They Are the Champions: Mentors, Allison Hill youth connect, learn at Center for Champions.

March 31, 2020 | by Maddie Conley

Just next to Scott Elementary School in Allison Hill sits an old church. It hasn’t held a congregation in a couple of years, but it hasn’t been empty either.

I realized how much activity exists there as I walked through the church’s side doors one Tuesday evening to attend the Center for Champions’ “Rooted” program for elementary and junior high youth.

Children-adult pairs entered the building smiling, catching up and donning a red, blue, yellow or green pinnie. Kids tucked their phones into the small plastic “phone jail” for the evening to eliminate distractions and headed to the court for some basketball and tag. After everyone arrived, the youth retired to a classroom for a snack, while the adults talked over the night’s plans.

Then the music amped up, the adults formed a cheer tunnel, and the kids strutted out, met by a multitude of high fives.

This wasn’t like any youth program I’ve seen.

Life-on-Life

Two years ago, the Center for Champions, a youth mentorship program, moved into this church on the Hill. The team’s mission was to reach Harrisburg youth facing poverty, fatherlessness and trauma. According to their website, 40 percent of Harrisburg youth are growing up in poverty.

“What God laid on my heart was one-on-one mentoring,” said Jeff Bruce, the organization’s executive director.

Since 1998, Center for Champions has been investing in the lives of children in the Harrisburg area. The organization began in the form of an after-school program, but eventually evolved into a mentorship program when Bruce became director.

For each student at Center for Champions, a volunteer from the community accompanies them. The pairs meet at the center once a week—Tuesdays for the junior high group and Fridays for senior high—and hang out together on their own time.

Scott Monday and eighth-grader Nazier have been matched for over 1½ years. On Tuesdays, they play games together, Nazier’s favorite part, and they frequent the local Wendy’s for their favorite sandwich, the “Baconator.”

“We’ve gotten to know each other and the trust has developed,” Monday said. “We have a lot of fun together.”

Throughout the course of the night, mentors and mentees play group games, make crafts, listen to a Bible lesson and spend time talking one-on-one.

Fourth-grader Andres has only been matched with his mentor Scott Burkholder since November, but the pair has bonded over snow tubing and other activities the center hosted.

“I get to do a lot of new things and have a fun time and learn about God,” Andres said.

Eye Opening

About 70 percent of kids at Center for Champions grow up in poverty and about the same number are fatherless, according to Bruce. Many are raised by single moms.

This was a reality that “Rooted” coordinator Alison Maurer wasn’t fully aware of until she volunteered one night with her sister.

Previously a federal agent in Philadelphia, Maurer had little experience with young people.

“I had zero interest,” she said. “It was this shift in my life and change in perspective that really made me consider it. My eyes were opened to the need.”

After that night of volunteering, Maurer was hooked. She reached out to Bruce and even with her limited experience, he saw the passion she had for the kids.

Over the years, Maurer has seen growth in students as their behavior has improved and mentor relationships have developed.

“Often, I hear from students, ‘I’m not as mad anymore,’” she said. “They relate, trust and talk to their mentors.”

However, Bruce explained that Center for Champions’ goal isn’t to change people, but to show them love.

“We want our mentors just to build relationships,” he said. “Love like Jesus loves, model Christ-like behavior, but your goal isn’t to convince them of anything. Just let your relationship dictate the questions they have and see what happens.”

Center for Champions is located at 413 S. 19th St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.centerforchampions.org.

When You’re 64: The ABC(D)s of Medicare coverage.

March 31, 2020 | by Capital BlueCross Staff

If you or a family member is turning 64 this year, there’s actually some homework to do for Medicare, which is available when you turn 65*.

Not sure where to start? No problem. Let’s start with the basics. Original Medicare is only provided by the federal government and consists of two parts:

• Part A—Covers in-patient hospital care, skilled nursing care, home health care and hospice care. This is typically available at no cost.
• Part B—Covers doctor’s visits, blood tests, ambulatory and emergency services, medical supplies, some drugs, X-rays and outpatient care. Part B typically has a monthly premium.
• Both Parts A and B also have annual deductibles that must be met before they pay on any services, which will be paid at 80 percent of the allowed amount.

Other parts are called Part C (Medicare Advantage), Part D (prescription drug coverage), and Medigap, which is also called Medicare Supplement:

• Part C / Medicare Advantage—These plans must cover everything that Parts A and B cover. However, they may include extra services such as prescription drug coverage, vision, dental and gym memberships. These plans are offered privately through health insurance companies and can be purchased directly from the company or with the assistance of a broker. Medicare Advantage plans typically have a low or possibly no premium. These plans often come in multiple options, the most popular of which are:

• Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). You must select a primary care physician (PCP) within network and, depending on the plan, may be required to obtain all your referrals through them. Because you use one PCP to fulfill all your needs, this type of plan could come at a reduced price.
• Preferred Provider Organization (PPO). You do not need referrals with a PPO. You also do not need to stay in the network. However, it may cost more to get care from out-of-network providers except for emergency and urgent care.

• Part D/ prescription drug coverage—Part D is simply a program that offers insurance for your prescription medication needs. Part D benefits, and the premium, could be included in a Part C plan, but not always. Depending on the type of plan, you may have an annual deductible to meet before coverage begins, and then you may have copayments or coinsurance amounts due each time you have a prescription filled at an in-network pharmacy. Prescription coverage is offered separately for those who have Parts A and B, but it’s typically included with Part C.

• Medigap, or Medicare Supplement—This is extra coverage to take care of services that Original Medicare does not cover—i.e., the remaining 20 percent. You cannot have a Medicare Supplement policy if you have Medicare Advantage.

Okay, you know the different parts and the different options, now how do you choose? Start by knowing what is included. Original Medicare (Parts A and B) covers a lot, but not everything. Things like dental care, routine eye exams and eyeglasses, and routine hearing tests are not included in Parts A and B, but are available through a Medicare Advantage plan. Other things that could be included are over-the-counter allowances, transportation services, healthy meal deliveries, companionship programs, discounted gym memberships, weight management programs, chiropractic services or acupuncture.

Overwhelmed yet? Don’t be. Here is a suggestion to help you cut through the noise and make an informed decision.

Make a chart. In the first column, write down the things that you want from your policy and the questions you want answered. Things like:

• What type of policy do I want?
• Is my doctor in the network?
• How large is the network?
• What is my budget?
• What other benefits do I want/need? Be specific and list everything—like hearing aids, certain dental services, and eyeglasses to name a few.
• Are my prescription drugs covered?

Next, make a column for each plan you are considering, and answer the questions from the first column. Doing this gives you a broad view as to what each plan offers and the cost. A word of caution: carefully consider the bottom line. A plan that has a zero or low monthly premium and higher out-of-pocket costs (like office visit copays and deductibles) may end up costing you more over time than a plan that has a slightly higher monthly premium but lower out-of-pocket costs.

Be sure to enroll in Medicare Parts A and B three months before your 65th birthday. This will ensure your benefits begin on your birthday. You can sign up through the Social Security Administration at ssa.gov.

Still have questions? You can always speak directly to an insurance company or broker, and you can find answers at your local Area Agency on Aging or at Medicare.gov.

For more information, visit www.capbluecross.com.

* Medicare is also available to people under the age of 65 with certain qualifying situations and health conditions; however, this article is strictly for those age 65 and older.

The Shared Life: Caring, community convey at Hundredfold Farm.

March 31, 2020 | by Rebecca Johnson

Build it, and they will come.

In the case of Hundredfold Farm, they stayed.

There are just four empty lots left—and the neighborhood extends the invitation to join to anyone willing and interested.

Twenty years ago, Bill and Sandy Hartzell and other likeminded people broke ground for a sustainable co-housing community, but it took six years to get the first house up. Today, 10 houses are tucked into the hillside, each one boasting picture windows, solar panels, rain barrels and sweeping views of the surrounding countryside.

“When we started this, the primary reason was that we were tired of being isolated,” says Bill Hartzell. “We wanted to demonstrate another way to house people without spreading them out in a huge housing development.”

The Hartzells moved from Seattle to just outside Gettysburg in the late 1990s and immediately began asking around for interested households to build a co-housing community, based on a Scandinavian living concept of shared spaces and collaborative management and decision-making.

Focused on cultivating multigenerational, interpersonal relationships, residents of Hundredfold Farm welcome neighborly interaction and rely on each other to collectively make decisions and find consensus.

The idea of cohousing was a vehicle for the community to preserve farmland and open spaces, but also an opportunity to live more consciously and sustainably.

Once the site of an organic Christmas tree farm, the clustered residences are surrounded by 80 acres the community co-owns and manages, equally sharing the benefits and the responsibilities of the land around them. The households share the land and facilities, its yard and farm work, and the tools and equipment to get it done.

The houses share a common drive, and all cars are parked in a community lot. A neighborhood garden grows food and flowers for all to share, and compost piles are tended to in turn. A barn stores shared goods and equipment, the common house offers shared facilities and gathering space, and an artificial marshland in a greenhouse remediates wastewater to grow flowers and flush toilets.

Though much is shared, privacy is not an issue, and serenity is not sacrificed. The houses at Hundredfold Farm are all different styles and colors and are further apart than houses in most subdivisions.

“We know each other well enough to know when to give space, to know what is going on in each other’s lives,” said Sandy Hartzell.

The benefits of a close-knit community go well beyond monthly community meetings and shared chores.

When Linda Miller had to move her mother into the community years ago, she never could have done it without the support from the Hundredfold family.

“It’s so different, knowing your neighbors,” Miller said. “You really learn to live and love with them. We’re a big family.”

Of course, you clash and bump heads, she said, but you learn to respect each other’s ways of seeing the world.

“It forces you to grow,” she said. “You can’t stay who you were.”

She has lived at Hundredfold for 15 years and decided recently to sell her home in order to build a smaller one two lots over—to downsize and make it affordable for another family to move in.

Tax breaks and country living make the community more attractive for homeowners. The cheaper, co-owned land initially drew Emily Windover and her family to Hundredfold. Her family of five needed more space and has lived there for three years. It’s been the other benefits of co-housing, though, that Emily and her family have enjoyed most.

“I love knowing our neighbors and that we’re all working toward a common purpose,” Windover said.

In their previous community, they didn’t know their neighbors, and it was difficult to resolve conflicts.

“There’s a commitment to community here, and I feel comfortable asking for help,” Windover said.

She thinks the co-housing concept has been great for her children to see examples of adults working together.

“They’re seeing us wrestle with these problems and ultimately come to consensus,” Windover said.

Bill Hartzell also believes the impact that co-housing has on children is unmatched in other models. He and Sandy raised their two sons in co-housing communities, and they believe it is this structure that gives kids a unique perspective on the world.

“They are very aware of what happens in groups and what can happen in groups,” he said. “Growing up, they experienced grownups actually working together, looking after each other, and solving problems—not just walking away from them.”

The co-housing dynamic is often a challenge for adults because most of life isn’t structured around finding consensus and collaboration.

“I don’t think anybody brings with them the skills needed to live and make decisions with other people,” he said. “You have to be willing to learn some new things about yourself and about working with other people.”

But for the kids who grow up in it, it comes more naturally, and Bill said that they are some of the most self-confident, creative and compassionate people he has ever met.

Bill believes the children are the most positive part of co-housing communities. That makes him feel better about the work they are doing and about the future in general.

“You’ve got to see some kind of progress in your lifetime,” he said.

The Hundredfold Farm Co-Housing Community is located at 1400 Evergreen Way, Orrtanna. For more information, call 717-321-0004 or visit www.hundedfoldfarm.org.

Three Cheers, Beers: Central PA’s newest breweries, distilleries pour partnerships into their businesses.

March 31, 2020 | by Karen Hendricks

“People appreciate seeing partnerships,” said Wade Leedy, co-owner of Fourscore Beer Co., Gettysburg, along with his brother Drew.

The brewing brothers have tapped into numerous creative partnerships since launching the brewpub last summer, including collabs with Maryland-based brewers—cleverly called the Mason Dixon Series, established through head brewer Ben Little. Partnerships with area growers include a limited release Apple Fritter Donut Stop Believin’, an apple cider donut milkshake beer brewed in collaboration with Adams County farm market Hollabaugh Bros.

Indeed partnerships are hopping at three of central Pennsylvania’s newer hot spots for beers and cheers: Fourscore, plus Liquid Noise Brewing Co., Marysville, and Hook & Flask Still Works, Carlisle.

Gateway Beer

The Leedy brothers aren’t new to Gettysburg’s restaurant scene—their grandfather opened Tommy’s Pizza, a Gettysburg institution, in 1973. The brothers continue to own and operate Tommy’s, located a block from Fourscore.

A nod to the immortal initial word of Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, Fourscore features a full brewpub menu created by Chef Zak Smith and a draft menu of 14 beers—10 rotating and four fixtures.

“Gettys Brau is an everyday beer—an easy-drinking gateway beer,” said Drew. “The Fix [involving another partnership] is a brown ale with an intense coffee aroma, from [Gettysburg roaster] Ragged Edge Coffee.”

Menu standouts include hand-breaded fried mozzarella, catfish tacos and plenty of partnerships—Cumberland County’s Eleven Oaks Farms’ Wagyu hot dogs, Adams County’s Rettland Farms’ Bratwurst, and a Fourscore Burger blending Lancaster County’s Stone Ridge Manor beef with Rettland’s sausage.

To what do they attribute their success?

“Consumers are more knowledgeable and demanding better products,” Drew said. “Being here in Gettysburg, we add something to the Civil War experience, and we just plan to build on our success, making good food and good beer.”

Right Chord

Shawn Wirick has high hopes that Liquid Noise Brewing Co. strikes the right chord with area beer lovers.

“I want people to come to the Harrisburg area to visit Tröegs—and now Liquid Noise,” said Wirick, one of four partners in the Perry County brewery, which opened in January.

A professional musician who was once signed by RCA, Wirick composed his brewery’s business plan with music in mind. His guiding mantra, “Craft like a rock star” is emblazoned on the brewery’s walls, which regularly reverberate with the sounds of local and regional bands.

He calls partners Brad Moyer and Brian Keeney “the best brewers I’ve ever met.”

And the fourth partner? He’s known her since high school.

“We went to Susquenita together, live in Duncannon, and all three of our kids work here,” said wife Michelle Wirick.

Creative collabs are mashed into the menu, including Baphomets Rain—a stout smoothly infused with Harrisburg’s Elementary Coffee, which is fitting considering that Moyer built Elementary’s nitro coffee system.

“Our inspiration comes from everything—food, wine, cocktails, the bakery,” said Moyer.

Mint-Ten Tarantino is a watermelon mint sour; the Pulpmania Guavarero is a New England-style IPA with a twist—fresh guava pulp and a kick from habanero peppers.

The creative beer lineup blends harmoniously with the food menu thanks to Chef Mike Bates, formerly of Camp Hill’s Cornerstone Coffeehouse. On the night we visited, he was debuting a pineapple prosciutto pizza. The popular blackberry and herbed ricotta pizza combines sweet and savory flavors—a red raspberry, blueberry and black raspberry compote, with spirals of ricotta and pesto.

Moyer and Keeney, founding members of Harrisburg’s homebrewers’ club, The Sons of Alchemy, said their goal at Liquid Noise is to consistently offer malty and hoppy beers, sour ciders, and alternative “funky beers.”

They may even make a little noise in Harrisburg—they’re brewing up some surprise suds for Shady McGrady’s Irish Pub.

Mutual Aid

Mark Farrell and Devin Flickinger of Boiling Springs met 15 years ago on the frontlines for Monroe Township Fire Co.

Farrell, intrigued by the rise of craft distilleries, learned that Flickinger was a long-time homebrewer and winemaker. The craft beverage market was heating up in Carlisle, and they decided to strike while the iron was hot.

Flickinger swapped roles, from the fire company’s assistant chief to staff medic, to become Hook & Flask’s chief distiller. Farrell’s daughter Maddie, a hospitality major at Temple during the planning process, was primed to become front of house manager.

Last summer, when Hook & Flask Still Works opened its doors—including a firehouse-style garage door that rolls up in warm weather—it became the first distillery in Carlisle since Prohibition.

“We wanted to differentiate ourselves, so we latched onto the fire theme, which is near and dear to us,” said Farrell. “We were fortunate to find this building, which somewhat resembled a firehouse.”

Remodeler Creative Building Concepts of Carlisle oriented the kitchen, firehouse-style, in the building’s center. Memorabilia includes an antique wooden fire ladder affixed to the restaurant’s ceiling; the distillery’s modified roof accommodates a 19-foot vodka column.

The first spirits in production are Flashover Moonshine, an apple pie moonshine crafted with Adams County’s Big Hill Cider, and 100-percent corn-based Halligan Hearts Vodka. All grains are grown in Pennsylvania; most are sourced locally from Cumberland County.

Mutual Aid Whiskey is made in partnership with a Virginia distillery, just as neighboring fire companies provide “mutual aid.”

Spirits on the backburner, in production, are barreled rye whiskey and “Firedog Gin.”

Hook & Flask’s menu features three pages of craft cocktails concocted with Flickinger’s house-made simple syrups, local craft beers and wines, sliders, wings and a firehouse staple—chili served in bright red bowls.

“It’s been a good first six months,” said Farrell. “The town’s been very receptive, and Market Cross Pub & Brewery half a block away couldn’t be a better friend to us.”

For more information, see: Fourscore Beer Co., 603 S. Washington St., Gettysburg, fourscorebeer.com; Liquid Noise Brewing Co., 600 S. State Rd., Marysville, liquidnoisebrewing.com; and Hook & Flask Still Works, 137 N. Hanover St., Carlisle, hookandflaskstillworks.com.

A World of Good: Retailer Ten Thousand Villages has been a pioneer in fair trade, ethical practices.

March 31, 2020 | by Don Helin

Would you like an elegant alpaca shrug handmade in Peru or a singing bowl handmade in Nepal? Then you may want to stop by Ten Thousand Villages.

Ten Thousand Villages is a unique business, a nonprofit, fair trade organization affiliated with the Mennonite Central Committee and headquartered in Lancaster County.

“To us, fair trade means working with people in an ethical fashion,” said CEO Gordon Zook. “We honor the people who make our products and try to keep them first in the business decisions we make.”

It all started in 1946, when Edna Byler met women during her travels who were struggling to feed their children. So, she decided to help them sell their products. The Mennonite Central Committee, a relief and service agency, supported Byler’s efforts, seeing the long-term value that sustainable income could bring to impoverished villages.

Today, Ten Thousand Villages has 56 stores in the United States—18 company-owned and 38 run by nonprofit boards. It markets products from 75 artisan groups in 30 different countries, supporting 20,000 artisans overall.

Zook is proud of the fact that, over the past 16 years, the organization has purchased $99 million in products from its artisan partners.

He explained that the company pays for its goods upfront, a very unusual practice. Half is paid when the product is ordered and the other half when it’s shipped.

“That way, our producers will have the funds to pay a living wage to their employees and won’t get trapped in debt by moneylenders,” he said. “If products are lost at sea, trends change, tariffs rise, the artisans are not burdened with loss. They’ve already been paid in full.”

Zook took over his duties as CEO about nine months ago and leads from experience. He has spent a number of years overseas, most recently five years in Calcutta, India, as MCC co-country director.

“My experience has taught me the best way to address poverty is not through handouts, but by purchasing products from vendors then selling the products at reasonable prices, thereby conferring dignity on the producers,” he said.

Ten Thousand Villages was a pioneer in paying living wages to small producers. This may make it harder for them to compete, but they’re satisfied with the outcome.

“We are keenly aware of the ballooning market changes going on in the country,” Zook said. “We see increasing interest in treating producers fairly, but we remain the only brick-and-mortar organization dedicated to fair trade principles.”

Ten Thousand Villages distinguishes itself in other ways. While many other retailers are scaling back, the company is expanding. It recently opened three new stores in the Philadelphia area and is scouting for a fourth store site in Lancaster County.

It isn’t averse to technology, either. Ten Thousand Villages is increasing its emphasis on e-commerce, significantly expanding online sales.

Like any corporate CEO, Zook must keep an eye on the production cycle. For example, the director of purchasing is already addressing product needs for the next holiday season. They anticipate fielding some 600 new products by Christmas.

The company also believes in very long-term relationships, which distinguishes it further in the tough retail industry. The average relationship with an artisan group is a staggering 25 years, Zook said.

“That’s enough time to see their children grow into adulthood and enough time to see the positive impact this movement has created on the sons and daughters of our producers,” he said. “This is particularly important for women who often have problems competing because of cultural norms.”

Ten Thousand Villages is based in Akron, Pa. Locally, there are stores in Mechanicsburg and in Lancaster County. For more information and a complete list of stores, visit www.tenthousandvillages.com.

Berry Roast: How about a unique spin on dessert this Easter?

March 31, 2020 | by Rosemary Ruggieri Baer

If you are a follower of cooking trends, cooking shows and cookbooks, you might have noticed a new emphasis on roasting, as in roasting almost everything. I’ve even seen popular cooking magazines devoted to “sheet pan suppers,” in which entire dinners, fish, chicken, vegetables and potatoes are roasted on/in one pan.

I’ve succumbed to the sheet pan craze, too. I roast one of my favorite dishes, “firecracker salmon,” along with cherry tomatoes and serve them with wasabi mashed potatoes for a terrific weeknight dinner. My family likes roasted Brussels sprouts splashed with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and my young grandsons, 4 and 2, actually eat broccoli roasted with grated Parmesan cheese and garlic. Start ‘em young, I say.

But I was surprised seeing Food Network chef Giada De Laurentiis roasting strawberries and whipping them into a simple but elegant dessert that is just perfect for spring. Another famous chef, Bobby Flay, in his new cookbook, “Bobby at Home,” does a similar spin on roasted strawberries, using fewer ingredients and no wine. The “formula” for both recipes includes some luscious cream and a crunchy topping.

April is here and, although we can find some decent strawberries at the markets and grocery stores, they are not the succulent and juicy berries of early June. Roasting softens and caramelizes them into a jam-like creation. The recipe that follows is Giada’s version and one that could be served at brunch or for dessert any time of year. And think how lovely these berries would be as a finale to an Easter dinner.

Roasted Strawberries with Vin Santo

Ingredients

1 pound strawberries, hulled and cut in half
2 teaspoons olive oil
5 tablespoons sugar
Kosher salt
¼ cup Vin Santo wine
¾ cup heavy cream
¼ cup mascarpone
½ cup crushed amaretti cookies or almond biscotti

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
Spread the strawberries evenly on the baking sheet and toss with 2 tablespoons of the sugar, the oil and a pinch of salt.
Roast until the strawberries are soft and have released some of their juices, about 30 minutes.
Pour the strawberries and the juices into a bowl and toss with the wine. Allow to cool to room temperature.
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk the heavy cream with the mascarpone and the remaining 3 tablespoons sugar until soft peaks form, about 3 minutes.
Serve the strawberries in dessert dishes or glasses. Top with some of the cream and cookie crumble.

Some notes about the ingredients:

Mascarpone is Italian cream cheese. It can be found, along with amaretti cookies or biscotti, at the grocery store.
Vin Santo is an Italian dessert wine that is like sherry. You could substitute Marsala wine or even Amaretto.
Instead of cookie crumbles, you could top the berries with chopped toasted almonds.
Instead of mascarpone cheese, you can use Greek yogurt or whipped cream cheese.

Welcome the lovely month of April with this simple, fresh fruit dessert. It is perfect for company, especially after you’ve put together the rest of the meal that might have taken a lot of time. Roasted strawberries could easily become a favorite for me. I‘m saving strawberry pie for June.

Family Built: Excel Remodeling spans 50 years, three generations.

March 31, 2020 | by Phyllis Zimmerman

Business is more than just business at Excel Remodeling in Lemoyne. For president and owner Jim Mirando Jr, it’s a strong family legacy of craftsmanship and care now its 50th year.

Mirando, of Silver Spring Township, is the second generation of his family leading the enterprise that was founded by his father in 1970.

“It’s a real community atmosphere here,” he said. “Most of our staff has been with us for over 10 years. We have wonderful clients who’ve been with us years. It’s a lot about relationships. We’re a small business, and we work hard to do a good job.”

The business is based in a 6,000-square-foot showroom where customers are welcome to browse through a large display of cabinets, countertops, plumbing fixtures, tiles, interior and exterior finishes, wallpaper, floor coverings and whatever else is needed for their homes. Aided by a staff of 12, Excel specializes in kitchen and bathroom remodels and home additions.

Jim Mirando Sr. started Excel with two partners and an initial focus of land development and home building. By the late 1970s, the company had transitioned to home remodeling. Mirando’s business partners had pulled out by then, leaving Jim Sr. as sole proprietor.

As it so happened, Jim Sr. wasn’t alone in business for long. Son Jim Jr. started in the early 1980s, learning the ropes while in high school. After college, he initially pursued a career outside of the family business but decided to return a few years later. He started out as a designer, working his way up to company president in 1989. Jim Sr. subsequently retired in the early 1990s.

Jim Jr. said he’s seen a few changes in the way business is done over the past few decades.

“It’s always changing, from styles to technology to tools,” he said.

When Jim Jr. began, cell phones weren’t yet in common usage, and blueprints still were drawn by hand. Clients today tend to be “more educated and informed” than in the past due to sources like the internet and the HGTV network.

Daughter Alicia Goyette represents the family’s third generation.

“I grew up around all this,” she said. “My dad guided me through the business. It was a cool experience learning the ropes from him.”

Goyette initially pursued a college major in accounting and business but eventually felt “ready for a change,” she said. She came to Excel two years ago. Today, she is a company designer and mostly works with clients on kitchen and bath designs.

“It’s really fun to work with clients and see it all come together as a finished product,” she said. “I like coming up with a new design that maybe they didn’t think of.”

Mike Wilson, chief marketing officer for Members 1st Credit Union, ranks as a satisfied Excel customer.

The company recently completed a “very large project” that involved building a 500-square-foot addition over the garage of his Conewago Township home. The project renovated an upstairs bathroom and extended the master bedroom into a sprawling suite with custom-made closets, a beverage station and a sitting area.

Wilson said that Excel stands out from other building contractors by offering customers a “true customization” of design.

“We were looking at how to creatively maximize the space that we had,” he said. “I would highly consider using Excel again for another project.”

Excel Remodeling is located at 570 S. 3rd St., Lemoyne. For information, call 717-774-4990 or visit www.excelremodeling.com.

March News Digest

March 31, 2020 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Conley

Coronavirus Pandemic Forces Shutdowns

Harrisburg last month issued an emergency declaration and shut down city government buildings to the public until further notice.

With the declaration, all official city buildings closed to the public, including the MLK Jr. Government Center, the Public Works building and the Reservoir Park Mansion.

Despite the shutdown, the city continues to provide all essential functions and services, according to Mayor Eric Papenfuse.

“We are all in this together,” Papenfuse said. “I encourage the community to adhere to Gov. [Tom] Wolf’s directives and use precautions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.”

Most city workers continued to work, some remotely, Papenfuse said. The public should use the drop box at the rear of the building to pay bills, submit forms and drop off other items, he said.

For inquiries, residents are encouraged to fill out the city’s online support form at www.harrisburg.gov/support, email [email protected] or call the city’s 311 help desk, which will continue to operate.

Likewise, Dauphin County declared a disaster emergency and closed county government offices to the public until further notice. All events and activities at county facilities also were cancelled.

County residents who want to pay a tax bill or drop off a voter registration form or absentee/mail-in ballot can deposit items in a locked box near the entrance of the Dauphin County Administration Building on 2nd Street in Harrisburg. The Dauphin County Courthouse also will have a secure box near the entrance on Market Street where documents can be dropped off.

Last month, Wolf allowed most state workers to work remotely, and most private businesses were ordered to close their physical locations. He also closed public schools.

Wolf also ordered all “non-essential stores” to be closed throughout the commonwealth, though dine-in restaurants can continue to sell through delivery and takeout. Essential businesses to remain open include grocery stores, gas stations and pharmacies. All Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores also closed until further notice.

“Our top priority is the health and safety of our residents, especially the elderly and most vulnerable,” Papenfuse said. “We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding during this disaster emergency.”

Council Overturns Veto

Harrisburg City Council overrode a mayoral veto last month, though the two branches of government agreed to work towards a policy that could give the city more leverage over future development projects.

By a 5-2 vote, council rejected the action by Mayor Eric Papenfuse, who had vetoed a resolution that would vacate several “paper” streets on a parcel of land where the new federal courthouse now is rising.

Papenfuse said that he vetoed the resolution to make a point. He wants council members to create a policy that would require developers to conduct a “public benefit analysis” when requesting street vacations.

Such a policy, he said, would give the city leverage as developers continue to plan projects in Harrisburg. In exchange for the street vacation, the city could ask for certain benefits, such as offsetting city-borne costs, making streetscape improvements, utilizing local labor or including affordable housing.

“It could help us with affordable housing policy in the city,” he said.

In February, council approved a resolution that would vacate “various unnamed paper streets” on the 4.2-acre site at N. 6th and Reily streets, where the federal government is building a 243,000-square-foot courthouse. Papenfuse then vetoed that resolution.

Usually, paper streets are narrow “baker’s” or “grocer’s” alleys that offer rear access to row houses. On the courthouse site, neither the houses nor the alleys exist any longer, but the public rights of way remain on paper.

Papenfuse told council that, currently, the city holds little leverage over a developer outside of the normal planning and zoning process. Requiring an analysis for street vacations would give the city a tool to extract “public benefit” concessions for large projects, he said.

“It would be a power vested in City Council that is not granted through the land development process,” he said.

Before casting her override vote, council President Wanda Williams criticized Papenfuse’s housing strategy, saying that he has supported past development proposals in the city that didn’t include an affordable housing element. Despite the criticism, Williams said that she would be interested in discussing a street vacation policy.

“I think we should work on this quickly,” agreed council member Dave Madsen, one of two votes, along with council member Westburn Majors, to uphold the veto.

Papenfuse admitted that his veto was unlikely to impact the federal courthouse project, which is slated for completion in spring 2022. But he said that he wanted to make a point that council should pass a street vacation policy.

“These are public streets,” he said. “Potentially, there are things that could be received in exchange, which goes well beyond the courthouse.”

Also last month, City Council:

- - - Voted 6-1 to approve an agreement transferring the Strawberry Square Arcade to the Strawberry Square Condominium Association, with Williams voting no.
    - By a 5-2 vote, approved a resolution to hire Harrisburg-based Maverick Strategies to continue to provide consulting and lobbying for the city. The agreement for the $5,000 monthly retainer expires on Dec. 31.
    - Unanimously passed a resolution hiring Ecological Solutions to provide lake management services for Italian Lake at a cost of $9,125.
    - Unanimously passed a resolution backing state legislation that would allow Pennsylvania residents, regardless of immigration status, access to a valid driver’s license.

City Starts Facebook Live Events

Harrisburg last month held its first Facebook Live event, focused on the COVID-19 outbreak and what it means for city residents.

With city hall shut down to visitors, Mayor Eric Papenfuse used the platform, with a broadcast on WHBG-TV Channel 20, to address residents’ concerns and answer questions about everything from emergency services to the local economy.

“Although we are facing an international health crisis, Harrisburg is a resilient city, and we have survived crises before,” said Papenfuse, joined by police Commissioner Thomas Carter and Fire Chief Brian Enterline. “We’ve made it through the TMI disaster, we’ve made it through Agnes, and we train and prepare for disasters on a regular basis.”

During the event, Papenfuse took time to explain updates in the city regarding recent orders from Gov. Tom Wolf. He commended Wolf for taking preventative action to mandate the closure of non life-sustaining businesses.

The panel highlighted services available in the city, including the school district’s feeding program and the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank’s efforts. Papenfuse said that, at the same locations as the student meal pick-ups, any resident in need of food can partake.

While Carter acknowledged many homeless shelters are filled to capacity, he assured many, such as Bethesda Mission, are still giving out food. He also mentioned that residents who are undocumented immigrants should not fear asking the city for help.

“We will be providing emergency services regardless of national origin or citizenship,” Papenfuse said. “You won’t be asked, you’ll be helped.”

While the city is working to help residents, officials acknowledged that response times to calls for the police may be slower with shifting priorities during this time.

“We do have new priorities and calls related to health concerns regarding the virus have to take priority over others,” Papenfuse said.

With businesses shutting down, he ensured residents that they will not be penalized for late trash service payments, rent payments or other city taxes.

“We are all in this together, and we can weather the storm,” he said.

“Community Conversations with Mayor Papenfuse” are slated to continue each Friday at noon as a forum for information and discussion during the pandemic.

Revised Design Approved

The city got its first look last month at a new design for a planned academic building for downtown Harrisburg.

At a special meeting of the city Planning Commission, Harrisburg University presented its plan for an 11-story building at the corner of Chestnut and S. 3rd streets.

“The revised design is very similar to what was approved,” said David Alessi, senior associate at Stantec, the project’s architectural and engineering company.

Last year, the commission approved plans for a 17-story building and a 10-story hotel. However, HU’s hotel partner, Harrisburg-based HHM, was unable to secure financing for that portion of the project, said HU President Eric Darr.

“We worked with multiple finance partners, but we couldn’t wait any longer,” Darr told commission members.

The problem, he said, was comparative. He said that a project analysis showed that the hotel would be profitable. Nonetheless, potential financiers felt that they could get an even better return by committing their money to projects in other cities, he said.

With the loss of the hotel, HU cut the project’s size by about one-third, proceeding solely with an educational building. The $100-million, 260,000-square-foot facility will house HU’s health sciences programs, simulation labs and other academic programs.

Planning Commission members seemed satisfied with the design, complimenting HU for adding brick to the façade and for aligning the design with HU’s current building on Market Street.

“I like how it blends in with HU’s tower,” said commissioner Zac Monnier.

The new design also eliminates a planned curb cut along Chestnut Street.

Following HU’s presentation, the commission unanimously approved the new development plan, which now must be approved by City Council.

HU has already cleared the site at S. 3rd and Chestnut streets, but hasn’t yet started to build the structure. Assuming the revised development plan passes council, HU expects the building to begin to take shape this summer and be completed in late 2021.

Apartment Project Proposed

A New York-based developer with strong ties to Harrisburg proposed last month to convert the former Salvation Army Harrisburg headquarters to a new apartment building.

Michael Lam lives in Queens, N.Y., but owns more than a dozen properties in Harrisburg, mostly small buildings with commercial space on the ground floor and apartments upstairs.

His latest proposal would be his largest project, a 25-unit apartment building at Green and Cumberland streets in Midtown.

“The units aren’t huge, but they’ll be very done very nicely,” he told TheBurg. “I’m going to bring a lot of New York style to it. They’ll be very trendy, very nice.”

Lam envisions a series of duplex-style one- and two-bedroom apartments, with parking included.

Several years ago, the Salvation Army Harrisburg put its long-time home on the market after it made a decision to relocate to the 500-block of S. 29th Street, near the city line. It made that move last year.

The organization has been asking $560,000 for the 18,500-square-foot building, which was constructed in 1954, plus another $330,000 for the 34-space accessory parking lot across the street. A second, smaller lot off of Penn Street has another eight parking spaces.

Before he can complete the purchase, Lam needs his project to be approved by the city. He made his first presentation last month to the city Planning Commission.

Harrisburg Mayor, ICA Clash

Harrisburg has filed a lawsuit against its state financial oversight board to force the board to fully include Harrisburg’s representative.

In February, the city filed a lawsuit in Commonwealth Court claiming that the Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (ICA) has systematically excluded Bruce Weber from participating in executive sessions and other ICA business.

Weber, Harrisburg’s budget and finance director, is the city’s non-voting representative on the seven-member board.

Following the meeting, Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse said that Weber has been routinely excluded from executive sessions and other ICA matters.

“He has every right to participate in the deliberations of the ICA,” Papenfuse said, following the meeting. “They have refused that from the very beginning.”

The ICA and Harrisburg last year passed a draft five-year financial recovery plan for the city, designed to allow the city to exit Act 47, the state’s program for financially distressed cities. They’re now in the process of making updates to it.

“The ICA expresses disappointment over the current litigation initiated by the mayor,” said ICA Chair Audry Carter, in a statement. “The lawsuit is a needless distraction from the important work of removing Harrisburg from Act 47.”

February Home Sales Rise

Housing data continued to be strong in the Harrisburg area, with sales and prices both up in February.

For the three-county region, sales increased to 487 housing units, compared to 441 in February 2019 and 388 in February 2018, according to the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR). The median sales price was $180,000 versus $168,000 in the year-ago period and $157,000 in February 2018, GHAR said.

In Dauphin County, 250 housing units sold in February, compared to 235 last year, while the median price rose to $164,900 versus $150,000 in February 2019, according to GHAR.

In Cumberland County, 214 homes sold compared to 191 a year ago, while the median sales price increased to $213,000 from $195,000 in February 2019. Perry County also showed a sales increase, to 23 units versus 15 last year, though the median price fell to $163,000 from $210,000 in February 2019, GHAR said.

Over the past year, both housing sales and prices have generally trended up in the Harrisburg area, according to GHAR.

So Noted

Capital Region Water last month suspended street sweeping and hydrant flushing until further notice due to the health crisis. Likewise, the city and parking operator SP+ suspended parking enforcement for street sweeping. CRW also asked customers to conduct business with them remotely—by phone, mail, email or online.

Harrisburg University has launched a new “User Experience Center,” which tests products for user friendliness. Student interns test clients’ video games, websites, education software and other products. HU plans soon to move the center into its own storefront space on the first block of S. 3rd Street in Harrisburg.

Kesher Israel has purchased the former Riverside United Methodist Church in Uptown Harrisburg. Following building renovations, the orthodox Jewish congregation plans to move there from its current synagogue on the 2500-block of N. 3rd Street.

Sandwiches by Shakedown has opened in the stone building of the Broad Street Market. Chris and Sarah Heilig, former owners of Shakedown BBQ in Grantville, offer a selection of signature sandwiches and salads from the stand that formerly housed Mel’s BBQ.

TheBurg captured five awards in the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Foundation’s annual Advertising Awards contest. TheBurg won two first-place awards, one for “best single ad” and another for “best real estate ad,” one second-place award and two honorable mentions. It was the first time that TheBurg participated in this statewide competition.

Zeroday Brewing Co. is in expansion mode, with plans to open a brewery/restaurant this summer on the 900-block of N. 3rd St. The Harrisburg-based brewer also is building out a bar and tap room inside Midtown Cinema as part of the cinema’s renovations and will convert its current taproom to production-only space. Longer term, Zeroday plans to partner with Chris and Sarah Heilig of Shakedown BBQ and Sandwiches by Shakedown to open a restaurant next year at Susquehanna Union Green in Susquehanna Township.

In Memoriam

Vera Cornish, publisher of The Urban Connection of the Capital Region, died in late February. Cornish had a long and distinguished career as an activist, speaker, teacher, consultant and author. Besides serving as a newspaper publisher, she was the founder of the Women of Heritage Breakfast, founder and producer of the Access & Opportunity Breakfast Series and founder and producer of the Access & Opportunity Career Fair. She ran her own company, Cornish & Associates, was the first director of institutional diversity for HACC, and served on many boards and committees. In the course of her career, she received numerous honors and awards and, in 2018, published a book entitled, “Dare to Dream.” Memorial contributions should be made to the Vera Cornish Dare To Dream Fund at The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, 200 N. 3rd St., 8th floor, Harrisburg PA 17101. This fund supports women’s empowerment, financial literacy and social entrepreneurship, with a focus on communities of color.

Changing Hands

Bellevue Rd., 1962: Secretary of Veterans Affairs to D&F Realty Holdings LP, $30,200

Bellevue Rd., 2042: D. Miller & M. Heagy to D. Young, $105,000

Berryhill St., 2144: M. Wilson Jr. to H. Alcantara, $38,200

Berryhill St., 2160: M. Pavelko to J. Ranck, $51,000

Berryhill St., 2254: T. Planasky to G. Singh & H. Kaur, $44,500

Berryhill St., 2314: A. & J. Budzinski to D. Smith, $65,000

Boas St., 433: R. Spencer to P. Brynildsen & S. Imbesi, $149,900

Boas St., 1925: Resistance Properties LLC to W. & J. Flannery, $40,000

Briggs St., 253: M. Patel to 253 Briggs St., LLC, $95,000

Chestnut St., 2208: J. Spangler to D. Wolfe, $222,000

Chestnut St., 2403: L. & M. Walton to C. Colon, $205,000

Crescent St., 249: PD Estate Properties LLC to A. & P. Woodman, $45,000

Crescent St., 350: D. & S. Zimmerman to Element Properties LLC, $48,000

Derry St., 2138: Santander Bank NA to Zeta Theta Lambda Foundation Inc., $40,500

Duke St., 2447: Genesis Opportunity Development Corp. to PA Deals LLC & Rich Steele Realty LLC, $30,000

Forster St., 1926: D. Jackson to CR Property Group LLC, 34,800

Fulton St., 1723: D. Snyder to S. DeLong, $123,000

Fulton St., 1730: C. Topper to Y. Downing, $145,000

Green St., 807: M Billo to T. Wetzel & H. Potteiger, $125,000

Green St., 1519: W. & E. Sauer to PA Deals LLC, $70,200

Green St., 2329: J. Yesser to A. Jobes, $32,000

Green St., 3224: C. Wise to G. Gebhardt & L. Mintz, $154,000

Hale Ave., 429: D. Hoang & M. Le to H. Le & N. Huynh, $42,000

Hillside Rd., 107: St. MacDonald & M. Warner to P. & K. Trufahnestock, $255,000

Industrial Rd., 4150: W. Houck Jr. to Addison Lee Group LLC, $1,600,000

Kelker St., 642: S. Clark & S. Lewis to K. & S. Pittman, $30,000

Kensington St., 2033: R. Dawon to CR Property Group LLC, $35,000

Kensington St., 2233: T. Holden to H. Alcantara, $38,001

Kensington St., 2345: PA Deals LLC to A. Molinelli, $72,000

Kensington St., 2413: P. & N. Nguyen to D. Wallace Sr., $69,900

Mercer St., 2459: US Bank NA Trustee to D. Dowling, $38,500

Muench St., 410: JB Buy Rite LLC to JTC Property Management, $50,000

North St., 1619: K. Sol to K. Mooney, $48,000

North St., 1818: Hari Group LLP to Revive Our City LLC, $45,000

N. Front St., 25: Pennsylvania Association of Conservation to 25 N. Front Street LLC, $437,000

N. 2nd St., 1213: J. Tang to WG PA Holdings LLC, $188,000

N. 2nd St., 1601: Centric Bank to Lynn & Ryan Investment Properties LLC, $88,000

N. 2nd St., 3107: P. Bernd to B. Leger, $135,000

N. 3rd St., 2209: A. & V. Rockmore to J. Cruz, $132,000

N. 3rd St., 2227: H. Bowman to C. & A. Smucker, $98,000

N. 3rd St., 2340: D. & S. Houck to MRI Properties LLC, $160,000

N. 3rd St., 3010: L. Smith to Equitable Builds LLC, $62,000

N. 5th St., 2424: J. & P. Williams to B. & A. Okubanjo, $60,000

N. 6th St., 2354: G. Elam to E. Wright, $95,000

Norwood St., 916: Crist Holdings LLC to Y. & E. Paige, $35,000

Park St., 1831: 9 Iron Ventures to H. Rodriquez, $46,000

Penn St., 1523: T. Smith & K. Leighton to P. & P. Gellerman, $161,400

Penn St., 1621: J. & M. Pricer to J. & D. Brubaker, $70,000

Penn St., 1805: T. & K. Hand to D. Bixler & S. Scholl, $131,000

Rumson Rd., 2995: R. Miller to J. Shuman, $100,000

S. 13th St., 421: D. Nguyen to L. Robinson, $85,000

S. 17th St., 1033: D&F Realty Holdings LP to Y. de Rodriguez, $45,000

S. 19th St., 214: L. & D. Burkhart to F. Molina & M. de la Rosa, $41,100

S. 28th St., 651: K. Meyers & G. Deimler to 17th Street Real Estate LLC, $195,384

S. 28th St., 701: K. Meyers & G. Deimler to 17th Street Real Estate LLC, $244,232

State St., 1314: D. McGlynn to 88314 LLC, $43,000

State St., 1837: JustGeoff Partners LLC to E. Patry, $35,000

Swatara St., 1610: C. Moffitt to Revive Our City LLC, $70,000

Swatara St., 2142: R. Chowdhury & A. Nasrin to Top Notch Homes LLC, $50,000

Walnut St., 1936: D. Moyer to M. Molinar, $50,000

Woodbine St., 226: Axxess Creations LLC to Trip Aces 226 LLC, $86,000

Harrisburg property sales for February 2020, greater than $30,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

Suite Move: A stylish business takes shape in Camp Hill.

March 31, 2020 | by Cathy Jordan

Selina Fitzsimmons always wanted to live on the water.

With her new venture, she now kind of does.

“I never wanted to own a business,” she said. “I didn’t want to be the boss, and I didn’t want to deal with unnecessary drama.”

Recently, we sat in her newly refurbished Vada Salon Studios. She made us coffee, and we faced a wide, beautiful view of the Conodoguinet Creek. Serene blues, grays and touches of silver color the suites.

“I used the ideas I liked from other studios to create this environment,” she said. “It’s a room I’d love to have in my own house.”

Born and raised in Mechanicsburg, Fitzsimmons has been a hairdresser for almost 15 years.

“I was in college and kept changing my major,” she said. “During the second semester of my junior year, I needed to figure out what I was going to do. I took a semester off. While waitressing, a friend who was contemplating cosmetology school suggested I do it with her.”

She’s now taken a next step in her career as owner of a salon suite in Camp Hill. What’s that? She learned about the concept one weekend in Baltimore.

“My husband is quite friendly, and we happened upon this flashy-looking guy,” she said. “My husband asked him what he did for a living. He said that he owned several salon suites.”

The suite concept allows beauty professionals to be business owners absent the big risk of starting their own, individual brick-and-mortar salons. Fully furnished, private suites operate out of a single building.

In Pennsylvania, unless you’re a licensed barber, stylists work on commission basis, where the salon takes a high portion of the income. A salon suite allows each suite-owner to keep 100 percent of their profits.

“For me, this seemed perfect,” Fitzsimmons said. “I could own my own business without being anyone’s boss. The owner brings in their own product, hires their receptionist and associates (if they choose), and makes their own schedules.”

Ideal Place
Fitzsimmons’s first move was, naturally, a Google search.

Through that, she learned that Naples, Fla., had the highest concentration of salon suites in the country. Coincidentally, her family vacations there regularly.

“With Naples being a high-end destination area, it was the perfect place to see the best-of-the-best for inspiration,” she said. “Once there, I noted the directory and went in to snoop. It turned out one of the suite owners was a friend from a Harrisburg salon. I saw that as a sign.”

Further research showed that Camp Hill would be a good place locally for such a business. So, they went scouting potential studio locations.

“My husband found this [building] by chance,” she said. “We saw views with huge windows and natural lighting. It had plenty of parking spaces and sat across the street from Highmark on everyone’s way to work. Very visible. The location was perfect.”

Getting the business up and going wasn’t easy.

“In PA, if you want to own a traditional salon, there’s a state manual,” she said. “But there isn’t a manual for the salon suite concept. At that time (five years ago), it wasn’t easy to get answers to my questions. As we drew up plans, we had to go with our best interpretation.”

Fitzsimmons took me for a tour. Although there’s no receptionist, I was greeted by a directory on the entry wall: “Welcome to Vada Salon Studios.” The directory listed the studio’s business names as well as the location guide for each cosmetologist, barber, skin and spa professional and nail technician.

I asked about the salon’s name.

“Vada is my grandmother’s name,” she said. “I wanted to do something to honor her since I never got to meet her.”

As we walked the hall, she pointed out studio owner names on the glass doorways and then the shampoo bowls in each suite.

“They all face the windows, so clients can have a view,” she said.

Downstairs, she walked me out to reveal the patio with a seating area. Back inside, I saw more suites. I commented on the wall pictures, the framed words of affirmation and the sculpture pieces.

“My mom and I picked it all out, and my cousin and his fiancé, and my husband stayed up till five in the morning hanging artwork,” she said. “My family and best friends helped with every part of this building.”

Fitzsimmons sniffled. She opened a small cabinet and pulled out a tissue.

“I can’t find a cute tissue holder so I keep them hidden,” she remarked.

She wiped away a few tears.

“I’m just so grateful to be here knowing that this is the foundation where I will spend the rest of my career,” she said.

Vada Salon Studios is located at 1847 Center St., Camp Hill. For more information, call 717-805-4177 or visit www.vadasalonstudios.com.

Easter Pairings: Our wine columnist has some ideas for your holiday meal.

March 31, 2020 | by Steve Juliana

The signs of spring burst upon us with fragrant flowers, warm breezes and birdsong. Memories of freezing temperatures and long dark nights fade way as we embrace the march of the seasons.

For many, a big family feast follows 40 days of Lent, with Easter a time to gather together and celebrate around the table with food and drink. With the quality and availability of good wine, there is no reason to simply pick up a large bottle of something sweetish and white to wash down dinner. The traditional choices are lamb, which matches well with red wines, and ham, a versatile meal with a number of good options.

Riesling is a popular quaff that stands up to the sweet and salty flavors of ham. The best come from the Rhine and Mosel valleys of Germany. Look for the words kabinett and spatlese for high-quality and wonderful fruit flavor. Alsace is another region that has excellent riesling in a rich and spicy style. One of the most popular actually hails from Washington state and comes in regular, dry or sweet versions. Consider this an opportunity to try a great wine.

Another Germanic white wine that will enhance your dinner is gewürztraminer. Richer and spicier than riesling, the best come from Alsace, with pungent nose and unmatched complexity. It is also the best match for Thai food that I ever found.

Pinot gris is the same grape as pinot grigio, but the wines are very much location dependent and made in different styles worldwide. The most common are from the Veneto region in Italy, where they are light and drinkable but not really notable. Alsace makes the best, with the quaff full-bodied and spicy. The new kid on the block is Oregon, already famous for it pinot noir.

There are many white wines in France. However, one of the best for our holiday feast is chenin blanc from the Loire Valley. Known as “vouvray,” this wine is complex, with fruit, acid and a racy streak that comes across as a natural match for your ham.

For centuries, lamb has been a traditional meal at this time of year. Matching red wine to this dish is relatively new, but we have more options than at any time in history.

Bordeaux red has been paired with mutton since the wine was known as “claret.” The mountains of Italy have produced big reds to match lamb for centuries. Sangiovese comes in many clones from hilly regions, but the best are brunello (the brown grape) from Tuscany, or morellino (the black grape) from Maremma. Both are absolutely wonderful for your springtime meal. My favorite is syrah from the Rhone valley north of Avignon, where the wine develops balance and nuance more than, say, its Australian equivalent, which is usually a huge fruit bomb. Your best wine should not only be drunk for Mardi Gras!

Keep sipping,
Steve

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