Son Run: Mechanicsburg dad runs 200-plus miles to increase pace of pediatric cancer research.

December 30, 2019 | by Karen Hendricks

It’s not every day that your teenager texts you uplifting messages like, “I’m extremely proud of you,” and “You’re a hell of a human,” and “Love you, Dad.”

There was also, “Thanks for letting me use the Jeep—I put $30 [of gas] in it.”

Those texts “were like fuel,” said Mike McCauley, which inspired his run throughout the first weekend of November. And it was the run of a lifetime by the 55-year-old Mechanicsburg dad, a run dedicated to his 17-year-old son Lachlan.

Retraced the Path

“As I evolve in my running, I want my miles to have purpose,” said McCauley, a real estate appraiser and lifelong runner who grew up in Harrisburg. “And I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be cool to raise awareness, to run through my son’s cancer journey, his full circle of treatment?’”

So, this past fall, McCauley plotted a 210-mile circular course—from the Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center to Philadelphia’s Wills Eye Institute, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and then back to Hershey.

The plan was a carefully guarded secret until he began running on Oct. 31. Then it went viral in the Facebook group “Endure 4 a Cure,” which tracked McCauley’s progress and grew to nearly 2,500 members. And that’s how he wanted to reach people—personally, one-on-one.

“I wanted to make a big statement, to have this grow organically on social media because raising awareness is about developing compassionate hearts and minds,” he said.

The awareness is the “war” against pediatric cancer, including his family’s personal battle, which started in the fall of 2006. At the dinner table, then 4-year-old Lachlan’s eye looked glassy.

McCauley then recalled the ensuing “slow motion” series of events. A local eye exam led to an MRI in Hershey, appointments and surgery at world-renowned Wills Eye, then treatment at CHOP. The diagnosis? Rhabdomyosarcoma, an aggressive and rare cancer, which caused a tumor in the orbit of Lachlan’s eye.

Thirteen years later, McCauley’s footsteps retraced the same path on the diagnosis dates. Many of his fellow ultra-runners took turns running by his side for the four-day weekend. One of them was Leo Lutz, 49, of Harrisburg. He left work on Friday, hopped on an Amtrak train and headed to Philadelphia to join McCauley for 40 to 50 miles.

“This idea—all of it made complete sense” Lutz said. “You have to understand something about ultra-runners—you don’t say no to challenges.”

Like A Manhunt

Running into Philadelphia on Kelly Drive, Lutz recalls a “crazy, magical” moment that buoyed their spirits.

A running group passed them, going the opposite way. All of a sudden, one of the runners spotted McCauley and called out, “Hey, you’re that guy from Hershey.”

That’s when McCauley knew that his social media was working. Pacers and crewmembers posted, monitored and read, encouraging Facebook messages to McCauley along the way or in between meals and naps in the RV.

Kelly Spreha, Harrisburg Area Road Runners’ vice president, was a critical crewmember—she drove the RV that was never more than 10 miles away from McCauley. It was a tall task since the running route followed busy roadways, plus off-road paths such as the Schuylkill River Trail. Oh, and it was only the second time in her life that she’d driven an RV.

Many “serendipity stars aligned” along the route, said Spreha. For example, when they needed to plug the RV in overnight, they luckily found a restaurant where the manager—also a runner—obliged.

“Trying to navigate through the narrow streets of Conshohocken was the biggest challenge,” she said. “Outside of navigation, the biggest challenge was dropping pins for the pacers to find us—it was like a manhunt.”

Spreha stocked the RV with nutritional supplements—meals such as quesadillas, plenty of coffee and even pickle juice, which relieves muscle cramps.

How did McCauley feel physically?

“You can’t print what I would tell you,” McCauley said. “I’d never had pain that basically permeated through my bones.”

But he knew that Lachlan was awaiting his return to Hershey.

“He hugged me tight,” he said. “He was beside himself. And he said, ‘I knew you were going to do it.’”

Go Together

Today, Lachlan is a 17-year-old senior at Cedar Cliff High School who plays rugby and has perfect vision. McCauley calls him a “gentle giant.” He worries about his son’s future—which might include secondary cancers—and he’s frustrated by the slow pace of cancer research.

“A softer approach isn’t who I am,” McCauley said. “We need to do more cause kids are dying, and I know that’s harsh, but pediatric cancer is the number-one killer of kids under 16. The families are frustrated by the federal government giving less than 4 percent of [NIH] funding to pediatric cancer research.”

McCauley encouraged Endure 4 a Cure fans to support two organizations—Four Diamonds and the Emily Whitehead Foundation—and they responded with nearly $8,000.

“The five-year survival rate for children with cancer has increased to more than 80 percent, but many of those children may have long-term side effects from the toxic effects of what we call three pillars of traditional treatment—surgery, chemotherapy and radiation,” said Autumn Ghigiarelli, executive director of the Emily Whitehead Foundation.

The Philipsburg foundation may hold the key to the future of pediatric cancer treatment. It’s named for a Pennsylvania girl who was the first child in the world to receive innovative CAR T-cell therapy, which activated her immune system to attack and destroy cancer cells. Her leukemia has been in remission since her 2012 treatment at CHOP.

“There’s a saying that, if you want to go fast, go alone, and if you want to go far, go together,” Ghigiarelli said. “Not only does that directly apply to Mike, how far he went, and the people who supported him, but it’s also true for pediatric cancer treatment. If we all work together, we can get there.”

For more information, see fourdiamonds.org and emilywhiteheadfoundation.org. You can find the Endure 4 a Cure Facebook group at facebook.com/groups/endure4acure. Mike McCauley’s next adventures include several upcoming ultra-marathons and the April 20 Boston Marathon.

Musical Notes: January Jumble

December 30, 2019 | by Kait Gibboney

Let’s give ourselves a hand for making changes as we head into the new year.

I’m very into resolutions, at least for this month. While enjoying January, maybe work on that new project, make that wellness commitment to yourself, cultivate your creative side, get into better habits, or spend more time with your family.
It’s my hope that you turn some of that focus and energy toward the amazing music scene here in Harrisburg and continue to support local artists and venues that support our wonderful and inclusive community. Have a great start to your new year, and here are some shows to get it started right.

RICHARD THOMPSON, 1/25, 7:30PM, WHITAKER CENTER, $49.50-69.50
Another Grammy-nominated artist is making his way through Harrisburg, feeling hot after releasing his 19th solo album last year and scoring music for the movie, “The Cold Blue.” If you don’t know already, I’m talking about singer/songwriter Richard Thompson, who will grace the stage with his profound talent at Whitaker Center later this month. Back in 1967, he made his debut on guitar and vocals in the iconic British folk group Fairport Convention. While coming from a folk-heavy background musically, he is known as a gifted, multi-genre guitarist who isn’t afraid to get deep and dark with his lyrics. His remarkable talent earned him an Ivor Novello award for songwriting and composing and a lifetime achievement award from BBC Radio in 2006, and, in 2011, he was appointed an officer of the Order of the British Empire for his services to music. Throughout his career, he has won the hearts of many, but most of all, Britain’s. Maybe he’ll win your heart, too.

CHUCK PROPHET, 1/30, 7PM, NOTE BISTRO, $30
Every once in awhile, the comfy atmosphere of Note Bistro is transformed from restaurant to concert space with an intimate musical evening. This time, the celebrated Chuck Prophet brings his roots rock to 2nd Street. He’s known from his days with psych-rock group Green on Red in the ‘80s and continues a strong solo career today as an alt-country singer/songwriter. Recently, his music has been featured on shows like “True Blood,” “Californication,” “Billions” and “Sons of Anarchy,” and he’s worked with artists such as Warren Zevon, Kelly Willis, Lucinda Williams, Jim Dickinson and Alejandro Escovedo. His roots-rock style challenges genres, and his unique live performances showcase his talent. Check out his album, “No Other Love,” for an appetizer before the show. Then make your way to Midtown for this one and be sure to bring your appetite for some tasty dishes and tunes.

LETTUCE, 1/31, 9PM, XL LIVE, $31
Early last year, Lettuce played their hearts out at Whitaker Center, and, now, they’re back again. This time, they’re at XL Live, bringing their energetic fusion of sound inspired by a more jazzy, psychedelic side. This show is part of a tour for their newest album, “Elevate,” which is definitely worth a listen. Fun story: When they were starting out in the early ‘90s as undergrads at Berklee College in Boston, band members would ask jazz venues if they would “let us play,” which is where their name came from. Apart from Lettuce, current and past members have been involved with or toured with other acts such as Soulive, Rustic Overtones, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, Dave Matthews and the Soul Rebels Brass Band. These genre-bending wonders close out the month and set a great tone for the rest of the year.

Mentionables
The Give Take, Jan. 4, River City Blues Club;
Mountain Road, Jan. 11, River City Blues Club;
Shoot for the Stars, Jan. 11-12, The Forum;
Third Coast Percussion, Jan. 15, Whitaker Center;
Ghost Light, Jan. 17, XL Live;
Winter Slaughterland, Jan. 18, JB Lovedraft’s;
Moon Hooch, Jan. 25, H*MAC Capitol Room;
Shawan and the Wonton, Jan. 30, Boneshire Brew Works

All Aboard the Red Boat: Harrisburg’s newest restaurant features Asian fusion, family crew.

December 30, 2019 | by Karen Hendricks

The roof leaked all the way to the basement when Nam Doan purchased the property on Reily Street in Harrisburg.

“It was a wreck,” Doan, 38, said.

But he knew what he was getting into. He’d been investing in Harrisburg real estate for the past eight years—especially rental properties—and renovating them.

For awhile, he’d been searching for a restaurant location that would showcase his wife’s culinary skills.

“I saw this building as an opportunity within a coming-up neighborhood, near HACC [Midtown], new apartment buildings and the new [federal] courthouse,” he said.

It also felt like perfect timing for his growing family—his 4-year-old daughter soon will start school.

The property housed a soul food restaurant about five years ago, but the kitchen’s range was the only thing that Doan found salvageable. Everything else had to be completely renovated and rebuilt.

After six months of intense work, he transformed the century-old property into Midtown’s newest restaurant, the Red Boat. It’s the seventh restaurant in a Vietnamese/Asian fusion franchise launched by a friend of Doan’s primarily in the Baltimore/D.C. area. Doan himself is Vietnamese—and his real name is actually Nam.

He describes the menu as “fast and casual” with updated Vietnamese classics such as pho and banh mi (traditional Vietnamese soup and sandwich, respectively).

The restaurant’s signature dish, “The Boat,” allows diners to choose a base (rice, salad or noodles), and add a protein (beef, pork, chicken, fried tofu, shrimp or Korean bulgogi beef), topped with a sauce (fish, sesame soy, Teriyaki or house sauce).

“We’re tweaking the main concept of the menu a little bit for Harrisburg, adding a few unique twists like hot dogs with an Asian twist,” Doan said.

The “Saigon Dog,” for example, is a beef frank dressed with pickled daikon and carrot, marinated beef (or another option such as fried egg), cilantro and stir-fried onion. Kimchi and bulgogi beef are added to the “K-Town Dog” and topped with toasted seaweed.

The fusion of the classic all-American hot dog with Asian flavors is symbolic of the restaurant’s name. “The Red Boat” pays homage to the phrase “boat people,” describing the exodus of Vietnamese refugees in the 1970s.

“Next time, I want to try the tacos—I’ve never had that before,” said Jeremie Vu, 39, a Harrisburg resident who lives a few blocks away.

Soft tacos are another unique Asian fusion option.

Vu, who is half-Vietnamese, said that he gravitates towards restaurants that celebrate his culture. He tried the pho and “Café du Monde” (Vietnamese iced coffee). So how does the Red Boat compare to others?

“It’s very good, right up there with all the best,” said Vu. “It has the traditional standbys but with some fun new elements, too.”

The Red Boat sits next door to the longtime Garden Vietnamese Restaurant, but Doan doesn’t see them as “competition,” since their menus approach Vietnamese cuisine differently.

Doan’s wife, Dung Le, was a cook in Vietnam. A trained pastry chef, she previously worked at the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Mississippi, where Doan was born and raised.

It was a job with Direct TV that brought Doan to the Harrisburg area eight years ago, and he decided it was a good place to put down roots.

“I love Harrisburg,” he said. “It’s beautiful with the river, and it feels like a big small city.”

Nice and Light
Now, it’s all hands on deck—Doan’s restaurant is bringing additional family members to the area.

“We’re very close,” said cousin Khoa Nguyen.

He greeted diners and took their orders behind the counter. The 27-year-old moved here from Mississippi in November to work at the restaurant.

During opening weekend, he said the three most popular dishes were pho, “The Boat” (“because it’s a healthy bowl”) and “the dogs.”

“Harrisburg feels like a small town where everybody knows each other,” Nguyen said. “Word is getting around fast [about the Red Boat],” said Nguyen.

The seasonings were just right to Dan Furci of Hummelstown. He enjoyed an opening weekend meal with his wife and found his “boat” with lemongrass chicken “perfectly seasoned.” He sampled his wife’s chicken pho as well.

“It was nice and light, with more of a Thai basil flavor,” he said.

The couple said they’d be back—they already have their next dishes picked out.

Seasonings and flavor are extremely important to Doan.

“I want people to know we don’t use MSG,” he said. “Some restaurants use it. It’s a cheaper way to add flavor without having to use more ingredients to make food flavorful.”

Capitol neighborhood resident Rick May stopped in during opening weekend, as well.

“The bubble tea was a unique experience—delicious,” he said.

As for his chicken pho, May declared it “the best pho in town.”

He and his wife have lived in Harrisburg for more than a dozen years.

“We like to support local businesses, and we’ve seen a lot of positive changes during the time we’ve lived here,” May said.

A rising tide does indeed lift all boats.

“I’m very excited about becoming a small business owner,” Doan said. “It’s very exciting. It’s lots of work, but we are getting lots of great feedback. So, we’re very happy with the outcome.”

The Red Boat is located at 306 Reily St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit their Facebook page or www.theredboatfusion.com.

Happy Newsy Year: Join me in the time machine way back to–2019.

December 30, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

With the flip of the calendar, most people turn their focus to the year ahead, making resolutions and plans for the next 12 months.

Not this guy.

Each January, I use this space to review what made headlines in the year just ended. So, without further delay, here’s my look into the rearview mirror, a wildly subjective ranking of the top 10 local news stories of 2019.

10. So Many Murals
Historically, I’ve kicked off my annual top-10 list with a good news story—so why stop now? Last year, Sprocket Mural Works mounted its second Harrisburg Mural Festival, bringing world-class muralists into Harrisburg during the first 10 days of September. The result: big art, beautiful art, permanent art. Not long ago, a stroll up 3rd Street was a dull trek indeed, but now there’s so much to see, admire and Instagram. Who’s up for a selfie?

9. Going Up
Harrisburg has seen precious little new construction in many years, ever since the Reed administration’s creatively financed downtown projects. That’s now changing as a new federal courthouse rises on Reily and N. 6th and, a mile or so down the road, the 17-story Harrisburg University tower gets going. Last year, Harristown announced that it would like to join the party with a new office building on Market Street. However, it appears that this addition to the city skyline remains on the drawing board as the company awaits an anchor tenant.

8. Closing Time
In 2018, the Susquehanna United Methodist Conference announced it would close most of its churches in the Harrisburg area and consolidate congregations. Then, last year, it actually happened, with six churches hitting the market at the same time. You can add that inventory to several other churches, a couple of firehouses and a few school buildings, creating a mass of institutional properties for sale all at once. Brewery? Art space? Community center? What says you, Harrisburg?

7. In the Zone
Here’s how much of a city nerd I am—I love me some zoning (and some planning!). Variances, special exceptions, I can’t get enough. Seriously, land use interests me greatly, sometimes because there’s a fascinating underlying issue, but mostly because it typically means building, renovation and development. Planning and zoning issues really hit the news late in the year after a company called Seven Bridges Development asked the city to rezone a prime swath of Midtown Harrisburg, with an eye towards constructing mixed-used buildings. Soon after, the city itself introduced an ordinance to allow greater density in most residential zones. Both ordinances were later withdrawn, but they’re not dead yet. Watch for these planning and zoning issues to hit the burner again in 2020.

6. Off-Off Year
The 2019 primary election came in hot, with interest way up for the usually sleepy off-off-year contest. The campaign was marked by numerous debates with sizeable crowds, especially for the five contested school board seats. Residents responded, voting for accountability by tossing out all the school board incumbents. However, by the time November’s general election rolled around, the cause had lost its mojo, as, in the interim, state receivership had stripped the board of most of its power. It now will be interesting to see, for 2020, if Receiver Janet Samuels involves the new, reform-minded board members or continues to rule by decree.

5. 3rd and Done
What’s up with 3rd Street? Over the last few years, residents and readers have asked me that question again and again. Their concern is understandable, as the 3rd Street corridor project has taken much longer than expected. But, finally, it’s finished—milled, paved and striped. Some of you may have even grown to like the bump-outs (or maybe not). In any case, I consider 3rd Street just a warm-up for a question I expect to be asked during 2020 (and 2021 and maybe 2022): what’s up with 2nd Street?

4. Road Gluttony
In editorials, I’ve often criticized PennDOT for sitting on its collective hands while cars crash and pedestrians get picked off on its roads in Harrisburg. But, this year, the state transportation agency showed that it can be equally obtuse when it decides to take action. In a scheme that only Robert Moses could love, PennDOT proposed doubling the footprint of I-83, which would further devastate south Harrisburg, already cut to ribbons by roads and ramps. The city fought back with a consultant’s report that recommended modifying the plan to ease the negative impact. Some Harrisburg officials claimed that PennDOT was listening, but, as past is often prologue, I remain skeptical until shown otherwise.

3. Fiscal Fortune
Over the years, Harrisburg finances have been the most consistent topic on this annual list. I believe it’s made my top-10 each year since 2011, when I started the ritual. However, whereas the city’s fiscal situation was once a bad (OK, horrible) news story, it’s now verifiably good news. In 2019, the city again ran a substantial budget surplus and, in June, finalized a five-year financial plan with the state-appointed Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority. Looking ahead to 2020, Harrisburg plans to use its surplus to boost pay for police officers and to pay down debt. It also expects to exit Act 47 this year, finally shedding the moniker of “distressed city.”

2. Water Everywhere
News-wise, I once regarded Capital Region Water as something of a backwater (pun intended)—until, suddenly, it wasn’t. In the spring, I heard rumors that the water/sewer authority planned to implement a new stormwater fee to help fund its 20-year plan to drastically reduce pollutants into area waterways. Then CRW briefed me on the proposal. Then the mayor, in response, told me he might sell the whole darn water system. Then all hell broke loose. For the next two months, upset residents urged the city not to privatize the water system. In a surprise ending, the parties suddenly de-escalated and agreed that a stormwater fee would be imposed but not until July—and that privatization was off the table. So, heading into 2020, there seems to be peace in the (Susquehanna) valley.

1. School Daze
In recent years, I’ve struggled with what subject should rank as my No. 1 news story of the year. Not this time. Without question, the biggest local story of 2019 was the unceasing tumult in the Harrisburg school district. The year began with the appointment of a controversial district solicitor, proceeded with city voters giving the sitting school board the heave-ho and culminated with the June takeover of the district by the state. Since then, the news tempo has moderated, as the state-appointed receiver has ruled essentially by decree. However, a November financial update, which revealed a substantial budget deficit, again underscored the prior administration’s profound dysfunction.

As I said above, this list is my own subjective ranking of the local news for 2019. How subjective? Apparently, very much so, as none of these stories were among our most read online, as judged by readers voting with their clicks.

What were the most popular? Here are TheBurg’s top-five, most-read online (not necessarily magazine) stories of 2019:

5. A January online feature that Elementary Coffee would build out a new, brick-and-mortar location on North Street.
4. A May story on the sale of H*MAC.
3. A November story about major redevelopment plans for the old Bishop McDevitt building.
2. A September feature about the closing of a homeless camp on Cameron Street.
1. A May story on the sudden death of Naed Smith, the long-time manager of the Catholic Worker House on Allison Hill.

So, here we have a business story, a couple of development articles, a community feature and, basically, an obit—not a single wonky city government story among them. Oh, heck, what does your editor know anyway?

Lawrance Binda is co-publisher/editor-in-chief of TheBurg.

On the March: With a new facility, the Salvation Army expands in size and services.

December 30, 2019 | by Maddie Conley

This past Thanksgiving, the Salvation Army had 60 turkeys delivered, adding to their already large collection of birds to be distributed for the holidays.

Around 600 boxes were packed with the November feast’s staple items—stuffing, corn and mashed potatoes—enough for 300 local families in need.

Their spacious warehouse area and large gym made filling boxes and storing supplies easy. However, the prior year, they wouldn’t have been able to accept those extra 60 turkeys.

“This is a place you’re not going to find anywhere else in Pennsylvania,” said Kathy Anderson-Martin, director of resource development, showing a visitor around the new home of the Salvation Army Harrisburg Capital City Region.

Their old facility in Midtown was just that—old—or, for a better choice of words, well loved. For more than 60 years, the Green Street building was known in the community as the place to go for a hot meal, grocery shopping or job assistance, but the organization was outgrowing it. It was time to move on.

In September, the Salvation Army moved to its newly built center on the 500-block of S. 29th Street—a building that could’ve swallowed up the last one. From the closing of the first space to the opening of the second, there was only a weeklong gap.

“They really haven’t skipped a beat in services,” added Anne Deeter Gallaher, advisory board vice-chair.

The Salvation Army Capital City Region serves more than 25,000 breakfasts each year, assists with over 115,000 food pantry meals and, through its self-sufficiency program, helps around 1,000 households.

The new building houses an updated kitchen for the breakfast program, a food pantry, a family services wing with private offices for case management, a chapel and classrooms for youth programs.

The food pantry is one of the most exciting features for Anderson-Martin, who sees it as a more dignifying experience than it previously was for shoppers.

“People can shop for what they can use and need,” she said. “We want them to have better food. We don’t give out anything we wouldn’t eat ourselves.”

Most of the food comes from the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank or is rescued from stores like Costco. Anderson-Martin explained the Salvation Army’s commitment to having 75 percent of their food be fresh.

With their large, glass-door refrigerators and rows of shelves, shoppers can peruse the aisles for items that fit their needs and their tastes. Occasionally, the organization holds cooking demonstrations, as well.

“People are empowered to come in and choose,” Deeter Gallaher said.

Besides regular services, they’ve added an arts and science classroom for STEM activities and a nutrition education kitchen with eight teaching stations. In the kitchen, families, as well as children and adult groups, can learn how to cook healthy meals by a registered dietician.

Jenny Gallagher Blom, director of programs and operations, remembers the first few days of the new programs opening.

“There was this buzz in the air,” she said. “It was so nice to finally see all of this happening here. This is all worth it.”

Salvation Army now has the capacity to host youth programs in its own building, which includes a playground, instead of alternative places such as schools. There are music, performing arts, church programs and Thrive 506, an after-school program for kindergarten through sixth-grade students. They’ve also partnered with 3 Star, a basketball mentorship program, to host practices and games in their new gym.

Capital Area Head Start also has classrooms for their students there.

The project totaled $12 million, funded through many local donors, corporations and foundations, as well as public grants through Community First Fund, Impact Harrisburg, Dauphin County and the PA Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP).

With a space this big, numerous staff and volunteers are required to keep it running smoothly. Denise Shade is one volunteer who has been involved for four years.

The huge building, she admitted, took some getting used to, but she’s in awe of how much nicer it is. For her, the Salvation Army has always felt like home.

“I was always very fortunate growing up,” she said. “I come here and see people who are totally different than me, and I see how the Army helps them.”

That’s exactly why Anderson-Martin worked so hard on the building project for a decade—because the Salvation Army impacts so many people.

She pointed to a small mound of change on her desk and recalled the story of a man who came in to receive help around the holidays. He was stopping by on his way to the bank. After the Salvation Army provided him services, he dropped a pile of change on the desk in front of him. He said this was the money he was going to deposit, but he wanted to donate it instead.

Anderson-Martin keeps those coins on her desk to remember that story and why her work matters.

The Salvation Army Harrisburg Capital City Region is located at 506 S. 29th St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.pa.salvationarmy.org/harrisburg-pa/

A Study in Brilliance: Exhibit offers context, understanding to Violet Oakley’s stunning Capitol murals.

December 30, 2019 | by Erika Firestone

“The Constitutional Convention 1787”

If you’ve ever toured the PA Capitol, you probably agree that Violet Oakley’s spectacular murals are a highlight.

You now can learn even more about the painter and her famous works with a new exhibit at the State Museum of Pennsylvania, one that places her murals into personal and historical context.

“One of the most fascinating things about the studies is watching her think through the narrative of these murals and seeing how she changes her mind along the way,” said Fine Arts Curator Amy Hammond.

As the first American woman to receive a government mural commission, Oakley spent much of the early 20th century painting 43 murals throughout the Capitol. The new exhibit focuses on the nine murals in the Capitol’s Senate Chambers, blending in Oakley’s significant historical legacy and profound artistic ability.

Dr. Curtis Miner, exhibit co-curator, said that Oakley embodied the “New Woman” ideal of the early 20th century, in that she was skillfully entering professional spaces that had historically been reserved for men.

“When she was asked to take on the project after the former artist had passed, she said, ‘Yes, but I will be getting the same pay, correct?’” said Miner. “She did not see gender as a barrier and asserted her opinions freely.”

In 1982, the museum acquired 400 pieces when the Violet Oakley Memorial Foundation dissolved. The Senate Chamber mural studies were chosen not only for their scope and scale, but for their timing. Oakley created these murals during both World War I and the apex of the women’s suffrage movement.

In general, civic murals tend to represent milestones and broad themes, such as battles won and the forward march of progress, Miner said.

“She followed this well-established tradition but with her own twist,” he said. “She used these murals to tell her version of Pennsylvania and U.S. history.”

Miner and Hammond pointed out many examples of this throughout the exhibit. Oakley, for instance, began her murals with Quaker ideals of tolerance in panels depicting the freeing of slaves and the early interactions with Native Americans. She also made women and African Americans visual focal points in scenes such as the Constitutional Convention and the Gettysburg Address.

“With these studies, we have been able to bring fragments of her work together in a meaningful way,” Miner said.

The exhibit’s title, “Picturing a More Perfect Union,” comes together in the final portion, which focuses on the largest of these murals, “Unity.”

In this mural, the armies of the earth, depicted in modern, World War I attire, and the people of the earth lead up to the figure of Unity, whose outstretched arms seek to bring them all together. This portion of the exhibit is accompanied by a video with recordings of Oakley’s own voice and drawings of the Unity figure in various positions.

Both Hammond and Miner said this was Oakley’s radical message from Pennsylvania to the world—a kind of Utopian vision of peace and international human dignity.

Hammond compared the wide platform that Oakley had at such a young age to modern social media influencers, in that she used this platform to share her ideals of peace and tolerance, which still can be applied to current events today.

“She wanted her work to stand the test of time,” Miner said. “And it does.”

“Picturing a More Perfect Union: Violet Oakley’s Mural Studies for the Pennsylvania Senate Chamber, 1911–1919” runs through April 26 at the State Museum of Pennsylvania, 300 North St., Harrisburg. For more information about the exhibit, visit www.statemuseumpa.org.

In conjunction with the exhibit, Jason Wilson, historian for the Pennsylvania Capitol Preservation Committee, will conduct tours on the history and preservation of Violet Oakley’s Senate Chamber murals. These tours will take place in the state Capitol on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2 to 3 p.m., and Friday, Feb. 21, 12:15 to 12:45 p.m.

Head and the Heart: At Tomboys, caring comes with the cut.

December 30, 2019 | by Maddie Conley

Dani Waters. Photo by Dani Fresh.

Dani Waters tries to avoid being asked what she does for a living.

Far too many times, she’s answered that question, only to receive quizzical looks.

“I’m a barber,” she says.

“Don’t you mean a hair dresser?” replies the questioner.

Meanwhile, Waters holds back a sharp comment and an eye roll.

There are over a dozen barbershops in Harrisburg, but women barbers are harder to find. Barbers like Waters have to prove themselves over and over to show that they don’t only trim layers and touch up roots, but can work magic with a razor.

Sometimes, it takes tricks like going by Dani instead of Daniél, to get customers in the door, but even that isn’t foolproof. Men have walked into her shop thinking they were getting a male barber and were hesitant to stay when they saw a woman. One guy even walked out.

“I’ve had to prove myself,” Waters said.

Working her way up over the years hasn’t been quick or easy, but she now owns her own business, Tomboys Barbershop, in downtown Harrisburg.

Beauty School Dropout

Waters has been doing hair since she was a kid. Whether it was family members or her Barbie dolls, she made each look good.

Once she grew up, she tried her hand at beauty school, but left after making it only a third of the way.

“I didn’t feel like I fit into salon culture,” she said.

Waters went back to college while caring for three children as a single mom, but couldn’t stop doing people’s hair. It was her thing. Still feeling drawn to the profession, she decided she would go to barber school this time. Spoiler alert—she loved it.

She worked for a few years at Lords and Ladies Hair Salon and later, at a friend’s shop, before opening her first shop, Capital Shave Club, in Lemoyne. She was able to open a snug, 320-square-foot studio with $2,000 that she had raised through client donations.

That space served her well for two years, but, with her client base growing, she dreamed of a bigger place.

For years, Waters eyed a spot in downtown Harrisburg. It was four times the size of her Lemoyne shop and was situated in the heart of the city. She saved up money, wondering when the time would come that she could finally get her coveted spot on N. 3rd Street, a storefront that’s part of Strawberry Square.

In the beginning of December, she finally opened Tomboys Barbershop. There are four chairs in the shop, which resembles what she described as a “really nice, high-end, finished garage.”

“We offer salon services, but in a barbershop environment,” Waters said. “You can still get the pampering.”

Tomboys Barbershop does both men’s and women’s washes and cuts and offers manicures and pedicures for both, as well. These do not include nail polish so that men aren’t intimidated, and it eliminates the “nail shop smells.”

“It’s a place where you can hang out,” she said. “You can stop in on your lunch break and see who’s in the chair getting their hair cut. It’s really nice when you walk by and see your friends.”

An Artist

For Waters, her work isn’t just about making people look good, but about making them feel welcome and comfortable.

“I prepare people for job interviews,” she said. “I see them before their funerals, their graduations, their weddings and every major life event. I’m there for them, and I help them prepare mentally and physically.”

The relationships she has built mean more to her than the haircuts she’s given. Not only does she help her clients and talk them through rough life situations, but they are there for her, too.

She told the story of a client who would bring her meals to each appointment, knowing she was in the midst of a busy time in life.

“Dani is an artist in every respect of the word,” said David Roth, who has been a client for over four years. “Her listening skills are unparalleled. That’s what makes her largely successful.”

Roth recalled many times that they have opened up to each other about things in their personal lives, with the knowledge that whatever is shared stays in the chair. Over the years, he said, she has become a friend.

Johnny Baer is another client who Waters has seen for years. He remembers looking for a new barber and being nervous if she would cut his hair just as he likes it.

“She did a great job, and she’s been my barber ever since,” he said.

Although Baer said he and Waters have very different personalities, they can talk about anything and everything.

“She has a unique personality that is infectious,” he said.

Waters loves working with a wide range of customers and welcomes a challenge, like styling hair that is difficult to tame or helping non-English speaking and special needs clients. It all comes back to the people.

“Barbers are at the hub of their community, right at the core, right at the center you have your barbershop,” she said. “This business legitimately is my dream.”

Tomboys Barbershop is located at 3 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.capital-shave-club.business.site.

Day Off, Day On: This year, MLK Day of Service focuses on environmental justice.

December 30, 2019 | by Maddie Conley

Looking at our calendars can be overwhelming. Work schedules and appointments fill up the little boxes as quickly as they are checked off.

But every so often, we come across a holiday, a day off from work or school. This month it’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but, for thousands of people statewide, it’s no day off.

For more than 10 years, the Central Pennsylvania MLK Day of Service Committee has been providing families and groups with a way to invest in their communities for a “day on instead of a day off,” said Mike Walsh, co-founder of the committee.

This year, the theme is environmental justice, the year coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Service activities and informational booths will feature ways to care for the environment, while encouraging thought about the inequality in environmental protection that vulnerable populations face.

“How we treat our place affects how we treat each other,” said Chad Frey, a committee member.

Frey explained how, often, waste management sites or other pollution-producing plants are placed in communities of color—neighborhoods that don’t always have the option to voice opposition.

The education will hopefully cause people to think, “How can I lend my voice when people in the community are making decisions that may adversely impact my neighborhood?” Walsh said.

The main hub of activity will take place at Commonwealth Charter Academy in Harrisburg. Here, 300 to 500 volunteers will help pack food for Meals on Wheels, write letters to military personnel and pediatric patients at Penn State Medical Center and donate blood to the Central PA Blood Bank, said board member Eileen Jacobs.

In keeping with the theme, partners like the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the state Department of Environmental Protection will provide activities such as building bluebird boxes and offering information on composting and planting in an urban setting.

“Even if you don’t have a backyard with soil, you can still grow in pots,” Walsh said.

There will also be a table for visitors to interact with and learn about cultures from around the world, as well as a number of minority-owned businesses to check out, Jacobs said.

“It’s been incredible to see people come together from all parts of the community,” Walsh said.

Service projects outside of CCA may involve volunteering with nonprofit community groups, such as Friends of Midtown, visiting a local nursing home or helping at the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank.

While the holiday may only come around once each year, Walsh sees this as inciting yearlong engagement.

“People have learned about organizations they didn’t know existed,” he said. “King Day is a start. It’s a significant way to engage people, and Dr. King’s message resonates with everyone.”

For Frey, the day is helping to further King’s dream of “the beloved community” right here in Harrisburg. It’s a small piece of a large task, but it is helping diversity flourish in a tangible way.

“We need to try to keep hammering away in our own little pockets,” he said. “I’m hopeful for this year.”

The Central Pennsylvania MLK Day of Service is on Jan. 20. Activities at Commonwealth Charter Academy, 1 Innovation Way, Harrisburg, run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information about all projects, visit www.centralpamlkday.org.

Businesses on the 1000-block of N. 3rd St. are holding a community drive for those in need on Jan. 20, Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Pastorante, Urban Churn, Keystone Diner, Gifted Hands barber shop, etc., donated and are giving out food, blankets, hot chocolate, socks. Urban Churn at 1004 N. 3rd St. will be serving out soup, hot chocolate, misc food items. Gifted Hands Barber Studio at 1008 N. 3rd St. will be giving out the blankets, socks and $10 haircuts.

Up and Art: Michael Hertrich moves his gallery to the “middle of everywhere.”

December 30, 2019 | by Erika Firestone

Sometimes, you discover art in the most unlikely of places

For instance, above a shoe store.

That’s where you’ll find Hertrich Fine Art, on the second floor of a rather modest commercial building in Midtown Harrisburg. In August, Michael Hertrich and husband Paul Cannon moved their gallery from Pittsburgh to the heart of Midtown, just a few doors down from the Susquehanna Art Museum.

On the day I visited, classical music played in the background as Hertrich set up the main gallery for a meeting of the local group, the Almost Uptown Poetry Cartel. The walls are covered in pieces representing a variety of mediums and featuring varied artists, such as Harrisburg local Kevyn Knox, whose self-taught quirky and colorful abstract faces Hertrich speaks highly of.

On a quick tour of the rest of the space, Hertrich pointed out his framing workshop, interior design studio and the Adam and Eve-inspired pieces he is currently working on by painting over canvas collages. The diversity of his talent and interests seems effortlessly cohesive as we toured each room.

Hertrich described himself as a right brain/left brain person.

He began his academic career at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania with the intention of becoming a math teacher, eventually realizing he was compelled to pursue a career rooted in the arts. He initially moved into architecture and served as the student museum board member, assisting with the opening of the IUP museum.

It was during this time that Hertrich began to learn conservation, matting and framing, all skills he has continued to use over the last 30 years. He eventually moved into fine arts, graduating with a BFA, and managed several art galleries before opening his own on the south side of Pittsburgh in 1989.

So, what inspires him?

“I don’t have a favorite artist,” he said. “I like whatever catches my eye.”

He went on to to describe his particular fondness for the “color field” style of painting, a movement led by Mark Rothko, whose work reminds Hertrich of his own. He and his husband are also deeply passionate about photography, traveling as far as Paris to view exhibitions.

The name Pablo Picasso then came up.

“If an artist wants to study how to become well known in their field, they should pick up a book about Picasso,” he said. “His energy, drive and work ethic are unbelievable. Look at people who are household names to us, not even just in art. Warhol never stopped, Madonna never stopped, even Martha Stewart, she never stopped.”

Hertrich never stops either, but has shifted his focus since moving to Harrisburg.

While the decision to move was contingent on Cannon’s career, Hertrich welcomed the change as they quickly adopted Midtown as their home. The move went smoothly despite the task of transporting more than 20,000 pieces of their personal collection. His Pittsburgh gallery pieces were initially placed in storage as he had considered retiring to paint, but that didn’t last long once he started looking at properties and came across the second-floor space on 3rd Street.

Hertrich Fine Art is a smaller operation than the Pittsburgh gallery, an intentional decision to scale back. Inhabiting the upper floor allows him to be more selective about hours of operation. At this point in his career, he is invested in mentoring and giving back to the art community. Describing himself as an old-school gallery owner, he takes pride in developing a few artists, rather than flipping the art work on the walls every few months.

Promoting the arts has remained the most important component to Hertrich’s work. He is passionate about the opportunity to do so in a city that he believes has a wealth of art for its size, touching not just on the visual arts but poetry, theater and music. Another bonus is the city’s proximity to major East Coast art destinations such as New York.

“I don’t think Harrisburgers even realize the gem they have,” he said. “People here have a tendency to say they’re in the middle of nowhere. And I say, no, you’re in the middle of everywhere.”

Hertrich Fine Art is located at 1421 N. 3rd St, second floor, Harrisburg. More information, visit www.mhartframe.com.

Shape Space: New takes and trusted methods at Sculpt Pilates.

December 30, 2019 | by Phyllis Zimmerman

Jessi Feltenberger at Sculpt Pilates and Barre

Beth Seitz discovered Pilates 17 years ago.

She had just given birth to her son, which was wonderful, but, during her pregnancy, had gained some 70 pounds, which wasn’t.

“It really helped to get me back into shape,” she said.

Seitz is now helping others get fit through Sculpt Pilates and Barre, an exercise studio that debuted a few months ago on Front Street in Uptown Harrisburg.

“We take time to focus on each of our clients individually,” she said. “We can accommodate people of all sizes and all ages.”

For those not familiar with Pilates, the exercise method was invented a century ago by Joseph Pilates, who turned to exercise and athletics as a way to triumph over childhood illness. He went on to develop his own exercise system based on the Greek concept of a person balanced in mind, body and spirit.

Seitz believes that Pilates offers “a different sort of mind/body connection” than does yoga.

“Yoga is more intimidating than Pilates,” she said. “Pilates is more user-friendly.”

Seitz began teaching Pilates six years ago “because I was a stay-at-home mom and needed something to do,” she said.

After teaching at another studio for five years, she decided to open her own studio based on “how I thought Pilates should be.”

Sculpt Pilates features an onsite fuse ladder, a device that combines spring weight exercises with climbing, hanging, agility and balancing techniques. Clients also can opt to strengthen and tone their muscles with the facility’s professional-grade barres.

“There’s a lot more to Pilates than people think,” Seitz said. “It works all the small supporting muscles. The barre is for cardio and strength.”

Additionally, Seitz’s venue offers several “Studio Reformer” units—essential apparatus for Pilates—with adjustable footbars that accommodate clients of all heights, including children, as well as people with injuries or limited mobility.

“It’s really rewarding to see our clients progress and feel better,” she said. “They begin to stand taller and look and feel more relaxed. People lose weight when they do Pilates, but it’s really more about the mind/body connection that it gives you.”

Today, Seitz no longer teaches, focusing on the business’ administrative duties. Her staff includes instructors Cari Glunz, Jessi Feltenberger and Nicole Cassel. Sculpt offers a variety of classes in groups or on an individual basis.

Dan Ford has been a Sculpt client since the studio opened in August. He travels from his Lower Paxton Township home six days a week to work with Feltenberger and Glunz.

“Every day is a different routine,” he said. “It feels different every day because you’re using different muscles than you did the day before. Pilates gives me a really good workout, and my joints don’t hurt as much.”

Ford also is quick to praise how Seitz manages her studio.

“It’s a great facility,” he said. “Beth is a great owner. She’s very accessible and always calls me right back.”

Sculpt Pilates and Barre is located at 2609 N. Front St., Harrisburg. For more information, call 717-645-0778 or visit www.sculptpilatesandbarre.com.

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