Green Getaway: The only destination of its kind in PA, The Nature Inn is an eco-lodge that’s red-hot.

May 31, 2022 | by Karen Hendricks

Image courtesy of The Nature Inn at Bald Eagle.

It’s almost exactly in the center of Pennsylvania.

Appropriately, The Nature Inn at Bald Eagle—and its environmentally inspired design—goes to the heart of Pennsylvania’s definition, “Penn’s Woods.” It’s the only lodge, eco or otherwise, located in a Pennsylvania state park.

“It’s a gem, more comparable to a lodge you’d find in the national parks,” said Tara DeVore, assistant manager at Bald Eagle State Park.

Perched atop a hillside, the soaring structure is oriented to a lakeside vista, cocooned by mountains lit by dewy sunrise views, as well as cotton-candy sunset skies. But the 16-room inn’s placement is about more than a pretty view. Everything about the inn is thoughtfully designed in harmony with nature.

It’s Only Natural

Green technology powers The Nature Inn, from geothermal heating and cooling to innovative rainwater harvesting.

Cisterns capture raindrops, and, altogether, the 2,800-gallon system flushes the inn’s toilets. Floor and wall tiles contain 55% recycled glass, and outdoor patio furniture is comprised of 100% recycled aluminum. Furniture and fireplaces are constructed from hardwoods and stones locally sourced from the surrounding forest. Signage explains many of the inn’s fascinating eco-features.

Going green has even garnered gold. The Nature Inn has been named “#1 Eco-Lodge” in the country by USA Today readers, and it’s earned the prestigious Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification—a worldwide rating system for green buildings.

“There’s nothing else like it in PA,” said Kashia Quay, operations manager. “Sustainability is a large factor. We do everything we can to continue eco-friendly aspects into the property. Everything you look at has a purpose.”

She especially enjoys watching kids search for whole sunflower seed hulls embedded in the hotel’s bio-composite front desk.

Overall, the green design is “groundbreaking,” said Michelle Smithbauer, the park’s environmental education specialist. “It makes people feel better when they’re staying in a state park. It’s a less impactful way of staying in a hotel.”

Bird’s Eye View

Eight rooms are lakeside, while eight face the woods, and all include binoculars, bird guides and balconies. It’s a birders’ paradise—even for the birds. The inn’s large windows of fritted glass—featuring patterns—reduce bird strikes. Bluebirds have their own accommodations—72 wooden boxes sprinkled throughout the park.

“There are over 275 bird species seen in the park,” said Smithbauer. “The lake is large and deep enough to support a large variety of waterfowl, from herons to diving and dabbling ducks. But people get really excited about the bald eagles.”

While many visitors assume the park is named for the beloved national bird, Bald Eagle State Park actually pays homage to a Native American chief.

Additional wildlife includes plentiful white-tailed deer and more elusive residents: black bears, mink and fishers—related to weasels. The nearby “frog pond” is a hotbed of amphibians.

While the park’s traditional campground attracts seasoned campers, the inn attracts a whole different crowd. It could even be thought of as an ambassador for the state park system.

“For sure, the inn introduces people to our state parks. It’s a good buffer, if people aren’t so sure about camping,” said DeVore. “They can feel the comforts of home, but still get out and explore the outdoors.”

On the Menu

Similar to a bed and breakfast, stays include a hearty, hot breakfast. The onsite scratch kitchen offers gourmet lunch and dinner options—including world-famous ice cream concocted nearby, at Penn State’s Berkey Creamery.

Outdoor lovers also can choose from a menu of activities: hiking, biking, boating and summer water sports—including paddle boarding, fishing and swimming at the sandy lakeside beach. Winter adventures include sledding, ice skating and fishing.

“This park is amazing—it has everything you’d hope to find in a state park,” said Charlie Brooks, innkeeper since The Nature Inn opened its doors in 2010.

Inside, green technologies also read like a menu, providing food for thought.

“Environmental stewardship is the tip of the spear,” Brooks said. “For someone thinking about home improvements or new construction, everything in this building is a suggestion to start the conversation.”

And this is one of the primary goals of the innovative property, conceived by Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). It’s a green investment.

“It achieves what DCNR was going for—a way to educate people, not in a way that detracts from their stay. It shows them that, ‘I can do something that’s good for the environment, and it’s not going to detract from my home,’” said Brooks, who operates the inn under an equally innovative public-private partnership with DCNR.

Twelve years ago, the inn’s $10 million construction budget had its “skeptics,” Brooks said, amid “the state parks’ ever-tightening budget. But what has always been important to me, is that essentially the inn generates enough income to offset operating costs.”

The good news? The Nature Inn appears to be meeting and exceeding that goal. The bad news? Some nature lovers simply can’t get into the inn.

“We find that peak weekends are booked two years in advance,” said Quay.

The inn’s small size and access to the outdoors are like a ray of sunshine within a pandemic-weary landscape.

“Occupancy rates during the past two years were higher than they’ve ever been,” Brooks said. “Our average occupancy rate now hovers around 80%.”

From every direction, the view is green. While Brooks and DCNR see healthy green growth, they’re planting seeds for green eco-practices. Meantime, backlogged travelers await their visits, green with envy.

For more information on The Nature Inn at Bald Eagle, visit natureinnatbaldeagle.com. Writer Karen Hendricks advises visitors to consider off-peak travel times. She recently escaped to The Nature Inn to snag a string of weekdays-turned-truly-remote workdays.

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Rhubarb Rules: This month, show some love to an often overlooked veggie.

May 31, 2022 | by Rosemary Ruggieri Baer

During my weekly trips to the farmers market, I love seeing all the fresh produce that is the hallmark of each season. But I always wonder about a few things.

How many people are buying those eggplants or sweet bulbs of fennel? What about the watermelon radishes and celery root? And is anyone choosing the little baskets of fresh figs for their appetizer plate?

One of the farmers I often speak to at the market was recently lamenting the change in customers’ buying and cooking habits. He claimed that prepared food is so popular that few people regularly are “really cooking anymore.” He wishes he had been an eye doctor.

Well, I do. Cook, that is—and regularly. So, I buy things that actually need to be cooked.

Spring is still with us. The homegrown spring lettuces are a wonderful addition to salads and the “real strawberries” from local farms put the off-season berries in plastic clamshells to shame. Sugar peas must be “strung,” but they are a special treat when cooked with small new potatoes and olive oil.

But what about rhubarb? I still buy it every spring during its very short appearance at the market. If you are not familiar with this special vegetable (that is treated as a fruit), it looks like bright, cherry-red celery. You can’t eat it out of hand like an apple, but, when cooked in sauces and desserts, rhubarb is transformed.

Every year, I look for thin rhubarb stalks, which are more tender than their fuller-figured relatives. Like my mother, I often just cook it with a little water, sugar and orange slices to make a sauce. It can be served with dinner, as a simple dessert with ice cream, or even breakfast with plain yogurt.

The cookbook author and TV celebrity Ina Garten has a similar rhubarb sauce that is even better. Ina adds raspberries and strawberries to hers and serves it with a little whipped cream and a store-bought cookie for a very easy, late spring dessert. Orange liqueur gives the compote a little kick but is optional. I am sharing her recipe with you this month. I hope you will try it for something very different.

Ina’s Stewed Rhubarb with Red Berries

Ingredients

2 pounds fresh rhubarb, cut in ¾ inch chunks (6 to 8 cups)
1 cup sugar
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1 pint fresh or frozen strawberries (thickly sliced)
½ pint fresh or frozen red raspberries
1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
1/3 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (2 oranges)
1 tablespoon Grand Marnier or Triple Sec (these are both orange-infused liqueurs)
Sweetened whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for servings

Directions

Place the rhubarb in a large saucepan and add the sugar, salt and 2/3-cup water.
Bring to a boil over high heat, then lower the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally until the rhubarb is tender and starts to fall apart.
Remove from the heat, stir in the strawberries, raspberries, lemon and orange juices and Grand Marnier if using. Allow the mixture to cool.
Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

This lovely fruit compote can be made several days ahead and kept in the refrigerator. It is a light dessert and would be a very good choice for a little dinner party.

If cooking with rhubarb is new for you, you will be amazed at how many ways you can use it. There are rhubarb cocktails and rhubarb pies. Rhubarb scones and tangy rhubarb glazing sauces for grilled chicken. Rhubarb crisps and cobblers. Rhubarb relish served with goat cheese on French bread baguette slices.

So, stop a minute at the produce section of your favorite market and think about giving those strange fruits and vegetables a try. Our local farmers will thank you.

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Stem to Stream: If you want cleaner river water, you need good tree cover.

May 31, 2022 | by Dan Miller

We need water to survive. That’s one thing that all of us humans have in common.

Here’s something else we have in common. Nearly all of us can enhance water quality in the greater Harrisburg region by planting a tree.

This summer, that’s the message coming from numerous local environmental groups, such as the PA Parks & Forests Foundation, in addition to government agencies.

An Imperative

A few hundred years ago, no less an authority than Thomas Jefferson extolled the value of trees. The nation’s third president equated killing a tree with capital punishment, saying, “The unnecessary felling of a tree, perhaps the growth of centuries, seems to me a crime little short of murder, (and) it pains me to an unspeakable degree.”

Nowadays, killing a tree probably won’t get you charged with a crime. Perhaps it should, when one considers all the ways trees contribute to water quality.

In case of rain or flooding, trees slow down and reduce the amount of water flowing into a stream or other drinking water source like a creek or river, said Marci Mowery, president of the statewide Parks & Forests Foundation, based in Camp Hill.

Trees do this in a variety of ways, such as capturing rain before it ever hits the ground.

“If you have ever walked down the street on a rainy day, you notice that it is probably safe to stand under the tree,” Mowery said.

Then tree roots absorb rainwater that makes it to the ground.

“An incredible amount of water goes up into a mature tree,” Mowery said. “So, that water is not directly flowing into the waterway from a flooding perspective.”

In addition, trees provide soil stability that prevents erosion. Rainwater trickles down and percolates into the soil and into the groundwater. The water is cleansed and impurities are removed as part of this process.

Without trees and tree cover, rainwater falls on impervious surfaces like blacktop, picking up chemicals on its way to a water source, such as our creeks and rivers and, ultimately, the Chesapeake Bay.

Tree cover also reduces temperature.

“Downtown areas often heat up much more quickly” due to the amount of asphalt and lack of tree cover, said Matthew Keefer with the Bureau of Forestry of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Without tree cover, stormwater runoff that heats up can harm ecosystems that depend upon cooler water, especially in streams like the Conodoguinet and Yellow Breeches that are heavily sourced by coldwater springs, said Andrew Gavin, vice president of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission.

“Those warmer temperatures running off from parking lots and roads can really impact the aquatic ecosystem to the extent they are used to colder water temperatures,” Gavin said.

Ultimately, there are economic consequences, as well. Pennsylvania has 83,260 miles of recreational stream—second only to Alaska in the United States, Mowery said.

“We are a very large tourism state. Nobody wants to recreate if the water is bad,” she added. “We have a large craft beverage industry that depends on clean water. We have a lot of food production companies that depend on clean water. So, it is imperative that we protect this natural asset.”

Positive Aspects

Each year, Pennsylvania loses tree cover to development, whether residential or commercial, Keefer said. At the same time, “we gain forest back from agricultural fields reverting back to woods, so statewide the numbers are consistent.”

The greater Harrisburg area is probably losing more forest cover than gaining, due to the amount of development taking place, Keefer said.

“When you drive on 322 just north of the city (Harrisburg), and you look to the west, you can see new housing developments on top of the ridge, on top of the mountain,” he said. “So, there is certainly development like that happening.”

But Keefer is encouraged by the partnerships and restoration efforts he sees throughout the midstate. He cited examples like Penn State, which is working with school districts to plant trees on land owned by the districts, and Harrisburg, which has an arborist on staff leading efforts to increase tree cover and tree plantings citywide.

The greater Harrisburg area also has many volunteer-based organizations working to establish riparian buffers—tree plantings and tree cover along streams and waterways.

Among the more active is the Conodoguinet Creek Watershed Association.

The association partners with local municipalities and with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s “Keystone 10 Million Tree” project, which aims to plant 10 million trees throughout Pennsylvania by 2025.

CCWA volunteers have done tree plantings in Ridley Park and Acri Meadow Park in East Pennsboro Township, in Siebert Park in Camp Hill, and in Willow Mill Park and in the DiFilippo Nature Preserve in Silver Spring Township.

The association planted over 1,500 trees in 2021, not including the stormwater basin in East Pennsboro Township, where the association planted thousands of wildflowers and perennials.

In addition, midstate municipalities, including Hampden, Derry, Lower Allen and Londonderry townships, are exercising their authority under state law to levy fees upon businesses and residences to help pay for stormwater system improvements that protect and enhance water quality.

“A lot of municipalities are embracing the fact that it helps to build quality of life for their residents,” Gavin said. “You start to improve the local stream water quality and you improve aesthetics through more green space and connected parks. There’s a lot of rails to trails, and all that goes hand in hand with greening up a municipality. A big component of that is tree planting. All that contributes to a lot of things—a lot more positive aspects to residents, but it improves water quality, too.”

For more information:

The PA Parks & Forests Foundation, www.paparksandforests.org

Susquehanna River Basin Commission, www.srbc.net

Conodoguinet Creek Watershed Association, www.conocreek.org

Stories on environmental topics are proudly sponsored by LCSWMA.

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Soldiers’ Stories: U.S. Army Heritage Center offers an immersive experience in military history.

May 31, 2022 | by Susan Ryder

When it comes to the military life, Joe Boslet knows what he’s talking about.

The Vietnam War veteran volunteers as a tour guide at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center (USAHEC) in Carlisle, where he shares his knowledge and expertise with visitors.

“Kids are interested in how I lived,” he said.

They ask about what he ate and what his duties were, he said. Adults and teens often want to know more about combat.

“They usually ask if I killed anyone,” Boslet said.

He answers that question as best he can, emphasizing that combat isn’t like what’s depicted in the movies.

Starting indoors, visitors receive a dog tag card for one of six soldiers, such as Master Sgt. Edward G. Abraham, who served in the Korean War. The card provides specifics about the soldier, such as where he saw combat. At the museum’s end, visitors learn how the soldier fared through the war and whether he arrived home safely.

Displays include gear and weapons, including a parachute jump interactive exhibit.

“Who would jump out of a perfectly safe airplane?” Boslet asked, happy to keep his feet firmly on the ground. In the “Where in the Hell is Korea?” display, the center helps citizens understand that conflict better, he said.

The “On Patrol” exhibit gives the feeling of being there. “There” is Iraq, with four soldiers on patrol, ready to enter a room through a heavy metal door. Each time visitors open the door, they’re greeted by a different scenario. In one, a family sits to eat; in another, militants are armed and ready to fire. It creates a tension unfamiliar to most people, but completely familiar to soldiers.

Would-be sharp shooters can practice their aim at the digital shooting range.

“We go to Gettysburg quite a bit, and this is something different,” said Morgan Smink, who recently visited USAHEC with her children. When asked what he liked best, son Sawyer Smink replied, “The big tanks.”

He’s referring to the exhibits on the one-mile Army Heritage Trail. This flat, cindered path gives visitors a close-up glimpse into the lives of soldiers and equipment used in Army operations. Visitors will walk onto a Redoubt Number 10 reconstruction, an earthen bulwark with vertical pointy logs encircling it, from the Battle of Yorktown, see artillery up close, and marvel at the tanks and helicopters.

“The 155-caliber howitzer—I didn’t know they could get that large,” said 17-year-old Jacob Lapinas.

He, along with newfound friend Adam Whary, visited with a student group from Commonwealth Connections Academy.

“This place is fantastic,” Whary said. “Pieces of history that others need to see.”

Gary Emerson, a veteran of 22 years in the Army, visited that day from Ithaca, N.Y.

“I can see the development of my military career,” said Emerson of the facility.

Those who would like to delve deeper into military history can make an appointment at the U.S. Army War College Library located at USAHEC. There, history buffs, authors and academics can find letters, journals, rare books, unit histories and the like.

“We collect items from the public to generals,” said John Kurash, audiovisual curator.

About 10% of the collection has been digitized.

“It allows everyone in the world to view” the artifacts, documents and audio recordings, Kurash said.

People visit the library for a variety of reasons.

“Not only academics or historians but authors and for genealogy,” said archivist Joanne Lamm, who described her job as “making order out of chaos.”

Archived items include papers that, at the time, may have been considered mundane, such as the receipt of the materials for the A-bomb, and more ominous, like the D-Day invasion plan.

Art-lovers can stop into the Omar N. Bradley Memorial Art Gallery. The rotating exhibit now holds “Carved in Stone, Cast in Bronze: Commemorative Sculpture of the Civil War.” The “Standing Lincoln” by Augustin Saint-Gaudens and marble busts of Gen. George McClellan and Gen. U.S. Grant are included in this exhibit.

After a day of wading through history, walking the trail and experiencing a soldier’s life, visitors can grab a drink and something to eat at Scoops Café. MREs aren’t on the menu, but there’s a nice selection of sandwiches, soups and salads.

So, how did Master Sgt. Abraham from the digital dog tag manage after the war? He received the Bronze Star, was discharged in 1953, obtained his pilot’s license, and served in the National Guard and Operation Desert Storm.

Whether you prefer history or art or just like marveling at the big guns, you can find something to enjoy and learn at the USAHEC.

The U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center is located at 950 Soldiers Dr., Carlisle. For more information, visit www.ahec.armywarcollege.edu.

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Place Your Beats: My Heroes Stage at Hollywood Casino offers a new entertainment option in central PA.

May 31, 2022 | by Jeff Falk

If variety is the spice of life, then options and alternatives are true delights. Cue the My Heroes Stage in five, four, three, two, one.

My Heroes Stage is central Pennsylvania’s newest live music venue. Located at Hollywood Casino in Grantville, it’s bringing big-name recording artists from the musical realms of rock, pop and country and western to the Harrisburg region.

For Hollywood Casino, the venue is a way to expand its business footprint, to spread its entertainment wings. But the real winners are music-loving locals.

“My Heroes Stage is more than just another entertainment venue at the casino,” said Dan Ihm, vice president and general manager at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course. “We wanted to provide a different experience. We’re not here to compete with Hershey. We’re here to complement them. They bring in a different type of artist than we would bring in.”

More than just another concert, a show at My Heroes Stage at Hollywood Casino is an intimate experience in music.

Located on the north side of the complex, My Heroes Stage is within walking distance of the casino building, and the picturesque Blue Mountains serve as the enormous stage’s scenic backdrop. The venue’s outdoor seating can accommodate 5,000 guests, and concerts are staged in a festive, carnival-style atmosphere.

Vendors, food trucks and outdoors bars are located nearby, admission is reasonably priced, and parking is free.

“I went to see Journey last summer, just to see what it was like,” said Glenn Hamilton, program director and morning host for Harrisburg radio station, WRVV 97.3 FM. “The thing I was impressed with was how big the stage was and the quality of the production. For a first-year endeavor, they put on a great show. Nobody knew what to expect. You’re surrounded by the mountains, and the setting is absolutely beautiful.”

From a business standpoint, My Heroes Stage was an opportunity born of a pandemic. With COVID-19 restrictions easing, August 2021 proved to be the perfect timing for the opening of a new outdoor music venue.

Or, as Ihm put it, “We seized the moment last year, and now it’s growing.”

“I think, overall, we’re just making Dauphin County more of a destination,” he said. “We’re creating entertainment value. We’re bringing in new people who may not have come here before. The more reasons we provide for people to come into the area, the more opportunities for economic growth.”

Last year, My Heroes Stage offered a limited series of six shows, a schedule that included music legend John Fogerty, comedian Larry The Cable Guy and the rock band, Journey. The 2022 schedule has expanded to include 15 concerts, featuring such big names as Martina McBride, Bush, Big & Rich, Collective Soul, Rick Springfield, Men At Work and John Waite.

“I think they’ve got a great place that fits into the local live music scene,” said Hamilton. “There is a need, and it fills a need in that market. There is no better way for an artist or a band to connect with their audience than through a live performance. You’re there in person with someone you like or love.”

There’s also a direct community element to My Heroes Stage.

The venue is named in honor of active military, veterans, police, firefighters and first responders. In addition, a portion of the proceeds from shows is donated to myheroes charities.

“The concept of My Heroes is part of our loyalty program,” Ihm said. “Penn National is very involved in providing services to the military. It was very important to us to give back and provide live entertainment to the community. For me, it’s about giving back to all the people who have given so much to us and our community.”

In a unique way, My Heroes Stage represents a natural entertainment progression of Hollywood Casino and Penn National. Thoroughbred horse racing at the Grantville property began on August 30, 1972, and Hollywood Casino was built in 2008.

“You have all these conveniences, all these different things to do, in one spot,” Ihm said. “In my mind, there’s not a better place to go. People can come here, and they don’t have to gamble. We just want to introduce more people to our product. We’re in the entertainment business, and we do it well.”

There are few vehicles with as much universal appeal as music. Music possesses the power to bridge generations and bring people together.

“Central Pennsylvania loves live music,” Hamilton said. “Now, it seems like there’s more of it, with so many different venues. None of the venues are hurting; they’re all doing well. My advice would be, buy a ticket, go experience a show and be your own judge. There’s nothing else like it.”

My Heroes Stage is located at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course, 777 Hollywood Blvd., Grantville. For more information, visit www.hollywoodpnrc.com/entertainment/myheroes-stage.

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Freedom Festival: This month’s Juneteenth celebration in Harrisburg is set to be the biggest yet.

May 31, 2022 | by Maddie Gittens

Juneteenth organizers

For Dr. Kimeka Campbell, Juneteenth means a lot of things.

It’s about celebration, history, reflection, rest, education and economics. People may spend the day differently, but one thing’s for sure—it’s an important holiday for all.

“We are celebrating American history,” Campbell said. “It’s an important day for every single American. How you observe it is in your hands.”

All of these different meanings behind the holiday will be spotlighted in this month’s Juneteenth HBG event, hosted by the Young Professionals of Color-Greater Harrisburg (YPOC), co-founded by Campbell. And while the holiday itself may be just one day, YPOC plans to celebrate all week long with conferences, reenactments, art experiences, concerts and vendor markets.

Juneteenth—June 19—commemorates the ending of slavery in the United States. It is recognized as the day in 1865 when the remaining African American slaves in Texas received word that they were free. While celebrations of the holiday date back to as early as the year after those last slaves were freed, Juneteenth was only officially recognized as a national holiday in 2021.

YPOC has held Juneteenth events for the past few years, but 2022 will be their biggest yet. Their vision is far-reaching, as shown through their theme, “One City. One Team. One Economic Impact.”

The economic impact of Juneteenth is of special importance to Campbell and the team as they head into the holiday.

“The ending of slavery is not just about freeing people physically, it’s also about being free to economically advance,” Campbell said. “Wealth was stolen from Black people, even post-slavery.”

After slavery ended, targeted policies and structural practices such as sharecropping, Jim Crow laws and redlining made economic advancement difficult. With the long-lasting, multi-generational effect of this history in mind, YPOC came up with its program for Juneteenth.

“It’s this idea of economic impact and restoring wealth to the Black community,” Campbell said. “This is a drop in the bucket of that very huge landscape, but we wanted to do something and craft a week where we had education, economic drivers, entertainment and celebration.”

Throughout May, the committee held microenterprise business courses, free to 10 local entrepreneurs. All of those who completed the course were offered free vendor slots at the June events. La Cultura, a partner in the Juneteenth events, hosted the courses.

“There needs to be more Black businesses to shop from, and they need to last longer,” said La Cultura founder Elyse Irvis.

People will be able to shop from local Black-owned businesses at a few of the Juneteenth week events, most notably the Juneteenth Jubilee.

The Jubilee will take place on June 19 at Reservoir Park. The event will showcase live music, local vendors, speakers, talent acts and community resources.

Additionally, earlier in the week, organizers will hold a concert, featuring rapper Bow Wow, at XL Live, a Harriet Tubman reenactment, and a “Paint Noir” interactive art event with artist Bryan “King Prolifik” Hickman on City Island.

Additionally, there will be a downtown restaurant crawl, a joint event with UPMC’s “Healthy Harrisburg” program and a kickoff event at the state Capitol. A Juneteenth conference will be held on June 14 at HACC, featuring local speakers from the region and nationally renowned keynote speaker Michael Eric Dyson. The event will include interactive sessions, panel discussions and a Q&A. Many of the events are free, but some require tickets.

Legacy Building

Campbell is proud of the unity her organization has achieved through partnerships in the Juneteenth event. In past years, community groups have largely held separate events scattered throughout the city, but she feels that this year is more of a collective effort.

“It is probably the most collaborative Juneteenth event the city has ever seen,” she said. “Together, we can do more and leave more of an impact.”

Organizations like UPMC, the African American Chamber of Commerce, The Singer’s Lounge, La Cultura, Capital Blue Cross and Dauphin County are partners in the event.

YPOC also received a state grant from the Pennsylvania Tourism Office’s “Journeying Toward Freedom” grant program in April. The funds will support their Juneteenth efforts.

“To see it come this far—I’m very grateful,” Campbell said. “This is a legacy building event for the city.”

While the team plans for the day, Campbell has a request for Harrisburg-area businesses—give employees the holiday off from work.

“You’ll actually make your employees feel like you care about them,” Campbell said. “It’s a tangible thing to do. Give people the day off.”

Shaniqua Williams, another member of the Juneteenth leadership team, sees the day off as a way for people of all races and cultures to learn more about the history of the holiday. She hopes YPOC’s events will prove educational for attendees.

“This is something that Harrisburg truly needs,” she said. “There’s just so much to celebrate. The celebration starts in your heart.”

For more information about Juneteenth HBG and the Young Professionals of Color-Greater Harrisburg, visit www.ypoc-hbg.org.

Juneteenth HBG Events

Meeting of the Minds Community Summit: Saturday, June 11, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Keystone Building

Capital Kick-Off: Sunday, June 12, 12 to 2 p.m. at the state Capitol steps

Harp Love in Action Protest: Monday, June 13, 3 to 5 p.m., at the Harrisburg Mall parking lot, opposite the Dauphin County Prison

Juneteenth Conference: Tuesday, June 14, 12 to 6 p.m. at HACC

It’s Lit Black Theater Cafe + Harriet Tubman Reenactment: Wednesday, June 15, 6 to 8 p.m. at Open Stage Theatre

Paint Noir: Thursday, June 16, 6 to 10 p.m. at the City Island carousel pavilion

Discovery Walk and Restaurant Crawl: Friday, June 17, 5 to 10 p.m., starting at Ad Lib Kitchen and Craft Bar inside the Hilton Harrisburg

UPMC Healthy Harrisburg Kick-Off: Saturday, June 18, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on N. 2nd Street in downtown Harrisburg

Juneteenth Concert: Saturday, June 18, 8 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.) at XL Live

Juneteenth Jubilee: Sunday, June 19, 1 to 8 p.m. at Reservoir Park

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Happenings: Our June Calendar of Events

May 31, 2022 | by Missy Smith

Museums & Art Spaces

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

“ATVs: Off-Road Adventure,” an exhibit of 3-wheel and 4-wheel ATV machines from the 1970s, ‘80s, ‘90s and early 2000s, through Oct. 16

“Orphan Cars—Vehicles from Discontinued Marques & Brands,” a collection of cars, buses, and motorcycles representing discontinued marques and brands from across the motoring landscape, through Oct. 23

“American Motors Owners Through the Decades,” through Oct. 26

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

“94th Annual International Juried Show,” through July 7

Arts on the Square
20 S. 2nd St., Harrisburg
717-257-1270; marketsquarechurch.org

“Springing Into Art,” Market Square Presbyterian Church Members’ Show, through July 17

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

“What I Keep,” a show by photographer and social activist Susan Mullally, whose project documents stories of 21st-century poverty, June 10-July 23

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

June artist of the month

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

“Weather Reader,” paintings by Eleanor Conover, through Aug. 13

Hershey Area Art Association (HAAA)
hersheyareaartassociation.com

Works by Marilyn Traini, Jim and Shirley Davis, Marie Gamon, Wendy Craig, Sue Ann Myers, Stephen Durick, Stephanie Lewis, Deb and George Reitbauer, and Kathleen Forney, through June 10

Historic Harrisburg Resource Center
1230 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
historicharrisburg.org

“A Celebration of Resolve: 50 Years After Agnes,” community celebration: June 11, 12-2 p.m.; 3rd in the Burg open house: June 17, 5-8 p.m.

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

New works by John Davis, Judy Kelly, Marsha Souders, Tami Bitner, Erica Binder, through June 12

New works by Mary Gelenser, Pamela Black, Paul Vasiliades, Kelly Curran, June 14-July 10

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)
Landis House, 67 N. Fourth Street
717-567-7023; perrycountyarts.org

“Director’s Choice,” featuring outstanding student artwork from Youth Art Day 2022, through Aug. 4

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

“Frame of Mind,” a display of artwork in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month that will explore how artwork can be a wonderful outlet for self-expression, through June 11

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

“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.

“A Place for All: Three Stories of Integration in Pennsylvania,” a long-term exhibition highlighting the history of three integration efforts in Pennsylvania after World War II

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

“Making Your Mark,” an array of 52 works on paper that break down various methods and materials used in modern artistic practice, June 11-Sept. 18

“World Traveler/Shelter At Home,” works by Diana Jensen, who took inspiration from an anonymous assortment of vernacular photos for her paintings, through June 19

“Hedy O’Beil—The Late Work,” a selection of work from the 1970s to mid-1980s, through June 19

“Future Places,” artists render their vision of a promising future, June 24-Oct. 16

“Mythologies of Motherhood,” personal stories of artists currently raising children, through June 26

“Project—Nature” offers a sneak peek of the current VanGo! Museum on Wheels exhibition “Nature in Art,” featuring the work of Victoria Fuller, through Aug. 22

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

“A Contemplation of Scenery—The Vesell Family Collection,” through July 31

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

“Art in the Wild” features works of art composed of mostly natural materials to blend with Wildwood’s natural setting, through Sept. 30

Read, Make, Learn

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

June 4: Macramé 101, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
June 4, 11: Copper Enameling Workshops (ages 13-adult), 11 a.m.- 1 p.m.
June 5, 12, 19, 26: Intermediate/Advanced Painting (ages 16-adult), 4 Tuesdays, 1-3:30 p.m.
June 7, 14, 21, 28: Beginning Oil Painting, 4 Thursdays, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. or 6-8 p.m.
June 6-10: All Mixed Up Multimedia Camp (ages 5-12), 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 6-10: Exploring Animals Through Art Camp (ages 5-12), 1-4 p.m.
June 10: Craft Beer & Clay, 7-9 p.m.
June 11-July 9: Figure Drawing, 4 Saturdays (skip July 2), 2:30-5:30 p.m.
June 12, 14, 19, 21: Drawing for Teens 101 4 class workshop, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 13-17: Nature Hunt Camp with Trout Gallery (ages 5-12), 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
June 20-24: Mud Buds Camp (ages 5-12), 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 20-24: Art of Abstraction Camp (ages 5-12), 1-4 p.m.
June 27-July 1: Make & Create Camp (ages 5-12), 1-4 p.m.

The Cornerstone Coffeehouse
2133 Market St., Camp Hill
717-737-5026; thecornerstonecoffeehouse.com

June 9: Anti-Inflammatory Cooking Class, 6-8:30 p.m.
June 25: Seaside Specials, 6-9 p.m.

Dauphin County Library System
dcls.org

June 14: Health Living for Your Brain and Body in-person and on Zoom, 6 p.m.

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

June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Fiber Artists, 3 p.m.
June 9, 23: Knitter’s Group, 5 p.m.
June 11: Fiber Artists, 10 a.m.
June 18: Book Discussion Group, 10 a.m.
June 25: Knitter’s Group, 10 a.m.

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

June 1: Moving Forward Book Group w/ Hospice of Central PA, 1-2 p.m.
June 1: Environmental Care in the Climate Crisis—A ‘Hear Me Out’ Dialogue, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
June 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30: Discovery Zone Fun, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Language at the Library—Spanish, 10-11 a.m.
June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Resume Writing Workshop, 10:30-11:30 a.m., 4:30-5:30 p.m.
June 3: Chess Club, 6:30 p.m.
June 3, 10: Peaceful Poses Children’s Yoga Story Time, 10-11 a.m.
June 3, 10, 17, 24: Get That Job! Workshop, 10:30 a.m., 4:30 p.m.
June 6, 13, 20, 27: Baby & Toddler Time, 10-10:30 a.m.
June 6, 13, 20, 27: Children’s Story Times, 11-11:30 a.m.
June 6, 13, 20, 27: Kindergarten Prep, 6-7 p.m.
June 6, 20: Zoom—Frederickson Writes on Zoom, 6:45-8:45 p.m.
June 7: Curl up with the Classics—“The Trumpet of the Swan10-11 a.m.
June 7, 14, 21, 28: Career Exploration Workshop, 10:30 a.m., 4:30 p.m.
June 7, 14, 21, 28: Master Gardener Plant Clinics, 6-7:30 p.m.
June 7, 21: READ to Dogs, 6:30-8 p.m.
June 10: Kid’s Paint Night, 6:30 p.m.
June 11: Gardening with Nature: Family Workshop—Plant a Pollinator Container, 1-3 p.m.
June 11: Young Explorers (ages 5-8), 1:30-3 p.m.
June 13, 24: Film Fridays, 2 p.m., 7 p.m.
June 14: Tween STEAM, 1:30-4:30 p.m.
June 14: Teen Writers’ Meetup, 6-8 p.m.
June 15: Mock Interview Session, 2-4 p.m.
June 17: Family Movie Night, 6:30-8 p.m.
June 21: Teen STEM Meetup, 2-4 p.m.
June 27: Fredricksen Reads & Author Visit—“The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek,” 7-8 p.m.

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

June 4: On the Porch with Lynne Hoffman, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
June 5: Geode Resin Pour, 3-5 p.m.
June 11: Introduction to Hand Caning, 1-5:30 p.m.
June 18: On the Porch with Chris Pagano, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
June 25: Wire Bonsai Tree Workshop, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
June 26: Paper Quilling, 1-3:30 p.m.

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

June 12-July 31: Level 1 Intro to Improv, Sundays, 2-5 p.m.

Hershey Area Art Association (HAAA)
hersheyareaartassociation.com

June 11: Fluid Art, 1-3:30 p.m.

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

June 1: Hear Me Out—Environmental Care in the Climate Crisis on Zoom, 5:30 p.m.
June 2, 7, 9, 14, 16, , 21, 23, 28, 30: Penn State Hershey—Mothers & Babies, 10:15 a.m.
June 2, 16, 30: Hershey Quilters, 12:30 p.m.
June 4: Fused Glass, 1 p.m.
June 9: Fear of Commitment Book Group, 6 p.m.
June 13: Blood Drive, 11 a.m.
June 16: Andrew’s Big Show, 2 p.m.
June 17: Craft & A Movie—Finding Nemo, 10:15 a.m.
June 18: Fresh Herb Wreath, 11 a.m.
June 20, 27: Books and Babies Outside, 10:15 a.m.
June 21, 28: Outside 1, 2, Whee!, 10:15 a.m.
June 22, 29: Furry Tales, 6:30 p.m.
June 23: Kit’s Interactive Theatre—Grace the Pirate, 2 p.m.
June 23, 30: Walking Hershey, 9:30 a.m.
June 23, 30: Storytime for Everyone Outside, 10:15 a.m.
June 28: Cartoonist Joe Wos, 2 p.m.
June 30: Black Party!, 2 p.m.

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

June 1: Summer Celebration, 4 p.m.
June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Rhyme Time, 5:15 p.m.
June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Toddler Time, 5:15 p.m.
June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Story Time, 10:15-11 a.m.
June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Toddler Time, 11:30-11:50 a.m.
June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Mah Jongg, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
June 2, 9, 23, 30: Rhyme Time, 12-12:20 p.m.
June 6, 13, 20, 27: Rhyme Time, 10:15 a.m., 5:15 p.m.
June 6, 13, 20, 27: Toddler Time, 10:45 a.m., 5:45 p.m.
June 6, 13, 20, 27: Storybook STEAM, 6:30 p.m.
June 7, 14, 21, 28: Rhyme Time in the Park, 9-9:20 a.m.
June 7, 14, 21, 28: Toddler Time in the Park, 9:35-9:55 a.m.
June 7, 14, 21, 28: Tea & Stitches, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 7, 14, 21, 28: Story Time in the Park, 10:10-10:35 a.m.
June 7, 14, 21, 28: Try It Tuesday, 1 p.m., 6 p.m.
June 8: Mad About Mysteries on Zoom, 7-8 p.m.
June 10, 24: Dungeons and Dragons (ages 6-12), 6-8 p.m.
June 11, 25: Block Party, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
June 13, 27: English Conversation Club, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
June 15: Andrew’s Big Show, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
June 15: Watch the Skies Sci-Fi Book Club, 7-9 p.m.
June 17: Thursday Morning Book Club, 10-11 a.m.
June 17: Turtle Dance Big Screen Show, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
June 18 LEGO Time, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
June 18 LEGO Club, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
June 20: Monday Night Book Club, 7-8 p.m.
June 22: Kit’s Interactive Theatre, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
June 22: Apple Users Group, 1-3 p.m.
June 25: Trivia at Home—Harry Potter, 6-8 p.m.
June 28: Tabletop Game Night, 6-8 p.m.
June 29: Music Play Patrol, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
June 30: Tales for TAILS!, 6-7 p.m.

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

June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Common Roads (ages 12-17), 6-8 p.m.
June 4, 11, 18, 25: Passageways, 2 p.m.
June 5, 12, 19, 26: Young Adult Group, 4 p.m.
June 9: Aging with Pride Luncheon, 12 p.m.
June 11: LGBTQ Book Club, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
June 14, 28: Queers and Quests game night, 6 p.m.

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

June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: LEGO and STEM Club, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
June 3, 10, 17, 24: Star Trek Rewatch online group
June 3, 10, 17, 24: Online Science Fiction Book Club
June 15, 22, 29: Wednesday Summer Reading, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

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

June 8: An Evening with Ann Leary, 7-8 p.m.

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

June 4: Kids Art Class on the Roof, 12-2 p.m.
June 4: Fluid Art, 12-3 p.m.
June 7, 14, 21, 18: Trivia on the Roof, 6 p.m.
June 16,17,18: Cold Wax Workshop

National Civil War Museum
One Lincoln Circle, Harrisburg
717-260-1861; nationalcivilwarmuseum.org

June 4: Lessons in History Presentation with Emily Lapisardi, 1-2 p.m.

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

June 1: Jellyfish Lanterns (ages 8 and older), 5:30-6:30 p.m.
June 2: Ruth’s Mysterday Discussion Group, 10:15 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 3: Movers & Groovers (ages 2-5), 10:30-11 a.m.
June 6: Musical Mornings (ages 2-5), 10:30-11 a.m.
June 6, 20: Monday Great Books Discussion Group, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
June 6-27: Outdoor book Babies (ages 0-2), 11:15 a.m.
June 6-Aug. 5: Beanstack Challenge—Summer Reading Program and GO Cumberland! (ages 0-18)
June 6-Aug. 5: Pirate Scavenger Hunt
June 6-Aug. 15: GO Cumberland!
June 6-Aug. 15: Oceans of Possibilities Summer Reading Challenge
June 7-28: Outdoor Storytime & More (ages 2-5), 10:30 a.m.
June 7: Ryan the Bug Man, 6:30 p.m.
June 9: Peaceful Poses Story Yoga (ages 2-5), 10:30-11 a.m.
June 9: Peaceful Poses Story Yoga (ages 6-12), 11-11:30 a.m.
June 10: Whitaker on Wheels (ages 10 and under), 10:30 a.m.
June 11: Write-On Writer’s Workshop, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
June 13, 27: Evening Family Storytime, 6 p.m.
June 14, 18: Library Book Sales, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
June 14, 28: Wednesday Great Books Discussion Group, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
June 14, 28: Tales for Tails (ages 6-12), 6:30-7:30 p.m.
June 15: Kid Builders (ages 3 and older), 1:30-2:30 p.m.
June 16: Andrew’s Big Show, 10:30 a.m.
June 16: Tween & Teen Yoga (ages 11-14), 6 p.m.
June 18: Couponing for Extreme Savings, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 18: Children’s Book Writers Critique Group, 2-4 p.m.
June 20: Outdoor Sensory Playtime (ages 0-5), 10:30 a.m.
June 20: Sea Creatures Bingo Night, 6-7 p.m.
June 22: Tech Whiz Kidz (ages 8-12), 1:30-2:30 p.m.
June 23: Kit’s Interactive Theatre, 10:30 a.m.
June 27: Kids & Teen Paint Party (ages 6-10), 1 p.m.
June 27: Kids & Teen Paint Party (ages 10-14), 2 p.m.
June 29: KIND Club—Kids Interested in Novels of Diversity on Zoom (ages 8-12), 5:30 p.m.
June 29: PennWriters Writing Group, 6-9 p.m.
June 30: Music Play Patrol, 10:30 a.m.

Palmyra Public Library
50 Landings Dr., Annville
717-838-1347; palmyra.lclibs.org

June 13: Palmyra Public Library Book Club, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30: Little Explorers Summer Early Learning Classes, 10:30-11 a.m.
June 14, 28: Tubular Tales Middle School Program, 12-1 p.m.
June 16, 23, 30: Little Explorers Early Learning Classes, 1:30-2 p.m.
June 15, 22, 29: Little Explorers Outreach, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

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

June 1-30: Highlights Tour, 1:30-2:30 p.m. (Wednesdays-Sundays)
June 3, 18: Storytime, 10:30 a.m.
June 22: Explore! Entomology, 11:30 a.m.
June 23: Family Gallery Tour—Paleontology, 11:30 a.m.
June 29: Family Gallery Tour—Paleontology, 11:30 a.m.
June 30: Curiosity Kids—Pennsylvania State Flag, 11:30 a.m.

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

June 2, 23: Bird Walk—Nesting Birds, 7:30-9:30 a.m.
June 3: Mulberry Tree Walk, 10-11:30 a.m.

June 5: Daisy & Brownie Girl Scouts—1-3 p.m.
June 7: Wild Edibles Program, 6-8 p.m.
June 9: Kids Discover—Songbirds (ages 7-10), 1-3 p.m.
June 10: Walk and Talk with a Master Gardener, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
June 11: Volunteer Work Day, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
June 12: Penn State Extension Master Gardeners’ Home Gardening Series—Growing Carnivorous Plants in a Container, 1-2:30 p.m.
June 16: Educator Workshop—Wild About Pollinators, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
June 19: Flower Walk—Peak of Blooming, 10:30-12 p.m.
June 20-24: Nature Explorers Day Camp, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
June 21-22: Summer Nature Camp, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
June 27-July 1: Nature Explorers Day Camp, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Winters Heritage House Museum
41-47 E. High St., Elizabethtown
717-367-4672; elizabethtownhistory.org

June 10: Scherenschnitte Paper Cutting, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
June 24: String Art, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Live Music

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

June 2: Kenny G
June 10: The Letterman
June 16: Fleetwood Mask
June 17: The Frontmen of Country
June 25: Happy Together Tour

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

June 3: Jazz in the City
June 5: York County Honors Choir
June 6: ABBAFAB
June 17: Corinne Bailey Rae
June 22: Lake Street Dive
June 25: 70s Flashback

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

June 2: Hidden Roots
June 16: Holly Serio
June 30: Dave Gates

Central PA Friends of Jazz
www.friendsofjazz.org

June 10: Justin Faulkner

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

June 3: Los Monstros
June 17: Emmanuel Nsingani

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

June 1: Generations Big Band
June 3: The Uptown Band
June 4: The Wild Hymns, Bobby Gentilo
June 4, 25: Corinna Joy
June 10: Tractor Jerry, The Mud Bucket
June 11: The Minks
June 15: Raelyn Nelson Band
June 24: John Rossey
June 24: Stable Shakers

Gretna Music
gretnamusic.org

June 19: Bob James Trio

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

June 3: The Emo Night Tour
June 3: Bommer & Artix!
June 4: Walk Off the Earth
June 6: Tab Benoit, Whiskey Bayou Revue
June 10: He$h
June 11: Cradle of Filth
June 11: Bedroom Floor, Elsewhere
June 12: Hinder, No Resolve
June 17: Fab the Duo
June 26: Suzi Moon, Violet Fire
June 26: Liliac
June 27: The Psychedelic Furs

Harrisburg Gay Men’s Chorus
harrisburggaymenschorus.org

June 10-12: 35 and Still Alive!

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

June 25: Martina McBride

Keystone Concert Band
145 E. Main St., First Floor, Mechanicsburg
717-421-1512; keystoneconcertband.com

June 18: Concert at Bridges at Bent Creek

Little Amps Coffee Roasters
133 State St., Harrisburg
717-635-9870; littleampscoffee.com

June 17: Brook Pridemore

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

June 4: Forever Motown

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

June 23: Gordon Lightfoot with Jeff LeBlanc

The Millworks

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

June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Live Music

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

June 11: Gentleman East
June 25: Cruise Control & No Last Call

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

June 18: Imani’s 25th Annual Concert presents “The Calabash—the African Gourd”

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

June 2: Max & Iggor Cavalera
June 3: The Smithereens, Marshall Crenshaw
June 4: King Yellowman, Kreema & The Sagittarius Band
June 8: Helmet
June 10: Yam Yam, Dizgo
June 11: Puddle of Mudd
June 16: Moonshine Bandits
June 17: KIX
June 18: Bow Wow
June 24: Jackyl

Zeroday Brewing Co.
925 N. 3rd St, Harrisburg
717-745-6218; zerodaybrewing.com

June 3: DJ KYNZ
June 17: Natalie Ness

The Stage Door

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

June 4: “Blippi the Musical”
June 11: Terry Fator

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

June 9: Colin Jost
June 10: Rob Maher, Erik Woodworth
June 12: Greater York Dance June Show

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

June 10-19: “Hello, Dolly!”

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

June 17-26: “The Secret Garden The Musical”

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

June 3-25: “Great Balls of Fire”

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

June 18: Zane Lamprey

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

June 3-18: 29th Annual Free Shakespeare in the Park—“The Winter’s Tale” (Reservoir Park)
June 22-24: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”

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

June 12: Queens Who Brunch
June 25: Shades of Men XXL

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

June 3: Divas Down Under—Slaying Summer
June 19: Divas Down Under—The Boomerang Brunch

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

June 3: The Bondfire Society, Heartthrobs, Meetwood Flac
June 4: Free Mixer, Solo Sleepover, Love Triangle, Barn Bitches
June 10: Sunday School, House Team Z, Leg of Lamp, Teen Girls
June 11: Free Mixer, Ferret Prom, Bandito, Don’t Play with Deacon
June 17: Free Jam with Barn Bitches, The Bondfire Society, Midtown Funk, Beautiful Baby
June 18: Free Mixer, The Outsiders, Sugar Weasel, Rockstar Goes Supernova
June 24: House Team Z, Sunday School, Same Each, Teen Girls, HIT BITS
June 25: Free Mixer, Snicker Casket, Elderprov

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

June 14: The Masked Singer National Tour

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

June 10-26: “The Play That Goes Wrong”

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

June 2-4: “Come Blow Your Horn”

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

June 3-26: “Crowns”

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

June 10-19: “Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike”

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

June 3: “We The People First Friday,” Live from the Red Rose
June 19: Juneteenth Celebration

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

June 15-17: “The Founder’s Series” with Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet

Zeroday Brewing Co.

925 N. 3rd St, Harrisburg
717-745-6218; zerodaybrewing.com
June 16: Boozy Bingo with Felicia O’Toole

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It’s a Tragedy, It’s a Comedy: “The Winter’s Tale” will bring magic this month for Gamut’s Free Shakespeare in the Park.

May 31, 2022 | by Carolina Nicholson

Gamut’s “Free Shakespeare in the Park” has a longstanding tradition of taking Shakespeare’s works and blowing them wide open.

Year after year, Harrisburg Shakespeare Company (HSC) makes the playwright accessible to everyone when they perform at Reservoir Park in Harrisburg’s Allison Hill neighborhood. The shows are completely free, exposing many different types of audiences to the Bard—some for the very first time.

This year’s play is one of Shakespeare’s more experimental works. He toys with tone, genre and even a little bit of magic. The story begins as a wholehearted tragedy but, by the end, transforms into one of the playwright’s funniest comedies. If you love to be outdoors on a summer night and you’re looking for high-quality entertainment, this is the show for you.

I spoke with Director J. Clark Nicholson about this year’s production, “The Winter’s Tale,” to get a better sense of the story, what audiences can expect, and why Gamut chose this play for the 29th season.

“We chose it because of the time we’re in now in the world—a time of recommitment, rebirth and, hopefully, positive change after a trying time for the entire earth,” Nicholson said. “It’s my second time directing this play, and I knew from the first time that the play is special—and, for Shakespeare, experimental. A theme of ‘still trying to find life-force despite these trying times’ is really embedded in the writing of this play.”

This is HSC’s first full-scale “Free Shakespeare in the Park” since 2019, and everyone working on the show was eager to get back to it. This will be evident to audiences when they see how much talent and care will go into every aspect of this production—from the costumes and sound to the lighting designs and large outdoor stage.

And of course, as many Shakespeare nerds will attest, there is the matter of “The Bear.”

“The bear is a pivotal—literally a pivotal—part of the story,” Nicholson said. “It’s the place and event where the whole story pivots. A very dark story gets as dark as possible before light comes, and we can see the possibility of forgiveness, growth and rebirth.”

Still wondering what exactly the bear is and why it matters?

“You’ll have to come see the play if you want to see what we do with the bear,” Nicholson said, with a chuckle.

Gamut’s main community partner for the 29th annual “Free Shakespeare in the Park” is Narçisse Theatre Company, run by Artistic Director FL Henley, who is also a member of the cast. He plays Leontes, King of Sicilia, one of the major characters in “The Winter’s Tale.”

“It’s a very challenging role,” Henley said. “What we see with Leontes is a man who very rapidly has a complete disintegration of his psyche. He goes mad with jealousy.”

He compared Leontes to an even more famous Shakespeare character—Othello.

“It’s very similar, but Othello has five acts to descend into madness,” Henley said. “Leontes has about 10 minutes. His anger is based upon fear, and his fear is completely irrational. It’s a very intense role, and I’m loving the challenge.”

If you’re not sold on this production yet, you may be interested to know about one final and essential element—food. Jazzeryn’s Catering will be at every performance, selling catered comfort foods, as they have for several years.

So, why is it worth the trip to Reservoir Park this month?

“Our audience can expect an evening of reflection, followed by reconciliation, and followed yet again by belly laughs,” Nicholson said. “I think people should come see this play because this (‘Free Shakespeare in the Park’) has been a fun tradition. And because it offers great dramatic and comedic performances with magical elements that are completely enchanting.”

“The Winter’s Tale” runs June 3 to June 18 at the bandshell in Reservoir Park, Harrisburg, with shows Wednesday to Saturday at 7:30 p.m. There are no tickets for this production and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Gamut recommends that patrons bring a chair or blanket for seating, and come early to claim a great spot. They will also be accepting canned goods for the Bethesda Mission. For more information, visit www.gamuttheatre.org/fsip.

UPCOMING EVENTS
AT HARRISBURG’S PROFESSIONAL
DOWNTOWN THEATERS

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

29th Annual Free Shakespeare in the Park
“The Winter’s Tale”
June 3 to 18
Wednesday to Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
This event is free.

Encore Production
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream”
By William Shakespeare
June 22 to 24
Shows at 7:30 p.m.
Doors and bar open one hour prior to the performance.
Tickets are “pick your price.” You can choose the recommended $38 ticket or a discounted ticket price of $26 or $14.

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

“Crowns”
A gospel musical
Through June 26

Open Stage Gala
At Country Club of Harrisburg
June 4

Black NewsBeat
With Dr. Kimeka Campbell
June 8 & 22, 7:30 p.m.

OSHKids Summer Camp
Enrolling now
June 13 to 30

Disney’s Frozen Kids
June 29 & 30, 7 p.m.

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

In a Heartbeat: Bicyclist’s tale of survival is reminder that immediate CPR saves lives.

May 31, 2022 | by Capital Blue Cross Staff

Stacy Teets, Bobbie Ayers, Bonnie Rhoad, Rich Williams, Jennifer Stokes, Steve Wade

As he had done countless times before, Rich Williams, a fit, lean, 62-year-old, joined friends for a long bicycle ride through Lebanon County farm country on the morning of Sept. 4, 2021, unaware of the ticking time bomb in his chest.

He has no memory of what happened next. The cardiac arrest, the bike crash, the ambulance ride to the hospital—it’s all a blur. What he knows is that he is alive today because friends leapt to his aid, called 911, and performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the crucial minutes before help came.

June 1 to 7 is recognized each year as CPR and AED (automated external defibrillator) week by the American Heart Association, and Williams’ ordeal is a compelling reminder of the unpredictable nature of sudden cardiac arrest and the vital role that ordinary bystanders can play when the unexpected happens.

More than 350,000 people suffer sudden cardiac arrest outside of the hospital each year, and about 90% die, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Nearly 80% of sudden cardiac arrests occur at home or in a nursing home setting, while about 21% occur at work and in other public areas. Warning signs are rare.

“I heard someone holler, ‘Rich went down,’” said fellow rider Bobbie Ayers, a registered nurse and clinical vendor consultant at Capital Blue Cross. That triggered a textbook emergency response.

Someone called 911. Ayers checked for Williams’ pulse while Jennifer Stokes, a nurse at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, began rapid chest compressions to preserve blood flow to the brain.

Paramedics arrived on the scene within about 12 minutes, restarted Williams’ heart with one jolt of electricity from their automated external defibrillator (AED), and sped him off to Good Samaritan Hospital in Lebanon.

While Ayers and Stokes are well informed on CPR techniques, the CDC urges bystanders who witness sudden cardiac arrest to help even if they have no such training:

Call 911.
Start CPR chest compressions. Push down hard and fast in the center of the chest with about 100 to 120 pushes per minute. The American Heart Association recommends pushing to the beat of songs like “Stayin Alive” by the Bee Gees or “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor.
Use enough force to push the chest down about two inches.
If in a high-traffic public building or arena, ask available bystanders to try to locate an AED while you continue chest compressions. AEDs are increasingly common in public places.
Continue CPR chest compressions until medical help arrives.

Studies show the chance of survival can double or triple for a person who receives CPR in the minutes before medical help arrives, according to the CDC.

“This could happen anywhere,” said Ayers. “Just as an innocent bystander you could save somebody’s life and allow them to get another chance.”

On Dec. 4, three months to the day after he got another chance, and nearly three months after surgeons performed quintuple bypass surgery to restore normal function to his heart, Williams saddled up for a 27-mile ride through farm country.

Blood now flows freely through Williams’ surgically repaired heart. “I’m feeling better than I have in years,” he said. “It’s like night and day.”

“There is no way to express the gratitude I have,” he added. “I feel that encouraging people to learn about CPR is really a civic duty of mine at this point. You just don’t know when somebody is going to need help.”

For more information about Capital Blue Cross, visit www.capbluecross.com.

This column is sponsored by Capital Blue Cross.

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

Beauty & Boredom: If you like your movies slow, “Memoria” is the one for you.

May 31, 2022 | by Sammi Leigh Melville

Photo courtesy of Sandro-Kopp © Kick the Machine Films, Burning Anna Sanders Films, Match Factory Productions, ZDF/Arte and Piano 2021

I have to admit—I found “Memoria” to be disappointing.

Written and directed by Apichatpong Weerasethakul, the film has a lot of potential for beauty and exploration, and, at least for the former, it scratches that itch. And it even has Tilda Swinton in it, which is almost always a win. But it takes an awfully long time for the film to say what it is, and then it really doesn’t satisfactorily fulfill its own narrative.

Swinton plays Jessica, a Scottish woman visiting her sick sister in Bogota, Colombia, who is haunted by a loud, intermittent banging sound that no one else can hear. She spends the majority of the film seeking the help of various experts to navigate what the sound is and why she’s hearing it—an audio technician, a psychiatrist, an archaeologist, etc.—and as the film plods ever slowly forward, it becomes clear that something is definitely not quite right.

You will feel compelled to piece together the clues of what is happening to Jessica as you watch, but be forewarned that there might not be any conclusion to draw. Maybe it’s psychological, as sometimes the sound appears to happen when she’s under stress. The fact that there is a real phenomenon called “exploding head syndrome,” usually caused by anxiety or fatigue, backs this theory up. Or maybe it’s not that at all. At some point, one has to throw up their hands and admit that there may not be an actual reason for the noise. Or at least, a satisfactory, thematic reason.

The film is excruciatingly slow-paced (even too much for a reviewer who loves slow-paced films), which allows for enjoyment of the scenery, but honestly could have been cut to produce a 20-minute film. Each shot seems to stretch on and on, not only static but often with very little movement within the frame, for minutes on end. Sometimes Jessica will stare at a painting; sometimes she’ll stare out the window. Sometimes you’ll watch a man sleep for literally six minutes. While the shots are beautiful, the content is inanely superfluous.

Swinton is her usual magnificent self, though, with such a role, her talents may have been better utilized. But as always, watching her onscreen is an experience in itself, with the painstaking care she takes with her character. The supporting cast (Juan Pablo Urrego and Elkin Diaz both play characters named Hernán) is lovely as well, and the relationships that form throughout the film are its major respite. Overall, however, the film feels like it has more depth than it does, and the ending may leave you bristling a bit.

Perhaps you will get more out of this film than I did. “Memoria” will play this month at Midtown Cinema.

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

May Events
At Midtown Cinema

National Theatre Live presents
“A View from the Bridge”
Sunday, June 5, 5 p.m.

Friends of Midtown
Free Outdoor Film Series
“Encanto”
Saturday, June 11, at dusk (rain date, June 12)

National Theatre Live presents
“Skylight”
Sunday, June 12, 5 p.m.

Friends of Midtown
Free Outdoor Film Series
“The Princess Bride”
Saturday, June 25, at dusk (rain date, June 26)

Documentary & Discussion
“The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson”
Sunday, June 26, 6 p.m.

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

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