Seeds of Success: Homegrown Harrisburg digs deep for a healthier community.

March 29, 2019 | by Diane McNaughton

Like a flowering vine, a budding network of volunteers is lacing its way across some of the most barren corners of the Harrisburg area, breathing new life into decaying lots and delivering fresh food to empty tables.

Flowers, tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, squash, herbs and other edibles are about to sprout up in the rocky soils of the city, Steelton and Susquehanna Township, at the seasoned hands of a fast-growing urban gardening movement called Homegrown Harrisburg.

Along with nutrition and blossoms, this green team is producing intangibles, such as food security, health, togetherness and community pride.

Connections

The seeds of the movement were planted last year when a group of devoted gardeners, community leaders and nonprofits joined forces, led by returned Peace Corps volunteer Rachel Rasmussen.

I recently found Rasmussen tending a pollinator garden along Peffer Street, which features more than 100 perennials that took root in 2013. People who walk by often stop to chat about the garden and to learn about birds and butterflies, she said.

Many gardens throughout the city are “fun and experimental,” she said, yielding mint and other aromatic plants. Others have raised beds, ideal for those with disabilities and aging knees and backs.

Currently, 16 gardens are blossoming throughout Harrisburg, mostly in Uptown and on Allison Hill. It is remarkable growth for a movement that started just a year ago.

Last year, the group re-did eight gardens, digging up old beds and building 109 new beds. This year, three gardens will be made over.

Many businesses and organizations have donated seeds and tools, including the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Green Urban Initiative, Capital Region Water and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

Others, including the Midtown restaurant Right on Reily and, across the street, Zeroday Brewing Co., have held recent fundraisers, both donating a portion of their food and drink proceeds to the green team.

Rasmussen is a believer in the transformative power of caring for the earth for both individuals and the community.

“Gardens reconnect them to the land and to their home,” she said. “They promote a love for the neighborhood, inspire care for Harrisburg, and create a sense of belonging, helping people form connections with one another. It’s a multi-faceted approach to community revitalization and togetherness.”

Something Beautiful

Lifelong gardener Donnel Brown, the neighborhood revitalization coordinator for Tri-County Community Action, has joined the effort. Four years ago, as an employee of Aurora Center, she saw how the center’s beloved flower garden transformed clients with special needs.

When Brown was hired at Tri-County for a community safety initiative, she transplanted her gardening idea as one way to fight blight. She started the Wesley AME garden and began a mission to link together Harrisburg’s passionate, yet dispersed, community gardeners.

Brown cites Kevin, “a big, grumpy guy” with mental health challenges who, by his third outing in the fresh air and soil, was transformed into an enthusiastic gardener.

“I feel good when I’m in the garden,” Brown recalled him saying. “I like to help, and it helps me feel better. It gives me energy to do more.”

Brown also recalled a Syrian immigrant who was feeding her family of seven through three garden plots. Gardening also helped “bridge the cultural divide,” allowing Brown to move beyond hand gestures and Google Translate to learn key words in Arabic. And it allowed Brown to offer the family other services, including trauma-informed preschool and English-as-a-second-language classes.

It is the 21st century incarnation of “flower power.”

Indeed, countless studies show that a garden does far more than feed hungry stomachs in a low-cost way. Gardening has been shown to improve mental health, beautify forgotten lots, reduce blight, transcend cultural barriers, curb crime, improve community safety and grow happiness. The results are organic and sustainable.

The community is reaping the benefits. The culinary program at Kappa Omega chapter of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity uses the herbs from local gardens, and fresh local fruit is used in Zeroday’s infusion tower, Brown said.

Soon, 25 students from Harrisburg High School will learn about gardening skills, sustainability, the environment and careers in agriculture.

Brown noted that the average age of a farmer in Pennsylvania is 55.

“Farmers are dying,” she said. “Having the chance to open their eyes to this is really ground-breaking.”

Rasmussen agreed.

“Agriculture is a viable career opportunity,” she said.

Richard Martinez, also a returned Peace Corps volunteer, helps tend the Peffer Street garden.

“It’s a great learning opportunity for everyone involved,” he said.

Martinez and Rasmussen also are active in Tree Tenders, a group that will plant 48 trees to beautify Scott and Rowland Elementary schools.

“There are so many lots in the city that could really use some love,” Rasmussen said. “We can create something really beautiful here.”

For more information about Homegrown Harrisburg, visit their Facebook page: Homegrown Harrisburg.

Greening Up

This month, you can help make your community a little healthier and more sustainable.

On April 27, Homegrown Harrisburg will hold its Annual Seed Giveaway from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the OIC Learning Garden and at Whitaker Center. At the OIC garden, 500 Maclay St., there will be family activities, workshops, live music and sign-up information for available garden plots.

Also on April 27, the Harrisburg Tree Tender Committee will partner with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the city and Capital Region Water to plant 48 trees at Rowland Academy and Scott Elementary on Allison Hill for Arbor Day and will need volunteers to help. The planting will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 1842 Derry St. Refreshments will be provided.

All Star Player: In raising funds for LLS, Marc Kurowski swings for the fences.

March 29, 2019 | by Rachel Jenkins

Over seven decades, the national Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) has put more than $1.2 billion into cancer research.

“That’s billion, with a ‘b,’” said Tara Reyka, senior director of development with the Central Pennsylvania LLS chapter

Come mid-May, Harrisburg resident J. Marc Kurowski hopes to add $250,000 to the pot.

By day, Kurowski is co-founder, president and CEO of K&W Engineering, a busy engineering firm located in the stately King Mansion on Front Street. By night, he and his team turn their attention to a rigorous, 10-week fundraising campaign for LLS’s national “All Star Man and Woman of the Year” competition.

By raising $23,000 back in 2010, Kurowski earned his local “Man of the Year” title with the Central Pennsylvania LLS chapter. Nearly 10 years later, he’s hoping to increase that number 10-fold at the national level—the “All Star” competition.

“I’m not a doctor. I’m never going to cure cancer,” Kurowski said. “But I can do this to try to be part of the solution, part of beating cancer.”

A “Why”

Man/Woman of the Year is a “philanthropic competition where local community leaders and individuals come together to really form some inspiring fundraising teams and compete in joining us in the fight for cancer cures,” said Reyka.

And just as it sounds, the man and the woman who raise the most money during this 10-week challenge are named their local chapter’s Man and Woman of the Year (MWOY).

“All Stars” like Kurowski are MWOY alum now chosen by their local markets to compete nationally. So Kurowski is battling other All Stars from around the country, people representing communities from New York to California.

The male and female who raise the most funds during the campaign are named the National Man & Woman of the Year All Stars.
Kurowski and his team are vowing to give it all they’ve got. According to Reyka, there’s one secret ingredient to finding success during this competition—a “why.”

“I think for someone to be successful, it takes their desire to make a difference in the world of cancer cures,” she said. “They don’t need a certain background. They don’t need to have certain experiences by any means or be fundraising gurus.”

As for Kurowski’s “why,” it’s a relatable one. He, like many folks, has felt cancer’s impact.

“I’ve lost too many family members,” he said. “I’ve lost a coworker and a close friend in the last year that were cancer-related. They weren’t all specifically blood cancers, but, to me, I’d do anything to start combatting cancer.”

So how, exactly, does Kurowski and his team plan on raising $250,000?

Through sponsorships, a fundraising event and expanding his network of team members. But most importantly, he is using what he learned in 2010 to perfect this year’s recipe for fundraising success.

Kurowski admits he didn’t quite have his head wrapped around everything he needed to do the first time around. But this year, he began gearing up months in advance and has honed the art of delegation.

His competitive spirit also doesn’t hurt.

“I’m certainly competitive, so that drives me,” he said. “But the bigger driver is having been impacted by people close to me and honestly really feeling like this is something we can accomplish. I feel like this is something we can do.”

Impactful

All Star competitors can fundraise for 10 weeks between February and June. Kurowski and the local MWOY competitors began collecting donations on March 8 and will finish on May 17.

According to Reyka, Kurowski isn’t the only one with a large goal in mind. As a whole, the Central PA LLS chapter hopes to raise $650,000 through the local MWOY competition.

Where does that money go? Reyka said that the Central PA chapter provided a staggering $818,562 last year alone in financial support to patients for drug and insurance copayments, in addition to health insurance premiums.

Unlike other forms of cancer, there are no preventative methods to help catch blood cancer early. That’s why the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s mission is to “find cures for blood cancer and improve the quality of life for patients and their families.”

According to Reyka, this disease can affect anyone, of any walk of life.

“We don’t know necessarily what causes [blood cancer], and it affects people of all ages, gender, race, it doesn’t matter,” she said. “Blood cancer does not discriminate. Anyone and everyone can be affected by it.”

Through the money raised by Kurowski and the rest of Central PA’s participants, LLS is focused on “funding the best researchers out there who are on the cutting edge of finding great breakthroughs,” said Reyka.

While there’s no trophy for reaching the finish line, Kurowski believes that personal satisfaction will be enough.

“Knowing that you’ve been able to help at hopefully a significant level, that for me is what it’s all about,” he said. “Touching people, talking to people. It’s being so engaged in something you believe in that you can be impactful at potentially a significant level.”

J. Marc Kurowski and his team will host an LLS fundraising event at the King Mansion on April 13. To donate to his campaign, visit his fundraising site at www.pages.mwoy.org/cpa/hbg19/mkurowski.

Second Chance: “Clean Slating” offers some offenders a new start.

March 29, 2019 | by M. Diane McCormick

The STEP Academy graduate dropped by Victor Rodgers’ office.

“David,” as Rodgers called him, had a substance abuse problem after exiting 10 years of incarceration. Through HACC’s STEP Academy, he learned workplace expectations and job skills. Now, “David” informed Rodgers that he had a good job and an apartment. He regularly attended AA meetings. He was getting a car.

“These don’t seem like big steps, but think of the changes in his life,” said Rodgers. “You have someone now that’s a taxpaying member of our community, who can be counted on every day to show up to work, who’s helping a company produce and stay in business. It’s a win-win all around.”

Throughout the midstate, employers and lawmakers are sharing an epiphany. People make mistakes. Sometimes, those mistakes send youthful offenders directly to jail. They might emerge sadder but wiser, but their criminal records diminish their prospects for holding jobs, paying taxes and supporting families.

Changes are afoot. A new state “Clean Slate” law will, by midyear, automatically seal the records of those with certain second- or third-degree misdemeanors who have been free of convictions for 10 years. “Second chance” job fairs for ex-offenders, also known as re-entrants, are pairing employers desperate for workers with workers desperate for jobs. Rodgers’ STEP program for ex-offenders is on pause due to lack of funding, but he hopes for a revival.

The Clean Slate law is a first in the nation, adopted with bipartisan support in 2018. Prime sponsor state Rep. Sheryl Delozier (R-Cumberland) co-chairs, with Rep. Jordan Harris (D-Philadelphia), the legislative Criminal Justice Reform Caucus. There, lawmakers and interest groups of widely divergent views converge over the idea of giving some ex-offenders another chance.

“Everyone can understand making a dumb decision that affected them the rest of their life,” said Delozier. “If you’ve been able to keep clean for 10 years and you’re a different person, you should be given a second chance.”

State Rep. Patty Kim (D-Dauphin) became passionate about the issue when constituents looking for help finding jobs “would say quietly they have something on their records, and it was making it hard to get employed,” she said.

Legislative support rallied around employers’ workforce needs and the opioid crisis, which is driving criminal-justice encounters towards the suburbs and countryside.

“It’s waking up lawmakers that this is something we need to fight and not through rigid laws but through compassion and therapy,” Kim said.

Increasingly, employers recognized that re-entrants “are highly motivated to do well and work hard,” Kim added.

In February, 250 people at Kim’s “Second Chance Expo” connected with 10 employers and attended workshops on overcoming hurdles to employment. One man shed tears of relief at learning how to recover his driver’s license.

“The face of somebody who is struggling was invisible,” Kim said. “There was a blank space. I want us to look deeper into the people who are struggling and understand their issues in a more intimate way.”

She added, “We can pay $50,000 a year for an inmate, or we can do these Second Chance clinics.”

To Contribute

Community Legal Services of Philadelphia offers information to help ex-offenders navigate the new Clean Slate process. Clean slating—which closes records to the public while keeping them open for law enforcement and a handful of sensitive employment fields—came up as a solution to the cumbersome expungement process that was clogging the courts, said Litigation Director Sharon Dietrich.

“Records were a big, old road block,” said Dietrich. “Employers reject people with any blemish whatever. I once had a client fired for disorderly conduct for making a loud noise.”

Pennsylvania State Police are preparing for a June 28 launch of Clean Slate and do not yet have a count of records to be sealed, said Communications Office Director Trooper Brent Miller.

The workforce hiring crunch is driving employers to rethink the concept of not hiring based on “a small black mark” on an applicant’s record, said David Black, president and CEO of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC.

“It’s also being driven by a sense of fairness,” he said. “People deserve a second chance. It’s a fundamental part of the criminal justice system that you do your time or pay your fines or serve on probation, and after that, you should be able to come back and contribute positively to society.”

While some fields have long embraced second chances—dock work and construction, for instance—shifting mindsets in other fields are opening up more options for ex-offenders, said Pennsylvania AFL-CIO President Rick Bloomingdale.

At Vantage Foods, a meat and seafood processor outside of Camp Hill, Shipping Supervisor Stephen Dixon knows that not everyone likes to work in a cold facility or do the mandatory overtime. But he is ready to provide second chances because the company gave one to him. Having served time for involuntary manslaughter, he was offered a job after one of Kim’s job fairs.

“I just want to give people a chance,” said Dixon, a Midtown Harrisburg resident. “Regardless of someone’s record, you never know somebody’s story.”

Every re-entrant looking for a second chance has different motivations, he added. His were watching the recidivism churn of prison—“I’m not about to be part of that number,” he declared—and seeing his daughter cry.

“I can’t get time back with my kids,” he said. “The only thing I can do is continue to grow.”

A Balance

Since the tough-on-crime 1990s, the pendulum swung “as far as it can go,” said Black.

HACC’s Rodgers noted that Pennsylvania prisons disgorge 25,000 people a year, “and that’s 25,000 potential workers who could keep our economy going as Baby Boomers age out.”

“It’s a shame we put people away for all these years,” he said. “Now we’re in a bind. We don’t have enough people to work.”

Bloomingdale gave kudos to former state senator and Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Wagner for leading Clean Slate efforts in the Senate by sharing his experience as owner of Penn Waste.

“Getting key Republicans and Democrats to work together was quite a show of bipartisanship,” he said.

Delozier remains “wholeheartedly” committed to being tough on crime and the “criminal heartless,” but she also believes that “there needs to be a balance.”

“A dad of three that had a drunk and disorderly when they were 22 years old deserves to be able to have a break,” she said.

Kim hopes for “more job training and resources, because re-entrants don’t know where to go or where to start.” Rodgers has hopes for reviving STEP, with its track record of 100-percent employment for graduates.

The legislative Criminal Justice Reform Caucus was slated to meet late last month to discuss next steps, said Delozier. She would like to tackle inequities in professional licensing, such as a morals clause in licensure requirements for cosmetologists that’s absent for barbers. In Pennsylvania prisons, men often are trained for barbering, while women get cosmetology training.

And while some offenses obviously preclude certain employment—the convicted embezzler shouldn’t be managing money, for instance—licensure regulations should explicitly address those crimes that correlate to licensing, she said.

While “there are bad people out there,” Clean Slate is giving many ex-offenders “another opportunity in life outside of incarceration,” said Dixon.

“It makes me feel good to help people like that,” he said. “Knowing where I came from the last eight years, and now to help somebody provide for their families, I guess I’m proud of that. It’s not something I look for to get anything back in return. I feel like I’ve been blessed, so I need to bless others.”

Community Legal Services of Philadelphia offers information to help ex-offenders navigate the new Clean Slate process. Visit www.mycleanslatepa.com.

Community Corner: Notable April Events

March 29, 2019 | by Missy Smith

April Community Corner

Blood Pressure Screenings
April 1: Stop by the food court pavilion at Harrisburg Mall, 3501 Paxton St., 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., for free blood pressure screenings offered by UPMC Pinnacle. www.shopharrisburgmall.com

Decisions 2019
April 1, 15: World Affairs Council of Harrisburg will host “Great Decisions,” a program organized by the Foreign Policy Association. Sessions are held every other Monday at 1 p.m. at Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, through May 13. Cost is $10 per session. www.fredricksenlibrary.org

Safe Kids Ceremony
April 3: Join Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance at the Capitol Rotunda, Harrisburg, for the PA Blue Ribbon Champions for Safe Kids Awards Ceremony to honor Pennsylvania residents who work to protect children. Youth musical performances begin at 10:30 a.m. www.pablueribbonchampion.org

HBG Flea
April 6: Explore the HBG Flea, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Strawberry Square, 320 Market St., Harrisburg. Shop for local art, handmade gifts and vintage wares. www.hbgflea.com

LGBT+ Job Fair
April 6: If you’re a person of queer or trans identity, drop in at Alder Health Services, 100 N. Cameron St., Suite 201-East, Harrisburg, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., to learn about job opportunities with affirming organizations in central PA. www.centralpalgbtcenter.org

Civil War Presentation
April 6: National Civil War Museum offers the next presentation in its “Lessons in History” speaker series, “Embattled Freedom: Journeys through the U.S. Civil War’s Slave Refugee Camps,” with Dr. Amy Murrell Taylor, 1 p.m. www.nationalcivilwarmuseum.org

Book Sales
April 6, 20: Friends of the New Cumberland Public Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza, will hold pre-owned book sales on the first and third Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., in Foundation House, across from the library. Shop for books, vintage jewelry, men’s items, DVDs, CDs, puzzles, records and more. www.cumberlandcountylibraries.org

Author Festival
April 7: Kick off National Library Week Celebration at the 3rd Annual Local Author Festival, 12 to 3 p.m., at the East Shore Area Library. Authors will discuss their books and offer them for sale. Attendees can enter to win a raffle basket filled with books. www.dcls.org

Art in the Wild
April 7: Meet the artists as they put the finishing touches on their installations for “Art in the Wild,” Wildwood Park’s annual outdoor art exhibit. Take a self-guided, 3.1-mile trail walk to meet the artists, 1 to 3 p.m. www.wildwoodlake.org

Clean Water Walk
April 7: Join students, parents and community members for the fourth annual “Walk for Clean Water,” starting at 1 p.m. at Hershey High School, 550 Homestead Rd., Hershey. There also will be games, food, a raffle and a fair. Proceeds help fund water projects around the world. www.walk4cleanwater.org/hershey

Quilt Show
April 7: Friends of the New Cumberland Public Library present a “Vintage Quilt Trunk Show” in Foundation Hall, 3 to 4 p.m. The program shows antique and vintage quilts from the mid-1800s through the 1930s. www.newcumberlandlibrary.org

Quit Smoking
April 10: Join PinnacleHealth’s free Tobacco Cessation Support Group, facilitated by a certified tobacco treatment specialist, at Giant Food Store, 3301 Trindle Rd., Camp Hill, 6 p.m. www.pinnaclehealth.org

Taste of the Chamber
April 11: West Shore Chamber of Commerce holds its annual celebration featuring food from the chamber’s culinary members at Bobby Rahal Toyota, 6711 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg, 4 to 7 p.m. Local nonprofits will receive a portion of the proceeds. www.wschamber.org

Seed Starting
April 11: Betsy Rushong, Master Gardener in Cumberland County, will share tips on starting plants from seeds at New Cumberland Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza, New Cumberland, 6:30 p.m. www.newcumberlandlibrary.org

Wild Art Lecture
April 11: Join a free lecture with artist Ted Prescott at the Nature Center at Wildwood Park, Harrisburg, 7 p.m. Prescott will describe his process for using natural materials in his work displayed at “Art in the Wild.” www.wildwoodlake.org

Guitar Show
April 12-14: Artisan Guitar Show will be held Best Western Premier The Central Hotel and Conference Center, 800 E. Park Dr., Harrisburg. Visit with exhibitors and enjoy a concert series. Workshops included in general admission. www.artisanguitarshow.com

Litter Cleanup
April 13: Join Harrisburg Young Professionals for the annual Forster Street Cleanup, beginning at 9 a.m., Forster and 2nd streets. Volunteers will pick up litter, pull weeds and plant native seeds and young shrubs. Tools, gloves, safety gear, food and drink will be provided. www.hyp.org

Beautify Harrisburg
April 13: Help beautify your city at the 7th Annual Great Harrisburg Cleanup at various locations, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The citywide effort works to remove litter from city streets, alleyways and public spaces. Individuals, neighbors and groups are encouraged to register prior to the event for cleanup supplies and T-shirts. www.cactricounty.org

Litter Cleanup
April 13: Join Friends of Midtown for its Great Harrisburg Cleanup event at Harris and Logan streets, Harrisburg, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Assist with picking up trash and large dumped items. Friends of Midtown also needs volunteers to lend pickup trucks. Email [email protected].

Earth Day Cleanup
April 13: In honor of Earth Day, Wildwood Park invites volunteers to “Clean Up Your Earth Day,” 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Participants will pick up litter and pull invasive plants. Snacks, tools and work gloves provided. www.wildwoodlake.org

Trivia After Hours
April 13: Join Fredricken Library, 100. N. 19th St., Camp Hill, at trivia night—“Parks and Rec Challenge”—7 to 9 p.m. Popcorn, corkscrews, bottle openers and prizes provided. Ages 21 and up, BYOB. www.fredricksenlibrary.org

Spring Fundraiser
April 13: Palmyra Public Library hosts its sixth annual benefit and silent auction fundraiser, “Springtime in the Vineyard,” at Vineyard and Brewery at Hershey, 598 Schoolhouse Rd., Middletown, 7 to 9:30 p.m. The event will feature a buffet dinner, wine and beer selections, a large silent auction and music. www.palmyra.lclibs.org

Library Auction
April 13-28: Joseph T. Simpson Public Library, 16 N. Walnut St., Mechanicsburg, hosts its 2019 Online Auction, with a preview period of April 13 to 19, and bidding April 20 to 28. www.simpsonlibraryauction.org

New Member Social
April 16: Join Harrisburg Young Professionals for its New Member Social, 6 p.m., at Café 1500, 1500 N. 6th St., Harrisburg. This event is for new and prospective members. RSVP required. www.hyp.org

Latino Health Summit
April 17-18: The 2nd annual Latino Health Summit will be held at York ExpoCenter Memorial Hall, 334 Carlisle Ave., 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit the free Adelante Health and Wellness Expo, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., for health screenings, dental assessments, fitness activities, healthy samples and more. www.palatinohealthsummit.org

Spring Happy Hour
April 18: YWCA Junior Board will hold its Spring Happy Hour, 5:30 p.m., at Level 2 in downtown Harrisburg. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Proceeds benefit YWCA Greater Harrisburg’s Camp Reily Program. www.ywcahbg.org/events

Book Sale
April 18-21: Shop the Friends of Kline Library Spring Book Sale for gently used books, videos, CDs and other items, at Paxtang Municipal Building, 3423 Derry St., Harrisburg. www.dcls.org

3rd in The Burg
April 19: Enjoy the best of Harrisburg during 3rd in the Burg, the monthly arts and culture event at galleries, restaurants and art spaces throughout downtown and Midtown, 6 to 9 p.m. www.thirdintheburg.org

Pollinator Workshop
April 24: Manada Conservancy will host “Backyard Pollinator Habitat,” a free educational program with Ryan Davis of the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Grace United Methodist Church, 433 E Main St, Hummelstown, 7 p.m. www.manada.org

Baseball Mixer
April 25: Join the West Shore Chamber and local business professionals at an afternoon Baseball Club Mixer, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at FNB Field, Harrisburg. www.wschamber.org

Annual Coffeehouse
April 25: Enjoy an evening of music, fellowship, food and drink, a silent auction and advocacy, 6:30 to 10 p.m., at the 11th Annual PUREHope Coffeehouse at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 240 Broad St., Highspire. Email [email protected].

State of Arms
April 25: Mark Fitzgerald, former U.S. senior diplomat, will address the current state of arms control before the Foreign Policy Association of Harrisburg at the West Shore Country Club, Camp Hill. His talk begins at 7:30 p.m. and is open to the public. A dinner precedes the talk. www.fpaharrisburg.org

Spring Book Sale
April 25-28: Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, will host its Spring Book and Media Sale, April 25, 2 to 8:30 p.m. (members preview), April 26, 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., April 27, 1 to 5 p.m., and April 28, 1 to 4 p.m. (bag sale day). www.fredricksenlibrary.org

Fundraising Event
April 26: Vision Resources of Central Pennsylvania hosts the 21st Annual Visions of Monte Carlo fundraiser at the Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey Hotel, 4650 Lindle Rd., for a dinner, auctions, music, casino-style games and more, 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. www.vrocp.org

Beer Week
April 26-May 5: Harrisburg Beer Week returns for a 10-day salute to local craft beer. The celebration includes beer festivals, tastings, pours and other events at dozens of venues throughout central PA. www.harrisburgbeerweek.com

Indoor Sale
April 26-27: Caitlin’s Smiles will hold its annual Indoor Yard Sale and Food Counter at Zion Lutheran Church, Dauphin, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. An assortment of donated items will be for sale to support the organization’s mission. A breakfast, lunch counter and bake sale will offer a variety of food items. www.caitlins-smiles.org

Race Against Racism
April 27: Walk or run a 5K race along Harrisburg’s 6th and 7th street corridors to promote awareness of racism and injustice in our community and to support YWCA Greater Harrisburg’s racial justice programs, 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. www.ywcahbg.org

Wetlands Festival
April 27: Celebrate Wildwood Park’s wetlands with a day of free, fun and educational activities, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy wildlife exhibits, displays and talk to representatives from environmental groups. www.wildwoodlake.org

Garden Tea Benefit
April 27: AKA Foundation of Central PA presents “Hats, Heels and Handkerchiefs,” a garden tea, fashion show and silent auction at Hotel Hershey, 100 Hotel Rd., Hershey, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event benefits programs and scholarships of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Epsilon Sigma Omega, Harrisburg. akafoundationofcentralpa.com

Odd Ones
Apr 27: Odd Ones Spring Bizarre will be held at The Millworks, 340 Verbeke St., Harrisburg, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Shop for unique and handcrafted gifts at this spring alternative arts and crafts event. www.millworksharrisburg.com

Community Fair
April 27: Vista Autism Services, 1021 Springboard Dr., Hershey, will host a community fair during Autism Acceptance Month, 1 to 5 p.m. Families and children can enjoy bounce houses, games, face painting, arts, crafts and food available for purchase. www.autismservices.org

Shakespeare’s Birthday
April 28: Celebrate the life of William Shakespeare and support Gamut Theatre, 15 N. 4th St., Harrisburg, 4 to 7 p.m., at the annual Spring Fling. Tickets are $100 or $150 per couple. Enjoy an open bar, silent and live auctions, entertainment and food. www.gamuttheatre.org

Kids’ Book Week
April 29-May 5: Kids and families are invited for fun activities to celebrate the 100th
anniversary of Children’s Book Week. www.fredricksenlibrary.org

A Road, a Journey: “On Time” reflects a band growing, maturing.

March 29, 2019 | by Erika Firestone

Photo by Anela Selkowitz.

Some say that Harrisburg-based band Colebrook Road helped pave the way for bluegrass in central Pennsylvania.

But that’s not necessarily how the band sees it.

“Bluegrass chose us,” said founding member and mandolinist Wade Yankey.

Yankey described how he and Jesse Eisenbise, lead guitarist and vocalist, were introduced through a mutual friend over their love for the genre.

Now a well-rounded, five-piece ensemble including Joe McAnulty on fiddle, Mark Rast on banjo and Jeff Campbell on upright bass, Colebrook Road’s original sound exudes the confident cohesion that comes as a result of a decade of playing and touring together.

On May 3, the band will officially release its third full-length album, “On Time.” The recording demonstrates what Colebrook Road has become known for—timeless harmonies and a progressive, new take on the genre.

For the album, Eisenbise took the lead on songwriting.

“I usually have an idea pretty well fleshed out and bring it to the guys to arrange collaboratively,” he said.

McAnulty chimed in, describing how fun the process is when a new song is brought in and ideas start to float around. Along with their most complex arrangements yet, the songwriting for the new album has taken on a more personal turn regarding subjects such as love, family and loneliness.

“On Time,” the name of both the album and its first single, reflects a relatable theme that defines the dynamic of the band. Despite holding full-time jobs and raising families, band members make time for their music.

Yankey related how the song is about all of the stress that fades away when it comes time to play.

“After squeezing out of work early on a Friday and fighting traffic to places like D.C. or Baltimore, getting on stage is just a sigh of relief,” he said.

To support the album, members are excited to get out on the road, heading out as far as Washington state and to bluegrass festivals across the country, including Greyfox, a seminal, four-day festival held each summer in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York.

But, wherever they go, band members take a little bit of home along with them. A map of the state reveals several rural, winding Colebrook Roads that connect small towns. The name itself is a metaphor for their music, which has taken on even more meaning over the years as they connect intimate, back-country vibes to the more modern and distinct Pennsylvania sound that they have helped to forge.

2018 was a particularly big year for the group, as they signed with Virginia-based Mountain Fever Records, where they recorded “On Time” in one weekend. Eisenbise described how far they’ve come over a decade, a journey that started with recording their first, self-titled album in his basement.

“It’s a progression that complements how we’ve grown together as a band,” he said.

Colebrook Road’s album release show takes place on March 30 at Federal Taphouse in Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.ColebrookRoad.com or their Facebook or Instagram, @Colebrook Road.

Great Little Smiles: Get your kids into the brushing habit.

March 29, 2019 | by Dr. Josh Capozzi

Teaching our children the value of personal hygiene for the sake of their health may not be as high on the priority list as asking them not to stick beads up their noses. However, the daily, “Go brush your teeth!” battle cry is just as important. Winning that war will pay dividends in healthy mouths and bright smiles.

Developing proper oral hygiene habits in our children helps set the stage for good oral health throughout their lives. This helps to avoid many issues, including gum disease, cavities and tooth loss that plague people from all walks of life. Almost 50 percent of children under 12 years of age have some form of tooth decay, making it one of the most prevalent childhood diseases in America. All it takes is teaching them how to effectively brush twice a day, for two minutes, and they can achieve excellent dental health for a lifetime.

As soon as your child gets his or her first tooth, you should try to acclimate them to a brushing routine. Don’t get frustrated. Perseverance is key! Unless your child is destined to be the next dental prodigy, you’re bound to fail for awhile. Every kid is different, and what works for one may not work for the other. Getting my daughter to brush was a struggle, to say the least, but we found that a solid routine, every morning after breakfast and nighttime before bed, created that habit for her.

Some other great tips:

Set a timer or play their favorite song. If that song is not a full two minutes—play it again! Making tooth brushing fun and not stressful is imperative.
Brush with them! Monkey-see, monkey-do is crucial. Kids love to imitate their parents.
Find what works for you—but avoid the sweets.
Let them brush on their own, but always do a once-over yourself to make sure the job gets done properly.
Use a brush that is small enough to easily move around in the child’s mouth. Powered toothbrushes can be fun and give a better all-around clean. For kids under 3 years old, use a fluoride toothpaste the size of a grain of rice. For kids over 3, dispense no more than a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Make sure they spit out the toothpaste instead of swallowing it.
Check out plaque-disclosing tablets that stain plaque missed after brushing. It’s a colorful way to show your kids how to brush better!
If you’ve mastered brushing, try introducing floss. It will be a fun challenge for you both since most adults don’t even know their way around flossing.

Keep Smiling,

Dr. Sleuth

Our Tooth Sleuth, Dr. Josh Capozzi, does most of his sleuthing at Capozzi Dental in Etters.

Visit Dr. C’s Facebook and comment with questions for him to answer in his next article. www.facebook.com/capozzidental

Musical Notes: Spring Rocks

March 29, 2019 | by Kait Gibboney

It’s another beautifully busy month in the Burg when it comes to entertainment.

With more outdoor and riverfront shows in the works, music opportunities continue to expand in our fair city. It’s not hard to find something fun to cure the post-winter blues. But in case you need some help, I’ve got your back. First, here are a few fun events that feature some music in the mix.

Historic Harrisburg Association will host its 3rd Annual Speakeasy (April 5) in its 1929 landmark Central Trust building located in our own beloved Midtown. Expect classic jazz numbers, dancing and ‘20s-style cocktails for the perfect Fitzgerald evening.

If you’re a food fan, check out the 6th Annual Central PA Soup Cook-Off (April 7) and scleroderma fundraiser at the Abbey Bar. Or if you’d rather drink locally made beer at Zeroday surrounded by Jim and Pam lookalikes, you’ll want to clock into “The Office” party (April 27) during Harrisburg Beer Week.

For you artsy types, be sure to look for Risque Business (April 28), a drag burlesque show at River City Blues Club or maybe an Open Jam with local saxophonist and Yam Yam member Jason Mescia (April 4 and 18) at J.B. Lovedraft’s.

If your heart is set on some live music, I’ve found some solid suggestions for you to make the perfect night out. It’s high time to melt off that winter frost and shake what your momma gave ya.

THE RECORD COMPANY, 4/6, 8PM, CLUB XL, $30-50
The Harrisburg University Concert Series continues to bring hot bands to Club XL. This time, it’s the Record Company, a highlight on the local 2019 music calendar. Hailing from Los Angeles, this bluesy rock band is made up of members Chris Vos, guitarist and lead vocalist, Alex Stiff, bassist and backing vocalist, and Marc Cazorla, drummer and backing vocalist. Blending together influences from blues and punk, these rockers recall a wonderful mix of John Mayer, B.B. King and Grace Potter. Impressed yet? Check out their Grammy-nominated album, “Give It Back to You,” for a taste of some of the best contemporary blues. Dust off your vinyl because the Record Company’s coming to town, and you’d best be prepared.

LOTUS, 4/18, 8PM, CLUB XL, $30
Some call them the jam band to end all jam bands. Some call them genre geniuses with an indescribable sound. Whatever you might call them, Lotus is bound to bring quite the crowd to Harrisburg’s newest hit venue. Blending styles centering around electronica and jam music, all influences find their way to Lotus for a diverse and deep sound. Since 1999, their livetronica sets have blown people away. Their shows tend to feature complex light sequences and some light group improvisations. So, gear up accordingly and, most of all, have fun getting down with your bad self.

WHITAKER UNPLUGGED, 4/19, 5PM, WHITAKER CENTER, $5-8
This event features a new program from Whitaker Center—“Whitaker Unplugged.” If you’re an acoustic singer-songwriter or just a lover of live music in general, join your kindred spirits in the lobby of the center. With a focus on local music, Whitaker Center is hoping to help aspiring artists get their start as confident musicians. Every third Friday, Whitaker Unplugged will offer an opportunity for community recognition, a moment in the spotlight, and possibly a cash prize, to boot. If you know me, readers, you know that I’m very passionate about the music community in Harrisburg. Programs, organizations and venues that encourage musicians in our community are vital in keeping art growing in the Burg. Come out and support “Whitaker Unplugged” for their second show in what I hope will be a successful ongoing series.

Mentionables:

Spring Gate Country Music Festival, Apr. 6-7, Spring Gate Vineyard
Consider the Source, Apr. 13, The Abbey Bar
Jay Dayoungin & Yungeen Ace, Apr. 13, H*MAC Capitol Room
River City Big Band, Apr. 15, River City Blues Club
Bobcat Brisko, Apr. 19, J.B. Lovedraft’s
Babel Map, Apr. 20, River City Blues Club
Frank Turner & the Sleeping Souls, Apr. 20, Club XL
Yella Beezy, Apr. 22, H*MAC Capitol Room
Dave Bennett, Apr. 27-28, The Forum

100 Years of Unity: Violet Oakley retrospective celebrates the famous muralist.

March 29, 2019 | by Priscilla Morales

When visiting Harrisburg, visitors often will check out the state Capitol building, the most popular tourist site in the city.

This majestic building has been a fixture of the city’s skyline for more than a century. On Saturday mornings, people often are found taking selfies, with the grand dome in the background.

Some will come in for group and self-guided tours, walking through the Rotunda, Senate Chamber, Supreme Courtroom and the House Chamber. With the start of a new exhibit series, the Senate Library has recently made its way into the loop of stops.

“I first got inspired from a family trip to D.C.,” said Megan Martin, the secretary and parliamentarian of the PA Senate. “[The Senate Library] is really a smaller scale of the Library of Congress. I wanted to tell the story of the library in a visual way and mimic a museum, swapping out [exhibits].”

Martin, the first woman in her position, pitched the idea of “The Legacy Project” in November 2017, before presenting the opening exhibit last year. She believes showcasing people who have contributed to the library is important as it enhances the visitor’s experience.

“We’re hoping the exhibit will be appealing and accessible to international visitors,” said Sarah Greenwald, curator and project manager. “We want to share the common history of the lesser known and humanize and highlight the forgotten.”

The premier exhibit, “Inspired. Uncovered. Honored. The Untold Institutional History of the Pennsylvania Senate,” focused largely on the people who ensured preservation of the valuable legislative record, retaining the Senate’s inaugural session and early proceedings.

The current exhibit, “Spirit & Substance: 100 Years of Violet Oakley, Capitol Muralist,” focuses on the painter responsible for some of the most iconic artwork in the statehouse. The exhibit displays a timeline of events, facts about the artist, an explanation of the six themes outlined in the murals, textual artifacts and an overview of Oakley’s vision.

“[Oakley’s] work is 100 years old, and it’s as beautiful, relevant and inspirational as ever,” said Evelyn Andrews, the PA Senate librarian. “The message hasn’t faded in time.”

In 1906, the current Capitol building completed construction, and Oakley went to work producing her signature murals, which were based on ideals from history and literature in Renaissance revival styles.

In January 1919, she finished her Senate chamber murals, a milestone that the exhibit commemorates. So, it’s important to visit both the exhibit and those famous murals.

In the Senate chamber, images from 19th-century Pennsylvania abound, as do themes of equality, freedom, justice and peace. The center mural, “International Unity and Understanding,” displays swords beaten into ploughshares, with Italian poet Dante offering “fruits of culture” to the crowds. At center, a giant figure, with open arms, wears a blue gown that transforms into the waters of life.

The mural echoed on a personal level for Oakley, as she fought for unity and equality in her own life. As the first American woman to receive a public mural commission, she didn’t let the societal norms of her day prevent her from doing what she loved.

Within the Capitol, the Supreme Courtroom and the Governors Grand Reception Room feature more of Oakley’s 43 murals. It’s important to remember that, at the time, women didn’t even have the right to vote, as the 19th amendment wasn’t ratified until 1920.

“Her values are still relevant today,” Greenwald said. “[Oakley] empowers women and enables women to continue to lead using their talents.”

Looking ahead, the Senate Library plans to commemorate Memorial Day with a military display, “We Remember: Service to the State and Nation,” continuing with a seasonal rotation of exhibits throughout the year.

“The project has turned out better than what I thought when I first presented the idea,” Martin said. “It’s been really exciting to tell the stories for generations to come, to put out something that’s educational and fascinating on the message of Oakley.”

For more information on the PA Senate Library and featured exhibits, visit www.library.pasen.gov or download the PA Capitol’s new mobile app at www.pacapitol.com/mobile-apps.

Harrisburg Sweet Home: 2018 marked a strong year for real estate sales in the city.

March 29, 2019 | by Maddie Crocenzi

Burg in Focus: Harrisburg Real Estate from GK Visual on Vimeo.

Pam Kotz and her husband lived in the north end of Harrisburg on N. 2nd Street for 30 years.

They raised their kids in the Riverside neighborhood, thinking of it as more of a small town than a large city. They had great neighbors. They got involved in the neighborhood watch. There was a Halloween parade. Pam even delivered the neighborhood newsletter.

When they decided to put that house on the market in 2011, it was at the end of the Great Recession. Pam said it was “timed really poorly,” and the home didn’t sell until 2015.

The couple moved out of the city to Susquehanna Township, thinking they would enjoy the change of pace. Instead, they found the suburbs were more hectic and congested, making their way of living more stressful.

“We lived across from people for three years, and we never met,” Pam said.

So, the Kotzes decided to move again. But this time, they found a very different housing market from the one they left. They saw a house on the 500-block of Antoine Street online on a Tuesday night and contacted their realtor Wendell Hoover. They saw the house near Italian Lake on Wednesday morning and quickly put in an offer.

“I’m telling you what, we’re very fortunate,” Pam said of their new home. “I know things are improving even that much more.”

Happy, Staying

The Kotzes’ story isn’t unique. Hoover, with Iron Valley Real Estate of Central PA, has lived in the city for 20 years and worked as a realtor for 10. He’s noticed a record low number of houses for sale in the city.

Hoover’s data clearly shows the improvement in the city’s housing market. Last year boasted the second-best sales volume for the city in a decade (since 2009) at $43,345,219, with the greatest number of units sold at 539. It also ranked best for cumulative days on the market, with a low of 130.

Compare that to 2011, when the Kotzes first tried to sell their home. Only 269 units sold that year with a sold volume of $19,637,255. Cumulative days on the market were 180.

Ray Davis, a realtor with Howard Hanna, echoes Hoover’s optimism. Davis moved to Harrisburg in 1986 and began in real estate in 1992.

“It’s been very strong,” Davis said of the city real estate market.

He credits the growth to new developments from Midtown Cinema to restaurant row, which are causing people to stay. Davis said that fewer homes were on the market in 2018 because people were happy and staying in the city, leading to a lower inventory.

Very Quickly

The increase in home ownership has led to another development. With the market improving, Davis said that buyers are expecting more for their money. Many buyers are looking for the extremes—either a move-in-ready home or a fixer-upper that needs to be gutted.

Kate Hummel and her husband Eric fell into one of those extremes. They worked with Hoover to sell their Camp Hill townhouse and move to the Midtown area. But they had some specific requirements: a single-family home, off-street parking and a house that was move-in ready.

In August, they attempted to buy a home but weren’t fast enough. They waited until they found another one that matched their dream on the 1900-block of N. 3rd Street.

“As soon as Eric saw that this house was on the market, we knew we had to move quickly,” Kate said. “Everything went very, very quickly.”

The Midtown neighborhood has been particularly active. Hoover’s statistics show that 161 homes with the Midtown postal code of 17102 sold in 2017 and 135 in 2018. The sales volume was $18,498,076 and $16,361,454, respectively. In 2011, only 69 homes sold with a sales volume of $7,007,595.

The growth trend doesn’t only apply to homes. Justin Heinly moved to Harrisburg almost 10 years ago. When he first moved to the city, he bought a five-unit property and lived in it while he renovated it.

An engineer with a real estate license, he’s had his hand in renovating apartment buildings and a few single-family homes in the Midtown area from Maclay down to Verbeke Street. In the last three to four years, Heinly has noticed millennials waiting to buy homes, instead looking for high-quality apartments.

“If a multi-unit is put on the market at a reasonable price, it will go very quickly in today’s market,” he explained. “The only ones that will really sit on the market is if they are under-renovated and poorly priced.”

Heinly said he’s had numerous clients waiting for a multi-unit property to go on sale so they can buy it, renovate it and increase their investment. In a market where the demand is high, even the structures themselves have value.

“There have been multiple properties that I’ve purchased recently where they were structurally unstable,” Heinly explained. “There’s actually enough value in those properties that people can rehabilitate them and make them an income-producing asset. That’s probably the best thing to happen to Harrisburg in a long time.”

Hit Their Stride

The Hummels moved to Midtown because they found they were always going into the city, whether it was to go out to eat, meet up with friends or see a show. They wanted a home where it was convenient to walk to the places they enjoyed.

The couple reflects one of the reasons that Davis thinks the city is so popular for the younger generation.

“Generally, you get a younger clientele who want to be able to walk to work, the Capitol,” he said.

Some move away as they get older and start families, bringing in a new younger generation. Others stay or move back once they have an empty nest.

In their little cottage on Antoine Street, the Kotzes are hitting their stride again. Although they don’t have young kids that could participate in a neighborhood Halloween parade, they do have a two-sided yard where Pam will plant her cherry tomatoes.

“I’m surprised, and much chagrined, that I have found that, all these years I wanted to move out of the city, and actually I’m more of an in-town person,” she said. “It’s not because what I wanted was different; it’s what I found.”

Going Up

In Harrisburg city, both the number of housing units sold and the total sales volume have jumped over the past seven years.

Year Units Sold Sold Volume

2018               539                             $43,345,219
2017               522                             $41,048,419
2016               438                             $31,905,925
2015               401                             $30,635,171
2014               382                             $26,007,112
2013               313                             $19,303,048
2012               264                             $17,280,854
2011               269                             $19,637,255
2010               354                             $27,004,839

Source: Bright MLS

Teacher, Coach, Author: In retirement, Emery Cook finds another way to educate.

March 29, 2019 | by Susan Ryder

Growing up in Florida in the 1960s, Emery Cook had a tough childhood, marked by oppressive racism, poverty and bullying.

That could have created a hardened, cynical adult. Instead, Cook chose another path.

He made it his mission to educate and mentor countless students during his decades of teaching and coaching, particularly at Susquehanna Township High School.

“My parents treated people the way they wanted to be treated and always instilled that in us,” he said.

Cook’s parents also encouraged an education.

He received a basketball scholarship to West Chester University, outside of Philadelphia. After graduation, he channeled these experiences into his life, becoming an admired teacher, championship basketball coach, the first black head coach at Susquehanna Township, Central Dauphin and Carlisle high schools, a motivational speaker, and the recipient of countless awards.

Cook’s upbringing was a filter by which he taught and interacted with students and players.

“It gives me a frame of reference in understanding the various backgrounds that kids come from,” he said. “It helped me to know what kids needed—attention.”

Cook held his players to high standards, even earning the moniker, “Coach Hard Hat,” for the hat he wore when practices where going to be exceptionally tough. There were rules for behavior on and off the court, with an emphasis on respect for one another, for coaches and for opposing players.

A former student, Ellis Proctor, remembered Cook as a mentor and coach.

“He came at a really important time in my life,” Proctor said.

Moving from the Harrisburg school district to Susquehanna and away from all his friends, Proctor had a self-described attitude problem. Recalling his young self, he said, “I’m not playing [basketball] for Susquehanna. I’m a Cougar!”

At Cook’s urging, Proctor joined the lineup and was part of the 1997 PIAA AAA basketball championship team.

“They are still kids, no matter how big they are,” Cook said of his players.

What You Know

Eventually, Cook retired from teaching and coaching, falling into an unproductive routine.

“My first year in retirement, I was a lazy bum,” said. “I wouldn’t set an appointment before 11 a.m.”

But he got bored, which set the stage for the next part of his life—that of author. His 35-year habit of taking notes on daily happenings paid off by providing material for the novel he now planned.

So, he had inspiration—and content. Now he needed a way to get from here to there.

For instruction, he headed to YouTube for tutorials on writing, voice and narration. A chance meeting at a diner with a 70ish-year-old women and author yielded some key advice for writing his book.

“She said, ‘Whatever you write, make it believable. Write about what you know,’” Cook said.

With that in mind, he began chronicling the 1960s life of a middle-schooler, a boy named Joseph Graham, in a Southern town.

Much like in his own life, the boy is bullied because of his looks, needs to hide his intelligence to fit in and has to deal with poverty.

Graham’s trials send him down a dangerous path until he ricochets back, thanks to the influence of a teacher—a character named Mr. Thompson. The book deals with hard truths, but does so with the reader in mind.

“As an author, Emery cares about the reader—not the buyer,” said Nate Gadsden, a college classmate of Cook’s and eventually his book editor.

“He’s an engaging person,” Gadsden said. “Nothing seems to rattle him. He has an easy intensity about him.”

Gadsden found in Emery an astounding level of awareness of and care for his craft, especially for an author just starting out.

“He wanted to know what he was doing to the reader,” Gadsden said. “He wanted people to come to moments of truth.”

In 2017 Cook, under the pen name Cy Emery, self-published “Hiding in the Light: The Hunt,” the first book in a planned trilogy.

Cook said the book “edu-tains,” and he uses it as a part of his anti-bullying program.

Cook’s impact now extends into following generations, beyond those who he personally coached and taught.

Proctor, his former student, began Harrisburg-based Brothers and Sisters Making a Difference 11 years ago to provide the type of mentoring he received from Cook. Group members take students on college visits, to museums, provide homework checks and touch base with parents. Its mission is “to instill morals and cultivate high self-esteem” and “to provide a support system for kids who didn’t have it,” Proctor said.

Like Cook, Proctor aspires to bring light into his community and inspire those in challenging life experiences. He recognized that, without Cook’s influence, things could have turned out much differently for him

“I would have swayed,” he said.

“Hiding in the Light” is available at www.hidinginthelightthehunt.com. Watch for Cook’s second book, “Release the Light,” coming in November.

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