April News Digest

March 30, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg Lauds Debt Payoff

Harrisburg officials last month celebrated a historic day, as the city made a final payment on its once staggering debt load.

The city officially paid off the last $8.3 million in general obligation bond debt dating back more than a decade to its municipal financial crisis.

“This is a historic moment in our city,” said Mayor Wanda Williams. “Harrisburg’s best days are ahead.”

The forbearance liability debt is money that the city owed to bond insurer Ambac Assurance after it defaulted on its Series D&F bond payments in 2011. The original D&F bonds were issued in 1997, under former Mayor Steve Reed. Harrisburg paid off those bonds in September 2022.

Late last year, Harrisburg City Council approved the payoff of $12 million of what was $20 million in remaining in debt, at the time. While city administration officials had originally proposed paying off the total $20 million at once, council members were hesitant to spend down such a large amount of the city’s fund balance.

“I’m glad we were in a position to finish the task,” said council President Danielle Bowers.

Before the Williams administration made the two large payments, the city, for years, mainly made smaller, routine annual payments, with the exception of a $6 million payment under former Mayor Linda Thompson in 2013 and a $7.2 million payment under former Mayor Eric Papenfuse in 2021.

Before last month’s payment, Harrisburg’s fund balance, or savings, sat at around $25 million. With this final bond payment, it now is about $17 million, according to Brian McCutcheon, accounting manager for the city.

Officials pointed out that the total debt payoff also saves the city from continuing to accrue interest on the debt. Williams said that the city plans to put the freed-up money towards resident services, possibly street repaving, purchasing public works vehicles and blighted building demolition.

Local Primary Slates Set

Eight Democrats will vie for three seats on Harrisburg City Council, as the petition deadline for the May primary came to a close last month.

Council President Danielle Bowers and newly appointed council member Robert Lawson both submitted petitions to compete in the May 16 municipal primary. However, two-term member Westburn Majors did not, meaning that the field will include an open seat.

In an interview, Majors cited “family obligations” for deciding not to seek re-election.

“I’m very proud of the work we’ve done on council over the last two terms to move the city forward,” he said. “I will continue to be involved in the community.”

Other candidates for the three, four-year council seats include:

Cole Goodman
Lamont Jones
Brad Barkdoll
Lori Beamer Saulisbury
Crystal Davis
Leslie C. Franklin

No Republicans submitted candidate petitions for city council.

Harrisburg also has an election for five, four-year seats to the school board. Only four candidates, all Democratic incumbents, submitted nominating petitions. They are:

Ellis Rick Roy
James Thompson
Doug Thompson Leader
Terricia Radcliff

For city treasurer, only Democratic incumbent Dan Miller submitted nominating petitions to run for the four-year seat.

For magisterial district justice, long-time incumbent Barbara Pianka did not submit election petitions for District 12-1-02. However, her son, Matthew Pianka, did, cross-filing as both a Democrat and a Republican. He is running unopposed.

For District 12-1-04, Democrat Mikaela Sloan was the lone candidate to file for that district judgeship. The seat is currently held by MDJ David O’Leary.

In District 12-1-05, incumbent MDJ Hanif Johnson cross-filed for both the Democratic and Republican nominations. He faces competition on the Democratic side from Claude Phipps and Lori Ann Jenkins.

In District 12-1-06, Wendy Grella was the lone candidate to file petitions for the position, cross-filing for both parties. MDJ Joseph Lindsey currently holds that judgeship.

Harrisburg Weighs Grant Disbursal

With millions of dollars in federal COVID relief funds in hand, Harrisburg soon will determine how the city will use the money.

Harrisburg City Council last month weighed a plan to potentially use its remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars to support affordable housing development and to create a spray park in south Harrisburg, among other projects.

Under ARPA, Harrisburg received $47 million for pandemic relief. In June 2022, council voted to use about $15.6 million of the funds to reimburse the city for lost revenue during the pandemic, for the replacement of the HVAC system in its Public Safety Building, and for one-time bonuses to uniformed personnel in the Harrisburg Fire Bureau and Bureau of Police.

Last month’s proposal from the administration included using another $28.1 million of the funds. The two largest allotments, each $8 million, would go towards funding affordable housing projects and towards constructing a spray park at the site of the closed Hall Manor pool.

According to Director of Building and Housing Development Dennise Hill, the affordable housing funds may be disbursed to developers as either matching funds or direct assistance. The money could be used to support the development of around 100 rental or for-sale units for low-income residents, Hill explained.

The spray park would replace the aging Hall Manor community pool with a large, water park-style facility. According to Parks and Recreation Director Dave Baker, the project could include the construction of a new pool, lazy river and spray pad elements.

Another $5 million would support the city’s Housing Rehabilitation Program, which provides home repair assistance to low-income residents. A $1.5 million allocation would fund blighted property demolition, $1.5 million would create an ADA-accessible playground, and $1 million would help cover the cost of delinquent trash bills for low-income residents. Other, smaller allocations would go towards small business assistance, tree removal and pruning for seniors and an upgraded radio system for the Fire Bureau.

Council officials stated that they plan to hold several public meetings to gather input on the proposal before voting.

Public Housing Redevelopment Eyed

In a few years, some public housing in Harrisburg may look a lot different.

The Harrisburg Housing Authority, along with the city, recently received a federal grant to begin to redesign and redevelop Hoverter Homes in South Harrisburg.

The $500,000 grant, from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), would support plans to renovate the 233 units in the housing complex. According to the city, the project would eliminate the current World War II-era barracks-style homes that have stood since 1941 and create a modern, mixed-income development in its place.

“There’s a lot of improvement we can do for this community, mostly for the kids who are growing up here,” said Johan Soto-Santa, development and revitalization manager for the housing authority.

According to city officials, the project would redevelop the current public housing, while also incorporating new development of housing for various income brackets.

Officials stated that Hoverter Homes was chosen first for renovation, over Hall Manor, another of the city’s public housing complexes, because it is older and smaller in size. However, there are plans to include Hall Manor in future projects, according to the city.

Over the next two years, the housing authority and the city will work with Chicago-based urban planning firm COLLABO to engage with the South Harrisburg community and receive input, while putting together a formal plan.

The authority will hold several public meetings, this year and next, for community members to share their thoughts on changes they’d like to see at Hoverter Homes and Hall Manor. Dates and times for those meetings are to be determined.

City OKs Apartment Project

An apartment project near the new federal courthouse in Harrisburg received the green light last month to move forward.

Harrisburg City Council approved a land development plan for the Savoy, 48-unit apartment building proposed for the 1500-block of N. 6th Street.

Harrisburg-based Vice Capital, a firm headed by retired NFL running back LeSean McCoy, plans to demolish three existing buildings at 1522, 1524 and 1526 N. 6th St.

The developer then plans to construct a four-story, 62,370-square-foot building that will include a mix of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units. Ten of the units will be designated as affordable. The project also will include first-floor commercial space.

Construction of the $8 million project is expected to begin in mid-to-late summer and will likely take a year to complete, according to Jonathan Bowser, managing partner of Wormleysburg-based Integrated Development Partners, the project’s general contractor.

Cork & Fork Changes Hands

One of downtown Harrisburg’s most popular restaurants has new ownership, but patrons shouldn’t see too much change.

Restaurateur Josh Kesler, owner of the Millworks in Midtown, recently purchased Cork & Fork, alongside partners Patrick Garrity and John Laporta.

“It’s a great existing brand and restaurant in downtown Harrisburg,” Kesler said. “It seemed like a really good fit.”

Kesler said that he purchased both the business, from Harrisburg-based Nourish Hospitality Group, and the building, located at State and N. 2nd streets. He explained that, as his management group continues to expand, purchasing Cork & Fork seemed like a natural addition.

While Kesler plans to make small adjustments to the business behind the scenes, he said that nothing on the customer-facing side will change.

In December, Café Fresco Center City owner Brian Fertenbaugh purchased the Cork & Fork Osteria in Hampden Township with plans to make it a Mediterranean-style restaurant.

Fertenbaugh said that he plans to name the new restaurant Aura Modern Mediterranean and is currently renovating the building to fit the new theme.

He expects to open in early May for dinner, possibly rolling out lunch and Sunday brunch menus in the following months. Award-winning chef of the York and Baltimore areas, John Walsh, will also join the team.

East Shore Y Ponders Renovation

You can exercise, swim and take your kids to the East Shore YMCA, but in the coming years, you may be able to do a lot more there.

Local Y officials announced recently that the organization is considering significant renovations and changes to its historic facility, which would increase its role as a community hub.

“We hope to end up with a modern YMCA with services Harrisburg can enjoy,” said Harrisburg Area YMCA President and CEO David Ozmore.

Ozmore painted a picture of an aging East Shore Y that also faces significant financial challenges due to the pandemic. The remodel would aim to boost its economic situation and bring the building up to date.

The Y, located along N. Front Street downtown, dates back to the 1930s when it was built and opened to the public. The wellness center was added onto the building in 2003. In total, the Y owns 2.3 acres of land, making up almost an entire city block.

Possible renovations may include changes to the current wellness center, which is elevated over the parking lot, and the Y’s administration building adjacent to the main recreational center.

The main building is considered historical and therefore will not undergo significant changes, Ozmore explained.

The Y is working with national firm Gro Development, which provides services to nonprofits, especially YMCA’s, around the country.

The Y has put together a task force of around 20 community members to help advise the organization on development.

“At the end of the day, it’s not about what the Y wants, but what the residents need,” Ozmore said.

Home Sales Dip, Prices Rise

Home sales slowed but prices ticked higher in the latest report on previously owned houses in the Harrisburg area.

For the three-county region, 368 homes sold in February compared to 456 in the year-ago period, as the median sales price increased to $234,950 from $227,000, according to the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).

In Dauphin County, 179 homes changed hands versus 233 in February 2022, while the median price rose to $205,000 versus $193,550 last year, GHAR said.

Cumberland County had sales of 157 homes compared to 196 in the prior year, as the median sales price was nearly unchanged at about $270,000, according to GHAR.

In Perry County, 23 houses sold, an increase of three, as the median price rose to $215,000 versus $189,900 in February 2022, GHAR said.

The pace of sales was similar year-over-year, as “average days the market” rose to 30 days compared to 29 days the prior February.

County Primary Field Set

The primary ballot for Dauphin County seats is set, with candidates running unopposed for commissioner and for several row offices.

For commissioner, Republican incumbents Mike Pries and Chad Saylor are running unopposed for the party’s two nominations. Likewise, incumbent George Hartwick and challenger Justin Douglas are running unopposed on the Democratic side.

Incumbent District Attorney Fran Chardo, Sheriff Nick Chimienti, Controller Mary Bateman and Register of Wills Jean Marfizo King are all running unopposed for Republican nominations. No Democrats filed for these races.

For clerk of courts, Republican John McDonald is running unopposed, as is Democrat Bridget Whitley. For recorder of deeds, incumbent Republican Jim Zugay is running unopposed, as is Democratic challenger Tami Dykes. County treasurer also has two unopposed candidates: Republican Nick DeFrancesco and Democrat Fred Faylona.

The municipal primary is slated for May 16.

So Noted

Christy Zitsch last month was named the economic development manager for Cumberland Area Economic Development Corp. In this role, she assists local businesses with expansion, retention and attraction, according to CAEDC.

Erik Wiedman of Mechanicsburg has been promoted to director of counseling services at Reach Cyber Charter School, an online public charter school. In this position, Wiedman, along with the school’s leadership team, monitors students’ career readiness growth, ensures accessible graduation pathways, and oversees academic progress for nearly 7,000 students.

Garden plots of varying sizes are available this spring for free at the Atlas Street Garden, located in the 2200-block of Atlas Street in Harrisburg. Free parking and water are available on site. Interested gardeners should contact Dan Miller at [email protected].

Harrisburg University’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship held a ribbon-cutting last month for its new location inside Strawberry Square in downtown Harrisburg. The large space offers founders—the entrepreneurs who are invited into the incubator—residency to develop their business ideas for up to 18 months, financial assistance, coaching and student interns, according to HU.

Terese Delaplaine has been named the new president and CEO of Harrisburg-based Hamilton Health Center, replacing longtime CEO Jennine Peterson, who has moved into a consultant role. Previously Hamilton Health’s chief compliance officer, Delaplaine is joined by a new leadership team of Steve Ho as chief operating officer, Frackson Sakala as chief financial officer and Mary Elizabeth Bebe as chief clinical officer.

Changing Hands

Adrian St., 2435: I. & K. Mita to K. Weldeghebrial, $111,500

Bailey St., 1245: J. Jimenez to People First Homes LLC, $82,875

Balm St., 147: C. Wise to J. Shurns, $92,000

Bellevue Rd., 1841: PNC Bank to R. Escano, $80,000

Berryhill St., 1422 & 1424: R. & D. Waibel to V. Aguirre, $55,000

Berryhill St., 1643: C. Porter to A&K Investments Partnership LLC, $62,500

Briggs St., 205: BD Property Management LLC to J. Gjieli, $167,000

Briggs St., 217: C. McNelis to M. Shugars & P. Dee, $200,000

Briggs St., 1716: M. Mesa to HBA Landscaping LLC, $75,000

Camp St., 538: D. McNair to Camp St Investments LLC, $74,700

Catherine St., 1624: First Choice Home Buyers LLC to M. & D. Braktia, $53,000

Chestnut St., 1944 & 1948: J. Medina to Triple B Realty Group LLC, $180,000

Crescent St., 235: G. Neff to Saintelia Properties LLC, $108,000

Crescent St., 251: D. & R. McLean to D. Boyle, $62,000

Curtin St., 537: Brothers Group LLC to E. Megbaje, $145,000

Curtin St., 626: Sangrey Properties LLC to Lafite Investments LLC, $75,000

Derry St., 1327: J. Castillo & R. Mendez to R. Mendez, $103,713

Derry St., 1329: M. Nichols to N. & J. Monegro, $92,000

Duke St., 2444: M. Moyer to C. Lozano, $104,000

Dunkle St., 539: J. Zandieh to L. Johnson, $125,000

Forster St., 264: K. & E. Meckes to PDI Properties LLC, $180,000

Green St., 2129: Sangrey Properties LLC to Leachman Properties LLC, $140,000

Green St., 2225: O. Dawes to J. Sumner, $129,000

Hale Ave., 402: M. & B. Marsico to F. Alvarez, $100,000

Hale Ave., 427: D. & C. Taylor to K. Maxwell, $126,000

Herr St., 1621: N. Lawson to SPG Capital LLC, $57,000

Hummel St., 434: Rumers Corp. to J. & E. Aziza, $120,000

Kensington St., 2266: A. Tilghman to H. Alcantara, $77,327

Logan St., 2216: C. Salazar to O. & S. Malcolm, $70,000

Luce St., 2367: E. & B. Horting to A. & T. Botek, $87,500

Meadowlark Pl., 182: V. Ross to R. Ramos, $70,000

Moore St., 2135: R. Reyes to A. Bouhach, $69,000

North St., 261: M. Henao to J. Manning, $177,500

N. 2nd St., 1013: V. French to S. & J. Toole, $125,000

N. 2nd St., 3237: R. Lysaght to H. & J. Loughery, $235,000

N. 3rd St., 1724: J. Montone to RS Rentals LLC, $222,000

N. 3rd St., 1828: Dakar Realty Inc. to PDI Properties LLC, $170,000

N. 3rd St., 1830: Dakar Realty Inc. to PDI Properties LLC, $170,000

N. 3rd St., 2007: Young Advocate Program to Portee Properties LLC, $299,000

N. 3rd St., 2319: DAG EKG Properties LLC to J. Alfaro, $165,000

N. 4th St., 2104: Gold Key Properties LLC to R. Chevalier, $109,900

N. 4th St., 2412: T. Carlson to J. Zapata, $135,551

N. 5th St., 1702A: S. Kent to Montalvo Investments LLC, $92,000

N. 5th St., 2536: Mainline Funding Group Inc. to D. Boyle, $67,000

N. 7th St., 2512: D. Boyle to M. Perez, $46,000

N. 7th St., 2640: Riley Residential Real Estate LLC to V. Butts, $76,000

N. 12th St., 43: Neidlinger Enterprises to M. & J. Raabe, $125,000

N. 16th St., 921: Equity Trust Co. Custodian FBO Beatrice McQuarrie IRA to PA Deals LLC, $100,000

N. 16th St., 1220: B. Debeljak to S. Ruiz, $128,000

N. 17th St., 27: R. Staff & L. Dunkle to F. Ramirez, $45,000

N. 17th St., 32: R. Luu & C. Sun to C. & I. Castro, $87,500

N. 18th St., 714: E. Sanchez & R. del Hidalgo to A. Ortiz, $85,000

N. 18th St., 822; 3154 N. 6th St. & 2028 Susquehanna St.: Sangrey Properties LLC to J. Tang, $122,500

N. 18th St., 1010: Neidlinger Enterprises LLC to M. Lebowitz, $135,000

Penn St., 1702: T. Underkoffler to T. Todd, $205,000

Penn St., 1929: R. Sterner to F. Deckter, $125,000

Penn St., 2115: J. Russell to Equitable Rentals LLC, $46,500

Penn St., 2154: Great Row LLC to J. Yingling, $70,000

Penn St., 2312: JRP Transportation LLC to C&A Fix Hold & Flip LLC, $103,000

Radnor St., 102: Renovations RE LLC to DelGiorno Investments LLC, $99,000

Radnor St., 674: S. Merritts to Lafite Investments LLC, $47,500

Reel St., 2417: Brookside Premier Properties LLC to W. Newton & J. Gainer, $75,000

Reel St., 2437: Endurance Capital Management LLC to D. Boyle, $50,000

Ross St., 617: D. Lansanah to SPG Capital LLC, $52,500

Ross St., 653: McNelis Gutter Cleaning Inc. to Sale Lizard LLC, $130,000

Royal Terr., 109: L. Bedon to E. Camones, $50,000

Seneca St., 216: J. Alibrio to J. Peters, $48,000

S. 9th St., 1125: J. Halkias to DB Real Estate & Properties LLC, $250,000

S. 13th St., 1516: S. Rodriguez to B. Arias, $128,000

S. 18th St., 211, 225; 2618 Atlas St.; 408 Moon Alley.: J. & S. Tang to Luce St Warehouse LLC, $122,500

State St., 231, Unit 402: M. & M. Vaccaro to B. Waxman & J. Wertheimer, $170,000

Swatara St., 1235: M. & M. Orellana to C&P Property Management Inc., $77,000

Swatara St., 1507: Tri County HDC Ltd. to T. Millovich, $116,000

Swatara St., 1509: Tri County HDC Ltd. to D. Taylor, $116,000

Swatara St., 2054: J. & G. Avila to M. Lopez & O. Perez, $55,000

Sylvan Terr., 125: S. & J. Rhoades to Triple S Real Estate LLC, $165,000

Verbeke St., 114: A. Labs to Silverstone Enterprises LLC, $88,400

Vernon St., 1306: JCAS1 LLC to KS Homes of PA LLC, $231,000

Walnut St., 228: RRF Building LLC to 1422 Route 179 Florida Realty LLC, $13,130,000

Washington St., 105: BD Property Management LLC to A. Cruz, $134,900

Harrisburg property sales, February 2023, greater than $40,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

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Let’s Get Cooking: Does your kitchen need an update?

March 30, 2023 | by Jim Mirando

A kitchen remodel by Excel Remodeling.

When you walk into your kitchen, do you like what you see?

If not, it might be time to explore a refresh of the most frequently used space in the home. Kitchens are truly the heart of the home, whether you are a foodie or just like to hang out with friends and family.

Kitchens have become the focus of innovative design, with every sleek surface, finish and modern appliance imaginable. Popular trends for kitchen remodeling include larger or double islands, walk-in pantries, additional appliances like a second dishwasher or freezer, light-colored quartz countertops, bright lighting and easy-to-clean materials. Since the pandemic, technological innovations in sanitization are in high demand, including touchless water faucets and products with antimicrobial coatings.

The Options

To begin the remodeling process, look for inspiration and ideas online. Attending home shows and visiting the kitchens of friends and family members can also provide good ideas. Important information to gather as you consider changes to your kitchen includes how many people use the kitchen, how often the kitchen is used for cooking or entertaining, whether space is needed for dining, the size and layout of the work triangle, and how to maximize storage.

Once you have gathered inspiration, it is time to define the scope of work and budget for your kitchen remodel. To accomplish this, think about what is important to you and establish your priorities. You ultimately want to strike a balance between your needs, wants and desires, and your overall budget.

Perhaps a simple facelift is all your kitchen needs. New countertops, flooring, backsplash and appliances can breathe new life into an old kitchen. Tired cabinetry could be painted, or the doors and drawer fronts replaced with fresh, more modern ones. New drawer boxes, glides, roll trays and other accessories can be added to make contents more easily accessible. Finally, new lighting, outlets and switches can help brighten the space and accent its most attractive features.

Another option is to completely replace the kitchen in its existing location. When a homeowner is happy with the size of the kitchen, just not the layout, this is an ideal alternative. Such kitchen renovations often involve adding center islands, building in new appliances, and removing soffits above the cabinets, extending cabinets closer to the ceiling to create more storage space. It’s important to keep in mind that removing soffits may require relocation of plumbing, electric wiring or ductwork.

A complete kitchen renovation involves the removal of walls and a complete redesign to enlarge and expand the kitchen into adjoining spaces. Such projects are often paired with an addition to expand the footprint of the home, perhaps adding a sunroom or family room.

Many homeowners plan to remain in their homes longer, so their kitchen renovations may incorporate Universal Design concepts for “aging-in-place.” As we age, our mobility and vision may become reduced, so it makes sense to consider design concepts that allow for increased safety and accessibility. Rollout shelves, countertops with round edges and improved lighting are features that will make your kitchen more enjoyable now and in the future.

The Process

Once you have determined the scope of your kitchen project, you can ascertain the best way to accomplish it. Whether you need a professional remodeler to handle the entire project or trade specialists to complete certain aspects, it’s important to find people you are comfortable working with and whom you can trust to have open and honest discussions. This is an important decision because you are dealing with your home, the place where you and your family live as well as one of your largest assets.

It is also important to understand the remodeling process from start to finish. There are certain stages every project goes through. A professional remodeling company should be able to lead you through the process in a straightforward, convenient way.

If you plan to serve as the general contractor, then it is important to do your homework. For example, how product selections will be made. If you want assistance with the selection process, it may be better to hire a professional remodeler who can advise you on which products best meet your needs. They have experience with the plethora of options and may have a showroom where you can make selections. Other considerations include who will handle the permit process, scheduling out the project to ensure all aspects are timed appropriately to avoid wasting time and money, and understanding the warranties on every aspect of the work.

Your kitchen is the gathering place of your home. It’s where you prepare food, socialize with family and friends, and foster lifetime memories. Renovating your kitchen is a big decision, but in the end, it should be a place where you enjoy spending time.

Jim Mirando is president and design team member of Excel Remodeling, 570 S. 3rd St., Lemoyne. For more information, visit www.excelremodeling.com.

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Flaky, Healthy: Rosemary urges you to try the “poor man’s lobster”

March 30, 2023 | by Rosemary Ruggieri Baer

My mother-in-law was not a good cook. We certainly had a lot of interesting Sunday night dinners.

However, she did teach me a few things, like cooking roast duck with fruit to soak up the fat and that there was a fish out there that “tastes like lobster.” Regarding the fish, she was referring to monkfish, and she said it was known as “poor man’s lobster.”

I used to make monkfish and occasionally see it on restaurant menus. But lately, I have been seeing it more frequently for sale at Kepler’s, my favorite fish vendor at the West Shore Farmers Market. I decided I needed to re-visit this under-appreciated member of the “mild white fish” family.

As I often do, I began with a little research. Monkfish is found in the deep waters around the United Kingdom but also in the northeast Atlantic Ocean. It is not a pretty fish. In fact, you might be alarmed at its “large-mouth” appearance. But the flesh of the monkfish is white and sweet and is seriously loaded with nutrients that benefit the heart, thyroid and immune system. It is also low in fat and calories.

The monkfish fillet is the tail of the fish and is very easy to cook. I often write about many foods that are versatile, and monkfish is truly one of those. It can be baked, broiled, grilled or pan seared. It can be made with just a few ingredients or simmered into more complex stews and braises.

The monkfish fillet is covered in a thin, sometimes slightly purplish membrane that should be removed before cooking. If left on, it may shrink, and cause the filet to curl. If you are buying it from a fresh fish vendor, they might do this for you.

The recipe that follows is so easy—brown first, then finish in the oven, a technique that many professional chefs use, even for steaks. The butter flavor shines in this simple preparation, so you can judge for yourself if it really does taste like lobster.

Roasted Monkfish

Ingredients

2 monkfish filets, about 8-10 ounces each
1 tablespoon olive oil
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
1 lemon, rind grated and then juiced
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Handful of flat-leaf Italian parsley, chopped

Directions

Remove the thin membrane covering the fish.
Dry the fish filets very well with paper towels.
Rub salt and pepper onto the surface of the filets (amounts to taste).
Heat the olive oil in a large, ovenproof skillet.
Brown the filets in the oil for about 2 minutes on each side to get a golden crust.
Place the browned filets in a pre-heated, 425-degree oven for about 8 minutes.
While the fish roasts, grate the lemon rind and juice the lemon.
Melt the 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in a small saucepan. As the butter begins to melt and bubble, add the lemon rind and juice. Stir the mixture and then add the chopped parsley. If you like, add a few other chopped herbs like chives or thyme.
Remove the monkfish from the oven. You will know it is done when the fish appears “flaky” and springs back when pressed.
Pour the herb butter over the fish and serve it directly from the skillet or place on a platter garnished with extra lemon slices and/or herb sprigs.

At the Baer household, we are trying to incorporate more fresh fish into our diet. We are lucky in this area to have several options for purchasing fresh fish. However, I find that I tend to gravitate to the same choices: sole, flounder, salmon and, during grilling season, swordfish. But I decided it was time to branch out, and monkfish is such a good choice.

The recipe above, prepared with lemon, butter and herbs, is a simple one. But I think I will try an Asian version with soy sauce, ginger and garlic. And how about Dijon mustard and honey? Or monkfish shish-kabobs with pineapple and brown sugar?

Give it a try and decide. Does monkfish taste like lobster?

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Hop on By: El Coqui Bar & Grill offers authentic Puerto Rican food, drinks, music

March 30, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

Danaiza Ortiz & Nelson Trinidad

What’s little, but makes a lot of noise?

El Coqui—both the tiny frog known for its loud chirps, and Harrisburg’s newest bar that may be small, but is causing a buzz downtown.

Owner Nelson Trinidad hoped that would be true of his bar and grill, which opened in November on S. 4th Street, near the train station. The name is symbolic of the small, but mighty nature of the business, but also represents a piece of his Puerto Rican culture that a native will easily recognize. El Coqui is a frog indigenous to the country.

So when a Puerto Rican sees the little green guy on the large sign out front, they’ll know they’re about to get a taste of home, Trinidad explained. But if the frog isn’t enough of a sign, there’s also a large picture of old San Juan by the front door.

When you visit El Coqui, you’ll likely be greeted by Danaiza Ortiz, who helps run the business. She loves chatting up customers and making sure that everyone who steps through the door feels welcome.

The bar looks dramatically different than it used to, as Trinidad invested months into renovating the space, which was Pints Bar and Grill. It now has a brighter, more modern feel.

Trinidad was born in New York, but was raised and lived most of his life in Puerto Rico, his mother’s homeland, before moving to Pennsylvania. Since he was a kid, Trinidad dreamed of owning his own business. He was inspired by both of his enterprising parents. His father owns a restaurant in the Dominican Republic, and his mother owned a bodega on Derry Street.

“I feel happy,” said Trinidad, with Ortiz providing interpretation. “It’s a mission accomplished.”

El Coqui offers authentic Puerto Rican dishes and drinks. On the menu are cultural staples like mofongo, fried and mashed plantains, and arroz mamposteao, Puerto Rican rice and beans. From the bar, customers can order a piña colada or a Medalla beer, both popular on the Caribbean island.

Even the music in the bar is Puerto Rican. Trinidad and Ortiz want their customers to feel at home.

“We want people to feel like they’re back home in a little bar,” Ortiz said.

On Friday and Saturday nights, El Coqui turns up the music for late-night dancing, often with a DJ onsite. Customers can reserve VIP seating areas, sit at the bar or salsa the night away.

Customer Stephanie Purcell, originally from Puerto Rico, has lived in the Harrisburg area for six years. She’s found maybe one or two other local Puerto Rican restaurants, but none that also offers nightlife. She loved the atmosphere at El Coqui and the opportunity to meet others from her home country.

“I feel like I’m home,” she said. “It’s my food and my people.”

There are many people who, even after only a few months, have become regulars, Ortiz explained. Customers have even come from surrounding cities like Lancaster and York. She and Trinidad have loved watching people find a sense of home and community at their bar, something that can be hard sometimes.

“You feel like you have a piece of back home, some place that they speak the same language, and it’s the food that you know,” Trinidad said.

El Coqui Bar & Grill is located at 25 S. 4th St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit their Facebook page.

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What Should I Do? Advice sought, advice given at Open Stage’s “Tiny Beautiful Things”

March 30, 2023 | by Rachel Landon

Karen Ruch (right) with Joellen Terranova, two cast members of “Tiny Beautiful Things.” Photo courtesy of Marc Faubel.

As humans, we ask for advice on a daily basis.

We may ask our waiters what they might recommend on the menu. At the doctor’s office, you might ask why your neck makes that weird popping sound when you turn it to the left and what to do about it. If you’re feeling adventurous, you might venture on to Nextdoor or Facebook to inquire about various neighborhood events.

There are other kinds of advice we ask of the more intimate sort—advice on extremely personal, embarrassing or life-changing decisions that need a second opinion. We ask a friend or family member or maybe a therapist, and these more serious pleas might be whispered over a coffee, in the corner of a cafe, or sent via a text that may have been written and rewritten a dozen times.

“I think my boyfriend is an alcoholic. How do I help him?”

“I’m almost certain my teenager is gay. What do I do if he comes out to me?”

“I don’t love my wife anymore. How do I leave her?”

Asking for advice can be difficult. It takes courage to expose the deepest parts of who we are. And that brings us to “Tiny Beautiful Things.”

In “Tiny Beautiful Things,” we meet Sugar, an advice columnist who shares correspondence from her time working at the online literary magazine, The Rumpus. During her stint as “Dear Sugar,” she hands out earnest and sometimes brutally honest advice, and, this spring, her story (and the stories of her letter-writers) will be shared at the intimate Studio Theater at Open Stage.

The play has had quite a journey from page to stage. It was originally published as a collection of essays in 2012 by Cheryl Strayed, who wrote the column pro bono for The Rumpus under the “Sugar” pseudonym. Strayed might be best known for her best-selling autobiographical novel “Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail,” which details her fight with drug abuse and personal trauma to her journey of self-discovery on a single, 1,100-mile hike.

“Tiny Beautiful Things” was adapted to the stage in 2016 by Nia Vardalos (of “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” fame) and ran in New York at the Public Theatre starring Vardalos for a sold-out run. The cultural significance of this story continues to spread. As of this April, Hulu will run the first season of a screen adaptation starring Kathryn Hahn.

Sugar is no “Dear Abby.” Her advice is not cut and dry; it is not simple. Her life experiences and traumas serve as a framework for her responses to her letter-writers, and it is blunt, but compassionate. It is empathetic and realistic. Throughout the show, the audience will come to understand why Sugar’s column was so popular. On this journey, Sugar is your friend, your therapist and your teacher.

So, of course, the part must be played by a true Renaissance woman. Taking on the role of Sugar is Karen Ruch, who has been seen on stages and behind the scenes all over central PA. Joining her as the “Letter Writers” are Chris Gibson, Jo Terranova and Jasmine Graham, who seek advice on subjects like the heartbreak of miscarriage or sexual assault, to marriage and relationship issues, to the importance of healing, self-love and forgiveness. The small and mighty cast puts on a performance that is vulnerable, stirring, sad and uplifting, all in an intimate, black box setting.

My advice to you? Don’t miss this show.

“Tiny Beautiful Things,” runs April 21 to May 7 at Open Stage, 25 N. Court St., Harrisburg, Tickets can be bought at the box office or online at www.openstagehbg.com.

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

The 13th Annual Capital 10-Miler
A run for the arts
Saturday, April 1 at 9 a.m.

EFF (Erotic Fan Fiction) Live!

Naughty readings of fanfics!
Friday, April 7 at 7:30 p.m.

“Charlotte’s Web”

Starring The OSHKids Performance Company
April 13 to 16

“Tiny Beautiful Things”

A new play based on the Cheryl Strayed novel
April 21 to May 7

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Mind Games: STEM Discovery Boxes offer play with a purpose

March 30, 2023 | by Susan Ryder

Illustration by Aron Rook.

Draw with electricity, create a hydraulic-powered excavator using Pascal’s principle, or learn about hydrophobic sand.

Local entrepreneur Carrie Bryson’s STEM Discovery Boxes for kids include all three of these experiments in just one box.

Bryson started her STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) box subscription business in 2016 after spending too much time and money creating experiments for her own children and their Boy Scout troop—or buying experiments that didn’t include all the supplies.

“I couldn’t even figure out where to get all the stuff or it cost too much to buy just a dab for this experiment. Some of the chemicals we use you’re not just going to go to Walmart and pick up,” said Bryson, clarifying that they’re not dangerous, just hard to source.

The neatly packed, colorful boxes, designed by Bryson, include full directions and explanations of scientific terms like capillary action, evaporation and kinetic energy. They include experiments for all ages.

“I purposefully have different levels of abilities for projects in each box since I want stuff that younger kids can do by themselves,” she said. “I also want something that an adult helps with, because I really think it’s important that adults participate.”

Tai Prince, an engineer with TechnipFMC, an energy company, praised the thoughtfully put together boxes.

“It’s being able to learn in the best way to learn,” Prince said. “When you’re a reader, you have instructions, and you see what happens. If you’re a doer, you need to be hands on. You have the hands-on piece, and it’s more trial and error.”

TechnipFMC has used STEM Discovery Boxes for its own STEM day, which hosts local students, for three years.

Prince said that they also decided to use Bryson’s company for the exceptional customer service, which included personalization for their event, attended by 300 children from kindergarten through 12th grade. The boxes are available typically through a monthly subscription, but like TechnipFMC, schools, scout troops and the like also order them for special events. Bryson ships 750 to 1,000 boxes a month.

Bryson’s boxes have received awards from Popular Mechanics, Amazon and Cratejoy to name a few, and she even found her way to the semifinals of the TV program, “Shark Tank.” Bryson had to make a video for the show.

“It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life,” she said.

That’s quite a statement since she is running this business out of her Etters home while raising five children—three teenage sons and twin 2 year olds, with husband Chan.

As difficult as it was, Bryson learned much from the experience

“I learned the [financial] numbers that I didn’t know, and you had to have it organized and calculated, and I think that was good to do,” she said.

Despite the challenges, Bryson would eagerly consider taking another stab at making the finals, she said.

Her kids have participated in the evolution of the business, offering critiques of different STEM box projects, often interjecting with, “what if we do it this way, and what if we did that,” Bryson said.

The business, though her third foray into entrepreneurship, has been an overall learning experience. She once exceeded the 1-pound-per-box shipping limit and quadrupled her shipping costs. She also didn’t anticipate all the certifications required to be on Amazon.

“I didn’t know that, and that’s the learning lesson,” she said. “Now, I know, and it felt catastrophic and then I realized, I can do this.”

The hardest part of owning her own business?

“There’s nobody to pass the buck to, when something goes wrong,” she said. “It all comes to me.”

But one of the benefits is the satisfaction that it’s making a difference for students and for the expansion of STEM.

“STEM is in everything,” Prince said.

At their STEM day, TechnipFMC pulls in every department, from accounting to legal, to show the relationship between STEM and each job.

“Touching it early, they’ll be better off learning what they want when they go to school,” Prince said.

Bryson also gets feedback from parents that their kids are waiting at the mailbox for their boxes and that grandparents buy them so that the grandkids have something fun to do when they visit.

Play has a purpose. Bryson’s STEM Discovery Boxes introduce children to STEM activities and help them and their caregivers discover what they like and how they learn, all under the guise of fun.

For more information on STEM Discovery Boxes, visit www.stemdiscoveryboxes.com.

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Mural Magic: Katie Trainer recently completed a grand painting, but that work just scratches the surface

March 30, 2023 | by Molly Foster

Katie Trainer and her mural at the PA Department of Labor & Industry.

On the fifth floor of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) building in downtown Harrisburg, where many department employees gather to enjoy a midday break during the work week, a 400-square-foot mural stretches across the wall.

From iron mines to railroads, agriculture, factories and COVID-19 frontline workers, it tells the state’s story of labor throughout history.

“Murals make people take ownership of spaces,” said artist, author, magician and all-around creative, Katie Trainer, who built an idea into an eye-capturing piece of art. “It takes a blank wall and transforms it into something not to turn your head away from, but to turn your head toward.”

Take a closer look at the wall-to-wall painting, and you’ll see evidence of the care and intentionality that went into it. Each image in the scene was a real moment in time—a photograph that Trainer resurfaced from the PA State Archives during her countless hours of research. Vibrant greens blend into yellow, blues, smokey blacks and a rainbow of colors in between with the careful brush strokes of 200-plus government employees who, as part of the department’s ongoing story, helped paint it.

“Katie was great about working with everyone and meeting them where they were so that they could be a part of the project. Her artistic eye laid the framework, but she gave the employees freedom to make it their own, which was fun,” said Tara Schlenker, director of transformation for L&I. “Then, seeing the pieces come together—taking a step back and seeing the whole mural—it was breathtaking.”

Facilitated by Perry County Council of the Arts (PCCA) and Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, with which Trainer is a teaching artist tasked with engaging communities in hands-on artistic experiences, this project for L&I was mural number 97 since she serendipitously started in 2017.

“She has created a lot of murals with the help of other people, and I think that is really fantastic because it shows her not only as an artist but also as an art advocate and a leader,” said PCCA Arts in Education Coordinator Rachel Barron. “Her creative process truly comes from a love of art and a love of people.”

Do Everything

Much like a mural that is layered into a masterpiece, Trainer is multifaceted in her creative endeavors, eager to try a little bit of everything. She dabbled in acoustic rap, traveled the world doing magic as a street performer, wrote a philosophical travel novel titled “What are the Chances?” and then pivoted to art when sickness and injury slowed her down.

During this time, she created an art series called “Theoretical Science Meets Art” and informally exhibited it on central Pennsylvania streets, asking for small donations in exchange for her artwork. While sharing her creations in West Reading, she crossed paths with a mural developer who expressed interest in one of her pieces, a graphite-and-ink drawing that Trainer titled “Fibonacci Shell.”

“I want you to make this into a mural,” she remembered him saying.

Not the type to turn down a challenge, she got to work metamorphosing her small sketch into a large-scale painting, and nearly six years later, she’s still thinking big.

“I went from being a homeless magician to an award-winning muralist in a year,” Trainer said, shaking her head, still in blissful disbelief.

In 2018, the Cherry Street Mural Corridor in West Reading, which included Trainer’s first mural, won a Pennsylvania Downtown Center Townie Award for “Best Revitalization of a Public Space.” Recently, she was also recognized for her artistic abilities by the Lebanon County Commission for Women and will be a 2023 inductee into the Lebanon County Women’s Hall of Fame.

Murals may have taken Trainer by surprise, but curious and wandering in nature, she knew she never wanted to land in a traditional 9-to-5 office job. At the core, she admits it’s not all that surprising.

“There’s no way I want to do any one thing for the rest of my life,” Trainer said. “I want to do everything all the time.”

For her, it’s less about what she does and more about why she does it.

“I’m passionate about figuring out how to make my life’s energy go the furthest it can. How can I either inspire or create something that’ll stimulate future expansion or positivity?” Trainer said. “You never really know how far your energy is going to go when you work with other people, which I like to refer to as ‘inspirational rendezvous.’”

For now, murals are the means through which Trainer is investing her energy, and she’s committed to giving it the time and space needed to radiate as far as possible. Painting in 33 states so far, she hopes to embark on a mural tour soon to check off all 50—meeting new people along the way and remaining open-minded to where life may lead her next.

“I don’t think ‘muralist’ is the end of the story for me,” Trainer said. “I feel like there’s something else that will emerge alongside being a muralist. Maybe I’ll interweave magic and murals somehow. Maybe I’ll write another book. I’m not really sure what the rest is yet, but when the time is right, I’m sure I’ll find it. Or, it will find me.”

For more on Katie Trainer’s artistic endeavors, follow her on Facebook: Katie Trainer Murals.

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Reflection & Regret: “The Worst Thing We’ve Ever Done” takes a personal perspective at injustice in the justice system

March 30, 2023 | by Harvey Freedenberg

Carol Menaker

When Harrisburg native Carol Menaker was selected as Juror No. 4 in a high-profile criminal trial in Philadelphia in June 1976, she never imagined that her memories of that experience would resurface four decades later in a way that would profoundly affect her life.

That’s the story she tells in her spare but eloquent memoir, “The Worst Thing We’ve Ever Done: One Juror’s Reckoning with Racial Injustice.” It’s a sobering account of the case of Freddy (Muhammad) Burton, a Black man convicted in the stabbing deaths of two white prison wardens at the former Holmesburg Prison, a notorious Pennsylvania correctional facility once known as the “Terrordome,” which was shuttered in 1995.

Menaker spoke via Zoom from her gingerbread-trim Victorian home in the tiny California town of Nevada City, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, where she’s lived in retirement since 2012 after a career in public relations and journalism. She’s soft-spoken but passionate in describing how her misgivings about the fairness of Freddy Burton’s conviction led her to turn her experience of jury service into this book.

Sequestered in a Center City hotel for two weeks before the trial even began, Menaker felt as if she began to understand, at least partially, something of the experience of incarceration. By the time the six-day trial ended, however, she joined without protest with her fellow jurors to convict Burton of second-degree murder after a mere three hours of deliberation.

But along with Menaker’s account of her experience in the trial, which resulted in a life sentence added to the one Burton already was serving for the murder of a Philadelphia park policeman, based, his lawyers have argued, on coerced testimony and a concealed grant of immunity to the intimidated witness, she connects his story to the larger narrative of racial injustice in America.

It’s one that’s as old as slavery and as disturbingly fresh as the deaths of Black men like George Floyd and Tyre Nichols at the hands of police officers.

As Menaker explained it, a jury summons in 2017 coincided with her awareness of increased media attention to police killings of Black men in the United States. Recalling that these accounts “just really sickened me,” she said that the combination of her “inability to understand how that could happen kind of dovetailed with my looking into this.” How did it happen in this case, she wondered, as she looked back, from the perspective of four decades, on her role in the Burton guilty verdict?

Living This Case

In her book, Menaker frankly describes her “picture-perfect growing up” in a world almost empty of Black people save for the cleaning women who worked at her house. She felt herself “shrouded in a 360-degree circle of Jewishness” in her Uptown Harrisburg neighborhood, which contributed to the unacknowledged white privilege that warped her view of Freddy Burton.

Menaker’s own family was deeply engaged in the life of the local Jewish community and, after she and her two older sisters moved away, both her parents took on prominent roles in Harrisburg life.

Her mother, Miriam, was the first woman elected to public office in the city as a member, and later president, of Harrisburg City Council. The plaza in front of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. City Government Center commemorates her service.

Menaker’s businessman father, Mortimer, served as chair of the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority. In August 2022, an apartment building on S. 2nd Street was renamed in his honor.

But Menaker doesn’t focus solely on her own role in the Freddy Burton case. She also describes her connection with Jonathan Gettleman, a lawyer who practices in Santa Cruz, Calif., and currently represents Burton.

He inherited that fight from his parents, who first represented Burton and others in an action against the Pennsylvania prison system in 1977 for excessive use of solitary confinement. The Gettlemans became so invested in Freddy’s cause that they made him Jonathan’s godfather.

Reached by phone at his law office, Gettleman said that he’s been “living this case since I was born.” He called Menaker’s book a “fascinating self-study in the growth of consciousness,” and praised how she portrays herself “struggling with very challenging aspects of how a person comes to understand the conditioning that they lived under and gains a broader awareness of other factors that contributed to the culture she came from in which she participated in convicting Mr. Burton, who she now recognizes, with a greater understanding, didn’t do it.”

More than half a century since Freddy Burton, now 76 years old, was incarcerated, he remains imprisoned in the State Correctional Institution at Somerset, with his latest request for appellate review pending before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Neither Menaker nor Gettleman hold out much hope for his eventual release, but Menaker pointed out that, “There are laws that make these things happen, and those laws should be looked at and changed.”

In that effort, Menaker has become a supporter of the organization FAMM (Families Against Mandatory Minimums), a nonprofit that has advocated, among other reforms, for the creation and expansion of compassionate release programs for elderly prisoners like Burton who pose no threat to public safety.

Menaker observed that the experience of writing her book has “made me much more sympathetic and empathetic to African Americans and other people who are marginalized.” Noting the crucial role her own conditioning played in the verdict she’d now reverse if she could, she hopes some readers will say, “Maybe I need to look at myself, too, and understand whether I have any of these biases.”

“The Worst Thing We’ve Ever Done: One Juror’s Reckoning With Racial Injustice,” She Writes Press, is slated for release on April 11. For more information on Carol Menaker visit www.carolmenaker.com.

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The Painted Word: Meet Joan of Art

March 30, 2023 | by Bob MacGinnes

Joan Maguire

Taking a page from the 15th-century saint, Joan of Arc, modern-day gallery owner Joan Maguire agrees with her quote, “Life is all we have and we live it as we believe in living it and then it’s gone.”

In the vernacular of our day—live your dream while you can.

Hershey is a far cry from Orleans, France, where Joan of Arc led a momentous victory against the English in 1429 during the Hundred Years’ War. For Joan Maguire, that battlefield fades in the background of history as she hopes to gather the troops to visit a much more genteel setting. The troops are a battalion of art lovers marching to her newly opened art emporium housing the many moods of the artist mere yards from her home.

As a self-taught artist specializing in watercolors, Joan splits time between her Hershey home/gallery and summers spent in the Outer Banks painting beach scenes, flora and fauna all brightly colored, capturing the joie-de-vivre that infuses and informs her art.

The gallery’s inviting ambiance begins upon entering the haven that incorporates a farmstead kitchen, retrofitted with a vintage refrigerator as well as modern-day amenities. Its cozy charm comes full cycle as the hostess puts you at ease immediately, with eyes twinkling and a generous smile.

Pine Creek Construction literally raised the roof creating an expansive studio gallery/shared space, perfect for the artist’s aesthetic, with beauty and backdrop blending as one. As one works through the rooms, the unique layout promises hospitality downstairs and delivers a warm atmosphere upstairs. You may feel transported to a leisurely stroll along the Seine with artists and their paintings lining the river’s banks. In the upstairs gallery, surrounded by a bevy of floral paintings framed for future homes and businesses, Joan creates a bouquet of beauty much like the scene on the Seine.

Joining in the esprit-de-corps are woodworker Jason Smeltz and artisan Jason Lyons, whose forte is repurposing sculpture. Jewelers are comprised of Patricia White, Lynn Shirk and Jan Lipensky, all offering different treatments in their edited collections. Specializing in artisanal, herbal soaps and culinary salts are Jana MacGinnes and Barbara Kline, who round out the coterie with élan. Bath scrubs and soaks made by Joan complete the picture. It all makes for “A Movable Feast,” as Hemingway referred to his years in Paris as a young man.

Replete with a comfortable white sofa, the second floor showcases Joan’s plentiful watercolors that line the perimeter’s walls and complement the bounty of art books. Visitors are encouraged to sit and browse and drink in the surroundings while enjoying refreshments. Being in the moment of peace and discovery simultaneously completes one’s sense of contentment. Joan’s gracious demeanor encourages art lovers to escape the outside world, if only for the time they are part of the experience. The warmth of American chestnut and wormwood used by Pine Creek kept historic features in the building intact with additional restoration by Joan and husband Tom, leading up to the soft opening in December. That weekend enabled them to fine tune presentation and promotion.

As a former restaurateur, Joan instinctively knows that relationships are what make the world go round, and the natural manner extended to first-time visitors exudes genuine warmth and caring for all. In her 20-year career as an artist, Joan has made watercolors her calling card and stock in trade. Amidst images of beaches and oceans, sea life and floral, colors explode on the canvas, buoyant and joyous. An invitation to travel exotic waters or walk through lush gardens of imagination becomes the focus, allowing serenity to seep in and soothe the soul. Experimenting with different surfaces, key elements become visually distinctive, dependent upon choice of paper, board, wood and Yupo. A grand opening celebration this month will offer some surprises in store for art lovers and first-time gallery-goers. Classes in various mediums of painting, collage and more will take place once the gallery is in full swing.

To paraphrase Joan of Arc, Joan of Hershey states, “When you find out what makes you happy, you are a very fortunate person.” Her good fortune becomes ours as we enter the world of Joan of Art.

Hershey Art Gallery and Studio is located at 1077 Swatara Rd., Hershey. The grand opening takes place April 15 to 16 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information on Joan Maguire and her artwork, visit www.joanmaguireart.com.

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Raised by Wolves: “The Jungle Book” and growing up with Gamut’s Young Acting Company

March 30, 2023 | by Francesca Amendolia

Anjali Mishra as Mowgli in “The Jungle Book”
Photo courtesy of John Bivins Photography

Think you know what “The Jungle Book” is all about? If you’ve only seen the Disney movie, think again.

Rudyard Kipling’s 1894 stories about a “man-cub” abandoned in the jungles of India and raised to adulthood by the animals who live there are darker, richer and more complex than the animated film (or the live remake). There’s no lazy Baloo the bear teaching Mowgli about the bare necessities or King Louie singing about how he wants to be like “you-oo-oo” (you’re welcome for the earworms). Instead, there are real dangers, important lessons to learn about the “Law of the Jungle,” and bullies to face down.

Kipling’s Mowgli stories explore what it means to be “civilized,” the importance of found family, and the pain and exhilaration of growing up. It’s these stories that local playwright Sean Adams first adapted in 2012 for Gamut Theatre’s Young Acting Company (YAC), a script he has revised for the 2023 production, which will be the first full-blown, 50-young-actors YAC show since 2020, when COVID shut down “Cinderella.” (That show was turned into a podcast that you can still listen to).

After last year’s “Panchatantra Tales,” directors Melissa Nicholson and Rachita Menon were eager to extend a collaboration that both artists had found rewarding and invigorating. That production, which told several of the stories sometimes described as the Indian equivalent to Aesop’s fables, combined Gamut’s tradition of classic theatre with classical Indian dance and music. The result was a beautifully rendered synthesis of cultures, talents and energies.

Looking for another project that would benefit from their diverse training, expertise and cultural backgrounds, they decided upon “The Jungle Book,” a story set in India and one that draws, according to Kipling, on the Panchatantra.

Nicholson, executive director of Gamut Theatre, wanted to do a few things differently from the 2012 production. First, Mowgli would be a girl—not just the actor, the character.

“I wanted to see what happens if you change the gender of this character,” said Nicholson.

Turns out, it doesn’t change much—it’s still a complex coming-of-age fable about figuring out who you are and where you belong.

A more pervasive, if subtler, change was giving Mowgli a stronger voice.

“I noticed, in the first version, people spent a lot of time telling Mowgli who he was and where he belonged,” Adams said. “This time around, people do a lot more listening.”

That’s important, Nicholson and Adams agree, because young people—the people telling this story—are very invested in figuring things out for themselves.

“It’s also funnier,” said Adams, which gives the actors (whose ages range from 6 to 18) something to dig their comedic teeth into.

There are several other rewarding challenges for this cast, Nicholson points out—there’s dance and movement and vocal work. How can actors use their voices to create distinctive animal calls? How can they stand or move like a wolf, a monkey, a snake, a tiger? Actors must tell the stories with their bodies as well as their voices.

That’s also true for the dancers in “The Jungle Book,” whether they’re classically trained or just beginning to learn. Menon, founder and artistic director of the Rasika School of Dance, explains how, in Bharatanatyam, a classical form of Indian dance, there are specific hand gestures to describe the natural world: vines, flowers and trees. Her choreography also echoes the various jungle inhabitants: tigers, bears, snakes, peacocks, deer and so on.

While certain dances (such as the opening piece) will be performed by trained Bharatanatyam dancers, Menon is also teaching the young actors two Indian folk dances: Kurathi Attam from south India and a north Indian dance called Garba, where dancers use colorful skirts to create patterns and formations. Accompanying the dancers (and adding weight to their steps in the Elephant Dance) will be a trio of djembe drummers from Studio Solomon.

Stories and plays about people figuring out who they are and where they belong are enduring for a reason—self-discovery is a journey everyone takes. Mowgli discovers that she fits in nowhere—not in the jungle with her wolf family or bear teacher but also not in the village with humans. To grow up, she realized that she will have to create her own definition of family, that what matters most is not who you were born to be but rather who you choose to become.

“The Jungle Book” performed by Gamut Theatre Group’s Young Acting Company, runs March 31 to April 2 at Gamut Theatre, 15 N. 4th St., Harrisburg. For more information, call 717-238-4111 or visit www.gamuttheatre.org/yac.

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

“The Jungle Book”
Young Acting Company
April 1 to 2

“Macbeth”
April 14 to 16

The Gamut Gala
April 23

“Rollicking Ripsnorters”
Popcorn Hat Players
April 29 at 1 p.m.

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

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