The Painted Word: “Art Is…” Gallery Walk at 35

August 29, 2023 | by Bob MacGinnes

Josephine Alexander

Sept. 10 marks the 35th edition of Gallery Walk, the one-day event scheduled for the first Sunday after Labor Day, set aside to tour art galleries, museums, restaurants and shops that designate space to the art of the community, our beloved Harrisburg. It is a day to celebrate the beauty of life through art. This special anniversary, symbolic of longevity and success, is a special tribute to the visionary who originated the concept.

The year was 1988, and CEO Carrie Wissler-Thomas of the Art Association of Harrisburg (AAH), in tandem with a list of who’s who art makers and shakers in the city, came together to present an all-inclusive gallery walk. Looking back to that year, individual exhibits from the Penn State Downtown Center, Temple University and the Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank, all located in Strawberry Square, threw their support to this collective art symposium. Independent galleries included Gallerie 110, Tangerine Gallery and Metro Arts, as well as the nonprofit Dōshi Gallery. On that day, flags waved outside the participating galleries with the downtown streets teeming with gallery-goers, brochures in hand, venturing from site to site. The day was a tremendous success and became an annual event.

This year promises even more excitement, as Gallery Walk isn’t the only anniversary. Midtown Scholar Bookstore turns 20, featuring the new George’s Collectibles, an adjacent building housing all sorts of antiques, rare prints and ephemera. Just a half-block down Verbeke, you’ll find Harrisburg art couple, Vivi Sterste, potter with elan, and Jeb Boyd, poet/photographer, welcoming guests to the 10th anniversary of their gallery, Vivi on Verbeke. Completing the 3rd and Verbeke triangle is Nyeusi Gallery, celebrating their second anniversary on Gallery Walk Sunday. The anniversaries are even more reason to get out and party, honoring these gems that beautify our homes and businesses with exceptional art, prints, pottery, photographs and more.

Art & History

Make your way to the AAH for the inside scoop on this year’s theme, “Art Is,” as presented by its members. Subjective studies swirl seductively, pulling the viewer into the members’ many moods of meaning. Smelling salts are offered for those who swoon under September’s spell. After you’re revived, spin around on the gallery floor to Hemlock Hollow’s mellifluous strains. Then go out the door on Front Street and turn left to 219 S. Front to the rich repository at the Historical Society of Dauphin County. Check off all the “A’s” that Christine Turner, its director, has in store: artifacts, artwork and architecture.

Up the street in the other direction, drop in at the newly renovated McCormick Riverfront Library and view the art on display while you marvel at the extensive restorations. Close by, you will find one of the Seven Lively Artists, Jonathan Frazier, showing his oil paintings at the Riverfront Gallery of St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Zion Lutheran Church not only offers tours but the oil and acrylic paintings of John McNulty, who has exhibited with those magnificent seven. While there, catch the stencil prints of Japanese artist Sadao Watanabe.

One church leads to another over on Chestnut Street, with Salem United Church of Christ housing Roxanne Dombrosky’s Muddy Rox Pottery, organically influenced utilitarian vessels. Tours of the historic church will be in sync with stained glass art from Diane Hoffer. Nearby, CASA’s “Mixed Media Showcase” highlights the best from its students. Speaking of high school artists, more will show at Old City Hall Apartments as part of the “Artistic Expressions” group.

St. Michael’s Lutheran Church is excited to showcase the fine art of Yachiyo Beck. Her watercolor and oil paintings are internationally revered for their beauty. Do “Pass Go” and travel to 612 N. Front St for a visit with Contrena Baltimore, president of the oldest civic institution in our city, the Civic Club. Be sure not to “Overlook” the art at the mansion throughout this historic building.

Creative Gems

Now’s a good time to slow down the pace and catch your breath in the great outdoors. A “Capitol” idea forms at its steps at noon and 2 p.m. for Sprocket Mural Works tours of the Midtown mural corridor while, at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., the tour heads to downtown’s mural scene. The best part is it’s just $15 per, with no speeding tickets given as each tour takes place at 1 mph. The State Museum of Pennsylvania offers free admission for Gallery Walk and mounts its 56th edition of “Art of the State.”

When it comes to local history, Historic Harrisburg Association’s David Morrison is a treasure trove of tales from the past and a wealth of knowledge regarding the rich and varied visual vignettes captured in photographic archives. Nearby, the Susquehanna Art Museum is the only dedicated art museum in the area and houses ever changing exhibits on its spacious two floors. If you have never visited, Gallery Walk provides the perfect opportunity. Catch “Transformative Craft” through Oct. 15 and vote for your favorite creation. Just doors away, at 1423 N. 3rd, is a gem of a boutique, the Nyianga Store. Owner Chantal Nga Elondou hails from Cameroon, bringing the best of her homeland. Clothing, rich and vibrant, an array of leather goods, jewelry, beauty products and art fill the interior with cultural treasures.

Another niche art gallery providing an alternative approach for art can be found at Gallery@2nd at 608 N. 2nd St. Proprietor and lowbrow artist, Ted Walke, and comrade in brush, Krissy Whiski, have a floor dedicated for each of their works. Under gallery Art Director Steve Barber, Nyeusi is a vital source for works that fall under the umbrella of Black art. It is the last word on African and Caribbean art, artifacts and books. Ending your day at Millworks has its advantages in viewing the featured artists on the lobby walls. Art Director Tara Chickey revealed that Paul Gallo, Elaine Elledge, Rebecca Adey, Linda Benton McCloskey and April Henbest will display their latest collections, and many of the Millworks’ studio residents will greet patrons and art lovers. Afterwards, stay for the second annual impromptu after-party at the restaurant and bar.

“Art Is”

Art is personal and universal rolled into one. Art is uplifting and buoyant. Art is moving and thought provoking. Art is an image that speaks to the soul, and art is something solely for you. Art is a thought put into action and the very act may give satisfaction to the artist and the audience from their own point of view. Art is meaningful or easily dismissed, art is beautiful like a lover just kissed, art is temporal or eternal, art is the language spoken around the globe. Art is a joyous slice or a feast for the senses. Art is transcendent for race, color and creed, leaving us speechless on bended knee.

The 35th annual Gallery Walk takes place on Sept. 10 at locations throughout downtown and Midtown Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.artassocofhbg.com.

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Art of the Harvest: PA Gourd Society creates from nature’s bounty

August 29, 2023 | by Phyllis Zimmerman

Photos courtesy of Pennsylvania Gourd Society

For members of the Pennsylvania Gourd Society, gourds aren’t just for making Halloween jack-o’-lanterns.

Instead, the nonprofit organization embraces many varieties of gourds to make different types of art, including pyrography (think wood-burning), painting, carving, jewelry making and more.

“To me, (gourds are) a canvas,” said society president Claudia Hill, of Saylorsburg, Monroe County. “There’s chip carving using a hand gouge or power carver; you can make baskets out of them, you can bead them.”

Hill said that the state Gourd Society doesn’t really have a central location or a physical office. Instead, its roughly 1,940 members, hailing from across Pennsylvania, converge annually at the PA Gourd Fest featuring classes, workshops and competitions.

This year’s event, which was held in June at the Lebanon Valley Expo Center and Fairgrounds, attracted a crowd of around 300.

The society is hosting a 2023 fall member retreat later this month at Cherry Ridge Campground & Lodging in Honesdale, Wayne County. This event involves guest instructors, a team-building activity, gourd wreath challenge and more.

According to its website, the society’s mission is “promoting the use of gourds in Pennsylvania, growing different varieties, and using them in artistic and functional craft by providing a supportive and educational environment for our members and the community.”

Members also sell their gourd art at local craft shows and serve as PGS volunteers in their communities through educational visits to schools, garden clubs and similar venues.

“Our purpose is to educate people about gourds,” stated vice president Mariellen Hittner of Bethlehem Township in Northampton County. “It’s not about only crafting. It’s also about growing.”

The gourd society was started in 2003 with Hittner as a founding member. However, she credits another founder, Jenn Avery, of Lititz, as “the one who really started with gourds.”

“I became interested in doing gourds after seeing them in a craft store and found Jen online,” Hittner said. “I was painting animals on rocks before that.”

The society is just one of 24 state chapters that comprise the American Gourd Society, founded in Rockport, Mass., in 1932, according to the national organization’s website. North Carolina became the first chartered chapter in 1943. Today, the national nonprofit is based in Ohio.

The first domesticated bottle gourds, researchers suggest, were used by prehistoric people and sent to the Americas from Asia roughly 10,000 years ago, according to the AGS.

Records of gourd art first appeared in history books from China’s Ming Dynasty, which ran from 1368 to 1644. Records from this time trace the art back to the Tang Dynasty running from 618 to 907.

“Historically, a lot of different cultures have made musical instruments from gourds,” Hill said. “With a snake gourd, you can make drums or pianos. Other gourds are so small, you can make earrings out of them. People also make children’s push toys, like ducks, out of gourds.”

The PGS began holding its annual festival in 2007 at a Lancaster County farm, but it was later moved to the Lebanon Expo Center due to the farm’s space limitations as the event grew.

“It required a lot of work by the farmer to get ready,” Hill said. “A lot of the time, we needed electric setups for the wood burners, and so on. Once people realized what you can do with a hard-shell gourd, they’re interested.”

She said that she gives away “a lot” of her completed projects, while others are sold or placed in gallery shows. Crafting her pieces takes anywhere from “a few hours to several weeks,” depending on size and detail, she said.

Working with gourds has its unique challenges, since the art medium is a large, fleshy fruit. Cleaning and cutting them can be difficult and tedious, Hittner said. What does she like most?

“The creative part, of picking up a gourd and saying ‘I can do that,’” she said. “It’s very relaxing.”

For information about the Pennsylvania Gourd Society, visit www.pagourdsociety.org.

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Instrumental Conversation: Market Square Concerts introduces its 2023-24 season

August 29, 2023 | by Lori M. Myers

Galvin Cello Quartet

Music is a language that rarely needs translation and, even more, takes over when words fail.

The melodies, harmonies, rhythms—its lyrical qualities speak to us all. That’s why the members of the Aizuri Quartet, a string quartet that opens Market Square Concerts’ 2023-24 season on Sept. 27, views the music they play as a living art and a springboard for special interactions.

“In 1829, Goethe described Beethoven quartets as ‘four intelligent people conversing, which illustrates just how insufficient words are in capturing the richness of communication this genre has to offer,” said Peter Sirotin, co-director for Market Square Concerts.

Sirotin cites even more history on string quartets. They often served, he said, as a medium for the most intimate expression, boldest experimentation and longest creative collaborations.

“From Haydn’s hidden musical puns delighting a handful of his initiated friends under the nose of his unsuspecting aristocratic patrons to Shostakovich’s searing testimony about the brutality of Communist dictatorship, string quartets offer a deep insight into a lived experience of people from different countries and historical periods,” he said.

These ideas of cross-cultural collaboration, creative experimentation and community building are becoming more a focus of younger performers entering the musical arena, Sirotin added, making it an exciting time for chamber music as a genre. The Aizuri’s program is no exception. The concert will take place at Temple Ohev Shalom, where the award-winning string musicians will perform works by Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn, as well as by Robert and Clara Schumann, composers who profoundly changed the course of music history.

On Wednesday, Nov. 1, Temple Ohev Shalom will again play host to another award winner, the Amernet Quartet, which will commemorate the 85th anniversary of Kristallnacht with a moving tribute to composers who perished in the Holocaust: Viktor Ullman, Erwin Schulhoff, Pavel Haas and Viktor Kohn.

The Amernet Quartet has been a passionate advocate of this powerful and moving music and will perform this repertoire in only a few cities in the United States. This music’s relevance is as strong today as it has ever been.

“In a broader cultural sense, the four great composers whose music will be performed in our November concert represent just a part of the tremendous loss of artistic and cultural heritage inflicted on the world by Nazism and World War II,” Sirotin said. “While the loss of life, as well as the destruction of European cities and monuments are well documented, the devastating loss of humanistic values and culture are somewhat overlooked.”

Despite the many decades that have passed, we are still experiencing the cultural shifts caused by the unfathomable losses resulting from the Holocaust, Sirotin added.

Just after the new year on Jan. 14, the Varshavski-Shapiro Piano Duo will return to Harrisburg’s Whitaker Center with music for four hands, including their own arrangement of Stravinsky’s ballet, “Petrouchka,” and works by Ravel, Schubert, Reger and Falla.

Continuing with the season of musical concerts are two groups making their Harrisburg debut. One is a young group of musicians, the Galvin Cello Quartet, which will perform a wide-ranging program of music, including a world premiere of a composition by Zev Malina on Feb. 21 at Market Square Presbyterian Church.

On March 24, another group will debut in the area and also will mark the debut of a venue new to Market Square Concerts. The Poulenc Trio will perform music by Rossini, Shostakoch, Glinka, Handel and Poulenc at the Derry Presbyterian Church in Hershey.

“They have recently acquired a spectacular new Steinway grand piano,” Sirotin said. “We are thrilled to expand our geographical reach in this acoustically splendid venue.”

The season will finish on April 28 at Market Square Presbyterian Church with the always-anticipated “Stuart and Friends” program that will include the maestro’s favorite vocal repertoire from the romantic era, including those from Schumann, Berlioz and Mendelssohn, as well as music of Rodgers and Hammerstein, Stephen Sondheim and Cole Porter. Stuart Malina will be joined by a Harrisburg native, baritone Jonathan Hays, and Brazilian soprano Sophia Hunt.

“I believe that shared experience of a great live performance can be especially meaningful and even perhaps therapeutic to more people than ever at this point,” Sirotin said. “My hope is that chamber music concerts can serve as a ‘spiritual fireplace’ to gather around and experience community in a way that is healing and energizing.”

For more information on Market Square Concerts, visit www.marketsquareconcerts.org.

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Community Corner: Notable September Events

August 29, 2023 | by Missy Smith

Summer Flea
Sept. 2: Shop the HBG Flea for local art, vintage treasures, curated curios and unique gifts, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Midtown Cinema, 250 Reily St., Harrisburg. The mission of the HBG Flea is to create a platform for community growth by bringing artists, small businesses and patrons together. www.hbgflea.com

Kipona
Sept. 2-4: Enjoy the 107th annual Kipona Festival in Riverfront Park and City Island with a multicultural celebration, Native American powwow, fireworks, live music, family fun zone, art, tightrope walkers, food trucks, beer/wine garden and more. www.harrisburgpa.gov

Vibrant Vibes
Sept. 2-4: Civic Club of Harrisburg Art, 612 N. Front St., Harrisburg, hosts “Vibrant Vibes at Kipona,” 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. More than 20 local artists will exhibit art both inside and outside the Civic Club. Enjoy beverages and a fish fry. www.civicclubofharrisburg.com

Open House
Sept. 5: Cumberland Singers will host an open house of socializing and singing for interested singers at Mechanicsburg Middle School, 7 p.m. Sopranos and altos are invited to attend and learn about the choir. www.cumberlandsingers.org

Business Panel
Sept. 6: Oaks of Central PA and U.S. Commercial Service, Harrisburg, will host a minority business panel discussion and information session, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Capital Blue Cross Connect, 4500 Marketplace Way, Enola. Free event, RSVP is required. [email protected]

Luminary Awards
Sept. 7: West Shore Chamber of Commerce will honor two female professionals at the Luminary Awards luncheon, Penn Harris Hotel, 1150 Camp Hill Bypass, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. www.wschamber.org

Film Friday
Sept. 8: Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, will show “Man on a Wire” from the United Kingdom at 2 p.m. Stick around for a discussion after the film. www.fredricksenlibrary.org

Jazz Walk
Sept. 8: Central PA Friends of Jazz and Dauphin County Parks and Recreation present the Harrisburg Jazz Walk, 6 to 9 p.m., at locations across Midtown Harrisburg, as part of the Dauphin County Jazz & Wine Festival. Relax at one venue or stroll the neighborhood. www.friendsofjazz.org

Jazz & Wine Fest
Sept. 9-10: Join Dauphin County Parks and Recreation at Fort Hunter Park to enjoy national, regional and local recording artists. Visit PA’s top wineries and browse craft and food vendors. Bring lawn chairs and picnic baskets. www.forthunter.org

Wreath Workshop
Sept. 9: Join Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, to design and decorate a fall wreath out of natural materials, 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. All supplies are provided, but participants may bring embellishments. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Midtown Tour
Sept. 9: Tour historic Midtown Harrisburg with Open Stage’s Stuart Landon, starting at 9:45 a.m. Make stops at Midtown Cinema, Broad Street Market, Millworks and Susquehanna Art Museum. Enjoy a fun tour, brunch items, snacks, samples and drinks. Tickets are $75 per person. www.openstagehbg.com

Walk Benefit
Sept. 9: SCPA Sickle Cell Council hosts the Sickle Cell Disease Walk/Run/Ride, starting at Commonwealth Avenue and ending at City Island pavilion. Registration is 10 a.m., with the walk stepping off at 10:45 a.m. www.scpascc.org

Volunteer Day
Sept. 9 Enjoy the outdoors and help with park and habitat enhancement projects at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tools and work gloves provided, and refreshments available. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Bash & Benefit
Sept. 9: Grandview Bash & Benefit 2023 will be held at Grandview Vineyard, 1489 Grandview Rd., Mount Joy, 1 to 8 p.m., with live music, food trucks, wine barrel auction and more. Bring blankets and chairs. Proceeds benefit the Aaron’s Acres. grandviewwines.com

Golf Scramble
Sept. 10: Veterans Outreach of PA will host the 3rd Annual Red, White and Blue Golf Scramble at Manada Golf Course, Grantville, to benefit veterans experiencing homelessness. The event begins at 8 a.m. www.veteransoutreachofpa.org

Wellness Fair
Sept. 10: Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg hosts a Health and Wellness Fair at the Alexander Grass Campus for Jewish Life, 2986 N. 2nd St., Harrisburg. Enjoy an afternoon with vendors, mini-sessions and speakers. Join the JCC 5K Run/Walk at 8:30 a.m. around Uptown Harrisburg. www.jewishharrisburg.org

Gallery Walk
Sept. 10: Explore 20 galleries and venues to enjoy art, music and refreshments during the Art Association of Harrisburg’s 35th annual Gallery Walk, 12 to 5 p.m., throughout Harrisburg. www.artassocofhbg.com

Harmony Walk
Sept. 10: Join Harmony Walk, a celebration of all people of all faiths in harmony and peace, 3 p.m. Meet at Goodwin Memorial Baptist Church, 2447 Green St., to walk a route of Christian, Jewish and Islamic houses of worship. Walk ends at Hadee Mosque, 245 Division St., for a dinner. www.hbgdiocese.org

Climate Program
Sept. 11: Hershey Horticulture Society will host a program, “Climate Change: Its Seasonal Effects in the U.S.” with climate scientist Zachary Labe at Brownstone Lodge, 1 p.m. The program is free and open to the public. www.hersheyhorticulture.com

Restaurant Week
Sept. 11-22: Harrisburg’s premier dining event returns, spanning two weeks, Sept. 11 to 15 and Sept. 18 to 22. Explore and enjoy the many flavors of Pennsylvania’s capital city. www.HarrisburgRestaurantWeek.com

Mega Mixer
Sept. 14: Join the members of the four Cumberland County chambers of commerce—Carlisle Area, Mechanicsburg, Shippensburg and West Shore—at Members 1st Federal Credit Union, 500 Marketplace Way, Enola, for the combined mixer, 5 to 7 p.m. www.wschamber.org

Food Rally
Sept. 14: Enjoy fresh, savory foods at the New Cumberland Food Truck & Restaurant Rally every second Thursday of the month, 5 to 8 p.m. Grab dinner from area food trucks or New Cumberland restaurants, and enjoy shopping and special promotions at local businesses. www.newcumberlandpa.org

3rd in The Burg
Sept. 15: Explore the best of Harrisburg during 3rd in the Burg, the monthly arts and culture event, where you can visit and enjoy galleries, restaurants and art spaces throughout downtown and Midtown, 6 to 9 p.m. www.thirdintheburg.org

Coin Show
Sept. 15-16: Explore the Harrisburg Coin Show at the Scottish Rite Entertainment Complex of Harrisburg, 2701 N. 3rd St., with more than 75 exhibit tables, a raffle, door prizes, food and free seminars, Sept. 15, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sept. 16, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. www.harrisburgcoinclub.com/coin-show

Arts Festival
Sept. 16: The 41st annual Hummelstown Arts Festival will be held in Hummelstown Square, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with works by more than 130 juried artists, children’s activities, a food court and more. www.hummelstownartsfest.com

Printers Fair
Sept. 16: See printing demonstrations and equipment and letterpress vendors at the ninth annual Lancaster Printer’s Fair, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Center for Letterpress and Book Arts at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, 117 Parkside Ave., Lancaster. www.lancasterprintersfair.org

Fall Libations
Sept. 16-Nov. 11: Visit Lebanon Valley hosts the third annual Fall Libations, a biannual, self-guided beer trail. www.visitlebanonvalley.com

Doll Show
Sept. 17: Central Penn Doll Collectors Club hosts a doll and bear show at the Lebanon Expo Center, 80 Rocherty Rd., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Vendors will offer antique, vintage, modern and artist dolls, doll clothing and furniture, bears and other doll-related treasures. www.centralpenndollcollectorsclub.org

Bridge Lessons
Sept. 20: The Harrisburg Bridge Club, 349 North 21st St., Camp Hill, is offering free bridge lessons for beginners on Wednesdays, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., starting Sept. 20. Classes run for six weeks. Contact [email protected].

Heart Walk
Sept. 21: American Heart Association’s Capital Region Heart Walk will be held on City Island, Harrisburg. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m.; walk steps off at 6:30 p.m. www.heart.org/capitalregionwalk

Fall Book Sale
Sept. 21-24: Shop the Friends of Fredricksen Fall Book & Media Sale at Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill. Library will hold a bag sale on Sept. 24, 1 to 4 p.m. www.fredricksenlibrary.org

Disco Party
Sept. 22: Historic Harrisburg Association will host “Party Like it’s 1973!”—a disco-themed costume and dance party at Historic Harrisburg Resource Center, 1230 N. 3rd St. Tickets are $35. www.historicharrisburg.org

Shoe Strut
Sept. 22: Join the Salvation Army Harrisburg for its annual Shoe Strut benefit, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Hershey Lodge, 325 University Dr. Enjoy a networking lunch, auctions, a fashion trends presentation, contests and more. Each purchased ticket provides one shoe voucher to a local child in need. www.shoestrut.com

Cocktails & Cannonballs
Sept. 22: Enjoy “Cocktails & Cannonballs—An Evening at the Museum,” at the National Civil War Museum, 1 Lincoln Circle, Harrisburg, with reenactors, costumes, a silent auction, a cigar bar, trivia, a live cannon firing and more, 6 to 9 p.m. www.nationalcivilwarmuseum.org

Cleanup Day
Sept. 23: Wildheart Ministries hosts a Love the Hill cleanup event, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Volunteers will pick up trash, do basic landscaping, help with dumpsite removal or plant flowers in the neighborhood. Bring a pair of gloves, a water bottle, sunscreen, bug spray and any tools you may have. www.lovethehillpa.com

Civil War Saturday
Sept. 23: National Civil War Museum, 1 Lincoln Circle, Harrisburg, hosts Civil War Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with live reenactors, cannon firing and demonstrations, live music, games and more. www.nationalcivilwarmuseum.org

Celebrate Wildwood
Sept. 23: Help celebrate Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, with a nature-themed afternoon, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participate in pumpkin painting, children’s crafts, live musical entertainment and guided walks. Walk the Delta Boardwalk and enjoy a fall-themed story walk. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Author Event
Sept. 23: Head to Rock Lititz, Pod 2, 201 Rock Lititz Blvd., for Books Books Books 2023, with 65 authors selling and signing books, 12 to 4 p.m. Tickets are $5. www.bit.ly/BooksBooksBooks2023

Annual Gathering
Sept. 23: Someone To Tell It To will host its annual gathering at WITF, 4801 Lindle Rd., Harrisburg, 4 to 7 p.m. Enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres, drinks, music, stories of transformative impact, and an inspiring message by keynote speaker Alicia Richards of abc27. www.someonetotellitto.org

Chili Cook-off
Sept. 24: Alex W. Smith Foundation hosts Alex’s Chili Cook-off for A Cause at Greystone Brew House, 303 Golf Club Ave., Dillsburg, to carry on their son’s legacy and to bring people together with food and fun, 1 to 4 p.m. Proceeds support Central PA high school students with scholarship awards in Alex’s memory. www.alexwsmithfoundation.org

Evening Mixer
Sept. 28: Join West Shore Chamber of Commerce for an evening mixer at PaySmart Payroll Services, 650 Wilson Lane, Suite 100, Mechanicsburg, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. This free event is open to Chamber members. www.wschamber.org

Run/Walk
Sept. 29: “ZERO,” the End of Prostate Cancer’s annual run/walk, returns to City Island, Harrisburg, 4 p.m. The event helps raise funds and awareness for patients, caregivers, survivors and physicians fighting prostate cancer. www.zerocancer.run/harrisburg

Campfire Stories
Sept. 29: Families are invited to experience the nighttime magic of Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Make s’mores and listen to stories around a campfire and build a round robin story. Meet outside the Nature Center. Dress for the weather and bring something to sit on. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Goose Day
Sept. 29-Oct. 1: Juniata River Valley celebrates Goose Day, a centuries-long tradition started by an early settler from England. Enjoy local events and goose dinners at area restaurants. www.jrvvisitors.com

Charity Walk
Sept. 30: Join the 2023 Homeland Hospice 5K and Memory Walk at the Rossmoyne Business Center, 500 Ritter Rd., Mechanicsburg, 8:30 a.m. Registration is $25 for 13 years or older. Funds raised support Homeland Hospice supportive services. www.homelandevents.org

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How Youth Mental Health Impacts the Adult Workforce

August 29, 2023 | by Capital Blue Cross Staff

A mental health crisis among America’s children might not seem like a workplace issue at first glance.

But if your workplace is typical, about 40% of your colleagues are working parents of children under age 18. And as any working parent knows, when your child is not well, the stress and worry of home and family life often come into work with you.

About 1 in 6 children in the United States have a mental health issue, such as anxiety, depression or attention and behavior disorders. If left untreated, the consequences of these issues can range from academic or social struggles to substance abuse or self-harm.

For parents, the health and wellbeing of a child can affect their own health and wellbeing—and that can impact their job performance. A 2021 survey of more than 3,000 working parents in the U.S. found:

53% of working parents have missed work at least once a month to deal with a child’s mental health issues.
54% of working parents interrupted their work to address a child’s mental health needs.
Working parents under age 40 say they are more likely to choose employers based on access to mental health care benefits and resources.
While 85% of working parents think it’s a good idea to discuss children’s mental health, fewer than 1 in 4 have talked to their managers, human resources department or colleagues about their children’s struggles.

That last point is an important one to Karie Batzler, director of behavioral health at Capital Blue Cross.

“We all know issues at home don’t just switch off once we step into the workplace, but we often see a reluctance to talk about how that stress can carry over,” Batzler says. “Employers can play an important role in starting a dialogue around mental wellness, whether it impacts employees or their family members, and employers can help connect their employees to resources that can help.”

Capital Blue Cross, for example, offers resources for both its own employees and its members, including:

A behavioral health toolkit that employer groups can use to foster a more supportive work environment.
A devoted mental health and wellness page on Capital’s website.
A telehealth resource that goes beyond physical healthcare by offering fast and convenient access to psychologists, psychiatrists and other licensed behavioral health professionals.
A mobile app that helps users improve their mental wellness and better address anxiety, depression and other mental health needs.

Capital also supports its employees through an employee assistance program and volunteer-led employee resource groups (ERGs) that foster dialogue and a sense of connection among employees who share common interests, backgrounds or demographic characteristics.

No matter the path forward for your company, it can all begin with a simple conversation, according to Batzler.

“Often times, it can go a long way just to tell someone, ‘I’m sorry to hear about what you’re dealing with and please let me know how I can help,’” Batzler said. “Once a dialogue begins, it can pave the way toward seeking help and finding resources to support the employee and their family.”

For more health and wellness news and information, visit www.thinkcapitalbluecross.com.

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Getting Sauced: In downtown Mechanicsburg, a hot spot just got hotter

August 29, 2023 | by Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

Tim Myers has a passion for peppers.

The Carlisle businessman went from dabbler to enthusiast in one growing season.

“Prior to this, I had been making hot sauce, but I was interested in the growing side,” Myers said.

He started out with five plants the first year, 250 the next and, finally, 1,000. He uses a friend’s farm to foster his pepper plant proclivity.

“We met at a farmers market,” he said with a grin.

Myers recently purchased the former Smoke and Pickles establishment located in downtown Mechanicsburg, where he not only sells his hot sauce, but also serves lunch and dinner at the gastropub he calls the Revolutionary Hot Sauce Eatery.

A Following

Myers started making hot sauce in 2018 in a certified kitchen in his home.

“My idea was to put my house to work for me,” he said.

Initially, he planned to sell his sauce online and at beer fests and other events, that is, until the pandemic hit.

“The big events got canceled, so the only place I could sell my hot sauce was at the farmers markets outside,” he said.

But, he added, there was a silver lining.

“It enabled me to build up a following locally,” he said.

Myers currently grows 10 types of pepper plants for 16 different kinds of sauces, using fresh ingredients to make about 5,000 bottles of Revolutionary Hot Sauce a year.

“Some peppers like the Carolina Reapers, scorpions and ghost peppers are hard to find, so I source them locally,” Myers said.

When pushed for personal favorites, he nailed it down to the shishito and the Fresno.

“They’re milder,” he said, adding that when he processes the hotter pepper varieties, he has to use two or three pairs of gloves. “This is why I looked for a place with a good venting system.”

Another notable pepper is the lemon drop, which he grows.

“It’s bright yellow, the size of a pinkie, with a citrusy flavor and is one of my favorites,” he said. “I make my ‘Lemon Drop Pop’ with it, and people put it on chicken, salads, wings and seafood.”

Seasoned Right

The Revolutionary Hot Sauce Eatery is open for lunch and dinner, Wednesday through Saturday, and seats 45 inside at tables, along with a long bar that spans half of the establishment. Customers also can dine al fresco at any of eight tables equipped with umbrellas.

Menu items include the popular “smash burger,” a 75/25 short rib/brisket/chuck patty topped with cheese and sweet onion and served on a toasted roll. Additional sandwiches include the Nashville hot chicken, which Myers said is also popular, along with a grilled cheese containing cheddar and havarti and tomato served on challah bread.

Lighter fare includes salads like the Lemon Drop Pop, comprised of grilled chicken, shrimp or tri-tip, served on a bed of arugula, with cara cara oranges, red onion, pickled pineapple, shaved fennel, wonton strips, sesame seeds and a Lemon Drop Pop vinaigrette. Also on the menu are the classic Caesar and a wedge salad containing iceberg lettuce, tomato, blue cheese, hot candied bacon crumbles and fresh chives.

Additional items include chicken and waffles, flatbreads and wings, which all match well with the tasty hot sauce.

Myers said that he is gaining customers through word-of-mouth recommendations, like Ken Berrier, a Carlisle customer who visits for the smash burger.

“It’s delicious, and the fries are fresh cut and seasoned just right,” he said.

Then there’s Craig Willacy, who is partial to the smoked tri-tip sandwich.

“It’s phenomenal,” said Willacy, who motors in from Shermansdale. “The Nashville hot chicken is great too, from the crunch, to the spice, the bread and the hot pickles. I also like the Hickory Habanero sauce, which goes on everything.”

Myers also reaches out to influencers to get the word out about his hot sauce that he sells online.

“I sent my hot sauce to influencers in all 50 states,” he said, mentioning one particularly notable character by the name of Johnny Scoville who touts 130,000 YouTube followers as a self-described “chili head.”

Currently, customers are invited to BYOB, but soon Myers will be brewing and serving beer on site.

“I anticipate launching that in about five or six months,” he said. “Right now, I’m just enjoying getting to know the regulars and their reactions to my various creations and am looking forward to what the future brings.”

Revolutionary Hot Sauce Eatery & Brewpub is located at 30 S. Market St., Mechanicsburg. For more information, visit www.revolutionaryhotsauce.com.

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Happenings: Our September Calendar of Events

August 29, 2023 | by Missy Smith

Museums & Art Spaces

AACA Museum
161 Museum Dr., Hershey
717-566-7100; aacamuseum.org

BMW Motorcycles Centennial, through Oct. 21

Early Cadillacs, through Oct. 21

“A Celebration of 20 Years—Going Back in Time,” through fall 2023

Art Association of Harrisburg
21 N. Front St., Harrisburg
717-236-1432; artassocofhbg.com

Fall Membership Show—“Art Is,” Sept. 1-Nov. 2

Carlisle Arts Learning Center (CALC)
38 W. Pomfret St., Carlisle
717-249-6973; carlislearts.org

“Isolated,” drawings and etchings by Sue Frotscher inspired by unusual natural forms, simple man-made dwellings, and lone figures, through Sept. 16

“KA-POW BOOM,” a visiting exhibit from the U.S. Army Heritage Center exploring the relationship between soldiers and comics, through Sept. 16

“Ordinary Grandeur,” featuring the paintings of Karen Ferrick and sculptural works of John Guarnera, this exhibit focuses on inspiration found in our natural landscapes, Sept. 22-Oct 28; reception: Sept. 22

“Botanicals in Bloom,” paintings by Roberta Iula and sculptural quilts Andrea Finch inspired by nature and plant life, Sept. 22-Oct 28

The Cornerstone Coffeehouse
2133 Market St., Camp Hill
thecornerstonecoffeehouse.com

September artist of the month

Gallery on the Square
Millersburg Area Art Association
226 Union St., Millersburg
Facebook: Gallery on the Square

Annual Membership Show, through Sept. 2

“All Fired Up—The Art of Clay and Ceramic,” Sept. 6-Oct. 7; reception: Sept. 10, 3-5 p.m.

Hershey Area Art Association (HAAA)
hersheyart.org

Blooming Arts Show and Sale at Hershey Conservatory, Sept. 1-3

HAAA Member Artwork at Backstage Café at the Allen Theater, through Sept. 30

Hershey Public Library Exhibit Galleries, through Oct. 14

Messiah University
One University Ave., Mechanicsburg
717-766-2511; messiah.edu

“Body, Beauty and Brokenness,” figurative paintings by Bruce Herman that explore image and abstraction, Sept. 8-Oct. 8

The Millworks
340 Verbeke St.; Harrisburg
717-695-4888; millworksharrisburg.com

New works by Millworks studio artists

New Cumberland Public Library
1 Benjamin Plaza, New Cumberland
717-774-7820; newcumberlandlibrary.org

Art in the Stacks featuring Kirs Lund

Pennsylvania National Fire Museum
1820 N. 4th St., Harrisburg
717-232-8915; pnfm.org

Exhibits dedicated to Pennsylvania firefighting history

Perry County Council of the Arts
PCCA Gallery, 1 S. 2nd St., Newport
717-567-7023; perrycountyarts.org

“Pen & Ink,” featuring the art of Benjamin Ladieu, through Sept. 16

“Mugstravanganza!” with more than 100 mugs created by local artists, Sept. 23-Dec. 31

“Artisan Marketplace of Perry County,” local handmade gifts by local artists, Sept. 29-Jan. 12

Perry County Council of the Arts
Landis House, 67 N. 4th St., Newport
717-567-7023; perrycountyarts.org

9th Annual Juried Exhibition, featuring outstanding local and regional artwork, through Oct. 26

Rose Lehrman Art Gallery
One HACC Drive, Harrisburg
717-780-2435; hacc.edu

“Precisely Now,” works by Peggy Washburn, Sept. 1-29

The State Museum of Pennsylvania
300 North St., Harrisburg
717-787-4980; statemuseumpa.org

“Art of the State,” an annual juried exhibition open to Pennsylvania artists and craftspeople, Sept. 10-Jan. 7; reception: Sept. 10, 12-4:30 p.m.

“A Flair for Public Service—Genevieve Blatt and C. DeLores Tucker”

“Game Changers: Pennsylvania Women Who Made History,” celebrating women from across the state in diverse fields and detailing the contributions they made and challenges they faced

“HORSE2AUTO—A Transportation Revolution,” through 2023

Susquehanna Art Museum
1401 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-233-8668; susquehannaartmuseum.org

“Art and Activism at Tougaloo College,” through Sept. 10

“8th Annual Juried Exhibition—Transformative Craft,” through Oct. 15

“Transforming the Commonplace,” works by Catherine Drabkin, Martha Hayden and Karen Antonelli that highlight the experimentation, tactility and play characteristic of collagraph printmaking, through Nov. 12

“The Hidden Museum, 2018,” installation in which viewers are challenged to locate “hidden” works of art, through Dec. 31

Suzanne H. Arnold Art Gallery
Lebanon Valley College
101 College Ave., Annville
717-233-8668; lvc.edu/gallery

“Gscharre und Leichdüche (Tools and Shrouds),” featuring the work of sculptor-photographer Stephen Althouse, through Oct. 22

The Trout Gallery
Dickinson College
240 W. High St., Carlisle
717-254-8159; troutgallery.org

“Perspectives,” a 40th anniversary showcase of art from The Trout Gallery’s permanent collection selected by gallery audiences, through Oct. 16

“Power and Politics—Recent Acquisitions in Photography,” presenting an array of recently acquired contemporary photographs with subjects from sports to hairstyles and tanks to bicycles, through Oct. 28; reception: Sept. 1, 5 p.m.

Wheel of Light Studio
3738 Peters Mountain Rd Halifax
wheeloflightstudio.com

“The Art of Instruction,” work by the educators at Wheel of Light Studio, through Sept 30; reception: Sept. 2, 2-4 p.m.

Read, Make, Learn

AAA Central Penn
1150 Camp Hill Bypass, Camp Hill
800-421-4552; aaa.com/OnStageAlaska

Sept. 25: On Stage Alaska 2023—Learn about Alaskan Travel at Penn Harris Hotel, Camp Hill, 6 p.m.

Alexander Grass Campus for Jewish Life
2986 N. 2nd Street, Harrisburg
717-236-9555; www.jewishfedhbg.org

Sept. 11-Oct. 30: Mindfulness & Meditation Mondays, 6:30-7:15 p.m.
Sept. 11-Nov. 6: Entrepreneurship Essentials, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 13: Marketing for Entrepreneurs—The Branding Imperative, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 13-Oct. 18: Digital Photography, Wednesdays, 6-8:30 p.m.
Sept. 20: Marketing for Entrepreneurs—Marketing Plans that Target Your Customers, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 27: Marketing for Entrepreneurs—Your Marketing Mix, 6-8 p.m.

Carlisle Arts Learning Center (CALC)
38 W. Pomfret St., Carlisle
717-249-6973; carlislearts.org

Sept. 5-26: Intermediate/Advanced Painting (ages 16-adult), Tuesdays, 1-3 p.m.
Sept. 5-26: September Beginning Oil Painting, Tuesdays, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 6, 13, 20: Pencil & Ink Drawing (ages 9-14), Wednesdays, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Sept. 6, 13, 20, 27: Start Up Watercolor (ages 17-adult), Wednesdays, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 6-Oct. 11: Fundamentals of Photography (ages 18 and older), Wednesdays, 6:30-8 p.m.
Sept. 9: Copper Enameling, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Sept. 9-30: Figure Drawing (ages 17-adult), Saturdays, 2-5 p.m.
Sept. 11-Oct. 16: Monday Art Club (grades K-2), 3:45-5 p.m.
Sept. 12-Oct. 17: Surface Decoration (ages 16-adult), Tuesdays, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 13-Dec. 6: Middle School Art Club, Wednesdays, 3-5 p.m.
Sept. 14-Oct. 19: Play with Clay at the End of the Day (ages 10-15), Thursdays, 3:45-5:15 p.m.
Sept. 14-Dec. 7: High School Art Club, Thursdays, 5-7 p.m.
Sept. 15: Craft Beer & Clay, 7-9 p.m.
Sept. 15-Oct. 13: Friday Art Club (grades 3-5), 3:45-5 p.m.
Sept. 18: Suicide Loss Survivors (ages 13 and older), 5:30-7 p.m.
Sept. 25-Nov. 6: Ceramics 102 (ages 16-adult), Mondays (except Oct. 16), 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 28-Oct. 12: Weaving on a Frame Loom (adults), Thursdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Sept. 28-Oct. 19: Zoom Creating More Impactful Photos (ages 18 and older), Thursdays, 6:30-8 p.m.
Sept. 30: Spooky Clay (ages 5-12), 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

Dauphin County Library System
dcls.org

Sept. 7: Dungeons and Dragons on Zoom, 7 p.m.

Gamut Theatre Group
15 N. 4th St., Harrisburg
717-238-4111; gamuttheatre.org

Sept. 12-Dec. 9: Gamut Theatre Academy

East Shore Area Library
4501 Ethel St., Harrisburg
717-652-9380; dcls.org

Sept. 7, 14, 21: Speech Links, 10:30 a.m.
Sept. 11: Paws 2 Read, 6 p.m.

Fredricksen Library
100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill
717-761-3900; fredricksenlibrary.org

Sept. 5: Curl up with the Classics—“Watership Down,” 10-11 a.m.
Sept. 5: READ to Dogs, 6:30-8 p.m.
Sept. 6: Moving Forward Book Group, 1-2 p.m.
Sept. 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27: Autumn Baby & Toddler Storytime, 10-10:30 a.m.
Sept. 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27: Autumn Children’s Storytime, 11-11:30 a.m.
Sept. 6, 13, 20: Device Advice, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28: Language at the Library—Spanish, 10-11 a.m.
Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28: Meditation to Calm the Mind, 12-12:30 p.m.
Sept. 8: Film Friday, 2-4 p.m.
Sept. 11, 18, 25: Book Explorers (ages 3-6), 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Sept. 12: Genealogy Club, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sept. 12: Tween STEAM Meetup, 3-4:30 p.m.
Sept. 12: Tween LEGO Meetup, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 14, 21: Meet and Greet Library Pups, 10-11 a.m.
Sept. 15: Peaceful Poses Adult Yoga, 9-10 a.m.
Sept. 15: Peaceful Poses Children’s Yoga Story Time, 10-10:45 a.m.
Sept. 18: Frederickson Writes on Zoom, 6:45-8:45 p.m.
Sept. 19: Plot Twisters Teen Writers Group, 6-7 p.m.
Sept. 20: Ask a Dietician, 9:30 a.m.
Sept. 21: Tween Epic Comic Club, 6-7 p.m.
Sept. 25: Fredricksen Reads, 7-8 p.m.

Gallery on the Square
Millersburg Area Art Association
226 Union St., Millersburg
Facebook: Gallery on the Square

Sept. 14: Stained Glass Feather Workshop, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 16: Decorative Tray Workshop, 2-4:30 p.m.
Sept. 29: Indigo Dyeing, 6-8 p.m.

Harrisburg Improv Theatre
1633 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
hbgimprov.com

Sept. 21-Nov. 9: Intro to Improv, Thursdays, 7-10 p.m.
Sept. 12-Oct. 31: Musical Improv 1, Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m.

Hershey Public Library
701 Cocoa Ave., Hershey
717-533-6555; hersheylibrary.org

Sept. 5: Hershey Area Pokémon Club, 5:30-7 p.m.
Sept. 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28: Penn State Hershey—Mothers & Babies, 10:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Sept. 5, 19: Silent Book Group at Starbucks in Hershey Towne Square, 10-11:30 a.m.
Sept. 6, 13, 20, 27: Walking Hershey, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Sept. 7, 21: Teen Zine, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sept. 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28: Storytime for Everyone, 11 a.m.
Sept. 12, 19, 26: 1, 2, Whee!, 10:15 a.m.
Sept. 16: Chess Tournament, 10 a.m.
Sept. 16: DIY Card Class, 11 a.m.
Sept. 30: Dried Flower Wreath, 11 a.m.

Joseph T. Simpson Public Library
16 N. Walnut St., Mechanicsburg
717-766-0171; simpsonlibrary.org

Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26: Parent and Toddler Together, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26: Tea & Stitches, 10 a.m.
Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26: Storybook STEAM, 6 p.m.
Sept. 7, 14: Beginning Mah Jongg, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28: Mah Jongg, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Sept. 8, 22: Dungeons & Dragons, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 13: Mad About Mysteries, 7-8 p.m.
Sept. 18: Monday Night Book Club, 7 p.m.
Sept. 23: Trivia at Home—90s Sitcoms, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 26: Tabletop Game Night, 6-8 p.m.

Kline Library
530 S. 29th St., Harrisburg
717-234-3934; dcls.org

Sept. 7: Book Bingo at Kline Library, 5:30 p.m.

The LGBT Center of Central PA
717-409-5781; centralpalgbtcenter.org

Sept. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Passageways, 2 p.m.
Sept. 3, 10, 17, 24: Young Adult Group, 4 p.m.
Sept. 6, 13, 20, 27: Common Roads (ages 12-17), 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 9: QTPOC Advisory Group, 6-8 p.m.

Madeline L. Olewine Memorial Library
2410 North 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-232-7286; dcls.org

Sept. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Speech Links, 10:30 a.m.

Middletown Public Library
20 N. Catherine St., Middletown
717-944-6412; middletownpubliclib.org

Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26: Tales with T.A.I.L.S., 6-7 p.m.

Midtown Scholar Bookstore-Cafe
1302 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-236-1680; midtownscholar.com

Sept. 5: An Evening with James McBride, 7-8 p.m.
Sept. 9: Children’s Storytime and Book signing with Jessica Whipple, 10-11 a.m.
Sept. 9: An Evening with Jillian Tamaki and Mariko Tamaki, 6-7 p.m.
Sept. 16: Book signing with Doug Wolfberg, 1-3 p.m.
Sept. 20: An Evening with Todd Mealy and Todd Allen, 7-8 p.m.
Sept. 23: Children’s Storytime with Amy June Bates, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sept. 26: An Evening with Michael E. Mann, 7-8 p.m.

The Millworks
340 Verbeke St.; Harrisburg
717-695-4888; millworksharrisburg.com

Sept. 2: First Saturday open studios and artist demos, 2-5 p.m.
Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26: Trivia with Cheaters Never Prosper, 6 p.m.
Sept 9: Advanced Fluid Art, 12-3 p.m.
Sept 10: Bundle Dye Workshop, 1-3 p.m.

Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art
176 Water Company Rd., Millersburg
717-692-3699; nedsmithcenter.org

Sept. 23: Fungi Foray, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

New Cumberland Public Library
1 Benjamin Plaza, New Cumberland
717-774-7820; newcumberlandlibrary.org

Sept. 1, 15: Musical Mornings (ages 2-5), 10:30-11 a.m.
Sept. 2, 16: New Cumberland Public Library Book Sales, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Sept. 6: STEAM Scene (ages 6-12), 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Sept. 6, 13, 20, 27: iPhone Class for Adults, 2-3:30 p.m.
Sept. 7: Ruth’s Mystery Discussion Group, 10:15 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sept. 7: Block Party (ages 0-3), 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Sept. 8: Movers & Groovers (ages 2-5), 10:30-11 a.m.
Sept. 8: Dungeons & Dragons (ages 13-17), 4-6 p.m.
Sept. 9: Teen Craft Kits (ages 13-17), 10 a.m.
Sept. 11-Oct. 23: Fall Storytime & More (ages 2-5), Mondays, 10:30 a.m.
Sept. 12: Tales for Tails (ages 6-12), 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Sept. 12-Oct. 24: Fall Book Babies (ages 0-2), Tuesdays, 11:15 a.m.
Sept. 13: Kid Builders (ages 3 and older), Wednesdays, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Sept. 14: Tumble Tots (ages 0-3), 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Sept. 16: Couponing for Extreme Savings, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sept. 16: Children’s Book Writers Critique Group, 2-4 p.m.
Sept. 18: Monday Great Books Discussion Group, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Sept. 18: Fall Family Book Bingo, 6-7 p.m.
Sept. 27: Wednesday Great Books Discussion Group, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Sept. 27: PennWriters Writing Group, 6-9 p.m.
Sept. 28: Embroidery Workshop, 1-3 p.m.
Sept. 30: Crafty Crafters Club, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

The State Museum of Pennsylvania
300 North St., Harrisburg
717-787-4980; statemuseumpa.org

Sept. 1: Passport to the Universe, 1 p.m.
Sept. 1-3: Earth, Moon & Sun, 11 a.m.
Sept. 1, 3: Faster Than Light, 2 p.m.
Sept. 2: Faster Than Light, 12 p.m.
Sept. 2: Earth, Moon & Sun, 1 p.m.
Sept. 10: Gallery Walk, 12 p.m.

Susquehanna Art Museum
1401 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-233-8668; susquehannaartmuseum.org

Sept. 9: Kids Art Club—Transformative Craft (ages 8-12), 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Sept. 27: Teen Art Club—Mixed Media Painting (ages 13-17), 6-8 p.m.

Wheel of Light Studio
3738 Peters Mountain Rd Halifax
wheeloflightstudio.com

Sept. 9: Autumn Celebration Second Saturday—pinch pot pumpkins and artist demonstrations, 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Sept. 16: Intro to Hand Building, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Sept. 22: Wild Horses Painting Class 6-8:30 p.m.
Sept. 23: Intro to Wheel, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Sept. 27: Macramé Pumpkins, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 30: Resin Pendant Class, 11 a.m.
Sept. 30: Chain Maille Byzantine Pattern Bracelet Workshop, 1 p.m.

Wildwood Park
100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg
717-221-0292; www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Sept. 3: Sunday Evening Bird walk, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 7: Natural Dyeing with Walnuts and Indigo, 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 9: Volunteer Work Day, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Sept. 9: Fall Wreath Workshop, 8:30 a.m.-3:15 p.m.
Sept. 14: Greenbelt Connector Walk, 8:30-10:30 a.m.
Sept. 16: Upcycled Crafts, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sept. 17: Flower Walk—Goldenrods, Asters and Other Fall Surprises, 1:30-3 p.m.
Sept. 27: Preschool Storytime—Fall at Wildwood, 10-10:45 a.m.
Sept. 29: Campfire S’mores and Stories, 7-8:30 p.m.

Live Music

American Music Theatre
2425 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster
717-397-7700; amtshows.com

Sept. 1: Pennsylvania Gospel Music Festival
Sept. 10: The Man in Black—A Tribute to Johnny Cash
Sept. 16: The Beach Boys
Sept. 24: Craig Morgan
Sept. 28: “The Price is Right Live!”
Sept. 30: Martina McBride

Appell Center for the Performing Arts
50 N. George St., York
717-846-1111; appellcenter.org

Sept. 8: Erik Terrell and Rachel Fogletto
Sept. 9: Cash Unchained—The Ultimate Johnny Cash Tribute
Sept. 10: Paul Thorn
Sept. 14: Pat Metheny
Sept. 15: Keller Williams
Sept. 16: Sam Morril
Sept. 29: Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs

The Belmont Theatre
27 S. Belmont St., York
717-854-3894; thebelmont.org

Sept. 17-24: “Finding Nemo Jr.”

Boneshire Brew Works
7462 Derry St., Harrisburg
717-469-5007; boneshire.com

Sept. 14: Shawan Rice
Sept. 28: West & Ward

Carley’s Ristorante and Piano Bar
204 Locust St., Harrisburg
717-909-9191; carleysristorante.com

Sept. 1, 15, 29: Ted Ansel
Sept. 2, 9: Chris Emkey
Sept. 7: Doctor Nyce
Sept. 8, 22: Roy Lefever
Sept. 9: Chris Emkey
Sept. 13, 16, 23, 30: Anthony Haubert
Sept. 14, 28: Andrea Britton
Sept. 27: Chris Purcell

Carlisle Theatre
44 West High St., Carlisle
717-258-0666; carlisletheatre.org

Sept. 16: Frankie Valli Tribute Show

The Englewood
1219 Research Blvd. Hummelstown
717-256-9480; englewoodhershey.com

Sept. 6: Shinyribs
Sept. 8: The Split Squad, The Jellybricks
Sept. 16: U2topia
Sept. 20: Joan Osborne

Gretna Music
gretnamusic.org

Sept. 3: Wister Quartet
Sept. 10: Bach’s Brandenberg Concertos with the Sebastians

Greystone Brew House
303 Golf Club Ave., Dillsburg
717.347.0632; greystonebrewhouse.com

Sept. 1: SOC Duo
Sept. 2: Curtis Smith
Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26: Kirk Weiss
Sept. 8: Dave Kelly Duo
Sept. 9: Josh Krevsky Duo
Sept. 15: Dan Jamison
Sept. 16: Joe Cooney
Sept. 22: Lil Brother Band
Sept. 23: Keara Rose/Tequila Mule
Sept. 29: Tim Colgan
Sept. 30: Noel Gevers

Greystone Public House
2120 Colonial Rd., Harrisburg
717-829-9952; www.greystonepa.com

Sept. 1: Aaron Daniel Gaul
Sept. 2: Noel Gevers
Sept. 3: Ryan Mayersky
Sept. 8: Dave McCullough
Sept. 9: Curtis Smith
Sept. 15: Tim Colgan
Sept. 16: SOC Duo
Sept. 22: Dave Kelly Duo
Sept. 23: Corinna Joy
Sept. 29: North Mountain Ramblers

H*MAC
1110 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-441-7506; harrisburgarts.com

Sept. 2: Dizzy Wright & Jarren Benton
Sept. 2: Deadlands
Sept. 7: Chase Matthew
Sept. 8: Dropout Kings
Sept. 9: Brotality
Sept. 10: Bipul Chettri
Sept. 11: Jinjer
Sept. 12: Giovannie & The Hired Guns
Sept. 12: Beast in Black
Sept. 14: Marauda
Sept. 15: Asking Alexandria & The Hu
Sept. 16: Teenage Bottlerocket
Sept. 16: Son Little
Sept. 19: The Soul Rebels
Sept. 19: The Happy Fits
Sept. 20: Drowning Pool & Saliva
Sept. 22: Further Seems Forever & The Juliana Theory
Sept. 29: Steve Hofstetter
Sept. 30: Borgore

Harrisburg University Presents
concertseries.harrisburgu.edu

Sept. 13: ZZ Ward (XL Live)
Sept. 16: Mt. Joy (Riverfront Park)
Sept. 17: Trey Anastasio (Riverfront Park)
Sept. 19: Tash Suliana (The Forum)
Sept. 26: Broken Social Scene (XL Live)
Sept. 28: Margo Price (XL Live)

Hershey Symphony
717-533-8449; hersheysymphony.org

Sept. 23: A Little of This, A Little of That at Hershey Theatre

Hollywood Casino
777 Hollywood Blvd., Grantville
717-469-2211; www.hollywoodpnrc.com

Sept. 1: Emily’s ToyBox
Sept. 2: M80 Band
Sept. 8: The Luv Gods
Sept. 9: Colt Wilbur Band
Sept. 15, 16: Funktion
Sept. 22: Stonewood
Sept. 23: Connor Kirk Band
Sept. 30: Flying Ivories Philadelphia

Keystone Concert Band
145 E. Main St., First Floor, Mechanicsburg
717-329-7541; keystoneconcertband.com

Sept. 9: Concert at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Sept. 23: Concert at Essex House

Luhrs Performing Arts Center
1871 Old Main Dr., Shippensburg
717-477-7469; luhrscenter.com

Sept. 8: Hotel California A Salute to the Eagles
Sept. 15: Tanya Tucker

Majestic Theater
25 Carlisle St., Gettysburg
717-337-8200; gettysburgmajestic.org

Sept. 8: Time For Three

Messiah University
One University Ave., Mechanicsburg
717-766-2511; messiah.edu

Sept. 16: The U.S. Army Band
Sept. 17: Mendelssohn Piano Trio 25th Anniversary
Sept. 22: Messiah University Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Winds Concert
Sept. 22: Sphinx Virtuosi

The Millworks
340 Verbeke St.; Harrisburg
717-695-4888; millworksharrisburg.com

Sept. 23: DJ Kynz

Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art
176 Water Company Rd., Millersburg
717-692-3699; nedsmithcenter.org

Sept. 16: Green River, Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute
Sept. 23: Enter The Haggis

Open Stage of Harrisburg
223 Walnut St., Harrisburg
717-232-OPEN; openstagehbg.com

Sept. 8-17: “Space Oddity—A Celebration of David Bowie”

The Susquehanna Folk Music Society
717-745-6577; sfmsfolk.org

Sept. 5: The Friel Sisters
Sept. 8: Eileen Ivers

West Shore Theatre
317 Bridge St, New Cumberland
717-759-5464; www.westshoretheatre.org

Sept. 8: September Songs—A Night of Music for Suicide Prevention
Sept. 9: The Spiritual Messengers
Sept. 10: The Unforgettable Big Band
Sept. 12: Harrisburg Jazz Collective

Whitaker Center
222 Market St., Harrisburg
717-214-ARTS; whitakercenter.org

Sept. 26: Gov’t Mule

XL Live
801 S. 10th St., Harrisburg
717-409-8975; xlhbg.com

Sept. 8: The Used
Sept. 9: RAEL The Music of Genesis
Sept. 11: Dinosaur Jr.
Sept. 13: ZZ Ward, Jaime Wyatt
Sept. 15: moe.
Sept. 16: Out of The Void, Chime
Sept. 21: Kick The INXS Experience
Sept. 22: Geoff Tate
Sept. 23: Warren Zeiders
Sept. 26: Broken Social Scene, Hannah Georgas
Sept. 28: Margo Price, Brit Taylor
Sept. 29: Eric Johnson
Sept. 30: Grace Potter

The Stage Door

American Music Theatre
2425 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster
717-397-7700; amtshows.com

Sept. 28: “The Price is Right Live!”

Capital Opera Harrisburg
capopera.com/harrisburg

Sept. 15-17: “They’re All Like That” at Epiphany Lutheran Church, Harrisburg

Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre
510 Centerville Rd., Lancaster
717-898-1900; DutchApple.com

Sept. 1-16: “Guys and Dolls”
Sept. 22-Nov. 11: “Escape to Margaritaville”

Gamut Theatre Group
15 N. 4th St., Harrisburg
717-238-4111; gamuttheatre.org

Sept. 20-Oc.t 7: “The Little Mermaid” w/Popcorn Hat Players
Sept. 22: TMI Improv

Harrisburg Comedy Zone
110 Limekiln Rd., New Cumberland
717-920-5653; harrisburgcomedyzone.com

Sept. 8, 9: Asif Ali
Sept. 15, 16: JL Cauvin and Ben Jones
Sept. 17: Jamie Lissow
Sept. 20: Magic Hunks Girls Night Outrageous!
Sept. 22, 23: Tom Daddario and Ray

Harrisburg Improv Theatre
1633 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
hbgimprov.com

Sept. 8, 10: Level 2 Class Show
Sept. 15, 17: Level 1 Class Graduation Show

Hershey Area Playhouse
830 Cherry Dr., Hershey
717-533-8525; hersheyareaplayhouse.com

Sept. 14-16: “Sponge Bob: The Musical”

Hershey Theatre
15 E. Caracas Ave., Hershey
717-534-3405; hersheytheatre.com

Sept. 1: Disney Junior Live on Tour—Costume Palooza
Sept. 9: James “Murr” Murray
Sept. 14: Kathleen Madigan
Sept. 20: “Wild Kratts Live! 2.0”
Sept. 28-30: Joy Koy

Keystone Theatrics
The Playhouse at Allenberry
1559 Boiling Springs Rd., Boiling Springs
717-258-3211; www.keystonetheatrics.com

Sept. 9, 16, 23: “How I Became a Pirate”

Little Theatre of Mechanicsburg
915 S. York St., Mechanicsburg
717-766-0535; ltmpa.com

Sept. 1-17: Ken Ludwig’s “Shakespeare in Hollywood”

Luhrs Performing Arts Center
1871 Old Main Dr., Shippensburg
717-477-7469; luhrscenter.com

Sept. 10: Brian Regan

Narçisse Theatre Company
[email protected]; www.narcissetheatre.org

Sept. 1-3, 6-9: “Doctor Faustus”

Open Stage of Harrisburg
223 Walnut St., Harrisburg
717-232-OPEN; openstagehbg.com

Sept. 8-17: “Space Oddity—A Celebration of David Bowie”

Sept. 19, 27: Black NewsBeat with Dr. Kimeka Campbell

Oyster Mill Playhouse
1001 Oyster Mill Road, Camp Hill
717-737-6768; www.oystermill.com

“The Golden Gays—Ring Ring! It’s the Libertine Belle Murder Musical”

Theatre Harrisburg
513 Hurlock St., Harrisburg
717-232-5501; theatreharrisburg.com

Sept. 8-17: “A Rock Sails By”

The Ware Center
42 N. Prince St., Lancaster
717-871-2308; artsmu.com

Sept. 30: ORIGINS/Freemind Freestyle

Whitaker Center
222 Market St., Harrisburg
717-214-ARTS; whitakercenter.org

Sept. 23: A Magical Night with John Westfort

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PA Bred, Country Made: Ben Gallaher’s debut album conveys his roots, his influences

August 29, 2023 | by Skye Leppo

Ben Gallaher

For rising country musician Ben Gallaher, there was no backup plan.

“It’s been a lifelong journey,” the 31-year-old said, reflecting on how his career has worked out so far. “It’s just all I’ve ever wanted to do, and it’s just been a huge blessing.”

The Camp Hill native, who’s been living in Nashville since 2011, started playing guitar at the age of 6 and never looked back.

“I knew this was what I was going to do,” he said. “I look at it as a God thing. I got blessed from a young age to know exactly what I was supposed to do.”

And listening to his debut full-length album, “Country in the House,” (released this past April via Stone Country Records), one can definitely hear his passion for playing guitar, which he said is “mostly self-taught.” He shines on tracks such as “Lovin’ You Gets in the Way,” with multiple chords whispering hints of ‘80s rock influences.

Gallaher, who also writes most of his own songs, said he didn’t really get into rock until he was in high school.

“[I] grew up on ’90s country music,” he said. “It wasn’t strictly really one artist or band. It was a combination of everything: Brooks and Dunn, early Tim McGraw records, Tracy Lawrence… and then early 2000s country, so Keith Urban growing up was an influence for me. Vince Gill, too—he’s just such an incredible guitar player.”

Gallaher’s creativity is apparent in his work. Listeners can tell he spends a lot of time writing songs inspired by all kinds of experiences. His song “Roots Grow Down,” inspired by his relationship with his wife Monica, is a pure love ballad, but “there’s some heartbreak songs on there, which is the furthest thing from my life right now.”

“My hope is that listeners feel something and connect with them when they hear it, through a lyric or guitar solo,” he said. “That’s the cool part about music, the connection it can have no matter where you’re at in life.”

Gallaher also shared his challenges with making “Country in the House” from an editing standpoint, saying that one of the hardest parts was trimming down the tracklist to just 15 songs, “because you get so attached to them.” One of his favorites from the album, which he loves performing live, is his hit song, “Still A Few Cowboys Left.”

“It’s one of the best responding songs—people are singing it all over the place,” he said. “We got a chance to film the music video at the Four Sixes Ranch [a setting on the show ‘Yellowstone’], so that was a really cool experience that got people excited.”

Same Cloth

Gallaher said that his album contains just two songs that he didn’t write.

He has a very hands-on process in every aspect of his music, working frequently with his longtime friend and collaborator, songwriter Carlton Anderson.

“We’ve written tons [together],” Anderson said. “On his record that he’s put out, we wrote ‘Country Boy’ and we wrote ‘Quote the Bible’, and then we’ve got a ton more” that are still unreleased.

Both songs speak to where both men come from.

“That’s one of the cool things we connect on, with me coming from Texas, and him coming from PA,” Anderson said. “When we met in Nashville, it was kind of a seamless friendship. We were cut from the same cloth, you know?”

Gallaher echoed similar sentiments when speaking about his view of the genre and music making, too.

“People have said, ‘You’re from Pennsylvania, you sing country?’” he laughed. “Country isn’t about location or where you live. It’s how you live, standing up for each other, the American spirit, having each other’s backs and getting up again.”

Anderson, who’s now based in his hometown of Boerne, Texas, is a songwriter who connected with Gallaher when they both were starting to get their footing in Nashville in the early 2010s, after Anderson found Gallaher performing through a YouTube video.

“He is just a phenomenal guitar player—a one-in-a-generational talent on the guitar, just the real deal. He was playing at Tootsie’s or some bar in Nashville and I was like, ‘Damn, this guy is amazing, that’s exactly what I want to be doing,’” Anderson said. “I hit him up to see if he was looking to join a band, and he said he was doing his own thing. So, once I moved to Nashville, we reconnected there and kind of just rolled from there.”

Before Gallaher moved to Nashville to pursue music, he was often playing around central Pennsylvania to get experience at open mic nights.

“I heard somewhere from a young age, start a fan base in your hometown because if they don’t like you there, they won’t like you anywhere,” Gallaher said. “So, I started building a fan base here with my acoustic stuff.”

Within a few months of moving to Nashville in 2011, he was packing places every time he would come home to play in PA.

“All those fans were there from the beginning and I got to connect with them—that’s the coolest part,” Gallaher said. “There’s something really special about playing in central PA. There’s a different kind of energy that I love.”

For more information on Ben Gallaher, visit www.bengallaher.com and his social media sites. He’s slated to perform locally on Oct. 8 at the I-105 FallFest Country Music Festival, Overlook Community Campus, 605 Granite Run Dr., Lancaster (Manheim Township). For more information, visit www.wiov.com/fallfest.

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Musical Notes: Show Me September

August 29, 2023 | by Skye Leppo

For me, there’s a little feeling of magic whenever September rolls around.

I don’t know if it’s the hint of pumpkin spice in the air, the nostalgia of Lisa Frank-adorned school supplies in clearance bins, or an absolutely stacked lineup of concerts to catch when the weather is exactly right. Need further evidence? Please continue reading. Happy show bouncing!

DON’T MISS

Mt. Joy, 9/16, HU Presents Summer Series, Riverfront Park

It is an indie rock lover’s paradise in Harrisburg this month, with the pinnacle being Philly’s own Mt. Joy delivering their special blend of jaunty yet slightly melancholy rock’n’roll to the main stage at Riverfront Park. The band’s beautiful lyrics, anthemic Americana-infused rhythms and visual psychedelic influences are going to make for a great live experience. (If you don’t believe me, check out the band’s shows at Red Rocks and Lollapalooza for more support).

Tash Sultana, HU Presents, 9/19, The Forum

Aussie Tash Sultana has been on my concert bucket list for a looong time, and I’m so pumped they’re making a tour stop in Harrisburg (at a venue with some of the best acoustics in the region, no less). Sultana is a masterful multi-instrumentalist, bringing together their talents on guitar, vocals, piano and keys, percussion, beatmaking, harmonica, bass… the list literally goes on and on, and on… and on. Their moody hit, “Jungle,” is a good intro track, but be sure to check out “Pretty Lady,” “Notion,” and “Bitter Lovers.” By the time this column is published, Sultana’s latest EP, “Sugar,” will be out, which we’ll likely hear performed live at the Forum.

FOR NOSTALGIA’S SAKE

Broken Social Scene, HU Presents, 9/26, XL Live

If you lived for the post-rock indie scene in the early aughts, this is for you. The Canadian rock supergroup Broken Social Scene’s iconic “You Forgot It In People” album turned 20 last year, and the band is bringing their anniversary tour here for a special show at the end of the month. The band’s been known to have as few as six musicians on stage, or as many as 19—feel free to DM me with your best guess on how many will join them on this tour stop, and, if you’re right, maybe I’ll buy you a drink. To redeem, you’ll find me softly weeping along in the crowd.

FOR CONSIDERATION

Son Little, 9/16, H*MAC

What an amazing time to be living in Harrisburg when there are at least two awesome shows scheduled for the same night, just miles apart (and on more than one night this month, might I add!). I caught Son Little as an opening act for Leon Bridges in 2016, and was absolutely blown away by his talent. He’s currently touring to support his 2022 LP, “Like Neptune.” If you want to hear some truly excellent R&B, I highly recommend checking him out.

Honorable Mentions

Lynyrd Skynyrd & ZZ Top, 9/9, Hersheypark Stadium

Dinosaur Jr., 9/11, XL Live

HU Presents ZZ Ward, 9/13, XL Live

New Cumberland Music + Film Festival Opening Show ft. Le Ghast, 9/15, SOURCE Creative House

The Why’re Reunion Show, 9/16, West Shore Senior Center (yes, really)

Shawan Rice w/West & Ward, 9/17, West Shore Theatre

HU Presents Summer Series Trey Anastasio and Classic Tab, 9/17, Riverfront Park

The Happy Fits, 9/19, H*MAC

Joan Osborne, 9/20, The Englewood

Further Seems Forever & The Juliana Theory, 9/22, H*MAC

Red Hot Chili Peppers w/St. Vincent, 9/27, Hersheypark Stadium

HU Presents Margo Price, 9/28, XL Live

WXPN Welcomes Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs, 9/29, Appell Center for the Performing Arts

WXPN Welcomes Grace Potter, 9/30, XL Live

Borgore, 9/30, H*MAC

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Maize Craze: Corn isn’t just for cobs

August 29, 2023 | by Rosemary Ruggieri Baer

I have spent the last 54 years of my life trying to convince my family that corn is a wonderful summer vegetable. My mother didn’t do anything fancy with it, but it was always on our dinner table at summer’s end. Boiled and smothered in sweet butter and salt, corn was always a special treat.

Now, my family seems to reference certain barnyard animals whenever I announce that fresh corn is on the menu. But I am not deterred. I am always looking for ways to “dress-up” corn in the summer or incorporate it into unexpected ingredients.

I love homemade chicken corn soup, although it is so much work to make. I once made wonderful corn fritters. They were more like pancakes and were sauteed lightly in olive oil. They were great with a grilled entrée. And tortellini with a creamy corn sauce actually did appeal to my husband, though it took some encouragement. And for the last couple of summers, I have found some wonderful chilled corn salad recipes that have replaced macaroni salads and potato salads for our Sunday cookouts.

The recipe that follows is from “Taste of Home,” a collection of recipes from cooks all over the country. I love it because it pairs simple grilled shrimp with fresh basil (the one thing I have luck growing), sweet corn, ripe cherry tomatoes (still sweet and juicy in September) and avocado. It’s all you need for a late summer, one-dish meal.

Note about the corn: The recipe calls for the ears to be cooked briefly in boiling water, cooled, and then cut off the cob. But I often cut the kernels off the cobs, sauté them in a skillet in a little butter until toasty, and then proceed with the recipe. You can also grill the ears first until slightly charred and then cut the kernels off the cob. Use the method you like best.

Grilled Shrimp with Corn

Ingredients

4 medium ears sweet corn, husked
½ cup packed fresh basil leaves
¼ cup olive oil
½ teaspoon salt, divided
1½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 medium ripe avocado, peeled and chopped
1 pound uncooked shrimp, peeled and deveined

Directions

In a pot of boiling water, cook corn until tender, about 5 minutes. Drain and cool slightly.
In a food processor, pulse the basil, the olive oil, and ¼ teaspoon salt until blended.
Cut corn from the cobs and place into a bowl (sometimes a little messy).
Stir in the tomatoes, pepper and remaining salt. Add the chopped avocado and 2 tablespoons of the basil mixture. Toss gently to combine.
Thread the shrimp onto metal or soaked wooden skewers. Brush with the remaining basil mixture. Grill, covered, over medium heat until shrimp turn pink, about 2 to 4 minutes per side.
Remove shrimp from skewers and serve with the corn salad.

Note on cooking the shrimp: If you don’t have skewers, you can grill the shrimp on a perforated grill pan. Even easier!

I will continue my search for innovative ways to cook corn. My little grandchildren still ask for corn on the cob. But I am making inroads with the rest of the family. A corn milk bellini anyone?

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