ben hall - manchester merchandiser article

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September 2nd Hampstead-Manchester August 28, 2013 Volume VIII-No. 23 Reaching Over 13,200 Homes Ph: 717-632-8303 1-800-673-2474 Visit Us Online at www.themerchandiser.com continued inside on page 00. Audited Coverage THE KEY TO THRIFTY BUYING “Serving Carroll” Comes to Hampstead Farmers’ Market Continued on page 00 by Danette Camponeschi Ben Hall, now on a quest to crush cancer and spread the word that health is a pos- sible option. Leave it to Ben Hall to look at the word impossible and see what others may not. “The word itself says to me, ‘I’m possible,” said the 31-year old Manchester resident. Two years ago Hall began transforming his life from one of unhealthy eating habits and inactivity to one that has led to the healthiest he’s ever been. It hasn’t been easy, but Hall said he had an “epiphany” that led to his radical lifestyle change. “Losing my aunt and uncle, both who lived in Fulton, NY where I was born, to cancer was an important part of change for me,” said Hall, who was also motivated to change because of the physical and mental state of his own health. “I was overweight, feeling lousy and depressed, and was told by my doctor that if I didn’t change my lifestyle I would soon be faced with diabetes and many other serious weight-related problems. I felt I had hit rock-bottom, both physically and emotionally. That was a wake- up call for me and it motivated me to do what then seemed impossible: make changes to be healthy,” said Hall, who is Director of Operations at a lawn and landscape company. After a year of life-altering changes, such as learning how to eat healthy and putting a priority on exercise which included sessions with personal trainer Chris Sams, Hall lost 75 pounds and discovered a love of running. “Running has become a quest for me,” said Hall. “Once I started, I realized how beneficial it was for me physically, emotionally and spiritually. Then in January, 2013, I began to have thoughts of running for another purpose; this idea of running to crush cancer came into my head and wouldn’t leave… it became something that had to be done and that would honor the memory of my aunt and uncle,” he said. Hall’s personal quest evolved into his Crush Cancer Campaign, which involves running 353 miles in 14 days from his current home in Manchester to his deceased uncle’s home in Fulton, NY. The run will take place from September 28 - October 12, 2013, finishing just one day shy of Hall’s 32nd birthday. He will run alone and without the use of a vehicle, running marathon distances or greater almost each day and staying in a hotel each night. Hall’s goal is to raise $5,000 for the American Cancer Society. “Although this is a campaign to raise money for battling cancer, I feel very strongly that I would like to raise awareness that, while not all cancers and diseases are Visit us at www.themerchandiser.com National Award Winning Publication The Hampstead Farmers’ Market will welcome a production crew from the Com- munity Media Center to tape “Serving Car- roll”, a local cable television program that focuses on growing local, buying local, and giving local. “Serving Carroll at the Hampstead Farmers’ Market” will be taped beginning at 9 am on Saturday, August 31, and will feature local chef Mary Jo Malone of Dean’s Restaurant in Hampstead. The production crew will follow Malone as she visits market vendors, then she will prepare several simple recipes using the locally- grown or produced items she selected. “This is a great way for the folks in the community who haven’t yet visited the mar- ket to see what it’s all about – why it’s worth the trip, what’s different about locally grown produce, and tips on how to prepare it,” said Hampstead Farmers’ Market Manager Marlene Duff. “I think society is starting to understand more the health benefits to better eating, which includes not only more fruits and vegetables but ones that are local and seasonal.” She added that one of the main reasons for the existence of the market is to promote patronage of local farmers and artisans. In each program of “Serving Carroll”, pro- The Hampstead Farmers’ Market provides a place for farmers and artisans to sell directly to the public. Inside... Birthday Ad 00 Classified Ad 00 Community Calendar 00 Cooking Corner 00 Crossword Puzzle 00 Dining & Entertainment 00 Job Opportunities 00 Obituaries 00 Public Auctions 00 Real Estate 00 Senior Lifestyles 00 Service Directory 00 duction crews visit a local farm or farm- ers’ Community Media Center will also separately tape a segment of the program on NESAP (North East Social Action Pro- gram), which provides clothing and food as- sistance to area residents in need. As part of the program, there will be an interview with NESAP Executive Director Lynn Sheavly. The Hampstead Farmers’ Market opened in 2010, and is currently in its fourth sea- son, having over 7,200 visitors in 2012. It is a producer-only market, featuring locally grown and seasonal produce, flowers, and plants; local, homemade baked goods and home-canned items; locally raised Angus beef, free-range chicken and turkey; free-range eggs; locally roasted coffee and fresh squeezed lemonade; hand crafted goat milk soap and lo- tions; jewelry; wood items; artwork, and much more. Held June through September, the Hamp- stead Farmers’ Market is open from 9 am – noon Ben Hall prior to his quest for better health. Ben Hall’s Crush Cancer Campaign Route 9/28 – Manchester, MD to York, PA - 25.7 miles 9/29 – York, PA to Harrisburg, PA – 25.8 miles 9/30 – Harrisburg, PA to Lebanon, PA – 27.4 miles 10/1 – Lebanon, PA to Pottsville, PA – 32.8 miles 10/2 – Pottsville, PA to Hazleton, PA – 26.3 miles 10/3 – Hazleton, PA to Wilkes Barre, PA – 23.8 miles 10/4 – REST 10/5 – Wilkes Barre, PA to Clarks Summit, PA – 23.1 miles 10/6 – Clarks Summit, PA to Montrose, PA – 28.6 miles 10/7 – Montrose, PA to Owego, NY – 31.9 miles 10/8 – Owego, NY to Ithaca, NY – 29.3 miles 10/9 – REST 10/10 – Ithaca, NY to Cortland, NY – 21.3 miles 10/11 – Cortland, NY to Syracuse, NY – 32.6 miles 10/12 – Syracuse, NY to Fulton, NY – 24.6 miles Total – 353.2 miles Impossible to “I’m Possible”

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This is a link to a recent article chronicling Ben's journey to fitness and his upcoming run to NY.

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Page 1: Ben Hall - Manchester Merchandiser Article

September 2nd

Hampstead-Manchester

August 28, 2013Volume VIII-No. 23 Reaching Over 13,200 Homes

Ph: 717-632-8303 1-800-673-2474

Visit Us Online at www.themerchandiser.com

continued inside on page 00.

AuditedCoverage THE KEY TO THRIFTY BUYING

“Serving Carroll” Comes to Hampstead Farmers’ Market

Continued on page 00

by Danette Camponeschi

Ben Hall, now on a quest to crush cancer and spread the word that health is a pos-sible option.

Leave it to Ben Hall to look at the word impossible and see what others may not. “The word itself says to me, ‘I’m possible,” said the 31-year old Manchester resident. Two years ago Hall began transforming his life from one of unhealthy eating habits and inactivity to one that has led to the healthiest he’s ever been. It hasn’t been easy, but Hall said he had an “epiphany” that led to his radical lifestyle change. “Losing my aunt and uncle, both who lived in Fulton, NY where I was born, to cancer was an important part of change for me,” said Hall, who was

also motivated to change because of the physical and mental state of his own health.

“I was overweight, feeling lousy and depressed, and was told by my doctor that if I didn’t change my lifestyle I would soon be faced with diabetes and many other serious weight-related problems. I felt I had hit rock-bottom, both physically and emotionally. That was a wake-up call for me and it motivated me to do what then seemed impossible: make changes to be healthy,” said Hall, who is Director of Operations at a lawn and landscape company.

After a year of life-altering changes, such as learning how to eat healthy and putting a priority on exercise which included sessions with personal trainer Chris Sams, Hall lost 75 pounds and discovered a love of running. “Running has become a quest for me,” said Hall. “Once I started, I realized how beneficial it was for me – physically, emotionally and spiritually. Then in January, 2013, I began to have thoughts of running for another purpose; this idea of running to crush cancer came into my head and wouldn’t leave…it became something that had to be done and that would honor the memory of my aunt and uncle,” he said.

Hall’s personal quest evolved

into his Crush Cancer Campaign, which involves running 353 miles in 14 days from his current home in Manchester to his deceased uncle’s home in Fulton, NY. The run will take place from September 28 - October 12, 2013, finishing just one day shy of Hall’s 32nd birthday. He will run alone and without the

use of a vehicle, running marathon distances or greater almost each day and staying in a hotel each night. Hall’s goal is to raise $5,000 for the American Cancer Society.

“Although this is a campaign to raise money for battling cancer, I feel very strongly that I would like to raise awareness that, while not all cancers and diseases are

Visit us at www.themerchandiser.comNational AwardWinning Publication

The Hampstead Farmers’ Market will welcome a production crew from the Com-munity Media Center to tape “Serving Car-roll”, a local cable television program that focuses on growing local, buying local, and giving local. “Serving Carroll at the Hampstead Farmers’ Market” will be taped beginning at 9 am on Saturday, August 31, and will feature local chef Mary Jo Malone of Dean’s Restaurant in Hampstead. The production crew will follow Malone as she visits market vendors, then she will prepare several simple recipes using the locally-grown or produced items she selected.

“This is a great way for the folks in the community who haven’t yet visited the mar-ket to see what it’s all about – why it’s worth the trip, what’s different about locally grown produce, and tips on how to prepare it,” said Hampstead Farmers’ Market Manager Marlene Duff. “I think society is starting to understand more the health benefits to better eating, which

includes not only more fruits and vegetables but ones that are local and seasonal.” She added that one of the main reasons for the existence of the market is to promote patronage of local farmers and artisans.

In each program of “Serving Carroll”, pro-

The Hampstead Farmers’ Market provides a place for farmers and artisans to sell directly to the public.

Inside...Birthday Ad 00

Classified Ad 00 Community Calendar 00Cooking Corner 00Crossword Puzzle 00Dining & Entertainment 00Job Opportunities 00Obituaries 00Public Auctions 00Real Estate 00Senior Lifestyles 00Service Directory 00

duction crews visit a local farm or farm-ers’ Community Media Center will also separately tape a segment of the program on NESAP (North East Social Action Pro-gram), which provides clothing and food as-sistance to area residents in need. As part of the program, there will be an interview with NESAP Executive Director Lynn Sheavly.

The Hampstead Farmers’ Market opened in 2010, and is currently in its fourth sea-son, having over 7,200 visitors in 2012. It is a producer-only market, featuring locally grown and seasonal produce, flowers, and plants; local, homemade baked goods and home-canned items; locally raised Angus

beef, free-range chicken and turkey; free-range eggs; locally roasted coffee and fresh squeezed lemonade; hand crafted goat milk soap and lo-tions; jewelry; wood items; artwork, and much more. Held June through September, the Hamp-stead Farmers’ Market is open from 9 am – noon

Ben Hall prior to his quest for better health.

Ben Hall’s Crush Cancer Campaign Route9/28 – Manchester, MD to York, PA - 25.7 miles9/29 – York, PA to Harrisburg, PA – 25.8 miles9/30 – Harrisburg, PA to Lebanon, PA – 27.4 miles10/1 – Lebanon, PA to Pottsville, PA – 32.8 miles10/2 – Pottsville, PA to Hazleton, PA – 26.3 miles10/3 – Hazleton, PA to Wilkes Barre, PA – 23.8 miles10/4 – REST10/5 – Wilkes Barre, PA to Clarks Summit, PA – 23.1 miles10/6 – Clarks Summit, PA to Montrose, PA – 28.6 miles10/7 – Montrose, PA to Owego, NY – 31.9 miles10/8 – Owego, NY to Ithaca, NY – 29.3 miles10/9 – REST10/10 – Ithaca, NY to Cortland, NY – 21.3 miles10/11 – Cortland, NY to Syracuse, NY – 32.6 miles10/12 – Syracuse, NY to Fulton, NY – 24.6 milesTotal – 353.2 miles

Impossible to “I’m Possible”

Page 2: Ben Hall - Manchester Merchandiser Article

•Contact Merchandiser Editor at 717-273-8127 or

[email protected]

preventable, there are things we each can do that might reduce our chances of getting them: eating healthy, avoiding tobacco, being physically active, limiting alcohol, limiting time in the sun, and staying a healthy weight,” said Hall, who said during his latest physical he was told by his doctor he was now the healthiest he could possibly be. “Considering where I was two years ago that is pretty remarkable to me,” said Hall.

Hall said he was always very active as a child and teen. “I was an athlete and was even Maryland State Wrestling Champion in high school; I never had problems with my weight then and ate whatever I wanted, including junk food. Then once I graduated I stopped the activity but kept the unhealthy eating habits…it didn’t take long for the weight to pile on,” said Hall.

It didn’t come easy, but Hall persevered and said he couldn’t have done it without the help of his personal trainer, Chris, and his family. He added his Crush Cancer Campaign is only possible

with the help of his family. “My wife Christie is very supportive of me and the campaign. She will be caring for our two year old son, Benjamin, and our brand new baby while I’m running. My parents, stepfather, and brother, too, are all helping me with the campaign.” Now Hall is in tip-top shape and, as he puts it, loving life. “The depression is gone and the energy level is phenomenal. I hope to reach others with a message of hope by my example – your health is in your hands,” said Hall.

In order to raise money, Hall has teamed up with Under Armour to host a free one hour workout session at the Under Armour FX Studios Gym located at 1010 Hull Street in downtown Baltimore on Sunday, September 15 at 1 pm. This is open to the public and Hall will share his story and sell raffle tickets at the event. To learn more or to donate visit crushcancer.webs.com or email [email protected].

Impossible to “I’m Possible”continued from front page...