At Its Core: Based in PA, the Certified B Corp movement is growing around the world

July 30, 2021 | by Karen Hendricks

Alison Zang

Pilates, as an exercise, is all about strengthening your core muscles.

But Allison Zang, owner and founder of Absolute Pilates, is also focused on core strength in a business sense.

“I have a strong desire to help the environment and to give back to the community,” said Zang, whose fitness studios are located in Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill and Harrisburg.

She’s also president-elect of the Junior League of Harrisburg, an organization whose work focuses on bettering the community.

That’s why becoming a Certified B Corporation, with the “B” standing for “beneficial,” resonated with her.

“All of those things tie together,” said Zang, “And becoming a B Corp distinguishes the studio [Absolute Pilates] from other options within the boutique fitness system.”

Beneficial Benchmarks

Certified B Corporations, referred to as “B Corps,” zero in on a company’s core values. Are the company’s practices beneficial? Certification is a rigorous process that examines companies’ environmentally sustainable practices and overall positive impacts on society.

“I had all the correct ideals set, in who I was as a person and how I had grown the business, but I was missing some of the documentation, rules and procedures,” said Zang, who attained B Corp status in 2019, after a two-year process.

Zang had to evaluate her sources for fitness equipment and cleaning supplies, her electricity provider and even where Absolute Pilates did its banking. One big B Corp benchmark is whether a company has secured partners and suppliers within a 200-mile radius.

“All of those things slowly add up in a local business supporting other local business,” said Zang. “I think it certifies that your business is doing the best job it can to support the community and environment—and continually works to improve that.”

And Pennsylvania is where it all began. The B Corp movement springs from the nonprofit B Lab, founded in 2006 and located outside Philadelphia. The Keystone State is home to more than 60 certified B Corps, including Philadelphia-based coffee chain Saxbys and Pittsburgh-based Thread, which recycles plastic into fabric.

The Lancaster area is a hub of about 20 B Corps, including Stroopies. Maker of cinnamon cookies that resemble waffles— known as Stroopies—the company’s raison d’être aligns with B Corp philosophies.

“Stroopies was founded to provide meaningful employment to resettled refugee women who are starting new lives in Lancaster,” said Jennie Groff, managing owner. “With this foundation, being B Corp-certified gives accountability in our commitment to care for our workers, the planet and our profit. It has also been extremely rewarding to be linked to other like-minded B Corps that are making the world a kinder place.”

Purpose, Profit

Another Lancaster-based B Corp is the consulting firm Work Wisdom, which specializes in leadership development.

“When I founded Work Wisdom, I was already a believer in socially responsible business,” said Kedren Crosby.

She entered the for-profit sector with a foundation grounded in studies at the Johns Hopkins Center for Civil Society, followed by experience in the nonprofit sector.

“Even before B Corps existed, I felt as though, ‘If we are to be capitalists, we should be the right kind of capitalists and care about the environment and society,’” Crosby said.

She was recently given the opportunity to expand upon these thoughts, on a national stage, before Congress.

In June, Reps. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.)—whose district, just east of Lancaster, includes B Lab’s Chester County headquarters—launched the Congressional Stakeholder Capitalism Caucus. It’s described as a way to “reimagine the role of American corporations to foster inclusion, generate longer-lasting growth, and benefit stakeholders more widely and equitably… as our nation recovers from the historic COVID-19 crisis,” according to a press release.

While the caucus doesn’t specifically mention the B Corp movement, there are parallels, and Houlahan invited Crosby to speak for the launch.

“We believe that the purpose of a company is to benefit all stakeholders—not just shareholders,” Crosby said in her remarks. “We want to be of benefit to our customers, our employees, our suppliers, our communities and even the environment.”

She went on to describe Work Wisdom’s practices such as clear pay equity, supply chain decisions, family leave, green building practices, and her company’s pro bono work for one community partner annually.

“Obviously, there is the strong business case for trust, which builds brand loyalty, repeat business and increased profit. However, I want to underscore that stakeholder capitalism is good for more than just increasing profits,” Crosby said in her closing remarks. “Businesses for good create healthy, flourishing individuals and cultures where creativity, engagement and collaboration enhance both profitability and joy.”

Little Logo, Big Picture

Currently, there are 3,500 businesses worldwide with the “B Corp” logo on their products and/or website.

While they range from sole proprietors to publicly traded companies across 70 countries, the majority are small businesses. Those logos might even be on products you regularly use or consume, from Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream to brews at Philadelphia’s woman-owned Triple Bottom Brewing.

The B Corp certification “scours every single aspect of our business operations, verifying that we are walking the walk—not just talking the talk,” said Tess Hart, co-founder and CEO at Triple Bottom.

She likens the process to becoming a force for good in the world.

“We have become a better business as a result of this process, and hope that the certification makes it easier for people to vote with their wallets and support businesses that align with their values,” she said.

To learn more about the B Corp movement, see bcorporation.net. For more information on Absolute Pilates, Stroopies, Work Wisdom and Triple Bottom Brewing, respectively, see: absolutepilates.co, stroopies.com, workwisdomllc.com and triplebottombrewing.com.

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Curry On In: Tuskers Indian Fusion offers traditional Indian street food—and cuisine with a twist

July 30, 2021 | by Rachel Lindsley

Photos by Rachel Lindsley.

Last March, while many people were putting their dreams on hold, Lycka and Sunil D’Souza were making their restaurant dream come true.

Two weeks after the pandemic-mandated shutdown, the D’Souzas signed a lease to open Tuskers Indian Fusion on N. 6th Street off of the Capital Beltway. Three months later, Tuskers officially opened its doors, offering a combination of physically distanced dining, and takeout, delivery and catering options for customers on-the-go.

“We are so thankful to everyone who stood by us and helped us through our first year of business,” Lycka said. “Tuskers truly has a family vibe to it, and we never tire of hearing people tell us how our food tastes like home—some even traveling miles to experience our authentic cuisine.”

As local foodies themselves, Lycka and Sunil became known for sharing their favorite Indian recipes at their grocery store, Quality Food Market. After years of recommending dishes, the D’Souzas took the plunge as restaurateurs and created an accessible Indian food haven—only two blocks from their store.

“I grew up in Mumbai [India] where we had access to a variety of amazing foods and cultures,” Lycka said. “Then, moving here, we were not able to find basic Indian comfort food—that’s where our inspiration for Tuskers began.”

With an appetite for complex flavors, customers can indulge in distinctive dishes from India and southeast Asian cultures. Lycka described their menu as “the best of all worlds.”

“Because Indian cuisine is so diverse, we chose a few dishes from various parts of the country that best showcase that region,” Lycka said. “We have something for everyone—of all ages—as a fusion-style restaurant.”

Through fragrant flavors and large portion sizes, Tuskers seeks to offer newbies a great first impression of Indian cuisine.

“I was not interested in Indian food before Tuskers,” said Shanda Neal, Steelton resident. “But the owners are so knowledgeable and offer easy suggestions for first-timers. They are also willing to adjust their spice levels to fit every customer’s needs and wants.”

Shanda and her friends frequent Tuskers at least once a month for the comfortable atmosphere, BYOB options and their favorite dish, Gobi Manchurian—deep-fried cauliflower tossed in a sweet and tangy sauce.

Tuskers encourages customers to sample a variety of dishes and find menu items that fit their diet and lifestyle.

“I have seen hardcore meat-eaters now profess their love for our vegetarian menu items,” Lycka said. “People who always had the impression that Indian food was just hot and spicy are now our regulars and look to us for new suggestions.”

Patrons also savor homemade breads such as naan, kulcha, tandoori roti and parotta—served in a variety of flavors and consistencies. And, of course, Indian curries are offered in vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. Their most sought-after and comforting curry is chicken tikka masala—cubed chicken cooked on skewers in a clay oven and sautéed in a rich and creamy tomato gravy, served with white rice.

The owners recommend newcomers look over their Indian street food menu made with simple ingredients and inspired by their favorite food vendors from the streets of Mumbai. Their signature crowd-pleasing dish is pani puri—crispy-fried puffed dough balls filled with potato, chickpeas, spices and tamarind or mint-flavored water.

Harrisburg residents Gary and Kali Tennis have tried Indian cuisine throughout the world and are thankful that Tuskers opened in their backyard last June.

“I have tasted Indian cuisine from the best restaurants in Bangladesh, Europe and throughout the United States, but the best Indian food is at Tuskers,” Gary said. “And the owners are kind, generous and lovely. The dining experience here is pure magic.”

Tuskers Indian Fusion is located at 3716 N. 6th St., Harrisburg. For more information call 717-210-3931 or visit their Facebook page.

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Class Time: Back-to-school tips for post-pandemic learning

July 30, 2021 | by Rachel Lindsley

Back-to-school checklists are back, though they may look a bit different this year as children readjust to in-person instruction.

As students across central Pennsylvania reflect on their virtual/hybrid learning experiences, many will be entering school facilities for the first time in over a year.

This May, the Pennsylvania State Education Association’s (PSEA) President Rich Askey made a statement encouraging school districts to “prioritize in-person instruction for the 2021-22 school year in accordance with the health and safety recommendations of state and national health experts.”

PSEA spokesperson David Broderick shared that “PSEA believes the vast majority of its members (teachers, educational support professionals, higher education staff, nurses, etc.) are either vaccinated or will be vaccinated before the start of this school year.”

As schools reopen their doors, how can parents and guardians best equip their children for what to expect and how to cope with the effects of learning losses?

“Understanding that while this year may be more of a ‘normal’ year, the effects of the last school year still have far-reaching impacts on all of us,” said John Dennis, chief clinical officer and co-owner of Parenting & Family Solutions, a central PA-based family counseling center. “It’s important to talk about the impact the pandemic had on our kids and understand there may be things that re-trigger emotions such as anxiety.”

Prepare yourself and your child for a successful transition by following these back-to-school tips from local behavioral health professionals.

Social Connections

After spending a majority of the past year at home, students may experience social anxiety coming out of isolation from their peers. Encourage your child to engage with friends at school and to get involved with extracurricular activities during and after school hours, say some experts in the field.

“It is important to talk about your child’s self-esteem, social anxiety and fears when returning to friends that they haven’t seen in a while,” said Tracie A. Maille, a licensed professional counselor. “If they know that they have a safe space to share and engage—that makes all of the difference.”

Local sports teams, clubs and church groups provide opportunities for children to socialize in a positive setting and help them develop a sense of purpose with goals and schedules outside of academic hours.

Check your local YMCA for school-aged child care programs before and after school including activities that engross children physically, mentally and spiritually. Visit www.ymcaharrisburg.org to find out what services are provided at your local branch.

Reestablish Routines

As summer’s end grows near, families can start to share their excitement for the new school year by reestablishing a routine including appropriate sleeping schedules and evaluating learning styles. A few weeks before school starts, consider implementing screen time rules, homework zones, bedtimes and morning wake-up calls.

“Have a plan and communicate your expectations for your kids,” Dennis said. “Around the middle of August, begin slowly dialing back bedtimes by 10 to 15 minutes until you get to the desired sleeping habits. You essentially want them to have plenty of runway to adjust as opposed to just flipping the switch from summer routine to school routine.”

Write down the new schedule in a visible location for the whole family to see on a daily basis. Tasks, chores and grocery lists can also be shared in this same location to keep everyone on track as families’ lives start to pick up speed.

Stay Connected

“Communication is key. Talk to your child about what changed about their academic career last year and what they can expect this year,” Maille said. “Just as the adult world was taken by storm with the pandemic, so was the educational life of your child (think socialization, communication and technology impacts).”

Staying connected—starting on their first day of school—is very important to a child’s mental health. Children do best when they feel loved by their caregivers and supported during challenging times.

“For children who struggle with anxiety, help them process their emotions by hearing them out, validating and supporting them without shutting it down, and not minimizing or problem-solving it for them,” Dennis said. “Where needed, communicate with school counselors and administration about any concerns or issues. Seek out professional help where needed with counseling, psychiatry or psychological evaluations.”

Resources for Success

The Pennsylvania School Boards Association lists school reopening plans for school districts across the state. Visit their website to learn about your district’s plan and other resources related to education and state legislation updates.

Worried that your child is falling behind? The Dauphin County Library System offers several reading programs for children from birth to age 12. Visit their website to learn more and enroll.

The American School Counselor Association offers crisis and trauma resources for parents and counselors navigating these emotions with their student. Visit their website at www.schoolcounselor.org to view their free resource library.

“Much like being catapulted into the world of COVID-19, we are now being catapulted into a post-pandemic world in which a new norm has to be established,” Maille said. “Parents need to remember that flexibility does not mean failure and to be kind to themselves as they navigate these new waters alongside their child.”

For more information on Parenting & Family Solutions, contact their counselors or view resources at www.parentfamilysolutions.com.

To contact Tracie A. Maille, email her at [email protected] or by phone at 484-509-1079.

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Community Corner: Notable August Events

July 30, 2021 | by TheBurg Staff

Book Sale
Aug. 1-4: Hershey Public Library will hold its Friends Annual Summer Book Sale at 701 Cocoa Ave., Hershey. www.hersheylibrary.org

Garden Camp
Aug. 3: Penn State Master Gardeners hosts a Summer Garden Camp for kids ages 7 to 12 at the Penn State Extension office, 310 Allen Rd., Carlisle, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Campers will explore the world of bats and will work on various garden tasks. They will take home produce they have grown, and some produce will also be donated to Project SHARE in Carlisle. www.extension.psu.edu

National Night Out
Aug. 3: Neighbors meet neighbors at National Night Out, with events throughout the greater Harrisburg area. In Harrisburg, the fun includes a city-sponsored event, 5 to 9 p.m., at Camp Curtin Academy, 2900 N. 6th St., with members of the Harrisburg Police Bureau. Enjoy food, music, games, prizes and more. www.harrisburgpa.gov

Farmers Market
Aug. 4, 11, 18, 25: Tri County Community Action hosts the Allison Hill Farmers Market, 1421 Derry St., Harrisburg, every Wednesday in August from 3 to 7 p.m. Enjoy locally grown, affordable, and nutritious produce. SNAP (EBT) cards are accepted and matched up to $10. www.cactricounty.org/ahfm

Friday Social
Aug. 6: Harrisburg Young Professionals will host its First Friday at Midtown Cinema, 250 Reily St., Harrisburg, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Not an HYP member? Come out for the opportunity to meet members and build new relationships with those who live, work and play in Harrisburg. www.hyp.org

We the People
Aug. 6: The Arts at Millersville hosts an Asian Culture Celebration at The Ware Center, 42 N. Prince St., Lancaster, 6 to 8 p.m. View calligraphy and watercolor paintings by Diana Meng and puppetry art on loan from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office, on display from Aug. 6 to 27. Enjoy craft tables to make your own paper lantern, as well as traditional Chinese music, drumming and dancing. www.artsmu.com

Summer Flea
Aug. 7: Browse the HBG Flea summer market, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Midtown Cinema, 250 Reily St., Harrisburg. Shop for local art, handmade gifts and vintage wares from local artists and curators. www.hbgflea.com

Block Party
Aug. 7: Central Penn College, 600 Valley Rd., Summerdale, will host a Summer Block Party, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Grab lunch from food trucks and enjoy games, music and spending time with baby goats. Stop by early and check out the college’s open house at 9:30 a.m. in the ATEC building. Admission is free; food and drinks require purchase. www.centralpenn.edu

Family Fun
Aug. 7: Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC will host a Family Fun Day at the Vineyard & Brewery at Hershey, 598 Schoolhouse Rd., Middletown, 12 to 5 p.m., with vendors, food trucks, family-friendly activities and a silent auction. Two alcohol-pairing events will be held later in the evening for adults 21years and older. www.web.harrisburgregionalchamber.org

Art Soiree
Aug. 7: Art Association of Harrisburg hosts an Uptown Soiree at the home of Kevin Hancock, 2701 N. 2nd St., Harrisburg, 5 to 8 p.m., with featured artists Joanne Landis, Brian Eppley, and William Kocher. Cost is $45 in advance, $50 at the door. www.artassocofhbg.org

Butterfly Service
Aug. 8: Salem United Church of Christ, 231 Chestnut St., Harrisburg will host its annual Butterfly Service in the garden to the west of the sanctuary at 10:30 a.m. All are welcome. www.salemuccharrisburg.org

Rose Day
Aug. 8: Learn about rose care and flower arranging at Hershey Gardens’ Historic Rose Garden, 170 Hotel Rd., Hershey. Children’s activities include a rosebud tour, kid’s activities and a scavenger hunt. Sarah’s Creamery truck will be on site from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. All activities are included in admission. www.hersheygardens.org

Piano Concert
Aug. 8: Concerts on Colonial presents international prize-winning pianist Ilya Itin, playing the music of Bach and Rachmaninoff, 3 to 4:30 p.m., at Faith Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 1801 Colonial Rd., Harrisburg. This event is free and open to the public. www.faithimmanuelpc.org

Concert Series
Aug. 8: Harrisburg Young Professionals hosts a free Italian Lake concert at Italian Lake, N. 3rd and Division streets, Harrisburg, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Bring a lawn chair, picnic blankets and snacks. www.hyp.org

Garden Cleanup
Aug. 9: Harrisburg Young Professionals will host a cleanup at Heart of the Community Garden, 1421 Derry St., Harrisburg, 5 to 7 p.m. Volunteers are needed to help maintain and beautify the garden prior to the weekly farmers market. Bring a water bottle and gardening/work gloves (if you have them). RSVP by emailing [email protected]. www.hyp.org

Mixer
Aug. 11: Build new relationships with local business professionals at the West Shore Chamber of Commerce’s August evening networking mixer, 5 to 7 p.m., at NexTier Bank, 4231 Trindle Rd., Camp Hill. The event is free and open to chamber members. www.wschamber.org

Festival Fun
Aug. 11-14: Lisburn Community Fire Co., 1800 Main St., hosts its Annual Olde Time Festival. Enjoy rides and games, live entertainment, pony rides, a tractor parade, festival foods and more. www.lisburnfire.com

Homecoming
Aug. 12-15: The Rockhill Trolley Museum will host Homecoming 2021, along with the adjoining East Broad Top Railroad. Event takes place at the museum, 430 Meadow St., Rockhill Furnace, Pa. www.rockhilltrolley.org

Golf Open
Aug. 13: The Education Foundation of Central Penn College hosts the 50th annual Golf Open, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Rich Valley Golf, 227 Rich Valley Rd., Mechanicsburg. All proceeds benefit student scholarship funds. www.centralpenn.edu

Cutest Tiny Dog
Aug. 14: Join other dog owners in electing the cutest tiny dog in Harrisburg. The election will use “ranked choice voting,” explaining the benefits of this format while having fun and sharing space. Prizes will be awarded for the top five choices. The event takes place, 1 to 3 p.m., at Italian Lake Pavilion, Harrisburg. For more information, visit their website.

Volunteer Work Day
Aug. 14: Head to Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, to help with continuing park and habitat enhancement projects, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Snacks, tools and work gloves will be provided. Bring along a water bottle. Refreshments available. www.wildwoodlake.org

Art Soiree
Aug. 14: Art Association of Harrisburg hosts the “Riverview Soiree” at Dr. Robert Ettlinger’s home, 510 Halyard Way, Enola, 5 to 8 p.m., with featured artists Michelle DiNicola, Jonathan Frazier, Susan Benigni-Landis and Steve Wetzel. Cost is $45 in advance, $50 at the door. www.artassocofhbg.org

Flower Walk
Aug. 15: Take in the sights of summer at Wildwood Park, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., with a free nature walk to see some wetland plants along the North Boardwalk, like American lotus and the rose mallows. Common ragweed, responsible for a great deal of allergic response, will be identified along the trail, as well. www.wildwoodlake.org

Farm to River
Aug. 15: Friends of Fort Hunter will host its farm-to-river fundraiser at the mansion, 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg, 6 to 8 p.m., with locally sourced, homemade dinner offerings, local brews and wines and live acoustic music and more. Attendees can enjoy hors d’oeuvres and signature drinks beginning at 4:30 p.m. www.fort-hunter.org

Finding Freedom
Aug. 17: Take in a day of music at the Finding Freedom Festival, 12 p.m. to 10 p.m., on City Island. Numerous bands will play, with proceeds benefitting Just for Today Recovery & Veteran’s Services. www.milb.com/harrisburg/fans/festival

Diversity Book Fare
Aug. 20: Pennsylvania Kiwanis will host a Multicultural Diversity Book Fair, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., as part of their 104th District Convention at the Hilton Harrisburg, 2 N. 2nd St. It will highlight diverse children’s books with themes that may not be well represented in school districts. www.pakiwanis.org

3rd in The Burg
Aug. 20: Enjoy the best of Harrisburg during 3rd in the Burg, the monthly arts and culture event at galleries, restaurants and art spaces throughout downtown and Midtown, 6 to 9 p.m. www.thirdintheburg.org

Observing Nature
Aug. 22: Kids in kindergarten through second grade are invited to practice observing nature in Mammal Hall with handmade binoculars at the State Museum of Pennsylvania, 300 North St., Harrisburg, 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. This Curiosity Kids event is included with general admission, but space is limited. www.statemuseumpa.org

Art Soiree
Aug. 22: Art Association of Harrisburg hosts the last Summer Soiree of the summer at Marc Kurowski’s King Mansion, 2201 N. Front St., Harrisburg, 5 to 8 p.m., with featured artists Peg Belcastro, James Rowland, Mary Hochendoner and Matthew Seagrist. Cost is $45 in advance, $50 at the door. www.artassocofhbg.org

Golf Tournament
Aug. 23: Bethesda Mission will host its 31st Annual Mission Open Golf Tournament at Colonial Golf and Tennis Club, 4901 Linglestown Rd., Harrisburg, to raise funds for its long-term recovery program. Light refreshments will be available at 7 a.m., and the four-ball scramble starts at 8 a.m. A luncheon and awards ceremony will conclude the day. www.bethesdamission.org

Golf Scramble
Aug. 27: The 10th Annual Harrisburg Young Professionals Golf Scramble will be held at Dauphin Highlands Golf Course, 650 S. Harrisburg St., 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Teams of four golfers are invited to register online. Shotgun start begins at 1 p.m. Scramble includes a round of golf, a golf cart, lunch, dinner and an opportunity to win prizes. www.hyp.org

Music Festival
Aug. 28-29: New Cumberland’s Borough Park hosts the free Iron Bridge Music Festival, with regional and national ands. On Saturday, Aug. 28, the Harrisburg Jazz Collective takes the stage at 7 p.m., along with soloist Jonathan Ragonese and the Central PA High School All-Star Jazz Band. On Sunday, Aug. 29, the all-day music starts at noon, featuring Hot Jam Factory, Bob Randall, New Cumberland Town Band, The Jellybricks, Skyla Burrell Blues Band, Harper & the Midwest Kind and Paul Nelson Band. www.IronBridgeMusicFest.org

Opera in the Park
Aug. 28: View Harrisburg Opera Association’s “Opera in the Park—Birding for a Better World” on HOA’s YouTube channel at 7:30 p.m. Inspired by the inclusivity and environmental awareness that birding has demonstrated during the pandemic, this year’s virtual presentation tells a story about an ornithologist who believes birding can save the world. www.harrisburg-opera.org

Outdoor Movie
Aug. 28: Friends of Midtown and Midtown Cinema, 250 Reily St., Harrisburg, present a free showing of “The Lego Movie” at 8:30 p.m. The film begins at dusk and, in the case of rain, will be moved to Sunday. www.friendsofmidtown.org

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Sing a Song: During the pandemic, a music teacher found a creative way for his students to harmonize

July 30, 2021 | by Phyllis Zimmerman

Andrew Williams

For most, starting a new job is seldom an easy process, but when Andrew “Andy” Williams began a teaching position last year, just weeks into the COVID-19 pandemic, he faced a set of unchartered challenges.

Williams, of Upper Allen Township, took on a position as K-12 music teacher at Reach Cyber Charter School in April 2020, just as Pennsylvania’s brick-and-mortar public schools shut down for the pandemic.

While Reach Cyber, based in Swatara Township, typically operates in a virtual environment, the pandemic mandate ruled out Williams being able to lead students in live musical performances, which he relished doing.

Under “normal” circumstances, he would have planned bi-monthly musical performances with student choir members at central locations throughout the state. However, COVID made such meetings impossible, not only for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year, but for the entire 2020-21 school term.

Soon after arriving at Reach Cyber, which teaches some 9,000 students around Pennsylvania and bordering areas, Williams began looking for an alternative.

Last November, he began working virtually with Reach student choir members, putting together what would be the school’s first musical performance videos, with little prior experience with video technology.

“I learned through a lot of trial and error,” Williams recounted. “I read up on it a lot before I got started.”

The hardest part, he said, was having a song’s audio track match the movement in a video.

“I have to make sure it’s all in tune and on time,” he said.

So Beautiful

To participate, choir members submitted a video of themselves singing Williams’ selected musical piece solo and a cappella. He then blended students’ individual submissions into one performance with pre-recorded instrumental accompaniment and visual effects. The overall process took him up to 13 hours to complete, he said.

“Sometimes, I have a vision, and it takes a while to get there,” he said. “It’s up to the students whenever they want to submit (a recorded) song to me for a video.”

One of Williams’ first productions, “A Song of Peace,” featuring Reach K-5 vocalists, was posted on the school’s website last December to an overwhelming response. Videos also were distributed to Reach families and staff.

“This is so beautiful! I am so proud of my baby. Everyone did a great job. Mr. Williams did a great job putting this together,” parent Lynn Ortwein commented.

“So beautiful! I have tears running down my face! Thank you, Mr. Williams. Merry Christmas,” Jeannie Corby posted.

“Reaction to our videos has been big,” Williams said. “The national TikTok account even posted one of them online.”

Incoming Reach fifth-grader Abigail Watson is a member of the school’s elementary chorus who participated in the “Song of Peace” video. She joined the chorus last December, during her first year at Reach, because “I like to sing in Sunday school.”

Abigail’s mother, Suzanne Watson, a Reach pre-calculus/statistics instructor, said watching her daughter perform in that initial video last year brought her to tears.

“I was so proud to see her singing so beautifully,” she said.

According to Watson, Abigail practices singing her parts diligently before submitting them to Williams for compilation.

“She’ll work on the songs a lot because she just loves to sing,” Watson said. “Even when she’s just going into her room to get something, she’ll turn on the (musical accompaniment recording) and start singing.”

Williams said that he produces “one or two” performance videos of each chorus every two months. Performances are preceded by four rehearsals per song. So far, Abigail has participated in “four or five” of the videos and plans to continue during the upcoming school year.

“Mr. Williams puts a lot of love and energy into his videos,” Watson said.

For information about Reach Cyber Charter School, visit connectionsacademy.com or call 866-492-2435. Main offices are located at 750 E. Park Dr., Harrisburg.

You can watch “A Song of Peace” and other videos on the Reach Cyber Charter School Facebook page.

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“I Believe in Me”: Harrisburg educator Markisha Peace teaches students a lesson she also had to learn—self-love

July 30, 2021 | by Maddie Gittens

Markisha Peace

When Markisha Peace found out she had won an award recognizing her as one of 14 impactful educators in central Pennsylvania, she cried. But they weren’t tears of joy.

“It was tears of ‘why me?’” she said. “What do they see in me? What makes me so special?”

This past year was Peace’s second year of teaching fourth-grade students at Foose Elementary School in the Harrisburg School District. After graduating from Millersville University, Peace found herself with a job offer from Harrisburg, the district she grew up in. It wasn’t where she had seen herself teaching—in fact, she wasn’t looking to return to Harrisburg at all. But, Peace said, she now knows it’s exactly where she’s supposed to be.

When Peace received word that she was selected by WITF and the Rotary District 7390 as a winner of their 2021 Teacher Impact Awards, she doubted herself. She held only two years of experience, a small fraction compared to her seasoned colleagues, some who were teachers when she was still a student.

But then she thought about her students. She thought about everything she teaches them about confidence and self-love.

“I had to speak positivity to myself,” Peace said. “I’m working on helping my kids have those positive self-affirmations because, when I was a child, I feel as though if I practiced them more, I wouldn’t be struggling so much as an adult.”

In Ms. Peace’s classroom, it’s one where negative self-talk isn’t tolerated and positive affirmations are taught instead. It’s one where everyone feels included and welcomed—that’s her goal. Being in Peace’s class “just feels good,” said Foose Assistant Principal Michelle Archie, who nominated Peace for the Impact Award, something she’s never done for any teacher before.

“I love going to her class,” Archie said. “I always wanted to stay. You leave feeling like a better person.”

Safe Haven

When the COVID-19 pandemic forced Foose Elementary to shut its doors early in 2020, as it did all schools in the Harrisburg district, Peace hadn’t even finished her first year as a teacher.

It was hard for her, she said—there wasn’t closure. But she knew it would be even harder for many of the kids.

“For a lot of them, coming to school is their safe haven,” she said. “I’ve definitely learned to maintain my resilience through this and to be strong, not just for myself but for my students.”

Peace sent cards to all of her students, and to this day, still keeps in touch with her first class. Once a month, she hosts movie nights for them. It’s important that all of her students feel valued, the way her teachers made her feel when she was a student.

“She says that she loves us like her own kids,” said Alexanderia, one of her past students in a video recording.

As a kid, Peace grew up in Uptown Harrisburg in a single-mother household. From a young age, she loved school. She loved learning in her classes and staying after school for extracurriculars. When she wasn’t in school, she was playing pretend school with her cousins or complaining about being home during the summer.

But Peace also experienced bullying during her time as a student, which caused her to doubt herself. At the same time, she struggled with having an absent father.

“I sought out a lot of my teachers for guidance, for support, for love, and they fell nothing short of providing that,” she said.

Just like Peace with her students, her own teachers are still involved in her life. In 2019, many of them threw Peace a first-year-of-teaching party to celebrate her accomplishments and journey ahead.

“It took my first year of teaching for me to realize that this is exactly where I need to be,” she said. “I’ve had moments where I reflect, and I actually get tears of joy knowing that it worked out, not how I wanted, but how it was supposed to.”

I Believe

On the wall of Ms. Peace’s classroom hangs a body-length mirror with positive affirmations written around it.

When she sees students getting discouraged or doubting themselves, Peace will point them to the mirror to refocus.

“I’ll say, ‘go look at yourself in that mirror, talk to yourself the way you would talk to a friend,’” she said. “You wouldn’t say to a friend, ‘you can’t do this, you’re stupid.’ So, why would you say it to yourself?”

Her lessons on positivity have paid off, she said. She’s seen the way students have not only learned to be kind to themselves, but it’s impacted how they treat their peers.

During a virtual Zoom lesson one day, Peace called on a girl to read something aloud. The girl agreed, with a disclaimer that she had speech problems and didn’t like the way she sounded. Another student messaged the girl in the group chat saying, “your voice is beautiful; we love when you speak,” Peace said.

“They’ve completely taken the baton and ran with everything they’ve learned,” she said.

It’s all Peace could ask for—her students making strides toward loving themselves and each other. It’s something Foose Principal Will Hicks is happy to see, as well.

“She fits in extremely well with the culture of this school district,” Hicks said. “We are trying to build relationships with our kids. Everybody does that in our building, but Ms. Peace is phenomenal.”

Believing in herself the way that others do is still hard for Peace, but she’s come a long way since her days as a student. With each lesson she teaches her kids, she reminds herself, too.

“It’s an honor to know that people see in me what I sometimes struggle to see in myself,” she said. “I can help my kids heal and it’s kind of, in a way, healing for me, as well, because I go back to heal my younger self.”

This past year, Peace selected a class song for her students, an anthem for them. It was “I Believe” by DJ Khaled and Demi Lovato. When I later listened to it, I was struck by how perfect it fit with the atmosphere of her classroom. The pop artists may have sung it in a way that was catchy and hip, but it’s what Peace has been instilling in her kids all along.

“Today, I saw a rainbow in the rain/ It told me I can do anything/ If I believe, I believe, I believe in me/ I believe, I believe, I believe in me.”

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Just Down the Street: Joe Mama’s may be the ultimate in neighborhood eats

July 30, 2021 | by Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

Jennifer Stretch & Jane Smith

If you happened to patronize The Loft Restaurant in New Cumberland, you may have wondered what happened to the mother-daughter duo who ran the place that was known for made-from-scratch fare.

Today, you’ll find them at a simple, unpretentious eatery on Derry Street called Joe Mama’s, where the food is the focal point.

“My dad died four days after we opened The Loft in 2015, and my brother Joe died a year after that,” said owner Jennifer Stretch, explaining that the two needed to take time to grieve and heal before they were able to confront the ever-present challenges of the restaurant business.

One of the first things customers will see upon entering the dining area is a large, smiling portrait of Joseph Stretch III, along with his birth and death year and a touching poem reminding mom and sis to reflect back on his life with a smile and enjoy the sunny days ahead.

“He was only 39,” Stretch said.

These days, it appears the two are taking that advice and living in the moment as they smile and chat with customers, while preparing breakfast and lunch.

What Works

Stretch said that the restaurant business is in her blood.

“My grandma Donna Bechtel owned the Dutch Diner in Palmyra and raised us waitressing around the clock,” she said. “From that, I learned the hard work ethic, the fast-paced hustle and people skills.”

She transferred those skills to a food truck business about 12 years ago.

“We made breakfast to order and roasted turkey, which we hand-carved,” she said.

Unfortunately, it failed to take off.

“In this business, you learn what works and what doesn’t, sometimes too late,” she said. “Instead of staying in one place, we kept driving the truck around looking for clientele, and it didn’t help that the truck was old and kept breaking down on us.”

Stretch feels more confident this time that she and her mother are in it for the long haul, COVID be damned.

“Before the pandemic, we had 13 tables inside,” she said. “Now, we have three outside and three inside.”

They celebrated their third year in business on July 1, and the increase in takeout and catering has kept everything humming along.

“We worked the whole way through the pandemic,” Stretch said. “For us, it was a blessing and a curse. Yes, we have to work harder, and it’s difficult to find help. That’s a negative, but, at the same time, we’re thriving.”

Stretch also credits her indefatigable mother, Jane Smith, for standing by her side, working along with her over the years.

“Jen said, ‘Mom, you can decorate,’ and I ended up cooking,” said Smith. “I want to help Jen be successful so that, when I go, I can be assured that she’s fine. That’s what will make me happy.”

So Blessed

According to Stretch, the late risers enjoy the fact that she offers all-day breakfast.

“Our cheesesteak omelets are popular, along with our huge breakfast sandwiches,” she said.

Also popular is homemade pork sausage that is made on site, along with roast ham and turkey. Sandwiches are served on their signature sourdough, and shrimp and grits fly out the door, along with chicken and waffles. Another draw is the $5 fish and fries offered every Wednesday and Friday.

“We’ve had to raise our prices, but we’ll never get rid of that special,” said Stretch.

Painter Chuck Edwards is a regular customer and a fan of the fish and fries.

“The fish sandwich is big!” he said, adding that the eatery is right down the street from his house and very convenient. “I enjoy everything they serve there and usually order the turkey sausage, egg and cheese wrap.”

Michelle Parson, who works at nearby Edwin L. Heim Co., is another fan of the establishment.

“We use them for catering, and what we like is that they make the food fresh, onsite,” Parson said. “Our associates enjoy the pulled pork, the macaroni salad and their other salads.”

Stretch recently decided to usher in the warmer months with an addition to the business.

“I fixed up the shed and rented it out so that customers can now treat themselves to Ed’s Water Ice,” she said.

For now, Stretch is exactly where she wants to be.

“I love the fast pace, and I love to feed people,” she said. “I feel like it’s very intimate, and it’s how I connect to them on a personal level.”

The mother-daughter duo said that they’ve been so buoyed by their success that they may consider moving to a larger place in the future.

“We are so blessed,” said Smith.

Joe Mama’s Kitchen and Catering is located at 2233 Derry St., Harrisburg. For more information, call 717-307-9593 or visit their Facebook page.

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Pedal & Paint: Sprocket Mural Works teams up with Recycle Bicycle on reimagined mural for new bike shop location

July 30, 2021 | by Maddie Gittens

When I visited Recycle Bicycle in Harrisburg in 2019, I’d never seen so many bikes in one place before. At the time, they had a literal mountain of bikes piled in the middle of their warehouse on Atlas Street in Uptown Harrisburg.

That was in September 2019, and volunteers at the nonprofit were preparing to move the thousands of bicycles and equipment out of the building, which had recently been sold. Within a month, they found a new home on Chestnut Street in Allison Hill, returning them to the neighborhood the organization had worked out of for over 20 years before moving to Uptown.

Recycle Bicycle operated out of the Atlas Street warehouse for four years, providing free bikes to community members, teaching them how to repair them and to stay safe while riding.

While the crew packed up, longtime volunteer and board member Jenifer Donnelly climbed the ladder to a loft in the warehouse. Tucked among the tools, she found something familiar.

In 2015, Recycle Bicycle’s building became one of Sprocket Mural Works’ first canvasses in the city. A large mural was installed on the front of the brick building, covering the garage doors and windows with a whimsical scene of children and swirling purples and blues.

Up in the loft in 2019, Donnelly found the stencils that were used to create the work of art.

“That mural became a part of who we were,” she said. “It really was our identity.”

Donnelly kept the stencils, and volunteers pulled off a few panels from the mural as Recycle Bicycle packed up and rolled out, quite literally, headed to their new building in Allison Hill.

Recycle Bicycle settled into its new home, but the building was missing one thing.

In mid-July, I met up with Donnelly and other volunteers with Recycle Bicycle and Sprocket Mural Works as they cut out over 100 stencils for a new mural that would bring the bike shop full circle.

Steering Force

Artist Ralphie Seguinot was the quiet force behind the bright, bold painting on Recycle Bicycle’s Atlas Street mural and the reimagined new piece on Allison Hill.

The mural at Recycle Bicycle’s previous location was one of Seguinot’s first times creating such a large-scale work of art. He was inspired by the nonprofit’s mission of helping those in need in the community and, having two kids of his own, he connected with their priority of serving youth.

Seguinot took art classes in grade school, but never had any formal training. Inspired by famous street artist Banksy, Seguinot started teaching himself how to paint in 2013.

After the Recycle Bicycle mural, he worked with Sprocket to create a similar style mural, again featuring a child, on the side of the Sayford Market in Midtown Harrisburg.

During the pandemic, Seguinot admitted his art took a backseat. He was unmotivated and uninspired—until Sprocket asked him to paint yet another mural for Recycle Bicycle, where it had all started.

“I’m extremely appreciative that they’re willing to have me come back into their space,” he said. “I’m humbled that people enjoy what I’ve been doing.”

The new mural spans the front and sides of the bike shop in Allison Hill. The focus is on a child riding a bike, again with lots of color splashed on the background.

“I really like his art because of the way it makes people feel,” said Megan Caruso, Sprocket Mural Works’ co-founder. “I just find them to be really pure and colorful, and people respond to them.”

Caruso said that, while using stencils is a common form of street art, she didn’t know of any other artists who used stencils to create such large-scale murals.

Volunteer Trish Newdeck helped cut the stencils for the mural, which brought together two organizations that she loved. Through Newdeck’s son, who used to volunteer with Recycle Bicycle, she got to witness the work that they did in the community and fell in love with their mission. Newdeck also volunteered with Sprocket before, helping with the Jackson Hotel mural, which collapsed with the building in 2021, and painting a duck statue downtown.

“I really appreciate the work that both organizations are doing, so it was really a no-brainer,” she said.

In Tandem

The Recycle Bicycle mural is part of the 2021 Harrisburg Mural Festival, which also includes creating a pocket park in Midtown and painting murals to celebrate Black lives.

This project holds a special significance to Caruso, who loves the idea of working with another small nonprofit in Harrisburg.

“There’s a kinship because we are very similar,” Caruso said. “They’re bringing a lot of joy to the community. For us, it’s through art and, for them, it’s through bikes.”

Donnelly explained that Recycle Bicycle raised half of the funds for the mural project through donations from supporters. Having a mural on their new building was important to them and to their mission of creating a community space.

“When you do something like this to a building, it just brings all eyes to you,” she said. “It will seal our identity in the community.”

Caruso was happy to partner with an organization that was excited to display their artwork on their building and that recognized the impact that beautification has on neighborhoods.

“Hopefully, it’ll catch a lot of attention,” she said. “Part of their history from Atlas Street can move to their new home.”

To learn more about Recycle Bicycle Harrisburg, visit www.rbhburg.org.

For more information about Sprocket Mural Works, visit www.sprocketmuralworks.com.

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Pasta con Corny: Take Italy, add some central PA, serve

July 30, 2021 | by Rosemary Ruggieri Baer

I love corn. Always have. From making chicken corn soup every summer—when corn is at its best—to corn fritters, corn chutney, and spicy corn salads for cookouts.

This summer, I have been breaking fresh ears in half, brushing them with melted butter and cooking them on our gas grill for about 10 to 15 minutes until they are lightly charred. My little grandchildren love these sweet-as-sugar treats.

From the humdrum side dish that seems to have always accompanied meatloaf at the school cafeteria, to the obligatory baked corn custard for Thanksgiving dinner, corn as a vegetable has had a rather humble culinary history. But in recent years, it has certainly moved its way up the food chain.

Corn has made its way into risottos, tacos and burritos, cheese dips, potato casseroles, omelets, and most exciting of all, pastas!

Earlier in the summer, I found a pasta recipe by the noted New York Times food writer, Melissa Clark. I have followed Ms. Clark’s recipes for a while and have found them innovative and different. She focuses on intriguing combinations of ingredients and new ways of preparing them.

“Creamy Corn Pasta with Basil” tastes like summer on a plate. It seems rich, but it is not. The creaminess comes from pureeing fresh sauteed corn with a little water. The scallions and basil impart such a fresh taste. The red pepper gives the dish a wonderful kick. I couldn’t stop eating this pasta, stealing extra spoons full as I was packing up leftovers.

The directions say that preparation of this pasta takes 30 minutes. It took me longer than that, but it was worth it. I also altered the amounts of corn and pasta water used and eliminated the lemon juice at the end. Here is the recipe as I made it. (I got to use my new blender, having put my 1970s Harvest Gold Oster to its final rest.)

Creamy Corn Pasta with Basil

Ingredients

Fine sea salt
12 ounces pasta (I used high protein Barilla “bowties”)
1 tablespoon olive oil plus extra for drizzling
1 bunch scallions, (about 8) thinly sliced and keeping the white and green parts separate (thin ones are best)
3 ears corn, shucked and kernels cut from the cob
½ teaspoon black pepper
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
1/3 cup torn fresh basil or mint (I used basil)
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes or more to taste

Directions

Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta one less minute than the package directions for al dente. Drain, reserving a full cup of the pasta cooking water.
In a large sauté pan over medium heat, add scallion whites with a pinch of salt. Cook until soft, about 3 minutes.
Add ¼ cup water and all but ¼ cup of the cut corn kernels. Simmer until the corn is almost tender, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper.
Transfer the corn mixture to a blender and puree until smooth, adding a little extra water if needed to get a “pourable” liquid.
Heat the butter in the same skillet and add the reserved ¼ cup corn. Cook until tender, 1 or 2 minutes. Add the corn puree from the blender and heat it briefly.
Add the pasta and some of the reserved pasta cooking water to the skillet. (I eventually used almost ¾ of a cup to get the right consistency.)
When the pasta is “loose and creamy,” stir in the scallion greens, the Parmesan, the chopped basil, the red pepper flakes and additional salt and pepper to taste. Ms. Clark suggests sprinkling a little lemon juice at this point. (I eliminated the lemon, but will try next time.)
Serve in warmed pasta bowls with a drizzle of olive oil on top and a little extra grated cheese.

The only additions I felt I needed to this meal were a platter of sliced tomatoes with a nice vinaigrette, some cold white wine, and a vase of sunflowers on the table.

When learning of this recipe our Burg editor called it “Italy meets central Pennsylvania.” He is right!

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The Band’s Back: HU Presents welcomes big-name musicians, turns up the volume after a music-less year

July 30, 2021 | by Maddie Gittens

Frank Schofield

Carlisle resident Megan Strong has been a fan of the rock band All Time Low for at least four years.

She’s seen them perform live multiple times, once in Hershey, another time in Philadelphia. Whenever All Time Low, or one of her other favorite punk-pop or rock bands would ask fans on social media where they wanted to see them play, Strong would comment “central Pennsylvania.” Her husband would laugh, joking that it would never happen.

But then it did.

By February 2020, Strong was singing along to her favorite All Time Low songs with the band members themselves at XL Live in Harrisburg.

“I couldn’t believe when I heard they were coming to Harrisburg,” she said.

She didn’t know it at the time, but that would be her last concert before COVID—a long music-less year for Strong, who described herself as “a huge concert-goer.” But now, over a year later, she holds tickets to what will be her first concert post-COVID—All Time Low at XL Live, again.

“It gives me chills just thinking about it,” she said. “One of my favorite things about concerts is being in a room full of people, there for the same thing, singing the same songs.”

All Time Low is just one of the over 20 bands and artists that Harrisburg University Presents is bringing to the area late this summer into fall. There’s singer-songwriter Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, rockers Young the Giant, alt-rock bands Grouplove and Cage the Elephant, and Mexican-acoustic guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela, among many others. For a while, it seemed like HU Presents, the concert production team for the university, was announcing a new show every couple of weeks.

Harrisburg has been growing as a live music destination over the past few years, explained Frank Schofield, the director of live entertainment and media services at Harrisburg University. As the music world amps back up in a post-COVID world, HU has been working to continue building on the momentum they previously had.

But according to Schofield, there’s a lot that has to go on behind the scenes before an artist steps out on stage with a “Hello Harrisburg!”

Scoring Big

Schofield said that his secret pleasure is looking at artist lineups for upcoming music festivals. He scans the lists, noticing which band is trending or what artist is gaining popularity. But they have to pass a few tests. They have to be right for Harrisburg, and they have to be a band that Schofield himself would listen to.

When he finds a band that he has to have, that’s when the weeks of work begin. There’s a lot of logistical work, communicating back and forth with agents, deciding on a venue and choosing a date. It’s one long email thread that continues until Schofield sees one word—“confirmed.”

“Once it’s confirmed, boom, that’s the golden word,” he said. “It’s always a thrill. It’s like scoring a hockey goal.”

If Schofield were really playing hockey, he’d be carrying the team. He’s scored left and right with bands he’s convinced to make the trip to central PA. Jason Isbell and Cage the Elephant are a few of the big-name bands that he’s knocked into Harrisburg’s net, although, out of the over 20 bands he’s scheduled for this summer and fall, he couldn’t pick a favorite.

“It’s incredible the amount of work he’s done,” said Chris Conduit, venue manager at XL Live, a concert venue on S. Cameron Street in Harrisburg.

HU Presents and XL Live have been partners since 2018. Schofield handles all of the negotiating with agents and XL Live does ticketing and provides the space, staffing and set up for the show. The partnership has been vital to helping XL Live grow and attract bigger-name bands, Conduit said.

He explained the difficulty of booking bands at a relatively new venue like XL Live that hasn’t yet built up a resume of big-name performers. It’s especially hard to attract bands to Harrisburg, a smaller city, with the typical tour stops being in places like New York or Philadelphia. Often, Conduit and Schofield have to find bands that are traveling through the area on tour and snag them to make a stop.

“He [Schofield] doesn’t take no for an answer,” Conduit said. “He’s very determined.”

Not only has XL Live benefited from Schofield’s work, by being able to bring bigger artists into their venue, but the whole region has, as well, Conduit said.

“This is really good for Harrisburg,” he said. “Harrisburg hasn’t seen anything like this in decades.”

Turning Point

Schofield has always loved music. The former radio DJ at Wink 104 and iHeart Radio, among other stations, never thought he’d end up where he is, but he’s happy he landed at HU.

“I don’t think it was ever a planned destination or journey for me, but it’s perfect for me,” he said. “I run to work every day.”

Before COVID hit, Schofield had just pulled off HU’s biggest show yet—Death Cab for Cutie in Riverfront Park.

“That was the moment the industry took notice to what we were doing here,” he said. “It was a turning point for us.”

The same was true for XL Live, which was building momentum and getting ready for its biggest season yet.

But then the pandemic struck and all future concerts were cancelled. It was hard on Schofield, Conduit and the live entertainment industry as a whole.

“Nobody really talked about the live entertainment industry, that employs so many people, that was just decimated,” he said. “There wasn’t any fundraiser to help people out, and there weren’t any government funds for these people. People just lost their jobs.”

It was a slow year and a half of booking, cancelling, watching and waiting for Schofield, a stark contrast from the energetic months before. But as post-pandemic life came into focus, the industry quickly kicked back into gear.

“All of the sudden, it was like, ‘Bam!’ and alarm clock went off,” he said. “It was just nuts. For four or five weeks, everyone in the industry was just upside down.”

Schofield’s eyes would be blurry from reading and sending emails all day when he would get home from work. It was crazy, but exciting—live music was back.

Starting in mid-August, bands will take the stage in Riverfront Park, XL Live, Hershey Theatre and The Englewood.

Even as this concert season is just getting started, Schofield is already booking bands for 2022. Fans can expect to see some even bigger names headed to Harrisburg in the coming year.

But for now, he’s just excited to be headed back to concerts.

“Central PA has never had it so good,” he said.

For more information about Harrisburg University Presents or to purchase concert tickets, visit www.concertseries.harrisburgu.edu. To learn more about XL Live, visit www.xlhbg.com.

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