September News Digest

August 31, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Parking Rates Hiked

Street parking became even more expensive in Harrisburg last month, as the system’s manager implemented significant increases for metered spaces.

In early August, hourly street parking rose by 33% in the areas controlled by Park Harrisburg /SP+.

In the central business district (CBD) zone, which includes much of downtown, street parking rates increased from $3 to $4 per hour. In non-CBD areas, the rate rose from $1.50 to $2 an hour.

“This is the first meter rate increase since Park Harrisburg assumed responsibility for specified metered parking spaces and garages from the City of Harrisburg and Harrisburg Parking Authority in 2013,” said John Gass, managing director with PK Harris Advisors, the asset management company for the parking system, in a statement.

Gass added that a rate increase had been under consideration “for some time to provide sufficient cash flow to maintain expenses associated with the system.”

Mayor Eric Papenfuse said that he opposes the rate hikes and that the city was not consulted about the increase.

Harrisburg’s hourly street parking rates now are among the most expensive in the mid-Atlantic region.

Under Harrisburg’s 2013 financial recovery plan, SP+ took over management of much of Harrisburg’s parking system under a 40-year lease. The $286 million deal helped the city shed much of its crippling debt accumulated under former Mayor Steve Reed, much of it tied to botched retrofits of the city incinerator.

While street parking rates have not increased since SP+ took over the system in 2013, parking garage rates have increased.

Senior Housing Project Progresses

An affordable housing development for seniors received zoning approval last month, following significant pushback from neighbors at previous meetings.

A number of residents had expressed concern with the limited parking originally included in the project. But Bethel Village developers last month said that they had identified additional parking, leading the Harrisburg Zoning Hearing Board to approve the proposed plan.

“We are just happy that the zoning board made the right decision for the residents of the community and also for the Bethel Village project,” said Ryan Sanders, of RB Development, the developer of the project.

The original plan called for a 49-unit apartment building for low-income seniors at N. 6th and Herr streets that included only four off-street parking spaces. Bethel Village officials stated that, since the project caters to low-income seniors, they didn’t expect most to own cars.

However, facing neighborhood concern, they said that they reached agreements with nearby Tabernacle Baptist Church for the future use of 15 surface parking spaces and with the state Department of General Services for 10 spots.

The $15 million project last month also received approval from the Harrisburg Planning Commission for its land development plan, which now will need final approval from City Council.

According to Sanders, Bethel Village would become part of the “Jackson Square” project that aims to redevelop a block with ties to local African American history along N. 6th Street.

The four-story, nearly 45,000-square-foot building would partially sit on the site of the former Bethel AME church that burned down in 1995. It would provide one- and two-bedroom rental units ranging in price from $300 to $1,000 per month for qualifying seniors.

Industrial Site Purchased

A major logistics company has purchased a large swath of industrial land in Harrisburg, completing a years-long transaction.

Under the name Herr Street Investments, Watsontown, Pa.-based Moran Logistics bought a 21-acre site off of Cameron and Herr streets, once the heart of industrial Harrisburg.

CREDC, the nonprofit economic development arm of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber, sold the land for $505,000, following an environmental assessment of the property.

In a statement, John Moran Jr., owner of Herr Street Investments, thanked the Chamber and CREDC for their involvement, adding that, “this unused site is now positioned to provide many new opportunities for the City of Harrisburg.”

Moran did not specify how the company planned to use the site, though Moran Logistics already operates at the adjoining World Trade Center Harrisburg at the corner of Cameron and Herr streets. Statewide, the company operates over 5 million square feet of storage space in numerous locations.

Historically, the Harrisburg Steel Corp., which became the industrial giant Harsco, now based in Camp Hill, operated from the site, which has been largely unused for decades.

In 2018, CREDC purchased the property for $505,000. It then used $133,670 to perform an environmental assessment of the long-time industrial site, three-quarters of which was funded with a PA Industrial Site Reuse Program grant.

Charter School Denied

A proposed charter school that hoped to bring nursing courses to Dauphin County students has struck out for now.
In July, the Harrisburg School District denied an application for the Pennsylvania Nurses Middle College Charter School, which had plans to open in Midtown for the 2022-23 school year.

“I have carefully evaluated the record based upon the standard set forth in the charter school law,” said Janet Samuels, the state-appointed receiver for the district. “It is my conclusion that the application does not meet those standards and should be denied.”

This is the second time the proposed charter submitted an application. The first, in February 2020, also was denied.

The district received the second application in March 2021 and proceeded with two hearings.

According to the charter’s CEO Betsy Snook, the school would serve as a pipeline for students in grades 9 through 12 to continue on to obtain bachelor’s degrees and enter the nursing field. They also hoped to address the racial disparity in the nursing field by attracting and training minority students, she said. The district, she said, doesn’t have a program like this.

“I think it’s unfortunate for the Harrisburg School District students, and it’s unfortunate for our profession,” Snook said of the application denial.

The school would have been located in GreenWorks Development’s Midtown II building, alongside the PA STEAM Academy.

The proposed school was founded by the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association, which Snook also oversees, and the Nursing Foundation of Pennsylvania.

Home Sales Down, Prices Up

Transactions declined, but prices were much higher, as the area’s real estate association issued its home sales report for July.

For the month, 783 houses changed hands in the three-county region, compared to 884 the prior July, as the median sales price rose to $233,000 from $214,250 last year, according to the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).

In Dauphin County, sales totaled 373 housing units, versus 405 units in July 2020. The median price, though, was up substantially—$220,000 compared to $180,000 last year, stated GHAR data.

Cumberland County experienced a similar trend, as 346 homes sold versus 418 a year ago. The median price rose to $256,000 compared to $233,250 last July, GHAR said.

In Perry County, sales declined by four units, to 47 homes, as the median price rose to $199,000 from $177,700 last year.

Houses also were selling quickly. “Average days on the market” dropped to just 15 days, compared to 37 days in July 2020, according to GHAR.

So Noted

Blake Lynch last month accepted a new position as senior vice president and chief impact officer for WITF, central PA’s public media organization. Lynch, who worked for over three years in community relations posts for the Harrisburg Police Bureau, will oversee community engagement, fundraising, corporate sponsorship and marketing.

Davis Jones has been named HACC’s new vice president of student affairs and enrollment management, according to the Harrisburg-based community college. She has worked in higher education for over 20 years, most focused on developing, restructuring and implementing student programs, according to HACC, which operates five campuses throughout central Pennsylvania.

Harrisburg University last month announced that it has opened a location in Panama. In a release, the university stated that, through the new school, it hopes to increase access to STEM education in Latin America. Separately, it announced that it would keep its tuition rates stable for the ninth consecutive academic year.

Messiah Lifeways last month named Karl J. Brummer as its next president, effective Sept. 13. Brummer previously served as senior vice president of the Mechanicsburg-based senior living nonprofit organization. He replaces Curt Stutzman, who is retiring after eight years in the post.

Michelle Felton was named last month as the new principal of Harrisburg High School, John Harris Campus. Felton has served in public education for 22 years, including 18 years in Harrisburg, most recently as associate principal in the high school, according to the school district.

Nyree’s Restaurant and Lounge is coming to downtown Harrisburg, in the location last occupied by Bridge’s Social Club. Restaurateur Joe Hobbs will serve his signature soul food dishes, with an over-30 club located on upper levels of the sprawling building, he said. Hobbs also operates Nyree’s, a restaurant on the west shore.

Porters House is opening a standalone restaurant in Uptown Harrisburg at 2001 N. 6th St. Owner Nadine Graham said that she plans to retain her stand in the Broad Street Market, where she started in 2012 serving Jamaican staples like jerk chicken, oxtail and Jamaican beef patties.

Steve Conway has been named vice president of Wormleysburg-based Pyramid Construction Services. Conway joined the company following the recent retirement of Ralph Klinepeter and the appointment of Michael Klinepeter as president.

In Memoriam

Bob Hostetter, 83, died on July 27, following decades of serving the greater Harrisburg community. Hostetter served for 43 years with the Rotary Club of Harrisburg, including as president and as a board member, was president/CEO of the Hostetter Group and was an ordained Presbyterian minister, serving several area congregations. For 14 years, he was vice president for community outreach and project development of new communications technologies at WITF, Harrisburg’s public broadcasting station. A long-time resident of Shipoke, Bob also served on numerous other nonprofit boards, many education- and arts-related. Memorial contributions in his honor may be sent to the Pine Street Presbyterian Church, the Central PA Food Bank, Downtown Daily Bread, the Rotary Club of Harrisburg or the Allied Arts Fund.

Changing Hands

Adrian St., 2452: J. Hernandez to A. Brenes & E. Richard, $80,000

Benton St., 628: C. Hoffman to T. Tran, $85,000

Berryhill St., 2318: E. & V. Zellers to A. Bouhach, $86,000

Boas St., 1824: A. Ramsey to Integrity First Home Buyers LLC, $64,000

Briggs St., 1510: J. & R. Johnson to M. Evans, $123,000

Chestnut St., 1621: B. & L. Young to A. Bouhach, $55,500

Chestnut St., 1629: P. Heisse to Bachaouch Properties LLC, $50,000

Croyden Rd., 2986: N. Peterson to K. Weldeghbrial, $93,275

Derry St., 2112: Tassia Inc. to A. Ebert & K. Shelhorse, $89,000

Derry St., 2337: T. Lakmana & K. Mulvani to T. Casteel & TLC Construction & Renovation LLC, $70,000

Derry St., 2347: D. Michalski to M. Lopez, $65,000

Edward St., 203: M. Gabler to D. & E. Rumsey, $150,000

Evergreen St., 17: S. Peliz to V. Morocho, $50,000

Forster St., 1825: G. Stoltzfoos to J. Reyes, $53,000

Fulton St., 1330: Harrisburg Commercial Interiors & Associates to P. Palmer & B. Cespede, $194,000

Geary St., 610: CPenn Patriot Properties LLC to Integrity First Home Buyers LLC, $51,000

Graham St., 218: C. & D. Jeffries to A. & J. Grosh, $128,000

Green St., 1305½: B. Cott & T. Candori to J. Dubina, $110,000

Green St., 1406: S. Antola & L. Olenowski to Pine Asset Management LLC, $108,000

Green St., 1625: BCRA Realty LLC to B. Shoemaker, $208,000

Green St., 3107: J. Lambert & J. Cantley to L. & I. Voughs, $286,000

Green St., 3117: M. Means to K. Anoka, $160,000

Greenwood St., 2122: C. & S. McCullough to Alliance Estates LLC, $70,000

Greenwood St., 2255: D. & P. Wiedeman to Archie Group LLC, $221,000

Hamilton St., 422: M. Knouse to SRM Rentals LLC, $71,000

Herr St., 306: J. Galer to K. Haywood, $150,000

Herr St., 1001: Capital Region Economic Development Corp. to Herr Street Investments LLC, $505,000

Herr St., 1504: M. Diggs to D. Diggs, $35,150

Hoerner St., 135: D. Hargrove & D. Surbrena to SPG Capital LLC, $48,000

Holly St., 1834: M. Nichols to H. Vo & T. Thai, $68,700

Jefferson St., 2463: J. Fritchey & Equity Trust Company Custodian to D&F Realty Holdings LP, $150,000

Kelker St., 209: J. Johnson to Alkaline Properties LLC, $61,000

Kelker St., 425: D. & K. Steiner to S. Mitchell, $161,000

Kensington St., 2123: N. Raup to Cooperwink LLC, $70,000

Kensington St., 2200: K. & L. Avery to Lansanah Home Services Group, $60,000

Kensington St., 2330: A. Miller to Alliance Estates LLC, $72,000

Lexington St., 2622: Stoute Housung Inc. to EAM LLC, $45,000

Lexington St., 2704: Rockford Capital Group LLC to J. Amaro, $52,000

Linden St., 143: G. Hamm to F. Medina & Y. Morillo, $128,000

Logan St., 1714: L. Stokes to S. Albro, $132,000

Magnolia Dr., 2315: M. & J. Sullivan to C. DeBrunner, G. Klugh & Helsel Inc. RPM, $365,000

Manada St., 1903: M. & D. Graeff to Willow Mill Realty Holdings LLC, $75,000

Manada St., 1936: Rosemarie Williamson Trust to Obear Properties LLC, $90,016

Manada St., 1946: DHS Team LLC to Obear Properties LLC, $30,000

Market St., 1842: A. & R. Clark to Atlix Capital LLC, $145,000

Muench St., 313: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to Awakening Enterprises LLC, $49,000

North St., 251, 255 and 226 Woodbine St.: Trip Aces 251 LLC, Trip Aces 255 LLC & Trip Aces 256 LLC to Inoma Properties East Shore LLC, $1,075,000

North St., 1818: Revive Our City LLC & E. Qureshi to T. Samuelson, $92,000

North St., 1938: S. Smith & R. Walters to Integrity First Home Buyers LLC, $50,000

N. 2nd St., 1113: Pharma Enterprises to Doyle Assets LLC, $100,000

N. 2nd St., 1507: Kabir Holdings Inc. to R. Rammouni, $115,500

N. 2nd St., 2139: D. Echnoz to 1910 Enterprises LLC, $185,000

N. 2nd St., 2141: T. & J. Perla to OK3 Investments LLC, $221,450

N. 2nd St., 2819: J. Nissley to N. Nero, $219,000

N. 2nd St., 3011: K. Boggan & G. Rine to E. & J. Mallory, $271,000

N. 3rd St., 700: R. & N. Mueller to B. Kenny & P. Christensen, $348,000

N. 3rd St., 1400: F. Karnouskos & A. Paliometros to Silverstone Enterprises LLC, $154,000

N. 3rd St., 1402: Karnouskos & Paliometros Partnership to SJL Rentals LLC, $231,000

N. 3rd St., 2208 & 2210; 1809 N. 2nd St.; 1611 Susquehanna St.; and 206 & 211 Hamilton St.: R. Valentine to SJL Rentals, $1,307,000

N. 5th St., 1536: A. Plowman to Harrisburg Rentals LLC, $30,000

N. 5th St., 2428: Neidlinger Enterprises to S. Goddard, $139,900

N. 5th St., 2629: Tassia Corp. to T. Smith, $90,000

N. 5th St., 2705: J. & J. Martinez to M. Suriel, $150,000

N. 6th St., 1012: Bethel African Methodist Church to Bethel Village Associates LLC, $303,000

N. 6th St., 2407: D. Boyle to M. Castro & E. Gonzalez, $34,000

N. 7th St., 1901: Staley North Seventh Street Properties LLC to Rustrum Realty Inc., $1,150,000

N. 15th St., 165: D. Deligny to T. Casteel, $36,000

N. 15th St., 1217: A. Plowman to PA Deals LLC, $100,000

N. 17th St., 1212: T. Herbster to C. Marietta, $85,500

N. 18th St., 41: S. Selimovic to Integrity First Home Buyers LLC, $69,000

N. 19th St., 28: N. Lindsey to House Cash LLC, $40,000

N. Front St., 1411: L. Rutherford to J. Robinette & A. Batz, $75,000

N. Front St., 1417: L. Rutherford to J. Robinette & A. Batz, $350,000

Norwood St., 913: G. Neff to D. Pietz, $69,500

Peffer St., 523: W. & A. Fluellen to Home for the Friendless, $85,000

Penn St., 904: J. Santarsiero to D. Moore & K. Williams, $120,000

Penn St., 918: M. & K. Beyer to S. Rudman, $130,000

Penn St., 1933: J. Hunter to K. Durkin, $170,000

Reel St., 2625: CPenn Patriot Properties LLC to J. Rodriguez, $47,000

Reel St., 2636: Neidlinger Enterprises LLC to A. Olson, $117,500

Reily St., 107: R. Valentine to SJL Rentals, $1,307,000

Regina St., 1600: J. & L. Hendricks to El Trio Propertys LLC, $267,500

Rolleston St., 1205: Integrity First Home Buyers LLC to D. & M. Hicks, $114,995

South St., 107: C. Stetler to K. Arnold, $135,000

S. 12th St., 1517: A. Early to O. Treasure, $92,500

S. 13th St., 435: F. & P. Harden to Alliance Estates LLC, $103,000

S. 14th St., 435: Anpat LLC to 1214 Baily Street LLC, $75,000

S. 17th St., 1040: Q. Viet to C. Samuel, $148,000

S. 23rd St., 602: D. Lee to S. Colbert, $82,000

S. 25th St., 600: B. Krulatz to D. Pham, $50,000

S. 25th St., 622: E. Buckwalter to C. Grant & M. Rinaldi, $75,000

S. 26th St., 615: K. & M. Blomerus to S. Ramos, $129,000

S. 26th St., 625: D. & C. Orsinger to KAB Rentals LLC, $65,000

S. 27th St., 638: A. Arosemena & J. Stoddart to R. Behrendt, $80,000

S. 27th St., 703 & 707: B. Lukwago & C. Solinas to B. Wilson, $103,000

S. Front St., 317: A. & K. Thornton to W. Zdazinsky, $170,000

S. Front St., 329: M. Ball to T. Dilldine, $182,000

State St., 234: Harrisburg Buildings & Grounds Co. to State YMCA of Pennsylvania Inc., $250,000

State St., 1730: Next Generation TC FBO Parvez Akhter IRA to JMR Ventures LLC, $56,500

Susquehanna St., 1710: M. Stauffer to K. Stein & G. Messina, $134,900

Susquehanna St., 2122: TST Properties LLC to SPG Capital LLC, $45,000

Vine St., 113: D. & K. Walker to C. Friedel, $115,000

Walnut St., 1322: Ausy Properties LLC to M. Baez & R. Disla, $60,000

Walnut St., 1808: Aumuller Enterprises Inc. to P. Carcione & C. Aumuller, $120,000

Walnut St., 1904: R. Rammouni to D. Boyle, $32,500

Woodbine St., 215: J. & P. Bruno to Ramsey Rhoads Group LLC, $185,000

Harrisburg property sales for July 2021, greater than $30,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

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40 & Fabulous: Market Square Concerts hits middle age with a full season of celebration

August 31, 2021 | by Lori M. Myers

Market Square Concerts’ 40th Anniversary Concert artists

What’s in store for Market Square Concerts audiences this upcoming 2021-22 season?

Well, there’s Beethoven and Brahms and baroque and chamber music, cellists, cabaret, quartets and a polymath.

Yes, a polymath. More on that later.

This season is a special one. It marks MSC’s 40th anniversary and, while it’s a big year, co-director Peter Sirotin has plans, as always, to offer central Pennsylvania music-lovers the highest-quality programming.

On Oct. 6 at Whitaker Center, the award-winning Ariana String Quartet will treat listeners with a lighthearted string quartet by Beethoven and a poignant piece by Tchaikovsky, which Sirotin describes as “a gem of Russian Romantic chamber music.” The group will also perform the cross-cultural “Leyendas: An Andian Walkabout.”

“It is by one of the most exciting Latin American composers, Gabriella Lena Frank,” Sirotin said.

The remaining performances, November through April, will take place at Market Square Presbyterian Church. On Nov. 17, celebrated clarinetist David Shifrin, cellist Peter Wiley and pianist Anna Polonsky will perform lyrical clarinet and cello sonatas by Brahms, as well as Beethoven’s own arrangement of his “Septet.”

This November program was originally scheduled for March 2020, but was cancelled due to the pandemic. Sirotin considers it fortunate that MSC was able to reschedule it for this upcoming season.

“Both of these programs (October and November) include works by Beethoven whose 250th birthday celebrations around the world had been muted by the pandemic,” Sirotin said. “Fortunately, Beethoven is as alive and relevant at 251, as he was at 250.”

Sirotin is particularly thrilled about the Jan. 5 concert, when “English Orpheus” will be performed by Tempesta di Mare, a Philadelphia-based Baroque ensemble, which will offer a cabaret on the eternal themes of love, with songs and instrumental music by Dowland, Blow, Purcell and Handel and poetry by Shakespeare. Actors from Harrisburg’s Gamut Theatre will be featured as the theater concurrently hosts the international Shakespeare Theatre Association conference.

“We are always interested in a cross-disciplinary programming, and this is a wonderful opportunity for us to collaborate across art forms, as well as help both organizations to cultivate new audiences,” Sirotin said.

And the polymath mentioned earlier? He is British pianist, composer and writer Stephen Hough, named by several noted magazines as one of 20 living polymaths. He will be front and center on Feb. 15, performing music by Chopin, Schumann and Alan Rawsthorne, as well as his own “Partita.”

By definition, a polymath is someone with wide-ranging knowledge or interests spanning diverse subjects, a type of Renaissance man or woman. In Hough’s case, besides being a leading concert pianist, he is a composer, a recording artist, a visual artist, a novelist, blogger and essayist.

“This concert is a part of Mr. Hough’s artistic residency, which will also include appearances with the Harrisburg Symphony and a master class at Messiah University,” Sirotin said.

March 23 is the date for MSC’s 40th Anniversary Concert, featuring music by world-class living composers with central Pennsylvania connections.

“We want to show that not only is chamber music alive and well, but there are incredible composers living among us who are creating imaginative and inspired works full of vitality and cultural relevance,” Sirotin said.

Compositions by Avner Dorman, Jeremy Gill, Robert Pound and Zev Malina will be performed by Grammy-winning guitarist Jason Vieaux, Maestro Stuart Malina and the principal players of the Harrisburg Symphony.

Sirotin, now in his 11th season with MSC, views 40 years as an incredible milestone for the organization.

Founded in 1981 by Lucy Miller Murray, MSC is one of only eight presenters in the country, along with Carnegie Hall, that participates in Chamber Music America’s Cleveland Quartet Award, given to a young string quartet about to embark on the international music scene.

“Ultimately, the organization Lucy Miller Murray created 40 years ago continues to thrive because of the community of dedicated music-lovers and because it embodies the collaborative spirit which is at the core of chamber music as an art form,” Sirotin added.

Finally, MSC will close out its season on April 21 with Stuart and Friends, a program that incorporates Maestro Malina’s favorite works for “piano four hands” by Schumann, Rachmaninoff and Brahms. MSC’s co-director, Ya-Ting Chang, will join Malina at the piano, and audiences will be treated to a vocal ensemble.

Last season, MSC managed to present all of its musical programs live to masked and socially distanced audiences in accordance with regulations. This season, the organization will continue to monitor the situation closely for any changes in state and federal safety and health guidelines and respond accordingly.

Whatever the outcome, Sirotin and the MSC have made sure music-lovers don’t miss a beat.

“Due to popular demand, we plan to continue filming all of our performances next season and offering videos as an option to those who can’t attend in person,” he said.

For more information or tickets, call 717-221-9599, visit www.marketsquareconcerts.org or email [email protected].

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September Editor’s Note

August 31, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda

A year-and-a-half ago, we locked our front doors and waited for the other shoe to drop.

We didn’t know what that other shoe would be exactly except that, like most “other shoes,” the end didn’t look promising.

At the time, one of my major worries was how the pandemic would impact our thriving arts community.

Our live theaters, our arthouse, our music, performance and art spaces—what would happen to them?

I remember offering a mixed assessment. On the one hand, I know the people who run these places, and they are, without exception, incredibly talented, capable and committed.

On the other hand—no work and no revenue. How can anyplace, even run by the most dedicated people, survive that?

Well, the pandemic has lasted far longer than I (and probably you) could have imagined. And yet—happy days—our resilient arts community is largely intact and, with September’s arrival, ready to act and sing and soliloquize for you again.

Each September, we at TheBurg turn our focus to Harrisburg-area arts (or, as I like to say, even more art than usual). So, we’re delighted to fill our pages with all manner of music and shows and galleries and artsy folks.

However, before you turn the page, I hope you will pause for a moment to ponder their extraordinary achievement. To my knowledge, no major arts venue in Harrisburg shut its doors due to the pandemic. Sure, there’s been pain and pivots and grief. But they’re back, ready to slap on the greasepaint and walk the boards, ready to plug in, tune up and crank it to 11.

I am in awe.

Unfortunately, the pandemic has proven to be almost equally resilient. So, if you decide to take in a live show, please respect the rules of the house—and do so with patience, grace and joy.

Lastly, I would like to praise those who contributed financially to our arts community during this trying time. If you can, please give again, as the tough days are not past us yet.

Well done, Harrisburg, well done. A standing ovation to all!

Lawrance Binda
Co-Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

Click here for the full digital version of the September issue of TheBurg.

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Concern, Care: UPMC Urology of Central PA encourages attention to urological health

August 31, 2021 | by Kendra Ferguson

Urology may not be as familiar to the public—or even to primary care providers—when compared to heart disease or breast care.

Ask any urologist, however, and they will emphasize the importance in educating communities about urological health, because it could prevent chronic illness and even cancer.

“Urology often is seen as a ‘when we need you, we’ll find you’ area of medicine. However, if men and women understand the benefits of exploring a basic entryway into urology early when problems arise, we can help improve their quality of life,” said R. Scott Owens, MD, UPMC Urology of Central PA.

The most common urological conditions include voiding issues for men due to a large prostate, otherwise known as benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). For women, it’s typically stress or urge incontinence. The origin of the problem can vary according to the person’s age, health history and lifestyle, and can greatly impact your quality of life.

For men with BPH, presenting symptoms are frequency, urgency, hesitancy and getting up at night to urinate. This condition typically emerges in a man’s fifth decade and becomes worse with age, necessitating some form of intervention. Urologists will treat it in several different ways.

Medications known as alpha blockers help to relax the prostate muscle and reduce symptoms, while other medications help reduce the size of the prostate as a second line treatment. For men who do not improve, urologists suggest minimally invasive and surgical procedures such as a prostate urethral lift or a high-pressure steam procedure.

For the more invasive but definitive treatment, a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), robotic prostatectomy, or a new emerging technology called Aquablation are recommended.

For women suffering from incontinence, treatment depends upon the type of incontinence.

Stress incontinence typically occurs from either childbirth or aging. Symptoms include leakage with coughing, sneezing and physical activity. Biofeedback or pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation, whereby patients work on strengthening their pelvic floor muscles help manage it, but if it continues, the recommendation is a urethral sling.

For urge incontinence, also known as OAB, medications and procedures aim to relax the bladder muscle and reduce symptoms. Urologists also offer Botox injections or insert a bladder stimulator.

Another common condition impacting both genders is kidney stones. Their causes are multifactorial and range from diet and dehydration to obesity and certain metabolic risk factors. The size of the stone, its location, and the clinical scenario will dictate whether it requires intervention. Smaller stones can be passed on their own, while larger ones usually require ureteroscopy (scope procedure) and lithotripsy (to break them up). Both are minimally invasive procedures and effective.

Despite the commonality of kidney stones and urinary issues, urological cancers are a primary concern since they present in a similar population and many times without obvious symptoms.

Managing benign conditions is important. However, cancers of the urinary tract make up a significant part of urologists’ work. Prostate cancer, for example, is the second leading cause of death for men and one that remains asymptomatic until advanced.

“My colleagues and I truly believe in the value of the PSA (prostate-specific antigen blood test) as an important screening tool, along with the rectal exam, to detect an early-stage cancer,” Owens said.

If caught early, survival rates are promising with either radiation or surgery. Additionally, there are alternative methods assessing the cancer’s aggressiveness through genomics and diagnostics, which can lead to active surveillance. This is a newly adopted, conservative approach for early-stage prostate cancer that allows providers to monitor the patient with both PSAs and MRIs, and intervene when progression of the disease occurs.

Bladder cancer is another malignancy managed and treated by urologists. It occurs in both men and women, and the typical signs are blood in the urine, as well as voiding symptoms such as frequency, burning and urgency. Symptoms are intermittent and mimic infections or other conditions. As a result, patients may ignore them. Bladder cancer is the fourth leading cancer among men and women and nearly 90% curable when caught early and therefore, one more reason to seek urological care.

Combining knowledge about urological health and transparent communication helps patients and providers make informed, shared decisions. Over the years, these efforts have contributed to successful patient outcomes.

UPMC in Central PA offers a full range of urological procedures. For more information about locations, services and providers, visit www.UPMC.com/CentralPaUrology.

Kendra Ferguson is a communications specialist, Central PA Region, for UPMC.

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Poetry in Music: Harrisburg band Whit Waltman grows in musicians, ambitions

August 31, 2021 | by Jeff Falk

White Waltman. Photography by Rebecca Mae.

There’s strength in numbers, and sometimes bigger is better.

But do you know what else is powerful? Music. Because it possesses the power to bring people together.

Whit Waltman is a young, Harrisburg-based, art rock/indie rock band just beginning to find its way on the local music scene. But what the band has already discovered is that the sum of its whole is greater than its parts, and that six is more than two.

When the friendship and the fellowship are almost as important as the music itself, the end product can be amazing.

“Having six people in the band is definitely difficult in some ways, but more rewarding in others,” said Patrick Schmitt, the band’s manager and drummer. “I love the music I’m making with the people I care about. We’re all friends, and that’s the most rewarding experience.”

The origins of Whit Waltman can be traced to three years ago when Schmitt began artistically collaborating with close friend, front man and singer Christian Witmer. They’ve since added Noah Smull on rhythm guitar, keyboardist Matt Hachten, lead guitarist Nate Deitch and Sophia Rothman, who plays bass guitar.

All of the band’s members are from the Harrisburg, Camp Hill and the Shippensburg area, and while it took some practice, hard work and cooperation, the result has taken the band’s sound to another level. It was at that point that Whit Waltman went from being a duet to a band.

“Originally, what Christian and I were doing wasn’t even for people to listen to,” said Schmitt. “We just wanted to write music for us. But we needed to get more people to put sound to what we were writing.”

Whit Waltman has already played shows at Little Amps Coffee Roasters in Harrisburg, Record Smith in Mechanicsburg and Station One Center for the Arts in Lancaster, as well as a number of basement and garage gigs. On the internet, their 50-plus tracks can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, iTunes, Sound Cloud, Band Camp and TikTok.

Earlier this year, the band submitted a video to the NPR Tiny Desk Concert contest featuring their powerful song “Mon Frère,” which can be seen on YouTube.

“I wouldn’t say any of it is mainstream, but we’re not super underground either,” said Schmitt, who’s studying music business at HACC. “We write a lot of different kinds of music. The new music we’ve been writing is more poppy, but not radio popular. I think we can be very accessible for a lot of different crowds.”

Making It

Like for many musicians, the pandemic dramatically affected the band’s ability to rehearse and grow. But they’re now back to practicing and playing.

“I don’t know what the end goal is right now,” said Schmitt. “I think it’s to just keep doing what we’re doing. We’ve never sat down and established end goals, but we’re going to. The main thing is we want to touch people. But at some point, I think we’d really like to put a tour together.”

The band’s name is a creative play on the name of the 19th-century American poet Walt Whitman, of whom Witmer is a big fan. If the catchy phrase is the hook, then Whit Waltman’s music is the pay off.

“I think the origin of all the music is a little different, depending on who is bringing in the idea,” Schmitt said. “Maybe Christian will come up with a melody, and we’ll all start working on it. He’s really good at it. He can write songs with very little effort.”

Every member of Whit Waltman has an interest outside of the band. Some are pursuing degrees in higher education, while others are employed at local businesses.

“We are all best friends, but Christian and I have known each other the longest,” said Schmitt. “Music is something all of us want to do in our lives, whether it’s together or separately. But we’re all supportive of each other. We’re all about wanting to see each other succeed, no matter what that is.”

For Whit Waltman, one definition of “making it” could entail paying the rent through music or some other artistic pursuit. But the fact that they seem to realize that sometimes life simply happens makes them wise beyond their years.

“I think ultimately, ‘making it’ would involve being a little more successful than we are,” said Schmitt. “We’re doing things now that we weren’t the day before, and it’s been a great experience. I want to effect positive change in the lives of people who hear our music. I think the work this band has done has already been the healthiest thing in my life.”

For more information on Whit Waltman and to hear music samples, visit www.witwaltman.bandcamp.com, Facebook, Instagram or any major streaming service.

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Craft Culture: Village Artisans Gallery houses some of the best in PA craftsmanship

August 31, 2021 | by Rachel Lindsley

PJ Heyman, owner of Villagae Artisans Gallery. Photography by Rachel Lindsley.

Pennsylvania is known for its rich history in American art, home to traditional and contemporary artists who showcase their craft at eclectic galleries across the state.

Cumberland County alone houses over 20 galleries and studios where community members can learn and participate in fine arts and crafts.

One hidden gem, located in the historic village of Boiling Springs, lives with a commitment to preserving American craftsmanship. The Village Artisans Gallery displays a wide selection of blown glass, pottery, turned wood, hand-woven apparel and jewelry, as well as illustrations, calligraphy and more.

“When my family moved to Boiling Springs, I became affiliated with the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen (PGC), where I found my love for stained glass and developed a true appreciation for individual style,” said PJ Heyman, owner and stained glass artist.

Heyman was seeking studio space when her mother mentioned the historic 1875 brick church next door, which was for sale. Interested in the history, they decided to renovate the building to house studio spaces and a gallery.

“We started in the spring of 1995 selling 50 guild members’ work in the gallery,” Heyman said. “Now, over two decades later, we have grown to welcome around 200 artisans from across Pennsylvania and beyond.”

Along with selling fine crafts, her vision for the building included providing studio space for herself and fellow guild member Gay Foltz, a folk art carver and sculptor whose whimsical woodcarvings of cats, Santas and woodland creatures are on display.

“I met PJ through our local chapter of PGC and jumped at the opportunity of having my own studio space at her gallery,” Foltz said. “After 26 years here, I am still branching out (literally, with branches) and trying new techniques to keep my work fresh and inspiring.”

As you walk around the gallery, the “nave” is filled with work including Deborah Hershey’s collages, Royce Yoder’s pottery, Tom Laser’s turned wooden bowls and Jo Alexander’s floral and landscape mosaics, among others. Items range in price and support local master artisans in their craft.

“We want the community to feel inspired when they enter our doors and to be a place where they are able to relax and learn about different types of artform,” Heyman said.

The gallery focuses on selling pieces from local creatives. But, on occasion, Heyman will purchase items from national artists to showcase how geography can influence art.

“American handcrafts are very important as each piece is imprinted personally by the artist and made individually instead of mass-produced,” she said. “We purchase items outright from artists or offer a consignment opportunity where they can earn a percentage of each sale. Either option is keeping craftmanship alive.”

Local Carlisle resident Morgan Plant has been shopping at Village Artisans Gallery for many years and is inspired by the owner’s taste and style.

“When I get an itch for creativity, I come here,” Plant said. “My house is filled with special pieces that PJ has picked out including pottery, paintings, block prints and more. This is my go-to shop for special gifts. I want to share the experience with everyone.”

This September, Village Artisans Gallery will bring back its “Artisans Action Series”—an event series that gives the community an opportunity to meet and learn from their favorite craftsmen. This series will be part of Cumberland County’s “Best Kept Secrets Tour” and begin with jewelry artist Joan Rhodes on Thursday, Sept. 23.

We will be participating in the Cumberland County tour this fall and are welcoming a number of our artists to come into the gallery and demonstrate their craft to customers,” Heyman said. “We look forward to seeing the community again in-person.”

After celebrating the gallery’s 26th anniversary this year, Heyman looks forward to continuing to share her love for art with Cumberland County and beyond.

“I could truly fill a place 10 times this size because of all of the wonderful work out there,” she said. “I look forward to continuing to share my love for fine American crafts with our customers and featuring nice people in our gallery.”

Village Artisans Gallery is located at 321 Walnut St., Boiling Springs. For more information, visit www.villageartisansgallery.com.

To learn more about your local Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen chapter, visit www.websitepacrafts.org.

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Reel Me In: Sushi Yatta rolls into Midtown Harrisburg’s restaurant sea’en

August 31, 2021 | by Norah Griffiths Johnson

Selections at Sushi Yatta

Judd Goodman is a veteran in the region’s restaurant industry. In recent years, you may have wandered into one of his Federal Taphouse locations in downtown Harrisburg or State College.

And while he has worked to build a solid reputation in the food and beverage world, Goodman is never one to rest on his past successes.

Last year, as the pandemic forced pivots and modifications for most restaurants and bars, he looked around Harrisburg and started thinking about how he could help address an unmet need in the market.

“I started working to come up with something that has mass appeal but is still fairly niche,” he explained.

And from there, it wasn’t long before he took notice of the absence of a sushi restaurant in Midtown.

The perfect location soon appeared in the form of a historic storefront at the corner of 3rd and Herr streets. Joined by chef Alex Coenen, who learned to make sushi while working at a restaurant in New York, Goodman recently opened the doors of Sushi Yatta, a unique sushi establishment that features a streamlined to-go format.

Goodman believes convenience and expediency help set Sushi Yatta apart.

“You just order online and, in 15 or 20 minutes, we’ll have your food ready for you,” he said.

Top Notch

As Coenen worked to develop Sushi Yatta’s menu, he did so with an eye toward creating a blend of the traditional and the unexpected to ensure selections that were both tasty and accessible. For the holdouts out there who still think raw fish is for the birds, Sushi Yatta offers a number of signature offerings that just might reel you in.

So if you’re curious but aren’t sure where to start, Coenen recommends the surf and turf roll, which features steak, lobster, spicy crab and asparagus, topped with tobiko, wasabi aioli and unagi sauce.

“It’s just top notch,” he noted, smiling.

Coenen’s recommendation for seasoned sushi fans interested in trying something new?

“The haystack roll is just really, really good—my favorite by far,” he said. “It has lobster, shrimp tempura, crunchy potatoes, asparagus and avocado, topped with spicy mayonnaise, unagi sauce and scallions.”

Rounding out this flavor adventure, Sushi Yatta’s menu also presents a wide selection of more traditional offerings, like California and Alaska rolls, and nigiri and sashimi. In addition to sides and appetizers like pork, shrimp or vegetable dumplings, patrons can choose from a selection of fish, meat or vegetarian-focused bowls. Bento boxes offer yet another hearty option, complete with a choice of a protein paired with sides of soup, salad and rice.

For a firsthand take on Sushi Yatta’s many offerings, I tried the tuna poke roll, which is Coenen’s sushi version of Hawaii’s beloved poke bowl: spicy tuna, asparagus, avocado with marinated onion, jalapeño, toasted sesame seeds and a drizzle of ponzu. The spicy tuna was delicious, and the marinated onion gave the dish a rich, savory flavor and unexpected, complex texture. I also tried the more classic salmon nigiri, which featured tasty, sunset-hued slices of salmon over generous portions of rice.

Even though Sushi Yatta is in its early days, you don’t have to look far to find people who love it. Harrisburg resident Susan Ewing-Rathfon shared that she and her family are already big fans.

“We love sushi, and every experience we’ve had there so far has been impeccable,” she said.

Ewing-Rathfon called out the restaurant’s takeout and delivery options as selling points, as well as their delicious bowls, rolls and desserts.

“It’s the perfect option for our family and for date nights,” she said.

Fun Details

Speaking of families, kids are likely to be drawn to Sushi Yatta’s frushi creations, which feature fresh strawberry, mango and kiwi wrapped in coconut milk-infused rice and topped with crushed pistachios, toasted coconut and raspberry sauce. Coenen noted that it has already exceeded their expectations in terms of interest.

“I didn’t anticipate it to be one of our signatures, but it’s beautiful and delicious,” he said.

To further entice your sweet tooth, Sushi Yatta has a number of mochi selections, including green tea, chocolate and strawberry.

It’s never too early to start planning for the holidays, right? So Sushi Yatta’s current and future fans should keep in mind that the restaurant offers bespoke catering options, perfect for small, in-home gatherings or larger scale events.

Staff will work with you to develop a menu based around their signature offerings and scaled to the event size. Catering customers can even bring in their own platters, which not only cuts down on single-use plastic, but streamlines the process for an event. So, there’s no need to carefully transfer the artfully prepared sushi.

Looking ahead, Goodman anticipates expanding Sushi Yatta’s hours and introducing some fun, unexpected details.

“We’ll be adding a bit of a marketplace in the front of the store to feature some signature grab-and-go items, small plates, chopsticks and some branded merchandise,” he said.

Sushi Yatta is located at 1100 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg. For more information, call 717-980-5160 or visit www.sushiyatta.com.

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Highway to Helles: It’s a dark and sudsy night at Lovedraft’s Brewing Co.

August 31, 2021 | by Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

At the new Lovedraft’s Brewing Co., a sign posted on the door reads, “No sports, no politics, no religious discussion.”

This isn’t your run-of-the-mill suburban brew haunt.

Lovedraft’s prides itself on in-your-face uniqueness. You might say that the devil is in the details—from skulls to dancing skeletons to graffiti art and black walls that horror fiction writer H.P. Lovecraft might well appreciate.

Owner Justin Browning introduces himself as, “Browning, like the gun,” before agreeing to explain the method to his madness, starting with the name.

“Justin-Browning-loves-draft-beer,” he said, no doubt describing the origins of the JB Lovedraft’s moniker for the umpteenth time.

Conveniently, the name also pays tribute to the aforementioned author who he holds in high regard.

Browning described the demographics of the denizens of his establishments.

“I’d say they’re truly alternative,” he said. “I’m a heavily tattooed individual, dress in a certain way and have a certain lifestyle that doesn’t conform with the office crowd. We want to be a haven for those who maybe feel like they don’t fit the traditional mold.”

Lovedraft’s cultivates a following comprised of people dedicated to art, culture and music, he explained.

“Mostly punk, hardcore and metal,” he said.

Gamers, too, embrace the new brewery.

“We have a dozen televisions with video games, with everything from Atari to Nintendo Switch,” along with an assortment of pinball and arcade games, said Browning.

Control Your Heat

Justin and Loren Browning opened their snug bar, JB Lovedraft’s Micro Pub, in downtown Harrisburg in 2016. With over 50 microbrews on tap, it became a haven for craft beer-lovers, so the couple kept looking to expand.

“We soon ran out of space,” Browning said. “By December of that year, we were remodeling the second floor and, when COVID hit, we decided to redo the third floor.”

The silver lining in the COVID cloud was that, in 2020, they were able to focus on another dream, a brewery in the former Quaker Steak and Lube building in Hampden Township. Their new brewpub seats 290 inside, with additional seating at 12 picnic tables outside.

The couple tapped Terry Hawbaker from Pizza Boy Brewing Co. to be head brewer. Hawbaker has won awards for his brews and was known for his wild and sour beers.

“He will be brewing every style of beer, and there will be 24 taps that will be constantly rotating,” Browning said. “We have a seven-barrel direct fire system, which sets us apart. You can control your heat better.”

To give customers other choices, they also offer a variety of Pennsylvania-crafted spirits to make unique cocktails.

“We call them kiddie cocktails, and they taste like children’s drinks, with flavors like fruit punch and Yoo-Hoo,” said Browning.

As for food, smoked items are prominent.

“We are working with Chris and Sarah Heilig, who used to run ShakeDown BBQ in Grantville,” said Browning.

Although the menu is heavy on smoked meat, there are also vegan and vegetarian options. Other selections on the menu include items that might be served at a gastropub, like fig and gorgonzola flatbread, a salmon BLT and croque madame sandwiches.

Browning is extremely pleased with the extra room that the new space allows for live music—long an issue at the tight downtown location—and he’s eager to attract national acts.

“We are working with a few different production companies and will be working with Mc Hyser who runs a location in York called Skid Row Garage,” Browning said. “He books events for us, as well.”

Food & Tunes

Long-time customer Reni Valentine credits JB Lovedraft’s with turning her into a craft beer drinker.

“When I started going to the Harrisburg location, I wasn’t into beer at all,” she said. “Now, I’m a beer snob and a stout and porter drinker.”

The new brewery, she said, has several advantages over the downtown micro pub. First, it’s less than a mile from her house. Secondly, there’s so much more space for events and to socialize.

“If you gave a group of people with eclectic interests a space to meet and gather, this is what you would come up with,” she said.

She said that regular patrons have become part of her extended family.

“They were there for my son’s graduation,” she said. “We’ve become this close-knit, weird little group. It’s amazing how something as simple as beer does that. Who knew?”

Steve Belle of Camp Hill said that his band has played at the Harrisburg location and that music is part of the allure of the new brewery.

“The stage is rated for national touring and local bands,” he said. “They’ll get some heavy hitters in there for sure.”

Belle is also a fan of the food.

“The burgers are amazing, and the tots are to die for, along with the smoked meats like ribs and pulled pork,” he said.

Belle said that he would describe Lovedraft’s as “a bar for people who don’t like going to bars.”

“I can’t say enough about the place,” Belle said. “They’re really gonna rock the west shore!”

Lovedraft’s Brewing Co. is located at 165 Gateway Dr., Mechanicsburg (Hampden Township). For more information, visit www.lovedraftsbrewing.com or their Facebook page.

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Keep on Stuffing: An Italian staple wraps up our gardening season

August 31, 2021 | by Rosemary Ruggieri Baer

Regular readers of this column know that I’ve often written about Italians’ love of stuffing things, especially vegetables.

I grew up with my mother’s peppers and eggplant filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, onion, parsley and Parmesan cheese—hot work on a summer day but so delicious when these vegetables are in season.

The humble and often bland zucchini (why does everyone have so many of them?) takes on a whole new life when stuffed with sausage, breadcrumbs and chopped, fresh basil. And, sometimes, one’s spouse will eat more than just the filling!

If you are ever lucky enough to dine at Mangia Qui, the little restaurant on North Street in Harrisburg, chef Qui Qui Musarra’s mid-summer menu often includes zucchini blossoms stuffed with ricotta cheese and deep-fried. Heavenly!

But my favorite vessel for stuffing is the bright red and ripe tomato of late summer. Stuffed and roasted tomatoes are my go-to side dish for company. They are a perfect accompaniment to grilled food such as lamb chops, steaks and chicken.

I like to try various ingredients and combinations for stuffing—fresh breadcrumbs versus dried breadcrumbs, grated cheeses like Parmesan and Romano, cubed or shredded cheeses like fontina or cheddar, chopped parsley, sweet basil and fresh thyme. Cooked rice often stands in for the breadcrumbs, but there is always chopped garlic and lots of olive oil.

The recipe that follows is from the region of Lazio, Italy, where the city of Rome is located. Stuffed tomatoes are usually found on the antipasto table, but they can also be served as a first course or, as discussed above, a vegetable side. In this version of stuffed tomatoes, rice is used instead of bread or breadcrumbs. If you have leftover rice around, which I often do, this recipe will come together quickly.

Tomatoes Stuffed with Green Rice

(Pomodori Ripieni di Riso Verde)

Ingredients

½ cup medium-grain white rice such as arborio (or 2 cups leftover cooked rice)
Salt to taste
4 medium, ripe, red tomatoes
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
½ cup chopped fresh basil, plus extra leaves for garnish
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan-Reggiano cheese
1 garlic clove, minced
Freshly ground pepper to taste

Directions

If cooking rice, prepare the rice according to package directions until the rice is half-cooked, about 9-10 minutes. Drain and place the rice in a large bowl.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Oil a baking dish just large enough to hold the tomatoes snugly.
Cut off a half-inch slice from the top of each tomato and reserve.
Using a small spoon, scoop out the flesh from the inside of each tomato and place the pulp in a bowl. (I try to discard any visible seeds and use a paper towel to absorb excess moisture.)
Chop the tomato flesh, continuing to dab at excess moisture and add the olive oil, chopped basil and parsley, cheese, garlic, salt, pepper and cooked rice.
Place the rice mixture into each of the 4 hollowed-out tomatoes, dividing equally. (I often add extra olive oil and grated cheese on top.)
Cover each tomato with its top.
Bake until the rice is tender, about 20 minutes. Serve hot or at room temperature, garnished with fresh basil leaves.

Summer is about to leave us, but the markets are still brimming with beautiful tomatoes. You can mix yellow or orange tomatoes with traditional red ones for a pretty contrast. I encourage you to try substituting breadcrumbs from fresh Italian bread in place of the rice. The bread soaks up the olive oil and is just luscious.

You can take the tomato stuffing and place it in parboiled green pepper halves or large white mushrooms and bake as you would the tomatoes. So many ideas!

Enjoy the remaining days of summer. And just keep on stuffing!

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Oh, Jazzman: Over four decades ago, pianist Steve Rudolph dropped into Harrisburg. Since then, he’s played countless dates and made countless friends

August 31, 2021 | by M. Diane McCormick

Steve Rudolph. Photos courtesy of Central PA Friends of Jazz.

“This’ll say a lot about Steve.”

Andy Herring is sharing a story about Steve Rudolph. The pianist had retired as executive director of Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz in October 2019. The group’s board had an idea for a fundraiser in Rudolph’s honor. Why not give Rudolph a chance to play with all the greats he’d always dreamed of playing with?

Rudolph had “kind of a different idea”—a reunion concert of colleagues across the decades.

“That says something about Steve,” Herring repeated. “His career is built on friendships.”

The Sept. 26 “This One’s for You!” concert presents three bands representing three eras in the career of Rudolph, whose ubiquity in public conceals a behind-the-scenes presence that strengthened and solidified the central Pennsylvania music scene.

Jazz Alive

Rudolph’s story in Harrisburg begins with that standard, “Danny Boy.” And money laundering.

Short version: The Indianapolis native was touring with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra in 1978, grabbing practice time on every beat-up hotel piano he could find. At the Holiday Inn Town, now the Crowne Plaza Harrisburg, he was playing “not a fine instrument” in a hallway near the kitchen. A passerby asked to sing along (hence, “Danny Boy”). The man said he was the new manager, in search of a house jazz band.

“Riding around in an iron-lung bus 2,500 miles a week and playing seven nights for a little over a year had gotten very old,” Rudolph said. “I sat down with him and convinced him to hire my trio with guest artists.”

Unintentionally, Rudolph had walked into “some sort of organized crime situation.” There were benefits. Laundering ill-gotten gains meant generating lots of actual cash, so Rudolph gained fame and name recognition from the constant advertising meant to drum up crowds.

How quickly did he get an inkling?

“In about three days,” he said. “They treated me very well. They made me entertainment director for the three hotels they had. They gave me a room and a car and did my laundry”—the type that literally goes in the washing machine—“so what did I care?”

In those days, the Harrisburg area had few jazz clubs but many fine musicians and, as Rudolph became established, a constant stream of guest artists. When the Holiday Inn Town gig ended in 1980, Rudolph banded with Jack Snavely, Lee Swartz and Russ Neff to found Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz, stoking a base of fans eager to keep live jazz alive.

Rudolph would find two other steady gigs, first at the Lucky 7 in Harrisburg, and then on staff at Hilton Harrisburg for 22 years. Through it all, he was working behind the scenes, as a Friends of Jazz board member and volunteer.

Best Advice

Rudolph first became a businessperson “out of desperation.”

It was in Indianapolis, where a thriving jazz scene of legendary talents—Wes Montgomery was born and died there, for cripe’s sake—bred fierce competition for gigs. Rudolph learned to create work simply by walking into clubs and convincing the owners that they needed music. His rule for getting gigs?

“Count the chairs, and then imagine how many dollars per chair the guy will pay before he doesn’t like jazz anymore,” he said.

Rudolph carried those skills to Harrisburg, bringing jazz to a long list of clubs.

“It wasn’t hard to do because I had a following,” he said. “As soon as we played in a place, they suddenly got an influx of new customers.”

In 2012, Friends of Jazz was adrift, and Rudolph stepped in as executive director, while still playing gigs. Today, Herring calls Rudolph “the founder that every executive director wishes they could succeed”—supportive, available to answer questions, but never controlling.

Once, advising Herring on the balancing act of filling spaces with quality acts while keeping audiences and venues happy, Rudolph offered “one of the best pieces of advice ever.”

“When you think, ‘I want to tell so-and-so what I’m really thinking,’ that only helps you, and actually, it doesn’t even help you,” Rudolph told Herring. As Herring interpreted it, “It’ll make you feel good right away, but don’t burn the bridge.”

“Steve is a minister of tact,” Herring said.

Good Man

Musician Dred “Perky” Scott has been a Rudolph friend and colleague for more than 40 years. They met when Scott, impressed by Rudolph’s trio at the Holiday Inn Town, asked to sing along. The tune that came to mind was “Bye, Bye Blackbird.”

“We immediately had a musical connection,” said Scott. “It was instantaneous.”

The pair has “grown together tremendously” over their 40 years through “the ups and the downs and the ins and the outs,” Scott said. “He hears what I hear before I say it, and I hear what he plays before he plays it. It’s unique and treasured.”

Scott added that Rudolph “has been able to accomplish what he’s done because he’s white, but that does not in any way dilute the importance of what he did.” Rudolph agrees.

“Absolutely,” he said. “Let’s face it. It is not a balanced street. Most all of my heroes and many, many of my friends are of African American descent. The contributions they made to the way I play and the way I am as a person are boundless. I owe a debt, of course, to the founders of this music.”

And, he adds, the “whole historical concept of the music” is steeped in African and African American traditions and culture.

“Without knowing the concepts of the blues and of African traditional music, I don’t think you’re much of a jazz player,” he said.

Rudolph’s relationship-building prowess has helped make possible the full retinue of Friends of Jazz events, in part by attracting donors, said Herring.

“When Steve talks about something that’s going on, people immediately listen,” he said.

Today, Rudolph spends his time composing, arranging and—as venues reopen—playing. He and his wife of 25 years, Andrea Minick Rudolph, executive director of Oryoki Zendo meditation center, host an annual trip of music and mindfulness to Italy’s Borgo San Fedele, JazZenjourney.

“She’s been the ultimate support,” Rudolph said. “She really makes the bad days better. During the pandemic was probably the most wonderful time. Suddenly, I wasn’t working six nights a week, and we could see each other and maybe watch a television show together.”

Scott is among the musicians lined up for the Rudolph tribute.

“It’s a well-deserved honor because of his activism,” Scott said.

Throughout the region, Rudolph has created an unprecedented, jazz-nurturing collective of venues, “and to his credit, he never slid over to what they call ‘smooth jazz.’”

“He’s a good man,” Scott said. “He’s a righteous man who does his very best in everything he does and has been a friend to musicians in this area.”

Rudolph knows that landing in Harrisburg “was totally a fluke.” As for his legacy, the most rewarding thing “has been seeing the young players who grew up inspired by what I was doing or at least involved in what I was doing who went on to become amazing musicians and teachers.”

“The whole purpose of my involvement in this music is to keep it alive and hopefully encourage people to try to improve it and add their personality to the music,” he said. “Jazz sounds different from one player to another. It really is the ultimate self-expression.”

Oh, and please, go hear live music.

“This One’s for You! For All You’ve Done, For All You Do,” Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz tribute to Steve Rudolph, takes place Sept. 26 at 4:30 p.m. at Whitaker Center, Harrisburg. For tickets, visit www.Friendsofjazz.org/Rudolph. Presenting sponsor: The Foundation for Enhancing Communities.

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