Through connections in the fitness world, Will Kiefer from the Bench Mark Program in Lancaster, PA reached out to me about shooting some photos for the non-profit. I knew a little bit about what they do before visiting the gym, but it wasn’t until the second of two shoots that I really saw the scope of it all.
Kiefer became a mentor during his senior year at Franklin & Marshal College for some at-risk youth in Lancaster. As a personal trainer, he had a chance to connect with kids from the city that might not have the same support structure as other kids. This experience gave him the idea to create a program to help support at-risk youth with career guidance, academic assistance, and mentorship through weight training.
Since graduating in 2014, Kiefer and his team established the Bench Mark Program, and have already made an impact on Lancaster. Through donations, they have acquired the equipment for the gym and the students and mentors are putting it to good use. A local artist helped to create a unique atmosphere with graffiti art of some popular super heroes on the walls. Donations, fund raising events, and hard working volunteers are what help keep the program going. All of the hard work was rewarded with the Lancaster County Youth Intervention Center’s Program of the Year Award for 2015.
Mentor Bench Mark #3 – Help someone be better than they were the day before.
Awards aren’t what keeps Kiefer going though. We had a chance to talk about our careers and where we want them to go during the first photo shoot. His passion for fitness and helping kids was very clear, and he was quick to recognize his opportunity to work with the youths in the program is only possible with the support of his friends, family, and supports of the program.
We all have a lot to be thankful for. Good health, family, and friends, there are a lot of reasons.
The crew at the lululemon showroom in Lancaster wanted to show everyone what they most grateful for in their lives during the holidays. If you stopped by their Queen Street location, you would have found pictures in their front window of each employee with what or whom they are grateful to have in their lives. For some, it was family and friends, while others it was the activities that they enjoy so much. It was a great chance to get to know them a little more and spend some time in the store and around Lancaster. Hilary, Rebecca, and Kate chose to go across the street from the store in a beautiful brick archway. For Steph, we went next door to Mice en Place, a chef’s paradise of a store. Heather wanted to share the love of her son at a little graffiti wall over on Grant Street that I am sure most people have never seen (if you head over, also look for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle around the corner). For Chris, we popped over to Crossfit Collective on Manheim Pike. Finally, Vee got me to come out from behind the camera and join her in front of Lululemon with Luluby all dressed up with some Shimano C50 carbon tubular wheels.
Even though the holidays have passed, I hope you take some time and think about all the things you are grateful to have in your life. Big or small, share with those you are thankful for, and spread some cheer and positivity with the world in these trying times.
Hi, my name is Scott, and I have a problem. It all started with a shirt. It was comfortable, and it fit well, and it kept me cool and dry in the summer when I’m out shooting races. Then it became shorts that had all the same benefits. Yes, I have a lululemon addiction.
If you have seen me shooting at races this year, I have a uniform, whether you realized it or not. Metal vent shirts and Kahuna shorts. I have my wife to blame. She got me started with it, and now, I rarely wear anything else. Because of this, we have become good friends with the ladies at the lululemon showroom in Lancaster, PA. Their store on Queen Street is a bit of a test to see if the brand would be well received in the community. It’s more than just a store though. The company encourages all of their employees to get involved in many parts of the community, the biggest and most obvious part being the fitness area. They host Mat to Market Yoga classes on Saturday AM, and also have a running group that meets up fairly regularly.
The store also reaches out to influential fitness people in the community, and seeks feedback on what they like and dislike about not only their lululemon clothing, but other brands as well. They invite small groups together to share their feedback, and show one of their favorite pieces of clothing to help inspire new ideas.
As a way to celebrate the fall, the store invited several of their friends from the area to come out for a flag football game at Clipper Magazine Stadium, home of the Lancaster Barnstormers minor league baseball team. I had raced a cross race that morning, and went straight to the game thinking I was probably just going to shoot. For the first half, that worked out as there were an odd number of players. Another guy came a little late, which meant I was drafted, and my cameras were handed over to Vee and Heather from lululemon.
It turned into a great and fun experience being able to play on a professional field. The competition was fierce, as each team wanted the bragging rights from the win. At the end of regulation, the score was tied, and we went into overtime. My team scored first, and was able to hold off our opponents with an interception that was run back for a touchdown to end the game.
With the game over, it was time to head to Federal Taphouse to enjoy some food and drinks. With so many beers to choose from, and tons of great food, everyone was happy.
Thanks again to lululemon on Queen Street for organizing a great event.
A few weeks back, two of our favorite businesses in Lancaster had a grand opening at their new location on Orange Street. Vee and I have been huge fans of the Black Comb and Pink Lady as long as we have known about them. Jonathan and Brittany Leitzel moved their businesses to a larger spot just around the block from their original Duke Street location. Some of you from the cycling world might recognize the location as the former home of Orange Street Velo.
For their grand opening, Jonathan, Brittany, Pat, Paul, and Evan invited friends to stop by and see the location before they officially opened for business. Along with more space for the barbers (and room to expand), Brittany now has her own space with two hair washing stations and a mini lounge for her customers. A room with a football table was added with a kegerator for the guys.
Elliot & Co was also on hand with a pop-up shop set up in the back of the store. They had a mix of antiques and modern takes on classic items on hand for purchase.
It has been a lot of hard work for everyone, but the new Orange Street barber shop and salon has become one of the newest fixtures of the Lancaster downtown district.
With the UCI Road World Championships left, the domestic road season came to a close with the Connecticut Cycling Festival in Hartford, CT. Besides our last race with Colavita|Bianchi for 2015, it was also Mary Zider’s final race of her career before she transfers to the Director Sportif position full time.
Coming off the win in Boston the day before, the ladies were out to double up on the weekend. Colavita again drove the race and controlled it for the most part. Instead of attacking as they had the day before, they marked moves and made only a few attacks. As the laps ticked down, they moved to the front to get Gretchen Stumhofer. Each of the Colavita|Bianchi riders took a turn at the front in the lead out train, and then pulled off when their job was done. As they approached the line for the final time, Stumhofer was caught out, and ended up crashing out to the right side into the barriers. National Criterium Calendar leader, Sam Schneider (ISCorp) took the win and cemented her overall victory in the series.
The crew at the lululemon showroom in Lancaster wanted to show everyone what they most grateful for in their lives during the holidays. If you stopped by their Queen Street location, you would have found pictures in their front window of each employee with what or whom they are grateful to have in their lives. For some, it was family and friends, while others it was the activities that they enjoy so much.
Recent Comments