Network Magazine | Issue 29 | Winter 2023

As a licensed Loan Originator with almost 20 years’ experience who is familiar with a variety of loan types and specialized programs, I am ready, willing and able to help you find the mortgage product that is right for you. Whether you are looking to purchase a personal residence, 2nd home or investment property, or if you need to refinance an existing mortgage, I can help you find the product that suits your needs and circumstance. With AFN as your mortgage lender, you have an entire team dedicated to carrying your loan from application, through processing and underwriting and over the finish line where your loan is finalized and funded. If you have a question, we are a quick phone call or email away, and we always look forward to opportunities to communicate with you. Licensed in the following states - PA, NJ, NY, MD, VA, GA, NC, SC, FL

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.

To learn more about how you can become a part of NETWORK MAGAZINE™ as a Contributor or an Advertiser, please contact Ray Bridgeman: ray@mynetworkmag.com

PUBLISHERS

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

For advertising inquiry and rates please contact Ray Bridgeman 610.573.7585 or email ray@MyNetworkMag.com

Planning for the Inevitable…and also the Unexpected: Effective Estate and Tax Planning in Changing Times

JUDITH A. HARRIS, ESQUIRE, LL.M (TAXATION) EQUITY MEMBER, CHAIR OF ESTATE TRUST AND TAX GROUP, NORRIS MCLAUGHLIN, P.A.

Basic principles of responsible estate and tax planning deserve your careful attention. Optimal planning for the desired distribution of your assets to your beneficiaries and the administration of your taxes, debts, and expenses after your death should include a Will--or a Will in conjunction with a Revocable Trust-- and the appropriate attention to the titling of assets and designation of beneficiaries. In addition, advances in medical science and the reality of longer life spans in the U.S.—and the increased possibility of some period of incapacity during one’s life—highlight your need for a state-ofthe-art Financial Power of Attorney and a Medical Power of Attorney and Advance Directive.

But that important wisdom is old news.

Many changes affecting our work and lives have occurred during the past 3 years. Changes brought on by Covid. By Congress' SECURE Act of 2020 and it's crucial, still-pending Proposed Treasury Regulations. By modified practices of certain banks and other financial institutions. By a scheduled, upcoming increase in Estate and Gift tax liability. These are only a few.

What should you do to make your Estate Plan and your documents most effective, given these changes? Here are 6 actions you should take immediately:

1. Accept the possibility of your incapacity and plan for it. Planning for the distribution of your assets upon your death are critical. But too little attention is often given to planning for your incapacity. You should give careful thought to what plan should take effect—and who should manage that plan—in the event of your incapacity. A sophisticated Financial and Medical Power of Attorney/ Advance Directive (Living Will) with carefully chosen Agents, Surrogates, and alternates are necessary.

2. Maintain an updated list of your assets and liabilities. Planning for your estate depends on the kinds of assets and liabilities you (and, if you are married, you and/or your spouse) own, their values, and how those assets and liabilities are structured. Careful income tax and death tax planning depend on this complete and current information, as well.

3. Build strategic provisions in your Power of Attorney, Will, and any Revocable and Irrevocable Trusts. None of us can predict the future. Because you cannot amend or modify any of these documents after you become incapacitated or after you die, it is not unusual for a document to become outdated, over time, as to your wishes, applicable Federal and state laws, or the powers

that you need your Agent, Executor and/or Trustee to have to carry out your wishes. An experienced and resourceful estate planning and tax attorney will write your documents in such a way (using, for example, Trust Protector appointments and other useful tools) to promote maximum flexibility for even irrevocable documents.

4. Understand Federal and relevant state tax laws as they apply to your IRAs and Qualified Retirement Plans. Maintain up-to-date Beneficiary Designations. Any tax professional well-versed in Federal tax law knows that the law applicable to retirement plans and distributions was complex long before the SECURE Act was passed in 2019. The SECURE Act substantially increased the retirement plan distribution laws. The SECURE Act contains several areas of ambiguity. Proposed Treasury Regulations were issued in February 2022 to clarify these areas, but those Regulations are not yet final. It is imperative that you and your estate planning attorney understand your options and requirements under current Federal tax law with regard to your IRA's and any Qualified Retirement Plans in which you are a participant. This is particularly important if your estate plan uses a trust or trusts to direct those retirement plans at your death.

5. Understand how upcoming changes in Federal and state income tax and death tax laws will affect you and your family. A significant reduction in the applicable exemption to the Federal Estate and Gift tax is scheduled for the end of 2025, barring any intervening changes by Congress. And momentous changes in IRS operations and initiatives appear to be forthcoming.

6. Provide for jurisdictional changes in your documents. Many estate planners are seeing increased mobility and residency changes among both younger and mature clients. This trend requiresgreater legal and tax planning scrutiny in crafting an effective estate plan with optimal tax-saving strategies.

Custody in Pennsylvania – How to Navigate New Terrain

JOSEPH KEMMERLING, ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY, CROSSON RICHETTI AND DAIGLE LLC

When parents make the difficult decision to end a relationship, it can be a very difficult transition. There is a lot to think about, and there is a lot of information thrown at them at once. From figuring out holidays to figuring out living situations, it can seem like a lot to adjust to. Whatever the custodial situation ultimately looks like, most people who decide to separate will spend significantly less time with their children than they did prior to the separation. Understandably, this can seem daunting. However, Pennsylvania has developed a legal process to provide stability and continuity in children’s lives. In Pennsylvania, there are two main types of custody: legal custody and physical custody. Legal custody is who makes the major life decisions in the child’s life, such as medical decisions, educational decisions, religious decisions, etc. On the other hand, physical custody determines which party has the child and when. Pennsylvania custody cases can be complicated and often involve multiple steps and court appearances. However, having a Custody Order in place can provide the parties with a concrete, enforceable written document that clearly lays out the parties’ obligations to the children and each other.

When considering custody, there are several considerations that parties should take into account, including what school the children will be attending, who has more overnight time with the children, what childcare will look like, how the parties will manage medical appointments, how extra-curricular activities will impact the custodial schedule, and how the

parties will handle summer vacation and the academic year. For many parents, these decisions seem overwhelming. However, there are many options that parents can look to in order to try to come up with a custodial schedule that works for both parties.

Unfortunately, even with an order in place, disputes may still arise. Despite the parties’ best efforts, these disputes may not be able to be resolved between the parties themselves. When this happens, parties have several options they can choose from in order to address the issues. Parties can vie with the Court for formal modifications to the Custody Order, or they can ask the Court to hold the other party accountable.

Custody Orders are modifiable, as things can change throughout your child’s upbringing. For example, some parties may have a Custody Order in place long before the children reach school age. Thereafter, they may not be able to agree on new provisions to address the changes that come with schooling or with what school the children should be enrolled in. Filing to modify an Order is a way to allow the Courts to help the parties figure out the next steps.

You can also ask the Court to hold the other party in contempt if they are not following the custody Order. The ability to file for contempt underscores why starting an action for custody can be so beneficial. Having a well-reasoned Custody Order in place provides parties with the ability to create structure and ensure that both sides are following the structure they have agreed to. Many people decide to come

up with verbal or written agreements outside of Court, but in Pennsylvania, the best way to ensure that the other party will follow the agreement is by initiating a Custody Action and ensuring the agreement is entered as an Order of Court.

Custodial arrangements can be difficult and complicated, and determining what needs to be included in a Custody arrangement can be daunting. Having a Family Law Attorney sit down and help you craft up a proposed agreement can ensure that you are able to put in place a workable agreement that can create stability and continuity in your life and your children’s lives. As I often say to people, co-parenting is easy when it’s easy, but having a structure in place for when it’s hard can make the hard times a little easier.

Forming a Nonprofit to Ensure its Charitable Mission

My clients have many reasons for forming nonprofits. Sometimes it is the result of a traumatic event, like the death of a parent or child. Other times the client has an idea that addresses a societal problem or benefits an underserved community. Some clients have an idea for a nonprofit that is adjacent to a for-profit business that is already operating. Whatever the reason, my role is to counsel clients on the legal aspects of starting a nonprofit and, once formed, to comply with all legal obligations and operate it in a manner that successfully carries out its charitable mission. My focus in this article is on the formation of a public charity that qualifies for federal tax exemption under Code Section 501(c)(3), which is what is often thought of as a "nonprofit ."This category includes charitable organizations, hospitals, churches, and schools that are primarily supported through public donations and grants.

Pre-Formation Planning. Before taking any legal steps to form a nonprofit, there are a number of non-legal issues to consider. Will you be able to build a strong, motivated Board (let alone find individuals to serve on the Board)? Do you have a business plan? Is this nonprofit addressing a new need rather than duplicating the efforts of an already existing nonprofit?

Will the nonprofit be able to seek donors and funding in an already-crowded nonprofit space? Will the community support the nonprofit long-term? If the answer to some or all of these questions is “no," it may mean that your philanthropic and altruistic goals may be better served by exploring other options. If you can answer "yes," it's time to involve an attorney and accountant who are well-versed in nonprofit issues.

Entity Formation. The first step in forming a nonprofit is to form a nonprofit corporation or, in some cases, a nonprofit

limited liability company. This generally involves filing Articles of Incorporation with the state where the nonprofit will be domiciled, obtaining an EIN/TIN from the Internal Revenue Service, and preparing important legal documents like Bylaws and incorporation consents. Once the Articles of Incorporation are filed with the state, the nonprofit exists. However, unless you move on to the next step, the nonprofit is subject to federal income tax.

Federal Tax Exemption. Applying for federal income tax exemption is how a nonprofit becomes commonly known as a 501(c)(3). An exemption is obtained by filing an online application with the IRS. The application includes disclosing the nonprofit’s governance documents, identifying the individuals associated with the nonprofit, describing the nonprofit's activities, and disclosing additional information about the organization. The application also requires a proposed budget for several years into the future.

Other Tax Exemptions and Registrations. Other tax exemptions are available to certain charitable nonprofits, including exemptions from sales tax, property tax, and business privilege tax. In addition, most states require nonprofits that solicit donations from their residents to register in that state. In today's world, where donors across the country can be reached with the click of a button, this often means registering in multiple states.

Governance. Now you have a nonprofit that has the appropriate tax exemptions in place. What’s next? Every nonprofit corporation is required to be overseen by a Board of Directors or Board of Trustees, as well as officers who

MARIE K. MCCONNELL, ESQ., FITZPATRICK LENTZ & BUBBA, P.C.

are appointed by the Board. Nonprofits should hold regular meetings where the actions and votes of the Board are documented in meeting minutes, and an annual meeting should be held for the election of Board members and officers.

Operating Restrictions. Nonprofits that qualify as 501(c) (3) organizations are highly regulated entities. Strict rules apply to both their activities and their governance. No part of the activities or the net earnings can unfairly benefit any director, officer, or private individual. Reasonable salaries are permitted, but excess revenue cannot otherwise be distributed to individuals associated with the nonprofit. All of a nonprofit’s assets are permanently dedicated to a charitable purpose. In the event that a 501(c)(3) organization must cease operations, all assets remaining after debts are paid must be distributed for a charitable purpose. Finally, lobbying, and other legislative activity are highly scrutinized and should generally be avoided. Intervention in political campaigns or the endorsement/ anti-endorsement of candidates for public office is strictly prohibited.

With a little pre-planning and guidance, an attorney can help make your charitable mission a successful reality.

Hearing and Understanding

DR. JENNIFER STINSON, AU.D., DOCTOR OF AUDIOLOGY AND OWNER OF STINSON AUDIOLOGY SERVICES

If you have ever had a hearing test, you know that what you hear is a series of beeps at different frequencies, otherwise known as pitch. When you have a hearing test, the softest sound that you hear at each frequency is recorded on a graph called an Audiogram. This part of the test determines what you can and cannot hear. In addition, you may also be asked to repeat words in quiet and repeat words/sentences in background noise. This part of the test helps the examiner to document how you are processing speech sounds. Unfortunately, hearing does not always mean understanding speech, which can be frustrating. Hopefully, in the next few paragraphs, I can help to explain the correlation between hearing and understanding.

When we are born, we hear frequencies that range from 2020,000 Hertz. Hertz is cycles per second, and the perception of frequency is pitch. For example, lower-pitched sounds are more bass, and high-frequency sounds have more treble. A very soft high-frequency sound would be birds chirping, and a soft low-frequency sound would be water dripping in a faucet. Examples of very loud low-frequency sounds would be a lawn mower, and a loud high-frequency sound would be a motorcycle speeding past. As we age, we start to lose the ability to hear high-pitched or high-frequency sounds. This is called presbycusis or age-related hearing loss. This occurs naturally due to our anatomy and is made worse by noise exposure, medications, and other diseases.

For many people, as we get into our 50s and 60s, the ability to hear higher-frequency sounds starts to affect the range of hearing certain speech sounds. Vowel sounds (a/e/i/o/u) tend to be lower frequency and louder, whereas consonant sounds tend to be higher frequency and softer. The consonant sounds in the English language are usually what make speech clear. For example, the difference between the word 'bud' and 'bus' is the very soft, high-frequency ‘s’ sound. You can experiment yourself by making an A sound loud, as in the word apple, and you'll notice that it is easy. In contrast, making the S sound louder, as in the word soft, is difficult.

We already discussed that as we age, we stop hearing highfrequency sounds but still hear lower-frequency sounds. The important speech sounds that help us understand speech are soft high-frequency sounds. If you have a high-frequency hearing loss, then you are not 'hearing' the high-frequency consonant sounds that are important to help you 'understand' speech. Most people will gradually compensate for the missing high frequencies; however, the more background noises, distractions, and the worse the hearing gets, make it more difficult to understand speech. If you are experiencing this, your family and friends might notice before you and comment to you about not hearing well. This is definitely an indication that it is time to get your hearing tested!

So, You Think You Want to Get a Dental Implant?

WAYNE SAUNDERS, DMD, CHAIRMAN OF ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY AT ST LUKE’S

Have you or a loved one ever needed to have a tooth extracted? If so, did you ever consider what you would do to refill the space where your tooth once was? For years, people believed the only way to replace teeth was with dentures once all your teeth fell out. What was someone to do if they had a single tooth come out? And what was someone to do if they found dentures to be uncomfortable?

One of the most effective ways of restoring your smile is by obtaining dental implants.

What Are Implants?

A dental implant, in its simplest terms, is a permanent prosthetic replacement for missing teeth. In the year 2022, more and more people are looking into dental implants as an option with their dental providers. The introduction of dental implants to replace missing teeth is a practice that has completely revolutionized the field of dentistry, especially for patients who may not feel comfortable with dentures, bridges, or any other dental replacement.

What Kinds of Implants Exist?

Endosteal implants are usually made of medical-grade titanium or ceramic and are used to replace missing teeth. In this type of implant, the tooth's root portion is replaced by a screw or cylinder. The implant is surgically placed into the jawbone, which helps to hold the artificial tooth in place.

All-on-Four is a unique type of procedure that utilizes implants to help with the replacement of the entire top and bottom rows of teeth. Four or five implants are placed in the mouth to support the full replacement of all your teeth.

There are also sub-categorical treatments that fall under the realm of dental implants, which include: bone augmentation, sinus lifts, and ridge expansion which oftentimes are done in preparation for future implants.

Origins of Dental Implants

Talking about these types of procedures really makes someone wonder how people from years ago were able to find some relief, seeing as they didn't have this type of modern technology. Interestingly enough, people found their own ways with what they had at their disposal at the time. Some of the earliest successes with modern dental implant technology date back to the late 1960s. During this time, however, implants were not Osseointegrated as they are in today's practices; instead, they were surrounded by soft tissue. While modern-day implant technology is a newer practice, the

practice of replacing teeth has been around for decades. In fact, there have been archaeological discoveries made in various ancient civilizations of replacing teeth. Some ancient Egyptian mummies were actually found to have had human teeth transplanted, and some of them had teeth made from ivory. In Ancient China, some remains have been found to have had carved bamboo pegs tapped into the bone, serving as a way of replacing whatever teeth may have been in that area. The remains of a young Mayan woman were found to have had her incisors replaced with pieces of seashells shaped to resemble her original teeth. It’s fascinating to think how far civilization has advanced in surgical and restorative methods with dental work.

Benefits of Dental Implants

One of the most notable benefits of dental implants is their ability to get patients back to feeling confident about their smiles. Oftentimes patients who struggle with dental problems suffer from low selfesteem and are looking for a way to help themselves. Dental implants are an excellent solution for them. In fact, with proper care, a dental implant can last a lifetime.

Aside from aesthetics, there are also medical benefits to getting a dental implant. Dental implants can help prevent bone loss in both the upper and lower jaw. The presence of an implant can help to add structure and save adjacent teeth.

Implants are easy to maintain, only requiring brushing and flossing the area. No extensive cleaning care products are needed that may be required if you were to choose dentures instead.

Implants at St Luke’s OMS

St Luke's OMS prides itself in being the leading provider of affordable dental implants in the Lehigh Valley. At St Luke's OMS, All-on-4, trefoil, and traditional endosteal implants are the most commonly provided implant services. If you or a loved one are interested in hearing more about dental implants and the services offered at St Luke's OMS, call 610-865-8077 to schedule your first consultation.

Coming in 2023, The Implant Center at St Luke's OMS will open in Bethlehem, PA. This center will be a hub for any patient in need of extensive implant work. The office will even include a Yomi robot system. This is a state-of-the-art piece of robotic technology that will assist in guided implant surgery. The Implant Center at St Luke's OMS will be the only provider in the region to utilize this robotic implant technology. St Luke's OMS is confident that the implementation of this new technology will ensure that patients receive the best care possible, all with the goal of restoring smiles.

ADHD: the “New” Misunderstood Diagnosis

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

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD as it is more commonly referred to, is a diagnosis typically identified in children with a set of symptoms and easily mimicked characteristics that make it an easy target of jokes or comedic interpretations in media today. Additionally, the term has become synonymous with people who are not able to focus, struggle to pay attention, and/or who are easily distracted by their environment. Along with these frequent interpretations of this diagnosis, another commonality is the notion that this is a new diagnosis or is a diagnosis for people who are unable to "control their children." These interpretations raise the question of how they came about and why many in society share these views about ADHD.

To start, let’s explore the new diagnosis interpretation as this view holds some merit because of the recent rise in those diagnosed compared to years past. The reason for the rise in diagnosis is a multifaceted phenomenon with a myriad of different factors. One such facet is the rise in the overall population since more people means an increased likelihood for the diagnosis to be passed down from one generation to the next. Another factor to be considered with this view is the increased knowledge that society has gained about how this diagnosis can manifest and present itself in a larger variety of populations. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder 5 (DSM5) is the Holy Grail used within the field of psychology/psychiatry for diagnosing because of the information it contains regarding all mental health and related diagnoses. While this manual has a lot of useful information, one downside of that manual for many diagnoses (primary examples include ADHD and Autism) is that the presenting characteristics were normed (studied and created) based on young males from previous versions and older studies. While this is very helpful for those specific populations, these diagnoses were normed from, and it has hindered correctly identifying ADHD and other diagnoses until these better understandings have been gained from continued research. The final facet of the new diagnosis mindset to be explored is how

the societal view of mental health has changed over time. As society has progressed, the view of seeking help for mental health diagnoses has changed, and more people are seeking the help that was once seen as taboo in previous generations.

The other view to be explored is the misperception that ADHD is a diagnosis pushed onto kids by parents that “don’t know how to parent." While this viewpoint has many things wrong with it, conversely, it does shed light on the difficulty that parenting a child with ADHD comes with. Parenting, in general, is a very tough experience, which is only exacerbated by the stress of raising a child who could be experiencing any of the following characteristics: difficulty or often failing to: give or sustain attention on tasks, follow instructions, organize tasks, is forgetful in daily activities, avoids tasks requiring sustained mental effort, talks excessively, fidgets or constantly on the move, and interrupts others or blurts out answers. While children, in general, can display any (or most) of the symptoms which are indicative of an individual with ADHD, the difference is the impact these symptoms have on the person’s life. While anybody could display these symptoms, those with ADHD display them daily, and their impact on effectively socializing with others or completing tasks in work, school, or personal life is easily noticed. Adding these extra hurdles to an already difficult job of parenting creates an environment that can be filled with stress.

While the views discussed above create confusion and stigmatize ADHD and those diagnosed with ADHD, there is some "truth" behind them, as this is a "newer" diagnosis in the sense that we are learning more and more about it regularly. It taps into the notion that parents raising a child with ADHD may experience difficulties. However, the connotation that these views are often presented is not in reference to the perspectives and concepts discussed, and these facts need to be considered by all before judgments are passed along about a diagnosis or those who are dealing with the effects of this diagnosis on a daily basis.

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.

Cardio-Oncology: Why Weaving Cancer and Heart Care Together Matters

CARDIOLOGIST DEBORAH SUNDLOF, DO AND HEMATOLOGIST ONCOLOGIST RANJU GUPTA, MD CO-DIRECTORS, LVHN CARDIO-ONCOLOGY PROGRAM

To cancer patients, cancer survivors, and your families:

In the not-too-distant past, cancer care and heart care rarely intersected. Your oncologist was busy with your cancer treatment, and your cardiologist may have been separately taking care of your heart if you had an existing heart problem. But, more than likely, the two didn’t collaborate on your care.

Seven years ago, we flipped that on its head and started an important and potentially life-saving collaboration here at Lehigh Valley Health Network with the formation of the region’s first cardio-oncology program. Here’s why.

Certain cancer treatments can weaken heart muscle, a condition known as cardiotoxicity. It can raise blood pressure or cause the heart to beat out of sync, a condition known as arrhythmia. The goal of the cardio-oncology program is to minimize or prevent heart-related problems due to cancer treatments.

Cancer and heart disease share risk factors, including smoking, obesity, poor nutrition, and diabetes, so collaboration inside a cardio-oncology program is a natural fit that can serve as a preventive measure to help both cancer patients and cancer survivors. Heart specialists in our cardio-oncology program assess a patient’s heart disease risk and work with the patient’s oncologist to develop a personalized treatment plan.

Our cardio-oncology program combines the best of both worlds - expertise from Lehigh Valley Heart and Vascular Institute and Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute. What’s more, it’s being noticed on a global scale. We are recognized as a gold-level global center of excellence by the International Cardio-Oncology Society (IC-OS). Just 31 hospitals or health systems in the world have gold ratings, including 22 in the U.S. Lehigh Valley Health Network is one of only two IC-OS centers of excellence in Pennsylvania.

Nationally recognized women’s heart care

Two of our doctors and one nurse practitioner are IC-OS board certified.

Cancer care is changing rapidly, so a cardio-oncology program is integral to updating knowledge about how that care can affect heart health. We’re working to increase the level of understanding about the potential for cardiotoxicity. Many people have no idea there could be any connection between the heart and oncology drugs.

To date, the program has served more than 650 patients. Should cancer touch your life or the life of a loved one, our cardio-oncology program partners with you to both fight cancer and protect your heart. A win-win, all close to home.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the U.S. That’s why Lehigh Valley Heart and Vascular Institute is committed to providing the best care possible for those most at risk. LVHN has the largest group of female cardiovascular specialists who can assess your risk early and develop a care plan that keeps your heart healthy at every age and stage of life. Learn more at LVHN.org/WomensHeart.

10 YEARS 10 YEARS of sharing stories

The Power of the 1031 Exchange in Pennsylvania

JACOB OLDAKER, ESQUIRE, GROSS MCGINLEY, LLP

Real estate moguls and investors are not only savvy investors but also diligent in monitoring the tax implications of buying and selling their properties. In a decision by the 9th Circuit in 1979, the power of the tax-deferred exchange of properties was born. Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code ("IRC" or the "Code") offers a significant tax planning tool for investors because it provides an exception to the rule that gain must be recognized on the sale or exchange of real property when certain qualifying property is exchanged for other qualifying property that is like kind. Under Section 1031 of the IRC, no gain or loss is recognized on the exchange of real property held for either: (1) productive use in a trade or business; or (2) investment. If proper criteria and procedures are followed, the investor will not realize a gain on the exchange and will receive a carryover basis in the replacement property. This carryover basis will preserve any built-in gain in the relinquished property.

For years, Pennsylvania did not recognize a 1031 Exchange for Pennsylvania income tax purposes and only recognized the IRC

1031 for federal income tax purposes. This recent change comes from the adoption of House Bill 1342, signed by Governor Wolf on July 8, 2022, which will go into effect on January 1, 2023, a date all real estate investors are closely watching.

Prior to this enactment, real estate investors were unable to utilize a 1031 Exchange to defer gain subject to the Pennsylvania Personal Income Tax 3.07% rate. Pennsylvania was the only state in the nation that did not provide a state tax benefit to taxdeferred exchanges. While this rate may seem minuscule, many taxpayers would elect to hold cash out of an exchange to pay this liability. By holding cash from the sale, additional federal tax liabilities are being triggered and ultimately defeating the entirety of the purpose of a 1031 Exchange.

This recent adoption by Pennsylvania will conform with the federal 1031 Exchange under the IRC and will provide the following benefits: reduced accounting and administrative burdens, preserve more equity and create better reinvestment opportunities. Again, 3.07% of the net sales price seems

ministerial, but everything is relevant to the deal size. This former loss of funds reserved for taxes was causing a loss in potential leverage. The conformity between state and federal tax codes will now be streamlined for tax reporting and save time and money for Pennsylvania investors and real estate partnerships in 2023. The streamlined process, along with the added buying leverage, will increase the pool of replacement properties available for purchase which only helps to further the revitalization of real estate in the state of Pennsylvania.

1031 Exchanges are a critical tool for encouraging investment, building wealth, and creating jobs for the state of Pennsylvania. Like any exception, 1031 Exchanges require an acute attention to detail and provide a procedure that must be strictly followed. As an investor, you need to ensure you are well-informed on this most recent legislation in order to follow the necessary steps to further strengthen your tax planning tools.

Homeowner benefit agreements’ in spotlight amid MV Realty probe

A brokerage that offers cash-strapped homeowners’ money in exchange for a 40-year contract to list their home is under investigation by state regulators.

Florida-based MV Realty, which operates in 33 states and has more than 500 licensed agents, has been offering “homeowner benefit agreements” since 2018. Under these agreements, the brokerage pays homeowners between $300 and $5,000 (depending on the value of the home) in cash up front for signing a deal in which they agree that if they decide to sell their home anytime in the next 40 years, they will list the home with MV Realty as a transaction broker.

The agreements, which more than 30,000 homeowners have signed across the country, have attracted attention because some consider them deceptive and predatory, which MV Realty denies.

“I can confirm that our office is investigating MV Realty,” Nazneen Ahmed, press secretary for North Carolina’s Department of Justice and Attorney General’s office, told Inman via email. “Because this investigation is ongoing, I’m unable to comment further.”

“The North Carolina Real Estate Commission has received 6-7 consumer complaints about MV Realty’s Homeowner Benefit Program,” Janet B. Thoren, the commission’s legal counsel, told Inman via email.

“It is my understanding that a number of other state Attorneys General are looking at this program, including our own. Our investigation has been going on for a few months now, and it is not over.”

“I think [customers] don’t fully understand the terms of the contract, and what that means, and at the time most of these people are desperate, and they are in need of some cash,” Thoren told the news outlet.

Regarding memorandums that MV Realty files on the deeds of properties, she added, "It's been treated as a lien by the closing attorneys, as well as by the title insurance companies, and so that lien has to be satisfied before the property can be sold."

According to MV Realty's homeowner benefit agreements, if a buyer broker is involved in the transaction, the total commission must add up to at least 6 percent of the total sales price, with MV Realty receiving at least 3 percent of the sales price or 3 percent of the property's value at the time the agreement is signed, whichever is greater.

If there is no buyer broker involved, MV Realty receives a minimum of 6 percent of the total sales price or 3 percent of the property's value at the time the agreement is signed, whichever is greater.

TERRY S. LORINCZ, OWNER, FORTITUDE SETTLEMENTS LLC

- Excerpted from article originally published at Inman News - Andrea V. Brambila

If the homeowner decides to list the home with another brokerage, the homeowner owes MV Realty 3 percent of the property’s value at the time the agreement is signed, which can add up to thousands of dollars.

The agreement binds any future property heirs, and if a homeowner defaults, the agreement specifies that MV Realty will impose a lien on the property for the amounts owed. The agreement includes an arbitration clause and precludes the homeowner from participating in any class action litigation against MV Realty.

“What they’re receiving in terms of consideration is so small compared to the rights that they’re giving up. The inequities are just so great,” Rebekah Lusk, a Maryland attorney who practices real estate law, told The Baltimore Banner, a local news nonprofit, about MV Realty’s contracts. “It’s an absolutely predatory agreement.”

MV Realty spokesperson Diana London told Inman that the brokerage makes the terms of its agreement clear to homeowners.

“There is nothing improper or predatory about [offering] a homeowner money today for the right to be their agent in the future,” London said.

“The Homeowner Benefit Agreement fully discloses all key terms in clear English, as well as featuring them on numerous documents provided to the customer. They are also in plain English on our website.”

Prominent real estate broker Joe Rand, Chief Creative Officer at Howard Hanna Rand Realty and a licensed attorney suggested MV Realty's practice is immoral and a potential violation of Article 1 of the Realtor Code of Ethics.

“I actually had this idea about 15 years ago, thought about it for maybe 10 minutes, and decided I didn’t want to go to hell,” Rand tweeted in late October.

If these brokers are REALTORS, they’re pretty clearly in violation of the Code of Ethics requirement to treat all parties to a transaction fairly.

— Joe Rand (@josephrand)

October 26, 2022

Dave Clark Tom Kerchner David Olson

CREW LV: HOW IT STARTED, HOW IT’S GOING

In the early 2000s, the commercial real estate industry in the Lehigh Valley was strikingly different than today. There was no commercial broker network in the Lehigh Valley. There was no social media. The internet was available, but not as evolved – brokers couldn't just "google" the information they needed. Resources and networking were different. And for women in a male-dominated industry, networking was even more of a challenge. A handful of female brokers heard about a national networking organization with a mission to advance the careers of women in the real estate industry: CREW. Through their counterparts in Philadelphia and New Jersey, these ambitious women began to explore the organization, as well as the benefits and requirements of starting a local chapter. Eight women pooled their own money to establish CREW Lehigh Valley.

2004 was the first year in which CREW Lehigh Valley was formally organized. For the big kick-off event, the founding members organized a wine and cheese party in an office property in Center Valley. They invited every woman they knew who worked in any aspect of the commercial real estate industry. The original members organized networking lunches for prospective members. The goal: to create relationships, grow the fledgling organization and earn the respect of the Lehigh Valley real estate community. They were jubilant when they arranged the first "hard hat" tour of a major construction project in Bethlehem. An important milestone occurred: the first sponsor signed on to support the organization financially. CREW Lehigh Valley had built a firm foundation. Fast forward 19 years to today. As CREW members look

forward to the upcoming celebration of its 20th anniversary in 2024, it seemed an appropriate time to reflect on the organization that has been built on that foundation. CREW Lehigh Valley boasts over one hundred members, both men, and women. 32 prominent local businesses currently sponsor the chapter, supporting the mission to advance the careers of women in commercial real estate. CREW members are prominent in their fields and have earned recognition as Rising Stars, 40 Under 40, Women of Influence, Athenas, and other professional awards. The organization was honored as the Organization of the Year in 2014 at the March of Dimes Real Estate Awards. The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce presented CREW Lehigh Valley with the Community Partner Award in 2015.

CREW continues to focus on signature tours of construction projects and educational events. Social events are also embraced by the membership, from lunch-arounds to wine tastings to golf. The chapter actively fundraises for the CREW Network Foundation, a charitable organization that provides career outreach, college scholarships, and benchmark studies/white papers on women’s progress in pay equity, C-suite roles, and other advancements. CREW Lehigh Valley established its own scholarship for a local college student, including a $2,500 award for educational expenses, two-year complimentary student membership in the chapter, and attendance at one event at no cost. CREW Lehigh Valley supports the professional development of its members by sending designated attendees to CREW Network’s national conventions and summits. The Legacy Committee of past presidents has organized seven professional development

ADRIENNE KWIATEK-HOLUB, PAST PRESIDENT, COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE WOMEN LEHIGH VALLEY

summits locally with a wide range of keynote speakers. One of the most popular new events is "Cocktails, Connections & Close-Ups," a marketplace-styled event that provides a venue for the sponsors to highlight their companies, attendees to network in a fun and relaxed manner, and everyone to receive an updated professional headshot for their social media profile.

And what hasn’t changed? Women seeking out other women to network, do business, mentor, and provide guidance and support. As original members move on in their careers, retire or move out of the area, a new generation has found CREW Lehigh Valley. People seek out CREW Lehigh Valley for the opportunity to do business with top companies and contribute to the economy of our region. Additionally, the newest members have cited the support of knowledgeable experts in numerous fields, the welcoming group, the inspirational atmosphere of events, and the friendships that grow out of business relationships.

Stay tuned for CREW Lehigh Valley’s next decade as the members, sponsors, and other supporters continue to build on the past success and develop new leaders for the Lehigh Valley's future.

2023 Housing Forecast, and a Reminder that This Isn’t 2008

Amid the backdrop of high inflation, elevated mortgage rates and slowing sales activity, severely limited housing inventory will prevent large home price drops for most of the country next year, according to National Association of REALTORS® Chief Economist Lawrence Yun.

Yun analyzed the current state of the residential real estate market and shared his 2023 outlook at the 2022 NAR NXT, The Realtor® Experience, held in November in Orlando, Florida.

"For most parts of the country, home prices are holding steady since available inventory is extremely low," Yun said. "Some places are experiencing price gains, while some places, most notably in California, are seeing prices pull back."

Locally, price gains continue to be seen in Lehigh and Northampton counties. Year-to-date, as of October, prices are up 14.8 percent. In Carbon County, prices year-to-date are up 8.7 percent.

Yun noted – and local real estate leaders have been highlighting this as well – that today's market conditions are fundamentally different than those experienced during the Great Recession.

"Housing inventory is about a quarter of what it was in 2008," Yun said. "Distressed property sales are almost non-existent, at just 2 percent, and nowhere near the 30 percent mark seen during the housing crash. Short sales are almost impossible because of the significant price appreciation of the last two years."

In 2021, the Lehigh Valley saw foreclosures or short sales make up just 0.3 percent of the market. As of October of this year, only eight available properties in Lehigh and Northampton counties – or 1.0 percent of the market – are considered lender mediated. There are three available properties in Carbon County considered lender mediated.

Driven by the unprecedented rate at which mortgage rates climbed in 2022 – from 3 percent in January to around 7

percent today – the downturn in the housing market has had an outsized impact on the nation's overall economic performance, Yun explained.

"The slide in sales and home building has [brought] down GDP," Yun said. "If the housing market were stabilizing and not declining, GDP would be positive."

Yun added that signs point to mortgage rates topping out, particularly as October's consumer price index showed inflation rising less than expected. He did, however, express concern about the spread between mortgage rates and the federal funds rate.

"The gap between the 30-year fixed mortgage rate and the government borrowing rate is much higher today than it has been historically," Yun said. "If we didn't have this large gap, mortgage rates wouldn't be 7 percent; they would be 5.8 percent. A normal spread would revive the economy. If inflation disappears, then we'd see less anxiety within the financial markets and lower interest rates, which would allow owners to refinance."

In 2023, Yun expects home sales to decline by 7 percent, while the national median home price will increase by 1 percent, with some markets experiencing price gains and others price declines.

He also projects a strong rebound for housing in 2024, with a 10 percent jump in home sales and a 5 percent increase in the national median home price.

The Lehigh Valley is known for following the national trend. Being an undervalued area for too long, price gains – maybe not at such a feverish pace – is expected, along with optimism for an increase in home sales as residential housing projects move through the pipeline and see individuals and families moving in.

JUSTIN POREMBO, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, GREATER LEHIGH VALLEY REALTORS®

Should that be leaking?

You finally found your dream house. There’s some moisture here and there, but you’re not worried.

After all, what are the chances that tree roots have strangled an aging sewer line just outside the basement wall?

Even the dreamiest house can turn into a nightmare. Don’t risk making an ill-informed offer when you could be getting expert advice.

Work with a real, live, local Realtor®. It’s worth it.

Control the Controllable

In the military, there is a quote to the effect that “every plan is a good one – until the first shot is fired.” For some people, investments feel the same. The global financial markets have certainly taken many shots at investors this year. The Federal Reserve is on a quest to vanquish inflation by raising rates, the Russians are on the warpath in Ukraine, cutting off key commodity exports, and the Chinese are shadowboxing a pandemic by implementing rolling shutdowns of their economy, pressuring the global supply chain. Few financial assets have avoided wild swings and downward pressure.

But there is a great difference between generals, who sometimes have mere minutes to make decisions that can change the course of the battle from disaster to victory, and long-term investors. Generals can be surprised by information about the enemy that they did not previously know. On the other hand, investors in risky assets should understand that there are periods when the markets will drop. The wise investors are those that plan for this and have the staying power to weather the storm. They do not push their reserves to the frontline in search of the last dollar of earnings during good times, but instead, they plan for liquidity needs to avoid having to make rash decisions in a rough market environment. Before the market turns, they look at portfolio modeling showing potential downside exposure and make the decision on whether their level of risk can be accepted. They do not know when the markets are going to turn, but they know there will be volatility and plan accordingly since, in the short-run, investments are a “not-for-prophet” business. No one can divine where the market will go over the next month, six months, or year. The volume at which the commentators on the television scream has no correlation to their ability to predict the markets.

So, what should people be thinking about right now?

As Sun Tzu said, “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.” For investors, the enemy is not the occasional market swoon; it is often their emotions. Each bear market in history has had mini-bull markets within it. Most investors rejoice in these recoveries and hope each is the start of the next bull market.

One of them eventually is, but along the way, the act of losing the same dollar multiple times can grate on investors, and their own agita pressures them to make decisions under duress.

Since no one can control the capital markets as they move day-to-day, focusing on areas in which you do have dominion can be an effective use of your time and a wonderful distraction from looking at your portfolio too often. Which areas are those? For institutional investors, downturns are often when they revisit their spending policies, but these times are also an opportunity to revisit development efforts. Fundraising can sometimes take a back seat when investment growth is strong, but during periods like this, when budgets are pressured, and the needs of beneficiaries are the greatest, organizations can refocus on being stewards for their donors and thinking of creative ways to encourage philanthropy to support their missions. Private investors have a less esoteric list to handle. Are your wills, trusts, and powers of attorney in place? Are you utilizing your annual gifting exclusion to minimize your estate burden? Have you formalized your family’s charitable planning? Have you communicated with your family what you would like your legacy to be?

Many readers of this article have faced numerous periods of market tumult in the past, and none has been the end of times, regardless of how painful each correction felt. This one is unlikely to be the end either, even with all of the shot’s investors have received across the bow this year. Handle what you can handle and revisit your plans to ensure that they still work for you. You are the general of your assets.

KEVIN KARPUK, CFA, CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER CORNERSTONE ADVISORS ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC

Employers Attract And Maintain Employees Through Benefits

How do you attract and retain top employee talent? In today's day and age, there's more to a position than hourly or salary rates that employees consider when accepting an opportunity. "Companies need to make employee benefits a key component of their compensation package," says Mario Stuart, Director of Benefits at Seltzer Group Partners. "Health Insurance, wellness programs, and flexible schedules are many offerings that we're helping employers put together for their employees."

According to Paycor, organizations with no employee benefits have a turnover rate of 157%. In contrast, those that offer multiple types of benefits saw a 138% reduction in turnover. When businesses invest in their employees and offer a robust benefits package, productivity increases.

So, what type of benefits and programs are best to offer your employees? “There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to employee benefits,” says Stuart. “Every company is different, and their employee needs are diverse. Our goal is to help build a package that makes sense and is affordable for the employer and its employees.”

Having affordable health insurance is easier said than done. Healthcare coverage is the 2nd or 3rd highest expenditure for businesses and organizations. Even though employee benefits consultants have been working with businesses to develop creative ways to reduce those costs, insurance carriers and healthcare providers are also coming up with more creative ways.

"We're seeing a lot more partnerships between health systems and health insurance carriers in which co-branded products are being created to help drive employees to higher quality, lower cost health systems," says Stuart. That's not the only way hospitals are working to keep costs down. Consumer reports state that there's between $700 billion and $900 billion in annual medical waste from ordering unnecessary tests and procedures. Hospital systems are working even closer with clinicians to identify waste and areas where they can cut back through various Value-Based Incentive Programs. Through these programs, hospitals get reimbursed for several various utilization measures and outcomes.

In addition, some hospitals and health systems are providing directto-employer coverage in which the employer will receive a hefty

discount should their employees utilize that health system's care. However not every employer would benefit from this strategy, but it is a unique way to lower costs.

Benefits packages aren't the only thing employers are looking at when it comes to cutting costs. Property and casualty insurances for a business are another large expenditure. One line is the workers' compensation coverage.

In Pennsylvania, all W2 employees must be covered under a Worker's Compensation policy. Properly investing in the protection, health, and safety of their employees through safety committees and training helps improve productivity and efficiency and gets employees back to work quicker should they experience an injury in the workplace.

But when a company experiences a significant increase in workers' compensation costs, it usually triggers internal activities aimed at reducing insurance costs and spending. The key to spending fewer dollars in the workers' compensation world is more than just preventing a few accidents. It's having a sound safety program compliant with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). A program like that can provide significant savings for employers by reducing injuries and illnesses.

"We're seeing a lot of companies and organizations who are streamlining all their insurances under one agency," says Stuart. "There's a lot of crossovers between offering a benefits package and having a good workers' compensation plan and program in place along with the other lines of coverages."

Figuring out ways to improve workers’ compensation costs along with the other property and casualty lines can lead to savings, which can be put toward an employee benefits package to help attract and retain top-notch talent.

Regardless of the package you put together, it's essential to research and select benefits that attract employees and make you stand out. Working with an employee benefits consultant can help you achieve the right benefits package for your company that fits within your budget.

JOSEPH CANDIO, RISK EXECUTIVE, SELTZER GROUP PARTNERS

Cryptocurrency: The Basic Tax Picture

As the popularity and profitability of cryptocurrency continue to grow, it can leave taxpayers with an unexpected tax liability in April. It was estimated that there were more than 68 million crypto wallet holders in the United States at the end of 2021, a number too large for taxing authorities to ignore.

The IRS views cryptocurrency as a "Digital Asset," and digital assets are treated as property for federal tax purposes. Taxable gains or losses may result from transactions involving digital assets, such as but not limited to; the sale of a digital asset, the exchange of a digital asset for property, goods, or services, and the receipt of a digital asset as payment for goods or services.

Determining your tax liability depends on your specific circumstances. For example, if you acquired a cryptocurrency from mining, the value of that cryptocurrency is taxable immediately as ordinary income. More importantly, you are permitted to deductions for all ordinary and necessary expenses paid, including the cost of electricity to operate mining equipment and the equipment itself. Similar to mining, staking allows an individual to earn rewards in the form of tokens. However, the IRS has issued guidance on crypto mining but has yet to release any guidance on staking. Many investors believe that staking is taxed the same as mining, but that is not always the case, as there are some gray areas. Investors have argued that they should not be taxed when they receive a coin as they are simply assisting in minting new coins. Instead, they believe that they should be taxed when it is sold. Given the different gray areas, it is important to talk to a tax professional and review your circumstances.

Cryptocurrency has some of the same tax consequences as stocks. When you buy and sell cryptocurrency, you will want to

net your short-term capital gains with your short-term capital losses and long-term capital gains with long-term capital losses. Net short-term capital gains are treated as ordinary income and taxed at ordinary rates, while net long-term capital gains are treated as capital income and are taxed at capital rates of 0%, 15%, or 20%. If you have a net capital loss, it can help reduce your tax liability but similar to stock sales, the maximum amount of capital loss you can deduct in one year is $3,000, and the remainder will carry forward to the next tax year.

Unlike stocks, where you have a brokerage firm tracking your taxable activity throughout the year and providing you with a neat 1099-B summary form at the end of the year, it is uncommon for an exchange to issue a Form 1099-B, leaving you ultimately responsible for tracking your taxable activities. In the near future, crypto exchanges will be required to report to the IRS directly the crypto transactions as part of the bipartisan infrastructure bill signed into law by President Biden in November of 2021. The bill will require brokers to issue you a Form 1099-B. However, this applies to the 2023 tax year, leaving you responsible for tracking your activity for the 2022 tax year.

Currently, the only IRS guidance related to digital assets is; IRS Notice 2014-21, Frequently Asked Questions on Virtual Currency Transactions, Revenue Ruling 2019-24. Regardless of the size and complexity of your crypto portfolio, you should consider working with a CPA who has experience with virtual currencies, especially if you are someone dealing with a large amount of transactions, staking, or mining operations. Tax planning with a CPA can help you avoid an unexpected tax bill in April.

GEORGE M. ESHAK, CPA, BUCKNO LISICKY & COMPANY

Unified Commerce – the Combination of Payments and Banking

A revolution of sorts is taking place that aims to integrate payments with banking operations, known as Unified Commerce. Merchants with multiple sales channels must provide a consistent customer experience with an immediately applicable unified commerce strategy.

What does this mean? Immediately applicable matters because the longer it takes for you to unify customer payments with banking, the further behind you are against customer expectations – and that includes their payments experience.

Unified Commerce

…istheCombinationofPaymentsandBanking

A central pillar of Unified Commerce is a blending of transactions and transitions with its focus on Financial Management. Merchants are concerned about General Ledger Management and accurate accounting reports. CFOs and their staff are equally concerned with Treasury Management Services for control over capital, cash flow, liquidity and debt service, shareholder obligations, and risk management.

Through an integrated platform, a single resource “works” both sides of the ledger as well as the Treasury's cash management. A Unified Commerce engine powers payments, banking services, document services, reporting, business intelligence, and regulatory compliance.

• General Ledger: Collecting money owed to you. Minimize the aging of accounts receivable balances and reduce the Days Sales Outstanding [DSO.]

• Treasury: Optimize your business’ liquidity, capital management, cash flow in and out, and shareholder investments - all the while

mitigating financial and operational risks.

• General Ledger: Paying out money owed by you. Improve your business relationships within your supply chain by structuring terms that work to your advantage.

Merchants and Business-to-Business [B2B] companies depend on payments to stay in business. Yes, you want to make revenue collection seamless and efficient with a variety of options. Your customers’ payment experience is an integral part of your Customer Experience strategies.

Making it easy for your customers to pay you on time is vital to your cash flow. But so is the cost of money of your AR and the cost of processing payments. B2B transactions are charged some of the highest processing fees, and B2B sales are typically higher in volume. That means the costs can add up fast. Did you know? Purchasing and corporate cards are eligible for significant savings. When those transactions are processed with enhanced Level 2 and Level 3 data, a merchant's savings can reduce fees by 0.75% to 1.50% or more. With an automated feature, electronic payments are instantly eligible for reduced interchange fees. Quite often, the processing cost is offset by your terms for discounts and the costs of funds while you wait.

Vital to your cash flow is minimizing your AR balances and aging delinquencies

With Unified Commerce and full payment integration, you can easily automate your payables while generating a revenue stream. By sharing Interchange Income, Cash Rebates, and other incentives, a company turns the Accounts Payable process from a cost center to a source of income.

MIKE LICHTENBERGER, GROUP EXECUTIVE AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER ENTRUST PAYMENT SYSTEMS, A COMPANY OF THE SHERWOOD MANAGEMENT GROUP LLC

About SMB Payments and Acquiring

• Streamline billing and payment processing

• Collect customer sales data and maintain loyalty

• Gain competitive intelligence

• Increase reach and revenue

About B2B and Enterprise Payments

• Monetize payments with rebates, apply the most advantageous payment terms and negotiate discounted payment fees for your suppliers

• Leverage your existing ERP system to eliminate costly checks and manual processes

• Secure lower processing costs with Level 2 and Level 3 submissions

What more can Unified Commerce do for you?

• Scales with your growth strategies with regulatory compliance

• Banking service APIs and end-to-end solutions to collect, store and send money

• Continuous improvement

Automate Accounts Payable and convert your

processes to generate income

Using the unified commerce approach, you can manage the customer journey and gain insights from touchpoints. Unified commerce lets you reach back into functions such as online sales, order management and fulfillment, and personalization. You will then better understand complex paths to purchase. Right now, with disparate IT systems, there are major hurdles to knowing your customers. With a combination of payments and banking systems, merchants begin to better understand unified commerce’s impact on the bottom line. According to reports, now, more than ever, customers expect a customer experience that is seamless, accurate, and efficient across all touchpoints. The merchant that converts from omnichannel to unified commerce will increase engagement, deliver more relevant personalization, and promote repeat business and loyalty.

And it is suggested that unified commerce is not simply an evolution of the omnichannel retail model - - - it’s a panacea.

Allentown Finally Gets a Film Festival

TIM DUNNE, ALLENTOWN FILM FESTIVAL

"Allentown needs a film festival," insists West Park resident Michael Schelp. "Philadelphia has almost forty. Pittsburgh, twenty. Even tiny Milford, PA has the wonderful Black Bear Film Festival. Milford! More people work in the PPL Building than live in Milford!!"

Determined to help Allentown catch up, Schelp and his partner Alan Younkin established the nonprofit Allentown Film Festival last August. They teamed up with the historic Civic Theatre of Allentown to launch the inaugural festival from April 14 - 16, 2023, at the Civic’s two venues on 19th Street in the West End Theatre District.

“People have been talking about starting a film festival for years,” confirms Civic Theatre Managing Artistic Director William Sanders. “We are thrilled to host what we hope will become a highlyanticipated annual tradition.”

According to The Guardian newspaper, film festivals operate like "micro-economies.” They make smaller cities boom by bringing in business, giving young people a reason to remain in the region, and developing a city’s national and international links. If that's true, Allentown is ready to boom.

To date, the Allentown Film Festival has received over 150 submissions from 23 countries. Film submissions will be accepted until March 1, 2023, via FilmFreeway.com. Dozens of short and feature-length films will be screened.

“The Allentown Film Festival will honor works from around the world, but we are especially eager to celebrate and promote local filmmakers,” promises Festival Director Younkin. “We’ve created three short film awards for which only Lehigh Valley students and residents will be eligible. The top prize is $1,000.”

Submitting films is straightforward. After setting up a free FilmFreeway.com account, filmmakers click on the Allentown Film Festival link and submit one or more films by clicking a few buttons.

The organizers have been heartened by the local support from the Allentown Arts Commission, foundations, and the business community to date.

“The goal is to identify and encourage compelling, thought-provoking independent films,” adds Younkin. “The Allentown Film Festival will not only boost Lehigh Valley pride but also remind people in the Mid-

Atlantic region that Allentown is a vibrant, much-closer-than-you-think arts mecca.” The organizers hope to draw filmmakers and movie buffs from Philadelphia, New York, and other major East Coast cities by conducting an aggressive marketing campaign that includes television, radio, print, outdoor, and social media.

“Many of North America's largest cities are less than a half-day’s drive from Allentown,” says Schelp. “We want to create a must-see destination event with VIP Red Carpet parties, street performers, compelling films, and engaging panel discussions. We want to spread the word - Allentown is a lot more than a Billy Joel song about postindustrial angst.”

Schelp’s history with film festivals goes back to 1978. “When I was a high school student in DC, the local NBC affiliate accepted in its Homegrown Film Festival a short animated movie I made of the high school chemistry teacher dancing with the math teacher. At the time, I was shocked that my little 8mm film was selected, but now I get itthe film was short, visually unusual, and fun. We definitely want quirky shorts that surprise audiences."

The Allentown Film Festival logo features robust fonts that pay homage to the city’s industrial history. Capping the logo is the stepped profile of the iconic PPL Building, the windows of which echo the square sprocket holes of the film strip below in which “FILM FESTIVAL” is carved. A stylized Liberty Bell is concealed in the “A” of FESTIVAL, a reference to Allentown's historical role in safeguarding the actual Liberty Bell during the American Revolutionary War when it was hidden from the British in a local church.

Schelp is careful not to build unrealistic expectations, at least not for the inaugural festival. “We won’t be as big as Sundance and other festivals that boast $50 million annual budgets,” he admits. “But Hey! We have a cooler logo.”

AllentownFilmFestival.org

With the price of college skyrocketing, student loan debt at an all-time high, and millions of kids graduating and unable to find a job, should parents start thinking of pushing their kids to be entrepreneurs? Think about this, if you are going to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars towards education to seek a job, why not invest that same money into guaranteeing a career for yourself that is fulfilling to you and employ those kids that are going to college? Many of today’s entrepreneurs haven’t even gone to college. According to Guidant Financial, about 30% of entrepreneurs only finished high school, 31% have an associate degree, 17% have a bachelor’s degree, 18% obtained a master’s degree, and 4% have a Ph.D. Continued education can help many career paths but isn’t vital for entrepreneurship. The internet has changed the game by providing “How To” videos on YouTube. Kids now have the power to learn about any business they want with the smart device in their hands. That same smart device will even help launch their business without leaving their bedroom. Technology has leveled the playing field for all economic backgrounds.

Perhaps exposing children to your business as a normal state of family affairs could help develop a positive work ethic. After all, the most influential people in our lives are our parents, which makes it more powerful. Entrepreneur skills and behaviors can be taught, defining existing personality traits. It would be best if you exposed your kids directly to what’s happening instead of hiding challenges and setbacks that arise. Not only will you show them what it looks like to think creatively, but their unique input will help. It may be challenging to find age-appropriate ways to involve your children. Significantly young children can benefit from just being near you and feeling as if they are involved. As they get

older, the best education you can provide your children entails exposing them to the duties you handle on a daily basis. This will give them life skills their peers won't encounter for years to come.

What about our inner-city youth in the Lehigh Valley that will never have the same exposure of having an entrepreneur in their immediate family? It used to be that kids from the innercity got left out of getting an excellent education and great job. These same kids can also secure a career for themselves because they have the same technical resources available. With this being said, why are so many parents still pursuing the American dream of college and a lifetime of debt?

It’s only fair to make positive youth experiences a community affair. Our primary focus at the Valley Wealth Alliance is providing an equal financial playing field by educating, coaching, and connecting our youth to the resources necessary to further their success through our Kidz Mean Business program. This program is broken down into three curriculums which consist of intermediate, moderate, and advanced levels. The intermediate consists of goal setting, money saving, informative field trips, and producing a simple business such as a lemonade stand. The moderate level consists of understanding the banking system, knowing what it takes to run an actual company, and providing guest speakers from the business community to speak about their business endeavors. The advanced level is for kids with a business idea who want to implement it. If you are interested in mentoring, volunteering, or being the change, visit www. valleywealthalliance.org.

Encouraging Your Child To Pursue Entrepreneurship Is Vital To Their Future Success.

STEVE REDMOND, FOUNDER, VALLEY WEALTH ALLIANCE

Grow Your Business.

Whether you are looking to increase overall sales or starting a new business, Punch Garage is here to help.

We specialize in driving more traffic to your business, increasing brand awareness and providing world-class marketing support. We take a custom approach to each and every project to ensure that our strategies meet your unique business goals and objectives.

Contact us today for a no-cost marketing evaluation. We will discuss your business goals and provide recommendations on how to get there.

Phone 484-686-0699

Email cdamrose@punchgarage.com

Together, we’ll make your brand stand out.

Kindness Matters.

Imagine sitting at your desk at work, and someone comes in to tell you to quickly pack up a few things because you must go with them. You're going into a strange car, placed in a new location, with different people, perhaps different odors, and sounds. Your senses are overwhelmed, and you miss what you were accustomed to. Perhaps you've been moved many miles from the friends and colleagues that you know…You're starting over with no sense of comfort or security. Sounds awful, doesn't it?

What would a child think and feel going through the same thing?

You might not know that children are often placed into foster care (in similar circumstances and feelings) with no personal items. This means they have no clothing, shoes, hygiene supplies, or any of the basic needs any child should have. In most cases, the fostering family is responsible for providing all the necessary items without funding in those initial weeks.

This is where The Kindness Project steps in.

TKP provides free support to foster families across eastern PA by offering essential items for the children in foster care. Youth from newborn to young adult ages are outfitted with stylish new, or like-new, clothing, shoes, personal hygiene supplies, beds, car seats, and various other necessities to help meet their most immediate needs.

The people at TKP passionately pursue a vision for a community-based support system that not only provides tangible goods but also aims to provide additional resources for youth in foster care, including free tutoring, enrichment programs for music, sports, and art, support groups, and social family events.

This is only successful through generous support from private donors and business community partnerships. TKP is a fully donation-based, volunteer-driven non-profit organization.

I talked with Jenae Holtzhafer, the founder and Executive Director of The Kindness Project. She exudes compassion and excitement for how TKP is changing the lives of children, teens, and the families they serve.

JW: “What was the reason for you to start The Kindness Project and create this resource community here in the Lehigh Valley?”

Jenae: Several years ago, my family began our fostering journey and realized, through many months of training and research, that no support existed throughout eastern PA for families who step up to help vulnerable children. The misperception that people foster kids for the cash was quickly debunked when we learned that the daily stipend averages $18-25/day. Who can add a child (or sibling group) to their home on that kind of financial support in this economy?

We came to the decision that becoming foster parents may not be the path we were meant to take. Instead, we have created a non-profit that can support over 1,200 PA children and the families that answer the call to foster them. Through these past five years, we feel confident that we made the right decision as more and more families reach out for help in these challenging times and as a record-breaking number of children and teens enter the foster care system.

JW: “Can you tell me more about The Kindness Exchange and The Kindness Cottage?”

Jenae: When we first started The Kindness Project, we felt it was important to name our physical shop, the place where we provide tangible, essential goods to the foster care community. The name “The Kindness Exchange” seemed appropriate since so many items are coming in through the generosity of community donors while equally as many items are being distributed to families who need support throughout the Greater Lehigh Valley. Through the exchange of these goods, we also have the great honor of witnessing an abundant exchange of kindness. It's something very special!

In August 2022, we expanded our free services into the Pocono Region thanks to a group of wonderful foster and adoptive parents who asked if they could help. The need is great throughout Northeast PA, and with their volunteer commitment, we were able to open a second physical shop, The Kindness Cottage, where we have already served over 100 children. This shop was created in a cozy house on Main St. in Stroudsburg, so the name, The Kindness Cottage, seemed fitting.

JASON WILSON, JW MEDIA

JW: “Although physical, essential donations are always appreciated and needed, how important are business partners to the growth and success of TKP?”

Jenae: Finding partners who can commit to monthly donations in any amount (for example, the cost of one meal out) is vital to the long-term success of what we can do for these children and families. It creates a constant flow of income that we can rely on for our ongoing needs.

Connecting with businesses to provide sponsorship for our annual fundraising events helps sustain our mission as well. Sponsorships have been the lifeblood of our financial support and allow us to brag to the community about how wonderful these TKP Community Partners are in giving to our cause.

From time to time, we have open board positions and appreciate the interest from business partners who bring with them a vast network of local colleagues that may be able to support us in a variety of ways.

Without funding to cover operational expenses at our facilities, we wouldn’t be able to serve at the capacity that we have been. To date, we have registered over 500 foster families providing homes to over 1,200 youth. In 2022 we saw double the number of new foster care placements.

We receive an abundance of material donations, but those don’t cover the mortgage, oil to heat, and other general expenses.

Developing a team of paid staff will also empower us to do more for these families and children. Relying on volunteers does not provide a stable, long-term business model. Consistent financial support is the only way we can make that happen.

As we build relationships with the foster care community, we are learning about gaps that need to be filled in areas like

music, art, sports, life skills, professional development, and general emotional support as they take this journey called foster care, particularly for teens who are aging out of the child welfare system.

Connecting with business partners allows us to identify critical resources and partnerships such as free-swimming lessons, piano and guitar lessons, and other enrichment programs.

Our priority is to bring dignity and equity to children and teens experiencing foster care. By keeping them in step with their peers and providing the same opportunities, we are helping change the narrative of what their future may look like. If not us, then who?

JW: "Where and how can people learn more, and how can they get involved and support The Kindness Project?"

Jenae: Our website is a great place to start! For those who are on social media and LinkedIn, we are very active with sharing needs, special projects, volunteer opportunities, 'behind-the-scenes' updates, and program development on Facebook and Instagram.

Our website is KindnessProjectLV.org. Our social media accounts are found at @KindnessProjectLV.

Many of these kids have the potential to be future business and community leaders if they're just given a chance. After participating in a few TKP events myself, I was amazed to see how a little support goes a long way to radically change the lives of foster children by providing them opportunities to thrive and be loved by family.

You can be part of their growing success. Everyone deserves hope.

It’s Time To Appreciate And Value The People Who Work Outside The Limelight.

Did you ever stop to consider the sheer number of people that get up every day and do their job without any fanfare or significant recognition? You may even be one of them.

Very few of us know what it feels like to run a Fortune 100 company, make decisions that can affect millions of people, or have a platform as a social media influencer with millions of followers on TikTok or Instagram.

I remember the TV show ‘Dirty Jobs’ where the host, Mike Rowe, toured the US, finding the dirtiest jobs people do to earn their living. The show brilliantly revealed that many incredibly dedicated and passionate people love their dirty jobs. The program profiled ordinary people doing extraordinary things to keep our country moving forward. It gave the country insight into those who work outside the limelight. Author David Zweig wrote a fascinating book titled, ‘Invisibles. The power of anonymous work in an age of relentless self-promotion’ said, “Invisibles are in all walks of life. What binds them is their approach - deriving satisfaction from the value of their work, not the volume of their praise,” to which he added, “We might think that the person at the head of the boardroom table is the one with all the responsibility. Still, it’s often someone unknown to the public who bears much of the weight.”

Have you ever worked at a company where you felt anonymous and unappreciated? If you have, then you know how demoralizing it can be. Yet, one of the easiest ways to let someone know you respect their contributions is to acknowledge that you see them. Telling someone you ‘see’ them lets them know on a deeper level that you recognize that they matter. Unfortunately, many leaders need help understanding this straightforward, uncomplicated approach. Telling employees, you appreciate them is still a great way to honor their role in the business. Another one is paying them a wage that reflects that appreciation. The two are not mutually exclusive. If the era of the great resignation showed us anything, it's that people want more than just a paycheck for their work.

Eric Mosley, CEO, and co-founder of Workhuman®, a company that helps the world’s leading brands build cultures that

leverage the power of connection. “People achieve their fullest potential when they feel appreciated, connected, and empowered to be who they are in their work. People want purpose, meaning, and gratitude. Purpose is shared, meaning is personal, and gratitude is the great connector, said Mosley.

Here are some people I think are worthy of some serious appreciation:

To the bus drivers who ensure their riders get where they need to go safely and on time. I see you. To the health care workers, nurses, home health aides, nursing assistants, and janitorial staff on the front lines fighting to keep us healthy while putting their health at risk. I see you.

To the teachers who show up every day and do everything they know how to inspire their students, I see you. To the mechanics who keep our cars and airplanes running, the welders who build our cities, and the farmers who grow and cultivate our food supply. From the restaurant industry professionals working long hours to the volunteer crossing guards who ensure that children safely cross the street, I see you.

Bank tellers, day care professionals, librarians, civil servants, postal workers, I see all of you, and I’m grateful for you. Every single one of those jobs is crucial to our success as a nation. It’s not difficult to find someone in your world who shows up consistently and does their work at a high level without any selfaggrandizement. After all, the people who don’t go looking for appreciation are the ones who deserve it the most.

WILLIAM CHILDS, ADVERTISING DESIGN TEACHER (LEVEL 1), LEHIGH CAREER & TECHNICAL INSTITUTE

Sell Yourself in Less than One Minute! Will you be Trending in 2023?

MARTA COUNTESS, PRESIDENT COUNTESS COMMUNICATIONS

How many of you have spent hours refining and practicing your 30-second elevator pitch? It’s a networking staple and serves an important business function. It introduces you and what you do to an audience quickly and efficiently with the goal of generating conversation once the introduction is over. The short and sweet effort also serves your audience well, as audiences, in general, suffer from increasingly shorter attention spans.

The growth of social media is somewhat to blame for the ever-shortening human attention span. So why not put social media to work for you? Leveraging the power of short-form content on targeted social platforms could be the key to your most effective marketing in 2023!

Social Media Loves Video

By now, most businesses have harnessed the power and embraced the ever-changing social media landscape. Even if you're reluctant, there's no question social media is a vital part of most successful business marketing. It all started with simple written posts to satisfy your audience. Soon you needed to add photos, and now video is having a major moment.

No matter if your audience is on Facebook, Instagram, or Tik Tok, video is vital in 2023. And to WOW you with a simple statistic, in 2022, online videos made up more than 82% of all consumer internet traffic — 15 times higher than it was in 2017.

Short-Form Videos will Dominate

TikTok is the leading platform of today's short-form video movement, along with YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, and

Snapchat. If your audience is here, you should be too.

Businesses that take an authentic approach to video marketing can leverage short-form content to engage, educate and inspire buyers…and have a little fun while they're at it!

Prioritizing video content and testing different video formats across platforms that make sense for you (and where your core demographic is) will be critical to staying ahead of the game.

Building your Video Marketing Campaigns

So how do you get started? Your phone can be your best friend (or worst enemy if you have a shaky hand).

We've helped businesses throughout the Lehigh Valley and beyond create video campaigns to promote brand awareness. Ideally, you want to expand on your elevator pitch and -SHOW- people what you do or sell. Video can set you apart and help you clearly define your brand and also show your potential customers why they should pick you to do business with.

Some popular types of videos include:

• Brand story videos-which focus on telling your story, mission, or the stories of those who started the business. This can often be the centerpiece of your campaign and a good starting point.

• Social shorts- creating social clips that further the message in shorter form. Most often used without narration but gives you a potent dose of content to feed your social media.

• Silent video-Yes, you read that right. Silent videos pack a punch. It’s estimated that 85% of short videos viewed on Facebook are watched without sound. Many people watch videos on their phones with the sound turned down. The key is using captions (on-screen text) to make sure your viewers can read along in silent bliss.

• Client/Customer Success stories-putting your fans to work for you to show others why you are great to work with. They are short (should be under 1:00) but incredibly effective.

• Live video events-like, a live feed of an event you’re doing or even a live show showing off your products, are an advanced way to get attention. If you have a product to sell, this can be an incredibly potent piece of your marketing plan. Live videos are often prioritized by social media algorithms because they're happening in real time.

So, what's the takeaway? Relevant, well-crafted videos will grab users' attention, and by knowing each platform and using some of the techniques above, you can interact with your audience on a more personal (and fun) level—ending in more impressions, higher engagement, and hopefully, more customers.

Investing in marketing videos can deliver strong ROI. We see it with our current clients and can confidently say it can work for you. Please ask us about our customized packages, including social video-focused offerings. We’d love to help you get started.

Planning, Prepping, and Succeeding for the Big Day!

JONATHAN MORRISEY, VICE PRESIDENT RICH MAR FLORIST

The single busiest day in the floral industry is not won in any flower shop on February 14th. As with any successful business, planning, stats and preparation are vital to the success of an "all hands on deck” holiday in the floral industry. Gifting holidays such as Christmas, Easter, Valentine’s Day, and Mother's require much detail in preparing for the big day. Each holiday has a different strategy, mindset, and feel. May is the single busiest month of the year in a flower shop, but it has a different overall strategy than the single busiest day, which of course, is Valentine's Day.

Planning for Valentine's Day occurs the day after Christmas and lasts until the store closes on February 14th. Valentine's day is a revolving holiday which means the day of the week can change, unlike holidays like Thanksgiving and Memorial Day. The day of the week has a major effect on overall sales. Thursday and Friday are the best possible days the holiday can fall on, and Saturday and Sunday are the worst days that Valentine's can fall on. While planning in December and January, we must factor the day into our overall forecast. In 2023, Valentine's Day will fall on a Tuesday, so we expect a moderate holiday based on the day of the week.

How can we prep months in advance if our product is perishable? Our product comes to us from all over the world, as close as New Jersey and Canada and as far away as New Zealand. In order to secure the product and best pricing, our purchase of fresh flowers for that holiday is usually done by the end of the year. Our figures need to be accurate,

especially with global shortages going on all over the world. The economy needs to stay stable as well, as we all know what can happen in 60 days. In 2020 we were fortunate enough to avoid the covid outbreak by several days and pull off a successful holiday. Hard goods such as containers, ribbons, and other floral supplies are secured at that time also.

The "big crunch" comes in the final days of the holiday! Our team, just like any florist, is working late and arriving early to deal with the demand for one big day of delivering. Carts and pallets roll through the doors; the sounds of wrappers and snipping of flowers are a sign that the big day is coming, and there's no turning back now. Flowers require preparation before they can be enjoyed by the general public. Every stem of flowers that comes through the door needs to be recut and retreated before it can be used in an arrangement or sold in our stores. The product receives new nutrients from our floral treatment system that is hooked right into our water line. This also avoids having to send floral food packets out with each order, as the product has received all of its nutrients before the client receives it.

Our design team will work all day, primarily on red roses for this particular holiday but will also create a carefully calculated amount of other different types of floral arrangements to speed up the ordering taking and order delivery process. We will rely heavily on our website and sales team to sell items that we currently have prepared, that way the item can be ready for our logistics team to take out for delivery.

The biggest pressure of the actual day falls on the logistics team. They have the hardest job of meeting working schedule deadlines and ensuring that all the other employee's hard work through the entire process is executed successfully. Locally our team will cover a 30-mile radius that day. Being that the holiday is in the wintertime, they can also be battling the elements and the bitter cold. Our information systems do a phenomenal job prepping the logistics team by routing their orders and giving them an overall "scoreboard" of what deliveries have been successful and what deliveries remain for each zip code.

Our retail stores are also bustling that day as the romance of the holiday is in the air. We are always open extra hours that day, and most of the time are busy at the stores right up until close or even overtime. So, as you are enjoying that beautiful red rose bouquet or floral arrangement that a special someone sent you on February 14th, you now have a great insight as to what it took to pull it off.

A Dream Winter Ski Vacation

JENNIFER DONCSECZ, CTIE PRESIDENT, VIP VACATIONS INC

Have you ever dreamed of a winter vacation in the Alps?

Wouldn’t it be amazing if there was an all-inclusive resort in the Alps that included skiing and other snow activities?

Luckily, there are several amazing, all-inclusive ski resorts scattered throughout Europe (the Alps), Japan, and even in Canada. For years, Club Med has been operating incredible ski resorts, which are very popular among international clientele. After a successful launch of Club Med Quebec Charlevoix in Canada last year, Canadians and Americans have caught on to their all-inclusive ski resort brand options. They are flocking in mass to Europe to experience the beauty of winter vacationing in the Alps.

Club Med's brand-new Tignes resort is located about 2 1/2 hours south of Geneva, Switzerland, in the French Alps. The Tignes skiing area is one of the most sought-after winter sports locations in Savoie, with over 300km of slopes and reaching up to 3,456m above sea level! The Club Med Tignes is close to the Chevril and Tignes lakes and sits near next to La Vanoise National Park with direct access to the ski slopes. Sitting next to several ski lifts and an underground funicular that ascends to the top of the peaks, this location is perfect for viewing the glaciers and has easy access to ski or snowboard down the varied levels of runs with its prime ski-in/ski-out facility.

This new Club Med resort features 430 rooms. The rooms range from standard double to 2-bedroom family suites, and there are also 25 Exclusive Collection 5-star suites. The Club Med Tignes has ski-in/ski-out access, two restaurants with international cuisine, a full-service spa and restorative salt wall, and the largest indoor heated pool in the Alps. The

Children's Clubs include a wide range of activities and ski lessons for kids. Also included is ski/snowboarding instruction that is suitable for every level. Even the most experienced skiers can benefit from the individual advice of ski mountain professionals. Both children and adults can take lessons from an ESF instructor, with ski lessons available beginning at the age of 4 and snowboard lessons starting at 8 years of age! Lift tickets are included for your length of stay. When purchasing an air-inclusive vacation, even round-trip airport transfers are included.

Club Med has thought of everything a winter sports enthusiast would need. This is further demonstrated by their direct access ski room at the foot of the slopes. Every guest

is provided with a free locker that comes complete with a heated area and a blower for gloves. In this locker room, there is also a beverage stand with options for hot beverages, cold water, or a potent after-ski libation. Right next to the locker area is their sport rental warehouse, where guests can rent top-of-the-range equipment, including skis, snowboards, boots, and helmets. They also have experts that can repair equipment too.

The main area, or heartbeat of the resort, is the Equinoxe bar/ lounge, which features a wrap-around bar, cozy chairs, huge picture windows with breathtaking views of the peaks of the alps, and a large inviting fireplace. Afternoon tea is served here as well as light snacks in the morning. At night, this location also hosts captivating entertainment and late-night music/dancing parties. This beautiful lounge also leads to a south-facing outdoor terrace and heated pool. Their gourmet Le Solstice restaurant serves lunch and dinner. However, for the more relaxed dining experience, there is Val Claret restaurant, which offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a casual setting. The lunch times go through to 3pm for those wanting to make the most of their slope time. The decor of this resort utilizes natural wood, slate stone, and scenic artwork that embodies a modern mountainside chalet. The rooms all have alpine tones, subtly blended with a contemporary design, and all feature balconies where one can relax and enjoy the picturesque mountain views.

Club Med Tignes offers a wide range of all-inclusive activities, including cross-country skiing, yoga sessions, fitness classes, and arts/crafts demonstrations. Additional optional adventure excursions can also be found, including paragliding, bungee jumping, ice diving, glacier walks, dog mushing, and sledding.

Having traveled recently to Club Med’s new Tignes resort for their grand opening event, I was in awe of the service, the location, the all-inclusive amenities, and the mouth-watering food. I spent my daylight hours skiing along the dozens of slopes that range in difficulty. One morning, I took the subterranean funicular to the highest peak. I enjoyed the views while eating a French charcuterie display al fresco with a warm mulled wine before skiing down to the resort at the base. Another day, I put my thrill-seeking to the test and jumped off the slopes in an epic tandem paragliding excursion. Each day by mid-afternoon, the long ski trails, mountain air, and high altitude always led me back to the resort's warm fireplace lounge. The scenic views created great conversations with other international guests. After dinner each evening, professional musicians and singers entertained until late at night. The entire experience surpassed all expectations. If you are considering a winter alpine escape, look no further than Club Med's Tignes resort. For information about Club Med's all-inclusive ski vacation packages, reach out to ski/snow experts at VIP Vacations.

HELLO, LEHIGH VALLEY. We’re thrilled to be here.

Members 1st is proud to bring the credit union difference to your community. While our Fogelsville Branch is new to the Valley, our experience runs deep. Backed by more than half a million members strong, we’ve devoted ourselves to helping families flourish and businesses grow for over 72 years.

VISIT OUR FOGELSVILLE BRANCH OR ANY OF OUR LEHIGH VALLEY BRANCH LOCATIONS TODAY AND BECOME A MEMBER.*

Nature’s Superfood for Better Health

CBD and Other Cannabinoids

VALERIE ALOISIO, FOUNDER, HEMP LIFESTYLE

We all have a self-regulatory system in our bodies called the endocannabinoid system (ECS), and that system is responsible for homeostasis, or balance, between all bodily functions like pain, sleep, mood, appetite, immunity, and recovery. Researchers believe that the major cause of many ailments, particularly those related to the immune system and inflammation, could be a disorder called clinical endocannabinoid deficiency syndrome.

So how do we feed this critical system within our bodies? With plant-based cannabinoids found in hemp. Hemp and marijuana are different varieties of Cannabis Sativa, a flowering herb indigenous to many parts of the world. Marijuana is cultivated for high levels of THC. In contrast, hemp is cultivated mainly for its fiber and has trace levels of THC and comparatively higher levels of CBD and other cannabinoids that will not make you high. Hemp has been grown and cultivated worldwide for thousands of years for industrial and medical purposes, making useful items like rope, clothing, sails, paper, fuel, building materials, and thousands of other products.

As laws are changing, millions of people around the world are now experiencing all the health benefits associated with consuming cannabinoids found in hemp, like CBD, CBG, and CBN, and this opens many entrepreneurial opportunities in the industry.

Even though it seems like cannabidiol (CBD) is something new, it has been used by humans since the dawn of civilization. CBD is a natural constituent of cannabis, a plant that has been utilized for centuries as medicine. CBD itself was first identified in the 1930s, and its specific chemical structure was not documented until 1963. Many scientists now consider CBD to be the single most important cannabinoid ever discovered. We may hear more about THC (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol) in the news—it’s the cannabinoid that gets you “high”—yet CBD is the real cannabinoid superstar. CBD is responsible for most of the health and wellness benefits of the cannabis plant without the psych activity of THC. And new benefits are being discovered every day.

Let’s talk about some newer cannabinoids that are making headlines that many people are not yet aware of.

Cannabigerol (CBG), known as the “Mother” Cannabinoid, has several nicknames. It’s been called the “Rolls Royce of cannabis," the "stem cell cannabinoid," and even the “mother of all cannabinoids ."While it's been historically ignored for more popular cannabinoids like CBD and THC, new research has unveiled that it, too, has unique benefits that deserve to be recognized.

CBG products are rare because it’s a compound that’s challenging to extract from the plant.

It appears that CBG’s influence on the endocannabinoid system enhances the expression of serotonin, the "feel-good hormone”. So those that experience “blue moods” like stress, anxiety, etc., may experience a benefit. CBG is also nonintoxicating.

Now let's talk about sleep. Cannabinol (CBN) has a natural sedative effect that can help promote better sleeping cycles. CBN’s natural sleep-promoting properties combine beautifully with CBD, as the two cannabinoids interact differently with cells’ cannabinoid receptors to naturally encourage better, more rejuvenating sleep through different means. A welloperating endocannabinoid system leads to better, more consistent sleep cycles.

How do we know what products to choose? There is so much on the market now. Quality and quantity matter, which is why you want to consult with someone who is knowledgeable about this industry. Where is the product grown? Is it certified organic? Are certificates of analysis readily available, and is the product tested by independent labs? How much CBD or other cannabinoids like CBG or CBN is in the product, and what is the price per milligram?

Not all products in this category are created equal. You may also need to experiment with how much CBD daily is necessary for your particular situation to get optimal results.

The cannabis industry is booming for a good reason. Hempderived products such as CBD, CBG, and CBN are nature's superfoods and are good for you and for the planet. This industry holds many entrepreneurial opportunities, and you, too, can participate.

ValerieAloisioisthefounderofHempLifestyleanda pioneerinbringingeducationandinformationaboutthe endocannabinoidsystemandcannabinoidproductsto medicalandhealthcareprofessionalsandthepublicinthe USandabroad.Herbusinessisrepresentedinover40 countries.Sheisavailableforcomplimentaryconsultation, educationalsessions,andspeakingengagements.Connect at203-521-2396,Valerie@HempLifestyleNetwork.comor HempLifestyle.net.

Cigar Review

STEVE ROWBOTTOM, CIGAR AFICIONADO CIGARS INTERNATIONAL

Rocky Patel Vintage 20th Anniversary Gordo

Honduras 6.0” x 58

Full 93-Rated

Since its release, I’ve always been fond of the Vintage Series… specifically the Vintage ’90. With the 20th Anniversary donning a similar, dark Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, it caught my eye. After trying all sizes I decided the Gordo is my favorite. It seems to be the best representation of a bold but balanced Honduran cigar. I get earth and espresso bean throughout, while the wrapper leaves behind a gentle natural sweetness. Spice enters the fray in the final third, adding another nice layer to what I find to be a luxurious bouquet.

Deadwood Girl With No Name Toro

Nicaragua 6.0” x 52

Medium 92-Rated

While I have a ton of respect for Drew Estate – including their ACID line – and recommend them to many people, I typically burn more traditional cigars. That said, Deadwood has quickly become one of the top-selling brands in the country, so I had to try this newest addition to the line. Exotic is an appropriate word for this dark and oily Maduro. The cigar opens with a noble sweetness that lingers on the palate, followed by traces of bitter dark cocoa and various spices bouncing around my taste buds. The aroma is zesty, with unique spices filling the room. As a change of pace, this cigar is distinct and delicious, and I highly recommend others try it to expand their palate and concept of cigar.

Montecristo 1935 Anniversary Nicaragua No. 2

Nicaragua 6.1” x 52

Medium-Full 94-Rated

Montecristo chose Nicaragua as its home for this anniversary cigar, which makes me happy. AJ is a beast in blending big, flavorful handmades, and this puro certainly delivers. Throughout the slow burn is everything you would expect from a big Nicaraguan cigar… richness, creaminess, strength. Rich notes of coffee and chocolate mingle with softer notes of oak and sweet spices. An underlying core

of sweet tobacco meshes these flavors together nicely, while a touch of leather finishes each puff. Monte 1935 is an enjoyable cigar worthy of special occasions.

Edition One Cloud Hopper .458

Nicaragua 5.0” x 48

Medium-Full 92-Rated

Savory. This little cigar is savory. I pick up notes of sugar cookie, cocoa powder and sweet spices. There’s a nuttiness to it, almost like the salted skin of a roasted peanut. The smoke is creamy and sits heavy on the palate. Savory. Satisfying. Splendid. Nuff said.

Weller by Cohiba Toro

Dominican Republic 6.0” x 50

Medium-Full 95-Rated

Spoiler Alert: this cigar is amazing. The smoke is heavy on the palate, blanketing all sides with rich and dense notes of earth, oak and sweet cedar. On the exhale, I pick up a trace of honey-like sweetness mingling with spicy-sweet nuances. The cigar is incredibly well-balanced, growing stronger during the burn without losing its exquisite marriage of unique flavors. A testament to the extensively aged long-fillers, secured inside a thick Connecticut Broadleaf binder aged in Weller bourbon barrels. The Ecuador Sumatra wrapper ices the cake, completing a slow-burning treat I’ll be back for more of.