The Sentinel from Carlisle, Pennsylvania • 38

T1VI11" I1 ll' rr i E. officer committed to chill ire mi John Hilton Sentinel Reporter "I 4 i i I-" I Carlisle Police Officer Gary Shulenberger is doling out some straight talk to Jamie Morrow's sixth-grade class at Lamberton Middle School. The department's Drug Abuse Resistance Education officer, Shulenberger, 36, holds up an advertisement showing a macho character surfing with a beer in hand and a good-looking woman nearby. "Drink beer and you'll have women hanging all over you, right?" he asks. "Can you imagine being drunk and riding a surfboard?" A few giggles are heard.

"They're trying to send you a message that drink-ing's cool," Shulenberger says, leading to the payoff. "What they don't show you is the guy throwing up all over himself. Would you hang out with a guy throwing up all over himself?" A few students make faces and Shulenberger has made his point. A small victory that is not likely to change anybody's life, but the officer believes. "They know someone cares about them," Shulenberger says.

"It's not just me telling them not to use violence or use drugs, it's about forming friendships." D.A.R.E. officer for two years, Shulenberger disagrees with studies and criticism over whether the program is effective. "There's no doubt in my mind it works," he says. The program needs the support of the family in order to be truly effective, Shulenberger explains. "If I do a D.A.R.E.

program and (the students) go home and there's nobody there to provide reinforcement, then it's probably not going to work." Landing back in Carlisle Shulenberger was born in Carlisle and grew up in Newville, where he graduated Big Spring High School. After receiving a bachelor's degree in law enforcement from Shippensburg University, Shulenberger spent seven years in the Army. There, he flew UH-I helicopters much like those seen in old footage from the Vietnam conflict. Then Shulenberger injured a knee in a post football league game and was grounded from flying. Since then, "I sort of put flying on the back burner," he says.

In 1992, Shulenberger was discharged from the Army and tested for jobs with both the state game commission and the borough police department. The borough called Shulenberger on a Thursday night and the game commission the next day. Following a first-come, first-serve approach, he accepted patrolman duty with Police Chief Stephen Marge-son. "Gary is one of those officers who really has a deep interest and dedication to working with young people," Margeson says. "Not any police officer can do that." An avid hunter, hiker and "anything to do with the outdoors," Shulenberger had visions of becoming a game commission officer.

But he chose a life of fighting crime instead. "I'm glad it worked out the way it did," he says, "because, I'm real happy with what I'm doing." Shulenberger's most exciting day on the job came in April 1996 when he saved then 7-month-old Brittany Kitner from choking on a piece of ham. "That's something I'll never forget," he says. "I can still see the whole thing unfolding. I was just fortunate to be in the right place at the right time.

If I do nothing else in my life, that was worth it." Training junior officers But so far, the highlight of Shulenberger's career has been the six-week Junior Police Academy he headed up last summer. The program is open to kids in sixth through eighth grade. It is built around four-hour classroom sessions on such topics as criminal justice and investigation, and field trips to the county courthouse and the Pennsylvania State Police Academy near Hershcy. It also includes 30 hours of community service projects and other activities designed to build self-esteem and encourage responsibility, with projects such as cleaning up around the Carlisle community swimming pool and washing borough police cars. "That junior academy was one of the things that will always stick with me," Shulenberger says.

"Their lives changed because of it and so did mine." Shulenberger already has begun planning for two four-week sessions this summer. He already has over 20 applications for the academy, which is supported through donations. (Shulenberger) has a very good rapport with youngsters. He also has a good rapport with teachers and administrators. He's shown a tremendous interest and Above, Carlisle Police Officer Gary Shulenberger, right, talks to students in Jamie Morrow's sixth-grade class at Lamberton Middle School about drugs.

Shulenberger is the department's D.A.R.E. officer. At left, Shulenberger poses in front of the D.A.R.E. van. 1 4T commitment.

I 'I A 1 ir if Stephen Margeson Carlisle Police Chief "We need to promote more positive things for kids to get involved in Commitment to kids Together with his wife, Kristine, Shulenberger has a son, Logan, 6, and a daughter, Kelly, 1. The Shu-lenbergers settled in Lower Frankford Township to take advantage of the country. Without children around "life would seem empty to me," Shulenberger says. "Life would be boring without kids. I really enjoy and have a lot of patience for young people.

I'm a big kid myself." Lamberton sixth grader David Dukes, 12, calls Shulenberger "someone you can look up to. He's easy to talk to." "He teaches (D.A.R.E.) in a funny way," adds Corey Hock, 11. Shulenberger also handles all police reports from the schools with another officer. He says his work with the younger set serves him well when he deals with a misbehaving youth. "A lot of the kids know me from seeing me in the schools all the time," he says.

"When I have to go talk to them, there's already been some sort of bond established." Often parents will bring kids to the station for a stern talking-to from Shulenberger. "(Shulenberger) has a very good rapport with youngsters," Margeson says. "He also has a good rapport with teachers and administrators. He's shown a tremendous interest and commitment." photos by Wally Shank The Sentinel I ft Skin provides variety of pertinent functions facelift procedures from a mini-face lift to a more extensive lift of the forehead, face and neck. The breast lift and the tummy tuck also are two procedures whose merits are far beyond the physical appearance.

"I feel much better about myself is a comment plastic surgeons hear frequently since patients now are able to synchronize their youthful internal attitude and lifestyle with the corresponding outward appearance. Many techniques are minimally invasive through the use of endoscopes and can be done as outpatient procedures. They all involve the skin and there is no "cook book solution" that will fit every patient. Each procedure involving repair, reconstruction or rejuvenation of the skin is individually tailored to the needs of the patient and it is the result of a detailed examination and discussion between the patient, the primary care physician and the and they should. Plastic surgeons receive training in cosmetic surgery, which includes the reversal of age-related skin changes.

As we go through life all tissues age, including the skin. This results in loss of elasticity and droopiness, especially of the facial, eyelid, breast and tummy skin. It is the objective of rejuvenating surgery to reverse these changes in a very natural and appealing fashion. It should never be the objective of rejuvenating surgery to create something that was never there. By combining solid surgical principles with the view for beauty and perfection, the plastic surgeon will reverse the effects of loss of skin elasticity and gravitational forces by repositioning the soft tissues of the eyelids, face or tummy into a position where they were years before.

The same is true for the breast appearance. Improvement, not change, is the goal. Many different techniques are available in order to achieve a desired result. These include the use of mild fruit acids and facial peeling to treat fine wrinkles, the use of laser as a skin resurfacing method, the eyelid surgery to treat the "tired look" and various ondly, the reconstruction of smaller defects, frequently created by the plastic surgeon in order to cure skin cancers in areas where deformity would result in unacceptable appearance, mainly the face. Most of the time these lesions are the result of sun irradiation.

The seed of sun-induced lesions frequently is planted during childhood. Twenty or 30 years later we have to deal with the consequences of unprotected sun enjoyment in the form of pre-cancerous or cancerous lesions. A board-certified plastic surgeon is well-equipped to deal with both the large and the small challenges. The application of soft tissue Haps and grafts well designed to cover the offending defect frequently results in acceptable appearance and function for larger defects and excellent results in smaller ones. Realizing multiple factors influence the healing process smoking, genetic factors, sun protection, scar care, etc.

the skill of the surgeon to create and repair defects is of great importance. The patient can help the family doctor and plastic surgeon by detecting concerning lesions early and bringing it to the physician's attention. ciated injuries in the Emergency Department. Skin trauma frequently is located in very visible body areas like the face. Timely attention by a skilled surgeon is of great importance in order to achieve the best cosmetic result.

However, even with the prompt and meticulous closure of facial wounds a second scar improving procedure six to 12 months down the road may be necessary. Various techniques including traditional scar revision, dermabrasion with fine diamond burrs or laser treatments are available not only to correct the contour defect, but also to improve the texture and color of the scar. It is important to give Mother Nature time, not only before but also after correctional surgery. The cooperation of the patient in his or her recovery is of paramount importance and it includes following a well-instructed sun protection and massage program. The plastic surgical reconstruction of skin separates into two groups -first of all, the reconstruction of defects created by burns, infection and large tumor defects, which frequently requires multiple stages of repair in order to restore as much skin function as possible and sec All changing, growing, itching or otherwise symptomatic skin lesions should be brought to the attention of "the family doctor or specialist.

After all, the basic rule is: small skin lesions require small surgical solutions, large lesions require large ones. Many benign or pre-cancerous lesions might not need more than observation, application of cream or destruction by freezing or burning. This decision should be made after a thorough examination and discussion between treating physician and patient. For many patients prevention comes too late, the damage already is done and some kind of treatment has to be initialed. However, for younger patients or those who have children it is good to know diligent sun protection during childhood and adolescence with appropriate clothing and sun creams with a high SPF (sun protection factor) can help prevent the solar skin changes that later turn into skin cancers like Basal Cell or Squamous Cell Carcinomas.

The price and brand of the product is not as important as its disciplined use. Many patients also associate cosmetic surgery with plastic surgery By Dr. Peter Giesswein, MD Plastic Surgeon, Carlisle Hospital Surgery on the skin means surgery on the largest organ of the human body; yes, that is correct. The skin is the largest organ of our body and it is more than just a fancy wrap. Without this organ our body cannot survive.

Do we do enough to keep this organ in excellent shape? Probably not. We have to do more to maintain its healthy appearance, its protective and metabolic function. The skin protects us from all kinds of environmental factors like damaging sun rays dust, chemicals, bacteria, clc. It is the first line of defense and once this line is overwhelmed or severely damaged, the body is in trouble. It is important to keep the skin as healthy as possible for as long as possible.

As a plastic surgeon I am called upon to do one of three things with the skin: repair, reconstruct or rejuvenate it. Each of those tasks requires great attention to detail and skilled execution of surgical procedures. The repair of skin defects is necessary after trauma. The patient may or may not be treated for asso For a free physician directory or to obtain referrals to our medical staff at Carlisle Hospital, please call our physician referral line at 245-5112..