Historically Speaking: In Harrisburg, much has been lost–but much has been saved, too

February 28, 2024 | by Lawrance Binda

Illustration by Rich Hauck.

Each winter, I get to cover one of my favorite annual news stories.

As an old building buff, I look forward to Historic Harrisburg Association’s “Preservation Priorities,” a list of endangered historic properties that the organization updates every year.

First, I watch the presentation then I write a story detailing what’s in, what’s out, what’s old, what’s new for the year.

For 2024, the William Penn building topped the list (natch!), followed by the former Harrisburg State Hospital grounds and then our beloved, if beaten down, Broad Street Market.

The rest of the list reads like a who’s who of our area’s blighted, beleaguered and broken. The 30 or so properties on the “priority” and “watch” lists include everything from 19th-century mansions to historic bridges to old churches, schools and fire houses.

The common thread: all need new love, new life and, often, a new owner—as well as tons of money and vision to go from forlorn to fixed.

As much as I enjoy the presentation, I’m often left feeling empty afterwards, given the tragedy inherent in broken-down buildings and in how many linger on the list from year to year.

Last year, in this space, I expressed some of that frustration by emphasizing the negative—the loss of so many of downtown Harrisburg’s once-beautiful buildings, which has left, in its wake, an abstract jumble of structures, parking garages and empty lots. I did that to contrast our situation with that of Lancaster, a thriving small city whose historic core remains largely intact.

I stand by my opinion that Lancaster’s success can be credited, at least in part, to the retention and restoration of its federal and Victorian-era built environment.

However, this year, in this column, I want to flip that script.

When I arrived in Harrisburg in 2009, I remember my first walk through Midtown.

On a bitter, mid-winter day, I took a stroll up 3rd Street, starting at Forster and ending at Reily, before winding back, mostly to check out this new city I had landed in.

On that walk, I felt a bit like Gary Cooper in “High Noon.” In the climax to that 1952 film, Cooper’s character, Marshall Will Kane, walks down the main street alone, the dusty road deserted of townspeople, who have sealed themselves up inside their homes and businesses.

My walk felt just as forlorn. I wandered the street without encountering a soul, passing one boarded-up building after another. I wouldn’t have been surprised if a tumbleweed or two had come bouncing by.

Had I just waited 15 years, until 2024, I would have had an entirely different experience. Since that first walk, the boards have been ripped off and the buildings brought back, including for all of the landmark structures along that half-mile stretch.

Some of these restorations and adaptive reuses are truly remarkable.

Arguably, the new era dawned when GreenWorks Development turned the enormous Evangelical Press Building into beautiful classroom space. Down the street, Midtown Scholar then remade a forlorn retail strip into one of the best independent bookstores in the country. Two blocks away, H*MAC took on the daunting challenge of reviving the shuttered, sprawling PAL building, resulting in an extraordinary transformation into a live music venue, restaurant and bar.

The list continues: ModernRugs, Susquehanna Art Museum, Pursuit/Union Lofts, Carpets & Draperies, COBA, Millworks. On that day 15 years ago, I walked past all of these buildings, which, at the time, were unused, unloved and falling apart.

Even better—these have all been discrete projects, not done by some mega-developer or large corporation, but, one by one, by local people who have poured their time, dollars and souls into them.

So, yeah, sometimes I need to slap myself out of my funk. Am I upset that, for the nth straight year, the 200-year-old Balsley House downtown continues to deteriorate? I sure am. But we need to celebrate our wins, too—and those wins have been real and substantial.

As he introduced the 2024 version of “Preservation Priorities,” Historic Harrisburg Executive Director David Morrison explained why his organization undertakes this exercise each year.

“By compiling this list and publicizing it, it has played a very significant role in encouraging these important properties to be preserved,” he said. “When we publicize them, sometimes it spurs the owner into doing something about it. Sometimes, it spurs somebody to look into purchasing the property. So, it’s a very effective tool for promoting historic preservation.”
Agreed. Now, let’s take it from here, Harrisburg.

Lawrance Binda is publisher and editor of TheBurg.

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March Publisher’s Note

February 28, 2024 | by Lawrance Binda

Last month, in this space, I did something a bit different.

Typically, I use my introductory column to say a few things about the new issue of TheBurg or maybe throw in a seasonal reference—for instance, mentioning for the umpteenth time how much I look forward to spring, to warmer weather and to longer days (still true).

But last month, I issued a call to action. I asked the fine people of central Pa. to do something specific—to eat—and to do that eating at Harrisburg’s Broad Street Market. So, in this column, I would like to thank everyone who heeded this call.

I was pleased that my prior column was widely shared on social media and, if nothing else, reminded people that the market’s stone building, which mostly houses prepared food vendors, is very much open, despite last summer’s fire.

Over the past month, I’ve heard some positive feedback from several vendors, who reported that business has ticked up.

Now, I don’t have evidence that I’m even partly responsible for this. The Broad Street Market has been in the news a lot recently, and it’s possible that all this press (even the negative kind) made people realize that half of the market remains open and that these determined, struggling vendors should be supported.

As I mentioned last month, you’ll never find an easier, tastier way to back a worthy cause, as the food is, almost without exception, delicious. I like it so much when everyone wins.

So, now, I will return to form and wish everyone a joyous start to spring. This month, there’s plenty to do in Harrisburg, from the Ice & Fire Festival to the St. Patrick’s Day parade to a walk along the riverfront on a mild afternoon. Just make sure to loop in a market call as you make your way around the city. Your taste buds will thank you.

Lawrance Binda
Publisher/Editor

Click here to read the digital version of our March issue.

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Fast, Funny, Sexy: “Pride and Prejudice” offers a perfect match at Gamut Theatre

February 28, 2024 | by Anne Mulrooney

Maggie Haynes, Allie Willhouse, Grace Hoover, Lexi Fazzolari & Erin Shellenberger. Photo by John Bivins Photography.

Can you imagine if Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy were on the dating apps?

Darcy’s profile: “Rich, single, shy guy, hates to dance, not looking for romance, be perfect or else.”

And Elizabeth? “Second-best Bennet sister, literally no intention of getting into a serious relationship, will make fun of you to your face, deeply flawed and won’t apologize for it.”

Not exactly a match made in heaven, and yet (as we all know) Darcy and Elizabeth will end up together. In fact, they are among the most famous romantic pairings in literature—despite (or maybe because of) how agonizingly long it takes them to push past their prejudices and admit how much they admire and love one another.

For Francesca Amendolia, director of Gamut Theatre’s upcoming production of “Pride and Prejudice,” that makes this a love story worth telling.

“Darcy and Elizabeth seem like a couple who might actually make it—unlike Romeo and Juliet, unlike Catherine and Heathcliff, unlike so many other ‘romantic’ happy-ever-afters that don’t seem predicated on growth or mutual respect or real love,” Amendolia said.

Of course, in Kate Hamill’s play, as in Jane Austen’s novel, love takes a back seat to marriage. Love is nice, but it’s marriage that will keep women safe, fed and housed. So, going to balls, flirting with soldiers, meeting rich gentlemen—enticing and captivating and capturing and securing—this is a young woman’s purpose, her job. Hamill’s take on Austen’s most famous story makes it very clear both how much this is a game and how deadly serious it is.

“I don’t love this expression, but it is true that this is not your granny’s ‘Pride and Prejudice.’ It’s fast, funny, lively, sexy even,” Amendolia said. “Telling classic stories in new and interesting ways is Gamut’s whole mission, and that’s what Kate Hamill does, too.”

In this case, “new and interesting” means mounting a production of a beloved Regency romance without using English accents or asking actors to cover their tattoos. Amendolia gets that this choice is not likely to be everyone’s cup of Earl Grey, but hopes audiences will find themselves more drawn in, more invested.

“Yes, Americans love British stories and accents, but that doesn’t mean we here in central Pa. are obliged to alter our vowel sounds to truthfully tell a story about five sisters, their determined mother, a handful of eligible bachelors, and a judgmental relative or two—or three,” Amendolia said. “That’s a story a lot of us live some version of.”

“Pride and Prejudice” is a story that matters here and now as much as it did there and then.

“Marriage is still a financial contract as well as a romantic ideal,” Amendolia pointed out. “We’re still selling young people a bill of goods—the idea that marriage is their ultimate social and emotional goal—when there are so many other ways to live full, rich and fulfilling lives.”

Don’t think, however, that any of this means Gamut’s “Pride and Prejudice” won’t be serving full-on “Bridgerton” with oodles of lovely dresses, well-fitted brocade vests, lace handkerchiefs and maybe even a couple of top hats.

“Truthfully, ‘Bridgerton’ has been an inspiration in more ways than one,” Amendolia said. “Costume dramas don’t need to perfectly replicate the past and are often more interesting when they don’t.”

That’s another thing Hamill’s adaptation invites audiences to think about—the pointlessness of perfection. Elizabeth’s sister, Jane, dreamily defines love as a “perfect understanding between souls—wordless and faultless.” Darcy says that he has never found fault with too much perfection, and Lizzy laughs at the whole notion: “Pictures of perfection,” she says, “make me sick and wicked.”

Austen and Hamill both want us to know that there is no such thing as a “perfect” match. Great relationships are created through love and labor, patience and persistence—much like great novels. Or great plays.

“Pride and Prejudice” runs March 9 to March 24 at Gamut Theatre, 15 N. 4th St., Harrisburg. For more information and tickets, visit www.gamuttheatre.org/pride-and-prejudice.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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

TMI Improv
March 1 at 7:30 p.m.

“Pride and Prejudice”
March 9 to 24
Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.
Sundays at 2:30 p.m.

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No Signs of Thinning: 30 years of music, friendship and hijinks with The Bad Toupees

February 28, 2024 | by Skye Leppo

The Bad Toupees. Photo courtesy of The Bad Toupees.

On a brisk Friday afternoon, I found myself doubled over with laughter in Ashley Smith’s dining room in Hummelstown.

There, I sat with eight musicians as they reflected on over 30 years as the popular area dance band, The Bad Toupees. Current and founding band members drove and flew to the region for the weekend to celebrate their longevity with an anniversary reunion show at The Englewood.

During the interview, they missed no opportunities to razz and rib each other—the kind of friendship that can only come from knowing someone through years of highs, lows and the closeness unlocked through creativity and collaboration.

The band’s founding members became friends when working together at The Hershey Company in the early 1990s. In 1993, the group of pals decided to start playing music together during monthly practice sessions.

That all changed when they decided to book a Halloween party at the Hershey VFW.

“We were getting together once a month to jam and thought, ‘Hey, let’s have a party and we’ll laugh and giggle with our friends, and then that’s it,’” said former drummer and vocalist Ralph “Toad” Carfagno. “And then we got booked!”

The name of the outfit came from another former member, Bo Smith, who hadn’t planned to join the band, but, “they were hurting for a keyboard player,” he said.

“We were all having dinner at Toad’s one night, and they all had freakishly thick hair, so I said, ‘The Bad Toupees would be great for you guys,’” he laughed. “It actually went over very poorly, but, for lack of an alternative, it stuck.”

This moniker inspired many puns and creatively themed performances, particularly those falling around Halloween—Night of the Living Toupees, Toup Mile Island, YToupee, etc. Many of these events were enhanced by elaborate sets that were built by guitarist and vocalist Paul Schroeder.

“For an Area 51 theme that we had, he made a flying saucer as big as this room,” Carfagno said.

The band was popular among regulars at the Cocoa Court Club, Shakey’s and other watering holes around the Hershey area, amassing a following they lovingly call the Toupheads.

“At one time, we were bringing in 500 to 600 people a night,” Schroeder said. “But this was all about fun—that’s what it was for us.”

Some years, he said, they played Shakey’s every three months, with a local radio station even doing a live broadcast from the bar when they performed.

Best Thing Ever

The original ensemble played together for about a decade, at which point some members began relocating.

With people leaving, the band added a few other members to its ranks, and so came the eventual additions of Bill Wasch, the current guitarist and vocalist; Ashley Smith, saxophone, keys, vocals and tambourine; Sam Bolinger, who performs on drums and vocals; and Craig “Tito” Wrights, who occasionally joins the band on percussion.

Carfagno and Smith worked together. She happened to mention that she plays saxophone, prompting Carfagno to recruit her.

“We’d been wanting to play some Chicago and needed horns, so [we] hired out horns for the night,” Carfagno said, gesturing to Smith. “Ashley wasn’t too much of a pain, and we asked if she wanted to stay and, for reasons we don’t know, she stayed.”

“It’s been the best thing ever,” Smith said.

For years, the band instituted what they referred to as the “suck-o-meter.”

“Whoever sucks the least must sing the song in public,” Carfagno said.

The practice isn’t as prevalent now, since “Ashley and Bill do great stuff,” said Doug Searle, bass player and vocalist.

In fact, before Wasch officially joined the band, he would come out and sing with them, Carfagno said.

“Bill said to us, ‘Have you ever looked around your venues? It’s packed with people, and no one ever leaves and says, ‘You’re the best singers.’ They come to dance!’”

While the band’s set list is generally a mix of 1960s through ‘90s hits, they slip in popular recent releases once in a while, or they’ll make decisions about songs to retire from the set list.

At one point, the band performed two original songs, one of which, “Nice Watch,” was inspired by a trip Carfagno and Smith took to St. Maarten, written during an afternoon of day drinking.

“Think we wrote it on a shopping bag,” Carfagno said, laughing.

The humor, love and respect in the room was palpable, but even the strongest families experience tense periods.

“Every band is like this to some degree,” Wasch said. “It’s like being married to six other people for 30 years, which is like being married to one person for 180 years.”

The original five shared an experience they had one night where, “There was a song we didn’t get right,” and the band members closed their cases and went home.

Carfagno organized a lunch at Shakey’s the next day.

“We’re sitting there, and I asked if we’re going to talk about it,” he said.

That prompted former lead guitarist Kirk Ward to pipe in.

“I said, ‘Who’s mad at who?’” he said. “I had no clue there was even a riff.”

That intense camaraderie persists to this day. They still consult with each other for major decisions, such as adding new members.

“They’ve established a band-ship that’s so strong, something they weren’t ready to give up anytime someone moved away,” Smith said. “They still ask each other, ‘Are you OK with this move,’ for the alumni members. So, even when they’ve left, we can keep making music together.”

For more information on The Bad Toupees, visit www.thebadtoupees.com.

Cut a Rug
This month, The Bad Toupees have two shows scheduled.

The Hershey Italian Lodge
128 Hillcrest Rd., Hershey
Saturday, March 16, 7 to 10 p.m.

The Vineyard at Hershey
598 Schoolhouse Rd., Middletown
Friday, March 29, 6 to 9 p.m.

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Classical Era: The Wednesday Club is one of the oldest musical organizations in the country

February 28, 2024 | by Phyllis Zimmerman

It may be 142 years old, but the Wednesday Club for the Performing Arts is as energetic as ever.

Just ask Norma Swain, the nonprofit musical performance organization’s executive director.

“We present concerts by classical musicians, but since all are so talented and multifaceted musicians, we almost always have another genre of music in our concerts,” said Swain of Camp Hill. “Show tunes, ragtime, folk, etc. We’ve even presented Irish step dancers on one of our concerts and have had jazz bands from area high schools participate.”

The group is scheduled to continue its 2023-24 concert series this month with a performance at the Art Association of Harrisburg on March 10.

“This provides the community a chance to see some wonderful performers,” said Frank Rapisarda, the club’s new president. “I enjoy getting together with other people who enjoy classical music. I’m also totally impressed when I see young people perform in the art.”

David Morrison, Historic Harrisburg Association’s executive director, has been involved with the Wednesday Club for about 40 years, once serving on its board of directors. His involvement with the club came about in a roundabout way through a job assignment at the Forum while employed by the state Department of General Services.

“Next thing I knew, I was on the Wednesday Club’s board of directors and doing fundraising,” he recounted with a laugh.

Morrison’s interest in the Wednesday Club is fueled not only by a love of music but by the group’s “tie into history,” he noted.

“The Wednesday Club goes back to the 1800s,” he said. “It was founded by a lot of our community’s leaders of that century and has lots of rich history. That was as much of an interest to me as the music.”

Growing Club

The Wednesday Club actually didn’t originate from music. It began as a 19th-century ladies’ group sharing the fruits of their kitchen skills, according to the club’s printed history, “Wednesday Club Hi-Notes.”

The history states that around 15 “prominent young women of the Harrisburg area” pooled their talents into forming a cooking club, the Hungry Lunch Belles. The group soon tired of cooking, however, and began to perform music together.

The music club’s first regular performance took place on May 17, 1882, at a member’s Front Street home. Performances that day kicked off with a piano recital of Franz Liszt’s “Hungarian Rhapsody.” Following that, the initial 25-member club met every other Wednesday.

In 1915, the growing club was incorporated exclusively for “charitable and educational purposes” and expanded to include men. In 1931, the club held the Forum’s first-ever public event, the Don Cossacks Russian Orchestra. In 1939, the organization presented groundbreaking Black contralto Marian Anderson at the Forum immediately prior to her historic performance for 75,000 in Washington, D.C.

“Marian Anderson was treated to a tea at the (Harrisburg) Civic Club before her concert at the Forum,” Swain said. “We have always been about music and promoting classical music without discrimination.”

The Wednesday Club was also “instrumental in the vision of a performing arts center in Harrisburg,” according to Swain, which eventually led to the opening of Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts in 1999. The club remained a resident company there for 13 years.

Today, the nonprofit organization stands as one of the world’s oldest continuously operating music clubs and still abides by its original mission, “to stimulate interest in classical music and to develop and promote the musical talents of its performing members through concerts and educational activities.”

“We no longer present concerts on Wednesdays,” Swain said. “Since I’ve been involved these many years, we moved from Tuesday evenings to weekends. We now only present concerts on Saturdays, or mostly on Sunday afternoons, avoiding all the other presenters in the region.”

The club is supported through grants, member dues, community donations, program ads and various foundations.

The organization currently offers around 10 concerts per season, featuring performances by members and guest musicians from throughout the region. Auditioned performance categories include Resident Professional Concert Artist, Collegiate Concert Artist, Young Concert Artist and Ensemble Concert Artist. Performers range from elementary-level students to adult professionals.

“I love classical music,” Rapisarda said. “My mission as board president is to get the word out about our organization to (performing) students and professionals.”

For more information on the Wednesday Club for the Performing Arts, visit www.wednesdayclub.org, or their Facebook page or call 717-571-5189.

Catch a Show
The Wednesday Club has numerous performances in the coming months. These include:

March 10, 3 p.m., Art Association of Harrisburg, 21 N. Front St., Harrisburg. Young Pianists in Concert
April 14, 4 p.m., Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 509 Hummel Ave., Lemoyne. Dr. Elizabeth Etnoyer, pianist, and other featured artists
May 5, 4 p.m., Zion Lutheran Church, 15 S. 4th St., Harrisburg. Daniel Stokes, organist, and instrumental and vocal ensembles
May 25 to 27, Artsfest Five-concert series at Art Association of Harrisburg, 21 N. Front St., Harrisburg
June to August. Three-concert summer series, to be announced.

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March News Digest

February 28, 2024 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Task Force Recommends Uses for William Penn

The William Penn building should be preserved and returned to educational use, says a task force formed to suggest a path forward for the blighted structure.

In late January, Harrisburg School District officials heard recommendations from the 25-member task force, the culmination of several months of meetings that included presentations from groups interested in redeveloping the property.

The task force of residents, local officials and community members was formed in September as a way for the district to gather input on the fate of William Penn. Several months earlier, Receiver Dr. Lori Suski approved the demolition of the building, but halted that plan after public opposition.

After wrapping up its meetings, the task force made its final suggestions to Suski, advocating for retaining and strategically utilizing the property.

The task force’s top recommendation was to use William Penn to house a career and technical education program for district students, shared Sheila Dow-Ford, a facilitator for the task force.

“They want to see a skilled workforce,” Dow-Ford said. “Everyone wants viable employment for each and every student in Harrisburg as a goal. There must be career pathways.”

This could include training students for healthcare careers, as well as for first responder careers, as the group weighed a proposal from the Harrisburg Fire Bureau to create an emergency services and public education facility.

Additionally, the task force favored ideas like creating affordable housing for seniors and using outdoor space for sports fields for students.

The task force crafted its recommendations after hearing a handful of proposals from local businesses and organizations. The group ultimately did not recommend such suggestions as constructing a sports arena, an outpatient medical facility and market-rate housing.

In the end, Suski will need to make a decision on what to do with the building and how the district will financially support any construction project.

Bike Share Plans for New Season

Harrisburg’s bike share program is readying for a new riding season with upgrades and additional bike locations.

SusqueCycle, which stations rental bikes around the Harrisburg area, will return in April with bikes in Midtown, downtown, Allison Hill and City Island, according to Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, which administers the program.

“We want to thank all our participants and sponsors for the program’s success in 2023, and we eagerly look forward to the bikes returning in April,” said Steve Deck, TCRPC executive director.

In the coming months, SusqueCycle plans to add two bike stations in Harrisburg at the TransitPark lot at 10th and Market streets and at Commonwealth and North streets.

According to Deck, they will also make “sleeker, more modern” upgrades to bikes. TCRPC also plans to gather better location information to observe rider routes and plan for future expansions.

Additional improvements are dependent on ridership revenue and on the program obtaining more sponsorships, Deck said.

SusqueCycle, which is operated by Michigan-based Tandem Mobility, allows users to rent bikes by paying as they go or by purchasing an annual membership through the Movatic app.

In 2023, its second year, the program grew in popularity, as people took over 2,300 SusqueCycle rides, attracting everyone from commuters to tourists, Deck said.

Approvals for Apartment Projects

A proposal to construct a large apartment building in Midtown Harrisburg has taken a step forward again, over two years since it was first proposed.

At a meeting last month, the Harrisburg Planning Commission voted in favor of zoning variance and special exception relief for a proposed 144-unit building at 320 Reily St., moving the project forward for further approvals.

The proposal received variance and special exception approval from the Zoning Hearing Board in October 2021, but the developer, Harrisburg-based GreenWorks Development, never subsequently filed a land development plan so the relief was revoked, according to Geoffrey Knight, the city’s planning director. Therefore, GreenWorks was required to start the approval process again.

The plan also has changed slightly, knocking the number of units down to 144 from 155 and reducing first-floor commercial space from 3,000 square feet to 2,590 square feet.

Additionally, GreenWorks originally proposed only 86 off-street parking spaces, but now plans to include 160, using space at 1511 N. 3rd St. and 1530 N. 4th St. The developer nonetheless is requesting parking relief, as city code requires 191 spaces for a project of this scale.

The proposed project site is currently a surface parking lot. The project will need eventual approval from Harrisburg City Council in order to start.

Additionally, last month, the planning board heard a proposal for a four-story, 36-unit senior apartment building on land bounded by N. 4th, Clinton, Logan and Harris streets.

The board voted in favor of the land development plan, the consolidation of 19 lots on the project site, and the vacation of several grocer’s alleys on the property.

The project, proposed by developer Midtown Redevelopment LLC, would also include two first-floor commercial units, 30 first-floor interior parking spaces and 12 outdoor, on-site parking spots.

Developers will need approval from city council, as well, before they can break ground.

Free Services for Broad Street Market

The Broad Street Market has some extra help managing day-to-day operations.

At a meeting last month, the nonprofit Broad Street Market Alliance board approved a contract with Midtown Property Management, which offered free services to the market.

The Harrisburg-based management company is providing its services to the market at no cost for an initial term of five years, as the market recovers from a devastating fire last July.

According to Justin Heinly, owner of Midtown Property Management, the group will help with rent collection, financial consulting, day-to-day operations and 10 free hours of maintenance work each month.

“I want to be part of the team,” Heinly shared. “We are here to support day-to-day operations from day one.”

Heinly shared that his company may be willing to assume more of the roles of the market’s executive director at any point, if the market’s board wanted that. However, that is not part of the current contract.

Wildflower Coffee Opens

Wildflower Coffee opened last month inside the McCormick Riverfront Library in Harrisburg.

Owner Lucila Khan and her husband Jalal opened the shop on the library’s second floor, in the space that briefly housed Good Brotha’s Book Café.

Khan, who previously worked at the library, said that she became interested in opening her own business when she saw that the library was looking for a new vendor to fill the café space.

“It’s a dream job, running a coffee shop at a library,” said Khan, an Argentina native who lives in Harrisburg.

Home Sales Down, Prices Up

Harrisburg-area home sales dipped but prices were higher in January, according to the latest report on previously owned houses.

For the three-county area, sales totaled 358 houses versus 389 in January 2023, as the median sales price rose to $258,000 from $245,000, said the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).

In Dauphin County, 187 homes sold, an increase of one, as the median sales price climbed to $229,900 compared to $204,000 in the year-ago period, GHAR stated.

Cumberland County had 146 home sales, down from 174, but the median sales price increased to $297,450 versus $290,000 the prior January, according to GHAR.

In Perry County, 24 homes sold, a decrease of three, as the median price rose to $263,450 compared to $191,000 in January 2023, GHAR said.

Houses sold a bit faster than last year, as the “average days on market” stood at 31 days in January versus 34 days in the year-ago period.

So Noted

Ami Zumkhawala has been named the new chief operating officer for Harrisburg-based Hamilton Health Center. Previously, Zumkhawala served as managing director at the Northridge Consulting Group, a national management consulting firm.

Brittany Boyd-Chisolm last month was named chief executive officer for the Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania, according to the Harrisburg-based disability and support services organization. Prior, she served several years as an administrator in the homecare field.

Harrisburg Area Food Pantry last month cut the ribbon on its new location at the Camp Curtin YMCA on N. 6th St. The pantry, formerly called the Ecumenical Food Pantry, relocated from Messiah Lutheran Church in Harrisburg.

Heyy Healthy, an alternative health provider, debuted last month at 3950 Tecport Dr. in Susquehanna Township. The company offers “advanced red light therapy” as a tool to help treat and prevent various health conditions, according to the company.

Kenny Young, a veteran Harrisburg police officer, has been sworn in as deputy chief of the Harrisburg Police Bureau, replacing Dennis Sorensen, who retired after 32 years with the department. In addition, longtime officer Tom McGarrity was promoted from lieutenant to captain.

Kyle Snyder was appointed last month as president of Penn State Health’s Hampden and Holy Spirit medical centers. Snyder joined Penn State Health in 2020 and has served as interim president of the two medical centers since last July.

Nauman Smith law firm last month merged into Cohen Seglias, expanding that firm’s Harrisburg office. Five Nauman Smith attorneys and their administrative staff joined Cohen Seglias effective Feb. 1. In addition, senior partner Spencer G. Nauman, Jr. retired after more than 62 years with the firm. Founded 153 years ago, Nauman Smith was Harrisburg’s oldest law firm.

Tanis Monroy last month resigned his position as executive director of the Broad Street Market in Harrisburg. Monroy cited health reasons for his departure, and the market board stated it would begin a search for a new day-to-day administrator.

Tymia Q. Green last month was named the new executive director of Shalom House, a Harrisburg-based nonprofit that provides shelter and support services to women. In this role, she will provide strategic leadership, program development and collaborative partnerships, according to the organization.

Changing Hands

Adrian St., 2427: L. Shultz to K. Weldeghebrial, $106,000

Berryhill St., 2424: Pcons Investments to JR Phoenix Investing LLC, $110,000

Boas St., 1812: Cooperwink LLC to MAT Holdings LLC, $85,000

Chestnut St., 1961: D. Trustey to Normans Realty Service Inc., $80,000

Crescent St., 310: C. Patel to M. Olano, $55,000

Crescent St., 404: HE Pressley Properties LLC to KTG Holdings LLC, $102,000

Derry St., 1603½: M. & W. Gomez to N. & D. Williams, $200,000

Derry St., 1954: Malesic Group Inc. to E. & K. Burri, $110,000

Derry St., 2105: Evans Property Rentals LLC to Planet Properties & Investments LLC, $70,000

Derry St., 2107: Evans Property Rentals LLC to Planet Properties & Investments LLC, $70,000

Emerald St., 520: R. Feiler to First Choice Home Buyers LLC, $71,000

Forster St., 1847: Tender Loving Care Healthcare Services to D. Henderson, $58,000

Fulton St., 1422: M. Evans to D. Zeigler, $170,000

Green St., 807: H. Wehry to V. & A. Jones, $274,500

Green St., 2432: Mr. Wright Properties LLC to Stoute Housing LLC, $80,000

Hamilton St., 422: SRM Rentals LLC to T. Brandon, $105,000

Herr St., 1334, 1340: Sangrey Properties LLC to Kawity Capital LLC, $350,000

Herr St., 1406: Cooperwink LLC to Savvy Beyond Enterprise LLC, $65,000

Herr St., 1500: Herr Street Trust to M. Lewis, $225,000

Holly St., 1826: D. & W. Bruner to D. Warren, $120,000

Jefferson St., 2242: N. & J. Hoover to Homewise LLC, $65,000

Jefferson St., 2244: N. & J. Hoover to Homewise LLC, $64,000

Jefferson St., 2246: N. & J. Hoover to Homewise LLC, $64,000

Jefferson St., 2514: N. & J. Hoover to Homewise LLC, $64,000

Kensington St., 2123: Cooperwink LLC to 248 S Quince St LLC, $90,000

Kensington St., 2230: Murphy Rentals Incorporated to TM Murphy Properties LLC, $70,000

Kensington St., 2254: Equity Trust Co. Custodian Ray Dunkle IRA to Harrisburg Rentals LLC, $80,000

Kensington St., 2256: M. Mardula to IUGNAP Investments LLC, $70,000

Kensington St., 2360: L. Dyson to G&W Rentals LLC, $91,200

Kensington St., 2435: A. & M. Padua to G. Chambers & R. Ervin, $79,000

Lenox St., 1912: C. Saterstad to A. Rosario & S. Castillo, $70,000

Maclay St., 335: Bill Culwell Enterprises Inc. to E. & D. Tomlinson, $121,000

Maclay St., 1037: P2N2 LLC to Eastern First LLC, $194,000

Manada St., 1913: M. Rodriguez to M. Woolfork & S. Beatty, $177,000

Market St., 1228: Upscale Properties LLC to J. Bonilla & L. Velasco, $235,000

Market St., 1738: G. Ajakaye to JACB LLC, $195,000

Muench St., 404: G. & L. Neff to 248 S. Quince St LLC, $75,000

Muench St., 411: P. & R. Dixon to Figueroa Enterprises LLC, $70,000

Naudain St., 1428: R. Rammouni to Steve Etienne Service LLC, $71,500

Naudain St., 1638: A&K Investments Partnership LLC to Y. Alrosan & A. Hariri, $135,000

North St., 215: C. & M. Schenck to J Beck Properties LLC, $50,000

North St., 1851: Tester Ridge PA LLC to First Choice Home Buyers LLC, $149,000

N. 2nd St., 2023: WCI Partners LP to MBS Solutions Real Estate LLC, $575,000

N. 2nd St., 3021: C. & T. Hines to D. Doziar, $200,000

N. 3rd St., 1116: Capozzi & Ehring Realty LLC to Green Scapes Investments LLC, $450,000

N. 3rd St., 1600: Fratelli Property Investments LLC to M. Hunsberger & J. Hartman, $270,500

N. 3rd St., 2304: FD Harrisburg Holdings LLC to Almonte Harrisburg LLC, $2,400,000

N. 3rd St., 3100: M. Clark to R. Kilby, $196,000

N. 3rd St., 3317: C. Moore to F. & C. Burton, $290,000

N. 4th St., 2647: SPG Capital LLC to J. Alfaro, $157,000

N. 4th St., 3115: E. & K. Kauffman to C. Hocker, $80,000

N. 5th St., 2211: First Choice Home Buyers LLC to D. Broncano, $50,000

N. 12th St., 29: ILL Holdings LLC to Ali Al LLC, $75,000

N. 16th St., 918: R. Martin to Upscale Properties LLC, $50,000

N. 18th St., 34: D. Boyle to M. Perez & M. Lauriano, $62,500

N. Cameron St., 1603: 1603 Cameron Associates LP to Tunis Express LLC, $1,600,000

N. Front St., 2705: MBS Solutions Real Estate LLC to EI 2709 North Front Street LLC & G. Cipriano

Park St., 1847: LMG Enterprises LLC to Val de Vie Estate Investments LLC, $55,000

Paxton St., 140 & 406 River St.: Above Da Rim LLC to 140 Paxton LLC, $240,000

Penn St., 2349: Best By LLC to Vernon St Apartments LLC, $225,000

Pennwood Rd., 3120: C. Brubaker to J. Hill, $173,000

Pennwood Rd., 3160: T. Wylie to J. Stroup, $230,555

Radnor St., 514: Link Investment Properties LLC to A. Hariri & Y. Alrosan, $85,000

Reily St., 208: R. Bulgarelli to Millie 208 LLC, $285,000

S. 13th St., 1440: SPG Capital LLC to K. Kute, $124,900

S. 16th St., 520: First Choice Home Buyers LLC to B. Pasco, $115,000

S. 18th St., 23: Gilligan Realty LLC to Val de Vie Estate Investment LLC, $57,000

S. 19th St., 533 & 535: Best By LLC to PACC Homes & Development LLC, $200,000

S. Front St., 713: E. Kitzman to C. Rue, $230,000

State St., 1828: W. & D. Griffin to Visionary Investments RE LLC, $105,000

Susquehanna St., 1835: C. Blanco to K. Lourde, $137,000

Sycamore St., 1807: Z. Hailu to S. Redding, $122,500

Vernon St., 1315: M. Nichols to E. Marmolejo, $70,000

Walnut St., 1205: L. Palmer to F. & T. Heras, $134,000

Wiconisco St., 409: A. Kreider to Central PA Buyers LLC, $85,000

Zarker St., 1407: A. Reyes & R. Cruz to Zarker AW LLC, $95,000

Harrisburg property sales, January 2024, greater than $50,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

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A Town, Emerging: “Cocoon” art installation captures the people, spirit of Steelton

February 28, 2024 | by Christina Heintzelman

Photo courtesy of Will Masters.

Greg Lewis Reese has worked at the steel plant in Steelton for 50 years.

So, when approached to participate in an art installation about the town, its history and its people, he readily said, “yes.”

“For me, on a personal basis, it was a great reflection on the diversity of people in Steelton and the diversity of people in the steel mill itself,” he said. “There are various generations, before me, with me, after me.”

The exhibit, entitled, “Cocoon Steelton: The Migrations of Many,” is on display through late May at the Susquehanna Art Museum in Harrisburg. It’s the brainchild of Kate Browne, a York County native and international performance installation artist.

“This is a way to put the past, present and future together in one place at one time,” Browne said. “It’s a connection to missing links in history by allowing the history of a place to emerge into the light and elucidate our understanding.”

Specifically, “Cocoon” is a 10-by-26-foot illuminated structure built from local maple saplings, with tags hanging on the interior that note the participants’ towns and countries of origin. Walking through the interior, visitors hear audio recorded during interviews with participants. It gives the feeling of walking through a space and overhearing bits and pieces of various conversations.

The walls surrounding the cocoon structure create a panorama of life-sized photos of those who took part in the interviews and were or are still employees or family members of employees who came to the area to work at the steel mill. The installation premiered in Steelton last August and was later moved to SAM for a longer exhibit period.

Browne, who now lives in New York, chose Steelton as the location for the seventh “Cocoon” in her series of art focused on the sites of forced and voluntary migrations, the struggles with traumatic histories, and the narratives that arise.

The original concept of a cocoon came from the idea of the cocoon or chrysalis in nature, a “safe place” for moths and butterflies as they transform from caterpillars. The sculptural cocoon created by Browne represents people moving forward during their migration or immigration toward a better and more sustainable life.

Joy, Sadness

Browne has been working on the Steelton project since 2019, beginning with research on the town and the mill.

While researching, she realized that this history worked well with her understanding of migrations. Steelton and the factory exist because of each other, with people coming from Europe and the southern United States to create a community that became a very American place. She traced these migrations back to Civil War times.

“Steelton is full of a detailed history of these migrations to the town in the search of steady employment,” she said.

Browne interviewed Steelton residents, union and town officials, and mill employees, ranging from 20 to 90 years old. She also partnered with United Steelworkers Union 1688 to contact past and present workers at the steel mill. They opened their doors to Browne’s work and supplied her with interview and photographic space.

“The Borough of Steelton and the Women of Steel must also be given thanks in assisting me with the original project,” she said.

Browne contacted local historian Barbara Barksdale, a Steelton resident, at the onset of the project, asking for assistance in locating current and former mill workers willing to tell their stories.

“To hear from the interviewee directly of their thoughts, passions, joy, sadness and what it meant to their families was eye-opening,” Barksdale said. “It gave sight to how the town was formed as well as the individual communities within the large community.”

The interviews focused on the reality of living in a small steel town with a single-industry economy where jobs have shrunk considerably since the 1950s, Browne said.

“Today, the situation is far from over as the steel mill has recently changed hands again,” she said. “It is important to document how the history of the single economy, local union, generations of families, tell their stories and make decisions about their future.”

Bonnie Mae Carrow, director of exhibitions at SAM, said that it’s an honor exhibiting this art installation that was created for the history of Steelton and the steel mills. She added that having the artist and her crew assist with the installation created a perfect blend of collaboration and understanding of the project and the nuances of the stories told by over 70 participants.

Reese, the steelworker, similarly voiced his admiration for the five-year-long project that has culminated in the installation now at SAM.

“Kate did a great job in bringing this all together,” Reese said.

“Cocoon Steelton: The Migrations of Many” runs through May 19 at the Susquehanna Art Museum, 1401 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.susqueannaartmuseum.org. For more information on artist Kate Browne and her “Cocoon” series, visit www.bykatebrowne.com.

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A Kale Tale: Rosemary scores a small victory in the battle of the vegetables

February 28, 2024 | by Rosemary Ruggieri Baer

At least once a week, I tell my husband there is a reason they made a movie called “Grumpy Old Men.”

Now, as a matter of full disclosure, he was always grumpy. But with the passage of time, it has gotten worse. I have been cooking for 54 years and almost every night of our lives. So, “Mr. Picky” often upsets me. Especially when it comes to vegetables. I love vegetables, all of them.

I’ve written before about my love of peas, especially in pasta. “His” usually end up in the bottom of the bowl. And green beans? Despite the addition of chives, olive oil and garlic, they are usually “too beany.” Then there is the oft-repeated question: “Broccoli again?”

One day, at the farmers market, I spotted a beautiful bunch of fresh, curly kale. I know kale is the “in vegetable,” and I wondered if I could tempt my picky spouse with a kale salad. Try something that’s not cooked, I thought.

I bought the kale, wrapped it gently with a moist paper towel and plastic bag and stashed it in my garage refrigerator. I thought I would likely throw it away at the end of the week (usually, the fate of my rhubarb every spring).

One night, I decided that kale salad was going to be on the menu. And it was very simple. I washed the kale and let it drain on a clean dishtowel. I patted it dry, cut out the thick stem in the middle of each leaf, and cut it into bite-size pieces. I found some dried cranberries languishing in the fridge and used a recipe for homemade poppy seed dressing given to me by my daughter-in-law.

It was very good. And he ate it. All of it! Now the kale was crunchy. Some cooks “massage” the leaves to tenderize them but that seemed like an unnecessary step to me. The dressing is a keeper. It works well in a spinach strawberry salad, too.

Rosemary’s Kale Salad

1 bunch curly kale, washed, dried, tough ribs removed and pulled or chopped into bite-sized pieces. Place in salad bowl.
Prepare poppy seed dressing, recipe follows.

Poppy Seed Dressing

½ cup sugar (seems like a lot, but the dressing is not overly sweet and not much is needed for each salad)
½ cup olive oil
¼ cup white vinegar (you could also try champagne vinegar)
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
¼ teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
¼-½ cup dried cherries or cranberries

Place all ingredients for the dressing in a lidded jar and shake or whisk briskly. Toss with the kale and serve chilled. You could also add some toasted sliced almonds instead of the dried fruit, or along with it.

If you are shopping for kale, you might be surprised to find a different variety out there in addition to the curly version I used. It is black kale or cavolo nero. Italians like to use it in ribollita, a beloved soup from Tuscany. Both types of kale can be chopped and added to meatloaf, omelets, soups and smoothies, a sneaky way to increase vegetables in your diet.

I’m still on a mission and definitely not giving up on my endeavor to improve my spouse’s diet. He’s now getting little organic green sprouts on his sandwich, hiding under the tuna salad, cheese and tomato. Peas are next: pasta shells with creamy Gorgonzola cheese sauce and maybe a few peas, just for “color?”

Nonprofit Focus: S&T Bank & United Cerebral Palsy of Central Pennsylvania (UCP Central PA)

February 28, 2024 | by Admin

S&T BANK
S&TBANK.COM

Why do you feel it’s important for your business to support our area’s nonprofits?

Making people our purpose is what we’ve done at S&T Bank for over 120 years. S&T has always been driven to support the nonprofits within our operating footprint. Giving back to the communities we serve is central to who we are and is fundamental to our philosophy of putting people first and working together to better the lives of our employees, customers and communities. Nonprofit organizations in any given area have a direct pulse on the needs around them. They work tirelessly to meet those needs, sometimes with limited volunteers and resources. Much more can be accomplished when we work together toward a shared goal. This common desire to improve lives and circumstances is why we operate as a neighborhood-minded bank guided by empathy, humility and compassion with a sincere desire to uplift each other and work towards a brighter future. We are proud of the dedicated work of our employees who continuously volunteer their time, treasure and talents to serve others. People-forward banking at S&T is a multi-faced endeavor in which we assist with a variety of needs across all of our markets through the donation of time and resources. We’re committed to making a difference in the lives of others by providing hope, encouragement and care. We believe that we have a responsibility to assist these nonprofits, and we are confident that when we work together, we will see tangible results, and make a true impact on the world around us.

Why do you support this particular nonprofit and what does your business do to benefit the organization?

UCP Central PA provides life changing, vital support for people with a variety of diverse abilities. At S&T, we have the utmost respect for all individuals and recognize that all people have their own individual story and background. We join UCP in embracing all differences that make each person unique, and we support equality and inclusion to empower everyone to live their lives to the fullest. UCP promotes life with no limits and offers a wide range of services to those with disabilities. Like other nonprofits, they must also rely on the assistance from partners to fund and physically and intellectually support those efforts and programs. S&T Bank Commercial and Industrial Regional Manager, Market Executive, Joseph Entenman, continues to be highly involved in supporting UCP’s mission, stating, “I have been a supporter of UCP for over 16 years. I have served at the committee level, as Committee Chair, Agency Board of Directors, Foundation Board of Directors and as a two-time Board President. I support UCP of Central PA because I believe in their mission, guiding principles, dedicated employees and the exceptional service they provide their clients. S&T graciously allows me to donate my time and expertise to UCP and also supports them financially through various sponsorship opportunities.”

UCP Central PA
ucpcentralpa.org
55 Utley Drive, Camp Hill

Describe your organization and the importance of corporate or foundation support to further your mission.

United Cerebral Palsy of Central Pennsylvania (UCP Central PA) has been creating opportunities for people of all ages with all types of disabilities for 70 years. Today our 1,600 employees deliver on our mission as we empower 2,500 people with diverse abilities each year to live a meaningful life through innovative support and services. We plant seeds daily until we achieve our vision of a community that embraces every individual’s ability. We encourage a life without limits for people who are born with a disability, acquire a disability through illness, accident, or injury, or are aging into a disability through our comprehensive service offerings.

We rely on our corporate partners to help us meet unfunded needs related to the implementation of our mission. This includes funding assistance for things like start-up costs for a new home, replacement of furnishings and fixtures for existing homes or program facilities, upgraded technology, testing new ideas (innovation), and supplies to facilitate a person-centered approach to programming. Additionally, UCP is governed by a 20-member Board of Directors and four Board Committees. Our corporate partners lend us their team members who are looking for a measurable way to give of their time and talents to an organization committed to positive outcomes for people with disabilities in Central Pennsylvania.

For 2024, what is your greatest need for corporate or foundation support?

In 2024, our greatest need for corporate or foundation support is to help us empower people to have a meaningful life in a constantly evolving service system. Pressures in the direct support professional (DSP) workforce have led to the encouragement of providers to explore alternative ways to support people in a person-centered way that ensures health and safety. As such, we are building our plan for remote support, and will need to invest in technology.

Remote support offers innovative, technology-based solutions to people who are looking for something other than traditional 24/7 in-person staff support. Remote support for people with intellectual disabilities and autism provides a more customizable menu of services while offering greater independence due to less reliance on staff. As with traditional supports, remote supports are individualized. This includes technology that will be used to address the following areas: physical health, seizure management, fall risk mitigation, elopement mitigation, medication management, kitchen safety, overnight support and independent living.

At a very basic level, remote support is a tool for communication. This includes communicating when someone is in danger, needs support, or has veered from a typical routine. Sensors and communication devices produce an alert that can be responded to by a natural support such as a neighbor, or a staff member who is either nearby or in a remote call center. Remote health monitoring will allow us to monitor, report, and analyze an individual’s acute or chronic conditions from outside a clinical setting.

This is sponsored content.

The Citizen’s Skeptic: With another election year looming, Dennis Owens is . . . energized.

February 28, 2024 | by Jeff Falk

Dennis Owens performs at Hershey Symphony Orchestra’s holiday show.

Straightforward. Genuine. Transparent.

He wears his heart on his sleeve. And with Dennis Owens, what you see is always what you get.

Still, one can’t help but think that there’s something more going on below the surface, that there’s a deeper level to Owens’ persona. Perhaps it’s simply enough to say that there’s a public Dennis Owens and a private one.

“I do struggle with work-life balance,” he said. “I feel very secure at work, but sometimes struggle with my life at home. If I’m open and honest, it builds trust. The private Dennis is an assistant coach for a seventh- and eighth-grade basketball team.”

That transparency is the common thread woven throughout the fabric of Owens’ 30-plus-year television journalism career. That, and a nature that seems to put him on the side of the little guy.

“I am fascinated by the fact that good people occasionally do bad things,” Owens said. “There are also bad people who occasionally do good things. I do gravitate towards those types of stories. I am genuinely curious about people. I like to meet new people.”

It almost seems redundant to say that Dennis Owens is the 6 o’clock news anchor and the Capitol reporter for ABC27, simply because nearly everyone knows who he is.

“Most people don’t care about state politics,” he said. “I want to tell you why you should care, and I want to take complex issues, boil them down and explain why it should matter. If you’re not angry, you’re not paying attention. State politics is important.”

Creative Side

Owens grew up in an Irish Catholic family in northeast Philadelphia in the 1970s and ‘80s where the talk around the dinner table usually revolved around sports and politics.

In the early 1990s, he came to Harrisburg from Bakersfield, Calif., where he was the sports director at KGET. He started out as a weekend sports anchor under the late Gregg Mace, before his career path took an unexpected exit into news, politics and features in 1999.

“Sports is known as the candy store of any news operation, but I got fascinated with the journalism side,” said Owens, 61. “Switching to the journalism side has not only piqued my interest, but it’s also kept my curiosity. As I’ve applied that to the state Capitol, it was just a win-win.”

The station explored Owens’ creative side with his man-on-the-street turn on “Live at Five” and with his current show, “This Week in PA,” a weekly 30-minute wrap of the political comings and goings in Harrisburg.

“Our viewers can see that Dennis is competent, works hard and does a great job,” said Alicia Richards, Owens’ co-anchor. “The bottom line is you’ve got to be interested in people, and Dennis is interested in people.”

Owens’ personal story is one of personal growth and serving the Harrisburg community, with just a hint of destiny sprinkled in.

“The way the path usually works for people in my field, you come to a place like Harrisburg for two years and you move on to something usually bigger,” Owens said. “But because I was getting challenged and advancing within, I was content going up the inside of the silo instead of looking for another farm.”

Unique Perspective

Throughout his career, Owens has covered stories big and small.

He has interviewed Muhammad Ali and broke the 1997 story that led to then-Penn State running back Curtis Enis being declared ineligible for the Citrus Bowl. He covered the Pennsylvania General Assembly’s early morning pay raise of 2005 and helped bring to light electric companies’ practices of price spikes after the polar vortex in 2014.

“I do recognize I have this wide knowledge of state politics,” said Owens, the winner of 15 Emmy awards. “It’s my job to keep people informed. Sometimes, I’m doing a story that no one else is doing, and I’m wondering why. I like to joke that I’m not partisan—I dislike both parties equally.”

Owens’ experience and expertise provides him with a unique perspective on Pennsylvania politics and the Keystone State’s role in national issues.

“Almost everyone I meet in state politics is a good person who wants to do good things,” said Owens. “But it’s broken because of partisanship, and that’s true of the entire country. We are the largest of the battleground states, and I think the (presidential) candidates think Pennsylvania is in play. When the presidential election comes around, I’m going to cover my eyes, but I can’t help but look.”

When you give everything you have all the time, eventually the tank empties, the well dries. But, in his early 60s, Owens remains energized, ready to head into yet another presidential election cycle.

“What I love about it is that I’m doing something different almost every day,” he said. “That certainly keeps the job fresh, and when you’ve been there 30 years, you’ve got to keep it fresh.”

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