To our valued Chamber members: 
​
I have both bad and good news to share with you today. The bad news: I will be leaving the New Oxford Chamber as the Director of Membership & Marketing. The good news: This is not “goodbye;” this is “see you soon,” as I will continue to be involved with the New Oxford Chamber in some capacity moving forward. 

My past four years with the New Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce have been an incredible experience. I’ve had an opportunity to watch the Chamber grow and flourish. I’ve also had the opportunity to work with so many amazing people from the Chamber’s Board of Directors to you – our valued members! Working with each and every member has been an honor and a privilege. The relationships I have built with all of you mean so much to me.

Although I will be stepping aside as the Director of Membership & Marketing, please rest assured that your Chamber Board of Directors is working hard to find a candidate for employment that will continue to grow and better the New Oxford Chamber to serve you and your business. In the meantime, I will be full-time with the New Oxford Chamber through the end of June and will move to a part-time role beginning in July to help with the transition as a new employee is trained. Once the transition is complete, you will continue to see me around as I will be staying local in my new position.

Thank you all again for your support over the past four years, and thank you for your continued dedication to this wonderful organization as it continues to grow and evolve to better serve you.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at mshaffer@newoxford.org.

Sincerely,
Michaela 

Michaela Shaffer
Director of Membership & Marketing

It's time to for another edition of "Getting to Know..." This week's edition features Ryan Starner! Ryan is the clinic manager at Elite Therapy Solution's New Oxford location. Let's meet Ryan!

A little background...Ryan received his bachelor’s degree from Penn State University in 2017 and earned his doctorate in physical therapy from Chatham University in Pittsburgh in 2019. He also completed a residency with a focus in orthopedic physical therapy in March 2022. Ryan, a native of New Oxford, developed a passion for physical therapy (PT) as a result of participating in PT to rehabilitate following injuries sustained as an athlete in high school. He believes every individual has the right to an active life and is passionate about empowering others to achieve their goals. In his free time, he enjoys being outdoors, participating in sports and leading an active lifestyle through hobbies such as trips to the lake, hiking, hunting and golfing.

What originally got you interested in your current field of work?
I was injured multiple times in high school and attended physical therapy to rehab those injuries. In the process, I built a relationship with my physical therapist and grew to love the atmosphere, the idea of helping people regain their lifestyle and the individual interaction that therapists were able to give their patients. From there, with my sports background, my passion grew and led me to the path of becoming a physical therapist.

their independence and overall functional ability again. That is easily the most rewarding and enjoyable part of my job as a physical therapist. 
​
What is the career highlight you are most proud of?
I am most proud of completing my orthopedic residency in physical therapy. It was a specialized one year program focused on the evaluation and management of orthopedic injuries and conditions from a physical therapy perspective. The program has allowed me to grow my skills and ability to be a leading professional in the area for physical therapy and I believe it was a valuable education that is going to translate into the overall improvement in health and wellness in our community. 

learning the most optimal movement patterns will reduce stress on the body and allow for safe and effective exercising, allowing you to continue to do what you enjoy longer. 
​
Do you have any pets? If so, what are their names and what type of animal(s) are they?
I have one pet, and her name is Onyx. She is a nine year old black Labrador retriever.
 
What are some of your hobbies when you aren’t at work?
My favorite hobbies outside of work are spending time with my friends and family. I enjoy going to Penn State football games in the fall as well as going hunting. My friends and I frequent Lake Raystown and spend time at a cabin and enjoying the outdoors. My fiancé and I enjoy the outdoors and will go kayaking and hiking. We also like to visit historical sites in our free time.  Overall, anything that involves being active and outside is what interests me the most.

A little background... As an executive director at various branches with the Gateway Region YMCA in St. Louis, MO, Cami led with a growth mindset, 
​embracing change, challenges and opportunities to develop and guide staff. Under her 15 years of leadership in the greater Saint Louis (STL) region, the Y experienced tremendous growth in philanthropic efforts, community partnerships, membership/program innovation, revenue growth and resource mobilization. Aside from serving as an executive director at multiple branches, she assumed leadership positions on several committees within the STL YMCA association, for the YMCA of the USA and within the communities she served.  Cami was passionate about leading the association’s Diversity, Inclusion, and Global Committee initiatives because she believes an association is stronger when they are inclusive. However, nothing has compared to her experience of coaching/leading staff personally and professionally throughout her career.

What originally got you interested in your current field of work?
I was a YMCA kid and had first-hand experience of the benefits that YMCA had to offer! I learned how to swim and play sports at my hometown YMCA in Springfield, Illinois. When I moved to STL for graduate school, I was looking for a part-time job and noticed an opening at a YMCA near where I was living. I love kids, sports, leading people and giving back to the community, therefore, it was a perfect fit for me. The Y shaped me into the person I am today!  

What is your favorite part of your workday?
Hearing how the Y has helped enhance or change someone’s life. Perhaps they came to the Y to become healthier, meet a friend or just belong! It is wonderful to hear why people join the Y and how grateful they are to belong to a place that serves everyone in the community!

What is the career highlight you are most proud of?
When I was at the YMCA in sTL, I was often known as the fixer. I would be asked to go [from] one Y to another to help rebuild a team, generate more revenue, change culture etc. My biggest highlight would be seeing those YMCA’s go on to win the YMCA of the Year award after I left. I love seeing teams working together for the greater good of their YMCA and community.

What reality show would you want to be on and why?
I have always wanted to be on the Price is Right with Bob Barker! Who doesn’t want to be in the Showcase Showdown!?!

What is your favorite movie?
National Lampoons Christmas Vacation.

What is the best food you have ever eaten?
Indian food in Pembroke, Wales. We were vacationing after attending the 175th Anniversary of the YMCA on London. Seriously, the best meal we have ever had hands down!

If you had a month off to travel anywhere you desire, where would you go?
​We would rent a boat and head towards the Maldives and other various islands! 

In 2016, ACTP started the process of becoming its own entity similar to the career and technology centers in surrounding counties. In the fall of 2019, five out of six school districts in the county voted to form and participate in Adams County Technical Institute (ACTI). These school districts – Bermudian Springs, Conewago Valley, Gettysburg, Fairfield and Littlestown –  all maintain seats at the table on the joint operating committee for the school as the committee includes a board member from each district. The State Board of Education officially approved ACTI in 2020 with official operations starting on July 1, 2020. 

ACTI offers seven programs, with an eighth program currently in development, to students looking for an alternative path for their post-secondary years. ACTI students presently participate in the following programs: Allied Health, Building Trades, Criminal Justice, Computer Networking, Culinary Arts, Diesel Technology and Early Learning. The newest program in development is Career Connections, a flexible program geared at pairing high school seniors with a local business that aligns with the student’s career goals. Each of the seven programs also has an advisory committee made up of local professionals in the field who help guide the program’s goals and progress.

The New Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated the opening of three small businesses in New Oxford with a ribbon cutting and open house on Friday, February 18. The three businesses, including Chamber member Lady G's Magical Mystical Woo Woo Store & Stuff, are located in the first block of Lincoln Way East in New Oxford. The businesses' owners were joined by representatives from the New Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce and the Mayor of New Oxford, James Eisenhart.

Lady G's Magical Mystical Woo Woo Store & Stuff's mission is to spread light in the world through the distribution of products and services related to spiritual growth. The store offers a variety of books, tarot/oracle decks and tools of the intuitive arts and sciences. Additionally, the store offers classes, workshops and consultations including meditation, tarot reading and paranormal investigations.

Lady G's Magical Mystical Woo Woo Store & Stuff is joined by two new neighboring businesses. Little Crystal Fascinations offers a variety of handmade jewelry made from crystals and gemstones as well as metaphysical items. Passages sells a variety of candles, herbs and bath and body products. Passages also offers Reiki by appointment.

Glenda Farquhar, owner of Lady G's Magical Mystical Woo Woo Store & Stuff, explained why she chose New Oxford as the location for her store saying, "Many people may not realize that New Oxford is midway between a lot of other towns that tourists and those doing business visit. I brought my business to New Oxford to be a convenient stop, without having to go all the way to York, Gettysburg, Hanover or Harrisburg. New Oxford has a lot of historic treasures that have been forgotten. I believe taking those historic treasures “out of the attic and dusting them off” will bring new interest and opportunities to New Oxford, and I want to be part of that."

Additional information, including individual shop hours, can be found on the businesses' Facebook pages.

Since Bryn works at our local library, it is only fitting for her to answer some book-related questions! Here's what she had to say...
 
What is the first book you remember reading? 
“Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” by Bill Martin Jr. 

What are you reading right now?  
I usually have several books going at once. Right now I am reading “This Chair Rocks: by Ashton Applewhite, “The God of Lost Words” by A.J. Hackwith, and “Ain’t Burned All the Bright” by Jason Reynolds.

What is the shortest book you’ve ever read?  
I’m only guessing, but I believe “The Hill We Climb” by Amanda Gordon.

What is the longest book you’ve ever read?  
“Lord of the Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkein or “Flashback” by Shannon Messenger

What is your favorite book of all time?  
“Homegoing” by Yaa Gyasi which I stumbled upon because of an English class while studying for my Masters degree.

What is your all-time favorite genre to read?  
I tend to enjoy fantasy/sci-fi over many other genres like mysteries or historical fiction.
 
Would you rather read a book with terrible writing but a good story OR a book with a terrible story but good writing?
Terrible story but good writing

Would you rather be able to only read the first page of a book OR only read the last page of a book?  
​First page

Would you rather never read a book again OR never watch a movie ever again?  
Never watch a movie ever again

Would you rather bring any one character from a book into our world OR live in a book’s world but never meet your favorite character?  
​Bring a character into our world

I know how this next part probably sounds, but it's the honest truth: I love every part of my workday. I enjoy talking to people and learning about their goals as well as helping them solve challenges so they can sleep better at night. I can't imagine doing anything else or living anywhere else in the world. I'm exactly where I'm meant to be.
 
One of the projects I'm focused on is helping businesses optimize their 401(K) plans for employees. Selecting the right retirement plan for your business shouldn't be a headache and my goal is to help businesses and their employees maximize this benefit.
 
You asked me some fun questions earlier so I don't want to forget to answer those before we wrap...
 
What is your favorite season and why? Fall is my favorite season. Football and hunting are in full swing, and my family is busy with sports and gearing up for the holidays. My daughters play lacrosse, soccer and softball, so you'll find us at practice and games with New Oxford Girls Lacrosse, Hanover Soccer Club, and Brushtown Lady Bombers.
 
What is your most prized possession and why? My most prized possession...that's tough...it's either my new lawnmower or my family. Just kidding. It's my wife and daughters.
 
What is the best concert you've ever been to? The best concert I ever went to was back in 2019. I won tickets to see Garth Brooks at a dive bar in New Jersey. Thanks, Froggy 99.9 for the tickets! It was one of those once in lifetime experiences that I'll never forget. 
 
Thanks for the opportunity to get to know one another. Like I said earlier, I can't imagine doing anything else or living anywhere else in the world. I'm exactly where I'm meant to be.

​Children's Aid Society Southern Pennsylvania District Church of the Brethren celebrated the grand reopening of the newly renovated God's Closet with a ribbon cutting on Thursday, January 20. Children's Aid Society's Executive Director/CEO Eric Chase was joined by his team, donors, Adams County Commissioner Marty Qually and representatives from the New Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce, The Chamber of Gettysburg & Adams County and the Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce.
 
The ribbon cutting celebrated the recent renovations to God's Closet, a free children's clothing "store" for families in need in the local community. God's Closet is located at The Nicarry Center in New Oxford. The program grew out of a partnership between the Adams County Foster Parent Association and Children's Aid Society. God's Closet provides a space where children and families can come to select gently used and new clothing free of charge. With the recent renovations, the space that houses God's Closet has transformed into a place where families can shop for children's clothing with dignity and respect.
 
Executive Director Eric Chase talked about the God's Closest project, saying "Five years ago was our vision to turn this space into more of a store-like environment where children can shop and select clothing with dignity. Today we are blessed to be able to say we have achieved that vision. We are humbled by the generosity of all our friends and supporters who have partnered to help make this happen."
 
The improvements to God's Closet were made possible through the generous support of donors, including the J. William Warehime Foundation, the Rice Family Foundation, Armstrong Flooring, Inc., Lehman Construction Services, the Adams County Community Foundation, Christ Lutheran Church of Spry, the Arthur & Lee E. Glatfelter Foundation and the Gottfried Living Trust.
 
God's Closet is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. as well as the first and third Thursday of the month from 4 to 7 p.m. Appointments are available at other times. Donations are always welcome, and anyone can refer a family to God's Closet by calling (717) 624-4461.
 
About Children's Aid Society:
Children's Aid Society Southern Pennsylvania District Church of the Brethren is a not-for-profit agency serving children and their families in York, Adams, and Franklin counties since 1913. Children's Aid Society's services include creative art therapy, a crisis nursery, family advocacy, parenting support groups and a 24 hour hotline. The organization currently has locations in New Oxford, Chambersburg and York. To learn more, please visit cassd.org.