Bee Creative: At SAM, it’s an artist/hive collaboration

March 30, 2018 | by Barbara Trainin Blank

Artists sometimes collaborate with each other, but it’s rare the “other” is an insect.

But human-bee “cooperation” has become a growing part of the work of Ladislav Hanka, a Michigan-based artist. The result is mixed media with bees heavily in the mix.

Hanka inserts etchings into a living beehive, where the bees “continue the creative process” by adding layers of wax, he said.

“Initially, I paint my artwork with a thin, translucent layer of hot beeswax, which soaks in and makes the strange object at least familiar to the bees,” Hanka said. “They tend to accept it more readily, and, if I attach some honeycomb, they’ll generally initiate work right there, adding to it or moving it around.”

One of two outcomes is likely, he said. Either the bees cover the art completely and obscure everything with a deep layer of capped honey, or they may push the “offending materials out of their environment.”

Either way, Hanka explained, he relinquishes control of the final product “to the bees in an act of creative collaboration.”

An exhibit devoted to this collaboration is now on view in the Lobby Gallery of the Susquehanna Art Museum. Entitled “Embraced by Honey Bees,” the show includes such works as “Brook Trout Enfolder in Beeswax by Honey Bees” and “Dragonfly Embraced and Enveloped by Honey Bees.” Both are etchings with drypoint and beeswax applied by living bees in a hive.

Another work, “Myself Emerging from the Mire and Embalmed by Honeybees,” is a photo-etching, using the same method.

The exhibit’s concept “is hard to understand without seeing the work, plus we have extensive labeling,” said Lauren Nye, SAM’s director of exhibitions. “What comes out is purely a matter of chance. These are three-dimensional pieces, as delicate and beautiful as honeycombs.”

Hanka is also a printmaker and does works on paper. And, naturally, he’s a beekeeper.

“He’s a unique kind of guy,” Nye said.

Bringing together etchings and bees, which Hanka began in 2010, is “neither brilliant nor untoward,” he said. “Instead, it’s the self-evident and child-like impetus with one in the left hand and the other in the right, to bring them together.”

It seems intuitive that anyone working with bees and beehives will expect injuries, but Hanka sees it differently.

“I don’t get injured,” he said. “Stings are not only harmless in general but often healing, and hardly constitute an injury. You do have to be ready to be stung, of course. It goes with the territory.”

The impulse toward art in general started early for Hanka and only intensified from there.

“From around the age of 6, I had the habit of sketching from life,” he said. “At 73, I began to grasp the structures of birds and beasts, insects and fish, and the way plants grow.”

His work is based on equal parts of observation and studio work and is exhibited in many public collections. He has mounted more than 120 one-man shows.

The SAM exhibit will not be the only opportunity for central Pennsylvanians to see Hanka’s creations. Two other exhibits are taking place concurrently. Messiah College’s Murray Library is showing “Book Arts by Ladislav Hanka,” featuring his handmade volumes of etchings and text, made in collaboration with Jan Sobota. Meanwhile, Messiah’s High Center, the performing arts venue, is exhibiting “Scriptum Arborum,” which includes bee collaborations and other large-scale work.

Hanka will speak and demonstrate at several events at both venues before the shows close.

Stephen and Cherie Fieser, who own Robinson’s Rare Books & Fine Prints in Harrisburg, discovered Hanka’s work around 2013 at an art auction.

“We were hooked on the spot and bid until it was ours,” Stephen said. “This was our first knowledge of him. The pieces that went to our gallery found immediate favor with our visitors.”

The couple is now representing Hanka in the region.

Friends of Murray Library had already purchased one of Hanka’s books for the library’s Artists’ Books Collection—a special collection in which the book is the art form and that often challenges the assumed definition of a book, said Cherie Fieser, the library’s director.

Hanka’s bee work isn’t totally unique, but it remains rare.

“Other artists have looked at bees and wondered what might come of that collaboration,” he said. “Maybe a half-dozen folks. I suppose it has the look of an idea whose time has come and which might well have arisen independently [among these artists] as these things so often do.”

“Embraced by Honey Bees” runs through April 29 at the Susquehanna Art Museum, 1401 N. 3^rd St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.susquehannaartmuseum.org or call 717-233-8668.

Beer Week Me: The annual tribute to local craft beer goes another round.

March 30, 2018 | by Norah Griffiths Johnson

Burg in Focus: Harrisburg Beer Week from GK Visual on Vimeo.

We made it through the doldrums of February and the manic weather mood swings of March. Now, in April, our collective reward for perseverance comes in the form of—beer.

Yes, Harrisburg Beer Week is back, the lovechild of a small team of locals who harbor a deep affection for PA’s capital city and local craft beer (though possibly not in that order). Happening the final week of April, Harrisburg Beer Week includes more than 150 events at area breweries, restaurants and venues—from small batch tastings to special releases, from meet-the-brewer opportunities to even a “Stranger Things”-themed costume party (yes, beer will be involved).

Among this flurry of craft beer-related offerings are several signature events. There’s a VIP kick-off party to thank sponsors and a Little Big Beer Fest, which is a tasting celebration showcasing high-ABV (alcohol-by-volume) brews from more than 25 area breweries. The latter of these, plus the Battle of the Homebrewers, is particularly unique to Harrisburg Beer Week.

“Battle,” as those in the know call it, features some 70-plus home brews (and their makers) competing under one tent in the courtyard of the Broad Street Market in Harrisburg. Ticketholders and judges vote on their favorites and prizes are awarded.

“If you really want to try something unusual and different, the Battle of the Home Brewers is a must,” said Sara Bozich, a founding member of the Harrisburg Beer Week team.

Bozich explained that, because home brewers work with significantly smaller quantities, they have the ability to experiment with a wide range of unusual ingredients that large-scale breweries—due to cost—simply cannot use.

In past years, participating home brewers have brought with them anything from a Bloody Mary beer (an award winner, in fact), to a peanut butter brew, in addition to some delightful sour brews that drew enthusiasm from event attendees. Some market vendors also will be open, complete with special, beer-themed foods for purchase. Did someone say beer fudge?

Both Battle of the Homebrewers and Little Big Beer Fest quickly sell out annually, so advance purchase is recommended. Rounding out the 10-day extravaganza is a mini-golf tournament and an after-party on City Island. This year, the tournament will be held on Sunday, April 29, to allow families to attend.

In addition to Beer Week’s many events, the 717 Collaboration is back. Since the event’s inception, local breweries Tröegs, Pizza Boy and Appalachian Brewing Co. have teamed up to create a signature collaboration beer. New this year, and going forward, an additional brewery will be added to keep things interesting. The end result of this year’s creative endeavor will be available at all participating event locations.

Perhaps the best reason of all to support Harrisburg Beer Week (beyond all the delicious beer, obviously) is that all proceeds go to Harrisburg River Rescue and Emergency Services. Founded more than 60 years ago, this all-volunteer organization plays a pivotal role in the community, providing emergency search and rescue services, as well as support to first responders for fires, floods, accidents and other disasters.

To date, the event has raised a whopping $85,000 in support of the River Rescue, with this number estimated to round out to a cool $100,000 in 2018. The money has helped the volunteers make significant improvements to their headquarters, which was devastated by Tropical Storm Lee in 2011.

Other means of fundraising include a digital raffle, available online throughout April, and a tag up program at most event establishments. The digital raffle is not to be missed, with enviable prizes like the chance to design your own beer with the Zeroday Brewing Co. folks, a van tour of local breweries for you and your friends, and even a tuition discount to HACC’s Brewing Science certificate program.

Harrisburg Beer Week runs April 20 to 29 at locations throughout central Pennsylvania. For more information, including a long list of events, visit harrisburgbeerweek.com.

PA Flavorful

Looking to combine your love of area chefs’ culinary inspiration and craft beer and wine? Then look no further than PA Flavor, taking place April 21 at the PA Farm Show Complex. Now in its eighth year, this event provides attendees with the opportunity to sample the “A” game of more than 50 breweries and wineries and 18 area restaurants.

Presented through a partnership of the Brewers of PA, Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association (PRLA), American Culinary Federation and the state Department of Agriculture’s PA Preferred Program, PA Flavor, at its core, is a fundraiser.

Heidi Howard, with PRLA, explained that her organization’s share of the PA Flavor proceeds goes towards helping students in the hospitality industry further their education. Each year, PA Flavor enables PRLA to award tens of thousands of dollars in scholarship funds.

“It’s the future of the industry and so important,” Howard said.

Interestingly, PA Flavor and Harrisburg Beer Week (which will have a booth at the event) coincide with one another. This is no coincidence. Three years ago, the events’ organizers began scheduling things to fall at the same time and have found it to be—rather appropriately—a natural pairing.

“I can’t say enough about the partnership that we have with the folks who launched Harrisburg Beer Week,” said Howard. “We have definitely seen an uptick in attendance since that partnership began three years ago. And we’re really appreciative of that.”

Tickets to PA Flavor vary in price, but include VIP and designated driver options. VIP ticketholders will enjoy a private hour in the event hall, with butler-passed and stationary hors d’oeuvres and specialty and small-batch craft beers available only to them.

PA Flavor takes place April 21 at the PA Farm Show Complex, Cameron and Maclay streets, Harrisburg. For more information, visit paflavor.com.

Peas Please: For springtime, try a garden-fresh pasta dish.

March 30, 2018 | by Rosemary Ruggieri Baer

My husband hates peas.

I see them pushed to the side of his plate, picked out from whatever dish I put them in. For that, I blame his Irish mother, who had to be the worst cook on the planet (God rest her sainted soul). She served watery peas in their canning liquid right out of a saucepan on the stove (ugh).

I love peas and am always looking for ways to sneak them into dishes such as pasta with tomato and bacon, macaroni and cheese, pasta salads or my go-to Thursday night dinner—cannelloni beans and tuna.

Italians love peas, too, and I’ve learned that there is actually a “pea festival” in northeastern Italy. It takes place in Vincenza, a city close to Venice, a region referred to by Italians as “The Veneto.” Every spring, visitors to the festival can indulge in the many traditional dishes that contain peas such as risi e bisi (rice and peas), lasagna with peas or just a bowl of simply but perfectly cooked peas, perhaps laced with a little pancetta, mint or spring onions. The peas grown there are said to be the best in Italy.

I always look for fresh green peas that appear in farmers markets each spring. But, if they are not bright green and small in size, I pass them up for the frozen variety. Tiny frozen peas work beautifully and don’t even require defrosting for many recipes.

I love so many of the classic Italian dishes made with peas, but my favorite is tagliatelle with peas, ham and cream. Tagliatelle is pasta that is cut into long, flat ribbons, similar to fettuccine. This is one pasta dish that works best with fresh egg pasta rather than dried, but both will work. You can use fresh or frozen peas, and prosciutto could fill in for regular cubed ham. It’s a fairly rich dish, so a nice accompaniment would be a crisp green salad, simply dressed.

Tagliatelle with Peas, Ham and Cream

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, very thinly sliced
1 ¼ cups peas
½ cup heavy cream
2 cups cubed, fully cooked ham
12 ounces fresh or dried tagliatelle
2/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
A dash of nutmeg (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Heat the butter and olive oil in a large sauté pan until melted and then add the sliced onion.
Cook the onion over low heat, stirring occasionally, until softened.
Add the peas and cook until tender. (If using baby frozen peas, this will take no more than 1 or 2 minutes. If using fresh peas, the time will depend on the size. Taste one!)
When the peas are tender, stir in the heavy cream.
Cook for 5 minutes and then add the cubed ham.
Meanwhile, cook the tagliatelle in plenty of boiling salted water until al dente. If using fresh pasta, this will only take a few minutes. If using dried, cook according to package directions. Save a cup of the pasta water to thin the sauce if necessary.
Drain the pasta and toss with the hot sauce in a warmed pasta-serving bowl. Add a little pasta water to thin the pasta and sauce if desired.

This is a classic Italian pasta dish, but you can still find quite a few variations on how to make it. As noted above, some cooks substitute prosciutto for the ham and others a less-known Italian cured meat called speck. You can add minced garlic to the onions or substitute sliced shallots. Instead of using reserved pasta cooking water to thin the dish, you might try a little white wine. And in some versions, I’ve seen the addition of chopped fresh basil.

This recipe might be a good way to use up your leftover Easter ham. I know I can get my hubby to eat tagliatelle with peas, ham and cream. But there will be a little stack of peas left in the corner of his plate. And I still need someone with whom to share my homemade pea soup.

Emotion, Humor, Complexity: Time to “Rage” at Open Stage

March 30, 2018 | by Laura Dugan

Photo by Haley Harned.

Open Stage of Harrisburg’s 32nd season focuses on women: stories about women, written by women.

The season’s fourth subscription series show, “Collective Rage: A Play in Five Betties,” takes that notion to the extreme. Similar to “The Vagina Monologues,” the play explores the complexity, unrealistic expectations, rage, romance and joy that go along with being a woman.

The play follows the interconnected stories of five women, all named Betty Boop, whose lives intersect as they meet through the “theat-ah.” These women all come to realize that they are much more than the sum of their parts—especially that part. “Collective Rage” explores the themes of race, gender, class and sexuality with true emotion and humor.

One unique element of “Collective Rage” is the focus on women, or gender non-conforming actors, in all aspects of the production. Written by Jen Silverman, the cast and director for this production at Open Stage are all women. Karen Ruch, last seen in “A Christmas Carol,” is leading the team of five actors.

“When I first read the script, I was both baffled and moved at the same time, said Ruch. “I hadn’t read anything like this before—having five characters all intended for female actors or gender non-conforming actors, but also just so free and so open and so honest with the way these women talk and explore together.”

Manuela Hooper, who is returning to Open Stage after last appearing in “The Old Settler” in 2003 to play Betty #5, shared that this is her first experience with an all-female cast.

“I feel empowered and excited to be surrounded by these talented, strong women,” said Hooper. “Our director is such a force to be reckoned with in her own right. I am looking forward to growing in this production.”

Amber Wagner, who portrays Betty #2 and who is making her Open Stage debut, agreed, saying that, for her, working with an all-female cast always ends up feeling like a sisterhood.

Audiences coming to see “Collective Rage” should be prepared for something different, but also very real. Life isn’t always rainbows and sunshine, and neither is the play.

“These characters interact in a way that, honestly, could be a little jarring,” said Wagner. “There is brutal honesty mixed in with absolute surface small talk, and it’s so interesting to see how the two affect each other while occupying the same space.”

Hooper feels that is the point of theater—to make you uncomfortable and start a conversation.

“I feel this show does this in the most amazing way,” said Hooper. “I looked forward to the challenge of playing a character so vastly removed from myself.”

With headlines nearly daily on women’s rights, “Collective Rage” is beyond timely—it’s necessary.

“We are living in a tumultuous and divisive time,” said Ruch. “This is the kind of story that I want to see in this incredibly dynamic time. I want to see stories of self-discovery and acceptance. I want to see stories of women growing into their power and not just accepting the definition of their sexuality that has been handed to them.”

“Collective Rage” also features Aneesa Neibauer, Kelly Strange and Amber Zambrana. The play runs April 27 to May 6 with tickets available at www.openstagehbg.com. Please note: It is recommended that guests be at last 14 years old to attend a performance of “Collective Rage.”

UPCOMING THEATER EVENTS
AT HARRISBURG’S PROFESSIONAL
DOWNTOWN THEATERS

At Gamut Theatre
www.gamuttheatre.org
717-238-4111

The Young Acting Company Presents
“The Adventures of Robin Hood”
April 13 to 15
Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
Doors and bar open one hour prior to performance.

TMI Improv Show
April 20
Doors and bar open at 6:30 p.m. and will remain open throughout the event. Performance at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $10.

At Open Stage of Harrisburg
www.openstagehbg.com
717-232-6736

“The Flick”
A new play by Annie Baker
March 25 to April 22
At Midtown Cinema, 250 Reily St., Harrisburg
While sweeping up stale popcorn in a movie house, three employees hold passionate debates about human connection.

“A Shared Pain”
April 6 and 7
A festival of original plays, written by people with chronic physical pain about the experiences living with their illnesses.

“Collective Rage: A Play in Five Betties”
April 27 to May 6
Five different women and non-binary people named Betty collide at the intersection of anger, sex and the “thea-tah.”

Style, History: Redeux–a shop with a past.

March 30, 2018 | by Rachel Jenkins

Alexandra and Avery Devoe.

Alexandra and Avery Devoe have a promise they mean to keep.

If you jump on I-83 down to York to visit their shop, Redeux Vintage and Handmade Marketplace, they’ll make it worth your drive.

“We’re not an antique store—we’re not a vintage store that never changes,” said Alexandra. “You come in here every week, and it looks completely different. We bring a piece in, it’s gone within two weeks if it’s really awesome.”

With more than 40 vendors showcasing their finds, Redeux’s a shop with style, personality and history.

Alexandra Devoe and her business partners bought the 8,000-square-foot building four years ago as part of a mission to help revitalize the city of York.

“For the past seven years, I have been engrossed in bringing downtown alive through culture, events and the arts,” she said.

After struggling to find the perfect tenant for such a large commercial property, Alexandra settled on the idea of doing her own project there. At the time, renting out artist studios was trendy, but it wasn’t quite up her alley.

But a quick search on Etsy revealed more than 100 online shops in the central Pennsylvania area, many of which had substantial sales and followings. With that knowledge—and her own background and interest in collecting vintage items—Alexandra had the idea to create a space for collectors to sell items to local audiences.

And what about the name, “Redeux?”

Alexandra said it’s in honor of the store’s previous owner, Red Klinedinst. A staple in downtown York, Klinedinst is best known for selling bikes—more specifically, the “Red Klinedinst specials.” When bikes weren’t being brought into the United States during World War II, he salvaged and repurposed old bikes for children to enjoy.

Now, Redeux is making its own mark in downtown York, with Alexandra backing off of her other commitments and projects to focus on the store.

“Our business has really evolved over the past year,” she said.

At 40 years old, Avery has a keen eye for what worked then and what works now, Alexandra said.

“He’s really good at buying stuff that people want to wear,” she said. “He’s been obsessed with pop culture his whole life. He’s seen every fashion trend since the early ‘80s, and, you know, what was actually hot and was not.”

Historical knowledge is very important when you’re selling vintage clothing and goods, she said.

“We constantly have to teach some of our vendors what’s good,” Avery added. “Even though it was good back then, doesn’t mean it’s good now.”

One interesting trend, the couple agreed, is how popular TV programs have affected their business. Customers often come in looking for pieces inspired by a hot show. For instance, last year, “Stranger Things” fans flocked to the store to find the perfect vintage item to mimic the Netflix series.

“People are doing shows from all decades, and it’s really bringing out the best from each decade,” Alexandra said. “People who didn’t know that the ‘80s were cool, know the ‘80s are cool now.”

But it doesn’t have to be the 1980s. It could be the ‘70s or ‘60s or ‘50s or whenever.

“One day, we’re getting a coat from an 85-year-old woman who kept it in mint condition her whole life,” Alexandra said. “It was her favorite coat when she moved to New York when she was 20. She gives it to us, and it’s an emotional experience for her.”

And the cycle continues.

“A week later, we’re giving it to the coolest babe within 100 miles,” she said. “And she’s buying it, and she’s wearing it out.”

And that speaks volumes to the mission of Redeux—dedicated to breathing new life into old pieces.

“What we’re doing is very trendy, but I think it’s going to be a long-lasting trend because we’re saving [things] from the dump,” Alexandra said. “And we’re finding stuff that you see when you’re watching TV, and we’re putting it in our store two weeks after the show comes out. Or it’s already here. It’s a good time to be doing what we’re doing.”

Redeux is located on 113 S. Duke St., York. For more information, call 717-850-8063 or visit www.redeuxyork.com or the Facebook page.

March News Digest

March 30, 2018 | by Lawrance Binda and Lizzy Hardison

Free Evening Parking

Free parking could come to downtown Harrisburg as early as this month, as City Council passed a resolution that would offset street parking costs after 5 p.m.

Council agreed unanimously last month to join Dauphin County and the Harrisburg Downtown Improvement District (HDID) in ponying up money to offset parking revenues that operator Park Harrisburg would lose between 5 and 7 p.m.

“I think it’s a boost for the city,” Mayor Eric Papenfuse said. “I think it will lead to more people visiting downtown.”

Harrisburg’s contribution will amount to $110,000 over the next year and will come from money that the parking system already owes the city, said Papenfuse. The county has also pledged $110,000, and HDID will pay $50,000.

The county and HDID had hoped for a three-year deal, though council approved just a one-year test period.

By entering into the “memorandum of understanding,” the three entities—the city, county and HDID—must finalize the exchange with the parking system operator. Papenfuse has said he expects no pushback, as the system operator, SP+/Park Harrisburg, and its asset manager, Trimont, just want to ensure that contributions offset lost revenue, which, last year, amounted to $270,000 between 5 and 7 p.m.

Papenfuse said the parking subsidy could kick in as soon as April, but may take longer.

Since 2014, the city has tried several tactics to mitigate the cost of street parking. First, the Papenfuse administration convinced the system’s operators to lower the “happy hour” rate from $3 to $2 an hour between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. It later turned many of downtown’s loading zones into 15-minute free parking areas.

Nonetheless, downtown bar and restaurant owners continued to complain about a loss of business, which they largely blame on high parking rates.

If implemented, the plan would come with some conditions. First, it would apply only to street, not garage, parking. Secondly, it would take effect only within the HDID boundaries, which run downtown from State to Chestnut streets.

Loan Fund Launches

Whether you’re a shop owner looking to expand your storefront or an aspiring entrepreneur with a business dream, you may benefit from a new loan fund that launched last month in Harrisburg.

Impact Harrisburg is partnering with the Community First Fund and the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency to launch the Harrisburg Business Opportunity Fund (HBOF) with $1 million in seed money, according to Sheila Dow Ford, executive director of Impact Harrisburg.

Impact Harrisburg, which was founded with proceeds from the sale of Harrisburg’s incinerator, will contribute $350,000 to the fund. The Pennsylvania Housing and Financing Authority has pledged $650,000 through its nonprofit subsidiary, the Commonwealth Cornerstone Group.

Loans will be available to small, for-profit business owners or aspiring business owners in amounts ranging from $1,000 to $100,000. According to Dow Ford, the goal of the fund is to encourage economic development, job creation and a diverse workforce in the city of Harrisburg.

“We’re providing for a segment of the population that has, for various reasons, been overlooked by traditional lending institutions,” she said.

Any for-profit business or startup in Harrisburg can apply for a loan, Dow Ford said, though real estate trusts or businesses that buy and sell property will not be eligible.

The new fund bears some resemblance to Harrisburg’s old revolving loan fund, which was launched in 1984 and languished in the 2000s as many borrowers became delinquent.

Dow Ford acknowledged that some HBOF loans might be considered risky by traditional lending standards, since they will be issued to people and ventures that might be denied by traditional lenders. However, she hopes that the partnership with Community First Fund will prevent the same mismanagement and delinquency that plagued the city’s revolving loan fund.

Superintendent Search Begins

The Harrisburg School District is putting up a help wanted sign, but there won’t necessarily be a personnel change in its highest office.

In a 5-4 vote, the Harrisburg School Board decided last month to accept applications for the position of superintendent. The vote means that if current Superintendent Sybil Knight-Burney wishes to stay in her post, she must apply for her job and beat out other candidates.

The vote came after more than an hour of spirited public comment at last month’s school board meeting, as near-equal numbers of district residents encouraged the board to vote for or against a resolution to initiate the hiring process.

Residents who supported renewing Knight-Burney’s contract emphasized the importance of consistent leadership during the district’s recovery process. Those who called for an open hiring process said that the district deserved to consider candidates who might make more dramatic gains in student achievement.

Knight-Burney became Harrisburg’s superintendent in 2011. Since 2013, she’s been responsible for implementing the actions in a state-crafted recovery plan, which outlined almost 100 initiatives to improve the district’s academics and operations.

Her current contract, which was renewed in 2014, expires on June 30. Asked if she would reapply for her job, Knight-Burney declined to comment.

Act 47 Status Considered

“The clock is ticking” on the next step in Harrisburg’s path to financial recovery.

That’s the message that a state official had for Harrisburg’s administration and City Council last month, as both bodies were briefed on the timeline for the city’s remaining six months in the state’s Act 47 program for distressed municipalities.

Marita Kelley, Harrisburg’s Act 47 coordinator, appeared at a council work session to explain the city’s duties before Act 47 status expires on Sept. 23.

Here’s what lies ahead, according to Kelley. The mayor and the city clerk will receive a financial condition report, prepared by Kelley and the Pennsylvania Economy League. A public meeting on its contents should take place this month.

After the meeting, she and the Pennsylvania Economy League will have 90 days to prepare a final exit plan for the city. In that plan, they’ll make a formal recommendation for what the city should do in September: extend its Act 47 status, exit the program or enter the oversight of a state-appointed receiver.

The exit plan should arrive before city officials in mid-July. After another round of commenting and a public meeting, Kelley will finalize the exit plan in time for the Sept. 23 expiration deadline.

Kelley thinks it’s highly unlikely that Harrisburg will enter receivership in September. She was hesitant to recommend an action to the city last month, but said during a budget meeting in December that Harrisburg will likely spend another three years in the program, at least.

Reports Released for Train Station, Paxton Creek

A restaurant and café in Harrisburg’s train station, a pedestrian bridge over the train tracks, a flood-controlled Paxton Creek.

Those are a few of the ambitious goals laid out in two reports released last month by the state Department of Transportation, which is taking the lead on rehabilitating the blighted Market Street corridor just east of the Harrisburg Transportation Center, roughly from the train station to Cameron Street.

“These studies serve as a road map to help the city continue to develop as an attractive place to work and play,” said PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards.

PennDOT’s first priority is rehabilitation of the train/bus station itself, set out in a report titled, “Harrisburg Transportation Center Transit Oriented Development Master Plan.”

That project includes removal of the large office space in the main lobby, the addition of an “open-concept café” in the lobby, new seating in the station concourse, the addition of a restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating, a new entry plaza from the lower-level Market Street entrance and the addition of office space on the upper floors.

According to Richards, work is expected to begin relatively soon, as the department has completed 90 percent of the design for the $15 million renovation and is now working with Amtrak on a construction schedule.

The next priority is a massive flood control project designed to restrain, improve and restore Paxton Creek, as delineated in the “Paxton Creek Master Plan.”

The plan outlines steps to modify the channel size and make other improvements that would take 133 acres out of the 100-year flood plan and partially remove another 275 acres, making the area far more attractive for redevelopment. The plan also envisions enhancing the creek area with recreational paths and restoring it to a more natural environment.

PennDOT anticipates four to five years of preliminary work before construction on the project could begin. The estimated cost of the creek improvements is $60 to $90 million, with potential grants coming from the state’s Multimodal Fund, the Department of Community and Economic Development and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

The transportation master plan envisions other projects, which include:

Streetscaping and façade enhancement, including new sidewalks, landscaping, street furniture, signage and utility and lighting poles.
A pedestrian bridge that would extend the station concourse over the railroad tracks, through the former Harrisburg central post office and into the redevelopment area.
Relocation of the intercity bus terminal from Market Street to the redevelopment area and expansion of the facility.
Development of the area near an east entrance to the station.
A new plaza on Market Street.

“These projects will provide exciting opportunities for development in the city of Harrisburg, and for enhancing the quality of life for our residents,” Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse said in a statement. “We look forward to continuing our close collaboration with PennDOT on projects that will benefit not only Harrisburg residents but the entire region.”

New Districts Upheld

Pennsylvania’s redrawn congressional districts withstood two court challenges last month, clearing the way for some areas, including the Harrisburg area, to be unified under new district lines.

First, a three-judge federal panel threw out a Republican-led challenge to the new district map. The same day, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear a Republican request for an emergency stay that would block use of the new map in this year’s elections.

As a result, the state Supreme Court’s redrawn district map will stand. This includes a new 10th congressional district that encompasses all of Dauphin County and parts of Cumberland and York counties, including Harrisburg, York and Carlisle.

The primary election is slated for May 15.

Gaming Grants Given

The Dauphin County commissioners shelled out some $6 million to dozens of projects last month in the annual disbursal of gaming grant money.

The commissioners spread the money around to municipalities throughout the county, with the largest sums, by state law, going to those nearest to the Hollywood Casino at Penn National in Grantville.

In and around Harrisburg, grants to governments included:

* City of Harrisburg: $229,724 for police equipment, the engineering bureau and for Fire Bureau dive team equipment

* Susquehanna Township: $159,900 for sanitary sewer system extension, for Progress Fire Co. vehicle replacement and for Wedgewood Hills Swim Club heat pump installation

* Lower Paxton Township: $82,825 for Devon Manor pool improvements, Koon’s pool improvements and Ranger and George Park soccer upgrades

* Hummelstown: $58,471 for municipal building debt service

* Highspire: $57,200 for roadway rehabilitation

* Steelton: $43,000 for Fire Department apparatus and Skate Park debt reduction

* Swatara Township: $13,000 for Police Department K-9 and training

Grants to Dauphin County entities included:

* MDJ Court Administration: $200,000 for construction of MDJ buildings

* Dauphin County Industrial Development Authority: $137,000 for solar farm project debt reduction

* Dauphin County Parks & Recreation: $101,000 for Detweiler Park master plan and Fort Hunter Station planning project

* Dauphin County Redevelopment Authority: $100,000 for a project on the former State Hospital grounds

* Dauphin County Land Bank Authority: $100,000 for renovation of vacant homes

Grants to organizations included:

* Camp Curtin YMCA: $100,000 for conversion of an indoor pool into a recreational area

* Central Dauphin School District: $75,600 for a school safety improvement project

* Jewish Home of Greater Harrisburg: $75,000 for an emergency generator project

* Penn FC (Harrisburg City Islanders): $72,562 for a field conversion project

* Humane Society of Harrisburg Area: $70,000 for an expansion of veterinary services

* Salvation Army: $50,000 for a new headquarters and services facility

* Harrisburg Rugby Food Club: $50,000 for Perseverance Field improvements

* Homeland Center: $40,000 for an emergency generator project

* The Nativity School: $40,000 for furniture purchase and building renovations

* Open Stage of Harrisburg: $32,000 for facility and equipment upgrades

* Capital Region Literacy Corp.: $30,000 for books in schools and clinic program

* Habitat for Humanity: $28,000 for weatherization project

* Heinz Menaker Senior Center: $25,000 for ADA-compliant restrooms

* Midtown Action Council: $13,652 for historic marker renovation and expansion

* Beacon Clinic: $5,000 for HVAC installation and renovations

More Downtown Apartments

More apartments appear headed for downtown Harrisburg, though it may be awhile before you’ll be able to move into one.

Harrisburg City Council last month introduced a resolution that would allow Harristown Enterprises to convert a circa-1952 office building to a 25-unit apartment building with commercial space on the first floor.

The building, at 124 Pine St., currently houses Keystone Human Services, which would seek new space following a sale, said Harristown CEO Brad Jones.

Keystone currently has the six-story, 30,000-square-foot building on the market for $1.5 million.

Over the past few years, Harristown has converted several downtown office buildings to higher-end apartments, most recently at the corner of N. 2nd and Cranberry streets. That 12-unit building, Jones said, has been renamed “The Bogg on Cranberry.”

The Pine Street project, he said, would consist of 18 one-bedroom and seven two-bedroom units that would range from about 700 to 850 square feet in size. Jones said that he expects rents to be about $1,095 to $1,395 a month. The project includes 19 off-street parking spaces, which would be rented separately.

If Harristown gets City Council approval, the company hopes to close on a building purchase in May. Jones, however, expects that Keystone will then lease the building back until it can find a new home, meaning that renovation work probably won’t begin until early 2019.

So Noted

Blake Lynch was named Harrisburg’s new community policing coordinator last month. In this position, Lynch, formerly director of development at the Boys and Girls Club of Harrisburg, will serve as a liaison between the city’s Police Bureau and the community.

Club XL is set to open this month near S. Cameron and Hanna streets in an industrial area of Harrisburg. Owner Phil Dobson said the 18,500-square-foot nightclub and concert venue will feature a large stage, a sophisticated light and sound system and an exterior patio, among other amenities.

Gamut Theatre Group this month plans to begin the second phase of the build-out of its building in downtown Harrisburg. The Gamut Theatre Education Center will include the Alexander Grass Second Stage, two renovated classrooms and other areas for students to learn various aspects of theater operations. The $700,000 project should be completed by August, according to Gamut.

Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant is making plans to open in the newly constructed Hershey Towne Square on Chocolate Avenue in Hershey. The company expects the 9,000-square-foot space to be ready late this year or early next year.

Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority announced last month that Robert “Bob” Zorbaugh will replace Jim Warner as CEO when Warner retires at year-end. Zorbaugh, the current chief operating officer, has served with LCSWMA, which owns Harrisburg’s waste-to-energy incinerator, since 1990.

PSECU last month announced the planned retirement of President Greg Smith, effective February 2019. Smith has served with the credit union for nearly 30 years.

Right on Reily is slated to open late this month in restaurant space across the street from Midtown Cinema in Harrisburg. Owner Dylan Simon said he plans to open at 7 a.m. and will feature freshly made breakfast items, sandwiches, soups and salads from the eatery at 263 Reily St.

Theatre Harrisburg last month announced the departure of its executive director, Allison Graham Hays, who served in the post for about one year. A search for a new director has begun. Those interested should send a resume and cover letter to [email protected].

Changing Hands

Adrian St., 2421: J. Howard to L. Brown, $69,900

Berryhill St., 2216: PA Deals LLC to A. & L. Smith, $64,900

Boas St., 111: P. & M. Keelen to J. Swope, $67,000

Boas St., 409: A. Antoun to P. Cannon & M. Hertrich, $84,000

Boas St., 1910: Dobson Family Limited to M. Cardona & S. Guzman, $36,000

Duke St., 2433: 2013 Central PA Real Estate Fund LLC to S. Henry, $65,900

Evergreen St., 17: E. Ordonez to P. Paniagua, $40,000

Fulton St., 1625: Z. & H. Khan to J. Seibert, $125,750

Fulton St., 1722: Wilmington Savings Fund & Society FSB to PA Deals LLC, $77,500

Green St., 2322: Lake Como REI LLC to Lynn & Ryan Investment Properties LLC, $36,000

Hale Ave., 383: 2013 Central PA Real Estate Fund LLC to S. Henry, $65,000

Hale Ave., 403: O. Peck to C. & A. Bullock, $71,000

Harris St., 204: G. Olives to A. Hermany & T. Minnick, $149,900

Holly St., 1916: W. Aikens Jr. to R. & B. Cook, $43,000

Hummel St., 243: Tri County HDC Ltd. to B. Dixon, $69,900

Kensington St., 2267: M. Eismann to Blackfoot Viking LLC, $40,000

Kensington St., 2328: 2013 M&M Real Estate Fund LLC to S. Henry, $65,900

Market St., 1028: J. & A. Karagiannis to R. Luu, J. Son & KS Property Management LLC, $250,000

Market St., 1800: G. Walker to Horizon Trust FBO, Timothy Carter IRA, $105,000

Mayflower St., 1366: G. Vargas to D. Tellado, $60,000

N. 2^nd St., 221: CJ2 Group LLC to Second and Cranberry LLC, $350,000

N. 2^nd St., 2338: H. Witte & A. Atkinson to V. Paredes, $95,000

N. 3^rd St., 3218: T. & B. Seely to S. Dudek, $139,900

N. 4^th St., 1911: K. & D. Fletcher to M. DeMeo, $73,900

N. 5^th St., 1948: L. Blanton to B. & K. Feidt, $73,500

N. 5^th St., 2554: J. Johnson to D. Mallek & W. Sarris, $60,000

N. 5^th St., 3201: Branch Banking and Trust Co. to F. Nestico, $80,000

N. 15^th St., 2: R. Sharma & N. Saini to D&F Realty Holdings LP, $100,000

N. 15^th St., 1425: Top Notch Properties LLC to B. Wevodau Sr., $30,000

S. 24^th St., 563: Lake Como REI LLC to Lynn & Ryan Investment Properties LLC, $65,000

Parkway Blvd., 2509: Harrisburg Rentals LLC to A. & L. Smith, $118,500

Peffer St., 321: K. Whitehead to V. Robinson, $74,000

Penn St., 1504: R. Davis to D. & M. Witwer, $70,000

Penn St., 1612: A. La Luz to N. Giustra, $140,000

Race St., 552: G. & K. Nguyen to A. & H. Appleberry, $144,000

Revere St., 1722: R. Brunstetter to Top Unit Properties LLC, $80,000

Rolleston St., 1153: A. Phillips to C. Suriel, $43,000

Rudy Rd., 2492: HT Properties LLC to W. Marca, $59,000

Rumson Dr., 2899: S. Markowitz to M. Gleason, $58,000

S. 14^th St., 1404: S. McMurray to City of Harrisburg, $47,000

S. 14^th St., 1409: V. Brice to City of Harrisburg, $48,000

S. 14^th St., 1411: DRW Properties LLC to City of Harrisburg, $50,000

S. 14^th St., 1412: M. Hudson to City of Harrisburg, $53,000

S. 14^th St., 1420: S. Crittenden to City of Harrisburg, $52,500

S. 14^th St., 1436: J. Newhouse to City of Harrisburg, $49,000

S. 14^th St., 1441: W. & B. Hornung to City of Harrisburg, $39,000

S. 14^th St., 1442: Blue Real Estate LLC to City of Harrisburg, $51,000

S. River St., 315: Red Realty LLC & D. Shearer to J. & S. Bachman, $109,000

State St., 1713: D. Schneider to J. Virbitsky, $85,000

Susquehanna St., 1622: R. & G. Harris to H. Maierle & C. Kostelecky, $134,500

Susquehanna St., 1704 & 1706: J. Shoop to N. Lotze & A. Anderson, $122,000

Sycamore St., 1421: G. Neff to C. Pizarro, $35,000

Waldo St., 2627: PA Deals LLC to S. Henry, $54,000

Wyeth St., 1413: M. & J. Boyer to J. Hegarty, $105,000

Harrisburg property sales for February 2018, greater than $30,000. Source: Dauphin County. Data is assumed to be accurate.

Pinot Now: This legendary red wine is more available, in greater variety, than ever before.

March 30, 2018 | by Steve Juliana

Of all the seven “noble” grapes, pinot noir is, I believe, the one that produces the most evocative, beautiful and, some would say, sexy wine.

This finicky, thin-skinned grape is unique in its ability to make a balanced quaff that is more acidic than tannic. Garnet in color, the wine has great drinkability when it is young and amazing complexity when aged. The flavors on the palate are cherries and berries, while the nose is violets and barnyard. It has become a universal grape with plantings in most temperate zones around the world.

Boosted in reputation by the film “Sideways,” pinot noir is almost never blended, as other grapes overpower its subtle flavors and nuances. But there is an important exception. To produce Champagne, it is commonly combined with Chardonnay and pinot meunier, making the world’s best and most expensive sparkling wine.

Pinot noir is French for “black pine” as the tight clusters of fruit with small berries are said to resemble pinecones. The dark grape reaches its pinnacle of expression in the northern region of Burgundy, where it has been grown at least since medieval times.

Fine Burgundies are much sought after and have the reputation for being the world’s most expensive wines. Because it’s an “Old World” wine, the bottles will have the name of the village and the name of the grower. There are no dominant wineries, so choose carefully, but definitely try some.

In the United States, the West Coast is pinot noir country. Oregon has huge areas dedicated to this grape, mostly in the Willamette and Umpqua valleys. The wines there benefit from the cool climate, so they are closer to true Burgundies than any other region where pinot is grown. As with any good wine, each producer bottles a variation on a theme, so the differences are worth exploring.

California makes wonderful pinot noir in its cooler growing areas, most notably in the Russian River Valley, Carneros region and, my favorite, the Santa Maria Valley in Santa Barbara County. These wines are very fruit-forward, and some have the characteristic “cherry cola” flavor. They’re great, easy-drinking quaffs.

New Zealand has become a haven for the hard-to-grow grape and serves as a foil to the amount of Sauvignon Blanc that comes from the island nation. Much of the wine is young. Great, older wines are also available but can be expensive.

Perhaps the biggest surprise is the amount of good pinot coming from Germany. The southern part of the country has embraced the French grape with results that seem at odds within the riesling country. The wines are light in color with good fruit and nice texture considering their pale, ruby color. It’s a wonderful quaff from a region where white wines dominate.

Keep sipping,
Steve

Heartbreak, in 3 Acts: “Foxtrot” takes viewers on an emotional journey.

March 30, 2018 | by Sammi Leigh Melville

No one wants to see a soldier at the door, waiting to break bad news.

This is exactly the scenario at the beginning of “Foxtrot,” the Israeli war drama nominated for this year’s Foreign Language Academy Award, when Michael (Lior Ashkenazi) and Daphna Feldman (Sarah Adler) answer their door.

The opening scenes of this unsettling story unfold with stark sobriety—void of music, cold and somewhat detached, but still dripping with raw emotion—exactly how you might feel stumbling through the news of your son’s death. The Israeli army already has funeral plans set for Jonathan, and the shock that the family (including daughter Alma, played by Shira Haas) goes through is brutal and raw, so realistic but somehow also feeling like a dream.

And, yet, the film’s vivid portrayal of grief is not the only trick up writer/director Samuel Maoz’s sleeve. “Foxtrot” shares three stories, the previously mentioned falling in the middle chronologically, and there are plenty of surprises along the way.

The second act portrays the days leading up to the bad news, though from Jonathan’s perspective. At a bleak, monotonous checkpoint in the middle of nowhere, Jonathan (Yonaton Shiray) bides his time with three other soldiers, sleeping in a shipping container that is slowly sinking into the ground. And the third act picks up with the Feldmans several months after the event.

The movie’s slow pace is a tribute to the enrapturing “realistic fairy tale” quality that it possesses. It contains several devastating twists and turns, each depicting something more than just the scene it resides in. A story like this is rife with political commentary, and, because of that, has even been denounced by Israel’s Minister of Culture Miri Regev.

With emotions brimming under a stolid exterior, Ashkenazi will break your heart with his performance, and the supporting cast keeps the standard high. These are characters who have clearly used the discomfort of the situation to bare their souls to the audience. By the end of the film, they don’t feel fictional.

“Foxtrot” may not have won the Oscar this year. Nonetheless, it is a film you will not want to miss.

“Foxtrot” opens April 20 at Midtown Cinema, 250 Reily St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.midtowncinema.com.

APRIL SPECIAL EVENTS
AT MIDTOWN CINEMA

“WesFest”: Wes Anderson Collection

“The Grand Budapest Hotel” (2014)
Friday, April 6, 9 p.m.
Tuesday, April 10, 9 p.m.

“Fantastic Mr. Fox” (2009)
Saturday, April 7, 12 p.m.
Sunday, April 8, 12 p.m.

“Moonrise Kingdom” (2012)
Saturday, April 7, 9 p.m.
Wednesday, April 11, 7:30 p.m.

“Bottle Rocket” (1996)
Monday, April 9, 7:30 p.m.

Down in Front! Presents a Double Feature
“Rainbow Brite and the Star Stealer” (1985)
Friday, April 13, 7 p.m.

“Masters of the Universe” (1987)
Friday, April 13, 8:45 p.m.

National Theatre Live
“Julius Caesar”
Monday, April 9, 7 p.m.

3rd in the Burg $3 Movie
“Reefer Madness” (1936)
Friday, April 20, 9:30 p.m.

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

“Star Trek: TOS” Movie Marathon
Saturday, April 21, 10 a.m.

Scene in the Abstract: Colors pop at Whitaker Center.

March 30, 2018 | by Priscilla Morales

At Whitaker Center, there’s an art space called the Curved Wall Gallery.

This may come as a surprise to even regular visitors, as it’s beyond the entryway to the theaters and science center, so the exhibit area may not catch the eye right away.

However, the Curved Wall almost always has art worth your attention along its 700 linear feet of space, which spans two floors. And most is by local artists, including, through late this month, painter Sue Marrazzo.

Marrazzo’s display, “Exploring the Boundaries,” primarily focuses on experimental, floating canvases, pushing boundaries and delving into new mediums and colors.

“The art is very linear, and the colors really pop,” said Exhibits and Cinema Systems Manager Joe Easton, describing the exhibit’s Andy Warhol-esque features. “It’s textural mixed media.”

Marrazzo creates using an array of techniques, including acrylics, collage, sculpture and encaustic painting. Through her work and teaching, she expresses how the connection of art and music adds to people’s lives, tying it all together. A world without art is dull, she believes, and she hopes to help remedy that through her work.

“Whitaker Center is a grand venue that highlights each piece,” Marrazzo said. “I feel I contribute to aesthetics, have an art appreciation and share what I love.”

Through the Curved Wall Gallery, Whitaker Center offers a platform for rising artists to show their work, thus gaining them important exposure. Artists usually live within a 90-mile radius of Harrisburg, keeping the art relevant to the area.

“[Marrazzo’s display is] the largest body of work from a single artist,” said Easton. “The art represents the body—in a broad spectrum. Each piece speaks for itself.”

Easton discovered Marrazzo through an affiliation between Whitaker Center and the Art Association of Harrisburg, where Marrazzo has taught and shown her work. She currently teaches at the Art Center School & Galleries in Mechanicsburg, where she also hosts art parties, and is represented by local galleries Gallery@Second in Harrisburg and Art & Soul Gallery in Lemoyne. Another solo exhibit of her work is slated for Cornerstone Coffeehouse in Camp Hill this fall.

“The Art Association has been very supportive,” said Marrazzo before quoting French artist, Edgar Degas. “Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.”

For Marrazzo, art is a way of life. Sharing this love is not just a passion but a calling. Besides her teaching work at the Art Center School & Galleries, Marrazzo holds classes and workshops at the York Art Association and speaks to middle-schoolers on the significance of art in history.

“I’m an advocate for art history,” she said. “It’s important to know what others have done before.”

“Exploring the Boundaries” is on display until April 20 at the Curved Wall Gallery at Whitaker Center, 222 Market St, Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.whitakercenter.org.

For more information about Sue Marrazzo, visit www.suemarrazzo.blogspot.com, her Facebook page and Instagram (both Sue Marrazzo Art).

Through the Laughter: Jokes are part of serious service for the women of Altrusa.

March 30, 2018 | by Gina Napoli

Illustration by Aron Rook.

As Isabel Masland tells it, she faced two very different choices.

“It was either tell jokes or be in a nursing home,” said the nonagenarian, who has suffered three heart attacks and near blindness. “So, I’m telling jokes.”

And that’s how she founded the Jokesters, a troupe of amateur stand-up comics who tour the local circuit of nursing homes, senior centers and class reunions.

“Before we changed our name to ‘The Jokesters,’ we were ‘The Badass Grandmothers.’ Then there were objections,” Masland said, waving them away with her hand. “But my four grandkids still call me that.”

The Jokesters is just one of the many service projects under Altrusa, an international community service organization with a local chapter in south-central Pennsylvania. Since 1955, the women of Altrusa have actively served the community through leadership, education and literacy programs, as well as lent support to established charities and nursing homes.

The local Altrusa club is one of 330 worldwide with more than 8,136 active members. In addition to literacy projects, special events and scholarships, Altrusans share in leadership, driven by a common desire to help and to serve others.

“[The Jokesters is] my way of contributing,” Masland said. “People really appreciate it.”

Masland recruited three other Jokester friends from her Altrusa club: Mary Lou Adams, Ann Tyndall and Brenda Gabel.

Adams, a former director of services for the Area Agency on Aging, has a natural connection with local nursing homes, which has proven useful when networking with different performance venues.

In 2014, she introduced Tyndall to Altrusa, where Tyndall currently serves as club president, leading with good humor and a dash of southern sass. In so doing, she has kept a promise to herself that she wouldn’t be a couch potato in retirement after moving to the area from North Carolina.

“This mission touched my heart,” she said. “There’s no more satisfying activity than to hear laughter. Life is more productive when you’re helping others.”

And there’s another, more personal reason.

“I’ve always been half ham—maybe a dozen hams,” she said with a flip of her hair. “I enjoy being the center of the spotlight. Call it a character flaw, but I say a sense of humor keeps you going when other things can’t.”

The one person who keeps this club going—literally—is Brenda Gabel.

Gabel serves as the Jokesters’ chauffeur, GPS and emcee. Having joined Altrusa in 1987, she promised to help Masland when she started the Jokesters. With Masland’s blindness and Tyndall’s lack of familiarity with the area, Gabel’s transportation serves the troupe well.

“I like meeting all the different people we become involved with,” Gabel said. “People enjoy it.”

She makes it clear that she is not a performing Jokester.

“I don’t tell jokes,” she deadpans. “I just drive.”

Every comedy troupe needs a straight man, right?

In all seriousness, Gabel uses her skills and her sincerity to serve the Jokesters as a ground wire among the other live wires on the team, driving the ladies to their venues safely and on time. Then she introduces the Jokesters when it’s show time.

The Jokesters’ brochure invites everyone to join in the fun by telling their favorite jokes.

“I’d like this to be a good program and to keep it going,” said Masland. “We’re happy to share our jokes with anyone else willing to tell them for their own comedy show, as long as they adjust the jokes for mixed company.”

Tydall then put in a plug.

“By the way, we’re always looking for new members,” she said, raising her brows and lowering her head. “Hint, hint.”

For more information on Altrusa, visit www.altrusa.org.

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