Green Scene: Hershey Gardens offers a colorful escape for these thorny times

March 31, 2021 | by Phyllis Zimmerman

As the months-long vaccine rollout chugs on, people continue to look for outdoor, distanced events and outings.

A favorite day trip locally lies just east of Harrisburg, and the staff there is gearing up for the busy growing season ahead.

Hershey Gardens is open year-round, but its visitor numbers accelerate once the spring annuals and perennials begin to bloom.

“There are so many things I love about working here,” said Amy Zeigler, senior director of Hershey Gardens. “The team here is so invested with their jobs. I think I love that the most, along with the gardens always looking so beautiful.”

The gardens’ story starts, not surprisingly, with local chocolate entrepreneur Milton S. Hershey, who was reputed to have quite the green thumb. His backyard gardens, filled with beautiful homegrown roses that he and wife Catherine lovingly nurtured each year, attracted sightseers from near and far.

The community needed, Hershey decided, gardens that the public could call its own.

In 1936, he commissioned plans for the construction of a 3.5-acre spread of rose gardens not far from the amusement park he created. Planting began that fall under the direction of horticulturist Harry Erdman. A completed facility was opened in June 1937 as the Hershey Rose Garden.

It wasn’t long before the garden began to grow bigger. In May 1938, a new section of terraced roses was added below the original flowerbeds. The following year, even more sections of roses took root, increasing the venue’s total size to more than six acres.

Over the years, the Hershey Rose Garden continued to expand. By 1979, the entire spread had expanded to six themed gardens and was formally renamed as Hershey Gardens. In 1989, the gardens were placed under ownership and operation of the nonprofit M.S. Hershey Foundation.

Today, Hershey Gardens’ operational costs are funded through grants, donations and memberships. However, 75 percent of the gardens’ annual revenue derives from guest admission fees, Zeigler said.

As for many, 2020 was a difficult year for Hershey Gardens, which was closed for four months. The pandemic caused financial hardship, resulting in an inability to purchase a full quantity of tulip bulbs. But, according to Hershey Gardens’ website, any gaps in the display will be taken up by other flowers.

Today, the busy staff is hard at work getting things back to normal for the busy spring and summer seasons.

Each morning, activity starts way before the facility opens to the public at 10 a.m.

“In the summer, we start at 6 a.m. In the off-season, we start at 7 a.m.,” said Alyssa Hagerman, Hershey Gardens’ horticultural specialist. “We do the messy work like watering and [cleaning up]. After opening, we do things like mulching, mowing and weeding. The guests see it all.”

Besides Hagerman, the gardens’ staff includes Zeigler, four full-time gardeners, up to 12 part-time gardeners, an operations manager, crew foremen and a network of volunteers.

Hagerman is responsible for designing the seasonal displays, and she “tries to make them look a little bit different each year,” she said.

She started out at the gardens 11 years ago as part of the grounds staff and “still goes out in the gardens and gets dirty,” she said. Her greatest on-the-job challenges? Weeds, pests on roses, and despite the staff’s best deterring efforts, deer as overnight visitors.

Job perks, however, appear to balance out any workday challenges encountered on the picturesque grounds.

“I really do like designing seasonal displays,” she said. “I enjoy being outside so much every day.”

The most popular season for visitors is summer, Zeigler said.

By then, 3,500 roses in the historic Hershey Rose Garden color the landscape in prime bloom, along with marigolds and other summer annuals. In autumn, mums, pumpkins, straw bales and seasonal annuals dot the grounds. In winter, visitors can stroll through the arboretum, Oak Grove and the most recent addition, the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory. In total, the 23-acre venue boasts 10 themed gardens with intermittent seasonal displays.

Then there’s the year-round list of special events. For instance, on April 17, the gardens will host a virtual program, “The Nesting Needs and Behaviors of Bluebirds,” with Dean Rust, president of the Bluebird Society of Pennsylvania.

The most popular event each year takes place in May over Mother’s Day weekend, a Saturday/Sunday treat that offers free admission to all visiting mothers. Due to high demand, the event recently was expanded from being held on Sunday only. On the Friday before Mother’s Day, mom can tiptoe through the tulips with a special half-off coupon for her admission.

Hagerman strongly suggests visiting when the large, showy hydrangeas are in bloom later in the season, which are among her favorite flowers.

“They’re so big and just fantastic,” she said. “But I haven’t met a plant I don’t really like.”

Hershey Gardens is located at 170 Hotel Rd., Hershey. For more information, visit www.hersheygardens.org.

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April News Digest

March 31, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Conley Gittens

Primary Field Takes Shape

Harrisburg voters will have a large field of candidates to choose from in the May election, as six hopefuls have filed for the mayoral primary and another 13 residents have filed for City Council nominations.

By the mid-March deadline, the following candidates had filed to run for the Democratic nomination for mayor:

Otto Banks
Kevyn Knox
Eric Papenfuse (incumbent)
David Schankweiler
Wanda Williams

Banks later had his city residency challenged in court, though, at press time, a verdict had not yet been rendered.

In addition, one candidate, Timothy Rowbottom, filed to run in the Republican primary.

Thirteen candidates filed to run for the Democratic nomination for four, four-year seats on Harrisburg City Council. They are:

Vishal Bajpai
Lori Ann Beamer-Saulisbury
Roy Christ
Shamaine Daniels (incumbent)
Crystal Davis
Carrie Fowler
Sarah Gethers
Ausha Green (incumbent)
Lavet Henderson
Jennie Jenkins-Dallas
Robert Lawson
Jocelyn Rawls
Ralph Rodriguez

No one filed to run in the Republican primary.

Two of the four council seats are open as council Vice President Ben Allatt declined to run for re-election and President Wanda Williams, who has served on council since 2006, opted to run for mayor.

The Harrisburg school board race has fewer candidates this time than two years ago, when a dozen residents ran in the hotly contested race. This year, the Democratic candidates for four, four-year seats are:

Michael Balsbaugh
Brian Carter (incumbent)
Jorge Collazo
Roslyn Copeland
Jaime Johnsen
Ezra Match
Danielle Robinson (incumbent)
Mary Simpson

Match also cross-filed on the Republican ballot.

In addition, the school board has one two-year seat available. Just one Democrat, Terricia Radcliff, has filed to run for that seat. No Republicans filed for the office.

For city controller, only incumbent Charlie DeBrunner, a Democrat, has filed to run in the primary.

Harrisburg also has two competitive races for magisterial district justice seats.

Seven Democrats have filed for the District 12-2-04 seat primary:

Anthony Harrell
Sha’kira Jennings
Sonya McKnight (incumbent)
Ellis (Rick) Roy
Jennifer Smallwood
Brianna Smith
Leon Wilkerson

McKnight also cross-filed for the Republican primary.

Two Democrats filed for the District 12-2-05 seat:

Amechie Walker Sr.
Paul T. Zozos (incumbent)

Zozos also cross-filed for the Republican primary.

On the county level, incumbent Matt Krupp of Harrisburg filed for re-election as a Republican for prothonotary. Anju Singh of Hummelstown is running for the Democratic nomination.

Long-time county Coroner Graham Hetrick filed for re-election on the Republican ballot. He’s unchallenged for that office.

A two-year county controller seat is open following the election of Tim DeFoor as PA auditor general last year. Democrat Eric Epstein of Lower Paxton Township filed for the primary for that row office, as did Republican Mary Bateman of Lykens.

The municipal primary is slated for Tuesday, May 18.

Council Approves Building Projects

Several Harrisburg developers last month cleared the final city approval before being allowed to break ground on their projects.

City Council approved land development plans to convert a vacant church into an apartment building and another to build a six-story apartment and retail building, along with five other projects.

Developer Derek Dilks plans to transform the former First United Methodist Church at 260 Boas St. into an eight-unit apartment building. Previously, he had received zoning relief for the $1.2 million project in order to change the use of the 140-year-old church building.

Also approved were a range of renovation projects that Dilks plans for downtown. These include:

25 N. Front St., converting an office building into an eight-unit apartment building
321 N. Front St., converting an office building into a six-unit apartment building
130 State St., converting an office building into a five-unit apartment building

With a unanimous council vote, Harristown Development can move forward on its project at 21 S. 2nd St. The company plans to construct a six-story, mixed-use building with apartments, offices and first-floor retail space. Harristown purchased the property in 2017, demolishing the blighted commercial building that then occupied the site.

Council also gave its OK to the renovation of the “Carpets and Draperies” building on the 1500-block of N. 3rd St., a long-blighted retail building that will be converted to five apartments and first-floor retail space.

Other approved resolutions last month included:

1605-1609 Swatara St., consolidating and re-subdividing the parcels comprising the project site into three parcels and constructing three, single-family townhomes
Awarding up to $10,000 in funding to the Pennsylvania Environmental Resource Consortium to co-sponsor the Pennsylvania Environmental Justice Symposium

Council this month is expected to consider another large project in Midtown. It includes include 85 apartments, a grocery store and a parking garage, bounded by Boyd, N. 5th, Reily and Fulton streets.

Superintendent Search Begins

The Harrisburg School District is taking a major step to fill a top post in the administration.

The district announced last month that it will begin a national search for the next superintendent of schools as part of the next phase of its “Amended Recovery Plan.”

“We will seek a student-centered leader who will embrace our school community, lead with integrity, and pursue continual growth and improvement for the district,” according to the district.

In 2019, the district passed into state receivership after failing to meet the academic objectives in the 2013 recovery plan and the 2016 amended plan. The superintendent at that time, Sybil Knight-Burney, was fired.

Dr. Janet Samuels was appointed receiver of the district and, later, Chris Celmer was named acting superintendent, in collaboration with the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit (MCIU).

The district will move to reinstate a full superintendent now that it is more than halfway through its three-year, state-mandated receivership. According to its statement, the district may fill the position as early as this summer.

Samuels and the MCIU will conduct interviews, and the community will get to meet the final candidate before they are appointed, according to the district. Celmer will provide support for the new superintendent and continue to work with the district through June 2022.

Allison Hill Art Project

Harrisburg-based Sprocket Mural Works last month announced that it plans to bring more art to the Allison Hill neighborhood.

Volunteers from Sprocket, a nonprofit, plan to kick off the biannual Harrisburg Mural Festival by painting nearly 30 new planter boxes, in partnership with Tri County Community Action, on Derry and Market streets.

Their goal is to commission artists from Allison Hill, as well as artists from the city at large. Sprocket announced a call for artists to submit designs for these paid positions.

“We are looking forward to connecting with artists from Allison Hill—that’s what is so valuable about this community-focused project,” said Meg Caruso, co-founder of Sprocket. “More than a dozen planters will benefit and beautify the immediate Allison Hill neighborhood. Additionally, these planters will become works of art that uplift and recognize local artistic talent for years to come.”

Sprocket is looking for artists to highlight the culture and diversity of Allison Hill in the paintings, as well as what they love about their city. The deadline for artists to apply is April 30, and the painting will take place between May 22 and June 20.

Home Sales Dip, Prices Up

Home sales dropped a bit, but price appreciation was strong in the Harrisburg area in February.

The Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR) reported that home sales fell to 458 units last month compared to 500 units in February 2020 across its three-county coverage area. However, the median sales price rose to $190,950 versus $180,000 a year ago.

In Dauphin County, sales dipped to 236 units against 244 in the year-ago period, but the median price increased to $168,500 versus $164,900 last year, GHAR stated.

Similarly, Cumberland County saw a small drop in home sales—from 205 a year ago to 196 this past February—but the median price rose sharply, from $214,500 to $232,000, GHAR said.

In Perry County, sales dropped by three units, to 21 homes, as the median price rose to $154,900 compared to $147,500 a year ago, GHAR stated.

The organization also reported that homes were selling much faster than last year, as the “average days on market” dropped to 30 days versus 57 the prior February.

So Noted

Aaron Johnson last month announced his retirement as Harrisburg’s long-serving director of the Department of Public Works. Dave West, Johnson’s second in command, will replace him in the post.

Gateway Health opened a “Connection Center” last month at 1426 N. 3rd St. in Harrisburg. The facility will help connect members with services and also will offer space for education and seminars, for private consult/conference rooms and to help meet community needs.

Gov. Tom Wolf last month further loosened pandemic-related restrictions on numerous businesses, including restaurants, bars, gyms and entertainment venues. The new rules, which take effect April 4, allow bar service to resume and permit restaurants to serve alcohol without the purchase of food, among other provisions. Mask-wearing and distancing requirements are still mandated.

HACC’s parking lot is the site of a new mass vaccination clinic sponsored by Dauphin County and UPMC Pinnacle. The drive-through site is expected to dispense thousands of COVID-19 vaccinations daily when enough doses are available in the county.

Harrisburg last month extended its moratorium on evictions for another month, to April 16. This is the third time that the city has extended the ban, which was enacted first in December to prevent evictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mary Murphy has joined Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region as its new development director. According to the organization, she has extensive experience in marketing, communications, business and consulting for nonprofits and Fortune 500 companies.

Michael Karcutskie was named last month as president of Harrisburg-based Quandel Construction Group. In this role, Karcutskie is responsible for overseeing the firm’s operations and developing its corporate strategy. Previously, he served as vice president of pre-construction and estimating.

Strawberry Square last month began hosting a free COVID-19 testing site near the Walnut Street entrance in downtown Harrisburg. The walk-in site will run at least through April 10, Tuesdays through Saturdays, no appointment required.

Verber Dental Group last month announced that its new pediatric dentistry facility will open in May. The $1.5 million project, located at 201 St. John’s Church Rd. in Hampden Township, will include eight state-of-the-art dental suites, along with interactive spaces for children and a “tooth fairy booth.”

Whitaker Center partially reopened last month following a lengthy pandemic-related shutdown. The downtown Harrisburg arts and science center is now open Fridays and Saturdays, by appointment, in two sessions: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Zeroday Brewing Co. last month opened its new taproom and restaurant at 925 N. 3rd St. in Midtown Harrisburg. The 150-person space features a large bar area, dining rooms, a courtyard and a small-batch, three-barrel brewhouse that can be closed off for special events. The menu focuses on contemporary, Mexican-style cuisine by restaurant partner La Catrina.

Changing Hands

Bailey St., 1302: H. Roberts to Global Supply Group LLC, $41,000

Berryhill St., 1623: M. Plancencia & L. Pichardo to A. Pichardo, $35,000

Berryhill St., 2437: C. Still to J. Martinez & M. Gomez, $38,000

Bigelow Dr., 1300: R. Shalhoub to M. Murphy & G. Neff, $58,800

Boas St., 418: D. & L. Engelhardt to W. Sechler & M. Ackerman, $123,715

Calder St., 523: A. Johnson to M. McNeils, $159,900

Camp St., 635: Integrity First Time Home Buyers LLC to J. Darling, $120,000

Chestnut St., 1832: Gilligan Realty LLC to G. Graham, $51,000

Cumberland St., 115: F. & J. Martin to J. Klinger, $127,500

Derry St., 2125: 37 Estate LLC to A. Miller, $95,000

Derry St., 2621: E. Chandler to Z. Soto, $99,900

Derry St., 2700: Rohrer Rentals LLC to Painted Sky Properties LLC, $243,000

Disbrow St., 88 & 90: H. & L. Bueno to D. Best, $35,000

Elm St., 1726: A. Williams Jr. to D. Chambers, $95,000

Evergreen St., 26 & 28: Round Rock Investments LLC to 101 S. 17th Street LLC, $104,000

Fulton St., 1404: T. Copeland to K. Shoaff, $125,000

Green St., 2313: N. Jacobs to E. Macas, $40,000

Greenwood St., 2507: F. & S. Ford to C. Everett, $39,900

Hanover St., 1318: A. Bawo to B. Ortega, $39,000

Herr St., 265: Rosegarden Properties to B. Staudt, $199,900

Holly St., 1914: SPG Capital LLC to M. Rodriguez, $59,900

Kensington St., 2255: D. & D. Ford to Men of Morals LLC, $52,000

Logan St., 2242: RT Propertiez LLC to RRMMM Real Estate LLC, $31,500

Market St., 1801: D.L. Weaver Enterprises LLC to Builders Property Management & Marketing Group LLC, $39,785

Market St., 1857: JMDM Properties LLC to Market Whitehall Property Holdings LLC, $110,000

Market St., 1859: Z. Reeves to Z. & S. Coombs, $100,000

Market St., 1910: JMDM Properties LLC to Market Whitehall Property Holdings LLC, $110,000

Market St., 1915: JMDM Properties LLC to Market Whitehall Property Holdings LLC, $110,000

Market St., 1941: A. Antoun to Royalty Tax Services LLC, $105,000

Mulberry St., 1837: A. Mohamed to Fine Line Real Estate LLC, $44,000

N. 2nd St., 933: C. Wise to D. Moore & K. Williams, $212,000

N. 2nd St., 1209: GO Trump Inc. to OK 3 Investments LLC, $365,000

N. 2nd St., 1333: C. Leavitt to R. Adams & K. Rasmus, $127,500

N. 2nd St., 1505: B. Bragg to S. & H. Westhafer, $78,000

N. 2nd St., 2436: D. Sanko to J. Belizaire, $247,000

N. 2nd St., 2832: WK Rentals LLC to K. Hill, $139,950

N. 2nd St., 2900: F. & B. Pinto to R. Lawson, $207,000

N. 2nd St., 3127: M. Stilo to Honest Home Solutions LLC, $56,375

N. 3rd St., 2104 & 2106: J. & D. Negron to S. Schlackman, $100,000

N. 4th St., 2609: RJ Shultz Enterprises Inc. to D. Markel, $80,000

N. 5th St., 1720: Principium LLC to S. Bustard, $172,000

N. 5th St., 1940: Neidlinger Enterprises LLC to M. Trieu, $149,500

N. 6th St., 2529: DL Weaver Enterprises LLC to A. Woodman, $60,000

N. 6th St., 3214: Mid Atlantic IRA LLC Donna Laubach IRA to AM Properties USA LLC, $66,500

N. 7th St., 2110 & 2115 Motke St.: M., M. & N. Barber to D. Montes, $59,000

N. 13th St., 142: 37 Estate LLC to Z. & S. Coombs, $75,000

N. 19th St., 36: J. & L. Carter to A. Nebbou, $74,900

N. 19th St., 712: C. Butler to A. Smith, $89,900

N. 19th St., 1004: R. Dressler & E. Knuth Jr. to A. Nebbou, $50,000

N. Cameron St., 1511: Note Purchasers LLC to D&F Realty Holdings LP, $375,000

N. Front St., 1525, Unit 505: G. & C. Francis to C. Hackett, $177,000

N. Front St., 2745: 2745 Limited LP to Jenga on Front, $771,000

Norwood St., 906: N. Moya to S. Pacley, $79,000

Penn St., 1812: Lancaster Real Estate Fund LLC to 2020 Real Estate Ventures LLC, $65,000

Race St., 548 & 550: M. Fox to Panda Real Estate LLC, $130,000

Radnor St., 403: T. Brown to TKO Rental Properties LLC, $110,000

Reel St., 2636: A. & R. Laracuenta to Neidlinger Enterprises LLC, $52,000

Rudy Rd., 1940: M. Heefner & S. Shrhart to S. Ludington, $55,000

Rudy Rd., 2141: M. McNelis to H. Fender, $190,000

Seneca St., 501: Dauphin County Property Investors LLC to Archie Group, $396,000

Showers St., 702: L. Rotegliano to M. Harrison, $169,900

S. 13th St., 1436: D. Weaver to A. Woodman, $45,000

S. 15th St., 320: Wells Fargo Bank NA to R. Gashi, $31,500

S. 16th St., 545: G. & Y. Garcia to PBBO Real Estate LLC, $42,500

S. 17th St., 544: G. & Y. Garcia to D. Montes, $41,500

S. 24th St., 702: Property Value Solutions LLC to M. Valverde, $90,000

S. 29th St., 738: J. & L. Guizado to J. Smith, $110,000

S. Cameron St., 1517 & 1540: A. & C. Quigley to New Vision Management LLC, $224,000

Spencer St., 1839: R. Farley to J. Rodriguez, $43,000

State St., 231, Unit 806: LUX 1 LP to A. Richie, $135,000

State St., 1520: R. Schwartz to G. Zehr, $75,000

State St., 1840: A. Alumbaugh to J. Tineo, $57,000

Walnut St., 1196: L. Alvarez to M. Hernandez, $68,900

Whitehall St., 1817: JMDM Properties LLC to Market Whitehall Property Holdings LLC, $110,000

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

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3 Women, 1 Cause: A shared conversation about autism

March 31, 2021 | by Jeff Falk

Heather Zimmerman, Grace Long and Kelly Long.

In their own distinct ways, Kelly Long and Heather Zimmerman are seeking to understand what Long’s daughter Grace is living through. For her part, Grace Long is very much in tune with her life with a disorder.

The common denominator is autism—Grace Long has it and Zimmerman and Kelly Long want to know as much as they can about it. But while Zimmerman’s pursuit is much more analytical in nature, Kelly Long’s originates from the emotional place we call “the heart.”

Yet no matter how one perceives it, knowledge and understanding and empathy are the keys. For if we all knew more about autism, the world in which those afflicted with it—like Grace Long’s—would be a much better place.

“My hope for her is that she has peace within herself,” said Kelly Long of her daughter. “I hope she can acknowledge when something doesn’t give her joy and find a way to joy. I think the things I’m hoping for Grace are the same things all parents want for their children. You want your child to be able to survive in a world where they don’t necessarily fit.”

In earlier times, when children had developmental disorders, people would hide them away, Zimmerman said.

“People have learned more about autism, which brings it into the light,” she said. “It seems more common now, but I think people are just learning more about it. But unless you’ve had firsthand experiences with it, it’s difficult to understand.”

Zimmerman, Kelly Long and Grace Long are three motivated women at different stages of their lives, but all with strong voices. Their stories became intertwined during a chance meeting at the Hershey Pantry, where Zimmerman was working as a server and where Kelly Long was a customer.

A 36-year-old resident of Hummelstown, Zimmerman is currently attending the National University of California, where she is virtually pursuing a degree in applied behavioral analysis. Kelly Long, a 53-year-old novelist, is the mother of two grown autistic children who recently moved from the Hershey area to Lykens.

Grace, a recent graduate of Hershey High School, aspires to attend culinary school, and maybe, someday, medical school.

“I don’t want to say it was difficult growing up, as much as it was different,” Grace said. “But I don’t know how to live any other way. A lot of things that bother me don’t bother other people. It’s a lot of slowing down, and that makes it frustrating.”

Kelly Long described autism as “a gift.”

“I don’t wish that there was a cure,” she said. “I wouldn’t want my children to be anyone else than who they are. An autistic person sees the world differently than you and I do. Kids with autism are frequently non-verbal at a young age. But just because they’re not speaking English doesn’t mean they’re not speaking.”

Talk About It

Clinically speaking, autism is a developmental disorder characterized by restricted and repetitive behavior, as well as difficulties with communication and social interaction.

It’s estimated that about one in 60 children in the United States has autism, and boys are four times more likely to be diagnosed with the disorder than girls. Throughout the world, autism is believed to affect nearly 25 million people.

About half of the people in their 20s with autism are not employed.

“Everybody is different. Some people with autism need to have a routine,” Zimmerman said. “I’m really interested in it, because it’s a very predominant problem. It takes a lot of patience. I think it’s a very needed thing. I want to learn as much as I can about it.”

Grace Long was diagnosed with autism at the age of 10, years after her older brother had been diagnosed with it.

“I knew my brother had autism,” Grace said. “But it was kind of a shock to figure out I had it, too. When I first found out, I was in a bad place mental health-wise, so it was nice to have an answer.”

It has presented its share of challenges.

“It has made reaching goals, accomplishing things and learning difficult,” Grace said. “It makes it difficult to go to school. It makes it hard to go into crowded places because of the loud sounds. It makes it hard to stick to certain goals and times.”

Sometimes, people don’t see the potential in people with autism, Kelly said.

“I still think there’s a negative connotation associated with autism,” she said. “We don’t understand it, so we’re afraid of it. Kind of like, ‘Oh yeah, that’s nice, but I don’t want to be anywhere near you.’ If you learn, that fear lessens. I think it’s important to see people as people.”

Some studies have suggested that the rate of people with autism worldwide is increasing. Others contend that the methods for diagnosing have simply improved.

“When you go out in public and see someone different than you, sometimes you make a snap judgment,” said Zimmerman. “It’s 100-percent important for people with autism to function and have somewhat of a normal life. I think people know more about autism than they ever have, but unless you know someone who’s been diagnosed, you really don’t know. It’s most important to take the time out and understand what it is. These kids need help.”

In recent years, the understanding of mental health and autism has gone up, Grace said.

“But there is so much more to learn,” she added. “I think the general public has a very specific picture of what autism is. People with autism have trouble socially interacting with other people. It’s something that’s hard to pin down for other people. Your entire mind functions differently. It’s not really well-talked about.”

Grace Long hopes to start a conversation about it.

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Lincoln’s Last Journey: Stone Gables Estate hosts funeral train re-enactment

March 31, 2021 | by Gina Napoli

Gettysburg isn’t the only local burg with a claim to important Civil War-era events.

President Abraham Lincoln’s funeral train chugged through southcentral Pennsylvania on April 22, 1865, making stops in Harrisburg and Elizabethtown. Now 155 years later, Elizabethtown’s role in the well documented funeral train procession is re-enacted at Stone Gables Estate, site of the Star Barn.

Re-enactors at the upcoming two-day event aimed to make the event’s elements historically accurate, with only few variances.

According to records, the locomotive pulled in to Elizabethtown at 12:15 p.m. for a quick, 15-minute stop to refuel, using the wood and water from the “tender” car. Onlookers swarmed the platform to get a better view of the benediction, speakers and ceremonies. Then the train headed to Philadelphia for another casket viewing, stopping every 20 miles to refuel.

The “United States” was Lincoln’s private presidential train car, later carrying his casket. Unfortunately, the train was destroyed by fire in 1911, forever lost to history.

According to Shannon Brown, event coordinator, only two existing structures at Stone Gables Estate were around when the original train came through.

“Whoever lived in the old stone house on the knoll could have watched the funeral train from 400 yards away,” she said. “That, and a retaining wall.”

Brown served on the 30-person team that brought the replica train to life. David Kloke spearheaded the effort as an educational outreach. He spent 3½ years building it from scratch in his workshop in Illinois. Weighing 67,000 pounds and measuring 9-feet wide, 13-feet tall and 48-feet long, the replica can chug easily over U.S. standard rails that didn’t exist in 1865.

Of everything offered at the re-enactment, “the ambience of that car has the biggest wow factor,” Brown said. “It feels very period, which was the intention. It sets the mood. It sets the stage for what happens next.”

Quite Powerful

The passenger car smacks of opulence and attention to detail germane to yesteryear craftsmen unconcerned with schedules or cost.

Curtains, carpets and interior crimson silk fabrics were specially designed and hand-rendered. Painters matched the original paint colors, hand-lettering and drawing embellishments from photographs. Blacksmiths hand-forged the railings, and woodworkers carved countless details. Decorators hung period paintings and sconces resembling oil lamps on the walls.

“Walking through the Pioneer Coach passenger car, there are walkover seats flipped so you can ride in either direction,” Brown said. “When people get to the funeral car, the coffin is the last thing they see. It’s quite powerful—draped in mourning, black crepe, flowers. It’s incredible to see people’s reactions, wiping away tears.”

You’ll also find period artisans at the event, like a lady making lye soap, another making Victorian hair jewelry, and a metalworker forging all kinds of metal wares.

The second oldest municipal band in the nation, the New Holland Band, will play period music. The band can trace its history back to 1829 to a fife and drum corps for the 51st Regiment, Pennsylvania State Militia.

“In all the records I’ve seen, there was some type of music at the train stops,” Brown said. “Bands played dirges, and, if they didn’t have instruments, people sang hymns.”

Re-enactors and lecturers will roam the grounds, giving demos, giving wagon rides, doing drills in the encampments, and demonstrating what life was like in 1865. Some play a simultaneous role of re-enactor and lecturer.

“At the inaugural event, a gentleman who looks like General Grant was on horseback giving people a tour,” Brown said.

No Civil War re-enactment would be complete without a military presence. To keep the ranks well rounded, there’s a nice mix of infantry, artillery, dismounted cavalry, civilians and sutlers. Jeffrey Cohen, commander of the 6th New York Independent Battery, will return with his co-ed unit of 35 to demonstrate the drill, military protocol of that time, campsite cooking, how to use small arms, and even an authentic cannon that fires.

The cannon is an original model 1857 bronze Napoleon, weighing over a ton, with cannonballs the size of shot puts. Cohen recruits kids from the audience to put on uniforms, and he puts them in a popular scenario of the day, such as a 16-year-old running away to enlist. Observing all safety measures, the re-enactors encourage the kids to perform soldiers’ tasks: pulling the cannon by the rope, operating the sponge rammers, or throwing the cannonballs.

“You really get to teach the public. People are coming to see us, so you want people to see an accurate picture of everything,” Cohen said. “It’s been alleged that we hijacked the train. There were no photos, so it’s a lie.”

The Lincoln Funeral Train Commemoration takes place April 23 and 24 at Stone Gables Estate, 1 Hollinger Lane, Elizabethtown. For more information, visit www.stonegablesestate.com.

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Your Own Italian “Search”: If you liked the Stanley Tucci series, you’ll love pasta alla Nerano

March 31, 2021 | by Rosemary Ruggieri Baer

Many of you might have seen the actor, Stanley Tucci, on the CNN television series, “Searching for Italy.”

For those who love Italy and its food, the series is a lovely journey through regions in Italy: Naples and the Amalfi Coast, Rome, Bologna, Tuscany, Milan and Sicily, so far. The first season of the docuseries aired in February and March and reflected the actor’s love of the cuisine, culture and history of “Italia.”

Tucci explores many of Italy’s classic dishes such as pasta carbonara from Rome, Sicily’s pasta alla Norma, risotto Milanese, bistecca from Florence, ragu alla Bolognese and real pizza from Naples. At times, the shows ventured into less well-known corners of the cities or countryside and sometimes, surprisingly, some “political” threads were woven with culinary ones. But the actor’s love of the Italian people and his enthusiasm were contagious, as the local chefs shared their “secrets.”

I wanted to make everything I viewed on the shows! And I have a good friend, a former resident of Italy, who did just that. One recipe that intrigued her (and much of the internet world) the most was pasta alla Nerano. The pasta is said to have originated in a restaurant in Nerano, Italy, a small village near Sorrento. Tucci pushed the chef in the first episode to reveal the “secret” to making this seemingly very simple dish.

It relies on simple ingredients: pasta, cheese, basil and zucchini. But the cheese is special. In Italy, traditional pasta alla Nerano is made with provolone del Monaco, a large, semi-aged, sheep’s milk cheese that is very hard to find outside Italy. The suggested substitution is a cheese called caciocavallo. My “cooking friend” was able to find caciocavallo in the “strip district” of Pittsburgh, but I am still searching here. Internet cooking bloggers report that aged provolone, mozzarella and Parmesan Reggiano can stand in for these hard-to-find cheeses. Some authors suggest a mix of these cheeses to achieve the desired creaminess.

The zucchini must be small and sweet, so avoid those dark green characters that are “shipped” during cold weather months. The basil must be fresh. So, pasta all Nerano is a perfect dish to try when homegrown produce arrives at the market.

The recipe offered below is a composite of the many I found while researching pasta alla Nerano. It does include butter, which adds a nice richness. I plan on experimenting with different cheeses and continuing my search for caciocavallo.

Pasta alla Nerano

Ingredients

1 whole garlic clove
½ cup olive oil
5 small zucchini, sliced into very thin rounds
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup grated Parmesan or caciocavallo cheese (mozzarella would be a last choice)
1 “knob” of cold, unsalted butter (1 to 2 tablespoons)
A handful of fresh basil leaves
¾ pound of pasta (12 ounces)

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to boil for the spaghetti.
In a wide skillet or sauté pan over medium high heat, add the garlic clove and olive oil so the mixture just sizzles. When the garlic clove turns golden (do not let it brown), remove it and add the zucchini rounds.
Fry the zucchini until tender and golden brown in color. (Add extra oil if needed to prevent sticking. Toss gently as they cook.)
Drain the zucchini on paper towels and season with a little salt and ground pepper.
Now take about one third of the cooked zucchini and place in a large bowl. Add about one quarter of the pasta water and mash or blend with a handheld immersion blender. Your goal is to make a sort of puree much as you would make a pesto.
When the pasta is cooked “al dente,” remove another one-half cup of the cooking water and drain.
Toss the spaghetti in the large bowl with the pureed zucchini, the sauteed zucchini, the grated cheese and the cold butter. Toss quickly.
Your goal is a silky pasta, not dry, but not watery. Add a few drops of the pasta water only if needed.
Top with the basil leaves and serve.

Stanley Tucci’s journey to the beautiful Amalfi coast shared with the viewing audience this pasta specialty from the little fishing village of Nerano. And, as always, I am so inspired by the food of Italy—a reflection of the people, the culture and food products that are really unlike any others in the world.

Hope you enjoy pasta alla Nerano as the season of re-birth arrives. And Buona Pasqua!

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April Editor’s Note

March 31, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda

Over the years, many people have mentioned to me that April is their favorite month.

That’s certainly understandable.

In the Harrisburg area, April is usually the month when winter finally relents to a sustainable spring.

Pretty flowers, warmer weather, longer days. What’s not to like?

For me, this April will be particularly welcomed. Not only are we slogging our way out of the cold and dark, but we continue to try to break free of the dreadful pandemic, which has been far bleaker than even the worst, longest central PA winter.

Looking ahead, we can expect months of being able to gather outdoors for dinners, drinks, games, barbecues, etc. By the time we’re forced back inside again on a chilly autumn night, we just may be comfortable being indoors with others. At least, that’s my hope.

Each year in TheBurg, we welcome April with spring-like stories and photos. Last year, we even featured an image of a bluish succulent, continuing our tradition of flowery covers, but one that, I thought, perfectly captured the mood of sorrow that had descended over us.

But not so this year! We’re delighted to bring back bright greens and vibrant colors to indicate that vitality and hope lay ahead.

In addition to spring-themed stories, our issue contains other indications that we’re finally moving forward. For the first time in forever, we have a story or two about live events (remember those?), and our issue also focuses on other ways that we, as a community, are progressing.

What’s the old saying—hope springs eternal? This year, I’d like to adjust that phrase slightly to emphasize the eternal hope of spring. Happy April everyone!

Lawrance Binda

Co-Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

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Nuts, Candy, Family: Zimmerman’s celebrates a century-plus of creamy, chunky, salty, sweet

March 31, 2021 | by Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

Donna Zimmerman

If you’ve lived in the Harrisburg area for any length of time, you’ve likely heard of Zimmerman’s Nuts & Candies.

I have memories of shopping there with my health-conscious mother in the 1970s when she wanted to purchase their sugar-free peanut butter and all I wanted was everything else in the place. In our house, candy was pretty much forbidden, except for the Goldenberg peanut chews that were doled out meagerly. I have a big bag of them in my freezer today and still only allow myself a few a week—old habits die hard.

When I visited the shop in late February, I was surprised that it looked so much smaller than I remembered, but then again, doesn’t everything seem bigger when you’re a child?

Generations

Zimmerman’s Nuts & Candies is one of those rare family-owned businesses that has been operating for more than a century. In 1915, John S. Zimmerman began selling candy and homemade peanut butter in his Penbrook general store.

Over 100 years later, Lee S. Zimmerman heads up the operation, along with wife Donna and children Olivia and Christopher.

“My grandfather, who was orphaned as a teen, was adopted by Charles Fishburn, a local merchant who owned a feed mill and would roast corn and coffee,” said Lee, adding that John eventually began roasting coffee and peanuts and making peanut butter.

The store itself hasn’t changed much over the years, though tastes have.

“Over the years, the dried fruit and nuts didn’t support us, so we started adding confections like the Asher line, Swedish fish and other candies,” Lee said. “In the past, spiced jelly beans would also be a huge hit. Now, kids tend to go for the sour flavors.”

The shop is small but big on variety, from the aforementioned peanut butter to nut butters, coffee, dried fruits and a large variety of candy, like gummies in all shapes and sizes, ranging from Haribo bears to frogs and even octopi. Retro selections include items like teaberry gum, malted milk balls, Dum Dum lollipops and Cella’s chocolate-covered cherries, to name a few.

A selection from Lewistown-based Asher’s chocolate is on display in the case up front and includes items like salted caramels and almond bark. And if you know someone who is eschewing sugar, let them know that they will find a selection of sugar-free items at Zimmerman’s.

Those who enjoy making sweet treats during the holidays may be interested to learn that Zimmerman’s carries high-quality confectionery bars and disks made by well-known chocolate purveyors Wilbur and Merckens. An entire wall is dedicated to extracts to add to that homemade candy.

The family stays up to date with trends by making a series of their own items with chocolate as a base. Popular selections include a product called “Pudge,” made with white chocolate and peanut butter, pistachio clusters with dark chocolate, “Rocky Roads” crafted with pure milk chocolate, pretzels and marshmallows and “Harvest Bark,” containing two kinds of pepper, pumpkin seed and sunflower seed.

“We use chili powder, chipotle and a little bit of cinnamon to bring it down,” Lee said.

When I asked Donna what she likes about the business, she laughed, jabbed me in the arm and said, “I run it!”

With a chuckle, Lee agreed, adding that there’s something new to do every day, which keeps the job interesting. The entire family seems to enjoy the relationships they’ve cultivated with their customers.

“We hear the stories about how grandmothers and mothers brought their children and grandchildren to the shop, and that’s nice to hear,” Lee said.

Sue Pera, owner of Cornerstone Coffeehouse in Camp Hill, is a proponent of supporting small businesses. She said that her family has been patronizing the establishment for decades.

“I buy BB Bats, Mary Janes, their peanut butter, and I just love their extra-large, salted premium cashews,” she said.

Pera also makes homemade treats at her business, which require almonds, walnuts, dates, raisins and currants.

“We buy through them, and they’ve always been so nice,” she said.

Shop Happy

The couple’s children said that their parents told them that they were free to choose whatever career path they wanted and that they never felt pressured to work at the family business.

“From childhood, we knew we were staying,” Olivia said. “And I think, for my brother and me, we always had many interests outside of work that we would pursue, with the goal of intertwining them with our family business to improve it.”

She added that she is creative with the chocolates and enjoys the everyday business operations, while her brother, Chris, is mechanically inclined and loves processing and producing.

“We are both ‘makers’ whose interests and skills complement each other,” she said. “He’s the nuts, and I’m the candy.”

The siblings confirm that the camaraderie is one of the best parts of the business.

“People shop happy,” Olivia said. “They talk to each other. They run into friends and acquaintances, and they leave content. We view them not just as customers, but as people. And we genuinely appreciate them.”

Zimmerman’s Nuts & Candies is located at 2701 Elm St., Harrisburg (Penbrook). For more information, visit www.zimmermansonline.com or call 717-232-6842.

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Watch Your Mouth: Brushing up on children’s dental care

March 31, 2021 | by Capital BlueCross Staff

Advances in dentistry over the past 25 years have left us with much to smile about.

We’ve developed better ways to clean, whiten, straighten and even replace teeth. The profession itself has transformed from being a reactive practice to a preventive one.

“These advances have improved lives in countless ways,” said Dr. Jennifer Chambers, chief medical officer at Capital BlueCross, “but there is still much to do.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

About 1 in 5 children aged 5 to 11, and 1 in 7 adolescents aged 12 to 19, have at least one untreated cavity.
Children aged 5 to 19 from low-income families are twice as likely to have cavities compared with peers from higher income homes.
Children with untreated cavities and poor oral health miss more school, and receive lower grades, than kids with healthy mouths.
Oral disease can be painful, making it difficult to eat, speak, learn and socialize.
On average, 34 million school hours are lost each year because of unplanned dental care.

“The good news is that addressing these issues depends less on breakthroughs in technology and dental science and more on regular checkups and good brushing habits,” Dr. Chambers said. “Cavities are preventable, and good habits can begin early.”

The CDC’s P-E-A-R-L-S of Wisdom, for example, is a good dental health reminder for parents with babies:

Protect tiny teeth by caring for your own teeth while you are pregnant. Your expectant child’s oral health starts with you.
Ensure you wipe your baby’s gums after each meal.
Avoid putting babies to bed with a bottle. Milk can pool around the baby’s teeth and cause tooth decay.
Remember to brush your child’s teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Consult a doctor if the child is under 2.
Limit sugary drinks and sweet snacks, and encourage natural fruits and vegetables.
Schedule your child’s first dental visit by his or her first birthday, or after the first tooth appears.

For kids age 3 and over, the American Dental Association recommends twice-daily brushings using small, rice grain-sized amounts of fluoride toothpaste. Adults should supervise and assist with brushing until the child develops the motor skills to brush thoroughly on his or her own.

Dental sealants are arguably the most effective weapon in the war on cavities. Sealants can prevent 80% of cavities over two years and 50% of cavities over four years, the CDC says. Sealants are applied to the chewing surface of new molars when they appear in children, usually between the ages of about 6 and 14.

Most dental plans cover sealants to some degree. BlueCross Dental, for example, covers sealants for dependent children to age 15 on permanent first and second molars with one sealant per tooth in any three-year period, according to Dr. Chambers.

Though highly effective, the CDC reports fewer than half of children aged 6 to 11 have dental sealants. Children from low-income homes are 20% less likely to have sealants and twice as likely to have untreated cavities. School sealant programs have helped bridge some of that gap for kids who are less likely to have private coverage.

For every tooth sealed, there is an average of $11 saved in dental costs, according to the CDC. “That is a sound healthcare investment,” Dr. Chambers said.

For more information, visit www.CapitalBlueCross.com.

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Boneshire Brew Works’ downtown Harrisburg taproom to open next week

March 30, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda

Boneshire Brew Works is opening a taproom in this building in downtown Harrisburg.

Boneshire Brew Works has set a grand-opening date for its new downtown Harrisburg taproom.

The Swatara Township-based brewery will officially open “Taps@SoMa” on Friday, April 9, at 13. S. 3^rd St.

“Since we started the business, we have always been a part of the city in some sort of fashion,” said Alan Miller, Boneshire’s owner and head brewer. “We love the city of Harrisburg and have been looking for an opportunity for a permanent space in the city for some time now.”

Opening day will begin with a ribbon cutting at 11:30 a.m., with a general opening at 3 p.m. on April 9, according to the company.

The snug taproom formerly housed “Sip@SoMa,” a rotating, guest brewery concept. Building owner Harristown Enterprises intended that model to be temporary until a permanent tenant could be found for the spot.

Boneshire announced its intention to locate there last July.

“We are thrilled that Boneshire is opening Taps@SoMa,” said Brad Jones, Harristown’s president and CEO. “Their presence will help this neighborhood continue its rebirth and growth as a popular destination in the city.”

The taproom will be open Wednesday to Thursday, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday to Saturday, noon to 10 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.

It will be the second location for Boneshire, which also offers its line of craft beer from its main facility on Derry Street.

“We are excited to be in the SoMa neighborhood and look forward to the new home,” Miller said.

For more information about Boneshire Brew Works, visit their website.

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Harrisburg police stress success taking guns off streets, move forward with community policing positions

March 30, 2021 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

Harrisburg Police Bureau officials at a press conference in the MLK City Government Center.

In a year when policing has been held under the microscope, the Harrisburg Police Bureau is seeking to spotlight its accomplishments.

On Tuesday, the bureau touted its success with taking 1,370 illegal guns off the streets since 2015, according to Harrisburg Police Commissioner Thomas Carter at a press conference. The community policing division also provided an update on its expanding staff.

“There’s been conversation throughout the city, especially this year, that the Harrisburg police isn’t doing anything to stop the violence,” Carter said. “We have a lot of sleepless nights. The work that they have done is an outstanding job.”

In 2020, bureau officers seized 256 illegal guns, the most they have taken in one year since 2015, according to data provided by the department. So far in 2021, they’ve collected 48 illegal firearms.

Since this past October, they have responded to over 200 shots fired, said Capt. Atah Akakpo-Martin.

Carter said that 2020 was one of the busiest years he’s experienced as an officer in the city.

“Due to the goodness of our officers and the leadership, we were able to handle everything,” he said.

This year, the bureau has added positions to assist busy officers, as well as bridge the gap between the police and the community. The bureau is currently interviewing for these seven “community service aide (CSA)” civilian positions, explained Blake Lynch, director of community relations and engagement.

The CSAs will tackle quality-of-life issues, assist officers on calls and interact with residents at events around the city, Lynch said.

Harrisburg created the positions as part of the city’s 2021 budget, but not before facing resistance from community members who took issue with expanding the department and with the $1 million police budget increase.

However, Lynch said that the CSA positions have generated significant interest, with the bureau receiving over 140 applications, a majority coming from Harrisburg residents. These CSA positions, he said, have received more applications than any other position in the bureau.

Lynch expects these positions to be filled by May, and, after several weeks of training, the new CSAs will be on the job by mid-summer.

“We’re looking forward to continue working alongside our officers to help fill that gap and help with the resources that our community needs,” Lynch said.

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