Urban Seneca Uptown Collection
the Harne ssing A I in S mall-Business Ac co unt ing to Deli ve r a Co mpe titi ve Advantag e
No one can predict the future with certainty, but one thing is clear: AI is reshaping small-business accounting far faster than most leaders realize. Those who prepare now will gain a major advantage.
AI-driven accounting systems, paired with a modernized organizational structure, can reduce costs while dramatically improving the quality of financial and management information. These changes are not incremental. They are transformative.
From a pyramid to a diamond
To visualize AI’s impact, consider the traditional organizational pyramid. Historically, small businesses relied on a wide base of entry-level employees performing repetitive tasks: data entry, reconciliations, invoice processing and basic reporting.AI is now absorbing much of this routine work. As automation expands, the “bottom” of the pyramid narrows while the middle widens, creating a diamond-shaped structure.
Eliminating the bookkeeping bottleneck
Across the small-business sector, bookkeeping quality varies widely Fractional CFOs and controllers often spend a disproportionate amount of time correcting basic mistakes time that should be spent on strategic analysis, forecasting and decision support
AI changes this dynamic Automated systems can perform routine tasks with consistency, accuracy and speed. This reduces dependency on manual bookkeeping skills and elevates the entire accounting function.
In small-business accounting, this means that many manual bookkeeping activities (the lower section of the diamond) will be automated. Human resources will shift upward, focusing on oversight, interpretation and strategic decision-making (the middle of the diamond) This shift is not theoretical. It is already underway.
What small-business owners should
do now
Start with a comprehensive evaluation of your current accounting environment:
• Where are the gaps?
• What processes need modernization?
• What systems must be upgraded to support AI?
• How reliable is your current financial data?
Creating value in the middle layer
In the AI-driven model, the middle of the diamond becomes the engine of value creation.
• AI handles the transactional foundation.
• An outsourced controller oversees system performance, data integrity and exception handling.
• An outsourced CFO builds on this foundation to deliver strategic insights, scenario planning and forward-looking analysis
This structure ensures that the organization receives high-qualit financial information without the cost (salaries, benefits, overhead) and complexity of a fully staffed internal accounting department.
Becoming AI-ready is not a switch you flip It is a roadmap you build.
The strategic edge
Regal Wealth Advisors helps small businesses become truly AI-ready
We begin with a detailed assessment of your accounting systems and processes, then develop a customized AI Adoption Roadmap a clear, actionable plan that positions your business to benefit from the next wave of AI-enabled accounting.
Let’s discuss how you can move forward with clarity, confidence and a durable competitive advantage.
BALANCE MAGAZINE
We are in the thick of winter. This morning it was 12 degrees, with colder days and snow on the way. It’s my least favorite time of year, yet somehow the Balance team managed to bring together some of my favorite articles to date We have a fashionable and resourceful take on thrifting, how it benefits our community and way beyond. There’s also a handy and thorough guide to the theaters of Lancaster County, cozy rug ideas to change a space, and an inside look at the local coffee scene. A perfect guide to see us through until spring arrives. I hope you enjoy our winter issue Thank you so much for reading.
ON THE COVER
Goose and Bailey Watro model some winter thrifting fashions found at the local ReUzit shops. Read and see more on page 14
Lindsey McCallum | Editor-In-Chief | Balance@lnpnews.com
Published by
President: Chris Fidler
Editor-in-Chief: Lindsey McCallum
Creative Direction: Amy Rodriguez
Content Editor: Margaret Gates
Design: Kim Buckwalter, Christine Vernon, Amy Rodriguez, Bailey Watro
Photography: Quinn Staley, Vinny Tennis
Writers: Mike Albright, Margaret Gates, Christine Vernon, Bailey Watro, Mary Ellen Wright
Production: Kim Buckwalter, Erica Feltenberger, Sally Reynolds, Tim Trinh, Sydney Ward
Subscriptions to LNP|LancasterOnline: Call 717.291.8611
Advertise: Contact advertising@lnpnews.com or call 717.291.8800
P.O. Box 1328, Lancaster, PA 17608-1328
Copyright © 2026 LNP Media Group. All Rights Reserved.
ARE YO U RE ADY?
Spring is just around the corner. Now is the ideal time to plan your outdoor living project and be ready to enjoy the entire season outdoors.
Photo by Quinn Staley
goo ,
Looking good, Lancaster!
top in Framed a opened optic shop at
Stop in Framed by James, a recently 301 E. Chestnut St., Lancaster, and you may end up with more than new eyewear. Owner Jim Albright will happily invite you to sit down for a glass of wine and some friendly conversation too all on the house, of course.
“It’s like a neighborhood bar that sells glasses,” he quips
The boutique-style setting of Framed by James is far different from his former business, Albright Opticians, which his father opened in 1965 and where Albright worked for 55 years before selling it in 2022. His intention was to ride into the sunset of retirement, but he got bored after about two years.
Framed by James is an opportunity for Albright, 74, to go back to doing something he loves but on a much smaller, more intimate scale. There are no eye exams and no additional employees. It’s just him, fitting people with attractive and affordable prescription eyewear.
Albright offers a nice selection of frames, including brands with styles and colors you may not find elsewhere in Lancaster County Since opening in March, he’s been welcoming new customers by word of mouth, including a Philadelphia-based actress who admired someone’s glasses at a Prima Theatre after-party and found out they had gotten them at Framed by James
And he’s been reconnecting with old customers too.
“A lot of customers I had from the past are coming in and we are reacquainting ourselves and telling war stories about what happened over the last two years,” he says
“It’s more fun than retirement.”
Framed by James is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Other hours by appointment. For more information, visit framedbyjames.com or call 717-875-8812.
& DUR ABILIT Y of Hand Knotted Wool Rugs
Looking for an entryway rug that could stand up to heavy traffic, dirt, snow and gravel?
BY CHRISTINE VERNON
Sound crazy? Not really, says Jenni Leister at Bunyaad Fair Trade Rugs & Marketplace in Lititz.
Wool rugs are extremely durable and naturally stain resistant due to the high lanolin content in the fibers, Leister says Lanolin is a natural wax that protects the fibers and acts as a waterproofing and stain resistant agent, maintaining the condition of the rug. Due to their tightly knotted density, they also resist deep settled-in dirt.
But durability and stain resistance are only a few of the reasons homeowners are turning to hand-knotted wool rugs. Here are a few more:
A RUG FOR EVERY ROOM
Kitchens and bathrooms have become favorite places for installing hand-knotted wool rugs
“We do a lot of runners in kitchens,” says Renee Dolan, senior interior designer at Lancaster-based Interiors Home.
Bathrooms have also become big and luxurious, she says, noting they have become popular areas to install wool rugs to bring warmth to hard floor surfaces
Wool rugs add warmth when used in playrooms, home learning areas and family
rooms where people spend a lot of time.
“Especially for hard floors, wool rugs are noise absorbing,” Dolan says, which can help to quiet louder spaces. They are important design elements, too. Rugs can anchor and define spaces, creating cozy living areas that can exist separately within an open floor plan. Choose a rug large enough to create a border that defines your space, Dolan advises, noting that people often buy area rugs that are too small. As trends move away from gray and back to color, one of the easiest ways to refresh a living area is to choose a new rug, Dolan says.
“I start a room with a rug. It’s the biggest canvas,” she says “It’s the easiest way to add a pop of color.”
Hand-knotted rugs are unique in that they have a light and dark side determined by the direction from which you view them, notes Sina Mojaradi of The Rug Bazaar at Interiors Home. Simply rotating a wool rug 180 degrees can darken or lighten the colors, essentially creating two rugs for the price of one. Dolan suggests rotating the rugs seasonally to easily change up a room.
The durability of hand knotted wool rugs make them a good choice for high traffic areas, such as entryways. Photo courtesy of Bunyaad Marketplace.
Each rug has a light side (left) and dark side (right) when viewing from different directions, as seen in this rug from Interiors Home
Runners, long narrow rugs, are popular choices for kitchens and bathrooms due to their resistance to liquids and stains.
DURABLE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY
We are becoming more aware of what we bring into our homes and how our surroundings affect our health, more so when we are raising children and pets
This is where wool rugs shine Most hand-knotted wool rugs are made using natural dyes, not chemical ones. Along with their warmth and stain resistance, this makes them the ideal surface for children and pets to lounge and play without fear of chemicals and plastics.
“One thing I know about rugs like this, is that you grow up on them, your children play on them, your pets lay on them, you spend time on the floor on them,” Leister says “So you know that you’re lying on a surface that’s not only going to last you a lifetime. It is healthy for you. It’s not going to make you sick. You’re not going to be picking up chemicals or anything obscene that you don’t want in your body. It’s a natural surface to lie on.”
The lanolin in the fibers naturally resists even hard-toclean stains such as red wine, tomato sauce and pet accidents, which makes installing them in high-traffic areas like family rooms, kitchens and entryways a sound choice
Cleaning is as simple as blotting up spills or, Mojaradi recommends, “using warm water and a little dish soap, just a little.”
Bunyaad’s director of stain resistance, a 3-year-old schnoodle named Wally, “does most of his work at home,” Leister says. “He specializes
in liquids and solids and many other things, but soap and water have taken care of everything he can dish out.”
For larger messes, she has also used a handheld steam cleaner and occasionally taken them outside, sprayed them with the hose, and let them dry in the sun. Other than that, regular vacuuming will keep your rug in top form, she says.
Still, people have a hard time wrapping their heads around the durability of hand-knotted wool rugs, Leister says. She recalls a local real estate agent who purchased a rug for the main showroom in his office and returned it to Bunyaad a year later to have it cleaned.
“He rolled it out, and we’re like, ‘What are we cleaning ?’” Leister recalls “He’s like, ‘I’m certain it’s dirty. I don’t see it, but I’m certain it is.’ ”
When purchasing a wool rug, Leister recommends asking questions to be sure the rug is made with wool that has not had the lanolin stripped out of it Lanolin is also used in cosmetics, and the “dry ” wool can be sold to make rugs that are less expensive but lack some of the qualities for which wool rugs are known.
In a disposable world, it’s hard to imagine buying a rug that could last a lifetime, but longevity is a key benefit of hand-knotted wool rugs. There is a generational aspect to them.
“A rug is like a family heirloom,” Mojaradi says, noting The Rug Bazaar has a 120-year-old Persian rug in its inventory.
Dolan, left, and Mojaradi, right, show the craftsmanship of a hand knotted wool rug at the Rug Bazaar at Interiors Home
Liester at Bunyaad Marketplace, shows the artistry of how uniquely different each hand knotted wool rug is
Artisans will express their creativity or experiences through more artistic designs. Rugs: Interiors Home, left; Bunyaad Marketplace, right.
Designs and patterns are unique to each village and weaver and can range from geometric patterns, colorful contemporary, to intricate florals, such as this one seen at Interiors Home
HANDMADE PROCESS
The durability and beauty of wool rugs come from the handmade processes used to create them. Quality sheep’s wool is selected and hand-dyed using natural dyes made from a variety of sources such as indigo, walnuts, pomegranate and onion skins. After drying, the wool is hand spun. The skills and knowledge of making the dye and rugs are passed down within the
families of the artisans Wool rugs can also include silk from silkworms or bamboo silk, also called viscose, that are knotted within certain areas of the pattern to change the texture and add a slight shimmer
The looms are kept in the family ’s home and larger rug sizes will have as many as five artisans. Designs are unique to different regions and villages where they are sourced. While a pattern may be reused, each rug is a unique, one-of-a-kind creation, a work of art.
Each knot is tied by hand, and a variety of tools are used to assist in tying and tightly packing the knots The key characteristic of the tactile density of each rug is the number of knots tied per square inch. Once completed, the rugs are sheared down to reveal the design and given a thorough
wash to remove any loose dye or fibers. Like art, hand-knotted wool rugs are an investment piece. Unlike synthetic rugs, they last a lifetime and beyond. While most rugs are created at the discretion of the artisans, custom orders can be placed. However, out of respect to the artisans, who are highly skilled and adept at selecting colors that will bring a rug to life, they are given full creative license.
Bunyaad sources fair trade rugs from Pakistan and purchases everything their artisans make. Each shipment is “like Christmas, because we never know 100% what we’re getting,” Leister says “We know sizes, but every rug is unique, and that, to me, is incredible.”
Bunyaad’s inventory also includes Persian and tribal rugs made with machine-spun wool and synthetic dyes due to their extensive color palettes
The Rug Bazaar at Interiors Home sources rugs from Nepal, India, Pakistan and Turkey
“We work with well-established manufacturing partners in these countries who are widely recognized and have strong reputations in the industry,” Mojaradi says, adding that all of their hand-knotted rugs use natural dyes
A sample board from Bunyaad Marketplace of some of the ingredients used to make natural dyes
Wool swatches at Interiors Home show the range of colors that can be achieved from natural dyes
The durability of hand knotted wool rugs is exhibited by the sharp and abrasive tools used to make and prepare them prior to leaving the artisans home
THE INVESTMENT
Hand-knotted rugs have a wide price range depending on size, knot density, materials and design, Mojaradi says.
At The Rug Bazaar, a 5-by-7 rug starts at around $900, while a 9-by-12 rug can range from $3,000 to over $15,000. Kitchen or bathroom runner rugs also vary based on similar factors.
At Bunyaad, runners range in length from 6 feet to 13 feet long and vary in price from $650 to $3,000, Leister says Area rug prices range from $2200 to $4300 for a 5-by-7 and $7,500 to $14,000 for a 9-by-12.
Bunyaad also stocks hand-knotted kilims, a flat-weave rug, with prices ranging from $1,300 to $4,300 for a 5-by-7 and $3,500 to $14,000 for a 9-by-12, Leister says
WOOL RUG FACTS
• Upward of 220 pounds of sheep’s wool is used to make one rug.
• Finished rugs can weigh 65-85 pounds for an 8-by-10 and 9-by-12 rug.
• The density is determined by knots per square inch:
• Hand-knotted rugs made from handspun wool are knotted at 120 knots per square inch.
• Hand-knotted rugs made from machine-spun wool, which creates a tighter strand, are knotted at 500-800 knots per square inch.
• How long does it take?
• Smaller sizes up to 5-by-7 and 8-by-10 typically take eight to 12 months to make.
• 9-by-12 rugs take four to five people roughly 14 to 16 months to make.
Hand knotted wool rugs can vary in pattern and design, even more contemporary patterns like this one seen at the Rug Bazaar at Interiors Home to suit all design styles.
Close up detail of a tightly knotted, naturally dyed wool rug from the top (above), and underneath (bottom), found at the Bunyaad Marketplace.
Chris Knight
window
Willow Valley Communities is honored to have earned the #2 nationwide ranking in Newsweek’s 2026 edition of America’s Best Continuing Care Retirement Communities. This marks the second consecutive year we’ve been honored with this recognition.
Thank you to our residents and team members for making our community a truly special place to live and work.
We invite you to learn more about our newest community, Mosaic! Now is an especially good time to consider Mosaic, as we have announced a target construction timeline, and preconstruction pricing will be ending soon.
Open House
Saturday, February 21, 2026 11:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
Tour the full-scale model apartment, enjoy treats from the Mosaic neighborhood, and meet our team. No registration required.
When people picture a charming New England town, they often imagine tree-lined streets, river views, scenic bike trails, cozy shops, lively pubs, standout restaurants and beautifully preserved historic buildings.
What many don’t realize is that you don’t have to travel hundreds of miles to find that experience it’s waiting right here in Marietta.
Founded in 1812 along the banks of the Susquehanna River, Marietta has long been a place where history and community intersect Today, the town comes alive through a calendar of beloved annual events, including the Marietta Cherry
Blossom Music Festival each April and the Blues, Brews and Boos Music Festival in mid- October, drawing visitors and locals alike to its walkable streets and riverfront views
Behind Marietta’s vibrancy is a dedicated group of residents and business owners committed to preserving the town’s historic character while ensuring it continues to thrive. Two of those business owners are taking that mission a step further, restoring historic properties and transforming them into welcoming public spaces Their stories help explain why Marietta feels less like a destination you visit and more like a place you want to stay.
McCleary’s Pub
Freddy and Dani States, owners of McCleary ’s Pub, 130 W. Front St., have big plans for a summer of fun in Marietta New this year is The Pier, a patio tiki bar behind McCleary ’s, adding seating for 40 people. States says that he plans to open the tiki bar for St Patrick’s Day weekend, and then re-open in April for the summer.
The outdoor expansion includes cornhole, ping pong and Caribbean ring toss games, with acoustic live music during the day and early evening.
And is that sand underfoot at the tiki bar? Yes, because if you’re going to chill back after a day of kayaking the Susquehanna
Chef Taylor Heck of Railroad House Inn
Chef Josh Fulford of McCleary’s Pub
River or biking the Northwest Lancaster County River Trail, a sandy ‘beach’ is just the place to do it
With the addition of the tiki bar and patio will come an updated drink menu, adding refreshing summer sippers. McCleary ’s also has 19 taps, including Guinness, Harp and Smithwick’s. Taps change weekly, with three on nitro.
Expect fresh summer brews to be featured at the tiki bar
The event space will include a bar built from repurposed historic elements of the old freight depot: the enormous scales, the three-and-a-half-inch-thick doors, the wooden shutters and even the railroad spikes, Bowden says
Two Marietta Restaurants Invest in the
Enclosing all three buildings are open grassy spaces and gardens that can be set up with any combination of tents, seating, yard games or entertainment.
Raising a Glass and Restoring History
While McCleary’s will retain its current Irish pub favorites, States says, the menu will also feature about 10 new items, ranging from the light and summery to Pennsylvania Dutch fare like chicken and waffles
BY SALLY REYNOLDS PHOTOS BY VINNY TENNIS
Future
Another new development is the beautifully renovated Annie Fairfax House, right next door to McCleary’s. Built in 1807, this warm and cozy cottage is available for rent on Airbnb and also serves as overflow accommodation for wedding parties at the Railroad House Inn.
The Annie Fairfax House has two bedrooms and boasts wide plank floors, wood ceiling beams, exposed brick walls, and a small but fully equipped kitchen. If you like the idea of a vacation close to home, this could be your dream destination.
Railroad House Inn
Joey Bowden, who co-owns the Railroad House Inn, 280 W. Front St., with Freddy States, has been digging into the history of another building on his property the Upper Station freight depot located directly across from the inn. Built in 1869, the Upper Station is the only existing freight depot left in Marietta. There had been a Lower Station, Bowden says, but it washed away in a flood decades ago.
The bar is being built by an optometrist friend of Bowden’s who operates The Wooden Buddha, a custom carpentry shop “Ninety-nine percent of that bar is original material from the depot,” Bowden says “It looks really amazing.”
Renovations are ongoing, with a goal to open the Upper Station in the fall. Bowden and States are also deepening their investment in the Railroad House Inn, a premier destination for weddings and corporate events The inn has nine guest rooms and a wedding suite, and adds flexibility with two auxiliary buildings, the Carriage House and the Cottage.
One thing that won’t change at the Railroad House Inn is its focus on a seasonal farmto-table menu. The menu changes five to six times per year to reflect the best that local farmers have to offer In the basement of the Railroad House Inn, in what used to be the coal cellar, is Perry Street Cellar, open on weekends from October to May. This space has a speakeasy vibe and features esoteric taps, like barrel-aged imperial stouts, as well as whiskeyfocused craft cocktails
Bowden and States plan to use the front portion of the 4,000-square-foot Upper Station as a public trailhead facility and the back portion as a private event space.
The Carriage House is open and airy, with a bar and plenty of room for tables and food stations. The Cottage was the original smokehouse and summer kitchen for the property and now serves as an intimate dining space for up to 15 guests.
If you haven’t been to Marietta in a while, now is the time to visit these two historic businesses and experience all the new spaces and menu items that are waiting just for you.
To stay up to date on all the action at McCleary ’s Pub and the Railroad House Inn, follow them on social at: Facebook. com /mcclearyspub, Facebook.com / therailroadhouseinn, Instagram.com / mcclearyspublichouse, Instagram.com / railroadhouseinn.
Thrif ting for a cause
BY BAILEY WATRO
PHOTOS BY QUINN STALEY
Re-Uzit Shop of New Holland’s sprawling 30,000-square-foot warehouse at 707 W. Main St. is a testament to how popular thrifting has become
“Thrifting is the current trend among all ages and all groups,” says Sherry Duda, the store’s general manager “I think in this day and age, everyone loves to thrift.”
Reflecting its slogan, “Department store shopping at thrift store prices,” the Re-Uzit Shop is merchandised like the old department stores of the ’80s and ’90s, Duda says. But it has a decidedly 2020s appeal to customers who are increasingly interested in shopping not only affordably, but also in an eco- and socially conscious way.
In a world of fast fashion and dropshipping websites, thrifting is an increasingly popular alternative. This new generation of thrifting takes on many forms, from online resellers to trendy, highend curated collections. But local thrifts offer the opportunity to participate and contribute to local community efforts while finding great pieces at affordable prices
Goose and Bailey wear head-to-toe (or tail) thr if ted ite Fu it is from Re-Uzit in Ne
Lancaster easy to find accessories secondhand. new takes from to efforts at local stores the or old to landfills, and from stores ar community. Local stores all customers to find unique, affo while simult their carbon footprin back to their neighbors. Lancaster is full of options, easy to find anything from clot to craft and pet su
Shopping at local thrift stores keeps the life cycle of items within the community Rather than buying something from an online retailer thousands of miles away or condemning old clothing to landfills donating and buying from thrift extends the life of items that in the community customers clothing options reducing their giving back
Thrift ing fashion
Re-Uzit is one of the largest local thrifts, with multiple locations across the county. The selection of clothing is huge and can be daunting, but the racks are well organized by clothing category, and they separate out smaller sections of special interest, such as vintage pieces
“We have many shoppers into the vintage trends of the 1940s through the early 2000s, so we’ve tried to build our ‘vintage’ clothing section just for them,” Duda says “Anything vintage from Ralph Lauren, Levis, flared jeans, ’70s clothing, concert T-shirts, etc. is currently a hot item.”
“Everyone deserves a space to with and explore self-expression without fear of hurtful looks and remarks, or at worst their safety,” Farbo says.
deserves a space to play and progr e
Prism opened with the goal of eventually providing jobs as well as much-needed funding for local LGBTQ+ organizations and progr Farbo says The store is packed with modern and vintage clothing and includes a section of items that ha been upcycled into unique DIY fa
been into DIY fashion
“Those unique creations are pr popular,” Farbo says
Re-Uzit’s two-story shop in New Holland also has a wide variety of non-clothing items, from furniture and home goods to books and craft supplies. Proceeds from the store aid local causes as well as global causes through its funding of the Mennonite Central Committee, which provides disaster relief and aid to vulnerable communities in 46 countries. Last year, the store gave $900,000 to Mennonite Central Committee and an additional $134,000 to local organizations, including first responders, libraries, churches and learning centers, Duda says
Re-Uzit’s volunteers make these charitable efforts possible, she says
“We’re a place for community and for volunteers to build friendships and to feel valued and we’re an advocate for preserving our earth by recycling as much as possible,” Duda says “Many of our youngergeneration shoppers love to thrift as it helps our environment by saving clothing from ending up in our landfills.”
ensure that almost gets Farbo says. “At this time, we
Donations that don’t make it to store’s shelves are given to free closets at charity organizations throughout county. “We even mend and upcy ensure that almost nothing gets landfi Farbo says. “At this time, we have almost 20,000 items from the landfi
at the
Outside of charity work, Prism hosts community events that help people find their style, shop sustainably and even make their own clothes
Outside of charity work, Prism Thrif
The shop sends the clothing it can’t sell to the MCC Resource Center in Ephrata, weavers use denim, old ties and of fabric to create rugs that are then at the center or other local MCC stores. They also cut denim into squares for comforter kits and sew fabric into bags that are used for hygiene, sewing and school kits, Duda says.
to Center in where use old ties and strips of to create rugs that are sold at center or Duda says.
represents a vision the to an in Lancaster.
ector Farbo says Prism was to meet a e LGBTQ+ and in the eel comfortable shopping
Prism Thrift, 101 N. Queen St., Lancaster, represents a smaller, sonalized vision of thrifting with goal of catering to an underserved community in Lancaster Executive ector Kate Farbo says Prism was started to meet the need for a thrift where the LGBTQ+ community, particular the transgender and nder-nonconforming community, feel comfortable shopping.
One event, a multipart, gender-affirming fashion workshop, was a collaboration with Lancaster County Chooses Love and local seamstress Jess Shope. Participants got a lesson in history, mood boards, measurement and proportion, and some basic hand-sewing techniques.
An intro to thrifting workshop paired shoppers with a staff member to personalize their experience.“We had a handful of people really exploring their style for the first time through this event,” Farbo says “It’s a simple idea and yet it was so rewarding. We are really looking forward to expanding on these workshops and more in 2026.”
Hand-craf ted items like Rishabh’s knitted scar f can be made from thr if ted yar ns or out of recycled thr if ted sweaters
Be yond Clothing
Secondhand shops in Lancaster County cater to many niches beyond clothing, making it possible to thrift a wide variety of items for your home and family
The Thrifty Kitty Thrift Boutique, 2195 Lincoln Highway East, is a recently reopened thrift store benefiting the efforts of HumanePA. They sell a curated collection of vintage homeware, antiques, books and records alongside typical pet supplies, with plans to expand. Proceeds go toward supporting the needs of their animals and their other charity efforts. Beyond their adoption centers, HumanePA operates nonprofit veterinary hospitals and contributes to emergency response and disaster relief support for animals during emergencies and natural disasters.
Pet Pantry of Lancaster County, 26 Millersville Road, Lancaster, similarly operates a thrift store where pet owners can buy care items, treats and toys at a reduced price while raising funds for the organization’s charitable efforts, including low-cost spaying and neutering, adoption, and food assistance for pet owners.
Art of Recycle, 27 Cloister Ave., Ephrata, sells secondhand art and craft supplies, including yarn, fabric and scrapbooking supplies with a vast and ever-changing inventory. Creative director Chelas Montanye says the store was born out of a desire to “teach people basic creative skills and how to make art supplies and tools from household materials so that artists and crafters could create art affordably.”
After opening, the store connected well with people in the community and started learning their needs, Montanye says, noting it now offers free weekly art classes for all ages and abilities Art of Recycle has also reached out to the special needs community, partnering with Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 12 and Lincoln Intermediate Unit 12 to work with high school students who are learning life skills.
Many stores, like the New Holland Re-Uzit and Ar t of Recycle, have robust used book collections.
“These kids are wonderful to work beside, and they bring our team lots of joy,” Montanye says Donations to Art of Recycle go toward stocking the store shelves and also providing free resources to those who need them.
“Teaching and art supplies are expensive, but we discovered that there were many retired teachers and many seniors that were looking for places to donate their resources to, where they could be confident that those resources would be put to a purpose,” Montanye says Many of those supplies go to Art of Recycle’s free resource center, providing schools, nonprofits and churches with supplies for their own programs.
“What our team does at Art of Recycle is joyful and exciting, and we love our jobs so much,” Montanye says. “The best thing about it is how much the community supports this endeavor and how we are able to raise funds without taking grants from other much-needed programs in the community. Our people work hard, and it is really worth it.”
Karyn Miller, Luke Mosch -Owners of Hinkle Insurance Agency
Everybody has a personal journey
Yvonne Godin began her career as a registered nurse nearly three decades ago, but a concerning trend prompted her to take a new direction in health care
“More and more patients were being told that their weight was a problem, being handed a prescription without any support and trying a diet trend without making healthy habits.”
So Godin made her own change in 2014 and began to focus on health coaching. Today, she is a certified health coach and telehealth provider who is currently advancing her training to become a family nurse practitioner
And she is the force behind Vita Health, a nurse-led, physician-guided wellness practice in Lancaster that integrates clinical approaches with holistic solutions
Vita Health’s services include weight loss and weight management, IV and injection therapy, and body and wellness assessments, all personalized to individual needs.
“Everybody has a personal journey,” Godin says “Everybody ’s nutritional needs are specific to them and discovering that is a process.”
Vita Health takes clients through a series of phases to discover the specific caloric, protein and
carbohydrate intake that’s right for them. Assessments such as 3D body scanning not only monitor weight loss but also reveal areas more prone to high-risk disease. With this clarity, Godin can shift from guesswork to evidence based progress, creating weight management plans that are truly individualized.
“It’s equal parts data and dedication,” she says. “The numbers guide us, but the patient’s journey is what leads the way.”
Vita Health offers focused services that elevate wellness from multiple angles Its medically guided weight management programs pair evidence based treatments like GLP 1 peptide therapy with personalized coaching. The practice also supports hormonal balance through targeted protocols and lifestyle guidance. Clients can further enhance their care with restorative IV and injection therapies, supplements and Celluma LED Body Contouring, a gentle non invasive light therapy that aids the body ’s natural transformation.
Godin welcomes anyone who shares the common goal of achieving optimal health.
“Healing starts naturally with an understanding of our body,” she says. “We give people answers, we give them hope and we help them live life optimally.”
Vita Health is located at 1834 Oregon Pike, Suite 2, aster We see all clients by appointment to receive full, undivided attention: Monday and Tuesday by appointment only; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, by appointment; and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, by appointment. For more information or to book an appointment, visit vitahealth-wellness.com.
THEATER FO R ALL
BY MARY ELLEN WRIGHT | PHOTOS BY KEVIN FARACI, FULTON THEATRE
Each month, as I write a monthly LNP | LancasterOnline story that lists all the musicals, plays, cabarets and other entertainments opening on Lancaster County theater stages during the coming four weeks, I’m amazed all over again at just how much theater there is for audiences here in our county
PRIMA THEATRE
941 Wheatland Ave., Lancaster.
SUSQUEHANNA STAG E
Prima brings professional vocalists, musicians and dancers together from New York, Lancaster and beyond to present original musical revues such as the upcoming “The Motown Club” along with book musicals and, most recently, plays The company is bringing “Wicked” composer Stephen Schwartz to town for a fundraising concert in October and will be working with playwright and New York Times bestselling author Rob Bell to launch his new plays. Tickets: $54-$81. primatheatre.org.
133 W. Market St., Marietta. Susquehanna Stage is a community theater that presents a year-round slate of plays and musicals in two theater spaces within a former church building. This season’s main-stage offerings include “Misery,” “Mean Girls: Teen Edition” and Stephen Sondheim’s “Merrily We Roll Along.” Special events include The Undercurrent a series of free, Saturday-night staged readings of contemporary plays and themed cabarets. The company offers summer theater camps for school students and always offers at least one youth / teen production in its main-stage season.
Tickets: $22-$29 susquehannastage.com or 717-426-1277
I’ve been attending local theater for nearly 40 years, and I have seen some unique and entertaining theater troupes leave their mark on the local cultural scene before exiting the stage. Others have stepped in to fill the void.
They and the companies that have been presenting theater here for decades have made my cultural life much richer by their presence And they’ve provided the launching pad for some local actors who’ve landed on Broadway I’ve put together this list of theater companies and groups in Lancaster County so you, too, can take advantage of this prolific, rich cultural resource in our community.
FULTO N THEATR E
THEATER S WIT H A PERMAN EN T VE NUE
EP HRATA PERFORMIN G AR TS CEN TER
320 Cocalico St., in Thomas P. Grater Community Park, Ephrata. This community theater company has been presenting shows ranging from Golden Age musicals to classic American plays to edgy, contemporary material for 45 years. It does so in a theater building that in the past has been a barn, a skating rink and the professional summer-stock theater where Betty White made her stage debut. Its 2026 slate of shows includes “1776,” “Slave Play ” and Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods.” Its youth theater program is particularly strong, with a theater camp offered each summer The company ’s special events include an Evolution of Black Music evening in February and the annual Queer Voices Festival in June.
SIGHT & SOUND THEATRES
300 Hartman Bridge Road, Ronks.
Sight & Sound draws tourists to the area by the busload with its large-scale Bible-story epics, featuring original scripts and music, live animals and massive sets. The theater is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026 with a new stage production, “Joshua,” the story of the biblical figure who replaced Moses as the leader of the Israelites as they traveled toward the Promised Land. Sight & Sound has expanded into streaming its works in movie theaters and to producing original films “Joshua” runs from March to December. Tickets: $82-$104. sight-sound.com.
Tickets: $38-$57 for main-stage shows. epactheatre.org or 717-733-7966, ext.1.
CAVO D PERFORMING AR TS
665 W. Main St., New Holland. Cavod is a performing arts academy, with locations in New Holland and Manheim, that offers theater and dance classes It also presents a season of adult and youth musicals such as the upcoming “Titanic the Musical” in February and “Newsies” in October Tickets: $18-$24. cavod.org/theatre.
12 N. Prince St., Lancaster. The Fulton is a professional regional company that presents large-scale musicals, classic murder-mystery plays, and a series of original Saturday daytime shows for kids and their families in its ornate, historic Victorian theater that dates back to 1852 Shows combine local talent with Broadway and regional professionals represented by Actors’ Equity both on stage as performers and as part of its creative teams of directors, designers, stage managers and more. The Fulton’s fourthfloor Tell Studio Theatre presents its Ellen Arnold Groff series of more intimate plays and occasional musicals. In June, the Fulton will debut its Castagna Hall as a performance venue with a production of the musical “Dear Evan Hansen.” Other shows on the schedule are “West Side Story ” and “Hairspray.” The company’s Fulton Academy offers theater instruction and performance opportunities for students from pre-K to high school. Tickets: $34-$112 for main-stage shows; $57 for Groff series; $20-$30 for its Family Series. thefulton.org or 717-397-7425.
DUT CH APPLE DINNE R THE AT RE
510 Centerville Road, Lancaster.
The Dutch Apple, founded by the Prather family, is celebrating 40 years of presenting a year-round variety of plays and musicals along with a buffet or served meal. Its 2026 offerings include the musicals “Mary Poppins,” “Little Shop of Horrors” and “Pretty Woman.” The company also offers children’s theater, including “Freaky Friday the Musical,” and tribute concerts to popular musical artists such as the men of the Rat Pack. Tickets: $35-$86 with a meal; $25-$58 for show only DutchApple.com or 717-898-1900
MAGIC & WO NDE R DINNER THEATER
3065 Lincoln Highway East, Paradise. Illusionist Brett Myers and his cast perform shows featuring magic, circus acts, comedy and music. In addition, the theater offers musical revues featuring singing and dancing to the music of a particular era or season. A meal is served, though show-only tickets are available
Tickets: $42.51-$83.95; $29.63-$58.25 for show only | magicandwondershow.com.
B IR D-IN-HAND STAG E
The Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord, 2760 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird-in-Hand.
While not billed as a dinner theater, Bird-in-Hand offers lunch or dinner with its family-friendly shows, which it produces in collaboration with Blue Gate Musicals of Shipshewana, Indiana. These musicals, which run from April to December, are light-hearted, include Amish characters and are often set right here in Amish country. Ventriloquist Ryan Bomgardner also presents his family-friendly “Ryan & Friends” shows featuring music and comedy at Bird-in-Hand. Tickets: $18-$47 for show only; $31-$73.50 for show and a meal. bird-in-hand.com/stage or 717-768-1568.
THEATER S ON TH E MOVE
Not ha ving a permanent performanc e home , seve ra l loc al theater co mpanie s perform their shows in a va riety of ve nue s.
CR EATIVE WO RKS OF LANC AS TER
This nonprofit theater presents original works as readings and full productions in a variety of venues, along with its summer outdoor “Play Grounds” day of short works written to be performed at a specific site; its holiday sock-puppet movie parody and its “24 Hour Plays”— works created in one day
Tickets: Pay what you will. creativelancaster.org.
PENN SQUAR E OPERA
Under new leadership this season, the opera company’s performances are scheduled at the Trust Performing Arts Center, Highland Presbyterian Church and West Art, all in Lancaster. February will bring together singers who have performed on the worldwide stage for “Opera: The Ex Files, Tales of Romantic Mystery & Mishap.”
SERVA NT STAG E CO MPANY
Servant Stage presents a year-round season of familyfriendly plays, musicals, original musical revues and youth productions in a variety of venues churches, schools, parks (in the warmer months) and senior living communities Part of the company’s mission is providing theater everyone can access, so its ticket model is “pay-what-youwill.” Main-stage musicals for 2026 include “Anne of Green Gables” and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Servant Stage’s extensive Youth Theatre program offers year-round camps and performance opportunities to students ages 8-18 the productions of which the public can enjoy. Tickets: $18-$24. cavod.org/theatre.
LANC AS TER SHAKESPE ARE THEATR E
Formerly called the People’s Shakespeare Project, this theater company has been presenting works by and inspired by William Shakespeare for nearly 20 years. Its productions are presented in parks, churches and other venues Over the last couple of years, the company has started splitting its offerings between works by The Bard and those of contemporary playwrights. Offerings in 2026 include “Antony & Cleopatra” and Thornton Wilder ’s “Our Town.” The company also offers a Shakespeare camp and theater classes for all ages
Tickets: $32.46. lancastershakespeare.org.
Tickets: $12.25-$36.25.
ORPHEUS THEATR E CO MPANY
This young theater company was founded by a couple who met in Elizabethtown College’s theater program. It produces existing shows, new plays by local playwrights and adaptations of and new spins on classic literature. A “reimagining ” of “Little Women” is slated for March and Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” for December.
Tickets: 2025’s tickets were $25. orpheusmoves.com or the troupe’s Facebook page
MISCELLANEOUS
STRA SBUR G RAIL ROAD
Strasburg Rail Road, 301 Gap Road, Ronks.
In addition to themed rides on its various train cars, the railroad stages murder mysteries and theatrical offerings during various seasons of the year, including Halloween and Christmas. Tickets: 2026 events and prices haven’t been announced; 2025 prices ranged from $25 to $80, depending on the event, whether a meal was served, etc strasburgrailroad.com.
LANC AS TER IMPR OV PLAYER S
16 S. Prince St., Lancaster.
This 10-year-old improvisational troupe has performed in Lancaster and across the state, creating long- and short-form scenes based on movies, proms, a Dickens holiday classic, audience stories and suggestions, and more. The company, which performs in its Lancaster theater space on weekends, also offers classes and workshops for those who want to learn the art of improv.
Tickets:$15-$20 lancasterimprovplayers.org.
HIS TO RIC RO CK FO RD
881 Rockford Road, Lancaster.
This historic estate, which was the home of Revolutionary War officer and physician Gen. Edward Hand, stages original theatrical events in the rooms of its mansion such as adaptations of Jane Austen works.
Tickets: Prices for 2025 events were $25. rockford.yapsody.com.
MOUNT HOPE ESTAT E
2775 Lebanon Road, north of Manheim. The estate and winery that’s the home of the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire offers an interactive murder mystery dinner in the Mount Hope mansion at different times of the year This February through April, the “murder ” takes place during a July 4 celebration of the nation’s 1876 centennial. Tickets: $72.45. parenfaire.com/murdermystery
AMERIC AN MUSIC THEATRE
Lanc aster Co unty als o h as
2425 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster
While the AMT presents a yearround slate of concerts by visiting performers, and shows that are tributes to well-known musical artists, the company also presents an original holiday musical revue each November and December. Tickets: 2025’s prices were $30-$59 for the holiday show. amtshows.com or call 800-6484102
THEATER STUDI OS , AC ADEMIES
CRE AT IVE PUR SUITS AC AD EM Y
1525 Oregon Pike Suite 202, Lancaster.
Offers theater classes and occasional performances, such as a Valentine cabaret. creativepursuitsacademy.org
P OPOVS KY PERFORMING AR TS S TUDIO
245 Butler Ave., Suite 302, Lancaster.
Offers theater classes and camps, and presents shows such as its “Mixed Up Cabaret” in March. popovskyperformingarts.com.
LANC AS TER AC AD EM Y FO R THE PERFORMING AR TS
1025 Columbia Ave., Lancaster.
Offers performing arts classes and presents student shows including “Peter Pan” in March. lancasteracademy.org.
ENCORE! HOME SCHOOL PR ODUCTION S
Offers classes and presents plays and musicals featuring regional homeschool students, including “Seussical” in March. encorehsp.org
UPFR ONT THEATRE
For the last few years, Lancaster-based performer Lindsay Bretz-Morgan has presented an annual production of “The Rocky Horror Show” at Mickey ’s Black Box in Lititz.
Bretz-Morgan sometimes presents other works during the year, as well. lindsaybretzmorgan.com.
LO CA L CO
LLEGES
GR ETNA THE AT RE
Gretna Playhouse, 200 Pennsylvania Ave., Mount Gretna, Lebanon County
For nearly 100 years, professional summer theater including musicals, plays, musical revues and Saturday-morning family shows based on children’s books is presented in an open-air theater that dates to 1892 (rebuilt after a winter roof collapse in 1994). You’ll run into lots of Lancaster County residents at its shows
This summer ’s main-stage offerings include “Always Patsy Cline” and the rock musical “Hair.”
Tickets: $11-$48. | gretnatheatre. org or 717-964-3627.
HER SHEY THEATR E
Lanc aster Co unty’s insti tutions of hi gher lear ni ng also present theater, from fa ll pla ys to spr ing musi ca ls, short-pla y fe stivals to evenings of danc e.
MILLER SV ILLE UNIVER SI TY THEATRE
Millersville University Theatre/Dutcher Hall, 30 Ganser Loop, Millersville
Presents plays and musicals in the Rafters Theatre in Dutcher Hall. millersville.edu/theatre.
Two student-run theater groups, the All- Campus Musical Organization (ACMO) and the Citamard Players, also present shows edu/theatre/studenttheatre.
FR ANKLIN & MAR SHALL CO LLEGE
602 College Ave., Lancaster.
Presents student theater in the Roschel Performing Arts Center on its Lancaster campus fandm.edu/events/box-office.html.
ELIZABETHT OW N CO LLEGE
1 Alpha Dr., Elizabethtown.
15 E. Caracas Ave., Hershey.
After a year of renovations, this theater reopens in the spring with performances including another season of Broadway touring musicals This year ’s offerings include “& Juliet” and “A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical.”
Tickets for Broadway tours: $61-$142. hersheyentertainment.com.
Student theater productions are presented in the Tempest Theatre in the Baugher Student Center etown.edu/depts/theatre/shows.aspx.
LANC AS TER BIBLE CO LLEGE
Good Shepherd Chapel, 901 Eden Rd., Lancaster
The Trust Performing Arts Center, 37 N. Market St., Lancaster. Theater department offerings are presented in the Good Shepherd Chapel on the Manheim Township campus and at the Trust Performing Arts Center in downtown Lancaster lbc.edu/events.
BRID AL FA SHIO N SH OW
Sunda y, Mar ch 22 nd 2:00pm - 4:30pm
BY MIKE ALBRIGHT
PHOTOS BY QUINN STALEY
Freshly roasted coffee beans in one of two roasters Passenger Coffee uses at their production facility.
Coffee feels eternal, ev consumption as a drink get started in earnest the 17th century The bevera popularity has waxed and wa over the centuries, emerging to new generations discovering warming flavors and stimula effects for the first time.
This discovery process has been more accessible, due to growth of local roasters who ripened, fermented and dried beans harvested from the small that produce them and add in with specialty ovens to create unique product
sugar, not to stick to any but because I want, or at to experience the flavors hever blend or bean I am purchasing.
display characteristics their terroir the region conditions they are grown just like wines I enjoy riability from different ries of origin and try to can suss out individual stics and flavors Is that apple? Caramel? What does Am I getting any of those characteristics?
One of the first coffees that helped build my appreciation of the beverage was a Yirgacheffe, named after the region in Ethiopia where the beans are harvested. These beans are grown at relatively high elevation (think Denver-area altitude and higher) and have a very distinctive flavor profile.
One way to get to know coffee even better would be to take a sip trip around the globe, though this can prove to be a little overwhelming There are more than 30 countries from three distinct regions around the world that produce coffee.
I’m the first to admit that I’d be hard-pressed to find Sumatra on a map, let alone know the altitude or rainfall levels that its beans experience and how that might influence the coffee in my cup. Luckily for me, Lancaster County features a bevy of roasters, both small and large, where you can find expert guidance.
Finding your flavor
I recently got a behind-the-scenes look at Passenger ’s roasting facility on Plum Street in Lancaster city courtesy of Russ Durfee, director of coffee (a title I never knew I wanted until that tour). Passenger does coffee in small batches with a faster roast to bring out the nuances in the beans that make for a brighter end product. Put another way: “We try to let the beautiful coffees that we roast speak for themselves, as free of roast artifact flavors as possible,” Durfee says
Small roasters are passionate about their product and want to educate as much as possible. When I mentioned being overwhelmed by the sheer number of options available to the modern coffee drinker, Durfee suggested exploring blends. “Blends can help you identify the baseline of what flavors you prefer,” he says “Do you like a more chocolatey and mild coffee, or do you like vibrant acidity and complex fruit flavors? Blends can help narrow this down, and in that way point you to the single origins that are best to explore from there.”
And don’t be afraid to ask the barista to be your tour guide. “A good shop will have someone behind the counter that can engage with you and share as much or as little as you want about what your choices are and what you might enjoy most,” he says
In addition to the educational experience, local roasters look to build a connection to the neighborhood where they are located and then pass on that kinship by uplifting the producers and the people responsible for the beans they procure. Don’t be surprised to see your local coffee shop putting the growers into the spotlight more often.
“Something we spent the last year thinking about a lot,” Durfee says, “is how can we bring producer and consumer closer together via the shop experience.” He downplays the notion that there’s a glut in the market in this region. “From an industry perspective, whenever it seems like we’re approaching a limit, another level emerges,” he says
To illustrate his point, Durfee cites one of those emerging levels: the decline in alcoholic beverage consumption rates among Gen Z. “Younger generations are drinking less alcohol, and one of the results we’ve seen from this is an increased enthusiasm for coffee and tea.”
Yes, coffee and tea. As far as emerging trends go, the next thing in coffee is tea. Durfee points to the rise in popularity of teas, especially matcha, which has made some coffee shops add or highlight teas next to the macchiatos on their menus. Passenger features a robust tea program and occasionally holds tasting events exclusively devoted to tea, in addition to the tastings (known as cuppings) they do for coffee.
A Passenger Coffee employee cataloging samples of roasted coffee beans.
The perfect cup
After exploring your preferences for the perfect coffee and homing in on a bean or blend of choice, comes the daunting task of grinding and brewing up a cup at home. Don’t stress if you don’t have an exotic-sounding grinding machine or frothing device at home. Keeping it simple is your best bet for a lowpressure experience. You shouldn’t even rush to brew a cup as soon as possible in the name of freshness.
Durfee actually recommends giving those beans a beat to rest at home before grinding and brewing them up The amount of recommended rest time depends on how heavily roasted they were Lighter roasts need more time up to two weeks than darker roasts, which only need a few days. This timeout allows the beans to achieve the peak of their flavor potential and give you the best they have to offer
After that, he recommends, “Go back to the basics: fresh ground coffee, a scale, clean filtered water and a brew ratio Start simpler and slowly add complexity.” The kitchen scale will help you dial in the brew ratio, or the weight of your beans to water. The perfect ratio will be wholly dependent on the consumer, but 1 gram of beans to 18 grams water is a good place to start for a standard drip-style coffeemaker And if a kitchen scale wasn’t on your wish list for Santa, try 1.5 to 2 tablespoons of grounds per “cup” of coffee (as measured by the carafe).
Coffee often has its own aisle in the supermarket, but even all of those options don’t provide a complete picture of the variety coffee has to offer Local roasters, who may have only a fraction of the shelf space devoted to national brands (or none at all), can help guide you on your way to brewing a better pot. Consider visiting a roaster near you and taking a journey to warmer climates during these colder months without the need for a passport And it doesn’t have to be alone the baristas and professionals at work roasting and preparing the beans have the knowledge and can be as enlightening as the cup of coffee itself
Start your coffee journey with these local roasters:
Director of coffee Russ Durfee shows the difference between roasted coffee beans, left, and green (unroasted) beans.
A NEW CAREER TO smile ABOUT
Dr Anthony Skiadas is passionate about solving problems So when he saw a widespread shortage of dental assistants, he decided to open his own school to recruit and train them.
This month, the mindbuilderz Dental Institute will welcome its first class of students at the Crown Avenue headquarters of smilebuilderz, the dental practice Skiadas founded nearly 20 years ago.
“It’s really documented nationwide,” Skiadas says of the shortage. “I think COVID had a big impact on our field. A lot of dental professionals left the field after COVID.”
Mindbuilderz offers an affordable, accelerated program and a flexible schedule that won’t interfere with most work commitments, making it easy for people to test the waters of a career that’s in high demand.
Unlike dental hygienists, who are licensed by the state board of dentistry and must complete a minimum two-year accredited program, dental assistants have fewer requirements, but they play a crucial role in the practice.
While they can’t clean teeth, dental assistants are typically responsible for anticipating and fulfilling the needs of the dentist, such as suctioning, passing instruments and following infection control protocol. Some also have certification to take X-rays
“A dental assistant is such a critical piece to the puzzle,” says Katie Janke, the lead instructor of the smilebuilderz training department, who will serve as the director and an instructor at the school.
“What makes our program most unique is, we’re not looking to profit from it,” Skiadas says “It’s the best value you can find. It’s not our interest to charge you money. Our interest is recruiting great staff to support the growth of our business.”
The school will be a benefit to other dental offices in the community as well, he says Graduates of mindbuilderz Dental Institute can seek positions wherever they wish. And while Skiadas hopes the school will help fill the needs of his own growing practice, which includes four locations and nearly employees, smilebuilderz alone does not have the capacity to hire every student that completes the program.
The dental institute offers a hybrid of independent learning through online lectures and on-location instruction led by Janke and Angelique Nelson, a dental assistant with additional certifications who has worked in training and development. Additional instructors will be brought in as needed, with a student-to-instructor ratio of no more than 6 to 1, Janke says
In-person instruction for the first class, which begins Feb. 24, will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Two more sessions are planned for this year, with up to four possible in future years.
In Pennsylvania, dental assistants can receive training in several ways Some dental offices will train their own assistants, Janke says, but most prefer to hire someone who already has training and a foundation in dentistry. For many, however, that training is cost-prohibitive, with tuition as high as $15,000 or more for a program that takes 9 to 12 months
“That’s a long time to be training for something and not be able to secure an alternative income,” Janke says. Tuition for the mindbuilderz program is under $4,000
Students will work on mannequins and typodonts for the first eight weeks before moving to a smilebuilderz office location to work with patients under the supervision of dentists and other dental assistants
“One of the most important things that sets us apart is that the students don’t have to find a separate externship site,” Janke says. “We have the tools, the instruments, the training, the facilities When they go on their externship, we have four different locations.”
because smilebuilderz integrates many dental specialties under one practice, students can get exposure to general dentists, orthodontists, periodontists, endodontists and pediatric specialists.
“They can see how different aspects of dentistry are married to one another,” she says While smilebuilderz already had a lot of pieces in place, starting a school is no easy task. They had to develop a curriculum approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and choose learning platforms, appropriate textbooks and supplemental materials
“A lot of time and effort went into making this the amazing program that I truly feel it’s going to be,” Janke says.
Skiadas hopes the mindbuilderz Dental Institute not only meets a community need but also builds awareness of a profession that offers many opportunities. Salaries for dental assistants have nearly tripled since 1990, with an average rate of $24.20 per hour, according to the most recent statistics from the American Dental Association. Advanced certifications can lead to higher pay, and there are numerous opportunities to work in more specialized dental fields, administrative jobs or even dental sales, he says
Perhaps most important is the chance to transform a patient’s life in a positive way.
“I don’t know if people understand in today’s world how dentistry is a really beautiful career,” Skiadas says “You can become a dental assistant and have this whole trajectory and career with very little investment of your time. There’s no other access into health care that’s as easy and there’s so much reward.”
STATART YO YOU CAREER IN D DEENNTTIISSTTRRY
R
Preparing the next geennerraattio of d p ental g p proffeessionalls.
10 weeks, evening classes
ducation
8 weeks hybrid: online content & hands-on labs
2 weeks of externship at sister office locations
Small class sizes (student to instructor ratio 6:1 maximum)
PROGRAM COST T
$3,995 (total – includes tuition, registration, textbook, uniform & all program fees)
Payment Plans available (weekly and monthly require $30 setup fee)
