How one mom is spreading awareness to help others

By Sue Baldani

Jodi Halem and her son Alek spoke everyday while he was away at college in Idaho, often multiple times a day, so when he didn’t respond to her texts and phone calls after speaking with him the morning of January 17, 2021, she became worried. The Thousand Oaks mom had a right to be concerned.

Later that evening, Alek’s roommates found him in his room. His heart had stopped. He was only 22 years old.

“He was honestly just the kindest, sweetest young man you’d ever meet,” says Jodi. “He was definitely an old soul. He was highly intelligent and would spend his free time researching everything.”

That morning, Alek did mention to his roommates that his chest was congested and he was going to see a doctor. In the past, he also complained about pain around his heart or that it felt like it was racing. Everyone thought it was just anxiety or stress. He was a young and apparently healthy young man.

“We came to find out it was sudden cardiac arrest,” she says. According to the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation, sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a life-threatening emergency that occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating.

“There sometimes is a genetic predisposition, and after he passed, we did extensive DNA testing on him and on us, but we have absolutely no answer as to why it happened and probably never will,” she says.

If parents know there’s a family history of heart conditions or if their child is complaining of even the slightest symptom, Jodi encourages them to listen and do something about it. Take them to a doctor, and if the doctor doesn’t take it seriously, find another doctor. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a child. It could be an adult. Be your and your child’s advocate. And, get them tested for hereditary cardiac conditions.

“I think there’s a misconception and misunderstanding of the differences between cardiac arrest and a heart attack.  It’s important to know the differences.”

Her other advice is to learn CPR. While it wouldn’t have helped Alek since he was alone when his heart stopped, it can help many others. Jodi and her family recently hosted a free CPR event in October at the Yarrow Family YMCA in Westlake Village to honor her son and highlight Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month.

“They were nice enough to donate the space and we had a really great turnout and a lot of positive feedback. It was basically what they call sidewalk CPR or hands-only CPR. As long as you know the basics, you can actually save somebody’s life.”

People are often hesitant to start CPR for fear of doing it wrong or hurting the person, but if the person’s heart is no longer beating, it’s their only hope until medical help arrives. And don’t delay – get started right away. The sooner CPR is initiated, the higher the chances of survival.

“It’s better to do it than not,” says Jodi. “In the class, hosted by Safety Unlimited, they advised us not to worry about feeling for a pulse. If a person becomes nonresponsive, start CPR.” And call 911 right away.

The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation states that SCA is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. Approximately 356,000 people of all ages experience EMS-assessed out-of-hospital non-traumatic SCA each year and nine out of 10 victims die. When bystanders intervene immediately by giving CPR, survival rates double or triple.

If there’s an AED (automatic external defibrillator) available, even better. They are easy for the average person to use and increase the chances of survival astronomically. This is why it’s important to have AEDs in schools, shopping centers, offices, and other places people gather.

Jodi currently has a Facebook page (Sudden Cardiac Arrest Loss) to spread the word about sudden cardiac arrest, and is also hoping to one day start a nonprofit organization to address it. “I’ve always wanted to do something to bring awareness, but it took a certain amount of time until I felt I could actually speak about it without completely breaking down,” she says.

While Alek’s death was a devastating blow to her family, she and her husband Elliott, 28-year-old son Josh, and 26-year-old daughter Tabitha are doing their best to move forward.

For more information, go to SCA-Aware.org and to find a CPR class near you, contact the Red Cross.

Written for Conejo Valley Lifestyle magazine in California.

By Sue Baldani

The Scotch Plains Rescue Squad Auxiliary is gearing up to host another amazing Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, February 25, 2024. To help make this annual get-together even more fun and exciting, donations are being collected for gift baskets that will be auctioned off during the event.

Only new items will be accepted, and no shoes, clothing or stuffed animals are needed. Please consider donating items for inclusion in the following themed basket prizes:

Baking – Wellness – Gardening – Sports – Pets – Health – Children – Scrapbooking – Coffee/Tea – Comic Books – Arts and Crafts – Italian Dinner – Games – Vacation – Holiday Items and Crazy Socks. Baskets and ribbon would also be very much appreciated.

We also encourage donors to put together their own gift baskets using the various themes above. This would be a great project for a family, a scout troop or other groups that would like to contribute to this worthy fundraiser.

The Auxiliary will be collecting donations on the following dates at the Rescue Squad building at 1916 Bartle Avenue:

Friday, January 5th                           Saturday, January 6th                        Tuesday, January 9th

Friday, January 12th                         Saturday, January 13th                       Tuesday, January 16th

Friday, January 19th                          Saturday, January 20th                      Tuesday, January 23rd

Friday, January 26th                          Saturday, January 27th                       Tuesday, January 30th

Friday, February 2nd                         Saturday, February 3rd                      Tuesday, February 6th 

Friday, February 9^th

The donation times on Tuesdays and Fridays are 7:00 pm until 9:00 pm. For Saturdays, the times are from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm.

Thank you for your support!

The Scotch Plains Rescue Squad Auxiliary meets once a month, and its grass roots function is to assist the Squad in many capacities – from holding fundraisers and providing meals during crises to performing outreach to squad and fellow auxiliary members. Members also attend town functions, such as fairs, concerts and holiday events, in order to connect with the community and promote Squad interests.

If you’re interested in becoming a member of the Auxiliary, come by the Squad building one evening to pick up an application, or go to ScotchPlainsRescueSquad.com/The-Auxiliary.

How one lawyer won the fight of her life

By Sue Baldani

As a family law attorney for 17 years and a partner with Fox Rothschild LLP in the Morristown office, Sandra Fava is used to fighting for others. More recently, she faced a much more personal battle.

“I was diagnosed with very aggressive breast cancer in September of 2020, and because of COVID, I couldn’t bring anyone with me to treatments and we weren’t allowing visitors at home,” she says. Fortunately, she didn’t have to go through her struggle alone.

“I’ve been married to Christopher for 13 years and we have three children. They would put on little shows for me and make me cards and pictures. There was a lot of special time with them, which I’ll forever cherish.”

Her mother also moved in to help. “My mom’s a phenomenal cook,” says Sandra. “I joke that I’m a cancer patient who actually gained weight.”

Another family member who gave her a lot of love has four legs. “We have a 16-year-old dog named Penny who was a rescue from a puppy mill. She’s my old lady and now I take care of her.”

Sandra also has a top notch medical team. “I received all of my treatment except for radiation at  Morristown Medical Center, Carol G. Simon breast cancer center. My breast surgeon, Dr. Leah Gendler, was just phenomenal and so was my oncologist, Dr. Ellen Early. Their care was above and beyond what I had ever expected.”

While going through treatment, she continued to be there for her clients, even though it was difficult. “I had the support of my team and did try to take medical leave, but it’s hard in my practice because people don’t usually hire a family law and divorce attorney based on the firm they’re with, but instead hire the person they feel a connection to,” says Sandra.

Until last October, she kept her medical situation private. “In my support group through the hospital, one woman, a retired executive, challenged me and asked, ‘Don’t you think with your career you have the opportunity to be a proponent of awareness and letting people know that it’s not just older women, or not just women, who get breast cancer?’ That really resonated with me.”

Since then, Sandra has done some speaking engagements and an annual breast cancer walk with her family. And since her diagnosis, she’s hosted an annual Pink Party fundraiser at her home. “All the money we raise goes to Play for P.I.N.K., which focuses its efforts on research, not only for a cure, but for treatments for people who are survivors.”

Sandra admits that she worries about the future and wants to be there for her family. “Even though you may ‘beat cancer,’ you’ll wonder for the rest of your life if it’s going to come back or come back in a different way. People look at me and say I look great, but the treatment you receive can have long-term lasting unseen effects. I have severe neuropathy and some arthritis now. I have issues from radiation with my range of movement on my right side. Those are things that I have to work on daily in order to feel well.”

It’s important to stay positive, she says. “I had moments when I thought I couldn’t do another day, but somehow I did. It’s hard to see yourself so differently. You think, I’m only 40 years old, but I feel like I’m 80. Keeping positive is something that helped me get through it all.”

Sandra always tries to find things to smile about, and being involved as a trustee of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is one. A nonprofit organization, CASA provide services for foster children and foster families to make sure they have whatever they need. This may be computers for school, backpacks with school supplies, funding for camp, or paying for extracurricular activities they’re interested in pursuing like sports or music. “It’s touched the lives of so many children,” she says. “The stories are beyond incredible about children who credit their life successes to CASA.”

Sandra is thankful for her family, friends, colleagues and team of doctors for helping her get through her cancer journey and for keeping her strong as a survivor. This allows her, in turn, to continue to help others.

To find out more about Sandra Fava and how she can help you and your family with your legal issues, go to FoxRothschild.com/SandraCFava; @AskSandraFava on Instagram; and @DivorceNJLaw on X.

Breast cancer resources:

Susan G. Komen Foundation

Komen.org

American Cancer Society

Cancer.org

Play for P.I.N.K. (Prevention, Immediate diagnosis, New technology, Knowledge)

PlayforPink.org

Written for Chatham & Short Hills Lifestyle magazine in New Jersey.

Playing and performing through life’s challenges

By Sue Baldani

Despite much adversity, Mark Volman has had a very happy life. A founding member of the 1960s band The Turtles, he and his high school friends signed with a record label at 18 years old and it changed their lives. “It was a whole new world for us, and a chance for us to get out get out of Westchester, California, travel and play our music,” he says.

Since then, his life has been filled with adventure. He’s played with other great musical icons like John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen, Bono and Frank Zappa.

One of the band’s most iconic songs and the one most people can’t help singing along with is Happy Together. For the past nine years, Mark and a group of other renowned singers and bands from the 1960s, including Gary Puckett & The Union Gap,  Chuck Negron (formerly of Three Dog Night), The Association, Mark Lindsay (former lead singer of Paul Revere & The Raiders) and The Cowsills, have been touring. The Happy Together 2023 tour kicked off in May in Florida, and when it’s finished, the musicians will have played 40 shows, including one at the Ryman Auditorium in August.

“These are all groups I grew up with and I just love all of their songs and their music,” says Mark. “The tour is just really fun, and at the end of the night we do a finale. It’s a memorable time for each of us, a spiritual thing. These are the people I will be with until the end of my life.”

To keep things fresh, the tour changes somewhat every year. “Bringing Little Anthony onto our tour this year has really given us a whole new kind of life,” he says. “He’s not only a genuinely sweet man, but he participates in some of the goofiest things on the road.”

The tour draws many original fans, but the audience is comprised of people of all ages. “We see so many 16 to 21 year olds who want to play and hear the music of The Turtles, the Beatles, Grand Funk Railroad and all the artists that are in our show,” says Mark. “Our songs cover the generational scope; we’re like a museum on tour. There’s a lot of love that takes place and it’s what Woodstock tried to do in terms of bringing relationships together.” There are now plans in the works for a Happy Together album.

While being on tour is never easy, Mark was faced with some extra challenges. In 2015, he was diagnosed with throat cancer and had to go through grueling treatments in order to beat it. Then, in 2020, he was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia, a condition that can lead to problems with thinking, movement, behavior, and mood.

“It’s harder than I thought, but I have the greatest people around me,” he says. “Members of my band trail around to make sure I’m okay. I can’t thank them enough or my family. My kids call me every night when I’m on the road to make sure I’m okay.

“There’s a lot going on in my brain, but I have a fun life. I’m really blessed and I can’t let it get to me. I just have to keep working through it. We’re already talking about next year’s tour.”

Many people also remember Mark as Flo (short for Phlorescent Leech). With lifelong comic foil Howard Kaylan, Mark was Flo to his Eddie and the duo has been compared to a rock-era Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.

Along with his musical success, Mark is also very accomplished in the world of academia. At the age of 44, he began his pursuit of degrees that would allow him to become an assistant professor and chair of the Entertainment Industry Studies program in the Mike Curb School for Entertainment and Music Business at Belmont University.

“Professors brought me in to talk about The Turtles and I was already doing other things at universities to fill my life with teaching others how to utilize their musical talent. It’s not going to go anywhere if they don’t make it happen, and they need to step into the business of being an artist. Learning all of those elements was a challenge for me.”

He adds, “I wanted to be able to help young singers, songwriters, publishers, and those in management with all of the things I was swamped with as an artist. I finally graduated after six years with a bachelor’s and master’s, doing everything that the school demanded I go through on order to teach. I even sang in the choir.”

For 12 years, he greatly enjoyed teaching and misses it. “But I can’t do everything,” says Mark. “Now I want to do more creatively. I want to write and I have some ideas for film and television.”

Speaking of writing, Mark’s book, Happy Forever: My Musical Adventures With The Turtles, Frank Zappa, T. Rex, Flo & Eddie, and More, was published in June. Although it’s labeled as an autobiography, his life is mostly told through memories, anecdotes and reflections of over 100 of his friends, peers and family members. This impressive list includes members of the Doors, the E Street Band, The Monkees, and other major players in the world of radio, animation and academia. Underneath some of these reflections are responses, often humorous, by Mark. The book also includes never-before-seen photos, and forewords by Alice Cooper and Chris Hillman.

“I was so surprised that so many people wanted to be involved in the book, and there were times I almost didn’t recognize the character they were writing about. He sounded like a really nice guy and I wanted to meet him. I felt like Sally Fields at times, ‘They liked me! They really liked me!’ It was an interesting way to conceptualize the different ways that artists look at each other.

“Honestly, it took me 13 years to be able to put the final note on this book. At the end of each year, we came to a point where John Cody [who compiled the book with Mark] and I were going to review what we’ve created that year, but we weren’t sure how to stop or when it was going to stop, so every year we just kept adding to it.”

This book has inspired him to work on another one. “It was just a magnificent experience for me and now I’m working to put together a book called Tales From the Road, which is stories about being on tour. I’m finding a new way to create and I’m happy to see it unfold.

“I’ve got all these big plans. I’ve written some movies and there are kids’ shows I’d like to be a part of. I’m just going to take it one day at a time and see what God’s plan is for me.”

When not creating, on tour, or writing books, Mark’s happy to hang out at his home in Franklin. “I really love the area; I love the city,” he says. “I love the people who are coming here. Happy together and happy forever is how it should be.”

To find out more, go to TheTurtles.com.

Written for Franklin Lifestyle magazine in Tennessee.

Coping with loneliness and loss during the holiday season

By Sue Baldani

People dealing with loneliness and/or grief may find that these feelings are exacerbated during the holiday season. They may think back to holidays of the past when all their loved ones would get together to celebrate. For seniors, these feeling can be even more intense.

“It’s a combination of where they are in their lifespans and realizing that either loved ones are farther away from them or have passed and situations have changed because of aging,” says clinical psychotherapist, Rebecca Palen, who is the founder of H3 – Hope, Healing and Health with a home office in St. Clair Shores. “Maybe their spouse or their best friend can’t get around as easily as they used to. The actual aging process makes them more aware of how things used to be.”

Everyone wants that perfect Hallmark holiday, but very few get to experience it, and it’s even less likely for seniors. “There’s a study that shows Christmas is actually one of the loneliest holidays of the year, especially for grief and loss, because that’s when most families and loved ones make the biggest effort to get together,” she says.

Emotional and physical health as well as financial issues may prevent seniors from traveling to visit family and friends and the feelings of loneliness are intensified because they know everyone else is together for the holidays.

Rebecca, who has an advanced certificate on grief and loss, has some helpful suggestions for seniors to help them get through the difficult and emotional holiday season.

“Practice self-care, which is healthy eating and good sleeping,” she says. “Stay away from caffeine and alcohol and all the things that could put your mood in a more depressed state than it already is. Alcohol is actually a depressant. Shift those coping skills to be more aware of what things outside of your body can do to affect your mood and the inside of your body.”

She also recommends getting out in nature and connecting to your surroundings. “This will make you feel more engaged. Going out for a walk, visiting a senior center and getting involved with groups or activities can make you feel more connected to your community and with people, which will help decrease depression and grief.”

Staying in touch with family and friends through phone calls is also a great way to remain connected. “Social interaction is so important when you feel isolated,” says Rebecca. During COVID, many seniors became more tech-savvy and used video calls to see others when they had to keep isolated. Using Zoom, FaceTime, Skype and other technology enhances social interactions when you can’t be in the same place as your loved ones. Just being able to see the other person’s face and expressions makes it more meaningful.

One older couple often puts their laptop on their dining room table and while they eat they Zoom with a family member or friend who are also enjoying a meal. They’re having dinner with that person even though they’re not in the same room.

Another important thing, she says, is not to focus on the actual day. Just because you can’t be together on Christmas day or during Hannukah doesn’t mean you can’t get together to celebrate later on. It’s not an all-or-nothing situation.

When it comes to grieving a loss, try to connect with family members and friends who share memories of that person and can reminisce along with you. “You need to talk about the person and share and express that loss,” says Rebecca. “Unfortunately, I think when you get to a certain age, you feel like you’re a burden, so you actually keep it in.”

For men, it can be even harder to reach out. “Unfortunately, they’re still socialized to be more masculine with their feelings, and when they get older, they may have fewer connections in life than women,” she says. “So they don’t have those close friends or maybe hobbies that can give them some relief.”

If you don’t have family members or friends you can rely on, or if you would prefer to share your grief with a professional, there are many support groups for seniors. “There’s nothing wrong with getting professional support and it may actually be easier and safer because you can express yourself more honestly, and the advice you’ll get will probably be a little more neutral,” says Rebecca.

Grief is very individualized and everyone processes it a little differently. What might be right for one person may not work for another. But, it’s important to remember, she says, that everyone deals with it so you’re not alone. “Whether you’re 70 years old or 30 years old, if you’re sad, depressed or grieving, there is support out there and there’s also people who want to help you, whether that’s family members or professionals.”

Grief support groups can be found at a number of places, including some senior and community centers. They are also available at H3. Its three locations, in St. Claire Shores, in Detroit and another in Royal Oak, have a combined group of 20 therapists.

“We have an integrative approach, so we’re a hub for wellness services and specifically mental health, so we have therapy, medical management, psychological and neurological testing.” The practice also partners with people in the community or with people who are part of their team who have an integrated wellness niche too, such as chiropractors, naturopaths, and massage therapists. They’re part of its outreach to get their clients what they need.

Rebecca sees a lot of seniors in her practice, and enjoys helping them get on a positive path to mental health. “We tend to get stuck in ‘Well, I’m old and this is how it’s supposed to be,’ but it’s not,” she says.  

H3Well.com

Written for Grosse Pointe Lifestyle magazine in Michigan.

A wonderful holiday tradition for people of every age

By Sue Baldani

The Nutcracker has become a beloved holiday tradition for many families over the years. The New Jersey Ballet Company (NJBC) is celebrating its 52nd performance at the Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) in Morristown. NJBC performs throughout the state from Bergen County down to Cape May, and it does a number of performances at the Mayo Performing Arts Center. 

“It’s quite exciting  that we’re the resident ballet company at MPAC,” says Maria Kowroski, artistic director of the New Jersey Ballet Company since 2021 and former principal dancer with the New York City Ballet, where she had performed in the Nutcracker many times. “It’s a beautiful theater and everybody involved aims to make this holiday classic a performance to remember.”

The late Carolyn Clark, who founded NJBC, previously stated, “In 1971, George Tomal, Joseph Carow and I believed New Jersey Ballet, which was established in 1958, was well-positioned to present this holiday tradition to New Jerseyans. Hence the birth of New Jersey Ballet’s Nutcracker. Messrs. Tomal and Carow created the choreography, which we still perform today, and the great Edward Villella was our first Cavalier! Today, we have been continuing their legacy at the beautiful Mayo Performing Arts Center”

In this enchanting story, which is set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score performed live by the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, young Clara is given a colorful nutcracker at a party, and after she goes to bed, a magic spell takes effect.

In the ensuing storyline, fantastical characters such as giant mice, child-size soldiers, a Sugar Plum Fairy, and of course, the Nutcracker, who turns into a handsome prince, cavort and dance on stage to the audience’s delight. It’s a tale that transcends time, and resonates with people of all ages, sexes and religions. When it’s over, it also lets the audience translate what really happened in their own way.

“It’s up to everybody’s interpretation to decide if it’s a dream [that Clara has] or if it really happened,” says marketing director, Kotoe Kojima-Noa, who has been with NJBC since 2001.

Its heartwarming, uplifting storyline has something for everyone, young and old. “A lot of people, after seeing it for the first time, make attending The Nutcracker a yearly tradition,” says Maria. “I think it’s a wonderful way to introduce children to ballet and the arts. Our production has children in it, so I think it encourages them to want to be a part of it. ”

One of their favorite parts, she says, is always the battle scene with the mice and the Nutcracker. Maria’s favorite part of the production is the snow scene, which she calls “magical.”

As a child, she actually played the role of Clara in the Nutcracker. “The music and the scene where everything starts to grow and come to life is really, really, emotional. The music sweeps you away and transports the audience. This is also one of my favorite parts and cherished memories as a young dancer.”

Theatergoers will come away with wonderful memories that they will cherish for years. It’s great entertainment, whether someone is a ballet aficionado or not, and being able to see it at The Mayo Performing Arts Center is a huge bonus.

It’s not only close to home, but very reasonably priced. There’s ample parking and a train station within walking distance for those who prefer to leave the car behind. Plus, since it’s in Morristown, there are plenty of restaurants to visit for a wonderful meal before or after a show.

Whether experiencing the Nutcracker for the 52nd time or the first time, the magic never gets old. “Anybody who’s returning year after year will see some changes along the way that will keep them coming back for more,” says Maria. “It’s just a wonderful time of the year and a wonderful holiday production to make a yearly tradition.”

See it on your own, with your loved one, or with your entire family. It’ll be a performance you won’t forget, and you may even dream about the Nutcracker yourself. Or maybe it won’t be a dream at all!

For more information and to buy your tickets, go to MayoArts.org.

Written for Morris City Lifestyle magazine in New Jersey.

Make a world of difference for one furry friend

By Sue Baldani

This holiday season, instead of adding another electronic device or kitchen gadget to your home, bring home some love. The love of a pet, that is.

Animal rescues and shelters have so many beautiful, fun and loving dogs and cats available. There are also rescues for specific breeds, so if you’ve always wanted a German Shepherd or a Maine Coon cat, no problem.

However, it’s also important to keep an open mind when looking for a specific type of pet. You may go into a shelter determined to get a doodle, but when you see that cocker spaniel looking at you with soulful, sweet eyes, you just might change your mind.

Ana Meyer, editor of this magazine, found her perfect dog Lucky, a Havanese, at a pet adoption event at her local pet store. She had never even heard of the breed before. “There’s something about connecting with a future pet once you look into their eyes and engage with them,” she says. “Lucky was the best fit for our family of five and with three young kids, he was the best for us. When one of us is sick, he sits next to us with his body against us, like he is protecting us, knowing that a family member is not feeling well.” 

I’ve been fortunate to have adopted many wonderful cats and dogs in my life, and have taken chances on those who may not have seemed so perfect at first. However, with kindness and patience, they turned out to be the best pets I could have ever wanted.

Grover, our now 7-year-old black cat that we adopted from the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter (SRAS), has a chronic sinus condition which results in a constant runny nose, but he’s the sweetest boy ever. He sleeps with me and loves when I cuddle him close.

When we first adopted our younger cat, Wes, from SRAS, boy was he a handful! He would seek out and destroy any plastic bags in the house as if they were his life-long enemies. But he too is now a wonderful addition to our household and one we couldn’t imagine life without.

If you aren’t sure whether a pet would be a good fit for your home and lifestyle, there is an option to foster. This will give you a chance to become familiar with pet ownership, and even if it doesn’t work out, the pet will have had a home for at least a little while and have a safe place to return.

“I think it’s very important when someone chooses a pet to do their research about the breed, talk to friends who are pet owners and understand the commitment and joy it is to have a furry family member at home,” says Ana.

There are many great resources online, and at many local shelters. The staff usually knows the animals in their care and can match a dog or cat’s personality with the person or family looking to adopt.

There’s a saying about how adopting one animal may not change the world, but it will change that pet’s entire world. A shelter or cage is no place for a dog or cat to spend its life. Give an animal a home for the holidays and you and your family will enjoy the love for years to come.

AKC.org

PetFinder.com

SRASNJ.org

SARARescue.com

Written for Chatham & Short Hills Lifestyle magazine in New Jersey.

Photos by Chris Jorda Photography in Millburn.

A Christian-music artist healing others through song

By Sue Baldani

“My goal is to really encourage people, and remind them that there’s always hope, regardless of the pain and the trials that we go through,” says Katy Nichole. She should know. A few years ago, she felt like giving up, but says she heard God’s voice telling her He wasn’t done with her yet. She persevered, and today, at the age of 22, she’s a Christian music superstar who has accomplished her dream of singing at the Grand Ole Opry.

Her lyrics are deep and meaningful, and many of the words come from the despair and challenges she’s experienced. Katy Nichole was born with congenital scoliosis, and at the age of 15, had to have surgery to try to correct it. It left her in pain every single day which led to a deep depression and debilitating anxiety.

Another operation, along with her strong faith, brought Katy Nichole out of the darkness. “After the second back surgery, I had an encounter with the Lord and it was really like the light had come back into my life.”

She adds, “I know pain, I know struggle, and I know the feeling of hopelessness, so when I write songs, I write to reach the person who thinks that hope is gone and who maybe is in the middle of what I’ve been through. I want to make them feel like they’re not alone in their struggles, whether it’s me reminding them or the Lord speaking through my songs.”

Katy Nichole grew up singing in church choirs and always had an interest in music and being on stage. Her Grandma Jan, who is also a singer, asked her to perform Amazing Grace with her one day. “I have a video of us singing together – it’s the sweetest thing,” she says. “She always encouraged me to sing.”

In 2020, on a whim, she posted herself singing one of her songs, In Jesus Name (God of Possible), on TikTok. She never could have foreseen what was about to happen. A few hours after posting, the video had over one million views.

In 2022, the song became the biggest hit of the decade on the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart and stayed there for a record-breaking 20 weeks. Katy Nichole was also nominated for an American Music Award, co-hosted and performed on the GMA Dove Awards Pre-Telecast and saw another one of her songs, God is in This Story, hit number one as well last year.  

In February, she launched her full-length debut album, Jesus Changed My Life, and has become one of Christian music’s fastest-rising artists. She is also set to release her third radio single, “Hold On.”

Her family, she says, gave her a solid foundation and the tools to have a relationship with the Lord. It’s this foundation and faith she relies on today to manage her meteorological rise to fame.

“I didn’t expect my music to do what it did or even hit radio stations, and then suddenly, it’s reached a lot of people,” says Katy Nichole. “I’m just taking in the ways that it’s impacted people and brought healing into their lives. I’m on a stage and I have a platform to be able to share my love of Jesus with so many.  God has given me that opportunity.”

Last year, she toured venues across the country with Jeremy Camp, Matthew West and other Christian musicians on the K-LOVE Christmas Tour. “It’s pretty surreal,” she says. “I’ve been able to meet the people who I’ve looked up to for so long and I’ve made some friends. I’m really grateful for the way that I’ve been welcomed into a community of really good people.” This March, she began a 30-city tour.

“I definitely want to stick with it for as long as the Lord leads me to do so, but I would say that my greatest passion is in writing the music,” she says. “It’s where I find myself most alive.”

KatyNichole.com

Written for Franklin Lifestyle magazine in Tennessee.

By Sue Baldani

We often wait to give gifts on special days, such as birthdays, Christmas, Hanukkah, and/or anniversaries. But, who doesn’t like to receive a little treat “just because”? It can be just because someone is a good friend, or just because we want to let a loved one know how much he or she means to us.

The gift doesn’t have to be large or expensive – as the saying goes, it’s the thought that counts. So, if your sister likes candles, buy her one at the little gift store in town and she’ll think of you every time she lights it. If your best friend loves chocolate, pick up a special bar or box the next time you spot a chocolate shop. When she indulges, she’ll think about what a great friend she has. How about a nice tin of tea for your mom? Again, the gift can be small, but extremely meaningful. Best of all, the recipients will know that you’re thinking about them and listening when they talk about the things that bring them joy.

If you’re not sure what to buy for one of your favorite people, ask a salesperson for help. Small local stores are treasure troves of great advice when it comes to buying the perfect something. If your uncle likes fishing, they may be able to steer you to a box of cookies shaped like fish, or a sign that declares, “I’d rather be fishing.”

Many of our local mom and pop shops are hidden gems full of the most unique and special items. Even if you don’t need to buy something at the moment, it’s fun to walk around, chat with the owners and get ideas. One day, when in need of a gift, something they have might be the perfect thing. Or, someone else may mention needing a particular present, and you can send them to the right place.

Gifting can be all about love and appreciation. It doesn’t have to be congratulatory or obligatory, and it’s more fun to choose items at will. Next time you see a scarf that Aunt Betty might like, pick it up and give it to her right away. There’s no bad time to receive a present.

Written for The Country Register newspapers across the U.S.

By Sue Baldani

When something goes wrong or breaks, a common refrain is “Call the guy.” This is the person who’s an expert in his craft and whom homeowners and business owners trust to get the job done, and done right.

When it comes to technology, New Jersey native Giovanni Atanasio is the guy. With over 30 years of experience in the field, and after working for prestigious corporations like Goldman Sachs and Liz Claiborne, he founded MyPCGuy, LLC in 2017.

“I’m a Microsoft Cloud service provider, Dell certified and can handle all types of technology,” he says. “I personally go to people’s homes and improve their internet reception, pick up laptops with cracked screens, fix them and drop them back off, and do anything else needed. I provide white glove service.”

Gio also has many corporate clients who pay a monthly fee for him to maintain their networks, do backups, set up websites and professional email systems, handle cybersecurity and build networks and servers from the ground up.

“I manage and monitor clients’ networks 24/7 and at the end of the month they get a document showing all the work I’ve done.”

One small business client whose computer died was told by another tech person that her data was lost. “I couldn’t save the computer, but I was able to extract all the data,” says Gio. “I was even able to provide her with another laptop, migrate the data and get her up and running quickly.”

Gio believes in providing the best service with honesty and integrity and at very fair prices. “I will never sell you something that you don’t need. My father taught us if we wanted to be successful in life, we always had to show customers the value of our work.”

Word of mouth is the backbone of MyPCGuy. “People trust me and call me again and again,” he says. “Corporations who provide technology services only look at numbers, but I want a lifetime relationship with my clients.”

He services the entire state and will even go further for bigger jobs. He’s actually traveling to Nantucket to assist a new client.

Gio’s future goal, as his business grows and he’s able to hire more and more people, is to give back to those who make his company successful. “When the company does well, I want my employees to do well,” he says. “This mean giving out bonuses and maybe having a raffle where people can win trips. I want to give people the ability to enjoy their lives and spend time with their families, not just work.”

Gio loves helping others and doesn’t have much downtime, but when he does, he loves spending time with his family. He and his wife, Lucy, recently celebrated their 19th anniversary. They have two daughters, 17-year-old Gabriella and 14-year-old Francesca. “We also have a little Yorkie dog named Rocky,” he says. “He’s the only other male in the house.”

Contact Gio at 973-963-4407, email info@mypcguy.us or go to MyPCGuy.US.

Written for The Showcase Magazine in New Jersey.