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“Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right.” — The Grateful Dead

Our strength as humans is not necessarily and to share the bumps in the road and devastating times which birthed a new life weighed by our physical abilities, but by our triumphs together. purpose. Some followed their passion of endurance through hardships, perseverance Lancaster is a special place built on rich history, helping others. Each of them shines brightly. through trying times, and will to do good for friendships, and camaraderie. It is a town filled We graciously thank all of the featured subjects ourselves and fellow mankind. with people willing to show you the light. for sharing their stories and our sponsors for What we cherish most in the close-knit In our third issue, we uncovered 23 incredible continuing to help make Revelo a reality. Please community of Lancaster, is the unwavering residents who sat down with our crew and be sure to watch the video interviews online and desire to lend a hand to others—to support revealed their own journeys. Some recalled to support the nonprofit organizations listed one another through our personal journeys on our back cover.

In order for Revelo to generate the biggest impact on our community, we encourage you to pass this issue on to Please pass this someone else when you are finished. Not only is it cool publication on! to recycle, it also gives these stories a further reach.

Business sponsorship opportunities: (717) 364-4344 or [email protected] Story submissions: Fill out a submission form for consideration at www.revelomag.com

Revelo is owned and published by Espial Design Group LLC. All rights reserved. No parts of this publication or online content including video interviews may be reproduced without the permission of Revelo/Espial Design Group Katerina Kuss Todd Geiger Chris Ruch LLC. Revelo/Espial Design Group LLC has taken reasonable care to ensure that the information contained in this publication and its website is accurate during the release of this publication. It is possible that the information Editor Account Manager Videographer may be out of date, incomplete, or the opinion of the author. It is advisable that you verify any information from this publication or its website before relying on it. Revelo/Espial Design Group LLC accepts no responsibility for the consequences of error or for any loss or damage suffered by users of any of the information and material contained in this publication or its website.

Bianca Cordova Michael C. Upton Brooke Carlock Miller Design, Video, Photography, (717) 364-4344 Photographer Writer Writer Illustration, Branding, Promotion EspialDesignGroup.com

DENNY ONE WOLF

Amidst feathered dream catchers and the Métis in North America. The website Voyageur Dakota... “Very, very deep into the wilderness sweet smell of new leather, I sat down across Métis explains, “Generations of fear and with his family,” says One Wolf. But even from Denny One Wolf in his Willow Street gift hiding caused our culture to sometimes be Cutthroat knew of at least one family member shop. A chief of the Métis Nation of the United fragmented.” One Wolf echoes this sentiment. with light skin. States, he has been actively amassing his “We’ve been stuck away, some hoping we “You go into the reservations today and you knowledge of Native American people for more would just go away… instead, we’ve become can see the differences. There is red hair and than 30 years. Our conversation begins with educated,” says One Wolf, who grew up in the blonde hair. Indians have what we call blue- a serious and somber tone, but not one to be area of Lancaster City known as Sunnyside, black hair, but the interbreeding process will confused with sadness. served in the U.S. military, and now resides wind up being the downfall to the American “Métis means mixed blood,” says One Wolf, in Conestoga. Indian people,” says One Wolf. comfortable to talk about any subject facing One Wolf traces his ancestry beyond the family Here we entered into a long and winding Native Americans past, present, and future. tree and into the realm of DNA. A minimum conversation about Native American rights, “My ancestry goes to the Shawnee People and requirement for inclusion into the Métis, Federal infringement on property, and social the Delaware.” says One Wolf, is one percent of Métis blood stigmas and acceptance. Everyone walks a path When European colonists arrived in what verified by DNA testing. He was surprised with and for much of his life, One Wolf followed the would become the Americas in the 15th and his own results. He knew his grandmother was wrong road. By the end of our conversation, I 16th centuries, they commingled with Native Shawnee and his grandparents on his father’s realize there may be nothing more historically Americans. Native American bloodlines side were Delaware; they had a “typical look” valuable than a living history—the stories of became infused with European influence. one would expect in a Native American. One Wolf dancing in a tribal circle as a child, “American Indians generally turned their back It turned out that the amount of Native his struggles from alcoholism to the presence on mixed blood Indians. We can talk about that American blood in his veins was more than he of a spirit guide, and why he has stuck by his for days, the sadness that’s involved with being anticipated—over 70 percent. wife’s side through sickness and health. His is a mixed blood. You have to learn to live in two “In this generation, it is almost impossible for one story… but, it is a story of many. worlds,” says One Wolf. “As history advanced, it any American Indian to say he is 100 percent, just got worse.” true-blooded, American Indian,” he claims. A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: Predominantly associated with populations in At this point, One Wolf digresses into the story Sitting down to write this story I encountered a Canada, the Métis came to the United States of Ronnie Cutthroat, a Lakota whose father myriad of obstacles when considering the proper following a series of uprisings in the 1800s. earned the fierce sobriquet by fighting against terminology and language to use in order to Called the “Landless Indians of Montana,” Gen. George A. Custer. The one-time Lancaster avoid any kind of offense to both the subject the Métis moved about the country mingling resident was what One Wolf feels is the closest and potential readers. The most daunting of which being the exonym to use when describing with other Native American tribes writes to a full-blooded Native American he has indigenous peoples of the Americas. After Jacqueline Peterson and Jennifer S. H. Brown in known. Cutthroat grew up on Pine Ridge, a reading through pages of debate and criticism I the book The New Peoples: Being and Becoming federally established reservation in South settled on the term Native American.

STORY SPONSOR: GOOD’S INSURANCE AGENCY, INC. By Michael C. Upton 20 Trinity Drive #100 Leola, PA 17540 WATCH THE VIDEO INTERVIEW IN ITS (717) 661-6100 ENTIRETY AT www.goodsinsuranceagency.com WWW.REVELOMAG.COM 3

KELLY ERIKSON

“I remember being on morphine and asking a Then, on January 5th, while recovering at her to her by her parents) with the raw emotion and doctor, ‘How rare am I? And he’s like, ‘You’re mother’s home, Kelly found herself unable to truth of someone struggling to find the positive pretty rare.’ And I’m like, ‘No, really… how rare eat or to walk without getting dizzy. Another in the incredibly unfair hand she’s been dealt. am I? You need to tell me.’ He’s like, ‘You’re one visit to the ER revealed a blockage in her “It happened very quickly,” she says, “and I in a million.” I’m like, ‘Oh, great.’” lower intestines. When doctors went in to fix wrestle with the fact that before my diagnosis, Kelly Erikson was living the life of any normal the blockage, they discovered Kelly’s “origin” I was normal. I was 25, about to turn 26, just 25-year-old when, in October of 2017, she tumor—a mass in her lower intestines that had stressing about work and about money, hanging started feeling pains in her stomach and eroded away part of intestine and allowed the out with friends, trying to go out and see shows. back. A CT scan at the ER revealed that she cancer to reach her ovaries. “I feel like I had And then suddenly it was like, ‘You could die.’ had a kidney stone, so she called off work at two diagnoses. I was diagnosed with cancer on I’ve suddenly got this ticking time clock on my th Chestnut Hill Café, went home, and waited for December 15 , and diagnosed with my specific head… and I’m going to work because work th it to pass. A week later, she came down with cancer January 5 . And since then, I keep falling makes me happy, and I’m going to go to more flu-like symptoms. For a few weeks, the cycle into these rare categories. It’s a very rare, shows, I’m going to travel when I can, just continued—intense pains, followed by aching aggressive cancer that usually, if you’re a man because there’s going to be a moment when and nausea. Finally, on December 14th, Kelly over the age of 65 and you have a history of I can’t do that anymore.” woke up at three o’clock in the morning in celiac and Crohn’s disease in your family, and Determined to live life to the fullest, Kelly can unbearable pain. Assuming she was passing the you’re super unhealthy, live on fatty foods, and be found dancing at Tellus360 with her chemo kidney stone, she went to Lancaster General smoke a pack a day for decades, you have a one bag over her shoulder, greeting regulars at Hospital. When they did a second CT scan to in a hundred thousand chance of getting it. And Chestnut Hill, or, on tired days, trudging a block check on the stone, however, a doctor noticed then there’s me.” to a friend’s house to crash on the sofa and that her ovary was inflamed. Kelly started treatment immediately, but the watch TV. She makes it a point to find even the “I was like, ‘Alright, whatever,’” Kelly says, hits kept coming. When nurses put in her smallest bit of happiness in each day and hold “‘I don’t know what that means.’ And then he chemotherapy port, she ended up with a blood on to it for the times when she doesn’t feel comes back, and he’s like, ‘It’s a mass.’” When infection. Then, she had an allergic reaction to as strong. the doctor started talking about seeing an her chemo drug. “It’s a joke between me and “When I got my prognosis, I was talking to my oncologist, Kelly knew things were bad. She was my mom,” Kelly laughs, “that every time they’re doctors. I was like, ‘You need to tell me what told she needed to have surgery immediately to like, ‘Well this doesn’t normally happen,’ we’re you tell other patients that have this cancer.’ remove the affected ovary and to find out if the like, ‘Uh-huh.’ I can’t just have cancer—I have to And they said, ‘Two years if everything goes mass was cancerous. When she woke up, Kelly be extra about everything.” wrong, and usually five years if everything goes learned that she had been given a complete Extra inspiring, extra honest, and extraordinary perfectly fine. But then there’s that slim margin hysterectomy and both ovaries had been certainly describe Kelly’s journey as a cancer of remission, like five percent of people actually removed. Not only was her mass cancerous, patient. She documents her trials and triumphs end up hitting remission.” her cancer was aggressive. on a blog called “The Kooker” (a nickname given With her characteristic spunk, Kelly asserts, “If I’m going to get all these rare things that don’t normally happen, I’m going to be the five percent.” STORY SPONSOR: PAUL DAVIS By Brooke Carlock Miller 1816 Olde Homestead Lane Lancaster, PA 17601 Follow Kelly’s blog WATCH THE VIDEO INTERVIEW IN ITS (717) 291-6000 at www.thekooker. ENTIRETY AT www.PDR-PA.com wordpress.com. WWW.REVELOMAG.COM 5

KADEN STETLER

“Homelessness always bugged me.” Star B-Q providing wings and chatter for a When he is not combatting homelessness, In January, Kaden Stetler was sitting in his live podcast, plus Star Wars inspired drinks, Kaden hosts the podcast, Rebel Chatter— Lancaster apartment watching an episode of food, and prizes. Inspired by his bravery, the “Star Wars podcast that wants to know the animated TV show Star Wars Rebels with a Rebel Cause sent a lightsaber to Aiden Vazquez your Star Wars story.” Started in 2016, the friend. The specific episode detailed the heroics in September; the California 10-year old show is co-hosted by Kaden’s father Jake of the Rebels who were providing food to a refused to physically retaliate against those Stetler and is available on iTunes and at starving planet. who bullied him because it was not the Jedi www.rebelchatter.com. way, but ended up with injuries needing “We’ve had some pretty awesome guests “I’ve always had a passion for helping the hospital attention. homeless. I thought, ‘I wish I could do on the show. We had Roger Christian who something like this.’ And I realized I could,” “Social media is fantastic, but I missed getting designed the original lightsaber on. That says Kaden. together. And there wasn’t enough of that was crazy,” says Kaden, who then showed going on in Lancaster,” says Kaden. me his battle grade lightsaber. (I want one!) Rebel Cause was born. The group’s message speaks for itself: “Rebel Cause is a group of Star Locally, the group works directly with the Kaden’s Star Wars story goes like this. A long Wars fans dedicated to uniting the fandom and Water Street Mission to ascertain the exact time ago, in this galaxy … doing good in the community.” The good is needs of the homeless population in Lancaster It is a period of youth, perhaps only four years combating homelessness in Lancaster County. County. Rebel Cause has chosen to donate old. The Rebel Cause founder in training strikes After spawning the idea, Kaden and friends goods instead of cash and has supplied food, his father’s stash of Star Wars figures hidden in got straight to work hosting their first event— oral care kits, and feminine products to those a closet. It is his first brush with the characters a food drive—in February at The Comic Store. in need. The last stash Rebel Cause collected of the evil Galactic Empire and Rebel Alliance. filled an entire truck bed. “Three people came, and it was awesome. During the discovery, his father managed to It was crazy for us,” says Kaden, who was “A year from now I’d like to be a little bigger. procure a copy of A New Hope—a movie which enthusiastic about any kind of turnout to his I’d like to have events more often than we told of secret plans and the Empire’s ultimate hastily planned event. “We had forty people at do,” says Kaden. “The more we can do is how weapon, the Death Star. I gauge how we are growing.” our last event, so it has grown. It’s a humbling Pursued by an unrelenting desire for all experience for sure.” His list of people to thank for helping out things Star Wars, Kaden races toward fandom, Rebel Cause raises money by hosting themed with Rebel Cause is long. The cause, three years custodian of a new inner mythology that can events, trivia and game nights, and basically old, has 800 grassroots followers on Facebook. save the less fortunate and restore friendom calling on like-minded individuals to come “I like to say unity is community,” says Kaden. to the galaxy…. hang out—while donating to a cause. Recent “Every single person I meet through this events held by Rebel Cause included B-Wings becomes my friend.” *By the way, for all the Star Wars fans at Brewskins (at Rumplebrewskins) with guests reading, Kaden’s favorite character is Luke and his least favorite character Jar Jar Binks. He explains why in the video interview online.

STORY SPONSOR: ALL THINGS BUSINESS LLC By Michael C. Upton 2148 Embassy Drive Lancaster, PA 17603 WATCH THE VIDEO INTERVIEW IN ITS (717) 431-2023 ENTIRETY AT www.allthingsbusiness.biz WWW.REVELOMAG.COM 7

ELLEN SMOLL

“You don’t ever expect it to happen to you,” grim diagnosis, Ellen was introduced to Gift cancer or burn victims. His corneas restored the says Ellen Smoll, as she sits on the sofa in her of Life, an organization that coordinates sight of a 22-year-old male and a 94-year-old Ephrata home. “Immediately, I jumped in the and facilitates matching organ donors with woman. To me, that was amazing.” car and drove like a maniac.” waiting patients. As years passed after Evan’s death, Ellen It was June 2012 when Ellen received a phone “They asked the question, ‘Would you like to became more and more involved in the call at work that would change her life. “I was donate his organs?’ and to me, it was absolutely Gift of Life and Donate Life organ donation kind of surprised that they interrupted me 100%.” At that point, Evan was on life support, organizations. So much so, in fact, that in out of a conference. I went out, and it ended but his brain was not working, and machines 2015 she decided to meet with doctors about up being the hospital telling me to come were the only things keeping his heart going donating her own kidney. Originally she had immediately.” Ellen’s 20 year-old son, Evan, and his organs running. Ellen and her family hoped to help a friend with her donation, but it had been in a terrible motorcycle accident, and were allowed to stay with Evan as doctors and turned out she didn’t match blood types with the outlook wasn’t good. nurses rushed in and out, taking samples and that person. Undeterred, Ellen continued with “I used to volunteer at the hospital,” she tests to find matches for Evan’s organs. “The her plans to donate and was matched up with explains, “and I knew that when the chaplain next day, the doctors flew in that were going 23-year-old woman from Atlanta. Her kidney came out, it was not a good situation. So when to take his organs… his ‘gifts,’ is what I call donation surgery took place in 2017, and was I went up to the desk and they said I had to them… and we said our goodbyes. It was a very a complete success. “So many people ask, wait for the chaplain, immediately I knew, tough time in life,” Ellen says sadly. ‘Why?’” she says. “It started with Evan and how and my heart sank.” Ellen learned that Evan What Ellen didn’t expect, however, was how he helped so many people. There are so many had multiple serious injuries: a brain injury, deeply her son’s organ donation would affect people in need, and if you’re healthy and can broken ribs, a broken femur, broken wrists, and her personally. Not only did it help her own do it, I say go for it!” massive internal bleeding. She was allowed to healing knowing that Evan’s organs lived on Not only has Ellen inspired others to donate see him for only a few short minutes before he in others, but hearing the stories of the people organs, including her sister, she now makes was rushed into surgery. helped by Evan’s gifts inspired a new passion presentations at high schools and does “Life really changed in that moment,” she says. in her life. She even wrote and received letters speaking engagements, trying to get the word “You hold your kids so dear to you, and you from the organ recipients. out about the importance of “checking the box” just think nothing’s ever going to happen to “His heart went to a man in his 30s, his liver and donating organs. them… we were just waiting… and praying.” to a woman in her 30s, his left kidney to a man “When you die, you don’t need them. There are Unfortunately, doctors gave Ellen the news in his 50s, his pancreas and right kidney to a so many people waiting. Just look at your life that Evan was brain dead. Having two other woman in her 50s, his lungs were recovered and and how fulfilling it has always been, and think children, she tried valiantly to stay strong and sent on for medical research. He donated bone of other people who are not able to do that be a good support for them while dealing with that helped 50 to 100 patients to be treated. He daily, and give them that gift.” her own grief. Not long after hearing Evan’s gave his skin, as well, for women with breast

STORY SPONSOR: HINKLE INSURANCE AGENCY INC. By Brooke Carlock Miller 600 Olde Hickory Road, Suite 200 Lancaster, PA 17601 WATCH THE VIDEO INTERVIEW IN ITS (717) 560-9733 ENTIRETY AT www.hinkleinsurance.com WWW.REVELOMAG.COM 9

CONNOR GILBERTSON

As far as kids go, Connor Gilbertson quite made a spaghetti panini. So when it was sweet, In addition to these amazing achievements, to simply rocks. A student at Warwick’s John R. I was super surprised.” Connor ended up celebrate his birthday every year Connor and Bonfield Elementary School in Lititz, the creating a parfait crepe with berries, cream, his twin brother choose a charity and ask for dapper sixth grader (who loves to sport his and roasted walnuts. donations in lieu of presents. “One birthday, signature bow-tie) has done more to help When he wasn’t in the kitchen, Connor spent we collected coloring books and crayons and others in his 11 years than many adults have time contributing to a Facebook page he created gave them to the Ronald McDonald House,” he done in their lifetimes. called “Places and Plates.” The page contained says. This past year, Connor raised money for From the time he was little, Connor remembers, videos of Connor visiting local (and some non- the Lititz Community Chest, an organization he was always taught at home to care about local) eateries and reviewing his experiences that helps feed people in his hometown of others. “When I was younger—about two or for his viewers, often giving “two thumbs up!” Lititz. “We put a box outside, and me and my three,” he says, “we had just moved here from and encouraging locals to visit restaurants he brother made a few videos. We posted them on New Jersey. We had made peanut butter and enjoyed with his catchphrase, “Tell ‘em Connor Facebook, just going, ‘Hey! We need some food. jelly sandwiches. We went out into the city G. sent ya!” Can you please help us?’” The pair ended up donating 600 pounds of food to the charity. and gave them to homeless people. My mom’s Now at an age when many parents are imploring a big part of it—she has the biggest heart in their kids to step away from bleary-eyed video When asked why, at his young age, he finds it so the world.” game sessions, Connor, always a go-getter, important to support his community and people Connor’s contributions to his community enthusiastically spends his time coming up in need, Connor lights up and speaks with a started in the kitchen. At an early age, he with ways to help those in need. When his maturity far beyond his years: decided he wanted to be a chef. He worked Aunt Carol passed away from cancer two years “People,” he says, “should be loved equally, no alongside his mom, learning recipes and ago, Connor raised money for the St. Baldrick’s matter their race, no matter if they’re straight techniques, until he reached the point that he Foundation by sponsoring macaroni and cheese or gay. It doesn’t matter. Just be world changers, was making meals for the family on his own. cook-offs in both Lititz and New Jersey. Not you know? It can be silly, like a macaroni and As his skills grew, he participated in cooking only did he raise over $6,000.00, but he also cheese cook-off. It was silly, but we did it, and competitions, including the Macaroni Kid shaved his head for the cause. “It was a great we raised $6,000.” Cooking Challenge, in which he was one of moment,” he smiles. If more kids would think like Connor Gilbertson, the top six finalists in the nation, and earned After thinking about his cousins with autism, there’s no doubt the world would be a better place. second place overall in his age group. Connor decided to enter the Lititz Fire and “We had to cook crepes,” Connor explains, Ice Chili Cookoff. Upon winning first place, he “and that’s kind of a challenging thing to cook. donated all of his prize money to The Tommy I thought it was going to be something savory, Foundation, an organization that supports not sweet, because that’s how I entered—I autism awareness and education.

STORY SPONSOR: BOMBERGER’S By Brooke Carlock Miller 555 Furnace Hills Pike Lititz, PA 17543 (On route 501 just north of Lititz) WATCH THE VIDEO INTERVIEW IN ITS (717) 626-3333 ENTIRETY AT Family owned and operated since 1887. www.bombergers.com WWW.REVELOMAG.COM 11

LORYN SPANGLER-JONES

Like Icarus, son of Daedalus—the mythological the early days of her art, her countenance turns met her and knew immediately she had a talent craftsman and artist—maybe she flew too serious, but only slightly. “I needed to figure unlike any other I had seen in Lancaster City. close to the sun. The sun in this metaphor out a way to fix me.” Most of her completed works hang in private being the combined social consciousness of a She turned to pencils and paint brushes as a collections. Retreat, from the 2015 collection conservative audience, which turned on her mode of self-expression. A fire lit inside her and titled “UNveiled,” resides with the Elmwood artwork. Her art was deemed too provocative art became her life’s endeavor, but this switch Gallery for the Arts in Buffalo, New York. for the masses. Unlike Icarus, she did not was not welcomed by all. Rejected, she dropped “Collateral Candor,” which drew the ire of some tumble and drown in the cacophony of criticism the brush for seven years until she needed to viewers turned out to be the most successful labeling her art obscene. find it once more to communicate her feelings body of work Loryn has created. When I spoke This is a portrait of the artist: Loryn Spangler- and further unlock herself. with her four months after her art had been—in Jones. her words—censored, only eight of 22 pieces Loryn was back and now, eight years later remained unsold. O, the wild rose blossoms sitting in her stark gallery on King Street, her “I look at my work and think it is beautiful. But On the little green place. pride in her accomplishments exude from her as if from a thousand suns. Colorful stories (filled what somebody else attaches to it is on them,” “I don’t set out to create a painting to piss with colorful language) detail her creative says Loryn, who is now well past the three- somebody off, or to offend or insult,” says process, her inspiration, and what art means week funk caused by the criticism. “I was pretty Loryn. “I set out to create a painting to discover to her and society. By trade, Loryn is a self- destroyed by that.” more of myself and, even bigger than that, I taught, mixed meda artist who has entered into She relied on her friends and her team at want to make people feel something.” a minimalistic period favoring black ink and LSJ Studios to navigate the “shit storm” Years before her recent series “Collateral graphite. Inspiration from her life—good or surrounding the forced removal of her artwork. Candor” challenged viewers and was removed bad—fuels her art. For now, the censorship is her crowning from an exhibition, Loryn was a woman lost in “I’m no longer that damaged, broken woman achievement; it has catapulted her career. her early 20s when she found her artistic stroke. I was many years ago,” says Loryn. “The It turns out Icarus has nothing on Loryn “I was in a bad way, with my own self, my inspiration (for my work) comes from me diving Spangler-Jones. You can fly close to the sun. mental health, the whole kit and kaboodle,” into myself and learning more and more parts You just can’t let it burn your wings. she says. On the surface Loryn looks like a of who I am. It only gets harder because I have person who would never use the phrase kit and to dig deeper every single time.” kaboodle. But, it’s a fun thing to say, kit and She operates LSJ Studios, appropriately a bit off kaboodle, and the emotion the Lancaster artist of Lancaster’s Gallery Row. She paints, teaches, “Who I am is definitely my figurative presents the most is happiness. Her smile is curates. She was formerly the resident artist work, every single figurative work is, wide and her eyes are electric. As she recounts and lead art educator at Annex 24 where I first to some degree, a self-portrait.” - Loryn Spangler-Jones

STORY SPONSOR: GREG ORTH’S SANDLER TRAINING By Michael C. Upton 1175 Manheim Pike, Suite B Lancaster, PA 17601 Visit LSJ Studios at 110 West King WATCH THE VIDEO INTERVIEW IN ITS (717) 459-3445 Street #101, in Lancaster or on ENTIRETY AT www.thincbox.sandler.com the web at www.lsjstudios.com. WWW.REVELOMAG.COM 13

KEN HUDSON

As an eight-year-old boy, Ken Hudson loved Every day during summer, Hudson made just sniff and determine if a situation smelled to see the fire trucks responding to calls in his his way to the station. It turned out to be a safe enough for him to enter. The danger Philadelphia neighborhood of Carroll Park—so calling fulfilled as the 68-year-old has spent of toxic fumes was real, but not something much so, that he took it upon himself to bring his life in the field (after a brief stint as a firefighters paid too much attention to. Even the trucks to him. news cinematographer and film editor post- the use of seatbelts is something new. Gone are “I lived at 57th and Thompson Street and on graduating from Temple University). He joined the days of hanging off the back of the truck. that corner there was a fire alarm box,” says the Philadelphia Fire Department in the 1960s. “The line of duty deaths have been attributed Hudson, with both a smile on his face and in He’s been photographed saving children from to our practices in the past. There are less his voice. “They had it way up in the air. So, I burning buildings. He’s stepped over charred now because we don’t take as many risks. went and got a milk crate, climbed up on it, and bodies in his efforts to fight a fire. He’s been We fight these fires from the outside instead pulled the alarm. I’d take the milk crate and burned and holds stories he can’t retell. of rushing in there. We’ve learned building put it over by the side of the building and I’d sit Now in Lancaster, retired from a private construction. We understand smoke. It can go and wait for the fire engines to come.” He’d do company he built providing Hazmat on and on and on,” says Hudson. “At one time this once or twice a week. training nationwide, Hudson has taken an Pennsylvania was the number one state for “Finally, this lieutenant came up to me and administrative role as he is in charge of line of duty deaths.” He credits organizations said, ‘Little boy, did you see who pulled this training with Lancaster County Hazmat. He’s like the Occupational Safety and Health alarm box?’” recalls Hudson, who has now accumulated more than 4,000 hours of training Administration, National Fire Academy, had a distinguished career in firefighting and in his lifetime and is a certified instructor National Fire Protection Association, and serves as Lancaster County Hazmat Assistant through the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy. others for advancing safety nationwide. “All Chief. “I said, ‘Yeah, I did it. I want to see “You are always learning,” says Hudson, who those groups and organizations have worked the fire engines.’ Now, he could have had me attends many national conferences and reports together for the betterment of the safety of disciplined.” Instead, the firefighter recognized what he has learned back to Lancaster County firefighters across the country,” says Hudson. the interest and chose to nurture it. fire departments. Fear comes from the unknown. That statement “He told my mother, ‘If he wants to see the fire “The changes in safety have been great,” he is probably Ken Hudson’s most sage opinion. engines, bring him up to the station and he says, looking back at his career to a time when He helps combat that fear with knowledge, can see them anytime he wants,’” says Hudson. a firefighter was considered weak if he wore an training, and expertise, all of which he began “That’s what she did. They were really nice to air pack. “Nowadays it’s a requirement!” learning when he pulled a milk crate up to a pole in Philly just to see the fire trucks. me. They let me clean floors, wash dishes, and Today, fire departments have meters to monitor wipe down the apparatus—all that fun stuff. I air quality. Safety is a priority. When Hudson just thought that was the best thing.” was a young firefighter, he and others would

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THERESA FACKLER

“I was at the lowest point of where anybody tell them that they’ll never be loved—that Over the next several years, Theresa became should be, to the point where the only they’re not worth anything.” The emotional a fitness instructor, and, with a friend’s reason I stayed here on Earth is because of abuse she suffered shattered Theresa’s self encouragement, earned her personal training my daughter.” These harrowing words begin esteem and left her feeling angry and hopeless. certificate. “I just had that deep-seated feeling the phoenix-from-the-ashes tale of Theresa One day, a close friend saw what was going on inside that this could help somebody else,” she Fackler’s life. Having suffered through a cancer and took her to a boxing gym. says. One of her first client referrals came from scare, a failed marriage, and an emotionally “’You just need to punch it out,’ she said, a situation similar to her own, and Theresa abusive relationship, Theresa found herself ‘because I know you’re not going to talk about knew she had found her calling: “If you could wondering if she could go on. it.’ So I just put a face on the [punching] bag just see the difference in her now. It’s done the “After my daughter was born, I was at my and went to town, and learned some moves, same thing for her that it did for me, and it’s six week checkup when they found cervical and found a therapy I never would’ve imagined crazy. It just makes my heart swell.” cancer,” she explains. “They said if she for me.” Before that point, Theresa didn’t Having just completed her first triathlon wouldn’t have been born when she was, they exercise at all, but once she found boxing, for her 50th birthday, Theresa loves her would’ve never found it.” Doctors were able “I fell in love with it,” she explains. “It really happy and healthy new life. “It’s a sense of to remove enough of Theresa’s cervix to took me from a place of having no self-esteem, accomplishment,” she grins, “to know that eliminate the cancer, but her treatment came no self-worth, no self-confidence… to really even as I get older, I can still continue to reach at a high cost: “I always wanted more than one turning a corner.” new heights and do new things, and that age is child, but when we were at the oncologist, I Theresa found the strength to leave the just a number.” said, ‘Well, can we try again really quick? What abusive relationship she was in, and focused And for other women who might be facing if I get pregnant again really quick? What’s the on her newfound love of fitness: “I had so dark times like Theresa once did, she offers prognosis?’ He said, ‘In two-and-a-half years, much pent up anger. Not just at him and the this advice: “Don’t give up. I was scared to tell you’ll be dead.’” Left unable to have more situation, but at myself for allowing it to anybody, because of how embarrassed I was, children, Theresa tried to focus on the joy of happen. I put that on the bag, and tried to but tell somebody. Do whatever you have to do her daughter, whom she credits with saving leave it there. Boxing was empowering! As the to get out of the situation. We’ve all been given her life. years went on, I just got more and more into the gift at birth to tell when something isn’t However, her marriage suffered and ended, fitness, and I started thinking about how this right, and whether you choose to listen to it or and Theresa entered another relationship that really changed my life—how a bag and a pair not is up to you. But you can change. You can turned out to be one of the defining points of of boxing gloves changed my life. I decided I change it. It’s a choice. It really is.” her life. “I have no idea how I got pulled into could maybe give back. I worked through a lot it, let alone stayed in it for so long,” she shakes of pain, and finally came to the realization that her head. “I have no idea how somebody can I was thankful for what happened.” make somebody feel like they are nothing and

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SÉRGIO VIGILATO “Lately it occurs to me what a long, five, his grandfather had given him a He was shuffled over to Wilcox Avenue to play cavaquinho to play. This early member of for another agent; Not seeing a future in his strange trip it’s been.” the guitar family was the gateway instrument given name, Gail McConkey—who discovered – Truckin’, The Grateful Dead. for the left-handed musician. The Standells**—promptly dubbed him Sérgio (Words by Robert Hunter; music by Garcia, Lesh, Weir) “I kept playing. No one had left-handed guitars; 2000 and signed him. I learned to play upside down,” says Sergio, who By 1973, Sérgio was a restauranteur and was While sitting down with an animated and still rocks the musician look wearing a black, fronting a 16-piece band, but he grew tired of excitable subject in a North Queen Street- sleeveless shirt emblazoned with the name of the big city. A temporary gig in Alaska turned facing living room, the lyrics from a Grateful his Brazilian hit band, The Jet Black’s. long-term as the altitude started to suit him Dead song pop into my head. It’s definitely The Jet Black’s, called “one of the first Brazilian better than L.A., but he eventually returned been a long, strange trip for Sérgio Vigilato, instrumental rock groups,” was formed in to the City of Angels and more than dabbled the musician once known as “Canhoto”* who 1961. With driving snare drum rhythm and in taxidermy; he became a respected expert was a staple on the Brazilian airwaves—from syncopated guitars, The Jet Black’s sound is with major politicians and big game hunters his impromptu meeting with Jerry Garcia and reminiscent of The Ventures. The band hit big as clients. He tells a story about Lady Gaga’s friends in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin to legal with their first single, a medley of The Shadows’ famous meat dress, which Rock & Roll Hall tangles over Lady Gaga’s meat dress, the artist “Apache” and “Kon-Tiki”. By 1963, the band was of Fame director of collections Jun Francisco now known as Sergio 2000 has more adventures heavily influenced by The Beatles. After a multi- verifies. While he was operating American than could fit in this entire tome. national tour in 1967, the band’s popularity Taxidermy, a small shop in Burbank, Sérgio preserved (essentially made jerky out of) the Sérgio was born in Brazil, carried there in dwindled, but they remained active even releasing re-recordings into the ’90s. dress the pop star wore to the 2010 MTV Music the womb by his mother as she emigrated Video Awards. (There was a bit of a squabble from Italy. He grew up on the rough streets of “In 1964, we had a revolution… and I thought, over the dress, which you can hear Sérgio retell São Paulo honing at an early age the skill of ‘I gotta get out of this country,’ so that’s in the video online.) knifemaking, first picking up his grandfather’s what I did,” Sergio recalls. “I got to L.A. with shoemaking knife and turning it into a weapon. 100 bucks in my pocket.” He fell into the “I’ve been always an oddball,” says Sérgio, his He joined a small gang. At the age of nine, he California beach scene, mingled with the English carrying a thick mix of Portuguese and fired his first zip gun. He wasn’t a miscreant, counter-culture movement, and eventually Italian accents. he just regretted his situation and soon turned met a Hollywood agent. Now he is here in Lancaster. Most of his his inclination towards craftsmanship to guitar “I was right by Grauman’s Chinese Theater equipment—including a collection of 15 guitars making. He went to work for Giannini, a skilled, and I was hungry. These agencies always had and a handmade cat-skin tambourine—is in Brazilian producer of guitars since 1900. Music coffee and crackers—maybe it was from the day storage. He has found a place to start a small was always a progressing interest. He started before,” recalls Sérgio, and he ended up playing workshop and wants to build a guitar harkening performing at three years old. When he was his nylon string guitar for the man behind the back to the craft he learned many years ago with desk. That agent made a call to another agent. Giannini. “You have no idea all the things I can do,” says Sérgio. And I believe him. STORY SPONSOR: TELLUS360 By Michael C. Upton 24 East King Street Lancaster, PA 17602 *Translates to “southpaw” or “lefty.” WATCH THE VIDEO INTERVIEW IN ITS (717) 393-1660 ** The Standells hit “Dirty Water” reached ENTIRETY AT www.tellus360.com #11 on Billboard in 1966. WWW.REVELOMAG.COM 19

SARAH SALLUZZO & JONINA TURZI

As they walk around the grounds of their With both women working full-time jobs— real mission here… is to get people to start home, stopping to tell stories about the Jonina is a physical therapist and owns West making connections to the animals, so that colorful personalities of the animals who cross End Yoga studio, and Sarah is a drug and hopefully they’ll have the epiphany of ‘Oh my their path, it’s clear that Jonina Turzi and alcohol rehabilitation counselor—getting the gosh, I loved Tammy so much! She was funny, Sarah Salluzzo have found their calling. As sanctuary up and running had its challenges. and charming, and I don’t want to eat a turkey founders of the Lancaster Farm Sanctuary in However, the women found many people willing sandwich, because I don’t want to eat Tammy.’ Elizabethtown, the pair rescue and care for farm to share their knowledge and help, and in July We hope to get people to really move towards a animals who would otherwise be abandoned or 2017, the Lancaster Farm Sanctuary officially vegan lifestyle, or at least cut back.” killed. Both vegans and avid yoga practitioners, opened. “The sanctuary world is a movement, To help foster the connections between the Sarah and Jonina felt inspired to create a place and it’s about activism,” says Jonina. “Our farm animals and humans, the sanctuary offers where people could deepen their connections to experience so far has been that everybody is guest tours, volunteer programs, vegan dinners, the natural world and its creatures after visiting so happy to help you and provide you with and even goat yoga, where visitors practice yoga farm sanctuaries in New York. information and resources, just because they poses with baby goats running around, licking Jonina explains, “We were just walking through want to help the animals.” them, or even jumping on their backs. “It’s Catskill Animal Sanctuary, saying, ‘Lancaster And, to Sarah and Jonina, the animals are what just great,” Sarah laughs. “Yoga’s fun, and baby needs one of these! Wouldn’t it be amazing if it’s all about. Their first rescues were a group goats are amazing. It’s two fun things together.” this approach to caring for farm animals could of white Cornish Cross chickens who had fallen Up to this point, the women have shouldered come back to our farm-animal-rich area?’ Both from the back of a truck on Interstate 81. The much of the costs of the sanctuary themselves, of us being from here and spending most of our birds on the road were being loaded—dead, but, having established the farm as a 501(c)(3) lives here… we just wanted to bring that magic injured, or alive—into trash bags: “They were non-profit organization, they are hoping it will back home. We would have loved to have come just… picking them up and throwing them all become more self-sustaining as they acquire home and volunteered at one, but…” away,” Jonina shakes her head. Animal rescuers donors and additional volunteers. Right now “There wasn’t one,” Sarah completes her stepped in and several of the birds ended up as the hardest part of their experience is having to sentence. So the couple, who were living in the Lancaster Farm Sanctuary’s first guests. turn away animals because they don’t have the downtown Lancaster at the time, started As the couple sits at a table on their space to care for them. looking for affordable farmland to turn into a wraparound farmhouse porch and recounts Jonina admits, “I would like to have a much sanctuary space of their own. They finally found more stories of how they acquired Benji the bigger sanctuary and just turn this into a the right property—which included seven acres goat, TrueHeart and Bess the cows, Tammy the bigger thing, have more visitation, and more of farmland, several barn spaces, and an 1800s turkey, and Eddie the chicken, it’s like they’re events… but that would definitely require a lot farmhouse—and immediately started turning describing members of a large family. “They more time and money. But it’s possible. I mean, their new home into a space for animal rescue. have personalities. They’re intelligent. And a big farm sanctuary in New York started out of certainly, they feel pain and suffering,” Sarah a VW bus and a tiny plot of land, and their first asserts. “We’re doing the best we can, but the rescue was from the Lancaster stockyards… so, who knows?”

STORY SPONSOR: ALL STATE: MOYER INSURANCE By Brooke Carlock Miller 2819 A. Willow Street Pike North Willow Street, PA 17584 For more information or to donate WATCH THE VIDEO INTERVIEW IN ITS (717) 464-1600 to Lancaster Farm Sanctuary, visit ENTIRETY AT www.allstate.com/frannmoyer www.lancasterfarmsanctuary.org. WWW.REVELOMAG.COM 21

CODY SMITH “I’m Lancaster proud... I’m hometown Lancaster City. “I got really lucky,” he admits. “I moved to assistant director with Kristin Pontz and got the proud,” beams Cody Smith. “I love what’s New York in August. It was 2:00 in the morning opportunity to take over the program. I really been going on in downtown Lancaster—the and I was still setting up my room. I said to my did it because I wanted kids to have the same resurgence, all the art. Lancaster is an amazing roommate, ‘I’m going to the Radio City audition opportunities that I had when I was in high place to live. I’m so proud that I’m from here, tomorrow.’ I didn’t even know how to get there school. The program means a lot to me because and I’m just so happy that the community also on the subway. I got up at 7:00 in the morning, it made me who I am.” embraces what I do and supports me as much as went to the audition, which was at 10:00 a.m. I “I have found great joy in directing high school they do.” An avid performer, choreographer, and came home at 2:30 in the afternoon, and I said, students,” Cody continues. “It’s because of their director, Cody’s name is widely known in the ‘I think I booked it.’ And here I did. I booked the energy… If you can inspire a high school student, Lancaster arts scene. Radio City Christmas Spectacular on my first day they’ll try anything. They’re like, ‘All right, As a child growing up in the Hempfield area, that I moved to New York! And the rest was kind let’s do it. Let’s do it, I can do it.’ Getting them Cody danced to Disney records and performed of history. I did the tour for one year, and this inspired about the arts is probably why Pat did th plays with his neighbors and sisters in his coming season will be my 16 in New York City.” it for so long, and I realize why it is so exciting basement. But he never seriously considered Cody has settled into a hectic yearly routine, and fulfilling.” the arts until high school. “I always tell people living in Lancaster for nine months out of the As he nears his 40th birthday, Cody has come that if I had never gone to Hempfield, I probably year and traveling to New York City for the other full circle, now serving as the mentor for wouldn’t have found dance or theater. I started three months to perform at Radio City, where he students just like him. He is quick to dispel the Hempfield Dance Theater and the spring serves as a “swing” for all of the male dancers myth of the “starving artist” lifestyle, teaching musicals in my freshman year.” It was there, on the show and is also in the ensemble. During his students that with hard work they can with the guidance of his mentor—Hempfield his nine months at home, he can be found accomplish their goals. “There’s always going teacher and Dance Theater director Pat Kautter— performing, directing, and choreographing to be someone who can do it better,” he says. that Cody’s love of the arts truly emerged. around Lancaster. “There’s always someone who can direct better “For the first time, I found something that A quick search of Cody’s name online results than me, or choreograph or dance better than looked so effortless, but was really challenging in a long list of credits from local productions me, but as long as I put my best foot forward and and hard for me. I liked that it was hard, and I at the Fulton Theater, including roles in Newsies, do my best, I’m going to succeed and I’m not liked that not everyone could do it, and that’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, going to feel guilty about that. And with that why I fell in love with dance. It was like, ‘Wow, and A Chorus Line, as well as directing mantra, I’ve been able to do this for a living.” I’ve found something I’m good at that not and choreographing credits at the Ephrata “Yes, I’ve done odd jobs, but I’ve never waited a everyone else can do, and I like it!’” Performing Arts Center. However, his true table,” he insists. “I think that old adage scares Cody danced his way through all four years love lies in giving back to the high school that people away from the arts, but I don’t think it of high school, and then earned a degree in shaped his career—directing the spring musical has to. The more people work hard and focus on advertising and public relations from Penn State. and Dance Theater program at Hempfield honing their crafts—I don’t see how they can’t He worked briefly at Fly Magazine, but then High School. succeed in one way or another. There’s always a decided to quit his job and move to New York “Ever since I graduated, Pat [Kautter] had me place in the arts for someone with passion.” come back and choreograph, and then I was an Thankfully, Cody plans on sharing his passion for the arts with the Lancaster community for STORY SPONSOR: the foreseeable future. SALON ENSO By Brooke Carlock Miller 245 Centerville Road, Suite 6 Lancaster, PA 17603 We extend our deepest sympathy to the WATCH THE VIDEO INTERVIEW IN ITS (717) 435-9374 friends and family of Pat Kautter as she ENTIRETY AT www.salonenso.net passed shortly after this interview. WWW.REVELOMAG.COM 23

ANGELIA REED

If you see a city tree this winter, or a light post somebody cares about them. Sometimes that “When the project first started, I kept or railing wrapped up in handmade scarves is what gives them the strength to get through everything in bins in my living room,” says or adorned with crocheted hats—it is a sure one more day,” says Angelia. Angelia. “It got to the point where my family sign The Yarn Bomber, a.k.a. Angelia Reed, A year later, the story of the Canadian do- said, ‘You’ve got to get this stuff out of here.’” and her legion of anonymous knitters have gooder made its way around Facebook again. Angelia gained her love of knitting in her late been nearby. This time Angelia shared the post and asked teens from her great aunt and she returned to It all started when Angelia spotted a story if anyone would be interested in helping her the craft with more seriousness in adulthood. on Facebook about a woman in Canada who do the same here in Lancaster. The second To her surprise, she is yet to spot a Wrap Up! was leaving scarves on statues. The scarves incarnation of the effort to scarf bomb the city scarf being worn in public. were intended to be picked up by anyone who saw another slow start. Angelia and one other “When we are out scarf bombing, we meet needed to stay warm. This, thought Angelia, knitter had created a total of four scarves, people who are taking scarves or asking about this is something she could do, too! She chose which they proceeded to leave in Binns Park. what we do. Most of them can’t believe they a location and attempted to fill it with scarves, “After that, it started snowballing, mainly are free,” says Angelia. “People thank us then, free for the taking for those who needed one. because knitters and crocheters love to make but with the anonymity of it, we don’t get a lot “I tried, and I had like three scarves. I quickly things for people who need them and will use of follow-up.” realized that even if I knit scarves every day of them,” says Angelia. Angelia is looking to maintain the group’s the year I could not make enough to put out,” Now with some momentum, she started The presence in Lancaster City and Columbia says Angelia, who then gave up on the idea. Wrap Up! Project, which scarf bombs areas in and expand into major metropolitan areas— However, in the back of her mind she knew the Lancaster and Columbia once a month from Baltimore, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C.— idea could work. As a professional in the field October through April. For the winter of 2018- as the project grows. She says The Wrap Up! of social services she knew there was a need. 19, the effort is entering its fifth season of Project is always looking for volunteers, not For her, “scarf bombing” a location is a way to providing handmade items of various sizes just knitters. The final scarf bombing last get people the warm winter wear they need and colors. season dropped over 300 items in Binns Park. without having to go through qualifications, The feat took only twelve minutes but enlisted stigmatizations, and bureaucracy. “When you are making something, you are giving your time and energy,” says Angelia, but about 30 people. “Often it’s a small thing that can make a big the project also appreciates donations of yarn, “It’s not a huge investment of time and it’s change in people. People need to know that gift cards, and cash. fun, because it kind of feels like vandalism, but The overhead costs of running The Wrap it’s not,” says Angelia, and laughs. “You kind of Up! Project are small, but costs are rising feel like you are getting away with something.” considering the group set out more than She is getting away with something—she is 3,700 items last winter. The biggest expenses spreading unexpected kindness in an unusual are materials and a storage unit. manner. Let’s hope she gets away with it for a long time.

STORY SPONSOR: OOH LA LA CONSIGNMENT By Michael C. Upton 3014 Columbia Avenue Lancaster, PA 17603 WATCH THE VIDEO INTERVIEW IN ITS (717) 391-8223 ENTIRETY AT www.oohlalaconsignmentlanc.com WWW.REVELOMAG.COM 25

ORLANDO VEGA “I was a hopeless case. By all intents and kind of addict that never wanted to come down. I met online. Disowned by his family, he remained purposes, I should either be doing life in always wanted to be high.” an addict for the next 29 years: “On and off, I was prison, or I should’ve been dead a long time The quest to be on a constant high led Orlando homeless for 24 years. If I wasn’t in jail, if I wasn’t ago. But for some reason, I’m still here… and I to bigger crimes in order to get the money to feed in rehab or a recovery house, I was living in an feel that I’m here because I need to be the voice his habit. On one winter night in Chicago, he held abandoned house or under a bridge somewhere for the hopeless, you know?” a butcher knife to a cab driver’s throat to steal and eating out of garbage cans to survive, hustling As Orlando Vega sits on the sofa in his Stevens, PA money to buy drugs. Fearing for Orlando’s life, his every day,” he admits. apartment, he eagerly—almost giddily—tells his worried family members sent him to rehab twice, Finally, at age 43, Orlando ended up in the story with the enthusiasm of someone who lives and when neither program slowed his unhealthy hospital in Reading, where doctors told him every day just happy to be alive. Listening to him, addictions, they sent him to live with his father in his kidneys had failed and if he had waited 40 it’s easy to understand why he now lives with an Miami. “It was probably one of the worst mistakes more minutes to come in, he would’ve died. He “attitude of gratitude.” we could’ve made, ‘cause Miami was one of the spent five days in the hospital, and when he was Born in the Puerto Rican neighborhood of major drug ports in the United States,” he laughs. released, he went right back to the streets and got Humboldt Park in Chicago, Orlando grew up as an “I ended up homeless. I started eating out of high. What happened next was nothing short of introverted child in what he calls a “really good garbage cans to survive. I was doing a lot of things miraculous—as he leaned against a brick wall near th family” with a strict mother. He wasn’t exposed that just haunt me to this day.” a Wells Fargo bank on 6 Street, Orlando says, “I to drugs until his freshman year of high school, The next two decades of Orlando’s life passed in heard a voice that literally told me, ‘If you don’t when he started hanging out with the “cool kids” a drug-filled haze. “I did the geographical change get help now, you’re gonna die.’ For some reason, and fell to the peer pressure of trying marijuana. a lot, ‘cause I always thought if I went somewhere at that moment, I just knew that I had heard my different where I didn’t know anybody, I wouldn’t last warning. I just knew that if I didn’t act on it, I His first use of pot quickly spiraled into a daily would probably be dead that night. I went to a pay habit of getting high and drinking, often to use drugs. But every place I went I would always be able to pick out the guy who looked like he phone and called 911 and told them I was going to the point where he blacked out. Then, Orlando commit suicide.” continues, “I was 15 years old when I joined one of knew where he could get some. And lo and behold, the big gangs in Chicago. I started dealing drugs— I was off to the races in a completely different Orlando ended up at Nuestra Clinic, a Spanish you know, cocaine, heroin, things of that nature.” state.” He spent time in and out of rehabs (32 in rehabilitation center in Lancaster. “I’ve been clean When he tried cocaine at age 19, “it was an total) and county jails in Texas, Illinois, Florida, and sober ever since,” he says. “Seven years—the instant love affair,” he admits. “Up to that point, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. longest period of clean time in my life.” Since his marijuana and alcohol were pretty affordable and While hustling between El Paso, Texas, and time at Nuestra, Orlando has earned his bachelor’s easily obtainable, so I never saw any really big Mexico, Orlando found himself mixed up with degree and is now employed by the Council on consequences. But when the cocaine habit took the Juarez drug cartel. “They were looking for Chemical Abuse in Reading, where he serves as off, it was a completely different story. I was the American citizens, because they needed mules to a prevention specialist. “It’s really rewarding to bring over their drugs. I ended up getting caught be able to go into schools and talk to kids, to tell and did my first stint in federal prison.” them a little bit of my story, because I want them to know that I do what I do because I lived it Upon his release, Orlando eventually ended up in personally. I just feel really privileged to be able to Reading, PA where he moved in with a girl he do what I do, and I’m grateful each and every day, and because of that, I stay clean and sober.” STORY SPONSOR: ARGIRES MAROTTI By Brooke Carlock Miller 160 North Point Boulevard Lancaster, PA 17601 WATCH THE VIDEO INTERVIEW IN ITS (717) 358-0800 ENTIRETY AT www.argiresmarotti.com WWW.REVELOMAG.COM 27

GINA BAUM

It is an awesome feat for anyone to rappel off organizations through events like the Ruoff done in her life but to simply recount her the 11-story Ruoff Tower in Lancaster. It’s an Tower rappel event. To date, Over The Edge experiences as a member of human existence. amazing achievement for Gina Baum. has raised more than $80 million for places like This is the third time Gina has been in front of “I decided not to rappel in the wheelchair, Lancaster Health Center. a camera telling part of her life story, so she is but rappel like anyone else would in tandem,” Gina doesn’t limit herself to dropping off the feeling, literally and figuratively, at home. When says Baum, who made the descent on a clear roofs of buildings; she has snow skied, water not adventuring she serves as a spokesperson and cool morning last October as a crowd of skied, sailed, boated, and shot a crossbow. for Lancaster Health Center. onlookers peered up at the then 59-year old. “I do [most activities] with Adaptive Recreation “I just kind of do what they ask me to do,” jokes Was she scared? and Sports. They’re an organization out of Gina. “Like jump off of buildings!” “Nah,” says Gina with a small, nonchalant Baltimore that provides adaptive opportunities Having attained a degree in counseling from shrug of her shoulders. “I always wanted to see for those who cannot otherwise do the sport,” Lancaster Bible College, Gina is also a volunteer [Lancaster] from the roof of the building I live explains Gina, who has her future goals set to at the Disability Empowerment Center in in. It’s always been a curiosity for me. I wasn’t include skydiving, ballooning, and getting a Lancaster where she started a support group sure if I was afraid of heights because I’ve never tattoo. “I’m always looking for adventure. It and acts as a peer mentor. never stops.” been up that high. That was kind of a gamble.” “Basically, it’s to help people live as Her goal was to raise money for Lancaster Probably one of the nicest people I have met, I independently as they can and do the things Health Center (formerly SouthEast Lancaster spoke with Gina in her Ruoff Tower apartment they want to do. I’ve been through it already, so Health Services) because they provide her with surrounded by photos of family and friends and I want to help people who haven’t been through health care. Founded in 1975, the center strives in the company of her cat, Oliver. it. I also want to educate the public that people to deliver “high-quality and compassionate “He doesn’t like more than one or two people with disabilities can do anything they want to… healthcare to all” regardless of economic status. in the apartment,” says Gina and smiles. The with certain help,” says Gina. “There’s a need “That’s how it started, and I never dreamed I Revelo crew was too much for Oliver as he out there. If there’s a need out there, you help would raise enough; I had to raise over $900 remained hidden during most of our interview. fill it; that’s how I was raised.” and I did that in five weeks,” says Gina. One of Gina welcomed us openly, cracking jokes and Our talk over—and recommendations for good her new goals is to help raise funds for the next telling personal stories, like how she first tattoo artists passed along—we made our way wheelchair-bound person who wants to take the realized she was different from other kids toward the door. trip down the tower. when she entered public education. It was her first brush with recognizing her own physical “In case you want to know, I have Cerebral The October event, which may become an limitations and how society responded to Palsy,” says Gina, as a passing thought for the annual occurrence, was a team effort between her disabilities. Her family rallied behind her accuracy of this story. the center and the group Over The Edge. The decision to turn limitations into challenges, The disease, which effects body movement and adventure sports company based in Canada challenges she wanted to succeed at the best muscle coordination, is part of her life and she expanded its fundraising efforts to the United she could. I quickly learned Gina was open to treats it like the everyday occurrence it is for States in 2008. They help raise funds for local talk about herself not to show off what she had her. Cerebral Palsy does not define her—and it definitely does not limit her. STORY SPONSOR: QUANTUM DYNAMIX By Michael C. Upton 480 New Holland Ave, Suite 8201 Lancaster, PA 17602 WATCH THE VIDEO INTERVIEW IN ITS (717) 431-6681 ENTIRETY AT www.quantumdynamix.net WWW.REVELOMAG.COM 29

MALIK RHODES

Malik Rhodes doesn’t like to be put into specific express anything but being angry. Being sad, or luck, and then it became something that I held boxes. From childhood, the artist and musician being scared was looked at like, ‘Oh, boys don’t onto for dear life, so I felt that I had something has always felt… a little outside of normal do that.’” that was stationary in my existence at the time.” descriptions. For starters, Malik identifies as “Going into my teenage years, I got worse and Now an accomplished tattoo artist, Malik works non-binary: “When we’re growing up, we’re worse… I stopped talking to people. I stopped at Mantra Studio on Prince Street. However, taught that there are two genders, male and playing on sports teams in school. I stopped the world of music has been occupying more female. Non-binary is basically just—I’m not doing good in school. My adolescence became and more of the 29-year-old’s time. “When I either one. I know that I’d be classified as what I thought was adaptation, which was was about 12, I used to take my grandmother’s AMAB, which is just ‘assigned male at birth,’ but really just cutting myself off and finding solace acoustic guitar and I would learn to play Green that isn’t me. I know it’s there, genetically and in all things that looked really cool—from Day songs—poorly—on it,” Malik laughs, “and biologically, but that doesn’t define who I am.” my perspective of seeing all the bands that I then I kept it and learned how to do other stuff. When asked about work, Malik shrugs, “I get loved doing it—which was heavy drinking, and Taught myself how to play. Then taught myself called an artist, so I assume that’s what I am, heavy drug use, and disobeying the rules at any how to sing and play. And then messed around but I don’t consider myself one. I guess we feel opportunity,” Malik continues. “It was kind of with recording stuff, and writing, but I never did like if we start calling ourselves what people like playing with fire—It’s super fun, but then as too much publicly with it.” call us, that we’re more than we actually are. soon as it gets out of hand, you just don’t know That is changing, however, now that Malik is But then there’s the other side of that, where what to do, and it’s not fun anymore, but by that gracing local venues as both the vocalist for people start to get annoyed if you don’t know point, it’s kind of too late.” local metal band Mind Rot as well as branching how to take a compliment. So I’ve settled on, To assuage growing feelings of depression and into a solo folk venture, All Hail West Texas. ‘I’m a person who makes things,’ and that seems anxiety, Malik turned to two forms of therapy— “I’ve started doing music more and more, and to work.” art and music. “My mom likes to tell people I’ve the climate seems kind of fine for seeing if other A tumultuous childhood growing up with been drawing since before I could talk. I didn’t people enjoy it as much as I do. It seems like it’s only a mother and grandmother in Lancaster start playing music until I was about 12 or 13, going that way. Music-wise, it would be cool to city originally led Malik on a destructive path. but it just made sense, and felt like an extension tour. Keep making it, keep selling it, keep giving As a teen, Malik turned to drugs and alcohol of trying to create stuff.” As an artist, Malik’s it away.” to hide a growing depression. “There was talents manifested in the form of tattooing: Listening to All Hail West Texas songs, it’s just this overall feeling of things being tense. “In my early 20s, I just had nothing going on. clear to see music is therapy in this artist’s There were good family moments, but for the I started hanging out with this kid Matt and life. Themes of addiction, gender, politics, most part I just felt angry and scared and sad. we started a band together, and he worked at a and activism pepper the lyrics of the songs. “I But I was not permitted—and I don’t think it tattoo shop as a piercer. He asked me if I wanted definitely had my own version of recovery from was intentional—but I was not permitted to to learn how to pierce, and I said, ‘Sure.’ Then abusing different substances,” Malik admits, he asked me if I wanted to learn to tattoo, and I “and one of those things that you have to do said, ‘Sure.’ Initially, it was just kind of good when you do that, is you have to sit and really learn how to understand yourself and your feelings, rather than try to numb everything.”

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KIM GANTZ

The night Kimberly Gantz’s husband Collins were left in shock. And so was the Lancaster Boobie’s death left Kim with a void that she (nicknamed Boobie) came home after having community. Boobie Gantz had spent his life didn’t know how to fill. She was angry and ankle surgery, he had a dream that Kim won’t contributing to Lancaster’s youth—a fact that heartbroken. She retired from her teaching ever forget. It was lucid dreaming, she says. Kim didn’t fully realize until he was gone. “He career. “I went in my room, shut the door, and “He just kept saying he saw nirvana and how would have like four jobs at the same time, and I stayed there for a long time,” Kim admits. beautiful it was. He said, ‘I hope I have this he was always with children,” she laughs. “He “I thought, ‘Wow, I had a damn fairytale life, dream again.’ So he went back to sleep, and he worked with court-appointed children who were didn’t I? A happily ever after.’ I wanted people woke up and he’d had the same dream. So I was kicked out of school, or at the Prescott House… to feel it. I wanted people to see that I’m thinking, ‘Wow, that’s weird.’” He worked at the Boys and Girls Club and real—I bleed—because some people make up What happened in the next few hours made it Lincoln ISS.” their own ideas of who you are and what you seem eerily prophetic. The next morning, Kim She continues, “One of the things that I really are. So I grabbed the community.” Kim started got up to make the chicken and potatoes Boobie thought was excellent was that at Lincoln, he posting raw and real updates on social media had requested for brunch. When she went in to started something called ‘The Gentlemen’s chronicling her journey as a new widow. To her give him his morning medicine, she told him Club.’ He taught kids how to do bills, how to surprise, an outpouring of love and support it was time to get up. He didn’t answer. “I just pay rent… the real stuff that we need to be able came back to her from the very community she kind of looked over, and there was one single to do.” Boobie also coached football at Lincoln and her husband spent their lives helping. tear running down his cheek,” Kim says. Kim Middle School, and started and coached AAU It has been a long road of healing that Kim is immediately sprang into action, crawling onto basketball teams. “I mean, I knew my husband still admittedly traveling, but she is starting to the bed and starting CPR, screaming for her son was important, but I didn’t realize his impact look towards the future. She plans to get her CJ to get help. until he passed away. He was phenomenal. His Master’s Degree and become an educational “He’s big,” Kim explains, “so I’m trying to revive fire, and his desire to be a part of the city and consultant. She has also decided to memorialize him and bring him back… my son finally gets be someone that the kids could look up to? He her husband through The Spice of Life into action and he calls 911, and they get there did it.” Foundation, “because of what he did contribute in about five minutes and start working on For her part, Kim has also contributed years of to Lancaster.” The foundation, Kim explains, him immediately. He died maybe four or five her time and energy to helping the Lancaster “will be for kids. If a student needs books, or times in the house. They got his pulse back, community. She usually preferred to stay in the needs to go on a field trip and can’t afford to go, and got him to the hospital. He was in a coma… background, describing herself as a quiet leader or needs a scholarship… Or if there’s a kid who and then at 10:00 a.m. on January 13th, he compared to her husband’s legendary blunt, wants to go to a trade school, or whatever they passed away.” tell-it-like-it-is personality. She was a teacher at want to do, we would provide that for them.” Spice of Life is already accepting donations, Boobie, only 49 years old, died from a blood Price Elementary for 20 years and also worked with the Boys and Girls Club and as a volunteer and Kim couldn’t be happier to continue clot and heart attack caused by what Kim calls a Boobie’s legacy: “If he would’ve been alive, I “perfect storm” of health issues mixed with the with city youth, all while raising her own—and sometimes extended—family. just wonder what he would’ve accomplished. stress of the surgery. His wife and family At 49, I think he did more than a lot of people achieve in their lifetime.”

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RAY ZOR

Anyone could be hard pressed to imagine how a Every pin and patch on the jacket represents a might be some kids out there struggling with black leather-clad punk rocker with a mohawk band he’s seen in concert. trying to find their identity. Or, they might like fashioned from Troll dolls and a dyed blue “Except for the Sex Pistols,” adds Ray Zor. “I’ve something and they’re getting bashed about it. goatee grew up in the corn-surrounded town of seen the Ramones twice. But, it’s not all about What I would tell them is: do what you want to New Holland—home of farm machinery, chicken the big-name rock bands. I was inspired by do. Hopefully your friends are going to embrace processing, and auto dealerships—unless you bands that were underground.” you for what you are doing. But, don’t give it up. could fully understand the angst created by Stick with what you like.” living out your teenage years in the confines Underneath the makeup and the patches there is Ray. He could be your next-door neighbor There’s a bit of mythology surrounding Ray Zor of said small town. For Ray Zor (pronounced and the man behind the mascara and mohawk. razor), something had to give. He transformed. whose first job was a paperboy. He loves hiking, photography, and collecting baseball cards. “I’ve heard I am a probation officer. I’ve heard Flashback to the year 1982. A friend told He’s shy. I am a lawyer. I’ve heard I’m a bank manager. I Ray Zor—then going only as Ray—about an “I’ve been picked on. I’ve heard all kinds of don’t know where all these stories have come upcoming concert in New York. The Clash was from,” says Ray Zor, whose worst job was opening for The Who at Shea Stadium. He went. stuff behind my back,” says Ray Zor, who takes it all to heart. He’s been threatened, challenged working in that New Holland chicken processing The concert went down in the annals of rock facility. “That’s the only job I ever hated.” history, the recordings were hotly bootlegged to fights, but he ignores it all. “I’m not hiding and eventually released as an album in 2008. anything, obviously, but too many people are The truth is he’s had a number of jobs in his quick to judge.” lifetime, from retail and factory worker to “I was more than hooked. I already knew And he can understand why. He’s not the type quality control inspector. Over the years—he’s The Clash, but seeing them live just pulled still rockin’ out at age 56—Ray Zor has become me in. There’s something about live music,” of guy to wear a gregarious smile. His outfit is a bit intimidating. But, Ray cares. He hosted a synonymous with the region’s live music scene. says Ray Zor. “I started to get into The Cure He’s lost track of all the mohawk he’s had: real and early U2.” benefit for a child in Arizona who was getting treatment at CHoP. He donated his birthday to hair, Troll dolls, Statue of Liberties, glow sticks. His father died later the same year and Ray Zor Make-A-Wish Foundation and raised $4,600 for He was a regular at The Metron in Harrisburg. had a hard time dealing with the loss of the a child to go to Disneyland. He co-hosts Sanctuary, an ’80s New Wave and family identity. ’90s Alternative dance night at The Village. He “I’ve been knocked down and I do have a lot of “It changed me for a time,” he says, and music can be spotted often at Shadowland, the dark pride. People say, ‘Hey, you just want attention.’ alternative dance events at The Village. helped pull him out of a place of sorrow. But When I first started doing this I didn’t even the Ray Zor I see now, in full punk regalia at the think about that; I just wanted to have fun … “It’s just fun, that’s all it is,” says Ray Zor. Marion Court Room started in 1999 with the and I’m not going to quit,” says Ray Zor. “There Respect the fun. Respect the person. purchase of his leather jacket from Zap & Co.

STORY SPONSOR: HORSE INN By Michael C. Upton 540 East Fulton Street Lancaster, PA 17602 WATCH THE VIDEO INTERVIEW IN ITS (717) 392-5528 ENTIRETY AT www.horseinnlancaster.com WWW.REVELOMAG.COM 35

CHRISTI ALBERT

Light pours into the huge storefront windows fascinated by all of it, and felt so connected We’re so disconnected from the earth now on the corner of Shippen and New Streets in with it, and I felt like it was something that that we don’t really understand our body flow, downtown Lancaster as Christi Albert sits really needed to be shared with the rest of because we don’t quite understand the flow of behind what will be the checkout counter of her the world.” life as much. We’re not planting or growing our new holistic wellness shop, Ellister’s Elixers. With the goal of sharing her knowledge with own food. We’re not in the elements.” She has just been handed the keys to the space, friends and family back home, Christi collected “By adjusting our spirituality and our lifestyle and her face is beaming. She’s ready to get various herbs, oils, and other supplies on her and our emotional wellbeing, we can adjust to work, making her first permanent location travels. When she returned to the United States, our health,” Christi continues, gesturing to everything she dreamed it would be. It’s been a she started experimenting, creating organic the space around her. “One of my goals in this seven-year journey filled with countless hours and cruelty-free skincare items, oil rollers, and shop is to teach people… help people learn of education, travel, and saving for Christi to get tinctures in her basement. She also extensively their natural body types and how to adjust their to this point, and she can’t wait to get started. researched the benefits of hemp-based CBD lifestyles in order to live healthier in full mind, After high school, Christi graduated from oil, and started including the oil in many of body, and spirit wellness. I just want to be able Penn State, where she received her Bachelor’s her products. to talk to people and have them be able to come of Science degree in Bio-Behavioral Health. “CBD comes from the hemp plant, which does in and ask me questions.” “That’s what really got me interested in health not grow flowers,” notes Christi. “Flowers It’s the idea of connection that excites Christi and wellness,” Christi says, “but what sets are the buds that people traditionally smoke, the most about finally having a brick-and- it apart from traditional medicine is that we but there are actually no buds on this plant. mortar space to share her years of travel and studied how our behavior affects health. With CBD oil, the THC content is next to study with the community of Lancaster, and her How can we adjust our lifestyle in order to nothing, but we still get all the benefits of enthusiasm is infectious as she talks about the be healthier?” reducing inflammation, pain relief, helping to possibilities for the future of Ellister’s Elixers. Wanting to learn more about natural health, “I balance neurotransmitters, helping mood and “The symbol of my business is the endless ended up doing a lot of traveling—backpacking neurological disorders… You can get all the knot. It is the union of compassion and all around Central and South Americas, learning benefits and still feel like yourself.” wisdom, and that is one of my biggest goals in a lot about their spirituality and different tribal Once Christi was happy with her products, my business, is to use wisdom and share that remedies, herbs, and ceremonies,” Christi she started an Etsy page. “I started selling wisdom compassionately. To actually have explains. She then ended up in India, where things online and doing different craft shows. conversations with people—not like when you she spent six months studying meditation and The reaction was great,” she says. Her CBD go in a doctor’s office for five minutes and yoga practices and learning about Ayurveda, oil products were especially popular—with they’re like, ‘What’s your name again?’—I want the idea of mind, body, and spiritual wellness everyone from grandparents to mothers looking to know people in the community and connect intertwining with each other. “I was just so for help for their children. “People were really with them and I want this to be a safe space for receptive to it, because they’re frustrated with them to come and be able to talk with me about their health right now. They’re looking for an their wellness and connect with other people alternative because the traditional path with who are interested in the same things… to just Western medicine isn’t working for them… be healthier and happier.”

STORY SPONSOR: THE FRIDGE By Brooke Carlock Miller 534 North Mulberry Street For more information about Lancaster, PA 17603 Ellister’s Elixers products, visit WATCH THE VIDEO INTERVIEW IN ITS (717) 490-6825 www.ellisterselixirs.com or stop into the ENTIRETY AT WWW.REVELOMAG.COM 37 www.beerfridgelancaster.com new store at 302 East New Street, Lancaster.

TRAVIS OSWALD

“You wouldn’t know I had a mental illness if The news of the senseless death of his friend live with this everywhere, every day. Everyone you met me,” says Travis Oswald, sitting at left Travis in shambles. “I went to work, and has a story. I guarantee you, anyone you ask the dining room table in his Mt. Joy home. I was plowing snow. I had a break and I will be like, ‘Yeah, I know somebody who And he’s right. Personable, outgoing, and called my wife—and I just broke down,” he committed suicide.’ That’s just how big it is.” funny, Travis seems like a pretty normal guy. remembers, “I was like, ‘I gotta do something.’ The quick growth of his Facebook page is But that’s his point. “You have no idea who’s It just all connected for me at that point, ‘cause testament to how hungry people are for a suffering, or what anybody’s been through,” I tell people about anxiety and depression, but place to share their stories and battles. Travis he asserts. “Rich, poor—it doesn’t matter how if you don’t know it, you don’t understand it. I posts to the page every morning, and receives much money you make or how famous you are. can’t just sit back and not reach out to people. messages from people all over the world. He’s Mental illness affects everybody.” If I knew Shawn had the same feelings, we even had people call him personally to share From the time he was young, Travis suffered could’ve talked and maybe prevented this shit.” their stories and get advice. “Ten out of ten with anxiety and depression. He frequently Travis had never had a Facebook account, but times I talk to somebody… they just want woke up in the middle of the night with racing that day he signed up for one and started a someone to talk to, really. They’re just happy thoughts. He played football, but felt faint mission to spread the word about mental illness someone’s there to listen. That’s my main when he realized people were watching him and suicide and let suffering people know they goal—just to help people. Let them on the field. “You don’t know what it’s like to weren’t alone. He first created the page in his know there’s a way out.” be scared to go to sleep, or be scared to be on a own name, but when people started tagging Travis’s plan is to honor Shawn by keeping bridge, or be scared to go in a store, or waiting him in photos and writing personal things on the Facebook page going indefinitely, trying in line at the grocery store and you’re sweating his page, he decided to create a second site to reach as many people as possible with his and shit for no reason,” he explains, shaking called “Mental Illness and Suicide Prevention” message for those like himself, struggling with his head. specifically for his cause. mental illness or thoughts of suicide: “It’s sad Travis managed to deal with his problems “I’m just a dude that don’t want no money, I to be in that dark of a hole and to think there’s through medication and talking with family don’t want no fame—I just want people to bring nowhere to turn except death. Never give up. members and friends. However, in February of more awareness to a situation,” he explains. Have hope. Things change… It WILL get better. 2017, he was having a particularly rough few Travis’s goal is to bring the subject of mental It might get worse first, but it will get better weeks when he received a call that one of his illness to the masses, and make it something eventually. There are other ways out besides best friends, Shawn Platt, had shot himself. that people aren’t afraid to talk about openly. suicide, but you gotta put effort in. You can’t “He was a family friend,” Travis says, “I knew He gets frustrated when suicide gets attention just expect something to happen without him my whole life. He grew up with my older only through the deaths of public figures, such effort. Get medicine, do what you gotta do. brothers, so he was always around. Shawn was as Chester Bennington and Chris Cornell: “Of Find that one thing in your life that makes like… when you say one of a kind, or one in a course they’re famous, so it’s going to make the you happy, and just focus on that.” million—that was Shawn.” media, but it’s like… this is every day. People

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JAIMIE AMES

From the time she was 14 years old, Jaimie officer, writing tickets and arresting people. weaknesses, and they’re aware of that. Yeah, all Ames knew she wanted to be in the military. “We had to go through training again, being my brothers, they were great.” She was hoping to end up in the CIA or FBI, so pepper sprayed, tortured, and all that good Unfortunately, Jaimie’s plans to continue in she started preparing early. While most girls her stuff,” she laughs. the military and law enforcement abruptly age were going to the mall or chatting on the Some of Jaimie’s more memorable experiences ended when she shattered her ankle during a phone with friends, Jaimie was studying to earn included a standoff with a group of Navy Seals training run. “The lack of mobility in my ankle top grades in school, taking martial arts lessons, who landed on the beach of the fort without didn’t enable me to go on to do further things and training to become an EMT. “I got my EMT prior warning, as well as standing her ground in the military… but I did get to come home and certification when I was 16,” says Jaimie, sitting against an angry high-ranking general who be with my son. That was the hardest part of at a table in her Strasburg home. forgot his ID when trying to enter the base. deployment, obviously,” she admits. “He was “I ran an ambulance for a couple of years, and Jaimie had his car searched from top to bottom 14 months old, and I gave him over to my got into search-and-rescue. When you’re that and required him to get a day pass in order to parents, so that was very emotional because young and you start seeing real life situations, it enter the premises. “I was just doing my job,” as a mom, usually your child is on your hip. It definitely makes you grow up a little faster,” she she smirks. was very hard to just pull him away at that age. laughs. Jaimie thought becoming military police Even though her work as an MP was physically He was just starting to talk, and be aware of made sense to further her career in federal law taxing on her small, 5’2” frame, Jaimie insists that unconditional love. It was a very hard enforcement, so she signed up as a reservist, she didn’t experience the sexism that most thing to do.” hoping to gain some valuable experience. people would expect from a woman who was “I was really upset about my loss of my career,” The year was 2001. one of only five females in a group of 240 men. she admits, “but I was also happy that I was able “We were deployed about two months after “Having a career that was surrounded by men to get home to him, and continue to be a mom. the 9/11 attack,” Jaimie says. “I was specifically just didn’t bother me,” she shrugs. “I didn’t I’ve often thought, ‘What if I could have fulfilled brought down to Fort Monroe, Virginia… There really think much about it, and they accepted all of that, and went through?’ But I’m happy. are lots of colonels and generals, and lots of me just like one of the boys. As long as you I’m happy being a mom, and I’m happy with the higher-ranking officials on post. Our detail was prove your worth, and that you’re as good as the experiences I have to share with people.” to secure the post, and obviously there was a lot skills that they have, they have no problem with Jaimie has transitioned those experiences into of information going back and forth from The it, and they treat you equally.” a career as a realtor who, naturally, specializes White House to this post,” she adds. She continues, “There’s lots of controversy in helping veterans. Her son Kody, now 18, Since she was trained as a field MP, which meant about women being on the front lines, and is carrying on his mother’s footsteps—he’s a digging foxholes and guarding POW camps— you talk to most military men and they’re like, black belt in tae kwon do, and just joined the “basically the closest I could get to infantry, ‘As long as she can do what I can do, we’re okay.’ Marine Corps. “The intensity rolls on through being a woman,” Jaimie says—her job at Fort They don’t really have a problem because they the family,” Jaimie laughs, “but it’s all good. It’s Monroe required garrison training, which meant serve with women; they know the strength all reasons to be proud. Any position or branch learning how to be more of an actual police of women. We all have our strengths and that’s serving the military I have a high respect for. Obviously, it’s in my heart.”

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MICHAEL AZZALINA

For many people, teenage years are difficult. But I ended up making myself a sandwich and got Schools that had made offers for Mike to play as Michael Azzalina explains from behind his myself a soda instead of water. I knew what I baseball in college backed out. Writing became assistant principal’s desk at Price Elementary, should’ve been doing, but being a 17-year-old, such a challenge that he switched from being his teenage years were literally life altering. you’re going to do what you’re going to do. I left-handed to right-handed. He lost his sense of Born into a large Italian family in Easton, PA, started to walk down the steps… as I turned the smell for years. And, unfortunately, the once- Mike grew up as a rather quiet kid. Surrounded corner, the last thing I remember is being very quiet, well-mannered and motivated student by supportive family, friends, and teachers, he dizzy. I fell—a free fall about six steps—and hit became unruly—kicking over garbage cans, earned good grades and played on his school’s the linoleum floor headfirst.” failing, and physically lashing out at teachers. baseball team. Luckily for Mike, his best friend was still on the It was this change that altered the course of His simple and happy life became a little more phone. When Mike didn’t respond to her shouts, Mike’s future forever. With baseball out of the complicated, however, when he started having she ran over to his house, arriving at the same picture, Mike thought about his experiences and what he calls “episodes”—fainting spells where time as his older brother. The two found Mike kept coming back to the teachers who, despite he would lose consciousness for anywhere from unconscious at the bottom of the steps. He was the change in his personality, never gave up on ten minutes to over an hour. By the time he rushed to the hospital with severe brain and him. He realized that he wanted to become an entered high school, doctors discovered Michael spinal injuries and put into a medically-induced educator, working with children who may have had something called neurocardiogenic syncope. coma. When he awoke, he experienced the experienced trauma to “give them the resiliency “It’s a really fancy way of saying ‘don’t get unimaginable… he couldn’t remember anything. they need to get through it. Because that’s what dehydrated,’” Mike laughs, as he points “Retrograde amnesia is the exact term,” these teachers had done for me.” to several water bottles surrounding him. he explains. Mike’s lifetime of memories By the time he graduated college, the majority Keeping well-hydrated and taking medication disappeared. His family and friends became of Mike’s memories had returned. He earned a seemed to help his symptoms, and Mike strangers. In addition, immediately after his teaching degree from Elizabethtown College, managed to maintain a typical teenage life. accident Mike found himself unable to walk. and taught second grade in Manheim Township But one afternoon after a fall baseball practice, Through working with occupational therapists, for eight years. He is now the beloved assistant everything changed. neurologists and psychologists, and with the principal at Price. Although his trauma changed “It was September 7th, 2004. I left practice and support of his family and friends, he gradually the course of his life, Mike admits that it made went home. I walked into the house and my recovered, but it was an excruciatingly slow him a better person. He shares his story to brother was home, but nobody else. I was on the process. “Getting through that senior year in inspire struggling students and remind them phone with my best friend. My brother peeked high school was probably the most difficult,” that if he can overcome his obstacles, they into my room and said, ‘I’m running down to the Mike admits. “Trying to relearn everything… can, too. grocery store,’ which was a block away. He said, My parents set up a schedule so that people “My support system gave me that growth ‘I’ll be back in ten minutes.’ I wasn’t supposed could come visit me and try to rekindle every mindset of, I’m not stuck here. I don’t have to be to be alone—I was supposed to have somebody memory I had.” stuck here. I can find a way to maneuver myself with me because I had just changed medications. The memories came back slowly, but the through this. I want to do that for these kids,” he stumbling blocks in his recovery were numerous. says. Michael is living a life he didn’t originally imagine, but he wouldn’t have it any other way.

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SARAH MCCANN

“Essentially I was dying and didn’t know it,” paralyzed, become incontinent, or even die. “We training in New York City. After meeting that says Sarah McCann, sitting under the pergola joke now that it was a life-saving car accident,” goal, she continued taking classes and became in the backyard of her gorgeous Quarryville she laughs. After searching for specialists in a certified doula. As a young mother, Sarah had home. Surrounded by protected farmland, a Philadelphia, Sarah settled on a surgeon in amazing experiences with the midwives during lake, a stream, a lounge area for hammocks and Pittsburgh and underwent a rigorous procedure her son’s birth that prompted her to want to bonfires, and a house-like roost for peacocks, to remove part of her skull and push her brain help other women in the same position. Sarah’s home is the epitome of peace and back into the correct position. “When they She elaborates, “I do not do any sort of medical serenity. Sarah’s last few years have been removed the skull, they had to make space and work. I’m there for emotional support, physical anything but tranquil, however. then this particular surgeon put a 25-screw, support, and spiritual support. So empathetic In September 2015, Sarah was driving to her job titanium plate in the back of my head,” Sarah touch is huge… And I also do work with at an early education center. There was light notes matter-of-factly. essential oils… I’ve also started learning to rain, and she ended up overturning her car. She Before her surgery, Sarah had always been make tinctures, which is really exciting.” was able to climb out of the vehicle on her own, involved in early education. However, the Sarah also helps parents-to-be advocate but emergency personnel insisted she go to the timing worked out that her teaching contract on behalf of themselves with the medical hospital, where they performed a CT scan on expired at the school where she was teaching community to make sure they get the birth her head. Sarah recalls, “They came out to me when the accident occurred. While she experience they are hoping for. “It’s a delicate and they said, ‘The good news is, you’re fine recovered from her difficult surgery, Sarah dance,” Sarah clarifies, “between not stepping from the accident. The bad news is, you need found herself perusing social media sites. on toes and figuring out how to still really to have this looked at.’” “This” turned out to One day, she came upon a site for the Carriage empower a woman so she can have the birth, be one of the largest chiari malformations the House Birth Foundation. “They’re located in whatever it looks like, that makes her feel good doctors had ever seen. New York City and they’re kind of like, this is so at the end of the day.” “Essentially what it means,” Sarah explains, cheesy, but they’re kind of like celebrity doulas,” In addition to her work as a personal doula, is the back of your head is too small for your Sarah says. “ They were going to have their first Sarah has also returned to Millersville brain. And so what happens is your brain ever doula training, and I had some months to University to take courses to become a becomes pushed down and rests on your spinal get myself healed well enough to go and get psychologist: “It’s huge because it would have column, and all of your cerebrospinal fluid gets myself to New York City and take the training. been really easy to just lay down and die or get clogged up. It turned out I was running on 5% And it was kind of like the stars aligned, I kind stuck in a rut, you know? But my goal, my long- cerebrospinal fluid, where the average person of felt like one door closed and other doors term goal—and it could take me forever, who is 85 to 100%.” were opening, and I would be a fool not to try knows with my illness—but I want to become Sarah’s neurologist told her that she needed to take this opportunity… and that’s exactly a clinical psychologist so I can counsel people, to have surgery quickly. Her chiari formation what I did.” whether it be marriage counseling, or prenatal was located right next to her brainstem, and When she first came home from surgery, Sarah or postpartum work, or even transitions for the doctors were scared that she might become couldn’t walk without a walker. She set a goal to siblings. My goal is to marry the two practices— be able to walk well enough to attend the doula clinical psychology with doula work—which I think is a really unique thing and I haven’t seen it anywhere, let alone in Lancaster County.” STORY SPONSOR:

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AXEL DIAZ

Sitting in a chair surrounded by his collection “It was an adventure,” he says, “and we NASA and space with community outreach of model rockets, space shuttles, lunar landing stayed here.” programs in the Lancaster area. He goes to capsules, and astronaut figurines, Axel Diaz’s Axel found a job at International Paper, where schools, speaks to organizations such as the face lights up as he talks about his passion for he still works today. But a chance visit to the Boy Scouts, and holds events at the North NASA and the space program. “I love science,” NASA Facebook page led him to another role Museum. “I’m a link between NASA and the he beams. “I love NASA.” His excitement is that he considers his life’s purpose: “I was public,” he explains. “I share my passion and palpable as he points out the different parts of always on the NASA website and checking explain what’s going on with NASA today.” each model, explaining the history and inner NASA’s Facebook, and one day I happened His favorite topic is the 1960s Apollo workings of each one. to see an ad looking for NASA Ambassadors. programs. “Back then, you had no technology. NASA has been a nearly lifelong love for When I read about the NASA Ambassador They had to invent technology, and when Axel. As a 9-year-old growing up in Ponce, program, I said, ‘Oh my God! This is Kennedy said we would go to the moon by the Puerto Rico, he was once assigned a project something I can do! Something I would love end of the decade in 1962, they had eight years researching the 10th anniversary of the first to do! I can share my passion with people.’” to make it happen, to build this rocket and go moon landing. “Back then you had no internet, He filled out the lengthy application and to the moon. It’s amazing.” And while he loves so I had to go to the library,” he remembers. waited to hear back. The applications were the 1960s, Axel’s knowledge about seemingly “I came home with two books about the first due in September, and by December, Axel every aspect of NASA and the space program moon landing looking for information for my still hadn’t heard any response about the is inspiring. Facts and figures spill rapidly out project, and I just fell in love. I fell in love with program. “They said they would let us know in of his mouth as he talks about the intricacies space, with NASA, and how they got to the December, but guess what? Nothing happened. of each model surrounding him. “I will talk moon. Since then I’ve always been interested. No one called me. But then one day, my boss about whatever people want to talk about,” Always, always, always.” came to me and said, ‘Someone called me he says confidently. “I love to talk about He set his sights on becoming an engineer, from NASA. I thought it was a joke,’ but then Mars—when we are going, how it is going but after meeting his wife and falling in my friend who’s a lawyer called me and said to happen—and I have done presentations love, those plans were put on hold. “It didn’t he also got a call from NASA. So I quickly about the eclipse and the solar system, talking happen, because, you know, family,” he called all five people I put as references on the about the planets and the sun and their sizes laughs. Axel earned an Associate’s Degree application to tell them it wasn’t a joke!” and distances.” in Biomedical Technology while living in On December 24th, Axel received the news Although NASA Ambassadors typically serve Puerto Rico. He and his wife also took courses he had been anxiously hoping for—a letter two-year terms, Axel plans to remain in his through their church and became interpreters accepting him as a NASA Ambassador. position for the foreseeable future, despite for the American Sign Language Association, “December 24th. I won’t forget it. December the fact that he is also going back to school helping deaf members of their community. 24th. That changed my life,” he grins. In his to realize one of his past dreams: completing In 1998, they decided to move to Lancaster. new position, Axel shares his passion for his degree in Mechanical Engineering. “Yes, I will continue,” he asserts, “because, like I said, this is my passion. I love it.”

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