Films al Fresco: Family fun on the big screen at Fort Hunter.

May 31, 2018 | by Phyllis Zimmerman

After months of lingering cold weather, June is here at last with hopes of warm, mild days and glorious, long sunsets that herald summertime.

June also means that it’s time once again to round up the lawn chairs, blankets, family and friends for free, outdoor movie fun at Fort Hunter Park.

Starting June 1, Dauphin County Parks and Recreation’s “Sunset Movie Series” returns with the family-friendly adventure film, “Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade.” Movies are shown on a 9-by-16-foot screen next to the Centennial Barn but move inside the barn in the event of rain.

“June is a good month for the film series,” explained Michelle Hornberger, assistant program director for Dauphin County Parks and Recreation. “We tried doing it in July, but it didn’t work. June works because kids and their families still are in a routine from school.”

Moreover, trial-and-error has proven Friday to be the choice evening of the weekend.

“Friday night is a good night to show films because it’s before people get into their weekends,” Hornberger said. “We tried doing it on Saturday and Sunday, but those didn’t quite work, either.”

On a “good night,” attendance can surge to 400, depending on the weather, Hornberger said. While waiting for the movie to begin at 8:30 p.m., filmgoers often toss footballs, chat with neighbors or simply savor a descending sunset over the Susquehanna River.

Early-birds also dig into picnic baskets or purchase movie snacks as such popcorn, candy or ice cream from the Friends of Fort Hunter. Dauphin County Human Services also is on hand to offer children’s activities, crafts and resource pamphlets.

“It’s great to see families have fun together,” said Dauphin County Commissioner Jeff Haste, who comes to the films each year with his children and grandchildren. “You see people in lawn chairs and blankets there. It’s a fun night.”

The series began 12 years ago after Haste, who oversees the county’s Parks and Recreation, challenged the department to offer more family-friendly activities, he said. In response, staff and the Friends of Fort Hunter developed what would become the Sunset Movie Series.

“The Dauphin County Commissioners really wanted us to ramp up our programs,” said Hornberger.

For the series’ first year, the county offered just two movies, but the films attracted so much response that more shows were added.

“Our movies tend to be nostalgic,” Hornberger noted. “It’s not all the latest and the greatest. It’s often films that people in their 30s and 40s might remember as kids and want to share with their own families, like ‘The Mighty Ducks’ or ‘Indiana Jones.’ We also show one funny movie each year for a date night, like ‘Airplane.’”

Dauphin County’s Sunset Movie Series is sponsored by TheBurg, Sheetz and WGAL-TV Channel 8.

Fort Hunter Mansion and Park is located at 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg.

Blankets Down

Get the kids and coolers ready for Dauphin County’s “Sunset Movie Series” at Fort Hunter Park. All shows begin at 8:30 p.m.

June 1: “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”

June 8: “Angels in the Outfield”

June 15: “Jaws”

June 16: “The Mighty Ducks” (at Shope Park in Middletown)

June 22: “Little Giants”

June 29: “Airplane!”

Listen to Her Heart: A feel-good indie film in “Hearts Beat Loud.”

May 31, 2018 | by Sammi Leigh Melville

Director Brett Haley is no stranger to the indie film scene, with past films such as “I’ll See You In My Dreams” and “The Hero.” And now he’s back with “Hearts Beat Loud.”

Frank Fisher (Nick Offerman), a stubborn, quietly enthusiastic record-store owner struggling to make ends meet, decides to push his dream (and history) of being in a band onto his daughter, Sam (Kiersey Clemons). Having once been in a band with Sam’s late mother, Frank wants Sam to discover the talent inside of her. But Sam is about to leave for a pre-med program and does not want to be in a band with her father, despite her obvious talent. What follows is the sweet story of a family coming together under a common interest—whether that interest will last or disappear in the cracks of responsibility is yet to be determined.

Reminiscent of “That Thing You Do” but with the heartfelt, indie vibe of “Once,” “Hearts Beat Loud” produces a feel-good version of the pull between dreams and reality. The plot doesn’t follow any groundbreaking concepts or take heady risks—and maybe that’s what makes the film so endearing. It’s just a snapshot of people living, struggling and testing out their passion.

Offerman changes his usual routine for a more earnest, adorable character, and Clemons wins hearts with both her awkward sweetness and her voice. And the supporting cast brings the world around these two protagonists to life. Toni Collette plays the landlady who unwittingly has Frank’s heart, Ted Danson is the strange, bartending best friend, and Sasha Lane tugs at Sam’s heartstrings right before she leaves for college.

While the story does get a bit contrived in parts, leaving a somewhat sugary aftertaste, Haley’s avoidance of the “man against man” setup reveals a truth about the world. Sometimes, you’re just fighting against fate and the nature of life. If you’re looking for a feel-good indie summer flick, don’t miss “Hearts Beat Loud,” starting at Midtown Cinema on June 22.

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

MIDTOWN CINEMA
JUNE EVENTS

Pride Collection

“The Children’s Hour” (1962)
Sunday, June 17, 2 p.m.

“The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” (1994)
Thursday, June 21, 9:30 p.m.

“The Boys in the Band” (1979)
Sunday, June 24, 2 p.m.

“The Kids Are All Right” (2010)
Wednesday, June 27, 7:30 p.m.

3^rd in the Burg $3 movie

“Hedwig and the Angry Inch” (2001)
Friday, June 15, 9:30 p.m.

Down in Front! presents

“Gigli” (2003)
Friday, June 29, 9:30 p.m.

FREE Outdoor Films

“E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” (1982)
Friday, June 8

“The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” (2005)
Friday, June 22

All outdoor films play at dusk. Rain date on the following day.

Musical Notes: Vacation Vibes–Get away without going away.

May 31, 2018 | by Kait Gibboney

Ah, summer is upon us! While it may be hot, the days are long, and the nights are perfect for catching some peak performances around Harrisburg. You don’t have to plan an elaborate trip to have a fun time this summer. Get into vacation mode at home and check out some hot shows happening this month. The usual venues never fail to disappoint, and it’s always fun to check out the newer places bringing the noise. Look out for some of my favorites this month and kick off your summer right.

JASON RICCI AND THE BAD KIND, 6/1, 7PM, RIVER CITY BLUES CLUB, $10-12
Whatever you expected in music featuring harmonica, Jason Ricci’s about to blow your mind. This ain’t just blues, baby. This multi-genre artist is considered among many as a revolutionary and well-known harmonica player worldwide. Throughout his 10 years of touring, TV appearances and recording, he has built a recognizable name for himself, but, every once and awhile, he goes by his old nickname, “Mooncat.” His newest work, “Approved by Snakes,” was released last year with his band, The Bad Kind. When you listen to the first track, “My True Love is a Dope Whore,” you can feel his life experiences, his struggles and his triumphs all reflected into his soulful lyrics and smooth instrumentals. It’s like George Clinton met Jack White while touring the New Orleans golden age of jazz. I dig it, and I’m sure y’all will too.

OLDE TIGERS, 6/2, 8PM, THE UNDERGROUND BIKE SHOP, $5
Coming at you straight from your local bike shop is the hardcore fix you’ve been needing. Olde Tigers from York headlines a night of hardcore and punk featuring other PA bands, USVSW and L.M.I. Unapologetically loud and riffy, these guys describe themselves as “East Bay punk meets East Coast hardcore,” influenced by music from the Bay Area punk rock and New York hardcore music scenes. To get a better idea of their sound, check out their album “PennsylVANia” on Bandcamp. Their driving guitars and fast drums create heavy layers of sound to get lost in. Whether you’ve been in the scene for years, headbanging and throwing yourself to the mercy of the pit, or if you’re checking out a new sound, local DIY shows like this are the backbone of the music scene in Harrisburg and deserve a hearty shout out.

THE MOTET, 6/22, 9PM, H*MAC CAPITOL ROOM, $20-25
“Music and escapism go hand in hand.” This phrase, uttered by the band itself, perfectly encapsulates what The Motet is all about. “When you’re listening to us, I want your mind to be taken away from wherever you are during the day and into some other place,” said drummer Dave Watts. Specializing in bringing you the freshest funk, this Denver-based seven-piece is made up of Watts on drums, Lyle Divinsky on vocals, Joey Porter on keyboards, Garrett Sayers on bass, Ryan Jalbert on guitar, Parris Fleming on trumpet and Drew Sayers on saxophone. Since their start in 1998, they’ve released seven albums, toured and performed at festivals such as Bonnaroo and Electric Forest. H*MAC has been on a roll lately with big artists coming to our humble city, and this show will be one I hope you don’t miss. To warm up to their sound, check out their latest release, “Supernova.” This single kicks off their latest tour and will certainly get you in the mood to groove.

Mentionables:

The Nose, June 2, Little Amps Downtown;

Bumpin’ Uglies, June 7, The Abbey Bar;

The Posies, June 12, H*MAC Stage on Herr;

Beatlemania Now, June 15, Scottish Rite;

Emily’s Toybox, June 16, H*MAC Capitol Room;

Shawan and the Wonton, June 16, GK Visual;

Joe Olnick Band, June 16, River City;

KIX, June 16, Club XL;

The Trainjumpers, June 29, The Abbey Bar

Happenings: Our June Calendar of Events

May 31, 2018 | by Missy Smith

Museum & Art Spaces

3rd Street Studio
1725 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-385-3315; Facebook: 3^rd Street Studio

“101 Faces: The Portrait Art of Kevyn Knox,” through June 9.

“Nothing Pretty,” an ongoing collaborative art project with a team of artists, June 15-July 15; reception: June 15, 5-9 p.m.

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

International Thunderbird Club Exhibit, through Oct. 14.

“Mustangs: Six Generations of America’s Favorite Pony Car,” through Oct. 14.

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

90^th Annual Juried Exhibition, through June 21.

“Free For All,” artwork by AAH students and members, June 29-July 19; reception: June 29.

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

“Flow: Kim Banister and Wendy Edsall-Kerwin,” through June 2.

“Inventing History: Richard Chandler Hoff” graphite drawings, with a vintage, yet dream-like feel, June 8-July 21.

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

Artist of the Month: Mary Fox

Fort Hunter
5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg
717-599-5751; forthunter.org

Needle Art Exhibit, featuring the handiwork of local needle artists, through June 17.

Gallery@Second
608 N. 2nd St., Harrisburg
galleryatsecond.com

Works by Steve Wetzel and Peter DeHart, through June 9.

Works by Jason Orr and Holly Angelique, June 14-Aug. 4; reception: June 15, 6-9 p.m.

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

“SVC Moving Fourth,” works of Susquehanna Valley Chapter of the PA Guild of Craftsmen, celebrating its fourth year, through June 30.

Hershey Area Art Association (HAAA)
hersheyart.org

Cocoa Beanery Art Exhibit, through June 9.

Harrisburg Area Art Association Member Art Exhibition, through Dec. 31.

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

“Downtown Details,” a photographic look at Newport’s historic buildings and architectural details, through the lens of photographer Irene VanBuskirk, through July 7.

Metropolis Collective
17 W. Main St., Mechanicsburg
717-458-8245; Facebook: Metropolis Collective

“Who’s Your Dada: A Group Tribute to an Art Movement,” through Aug. 20.

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

New works by Joelle Arawjo, Meg Caruso, Kristin Fava, Andrew Guth, Marsha Souders & Richard Souders, through June 10.

New works by Tina Berrier, Yachiyo Beck, John Davis, Julie Iaria, Joan Maguire and Bob McCloskey, June 12-July 15.

National Civil War Museum
One Lincoln Circle, Harrisburg
717-260-1861; nationalcivilwarmuseum.org

“Honored Veterans: Fraternal Organizations Borne of the Civil War,” through June 2.

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

“The Photo Ark” by Joel Sartore, National Geographic photographer and fellow, through September.

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

Black and white prints by Charley Krone, including local landscapes, PA colleges and more, through June.

PCCA Gallery
Perry County Council of the Arts
1 S. 2nd St., Newport
717-567-7023; perrycountyarts.org

“Man Cave,” a creative showing of his favorite room in the house, with locally made artwork and handcrafted items, through June 30.

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

Exhibits dedicated to Pennsylvania firefighting history.

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

“Art of the State—Pennsylvania 2018,” the official, statewide juried competition for Pa. artists, June 24-Sept. 9; reception: June 24, 1:30 p.m.

“Pennsylvania at War,” highlighting World War I posters from the Pennsylvania State Archives and the saga of the US Pennsylvania, through Dec. 30.

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

“Identity Spectrum,” a juried exhibition that examines one of the fundamental aspect of personal identity: gender; through Aug. 5.

“Romare Bearden: Vision & Activism,” June 9-Sept. 23; member’s preview reception: June 8, 5-7 p.m.

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

“Expanded Visions,” a juried exhibition that embraces all forms of photography from traditional darkroom to the digital image, June 1-29.

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

“Art in the Wild,” Wildwood Park’s annual outdoor environmental art exhibit, through Oct. 31.

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

Works by Ann Lawson, through June 11.

Works by Tristan Bond, June 15-July 9.

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

Abstract works by Doug Butari and Laura Cowden, through June 15.

“ReBoard,” works by Nate Demuro and Jay Bowser

Read, Make, Learn

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

June 4-8: Let’s Go to the Beach!, 8:30-11:30 a.m.
June 6: Set the Table Ceramic Workshop, 6-8 p.m.
June 11-15: All About Animals Art Camp, 8:30-11:30 a.m.
June 11-15: Summer Dance Camp w/ Central PA Youth Ballet, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 13: Make a Face Ceramic Workshop, 6-8 p.m.
June 14: Paint Night—Koi Pond, 6:30 p.m.
June 15: Craft Beer & Clay, 7 p.m.
June 18-22: 7 Continents of Fiber Fun!, 8:30-11:30 a.m.
June 18-22: Art of Improv (ages 11-15), 1-4 p.m.
June 19-July 3: Intro to Metal Jewelry 3-Day Workshop, 6-8 p.m.
June 25-29: Books & More Art Camp, 8:30-11:30 a.m.
June 25-29: Art Investigators Art Camp, 1-4 p.m.
June 27: Porcelain Pinch Pots, 6-8 p.m.
June 29: Experimental Mixed Media, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
June 30: Experimental Mixed Media, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

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

June 7: Relaxing in the Caribbean, 6-9 p.m.
June 11: Grilling Favorites, 6-9 p.m.
June 22: Grilling Favorites, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
June 28: The Italian Countryside Wine Pairing, 6-9 p.m.

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

June 1: Basic Internet I, 11-12:30 p.m.
June 2: Mary Sachs Series—Building Positive Body Image, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 3: Crazy for Coloring, 2-4 p.m.
June 4, 11, 18, 25: Paws 2 Read, 6-8 p.m.
June 5, 12, 19, 26: LEGO Robotics, 6-7 p.m.
June 10: The Life of Ulysses S. Grant, 1-2 p.m.
June 13: Rainforests, presented by the National Aquarium, 10:30-11:30 a.m. and 6-7 p.m.
June 14: Bank on Your Success—Banking Basics, 4-6 p.m.
June 15: Basic Internet II, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
June 20: Family DIY with the Home Depot, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
June 20: Egg Drop, 6-7 p.m.
June 21: Device Club, 1-2:30 p.m.
June 26: Friends of East Shore Area Library Meeting, 9:30-11 a.m.
June 27: Walking Piano, 10:30-11:15 a.m.
June 27: Family Dance Party, 6-6:45 p.m.

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

June 1: Youth Chess Night, 6:30 p.m.
June 1: All Ages Movie Sing Along! The Wizard of Oz, 6:30 p.m.
June 5: Curl Up with the Classics—“The Great Gatsby,” 10 a.m.
June 8: Foreign Film Friday, 2 and 7 p.m.
June 9: BYOB Trivia After Hours—80s, 7 p.m.
June 11: Twisted Stitchers, 6:30 p.m.
June 12: Teen Book Bingo, 2 p.m.
June 13, 20, 27: Teen Movie Matinee, 2 p.m.
June 15: Family Movie Night, 6:30 p.m.
June 19: Andrew’s Big Show, 10 a.m.
June 19: Fredricksen Reads—Visit from the Good Squad, 7 p.m.
June 19: Gardening with Nature with Penn State Master Gardeners, 7 p.m.
June 21: Let’s Talk Comics! Book Club (ages 10-13), 3 p.m.
June 22: Foreign Film Friday, 2 and 7 p.m.
June 26: Magical Nick, 10:30 a.m.

Hershey Area Art Association (HAAA)
hersheyart.org

June 6-July 25: Realistic Oil Painting, Wednesdays, 12:30-3:30 p.m.

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

June 5-25: Why So Serious? Dramatic Improv, 7-10 p.m.

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

June 7: HR Hershey Quilter’s Guild, 12:30 p.m.
June 9: Storytime for Grown-Ups, 2 p.m.
June 11: Junior Fused Glass Class, 1 p.m.
June 12: Hershey Writer’s Critique Group, 6 p.m.
June 13: In the Middle ART, 2:30 p.m.
June 14: Meet us at the Market!, 2:30 p.m.
June 15, 29: Play Day for Families, 10 a.m.
June 18, 25: Books and Babies, 9:30 a.m.
June 18, 25: Books Buddies, 10:30 a.m.
June 19: History of American Pop Music, 1 p.m.
June 20: In the Middle Book Club, 2:30 p.m.
June 20, 27: Furry Tales, 6:30 p.m.
June 21, 25, 28: Chewsy Readers, 12:15 p.m.
June 22: Movie and a Craft: Sing!, 10 a.m.
June 26: Act a Story, Sing a Song, 1 p.m.

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

June 1: Coloring for Adults, 12:30-2:30 p.m.
June 2: Summer Reading Kickoff, 11-1 p.m.
June 5: Tabletop Games, 6-8 p.m.
June 5, 12, 19, 26: Tea & Stitches, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 6: MacBook Lessons, 6-8 p.m.
June 6: Genealogy: Accessing Military Records, 7-8:30 p.m.
June 7: Learn-Knit, 7-8 p.m.
June 11: iPad/iPhone Beginners, 1-3 p.m.
June 11: English Conversation Group, 6:30-8 p.m.
June 13: Mad About Mysteries, 7-8 p.m.
June 14. 28: Mah Jongg, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
June 18: Monday Night Book Club, 7-8 p.m.
June 20: Cello Concert, 7-8 p.m.
June 25: English Conversation Group, 6:30-8 p.m.
June 26: Tea & Stitches Extended, 10-5 p.m.
June 27: Yoga for Beginners, 7-8 p.m.
June 28: Thursday Morning Book Club, 10-11 a.m.
June 29: Summer Scrapbooking, 1-3 p.m.

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

June 7, 14, 21, 28: LEGO Robotics, 6-7 p.m.
June 14: Walking Piano, 10:30-11:15 a.m.
June 21: Friends of Kline Library Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
June 26: The Marshmallow Games, 6-6:45 p.m.

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

June 2: Drop-in Art, 1-4 p.m.
June 3: Blackout Poetry, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 3: Pottery—Customized Fairy House, 2-5 p.m.
June 9: A Novel Idea, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
June 13: Flower Pounding, 6-8 p.m.

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

June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Passage Ways—Trans & Non-Binary Group, 2 p.m.

June 3, 10, 17, 24: Common Roads Young Adults, 4 p.m.

June 6, 13, 20, 27: Common Roads Youth, 6 p.m.

June 9: QTPOC Mixer, 6-8 p.m.

June 12, 26: Queers and Quests, 6-8 p.m.

June 14: Aging with Pride Lunchtime, 12-2 p.m.

June 19: Queering Immigration Panel, 6-8 p.m.

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

June 4, 11, 18, 25: Video Game Club, 4-5 p.m.
June 6, 13, 20, 27: Afternoon Hangout, 3-4 p.m.
June 6, 13, 20, 27: Let’s Get Creative, 4-5 p.m.
June 12: Bank on Your Success—Banking Basics, 2-4 p.m.
June 12: Music and Movement, 4-5 p.m.
June 18: Cookbook Book Club, 6 p.m.
June 26-29: Beat Making Camp, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
June 30: Essentials Oil Bracelet, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

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

June 6, 13,20, 27: Mid-day Getaway, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
June 13: Mindful Snack, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

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

June 5: An Evening with Todd Mealy, 7-9 p.m.
June 17: LGBT Book Club, 4:30 p.m.
June 23: An Evening with Eliza Griswold, 6-8 p.m.
June 29: Book Signing, 2:30 p.m.
June 30: Book Launch with John Fea, 2:30 p.m.

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

June 6: Crab or Lighthouse Mixed Media Collage, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
June 9: Fluid Art Class, 12-2:30 p.m.
June 20: Watercolor “Full Bloom” Poppy Painting Party, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
June 23: Wine and Tine Modern Calligraphy Workshop, 1-4 p.m.
June 29: Mixed Media and Collage Painting, 6-8:30 p.m.

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

June 2: Fishing for Families, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

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

June 7: Ruth’s Mystery Discussion Group, 10:15 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 8, 22: Teens After Hours, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
June 9: Write-On Writer’s Workshop, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
June 11, 18, 25: Try It! Music and Movement (ages 3-6 years), 10:30 a.m.
June 12, 19, 26: Try It! Music and Movement (6-24 mos.), 10:30 a.m.
June 12, 26: Tales for T.A.I.L.S., 6:30-7:30 p.m.
June 13, 27: Great Books Discussion Group, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
June 15, 29: Fun Fridays @ the Library, 3-5 p.m.
June 16: Couponing for Extreme Savings, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 16: Children’s Book Writers Critique Group, 2-4 p.m.
June 18: Archaeology w/ the State Museum of PA (ages 8-12 years), 1-2 p.m.
June 21: Mandala Stones, 6:30 p.m.
June 22, 29: Library for Lunch, Rock Edition!, 12:30-1:15 p.m.
June 25: High Tech Coding Toys (ages 8-12 years), 1-2:30 p.m.
June 27: PennWriters Writing Group, 5:30-7:45 p.m.
June 28: Teen Book Club, 7-8 p.m.
June 29: Little Mozarts Piano Class (ages 4-6 years), 10:30 a.m.
June 30: Dash and Dot Robots, 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

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

June 22, 29: Learn at Lunchtime, 12:15 p.m.
June 27, 28: Meet the Experts, 11:30 a.m.

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

June 13, 20: Yoga in the Galleries, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
June 16: Yoga & Art Summer Saturdays (kids, ages 6-11), 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 20: Life Drawing, 6-9 p.m.
June 23, 30: Saturday Morning Art Club, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
June 23, 30: Young Artist Camp (ages 8-12), 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Untitled: A Storytelling Project
untitledhbg.com

June 10: Storytelling Workshop, 1:30 p.m.

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

June 2, 9: Brownie Scout Workshop—Wonderful Water, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
June 13: Stress Relief Walk, 6-7:30 p.m.
June 21: Get in Shape Walk, 6-7:30 p.m.
June 23: Detweiler Park Hike, 10-11 a.m.

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

June 5: Novel Thoughts Book Club, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
June 7, 14, 21, 28: Afternoon Hangout, 3-4 p.m.
June 7: Escape Room, 6-7 p.m.
June 7: Teen Night, 6-7 p.m.
June 11: Rustic Americana Blocks, 6-8 p.m.
June 13: 2^nd Wednesday Cinema, 6-8 p.m.
June 14: Library Regatta, 6-6:45 p.m.
June 19: Novel Thoughts, Too! Book Club, 1 p.m.
June 21: Music and Movement, 6-6:45 p.m.
June 25: Crazy for Coloring, 6-8 p.m.
June 28: Ryan the Bug Man, 6-6:45 p.m.

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

June 3, 10, 17, 24: Tween Yoga 4-week Series (grades 6-8), 12:30-1:30 p.m.
June 23: Chakra Balancing Workshop, 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m.

Live Music Around Harrisburg

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

June 2: Who’s Bad—The Ultimate Michael Jackson Tribute
June 3: John Denver Tribute w/ Ted Vigil
June 8: The Righteous Brothers—Bill Medley and Bucky Heard
June 9: Mark Lowry
June 10: Mickey Gilley & Johnny Lee
June 16: Summer Doo Wop Cavalcade
June 22: Under the Streetlamp
June 23: Happy Together Tour
June 26: Kenny G
June 28: Kristin Chenoweth

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

June 1: Nate Myers & the Aces
June 2: Switch Fu
June 7: Bumpin’ Uglies
June 9: Solar Federation (RUSH Tribute)
June 15: The Might River Band (Grateful Dead Tribute)
June 29: The Trainjumpers
June 30: PennsylMANIA Music Fest 4

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

June 1: Jazz in the City
June 3: York County Honors Choir
June 9: York Symphony Orchestra—Music of “Harry Potter”
June 14: The Robert Cray Band
June 19: Boz Scaggs

Carley’s Ristorante and Piano Bar
204 Locust St., Harrisburg
717-909-9191; carleysristorante.com

June 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 21, 22: Noel Gevers
June 2, 23: Ted Ansel
June 6: Deb Anderson
June 7, 20: Chris Purcell
June 9,13, 30: Roy Lefevre
June 14, 19: Corinna Joy
June 16, 24: Anthony Haubert
June 26, 27: Chris Emkey
June 28: TBA
June 29: Corinna Joy w/ Noel Gevers

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

June 9: Newsong, Plumb, Unspoken, Johnny Diaz
June 15: Debbie Cunningham & Band

Central PA Friends of Jazz
friendsofjazz.org

June 15: Rodney Whitaker

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

June 6: Tech N9ne, Chris Knight
June 7: The Slackers
June 7: Geoff Tate
June 12: Anarbor
June 13: X Ambassadors
June 15: They Might Be Giants, The Russian White
June 16: Jimmie’s Chicken Shack
June 18: Bad Wolves, From Ashes to New
June 19: G.B.H.
June 23: Hail Sagan, Face to Face
June 24: Plain White T’s
June 26: Sun Parade
June 28: Old 97’s
June 30: Pearl Earl

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

June 2: Ex Mag, Birocratic, Sky Society
June 9: Smooth Like Clyde
June 16: Kix, Stone Horses, Small Town Titans
June 23: Kevin Miller’s Smashed
June 29: Otown, Aaron Carter, Ryan Cabrera

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

June 1: Antonio Andrade
June 2: Hard Travelin
June 3: Sweet Maple Singers
June 9: Grit
June 10: Shelba Purtle
June 15: Kevin Kline
June 16: Paul Zavinsky
June 17: Dominick Cicco
June 22: Steven Gellman
June 23: Michael Arthur
June 29: Joe Cooney
June 20: Kip & Megan Skirpan

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

June 17: Tonks and the Aurors

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

June 12: Steven Courtney
June 14: Trinidad and Tobago
June 23: Hamiltunes! Sing Along

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

June 30: Summer Concert at Negley Park

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

June 1: Late Last Night
June 2: DJ Ray Rossi, Into The Spin
June 8: The Luv Gods
June 9: DJ Dave Styles, Sapphire
June 15: Cazhmiere
June 16: DJ Matrix, Smokin Gunnz
June 22: 52 Pickup
June 23: 7 Bridges Eagles Tribute Band, DJ Dave Styles, Honeypump
June 29: Smooth Like Clyde
June 30: DJ Ray Rossi, Janelle Verones Band

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

June 1: The OK-OK’s, Fox Hollow, Snow Villain
June 1: FoxyPanda, Mr. Cudz, Xander
June 5, 12, 26: Open Mic Tuesday
June 8: Soul & Spirit—The Essence of Jimi
June 9: Yam Yam, Medusas Disco, Grace Mahar
June 12: The Posies, Terra Lightfoot
June 16: Emily’s Toybox, Observe the 93^rd
June 22: The Motet
June 23: H-Burg Summer Pop-Punk Party
June 24: Anthony Fantano

Johnny Joe’s Sports Bar & Grill
5327 E. Trindle Rd., Mechanicsburg
717-766-2254; johnnyjoesbar.com

June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29: DJ Joe Hertz
June 2: Observe the 93^rd
June 6, 13, 20, 27: Open Mic, Water DeWall
June 7, 14, 21, 28: DJ Eric B
June 9: Suicide Puppets
June 16: The Colt Wilbur Band
June 23: SOS
June 30: Adrian Blitzer

Keystone Concert Band
145 E. Main St., First Floor, Mechanicsburg
717-421-1512; keystoneconcertband.com

June 3: Concert at Peace Church, Mechanicsburg

Little Amps Coffee Roasters, Downtown
133 State St., Harrisburg
717-635-9870; littleampscoffee.com

June 8: Eternal Summers, Concrete Beach
June 16: Minor Jake
June 17: The Last Origin, GLOOP, Small Pollen
June 21: BIRDS, Shrouded Strangers

Little Amps Coffee Roasters, Uptown
1836 Green St., Harrisburg littleampscoffee.com
717-695-4882; littleampscoffee.com

June 2: The Nose, Hoastt

The Lodge at Liberty Forge
3804 Lisburn Rd., Mechanicsburg
717-691-5335; lodgeatlibertyforge.com

June 7: Nate Myers Trio
June 14: John Chapman w/ Amy
June 21: Shea & Len
June 28: Chuck Britton

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

June 2: Resurrection—A Journey Tribute

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

June 3: David Crosby & Friends
June 4: Fourth of July Gala Pops Concert

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

June 2: Keith Goldstein
June 5, 23: Lucas Gienow
June 9: The Jayplayers
June 12, 26: Hank Imhof
June 16: Ryan Moran
June 19: Corinna Joy
June 30: Wayne Thompson

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

June 9: Pentagon

River City Blues Club & Dart Room
819 S. Cameron St., Harrisburg
rivercityhbg.com

June 1: Jason Ricci and the Bad Kid
June 2: Lazy Joe Fink
June 15: Emmanuel Nsingani
June 16: Joe Olnick Band

River House
5258 N. Front St., Harrisburg
odinsviolin.com/river-house-concerts

June 9: Odin Rathnam

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

June 22: Albert Cummings
June 29: Woody Pines

St. Thomas Roasters
5951 Linglestown Rd., Harrisburg
717-526-4171; stthomasroasters.com

June 2: Alex Stanilla
June 7: Brandon Bomberg
June 8: Cotolo
June 9: Relics of Medievalism
June 14: Vaughn Hummel
June 15: Sterling Koch
June 16: Rayzen Kane
June 21: Amber Nadine
June 22: Just Dave
June 23: Craig Bonner & Steve Geib
June 28: Channalia
June 29: Rhoads & Putt Trio
June 30: Joe Cooney

Stock’s on 2nd
211 N. 2nd St., Harrisburg
717-233-6699; stocksonsecond.com

June 1: Cruise Control Trio
June 8: Quentin Jones
June 9: Acoustic Night with Keith Golstein
June 15: Lucille and the Wolf
June 22: Shea Quinn and Friends
June 29: Funktion Band
June 30: Noel Gevers

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

June 17: An Appalachian Ceilidh

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

June 1: The Rise Festival
June 10: Allegro—Young Music Masters Competition

The Stage Door

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

June 15-24: “South Pacific”

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

June 4, 11, 18, 25: “A Guy Walks Into A Bar” Open Mic Comedy Night

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

Through June 17: “Grease”
June 21-Aug. 4: “The Wizard of Oz”

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

June 19: Andrew’s Big Show
June 26: Magical Nick

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

June 1-16: Shakespeare in the Park—“A Midsummer Night’s Dream”

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

June 7, 14, 21, 28: Open Mic
June 10: Oxymorons

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

June 1: Character Development Class Show
June 24: Magic Fairy Pirate Monkeys
June 29: Level 1 Class Show

Harrisburg Scottish Rite Theatre
2701 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg
717-238-8868; valleyofharrisburg.org

June 15: “Beatlemania”

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

June 17: Champions of Magic

Lancaster Marionette Theatre
126 N. Water St., Lancaster
717-394-8389; lancastermarionette.org

Through June 23: “Aladdin & His Magic Lamp”

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

June 2: Pennsylvania Regional Ballet

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

June 8-30: “Little Women”

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

June 1-17: “Death By Design”

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

June 22-July 8: “Anything Goes”

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

June 8-17: “Grave Doubts” at Whitaker Center

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

June 6: Story Slam
June 8-17: “Grave Doubts” w/Theatre Harrisburg
June 20-23: Central PA Youth Ballet

Nappy Time: Diaper bank fills a need, removes an expense, for low-income families.

May 31, 2018 | by Susan Ryder

Struggling parents have to make decisions that are unimaginable to others—for instance, whether to reuse diapers, allow their child to remain in a soiled diaper for hours, or resort to using tea towels as nappies.

Susan Speese (aka the “diaper lady”) is on a mission—to provide diapers to families so they don’t have to make that choice. Speese is the founder and president of the Healthy Steps Diaper Bank, which provides diapers to 25 partnering organizations in Dauphin, Cumberland and Perry counties.

“The majority of people believe women and babies are serviced through WIC and food stamps, but none of those programs provide diapers,” said Speese, explaining the situation recently while surrounded by piles of diaper boxes in a chilly back corner of Mission Central’s Mechanicsburg warehouse.

Speese formed the organization five years ago after reading an article about the National Diaper Bank Network. As a volunteer at Morning Star Pregnancy Services, she had seen the need firsthand and thought to herself, “Someone has to do something about this.”

Semi- retired at the time, she had found her next calling.

“I realized there still was stuff for me to do out there,” she said.

“Out there” includes the corner of N. 3rd and Kelker streets in Harrisburg, where she works with the Neighborhood Center of the United Methodist Church.

“If we didn’t have the diaper bank, we wouldn’t be able to give out diapers,” said Kyla Harvey, the Neighborhood Center’s executive director.

Stephanie Evans, the center’s receptionist and assistant, explained that free diapers can make a huge difference to a person who is struggling financially.

“If a woman had $8 and used every dime she had to buy diapers, and we can provide diapers, she can keep that $8 for other things that might come up,” Evans said.

In addition, day cares require children to come with a full complement of diapers. If parents don’t have diapers, they don’t have day care, and most centers don’t allow cloth diapers.

Family Promise of the Capital Region, which helps move families out of homelessness, is another organization that receives diapers from Healthy Steps.

“Trying to save every penny they have, having a resource for diapers is huge,” said Executive Director Lissette Gonzalez.

More Confident

Rebecca Gouse recently sat on the porch of the Lemoyne Family Promise Day Center. She said that she and her 1-year-old daughter benefit from the diaper bank.

“When you don’t have any income, it’s big,” she said. “It’s a huge load off my mind to be able to have diapers. I don’t know how I would get diapers.”

Economics is one factor at play. The other is less obvious.

“It boosts their morale,” Gonzalez said. “They feel more confident in their parenting.”

Speese said also stressed that point.

“Moms are suffering because they can’t provide, can’t bond over diaper changing because they are stressed,” she said.

The funds and diapers that assist these families come from grants and personal donations. People and organizations hold diaper drives. Schools and businesses hold dress-down days, with a pack of diapers being the price of participation. Speese said that one mother held a diaper drive for her 2-year-old’s birthday party, opting for diaper donations rather than gifts.

Speese said that she would like to see legislation passed that would assist families with diapers. In California, a recent bill allows a $50 diaper stipend for low-income working parents. Pennsylvania is considering House Bill 1820, presently in the Children and Youth Committee, which would offer a tax break to businesses donating to diaper need organizations.

To date, the diaper bank has distributed about 500,000 diapers. Yet, said Speese, there’s still much work to be done.

“It’s sad, in our day and age, that people have to deal with this,” she said.

For more information on the Healthy Steps Diaper Bank, visit www.healthystepsdiaperbank.com.

Time Passages: Clock collectors reflect on 25 years gone by.

May 31, 2018 | by Susan Ryder

Illustration by Ryan Spahr

Time may be tickin’ away, may not be on your side and might not even be your friend.

But, recently, time was the guest of honor as Chapter 158 of the National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors (NAWCC) gathered at Messiah Village in Mechanicsburg to mark 25 years of honoring time and the devices that keep it.

James Kreiser came from Palmyra to mark the occasion. Many years ago, he started collecting and fixing clocks as an inexpensive hobby.

“Clocks are amazing little machines,” he said.

This group of dealers, collectors and repair people began in 1993 because there was no local NAWCC chapter. The late Avery Heisey served as its first president and Kenneth Markley as vice president.

Markley became interested in clocks by proxy. His father-in-law was a clock dealer, and Markley and his wife, Sue, inherited many of his timepieces. Since their retirement, they have sold nearly 3,000 clocks.

“I like the way they look, the way they sound,” Sue Markley said of her clock appreciation. “Each one has its own voice.”

Colleen Houtz and husband David (Howdy) Houtz, both chapter board members, started collecting clocks when Colleen’s aunt gave the couple a marble clock. It needed repairing, and they headed to Adamstown to get it fixed. Each weekend after, they returned and bought more.

Like Markley, Houtz enjoys the appearance of clocks, but, over time, her appreciation has deepened.

“Everybody starts with how they look,” she said. “Now, we’re more interested in movements.”

The chapter helped her as she become increasingly educated in the mechanics, she said.

“They are willing to share knowledge, teach us and help us with our collecting,” she said.

One of the people sharing knowledge is 84-year-old Merv Brubaker of Mechanicsburg—aka the “clock doctor”—who’s been repairing clocks since 1981. A physics teacher for 28 years, Brubaker has worked on 15,000 to 20,000 timepieces over the years, he said.

“I like the problem solving—what makes it tick,” he said.

He also has the distinction of “fixing” the Foucault (FOOkoh) Pendulum at Messiah Village.

In the early 1990s, the chapter helped purchase and construct this complex feat of engineering. The pendulum, which proves the Earth’s rotation, consists of a 55-foot cable suspending a 300-pound brass ball. It was stopping and not staying on course. After much investigating and a few overnight stays at the village, Brubaker discovered that a large fan used by a night maintenance person was interfering with its operation.

This type of expertise is indicative of many of the people who join NAWCC.

“Pretty much anyone who is an expert in time is a member of our organization,” said Thomas R. Wilcox, the group’s executive director and CEO.

Wilcox explained that timekeeping began with the stars and gave way to timepieces because of humankind’s desire to be more accurate and to give our lives regulation and organization.

Headquartered at the National Clock Museum in Columbia, the NAWCC boasts 13,000 members and 150 chapters. The museum serves as a center of horological (the study of timekeeping devices) research, education and collection. Wilcox announced that the NAWCC is receiving technology from Seiko that will allow for virtual reality clock and watch designing, noting that old and new technologies working together is the future of the industry.

This synchronicity is what Josh Romig enjoys about his work as a watch and clock repairman.

“Everything has to work together,” he said.

Romig, of Beaver Springs, began his business after a fall at his previous employment left him wheelchair-bound. He saw a need in the area and trained for the trade in York.

Not everyone in the chapter fixes timepieces.

Varlen Gibbs describes himself as “non-mechanical” but completely appreciates the intricacies of clocks.

“When I look into a clock and see the inner workings, it’s amazing, especially when you think they made some of these 200 years ago,” he said

Not all collectors prefer clocks or watches made centuries ago, before mechanization. Some enjoy more modern pieces. On display that evening were World War II-era watches, a novelty Kit-Cat clock, a 1911 Big Ben alarm clock and a 1980s Swatch Watch wall clock.

Whether collecting, dealing in or repairing timepieces, chapter members find great satisfaction in clock art, design and history. You could say that they’re out to enjoy the clock, not beat it.

To learn more about the National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors, visit www.nawcc.org.

Summer Squeeze: As the weather warms, take a lemon pledge.

May 31, 2018 | by Rosemary Ruggieri Baer

I’ve read that, “A lemon is not a lemon unless it’s a Sicilian lemon.”

Lemon trees do grow in abundance in Sicily, thriving in the volcanic soil and strong Mediterranean sun. During our trip there in 2010, we enjoyed the wonderful swordfish and branzino, often prepared with lemon, capers and olive oil. But I buy lemons by the bagful at home and cook with them in savory and sweet dishes all year long.

A memory I will always cherish is spending a sun-splashed afternoon in the tiny mountain town of Savoca in Sicily. We had stopped at a small bistro tucked into the side of this picturesque hill town perched high above the sea. The owner began a conversation with our friends who had lived in Italy and spoke fluent Italian. As we sat on the outdoor patio, he surprised us with glasses of shaved ice topped with ice-cold limoncello, a sweet lemon liqueur. I was in heaven, thinking, “This is real Italian ice!”

Back at home, I guess I’m the “lemon lady.” Some of my favorite uses include:

Substituting lemon for vinegar when making Italian salad dressing.
Squeezing fresh lemon juice over grilled veal chops or breaded veal Milanese
Adding lemon extract to buttery pound cakes.
Tucking lemon wedges along with potatoes, olive oil and fresh herbs into bone-in chicken pieces for roasting.
Marinating fish (especially swordfish and fresh tuna) in a simple mix of olive oil, lemon, pepper and sea salt.
Brushing shrimp kabobs with a glaze of olive oil, honey and grated lemon zest and grilling.
Putting a thick wedge of lemon into iced tea. And that goes for sparkling mineral water, like Pellegrino, as well.

Lemon lends itself to flavoring the lighter foods we look for as the summer months begin. While I love my Sunday gravy spaghetti sauce along with meatballs, sausage and pork, when it gets warm, I’m always searching for more seasonal pasta dishes. Pasta with fresh tomatoes and basil is good. But why not pasta with lemon? Here is a basic and simple recipe that you can make as written or spruce up with a few additions. The recipe takes a slight twist (no pun intended) from the classic “pasta with olive oil and garlic.”

Pasta with Lemon

Ingredients

½ cup good olive oil
4 cloves fresh garlic, finely minced
Lemon zest from 1 lemon (be careful to get just the yellow zest not the white layer under the skin)
¼ to ½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (play around with this based on your taste)
Salt and freshly ground pepper (again adjusting the amount to your liking)
1 pound spaghettini (thin pasta, but not as thin as “angel hair” or cappellini)
½ cup finely chopped Italian flat leaf parsley

Directions

Bring a large pot of water to boil for the pasta.
In a large, deep skillet, warm the olive oil over medium low heat.
Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant (only about 1 to 2 minutes). Do not let the garlic brown at all to avoid a scorched taste.
Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the lemon juice and zest with about 1 teaspoon salt. Season with freshly ground pepper. Transfer the lemon sauce to a pasta-serving bowl. (Use a little whisk to stir and emulsify it.)
Generously salt the boiling pasta water and cook the spaghettini according to package directions.
Before draining the cooked pasta, save ½ to 1 cup of the pasta water to loosen the sauce as needed. Place the cooked and drained pasta in the serving bowl and toss with the lemon sauce and chopped parsley. Use enough of the starchy pasta water to loosen the strands of pasta.

As you can see, this recipe is pretty simple. You might top each serving with a few grilled shrimp or chopped summer tomatoes tossed in olive oil. Instead of the parsley, you could toss in some fresh thyme, which pairs so nicely with lemon. If my husband had a choice here, he would ask for an addition of fresh white anchovies. If you enjoy butter, substitute ½-cup melted sweet cream butter for the olive oil. Or mix a chunk of unsalted butter into the finished dish.

Chilled, sparkling Prosecco, or any other light Italian white wine, is wonderful with this summer pasta. Ripe melon slices are all you need to complete the meal.

My husband and I both love martinis. But no olives for him. He prefers a twist of fresh lemon because, he insists, “Olives just take up too much room.”

Patio Pleasers: In summertime, the wines turn light.

May 31, 2018 | by Steve Juliana

As we approach summer, we adjust our tastes to wines that enhance this time of warm breezes and bright sunshine.

We look to quaffs that go well with get-togethers, whether on patios, decks or picnics. Food is usually present, but we don’t want any wine that is too heavy and will clash with rising temperatures and humidity. So, I’ve put a list together of light, easy-drinking bottles that are readily available and fit the bill of making our summertime even better.

Albarino is an apricot-scented wine from the province of Galicia in northern Spain. Legend has it that the fruit is related to riesling from Germany that has undergone centuries of cultivation to become the best seafood match on the Iberian peninsula. The same grape is known as alvarinho in Portugal, where it is used in the production of vinho verde or “green wine.”

Grillo is an obscure Sicilian grape that produces a wonderful white wine. Primarily used in the making of Marsala, this thick-skinned fruit produces a savory table wine when bottled alone, with notes of citrus and fruit and ending in an herbal finish. It’s an excellent summertime quaff that is more popular and available than ever before.

In the western hemisphere, we find Argentina’s most famous and widely planted white grape, torrontés. Light and savory, this wine boasts a floral bouquet, which fills the glass with the aroma of fresh-cut flowers. It’s a unique drink that displays the nuance of its cultivation in volcanic soils at high Andean altitudes.

One of the most popular white wines is pinot grigio from Italy. The best are from the mountainous regions of the European boot, but this version is not the one I prefer. Pinot gris is the same grape, reaching its zenith in the French area known as Alsace. The wine is fruity without overt sweetness, rich but in a way that finishes clean and has a mouth-feel that encourages another glass. Fine examples also can come from Oregon, where the wine is a little more austere, though still holding onto its Alsatian personality.

A first cousin of pinot gris is pinot blanc, both grapes mutations of pinot noir. The best are found from Germany, where the wine is light and amazingly refreshing. Not highly aromatic, with subtle fruit, it’s a clear winner when our weather turns sultry. A less-nuanced version is in Italy, where it is called pinot bianco. Certainly worth a try.

My favorite patio wine may be chenin blanc from France’s Loire Valley, where it is known as Vouvray. This wine has it all, with just the right amount of fruit and racy acidity that leads to a clean finish. This quaff has always impressed with its amazing personality as a crowd-pleaser, as well as a foil for cold foods and even desserts with fresh fruit. Available and affordable for you.

Keep sipping,
Steve

Art & Activism: Artist Romare Bearden could do it all, as a new exhibit shows.

May 31, 2018 | by Barbara Trainin Blank

Romare Bearden, “Homage to Mary Lou (The Piano Lesson),” 1983, lithograph, Courtesy of the Romare Bearden Estate Art© Romare Bearden FoundationLicensed by VAGA, NY, NY.

Romare Bearden used to say that an artist is like a whale—swimming with his mouth open and taking in everything.

And he did. The North Carolina-born artist was amazingly versatile, creating, at different periods, oil paintings, cubism, abstract expressionist work, figurative art, cartoons, watercolors, works on paper, large-scale murals and quilts. Interested in the jazz idiom, he took the structure of music and put it into 2-D form.

But the most distinctive aspect of his creative life were his collages, made of printed paper, newspaper and magazines, and fabric, said Diedra Harris-Kelley, co-director of the New York-based Romare Bearden Foundation, which was established by the artist’s wife. “He created them at a time when collages were not taken seriously as fine art.”

Bearden, who died 30 years ago, was a Renaissance man—a lifelong art history expert, a writer and activist, taking part in the 1963 March on Washington and on picket lines. He was also one of the founders of the Harlem Renaissance, an intellectual, social and artistic explosion that took place in the Harlem neighborhood of New York during the 1920s.

Recognition for his art came slowly, though. Bearden created at a time when the works of African-American artists were relegated to the basements of museums rather than to their galleries, Harris-Kelley said. In fact, he worked tirelessly to have works by these artists properly recognized.

Much of the glory he received was posthumous. After Bearden’s death, the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York held a retrospective of his work, and his collage, “Family,” became the national poster for the federal government’s 2000 census, among other honors. He also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Studio Museum in Harlem.

In 2004, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., featured a Bearden retrospective.

Now, beginning this month, Harrisburg’s Susquehanna Art Museum is hosting an exhibit of Bearden’s work.

Entitled “Romare Bearden: Vision & Activism,” the exhibit, drawn from the Romare Bearden Foundation Collection, examines how the artist agitated for change through both his images and writing. Included is a diverse collection of original collage, watercolor, limited-edition prints, reproductions and rare archival material, including Bearden’s magazine covers and editorial cartoons.

“The exhibit also explores how Bearden, one of the most-important visual artists of the 20th century, countered racial stereotypes with images drawn from history, literature and the free world of his imagination,” said Lauren Nye, director of exhibitions at SAM.

The exhibit traces Bearden’s evolution into a true master artist, Nye said. It begins with his editorial cartoons for university magazines and, later, national publications and newspapers. The section called “Rewriting History” offers examples of when he took on the past to engender pride, as in “Black History,” a maquette (small preliminary model) for a public mural.

Much of Bearden’s art illustrated the domestic and home life of African Americans, not generally represented in the art world. He also did religious scenes of biblical drawings as well as charcoal drawings with universal messages, said Nye.

Some of his subjects were not African-American themed, as in the “Mayor [John] Lindsay” piece for Time magazine, in tribute to the mayor of New York.

“The Susquehanna Art Museum is really glad to be doing this exhibition,” said museum Executive Director Alice Anne Schwab, who personally met the artist. “We selected Bearden, in part, because he’s recognized by some, but not all, and should be recognized by all.”

There are other reasons that the museum selected Bearden. One is the “resurgence of interest” in the Harlem Renaissance, and another is the artist’s tie-in with political activism and the civil rights movement, which resonates with young people, Nye said.

Scheduling an exhibition of a major figure in African-American art during the summer months isn’t arbitrary either.

“That’s when many traveling visitors, as well as summer camps and programs, come to the museum in groups,” Schwab said. “I would contend that there has never been a better time in our nation’s history to familiarize people with an artist so noticed for social activism.”

“Romare Bearden: Vision & Activism” runs June 9 to Sept. 23 in the Main Gallery of the Susquehanna Art Museum at The Marty and Tom Philips Family Art Center. Museum members are invited to a special opening preview on June 8, 5 to 7 p.m.

The Susquehanna Art Museum is located at 1401 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.susquehannaartmuseum.org or call 717-233-8668.

Fun Central: Nature, biking, swimming, skating, history–all in a visit to Lancaster County Central Park.

May 31, 2018 | by Don Helin

Many cities have a patch of green that cuts through them, softening up the hardscape and giving residents a place to play.

In Lancaster, that’s Central Park, a space that helps connect city residents with the subdivisions and farmland just to the south.

Lancaster County Central Park totals 544 acres and boasts nine hiking trails, ranging in length from one-half to four miles. There also are baseball and soccer fields, tennis courts and even a skate park. The busiest offerings, said Environmental Program Manager Tammy Agesen, are the educational programs.

“We provide kids what they can’t get in the classroom because we’ve got the green space, the habitat and the skilled staff,” she said.

Agesen has a staff of three full-time and 10 part-time naturalists and environmental educators. Their skills range from biology to botany and geology to environmental education. Many have degrees in education, including early childhood and elementary education, so the staff manages different age groups and supports home school, scouting and public school programs.

The Environmental Center, where the staff holds most of its classes, is housed in a 19th-century bank barn. Next door is the Shuts Environmental Library, which holds more than 4,500 books about nature, wildlife, gardening and other topics for children and adults.

The library building dates back to 1769. For years, it held reference material for the environmental staff. Now, it partners with the Lancaster Library System so people can order books online from the main library and pick them up at the Shuts Library.

“One of our most popular programs is edible wild plants and insects, given by Lisa Sanchez,” Agesen said. “Sanchez teaches students how to hunt for the plant or insect, what’s safe to eat and what’s not, how to gather, and, finally, how to cook the plant or insect.”

Day-camp programs are especially popular in the summer, Agesen said. Camps are divided by age groups, ranging from ages 3 to 13. The camps for 3 and 4 year olds are designed for those who aren’t quite ready for an extended amount of time away from their parents.

The park’s Conestoga area is the site of year-round recreational activities. A swimming pool complex, located next to the park office, attracts nearly 30,000 visitors each year. There are three pavilions with views of the Conestoga River, and these areas are equipped with restrooms, play areas and volleyball courts, making them ideal for family picnics. The Conestoga Trail traces a route across the park on its way from northern Lancaster County to the Mason-Dixon trail in York County.

The Garden of Five Senses combines paved walkways with raised herb and flower gardens, scent boxes, reflecting pools and signage to lead visitors through a natural experience.

Agesen said that she especially enjoys teaching a program devoted to natural cleaners and beauty products.

“Students learn how to make natural lip balm, insect repellent and sun screens,” she said. “We put so many chemicals on our face and body that I believe natural products are particularly important.”

Rock Ford

Nestled within the park is the Rock Ford Plantation, the 33-acre, 18th-century home of Edward Hand, George Washington’s adjutant general.

Hand was born in Ireland before immigrating to this country, where he became a physician and fought in the Revolutionary War. Following his death in 1802, various absentee landlords rented the land to tenant farmers, and the property gradually fell into disrepair. In the mid-1950s, Rock Ford was identified as a site for a new trash incinerator/landfill and was almost lost. But historical preservationists, led by the Junior League of Lancaster, stepped in to save it at the last minute.

Rock Ford Plantation is considered one of the best examples of Georgian-style architecture in Pennsylvania. The mansion is furnished with period pieces dating to the late 18th and early 19th centuries, including many items that belonged to Hand and his family. The plantation home opened to the public in 1960 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Historic American Buildings Survey.

Each year, Rock Ford hosts a number of educational programs for children and adults. For the past three years, it has sponsored a “Sleepy Hollow” play, which complements the time period when the Hands owned the mansion.

Each year, the premier event is a Yuletide program held just after Christmas, said Sam Slaymaker, executive director of the Rock Ford Foundation, the nonprofit that maintains the site.

“Modeled on the Old English 12 days of Christmas, our open house features live music, period dancing, evening candlelight tours and open hearth cooking demonstrations,” he said. “Visitors are given a brochure showing what life would have been like for the Hands during the holidays.”

Lancaster County Central Park is located at 1050 Rockford Rd., Lancaster. For more information, visit www.lancastercountyparks.org or call 717-299-8215.

The Rock Ford Plantation is located at 881 Rockford Rd., Lancaster. For more information, visit www.rockfordplantation.org or call 717-392-7223.

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