Bites & Beats: Jazzy’s Good Eats opens in Kline Village, serving up soul food, with a side of jazz

September 29, 2022 | by Rachel Lindsley

Jasmine “Jazzy” White

Sweet, salty and savory are three flavor profiles that describe the down-home cooking style of Harrisburg’s newest head chef, Jasmine “Jazzy” White.

Descended from a long line of cooks, White has spent the past decade perfecting her family’s treasured recipes to one day open her own restaurant.

“I grew up cooking in the kitchen with my mom, aunties and grandmom,” White said. “I started out washing and chopping veggies for their meals and graduated to meats and seasonings. By the age of 10, I was able to cook a full-course meal by myself from scratch.”

For eight years, White and her best friend, Brandy Spells, prepared and sold more than 25,000 pre-ordered platters out of White’s home in Allison Hill. During that time, they crafted weekly menus, grew a social media presence, and branded the business, Jazzy’s Good Eats. The name pays tribute to White’s love for music and her southern roots.

“We were preparing around 60 meals a day—mainly for repeat customers—out of my kitchen,” White said. “I remember feeling the need to find a sizeable space to grow and spread our love for food across Harrisburg. My mom, Lisa White, and late sister, Janisha White, were the driving forces behind my decision to take this next step.”

In August, Jazzy’s Good Eats opened in Kline Village with three employees—a head chef, catering coordinator and brand ambassador. White, Spells and Michelle King, White’s sister-in-law, sold more than 1,200 meals in the first month of their brick-and-mortar restaurant.

Their secret? They save people time.

“It takes a lot of time and energy to make good soul food,” she said. “That’s where we come in. We help our community enjoy the food they love without the hassle or time commitment to make these dishes daily. Customers can grab a platter and a chair to join us around the family table.”

This soul food eatery specializes in flavorful barbecue dishes, selling sought-after beef ribs as well as turkey chops, turkey legs, turkey and chicken wings, fried fish and other main courses. Every entrée includes two baked sides such as rice and gravy, mac and cheese, collard greens, candied yams, black-eyed peas, cabbage and more.

For something sweet, the restaurant offers fresh-baked desserts, banana pudding and a signature cornbread. Jazzy and her team also concoct specialty lemonades and beverages to accompany meals.

“Our menu was built on the food you find at grandma’s house on a Sunday afternoon,” King said. “When people bite into our entrees and sides, it reminds them of their family and transports them back home. That’s what it is all about.”

White’s number-one priority is for the community to feel welcome in their space. In the coming months, Jazzy’s Good Eats hopes to host open mic nights, jazz concerts and game nights for families and adults to enjoy.

“We want our restaurant to be a comfortable place for people to feel at home in,” White said. “Families eat together, kids laugh and have fun, and music plays in the background.”

With their food in high demand, Jazzy’s Good Eats also offers catering services for family parties, corporate events and weekend gatherings. They’re excited about what’s in store for their business.

“We started out with my simple motto: ‘You hungry? I’m cooking!’” White laughed. “Now, we get to cook for hundreds of families every month from our restaurant. It’s amazing to see where we started and how far we’ve come.”

Jazzy’s Good Eats is located at 101 S. 25th St. Suite 12, in Kline Village, Harrisburg. For more information, visit their Facebook page or call 717-234-2000.

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History Hit: Columbia packs a lot into a small, walkable town

September 29, 2022 | by Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

Central PA is full of small wonders, nearby places that are tight in geography but long on things to do and see.

Take, for example, Columbia, located just 28 miles southeast of Harrisburg in Lancaster County. Founded in 1726, the town is a quaint and interesting place, ideal for spending an educational day exploring. I recommend five stops for a fall day trip to Columbia.

First National Bank Museum of Columbia

Owner Nora Motter Stark has the skinny on this Pennsylvania national bank, which dates back to 1864. She should, after all she lives in the house and maintains part of the property as a museum.

“It’s as if you walked in there in the 1860s as a bank patron,” Stark said.

Visitors can view the custom-crafted teller cages made of black walnut and the president’s desk and chair made of the same material.

“It’s one of the few banks that exists as part of a house in the United States,” said Stark, adding that she enjoys sharing the history of the bank and describing the role it played in the development of bridges, canals and railroads.

“The banks of Pennsylvania were also key to financing the Civil War,” she said.

Wright’s Ferry Mansion

Situated near the Susquehanna River at 38 S. Second St., this historic property tells the story of Susanna Wright, a native of Lancashire, England, who migrated to Pennsylvania in 1714 and later settled with her family at Wright’s Ferry (later known as Columbia) in 1728.

Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the 2½-story limestone dwelling is known as the only Pennsylvania English Quaker House furnished exclusively to the first half of the 18th century.

Susanna Wright was the daughter of John Wright, who established an animal-powered ferry as one of the first means of crossing the Susquehanna. She was versed in Latin and Italian, fluent in French, a poetess, scholar and pen pal of early Pennsylvania luminaries like Ben Franklin.

The late curator Elizabeth Meg Schaefer, who authored a 304-page book titled, “Wright’s Ferry Mansion, The House,” said, “Wright was one of the first people in Pennsylvania to raise silkworms and, with her brother, grew flax for linen, hemp for rope and coarse cloth, hops for beer and ale, and had a notable orchard. She was exceptional in her versatile intellect and the breadth of her knowledge and interests.”

Taking a tour of Wright’s Ferry Mansion leaves guests with a sense of what it was like to have lived as a prominent proponent of colonial self-sufficiency in 18th-century Pennsylvania.

Burning Bridge Antiques

Columbia is known for its plentiful antique shops, many of which beckon visitors with “open” flags. A 20,000-square-foot building located at 304 Walnut St. is particularly impressive.

Named “Burning Bridge Antiques,” the business was once home to a carriage shop, a sewing factory and a hardware store. When Willis Herr and his sons heard rumors that the building would be razed to make room for a parking lot, they set about saving the historic structure. They succeeded not only in saving the building, but restoring it to its original condition. With its pressed tin ceiling, wood flooring and American chestnut millwork, it’s a beauty to behold.

Today, the building is home to more than 250 antique vendors. In 2021, the owner of Hinkle’s Restaurant (see next entry) purchased the business.

Hinkle’s Restaurant

Hinkle’s has been a landmark in Columbia for 124 years. Those who haven’t visited lately may be astounded by the transformation.

The space has been brought into the modern era with new floors, booths, a soda fountain and an attractive gift shop. The family is no longer in the pharmacy business, but they still serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. One of the restaurant’s mainstays remains on the menu. The “shifter,” which was a favorite of railroad workers who ran the switch engines, is comprised of ham and cheese, lettuce, tomato, sweet pickle and mayo.

Fun fact: Samuel Hinkle founded the Easter Egg Dye Company. The dyes were later sold nationally by F.W. Woolworth Company.

A Quaff and a Bite

Wind down a day of walking by enjoying a craft beer or cocktail at one of about a half-dozen breweries in the town.

Starview Brews, located on Locust Street, opened just this year in a renovated tobacco warehouse. Mike Knaub runs the 5,000-square-foot, three-barrel brewery and touts a long brewing history. Among the core beers on tap are a brown porter, a pilsner, a cream ale and an IPA. In the works are an altbier, a witbier and a New England IPA.

Knaub also serves food to accompany his libations. On the menu are flatbread pizzas, paninis, homemade soups and more.

These are just a few places that will allow you to make the most of your visit to Columbia. If you have extra time, I also suggest visiting the Turkey Hill Experience, which is great for kids, along with the renovated Columbia Market House and the fascinating National Watch and Clock Museum, which was covered in a previous issue of TheBurg.

To learn more about these destinations, or to plan your trip, visit the Columbia section at the tourism website, www.discoverlancaster.com.

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Market Launch: Fresh Market brings Hershey residents, visitors new levels of food options

September 29, 2022 | by Deborah Lynch

Last month, on a recent Thursday morning, a handful of people waited outside of locked doors for one of the most anticipated events in recent Hershey history.

In the warm morning air, the excitement was building.

On that day, Fresh Market at Hershey Towne Square opened in the former post office and abattoir, just behind the still-novel Hershey Towne Square restaurants.

Within a few hours, word had spread. By lunchtime, vendors were slammed, and many soon sold out of prepared foods. The buzz continued through a busy Saturday.

That debut was a soft opening of a dozen or so prepared food vendors on the upper level of the two-story market, which eventually will be home to more than 40 stands. When it’s fully open, the market will feature a mix of hot food stands, farmers’ market specialty foods and items for home cooking.

“I’m super-excited,” said downtown resident Olivia Haist, who was waiting for her order at Yianni’s Gyro, where the meats were sizzling over flashes of fire.

She said that she almost hadn’t walked to the market after a long day working at Hersheypark, but was glad she had.

“It’s great to have a lot of different options,” she said.

Options that first week included Kimchee Girl, ShreddRRz, Taylor Chip Cookies, Frederic Loraschi Chocolate, I&E Craft Kitchen, Foltz’s, The Vegetable Hunter, Midstate Distillery, Schmidt’s Sausage Shop, Yianni’s Gyro, Ever Grain Brewing, Freshido and Owl Hill Provisions.

Given Hershey’s strong Italian heritage, vendors saw an opportunity to bring other ethnic food choices to town.

Dylan Jorich of Schmidt’s Sausages said that the longtime area meat purveyor decided it was the perfect market for their paprika and garlic-flavored Hungarian specialties.

“It’s always good to expand,” Jorich said. “Hershey is booming with people everywhere—Hersheypark, storefronts, people out all times of day. It was a good opportunity to branch out and get our feet wet in a different area.”

Joyce Park Williams, owner of Kimchee Girl, echoed this idea, noting the diversity that the medical center, the Hershey entities and engineering firms bring to the community.

“There was a huge energy,” she said. “Everybody was so excited. I think people in Hershey have been waiting and waiting.”

Residents may already know Kimchee Girl from the pop-up stand on Saturdays at the Market on Chocolate. The Fresh Market stand will feature not only the homemade kimchee but hot prepared specialties like bulgogi and japchae.

Melissa Miller, executive director of the Downtown Hershey Association, likewise credited the enthusiastic response to folks eager to check out the new market they had heard so much about.

“Downtown Hershey has been anticipating the opening of the Fresh Market at Hershey Towne Square for over a year to bring in more traffic, and it has been exciting to see the other downtown businesses supporting and enjoying the many new food options,” she said.

Miller added that opening day was just the beginning of what shoppers will discover going forward.

“The Fresh Market has added 20 small local businesses to Hershey and will be adding another 20 more with the lower-level farm market with fresh seafood, nuts, cheeses, juice, produce and all-natural homemade dog treats,” she said.

A Great Idea

Downtown Hershey waited a long time before the vision finally started to come into focus.

The post office moved out of the former abattoir (a slaughterhouse from 1936) in 2015. Another developer was involved until RVG Management and Development came on board and opened the Hershey Towne Square restaurants and shops along Chocolate Avenue in late fall of 2018.

“We have a very eclectic group of high-performing small businesses that do what they do very, very well,” said Steve Dayton of RVG, who has been working to get Fresh Market off the ground. “We’re very pleased with our vendor selection. We’ve gone to great lengths to try to create the diversity that we have. It will be a unique market experience in Hershey.”

Kristin Messner-Baker, a Hershey native who now lives in Boiling Springs and is an owner of The Vegetable Hunter restaurant, said that her Harrisburg and Carlisle locations already kept her staff busy, but “we always wanted to come to Hershey.”

“When they asked us, we thought about it, and said, ‘Yeah, sounds like a great idea,’” she said, noting a need for a vegan restaurant in the area.

John Politsopoulos, owner of Yianni’s Gyro, saw the market as “a great opportunity to bring a little of our tradition into the Hershey and Harrisburg area.” He and his wife Amanda also operate John’s Diner in New Cumberland, but the market is their first “quick service” outlet. They plan to open another on Union Deposit Road soon.

One of the vendors that will open in the lower-level farmer’s market section is Amaranth Bakery of Lancaster.

“When I heard about the Hershey Fresh Market, I was really excited,” said Amaranth’s Erin Schram. “I love the concept of the food court as well as the farmers market, all in one convenient location.”

Schram said that the market offers something for everyone.

“Being a foodie myself, I can’t wait to try Kimchee Girl and Yianni’s Gyros,” she said.

Dayton stressed that the diversity of vendors sets this market apart from other area markets. He also acknowledged the location as a key to future success.

“It’s like beachfront property,” he said. “There are not too many locations adjacent to Hersheypark. We just happen to have one.”

Fresh Market at Hershey Towne Square is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday to Saturday. For more information, visit www.hersheyfreshmarket.com.

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H-ARR-isburg on the High Seas: Matey, get ye bones to Open Stage for “Treasure Island”

September 29, 2022 | by Rachel Landon

My first experience with “Treasure Island” came around 1988, when my folks rented a BETA tape of the animated film from 1973.

It is an absolutely bonkers adaptation, with a pirate mouse sidekick for Jim (voiced by the Monkees’ Davy Jones) and some of the hokiest animation to ever hit a television screen. I had convinced myself it was a fever dream until recently when I hunted down a bootleg version on YouTube. It aged about as well as could be expected.

Over the years, I experienced the story in various iterations. I graduated to watching the 1950 Walt Disney live-action film, and, of course, the near-flawless “Muppet Treasure Island” in 1996. In the eighth grade I finally read Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel, and it checked all the boxes for a kid like me—it had swordfights, adventure on the high seas, colorful characters, a treasure map, a kid protagonist and of course, pirates.

It’s been a few hundred years since pirates like Blackbeard, Captain Kidd and Anne Bonney sailed the Seven Seas, and yet our collective obsession with buccaneers perseveres.

When Stuart Landon, artistic director at Open Stage (and who happened to grow up in the same household where that infamous BETA tape played), picked the 37th season, he knew that the theater needed a show that, after a season of small-cast shows, would welcome back a plethora of actors from our incredibly talented community, as well as audiences that can get excited about getting out and seeing shows again. Once again, “Treasure Island” checked all the boxes.

In 2014, Bryony Lavery adapted a version for the National Theatre. The production remained somewhat true to the original story with a few notable changes.

Jim Hawkins is now Jimima Hawkins, a “smart-as-paint” tomboy who dreams of escaping her humdrum life in her seaside village. The salty and colorful crew of the Hispaniola features familiar characters such as the treacherous Black Dog and the scurvy Israel Hands on deck. But characters like Red Ruth, Joan the Goat, Lucky Mickey, Dick the Dandy and Gray have been added to the roster of swashbucklers and seadogs. Their stories and relationships expand Stevenson’s beautifully crafted world in a way that audiences have never seen before.

The show will hit Open Stage starting Oct. 8, and those who have experienced “Treasure Island” in other mediums will find this to have all of the magic and romance of the original story, while enjoying a reimagined version with a modern and inclusive point of view. And as usual, Open Stage brings this epic adventure to an intimate stage at 25 N. Court St. for audiences to be up close and personal with the danger in the Admiral Benbow Inn, the magic of the open ocean viewed from the deck of an 18th-century schooner, and the heat of Captain Flint’s haunted island.

Sean Adams, who has been seen on stages all over central PA, takes on the role of Long John Silver, the infamous and endearing rogue, who, throughout history, has been portrayed by giants like Orson Welles, Charlton Heston, Robert Newton, and, of course, Tim Curry (“Upstage, lads. This is my only number!”). Adams is ready to take the wheel at the helm of (as he aptly puts it) “the pirate story.”

“It’s a great little adventure,” Adams said. “And it’s become so ingrained in pop culture that every pirate story written since owes something to it. I love how iconic every moment has become.”

How true that is. Would Jack Sparrow or Han Solo have been born without the benchmark of Robert Louis Stevenson’s quick-witted Silver? Adams is excited to tackle the role.

“Long John Silver is fascinating because of how charming he can be,” he said. “That makes him really dangerous, because people want to like him, even when they know they shouldn’t.”

Adams is one of 20 actors taking on the world’s most famous pirate story, and the energy in the rehearsal room is palpable as the cast and production team learn swordfights, build costumes and props, hoist sails and practice their best pirate-speak. This production will be unlike anything Harrisburg has seen before. If you’re like Jim Hawkins and dream of monsters, mutineers and treasure maps, this is the story for you. We look forward to having you join the crew.

“Treasure Island” runs Oct. 8 to 29 at Open Stage, 25 N. Court St., Harrisburg. For more information and tickets, visit www.openstagehbg.com or call 717-232-6736.

UPCOMING EVENTS AT HARRISBURG’S PROFESSIONAL
DOWNTOWN THEATERS

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

Popcorn Hat Players present
“Rapunzel!”
Oct. 1 and 8 at 1 p.m.

TMI Improv
Oct. 28 at 7:30 p.m.

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

“Treasure Island”
A swashbuckling adventure play
Oct. 8 to 29

Court Street Cabaret After Hours
Evenings of song from Broadway and beyond

Oct. 14 to 28

The Obstructed View
HallowQueen & Gay History

Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m.

Black Newsbeat
Wednesdays, Oct. 12 & 26

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Throw Your Cares Away: Local artist Robin Wheeler shares her joy of pottery

September 29, 2022 | by Ellen Frantz

Robin Wheeler

In the summer of 2012, Robin Wheeler returned to school as an adult, attending HACC to complete her associate’s degree in small business management.

In her schedule, she included a ceramics class, something she had never tried, but decided to toss in, just for fun. Quickly, the elective course became a passion.

Wheeler took every pottery class offered at HACC until she graduated in 2018. In some of her classes, she displayed her work and gave pottery wheel demonstrations at craft shows. Sometimes, people approached her and asked her to teach them the art.

“That started the thought process of not just being a potter and making my wares, but teaching other people how to use the pottery wheel and the other things I had been learning,” Wheeler said.

After finishing at HACC and, with the rise of COVID-19 in 2020, Wheeler searched for a reason to keep making pottery. That’s when the opportunity arose to start her own business.

Wheeler opened her studio, Wheel of Light, in Halifax in October 2021. The building has rooms that offer a variety of classes for adults and children, like painting, wood burning, jewelry making, weaving, masonry and more. There is a designated studio with wheels and kilns for pottery classes. Additionally, a gallery spotlights the work of different local artists each month, and a consignment shop features the work of 30 different artists.

Wheeler teaches many of the classes within her expertise, with help from some of her former HACC classmates who teach other courses. Many Wheel of Light teachers, vendors and class members have come to the studio through word of mouth and meeting at craft shows.

Wheeler said that opening the studio as a place for people to freely make art was important to her, as she’s seen spaces like these “shrivel up” as some schools get rid of their art programs.

“If the school is not going to offer it, someone has to,” Wheeler said. “And that’s where I come in.”

Wheel of Light’s location in Halifax was carefully chosen.

“Sometimes, I think I should’ve put it near Harrisburg because there are more people there,” Wheeler said. “But I really felt like I needed to open it here. When we opened, I had community members thank me for opening it here. I had one woman look at me and say, ‘We deserve nice things.’”

Beth Hogan and Tammy Rumbaugh, two of Wheeler’s pottery students, have enjoyed their time at Wheel of Light.

“Robin is very patient. She knows what she’s doing, and her demonstrations are very good,” Hogan said. “She’s always very positive and creates a good space.”

Rumbaugh always wanted to learn to make pottery and finally had the chance to do so this year. As a counselor, she finds many similarities between the art of pottery and what she tells her clients.

“You have to be very, very mindful,” Rumbaugh said. “It is definitely a soul journey.”

Besides the classes, Wheel of Light offers studio memberships to anyone who wants to perfect their skills on their own time. Each member gets a locker and unlimited access to all equipment in the studio.

As for Wheeler’s goals, she hopes her students learn not only about the art, but about themselves.

“I hope they find their creativity. I hope they grow their creativity,” Wheeler said. “I hope they find some freedom or some comfort in the process of making whatever it is they make.”

Wheel of Light is located at 3738 Peters Mountain Rd., Halifax. They will hold an open house on Oct. 22, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. More information and a class schedule can be found at www.shop.wheeloflightstudio.com or on their Facebook page.

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Taking Turns: After retirement, Robert Gaynes carved out a new purpose in life

September 29, 2022 | by Alex J. Hayes

Ninety-two-year-old Robert Gaynes escapes to his garage almost daily, carving new life into dead trees while re-energizing himself.

The former salesman has been turning discarded wood into bowls, vases and candleholders since he retired more than 30 years ago.

Turning provides Gaynes with instant gratification, allowing him to transform a piece of rough wood into a beautiful bowl in about two hours. He believes it can also be a stress reliever but quickly adds that he does not have much stress in retirement.

“I am addicted to it, I really am,” Gaynes said. “I just love it.”

Turning is an ancient art form. Every piece begins as a log mounted to a lathe. Gaynes, like most turners today, uses an electricity-powered lathe, but turners in the 1600s used foot-powered lathes controlled by a large wheel and twine. Human-powered lathes faded away during the Industrial Revolution to make way for water- and gas-powered machines.

Gaynes dons a smock and safety glasses as he carefully uses a bevel to smooth edges and create shapes as the wood rapidly spins in circles. Once a piece is complete, he applies a lacquer finish to make it shine. Occasionally, the wood breaks, and a piece gets tossed into the scrap pile.

Hundreds of bowls sit on tables, counters and bookshelves in every room of Gaynes’ home in his Colonial Park neighborhood.

“The question is, when does a hobby stop becoming a hobby and become an obsession?” quipped Gail, Gaynes’ wife of 55 years.

She supports his craft but is always quick to give pieces to visiting family members.

“This is the first time I have seen our dining room table in a while,” she said after hosting guests recently. “It is usually covered in bowls.”

Gaynes started turning about 30 years ago when he retired from full-time work. He wanted to stay active but was not interested in typical retirement hobbies like cards and golf. He spotted a lathe in the window of a Sears store while shopping with his father. He purchased it and started a woodshop in his basement.

“The learning curve was terrible,” Gaynes said.

He was determined to excel, so traveled to Utah and Vermont to learn from masters of the craft.

Armed with knowledge, Gaynes’ new hobby took off. He eventually moved his lathe and tools into his garage and turned his basement into a showroom. He encourages all new turners to take lessons and not waste time trying to learn on their own.

“It has been a constant learning process,” he said.

Each type of wood has its own challenges, depending on type and dryness. Gaynes’ pieces are made from walnut, mulberry, sassafras, cherry and what Gaynes jokingly describes as, “I-don’t-know” wood. He has also tried his hand at cabinetmaking, a slow and meticulous process.

Gaynes rarely sells his pieces but often donates them to fundraisers. His biggest donation, much to Gail’s delight, is in the works.

Gaynes plans to give his entire collection of hundreds of pieces to the Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg. The federation is opening the Alexander Grass Campus for Jewish Life in Uptown Harrisburg. The six-acre, six-building campus will include a pool, fitness center, senior services, an educational facility, social services and community programs.

Gaynes’ work will be displayed and sold on the campus, with proceeds benefiting the center as well as other nonprofit organizations important to him, such as the United Way and Susquehanna Service Dogs.

Marty Rogoff, Jewish Federation vice chair, recently visited Gaynes’ home and is excited how the sale will boost fundraising efforts. Details are still being finalized, but a spring 2023 date is possible.

“Bob’s work is incredibly beautiful, and the thought that he would be willing to donate proceeds of the bowls to us and other charitable organizations is amazing and heartwarming,” Rogoff said.

To learn more about the art of woodturning, visit the American Association of Woodturners at www.woodturner.org.

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Ode to October: The weather cools, but tunes are still hot

September 29, 2022 | by Ellen Frantz

Prior to writing this column, I expected summertime’s torrid pace of area concerts to slow this month, given that the weather is starting to cool down. I was shocked to see that Harrisburg University Presents stocked this month with so many concerts—even more than in the summer months.

Although this month’s concerts are held inside and in smaller venues, they are just as good as their outdoor predecessors. Here are some shows I don’t think you’ll want to miss.

James Hunter Six, 10/1, 8 p.m., XL Live

James Hunter is a blues/R&B singer from England. He has sung backup for Van Morrison and opened for artists like Willie Nelson, Tom Petty and Aretha Franklin before starting his own group, the James Hunter Six. The group’s music reminds me of the ‘60s, while still feeling modern. Songs like “Whatever It Takes” and “I Can Change Your Mind” sound as if they should be played on a jukebox. His songs, “I Don’t Wanna Be Without You” and “(Baby) Hold On,” seem like they were written to be performed live.

Barns Courtney, 10/14, 8 p.m., XL Live

Barns Courtney sounds a bit like if Fall Out Boy were one guy instead of a whole band. His indie rock/alternative/folk sound is destined to please fans of pop punk, as well. The vocals on songs like “Glitter and Gold” and “Sinners” are clear and passionate. I can only imagine how good he will sound when performing live.

Engelbert Humperdinck, 10/15, 7:30 p.m., American Music Theatre

All these years later, and he’s still got it. Engelbert Humperdinck brings his iconic ballads to Lancaster this month. From hits like “A Man Without Love” and “Quando, Quando, Quando” to covers like “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You,” the legendary singer will please all comers, regardless of age. After 50 years in show business and countless hits, Engelbert Humperdinck is sure to belt out at least one song you can sing along to.

Mentionables

Clinton Kane, Oct. 13, XL Live

The Man in Black: A Tribute to Johnny Cash, Oct. 16, American Music Theatre

The Dead Boys, Oct. 20, H*MAC

Kilmaine Saints, Oct. 22, H*MAC

Accept, Oct. 27, XL Live

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For the Love of a Hound: Gulliver’s Run honors a beloved dog—and benefits canine cancer research

September 29, 2022 | by Karen Hendricks

Left: John Heycock and dogs, Duncan and Gulliver.

The perfect dog, according to John Heycock, is a Hungarian Vizsla.

“I love all dogs, but I’ve had Vizslas since 1969,” Heycock said. “They’re just a very sensitive dog, family-oriented, and they love to run.”

Every Vizsla that’s been part of Heycock’s family has been special, but there’s one dog whose story—and spirit—has inspired hundreds, if not thousands of people. He was a dog named Gulliver.

“Gulliver was diagnosed with canine lymphoma in 2011 after I found a lump on his neck, and I was absolutely shocked,” Heycock said.

Innovative clinical trials for canine cancer treatments at the University of Pennsylvania gave Gulliver one more year with his family.

“He was in good spirits the entire time, and he still wanted to run. So, we continued to run together, just about every day,” said Heycock, 69, of York Haven.

And running, Gulliver by his side, gave Heycock an idea.

“The thing about cancer—whether it’s with people or our pets—it kind of makes you feel powerless,” he said. “But I knew when he was gone, we were going to have to do something—not just to honor his memory, but to fight back against this disease. So, we decided we were going to have a trail run at Gifford Pinchot State Park, which is where we ran.”

Gulliver passed away on Nov. 5, 2012. On that date—or as close to it as possible—every year thereafter, Gulliver’s Run inspires hundreds of runners and walkers to gather and rally around the disease that took his life. The participants—a mix of humans and hounds—fill the park’s trails and picnic area with activity and a festival-like atmosphere. Last year, 22 vendors participated, including dog rescues and food trucks, even one with baked doggy treats.

“People are united in celebrating the bond that has existed between dogs and humans for at least 15,000 years,” said Heycock, describing the event atmosphere.

Following the race, there’s an awards ceremony—not just for the quickest two-legged runners, but for those running alongside the fleetest four-legged companions. Amid the fun—and furry friends—there are stories.

That’s because the event doesn’t just attract dog lovers. It draws many people who, like Heycock, personally feel the impact of canine cancer statistics. About 6 million dogs are diagnosed with cancer annually in the United States.

Honoring Hobie

“Every year, I hear people’s stories about their dogs fighting canine cancer,” Heycock said. “So, we created the ‘Hobie Award,’ which goes out to a family that’s had an experience in the battle against canine cancer, in the spirit of Gulliver.”

Hobie was a black Lab mix that participated in the very first Gulliver’s Run with owner Annie Flaud of Lititz.

“We actually saw the first [warning] signs on the morning of the race, when he didn’t eat breakfast, but he ran the race with no problems,” Flaud said. “Two weeks after the race, he was diagnosed with lymphoma—stage four—and he passed away in September of the following year.”

At the second annual Gulliver’s Run, Flaud received the very first Hobie Award—and much more.

“It’s funny how things come into your life when you need them,” Flaud said. “The timing of the event—it was actually comforting.”

Flaud has co-presented the Hobie Award with Heycock ever since.

“Whether it’s canine cancer or cancer among humans, it’s never easy—it’s heartbreaking—but there is hope and support out there, as we continue to tell our stories and as research is ongoing,” Flaud said. “Gulliver’s Run has a special place in my heart.”

Track Record

While Gulliver’s Run has created a community for those who lost dogs to canine cancer in central Pennsylvania, the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond, it’s also approaching a major charitable milestone. Gulliver’s Run, as a nonprofit organization, has amassed a financial impact of $90,000 over nine years, and that total is expected to top the $100,000 mark at the 10th annual event this November.

Race entry fees and donations, described by Heycock as “sacred money,” hail from “everyday people” and area small businesses, including veterinary practices, all in the battle against canine cancer.

Over the years, the Heycocks—John and his wife Lisa—have donated race proceeds to various charities, including the National Canine Cancer Association and a Philadelphia-area vet hospital hosting canine cancer trials.

The current recipient, the nonprofit Animal Cancer Foundation, is embarking on an innovative canine cancer genome project. Its goal is to map the seven most common canine cancer tumor genomes and make the information public, available to all veterinary and cancer researchers.

Winning the Battle

Over the past five years, Heycock has waged his own battle with cancer—and developed an even deeper appreciation for man’s best friends in the process.

“In May of 2017, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. A month later, I had Lyme disease, and I was diagnosed with CLL [a cancer of the blood and bone marrow known as chronic lymphocytic leukemia],” he said. “I’m surviving two kinds of cancer, and, quite honestly, I think being active with my dogs has helped keep CLL at bay.”

It appears that Heycock, who retired after devoting 42 years to a career in the mental health field—mostly as a therapist who helped others navigate their struggles—has discovered a new, yet similar, calling in life.

“It’s very humbling to think about Gulliver’s Run,” he said. “It makes us very proud to think basically my wife and I have done this with the support of people who believe in what we’re doing, not just to honor Gulliver, but for all the dogs battling cancer and all the families.”

The 10th annual Gulliver’s Run is scheduled for Nov. 6. For more information, visit gulliversrun.org.

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Art Imitates Life: Current events make “Call Jane” especially relevant

September 29, 2022 | by Sammi Leigh Melville

Photo by Wilson Webb. Courtesy of Roadside Attractions.

Phyllis Nagy’s “Call Jane” is fatefully relevant, and almost painfully so. Not because the film is bad… but more because the timing is either terrible or brilliant, and I can’t decide which.

Joy (Elizabeth Banks) is having another baby. She and her husband, Will (Chris Messina), and teenage daughter, Charlotte (Grace Edwards), couldn’t be happier about this, although Joy’s dizzy spells seem to be a distant concern—until she faints and they discover the problem is much more serious. The doctor tells her that her pregnancy is affecting her health, and she has a 50% chance of surviving labor. The best solution to this problem, he says, is to not be pregnant. But, unfortunately, the board at the hospital will not let her have an emergency abortion.

So, Joy decides to take matters into her own hands. She tries to convince doctors to help her, and even the receptionist suggests taking a tumble down some stairs. But, finally, Joy discovers a flier on the street that says, “Pregnant? Anxious? Get help! Call Jane.” And she does.

And so we are introduced to the Jane Collective, the real-life organization that existed from 1969 to 1973, until Roe v. Wade made their services unnecessary. Jane is an underground organization of women who help others get abortions. And Joy’s journey throughout the film is a rough estimate of what the actual Jane Collective did. The story is fascinating, and there are already countless films about it—documentary and dramatized. So what makes “Call Jane” stand out? It certainly has more big names, with Elizabeth Banks and Sigourney Weaver heading the bill. But a star-studded cast isn’t the driving factor, somehow, in a film like this.

There aren’t too many twists and turns in the story of the Jane Collective. The women manage to do exactly what they set out to do. But here’s the strange thing about this film: since its premiere at Sundance in January, the context has completely changed. In the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, one has to wonder what the cinematic experience would have been like without the resulting dread of this development as context.

Honestly, it probably would have faded into the background more than it does now. The end of the film almost feels too on the nose, with everyone clapping for a victory made, but then how else would a film about the Jane Collective end? With today’s context, however, the ending feels much more emotional, with a sad twist of irony. And that was just the complexity a film like this needed.

“Call Jane” is worth the watch, and maybe it will do some good in putting our own times into context. The film will play this October at Midtown Cinema.

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

October Events At Midtown Cinema

Saturday Morning Cartoons
Saturday, Oct. 1, 10 a.m.

Down in Front Presents
“A Night to Dismember”
Friday, Oct. 14, 9:30 p.m.(ish)

National Theatre Live
“Frankenstein”
Sunday, Oct. 16, 5 p.m.

3rd in the Burg Movie Night
“Hocus Pocus” (1993)
Friday, Oct. 21, 9:30 p.m.

Vidjam of Horror
Sunday, Oct. 23

Moviate Presents
Sunday, Oct. 30

Special Halloween Screenings

“A Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984)
Friday, Oct. 7, 9:30 p.m.

“Friday the 13th” (1980)
Saturday, Oct. 8, 9:30 p.m.

“Halloween” (1979)
Sunday, Oct. 9, 7:30 p.m.

“Psycho”
Saturday, Oct. 15, 1 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

“Evil Dead” Triple Feature
Sunday, Oct. 16

“The Evil Dead,” 3 p.m.
“Evil Dead II,” 5:15 p.m.
“Army of Darkness,” 7:30 p.m.

“Hocus Pocus” (1993)
Saturday, Oct. 22, 11 a.m.

“A Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984)
Saturday, Oct. 22, 9:30 p.m.

“Halloween” (1979)
Sunday, Oct. 23, 7:30 p.m.

“Friday the 13th” (1980)
Friday, Oct. 28, 9:30 p.m.

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (1975)
Saturday, Oct. 29, 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.

“Scream” Marathon
All five “Scream” films
Sunday, Oct. 30, beginning at 12 p.m.

“A Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984)
Monday, Oct. 31, 7 p.m.

“Friday the 13th” (1980)
Monday, Oct. 31, 7:15 p.m.

“Halloween” (1979)
Monday, Oct. 31, 7:30 p.m.

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

Urban Churn launches supermarket distribution, adds Carlisle scoop shop

September 28, 2022 | by Lawrance Binda

The Urban Churn shop in Harrisburg

A Harrisburg-based creamery is substantially expanding its reach, opening a new retail store and beginning supermarket sales.

Urban Churn announced today that it plans to open its third scoop shop later this year at 248 Westminster Dr. in Carlisle.

In addition, customers now can purchase the company’s small-batch craft ice cream in Giant Food Stores in Linglestown and on the Carlisle Pike in Mechanicsburg.

Adam Brackbill founded Urban Churn in 2014, opening its scoop shop on N. 3rd Street in Midtown Harrisburg several years later. Last year, the company expanded to a second location on the Carlisle Pike outside of Mechanicsburg.

According to Brackbill, more retail shops will follow, as will more supermarket locations, including Wegmans in Mechanicsburg.

Moreover, Urban Churn recently renovated and opened a commissary in Harrisburg with an expanded churning facility to increase ice cream production and with loading docks to facilitate greater distribution.

The product line available in retail locations is also expanding. Customers soon will be able to purchase flavored popsicles, ice cream cakes, waffle cone chips and more, according to Brackbill.

Due to the expansion, Urban Churn stated that it is now hiring drivers, churners and in-shop team members.

For more information on Urban Churn, visit their website.

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