Back to Browsing: With limited reopening, Midtown Scholar shelves pandemic shutdown

June 30, 2021 | by Harvey Freedenberg

Midtown Scholar Bookstore

Since moving to its current location in 2009, Midtown Scholar Bookstore has become a mainstay in the commerce and culture of Harrisburg’s Midtown neighborhood.

But on March 15, 2020, like hundreds of other small businesses in Harrisburg, the thriving store suddenly faced the reality that it would have to close its doors in the face of the rapidly expanding coronavirus pandemic.

Now, after more than 400 days without walk-in customers, the Scholar has re-opened to the public and is anticipating the days when it soon will be filled with loyal patrons looking for the latest bestseller or excited about interacting with a favorite author.

Confronting the instant disappearance of those customers in the chaotic early days of COVID-19, Alex Brubaker, who became the store’s manager in the summer of 2018, realized that he “had to get creative.”

One immediate decision involved redeploying resources to the business’s existing e-commerce division, which had focused on selling used books. He now pivoted to sales of new ones as customers, eager for fresh reading material during the pandemic, enthusiastically embraced online book buying.

But another critical choice, which Brubaker admits was made without any long-term plan, was to immediately move the store’s calendar of author readings and interviews onto Zoom and significantly expand their frequency, occasionally featuring two events in a single evening. The bookstore became one of the first in the country to make the shift—within a week of the shutdown—and, by the time of the re-opening, it had presented some 150 of these programs.

While a typical event drew about 200 viewers, several, like the one featuring Madeleine Miller promoting the paperback edition of her novel “Circe,” attracted an audience of more than 1,000 from around the world.

The virtual programs also allowed the store to introduce its brand to new customers and to host well-known authors like James Patterson, John Grisham and Martha Stewart, who may not ordinarily make Harrisburg a stop on an in-person book tour, Brubaker noted.

Though it wasn’t only nationally known authors who took advantage of the new venue. Local writer Joel Burcat said that the chance to promote his second novel, “Amid Rage,” in the virtual space in February 2021, “meant everything” to him.

“[That event] gave me exposure far beyond what I would have had in-store,” he said, after his plans for an in-person launch were derailed by COVID.

Really Fortunate

Beginning in May 2020, the Scholar also began what became highly popular weekly sidewalk sales on Fridays and Saturdays—some 100 during the shutdown. These allowed customers to maintain their physical connection to the store, even if they couldn’t enter to browse the shelves or sip a latte from the café.

Brubaker admitted that he was skeptical about these initiatives, but called it “really humbling” to see “the love for this place the community of Harrisburg has.”

On May 28, the store’s re-opening date, a cool, overcast Friday, co-owner and Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse, along with the familiar aroma of brewing coffee, greeted the masked customers who browsed the store at the start of what Brubaker described as a “phenomenal” two-day opening.

Beryl Kuhr, a regular from Susquehanna Township, waited to pick up one of the online orders she had placed through the website, Bookshop, which donates a portion of its sales to participating independent bookstores.

“It feels wonderful to be inside and to have this whole selection of books,” she said, smiling broadly.

But it wasn’t only local readers who were happy for the opportunity to engage in a book lover’s passion—browsing. Chambersburg resident Abigail Maley was eager to soak up the atmosphere.

“I can smell the books again,” she said, a bit sheepishly. “It’s one of the things I like about coming to a physical bookstore.”

Midtown Scholar wasn’t alone in dealing with the pandemic’s upheaval. The American Booksellers Association, the trade group representing independent bookstores, reported that it lost 80 members due to store closings in 2020. But John Mutter, editor-in-chief and co-founder of the industry publication, Shelf Awareness, noted that many independent booksellers “have done better than anyone could have hoped for.”

Brubaker didn’t minimize the economic challenges of the closure.

“Like all small businesses, we were hurt,” he said. “But we are feeling really fortunate that we were one of those bookstores that was able to stay alive and survive the pandemic.”

Now, he’s looking forward eagerly to bookselling in the post-COVID world.

While virtual events will continue through the summer, the store already is in discussions with some publishers about live author appearances once fall arrives. In-store hours will expand gradually as conditions permit, with the hope of resuming normal operations before the beginning of the holiday shopping season.

But as Brubaker reflected on 14 months of pandemic life, one lesson will remain with him—nothing will replace the in-person book browsing experience.

“If anything, it confirmed what I do for a living and that independent bookstores need to be here as physical locations in order to grow a literary community,” he said. “Once that was taken away, it made me realize how important that is to a community.”

Midtown Scholar Bookstore-Café is located at 1302 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.midtownscholar.com.

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Hops Howl: Award-winning brewers open on the west shore

June 30, 2021 | by Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

Derek and Elaine Wolf know their way around a keg.

The couple had been attending home-brewing and beer festivals for years, which inspired them to try their hand at the craft. When they won an award in the summer of 2013, their appetite was whet, and their sights were set on winning more. They eventually won honors in all 50 states, laying claim to 123 awards with 55 different beers.

These overachievers in the beer world have now opened their own establishment.

“We had the opportunity to travel extensively to areas like Australia, New Zealand, France and around the United States,” Derek said. “So, we figured out what we liked and didn’t like.”

At Home

Earlier this year, the couple opened their own brewery in the Market Square portion of Landmark Legacy Park off Route 114, an area near and dear to their hearts.

“Mechanicsburg is our hometown, and we remember running around the cornfields,” said Derek.

It doesn’t hurt that the area is currently under development and will soon be the site of new homes, pedestrian trails and retail establishments.

The 8,000-square-foot brewery seats about 300 people, with a décor that can be described as an open, contemporary space with clean lines and plenty of places to sit, whether at the bar in view of the 10-barrel system, at large, wooden tables scattered around the room, in front of either of the two fireplaces, or at a bank of chairs positioned in front of the attractive front windows.

The couple are also excited about their outside space, which seats 100 and features a covered patio and lawn behind the building, along with cornhole games, picnic tables, firepits and an outside service window. The area is dog-friendly, as well.

The Wolfs said that the project began in June of last year and that they’ve managed to weather the COVID storm and the lumber crisis, but there has been a learning curve, too.

Elaine, who has worked in both human resources and the restaurant industry, brings her considerable experience to the table, but still has trouble finding staff, like many in the hospitality industry these days. And Derek said that he’s learning quite a bit, after the initial shock.

Derek credits other breweries for being willing to offer advice, along with the assistance of the National Brewers Association, the Brewers of Pennsylvania and staff at the Nebraska-based Alpha Brew System.

“Even though I’ve collaborated with other breweries, I was still a deer in the headlights in the beginning,” he said.

Hitting Their Stride

Beer aficionados will be in their element, with a total of 24 selections on tap, ranging from lagers to pilsners to sours, saisons and IPAs. And if you’re bringing along that person who may not care for beer, there’s a selection of Pennsylvania wine, ciders and spirits on hand.

It’s also important to the couple to give back to the community, so each month they sponsor, “Flight for a Cause,” where $1 from each beer flight goes to a local organization.

“Last month, we were able to raise $3,280 for the Mechanicsburg Fire Department,” said Elaine.

Wolf Brewing partners with Mechanicsburg’s Smoke & Pickles to manage kitchen operations.

“We use as many local farms as possible, including as many things from Smoke & Pickles Artisan Butcher Shop as we can, such as our nitrate-free bacon and our 21-day dry-aged, and 100-percent grass-fed burgers,” said David Mills, owner and chef at Smoke & Pickles.

Mills said that plans are in the works over the next few months to expand the menu and feature private beer dinners to showcase local ingredients presented in an upscale way, along with new releases of Wolf Brewing Co.’s beer.

Customer Julie Huff went to check out the west shore’s newest brewery soon after they opened.

“My overall take on the place is that it’s classy, but comfortable,” she said. “It’s welcoming, and the servers are very nice. We also like the fact that there are a variety of places to sit.”

Eric Anderson said that he’s a loyal “Wolf Pack” member who had the opportunity to get in early for a nominal fee, along with merch and an invitation to the soft opening. Anderson, who lives in Linglestown, met the couple at brew festivals and followed them.

“I also like the food,” he said. “I had the croque madame with fries, and it was amazing.”

As for his favorite beer, that would be the aptly named “On the Prowl,” a double IPA brewed with citra and galaxy hops, featuring floral notes and flavors of pineapple.

With each new day in business, the couple said that they learn more. They now feel that they are hitting their stride and are happy to be pursuing their passion, on their terms.

“We love to see people enjoy themselves and we like to entertain too, while at the same time giving back to the community and making friends along the way,” said Elaine.

Wolf Brewing Co. is located at 100 Legacy Park Dr., Suite 400, Mechanicsburg. To learn more, visit their website at www.wolfbrewingco.com.

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The Slice Is Right: Impress your guests with this summery tomato bread appetizer

June 30, 2021 | by Rosemary Ruggieri Baer

In the last year or so, I have become intrigued by the cooking of Bobby Flay.

Bobby is well known for his Food Network cooking shows like “Beat Bobby Flay,” as well as his acclaimed restaurants such as Mesa Grill and Shark in Las Vegas, Gato in New York, and Bobby’s Burger Palace in several locations in the United States.

While Bobby’s cooking relies heavily on the bold flavors of Spain, Mexico and the American southwest, he grew up in Manhattan in the 1970s. So, with many Italian friends and frequent trips to “Little Italy” for spaghetti and meatballs, Bobby expresses a love of Italian cooking, as well.

I have been studying Bobby’s cooking technique, the ingredients he uses, and most importantly, how to make a good margarita! When looking for an appetizer to serve with drinks, I stumbled across something that was a hit with our guests. It is a Spanish take on the traditional Italian tomato bread, a popular item at Italian bistros in South Philly.

I was so tired of hummus and pita chips, salsa and nachos, and plain old cheese and crackers (even good cheese). This appetizer relies on a unique combination of flavors. But, as Bobby noted in his introduction to the recipe, because there are so few ingredients, all of them need to be very good. I had to search for Serrano ham (found it at Wegman’s) and substituted store-bought basil pesto in lieu of making homemade parsley pesto. Prosciutto ham could be substituted, but the Serrano ham is worth looking for.

Tomato Bread with Serrano Ham and Pesto

Ingredients

A container of store-bought pesto sauce (or homemade if you have it)
3 very ripe beefsteak tomatoes
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
1 loaf of crusty Italian bread (ciabatta is good but any good country loaf will work)
2 large garlic cloves, sliced in half
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
¼ pound thinly sliced serrano ham

Directions

Cut the tomatoes in half horizontally.
Place a box grater in a large bowl. Rub the cut side of the tomato halves over the large holes of the grater, using your palm to move them back and forth.
The flesh should be grated off, leaving the skin intact in your hand. Discard the skin and season the tomato pulp with salt, black pepper and red pepper flakes. Let sit at room temperature while you prepare the bread.
Heat a grill or grill pan to high.
Cut the bread into ¼ inch thick slices and grill until lightly charred. Flip the bread slices and toast a little longer until heated through and lightly browned.
Rub the grilled bread slices with the halved garlic cloves and then brush them with olive oil.
Spoon liberal amounts of tomato pulp onto the grilled bread slices and drizzle with some of the pesto.
Top with the ham slices and serve at room temperature.

The colors of the dish are beautiful, and the combination of flavors is just delicious. I served the bread with drinks and no other “nibbley” was needed. Flay recommends making tomato bread in late summer when tomatoes are at their best, but as long as they are red and ripe, this recipe will work. You could try making it for a light weekend lunch, as well. If you have tomato pulp left over, you can use it to whip up a quick marinara sauce for pasta.

Flay is said to be opening an Italian restaurant in Vegas called Amalfi. I am eager to see how he puts his own signature style on Italian classics. Maybe another cookbook is in the works, too.

A little side note: On the Food Network show, “Beat Bobby Flay,” Bobby usually wins the cooking competition! But you will find tomato bread is a winner and easy to make, too.

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A Tale of Two Churches: For a pair of congregations, ecumenism took root during the pandemic

June 30, 2021 | by Barbara Trainin Blank

No one can overstate the distress that resulted from the pandemic. But there were bright spots, as well, such as people reaching out to each other to overcome loneliness and isolation.

One example is the cooperative spirit that took root between the Old Catholic Church, Parish of Saint Joseph, and Metropolitan Community Church of the Spirit.

The Old Catholic Church began its ministry in 1994, long using the home of the pastor—Rev. Michael J. Scalzi—or a hotel for services. It has also rented space in other churches.

Scalzi said the churches that leased their spaces were “nice,” but his congregation was “treated like tenants.” Then, in September 2019, things turned around. The Old Catholic Church began a rental relationship with MCC, also using its Harrisburg facility for Sunday Masses.

When his church needed to find new space, Scalzi composed an email to “select friends” asking for help. He said he had “barely hit the send key” when Lori Hatch-Rivera, senior pastor of MCC of the Spirit, got in touch and offered her church.

It helped that Scalzi and Hatch-Rivera had been friends for a decade, having met through interfaith work, and both sit on the Mayor’s Interfaith Advisory Council. As a result, Scalzi said, he and members of his church were treated like and “felt like family” at MCC.

The relationship between the two churches grew even closer when the pandemic struck. Beginning in March 2020, they started holding joint services (after the building was closed briefly to congregants when COVID-19 first struck.) The two churches had two weeks to put together a joint service and “experimented,” said Hatch-Rivera.

Other than that brief closure, services took place in person, but were also live-streamed on Facebook. The two churches also co-sponsored other programs, including a Christmas musical.

“An instant bond was formed,” said Rev. Dr. Lawrence F. Keiser II, who is affiliated with both—as deacon of the Parish Community of Saint Joseph and as associate pastor (director of music ministries and administration) of MCC of the Spirit.

And the “ecumenical relationship” born of the pandemic has inspired more than joint services, added Scalzi. It has formed a familial bond across religious lines between an MCC congregation and a Catholic congregation.

What helped seal that bond was the fact that most people at MCC come from different denominations, Hatch-Rivera pointed out.

“The two congregations share an openness and an uplifting of all people,” Scalzi said. “Both are similar religiously and philosophically, despite differences in liturgy, etc.”

MCC’s pastor noted that the church has been a leading voice in central Pennsylvania for LGBTQ+ rights and spirituality. It sponsors monthly “Sharing Our Caring” HIV/AID dinners, hosts TransCentral, an advocacy group for the transgender community, and serves home-cooked meals to the homeless in downtown Harrisburg.

For its part, said Scalzi, the Old Catholic Church is “open and affirming, welcoming and inclusive to our LGBTQ sisters and brothers who are all welcome to attend our Masses.”

Now that the pandemic is easing, the two congregations decided to return to separate services. That took place the week before Palm Sunday, a fact that is causing some sadness and disorientation.

“We got so used to joint services,” Scalzi said. “It was a little emotional. Even though it had to happen, it was odd.”

“It took three weeks to feel we were going back to normal,” agreed Hatch-Rivera, and Keiser called the transition back “bittersweet.” Still, the pastors agreed, the door is “always open” for joint services to be held on special occasions. And the live-streaming will continue “forever.”

Looking back on the relationship of the two churches, which began before but blossomed during the pandemic, Hatch-Rivera said, “We are affirming that we are all people of God.”

For more information on the Old Catholic Church, Parish of St. Joseph, visit www.theparishofstjoseph.org.

For more information on the Metropolitan Community Church of the Spirit, visit www.mccofthespirit.org.

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Echoes of the Past: Harrisburg native—and famed screenwriter—Jeff Arch releases a novel 30 years in the making

June 30, 2021 | by Harvey Freedenberg

If a writer’s career could serve as an example of the value of persistence in the face of rejection, Harrisburg native Jeff Arch’s would be a superb one.

Nominated for an Academy Award for co-writing the screenplay of the beloved romantic comedy, “Sleepless in Seattle,” Arch has just published his first novel, “Attachments,” a book he began working on some three decades ago.

On a recent FaceTime call, Arch—dressed in a gray T-shirt and baseball cap—looked like he had just strolled in from the beach that’s located across the street from his home in Carpinteria, Calif., a short distance south of Santa Barbara. His appearance and demeanor exude a slight rock music vibe, suggestive of the time he spent as a concert lighting designer after graduating from Emerson College with a degree in film and theater production in 1976.

“Attachments” grew out of a 1988 visit that Arch paid to a favorite teacher at Wyoming Seminary, the Kingston, Pa., boarding school he attended for two years in the early 1970s. The novel tells the story of three students—Sandy (“Pick”) Piccolo, his wife Laura Appleby and their friend, Stewart (“Goody”) Goodman—at a private school that Arch acknowledged bears some resemblance to that one, which he admitted “had a hold on me.”

Eighteen years after they leave the school, they’re summoned back by an urgent request from their former dean before he slips into a coma following a stroke, to face what Arch called a terrible betrayal they’ve escaped dealing with for all that time. Shifting perspectives among these characters and three others, the novel deeply explores the moral implications of long-ago acts and their echoes in the present.

Inspired by an incident Arch recalled from his school days, “Attachments” began as a screenplay, and along with “Sleepless in Seattle,” was written in 1990. In that year, he sold the northern Virginia tae kwon do studio he had owned for three years and committed himself to writing three screenplays in 12 months.

Though the “Sleepless” script eventually gave birth to a movie starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan that grossed nearly $228 million worldwide, it wasn’t until 1998 that Arch finally understood that the screenplay he entitled “The Bell Tower,” the predecessor of “Attachments,” wouldn’t get a similarly warm reception by the film industry. That’s when he decided he needed to transform it into a novel.

That novel features memorable characterization and, unlike some literary fiction, a compelling plot. Arch explained that, once he was freed from the rigid constraints of screenplay writing, he “had a blast.” His one job as a novelist, he said, is to “make a complete stranger turn the page. And the only way they’re going to turn the page is if they want to know what happens next.”

Over the next two decades, as he turned out some of the 20 screenplays he’s written, Arch kept returning to “Attachments,” driven to bring this story to an audience. “It just did not let go,” he confessed.

Arch also wasn’t deterred by the sometimes-chilly reception he received for early drafts of the novel. “It’s not failure,” he said, “it’s feedback,” a lesson he absorbed in 1985 when an off-Broadway play he wrote closed after a week. For all his enthusiasm about the writing life, he’s careful not to identify too closely with its end product.

“If you want to know your value as a person, look around at the people in your life,” he said. “That’s your value as a person.”

Just before he was about to self-publish “Attachments,” it found a home with SparkPress, and the long journey to publication ended. Early reviews of the novel have been positive, including a starred review from Kirkus Reviews. Some readers have even told Arch the novel has helped them through grief.

Arch credits Oscar-winning cinematographer Conrad Hall with providing his inspiration to pursue a career in screenwriting. In a scene out of a movie, 17 years after their first meeting, he had the opportunity to express his appreciation personally to Hall at a Hollywood luncheon celebrating both of them as Oscar nominees in 1993.

“Attachments” is set in Pennsylvania, and though Arch only returns to Harrisburg for an occasional visit, it’s evident this region hasn’t lost its hold on him. “There’s a part of me that was going to leave, but there was also a part of me that wished I could stay.”

Recalling his childhood in the city’s Uptown neighborhood, he has warm memories of the freedom and simplicity of growing up there in the 1960s and ‘70s, the son of a businessman father he calls a “visionary” and a mother whose love of books and movies sparked his own.

In addition to savoring the Subway Cafe’s distinctive pizzas, Arch also appreciates the beauty of the Susquehanna River, even as he vividly recalled how it ravaged his family’s classic stone home on Green Street just north of Division in 1972.

As his novel enters the world, he’s currently in a “pause” in his writing, the first he can recall in many years. Though he has no commitments from anyone who wants to create a film version of “Attachments,” he hopes his Hollywood connections will help bring it full circle someday. If persistence and resilience will make that happen, it would be a bad idea to bet against him.

“Attachments” by Jeff Arch, SparkPress, 376 pages, $24.95

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Tales from a City: It’s “Summertime,” and the stories are many

June 30, 2021 | by Sammi Leigh Melville

I hesitate to give too much information on this film, for fear of ruining the pleasant surprise I had in watching it blind. But I also want to gush about it, because it’s just that good.

If you haven’t already been wowed by Director Carlos López Estrada’s debut feature, “Blindspotting,” or his most recent, “Raya and the Last Dragon,” he’s got another cinematic gem up his sleeve. “Summertime” still battles harsh realities, but with a much more relaxed, comedic, therapeutic and inspirational tone.

The film plays like a musical, but, instead of breaking into song, the cast members (all playing themselves, or at least characters by their own name) break into spoken word poetry, opening up about their love lives, insecurities and desire to belong.

With a nod to Richard Linklater’s “Slacker,” the film tells the story of a single day from a diverse assortment of Los Angeles residents, glimpsing each character’s lives in a quick snippet before flitting to the next.

Tyris Winter strolls through the film with a perfect, flamboyant charisma, giving Yelp review after Yelp review of the local businesses. Paolina Acuna-Gonzales gathers a crew of dancers to interpret the empowerment of red lipstick. Marquesha Baber battles insecurities from an emotionally abusive past relationship. Anewbyss and Rah (Bryce Banks and Austin Antoine) learn hard truths about fame and fortune when their rap duo snags attention.

These are only a sample of the characters on this carousel of a story. And they all circle back, culminating in a larger-than-life denouement that allows every character to find their voice.

What makes “Summertime” so refreshing is that it shows a side of Los Angeles that you don’t normally see in the movies: the bus systems, the street carts, people of color, people of different nationalities, the queer community. And, yet, its glossy, polished performance gives us that good ol’ Hollywood vibe, reminding us that these underrepresented people and ideas deserve just as much of a spotlight as the classics. Perhaps “Summertime” is a glimpse of what is in store for film in the future, not only for its diversity but for its ingenuity.

The acting is not what you expect from film, partly because the cast is not predominantly actors but actual poets, authors, musicians, etc. The writing credits for “Summertime” constitute a long list, as every cast member performs their own poetry, but also because the dynamic is more akin to a theater performance than that of a film. But despite this variance, the characters are fresh, the connections are vibrant, and the snapshot of the world it portrays is real.

Spoken word has allowed us to look the poet in the eye as they share their story. Born from underrepresented communities, it has given them an outlet for their voice to be heard. And that is exactly what you see in “Summertime.” It’s an absolute joy to watch and certainly a film you don’t want to miss. “Summertime” will be playing at Midtown Cinema in July.

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

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Affordable senior housing proposed for historic African American block of Harrisburg

June 29, 2021 | by Maddie Gittens

Proposed site of of Bethel Village at Herr and N. 6th streets.

A new affordable housing initiative soon may be coming to Harrisburg.

At a community meeting on Monday night, developers shared plans for an affordable housing development for seniors at the corner of N. 6^th and Herr streets.

The almost $15 million “Bethel Village” would constitute the largest phase of the “Jackson Square” project aimed at restoring dilapidated buildings with ties to African American history on N. 6^th Street, said Ryan Sanders, co-owner of Harrisburg-based RB Development, the main developer involved in the project.

“I’m really excited about the next level of development here,” said Sanders, during a community meeting at nearby Good Brotha’s Book Cafe.

Along with RB Development, Paladin Development, a branch of the Harrisburg Housing Authority, Gardner Capital Development and Bethel AME Church are partners in the project.

The proposed four-story, nearly 45,000-square-foot building would be available for low-income seniors 62 years of age and older. It would provide one- and two-bedroom rental units ranging in price from $300 to $1,000 per month. Generally, residents would pay about 30% of their income on rent, explained Ava Goldman of Gardner Capital, which specializes in providing affordable senior living. They plan to have designated units for visually and hearing impaired residents, as well.

A rendering of the proposed Bethel Village complex.

Previously, Sanders had proposed a market-rate, mixed-used residential and commercial complex for the site.

According to Goldman, there would be four onsite parking spaces for the Bethel Village complex. They are hoping that on-street parking will supplement the small number of onsite spaces and also don’t expect many of their residents to have cars, she said.

The proposed site of the project sits on the land where the historic Bethel AME Church used to stand before burning down in 1995. The lot currently contains paved parking and grassy areas. Adjacent to the property is the lot where the historic Jackson Hotel building once was, before partially collapsing and being demolished in January this year.

Bethel Village developers are under contract with both Bethel AME, which owns about one-third of the proposed ¾-acre building site, and owners of the connected lots.

Sanders hopes that, through the Bethel Village project, among others in the proposed Jackson Square area along N. 6th Street, the block’s African American history will be restored.

According to Sanders, much of the funding has already been secured through sources such as the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, the Harrisburg Housing Authority and the Bethel AME Church, among others.

At the meeting, resident Ted Hanson, who lives near the proposed building site, expressed his concern with parking, saying that what they planned will not be enough.

“I think parking is a real problem,” he said. “At least it is going to be for people like me who live in that neighborhood.”

Goldman said that, because they face financial constraints with providing affordable housing, they could not afford to create more parking spots.

Another Harrisburg resident, Eileen Norman, wasn’t concerned with the parking situation, but voiced her support for the project.

“I’m more concerned about our residents having a roof over their head that is safe and that they can live in,” she said.

Developers are currently working with the Harrisburg Architectural Review Board (HARB) to make sure the design of the building fits with other properties on the block. Next, they would need to take their plans to the city Zoning Hearing Board and then to City Council.

If all goes smoothly, Goldman said they hope to break ground by October of this year.

“We believe this affordable 49-unit option is going to bring a lot to the community,” Sanders said.

The proposed site of the Bethel Village is located at 1010 N. 6^th St. For more information, visit RB Development’s website.

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Bob’s Art Blog: Jessie Waite’s Map to Somewhere & Millworks IV

June 29, 2021 | by Bob MacGinnes

As an artist removed from the hum of city life, Jessie Waite is attuned to a slower pace where the beauty of the day slowly unfolds.

For me, the mystery began with not knowing exactly where Jessie Waite’s paintings would lead in their abstract form until I realized they would provide me with the map to somewhere and a place where new adventure lies just around the bend, well worth the trip.

Discovering great art and getting to share it is a lot like driving in a convertible on the perfect summer day with no agenda or plan in mind. Miss Waite is an abstract artist and, by definition, the adjective in this case refers to an idea or existing in thought but not having a concrete existence. When applied to art, it becomes nonrepresentational and yet has substance. Think of Jessie’s paintings as an atlas of imagination. There are no defined routes, no legend to reference for clues, and yet the road is wide open and the scenery poetic.

When viewing her art, you are in the driver’s seat, and the options are endless. Honing her craft for years has allowed insight well beyond her age. She is self-taught, working in an abstract form with acrylic paints, and her canvas is the oyster before her, which is found under the heading of intrigue.

Jessie collects “C’s” as if they were jellybeans that spilled over the top of the bag. A capital “C” for “Color” lays the foundation for the map to form. The palette reflects a pure sense of life-affirming shades; a wispy blue, grassy green, barn red and mellow yellow form landmarks along the way. Whatever the color choices, they end in harmony, creating vistas that always lead somewhere, guided by an internal sense of wonder. In her painting, “Untitled #1,” the road trip unfolds, driving to a visible destination in the distance with landmarks dotting the landscape. All are delivered in snapshots of a bigger picture. The lake, the lookout point, the mountain peaks are all represented by space and shades complementary to their perceived ideals. Waite chooses a color scheme that lends itself to the fluid notion of form following function. The overall impact is complete within the frame. You have arrived at your destination.

“Untitled #1”

“Contour” provides the promise of a third dimension, one both atmospheric and interposed, almost out of body or, so da Vinci alluded to, regarding its state of being. “Untitled #2,” given the colors bright and buoyant in reds and blues, takes one behind closed doors to an interior space, a bedroom not a boudoir. The eye goes from zero to 60 in a flash, showcasing bed and coverings blending dramatically just so in the contained environment of a room.

“Untitled #2”

It is especially nice when, given a busman’s holiday, I get to break out my map to Jessie Waite’s art in an unexpected journey, off the beaten path. “Untitled #3” offers a painting of New Mexico’s basin and range. A pueblo is off to the left of the frame, and a Joshua tree bereft of foliage is found in the flat, arid valley. The image evokes a place in the great Southwest. And so the journey continues unimpeded by any construction sites. The mile markers evaporate in the rearview mirror. That adventure in my mind’s eye takes me to the back roads of beauty and beyond. The imagined byways of verdant fields, hay twists, snow-covered pines and a crystal-blue lake share the continuous thread of the seasons. They all exist in the fertile fancy that Jessie lays before her audience. She illustrates these views to create prosaic imagery. Layering all elements of shape, color and expression with a movement that is undeniably hers, she develops a depth of drama with alarming alacrity. Inspired by countryside sojourns and majestic views of the Susquehanna River with its surrounding environs, her work demonstrates an artist who, in the moment of everyday living, finds fascination in the ordinary hum of the earth’s turning.

“Untitled #3”

Abstraction allows for an open-ended conversation, a free form verse of vital importance and somehow, at the same time, gives a sense of contentment in being able to enjoy the simplest pleasures of life as the perfect summer day unfolds—a great day for a drive with the top down. I think someone may be Waite-ing by the road.

To view Jessie’s paintings, Instagram @jessiewaiteart or at Jessiewaiteart.com.

Millworks IV through July 11

The backstory: Nothing in life happens randomly. Even the convergence of art and artists now grouped together on the main lobby wall leading into the Millworks restaurant for a preview highlights a July 3 “First Saturday” celebration. As the nation awaits Independence Day, there is no better time to feature a group of equally talented, individually independent artists—except two of the five share partners in their studios.

The moment captured in the accompanying photos was graciously arranged by Millworks art director, Tara Chickey, allowing us to shoot unimpeded by foot traffic and gaining glare-free light in the hallway. It produced a quiet, almost supernatural session. Immediately, we were thunderstruck as Paul Gallo’s oversized oil painting of a “Day At The Beach” was captured with every element sparkling like the memory of a perfect day in the sand at the shore. From the opposite wall, whispers were heard even though we were alone. The imaginatively inventive paintings of P.D. Murray spoke to us, clamoring for our attention; now we know where the wild things are (at Millworks).

Murray handed the baton to the Huckle Buckle Boys, brandishing their universe of unconventional characters found often times in elaborate fantasy situations, which added to our mental melee. Unable to take much more exhilaration as the room was spinning by, we segued into a more constrained format. Gathering our composure and bearings brought us before Fennec Design’s grouping of dimensionally dramatic iridescent moving silkscreens.

Rounding out the back half of the gallery wall were the aforementioned outsized oil paintings of Mr. Gallo, along with framed enamel on copper works by Averill Shepps, an enamelist of the highest order, both artfully creating worlds of their own to be admired by patrons of the Millworks. Now, to meet the artists and a sampling of their art.

Art by Fennec Design

“Organic in nature” has taken on a cliched meaning in today’s oft-overused sense of the term, but, in the case of artists Justin and Joelle Arawjo of Fennec Design, the term is sublime. The couple embodies an ethos so closely linked to nature on all levels that it rings true in every facet of their business. Collaboration between Joelle and Justin starts at the initial design and runs through to the end in one continuous thread. From jewelry to housewares and textiles, they create a catalog of items. Fennec Design is born of nature and purity of spirit. Find them at Studio 101 on the main lobby floor.

Paul Gallo, as one of the Seven Lively Artists of central PA, brings immediacy to his oil paintings and describes himself as a painter employing “economy of the brush stroke.” Gallo paints to entertain and to take the viewer out of the moment in his representational art. An educator, instructor and plein air craftsman par excellence, Paul’s paintings embrace the environs of fresh air vistas that he creates in oil renderings. Mr. Gallo is an artist with a heart for worthy causes, donating the sale of his paintings to COVID relief charities like Doctors Without Borders and that can be found in Studio 210. (Pictured: “Day at the Beach”)

With an award-winning career that spans over half a century, Averill Shepps, a Smith College magna cum laude graduate, is in a class by herself as an enamalist. She continues her craft, making jewelry, bowls and works of art, as viewed in her Millworks Studio 216. A member in good standing of the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsman, she has knowledge across many varied disciplines. My wife, Jana, was fortunate to find her in her studio several months ago. She still talks about Averill, taking time to “show and tell” her craft and background.

P.D. Murray of Studio 323 breaks the mold as an artist. A modern-day expressionist painter of over 35 years, Murray excels at “painting exactly and only like himself,” the same advice he gives to novices starting out. The dictum Murray follows is, at the very worst, “you can always paint over it.” Breaking new ground with “moveable parts paintings,” he works in illustrated paper art that is infused with movement and is rife with sentimentality for simpler times, with a longing for the past sans a technology-dominated influence.

Last but not least, we introduce Millworks patrons to the zany world of the new kids on the block, The Huckle Buckle Boys (HBB). Unmatched bookends Garrick Dorsett and Zack Rudy bring their brand of mayhem to the mix in Millworks Studio 318, their new digs. Now at the studio is their latest collection of digital prints. Be sure to stop in and visit with these talented and diverse artists at work in their studios.

First Saturday, July 3, promises to light up the sky with fireworks of an artistic assemblage at Millworks.

Millworks’ art images by Jana MacGinnes

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Dinner and a Show: Food Trucks and Fireworks festival returns to Harrisburg for 4th of July

June 28, 2021 | by Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg announced its 4th of July festival at the MLK City Government Center on Monday.

Stuffed pretzels, lobster rolls, cheesesteaks and more. Mayor Eric Papenfuse listed off the many food items the city will have to choose from this weekend for Independence day.

The menu, of course, includes his favorite snack—kettle corn.

Papenfuse announced the details of Harrisburg’s 4^th of July Food Trucks and Fireworks festival at a press conference in city hall on Monday morning.

“It’s going to be a family-friendly event for everyone,” he said.

The festival returns to Riverfront Park in Harrisburg this weekend after in-person festivities were cancelled last year due to the pandemic.

On Sunday, from 3 to 9 p.m., over 30 food trucks will park along the Susquehanna River, musical artists will perform and vendors will twist balloon animals for kids. The fireworks display will begin at 9:15 p.m.

Over the course of 15 minutes, 2,000 firework shells will shoot off of City Island, according to Scott Elliot, communications director for the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), the sponsor for the show.

“In my opinion, it’s the best fireworks show in PA,” he said.

Also hoping to give community members a great show will be the five main stage performers—Dillweed, Shea Quinn, Sound Method, Moe Blues and The Grant Bryan Band. The stage will be located between Market and Walnut streets in Riverfront Park.

Acoustic artists will play in the wine garden—a new addition to the festival this year.

Between Kunkel Plaza near State Street and the Civic Club of Harrisburg down the street, four local wineries will offer wine and wine slushies. They include Cheers To You, Firehouse Winery, J&P Winery and The Winery at Hunters Valley.

For the kids, there will be plenty of fun activities like caricature drawings, crafts and a visit from characters Captain America and Wonder Woman.

Food trucks will be available throughout the day on Front Street, including Chef de Crepe, Fuego Latino, Dough & Co., Dough Head Waffles, Stock’s on 2^nd, Farm Show milkshakes, and others.

Street parking on Sunday is free. Attendees may also park on City Island for $5 or in the Market Square parking garage for $10 from 1 p.m. to 12 a.m. A handicapped parking area will be available free of charge on State Street between Front and Second streets. Cyclists can park their bikes in provided racks near the Walnut Street Bridge.

Sponsors for the event include Visit Hershey & Harrisburg, Explore HBG., PHFA, Xfinity and Capital Blue, among others.

“I hope you all will come and join us in Riverfront Park,” Papenfuse said.

For more information on the 4^th of July Food Trucks and Fireworks festival, including maps, visit the city’s website.

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Harrisburg couple buys historic Camp Curtin church, weighs residential conversion

June 28, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda

The exterior of the Camp Curtin Mitchell Memorial UMC Church.

A Harrisburg couple has purchased a historic Camp Curtin church, potentially converting it to an apartment building.

Chris and Erica Bryce bought the Camp Curtin Memorial Mitchell UMC church on June 10, after it had languished on the market for almost two years.

“We bought it because we want to preserve beautiful, historic buildings in this city,” Chris Bryce said. “We see a variety of adaptive reuse possibilities.”

In 2019, the Susquehanna United Methodist Conference put six of its churches on the market after deciding to close the buildings and consolidate congregations.

The Camp Curtin church was originally listed for sale at $195,000, though the price had been lowered over the years. The Bryces paid $50,000 for the 16,000-square-foot building on the 2200-block of N. 6^th Street.

The church has roots in an 1890 structure that soon burned down. The current building dates to 1895, with a large addition in 1915. It is listed on the U.S. Department of the Interior’s National Register of Historic Places.

The church altar

Chris Bryce said that he hadn’t determined a definite plan for the building, but that conversion to apartments might be the best fit.

He has restored and converted several Harrisburg buildings, including a once-blighted Midtown mansion to apartments and a rundown 19^th-century downtown building on Locust Street that now houses Merit Marketing.

“We’ve done this before,” Bryce said. “We have experience doing it.”

In addition, last year, the Bryces, along with their construction partner, Harrisburg Commercial Interiors, received zoning approval to build a 12-unit apartment building, community center and eight single-family townhouses along the 1600-block of N. 3^rd and Logan streets.

The church’s rear balcony and large, stained-glass rosette

Bryce said that he was motivated to buy the church for two main reasons.

First, he wants to ensure that the historic building is preserved and finds new purpose. He said that he plans no substantive changes to the façade and wants to retain much of the interior, as well.

He said that the building’s interior design actually makes it a good candidate for conversion to apartments, as the church has smaller side windows on several levels, as opposed to the large, multi-level, stained-glass windows often seen in churches.

“Harrisburg has some of the most beautiful architecture of any mid-sized city in the United States,” he said. “It’s vital to our city to preserve our historic buildings.”

He’s unsure how a large mural of Christ ministering to a dying Union soldier, which hangs over the altar, will fit into a secular building. Therefore, he hopes to find another home for the mural at an appropriate location within the city.

Secondly, he sees great potential in the area. He’s especially encouraged by “The Atlas,” a mixed-use project nearby by businessman Adam Maust to convert the long-abandoned Hudson Building at N. 6^th and Maclay streets to office and retail space.

“There are people who have tremendous faith in the future of this city,” Bryce said. “There seems to be more and more energy behind it. So, let’s keep it going.”

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