Pennsylvania Spirit Co KLYR Rum Reinvents Cocktail Rules, Creating Flavor, Body and Clean Taste, Adam Lehrhaupt shares
Adam Lehrhaupt, Amish Patel, and Neil Kahrim started a Pennsylvania-based spirits company with the simple goal of creating a better-tasting American rum.
As they started adjusting their recipe for flavor, they soon found health benefits and great cocktail and food pairings. The result? A purer, cleaner rum, with a flavor they claim creates its own genre.
One thing’s for sure, Pennsylvania cocktail lovers are ordering more and more.
The following is a conversation (via zoom) with Adam Lehrhaupt. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity. Find the full, un-edited talk at our Youtube channel.
Let’s start by saying you’re in a car right now and can you tell us why you’re in a car right now?
Adam: Yeah, so I’m in a car right now because today’s a big day for any sports people, but especially in the Philadelphia area.
KLYR Rum being poured at a Phillies game
We’ve got a 1 o’clock Phillies game. And as a rum company, we like to go down to those games when we can and just hang out at the ballpark and buy rum for people. Introduce them [to our KLYR Rum brand]. Either something they’ve never had before or if they are already a fan, getting them another one. So I’m heading down to the ballpark today to catch a ballgame and hang out with some Phillies fans. And then tonight, we’ve got the draft, so the ballgame will roll over into some fun at Xfinity Live. So we’ve got our products in Xfinity Live now.
So we’ll pop over there and roll into a little bit of draft night. See who everybody’s favorite football teams draft.
I love your guerrilla marketing style. You’re out there meeting the people.
Adam: [Points to his shirt] This is my Phillies KLYR shirt. It’s our KLYR K, but it’s in the Phillies pin stripes. I don’t know if you can see it’s got the Philly pin stripes on it.
Tell us about the KLYR brand itself and what you’re trying to accomplish.
Adam: Basically the idea for creating KLYR rum and I’ll start back at the beginning. One of my two main business partners, his name’s Amish Patel. He is a dentist. He grew up as a dentist. His dad is a dentist. His brother’s a dentist. Thirteen cousins are dentists. There’s nine more in dental school. He has another group of cousins who all work in dental laboratories.
So they make dentures and things like that. So he comes from a dental family in Pennsylvania. I think they’re around 93 offices now in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, the mid-Atlantic region.
He came to me over Covid and said he was done being a dentist and he wanted to do something different. And he had a friend who had been in the spirits industry, somebody he went to high school with, who created Whistle Pig and he said, I wanna create spirits.
And I said, first of all I’m in for anything spirits related, I’m a big fan and I went back and did a little bit of research to see what the market needed. So everything that we do is market driven, so we do research and figure out not what we think it needs.
What the market did have was a big kind of opening a gap in the Silver Rum area for something that was just very well made, but had flexibility. So a really good clean tasting silver rum didn’t really exist. So we set about trying to create it and that’s where KLYR Rum came from.
Now tell me a little bit about your background and the team itself. How the three of you got together.
Adam: So my current day job, when I’m not helping run this run business, is I write children’s books. So I’m a children’s book author.
Before that I was a senior art director for a company called Siemens Healthcare. Before that I was a roadie, but currently I’m a children’s book author and in my spare time I play hockey. That’s my little outlet for my extra energy. It’s my cardio when I’m working out.
And that’s where I met Amish. We all played against each other for years. And then finally a couple years ago, we ended up getting him onto my hockey team and we became pretty good friends. And when he presented this idea, I came back to him with rum as an idea.
He said, I have this guy I went to high school with. His name is Neil Kareem who’s from Trinidad. Let me get him on the phone. So we’re at lunch and he calls Neil and gets Neil on the phone and he goes, Neil, what do you think about, rum?
And Neil goes yeah, I like rum. Rum’s great. He goes, what about making rum? And Neil’s okay let’s figure it out. So really Neil and I were the ones who kinda went away for about five or six months and figured out how the whole distilling process worked, figured out how to build a distillery, put together all the numbers, and then Neil went out to try to find us a master distiller.
KLYR Rum Distiller Lexi Close
And he found somebody that we both really liked. And she agreed to meet us and we did this meeting and we just clicked right away. As it turned out, she was working for her family’s distillery, so we couldn’t hire her away at that time. But we did start working with her – her name’s Lexi Close and Lexi took my ideas and the flavor profiles I was talking about and the way that I described it to her, because it didn’t exist.
So I described it through other spirits. I wanted something with the clean taste of vodka or tequila, right? So I needed to keep that body that you get, but with the sugar of rum. You needed to have the mouthfeel of rum. What I wanted to lose was that harshness. There’s a harshness to rum that most people hide behind sugar.
It used to happen a lot with tequila as well. Luckily, Lexi’s a big tequila person, so she saw the change in tequila [from years ago, it’s much better now].
But she understood when I was talking about harsh tequila and she went about trying to [fix it]. She and I worked together. My work was just tasting it and making suggestions. She worked really hard.
She managed to create this whole new category of product that we are calling American Rum. To differentiate it from Caribbean style rum. We wanted to really delineate that this was something unique and different and it wasn’t like something you’d had before.
So let’s talk a little bit about flavors and the cans themselves, the process of making them?
Adam: Let’s start with how we got there first. Because when I started thinking of what drinks I would make with this great rum I was thinking summertime. A little sugar-free lemonade.
Then I came up with this idea for a drink at the ballpark. I called it “Clear sky”, so it had a little blue curacao in the lemonade, it was like a light blue kind of color.
We had that all last summer (2022) at Citizens Bank Park. Then we’re also up at the Iron Pigs Coca-Cola park where the Iron Pigs play in Bethlehem.
It was really light for a lemonade. It didn’t have a lot of sugar in it. I wanted to create that as one of our first cans. Then we were gonna do the traditional Orange Crush. Orange Crush is the big flavor down at the Jersey Shore towards the middle of last summer.
I expect it to be even bigger this year with all the peach crushes and everything that is happening. There’s a whole crush bar live now that’s how popular these are.
So we go in and we’ve got our flavor guy, Mike. He was concocting the mixes for us, and I wanted to keep them below 99 calories. That was very important to me, to go after the seltzer market, ready to drink’s or the White Claws. They’re basically made with cheap alcohol, hidden behind bubbles.
So we sat down and we started trying these lemonades, [testing for the] right amount of flavor. I tried the low flavor lemonade and I went, hold on, can you do this, but 20% less flavor?
I’m thinking we can get it to taste like water and it will be KLYR water. With the partnership with the Phillies, we’ve got Clearwater in Clearwater, right? Because that’s where they hold spring training.
He really took a lot of the flavoring out and basically something that tastes like ice cold water with a twist of lemon in it. So that was how we came up with that first flavor.
Then we had to create Crush. We did; and I thought it was good, but it was 99 calories. It had a lot of flavor to it, like an orange crush. As we’re going through and I’m drinking them, I’m [always] throwing in another shot of KLYR.
So when we decided to expand the water line to four flavors: the original OG water that has light, lemon flavor.
We have a tangerine water, which is really subtle, but it’s got sweeter, tangerine flavor to it. Still less than 99 calories.
Passion fruit which has got a little bit of that sour pop that passion fruit has.
Then the last one I really wanted to do a spa water, so we did cucumber mint. Which is my new go-to. I drink it all the time.
I knew that we wanted the flavors to be unique and different.
I didn’t want it to be sweet. When you get more full flavored, it ends up being more than 99 calories.
So the crush line became 6.5% [alcohol]. Because as I said, I kept adding an extra shot of KLYR to it. We could lower the sugar that we put in to give the flavor body so that we would get that kind of Crush body when you’re drinking it.
So they’re 6.5 %, they’re only 190 calories. We’ve got Orange Crush, Pineapple SmashBerry Lemonade Blast and Fruit Punch, which is like a tropical fruit punch. This is the juice bag of my youth. So I created those for people who like a little more pop, a little more flavor, and for anybody who goes into a bar and orders that double or triple IPA.
Is that why you didn’t want it sweet, for the calories?
Adam: No, I didn’t want it sweet because I don’t wanna hide the rum. I want you to be able to taste the rum. The flavorings might be great, but the rum is what we’re showcasing. So whatever we made, I wanted you to be able to still get those hints of the rum and enjoy that flavor as you’re drinking it.
For foodies, food pairing wise, what have been some great food combinations?
Adam: Let me go through the flavors of the crush line, because it splits, I think about them as like red wine and white wine.
So the water line is like a white wine. So you can have the waters with pizza, pasta, fish.
The Orange Crush and even the Pineapple Smash with Indian food or Mexican food where you have that spice but a little of that sweetness cuts through it and you have the body of the rum on the finish. Those things come out really well together.
[Now Adam has parked and is walking through their KLYR Rum office]
How much of your office is Pennsylvania based? Where’s your distiller?
Adam: Our distillery is in Lewisberry, so that’s in Pennsylvania out by Harrisburg.
Our headquarters is in Westchester. I am here in Bluebell. Keith is based in Quakertown.
Where can we find you? Where can we buy, where can we shop? Where can we follow?
Adam: In Pennsylvania we’re available through the PLCB (Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board).
We’re in 30 different stores right now, but we’re in the distribution centers, so anybody who doesn’t have it in their PLCB store order it to have it delivered to them.
If you are in the greater Philadelphia, Eastern PA area, as far as Bethlehem and out towards Harrisburg we do home delivery.
We have a whole thing on our website everywhere that you can find it. So you can put in your zip code and it’ll tell you where you can get it near you.
In Eastern and Central Pennsylvania use the code: Adam2023 at checkout and get up to 35% off you order.
Tell us which social media channels you’re on and how to find you on there?
Big Papi’s New York Debut: David Ortiz’s Dominican Ozama Rum Lands in Manhattan With Bold Flavor and Cultural Swagger
In a city that appreciates craftsmanship, culture, and a killer cocktail, there’s a new player on the scene ready to disrupt bar menus from Brooklyn rooftops to Central Park South. Hall-of-Fame legend David “Big Papi” Ortiz—yes, that David Ortiz—is officially entering the world of fine spirits with the launch of Ozama Rum, a 100% Dominican-made, ultra-premium rum that’s already turning heads in the five boroughs.
Far more than just a celebrity vanity label, Ozama Rum is a deeply personal project rooted in Ortiz’s Dominican heritage, shaped by tradition, and tailored for modern palates. Named after the Ozama River in Santo Domingo, the spirit is crafted from start to finish in the Dominican Republic, earning the prestigious Ron Dominicano designation that certifies its authenticity.
“To me, Ozama isn’t just about rum, it’s about identity, pride, and progress,” said Ortiz. “I wanted to build something that celebrates the energy and soul of my people and shows the world what we’re made of. It’s always been important for me to do things the right way, which is why this labor of love has been one of the most rewarding projects of my career. I can’t wait for people to try it! They say that perfection doesn’t exist, but you can get close to it.”
Ozama Rum: Where Craft Meets Culture in a Bottle
Available in three expressions, Ozama Rum brings a polished Dominican sensibility to Manhattan’s world-class cocktail scene—whether you’re sipping at Bemelmans, lounging at Soho House, or unwinding in a Brooklyn brownstone. Each expression is aged for at least a year in oak barrels and bottled on the island, delivering a terroir-driven taste of the Caribbean with unmistakable sophistication.
Ozama Blanco: Bright, citrus-forward, and kissed with white pepper, this platinum-hued rum is clean yet complex. Ideal for refreshing cocktails in Greenwich Village patios or summer spritzes on the rooftop at Le Bain.
Ozama Añejo: Smooth and refined, this copper-colored beauty delivers layers of vanilla, toffee, and a subtle note of chocolate—perfect for pairing with dessert at Eleven Madison Park or sipping solo in a Chelsea loft.
Ozama Gran Añejo: Rich and elegant, with aromas of honey, dates, candied fruits, and fine wood. This is a sipping rum made for slow conversations in the Upper East Side, where the bottle becomes the centerpiece.
Price points are as approachable as the flavor profiles—ranging from $25 to $40 for 700ml—making Ozama accessible luxury in every sense.
A New Spirit for a City of Tastemakers
New York is no stranger to premium spirits. But Ozama enters the market at a moment when consumer interest in rum is booming. According to Global View Research, the global rum market was valued at $11.77 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow 5.6% annually through 2030. That growth is driven by a shift toward artisanal, culturally rooted spirits—just the kind of origin story Manhattan drinkers crave.
And Ortiz isn’t just lending his name. The former MLB star partnered closely with a team of Dominican artisans and Abbott Wolfe, CEO of Drink2Success, to bring this vision to life.
“From day one, David had a clear vision to create an ultra-premium rum that feels authentic, vibrant, and undeniably Dominican—it was important to him to spotlight the Dominican Republic and at the same time give back to the community that raised him,” said Wolfe.
Giving Back, the Dominican Way
Ozama Rum’s purpose doesn’t stop at the bottle. Two percent of the brand’s profits will go toward cleaning up the Ozama River and supporting underserved communities along its banks. It’s a gesture that feels at home in a city that values global citizenship and local impact.
Where to Find Ozama in New York City
Available now online at drinkozama.com, Ozama is rolling out this summer at select retailers, bars, and restaurants across Manhattan and Brooklyn. Early interest from high-end mixologists in Tribeca, Williamsburg, and the Upper West Side suggests Ozama will quickly find a place among New York’s finest pours.
Whether it’s mixed into a refined mojito at Dante, poured neat at Maison Premiere, or offered as a pairing in the city’s growing number of Afro-Caribbean culinary spots, Ozama is a rum built for New York sophistication—with a heartbeat from the Dominican Republic.
Final Pour: The Big Apple Meets Big Papi
In a town where everything is fast, curated, and fueled by narrative, Ozama Rum offers something deeper—a bottle with a backstory, a cultural anchor, and the kind of authenticity that New Yorkers respect.
As Ortiz says, “They say that perfection doesn’t exist, but you can get close to it.”
And here in Manhattan, close to perfect is more than enough reason to raise your glass.
Taraji P. Henson Brings Her Moscato for with Manhattan NYC Magic to the High Seas with Princess Cruises
Broadway lights, Harlem hustle, and now—Taraji P. Henson’s Moscato on the open ocean.
The Emmy-nominated, Oscar-nodded powerhouse and entrepreneur has teamed up with Princess Cruises to bring her celebrated Seven Daughters Moscato to the brand’s exclusive Love Lines Premium Liquors Collection. And while Taraji’s roots are D.C. born, New Yorkers know she’s always brought a Manhattan-level boldness to everything she touches—whether it’s a red carpet or a wine glass.
“Seven Daughters is more than just a bottle of wine; it’s a celebration in a glass,” Henson shared. “Our Moscato is inviting, refreshing, and perfect for moments of connection which is what makes this partnership with Princess Cruises so amazing. Now we can experience this feeling with people from around the world, whether they’re toasting under the stars or relaxing on the open sea.”
That connection is something every New Yorker craves—especially when escaping the city’s breakneck pace for a well-earned recharge. With Princess Cruises offering sailings from the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, it’s never been easier to trade the city skyline for an ocean horizon—glass of Henson’s Moscato in hand.
Featuring notes of tropical fruit and honeysuckle, Seven Daughters offers the kind of bright, celebratory flavor that fits perfectly between a jazz brunch in the West Village and a rooftop toast in Midtown. Now, thanks to Princess Cruises, it’s also a go-to at sea.
“Princess Cruises is committed to curating distinctive, high-quality experiences for our guests, and Seven Daughters aligns seamlessly with that vision,” said Sami Kohen, Vice President of Food and Beverage at Princess Cruises. “Taraji’s Moscato reflects a bold yet approachable style that we know our guests will love.”
Henson’s wine joins an all-star lineup of bottles in the Love Lines Premium Liquors Collection, which includes Jason Momoa and Blaine Halvorson’s Meili Vodka, Camila and Matthew McConaughey’s Pantalones Organic Tequila, Blake Lively’s Betty Booze and Betty Buzz, Liev Schreiber’s Sláinte Irish Whiskey, Jason Aldean’s Melarosa wines, Romero Britto’s Love Prosecco, and Kylie Minogue’s No Alcohol Sparkling Rosé.
But Henson’s addition feels especially New York in spirit—sophisticated, stylish, and full of character. For city dwellers looking to trade the subway for a stateroom, Seven Daughters is an invitation to unwind without leaving the energy behind.
As Strategic Advisor and Creative Collaborator, Henson has helped shape every aspect of the wine’s personality, much like she’s done with her most iconic roles. And just like New York, this Moscato is lively, expressive, and impossible to ignore.
Whether you’re a downtown art dealer, an Upper East Side socialite, or a Brooklyn creative looking to unplug, a Princess cruise with a glass of Taraji’s Moscato might be just the blend of luxury and leisure you didn’t know you needed.
So the next time you’re booking a departure from NYC, remember: this isn’t just another cruise. It’s a chance to sip something special—with a side of Taraji—and toast to life beyond the grid.
Find out more about the Love Lines Premium Liquors Collection and upcoming sailings at www.princess.com.
WWE and Seagrams Just Dropped Boozy, Slam-Worthy Drinks—And Manhattan Is the First Stop
NEW YORK, NY — In a city where everything moves faster, hits harder, and parties louder, WWE is making its boldest off-the-top-rope move yet—launching its first-ever ready-to-drink alcoholic beverage right here in the heart of Manhattan.
WWE and Seagram’s Escapes Spiked just announced a multi-year partnership that’s as wild as a Hell in a Cell match in Madison Square Garden. The result? A brand-new, wrestling-themed lineup of flavored malt beverages, designed for fans who live big and drink bold.
And New York, you’re first in line. From East Village rooftops to uptown bodegas, the Seagram’s Escapes Spiked WWE Series is already popping up across the five boroughs—just in time to raise a can and body slam the summer heat.
The Big Apple Meets the Big Elbow
This isn’t just a licensing deal. It’s a cultural collision between two icons—WWE, the global entertainment empire born in gritty arenas, and Seagram’s, a brand rooted in fun, flavor, and that “no apologies” energy New Yorkers know best.
“Seagram’s has a rich history of innovation and a deep commitment to authenticity, making it the ideal partner to go to market with our first-ever licensed ready-to-drink product,” said Grant Norris-Jones, EVP and Head of Global Partnerships at TKO Group Holdings, WWE’s parent company. “And let’s be honest—there’s no better place to launch than NYC.”
Flavor That Hits Like a Superkick
The new Spiked series isn’t here to sip quietly—it’s here to stand on tables in the Meatpacking District and shout “Let’s get ready to rumble!” at rush hour. The three debut flavors bring serious personality:
Rumble Punch™ – A remix of the fan-favorite Jamaican Me Happy, this tropical knockout blends strawberry, watermelon, lemon, and guava. Perfect for rooftop hangs in SoHo or post-work drinks on the Hudson.
Pineapple Powerhouse™ – With bold pineapple, cherry, and lime, this can packs all the energy of a 2 a.m. dance floor in Hell’s Kitchen.
Slammin’ Blueberry™ – A clean one-two punch of blueberry and lemon, tailor-made for chill park days at Bryant Park or Union Square pre-games.
All three flavors are now stocked across Manhattan—from your corner deli on Lexington to upscale liquor boutiques in the West Village.
WWE Superstars Coming to a Bodega Near You?
This isn’t just about what’s in the can. As an Official Partner of WWE, Seagram’s Escapes Spiked will be front and center at major WWE events—Money in the Bank®, SummerSlam®, and Survivor Series®—and heavily featured in exclusive digital content starring your favorite Superstars.
But NYC gets something even better: in-person appearances from WWE Superstars at select retailers across the city. Think autograph signings, selfie ops, and unexpected encounters with wrestling royalty at your go-to wine shop in the East 60s or downtown bodega.
“Our collaboration with WWE marks an exciting moment for Seagram’s Spiked as we connect with WWE’s global—and very NYC-centric—fanbase,” said Jaime Polisoto, brand director for Seagram’s Escapes. “Our sales team is amped to bring Superstars directly into the city to meet fans where they live.”
From MSG to Madison Ave—This Is New York’s Drink of the Summer
If there was ever a city made for this kind of crossover, it’s NYC. From the gritty legacy of wrestling nights at Madison Square Garden to the rooftop bar culture that defines Manhattan summers, Seagram’s Escapes Spiked WWE Series is built for the urban fight fan, the flavor chaser, and anyone who wants to sip something loud while living larger.
So next time you’re grabbing a six-pack for a rooftop party in Williamsburg, pregaming before a Barclays event, or just need something cold to crush after a subway grind—grab a can and drink like a champion.
Because this summer in NYC, the most electrifying drinks in entertainment have officially entered the ring.
Joe Wehinger (nicknamed Joe Winger) has written for over 20 years about the business of lifestyle and entertainment. Joe is an entertainment producer, media entrepreneur, public speaker, and C-level consultant who owns businesses in entertainment, lifestyle, tourism and publishing. He is an award-winning filmmaker, published author, member of the Directors Guild of America, International Food Travel Wine Authors Association, WSET Level 2 Wine student, WSET Level 2 Cocktail student, member of the LA Wine Writers. Email to: Joe@FlavRReport.com
High blood pressure has a tastier solution than even before thanks to Music Producer Ira Antelis — 120/Life to Help Us All Be Healthier
Have high blood pressure? Over 100 million people do. Music Producer Ira Antelis wanted to do something about it, so he created 120/Life to help himself and others become healthier.
“Your blood pressure’s sky high,” founder Ira Antelis ’s doctor told him. “Get it down in 3 weeks, or it’s surgery.” So Ira went started changing his lifestyle. But also, investigating health.
It turns out, there’s answers out there. And he wanted to know more.
Today I sat down with 120/Life’s Ira Antelis for a conversation about music, creativity, getting healthy and Ira’s inspiring message about following your passion and inspirations.
The conversation has been edited for length and clarity. The full conversation can be found on our YouTube channel.
So as we just jump right in, Ira, can you give us a little background on you? What did do for a living before 120 life?
Sure. Most of my life has been writing and producing music. A lot of television commercials. The famous one is a Michael Jordan like Mike if I could be like Mike, which was just in the close the closing credits of the “Air” movie, and 30 years later.
Songs from McDonald’s for Disney, artists like Christina Aguilera, Regina Bell, Patti LaBelle, have recorded or sung my music.
The concept of how I got from there to a blood pressure drink is always like mind boggling to many, and including me, because it’s a path I never would have thought would have arisen to be honest, and it came out of a health issue, and it’s funny because you relate to blood pressure and music. There is a relationship because in music, you put things together. So let’s say I create a piece of music on the piano and say, okay, great. So now I’m going to get a, I wrote the music, I’m going to get… The bass player, I’m going to get the drums, I’m going to get the violins, and then I’m going to put it all together. And I’ve been doing that for many years, it’s like putting ingredients together. And a health issue my blood pressure had risen really high, dangerously high. And then we’re like you have to get this fixed.
If not, we’re going to have to do surgery. Because over time, the first thing anybody I think would do is say what if you have high blood pressure. What do you do? What do you eat? What do you drink? And when it came to the drinks, I kept reading about these things that they all have studies.
I was like, wait a minute. Pomegranate juice, I’m reading the studies. You drink it for six weeks. And one day it just struck me. If I take all of these ingredients, I think it’s like mixing a piece of music and putting them all together. I just knew in my mind they would work because I think the music related to the blood pressure and that’s how it all began.
You literally almost produced a beverage in the same way you produce music.
You brought in several elements together, let’s say drums, a guitar, a vocalist, all the elements of a band. You thought of it like that, but you found these superfood ingredients and said, gosh, these ingredients could all work together.
Yes, that’s 100% correct. Now what I was doing is that I think like I’m going to produce this drink like I’m producing music. No, but I’ve had a recording studio for 30 years of my life and I’m making music every day of my life.
It’s just secondhand nature to do things in combinations for me. So when I thought about it later on, I’m like, Oh yeah, that’s why it works. I saw the ingredients, they look the same. I knew I can mix them together. Just from my process of music. I think that’s what happened.
If you’re doing the music every day, do you think you use creativity to solve a health concern?
Yeah, I think on some level that’s what happened. I was looking at things and I saw it, but in a way maybe nobody else saw it. And I think when you’re a creative person, then that tends to be the, where you go first on some level. I’m always thinking of things from a creative standpoint.
Is there a life lesson at all in here for people, using creativity and trial and error and the confidence to try new things.
Yeah, it’s funny because I did this music project with music from the Holocaust. And we, I wrote the Carnegie Hall and we sold it out, beyond the most successful thing in my life. And I was sent to somebody, if I had to write a book about my life, I would title the book, “Everybody Says No”. And I think that’s the way, the mission of my life don’t ever let anybody stop your ideas. Ever.
If you are passionate about anything, go figure out a way to do it. And I think it’s a life lesson about creativity. What it is, go do it.
So from a step by step process, you have a doctor’s meeting, you’re told you have a health concern, can you just walk us through what those next steps were?
So the first thing somebody tells you, you have extremely high blood pressure. It has to come down. And most of the people I’ve ever met would say we know what high blood pressure can do.
But my question was not that. My question is what is causing the high blood pressure? What is it? My dad was a pharmacist; he knew about strokes and heart attacks. I was trying to figure out what it is and how do you stop it?
And the truth is even though the doctor is a friend of mine that they will basically go figure it out.
First thing I learned is to cut your salt. That was stop number one. Most studies show if you cut your salt, it will lower your blood. I’m just doing everything I can do, even taking medication. I’m going on a salt free diet for three weeks. So you have fruit, vegetables, but not just salt. Every cookie that has sodium, I’m not eating.
That was like step number one.
Then I’m Googling what are the best foods to eat? What are the best things to drink? And that began the process. Reading about these did lower my blood pressure to the point where they didn’t have to operate.
But you get stuck or passionate about some things. So every day I’m on the computer, looking up drinks for high blood pressure. Many of the same things come up, beet juice or beet powder, lowers your blood pressure. Hibiscus tea lowers your blood pressure. Pomegranate juice
I’m reading the studies. Then one day It just dawned on me. Wait a minute if all of these lower your blood pressure a little bit. Together, maybe it will lower it a lot.
I figured, somebody had done it. Not only was that not there. Even to this day, there was nothing there. Zero.
There’s 110 million people that have high blood pressure. And there’s nothing, there is not a drink out there with these ingredients.
Yeah. But that began the journey.
So on this journey you had different levels of support. You have a nutritionist in your life, Susan Schachter, talk about her involvement
So as I’m making this drink, [I’m thinking] what’s the best way for people to try it? So I kept thinking, okay, I’m going to make these jugs that contain 112 ounces. And I would give it to people that I knew had high blood pressure and say try it for two weeks. I’m doing that because one of the people I gave it to is my cousin who at the time was the sole distributor for Keurig the coffee machines and the K cups. I’m thinking okay I need to get him to distribute this drink.
So I gave it to him and said look if your blood pressure lowers from this drink, you got to promise me you’ll distribute it. He said, ‘Okay’, because he’s very skeptical and he thought there’s no way.
And sure enough, his blood pressure lowered 30 or 40 points. He said, ‘Okay, I’ll distribute it. But, what do you know about this stuff?’
My childhood friend Susan Schachter has a Master’s in nutrition. I sent her the drink. She made some tweaks and that’s how I got her involved.
Can we go through all six natural ingredients?
Let me start with beets; the superfood for athletes so I knew I was going to have beets in my drink.
Hibiscus tea has been around for years and have said a multitude of studies. even in the Middle East about lowering your blood pressure. I think some of the qualities are in medical terms that can act like an ACE inhibitor.
The third ingredient is pomegranate juice. It can act as a beta blocker. It has a lot of antioxidants. So I think those three were the really big things in the drink.
Susan added magnesium and potassium. It relaxes your blood vessels.
Through the studies, I was reading about cranberry juice and tart cherry juice, which has been used for recovery for athletes for soreness of muscles.
I enjoyed the taste. I’m always worried health products will “taste like science” Your drink doesn’t. What does it taste like to you and how do you recommend drinking it?
The most important thing is it can probably really help you. Some people really like how it tastes.
I say mix it with cranberry juice or put it in your smoothie, especially now we have a powder. So there are different options. I think the point is that high blood pressure is not something to mess around with. Too many bad things could happen.
Is there anything that you want to talk about?
We’re in a society where people age out, we become disposable after a certain age in so many industries, so I’m inspired by my own story, 60 years old rather than retiring or doing something I had the wherewithal to say, I’m going to do this, it’s never too late in life if you want to do things.
And I think that’s a message for a lot of people. Most people do not start a business at 60. But my thought is like, you have this passion, you have this dream, go for it. I’m very thrilled to just be a part of it. I let my CEO run it.
The second thing is that I, we always say to people, Susan always says, know your numbers. Be responsible with your health. Drink 120 life. Pomegranate juice. Beet juice, Hibiscus tea, Cut your salt. That’s my message.
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POCONOS PARK™ goes “full-throttle” as it makes final preparations for the upcoming LOST HIGHWAY™ Motorcycle Show & Concert slated for May 19-21, 2023.
Best described as:
“an extraordinary mashup of motorcycles and music”
the Pocono’s inaugural LOST HIGHWAY Show & Concert will be a weekend chock-full of beautiful bikes, great live music, multiple charity rides and poker runs, and a headline concert on Friday night featuring LYNYRD SKYNYRD, with The Marshall Tucker Band (both bands now celebrating their 50th Anniversary of Southern Rockdom).
Today through Sunday, April 23, EARLY-BIRD Saturday General Admission passes are available for only $19.99 (plus fees), with Friday General Admission passes available for $29.99 (plus fees) respectively.
Prices will increase on Monday, April 24, so fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets now!
Fans can also opt for the Saturday American Metal Whiskey VIP experience, which will be on sale on April 24th starting at $59.99.
For purchase options or a complete schedule, please visit LOSTHIGHWAYSHOW.COM.
In addition to daily activities that include bike games, a cornhole tournament, multiple poker runs, Copper Mike Custom Bike Show on Friday, the Deadbeat Custom Clash Ride-In Bike Show on Saturday, the Speed-Kings Cycle Showcase all weekend, and a motorcycle art gallery (curated by Strati Hovartos), LOST HIGHWAY™ Motorcycle Show & Concert’s schedule now includes performances by Struggle Jennings (“Fall In The Fall,” “God We Need You Now”), Bones Owens (“Good Day,” “Lightning Strike”), Redlight King (“Bullet In My Hand,” “Born To Rise”), and Rick Monroe & The Hitmen (“Crazy Not To,” “Fires Out”) to round out Saturday’s music.
The LOST HIGHWAY™ Motorcycle Show & Concert will also include two charity rides. Friday’s LOST HIGHWAY™ Motorcycle Show & Concert First Responders Ride in support of all first responders will raise funds for the Bushkill Volunteer Fire Company. Saturday’s LOST HIGHWAY™ Motorcycle Show & Concert Warrior Built Ride will raise funds for the Warrior Built Foundation, an organization that supports combat veterans and wounded service members by providing vocational and recreational opportunities within the motorsports industry.
Both charity rides are LIMITED to the first 125 registrants and will gather for coffee and donuts at Pocono Mountain Harley Davidson (110 Hill Motor Lodge Rd. in Tannersville) beginning at 10 a.m. Following a brief demonstration by Ride Like a Pro, both rides will depart at approximately 11 a.m. for LOST HIGHWAY™ Motorcycle Show & Concert at POCONOS PARK and be guided by Poconos Mountain HOG Chapter along a scenic route showcasing the beauty of the region.
EARLY-BIRD Ride Bundles for Friday’s First Responders’ Charity Ride or Saturday’s Warrior Built Charity Ride are now available starting at $24.99(which includes a corresponding LOST HIGHWAY™ Motorcycle Show & Concert General Admission ticket). Ride Charity Ride prices will go up on Monday, April 24, so go to LOSTHIGHWAYSHOW.COMand reserve your spot today!!
A smashing success on the West Coast and named “Best Event” by Hot Bikemagazine, LOST HIGHWAY™ Motorcycle Show & Concert was founded in 2015 by bike & music enthusiast John M. Oakes (CEO-From The Roots–the venue management/real estate company that owns and operates POCONOS PARK.
“We are thrilled for the LOST HIGHWAY™ Motorcycle Show & Concert to launch on the East Coast! We will be showcasing the finest bikes and some of the best riding the East Coast has to offer,” states Oakes, “…with great music all weekend long!” he adds. “However, the window is closing to take advantage of early pricing discounts, enter the LOST HIGHWAY sweepstakes, and enter our Battle of the Bands competition to be part of the musical lineup that includes Lynyrd Skynyrd.” He suggests, “so, maybe put that tax refund to good use and let the good times roll in the Poconos!”
LOST HIGHWAY™ Motorcycle Show & Concert’s Sweepstakes tickets are still available through Sunday evening. Fans can win a VIP trip for two to see Lynyrd Skynyrd at LOST HIGHWAY™ Motorcycle Show & Concert(including flights, hotel, a backstage tour, and more), PLUS a 2023 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special from Poconos Mountain Harley-Davidson customized by Steve Edgar from Speed Kings Cycle Supply(or $20,000 in cash–your choice)! Proceeds go to The Warrior Built Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides vocational and recreational therapy to combat veterans and wounded warriors. A $50 donation is suggested to greatly increase your chance of winning.
Friday, May 19**
10:00 AM – First Responders Ride (Registration) at Pocono Mountain Harley-Davidson
11:00 AM – First Responders Charity Ride from Pocono Mountain Harley-Davidson
1:00 PM – Gates Open with DJ Party
1:00 PM –“Copper” Mike Custom Bike Show (Registration) All day – Poker Chip Ride
1-7 PM – Motorcycle Mall & Vendor Village
2:15 PM – Battle of the Bands Winner Performance
2:55 PM – Rick Monroe & The Hitmen
5:05 PM – Seth Enslow
6:15 PM – The Jess Zimmerman Band
7:30 PM – The Marshall Tucker Band
9:00 PM – Lynyrd Skynyrd
Saturday, May 20**
10:00 AM – Warrior Built Ride (Registration) at Pocono Mountain Harley-Davidson
11:00 AM – Warrior Built Charity Ride from Pocono Mountain Harley-Davidson
1:00 PM – Gates Open with DJ Party
1:00 PM – Deadbeat Customs Clash Bike Show (Registration) All Day – Poker Chip Ride
1-9 PM – Motorcycle Mall & Vendor Village
2:15 PM – Battle of the Bands Winner Performance
2:55 PM – Rick Monroe & The Hitmen
4:00 PM – Redlight King
5:15 PM – Bones Owens
6:35 PM – Struggle Jennings
Finally, there is still time for talented bands to enter POCONOS PARK Battle of the Bands to perform at the LOST HIGHWAY™ Motorcycle Show & Concert. Fans are also encouraged to visit the site and vote for their favorite bands to kick off Friday evening’s lineup featuring the legendary Lynyrd Skynyrd! Visit BattleOfTheBands.com for more information.
ABOUT POCONOS PARK™
POCONOS PARK™, located only 18 miles north of Stroudsburg in the Bushkill Falls region near Delaware Water Gap National Park, will operate as a boutique festival site and play host to world-class tours and productions, as well as special events. The complex includes two sizable venues: the Amphitheater at Poconos Park, a 10,000+-capacity, open-air, amphitheater with thousands of seats near the stage, and a beautiful grass lawn for thousands more to enjoy entertainment in the great outdoors. (The amphitheater can also be converted to a 3,000-capacity, fully-enclosed venue for year-round performances); and the Lake House at Poconos Park, a 14,000-square-foot banquet hall is located on a scenic 90-acre lake. (The theater can seat up to 400 people for private events such as banquets, corporate retreats, weddings, etc., and serve as a facility for first-class VIP experiences for concerts, festivals, and other large events.)For more information, please visit PoconosPark.com.
Reneé Rapp Discusses New Album with Drew Barrymore and Performs at NYC’s The 92nd Street Y Aug 21.
Acclaimed singer-songwriter and actress Reneé Rapp visits 92NY on Monday, August 21 at 7:30 pm for a conversation with Drew Barrymore about her debut LP Snow Angel, followed by a special performance.
In-person and online tickets are available on 92NY’s website.
Reneé Rapp visits 92NY to perform
Earning scores of fans and accolades for her time both on the stage and screen (and a sold-out national tour), Rapp enters new territory on Snow Angel. Centering her voice and songwriting, the debut album is a piercing collection of songs wrought from emotional upheaval and personal transformation.
Reneé Rapp visits 92NY for fan favorites “Snow Angel” and “In the Kitchen”
Hear Rapp discuss the making of the record, the personal experiences behind new songs like “Snow Angel” and fan-favorites like “In the Kitchen,” stories from the studio, and much more — followed by an intimate, special performance.
Reneé Rapp began harnessing her natural creativity by writing and recording songs when she was just a teenager. Eventually, her career took off when she landed the coveted role of Regina George in the Tony-nominated Mean Girls musical on Broadway. Shortly after, she found widespread recognition and praise—from the likes of W, Harper’s Bazaar, and The Hollywood Reporter for her performance as Leighton on the HBO Max series The Sex Lives of College Girls written by Mindy Kaling.
Reneé Rapp visits 92NY to discuss her career
Rapp then turned her attention back to music, sharing her threadbare insecurities on debut single “Tattoos.” Since then, her songs have caught on like wildfire with listeners. The multi-hyphenate’s entire debut headline tour sold out in a matter of minutes, her inspiring single “Too Well” has impacted the Top 40, and her discography has amassed over 200 million streams and counting. Not only that, she will be reprising the role of Regina George in the forthcoming Paramount+ feature adaptation of the Broadway musical Mean Girls.
Rapp’s 2022 debut EP Everything to Everyone, as well as its deluxe edition, firmly established her pop staying power, while her debut LP, Snow Angel , is an elevated showcase the hitmaker’s vulnerable approach to songwriting and stunning vocal range.
About The 92nd Street Y, New York
The 92nd Street Y, New York (92NY) is a world-class center for the arts and innovation, a convener of ideas, and an incubator for creativity. Now celebrating its 150th anniversary, 92NY offers extensive classes, courses and events online including live concerts, talks and master classes; fitness classes for all ages; 250+ art classes, and parenting workshops for new moms and dads. The 92nd Street Y, New York is transforming the way people share ideas and translate them into action all over the world. All of 92NY’s programming is built on a foundation of Jewish values, including the capacity of civil dialogue to change minds; the potential of education and the arts to change lives; and a commitment to welcoming and serving people of all ages, races, religions, and ethnicities.
