNDA HUDZICK
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As the only female chief of police in Lancaster County, Chief Lisa Layden understands the challenges some women in the field of law enforcement may face. But overall, “my law enforcement experience has been overwhelmingly positive,” she said. “I am very proud of the personal and professional relationships I have built.” Layden, a Honesdale native and married mother of three, attended art college in York upon high school graduation and also spent a number of years working in the restaurant field. But when she was in her late 20s, she said, “I was looking for something more meaningful and applied to the Police Academy at HACC in Harrisburg.” Within months, she was offered a full-time position in York County, where she worked as an officer, patrol sergeant, and detective sergeant for Southwestern Regional Police for about 23 years, before coming to Lancaster County as chief of police of West Hempfield Township in April 2019. Holding a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from York College, Layden also successfully completed the Master of Public Administration program at Penn State and, in
2015, began the Administration and Leadership Studies Ph.D. program at IUP, the Dixon Center in Harrisburg. “At this time I have completed all of the coursework for a doctorate degree in sociology from IUP and am working on my dissertation, which is about what motivates women to seek or remain in policing positions,” she said. Layden did not always dream of a career in law enforcement. She found that positive and negative work experiences, and “the concepts and ideas I learned about in college, particularly at the graduate level, strongly influenced me to try for a top position in policing,” she said. “I felt like I could make a difference and bring some progressive ideas to the field.” The majority of her time in her new position has been focused on building relationships by listening and learning from those around her, with a goal of always working toward enhancing current policies to increase effectiveness. “Good policies are the foundation of continuing and maintaining a professional, service-focused police department,” Layden said. During her career in law enforcement, Layden has hired, mentored, or supervised many BUSINESSWomanPA.com
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officers, and it gives her great pleasure to see them excel and grow in their positions, increasing the positive influence they have in the community they serve. “In my current role as chief of police, my description of a good day is when I feel that I am helping each officer rise to their full potential,” she said. “It makes me feel like I’ve accomplished something great.” Of course, there are tough days for those in law enforcement as well, and Layden has seen her share of those. “The most significant negative aspect of this job is definitely exposure to trauma,” she said. “Police are human, and we all soak it in to some degree. I would say my biggest fear is seeing an officer fall … but a close second that I consider daily is understanding and planning for how the myriad of stressors affect our officers, their family members, and outcomes for their lives.” Layden knows there is no way she could accomplish her goals
“”
Good policies are the foundation of continuing and maintaining a professional, service-focused police department.
without a reliable and dependable team, although sometimes only the top officials get to be the name or face on a great accomplishment, she said. “But there are always many that
played a part in solving a crime, organizing a great community event, and operating an effective police agency,” Layden said. She strongly feels it is vital that anyone who aims to be a great
leader remembers to express gratitude where it is due. Although her new position is taking up much of her time right now, she does hope to soon join in charitable work in her community. “I do plan to become involved in some of the events I participated in in the past, such as the Law Enforcement Torch Run and Polar Plunge for Special Olympics,” she said. Layden may not have followed a traditional path into her career in law enforcement, but today she definitely recognizes the benefit of wisdom that comes with maturity. “The most significant thing I learned about myself is that I am capable of way more than I thought as a younger person,” she said. “When I was a young adult, I felt like most major goals in life were all-or-nothing types of things, but as I went along I realized that [even though] I was not doing things in the same order or same way as others, I could still get what I wanted out of life.”
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~ January 2020 | BUSINESSWoman
CAREER
Take a Fresh Approach to Taxes By MICHELLE DAVIS
T
he pages of the calendar have turned to not only a new year, but also a new decade! No pressure, but is there a better time for a fresh start? Most resolutions made in January are abandoned by mid-January, but resolving to take a fresh approach to your business taxes is one resolution you shouldn’t ignore. As a business owner, determining to address your taxes head-on will ultimately benefit you not only financially, but also mentally and physically when you meet those tax deadlines without the stress that too often accompanies paying the tax (wo)man. Taxes are confusing, over-
whelming, and often ignored until or beyond the last minute. Push aside the pressure and establish smart strategies to reduce your tax burden. Here are several of the many tax-saving strategies available to small-business owners. Set goals. Written goals will contribute to your success. If you measure them regularly and tweak as needed, you have a much better chance of achieving them. You won’t panic at the end of the year, facing a huge tax bill and looking for ways to reduce taxes that may not make sense for your business. For example, purchasing equipment may provide an
immediate deduction, but if it doesn’t align with a stated goal, you won’t be serving your company in the long haul. Stated goals provide the yardstick against which you can measure your tax-related decisions. Establish a strong team of advisers. You’ve heard it before but it cannot be emphasized too often: Successful small-business owners surround themselves with a strong team of advisers. These advisers provide guidance and wisdom that not only keep your business moving forward, but can also help you make decisions resulting in an advantageous tax position. Your advisory team should include an attorney, an
accountant, an insurance agent, and your local bank branch manager. Keep good records. Good record retention can save the day if you’re the lucky one chosen for an audit. Mileage and meals are two common expenses auditors examine closely. For each expense, document where you went, whom you met with, and two or three business points discussed. I recommend that you retain your records for at least six years and maintain a permanent file for critical paperwork. Implement an accountable plan for employee reimbursements. An accountable plan has four requirements: a substantiated
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business connection to the expense, submission of expenses within a reasonable time period (usually 60 days), prompt return of excess advances or reimbursements (usually 120 days), and advances issued no earlier than 30 days. Without an accountable plan, reimbursements are considered income — the employee must pay income tax and the employer pays payroll tax. With an accountable plan, employers avoid payroll taxes on employee reimbursements. Evaluate your retirement plan. Offering an employee retirement plan is a proven way to attract quality employees and improve employee retention, and employer’s matching contributions are tax deductible for the employer. Matching contributions offer tax benefits to employees as well — they do not pay income tax on the contributions like they would with an increase in pay. Maximize matching contributions to employee retirement plans and deduct the
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contributions. If you don’t offer a retirement plan, make it a goal to establish one in 2020. Pay estimated taxes on time … and online. It takes dedicated discipline to set aside the money needed for estimated taxes when those quarterly deadlines roll around. It can be tempting to draw from that reserve if cash gets tight or if the deadline comes during a slow season with reduced cash flow. You can set up an account with the IRS to pay your estimated taxes online, at any time, not just on the deadlines. You can establish monthly payments to maintain your discipline, pay a larger amount if you land a big project, or time larger payments when seasonal cash flow is higher. Being disciplined about estimated taxes will allow you to meet your tax obligation, avoid paying late penalties, and help you manage cash flow. Take advantage of a 20% tax break. The Qualified Business
~ January 2020 | BUSINESSWoman
Income tax deduction allows business owners to deduct up to 20% of qualified business income. Owners may take the deduction if they have taxable income under $157,500 as a single filer and $315,000 if filing married. Different rules apply beyond those income limits and for specified business trades, such doctors, lawyers, and accountants. This is one area where your business structure can make a critical difference. If you are a sole proprietor or LLC and recognize $100,000 in profit, you can write off $20,000 (20%) and pay taxes on the remaining $80,000. If you are an S corp and recognize the same $100,000 profit but you have drawn a $60,000 salary, you have reduced your qualified business income to $40,000, creating a 20% deduction of $8,000. Taxes are certainly not the only consideration in determining corporate structure, but it may be financially prudent to weigh the differences. Talk with your
accountant about the Qualified Business Income tax deduction and how it applies to you. Invest in an Opportunity Zone. An Opportunity Zone is a designated low-income or undercapitalized community. Individuals or corporations with unrealized capital gains can reap three benefits from investing in a qualified Opportunity Zone project: tax deferral on initial capital gains, an increase of the basis of the initial investment, and if the investment is held for 10 years, appreciation is tax-free. Opportunity Zone investments are an amazing opportunity, but they aren’t for everyone. Talk to your accountant about the potential benefit to you. • Michelle Davis is the owner of Accountabilities Inc., which provides comprehensive accounting services, including tax preparation and planning, to small businesses. Michelle can be reached at 717.919.7602 or mdavis@acctable.com.
CAREER
Women Impact Philanthropy More Directly with Giving Circles By BARBARA TRAININ BLANK
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omen are increasingly going their own way in charitable endeavors. This is reflected in women’s giving circles, groups of women who create a common bond by coming together for a higher good. One woman may not always see the effect of a single donation, but a giving circle can make a significant impact through multiple or sustained donations. Central Pennsylvania boasts several women’s giving circles. One is at the Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development in Lancaster,
which offers speech, physical, and occupational therapy, all outpatient, for kids from birth to age 21. “We also have integrated (kids of varying abilities) daycare and preschool programs, social service programs, and parent classes,” said Susan Fisher, volunteer coordinator. Called Edna’s Angels after Edna Schreiber, the center’s first director, the giving circle was started in 2008 by Sarah Ann Fisher and two staff members. They were motivated by the tough financial times and aimed to harness collective giving power to support special
projects not included in the general budget. “This is an organization of likeminded women who have a direct impact, with no bureaucracy,” said Fisher. “They truly see where the money goes. The money collected is used within a few months, so the impact of the funds and decisions is immediately seen.” The annual membership is $250 — and ideas. Last year, Edna’s Angels paid for furnishings of a calming/quiet room and funded softplay equipment for clients with gross motor skills; they also purchased activity gym equipment and technology for the speech department. “As Schreiber continues to expand and grow in numbers, so does the [need for] available technology,” said Fisher. Another Women’s Giving Circle is at Hospice & Community Care, which has facilities in Lancaster, Mount Joy, and York. Hospice & Community Care provides medical, emotional, and spiritual support for individuals
and families who are coping with a life-limiting illness. Hospice care focuses on comfort for individuals of all ages with any serious illness who have weeks or months rather than years to live. The organization’s Pathways Center for Grief & Loss provides grief services to adults, teens, and children who have lost a loved one, even if their loved one was not cared for by Hospice & Community Care. Thanks to the support of the community and the Women’s Giving Circle, no patient or family is turned away based on their ability to pay. “The Women’s Giving Circle was created in 2004 by 24 compassionate women who wanted to support Hospice in a meaningful way,” said Amy Lewis, director of philanthropy of the organization. The Women’s Giving Circle provides interested women with the unique opportunity to pool their individual, annual contribution of $500 and have a greater impact by investing in programs and services that build and strengthen
hospice-related programs through the power of joint contributions. “The Women’s Giving Circle also provides women with opportunities for education and to foster and develop women’s capacity for philanthropic leadership,” Lewis added. The circle has raised more than $500,000 since 2004 to support 164 Hospice & Community Care programs and projects. Currently, the circle has 155 members, and in 2019 it awarded $77,500 in grant requests, including:
Funding for the Inpatient Extended Stay Fund – This fund provides patients and families valuable time to focus on what is most important to them without the added burden of inpatient room and board fees when insurance no longer covers this service and patients and families do not have the financial resources to pay. Funding for the Clinical Patient Special Needs Fund – Hospice & Community Care is taking care of patients who are younger, sicker, and without access to a steady
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income and are often left to fall through the cracks. These funds are used to buy medications, pay the electric bill of an oxygen-dependent patient, provide translation services or a sign language interpreter, and purchase specialized medical equipment for a pediatric patient whose comfort depends upon that specialized equipment, just to name a few examples. Coping Kids & Teens Program supplies – This program helps children, teens, and families learn about loss, develop coping skills, and build self-confidence through fun-filled activities in a safe environment. Since children grieve differently from adults, they may use play or creative activities, such as drawing or writing, to express their grief. Dementia Resource kits – These kits, containing mechanical cats and dogs, baby dolls, puzzles, magazines, books, and weighted and fidget blankets, serve as a way of
enhancing staff and volunteer interactions. Volunteers and staff use the kits to facilitate meaningful conversations with dementia patients, as well as to reduce anxiety and agitation. This funding allows for the creation of dementia resource stations at all Hospice locations, including Lancaster, York, and Mount Joy. Women can join Hospice & Community Care’s Women’s Giving Circle at any time throughout the year by visiting www.hospicecommunity. org. The Lancaster General Health Foundation started with an original group of charter members in 2006 and is headed by Kate Mullen, senior development officer. “The circle is meant to give women the opportunity to come together for philanthropic investment and to vote on which programs will
Edna’s Angels
Schreiber’s Women’s Giving Circle Providing equipment and devices used every day in Schreiber’s world-class therapy departments. Passionate about our mission. Generous in supporting our work. Please join us to learn more about Edna’s Angels, Schreiber’s Women’s Giving Circle, and how you can make a difference in the community. Tuesday, February 11th, 11:30 a.m. Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development 625 Community Way, Lancaster
Join Edna’s Angels today and make a difference.
SchreiberPediatric.org 10
~ January 2020 | BUSINESSWoman
benefit the institution,” said Mullen. One circle meeting a year is dedicated to hearing from staff about projects/programs that need grant funding; others are devoted to educational/informative speakers about diverse health and wellness topics. “There’s also a social aspect, so women in the circle can get to know each other,” said Mullen. The grant proposals are vetted through the foundation’s leadership, and the proposals are then shared with the giving circle membership for review. Usually they’re connected to women’s and children’s initiatives, such as the neonatal program (NICU), community health education, pediatrics, children’s alliance, and women with cancer. Membership then votes on which proposals they feel should receive the available funding, said Mullen. The annual membership fee is $250. The number of circle members fluctuates but is typically 50. Another giving circle is housed at the York County Community Foundation, said Carolyn Warman, consultant. Carolyn Steinhauser founded the circle in 2002, with the goal of “bringing together a diverse group of women to work together through strategic philanthropy. The mission is to build a community of thoughtful, effective philanthropists,” said Warman. The group learns a lot about an
issue or cause and works with others to address it — sometimes requesting competitive grant applications. Current investment priorities are urban revitalization/healthy neighborhoods and education. Noting an increasing crime rate in the area, circle members met with the police chief. The circle partnered with Kinsley construction, York County Builders Association, York Habitat for Humanity, and neighborhood volunteers to pay for more than 300 safety gates that were installed to secure alleyways that otherwise would provide cover for drug dealers and escape routes for people running from the police. The result was a 79% decrease in crime in that area. The circle likes to put money into leverage, such as the York Academy Regional Charter School, which decided to add an intergenerational BA program and now has 850 students K-12. “The giving circle donated $15,000 to fund the charter application,” said Warman. The circle has about 80 members. Dues are $500 annually for junior members and $1,000 for senior members. According to the Philanthropy Women website, giving in the circle form is happening now more than ever, much of it driven by women. Catalist, a national network of women’s giving circles representing thousands of donors, adds that the collective giving movement has grown slowly but steadily over 25 years. Much of the giving is focused on the needs of women and girls and aims to advance social change.
CAREER
Women Have Come a Long Way but Still Face Career Obstacles Don’t Let it Defeat You; Let it Mobilize You Instead By KIMBERLY BLAKER
F
or more than a century, women have fought for fair and equal treatment in the workplace. It’s been no simple feat, but heroic efforts by female reformers throughout history have brought us monumental change. They deserve enormous credit for the path they’ve carved to the vast career opportunities afforded to women today. It all began in 1909 with a strike known as the Uprising of the 20,000, led by the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union and activist Clara Lemlich. The successful strike resulted in a settlement between factory owners and the National Women’s Trade Union League of America. This brought the union women improved pay, hours, and working conditions. Progress outside that industry was slow, however. It wasn’t until 1943 when the tide started to change. Because so many men were overseas fighting in World War II, American companies were desperate to fill job vacancies. So the government created a campaign to encourage women to enter the workforce. That’s when the Rosie the Riveter poster was born. It became the cultural icon of the era for women’s empowerment as women filled formerly male-dominated positions in shipyards and the aircraft industry. Despite the opportunity it provided women, they earned only 59% of the wages paid to men. Unfortunately, the work opportunities for women were short lived. As men returned from the
war, women had to give up their jobs to make room for men to reenter the workforce. A couple of decades later, though, women saw real headway toward lasting progress. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission was created, outlawing workplace discrimination. Initially, gender discrimination wasn’t even included in the bill. That all changed on Feb. 8, 1964, when the bill was debated on the House floor. Congressman Howard Smith, a segregationist, recommended adding the word “sex” to the groups protected by the act. Historians believe Smith intended it as a joke or hoped it would doom the
bill, but he was mistaken. The House accepted the amendment, and on July 2, the law was enacted. As a result, women’s career opportunities expanded to unlimited possibility. Today, workplace bias continues, and women still are not 100% on par with men when it comes to equal pay and advancement. But over the past half-century, the gap has been significantly reduced. Career Obstacles in the 21st Century Despite progress, women do continue to face career hurdles. A common problem many women experience is lack of support at home, either to pursue a career or further it. Overall, men are much more supportive of women’s career
ambitions than in the past. Still, many believe women’s place is in the home raising their family. Even many men who don’t hold such outdated notions don’t pick up the slack at home by sharing equally in household and parenting responsibilities. As a result, women who do enter the workforce often lack the time and energy to dedicate to career pursuits. Women also lack support in the workplace for motherhood. Several laws do prohibit family responsibilities discrimination. These include the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act, among others.
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But because of biases toward mothers, women are often held back from leadership roles. This results from the inaccurate perception that mothers are less competent or committed than men, also known as “the motherhood penalty.” The different standards women are held to is underscored in a recent survey. Modern Family Index 2018 by Bright Horizons found 75% of respondents believe working fathers are dedicated to their careers. Yet only 59% of respondents believe working mothers are dedicated. Respondents also indicated they think fathers can manage their responsibilities “without being stretched too thin” better than mothers can. Today, women represent 46.9% of the labor workforce, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and 57.1% of women participate in it. However, women’s participation is declining. In 1999, it had peaked at 60%. It’s projected to be at only 51.9% in 2060. According to a March 13,
2019, report, “Women, Automation, and the Future of Work” by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, the reason for the decline is that job automation puts women’s jobs at risk in industries that are becoming automated. Where Women are Making Gains Despite continued pay inequality, there are occupations where women earn more than men, according to the BLS. These include medical assistants; order clerks; electrical engineers; management in the farming, ranching, and agriculture industries; and yes, even construction laborers, to name a few. Another exciting area of progress is that more women are entering the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), according to a study by LinkedIn. Some of the occupations seeing significant growth in women’s involvement include architects, physicists, test development engineers, and technical salespersons. The study also found the
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~ January 2020 | BUSINESSWoman
| Harrisburg, PA
industries with the highest increases in female leadership hires are public safety, hardware and networking, entertainment, manufacturing, and software and IT services. Women-owned businesses have also seen substantial growth. According to the 2018 “State of Women-Owned Businesses Report,” commissioned by American Express, overall business growth was only 12% from 2007 to 2018. But womenowned businesses grew by 58% during that period. Women now own 40% of all privately held firms. These are just a few of the monumental occupational and business gains women have seen in recent years. Eight Characteristics of Successful Women One way women can level out the playing field for themselves is to understand the characteristics of successful women and strive to emulate them. Several traits are common among women who succeed. As you read through the traits, let them inspire you. You can practice as you read. After reading each characteristic, close your eyes, visualize yourself with that trait, and notice the positivity and confidence it stimulates. If you feel you lack in any of the characteristics, choose one or two to focus on developing. Positive attitude. Successful women are positive. They see possibility even when faced with challenge or adversity. Their positive attitude creates a positive environment and reduces stress. This results in improved relationships, teamwork, customer relations, and even health. Ambition. Women who succeed are ambitious. They have desires and dreams to achieve or attain. Whether they want to earn a degree, pursue a particular career, start a business, or change the world, they seek it. Ambition gives women the drive to go for their goals and build a meaningful life. Confidence. Women who achieve are confident. They don’t
doubt their abilities; they’re sure of them. That confidence gives them the strength to go for their dreams and helps them achieve peak performance. It provides women the social ease and enthusiasm to influence others, leading to greater opportunity. Perseverance. Because of their positive attitude and ambition, successful women can persevere. They’re able to move forward and overcome roadblocks or achieve what they set their sights on. Love to learn. Successful women have a strong desire to learn continually. They’re not satisfied to acquire a desired skill or earn their degree and be done. They realize there’s always more to learn and build upon what they already know. This increases their chances for success and can take them to a higher level. Good work ethic. Accomplished women recognize the value of a good work ethic. They’re dedicated, take responsibility, and work hard to do their job right and see it to completion. Their work ethic provides them more career opportunities because employers recognize and value this quality. This can open doors within your current company or when applying for a position elsewhere. Assertiveness. Another essential feature of successful women is they’re assertive. But they also know when and how to use their assertiveness. Successful women recognize there are unfair workplace biases against female assertiveness. So, they’re careful to pick their battles and choose their words wisely, mastering assertiveness to their benefit. Failure is a four-letter word. Women who succeed don’t believe in failure. Defeat and failure are not in their vocabulary. They recognize every effort may not produce the results they intended. But they go by the motto “to try is to succeed,” because one cannot succeed without trying.
PANDAS Disorder Isn’t Cute or Cuddly By CHERYL MAGUIRE
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immunoglobulin or an oral steroid. There has been debate among doctors and researchers on whether PANDAS is even a real disorder. Alison Motluk wrote an article, “A Feverish Debate,” that details the controversy surrounding the diagnosis of PANDAS. Motluck wrote, “Skeptics
argued that these findings could be coincidental: The children just happened to have strep when the behavioral symptoms appeared.” She also notes that a research study was conducted in 2002 found “there was no evidence that strep uniquely intensified the symptoms in PANDAS kids.”
James Leckman, a psychiatrist at Yale University, questioned the validity of this study in regard to the subjects and control group. I interviewed Ella (names changed for privacy), a 12-yearold girl who was diagnosed with PANDAS at age 8. Her mother, Christine, also answered questions
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hen you read the word PANDAS, you probably envisioned a cute, cuddly animal native to China. Unfortunately, there is nothing cute or cuddly about the acronym PANDAS, which stands for Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections. The disorder was first identified in an article by Dr. Susan E. Swedo and her team at NIMH in 1998. According to NIH, a child with PANDAS experiences emotional symptoms such as irritability, separation anxiety, ADHD symptoms, sleep disturbances, bed wetting, fine motor changes, joint pain, concentration difficulties, loss of academic abilities, and developmental regression. PANDAS is considered an autoimmune or autoinflammatory disease in response to the strep infection. Streptococcus, the bacteria that causes strep throat, is also linked to other autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatic fever and scarlet fever. In the case of PANDAS, the person’s immune system attacks brain cells, causing OCD, tics, and other emotional symptoms. It is unknown why only some children develop this disorder. It is a rare condition with only about 2,000 children diagnosed, although it’s possible some children have it and are not properly identified. The treatment for PANDAS depends on the severity of the disease. In mild cases, antibiotics are prescribed to treat the strep infection. In most cases, this will get rid of the OCD or other symptoms. In more severe cases, children are given a combination of antibiotics along with immunomodulatory therapy, like an intravenous
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regarding their experience. Before you were diagnosed, did you know about PANDAS? Christine and Ella: No. How old were you when you first experienced symptoms? Ella: I don’t really remember; I think I was in kindergarten. Christine: She was around 5 years old when she first started getting strep throat. She would get strep throat and then go on antibiotics. Then the strep throat would come back again once she was done with the antibiotics. Sometimes we didn’t even know she had strep since she didn’t have a sore throat. Her only symptoms were a headache and stomachache. What were your PANDAS symptoms? Ella: I don’t remember much about it. Christine: Ella had a lot of OCD symptoms. She had to wash her hands all the time. She washed her hands so much they would bleed. Ella: And I used hand sanitizer a lot. Christine: At bedtime everything had to be in order. The closet door had to be the same as when she left it before. The comforter on the bed had to be in the same position. All her toys and books had to be in order. At night she would also have temper tantrums that didn’t seem to be set off by anything. It was an extreme rage. One time she even tried to push me down the stairs. How long did it take to receive a PANDAS diagnosis? Christine: It took at least two years until I first heard of the diagnosis of PANDAS. The nurse at the pediatrician’s office was the first person to mention it as a possibility. My pediatrician at the time did not think PANDAS was a real disorder, though. He said, “People will try to make money off of anything.” He acted like I was crazy when I suggested it. We even started counseling for Ella since the pediatrician didn’t think her
behaviors were related to the strep throat. When she was 8 years old, we ended up going to an ENT who didn’t know much about PANDAS but also didn’t act like I was crazy for suggesting it as my pediatrician did. The ENT recommended that she get her tonsils out, and then she only got strep once after the tonsils were removed. Around this time we also switched to a new pediatrician who diagnosed her with PANADAS and was supportive of her treatment. When she got strep after having her tonsils out, the pediatrician put her on antibiotics for a month. What was the treatment? Christine: When Ella took the antibiotics, her PANDAS symptoms went away. The problem was, before she got her tonsils out, she kept getting strep throat, and a lot of times we didn’t even know she had strep throat, so the PANDAS symptoms would continue until she had the antibiotics. Do you still experience symptoms? Christine and Ella: No. What advice would you offer for other families? Christine: This experience was life changing for us as a family. It was upsetting when we didn’t know she had PANDAS, and then when we thought she might have it, our pediatrician at the time didn’t believe in the disorder. It was difficult to have to watch your child deal with mental health issues. I would say to other families to trust your gut when you think there is something wrong. I also found an advocacy group, which was really helpful in answering my questions, called New England PANS/PANDAS Association. • Cheryl Maguire holds a Master of Counseling Psychology degree. She is married and is the mother of twins and a daughter. Her writing has been published in The New York Times, Parents Magazine, Upworthy, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Count Your Blessings, and Your Teen Magazine. You can find her at Twitter@CherylMaguire05.
In Pursuit of the Big 5 By MARIA V. SNYDER
roof kept the hot afternoon sun off. We were shown to our “tents.” Yes, it had canvas walls and netting to keep the bugs out, but this was the definition of glamping. The foundation was wood and there was a king-sized bed, lights, and a bathroom with a shower. We didn’t have time to enjoy the accommodations, though; Mott was eager to take us for the evening game drive. The wildlife was most active at dusk/evenings and dawn/early mornings when it was cooler. Soon after the drive started, our daughter spotted the first of many animals we would see that night — a giraffe! He was just standing there by the road, eating from a tree and unconcerned about us gaping and clicking a million photos of him. Mott assured us that the animals viewed the jeeps as large blobs and don’t see the tasty morsels — er, people — inside, as long as we remained seated and were quiet. From there we saw an amazing amount of impalas, zebras, kudu, wildebeests, meerkats, warthogs, baboons, wild dogs, jackals, hyenas, hippos, and crocodiles. Each new animal was a wonder to be exclaimed over. We learned impalas and zebras stay together because impalas have sharp eyesight and zebras have a keen sense of smell, so together they could spot predators better. Also, if they were all looking in the same direction, it was a good bet a predator was lurking in that area. Even with all these wonderful animals, Mott hoped we saw what is called the big five: lions,
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ur adventure to Botswana started with the desire to go on an African photo safari. We soon discovered there were too many safari choices, so we decided to consult with an expert and used Zicasso to find a travel agent who specialized in African safaris. It’s a wonderful site that connects people to agents, and soon Intrepid Expeditions contacted us. They recommended we go to the Okavango Delta in Botswana, and they arranged our entire tour. The Okavango Delta is in the northwestern corner of the country and is a World Heritage Site. It’s the largest inland delta in the world and hosts countless species of animals and birds. Also, Botswana has banned all hunting in the country and has focused on conservation and tourism, which appealed to us. After two days of traveling, we arrived at the Gomoti Plains Camp, and Mott, our driver and guide, met us along with the scent of African wild sage — a lovely, earthy fragrance laced with a spicy/sweet pine aroma that I’ve come to associate with Botswana. As I surveyed the bush surrounding us — long wild grasses, clumps of bushes, scraggly trees, and large termite mounds that resembled drippy sand castles — I wondered if the two days of travel and 18 hours crammed in a plane were worth it. Mott drove us to the camp in the jeep we would become very familiar with over the next six days. It was open on the sides with risers so everyone had a good view. The
Our accommodations.
Okavango River
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African buffalo
Zebras
elephants, leopards, rhinos, and African buffaloes. In order to achieve this, the guides frequently communicated with each other, and when a guide spotted one of the five, he called the others. At one point, Mott received a call that a lion was spotted. He turned the jeep around and took off at what we — hanging on for dear life — called “lion speed” to get there before the lion left. The bumpy ride that ensued was considered an “African massage” by the locals. Unfortunately we missed seeing him, but on another game drive, we spotted a pair of brothers. They were calmly walking down the road, ignoring the jeep following them. We parked across the road to see them better. I had a perfect view of them from my side. They were coming straight at me. Wait. They. Were. Coming. Straight. At. Me! I gasped involuntarily. Mott offered me the advice to “just keep taking pictures.” So I did, watching them come closer and closer through the lens of my camera. Although, I have to admit the photos of the lions when they passed right by our jeep — when they were close enough that I could touch them! — are all blurry. The game drives took up the bulk of the day in camp. There were four-hour drives, one starting at 6 a.m. and another that started at 4 p.m. It was very cold in the morning, but the camp provided warm ponchos and “bush babies” hot water bottles that provided heat. The afternoons were free, and at first we napped, but we soon adjusted and were able to enjoy the peaceful surroundings. During the day, we could go to our tent without an escort, but at night, one of the guides accompanied us. Once there, we
were stuck. There was no phone, and we couldn’t leave. Well, we could, if we wanted to risk becoming lion food. We had an air horn, however, in case of an emergency (two blasts for a medical issue, one for an animal). One night, we heard loud crunching and splashing noises from outside, so we turned off all our lights, thinking we might spot a pod of hippos. Our tent was right along the Gomoti River. Much to our disappointment, we couldn’t see anything. However, our tent no longer had water, but we didn’t think it warranted the use of the air horn. The next morning we learned a herd of elephants had crossed through the camp and stomped on the water pipes. Such was life in the bush. My favorite ritual of the trip was during the evening game drive. After two hours, we stopped for a “sundowner.” The guide unpacked drinks and snacks to consume as we watched the sunset over the Okavango Delta. It was lovely and peaceful. In fact, the quiet was one of the highlights. There were plenty of animal sounds, like trumpeting elephants and the low rumble/grunt from the lions who marked their territory with the sound. But no traffic noise, cellphones, and wailing sirens. After the evening drive, dinner was served under the stars. I’ve never seen so many stars in my life. The sky contained more white than black, as there was no air or light pollution to block the starlight. By the end of our trip, we spotted the big five, along with hundreds of other animals and birds. It was a fantastic experience and worth the 18 hours of flights. In fact, I would return to Botswana at lion speed.
Some helpful websites: • Okavango Delta: www.okavangodelta.com • Zicasso: www.zicasso.com • Intrepid Expeditions: https://intrepidexpeditions.com • Conde Nast Traveler: www.cntraveler.com/story/howto-plan-your-first-safari-in-botswana
Lions on our path.
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Must-read book! Whatever You Do, Don’t Run: True Tales of a Botswana Safari Guide, by Peter Allison.
Don’t Overlook These Tax-Savings Tips By BARRY SPARKS
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Fund your retirement accounts. Your Social Security income won’t sustain you in retirement. You will need additional income. Leese suggests individuals consider making contributions to a traditional IRA or a Roth IRA. Contributions can be made until April 15, 2020, and count toward your 2019 tax savings. The maximum contribution is $6,000 for those 49 and under and $7,000 for people 50 and older. The thresholds are based on modified adjusted gross income. A traditional IRA provides a current tax deduction while allowing the money to grow tax-deferred. When distributions are taken, they become taxable at that time. A Roth IRA is funded with aftertaxes money, such as your savings or tax refund. The distribution and earnings growth can be withdrawn tax free.
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o one knows exactly how much Americans are short-changing themselves when it comes to filing their income taxes. Certainly, it’s millions of dollars. Failure to take advantage of tax-saving measures is a costly oversight. “Individuals have more opportunities to save on their taxes than they generally realize,” says Barbara Leese, a CPA with Gift CPAs in Lancaster. “And, while some tax-saving tips are well known, they are not always used.” Leese offers some tax-saving tips that can help you keep more money in your pocket:
Contribute to your company’s 401(k). Individuals ages 49 and younger can contribute up to $19,000 per year, while those 50 and older can contribute a maximum of $25,000 per year. Contributions have to be made before the end of the year. The total of the employee contribution and employer match is limited to $56,000 for those 49 and under and $62,000 for individuals 50 and older. If you are self-employed with no employees, you could set up a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) plan and put in up to $56,000.
Contribute to a Health Savings Account. You can use pre-tax dollars to fund your HSA. In order for an individual to contribute to a HSA, he or she must be enrolled in a high-deductible health plan and meet the minimum deductible and maximum out-of-pocket expenses. Maximum contributions are $3,500 for individuals and $7,000 for families. HSA participants age 55 or older can contribute additional catchup contributions. Other thresholds can be found on the IRS website and by searching “Revenue procedure 2018-30.”
Make charitable donations. Donations to qualified charities are tax-deductible expenses. You must, however, itemize your tax deductions to claim them. This is typically only in your best interest if the total of all your itemized deductions exceeds the amount of the standard deduction ($12,200 for individuals and $24,400 for families). “More people take the standard deduction than itemize,” points out Leese. One area that is often neglected, according to Leese, is donating part of your RMD (required minimum
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distribution) from a traditional IRA to a qualified charity. “RMD is normally taxable,” she says. “But you can donate all or part of it to charity. If you do, however, it must go directly to the charity. It can’t go into your pocket first and then to charity.” Another tax-saving measure is contributions via the Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC). These two Pennsylvania state programs support scholarships for low-income students at tuition-based schools. They allow individuals to receive tax credits of up to 90% of the donation. Consider possible tax credits. Leese suggests individuals check to see if they are eligible for the Child Tax Credit or the Elderly Dependent Care Credit. The Child Tax Credit provides a credit of $2,000 per qualifying child (16 and under) with $1,400 refundable. That means that even if the parents end up owing no taxes, or
“
Filing your income taxes can be a hassle. It’s a task often accompanied by stress, confusion, frustration, and the uncertainty of whether you are maximizing your deductions. That’s why Leese says it’s so important to use professionals to file your income taxes.
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owing less than $1,400, up to that amount can be received as a tax (credit) refund, if the child and parent both qualify. Children 17 and older may qualify as another dependent and be eligible for a $500 tax credit, which is nonrefundable. The Child Tax Credit is phased out for high-income families, as it was intended to help low- to middle-income workers.
New Year New You
Semi-Private and Private Yoga In our classes, we combine thoughtful sequencing, a dose of inspiration, and a spirit of playfulness to help you deepen your practice and awareness of your body. We seek to help others in nurturing their body, mind, and soul with yoga.
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119 Oakridge Drive • Mountville, PA 17554 • 717-419-4766 www.emergenceskincarestudio.com
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The Elderly Dependent Care Credit is a tax credit for expenses an individual or family incurs for the care of a dependent (or other qualified relative) so that the taxpayer(s) are free to work or actively search for a job. Home care or adult daycare costs are examples of expenses that are eligible for this credit. “There is a fair amount of confusion about the difference
between a tax credit and a tax deduction,” says Leese. “A tax credit directly offsets against your tax liability, while a tax deduction lowers your taxable income. A tax credit is more valuable than a tax deduction.” For example, if you’re in the 25% bracket, a $1,000 deduction lowers your taxes by $250. A $1,000 credit lowers your tax bill by the full $1,000. Filing your income taxes can be a hassle. It’s a task often accompanied by stress, confusion, frustration, and the uncertainty of whether you are maximizing your deductions. That’s why Leese says it’s so important to use professionals to file your income taxes. “CPAs are certified public accountants,” she says. “We are up to date on the most recent tax laws, and we are required to have 80 hours of continuing education every two years. We can see potential for more savings, now and in the future. We develop relationships with our clients.”
Our hope is that the practice you develop on mat will transfer off mat, leaving you feeling nourished, balanced, and refreshed. Breathe@LittleYogaPlace.com www.LittleYogaPlace.com facebook.com/ LittleYogaPlace 717-471-8328 Landisville, PA
Scoring Your Health Goals By SANDRA GORDON
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grandchild’s plate. If you think this seems precise, you’re right. “To be successful, your goal has to be specific,” Norcross says. Next, plan a healthier substitute for any behaviors you’re trying to eliminate; for example, drink tea with lemon instead of a calorie-laden Frappuccino. If your goal is to quit smoking, anticipate how you’re going to control your weight (an 8-pound weight gain is de rigueur) and how you’re going to relax instead of smoking, since anxiety can be a side effect. While you’re in the prep stage, troubleshoot. “Dig deep to weed out the behavior changes you’d like to make that don’t match your values or your lifestyle,” suggests Susan Head, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist specializing in weight management. Before vowing to jog every morning, ask yourself why you haven’t done that before and anticipate how this change is going to affect your life. Will it disrupt your work schedule? Does your household get up too early for you to get a morning jog in? If your resolutions aren’t a good fit for your schedule, lifestyle, or personality, tweak them until they are. chances of New Year’s resolution success. Stage 1: Prep Time Start by taking a few minutes to clearly define a realistic and measurable goal. Rather than trying to get model thin or down to what you weighed in high school, set a modest goal of losing just 10% of your body weight in six
months (that’s what research shows works for most of us). For example, you could create a 500-calorie-a-day deficit by burning 250 calories by logging steps on your pedometer and cutting 250 calories from your diet by, say, switching to skim milk, nixing your midday Frappuccino, and stopping yourself from polishing off the macaroni and cheese on your
Stage 2: Take Action Once you have a measurable, realistic, and doable goal and a healthy surrogate for any habit you’re trying to give up, you’re ready to just do it, right? Not exactly. Check the timing. If you’re changing jobs, moving, or otherwise going through any other major life transition, put off implementing your New Year’s resolution until the dust settles. Habit change takes
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egardless of your goals — to pay down credit card bills, get along with your mother-in-law, lose a few pounds — these three steps will help make your New Year’s resolution a reality. If you’re like nearly 50% of Americans, you’ll make at least one New Year’s resolution on Jan. 1, most likely involving your health, money, or improving a relationship. But research shows that many of us abandon our resolutions shortly thereafter. How can you avoid being part of that daunting statistic? John C. Norcross, Ph.D., co-author of Changing for Good, knows how. He and his colleagues spent $40 million in federal research grants, following thousands of people for up to two years to learn what works — and what doesn’t — when it comes to behavior change. All told, it’s never as simple as, say, pledging to lose 10 pounds while clink-clinking your champagne flute as the televised ball descends on Times Square. In fact, such carefree goal setting, however motivated at the moment, is a setup for failure. You can create a self-defeating pattern of making half-hearted resolutions, failing, and then feeling as if that’s evidence you won’t be able to change your behavior in the future, says Norcross. A better bet: Plot out your New Year’s resolutions and realize that sustained behavior change doesn’t happen overnight. Rather, it occurs in a series of three methodical and sequential stages. Follow them and you’ll greatly increase your
your environment so old behaviors don’t tempt you. If weight loss is your goal, spend time with active people by, for example, signing up for an exercise class at your local gym, and avoid highfat restaurants, like steakhouses, at least temporarily. During the action stage, which typically lasts two to six months, you’ll also need to implement that long-term healthy substitute you planned for, such as taking swigs from your water bottle instead of reaching for a regular soda or opting for another caffeine/ sugar fix. You’ll also want to avoid a saintor-sinner mentality. That is, when you lapse into old behaviors (don’t kid yourself, you will), don’t fall prey into thinking, Well, I overate/ drank too much/had an argument with my mother-in-law; I might as well give up. That’s demoralizing and demotivating. Instead, simply get right back to your new routine. “Recognize that you’re not
Wellness
physical and emotional energy. “It’s hard work,” says life coach Mary Kaye Sawyer-Morse, Ph.D. “Your life should pretty much be a clean slate before you set those resolutions in motion,” Norcross adds. If you can’t give your resolutions the energy they deserve until your birthday, Valentine’s Day, or Memorial Day, so be it. “There’s nothing magical about Jan. 1,” he says. When your life is relatively calm, you’re ready to plunge in and actually make the resolutions you’ve been planning. Go for it — but be sure to reward yourself frequently so you’ll keep up the good behavior. After a week of not smoking and trying your hand at meditation to calm your nerves, for example, treat yourself to a massage. “Successful people reward themselves for not only keeping the resolution, but also engaging in the behaviors that get them there,” Norcross says. While you’re at it, try to control
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infallible and that the healthy regimen isn’t over; it has just been waylaid. A slip doesn’t need to become a fall. A lapse doesn’t need to become a relapse,” Norcross says. And pat yourself on the back each day you follow through. For example, “just one day of making good diet and exercise choices, such as taking a walk with your kids and not having your daily pack of pick-me-up M&Ms, can boost your enthusiasm and self-esteem,” Head says. Stage 3: Maintenance At this end-of-the-line stage of behavior change, your New Year’s resolutions are reality. The weight is off; you’ve quit smoking; you’re buttoning your lip around your mother-in-law. You get the idea. Time to kick up your feet, right? Not exactly. In most cases, like weight loss, for example, you may be able to slack off a bit (and eat slightly more since you’re no longer cutting calories). Still, to avoid reverting back to your old ways,
you’ll need to continue everything you were doing in the action stage: rewards, environmental control, opting for a healthy substitute, and snapping back after a slip. That is, unless you’re among the select few who reach the final, be-all, end-all stage of behavior change: termination. At this utopian juncture, your former, lessthan-healthy habits feel as foreign to you as your new habits once did. The problem behavior you’re controlling is no longer tempting, and you’re confident across numerous situations — at home, at work, in restaurants, on vacation, whatever. Congratulations: You’ve developed a new lifestyle. Sound too easy? Unfortunately, for many of us, stage three is as far as we get. “Everyone can reach home, but whether you’re home free is yet to be determined. Plan to keep up the good work of habit change. For many of us, it’s a lifetime of maintenance,” Norcross says.
Stalker on the Prowl:
My Narrow Escape and a Lesson for All Women on Personal Safety By KIMBERLY BLAKER
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behind me and locked it. Slowly, Terry aroused. Gasping for breath, I hurriedly relayed what happened. When Terry realized I was serious, he leaped out of bed and darted to the living room. But no one was there; the front door was closed and the living room unscathed. A quick search proved the intruder was gone. For a moment, I felt dazed and confused, wondering if I had dreamt the whole event. All was so calm and undisturbed. Yet, I knew it was real. Trembling, I tried to compose myself and called the police. Within a short few minutes, I noticed the apartment security guard walking toward our unit. Quietly, he pointed to a black pickup truck
parked directly in front of my apartment. It appeared empty. Moments later, an officer arrived at the scene. He held up his badge and hollered toward the truck: “Put your hands in the air, and step out of the truck.” Suddenly, the intruder popped up into the driver’s seat. The officer quickly moved toward the front of the truck. The suspect revved the engine and then floored it. The truck plummeted, knocking the officer to the ground and swiping the car parked in front of it, catapulting the truck into a tree. By now, more officers had arrived on the scene. A brief search of the truck by the police turned up the knife, which I readily identified. The intruder was
handcuffed and taken away. It wasn’t until I was on my way to the police station that I had a flashback. I remembered seeing the intruder’s face before. A few months earlier I had been ironing clothes in my kitchen when I heard scratching outside my kitchen window. I peeked through the closed blinds, and to my dismay, an older man wearing a ski cap was crouched below my window looking right up at me. I ran to my front door to make sure it was locked. Then, shaken by it, I called Terry at work and asked him to come home. But he assured me there must be a logical explanation. Sure enough, after the man was gone, I discovered a UPS package
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t was around 5 p.m. on New Year’s Eve when I heard a knock at my door. I expected company that evening, so I opened the door without much thought. To my surprise, it wasn’t my guests. Instead, a small-framed, clean-cut, graying man was standing in my entryway. For an odd moment, we both stood silently. Finally, he asked, “Are you Lynn?” “Sorry,” I replied, “you must have the wrong apartment.” “Are you the one selling your furniture?” he continued, gazing into my sparse, worn living room. “I’m afraid not. You must have the wrong apartment. Maybe you should try the manager’s office. They may be able to help you,” I suggested, pointing the direction of the clubhouse. I stepped back inside and politely waited for the lost man to leave. But he lingered. Just as I contemplated closing the door, he swiftly stepped in, flipping an oversized switchblade to my face. I instantly froze, staring in a trance into his eerie, steel-blue eyes that seemed to dance in jubilee. My mind raced for what seemed like minutes with my eyes locked on the queer expression on his face as I glimpsed the curvaceous 6-inch steel blade with my peripherals. Out of nowhere, I suddenly caught my breath and shrieked at the top of my lungs, “Terry, Terry, help!” as I darted to the bedroom where my fiancé was sleeping. Quickly, I slammed the door
Wellness
outside my door. Although the man wasn’t in UPS uniform and wore a ski cap on a hot Houston summer day, I had to assume he had been delivering the package. It never occurred to me at the time he might have been a stalker learning my identity from the package. About a month following the package incident, I received a strange phone call after Terry left for work one day. The caller made me play guessing games to figure out who I was talking to. He sounded a little like one of Terry’s co-workers, so I guessed, “Dave from Terry’s shop?” He affirmed and explained he had hoped to catch Terry before work. Still, Dave continued the conversation with me. Over the next several days, his calls continued after Terry left for work. Dave was getting to know me more with each phone call. He also became increasingly flirtatious. After a week, I started growing suspicious the caller wasn’t Dave. So I asked the caller a couple of trick questions. My suspicion was confirmed. I immediately hung up and quit taking the calls. Finally, the calls ceased. But by that point, the caller knew plenty about me, including both Terry’s routine and mine. The next odd event occurred a few weeks later. I came home from work one day and discovered a shoebox of my memorabilia spilled on my closet floor. It had been stored on a high shelf and hadn’t been touched in months. Someone had to have disturbed it. I phoned Terry, but he assured me he hadn’t been home. I was shaken, knowing the box couldn’t have fallen on its own.
So I started checking windows. To my dismay, the one next to the closet was unlatched. This also made no sense because we had been running the air conditioner continuously and never opened the windows. Ever since spotting the man under my kitchen window and the strange phone calls, I had begun routinely checking the window locks. I grew uneasy and was sure someone had been in the apartment. As those strange events of the recent months unfolded, it finally all made sense. The New Year’s Eve incident wasn’t a freak chance. The intruder had stalked me for months, learning everything about me: my name, when I’d be gone or home alone, and perhaps that there wasn’t even a gun in my apartment to protect myself. Most terrifying, had my fiancé not come home two hours early from work to take a nap for our New Year’s Eve party, my fate would have been very different. I would never have screamed Terry’s name, which is undoubtedly what drove off the intruder when he realized I wasn’t alone. To my horror, several weeks after the knife attack, the intruder pleaded “no contest” and was slapped with a short probation. He was free to stalk more young women, free to assault, rape, and perhaps murder — but with a valuable lesson behind him: Take better precautions in the future! To this day, I wonder the extent of what the intruder had in store for me. The look on his face and the dazzle in his eyes — still ingrained in my mind 32 years later — was demented, sinister, and psychopathic.
March 2019
GUIDING YOUR ESS TEAM TO SUCC COMMON A LOOK AT RDERS DIGESTIVE DISO
Playing it Safe Regardless of where you live, sociopaths and psychopaths are among us. According to the American Psychiatric Association, 1 in 25 people is a sociopath, and 1 in 100 is a psychopath. Because of their narcissism and inability to feel empathy, either is capable of violence. So no matter where you live, play it safe, and follow these tips to protect yourself: • A lways keep your doors locked when you’re at home, and lock them behind you when you leave. • Lock ground-floor windows, as well as any second-story windows where a trellis, porch, or balcony could be climbed to get in. • Install a peek hole, and never unlock your door to someone you don’t know or expect. Don’t be fooled by the uniform of a police officer or repairman if you aren’t expecting one. • If you receive a phone call, make sure of the caller’s identity, and never offer personal information to an unknown caller. • Take a self-defense course, and practice the techniques regularly until they’re second nature. Better yet, sign up for a martial arts program. • Be aware of your surroundings, particularly when you’re out alone. Report any suspicious behavior. Also, never exercise outdoors after dark, and avoid secluded areas when you’re alone even during the day. • If you’re attacked inside your home, scream a male name to create the illusion you’re not alone. If you’re in a public place, scream “fire”; otherwise, bystanders are usually reluctant to help. • Carry pepper spray, and keep it in your hand when walking alone. But don’t be too dependent on it for your survival. For a variety of reasons, it doesn’t always work. • Call 911 from a landline rather than a cellphone, if possible. Cell calls to 911 are directed to a central rather than local dispatch and are known to take 20 minutes just to locate the appropriate police station. Better yet, program your local police number on your cell phone. • Install a steel door with a deadbolt on your bedroom or a second-story room to provide a barrier in the event someone breaks in. Supply the room with a telephone, flashlight, bat, and pepper spray.
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Meet and
Greet
5th Wednesday Networking Lunch 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Held ONLY 5th Wednesdays of the year Rotating location – West Shore Area 30 S. Main St., Mechanicsburg Mitzi Jones mhjsunshine@aol.com American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) Camelot Chapter 6 p.m. 3rd Monday of the month The Radisson Penn Harris Hotel & Convention Center, Camp Hill Marianne Troy, President 717.802.5622 mariannetroy@gmail.com www.abwa.org/chapter/camelot-chapter Lancaster Area Express Network 7:15 – 9 a.m. 3rd Wednesday of the month Lancaster Country Club 1466 New Holland Pike, Lancaster Amy Winslow-Weiss www.laen-abwa.org Lebanon Valley Chapter 6 p.m. 4th Wednesday of the month Hebron Fire Hall 701 E. Walnut St., Lebanon Penny Donmoyer 717.383.6969 www.abwalebanonpa.com Penn Square Chapter 11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. 1st Thursday of the month Hamilton Club 106 E. Orange St., Lancaster Laurie Bodisch, President 717.571.8567 abwapennsquare@gmail.com www.abwapennsquare.org Yellow Breeches Chapter 6 p.m. 4th Wednesday of the month Comfort Suites 10 S. Hanover St., Carlisle Kerina DeMeester kerina1011@gmail.com
Executive Women International Harrisburg Chapter 5:30 p.m. 3rd Thursday of the month Rotating location Julie Young 717.713.7255 www.ewiharrisburg.org
Watch
Insurance Professionals of Lancaster County (IPLC) 5:45 p.m. 3rd Tuesday of the month, Sept. – May Heritage Hotel 500 Centerville Road, Lancaster Krista Reed, Treasurer kristamariereed@gmail.com www.internationalinsuranceprofessionals.org
Lisa Biggica has been appointed president and CEO of UniqueSource® Products & Services. Biggica served as the EVP of operations at UniqueSource, where she was responsible for overseeing finance, IT, and strategic member relationships. Prior to joining UniqueSource, Biggica held the position of VP of marketing technology for BB&T.
International Association of Administrative Professionals Capital Region of Pennsylvania LAN Meeting locations vary Pam Newbaum, CAP-OM, LAN Director 717.782.5787 pneubaum@pinnaclehealth.org www.iaap-harrisburg-pa.org
of the University of Pittsburgh Law School, Franchi is a skilled writer and advocate, briefing and arguing a wide spectrum of litigation cases. At CGA, she will be handling litigation, employment, and business law.
Pennsylvania Public Relations Society 5:30 p.m. Last Thursday of the month Larissa Bedrick, President pprshbg@gmail.com www.pprs-hbg.org Shippensburg Women’s Area Networking (SWAN) Noon 1st Wednesday of the month Rotating location Lisa Mack, President shipswan@yahoo.com www.facebook.com/shipswan Women’s Business Center Organization (WBCO) – A program of the York County Economic Alliance 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. 2nd Tuesday of the month September through May Heritage Hills Golf Resort & Conference Center Windows Ballroom (next to Oak Restaurant) 2700 Mount Rose Ave., York For more information on registering or membership, contact Sully Pinos at spinos@ycea-pa.org Women’s Capital Area Networking (WeCAN) 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. 3rd Wednesday of the month Radisson Hotel 1150 Camp Hill Bypass, Camp Hill Abeer Allen, President info@wecanconnect.org www.wecanconnect.org Women’s Network of York 11:30 a.m. 3rd Tuesday of the month White Rose at Bridgewater 601 Chestnut Hill Road, York Theresa LaCesa, President womensnetworkofyork.com www.facebook.com/wnyork
Renée Franchi has joined CGA Law Firm. A graduate
Zunilda “Zuny” Jamatte has joined Wavelength Marketing’s design team. Jamatte graduated from Widener University with a degree in digital communication and media/multimedia. Her professional experiences include social media, websites, and related digital communications.
ACHIEVEMENTS &
Applause
Wavelength Marketing received a 2019 W3 Silver Award for its design of the Argos Security website. The W3 Awards celebrate digital excellence and highlight creative websites, marketing, video, mobile sites, apps, and social content designs from agencies around the world. Entries are judged by a standard of excellence set by the AIVA that differs from category to category and are scored on a 100-point scale.
WHILE WE
Were Out
Belco Community Credit Union is supporting #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving, with a $1,500 donation to Project Share in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Each $1 donated to Project Share provides approximately 5 nutritious meals in western Cumberland County. Belco employees are also scheduled to volunteer at Project Share on Saturday, February 22, 2020.
Celebrate your achievements! Did you or someone in your organization get a promotion? Did you hire someone spectacular? Did you or your company receive an award? BusinessWoman magazine would love to let the world know! Upload your picture(s) and information at: businesswomanpa.com/career-moves-achievements Email your announcements of career advancements and professional new hires to crupp@onlinepub.com. Photos should be saved as a tiff, jpeg, pdf or eps at 300 dpi. Mail to: BUSINESSWOMAN, 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512. Photos sent through mail will not be returned. Please – no duplicate releases.
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January 2020
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Connections
Central PA Association for Female Executives (CPAFE) 1st Wednesday of each month Refer to website for the meeting location Lori Zimmerman, President 717.648.0766 www.cpafe.org
Women to
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