Lessons in Blue: What I learned at the Harrisburg Citizen’s Police Academy.

June 29, 2018 | by Joanne Kaldy

If you grew up watching “Starsky and Hutch,” “Die Hard,” “Beverly Hill Cop,” “Law & Order” or “CSI,” you probably think law enforcement looks pretty cool—dangerous at times, but glamorous and exciting.

Now, thanks to the Harrisburg Bureau of Police Citizen’s Police Academy, a group of city residents knows the truth. Law enforcement isn’t like the movies or TV, but it’s still pretty cool.

The academy was established to build stronger community bonds between the Harrisburg Bureau of Police and the people who live here. Led by Capt. Gabriel Olivera and Cpl. Joshua Hammer, the 10- week course covers topics such as traffic stops, the history of policing, crime scene investigation, the coroner’s office and the legal system. The program is free to applicants who are Harrisburg residents and can pass a background check.

I met both of those criteria, so became one of about 20 students in the 2018 class.

Over 2½ months, we heard from leaders and key players in law enforcement, and we were treated to tours—the Dauphin County Prison, the coroner’s office, the county call center and the courthouse. The class was enlightening, and we all learned a great deal about our police and the legal system.

Here are the top 10 things I learned as a student of the Citizen’s Police Academy.

1. Law enforcement isn’t very glamorous. More often, it’s grueling, stressful and, yes, even boring. For example, TV makes 9-11 call centers look like exciting hubs of drama and action. In truth, the operators sit in cubicles for hours, often answering calls that are non-emergency complaints, false alarms or even bids for attention by lonely people. Nonetheless, their training and knowledge prepare them for when there is a real emergency or disaster.

2. I have a morbid curiosity…about the morbid. I especially enjoyed visiting the coroner’s office. While we didn’t see an autopsy, we did see some death scene photos and learned about how the team performs investigations. It’s fascinating how much they can tell about things like time and cause of death before the autopsy even starts. Speaking of which, we got a tour of an autopsy room, where we saw cabinets filled with containers of eyeballs, brains and other evidence to be used in ongoing and unsolved cases.

3. Not all prison inmates wear orange jumpsuits. In fact, at the Dauphin County Prison, inmates don’t wear jumpsuits at all. Their attire is more like hospital scrubs, and they are color-coded—orange for male general population, green for male trustees who have jobs in the prison, red for male treatment inmates and so on. Female inmates in the general population wear beige “scrubs.” As someone who loves fashion and color, that would be punishment enough for me.

4. Prison inmates can be incredibly creative and resourceful. We were treated to a display of “contraband,” forbidden items that have been confiscated from inmates. There were drawings on both paper and cloth (mostly pillowcases) that could pass for professional illustrations and artwork. There was a Monopoly-type game (“Jailopoly”) someone had made out of paper and cardboard, compete with play money and dice (likely made from water-soaked paper pressed into squares and inked with pens or pencils). Perhaps most inventive was a small cage—designed to catch rats or mice—made from plastic cutlery that was crudely fused together. MacGyver would be proud. I went to summer camp when I was a teenager, and all I ever made was a birdhouse out of popsicle sticks.

5. Police have to know math and physics. There is a whole team of specially trained police officers whose job it is to analyze and determine the cause of traffic accidents. They use algorithms that involve both math and physics to assess things such as how fast the cars involved were going, the precise point of impact, and whether the driver attempted to slow down or stop before the collision. The discussion about this was very technical and complex, but it did make me want to slow down and be extra careful on the road.

6. Not all police dogs (K-9 officers) look alike. Whenever you see police dogs on TV, it seems like they’re always German shepherds. I guess this dates back to the 1950s and the TV show, “The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin.” However, the Harrisburg K-9 unit includes other breeds of herding dogs, including the Dutch shepherd and the Belgian malinois, known for their protective instincts, high intelligence, eagerness to serve/work and endurance. We met with Officer Don Bender and his dog, Zoe, a Dutch shepherd. She demonstrated her ability as a substance-sniffing dog, and it was clear that she enjoyed showing off. The dogs, which are considered officers and have actual badges with official badge numbers, live with their human partners and their families. As a dog lover, I had to resist the urge to hug Zoe and smother her with kisses and baby talk. I suspect she was grateful for that.

7. I have some mad acting skills. We role-played police officers delivering bad news to a family, and I got volunteered to play the mother of a young woman who died from a drug overdose. Police Chaplin Gary Lathrop played my husband. He instructed me to react how someone might do so in such a situation. So, I started with denial (“No, you’ve made a mistake. We just had dinner with her. She is at work.”), then moved to anger and sorrow. I really got into the part and went full DeNiro (never go full DeNiro) and let loose with some R-rated language. Nonetheless, everyone said how convincing I was in the role. I’m thinking of having head shots made up and getting an agent.

8. Courtroom legal cases aren’t nearly as exciting as on “Perry Mason.” The judges and lawyers are simply capable, knowledgeable and hardworking professionals who work together to carry out the law, not colorful personalities verbally sparring and in constant conflict. While every good TV/movie courtroom drama features a jury, the vast majority of cases in Dauphin County are resolved without 12 angry (or not-so-angry) men (and women). The judges have sentencing guidelines they use to ensure a fair and reasonable sentence for offenses and offenders, and they seldom bang the gavel and scream, “Order in the court.”

9. Police are people. I’ve always been a little intimidated by the police—the spotless uniforms, the business-like attitudes. But all of the officers we interacted with were nice, courteous and enthusiastic. They answered even our stupidest questions without judgment. They laughed and chatted with us and shared their stories with candor. I felt like I came away with some new friends who love the city like I do. However, I was a bit disappointed that none of the officers was a dead ringer for Chris Pine or Idris Elba. Clearly, I need to watch less Netflix.

10. I made the right career choice. I admit that, when I was a kid, I thought it would be fun to be one of Charlie’s angels or like Heather Locklear on “T.J. Hooker.” But the crazy hours, the uniforms (I really like my heels and matching purse), the stress of knowing that your work often is a matter of life and death, and the discipline and rigorous training just aren’t for me. I’m better off writing. In the meantime, it’s nice to know that there are people like Capt. Olivera and Cpl. Hammer to do the job others won’t or can’t.

The Harrisburg police are planning to offer another Citizen’s Police Academy program in September. Watch for an announcement at www.hbgpd.com.

Book Plot: The heist movie visits the library in “American Animals.”

June 29, 2018 | by Sammi Leigh Melville

Photograph courtesy of Film4 Productions.

We already know it’ll end badly.

Maybe we’ve heard the story before, or we’ve seen the trailer. Hell, even the first five minutes of the film tells us. So then why do we watch “American Animals?”

Writer/director Bart Layton quickly captivates his audience with a fascinating true story of four college boys who try to pull off the most ridiculous heist, and it’s all thanks to perspective.

It starts with a visit to the on-campus library at Transylvania University, Kentucky. Spencer (Barry Keoghan), an artist, notes that the rare books section is only guarded by one librarian and a locked door and tells his friend, Warren (Evan Peters), this information. Warren, the “ring leader” in this scenario, immediately convinces Spencer to plan a heist with him in order to profit from the near-$12 million value of the books within.

But the boys need help. They rope in Eric (Jared Abrahamson) as the “brains” of the operation, smoothing out the details of the plan, and Chas (Blake Jenner) as the getaway driver. And the rest goes down in history.

The film expertly laces together interviews of the four real-life protagonists and their families with dramatized scenes acted out by Keoghan, Peters, Abrahamson and Jenner. This docudrama structure often plays out unevenly, feeling more like a History Channel or Hallmark special, but, recently, we’ve seen an uptick in films that are getting the hang of it—films like “Touching the Void,” “Jeremiah Tower” and the most recent, “I, Tonya,” which even dramatized the interviews.

What makes these films so much more engaging than the typical docudrama? Filmmakers are beginning to learn how to play with perspective, telling the story not exactly as it occurred, but how the interviewees say it occurred (contradictions and all).

“American Animals” goes even one step further, at times even inserting the real people into the dramatizations like mirages. And while the film could have held its own without the interviews, that extra bit of reality stirs some energy into the story. The juxtaposition of the interviews with the dramatization is at times startling, comical and even sobering.

There are particularly good performances for Keoghan and Peters, who, hand in hand, nail the well-meaning stupidity of youth. And that’s the story that is really being told. It’s a tale of a bunch of kids who were too eager, too greedy and too naive to understand what they were really getting into.

Now, nearly 15 years later, not only can these young men see through a new perspective but so can we. This is a film you won’t want to miss.

“American Animals” comes to Midtown Cinema this July.

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

July Special Events
At Midtown Cinema

Central PA Open Screen
Thursday, July 5, 9 p.m.

Beatles Tribute Series
“Yellow Submarine” (1968)
Friday, July 20, 9:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 25, 7:30 p.m.

“I Wanna Hold Your Hand” (1978)
Sunday, July 22, 2 p.m.

“Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” (1978)
Tuesday, July 24, 7:30 p.m.

“A Hard Day’s Night” (1964)
Sunday, July 29, 7 p.m.

Outdoor Film Series
Movies start at dusk, rain date is following day

“Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” (1971)
Friday, July 6

“Ghostbusters” (1984)
Friday, July 27

“Toy Story” (1995)
Friday, Aug. 24

June News Digest

June 29, 2018 | by Lawrance Binda and Lizzy Hardison

HUD Grants Proposed

The annual process of disbursing federal housing funds began last month, as Harrisburg City Council introduced an ordinance that would provide money to nearly a dozen nonprofit groups.

Mayor Eric Papenfuse said that the city used the same process in selecting award recipients as last year, using a point-based merit system to judge applications.

“It’s a number of small grants,” Papenfuse said. “It’s not as much as anyone wanted.”

In all, the city will distribute $2.04 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) money, a program of the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. This amount includes almost $1.9 million from the 2018 allocation, plus a small supplemental amount tied to unallocated funds from a prior year.

Like last year, the greatest single amount of money, $593,423, will go to repay federal loans the city backed during the Reed administration for several development projects, including the disastrous Capitol View Commerce Center project, which went bankrupt before being completed years later by a new owner.

“If we didn’t have an exorbitant debt service, we’d have a lot more money for housing,” Papenfuse said.

Most of the nonprofits proposed to receive funds have gotten some money from previous CDBG allocations. The proposed recipients include:

TriCounty HDC: $250,000
Habitat for Humanity: $100,000
A Miracle 4 Sure: $50,000
TLC Work Based Training: $45,000
Christian Recovery Aftercare Ministries (C.R.A.M.): $40,000
Latino Hispanic Community Center: $25,000
Heinz-Menaker Senior Center: $25,000
Fair Housing Council: $25,000
PPL/IN HOUSE: $20,000
Shades of Greatness: $15,000
Neighborhood Dispute Settlement: $5,000

Like last year, Tina Nixon, an executive with UPMC Pinnacle, scored the applications, Papenfuse said. While most nonprofits that applied received some funding, several did not make the cut, he said.

In addition, the city is proposing to allocate $321,642 for its housing rehabilitation programs and another $408,765 to CDBG administration.

QOZ Tracts Approved

The federal government last month approved all of the census tracts nominated for a new program aimed at spurring development in low-income communities.

Six of those tracts are in Harrisburg.

“Approval of our nominated tracts is an important step in the process of bringing critical investment and development to these areas,” Gov. Tom Wolf said. “Designation as an opportunity zone is one piece of the puzzle that can help many of our distressed communities across the commonwealth.”

In April, Wolf nominated 300 low-income census tracts across the state as Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZ), a status created under the 2017 federal tax reform bill. All were accepted.

Six of Harrisburg’s 14 census tracts were included in Wolf’s submission. The potential investment zones encompass the city’s downtown area south of Forster Street, South Harrisburg, South and Central Allison Hill and the neighborhoods along the city’s Cameron Street industrial corridor.

The QOZ program aims to stimulate investment in low-income communities by providing tax breaks to private investors. It’s expected to defer or reduce capital gains taxes to anyone who invests in funds supporting businesses, real estate and other ventures in the zones.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury is still in the process of developing the program, and the IRS is expected to provide further information regarding opportunities for investment in zones in the coming months, according to Wolf’s office.

Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse has said that the recommended zones aligned with the city’s current development efforts, including the MulDer Square revitalization project and the Paxton Creek reclamation in the industrial corridor.

To qualify for QOZ status, a census tract had to have at least a 20-percent poverty rate or a median family income less than 80 percent of the statewide or regional median income.

State Urges Changes to School District

Soon after wrapping up a protracted battle over its superintendent, the Harrisburg school district may find itself in another personnel battle.

The state Department of Education is asking the district to search for new leadership for its business office, which oversees budgets and financial management.

In a letter to the district last month, department Secretary Pedro Rivera said that the district’s chief financial officer and business manager do not meet the criteria set forth in its five-year recovery plan, which calls for full-time, permanent, highly qualified employees to fill both positions.

The school board has final say on all district personnel actions. But board members, who diverged for the past six months over whether to replace or retain Superintendent Sybil Knight-Burney, once again disagree on the need to seek new hires.

Board President Judd Pittman interprets the letter as a directive from the state, giving the district no choice but to replace interim, part-time CFO James Snell and acting Business Manager Bilal Hasan. But board Vice President Danielle Robinson thinks the district should keep the current team.

“It’s not a directive, it’s a suggestion,” Robinson said. “The team we have in place is giving us what we need.”

The business manager and CFO are responsible for developing and managing the district’s $156 million budget. This year, the district faces a shortfall of almost $9 million. The business office has proposed bridging it with a $5 million transfer from its fund balance, $4 million in staff cuts, and a 3.6 percent tax hike.

New Monument to Honor Prominent African Americans

Harrisburg’s Riverfront Park is dotted with historical monuments, but none of them honor African Americans.

A group of citizens hopes to change that.

Members of the Peace Promenade Project are asking city hall to green-light Harrisburg’s first monument to African Americans, which they hope to erect near the corner of Forster and Front Streets by June 2019.

Their proposal calls for a life-size tableau of four Pennsylvania abolitionists and voting-rights advocates: Thomas Chester, a Harrisburg-born journalist and attorney; William Howard Day, the first black school board director in Pennsylvania; Jacob Compton, a pastor who drove Abraham Lincoln’s carriage during his visit to Harrisburg; and Frances Harper, a poet and women’s rights activist.

All except Harper lived in Harrisburg and are buried in Lincoln Cemetery in Penbrook.

“This is an American monument that represents the continuing struggle for the full fulfillment of the 15^th amendment,” said Lenwood Sloan, leader of the Peace Promenade Project, which aims to rededicate Harrisburg’s public monuments through a yearlong event series.

Kelly Summerford, another project leader, said that the monument would also offer local students an opportunity to learn about abolition and voting rights.

Mayor Eric Papenfuse said he met with the project leaders and enthusiastically supports the project. He also offered to help the group pursue a gaming grant from Dauphin County.

The Peace Promenade group, which counts more than 200 members and 40 supporting organizations, plans to fund the monument through public support, corporate donations and individual giving. They did not announce an anticipated budget.

According to Summerford, the group plans to follow a process used by the Pennsylvania Council of the Arts to commission an artist and develop a design.

They hope to install the monument by “Juneteenth” 2019—the anniversary of June 19, 1865, the official announcement of the end of slavery in the former Confederacy.

At press time, council had not yet affirmed the final allocations.

Harristown Eyes Another Project

Chalk up another apartment conversion for Harristown Enterprises.

The Harrisburg-based company already has converted several rundown office buildings downtown to higher-end apartment buildings. Last month, it announced another—this one at 116 Pine St.

“We feel very good about the rental market,” said Harristown CEO Brad Jones. “We’re trying to create more of a neighborhood downtown.”

The bank-owned, 54,600-square-foot building is on the market for $1.3 million. If Harristown completes the purchase, it plans to convert the circa-1946 building to 44 apartment units, its largest residential project to date.

The five-story building currently houses several different entities, which would be relocated. The longstanding first-floor tenant, Alicia’s Deli, is likely to remain in the building, Jones said.

The building is directly next door to another office building at 124 Pine St. that Harristown currently has under contract from seller Keystone Human Services. City Council approved that project, which includes 25 apartment units and 19 parking spaces, in April.

“Our intent is to build them together and have economies of scale,” Jones said, adding that Harristown expects to invest some $12 million in the projects.

Harristown has long been known as a commercial developer. However, it began to move into the multi-family residential market several years ago, focusing on rehabilitating old, often dilapidated and vacant office buildings, converting them to apartments.

New Owner for Old Waterworks

A Harrisburg-based design and engineering company has purchased the historic Old Waterworks building on the Susquehanna River, with plans to turn it into its new headquarters.

Andculture will relocate from its downtown offices following the full renovation of the 22,000-square-foot building, said co-owner David Hickethier.

The Waterworks is one of only two structures remaining within the confines of Riverfront Park. Portions of the Front Street building date to 1841.

The building served as a pumping station for Harrisburg until 1972, when that use ended following severe flooding caused by Tropical Storm Agnes. The city later converted it into an office building.

In 2002, Mann Realty, a real estate firm, bought the building. Andculture acquired the property from Mann Realty, which is in Chapter 7 bankruptcy, for $1.25 million, according to the Dauphin County property database.

“It’s a very unique building,” Hickethier said. “There are only two on that side of Front Street, right on the river.”

Hickethier expects Andculture, a company he co-owns with partners Josh Benton and Evan Keller, to occupy the majority of the building for its main offices and for its business accelerator, Catamaran.

The company may lease out some of the remaining space, especially to complementary businesses, and would like to reserve a portion for public use, possibly for meetings and receptions, Hickethier said.

Since the major city renovation 30 years ago, the building has suffered a few floods and has not undergone a major update. So, Hickethier and his partners plan to mount a complete restoration. The work includes removing drop ceilings, restoring floors, opening up spaces and making substantial repairs.

New Sanitation App

Sanitation and recycling services in Harrisburg are about to get a little more user-friendly.

The city last month announced a new app called Recycle Coach, which allows residents to get the latest information on sanitation services, schedules, what and where to recycle, collection requirements and more.

“[The app provides] details people need to understand, like the way food could potentially contaminate recyclables,” said Mayor Eric Papenfuse. “The app addresses all this, and it’s really interesting, easy to use and fun.”

Already used in other states and countries, Recycle Coach is now available for Harrisburg residents. The app is personalized via language, building type (apartment or home) and address. Using that information, six tabs on the home screen offer users various types of functionality, information and additional options.

John Rarig, Harrisburg’s recycling coordinator, said that the Recycle Coach app will help the city get sanitation information out to the public quicker.

“This app will allow us to update information as things change [such as] weather problems and things that we can notify the populous about,” he said. “[Recycle Coach] is very easy to work with, and we think this is a great thing for Harrisburg.”

Harrisburg residents can access Recycle Coach not only from their smartphones, but also via computers and voice assistants such as Alexa.

So Noted

Harrisburg Beer Week last month presented a check for $40,000 to Harrisburg River Rescue and Emergency Services, the beneficiary of the 10-day-long celebration of local craft beer. For the past several years, the River Rescue has used the funds to continue the renovation of its headquarters.

Homeland Center last month dedicated its 6th Street entrance in memory of the late John Crain Kunkel, a U.S. congressman, and his wife Katherine, who served on the board of managers and established what is believed to be the first-ever beauty shop in a long-term care facility, according to the Harrisburg-based care facility. More recently, the Kunkel family made possible Homeland’s 71-bed skilled care nursing pavilion, and their foundation sponsored Homeland’s 150th Gala, said Homeland.

Percel Eiland resigned last month as a member of the Harrisburg school board, having only served about six months. The board will now take steps to find a candidate to fill the remainder of Eiland’s term, which runs until the end of next year.

In Memoriam

Nick Laus, renowned Harrisburg restaurateur, died last month at age 59. Laus founded many restaurants in the area, including Café Fresco, Cork & Fork, Home 231 and Burger Yum, as well as the nightclub, Level 2.

Changing Hands

Adrian St., 2441: G. & T. Spiese to H. Le, $64,000

Bartine St., 1323: E. & G. Solomon to J. Herr, $82,000

Bellevue Rd., 1963: M. Mack to R. Lewis, $54,900

Berryhill St., 2034: D. Smith to S. Griffin, $33,000

Berryhill St., 2400: L. Rich to E. Alcantra, $40,001

Boas St., 304: Calder Street Development LLC to RC Herr, $35,000

Calder St., 264: J. Hummel to L. Boenzli, $127,000

Capitol St., 1218: M. Wickwire to K. Knapp, $118,000

Chestnut St., 2032: W. Noss & R. Maynard to M. Jackson & J. Fulton, $124,900

Delaware St., 259: K. Dyrli to R. Goodfriend, $142,500

Delaware St., 261: C. Hartman to T. Harris & B. Barto, $117,500

Green St., 918: S. Brennan & L. Sterkenberg to S. Lacey, $144,900

Green St., 1328: D. Misner to A. Koser, $116,540

Green St., 1412: J. Kibler to J. Ehring, $70,000

Green St., 1612: H. Task to B. Brubaker, $149,900

Green St., 1946: C. Smith & T. Chickey to P. Sosik, $174,900

Green St., 2321: Willowscott Investment LLC to J. Hofman, $80,000

Green St., 2412: R. Lawson to B. Vargas, $219,500

Hillside Rd., 214: R. & T. Winder to R. Bateman & C. McDonough, $164,900

Hoffman St., 3010: Duetsche Bank National Trust Co. Trustee to Innovative Devices Inc., $41,300

Hoffman St., 3229: Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. to B. Foor, $59,000

Industrial Rd., 3900: Supervalue Penn LLC to CF Grocery Distribution & Propco LLC, $85,535,256

Jefferson St., 2645: M. Watson to D. Solomon, $60,400

Kensington St., 2004: JCB Associates & State House Group to A. Ryabukha, $39,000

Kensington St., 2324: A. & M. Oliphant to C. Austin, $59,900

Market St., 1713: LAGR Properties LLC to J. & L. Hendricks, $65,000

Mercer St., 2470: A. Hankerson to A. & M. Allen, $49,137

Muench St., 429: Dobson Family Partnership to Y. & K. Han, $50,000

N. 2^nd St., 1521: W. Glover to E&S Properties, $107,000

N. 2^nd St., 1803: S. & S. Cooper to Z. Gause, $122,500

N. 2^nd St., 1916: C. Bashore to G. Crone, $155,000

N. 2^nd St., 2602: K. & K. Fischer to K. Kennedy, $105,000

N. 2^nd St., 2953: D. Alvey to PI Capital LLC, $144,401

N. 2^nd St., 3209: S. Kumarasingam to Benchmarq Holdings LLC, $65,361

N. 3^rd St., 1004, 1006, 1008 & 1010 Susquehanna St.: T. & E. Buda to Maki Developments LLC, $695,000

N. 3^rd St., 1010: T. Buda to Maki Developments LLC, $225,000

N. 3^rd St., 1725: K. & L. Helm to I. Kazar, $81,000

N. 3^rd St., 3004: N. Ernst to K. & A. Brady, $77,000

N. 4^th St., 2143: 690 Market Street LLC to R. Joline, $33,000

N. 4^th St., 2641: Y. Borras to J. Santiago, $59,000

N. 4^th St., 2731: R. Rickabaugh to M. Martinez & M. Price, $111,700

N. 6^th St., 1346: J. MacDonald to A. Blank & A. Edwards, $114,900

N. 6^th St., 2212: L. Ware Jr. to J. Strain, $60,000

N. 7^th St., 1501: AT&T Communications to 1501 Harrisburg Partners LLC, $425,000

N. 15^th St., 1431: M. Clark & J. Payton to X. Nguyen, $55,000

N. Front St., 614: Mann Realty Associates Inc. to Granma LLC, $1,250,000

Norwood St., 914: A. Wilhelm to I. Rodriguez, $35,000

Penn St., 1614: M. Smith to J. Napora & S. Bassler, $144,900

Penn St., 1809: K. Hyp to J. Francescangeli & D. Rocklein, $165,000

Penn St., 1931: WCI Partners LP to R. & B. Precourt, $134,900

Penn St., 2327: A. & D. Wilhelm to I. Rodriguez, $35,000

Pennwood Rd., 3139: T. Bendrick to L. Ciambotti, $40,000

Sassafras St., 269: Major League Properties LLC to J. Wenger & J. Noel, $130,000

Shamokin St., 110: M. & K. Patterson to E. & L. Match, $165,000

Showers St., 589: T. Fullam & J. Nugent to M. Albizu, $116,000

S. 13^th St., 1510: New Heights South LLC to W. Powell Sr., $49,000

S. 14^th St., 1437: W. & G. Powell to City of Harrisburg, $50,000

S. 24^th St., 535: S. Leibich to PA Double Dels LLC, $178,500

S. Cameron St., 50, 90 & 112: PA Self Storage One LLC to Amerco Real Estate Co., $1,450,000

S. Cameron St., 1058: M. Tice & APR Supply Co. to JWM Associates LP, $343,700

State St., 120: C. & K. Kokoski to O’Hagan Philadelphia LLC, $190,000

State St., 231, Unit 206: LUX 1 LP to F. Clark, $65,000

State St., 1414: G. Dutan to A. & M. Collins, $113,000

Susquehanna St., 3117: J. Fustine to K. O’Neill & M. Delucia, $197,500

Swatara St., 1517: Tri County HDC Ltd. to V. Miller, $99,000

Wendy St., 1126: 147 N. Cameron Partners LP to Keystone K9 LLC, $415,000

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.

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