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Edited Text
Spring/Summer 2008
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Ride of a
lifetime:
Horses
ai
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ACF and Bitfiick:
Looking back and
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The labelSfyOUYfi reading
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in cmcC'ReCcix
in our
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t Intimate
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2 a.m.
(570) 784-71 69
until
Spring 2008
ontont)
Cover Stories
End of an Era
From Tanks to Trains, the ACF Era
by Chris Fetterman
Specially Selected
.FARMER'S MARKET
PRESH EGGS
^o Hormone
No
Antibior
lOOmgofOr
Riding out Life's Setbacks
Naturally Confusins
Some
no
by Annelise Chayka
labels have
8pectM'iun
Leaping over life's obstacles: Horses
help people overcome adversity
by Kelly MacMath
^
legal ba§i
Magazine - Vol, 21, No. 2 - 8pruig/8niiuner 2008
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Walter M. Brasch
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS
Joe Korba
Ashley Seigfried
Kristy Westbrook
ADVERTISING SPECIALISTS
Kaitlyn
Mayberry
Ashley Ney
Justin Strawser
ADVERTISING DESIGN
MANAGING EDITOR
ART DIRECTOR
Steve Mock
Chris Fetterman
Antonella Dinnocenzo
Hilary Trainer
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Kurt Nystrom
Kelly MacMath
ASSISTANT EDITORS
Annelise Chayka
Brittany Laumakis
Martha Harris
Jenna Wisniewski
DESIGNERS
Nicole Clark
Chris Fetterman
CIRCULATION
Jon Gass
DIRECTOR
MaryJayne Reibsome
Jon Sten
PHOTOGRAPHERS
CIRCULATION ASSISSTANTS
Joe Korba
Nina Gandoifo
Annelise Chayka
Chris Fetterman
Ashley Seigfried
Spectrum Magazine
rBUiUfBi:^
30
Flushed with Color
Make a
party out of your potty
by Martha Harris
L4
Barbershop Gold
Bringing back the sweet
sounds of Barbersiiop
by Justin Strawser
Classic Cars
A trendy auto
&
High Fashion
restorer's drive for fashion
byAntonelia Dinnocenzo
Was Always There
32
The Passion
36
High School with a College Twist
Riding shotgun with local racer 'Raging' Ray Bull
by Kristin Saltier
Local students juggle high school college courses
byJenna Wisniewsl
Warning: No Dumping
The
truth
tons of
in Columbia County
by Brittany Laumal
Fundamental
39
about 400
illegal pollution
^ ^%
A fun read
for local children
by Ashley Seigfried
Mentality of Surreality
The surreal
feel of
a local art gallery
byJonSten
About the cover photo:
Debbie smith
(right)
founder of Eos Therapeutic
Riding Center, and long-time volunteer Faye Mausteller (left) lead Conner Troutman, age
7, around the ring on Beau Pony. Conner, who has Down Syndrome, improves his handeye coordination and recognition of colors by putting marbles into the castle and watching
them roll down through the different colored sections, (photo by Nina Gandolfo)
PROMOTION DIRECTOR
Kristin Saltzer
Sam Osborne
PRODUCTION
CONSULTANTS
Alyssa Pierce
Mike Bischof
Christe! Sholly
Ken EnTgel
Dave Fry
PROMOTION ASSISTANTS
Tara Stancavage
WEBMASTER
Brittany
Laumakis
BUSINESS MANAGER
Erin Erdley
Spring 2008
Spectrum is published twice a year
by the journalism program at Bloomsburg University.
Address: Bloomsburg University
BCH
106,
400
E.
Second
St.,
Bloomsburg, Pa. 17815
Phone: (570) 389-4825
Website: http://www.spectrum-magazine.org/
http://www.myspace.com/spectrumrevolution
portion of Spectrum may be reprinted without its
permission. Printed by GRfIT Commercial Printing
No
(Montoursville, Pa.)
© 2008 Spectrum
I
-M- The new album by Jeremy dePrisco
FEATURING...
-
Original Blues
-
Covers by
I
Tom Waits
and Leadbelly
PLUS
MUCH MORE!
AVAILABLE AT...
iTunes,
CD Baby,
Gallery
of Sound and Amazon.com
www.mindspeak.com
'
ISTEN ONLINE
-
WWM.WBUQFM.COM
^UDEllJf JVDIO
Spectrum Magazine
What
does it take to make a good magazine?
You could say that the writers are the soul of a
magazine; without them, no magazine would exneed editors to assign stories and move the magazine through the production process. It's the fact checkers
who break down every story and verify not just every quote
and fact that appears in a story, but anything that should
appear that doesn't. It's our copyeditors who are vigorous in
assuring a high quahty of writing and editing.
ist.
We
You could say that it is photographers who capture a
moment, to aUow others to see what they see through the
lens, focusing and refocusing until it clicks. You could say it
is the designers, laboring over computers, moving items a
fraction of an inch to construct a masterpiece.
It's the circulation, advertising, and promotion staffs.
Without promotion, people don't know about the magazine; without circulation, there can be no advertising. No
matter how good a magazine is, it is useless if most of the
copies lie in storage. All staffs must work together.
Without cooperation, production falls apart. Hard
work, with sweat and tears, are poured into that cooperation until a final product is reached. It's long hours
and dedication, late nights and frustration, but when
the final minute passes and you see the fruits of your
labor,
it
makes
it
all
worth
it.
We
are proud to present you with the Spring 2008
edition of the national award-winning Spectrum Magazine. In this issue, we'll take you on a journey through
time. We start this issue with a feature on the American Car Foundry in Berwick, taking you on a tour of
its past, followed by what it currently is being used for.
We line the middle with stories about our present, people and places that are the pillars of this region and
make it beautiful. Near the end, our future: a handful
of teenagers from the next generation who are taking
college courses.
— THE EDITORS
Flushed with Color:
Designs Not Just for the Body Anymore
by Martha Harris
whether
People,
airplane-sized
their
the
bathrooms.
color
of
have large rooms or
they
spaces,
the
Any
like
detail,
walls
to
tattoos,
lid,
from
The decorations are hygenic and reuseable. They
made from plastic film and can be wiped clean.
They also cling to a smooth toilet lid because of
are
electrostatic energy, not adhesives, so they
the
shower curtain to what covers the toilet,
add personal touches. Although the
toilet seat is usually plain or has a
rug-like cloth over the
decorate
to
,.
—^
The plastic film has numerous designs.
There is Fleur-de-lis, leopard, and
zebra print, stripes, and polka dots. For
toilet
vinyl lid coverings with
children, there are tattoos with ducks
different pictures, give people one
even a
"It
an
Toilet tattoos were invented in
2003 when Celeste MassuUo, a
fashion design entrepreneur in
Macedonia, Ohio, became bored
with the traditional cover and the
decorative toilet seat.
"I
wanted
to decorate
my toi-
in a creative, modern,
way but soon
and clean
to decorate their
Spring 2008
commodes."
and
training chart with stickers.
provides
immediate
tion."
Using
realized that toilet decor
products had not changed for decades,"
Massullo says, "so I created toilet tattoos to
give consumers a contemporary and simple choice
toilet
the
child
with
beconnection
tween the desired behavior and the
reward, but it also teaches the child to
put down the toilet lid.
After using the commode," Massullo says, "the child applies the reward
sticker to the toilet tattoo themselves,
which exercises their hand-eye coordina-
more way to personalize the bathroom.
let
can
be used again.
way
toilet tattoos to
decorate lids
to customize the bathroom.
is
one
From leopard
print to wallpaper stripes and polka dots to toilet
training chart, all members of the family can benefit
from the tattoos.
^
End
The closing of the American Car
and Foundry plant in Berwick
devestated the local economy.
Berwick has spent almost five
decades trying to recover.
by Chris Fetterman
Vezendy remembers the whistle that sounded late in
the afternoon everyday in Berwick. For the first 14 years
of his 59 -year life, the low-pitched blast signaled both the
end of the work day for thousands of employees at the
Bill
American Car and Foundry plant and the time when his
William Vezendy, would be on his way home.
His father worked at ACF for 20 years as a machine burner, cutting huge steel plates into smaller pieces, and everyday he came
home from work filthy.
"The combination of all the smoke and dirt in the air made the
machine burners come home very dirty. We lived near the plant, and
any men who walked up from work looked like they were soaked in
oil. When my dad came home, let's just say he wouldn't win
any fashfather,
ion contests," says Vezendy.
Vezendy, who now volunteers at the Berwick Historical Society, has
a long family history at the ACF, as do many families in Berwick.
Vezendy's father, aunt, uncle, and both grandfathers worked at the
plant, which occupied 155 acres in central Berwick. However, once the
plant closed in 1962, Berwick became a vastly different town.
"All of a sudden you had hundreds of workers who didn't have jobs.
Closing the plant was a shock to the whole community. These people
spent
money in
out income
local stores for food, clothing,
and appliances, and with-
hurt everybody one way or another," says Vezendy.
Charles Kreischer tells a similar story.
"The ACF had all the money in the town; if you wanted a donation, that's where you went," says Kreischer. Kreischer also remembers the whistle that sounded every afternoon, sending his father,
brother, and Kreischer himself home from ACF.
"People in Berwick didn't need clocks. They could tell what time it
was by just
it
listening to the whistle blow every day," says Kreischer.
now the director of the Berwick Industrial Develop-
Kreischer,
ment Association (BIDA), started working at ACF in 1944 when he
was 15. At that time, the plant employed over 10,000 workers.
"That was one of the wonders of the world. I was there when they
had 10,000 men and women working at that plant; it was really
something
to see." said Kreischer.
Ki'eischer agrees that working as
a welder for ACF was no clean job.
"We worked hard, and I had a hot
job. I worked on the tanks, and when
we were inside them welding, there
was so much smoke and ash flying
you couldn't see your buddy standing a foot away." says Kreischer.
Kreischer felt the impact when
ACF left Berwick. "That was like a
death in the family." saj^s Kreischer. "Our paychecks depended on
that place and most everybody and
dollars in the
expand the
new
Berwick plant to
facilities,
buildings,
and
construct
install ad-
The
became even more
ACF
ditional machinery.
plant
ble in
1904 when
it
nota-
produced
the first ever all-steel passenger car.
The
gloiy
days
of
the
ACF came during World
War II. when the plant
switched
railcai's
to
from
building
becoming a major
their families
producer of war supplies. ACF
produced metal plates used on
for years:
ships,
vehicles,
shells.
Most
it
had worked at ACF
was realh' a downfall
he says.
The American Car and Foundry
plant was founded in 1840 to produce
plows, kettles, and other farming
supplies. In 1849. William Woodin partnered with Mordecai Jackson, the original owner, to form the
Jackson and Woodin Manufacturing Co.. which produced iron pipes
for Berwick.'"
and bridge castings before entering
the railway car building business.
In 1899, the Jackson and Woodin
was taken over by American
Car and Foundry. When ACF bought
plant
It
was
turer of railroad cars in the eastern
United States. Following the piu'-
ACF
artillery
ACF
pro-
duced Stuart tanks, producing
up to 10 a day. By August 1942.
less than nine months after
the United States entered the
war. ACF produced its 1.000th
tank.
"Our tanks went through
northern Africa, and they did
real well.
Berwick
is
trying to
find one to purchase
and bring
back, but there aren't
many left
and
they're real expensive," re-
members
Kreischer.
pretty devestating, Generations of families hac
out Jackson and Woodin, the plant
had become the largest manufac-
chase,
and
notably,
invested several milhon
The
known
ACF
plant in Berwick was
production even out-
for its
side the U.S.
"I've
read in several different
books that Hitler had this plant
on his
top spots he wanted deThey were always watching
list of
stroyed.
for saboteurs." says
Vezend}^
At its peak, the ACF plant employed
more than 10.000 workers, 4,100 of
whom lived in Berwick. Others came from
towns
across Pennsylvania, including
Clai'ksSummit.Nesquehoning.Lewisburg,
and Williamsport.
"Once the war started, they employed
people from all over. My boss drove all the
Sehnsgi"ove.
way fiTim Hanisbm-g," saj^s Kreischer.
Following the end of the war, ACF
to the production of railroad
went back
cars.
"We worked on loads of railcars. That
had 27 miles of railroad track
running through it." says Kreischer.
"and each building had rails in it to
move the cars in and out."
place
As
a testament to the prestige
brought
to
Berwick,
in
ACF
November
Spectrum Magazine
people didn't have
closure broke,
work
more orders came
crews to film a segment in Berwick
until
says Vezendy.
for
the
Inevitably,
decline
of
the railway industry caught
of the
sent television
their nationally televised
and Now program.
There was good reason
plant closing. It came
down to a choice for the ACF.
They could spend a lot of
money and do a lot of remod-
ACF
eling at the
Berwick
plant,"
^ spend more money on their
1 smaller plants around the
± country."
o
On Tuesday, Nov. 9, 1961,
Berwick
page
1 headline of T/ieMornin^Press
§ announcing the closing of the
I ACF. Though the ACF would
f remain open to finish all curthe
residents
awoke
of
to find the front
rent orders, by the following
November, ACF expected to
be out of Berwick.
According to Wil
liam Taylor, ACF
chairman
may
have. At the time
it
Here
for the fear
of the effects the departure of
says Vezendy, "or they could
o
NBC
up to the ACF. "Rumors had
been going around town about
the
m
ACF
eral days after the
down and
in,"
>,
news
period where the orders slowed
ACF
closed, the
provided nearly 40 percent of
Berwick's industrial employment.
"The local people stuck together as
best they could," says Kreischer, "but
the ACF was the highest paying employer in the area and when you take
all that money out of the economy, it
hurts. A lot of people left the area,
and a lot retired."
After a steady yearly increase be-
tween 1954 and 1960, Columbia County businesses paid out on average over
$10,0001ess per personin wages in 1963
than they did in 1960. Similar changes can be seen in the wages brought in
by residents of Columbia County. The
wages brought
in by resi-
of the
Board, the centers of rail traf-
/orked for
ACF/
1945, several Chinese industrialists
Berwick to take notes to bring
back and implement in China. The Chinese transportation infrastructure was
badly damaged during the war, and
to quickly improve their railways,
the Chinese toured the Berwick plant
because they beheved it was among the
most efficient in America.
"ACF was the bread and butter of
this town," says Kreischer, "and Berwick was known for its hard workers.
We produced almost anything, and
we produced it well."
During the next decade, trends
in shipping moved from railways to
highways as business took advantage
visited
of the reality that trucks could deliver
orders directly to a location.
"The plant went through cycles. There
would be a six month period where there
were a lot of orders, and business was
good. Then there would be a six month
Spring 2008
growth had moved
south and west away
from the East Coast,
and it was no lonfic
ger cost efficient
ship
to
railcars
from Berwick
to
customers.
its
The
announcement
raised
alarms
in state govern-
ment and
in lo-
government.
David
Governor
cal
Lawrence and the
local
steelworkers
union both set up
meetings with Taylor to discuss
sibility of
ACF
the posstaying in
Berwick, but no agreement
could be reached.
The announcement
also
made
a splash at the national level. SevPhoto courtesy
of
Berwick Historical Society
11
says
Stephen Phil-
lips,
the current ex-
ecutive
director
BIDA.
Once
ACF
of
left
Berwick, the Berwick Forge and Fab-
Company
ricating
became
the
business
first
move
to
some of the numerous unoccupied
buildings left behind
by the ACF. Though
Berwick Forge and
into
Fabricating attempted to ease the pain
of the
it
ACF vacating,
could not provide
ACF did. At
the jobs
the time
it
closed,
ACF employed about
2,800 people. When
Berwick Forge and
Fabricating opened,
there
were
only
enough jobs
dents also increased yearly from 1954
to 1960.
By
1963, personal wages had
dropped by nearly $5,000.
In August 1962, BIDA purchased
the 155 acre ACF plant for nearly
$2.5 million.
"The closure
of the
ACF facility deBIDA
because
they became the owner of the
facility,"
fined the
meaning
of
for sev-
eral hundred, leaving over 2,000 peo-
work or income.
was pretty devastating. Generations of families had worked for
ACF and Jackson and Woodin. Some
people left Berwick and followed the
company west to Missouri," says
ple without
"It
Phillips.
The employment impact the
de-
parture of ACF left on Berwick was
immediately evident. Between 1960
and 1963 the number of people employed in Columbia County dropped
by nearly 20 percent, and the number
of people employed in manufacturing
jobs dropped nearly 25 percent, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry.
Kreischer remembers how big a
part of everyday life ACF played.
"Half the homes in Berwick were
built by lumber from this place, they
had their own general store where
everybody bought their clothes, food,
and supplies," says Kreischer. "They
had a baseball team and a band, the
ACF even heated some of the buildings in the town with excess steam
from the plants. They had everything
we needed," he says
Since the departure of ACF, the
.
biggest addition to the local economy
was the addition of the Susquehanna
Steam Electic Plant. The $4.1 billion
nuclear power plant, which employed
more than 5,000 persons at its peak
over a 10 -year construction period,
went online with its first reactor in
June 1983 and its second reactor in
February 1985.
"That helped lessen the blow a little bit,"
of,
ACF Archives, John W.
B.
of Missouri
-
St. Louis.
recalls.
numerous companies have come and
gone in the ACF complex. "The public
Photo courtesy
Vezendy
Following the purchase by BIDA,
thinks that there
isn't
a
lot
on there," says Phillips, "but
going
that's a
misconception. Over half the existing
buildings are now in the private sector." Currently, 16 businesses employ
about 1,250 people. These companies
a printing company; Cheetah Chasis, which manufactures container chasis; Berwick
include Millridge,
Offray, the world's largest manufac-
turer and distributor of ribbon and
bows; and several mobile home constructors. However not all the space
has been rented, including over 20
acres which are available for purchase, and three 10,000 square foot
shell factories which are available for
lease or purchase.
Workers
in
subway car
12
1948 near completion on a
for
New
York
City.
Spectrum Magazine
Henry English, Herman Amble, and Guy Beoshline and the 1,000th tank.
Phillips believes
not entirely bad
it is
supplied the entire
ACF complex.
ACF
leaving forced Berwick to diversify. When
"We'd like to have it taken
down, but there's just too much
a single employer," says Phil-
and concrete. We'll need
some help paying for it if we want
to bring somebody in and tear
that
ACF
left
there's only
Berwick.
"I
think
mercy of that
employer. I'd rather have 10 companies
which employee 200 people each than one
company which employs 2,000 people."
lips,
"the
Of the
town
is
original
at the
ACF
buildings,
many
have been torn down and those still
standing have been repaired and remodeled, however one that still stands exactly as it was is the power plant which
The power
steel
that place apart," says Kreischer.
As
the buildings are repaired and
the railroad tracks are torn out of
ACF powremains as one of the last
untouched relics of Berwick's great
the ground, the former
er plant
industrial era.
plant remains the only building
^
left
untouched.
The Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble
at the
Alvina Krause Theatre
226 Center
Street
Downtown Bloomsburg
For tickets
570.784.8181 or 800.282.0283
j
www.bte.org
Spring 2008
13
I
Tuesday night at
Chuck Root joins
the West Branch Chorus at Beaver Memo-
Every
7:30,
rial
Church,
is
an
United Methodist
West Branch
Lewisburg.
all-men's choir dedicated to
singing classic music from long ago
when
It's
elderly
men were
not just music.
still
It's
young.
barber-
shop gold.
Although not every member of
the West Branch Chorus
is
part of a
quartet. Root's group, ages ranging
from 69 to
75, is
known
as Endur-
They have been entertaining crowds small and large
since 2005, although Root and Ed
ing Chords.
Abrahims, the
lead,
have been sing-
Root's first experience with bar-
was in East Rochester
(N.Y.) High School when his music
instructor put him in a quartet for a
bershop
short time.
When he reached college,
chemistry didn't
He
stifle
his love of mu-
and never
passed up an opportunity to sing. "I
think I enjoyed my music more than
some of the music majors. When
they were asked to do things, it was
always, 'gosh, do I have to do this?'
I could have said no, but I usually
said yes," Root says.
After earning a Ph.D. from Ohio
State University in inorganic chemistry, he moved to Lewisburg in
1965 to join Bucknell University's faculty, but not even a
sic.
joined a quartet
25 years.
new hometown could stop his
passion. He joined the West
Root, tenor, isn't a professional
musician. He doesn't have any CDs
practices the barbershop style,
ing together in barbershop for over
of his singing.
He
didn't even
in music while in college
major
—he chose
"I was fortunate
had a strong musical
chemistry instead.
enough that
I
background," says Root. In addition to the quartet. Root plays the
french horn, trumpet, and recorder,
has conducting experience, and has
been involved in the Lewisburg Opera Ensemble. But it's barbershop
that has become his favorite hobby.
14
Branch Chorus, a group that
and formed a quartet. In
2005, he and Abrahims recruited Al Wilcox and Bill
Laverty as baritone and
bass. Although Wilcox has
been in other quartets, this
is
Laverty's first experience.
"He's loving
it,"
says Root.
Root and the Enduring
Photos by Nina Gandolfo
Chords are not the only ones who
have fallen for the enjoyable sound
of barbershop. The Barbershop
Harmony Society has about 30,000
members in North
America, with
additional
members
in other
The West Branch Choir sings to Nottingham Village. Members are (from left to right) Dale Thomas, Chuck Root, Ed
Abrahims, Doug Rhoads, Joel Turrel, Jim Cotner, Ernie Rogers, Ken Paulhamus, Jay Spangenburg, and Ed Bordy.
countries. Barbershop singing goes
back to the 1600s. It was popularized in America during the early
1900s in barbershops, street corners, social functions,
and
parlors.
Although it can easily be mistakfor a capella since it shares the
characteristic of music with no instrumental background, it is has its
en
own
Valentine special consists of two
songs, a rose, a box of candy, and a
Polaroid picture. "The money goes
towards music, outfits, food if we're
eating out," says Root, who explains
that
it isn't
their livelihood
and
if
they didn't charge, it would become
an expensive hobby.
When
barbershop quartet comes
same image usually
pops up in everyone's head four
to mind, the
men
—
in striped shirts, bowties,
and
a goofy-looking hat, all ready to sere-
nade with a rendition of "Coney Island
Baby." Although Enduring Chords
doesn't
fit
that particular view,
its
set of rules. For instance, there
are only four singers the tenor, the
lead, the baritone, and the bass. The
melody is usually sung by the lead,
but
—
it
can also move to another part
a short time. Barbershop is also
known for its ringing accord. This
helps create the illusion that more
than four people are singing.
"There are a certain number of
seventh chords and a lack of several
combinations," says Root. He also explains that it can be challenging to
be part of a quartet. "There's no one
for
who
sings your part. You have
your own. You have to be a
good listener," he says.
Enduring Chords has sung at
birthday parties, picnics, anniversaries, nursing homes, and other
special events. It's non-profit but
charges for its form of entertainment: $125 for a half-hour. Its $35
else
to hold
Spring 2008
The West Branch Chorus serenades the residents of the Nottingham
Village, Northumberland, in March. The chorus includes four different
—
barbershop quartets Enduring Chords, According to Dad, Leisure
and WB 4. The chorus was organized in 1975.
Aires,
15
Shelly
Messner
Amber Carnuccio
is more what one would expect. However one image that would rarely make an appearance is the formation of 3'oung women, all college age. all eagerly singing
the same stj4e. but not the usual songs one might hear
in a traditional quartet.
image
That's exactly
what Consonance
is
doing.
"It hinders us a lot because people have no idea," says
Erin Linkoski. a sophomore majoring in medical imaging at Bloomsburg University. She explains that even her
roommates haven't a clue. "I recorded us on my phone
and I showed them. They said, 'Wow! You sound really
good.' I don't think they expected that. They thought it
would be " she pauses, looking for the right word.
"Boring music," suggests Emily Hollick. a sophomore
majoring in marketing at BU.
Linkoski agrees and adds. "We were singing bluesy stuff. They didn't think you could do that." Linkoski and Hollick. along with Shelly Messner, a senior
majoring in elementarj' education and special ed-
—
women. With nearly 30,000 members worldwas founded in 1945. Unlike
tion for
wide, the Sweet Adelines
other
women
choirs, these
women's quartets have bass
and baritone.
Much of the credit for their passion in Consanance is
given to Bonnie Klinger, their music teacher at Shamokin
High
School,
and Dale Thomas, head
of the
Bloomsburg
Shamokin music curriculum
had the option of forming and being trained in a barbershop harmony. Messner, who was part of a quartet
with Hollick and Carnuccio, was also a grade above her
chapter. Students in the
fellow barbershop buddies.
was excited to graduate, move on, and go to colMessner says, "but quartet was the only thing I
wanted to stay in high school for. I cried during graduation when they came up to me."
"I
lege,"
It
would be another year before the
Messner into
college.
rest of the girls followed
Once graduated, they quickly
recruited Linkoski to form their
amateur group. "Of course,
and Amber Carnuccio,
we wanted Shelly back so we begged her,"
who attends Empire Beauty School in
Hollick says, laughing with the othSelinsgrove, have called themselves
ers. She adds, "We didn't have to
"They said, 'Wow! You
Consonance since June 2006, but
beg too much."
sound really goodr' I don't
they have been involved in music,
Once it was decided that they
tiling tHey-^e^pected'tiiat,''
together and separately, much
were interested in pursu-"
griji LrnjfosEilonger.
ing barbershop on a reguConsonance isn't the only
lar basis, the girls would
ucation at BU;
-
-•
have to have a name.
They wanted something
unique, catchy, and explained exactly what
they were. They found
the word consonance,
female barbershop quartet.
Sometimes called beautj^
shop quartet, the women's
division has been divided
into two major divisions
Harmony Inc. and the Sweet
Adelines
Int'l.,
known
which stems from a Latin
word for "coming together," and
as the
world's largest singing organiza
Emily Hollick
Erin Linkoski
16
Spectrum Magazine
Messner clariwork on our image, to
right. I'm the parent," she says.
fies
by saying,
make
sure that
"I try to
we
are fun but
still
professional."
HoUick and Linkoski share the position
The
lead while the other sings tenor.
of
role of
is to be able to tell the story of the
song with their singing and facial expressions. Linkoski believes she works better as
tenor than a lead. HoUick doesn't agree. "It depends on the song. Our personalities have to
fit, too, not just our voice," she says.
Linkoski has been in musical programs
since elementary school and is still currently
participating in such programs in college life.
"She has a laser voice. Focused and strong.
Barbershop people are like, 'Oh, you have a
laser voice. That's awesome!'" says Messner.
When she discusses HoUick, she says,"Emily
can tell a story. She is easy to back up because
she makes you see it her way."
HoUick is the group's
scheduler. "She keeps
the lead
e
1
v
For more information
or to schedule a
barbershop quartet
to visit your
Consonance rehearses a new song.
is
also a musical
"It
term
for
party, contact:
Consonance
harmony.
could have two meanings be-
consonancequartet@hotinail.com
cause we found each other, we came
together, and now we make harmony,"
Enduring Chords
570-524-4848
says Linkoski.
"And you
can't
make harmony
According to Dad
with-
out others," Messner adds.
HoUick believes the meaning
name
doesn't only apply to
^0-447-3312
of the
more often than
570-387-7918
Old Stuff:
WB4:
to.
"I'm the loudest
love meeting
new
and
silliest.
people.
I
I'm very outgoing and
make us a
lot of friends at
events," says Carnuccio.
Messner, the baritone, says her love for music started
an early age. While her brothers were participating
in musical programs, Messner says, "I followed in their
footsteps. Eventually I owned the passion for myself."
When Carnuccio described their baritone as the
"quartet mom," Messner laughed in agreement. "That's
at
Spring 2008
of-
sound was just as
good but we were older
men, I don't think we
would have as many
shows as we do now,"
says Messner.
ciety
lot of
r
practice as
^0-326-0816
mind
entity,
tionship with each other.
They
ten as they can and
have a show at least
once a month. "If our
Found Sound
but rather their rela"We wouldn't
progress as a group if we didn't know
each other," she says.
Carnuccio is the bass and is described
as the feisty one. Her role in the quartet is the foundation for all other parts.
"Amber has such a passion for this," says
Messner, explaining that she's a determined individual who will do anything she puts her
musical
caUs." says Linkoski.
Even the official
members of the Barbershop Harmony So-
Lsure Aires
them as a
of things and
makes aU the phone
track
570-784-7272
570-323-5564
chapters
give
They
encourage the young
them fuU
support.
women to keep
ing, organize
for
them
sing-
shows
to sing at,
even donate money. They say there's a
encouragement to keep the barbershop tradition. And
not, they are received positively from
their audience.
of them would like to continue barbershop, and
they can't continue to sing with each other, they
will continue their passion and harmony.
No matter who is singing, male or female, young or
old, barbershop continues to capture the attention of
many and entertain even more. Perhaps that is what
Each
even
if
makes
it
gold.
^
17
ALL NATURAL-
GROUND BEEF
CHUCK
CARNE
K^\£fcl^ccte^
MOLIDA DE RES. DE PALETA
!t^ Hormones
^''Jteroids Added
^^mS^^^mmmM^
by Annelise Chayka
arol Busada takes pride in the
dinner she serves her husband and
five children. Amid her busy schedule. Busada takes the time to buy
raised beef, poultry, and
She purchases her beef directly from Rohrbach's Farm, and buys
her poultry and egg products from
locally
eggs.
Bloom Naturally, a
holistic health
food store in Bloomsburg carrjdng
locally raised meat.
"The labels in the supermarket
can be difficult to understand for
many consumers who do not know
how the labels are regulated and defined. It"s best to know the person
who raises the
animals." says Busada.
on meat
products are informative, others
can be misleading. The definition
Although some
labels
for "all natural" is often misinter-
prefer not ha\'ing
hormones
or
my meat." saj's Busada.
She says that bu>4ng locally "helps
guarantee I know what I am getantibiotics in
18
and how
was
it
the animals are being raised," says
raised."
Health concerns and label confusion cause many consumers to turn
to the local meat market.
"Consumers ai-e communicating support for natui-al local food by increasing the demand, which is leading
to more local farms and farm markets," says Todd Hopkins, co-owner
of Forks Farm in Orangeville.
Understanding how livestock is
raised enables consumers to choose
food from farmers who dont use
chemicals, pesticides, hormones, or
antibiotics.
"With all the issues surrounding the meat and labeling industr^^
consumers are gaining interest in
farming
Rachel Litco-owner of Spring
practices," saj's
whiler-Ribble.
Meadows Farm.
Orangeville.
Her husband agrees. "The
preted by consumers.
"I
ting,
relationship
direct
we maintain with our
Manj^ customers
farm to experience
the atmosphere and understand how
customers
will
come
is key.
to the
Kris Ribble.
Meat packages boasting "no hormones added" may be misleading.
Although the FDA prohibits hormones in poultry and pork products,
antibiotics have replaced them.
The Federal Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). an agency of
the U.S. Department of Agriculture,
reviews all labels on meat, poultry
and processed egg products, includ"all natural" label. To obtain
this label, the product must be minimally processed and free of artificial flavor, coloring ingredients, and
ing the
chemical preservatives.
The FSIS has a continuous presence in the slaughterhouse, and
conducts daily inspections in processing plants.
"We will not approve a label if
the product does not meet our standards." says
Amanda Eamich. FSIS
spokeswoman.
Many consumers
assume
"all
Spectrum Magazine
Regulated
CiaiiiiS
To obtain one of these labels the farmer must provide
documentation citing the feed formula, operational
protocol, and affidavits and testimonials.
Raised without added hormones
Raised without antibiotics
Not fed animal by products
Free Range
Corn-fed
Grain-fed
Grass-fed
;
only includes slaughtering
steeper growth curve," says Dr. Mark
Melynchuk, professor of biology and
nutrition at Bloomsburg University.
and processing techniques. Consum-
Critics highlight the relationship
ers often mistake the "all natural"
between antibiotics in the meat industry and antibiotic resistance in
humans.
The FDA's approval of an antibacterial drug used in the poultry industry,
natural" pertains to the
manner
in
which the animals were raised. However,
it
label to
mean
"naturally raised."
"Currently there is no 'naturalstandard; however, there
may be a marketing standard in
the future," says Jimmie Turner,
spokesman for Agricultural Marketing Services (AMS).
A commonly debated topic in the
"naturally raised" label is the use of
antibiotics and antimicrobial agents
for the use of disease control, disease
prevention, and growth promotion.
Because of the rising global demands for meat, the industry standard transformed from family farms
to massive feedlots where thousands
of birds are raised. To prevent the
risk of a diseased bird affecting the
entire flock, some farmers administer antibiotics through the feeding
supply. Proponents argue that administering low doses of antibiotics
eliminates the threat of an infection
being spread to consumers.
"The antibiotics keep the birds
healthy, and healthy animals have a
ly raised'
Ba3^ril 3.23 percent, resulted in the
emergence of an antibiotic-resistant
strain of the Campylobacter bacteria, a
common source of food-borne illness in
humans.
sistant,
If
it
the bacterium becomes re-
may
prolong the duration of
the illness, and increase the chance for
complications.
"Although antibiotic resistance is
it has the
potential to be if agricultural practices continue," says Melynchuk.
Because antibiotic resistance can
be inherited, the problem may continue to worsen.
"If a single bacterium is antibiotic resistant and it reproduces asexnot yet a huge problem,
ually,
the newly formed bacteria
probably
will,
inherit resistance,"
says Melynchuk.
John and Todd Hopkins
Farm
raise chickens, pigs,
of Forks
and cows
without the use of antibiotics or hormones through a "pastured" and
"free range" system.
In some industrial farms, chickens are confined to a small area in a
vast feedlot and will never see sunlight.
The
"free-range" label
was
cre-
ated to address confinement issues.
To obtain this label, documenmust be submitted and ap-
tation
proved by the FSIS, proving the
animal has access to the outdoors.
However, it doesn't require the farm
to be inspected.
According to the "free-range" label, animals must have "access to the
outdoors." However the standard does
not address the outdoor conditions or
the accessibility to the outdoors.
"Access to the outdoors can be
as small as
an open window. Under
these conditions, animals are unlikely to leave their food source and
an antiand a nonresistant
venture outside," says Todd Hopkins.
bacterium sexually reproduce, the
nonresistant bacterium can, and
chickens are raised by a "free-range"
system. The chickens are completely
will also be resistant. If
biotic-resistant
She explains that the egg-laying
These claims are not regulated or approved by the
United States Departrnent of Agriculture.
•
•
•
Antibiotic free
Drug free
Hormone free
•
•
•
•
Spring 2008
Pastured
Naturally raised'^
Naturally grown
Chenlical free
19
free to
sects
roam
and
the pasture and eat in-
grass.
The
bii'ds often re-
tiu'n to a chicken tractor at night to
obtain shelter and grain.
The "pastured"
ly different
s\-steni is
sHght-
from "free-range."
In-
stead of allowing the chickens to
roam completely free, the chickens
are raised in a movable coops or pastui-ed pens. The pastm-ed pens ai-e
bare on the bottom, allowing access
to the pasture: the roof protects the
birds from predatory birds.
On
Forks Farm, the pens are
a day to ensure a
constant supply of fresh grass.
Because chickens cannot survive
on a diet of only grass, their diet
is supplemented with "certified or-
moved twice
ganic" feed.
"We have a
and see the animals grazing
pasture," she
with most of our customers, many
of them come to our farmers market during the summer, or stop bjthe farm store year round," says
Hopkins. "Our consumers trust
our farming practices because they
have the opportunity to talk to us
'Buying
Although many beef labels boast
a "corn fed" diet, critics argue that
cows are ruminant animals, and
should be grass fed. A ruminant
animal has a stomach with four
compartments, one of which is the
rumen that contains enzj'mes able
I
locallj;
know wha
and how i
to digest grass.
"When animals
are on high levchanges the pH levels
in their stomach and makes them
el of
grain,
it
more susceptible
to diseases." says
Rachel Litwhiler-Ribble.
The "gi-ass fed" label was updated in
October 2007. by
cows
diet
AMS
was derived
to ensui-e the
solely
from
age. It prohibits the use of gi-ain
requii'es access to pasture
direct relationship
in the
sa\'s.
for-
and
during the
gi-owing season.
Kris Ribble and Rachel LitwhilAngus cattle on a
strict pasture diet, with unlimited
er-Ribble raise
access to pasture.
"We
raise oui' cows on pastuxe-
summer, and faU
months. Dui-ing the \\dnter months
diu-ing the spring,
John Hopkins stands
in front of a
pastured chicken pen. The pens
provide shelter for the chickens while
allowing them to graze on the pasture.
Spectrum Magazine
ilps
am
guarantee
getting
as raised.'
-Carol
—
'—
»
^
Busada
"
cows have a higher level of
good fatty acids and a lower level of
bad fatty acids. John Hopl oversee an 85 acre farm.
Grass-fed
Spring 2008
the cows are fed hay raised on the
farm.
We move the herd at least every
three days to ensure a constant sup-
the risk for cardiovascular disease,"
says Melynchuk.
Kris and Rachel
why
cite several rea-
people don't buy from
ply of fresh grass," says Kris Ribble.
sons as to
"Grass fed" beef provides several
health benefits over cattle fed grain
and stored forages. The meat from
the cattle of Spring Meadows Farm
contains four times the amount of
Omega-3 fatty acids than beef from
cows fed a feedlot diet, according to a
study conducted by the Department
of Crop and Soil Science at Pennsylvania State University.
Omega 3 fatty acids cannot be
manufactured by the body and must
be obtained from food. They play a
large role in brain function as well
as normal growth and development.
"Grass-fed" cows also have a
their local farmer.
higher level of Conjugated Linoleic
Acid Concentration (CLA).
CLAs promote healthy cardiovas-
local meat, while living in Virginia
cular health.
possible to find," says
"Although we are not exactly sure
how, CLA reduces the buildup of cholesterol in the artery walls, reducing
To find your local farm or farmers
market, visit localharvest.org.
"Customers
are
accustomed
to
the convenience of a grocery store
and they have lost contact with local farmers and are many times unaware of the superior products that
can be purchased
locally,"
says Ra-
chel Litwhiler-Ribble.
The rural counties of Columand Montour provide local resi-
bia
dents with the opportunity to visit
and support local natural farms and
farm markets.
"Since Bloomsburg is an agricultural area, a variety of different
outlets are available for purchasing
I
used to have to travel over an hour,
in North Carolina it was nearly im-
Busada
S
^
NO DUMPING
Almost 400 tons
39
dump
illegal
have been identified at
throughout Columbia County
of trash
sites
by Brittany Laumakis
is
T
ires,
refrigerators,
bricks, rusted bikes,
animal carcasses and
massive amounts of
bugs are some of what
commonly found
in illegal
dump-
ing sites across Columbia County.
Thirty-nine illegal dumping sites
have been identified in 12 different
municipalities throughout the county
PA
by
CleanWays. With authoriza-
tion from individual counties
and
funding provided by the Department of Environmental Protection
(DEP), these sites were analyzed for
approximate tons of waste, hazards,
potential plans to remove it, and possible solutions for the community.
"Not every resident is notified
of illegal dumpsites in their area,"
says Todd Crouch, program manager for PA CleanWays. All of Columbia
County's dump sites were located in rural areas. The first step to end illegal
dumping is to determine the extent
of the problem.
PA CleanWays
years in the county. "A lot of dumping has become hereditary, what we
can do is clean it up and educate
their kids to break the chain," says
for
Rush. Rush works mostly in eastern
Pennsylvania in collaboration with PA
CleanWays setting up clean ups with
various volunteers and groups.
"Both concerned communities
and individuals across Pennsylvania
get involved with the problem of illegal
dumping," says Crouch.
Dr. Sandra Kehoe-Forutan, Danville, volunteered in the clean up of
the Hogsback dumpsite in Greenwood Township as the adviser of
Bloomsburg University's Geography
and Planning Society (GPS) in April
2007. "It's a major environmental
problem, it shows a great disrespect
for the natural environment," says
Kehoe-Forutan.
During the past year, volunteers participated in four cleanups
in Columbia County.
"There was over 100 tons of trash;
has
we picked up about 154 tires," says
Rush of a dump site at the Catawissa Canal. The job was so large that
heavy equipment was brought in, followed by the volunteers to conduct
hand pickup. This clean up was funded by the Growing Greener grant.
PA CleanWays provides training
for all volunteers before the site
ect begins.
Through
and breeding of mosColumbia County sprayed
in July 2007 after adult mosquitoes
were tested positive for West Nile
to the presence
quitoes.
The standing water creates a
breeding ground for the disease carrying insects.
Along with the Catawissa Canal,
nearly half of the sites are near
waterways, increasing the chances
of polluting the water
Virus.
supply.
Kehoe-Forutan
with the biggest
dumping problems to fo-
ties
says of the Hogsback site, "There
Columbia
abandoned
coal mines are problem areas for dumping. "The earth is torn
up already and with a
first.
was a small stream
and trash was right
County's
lot of holes,
their trash
says
source speciaHst for
"Illegal
dumps
re-
contribute to pol-
PA
lution
CleanWays.
It's been a problem
22
it." Thirteen percent of the sites
were directly in the
water or wetlands.
in
people dump
down there,"
Bob Rush, a
prq
cooral'
nation with PA CleanWays, which
provided a backhoe, GPS got Hogsback cleaned up in about four hours.
Most projects are done between 9
a.m. and noon.
Illegal dumping also contributes
chosen the larger coun-
cus on
tight
A
Student from
GPS
piles
garbage bags collected from Hogsback.
of nearby
waterways by percolation and run-
Spectrum Magazine
veyed in Columbia were acConstant new
tive sites.
trash being added to a site
deems
it
"active".
Only two
percent were posted with
"no dumping" signs.
"Someone had actually
knocked down the 'No Dumping' sign over the bank," says
Kehoe-Forutan, "and a student had to carry it back up."
One of the common excuses people use for illegal
dumping is the lack of recycling in the community.
"When people don't want to
pay to have things removed,
they dump it," says KehoeForutan. Many of the items
Abel Witmer recovers a 'no dumping' sign
1^ ^
tiiat
off,"
was
Crouch
torn
down and became
trasii.
says.
larg-
can leak toxins
into the soil and surface waters.
"Pollutants and toxins can also enter private or
community drinking
water wells," says Crouch. Larger
household items, such as air conditioners and refrigerators, can leak
Freon, ammonia, mercury, lead,
and cadmium.
"We found
batteries
and they
leak toxins into the soil," says Kehoe-Forutan.
Broken glass, rusty metals and
toxic substances pose a threat of in-
jury to
had
and bulky items.
"When we went back
tires,
Hogsback]
The surveys found that the
er household items
cleaned at Hogsback were
mattresses, sofas, chairs,
ple
to
check,
[to
peo-
had actually started dumping
again.
It's
sad because
so beautiful,
hoe-Forutan.
end dumping
it
looked
ening dumping and
"When word
ing
won't
activity
dumping
littering.
gets out that
be
dump-
tolerated,
decreases," says Crouch.
PA CleanWays
also asks volunteers
watch for pill bottles, car registrations, and other items that can help
identify and track down the person
to
who left it at the site.
"We actually found an
entire
windshield with a person's car registration on it," says Kehoe-Forutan.
Sites vary in size and when it
comes to priority of cleanup, PA
CleanWays has to depend on the
funds and grants it receives.
"As much as we would like to clean
up all the sites, we have to limit the
cleanups based on the funding we
receive," says Crouch.
"Montour County is on the list
but also a much smaller county with
less of a problem," says Rush. It is on
the schedule to be cleaned up within
this year while the other counties in
Pennsylvania will be done by 2012.
so clean," says Ke-
A
possible solution to
a volunteer organization or individual to adopt
an area. "When someone sees the
sign, it lets them know that someone actually cares about that area,"
is for
says Kehoe-Forutan.
Enforcement of laws and monitoring the sites are successful in less-
[More information about volunteering
and
specific site details in
your area can be found on the PA
CleanWays website, www.pacleanways.org as well as the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection
state.pa.us.J
website
www.depweb.
s
humans and animals. "We
to be
aware
of needles
and
Kehoe-Forutan.
If a site catches on fire, the air
becomes contaminated from the re-
sharp
objects," says
leased emissions.
"Animal carcasses allow disease
causing pathogens and bacteria to
spread," says Crouch.
A lot of what is found at sites can
be properly disposed of with little
effort. "Unfortunately a lot of townships don't have regular pick up
days for larger items, like washers,
so people dump it," says Rush. It's
a common occurrence to find household appliances at sites.
About 92 percent of the sites sur-
Spring 2008
Volunteers Kevin Watkinson and Kyle Rauch remove a small part of the
household items illegally dumped in Hogsback.
23
irg
eather Hunsinger and her
mother, Carol, can hardly
keep track of all the ribbons and trophies around
their home. They have run
out of places to put them,
which isn't surprising if
you've been horseback
riding at Eos Therapeutic
Riding Center in BloomsHeather has. When Heather's mom
praises her daughter it's obvious that Heather is beaming with pride, but she smiles and hides her pink face
burg
for as long as
brown
in her hands, leaving her
woman and
persevere through
ith the help of a
iutic rklittflLcenter
curly hair sticking
through the tops of her fingers.
Despite her daughter's bashfulness, Carol continues, listing Heather's loves and numerous accomplishments throughout her years, just as any proud
mother would.
"We can't make a quick trip to a store without somebody knowing Heather. She has more of a social life
than I do," Carol says. Heather loves movies and window shopping. She works part-time at Suncom Industries, an adult training center in Bloomsburg. Each
year she helps put on a Christmas show with the Starlight program at Wesley United Methodist Church of
Bloomsburg. In her spare time, her favorite thing to do
is send greeting cards and bake cookies for friends.
She loves bowling, and has traveled to compete in
State College, where Penn State University football
coach Joe Paterno signed her shirt. "He said good luck
to
it
me in bowling. He
my shirt and I
signed
got to
wear
home," she says.
Heather may seem like any average 29-year-old
woman, but she has mild mental retardation, and a
number of health problems. She has struggled her entire life for acceptance, for equality, and for the chance
to live a typical lifestyle. "I guess I was kind of ignorant about children with disabilities," Carol admits.
Due to complications that led to a lack of oxygen at
birth, Heather was diagnosed with a developmental
delay at 14 months of age. "I wasn't prepared. It's devestating," says Carol, "but
what can you
do,
how can I
do anything else but love her?"
Larry Hunsinger, Heather's father, says he knew
from the beginning that his daughter's disability
wouldn't affect how he felt about her. "They said she
has a disability, but what were they comparing her
to?" he asks.
Heather didn't start walking until she was almost 18
months old. Because she walked with her feet pointed
inward, she had to wear corrective shoes. She also had
tight hip abductors which made it difficult to walk.
When she was a toddler, her unstable gait caused her
to lose her balance and fall against a ceramic candle
holder, creating a U-shaped corneal laceration in her
left eye. She still has poor eyesight, even after healing
and years
and outgoing attitude. "I went into protective
mode, but she took to it like a troop-
uvula in her throat to create a wider
air passage, and she recently began
wearing a mask at night to provide
at Heather's loud voice
er feel so helpless," Carol says about
a constant air flow.
er,"
parenting a child with disabilities.
With the help of the program at
Eos, Heather Hunsinger has never
Heather never had any inhibitions. When her mother asks her if
she was scared her first time riding
a horse, she shrugs and says, "No, it
of treatment. "I feel like
we're supposed to have eyes in the
back of our heads.
Larry
says,
It
makes a moth-
"You wonder
if
you're
a good parent or not, or if it was
your fault, but then you see people
^ It's fun,
I
see
all
allowed her disabilities to hold her
back from living and loving
my
life.
Carol says.
friends and they are happy to see me. '
— Heather Hunsinger
with worse disabilities than she has
and you realize you're lucky."
Dealing with their daughter's
health troubles has been an endless
battle. Heather suffered from kidney
infections for seven years, which led
to urinary tract infections and temporary use of a catheter bag. Heather
has had surgeries for a bone growth
on her arm known as Osteochondroma, calcification in her knees, and
thyroid nodules. Heather also suffers from sleep apnea, a condition
that causes her to stop breathing for
short periods of time during sleep.
She's had a surgical procedure to
remove part of her soft palate and
spreading her free spirit to others,
and seeing people for who they really are. That's why Heather Hunsinger is not your average 29-year-old
woman.
Heather started therapeutic
riding when she was 13. "I think
we're part of the woodwork here,"
Carol jokes.
Carol first heard of Eos at the
Special Olympics, where Heather competes in bowling. No one in
her family ever had an interest in
horseback riding before, and Carol
was scared the horses would spook
Heather Hunsinger stops on the
trail
was
easy.
Heather still rides every Tuesday
for eight months of the year, and
her parents believe the program has
done wonders for their daughter,
physically, mentally, and emotionally. "She likes the people that work
with her. They treat her like a human, not a person with a disability,"
Larry says.
Heather mostly enjoys the social
aspect.
"It's
fun,
I
see all
and they are happy
to
my friends
see
me,"
Heather says.
Therapeutic horseback riding cenbehind the Eos barn
to
shoot
some hoops.
Spectrum Magazine
becoming more common
United States, but
most people know Httle about riding therapy and the potential help
it can give. A horse's gait provides a
repetitive pattern of movement very
similar to a person's pelvis during
normal human walking. "Horses are
always accepting, no matter what
the special need of the rider is, and
they are always in touch with the
tion and
are
ters
and
rider
horse's
forward
She's taught
that
me
okay to
it's
A
a human's does. For
be
people bound to
disability doesn't
as
just
a wheel
this
chair,
may be the
can
walking
closest they
get to
and stretching
their
muscles
on their own.
"For a lot of our
kids, this
all
that they
Smith
different.
make a person
any more or any
less of a person.
It's
what's inside?
—Carol Hunsinger
logs,
8,
the
and put the
bean bags in the
buckets," Heath-
Learning
col-
and counting
can come easy
for most children,
ors
but children with
developmental
delays have a
dif-
ficult
time retain-
ing
information.
"They were able
to
see at school
what she was able
to do because of the riding," Carol says.
says.
The physical aspect
can
normalize muscle tone, and improve
mobility.
"When
these kids get onto
horses they just melt. You can see
their bodies relax," says Carol, who
has witnessed the effects of riding
therapy.
Regular horseback riding has
improved Heather's walking, helping her to loosen the tight muscles
in her legs and allowing her to wear
regular shoes. The obstacle courses and challenges she completes on
horseback have improved her reading and problem solving skills with
puzzles. "When that improves, communication improves," Carol says.
activities riders participate
in have proven to encourage lan-
guage development, improve atten-
Spring 2008
Most importantly the program
of riding
balance, coordination, strength and
The
the figure
er says proudly.
may
have,"
be
social interac-
During Heather's therapy session,
her instructor, Denise Treven, gives
her a list of exercises to remember to perform
on
horseback.
"I do the cones,
center of gravity
and backward,
up and down,
and side to side,
The
says Carol.
sensitive to their needs,"
center.
shifts
skills.
between the animal, the rider,
and the volunteers improves motivation, enhances curiosity, fosters independence, and develops the ability
to care for others, both human and
animal, says Eos volunteer training
information. "The rapport between
the riders and the volunteers is phenomenal, hugs are plentiful here,"
tion
says Debbie Smith, executive director and founder of the Eos riding
The
memory skills, and generate
reasoning
throughout the
has given Heather self-esteem, confidence, and a supportive and accepting circle of friends. "It builds up her
confidence and brings her so much
joy. In all these years I can't remem-
ber walking in here without someone
smiling back at you," Carol says.
er
Throughout the hardships Heathhas faced in her life, her parents
insist that Heather's No. 1 priority
caring for others. "She's always
thinking of everybody else," Carol
says. On the way to a routine surgery to remove her tonsils at Geisinger Medical Center, Heather said,
"Mom, we have to stop at the dollar store." When her mother asked
why. Heather said that she had to
get cards to thank her doctors.
Shortly after waking up from
is
27
Heather's family, like
families with
children,
is
special
forced to
many
an
needs
through it."
The Hunsinger family knows that
Heather is unique, not because of her
disability, but because of her spirit.
"She cares about people unconditionally, you don't have to be something you're not, you don't have to
buy her love and friendship," Carol
deal
with people who are critical towards those with disabilities. "I don't see a lot of
people who are judgmental;
we've come a long way as a
society with accepting others, but there are people who
do,
Heather weaves her horse through an
obstacle course at Eos.
and
that's their problem,"
Carol says.
Carol and Larry brush
off people who judge them or
their daughter, and believe
that Heather has helped them
to forgive others. "She's taught
me a lot; she's taught me that
it's okay to be different. A
disability doesn't make a person any more or any less of
a person. It's what's inside,"
Carol says.
Larry says he's learned
how to be accepting when
things don't go as planned.
Heather has showed him "how
you can't change them, and
the procedure. Heather
mother go
attitude like so what, we'll get
says.
Heather
is
new
friends,
new
make
thrilled that the
riding season has started. "I
new memories," she
says.
For Heather, the riding season
friends, her riding instructor of 14 years, and the
means seeing her
volunteers that constantly praise
her and help her to reach her goals.
"I'm happy to see everybody here,"
Heather says.
For her family, it means another
season that Heather feels a sense of
camaraderie, a sense of self worth,
and a sense that she is just as important and special as anyone else.
"She's accepted here," Carol says,
"and she knows that."
^
made her
to the information
desk
names
of the doctors and nurses who took
care of her. Heather, who is allergic
to pain medications, was more conof the hospital to get a hst of
cerned with writing out her thankyou cards than the fact that she was
recovering from her surgery with
nothing more than regular aspirin.
Recently, when Heather was
back at Geisinger because of sinus
and respiratory infections, she was
treated by a physician who still
had her card hanging on his fridge,
nearly 20 years later. "She must
have had an impression on his life
too," Larry says.
Smith says Heather's kindness to
others is her best quality, and that
she strives to be friends with all of
the other riders at Eos, no matter
Providing financial well-being
for our members through
dedicated professional and
personal service for over 50 years.
Bloomsburg Branch
2251 Columbia Blvd.
570-784-5200
Fax: 570-784-5233
what
disability they have.
"She treats them like brothers and
sisters, she's comfortable with everyone she's around. There's no age limitation, no special needs limitation:
she wants to make everybody happy,"
Smith
28
PHILADELPHIA
FEDERAL CREDlLliMIL
pfcu.com
er.
honest
says.
Spectrum Magazine
Rachael Kerstetter
Laura Karchner
New Dawn and
Eos
is a non-profit organization dedicated to helppeople of all ages with physical and mental disabilities. The program provides special needs people
educational and therapeutic activities, increased confidence, and a circle of support, through equestrian
based lessons, says Debbie Smith, executive director
and founder of EOS Therapeutic Riding Center.
"Doctor's don't see outside the box, they don't realize there are goals out there to be met without scientific structure," says Smith.
The program was founded in 1991 after Smith suffered
a back injury and was confined to a wheelchair for over
a year. "I wanted to help people who go through the
ing
same
thing
I
went through," she says. The name
a shortened fomn of the Greek word Eohippus,
meaning "new dawn, new beginning." It is also the name
"Eos"
is
of the
first
horse of evolution.
"I
felt
that a
new dawn
and new beginning was great, because that's what
our kids are getting," says Smith.
Smith began the program with just seven riders
and two ponies out on loan. Seventeen years later,
Eos is a year round operation involving 90 riders, 10
horses, five instructors, and a multitude of volunteers
and benefactors. Eos was initially able to expand after
receiving a $152,000 community development grant
from Columbia County in 1998. The grant allowed the
Evan Radise
Spring 2008
Noah Hartman
Heidi Fletcher
Pat Zeblisky
a
New
Beginning
program to build a large indoor arena, permitting
more space and insuring therapy sessions regardless
of weather.
Smith says that the program would not be poscommunity involvement and those who
donate their time. "Anyone can be a volunteer, they
just have to love people and love life," she says. Even
sible without
with the help
it
receives, the non-profit
still
struggles
funds and to find enough volunteers.
Eos has a waiting list says Smith, and has had
one "for the past seven or eight years." Despite the
to raise
demand
for riding sessions,
and the expenses
of
running the program, Eos has never turned a rider
away due
to the inability to pay. "What better gift
can you give someone, than a period of time with
total happiness," Smith says.
Running Eos has taught Smith to appreciate what
she has. "Whatever challenges are thrown at you
and however tough things look, there are always
ways to get around problems and issues, and there
is always someone out there in worse shape than
you are," she says.
[For information about volunteering or therapy
sessions, contact Smitti at 570-784-5445 or tlirougli
e-mail at Eosriding@wmconnect.com.]
William Manning
Brad Vargo
Classic Cars
by Antonella Dinnocenzo
Photos by Annelise Chayka
The
different cultures
that surround
New York
helped shape what Cesare
now refers
"knack
to as his
for fashion." After
graduating from Queens
Community
College
and
the Fashion Institute
of Technology, Cesare
went on
to Alexander's,
a large department store
on Lexington Avenue in
Manhattan. There, he
became the buyer for ladies'
accessories.
"In the big city, people
are dressing for style and
purpose. There
is a higher
standard there," says
Cesare.
Five years later, he
to Capador's, a
went
manufacturer of ladies'
accessories, where he
became a partner
for the
purchasing, design, and
quality control of foreign markets. As the outside man in
ladies' accessories he purchased the products and then
resold them to fit the latest trends.
Leaning against his
remodeled purple and grey
three window 1932 Ford Coupe, "You
have to be open minded in
Tom Cesare looks back on
fashion. You have to be able to
the ride of his life, one that
step out and break tradition."
combines fashion and auto
Cesare explains, 'Tou have have to be out there and
gamble with colors. Hit all of these things the right way
and you've got a winner."
restorations.
Born
in Queens, N.Y., Cesare
the world of fashion.
30
became aquatinted with
Cesare took this philosophy with him while he traveled
throughout the world to find the most marketable items
Spectrum Magazii
He remembers taking
unique and different products to
make coordinated efforts to create
available.
new products.
"Each area has a
'
;r^'
specialty,"
Cesare explains. Italy, he
recalls, was proficient in leather
handbags, the Orient featured
belts and ladies wigs, and India
,
fevolved around fabrics.
s
o
,0
S
o
°
"Never take
anything for
granted and always
try to be contracted
in your thinking."
Cesare says, "If the style of a boot is really hot and
j^ou notice that in the far distance they are making
1 ladies hat with studs on it, try to incorporate
;hem both. Make the good boot and incorporate the
?ood stones on
it."
After his business partner, Irving Paul, died,
moved to Bloomsburg. He used to visit an
who lived in Berwick. "I saw a lot that I liked.
Cesare
ancle
found the area very relaxing and slow paced,"
Cesare says. He took a part-time job working as the
[
seafood
manager
'The purchasing
for
Giant Markets, Bloomsburg.
end
of fashion related to
purchasing timely items and the proper quantities
it
Giant," he says.
As a child, Cesare went to car meets at Nathan's
Hot Dogs one night a week where he showed off his
3ar,
a 1957 pink Chevy.
Since then Cesare has remodeled four cars.
Standing against a chain link fence tha^
separates fan from driver, dreaming of one day doing
the driving, a young boy of 6 focused on the action in
front at a local New Oxford track, only imagining of his
future."Ever since that race, driving was something I
always wanted to do," says Ray Bull, of Bloomsburg.
old, has won
was the ARDC midget
champion six times, and has raced
on dirt with some of NASCAR's giants.
Bull has his father to thank for
Bull,
now 38 years
over 100 races,
sparking his interest in cars. Maurice
Bull couldn't have known the magic
that
was turned on
in his son's soul, but
says Ray, "The passion was always there."
Growing up in New Oxford, known
and started to
meet more contacts. One of those individuals was Spike Gillespie, owner
races in a season
What
started out as a weekend job turned
into a couple days a week at the race
shop, followed
by attending two
rac-
es in a weekend.
At the end
of the
1990 season,
determination paid off. He
had been attending as many as 80
Bull's
32
made
it,"
he says.
out well with
his decision to put Bull behind the
From
1991, his first
driver's seat.
with the opportunity to race his Micro Sprint for one
of the remaining races of the season.
fuU season, until 1996, Bull collected
56 wins. Gillespie also gained a son-inlaw when Bull married his daughter,
At the time. Bull was 21 years old.
"Driving was something that I always wanted to do, I just never had
Jan,
Bull with his wife, Jan,
for local sprint car drivers.
and ran with
lespie presented Bull
after
young racer
began helping out as a crew member
it
Gillespie also
of Gillespie signs in Bloomsburg. Gil-
From boyhood, the
for sprint car racing, the
just took
affair.
racing bug has beei
and daughter, Lauren,
winning at Dixieland Speedway.
money to do it," says Bull. What
he needed was someone else to own
the
the car so the financial responsibili-
wouldn't be so harsh.
"Spike called me up during the
winter months and asked me if I
wanted to drive all of the next year,"
says Bull. Having only driven once.
Bull was surprised by the offer.
"It was a chance of a lifetime so 1
ties
making racing a family
After conquering the Micro Sprints
division, Bull moved up into the
ranks of the American Racing Drivers
Club midget class in 1996. He knew
little about midget racing.
"I was coming into a whole new
division that could run with a wing,
without a wing, on dirt or on pavement," says Bull.
The ARDC was organized in 1939
by a group of East Coast drivers and
owners to look after the interests of
Spectrum Magazine
midget drivers and owners. When
the formation of the club became
public, virtually all
midget drivers
signed up. Racing legend Mario Andretti was one of many who came
from the ARDC division.
Bull found his success racing in
ARDC. Between 2000 and
2005,
midget champion. Two of those years he earned
the title of winningest midget driver
in the nation, scoring a combined 10
feature race wins in 2001 and 11 in
Bull was the
ARDC
says, "once you make it, you can race
and have a good time." He explains
the Bowl as the only race that is a
party and then a race breaks out.
"People are relaxed, playing games,
throwing Frisbee; it's more of a social
event, and it's one place that you can't
get upset if you don't do well," he says.
Though the Chili Bowl is filled with
as many as 70 champions in all divisions all racing at one time, running
next to some of racing's "superstars"
doesn't hinder Bull's concentration.
2004 out of 17 racing events held,
two of which he did not compete.
While racing with ARDC, Bull
went to Tulsa, Okla., to compete in
To Bull, racing against Tony Stewart,
Kasey Kahne, and J.J. Yeley, all of
the inaugural Chili Bowl in Janu-
racing next to another competitor.
The best wingless drivers, including some of NASCAR "s greats
who hadn't forgotten where they got
whom
CAR
ictive in
Jull
by side in the
Ray
dirt.
full
Cup
"I don't let
ary.
their start, race side
compete
Sprint
time in the
NAS-
Series, is just like
racing special
is Bull's father.
quality time that
I
because if you let it, then you're already beat before you even get on
the racetrack," he says.
"The
get to spend
with
my
Now
that his parents have retired,
a
father
weekend
is great,"
says Bull.
trip to the races consists
and daughters riding
along in his parents' motor home. "I
get to the track with my dad by my
side and we go everywhere together.
That part's great," says Bull.
Although some opportunities arose
for Bull to pursue a career in racing,
of his wife
some fellow
move away, take 10 years
after watching
that stuff bother me,
Bull.
His wife and three daughters travwith him to every race. "The kids
love it, it's like a mini vacation every
time we go," says Bull.
Another individual who makes
el
and build a
lives to try
now have
drivers
of their
career,
nothing, or never
what could have been due
and
know
to a major
by Kristin Saltzer
celebrates with the checkerd flag after
vinning at
New
Egypt Speedway.
Bull describes the Chili Bowl as
Bull's best finish
never thought
was fifth in 2005.
be happy about
a "chess match," with each driver
"I
constantly having to plan his next
a fifth place finish, but you are racing in this little track, you have this
whole week of build up; 15,000 peo-
move. "You have to be good, and you
have to be lucky," he says.
"You would think once you make
the show that's the most stressful
but it's not, that's when
you relax," he recalls. Getting into
the race itself was stressful, but Bull
part of
it,
Spring 2008
ple
around you.
was pretty
I'd
It's
not a win, but
it
he remembers.
Racing has always been a family-oriented sport, and that is where
special,"
his biggest supporters
come from.
racing accident. Bull knew putting
and family first would
his children
have a more rewarding payout in
the end.
is
When not
a sign
What's
maker
left of
at the track. Bull
at Gillespie Signs.
his spare time he uses
most importantspends time with his family and
to golf and fish, but
ly
be there for his girls.
After the end of the 2006 season.
33
Bull cut back on his schedule. "Going to the races is fun and my family
enjoys it, but if you commit to that
every week there's no going to the
beach, or doing things with the girls
that
He
ARDC
will continue to
diana, and to the Midget Nationals in
Knoxville.
Taking on a
doesn't
mean that he
not to be
is
ule
feared.
"The
Raging
Bull,"
as
often
he's
known, scored
"You have to
be good, and
you have to
be lucky."
-Ray
victory
in
May 2007
at
Susquehan-
Bull
currently fourth on the
list.
the family
more
Bull.
it's
about
quality,"
says
"We ran
for the points
for
''
success
Banking
fit
now with
in;
to
our Y"
races
you
when, where
and how
you like it
years
six
straight,
and I
cherished that
time,
but
it
got tough," he
na Speedway
Park. He is
time win
many
can
The key
how
quantity,
his 50th career
ARDC
"It
used to be the
they need to
do," says Bull.
limited sched-
and New
the trips to North Carolina
York. Trips are planned to Illinois, In-
think
I
compete in
races around the state, but limit
.
^^t
says.
The
ARDC
all-
ChiH
Bowl, however, will continue to stay
on the schedule.
^
Scow Toicnship
The convenience
of
online banking...
Tiie confidence of a
local branch.
Serving our friends
and neighbors for
more than 00 years
with nine branch
1
locations
and
convenient ATM
access
FIRST
COLUMBIA
s
&
^S
B/\NK
TRUST CO.
\^'\^'\v.iirsicoIiinil)ial)ank.c()m
(570)
-
784- 1 660
Member FDIC
Benton
ready to be pushed out for his next race, mentally prepares himbefore side by side racing action at Silver Spring Speedway.
Bull,
self
34
•
Berwick
•
Bloomsburg
Bucklnorn • Catavvlssa
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Spectrum Magazine
FANTASIES
»^REBECCA
(i
ColumbLa
Check out our new
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Site!
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& RENTAL
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^
'.>':3
i^.
^0^L
,
fOj^
*
SHE NEEDS
HER
FUR
MORE THAN YOU DO
Please choose compassion
as your fashion.
I
HE HUMANE SOClEi
OF THE United States.
2100 L
Street,
NW, Washington,
202-452-1100
DC 20037
www.furfree.hsus.org
^? "SUS.
Spring 2008
A!T
nghs
res^r.-Bd
35
High school students juggle
classes, extracurriculars, and
their social lives to enter college
with more than a year of credits
Story and photos by Jenna Wisniewski
time Courtney King sat in a college
was scared to ask her professor a question. "The professors are the most
intimidating part," says King, a senior at Montgomery High School. King is one of over 100 high school
students who are taking college classes at Bloomsburg University.
EHza Reed, a senior at Shamokin Area High School,
The
first
classroom, she
adds another perspective to college work. "There really isn't
much extra work; you just have to study," Reed says.
that
King
notes,
"Even though many
B's."
King
also
of the classes are
and
remembers the uneasy feeling of being
tougher than high school,
I still
receive mostly A's
a high school student in college. "Because I am still in
high school, I sometimes feel out of place," says King.
Both girls now accept college as second nature.
"No one even knows I am in high school so I can
just do my own thing," says Reed, "because the college atmosphere is so different than high school."
They are both surprised at how different college is
from high school, but believe they are getting the best
of both worlds.
Both students are attending BU through the Advanced
College Experience (ACE).
ACE, estabhshed
in 2003,
al-
lows high school students to famiharize themselves with
36
Courtney King and Eliza Reed discuss academics
walking between classes on the BU campus.
whiif
Spectrum Magazine
High School is
college while still attending high school. "It's a great
senior at Central Columbia
way
program. Although King and Reed are taking several college classes, Mordan is satisfied with just
one. "It's kind of the thing to do at Central [Columbia
High School]. A lot of students take advantage of the
ACE program because we are so close to the university," she says. Mordan believes that even though she is
taking only one college class, she will benefit from the
experience next year when she attends BU full time.
"I wanted to get the nervousness of the first college
class over with before I became a full time student," she
says. Mordan's only college course is Interpersonal Com-
students to experience college before becoming
a full time student at a university," says Karen Murtin,
head of BU's ACE program. Because many of the fees
are waived, students can attend college and pay only 25
for
percent of the price a full time student pays.
King, 18, will graduate from high school with 18 college credits. "Because I have taken these classes, I can
start college in the fall with a crutch. If I do poorly in a
and need to drop it, I have 18 credits to fall back
King says. She is undecided about her major but is
class
on,"
considering pharmaceutical sales. However, BU doesn't
offer that major so she would have to transfer later on
in her college career.
from
exams. Her 39
credits are equivalent to almost three semesters worth.
She hopes to become a physical therapist. Reed believes
the credits will help lessen her workload no matter
which major she decides to take. Both girls divide their
time between high school and college.
Each morning they go to their high school classes,
and then leave between 10 and 11:30 a.m. to arrive on
BU's campus in time to start the second part of their
Reed,
17,
will graduate high school with credits
BU, community
college classes,
and
AP
in the
also enrolled
ACE
munications, an introduction course at the university.
Mordan, like King and Reed, remembers her first day
as intimidating. No one knew she was in high school
and she wanted to keep it that way. On her first day
there was a phrase the professor kept using that she
didn't understand. "I had to confront the professor after
class," she says, "and she explained 'Blackboard' was an
online site that professors use to post assignments and
grades through the website. The professor was so nice
and even took me to her office to show me how to use
Blackboard so
Many
I
wasn't confused anymore."
people believe that because high school stu-
"Freedom is the best part of this experience," says
King. Unlike Reed, King had read about the ACE program online. "No one at my school had really heard
about the program. My mom and I had to search online
and then ask my guidance counselor about it before I
Although Mordan believes taking college
still in high school is an accomplishment,
she doesn't believe she is a child genius. "People seemed
to be impressed but I don't take the stereotype in a posi-
could even apply," King says.
tive way,"
day.
Reed found out about the ACE program when a representative spoke at her school. Reed was then approached
by her guidance counselor and began to think about the
possibility of the program. Her older sister had already
taken classes through the ACE program and reported a
good experience. "I saw how it prepared my sister and
how much she liked it," Reed says.
Like King and Reed, Jenna Mordan, an 18-year-old
a great way for the
students to experience
It's
college before becoming a
full
time student at a
university."
— Karen
Murtin
dents are taking college courses, they are over achievers
or prodigies.
classes while
Mordan says.
Reed has similar views about the stereotype. "I'm
not a prodigy or a genius, and I am only a year younger than many of the students here," she says. Reed believes taking college classes will give her a
when she attends
King agrees.
BU this
"It's
fall
head start
as a freshman.
mostly adults that think I'm a
child prodigy or genius," says King, but "I'm really just
like
any other high school
kid.
I
just
wanted a
feel of
"I wanted to get the
nervousness of the first
college class over with
before became a full time
."
student
I
—Jenna Mordan
life and a way to jump-start my college caBecause both gii-ls believe their genius status is
overrated, they just live their lives day by day as high
school and college students.
"I can still be a high school kid. but receive more academic stimulation." Reed says. Reed and King as well as
most ACE students, agree that taking college classes is
not as hard as
Jenna Mordan is taking one college class to get over
her nervousness before enrolling at BU in the fall.
the college
reer."
they thought
would
'I
have lots
time
it
be.
of
for all mj-
acti\dties. I
college
at the
take
classes
would be taking high school
ones," says Reed,
time
about
the
frame
is
same as if
1 were finishing my day at
the
high
Her
school."
extracui--
ricular
ties
acti\-i-
consume
her da}-; anj'one who didn't
know her wotdd
wonder how she
ever
fits
ev-
er\i:hing in. "I
have
time
for
my
I
see a
of
my fi'iends
diuing
my play prac-
she says.
King, like Reed, also beheves she has time for
all
her
"Even though I may have to spend a bit more
time studying. I have plenty of time to get it aU in. You just
have to make schedules and stick to them," King says.
All three giiis agi'ee ha\"ing a schedule and keeping
an agenda is the best ad\ice for someone in the ACE program. Reed believes she would lose her head without her
acti^^ties.
agenda.
"You need
it
to
keep
all
your
activities, classes,
ams straight. Once you have that down,
it's
and
ex-
really not that
bad." says Reed.
King
ha\dng a schedule helps keep her life
"Sometimes there is a conflict mth an exam or
a game back home, but most professors will work arotind
it and as long as I let them know ahead of time, an exam
can be moved \\ith little hassle." King says. All three girls
believe that responsibilty is the biggest difference between
high school and college.
As the giiis leave BU after then' first day of classes
thej^ know it has ah-eady been a great experience. "I took
college classes to challenge myself more. I have however, benefited fi'om the experience in more than one way,"
agi'ees that
in order.
King
says.
ai'e similai'. "This progi'am and this school
have helped me learn what college is hke. and I can't wait
to come here in the fall." says Reed. Most ACE students
agi-ee that stai'ting college with experience is their idea
of a perfect beginning.
Monique Grimord.
Reed's \'iews
^
17, of
Central Columbia High School,
Introduction to Drawing class at
program. Grimord.
University,
lot
sports practices, so they don't really ever feel
left out."
same time
I
"so
everjthing.
tices or
wanted
who
plans to
to get
is
attending an
Bloomsburg University through the ACE
major in graphic design at Susquehanna
a few credits before starting college
in
the
fall.
Spectrum Magazine
*^
F""^—
Local schools are making readin
by Ashley Seigfried
Fourth-grade student Michele Ko-
tarsky of Nescopeck Elementary
one out of millions of stu-
School
is
dents
who have become fond
reading. Kotarsky, like
er students,
is
is Fundamental. "I
book and being able to keep
involved in Reading
ally like getting to choose a
of
many othreit,"
says Michele.
dren. RIF tries to teach every child about the value of
books and the importance of reading. "The aim is to
get the kids motivated about reading. By providing free
books for children it helps low income families build a
home library of books to read at home," says Pasukinis.
RIF also hopes to build stronger community based childrens and family literacy programs.
The program is designed to have volunteers come in
during the school day, read stories to the students, and encourage them to read. The volunteers often come up with
a motivational activity or a theme for that specific day.
"I will often choose a favorite children's author and
read aloud a portion of that book." says Cathy Kline,
RIF coordinator for the Nescopeck Elementary School.
One activity at Nescopeck was to have children donate
a "gently used" book to Katrina victims. The activity
was a success and they learned how important reading
is to all
ties
may
children in the nation, says Pasukinis. Activiinclude arts and crafts, fun games, scavenger
hunts, and more. They help the students to have an enand use their own sense of creativity.
"Salem Elementary School did a Snow Blizzard
Reading Contest where the children read lots of books.
joyable time
Makayla Hess, Paige Superko, and Taylor Brown
in RIF at Nescopeck Elementary School.
participate
RIF has provided books for children across the United States. This non-profit organization, founded by Margaret McNamara in 1966, began as a small program at
three elementary schools in Washington, D.C. It's now
in about 20,000 schools in the United States. About 16
million books are provided for 4.6 million children every year, according to RIF.
"RIF has really encouraged me to read more and I
have finished every book that I have received," says
Tristan Delp, fourth-grader at Nescopeck Elementary
school. Lindsey Anderson, a fifth-grader at Nescopeck
Elementary School, says she has saved all of her RIF
books and now has her own personal library.
"RIF is all about encouraging children and their
families to read and helping them understand the importance of reading," says Cheryl Pasukinis, RIF coordinator for the Berwick School District. This year more
than 5,000 books will be distributed to the children in
the Berwick elementary schools. Millville Elementary
School and the four elementary schools in Berwick all
take part in the program. The organization primarily
provides a literacy program for underprivileged chil-
Spring
2008
For each book they read, they earned a snowfiake to
hang in the hallway. They tried to make the school
like there was a blizzard inside," says Pasukinis.
look
At the end of each session, students get the chance to
"RIF has made reading fun for me, and there
pick a book.
always a good selection of books," says Tyler Evans,
fourth-grade student at Nescopeck Elementary School.
"Students are offered books at a variety of reading levels
is
can find one that is just right for them," adds
about promoting a love for literature, children are not taught how to read through this program.
"By the end of their elementary school career, students
will have a shelf full of their very own books to read and
so that they
Kline. It
is all
and over!" says Pasukinis.
The funding is provided through RIF, the federal
government, local businesses and community members.
enjoy over
For each order of books RIF covers 75 percent of the cost
and the other 25 percent is paid for through donations,
Pasukinis says.
However, President Bush's budget plan for 2009,
eliminates RIF's funding of $25.5 million. Carol H.
Rasco, RIF president, says unless Congress reinstates
the funds RIF will be cancelled. For this year, RIF's
budget
is intact.
Next year, there may be no RIF programs.
S
39
^>^sv
Sheriff Sales:
^
The connection between adjustable
rate mortgage loans and forclosuires
by Joe Korba and Chris Fetterman
subprime loan crisis, severe increases in
unemployment, and the reality of the nation
at the beginning of a recession has led to a
significant increase in house foreclosures and
sheriff's sales in Columbia County.
Foreclosures in the county have risen from an average
The
of about 30 a year to over 100. Last year
was a record
year for foreclosures, with 120 homes put onto the auction
Tim Chamberlain. During the
block, according to Sheriff
first
quarter of 2008, there were 18 sheriff's sales.
The problem may have begun
lain, "when interest rates were
Chamberincredibly low." At the
in 2003, says
time, says Chamberlain, "people were re-mortgaging, get-
ting the adjustable rates,
The
rates soon shot
up
to
and now they can't pay them."
more than 20 percent in some
cases, rising at such a rate "that the borrower is blindsidbills that keep increasing as the economy
With increased unemployment, a two income
household was hit by the workplace economy, outsourcing
to other countries, and by the rising interest rates. "It is
ed by monthly
gets worse."
very difficult to afford a
Chamberlain
The
home with one income anymore,"
says.
sheriff also
of the problem.
blames the lending industries
He
for
some
believes lending institutions should
have been "more responsible in giving mortgages to people, they should know that they can pay it."
[Several organizations assist people in danger of losing
their homes to foreclosure. For more information, contact
the
Homeownership Preservation Foundation, a
counseling service, at 1-888-995-HOPE (4673.)]
e
federal
^
Need YOU!
Individuals, schools, churches,
and
civic
organizations are needed to volunteer
their time to erase the indifference.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Address: NEPA Alliance Against Homelessness
SOLVE Office of Bloomsburg University
400 E. 2nd St.
Bloonnsburg, PA 17815
Phone:
{570)389-5437
Email:
stvolser@bloomu.edu
Fax:
(570)389-3005
http://organizations.bloomu.edu/endhomelessness
Northeast Pennsylvania Alliance
Against Homelessness
at
40
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
Spectrum Magazine
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Spring
2008
41
H^,
'^^-
k''
fiM^Wf--^
"'
'»^''
'
% M"
itis explains h
rriangular Teer
Spectrum Magazine
edged between a cigar shop and a restaurant in
downtown Bloomsburg, a small business provides
an opportunity for local artists to showcase their
and artistic vision. Bluegrass melodies hum
softly in the background as customers browse the
paintings and photographs which adorn the walls of
the gallery."Open Your Eyes to Dream is an extension
creativity
of my living room," says Eric Shurmaitis, gallery owner
,
and
artist.
"This gallery
is
my baby,"
says Shurmaitis,
who
launched his business in April 2005.
Shurmaitis used
money he had accumulated from years
of working "terrible jobs" throughout various parts of the
vacuums and pumping gas
U.S.: selling
in Wilkes-Barre;
mowing lawns
in
in Eugene, Ore.; delivering pizzas
Bear Creek; and even
"Some of those jobs were frustrating," he
money away for something of my own."
os.
says, "but
I
and
selling cars
selling timeshares in the
knew that I was
always
Pocon-
stocking
Shurmaitis had gone to Oregon on the advice of a good friend and then eventually
tled
set-
back in Pennsylvania. He landed in Bloomsburg when he discovered the current loI wanted a decent amount of space for a reasonable price in a town
cation. "Basically,
where there was a cultural
Once
the property
was
interest in the arts,"
he says.
secure, Shurmaits' unique viiiiing fantasies that
when he was very young.
When he was 5, his parents
began
„,,...,
him
in private
enrolled
been obsessed with art ever since," he
says, but admits that running an art gallery in a small
town like Bloomsburg can be a struggle. However, unart lessons. "I've
like
most business owners, Shurmaitis
is
obsessed with profit margins. Instead, he
not overly
is
more con-
cerned with creating a positive environment within
Spring 2008
"Fach
individual VisitOf
reacts differently wh.
they Walk thPOUgh the
^r-j^^r 9nmp «5PPm
'
n
-xu
*u
generally happy With the
Pl^CG While Others run
away
,
in lUcii.
^^q Shurmait
After graduating
high school in Wilkes-Barre, Shurmaitis earned an
associate's degree in
painting/illustration
from Luzerne County
Community
College.
After a few years of traveling,
he moved to Blooms-
burg, opening the gallery
he had been designing in
his
mind
Since
for years.
its
opening, Shur-
maits' vision for his gallery
has expanded to include yoga
classes, small-scale stage
plays,
and
live bands. "I
look for mostly up-and-
the
coming bands," he says.
These activities help cover
community, a place where learning and
creativity are the
the costs of running the gallery and provide an opportunity
primary focus. "More small
towns need a place
like this.
Too many people
believe art galleries belong in a city," he says.
Small galleries inspire
artists to
"crawl out of
more local residents to get involved in the creative arts.
Most of the bands he selects are from Pennsylvania, but some
have traveled from New York City to play at the gallery.
One theme that resonates throughout Shurmaitis' phifor
losophy of life
the cracks" of communities, because they sud-
is
the love of travel.
——
T
exists where
denly
Z
Tl^TirTTirT;
' realize a place
^
(Right): Matt Vanderslices
they can showcase their gift, he says. Rendition of Caravaggio's
"Works
of Mercy."
The walls
are
of the gallery
filled
with
photographs and
44
art.
Spectrum Magazine
moved to Bloomsburg, he
summer backpacking and bik-
Before he
spent a
ing through Europe, where he briefly
thought about relocating.
He
dured a cross-country road
has en-
trip
through
managed
much of the Northwest. "I just
between a few dollars and several hundred dollars making them affordable
to the general population. "Each individual visitor reacts differently
when
they walk through the door," says Shur-
the southern United States and
maitis,
to explore
with the place while others run away in
"some seem generally happy
love to travel and meet other artists," he
fear."
However, he explains
planning
leries
can be intimidating, so he firmly
says. In
August, Shurmaitis
his next
unorthodox adventure, a bike
trip
is
north with no particular pre-planned
itinerary. "That's
how
traveled through
I
met so many
interesting people. Traveling on a bicycle
forces you to take it slow and meet as
many people as you possibly can."
Europe," he says, "and
I
Shurmaitis views his gallery as a tem-
porary piece of his
life,
a temporary lo-
that art gal-
believes in an open door policy for
all,
measure the
well-being of a small community. His
passion for artistic culture seems to res-
onate through his every action. According to Shurmaitis, he considers himself
an "abstract mixed media
artist"
human
whose
current focus deals with
now, I'm trying to find a handful of
and the dream which they collectively
trustworthy people to pass on the gallery
experience. "I have been trying to paint
he says. But his vision of Open Your
Eyes to Dream goes beyond being confined to one place. "I want to open
more
galleries all across the country," the
27-year-old says.
Brosch,
is
A close friend. Matt
currently surveying locations
in Asheville, N.C., the future
Open Your Eyes
Most of the
to
Dream
home of
2.
gallery pieces are priced
Quality Briar Pipes
Shurmaitis maintains that creative outlets are crucial to
cation not limited to Bloomsburg. "Right
to,"
•
regardless of social standing.
a clearer picture of what they
beings
want from
new possibilities," he says. By launching Open Your
Eyes to Dream in downtown Bloomslife
and help them
to see
young artist has in fact fuldreams by offering others a
chance to cultivate their creativity and
burg, this
filled his
begin to bring their
dreams
to fruition.
own
^
individual
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46
Spectrum Magazine
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& Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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until
Spring 2008
ontont)
Cover Stories
End of an Era
From Tanks to Trains, the ACF Era
by Chris Fetterman
Specially Selected
.FARMER'S MARKET
PRESH EGGS
^o Hormone
No
Antibior
lOOmgofOr
Riding out Life's Setbacks
Naturally Confusins
Some
no
by Annelise Chayka
labels have
8pectM'iun
Leaping over life's obstacles: Horses
help people overcome adversity
by Kelly MacMath
^
legal ba§i
Magazine - Vol, 21, No. 2 - 8pruig/8niiuner 2008
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Walter M. Brasch
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS
Joe Korba
Ashley Seigfried
Kristy Westbrook
ADVERTISING SPECIALISTS
Kaitlyn
Mayberry
Ashley Ney
Justin Strawser
ADVERTISING DESIGN
MANAGING EDITOR
ART DIRECTOR
Steve Mock
Chris Fetterman
Antonella Dinnocenzo
Hilary Trainer
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Kurt Nystrom
Kelly MacMath
ASSISTANT EDITORS
Annelise Chayka
Brittany Laumakis
Martha Harris
Jenna Wisniewski
DESIGNERS
Nicole Clark
Chris Fetterman
CIRCULATION
Jon Gass
DIRECTOR
MaryJayne Reibsome
Jon Sten
PHOTOGRAPHERS
CIRCULATION ASSISSTANTS
Joe Korba
Nina Gandoifo
Annelise Chayka
Chris Fetterman
Ashley Seigfried
Spectrum Magazine
rBUiUfBi:^
30
Flushed with Color
Make a
party out of your potty
by Martha Harris
L4
Barbershop Gold
Bringing back the sweet
sounds of Barbersiiop
by Justin Strawser
Classic Cars
A trendy auto
&
High Fashion
restorer's drive for fashion
byAntonelia Dinnocenzo
Was Always There
32
The Passion
36
High School with a College Twist
Riding shotgun with local racer 'Raging' Ray Bull
by Kristin Saltier
Local students juggle high school college courses
byJenna Wisniewsl
Warning: No Dumping
The
truth
tons of
in Columbia County
by Brittany Laumal
Fundamental
39
about 400
illegal pollution
^ ^%
A fun read
for local children
by Ashley Seigfried
Mentality of Surreality
The surreal
feel of
a local art gallery
byJonSten
About the cover photo:
Debbie smith
(right)
founder of Eos Therapeutic
Riding Center, and long-time volunteer Faye Mausteller (left) lead Conner Troutman, age
7, around the ring on Beau Pony. Conner, who has Down Syndrome, improves his handeye coordination and recognition of colors by putting marbles into the castle and watching
them roll down through the different colored sections, (photo by Nina Gandolfo)
PROMOTION DIRECTOR
Kristin Saltzer
Sam Osborne
PRODUCTION
CONSULTANTS
Alyssa Pierce
Mike Bischof
Christe! Sholly
Ken EnTgel
Dave Fry
PROMOTION ASSISTANTS
Tara Stancavage
WEBMASTER
Brittany
Laumakis
BUSINESS MANAGER
Erin Erdley
Spring 2008
Spectrum is published twice a year
by the journalism program at Bloomsburg University.
Address: Bloomsburg University
BCH
106,
400
E.
Second
St.,
Bloomsburg, Pa. 17815
Phone: (570) 389-4825
Website: http://www.spectrum-magazine.org/
http://www.myspace.com/spectrumrevolution
portion of Spectrum may be reprinted without its
permission. Printed by GRfIT Commercial Printing
No
(Montoursville, Pa.)
© 2008 Spectrum
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Spectrum Magazine
What
does it take to make a good magazine?
You could say that the writers are the soul of a
magazine; without them, no magazine would exneed editors to assign stories and move the magazine through the production process. It's the fact checkers
who break down every story and verify not just every quote
and fact that appears in a story, but anything that should
appear that doesn't. It's our copyeditors who are vigorous in
assuring a high quahty of writing and editing.
ist.
We
You could say that it is photographers who capture a
moment, to aUow others to see what they see through the
lens, focusing and refocusing until it clicks. You could say it
is the designers, laboring over computers, moving items a
fraction of an inch to construct a masterpiece.
It's the circulation, advertising, and promotion staffs.
Without promotion, people don't know about the magazine; without circulation, there can be no advertising. No
matter how good a magazine is, it is useless if most of the
copies lie in storage. All staffs must work together.
Without cooperation, production falls apart. Hard
work, with sweat and tears, are poured into that cooperation until a final product is reached. It's long hours
and dedication, late nights and frustration, but when
the final minute passes and you see the fruits of your
labor,
it
makes
it
all
worth
it.
We
are proud to present you with the Spring 2008
edition of the national award-winning Spectrum Magazine. In this issue, we'll take you on a journey through
time. We start this issue with a feature on the American Car Foundry in Berwick, taking you on a tour of
its past, followed by what it currently is being used for.
We line the middle with stories about our present, people and places that are the pillars of this region and
make it beautiful. Near the end, our future: a handful
of teenagers from the next generation who are taking
college courses.
— THE EDITORS
Flushed with Color:
Designs Not Just for the Body Anymore
by Martha Harris
whether
People,
airplane-sized
their
the
bathrooms.
color
of
have large rooms or
they
spaces,
the
Any
like
detail,
walls
to
tattoos,
lid,
from
The decorations are hygenic and reuseable. They
made from plastic film and can be wiped clean.
They also cling to a smooth toilet lid because of
are
electrostatic energy, not adhesives, so they
the
shower curtain to what covers the toilet,
add personal touches. Although the
toilet seat is usually plain or has a
rug-like cloth over the
decorate
to
,.
—^
The plastic film has numerous designs.
There is Fleur-de-lis, leopard, and
zebra print, stripes, and polka dots. For
toilet
vinyl lid coverings with
children, there are tattoos with ducks
different pictures, give people one
even a
"It
an
Toilet tattoos were invented in
2003 when Celeste MassuUo, a
fashion design entrepreneur in
Macedonia, Ohio, became bored
with the traditional cover and the
decorative toilet seat.
"I
wanted
to decorate
my toi-
in a creative, modern,
way but soon
and clean
to decorate their
Spring 2008
commodes."
and
training chart with stickers.
provides
immediate
tion."
Using
realized that toilet decor
products had not changed for decades,"
Massullo says, "so I created toilet tattoos to
give consumers a contemporary and simple choice
toilet
the
child
with
beconnection
tween the desired behavior and the
reward, but it also teaches the child to
put down the toilet lid.
After using the commode," Massullo says, "the child applies the reward
sticker to the toilet tattoo themselves,
which exercises their hand-eye coordina-
more way to personalize the bathroom.
let
can
be used again.
way
toilet tattoos to
decorate lids
to customize the bathroom.
is
one
From leopard
print to wallpaper stripes and polka dots to toilet
training chart, all members of the family can benefit
from the tattoos.
^
End
The closing of the American Car
and Foundry plant in Berwick
devestated the local economy.
Berwick has spent almost five
decades trying to recover.
by Chris Fetterman
Vezendy remembers the whistle that sounded late in
the afternoon everyday in Berwick. For the first 14 years
of his 59 -year life, the low-pitched blast signaled both the
end of the work day for thousands of employees at the
Bill
American Car and Foundry plant and the time when his
William Vezendy, would be on his way home.
His father worked at ACF for 20 years as a machine burner, cutting huge steel plates into smaller pieces, and everyday he came
home from work filthy.
"The combination of all the smoke and dirt in the air made the
machine burners come home very dirty. We lived near the plant, and
any men who walked up from work looked like they were soaked in
oil. When my dad came home, let's just say he wouldn't win
any fashfather,
ion contests," says Vezendy.
Vezendy, who now volunteers at the Berwick Historical Society, has
a long family history at the ACF, as do many families in Berwick.
Vezendy's father, aunt, uncle, and both grandfathers worked at the
plant, which occupied 155 acres in central Berwick. However, once the
plant closed in 1962, Berwick became a vastly different town.
"All of a sudden you had hundreds of workers who didn't have jobs.
Closing the plant was a shock to the whole community. These people
spent
money in
out income
local stores for food, clothing,
and appliances, and with-
hurt everybody one way or another," says Vezendy.
Charles Kreischer tells a similar story.
"The ACF had all the money in the town; if you wanted a donation, that's where you went," says Kreischer. Kreischer also remembers the whistle that sounded every afternoon, sending his father,
brother, and Kreischer himself home from ACF.
"People in Berwick didn't need clocks. They could tell what time it
was by just
it
listening to the whistle blow every day," says Kreischer.
now the director of the Berwick Industrial Develop-
Kreischer,
ment Association (BIDA), started working at ACF in 1944 when he
was 15. At that time, the plant employed over 10,000 workers.
"That was one of the wonders of the world. I was there when they
had 10,000 men and women working at that plant; it was really
something
to see." said Kreischer.
Ki'eischer agrees that working as
a welder for ACF was no clean job.
"We worked hard, and I had a hot
job. I worked on the tanks, and when
we were inside them welding, there
was so much smoke and ash flying
you couldn't see your buddy standing a foot away." says Kreischer.
Kreischer felt the impact when
ACF left Berwick. "That was like a
death in the family." saj^s Kreischer. "Our paychecks depended on
that place and most everybody and
dollars in the
expand the
new
Berwick plant to
facilities,
buildings,
and
construct
install ad-
The
became even more
ACF
ditional machinery.
plant
ble in
1904 when
it
nota-
produced
the first ever all-steel passenger car.
The
gloiy
days
of
the
ACF came during World
War II. when the plant
switched
railcai's
to
from
building
becoming a major
their families
producer of war supplies. ACF
produced metal plates used on
for years:
ships,
vehicles,
shells.
Most
it
had worked at ACF
was realh' a downfall
he says.
The American Car and Foundry
plant was founded in 1840 to produce
plows, kettles, and other farming
supplies. In 1849. William Woodin partnered with Mordecai Jackson, the original owner, to form the
Jackson and Woodin Manufacturing Co.. which produced iron pipes
for Berwick.'"
and bridge castings before entering
the railway car building business.
In 1899, the Jackson and Woodin
was taken over by American
Car and Foundry. When ACF bought
plant
It
was
turer of railroad cars in the eastern
United States. Following the piu'-
ACF
artillery
ACF
pro-
duced Stuart tanks, producing
up to 10 a day. By August 1942.
less than nine months after
the United States entered the
war. ACF produced its 1.000th
tank.
"Our tanks went through
northern Africa, and they did
real well.
Berwick
is
trying to
find one to purchase
and bring
back, but there aren't
many left
and
they're real expensive," re-
members
Kreischer.
pretty devestating, Generations of families hac
out Jackson and Woodin, the plant
had become the largest manufac-
chase,
and
notably,
invested several milhon
The
known
ACF
plant in Berwick was
production even out-
for its
side the U.S.
"I've
read in several different
books that Hitler had this plant
on his
top spots he wanted deThey were always watching
list of
stroyed.
for saboteurs." says
Vezend}^
At its peak, the ACF plant employed
more than 10.000 workers, 4,100 of
whom lived in Berwick. Others came from
towns
across Pennsylvania, including
Clai'ksSummit.Nesquehoning.Lewisburg,
and Williamsport.
"Once the war started, they employed
people from all over. My boss drove all the
Sehnsgi"ove.
way fiTim Hanisbm-g," saj^s Kreischer.
Following the end of the war, ACF
to the production of railroad
went back
cars.
"We worked on loads of railcars. That
had 27 miles of railroad track
running through it." says Kreischer.
"and each building had rails in it to
move the cars in and out."
place
As
a testament to the prestige
brought
to
Berwick,
in
ACF
November
Spectrum Magazine
people didn't have
closure broke,
work
more orders came
crews to film a segment in Berwick
until
says Vezendy.
for
the
Inevitably,
decline
of
the railway industry caught
of the
sent television
their nationally televised
and Now program.
There was good reason
plant closing. It came
down to a choice for the ACF.
They could spend a lot of
money and do a lot of remod-
ACF
eling at the
Berwick
plant,"
^ spend more money on their
1 smaller plants around the
± country."
o
On Tuesday, Nov. 9, 1961,
Berwick
page
1 headline of T/ieMornin^Press
§ announcing the closing of the
I ACF. Though the ACF would
f remain open to finish all curthe
residents
awoke
of
to find the front
rent orders, by the following
November, ACF expected to
be out of Berwick.
According to Wil
liam Taylor, ACF
chairman
may
have. At the time
it
Here
for the fear
of the effects the departure of
says Vezendy, "or they could
o
NBC
up to the ACF. "Rumors had
been going around town about
the
m
ACF
eral days after the
down and
in,"
>,
news
period where the orders slowed
ACF
closed, the
provided nearly 40 percent of
Berwick's industrial employment.
"The local people stuck together as
best they could," says Kreischer, "but
the ACF was the highest paying employer in the area and when you take
all that money out of the economy, it
hurts. A lot of people left the area,
and a lot retired."
After a steady yearly increase be-
tween 1954 and 1960, Columbia County businesses paid out on average over
$10,0001ess per personin wages in 1963
than they did in 1960. Similar changes can be seen in the wages brought in
by residents of Columbia County. The
wages brought
in by resi-
of the
Board, the centers of rail traf-
/orked for
ACF/
1945, several Chinese industrialists
Berwick to take notes to bring
back and implement in China. The Chinese transportation infrastructure was
badly damaged during the war, and
to quickly improve their railways,
the Chinese toured the Berwick plant
because they beheved it was among the
most efficient in America.
"ACF was the bread and butter of
this town," says Kreischer, "and Berwick was known for its hard workers.
We produced almost anything, and
we produced it well."
During the next decade, trends
in shipping moved from railways to
highways as business took advantage
visited
of the reality that trucks could deliver
orders directly to a location.
"The plant went through cycles. There
would be a six month period where there
were a lot of orders, and business was
good. Then there would be a six month
Spring 2008
growth had moved
south and west away
from the East Coast,
and it was no lonfic
ger cost efficient
ship
to
railcars
from Berwick
to
customers.
its
The
announcement
raised
alarms
in state govern-
ment and
in lo-
government.
David
Governor
cal
Lawrence and the
local
steelworkers
union both set up
meetings with Taylor to discuss
sibility of
ACF
the posstaying in
Berwick, but no agreement
could be reached.
The announcement
also
made
a splash at the national level. SevPhoto courtesy
of
Berwick Historical Society
11
says
Stephen Phil-
lips,
the current ex-
ecutive
director
BIDA.
Once
ACF
of
left
Berwick, the Berwick Forge and Fab-
Company
ricating
became
the
business
first
move
to
some of the numerous unoccupied
buildings left behind
by the ACF. Though
Berwick Forge and
into
Fabricating attempted to ease the pain
of the
it
ACF vacating,
could not provide
ACF did. At
the jobs
the time
it
closed,
ACF employed about
2,800 people. When
Berwick Forge and
Fabricating opened,
there
were
only
enough jobs
dents also increased yearly from 1954
to 1960.
By
1963, personal wages had
dropped by nearly $5,000.
In August 1962, BIDA purchased
the 155 acre ACF plant for nearly
$2.5 million.
"The closure
of the
ACF facility deBIDA
because
they became the owner of the
facility,"
fined the
meaning
of
for sev-
eral hundred, leaving over 2,000 peo-
work or income.
was pretty devastating. Generations of families had worked for
ACF and Jackson and Woodin. Some
people left Berwick and followed the
company west to Missouri," says
ple without
"It
Phillips.
The employment impact the
de-
parture of ACF left on Berwick was
immediately evident. Between 1960
and 1963 the number of people employed in Columbia County dropped
by nearly 20 percent, and the number
of people employed in manufacturing
jobs dropped nearly 25 percent, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry.
Kreischer remembers how big a
part of everyday life ACF played.
"Half the homes in Berwick were
built by lumber from this place, they
had their own general store where
everybody bought their clothes, food,
and supplies," says Kreischer. "They
had a baseball team and a band, the
ACF even heated some of the buildings in the town with excess steam
from the plants. They had everything
we needed," he says
Since the departure of ACF, the
.
biggest addition to the local economy
was the addition of the Susquehanna
Steam Electic Plant. The $4.1 billion
nuclear power plant, which employed
more than 5,000 persons at its peak
over a 10 -year construction period,
went online with its first reactor in
June 1983 and its second reactor in
February 1985.
"That helped lessen the blow a little bit,"
of,
ACF Archives, John W.
B.
of Missouri
-
St. Louis.
recalls.
numerous companies have come and
gone in the ACF complex. "The public
Photo courtesy
Vezendy
Following the purchase by BIDA,
thinks that there
isn't
a
lot
on there," says Phillips, "but
going
that's a
misconception. Over half the existing
buildings are now in the private sector." Currently, 16 businesses employ
about 1,250 people. These companies
a printing company; Cheetah Chasis, which manufactures container chasis; Berwick
include Millridge,
Offray, the world's largest manufac-
turer and distributor of ribbon and
bows; and several mobile home constructors. However not all the space
has been rented, including over 20
acres which are available for purchase, and three 10,000 square foot
shell factories which are available for
lease or purchase.
Workers
in
subway car
12
1948 near completion on a
for
New
York
City.
Spectrum Magazine
Henry English, Herman Amble, and Guy Beoshline and the 1,000th tank.
Phillips believes
not entirely bad
it is
supplied the entire
ACF complex.
ACF
leaving forced Berwick to diversify. When
"We'd like to have it taken
down, but there's just too much
a single employer," says Phil-
and concrete. We'll need
some help paying for it if we want
to bring somebody in and tear
that
ACF
left
there's only
Berwick.
"I
think
mercy of that
employer. I'd rather have 10 companies
which employee 200 people each than one
company which employs 2,000 people."
lips,
"the
Of the
town
is
original
at the
ACF
buildings,
many
have been torn down and those still
standing have been repaired and remodeled, however one that still stands exactly as it was is the power plant which
The power
steel
that place apart," says Kreischer.
As
the buildings are repaired and
the railroad tracks are torn out of
ACF powremains as one of the last
untouched relics of Berwick's great
the ground, the former
er plant
industrial era.
plant remains the only building
^
left
untouched.
The Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble
at the
Alvina Krause Theatre
226 Center
Street
Downtown Bloomsburg
For tickets
570.784.8181 or 800.282.0283
j
www.bte.org
Spring 2008
13
I
Tuesday night at
Chuck Root joins
the West Branch Chorus at Beaver Memo-
Every
7:30,
rial
Church,
is
an
United Methodist
West Branch
Lewisburg.
all-men's choir dedicated to
singing classic music from long ago
when
It's
elderly
men were
not just music.
still
It's
young.
barber-
shop gold.
Although not every member of
the West Branch Chorus
is
part of a
quartet. Root's group, ages ranging
from 69 to
75, is
known
as Endur-
They have been entertaining crowds small and large
since 2005, although Root and Ed
ing Chords.
Abrahims, the
lead,
have been sing-
Root's first experience with bar-
was in East Rochester
(N.Y.) High School when his music
instructor put him in a quartet for a
bershop
short time.
When he reached college,
chemistry didn't
He
stifle
his love of mu-
and never
passed up an opportunity to sing. "I
think I enjoyed my music more than
some of the music majors. When
they were asked to do things, it was
always, 'gosh, do I have to do this?'
I could have said no, but I usually
said yes," Root says.
After earning a Ph.D. from Ohio
State University in inorganic chemistry, he moved to Lewisburg in
1965 to join Bucknell University's faculty, but not even a
sic.
joined a quartet
25 years.
new hometown could stop his
passion. He joined the West
Root, tenor, isn't a professional
musician. He doesn't have any CDs
practices the barbershop style,
ing together in barbershop for over
of his singing.
He
didn't even
in music while in college
major
—he chose
"I was fortunate
had a strong musical
chemistry instead.
enough that
I
background," says Root. In addition to the quartet. Root plays the
french horn, trumpet, and recorder,
has conducting experience, and has
been involved in the Lewisburg Opera Ensemble. But it's barbershop
that has become his favorite hobby.
14
Branch Chorus, a group that
and formed a quartet. In
2005, he and Abrahims recruited Al Wilcox and Bill
Laverty as baritone and
bass. Although Wilcox has
been in other quartets, this
is
Laverty's first experience.
"He's loving
it,"
says Root.
Root and the Enduring
Photos by Nina Gandolfo
Chords are not the only ones who
have fallen for the enjoyable sound
of barbershop. The Barbershop
Harmony Society has about 30,000
members in North
America, with
additional
members
in other
The West Branch Choir sings to Nottingham Village. Members are (from left to right) Dale Thomas, Chuck Root, Ed
Abrahims, Doug Rhoads, Joel Turrel, Jim Cotner, Ernie Rogers, Ken Paulhamus, Jay Spangenburg, and Ed Bordy.
countries. Barbershop singing goes
back to the 1600s. It was popularized in America during the early
1900s in barbershops, street corners, social functions,
and
parlors.
Although it can easily be mistakfor a capella since it shares the
characteristic of music with no instrumental background, it is has its
en
own
Valentine special consists of two
songs, a rose, a box of candy, and a
Polaroid picture. "The money goes
towards music, outfits, food if we're
eating out," says Root, who explains
that
it isn't
their livelihood
and
if
they didn't charge, it would become
an expensive hobby.
When
barbershop quartet comes
same image usually
pops up in everyone's head four
to mind, the
men
—
in striped shirts, bowties,
and
a goofy-looking hat, all ready to sere-
nade with a rendition of "Coney Island
Baby." Although Enduring Chords
doesn't
fit
that particular view,
its
set of rules. For instance, there
are only four singers the tenor, the
lead, the baritone, and the bass. The
melody is usually sung by the lead,
but
—
it
can also move to another part
a short time. Barbershop is also
known for its ringing accord. This
helps create the illusion that more
than four people are singing.
"There are a certain number of
seventh chords and a lack of several
combinations," says Root. He also explains that it can be challenging to
be part of a quartet. "There's no one
for
who
sings your part. You have
your own. You have to be a
good listener," he says.
Enduring Chords has sung at
birthday parties, picnics, anniversaries, nursing homes, and other
special events. It's non-profit but
charges for its form of entertainment: $125 for a half-hour. Its $35
else
to hold
Spring 2008
The West Branch Chorus serenades the residents of the Nottingham
Village, Northumberland, in March. The chorus includes four different
—
barbershop quartets Enduring Chords, According to Dad, Leisure
and WB 4. The chorus was organized in 1975.
Aires,
15
Shelly
Messner
Amber Carnuccio
is more what one would expect. However one image that would rarely make an appearance is the formation of 3'oung women, all college age. all eagerly singing
the same stj4e. but not the usual songs one might hear
in a traditional quartet.
image
That's exactly
what Consonance
is
doing.
"It hinders us a lot because people have no idea," says
Erin Linkoski. a sophomore majoring in medical imaging at Bloomsburg University. She explains that even her
roommates haven't a clue. "I recorded us on my phone
and I showed them. They said, 'Wow! You sound really
good.' I don't think they expected that. They thought it
would be " she pauses, looking for the right word.
"Boring music," suggests Emily Hollick. a sophomore
majoring in marketing at BU.
Linkoski agrees and adds. "We were singing bluesy stuff. They didn't think you could do that." Linkoski and Hollick. along with Shelly Messner, a senior
majoring in elementarj' education and special ed-
—
women. With nearly 30,000 members worldwas founded in 1945. Unlike
tion for
wide, the Sweet Adelines
other
women
choirs, these
women's quartets have bass
and baritone.
Much of the credit for their passion in Consanance is
given to Bonnie Klinger, their music teacher at Shamokin
High
School,
and Dale Thomas, head
of the
Bloomsburg
Shamokin music curriculum
had the option of forming and being trained in a barbershop harmony. Messner, who was part of a quartet
with Hollick and Carnuccio, was also a grade above her
chapter. Students in the
fellow barbershop buddies.
was excited to graduate, move on, and go to colMessner says, "but quartet was the only thing I
wanted to stay in high school for. I cried during graduation when they came up to me."
"I
lege,"
It
would be another year before the
Messner into
college.
rest of the girls followed
Once graduated, they quickly
recruited Linkoski to form their
amateur group. "Of course,
and Amber Carnuccio,
we wanted Shelly back so we begged her,"
who attends Empire Beauty School in
Hollick says, laughing with the othSelinsgrove, have called themselves
ers. She adds, "We didn't have to
"They said, 'Wow! You
Consonance since June 2006, but
beg too much."
sound really goodr' I don't
they have been involved in music,
Once it was decided that they
tiling tHey-^e^pected'tiiat,''
together and separately, much
were interested in pursu-"
griji LrnjfosEilonger.
ing barbershop on a reguConsonance isn't the only
lar basis, the girls would
ucation at BU;
-
-•
have to have a name.
They wanted something
unique, catchy, and explained exactly what
they were. They found
the word consonance,
female barbershop quartet.
Sometimes called beautj^
shop quartet, the women's
division has been divided
into two major divisions
Harmony Inc. and the Sweet
Adelines
Int'l.,
known
which stems from a Latin
word for "coming together," and
as the
world's largest singing organiza
Emily Hollick
Erin Linkoski
16
Spectrum Magazine
Messner clariwork on our image, to
right. I'm the parent," she says.
fies
by saying,
make
sure that
"I try to
we
are fun but
still
professional."
HoUick and Linkoski share the position
The
lead while the other sings tenor.
of
role of
is to be able to tell the story of the
song with their singing and facial expressions. Linkoski believes she works better as
tenor than a lead. HoUick doesn't agree. "It depends on the song. Our personalities have to
fit, too, not just our voice," she says.
Linkoski has been in musical programs
since elementary school and is still currently
participating in such programs in college life.
"She has a laser voice. Focused and strong.
Barbershop people are like, 'Oh, you have a
laser voice. That's awesome!'" says Messner.
When she discusses HoUick, she says,"Emily
can tell a story. She is easy to back up because
she makes you see it her way."
HoUick is the group's
scheduler. "She keeps
the lead
e
1
v
For more information
or to schedule a
barbershop quartet
to visit your
Consonance rehearses a new song.
is
also a musical
"It
term
for
party, contact:
Consonance
harmony.
could have two meanings be-
consonancequartet@hotinail.com
cause we found each other, we came
together, and now we make harmony,"
Enduring Chords
570-524-4848
says Linkoski.
"And you
can't
make harmony
According to Dad
with-
out others," Messner adds.
HoUick believes the meaning
name
doesn't only apply to
^0-447-3312
of the
more often than
570-387-7918
Old Stuff:
WB4:
to.
"I'm the loudest
love meeting
new
and
silliest.
people.
I
I'm very outgoing and
make us a
lot of friends at
events," says Carnuccio.
Messner, the baritone, says her love for music started
an early age. While her brothers were participating
in musical programs, Messner says, "I followed in their
footsteps. Eventually I owned the passion for myself."
When Carnuccio described their baritone as the
"quartet mom," Messner laughed in agreement. "That's
at
Spring 2008
of-
sound was just as
good but we were older
men, I don't think we
would have as many
shows as we do now,"
says Messner.
ciety
lot of
r
practice as
^0-326-0816
mind
entity,
tionship with each other.
They
ten as they can and
have a show at least
once a month. "If our
Found Sound
but rather their rela"We wouldn't
progress as a group if we didn't know
each other," she says.
Carnuccio is the bass and is described
as the feisty one. Her role in the quartet is the foundation for all other parts.
"Amber has such a passion for this," says
Messner, explaining that she's a determined individual who will do anything she puts her
musical
caUs." says Linkoski.
Even the official
members of the Barbershop Harmony So-
Lsure Aires
them as a
of things and
makes aU the phone
track
570-784-7272
570-323-5564
chapters
give
They
encourage the young
them fuU
support.
women to keep
ing, organize
for
them
sing-
shows
to sing at,
even donate money. They say there's a
encouragement to keep the barbershop tradition. And
not, they are received positively from
their audience.
of them would like to continue barbershop, and
they can't continue to sing with each other, they
will continue their passion and harmony.
No matter who is singing, male or female, young or
old, barbershop continues to capture the attention of
many and entertain even more. Perhaps that is what
Each
even
if
makes
it
gold.
^
17
ALL NATURAL-
GROUND BEEF
CHUCK
CARNE
K^\£fcl^ccte^
MOLIDA DE RES. DE PALETA
!t^ Hormones
^''Jteroids Added
^^mS^^^mmmM^
by Annelise Chayka
arol Busada takes pride in the
dinner she serves her husband and
five children. Amid her busy schedule. Busada takes the time to buy
raised beef, poultry, and
She purchases her beef directly from Rohrbach's Farm, and buys
her poultry and egg products from
locally
eggs.
Bloom Naturally, a
holistic health
food store in Bloomsburg carrjdng
locally raised meat.
"The labels in the supermarket
can be difficult to understand for
many consumers who do not know
how the labels are regulated and defined. It"s best to know the person
who raises the
animals." says Busada.
on meat
products are informative, others
can be misleading. The definition
Although some
labels
for "all natural" is often misinter-
prefer not ha\'ing
hormones
or
my meat." saj's Busada.
She says that bu>4ng locally "helps
guarantee I know what I am getantibiotics in
18
and how
was
it
the animals are being raised," says
raised."
Health concerns and label confusion cause many consumers to turn
to the local meat market.
"Consumers ai-e communicating support for natui-al local food by increasing the demand, which is leading
to more local farms and farm markets," says Todd Hopkins, co-owner
of Forks Farm in Orangeville.
Understanding how livestock is
raised enables consumers to choose
food from farmers who dont use
chemicals, pesticides, hormones, or
antibiotics.
"With all the issues surrounding the meat and labeling industr^^
consumers are gaining interest in
farming
Rachel Litco-owner of Spring
practices," saj's
whiler-Ribble.
Meadows Farm.
Orangeville.
Her husband agrees. "The
preted by consumers.
"I
ting,
relationship
direct
we maintain with our
Manj^ customers
farm to experience
the atmosphere and understand how
customers
will
come
is key.
to the
Kris Ribble.
Meat packages boasting "no hormones added" may be misleading.
Although the FDA prohibits hormones in poultry and pork products,
antibiotics have replaced them.
The Federal Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). an agency of
the U.S. Department of Agriculture,
reviews all labels on meat, poultry
and processed egg products, includ"all natural" label. To obtain
this label, the product must be minimally processed and free of artificial flavor, coloring ingredients, and
ing the
chemical preservatives.
The FSIS has a continuous presence in the slaughterhouse, and
conducts daily inspections in processing plants.
"We will not approve a label if
the product does not meet our standards." says
Amanda Eamich. FSIS
spokeswoman.
Many consumers
assume
"all
Spectrum Magazine
Regulated
CiaiiiiS
To obtain one of these labels the farmer must provide
documentation citing the feed formula, operational
protocol, and affidavits and testimonials.
Raised without added hormones
Raised without antibiotics
Not fed animal by products
Free Range
Corn-fed
Grain-fed
Grass-fed
;
only includes slaughtering
steeper growth curve," says Dr. Mark
Melynchuk, professor of biology and
nutrition at Bloomsburg University.
and processing techniques. Consum-
Critics highlight the relationship
ers often mistake the "all natural"
between antibiotics in the meat industry and antibiotic resistance in
humans.
The FDA's approval of an antibacterial drug used in the poultry industry,
natural" pertains to the
manner
in
which the animals were raised. However,
it
label to
mean
"naturally raised."
"Currently there is no 'naturalstandard; however, there
may be a marketing standard in
the future," says Jimmie Turner,
spokesman for Agricultural Marketing Services (AMS).
A commonly debated topic in the
"naturally raised" label is the use of
antibiotics and antimicrobial agents
for the use of disease control, disease
prevention, and growth promotion.
Because of the rising global demands for meat, the industry standard transformed from family farms
to massive feedlots where thousands
of birds are raised. To prevent the
risk of a diseased bird affecting the
entire flock, some farmers administer antibiotics through the feeding
supply. Proponents argue that administering low doses of antibiotics
eliminates the threat of an infection
being spread to consumers.
"The antibiotics keep the birds
healthy, and healthy animals have a
ly raised'
Ba3^ril 3.23 percent, resulted in the
emergence of an antibiotic-resistant
strain of the Campylobacter bacteria, a
common source of food-borne illness in
humans.
sistant,
If
it
the bacterium becomes re-
may
prolong the duration of
the illness, and increase the chance for
complications.
"Although antibiotic resistance is
it has the
potential to be if agricultural practices continue," says Melynchuk.
Because antibiotic resistance can
be inherited, the problem may continue to worsen.
"If a single bacterium is antibiotic resistant and it reproduces asexnot yet a huge problem,
ually,
the newly formed bacteria
probably
will,
inherit resistance,"
says Melynchuk.
John and Todd Hopkins
Farm
raise chickens, pigs,
of Forks
and cows
without the use of antibiotics or hormones through a "pastured" and
"free range" system.
In some industrial farms, chickens are confined to a small area in a
vast feedlot and will never see sunlight.
The
"free-range" label
was
cre-
ated to address confinement issues.
To obtain this label, documenmust be submitted and ap-
tation
proved by the FSIS, proving the
animal has access to the outdoors.
However, it doesn't require the farm
to be inspected.
According to the "free-range" label, animals must have "access to the
outdoors." However the standard does
not address the outdoor conditions or
the accessibility to the outdoors.
"Access to the outdoors can be
as small as
an open window. Under
these conditions, animals are unlikely to leave their food source and
an antiand a nonresistant
venture outside," says Todd Hopkins.
bacterium sexually reproduce, the
nonresistant bacterium can, and
chickens are raised by a "free-range"
system. The chickens are completely
will also be resistant. If
biotic-resistant
She explains that the egg-laying
These claims are not regulated or approved by the
United States Departrnent of Agriculture.
•
•
•
Antibiotic free
Drug free
Hormone free
•
•
•
•
Spring 2008
Pastured
Naturally raised'^
Naturally grown
Chenlical free
19
free to
sects
roam
and
the pasture and eat in-
grass.
The
bii'ds often re-
tiu'n to a chicken tractor at night to
obtain shelter and grain.
The "pastured"
ly different
s\-steni is
sHght-
from "free-range."
In-
stead of allowing the chickens to
roam completely free, the chickens
are raised in a movable coops or pastui-ed pens. The pastm-ed pens ai-e
bare on the bottom, allowing access
to the pasture: the roof protects the
birds from predatory birds.
On
Forks Farm, the pens are
a day to ensure a
constant supply of fresh grass.
Because chickens cannot survive
on a diet of only grass, their diet
is supplemented with "certified or-
moved twice
ganic" feed.
"We have a
and see the animals grazing
pasture," she
with most of our customers, many
of them come to our farmers market during the summer, or stop bjthe farm store year round," says
Hopkins. "Our consumers trust
our farming practices because they
have the opportunity to talk to us
'Buying
Although many beef labels boast
a "corn fed" diet, critics argue that
cows are ruminant animals, and
should be grass fed. A ruminant
animal has a stomach with four
compartments, one of which is the
rumen that contains enzj'mes able
I
locallj;
know wha
and how i
to digest grass.
"When animals
are on high levchanges the pH levels
in their stomach and makes them
el of
grain,
it
more susceptible
to diseases." says
Rachel Litwhiler-Ribble.
The "gi-ass fed" label was updated in
October 2007. by
cows
diet
AMS
was derived
to ensui-e the
solely
from
age. It prohibits the use of gi-ain
requii'es access to pasture
direct relationship
in the
sa\'s.
for-
and
during the
gi-owing season.
Kris Ribble and Rachel LitwhilAngus cattle on a
strict pasture diet, with unlimited
er-Ribble raise
access to pasture.
"We
raise oui' cows on pastuxe-
summer, and faU
months. Dui-ing the \\dnter months
diu-ing the spring,
John Hopkins stands
in front of a
pastured chicken pen. The pens
provide shelter for the chickens while
allowing them to graze on the pasture.
Spectrum Magazine
ilps
am
guarantee
getting
as raised.'
-Carol
—
'—
»
^
Busada
"
cows have a higher level of
good fatty acids and a lower level of
bad fatty acids. John Hopl oversee an 85 acre farm.
Grass-fed
Spring 2008
the cows are fed hay raised on the
farm.
We move the herd at least every
three days to ensure a constant sup-
the risk for cardiovascular disease,"
says Melynchuk.
Kris and Rachel
why
cite several rea-
people don't buy from
ply of fresh grass," says Kris Ribble.
sons as to
"Grass fed" beef provides several
health benefits over cattle fed grain
and stored forages. The meat from
the cattle of Spring Meadows Farm
contains four times the amount of
Omega-3 fatty acids than beef from
cows fed a feedlot diet, according to a
study conducted by the Department
of Crop and Soil Science at Pennsylvania State University.
Omega 3 fatty acids cannot be
manufactured by the body and must
be obtained from food. They play a
large role in brain function as well
as normal growth and development.
"Grass-fed" cows also have a
their local farmer.
higher level of Conjugated Linoleic
Acid Concentration (CLA).
CLAs promote healthy cardiovas-
local meat, while living in Virginia
cular health.
possible to find," says
"Although we are not exactly sure
how, CLA reduces the buildup of cholesterol in the artery walls, reducing
To find your local farm or farmers
market, visit localharvest.org.
"Customers
are
accustomed
to
the convenience of a grocery store
and they have lost contact with local farmers and are many times unaware of the superior products that
can be purchased
locally,"
says Ra-
chel Litwhiler-Ribble.
The rural counties of Columand Montour provide local resi-
bia
dents with the opportunity to visit
and support local natural farms and
farm markets.
"Since Bloomsburg is an agricultural area, a variety of different
outlets are available for purchasing
I
used to have to travel over an hour,
in North Carolina it was nearly im-
Busada
S
^
NO DUMPING
Almost 400 tons
39
dump
illegal
have been identified at
throughout Columbia County
of trash
sites
by Brittany Laumakis
is
T
ires,
refrigerators,
bricks, rusted bikes,
animal carcasses and
massive amounts of
bugs are some of what
commonly found
in illegal
dump-
ing sites across Columbia County.
Thirty-nine illegal dumping sites
have been identified in 12 different
municipalities throughout the county
PA
by
CleanWays. With authoriza-
tion from individual counties
and
funding provided by the Department of Environmental Protection
(DEP), these sites were analyzed for
approximate tons of waste, hazards,
potential plans to remove it, and possible solutions for the community.
"Not every resident is notified
of illegal dumpsites in their area,"
says Todd Crouch, program manager for PA CleanWays. All of Columbia
County's dump sites were located in rural areas. The first step to end illegal
dumping is to determine the extent
of the problem.
PA CleanWays
years in the county. "A lot of dumping has become hereditary, what we
can do is clean it up and educate
their kids to break the chain," says
for
Rush. Rush works mostly in eastern
Pennsylvania in collaboration with PA
CleanWays setting up clean ups with
various volunteers and groups.
"Both concerned communities
and individuals across Pennsylvania
get involved with the problem of illegal
dumping," says Crouch.
Dr. Sandra Kehoe-Forutan, Danville, volunteered in the clean up of
the Hogsback dumpsite in Greenwood Township as the adviser of
Bloomsburg University's Geography
and Planning Society (GPS) in April
2007. "It's a major environmental
problem, it shows a great disrespect
for the natural environment," says
Kehoe-Forutan.
During the past year, volunteers participated in four cleanups
in Columbia County.
"There was over 100 tons of trash;
has
we picked up about 154 tires," says
Rush of a dump site at the Catawissa Canal. The job was so large that
heavy equipment was brought in, followed by the volunteers to conduct
hand pickup. This clean up was funded by the Growing Greener grant.
PA CleanWays provides training
for all volunteers before the site
ect begins.
Through
and breeding of mosColumbia County sprayed
in July 2007 after adult mosquitoes
were tested positive for West Nile
to the presence
quitoes.
The standing water creates a
breeding ground for the disease carrying insects.
Along with the Catawissa Canal,
nearly half of the sites are near
waterways, increasing the chances
of polluting the water
Virus.
supply.
Kehoe-Forutan
with the biggest
dumping problems to fo-
ties
says of the Hogsback site, "There
Columbia
abandoned
coal mines are problem areas for dumping. "The earth is torn
up already and with a
first.
was a small stream
and trash was right
County's
lot of holes,
their trash
says
source speciaHst for
"Illegal
dumps
re-
contribute to pol-
PA
lution
CleanWays.
It's been a problem
22
it." Thirteen percent of the sites
were directly in the
water or wetlands.
in
people dump
down there,"
Bob Rush, a
prq
cooral'
nation with PA CleanWays, which
provided a backhoe, GPS got Hogsback cleaned up in about four hours.
Most projects are done between 9
a.m. and noon.
Illegal dumping also contributes
chosen the larger coun-
cus on
tight
A
Student from
GPS
piles
garbage bags collected from Hogsback.
of nearby
waterways by percolation and run-
Spectrum Magazine
veyed in Columbia were acConstant new
tive sites.
trash being added to a site
deems
it
"active".
Only two
percent were posted with
"no dumping" signs.
"Someone had actually
knocked down the 'No Dumping' sign over the bank," says
Kehoe-Forutan, "and a student had to carry it back up."
One of the common excuses people use for illegal
dumping is the lack of recycling in the community.
"When people don't want to
pay to have things removed,
they dump it," says KehoeForutan. Many of the items
Abel Witmer recovers a 'no dumping' sign
1^ ^
tiiat
off,"
was
Crouch
torn
down and became
trasii.
says.
larg-
can leak toxins
into the soil and surface waters.
"Pollutants and toxins can also enter private or
community drinking
water wells," says Crouch. Larger
household items, such as air conditioners and refrigerators, can leak
Freon, ammonia, mercury, lead,
and cadmium.
"We found
batteries
and they
leak toxins into the soil," says Kehoe-Forutan.
Broken glass, rusty metals and
toxic substances pose a threat of in-
jury to
had
and bulky items.
"When we went back
tires,
Hogsback]
The surveys found that the
er household items
cleaned at Hogsback were
mattresses, sofas, chairs,
ple
to
check,
[to
peo-
had actually started dumping
again.
It's
sad because
so beautiful,
hoe-Forutan.
end dumping
it
looked
ening dumping and
"When word
ing
won't
activity
dumping
littering.
gets out that
be
dump-
tolerated,
decreases," says Crouch.
PA CleanWays
also asks volunteers
watch for pill bottles, car registrations, and other items that can help
identify and track down the person
to
who left it at the site.
"We actually found an
entire
windshield with a person's car registration on it," says Kehoe-Forutan.
Sites vary in size and when it
comes to priority of cleanup, PA
CleanWays has to depend on the
funds and grants it receives.
"As much as we would like to clean
up all the sites, we have to limit the
cleanups based on the funding we
receive," says Crouch.
"Montour County is on the list
but also a much smaller county with
less of a problem," says Rush. It is on
the schedule to be cleaned up within
this year while the other counties in
Pennsylvania will be done by 2012.
so clean," says Ke-
A
possible solution to
a volunteer organization or individual to adopt
an area. "When someone sees the
sign, it lets them know that someone actually cares about that area,"
is for
says Kehoe-Forutan.
Enforcement of laws and monitoring the sites are successful in less-
[More information about volunteering
and
specific site details in
your area can be found on the PA
CleanWays website, www.pacleanways.org as well as the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection
state.pa.us.J
website
www.depweb.
s
humans and animals. "We
to be
aware
of needles
and
Kehoe-Forutan.
If a site catches on fire, the air
becomes contaminated from the re-
sharp
objects," says
leased emissions.
"Animal carcasses allow disease
causing pathogens and bacteria to
spread," says Crouch.
A lot of what is found at sites can
be properly disposed of with little
effort. "Unfortunately a lot of townships don't have regular pick up
days for larger items, like washers,
so people dump it," says Rush. It's
a common occurrence to find household appliances at sites.
About 92 percent of the sites sur-
Spring 2008
Volunteers Kevin Watkinson and Kyle Rauch remove a small part of the
household items illegally dumped in Hogsback.
23
irg
eather Hunsinger and her
mother, Carol, can hardly
keep track of all the ribbons and trophies around
their home. They have run
out of places to put them,
which isn't surprising if
you've been horseback
riding at Eos Therapeutic
Riding Center in BloomsHeather has. When Heather's mom
praises her daughter it's obvious that Heather is beaming with pride, but she smiles and hides her pink face
burg
for as long as
brown
in her hands, leaving her
woman and
persevere through
ith the help of a
iutic rklittflLcenter
curly hair sticking
through the tops of her fingers.
Despite her daughter's bashfulness, Carol continues, listing Heather's loves and numerous accomplishments throughout her years, just as any proud
mother would.
"We can't make a quick trip to a store without somebody knowing Heather. She has more of a social life
than I do," Carol says. Heather loves movies and window shopping. She works part-time at Suncom Industries, an adult training center in Bloomsburg. Each
year she helps put on a Christmas show with the Starlight program at Wesley United Methodist Church of
Bloomsburg. In her spare time, her favorite thing to do
is send greeting cards and bake cookies for friends.
She loves bowling, and has traveled to compete in
State College, where Penn State University football
coach Joe Paterno signed her shirt. "He said good luck
to
it
me in bowling. He
my shirt and I
signed
got to
wear
home," she says.
Heather may seem like any average 29-year-old
woman, but she has mild mental retardation, and a
number of health problems. She has struggled her entire life for acceptance, for equality, and for the chance
to live a typical lifestyle. "I guess I was kind of ignorant about children with disabilities," Carol admits.
Due to complications that led to a lack of oxygen at
birth, Heather was diagnosed with a developmental
delay at 14 months of age. "I wasn't prepared. It's devestating," says Carol, "but
what can you
do,
how can I
do anything else but love her?"
Larry Hunsinger, Heather's father, says he knew
from the beginning that his daughter's disability
wouldn't affect how he felt about her. "They said she
has a disability, but what were they comparing her
to?" he asks.
Heather didn't start walking until she was almost 18
months old. Because she walked with her feet pointed
inward, she had to wear corrective shoes. She also had
tight hip abductors which made it difficult to walk.
When she was a toddler, her unstable gait caused her
to lose her balance and fall against a ceramic candle
holder, creating a U-shaped corneal laceration in her
left eye. She still has poor eyesight, even after healing
and years
and outgoing attitude. "I went into protective
mode, but she took to it like a troop-
uvula in her throat to create a wider
air passage, and she recently began
wearing a mask at night to provide
at Heather's loud voice
er feel so helpless," Carol says about
a constant air flow.
er,"
parenting a child with disabilities.
With the help of the program at
Eos, Heather Hunsinger has never
Heather never had any inhibitions. When her mother asks her if
she was scared her first time riding
a horse, she shrugs and says, "No, it
of treatment. "I feel like
we're supposed to have eyes in the
back of our heads.
Larry
says,
It
makes a moth-
"You wonder
if
you're
a good parent or not, or if it was
your fault, but then you see people
^ It's fun,
I
see
all
allowed her disabilities to hold her
back from living and loving
my
life.
Carol says.
friends and they are happy to see me. '
— Heather Hunsinger
with worse disabilities than she has
and you realize you're lucky."
Dealing with their daughter's
health troubles has been an endless
battle. Heather suffered from kidney
infections for seven years, which led
to urinary tract infections and temporary use of a catheter bag. Heather
has had surgeries for a bone growth
on her arm known as Osteochondroma, calcification in her knees, and
thyroid nodules. Heather also suffers from sleep apnea, a condition
that causes her to stop breathing for
short periods of time during sleep.
She's had a surgical procedure to
remove part of her soft palate and
spreading her free spirit to others,
and seeing people for who they really are. That's why Heather Hunsinger is not your average 29-year-old
woman.
Heather started therapeutic
riding when she was 13. "I think
we're part of the woodwork here,"
Carol jokes.
Carol first heard of Eos at the
Special Olympics, where Heather competes in bowling. No one in
her family ever had an interest in
horseback riding before, and Carol
was scared the horses would spook
Heather Hunsinger stops on the
trail
was
easy.
Heather still rides every Tuesday
for eight months of the year, and
her parents believe the program has
done wonders for their daughter,
physically, mentally, and emotionally. "She likes the people that work
with her. They treat her like a human, not a person with a disability,"
Larry says.
Heather mostly enjoys the social
aspect.
"It's
fun,
I
see all
and they are happy
to
my friends
see
me,"
Heather says.
Therapeutic horseback riding cenbehind the Eos barn
to
shoot
some hoops.
Spectrum Magazine
becoming more common
United States, but
most people know Httle about riding therapy and the potential help
it can give. A horse's gait provides a
repetitive pattern of movement very
similar to a person's pelvis during
normal human walking. "Horses are
always accepting, no matter what
the special need of the rider is, and
they are always in touch with the
tion and
are
ters
and
rider
horse's
forward
She's taught
that
me
okay to
it's
A
a human's does. For
be
people bound to
disability doesn't
as
just
a wheel
this
chair,
may be the
can
walking
closest they
get to
and stretching
their
muscles
on their own.
"For a lot of our
kids, this
all
that they
Smith
different.
make a person
any more or any
less of a person.
It's
what's inside?
—Carol Hunsinger
logs,
8,
the
and put the
bean bags in the
buckets," Heath-
Learning
col-
and counting
can come easy
for most children,
ors
but children with
developmental
delays have a
dif-
ficult
time retain-
ing
information.
"They were able
to
see at school
what she was able
to do because of the riding," Carol says.
says.
The physical aspect
can
normalize muscle tone, and improve
mobility.
"When
these kids get onto
horses they just melt. You can see
their bodies relax," says Carol, who
has witnessed the effects of riding
therapy.
Regular horseback riding has
improved Heather's walking, helping her to loosen the tight muscles
in her legs and allowing her to wear
regular shoes. The obstacle courses and challenges she completes on
horseback have improved her reading and problem solving skills with
puzzles. "When that improves, communication improves," Carol says.
activities riders participate
in have proven to encourage lan-
guage development, improve atten-
Spring 2008
Most importantly the program
of riding
balance, coordination, strength and
The
the figure
er says proudly.
may
have,"
be
social interac-
During Heather's therapy session,
her instructor, Denise Treven, gives
her a list of exercises to remember to perform
on
horseback.
"I do the cones,
center of gravity
and backward,
up and down,
and side to side,
The
says Carol.
sensitive to their needs,"
center.
shifts
skills.
between the animal, the rider,
and the volunteers improves motivation, enhances curiosity, fosters independence, and develops the ability
to care for others, both human and
animal, says Eos volunteer training
information. "The rapport between
the riders and the volunteers is phenomenal, hugs are plentiful here,"
tion
says Debbie Smith, executive director and founder of the Eos riding
The
memory skills, and generate
reasoning
throughout the
has given Heather self-esteem, confidence, and a supportive and accepting circle of friends. "It builds up her
confidence and brings her so much
joy. In all these years I can't remem-
ber walking in here without someone
smiling back at you," Carol says.
er
Throughout the hardships Heathhas faced in her life, her parents
insist that Heather's No. 1 priority
caring for others. "She's always
thinking of everybody else," Carol
says. On the way to a routine surgery to remove her tonsils at Geisinger Medical Center, Heather said,
"Mom, we have to stop at the dollar store." When her mother asked
why. Heather said that she had to
get cards to thank her doctors.
Shortly after waking up from
is
27
Heather's family, like
families with
children,
is
special
forced to
many
an
needs
through it."
The Hunsinger family knows that
Heather is unique, not because of her
disability, but because of her spirit.
"She cares about people unconditionally, you don't have to be something you're not, you don't have to
buy her love and friendship," Carol
deal
with people who are critical towards those with disabilities. "I don't see a lot of
people who are judgmental;
we've come a long way as a
society with accepting others, but there are people who
do,
Heather weaves her horse through an
obstacle course at Eos.
and
that's their problem,"
Carol says.
Carol and Larry brush
off people who judge them or
their daughter, and believe
that Heather has helped them
to forgive others. "She's taught
me a lot; she's taught me that
it's okay to be different. A
disability doesn't make a person any more or any less of
a person. It's what's inside,"
Carol says.
Larry says he's learned
how to be accepting when
things don't go as planned.
Heather has showed him "how
you can't change them, and
the procedure. Heather
mother go
attitude like so what, we'll get
says.
Heather
is
new
friends,
new
make
thrilled that the
riding season has started. "I
new memories," she
says.
For Heather, the riding season
friends, her riding instructor of 14 years, and the
means seeing her
volunteers that constantly praise
her and help her to reach her goals.
"I'm happy to see everybody here,"
Heather says.
For her family, it means another
season that Heather feels a sense of
camaraderie, a sense of self worth,
and a sense that she is just as important and special as anyone else.
"She's accepted here," Carol says,
"and she knows that."
^
made her
to the information
desk
names
of the doctors and nurses who took
care of her. Heather, who is allergic
to pain medications, was more conof the hospital to get a hst of
cerned with writing out her thankyou cards than the fact that she was
recovering from her surgery with
nothing more than regular aspirin.
Recently, when Heather was
back at Geisinger because of sinus
and respiratory infections, she was
treated by a physician who still
had her card hanging on his fridge,
nearly 20 years later. "She must
have had an impression on his life
too," Larry says.
Smith says Heather's kindness to
others is her best quality, and that
she strives to be friends with all of
the other riders at Eos, no matter
Providing financial well-being
for our members through
dedicated professional and
personal service for over 50 years.
Bloomsburg Branch
2251 Columbia Blvd.
570-784-5200
Fax: 570-784-5233
what
disability they have.
"She treats them like brothers and
sisters, she's comfortable with everyone she's around. There's no age limitation, no special needs limitation:
she wants to make everybody happy,"
Smith
28
PHILADELPHIA
FEDERAL CREDlLliMIL
pfcu.com
er.
honest
says.
Spectrum Magazine
Rachael Kerstetter
Laura Karchner
New Dawn and
Eos
is a non-profit organization dedicated to helppeople of all ages with physical and mental disabilities. The program provides special needs people
educational and therapeutic activities, increased confidence, and a circle of support, through equestrian
based lessons, says Debbie Smith, executive director
and founder of EOS Therapeutic Riding Center.
"Doctor's don't see outside the box, they don't realize there are goals out there to be met without scientific structure," says Smith.
The program was founded in 1991 after Smith suffered
a back injury and was confined to a wheelchair for over
a year. "I wanted to help people who go through the
ing
same
thing
I
went through," she says. The name
a shortened fomn of the Greek word Eohippus,
meaning "new dawn, new beginning." It is also the name
"Eos"
is
of the
first
horse of evolution.
"I
felt
that a
new dawn
and new beginning was great, because that's what
our kids are getting," says Smith.
Smith began the program with just seven riders
and two ponies out on loan. Seventeen years later,
Eos is a year round operation involving 90 riders, 10
horses, five instructors, and a multitude of volunteers
and benefactors. Eos was initially able to expand after
receiving a $152,000 community development grant
from Columbia County in 1998. The grant allowed the
Evan Radise
Spring 2008
Noah Hartman
Heidi Fletcher
Pat Zeblisky
a
New
Beginning
program to build a large indoor arena, permitting
more space and insuring therapy sessions regardless
of weather.
Smith says that the program would not be poscommunity involvement and those who
donate their time. "Anyone can be a volunteer, they
just have to love people and love life," she says. Even
sible without
with the help
it
receives, the non-profit
still
struggles
funds and to find enough volunteers.
Eos has a waiting list says Smith, and has had
one "for the past seven or eight years." Despite the
to raise
demand
for riding sessions,
and the expenses
of
running the program, Eos has never turned a rider
away due
to the inability to pay. "What better gift
can you give someone, than a period of time with
total happiness," Smith says.
Running Eos has taught Smith to appreciate what
she has. "Whatever challenges are thrown at you
and however tough things look, there are always
ways to get around problems and issues, and there
is always someone out there in worse shape than
you are," she says.
[For information about volunteering or therapy
sessions, contact Smitti at 570-784-5445 or tlirougli
e-mail at Eosriding@wmconnect.com.]
William Manning
Brad Vargo
Classic Cars
by Antonella Dinnocenzo
Photos by Annelise Chayka
The
different cultures
that surround
New York
helped shape what Cesare
now refers
"knack
to as his
for fashion." After
graduating from Queens
Community
College
and
the Fashion Institute
of Technology, Cesare
went on
to Alexander's,
a large department store
on Lexington Avenue in
Manhattan. There, he
became the buyer for ladies'
accessories.
"In the big city, people
are dressing for style and
purpose. There
is a higher
standard there," says
Cesare.
Five years later, he
to Capador's, a
went
manufacturer of ladies'
accessories, where he
became a partner
for the
purchasing, design, and
quality control of foreign markets. As the outside man in
ladies' accessories he purchased the products and then
resold them to fit the latest trends.
Leaning against his
remodeled purple and grey
three window 1932 Ford Coupe, "You
have to be open minded in
Tom Cesare looks back on
fashion. You have to be able to
the ride of his life, one that
step out and break tradition."
combines fashion and auto
Cesare explains, 'Tou have have to be out there and
gamble with colors. Hit all of these things the right way
and you've got a winner."
restorations.
Born
in Queens, N.Y., Cesare
the world of fashion.
30
became aquatinted with
Cesare took this philosophy with him while he traveled
throughout the world to find the most marketable items
Spectrum Magazii
He remembers taking
unique and different products to
make coordinated efforts to create
available.
new products.
"Each area has a
'
;r^'
specialty,"
Cesare explains. Italy, he
recalls, was proficient in leather
handbags, the Orient featured
belts and ladies wigs, and India
,
fevolved around fabrics.
s
o
,0
S
o
°
"Never take
anything for
granted and always
try to be contracted
in your thinking."
Cesare says, "If the style of a boot is really hot and
j^ou notice that in the far distance they are making
1 ladies hat with studs on it, try to incorporate
;hem both. Make the good boot and incorporate the
?ood stones on
it."
After his business partner, Irving Paul, died,
moved to Bloomsburg. He used to visit an
who lived in Berwick. "I saw a lot that I liked.
Cesare
ancle
found the area very relaxing and slow paced,"
Cesare says. He took a part-time job working as the
[
seafood
manager
'The purchasing
for
Giant Markets, Bloomsburg.
end
of fashion related to
purchasing timely items and the proper quantities
it
Giant," he says.
As a child, Cesare went to car meets at Nathan's
Hot Dogs one night a week where he showed off his
3ar,
a 1957 pink Chevy.
Since then Cesare has remodeled four cars.
Standing against a chain link fence tha^
separates fan from driver, dreaming of one day doing
the driving, a young boy of 6 focused on the action in
front at a local New Oxford track, only imagining of his
future."Ever since that race, driving was something I
always wanted to do," says Ray Bull, of Bloomsburg.
old, has won
was the ARDC midget
champion six times, and has raced
on dirt with some of NASCAR's giants.
Bull has his father to thank for
Bull,
now 38 years
over 100 races,
sparking his interest in cars. Maurice
Bull couldn't have known the magic
that
was turned on
in his son's soul, but
says Ray, "The passion was always there."
Growing up in New Oxford, known
and started to
meet more contacts. One of those individuals was Spike Gillespie, owner
races in a season
What
started out as a weekend job turned
into a couple days a week at the race
shop, followed
by attending two
rac-
es in a weekend.
At the end
of the
1990 season,
determination paid off. He
had been attending as many as 80
Bull's
32
made
it,"
he says.
out well with
his decision to put Bull behind the
From
1991, his first
driver's seat.
with the opportunity to race his Micro Sprint for one
of the remaining races of the season.
fuU season, until 1996, Bull collected
56 wins. Gillespie also gained a son-inlaw when Bull married his daughter,
At the time. Bull was 21 years old.
"Driving was something that I always wanted to do, I just never had
Jan,
Bull with his wife, Jan,
for local sprint car drivers.
and ran with
lespie presented Bull
after
young racer
began helping out as a crew member
it
Gillespie also
of Gillespie signs in Bloomsburg. Gil-
From boyhood, the
for sprint car racing, the
just took
affair.
racing bug has beei
and daughter, Lauren,
winning at Dixieland Speedway.
money to do it," says Bull. What
he needed was someone else to own
the
the car so the financial responsibili-
wouldn't be so harsh.
"Spike called me up during the
winter months and asked me if I
wanted to drive all of the next year,"
says Bull. Having only driven once.
Bull was surprised by the offer.
"It was a chance of a lifetime so 1
ties
making racing a family
After conquering the Micro Sprints
division, Bull moved up into the
ranks of the American Racing Drivers
Club midget class in 1996. He knew
little about midget racing.
"I was coming into a whole new
division that could run with a wing,
without a wing, on dirt or on pavement," says Bull.
The ARDC was organized in 1939
by a group of East Coast drivers and
owners to look after the interests of
Spectrum Magazine
midget drivers and owners. When
the formation of the club became
public, virtually all
midget drivers
signed up. Racing legend Mario Andretti was one of many who came
from the ARDC division.
Bull found his success racing in
ARDC. Between 2000 and
2005,
midget champion. Two of those years he earned
the title of winningest midget driver
in the nation, scoring a combined 10
feature race wins in 2001 and 11 in
Bull was the
ARDC
says, "once you make it, you can race
and have a good time." He explains
the Bowl as the only race that is a
party and then a race breaks out.
"People are relaxed, playing games,
throwing Frisbee; it's more of a social
event, and it's one place that you can't
get upset if you don't do well," he says.
Though the Chili Bowl is filled with
as many as 70 champions in all divisions all racing at one time, running
next to some of racing's "superstars"
doesn't hinder Bull's concentration.
2004 out of 17 racing events held,
two of which he did not compete.
While racing with ARDC, Bull
went to Tulsa, Okla., to compete in
To Bull, racing against Tony Stewart,
Kasey Kahne, and J.J. Yeley, all of
the inaugural Chili Bowl in Janu-
racing next to another competitor.
The best wingless drivers, including some of NASCAR "s greats
who hadn't forgotten where they got
whom
CAR
ictive in
Jull
by side in the
Ray
dirt.
full
Cup
"I don't let
ary.
their start, race side
compete
Sprint
time in the
NAS-
Series, is just like
racing special
is Bull's father.
quality time that
I
because if you let it, then you're already beat before you even get on
the racetrack," he says.
"The
get to spend
with
my
Now
that his parents have retired,
a
father
weekend
is great,"
says Bull.
trip to the races consists
and daughters riding
along in his parents' motor home. "I
get to the track with my dad by my
side and we go everywhere together.
That part's great," says Bull.
Although some opportunities arose
for Bull to pursue a career in racing,
of his wife
some fellow
move away, take 10 years
after watching
that stuff bother me,
Bull.
His wife and three daughters travwith him to every race. "The kids
love it, it's like a mini vacation every
time we go," says Bull.
Another individual who makes
el
and build a
lives to try
now have
drivers
of their
career,
nothing, or never
what could have been due
and
know
to a major
by Kristin Saltzer
celebrates with the checkerd flag after
vinning at
New
Egypt Speedway.
Bull describes the Chili Bowl as
Bull's best finish
never thought
was fifth in 2005.
be happy about
a "chess match," with each driver
"I
constantly having to plan his next
a fifth place finish, but you are racing in this little track, you have this
whole week of build up; 15,000 peo-
move. "You have to be good, and you
have to be lucky," he says.
"You would think once you make
the show that's the most stressful
but it's not, that's when
you relax," he recalls. Getting into
the race itself was stressful, but Bull
part of
it,
Spring 2008
ple
around you.
was pretty
I'd
It's
not a win, but
it
he remembers.
Racing has always been a family-oriented sport, and that is where
special,"
his biggest supporters
come from.
racing accident. Bull knew putting
and family first would
his children
have a more rewarding payout in
the end.
is
When not
a sign
What's
maker
left of
at the track. Bull
at Gillespie Signs.
his spare time he uses
most importantspends time with his family and
to golf and fish, but
ly
be there for his girls.
After the end of the 2006 season.
33
Bull cut back on his schedule. "Going to the races is fun and my family
enjoys it, but if you commit to that
every week there's no going to the
beach, or doing things with the girls
that
He
ARDC
will continue to
diana, and to the Midget Nationals in
Knoxville.
Taking on a
doesn't
mean that he
not to be
is
ule
feared.
"The
Raging
Bull,"
as
often
he's
known, scored
"You have to
be good, and
you have to
be lucky."
-Ray
victory
in
May 2007
at
Susquehan-
Bull
currently fourth on the
list.
the family
more
Bull.
it's
about
quality,"
says
"We ran
for the points
for
''
success
Banking
fit
now with
in;
to
our Y"
races
you
when, where
and how
you like it
years
six
straight,
and I
cherished that
time,
but
it
got tough," he
na Speedway
Park. He is
time win
many
can
The key
how
quantity,
his 50th career
ARDC
"It
used to be the
they need to
do," says Bull.
limited sched-
and New
the trips to North Carolina
York. Trips are planned to Illinois, In-
think
I
compete in
races around the state, but limit
.
^^t
says.
The
ARDC
all-
ChiH
Bowl, however, will continue to stay
on the schedule.
^
Scow Toicnship
The convenience
of
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ready to be pushed out for his next race, mentally prepares himbefore side by side racing action at Silver Spring Speedway.
Bull,
self
34
•
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Bloomsburg
Bucklnorn • Catavvlssa
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Spectrum Magazine
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SHE NEEDS
HER
FUR
MORE THAN YOU DO
Please choose compassion
as your fashion.
I
HE HUMANE SOClEi
OF THE United States.
2100 L
Street,
NW, Washington,
202-452-1100
DC 20037
www.furfree.hsus.org
^? "SUS.
Spring 2008
A!T
nghs
res^r.-Bd
35
High school students juggle
classes, extracurriculars, and
their social lives to enter college
with more than a year of credits
Story and photos by Jenna Wisniewski
time Courtney King sat in a college
was scared to ask her professor a question. "The professors are the most
intimidating part," says King, a senior at Montgomery High School. King is one of over 100 high school
students who are taking college classes at Bloomsburg University.
EHza Reed, a senior at Shamokin Area High School,
The
first
classroom, she
adds another perspective to college work. "There really isn't
much extra work; you just have to study," Reed says.
that
King
notes,
"Even though many
B's."
King
also
of the classes are
and
remembers the uneasy feeling of being
tougher than high school,
I still
receive mostly A's
a high school student in college. "Because I am still in
high school, I sometimes feel out of place," says King.
Both girls now accept college as second nature.
"No one even knows I am in high school so I can
just do my own thing," says Reed, "because the college atmosphere is so different than high school."
They are both surprised at how different college is
from high school, but believe they are getting the best
of both worlds.
Both students are attending BU through the Advanced
College Experience (ACE).
ACE, estabhshed
in 2003,
al-
lows high school students to famiharize themselves with
36
Courtney King and Eliza Reed discuss academics
walking between classes on the BU campus.
whiif
Spectrum Magazine
High School is
college while still attending high school. "It's a great
senior at Central Columbia
way
program. Although King and Reed are taking several college classes, Mordan is satisfied with just
one. "It's kind of the thing to do at Central [Columbia
High School]. A lot of students take advantage of the
ACE program because we are so close to the university," she says. Mordan believes that even though she is
taking only one college class, she will benefit from the
experience next year when she attends BU full time.
"I wanted to get the nervousness of the first college
class over with before I became a full time student," she
says. Mordan's only college course is Interpersonal Com-
students to experience college before becoming
a full time student at a university," says Karen Murtin,
head of BU's ACE program. Because many of the fees
are waived, students can attend college and pay only 25
for
percent of the price a full time student pays.
King, 18, will graduate from high school with 18 college credits. "Because I have taken these classes, I can
start college in the fall with a crutch. If I do poorly in a
and need to drop it, I have 18 credits to fall back
King says. She is undecided about her major but is
class
on,"
considering pharmaceutical sales. However, BU doesn't
offer that major so she would have to transfer later on
in her college career.
from
exams. Her 39
credits are equivalent to almost three semesters worth.
She hopes to become a physical therapist. Reed believes
the credits will help lessen her workload no matter
which major she decides to take. Both girls divide their
time between high school and college.
Each morning they go to their high school classes,
and then leave between 10 and 11:30 a.m. to arrive on
BU's campus in time to start the second part of their
Reed,
17,
will graduate high school with credits
BU, community
college classes,
and
AP
in the
also enrolled
ACE
munications, an introduction course at the university.
Mordan, like King and Reed, remembers her first day
as intimidating. No one knew she was in high school
and she wanted to keep it that way. On her first day
there was a phrase the professor kept using that she
didn't understand. "I had to confront the professor after
class," she says, "and she explained 'Blackboard' was an
online site that professors use to post assignments and
grades through the website. The professor was so nice
and even took me to her office to show me how to use
Blackboard so
Many
I
wasn't confused anymore."
people believe that because high school stu-
"Freedom is the best part of this experience," says
King. Unlike Reed, King had read about the ACE program online. "No one at my school had really heard
about the program. My mom and I had to search online
and then ask my guidance counselor about it before I
Although Mordan believes taking college
still in high school is an accomplishment,
she doesn't believe she is a child genius. "People seemed
to be impressed but I don't take the stereotype in a posi-
could even apply," King says.
tive way,"
day.
Reed found out about the ACE program when a representative spoke at her school. Reed was then approached
by her guidance counselor and began to think about the
possibility of the program. Her older sister had already
taken classes through the ACE program and reported a
good experience. "I saw how it prepared my sister and
how much she liked it," Reed says.
Like King and Reed, Jenna Mordan, an 18-year-old
a great way for the
students to experience
It's
college before becoming a
full
time student at a
university."
— Karen
Murtin
dents are taking college courses, they are over achievers
or prodigies.
classes while
Mordan says.
Reed has similar views about the stereotype. "I'm
not a prodigy or a genius, and I am only a year younger than many of the students here," she says. Reed believes taking college classes will give her a
when she attends
King agrees.
BU this
"It's
fall
head start
as a freshman.
mostly adults that think I'm a
child prodigy or genius," says King, but "I'm really just
like
any other high school
kid.
I
just
wanted a
feel of
"I wanted to get the
nervousness of the first
college class over with
before became a full time
."
student
I
—Jenna Mordan
life and a way to jump-start my college caBecause both gii-ls believe their genius status is
overrated, they just live their lives day by day as high
school and college students.
"I can still be a high school kid. but receive more academic stimulation." Reed says. Reed and King as well as
most ACE students, agree that taking college classes is
not as hard as
Jenna Mordan is taking one college class to get over
her nervousness before enrolling at BU in the fall.
the college
reer."
they thought
would
'I
have lots
time
it
be.
of
for all mj-
acti\dties. I
college
at the
take
classes
would be taking high school
ones," says Reed,
time
about
the
frame
is
same as if
1 were finishing my day at
the
high
Her
school."
extracui--
ricular
ties
acti\-i-
consume
her da}-; anj'one who didn't
know her wotdd
wonder how she
ever
fits
ev-
er\i:hing in. "I
have
time
for
my
I
see a
of
my fi'iends
diuing
my play prac-
she says.
King, like Reed, also beheves she has time for
all
her
"Even though I may have to spend a bit more
time studying. I have plenty of time to get it aU in. You just
have to make schedules and stick to them," King says.
All three giiis agi'ee ha\"ing a schedule and keeping
an agenda is the best ad\ice for someone in the ACE program. Reed believes she would lose her head without her
acti^^ties.
agenda.
"You need
it
to
keep
all
your
activities, classes,
ams straight. Once you have that down,
it's
and
ex-
really not that
bad." says Reed.
King
ha\dng a schedule helps keep her life
"Sometimes there is a conflict mth an exam or
a game back home, but most professors will work arotind
it and as long as I let them know ahead of time, an exam
can be moved \\ith little hassle." King says. All three girls
believe that responsibilty is the biggest difference between
high school and college.
As the giiis leave BU after then' first day of classes
thej^ know it has ah-eady been a great experience. "I took
college classes to challenge myself more. I have however, benefited fi'om the experience in more than one way,"
agi'ees that
in order.
King
says.
ai'e similai'. "This progi'am and this school
have helped me learn what college is hke. and I can't wait
to come here in the fall." says Reed. Most ACE students
agi-ee that stai'ting college with experience is their idea
of a perfect beginning.
Monique Grimord.
Reed's \'iews
^
17, of
Central Columbia High School,
Introduction to Drawing class at
program. Grimord.
University,
lot
sports practices, so they don't really ever feel
left out."
same time
I
"so
everjthing.
tices or
wanted
who
plans to
to get
is
attending an
Bloomsburg University through the ACE
major in graphic design at Susquehanna
a few credits before starting college
in
the
fall.
Spectrum Magazine
*^
F""^—
Local schools are making readin
by Ashley Seigfried
Fourth-grade student Michele Ko-
tarsky of Nescopeck Elementary
one out of millions of stu-
School
is
dents
who have become fond
reading. Kotarsky, like
er students,
is
is Fundamental. "I
book and being able to keep
involved in Reading
ally like getting to choose a
of
many othreit,"
says Michele.
dren. RIF tries to teach every child about the value of
books and the importance of reading. "The aim is to
get the kids motivated about reading. By providing free
books for children it helps low income families build a
home library of books to read at home," says Pasukinis.
RIF also hopes to build stronger community based childrens and family literacy programs.
The program is designed to have volunteers come in
during the school day, read stories to the students, and encourage them to read. The volunteers often come up with
a motivational activity or a theme for that specific day.
"I will often choose a favorite children's author and
read aloud a portion of that book." says Cathy Kline,
RIF coordinator for the Nescopeck Elementary School.
One activity at Nescopeck was to have children donate
a "gently used" book to Katrina victims. The activity
was a success and they learned how important reading
is to all
ties
may
children in the nation, says Pasukinis. Activiinclude arts and crafts, fun games, scavenger
hunts, and more. They help the students to have an enand use their own sense of creativity.
"Salem Elementary School did a Snow Blizzard
Reading Contest where the children read lots of books.
joyable time
Makayla Hess, Paige Superko, and Taylor Brown
in RIF at Nescopeck Elementary School.
participate
RIF has provided books for children across the United States. This non-profit organization, founded by Margaret McNamara in 1966, began as a small program at
three elementary schools in Washington, D.C. It's now
in about 20,000 schools in the United States. About 16
million books are provided for 4.6 million children every year, according to RIF.
"RIF has really encouraged me to read more and I
have finished every book that I have received," says
Tristan Delp, fourth-grader at Nescopeck Elementary
school. Lindsey Anderson, a fifth-grader at Nescopeck
Elementary School, says she has saved all of her RIF
books and now has her own personal library.
"RIF is all about encouraging children and their
families to read and helping them understand the importance of reading," says Cheryl Pasukinis, RIF coordinator for the Berwick School District. This year more
than 5,000 books will be distributed to the children in
the Berwick elementary schools. Millville Elementary
School and the four elementary schools in Berwick all
take part in the program. The organization primarily
provides a literacy program for underprivileged chil-
Spring
2008
For each book they read, they earned a snowfiake to
hang in the hallway. They tried to make the school
like there was a blizzard inside," says Pasukinis.
look
At the end of each session, students get the chance to
"RIF has made reading fun for me, and there
pick a book.
always a good selection of books," says Tyler Evans,
fourth-grade student at Nescopeck Elementary School.
"Students are offered books at a variety of reading levels
is
can find one that is just right for them," adds
about promoting a love for literature, children are not taught how to read through this program.
"By the end of their elementary school career, students
will have a shelf full of their very own books to read and
so that they
Kline. It
is all
and over!" says Pasukinis.
The funding is provided through RIF, the federal
government, local businesses and community members.
enjoy over
For each order of books RIF covers 75 percent of the cost
and the other 25 percent is paid for through donations,
Pasukinis says.
However, President Bush's budget plan for 2009,
eliminates RIF's funding of $25.5 million. Carol H.
Rasco, RIF president, says unless Congress reinstates
the funds RIF will be cancelled. For this year, RIF's
budget
is intact.
Next year, there may be no RIF programs.
S
39
^>^sv
Sheriff Sales:
^
The connection between adjustable
rate mortgage loans and forclosuires
by Joe Korba and Chris Fetterman
subprime loan crisis, severe increases in
unemployment, and the reality of the nation
at the beginning of a recession has led to a
significant increase in house foreclosures and
sheriff's sales in Columbia County.
Foreclosures in the county have risen from an average
The
of about 30 a year to over 100. Last year
was a record
year for foreclosures, with 120 homes put onto the auction
Tim Chamberlain. During the
block, according to Sheriff
first
quarter of 2008, there were 18 sheriff's sales.
The problem may have begun
lain, "when interest rates were
Chamberincredibly low." At the
in 2003, says
time, says Chamberlain, "people were re-mortgaging, get-
ting the adjustable rates,
The
rates soon shot
up
to
and now they can't pay them."
more than 20 percent in some
cases, rising at such a rate "that the borrower is blindsidbills that keep increasing as the economy
With increased unemployment, a two income
household was hit by the workplace economy, outsourcing
to other countries, and by the rising interest rates. "It is
ed by monthly
gets worse."
very difficult to afford a
Chamberlain
The
home with one income anymore,"
says.
sheriff also
of the problem.
blames the lending industries
He
for
some
believes lending institutions should
have been "more responsible in giving mortgages to people, they should know that they can pay it."
[Several organizations assist people in danger of losing
their homes to foreclosure. For more information, contact
the
Homeownership Preservation Foundation, a
counseling service, at 1-888-995-HOPE (4673.)]
e
federal
^
Need YOU!
Individuals, schools, churches,
and
civic
organizations are needed to volunteer
their time to erase the indifference.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Address: NEPA Alliance Against Homelessness
SOLVE Office of Bloomsburg University
400 E. 2nd St.
Bloonnsburg, PA 17815
Phone:
{570)389-5437
Email:
stvolser@bloomu.edu
Fax:
(570)389-3005
http://organizations.bloomu.edu/endhomelessness
Northeast Pennsylvania Alliance
Against Homelessness
at
40
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
Spectrum Magazine
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Spring
2008
41
H^,
'^^-
k''
fiM^Wf--^
"'
'»^''
'
% M"
itis explains h
rriangular Teer
Spectrum Magazine
edged between a cigar shop and a restaurant in
downtown Bloomsburg, a small business provides
an opportunity for local artists to showcase their
and artistic vision. Bluegrass melodies hum
softly in the background as customers browse the
paintings and photographs which adorn the walls of
the gallery."Open Your Eyes to Dream is an extension
creativity
of my living room," says Eric Shurmaitis, gallery owner
,
and
artist.
"This gallery
is
my baby,"
says Shurmaitis,
who
launched his business in April 2005.
Shurmaitis used
money he had accumulated from years
of working "terrible jobs" throughout various parts of the
vacuums and pumping gas
U.S.: selling
in Wilkes-Barre;
mowing lawns
in
in Eugene, Ore.; delivering pizzas
Bear Creek; and even
"Some of those jobs were frustrating," he
money away for something of my own."
os.
says, "but
I
and
selling cars
selling timeshares in the
knew that I was
always
Pocon-
stocking
Shurmaitis had gone to Oregon on the advice of a good friend and then eventually
tled
set-
back in Pennsylvania. He landed in Bloomsburg when he discovered the current loI wanted a decent amount of space for a reasonable price in a town
cation. "Basically,
where there was a cultural
Once
the property
was
interest in the arts,"
he says.
secure, Shurmaits' unique viiiiing fantasies that
when he was very young.
When he was 5, his parents
began
„,,...,
him
in private
enrolled
been obsessed with art ever since," he
says, but admits that running an art gallery in a small
town like Bloomsburg can be a struggle. However, unart lessons. "I've
like
most business owners, Shurmaitis
is
obsessed with profit margins. Instead, he
not overly
is
more con-
cerned with creating a positive environment within
Spring 2008
"Fach
individual VisitOf
reacts differently wh.
they Walk thPOUgh the
^r-j^^r 9nmp «5PPm
'
n
-xu
*u
generally happy With the
Pl^CG While Others run
away
,
in lUcii.
^^q Shurmait
After graduating
high school in Wilkes-Barre, Shurmaitis earned an
associate's degree in
painting/illustration
from Luzerne County
Community
College.
After a few years of traveling,
he moved to Blooms-
burg, opening the gallery
he had been designing in
his
mind
Since
for years.
its
opening, Shur-
maits' vision for his gallery
has expanded to include yoga
classes, small-scale stage
plays,
and
live bands. "I
look for mostly up-and-
the
coming bands," he says.
These activities help cover
community, a place where learning and
creativity are the
the costs of running the gallery and provide an opportunity
primary focus. "More small
towns need a place
like this.
Too many people
believe art galleries belong in a city," he says.
Small galleries inspire
artists to
"crawl out of
more local residents to get involved in the creative arts.
Most of the bands he selects are from Pennsylvania, but some
have traveled from New York City to play at the gallery.
One theme that resonates throughout Shurmaitis' phifor
losophy of life
the cracks" of communities, because they sud-
is
the love of travel.
——
T
exists where
denly
Z
Tl^TirTTirT;
' realize a place
^
(Right): Matt Vanderslices
they can showcase their gift, he says. Rendition of Caravaggio's
"Works
of Mercy."
The walls
are
of the gallery
filled
with
photographs and
44
art.
Spectrum Magazine
moved to Bloomsburg, he
summer backpacking and bik-
Before he
spent a
ing through Europe, where he briefly
thought about relocating.
He
dured a cross-country road
has en-
trip
through
managed
much of the Northwest. "I just
between a few dollars and several hundred dollars making them affordable
to the general population. "Each individual visitor reacts differently
when
they walk through the door," says Shur-
the southern United States and
maitis,
to explore
with the place while others run away in
"some seem generally happy
love to travel and meet other artists," he
fear."
However, he explains
planning
leries
can be intimidating, so he firmly
says. In
August, Shurmaitis
his next
unorthodox adventure, a bike
trip
is
north with no particular pre-planned
itinerary. "That's
how
traveled through
I
met so many
interesting people. Traveling on a bicycle
forces you to take it slow and meet as
many people as you possibly can."
Europe," he says, "and
I
Shurmaitis views his gallery as a tem-
porary piece of his
life,
a temporary lo-
that art gal-
believes in an open door policy for
all,
measure the
well-being of a small community. His
passion for artistic culture seems to res-
onate through his every action. According to Shurmaitis, he considers himself
an "abstract mixed media
artist"
human
whose
current focus deals with
now, I'm trying to find a handful of
and the dream which they collectively
trustworthy people to pass on the gallery
experience. "I have been trying to paint
he says. But his vision of Open Your
Eyes to Dream goes beyond being confined to one place. "I want to open
more
galleries all across the country," the
27-year-old says.
Brosch,
is
A close friend. Matt
currently surveying locations
in Asheville, N.C., the future
Open Your Eyes
Most of the
to
Dream
home of
2.
gallery pieces are priced
Quality Briar Pipes
Shurmaitis maintains that creative outlets are crucial to
cation not limited to Bloomsburg. "Right
to,"
•
regardless of social standing.
a clearer picture of what they
beings
want from
new possibilities," he says. By launching Open Your
Eyes to Dream in downtown Bloomslife
and help them
to see
young artist has in fact fuldreams by offering others a
chance to cultivate their creativity and
burg, this
filled his
begin to bring their
dreams
to fruition.
own
^
individual
• Ril
•
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BLOOMSBURG HOSPITAL
A member of the Bloomsburg Health System
(570) 387-2100
46
Spectrum Magazine
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Dining Hours
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& Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday
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