Those Summer Nights: A complete bill of fare for your summer soiree.

June 29, 2018 | by Rosemary Ruggieri Baer

Have you been thinking about having a few friends over for a nice mid-summer evening dinner?

There is still time to enjoy the lingering daylight and hear the cicada’s humming in the trees. Light some candles on your porch_,gather some fresh flowers into a pretty vase and mix up some cold cocktails to start the evening.

But you’re not thinking of serving hamburgers, hot dogs and potato salad, are you? July is a perfect time to savor the many culinary gifts of summer. But there is no need to need to spend long hours in the kitchen or plan elaborate dishes for a little summer dinner party. I’d like to share a very easy but elegant menu that your guests will love. But you must use the very best ingredients that will shine in their simplicity. Here are a few notes on the menu.

Flank Steak (London Broil) on the Grill

Why use flank steak? Rib eyes are wonderful and so are New York strip steaks. But flank steak has marvelous flavor, is a bit leaner, and has the advantage of being less expensive. Flank steak is carved thinly across the grain of the meat and each person is served a few slices. It “goes farther,” as they say. Have your butcher slash the tip of the steak in a crosshatch pattern to better absorb your marinade. Or you can easily do this at home. A 2-pound piece of meat is perfect.

Caprese Salad (Tomato, Mozzarella and Fresh Basil

You likely have had this traditional summer salad that originated from Italy’s Isle of Capri. Make sure you use the ripest, most beautiful tomatoes you can find to make it. For a really striking presentation, I like to use tomatoes of different colors: red, yellow, orange or striped “zebra” heirloom varieties. You can even include some large cherry tomatoes. You need fresh mozzarella for this salad, which is now easily found at your local grocery store or farm market. Recently, I’ve been experimenting with a type of fresh mozzarella called burrata. It is fresh mozzarella with a center of fresh cream curds. It is a soft and rich cheese that will elevate your Caprese beyond the ordinary.

Roast Potatoes with Rosemary

This one is easy: Use beautiful yellow gold potatoes, chopped fresh rosemary, good olive oil and sea salt.

A Special Cocktail: The Negroni

The Negroni is a classic Italian cocktail that could give your gin and tonic a run for its money. All you need is Campari (Italian aperitif), gin and sweet vermouth.

Ingredients for the London broil

1 flank streak, about 2 pounds, hatch-scored (XXX) across the top
Low sodium soy sauce (about 2 cups), ¼ cup olive oil, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 2 tablespoons brown sugar and ½ cup red wine vinegar, whisked together for your marinade

Ingredients for the roasted potatoes

4 or 5 large yellow/gold potatoes, scrubbed and cut into wedges (either peel them or leave the skin on according to how you like them)
2 sprigs of fresh rosemary
Sea salt or kosher salt
Olive oil

Ingredients for the Caprese salad

2 or 3 large, ripe tomatoes
2 “balls” of burrata or fresh mozzarella cheese (drained well if packed in brine)
A bunch of fresh basil, stems removed
Olive oil
Vinegar (balsamic, white wine or red wine)

Ingredients for the Negroni cocktail

1 ounce gin (I like Tanqueray or Bombay)
1 ounce sweet vermouth
1 ounce Campari
Ice
A fresh orange

Game Plan for Dinner

The morning of the dinner, place the flank steak in a foil or glass pan. Wisk the marinade ingredients together and pour over the steak. Cover the pan with foil and place in the refrigerator. After several hours, turn the steak in the marinade.
A few hours before dinner, slice the tomatoes and place on a serving platter. I usually peel tomatoes, but again, this is your preference.
Drain the burrata or mozzarella on paper towels, slice into rounds, and tuck the slices among the tomatoes. Drizzle with good olive oil and vinegar, and season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate.
About an hour before you are ready to roast the potatoes, scrub and peel them and cut into wedges. Place in a large bowl and toss with enough olive oil to coat them. Place on an oiled baking sheet and sprinkle chopped, fresh rosemary over them. Do not salt until you are ready to pop them into the oven. The potatoes will take about 1 hour and 15 minutes to roast at 400 degrees. You can keep them in a warm oven until the steak is finished, if needed.
30 minutes before dinnertime, remove the Caprese salad from the refrigerator and place several large basil leaves over and around the tomatoes and mozzarella (I like a lot of basil).
Remove the steak from the marinade, dry it with paper towels, and grill it until your desired degree of doneness: 145 degrees for medium rare and 160 degrees for medium (about 6 to 8 minutes on each side).
Let the steak rest for about 5 minutes on a cutting board. Then slice it thinly across the grain and place the slices on a pretty platter. Garnish with fresh parsley, rosemary or watercress.
Remove the potatoes from the oven and place in a serving bowl. You can garnish them with additional sprigs of fresh rosemary.

Cocktail time

When your guests arrive, greet them with a frosty Negroni. Mix all the ingredients listed above in a tall glass, fill the glass with ice cubes, and garnish with a slice of fresh orange.

I’m learning that entertaining can be easy. Just use simple, good and fresh ingredients.

Place a vase of sunflowers on your table along with a few white votive candles. Maybe your guests will think they are in Tuscany (I can hear my editor laughing!).

Mangia bene!

25 Years of Nature, Fun: Ned Smith Festival makes changes as it marks its silver anniversary.

June 29, 2018 | by Don Helin

In 1993, the Ned Smith Nature and Art Festival began with a small gathering at Seal Park next to the Millersburg High School, held in October to coincide with Ned Smith’s birthday.

This year, the festival turns 25, and organizers are celebrating by shaking things up a bit.

They’ve moved the date to the end of July, added more things to do and changed locations.

The festival, after that early start, had long been held at MYO Park along the Susquehanna River. But it now will take place at its namesake location.

“A new venue, the festival will be held at the Ned Smith Center to show off the center itself, its multitude of hiking trails, educational facilities, three beautiful galleries and state-of-the-art amphitheater,” said Executive Director John Booth.

The festival has grown into the center’s largest event, with an average of 4,000 attendees each year. This year’s celebration will feature numerous workshops, including favorites such as “Paws, Claws, Scales and Tails,” and a talk and demonstration by Zoo America, which will bring in a variety of animals and birds.

The children’s area is always well attended, featuring popular activities like face painting and fish-print T-shirts. Guides will take young nature-lovers out on Wiconisco Creek to search out aquatic organisms. Each year, the Ned Smith Center hosts a youth art contest, and winners will be announced at the festival.

For both kids and adults, the festival will have demonstrations on edible wild plants to teach which are safe to eat and how to properly prepare them. Another exhibit will showcase local trees and how to identify different species.

For dog-lovers, there will be demonstrations by retrievers, a program to show how service dogs are trained to help their partners, and what bloodhounds can do to find people, whether a lost child or an escaped convict.

If snakes are more your thing, representatives of the Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center will stop by with a demonstration of Pennsylvania snakes. A snake handler will even be on hand to demonstrate live snakes. Perhaps less menacing, the center will feature an exhibit on honeybees and beekeeping.

New this year will be a visit by National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore. His life project, the “Photo Ark,” is an effort to document every species in captivity, ranging from the smallest insect to the largest mammal. Sartore will be at the Ned Smith Center the day of the festival to discuss his works, which are on display in the Olewine Gallery.

“We also will be hosting a number of talented vendors,” said Sadie Martin, the center’s marketing and program coordinator.

For instance, Carlee Seele is a glass artist from New Cumberland and the owner of Moss Creek Art. The Susquehanna Wood Turners Club will be turning bowls and other wooden items. And as always, the Pennsylvania Bluebird Society and Ned Smith Chapter of Ducks Unlimited will be busy building bluebird and wood duck boxes.

For hikers, there are 500 acres of mountains and meadows memorialized by Ned Smith in his “Gone for the Day” columns. These include 12 miles of trails, ranging from wheelchair accessible to rugged.

After the festival programs conclude, the semi-acoustic, classic rock band HIP 450 will perform. For this concert, the center will feature food by Gene Odato’s Artisan Pizza, and a local favorite, the Grill and Sports Bar.

“Don’t miss this opportunity to see our beautiful nature and arts center while enjoying a full day of food, education and fun entertainment in the great outdoors,” Booth said.

The Ned Smith Nature and Art Festival takes place July 28, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art, 176 Water Company Rd., Millersburg. For more information, contact the center at www.nedsmithcenter.org or call 717-692-3699.

Musical Notes: Songs from the grill; sounds sizzle this summer.

June 29, 2018 | by Kait Gibboney

It’s the middle of summer and the living’s easy—and often outdoors, my friends. There’s plenty to do and see around the city this time of year, so you bet it’s a good time for some live music. This month, you can enjoy performances at outdoor events like the Taste of Independence Food Truck Festival & Fireworks along Harrisburg’s waterfront on July 4. And don’t miss Hydroponic Philharmonic for a night on the river on the Pride of the Susquehanna, as well as free performances twice this month at Italian Lake. Here are a few shows around town of the more traditional variety, ones that don’t require a blanket and insect repellent.

SOUTHERN CULTURE ON THE SKIDS, 7/1, 8PM, H*MAC STAGE ON HERR, $25
We’ve got some of that old-fashioned Americana coming your way with this act. Hailing from Chapel Hill, N.C., SCOTS is made up of guitarist/singer Rick Miller, drummer Dave Hartman and bassist/singer Mary Huff. They got their start in the early ‘80s, and they’ve been rocking together ever since. Their sound is a wild gumbo of genres such as psych, rockabilly, folk, R&B and surf, giving audiences what the Rolling Stone calls “a hell raising rock and roll party.” If you’re a fan of new-wave southern folk stylings, this band has got what you’re looking for. Check out their fifth studio album “The Electric Pinecones,” a 2016 release featuring some new hits alongside a remake of their classic song “Swamp Fox.” SCOTS’ shows are infamously rowdy, riotous and rockin’ in the best way, so catch these songwriting spitfires while ya can!

CHRIS RATTIE & THE NEW REBELS, 7/6, 9PM, RIVER CITY BLUES CLUB
Get ready to jam with Chris Rattie and his band the New Rebels at River City, a great place to catch the hottest indie roots acts in the city. In perfect harmony with his band, Rattie combines country influences with Americana sensibilities. Drawing from his central PA roots, he developed his sound as a drummer, guitarist, vocalist and songwriter throughout the years. From slow and sultry southern stylings to foot-stomping and energetic vibes, this band has an extensive playlist to accompany your night out in the Burg. Take a listen to their latest album, “Porch,” for an idea of their diverse and accessible sound. “A Little Shot Glass from Spain” really displays Rattie’s poignant storytelling style and is definitely worth a listen.

JOE JACKSON, 7/17, 8PM, WHITAKER CENTER, $50-80
Mark your calendars and get pumped for this prominent performer to show Harrisburg his years of entertainment experience. Joe Jackson is well-known as a multi-instrumentalist, long mixing new age, punk and jazz sensibilities in with folk and rock. Check out the 1979 release, “Look Sharp!” an album that earned Jackson acclaim as a Rolling Stones selection for “100 Best” debut albums. He recorded his first hit song in 1979 with the spicy single, “Is She Really Going Out With Him?” and, in 1982, achieved top-10 status with “Steppin Out.” But he doesn’t stop there. With 15 recorded albums and five Grammy nominations, Jackson is not only talented but celebrated in the music industry with a lengthy career to match. If you’re looking for a unique night on the town with a true musical master, this performance might have what you need.

Mentionables:

Rob Base, July 6, Club XL;

Apes of the State, July 7, The Underground Bike Shop;

A Night of Doom, July 7, J.B. Lovedraft’s;

Sub-Radio, July 8, Italian Lake;

The Redacted, July 14, River City Blues Club;

Run the Willow, July 22, Italian Lake;

Soulsha, July 27, H*MAC Stage on Herr

Century of Change: As technology marches on, so does D&H Distributing

June 29, 2018 | by Phyllis Zimmerman

D&H executives in the 1950s gather around the hottest-selling new invention of the decade: television.

Most likely, Dan and Michael Schwab’s grandfather, the late David Schwab, would be proud to see all that D&H Distributing Company has become in its centennial year.

In 1918, David Schwab opened Economy Tire and Rubber with Harry Spector in Williamsport, a business that guaranteed its tire retreads before manufacturers guaranteed tires. David Schwab wasn’t the sort of person to sit on his laurels, however. In the 1920s, he noticed that a new technology was becoming more common in people’s homes and decided to take action.

“My grandfather saw radios come out and saw that as an opportunity,” noted Dan Schwab, who serves as the company’s co-chair with brother, Michael. “We saw a lot of the technological revolution.”

In 1929, Economy Tire and Rubber changed its name to D&H Distributing and began selling Philco radios, the first brand available on the consumer market. Then in 1938, D&H became an official dealer of RCA, soon a vanguard for another new technology. At the 1939 New York World’s Fair, RCA introduced the public to television.

In 1943, D&H sold off its auto parts business to finance an expansion in consumer electronics. It turned out to be a very wise move.

Today, D&H Distributing is a leading distributor of IT and electronics, serving as a major provider to the North American high-tech channel. The company moved to Harrisburg more than 60 years ago and now is headquartered Uptown on 7th Street, with major operations locally at the Union Square Industrial Park and in Illinois, California, Georgia and Canada.

Two-Way Street

A technology museum on the first floor of the Harrisburg headquarters pays testament to how D&H has kept itself going through the mindboggling chain of technological advances over the past century. Here, first-generation computers and video game systems sit amid old radios, color TVs and stereos in consoles.

Dan and Michael Schwab are the third generation of their family to lead D&H. Their father, Izzy Schwab, still serves as chairman/CEO after more than 60 years with the company.

“We think of it as a torch, that we have a responsibility to make sure our business thrives for future generations,” Michael explained. “Izzy put forth a family constitution for us.”

Michael’s son, Brandon, began working in D&H’s sales department two years ago, but this doesn’t necessary mean that the family’s fourth generation, most of whom are now in college, will wind up with the company.

“They haven’t decided yet,” Michael said. “We tell them that it’s an opportunity, not an obligation.”

Dan and Michael each worked their way up the ranks. Dan started there in 1995 in the education division, selling technology items to schools. Michael began his D&H career by working in outside sales, also in 1995. Both insist that nepotism plays no role in the family-run business.

“We have guidelines for family members to make sure it’s company first and that family doesn’t interfere with business,” Dan stressed.

“You don’t cause discord with family and business,” Michael agreed.

Around 1,200 employees keep D&H humming nationwide, including 800 workers based in Harrisburg. Along with its centennial year of business, the company also marks its 20th year in 2018 as an ESOP company, which stands for “Employee Stock Ownership Plan.”
D&H employee co-owners have a stake in more than 30 percent of the company.

Other employee perks include a dedicated walking track, free gym membership, an employee loan program and more. Many D&H employees have been there for a least a decade, with a few even racking up 40 years with the company.

“It’s a two-way street,” Michael said. “Some of our best ideas come from employees who own the responsibility.”

“We’re big believers in hiring people and letting them do their job,” Dan added. “Our strongest asset is our people.”

D&H Cares

This year, D&H Distributing also marks the 10th anniversary of D&H Cares, an in-house, staff-run charity foundation supporting regional and national causes.

Each quarter, three nonprofit organizations are selected as beneficiaries. Recipients have included the Bethesda Mission, Habitat for Humanity, the Salvation Army and many others.

The company also places an emphasis on recycling and environmental mindfulness. So far, solar panels are used at two of its facilities.

“We are committed to the community,” Michael stressed. “We’ve been here (in Harrisburg) for more than 60 years. The culture of our organization has transcended decades. The people and technology may have changed, but our culture has remained the same, which allowed us to survive despite many business challenges over the years.”

D&H Distributing is located at 2525 N. 7th St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.dandh.com.

Sit, Stay, Click: Doggie U combines online, on-site training.

June 29, 2018 | by Gina Napoli

Many people take classes and do professional training through online courses, videos and other distance-learning methods. Now, so can your pooch.

Until recently, most training was done at brick-and-mortar locations or in the home, but that’s beginning to change.

“I can train clients anywhere in the world via video,” said certified dog trainer Amy Powell, owner of Harrisburg-area Doggie U.

Maintaining a virtual business model has allowed Powell to focus efforts on her mission—keeping dogs in their homes with their owners rather than being given up to rescues because of behavioral issues.

“I can get results with behavior modification immediately,” Powell said.

This is not to say that she won’t visit your home. Under certain criteria, she will. Some of her work with rescues is on-site, as well. But the online consulting gives her educational arm greater reach with long-distance dog owners and rescues, and it gives her more time to spend helping more dogs.

During her two decades of dog training, Powell has encountered a lot of common issues: separation anxiety, dominance, aggression, anti-social behavior and OCD (incessant barking, licking, pulling when walking). So, she has developed her own methods, which she teaches online and in person.

“The textbooks aren’t always right,” she said. “I train from my 20 years of experience, which doesn’t necessarily match the textbooks. For example, if a dog jumps up on you, kneeing them or holding their paws is not the most effective way to fix the problem. Rather, walking forward into their pace asserts you as dominant without having to use force.”

Long-time client Sheri Shadle has trusted three of her dogs to Powell over the years.

“Amy understands the psychology behind the behavior and is able to explain it in a way so that you understand why your dog behaves in a certain manner,” Shadle said.“Then she develops a training plan to change that behavior.”

Tammy Newcomer, who is herself a people trainer and Powell’s client since 2006, sees a lot of parallels between Amy’s training methods and practical adult learning approaches. Some of it goes beyond training, into “offering support and empathy,” Newcomer said.

“Her support has aided in providing a good environment for my family, furry kids included,” she said.

While Powell specializes in training dogs with problem behaviors, part of her community-building emphasizes properly socializing dogs to help prevent problem behaviors. Doggie U hosts dog walks around dog-friendly area parks, which are promoted on its Facebook page and Meetup.

It’s a chance to socialize dogs and give them space to be their crazy selves, along with a reminder that non-social dogs need more space than others.

“Aggression isn’t genetically linked to breeds,” Powell said. “Certain breeds get bad reps that they don’t deserve. I’ve met more dangerous labs than pit bulls. Ultimately, it’s the responsibility of the owner to make sure they have a social, stable dog.”

Doggie U client Vanessa Foti-Pietrolaj enlisted Powell’s help with her dog Toby’s aggression issues.

“We went from avoiding other dogs and social engagements to having playdates and even puppy-sitting for friends’ dogs,” she said.

Training most of her clients by video allows Powell to turn some of her energies toward decidedly non-video training delivery.

For instance, a revived, mission-related pet training project for Doggie U is HOPE (Hounds of Prison Education) Dogs, which is sponsored by the Central PA Animal Alliance in conjunction with the PA State Correctional Institute at Camp Hill and CPAA member rescues. The program pairs carefully screened inmates with dogs that have moderate behavior and social issues.

Online training has not only helped Powell free up her schedule for other efforts. It also has allowed her clients to train at their discretion, while dogs get the constant reinforcement of her lessons.

“My clients can refer to the videos over and over again,” Powell said. “I can have consistent communication with the owners.”

For more information, visit the Facebook page: Doggie U LLC.

Creature Comfort: Palliative care, hospice help pet parents face the most difficult time.

June 29, 2018 | by Joanne Kaldy

When you lose a beloved pet, the memory of that loss stays with you like a scar.

Ask Harrisburg resident Allison Adams Martinez. She had her cat Athena for nearly 17 years.

“She was the world’s best cat, and she was a constant presence in my life through many moves and changes,” she said.

When Athena became ill with kidney disease, Allison and her husband knew the end was near, but they still weren’t prepared. The decision to compassionately euthanize her was the right one, Allison said, but also fraught with sorrow and grief.

This year, Americans will spend more than $60 billion on their pets, according to the American Pet Products Association. So, it should be no surprise that pet palliative care and hospice programs have surged in the past few years. In many ways, these programs replicate human programs, but they also have aspects that are unique to pet care.

“The veterinary hospice movement extends from human hospice,” said Beth Marchitelli, a veterinarian at 4 Paws Farewell Mobile Pet Hospice and Home Euthanasia in Asheville, N.C. “People were benefiting from hospice, and people wanted this for their pets, as well.”

Pet hospice can take a variety of forms and can start days or weeks before an animal’s demise. Generally, care involves consultation with a veterinarian. Then the hospice team works with the family to identify and access services that are most likely to benefit the pet. This commonly involves pain management, as well as opportunities for owners to share final memories with their pet and say goodbye.

Making decisions about a pet at the end of life is a terrible burden, so hospice and palliative care can help bring comfort to owners, as well as to their pets. This happens even when owners know it’s time and that they are doing the right thing.

“They’re still not prepared,” says Anne Johnson, a bereavement support specialist at Cumberland Valley Veterinary Clinic in Hagerstown, Md. “It’s the owner’s worst day.”

Harrisburg resident Jackie Goodwin knows this from experience.

“I had my first airedale for 13 years, and I kept her alive too long,” she said. “I wasn’t ready for her to leave, and she suffered as a result. I was very selfish.”

She learned a lesson from her loss, and when her pet, Chelsea, was terminally ill with kidney failure, she focused on keeping the dog comfortable.

“My vet always said ‘we,’ and I really appreciated that,” she said. “I asked her how I would know when it was ‘time,’ and she said, ‘You’ll know.’”

And her vet was right, Jackie said.

“I noticed that Chelsea wasn’t happy,” she said. “She didn’t want to go outside, and she was sleeping all the time.”

Goodwin was with her dog at the end.

“It was very private and very peaceful,” she said.

No Perfect Answer

When a pet is ill or injured, owners don’t want their animal to suffer. In addition to pain control, they want symptoms such as diarrhea and lethargy managed. As with people, this may mean medications, but it also involves environmental modifications such as the installation of ramps and lifts, massage, aromatherapy and acupuncture.

“We’ve starting using toe grips to help prevent slipping and falling, and these have been a game changer,” said Marchitelli.

Heating and cooling pads, as well as chicken broth ice cubes and other products to improve hydration and caloric intake, also are popular.

“There are even some TV programs and videos for pets to stimulate cognition,” she said.

Johnson said that some animals, such as those with advanced kidney disease, may benefit from subcutaneous fluid injections. Family members have the option to do it themselves or have the vet administer them.

As the pet’s condition deteriorates, Johnson tries to help them understand that, when an animal is losing weight rapidly, unable to eat and unable to walk or stand, the pet is likely suffering.

“We have a quality-of-life discussion as a gentle way to move the owners in the end-of-life direction,” she said.

The burden of decision-making can be significant for pet parents. They want to do the right thing, but the pet can’t tell them.

“There is no perfect answer,” Marchitelli said. “Their previous experiences with death, their own spiritual orientation, and their feelings about mortality all have an influence.”

However, one shared belief is that the animal shouldn’t suffer.

“This is an overarching theme, and this is often what guides decision-making,” she said. “People want to know when their pet’s quality of life is compromised.”

Peaceful Spaces

Many veterinary clinics focus on services to help owners through the process.

“We remodeled two years ago and decided to create a special room—a comfortable, quiet place where the whole family could come to say goodbye,” Johnson said. “It’s away from the flow and has a private entrance.”

Often, she noted, people are expecting to take their pet home, and she doesn’t want them to leave empty-handed. Her practice gives these pet owners some literature on grieving, seeds they can plant in their yard or garden, and a pin or ribbon to wear.

Johnson, along with her colleague, Faufat Odebe, became certified as bereavement support counselors through the Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement. Now, they host a twice-monthly bereavement group.

“It’s free, and you don’t have be a client here to participate,” Odebe said. “We pass around pictures, eat cookies and cry. That is sort of the rhythm.”

The group also holds special events, such as a luminary lighting last year that attracted 70 participants.

Whatever the grieving process, many families still experience guilt when a beloved pet dies.

“With pet owners, it’s difficult because they often have made the decision to end their pet’s life,” Marchitelli said. “We have to help them understand that their feelings are normal.”

Where To Go?

There are a few specialized pet hospice programs in Pennsylvania. You can find a list of these, as well as other resources, at the International Association for Animal Hospiceand Palliative Care website.

Otherwise, your own vet is the best source for learning more about palliative care and hospice.

“Family members and friends who have gone through a similar experience, or who have suffered the loss of a pet, can also be a referral source for palliative and hospice care,” said Jennifer Mahoney, a clinical assistant professor of medical oncology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.

All About the Bride: Daniel Thompson puts a lifetime of dreams, experience into his gowns.

June 29, 2018 | by Casey Kelly

Daniel Thomas

Many of us may remember writing notes to our idols as kids.

For some, it was the professional athletes and, for others, it was the actresses and singers. We’d check the mail for weeks after sending it, anxious for a reply. Sometimes, we’d get one—even if the handwriting did look oddly similar to one of our parents’.

For Daniel Thompson, that idol was Priscilla of Boston, an elite wedding dress designer who made her name after making Grace Kelly’s gown. In 10th grade, Thompson optimistically sent off his fan mail, proclaiming his dream to be just like her. To his surprise, he actually received an authentic reply.

“I told her that I wanted to be a bridal designer, and I asked her, ‘What should I do?’” Thompson said. “Well, I couldn’t believe it, that this star—at least to me—actually wrote back.”

Thompson, the owner of Daniel Thompson Bridals in Camp Hill, always knew he wanted to design wedding gowns. After growing up and graduating from high school in Carlisle, he took the advice Priscilla shared in her letter and headed straight for New York City to attend design school.

In New York, Thompson went to Traphagen School of Fashion, a private school that allowed him to concentrate on bridal design his entire time there.

After completing his design courses in 1976, he decided to reach out to his pen pal Priscilla again to thank her again for the words of encouragement she gave to him five years prior—and, of course, to let her know he was on the job market.

“She called me,” he said. “She said, ‘I want to meet you. So, I want you to come to my showroom in New York and show me your portfolio.’”

Thompson did exactly that, and the designer told him that, if he were willing to move to Boston, he’d have a job. He was there less than a week later.

“At the time, [Priscilla] was at the top of the industry,” Thompson said. “I mean, you just couldn’t get any higher than her. I was very lucky.”

After working for Priscilla of Boston for a few years, Thompson was homesick for New York. So, he made his way back and worked for several other companies for about eight years, until he decided to go off on his own. He stayed in the city for a while but eventually returned to Pennsylvania to be closer to family.

Along with the flexibility and freedom that comes with working for yourself, Thompson said he enjoys the human interaction he missed out on in past positions.

“I didn’t have any one-on-one interaction with the brides because I was stuck in the design room,” he said. “And I really like working with the customers.”

Very Special

When Thompson says “personal service,” he means precisely that.

He specializes in creating a unique experience for each bride, offering individual attention to his clients. Brides who visit his Camp Hill store, which he opened last September, will enjoy private meetings throughout the design process, as well as other couture perks.

Everything in Thompson’s extravagant shop was made by his hands with extraordinary care. Though there are around 75 dresses already on the racks at the boutique, brides can come in with their own ideas for a custom gown. Or they can start with a dress from the rack, then request alterations based on their preferences.

“I’ll adapt dresses,” he said. “Sometimes, I’ll put one dress on her because the top is right, then I’ll put another dress over that because the skirt is right. We really create the perfect dress right on her.”

After settling on the general style of the dress, Thompson and the bride discuss fabrics, lace, beading, trains and any other specific feature.

Before making the gown, he creates a mock-up of the dress in muslin fabric, an inexpensive material. This helps the bride see the shape of the dress in person, as well as try it on. Thompson will then make any necessary nips and tucks on the muslin, as well.

“So, we do this wonderful muslin fitting first, which is very couture,” Thompson said. “It’s not what you’ll get at a bridal shop. It’s very, very special.”

The muslin stage allows brides to make changes after seeing Thompson’s designs come to life. They may decide they actually want longer or shorter sleeves, a different neckline, fewer cut-outs or other attributes. So, Thompson can make these adjustments right on the muslin or create a new one, if needed.

Once the muslin fits perfectly and looks just right, he’ll proceed to creating the actual wedding dress. This typically happens in several stages. For example, he may perfect the top of the gown first so the bride can try it on with several different skirt options to decide which is best.

As part of the individualized experience, Thompson will make any alterations to the completed dress free of charge to ensure a perfect fit for the big day. He said it’s not unusual to meet with a bride between eight and 10 times from start to finish.

“It’s very personalized,” he said. “When I’m with a bride, no one else comes in to shop or look around.”

This high-end, tailored atmosphere aligns perfectly with Thompson’s motto, which he proudly displays in the store: “It’s All About the Bride.”

While having more time is always better, Thompson said six months to a year is the average lead time he recommends brides follow for a custom-made dress. Prices typically range from $2,000 to $2,500.

In addition to wedding gowns, Thompson can create “anything fancy”—from bat mitzvah dresses to elegant gowns for mothers of the bride, flower girls, first communion, “sweet sixteen” or even just evening wear.

Whatever the occasion, there’s one common element—Thompson’s undivided attention and expertise.

“I like the personal service very much,” he said. “And, in this industry, that’s important.”

Daniel Thompson Bridals is located at 2133 Market St., 2nd Floor, Camp Hill. Call 717-525-9920 for an appointment.

Good Dog? Great Dog!: Program supports animal care in underserved communities.

June 29, 2018 | by Jen Fertenbaugh

“I bark constantly. I poop on the floor. I don’t pay rent. Somehow, I still have a home.”

This statement recently appeared above a mug shot of my toy poodle. Although an attempt at humor, the image reveals the stress caused by the undesirable behavior of a dog. For owners who face more extreme circumstances, giving up their family pet may seem like the only viable option.

Andrew Hyle and Natahnee Shrawder recognized the stress an untrained dog can cause. They also realized that many people face financial situations that prevent them from seeking support or simply don’t know where get help.

Driven by a shared passion for animals, Hyle and Shrawder created Harrisburg’s Great Dog Program, an organization that provides in-home training, education and support to underserved and underrepresented populations completely free of charge.

Hyle founded the program in 2012, teaching free classes at the Allison Hill Community Center, and later, offering in-home support. Hyle said Shrawder, a former state dog warden, brought a much-needed business sense, helping to develop a long-term plan for growth.

“The Great Dog Program was existing, but when Natahnee got involved, it started living,” Hyle said.

Shrawder holds a degree in animal behavior but said her passion comes from her work with area shelters.

“In so many cases, a dog’s behavior is the result of some type of fallout from poor training methods or a lack of resources,” she said.

Science Based

The goal, Hyle said, is to help people who can’t afford training or who are frustrated and feel they are out of options. He also explained that underserved doesn’t always mean low income.

“I don’t care about a person’s monetary status, but I do care about keeping a dog safe and healthy at home,” he said.

He emphasized that a paid trainer should be a struggling owner’s first line of defense.

“We can help when people feel they have no where left to turn,” he said.

Hyle also said that low-income families should not be denied the opportunity to own a dog.

“What a dog does for a person’s life might mean more than their bank account,” he explained. “If an owner can provide food, we can help with everything else.”

Hyle and Shrawder both are certified through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants and have conducted numerous case studies on animal behavior and training. They said they are equipped to work with any breed.

“We have worked with biters to dogs with annoying behaviors,” Hyle said.

Shrawder noted they have never turned a dog away, estimating they helped close to 60 dogs over the past year in areas like Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Dillsburg and Carlisle.

Shrawder said their science-based approach emphasizes positive reinforcement.

“We treat each dog as an individual learner with unique needs,” she said.

Hyle added: “We apply the least invasive, minimally adverse approach that will work.”

Anyone seeking help must first complete a six-page client form.

“It helps weed out those who are simply looking to justify surrendering their dog,” Hyle explained. “We want to help people who are frustrated, can’t afford to pay for training, or don’t have the resources to know how to properly care for their dog.”

A three-hour, in-home visit follows, working with the dog and the family, offering pointers on positive training methods and suggestions for environmental changes to promote success. The level of support varies.

“Often, we will do follow up visits or calls if they’re needed,” Hyle said.

Shrawder said their Facebook page contains printable resources, including training tips and information on pet care. Visitors can also request in-home help.

A Voice

Despite support, owners may still surrender their dog, and Shrawder said they have an extensive network to assist. Alyx Robertson, who serves on the board of directors for Canine Rescue of PA, has worked with Hyle and Shrawder to re-home several dogs.

“They already know the dog, so they know what to look for when finding a new home,” she said, adding that Shrawder and Hyle often continue to work with the dog after it is placed. “They are great educators, filled with true and hard facts. They know what they’re doing.”

The program also supports area shelters. Laurie Lyon, adoption coordinator for Spiranza Animal Rescue, said unforeseen concerns sometimes arise after an adoption, and she refers Hyle and Shrawder.

“They go into the home, meet the dog where they are, and help get the dog and the owners to where they need to be for success,” Lyon said.

Hyle and Shrawder are still working to obtain nonprofit status so they can apply for grants and accept the monetary donations needed to expand. Hyle said leashes, crates and other pet equipment have been donated, but all operating costs are out-of-pocket. Long-term plans include increasing community education and supporting more families.

“I am not here for the money,” Hyle said. “I just want to help as much as I can.”

Shrawder agreed.

“I’m feeling more fulfilled than I’ve felt in a long time,” she said.

Lyon emphasized that so much can be prevented with proper training, education and resources.

“We are a voice for the voiceless,” she said. “And the Great Dog Program is a key component of that.”

For more information, email [email protected] or visit the Facebook page: Harrisburg’s Great Dog Program.

Supplies of Smiles: Caitlin’s Smiles brings solace to hospitalized children.

June 29, 2018 | by Susan Ryder

A child sits on a hospital bed, away from home, sick and stressed. Someone gives her a bright, hand-colored bag holding Play–Doh, crayons and craft supplies. She smiles.

That’s the goal of Caitlin’s Smiles—to provide comfort and plenty of smiles to chronically ill children. Located on N. 6th Street in Harrisburg, the organization and its army of volunteers create and distribute bags of craft supplies to children in more than 70 hospitals, from New York to South Carolina.

Among the rustling of Ziploc bags, the measuring of yarn and the counting of pom-poms, students from SciTech High School recently discussed their monthly experience volunteering at the facility.

“I’m a creative person, so this type of thing I like to do,” said Arianna Joseph. “And this is for kids who need supportive cards and crafts. To put a smile on their face.”

Caitlin’s Smiles founder Cheryl Hornung is familiar with having a sick child. Her daughter Caitlin, the organization’s namesake, fought cancer for three years, ultimately succumbing to the disease at 8 years old. During her numerous hospitalizations and surgeries, Caitlin found distraction in her arts and crafts.

Hornung said that, whenever Caitlin entered the hospital, she would dig into her backpack and make beaded necklaces and draw pictures, much of which she shared with the staff.

“She was an art machine,” Hornung said. “We always kept a backpack of art supplies and snacks in the car, because we never knew.”

After Caitlin’s passing, Hornung volunteered at a number of children’s charities but none seemed just right. Since arts and crafts helped Caitlin and her family through the tough times, the creation of Caitlin’s Smiles seemed natural. It also solved a problem.

At many hospitals, children are prevented from going to playrooms during quiet times or are confined to their beds because of their illnesses. Caitlin’s Smiles’ “Bags of Smiles” supplement what the hospitals offer and allow children to fill time when they are hospitalized.

Also, parents don’t always have the time to stop and pack a bag of toys for their kids when they experience an emergency. They are lucky, said Hornung, just to get clothes packed.

“It takes the pressure off the families, if we have it in the hospital already,” she said.

Hospital staff say that giving out “Bags of Smiles” is like playing Santa Claus. Marcella Iqbal, a clinical assistant at UPMC Pinnacle in Harrisburg, always lets Hornung know when the hospital runs low.

“Children are nervous and scared, and we try to have a Caitlin’s Smiles bag on the bed when they come in,” she said. “Quite often, they’ll get the Caitlin’s Smiles bag and say, ‘My class helped make them.’”

Volunteers of all ages and abilities are welcome at Caitlin’s Smiles. Last year, volunteers spent 22, 000 hours helping, and the organization has 5,000 people on its volunteer rolls.

“It’s just as important to volunteers to know they are helping someone, especially the special needs groups,” Hornung said. “They might not have that opportunity elsewhere.”

Jo Horanic coordinates the school and special needs groups that work at Caitlin’s Smiles. Her connection to the organization is twofold. She loves crafts and kids, and she lost her husband to cancer, an illness that many Bags of Smiles recipients are fighting.

“Rather than be the recipient, they have the chance to give back,” she said of the special-needs volunteers.

Hornung said that, in the early days of Caitlin’s Smiles, it was about the end result—children receiving crafts. That vision has morphed into something even greater, giving volunteers a sense of purpose.

Back in the workroom, with walls adorned with butterflies, crayons and castle decals listing sponsor and partner organizations, Deonna Winston wrapped yarn and chatted with Horanic.

A SciTech student, she admitted that, when she first began volunteering, her heart wasn’t fully in it, but that changed when she “understood the impact of it on the kids.”

When asked how Caitlin would feel about what she’s doing, Hornung replied, “She would love it, the new pointy crayons… the piles of beads.”

Indeed, Caitlin’s Smiles has given Hornung a hopeful focus, despite her family’s own sorrow.

“Every day, we hear wonderful stories and see lots of smiles,” she said.

Caitlin’s Smiles is located at 3303 N. 6th St., Harrisburg. For more information, including volunteer opportunities, visit www.caitlins-smiles.org.

“I’m done:” School board members threaten walk out, exchange barbs over spontaneous action on superintendent contract.

June 28, 2018 | by Lizzy Hardison

Members of the Harrisburg school board last night.

The Harrisburg School Board reached new heights of dysfunction on Thursday night when a surprise vote on the superintendent’s contract devolved into shouting match between its members.

Superintendent Sybil Knight-Burney’s term expires on June 30, and the board must negotiate new terms to avoid leaving her out of a contract come July 1.

But the board voted 5-3 against a resolution that would have bought the parties additional time for negotiations. It left them with just two days to offer the superintendent new terms.

Board Vice President Danielle Robinson said that language in the resolution made her uncomfortable and that it seemed like a veiled attempt to rescind the board’s decision to award Knight-Burney a new contract. She was joined by board directors Melvin Wilson, Ellis Roy, Lionel Gonzalez and Tyrell Spradley in rejecting the provision.

The resolution was developed by the board solicitor with help from the Pennsylvania School Board Association, board President Judd Pittman said. He later expressed “ridiculous, incredible frustration” that his colleagues had voted it down.

Since Knight-Burney’s contract was set to expire on June 30, Pittman advised the board that it needed to codify her new term before then, since failure to act could be considered a breach of contract.

The board decided in April to rehire Knight-Burney for a term of 3 to 5 years.

“We did not set the length of the term in the first vote. We said we would do it later,” Pittman explained. “That time has since come, and now we’re in a position where we need to put forth a motion.”

Gonzalez then put forth a motion to grant Knight-Burney a five-year term. His resolution did not address any other terms of her contract, such as salary or job expectations.

The motion, which did not appear on the meeting agenda, drew the ire of two dozen residents in attendance, who said that the board should not make a consequential decision on short notice, while other terms of the contract were still in negotiation.

“We haven’t discussed this as a board,” board director Carrie Fowler said.

As the board secretary called the vote, a reporter lodged an objection under the state Sunshine Act, which says any action taken by a government body must be preceded by public comment.

Since the motion was added to the agenda mid-meeting, the public did not have the chance to weigh in. Board Solicitor Samuel Cooper later agreed that the public should have the chance to comment.

Pittman called a recess, and in the melee that followed, board directors exchanged heated words while members of the public continued to shout in exasperation. One board director began yelling at the board solicitor, who joined the meeting over the phone.

Acrimony between school directors has been on full display at board meetings in the past months. But as one audience member said, “This is the best one yet.”

Board directors continued to argue after Pittman called the meeting back into order. He attempted to convene an executive session and then tried to go home when other board directors would not join him.

“I’m done,” he said.

Board director Brian Carter did leave the meeting, but later returned to vote on personnel actions.

After more discussion and procedural fumbles, Fowler put forth an amendment to Gonzalez’s motion, proposing a three-year contract for Knight-Burney. The exasperated board passed the motion 8-0.

The board also voted last night to levy a 3.6-percent tax hike and approve a budget eliminating 52 staff positions.

Business Manager Bilal Hasan said that the cuts will be made through attrition, meaning that personnel who retire or resign will not be replaced. As a result, no district employees will lose their jobs, he said.

“We’re cutting positions, not people,” he said.

The tax hike will bring the district’s millage rate to 28.8 mills, an increase of 1.0008 mills from this year. With Harrisburg’s median home value of $42,800, the tax hike will cost the average city homeowner an additional $43 a year.

Board directors Robinson, Wilson, Roy, Gonzalez and Spradley voted to approve the budget. Pittman, Fowler and Carter dissented.

Board director Percel Eiland announced his resignation from the board last week, leaving the body with just eight members.

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