That’s In Order! Lori Reese will help organize your home, your life.

March 29, 2019 | by Norah Griffiths Johnson

Lori Reese, like most kids, had a messy room growing up.

But, unlike most kids, she also enjoyed cleaning up the mess.

“I loved organizing it and tidying up,” she said. “I was always getting rid of things, but, as a kid in a family of five, that just meant putting it in the basement.”

It’s often our most innate traits that form the breeding ground for our eventual passions. This was certainly true for Reese, who, in 2014, founded Consider It Done, a company that offers expert services in planning, organizing and managing life’s transitions—i.e., downsizing, de-cluttering, organizing, household management and personal assistant support.

Though Reese’s previous work ranged from an assistant for C-suite executives to a long chapter in human resources, the world of personal organizing was long on her radar.

She cited a favorite read, Julie Morgenstern’s “Organizing from the Inside Out,” and discovering the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals as game changers in her career evolution.

“I remember thinking, ‘Wow, there are people out there doing this!’” she said. “But, at the time, I was in a different life chapter. So, I tabled the idea, but it was always there.”

It was losing a close relative, several years back, that became catalyst for her to create a next chapter, centered around work she felt passionate about.

“Losing her helped me realize that life is too short,” Reese said. “You have to seize the moment. So then I really started to get serious.”

Does That Work?

At the beginning, Consider It Done took on a broad range of projects—even developing an extensive catalog for a client’s art collection.

Today, the business, which has grown to five people, has evolved to specialize in helping people manage life’s transitions, whether that’s an estate, paperwork, downsizing, paper management or a host of other such tasks.

Reese’s zest for shepherding clients through even the most onerous projects is evident, but, let’s face it, for many of us, getting organized and knowing what to keep and what to purge isn’t something that comes easily.

So, where can the rest of us start?

“Books are a great jumping off point for self-starters,” she said.

There are many to choose from, including Marie Kondo’s recent bestseller, “The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up.”

“Using her approach is not a bad way to begin weeding out what you are ready to pare down,” Reese said. “But there’s more to being organized than just getting rid of things. It’s also about finding a system that’s right for you—one that builds off of what comes naturally to you, so you’ll be able to maintain things once you get organized.”

Reese cautioned against comparing your surroundings to what you see on TV or in magazines.

“I always say that ‘neat’ doesn’t have to mean ‘pretty,’” she said.

As an example, she mentioned a client who preferred organizing paperwork in shoeboxes.

“I asked them, ‘Does that work for you?’” she said. “And it did, and that’s what’s important.“

A Calling

Reese understands that it can be hard at the beginning, especially for people tackling a project on their own.

“Try to be patient with yourself,” she said. “Don’t carve out an entire Saturday—budget small amounts of time to start—even just 15 minutes at a time. Try tackling one shelf or one little corner or maybe decorations from just one particular holiday.”

Inherently, it’s extremely personal work.

“Often times, I’m seeing the parts of people’s lives that they don’t want others to know are not so perfect,” she said.

So, trust is essential.

Reese understands that it isn’t always easy to let someone else see the less-than-HGTV-perfect parts of our lives and homes.

“It’s a big step to hire expert help, but it makes such a difference from the start,” she said. “I see the relief people start to feel as soon as they start to work through a project.”

But what’s it really like to let a personal organizer see behind the curtain, so to speak? To get a glimpse, I spoke with Vicki Holbrook, a client of Reese’s.

“I was struggling with carving out time to tackle some organizational projects,” she explained. “So, I figured scheduling someone to come in would force me to get started.”

Reese, said Holbrook, began by breaking down her large projects into manageable steps.

“I could tell right from the start that she wasn’t judgmental, nor did she make me feel like a lost cause organization-wise,” she said, laughing. “Plus, it’s just nice to work with someone by your side.”

Indeed, it’s always inspiring to meet people who love their work, and Reese, dating back to childhood, seems finally to have found her calling.

“Some of my greatest joys so far have been watching the transformations people experience as we work through things,” Reese said. “And they get organized.”

For more information on Consider It Done, call 717-991-9036 or visit www.consideritdonepa.com.

Happenings: Our April Calendar of Events

March 29, 2019 | by Missy Smith

Museum & Art Spaces

AACA Museum
161 Museum Dr., Hershey
717-566-7100; aacamuseum.org

“Post World War II Luxury Convertibles,” through April 28

“Dodge Brother Vehicles,” courtesy of the Mid-Atlantic Region of the Dodge Brothers Club, through April 28.

Art Association of Harrisburg
21 N. Front St., Harrisburg
717-236-1432; artassocofhbg.com

“Seek-Scapes,” artwork by Josh McCausland, Luie Viisuals, Michael Hower and ZheKa, April 5-May 9; reception: April 5, 5-8 p.m.

Carlisle Arts Learning Center
38 W. Pomfret St., Carlisle
717-249-6973; carlislearts.org

“A Celebration of Student Art,” CALC’s annual collaboration with Carlisle Area School District showcases K-12 student artwork, through April 6

“Imagery and Field,” an exhibition of contrasts with paintings by Mary Hochendoner and color field work by Maaike Heitkönig, April 26-June 1

The Cornerstone Coffeehouse
2133 Market St., Camp Hill
717-737-5026; thecornerstonecoffeehouse.com

Artist of the Month: Linda Bulkwalter

Gallery on the Square
Millersburg Area Art Association
226 Union St., Millersburg
Facebook: Gallery on the Square

“Fiber Art Show,” decorative, functional and wearable art; hand-dyed fabric and hand-spun yarn by Millersburg Area Art Association members, April 3-May 11; reception: April 7, 1-3 p.m.

Hershey Area Art Association (HAAA)
40 Northeast Dr., Hershey
hersheyart.org

“Sundays, Sun Days & Sundaes,” membership spring show, through May 18

Messiah College School of Arts
One College Ave., Mechanicsburg
717-766-2511; messiah.edu

“Senior Show,” final works from senior students in the Studio Art program, through April 18

The Millworks
340 Verbeke St., Harrisburg
717-695-4888; millworksharrisburg.com

New works by Tara Chickey, Kelly Curran, Kristen Fava, Andrew Guth, Judy Kelly and Caleb Smith, through April 14

New works by Elaine Brady Smith, Christine Goldbeck, PD Murray, Richard Souders and Lori Sweet, April 16-May 12

Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art
176 Water Company Rd., Millersburg
717-692-3699; nedsmithcenter.org

“Miniature to Monumental,” 3-dimensional works by Rick Summons, through April 1

New Cumberland Public Library
1 Benjamin Plaza, New Cumberland
717-774-7820; newcumberlandlibrary.org

Oil still life paintings by Roseanne Wolfe, through April

Pennsylvania National Fire Museum
1820 N. 4th St., Harrisburg
717-232-8915; pnfm.org

Exhibits dedicated to Pennsylvania firefighting history

Perry County Council of the Arts
Landis House, 67 N. 4th St. 2nd St., Newport
717-567-7023; perrycountyarts.org

“Big, Bigger, Biggest” showcasing sculptures and large-scale original wall art in a variety of media, April 5-June 1; reception: April 5, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Perry County Council of the Arts
PCCA Gallery, 1 S. Second St., Newport
717-567-7023; perrycountyarts.org

“Clay—The Way of the Maker,” an exhibition featuring members of the Central PA Potters, April 5 to June 1; reception, April 5, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Rose Lehrman Art Gallery
One HACC Drive, Harrisburg
717-780-2435; hacc.edu

“Student Honors Shows 1,” April 1-18; reception: April 4, 5:30-7 p.m.

“Student Honors Show 2,” April 24-May 9; reception: May 2, 5:30-7 p.m.

The State Museum of Pennsylvania
300 North St., Harrisburg
717-787-4980; statemuseumpa.org

“Dressed for Service: Pennsylvanians in the Great War,” through May 5

“Pennsylvania at War: World War I Posters from the Pennsylvania State Archives,” through Dec. 29

“Pennsylvania at War: The Saga of the USS Pennsylvania,” through Dec. 29

Susquehanna Art Museum
1401 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-233-8668; sqart.org

“Studio Life,” the 2018 Fellows of Mt. Gretna’s Four Pillars Artist Residency, through April 28

“SAFSTOR,” an exhibition by Adam Diller consisting of photographic, video and audio ephemera from the partial-meltdown of Three Mile Island in 1979, through May 5

“Overlapping Tension,” featuring the work of Los Angeles-based artist Yasmine Diaz, Pittsburgh-based Vanessa German and Tucson, Ariz.-based Laura Tanner Graham, through May 5

“Visions of Place: Complex Geographies in Contemporary Israeli Art,” through May 19

The Ware Center
42 N. Prince St., Lancaster
717-871-2308; artsmu.com

“Portals: The Gail Gray Project,” April 5-26

Wildwood Park
100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg
717-221-0292; wildwoodlake.org

“Art In The Wild,” naturally inspired trailside creations along Wildwood Park’s wandering trails and wetlands, April 13-Oct. 31

Yellow Bird Café
1320 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-635-8991; yellowbird-cafe.com

Works by Bonita Wagner

Zeroday Brewing Co.
250 Reily St., Harrisburg
717-745-6218; zerodaybrewing.com

Art gallery by children of St. Stephens Episcopal School, through April 18

Art gallery by Dave Yasencheck, April 19-May 16

Read, Make, Learn

Carlisle Arts Learning Center
38 W. Pomfret St., Carlisle
717-249-6973; carlislearts.org

April 3-24: Worsted Weight Socks, 4 Wednesdays, 6-8 p.m.
April 4, 11: Create a Sketchbook, 6:30-8 p.m.
April 5: Craft Beer & Clay, 7 p.m.
April 5, 12: Create a Sketchbook, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
April 17: Intro to Metal Jewelry—Learn to Love Your Jeweler’s Saw, 6-8 p.m.
April 24: Eggshell Mosaic Pendant, 6-8 p.m.
April 27: Sgraffito Tiles

The Cornerstone Coffeehouse
2133 Market St., Camp Hill
717-737-5026; thecornerstonecoffeehouse.com

April 11: Vegetarian Feast, 6-9 p.m.
April 19: Springtime in Paris, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
April 29: Beggin’ for Bacon, 6-9 p.m.

East Shore Area Library
4501 Ethel St., Harrisburg
717-652-9380; dcls.org

April 4: This is My House, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
April 5, 19: Basic Email I & II, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
April 14: All Aboard the RMS Titanic, 1-2 p.m.
April 18: Device Club, 1-2:30 p.m.
April 23: Friends of East Shore Area Library Meeting, 9:30-11:15 a.m.

Elizabethtown Public Library
10 S. Market St., Elizabethtown
717-367-7467; etownpubliclibrary.org

April 6, 20: Cards & Coffee, 10 a.m.
April 11, 25: Community Knitters, 6 p.m.
April 13, 27: Family LEGO Club, 11 a.m.

Fredricksen Library
100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill
717-761-3900; fredricksenlibrary.org

April 2: Curl Up with the Classics—“Little Women,” 10 a.m.
April 3: Moving Forward Book Group w/Hospice of Central PA, 1 p.m.
April 4, 18: Blood Pressure Screenings with UPMC Pinnacle, 1 p.m.
April 5: Youth Chess Night, 6:30 p.m.
April 8: Philosopher’s Roundtable, 2 p.m.
April 8: Twisted Stitchers, 6:30 p.m.
April 9: Pennsylvania Trivia from A to Z, 7 p.m.
April 11, 23: Drop-In Family Story Time (ages 3-6), 6:30 p.m.
April 11, 25: Plot Twisters Teen Writers Group, 6:30 p.m.
April 12: Foreign Film Friday, 2 and 7 p.m.
April 13: Book vs. Movie—“Bridge to Terabithia,” 1:30 p.m.
April 14: READ to Dogs, 6:30 p.m.
April 19: Family Movie Night, 6:30 p.m.
April 22: Fredricksen Reads—“Beartown,” 7 p.m.
April 23: Journey of an Author with John Benedict, 7 p.m.

Harrisburg Improv Theatre
1633 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-798-6973; hbgimprov.com

April 13: Guest Workshop—Do More with Less w/ Kelly Buttermore and Justin Peters, 12-3 p.m.

Hershey Area Art Association (HAAA)
40 Northeast Dr., Hershey
hersheyart.org

April 23: Pastel Workshop, 12-4 p.m.

Hershey Public Library
701 Cocoa Ave., Hershey
717-533-6555; hersheylibrary.org

April 1, 8, 15: Books and Babies, 9:30 a.m.
April 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17: 1, 2, Whee!, 10 a.m.
April 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25, 30: Penn State Hershey—Mothers & Babies Together, 10 a.m.
April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Girls Who Code, 5:45 p.m.
April 3: LEGO Club, 4 p.m.
April 3, 10, 17, 24: Sensory 1, 2, Whee!, 11 a.m.
April 4, 11, 18, 25: Teen Lounge, 3 p.m.
April 4, 18: Card Making Class, 6 p.m.
April 5, 12, 19, 26 : Dungeons and Dragons, 3 p.m.
April 5, 19: Play Day for Families, 10 a.m.
April 6: Photography Class, 9:30 a.m.
April 6: Egg Decorating Class, 1 p.m.
April 6: Adult Storytime, 2 p.m.
April 6, 13, 20, 27: Chess Club, 1:30 p.m.
April 7: National Library Week Author Visit, 2 p.m.
April 10: In the Middle—Writing, 3 p.m.
April 10: Healthy Sun Habits, 7 p.m.
April 13: Writing a Book and Where to Begin, 1 p.m.
April 13: 2^nd Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
April 14: Friends’ Children’s Program— Yah-Oh-Way, 2 p.m.
April 17: In the Middle—Games, 3 p.m.
April 17: Adulting—Bullet Journaling, 5 p.m.
April 20: “While Reason Slept” w/ Tom Brier, 2 p.m.
April 22: Storytime with Teens, 11 a.m.
April 22: Central PA Blood Drive, 3 p.m.
April 23: Art in Science, 4 p.m.
April 24: Friend’s Meeting, 9:15 a.m.
April 24: Tween Lounge, 3 p.m.
April 27: Friends Student Film Festival, 2 p.m.

Joseph T. Simpson Public Library
16 N. Walnut St, Mechanicsburg
717-766-0171; simpsonlibrary.org

April 2: Tabletop Games, 6-8 p.m.
April 2, 9, 16, 30: Tea & Stitches, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
April 3: Go With Your Gut—Pros of Probiotics, 7-8:30 p.m.
Aug. 4: Learn to Knit/Crochet, 7-8 p.m.
April 4, 11, 18, 25: Mah Jongg, 10 a.m.- 1 p.m.
April 8: iPad/iPhone Beginners, 1-3 p.m.
April 8: English Conversation Group, 6:30-8 p.m.
April 9: Tax Help, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
April 10: Mad About Mysteries, 7-8 p.m.
April 10: Medicare 101, 7-8 p.m.
April 15: Monday Night Book Club, 7-8 p.m.
April 17: Instant Pot Techniques, 7-8 p.m.
April 18: Thursday Morning Book Club, 10 a.m.–1 a.m.
April 22: English Conversation Group, 6:30-8 p.m.
April 23: Tea & Stitches Extended, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
April 24: Apple Users Group, 7-8 p.m.
April 24: Yoga for Beginners, 7-8 p.m.

Kline Library
530 S. 29^th St., Harrisburg
717-234-3934; dcls.org

April 10: Upcycled Book Journals, 6-7:30 p.m.
April 11: Let’s Vote!, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
April 24: Knit 1, Crochet Too!, 6-8 p.m.
April 27: Carve It Up! Soap Sculpting, 1-2 p.m.

The LGBT Center of Central PA
1306 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-920-9534; centralpalgbtcenter.org

April 3, 10, 17, 24: Common Roads Youth, 6 p.m.
April 6, 13, 20, 27: Passageways—Trans and Non-Binary Group, 2-4 p.m.
April 7, 14, 21, 28: Common Roads Young Adult, 4 p.m.

April 13: Queer & Trans People of Color Advisory, 6-8 p.m.

Madeline L. Olewine Memorial Library
2410 North 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-232-7286; dcls.org

April 3: Dungeons and Dragons, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
April 9: Book Page Origami, 6-7:30 p.m.
April 9, 23: Job Seekers Resources, 1-2:30 p.m.
April 15: Cookbook Book Club—Handhelds and Finger Foods, 6-7 p.m.
April 20: Our Amazing Planet, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

McCormick Riverfront Library
101 Walnut St., Harrisburg
717-234-4976; dcls.org

April 3, 10, 17, 24: Mid-Day Getaway, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
April 13: Poetry and Pizza, 12-1:30 p.m.
April 19: Literary Trivia, 6-7 p.m.
April 23: Device Club, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Middletown Public Library
20 N. Catherine St, Middletown
717-944-6412; middletownpubliclib.org

April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: STEM Club, 5:30-7 p.m.
April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Storytime and Craft, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Tales with T.A.I.L.S., 6-7 p.m.
April 2, 16, 23, 30: Evening Family Yoga, 6-7 p.m.
April 4: Book Club, 6-7 p.m.
April 4, 11, 18, 25: LEGO Club, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
April 5, 12, 19, 26: Science Fiction Book Club (meets online)
April 13: Speed Date with a Book, 1-3:30 p.m.
April 15: Mystery Book Club, 6-7 p.m.
April 26: Trivia Night, 7-8 p.m.

Midtown Scholar Bookstore-Café
1302 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-236-1680; midtownscholar.com

April 4: An Evening w/Robert Crease, 7-9 p.m.
April 5, 12, 26: Nathaniel Gadsden’s Spoken Word Café, 7-9 p.m.
April 6: An Evening w/Amy Murrell Taylor, 6-8 p.m.
April 6: An Evening w/Alison Dagnes, 6-8 p.m.
April 11, 18, 25: Almost Uptown Poetry Cartel, 7-9 p.m.
April 14: Harrisburg Young Professionals Book Club, 2 p.m.
April 15: An Evening w/Charles Fergus, 7-9 p.m.
April 17: An Evening w/Anthony Grooms, 7-9 p.m.
April 21: Midtown Writers Group, 1 p.m.
April 21: LGBT Book Club, 4:30 p.m.
April 24: An Evening w/Steve Luxenberg, 7-9 p.m.
April 27: Independent Bookstore Day, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
April 28: The Presidents—An Afternoon with Brian Lamb and Susan Swain, 4-6 p.m.

The Millworks
340 Verbeke St., Harrisburg
717-695-4888; millworksharrisburg.com

April 6: Fluid Art Class, 12-2:30 p.m.

The Movement Center
2134 N. 2^nd St., Harrisburg
717-238-0357; themovementcenter.net

April 14: Community Beginner Yoga Class, 10 a.m.

New Cumberland Public Library
1 Benjamin Plaza, New Cumberland
717-774-7820; newcumberlandlibrary.org

April 1, 15: Monday Great Books Discussion, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
April 2: Tales for T.A.I.L.S., 6:30-7:30 p.m.
April 4: Ruth’s Mystery Discussion Group, 10:15 a.m.-12 p.m.
April 5: LEGO Madness, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
April 8: Build and Play (ages 3-6), 10:30 a.m.
April 8: Build and Play (ages 6-23 months), 10:30 a.m.
April 9: Book Review—“A Piece of the World,” 10:30-11:30 a.m.
April 10: Adult Craft Program—Beaded Earrings, 1 p.m. or 6:30 p.m.
April 10, 24: Wednesday Great Books Discussion Group, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
April 12: Preschool STEM Stations—Coding, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
April 13: Write-On Writer’s Workshop, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
April 20: Couponing for Extreme Savings, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
April 20: Children’s Book Writers Critique Group, 2-4 p.m.
April 22, 29: Twos & Threes Storytime, 11 a.m.
April 22, 29: Preschool Storytime, 1 p.m.
April 22, 29: 1-2-3 Library! Family Storytime, 6:30 p.m.
April 23, 30: Book Babies Storytime, 11:15 a.m.
April 24: PennWriters Writing Group, 6-9 p.m.

Palmyra Public Library
50 Landings Dr., Annville
717-838-1347; palmyra.lclibs.org

April 2, 9, 23, 30: Smart Start Storytime, 12:15-12:45 p.m.
April 16: Makerspace (for kids in grades 1-6), 3:30-5 p.m.

Perry County Council of the Arts
Landis House, 67 N. 4th St., Newport
717-567-7023; perrycountyarts.org

April 20: Encaustic Wax & Photo Transfer, 1-4 p.m.
April 27: Mindful Ikebana Workshop, 1-2 p.m.

Pine Street Presbyterian Church
310 N. Third St., Harrisburg
717-238-9304; pinestreet.org

April 7: Gerrymandering—A Guide to Congressional Redistricting, 8:45 a.m.
April 7: Christian Spirituality, 11:30 a.m.
April 13: Shawl Ministry, 10 a.m.

The State Museum of Pennsylvania
300 North St., Harrisburg
717-787-4980; statemuseumpa.org

April 5: Story Time—“Come Back Moon,” 10:30 a.m.

Susquehanna Art Museum
1401 N. 3^rd St., Harrisburg
717-233-8668; sqart.org

April 17: Life Drawing Class, 6-9 p.m.

Wildwood Park
100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg
717-221-0292; wildwoodlake.org

April 6: Webelos Scout Program—Into the Woods, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
April 7: “Art in the Wild”—Meet the Artists, 1-3 p.m.
April 7: Kids Discover—Fish, 1:30-3 p.m.
April 11: “Art in the Wild” Lecture by Ted Prescott, 7-8 p.m.
April 13: Clean Up Your Earth Day, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
April 13: Stress Relief Walk, 10-11:30 a.m.
April 14: Flower Walk—Dutchman’s Breeches and Trout Lilies, 1:30-3 p.m.
April 18: Get in Shape Walk, 5:45-7:15 p.m.

William H. & Marion C. Alexander Family Library
200 W. Second St., Hummelstown
717-566-0949; dcls.org

April 2: Novel Thoughts Book Club, 6:30-8 p.m.
April 4: Teen Night—Gardening on a Window Sill, 6-7 p.m.
April 8: Upcycled Book Journals, 6-7:30 p.m.
April 9: Friends of Alexander Family Library Meeting, 6:30-8 p.m.
April 10: 2^nd Wednesday Cinema, 6-8 p.m.
April 16: Novel Thoughts Too Book Club, 1-3 p.m.
April 25: All Aboard the RMS Titanic, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Winters Heritage House Museum
41-47 E. High St., Elizabethtown
717-367-4672; elizabethtownhistory.org

April 12: Story Hour, 9:30 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 1 p.m.
April 13: Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast, 8:30-10 a.m.
April 13: Natural Egg Dyeing Class, 1 and 3 p.m.

Yoga at Simply Well
28 S. Pitt St., Carlisle
717-968-0167; yogaatsimplywell.com

April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: Mindful Monday, 11:15-11:45 a.m.
April 6-27: Youth Yoga (grades 6-12), Saturdays, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
April 13: Family Yoga, 4-4:45 p.m.

Live Music

American Music Theatre
2425 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster
717-397-7700; amtshows.com

April 4: The Orchestra
April 5: Celtic Woman—Ancient Land
April 7: Engelbert Humperdinck
April 10: The Doobie Brothers
April 12: Kris Kristofferson & The Strangers
April 13: Spring Doo Wop Cavalcade
April 14: Stomp

Appalachian Brewing Co./Abbey Bar
50 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg
717-221-1083; abcbrew.com

April 5: Black Masala
April 6: Steal Your Face
April 13: Consider the Source
April 19: Hexbelt
April 20: Crippled But Free

April 26: Hip Pocket

Appell Center for the Performing Arts
50 N. George St., York
717-846-1111; appellcenter.org

April 6: York Symphony Orchestra
April 7: Pierre Fracalanza
April 14: York Junior Symphony Orhcestra

Boneshire Brew Works
7462 Derry St., Harrisburg
717-469-5007; boneshire.com

April 18: Zach & Virginia
April 25: Dave Gates

Carlisle Theatre
44 W. High St., Carlisle
717-258-0666; carlisletheatre.org

April 13: Glee—A College A Cappella Competition
April 17: Unchained—The Ultimate Johnny Cash Tribute

Central PA Friends of Jazz
friendsofjazz.org

April 7: Duduka Da Fonseca
April 28: JD Allen

Chameleon Club
223 N. Water St., Lancaster
717-299-9684; chameleonclub.net

April 3: Pink Mexico, La Cicada
April 4: Scary Pockets, People’s Blues of Richmond
April 5: Flapjack Jones and the Bender Brohs, Tiny Meat Gang w/ Cody Ko and Noel Miller
April 6: The Scouts, Tyler Farr
April 10: The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Alesana
April 11: Okily Dokilly
April 12: Knocked Loose, Wild Belle
April 13: Neil Hilborn, April 13: Split, Deep Rest
April 16: Veil of Maya, Intervals
April 19: Less Than Jake, Lower Wolves Tribute to R.E.M.
April 20: The POF, Big Boy Brass Band, L.A. Guns ft. Tracii Guns and Phil Lewis
April 20: Animal Years
April 24: Seaway
April 25: Trap Beckham
April 26: Aaron West, Sad & Boujee
April 27: Jake Miller
April 29: Black Stone Cherry
April 30: Combichrist

Champions Sports Bar & Grill
300 2nd St., Highspire
717-939-0488; championssportsbar.us

April 28: Frank Bey w/Gabe Stillman

Cliff’s Tavern
1104 Carlisle Rd., Camp Hill
717-412-7323; cliffstavern.com

April 3: Steve Rudolph & Erin Cruise
April 5: Stu Huggens
April 6: Shea Quinn & Luv Gods
April 7: Kevin Valentine & Gavin Horning
April 12: The SUM & The Mighty Klucks
April 19: Steel
April 20: Chasin Moody
April 26: Sight Unseen
April 27: Jelly Bricks

Club XL
801 S. 10^th St., Harrisburg
717-409-8975; xlhbg.com

April 5: Berrix
April 6: The Record Company
April 7: Sunsquabi with Defunk
April 11: Papadosio
April 12: Go Go Gadjet
April 13: Ryan Hurd, Tyler Rich, Riley Green, Dylan Scott
April 14: Earthgang
April 18: Lotus
April 19: Quasi Kings
April 20: Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls, Murder by Death
April 25: The Werks
April 26: The Amish Outlaws
April 27: Mountain Road, Chapel Hill, Garrett Shultz, Grant Bryan

The Cornerstone Coffeehouse
2133 Market St., Camp Hill
717-737-5026; thecornerstonecoffeehouse.com

April 5: Antonio Andrade
April 6: Dominick Cicco
April 7: Betsy Barnicle
April 12: Michael Arthur
April 13: Joe Cooney
April 14: Shanna Rae
April 19: Janie Womack, Jody Echterling
April 20: Doug Morris
April 26: Kevin Kline
April 27: Hard Travelin’
April 28: Kirk Wise

Fredricksen Library
100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill
717-761-3900; fredricksenlibrary.org

April 14: Hiroya Tsukamoto

Harrisburg Gay Men’s Chorus
harrisburggaymenschorus.org

April 28: Special Music Program at Unitarian Church of Harrisburg

Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra
The Forum at 5th and Walnut St., Harrisburg
717-545-5527; harrisburgsymphony.org

April 13-14: Masterworks
April 17: Stuart & Friends (at Gamut Theatre)
April 27-28: “Whole Lotta Shakin” w/Dave Bennett

Hershey Theatre
15 E. Caracas Ave., Hershey
717-534-3405; hersheytheatre.com

April 12: Hershey Symphony

Hollywood Casino
777 Hollywood Blvd., Grantville
717-469-2211; hollywoodpnrc.com

April 5: The Uptown Band
April 6: DJ Magic, Live Wire, Honeypump
April 12: Sapphire
April 13: DJ Jayson Matrix, Smooth Like Clyde
April 19: Cazhmiere
April 20: DJ Ray Rossi, The Luv Gods
April 26: Light Up The Moon
April 27: DJ David Matrix, Green Eggs

House of Music, Arts & Culture (H*MAC)
1110 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-441-7506; harrisburgarts.com

April 5: Wicked
April 6: New Athens R.E.M. Tribute
April 6: Yvng Swag and DJ Jaybird
April 7: Entheos, Wolf King, Illusions of Grandeur
April 13: Jay Dayoungin, Yungeen Ace
April 20: Goolie, Visions of Greatness
April 22: Yella Beezy, BRxTN, Polo G, Bugg Bloe
April 25: Hed PE, Hate Grenade
April 27: Sponge, Tubefreeks

Luhrs Performing Arts Center
1871 Old Main Dr., Shippensburg
717-477-7469; luhrscenter.com

April 13: The United States Army Field Band & Soldiers’ Chorus
April 26: The Drifters, The Platters, Cornell Gunter’s Coasters

Majestic Theater
25 Carlisle St., Gettysburg
717-337-8200; gettysburgmajestic.org

April 6: Jazz Ensemble
April 12: Windy Symphony Masterworks
April 14: Sunderman Conservatory Symphony Band
April 27: Symphony Orchestra

Market Cross Pub & Brewery
113 N. Hanover St., Carlisle
717-258-1234; marketcrosspub.com

April 6: Octavia Blues Band
April 20: Soup Kitchen
April 27: Visitors Duo
April 28: Blues Brunch

Market Square Concerts
marketsquareconcerts.org

April 24: Rolston String Quartet

Messiah College School of Arts
One College Ave., Mechanicsburg
717-766-2511; messiah.edu

April 9: Messiah College Jazz Combo
April 14: Time Warfield w/JazzONE
April 15: Chamber Ensemble
April 16: Messiah Collage Symphonic Winds and Brass Choir
April 26: Messiah College Symphony Orchestra
April 28: Messiah College Wind Ensemble

The Mill in Hershey
810 Old W. Chocolate Ave., Hershey
717-256-9965; themillinhershey.com

April 6: Sherri Mullen
April 13: Fred Pellegrini
April 20: Laredo/Duo
April 27: Radio Neon

Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art
176 Water Company Rd., Millersburg
717-692-3699; nedsmithcenter.org

Feb. 23: Ray Owen

Palmyra Church of the Brethren
45 N. Chestnut St., Palmyra
717-838-6369; palmyracob.org

April 14: Taizé service

Pine Street Presbyterian Church
310 N. Third St., Harrisburg
717-238-9304; pinestreet.org

Aug. 3: Anne Guenin, Audrey Light, Marilyn Miller, Barbara Neff
April 10: Christopher Prestia
April 19: Sacred Music
April 21: Easter Service Music

River City Blues Club & Dart Room
819 S. Cameron St., Harrisburg
717-525-8926; rivercityhbg.com

April 15: River City Big Band
April 20: 4/20, Timmy’s Creep Show, Fat Randy, Babel Map

Rusty Rail Brewing Company
5 N. 8th North St., Mifflinburg
570-966-7878; rustyrailbrewing.com

April 19: Kat Wright
April 26: The THE BAND Band

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Cathedral
221 N. Front St., Harrisburg
717-236-4059; musicbytheriver.org

April 27: Voices of the Valley

The Susquehanna Folk Music Society
717-745-6577; sfmsfolk.org

April 6: Coffee House
April 7: Jam Session
April 13: Del Rey
April 26: John McCutcheon

The Ware Center
42 N. Prince St., Lancaster
717-871-2308; millersville.edu/muarts

April 6: Jazz and Java

Zeroday Brewing Co.
250 Reily St., Harrisburg
717-745-6218; zerodaybrewing.com

April 19: Don Egan

The Stage Door

Appell Center for the Performing Arts
50 N. George St., York
717-846-1111; appellcenter.org

April 12: Dean Napolitano w/ Laurence Mullaney
April 27: “Pinkalicious The Musical”
April 27: Trinity Irish Dance Company

The Belmont Theatre
27 S. Belmont St., York
717-854-3894; thebelmont.org

April 4-7: “Moon Over Buffalo”

Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre
510 Centerville Rd., Lancaster
717-898-1900; DutchApple.com

April 2-May 4: “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”

Gamut Theatre Group
15 N. 4th St., Harrisburg
717-238-4111; gamuttheatre.org

April 12-14: “As You Like It” w/The Young Acting Company
April 18: TMI Improv

HACC Theatre
One HACC Drive, Harrisburg
717-780-2435; hacc.edu

April 11-14: “Spring Awakening”

Harrisburg Christian Performing Arts Center
1000 S. Eisenhower Blvd., Middletown
717-939-9333; hbg-cpac.org

April 12-14: “Passion Play 2019”

Harrisburg Comedy Zone
110 Limekiln Rd., New Cumberland
717-920-5653; harrisburgcomedyzone.com

April 4, 11, 18, 25: Open Mic
April 5, 6: Patrick Garrity & Ricky Reyes
April 12, 13: Rich Vos
April 14: Oxymorons Improv Comedy Show
April 19, 20: Larry Reeb & Roger Keiss
April 26, 27: Alex Ortiz & Sean Morton

Harrisburg Improv Theatre
1633 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-798-6973; hbgimprov.com

April 5: Persnickety/Elderprov
April 12: Meow Meow Precious/Ferd Majelly, Guest Show—From Justin to Kelly/TBA
April 19: Persnickety/Room Temp
April 20: WoW MoM/Without a Tres
April 26: Meow Meow Precious/Mary Todd Lincoln
April 28: Magic Fairy Pirate Monkeys featuring Aesthetic Dying Duck

Hershey Area Playhouse
830 Cherry Dr., Hershey
717-533-8525; hersheyareaplayhouse.com

April 4-14: “The Glass Menagerie”

Hershey Theatre
15 E. Caracas Ave., Hershey
717-534-3405; hersheyentertainment.com

April 2-7: “On Your Feet!”
April 9: “Chicago”
April 18: Derek Hough
April 22-23: “RENT”
April 25: Brian Regan
April 27-28: “Paw Patrol Live”

Little Theatre of Mechanicsburg
915 S. York St., Mechanicsburg
717-766-0535; ltmpa.com

April 26-May 11: “The Unexpected Guest”

Luhrs Performing Arts Center
1871 Old Main Dr., Shippensburg
717-477-7469; luhrscenter.com

April 5: “Kinky Boots”
April 18: “Rock of Ages”
April 28: Tim Hawkins

Majestic Theater
25 Carlisle St., Gettysburg
717-337-8200; gettysburgmajestic.org

April 9: Tap Dogs
April 25, 26: Opera Workshop Performance

Messiah College School of Arts
One College Ave., Mechanicsburg
717-766-2511; messiah.edu

April 4-14: “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland”

Open Stage of Harrisburg
223 Walnut St., Harrisburg
717-232-OPEN; openstagehbg.com

April 7-May 5: “The Kids You Read About in Textbooks”

Oyster Mill Playhouse
1001 Oyster Mill Rd., Camp Hill
717-737-6768; oystermill.com

April 26-May 12: “The Last Night of Ballyhoo”

The Playhouse at Allenberry
1559 Boiling Springs Rd., Boiling Springs
717-258-3211; allenberry.com

April 5-14: “The Odd Couple”

River City Blues Club & Dart Room
819 S. Cameron St., Harrisburg
717-525-8926; rivercityhbg.com

April 28: Risque Business

Theatre Harrisburg
513 Hurlock St., Harrisburg
717-232-5501; theatreharrisburg.com

April 26-May 12: “Avenue Q”

Untitled: A Storytelling Project
untitledhbg.com

April 25: “Saved by the Bell” (at Zeroday Brewing)

The Ware Center
42 N. Prince St., Lancaster
717-871-2308; millersville.edu/muarts

April 7: Celebrate Ballet & World Dance

Whitaker Center
222 Market St., Harrisburg
717-214-ARTS; whitakercenter.org

April 13-14: “Romeo and Juliet” with Central PA Ballet
April 26-May 12: “Avenue Q”

Kids Meet Art: Perry County students showcase their work at Youth Art Day.

March 29, 2019 | by Don Helin

Photos courtesy of Shannon Rae Photography.

Thirty-six years ago, a group of volunteers founded the Perry County Council of the Arts (PCCA) in Newport.

One of their first priorities was developing a student art showcase to provide performance opportunities for Perry County youth. At that time, PCCA staff had initiated relationships with the county schools through artist residencies, and they wanted to build on those relationships.

So, PCCA worked with the schools to develop Youth Art Day, now an annual Perry County tradition that demonstrates the creative talents of public, private and home-schooled students.

“Youth Art Day is a fun and exciting day, and we’re thrilled with the growth of the program,” said Community Engagement Coordinator Tracy Meisinger-Troutman.

Over the years, the average number of entries in the event has grown to more than 700, and the average attendance for the one-day program is 900 to 1,000 people, she said.

There are three major categories in the program:

Dance, drama and music performances, including tap, ballet, mime, comedy, piano, vocal, brass, woodwind, strings and percussion
Literature, such as poetry, essay and short story
Visual arts and video, including drawing, painting, pottery, crafts, photography, graphic design, sculpture, recycled materials and video

For PCCA staff, ongoing challenges are ensuring that all artistic disciplines are represented and generating community excitement for the event. So, they work closely with teachers, who in turn spread their enthusiasm to their students.

“Another challenge is that families are faced with a number of competing activities on any given Saturday in April,” says Meisinger-Troutman.

Students get a chance not just to show off their talents, but to win cash prizes. Amounts of $100 are awarded in the categories of “Perry County’s Got Talent” for best performance in dance, drama, singing or instrumental performance, and for the “People’s Choice” award. The “Best in Show” winner takes home $250.

Also, art entries selected by PCCA board members in the “Director’s Choice Award” category will be on display at the PCCA gallery from June 22 to July 20, said Meisinger-Troutman.

“We have found this award thrills students, as their works will be on display at the same gallery where the artwork of more than 190 of the region’s most talented artisans is displayed,” she said. “The gallery is prominently located on the square in Newport.”

There are a number of special events this year, as well.

Professional artist Emily Nell will work with West Perry Middle School students as part of a PCCA Arts-In-Education residency the month before Youth Art Day. She will help students create art projects using the techniques of scherenschnitte (paper-cutting) and watercolor. Students will be invited to share their creations and their experiences in a culminating event.

A second special event will feature mural painting with teaching artist Jon Laidacker, who is currently working with students at Greenwood High School to create a mural highlighting the history of Liverpool. Historians from the Liverpool Historical Society also will be on hand to share with visitors the history of the borough.

On the literary side of the event, Poet Laureate Lynne Reeder, a West Perry High School English teacher, will host a reading of poems written by her creative writing students. Reeder was the Perry County Poet Laureate in 2016 and 2018 and PCCA Educator of the Year in 2017.

“We continue to review our programs to ensure families enjoy their weekend time at Youth Art Day,” said Meisinger-Troutman.

Perry County Council of the Arts Youth Art Day takes place April 13, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at West Perry High School, 2608 Shermans Valley Rd., Elliottsburg. Admission is $4 for adults, and students attend free. For more information, visit www.perrycountyarts.org.

An Italian Easter: It gets no more traditional than roast lamb.

March 29, 2019 | by Rosemary Ruggieri Baer

From the somberness of Ash Wednesday to the solemnity of Easter Sunday, the Easter season is a very important time in Italian culture.

I have so many memories of that time growing up: endless “meatless” Fridays (lentils, lentils and more lentils), spending more time in church during Holy Week than at home, and our traditional Good Friday dinner out at the long-gone Hillside Café at 13th and Market streets in Harrisburg.

Easter Sunday was a wonderful celebration—a basket filled with beautiful Easter candy from Matangos (still going strong on Catherine Street in Harrisburg and selling real white chocolate), our house filled with the scent of lilies and hyacinths, cannolis lovingly made by my cousin, Sena, and, if the weather was nice, a stroll around Italian Lake in Uptown Harrisburg. Going to church on Easter Sunday always meant a new hat and little white gloves for me. Haven’t times changed?

But the highlight of the holiday for me has always been making traditional Italian Easter food. I once tackled a torta pasqualina, a seven-layered spinach pie made with almost “impossible to roll out” sheets of dough. It took me an entire day. Dessert is usually a ricotta or amaretto cheesecake, but I have given up on making fruited yeast breads shaped like doves.

For many years now, the centerpiece of my Easter dinner has been a roast lamb, in Italian culture a symbol of spring and re-birth. I was fortunate to taste lamb roasted over a wood fire on a cool spring night in Umbria, Italy, several years ago, an experience I will never forget. There is no outdoor oven here at home for me, but a whole lamb roasted in an ordinary oven and fragrant with garlic and rosemary is still one of the most heavenly meals ever. I urge all you ham lovers out there to give Easter lamb a try.

Roast Lamb with Potatoes

Ingredients

A whole, bone-in leg of lamb (look for young, local lamb if you can and avoid those that are encased in heavy plastic and shipped from halfway across the world)
4-6 cloves of fresh garlic
Several sprigs of fresh rosemary, leaves stripped from the branches
Extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
6-8 medium potatoes cut into chunks or about a pound of small, round red or yellow potatoes
2 sweet onions, thinly sliced

Directions

Preheat the oven to 450.
Bring the refrigerated lamb to room temperature and pat dry with paper towels.
Finely chop the rosemary and garlic, place in a small bowl with a little olive oil and salt, and mix together to make a kind of paste.
With the tip of a small knife, cut ½ inch slits into the surface of the meat. Push a little of the herb mixture into each slit.
Brush more olive oil all over the lamb and dust lightly with salt and pepper.
Place the potatoes and onions into a heavy roasting pan, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Place a cake “cooling rack” over the potatoes and onions and place the lamb, fat-side down, on the rack. (The drippings from the lamb will give the potatoes a wonderful flavor.)
Roast for 20 minutes and then reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees. Turn the lamb.
Roast about 1 hour longer for medium rare or 1½ hours longer for medium well done. (But use your meat thermometer and roast exactly to your liking.)
Transfer the lamb to a cutting board, cover with foil, and let it rest for at least 15 minutes.
Raise the oven heat back to 450, and let the potatoes cook until they are crisp and golden brown.
Slice the lamb thinly and serve with the potatoes and onions. (For a lovely presentation, place on a platter garnished with sprigs of mint and rosemary.)

I often serve my Easter lamb with whole roasted tomatoes stuffed with breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese and whatever herbs are leftover. The tomatoes are a lovely contrast to the rich lamb. Asparagus and peas with mint are other perfect accompaniments.

The experts recommend a Chianti classico to serve with a garlicky roast lamb, but our family likes pinot noir with almost all meat dishes. A chilled sauvignon blanc would work too if you love white wine.

Happy spring and “Buona Pasqua” to all readers!

Are You Happy? “Inquiring Nuns” want to know.

March 29, 2019 | by Sammi Leigh Melville

In 1968, two nuns walked the streets of Chicago and asked strangers, “Are you happy?”

The result, as filmed by directors Gordon Quinn and Jerry Temaner in their documentary, “Inquiring Nuns,” is a cinema verité case study for the concept of happiness, with the responses of people from different walks painting a beautiful portrait of Chicago.

For its 50th anniversary, “Inquiring Nuns” is back with a new restoration, allowing another chance for this delightful look into society to connect with modern audiences.

Sisters Marie Arne and Mary Campion are nervous at first, having never done such a thing before. In the first few minutes of the film, they sit in the vehicle as they drive to their first location, wondering aloud what exactly the filmmakers want from their interactions and learning how to use the microphone.

But once the sisters take to the streets, their courage materializes, culminating in a series of great snapshots of the lives of people in Chicago. We see people of all ages, varying ethnicities, at varying locations such as churches, art museums, etc. And as the sisters approach each individual, we see a variety of reactions. Some are guarded at first and then slowly open up, warming up to the question, and some are immediately open and honest.

And then there are those who are guarded the whole time—still answering the sisters’ questions, but with a look on their faces: “What is this for?” “How do they want me to answer?”

This factor is nearly as interesting as the answers they produce, for one might guess that it influences those answers. We hear a lot of responses related to spirituality, and even the sisters’ faces at times reflect the question, “Are you answering this way because we are nuns?”

Reactions aside, the answers that these strangers give are compelling in their own right.

“I look to people,” one woman responds when asked what makes her happy. “People are the only variables, it seems, in the whole life environment, and then the things that are most important. Nobody means much by themselves.”

Some answers are more composed—the speakers have definitely thought about this subject before—and some are more off-the-cuff, formulated as the words slip out of their mouths. There is even a child who, when asked what makes her happy, honestly responds, “I don’t know.” Each answer gives us a different shade of humanity, a different ingredient added to the pot for this living, breathing, evolving recipe for society.

This film is a must-see for those who love studying people. It is hard to describe the satisfaction that such a simple idea put into motion can produce, but suffice it to say that you will enjoy this documentary.

“Inquiring Nuns” begins on April 5 at Midtown Cinema, 250 Reily St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.midtowncinema.com.

APRIL EVENTS

Open Screen
Thursday, April 4, 7:30 p.m.

24 Hours of Potter
Friday, April 5, 9:30 p.m., until April 6, 9:30 p.m.

Down in Front! Presents
“Night of the Ghouls” (1959)
Friday, April 12, 9:30 p.m.

3^rd in the Burg $3 Movie
“Office Space” (1999)
Friday, April 19, 9:30 p.m.

National Theatre Live
“All About Eve”
Monday, April 29, 7 p.m.

March News Digest

March 29, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

Primary Field Set

This year’s municipal primary looks to be a hot one in Harrisburg, as Democratic voters face a crowded field for both City Council and school board.

Last month was the deadline for handing in nomination petitions, and numerous candidates filed, according to the Dauphin County Bureau of Elections & Voter Registration.

For council, three, four-year seats are up for grabs.

Three sitting council members have turned in nomination petitions: Danielle Bowers, Dave Madsen and Westburn Majors. This is the first contested race for Bowers, who was appointed last year to fill an open seat following the departure of former Councilman Cornelius Johnson.

The Democratic incumbents will face three challengers in the primary: Christina Kostelecky of Midtown, Brianna Smith of Midtown and Dionna Reeves of North Allison Hill.

No Republican candidates filed to run for council.

In the very crowded primary race for Harrisburg school board, 12 Democratic candidates will vie for five, four-year seats. These include current school board directors Lionel Gonzalez, Lola Lawson, Ellis R. Roy and Patricia Whitehead-Myers, and eight challengers: Jayne Buchwach, Lewis Butts Jr., Ralph Rodriguez, James Thompson, Doug Thompson Leader, Gerald Welch, Cory X. Williams and Steven Williams.

No one filed to run in the Republican primary.

In the only other city race, incumbent Treasurer Dan Miller is seeking re-election for a four-year term. He is unchallenged in the Democratic primary, and no candidate filed to run in the Republican primary.

On the county level, incumbent commissioners Jeff Haste and Mike Pries are running for re-election unopposed in the Republican primary. On the Democratic side, incumbent George Hartwick and challengers Diane Bowman and Tom Connolly are vying for the two Democratic slots.

For other county offices, none of the Republican incumbents have competition in the primary: District Attorney Fran Chardo, Sheriff Nick Chimienti, Clerk of Courts Dale Klein, Recorder of Deeds Jim Zugay, Treasurer Janis Creason, Controller Timothy DeFoor and Register of Wills/Clerk of Orphans’ Court Jean Marfizo King.

On the Democratic side, Cole Goodman has filed for Recorder of Deeds, Tim Butler is running for Treasurer, Brad Koplinski is running for Clerk of Courts and Bridget Whitley has filed for Register of Wills/Clerk of Orphans’ Court. All are unopposed in the primary.

This list is regarded as preliminary pending possible challenges to nomination petitions, which sometimes knocks candidates off of the ballot.

The primary election is on May 21. The winners will continue on to the general election, which is Nov. 5.

HU Tower Gets Planning Approval

The Harrisburg Planning Commission last month gave its blessing to a new downtown high-rise for Harrisburg University, a building design that knocks another two floors off of the project.

The land development plan, approved unanimously by the commission, envisions a 17-story building totaling 386,200 square feet of space at the corner of Chestnut and S. 3rd streets.

“I think this is a very good project,” said commission Chairman Joe Alsberry, before casting his vote in favor.

Last year, HU floated a concept for a building exceeding 30 floors, which would have made it the tallest building in the city. Last fall, the height was cut back to 19 floors and now has been approved at 17.

With Planning Commission approval, the land development plan now must be approved by City Council before HU can break ground.

The building consists of three parts: an academic portion that would house mainly health sciences programs, a separately owned hotel and a restaurant. The university envisions a two-year construction period.

In its vote, the city Planning Commission approved the consolidation of the four parcels that make up the building site: 222 Chestnut St. and 24, 26 and 28 S. 3rd St. Currently, 222 Chestnut St., the largest parcel, is a surface parking lot, while the 3rd Street parcels all house 19th-century commercial buildings, which would be demolished during the site-clearing process.

HU’s attorney and architects, who attended the meeting, were satisfied with the approval, with one exception.

As a condition for approval, the city’s Planning Bureau suggested that HU make changes to the building façade so that it would have a more “consistent” design, with less visible concrete.

HU attorney Diane Tokarsky of McNees Wallace & Nurick pushed back hard on the suggestion that design changes were needed.

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” she said. “There would be a significant cost to the university to begin redesigning the façade of the building.”

City Solicitor Neil Grover clarified that the city can’t force the university to change its design.

In the end, HU representatives said they’d willingly continue the conversation with the city, but within limits.

“We would be happy to have further dialogue,” Tokarsky said. “But we need finality. We’re not redesigning this building.”

Lead Paint Abatement Continues

Harrisburg is known for its historic homes, which often have such touches as wide moldings, pocket doors and ceiling medallions.

Sometimes, those houses have something else much less desirable—lead-based paint.

Therefore, the city government wants residents to know that it is seeking applicants for its 2019 lead paint remediation program, an effort aimed at lower- and moderate-income owners and renters.

“It’s not just homeowners,” said Franchon Beeks, program manager and interim director of the city’s Department of Building and Housing Development. “We need more tenants and landlords to be aware of the program.”

The program is open to city residents who meet certain conditions, including income requirements (50 to 80 percent of median family income) and having children in the household younger than 6 years old, since eating chipped, lead-based paint can result in learning disabilities and behavioral problems. In addition, the housing unit must have been built before 1978.

Beeks spoke last month during a Harrisburg City Council work session, offering council members a recent history of the program and a look at plans for 2019.

She told council that a federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) “Lead Hazardous Reduction Demonstration” grant for $3.7 million had expired on Dec. 31. However, the city has received notice that the Pennsylvania Department of Health had approved a one-year, $986,245 grant, allowing the lead paint control and remediation program to continue through 2019.

Petition Drive for Charter School

A group denied permission to open a new public charter school has begun a petition drive to overturn the decision of the Harrisburg school board.

The board of the proposed PA STEAM Academy needs to gather valid signatures from 1,000 city residents, 18 years and older, to force the matter to the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas.

“The bottom line is—what’s in the best interest of the kids?” said Susan Kegerise, a former Susquehanna Township school district superintendent and now a member of the proposed charter school’s board. “We’re going to keep going because it’s in the best interest of the kids.”

PA STEAM Academy has until mid-April—60 days following the city school board’s unanimous denial of its charter application on Feb. 19—to gather the signatures for its appeal. If the court validates the petitions and issues a decree, the matter goes to the state Department of Education’s seven-member Charter School Appeal Board, which will make a final decision to affirm or overturn the school board’s decision.

To coordinate the petition drive, PA STEAM supporters have been gathering signatures during city festivals, on 3rd in the Burg nights, in Strawberry Square and at the Broad Street Market, among other places.

In the meantime, PA STEAM is still moving forward with a planned opening for the fall semester, said Carolyn Dumaresq, president of the charter school board and a former state secretary of education.

To do so, board members will need to hire a principal, six teachers and support staff, in addition to accepting the first round of students.

PA STEAM plans to open with 120 students, grades K-2, in Midtown 2 at N. 3rd and Reily streets in Harrisburg. The 115,000-square-foot building is currently occupied by HACC, but the college’s lease expires in 2022, and it is slated to begin moving programs out of the building later this year.

PA STEAM plans to expand on an annual basis, adding a grade level each year until it becomes a K-8 school. It also expects to grow horizontally, so that each grade level eventually would have 80 students.

Gaming Grants Announced

The Dauphin County commissioners last month allotted $6.4 million to some 60 projects in its annual disbursal of gaming funds.

Locally, Harrisburg city will receive $203,000 to upgrade its phone system and create an off-site backup storage facility for data such as crime, property, tax and codes information.

Elsewhere in Harrisburg, Hamilton Health Center will receive $115,000 to remove contaminated soil in an adjacent lot to prepare for a planned facility expansion.

“We’ve run out of exam room space, and we want to expand our medical and behavioral health services,” said Jeannine Peterson, Hamilton’s CEO.

Funding for the projects comes from the county’s share of gaming revenue generated from Hollywood Casino at Penn National in East Hanover Township.

The Dauphin County Gaming Advisory Board reviews project requests before sending its recommendations to the commissioners for approval. While 62 projects were funded, another 37 were denied funding.

Other notable projects in the immediate Harrisburg area that were funded include:

D&H Distributing for a new and expanded training center: $160,000
Tri-County HDC to help fund a $1.4 million project to build 12 townhomes on Adams Street in Steelton: $125,000
Steelton Borough for Phase 2 of the Skate Park and for fire department gear and equipment: $94,394
Jewish Home of Greater Harrisburg for generator purchase: $70,000
The Salvation Army for security system installation: $53,000
Camp Curtin YMCA for an affordable housing construction project: $50,000
Dauphin County Library System for computer equipment: $50,000
Penbrook Borough for sewer interceptor replacement: $50,000
Harrisburg Scottish Rite Masonic Theatre for auditorium upgrades: $47,780
Cameron Street Boxing Club for facility renovation and equipment: $35,000
Breaking the Chainz Inc. for a van: $29,411
Harrisburg University for HUE Festival security services: $25,000
Theatre Harrisburg for seating and platforms purchase: $25,000
Stephens Episcopal School for safety and security improvements: $8,230

Under state law, the county must use the grant funds for projects that help human services, improve local infrastructure, enhance transportation, address health and safety needs, assist with emergency services and further public interest initiatives.

So Noted

Charlotte Katzenmoyer was selected last month as the new chief executive officer of Capital Region Water, the Harrisburg area’s water and sewer authority. Katzenmoyer previously served as the long-time director of public works for Lancaster city.

Darla Hoover last month was named artistic director of the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, following the death of CPYB founder and Artistic Director Marcia Dale Weary. Hoover previously served as associate artistic director.

Laura Hughes has been named executive director of the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Red Cross. Before joining the Red Cross, Hughes held roles with Spooky Nook Sports and The American Heart Association.

Ron Hetrick last month was appointed WITF’s new president and CEO, replacing Kathleen Pavelko, who has retired. A Harrisburg native, Hetrick joined WITF in 2000 and has served as senior vice president of finance and administration since 2015.

Michael Boyd Menswear will open this month at 2205 Market St., Camp Hill. The men’s clothing retailer operated for many years on N. 3rd Street in downtown Harrisburg before relocating.

Stephen M. Massini will take over as chief executive officer for Penn State Health, it was announced last month. Massini, the current executive vice president, will assume the position upon the retirement of current CEO A. Craig Hillemeier, who plans to step down in the summer.

Tiki T’s Mini Donuts and More is expected to open this month in the ground floor space at the Bogg on Cranberry, a newly renovated apartment building at N. 2nd and Cranberry streets in Harrisburg. Owner Will Horn said that he will offer branded coffee, bagels and waffles, in addition to his signature bags and buckets of miniature doughnuts.

In Memoriam

Marcia Dale Weary, the founder and long-time leader of the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, died last month at age 82. Born in Carlisle, she founded the Marcia Dale School of Dance in 1955, which later became the nonprofit Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, now an internationally recognized school of classical ballet. To honor her legacy, donations may be made to the school. Visit www.cpyb.org.

Changing Hands

Adrian St., 2474: M. Jones to H. Montoya & S. Flores, $60,000

Boas St., 1954: Family First Financial LLC to M. Brown, $51,500

Briggs St., 1927: Mosca Greene Associates to J. Fider, $55,000

Briggs St., 1931: Front Door Properties LLC to Equity Trust Co. Custodian Gary D. Brown IRA, $33,500

Crescent St., 249 & 306: C. Frater to PD Estate Properties LLC, $56,000

Cumberland St., 120: B. Kephart to Berlin Group LLC, $87,000

Green St., 916: Bricker Boys Partnership to J. Ehring, $95,000

Green St., 1701A: J. & V. Wills to M. Ton, $196,500

Green St., 1947: S. Roeder to J. Howett, $208,000

Greenwood St., 2111: CW Property Management LLC to J. Elias Holdings LLC, $30,000

Hudson St., 1219: B. Messick to R. & P. Michael, $106,000

Manada St., 1915 & 1917: W. & K. Nolt to PA Property Brothers LLC, $83,500

Market St., 2305: DND Enterprises to D. Jordan & A. Knee, $129,000

Muench St., 215: A. Barone to T. & S. Wisyanski, $130,000

Muench St., 216: WCI Partners LP to K. Boyce, $118,000

N. 2^nd St., 805: W. Grace to B. Mummau, $165,000

N. 2^nd St., 1715: G. Hitz to PA Deals LLC, $72,000

N. 2^nd St., 1815: Pharma Enterprises LLC to M. Tenba, $97,000

N. 2^nd St., 2143: R. Steele to A. Arnold Jr., $169,000

N. 2^nd St., 2534: M. Tuck to A. Massaro, $165,000

N. 2^nd St., 2827: J. Prosseda to J. Charles Realty LLC, $349,000

N. 3^rd St., 1820: B. & R. Gordon to MMLM Realty & Ian Smith Contracting, Inc., $69.000

N. 3^rd St., 1935 & 1932 Logan St.: D. Goodwin to K. & E. Hummel, $245,000

N. 3^rd St., 2214 & 2214A: C. Frater to PD Estate Properties LLC, $104,000

N. 4^th St., 3022: R. Birch to CNC Realty Group LLC, $123,750

N. 5^th St., 3132: Willowscott Investments LLC to R. & D. Corrigan, $137,900

N. 6^th St., 1000: A. Antoun to N&R Group LLC, $31,000

N. 12^th St., 56: LMK Properties LLC to B. & L. Young, $30,000

N. Front St., 1525, Unit 611: K. Uhlmann to G. & J. Hellmann, $190,000

Paxton St., 1125, 1150, 1200, 1201, 728 S. 13^th St., & 701 S. Cameron St.: Sutliff Enterprises Inc. to Last Enterprises LLC, $7,175,000

Penn St., 915: Penn St. LLC to J. Craig & F. Combs, $60,500

Penn St., 1626: D. Cinelli to H. & D. Brubaker, $139,900

Pennwood Rd., 3243: Consolidated Holdings International LLC to I Deal Cars Holdings LLC, $230,000

Race St., 560: G. & N. Glen to E. Stoltzfus, $108,000

Rolleston St., 1016: C. & R. Wilson to N. Barger, $51,500

Rumson Dr., 2987: G. Marshall to L. Payne, $70,000

Seneca St., 235: D. Ulloa to H. & B. Cook, $145,000

Showers St., 616: S. Clearfield to S. Rinato & M. Siegel, $125,000

S. 14^th St., 1443: Harrisburg Housing Authority to City of Harrisburg, $50,000

S. 17^th St., 315: N. Bhatti to 2566 Investment Group Inc., $42,000

S. Front St., 621: N. Rados to C. O’Donnell, $122,000

State St., 231, Unit 601: LUX 1 LP to R. Brooks, $184,900

Susquehanna St., 1408: W. Baker to Campus Square Partners, $290,000

Susquehanna St., 1418: W. & C. Baker to Campus Square Partners LP, $30,000

Susquehanna St., 1816: C. Harner to R9 Holdings LLC, $34,000

Susquehanna St., 2118: K. Scott to J. Elias Holdings LLC, $34,000

Swatara St., 2008: C. Woods to Y. Velazquez, $58,000

Harrisburg property sales for February 2019, greater than $30,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

Balance & Harmony: The art of Ikebana blossoms in Harrisburg.

March 29, 2019 | by Phyllis Zimmerman

For Ellen Kelley, Ikebana isn’t about showing off an artist’s perfection or proficiency.

Instead, the minimalist art of Japanese flower arrangement is more a display of each artist’s “individuality and spirituality,” said the Dickinson Township resident.

“I love it so much that it doesn’t bother me that I’m not that accomplished,” she said. “Perfection is not the goal. Imperfection is part of the art. I find it very calming.”

Kelley is a member of the Harrisburg chapter of Ikebana International, a nonprofit cultural organization dedicated to the promotion and appreciation of ikebana.

In 1956, Ellen Gordon Allen of Washington, D.C., founded the organization, bringing to this country an art she learned while stationed with her husband in Tokyo. Since then, the volunteer organization has spread across the globe to 161 chapters in more than 50 nations, all united through Ikebana’s worldwide motto, “Friendship through Flowers.”

Harrisburg chapter #18 was chartered soon after, in September 1958, and celebrated its 60th anniversary last year. Alice Hartman of Linglestown joined in 1983, making her the chapter’s longest-serving current member. Hartman, 83, said she stayed on because “its purpose matched my purpose.”

“It’s extremely artistic,” she said. “About 50 percent of our charter is artists. I’m an interior designer, and there’s one other. Ten of our people are taking art lessons now. Many are people who are interested in flowers.”

Hartman also likes being part of a worldwide organization like Ikebana International that promotes cultural understanding, as well as the arts, she added.

Ikebana’s origins trace back to 15th-century Japan and Yoshimasa, the eighth Ashikaga shogun, according to Kelley.

Yoshimasa is remembered as a devout Zen Buddhist who embraced all related arts. Floral arts already were prominent in Buddhist temples and practices during this time. Monks who created arrangements as temple offerings are considered to be the first Ikebana artists.

“Ikebana is a very subtle and elegant sort of communion with nature,” Kelley said. “People love its aesthetics and beauty. It’s about going out into nature to find things for your arrangements. In any sort of art form, you have to love the process.”

She discovered Ikebana several years ago when stationed with her husband in Japan. She looked up the Harrisburg chapter after returning to central Pennsylvania in 2006. The club currently has 35 members.

“Ikebana doesn’t take a lot of flowers, so it’s economical,” she said. “A lot of things we use are just twigs and grass. It’s about taking something from your backyard and turning it into something beautiful.”

Ikebana is divided into several schools, or disciplines, in a method similar to martial arts. In Harrisburg, the schools of Ichiyo, Ikenobo and Sogetsu are represented, each with its own style. Proficiency levels range from beginners to masters, with classes taught by a variety of Ikebana experts hailing from Pennsylvania and Maryland.

“Our members come from many backgrounds,” Kelley said. “We have moms, teachers, librarians, a dentist. All came with little or no experience. We help you learn and grow. There is no timeline, no pressure.”

Each year, Harrisburg chapter members display their art at the annual Garden Faire at Fort Hunter Mansion and Park in Susquehanna Township. This year’s event is scheduled for May 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“It’s a great place to see what we are,” Kelley said. “People are full of questions when they see us. They’re used to the Western part of flower arranging. Ikebana is about balance and harmony. It satisfies in a way that intrigues people.”

The Garden Faire also features displays by the Susquehanna Bonsai Club, music, a café, plant and craft vendors, an art show/sale and more. For details, visit www.forthunter.org/events.

Hartman said that the Harrisburg chapter still carries the same purpose as when she joined in 1982, but the generations have changed since then.

“People have a different approach today,” she said. “It’s a whole different atmosphere.”

Hartman worries about the Harrisburg chapter carrying on because its membership is getting older. The club is hoping to attract a new crowd through more public exposure.

“Come when you can,” Kelley said, urging anyone who may be interested. “We don’t take attendance to keep track of who comes to a meeting. Many of our members were still working full-time when they joined. They came when they could.”

The Harrisburg Chapter of Ikebana International meets the first Wednesday of each month from September through May. Most meetings are held at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2000 Chestnut St., Camp Hill. For details, visit www.ikebanainternationalharrisburg.org.

Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

March 28, 2019 | by Sara Bozich

Happy Weekend! idk with this week. It looks up; things go downhill. I’m super productive; kid gets sick again. If someone is well enough, we’re headed to a wine dinner tonight — a prize attained at last year’s Trés Bonne Annèe event. The President/CEO of Wolfgang Puck is the host, and we’re told every wine on the list has been featured on the Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines in the last three years. An event of this magnitude means a low key remainder of the weekend, which is fine by me. April is Beer Week, and May starts a whole host of events, so I can use the downtime where I can get it. Since Saturday looks beautiful, though, I think we’ll be heading outdoors with everyone else.

What are you doing this weekend?

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A 1-Hour Tour: Harrisburg briefs ICA members on the city’s financial crisis, recovery.

March 26, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

Members of the Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority, who met today at Temple University in Strawberry Square.

Members of Harrisburg’s state-appointed oversight board jumped into the deep end on Tuesday afternoon, as the city took them on a thorough tour of its recent financial history.

Bruce Weber, the city’s budget and finance director, gave the seven-member Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority (ICA) a presentation that explained in detail how the city suffered a historic financial collapse and the numerous subsequent measures taken to restore it to solvency.

“It’s hard to absorb all the recent past with the city in one sitting,” said Weber, a non-voting member of the board. “This has to be an ongoing learning process for everyone involved.”

Nonetheless, Weber offered a blow-by-blow review that stretched back to the city’s post-war deindustrialization and population loss. His presentation dug into the details of the past decade, including the incinerator crisis, state receivership, the Harrisburg Strong recovery plan, the numerous sources of debt, and the complex lease of the city’s parking system.

“This was a period of survival,” he said at the meeting at Temple University in Strawberry Square. “The city’s survival as we knew it was at stake.”

He also reviewed how, under the current administration, Harrisburg balanced its budget and stabilized its finances. However, the city now faces the loss of 18 percent of its operating budget in 2024, once its extra taxation authority expires.

The state legislature mandated the ICA as a condition for allowing Harrisburg to exit the state’s Act 47 program for distressed municipalities but retain its extra taxing authority for five more years. The ICA is now tasked with developing a five-year financial plan for the city.

“Fixing an 18-percent hole in the budget is very, very hard,” said meeting attendee Dan Connelly, senior advisor at Marathon Capital Strategies, a Haddonfield, N.J.-based financial advisory firm retained by Harrisburg.

Weber was only able to get through about half of his presentation before the hour-long public portion of the meeting abruptly ended. He will continue it at the ICA’s next meeting, slated for April 24.

“We’re so new, we have a huge learning curve ahead of us,” said ICA Chairman David Schankweiler as the meeting wrapped up.

Otherwise, the ICA approved three requests for proposals (RFPs): one for an executive director, one an auditor and one for a website designer.

The ICA also reviewed the timeline for what it needs to do over the next year. Importantly, the city and the ICA must develop a five-year financial plan by May 27 and send an initial report of recommendations to Gov. Tom Wolf and the state General Assembly by Aug. 25.

Scoot Along: Are electric scooters coming to a city street near you?

March 26, 2019 | by Lawrance Binda

A Lime electric scooter parked across the street from the state Capitol today.

Could Harrisburg be hopping aboard the electric scooter craze?

That’s the hope of Shari Shapiro, who brought a few her company’s slender vehicles to the state Capitol today for a test-scoot.

Shapiro said that Harrisburg is one of four Pennsylvania cities where San Francisco-based Lime would like to deploy scooters if the state legislature passes enabling legislation.

Why Harrisburg?

“The uses are in places with a lot of density, where there are a lot of places to go,” said Shapiro, Lime’s director of mid-Atlantic government relations. “Cities should have a good mix of commercial and residential.”

About 30 percent of rides, she said, go to and from public transit and another 20 percent are for running errands and commuting–and Harrisburg has a lot of commuters and dense residential neighborhoods.

“It’s not really a recreational vehicle,” she said.

Rep. Greg Rothman (R-Cumberland) and Rep. Stephen Kinsey (D-Philadelphia) are co-sponsors of a House bill (HB-631) that would allow “electric low-speed scooters” to operate in specified places in the commonwealth. “Low-speed” is defined as not capable of exceeding 20 mph.

The bill cites numerous benefits of electric scooters, stating that they “help relieve traffic congestion, pollution and stress by reducing car trips and increasing access to public transit.”

If the proposal becomes law, Lime would need to enter into memorandum of understanding with Harrisburg in order to operate here.

In recent years, electric scooters have popped up in cities around the nation, and Lime scooters are deployed in more than 90 cities in the United States.

The scooters are dock-less, meaning that users don’t need to pick them up or return them to docking stations. Instead, riders download an app and scan a QR code, which shows them nearby scooters available for rent.

Lime charges $1 to unlock the scooter and 15 cents per minute of ride time. Shapiro said that the company typically returns 5 to 10 cents per ride back to the municipality, though financial terms, if any, would be set in a memorandum of understanding with the city.

Electric scooters haven’t been without controversy, and some cities have even stopped allowing their use because of concerns over safety and charges of being a public nuisance. Most cities, however, have continued to allow them to operate once approved.

“We’re very excited about the possibility of coming to the city of Harrisburg,” Shapiro said.

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