From Unhoused to Home: Off The Streets assists those seeking permanent shelter

October 30, 2024 | by Dan Miller

Volunteers assembling furniture.

Sam Dunklau of Harrisburg was looking for a way to put his faith beliefs into practice. He found it with Off The Streets, a ministry serving the homeless throughout Dauphin County.

Off The Streets is a nonprofit organization based in Middletown, one of eight chapters in Ohio, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Washington. The national group was founded in 2009 by Michael Oles, a Catholic church deacon from Danbury, Conn.

In 2013, Oles moved to Lancaster and started Off The Streets there. Lancaster remains the busiest chapter in terms of the number of people helped, said Mary Ellen May, president of the Middletown chapter.

All chapters are affiliated with the Catholic church, though they’re nondenominational regarding their volunteers and the people being helped, May said.

The Middletown chapter was launched in March 2023 following an informational meeting at Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, the church affiliated with Off The Streets in Middletown.

The group assists unhoused individuals and families by providing money for the security deposit needed to move into an apartment or house. This assistance is provided directly to the landlord.

Off The Streets also provides donated furniture to these people, including beds and bedding, dressers, chairs, tables, kitchenware and other household goods. The organization relies on human service agencies and school districts throughout Dauphin County for referrals to the chapter of those in need.

The chapter targets those who have the means to make monthly rent payments, once they overcome the security deposit hurdle. Off The Streets does not have the resources to provide ongoing rental assistance.

Each chapter sets its own amount as the maximum provided toward a security deposit, based upon the local economy and rental housing market. The Middletown chapter pays up to $1,000 towards a security deposit.

Sometimes $1,000 is more than enough, or it may not be enough for a family looking to rent a larger house, May said.

“I make sure people understand upfront how much we can give them because we want to be able to help as many people as we can,” she said.

Once people move in, Off The Streets delivers the donated furniture and household goods to them, something May believes is unique to other nonprofits in this area.

“There are certainly places where folks can go to look at furniture and pick out furniture, but usually they are paying $50 to $75 for a carload or truckload of furniture to take home, plus they have to have a means of transportation to pick the furniture up,” May said.

Before anything is delivered, Off The Streets volunteers visit the apartment or house to see what is needed and the type of space the person or family has moved into.

Except for mattresses and some bedding, all furniture and household items are donated to Off The Streets. But the chapter—especially Mary Ellen’s husband Dennis, who coordinates this part of the mission—is very picky about what is accepted and ultimately delivered.

“If we wouldn’t have it in our home, if we wouldn’t give it to our kids, we don’t want it,” May said. “So he [Dennis] says no to a lot of potential furniture donations.

Need Is Great

Since starting in 2023, the Middletown chapter has assisted more than 330 people— mostly single women with children—and provided over $70,000 toward security deposits.

That makes Middletown the third busiest of all Off The Streets chapters, following Lancaster and the chapter in Toledo, Ohio.

Most of the assistance has gone to people moving into apartments and houses in Harrisburg. Others are in Middletown and along the Route 230 corridor, May said.

Off The Streets has received some grants. Otherwise, they rely on donations of money and items and on the group’s fundraisers. A golf tournament that the chapter held in Londonderry Township in September netted $6,900.

The group has no paid staff, relying solely on volunteers, including May and Dunklau, who lives with his wife and daughter near Italian Lake. Dunklau helps Off The Streets deliver and set up furniture and household items in the apartments and houses.

Working with Off The Streets has been a learning experience for Dunklau, seeing firsthand the challenge of homelessness in Dauphin County.

“More often than not, we’re getting connected with single mothers who have multiple children or just families with multiple children who didn’t have a stable housing situation,” he said. “The need and extent of the housing demand for folks who are either coming off the streets or who may be just lower income and who need a place to stay is great.”

As of early October, Off The Streets had a list of 28 families waiting for furniture, May said. If a family doesn’t have beds, Off The Streets tries to deliver beds within a week of the family moving in.

Otherwise, the chapter does just one furniture delivery each week, due to the limited number of volunteers and pickup trucks available.

“The more volunteers we have, the more people we can help,” May said.

For more information about Off The Streets Middletown, visit www.offthestreetsmiddletownpa.org, call 717-460-2137 or email [email protected].

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Memory Makers: Central PA independent jewelers give their neighbors (you!) the custom treatment

October 30, 2024 | by M. Diane McCormick

Ring from Christy’s Concepts Jewelry

Christy Cloder is a “floor owner.”

Sure, she analyzes data for sales trends at Christy Concept Jewelry, her Lemoyne store, but she also gets out on the floor every day. She works with customers. She hears them.

“I get to understand what they’re buying and what they wish we had that we don’t,” Cloder said. “For me, that’s probably more important than the number on a report.”

The holidays are coming, and the national jewelry chains are flooding the airwaves with the frantic strings of Vivaldi to market their exclusives that are made in the millions. There is still room, though, for local jewelers who put their heart and soul into serving loyal customers with custom and designer jewelry that speaks the language of love.

Ring from K Novinger Jewelry

Be Dazzled

The midstate is blessed with independent jewelers steeped in the community, from the eminent Mountz Jewelers and Munn’s Diamond Gallery to new favorites beckoning window shoppers to step inside for a shiny treat.

K Novinger Jewelry is a 12-year-old mainstay in Lemoyne’s West Shore Plaza. Owner Kristin Novinger brought her jewelry-design talent, honed at the Gemological Institute of America and working under a meticulous boss in New York City, home to the Harrisburg area. After providing custom work behind the scenes for local jewelers, she brought her customer base to her own shop.

The mall stores offer “typical,” she said. Her store offers handmade and personally meaningful.

“My vision was custom,” she said. “It was always helping the customers. I wanted to help and talk with more customers. I talk all day long. I got what I wanted. I love working with customers. I love working with them, seeing their ideas, and taking it to the next level.”

Cloder was a veteran of corporate retail fashion and a regular customer of the former Higashi Jewelry who, “long story short,” bought the store and launched Christy Concept Jewelry in 2019. Upstairs at the West Shore Farmers Market, she redesigned the space to fit her vision of a comfortable, non-intimidating shop.

“I wanted people to come in and try things on, whether on their own or full service or no service,” she said. “They’re welcome just to check in.”

As a small business owner, she has the autonomy to source the pieces that make local buyers know “The One” when they see it. There are jewelry shows to attend, designers and sales reps to meet, and trunk shows to schedule.

Cloder is a self-admitted “pop culture wonk” who stocks her store with fresh finds inspired by trends in jewelry and the fashions it will accessorize. This holiday season, delicate and sweet is still in, since remote workers don’t need statement pieces but still want some sparkle for trips to the market. On the other hand, “big and chunky is coming back, too.”

Custom Eyes

With the custom capabilities of local jewelers, buyers know that they won’t get decked out for a night on the town and find everyone else wearing the same pieces.

The key to breathtaking custom designs is listening, said Novinger. Many customers don’t know what they want, but they know what the piece will mean to them. After getting acquainted with the customer, Novinger draws her ideas at scale. Those pencil sketches progress through computer designs to wax models, constantly modified until the customer absolutely loves it.

Other stores that offer “custom” might only be matching stones to available mountings.

“We’re picky, but that’s us standing behind our product and making sure the customer gets exactly what they want,” Novinger said.

For a recent customer who wanted style with sentiment, she wove the initials of the customer’s grandchildren into the design.

“Not everyone’s going to know what they mean, but she’ll know what it means,” she said. “That’s us thinking outside the box.”

Many mall jewelers will send their work out, shipping grandma’s diamond to who knows where. At K Novinger, customers can peer behind a glass wall to see for themselves that it’s not elves doing the custom work but artisans and goldsmiths fully equipped for making, repairing or redesigning precious pieces.

“We do not send anything out,” Novinger said. “The pieces are staying here. It’s behind the wall. It’s in our hands.”

At Christy Concept Jewelry, Cloder engages a goldsmith, stringer and engraver. Much of Cloder’s custom work is for customers who inherited a piece that is meaningful but just isn’t their style.

“So, then it becomes, ‘How can we convert this to something that still has that emotional connection but that you can also wear?’” she said.

Local jewelers bond into a community of people who care deeply about the jewelry they sell, repair, create and clean. If Novinger doesn’t have what a customer wants, she’ll send them to another jeweler, because “it’s all about the customers, and that’s why we are who we are.”

Cloder, the newer entrant on the scene, has found that each jeweler serves a niche, and “what they do, they do really, really well.”

“There’s plenty of room for everyone to play, everyone to win,” she said. “I engage with all of the jewelry stores in this area, and everyone really roots for each other. There’s a responsibility I feel to just measure up with these other great stores.”

Silver & Gold

For the holidays, local jewelers bring in new lines or expand existing ones.

Cloder is concentrating on deepening her relationships with designers, focusing less on adding new names and more on adding the different lines that each designer carries. This year, she is expanding her cases with varied looks from Frederic Sage, as well as the Annamaria Camilli collections from Florence, Italy, sold in only 25 American stores.

Cloder also tries to support women designers.

“I like a balance, but it’s important that women support women,” she said. “I like the fact that we have a couple of new women designers coming into the store.”

Men’s jewelry, she adds, is an increasingly popular gift. One possible reason: Smart watches are replacing traditional watches—although Cloder carries some handmade Swiss beauties—so men want to express themselves with a bracelet or necklace.

Novinger is preparing for the holidays—almost a year-round process—with layering pieces, bangle bracelets and charms.

“The holidays are for anything that’s special because it reminds you of your loved one,” she said. “People love sparkling jewelry, especially at the holidays.”

From $25 giftables for teachers and babysitters to five-figure showstoppers, local jewelers carry the proper blend of items because they know and love their communities. Novinger supports local causes because “if I didn’t have the community, we wouldn’t have this.” Her dog-friendly shop, home to white mutts Sydney and Cookie, fulfills charity requests all year and is especially fond of Ronald McDonald House.

“You have to give back,” Novinger said. Then, she corrected herself. “You don’t have to give back. I want to give back, because that’s how I was raised. You give back and help others, and that’s how they help you.”

Working in a business as emotionally invested as jewelry, local jewelers say that everything they do boils down to one word: trust. Cloder’s target customer is often age 45 and up, but she also strives to capture the 25- and 30-year-olds.

“They get their engagement ring with us,” she said. “It’ll be wonderful to be a part of their life and watch them throughout their marriage and all of those wonderful occasions. You have to connect first. It’s about building trust, building rapport, building relationships. I enjoy doing that. I just do.”

K Novinger is starting to see generations of the same families, including the mother who recently passed down the diamond from her Novinger-made ring to her son for his wedding set, also made there.

“We’ve definitely brought memories to customers,” Novinger said. “That’s one thing we’re good at doing, bringing memories, that creation, that love. I love our customers, and I’m grateful for them.”

Christy Concept Jewelry is located at 900 Market St. (West Shore Farmers Market), Lemoyne. For more information, visit www.christyconceptjewelry.com.

K Novinger Jewelry is located at 1200 Market St. (West Shore Plaza), Lemoyne. For more information, visit www.knovingerjewelry.com.

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Her Favorite Things: Sara Bozich shops local for one-of-a-kind finds

October 30, 2024 | by Sara Bozich

Sara at Apricot Lane Boutique

When TheBurg asked me to share my favorite local boutiques for their “Shop Local” issue, I couldn’t say no. Supporting and promoting local small businesses is at the heart of what I do, and I love a bonus opportunity to show off my faves. From one-of-a-kind finds to on-trend fashions, these spots are where I go when I want to shop for myself or for gifts.

Shopping local matters—you know this. Doing so invests your money back into the community and helps your neighbors—the small business owners—make a living. You’ve probably seen that internet meme around the holidays, “Every time you buy from a local business, a real person does a happy dance.”

This is true! And shopping local benefits you, too. For starters, there are no annoying return fees (seriously, when did that start happening?). Plus, returns are less likely in the first place because you can talk directly with the shop employees—and often the owners themselves—to find just what you need. These folks know their inventory best, and they might even pull something that isn’t even on the floor yet just for you.

Every day, I try to style my outfit with at least one vintage item and one item from a local boutique or maker. This keeps my looks fresh and makes me feel good.

Little Black Dress

While you can often pick up a perfect little black dress in this chic Camp Hill boutique, the name is more of a nod to finding the perfect fit for any occasion. In the five-plus years that I’ve been shopping at Little Black Dress, I’ve collected sweaters, casual dresses, statement jumpsuits that I’ve worn to multiple events, office-perfect shirts, denim, an arsenal of faux leather in various designs, belt bags, jewelry and gifts—including candles, casual menswear and the cutest selection of kids’ clothes. I shop here seasonally to add quality, on-trend-but-not-trendy pieces to my closet. Little Black Dress stocks limited quantities of styles and refreshes regularly—so if you like something, grab it! This also ensures that your wardrobe is uniquely your own.

Little Black Dress

Neighbors & Smith, 1801 Market St., Camp Hill

IG: @littleblackdressch

Plum Bottom

Having been traumatized by Payless Shoe Stores in my youth, I take shoe purchases seriously. Footwear must be well made—it’s the base of your look and your comfort! Plum Bottom carries a vast array of flats, loafers, pumps, occasion heels, boots, sneakers and sandals. Good footwear can be an investment, and Plum Bottom cares about matching customers with the right fit. Whatever your foot concerns may be—narrow feet? low arch? bunions? —they got you! Plum Bottom has two convenient locations (Neighbors & Smith in Camp Hill and The Shoppes at Susquehanna Marketplace outside Harrisburg) and an up-to-date online inventory—and they’ll source what you need from either store. They even deliver! High-quality service and outstanding, on-trend shoes of all types are why Plum Bottom has been in business for decades. As a bonus, they also carry a small selection of accessories and outerwear, including handbags, earrings, socks and jewelry.

Plum Bottom

Neighbors & Smith, 1801 Market St., Camp Hill

The Shoppes at Susquehanna Marketplace, 2547 Brindle Dr., Harrisburg

Shop online: plumbottom.net

IG: @theplumbottom

Plumb Bottom

Found Collab

Found Collab is hands down the area’s best vintage shop. It is a collaboration between Stash Vintage and The Midtown Dandy, two highly regarded vintage sellers (Stash focuses mostly on women’s clothes, The Midtown Dandy on menswear—and some of the sickest vintage tees around). In addition to selling quality women’s and men’s vintage apparel, accessories and (some) housewares, Found showcases curated collections from niche artisans, many of whom are local—from stained glass to pottery to incense to jewelry and more, including greeting cards, original art, notepads, water bottles, etc. Shopping vintage takes some time and work—they always encourage you to try things on, and it’s worth it. I’ve scored high-end designer finds, custom-made jumpsuits, cool jackets and so much fun jewelry. Their storefront in the SoMa neighborhood of downtown Harrisburg has impeccable vibes, open noon to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. They stay open late on 3rd in the Burg Fridays for SOUND@FOUND, when they amp up the evening with killer beats, a featured artist and refreshments.

Found Collab

25 S. 3rd St., Harrisburg

More info: foundcollab.com

IG: @foundcollab

Apricot Lane Boutique

Apricot Lane Boutique is interesting because, although it is a national brand, each franchise is owned and stocked independently. So, the items you find at our local Apricot Lane are unique to it. Apricot Lane’s youthful and fashionable staff slays Instagram, and, in-person, they make you feel right at home, always happy for you to do a little try-on fashion show or give an honest but encouraging opinion. This is the go-to for trendy items and fun, inexpensive baubles and gifts (someone purchase me a cute Hydrojug, please). I’ve scored basics like bodysuits, sunglasses, an oversized Rolling Stones tee I couldn’t pass up, a few gorgeous event dresses, plus fun, flirty blouses for date night.

Apricot Lane Boutique

3541 Gettysburg Rd., Camp Hill

Shop online: apricotlanecamphill.com

IG: @apricotlanecamphill

Seymour’s Plant Boutique + Apothecary

For all my plant parents looking for something cool or a little different, Seymour’s is your spot. In an adorable little storefront on E. Main Street in Mechanicsburg, you can find wall-to-wall houseplants from philodendrons to snake plants to monsteras to alocasia. Cacti that look like little butts? Yep. Mini umbrella plants? That too. They even have a Venus fly trap, a nod to “Little Shop of Horrors” and the inspiration for the store’s name. Seymour’s has some other extras—local artwork, candles, etc.—and will soon be adding oils to enhance the “Apothecary” side of things. In the meantime, this is the perfect spot to pick up your next plant baby—or score a fun gift for a fellow plant lover. Each houseplant comes with a name and care instructions, so even if you don’t already have a green thumb, you will soon.

Seymour’s Plant Boutique & Apothecary

230 E. Main St., Mechanicsburg

Shop online: fb.com/seymoursplantboutiqueandapothecary

IG: @seymoursplantboutique

The Gallery at The Millworks

My book club met on The Millworks rooftop over the summer, and, afterward, two of us found ourselves in The Gallery (not our first time) picking up a little something—something as a treat for ourselves. While I could wax on the beer/food/art combo that The Millworks gives us, The Gallery is, in a way, the ultimate highlight of this historic space. Every item is a perfect little Harrisburg souvenir, in whatever way it may be. Shop candles and earrings, pottery and photography, prints and planters. If you need a gift—whether for yourself or a friend—you’ll find something dreamy here and you’ll know with each purchase you’re supporting a real, live, uber-local artist.

The Millworks

340 Verbeke St., Harrisburg

More info: millworksharrisburg.com

IG: @the_millworks

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Maker Place: 32nd Street Mercantile celebrates artists, community

October 30, 2024 | by Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

Tucked away in a residential area in Camp Hill, a building bursts with creativity, celebrating community and allowing local artisans to highlight and cultivate their talents.

The business, known as 32nd Street Mercantile, is comprised of 43 makers, all of whom have carved out individual niches in the building. The small, attractively decorated stalls show off makers who create items like paintings, jewelry, fused glass, clothing, gourmet food, crocheted items, self-published books, home décor and more.

The original store of the same name opened in 2021 and changed hands over the summer. Today, the shop is run by two couples: Beth and Mike Hillman and Jennifer and John Anderson.

“We attended a vendor meeting one night and the owner, Kathy Carbonaro, informed us that she would soon be closing,” Beth Hillman said. “We couldn’t bear to see that happen, so we purchased the place.”

The owners spread word far and wide about the grand reopening. Kids frolicked in bouncy houses in the large parking lot as adults perused unique merchandise and sampled fare made by the vendors.

“Before we took over, advertising was practically nonexistent,” Jennifer Anderson said. “We needed to let the public know how to find us. That was the main reason for hosting a grand opening.”

Unique Items

While much has remained the same, some aspects of the business have changed.

According to Jennifer, the “new” business will concentrate more on the community. People can look forward to a Charles Dickens event and a Christmas event starring Santa, food tastings and more.

“My aunt, who is 70, knows so much about gourmet goods and told me about Tait Farms,” Jennifer said. “We sell their chutney, jams, pancake mix, biscuit mixes and salad dressings.”

The store also carries faith-based brands, which are often inscribed with a biblical message, from Bible bracelets to baby quilts with verses on them and Christian books.

“The books I’m picking are ones that are hard to find at stores like Target and Walmart,” Jennifer said. “They are hand-selected from Christian authors.”

Seeking a gift for a man who’s tough to buy for? Head over to the “Mercantile Men,” section, which features products for beard and hair care, along with items like books, sketch pads and pencils.

“We like the fact that our customers can see for themselves high-quality, unique items that will speak to them in a way that an online store can’t,” Jennifer said.

It’s obvious that Jennifer is in her element when it comes to the craft business.

“My mom started doing craft shows when I was 12,” she said. “Her business, ‘Painting by Eileen,’ has a pretty big following, and I’ve also grown to love the industry.”

Eye-Catching

The couples hold down full-time jobs while managing 32nd Street Mercantile, but that doesn’t mean the business gets short shrift.

“We are all very committed people, and community is especially important to us,” Jennifer said. “So, we devised a motto that sums it up. ‘Unity, Community, Growth’ is what came about through attending church services and finding guiding principles to build upon.”

It’s important to both Jennifer and Beth to make the business a family destination.

“We’re going to hold ‘Mommy and Me’ classes and ‘Daddy and Me’ classes, along with a ‘Paint Your Family,’ class,” Jennifer said.

In keeping with the community focus, the front room is now a space for relaxation, coffee, donuts on weekends and Wi-Fi.

“We are inviting people to hold talks, classes and seminars in that room when we’re closed on Mondays and Tuesdays,” Jennifer said.

Kim Bentz, who lives north of Wellsville, is a vendor who sells antiques, wood crafts and other handcrafted items.

“People seem to like the old, nostalgic feel of my booth that sometimes takes them back in time to their grandmother’s house,” Bentz said.

She added that one person bought a little stuffed horse for her sister because her dad purchased something similar for her when she was a child. Another shopper, who was a collector, bought an old metal music box.

In accepting vendors, Jennifer said that they try to resist duplication so they can keep a wide range of products in the store. They are also willing to help vendors design their spaces so that their booths are attractive and eye-catching.

As the holiday season kicks into gear, 32nd Street Mercantile is expecting a busy time ahead.

“We love our customers and our vendors and are looking forward to continuing to grow the business and make it a family destination,” Jennifer said.

32nd Street Mercantile of Camp Hill is located at 515 S. 32nd St., Camp Hill. For more information, visit www.32ndstreetmercantile.com or their Facebook page.

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Family Ties: Mother/daughter team sews together a quilting future

October 30, 2024 | by Alex Hayes

Sarah McAllister & Ashley Gardner

“Puzzles with fabric.”

That’s how Sarah McAllister and daughter Ashley Gardner describe the intricate art form known as quilting.

They should know. In October, the pair opened Serendipity Stitch as the newest addition to Carlisle’s growing downtown arts scene, following a move from New Bloomfield. The two hope to infuse their love of quilting into younger generations so the centuries-old practice has a bright future.

McAllister began quilting about 20 years ago. The former nurse said that stitching helped her unwind after long, stressful days caring for patients.

“Quilting is a relaxing, fun, meditative art,” she said.

McAllister learned from her mother and grandmother, making Gardner the fourth generation of a fabric-filled family. Gardner said that she experiences a lot of anxiety, so quilting also helps her to destress.

McAllister entered the business in 2015 by longarm quilting, the process of using a sewing machine to secure the quilt to its backing. She then expanded by launching a website to sell quilting supplies. After almost eight years of quilting as a side business, McAllister hung up her nursing cap in 2023 and opened Serendipity Stitch in New Bloomfield.

The location was a planned first step, with Carlisle being the ultimate goal. What was not planned, however, was that their move would happen so quickly.

“This location opened up, so we decided to go for it,” she said.

McAllister and Gardner were attracted to Carlisle’s vibrant downtown, which features breweries, gift shops, restaurants and specialty stores. There are other quilt shops nearby, which McAllister believes makes Carlisle a destination for artisans.

“We all carry different patterns and materials, so we complement each other nicely,” McAllister said.

Best Friends

Serendipity Stitch specializes in stocking unique patterns with bright colors and fun designs.

Gardner said that rustic colors often come to mind when people think of quilting, but they are helping the industry turn those thoughts around by offering everything from animals to holiday-themed fabrics. Gardner recently stitched a quilt she calls her “reading nook.” It features books, cats and hot teas as a nod to her other passion—reading.

“There are so many different patterns you can find for different people,” she said.

Serendipity Stitch also offers patterns by independent designers they meet at trade shows.

“We like to support the people who create the fabrics on their own,” McAllister said.

Beginner quilters usually start by creating pieced quilts, which follow an established pattern that the quilter sews together. McAllister and Gardner pride themselves on helping new quilters enter the hobby with little intimidation. They also plan to offer quilting classes at the Bosler Library in downtown Carlisle. In addition, Gardner said she is exploring quilt and sip sessions to be held at local wineries.

Serendipity Stitch also offers custom embroidery. Customers can bring in a digital file and an item they would like it to appear on, such as a backpack, jacket or sweatshirt. There is no minimum order, so patrons can create unique pieces.

The store is a vibrant place that does not smell like fabric, thanks to Gardner’s homemade soy candles. Customers can choose from various scents and sizes that fill several shelves.

As their business grows, so does their knowledge of quilting. Gardner is currently practicing English paper piercing, the practice of stabilizing fabric with paper before sewing it into intricate designs. Quilters also can create handbags, pencil cases, jackets or makeup cases.

In the end, thread holds the quilt together, much like the business of quilting bonds McAllister and Gardner.

In fact, McAllister and Gardner said that their age difference helps them stock materials that appeal to a broad demographic. They are also people who value second opinions and are constantly validating each other’s choices.

“A lot of people warned me about getting into business with family, but my mom is my best friend,” Gardner said.

Serendipity Stitch Quilt & Gift Shop is located at 126 N. Hanover St., Carlisle. For more information, visit www.serendipitystitch.com.

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Unique Boutique: At Mojito Beach, you’ll find one-of-a-kind items—and a friend

October 30, 2024 | by Ashley Andyshak Hayes

Mojito Beach Boutique

Chris Schrum started Mojito Beach Boutique at what may have been the most challenging time for small business owners—in 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

But for Schrum, it was the best move for her family.

Schrum’s son has a respiratory condition that made him especially vulnerable to COVID, leading Schrum to question whether she wanted to return to work after the initial pandemic lockdowns ended.

“When everyone started returning to work, his specialist told us, in her opinion, he shouldn’t be in a summer day camp-like setting because if he did get COVID, it had the potential to be pretty devastating for him,” she said. “After hearing that, I decided not to go back to work.”

Schrum wanted to find a way to stay home with her children while contributing to the household financially. An avid boutique shopper, she started Mojito Beach Boutique as a Facebook group, selling handpicked women’s clothing and accessories, handbags and jewelry. She was successful and didn’t plan to take the business further than that.

One day, while having lunch with her husband at the Markets at Hanover, she saw a vacant spot that looked perfect for a small boutique. She decided it was time to grow beyond Facebook and into a physical location.

“I talked to a few people who said starting a business during COVID was crazy, but it just felt right, so I jumped on it,” Schrum said. “The business took off, and while most businesses were struggling, we were thriving.”

Schrum’s mother, Kim Beck, “loved the boutique from the start” and spent many Saturdays there. She learned the basics of running the business. So, when Schrum decided to return to school and full-time work a few years later, Beck bought the boutique. Schrum stayed involved as time allowed, offering input on which merchandise to feature.

As her lease at the Markets at Hanover neared its end, Beck began looking for a new location closer to her home and moved the boutique to South Market Street in Mechanicsburg in May.

“We are a very people-oriented business,” she said. “So, we didn’t want to go into the malls or something that is so impersonal.”

Beck said her goal is to offer something for everyone, so she carries sizes small to 3XL in a wide variety of styles.

“We try to have clothes that are unique so everybody’s not going to show up to an event wearing the same thing,” Beck said.

While the success of a small business is at the mercy of economic conditions and shoppers’ spending habits, Beck said that the benefits far outweigh the risks.

“If you want to spend a half-hour chatting with a customer and helping them, you don’t have someone pointing at their watch,” she said.

Now retired from full-time IT work, Beck is excited to focus her attention on the boutique and her favorite aspect—the customers.

“I’ve been in IT since I was 19 years old, and being behind a computer is very impersonal,” she said. “Although I loved the work I did, I couldn’t wait to be done so I could be out and about.”

Now, many of her customers have become friends.

“You know them, you know their kids,” she said. “It’s just amazing how many different kinds of people you get to meet and how much fun you have getting to work with them.”

Mojito Beach Boutique is located at 106 S. Market St., Mechanicsburg. For more information, visit www.mojitobeachboutique.com.

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Baking Memories: Yes, involving your children in cooking can be messy, but also fun and educational

October 30, 2024 | by Susan Ryder

Growing up, I often spent time in the kitchen with my mom and watched her clean, stuff, slather with butter and roast a turkey. When it was eventually my turn to host a turkey dinner, I felt well prepared.

Fortunately, there are many ways to include children in the Thanksgiving dinner preparations for a fun and engaging, memory-making experience.

My twin sister and I were the stuffing makers. We pulled apart the loaves of bread that my mom left out to dry, then cut up the onions and celery, sprinkled in the obligatory celery salt, and poured on the melted butter.

Kids today can tear up the bread, too, or open the box of Stove Top, read the directions and make the filling. Simple things like opening the cranberry sauce and dumping it in a bowl or putting the frozen corn in the microwave can involve children in the process. “Perfect is the enemy of good,” to quote Voltaire. There is no need to make the experience too complicated.

Engaging children in everyday meal-making has many benefits.

“It [cooking] teaches you a life skill,” said Mackenna Caruso, a registered dietician in Gettysburg. “We need food to live. So, as kids get older […] they’re going to have to learn some type of cooking skill.”

Cooking Confidence

Children can glean nutritional, food safety and math skills from assisting parents in the kitchen, according to Caruso. Cooking also boosts kids’ literacy skills—and not just by reading the recipe.

“Sequencing is a very important thing that helps with reading readiness,” said Jennifer Graf, executive director of Hope Academy Pennsylvania, a STEAM preschool in Middletown. “So, first we’re going to mix the milk and sugar and then we’re going to add the flour.”

Depending on their age, children can pour ingredients, read through a recipe with an adult, open the oven, or take cookies off a cookie sheet. I included my three sons in the holiday baking. They cracked eggs, plunked flour and sugar, and sprinkled in the chocolate chips.

“Things as simple as stirring are good for gross motor skills and hand eye coordination,” Graf said.

Children who participate in the kitchen tend to appreciate the meal more—an added benefit.

“It’s called the IKEA effect. It’s basically when you’re involved in the creation you are more likely to hold it at a higher value,” Caruso said. “So, if a kid is involved in cooking, they’re more likely to appreciate the food […] or be proud of the meal that they made because they were involved in the process.”

Allowing kids to help is, well, messy. My kids cracked eggs on the counter (paper towels are a great way to clean this up), sent flour flying, and missed their aim at the bowl many times. So, let’s include them in the cleanup, too.

“They love water play—give them some way that they can be of help,” Graf said. “Children love having jobs, and that’s a way that they can really increase their self-confidence.”

We also have an opportunity to teach our children food safety while sharing the kitchen with them. My boys regularly heard me yell “chicken-y hands” as I crossed the kitchen, like I was heading into surgery, after handling poultry. I’d chat with them about the need to wash my hands and counters after preparing meat, especially chicken.

“We want to avoid foodborne illnesses and getting sick, and we want to make sure that we’re teaching our kids that as well,” Caruso said.

Relational Recipe

Maybe the best part of cooking with our children is the relationship building. So much vies for our attention, but cooking allows us to focus on the kids, doing an activity that we need to do anyway.

“If you’re working parents, you haven’t had time with them,” Graf said. “It’s another kind of chunk of time […] to connect with your child.”

Some of my fondest memories of my boys’ childhood were made spending time in the kitchen with them. They would flank me, standing on chairs and take turns with each task. It wasn’t all unicorns and rainbows. Once the bickering began, as it almost always did, one child at a time was banished to the living room while the others participated.

Time spent preparing meals and baking with our children can influence future habits.

“Kids who were involved in the cooking experience, in the process, were more likely to try more vegetables and like them, and, in turn, had an overall greater intake of vegetables,” Caruso said, quoting a 2014 study.

When my middle son was in high school, he baked Christmas cookies one holiday when I was a full-time college student. He was able to continue a tradition for our family that I just didn’t have time for that year. My kids could handle starting dinner for me, browning meat, or even making dinner when the need arose.

My sons have become competent cooks. The two older ones attack complicated recipes, like homemade pastrami, rolls made with lard, and enchiladas with tomatillo sauce—all of which I’ve benefited from. My youngest makes himself healthy meals, not needing to rely on costly fast food.

When we gather all together this year for Thanksgiving, my sons will undoubtedly be in the kitchen—making my mom heart happy.

To learn ways to include children and youth in cooking, visit www.eatright.org.

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Mystery Minded: Whodunit? The Peschels take their books from concept to completion

October 30, 2024 | by Phyllis Zimmerman

Teresa & Bill Peschel

Bill and Teresa Peschel have a favorite author—and it’s no mystery.

The couple runs Hershey-based Peschel Press, which has published Bill’s continuing series of annotated Agatha Christie works. These include “The Complete, Annotated Murder of Roger Ackroyd,” “The Complete, Annotated Man in The Brown Suit” and “The Complete, Annotated Murder on The Links,” to name a few.

Then there’s Teresa’s detailed, 400-page “Agatha Christie, She Watched” subtitled “One Woman’s Plot to Watch 201 Agatha Christie Movies Without Murdering the Director, Screenwriter, Cast, or her Husband.” Earlier this year, the book earned her an invitation to host events at the International Agatha Christie Festival in London.

“Agatha is always, always readable,” Teresa said. “People assume she’s a nice, cozy mystery writer, but she’s not. She has a very dry sense of humor. In her books, anyone can be the victims, anyone can be the murderer.”

The Peschels spent two weeks abroad for the September festival. Teresa hosted “Agatha Christie, She Watched,” where she shared her observations of viewing of 201 Christie films and took part in “All About Agatha Live! The Greatest Screen Adaptations” with other Christie media experts.

“Thousands of people walked through the festival to attend at least one event,” she said. “I got at least 300-plus at my programs.”

However, there’s more to Peschel Press than just a focus on Agatha Christie. The publishing house offers a variety of “Intriguing, Intelligent, Idiosyncratic Books,” according to its website.

Bill noted and annotated a casebook series based on the works of Sherlock Homes, including a volume of “the strangest Sherlock Homes parodies ever written” by renowned writer/cartoonist James Thurber.

Teresa writes under the pen name of Odessa Moon in her continuing series, “The Steppes of Mars.” On a flip, her interests in “sustainability, resource depletion and finding a balanced life” led her to author Peschel Press’ “Sew Cloth Grocery Bags” and other volumes.

Also, the Peschels jointly penned an indie authors series, “Career Indie Author Quote Book” and “Career Indie Author,” the latter subtitled, “Tell your stories and build a business that will last a lifetime.”

“These tell everything about the business of indie writing,” Bill said. “It’s hard to find your market in this.”

Indie writers, he said, only earn around $1,000 per year on average.

“You don’t make enough to buy a cup of coffee,” he added, with a laugh.

Role Models

Bill and Teresa launched their publishing house together in 2010 as a way “to do what we want to do.”

“We can make a book the way we envision it,” Teresa said.

Bill, who grew up in North Carolina, started out his career as a typesetter. He became a news reporter after internships at The Charlotte Observer and The Charlotte News. He also worked as a stringer for The New York Times while earning a journalism degree from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

From there, his career took a winding path.

He worked for The Avalon Hill Game Co. in Baltimore, editing the company’s magazine, debugging computer games, and writing and editing instruction manuals. In 1990, he became a copyeditor for The Rock Hill (N.C.) Herald, where he also wrote book reviews. In 2000, he joined The Patriot-News as a copyeditor and book reviewer, where he remained until 2012.

His first book, “Writers Gone Wild,” a collection about writers’ successes and failures, was published in 2010 by Penguin Random House.

Teresa began writing books four years after launching Peschel Press.

“I had always told myself stories to make myself fall to sleep,” she said. “I didn’t start writing them down until 2014, when I was 54.”

Bill does all page layouts and designs every book cover and e-book. Peschel Press books are published through Amazon’s print-on-demand service.

“If you work with a print house, you have to do a minimum order, which we don’t want to do,” Bill said. “We’re available on Amazon. For an indie writer, this is the only way to go.”

Peschel Press books are also sold locally at Cupboard Maker Books in Enola and Mechanicsburg Mystery Bookshop in Mechanicsburg.

Debbie Beamer, owner of Mechanicsburg Mystery Bookshop, described the Peschels’ fiction as “entertaining” and their Agatha Christie books as insightful and informative.

“[Bill’s] books are amazingly helpful in explaining British terminology and meanings of various passages in the books,” Beamer said. “Teresa’s book on Agatha Christie movies is truly one-of-a-kind. It is well-researched and provides a fascinating look at the different incarnations of the Christie movies.”

Likewise, Cupboard Maker Books owner Michelle Haring complimented the couple for their “work ethic, their enthusiasm and their persistence.”

“They are perfect role models for other indie authors,” she said.

For more information, visit www.peschelpress.com or visit Peschel Press on social media.

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Adventure Together: Explore a cute small town and get ready for holiday festivities

October 30, 2024 | by Natalie diSanto

Pike2Bike Trail photos are courtesy of Rusty Glessner at PABucketList.com.

With holidays on the horizon and trees feebly clinging to their leaves, now is the time to enjoy this last bit of tolerable weather and soak in whatever days of sunlight we are granted.

The perfect place to do this is on the turnpike headed west, where Pennsylvania shows off one of its taglines, “Endless Mountains.” As a transplant from the Rocky Mountain State, I tend to chuckle at PA’s seemingly bombastic claim, but traveling this stretch of turnpike changed my mind. There was something about driving straight up to a mountain at highway speed then barreling into a tunnel that made me think that these Appalachians deserve a little more respect.

Small Town Charm

We set out for the town of Everett because my kid wanted to visit a place with his same name. Everett is about an hour-and-a-half west of Harrisburg and sits between the larger towns of Bedford and Breezewood. Everett is quite cute (and I’m not talking about my floppy-haired almost-7-year-old), with a local library and flower shop as the highlights of the town. There is a gorgeous old movie theater that is unfortunately no longer operational, though the town does have a plan to turn the lights back on. Downtown, there is a bridge with access to the Juniata River if you’re inclined to nab some minnows or search for crayfish. If you work up an appetite while exploring, there is a little pizza shop right next to the river with to-go options.

Everett is ramping up excitement for its “Home for Christmas” festival in November, a wonderous affair celebrating “Small Town America.” The event will shut down the town’s Main Street and takes place on Friday, Nov. 29, to promote local spending in collaboration with Small Business Saturday. A parade kicks off the festivities at 4 p.m. with a visit from Santa at 4:30 p.m. Music will ensue with craft areas, vendors and food options. The culmination of the festival is a tree-lighting ceremony and fireworks display that wraps it up (pun intended) around 7 p.m.

Unique Trek

With the turnpike paving the way to our destination, we couldn’t refuse the call to explore a repurposed section of the road that’s a popular attraction, The Pike2Bike Trail. The trail is a multi-use path on a section of turnpike that has been abandoned since the 1960s. Now draped in graffiti and overrun with crawling ivy and other plants clinging to life through cracks in the asphalt, the trail gives eerie vibes. The scenery is so unsettling, in fact, that the 2009 post-apocalyptic movie, “The Road,” was filmed on the trail. “The Road” is a big hit with “Lord of the Rings” fans as our favorite crownless king, Viggo Mortensen, stars in the film. In real life, while traversing the trail, it is recommended to bring a flashlight for visibility and safety, as some of the tunnels are long enough to reach blackout in the middle. Be prepared for bumpy terrain, since the trail is not maintained and has been abandoned for over 60 years. There is an access point for the trail outside of Breezewood, about 20 minutes east of Everett.

Holiday Heart

Some folks get more motivated to help the community or volunteer around the holidays. If you’re one of them, consider getting involved with YWCA of Greater Harrisburg. Our local YWCA serves Dauphin, Cumberland and Perry counties, focused on empowering women and eliminating racism. The YWCA protects and assists women and children who are unhoused, victims of domestic violence, or in compromising situations by offering transitional and emergency housing, meals, educational services and counseling programs. They also offer daycare, summer camp and employment programs. The YWCA is always seeking volunteers and donations. They accept monetary and in-kind donations such as hygiene and health products, clothing, and baby or child supplies via scheduled donation drop-offs. Families can volunteer by assisting with childcare programs, helping with fundraising events, and offering administrative assistance, among a variety of other essential duties.

As parents, we’re already juggling life’s demands, and the holidays bring with them a myriad of added responsibility: decorating, cooking and attending events with frenzied children. If friends or family are far or resources are tight, this season may feel dark, like a tunnel with only a distant twinkle of light. Despite the pressures of the holidays, be gentle with yourself and remember the purpose of this time is appreciating the moments that fill our hearts with sunshine. One of my favorite stress-free traditions is thrifting for the perfect pair of holiday pajamas for my kiddo to snuggle up to me in.

Wherever you and your family are in the journey this season, try to be grateful because you’re here and our world is a better place for it.

For more information about the Everett “Home for Christmas” festival, visit www.everettlibrary.org/homeforchristmas.

To find out more about the Pike2Bike Trail, visit www.pabucketlist.com/exploring-the-abandoned-pennsylvania-turnpike.

To learn more about the YWCA of Greater Harrisburg, visit www.ywcahbg.org.

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In the Abstract: Local painter gains statewide recognition for her artwork

October 30, 2024 | by Rachel Curry

When Angela Lapioli received an email that she won an award through the 2024 “Art of the State” competition, she didn’t know which honor she had received.

“I was thinking, ‘Oh good, I got third place,’” she said.

At the awards ceremony, when the State Museum of Pennsylvania didn’t call her name for third, or even second place, her feeling wasn’t anticipation. It was more a sense of confusion.

“Now, there’s a mistake,” she thought.

Despite her imposter syndrome, it wasn’t a mistake. Lapioli received first place in the painting category—no strings attached—for her work titled “Recovered Pieces.”

“I’m really honored to be in the company of the other local artists in Pennsylvania because the work is just outstanding,” she said of her competition.

Lapioli, who lives in Dauphin County, considers herself a senior artist who is still working to find her personal style. She spent most of her career freelancing as a graphic designer and illustrator, but, these days, she focuses on fine art. Despite having the skill and, sometimes, the interest to do figurative work, she’s known for her abstract work.

“I’m drawn to the process of abstraction because it feels more personal to me than doing something figurative,” she said. “I like the fact that I can do something that’s completely original.”

“Recovered Pieces”

For her abstract paintings and mixed media work, Lapioli’s inspiration stems primarily from nature, but the meaning behind each piece evolves as the creative process continues.

She’ll start with a walk in the woods in Hershey, Mount Joy or other nearby area, and she’ll pick up on colors, shapes, textures and various minutiae that others might overlook. Those pieces go on to spark a new painting, which is fueled further by the emotions Lapioli draws on as she works.

“As I paint, some of the emotions come out, and that’s when I start to develop different imagery,” she said. “It’s subconscious almost, and it just develops into certain forms that are part of me.”

Lapioli is a member of the Art Association of Harrisburg and has a few small pieces in their gallery shop on Front Street, which viewers can also see on the organization’s website. Penn National Insurance bought several of her works for their Harrisburg building, and she has a partnership with the Lebanon Picture Frame & Fine Art Gallery. In the past, Lapioli has had paintings accepted at the Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts at Penn State and in local artist exhibitions at Lebanon Valley College.

Robert Potter, vice president and controller at Penn National Insurance, spearheaded the art and design efforts at the company’s building, a process that included purchasing a range of original art from Lapioli.

“Over the past few years, Penn National Insurance has worked to create a workspace that engages our employees,” Potter said. “When I first reviewed Angela’s art, I was immediately drawn to her choice of various colors, textures and shapes. Her artwork is unique and looks great in our environment, and our employees continue to comment positively as it rotates around our building as part of our permanent collection.”

“As Is” by Angela Lapioli”

Despite all this exposure, it’s only been in the last decade that Lapioli has gotten serious with her fine artwork. While winning an award doesn’t necessarily change how she feels about herself as an artist, it does have its benefits.

“I haven’t had a lot of feedback about my work,” she said.

Now, she doesn’t feel quite like she’s shouting into the creative void, but rather communing with others in a way that makes her feel like she’s on the right path.

“Maybe I’m connecting with somebody out there,” she said.

To Lapioli, one of the most important things is to develop her unique style without sacrificing her intrinsic personality and voice.

“That’s a trap that a lot of artists can get into because they do want to be recognized for their art,” she said.

What she’s learning instead is to stay plugged in to patience.

“If you really stay honed into your own personal expression, eventually your style does develop on its own,” she said. “You have to just be patient with that.”

As that process continues, Lapioli finds excitement in learning new ways to manipulate paint or other mediums and seeing different ways she can make creativity spark. As a now-award-winning artist, that youthful enthusiasm is staying put.

For more information on Angela Lapioli and her artwork, visit her Facebook and Instagram pages, “Fine Art by Angela.” Her work can also be found at the Art Association of Harrisburg and other area galleries.

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