Hoagie Heaven: Hefty Lefty’s draws sub lovers to York’s Central Market

April 29, 2024 | by Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

Pennsylvanians pride themselves on knowing what constitutes a good hoagie, as opposed to what can be described as “sub” par.

For instance, recently, I was speaking to a young teen who learned the cruel ways of the world when she ordered a hoagie while traveling with her family out west.

“They put bell peppers on it,” she explained incredulously.

One person who knows how to make a Pennsylvania-pleasing hoagie is Mark Millek, who operates Hefty Lefty’s in York’s Central Market.

Millek boasts a solid sandwich pedigree. He and his dad served hoagies some 25 years ago at the Morningstar Marketplace in Thomasville, later opening a storefront in Hanover. He also managed a McDonald’s for a while and worked as a manager at Giant Foods for two decades.

Despite success in the traditional food business, Millek couldn’t get subs off his mind. So, a few years ago, he felt ready to get back into the hoagie-making business, opening a location in York’s Central Market and naming it Hefty Lefty’s.

For the record, Millek is neither hefty, nor a lefty, but thought it would be a fun name for his business.

“I never had a nickname growing up, so that would be my nickname if I chose it,” he said, with a laugh.

Millek said that his affinity for submarine sandwiches dates back to when he was a child.

“My parents were from Reading, and they grew up in the city,” he said. “So, when we visited my grandparents, there were lots of mom-and-pop hoagie shops there.”

Millek opened Hefty Lefty’s in 2018, encountering some fits and starts before hitting his stride. One of those fits was securing a high-quality, reliable roll supplier, a must for any good sub shop.

“I started out with bread from Reading and, one day, they said they were no longer delivering to York,” he said. “Then I found someone who delivered rolls from Conshohocken and, suddenly, he stopped delivering bread.”

After some scrambling about, Millek discovered New Jersey-based Liscio’s Italian Bakery, which has been his supplier since. The bread is delivered fresh every day and contains no preservatives, he said. To create a proper sub, Millek then stuffs in all the goodies: veggies, cheeses, toppings and, of course, deli meats, which come from The Marketplace at John Gross in Mechanicsburg.

“It took off and, in a few years, I was able to quit Giant to focus on the business,” he said.

Mark Millek

Secret Is Out

Some people are very serious about their subs. If you have any doubt, just pull up the Facebook group, Hoagie Gurus, which has over 150,000 members.

When people started posting pictures of Hefty Lefty’s sandwiches, Millek saw a spike in business, with one person reportedly flying in via private plane from Pittsburgh to the market to indulge.

Others, Millek said, have driven for miles to get their hands on a “Balboa,” which contains capicola, cooked salami, Genoa salami, provolone cheese, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano and sea salt, or a “Philly Special” containing capicola, Genoa salami, sharp provolone cheese, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano and sea salt.

Visitors to the Hoagie Guru site should be forewarned, however. Members of the group tend to have little patience for those who post an anemic-looking hoagie, or, God forbid, one with non-standard ingredients.

Zack Zielinski is a member of the group who lives in York and reports that his favorite sandwich is the Balboa, or the classic cheesesteak.

“I love the people behind the counter and the quality of ingredients,” he said. “You can’t find better in the area and, now that the secret is out, everyone wants a piece.”

Ben Steelman is a Richmond, Va., native who learned of Hefty Lefty’s from the Hoagie Gurus group.

“When I visit the area for work, I enjoy the Philly Special, the Lefty Way—with extra ingredients,” he said. “They’re up there with the best hoagies I’ve had, and I’ve had quite a few in Philly and Delco.”

About once a month, Millek offers a specialty sandwich, such as the Thanksgiving Day grinder.

“My father-in-law makes the best stuffing on earth, and we add it to the roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy and a little cranberry sauce,” he said. “One lady told us that it’s the best thing she’s eaten in her entire life.”

For his part, Millek said that he’s found his calling in life.

“I was listening to [investor and author] Tim Ferriss recently and he said to find what you love and you can do that the rest of your life,” he said. “It’s not work for me. I love every second of it.”

Hefty Lefty’s is located in the York Central Market, 34 W. Philadelphia St., York. For more information, visit www.heftyleftys.com.

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Fare & Care: You’ll find specialty goods and a welcoming space at Europa Market

April 29, 2024 | by Rachel Curry

Andrei & Tabita Tugulia. Photo by Dani Fresh.

Browsing the aisles of a large chain grocery store, you may find kefir, a fermented dairy beverage from Eastern Europe.

However, you likely won’t see Rom, an iconic Romanian chocolate bar. Or kvass, a Russian non-alcoholic malt beverage. Or Ukrainian sweet cream with fruit, perfect for topping on crepes.

Luckily, there’s one place locally you will find the authentic versions of all of these—and much more—Europa Market in Linglestown. The Eastern European food hub caters to the cravings of Pennsylvania’s immigrant population, folks looking to connect with their heritage or simply adventurous eaters who want to try something new.

On top of that, Europa Market is a community center seeking to forge connections and help mothers, families and individuals in need.

Tabita and Andrei Tugulia opened Europa Market and its community-minded counterpart, Front End Family Solutions, in November, nearly two decades after their own immigration from Romania. They operate as a kind of satellite location of Reading’s Romanian Community Center, enabling people from Romania and other countries in Eastern Europe to find community and support through the many journeys of life.

The market, whose neighbor is a horse that keeps an eye out on the strip, features a mini-museum of Romanian relics at the front. Two mannequins wear traditional men’s and women’s apparel, including an ie, or Romanian embroidered blouse, and pigskin shoes. The mannequin is wearing handmade socks that Andrei grew up with as a kid. A piece of woven art made by his great-grandmother, estimated to be 150 years old, hangs on the wall.

“It was a very simple life,” Andrei reminisced. “Sometimes, I miss those days.”

Photo by Dani Fresh.

Beyond the antique items, the general store features hundreds of products, about half of which come from Romania. In the back is a community room and event space, including a play area for small children. That’s where much of the Front End Family Solutions meetups occur.

With two kids and a firmly planted life in Dauphin County, the Tugulias relish their mission of meeting people with similar backgrounds and helping those who may need guidance on getting settled in a new country. There are a wide range of people who come to Europa Market from countries like Poland, Moldova, Bulgaria, Latvia and more. Pennsylvania is also home to a plethora of Ukrainians who immigrated before and during the war, and they’re welcome to find a slice of home at Europa Market.

Tabita recalled her own journey to the United States.

“It took me six or seven years to meet anyone from my country,” she said.

She’s even met customers who have been here for decades, and it’s their first time meeting people they can culturally relate to here. So, having a place like Europa Market not only to shop but to gather filled a gap.

“They come here for produce, but it’s so much more,” she said of her visitors. “They leave us with a story.”

Photo by Dani Fresh.

Pulls People In

Mid-morning, the Tugulia’s friend, Mihai, walked into the market to shop, drink coffee and chat.

“They’re a perfect match for bringing people together,” he said.

Both Tabita and Andrei are talkative and friendly, but Andrei said that he considers himself to be shy compared to his wife’s social skills.

“My wife is the one that pulls people in,” he said.

Tabita’s background in social services helps propel the mission of the work while Andrei’s experience in managing food service businesses keeps the market running smoothly.

As for what’s popular in the market, it depends where the customer is coming from and what strikes their tastes and nostalgia.

From Romania, Gusto corn puffs, Borsec mineral water, Easter bread, Zacusca spread, meats and cheeses line the shelves. From around the Eastern European region, pickled vegetables, frozen cakes, filo pies, sunflower seeds, gingerbread (which is different from the kind of gingerbread Americans know), jams, vegetable spreads, fruit juices and a whole slew of other delicacies are at the ready.

Their current stock is just the beginning.

“Our greatest resource is our customers,” Andrei said.

In fact, they regularly take suggestions from people looking for a specific item.

Meanwhile, Front End Family Solutions operates behind the scenes, hosting a range of events like mom cafés, family nights out, international fundraisers, craft and painting gatherings and holiday events for families who need a welcoming place to celebrate. They also host birthday parties, using 10% of the proceeds to subsidize parties for children in low-income families. Meanwhile, the organization provides additional services like mentoring and small business consultancy.

In short, Tabita and Andrei have their hands full, but they wouldn’t have it any other way.

“At the end of the day, when we put the kids to bed, we feel like it’s our mission,” Andrei said

If they can make a difference in someone’s life each day, they say, they’re happy. And if they can do it while bringing a taste of home—wherever that may be—to the people around them, all the better.

Europa Market and Front End Family Solutions are located at 5821 Linglestown Rd., Suite 106, Harrisburg (Linglestown), in the rear of the building. For more information, visit www.myeuropamarket.com, www.frontendfamilysolutions.com and their Facebook pages.

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Café to Go: ZHAGA is a new coffee shop on wheels, with grand ambitions ahead

April 29, 2024 | by Dan Miller

At just 31 years old, Zuleika Liranzo is already a serial entrepreneur.

Since coming to the United States 11 years ago from her native Dominican Republic, Liranzo has made a living selling baked goods and paintings out of her house.

Looking for something more outside the box, she opened a truck repair shop in New Jersey.

Now that that’s established, she and her fiancée, Jose Manuel, have returned to Pennsylvania to do what Liranzo has always really wanted to do—open her own food business. A café on wheels, that is: ZHAGA Coffee Shop.

Holding its grand opening on St. Patrick’s Day, ZHAGA is starting out as a food truck-based business located on S. 3rd Street in Lemoyne, just off I-83.

From there, ZHAGA offers a variety of gourmet hot and iced coffees, teas and juices. The freshly roasted coffee beans are sourced from St. Thomas Roasters in Linglestown.

The unique name, ZHAGA, comes from the first letter of her first name—Zuleika—and those of her four daughters: Haylee, Amy, Grace and Allison, who range in age from 3 to 9.

Liranzo said that what sets her apart are her freshly prepared, gluten-free desserts, breads, crepes, paninis and sweets—all with the health-conscious consumer in mind.

The vegan almond cake and other treats taste like they should be bad for you, but they aren’t. Growing up in a vegan household, Liranzo learned how to cook healthy.

Her father and her mother were both chefs, and her mother started her own vegan restaurant in the Dominican Republic, which is still running. In fact, Liranzo’s menu includes a mix of Dominican-American and Mexican recipes.

“I want people to know they can eat healthy, but it can still taste delicious, and it can be fun,” she said.

Zuleika Liranzo

Liranzo also takes her coffee shop on the road. Starting last month, she has ZHAGA booked for events in Lemoyne and elsewhere in the Harrisburg area, including on City Island.

She hopes to find a permanent restaurant location, preferably with a nice view of the Susquehanna River. In the meantime, she’s partnering with Uber Eats and DoorDash to provide delivery options.

“I always wanted a restaurant, but I don’t want to be in a place where nobody knows me, and I just sit in there and wait for customers to come in,” Liranzo said. “A food truck is better. I can move around, everybody can know how I cook, what I do, and after everybody knows me, then I can move to a place like a restaurant.”

The other businesses, like the truck repair shop, were good preparation for her real passion—ZHAGA.

“Every morning when you wake up, you have to have something that you love to do, so you wake up happy,” Liranzo said. “The truck company is good money. It’s good business, and you help a lot of people, but it’s a lot. Cooking and baking are what I love to do.”

The U.S. food truck industry is one of the strongest performers in the broader food service sector, according to a report published by IBISWorld. With revenue totaling $2.2 billion in 2023, the industry should continue to grow at a brisk pace through 2028, says the report.

According to IBIS, typical start-up costs for a food truck range from $75,000 to $250,000, with costs leaning toward the higher end in recent years due to rising expenses for labor and fuel and the price of the truck itself.

Liranzo said that her start-up expenses totaled a little over $37,000, sharing the costs with Manuel. She purchased the food truck on Craigslist from a man who was moving out of state. She kept her costs down by doing as much of the work as possible herself, assisted by family members.

The renovations include a gazebo next to the food truck location in Lemoyne, where customers can sit and unwind while sipping their drinks and enjoying ZHAGA’s healthy sweets. Unless the food truck is out on an event, it is based at the S. 3rd Street location.

Liranzo hopes to add more ZHAGA locations—at least four more so that each one of them can be run by one of her four daughters.

“This is for them, so they don’t have to start from zero like me,” she said. “Parents should be here to start something for their child so they don’t have to go through everything we go through.”

ZHAGA Coffee Shop is located at 319 S. 3rd St., Lemoyne For more information, visit www.zhagacoffeeshop.com, on Facebook and on Instagram @zhagacoffeeshop.

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Roll ‘Em: Celebrate spring with this asparagus dish

April 29, 2024 | by Rosemary Ruggieri Baer

As I write this column for the May edition of TheBurg, it should be spring. Time to celebrate the warming weather and the beautiful flowers and vegetables that start to appear.

Instead, it’s rainy, cold and as gloomy and dark as can be. That’s OK. I’m finding signs of the emerging season at my farmers market, like ripe red strawberries that don’t come in plastic eggshell containers, sturdy stalks of rhubarb, and fresh green asparagus that’s grown closer to home. “Homegrown” as my mother would say.

Like many Italian cooks, my mother “celebrated” asparagus in the spring. She cooked it simply: poached in a little water, drained and dressed with a little olive oil, salt and pepper. My father preferred skinny stalks; I liked thicker ones. But either way, asparagus was a favorite at our dinner table.

If you research asparagus recipes today, you will find this popular vegetable everywhere—in soups, omelets, frittatas, quiches, stews, vegetable tarts and even raw on a crudité tray. I’ve taken to roasting asparagus more often than cooking it in water on top of the stove. I finish it with olive oil, garlic salt and sometimes with a little grated Parmesan cheese.

I was looking for a springtime meal that was simple to prepare and nice enough for company. I was definitely not ready to drag out my gas grill in the cold rain and certainly not ready to start cleaning it. What I found was perfect: “Involtini Di Petti Di Pollo” or stuffed chicken rolls (Italians love to stuff things.) It is pretty easy to prepare, makes use of Marsala wine, which I love, and showcases the beloved vegetable of spring—asparagus.

Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Ingredients

4 boneless chicken breasts or cutlets
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
4 thin slices of processed ham (you could use prosciutto but then be careful with salt)
4 thin slices of bel paese cheese (or other mild soft cheese like havarti or Muenster or even mozzarella)
4 asparagus spears, slightly undercooked
Flour for dusting
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
6 tablespoons Marsala wine

2 tablespoons reduced sodium chicken broth
Additional cooked asparagus spears for garnish

Directions

Unless starting with thin chicken cutlets, pound the chicken breasts between 2 sheets of waxed paper until thin.
Season lightly with salt and pepper. Again, be careful with the salt, as some ham varieties are salty.
On each breast, place a slice of cheese and ham and 1 cooked asparagus spear.
Roll each breast carefully, tie together with a piece of kitchen twine, and dust lightly with flour. (Try Wondra flour. It’s light and works so well.)
Heat 2 tablespoons of the butter and the olive oil in a sauté pan (non-stick is best), and brown the chicken breasts over very low heat. Turn frequently until tender and golden, about 15 minutes.
Remove the kitchen twine and transfer the rolls to a warmed serving dish. Cover and keep warm.
Add the Marsala wine, chicken stock and remaining butter to the juices in the pan. Bring to a boil and simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes, scraping up “brown bits” from the bottom of the pan.
Spoon the pan juices over the chicken rolls and garnish the platter with more cooked asparagus spears. (The more the better!)

Some roasted potatoes or rice make a complete meal. Or you could try some creamy polenta.

Additional Notes

Bel paese cheese is a semi-soft cheese, originally from Italy’s Venice region but now made in the U.S., as well. It is very good and, to me, has a unique flavor. Cheese shops or specialty cheese departments in grocery stores often carry it.
Always choose fresh asparagus stalks—bright green and firm, with no “mushiness.” The tops should not be starting to “bloom.”
You might be tempted to bake this dish in the oven. Don’t. The chicken browns so nicely in a heavy skillet, and the sauce will thicken as it simmers.

By the time you are reading this column, I hope spring weather will have arrived. Like many of you, I will be bringing out the gas grill and adding steaks and burgers to our meal rotation. I hope you can enjoy this lovely spring dinner before then.

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Musical Notes: May Mix

April 29, 2024 | by Skye Leppo

I don’t know what your plans are for May, but I’m truthfully having a hard time balancing my social calendar with the avalanche of great shows hitting local stages this spring and summer. Hope you saved some of that tax refund for concert tickets.

TIKTOK’S FINEST

5/6, Dead on A Sunday w/Funeral Portrait and N.I.T.E., Lovedraft’s Brewing Co.

After fully deep diving into Dead on A Sunday’s #Bobcore sound on TikTok last summer, I caught a chance to see the synthwave artist in Philly in the fall and loved every second of his show. Needless to say, I immediately jumped on the ticket queue when he added a stop at Lovedraft’s in Mechanicsburg, this time touring with Funeral Portrait and N.I.T.E. Definitely a taste of something different, but if you’re as much a child of the internet as I am, you’ll enjoy this.

MASTERS OF METAL

5/11, Harrisburg University Presents Rodrigo y Gabriela, XL Live

The amazing rock duo Rodrigo y Gabriela have created an impressive set of music that marries together influences from nuevo flamenco and heavy metal music for the past two decades, resulting in some of the most interesting and unique songs I’ve ever heard, including “Tamacun,” “Juan Loco” and “Orion,” as well as a really lovely cover of Radiohead’s “Weird Fishes/Arpeggi.” They’re currently touring in support of their latest album, “In Between Words… A New World.” This pair of guitarists are masters of their craft and are truly mesmerizing to see live.

TAKE MOM TO A SHOW

5/12, The After Hours w/Blind Accuracy, Natalie Ness and Grace Mahar, The Abbey Bar

It’s no secret I’m a big fan of the Harrisburg rock outfit The After Hours, but I want to take a moment to highlight what a great lineup of local acts this is. Natalie Ness is simply electric, a showstopping multi-instrumentalist in her own right with a really experimental approach. And while ska isn’t really my thing, Blind Accuracy does a great job of weaving in some fun ska inspiration in their punk rock sets. This Mother’s Day concert is a fundraiser to benefit Tacey Trevino, who is currently fighting non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

ACA-AWESOME

5/17-5/19, Susquehanna Chorale Presents “1,000 Beautiful Things,” various locations

Local ensemble Susquehanna Chorale is taking its spring concert series, “1,000 Beautiful Things,” to various venues throughout the region. Listeners have three opportunities to hear them, including a show at Derry Presbyterian Church on May 17; Market Square Presbyterian Church on May 18; and Messiah University on May 19. Find out more at www.susquehannachorale.org/performances.

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL PUNK SCENE

5/23, Harrisburg University Presents Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls, XL Live

Just take my word for it —go see Frank Turner. Hands down one of the most fun shows I’ve ever attended. I, for one, am so grateful this English rocker keeps swinging through Harrisburg on his tours. If you choose one show from this list I’ve presented, this is it.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

5/3 & 5/4 Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, XL Live

5/18, Baroness & Red Fang, H*MAC

5/23, Dion Pride, West Shore Theatre

5/24, The Widdler, H*MAC

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Art & Identity: Susquehanna Art Museum exhibit explores the stories, the sentiments of local Asian Americans

April 29, 2024 | by Alex Hayes

Ellen Min. Exhibit photos by by Sten Hartman. Reception photos by Yoko Furukawa of Hartman Benzon Media.

“Han beats in my heart as a Korean American woman.”

Those are the words of Ellen Min, a Harrisburg resident and co-organizer of an exhibit, “Portraits of Identity: Harrisburg AAPI Narratives Through the Lens,” now at the Susquehanna Art Museum (SAM).

Accompanying her portrait, Min describes her strong feeling of han—a collective grief, anger and deep sorrow often shared by Koreans.

“I feel it rumbling in my soul each time I fight for space and belonging,” Min writes. “I hear it whisper in my ears then roar to life when my dignity is unseen. I fall asleep with han in the darkness of the night and wake with han streaming through my windows.”

The SAM exhibit combines storytelling and photography to explore the depth and breadth of AAPI stories, especially timely for May’s celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

HAAPI, Harrisburg Asian American Pacific Islander group, formed in 2021 following a series of vicious hate crimes targeted at Asians in the United States.

Min felt very alone at the time, a feeling she had experienced her entire life.

“I was the only Asian person in so many places,” she said. “I think I just accepted it as a fact that there was no visibility for me.”

Since co-founding HAAPI, Min has helped spearhead numerous activities celebrating Asian-American life and heritage in central Pa., including, just in February, an inaugural Lunar New Year celebration in Harrisburg.

Jessica Passiment

For the art exhibit, HAAPI members wrote down their stories and participated in a photo shoot that illustrated a part of their story that they wanted to share.

Initially, members hung their photos at Crawdaddy’s restaurant on 6th Street, where the group regularly meets. The photo paper was cheap, the ink quality was poor, and the pictures often fell down. Still, the pride HAAPI members felt was exceptional.

“We were just so happy to print them out, hang them up, stand back, look at them and say, ‘that’s us,’” Min said.

Financial support from the Harrisburg-based law firm of McNees Wallace & Nurick and the Foundation for Enhancing Communities helped HAAPI take its exhibit to the next level. Twelve professionally printed and mounted photographs now hang in the Susquehanna Art Museum’s Lobby Gallery. A scan of QR codes takes visitors to videos featuring HAAPI members and their stories, translated into their native languages.

Anu Gupta

Alice Anne Schwab, SAM’s executive director, said that the museum is grateful to Min, photographer Sten Hartman, and exhibit producer Halston Yi, who were eager to share these stories while meeting the museum’s standards.

“This is a case of true community art,” Schwab said. “The exhibit celebrates Harrisburg and is of the highest quality.”

For Megan Elsasser, the exhibit has been life-changing. Elsasser is a nonbinary, queer Chinese adoptee who lives 40 minutes north of Harrisburg in rural Juniata County.

In their story, Elsasser talks about being adopted at 9 months old by white parents. While early childhood was a positive experience, Elsasser felt more disconnected while growing older.

“It was a type of limbo, not fitting in with the demographic I was raised around, and not fitting in with fellow Asians that got to grow up firsthand with some of their culture and heritage intact,” Elsasser writes.

For Elsasser, a self-described introvert, participating in HAAPI and the exhibit are big leaps forward.

“Being around more people who look like me and sharing food, experiences and camaraderie has been an amazing experience,” Elsasser said.

The exhibit has not only been a powerful experience for HAAPI members but for Susquehanna Art Museum patrons who view it. On opening night, a woman approached Min in tears.

“She said, ‘I am so sorry, I had no idea. Please know that you are accepted and you are wanted here,’” Min said.

Amy Zecha

When the exhibit closes, the sharing will continue. Min believes that Asian Americans coming out of the shadows, especially after the recent violent acts, will build a better future.

“I could feel things changing and trust my daughters will know a world where they are not completely invisible,” she said.

“Portraits of Identity: Harrisburg AAPI Narratives Through the Lens” runs through June 16 at the Susquehanna Art Museum, 1401 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg. The museum and HAAPI are planning a special children’s activity for 3rd in the Burg on May 17. For more information, visit www.susquehannaartmuseum.org.

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Pump It Up: Rock band Honeypump celebrates 30 years of making the scene

April 29, 2024 | by Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

Stephanie Casey. Photo courtesy of Chris Rider Photography.

If you haven’t heard of Honeypump, you just may be a newcomer to the Harrisburg area.

In 2023, the rock outfit won the Central Pennsylvania Music Award for “Best Cover Band,” but that was just the cherry on top of the sundae for a group that celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.

Way back when, lead guitarist/vocalist Rit Casey founded the band, which today also consists of Stephanie Casey, lead singer/keyboards, Ray Wright, drums/vocals, and Jim Gordon, bass guitar/vocals.

“We had 46 dates last year, so keeping it all together can be a little dicey,” Rit Casey said.

That being said, he admits that it’s a great problem to have—to be in such high demand for places that include everywhere from bars and vineyards to block parties and breweries.

When questioned about the band’s moniker, Casey was quick to correct folks whose mind might turn to the prurient. He explained that the inspiration for the name came from an art installation.

“Honeypump is a sculpture created by Joseph Beuys and installed in a German museum in which two tons of honey were pumped through tubes,” he said. “The hive is said to be on par with human social systems. Honey is flowing in all directions.”

Well-Oiled Machine

Casey, who is a self-taught musician, said that their band sets itself apart with a lead female vocalist—his wife Stephanie.

“We discovered that we’re doing stuff that other bands don’t do and that’s our calling card,” he said.

That “stuff” includes challenging songs and vocals by classic rock bands such as Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and Styx, along with some progressive rock.

“It is more disciplined,” he said. “We get a lot of comments about the set list, and people love it.”

Stephanie Casey, who began picking out songs on the piano at the age of 4, said that she started out with classical music until she turned 12, when her attention turned to classic rock.

“A fan favorite is Led Zeppelin’s ‘Kashmir,’” she said, referencing a song that can challenge any vocalist.

Drummer Ray Wright said that he started early as well, beginning in music around age 11.

“I stopped for about 15 years and then picked it up again when I played in a worship band at church,” he said.

Wright later joined Honeypump, filling in six years ago and eventually taking on a permanent role.

Wright uses colorful language when describing the band’s ability to take songs and make them their own, while hewing close enough to the originals to please the audience.

“We put our own stink on it,” he said, with a chuckle. “People expect a high level of performance from us, and we strive to play suitably enough to sound like those we are mimicking.”

Bass player Gordon said that his musical aspirations began when he watched the Beatles’ debut on “The Ed Sullivan Show.”

“That’s when I decided I wanted a Paul McCartney bass,” he said, referencing the famous Höfner 500/1 Violin Bass.

Gordon attributes the success of the band to its discipline.

“We’re like a well-oiled machine, and that’s where a lot of bands fail,” he said.

Connections

The group takes time to talk to people between breaks and, as a result, has made friends with many fans.

“I think connections are made by putting your all out on stage so that, when people see you trying your hardest and delivering a song in a beautiful way, they feel connected with you,” Stephanie said.

Rob Rutz of Mechanicsburg said that he knew of Gordon and Stephanie when they played in another local outfit, 900Dream, opening for famous bands like Badfinger and the Romantics at the Metron. He later saw Honeypump for the first time at Hollywood Casino in Grantville.

“They’re perfectionists, and I’d put them up against any national bands,” Rutz said.

Andy Hawbecker of Mechanicsburg said that he and his wife Jane know the band as kind, generous and good to fans.

“They support charity and play a lot of songs and music that we like,” Andy said. Jane added, “And they’re always spot on.”

Rit Casey said that it’s been a fun ride and that he wouldn’t want to take the stage with anyone else.

“There’s something about performing live as a band,” he said. “It’s not an individual thing at all. It’s the whole band that matters more and, as you grow as a musician, you appreciate it even more.”

For more information on Honeypump, visit www.honeypump.com.

Taste of Honey
This month, you have several opportunities to catch Honeypump perform.

May 4: Boaters For Boobies Benefit, 7 p.m.
May 8: Tower City Carnival, 6:30 p.m.
May 25: The Barn at Creek’s Bend, 6 p.m.

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A Shared Journey: “What the Constitution Means to Me” is a timely exploration of rights and identity

April 29, 2024 | by Stuart Landon

In a time marked by political turbulence and societal discord, Open Stage presents “What the Constitution Means to Me,” a compelling and timely examination of our nation’s foundational document.

From May 11 to June 1, audiences will delve into this Tony-nominated, Pulitzer Prize finalist at Open Stage’s intimate Studio Theater.

Playwright Heidi Schreck draws inspiration from her teenage experiences as a constitutional debate champion to craft a deeply personal and thought-provoking narrative. Through a blend of personal storytelling, historical reflection and constitutional debate, Schreck illuminates the document’s profound impact on the lives of four generations of women in her family.

Karen Ruch, who portrays Heidi Schreck in the Open Stage production, emphasizes the relevance of these themes in today’s divided society.

“It’s a play that engages in a debate between our younger, idealistic selves and our older, more experienced selves,” Ruch explained. “It forces us to reevaluate our understanding of the Constitution and its impact on our lives.”

Schreck’s play resonates powerfully in today’s politically charged climate. A captivating examination of the Constitution’s impact on women’s lives, the piece challenges us to confront our own knowledge—or lack thereof—about constitutional law and its implications for marginalized communities. 

“Recent years have seen stark divisions regarding how the Constitution should be interpreted,” Ruch said. “This play urges us to consider where we stand on these crucial issues.”

As Schreck navigates the complexities of constitutional rights, she sheds light on issues ranging from pregnancy and gender-based violence to the everyday realities of life under the shadow of the law.

Joining Ruch on stage are David Richwine as the Legionnaire and Emma Sweigart as the Debater. Together, they navigate a landscape rife with humor, intellect and unexpected twists, prompting viewers to reconsider their understanding of constitutional rights.

Through poignant storytelling and thought-provoking dialogue, “What the Constitution Means to Me” invites audiences to reflect on the vulnerability and resilience of individuals within our society.  

“Audiences can anticipate moments of humor, surprise and challenge,” Ruch said. “It’s a play that invites us to engage with important questions about our rights, freedoms and responsibilities as citizens.”

The principles enshrined in the Constitution are fiercely debated and contested, and “What the Constitution Means to Me” offers a unique opportunity for introspection and dialogue. As the lights rise on this captivating exploration of rights and identity, audiences are not merely spectators, but active participants in a shared journey of discovery. Join Open Stage for an unforgettable experience that challenges perspectives, ignites conversation and reaffirms the enduring relevance of our nation’s founding principles.

“What the Constitution Means to Me” runs May 11 to June 1 at Open Stage, 25 N. Court St., Harrisburg. For tickets and more information, visit www.openstagehbg.com.

Stuart Landon is the producing artistic director at Open Stage.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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

The Popcorn Hat Players present
“The Bementown Musicians”
May 4 to 18. Saturdays at 1 p.m. 

The 31st Annual Free Shakespeare in the Park
“The Comedy of Errors”
May 31 at 7:30 p.m.

At Open Stage
www.openstagehbg.com
717-232-6736

EFF Live!
A night of naughty fanfic readings
Friday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m.

“What the Constitution Means to Me”
A hilarious, achingly human play by Heidi Schreck
May 11 to June 1
ASL-interpreted performance, Sunday, May 26 at 6 p.m.

Black NewsBeat with Dr. Kimeka Campbell
Join the live studio audience!
Thursday, May 16 and Wednesday, May 22 at 7 p.m.

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

A Peculiar Triumph: Submit to the quirky comedy, “The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed”

April 29, 2024 | by Sammi Leigh Melville

Images courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.

Ann doesn’t exactly know what she wants—but she is clear in communicating that she wants it.

As she reflects on her life, both at work and in her personal life as a submissive, she knows she’s not being satisfied. She just isn’t sure what will satisfy her.

Writer/director Joanna Arnow also stars in her quietly hilarious film, “The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed.” Ann is a detached but textured oddity of a character who suffers from a serious case of millennial malaise.

The film is comprised of succinct, dryly comedic vignettes framing bits of Ann’s life, each one often only a few seconds long. At first, this is jarring, but as the film progresses, these little snippets become second nature and lend to the greater arc of the story. Arnow (and in a sense, Ann) uses these vignettes to narrow down what she wants in life, navigating through three pillars of her existence: her family, her job and her love life.

Ann’s relationship with her parents is painfully relatable, as none of them can agree with each other and all of them have very different views of their family unit. Her relationship with her workplace isn’t anything to write home about either. In her third year of work, she’s given a trophy congratulating her for working with the company for one year.

The third pillar of Ann’s existence—her love life—is a bit more complicated.

Ann is a submissive, and, over the course of the film, takes on many masters, or doms, none of whom have a level of enthusiasm she finds fit to match. For some, like Allen (Scott Cohen), she seems to be more invested than her master is. He even continues to forget personal details about her, after having been her master for almost a decade. For others, like Elliot (Parish Bradley), Ann is the one who seems to be phoning it in.

Ann’s fascinating journey aside, it needs to be said that Arnow’s vision for the film is well-crafted. This includes her own mastery of Ann’s stilted effect, as well as the tone the editing adds to the story and the stellar performances and frequently uncomfortable energy the cast brings to the table. Despite the quick edits and short scenes, the story has a somewhat glacial quality to it—almost a necessity so that audiences can have the time to sink into the discomfort of the narrative and Ann’s quiet determination to do something before the time has passed.

Does she succeed? I won’t give any spoilers, but there is hope for her in this slow-paced comedy. “The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed” will grace the screens at Midtown Cinema in May—this is one you’ll want to catch.

Midtown Cinema is located at 250 Reily St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.midtowncinema.com.

May Events At Midtown Cinema

May the 4th Celebration
“Spaceballs” (1987)
May 3 at 9:30 p.m.

“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” (2016)
May 4 at 11 a.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Harrisburg Jewish Film Festival presents
“Madame Rose” (1977)
Sunday, May 5 at 10 a.m.

“Perfect Strangers” (2021)
Sunday, May 5 at 2 p.m.

Music on the Patio
Every Thursday at 6 p.m.

Down in Front! comedy riffing presents
“Starcrash” (1978)
Friday, May 10 at 9:30ish

Saturday Morning Cartoons presents 
“Minions” (2012)
Saturday, May 11 at 11 a.m.

“The Land Before Time” (1988) 
Saturday, May 18 at 11 a.m.

Trivia Night
Tuesday, May 14 at 7 p.m.
Tuesday, May 28 at 7 p.m.

3rd in the Burg Movie Night presents  
“Fast Times at Ridgemont High” (1982)
Friday, May 17 at 9:30 p.m.

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

Burg Review: Theatre Harrisburg’s “Seussical” is a silly, song-y, splentabulous musical

April 26, 2024 | by Gina Napoli

Could I write this at my house? I could click my little mouse. I could keep you in suspense, although I’m sure you’d find me dense.

Theatre Harrisburg brings Whoville to Harrisburg with their wubulous rendition of “Seussical” the Tony-nominated musical, directed and choreographed by Matt Spencer. If you’re a fan of Seuss’s many books, you’ll spot spotted Easter eggs throughout “Seussical,” along with enough outrageous silliness to fill all your refrigerators with green eggs and ham. This play is pure joy, whether you’ve read a stack of Seuss’s books in several nooks, or whether you haven’t read his works since sitting on someone else’s lap.

The Cat in the Hat (Andrew Vinton) shines as our unreliable narrator and overall troublemaker for his co-stars. Throughout the scenes, Vinton seamlessly quick-changes into several other characters throughout the play, weaving us through nonsensical, yet still recognizable bedtime story plots.

We discover the world’s smallest community perched on a clover, painted with the most vibrant, buttery yellow, inspiring a buttery battle with butter knives. Then there’s an elephant named Horton who sits on a bird’s egg for so long that someone sold him to the Circus McGurkus.

Does any of this absurdity ring true? Its truth matters not one whit to me, and I hope not a whole awful lot to you.

But here I’ve gone down a bathtub drain. Call me insane or call me a pain. Back to Vinton. High-energy. Great sense of pacing. Timing: spot-on. Keeps the zany action moving. Super-zooper-flooper-do.

Vinton makes trouble for his young lead Jojo, (Tess Tucker), who is chastised by his parents for having thinks that were too big for his tiny world. Tucker’s voice carries through confidently in both speaking and singing in her TH debut, with the especially vulnerable delivery of my plus-one’s favorite ballad, “Alone in the Universe,” a duet with Horton (Eric Pope). Pope’s performance is both heartfelt and unguarded in its sincerity.

Our characters encounter even more serenading troublemakers in the Jungle of Nool, Whoville, and Solla Sollew, all with amazing voices. To credit the entire talented cast of others onstage and backstage who worked together to spring this story from its pages onto the three-dimensional stage would fill more books than Seuss, himself. All the ink I would have used to type your names went down that long drain. But I say to you, there’s no one more brainy or footsy or you-er than you.

Just the ones with the pipes: Sofiyah Ibidunni makes her TH debut as Sour Kangaroo. With a voice that’s a mix of raspy and soulful, Ibidunni nails every song she sings. Also debuting with TH are Josh Glacken and Sara Burke, as the Mayor and Mayor’s Wife, respectively, with over-the-top performances that are both wacky and wackier. As Mayzie, the irresponsible bird, Alison Whipple delivers songs that are both throaty and seasoned. My favorite troublemakers, the hilarious Wickersham Brothers (Joel Colvin, Kyle Hallam, Francis Dy) give off a funky ‘70’s vibe. This is, incidentally, when I began studying Seuss’s works, diapered scholar that I was.) Colvin double-duties as the General, standing out with his lilting voice.

Not a troublemaker, but an intentionally warbley soprano songbird, Gertrude (Becky Mease) plays the equivalent of an aviary underdog in love with Horton. She is identifiably awkward, yet graceful when the more primped “mean girl” birds pick on her. When Gertrude grows her tail down to there, Mease hits the high notes with flare.

Just one note from my critiquer’s box, where I wear sloppy socks and sit with my fox… Although the costumes and set were beautifully feathered and brightly colored, some of the costumes and props were more representative than literal, so a few animals (figuratively) flew over my head when I tried to identify what was what and who was who in Seuss’s zoo. But even when we couldn’t pinpoint thing one or thing two, we still thought this play was brilliant. How about you?

To everyone in the audience, this play brings positive messages designed to uplift, especially the younger Whos. Anything is possible. A person is a person, no matter how small. My personal favorite is “Tell yourself how lucky you are,” even after your life turns to hot glunker stew on your way to Solla Sollew.

No one is safe from audience participation in the theater, with antics surrounding you, and zany surprises from all around. I won’t spoil the surprises, but it will be amazing all the thinks the cast can think

Oh, the places you’ll go! … Actually, you don’t have to go very far. You could go by foot, or go by car to:

Whitaker Center for Science and Arts, 222 Market Street, Harrisburg. “Seussical” runs through May 12. For more information on show times and tickets, https://theatreharrisburg.com.

I meant what I said, and I said what I meant. I enjoyed this play, 100 percent.

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

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