A little more than a year ago, Kedren Crosby had an epiphany. She was on vacation and "literally standing on the banks of Walden Pond."
"Rather than experiencing a transcendental moment," she was being interviewed via phone by a newspaper reporter. After he told her to go and enjoy her vacation, she said, "I hung up and wondered just how many times I could skip my smooth, flat BlackBerry across Walden Pond. I realized I desperately needed to
simplify, simplify."
Crosby, who lives in Lancaster, is the former president and chief executive officer of Lancaster Investment in a Vibrant Economy, or L.I.V.E. She now devotes her time to "serving on lots of allocation panels, volunteering at my kids' school, reading, meditating ... learning about Ayurveda, rocking out in a band and trying to live an authentic, slow and quiet life."
Crosby also is a facilitator for other nonprofit executive directors through Millersville University's Nonprofit Resource Network Peer Growth Circle. "Lancaster has lessons to teach the rest of America," Crosby said. "Even her flaws dazzle if you consider their context."
"I'm also on the board of LancasterARTS, which cultivates Lancaster as an ideal environment in which the arts, and the artists, can flourish," she said. "We also enjoy the L.I.V.E. Green programs — just got a new rain barrel and composter — and the markets and parks."
Hometown: Findlay, Ohio.
Family: Tom Toczek, hubby and tireless partner in spirited adventures and opportunities for growth for over 20 years; Tomie, son, 9 years old; and Tess, daughter, 8 years old.
Pets: Mister Toffee Toczek, our 6-year-old beagle.
Education: Graduate degrees in urban policy from the University of Maryland and in nonprofit studies from Johns Hopkins University. Currently, I'm being educated in fiction writing at the Lancaster Literary Guild.
My first job was: A papergirl for the Intell on top of Blossom Hill in Neffsville. I became convinced that aliens were going to abduct me in the pitch black before dawn each morning. This job taught me how to overcome fear, but I also learned that aliens lurk in most suburban shrubbery, thus my lifelong commitment to urban living.
When I was growing up I wanted to be: An architect, a preacher and a truck driver. It was the '70s. Remember "Convoy" and CB radios?
My parents always told me: From my father: Make goals, get good grades and be responsible. My mother ascribed to the "Free-To-Be-You-and-Me" style of parenting and told me to be my true self no matter what anyone thinks. The problems only started last year when I found that my true self didn't always want to be particularly responsible.
My greatest accomplishment: Raising two children who are (so far) both responsible and committed to being themselves.
My greatest disappointment: Is with myself when I fail to listen to my intuition.
One thing I've learned: Boundaries.
One cause I support: Historic Preservation Trust.
There ought to be a law against: Racism.
The person in history I most admire: St. Therese of Lisieux.
The living person I most admire: My husband.
Favorite food: Olives from Mandros.
Something that can always be found in my refrigerator: Honey Crisp apples from Cherry Hill Orchard.
The best movie I've seen recently: "Vicky Cristina Barcelona."
The best book I've read recently: "Where I'm Calling From," by Raymond Carver.
The music I like best: The Softies, Magnetic Fields, Heavenly, Chet Baker, the soundtracks to "Hairspray" and "The Royal Tenenbaums," early Loretta Lynn, Carter Family, Donna Summer, Tuscadero, Tiger Trap, Draw Cubby, and Northern Soul.
My idea of exercise: Dancing at the Liz Lounge or the Tally Ho; walking my dog; an hour with Kara Barber at Be Fit; Manhattan with no subways; laundry up and down four stories for a family of four; and weeding the beautiful garden we just inherited with our new house.
My most satisfying extravagance is: A leisurely lunch at Carr's with one thoughtful friend and two dry martinis.
I always try to avoid: Negative people.
My idea of a good time is: A full day in Philly chock full of museums, movies and cheap vegan treats with anyone who likes to laugh loudly and often.
When I really want to relax I: Go get prettied up by Leigh [Lindsay] at Salon Fin.
For a really good vacation try: Spending a week in a yurt, playing in the Youghiogheny River.
I get angry because: Many of my smart, hardworking friends cannot afford health insurance.
Lancaster County's greatest asset is: Its religious, frugal, community-motivated, earth-loving heritage which still reverberates in the fascia of the social and civic sectors here.
If I could change one thing about myself it would be: To be unfazed by other people's unhealthy opinions, emotions or energy.
Melissa Julius is a member of the Sunday News staff. Contact her at mjulius@lnpnews.com.
