Beat Box: As an Allison Hill substation sets to open, the city and community anticipate greater police presence, engagement in the neighborhood.

November 29, 2019 | by Maddie Conley

Many of Gloria Merrick’s clients at the Latino Hispanic American Community Center (LHACC) are walkers.

They come to and from the center, and most other places in Allison Hill, on their feet. For some, they are unable to get a license; others don’t have access to a car.

This may not be too big of an issue if they just need to swing by the corner store or walk to church. But, if a visit to the Harrisburg Police Bureau is needed, an Allison Hill resident is looking at an over 20-minute walk.

At least, that’s how it has been.

Flag Down

For many years, Allison Hill had a police substation on this spot on S. 15th Street. It eventually fell into disuse and was shuttered.

A few years ago, the bureau decided to reopen the station, but the building was beyond repair. So, a new plan was hatched to demolish the old precinct and replace it with a prefabricated structure.

In December last year, funded mainly through a federal Community Development Block Grant, pre-built units arrived on trailers to be assembled. The city was looking at a $1 million project that officials hoped would be finished within a few months.

However, with numerous complications, the substation construction wasn’t completed until September. It should be open to the public by the end of the year, said Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse.

“A lot of people in this community already know this as the police substation,” said Cpl. Josh Hammer, the bureau’s community policing officer. “We are re-putting our flag down.”

This time around, Hammer and his counterpart, Blake Lynch, the bureau’s community policing coordinator, will spend most of their time in the Allison Hill station as opposed to the downtown station.

“This will help the community policing team develop relationships,” Papenfuse said.

Within the building is an entrance area with a reception desk and meeting room for civilians and officers to talk in private. In the back section sits a roll-call room, locker room, kitchen and office for both Hammer and Lynch.

With 24/7 staff, community members will be able to speak with officers and report crimes at their convenience. However, Hammer reminds residents to still call 9-1-1 for emergencies.

“We really want it to be open to everybody to come through,” he said.

Papenfuse stated that, based on how this model in Allison Hill works, the city may consider a similar substation for Uptown Harrisburg. They are currently looking at relocating the downtown station to Uptown, but, if that doesn’t happen, a substation would be an option.

Hand-in-Hand

With the substation as a symbol, the bureau has a commitment to being available and having a strong presence in the Allison Hill community, said Lynch.

“I think we will see a lot more foot traffic and the opportunity to connect with residents in this community—which often does feel forgotten,” he said.

This is precisely why Merrick is excited to see the substation back in action. With LHACC located, as she would say, in the heart of Allison Hill, she hopes that more people see the potential in the community.

“We will be able to expand our relationship [with the police] further because of the close proximity,” Merrick said. “It could also take away that stigma that the police only come out when something is wrong.”

Not only will Hammer, Lynch and other officers be going door-to-door to talk with neighbors, but residents also will be invited to a picnic area that will be constructed in an adjacent lot by next summer.

“Imagine having your birthday party at a police station,” Lynch said smiling.

He explained that their plans include hosting cookouts and movie nights for the community in an effort to foster relationships.

The Allison Hill police substation will also help decrease response times by officers. There is a room for officers to file reports, saving them from making the trip downtown, which can be time-consuming and aggravating. This way, they have more time to spend in the community, responding to needs.

“Some of the best conversations I had with citizens when I was a young patrol officer were right here at the Hill CP,” Hammer said. “I specifically remember a few conversations that were really positive, and I think the only reason those conversations developed was because of the Hill CP. I’m hoping some of our younger guys and our older guys will have the same experience.”

Through conversations such as these, Merrick hopes that not only residents will benefit, but so will officers.

“We can have a cultural influence on them,” she said. “We can make it more diverse in its delivery and service.”

The Allison Hill substation is placed in a neighborhood familiar with crime, and Lynch has talked with many residents who are tired of seeing shootings and drug deals on their street. A sense of relief came with the news that the substation would be back in operation and officers would be on regular walking patrols.

Lynch sees the substation’s presence functioning as a crime deterrent, but also as a sense of security for everyone else—two sides of the same coin. But, as he stated earlier, this is a community that is often viewed negatively or neglected, so gaining people’s trust may take time.

“The trust is going to have to be earned, more so than just putting up four walls,” Hammer said. “This is a step in the right direction.”

The Allison Hill police substation is located at 313 S. 15th St., Harrisburg.

Carols for a Cause: Local musicians fight homelessness, bring “Joy to the Burg.”

November 29, 2019 | by Barbara Trainin Blank

Sheldon Jones

When Sheldon Jones moved to the area about two years ago, he wanted to be involved in the music scene and engaged in the community.

He found a way to do both.

He took up the guitar again, adopted the stage name of Loco Lobo, and came up with a plan.

“It was one of my crazy ideas,” Jones said. “But other people took me up on it.”

The idea was to ask local bands and musicians to donate a Christmas song—either classic or original—and sell an album, with proceeds going toward programs to benefit the city’s homeless.

The album is “Joy to the Burg,” created in cooperation with Christian Churches United’s HELP Ministries and Susquehanna Harbor Safe Haven.

“I discussed the idea with rock legend Shea Quinn of the Sharks and the Luv Gods and Greg Platzer, lead guitarist of Grumpy, and it took on a life of its own,” Jones said.

“O Holy Night” isn’t exactly a song Quinn is likely to record, given that the Luv Gods are a high-energy, five-piece rock group.

“But there is something beautiful about the song and about the mission,” Quinn said. “So, when Sheldon asked, I agreed.”

Another contributor is No Last Call, a band formed in 2009 by Ted Reese and fellow trumpet player, Doug Wilburne. They modeled it after other brass bands that pop up on street corners or at community events—with a repertoire of rock, pop and jazz covers.

“Our band plays some Christmas tunes, but we put a raucous spin on most things,” Reese said. “It’s not usually pretty. But there are a wide variety of styles on the album, so we’re playing a brassy version of ‘Carol of the Bells’ arranged by one our members, Jim Neidinger.”

Indeed, said Jones, the musical genres represented range from rock to country-western, from classical to bluegrass and more.

Among the other 14 songs are “We Three Kings” by the Steve Rudolph Trio, “Greensleeves” by Ryan Chilcote, “The Work of Christmas” by the Susquehanna Chorale and “Winter Wonderland” by Grumpy.

Jones himself recorded John Denver’s “Christmas for Cowboys.”

“Joy to the Burg” was unveiled during a press conference and musical performance last month in the state Capitol’s main rotunda. Since then, the album has been available for purchase on compact disc or digital download.

One hundred percent of album proceeds will go to support the Christian Church United homelessness programs.

The organization does more than distribute clothes and meals—it also helps people find jobs, Jones said.

“It’s much more difficult to address,” he said. “It’s not just treating symptoms.”

CCU provides a continuum of homeless services that aim to prevent homelessness, provide short-term help when a household is in crisis, and offer long-term assistance for people to achieve and maintain permanent housing.

“’Joy to the Burg’ seemed like a great way to both raise awareness about the need for supporting people experiencing homelessness, as well as an effective avenue to raise funds to support our programming,” said Darrel Reinford, CCU executive director. “We will use the money to build our capacity in all of the programs mentioned with the goal of reducing the homeless population in Dauphin County.”

Beyond the performers, many recording studios donated their time to produce the album, which sells for $20. The download costs $15.

The CD will be sold through CCU member churches, retail stores, online and other means, Jones said.

“I really admire Sheldon Jones for producing this project,” Reese said. “He came to town only recently, but has poured his personal resources and time into ‘Joy to the Burg.’ Who can bring more than a dozen bands and artists together in less than a year? He is making a tremendous impact to help—and inspire.”

The “Joy to the Burg” CDs can be purchased by calling 717-585-0107 or by visiting www.JoytotheBurg.com.

The Gift of Grape: Steve–I mean Santa–has something for under your tree.

November 29, 2019 | by Steve Juliana

At this time of year, many questions come to mind. Is this gift the right color? Will they like this? What should I take for the meal?

With these queries in mind, I attended the recent Chairman’s Selection tasting. I didn’t find answers for everything I was wondering about, but I did find many good wines that will make great gifts and will match up with many a holiday feast.

Keep sipping,
Steve

White Wines

Bayten Sauvignon Blanc 2018, $9.99, Code #79140
Fresh, tangy unoaked white from Loire valley by way of South Africa. Clean, with grapefruit flavors.

Starmont Sauvignon Blanc 2017, $11.99, Code # 79136
Classic Loire grape from Napa Valley. Well-balanced with lemon, lime and mint accents.

Joao Cabral de Almeida Camaleao Alvarinho 2018, $11.99, Code #79125
Zesty wine from Iberia’s best grape. Good acidity with hints of peach and minerals. For seafood and shrimp.

Bourgogne Select Chardonnay Macon Villages 2018, $12.99, Code #79107
Tasty unoaked chardonnay from southern French Burgundy. Good depth and fruit. Versatile on your holiday table.

Divum Chardonnay Monterey 2016, $11.99, Code #79124
Creamy Cali white with great texture, fruit and hazelnut notes. Nice finish.

Raymond Reserve Selection Chardonnay 2017, $13.99, Code #79138
Stylish Cali chard. Great food wine with pear and honeysuckle. Great on the holiday table.

Red Wines

J. Wilkes Pinot Noir 2017, $16.99, Code #79132
Easy drinking pinot from Santa Barbara County. Cherry, berry and spice flavors dominate. Good bargain.

Boedecker Cellars Stewart Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2015, $19.99, Code # 79097
Well-balanced and subtle pinot done in a French style with wild berry and herbal flavors.

David Bruce Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2017, $26.99, Code #79152
Big Cali pinot from one of the West Coast’s best regions. Big fruit with great depth and long finish.

Domaine Les Verrieres Les Sept Fontaines 2014, $10.99, Code #79104
Fruit-driven blend from Landuedoc with classic Rhone varieties in a fresh, unoaked style.

Domaine Terlato & Chapoutier Shiraz Lieu-Dit Malakoff, $15.99, Code #79154
Big Aussie shiraz from obscure wine region. Great fruit with balance plum and clove palate.

Luigi Bosca Malbec Single Vineyard Lujan De Cuyo D.O.C. 2016, $15.99, Code #80609
High quality malbec from Argentina. Big fruit, tame tannins, big alcohol. Great balance.

Cune Rioja Gran Reserva 2011, $19.99, Code #79100
Well-aged Spanish tempranillo. Well-balanced fruit and tannins. Good finish. Great food quaff.

Bersano Generala Barbera Nizza Riserva 2015, $14.99, Code #79128
Highly rated Italian red. Full-bodied and balanced with great fruit and nice finish. For Italian BYOBs.

Bersano Nirvasco Barolo 2015, $25.99, Code # 79129
Classic Nebbiolo from Piedmont region. Easy drinking with dried cherries and rose-petal nuances. Drink now or lay down for later.

Villa Mora Montefalco Sagrantino 2010, $17.99, Code #79076
Huge Umbrian red from a great vintage. Deep and dark with earth and cherry notes. Open, decant, pour.

Gabriel Meffre Domaine De Longue Toque Gigondas 2015, Code #79073
Classic blend from southern Rhone region. A good year with wines to match. Balanced and nuanced. Delicious.

Super Bowls: A Mediterranean meal, one piece at a time, at Olive Oil Grille.

November 29, 2019 | by Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

It started out with a bang early one Saturday morning in May 2017.

The implosion of Senate Plaza had turned into a spectator sport with many area residents gathering, some with lawn chairs, to witness the spectacle, which paved the way for a flurry of development that is still occurring in the Erford Road area.

When brothers John and Niko Kranias got wind that the Camp Hill Commons strip mall was open for business, they realized that the Olive Oil Grille had found a home.

“We had evaluated various markets and chose Camp Hill Commons due to the large amount of businesses in the area, including hospitals and nursing homes,” John said.

Blue Zone

The Kranias brothers are no strangers to the restaurant business, having learned at the side of their father, who owned a pizza shop in Gettysburg. When their dad retired, the sons took over for a time before selling the business, moving to Greece and operating a restaurant there.

“Living in Greece, we learned a lot about the Greek culture and Greek food in the Mediterranean region,” John said. “It was a great experience.”

He said that they learned about a region of the world called Ikaria, which is designated as a “blue zone.” For those unfamiliar with the term, a “blue zone” is a region of the world where people live longer than average, with diet being an essential part of a healthy lifestyle.

Upon returning to the states, the brothers moved to Mechanicsburg and set up shop in Camp Hill Commons as a fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant, implementing some of the concepts they had learned about in Greece.

The restaurant, which seats about 60, is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. Customers queue up at the front and proceed forward, assembly-line style, to build a bowl or fill a pita.

They start with a “base,” such as rice, arugula, a “power blend” of super foods (kale, brussels sprouts, radicchio and broccoli), or an “ancient grain mix” comprised of quinoa, lentils and pearl barley, mixed together with olive oil and salt. Dips and spreads like tzatziki, yogurt dill aioli, fire feta (spicy) and roasted red pepper hummus can be added, along with a protein like grilled chicken, pork or beef. Toppings are next, with choices such as herbed white beans or tomatoes and cucumbers. To top it all off, customers can choose one of six “finishes” like vinaigrette or white balsamic herb dressing.

If this seems complicated, it can be, especially for the first visit, but staff is always at the ready to walk customers through the myriad choices. The Kranias family also has their website set up to make pre-ordering easy.

“The combinations are practically endless,” said Niko, adding that there is something for nearly every diet, with keto, vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free choices.

Customers can rest assured that they won’t encounter a “deer in the headlights” look if they arrive with a series of questions. John’s wife Maryam sees to it that the staff is trained to know every detail for those with dietary restrictions.

Positive Energy

The owners pride themselves on the fact that no freezer, microwave or fryer is used in the making of their food.

Daily deliveries come from local purveyors like Strites Orchard, Bow Creek Farms and others to ensure fresh food, all the time. The restaurateurs are particularly proud of their olive oil, which hails from a 10-acre grove in Corinth, Greece, which they own with one of their cousins.

“We brought some in for the back of the house to use in our recipes and are thinking of importing some for sale in the restaurant,” John said.

A selection of seasonal soups is also available, like the hearty French lentil. Delicious, with plenty of flavor, it’s capable of laying to rest any preconceived notions that vegan, gluten-free soups are all bland.

Maryam, who is also the marketing director, pointed out that the mini pita kids’ meal also offers a choice of the aforementioned ingredients and has thus far been well received.

“One child was here eating and dancing, and the parent told me she only dances when she loves her food,” she said, with a laugh.

John DiMaggio, a Dillsburg resident, is another happy customer.

“I like it because there are so many options and, every time I’ve visited, I’ve had a good experience,” he said. “The quality is consistent, and the staff is so friendly. I feel like I’m a valued customer, and it’s nice to have something to bring home to the family for dinner sometimes.”

Jeanne Edwards finds the restaurant conveniently located within walking distance from her home.

“I like the freshness of the foods they offer and the fact that it’s not microwaved,” she said. “They just do a wonderful job with the flavors.”

Edwards said that she especially enjoys the soups, the salad bowls, the specialty fountain drinks like blue raspberry lemonade and the staff.

“They are just really friendly,” she said.

The Kranias family said that they are very happy with the reception they’ve received from the community so far.

“I love cooking, and seeing the reaction from the people is what I like the most,” John said. “Just the other day someone said to me, ‘Thank you for being here.’ We work long hours, and that positive energy is what keeps us going.”

Olive Oil Grille is located at 71 Erford Rd., Camp Hill. To learn more, call 717-761-4455 or visit www.oliveoilgrille.com.

In for a Penny, In for a Pond: New gallery is designed to help foster Carlisle’s growing arts community.

November 29, 2019 | by Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

Kirsten Olson

If you’re driving down Pomfret Street in Carlisle, Pat Craig’s business is hard to miss.

The striking blue building, with the black shutters, bay window, purple door and orange sign identifying it as “Pat Craig Studios,” stands out among the neighborhood shops, beckoning visitors to take notice.

And there’s always a quirky, sometimes seasonal, street tableau to seal the deal. This Halloween, Craig featured a jumble of jack-o’-lanterns scattered around a purple mannequin sporting a mirrored mosaic dress and a sky-high headpiece crafted of flowers and greenery. Inside her shop are additional items carefully chosen to elicit a smile or an “aha.”

Her latest creative project is located right next door. That endeavor, called “The Penny Gallery at The Pond,” is an homage to her former neighbor who lived there previously.

“We asked her for first consideration should she age out of the house,” said Craig.

As to the name—a pond supports a vast collection of organisms, Craig explained, a perfect moniker for a place meant to nourish and encourage an array of artists and their work.

Something Unusual

The area comprising West Pomfret and South Hanover streets has been dubbed the “So-Hi Arts District” for its collection of boutique shops, galleries, dining and entertainment. The fact that the Carlisle Arts Learning Center is within steps of the Penny Gallery at the Pond was icing on the cake for Craig when she made the decision to create a business that would integrate seamlessly into the neighborhood.

The project started in 2017 with an extensive renovation to transform the former residence into a gallery for artists to show their work.

Craig wanted to create something unusual and memorable in the space, so she hired an artist who painstakingly laid out 140,000 pennies to create the one-of-a-kind floor. The project took some 900 hours to complete.

“I wanted something to draw people—something they would share with others to create an interest all its own, without upstaging the artists who show here,” Craig said.

For some, the structure itself, dating to the 1790s, might be enough of a draw. Craig has preserved an area of the wall showing the original logs so that people can appreciate the history of the building.

“When they did the renovations, they realized that there was a log home beneath the plaster house,” Craig said.

Craig is collaborating with Dickinson College to get the word out to artists looking to satisfy their program requirements by displaying their work at a gallery.

“When students are working towards their master’s degree in art, they are required to have a solo show in an established gallery,” she said. “It’s often difficult for them to secure walls in a bigger gallery when walls are booked up two and three years in advance.”

Feeds Me

Over the years, Craig has learned that, in order for a business like hers to be sustainable, she had to create “layers of income.” So, besides renting out the first floor out for events and allowing students to show in the gallery, she also created a hub for artists to rent studios.

Visitors who stop by may see Kirsten Olson at work on the first floor, creating utilitarian ceramic pieces, or climb the steps to see Shannon Hemauer’s photography hanging on the walls. Hemauer, who specializes in boudoir photography, said that she enjoys the space and its connection to the community.

Sherri Blum is an artist and interior designer who began renting from Craig this fall. Blum is known as a high-end baby nursery designer who has worked for celebrities and incorporates her artwork into nursery design. What Blum enjoys now is being a part of the community.

“I love the camaraderie of being among other artists and thrive in that atmosphere,” Blum said. “Having other creatives around just feeds me.”

Fran Piper works on the third floor and has known Craig for 30 years. Piper is a painter of landscapes, people, animals and more, using colored pencil and watercolors.

“It’s the best street to be on, and we all help one another,” she said.

Craig’s immediate plans for the future include finishing an outside space as the weather warms.

“It will serve as an open-air pavilion for event rentals,” she said.

She also is hoping to host more events for area nonprofits. In September, an “Out of the Darkness” show was organized for suicide awareness and, earlier in the year, the Penny Gallery was the site for a Red Tomato Farm event to help support adults with intellectual disabilities.

“We’d like to do six shows in 2020 based on that kind of partnership,” she said.

Craig added that the relocation of the Carlisle Arts Learning Center to Pomfret was a catalyst that has helped the area to grow as an arts hub.

“The hope in all of this is that more people will come,” she said. “It really did give us a bigger foothold for our neighborhood to embrace our art culture and continue on that path.”

The Penny Gallery at the Pond is located at 32 W. Pomfret St., Carlisle. To learn more, call 717-805-3519 or visit the Penny Gallery at the Pond on Facebook.

Over Hill and Hollan: Anna Manotti’s central PA roots dig deep in new EP.

November 29, 2019 | by Erika Firestone

After journeying across the country and across the Atlantic, local musician Hollan has arrived home to Pennsylvania with her debut EP, “Ready as the Day.”

Hollan, known offstage as Anna Manotti, is a 23-year-old native of the Harrisburg area. While she has spent time living in California and Germany, her love of Pennsylvania seeps through as she discusses the local music scene that has had a heavy influence on her songwriting, in addition to artists such as Feist and Bea Troxel.

Hollan always knew she wanted to be a musician and describes her music as singer-songwriter indie-folk, stemming from an “aha” moment at the age of 15, when she first discovered folk artists such as John Denver.

“I didn’t know folk music existed, but when I heard it, I knew it was exactly the kind of music I’d always wanted to hear and make,” she said.

“Ready as the Day,”comprised of four self-written songs, was released in early October. Lyrically focused, the songs trail the transition from adolescence to young adulthood, but they’re deeper than a coming-of-age story. Together, they’re a reckoning of identity, shaped through many different places and personal relationships. The title itself seeks to bridge the songs together as they were written over the course of several years, and she now feels ready to share them with the world.

“Water,” one of the new tracks on the EP, was written from a place of loneliness and introspection when Manotti first moved home from Germany.

“The song is about going back into different times in my life and remembering who I was in those moments,” she said. “It’s the song that has had the most impact on people, which, in turn, made me feel less alone. It’s a really important song to me.”

The recording process took place in a studio in northern California, where she worked closely with emerging producer Justin Grimaldo and a handful of musicians to bring the EP to life. Grimaldo and Manotti each spoke to their creative collaboration and momentum throughout the process.

“Anna’s songs each stand on their own, and that is all one could ever hope for in writing timeless pieces,” Grimaldo said.

In addition to her solo work as Hollan, Manotti is pursuing collaborative projects with other Pennsylvania musicians. Her vocals appear on fellow Pennsylvania musician Zach Wood’s song, “Rain Down,” which has more than 40,000 hits on YouTube.

Manotti is looking forward to expanding her reach. While her dreams stretch as far as the stage at Red Rocks, she is confident that central PA is a great place to grow due to its own ever-evolving music scene and proximity to the bigger East Coast cities.

“I’m at a place with my music career where I’m really ready to get out there,” she said, with an eager smile. “I feel like I’m exploding inside.”

“Ready as the Day” is available to stream. For updates and upcoming shows, visit www.hollanmusic.com and follow on Facebook and Instagram @hollanthemusician.

SyStem Update: Whitaker Center adds more attractions for educational fun.

November 29, 2019 | by Maddie Conley

Ask a kid in the Harrisburg area about Whitaker Center and, nine times out of 10, they’ve been there on a field trip.

They might tell you about their favorite attractions, the Carnival of Health or the Midtown Market. But with Whitaker Center’s recent renovations, it’s time for children to take a trip back and find some new favorite activities along with the classics.

Coming in the same year as its 20th anniversary, Whitaker Center last month unveiled its new STEM Design Studios and updated KidsPlace in the Harsco Science Center. For four weeks, these spaces were temporarily closed in order for new carpet to be laid, walls to be painted and new exhibits to be installed. In early November, they re-opened to the public.

“I am excited about the future of the space,” said Chief Operating Officer Meghan Clark.

In the KidsPlace, little learners (ages 0 to 5) can read under the new Storybook tree, drop a line in the fishin’ hole table or work on a project at the mini picnic tables. The tiniest guests can crawl and play in the gated Baby Garden.

Clark added that, by the spring of 2020, an oversized Operation game will be installed, and the existing ambulance attraction will be refurbished. In the fall of 2020, a large interactive pinball game will be added. All of the exhibits are designed by Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh.

Heading downstairs, you’ll see the same giant orb hanging from the ceiling. After some system updates, Science On a Sphere—a global display system—has reopened to give guests an even more educational experience with the Earth and its weather.

On the same level, the once tucked-away, closed-off classrooms have been transformed into the bright, open STEM Design Studios. Kids ages 6 to 12 can participate in a number of activities, including 3D doodle pens, introductory coding, robotics and iPad programs, many of which can be downloaded on children’s own devices at home.

“They’re allowed to explore, and they’re allowed to do trial and error,” Director of Education Jessica Rice said. “All of these problem-solving skills make the kiddos lifelong learners.”

Very Necessary

Liz Rubendall and her 4th-grade son Matthew visited Whitaker Center for the first time on the Harsco Science Center’s re-opening day. Matthew, who attends a STEM-focused school in Reading, was no stranger to these kinds of activities.

“This age is so into technology,” Liz said. “I try to encourage him to do different hands-on things.”

Rice sees the lab activities as a way to supplement what kids are learning in school and at home. With the push for career readiness she has seen lately, the more STEM, the better, she said.

While general admission visitors can enjoy the studios, they will also be available for field trip groups, Girl Scout badge workshops and other weekend classes. There are over 20 summer camps offered for youth on topics around food science, robotics, theater and music.

Girls in STEM is one of the programs offered to students interested in hands-on learning. This fills a void in a field where Rice sees women as grossly underrepresented.

With the new labs, Clark said that Whitaker Center will be able to offer programming to a larger number of students. Part of the motivation for the renovations was the decrease in attendance the center was experiencing. Clark expects to see an increase now.

“STEM is very hot and very necessary,” Clark said. “The space is going to be really great for accommodating that in the region.”

The new exhibits were just part of the updates to Whitaker Center, which also installed a video wall that includes 49 plasma screens, funded by a grant from the Dauphin County commissioners. A grand entrance to the Science Center is also being built.

A gateway to their traveling exhibit area has been added. This space is where the Whitaker Wonderland Holiday attraction is held from now until the beginning of January. Parents and kids can slide on the sock-skating rink, battle in the indoor snowball pit or build a snowman with dry stacking boulders.

The total cost of the renovations is $400,000. Much of the funding came through the Gary and Sylvie St. Hilaire Foundation. Whitaker Center is still looking for supporters and donors to help with the STEM lab costs.

The new exhibits have already garnered the attention of first-time visitors and long-time members of Whitaker Center. To Clark, the buzz coming from parents and kids just adds to the standing the center has held in the community for years.

“There’s no other place that does it like the Whitaker Center,” she said.

Whitaker Center is located at 222 Market St., Harrisburg and is open Tuesday through Sunday. For more information, visit www.whitakercenter.org.

Christmas Confidential: Strap on the laugh bag at Winter Radio Theater.

November 29, 2019 | by Phyllis Zimmerman

Tired of the same old holiday shows year after year?

Has Rudolph’s red nose lost its glow, and does “White Christmas” seem not so bright?

If so, maybe it’s time to turn off the tube for some live holiday lampooning by central Pennsylvania’s own resident comedy troupe, the Not Ready For Drive Time Players.

The longstanding comedic ensemble returns to the local stage this month with “Winter Radio Theater 2019” at the Center Street Grille in Enola, one of several venues the performing troupe has called home since its inception in 2003.

Although the group once numbered as many as 20 members, it now has a core of half-a-dozen local performers: John Butler, Randy Gross, Kelly Iris, Todd Matthews, Julia Tilley and Randy Whitaker.

“Our shows are a cross between ‘Saturday Night Live,’ ‘Monty Python,’ and ‘Firesign Theatre,’” said Matthews, alluding to several legendary comedy groups.

For “Winter Radio Theatre,” the troupe’s actors read directly from scripts like old-time radio theater performers from the 1930s or ‘40s, with skits such as serial dramas and yesteryear comedies that are reminiscent of the era. The productions aren’t totally comprised of wistful nostalgia, however. They also involve a modern-day twist of “Saturday Night Live” and a foley artist with live “spun” sound effects.

If you go, get ready to be entertained by such seasonal parodies as “Bernie Sanders Claus,” “Donald’s Christmas Carol” and “Snow Bunnies Against Climax Change.” Also, you might want to leave the little ones at home. The shows tend to have rather adult themes.

“It’s great to make people laugh,” Gross said. “I used to watch ‘Saturday Night Live’ back in the old days with the original troupe in the 1970s.”

In fact, the Not Ready For Drive Time Players derived their name from the Not Ready For Prime Time Players of “SNL.” The “drive time” in the local group’s name is a nod to the fact that “a lot of our original members worked in radio,” explained Gross, who formerly served as a creative services director for radio stations in Harrisburg and Gettysburg. Today, Gross’s “day job” is a copywriter for Weber Advertising & Marketing in Enola.

Matthews also has a radio background, having once served as a senior sales consultant and sales manager for Cumulus Broadcasting. Today, he is a senior corporate sales executive for the Harrisburg Senators and works with fellow troupe player and Senators’ general manager Randy Whitaker.

Gross and Matthews have performed together since 2003 when “It’s a Wonderful Christmas Carol,” an original radio play written by Gross, was aired on Christmas Eve morning on 93.5 WTPA-FM. The radio show featured actors who would go on to form the Not Ready For Drive Time Players in 2004. Also in 2004, the group transformed “It’s a Wonderful Christmas Carol” into its first live “Winter Radio Theatre” performance at Appalachian Brewing Co. in Harrisburg.

“It borrows a bit from (Orson Wells’ 1938 classic radio drama) ‘War of the Worlds,’” Matthews said. “Imagine you’re listening on the old Victrola. There are no costumes, just sound effects.”

In 2006, the players added “Halloween Radio Theater” to their performance schedule, and, today, Halloween shows remain part of the group’s yearly repertoire.

Also in 2006, Tilley joined the performers’ ranks.

“These guys make me laugh,” said Tilley, who works as a licensed clinical social worker at Enso Wellness in Harrisburg, the nonprofit beneficiary of the event. “It’s a great release for me. I’ve done theater since I was a kid, but I much prefer comedy. Laughter is very healing.”

Besides supporting Enso Wellness through the event, the group also will collect pet food donations.

Over the years, the troupe’s original material has won several awards. In 2008, the Landless Theatre Co. in Washington, D.C., presented its “So Bad, It’s Good” award for “Deep Inside Oz” and staged the radio play.

The Not Ready for Drive Time Players also performed a Christmas show in the nation’s capitol in 2008. In 2011, the skit, “Jaywalkers Anonymous,” was converted into a short play and performed at Theatre Southwest in Houston, Texas. It also was performed in 2014 as part of the First Laugh One-Act Festival in Chicago.

Despite their success, the troupe’s players remain loyal to their performing roots in greater Harrisburg.

“You don’t have to be in a big city to do this,” Gross noted.

Tilley added, “I hope people come away from our shows with the hope that, if they have some sort of crazy dream, they can do it, too.”

Winter Radio Theatre 2019 takes place Dec. 15 and 16 at the Center Street Grille, 4 Center St., Enola.

Full Metal Christmas: This month, Midtown Cinema offers a stark break from holiday overload.

November 29, 2019 | by Sammi Leigh Melville

War does terrible things to people. But sometimes people do terrible things to prepare for war.

This is a concept well illustrated in Stanley Kubrick’s “Full Metal Jacket.” From the perspective of young men being groomed for, and finally participating in, the Vietnam War, the film offers a commentary on the stress that a soldier goes through, the coping techniques that they use, and the hard reality that still remains no matter what measures are taken to prepare.

We spend the first half hour of the film in Marine boot camp, trying to pinpoint a protagonist. Boot camp, after all, is designed to turn young, impressionable kids into warriors, so there is little room for individual character development. But, as the training continues, we begin to finally zero in on a few particular individuals: privates Joker (Matthew Modine), Pyle (Vincent D’Onofrio) and Cowboy (Arliss Howard). It doesn’t matter what their real names are. The nicknames that Gunnery Sgt. Hartman (R. Lee Ermey) gives them stick for their entire careers.

While on the surface it appears to be a half hour of yelling and denigrating as the sergeant whips them into shape, we slowly pick up on the transformation that these boys are subjected to, as well as the understanding that not all survive, as marked by the film’s infamous bathroom scene (a deeply upsetting, masterful presentation by Kubrick, directly followed by the sunny and darkly ironic, “These Boots Were Made For Walking”).

For the rest of the film, we follow Private Joker as he works as a war journalist and meets many people who each went through this training at one point or another. This truth gives deep context to the rest of the film, as many strive to hold onto their humanity in whatever way possible. Joker, as his name alludes, resorts to comedy. Others resort to more cruel tactics. All are desperately trying to get through a war.

“Full Metal Jacket” is not the first—or the last—snapshot of the grip that war has on our lives. In Midtown Cinema’s “War On Christmas” series, we see several other takes: “All Quiet on the Western Front” and “Good Morning Vietnam.”

These war films are available this month for those who always roll their eyes at the inability to find anything not holiday-related. So catch one of these great films.

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

DECEMBER EVENTS
AT MIDTOWN CINEMA

National Theatre Live
“Present Laughter”
Sunday, Dec. 1, 1 p.m.

War On Christmas Series
“Good Morning, Vietnam” (1987)
Sunday, Dec. 1, 2 p.m.

“All Quiet On The Western Front” (1930)
Sunday, Dec. 8, 2 p.m.

“Full Metal Jacket” (1987)
Sunday, Dec. 15, 4 p.m.

Down in Front
Double Feature
“Santa Claus” (1959)
Friday, Dec. 13, 8 p.m.

“Santa Claus Conquers the Martians” (1964)
Friday, Dec. 13, 9:30 p.m.

3^rd in the Burg $3 Movie
“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”
Friday, Dec. 20, 9:30 p.m.

Christmas Week
“It’s A Wonderful Life” (1946)
Sunday, Dec. 22, 2 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 24, 7 p.m.

“White Christmas” (1954)
Monday, Dec. 23, 12 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 25, 7:30 p.m.

One Fish, Two Fish: Rosemary pares down the traditional Italian Christmas Eve dinner.

November 29, 2019 | by Rosemary Ruggieri Baer

For those who celebrate, Christmas Eve is a very special night.

From inspiring church services and carol sings to cookies left for Santa, each family holds its own traditions. For many years, I held a “plum pudding celebration,” dousing my prized confection with warm brandy and setting it aflame to the delight of our two then-young sons.

For many “old school” Italians, Christmas Eve, known as La Vigilia (“The Vigil”), is the time for the “Feast of the Seven Fishes.” This elaborate meal is meatless, often requiring days of preparation and traditionally eaten before midnight Mass. For each family, the menu may vary, but often includes baccala or salted codfish, shrimp, scallops, crab, lobster, mussels, clams and even eel. (How does one cook that many dishes?)

When I was growing up, Christmas Eve in our house was a scaled-down version of this “feast.” It was the feast of one fish: smelts. My father insisted on having them, and my mother hated to clean and cook them! I can’t remember what the rest of us ate on those nights, but we did enjoy another Italian tradition: hot sausage sandwiches at a friend’s house after midnight Mass.

For us, Christmas Eve this year will be a vast departure from the boisterous “open houses” we hosted for four decades. It will be a quiet evening, and I was aiming for a simple but elegant family dinner that gives a nod to the Feast of the Seven Fishes. I found a lovely pasta recipe from the famous Italian chef Mario Batali. Paired with a tri-color salad of lettuce, radicchio and Belgian endive, it seems perfect for the occasion.

This pasta is made with monkfish, perhaps an unexpected choice, but a nice change from shrimp or clams. Sometimes known as “poor man’s lobster,” monkfish is very versatile. It holds up well to roasting, poaching and grilling, and its thick, firm flesh even works well for shish kabobs.

Linguine with Monkfish, Zucchini and Thyme

Ingredients

½ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 medium red onion, finely chopped
1 medium zucchini, cut lengthwise in half and sliced into thin half-moons
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
8 ounces monkfish filet, cut into ½-inch cubes (remove the thin, clear membrane with a paring knife if still on the fish)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1½ cups tomato or marinara sauce
¼ cup Italian parsley, finely chopped
1 cup dry white wine
1 pound linguine

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
In a large sauté pan, heat the oil over medium heat.
Add the onion, zucchini and thyme and sauté until the mixture is soft and lightly browned (about 10 minutes).
Season the monkfish with salt and pepper, add to the pan, and toss gently until the fish starts to whiten (about 1 minute).
Add the tomato or marinara sauce and white wine and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
Cook the linguine in the boiling salted water until al dente and then drain.
Toss the pasta into the sauté pan with the monkfish mixture. Add the parsley and toss over medium heat until well mixed.
Transfer to a warm serving bowl and serve.

Some cooking notes:

When tossing pasta directly with a sauce, use a deep pan. I have a large, deep bowl-like sauté pan from All-Clad that works very well. Otherwise, use a Dutch oven.
Cooking tongs are great for tossing pasta in a pan.
For a little extra richness, you could toss a pat of butter into the pasta mixture before serving.
Cheese with seafood pasta is considered a “no-no,” but I often will use it. If you love Parmesan cheese, give it a try.

Well, it looks like I’ve followed in my father’s footsteps and ended up with another “Feast of One Fish.” Along with the aforementioned salad and perhaps some garlic bread, this will make for a lovely Christmas Eve dinner. I love Italian Christmas cookies (Alvaro’s in Uptown Harrisburg makes such good ones), and they would be a perfect ending to this meal—as would some Sambuca.

I wish all of our Burg readers a wonderful holiday season, however you might celebrate it.

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