Merry Kitschmas: Christmas wreaths, created by York’s Liatra Sage, are kaleidoscopes of kitsch

November 30, 2022 | by Karen Hendricks

Liatra Sage has found her niche with kitsch.

“Some people would describe kitsch as borderline gaudy or tacky, but it’s really fun to me,” said Sage, of York.

Kitsch was king in the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s—decades of yesteryear that are now treasure troves of mid-century modern and vintage baubles.

“Marketing was more colorful then,” Sage said. “Now, things are not as colorful, not as fun. I’m not sure what the strategy is behind that, so a lot of people gravitate toward kitschiness because it’s what they grew up with.”

And if there’s one time of year to be kitschy, it’s Christmas. Just as Perry Como croons, “There’s no place like home for the holidays” on now-vintage records, it’s brightly colored, kitschy Christmas treasures that evoke the cheer and warmth of Christmases past, celebrated in friends’ and families’ homes.

Festive Flair

Sage enjoys thrifting and sifting through old holiday décor at thrift stores, flea markets and church rummage sales throughout the year. With a keen eye for kitsch, she gleans a sparkling stash of décor. There are felty Santas, doe-eyed reindeer, ornaments gleaming with satin, sequins, glitter and glitz, plus aluminum tree reflectors glinting silvery, minty aqua and frosty pink.

There are even vintage kitschy elves.

“Isn’t that funny?” Sage asked, wondering if those long-legged, flexible figures—with winking, grinning expressions—were the granddaddies of today’s popular, mischievous elves on the shelves.

But the biggest key to Christmas kitsch? Putz houses. They’re the glitter-encrusted cardboard houses—complete with colorful magenta, gold or turquoise cellophane windows—that once sat under 1950s-era Christmas trees, creating a magical little village under its boughs. Today, smaller putz houses are valued at $10 to $20 apiece, with larger, embellished versions fetching as much as $50.

Sage gives them new homes, nestled within crafty and colorful holiday wreaths that shine and sparkle—because everything old is new again.

“Putz houses are often the focal points,” said Sage, describing her creative process. “I put flocked trees on either side, then build from there. It’s pretty organic, not according to design or plan.”

The wreaths often sell organically too—as soon as Sage posts them on social media or hangs them in her business booth, within a York barn housing antique and vintage treasures. Online, her Instagram accounts feature “all things vintage, kitsch and curious” and “fresh vintage picks” to a combined 22,000 fans. In person, her wreaths of kitsch do a brisk business at American Daydream Antiques & Miscellanea.

Like the glittering snowflakes they often contain, no two wreaths are alike. Each one’s eclectic collection of kitsch is anything but cookie-cutter replicable. Most are priced in the $150 to $200 range—or higher, depending on its unique vintage value and festive flair.

Vintage, in Vogue

You might think Sage’s obsession and livelihood—based on all things vintage—is surprising, considering her young age of 29. But she’s far from alone. Vintage is in vogue.

“You wouldn’t think there would be so many younger people into vintage, but they are,” Sage said. “There’s a big following.”

If Sage’s appreciation for all things vintage makes her an old soul, it has also driven her sole source of income for the past three years. That’s when Sage describes her hobby turning “hard core” amid the realization that she could make a living from thrifting and repurposing.

“It’s probably my grandma’s fault,” said Sage with a laugh. “I grew up going to flea markets and yard sales with my grandma in my hometown area of Dillsburg. A lot of people say it skips a generation—and my mom wasn’t that into vintage—but I’ve always been drawn to it, the style of it. I love vintage Halloween too.”

So, what does Sage’s grandma think about her kitschy success?

“She discouraged me from going into business at first—she warned me that it could become a money pit. But now, she’s proud of me,” Sage said. “My friends and family are always calling with tips about where to find vintage things.”

Year-round, her booth at American Daydream Antiques & Miscellanea showcases kitchen items with—no surprise—oodles of kitsch. There are Formica tables with matching chairs, aqua kitchen canisters, novelty salt and pepper shakers (including classic Thanksgiving pilgrims), and plenty of Pyrex cookware—a treasure trove for anyone dreaming of a retro kitchen. A punch of panache is served up, thanks to rotating seasonal décor accents, including Sage’s wintry wreaths.

Salvaging, it turns out, provides a lot of satisfaction.

“It’s not reselling—it’s creating—because with the wreaths, it’s also about being crafty and artsy,” Sage said. “I like being able to thrift because so much gets thrown away, and it’s great to bring new life to it.”

Sometimes, it’s the little things that spark the biggest joys of the holiday season.

“For most people, seeing these wreaths evokes a sense of nostalgia, or their childhood, something along those sentiments,” Sage said. “I know some people might view them as tacky or over-the-top, but I just love the idea of kitschy maximalism.”

For more information, check out Liatra Sage’s Instagram accounts: @thriftkitschwitch is her personal account, and @roadsidevintagepa showcases vintage treasures available at her booth at American Daydream Antiques & Miscellanea, 3790 E. Market St., York.

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Carols of Comfort: Joy to the Burg, the Christmas music is come

November 30, 2022 | by Rachel Curry

Doug Wilburne
Photo courtesy of Jerry Kambic, Jerkami Communications Group

To truly understand Joy to the Burg, you have to take a step back.

On Dec. 21, 2019, Steve Schwartz stood with his son as they sold the first album by Joy to the Burg, a local group that spreads Christmas cheer through music and art while raising money to support Harrisburg’s homeless in partnership with Christian Churches United (CCU).

It was the night of 3rd in the Burg, and Schwartz saw beloved local band, No Last Call, walk by.

No Last Call is a 35-person marching band that’s known for showing up in flash-mob style, playing hits, collecting donations and departing. The marching band, including trumpet player Doug Wilburne, had a song on that first-ever album. So, Schwartz exclaimed, “Hey, play your song from Joy to the Burg!”

As No Last Call changed key and played the song, the clock hit 7 p.m. Why was that important? It was the same time that the seasonal walk-in emergency shelter doors opened. There was a risk that the shelter wasn’t going to open at all, but Joy to the Burg was able to raise the money from that initial project in time to get it rolling.

“So, I’m thinking, ‘How cool is this confluence of events?’” Schwartz said. “And I started to cry a little bit.”

Fast forward to 2022, and Joy to the Burg has built something lasting and incredible. Now chaired by Wilburne and supported by a number of other sponsorship committee members (including Schwartz) and Executive Leadership Forum (ELF) members, Joy to the Burg continues to raise money for Harrisburg’s homeless.

“Our band is 100% dedicated to creating fun and joy, and to be able to do that and, at the same time, provide a very meaningful benefit to people in need, is something that just warms our hearts,” Wilburne said.

The album is teeming with music—33 songs, each from a different artist. Well-known local musicians like The Jellybricks, No Last Call, Bob Geiger, Leap of Faith, Shea Quinn, Susquehanna Chorale and others grace the track list. There’s also a special song from Reading native Peter Rogan called “A Home for the Holidays,” which was co-written by Schwartz and Phil Madeira, a Grammy Award-winning songwriter and member of Emmylou Harris’ band. In short, the album will make your holiday party all the more special.

Joy to the Burg’s Christmas music album is available as a digital download and can be purchased online or in person at various local establishments. It comes with more than just a download code—you also score a collectible print of Shea Quinn as Santa Claus, the first in what will be a series as the years go on.

More music isn’t the only addition to this year’s Joy to the Burg endeavor. An element of visual art also has been added by way of a collection of eight greeting cards, each from a different Harrisburg artist. Carol Scott, Stephen Michael Haas, Ross Tyger, Janice Hagstrom Bailor, Nora Carreras, Andrea Minick Rudolph, Lori Sweet and TheBurg’s own cartoonist Brad Gebhart all participated in the project, which you can order online or find in person at various locations.

Alice Anne Schwab, executive director of the Susquehanna Art Museum, facilitated the greeting card project. Schwab has personally worked with CCU on projects for more than 30 years and served as a Joy to the Burg ELF member.

“Susquehanna Art Museum is kind of an anomaly in the community,” Schwab said. “As a non-collecting entity, we are always bringing new world-class exhibitions for the consideration of our community. We often exhibit local artists at the museum, and being involved in the curation of the card project felt like a natural affinity for Susquehanna Art Museum.”

Schwab added that the music and cards are available in the museum’s gift shop.

Also, don’t miss the ABC27 TV special on Dec. 8 at 10 a.m., featuring Joy to the Burg. Days later, on Dec. 11, you can catch them at the Englewood. The first event, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., will be an “easy-listening brunch,” as Wilburne describes it, with a series of Joy to the Burg musicians playing. Then, from 3 to 8 p.m., visitors can enjoy a large collection of bands playing a five-hour musical extravaganza.

Another event, a pop-up holiday happy hour at Strawberry Square on Dec. 14 from 4 to 7 p.m., will include Joy to the Burg entertainment.

As Schwartz, Wilburne, Schwab and the rest of the hardworking team at Joy to the Burg and CCU continue their efforts to spread Christmas cheer for the greater good of the community, one thing is certain—Joy to the Burg has found a place in Harrisburg’s heart, and it’s here to stay.

For more information, visit www.joytotheburg.com.

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Party Like It’s 1899: Long an escape for Harrisburgers, the Omni Bedford Springs Resort is decked out for the holiday season

November 30, 2022 | by M. Diane McCormick

Once upon a time, the Harrisburg elite planned summer escapes from the sweltering city.

Mid-July usually brought “the exodus to near-by resorts,” as the Harrisburg Telegraph put it in 1885, and one favorite spot comes up constantly in the society columns.

“Mrs. R.J. Haldeman, of South Front Street, is at Bedford Springs.”

“Two lawyers, James I. Chamberlin and E.M. Haldeman, will drink the invigorating waters at Bedford Springs during the next few days. They started thither this afternoon.”

“Miss Helen Wallace is among the Harrisburgers at Bedford Springs.”

As Historical Society of Dauphin County archivist Ken Frew put it, “Those families had money, so you could see evidence of their having been there and everywhere.” Whether by stagecoach or train, Harrisburgers flocked to the Allegheny Mountains for the “Bedford Cure.”

I followed their path this summer, motoring in a Toyota Tacoma to the Omni Bedford Springs Resort, the “Summer White House” of James Buchanan rescued from dilapidation in 1998 and now a National Historic Landmark. The hallways are lined with Gilded Age-era photos showing young men wearing high starched collars and straw boaters picnicking amid the pines with young women in Gibson Girl linens.

Like those hob-nobbers might have done, I spent glorious afternoons swimming in one of America’s first indoor pools, still fed by mineral springs. I hiked—well, strolled in my Skechers—part of the “Springs Circuit” of trails meandering along Bedford’s seven mineral springs.

Unlike those sepia-toned predecessors, I also got to shop the boutiques of today’s Bedford and hit our favorite joints while we were “near-by.” Plus, to the horse-and-buggy crowd, winter brought the fun to an end, but with our advantages of central heating, hot chocolate and Thinsulate, we can enjoy Bedford Springs now that temperatures are falling.

Crystal Palace

The legend of Bedford Springs goes back thousands of years.

Native Americans recognized the waters’ curative powers. In 1796, a white physician named James Anderson built his home and treatment facilities here. Presidents, cabinet members and regular guests flocked to these rugged mountains to refresh their ailing bodies and souls. Gilded Age politicians came here to plot intrigue against Pennsylvania’s ruthlessly corrupt political boss, Matthew Quay. Harrisburg’s civic lights, with recognizable names like Mrs. Haldeman, Mrs. Hickok and Mrs. Boas, hosted the Harrisburg Cotillion here.

In the winter, today’s Omni Bedford Springs Resort, also known as OBSR, transforms into a crystal palace. Thousands of lights sparkle all around the grounds, lit during the “Grand Illumination” on the Sunday after Thanksgiving and staying on through January. Inside, holiday trees, wreaths and garlands brighten the lobbies and sprawling hallways.

New this year, pastry chef Harshal Naik has concocted a life-sized gingerbread house, complete with shutters outlined in Hershey chocolate bars and filling the marbled lobby with holiday scents.

“You can smell the ginger,” Sales and Marketing Director Jennifer Carter-Brymier told me. “It smells amazing.”

There’s comfort food dining in the Frontier Tavern, with another Harrisburg connection in the root beer float made with Appalachian Brewing Co. root beer. The 1796 Room goes a bit more upscale, with steaks and seafood. I happen to love the ambiance of a lobby bar, so I curled up for people watching while sipping a speakeasy-style Bee’s Knees cocktail of local Wigle Gin, lemon juice and simple syrup made from OBSR honey. If you’re partial to whiskey, Wigle makes the bourbon for the Smoked Old Fashioned from corn grown on the OBSR property.

This winter, come on Friday or Saturday for carriage rides, or try the weekend morning yoga. Hike for history, meditation or scenery. Go on the hunt with a geocaching excursion. Daily historic tours take you in the steps of the famous and infamous. In this secluded setting worthy of Agatha Christie, murder mystery weekends start in January.

Around Town

Only five minutes away, the charming town of Bedford is open for exploring.

I found all the essentials in the downtown shops—alpaca socks, yarn for knitting (because my stash isn’t bursting out of the closet enough), outdoor gear, boutique sweaters and my favorite, all things kitchen at Peppercorn Market. I don’t cook, but I eat and I decorate, so I couldn’t leave without an amazing bramble preserve, some mid-century modern kitchen towels and a history lesson from the owner about the building’s ties to George Washington, land speculator.

Outside of Bedford, plan a stop at the famously stonewalled Jean Bonnet Tavern. Here, Whiskey Rebellion plotters planted a Liberty Pole, George Washington seems likely to return any day to quell the uprising again, and you can get a fabulous burger, entrée or salad with a fresh Pennsylvania draft beer.

While we’re on the subject of eating—plan to gain a pound per day—don’t miss the delightfully quirky Village News in downtown Bedford. It’s a city news store transformed into a bar and grill serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. The burgers are tasty, and intriguing murals painted by local artist Kevin Kutz depict The Point in Pittsburgh and a beloved town character.

Then it’s back to the Omni Bedford Springs for a firepit get-together, lawn games, free holiday movie or a haunted history tour. For a getaway this winter or year-round, it occurs to me that the Harrisburg-to-Bedford Springs pipeline endures. Lots of us still hop on the turnpike for a quick and magical (and yes, pricey) getaway. Even back in the day, I’d have happily made the five-hour train trip, donned in my Gibson Girl shirtwaist and skirt, but there’s zero chance of getting my husband in a high starched collar.

The Omni Bedford Springs Resort is located at 2138 Business, 220, Bedford. For more information, visit www.omnihotels.com/hotels/bedford-springs.

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Brew Debut: Whiskers Brewing is Newville’s first brewery since Prohibition

November 30, 2022 | by Karen Hendricks

A coffee shop, a Chinese restaurant and a brewery.

Those were the top three businesses that Newville residents put atop their wish list, in a recent survey taken by borough officials.

There was one problem—not with coffee or Chinese food. But would a brewery be possible, given Newville’s longtime designation—since the Prohibition era—as a dry town?

Dean Yaukey was going to find out. A longtime local resident, he’d been “homebrewing up a storm” since the pandemic. He and his wife Katie were scouting out the perfect location for a brewery—and they really wanted it to be in Newville.

“I contacted Newville borough in March of 2021, and they said it was going to a vote in May—they were going to reverse their status as a dry town,” said Dean. “The town, the council, the community—they were all for it.”

After 82 years, Newville’s dry town designation from 1939 was lifted. The Yaukeys were so confident in the vote, they applied for a state brewery license and signed a lease for their new brewery, before the vote was official.

Brewing up Business

At 9 S. High St., a 1930s-era car dealership had gone through a string of reincarnations—as a butcher shop, thrift store, florist—but it sat vacant for 10 years.

“I saw the potential in it—I see potential in the whole town,” said Jeff Bouder, who purchased the property almost two years ago.

Bouder’s home and insurance business are across the street, and he serves on the borough’s economic development committee.

“I don’t like to see vacancies in the borough,” he said. “When Dean approached me about a brewery, I was all on board.”

There was a flurry of activity through the summer of 2021.

Renovations transformed the circa-1800s building, and the Yaukeys hit upon a business name—Whiskers Brewing—featuring their beloved English bulldogs on the logo, and tying into Newville’s Big Spring Area High School’s nickname, “the bulldogs.”

“We wanted to be a pet-friendly brewery, so we have a turf area outside,” Dean said. “We call it the bark yard or the puppy patio, so that people can bring their dogs.”

With Dean as head brewer, the dog-themed beer lineup was set, featuring his Bulldog Blonde Ale, a Chihuahua Mexican Lager, Pointer Pale Ale, Old Hound Dog Brown Ale, Pitbull IPA and more.

The Yaukeys traveled to Colorado for training, tailored to new brewery owners. Meantime, the husband-and-wife team was still running their primary business, Phantom Entertainment, offering party inflatables, amusement rides, rock-climbing walls and more. Through the pandemic, that business had stalled, but things were picking up again.

Everything seemed to be going their way, and Whiskers Brewing was set to open in March of 2022.

Tough Luck

On Feb. 28, during a half-hour period of time in the afternoon when no one was at the brewery, flames engulfed the building. A fire marshal would later determine the cause: a USB port charging tablets for servers’ use. The fire company, less than a block away, acted quickly, but the interior was a total loss.

“We were very heartbroken,” said Katie. “But we knew we had to rebuild, and the town was behind us. People on the streets came up to us, [as the building was burning], asking if they could give us donations.”

Community support—and several incredible strokes of good fortune—came out of the ashes.

“Luckily, no one was hurt,” Dean said. “We would have to gut the building down to the studs, but we realized the walk-in beer cooler was untouched. All of our inventory was saved. We didn’t have power for two days, but it stayed cold.”

The day after the fire, Whiskers Brewing posted a “beer sale” on Facebook.

“The community was super supportive,” Dean said. “There was a line of people, going two blocks, up to the corner. They were buying cans, filling up growlers, telling us, ‘We want to do anything to help you.’”

About a month later, the brewery opened its outdoor seating area—offering beer, with dog bowls and biscuits available. Business was brisk through the summer as the interior was rebuilt.

Slightly bowed wooden tables were salvaged—Dean calls them “survivors”—and the metal chairs were grinded down and repainted. Colorful pet portraits, repainted, lined the walls, created by one of the Yaukeys’ daughters. But a cat took the place of honor behind the bar—a framed Nittany Lion pays homage to the family’s alma mater. Not only did Dean and Katie meet at Penn State, but their three children are all in the process of becoming alums too.

Dawn of a New Day

In late September, Whiskers Brewing opened its doors—Katie behind the bar, Dean cooking up flatbreads, pretzel flights and more in the kitchen, giving it away to taste-testing customers and finalizing the menu.

“Every time someone came in, people said, ‘Welcome to Whiskers,’” said Katie. “Everyone was saying it, and it felt cozy in here, as if we were on [the television show] ‘Cheers.’”

So has Jeff Bouder, the property owner, tried the beer—and what does he think?

“I’ve probably tried all 12,” Bouder said with a laugh, “and it’s some of the best beer I’ve had.”

But what Newville is really tapping into is community spirit.

“We absolutely needed this—conversations were disappearing since COVID,” Bouder said. “The fire could have been devastating, but it actually brought a lot of people together. I’ve lived here a long time, and I’m meeting people from town that I didn’t know before. People are getting together and making up for lost time.”

Whiskers Brewing is located at 9 S. High St., Newville. For more information, visit whiskersbrewing.com.

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Community Corner: Notable December Events

November 30, 2022 | by Missy Smith

Festival of Ice
Dec. 1-2: Kick off the holiday season with a visit to downtown Lewistown to see ice sculptures and carvings, enjoy carol singing, take an old-fashioned carriage ride, visit with Santa, and enjoy music, food and kids’ activities, 6 to 9 p.m. www.jrvvisitors.com

PA Gift Show
Dec. 1-4: Enjoy festive fun at PA Christmas & Gift Show at the PA Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg. The show features 500-plus vendors filled with unique gifts, in addition to entertainment, food, drink and more. www.PAChristmasShow.com

Light Show
Dec. 1-31: Experience the Christmas Spirit Light Show at Clipper Magazine Stadium, 650 N. Prince St., Lancaster, for a festive drive-through light show, with hundreds of thousands of color-changing lights, synchronized to Christmas music. www.ChristmasSpiritLights.com

Kids Cocoa Club
Dec. 1-Jan. 2: Curl up with a good book and participate in a reading challenge with New Cumberland Public Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza. Grab the library’s packet and fill your hot cocoa cup with “marshmallows” (reading challenges). www.newcumberlandlibrary.org

Elegant Progressions
Dec. 2-3: Historic Harrisburg Association and Kidney Foundation of Central PA host the 30th annual “Elegant Progressions,” this year with two black tie progressive dinners. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and aperitifs, a formal dinner and dessert at decorated mansions in Harrisburg. www.elegantprogressions.org

HBG Flea
Dec. 3: Shop the HBG Flea for local art, vintage treasures, curated curios and unique gifts, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Strawberry Square, 320 Market 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

Open House
Dec. 3: Create a special holiday craft (ages 14 and older) and enjoy puzzles and activities at New Cumberland Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza, New Cumberland, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Children ages 3 and older can create a special ornament. Friends of the Library will hold a book sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. www.newcumberlandlibrary.org

Holiday Concert
Dec. 3-4: Kick off the holiday season with the Harrisburg Singers’ holiday concert of sacred, secular and inspirational works. Dec. 3 concert takes place at Trinity Lutheran Church, Camp Hill at 7:30 p.m., and the Dec. 4 concert at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mechanicsburg at 3 p.m. www.harrisburgsingers.org

Festival of Trees
Dec. 3-18: View Christmas trees decorated with handmade ornaments and trimmed by local garden clubs at the Fort Hunter Tavern House, 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg, Saturdays and Sundays, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Trees will be up for raffle, and a selection of ornaments will be available for purchase. www.forthunter.org

Fort Couture
Dec. 3-18: View Christmas tree dresses created by Fort Hunter friends and neighbors on Saturdays and Sundays, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., at Fort Hunter Mansion & Park, 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg. Enjoy imaginative displays with unique dress forms adorned in Christmas decorations. www.forthunter.org

Toy Train Exhibit
Dec. 3-18: Keystone Model Railroad Historical Society returns to Fort Hunter Centennial Barn, 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg, with a display of HO gauge trains that travel over a large layout representing communities in central PA, Saturdays and Sundays, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. www.forthunter.org

Crafty Christmas
Dec. 3-Jan. 1: Families are invited to Hershey Gardens, 170 Hotel Rd., to make holiday crafts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Education Center, located in the Children’s Garden. Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus on Dec. 11 and Dec. 17 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Butterfly Atrium will be decorated for the holidays. www.hersheyardens.org

Victorian Tea
Dec. 4: Enjoy a Victorian tea at Fort Hunter Mansion, 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg, 12 to 4 p.m. Tour the historic mansion in person to enjoy holiday décor by the Civic Committee of the Harrisburg Garden Club and view a clear toy candy demonstration. www.forthunter.org

Open House
Dec. 4: The public is invited to the Keystone Musical Arts Center, 3705 E. Trindle Rd., Camp Hill, 1 and 3 p.m., to enjoy holiday cheer with live music by teachers and students. Guests can meet the teachers and staff and enjoy refreshments. www.KMACenter.org

Natural Ornaments
Dec. 4, 11: Create holiday ornaments with pinecones, milkweed pods and other natural materials at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. All supplies included. Cost is $5 and pre-registration is required. www.wildwoodlake.org

Christmas Fun
Dec. 8: Take an evening stroll along Market Street in Camp Hill for “‘Twas the Night Before,” 5 to 8 p.m., when the street is lit up for visitors to enjoy with shopping, dining, photos with Santa, live music, tree lighting, hot beverages and fun activities. www.camphillborough.com

Food Rally
Dec. 8: 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. www.newcumberlandpa.org

Deck the Halls
Dec. 8: Dauphin County Historical Society hosts its 27th annual “Deck the Halls” gala at the Harris-Cameron Mansion, 219 S. Front St., Harrisburg, at 6 p.m. Enjoy food, desserts, craft wines and beer, live music, holiday décor and a silent auction and raffle. www.dauphincountyhistory.org

Film Friday
Dec. 9: Join Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, for “Jinn,” a film about Summer, a 17-year old girl whose world is turned upside down after her mother has a religious conversion, prompting Summer to reevaluate her own identity. Showings are at 2 and 7 p.m. www.fredricksenlibrary.org

Secret Shop
Dec. 10: The Women’s Club of New Cumberland and Highland sponsors Santa’s Secret Workshop for children to holiday shop for family members, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Items are reasonably priced and gift-wrapped. Cash only. www.newcumberlandlibrary.org

Snowball Saturday
Dec. 10: Take the family to The Hershey Story Museum, 63 W. Chocolate Ave., for friendly, indoor snowball fights, a visit with a snowman and a fun winter storytime, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. www.hersheystory.org

Christkindlmarkt
Dec. 10: Get in the holiday spirit at the Lower Paxton Christkindlmarkt and outdoor street festival with more than 75 craft vendors, craft activities, German and festival food, a living nativity, pictures with Santa, live music and a holiday sing-a-long, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. www.facebook.com/LPChristkindlmarkt

Christmas Fest
Dec. 10-11: Bethesda Mission hosts “Christmas at Italian Lake,” 3rd and Division streets, Harrisburg, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 10 and 12 to 5 p.m. on Dec. 11. The event features a market of local artisans, tree lighting, caroling by local churches and schools, food trucks, sleigh rides and an ice-skating rink. A tree lighting ceremony will be held on Dec. 10 at 5 p.m. All proceeds benefit Bethesda Mission. www.bethesdamission.org

Winter Discovery
Dec. 10-Jan. 23: Visit the Olewine Nature Center at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, where special exhibits and activities highlight some of Wildwood’s animals in winter, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Follow self-guided signs along the Towpath Trail to enhance your winter outdoor experience while learning the natural history of the park. www.wildwoodlake.org

House Tour
Dec. 11: Join Historic Harrisburg Association for the 49th Annual Candlelight House Tour, 1 to 6 p.m. Advance price tickets for $20 on sale through Dec. 10. Day-of-tour tickets are on sale at HHA, 1230 N. 3rd St., for $25 each. www.historicharrisburg.org

Youth Celebration
Dec. 11: Enjoy Harrisburg Christian Performing Arts Center’s Youth Christmas Celebration at 1000 S. Eisenhower Blvd., Middletown, with Christmas skits, songs and dances, pictures with Santa, the Christmas story and a sing-along, 3 to 5 p.m. The celebration includes performances by HCPAC workshop and production participants. www.thehcpac.org

Candlelit Carols
Dec. 11: Arts on the Square hosts “Carols by Candlelight” at Market Square Presbyterian Church, 20 S. 2nd St., Harrisburg, 4 p.m. Market Square Church sanctuary choir, chamber orchestra and organist will perform Vivaldi’s “Gloria,” Randol Bass’ “Feast of Carols” and other favorites. Enjoy carol singing and candle lighting. www.marketsquarechurch.org

Lessons & Carols
Dec. 11: Pine Street Presbyterian Church presents a service of scripture and song at 4 p.m., taking the audience on a progression from prophecy to fulfillment, from Old Testament foretelling to a birthday celebration. A gala reception follows the service. www.maps.pinestreet.org

Holly Lunch
Dec. 13: Friends of the New Cumberland Library, Foundation House, 1 Benjamin Plaza, presents its annual Holly Lunch, with basket drawings, cookie and poinsettia sales, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The program is free; lunch is $10. Register for the lunch at the library, or call 717-774-7820. www.cumberlandcountylibraries.org

Book Event
Dec. 13: Harrisburg Center for Peace and Justice and Harrisburg Friends Meeting, 1100 N. 6th St., celebrate the release of George Lakey’s book, “Dancing with History: A Life for Peace and Justice,” in a free event, 7:15 p.m. Lakey will discuss his life as a Quaker activist, and Midtown Scholar Bookstore will have books available for signing and purchase. www.harrisburgquakers.org

Curiosity Kids
Dec. 15: Young visitors in grades K-2 and families are invited to a retro holiday-themed “Curiosity Kids” at the State Museum of PA, 300 North St., Harrisburg, 11:30 a.m. Kids can discover holiday traditions, toys and games of the 1970s and 1980s and create their own retro ornament. www.statemuseumpa.org

European Security
Dec. 15: Heather Conley, president of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, will discuss the future of European security at a meeting of the Foreign Policy Association of Central Pennsylvania, 7:30 p.m. at the Susquehanna Club in New Cumberland. www.fpaharrisburg.org

3rd in The Burg
Dec. 16: 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

Candlelight Concerts
Dec. 16-18: Susquehanna Chorale presents its annual Candlelight Christmas concerts series on Dec. 16 at Messiah University, Mechanicsburg; Dec. 17 at Leffler Chapel and Performance Center, Elizabethtown College; and Dec. 18 at Market Square Presbyterian Church, Harrisburg. www.susquehannachorale.org

Stained Glass
Dec. 17: Design a Wildwood-themed stained-glass ornament at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, in a beginner’s stained-glass workshop, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Workshop cost is $50, and all equipment, materials and colored glass will be provided. Pre-registration required. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Hanukkah Party
Dec. 18: Join the Harrisburg Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg, 3301 N Front St, for a community Hanukkah party, 10 to 11:30 a.m., with games, crafts, snacks and more. Admission is $10 per family; families should pre-register. www.jewishharrisburg.org

Reindeer Craft
Dec. 18: Make a wooden reindeer at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. All supplies to make two small reindeer will be provided, with your choice of decorations from nature. All ages welcome; pre-registration required. www.wildwoodlake.org

Candlelight Service
Dec 24: Historic Salem UCC invites you to attend their annual Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. Enjoy a beautifully decorated sanctuary as you sing familiar carols, participate in the lighting of candles, and listen to the story of the night that changed the world. Children are welcome. Pre-service music begins at 5:45 p.m.; service begins at 6 p.m. at 231 Chestnut St., Harrisburg. https://salemuccharrisburg.org.

Noon Year
Dec. 30: State Museum of PA, 300 North St., Harrisburg, invites families to ring in the “Noon Year,” 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Enjoy hands-on activities, crafts and the dropping of the firefly at noon. Event is included with general admission. www.statemuseumpa.org

Countdown
Dec. 31: Families are invited to celebrate New Year’s Eve at The Hershey Story, 63 W. Chocolate Ave., 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Kids can get in the party spirit by making noise stomping on bubble wrap and taking part in fun activities. www.hersheystory.org

Kids’ New Year
Dec. 31: Children can count down to noon at the Popcorn Hat Players’ annual New Year’s Eve party with a balloon drop, noisemakers, party hats, Hawaiian lei and more starting at 11 a.m. at Whitaker Center, 222 Market St., Harrisburg. Reservations recommended. www.gamuttheatre.org

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

Scrooge Muse: Nicholas Hughes reflects on his long-time role as everyone’s favorite miser

November 30, 2022 | by Sammi Leigh Melville

Photo by Brianna Dow

The holiday season is upon us, and so, as is tradition, the crew at Open Stage is gearing up for “A Christmas Carol,” that wonderful Dickens tale featuring Nicholas Hughes as Ebeneezer Scrooge. I got the chance to interview Nick about his ongoing role in the production.

TheBurg: How many years have you been doing a Christmas Carol? Do you think it provides any challenges doing it so many years in a row?

Nicholas: I think the first year I did it was 2000. The biggest challenge is, I’m getting old! But obviously one knows most of the script, and, over the years, there have been different directors and substantial script changes. The original script had been adapted by Don Alsedek’s son and was very traditional—really the whole play was taken from the original Dickens book. But when Stuart [Landon] took over the direction, he adapted a much more modern version with substantial changes. And my own attempt to play Mr Scrooge changes every year—not only from myself, but also from my fellow cast members; they’re different every year. The balance changes, and their interpretation changes.

TheBurg: You’ve lived a long time with this character, though. What is the most surprising thing that Scrooge has taught you over the years?

Nicholas: Even though the play is, by Dickens’ standards, a very short story, he’s managed to concentrate a lot of emotional response—there’s the emotional response to Christmas, the season, and what it means to people, and also about Mr. Scrooge, the sort of man he was. I mean, he lived a very gray life. He just thought the only important thing was to gather money, and anybody who wasn’t involved in increasing their own wealth was of no interest. He really was a one-dimensional person. But over the course of the play, by the visitation of the ghosts, he sees that there’s a lot more to life, and so every year I do see that a little differently.

TheBurg: I’d hope you can’t completely relate to Scrooge, but is there anything you relate to?

Nicholas: I can imagine the sort of man that he used to be, and, as I grow older, I feel that I’m realizing a lot more of the importance of things in life that one doesn’t appreciate as a younger person. So, I do feel myself growing and changing as Scrooge does. Perhaps not quite in the same way.

TheBurg: What do you hope your audiences will take away from the performance?

Nicholas: For most people, they’re not entirely unfamiliar with the story. So, it’s like when you watch a television show or a movie that you’ve seen before, you do get a certain happiness in remembering things that you knew about the play before, but also seeing new things. The more people in the cast, it’s very good for the audience because all their friends and relatives come, and that’s nice. And then you get people who are traditionalists, and they come every year because that’s what they do. Some people come because it’s Dickens, some people come because it’s Christmas. Some people come because they know the plot and they love it. Obviously, there will be people who’ve never seen it before. But hopefully once they see it once, they’ll want to see it again—not just our version! The reason why it’s been done so often is that everybody feels that they can add something of their own. My favorite version is probably the one from, I think, the 1930s with Alastair Sim. [He] is so wonderful as Scrooge. He’s just so honest in his portrayal. You just feel that this is a real person, and that’s not so true with some of the other versions—like the Muppets.

TheBurg: Do you think some of Alastair Sim’s characterization comes across in your performance, or did you try to differ it enough…?

Nicholas: I would like to think so. I try to play it straight. Obviously, it’s something you can ham up, but I don’t think that’s the way to go.

Well, Nicholas Hughes has captured our hearts for years in this role, and I don’t doubt this year will be any different.

“A Christmas Carol” runs Dec. 3 to 23 at Open Stage, 25 N. Court St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.openstagehbg.com.

UPCOMING EVENTS AT HARRISBURG’S PROFESSIONAL DOWNTOWN THEATERS

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

Popcorn Hat Players present
“The Elves & The Shoemaker”

Dec. 3 to 17, Saturdays at 1 p.m.

Popcorn Hat Players
Countdown to Noon

Dec. 31 at 11 a.m.

TMI Improv
Last Laughs of 2022

Dec. 31, shows at 9 p.m., 10 p.m., 11 p.m.

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

“Who’s Holiday!”
Nov. 26 to Dec 22

A Very Court Street Cabaret Christmas!

Dec. 2, 10, 16, 22 at 9:15 p.m.

“A Christmas Carol”
Dec. 3 to 23

“Figgy Pudding”
Rock & jazz arrangements of Christmas favorites

Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m.

NYC Showtune Queen Paige Turner’s

“Drag Me to Christmas”
Saturday, Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m.

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

Look Who’s Back: Cindy Lou throws back another shot of good cheer with “Who’s Holiday!”

November 30, 2022 | by Sammi Leigh Melville

Photo by Marc Faubel

Everyone has heard the story of the Grinch who stole Christmas, but who of us have heard what happens after they all hold hands and sing “Fah Who Foraze?”

Enter Cindy Lou Who—and boy, does she have a story to tell. It’s dark, it’s hilarious, and it’s a little bit risqué. And it is coming up on its third year of performances at Open Stage, starring Rachel Landon as Cindy Lou, all grown up and rough around the edges.

In celebration of this next round of performances, I interviewed Landon to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse.

TheBurg: Prior to “Who’s Holiday!” had you ever done a one-woman show?

Rachel: I had! I had done a musical called “Tell Me On a Sunday,” which is a one-woman musical written by Don Black and Andrew Lloyd Webber. It’s about a woman who moves to New York from England, and she’s trying to find love and a career. It’s a very ‘80s show, but beautiful music and some of the best songs that Webber ever wrote.

TheBurg: How does this experience compare with “Tell Me On a Sunday?”

Rachel: There’s this saying, I think it’s Voltaire, that said, anything too stupid to be said is sung. So, in a musical, it’s really easy to emote and live in the moment and portray your feelings—it’s Shakespearean, because we say what we feel. And interestingly, “Who’s Holiday!” is told very much like a Dr. Seuss book. It’s told in Seussian rhyme, so it does kind of work the same way. I think Cindy is actually surprisingly deep and complicated and layered, something you would not expect from such a silly show. Also, a lot of the humor comes from the bad things that happen to her—and, in most shows, your protagonist triumphs in some way. Really, she’s just a person where her whole life, terrible things have happened to her consistently, [but] she keeps going. And that’s so lovely. You don’t see that from most people. I think she inspires me in that way.

TheBurg: Do you find doing the show for multiple years provides any challenges?

Rachel: Well, what was really cool was that [Chris Gibson] actually took on directing the show, so, I had settled into, you know, a joke is told this way, or this is how this moment lands. But with a new director and new eyes on it, that was really useful to me to find new moments and discoveries about the character. What I’ll say is, I don’t profess to be the best actor in the world—I’ve trained and I’m good enough at it that I can connect with this character and connect with the audience. And I’m feeling it every time—my tears are real tears, and my laughter is real laughter, and my joy is real joy, because I enjoy telling her story every night. And I get to disappear into Cindy.

TheBurg: What is the biggest thing you’ve learned from Cindy?

Rachel: To be able to laugh at ourselves and laugh at the tragedy of our lives, because it’s really easy to get bogged down by the horrors of the world around us. And in the end, just to love people around you, and to love yourself, and find joy—that’s all wrapped up in the idea of Christmas. I’m not a religious person, but how I was raised was like, hey, here’s one day! It’s like Scrooge’s story—let’s just find one day to be kind to each other, if we can do that. I learn that every single night, and we all have our depressions and anxieties about who we are and what’s happening. But my God, we can just sit down and be happy, and—

TheBurg: Have a Christmas party.

Rachel: And drink and be with friends and eat good food and just celebrate life.

“Who’s Holiday!” runs through Dec. 22 at Open Stage, 25 N. Court St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.openstagehbg.com.

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

Happenings: Our December Calendar of Events

November 30, 2022 | by Missy Smith

Museums & Art Spaces

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

The Jenkins 1966 Volkswagen Type 2 Deluxe Microbus, through Dec. 23

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

“It’s Not All Fun and Games,” a photographic collaboration between Karen Commings and R. Andrew Hoff, Dec. 2 through Jan. 5; reception: Friday, Dec. 16, 5-8 p.m.

“A Journey Through Concrete City to Cresson,” two photographic series by Michael Hower, Dec. 2 through Jan. 5; reception: Friday, Dec. 16, 5-8 p.m.

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

“Art and Motherhood,” a show of Pamela Black’s colorful abstract paintings, through Dec. 3

“The Way I See It,” a diverse collection of photography by the West Shore Camera Club, Dec. 9-Jan. 14

“Art for the Holidays,” featuring holiday gifts and art by CALC artist and craftspeople, through Dec. 30

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

December artist of the month

Fort Hunter
5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg
717-599-5751; forthunter.org

“The Gilded Age at Fort Hunter Fashion Exhibit,” through Dec. 23

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

Mid Penn Bank Art Show & Sale Reception and Award Ceremony, Dec. 2, 6 to 8 p.m.

The Annual Holiday Show, through Dec. 31

Hershey Area Art Association (HAAA)
hersheyareaartassociation.com

HAAA Member Exhibition at Hershey Public Library, through Dec. 10

HAAA Member Exhibition at The Cocoa Beanery, through Jan. 9

Campbelltown Academy of Music and Arts Ballroom Exhibit, through Jan. 14

Backstage Café at the Allen Theater, through Jan. 31

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

“Following the Pattern,” featuring the conceptual sculpture work of Travis Donovan, Dec. 2-Jan. 22; artist talk and reception: Dec. 2, 4:30 p.m.

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

New works by John Davis, Mary Gelenser, Richard Souders, Averi Shepps, Joelle and Justin Arawjo, and Erica Hilligas, through Dec. 11

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)
PCCA Gallery, 1 S. 2nd St., Newport
717-567-7023; perrycountyarts.org

Artisan Marketplace of Perry County, filled with local art and handmade gifts for the holidays, through Jan. 14

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

Student Honors Photography, through Dec. 8; reception: Dec. 8, 5:30-7 p.m.

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

“Art of the State” annual juried exhibition selected by a distinguished panel of jurors, through Jan. 15

“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 in their lifetimes.

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

“Nature in Art,” the work of Victoria Fuller that explores the interconnectedness of human and natural systems on VanGo! Museum on Wheels, through December.

“Cojiform,” a multidisciplinary interactive art installation by Pittsburgh-based artist Isaac Bower that combines sculpture and creative problem-solving, through Dec. 4

“I’m Still Black—Osmyn Oree,” photography by Osmyn Josef Oree, depicting the diversity and depth of Black expression, Dec. 8-Jan. 8

“Lies & Redactions—A Survey,” Doug Navarra’s work of mark-making, historic found documents, bold minimalistic redactions and layered geometric patterns, through Jan. 8

“Deep Roots—Ornamentation and Identity,” highlights the work of artists Kuzana Ogg, Cecilia Paredes, Daisy Patton, Helice Wen and Helen Zughaib, through Jan. 22

“Fleeting Pleasures,” featuring work by some of the best known ukiyo-e artists exploring this ‘floating world’ of Edo culture, through Jan. 22

“Alternative Means Necessary,” featuring alternative process photographs by C. McCormick, Renee Romero, and Tamsen Wojtanowski, through Jan. 29

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

“Bronze—Highlights From the Permanent Collection,” through Feb. 25

“Noise,” drawings, paintings, prints and photographs by Dickinson Professor Emeritus of Art Ward Davenny, through April 15

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

Dec. 1-Jan. 7: “Home for the Holidays” show with art and local gifts

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

Photo contest display of photographs that feature all of Dauphin County’s parks, Dec. 10-Jan. 18; reception and winners announcement: Jan. 15, 1 p.m.

“Winter Discovery,” Olewine Nature Center special exhibits and activities, and self-guided walks along the Towpath Trail, highlight the magic of the winter world, Dec. 10-Jan. 31

Read, Make, Learn

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

Dec. 3: Holiday Painting & Ornament Workshop (ages 16-adult), 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Dec. 3: Copper Enameling Workshop (ages 13-adult), 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Dec. 17: Holiday Ornaments (ages 5-12), 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Dec. 18: Craft Beer & Clay, 7-9 p.m.
Dec. 27, 28, 29: Jingle Jamboree (ages 5-12), 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Dauphin County Library System
dcls.org

Dec. 2, 9: Preschool Storytime on Zoom, 11-11:40 a.m.
Dec. 2, 9: Teen Dungeons and Dragons online, 4-5 p.m.
Dec. 2, 9: Tween Dungeons and Dragons online, 4-5 p.m.
Dec. 6: Born to Read on Zoom, 9:30 a.m., 10:15 a.m.
Dec. 6: All Ages Storytime on Zoom, 6-6:30 p.m.
Dec. 7: Toddler Storytime on Zoom, 11-11:40 a.m.
Dec. 15: Live and Learn Lyceum, Open Studio, and Chautauqua—The Activist and the Animator on Zoom, 5-7 p.m.

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

Dec. 1, 8, 15: Anime Club (ages 13-18), 4-5 p.m.
Dec. 2, 9: Preschool Storytime (ages 3-5 years), 9:30-10:10 a.m.
Dec. 5: Born to Read (birth-18 months), 9:30-10 a.m.
Dec. 5: All Ages Storytime, 11-11:30 a.m.
Dec. 5: Paws 2 Read, 6-7:30 p.m.
Dec. 7: Toddler Storytime (ages 19-35 months), 9:30-10:10 a.m.
Dec. 13: A Tabletop for the Season, 5-7:30 p.m.

Elizabethtown Public Library
10 S. Market St., Elizabethtown
717-367-7467; etownpubliclibrary.org

Dec. 1-29: Train Display (days/times vary)
Dec. 9: Homeschool Connection, 10:30 a.m.
Dec. 10: Fiber Artists, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.
Dec. 17: Book Discussion Group, 10-11 a.m.
Dec. 20: Musik Time, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Dec. 22: Knitter’s Group, 5-7 p.m.

Fort Hunter
5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg
717-599-5751; forthunter.org

Dec. 9: Paper Ornament Workshop, 7-8:30 p.m.
Dec. 10: Santa’s Reindeer and Virtual Ms. Santa, 12:30-2:30 p.m.

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

Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Language at the Library—Spanish, 10-11 a.m.
Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Meditation to Calm the Mind, 12-12:30 p.m.
Dec. 2: Chess Club, 6:30 p.m.
Dec. 5, 12, 19: Mission Transition Kindergarten, 6-7 p.m.
Dec. 5, 12, 19, 26: Baby & Toddler Time, 10-10:30 a.m.
Dec. 5, 19: Frederickson Writes on Zoom, 6:45-8:45 p.m.
Dec. 6: Curl up with the Classics—“Oh, Money! Money!” 10-11 a.m.
Dec. 6, 20: READ to Dogs, 6:30-8 p.m.
Dec. 7: Moving Forward Book Group w/ Hospice of Central PA, 1-2 p.m.
Dec. 7: Teen STEAM Meetup, 4-5:30 p.m.
Dec. 7, 14, 21, 28: Children’s Story Time, 11-11:30 a.m.
Dec. 8, 15, 29: Meet and Greet Library Pups, 10-11 a.m.
Dec. 9: Peaceful Poses Adult Yoga, 9-9:45 a.m.
Dec. 9: Peaceful Poses Yoga Storytime, 10-10:45 a.m.
Dec. 9: Film Friday, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Dec. 10: Santa’s Workshop, 1-4 p.m.
Dec. 11: Teen Crafternoon, 1-2:30 p.m.
Dec. 13: Teen Writers’ Meetup, 6-8 p.m.
Dec. 14, 21: Tween STEAM Meetup, 5:15-6 p.m.
Dec. 16: Family Paint & Pix, 6-8 p.m.
Dec. 17, 18: Paint with Us, 1-3 p.m.
Dec. 20: Tween LEGO Club, 6-7:30 p.m.

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

Dec. 3: Woodburning Gnome Christmas Ornaments, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Dec. 4: Watercolor Snow Man, 1-3 p.m.
Dec. 10: Kids Christmas Workshop (ages 7-12), 2-4 p.m.
Dec. 11: Snowman Globe, 1-3 p.m.

Hershey Area Art Association (HAAA)
hersheyart.org

Dec. 7: Watercolor Workshop, 9 am.-3 p.m.

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

Dec. 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 29: Penn State Hershey—Mothers & Babies, 10:15 a.m.
Dec. 1, 8, 15: Storytime for Everyone, 10:15 a.m.
Dec. 1, 15, 29: Hershey Quilters, 12:30 p.m.
Dec. 3: Joy to the World! The Stories Behind Our Favorite Christmas Carols, 2 p.m.
Dec. 3, 17: Chess Club, 1 p.m.
Dec. 5: Books and Babies, 10:15 a.m.
Dec. 5, 12: Storytime for Everyone, 11 a.m.
Dec. 5, 19: Movie Monday, 3 p.m.
Dec. 6, 13: 1, 2, Whee!, 10:15 a.m.
Dec. 6, 13, 20: Girls Who Code, 6 p.m.
Dec. 7: LEGO Club, 4 p.m.
Dec. 10: Chess Tournament, 10 a.m.
Dec. 10: Holiday Wreaths, 11 a.m.
Dec. 12: MOMS Club of Derry Township, 10 a.m.
Dec. 14, 28: Artisan Wednesday, 3 p.m.
Dec. 17: Cocoa Area Fiber Enthusiasts, 10 a.m.
Dec. 17: Williamsburg Wreath, 11 a.m.

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

Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Mah Jongg, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: LEGO Time, 10:15-11:15 a.m.
Dec. 3: Family Christmas Party, 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
Dec. 5, 12, 19: Rhyme Time (18 months and older), 10:15-10:35 a.m.
Dec. 5, 12, 19: Toddler Time (18 months-3 years), 10:45-11:05 a.m.
Dec. 5, 12, 19: Storybook STEAM, 6-7 p.m.
Dec. 6: Teen Tuesday, 6-8:30 p.m.
Dec. 6, 13, 20, 27: Tea & Stitches, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Dec. 10: Gingerbread House Workshop, 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Dec. 12: English Conversation Club, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Dec. 13: Tween Scene, 6-7 p.m.
Dec. 14: Mad About Mysteries on Zoom, 7-8 p.m.
Dec. 15: Thursday Morning Book Club, 10-11 a.m.
Dec. 15: Teen Third Thursday, 6 p.m.
Dec. 17: Discovery Club, 10:30-11:15 a.m.
Dec. 17: Adventure Club, 11:30 am.-12:15 p.m.
Dec. 17: Teen Squad Meeting, 3-4 p.m.
Dec. 17: Trivia at Home—Pixar, 6-8 p.m.
Dec. 19: Monday Night Book Club, 7 p.m.
Dec. 22: STEAM Club (grades 1-2), 6 p.m.
Dec. 22: STEAM Club (grades 3-5), 6 p.m.
Dec. 27: Tabletop Game Night, 6-8 p.m.

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

Dec. 1, 8: All Ages Storytime, 10:15-10:45 a.m.
Dec. 2, 3: Pop-up Book Sale, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Dec. 7: Paws 2 Read (ages 6-11), 5-6 p.m.
Dec. 17: Knit One, Crochet, Too!, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

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

Dec. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31: Passageways, 2 p.m.
Dec. 4, 11, 18, 25: Young Adult Group, 4 p.m.
Dec. 7, 14, 21, 28: Common Roads (ages 12-17), 6-8 p.m.
Dec. 8: Aging with Pride Luncheon, 12 p.m.
Dec. 10: LGBTQ Book Club, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Dec. 11, 27: Queers and Quests game night, 6 p.m.

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

Dec. 2, 9, 16: Speech Links to Literacy (ages 3-5 years), 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
Dec. 6: All Ages Storytime, 10:30-11 a.m.
Dec. 6, 13: Girl Scouts—Academic Edge, 4-5 p.m.
Dec. 10: Chess and Go Club, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Dec. 16: Speech Links to Literacy, 10-11:30 a.m.

McCormick Riverfront Library
101 Walnut St., Harrisburg
717-234-4976; dcls.org

Dec. 5, 12: Girls Who Code (grades 3-5), 5-6 p.m.
Dec. 7, 14: Teen Podcast (ages 13-28), 5-6 p.m.
Dec. 13, 27: The Pennsylvania Past Players Living History Workshop Series, 5-7 p.m.
Dec. 15: Live and Learn Lyceum, Open Studio, and Chautauqua—The Activist and the Animator, 5-7 p.m.

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

Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: LEGO Club, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Online Science Fiction Book Club
Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Star Trek Rewatch online group
Dec. 5, 12, 19, 26: STEM Club, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Dec. 6, 13, 20, 27: Storytime and Craft, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Dec. 6, 13, 20, 27: Tales with T.A.I.L.S., 6-7 p.m.

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

Dec. 3: Wreath Making Workshops, 9-11 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., 2-4 p.m.

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

Dec. 1: Ruth’s Mystery Discussion Group, 10:15 a.m.-12 p.m.
Dec. 1-31: Holiday Scavenger Hunt
Dec. 1-Jan. 2: Beanstack Challenge—Kids Cocoa Club (ages 0-18)
Dec. 2, 16: Movers & Groovers (ages 2-5), 10:30-11 a.m.
Dec. 5: Monday Great Books Discussion Group, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Dec. 5: Smokey Bear & Woodsy Owl Poster Contest, 5-7 p.m.
Dec. 5, 12, 19: Storytime & More (ages 2-5), 10:30 a.m.
Dec. 6, 13, 20: Book Babies (ages 0-2), 11:15 a.m.
Dec. 7: Musical Mornings (ages 2-5), 10:30-11 a.m.
Dec. 8, 22: Block Party! (ages 0-3), 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Dec. 13: Tales for Tails (ages 6-12), 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Dec. 14: Wednesday Great Books Discussion Group, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Dec. 14: Kid Builders (ages 3 and older), 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Dec. 17: Teen Holiday Take & Make (ages 13-17), 10 a.m.
Dec. 17: Couponing for Extreme Savings, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Dec. 17: Children’s Book Writers Critique Group, 2-4 p.m.
Dec. 19: Holiday Storytime, 6 p.m.
Dec. 20: Teen Game Party (ages 12-17), 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Dec. 21: Tween Book Club (ages 8-12), 5 p.m.

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

Dec. 1-4: “The Zula Patrol—Down to Earth”
Dec. 1-30: Highlights Tour, 1:30-2:30 p.m. (Wednesdays-Sundays)
Dec. 2, 17: Storytime, 10:30 a.m.
Dec. 4: Art of the State Artists Conversations, 2 p.m.
Dec. 7: Explore! Candles, 11:30 a.m.
Dec. 7-29: SEASONS
Dec. 8: Family Gallery Tour—Paleontology, 11:30 a.m.
Dec. 8-30: Animals of the Night
Dec. 9: Virtual Program—Eastern Hemlock Tree Conservation in PA, 12:15 p.m.
Dec. 14: Homeschool Program—Wetland Ecology, 10 a.m.
Dec. 15: Curiosity Kids—Holidays 1970s and 1980s edition, 11:30 a.m.
Dec. 21: Explore! Dendrochronology, 11:30 a.m.
Dec. 22: Victorian Puzzles & Games, 11:30 a.m.
Dec. 23: Art of the State Stroller Tour, 10:30 a.m.
Dec. 28: Cup Challenges, 11:30 a.m.
Dec. 29: Curiosity Kids—PORTRAITS featuring works from the Art of the State Exhibition, 11:30 a.m.

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

Dec. 10: The Masks We Wear Writing Workshop, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Dec. 14: Foundations of Drawing, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

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

Dec. 1: Wood Burning Ornaments Workshop, 6-8 p.m.
Dec. 3: Art Journaling Series, Book Binding 101, 1-3 p.m.
Dec 10: Second Saturday, Clay Luminarias, Silk Painting, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Dec 17: Santa in the Gallery, Photo Booth, Macrame Ornaments, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

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

Dec. 1: Owl Prowl at Detweiler Park, 5:30-7 p.m.
Dec. 2: Owl Prowl at Wiconisco Creek Park, 5:30-7 p.m.
Dec. 3: Cadette Girl Scouts—Night Owl, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Dec. 4, 11: Natural Ornaments, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Dec. 10: Birds & Coffee with Appalachian Audubon Society, 10-11 a.m.
Dec. 13: Public Meeting—Wildwood Lake Restoration, 7-9 p.m.
Dec. 17: Stained-Glass Workshop, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Dec. 18: Reindeer Workshop, 1:30-5 p.m.

Live Music

Appalachian Brewing Co./Abbey Bar
50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg
717-221-1083; abcbrew.com

Dec. 17: Solar Federation Tribute to RUSH

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

Dec. 2: Jazz in the City
Dec. 3: Family Event—Holly Jolly Jazz Time
Dec. 17: Jagged Edge

Blair Music Center, Lutz Recital Hall
Lebanon Valley College
101 College Ave., Annville
717-233-8668; lvc.edu

Dec. 1: Chamber Winds
Dec. 3, 4: Christmas at The Valley
Dec. 5: Small Jazz Ensemble
Dec. 6: Guitar Ensemble
Dec. 7: Strings Ensembles Concert
Dec. 8: Concert Band
Dec. 9: An Evening of Art and Music

Central PA Friends of Jazz
www.friendsofjazz.org

Dec. 4: Jeff Hamilton Trio

Elizabethtown College
1 Alpha Dr., Elizabethtown
717-361-1212; www.etown.edu

Dec. 4: Fall Choral Concert

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

Dec. 2: A Charlie Brown Jazz Christmas with The Eric Mintel Jazz Quartet
Dec. 9: Start Making Sense Talking Heads Tribute
Dec. 15: The Bad Toupees
Dec. 23: Colebrook Road

Fort Hunter
5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg
717-599-5751; forthunter.org

Dec. 7: St. Thomas Dulcimer Society
Dec. 18: Brass Triumphant

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

Dec. 2: Dan Jamison
Dec. 9: SOC Duo
Dec. 16: Tim Colgan
Dec. 23: Keara Rose
Dec. 30: Zach Nyce

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

Dec. 1: Jason Carst
Dec. 8: Dan Jamison
Dec. 15: Aaron Daniel Gaul
Dec. 22: Roy LeFever
Dec. 29: Keara Rose

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

Dec. 1: Peekaboo
Dec. 2: The Motet & TAUK
Dec. 3: No Mana
Dec. 3: The Emo Night Tour
Dec. 9: Bear Grillz
Dec. 17: From Ashes To New
Dec. 17: Giovannie & The Hired Guns
Dec. 30: Wicked X-mas II

Harrisburg Gay Men’s Chorus
harrisburggaymenschorus.org

Dec. 3: Holiday Concert at Unitarian Church of Harrisburg
Dec. 4: Holiday Concert at St. Peters Lutheran Church, Middletown
Dec. 17: Holiday Concert at Bergstrasse Lutheran Church, Ephrata
Dec. 18: Holiday Concert at Heidelberg UCC York

Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra
The Forum at 5th and Walnut St., Harrisburg
717-545-5527; harrisburgsymphony.org

Dec. 10-11: The Paul Simon Songbook

Harrisburg University Presents
concertseries.harrisburgu.edu

Dec. 2: Wetleg (XL Live)
Dec. 8: Bob Moses (XL Live)

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

Dec. 4: Straight No Chaser
Dec. 5: Lindsey Stirling

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

Dec. 2: Jess Zimmerman Band
Dec. 3: The Prince Project Tribute Band
Dec. 9: Funktion
Dec. 10: Vertigo Vultures
Dec. 16: Cazhmiere
Dec. 17: Grant Bryan Band
Dec. 23: Colt Wilbur Band
Dec. 24: Jason Dumm Band
Dec. 30: Emily’s ToyBox
Dec. 31: The Luv Gods

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

Dec. 3: Concert at St. Andrews Episcopal Church
Dec. 10: Concert at All Saints Episcopal Church

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

Dec. 2: Martina McBride
Dec. 3: The Raleigh Ringers
Dec. 11: Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis

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

Dec. 2: Symphony Orchestra Concert

McCormick Riverfront Library
101 Walnut St., Harrisburg
717-234-4976; dcls.org

Dec. 16: Ray Holland, Lizzy Baldwin, Liz Augustine

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

Dec. 4: Messiah University Christmas Concert
Dec. 6: Messiah University Musica Nova Student Compositions
Dec. 9: Tim Warfield’s All Star Jazzy Christmas
Dec. 11: Messiah University Guitar Ensemble

Metropolis Collective
17 W. Main St., Mechanicsburg
717-458-8245; metropoliscollective.com

Dec. 9: The Comedie of Robert Kennedy, Bang Bang Band Girl, Some Kind of Jazz Piano

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

Dec. 14: Figgy Pudding

Perry County Council of the Arts
Landis House

67 N. 4th St., Newport
717-567-7023; perrycountyarts.org

Dec. 4: Steve Rudolph

Pine Street Presbyterian Church
310 N. Third St., Harrisburg
717-238-9304; pinestreet.org

Dec. 11: A Festival of Lessons and Carols

Rusty Rail Brewing Company
5 N. 8th North St., Mifflinburg
570-966-7878; rustyrailbrewing.com

Dec. 1: Rapid Run
Dec. 5, 19: Monday Night JamFest
Dec. 12: Allan Combs
Dec. 15: Gift, Troutman & Gift

Susquehanna Chorale
One College Ave., Mechanicsburg
717-533-7859; susquehannachorale.org

Dec. 16: Candlelight Christmas at Messiah University, Mechanicsburg
Dec. 17: Candlelight Christmas at Elizabethtown College
Dec. 18: Candlelight Christmas at Market Square Presbyterian Church, Harrisburg

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

Dec. 4: Open Mic Night at West Shore Theater
Dec. 10: Twisted Pine
Dec. 18: Emerging Artist Showcase Reunion Show with Buffalo Rose, Angela Autumn, Noah G. Fowler

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

Dec. 2: Open Rehearsal for Tuba Christmas
Dec. 8: Irish Christmas in America
Dec. 10: Club 42 Series—Amy Banks and Harrisburg Jazz Collective

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

Dec. 17: Christy Altomare
Dec. 23: Uptown Band’s “Christmas Extravaganza”

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

Dec. 14: The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra

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

Dec. 2: Wetleg
Dec. 4: The River 97.3 Toys for Tots
Dec. 8: Bob Moses
Dec. 9: X-mas Salvation Army Benefit with Defiant, Eternal Frequency, Observe the 93rd, Light the Lamp, Marrisa Porter
Dec. 10: Back in Back AC/DC Tribute
Dec. 16, 17: Pigeons Playing Ping Pong
Dec. 23: XL Live Festivus w/ Big Boy Brass, Spilly Cave, Very Fine Gentlemen, Side of Yams
Dec. 31: The Amish Outlaws

The Stage Door

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

Dec. 1-30: The 2022 Christmas Show—“Home for the Holidays”

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

Dec. 10: Greater York Dance presents “The Nutcracker”
Dec. 11: Greater York Dance presents “The Hip Nut”
Dec. 16: Hike Head and Jared Stern, with Audrie Marsh

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

Dec. 2-11: “A Christmas Story” The Musical

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

Dec. 9-18: “A Steampunk Christmas Carol”
Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre
510 Centerville Rd., Lancaster
717-898-1900; DutchApple.com

Dec. 1-30: “A Christmas Carol” The Musical

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

Dec. 3-22: “The Elves & The Shoemaker” w/Popcorn Hat Players
Dec. 31: TMI Improv—Last Laughs of 2022

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

Dec. 11: Queens Who Brunch

Harrisburg Christian Performing Arts Center
1000 S. Eisenhower Blvd, Middletown
717-939-9333; thehcpac.org

Dec. 2-4: “Elf the Musical”

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

Dec. 2: Divas Down Under Jingle Bell Rock Drag Show
Dec. 2, 3: Jay Nog, Mike Keegan
Dec. 9, 10: Joe Deuce, Nathan Wallace
Dec. 16: Jim Dailakis

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

Dec. 2: Level 1 Class Show, Ham Juice, 7th Kevin, The Offbeats, Humpday Momentus, Heart Throbs, Nuclear Family
Dec. 3: Solo Sleepover, Beautiful Baby, Love Triangle, Barn Bitches, The Renegades, Uncomfortable
Dec. 9: Free Improv Jam, House Team Z, Chill Karen, Bandito, The Bondfire Society
Dec. 10: Free Mixer, The Show Will Self Destruct, The Bat, Barbara, Tiny French Cigarettes
Dec. 16: Level 3 Class Show, Ham Juice, 7th Kevin, Cosmic Trash, Mane n’ Tail
Dec. 17: Level 1 Class Show, Sunday School, Leg of Lamp, Rockstar Goes Supernova
Dec. 18: Level 1 Class Show
Dec. 19: Level 3 Class Show
Dec. 23: Free Improv Jam, House Team Z, Chill Karen, Midtown Funk, Merely Players
Dec. 24: Free Mixer, Snicker Casket, Sugar Weasel, Elderprov, The Original Six, TBA

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

Dec. 1: “Bluey’s Big Play the Stage Show”
Dec. 9: Nikki Glaser
Dec. 17, 18: Central PA Youth Ballet presents “The Nutcracker”

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

Dec. 3-23: “Winter Wonderettes”

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

Dec. 2-12: “A Little Women Christmas”

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

Dec. 7: Cirque Dreams Holidaze

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

Dec. 9-18: “A Christmas Carol”

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

Dec. 2-10: Fall Senior Series

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

Dec. 1-22: “Who’s Holiday!”
Dec. 2-22: “A Very Court Street Cabaret Christmas!”
Dec. 3-23: “A Christmas Carol”
Dec. 17: Paige Turner—“Drag Me to Christmas”

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

Dec. 9, 10: “Holiday Cabaret” at Whitaker Center

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

Dec. 15-18: “A Christmas Carol!”

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

Dec. 9-11: Sankofa presents “Black Nativity”

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

Dec. 3: Studio 22 Dance Academy presents “The Nutcracker Ballet”
Dec. 9, 10: Theatre Harrisburg presents “Holiday Cabaret”
Dec. 10, 11: Central PA Youth Ballet presents George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker”

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

Timeless Tales: Local author’s children’s books bring the Bible to life

November 30, 2022 | by Harvey Freedenberg

Bible stories have long been a staple of Jewish and Christian children’s religious education. For all their enduring appeal, it’s often a challenge to present these ancient tales in a way that’s both meaningful and accessible to young people.

Retired Harrisburg attorney Carl Shuman has tried to fill that void with a pair of books in what he calls the “Torah Time Travel” series, an early-grade chapter book series published by Apples and Honey Press, an imprint of Behrman House, well-known publisher of Jewish books.

Featuring Shuman’s words and whimsical illustrations by C. B. Decker, the books’ goal is to introduce his audience to aspects of Jewish values like welcoming the stranger or the power of faith and perseverance, as seen through the eyes of a creative, if somewhat nerdy, modern boy named Max and his classmate, Emma.

Take a Shot

Speaking in the dining room of his Susquehanna Township home, Shuman, a Philadelphia native, smiles easily. He exudes the air of a warmhearted “Zadie”—the Yiddish word for grandfather—a cherished role he occupies in the lives of his grandchildren, ages 8 and 4.

After graduating from Georgetown Law School in 1982, Shuman spent several years in private practice and served in the Office of General Counsel under Gov. Bob Casey. He then worked as an employment lawyer for Highmark for the balance of his career until retirement in 2019.

Writing long has been an avocation for Shuman. He has written two as-yet unpublished novels, and one of his short stories won first prize in a contest sponsored by the former Central PA Magazine in 2006.

But before he retired, he decided he wanted to try his hand at a children’s book.

“We’ve all had the experience of reading these Jewish stories to our children,” said Shuman, who has raised three of his own with Beth, his wife of 38 years. “Some are delightful, and some are a little dry.”

He decided he would “take a shot at writing something that will appeal to parents as well as kids.”

Shuman chose to write a Jewish-themed book because he “felt most comfortable in that milieu.” For his subject matter, he was inspired by a collection of books a friend had given him years earlier that focused on values like honesty and curiosity, exemplified in the lives of Abraham Lincoln and other historical figures.

The first of his books—“Max Builds a Time Machine”—reflects on the Jewish value of hospitality, sparked by the account in the Book of Genesis of Abraham, the patriarch of the Jewish people, and his wife Sarah, welcoming three strangers who turn out to be angels sent by God.

Max, Shuman’s protagonist, builds a time machine out of a cardboard box and spare parts from an erector set and other toys. He uses it to transport himself to the land of Canaan in 2000 BCE, where he experiences Abraham and Sarah’s kindness to strangers firsthand.

In “Max and Emma Cross the Red Sea,” Shuman follows his two young time travelers during Passover back to the moment of the Exodus, where they learn about courage and faith from the story of a man named Nachshon, who some Jewish sages identify as the first person to enter the waters before they parted and allowed the Israelites to cross to freedom.

Most of his research, Shuman said, involves immersing himself in midrashim, or rabbinic debates, that form the Talmud, the compendium of commentaries on the Hebrew Bible’s text. He thinks of his books as a “celebration of the rabbinic imagination” and believes there is a “wonderful value in learning how the rabbis talked to each other.” To further that kind of dialogue, both books helpfully include “A Note for Families” that offers questions and suggestions for further discussion.

Meant to Do

Rabbi Ron Muroff, spiritual leader of Harrisburg’s Chisuk Emuna Congregation, where Shuman is a longtime member, appreciates that, for all the lightheartedness of Shuman’s books, he’s engaged in a serious project.

Muroff links Shuman’s stories to the process begun by rabbis nearly 2,000 years ago of “reading slowly, discerning meaning from each word of the Torah.” Shuman proceeds in a similar fashion, the rabbi said, offering “original and creative interpretations of ancient stories that shed new light on our contemporary world.”

Shuman’s work has gained him recognition outside his own religious community, notably by PJ Library, a project of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. Since its inception in 2005, the organization has distributed an age-appropriate book monthly to its subscribers in the United States and Canada, a total approaching 20 million books to date.

PJ Library chose “Max Builds a Time Machine” for its 7-year-old subscribers in June 2022. “Max and Emma Cross the Red Sea” is the library’s selection for that age for Passover 2023.

Chris Barash, PJ Library’s Book Selection Committee chair, said that Shuman “has a singular way of creating relatable characters and captivating stories for young readers. He seamlessly threads Jewish content into his books, making them a wonderful fit for PJ Library.”

Shuman is in the final stages of editing a third book, scheduled for publication in 2024, which will focus on the story of Jacob and Esau and the value of forgiveness.

“For most of my life, I’ve called myself a lawyer,” he said. “Now, when people ask me what I am, I say I’m a children’s author, and it’s a very comfortable feeling because I think it’s truer to what I was meant to do.”

For more information on Carl Shuman and his books, visit www.carlshuman.com.

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

Peppery Christmas: Reader feedback gives Rosemary a seasonal idea

November 30, 2022 | by Rosemary Ruggieri Baer

One of the best things about writing this cooking column for TheBurg has been the contact I have had with readers.

It might be questions about how best to store Parmesan cheese or, in one case, sending me a little tool to chop up ground beef. I am always happy and grateful to hear from folks. Food does seem to unite people.

Every once in a while, a reader will share thoughts on how a recipe turned out for them or share a new recipe with me. Some recipes are more popular than others!

Recently, during a visit to the farmers market, a reader I have come to know through this column asked if I have ever made Marcella Hazan’s peppers with anchovies and black olives. Marcella, although deceased, remains a popular and revered cookbook author.

I told this reader that I love Marcella’s recipes, as well as those of her son, Giuliano. I was looking for a recipe for the December issue, but should I be writing about peppers at Christmastime? Well, maybe yes!

The recipe shared with me came with rave reviews. After reading through it, I thought it could be an excellent addition to the Christmas party buffet as well as an accompaniment to the Christmas roast beef at dinner. The anchovies in the dish made me immediately think of Christmas Eve and the Italian tradition of the “Feast of the Seven Fishes.”

Peppers with Anchovies & Black Olives

A note about the ingredients:

The original recipe calls for yellow and red bell peppers. The colors in the finished dish are beautiful, so try to find them rather than the more familiar green ones. Or use all red.
Choose the kind of Mediterranean olives you like best. There is nothing wrong with using pitted ones.
Anchovies in a jar are best. I found some spicy pepper ones that work well in a dish like this.
Peeling the peppers may seem like a nuisance, but it is not hard to do and the peppers will be silkier.

Ingredients

4 large, meaty bell peppers (2 yellow and 2 red or all red)
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 large garlic cloves, chopped very fine
5 flat anchovies, packed in olive oil
3 tablespoons chopped flat leaf parsley
Fine sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
30 small or 15 large Greek olives (I use pitted ones)

Directions

Cut each pepper lengthwise along the creases, remove the stem and the pithy core. Remove the skin of each pepper piece with a vegetable peeler.
Pour the olive oil into a large skillet, add the garlic and anchovies, and turn the heat to medium high.
Cook, stirring and mashing the anchovies with a wooden spoon to help them dissolve. When the garlic turns a pale yellow, add the chopped parsley (be careful not to let the garlic burn). Stir a little more.
Add the peppers with a little bit of salt and a few grindings of pepper. Turn the peppers over to coat with olive oil. When the peppers are partly done, add the pitted olives.
Cook, stirring from time to time, until the peppers are very soft. Serve warm or at room temperature.

If you are serving these peppers as an appetizer, crostini—either plain or broiled with olive oil and garlic—are a “must-have” accompaniment. You could also serve the peppers with slices of crumbly Parmesan Reggiano cheese. Bel Paese is a soft Italian cheese my family loved, especially at Christmas time. It would be so good with the peppers, too. And, if you prefer, have them with omelets at Christmas brunch. Eggs and peppers are an Italian favorite!

This Christmas, I am thankful for TheBurg for giving me the opportunity to share my love of food with our loyal readers.

Buon Natale, everyone!

Editor’s Note: This Christmas, TheBurg is equally thankful for Rosemary, who has been with us since our very first issue!

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