Help & Hope: Bridge of Hope assists single mothers facing homelessness

December 29, 2021 | by Susan Ryder

Facing imminent eviction with her children, Melissa Brandt felt alone, overwhelmed and hopelessly stuck.

One day before her eviction hearing, she turned to Bridge of Hope, Harrisburg Area, an organization she actually had volunteered with years earlier.

“I didn’t think that I qualified for their program,” Brandt said. “I didn’t realize, also, that they helped prevent homelessness.”

Bridge of Hope negotiated with her landlord to prevent the eviction.

Jenny Nace, the local group’s communication and development coordinator, explained the tough choices faced by many single mothers.

“When a single mother comes to us, she’s more often than not having to make hard decisions that are out of her control,” Nace said.

For instance, she may be able to pay her rent, but also making the car payment is not possible on her income, Nace said. If she makes the car payment, she may not be able to pay her rent or childcare.

“She’s always having to decide which crucial life need is most important,” Nace said. “But when they are all necessary, the decisions are impossible to make.”

Bridge of Hope, with 25 offices in 13 states, works with Christian organizations to assist single mothers who are unhoused or facing homelessness, using social capital and “neighboring.”

Social capital is the resources and networks that many often take for granted because they’ve always had them. Neighboring offers those resources to others, providing them with someone to call, someone to ask. Neighboring groups consist of six to 10 members willing to share resources, knowledge and time.

In Brandt’s case, members of her neighboring group helped her update her résumé and dropped off meals. For Astrid Troche, group members provided transportation, language help and driving lessons.

Troche spoke little English when she arrived in Lebanon from Puerto Rico. Then she and her husband separated. She tried to keep the family housed, but they were eventually evicted. A cousin in Harrisburg took her in, but, after a family conflict on a cold December night, Troche and her two sons, ages 2 and 8, found themselves out on the street.

“We didn’t have anywhere to go,” Troche said. “So, we found an abandoned house, and we went inside with no electric or gas or anything.”

A friend took in the younger boy, but the older, with a disability, stayed in the house with Troche—for a month.

A pastor at her Spanish-speaking church directed Troche to Bridge of Hope. After learning about the program, Troche expected help with food and housing, but she was most surprised by the love and acceptance.

“I go to see my volunteer, and I feel like family,” she said.

Clouds Part

Nonjudgmental support is pivotal for mothers who may feel ashamed of where they find themselves and their children. Over a bagel at Panera, Brandt talked about the depth of her despair before Bridge of Hope.

“Because of the shame and the fear and my issues with addiction, I had really isolated myself from other family members and really having any close connections with people in my life,” she said.

Compounding her situation was the loss of her nursing license due to substance abuse and fearfulness that prevented her from participating in a program that offered an opportunity to get it back. Bridge of Hope helped her think through her difficult situation and dig herself out of this hole.

The program also gives participants case management to work through practical issues like finances. Brandt credited this help with allowing for long-term self-sustainability.

“If I could just get through this addiction, I felt like that was the only thing holding me back,” she said. “But when you really look at things like the self-confidence and budgeting skills I had forgotten—I was making a lot of money beforehand, and I was wasting it a lot of the time.”

Bridge of Hope cultivates this accepting environment through what it calls cultural humility.

“In serving with cultural humility, we invite single mothers from all walks of life who bring different perspectives and voices to our program,” Nace said. “We invite them into a neighborhood of support that is humbly serving one another, encouraging them to feel comfortable so they are empowered to fully embrace their uniqueness and come to the table just as they are.”

Many participants have likely heaped enough condemnation on themselves already.

“I felt like I couldn’t do anything for my kids,” said Troche, wiping away tears.

In her harried desire “to do something,” she nearly quit the program, but decided to follow the guidance of the group and work on getting her driver’s license and improving her language skills. Sometimes, progress through the program is slow, but it’s tailored to each family’s needs.

The clouds have now parted for Brandt and Troche. Brandt had her nursing license reinstated after participating in a rehabilitation program for medical professionals experiencing substance abuse. Troche works as a home health aide, obtained an apartment, learned English and provides for her children in a way not possible before.

Brandt’s voice cracked as she recalled a time when she was despondent and frozen with fear for the future. She wants others to know that there is hope.

“I would say that there is help, that you have to be willing to accept it,” she said. “These people are not there to judge what your situation is. They’re there to help you find solutions and to get through it.”

For more information on Bridge of Hope Harrisburg Area, visit www.harrisburg.bridgeofhopeinc.org.

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Miles & Smiles: Runners get fit, find purpose through Athletes Serving Athletes

December 29, 2021 | by Susan Ryder

All photos, Athletes Serving Athletes at the 2021 Harrisburg Half Marathon.

In 2014 at a Baltimore 10K race, runner Teresa Meskey witnessed “two dudes in kilts” pushing a child in a wheelchair. They wore T-shirts emblazoned with “Wingman” along the back.

Curious, she investigated and discovered Athletes Serving Athletes (ASA), an organization dedicated to giving people with limited mobility the joy of running.

“We’re hoping that we can give them the same race experiences and the joy of being part of a race,” said Meskey, now the community coordinator for ASA in Dauphin County. “Crossing the finish line is something that should be able to be experienced by everyone—regardless of physical abilities or limitations.”

In 2007, ASA grew out of admiration for Rick and Dick Hoyt, the father-son racing team. Dick Hoyt raced with his son, unable to ambulate himself due to spastic quadriplegia and cerebral palsy.

Today, the organization serves 10 communities in Maryland, Pennsylvania and Delaware.

ASA allows athletes “to meet people outside their social circle, to be outdoors, and to see the trees go by,” said founder and executive director David Slomkowski.

No Limits

The running experience includes practice, as well as races.

On a December night, in the chilly darkness of City Island, four runners stretched and jumped to keep warm. They were the wingmen for ASA athletes who they would push five miles that night.

One of those athletes was Kyle Weaver. Before the run, Weaver sat in his car with his stuffed friend, Christmas Sloth, under his coat until it was time to load into the running chair. When asked if it was too cold for running, he answered, “no,” with an incredulous grin and inflection that indicated that it’s never too cold for running.

“He loves being with everyone and racing through the crowd,” said Wendy Brown, Weaver’s mother.

Twelve-year-old Leah Borian, from Reading, was just as enthusiastic about the practice. While she can’t verbalize that sentiment, her infectious smile and the twinkle in her eye told all.

“A woman of few words but lots of smiles,” said Christina Beaverson, ASA wingman.

Parents also benefit from the program, which allows them to run with their children and connect with other parents and runners. Peter Borian, Leah’s dad, runs with her.

“It’s another way to bond with her,” Borian said.

He said that his two other children participate in sports, and it’s nice to be able to have that with Leah.

“Parents are seeing that their kids don’t have any limits,” Meskey said. “Like these kids are doing things that their parents never thought possible.”

The only requirement for ASA athlete participation is limited mobility. ASA provides the specialized equipment and all racing fees for athletes.

One might think that it would be difficult for a parent to allow their child to “run off” with people. Not so, said Borian

“This is a great organization, the volunteers are passionate and genuine,” he said.

Come Alive

Volunteers say that they receive more from the ASA experience than they give, for several reasons. First, it gives their running another, more important purpose.

“It’s making it not about me,” Meskey said. “It’s about my team, and it’s about helping others.”

Slomkowski added that acting as a wingman makes running more enjoyable.

“It makes it come alive,” he said.

These devoted runners aren’t immune to the call of the warm, comfy couch. But devotion to the ASA athletes—knowing that the athletes are counting on them—pushes wingmen through the temptation and into their running shoes.

The specialness of running with ASA athletes can be emotional, too.

“I actually cried when we crossed the finish line,” Mesky said. “Really, it was a very powerful experience. And that wasn’t the first time, and that wasn’t the only time.”

Any runner, at any skill level, can act as a wingman for ASA. Teams typically consist of three wingmen, with a captain who’s in charge of the athlete’s needs and stays in contact with the parents during the race. Teammates share the pushing, and the team runs only as fast as the slowest runner.

“If you are willing to run with us, then you can do it,” said Meskey.

The experience of participating and finishing is the goal of ASA, not competition.

“We don’t care about the pace that we’re going,” Meskey said. “We just care about getting our team to the finish line safely.”

According to Weaver’s mom, participating in ASA makes him feel good, but he also likes receiving the race bling. He’s raced for 10 years, so he’s accumulated a lot of it. Recently, he was unable to participate in a race because he was hospitalized, but his main concern was getting out to race and collecting his medal. Weaver likes to give bling, too. He makes beaded, holiday-themed key rings that he distributes at every race.

Talking to a reporter was nice and all, but there was a definite sense that there was other business to be attended to—running!

Borian exuded excitement as she got strapped into her chair. Weaver was ready too, but Christmas Sloth had to come out of the jacket so they had room to buckle Weaver in.

“Ready to fly,” said one of the wingmen.

After a photo op, off they went, wind in their faces, the smell of in-between seasons in the air, and a feeling of freedom for five wonderful miles.

For more information on Athletes Serving Athletes, visit www.asa.run.

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The Bard in The Burg: All Harrisburg’s a stage, as Gamut Theatre brings home the annual Shakespeare conference

December 29, 2021 | by Gina Napoli

Debra Ann Byrd performs “Becoming Othello: A Black Girl’s Journey”

Hark! Who goes there?

Thespians. Hundreds of them from around the globe, who will travel to Harrisburg in early January for the annual Shakespeare Theatre Association (STA) conference, courtesy of the city’s own Gamut Theatre.

STA provides a forum to support theater companies producing Shakespeare’s works and to advocate for Shakespearean productions and training. Some 120 theater companies around the world comprise STA’s membership, so hosting the January 2022 conference is a colossal—as well as a classical—honor.

One need only look as far back as 1997 to see STA’s influence on Harrisburg, when Gamut’s partnership with the group began.

Gamut Theatre’s board sent founders Clark and Melissa Nicholson to an STA conference just to see what they would learn. What sounded initially like an experiment, or maybe even a lark, turned out to be “an amazing, educational experience,” said Melissa Nicholson, Gamut’s executive director.

“Without our partnership with STA, I doubt we would have continued doing Shakespeare,” she said.

Although most of STA’s conference sessions are members-only, you can eavesdrop on “Classics Fest” events open to the public the way Rosencrantz and Guildenstern spied on Hamlet. Unlike those two, you need not be sneaky about it. Accessible pricing makes the events affordable.

Choice local artists, namely David Ramón Zayas and Paul Hood, will take the opportunity to showcase their own plays during Gamut’s Classics Fest while all the big players are in town. And internationally renowned artists Lisa Wolpe and Debra Ann Byrd add their star power to the marquee.

As with all things Gamut, the conference highlights are not purely Shakespearean and come with a number of twists, highlighting “diversity and classic works, homegrown artists writing new plays and musical collaborations,” Nicholson said.

Gamut’s intent to re-invent classic stories makes theater more accessible for the community, not just something to occupy the glitterati.

“We’re rethinking BLM, other inequities, and how we stay viable economically,” Nicholson said.

These concerns segue neatly into this year’s conference theme, “The Power of Reinvention: ‘We know what we are, but not what we may be.’” The theme conveys a deliberate action of glancing back to help us reach forward, of preparing to do better in the future.

Closed conference sessions will connect Shakespeare to many of the scorching headlines of today, such as diversity, the language of identity terminology, trauma and gender. And they will address trade topics, such as making classic theater relevant, ensemble auditions, outdoor theater and digital theater in the age of COVID. Gamut’s Founding Artistic Director Clark Nicholson will offer several sessions of teaching improvisational techniques to invigorate classical performances.

“The presenters have a nice mix of voices in the room, underrepresented groups, so we hear as many voices as possible,” Melissa Nicholson said. “Shakespeare may be an old, dead, white male, but he’s also an excellent playwright and an amazing poet… We can discover things about ourselves and each other through the vessel of his writing.”

There’s Power

Making The Bard relevant to today’s world is paramount to moving forward in this space.

STA members will open the topic to outside focus groups, hosting teachers and students digitally via Zoom to share their ideas on how to make Shakespeare resonate with them and to explore what about his works makes their hair stand on end.

Turning foul play into fair play, or “De-colonizing The Bard,” represents another hot button topic. STA members recognize their role in education and engagement, and they feel a responsibility to contextualize Shakespeare’s plays to give delight and hurt not. They will delve into critical explorations of the sometimes-detrimental legacy of Shakespeare as a cultural icon, rethinking their own programming to foster community and promote social justice.

Shakespeare’s works have helped a key, often marginalized group express themselves. A group of veterans took classes and formed their own company to help them express their own experiences about combat.

The Veterans’ Performance Ensemble at Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, dubbed Olive Branch & Laurel Crown, will present “And To Be a Soldier” as part of Classics Fest.

“They found words they didn’t have before to help them process what they had been through,” Nicholson said.

Because our national borders are less of an obstacle than during Shakespeare’s time, today’s actors are not hindered the way old Bill once was. Crossing the Atlantic is routine, and we don’t even have to appear physically somewhere to give a performance.

“Being forced into a virtual conference [for 2021] gave STA a good opportunity to reinvent itself,” Nicholson said. “There’s power in working with your community, in expanding that reference group.”

As The Bard himself once penned, “It’s a brave new world.”

Shakespeare Theatre Association’s 2022 Conference will be held Jan. 3 to 8, split between Gamut Theatre, Whitaker Center and the Hilton Harrisburg. For information on the sessions accessible to the public, visit www.gamuttheatre.org/classicsfest.

To Be There

Classics Fest events are open to the public Jan. 3 through 8.

Jan. 3, 7:30 p.m.: “I Don’t Speak Spanish” by David Ramón Zayas at Gamut Theatre

Jan. 4, 8 p.m.: “Shakespeare and the Alchemy of Gender” by internationally renowned actress Lisa Wolpe at Whitaker Center

Jan. 5, 7:30 p.m.: “Market Square Concerts presents ‘Tempesta di Mare,’” a Philadelphia Baroque Orchestra, featuring Gamut actors performing short scenes and sonnets

Jan. 6, 8 p.m.: “Becoming Othello: A Black Girl’s Journey” by internationally renowned actress Debra Ann Byrd at Whitaker Center

Jan. 7, 2:15 p.m.: “TRACE Practices in the Theatre: A Critical Tool for Moving Harm Reduction to a Culture of Healing,” featuring Bridget McCarthy, executive director, Atlanta Artist Relief Fund

Jan. 7, 7:30 p.m.: “The African Company: The Mystery of the African Grove Theatre” by Paul Hood at Gamut Theatre

Jan. 8, 10:30 a.m.: “Strong Reasons Make Strong Actions: Innovative Partnerships and Collaborations” with Sharia Benn, Sankofa African American Theatre Company; Debra Ann Byrd, Harlem Shakespeare Festival; F.L. Henley, Narcisse Theatre Company; Paul Hood, playwright; Clark Nicholson, Gamut Theatre; Melissa Nicholson, Gamut Theatre

Jan. 8, 1:30 p.m.: “And To Be A Soldier” by the Olive Branch & Laurel Crown, the Veteran’s Performance Ensemble of Chesapeake Shakespeare Company at Whitaker Center

Dec. 1 to Feb. 28: The Art Association of Harrisburg presents a Shakespeare-themed art exhibit in the Capital Blue Cross lobby at Gamut Theatre. Featured artists include Kim Stone, Carrie Wissler-Thomas and Tina Reiley.

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Oasis for the Soul: Wellness, peace abide at Amethyst Retreat Center

December 29, 2021 | by Norah Griffiths Johnson

Amethyst is believed by many to be a gemstone with properties of transformation—transmuting dark energies into lighter energies.

Nestled in the protective hills of Duncannon, Amethyst Retreat Center carries the essence of its namesake gemstone’s traits in its mission to awaken human potential.

The organization breathes life into its mission through events and programming centered around an evolving culture of wellness. Connecting people with nature, an inclusive mindset, and a focus on cultivating a diverse natural environment are paramount.

Amethyst was incorporated in 1983, but the property was purchased long before then, in 1947, explained Karen Kovacs, board president and Amethyst trustee.

“The vision was for this to be a place where people could come and learn about anything that interests them—an oasis for the soul,” she said.

Today, Amethyst operates as a nonprofit, with a volunteer board and community council. Its activities and initiatives are driven by the organization’s mission and participants’ interests.

This spirit of openness and inclusivity appealed to Zoe Miner, an Amethyst trustee.

“Through the board and the council and even the volunteers, we have such an open and collaborative working environment,” she said. “We really listen to each other and to the public about what activities and events they would like to see.”

Amethyst operates mostly on a donation basis. Some programs, like special event weekends, camps and retreats have a registration fee, but the organization strives to keep its programs and property accessible to all who are interested.

“We have had the opportunity to have some of our programs supported through grants,” Miner said. “But like all nonprofits, we do keep looking for ways to explore more sustainable funding.”

Spiritual Journey

Amethyst offers a variety of programs for all ages, such as a summer solstice celebration that includes camping, music and workshops.

“We try to offer different, fun events throughout our season,” Miner said.

In June and July, Amethyst features a “Children in Nature” series for ages 6 to 9, a program that includes forest exploration, gardening, music, art and mindfulness practices. Junior Tracker camp gives 10- to 17-year-olds the opportunity to learn wilderness survival, leadership and communications skills.

Women’s circles, another popular offering, take place each month around the new moon time. Miner explained that her involvement with Amethyst grew from her attendance at these events, eventually expanding to include grant writing and even leading the monthly women’s circles.

“The women’s circles have been a big piece of my spiritual journey and really helped me, so I wanted to offer that to others,” she said. “It has been such a rewarding experience to be able to do this. Especially the past year or so—considering all the chaos and uncertainty—these events have meant a lot for the women who keep coming.”

For those looking to get involved with Amethyst and meet like-minded people, community service days happen each Wednesday. Work ranges from painting to weeding to any number of manageable, maintenance and upkeep activities.

“We have a meal together in the late afternoon, and then sometimes there’s meditation, music or anything we might want to do as a group,” Kovacs said.

Amethyst also offers opportunities for rejuvenation and contemplation. Throughout the spring, summer and fall, rest and relaxation weekends are popular and can be enjoyed as a solo experience or as something to share with a friend or partner. Registration includes room rental, vegetarian meals and optional yoga and meditation classes. Forest walks and holistic therapies are also available.

Silent retreats and winter retreats are offered, as well, and the center can be booked for personal retreats with a few close friends or to host a larger event.

Dream Big

Erica Jo Shaffer often attends events at Amethyst, but also has hosted events and contributed to the land. Among her many gifts, she is a Reiki master and gifted horticulturist.

Shaffer spoke of the land and feel of the property as significant draws, as well as Amethyst’s culture of openness and creativity. She helped create a meditation garden, which was designed with consideration of the seasons, deer population and overall environment, and, in October, organized a Samhain (pronounced “SAH-win”) celebration for the community.

“Amethyst draws a group of people who all share ideas from whatever space of creativity we’re in,” she said. “We all get together and dream big.”

Amethyst Retreat Center has no political or spiritual affiliations, Kovacs explained. Community events are alcohol- and drug-free in order to support wellness and ensure that everyone feels welcome.

“We’re interested in creating the conditions for people to come together to find themselves, exchange ideas, to learn, to grow, and to create a life and world that has meaning to them,” she said.

Amethyst Retreat Center is located at 44 Buffalo Creek Road, Duncannon. For more information, visit www.amethystretreatcenter.org or their Facebook and Instagram pages.

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The Heat Is On: Harrisburg Heat return to the soccer pitch—though it’s like they never left

December 29, 2021 | by Deb Lynch

Photo by Deb Lynch.

This is not a story about Christian Pulisic, the Hershey native who became the first American-born man to play in and win a Champions League final game, which his team Chelsea won, 1-0, over Manchester City last May.

It is a story, though, about blazing the trail that gives central Pennsylvania claim to Pulisic, who is arguably the best player from the United States.

The 23-year-old American soccer phenom’s dad, Mark Pulisic, was a player for the Harrisburg Heat in the 1990s. Rather than pack it up and move on when his playing career ended, Mark stuck around with his family, coaching at Lebanon Valley College and club programs in the area.

Many of the standout players who moved to Harrisburg to play professional indoor soccer stayed. In so doing, they created interest in the sport and, through their coaching, changed the soccer landscape in our area.

This season, the team celebrates 30 years. The anniversary game on Feb. 26 will feature special uniforms and an alumni match. Before that, on Jan. 22, the Heat will add players to the Hall of Fame, along with team founder Dr. Rex Herbert and the late ABC27 sports reporter Gregg Mace, who covered the team.

The new season opened last month in Utica. Home games have moved from the older, cavernous Large Arena at the Farm Show Complex to the newer, more intimate Equine Arena.

The Heat played at the Farm Show in the ’90s, too. Joining Mark Pulisic on the early Heat teams were Richard Chinapoo, Bill Becher, Gino DiFlorio, John Abe, Bob Lilley—all guys who stuck around and continued to coach locally. Central Pennsylvania is now rich with soccer clubs thanks to the professional ranks that have passed through, starting with the Hershey Impact (1988-1991, indoor), the Harrisburg Heat (1991-2003, indoor), the Hershey Wildcats (1997-2001, outdoor), later the Harrisburg City Islanders (2004-2017, outdoor), and again today, the Heat.

Current Heat team captain, Danny DiPrima, grew up in Dillsburg watching these legends before he went on to play college soccer at North Carolina State.

“Indoor was like the thing,” DiPrima said. “Back in the ’90s when I was growing up, my dream was always to be a professional soccer player and luckily, I’m able to live that out. It all started with the Heat. Seeing them play, but also having them in the community, was really cool.”

Heat President Kevin Healey said that having some of the sports stars living in the community helps in both the short- and long-term.

“Our strategy is to bring in good soccer players and to win a championship,” he said. “They are good people. They go out and spread the word in the community by marketing it by showing them the attributes they have.”

Toughest Job

The Heat were three games short of a possible playoff berth with a 13-8 record after their last game pre-COVID on March 11, 2020, beating Utica, 5-3. In the 22 months since, some players on the roster returned home, but most stayed local, including a wealth of international talent from England, France, Brazil and Mexico.

They coach teams including CASA, HMMS, Keystone FC in Mechanicsburg, Dillsburg and Camp Hill. They are part of area middle school, high school and college coaching staffs. DiPrima, for example, helps with Keystone FC in Mechanicsburg and coaches at York College.

“To be able to play and coach and make my living through soccer—it’s a grind, but I wouldn’t give it up,” DiPrima said.

Players live in Hanover, York, Carlisle, Harrisburg and other local communities.

“You can have a good player on the field, but you have to have a foundation of guys who are here year-round to ultimately make it work,” said third-year coach and general manager Pat Healey, who played professionally for the Baltimore Blast.

Maryland soccer enthusiast Carl Delmont, founder and CEO of Freedmont Mortgage and owner/coach of the Baltimore Celtic youth soccer club, bought the Heat in 2016. It had struggled since its resurrection in 2012, operating on a shoestring budget with players who were mostly local, practicing just once a week, late at night.

Today, the team practices almost daily during the season. They hope to return to pre-COVID days soon, going to area schools to teach skills, speak out against bullying and drugs, stress the importance of healthy diets and exercise, and tell their stories. The players host clinics year-round for area youth. The team recently formed a partnership with Central Penn College.

“It is the toughest job I have held, but seeing young kids and families interact with our players and cheer loudly at our games is very rewarding,” Delmont said. “Watching local players like Danny [DiPrima] and Brad [Kerstetter]—both had season tickets as kids—play in front of their families and inspire the next generation to follow their passion, is simply amazing.”

The team is gearing up for the season premiere with some new faces on the roster. Others, including Will Eskay, Marcel Berry and Pat Thompson, were lost to free agency. Tavoy Morgan was traded. Dylan Hundelt retired.

Two former Heat players are re-signed: Stephen Basso (defender of the year in 2016-17) and Brad Kerstetter, another defender. The team also picked up a Rochester veteran, Michael Cunningham, a forward from England. New, young faces include James Vaughn, a defender/midfielder from England, Yuri Farkas, a forward from Brazil, and Richard John from Trinidad and Tobago.

“We hope to compete for a championship this year, but we know we will continue to build young talent and do well in the league,” Kevin Healey said.

The MASL is not the Champions League, but it is an incubator. Only time will tell what the next iteration will bring.

The Harrisburg Heat play 12 home games and 12 away games this season, which runs through April 3. For more information on the team and schedule, visit the website at www.harrisburgheat.com.

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Vegan, Begin: How to go vegan in 30 days in south central PA

December 29, 2021 | by Karen Hendricks

What happened in college is staying in college for Joe Kirkenir.

“I was active in a fraternity,” said Kirkenir of York. “So, I partied, ate and drank a lot of things I probably shouldn’t have.”

Then he made an “overnight decision” to change his lifestyle.

“I became vegan in 2014. I dove right in and turned things around, basically because of the ethics around it,” he said. “From my perspective, the main reason I’m still doing it is to live the most morally and ethically life I can.”

What exactly is veganism? A vegan doesn’t eat meat or any products derived from animals—such as eggs and cheese—but it’s more than a diet. Because vegans believe in treating animals with compassion, it’s also a lifestyle. That means using and wearing products that aren’t created from or tested on animals—from cosmetics to clothing.

“I can’t recommend the lifestyle enough. It’s a great way to make the world a better place,” said Kirkenir. “Becoming vegan is more mainstream than ever.”

He should know—Kirkenir currently serves as president for one of the area’s go-to vegan groups, Animal Advocates of South Central PA (AASCPA). The nonprofit’s mission is “to spread compassion for animals in a peaceful and respectful way.”

And January is a great time to give it a whirl, through AASCPA’s free 30-day “Vegan Challenge.”

“There are a lot of national resources, but we want to build a local community and show people there are local resources,” Kirkenir said. “We want to fill that void.”

He wants people to know they don’t have to do it alone—like he did, or go cold turkey on meat—like he did.

Veganuary Rhymes with January

January’s challenge ties into a national movement called Veganuary, plus New Year’s resolutions. This is AASCPA’s fifth Vegan Challenge organized by Seth Dellinger of Harrisburg—the group’s director of community engagement.

“The most common thing you hear is that people don’t want to eat animals anymore, but they just don’t know how to do it,” Dellinger said. “The way people are raised, sometimes they feel that animal products are inescapable. And sometimes people want to do it for health or environmental reasons, but the friction is still the same—they don’t know how to do it.”

Dellinger turned vegan about five years ago, after stopping by AASCPA’s booth at Kipona. Now, he enjoys sharing what he’s learned with others.

“We give you the tools to gradually step away and become vegan,” Dellinger said. “The goal isn’t to be vegan on day three, but to be vegan by day 30.”

Daily emails provide 30 different tools and resources, and everyone who signs up for the challenge is matched with a mentor.

“You can ask questions like, ‘Is there vegan whipped cream?’ and ‘How do I talk to my parents about this?’ and ‘What do I do during a business luncheon?’” Dellinger said.

One of the common misconceptions about veganism is the cost.

“It’s not expensive—that’s what a lot of people view as a barrier,” Dellinger said. “When you first walk into the grocery store, everything you see is vegan because you’re in the produce section. There are thousands of edible plants in the world, and most people eat the same three animals or the same fast food sandwich all the time—but there’s so much variety in inexpensive plant life.”

Plant Converts

The couple that goes vegan together, stays together—that could be the mantra for Jamie and Zach Albrecht of Carlisle. They signed up for one of AASCPA’s previous challenges, in September 2020.

“It was lockdown—we went vegan together, got married a month later and had a vegan wedding,” said Jamie, with a laugh.

So what motivated the couple to go vegan?

“I was interested in zero waste and minimalism, and I noticed that our meat packaging was a huge contributor to our waste,” Jamie said. “But in addition to that, going back to my childhood, I’ve always been a huge animal lover.”

Meantime, the health benefits intrigued Zach.

“I love being in the kitchen, I love cooking. So, I was looking forward to broadening my horizons with cooking and also the benefit of eating healthier,” he said. “Within a few weeks, I knew this would be something that wouldn’t end after 30 days.”

The couple educated themselves through AASCPA-recommended documentaries, but “everything clicked” when they visited a local sanctuary for rescued farm animals.

“Becoming vegan has given me more peace of mind,” Zach said. “I feel really good about what I’m eating, my impact on the environment and animals. It’s more of a mental health thing. I feel like I’m making a positive impact.”

His advice to those contemplating veganism?

“To be completely honest, it wasn’t as big of a change as I thought it would be,” Zach said. “There hasn’t been a single thing that I used to eat that I can’t veganize.”

One of his favorite dishes is tofu scramble, similar to scrambled eggs with veggies—replacing the eggs with tofu seasoned with turmeric and black Himalayan salt.

Although it’s too late to sign up for AASCPA’s current Vegan Challenge, future challenges are always being planned and website resources are available 24/7, including lists of local vegan-friendly restaurants, recipes and events.

Sometimes, connecting to a community is the best first step.

“Even though it’s called a vegan challenge, it’s really fun,” said Kirkenir, poking fun at their use of the word “challenge.”

“Veganism shouldn’t be a challenge,” he said “It’s more of a lifestyle, and it’s fun to be a vegan.”

For more information about Animal Advocates of South Central PA, visit animaladvocatesscpa.com.

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So Bad, It’s Bad: This month, you can meet a star of the terrible cult movie, “The Room”

December 29, 2021 | by Sammi Leigh Melville

What kind of impression do really bad movies have on our lives?

Some of us would probably say that they don’t impact us much at all. They filter in and out of the subconscious, and we turn our attentions to bigger and better things. But then, some of us haven’t seen “The Room.”

Produced in 2003, “The Room” has been touted across the board as the worst film ever made. With Tommy Wiseau at the helm as writer, director and leading man, the film follows (or tries to follow) a story of seduction and betrayal. Wiseau plays Johnny, a man whose life is upturned when he learns his fiance, Lisa (Juliette Danielle) is sleeping with his best friend, Mark (Greg Sestero). Complete with drama, drug busts, violent encounters and an overindulgent amount of sex scenes, the film tries its best to pass the threshold of good, but never makes it. It’s a perfect storm of bad acting, bad dialogue, plot holes and too many scenes where men pass a football.

And yet, audiences around the world have fallen in love with the off-kilter, accidental charm of this Hollywood disaster. In its 19th year of existence, “The Room” still has regularly scheduled screenings, even on a monthly basis at some cinemas. While it is universally known as a bad movie, it is also universally beloved.

As for its cast and crew, at least one person appreciates “The Room” for its bizarre impact. Greg Sestero, who played Mark, has said he’s come to appreciate the film for what it was and for its loyal audience. Since he wrote his first screenplay at 12 years old, Sestero had the filmmaking bug. As an adult, he jumped into the acting game and almost immediately scored a leading role in “Retro Puppet Master” due to his ability to speak in a French accent. The producers had struggled to find someone who could do a French accent and were settling for British, until Sestero auditioned.

“French was my first language,” he said. “And I walked in and said, ‘I can’t do British but I can do French,’ and they were like, ‘That’s actually what we need!”

After such a kismet audition, Sestero noted that new actors are always so hopeful for their first role, but “obviously we learn very quickly, usually [they] aren’t very spectacular. But I had a lot of fun.”

And then came “The Room.” Sestero took an acting class and met a “very peculiar, charming, eccentric, mysterious classmate” named Tommy Wiseau.

“I was kind of bored in a lot of these acting classes because everyone is very serious and focused on making sure they’re Laurence Olivier right off the bat,” he said. “But when you watch somebody go up who is so unique and chaotic in a way that’s entertaining… I found myself looking forward to going to class. So, I followed that intrigue and befriended this character.”

When Wiseau asked him to act for a film he was making, Sestero agreed. And the rest was history. It was a film that most of the cast and crew assumed would never see the light of day, and yet…

News spread of this gloriously bad movie. It somehow caught fire and began attracting crowds who wanted to see the hype for themselves. That is exactly what made it so popular—it transformed from a film into an event, a night to laugh and poke and commiserate with other viewers.

Several years into this strange infamy, Sestero took his experience on the set of “The Room” and wrote the book, “The Disaster Artist,” with the hope of adapting it as a film.

“At the time, people were like, uh oh, sounds as delusional as Tommy,” he recalled. “[But] three weeks after the book came out, I got a call from James Franco and Seth Rogen, and I couldn’t believe it. I was like, wait a minute. You can dream big and work hard, and sometimes it pays off.”

Fueled by that experience, Sestero continued his filmmaking career, writing and co-starring in “Best F(r)iends” with Tommy Wiseau in 2018 and helming “Miracle Valley,” which was released in 2021. He is trying new things. Miracle Valley is a horror flick, and now he’s in development for a film about UFOs.

“To continue to enjoy creating and surprising your audience is something I’ve been very fortunate to do and hope to continue to do,” he said.

It is amazing how much a bad movie has affected Sestero’s life. Bizarrely enough, what would have normally tanked someone’s career has opened up countless possibilities for him. And the same can be said for audiences of “The Room.”

“A lot of people come to screenings and talk about how they used ‘The Room’ at their wedding, or it introduced them to their significant other,” Sestero said. “It’s made people friends.”

There can be no denying that this happy trainwreck of a film holds a special place in our hearts and in Sestero’s heart, too.

“‘The Room’ is always gonna be something that people are drawn to and love,” he said. “I’ve come to appreciate it… It is what it is, and I think that’s great, and I just continue to do what I’ve always liked to do and tell stories.”

For those who don’t know the hype, Greg Sestero will be coming to Harrisburg for a screening of “The Room” and special Q&A on Jan. 23. There has never been a better time to be impacted by a bad movie.

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

January Events At Midtown Cinema

National Theatre Live

“Follies”

Sunday, Jan. 9, 5 p.m.

“Warhorse”

Sunday, Jan. 16, 5 p.m.

Down in Front! improv riffing

“The Pumaman” (1980)

Friday, Jan. 14, 9:30 p.m.

3rd in the Burg Movie Night

“Clue” (1985)

Friday, Jan. 21, 9:30 p.m.

“The Room” (2003)

Featuring a live Q&A/Meet & Greet with Greg Sestero

Sunday, Jan. 23, 7 p.m.

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Penning Perspective: Local writer Fred Burton tackles contentious topic of fracking in novel “Bountiful Calling”

December 29, 2021 | by Harvey Freedenberg

When it comes to the extraction of natural gas from Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale territory, novelist Jennifer Haigh got it right when she entitled her 2016 novel on the subject “Heat & Light.”

In the debate over that process—hydraulic fracturing or “fracking”—there’s been plenty of the former and perhaps not enough of the latter.

Local writer Fred Burton has done his best to redress that balance in his second novel, “Bountiful Calling.” Although Burton’s sympathies lie with the opponents of fracking—his novel is dedicated to “all the people in the Marcellus Shale region locked in unfair fights because of fracking.”

It’s a nuanced exploration of the issue, balancing the perspectives of environmentalists, drilling companies and their political advocates, and, above all, ordinary families affected by the process.

Burton, a Harrisburg resident, explained that his interest in fracking was sparked by attending several demonstrations in the city opposing it in the early 2010s.

“I talked with some of the people from the affected areas, and I came to understand why they felt their communities were under siege and they were collateral damage,” he said. “And I really wanted to find some way to give voice to what they were going through.”

Burton’s protagonist, Joe, is an idealistic young legislative assistant to fictional state Sen. Jeff Bain, a Republican representing a district in north-central Pennsylvania. Lingering in the district after attending a contentious constituent meeting, Joe meets Nicole Marshall, whose family owns a lodge and 20 acres of farmland in the vicinity of the Loyalsock State Forest.

As fracking expands nearby, some delighted residents begin cashing sizable royalty checks for leasing their land to drilling companies, while others suffer from the environmental consequences. At the same time, Nicole and her parents discover that the previous owner of their property had retained the mineral rights and leased them to an Oklahoma driller. The planned operation will destroy half the farmland lovingly managed by Nicole’s father, Gabe. It will also inflict incalculable economic damage to their lodge business, as their guests seek out quieter, cleaner places.

These events propel Nicole into environmental activism. She becomes involved with a group called 2 Degrees that engages in acts of civil disobedience—its name an allusion to the temperature rise beyond which “the descent into a hellish environment would be swift and, at some point, unstoppable.”

Joe’s relationship with her turns romantic and becomes even more complicated when he’s asked to serve as the senator’s point man in a bid to land a multi-billion-dollar refinery for converting natural gas to liquid in the district. Along the way, he makes some disturbing discoveries about the integrity of state regulatory officials.

In all of this, Burton skillfully blends fact and fiction, shifting smoothly between the outer and inner lives of his characters. His novel is as much a human story as it is an attempt to illuminate a divisive environmental and economic issue.

He’s also interested in the moral dimensions of his characters’ actions. Both Joe and Nicole take, what he called in a 2020 interview, “very bold risks” at the end of the book, their actions “tied to an increased appreciation of their own humanity and the world in which they live.”

A Conduit

Burton began working on “Bountiful Calling” in 2014 and finished it three years later. He secured a publisher as a result of a pitch at a writer’s fair in Annapolis, Md., and he’s hoping Bancroft Press’s contacts in Los Angeles will increase the chances of a movie version of the book.

A native of Queens, N.Y.—the setting for his first novel, “The Old Songs”—Burton said he has always thought of himself as a writer, but recognized in his 20s that he’d have difficulty making a living at it. So, he spent his working life in the information technology field, before retiring several years ago.

Since then, he’s been writing full-time, devoting at least a couple of hours daily to the pursuit. Unlike writers who meticulously outline their plots, Burton describes himself as someone who simply “writes until I run out of gas.”

“All of a sudden, it starts cohering, and, if you’re really fortunate, it starts placing its demands on you, and you just become a conduit for the action that must happen,” he said.

“Bountiful Calling” was published in March 2020, just as the coronavirus pandemic was closing bookstores and cancelling author events. Burton regrets missing out on the opportunities he would have had to promote his novel in a normal time. With restrictions easing, he’s hoping he’ll have more opportunity to engage directly with readers.

He recently completed a third novel, “Man Made,” set in a dystopian future and inspired by an interview with Elon Musk about his Neurolink Corporation, a company developing implantable brain-machine interfaces. It’s a technology Burton eyes warily, especially when he views it against the “overreach of social media and the ease with which autocratic rulers can gain power.”

But for now, with “Bountiful Calling’s” multihued portrait of a complex issue, Burton wants to help at least some readers emerge from their information siloes to consider opposing perspectives. This shift, he believes, is desperately needed today.

“If I contribute to that in some small way, I’ll feel like I’ve accomplished one of my main goals,” he said.

“Bountiful Calling” by Fred Burton, Bancroft Press, 248 pages, $26.95. For more information, visit the author’s website at www.fredfburton.com.

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Siblings in Song: Veteran area musicians debut their new band, album

December 29, 2021 | by Jeff Falk

Image by Stella Talamo. Courtesy of Time Brothers.

There are thousands of aspiring musical artists across the United States, many of whom have never released an album. The act of creating, producing and recording an album demands stepping out of one’s comfort zone, putting oneself out there.

It also requires a certain degree of simply “going for it.”

The Time Brothers’ recent release of their first album, “October,” features all of the above. But it also includes the meshing of musical styles and the fruits of experience.

And of course, timing.

“It’s definitely a life accomplishment for a musician,” said Matt Wurst of Harrisburg, one of the two Time Brothers. “It really comes down to the originals. It’s not easy to be a fully original band. It’s hard to get people to like it. But if they do like it, hopefully it’s something to take forward.”

A Bridge

While an album may be a simple collection of songs, the process of creating an album and creating a track are two very similar processes. They both begin with inspiration and motivation, take on momentum with creativity and repetition, and conclude with approval and satisfaction.

“My style of songwriting comes from life experiences,” said Wurst, 37. “You bring it raw to band rehearsal. You play a little bit of it and try to decide if you like it or not. There are a couple of tricks to the trade. If you like it, then you just keep fine-tuning it and polishing it.”

York resident Jim Grinnen is the other Time Brother. Backed by the experience of creating an album with two other members of the one-time electric band, Blind Ellis, he and Wurst released the nine-track “October” in October 2021.

“It wasn’t a quick process,” Wurst said. “When we started recording, we had three originals, and then we wrote the other tracks as we went along. It was kind of like we were building a bridge as we crossed it.”

The Time Brothers started work on “October” in spring 2020, and it took 18 months to complete. The album was recorded at the Green Room Studios in Uptown Harrisburg and incorporated the collective talents of seven other local musicians, as well as a studio engineer.

“It is a daunting task. You can’t take it lightly,” Wurst said. “The other album that Jim and I worked on together was more raw. With this one, we were more confident on how to approach it and less self-conscious.”

Five of the tracks on “October” originated from Grinnen’s fertile imagination, while the other four came from Wurst. But each contributed something to every song, both creatively and musically.

“We’re a little bit of yin and yang,” said Wurst. “We come from different perspectives. We both have our strengths and weaknesses. We know our roles. Jim comes from a more folk and acoustic background, and I come from a more western background. I think we gel pretty well together.”

Those complementary styles interact well on the album. But there’s something more fundamental, more powerful about the synchronized sounds created by a duet.

“It’s a little more simple and basic than a four-member band, and I think that comes through in the album,” Wurst said. “There’s some light percussion in the background, and it creates this mellow, folk, acoustic sound that can be very accommodating to the ear. We kind of learn from each other, and we reciprocate back and forth with our different styles.”

Share Our Story

For Grinnen and Wurst, their band is very much a side hustle, an after-hours gig. By day, Grinnen is a teacher in the Baltimore area, and Wurst is an advisor to the chairman of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.

“Both Jim and I have full-time careers, but you need to have something to keep you balanced, and, for me, that’s music,” Wurst said. “It’s also helped me make a lot of friends. We don’t take it too seriously, but something like this couldn’t work if we didn’t work well together.”

For now, the Time Brothers have no concrete plans for a follow-up to their debut album. But they’re not averse to walking through the doors that “October” may open for them.

Wurst would be happy, he said, if the album helped them get more gigs in the area and thrilled if it led to some airtime on WXPN, a non-commercial music station out of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

“It was a nice result. We’re pretty proud of it,” Wurst said. “We just want to share our music, share our story and hopefully get people to like our album.”

“October” is available through major internet streaming services, including Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Amazon, Pandora and Deezer.

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Find Your Community: LGBTQ+ youth groups create safe, social environment

December 29, 2021 | by Rachel Lindsley

Illustration by Stephen Michael Haas

Young people spend many of their waking hours in spaces where they do not feel comfortable—at home, at school or at work.

This is especially true for youth who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning (LBGTQ+).

According to The Trevor Project, “71% of LGBTQ+ youth reported discrimination due to either their sexual orientation or gender identity.”

Regional youth can find an alliance and explore their identities at the Common Roads program—serving Dauphin, Cumberland, York and Lancaster counties. This LGBTQ+ youth-serving program has offered a drop-in social setting and community resources for youth and young adults since 1993.

“The Common Roads program is a space for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults to find community, connection and support,” said Amanda Arbour, executive director of the LGBT Center of Central PA.

Almost two decades after its founding, Common Roads merged with the regional LGBT Center, bringing the missions of the two organizations together as one nonprofit organization.

Gabe Taylor, now the Youth Programs Coordinator at the LGBT Center, grew up in the Harrisburg area and remembers the need they had for support and resources as a child discovering their identity.

“When I moved back to town, it was very important for me to get involved in the local LGBTQIA+ community,” Taylor said. “I want to be a possibility model for younger folks in the community who are also struggling to find themselves. It can be very difficult to find comfort in being your most authentic self if you do not have support.”

They use their experiences to continue the mission of Common Roads and speak to Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) school groups discussing resources available in the community. Taylor is proud to be a queer adult role model for students to look up to and a resource advocate for their community.

Friendly Spaces

The Common Roads program has been operating on a hybrid model since COVID-19, with the first meeting of every month being virtual.

The Harrisburg youth group (ages 12 to 17) meets on Wednesday evenings at GLO – Harrisburg, and the Lancaster youth group (ages 12 to 17) meets on Friday evenings online via Zoom. The young adult group (ages 18 to 29) meets on Sunday afternoons at GLO – Harrisburg.

Before each in-person meeting, attendees complete a COVID-19 screening and are required to wear a face mask while indoors. These two-hour social gatherings include sharing weekly updates such as highs and lows of the week and participating in themed activities.

“In honor of International Pronouns Day, we made pronoun pins and discussed topics such as school atmospheres and how to talk to parents about respecting pronouns,” Taylor said.

The LGBT Center hosts several youth-focused events throughout the year, including the largest LGBTQ+ youth gathering in central PA, the GSA Summit. Before COVID-19, the summit would see over 400 LGBTQ+ youth and youth adults come together to connect with other GSA or likeminded groups in the area.

“Our 13th annual summit was held in a virtual setting, but we are hoping to be in person this spring,” Arbour said.

Safe Space Prom was created to provide a friendly space for LGBTQ+ youth who may not be able to be their fullest selves at their own high school proms. In previous years, it has been held at Club XL in downtown Harrisburg and has invited drag artists and vogue dancers to perform. The LGBT Center looks forward to hosting a prom this June.

The last Saturday in July marks a historic event in the LGBTQ+ community—Harrisburg Pride. The Common Roads program wants to keep youth safe by offering a Youth After-Pride Party with pizza, music and comradery.

“Our after-party allows youth to celebrate Pride season in a comfortable and safe environment,” Arbour said.

“There are very few all-ages spaces available and even less sober spaces, so this party is fun but also very important,” Taylor said.

Last year, the LGBT Center bid farewell to its long-time home on 3rd Street and began researching to find their next community space. The LGBT Center looks forward to expanding on their programming and serving more community members in the future.

“We hope to be in a larger space to allow us to support more youth and continue providing a social space, three times a week,” Arbour said. “We also want to help youth find resources in the community, such as food, mental health services and housing—such as launching our Rapid Rehousing program.”

The Rapid Rehousing program will help LGBTQ+ young adults (ages 18 to 34) gain financial independence to live on their own. Through a 12-month program, individuals will be able to pay housing through aided assistance and gain financial responsibility.

Looking to get involved? Common Roads needs volunteer chaperones for their weeknight youth group meetings. Visit their website to learn more.

Weekly in-person group sessions do not require pre-registration and are currently being held at Glo – Harrisburg at 1701 N. 3rd St. Visit their website at www.centralpalgbtcenter.org for more information.

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