Jointstock

Musicians Lend Jointstock an Aching Hand

by Erica Lawrence

Tammy Taylor’s Taylor Made Productions is at it again, and this time she is doing it for Jointstock. Taylor, with Central Pennsylvania Chapter Arthritis Foundation Special Events Director Andrew Boyer and Vice President Programs & Services Kimberly McAdams and a generous amount of support from sponsors and musicians, will be hosting a benefit to raise money for the Arthritis Foundation.

The Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation was first chartered in 1958 and has since grown dynamically to serve 28 counties from the Maryland line to the New York line. In Central PA alone there are 500,000 people suffering from over 100 different types of arthritis, and the Chapter opens its doors to all of them. “We are presently doing a lot of community outreach, we have various program sources like our lending library and literature brochures, or our loan closet used for borrowing medical equipment, and the help of our support groups,” said McAdams. “This kind of outreach really enables us to reach everyone on an individual level.” One in every six people is presently battling arthritis, an equivalent of 43 million nationwide. And as baby boomers age, the impact of arthritis is expected to increase dramatically.

This disease does not target any specific age group. “One thing we are really trying to bring to the forefront more is the arthritic condition occurring in the younger community, arthritis is only an elderly disease is a large misconception that is widely believed,” said Boyer.

The Oncology Department at The University of Western Ontario in London did a study in 1998 that showed health problems in musicians remain under-recognized and under-researched, and in addition indicated that musculoskeletal disorders have been found to be playing-related.

Many musicians have reported signs of arthritis due to various activities that fall into their daily routines. Loading equipment in and out of venues, continuous hand movement most commonly seen in string players, and long hours of practice contribute to cases of Carpal Tunnel, a well-known form of arthritis. The aforementioned activities are a few of the many reasons the musicians of Central PA are pulling together to take control, just as the arthritis foundation has done. “Musicians supporting the arthritis foundation, the arthritis foundation supporting the community, and the community supporting musicians has brought Jointstock full circle,” said Taylor, “and this fundraiser has already begun to demonstrate just that.”

Jointstock is one of the first attempts made by the Arthritis Foundation to target this type of audience. “Although the Arthritis Foundation is nationwide, all the money that we are raising through this benefit will remain here in the Central Pennsylvania Chapter, to benefit those with arthritic conditions right here in our own backyard,” Taylor said.

Jointstock has been well planned, well sponsored, and was created with the idea of becoming an annual event. “We have hopes of setting a trend for ourselves and other chapters to follow,” said Boyer. “Targeting this audience gives us the opportunity to spread our wings even further.” Sponsors such as Astral Designs, Sir Speedy, PA Rocks.com and Frank Sirianni, B A Sound & Lights have helped to make Jointstock possible. “Fundraising enables our chapter to educate communities on how to prevent and control arthritis and related diseases,” said McAdams. “The volunteers, sponsors, and musicians lending a hand in Jointstock will allow us to include the younger community in our education process.”

Jointstock will feature Stone Jug with White Bread, Zero Gravity, Tony Perry 3, UUU, Dann & Dave from Hexbelt, and headliner, Darcie Miner. The Arthritis Foundation’s benefit will be hosted by the Appalachian Brewing Company (ABC), 50 North Cameron Street, on April 8 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Price of admission includes an entry into a weekend getaway raffle for bed and breakfast at the Red Maple Guest Haus in Ephrata and a dinner for two at the Lincoln Village Family Smorgasbord. The raffle winner will be announced the night of the benefit.

Tickets can be purchased for $20.00 at the Arthritis Foundation, Astral Designs, Sir Speedy Printing, or ABC. For information call the Arthritis Foundation at 763-0900 or visit parocks.com.