Network Magazine Summer 2022 | Issue 27

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SUMMER 2022

CONNECTING LEADERS | CREATING BUSINESS

Join the Lehigh Valley’s first ever, high end, business leader driven, B2B magazine.

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• Accounting • Construction • Consulting • Engineering • Financial • Human Resources • Legal • Marketing • Medical • Real Estate • Technology

NETWORK MAGAZINE™ Spring 2022 Release Party PHOTOS BY KATE LYNN OF K8 PICS at The Americus Hotel

contents 06 The Rent is High:

Know Your Rights

08 Protect Your Brand Early:

The Importance of Registering Trademarks for Start-Up Companies

10 Hearing Loss and Chronic Disease

12 Massage Therapy: What You Need to Know

14 What Happens After a

Traumatic Event? A Look into How Things are Handled to Protect Others.

16 Scholarship Program Planting Seeds for a REALTOR®-rich Real Estate Industry

18 Wire Fraud: What You Need to 34 The 7 Rs of Leadership and Life Know 35 Why should financial literacy 20 The REAL ESTATE Market; Buy become a critical curriculum Dirt

22 Economic Benefits of Accepting Commercial Payment Cards

24 6 Considerations for Refreshing Your Business Plan

26 Ransomware: How to Protect Your Company

28 These are Interesting Times...

30 Lehigh Valley and Its Workforce are Getting Younger, More Diverse, and More Vibrant

required in all American Schools?

36 Life Sciences: Controlled

Temperature Chambers, aka "Freezers, Refrigerators, and Incubators”

38 Classic Car Care Pro Tips 40 The Results of Dedication: Diet and Workout Secrets From the Busy Professional

42 A Wine Lovers Heaven

32 The Creativity Crisis

•adindex 11 Alcom Printing 44 Anthony Limousine 39 ASAP Business Support

33 GBB & Co LLP 17 Greater Lehigh Valley Realtors 31 Historic Bethlehem Museums

11 BMI Mergers & Acquisitions 29 Bridgeman Strategic

21 Huber, Waldron & Williams 33 Tim Harakal Music 27 MC IT 19 Mortgage America 27 Morganelli Properties 01 Network Magazine 33 Olde Homestead Golf Club

Services, Inc.

Concepts

07 Budget Self Store 07 Crosson Richetti & Daigle LLC

23 enTrust Merchant Services 09 Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba

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& Sites

15 Punch Garage 13 Rich Mar Florist 03 St. Luke’s OMS 13 The Barristers Club 45 + 46 The Club at Twin Lakes 05 The Hindle, LLC 25 Univest Corporation Inside Front Cover Viamedia (PenTeleData)

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The partners of NETWORK MAGAZINE™ proudly present the latest edition of the Lehigh Valley's first ever, high end, business leader driven B2B magazine. Our goal is to continually present our readers relevant content to build your organization, from the region's top business leaders and experts on today’s industry news and trends.

Our leading contributors will continue to change quarterly, sharing information that stays fresh and current. The opinions, tips, and insights on how to best navigate business pitfalls are all provided by the Lehigh Valley's best thought leaders. Our writers are un-censored giving you profound insight from their years of experience from their given field of expertise.

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Ray Bridgeman, Alai Caetano, Casey Damrose, Chris Morganelli, David Olson ART DIRECTOR Casey Damrose EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Ray Bridgeman BUSINESS EDITOR David Olson EDITORIAL ASSOCIATE Jenn Ebert COVER PHOTO Frank Smith EVENT PHOTOS Kate Lynn of K8 Pics

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All Materials © 2022 Network Magazine, LLC. NETWORK MAGAZINE™ is a trademark of Network Magazine, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in part or in full is strictly prohibited. NETWORK MAGAZINE™ is a quarterly publication. The views and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of NETWORK MAGAZINE™. NETWORK MAGAZINE™ assumes no responsibility for content of advertisement. No representation is made as to the accuracy hereof and is printed subject to errors and omissions.

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“I WANT AN AD THAT’S TOTALLY STUPID. LET’S GET THEIR ATTENTION.” –Bill Hindle

The Rent is High: Know Your Rights STEPHANIE A. KOCHER, ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY, CROSSON RICHETTI & DAIGLE LLC. Jimmy McMillan may not be a household name, but he made quite a stir in 2010 when he entered the running for New York Governor as a candidate for the “Rent is Too Damn High” party. Although Mr. McMillan’s political career did not get very far, his mantra has stuck. It has been twelve years, and Mr. McMillan's words still resonate with many.

You may have seen recent local news stories or reports that the Lehigh Valley is now one of the most overpriced rental markets in the country. According to Rent.com, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Allentown is over $1,900.

In Bethlehem and Easton, it is over $1,700. When the pandemic hit, the housing market became unpredictable. The CDC placed a hold on eviction, and individuals took advantage of low-interest rates, purchasing homes either for themselves or as rental units. Even if you weren’t the one affected by the rental market, you probably know someone who was, or at least saw them complaining about it on social media.

Form rental agreements can be found online but having an attorney who is knowledgeable about leases and contracts draft and review the lease will be the best way to ensure that your rights are protected. Be sure you read all parts of the lease before signing and if you don’t understand any part of the lease, consult with your attorney. One thing an attorney never wants to hear is that you didn’t read the document before signing it. By signing a contract, you are stating that you agree to and accept the terms as they are written. If you are a tenant, ask for a copy of the signed agreement immediately and keep it in a place that is easily accessible to you.

When a lease expires, the lease automatically renews on a month-to-month basis. However, the lease may provide other terms. Mark your calendar and get a newly signed agreement prior to the expiration of the lease. If you don’t want to renew your lease, be sure to check the provisions on how much notice you must give before terminating.

In this ever-changing market, it is vitally important for both renters and landlords to know their rights.

Although a written and signed lease helps protect both parties from costly litigation, disputes still arise.

Whether you are a renter or a landlord, the most important thing you can do is have a current, written, and signed lease.

The laws governing the landlord/tenant relationship in Pennsylvania can be found in the Landlord and Tenant

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Act of 1951, The Fair Housing Act under Title VII, and The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act. Under the Landlord Tenant Act, you can find your rights as it relates to eviction, the duties of a landlord, the duties of a tenant, and notice requirements, among other provisions. If a dispute arises between a landlord and tenant, don’t act rashly.

Consult an attorney to be sure that you know your rights and responsibilities. Every state has different laws. Even though your cousin in Alabama had something similar happen to him, the laws may be different.

The Fair Housing Act and The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act cover laws relating to discrimination in housing. The Fair Housing Act is a national law, making it illegal to discriminate against individuals based on certain protected classes like sex, religion, race, or disability, among others. Pennsylvania has its own additional protections for some individuals, including those who utilize or train service animals. Some municipalities also offer their own protections to individuals not covered by federal and state laws.

Every landlord and tenant in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has rights, whether you rent an apartment for $50 or $5,000. Speaking with an attorney promptly if a dispute arises or before the drafting and signing of a lease can ensure you the best protection of those rights.

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Protect Your Brand Early: The Importance of Registering Trademarks for Start-Up Companies ELYSE C. PILLITTERI, ATTORNEY FITZPATRICK LENTZ & BUBBA, P.C

A trademark is the personification of a company's brand and reputation. Companies begin to build their reputations as soon as they open their doors for business. Yet many companies do not appreciate the significance of proper trademark protection at the outset. All too often, companies file the necessary paperwork to incorporate their business but neglect to take the additional step of registering their business names or trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

Failing to register a trademark can have devastating consequences on a company’s brand and bottom line. The good news is that these consequences can be avoided. Obtaining a federal trademark is a relatively inexpensive tool to protect your brand and avoid the detrimental consequences of a successful trademark infringement lawsuit against your business.

What is a Trademark?

A trademark is a word, phrase, symbol, or design used to identify and distinguish a company’s goods or services from those of others (e.g., Apple, McDonald’s, the Nike “swoosh” and “Just Do It” slogan). In the United States, you can acquire common law trademark rights simply by using your trademark in commerce. But such common law trademark rights are limited, and they only apply to the geographic area where you actually provide goods and services. By contrast, registering your trademark with the USPTO provides the presumption of rights throughout the United States.

What are the Benefits of Trademark Registration?

Possibly the most valued benefit of trademark registration is the associated nationwide priority. This means that, following registration, nobody can legally adopt your mark in connection with the same or similar goods and services throughout the United States. Anyone that does adopt the mark despite the existence of your registered trademark can be stopped via a trademark infringement lawsuit or other administrative action. Accordingly, obtaining national priority is critical for ambitious thinkers who wish to expand their business beyond their initial trade area.

Trademark registration also creates a public record of your trademark.

This provides actual or constructive notice to anyone searching for similar trademarks and will deter future users from adopting your trademark. Furthermore, the USPTO will police others from adopting

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a confusing mark and reject trademark applications for the same or similar marks prior to registration, which adds an additional layer of protection. Other benefits include: the right to bring a lawsuit concerning the trademark in federal court; the ability to use your registration as a basis for filing for trademark protection in foreign countries; and the right to use the federal trademark registration symbol, ®, with your trademark to show that you are registered with the USPTO.

What are the Downsides of Failing to Register Your Trademark?

Although you are not legally required to get a registered trademark for your business name or brand, a registered trademark is the only way to protect your name or brand securely. By choosing not to register your trademark and doing business by the use and promotion of your business names and logos, you could be infringing on another trader’s registered trademarks. Ultimately, you could be found in violation of trademark laws, which may result in you having to stop trading under all relevant names, logos, and associated assets. This could have an expensive and detrimental effect on your entire business. So, it makes no sense to invest time and money into building your brand, which may include signage, products, uniforms, an online presence, marketing, and advertising – only to have to start all over again because you did not properly protect your business with a registered trademark at the outset.

By not protecting your business with a registered trademark, another trader can start using a similar name to yours in your industry, and you may have no power to stop them. An unregistered first user of a trademark can often claim trademark rights within the relevant geographic area in the United States; however, it cannot stop another from using the trademark outside of the unregistered first user’s specific town or city. So, while unregistered trademarks enjoy certain limited rights, the best approach is to register your trademark. This is particularly true if there is any possibility that you might expand, open additional locations or do business outside of your specific region.

In sum, companies devote significant time, money, and expense building their reputations and brands. Every company, especially new businesses, should consider the above benefits and downsides and take appropriate action to protect their intellectual property.

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Hearing Loss and Chronic Disease DR. JENNIFER STINSON, AU.D., DOCTOR OF AUDIOLOGY STINSON AUDIOLOGY SERVICES Most people are aware that age-related changes cause hearing loss, but many of us don't consider the other factors that play a role in affecting a person’s hearing with age. It is often overlooked that medications and chronic diseases can cause hearing loss. Many of the medications that cause hearing loss are life-sustaining, so it may be something that you briefly discuss with your physician. Still, the side effect of hearing loss does not stop your physician from prescribing them, nor does it stop us from taking them. Below is an overview of the most common drugs and chronic diseases that may cause hearing loss. The information is not to deter anyone from taking medication that will improve your quality of life; it is to inform you about your hearing as you age and to encourage those people with certain chronic conditions to have their hearing monitored. Any changes to medications or treatments should always be discussed with the prescribing physician. This information can also be found on the Academy of Doctors of Audiology website.

Diabetes Over the last few years, the Centers for Disease Control and the American Diabetes Association have outlined studies that revealed hearing loss to be twice as common among people with diabetes compared to those of the same age who don’t.

High blood sugar levels cause damage to the blood vessels of the inner ear. Chronic Kidney Disease, which is more prevalent among individuals with diabetes, is also shown to cause hearing loss. It is now recommended by the American

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Diabetes Association for persons newly diagnosed with diabetes to have their hearing tested.

Cancer If radiation treatment is necessary to manage cancer, it can cause different types and degrees of hearing loss depending on the location of the cancer. If head and neck cancer is being treated near the ear, there is potential for hearing loss.

Damage to hearing from radiation often happens gradually and may not present itself until years after the treatments are complete. Cisplatin, which is a Chemotherapy drug, typically causes a high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss in both ears. There are many factors that play into the severity of the hearing loss.

Pain Management Many nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have been found to cause both hearing loss and tinnitus. Tinnitus is often an early warning sign and can indicate hearing loss and may lead to a mild to moderate irreversible hearing loss.

Cardiovascular Disease It has been documented that individuals who suffer from a heart attack or have open heart surgery often present with low-frequency hearing loss. This is attributed to the loss of blood flow to the inner ear blood vessels. In addition, loop diuretics are often used to treat individuals with congestive heart failure, which also causes damage to the inner ear.

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Massage Therapy: What You Need to Know JESSICA BOUTON, OWNER/ LICENSED MASSAGE THERAPIST MEDTHERAPY SOLUTIONS, LLC

You don't know what you don't know" - Anonymous.

Many people have experienced “massage," or they at least know what it is. To some, it was "relaxing." To others, it was "painful," and for a specific population, it was "relief." Each outcome depended on the type of modality that was chosen.

But how do you know what to choose?

In today's world, we have many different modalities and techniques, various educational backgrounds, and even more tools that are being added to the trade. It almost becomes too much… scratch that, it IS too much! So let me guide you through the “essentials” of what you need to know to get the intended results you are looking for.

If you are like most people that want more than relaxation, you are seeking "pain relief." And if that is the case, you will want to look for specific certifications such as: (MMP) medical massage practitioner, (C-MT) clinical massage therapist, (OMT) orthopedic massage therapist, etc. These certifications mean that your massage therapist has taken the time to learn different techniques that have proven to help specific ailments. They are qualified to assess and treat the body based on their findings or a physician's prescription. You should easily feel a difference in the touch, technique, and result of these modalities.

“But not every therapist with these credits is the same…". We hear this often, and they aren't wrong. Each therapist has their own vibes and ways of delivering the technique. And it may take you a few bad experiences to find a good one. Don't give up! Here are a few tips to look for…

How do you find the right massage for you? What benefits could you receive from any of these? Let's start with the question, "What are your goals?"

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• • • •

Do you want faster pain relief from chronic pain?

Do you not want to be on pain medications?

Want to have more flexibility or increased movement in your joints?

What about making gains in the gym?

These goals would definitely fall under the realm of medical massage. Medical massage has been around for decades but is now becoming the “go-to" when it comes to getting effective treatment and seeing the results you need faster. In medical massage, your therapist does a deep dive into your medical history, performs posture and pain assessments, provides treatment (and in most cases, an assessment during treatment to make sure it's effective), a post-assessment, and designs a treatment plan specifically for you and your goals.

Do you want purely stress-free, some pain relief, general maintenance, help managing Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD), Ankylosing Spondylitis, or just take care of yourself? These goals would point you more towards a therapeutic massage, also known as myofascial release. Myofascial release is a specific modality yet so versatile. It can be used in conjunction with a wide range of other modalities such as craniosacral therapy, nerve mobilization, and sports/injury. Myofascial work can be given at any pressure and still get the same result. Why? Because it is deep in the tissue (muscle), not always deep in pressure.

Once the muscle is released, the skin becomes warm to the touch, indicating a rush of blood flow, protein, oxygen, and nutrients that the muscle was lacking all this time it was tight or locked up.

Now, let’s talk about craniosacral therapy. What is it, and what

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are the benefits? ​​Craniosacral Therapy (CST) involves light holding of the skull and sacrum and barely detectable movements.

It is a subtle therapy that can achieve profound health benefits with minor and safe interventions. In layman's terms, it is a gentle head or sacral holding that listens to your cranial rhythm. After receiving some therapeutic work, craniosacral therapy is most beneficial. This allows the muscles to be in a relaxed state, which will then allow a more profound sensation of the cranial rhythm for your therapist. Listening to your cranial rhythm will allow the pressure in your head or sacrum to decrease - sometimes shift with gentle guidance, and in your head, the cranial bones go back to articulating instead of being jammed together - this would decrease the amount of headaches/ migraines you have on a regular basis. When it comes to the sacrum, if your sacrum is frequently out of alignment, it would increase the pressure in that area. Listening to the rhythm allows the sacral muscles to calm down, pressure to decrease, and gently guide the sacrum back to where it belongs.

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What Happens After a Traumatic Event? A Look into How Things are Handled to Protect Others.

VANCE P. FARRELL, M.S., ASSISTANT CLINICAL COORDINATOR, , BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST, & CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH TRAINER , NEW LEAF SUPPORTS

Unfortunately, all of us have had the experience of learning about a traumatic event that has occurred within our community, municipality, state, country, or world at some point in our lives. Besides having to learn about what happened before, during, and resulting from the traumatic event, there also comes a plethora of stories that delve into just how impactful that event really was for a myriad of different individuals involved and their mental health. Typical talking points for these stories tend to include: the impact the traumatic experience(s) have on the mental health of the community, those who witnessed the event, those who were directly involved in the event, and the direct family members/friends of those hurt/killed by the event, and ultimately the mental health of the perpetrator of the traumatic event.

What many stories do not highlight, though, is the response from those outside of the traumatic event. Those who come in to provide whatever help they can to those impacted, the methods utilized by those helping to intervene, and what else could be done to improve upon those interventions going forward from this point on.

To start, it is important to understand the typical response to these traumatic events across many communities and municipalities to better understand the process and where improvements can be identified. The first thing that happens after a traumatic event is that a trauma-response team will be mobilized to the scene, tasked with providing support to those who have been impacted. Team members typically consist of local mental health professionals who are well versed in how trauma impacts people, how to handle stressful situations, and are knowledgeable about the available resources. The team will mobilize within the first 24-48 hours following a traumatic event and will offer their services to anybody who feels that they have been impacted and to those referred to them. The professionals seek to provide people with information regarding healthy coping strategies for the intense emotions they may be experiencing. And to refer those they meet with to local resources for them to utilize once

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the team is dispersed, or at least provide them information about their local resources that could be utilized going forward.

While this immediate response is great and can help a lot of people in a short time, especially during an extremely vulnerable time for those impacted, this is not a long-term solution. This is merely a bandaid being used to attempt to make the situation manageable because of the widespread impact and to try to help prevent further trauma from spawning from an already impactful situation. However, once the response team leaves, the resources for those who need help tend to diminish immensely, and there is a very common response from those who were not impacted as directly that "moving on" is the next step and needs to be worked towards. Even though this statement is not false, just as with grieving the loss of a loved one, everybody's reaction to the situation will be different, and the timeframe needed to recuperate will vary from person to person.

When addressing these differing concerns, it is vital that another system be added to the response team to assist those in need of help not only immediately after the traumatic event but also ongoing to help to prevent further trauma to those impacted and the community. One suggestion would be for response team members that are not volunteers but paid professionals. They would be available long-term to continue following up with those who sought help or may be seeking help after the response team has dispersed.

Additionally, education that could be provided to the family/friends of those impacted for signs/symptoms to be aware of, how to handle somebody who may be experiencing a crisis, and information about how to locate the proper supports needed would be beneficial, not only for that specific situation but also for future situations that may occur. Implementing these suggestions, as well as others not already mentioned, could show to be a difference-maker in the lives of those who have been impacted negatively by the traumatic situation.

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Scholarship Program Planting Seeds for a REALTOR®-rich Real Estate Industry MALLORY SIEGFRIED, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS, GREATER LEHIGH VALLEY REALTORS®

The Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS® (GLVR) is ensuring the future of the real estate industry, nurturing future REALTORS®, and planting the seeds of a bright future with a scholarship program geared toward local high school students interested in pursuing a career in real estate.

GLVR owns and operates the Greater Lehigh Valley Real Estate Academy in Bethlehem, Pa. The school is highly regarded as the primary source for real estate education in the Lehigh Valley, with a mission to educate and develop its students into leaders who advocate for their clients and who are actively engaged in their community.

Scholarship recipients are chosen by an interview panel comprised of members of the association’s Diversity and Community Involvement Committee and the chairperson of the Education Committee.

The panel utilizes a weighted interview score card with careful consideration of scholarship applications, essays, transcripts, and in-person interviews.

A scholarship in the amount of $2,000 was first awarded back in 2019 to Christine Nicholson, then a student at Easton Area High School.

The scholarship covers the cost of the Academy’s pre-licensing package, Association dues for one year, and a year of Multiple Listing Service access. Nicholson successfully completed her pre-licensing classes at the end of 2020.

To make up for a pandemic hiatus, the Diversity and Community Involvement Committee awarded two scholarships in 2022. This year’s scholarship recipients are Jayla Evans, a student from Parkland High School, and Sydney Moreira, a student from Emmaus High School.

“The scholarship application is sent to guidance counselors at all high schools in our association’s three-county footprint,” said Lyn Hufton, chair of the Diversity and Community Involvement Committee. “Both Jayla and Sydney scored extremely high on our interview score card, and their applications were extremely thorough. They are responsible self-starters who have the traits important to being a REALTOR®.

We really look forward to seeing them come through our doors and helping them succeed in our industry.”

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A scholarship outside of the Diversity and Community Involvement Committee was recently presented to Colin Hasara, a 2022 graduate from Marian Catholic High School. GLVR President Howard Schaeffer, a Marian graduate himself, is personally covering the cost of Hasara’s pre-licensing package and is providing a stipend for travel expenses.

“Colin, the only string attached is that you pay it forward in life, and you never forget where you came from," Schaeffer said during a presentation at Marian Catholic. "Work hard, and the rewards will be huge."

More about the Academy: The Greater Lehigh Valley Real Estate Academy (GLVREA) serves as the primary source for real estate education in the Greater Lehigh Valley area, which includes the Poconos and the counties of Lehigh, Carbon, and Northampton.

GLVREA increases awareness of the real estate industry and related topics by providing in-person and online education through prelicensing, broker licensing, designation and certification programs, mandatory continuing education, professional development workshops, and community information seminars. The Academy also offers on-site broker training programs for both newly licensed and seasoned agents.

From 2017 to 2022, there have been 691 pre-licensing students through the Academy’s doors. There were 83 classes offered just between January 1 and May 31, 2022, with more than 1,500 distinct enrollments.

And, coming soon, will be NMLS-approved online pre-licensure education and continuing education for the Mortgage Loan Officer (MLO). This cutting-edge mortgage education through the Academy’s partnership with The CE Shop includes Exam Prep Edge, a revolutionary study tool designed to prepare students for the SAFE MLO Test; a 100% online platform for completing licensing requirements anywhere, anytime; and more.

Learn more about the Academy’s offerings at www.

GLVREAcademy.com or call 610-694-0727.

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When DIY is a

“don’t.”

Selling your home? Tempted to DIY? Consider this: For Sale by Owner homes on average net $58,000 less than those listed by a Realtor®. They also tend to sit on the market longer.

If you have it in you to remodel that upstairs bathroom on your own, go for it.

But for a complex transaction like selling a house, you’re better off with an expert by your side.

Work with a Realtor®. It’s worth it.

GREATER LEHIGH VALLEY REALTORS®

www.greaterlehighvalleyrealtors.com

Wire Fraud: What You Need to Know TERRY S. LORINCZ, OWNER, FORTITUDE SETTLEMENTS LLC

$1.2 Million gone. $50,000 gone. Either number causes the same reaction…that pit in your stomach and panic in your mind…all caused by fraudulent wire instructions.

A wire transfer is a way of moving money electronically between two banks. A traditional money wire goes from one bank to another using a network such as the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) or Fedwire.

When you need to send or receive money quickly, a wire transfer might be the right tool for the job. For some large transactions, a wire transfer might be the best option as they are fast and reliable. This is because the funds are available to the recipient right away. For example, if you are buying a house, your settlement agent will offer the option to use a wire transfer to pay your down payment and closing costs. On the other side of the transaction, the seller may choose to receive their proceeds via wire.

As with any large value asset, wire transactions attract a criminal element seeking to steal what is not theirs. Wire fraud is a serious risk in the real estate industry, and it continues to rise in frequency. The following statistics show that wire fraud is big business. No longer is it the lone hacker in mom’s basement. Criminal organizations with entire management structures like you might see at any corporation, have wire fraud as their main business model.

Although wire fraud has many direct and indirect impacts on consumers, title companies, banks, and others involved in the process, it is still difficult to capture the full extent of its cost. The FBI’s 2021 Internet Crime Report shows that losses from all forms of fraud reached $6.9 billion in 2021, up from $4.2 billion in 2020.

According to ALTA’s 2021 Wire Fraud and Cyber Crime Survey, cybercriminals attempted to trick employees into wiring funds to a fraudulent account in a third of all real estate and mortgage transactions. A full recovery of lost funds was only possible in 29% of cases. In 40% of the cases, less than 10% of the funds were recovered. The good news, however, is that training and education seem to be working, as funds were only wired to a fraudulent account in a little over 8% of these attempts.

The cases range from 10s of thousands of dollars to $1MM+ mortgage payoffs. And the fraud entry points vary from spoofed emails from a decision-maker or one of the parties to the transaction to the transmission of fraudulent facsimiles.

A common tactic is for a fraudster to gain access to an email account of a realtor, lender, title agent, or buyer. They intercept emails from one of the parties and change the wire instructions. They can also create an email account that is similar to the actual email by adding a “.” or changing a lowercase “l” to a vertical bar “| ."The unsuspecting wire initiator sees the email address as legitimate and changes the wire instructions, thus sending the funds to the fraudster's account.

Several things can be done to prevent wire fraud: • • • • •

Utilize secure email systems with threat detection.

Be wary of any emails with wiring instructions, especially if wire instructions are being changed.

Have outgoing wire confirmation protocols in place and follow them.

Always contact the wire recipient at a previously known good phone number…not one from an email changing wire instructions.

Confirm everything!

To mitigate a loss should wire fraud occur, prepare a Rapid Response Plan. The American Land Title Association's ALTA Rapid Response Plan for Wire Fraud Incidents is a great resource.

Wire fraud is a serious risk in financial transactions. Awareness and a healthy dose of suspicion will go a long way to ensure funds are wired to the correct party. Good procedures and regular training are key to preventing wire fraud.

Resources: FBI’s 2021 Internet Crime Report https://www.ic3.gov/Media/PDF/AnnualReport/2021_ IC3Report.pdf ALTA’s 2021 Wire Fraud and Cyber Crime Survey https://blog.alta.org/2021/04/surveytitle-professionals-targeted-for-wire-fraud-in-a-third-of-all-transactions.html ALTA Rapid Response Plan for Wire Fraud Incidents https://www.alta.org/file. cfm?name=ALTA-Rapid-Response-Plan-for-Wire-Fraud-Incidents

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The REAL ESTATE Market; Buy Dirt JASON BREIDINGER, SENIOR MORTGAGE BANKER, NMLS #1020123 MORTGAGE AMERICA

Country music star Jordan Davis released a song in the year 2021 titled ‘Buy Dirt.’ In this song, Davis illustrates the flashback of an 80-year-old's advice to a youngster who is planning and trying to get ahead; I’m "chasing a dollar," says the young boy to the old man.

The elder replies, “If you want my two cents on making a dollar count, buy dirt.” In the song, this advice pours out while drinking a cup of coffee on the front porch. It goes on. Don’t get stuck climbing rung after rung on the ladder. Rather, spend time “finding the things that matter, finding the one you can’t live without, do what you love and call it work. And…Buy Dirt.”

If you listen to the entire song, the mores, and folkways of the elder’s approach to how that’s achieved may align or differ from yours or mine. That’s to be expected. The principles he speaks of, however, are principles that are a part of the American Dream we all share. Finding what matters in life, sharing life with those you enjoy, finding a career that is gratifying, and owning Real Estate are the very ingredients that go into what we all use to define wealth.

In the first class taught by every real estate instructor, the definition of Real Estate is issued. Real Estate is defined as land ownership.

Along with that land ownership comes its permanent improvements. A house, for example. I/we/they bought a ‘house.'

It is in the definition of Real Estate that we find the simplicity of the elder’s advice. Buy Dirt.

In other words, get started. Don’t just get on the ladder; find a place to put the ladder and climb with confidence and purpose. Real Estate remains the main ingredient of wealth for us all. A place to live, grow and achieve the dreams we define. It’s the foothold of personal achievement, not the pinnacle.

Real Estate has value in a market. Markets rise and fall. Many get lost in the details of whether that market is rising or falling. Countless times we look for a balance. Over my 25 years of experience, balance has been found only while the real estate market is approaching an increase or approaching a decrease in values. Overall, though, the real estate market does fall near its previous value cycle over a cycle. What does that mean? It means it retains an overwhelming percentage of its gain. Yes, we need a place to live. Our place... from the moment the Magna Carta was signed.

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It means that over time you’ll be glad that you bought dirt - not a car, not a motorcycle, not a boat, not a camper, and not a timeshare… D I R T. I’ve been amazed at how smart my father seems to have become as I’ve grown older. My guess is that he hasn’t changed much; I have. If a youngster can listen to an elder early enough, they’ll learn what I’ve learned.

New generations face the same struggles as the older generations.

It’s just that those struggles personify themselves differently while the tools at our disposal constantly evolve. Time-honored principles are our best, and only tether as that world swirls around us. Snake oil sales on the back of the wagon have been replaced by YouTube videos. The question that comes to mind after drawing such a parallel is how lucky could we be to learn earlier rather than later? Stay principled, buy dirt, and hang around awhile. You’ll enjoy the result.

We can easily agree that the Real Estate market in the past handful of years has been tenacious. Especially if you’re a buyer. Those that have taken the advice of the elder and bought dirt, aren't they the beneficiaries? Those who benefited most decided to buy, and for a period of years, not getting rich quick. Living in the mindset of long-term appreciation, not a short-term rental. Getting rich quickly is just chasing a dollar, and that can be done in many other places.

Bitcoin, for example.

As is with all tension, we find good solutions to real problems. New financing programs allow buyers to receive unprecedented levels of assistance toward down payment and closing costs, annual federal income tax credits, and business practices that are more trustworthy than ever. The silver lining. These improvements will last for a very long time and will be there for you when you need them.

You’ll experience benefits those that came before you couldn’t have contemplated. That’s not an argument for waiting for the next great thing. It’s good growth. The type of growth benefits all who operate in the real estate market. An argument to grab your ladder and start looking to place it in your own dirt.

If you have not purchased Real Estate, don’t worry; your time is coming, and it's safe to assume the time-honored principle of owning Real Estate will outlast any current market condition. If you’re looking

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homes to their next stage. We do so in all price ranges; small and large. If you have the need for FHA, VA, USDA, or a Conventional loan, we have one that will fund your perfect dirt. We are at the instruction of you and your real estate agent. These are our principles.

It's safe to say you’ll hear many opinions. It’s the wrong or right time to buy/sell. Interest rates are too high, or interest rates aren’t low enough yet. This list is endless and will never cease. Those are certainly rungs on a ladder and dollars to chase. Rather, now knowing the definition of Real Estate… ask yourself where are you putting your ladder? Is it on your dirt or someone else’s? Because, if it’s on someone else’s, it’s they who benefit from the efforts of your climb.

for a real estate boom… own for a while… an increase will certainly come your way. Unearned income.

Mortgage America has again been ranked #1 in the State of Pennsylvania by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency. This 2021 ranking marks 7 of the last 9 years. We are locally owned since 1980 and have achieved that ranking by providing reliable, responsible service in the Lehigh Valley to what we have found matters most; you. We finance first-time buyers using all the newest, safest services and benefits. We finance those who already own

Call a real estate broker that you trust. Find that real estate agent through a family member, through a trusted friend, a trusted professional, or a trusted coworker. A good real estate agent will guide you through the current market trends and do well to direct you in a positive direction. They’ll point out the pros and cons and advise you on negotiating in your best interests. Would you navigate the medical community without a referral or a medical professional? Not in the percentages. As is with all long-term, important decisions, get the right professional at your side. A real estate broker helps you buy or sell based on your specific needs and wants.

The song lyrics bring one final and very important point to light.

One we’ve all heard, know very well, often ignore, and should remember… “You can’t buy happiness.”

But you can buy DIRT. You just have to take the old man’s advice.

Economic Benefits of Accepting Commercial Payment Cards MIKE LICHTENBERGER, GROUP EXECUTIVE, ENTRUST COMMERCIAL PAYMENTS

A recent study commissioned by Visa™ examined the potential return on investment and economic benefits for business-to-business [B2B] transactions. The authors make a case for merchants and their customers for commercial card acceptance. Beyond convenience, the cited revenue growth; improved business process management; understanding of the benefits of accounts payable automation [for customers;] and a fuller understanding of the benefits of accounts receivable for merchants.

In the survey of companies, the benefits reported were 2x the cost of commercial card acceptance. Such benefits reported in the Visa™ study showed a nearly 7% return per transaction versus the costs of just 3.25% per transaction. The net benefit is over 3.50%.

BENEFITS: • • • •

Payment protection and revenue growth Increase Accounts Receivables collection Decrease Days Sales Outstanding Process improvements and reduction of overhead

COSTS: • •

Interchange and processing fees Implementation and program costs

There are several key factors to be considered when adding commercial card acceptance to your methods of getting paid: Payment certainty with guaranteed payments •

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payment. Customers still take the discounted terms for "prompt" payments through accounts receivable ages 60+ days.

Improved Days Sales Outstanding [DSO] •

Lowering DSO as a key performance indicator of credit sales for getting paid quickly. A higher DSO suggests the company is experiencing delays in receiving payments.

Business Process Management Improvements •

Reducing overhead in credit and collections, bookkeeping and ease of reconciliation. The Pandemic work-fromhome model makes centralized accounting functions complicated as the payment by check handling from home offices becomes impractical.

Security and Accuracy in Remittances •

Eliminating manual handling of other forms of payments, i.e., paper checks. Manual processes, such as payment reconciliation, exception handling, and debt collection, become more difficult.

Commercial Payment Card Acceptance •

Preferred by customers; recommended by banks. With the emergence and growth of payment card loyalty and cash-back programs, more payers are looking for simplicity by consolidating accounts payable while participating in such reward schemes.

The reasons vary, but merchants believe that adding commercial card acceptance to their mix of payment options will improve their company revenue. Customers demand convenience, of course, but also a simpler, more secure option. When customers pay by commercial payment cards, automation can

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post the payment in real-time, and AR can be updated the same day.

Those same customers want to take advantage of loyalty and rewards programs. Still, they will also take advantage of float with a future AP date. Cash-back benefits are often sought to help pay for operating costs, equipment purchases, and in some cases, to provide year-end incentives and bonuses for employees.

The inherent benefit to a merchant is an increase in sales with higher value items and perhaps more frequent purchasing. Credit and Collections are undoubtedly a substantial benefit to a merchant as payments by commercial cards are usually paid out in full. Avoiding slow-pay on invoicing and minimizing the excessive risk of an aging AR are significant reasons for moving toward commercial payment card acceptance.

Traditional checks are often perceived by suppliers to be reliable, cheaper, and time-efficient compared to commercial cards. Such a perception is flawed as check payments are highly manual processes with an increased rate of human error, increased susceptibility to fraud, and ultimately cost-inefficient.

Business models for AR/AP automation are evolving rapidly.

Business-to-business (B2B) payment preferences are shifting as more corporations move away from paper checks and accept traditional and virtual card solutions. To move forward with commercial card acceptance, CFO's and owners must first set objectives for their enterprise and identify the costs, benefits, flexibility, and risk factors that affect the investment decision.

enTrust Commercial Payments Your customer experience is absolutely vital to your success.

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enTrust Commercial Payments is a managing ISO/Agent of BAC | Credoma�c [NYSE:AVAL] and a registered ISO/MSP of BAC Florida Bank, Miami, FL. enTrust Merchant Services is an ISO/Agent of Priority Payment Systems LLC [NASDAQ:PRTH] and a registered ISO/MSP of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Concord, CA; Synovous Bank, Columbus, GA; and Axion Bank, N.A., Maitland, FL.

6 Considerations for Refreshing Your Business Plan MIKE KEIM, PRESIDENT, UNIVEST BANK AND TRUST CO With the first half of 2022 behind us, it is clear that rising interest rates, inflation, supply chain issues, and worker shortages will continue to challenge businesses. Now is a great time to revisit your business plan. Here are six things to consider: 1.

2.

3.

Account for inflation and interest rate increases: Inflation had a big impact on the bottom line of many businesses in 2021, and coupled with rising interest rates, the impact will only be exacerbated in 2022. Business owners need to plan for higher costs. How do things like increasing employee wages, paying more for supplies, and the sharp increase in fuel prices affect your business? Will you be able to pass some of these increased costs onto customers through higher prices for goods and services? You should also look at what your business owes and the current rates you pay for your debt. It may be time to work with your lender to lock in financing solutions to avoid the impact of additional anticipated interest rate increases.

Solidify your business succession plans: The pandemic pushed many business owners towards retirement. For others, it has reminded them of the importance of planning ahead for your eventual exit from the company. It’s helpful to develop a succession plan sooner than later. This process can involve many complex financial decisions, from deciding whether to establish an Employee Stock Ownership Plan to considering a sale of the business. Univest’s Integrated Client Strategies team serves as a single point of contact aimed at optimizing everything you own and owe, personally and professionally.

They provide tailored solutions aimed at executing the vision you have for the legacy of your business.

Review employee benefits and retirement plan offerings: Given the “Great Resignation,” it is vital for business owners to assess the benefits they offer to employees. A comprehensive benefits package can help you compete in a tight labor market.

Consider working with a strategic partner, as the employee benefits consultants at Univest Insurance, to create a package aimed at attracting and retaining top talent.

One of the key benefits business owners can offer is a competitive employer-sponsored retirement plan. It’s important to work with a retirement plan specialist who can navigate the unique needs of your company and your staff. If you already have a retirement plan, has it been recently reviewed and audited by a retirement plan professional? If not, the team at Girard, a Univest Wealth Division, can help.

4.

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Cash is king: In the current high-inflation environment, it’s imperative for business owners to maintain a healthy reserve of cash on hand to cover any unanticipated increases in business NETWORK MAGAZINE

costs. It is important to consider building up this cash reserve now before interest rate hikes and inflation have an even bigger impact on your business’s liquidity. Talk to your accountant, banking partner, and other financial advisors to help set goals for your liquidity levels.

5.

Beware of fraud: What do you have in place to help protect your business from financial fraud attempts? It is imperative to consider treasury management solutions such as Positive Pay and ACH Positive Pay to help ensure that only legitimate, authorized transactions are processed.

Cyber liability insurance also needs to be considered. With online business activity increasing, there are new threats that business owners need to be prepared for such as computer viruses, data breaches, malicious hacking, and other cybercrimes.

6.

Review your personal financial plan: The economic factors impacting your business also have an effect on your personal financial plan. Key things to consider include having an up-todate estate plan, reviewing your investment portfolio to ensure your asset allocations are aligned with your risk tolerance, considering personal debt ahead of additional interest rate hikes, and reviewing your approach to personal savings, whether that be for retirement, college tuition or a vacation home.

As you consider how to refine your business plan based on current conditions, consult your team of advisors, including your accountant, attorney, and financial professionals. Univest has a team of experienced business lenders and financial advisors available to assist. Contact us at univest@univest.net to start the conversation.

Univest Bank and Trust Co. is Member FDIC, Equal Opportunity, and SBA Preferred Lender.

Insurance products offered through Univest Insurance, Inc. are obligations of the issuing insurance companies.

Girard® is a marketing name used by Univest Financial Corporation to provide (1) investment and wealth management, fiduciary services and trust services through its subsidiary Univest Bank and Trust Co., (2) specific fiduciary and investment advisory services through Girard Advisory Services, LLC (3) securities products, insurance products and brokerage services through Girard Investment Services, LLC, a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC, and a licensed insurance agency, and (4) investment management and related products and services to Pennsylvania municipal entities through Girard Pension Services, LLC. Investment and insurance products and services are not FDIC insured, not a bank deposit, not bank guaranteed, not insured by any federal government agency, and are subject to risks, including possible loss of any principal amount invested.

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You have a vision. Your story is unique. And running a business is a journey filled with challenges you overcome on a daily basis.

So when you have an opportunity to grow your business, you just need a partner who believes in your vision, sees your determination and drive, and supports you. Having a relationship with someone who sees what’s possible makes all the difference.

Whether it’s financing options to help you grow or business tools for streamlining efficiency, it’s time to explore your possibilities with Univest.

univest.net

FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS

877.723.5571

Univest Bank and Trust Co. is Member FDIC, Equal Opportunity and SBA Preferred Lender

Ransomware: How to Protect Your Company JOSHUA M . KOLLAR, CPA, CFE BUCKNO LISICKY & COMPANY

The phone rings, and a medium-size client is in a bit of a panic.

The initial question they ask is, "Do you have our general ledger detail reports and copies of our trial balance reports, and if so, how many years do you have?" The response is that we have some but not all of it. The conversation continues, revealing that our client has been hit by a ransomware attack with a payment of five million dollars in bitcoin requested to unlock the data. Sadly this conversation is not rare or unique any longer. Ransomware is part of the landscape both our clients, and we operate in daily.

Ransomware is defined as a type of malicious software designed to block access to a computer system until a sum of money is paid. Sometimes, the malware will lock the entire computer system; other times, it may just encrypt part of the data on a computer. Either way, ransomware will make it impossible to access your data until a ransom is paid. If left unpaid, ransomware will threaten to delete your files, leaving you without access to important information.

Ransomware is not going away anytime soon. The pandemic forced many companies to change their security protocols to protect employees working remotely and outside the traditional company defenses. That shift, along with the growth in criminals using ransomware, contributed to a sharp increase in such attacks during the pandemic. It is very important to know what ransomware is, what you should avoid, and how to protect yourself and your company.

Although there are different types of ransomware, most have the following items in common: • The ransomware will encrypt your files or lock up your entire computer system and demand some sort of payment to decrypt or unlock the system.

• There will almost always be a message on your computer screen that will threaten to delete the files if you fail to pay the ransom.

• The most common delivery method for ransomware is through email attachments.

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Now that we know what ransomware is, how do we best avoid it? The best way to avoid ransomware attacks is to be very vigilant with what you download and install on your computer.

Only download files from trusted sources and websites. If you receive a strange email, do not open it. It is extremely common for someone to open an attachment from an email that looks familiar but is actually malicious. Never open an attachment from an email you do not recognize!

It is also important to always keep your computer and all of its software updated and backed up. Be sure that you are applying all recommended security patches and updates promptly. This will help stop criminals from exploiting known vulnerabilities. Additionally, test the backups regularly to be sure it will be possible to restore the data to your system.

To help keep your data and files safe, always use strong passwords. Be sure to use upper case, lower case, numbers, and special characters in your passwords. Do not use the same password for different logins. Although this can be difficult to keep track of, it is vitally important for the safety of your data. If multi-factor authentication is available, turn it on.

Multi-factor authentication adds an additional code to allow access. While this can make access seem more difficult, it is a great tool to help secure your systems.

If you end up becoming infected with ransomware, there are several steps to take to recover your files without paying the ransom. Sometimes you can successfully remove the ransomware using an antivirus program. Other times, restoring your computer from a backup will resolve the ransomware issue. In almost every case, you will not be paying the ransom, so be prepared to recover your data.

Ransomware attacks are an increasingly significant issue, disrupting all businesses, and are only getting more sophisticated and more frequent. The best way to protect yourself and your business is to be vigilant and always cautious with how you maintain and use your computer systems.

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These are Interesting Times...

MIRIAM BRIDGEMAN, PARTNER, BRIDGEMAN STRATEGIC CONCEPTS Are you staying awake at night wondering about your investments in the market? Are you thinking about how will I retire and meet my goals if this market doesn't cooperate or if inflation continues to be at record levels? There's got to be a better way to balance my portfolio and sleep better.

If you work with a planner, they should have been cheering the market over the past decade but should always be preaching diversification. The problem is we have been in such an up market we forget the downturns. It's not that it's a bad thing because everything is on sale, but when we don't know when we will come out of the downturn, we tend to stay awake at night wondering if we will have to work an extra year or two to make up the difference. Downturns in the market do create opportunities.

Diversification is the act of choosing multiple options to reduce overall risk by investing in different assets to react differently to each event towards one solid goal or focus. Obviously, the goals and focus are to achieve growth. Some win and some lose, but as a whole, you are moving in an upward trajectory. Stocks are good, mutual funds are good, bonds are good, real estate is good, and one overlooked asset class is cash value life insurance is good. Each has its place and purpose that react differently to each up or down in the market trends. Life insurance that is whole life and owned by mutual insurance companies creates cash values within the policy that can sustain market downturns and provide stability to your portfolio while not being tied to the investment markets, emotional

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turmoil, or President's remarks. Not all whole life insurance is the same. You must find a company that is mutually owned and pays its policyholders or you in the form of dividends when there are profits in the company. The strength and stability of an insurance company or annual dividend percentage can be found online or through your insurance agent.

Whole life insurance can give you the security of a death benefit should the worst happen but also can be an asset with tax-free growth regardless of market performance. It is a powerful tool that creates a self-insured pension plan, cash for a down payment on a real estate purchase, a college savings account that is not counted toward FAFSA (college loans), protection for a business is a key person situation as well as a carved out key person future pension and a banking loan option like no other. Did I mention that the growth of the policy and the death benefit is tax-free? If you knew nothing about the markets, finances, economy, or others, and I asked you if you thought taxes would go up, down, or stay the same in your lifetime, you most certainly would answer go up. Everything tends to go up regardless of the fight to reduce debt, work harder, or rules.

Your planner should have a focus on the markets but also be thinking about protection planning and diversification in the least. A good planner will have multiple options to balance your portfolio in the up markets and the downturns. If this is not the case, then be prepared to get a second opinion.

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Lehigh Valley and Its Workforce are Getting Younger, More Diverse, and More Vibrant GEORGE LEWIS, VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING, COMMUNICATIONS AND RESEARCH LVEDC

In May, a group of 150 students from career and technical schools across the greater Lehigh Valley gathered for District 11 Signing Day, an annual event hosted by the SkillsUSA Council.

Wearing red suits and ties, they were each called to a table before a full crowd at DeSales University. They signed papers to signify the next steps in their careers or life paths. The event, stylized after similar signing days for student-athletes, celebrated these students as they prepare to enter the workforce, military, or post-secondary institutes related to their trades.

It was an appropriate moment because, in many ways, the Lehigh Valley as a region and its workforce is getting younger.

The Lehigh Valley is more vibrant, more diverse, and growing in population and economic output. It's home to new business, new arts, and culture, growing downtowns, and increasing family income.

Since 2010, Lehigh Valley's population rose by more than six percent to about 690,000 people making it one of Pennsylvania's fastest-growing regions and in the top 25 percent of growing regions in the U.S. More importantly, the population between the ages of 18 to 34 grew by 10.7 percent during that time – making the Lehigh Valley the fastest-growing region in the state for young people, who now are the largest generation in our workforce.

in the white population. The Hispanic population fueled the overall growth, increasing by nearly 46 percent.

The growth is primarily because of people moving here.

The region added about 25,000 people from international migration in the last decade, with Lehigh County being ranked by the U.S. Department of Commerce's SelectUSA program as the top one percent of all U.S. counties for international migration.

The Lehigh Valley was among the top five regions in the Northeast for net population growth due to in-migration from other metro regions between 2015 and 2019. This heightened during the pandemic. A CBRE analysis of U.S. Postal Service data showed that migration from the New York metro to the Lehigh Valley increased by about 14 percent in 2020.

It is the population growth, particularly of young workers, that is driving the region’s economic growth, which continued during the pandemic.

Once again, the Lehigh Valley was in the top ten in the U.S. for regions of up to 1 million in economic development projects with more than 50 major projects. Notably, manufacturing output grew to $7.9 billion in GDP — 18.5 percent of our private sector output — launching the Lehigh Valley into one of the top 50 manufacturing markets in the country.

The region is also becoming more diverse.

The region’s manufacturing output exceeds its population ranking. We punch well above our weight class, thanks in no small part to a strong workforce illustrated by the types of schools celebrated at District 11 Signing Day, including Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School, Career Institute of Technology, and Lehigh Career and Technical Institute.

Every minority group grew by double-digit percentages in the last decade, accompanied by a decrease of about 10 percent

The importance of the Lehigh Valley's premier role as a manufacturer, producer, and distributor of goods became

This is evident in the development of new, modern apartment buildings, particularly in the downtowns of Easton, Allentown, and the south side of Bethlehem, which are being leased as quickly as they are being built.

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clearer as many of the region's 700 manufacturers produced food, drinks, medical equipment, supplies, and other essential items that sustained the nation.

Economic growth has translated to higher wages and growing income for Lehigh Valley residents. The median household income was nearly $67,000 in the Lehigh Valley, compared to about $62,000 in Pennsylvania and $63,000 in the U.S. There's nothing more important to employers right now than the availability of talent and the alignment of workers with the right skills for the jobs that are being created. The Lehigh Valley has been ahead of the curve on this, and the students who proudly donned their red suits and participated in District 11 Signing Day are a shining example of this. We at the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation will continue to invest our efforts in supporting that future workforce.

The Creativity Crisis WILLIAM CHILDS, CREATIVE DIRECTOR KITCHEN MAGIC Growing up, I spent a great deal of time wondering about the career path I would choose to earn my living. The challenge was choosing a career where I could get paid doing something I loved. Easier said than done, right? However, I always felt a strong pull toward the more creative aspects of life, so a career where creativity is needed made the most sense.

One thing I wish I knew before starting my career was the inherent creative bias that I would experience in the business world because I live out of the right side of my brain. Now, compelling new research proves that creativity is indeed facing a crisis.

"We have an implicit belief the status quo is safe, novel ideas have almost no upside for a middle manager — almost none.

The goal of a middle manager is meeting metrics of an existing paradigm." Best-selling author and creativity expert Edward de Bono agrees, "Most executives, many scientists, and almost all business school graduates believe that if you analyze the data, it will give you new ideas. Unfortunately, this belief is wrong."

He also believes that "There is no doubt that creativity is the most important human resource of all. Without creativity, there would be no progress, as we would forever repeat the same patterns."

In March of this year, a business professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Jack Goncalo, and his colleagues released their study proving that most people harbor a strong aversion to creators and creative types. The study, conducted over ten years, showed that creativity is viewed by many as 'noxious' and 'disruptive.' Goncalo's other findings revealed that innovative thought often gets outrightly rejected because of its power to intensify feelings of uncertainty. Ironic when you consider that you won't develop transformative ideas without vast amounts of uncertainty, ambiguity, and risk.

While the research I referenced here may indicate an inherent bias towards creative individuals, there is still hope. To all the creative people working through difficult situations, I say, keep pushing, keep grinding, and embrace your wonderment. Keep showing up and doing good work. You represent one of the best chances a company or a society has to evolve and grow due to your unique ability to use your imagination, curiosity, and open-mindedness for the greater good. Keep bringing your intrinsic motivation to get things done, as I would argue that creative skills are needed now more than ever. As I look back on my chosen career path, I remain optimistic. I have learned that anything in life worth doing is going to contain its fair share of struggles and obstacles. My creativity has served as both a blessing and a curse. There were times throughout my career when my imagination was celebrated, and other times not so much. In retrospect, I wouldn't change a thing as we are all the total of our experiences. You need failure and success to grow into your best version. I do know this; the struggle IS the journey because difficult roads are the ones that lead to the most rewarding destinations.

Begging the conundrum: How do you expect to grow your business if you're unwilling to disrupt the status quo? The short answer is you can't. There will never be enough stats to prove value when it's in question, but good ideas and creativity nullify the stats; they create buzz, energy, and excitement.

Creativity represents change, and if the change makes you uncomfortable, how do you expect to make decisions that will move your business forward?

Change is the only thing constant in business, so why all the discomfort?

Jennifer Mueller, an expert in creativity science and a professor of management at the University of San Diego, said,

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Scan to learn more

The 7 Rs of Leadership and Life

ANGELO J. VALLETTA, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE BEN FRANKLIN TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS OF NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA An organization is more than a producer of goods or services; it is part of the fabric of the communities in which it serves. Over my nearly four decades in leadership roles in the financial, nonprofit, and public sectors, I have learned a lot about inspiring and motivating every organization’s greatest asset, its people. “People,” in this case, includes everyone involved with the organization: its staff, of course, as well as its customers and the other stakeholders with whom it interacts in various ways.

People have always been the key to the success of any organization.

That is even more true today, as technology streamlines our work while also challenging our ability to keep people engaged.

Furthermore, with the current labor shortage, it is increasingly vital for organizations to attract and retain top talent.

I prefer a servant leadership style, which has suited me well in the many sectors in which I have worked. My strategic approach to growing revenue, reducing costs, and building relationships are to enable and support my team. I view my role as serving, supporting, and working for them so they have what they need for us all to succeed. We also have a lot of fun together along the way! It's about building synergy so that our entire organization's accomplishments are far greater than the sum of the individual efforts.

Through my experiences, I have identified seven timeless truths that have shaped me professionally and personally. I call these the Seven Rs of leadership and life.

Respect – There is something to learn from everyone we meet and

identifying what that is and truly listening to other people, is a gift to both parties. People universally recognize and detest condescension, and that arrogance reflects most poorly on the condescending individual. It is so important to always treat people as you want to be treated.

Resolve – One must be driven, steadfast, and resilient in pursuing goals. Remember to keep an even temper, especially when facing

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frustration. Perseverance through repeated setbacks is often what sets apart those who accomplish incredible things in life.

Responsibility – Individuals must take responsibility for their own

behavior and actions and honestly communicate that accountability.

We all make mistakes, and the negative impacts of errors are compounded by denial or defensiveness. Accepting responsibility, addressing the problem, and committing to doing better next time are the keys to the humility and flexibility that are required for continued personal growth.

Readiness – There is a lot that we can’t control, so it is critical to

be ready to seize opportunities when they come our way. Readiness is proactive preparation; it lets us recognize and quickly respond to chances when they arise. If we aren’t aware of or don’t move quickly enough when things line up, the time for action passes.

Right Thing – It is important to take the high road, to do the right thing, in all circumstances. We must have character when no one is looking and be ethical in interactions, both professionally and personally. This is the crux of being a moral person.

Relationships – Humans are fundamentally social creatures, and

we all share a need and desire to have friendly, encouraging, and supportive personal and professional relationships. Relationships are not static; they must be built and cultivated. Close personal and professional relationships create a synergy that improves lives and makes everyone's life much more enjoyable!

Recreation – All work and no play make us stagnant and less

productive in the long run. Burnout is unpleasant, exhausting, and steals our creativity and energy. We need to consciously take time for our friends and family members, who are our most important relationships. Faith, however, we perceive it, helps us understand our role in life and how we can make the most of our time here. Having fun through it all is crucial because happiness is as important to the human experience as productivity.

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philanthropy

Why should financial literacy become a critical curriculum required in all American Schools?

STEVE REDMOND, VALLEY WEALTH ALLIANCE

The financial epidemic is on the rise in the United States, and only a few seem to be concerned. The latest ALICE, Asset Limited, Income Constrained, employed reports show that 27% of Pennsylvanians earn above the Federal Poverty Level but not enough to afford basic household necessities. Necessities include childcare, utilities, food, and clothing. If an unexpected disaster such as car repairs, broken appliances, or health issues should occur, the results could be disastrous. If we bring the statistics closer to home, Lehigh County is at 47% below the Alice threshold. Think about those numbers for a moment. These are our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends. We can help this vulnerable population in our community. We need to attract new partners, stimulate meaningful conversations, and create strategies for conclusive change.

With the cost of living surpassing our wages, our household survival budget reflects the bare minimum. In the United States, more than half of our population has less than three months of savings to cover their necessities. In addition, we have inadequate retirement savings, excessive student debt, or no plan at all for either of these future goals. As a result, we have to make tough choices, such as deciding between quality childcare or paying the rent, which have long-term consequences.

Some of our meaningful conversations need to include financial awareness so we can provide our neighbors, coworkers, family members, and friends with the set of skills that allow them to make informed and efficient decisions with all their financial resources.

Financial literacy is an excellent equalizer. Teaching students how to have a healthy relationship with money and healthy spending habits

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are the foundation for improving our community's wealth gap. Sadly, Pennsylvania is one of the states that does not require schools to have a financial education curriculum to graduate.

Financial literacy works the same in every socio-economic background. But unfortunately, the lack thereof negatively impacts the quality of life for so many Americans. It transcends race, ethnicity, and gender. So why are we not preparing our kids to become financially literate adults? We need to pressure our school districts and politicians to include financial literacy in the education system immediately. On January 8, 2022, President George W. Bush signed the "No Child Left Behind Act." Many children have been left behind without financial literacy, considering this law a failed experiment.

We need to expand on our former president's amended Act of Adult Education and Family Literacy Act with an updated action plan. Our financial lives matter! We can no longer sit back and leave our nation ill-prepared for life.

The Valley Wealth Alliance is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Allentown, PA. The organization’s mission is to provide resources and programming to help educate the lower-income community on why financial literacy is essential in breaking the cycle of generational poverty. Through in-person group sessions, community events, and one-on-one counseling, you will gain confidence to achieve longterm goal setting, leading to financial security. If you are interested in mentoring, volunteering, or donating to our cause, visit www. valleywealthalliance.org. Let's join forces in being crusaders of economic justice!

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tech

Life Sciences: Controlled Temperature Chambers, aka "Freezers, Refrigerators, and Incubators” NATE ROMAN, GENESIS AEC How important is temperature control?

• calibrated as required by a calibration program

Temperature is one of the most important parameters to control.

Food and drug products must be stored and transported according to predetermined conditions (for example, 2°C - 8°C). The distribution of products must be transported, handled, and stored in a manner that mitigates the risk of exposure to temperature excursions. Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), according to the FDA, are requirements to maintain the products' safety, quality, and efficacy.

Storage temperature is very important in maintaining these critical attributes because drug products or samples stored are temperaturedependent and must be well sustained and controlled.

• equipped with backup power or have alternate storage available in the event of a power failure • equipment should be commercial grade and not be of any household type

Controlled Temperature Chambers (CTC) used to store drug products should be qualified.

We are all familiar with equipment such as freezers, refrigerators, incubators, and walk-in cold rooms, but perhaps we don’t all know what goes into keeping them maintained and in a state of compliance.

A manufacturing facility or a research laboratory operating in the Health and Life Science Industry must comply with regulatory requirements, and that is no simple task. Doing so ensures that products are manufactured and delivered safely under meticulous regulations and standards. These regulations and standards are well-known to those in the industry, but the questions sometimes come from finding the best way to comply.

knows what needs to be done, but " Everybody they’re not always sure how to get there. We

definitely know how to get there because that’s what we do, over and over again. We do things in ways that have been proven to be effective.

Each firm is responsible for selecting suitable equipment used in research and development, manufacturing, or storage to produce, distribute and store quality products in accordance with CGMP. Their equipment should consist of the following, but limited to; • be well-maintained • equipped with alarms • free from excess frost buildup • allow for adequate air distribution and organized storage within the chamber • equipped with sensors for continuous monitoring • alarms located at the points representing the temperature's worst-case scenarios

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Regulations also require that manufacturers in healthcare industries, pharmaceutical companies, and research laboratories use equipment, systems, and processes that are up-to-date and fit for purpose.

those of you that aim to comply with " For regulatory requirements, there's a continued

emphasis by regulators on the need to perform temperature mapping on controlled temperature storage units.

Validation: Proving the process ensures the endproduct Qualification of storage environments must be performed to ensure conditions match the stability requirements of the products. This is also a requirement as per international standards to ensure that the products are always stored and distributed within the specified temperature limits.

To ensure and demonstrate that proper environmental conditions and temperature and /or humidity controls are obtained, qualification and/or validation is expected to be carried out.

Temperature Mapping studies must be carried out regularly as part of the equipment installation and operational qualification (IOQ) to ensure that the controlled temperature chamber is capable of accurate and repeatable performance.

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Temperature Mapping Studies: Equipment Qualification A properly developed qualification protocol will help ensure that the equipment meets all documentation requirements and performs as expected, including correctly carrying out the temperature mapping study.

A trusted validation service provider can work with you to determine whether your qualification protocol is sufficient or help you generate a protocol to meet your requirements.

Generally, a protocol contains a documented approach to conduct the qualification process along with the procedure, scope, equipment description, responsibilities, test method, IQ/OQ/PQ test scripts, acceptance criteria, report, and approval.

Since these concepts are not entirely always clear, the ISPE Good Practice Guide: Controlled Temperature Chambers – Commissioning and Qualification, Mapping and Monitoring (Second Edition) provides guidance on commissioning and qualification, temperature mapping, periodic reviews, and also provides examples and sample templates.

Quick Guide to Mapping Protocols Here is a list of what a basic temperature mapping protocol should contain: 1. Installation Qualification The Installation Qualification (IQ) ensures that the equipment meets all specifications, is installed correctly, and all required components and documentation needed for continued operation are installed and in place.

IQ test sections are as follows: • • • • •

Standard Operating Procedures Equipment and Utility Installation Verification Documentation and Drawings Verification Calibration Status of Critical Instruments Test Instrument Calibration Information

2. Operational Qualification Operational Qualification (OQ) is performed after meeting each test step of the IQ. The OQ testing provides documentation that the equipment performs as specified when operated in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures and manufacturer's recommendations; and confirms that the equipment is capable of meeting its intended use. Additionally, the OQ consists of temperature and /or humidity mapping of the empty chamber, and it is performed to confirm that the empty chamber works within the specified limits throughout the chamber.

OQ test sections are as follows: • Operational Controls and Setpoint Verification – Verify that the control system functions as specified by the equipment manufacturer, general system options, cycle length, temperature setpoints, etc.

• Alarm Verification - Verify the alarms associated with the equipment (High Alarm, Low Alarm) • Empty Chamber Temperature Mapping Study - Perform an empty chamber temperature distribution mapping study.

(Temperature Mapping & Humidity Mapping) » We will place mapping sensors in pre-defined locations throughout the environment to ensure that critical data has been captured. » Length of Temperature Mapping study – 24 hours.

• Additional qualification tests may include (as applicable – often for reference only): » Open Door Verification test » Power Loss Temperature test 3. Performance Qualification The PQ testing provides evidence that the equipment consistently performs as intended under normal operating conditions. Loaded chamber testing will be conducted to provide documented verification that the system performs per its intended use when operated under routinely challenged conditions and that the unit meets the pre-approved criteria.

PQ test sections are as follows: •

Loaded Chamber Temperature Mapping Study- Perform a loaded chamber temperature distribution mapping study.

(Temperature Mapping & Humidity Mapping) » We will place mapping sensors in pre-defined locations throughout the environment to ensure that critical data has been captured. » Length of Temperature Mapping study – 24 hours.

Note: When determining mapping locations, the potential storage location should be considered. Probe locations; number of probes, distance between probes, usable space, direct path of airflow.

In Summary The goals of the qualification and mapping studies can be summarized as: • To demonstrate environmental uniformity for temperature and sometimes humidity • To identify unsuitable storage locations within an area • To determine representative monitoring points The complete qualification and mapping study certifies that the equipment is performing as per the required standards during the tests and may be suitable for operation. However, it doesn’t mean that it will ensure the same performance continuously thereafter.

Prior to performing a qualification or requalification on any controlled temperature unit, ensure you have all documentation required to meet the manufacturer and site requirements. It's recommended to physically see the unit before starting any documentation to ensure that all the supplies/materials are all accounted for in order to meet the owners’ requirements.

By following the steps listed above, you will be on your way to successfully complete a temperature mapping study and well prepared for your next qualification.

Expert at providing expertise Nathan Roman is Director of Validation at Genesis AEC, responsible for Qualification and Validation consulting services. He has over 22 years of experience in commissioning, qualification, and regulatory compliance services and is an expert in CQV and CGMP, and GLP compliance.

Genesis AEC specializes in architecture, process engineering, construction management, as well as commissioning, qualification, and validation to the life science industry. For over 25 years, Genesis AEC has provided AE support and EPCMV (Engineering, Procurement, Construction Management, CQV) services. Services can include early preplanning during design through construction, execution and turnover, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP), and Fire Protection and Process Utility.

To learn more about Genesis’ Validation Services, please contact Nathan Roman directly at nroman@genesisaec.com or Follow Nathan Roman on LinkedIn.

Classic Car Care Pro Tips BILL FETTER, FOUNDER OF IMMACULATE PAINT PROTECTION, IN ALLENTOWN

Immaculate Paint Protection helps new car owners protect their future classic cars, so they look awesome and stay looking new for years to come.

Think of THE car—You know, the one your dad kept tucked safely away under a tarp in the garage, or the one your buddy shows off at barbeques. Being the proud owner of THE car might seem like too much work or like a daunting task, and that's partially true; maintaining a classic car and getting it ready can be a real challenge, but often the best tips and biggest mistakes to avoid are actually the least expensive and easiest to implement. By following the proper steps, the whole process can be made easy and enjoyable. If you just want to drive and don't care how the car looks, that's fine. But if you're the kind of Car Guy or Gal who sees themselves as a custodian protecting a treasure for the next owner, these tips are for you.

1.

2.

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Learn what is required to "safely" wash a car. Almost all the paint damage we see is from improper car washing. If you're going to do it yourself, here are the tools I recommend for a good wash: A grit guard; two buckets; high-quality microfiber towels in different colors to separate interior, paint, and wheels; a high-quality wash mitt; a soft wheel brush; and a tire brush.

Take a look at our website to see how to use these items. I go into depth and "give away" our car washing secrets. You'll want to learn the proper car wash methods for one of two reasons: First, you may be a DIY hands-guy who likes a good, clean hobby, or second, if you're more into paying others for their labor, you'll at least know what to look for in a quality shop. Unfortunately, we have seen a lot of paint damage done on new cars by so-called professional detailers at dealerships and hand car washes.

Investigate first before you drop your vehicle off. Don't let just anyone wash your car.

When going to car shows, please, please, please, stop with "dry dusters." Yes, I know the packaging says "safe, swirl-free NETWORK MAGAZINE™

dust removal," but that's so far from the truth. If you really need to wipe the car down, use a high-quality detail spray and make sure you use high-quality CLEAN microfiber towels.

You should have six to eight towels per vehicle. Use the towel once, then wash it cold and dry it on low heat. You'll see guys wipe cars down with dirty towels. This breaks my heart—it's counterintuitive and not necessary.

3.

Buy professional-grade products. We recommend Gyeon products because we are certified to install those products.

Am I pushing aproduct I sell? Well, yes and no. I'll answer the hard question I get about other products. I don't know all the products, but I do know there are great products. I also know there are really terrible products out there, too. In my experience, the Gyeon products in my shop are exactly the type of quality car care products that make the experience fun and rewarding.

4.

Remember that a high-quality shop won't be cheap, and a cheap shop won't be high quality. If you're really ready to spend some money and want to find a professional, here are some questions you want to ask while looking for a highlevel detailer: Will the shop evaluate your vehicle under no obligation? Will they answer your questions? Will they provide documentation on the work done? Do they have insurance?

Are they recommended by a friend or a trusted car guy? A professional should ask you what kind of car person you are, and they should ask you about your car and then come up with a plan.

A true professional should also balance the needs of clients along with what is best for the vehicle. Maybe you're blessed and have an unlimited budget. Maybe you can afford to have a multiple-step paint correction and heavy compounding machine buffing with additional machine polishing to maximize gloss. But

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that doesn't mean you need it or that it will be safe for your vehicle. Sometimes you can't fix everything. You pay a pro because they know when to stop.

5.

Know yourself before you go shopping for professional services. The other scam we see a lot is that some unethical shops will take advantage of car guys, usually ones with high-end sports cars. The shop is either unqualified to work at that level, and they want to have a high-end car to "flex" on Instagram, or they see deep pockets and push hard for a sale.

Here's a dirty secret: Believe it or not, not everyone in the automotive industry is honest. Some of my competitors are real stand-up, honest, hard-working, and ethical gentlemen.

But unfortunately, I've also seen some shops take on jobs that were way outside their talent level, so be wary.

For paint protection film and ceramic coating packages, pricing, and more, visit us at immaculatepaintprotection.com.

About the author: Bill Fetter's passion for cars started at an early age, as he loved anything with wheels. Throughout his childhood, Bill observed his dad's work as a mechanical engineer turned marketing manager and proud lifelong employee of General Motors. During high school, Bill honed his passion for cars by handwashing and detailing his neighbors' vehicles.

Knowing he wanted to be in the automotive industry, Bill earned a degree in Industrial Engineering from Kettering University in Flint, Michigan. He's worked as an engineer in the automotive manufacturing, medical device, steel industry, and pharmaceutical manufacturing fields.

The Results of Dedication: Diet and Workout Secrets From the Busy Professional HON. EMIL GIORDANO (RET.), NORRIS MCLAUGHLIN P.A

People have asked me, "How did you do it? How did you transform yourself in such a short period of time?" For those of you who don't know me, I am at the gym training every day at 5 AM and have done so religiously for the last 20 years, barring any injuries. I began this 5 AM regimen after the birth of our first child when I realized that no one interrupted you at that time.

My transformation actually started before the pandemic in October of 2019, when my weight crept up to 282 pounds.

When I began losing weight, I got down to 260 pounds by November 8, 2019. When the pandemic hit and my sons were sent home, we all lived together again. By September of 2020, my weight went up to 302 pounds. Needless to say, despite the fact that I worked out every day, I was discouraged by this change. I mostly attributed it to the fact that I was eating the snacks that were in the house for my sons.

After graduating from Law School, I was a competitive bodybuilder and, in fact, competed in several contests into my mid-thirties. I would regularly run 5k or 10k a few times a year. For several years, I taught aerobics at the Bethlehem Racquetball Club, which allowed me to maintain a good weight. I was in good shape from age twenty-five to thirty-six, but when our first child was born, I began gaining weight again.

I carried this weight for quite some time and finally decided at age sixty that I would work on getting into the same shape I was in when I was thirty.

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After the pandemic diet and training program began, I realized that the strategies that worked for me during my bodybuilding days would not really work again. I believe that being on a low-carb diet for an extended period of time caused a lot of health issues in my thirties. This made it difficult to do my job as a mediator, which requires me to be affable for hours at a time.

I began looking for a diet different than those I had tried previously. I have tried the Whole 30 diet, vegetarianism, keto, Warrior Diet, IF, Wild Diet, Sugar Busters, Pritikin, Fatburning Diet, Belly Off, Lean Bodies, Whitaker, and more. Then I stumbled upon the Noom program. When I decided to utilize Noom, my family tried to dissuade me by telling me that I knew more about nutrition than NOOM and that it was not worth the cost. However, the program forced me to be accountable, and after one month, I lost twenty pounds. Noom helped me to look at food much differently than I ever had before.

Coming from an Italian family, I thought everyone would eat two to three portions every meal. I was never able to just eat one cookie, rather the whole pack of them. The protocols in the Noom program set me on a different track which also had me start to look at my training differently.

Finding ways to hold myself accountable became an increasingly important part of my transformation. I created a Facebook page where I would take photos of the meals I was eating. Just knowing that other people were looking at

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the page helped to keep me accountable. Every day after the gym, I would weigh myself and record it on a calendar.

Each month I wrote down my goal of how much I would like to lose. Some months I was able to meet the goal, and when I did not, I would take the time to reevaluate. Just the act of writing down a goal and the progress that I made furthered my accountability. Another way I was able to find accountability was within a workout group where we would continually compete with one another as to who was working the hardest.

When it comes to dieting, I would not recommend going with a program that calls for a drastic change in what you’re eating.

In my opinion, it is better to start by recording everything you eat for one week so that you are able to get a baseline. Then, you can find something like Noom or My Fitness Pal and make simple changes to what you're having. For instance, if you drink soda, you can switch to diet soda, but even with that, I found that I was a lot less thirsty when I switched to Pellegrino. Small changes add up over time and taking the time to exercise every day is an important step.

Join a gym, lift weights a few times a week, take a yoga class, go for a walk, ride your bike, do something. And make sure you mix it up. Aside from taking a leisurely walk, don’t do the same workout or exercise every day

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A Wine Lovers Heaven JENNIFER DONCSECZ, CTIE PRESIDENT, VIP VACATIONS INC CERTIFIED TRAVEL INDUSTRY EXECUTIVE

The El Cielo Winery and resort is located less than 2 hours south of the San Diego Airport in the glorious Guadalupe Valley. This region is home to Mexico's wine trails in Baja, California. Often referred to as Mexico's Napa Valley, the beautiful wine route in the Guadalupe Valley hosts dozens of renowned wineries, but El Cielo is especially unique because of its beautiful resort, wedding chapel, restaurants, as well as amazing wine! El Cielo translates in English as "Heaven," which appropriately describes the location. This boutique hotel and winery are nestled between mountains and situated on 79 acres comprising olive trees, lakes, and vineyards as its backdrop. The villas are Tuscan architectural in design and unique to the area. Every villa features stunning views of the lakes, mountains, and vineyards. The winery and tasting complex is hacienda inspired and designed from the natural rock found when constructing the winery complex. There are 56 suites positioned within 2,350-square-foot villas. The villas feature 3 bedrooms with individual access. They are each equipped with private terraces, living rooms with sofa beds, Nespresso coffee machines, and smart TVs. Some of the larger villas have dining rooms, kitchens, and wrap around terraces. Guests staying here can enjoy the walking trail on the resort grounds or use the included bicycles to

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tour the vineyards. There is also a large outdoor pool and numerous firepits to soak in the views with a fabulous glass of wine in hand.

Additionally, the resort is the only 5-star accommodation in the area.

The El Cielo winery produces 15 different varieties of wines, many of which have won international awards. Wine lovers can partake in El Cielo's wine seminars, which include a wine-blending course, where guests can create their own bottle of wine with a personalized label. El Cielo's commitment to producing high-quality wines and avoiding the use of pesticides in their vineyard resulted in the winery utilizing hawks and falcons (and trained Falconers) to deter crows and other small animals from ruining the vines. Guests can also meet the Falconers and see the birds in action during their stay.

The resort's two restaurants feature Baja-Yucatan farm-to-table cuisine and include wine tastings from the El Cielo winery.

Charcuterie boards are available to purchase, and guests can picnic on the grounds or take a motorized cart tour along with a sommelier guide who highlights the different varietals of grapes. Their Latitude32 restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, while their Polaris restaurant is open for only breakfast and dinner. El Cielo can also arrange transportation to other local wineries and to the San Diego or Tijuana airports.

Having stayed at El Cielo two times, I can honestly say that I have been to heaven and back and can’t wait to return again!

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EXPERIENCE THE CLUB AT TWIN LAKES Formerly Iron Lake, the club was constructed in the late 50’s and early 60’s.

The Club at Twin Lakes is a mature Lehigh Valley course located on the grounds of an old iron ore mine. Come join us and play this unique, vastly improved, and challenging golf course that features elevated tees, sloping fairways, and interesting water hazards.

Upgraded 18-hole championship public golf course R e m o d e l e d c l u b h ou s e , p r o s h o p , a n d f a c i l i t i e s Enjoy casual drinks & dining in the new Wild Turkey Pub Newly renovated Lakeview Ballroom for exquisite weddings & events

3625 SHANKWEILER RD | ALLENTOWN, PA 18104 THECLUBATTWINLAKES.COM | SOCIAL @THECLUBATTWINLAKES TWIN LAKES IS A JAINDL LAND DEVELOPMENT COMPANY