Author Archives: Maddie Conley

Big Lift: Big Brothers Big Sisters expands, addresses growing need

February 27, 2025 | by Phyllis Zimmerman

Every two weeks or so, Ariana, an 11-year-old from Mechanicsburg, eagerly awaits a fun-filled visit with Jamie, her Big Sister mentor.

“I get out the house, and Jamie’s so sweet and nice,” Ariana said. “I spend time with her and Amelia (Jamie’s niece) and go eat or do something fun together.”

Ariana and Jamie were matched nearly five years ago by Big Brothers Big Sisters of South-Central PA, which serves more than 1,300 young people throughout Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry and York counties.

“I’ll never forget when I got the call from BBBS, and they said, ‘We’ve found the perfect little sister for you. She is energetic, loves crafts, and is full of personality,’ Jamie said. “We know you guys will be great together—and boy, were they right.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters is a nationwide federation comprising 230 affiliates throughout the United States, including Big Brothers Big Sisters of South-Central PA. Each affiliate has its own budget, board of directors and set of operational procedures.

“We have our own fundraising, grants, donations, corporate partners, events and separate event sponsors,” said Krystina Shultz, BBBS of South-Central PA’s marketing and communications manager.

One of the South-Central PA agency’s biggest fundraisers is “Bowl for Kids’ Sake.”

This year’s event takes place throughout March and April, with each participating team asked to raise a minimum of $500 to support the agency’s many youth mentoring programs. Teams comprising five bowlers each may raise the requested total as a group, or individuals may participate for a minimum goal of $100.

Fundraiser success is vital because the need in our area is growing. Last year comprised “our greatest number of youth served in a single year over the last 20 years,” Shultz said.

Extending Reach

Big Brothers Big Sisters’ national origins trace back to 1904 when New York City Court Clerk Ernest Coulter noticed an increasing number of young boys coming through his courtroom. Through observation, Coulter decided that caring adults could help many of the youngsters stay out of trouble. He then took action with the beginning of the Big Brother movement.

Concurrently, a Ladies of Charity group, later to become known as Catholic Big Sisters, was befriending girls coming through New York Children’s Court. The boys’ and girls’ groups continued to work independently until joining forces to become Big Brothers Big Sisters of America in 1977.

Today, Big Brothers Big Sisters operates in all 50 U.S. states and 12 countries worldwide, continuing its mission to “create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.”

The local organization was first established as Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region in 1981, activating the belief that “every child possesses the potential to succeed and thrive in life.” At that time, the affiliate serviced Cumberland, Dauphin, Lebanon and Perry counties.

In October 2024, the Capital Region affiliate officially changed its name to Big Brothers Big Sisters of South-Central PA upon expanding its service area to include York and Adams counties.

“We extended our reach into York and Adams counties because it was the right thing to do,” said Mary Murphy, the affiliate’s vice president of development. “We changed our name to better reflect our coverage and are now BBBS of South-Central PA.”

Positive Change

Program services provided by Big Brothers Big Sisters of South-Central PA include:

Community-Based Program. Bigs and Littles meet two to four times monthly, with both deciding activities and times and places to meet. The Bigs’ goal is to “expand their Littles’ world view and introduce them to new experiences through community activities and everyday conversation,” according to the organization.
Site-Based Program. Bigs and Littles meet at a designated location, with several sub-programs falling under this category. Subprograms include Bigs in School, which involves meeting at a Little’s school before, during or after school hours.
High School Bigs & College Bigs programs, where high school and college students “learn leadership skills while volunteering as mentors at nearby elementary and middle schools.”
Bigs in Blue program, which introduces youth to active-duty law enforcement officers who serve as mentors. Officers meet with Littles each month at the child’s school.
Beyond School Walls, a workforce development program introducing high school students to professionals from area businesses, trades and higher education. Students and adult mentors meet bi-monthly at a corporate, educational or community location “to inspire and prepare students for their future.”
Sports Buddies, where Bigs and Littles meet at a local YMCA to swim, work out and participate in YMCA-hosted activities.

Big Brothers Big Sisters also offers field trips, career exploration opportunities and educational opportunities year-round, including a Historically Black Colleges & Universities Fair, Graduation Recognition & Scholarship Presentation, Back-to-School Block Party, Youth Leadership Summit, Bigs in Blue field trip, and other customized activities.

As for Little Sister Ariana, her mother Mary said that she’s noticed positive changes in her daughter since Ariana and Jamie started spending time together.

“Ariana’s always been an outgoing person. I mean, she’s not a shy person,” Mary said. “I think Big Brothers Big Sisters is a good program. I think it’s helped Ariana’s self-esteem. I think there’s change for the better.”

For information on Big Brothers Big Sisters of South-Central PA, or to register or donate to Bowl for Kids’ Sake, visit www.capbigs.org.

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For the Love of Movement: The Harrisburg chapter of a national nonprofit keeps dance alive

February 27, 2025 | by Rachel Curry

Jennifer Kokoski did not grow up dancing, but the creative outlet was often on her mind.

“I know a lot of kids do ballet and jazz and tap. I was never that kid,” she said. “I’ve loved music and dance and thought, well, maybe now is the time.”

Kokoski signed up for the Harrisburg chapter of the national nonprofit, USA Dance, less than a year ago. Not long after, she became a board member, helping spread USA Dance’s mission to improve the quality and quantity of dance in the country.

Even though USA Dance has been around since 1984, and Harrisburg’s local chapter has operated for decades, Kokoski’s status as a newcomer was anything but daunting.

“It’s a very welcoming, warm, energetic community,” she said. “If you don’t know anybody, you can still come and find your place.”

You can even come without a partner, she added.

The organization hosts monthly meetups on the third Sunday of every month with dance lessons and practice, focusing on a range of ballroom styles like the foxtrot, waltz, tango, cha-cha and more.

“We also include a lot of pop dancing, such as the Hustle, more known as disco in the dance world, and some country dance, line dance,” said Ken Pandozzi, president of USA Dance’s Harrisburg chapter and vice president for social dance for the national organization.

The group holds all their events at PA DanceSport Ballroom in Hummelstown, and anyone is welcome. Kokoski said that the group is especially in need of leads, even those who are new to dance.

“It’s a wonderful skill to have,” she said.

Lots of Smiles

Pandozzi started dancing about 31 years ago and has served as the chapter president for a decade. To add to it, he’s a local dance instructor and ballroom DJ for the area. Besides his love of dance, Pandozzi is in it for the health of it all.

“There’s a lot that’s going on with the human body,” he said.

Research shows that dance provides both physiological and psychological benefits to people who are otherwise healthy, as well as those struggling with medical issues. Dance is known to have a positive effect on people with Alzheimer’s disease, improving their physical and cognitive function as well as quality of life. It can also help improve functional mobility for people with Parkinson’s disease.

Besides her work with USA Dance, Kokoski participates and volunteers with Move A-way Parkinson’s Disease. Move A-way PD is central Pennsylvania’s only musical and movement program for adults with Parkinson’s Disease. The group hosts weekly movement classes featuring live music accompaniments.

“Even with the challenge of a neurological disorder, there are health benefits for this type of movement,” Kokoski said.

Harrisburg’s USA Dance has a waltz lesson planned for their March meetup. While the pandemic threw off their ability to plan special events outside of the regular monthly meetups, they’re currently in talks to bring those back.

How are they different from a standard dance studio? It centers around their status as a nonprofit organization.

“We’re not in business for profit,” Pandozzi said. “We are just trying to promote the sport and the hobby and keep it alive.”

Modest entry fees simply allow them to cover their costs, he added.

Less than a year after joining, Kokoski said that there are times when she can be quite critical of herself.

“You always want to be better, or you admire people doing more complicated moves,” she said. “But just being out there, there’s a lot of smiles.”

And, for most, dancers, that’s enough.

“I didn’t start this to be a competitor or win a mirror ball,” she said. “Quite frankly, if you’re going to a bolero lesson, and you’ve never done the bolero, in a 45-minute lesson, you can learn a pattern. That doesn’t mean you can do every formation but you’re like, ‘Okay, I got this.’”

To find more information about USA Dance local chapters, including Harrisburg, Lancaster and York, visit www.usadance.org/page/USADanceChapters. You can also join the public Facebook group, USA Dance Chapter #3009 – Harrisburg Area PA, or simply stop by the PA DanceSport Ballroom, 585 E. Main St., Hummelstown, 2 to 6 p.m., on the third Sunday of each month.

Find more information about Move A-way PD at hbgarts.org/move-a-way-pd.

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Peak of Flavor: Mount Everest Nepali & Indian Cuisine debuts downtown

February 27, 2025 | by Kylie Stoltzfus

Shree Paija and Sarita Lama wanted to fill what they saw as a big gap in the local dining scene.

So, recently, they cut the ribbon on Mount Everest Nepali & Indian Cuisine, re-introducing south Asian flavors to the capital city.

“There’s no Indian restaurant in Harrisburg’s downtown,” Paija said. “There’s a lot of people who [love] Indian food there, so I decided to open [a restaurant].”

The new Strawberry Square space is an ode to the fragrant flavors of Paija and Lama’s home country of Nepal, and its namesake pays homage to the world’s tallest mountain, which runs along the border of Nepal and China.

“[Mount Everest is] just so famous in our country,” Paija said. “If you go over there in Nepal, then [you are] visiting Mount Everest.”

While it may be the couple’s first entry into the city’s food scene, it’s hardly their first experience in restaurant ownership.

Ten years ago, they opened Khana Indian Bistro in Hershey after working extensively in other central Pennsylvania restaurants. Now, they are bringing their wealth of hospitality experience to Harrisburg’s central business district.

For Brad Jones, president & CEO of Harristown Enterprises, which owns Strawberry Square, Mount Everest Nepali & Indian Cuisine is a win for not only the square but for the community at large.

“We’re footsteps from the Capitol. We get a lot of visitors from the Whitaker Center, a lot of visitors from the Hilton Hotel,” Jones said. “People love downtown because they can walk to a lot of different offerings.”

Jones is not just the landlord, but a happy customer. A self-described devotee of Indian cuisine, he’s eaten in the restaurant many times since it opened in late January.

“The quality of the food is tremendous, and the offering of Indian and Nepali food provides a really nice diversity of food offerings here,” he said.

Previously home to Fresa Bistro, which closed during the pandemic, Mount Everest’s sit-down space is a welcome addition to the fast-casual dining options available elsewhere in Strawberry Square.

“People have talked a lot about [the] pandemic kind of taking [a] bite out of the city’s restaurant scene,” Jones said. “This is a great example of a strong comeback.”

Among Mount Everest’s curated menu, a dedicated section highlights traditional Nepali dishes like momo, a steamed dumpling stuffed with chicken or vegetables, and sekuwa, meat marinated with traditional spices and grilled over a wood fire.

For first-time patrons, Paija recommends the chicken tikka masala, tandoori chicken and palak paneer, a North Indian curry dish, or garlic naan, a fragrant flatbread. Guests can also sample a selection of rotating signature dishes at the restaurant’s lunch buffet to find their favorites.

“People will crawl through hot lava to get to good Indian food, and I’m one of them,” Jones said. “There are other Indian restaurants outside of the city, but this is the only one in the city. That’s really important.”

Mount Everest Nepali & Indian Cuisine is located at 19 N. 3rd St. (Strawberry Square), Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.mounteverestcuisinepa.com.

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Bartender’s Choice: McGrath’s mixes it up for St. Patrick’s Day

February 27, 2025 | by Randy Gross

Matt Yaple

“There are no strangers here, only friends you haven’t met yet.”
-William Butler Yeats

Surely, Yeats could have been talking about a typical Irish pub on a typical Irish day. But if the famed Irish poet were still composing verse—and composing it in our capital city—it’s highly likely he would be sharing similar sentiments about downtown Harrisburg’s one-and-only place to enjoy a wee taste of the Emerald Isle, McGrath’s Irish Pub.

McGrath’s, a long-time local staple located on Locust Street, isn’t just a pub.

“We consider it the hub,” said manager/bartender Matt Yaple, this month’s “Bartender’s Choice” subject. “All the politicians come here, and all the bartenders when they’re done with work—it’s where you come to hang out, and that’s one of things I love about it.”

Yaple has been loving his job at McGrath’s for nearly a decade, as he’ll be celebrating his 10-year anniversary this month. Which, of course, seems appropriate, what with March’s annual festivities making Guinness (and yes, for some, green beer) lovers out of all of us.

Yaple, one of a team of five to 10 bartenders (not counting the so-called “utility bartenders” who help to fill in at all three of owner Adam Sturges’ establishments—The Sturges Speakeasy and Mad Moose Tavern being the other two) said that McGrath’s seasonal and themed drinks are created as a group, and, on this visit, we got to sample a pair of expertly crafted cocktails.

For starters, there was the Espresso Martini, “a recipe that has been here longer than I have,” mused Yaple, and apparently one of McGrath’s most popular cocktails.

“Very simple, basic recipe: crème de cacao, vanilla vodka, espresso and some espresso liqueur, just a simple ratio,” he said. “We do a little cream drizzle on top and, I don’t know what it is, but everyone says ours is one of the best.”

That was followed by March’s “drink of the month,” a flavorful and colorful Irish Cosmo.

“It’s realistically just a Cosmopolitan, but instead of vodka, you’re subbing out with Jameson Orange,” Yaple said. “It’s a real traditional cocktail just with whiskey instead of vodka.”

Another drink Yaple recommends for St. Patrick’s Day is a Peanut Butter Car Bomb, made with Screwball Peanut Butter Whiskey and Baileys Chocolate.

Wait, did someone mention St. Patrick’s Day? As always, McGrath’s will be open early, around 7 or 8 a.m., on both the day of Harrisburg’s holiday parade (March 15) and on the day itself (March 17), serving an Irish breakfast all day long.

“We’ll probably be full capacity from open till close,” Yaple said. “It’s just gonna be chaos all day. That’s our Super Bowl.”

Hungry for some traditional Irish fare to go along with those Irish Cosmos and pints of Guinness? Yaple recommends their very popular shepherd’s pie and McGrath’s unique take on fish and chips, made with fresh, beer-battered salmon in place of the typical haddock or cod.

YAPLE’S CHOICES

Words of advice to home mixologists

Keep it simple. Learn to appreciate the base alcohol before messing with too many flavors.

Favorite spirit straight

Jameson Irish Whiskey

Recommendations for two or three spirits to try

Illegal Caribbean Cask Finish Mezcal; Redbreast 12-Year Irish Whiskey

Most commonly ordered drinks at your bar

People love our espresso martinis. They are definitely one of our top sellers.

Your day job

I work full-time at McGrath’s. However, I am known around town for producing some pretty popular artisan beef jerky.

Days/hours you normally work at McGrath’s

I’m here Monday to Friday every week, but you can catch me behind the main bar Tuesday nights.

DRINK FOR MARCH

Irish Cosmo

2 ounces Jameson
½ ounce Triple sec
½ ounce lime juice
Splash cranberry juice

McGrath’s Irish Pub is located at 202 Locust St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit their Facebook page. Photos by Will Masters.

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Lenten Comfort: A small pasta can make a filling meal

February 27, 2025 | by Rosemary Ruggieri Baer

As winter melts into spring each year and Easter approaches, I am usually thinking about what meatless meals I can prepare in observance of Lenten custom.

Lobster tails and jumbo lump crabcakes are great for date night at your favorite restaurant. But what about family dinners? You aren’t reaching for that box of Kraft macaroni and cheese, are you?

When I was growing up, we certainly had some interesting Lenten meals. Top of the list was lentils. Not lentil soup or lentil salad. Just boiled lentils with olive oil drizzled on top and occasionally some elbow macaroni mixed in. We had tuna salad (not too bad) and salmon cakes (OK if stewed tomatoes came along.)

Regular readers of this column know that I often turn to my favorite Italian “celebrity” chefs for ideas and help with recipes. One of these is Lidia Bastianich. While Lidia has owned some high-end Italian restaurants in her long culinary history, she remains what I would call a humble and homespun cook. She cooks with love and joy and emphasizes the role that food plays in building bonds with family and friends. She describes many of her dishes as “easy, nutritious, seasonal and economical.” Lidia doesn’t waste anything either!

For Lent, her baked ditalini is exactly what I was looking for—total comfort food for early spring days that have not yet lost their chill. She calls it a “pasta pudding,” certainly tempting to little ones in your family. And it’s a perfect meatless meal solution.

As a preliminary note: Ditalini is a small pasta that is often used in soup. It is shaped like a thimble and can be found in two sizes depending on the brand. It is worth looking for. I try to buy a box whenever I find it.

BAKED DITALINI

Ingredients

1 tablespoon unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 tablespoons dried breadcrumbs
½ teaspoon kosher salt (plus more for the pasta pot)
1 pound of ditalini
4 large eggs
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup milk
2 cups frozen peas, thawed and drained (I like baby peas)
1½ cups freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Butter a 4-quart baking dish and coat with breadcrumbs.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the ditalini and cook until al dente. Drain in a colander and shake to remove excess water.
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and salt.
Slowly add the cream and milk and whisk until smooth.
Stir in the cooked pasta, peas and a cup of the grated cheese.
Spread the mixture into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle with the remaining cup of grated cheese.
Bake until the custard is set, about 40 minutes. Let rest for about 10 minutes before serving.

This dish really calls for a fresh green salad. I like romaine lettuce with some spicy arugula thrown in and definitely tomatoes (cherry and grape tomatoes are nice this time of year). Dress the salad simply with an oil and vinegar vinaigrette. Simple is best with this dish. No bread or rolls are needed either.

I hope you find this baked pasta a nice change from your usual mac and cheese. For me, it’s also a great way to sneak in some peas, which TheBurg readers know I love!

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Character Building: Youth acting classes inspire creativity, confidence and a love for the stage

February 27, 2025 | by Gina Napoli

Students of The Alsedek Theatre School. Photos courtesy of Open Stage.

The year was 1980-something, and awkward me wanted acting classes. With only the Yellow Pages, my mother enrolled me in Open Stage Studio/School, now The Alsedek Theatre School (TATS).

Although both parents have now forgotten my onstage appearance, we’re even, because I forgot my lines. Decades later, Anne Alsedek was kind enough to pat my shoulder when I shared that memory. Although my current role in theater is clearly “ticketholder,” the lessons stuck through 2020-something.

For today’s youth, Harrisburg is spoiled with an array of local programs for both summer camps and year-round instruction, as far as Lancaster, York and the west shore, or as close as downtown Harrisburg. The Alsedek Theatre School and Gamut Theatre both have grown robust programs, and the newer Harrisburg Improv Theatre has youth classes to infuse your child with a flair for the unprepared.

And if summer camps still seem far off, keep in mind that many theater programs open registration months in advance.

Every acting program is going to teach basic acting techniques like voice, body movement, character building and collaboration. “Yes, and” your child can expect to derive much more to build their own characters: confidence, empathy, critical thinking, resilience, self-actualization, self-regulation, creativity, empowerment, public speaking, taking turns and valuing others’ contributions.

Whether your child has professional stage aspirations, or just wants to try acting, there’s a place for all.

Sparking Imagination

Head of TATS and Open Stage’s Producing Artistic Director Stuart Landon described the school’s culture as a “supportive community, a welcoming, collaborative space where bold, intimate storytelling thrives.”

To help students ages 8 to 18 grow artistically and personally through meaningful experiences and social awareness, their curriculum emphasizes process over product, valuing experimentation in safe spaces.

Teens experiment by connecting with challenging stories and material, exploring complex characters and themes. A focus for younger students is sparking imagination through literature and storytelling.

“Thought-provoking stories push students to expand their empathy and understanding of the world,” Landon said.

With the belief that theater is art plus discipline, TATS employs lead instructor and education coordinator Rachel Landon, a heavily credentialed acting teacher with international experience. Stuart praised his sister’s abilities to connect with students of all levels, providing what he described as extraordinary mentorship, bringing out the best in her students.

“[Rachel] believes in meeting her students where they are, guiding them to discover their unique voices as artists and individuals,” he said.

Board member Heidi Bowie, also mother to Sawyer, 14, voiced high praise for both Landon siblings, describing TATS as “a family that brings you in.”

“The directors understand how to push limits to keep kids comfortable, but also learn and grow,” Bowie said. “The kids become their best selves onstage.”

Be Seen, Be Heard

Gamut Theatre also attempts to challenge students, with an actor-based approach.

Executive Director Melissa Nicholson said that Gamut allows kids ages 8 and older to explore what’s possible without trappings like costumes, makeup or props.

Your child’s age is not a defining factor for which class they belong in. Placement is based on proficiency, with promotion to the next class based on instructor recommendations. Gamut’s capstone class offering is by invitation only.

Gamut’s approach focuses on students using their voices, bodies and minds as tools to create characters and ensembles, presenting themselves well onstage to be seen, be heard and be understood.

The curriculum encourages experimenting and risk-taking, allowing students to explore vocally and physically playing characters different from themselves, not only in gender or age, but also how animal characters might think or move.

“It’s cool to be able to do that with young students,” Nicholson said. “When you get older, you see how you’re most marketable, and stay in that lane.”

Gamut’s faculty attracts accredited instructors holding theater degrees, teaching degrees or both. With instructors, classroom assistants and actors experimenting, everyone is learning from each other and enriching themselves with experience. Instructors who have less experience may serve as a classroom assistant under a more seasoned one, for example.

Jessi Gazsi, 39, mother to two children under 10 with opposite personalities, said that she loves Gamut’s accessible vibe and foundation of inclusion, which unexpectedly extended to a sometimes-lonely mom finding a valuable community of adult friendships post-pandemic.

Playing & Experimenting

For youth that may want to try something a little different than typical acting classes, Harrisburg Improv Theatre offers a chance to go off script.

Founder/owner Jake “Straight Outta” Compton said, “We’re punk rock with a culture of playtime.”

Improv training is equal parts writing, directing and acting, at the same time. Although instructors don’t emphasize acting basics, they highlight other important points.

“We talk about what works in scenes, about having honest emotional reactions,” Compton said. “Many improvisers end up in film rather than theater because of understated acting styles. It’s more subtle, closer to reality, and plays better in film, not so much onstage.”

With no scripts and barely any setting or props onstage, iron is sharpening iron. The class is equally shaped by the students as collaborators.

“It’s all about scene work and building with your person. We collaborate and imagine building a world together,” Compton said. “Kids are great at playing like this. You say, ‘Yes, and…’ and add to it.”

Improv is all experimental, with rewards exceeding risk, and everyone supporting each other.

“There’s value to kids interacting in a physical space, making eye contact… getting a feel for timing that you might not get in traditional acting classes,” he said.

HIT offers kid-prov classes for ages 8 to 17, plus mixers with adults.

The theater’s first class is now reaching adulthood, enjoying success in acting, with some even enrolled in the Capital Area School for the Arts.

“Stage time has helped them be more confident, act in films and win acting competitions,” Compton said.

While some acting class students may go on to pursue the craft professionally, others may not, but instructors still see the benefit that the education had on them.

Landon is equally proud of TAT’s non-acting alumni.

“Anne Alsedek believed theater teaches essential skills like communication, collaboration and creative problem-solving—reflected in the success of our students across all disciplines,” he said.

Nicholson advocates for a different definition of success: a love for acting and lifelong theater involvement.

No matter which youth theater program you consider, ask about scholarships, internships, discounts, free tickets, ridesharing and working in exchange for tuition. Accessibility makes the dream work.

Class Act
Are your kids interested in exploring and developing their thespian talents? Fortunately, there are quite a few programs offered in our area.

Harrisburg
Gamut Theatre Group: www.gamuttheatre.org/gta

Capital Area School for the Arts: www.casa-arts.org/theatre

Harrisburg Christian Performing Arts Center: www.thehcpac.org

Harrisburg Improv Theatre: www.hbgimprov.com/classes

Open Stage: www.openstagehbg.com

Camp Hill
The Pollock Center: www.thepollockcenter.com

Hershey
Hershey Area Playhouse: www.hersheyareaplayhouse.com/theatre-academy-offerings

Lancaster
Fulton Theatre: www.thefulton.org/community/academy/classes

Popovsky Performing Arts: www.popovskyperformingarts.com

New Cumberland
West Shore Theatre: www.westshoretheatre.org/arts-and-education

York
The Belmont Theatre: www.thebelmont.org/classes

Appell Center for the Performing Arts: www.appellcenter.org/shows-and-tickets/category/workshops-classes

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Landmark Anniversary: The Millworks celebrates a decade of art, fine dining and community

February 27, 2025 | by Skye Leppo

On March 12, 2015, a long line of people stood outside of a long-shuttered Harrisburg landmark, ready to snip the ribbon on one of the city’s most ambitious adaptive reuse projects.

After a lengthy renovation, the Millworks was finally open, creating an inviting centerpiece for artists and foodies to converge.

Originally, owner Josh Kesler imagined that a part of the sprawling, 1930s-era building would house a collaborative space for bands, recording studios and the like.

“But with noise constraints and the opening of the Susquehanna Art Museum, I thought art might be a better direction,” he said. “[Artist] Tara Chickey gave me some encouragement, and she was right.”

Chickey was one of the initial curators who invited artists to fill the galleries, which today house the works of more than 40 creators across 17 unique studio spaces.

For John Davis, who has occupied Studio 321 since the Millworks opened 10 years ago, Chickey’s invitation was a dream.

“I jumped right at [the studio invitation] because it was something that I was always inspired to have but didn’t think I would have,” Davis said. “It was always a dream—not a plan, but a dream.”

Before construction was done, the vision admittedly was a bit tough to see.

“We literally had to climb the original old rickety stairs and there was basically a platform up there,” Davis said. “No walls, but a platform, and Tara showed us which window we could select.”

Dinner & Art

Early on, the restaurant was built with a mission to focus on creating a sustainable food network, grown from strong relationships with regional farmers to create menus inspired by locally sourced ingredients.

“One of the most surprising things in the early years was how well attended the dinner hours were. So many people had told me that we’d do great for lunch when everyone is in town, but struggle in the evenings,” Kesler said. “That has not been the case, and certainly our free parking on premises has probably helped that.”

The strong response encouraged Kesler to make more room, expanding the floor space. That capacity increases even more with folks who are interested just in grabbing a drink at the bar or dining al fresco on the rooftop.

“The Millworks is more than just a restaurant,” said artist Ann Benton Yeager.

Benton Yeager, who specializes in acrylics, oils and encaustics, has shared studio 103 with her parents, Linda Benton McCloskey and Robert McCloskey, since the very first day.

“It’s really, I think, an anchor to Midtown—one of many,” she said. “It’s become such a renaissance period for Midtown, and the Millworks really started that off.”

Davis echoes that belief.

“So many out-of-towners come to experience it and other parts of Midtown, which has really become a destination for outsiders,” he said.

The growth of the artistic community has been wonderful to see, Chickey added.

“There’s just so many more,” she said. “There’s a depth and a breadth that has expanded over the past 10 years when it comes to what is being created in the building.”

“So many different mediums,” added Molly Cooley, executive assistant at the Millworks. “And seeing it grow from a small concept to a brewery with so many more artists has been amazing.”

One of the more recent occupants is well-known Harrisburg artist and arts ambassador Reina “R76,” whose work is in Studio 318. For practicing an “outsider” art discipline, R76 is a great insider, acting as a liaison and mouthpiece for the local arts community, often advocating for greater unity.

“I was there for the ribbon cutting in 2015, but didn’t have a studio there until 2021,” said R76, who gives credit to her friend and former studio mate Andrew Sedgwick Guth for inviting her to share his space.

When Sedgwick Guth left the gallery in 2021, R76 invited the Huckle Buckle Boys into Studio 318. R76 later invited in up-and-coming Harrisburg photographer Jemar Sweets, whose work Harrisburgers might have seen under the name LensWorthy Imagery.

“Honestly, my experience has been phenomenal. The thing about it is that they really offer a lot,” Sweets said. “They give people opportunities as well: Odd Ones [market], of course, beer crawls, lots of different events, and it really is a phenomenal thing to have.”

It’s also brought Sweets more exposure and helped build his audience.

“I’ll have people coming up to me in Mechanicsburg, York and Hershey who will take a look at my work, and they always say, ‘Oh, I see your stuff at the Millworks now,’ and it just makes me feel good,” he said.

He credits R76 with being an inspiration for his drive. “She opened that door for me, and I really appreciate that every day.”

For her part, R76 touts the collaborative spirit of the Millworks.

“That’s what kept a lot of us there,” she said. “To create in a basement or studio without human interaction takes away from the ideas that you could possibly have. Meeting new people, new mindsets give me so much material for my artwork.”

Likewise, Davis cites the camaraderie among artists.

“I have been inspired multiple times by other artists to create my own works in a different form—mixing of mediums, or merging my own ideas from other people’s mediums,” he said.

It’s also a great atmosphere to get other opinions.

“That’s one of the greatest things—when asked, receiving feedback from other artists in order to grow,” he said.

That exchange of thoughts is open to visitors in the spaces, as well.

“When somebody asks me questions about my work, that is so fulfilling and gratifying,” said artist Tina Berrier. “That makes my day, even if they don’t want to purchase anything.

Berrier added that, in her time at the Millworks, she’s honed her discipline and point of view as an artist.

“People will walk up to me and be like oh, ‘that’s a Tina Berrier painting,’” she said. “As an artist, once your style is recognized, that’s a great thing.”

Evolving

About a year and a half after opening, Kesler announced a brewery would be added to the restaurant, with esteemed local brewer Terry Hawbaker taking over the reins of the brewery in 2023.

“I love the synergy that we have going with the art and the food and the brewery,” Chickey said. “There is a true respect between all the different elements of this business, and I think that’s what makes it so special.”

Artwork has even appeared on Millworks beer cans, a true synergy.

“I’ve had several beer cans,” Berrier said. “The brewmaster will see your painting and say, ‘Oh I think this’ll be great for this beer,’ and that’s always cool.”

Looking ahead to the next 10 years, more expansion is in store.

A few years ago, Kesler bought the Millworks’ “sister” building across the street, where, he said, he plans to relocate the brewery and add more art classes and events.

R76 has her own goals for the next decade.

“When there are many creatives together, we can find a way to bring art to the people without it being such a challenge—and that’s what I want from the next 10 years of the Millworks,” she said. “We need a lot more diversity, not just in gender but in lifestyle and in ethnicity—we have to start to reflect what we see in the city. Art is forever evolving.”

Anniversary Events

3/6 — Media Event in the Artists Common Room at 11 a.m.

3/13 — Student Art Show

3/14 — Pig Roast Luncheon to benefit first responders

3/19 — Beer Dinner in the public dining room

The Millworks is located at 340 Verbeke St., Harrisburg. For more information and a full list of classes, visit www.millworksharrisburg.com.

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Musical Notes: March Madness

February 27, 2025 | by Skye Leppo

St. Patrick’s Day is only once a year, but every year it seems like more and more of the month of March is dominated by Celtic influenced music to celebrate. If you’re in the mood for this kind of entertainment, there’s no shortage of it in central PA—see our Honorable Mentions for a list of shows you can see in this genre, marked with an asterisk (note: this is not exhaustive of all the Celtic music happening in the area). For those of you who aren’t into Celtic music, there’s a ton of other shows happening this March, too. And, if your venue or friends have a show coming up that should be on our radar, drop me a line at [email protected].

INDIE ROCK

3/8, Houndmouth, XL Live

Midwestern rockers Houndmouth might hail from Indiana, but the band’s best-known hit is actually titled “Sedona,” and much of their music conveys a bit of a windblown desert vibe (or maybe that’s just an overall troubadour persona). The band’s 2021 LP, “Good for You,” draws a comparison to the debut album, and for all the right reasons. It’s got great storytelling and easy-to-love melodies, and Houndmouth puts on a fantastic, energetic show. The band’s played in Harrisburg at least once before in the last five years, and their last show here was a fun evening of beautiful music.

COUNTRY COLLAB

3/15, Nashville Style Artists in the Round, The Abbey Bar

This stacked bill features a variety of award-winning country musicians, including Adam Yarger, Cody Tyler, Gillian Smith and Jake Mach, who will play their own sets on The Abbey Bar’s stage (but I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw some cameos from other artists on the lineup during each other’s performances). I’ve seen Berks County mainstay Cody Tyler play a few times from my days living in Reading and have always been impressed, and local songstress and CV grad Gillian Smith even made it to “The Voice” on Season 24. If twang’s your thang, add this gig to your calendar.

UNDERCOVER

3/29, Pink Talking Fish, XL Live

When I first saw the name of this artist on XL Live’s calendar, I thought, “There’s no possible way this is what I think it is.”And yet, it is! Indeed, a musical fever dream of sorts, Pink Talking Fish is a cover band incorporating the music of—you guessed it—Pink Floyd, Talking Heads and Phish into unique live musical experiences. An unlikely fusion, I think audience members can expect to hear a bit more from Pink Floyd’s catalogue this time around, as the band’s incredible “Wish You Were Here” album turns 50 this year. If you decide to go, you might just catch me there.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

3/5, Solas 30th Anniversary Tour, West Shore Theatre*

3/7-8, The Badlees, Englewood Hershey

3/14, Jackyl, H*MAC

3/14, Seasons, West Shore Theatre*

3/15, Killmaine Saints, XL Live*

3/21, Bitsy McCann, Broad Street Market

3/21, Burn the Jukebox, West Shore Theatre

3/25, Gaelic Storm, XL Live*

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Created & Creating: Gamut Theatre Group presents “Frankenstein” by Nick Dear, from the novel by Mary Shelley

February 27, 2025 | by Hope Mackenzie

“Can a man be a god?” asks Victor Frankenstein.

At what point does curiosity turn into craving; craving, addiction; and addiction, madness? This slippery slope is not foreign to Victor Frankenstein and certainly no more foreign to human history.

It is no mystery that the current state of the world plagues us all with incessant questions. Scientific advancements inspire questions of human necessity. Spiritual enlightenments encourage questions of human purpose. Political agendas spur questions of human capacity for good and equal capacity for evil.

Though the sociopolitical climate may be new, the questions certainly are not. Mary Shelley, a woman far ahead of her time, wrote a story in 1816 about a man battling these uncertainties. “Frankenstein” has remained a source of intellectual stimulation for 200 years and does not cease in its relevance in 2025.

Gamut Theatre Group is proud to present central Pennsylvania’s first professional production of “Frankenstein,” a stage adaptation by Nick Dear based on the novel by Mary Shelley. And, as director Jeff Luttermoser says, “2025 is a disturbingly perfect time to produce this story in this way.”

Luttermoser is originally from Michigan, where he earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree of fine arts in theatre. His directing credits include “Murderess, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” “1984,” “Dracula,” “Richard III” and more. He has also co-directed nine productions for Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School, where he teaches. He was last seen on stage at Gamut Theatre Group as Queen Elizabeth in “Orlando” and Peter in “The Zoo Story.” Luttermoser, a brilliant intellect and craftsman, brings his passion with full force to this process. He, along with the rest of the cast, is certain that audience members will be touched and provoked by the themes and questions explored in this piece.

When you hear the name Frankenstein, what do you think of? A large, green-skinned monster with neck-bolts? Someone yelling, “It’s alive!” with gusto? Or do you think of a scientist—hungry for knowledge, desperate for power, and a newborn man—innocent, sensile, impressionable? If you chose the former, you are not alone. That is the most common association in pop culture to this ever-famous western name. However, it is not true to Mary Shelley’s original text.

Luttermoser states that “many believe the Creature is a mindless monster, but in Mary Shelley’s novel (and our play), he is intelligent, articulate and deeply emotional. Some assume Frankenstein is purely a horror story, but it is also a philosophical exploration of ethics, identity and the consequences of scientific ambition.”

Nick Dear’s adaptation of “Frankenstein” focuses on the Creature’s expedition of becoming. This journey is one all humans experience, yet most start this journey as a baby. How does it play out when the innocent heart of a child is found in the stitched together body of a constructed man? And how does this affect the creator-creation dynamic?

Luttermoser wants to focus on this creator-creation relationship and thus has made a unique directorial choice. There are two actors cast as both Victor Frankenstein and the Creature. David Ramón Zayas and Thomas Weaver switch roles every night. This is how the original production of Nick Dear’s “Frankenstein” was done, and Luttermoser follows suit, emphasizing “how Frankenstein and the Creature mirror each other in terms of their ambitions, vulnerabilities and suffering. The role-switching gives both actors the opportunity to experience the dual perspectives of creator and creation, enriching their performances and offering audiences two interpretations of the relationship at the heart of the story.”

If this intrigues you, Gamut Theatre invites you to see both versions of the production. A detailed schedule with information on which actor is playing the Creature each night is available on Gamut’s website.

“Slowly I learnt the ways of humans: how to ruin, how to hate, how to debase, how to humiliate. And at the feet of my master, I learnt the highest of human skills, the skill no other creature owns: I finally learnt how to lie.” (Nick Dear).

When you come to see “Frankenstein,” you will not simply walk away having experienced art. You will walk away having glimpsed the essence of humanity. “Humanity is at the core of this story, for better or for worse. I guess that part is up to the audience,” says Luttermoser. This story, he adds, does not merely aim to teach a principle, but rather explores the nuances of “morality and the deep human need for acceptance and connection.”

So, if you are a creature who has evolved and is composed of genetics, ancestry, memories, pains, joys and harmonies. And, if you are a creating one, who has stitched together life’s materials to make meaning out of its form. If you are human, then this story beckons you. Come, explore with us, the created and creating ones.

“Frankenstein” runs from March 15 to 30, at Gamut Theatre Group, 15 N. 4th St., Harrisburg. This production is recommended for ages 12 and up. For more information, visit www.gamuttheatre.org/frankenstein or call 717-238-4111.

UPCOMING EVENTS

At Gamut Theatre
www.gamuttheatre.org
717-238-4111

The Popcorn Hat Players
“The Golden Goose”
March 5 to 22
Wednesdays & Thursdays at 10 a.m.
Saturdays at 1 p.m.

“Frankenstein” by Nick Dear
From the novel by Mary Shelley
March 15 to 30
Friday & Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Sundays at 2:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 26 at 7:30 p.m.

TMI Improv
March 7
7:30 p.m.

If you like what we do, please support our work. Become a Friend of TheBurg!

Walk & Talk: Make strides in healthy living with Walk with a Doc

February 27, 2025 | by Deborah Lynch

Photo courtesy of Nancy Gates.

It can be hard to convert what a doctor tells us into action.

Twenty years ago, cardiologist Dr. David Sabgir became so frustrated over his inability to change his patients’ lifestyles that he tried a new tactic—inviting them for a walk in a local park one spring Saturday.

Out of that first walk was born the nationwide program, “Walk with a Doc,” which now has more than 500 chapters worldwide.

In 2021, Dauphin County Parks & Recreation teamed up with Susquehanna Township and Penbrook to bring the walks here as part of the Park Rx series of programs on health and wellness. They also work together with the Capital Area Greenbelt Association, Penn State Health and with sponsor Highmark Blue Shield.

The monthly walks have taken off with 15 to 25-plus participants joining local doctors from Penn State Health and other clinics for brief, topic-driven presentations followed by a two-mile walk on a local trail, when walkers can ask the doctors anything about the presentation or other medical issues.

After a winter break, the walks re-start this month, taking place monthly at such area parks as 5 Senses Garden, Penbrook Park and Wildwood Park. The March 25 event is at City Island. All weekday walks are held from 6 to 7 p.m. and Saturday events from 10 to 11 a.m. Topics include nutrition, trauma care, women’s health, outdoor first aid, skin cancer prevention and more.

All participants are asked to register with the parks so they can plan and communicate about bad weather or schedule changes. Walks are appropriate for people of all ages, and participants can ask questions of the doctors during and after the walks.

“We try to make it as ability friendly as we can make it,” said Doug Knauss, parks and recreation director for Susquehanna Township. “If someone is not a walker, it will be on a route and path they are comfortable with that’s relatively flat and not too difficult for people to take part in.”

Dr. Cayce Onks, a primary care sports medicine physician for Penn State Health, has participated every year. The first year, he presented on the benefits of physical activity, then practiced what he preached on the hike that followed. The next year, he discussed heat illness and exercise—appropriately on a hot, humid July day. Last year, he discussed the benefit of exercise in the treatment and prevention of cancer.

“The reason I got involved was because of the overwhelming benefits of physical activity for all systems,” Onks said. “There’s no single modifier of health that has such a profound effect on the whole body as exercise.”

Onks stressed the issues that motivated Sabgir to start the program, noting that 70% of Americans aren’t meeting national exercise guidelines.

“That’s the area I’m most interested in—implementation,” he said. “How do I get a patient to go for a walk?”

Robust Effects

Dauphin County offers other programming, including those based around wellness and the outdoors, yoga at the river, meditation, art programs, plant programs, forest bathing and more. A volunteer-led weekly walk at Wildwood at 1 p.m. on Wednesdays attracts many people who want to walk, but don’t want to walk alone, said Nancy Gates, Dauphin County Parks & Recreation assistant program manager.

Dr. Matt Silvis, chair of family medicine and a sports medicine physician at Penn State Health, dove into detail about forest bathing on his last Walk with a Doc. This topic might conjure images of jumping into cold streams, but, in fact, is merely walking in an outdoor area, forest or field and engaging with nature like a toddler might.

“It is slow walking and meandering and really engaging all of your senses, taking time to listen, smell, touch,” Silvis said. “It has significant health benefits and falls into meditation categories for restorative health.”

Silvis said walkers first asked questions about forest bathing, but then asked “every question imaginable.” Everyone on the walk interacted, he said.

Another physician, Dr. Everett Hills a physical medicine and rehabilitation practitioner, encourages participants not only to stay mobile, but to note their walking speed, saying that increasing evidence shows that how fast someone walks can be a predictor of how fast they age and may signal the need to see a doctor.

“Walking is such a vital activity,” he said. “Just maintaining an active lifestyle and walking doesn’t require anything more special than a good pair of shoes and the willingness to get out there whether rain or shine, night or day.”

He describes regular walking as highly productive.

“On a bad day, a walk helps clear it out—burns off excess energy, gives you redirection, has cardio and pulmonary benefits, and keeps limbs active and limber,” Hill said.

Parks, Onks noted, offer a safe environment for people to exercise in an outdoor setting, all of which has health benefits.

“Being outside, being in the wilderness is shown to be helpful for stress and anxiety. Just being in wilderness itself is a positive thing,” he said. “Add a little bit of physical activity to it, and it has robust effects.”

For a schedule of the Walk with a Doc program, visit www.DauphinCounty.gov/parks. For more about the national program, visit www.walkwithadoc.org.

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